︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

'Baby take a look around,
I'm the only one that hasn't walked out.
I'm right here.'

right here-Chase Atlantic

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

It was the first time I was driving so fast. The speedometer crept higher, the numbers blurring together as if I could somehow outrun the suffocating numbness that gripped me. The wind whipped past, roaring in my ears, but it did nothing to quiet the storm inside me. My hands gripped the wheel tighter, knuckles white, as if holding on could anchor me to something real, something that didn't feel so hollow.

I frantically searched for a parking, parked my car and got out. I fumbled with my keys to lock the car, rushing towards this unfamiliar building's lobby.

I reached the elevator and hit the button, waiting for the doors to open as an overwhelming wave of desperation clawed at my chest. I just needed to see him or anyone—to feel something real for a moment, something warm and alive that would remind me I wasn't just drifting alone in this hollow space.

I checked my phone, eyes flicking between the screen and the endless row of apartment doors, each one blurring into the next as I hunted for the right number.

Finally, the numbers matched. I stopped, taking a shaky breath to steady myself before raising a hand to ring the bell. But my heart hammered faster, and the weight of all I was trying to hold back suddenly pressed down harder on me, flooding me with doubt. 

"You're not good with new people for a reason."

"Minho only pities you."

"You're a terrible friends, no one wants to be around you."

 "You've troubled him enough, leave him alone for a while, or he'll get tired of you."

But it was already too late to turn back. 

I'd already rung the bell. 

And the door knob was rattling.

The door opened before I could think of anything else. Seungmin stood there, his face a mix of surprise and worry. Seeing him, even though it wasn't Minho, something inside me cracked, and the plan to stay calm and composed slipped away, leaving only the raw, unfiltered need to be seen—to not have to pretend.

"Hana, what's wrong?"
 Seungmin's voice was gentle, his hands cupping my face as he looked at me, concern etched into his expression. My face crumpled under his touch, all my defenses slipping away as the weight I'd been carrying finally pushed to the surface.

A sob escaped before I could stop it, raw and painful, and I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to hold back the flood, but it was too much. All the numbness, the emptiness, the doubt—it cracked wide open.

"I... I don't even know,"
I choked out, voice trembling, hands instinctively reaching up to grip his wrists as if he were the only solid thing keeping me from falling apart completely.
 "I just... I didn't want to be alone."

He pulled me into a hug, wrapping his arms tightly around me, his chin on my head. There was no pity in his embrace, only warmth and quiet understanding.

"Is it Hana?"
Minho's excited voice reached the foyer where Seungmin and I were.

Seungmin let out a quiet chuckle, barely audible, but I could feel the warmth behind it.
"He's been waiting for you,"
 he murmured, his voice tinged with a gentleness that made my heart ache.
"Desperate almost."

I swallowed hard, resisting the instinct to pull away or hide. Instead, I let Seungmin's hand rest on my shoulder as Minho rounded the corner. His face lit up when he first saw me, but that brightness dimmed the moment he took in my disheveled appearance, the red, puffy eyes I'd tried so hard to ignore. 

I watched his expression shift, his smile fading, worry filling the space it left behind. He looked at me with a softness that made my chest ache, his brows knitting in concern.

His mouth opened, as if he wanted to say something, but for a moment, no words came. He just stood there, his gaze softening, brows knitting together in concern.

"Come here,"
Seungmin said as he lead me to a small room, which looked like a guest room.
"I'll send him here, he understands you better."

Seungmin gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze before leaving, his footsteps soft as he headed back to find Minho. I took a shaky breath, my eyes sweeping over the room—a neatly made bed, a soft chair by the window, a quiet space away from everything, yet close enough to hear the faint murmur of voices in the other room.

Seconds later, Minho stepped in, shutting the door softly behind him. He didn't say anything at first; he just looked at me, his gaze steady and filled with a kind of warmth that both comforted and scared me.

We sat there in silence, the only sound breaking it the occasional sniffle I couldn't quite hold back. But even in that quiet, the weight of the room felt lighter, like his very presence was peeling away the numbness, piece by piece. Bit by bit, I felt my shoulders ease, my body sinking further into the bed, letting its warmth settle into me.

Finally, Minho reached out, placing a gentle hand over mine, his thumb brushing lightly over my knuckles.

"What happened?"
he asked softly, his voice steady but laced with concern.

I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze. Instead, I focused on the colorful patterns woven into the carpet, letting their vibrant hues distract me from the emotions swirling inside. The intricate designs seemed to swirl and dance, much like the chaotic thoughts in my mind, and I found it easier to hide behind them than to confront the worry in his eyes.

"I... I don't know," I finally admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
"I regretted disagreeing to your invitation. I felt like everything was closing in, and I had to get away. Did I ruin your evening by coming here?"

He squinted, confused as he looked back in forth in my eyes.

"So I did,"
I muttered, my mind spiraling further. It felt like my logic had abandoned me entirely.

"Sorry, I'm sorry," I blurted, frantically pulling away from him and standing up.
"I'll go home. I'll calm down eventually."

As I started to walk away, his hand shot out, grabbing my shoulder and pulling me backward without turning me around. I felt the warmth of his body envelop me, his strong chest supporting my back.

"Why do you always assume the worst?" he asked, his voice low and steady.
"Who said you ruined my evening? I've been dying to see you all day."

His words cut through the storm in my mind, and I froze, the tension in my shoulders easing just a little. His grip remained, not demanding, just there—steady, unshakable.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, feeling so small.
"It's just... everything's such a mess right now."

"No need to apologize," he reassured me, his voice soft and steady.
"And you could never ruin anything just by being here."

He turned me around slowly, as if he were giving me the space to process everything, yet waiting for any sign that I might want to retreat. But I felt way too numb to do anything but stand there, lost in the depths of my own turmoil.

"What happened suddenly?" he asked again, his hands steadying me at the shoulders, grounding me in the moment.

I shook my head, overwhelmed by the chaos inside. I couldn't quite make sense of it all.
The pieces were there, but they didn't fit together. It was like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces.

"Hana, look at me," he urged softly, his fingers under my chin, lifting my gaze to meet his. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver through me, and I couldn't help but feel vulnerable under his gaze.

"No judgment. Just me and you."
He reassured me again when I refused to reply.

"I hate being alone. I'm done being alone. But my mind keeps telling me I'm not the person people want to be around, and I've come to believing it's true."

"I know you hate being alone, you've never liked being alone, but you chose to anyway. But now you've come to acceptance that you hate it. If anything, that's progress. You now know what you need, without anyone telling you what you want."

"But the latter, it's true, isn't it?"

"No," he said firmly, his eyes locked on mine.
"It's not true. I love being around you. Seungmin and Jeongin, they do too. When I told them you might join us today, they were all so happy. That says everything, Hana. They don't care about your baggage. And honestly, I don't either."

I blinked, the weight in my chest easing just a little. Maybe, just maybe, I had overreacted.

"I don't want to feel unwanted,"
I whispered, even as the words left my mouth, I felt the absurdity of them.

Minho's eyes softened, and his voice lowered to a comforting murmur.
"You're not unwanted."

I hesitated, my breath catching in my throat. 

 "I personally think there's something more that scared you. Am I right?"

"I was thinking about coming here, in a way I'm going against my parents will and that was all i was thinking about. I... I wasn't paying attention when I crossed the street,"
I confessed, feeling the words scrape their way out.
"I zoned out. I didn't look if the light was green or red, and I stepped into traffic. I almost got hit."

"What? Are you hurt?"
His voice rose in panic as he frantically searched my body, his hands moving along my arms, checking for any signs of injury. The intensity in his gaze made me feel both seen and vulnerable.

"I'm fine," I whispered, pulling away slightly, needing space from his concern.
"I didn't get hit. I don't even know what I was thinking. I decided that it was okay... to not listen to them. But I still feel a little guilty."

Minho let out a shaky breath, relief flooding his face, and in an instant, he pulled me into another hug, as if holding me could erase the terror in his voice.
"Oh thank god, Hana. Thank god you're okay."

And for the first time in a long while, I felt like I could breathe again.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

We stood in the embrace for what felt like an eternity, until her body finally stilled, the tremors of fear subsiding, and the tears that had flowed so freely began to dry. I could feel her heart rate gradually returning to a steadier rhythm, a fragile calm settling between us.

When she seemed to have gathered herself, I gently pulled her away, cradling her face in my hands. My thumbs brushed softly over her tear-soaked cheeks, wiping them dry as I offered her a tender smile.

"There you go," I murmured, trying to infuse warmth into the moment.
"You're okay now."

"Thank you,"
she whispered, her voice barely audible, but it carried the weight of everything unsaid.

"You don't have to thank me,"
I replied softly, my hands lingering on her cheeks just a moment longer before I let go.
 "But thank you for coming to me." I gave her a reassuring nudge toward the washroom.
"Now, go wash up, you're missing out on all the fun."

She hesitated for a moment, then nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.
"Okay, just give me a minute," she said, her voice steadier now.

I could hear the sound of running water and the faint rustle of her movements inside. It was a comforting rhythm, a sign that she was starting to regroup.

After a few moments, she emerged, her cheeks slightly flushed from splashing water on her face. She looked a little more like herself, the remnants of fear beginning to fade away.

"See? Much better," I said, a grin spreading across my face.

"Much better," she echoed, a smile of her own breaking through, more genuine this time.

I led her back into the room, where Seungmin, Hyunjin, and Jeongin were already settled, chatting away. The moment they saw Hana, their faces lit up with genuine warmth.

Jeongin was the first to move, rushing toward her and enveloping her in a tight hug.
"You okay now?" he asked, his voice full of concern.

Hana's eyes widened in surprise, but the moment she was in their arms, the tension in her shoulders seemed to melt away. She clung to them, as if their embrace could erase all the weight she'd been carrying.

"I'm okay, I promise!" she said, her voice muffled against their shoulders.

"You had me worried,"
Seungmin said, pulling back and looking at her with a softness in his eyes.
 "I don't like seeing you cry like that."

"I'm okay now, don't worry," she reassured them, a small smile tugging at her lips.

They pulled her over to the couch, laughter bubbling up as they made her feel welcomed, their playful teasing washing over her like a warm wave.

"Hi, Hyunjin," she said, a little awkwardly, but the warmth in her tone was unmistakable.

"It's been so long since you've last tagged along with Seungmin and Jeongin."
He pouted.

"Sorry, I've been really busy,"
she replied, fiddling with the sleeve of her cardigan, but her voice had a soft amusement in it.

Felix's voice suddenly rang out from across the room, full of excitement.
"Oh my god, Hana, you're here!"

"Felix!"
Her face lit up at the sound of his voice, the earlier tension melting away as she smiled brightly.

"I thought you were going to bail again!"
Felix rushed over, a wide grin on his face.
"The later it got, the more I thought I was gonna have to give up on you!"

Hana couldn't help but laugh at his exuberance.
"I'm here now, aren't I?"

"Yeah, barely!"
Felix grinned, pulling her into a tight hug that felt like a burst of warmth in the room.
"I'm so glad to see you."

As Felix released her, the atmosphere in the room felt lighter, warmer. The conversations picked up again, and the laughter flowed easily, chasing away any lingering shadows.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

"So this is 3Racha."
Seungmin enthusiastically introduced the trio to Hana.

"Hi I'm Chan, but I'm pretty sure you already know that."

"Hi I'm Hana... but then you already know that too."
She chuckled.

"I'm Changbin, Nice to meet you."
He said as he offered a handshake.

"You're not gonna pull a Seungmin are you?"

"And she passes the test."
Changbin joked, a mischievous glint in his eyes as they shook hands.

"I'm Han- well that's my stage name- or also my surname- my rapper name is actually J.one-"

"Wait, you're Jisung!" she interjected, a smile spreading across her face.
"I know! Minho likes to talk about you sometimes. And you take care of his cats sometimes."

Hana noticed the way he fidgeted, a familiar nervousness creeping into his demeanor as he rambled on. It was endearing, reminding her of her own anxious tendencies. She felt a connection forming, he was like her, in a way.

Jisung's face lit up with a grin, clearly pleased but a little flustered by her recognition.
"Minho talks about me, huh? Good things, I hope?"

"Oh, only the best, definitely doesn't whine when you make him run your errands. I personally think that he only tolerates it because you take good care of the cats."
Hana replied with a playful glint in her eyes, glancing at Minho, who rolled his eyes in mock annoyance.

The room erupted in laughter, and even Minho rolled his eyes at the teasing, but there was something in his smile that said everything.

Jeongin, who had been watching quietly, leaned in to whisper to Hana,
"See? You fit right in already. We've been telling Minho hyung to bring you around for ages."

Hana glanced over at Jeongin, her eyes filled with gratitude, and mouthed, Thank you.

The night drifted by in a comfortable blur, laughter and teasing bouncing around the room. For the first time in what felt like ages, Hana let herself simply be, allowing the ease of everyone's warmth to settle around her.

The conversations flowed, shifting from jokes to shared stories, and Hana found herself laughing at memories she didn't share but somehow felt part of now. 

Every time she glanced around, someone was smiling back at her—Hyunjin and Jisung's mischievous grin, Chan and Seungmin's supportive nod, and Changbin and Minho's steady gaze, Jeongin and Felix's hold on her, all that made her feel seen.

By the end of the evening, she felt something unfamiliar yet reassuring—a sense of belonging she hadn't realized she'd been missing. She'd spent so long holding herself back, convinced she'd only burden others, but here, surrounded by their laughter and acceptance, she felt that weight lifting.

It was Minho who spoke quietly to her as the others chatted away.
"Chan's already asking if you'd want to be here next time."

Hana smiled, a soft, genuine smile.
"I think... I'd like that.

"Okay."
He said warmly with a gentle smile.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

"Okay everybody wash up, get comfortable, it's time for movie night. Also please help me get the blankets and comforters on the floor."
Chan asked.

Hana smiled, feeling a spark of excitement. As everyone scattered around, gathering blankets and pillows, she found herself swept up in the casual chaos, moving cushions and unfolding blankets alongside the others.

"Here, help me with this," Seungmin called, tossing her a large, fluffy comforter.

She grabbed it and draped it over the floor, smoothing out the wrinkles with a laugh as Jisung flopped down dramatically on top of it, sprawling across the space like it was his personal nest.

Hana's laughter bubbled out, light and unguarded as she watched Jisung stretch out across the comforter, looking far too comfortable.

Minho, watching from a few steps away, felt a warmth in his chest at the sound of her laughter. He hadn't seen her this at ease, this genuinely happy, in what felt like ages. She looked alive, as if the weight she carried had momentarily lifted.

"Jisung, no!" she giggled, playfully tugging at the edge of the blanket beneath him.

Jisung grinned up at her, feigning innocence.
"What? I'm just testing it for comfort!"
he protested, spreading his arms and sinking deeper into the fabric.

"Was that supposed to be a joke?"

"Yes? Because you know, it's a 'comforter'?"

Hana playfully hit him with a nearby pillow,
"That was so bad."

Jisung let out a mock gasp, clutching his chest as if wounded.
"Excuse me! That was comedy gold!"
he retorted, though he couldn't help but laugh along with her.

Hana shook her head, a smile pulling at her lips.
"If that's your idea of a joke, I think you're overdue for a refresher."

"Oh, please!" Jisung said, grabbing another pillow.
"You're just jealous of my wit," he teased, launching a light-hearted pillow swing her way.

Hana dodged it, laughing, and grabbed a pillow of her own, returning fire. Minho, Seungmin, and the others watched with amusement, chuckling as the room filled with laughter and the soft thump of pillows hitting their marks.

"Alright, alright, truce!"
Jisung finally said, holding up his hands in surrender, though he was still grinning.

Minho smiled, catching Hana's eye for a brief moment. In that instant, he saw a spark in her—a glimpse of joy he hoped would grow.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

"Everyone get ready now," Chan called, remote in hand, as the last blanket found its place on the floor. The room was transformed, cozy and inviting, with soft piles of comforters and cushions covering every inch.

"Is this where you learned to do our movie nights?"
Hana asked Seungmin as they waited for everyone to settle in.

"More like I brought the tradition here too,"
Seungmin replied with a grin. "Don't worry, it was still my idea."

Hana chuckled, feeling that familiar sense of pride for him.

Jisung leaned over to whisper,
"Just wait—halfway through, someone always falls asleep. Usually it's Felix."

Felix, overhearing, shot Jisung a mock glare.
"If you fall asleep first, I'm putting popcorn in your hair, mouth and nose."

Jeongin and Minho came over from the kitchen, handing everyone a bucket of popcorn.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

On the floor, Chan, Changbin, and Felix and Jisung were already sprawled out, while the sofa had been pulled out to create a bigger lounging space, with Hyunjin, Jeongin, and Seungmin claiming their spots. Just as Hana was about to ask if she could squeeze in, Minho appeared, pulling her into the space between him and Seungmin, making room for her with an easy smile.

With the last blanket smoothed out, everyone found a spot, and the room transformed into a cozy, makeshift theater, layered with comforters and cushions. Chan held the remote up, dimmed the lights, and the screen flickered to life, casting a warm glow across the room.

Minho settled beside Hana, handing her a warm throw blanket.
"Trust me, you'll never feel more comfortable."

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

As everyone settled onto the blankets and pillows, Seungmin and Jisung started to bicker over which movie to watch. Seungmin held his phone up, scrolling through a list with furrowed brows, while Jisung kept leaning over, tossing in suggestions every few seconds.

"Come on, let's watch something really funny. Like a rom-com! We need laughs,"
Jisung insisted, poking Seungmin's thigh.

"Uh, The Dude in Me is pretty funny,"
Hyunjin suggested.

Seungmin shook his head, laughing.
"No way, we've seen that one a hundred times."

Minho chimed in,
"I'm just saying, 20th Century Girl is rom-com. I've been wanting to watch that. So what do you guys say?"

"Oh, yes! I've been wanting to see that one!"
Hana lit up, her excitement catching everyone's attention. All eyes turned to her, surprised by her enthusiasm that she immediately became the tiebreaker.

"Well, that settles it!"
Chan laughed, turning to the screen as he clicked play. "Let's start with Minho and Hana's pick."

The movie began, filling the room with a warm, nostalgic glow as scenes unfolded on the screen. Laughter erupted from the group, blending with the occasional groan or gasp as they reacted to the characters' antics.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Soon an hour and half later, the room was filled with the poignant, bittersweet emotions. Laughter from earlier had softened, replaced by a reverent silence as the story took a melancholic turn. Hana found herself gripping her blanket tightly, her eyes glued to the screen. She had expected something lighthearted, but as the movie revealed hidden emotions and unspoken heartbreak, she felt a deep ache settle in her chest.

She glanced around, noticing that everyone had been drawn into the film's emotional pull. Even Jisung, who had been making lighthearted jokes earlier, sat quietly, eyes damp as he watched the story unfold. Felix had leaned forward, his usual playful smile gone, his expression pensive.

Minho, seated beside her, noticed her reaction and leaned over, his hand finding hers over the blanket. His thumb traced gentle circles on her palm, grounding her as she blinked back the sudden tears. The soft warmth of his hand was a quiet comfort.

As the credits began to roll, the room was still. Hana wiped her eyes, offering a small, tearful laugh. "Well... that was unexpected."

Jisung exhaled deeply, breaking the silence.
"Why did no one warn me I'd need tissues?" he muttered, rubbing his eyes with his sleeve.

Seungmin let out a half-hearted chuckle.
"I thought we were going for laughs, not emotional devastation, although it did start like that."
 he murmured, eyes suspiciously shiny.

Hana gave a watery smile, glancing at Minho.
 "Thanks for recommending that," she said sarcastically, her voice thick with emotion.

Minho looked back at her, his own gaze softened.
"I didn't know it would be so sad, honestly," he whispered, his expression mirroring the tenderness she felt, but looked over to the others. "But... I'm glad we watched it together."

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶