Lucas was overworking himself, he knew that much. Never had the basketball captain ever been so into his studies, and he barely even made contact with anyone. All he did now was train and study. He ate when he had to, and he slept to recharge only.

And his mind had decided to play the worst trick on him ever. That dream he just had... he just dreamt of Hendery walking onto his basketball court, smirking as he greeted him, telling Xuxi he always had some way, some plan to escape death at the bloody last second.

"He's dead, Huang Xuxi. Just fucking accept it like a man, and move on." Lucas chindled himself, but deep inside, he knew he couldn't. He cared about Hendery too much to just- move on and forget. He couldn't.

Lucas walked down the streets, and into a bar. This bar used to be his favorite place to come to with Hendery, and although he didn't always drink alcoholic stuff, today he really needed something strong. "A glass of Vodka please, on the rocks." he muttered, taking a seat. This was one of those rare bars where you paid after having the drinks, so Lucas just sat there, sipping on his drink, thinking of old memories. 

He chuckled to himself when he thought about Hendery swooping in and saving the day at that basketball competition, scoring the highest score ever seen by NCT or Westblood high. He looked absolutely perfect that day, but when he kissed Dejun... the pain-

Lucas shook his head, and finished his drink, letting the bitter, hard taste settle into his throat, burning as it went down, but he just wanted to forget, even for a day.

Another glass was slid over to him, then he silently thought about the day Hendery died.

Xiaojun was kneeling over the body, and it took both Yuta and Sicheng to pry him off, and he had never seen Taeyong or Jaehyun look so broken in their lives, and he watched them depend on each other, Yuta whispering words of comfort to Sicheng and Dejun, while Baekhyun stood by Taemin's body, tears in his eyes, and he stood alone, waiting for everyone to leave.

Baekhyun couldn't bring Hendery back on the van, because he wouldn't fit, and he wanted his grandson to die with at least some dignity and be carried off properly.

So they left, leaving Lucas there alone. He kneeled next to Hendery's body, crying his eyes out, begging for Hendery to wake up. The prince never did, and with that angelic smile on his face, he looked like he was only sleeping. But with that huge wound in his chest, there was no clearer message. Hendery was dead, and that was permanent. Death was permanent.

But the next day, when they came back, Hendery's body was gone. And so was the letter he left. Baekhyun had gone into such furiousness he nearly killed every body-snatcher in Korea, but still, no one found Hendery's body in a river or anywhere.

Lucas was about to order a third glass, but someone tapped his shoulder, and he didn't even bother to turn around, since it was probably just someone who wanted to hit on him. "Who is it?" 

"Those things are bad for you, you know?" The man behind him slid onto the seat next to him. "Put his drinks on my tab." Lucas was half drunk, and didn't recognize the man's voice. 

"Who are you to tell me not to drink? And I don't need you to buy me a drink-" The man took away his third drink, downing it in a second, then leaned closer to him until their faces were inches apart. "Huang Xuxi, I never thought there would be a day where you wouldn't recognize me." Lucas looked up. That voice.. That tone- that smirk- He looked up, and saw the stranger's face, and gaped in horror and surprise. 

"Hend-Hendery? You're alive?"

"As alive as a vampire actually can be."