~𝟴~

                                    

                                          
(Third person, Changbin's perspective)
Changbin slipped out of his room, making sure not to wake up his roommate, Felix. He couldn't sleep. Something was gnawing at the back of his brain; he just couldn't figure out what. So, he went to the best place to think: the training area. To his surprise, Ava was there. She was just sitting on a bench, her eyes not focused on anything in particular. She must have noticed his presence because she shook her head and looked up at him.
"What are you doing up so late?" she asked.
"I could ask you the same thing." 
"Couldn't sleep. You?"
"Couldn't sleep either. Usually, I just come down here if that happens, but I don't want to bug you, so I'll just go."
"Wait. Please stay. I could use some company."
Changbin turned back to her and searched her eyes. She looked scared. He took a seat next to her, making sure not to sit too close. He had picked up how whenever a member sat too close or touched her without her knowing beforehand, she would move away or flinch. He guessed it had something to do with the way she had been acting recently. 
"Can I ask you something?" she said after a while. He nodded.
"Do you trust the members?"
He was taken aback by her question, but guessed it had a deeper meaning. 
"I do. I trust them with my life. They have all saved my life at least once, as have I for them. We need each other. If I didn't have them, I wouldn't have lasted as long as I have, emotionally and physically. Why do you ask? Is there something you want to tell us?"
She visibly gulped. Probably uncomfortable with my question, he thought. The silence stretched out longer and longer. Changbin was just about to take back his question and apologize when she spoke again.
"Actually, I have been thinking about it. Telling you guys, I mean. About my past, and why I act so weird. I'm just afraid that it's still too soon. I mean we've only known each other for two and a half weeks." 
She sighed and dropped her head into her hands, running her fingers through her loose hair. 
"You don't have to tell us anything unless you are 100% ready to. We won't force you; I'll make sure of that."
"Why would you do that for me? I mean, I've only caused you all problems since I showed up. I probably won't even become part of the team. Why go through all that trouble for someone like me?"
"Because I was once just like you. I felt like I was a burden to everyone, and I wanted to explain my trauma, but couldn't. People pushed me for reasons as to why I acted the way I did, and then I didn't have a choice. I don't want that happening to anyone if I could stop that." 
He smiled at her and got up off the bench. He held out his hand to her.
"Come on. I want to show you something."
She took his hand and followed him. Changbin led her around the house to a set of stairs she hadn't noticed before. He climbed up and stood at the railing of the small balcony. He heard her gasp and smiled to himself. He motioned for her to stand next to him and pointed up. Through the dense canopy of trees, a clear river of sky showed just above the house. It gave a breath-taking view of the stars. Changbin felt himself relax slightly at the sight. It always calmed him down. 
"This is really... woah. I haven't seen stars like this... well, ever."
He smiled at her and took a seat on one of the chairs on the balcony. She sat down next to him, eyes not once leaving the stars. After a short while, he could hear her gentle breathing next to him, indicating she was asleep. He gently lifted her off the chair and carried her back inside. He took her to her room and tucked her in. Then a sudden dreariness rushed over him. He got back in his own bed and, in no time flat, he was out like a light.