This Unbreakable Bond || Chapter 18 (End)

   When Eli woke the next morning, he couldn't find Val. Kevin unconsciously clutched at Ama, his "stuffed animal replacement" and found nothing. Kiseop had barely slept, had another nightmare, and was even more startled to see Neko was gone.

 "Um...guys?"

 "Ama? You there?"

 "Where the hell are they?"

   They were all in their original positions, except their girlfriends had all seemingly vanished overnight.

   Eli yawned and scratched his head. "Uh, we DO have girlfriends right? This hasnt been just some kind of weird dream?"

   "No..." Kevin sighed, pulling his pillow to his chest. "Ama is too pretty to be real, but I know I never had a dream like her."

 "You're a sap Kevin, I never remembered you ever being so mushy." Kiseop threw his pillow at him, grumpy and not in the mood for games after not enough sleep. It was too quiet without them there, and everyone sat in the pale morning light and silence. It was their last day.

--
   Neko, Ama, and Val had slipped away mysteriously to go to Ama's apartment; it took all of their strength to brave the cold in pajamas and a coat, like a bunch of hobos that had found someone's laundry. After having showered, changed into something warmer they headed back. No one spoke, hardly. The inevitable approach of that evening was casting its own mood over the day.

   "Guys...I'm going to miss them. Like, a lot." Neko mumbled from behind her scarf. Val nodded and patted her hand from the front seat.

 "I will too, sister. I really..."she sighed deeply, "really will."

 "Also who's idea was it for me to sit back here like I'm a five year old!?"

 "You'll be okay, Neko. We're almost there. Then we'll get you a friend for the back seat."

  "I want food."

 "We're getting it."

 "I want Kiseop."

 "We're getting him too."

 "Are we there yet?"

 "I swear to shisus..."

--

  It was ten times quieter in the hotel where the boys stayed. Everyone was cleaning, packing, trying to cram all the extra stuff they had been given into their little suitcases. Eli slipped on his half of the couples shirt, admiring it in the mirror. Kevin struggled behind him with his giant teddy bear trying to stuff it into the suitcase. "Here, Kev. Let me help you with that." With the bulk of Eli's muscles and Kevin sitting on the top, they managed to close it. Kevin remained sitting on top, slouched over miserably. Eli sat beside him on the bed placing a hand on his friends shoulder.

  "Hey, little buddy. What's the matter?"

  "Why did they leave? I didn't want them to leave!"

 Eli sighed. "Kev, they probably left because it was...it was probably too painful for them. They know you're a crybaby anyway, no one wants to see that."

  "Not in the mood, Eli..."Kevin leaned back, forgetting he was on top of the suitcase, and fell over with a shriek. Eli exploded with laughter, breaking the uncomfortable silence of the morning. Kiseop stood in the doorway, his new camera strapped around his neck.

 "Hey, cool, my first picture!" Kiseop smiled thinly, adjusting his camera. "Perfect shot."

 "Oh man, YOU GOT THAT!? Alright!" Eli slapped him a high five then both of them helped Kevin up. Kevin smiled, embarassed and red.

 "Please dont..."

  "I wont send it to Ama, be cool Kev."

 "Okay good." They all sat quietly on the bed, eyes not really on the time. They didn't want to see each precious minute tick away while they packed. Kiseop cleared his throat.

 "Hey guys..."

 "Hm?"

 "Can you help me promise something?"

 "Help you promise something? You're not making any sense."

    Kiseop scratched the back of his head, embarrassed and thoughtful. "Well last night I kinda fell asleep, but I heard you all promising each other things. I felt bad that I couldn't make one for Neko."

   Eli patted his friends shoulder. "Then promise away, my friend."

   He sighed. "Just, let me keep my promise that I'll practice my English. And photography. So I will send her a picture all the time. Is that a good one?"

 "That's perfect, Kiseop."

--

 The hotel was completely spotless, thanks to Kevin's meticulous habits and the entire check to make sure they didn't leave anything. The suitcases were filled to the brim with everything, but their hearts felt heavier. At some time they were forced to look at the clock; it was only a couple hours before the next plane left. Kevin sighed heavily into his scarf, turning to unlock the door.

 "Cant believe they didn't say goodbye..."he choked. Just as he opened the door, he squealed. Eli and Kiseop came running out of the kitchen."Kev! You okay!?"

   Ama stood there, smiling at her teary eyed boyfriend with her arms crossed. "Now, you REALLY thought that we wouldn't say goodbye? I should punch you for that."

  "A-A-..."

 "Oooh~ speechless." Val teased, appearing from nowhere. Neko filed in after her, waving.

 "A-A-..." Kevin sounded like he was choking on a helium balloon, so Eli naturally spoke for him.

 "You came! We thought that..."

"That we'd wuss out, get emotional, and stay home like a cheap kdrama? Dont think so."

"We thought we'd at least treat you to one last good time before you left." Val said, sliding an arm around her Eli.

--

   The sun was just beginning to peak in the horizon, casting an almost white-gold glow on everything as it mixed with the misty overcast. The air was still, not freezing cold, and the sun provided warmth as everyone stood ankle deep in crystal snow. They all stood gazing on a bridge, where everyone could see endless stretches of beautiful white snow and a frozen river. The three couples formed a perfect group of six, girls in front guys behind. They had all stopped for hot beverages, holding them quietly. They barely spoke, except to each other.

 "Vinnie..."

Kevin shuddered, still excited about having a nickname. "Yes Ama?"

 "This is going to sound...really corny but, do you like your nickname?"

 "Its the best in the world because it came from you."

 "Well, I dont want you to call me one. Ever."

 "I know."

 "But-"

 "But...?"

 "I do want you to call me..."

 "...call you what?"

  "No, I mean CALL ME. When you get back. I want to know you still remember me...remember us. Don't forget I'm here. Okay?" Her words were coming out so fast and so harshly that Kevin, surprisingly, could feel the sincerity in her voice. Kevin started giggling madly, kissing Ama on the lips lightly; she was initially surprised but let it slip...this time. "I wont ever forget us, Ama. I will call you, as much as you allow me to. Even if you don't answer."
 
   Now it was Ama's turn to laugh. "Fine; Do whatever you want, Vinnie."

--

  Neko realized Kiseop's unusually tight squeezing with both arms, nearly crushing her with them. He didnt speak at all, and he kept sighing heavily. He was making it really hard for Neko to keep from crying. "Neko-chan..."

'Finally.'

"Yes oppa?"

"What is 'bad-dream' called again?"

"A nightmare, Kiseop." She turned her head to face him. "Why, did you have another one?"

He nodded, blinking sleepily. "Yes. All the time. And all are same."

"The same one?"

"Yes." He looked over the bridge. "It is the same. I see you leaving. And I go back to Korea. It is this day, every time. And I'm scared."

"Awwww~" Neko leaned on him now. "Why?"

"You didn't come back." He whispered quietly, sighing again. She kissed him then, surprising him.

"I will come back, I promise."

--

 "Vaaaaal~ dont leave meeee~" Eli whined into her ear, crushing her with his huge muscle arms.

 "Eli...cant...breathe."

  "Oops..." He let her go, but only slightly. "I don't want to leave. I'm gonna be so BORED...and LONELY...can't you come with us, love?"

"If I could, I would, oppa. You know that."

"I know~but still..." He frowned and looked at her, pulling her face to his. He looked into her eyes, eyebrows knotted like he was serious.

 "Look at me!"

 "I...cant help it actually."

 "You WILL stay here. and you WILL be happy. Because I said so."

 "Oh really?" Val smirked, knowing he wasn't totally serious and that he was trying to cheer her up. His voice sounded fake desperate; he was just being a dork. As usual.

 "Don't give me attitude, missy! What I say goes in this relationship!"

 "Is that so?"

 "Yes!"

 "Eli?"

 "What?"

 "Shut up and kiss me you idiot."

   Eli's stern face he tried to keep melted and he blushed, laughing. "Yes maam." and he kissed her.

--

   It was like a funeral as Eli, Kiseop, and Kevin bored their flight. No one could bear letting go, and Kevin's grip was so tight Ama had to bite him to get him to ease off a little. they all smiled, but it was forced and thin. It couldn't be helped though.

Kevin was cuddling Ama so hard she was finding it REALLY hard to breathe. "Kevin...?"

 "I don't answer to that anymore. I only answer to Vinnie. Kevin's not here."

 "VINNIE!"

 "Yes~?"

 "Where is...your bear?"

 "Suitcase. I'm saving it for the plane."

 "I'm suffocating..."

 "You'll get over it."

Ama's eyebrows shot up, surprised, and she looked at him with an expression of 'oh no you did not'. Kevin grinned evilly, growling playfully at her. "I'm tough now because of you. No one can push me around anymore. Except you."

"You're so weird."

"Yep."

"Buuuut...that MAY be a reason why I love you. I dunno."

"Good. Because I love you." and he wrapped her in a much softer, gentler hug. Ama felt his shoulders shudder a little, and GOD HELP HIM if he was going to start crying like a baby in the middle of the airport. They looked over at Neko, who had virtually wrapped herself around Kiseop like a boa constrictor. Kiseop had moved his camera to the side, but he nudged her when he turned it on.

 "I want a picture."

 "Please, no."

 "What? Camera shy?"

 "No. UGLY. No makeup, no nothing."

 "...I will hurt you." He teased, and Neko sighed. "OKAY FINE." He held up the camera and she grinned her best grin that was possible at this point. He kissed her and her smile disappeared into a look of shock. *Click*

 "DAMN YOU!"

 "Hey, Kiseop? Take on of us!" Kevin proceeded to eat Ama's cheek off until she hit him in the head. "HELL. NO."

 "Fine, I wont take picture. But, where is Eli and Val-san?"

   They all looked around; they weren't far. Both were mere centimeters from each others face, and they were probably whispering something lovey-dovey by how low their voices were.

 "Val...Eli...HEY!"

 "WHAT!?"

   Suddenly everyone started laughing. For absolutely no reason, and it was so loud people were staring at them like they were insane. They didn't care.

--

That was a year ago.

In a year's time, an incredible amount of things happened, and it was chaos from the beginning. But everyone persevered to stay in touch; Val, Ama, and Neko were always online for each other, despite Neko being in a totally different country, Thank you, internet. Meanwhile, the guys maintained their promises and were constantly on Twitter. Neko even got one, despite how much she hated it.

Kevin had opened the folder as soon as he got on the plane, and Kiseop had to pull his hat over Kevin's face to prevent everyone from seeing his tears. Ama had produced a huge array of pictures from their date, and he didn't even notice. Kevin looked at himself as he had been caught following her, confused and looking around at beautiful Old Montreal. The pictures were so dramatic, and Ama managed to sneak herself into a few of them with a look of evil satisfaction.

...aaaand of course there was a few copies of the one when they had all fallen asleep.

   Eli was sitting on the couch in the dorms, wearing his half of the couple shirt and just trying to sleep. Kevin padded in, sitting beside him on the couch.

 "You know..." Kevin said, quietly, "You can take that shirt off now. You've been wearing it for the past 4 days."

"And you can stop carrying that bear around, before it gets mysteriously glued to your private parts."

Kevin's eyes sunk into his head with fear and he said nothing more. They both looked up when Soohyun (yeah I brought him in) came into the room. Immediately Kevin and Eli jumped up and tackled him like dogs greeting their owner.

 "WELL!?"

 "Well what!?"

 "What did he say?"

 "Do we get a week off?"

   Soohyun pinched the bridge of his nose and shut his eyes, sighing. "Well, considering we're about to tour...again..." he began slowly.

 "JUST TELL US!"

 "He said no, guys."

   Kevin and Eli groaned, slumping to the floor on top of each other like disappointed children. Soohyun bent down and patted them both. "Sorry guys, but you can't be moping around like this all the time. How long has it been?"

 "6 months..." Eli moaned.

 "What are you guys gonna do when it turns into a year?"

 "SHHHH! DONT SAY THAT!"

 "Don't crap on our dreams, hyung."

 "You know, Kiseop's not sulky like this."

" Yes he is, he's just covering it up with studying English."

 "Alright..." Soohyun shrugged and carefully stepped over them, grabbing his coat. "Hey, the rest of us are going out for dinner. You coming?"

"In a minute."

   Soohyun cracked a small smile when he saw them huddled on the floor, picking sadly at the carpet. "Hey, if it makes you feel any better, you can call them. We'll wait for you." and he left.

   The dorm was really quiet after he left. Kevin tried not to cry again, and Eli was just fed up with it all. They were slowly going through withdrawal, both of their girlfriends and just fun in general. Eli slowly stood up, offering Kevin his hand.

 "Well, little buddy, looks like we-"

 "GUUUUUUUUUYS!"

   Eli and Kevin looked to the hallway, Kiseop running at full speed. He nearly ran into them both.

 "Kiseop, chill. What's the matter?"

 "SSSH! Listen..."

Kiseop pulled out his phone and pressed the voicemail button; he put it on speaker and suddenly the sound of giggling filled the room. Kevin perked up at hearing Ama's voice.

'Hey gu-...NEKO! RELAX....yes I'll let you say hi to Kiseop...yes Val, you too... Ugh, look, we called to tell you that we finally were able to take a vacation. So...guess we'll see you in a few days? Haha, I can see your faces now. See you soon~'