Chapter 29: Warmth in the Silence
The living room was dimly lit, shadows cast long across the floor as the tension from earlier slowly began to settle. The silence was heavy—not from discomfort, but from exhaustion, like the house itself had exhaled after holding its breath too long.
Hana stood in the kitchen, carefully brewing herbal tea with trembling hands. The calming scent of chamomile and ginseng floated through the space as she glanced over her shoulder at the boys slouched on the couch, lost in thought. She knew they'd never ask, but they needed this—something warm, something soft, something normal.
She laid out mugs in front of each member, then disappeared back into the kitchen to finish preparing dinner: rice, grilled chicken with sesame glaze, a small pot of miso soup, and side dishes she knew they liked. She didn't say anything, just quietly moved between rooms like a soft breeze, offering warmth the only way she knew how.
Jisoo gave her a grateful look as he took a sip of the tea. "Thanks, Hana. For… this. For staying calm when we can't."
She smiled faintly, brushing her hair back. "You've all done more for me. It's the least I can do."
Taehyun didn't say much. He sat stiffly, his hands cupped around the mug, staring into the tea as if it held answers to questions he hadn't voiced yet. But Hana knew—this was his way of accepting comfort.
One by one, the other members finished eating and drifted off to their rooms, too emotionally drained to say much. Hyunwoo was the first to quietly thank her, followed by Seojun and Jaemin, both giving her brief pats on the shoulder. Eventually, only four remained in the living room: Hana, Jisoo, Taehyun, Minjun, and Soyeon, who lingered at the corner with her arms crossed and eyes unreadable.
Hana curled up on the corner of the couch, the warm tea in her hand and the hum of quiet conversation fading. She hadn't realized just how tired she was until her head tipped back against the cushions. Her body relaxed, her breath slowed… and then she was asleep.
Taehyun noticed it first.
He looked over and found her completely still, the mug balanced precariously in her hand. He quickly reached out and caught it before it spilled. He looked down at her peaceful face, a softness creeping into his sharp features.
But before he could make a move, Jisoo stood up.
There was a moment—silent and charged—where both Taehyun and Jisoo just looked at each other.
Minjun, who had been watching the silent standoff unfold, slowly raised an eyebrow. "Are you two having a telepathic duel or something?"
Neither responded.
Finally, Jisoo moved forward and gently scooped Hana into his arms. Taehyun's jaw tightened, but he didn't say a word. He just watched.
Jisoo carried her like she weighed nothing, carefully making sure not to wake her as he made his way down the hall to her room. He nudged the door open with his shoulder, stepping inside softly. As he laid her down on the bed, her hair spilled over the pillow like silk. He covered her with a blanket and lingered for a moment.
She looked so calm—so unguarded.
For some reason, that got to him.
His gaze traced the curve of her cheek, the faint crease in her brow even in sleep. He didn't understand why, but something about seeing her like this—after everything—made him feel grounded.
Then, like a spark snapping in his brain, he shook his head and took a step back. "What am I even doing," he muttered under his breath, rubbing the back of his neck.
He turned off the bedside light and quietly closed the door behind him.
Back in the living room, Minjun was grabbing his phone and jacket. "Well, I'll leave you two to your staring matches. Goodnight."
"Coward," Soyeon muttered under her breath as he smirked and exited.
Now it was just her and Taehyun. She stood in front of him, arms still crossed, but her expression had softened—just a little.
"You still care about her," she said quietly.
Taehyun didn't respond right away. His gaze was fixed on the hallway Hana had disappeared down.
"She's… different," he finally murmured. "And I think that scares me."
Soyeon tilted her head, studying him. "It should."
He turned to face her. "I didn't ask for your judgment."
"It's not judgment, Taehyun. It's reality. If you're not going to fight for her, don't keep staring at her like you already lost."
That hit harder than he expected.
Soyeon, for once, didn't smirk or gloat. She just let the words hang in the air as she grabbed a glass of water and headed toward her own room.
"Goodnight," she added before disappearing down the hall.
Taehyun stood alone in the dim room, the cold mug of tea still in his hand.
End of Chapter 29.