Me: Hey Yongie Hyung, we're on our way to practice now

Yongie Hyung: Alright. How're you feeling?

Me: I'm good, not bad at all

Yongie Hyung: How did you sleep last night? No nightmares?

Me: Nah I'm fine, I slept well

Yongie Hyung: Did you sleep with Chenle again lol

Me: Maybe...

Yongie Hyung: You two have a beautiful friendship, never take it for granted

Me: Trust me I don't

Yongie Hyung: Have you got everything under control for today?

Me: Yeah. It's gonna be fine. I'm not going to do any extra practice, I'll stay with Chenle throughout tonight and make sure he's doing ok

Yongie Hyung: Alright, well good luck. Call me if you run into any problems

Me: Will do, thanks

Me: I love you Hyungie

Yongie Hyung: I love you too Jisungie❤

"Sungie." I jumped slightly and turned to look at Chenle who was sitting next to me in the back of the van. We were currently on our way to dance practice. Today is the day, everything comes down to what happens before tonight. Everything I've done to keep him happy, could go down the drain if I don't look after him today.

"I'm sorry, what did you say," I asked, blinking at him in confusion. He chuckled and pinched my cheek softly while he cooed.

"I asked who you were talking to," he giggled. At least he seems happy, that's a good thing.

"Oh, I was talking to Taeyong Hyung," I replied.

"What about," he asked me.

"Nothing important, we're here now," I said, quickly pocketing my phone as the van pulled up at the company.

"You ready to practice hard. We have a week off after this so we're gonna be giving it our all," Chenle asked as we unbuckled.

"Yep, let's work til we drop," I giggled, grabbing his hand and pulling him out of the van...

Practice was long, 6 hours long and we were working hard so by the time we finished, we were all panting but smiling. It always feels good when you know you worked hard and you put in a lot of effort that will pay off.

"Well done guys, that was a really awesome practice," Mark said happily.

"I cannot wait to get home and relax in front of the TV," Jaemin said as he packed his bag. I went over to my bag and zipped it up before standing.

"Jisung come here." I frowned in surprise before walking over to Manager-nim.

"I want you to stay back today and practice some more." I froze and my stomach dropped. Stay back? As in leave Chenle during the time he killed himself last time? NO, WAY!

"I can't Hyung-nim, sorry," I replied.

"I wasn't asking Jisung. I'm telling you that I want you staying back an extra hour," he said shaking his head. I bit my lip and turned to look over at Chenle who was talking to Renjun and laughing. He looks fine, he looks happy. But he looked the same last time, one can never be too careful.

"Oh, sorry Hyung but we've already been here for like 6 hours. Can I please just go back to the dorm with everyone else," I asked nervously.

"No, you need to stay back for another hour Jisung and that's final," he said firmly.

"Sung," Mark said as he walked over, making me turn to him.

"Yes Hyung," I said.

"It's just an extra hour. Don't work too hard but still try alright," he told me.

"Can I please go home Hyung," I asked.

"It's just an hour Jisung, you've done way longer than that before," Mark said. I sighed and nodded, knowing he wouldn't budge on something like this. It's not uncommon for Manager-nim to ask someone to stay back sometimes but this is the worst time to do it. I really need to be with Chenle, but I can't just go out and say that. Damnit! I watched as everyone slowly left the room, Chenle flashing a small smile as he left. My heart clenched and I fought back a whimper as the door closed behind him. He's leaving. He's going back to the dorm and 20 minutes after he get's home, he could possibly kill himself. I will still be here at that time, I won't be there to stop him if something happens, I won't be able to help him. I tried to take a deep breath but my chest was constricting tightly and I felt panic creeping up.

"Hyung-nim, please let me go home. I beg you, I'll do anything. I'll come back tomorrow and do extra practice, I just really need to be home now," I said quickly, hoping that he would be nice for once and let me go. Panic was still clawing at my chest and my hands were starting to feel clammy.

"No, you're staying here and you're dancing," he said angrily.

"Please, please Hyung," I begged as I stepped closer, tears starting to fall down my face as I begun to cry. It was embarrassing crying in front of him but I'd do anything to keep Chenle safe and hopefully Manager-nim might have a heart for once and see I was distressed and let me go. Apparently not considering less than 5 seconds later, a fist was connecting with my cheek and I was shoved to the ground. I froze in shock and looked up at Manager-nim who looked furious. Ok, so maybe there isn't any chance that I will be going back to the dorm anytime soon.

"You are such a fucken brat. I told you to practice, so you practice you little shit," he yelled. I nodded and got up shakily, quickly getting into my position for the dance. He glared at me before pressing play. I knew there was nothing else I could do so I started to practice, tears still streaming down my face as small sobs escaped my lips. It was agonizing, watching the time go by, seeing the time hit when Chenle told me he took the pills, seeing the minutes tick by. He could be dead right now. He could be gone and I'm not able to contact anyone because Manager-nim won't let me near my bag. Once the hour was finally up, he let me stop and I rushed to my bag, stuffing everything inside as I tried to bite down the panic that was starting to settle in. I need to get back to the dorm, now.

"Can we please go now Hyung-nim," I asked him quickly.

"Stop being such a needy bitch. Just because you're an idol, doesn't mean you get everything you want," he scoffed. What the hell crawled up his butt?

"I have a meeting so wait here because I can't take you back. I'll come get you in half an hour when I'm done," he said before swiftly walking out of the room. W-What? Half an hour? I need to get home now, no I needed to be home an hour ago. I tried to suck in a deep breath but it was getting too hard as scenarios started running through my head. I need to go, I can't wait another 30 minutes. I need someone else who can come and take me home. Taeyong. I grabbed my phone quickly and typed in his number with shaky hands. He picked up on the third ring.

"Hey Jisungie, how's it going," he asked.

"H-Hyung. I need you to pick me up and t-take me to the door," I said, as tears started to fall down my face once again.

"What do you mean take you to the dorm? Why aren't you already there," he asked quickly.

"I couldn't. Manager-nim told me to stay and when I begged him to let me go, he physically made me stay," I rushed out, not caring what I was saying, I just need to get back to the door. He was silent for a few seconds and I was confused but he finally spoke again.

"I'm sorry. But did you just say that he physically forced you? What do you mean he physically forced you," he asked, his tone sharp.

"He threw me to the ground but it doesn't matter Taeyong, I need you to pick me up. Please, I need to get back to the dorm. Manager-nim won't be done for another hour and I need to see Chenle ple-."

"It's ok Jisungie, I'm almost there. Come out to the front," he told me. I quickly hung up the phone and grabbed my phone before running out the door and through the building until I rushed outside. I could see his car getting closer so I ran to the side of the road. When he stopped, I quickly swung the door open and jumped inside.

"Please hurry Hyung," I said, closing the door and buckling in. He turned to look at me and his face darkened, his grip on the steering wheel tightening until his knuckles went wide. Is he mad at me for not going back to the dorm like I said? Will he blame me if Chenle is gone when I get there?

"What happened to your face," he asked me as he pulled out of the lot. My face? Oh, it's probably red or something.

"Manager-nim hit me," I replied without thinking, my nerves all over the place as I worried about what could be happening to Chenle.

"Let me just clarify, Manager-nim hit you? He put a hand on you," he asked me slowly.

"Yes Hyung but that's not the biggest problem. Chenle could be gone right now, because I couldn't look after him. Hyung I tried so hard to look after him and keep him happy but he might be gone anyway and it'll be my fault," I said, grabbing my hair in frustration as I took in a shaky breath.

"It's ok Jisung, just calm down. Chenle will be ok. You've done so well to look after him this week and keep him happy, make sure he knows that he's loved. I don't think the thought will even have crossed his mind this time," he said softly. I know that he's probably right but there's still a chance that his wrong and even a chance is enough to keep me anxious. I won't be feeling any better until I see Chenle in front of me, alive and breathing.

"I-I need to see him," I said shaking my head.

"Can you tell me why that jackass hit you," he asked me suddenly, going back to Manager-nim. Now that I'm panicking slightly less, I realise it was probably a bad idea mentioning that because Taeyong is a very overprotective Hyung.

"He told me to stay back and I didn't want to but I ended up staying because Mark Hyung wanted me to. Once Chenle left I started stressing, I begged Manager-nim to let me go home but he wouldn't let me. I started to cry because I was getting scared but he apparently didn't like that so he punched me, pushed me to the floor and called me a brat," I said with a sigh. Truthfully I wasn't too bothered by it, I've kind of been expecting it from the way Manager-nim has been acting around me and I'm far more worried about my best friends to care. I did however see Taeyong's jaw tightened as is eyes narrowed. He moved one hand over and slipped it into mine and have it a gently squeeze.

"I'm going to drop you off at the dorm and you're going to go and check on Chenle while I go do something ok," he told me.

"You're going back to the company aren't you," I asked quietly.

"You're my Maknae Jisung, my precious aegi. No one will ever get away with laying a hand on you, no matter who they are. Manager-nim had no right to touch you and I'm going to make sure that he's gone before you guys get bad," he said darkly. I squeezed his hand softly and rubbed the back of it with my thumb.

"I don't care Yongie Hyung, I just need to know that Chenle is ok. I-I don't want to find him dead again Hyung," I whispered.

"He'll be ok Jisung, I trust you and your ability to make him happy. Just contact me if anything happens and I'll come back right away," he said as he parked outside the dorm. I was nervous all of I sudden, I want to make sure he's ok but I don't know what I'll do if I walk in there and I'm too late, if nothing I did even matter.

"I'm scared Hyung," I whimpered.

"You've got this Jisung, everything's going to be ok," Taeyong said softly. I took a deep breath and nodded, slipping out of the car. I quickly went to the front door and unlocked it, running inside. I paid no attention to Norenmin who I noticed were watching TV once again, just rushing past but they didn't even noticed me, too busy watching their movie. My heart was pounding and my throat closed up as I finally got my bedroom door and swung it open in fear, bracing myself for the worst to come. Almost collapsing at what I saw...

Chenle was sitting on his bed, giggling as he looked at something on his phone. He looked up at me when he heard the door open.

"Oh my god Jisungie, have you seen this new video our 127 Hyungs have done. Mark, Johnny and Jaehyun are hilarious, they thought Mark was spiderman," he giggled, his eyes small as he grinned widely. I, I did it. He's ok. I saved him. I kept my promise and he's still here, he's alive. The sudden realisation hit me and I was overwhelmed with relief. Promptly bursting into tears in the doorway. Chenle's eyes widened in shock and he threw his phone, rushing over to hug me tightly.

"Aegi? Aegi what's wrong," he asked as I clung to him and sobbed into his shoulder. He carefully closed the door and maneuverered us over to his bed where he sat down and shuffled against the wall, pulling me close to him. I immediately cuddled up, clinging to him tightly as he I rested my head over his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat right beneath my ear. Chenle is here, he's ok, he's not dead. My Lele didn't leave me again. I continued to sob in his embrace, fisting his hoodie tightly in my hands as he just held me and let me cry. It took me around 5 minutes to finally calm down enough that I was just crying and not full on sobbing which surprised me because I had already cried a lot earlier. I had the sudden urge to let him know how much I needed him, how much I love him. So I did.

"C-Chenle," I sniffled.

"Yeah Sungie, I'm here," he said quickly, tightening his hold around me.

"C-Chenle, I l-love you so much. Y-You're the closest thing I have t-to family here. I d-don't know what I'd do without you. Y-You're my guide in life. When things are getting tough and it feels like I'm sinking into the dark abyss, you're always there, shining bright to save me, to bring me back. You help me learn right from wrong and you protect me when I can't protect myself. You've been there with me through everything and I'm so grateful to have you in my life, you're such an amazing person. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here," I admitted, hiccupping slightly through the tears.

"P-Please don't leave. I beg you, don't leave me. I need you in my life so badly Chenle, so bad," I cried, holding onto him as tight as I could without hurting him. It was quiet for a few seconds before I heard a small sniffle and Chenle suddenly buried his head in my hair, he shoulders shaking slightly. I realised he was crying and it upset me a bit but I knew it wasn't because he was sad, it was because I just gave him a raw confession that I've never even gotten close to saying ever before.

"Jisungie," he whispered, he hold around me tightening so we were basically clutching at each other.

"Jisung, you're the best thing that's happened to me in this world. I love you so damn much it hurts sometimes. You're my rock, you've been with me through thick and thin. Every time I see you my day get's a little bit better, a little bit brighter," he said softly, placing a gentle kiss to the top of my head.

"I hate to break it to you but you're stuck with me by your side until we're old wrinkly and barely able to move," he said, making me giggle slightly through my tears. He chuckled and slipped his fingers under my chin turning it so I was looking up at him. He was smiling gently but the minute he looked at me, he froze and his face dropped, his eyes going wide before narrowing.

"Jisung why do you have a black eye," he asked in a strained voice. I unfortunately didn't think before replying.

"Manager-nim hit me."

"WHAT THE FUCK JISUNG." He slipped away from me and went to stand up but I grasped at his arms desperately, not wanting him to leave me.

"N-No, please don't leave me," I said quickly.

"Hey, shh. I'm not leaving you, I just need to go tell someone about Manger-nim ok. He hurt you and I'm not going to let you get away with that," he said, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"It's ok Lele. Taeyongie Hyung is dealing with it," I told him. At my words, he visibly relaxed, knowing that Taeyong would handle it. He sat back down on the bed next to me.

"I'll stay here then. I'll never leave you alright," he said.

"Do you promise," I asked, wiping my eyes with my sleeve quickly. He slipped his hand into mine before leaning forwards and gently placing his lips on mine. It was less than a few seconds, nothing but a quick peck but it warmed my entire insides and I smiled as he pulled away, giving me a small smile in return.

"I Promise."

A/N

Here it is, Chapter 9 , the very last chapter. I can't believe I've already finished this and I'd like to thank everyone who has read this and enjoyed this. It was so fun to write, and I hope it was just as fun to read.

Please let me know what you thought about this short story and if you enjoyed it, I'd love to know stuff you liked about it!

Also if in future, I were to want to do another short story, maybe revolving around ATEEZ, probably focusing on Wooyoung, San and Yeosang, would you be interested in reading?

Thank you so much for reading and sticking by me for this story!

I hope everyone is safe and healthy!!!