Family dinner

-Jisung? Minho went down the stairs and found his boyfriend on the stairs with Felix.

-Hyung, please take care of him! He doesn't feel alright, Felix warned him. I'll go back and take care of the dinner.

Minho nodded and sat down next to Jisung.

-What's wrong, baby? I'm really worried. You're trembling, my love. Who hurt you? Who hurt my baby? he took Jisung's hand between his owns.

-I'm scared that... this will come to an end eventually. I've never acknowledged it as much as I do now. The end is near, I can see it and... I don't want us to be apart, he broke down.

-We won't, Minho pulled him in his lap and hugged him tight. I will always come back to you. We won't be apart. Why do you have such dark thoughts? he brushed the bangs out of Jisung's sweaty forehead.

-Minho, I'm...

The older starred at Jisung in expectation, but the latter couldn't bring himself to tell him the truth. It was a burden to him. Knowing Minho, it would have became his as well. Jisung's didn't want to put so much sadness on him too.

-I love you! I mean it. I have never been happier and that's so scary... he confessed. I don't deserve it. I'm a brat. I don't deserve you.

Minho cracked a smile and kissed every inch of Jisung's face softly.

-I'm no Saint, Jisungie. I have my flaws. I don't deserve you either. But now that I have you, I won't ever let you go, he leaned his head to Jisung's chest and closed his eyes.

Jisung played with his hair for a while, trying to hold in the tears. It was not fair. Felix went back inside and sat down on the chair next to Changbin.

-Something happened? the idol asked worried.

-A lot, Felix confirmed. What did you tell him? he asked Jeongin all of a sudden.

-Nothing new. Time is limitated and I ain't got all day.

-How could you say that? Felix banged with his palms in the table.

-It's the truth, isn't it?

-You're not the one with that bloody thing on your wrist! Felix yelled. Get out of my house.

-What? Seungmin was left aback.

-Get out. Now, Felix repeated.

-With or without me, he'll meet his fate, Jeongin took his jacket, placed a short kiss on Seungmin and left.

-Felix, why did you...

-You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Ask your boyfriend for details. I'm going in my room, Felix cut Seungmin off. The pair went back inside the apartment and passed by an angry Jeongin.

-What happened? Minho asked him confused.

-Your brother kicked me out.

-What? Felix? he asked in disbelief. There is no way! he went inside to ask the others for confirmation.

-What is going on? Seungmin asked before they got to. Why is Felix yelling at my boyfriend? Why are they fighting over your stupid tattoo? he walked towards Jisung.

-Seungmin, careful! Minho threatened.

-Because of me? Jisung gripped his wrist and pushed his thumb into his skin above his vein.

It was perfect. Seungmin was starting to hate him. He could have gained more years. He could have used that.

But something in him didn't want that. Because Minho's loyalty was a weapon. If Jisung made enemies, Minho would go along. Jisung didn't want to break Minho's friendships.

-I am sick, Jisung confessed. I was... I had a deadly disease and barely made it. The tattoo covers a surgery scar. Felix knows it. Jeongin's uncle was my doctor. Jeongin and I weren't that friendly. He was jealous I was spending more time with his uncle. Not that I would have had a choice. Felix got mad for me. I'm sorry! I'll talk to both.

It was the closest thing from the truth he could say. It was metaphorically corect. Half of truth. Which was better than nothing.

-Why didn't you tell me? Minho felt so sad Jisung felt more safe to convey the information to his brother.

-I knew you would cry. I didn't want you to look at me any differently.

-I could never, he hugged Jisung tightly.

-I'll go catch up to Jeongin. I'll be right back! Jisung said before storming out the room.

...

-Hey! Wait up!

Jisung shouted after Jeongin who didn't spare a glance at him.

-You're my reaper, you should listen to me! he screamed from the top of his lungs. Jeongin stopped suddenly and turned around.

-I'm your reaper, not your servant. I am to prepare you to die, to take care of things after you do and to give you a rightfully funeral. Those are the things I should do.

-Why? I have never heard of such thing before. And I've been around for 400 years.

-Because my family was assigned to yours. But they hated their job. So do I.

-I don't understand.

-There are more people like you, Jisung. All over the world. The curse had more poeple in sight. Suicides and mysterious deaths. All because of the number. Each one had an executioner that takes care of them. As you may know, the ones bearing the number are usually loners. We only want to be there for you when it happens.

He turned around and showed Jisung a tattoo on his nape with a pair of butterfly wings.

-A moth.

-A death symbol. The closest cursed person is usually the one assigned to us. In this case: you.

-Can you come back and talk to Felix? He tried to help me. He's the only one that knows.

-Why?

-Because I trust him. Please! If you do that, I won't ever ask anything from you again. You can live your life and forget about your reaper status. Don't you want that?

-Alright... I take that.

Jisung dragged Jeongin inside and pushed him in Felix's room.

Jisung's head popped out of the closed door before closing it for good.

-Imma need a few moments, he said before slamming the wooden piece.

Minho flopped on his chair and met with the sight of Hyunjin and Chan feeding each other.

-Ugh! he squeezed his eyes shut in disgust. Get a room you two!

-You do stuff like that with Jisung too! Chan felt offended.

-Yeah, but you haven't seen me trying new kinks on him, have you?

-So... Did Jeongin ever told you about a new MV? Cause I had no clue I had a song, Changbin asked Seungmin who was as clueless as him about what was going on.

-What is he doing here? Felix stared at Jeongin.

-Alright, you two need to hug it out. Now, Jisung demanded.

-Over my dead body, Felix replied.

-You guys are so annoying, Jisung whined.

-It's not like I am the one to kill him, Jeongin protested. I just need to be there and give him a funeral. That's all.

-Is that right? Felix asked Jisung.

-Yes. He won't kill me.

-Then...Can I be the one to make you a funeral? If it happens... he mumbled the last part.

-WHEN it happens, Jeongin corrected him.

-You shut up! Jisung pointed towards the youngest. And you... Why would you wanna do that for me?

-Because you've done so much for us. You make my brother so happy, you fixed out relationship and you're my friend.

-I would be honoured to be buried by you, Jisung smiled sadly.

-Everyone dies at one point. What's the big deal? Jeongin asked.

Felix was about to throw some fists. But then he realized. He was genuinely asking. Jeongin didn't understand the concept of death.

-Do you love Seungmin? he calmed himself down and faced Jeongin.

-I do.

-Imagine how he would react if he learned about your death. About your imminent death. How destroyed he would be.

Jeongin's expression darkened. He clenched his fists and jaw.

-Exactly, Felix added after noticing the reaction. It's not about us, but about the people we leave behind. Because they are the ones that get to live with that pain forever.

-Good. Now we're okay again. I can't risk anyone else to find out about my numbers, so you better shut up. I had to tell them I had an ilness that left me with a scar and that your uncle was my doctor and you are jealous of me cause I'm so handsome.

-That's the most ridiculous excuse i have ever heard, Jeongin said.

-Whatever. They bought it. That's all that matters. And if it makes you hate me more it's even better.

The number was getting lower. 57 WAS ALARMING. Yet Jisung chose to save the dinner and fix everything. Oh how love had changed him.

After a moment of silence the latter dragged them both by the ear lobes and kicked the door open.

-Apologise now!

-I'm sorry I took lightly such a serious subject! It was very immature of me, Jeongin glanced at Seungmin with shame splattered on his cheeks.

-I'm sorry I was such a crybaby! Felix said. It was uncalled for me to kick you out.

-Great! Now hug it out!

-But-

-Hug it out! he didn't even let Felix protest.

Jeongin and Felix hugged and patted each other before splitting.

-Minho, you owe someone some apologies too.

-What? Me? Why?

-Minho... if you don't apologies, I'll sleep at my place tonight.

-Fine... Changbin, I'm sorry for my behaviour! I was scared for my little brother. I judged you by your job and that's not okay. Please prove me wrong and take care of Felix!

-He forgives you, Felix spoke for Changbin. You forgive him, he turned towards the shorter before taking his hand in his own.

Changbin smiled widely and enjoyed the touch, making circles with his thumb on the back of Felix's hand.

-Also... Jisung added. My illness is my business. DO NOT talk about it, DO NOT mention it, DO NOT think about it and DO NOT pity me. Erase it from your minds. Thank you! he sat down after he finished his little speech.

-Does anyone want some cake? Minho broke the silence.

Too many things happened that night and he couldn't process them all.

After he brought everyone cake he leaned and placed a short kiss on top of Jisung's head. The shorter looked up confused.

-You're the best thing that happened to this family. I hope you realise this, he ruffled his hair.

-Family... Jisung blushed at the thought.

After 400 years... he had a family again.