Taehyun awakens under unfamiliar blankets. He looks around, staring blankly at the plain, oak walls. In habit, he rolls around once to stretch out his limbs. Then he checks his phone.

Usually, there's a text from his mother. It would say something about making sure to eat breakfast before heading off to school. Get some fruit in. A banana or something. love you xx.

Sometimes, his father would join in and wish him a good day. Embarrassingly, he would include a few emojis—usually the ones with huge grins and musical symbols. Signs he would make it as a singer.

But today, there's nothing but the weather report—slight showers over Honolulu. It's quite the taunt of mother nature. Two months ago, his parents went surfing in Waimea Bay. It must've been a monster wave that consumed them—two surfers that were legendary professionals during their younger years. At least they went out doing what they loved.

He stretches one last time, heading out to the corridor then down to the first floor. Here, two boys are waiting in awkward silence. He almost doesn't have the strength to break it, but he doesn't have much choice—he'd rather not be stuck on the stairs landing until they notice him.

"Hi, I'm Taehyun."

The two boys look startled. The older one shifts, coughing as if it'll help him speak. "I'm Soobin." 

"Huening Kai," says the younger one. "I'm happy to meet you. We didn't know there was already someone here."

"I got here last night," says Taehyun. "I know it's a little earlier, but...." The truth is he didn't want to spend another minute in his house—with the master bedroom empty and the halls filled with silence. "I decided to come early. Just to check it out."

"That's a good idea," Huening Kai continues, somehow a ball of energy amidst the room's heaviness. "I can't wait to meet the other two. I hope they're just as friendly."

Friendly? They've barely known each other for a minute.

Taehyun attempts not to raise a questioning brow. After a sigh, he decides to take a chance with the boys. "I—I've been working on a cover of a song. It's what's been helping me after my... parents passed away. It's really challenging, so that's been taking up most of my time."

"We'd love to hear it!" Huening Kai appears ready to bounce on his feet.

Soobin also perks up, straightening out his back. "Let's hear it. I suppose we have to learn to love each other's voices, since we'll be singing together."

Taehyun nods, breathing in and relaxing his posture. So he doesn't look like an awkward bard in a palace, he walks down to their level and sits on a chair across. He sings the entire first verse of Before I Cry by Lady Gaga. It's a type of healing for him, reaching for notes and executing them with his own flare. He wishes his voice would never tire, so he can just keep going and replace his sense of loss with notes, melodies, and trills.

His audience of two seem absolutely captivated, both staring with wide eyes and mouths slightly parted. He's contemplating starting the chorus when—

Shouts echo from outside—strained and angry. The sound of two boys their age.

A/N: any guesses of what will happen in the next chapter? :P Also, what are your opinions on the fandom name situation?