Gyuvin woke up to the sound of a knock on the door. His head throbbed, and for a moment, he couldn't remember where he was or how he'd gotten there. He blinked, his eyes gritty from crying, and realized he was still on the floor, exactly where he'd collapsed after coming home. His heart raced as he scrambled to find his sunglasses, his hands shaking as he grabbed them from where they had fallen.
He pushed himself up, slipping the sunglasses on just in time, and made his way to the door. He hesitated, his hand hovering over the doorknob, before finally pulling it open. To his surprise, it was his younger brother, Yujin, standing there, a worried expression on his face.
"Hyung!" Yujin exclaimed, immediately stepping forward and wrapping his arms around Gyuvin in a tight hug. "How have you been?"
Gyuvin stiffened at the sudden contact, but then relaxed, his arms wrapping around Yujin's small frame. He took a deep breath, trying to push the lingering sadness away. "I'm fine, Yujin," he said softly, patting his brother's back. "How about you?"
Yujin pulled back slightly, his eyes scanning Gyuvin's face. "You've been crying," he said, his voice quiet but firm.
Gyuvin froze for a second, then quickly forced a smile. "No, no, I'm fine," he lied, shaking his head. "Just tired, that's all. Come on inside."
Yujin looked at him for a moment longer, clearly not convinced, but he didn't push it. He followed Gyuvin into the small house, glancing around as he stepped inside. Gyuvin closed the door behind them and motioned for Yujin to sit on the couch.
"Sit down, I'll get you something to eat," Gyuvin said, trying to keep his voice steady as he walked to the fridge.
Yujin sat down, watching as Gyuvin began rummaging through the fridge, pulling out some leftovers and setting them on the counter. "Hyung, you don't have to—"
"It's fine," Gyuvin interrupted, his voice a little too sharp. He softened his tone as he added, "I want to. You must be hungry."
Yujin watched his brother quietly, his concern growing. He could see the tension in Gyuvin's shoulders, the way his hands shook slightly as he moved around the kitchen. Something was wrong, and Yujin knew it. But before he could say anything, there was another knock at the door.
"I'll get it," Yujin offered, already getting up from the couch. He crossed the room and opened the door, expecting to see a neighbor or maybe even one of Gyuvin's classmates. Instead, he found himself face to face with Hanbin, Matthew, and Taerae, all with backpacks slung over their shoulders.
"Yujin! When did you get here?" Hanbin asked with a grin, playfully ruffling Yujin's hair as he stepped inside.
Yujin laughed, ducking away from Hanbin's hand. "Just now. What are you guys doing here?"
"We're here to crash at your brother's place," Matthew chimed in, his tone teasing as he bumped shoulders with Yujin. "You know, keep him company, maybe steal some of his food."
Yujin chuckled, moving aside to let them all in. "You guys are so mean."
Taerae laughed as he followed the others inside, closing the door behind him. "Well, someone's got to keep an eye on him."
The three of them made their way into the living room, and Gyuvin looked up from the kitchen, a small smile tugging at his lips when he saw them. "Hey, guys," he greeted, his voice softer than usual.
"Gyuvin!" Hanbin called out, dropping his backpack on the floor and plopping down on the couch. "What's up? We thought we'd spend the weekend here and prep for the math test together. Hope you don't mind."
Gyuvin shook his head, his smile growing a little wider. "Of course not. You guys know you're always welcome here."
Matthew grinned, throwing himself onto the couch next to Hanbin. "Good, because we're not leaving."
Taerae, who had been watching the scene with a fond smile, walked over to the kitchen. "Let me help you with that," he said, moving to stand next to Gyuvin as he began preparing the food.
Gyuvin hesitated, glancing at Taerae, but then nodded. "Sure, thanks."
Meanwhile, Yujin had already joined Matthew and Hanbin on the couch, where the two older boys were trying to drag him into a mock wrestling match. "Come on, Yujin! Let's see what you've got!" Matthew teased, poking Yujin's side.
"Hey, no fair!" Yujin protested, laughing as he tried to squirm away from Matthew's grasp. "I'm smaller than you guys!"
Hanbin, who had been watching with a grin, jumped in, declaring himself the referee. "Alright, alright! No dirty moves, Matt! Let's keep it clean!"
As the three of them wrestled playfully on the couch, Gyuvin couldn't help but watch them out of the corner of his eye. For the first time in a long while, he felt a small spark of happiness in his chest. The sound of his friends laughing, the sight of Yujin smiling—it was a welcome distraction from the pain he'd been carrying.
Taerae noticed the change in Gyuvin's expression and gave him a gentle nudge with his elbow. "See? You're not alone, Gyuvin. We've got your back."
Gyuvin looked at Taerae, his eyes softening. "Thanks, Taerae. Really."
Taerae just smiled, giving Gyuvin a reassuring nod before turning back to the food. They worked together in comfortable silence, the sounds of laughter and playful shouts filling the house as the others continued their wrestling match.
After a while, Gyuvin turned to his friends, his voice light as he asked, "So, what's the plan? You guys really just here to help us study?"
Hanbin, who was in the middle of pretending to count Matthew out, looked up with a grin. "Yep, that's the plan. Well, that and we're crashing here for the weekend. Figured it'd be fun."
Gyuvin raised an eyebrow, amusement coloring his tone. "And you didn't think to ask first?"
Hanbin shrugged, his grin not fading. "We knew you'd say yes. Plus, we brought snacks, so we're covered."
Gyuvin chuckled, shaking his head. "Fine, fine. Yujin, are you staying too?"
Yujin, who had managed to free himself from Matthew's grasp, sat up on the couch, brushing his hair out of his face. "Nah, I've got to go to my friend's place later tonight. But I'll hang out for a bit."
Matthew, ever the playful one, leaned over and poked Yujin's side. "What's the matter, Yujin? Too cool to hang with your big brother and his friends?"
Yujin stuck out his tongue, swatting Matthew's hand away. "No way! You guys are just too lame for me."
The others laughed, and even Gyuvin felt a genuine smile break through his usual stoic demeanor. For a moment, everything felt normal. The darkness that usually hung over him seemed to lift, if only slightly.
As the evening wore on, they all settled in, the atmosphere in the house warm and light. Taerae and Gyuvin finished preparing the food and brought it over to the living room, where everyone gathered around to eat. The conversation flowed easily, the room filled with the sounds of laughter and chatter.
But as the night went on, the memories of the day crept back into Gyuvin's mind, uninvited and unwelcome. He tried to push them away, to focus on the here and now, but the shadows loomed large in his thoughts.
As they all sat together, a comfortable silence falling over the group as they ate, Hanbin noticed Gyuvin's sudden quietness. He glanced over at him, concern flickering in his eyes. "Gyuvin, are you okay? You've been awfully quiet."
Gyuvin blinked, pulling himself out of his thoughts. He forced a smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired."
Hanbin didn't look convinced, but he didn't press further. Instead, he offered Gyuvin a small smile. "If you need to talk, we're here."
Gyuvin nodded, his heart warming slightly at Hanbin's words. "Thanks, Hanbin. I appreciate it."
The rest of the evening passed by in a blur of laughter and easy conversation. As the night wore on, Yujin eventually said his goodbyes, needing to leave to meet up with his friend. The others teased him a little more, making Gyuvin laugh despite the lingering sadness in his heart.
After Yujin left, the house felt a little quieter, but the others did their best to keep the mood light. They stayed up late, talking and joking, the camaraderie between them a balm to Gyuvin's troubled mind.
But as the hours ticked by and the night deepened, the conversation inevitably turned to more serious topics. They talked about school, their worries, and the pressures they all felt. At some point, the topic of bullying came up, and the atmosphere grew heavier.
Matthew, who had been lying on the floor, his head propped up on a pillow, frowned as he spoke. "I heard about some stuff going down at school. Some real nasty shit. You guys heard anything?"
Gyuvin tensed at the question, his mind flashing back to the cruelty he'd faced earlier that day. The mocking laughter, the vicious words—it all came rushing back in a flood of painful memories.
Taerae noticed the change in Gyuvin's demeanor and quickly spoke up, trying to steer the conversation away. "Yeah, I've heard some rumors, but I don't think it's anything too serious. Just the usual school drama."
But Matthew wasn't easily dissuaded. "I don't know, man. I've heard some pretty messed-up things. Like, there's this one kid who got locked in a locker for hours, and another who got their books torn up and thrown in the toilet."
Hanbin, who had been sitting quietly, his expression thoughtful, finally spoke up. "It's more than just rumors. I've seen it happen. Kids getting picked on, harassed, even hurt. It's messed up."
Gyuvin swallowed hard, his hands clenching into fists. The images in his mind grew more vivid—the taunting faces, the physical pain. He could still feel the sting of the punches, the way his body had been shoved around like he was nothing.
"People can be real assholes," Hanbin continued, his voice darkening with anger. "And sometimes... sometimes they take it too far."
The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of Hanbin's words hanging in the air. Gyuvin's heart pounded in his chest, the memories crashing over him like a tidal wave. He wanted to say something, to tell them what he's been going through, but the words wouldn't come. He felt trapped, suffocated by the pain and fear that he kept buried deep inside.
Suddenly, Hanbin turned to Gyuvin, his eyes narrowing with concern. "Gyuvin... has anyone messed with you?"
Gyuvin's breath caught in his throat, his mind racing as he tried to figure out what to say. He couldn't tell them the truth. He couldn't let them know how weak he was, how much he was suffering.
He shook his head quickly, forcing a shaky smile. "No, I'm fine. No one's messed with me."
Hanbin studied him for a moment, his eyes searching Gyuvin's face as if trying to see past the lie. But eventually, he nodded, though he didn't look entirely convinced. "Alright. But if anyone does, you tell us, okay? We'll take care of it."
Gyuvin nodded, his throat tight. "Yeah, I will."
But deep down, he knew he wouldn't. He couldn't. He was too scared, too ashamed.
The conversation shifted after that, moving to lighter topics as they all tried to shake off the heavy mood. But the darkness lingered in Gyuvin's mind, the memories refusing to leave him in peace. Even as he laughed along with his friends, a part of him was trapped in the past, reliving the pain over and over again.
The night had grown still, the warmth of the earlier conversation giving way to a more subdued atmosphere. They'd all settled down in their spots, the room dimly lit by a single lamp. Taerae was lounging on the floor, his back against the couch, while Matthew was sprawled out next to him, half-asleep. Hanbin leaned against the arm of the couch, his eyes fixed on the ceiling, lost in thought.
Gyuvin, sitting cross-legged on the floor, was silent, his thoughts tangled and heavy. The conversation from earlier still weighed on him, the memories he'd tried so hard to bury now bubbling to the surface. He wished he could just forget, but the hurt lingered, gnawing at him from the inside.
Sensing the shift in mood, Taerae cleared his throat, trying to lighten the atmosphere. "So, Gyuvin," he said, a playful tone creeping into his voice, "what do you think of the new classmates?"
Gyuvin blinked, pulled from his thoughts by the sudden question. "Huh?" He looked at Taerae, caught off guard. "Oh... um, they're nice, I guess."
But as he said the words, a sharp pang shot through him, and his mind immediately went to Ricky. The memory of their last encounter—Ricky standing up for him, only to betray him with his cruel words—came rushing back, twisting the knife in his chest. Gyuvin's hands clenched into fists, the thought of Ricky making his blood boil.
But then, just as quickly, his thoughts shifted to Zhang Hao. He remembered the kindness in Zhang Hao's eyes, the gentle way he spoke, the way he made Gyuvin feel seen. Without thinking, Gyuvin murmured, "Zhang Hao is nice."
There was a pause, and then Gyuvin found himself talking, his words spilling out before he could stop them. "He's different from the others. He's... kind. He listens, you know? And he doesn't make me feel like a freak."
Matthew and Taerae exchanged a glance, both of them raising their eyebrows in surprise. Hanbin, who had been quietly listening, sat up straighter, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at Gyuvin. "Zhang Hao?" Hanbin asked, his voice carefully neutral. "But... we didn't ask about Zhang Hao."
Gyuvin's breath hitched, panic flaring in his chest as he realized what he'd just said. His eyes widened, and he looked around at his friends, feeling like he'd just exposed something he wasn't ready to share. "I-I didn't mean—"
Matthew and Taerae both started laughing, their playful smiles easing some of the tension. "It's okay, Gyuvin," Matthew said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You don't have to be so nervous."
Taerae chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, we're just curious. No big deal."
But Hanbin wasn't laughing. He was still watching Gyuvin, his gaze intense and searching. "Gyuvin," he said softly, "do you... like Zhang Hao?"
Gyuvin's heart pounded in his chest, the question hanging in the air like a loaded gun. He wanted to deny it, to brush it off as nothing, but the truth was lodged in his throat, refusing to be swallowed down. He looked at Hanbin, and for a moment, he saw something in Hanbin's eyes—something that made his chest tighten with confusion and fear.
Slowly, reluctantly, Gyuvin nodded. "Yeah... I do."
The admission hung between them, heavy and raw. Hanbin's expression shifted, a flicker of something painful crossing his face before he quickly masked it. He forced a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Well, that's... that's good, Gyuvin. I'm happy for you."
But even as he said the words, Hanbin's heart twisted painfully in his chest. He didn't know why, but the thought of Gyuvin liking someone—someone like Zhang Hao—made something deep inside him ache. He pushed the feeling down, trying to ignore it, but it lingered, gnawing at him.
Just then, Taerae, sensing the tension, piped up with a teasing grin. "But what about Ricky? I saw how he stood up for you. That's got to count for something, right?"
At the mention of Ricky, Gyuvin's expression hardened, the warmth in his eyes replaced by a cold, distant look. He looked down at his hands, his jaw clenching. "I don't like Ricky," he said flatly, his voice tinged with bitterness.
Everyone turned to look at him, surprised by the sudden shift in his tone. "Why?" Matthew asked, frowning. "What happened?"
Gyuvin wanted to tell them, to spill all the anger and hurt that was burning inside him. But the words stuck in his throat, the memories too painful to bring to light. He couldn't bear to relive it, to see the pity in their eyes. So he swallowed the truth down, forcing himself to keep it buried.
"He's just... annoying," Gyuvin muttered, his voice cold and clipped. "I hate him."
Hanbin's heart sank at Gyuvin's words, the finality in his tone unsettling. He wanted to press further, to ask what had really happened between Gyuvin and Ricky, but something in Gyuvin's expression made him hold back. Instead, he forced a smile, trying to steer the conversation away from the uncomfortable topic.
"Alright, alright," Hanbin said lightly, though his heart still ached with the weight of everything left unsaid. "Let's not dwell on that. How about we talk about something else? Like... who's ready to fail this math test?"
Matthew and Taerae immediately jumped on the change of topic, groaning about the upcoming test and how unprepared they were. The mood lightened again, their voices filling the room with laughter and complaints.
But Gyuvin remained quiet, his mind still tangled in the mess of emotions he couldn't untangle. He felt like he was walking a tightrope, one misstep away from falling into the abyss of his own pain. And as the night wore on, he couldn't shake the feeling that no matter how hard he tried, he would never be able to outrun the darkness that was closing in around him.
Hours later, when the others had finally fallen asleep, Gyuvin lay awake, staring up at the ceiling. The house was quiet, the only sound the soft breathing of his friends. But Gyuvin couldn't sleep. His mind was too full, too restless.
As he lay there, the events of the day replayed in his mind, the faces of his tormentors burned into his memory. He could still hear their laughter, still feel the sting of their blows. And no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't push it away.
He curled up on his side, his hands clutching the fabric of his shirt as he tried to hold himself together. But the pain was too much. It tore through him, leaving him raw and vulnerable.
He bit down on his lip, trying to keep the sobs from escaping, but they came anyway, his body shaking with the force of them. The darkness closed in around him, suffocating him, and he felt like he was drowning in his own despair.
The world outside his window was quiet, peaceful. But inside, Gyuvin was trapped in a nightmare, one he couldn't wake up from. And as the tears fell, he knew that no matter how much his friends cared, no matter how much they tried to help, he was still alone in his pain.
The night stretched on, long and lonely, as Gyuvin lay there, lost in his own darkness.
The next morning, Gyuvin was the first to stir awake. The room was silent, with the early light filtering through the curtains. His eyes fluttered open, still puffy from the night before, and he instinctively reached for his sunglasses on the bedside table. Slipping them on, he took a deep breath, trying to shake off the remnants of his dreams—memories that clung to him like a shadow.
He moved quietly, careful not to wake his friends. They were sprawled out across the room, a tangle of limbs and blankets, snoring softly. Gyuvin tiptoed to the bathroom, freshening up before heading to the kitchen. The house was still, the calm before the storm of the day. He set to work, pulling out ingredients, determined to make a decent breakfast for everyone.
As he cracked eggs into a bowl, he heard the faint sound of stirring behind him. Matthew and Taerae, always the rowdy ones, were already bickering, their voices groggy but familiar.
"Move over, idiot!" Matthew's voice came, laced with irritation.
"I'm not in your way, you moron!" Taerae shot back, shoving Matthew aside.
Gyuvin couldn't help but smile as he listened to their antics. Soon enough, the two stumbled into the kitchen, still rubbing the sleep from their eyes.
"Morning, Gyuvin," Matthew grunted, immediately making a beeline for the fridge. "Got any milk?"
Gyuvin shook his head, glancing over his shoulder. "Sorry, I'm out of milk."
Matthew groaned dramatically, slamming the fridge door shut. "How the hell are we supposed to drink coffee without milk?"
Taerae joined in, flopping down in a chair at the kitchen table. "This is a disaster, Gyuvin. A total disaster."
Hanbin, who had just wandered in, chuckled at their theatrics. "You two are such drama queens," he teased, walking over to the counter where Gyuvin was working. "I'll go grab some milk from the store. It's no big deal."
Gyuvin looked up from the stove, shaking his head. "You don't have to do that, Hanbin. I can go myself."
But Hanbin waved him off with a smile. "Nah, you focus on making us something delicious. I'll be back in a flash."
Gyuvin's lips curled into a small smile. "Thanks, Hanbin."
Hanbin nodded and grabbed his jacket, heading for the door. He pulled it open, the morning air cool against his face. Just as he stepped outside, he caught sight of someone else exiting the house next door—Zhang Hao.
Hao noticed Hanbin immediately, his eyes lighting up as he waved. "Hanbin! Hey!"
Hanbin's heart skipped a beat at the sight of Zhang Hao, but he quickly looked away, pretending he hadn't seen him. He didn't want to deal with this now, especially with all the complicated feelings swirling inside him.
Zhang Hao's smile faltered as Hanbin walked on without acknowledging him. Confused, Hao's heart began to pound as he lowered his hand. "Maybe he didn't hear me," Hao muttered to himself, feeling a strange sense of loss. Determined not to be ignored, he jogged to catch up with Hanbin, falling into step beside him.
"Hey, Hanbin," Hao greeted again, this time a bit breathless.
Hanbin squeezed his eyes shut for a second, taking a deep breath before forcing a smile. He couldn't ignore Hao now, not when he was right there. "Morning, Hao," he replied, his tone polite but distant.
Zhang Hao's heart beat faster, but he pushed on, trying to sound casual. "What are you doing here and up so early? It's nice to see you first thing in the morning."
Hanbin's chest tightened at Hao's words, a mix of guilt and something else twisting inside him. "I'm just staying over at Gyuvin's place," he said shortly, trying to keep his voice steady. "We're studying for the math test."
Hao's heart sank at the mention of Gyuvin's name. He still couldn't shake the fear he felt around him, the way Gyuvin's presence made his skin crawl. But the thought of Hanbin staying with Gyuvin made something else—something darker—coil in his chest.
"Oh... I see," Hao muttered, his smile faltering. He wanted to be close to Hanbin, but the idea of interacting with Gyuvin terrified him. In the end, he forced a weak excuse. "I've got something to do, so... I'll see you around, Hanbin."
Hanbin watched as Hao walked away, a strange emptiness settling in his gut. He felt like he should say something, do something to stop Hao from leaving, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, he just sighed, watching Hao's retreating figure until it disappeared.
The store was quiet when Hanbin arrived. He grabbed the milk quickly, trying to push the morning's encounter out of his mind. But as he walked back to Gyuvin's house, he couldn't stop thinking about the look on Hao's face. His heart ached, a dull, persistent pain that wouldn't go away.
When Hanbin returned, the kitchen was alive with activity. Matthew and Taerae were now rummaging through the cabinets, looking for coffee mugs, still bickering like an old married couple. Gyuvin was at the stove, flipping pancakes with a focused expression.
"Got the milk," Hanbin announced, setting the carton on the counter.
"Thank god," Taerae said dramatically, grabbing the milk and pouring some into his coffee. "I was about to die of thirst."
Matthew snorted. "You're such a drama queen."
"Look who's talking," Taerae shot back, rolling his eyes.
Gyuvin couldn't help but chuckle at their banter, the lighthearted mood lifting some of the tension in his chest. "You guys are hopeless," he teased, plating the pancakes and setting them on the table. "Breakfast is ready."
They all gathered around the table, the smell of pancakes and coffee filling the room. For a moment, it felt like everything was normal, like they were just a group of friends enjoying a lazy morning together. But under the surface, the tension from the previous night still lingered.
As they ate, the conversation naturally shifted to the upcoming math test. "So, Gyuvin," Matthew began, stuffing a pancake into his mouth. "You're basically a genius at math. Help us out, will you?"
Gyuvin shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Sure. What do you guys need help with?"
Taerae groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Everything. Seriously, I don't get half of what's on the study guide."
Matthew nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we're screwed."
Gyuvin laughed, shaking his head. "You guys are hopeless. But fine, let's go over the important stuff."
They moved to the living room, spreading out their textbooks and notes. Gyuvin took charge, pointing out the key concepts and walking them through the most challenging problems. As they studied, the room was filled with a mix of serious concentration and playful teasing.
"You seriously don't get this, Taerae?" Gyuvin asked, his tone half-joking, half-exasperated.
Taerae groaned, rubbing his temples. "Math is just... not my thing, okay?"
Matthew smirked, poking Taerae's side. "It's okay, Taerae. We can't all be geniuses like Gyuvin."
"Shut up, Matthew," Taerae muttered, swatting his hand away.
Hanbin, who had been unusually quiet, finally spoke up. "You'll get it, Taerae. Just take it one step at a time."
Gyuvin noticed the strain in Hanbin's voice, the way he was trying too hard to sound normal. He wanted to ask what was bothering him, but the fear of bringing up last night's conversation stopped him.
They continued studying, the occasional joke or tease breaking the tension. But beneath the surface, Gyuvin's mind was still spinning, haunted by thoughts of Zhang Hao and Ricky, by the secrets he was keeping from his friends.
At one point, Taerae glanced up from his notes and asked, "Gyuvin, you good? You seem a little out of it."
Gyuvin forced a smile, nodding. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired."
But Taerae didn't look convinced. "If you say so..."
As the hours passed, the room filled with the sound of flipping pages, scribbling pens, and the occasional frustrated sigh. They worked through the study guide, each of them contributing to the discussion, but there was an unspoken tension hanging over them.
Gyuvin couldn't shake the feeling that things were changing—his feelings for Zhang Hao, the distance between him and Ricky, the tension with Hanbin. It all felt like a storm brewing on the horizon, and he had no idea how to stop it.
But for now, he pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the math problems in front of him. There was enough to worry about without adding more to the pile.
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Next Part Spoilers!!
Ricky cut him off, his tone more serious now. "And you believe everything Hanbin says? Come on, Hao. You're smarter than that."
Hao glanced up at Ricky, then quickly looked away, his cheeks flushing. "I just... Hanbin wouldn't lie to me."
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Hanbin's eyes flicked toward Zhang Hao, noticing the way Hao's expression faltered at the mention of Gyuvin's name. He quickly turned back to Ricky, his voice firm. "Gyuvin's sleeping right now."
Ricky blinked, clearly taken aback. He glanced outside, where the sun was still shining brightly. "Sleeping? Who the hell sleeps at this time?"
"He was tired, so he slept," Hanbin lied, his tone firm, leaving no room for argument.
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Ricky's grip on Zhang Hao's arm tightened, his knuckles white as he tried to keep his cool. "I'm not trying to be a savior. I'm just trying to be a good friend."
"Then maybe you should start acting like one!" Hanbin shot back, his voice filled with venom. "Instead of just pretending."
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Zhang Hao, feeling like his heart had been ripped out of his chest, turned to walk away, but not before giving Hanbin one last, pained look. "I really thought we could be friends, Hanbin. But maybe I was wrong."
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