trigger warning: mentions and descriptions of death.

"HOLD UP YOU'RE WHAT?"  Jisung asked with his mouth wide open, making the others chuckle.

"I'm a backup dancer for BTS. That's why I was at the concert" Minho repeated, rolling his eyes at his soulmate's dramatic behavior.

"Wow I really got a good one" Jisung muttered, making Minho roll his eyes again with a soft smile. To say he was whipped would be an understatement.

Changbin looked at the two boys conversing with a smile on his face. Finally his best friend had gotten the happiness he deserved.

"You two are disgusting" said one of Minho's friends, Seungmin, with a look of disgust on his face, making everyone at the table laugh.

The nine boys had been talking for a few hours and most of them were tipsy, if not drunk, except Woojin and Chan, who were the unspoken 'adults' of the group. Changbin was also quite sober, not being in the mood to drink.

Changbin suddenly felt a weight on his shoulder, and turned to see a sleepy Felix resting his head on his shoulder. He smiled softly at the younger boy's peaceful and innocent expression. While sober Felix was serious, overly careful and always looked like he was deep in thought, drunk Felix was carefree and very open, spilling out his most random thoughts, only to giggle afterwards.

"Hey, Felix?" Changbin called out softly, lightly brushing off the boy's fringe off his now sweaty forehead. The younger just hummed in response, and Changbin took it as a signal to continue.

"Do you want me to drop you home? You look tired and you're drunk too" he asked, and Felix frowned before rapidly shaking his head.

"No no no no home. It's lonely" he said with a pout and Changbin felt his heart break. He sighed before an idea popped into his mind.

"Hey guys! Felix and I will be leaving first" he declared, before grabbing the boy's hand and pulling him out of the restaurant.

"Binnie hyung~ I told you I don't wanna go home" Felix pouted and Changbin grinned at the nickname.

"Don't worry Felix. I'm taking you somewhere else. To my favorite place, actually" he said, making Felix's expression brighten.

"Really? Yayy~" He slurred, making the older boy chuckle.

The two walked for what seemed like ages to the freckled boy but was actually only a few minutes, and finally reached a beach. Changbin's favourite beach.

"Ta-da!" The boy sing-songed and turned to Felix, making extravagant jazz hands which made the younger laugh.

Changbin chuckled at the younger boy's amazement as he looked around the deserted beach. On their way there, Changbin was debating whether Felix would like the place which was so dear to him or not, but he was glad that he brought him there. The boy seemed to be enjoying the fresh air and the lulling sound of the waves.

Changbin sat down and Felix followed, sitting besides him, their hands almost touching in the sand. After about twenty minutes of comfortable silence, the younger boy spoke up, making Changbin look at him.

"The grave I was visiting that day was my best friend's. It was Sangmin's." he said, looking out at the soft waves washing over the beach. Changbin thought he looked much more sober than he did ten minutes ago. He remained quiet though, letting the younger boy continue with what he was saying.

"He died in an industrial accident five years ago. They said a metal post fell on him when he was walking past a construction site. Killed him on the spot" Felix continued with the same somber tone, still looking out at the ocean and Changbin couldn't help but want to hug the younger boy. Feeling that that might make the latter uncomfortable, he settle for gently holding his hand, rubbing small circles on it.

"We grew up in the same orphanage. He was my everything, you know? When he left me all alone, I was broken. What was I supposed to do without the one person who always supported me?" Felix said, now looking at the older boy. Changbin could see that his eyes were glassy and he couldn't help but pull Felix into hug. He felt heartbroken when he imagined how rough it must have been for fourteen year old Felix, heartbroken and all alone.

As soon as their shoulders met, Felix let out a sob, and it was the most heartbreaking thing Changbin had ever heard. He rubbed the younger's back, trying to give him the little comfort he could offer. Changbin wasn't good with comforting people, but he wanted to try his best to comfort Felix nonetheless.

"I miss him so much, hyung. I wish he was still here" he sobbed, still trapped in Changbin's arms.

Changbin closed his eyes shut from the pain. It hurt. It hurt him so much to see the one he cares about in so much pain. He wanted to end it. He wanted to end Felix's pain. But how could he? How could he fill the big gaping hole that was left in Felix's heart?

"I know you do. I wish he was still here too" he whispered, still rubbing the younger's back, not knowing what else to do.

"Why does everybody leave me? Am I not good enough? Are you going to leave me too?" Felix said, his words almost incoherent because of his heartbreaking sobs, but Changbin understood, and it broke his heart even more.

"No baby, of course you're enough. I'm not going to leave you, I promise. I'll always be here for you. Sangmin didn't leave you either. He's always here with you, and he wouldn't want you being broken hearted over something that isn't true" Changbin said in the same hushed tone as before, hoping he wasn't saying something wrong.

After a few more minutes of painful sobbing, Felix finally calmed down, breaking the hug with Changbin, and looking at him with an apologetic face.

"I'm sorry about that"

"Don't be" Changbin said with what he hoped looked like a comforting smile.

"I'm glad you're my soulmate. He would've liked you too" Felix said quietly with a sad smile, holding on to the older boy's hand.

"Tell me about him. What kind of a person was he?"

"Sangmin was... the most notorious boy in our orphanage, by far. He used to steal the caretaker's belongings and hide them in the toilet" Felix chuckled softly at the memory and Changbin smiled softly.

"But he was also the sweetest and kindest person there. When I was new to the orphanage, he was the only one who approached me and made me feel like I fit in. He always put my needs before his. He was the best" Felix smiled softly, lost in the nostalgia and memories of the past. Changbin looked at him and felt a new resolve. He was going to always protect this boy in front of him. No matter what it took.

Sangmin, I'll make him happy, I promise.

+ 1189 words.