The dorm was unusually quiet that night, the kind of silence that settled heavy in the chest. Raze sat on the edge of his bed, phone in his hand, thumb hovering over the screen as if he were afraid to type too much—or say the wrong thing.
Across the room, Kaze and Nova were busy arguing over music, their voices low but animated. Zenith stood near the window, arms crossed, staring out at the city lights like they held answers he wasn't ready to hear.
Raze glanced at him. Zenith hadn't spoken much since they returned from the camping trip. He looked the same—composed, calm, leader-like—but something beneath the surface felt… tight.
Raze knew that feeling too well.
His phone buzzed.
Aiven: Did you get back safely?
Raze's lips curved into a small smile before he could stop himself.
Raze: Yeah. Dorm's boring without you.
Aiven took longer to reply.
Aiven: I miss you already.
The words hit Raze harder than expected. He leaned back, staring at the ceiling, letting out a slow breath. He wanted to say it back—wanted to say more—but he knew better. Even texts could be dangerous if someone saw too much.
Still, he typed carefully.
Raze: Rest well. I'll see you soon.
Across the city, Aiven sat alone at the café after closing hours, wiping down the counter for the third time. Miss Liora had already gone home, telling him not to overwork himself, but Aiven needed something to do. Sitting still made his thoughts spiral.
Draven was perched on one of the stools, chin resting on his hand, watching him with narrowed eyes.
"You're overthinking again," Draven said.
Aiven paused. "Am I that obvious?"
"Yes. You get this look," Draven replied. "Like you're about to fall into your own head and lock the door behind you."
Aiven huffed softly. "I can't help it."
Draven studied him for a moment, then sighed. "Is it about Raze?"
Aiven didn't answer right away. He finished wiping the counter, then leaned against it. "It's about… everything. Fans. Schedules. The fact that we have to pretend half of our lives don't exist."
Draven's jaw tightened. "I know."
Silence settled between them, comfortable but heavy. Finally, Aiven glanced up. "You've been quiet too."
Draven scoffed lightly. "I'm always quiet."
"That's a lie."
Draven hesitated, fingers tapping against the counter. "Zenith's been watching me."
Aiven blinked. "Watching you?"
"Not in a creepy way," Draven muttered quickly. "Just… noticing. Like he's trying to figure me out."
Aiven smiled softly, something knowing flickering in his eyes. "And does that bother you?"
Draven opened his mouth, then closed it again. "It shouldn't."
Aiven didn't push. He knew better. Some realizations had to come on their own.
Later that night, Zenith stood alone on the dorm balcony, cool air brushing against his skin. His phone buzzed in his pocket, but he didn't look at it. He already knew who it was from.
Draven.
He didn't answer.
Not because he didn't want to—but because he was afraid of wanting too much.
Zenith prided himself on control. Control over his image. His career. His emotions. But Draven had a way of slipping past all of that with a single look, a sharp comment, or that rare, unguarded smile.
Behind him, Raze stepped onto the balcony quietly. "You okay?"
Zenith glanced at him, then nodded. "Just thinking."
Raze leaned beside him, staring out at the city. "About him?"
Zenith exhaled slowly. "Am I that obvious too?"
Raze smiled faintly. "Only to people who care."
That earned a soft chuckle from Zenith. "Be careful, Raze."
"I could say the same to you."
They stood there in silence, two idols carrying secrets too heavy to speak aloud.
Back at his apartment, Aiven lay curled on his bed, phone clutched to his chest. His thoughts drifted to Raze's voice, his steady presence, the way he always seemed to make the chaos feel manageable.
He wasn't naïve. He knew what loving an idol meant. He knew the risks.
But he also knew this wasn't something he could walk away from.
As sleep finally crept in, Aiven thought about the ocean—the sound of waves he'd only ever heard in videos, the idea of quiet days where no one knew who they were, where love didn't have to hide.
He didn't know yet how close that dream was to becoming real.
And none of them knew that soon, choices would be made that would change everything—pulling them away from the city, away from control, and straight into the place where their hearts would be tested the most.