Sharon watched closely as the clock hit 11 PM, just one hour left till the new year. It had been one of the most eventful years of her entire life, you could say that much. She went from being just a normal girl trying to survive college, to the impromptu manager of an upcoming K-pop band.

Injuries

He could still hardly believe that this was reality. Years had passed, painful years where he’d truly believed that there was no hope. Every day he’d wake up, he’d place on his mask and he’d try to search for his treasure, try to keep that flame of hope burning alive inside his chest but with each day that passed without any news, with each month that was turned over, with each holiday where he wished he could celebrate instead of mourn - that hope was dying. His grip around Saeran increased ever so slightly, tears freely falling as he held him so close, afraid that he’d wake up, afraid that Saeran would turn to air before his very eyes. “I’m sorry”, the words came out in a soft whisper. He didn’t care how many people were now watching them, he didn’t care about the confused whispers or the small group that were attempting to get pictures of the warm reunion. No. He just wanted to hold Saeran, just wanted to make sure this was real - it almost felt as though a part of him was being reborn. “I should have been there - I should have found you long ago”, he pulled back, gazing up into his brother’s eyes, tears shining in amber eyes that once again shined brightly with the life that had almost been snuffed out. He was there. He was real. He was injured and looked scared but he was alive and Saeyoung would make sure that from now on he would never suffer from such pain ever again. “Yes. Let’s go home”. He didn’t care about the party - he couldn’t. No matter how many questions he had for V, no matter how much he knew that some of the guests were there just to hear his story, none of that mattered. He had his treasure back and he was never going to allow for any harm to come to him again.

       Saeyoung gently pressed his cool palm to his brother’s forehead to check his temperature and also to keep him awake. It was that, he read somewhere that some people with high temperature who had fallen asleep didn’t wake up afterward. And it might be that the older Choi was overthinking it, shaking over that possibility, he needed to find a way first to lower the temperature.

       “No way... “ His voice was sharp but he kept it soft to not come off as loud to his brother’s ears. “Don’t say that,” Saeyoung carefully cupped his sibling’s cheeks, possibly the only cool surface that could relieve him a little until his palms became warm because of the heat, “I worry because I love you and I don’t like seeing you like this.” He withdrew his hands and stood up. “Don’t fall asleep... I will come back real quick. I have to get rid of that darn temperature...” He sounded annoyed with it but it was because he couldn’t prevent it as soon as possible before it happened. So, the older Choi headed out to grab medicine, a glass of water, and a washcloth, plus a tiny bucket with cold water. He didn’t forget to grab an ice cream popsicle as this would be of good use at the moment.

      Soon, he returned, placing the bucket down and dipped the washcloth in it. “Here,”Saeyoung handed over the medicine to Saeran, plus the glass with water. Once done soaking, he took out the cold, damp washcloth, squeezed the water out of it and folded it before carefully placing it on his sibling’s forehead.

                 she couldn’t help but smile, though her brow was furrowed with concern all the same. “you aren’t working right? you should just focus on resting...” though his sneeze interrupted her thought, and made her laugh. he was like her when she was sick -- never wanting anyone to worry about her. “bless you! like i said -- you should rest!”