#suhyeok x male reader

[justice4gyeongsu]

━━━ 'CHAPTER FIFTEEN' [WHEN DAWN BREAKS]

SYNOPSIS ➢ soju is becoming the most honest friend you know.

PAIRING ➢ lee suhyeok x male!reader

AU ➢ enemies-to-lovers au!

CONTENT WARNING ➢ this chapter contains; flashbacks, alot of angst, signs of depression, isolation, sensual undertones, anxiety, feeling of overwhelmed, jealousy, small intimate scene, mentions of bullying, death, depression, some fluff, reoccuring ptsd, mentions of gore, blood, cannibalism [let me know if i missed any!]

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as the morning sun rose, its warm rays crept into the room, gently coaxing you awake. you stirred beneath the blanket, slowly opening your eyes to find the room bathed in a soft, golden light. the sunlight danced across the floor, illuminating the space with a sense of new beginnings. you lay there for a moment, taking in the peaceful atmosphere, feeling the calmness of the morning wash over you. the events of the previous night began to resurface in your mind, and you couldn't help but wonder what the day ahead might bring. with a quiet sigh, you tossed off the blanket and sat up, rubbing the sleep from your eyes as you gazed out into the bright, sunlit room.

as you sat up and looked around the room, you noticed that only three of you remained: you, daesu, and wujin. the others were nowhere to be seen, and the room was quiet, except for the soft sounds of daesu's and wujin's gentle snores. you reached for the water bottle on your bedside table, unscrewed the cap, and took a refreshing sip. the cool liquid soothed your parched throat, and you felt a sense of relief wash over you. as you drank, you couldn't help but wonder where suhyeok and the others had gone, and what the day's plans might be.

you stood up, arching your back and stretching your arms overhead, feeling the satisfying cracks and pops as your joints released the tension of a night's sleep. you bent to one side, then the other, feeling the stretch in your ribs and hips. finally, you straightened up, feeling a bit more limber and awake. you walked over to the windows, where the bright sunlight was streaming in, and reached out to untie the curtains. as the fabric flowed down, it filtered the harsh sunlight, casting a warm, golden glow over the room. you adjusted the curtains, letting them cover just enough of the window to soften the light, and stepped back to survey the result. the room felt cozier now, the sunlight tamed and gentle.

you slid the door open quietly and made your way to the bathroom, feeling a sense of relief as you took care of your morning necessities. as you finished up and began washing your hands, your eyes landed on the collection of travel-sized toothbrushes and toothpaste on the counter.

a small smile spread across your face as you realized kyungho must have thoughtfully provided them for you. you quickly grabbed a toothbrush and began brushing your teeth, feeling a sense of gratitude towards kyungho's considerate gesture. just as you were finishing up, you heard a quiet knock at the door. you hummed a response, not able to speak with your mouth still full of toothpaste. you quickly rinsed your mouth and opened the door to find hroryeong and minji standing in the hallway, both of them looking bleary-eyed and tired.

you gave a small bow with your head, a gentle good morning greeting, and hroryeong and minji returned the gesture, their own bows equally subtle. as they slipped into the bathroom to start their morning routines, you made your way downstairs, holding onto the wall for support. your feet felt a bit unsteady, and the cool morning air didn't help.

as you reached the bottom of the stairs, you looked around, taking in the quiet atmosphere of the house. you wandered through the aisles, searching for any signs of life, and as you turned into the second-to-last aisle, you spotted a cluster of familiar faces. onjo, cheongsan, hari, suhyeok, and kyungho were all huddled together, speaking in hushed tones. you crossed your arms over your chest, feeling a chill run down your spine as the cool air seemed to seep into your bones. just as you were taking in the scene, onjo turned around, a bright smile spreading across her face. "hi, cutie," she said, her voice loud and affectionate, making sure the others heard her endearing greeting.

you responded with a low "good morning," accompanied by a small bow, your voice a bit raspy from the morning air. "i take it you slept well," kyungho said, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. you nodded, a sleepy smile spreading across your face, still feeling a bit groggy. just as you were starting to feel more awake, onjo swooped in, her hands reaching up to gently tame your hair, which was sticking up in every direction. you hadn't even noticed, nor had you cared, but onjo seemed determined to fix it for you. her fingers worked through the tangled locks, smoothing out the knots with a gentle touch. you stood there, passively accepting her ministrations, feeling a sense of comfort and tranquility wash over you.

as onjo continued to fix your hair, you couldn't help but feel a sense of relaxation wash over you. her touch was gentle and soothing, and you found yourself leaning into her hands, letting out a soft sigh of contentment. the others watched the scene with amusement, suhyeok's eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. cheongsan and hari exchanged a knowing glance, while kyungho looked on with a warm expression. onjo, seemingly satisfied with her handiwork, stepped back to admire her efforts. "there, all fixed," she said, a pleased smile on her face. you reached up to touch your hair, feeling a sense of gratitude towards onjo for her thoughtful gesture.

you asked, your voice a bit stronger now, "did everyone sleep okay?" you looked around at the group, taking in their varied expressions. onjo nodded, still smiling, while cheongsan and hari exchanged a tired glance. kyungho rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes looking a bit sleepy, and suhyeok simply nodded, his face calm and serene. "yeah, we're all good," onjo said, speaking for the group. "although some of us," she added, glancing at cheongsan and hari, "might need a bit more coffee to fully wake up." cheongsan and hari chuckled, nodding in agreement, and the group shared a gentle laugh.

the group's laughter faded away, everyone's attention was drawn upwards, where the creaking of the old wooden floorboards and the sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway. it seemed the rest of the group was starting to stir, and the morning was slowly coming to life.

you turned to kyungho, a smile still on your face, and said, "thank you again for letting us stay for the night." kyungho's expression turned serious, and he glanced warily at onjo and hari before turning back to you. his voice was cautious as he said, "...it might be more than one night." the implication hung in the air, and you sensed that there was more to kyungho's statement than met the eye. onjo and hari exchanged a knowing glance, their faces somber, and the atmosphere in the room shifted, becoming more subdued.

you turned to cheongsan, confusion etched on your face, and asked, "what do you mean?" you rubbed your arms, trying to warm yourself up, as the cool morning air seemed to seep into your bones.

suhyeok's voice was low and serious as he explained, "we were planning to leave, but there's a horde of the infected outside, in the front and back of the store. there's way too many to leave." he didn't look at you, instead, his gaze was fixed on cheongsan, as if trying to come up with a plan.

you felt a surge of alarm at his words, and your eyes widened as you exclaimed, "wait, what? there was literally only two yesterday.." you tried to wrap your head around the sudden change, and your mind was filled with questions. how did the number of infected increase so rapidly?

you nodded and said, "i'm gonna head upstairs and let everyone know we're gonna wait it out." everyone nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination, as you turned to leave. as you climbed the stairs, the creaking of the old wooden steps beneath your feet seemed to echo through the silent morning air. you heard kyungho speak up, his voice low and thoughtful, "we can pack stuff up and just wait for the crowd to die down, then as soon as we get an opening, we can head for it." he suggested, leaning on the register counter, his eyes fixed on some point in front of him. cheongsan's voice was laced with concern as he replied, "we don't know how long it'll take." he shook his head, his brow furrowed in worry.

hari chimed in, her voice firm but measured, "i mean, if we wanna take the challenge and all of us go out there right now, we'd be risking half the group." the weight of hari's words were heard, and everyone could sense the gravity of the situation. the others nodded in agreement, their faces somber, as they considered the risks.

you reached the top of the stairs and began to make your way to the rooms, wondering how the others would take the news. the sound of murmured conversations and rustling movements drifted from the rooms, as the rest of the group slowly stirred to life. you slid open the wooden door and stepped into the boys' room, where daesu was just sitting up, holding his head in his hands, a look of pain etched on his face. you spoke quietly, trying not to startle him, "morning daesu." you walked over to your bed, where your water bottle from the night before was still sitting, and grabbed it. you quickly jogged over to daesu, holding out the bottle like a lifeline. "here, you need electrolytes," you said, as you handed him the water bottle, his "holy grail" as you had come to think of it.

daesu looked up at you, his eyes squinting slightly, and took the bottle from you, his expression a mix of gratitude and relief. he unscrewed the cap and took a long swig, the water seeming to revive him slightly.

you leaned in close to daesu and whispered, "everyone's gonna stay for a few more hours, so you've got some time to recover." daesu nodded slightly, his eyes still closed, as he took another sip of water, the condensation on the bottle glistening in the soft morning light. just then, wujin and mijin burst into the room, their voices chiming in unison, "we're staying?" they looked at each other, disgusted, before mijin turned to wujin and said, "yah! stop trying to be like me, little shit." she raised her hand, as if threatening to hit him, and wujin took a step back, a mock-innocent expression on his face, his eyes wide with feigned surprise. daesu, still holding his head, grimaced and said, "you two be quiet, you're making my head hurt more." his voice was low and gravelly, and you could tell he was still feeling the effects of the previous night. you couldn't help but stifle a laugh at the exchange, and instead, you reached out to rub daesu's back, trying to offer some comfort as he continued to drink his water. your hand moved in slow, soothing circles, and daesu leaned into your touch, his eyes still closed, as he let out a soft sigh.

your voice barely above a whisper, "hey, you two need to keep it down. we've got a situation outside." mijin and wujin exchanged a curious glance, and you continued, "the convenience store is surrounded by...those things. zombies. we can't leave right now, we have to wait it out." mijin's eyes widened, and wujin's face fell, as they processed the information. they looked at each other, then back at you, their expressions serious. mijin whispered, "how many?" and you shook your head, "i don't know, but it's a lot. kyungho said it's not safe to leave yet." wujin's eyes darted towards daesu, who was still sitting on the bed, nursing his water bottle, and mijin's gaze followed. they both nodded, seeming to understand the gravity of the situation, and mijin whispered, "we'll be quiet."

daesu slowly opened his eyes, his gaze still a bit unfocused, and looked at wujin. he nodded towards the window and said, his voice still low and rough, "wujin, check out the window. see for yourself." wujin nodded and carefully made his way over to the window, trying not to make any sudden movements. he slowly pulled back the curtain, and a sliver of morning light spilled into the room. wujin's eyes scanned the scene outside, and his expression changed from curiosity to alarm. he turned back to the group, his voice barely above a whisper, "it's...it's really bad. there are so many of them." mijin's eyes widened, and she took a step back, her face pale.

daesu nodded, his expression grim, and you could tell he was still feeling the effects of the previous night. you reached out and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, trying to offer some comfort.

you tried to reassure the group, "hey, we're safe in here. the infected don't know we're in the convenience store, so as long as we keep quiet, we should be okay." you glanced around the room, meeting the worried gazes of mijin and wujin. daesu nodded in agreement, adding, "and the front of the store is covered in newspaper, so they can't even see inside." he gestured vaguely in the direction of the storefront, his eyes still a bit glassy from his hangover. you nodded, trying to emphasize the point, "exactly. we're hidden from view, and as long as we don't make too much noise, we should be able to wait this out without any problems." mijin and wujin exchanged a nervous glance, but seemed to relax a bit at your reassurances. daesu, however, still looked a bit green around the gills, and you made a mental note to keep an eye on him.

the room fell silent, the only sound the distant shuffling and groaning of the infected outside. after a few moments, mijin spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper, "what's the plan, then?" she looked at you, then at daesu, who was still reclining on the bed. you shrugged, trying to think of a response. "i guess we just wait it out," you said finally. "kyungho and the others are downstairs, trying to come up with a plan. we'll just have to wait and see what they decide." mijin nodded, seeming to accept this.

hroryeong and namra walked into the room, hroryeong fussing with her bangs, a grimace on her face as she tried to shake off the lingering effects of her hangover. "you sleep okay?" you asked the two, trying to sound cheerful despite the dire circumstances. hroryeong nodded, her expression still a bit pinched, and namra nodded as well, his face serious.

"there's a lot of infected outside," namra said, her eyes locked on yours, her voice monotone and even. wujin spoke up, filling them in on the situation, "yeah, we're gonna wait it out." hroryeong let out a relieved sigh and plopped down on the end of daesu's bed, "thank god," she said, running a hand through her tangled hair. daesu, still reclining on the bed, opened one eye and looked at hroryeong, a small smile on his face, before closing his eye again and letting out a soft groan. the room was quiet for a moment, the only sound the distant shuffling of the infected outside, before mijin spoke up, "does anyone know how this happened? how did the infected just show up like that?"

everyone's gaze turned to namra, expecting her to have some answers, but she simply shook her head, her expression somber. "i asked them downstairs too, but no one knows," you added, shrugging your shoulders.

the room fell silent once again, the only sound the distant moaning of the infected outside. namra's eyes dropped, and she stared at the floor, her brow furrowed in concern. hroryeong reached out and put a comforting hand on her arm, but namra didn't respond, lost in her own thoughts.

mijin suddenly spoke up, "where's hari?" you replied, "she's downstairs with the others." no sooner had the words left your lips than mijin was already racing out of the room, her footsteps thundering down the stairs. "mijin, wait!" you called after her, but she was already gone, vanishing from sight in a flash. the others exchanged amused glances, and hroryeong chuckled, "guess she's worried about hari." daesu opened one eye, looked at hroryeong, and then closed it again, a small smile on his face. namra shook her head, a hint of a smile on her lips, and wujin just rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath. the room was quiet for a moment, before the sound of mijin's voice drifted up from downstairs, her tone anxious and urgent.

namra spoke up, "we should all meet up downstairs. we need to figure out what to do next." everyone nodded in agreement, and the group began to stir, slowly getting to their feet. daesu, still looking a bit rough around the edges, stumbled over to the sink and began to brush his teeth. you waited patiently for him to finish, and then the two of you made your way downstairs, joining the others in the main room of the convenience store. the atmosphere was tense, with everyone chatting in hushed tones, their faces serious and worried. hari and kyungho were deep in conversation, their heads bent together, while mijin paced back and forth, her eyes fixed on the floor. cheongsan and wujin were rummaging through the shelves, gathering supplies and stuffing them into backpacks.

as you and daesu entered, the group fell silent, looking to you for some kind of leadership. namra spoke up, "now that we're all here, we need to come up with a plan. we can't stay here forever."

kyungho raised his hand, a enthusiastic look on his face, "oh! if i can just say, uh, why not? there's food, drinks, a bathroom, running water..." he trailed off, expecting everyone to see the convenience store as the perfect temporary shelter. but before he could continue, suhyeok cut him off, his voice calm and measured, "that will eventually run out." you looked over at suhyeok, feeling a sense of comfort and reassurance at his presence. he was always the voice of reason, and you trusted his judgment implicitly. suhyeok continued, his tone firm but gentle, "we need to evacuate. we can't stay here forever, and the longer we wait, the more danger we'll be in." he didn't want to lead into an argument, but his words were firm, and you could tell he was determined to get everyone to safety.

cheongsan nodded in agreement with suhyeok, his expression serious, "i think suhyeok's right. some of our families are probably already evacuated, and we don't know what's going on outside. we need to try and find out what's happening and get to a safe place." he paused, thinking for a moment, cheongsan turned to you, his expression curious, "do you think any of your family members would've tried to stay or would they have evacuated?" you were taken aback by the question, and your mind went blank for a moment. you thought back to your family, trying to remember who might have stayed behind. but there was only one person who came to mind. your father. you hadn't seen him since the loan sharks had shown up at your apartment, wielding bats and threatening violence. you weren't even sure if he was still alive. the thought sent a pang of guilt and worry through your chest, and you felt yourself getting stuck in thought. but before you could get too caught up in your own worries, cheongsan spoke up softly, "y/n?" your head snapped up, and you shook off the fog, "uh, yeah. my dad probably already evacuated." you nodded in agreement with cheongsan, trying to push aside your doubts. but before you could say anything else, kyungho spoke up, his tone matter-of-fact, "okay, but if i can interrupt. if we go out there, we're not gonna make it. i can guarantee you that." namra's head tilted to the side as she looked at kyungho, a faintly puzzled expression on her face.

kyungho continued, his voice calm and rational, "i mean, think about it. we're safe in here, for now. we have food, water, and shelter. why risk going outside when we don't have to?" he paused, considering his next words carefully, "why don't we just stay another night? if by morning there's no zombies outside, then we can immediately leave. but if they're still out there... well, at least we'll know it's not safe." he looked around the room, his eyes meeting each of yours, "it's just one more night. and if it means staying alive, isn't it worth it?" the room fell silent, as everyone considered kyungho's suggestion. namra frowned, her brow furrowed in thought, while cheongsan nodded slowly, seeming to agree with kyungho's plan. suhyeok's expression was neutral, but you could sense him weighing the pros and cons.

namra spoke up, her voice firm and decisive, "as soon as the zombie horde is gone, we will all leave. we'll make a run for it, together." she looked around the room, her eyes meeting each of yours, and no one argued with her say-so. it was clear that namra had taken charge, and her plan was to get everyone out of there as soon as it was safe to do so. the room fell silent, with everyone nodding in agreement, and suhyeok gave a small nod of approval. kyungho looked relieved, and cheongsan nodded enthusiastically. you felt a sense of determination wash over you, knowing that you were all in this together, and you would get through it as a team.

wujin spoke up, "hey, i found some pre-boiled eggs. does anyone want some with milk for breakfast?" everyone agreed, and wujin began to hand out the eggs and milk. namra, however, declined the offer and instead grabbed a bottle of water and chugged it down. "fuck, it's so cold down here in the morning," mijin said, shivering. you looked at her and asked, "where's your archery jacket at?" mijin shrugged, "i guess kyungho's washing all our clothes, right?" she said, sounding uncertain.

you thought for a second, wondering where your clothes were. you instantly begin looking for kyungho who walked away after the discussion. you walked over to a door that you hadn't noticed before, which had a sign that read "employees only". you pushed the door open, curious about what might be inside.

you pushed open the door and stepped inside, looking around at the unfamiliar surroundings. the room was filled with computers and office equipment, likely the manager's office before the outbreak. your eyes landed on a row of lockers against one wall, and then a side door that caught your attention. the sign on the door read "freezer", and it was wide open. you walked over to investigate and saw kyungho emerging from the freezer, a handful of cheese sticks in his grasp. he looked up and saw you, and his eyes widened in surprise. "oh shit," he exclaimed, clutching his heart. you couldn't help but laugh at his dramatic reaction. "sorry," you said, still chuckling. kyungho grinned, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "no, you're more than okay," he said, his tone flirtatious. "came looking for me?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

but you ignored his teasing tone and asked him a question instead. "some of the girls were wondering where their clothes were," you said. kyungho's expression changed to one of confusion. "why would i know where their clothes are?" he scoffed, taking a bite of his cheese stick. your face froze, shocked at his seriousness. "what? cause, you said you'd wash all our clothes..." you trailed off, feeling a growing sense of unease in your chest. kyungho pretended to think for a moment, his expression innocent. "oh! right, they're all on the roof drying," he said, his tone casual. "you wanna come see?" he asked, closing the freezer door behind him as he stepped out.

you smiled and said, "sure," and kyungho grinned, seeming to enjoy the opportunity to show you something. he walked over to a big red button on the wall next to the lockers and pressed it. suddenly, a small, squared door on the roof slid open, creaking slowly and mechanically. "cool, right?" kyungho said, putting down the rest of the cheese sticks on the desk next to him. then, a red metal ladder began to lower itself from the opening, unfolding slowly until it reached the floor. kyungho went up first, his movements careful and precise. you followed after, your eyes fixed on the ladder as you climbed.

you reached the outside roof, you felt a rush of warmth and light on your face, and you couldn't help but sigh in content. the sun was shining brightly, and the fresh air was a welcome change from the stale atmosphere of the convenience store. you looked around, taking in the view, and saw kyungho balancing carefully on the roof, his arms outstretched for balance. he grabbed your uniform shirt on a makeshift clothesline where your clothes, along with everyone else's, were drying in the sun. you gave him a thumbs up, still clinging to the ladder, and took in the sight of the city around you.

as you looked around, you took in the eerie silence of the city. the streets were empty, and the only sound was the gentle rustling of the wind through the buildings. you saw a few buildings in the distance, some of which appeared to be empty or abandoned. you wondered what had happened to the city, and how it had fallen so quickly. kyungho followed your gaze, and his expression turned somber. "it's not safe out there," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "we need to be careful." you nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of unease wash over you. you realized that you were lucky to have made it this far, and that you needed to stay vigilant if you wanted to survive.

you climbed back down the ladder, your eyes scanning the room below. you spotted the cheese sticks on the desk and grabbed one, taking a small bite as you leaned against the desk. kyungho climbed down after you, a sly grin spreading across his face as he walked over to the red button. he reached out to hold it, his eyes never leaving yours, and said, "you're welcome." you looked up at him, a hint of amusement in your voice, "i didn't say thank you." you took another bite of the cheese stick, your eyes locked on his. kyungho rolled his eyes sassily, "exactly." you couldn't help but laugh at his sudden sassiness, and you raised an eyebrow at him in disbelief. kyungho's grin grew wider, and he copied your gesture, raising an eyebrow of his own.

you rolled your eyes, a smile still playing on your lips, and turned to leave the room. as you walked away, you could feel kyungho's eyes on you, and you knew he was staring at your body. you didn't need to look back to confirm it, but you could sense his gaze lingering on you. you heard a faint smirk in his voice as he said, "hey, i think you still forgot to thank me for the cheese stick." you just shook your head, chuckling to yourself as you walked out of the room, leaving kyungho and his teasing behind.

"your jacket should be fully dried in an hour," you told mijin, who dramatically threw her head back and began to thank god. you couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction. you then turned to wujin and added, "and our clothes too." wujin's face lit up with excitement as he pumped his fist in the air. "yes! those uniforms cost too much to lose," he exclaimed, crossing his arms and letting out a relieved sigh.

meanwhile, daesu was busy thanking suhyeok and cheongsan for taking care of him when his brother-in-law, wujin, had given up on him. daesu's expression was one of heartfelt gratitude as he spoke to the two, his words filled with appreciation for their help and support during his time of need. "thank you, thank you so much," daesu said, his voice sincere and emotional. "i don't know what i would have done if you guys hadn't been there for me." suhyeok and cheongsan exchanged an amused glance, happy to have been able to help daesu in his time of need. they smiled and nodded, accepting daesu's thanks, and the three of them shared a moment of warm camaraderie.

"suhyeok was helping multiple people," cheongsan said with a grin, giving suhyeok a playful smack on the chest. suhyeok rolled his eyes good-naturedly, chuckling at the teasing. daesu's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he asked, "who else was bad?" he couldn't remember what had happened after they'd had their first shot that night, and his friends' amused expressions only added to his confusion.

cheongsan gestured towards you, who was sitting with wujin, hari, and mijin, eating a boiled egg and holding yourself close to ward off the cold. "y/n?" daesu asked, his voice trembling with suppressed laughter. he covered his mouth, trying to stifle a grin. "wujin too, after we put you to bed," cheongsan added, a smile spreading across his face. "we had to get wujin to use the restroom before sleeping, but he wouldn't." cheongsan's eyes sparkled with mirth as he remembered the events of the previous night.

meanwhile, as everyone was having a great time staying in a safe place with their friends, a starkly different scene unfolded somewhere nearby. in a dimly lit apartment, the door creaked open, slightly ajar, as if someone had recently passed through it. on the floor, in front of the television, lay a man, unconscious and motionless. his body was battered, with bruises and blood leaking from his head, staining the cold, hard floor. the only sound in the apartment was the gentle whisper of the wind, which carried an eerie silence. the television, once a source of entertainment and comfort, now cast an eerie glow over the scene, its screen flickering with static. the man's stillness was unsettling, and the apartment seemed to be holding its breath, as if waiting for something – or someone – to stir.

hours had passed and you were in the boys' room, surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of your friends' banter downstairs. you had decided to take a moment to stretch, and were currently lying on the floor, extending your arms above your head and arching your back. your muscles felt tight from the day's events, and you were trying to loosen them up. as you stretched, you could hear the sounds of your friends chatting and laughing in the background, and you felt a sense of comfort and security being surrounded by them.

as you continued to stretch, you heard wujin's voice behind you. "what are you doing?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his tone. you looked up to see him standing over you, a smile on his face. you smiled back, feeling a bit self-conscious about being caught stretching. "just trying to loosen up," you replied, sitting up and running a hand through your hair. wujin nodded, and then sat down beside you on the floor. "we should probably get some rest soon," he said, his expression turning serious. "we don't know what's going to happen tomorrow." you nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of unease wash over you. despite the comfort and security of being with your friends, you couldn't shake the feeling that you were all still in grave danger.

wujin's expression turned somber, and he looked at you with a hint of vulnerability. "hey, can i ask you something?" he said, his voice low and serious. "do you... have any bad feelings towards me? because of what happened when we were younger?" he paused, his eyes searching yours for any sign of resentment. but before he could continue, you instantly stopped him, your voice firm but controlled. "wujin, you need to stop bringing up the past," you said, your eyes locked on his. "it's done, and i don't want to dwell on it anymore." wujin's face fell, and he looked taken aback by your abrupt response. but you didn't back down, your expression resolute. you didn't want to reopen old wounds or revisit painful memories. you just wanted to move forward.

wujin nodded slowly, a small smile on his face. "okay," he said, his voice soft. "you're right. let's just focus on making new memories together, instead of dwelling on the past." he paused, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "we've got a lot of time to make up for, after all." he grinned, and you couldn't help but smile back at him. the tension between you seemed to dissipate, replaced by a sense of hope and possibility. you nodded, feeling a sense of agreement wash over you. "yeah," you said, your voice barely above a whisper. "let's make some new memories."

you stretched your legs out in front of you, feeling a sense of relaxation wash over you. "i'm surprised you still wanted to bring that up," you said, looking at wujin with a hint of curiosity. "i didn't think you were the sentimental type." wujin chuckled and slapped his thigh, a mischievous glint in his eye. "it's the soju," he said, grinning. you looked at him confused, raising an eyebrow. "have you already been drinking again?" you asked, a hint of amusement in your voice. wujin laughed, holding up his hands in defense. "no, no, it's not just me," he said, still chuckling. "cheongsan, suhyeok, and i were drinking and talking downstairs, and you came up in the conversation." he leaned in, a conspiratorial look on his face. "we were just reminiscing about old times, and i guess it got me feeling a little sentimental."

you stopped your stretching and turned to look at wujin, your eyes locking onto his with an expectant glint. "really?" you drawled out, your voice low and curious, as you shifted into a crisscross position, your eyes never leaving wujin's face. the air seemed to vibrate with anticipation, as if you were waiting for him to reveal some hidden secret or long-forgotten truth.

wujin's face broke out into a wide smile as he began to reminisce. "i remember how you would always want to play hopscotch as a kid," he said, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "and i would throw fits because i couldn't jump far enough!" you both burst out laughing at the memory, the sound filling the room with warmth and camaraderie. you wiped tears from your eyes, still chuckling. "well, i think you got your revenge," you said, grinning at wujin. "you're only a bit taller than me now." wujin's laughter grew louder, and he clutched his stomach, his eyes shining with amusement. "yeah, i guess i did!" he exclaimed, still chuckling. the two of you sat there for a moment, enjoying the warm glow of shared memories and laughter.

as your laughter died down, you asked wujin, "so, did cheongsan or suhyeok add anything to the conversation about me?" you looked at wujin with interest, not caring if one of them had said something more than the other. you simply hoped that wujin would share something, anything, that would give you a glimpse into what your friends had discussed. wujin's expression turned thoughtful, and he leaned back on his hands, a faraway look in his eyes. "actually," he began, his voice low and measured, "suhyeok said something that really made me think." he paused, his eyes refocusing on yours, and you felt a spark of curiosity ignite within you.

wujin's eyes locked onto yours, and he continued, "suhyeok said that he's always admired how strong you are, even when things get tough." wujin's voice was sincere, and you could tell that he was genuinely impressed by suhyeok's words. "he said that you have the ability to bounce back from anything." wujin's expression softened, and he looked at you with a newfound appreciation. "i have to admit, i've noticed that about you too," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "you're one of the strongest people i know."

you felt a warmth spread through your chest at wujin's words, but you wanted to make sure that suhyeok had actually said those things. you looked at wujin with a questioning expression, seeking confirmation. "suhyeok really said that?" you asked, your voice tinged with a hint of skepticism. wujin nodded emphatically, a smile still plastered on his face. "yeah, he did," wujin replied, his tone confident. "i'm not just making it up, i swear." he held up his hands in a gesture of innocence, and you couldn't help but laugh at his antics. but you were still curious, and you pressed wujin for more information. "what exactly did he say?" you asked, your eyes locked on wujin's.

wujin let out a dramatic groan, rolling his eyes good-naturedly. "if you really want to know, ask him yourself," he said, throwing up his hands in mock exasperation. you burst out laughing at his reaction, and your eyes scanned the floor for something to tease him with. your gaze landed on a random sock that had been discarded on the ground, and you picked it up, grinning mischievously. with a quick flick of your wrist, you tossed the sock at wujin, hitting him squarely on the chest. wujin looked down at the sock, then back up at you, a mock-offended expression on his face. "hey, what's with the sock?" he asked, laughing, as he pulled the sock off his chest and tossed it back at you. “cause youre annoying.” you reply.

you stood up, gesturing for wujin to follow you downstairs. "lets drink, i wanna have some again," you said with a smile, already heading towards the stairs. wujin jumped up from the floor, his eyes sparkling with excitement, and followed you down the steps carefully, making sure not to slip or stumble. as you descended, the sound of laughter and chatter grew louder, and you could smell the sweet aroma of soju and beer wafting. you quickened your pace, anticipation building in your chest, and wujin kept pace beside you, his grin matching yours.

as you reached the bottom of the stairs, you were greeted by the lively atmosphere of the kitchen. cheongsan and suhyeok were sitting at the table, surrounded by bottles of soju and beer, and they looked up at you with cheers and smiles. "welcome back!" cheongsan exclaimed, pouring you a shot of soju. suhyeok nodded in agreement, his eyes sparkling with amusement. wujin slipped into the empty seat beside suhyeok, and you took the seat next to cheongsan, feeling the warmth and camaraderie of the group envelop you. "so, what did i miss?" you asked, picking up the shot of soju and examining it with a grin.

cheongsan smiled at wujin and you, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "i knew you'd come back with something," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. he slapped your back a little too hard, causing you to playfully wince. wujin burst out laughing and put his hand up to shield you, "excuse me, samchon, i think that's enough drinking for you," he said, playfully teasing cheongsan. the group erupted into laughter again, and even cheongsan chuckled, his face flushing slightly. you watched the exchange, amused by wujin's quick wit and cheongsan's carefree demeanor. it was a side of cheongsan you hadn't seen before, and you found it endearing. you couldn't help but wonder if you had seemed just as relaxed and carefree yesterday, or if the drinking had just brought out a different side of cheongsan.

suhyeok spoke up, his voice calm and matter-of-fact. "we were just eating some desserts and drinking," he said, gesturing to the spread of sweets and drinks on the table. "figured, why not? the zombies are still out there, might as well enjoy ourselves while we can." cheongsan shrugged, his expression philosophical. the others nodded in agreement. despite the dangers and uncertainties outside, you had each other, and that was something to be cherished. cheongsan poured another round of drinks, and the group clinked their glasses together in a silent toast to friendship and survival.

just as you were starting to relax, the others came downstairs once again, and everyone began to rearrange themselves into a big circle. you hadn't even noticed suhyeok get up and move, but now he was sitting right across from you, his eyes locked on yours with an intensity that made your heart skip a beat. the circle was complete, with snacks and drinks piled high in the middle for everyone to share. the atmosphere was lively and festive, but you couldn't shake the feeling that suhyeok's gaze was burning a hole through you.

just as suhyeok's gaze was starting to make you feel uncomfortable, kyungho returned from the restroom and scooted in between you and hari, breaking the intense eye contact between you and suhyeok. suhyeok's gaze changed in an instant, his expression morphing from one of interest to one of annoyance. he raised an eyebrow, his eyes flicking to kyungho before returning to you, a hint of disappointment lingering in his gaze. kyungho, oblivious to the subtle tension, grinned at you and hari, and began to chat with the two of you, completely unaware of the awkward moment he had just interrupted.

as kyungho chatted with you and hari, suhyeok's gaze drifted away, his attention turning to the snacks and drinks in the center of the circle. he reached out and grabbed a handful of chips, munching on them quietly, his expression neutral. the circle erupted into laughter and conversation, with everyone chatting and joking around. you joined in, trying to shake off the feeling that suhyeok's gaze had left on you. but every so often, you couldn't help but sneak a glance at him, wondering what he was thinking.

suhyeok interrupted your conversation with kyungho by reaching over and tapping your knee, his touch sending a spark of electricity through your leg. he offered you a piece of sweet bread he was eating, his eyes shining with a gentle, tipsy warmth. "oh," you said, taking the bread from his hand, his fingers brushing against yours in the process. he gestured to the bread as if to say "for you," his expression soft and endearing. you couldn't help but be charmed by his doe-eyed gaze, and you nodded, taking a bite of the bread. the sweet flavor exploded in your mouth, and suhyeok smiled, satisfied, his eyes crinkling at the corners. kyungho watched the exchange, confusion etched on his face, but suhyeok didn't seem to notice, his attention focused solely on you. you hear daesu say a joke that makes everyone erupt in laughter.

mijin cut in, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "okay, girls, now that the guys have showered and cleaned up, who do you think is the most good-looking guy here?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement. the girls groaned in unison, rolling their eyes and laughing. "none," they chimed in, their voices overlapping in a chorus of denial. you couldn't help but laugh at their unanimous response, and even the guys chuckled at the girls' blunt honesty.

as the laughter died down, suhyeok turned his attention back to you, a thoughtful expression on his face. he carefully lifted his cup, which was filled with a colorful mixture of drinks, and offered it to you. "try this," he said, his voice soft and inviting. "i made it." you looked at the drink, curious about what suhyeok had concocted. kyungho, who was still sitting next to you, raised an eyebrow.

as the night wore on, you couldn't help but notice that suhyeok's behavior towards you was becoming increasingly endearing. every time he got up to grab another drink or snack, he would offer it to you first, his eyes shining with a sweet, drunken sincerity. it was as if he had decided that you were the only person worthy of his offerings, and it was both amusing and touching to watch. the others had started to notice it too, and you could see the faintest glimmer of amusement in their eyes as they watched suhyeok's antics.

hroryeong leaned over and whispered to you, "wow, suhyeok's super drunk, huh?" you just smiled and shook your head, feeling a warmth spread through your chest at the thought of suhyeok's drunken affections.

just as the atmosphere was starting to feel more relaxed and jovial, cheongsan's expression suddenly crumpled, and he buried his face in his hands, his body shaking with sobs. the room fell silent, with everyone staring at cheongsan in shock and concern. "cheongsan, hey, what's wrong?" wujin asked, his voice soft and gentle, as he reached out to put a hand on cheongsan's shoulder. cheongsan's sobs grew louder, and he gasped out between tears, "i-i just can't take it anymore... everything that's happened... the zombies... our families... being stuck in this place..." his words trailed off into incoherent sobs, and the others exchanged worried glances, unsure of how to comfort their distraught friend.

daesu and kyungho quickly jumped up to help cheongsan, gently coaxing him to his feet and guiding him upstairs, their voices soft and soothing as they tried to calm him down. as you watched them go, you noticed onjo sitting quietly, her eyes fixed on some point across the room. but as she watched cheongsan being led away, her eyes began to well up with tears, and she blinked rapidly, fighting to hold them back. you could see the emotion trembling on the surface, but she took a deep breath and looked away, her jaw clenched in a determined effort to maintain her composure. you felt a pang of sympathy for her, knowing that she was probably feeling just as overwhelmed and emotional as cheongsan, but was trying to keep it together for the sake of the others.

mijin's voice cut through the somber mood, her words tinged with a mix of sadness and determination. "we should make a toast," she said, her eyes scanning the room. "to those we lost on the way here." the room fell silent, with everyone nodding in agreement. suhyeok, still a bit unsteady on his feet, began pouring drinks for everyone. as he handed out the drinks, the atmosphere in the room grew heavier, the weight of their collective grief palpable. when everyone had a drink in hand, mijin raised hers, her voice barely above a whisper. "to those we lost," she said, her eyes welling up with tears. "may they rest in peace." the others echoed her words, their voices cracking with emotion. with a collective nod, they downed their drinks in one swift motion, the liquid burning their throats as they swallowed their sadness. the room fell silent once more, the only sound the quiet sniffles and sobs of those who were struggling to hold back their tears.

just as the group was starting to settle into a sense of determination and hope, kyungho came back downstairs, a concerned look on his face. "onjo, cheongsan is calling for you," he said, his voice low and gentle. onjo's eyes flicked up to kyungho's, and for a moment, she hesitated. you could see the faintest glimmer of uncertainty in her eyes, but then she nodded, her expression smoothing out into a calm mask. "i'll go," she said, her voice soft and soothing. she got up from her seat and headed upstairs quickly, her footsteps light and quiet on the stairs. as she disappeared from view, the others exchanged worried glances. cheongsan's breakdown had been a shock to everyone, and it was clear that he was still struggling to cope. onjo's hesitation had been brief, but it had been noticeable, and you couldn't help but wonder what was going through her mind as she went to comfort her distraught friend.

wujin spoke up, his voice a bit awkward. "yeah, cheongsan's just... uh... had a bit too much to drink, that's all," he said, trying to downplay the situation. "he'll be fine." kyungho nodded in agreement, seeming to sense that daesu was trying to avoid talking about cheongsan's emotional breakdown. "yeah, probably just needs to sleep it off," he said, and then quickly changed the subject.

“are they a couple?” kyungho's question hung in the air, and for a moment, no one seemed to know how to respond. it was as if they were all waiting for someone else to break the silence. finally, wujin spoke up, his tone a bit annoyed. "he's had a crush on her since they were kids," he said, as if it was obvious and he couldn't believe kyungho was bringing it up. but before wujin could elaborate, hroryeong chimed in, her voice casual as she crunched on a piece of candy. "yeah, onjo likes him too... she just doesn't know it yet," she said, a sly smile spreading across her face. the room fell silent again, with everyone looking at each other uncertainly. it was clear that hroryeong's comment had added a new layer of complexity to the situation, and no one was quite sure how to process it. suhyeok looked like he was about to say something, but then thought better of it, while mijin just raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. mijin, on the other hand, just shook her head, a small smile on her face. "those two... " she muttered, trailing off into silence.

kyungho asked if anyone was in a relationship, the room fell silent, with everyone looking around at each other. one by one, they all shook their heads, saying no. you, however, took a swig of your water bottle, feeling a sudden surge of heat at the question. wujin let out a amused "pfft" and said, "there's no one in a relationship," but his smile quickly faltered, replaced by a look of serious confusion. "how are we all single...?" he trailed off, his voice laced with incredulity.

mijin elbowed him playfully and said, "just keep drinking and stop talking so ridiculously," which made hari chuckle. but kyungho's attention was focused elsewhere. he looked towards suhyeok, who was sitting with one knee up and his hand leaning on his head. his eyes, however, were fixed directly in front of him... at you. suhyeok's gaze was intense, and you could feel the weight of his stare. it was as if he was trying to convey a message, but you had no idea what it could be.

kyungho cleared his throat, his eyes locked on yours as he asked, "so that means you're single too?" the question hung in the air, and for a moment, you pretended you hadn't heard it, trying to play it cool. but kyungho's gaze was relentless, and you could feel your face growing warm. finally, you nodded, your voice barely above a whisper. "oh, um, yeah..." you said, your response shy and awkward. the room seemed to fall silent, with all eyes on you, and you couldn't help but feel like you were under a microscope. suhyeok's gaze, in particular, felt intense, and you wondered what he was thinking. kyungho, however, just smiled and nodded, seeming to accept your response at face value. but you couldn't shake the feeling that you'd just revealed something more significant than you'd intended.

as kyungho smiled and nodded, wujin and hari shared a look of disgust, their faces scrunched up in distaste. they'd been watching the exchange between kyungho and you, and it was clear they'd had enough of the flirting. wujin rolled his eyes and mouthed "really?" to hari, who just shook her head and whispered something back. the two of them looked like they were about to gag, and you couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

you took a swig of the soju bottle that was beside you, the liquor burning down your throat as you tried to calm your nerves. you followed it up with a piece of candy, the sweetness helping to chase away the bitter taste. as you ate, you tried to focus on mijin's story, who was babbling on about how she and hari had first met.

"and then, we were stuck in the girls' bathroom when the outbreak happened," mijin said, her voice rising with excitement. "it was kinda like we were freaking meant to me. fucking insane," you nodded along, trying to appear interested, but your eyes kept drifting back to suhyeok. earlier, he had been staring at you with an intense gaze, but now he was no longer looking at you. instead, he was staring off into space, his facial expression twisted into a scowl. he looked irritated, his jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed.

you wondered what had caused the change in his mood.

as mijin continued to talk, you found yourself glancing over at suhyeok more and more. his expression hadn't changed, and you could sense a palpable tension emanating from him. you wondered if anyone else had noticed it, but kyungho and hari seemed oblivious, laughing and joking together like nothing was wrong.

wujin, on the other hand, seemed to sense that something was off. he kept looking over at suhyeok, his expression concerned. even mijin seemed to notice, trailing off mid-sentence as she glanced over at suhyeok.

"whats up with you?" mijin asked, her voice soft with concern.

suhyeok's gaze snapped back into focus, and he looked around the room, his eyes meeting yours for a brief moment before moving on. "yeah, everything's fine," he said, his voice curt. but it was clear that everything wasn't fine. the tension in the room had ratcheted up a notch, and you could sense that something was brewing. what, you had no idea.

you sat there, confused and a little concerned, wondering what suhyeok's problem was. but no matter how hard you tried, you couldn't shake the feeling that it had something to do with you. the soju you'd been drinking seemed to be taking over your emotions, making you feel a little anxious and unsure. "i'm gonna go finish my drink upstairs," you said, getting up from the floor. mijin looked up at you, a sad expression on her face. "what? why?," she whined, but you shook your head.

"i just want to rest for a bit," you said, trying to sound calm. "i'll be back down maybe." mijin nodded, but you could tell she was a little skeptical. suhyeok, on the other hand, didn't even look up. he just kept staring off into space, his expression unreadable. you took your drink and headed upstairs, feeling a little relieved to be escaping the tension in the room. as you walked, you couldn't shake the feeling that you were running away from something and you had no idea what it was.

as you walked, you couldn't help but feel a slight wobble in your step. the soju was definitely having an effect, but you knew you weren't as tipsy as you had been the night before. you were determined to keep your wits about you, at least for a little while longer.

as you started up the staircase, you took a deep breath, trying to clear your head. the stairs seemed to stretch on forever, and you felt a wave of dizziness wash over you. just as you were about to lose your balance, you felt a hand on your waist from behind.

the touch was warm and firm, and it sent a jolt of surprise through your body. you turned to see who it was, hoping for a familiar tanned face, but your eyes met kyungho’s. he was standing right behind you, his eyes fixed intently on yours. "careful," he said, his voice low and smooth. "don't want you to fall." his hand was still on your waist, and you could feel the heat of his touch radiating through your body. you felt a flutter in your chest, and suddenly, you were very aware of how close he was standing.

kyungho’s hand remained on your waist as he helped you up the stairs, his grip firm but gentle. you felt a sense of relief wash over you as he steadied you but a pang of disappointment, his presence somehow calming the effects of the soju.

as you reached the top of the stairs, kyungho released his grip on your waist, but his eyes never left yours. "are you okay?" he asked, his voice deep. you nodded, feeling a little more steady on your feet. "yeah, i'm fine. thanks for helping me." kyungho nodded, his expression serious. "i'm going to make sure you get to your room safely," he said, his eyes never leaving yours. as you walked to your room, kyungho followed closely behind you. when you reached the door, he spoke up again. "can i...rest with you inside?" he asked, his voice low but charming.

you felt a flip in your chest at the request, unsure of what to make of it. but there was something in kyungho’s fox-like eyes that made you nod, despite your reservations. "okay," you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

you slid open the wooden door to the boys' room, expecting to see cheongsan, daesu, and onjo lounging around. but to your surprise, the room was empty. you turned to kyungho, about to ask where the others were, but before you could say anything, he slid the door shut behind himself and leaned against it.

"they're in the girls' room," he said, his voice low and matter-of-fact.

you raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "what are they doing in there?" you asked, curiosity getting the better of you. kyungho just shrugged, his expression unreadable. "no idea. but we can go find out if you want." he pushed off from the door and gestured for you to follow him.

you declined kyungho’s offer to investigate the girls' room, instead taking a seat on the floor. you placed your drink beside you, feeling the softness of the floor beneath you. kyungho sat down in front of you, but close, his legs crossed in front of him. he placed his drink down next to him, but not before taking a swig of the beer.

as he sat there, you couldn't help but notice how close he was to you. his knees were almost touching yours. you looked up at him, and for a moment, your eyes locked. kyungho’s gaze was intense, but you couldn't quite read his expression. the silence between you was palpable, and you found yourself wondering what he was thinking.

kyungho’s expression changed, a smirk spreading across his face. "you're pretty," he said, his voice low and smooth. his words caught you off guard, and you felt a flutter in your chest. you realized, suddenly, that you two were alone in the room. the others were all downstairs, or in the girls' room, and you were here, alone with kyungho. you looked away, a smile spreading across your face. you rolled your eyes, trying to calm your heart. "you came up here to tell me that?" you asked him. kyungho chuckled, the sound low and husky. "maybe," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement. "maybe i just wanted to get you alone." his words sent a shiver down your spine, and you felt your heart skip a beat. you looked back at him, trying to read his expression. was he flirting with you, or was he just trying to make you uncomfortable?

you felt a bit odd about kyungho’s sudden interest in getting close to you. you rubbed the back of your neck, trying to ease the tension that was building up. but before you could even process what was happening, kyungho scooted closer, his eyes fixed intently on yours. "what do you think about me?" he asked, his voice calm and collected, like he'd done this many times before.

you felt a surge of surprise at the question, and you didn't know how to respond. you looked away, trying to gather your thoughts, but kyungho’s eyes followed you, never leaving yours.

you could feel the weight of his stare, and it made you feel uneasy. you didn't know what kyungho was trying to get at, or what he wanted from you. but one thing was for sure - you couldn't shake off the feeling that he was trying to get under your skin.

you looked back at kyungho, a hint of a smile on your face. "you're fishing for compliments, aren't you?" you said, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in your stomach. kyungho’s expression didn't change, but you could sense a flicker of amusement in his eyes. he didn't deny it, instead just kept looking at you with an intensity that made your heart skip a beat.

as you sat there, you couldn't help but think about how surreal this moment felt. besides suhyeok, this was the only other time you'd had a boy show interest in you. and it was nerve-wracking, yet thrilling at the same time. you felt like you were walking on unfamiliar ground, unsure of what to expect or how to react. but at the same time, you couldn't deny the excitement that was building up inside you. it was like a spark had been lit, and you couldn't wait to see where this would lead.

kyungho's smirk grew as he leaned back on his hands, his eyes gleaming with amusement in the soft, golden light of the lanterns. "i know you find me attractive," he said, his voice low and smooth, sending a flutter through your chest. "i think it's cute." the intimate atmosphere of the lantern-lit room made his comment feel even more personal, like a whispered secret. you responded by taking a slow sip of your drink, trying to play it cool despite the butterflies in your stomach. kyungho's deep chuckle sent a shiver down your spine, and you couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking.

then, his question caught you off guard: "have you ever kissed a guy before?" the words hung in the air, making you freeze, your heart skipping a beat as you struggled to come up with a response.

"yes," you admit cautiously, unsure how much to reveal about your complicated history with suhyyeok. kyungho's expression remains neutral, inviting you to share more. instead, he opens up about his own past, his voice tinged with a hint of wistfulness. "i had just one boyfriend in high school," he begins, "but things got tough when he moved away. we tried to make it work, but ultimately, we had to go our separate ways."

you lean in, curiosity sparkling in your eyes. "how long were you two together?" you ask, your voice low and empathetic. he pauses, a hint of wistfulness flickering across his face. "almost a year," he says finally, his voice tinged with a mix of sadness and resignation.

he takes a deep breath, his eyes clouding over as he delves into his thoughts. "don't you just hate it when you know, deep down, that you're meant to be with someone, but life just keeps throwing obstacles in your way?" his tone is laced with frustration, a sense of helplessness that resonates deeply.

little did kyungho know, you were the precise person to shed light on his query. it was as if the universe was conspiring against you and suhyeok, with every aspect of his life unraveling. despite not being in a relationship yet, the obstacles in your path made it seem like fate itself was opposing on your union.

you nod in understanding, your hand instinctively rising to rub your temples as memories of suhyeok flood my mind. "i'm all too familiar with that feeling," you admit, smoothing out your hair as you collect your thoughts.

he sits up straighter, his eyes locked onto yours with renewed interest, and scoots closer until your legs touch. "really?" he asks, his voice low and curious. "did you have a boyfriend?" you hesitate, unsure of how to articulate your own complicated emotions. "no, it wasn't like that," you began, searching for the right words. "he's just someone i had strong feelings for... or at least, i thought i did." your voice trails off, lost in the uncertainty of it all.

kyungho's hand gently comes to rest on your knee, his fingers rubbing softly in a comforting gesture. a warm smile spreads across his face as he says, "i'm really glad i met you. it feels like we can connect on a deeper level, you know?" he picks up his drink, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "toast to old love and hello to new love!" he exclaims, his voice rising in a playful toast. the absurdity of the moment makes you laugh, and you raise your drink to join in. but for some reason, you can't seem to take a sip…

kyungho drains his glass, his eyes locking onto yours as he sets it down. a sly smirk spreads across his face, his gaze drifting to your lips, leaving a trail of warmth in its wake. the air is charged with tension, the weight of his stare making your skin prickle with heat. you meet his gaze, trying to deflect the intensity of the moment, but it only seems to amplify the flutter in your chest. "you really are something, y/n," he murmurs, his voice low and husky, his eyes burning with an inner fire as he holds your gaze. the words send a shiver down your spine, the alcohol in your system igniting a slow burn that threatens to consume you.

your voice barely audible, you whisper, "you think so?" craving reassurance, seeking validation. your eyes locked on kyungho's, anticipating his response.

without realizing it, you feel kyungho's breath on your skin as he leans in, his lips grazing your ear. a shiver runs down your spine. "yes, you're just so good," he murmurs, his words vibrating through your entire body. his cheek brushes against yours, gently nudging your head to the side. the sensation sends a thrill through your lower abdomen, leaving you breathless.

as kyungho's lips graze across your cheek, the anticipation of a kiss hangs in the air. your eyes drift shut, ready to surrender to the moment. but in a flash, your mind, hazed by the effects of alcohol, betrays you. visions of suhyeok in the storage closet, where your lips first met in a spark of passion, flood your senses. reality slams back into focus as your eyes snap open. with a jolt, you push kyungho away, the urgency in your voice echoing through the space. "wait! wait! wait!" you exclaim, scrambling backward, the sudden movement a stark contrast to the intimacy that was almost shared.

kyungho's eyes narrow slightly, his gaze scrutinizing as he takes a step back, concern etched on his face. "you okay?" he asks, his voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty, as if trying to decipher the sudden shift in your demeanor. the soft glow of the lanterns dances across your face, casting eerie shadows that seem to mirror the turmoil within.

you take a deep, labored breath, your chest heaving as you struggle to compose yourself. "yeah, i...i just need a sec," you stammer, your words barely above a whisper. you scramble to your feet, seeking refuge against the nearest wall, putting as much distance between yourself and kyungho as possible.

kyungho's expression morphs into one of confusion, his voice laced with a hint of perplexity. "uh, yeah okay, we can take a break," he says, his words trailing off as he searches for a clue, trying to understand the abrupt halt in the evening's proceedings.

you grasp at your hair, as if clinging to it will steady your reeling senses and shake off the intoxication. but the alcohol's grip is too strong, and you release your hair, letting out a defeated sigh. "i'm so sorry, i just..." you trail off, your words lost in the turmoil of your emotions. you wrap your arms around yourself, seeking comfort, but the gesture feels hollow.

kyungho rises to his feet, his eyes piercing as he interrupts your fragmented apology. "it's the guy, isn't it?" he asks, his voice low and intuitive. you look up, meeting his gaze, and he presses on, seeking confirmation. "the guy you have feelings for?" the question hangs in the air, and you sigh, the sound a mixture of regret and resignation. "i'm really sorry," you whisper, the words barely audible. kyungho's expression darkens, a hint of annoyance creeping into his voice. "what, is he here or something?" he demands, but your silence is answer enough. the air is heavy with unspoken truth.

kyungho's next words are a whispered revelation, a single name that makes you crumple inward, embarrassment and shame washing over you. "suhyeok." the sound of his name is like a key turning in a lock, and you bend forward, wrapping your arms around yourself as if trying to physically contain the turmoil within.

kyungho's words cut through the air, a mixture of concern and frustration. "y/n, you can't let him dictate how you live your life," he cautions, his tone firm but gentle. "if you don't move on from him, things are only going to get worse." his lecture, though well-intentioned, sparks a flicker of irritation within you. you groan, the sound a mixture of exasperation and annoyance, and lift your gaze to meet kyungho's. your eyes, still cloudy from the effects of the alcohol, narrow slightly as you regard him. "yeah, i'm aware," you retort, your voice laced with a hint of defiance, as if daring him to continue his lecture.

kyungho's hands settle on his hips, his eyes cast upward in a resigned sigh. "i'm just saying, y/n," he begins, his tone measured, yet laced with a hint of frustration. "i'm not trying to push you or anything. it's just... seeing a great guy like you, having feelings for someone who doesn't seem to care about your feelings... it's just..." he trails off, the words left unspoken hanging in the air like a challenge.

the silence is broken by his final, blunt assessment. "honestly, pathetic. you're better than that." the words cut deep, but you're beyond hearing them. a numbness washes over you, and you mumble a hasty retreat. "i'm gonna shower." you stumble out of the room, seeking refuge in the bathroom. the door closes behind you with a soft click, and you lean against it, the sound of the lock engaging a welcome barrier between you and the outside world.

you sink onto the closed toilet, drawing your knees up to your chest in a defensive, self-soothing gesture. the burn of unshed tears in your eyes threatens to overwhelm you, as kyungho's words - "honestly, pathetic" - echo through your mind like a cruel mantra.

the alcohol, still coursing through your veins, seems to be stirring up a maelstrom of memories, playing out like a painful movie in your head. scenes from your past, long buried, rise to the surface: the isolation, the bullying, the constant belittling. the words, once hurled at you like daggers - "worthless", "pathetic" - still linger, a toxic legacy that refuses to be extinguished. despite the progress you've made, the happiness you've cultivated, the feeling of being trapped in that dark, helpless place persists. it's as if the wounds of your past, though healed on the surface, still simmer just below, waiting to be reawakened by a careless word, a thoughtless comment. and kyungho's words, though not intended to be cruel, have become the catalyst for this painful journey into your past.

a deep longing washes over you, a yearning that settles in the pit of your stomach and aches within your chest. you're suddenly, overwhelmingly homesick, desperate to be back in the comfort and security of your own home, surrounded by the familiarity and love of your dad. the desire to be there, to feel the warmth and reassurance of your dad's presence, becomes almost noticeable, a physical ache that threatens to overwhelm you.

the knock on the door breaks the silence, but you remain still, unwilling to respond. another knock follows, a gentle rap that seems to hesitate, waiting for an answer that doesn't come. with a sense of resolve, you rise from the toilet and swiftly turn on the shower, the sudden rush of water a deliberate attempt to signal that you're not to be disturbed.

your tactic works, and the knocks cease. the silence that follows is a welcome reprieve, allowing you to collect your thoughts and confront the emotions that threaten to overwhelm you. you stand before the mirror, gazing at your reflection with a mix of sadness and determination.

with a quivering voice, you begin to affirm yourself, the words a desperate attempt to counter the doubts and fears that have long plagued you. "you're strong," you whisper, the sound cracking with emotion. "you're loved, you're amazing, and you are good." the words spill out, a heartfelt mantra that you cling to, even as tears prick at the corners of your eyes. you hold them back, refusing to let them fall, as you strive to find the strength to move forward.

with renewed conviction, you declare, "you will make it far in life," the words ringing out with a sense of determination and purpose. as if to punctuate this affirmation, you begin to shed your clothes, the physical act of removal a symbolic shedding of the emotional burdens that have weighed you down.

you step into the warm shower, the water cascading down upon your head like a soothing balm. the steam rises, enveloping the room in a misty veil, as you stand there, allowing the warmth to seep into your very being. the sensation is almost palpable, a comforting embrace that seems to envelop your entire self, calming your frayed nerves and soothing your troubled mind.

as you emerge from the shower, you're greeted by a disorienting haze that refuses to lift. your vision blurs, and your balance falters, making every step a precarious endeavor. you realize, belatedly, that you must have underestimated the amount of alcohol you consumed. despite this, you manage to change back into your clothes, though the task feels like a herculean effort.

you make your way out of the bathroom, the cool air of the room a welcome respite from the steamy warmth of the shower. you pause, listening intently, and are rewarded with the distant sound of laughter drifting up from downstairs. the silence from upstairs is telling, and you infer that onjo and daesu have either retired for the night or joined the others downstairs.

you enter the boys' room, and your gaze falls upon cheongsan's peaceful form, his chest rising and falling in a gentle rhythm as he sleeps. the soft snoring is a soothing soundtrack, and you smile wryly, assuming that daesu must have carried him to bed. with a quiet sigh, you blow out the lanterns, plunging the room into darkness. you climb into bed, feeling the weight of the day bearing down upon you, and will the night to hurry up and be over.

[ddeonubaby]

YALL SEND REQUESTS NOW I'M BEGGINGGGGG

[juicyvrse]

untamed desolation!

PAIRING ・❥・ lee suhyeok x quiet male!reader

GENRE ・❥・ strangers to lovers au, a little fluffy and angsty sometimes.

SUMMARY ・❥・ being a foreign exchange student at hyosan high made M/N’s life hell. he was a main target for bullies, and barely had any friends to lean on. having to already struggle to get through school, would the outbreak make it worse for him?

words : 1118

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Another day in hell.. or Hyosan High as everyone else liked to call it. M/n took a deep breath as he stepped through the school gates, what would he go through today? Being a new student was one thing but add being from a whole other country? There was a huge target on his back. It got even worse when his friend Jin-Su suddenly went missing. They were both outcasts and had developed a bond because of it, if one got bullied then they both did. He finally had a friend, but just like everything at this damned school Jin-Su slipped through M'n's fingers and he was once again alone.

Like always, Myeong-Hwan and his group of little bullies were anticipating his arrival and he scoffed once he made eye contact. "Hmmm.. It's only one today? Where has your little friend gone?" Myeong-Hwan teased as his little gang laughed along with him. M/n didn't even pay them any mind, he had been down this road several times and was basically numb to it. "Hey fucker I'm talking to you!" Myeong-Hwan raised his voice but M/n continued walking. Gwi-nam stepped up and grabbed the boy by his collar, forcing him to turn around. "Who are you to ignore us? Did you grow some balls all of a sudden?" M/n said nothing, just stared into the boy's eyes with no emotion. "Oh right, remember your place." He dropped his collar and M/n quickly scurried towards the school.

~~~

M/n took a few deep breaths as he stood over the bathroom sink, staring at himself in the mirror. "It's just one day. You can make it through." He sighed and slowly but surely made his way towards his class.

His first class was english which was a bit ironic.. seeing that it was his native language but he didn't mind and the program he was in wasn't against it. Answering the many questions his teacher had somehow kept him sane in this awful place. M/n turned his phone in before settling down in his seat at the back. As class went on, M/n found himself elsewhere, his head in the clouds as he daydreamed and reminisced about Jin-Su. He hoped that wherever he disappeared to, he was atleast happy. He smiled to himself before he was suddenly interrupted.

"Ah, M/n! Since Bare-Su couldn't tell me, can you repeat what the class president just answered?" M/n stood up and slowly looked to the side, scratching his head as he tried to come up with an answer. "Ah.." The class mocked him and repeated the soft interjection. "He sounds just like Bare-Su." One of his classmates said as they snickered. M/n looked over towards Suhyeok, making eye contact with him for a few seconds before turning back towards the teaceher. "I didn't catch it.. Uh sorry." he rubbed the back of his neck before sitting back down.

"Well at least he was honest about it, take note Bare-Su!" Sun-hwa exclaimed while the class laughed again. M/n's attention was now driven over to Suhyeok who looked a bit flustered even though he laughed along with everyone. He hadn't really payed any attention to him, well he didn't pay attention to no one really but Suhyeok was.. interesting. He used to hangout with the bully crew but had a change of heart somewhere down the line, it wasn't anything really anything other than the bare minimum but Y/n still felt a small ounce of appreciation for him. He snapped out of his trance once he realized the boy was looking back at him and maybe he had been staring for too long.

Just as the class settled, the door suddenly slid open and in walked a bloodied Hyeon-Ju. Everyone was immediately startled, She had been missing for a day and now she turned up looking a mess! M/n was definitely thrown off even though he didn't like her, things were getting a bit weird. The teacher and a few students rushed her out towards the infirmary while M/n just went back to his desk to study.

~~

During lunch M/n usually just sat to himself on one of the many benches that laid across the school grounds, there were way too many people inside of the cafeteria and his social battery already wasn't too high to begin with. He had his own lunch anyway, his host family never let him leave without something to eat. Today felt peaceful, the sun was shining and there was a soft breeze in the air. A bright smile made it's way onto M/n's face as he closed his eyes as he let the fresh air enter his lungs.

"Nice smile."

'Who the hell..' M/n thought to himself as his eyes quickly shot open, just for him to find Suhyeok staring right back at him. "Oh.. Hi." He said before softly setting his book aside. "M/n right? why don't you eat in the cafeteria with everyone else?" He inquired as he looked down at the boy. "Why should I? There's way too many people in there and I'd rather be out here anyways." M/n raised his eyebrow as he responded because it was definitely a bit peculiar for Suhyeok to question him like that on a whim. "Ah I see, I'll leave you alone now." Suhyeok put on a smile and saluted towards M/n before walking off.

"He's a weirdo isn't he." Someone else to disturb his peace, great. To his left was Choi Nam-ra, the infamous class president that sat right in front of him. "Yea that was kinda confusing.. at least he didn't hurt me or anything!" M/n said as a low chuckle left his lips. "Actually, this is kinda weird too.. You've never spoken to me before, what's up?" He said with a tilt of his head. 2 people from his class actually talking to him? Oh he was on a roll today. "Hmm, I'd say we're kinda similar. And why not?" She said as she took a seat next to him with a book her hand. "Can't argue with that." He said as he too began to read again.

They sat in comfortable silence doing nothing but reading, even though he had company, M/n still found it serene... he could sit here for hours. Until, he heard screams. He thought he was tripping, even laughing to himself because it was so absurd but.. it didn't stop, it got louder in fact. "M/n! Nam-ra! Run!" Suhyeok came running at them full speed. M/n was startled, immediately shaking Nam-ra's arm and pointing in Suhyeok's direction. That's when he saw them.. or it.. something was chasing the boy and it was coming quick.

Today was a weird day indeed.

◈ ━━━━━━ • ━━━━━━ ◈

It's been so long since i was supposed to write this.. I was a junior in high school and now i'm a freshman in college.

ANYWAYSSS, hope y'all enjoyeddd

next chapter coming soon!

[woodandwaxwings]

Fic Recs

will be updated as frequently as possible. Male, Gn, and Fem reader Recs

When Dawn Breaks by @justice4gyeongsu Fandom; All Of Us Are Dead (lee suhyeok x male reader) masterlist tagged bc it's multichapter

Let The Secret Out by @fallenmonsters Fandom; All Of Us Are Dead (lee cheongsan x male reader)

Tell Me by @lov-eable Fandom; Alice In Borderland (chishiya shuntaro x fem reader) masterlist tagged bc it's multi chapter

An Unlikely Friendship by @maddymoonfics Fandom; The 100 (john murphy x gn? reader)

Prettiest of them all by @jacesbeloved Fandom; House of the Dragon (jacaerys velaryon x fem reader)

requested by @niki-phoria Fandom; Alice in Borderland (chishiya shuntaro x male reader)

Summers Heat by @carlplsrailme Fandom; The walking dead (carl grimes x gn? reader)

no title by @niki-phoria Fandom; Alice in Borderland (chishiya shuntaro x male reader)

You're a Spade by @kawasama Fandom; Alice in Borderland (chishiya x male reader)

Edelweiss part 1 by @valeskafics Fandom; House Of The Dragon (jacaerys velaryon x fem reader) Sound Of Music AU

In a crowd of thousands by @houseofthxrnes Fandom; Bridgerton (Eloise Bridgerton x male reader)

The American Beau part 1 by @panandinpain0 Fandom; Bridgerton (Eloise Bridgerton x male reader)

Fake Love to real love part 1 by @daydreams-magic01 Fandom; Harry Potter Marauders Era (James Potter x gn reader)

The Haunting Of Abbey House masterlist by @neewtmas Fandom; Lockwood And Co.

[r3flrt]

☆ AOUAD WHEN THEIR CRUSH SLEEPS ON THEIR SHOULDER

synopsis | how aouad reacts to their crush falling asleep on their shoulder ☆ pairing | aouad x gn!reader ☆ wc | 408

note | honestly imagined it happening in my head and just blurted it out on this soo yeah :) (wu-jin’s got removed for some reason it disappeared)

☆ cheong-san

His heart would skip a beat. His face would flush and he would just stare down at your cute sleeping face, trying to keep his cool. Cheong-san is glad to be able to stare at your face. Whenever you did wake up he would just stare at you before complaining about how his shoulder hurt and he wasn’t able to move for so long. Deep down inside he’s happy and he almost says he’s joking when you apologize.

☆ su-hyeok

Su-hyeok wouldn’t know what to do. He would be talking to you on a bench and he felt you land onto his shoulder. “Are you listening to—” he turned to see you sleeping on his shoulder and his heart started beating so fast. He’d move your hair that fell in front of your face, admiring your gorgeous face. He would take his chance, kissing your forehead and rubbing your shoulder.

☆ gwi-nam

The two of you were under the bleachers, talking about the problems of school. The last time he looked over to you, you were playing with your skirt/pants, but by the time he finished his thought you were laying on his shoulder, still barley falling asleep. “Hey!” He taps your arm roughly, looking away when you pushed his hand off. “Please..let me sleep for a little while.” You yawn, placing a hand on his thigh. He’d roll his eyes and scoff, knowing he really didn’t mind.

© r3flrt ☆ do not copy, plagiarize, repost, modify or translate my works without permission. do not recommend my works on any platform other then tumblr, especially on TikTok.

[fallenmonsters]

let the secret out.

summary ➳ you’re a delinquent, who’s actually scary and intimidating unlike gwinam. cheongsan is a normal student. there shouldn’t be any connections between you two... right?

pairings ➳ lee cheongsan x delinquent!male reader

warnings ➳ fluff, foul language, mention of fights, secret healthy relationship, sparkles of jealousy, mention of gyeongsu’s death, nayeon throwing herself at reader, use of weapon (knife), blood, reader and cheongsan having sexual tension the entire fic lmao

“How about you, Cheongsan? What do you think of (Y/n)?”

The said male looks up from the foods in front of him to his friends, catching their curious gazes.

They had been talking about (L/n) (Y/n), the most feared delinquent on campus who actually doesn’t seem that much of a delinquent because of high grades and the lack of involvement in bullying. You were quiet and did nothing but to mind your own business in class, occasionally talking back against teachers that called you out for being late or skipping classes, and sending death glares to everyone who tries to get close.

You were an odd delinquent; involving yourself in fights only when necessary, accepting the teachers’ call for help, aggressively helping people who tripped in front of you, only minding your own business, and not minding people who accidentally spilled their drinks on you. You act how a delinquent shouldn’t, and it seems like you’re only called that is because you’re not afraid to speak out your thoughts no matter how hurtful it is, you’re intimidating and scary, and you beat up people.

His friends have stated their own opinions about you, mostly positive and only a small amount of negative, while Cheongsan continuously ate his food with his head hung low, since he didn’t want to partake in it. Though, he should’ve known his friends would not miss a chance to hear everyone’s opinion.

He looks at the table three rows away where you sat quietly alone, eating your favorite food and reading a book. That’s also one thing that makes you so unlike from other delinquents.

You look handsome like this, sitting in a way a delinquent would with all your focus fixed on the book. It’s almost as if you’re a godly, unrealistic being painted on a canvas by a professional and perfectionist painter.

Cheongsan didn’t understand why everyone found you so intimidating and scary; in all honesty, he thinks girls should be screaming, squealing and freaking out over you like those girls in cliché romance anime with handsome main character from how insanely and unbelievably attractive you are. But, in all honesty again, he would be irritated and annoyed if that actually happens.

“He seems fine to me,” Cheongsan answered Gyeongsu’s previous question with an unenthusiastic one as he forced himself to look away from your figure.

An unsatisfied look appears on both Gyeongsu’s and Suhyeok’s face as the others groaned at his lack of cooperation in sharing a throughout opinion, clearly disappointed. “What the fuck is that answer, you moron? There should be more to it like gossips about him and how you think of him.” Gyeongsu complains, smacking his arm.

Cheongsan raised his brows at him before his lips forms a pout, something that always happens when he’s thinking.

Unbeknownst to him, your eyes shifted from the book to his direction, a subtle smirk spreading across your face at the sight of his pout. You took out your phone and opened the camera, zooming it on his face with slight difficulty from how far he was. You then pressed the shutter button, successfully capturing him into picture as you opened gallery to save it in a specific folder.

Gathering his thoughts, Cheongsan finally opens his mouth to speak. “I think he’s handsome,” All of his friend’s jaws dropped. They did not expect that answer. “And I also think it’ll be fine to sit next to him or be close to him as long as you mind your business just like he does and if you don’t bother him that much.” He shrugs, taking one glance at you to see you’re on your phone instead.

“Have you tried sitting next to him?” Suhyeok asked curiously.

“No,” Cheongsan shakes his head. “But I’m not scared to try.”

Gyeongsu looks at him incredulously. “How are you not scared or intimidated? He’s scarier than Gwinam, and that says a lot.” Suhyeok nodded while pointing at Gyeongsu to show his agreement.

Cheongsan only shrugs at his question.

Since the beginning, he was never intimidated by you for unknown reasons. You were just so handsome, so attractive, and so godly that Cheongsan forgot to be scared. Though, your straightforwardness, honesty and the ability to speak out your thoughts without hesitation no matter how brutal or hurtful it’ll sound intimidated him a lot.

He assumes that’s probably why so many people are intimidated. No one can be completely honest and truthful nowadays in fear of being hated or disliked by others.

As his friends began talking among themselves after getting bored, Cheongsan looks at you once again only to catch you already staring at him. He makes sure his friends aren’t looking and smiles, subtly waving his hand to acknowledge your presence. He sees you nod, covering the smile that appears on your lips with your phone so no one can see it.

Cheongsan goes back to eating his food with butterflies filling his stomach and heart beating rapidly against his ribcage.

Perhaps, everyone being intimidated by and scared of you isn’t so bad when he’s the only one who can do things like this.

Shit, what the fuck.

Cheongsan panicked internally after escaping the zombies that suddenly appeared out of nowhere in the cafeteria, alongside Onjo. The two of them managed to escape in a room filled with survivors; Gyeongsu, Wujin, Jimin, Nayeon, Hyoryung, Isak, Minji, and Joonyoung. However, the person who Cheongsan hoped to be here was nowhere to be seen.

He rushes over to the windows to search for you outside, but all he was met with was total chaos, people running everywhere for their lives as zombies chase after them.

Someone banging on the door catches his attention and he turned around to see white-covered Daesu being let into the classroom by Wujin, who almost closed the door on him. That settled an uneasy feeling within Cheongsan and his stomach twisted, making him nauseous as worry clouded every bit of his being.

He saw you exit the cafeteria before the outbreak happened and haven’t seen you ever since, which only worsened the awful feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Were you bitten? Did you turn? Where were you?

“What happened to your face, huh?” Wujin’s voice snapped Cheongsan out of his thoughts, looking at Daesu who looked like he’s been slapped with a powder or something.

“I don’t know, some crazy jerk sprayed me with fire extinguisher.” Daesu answers while wiping his face with a clean towel he found hanging by the drawers. Onjo avoids eye contact at that. She was spraying fire extinguisher to keep the zombies away, she didn’t know Daesu’s there.

Gyeongsu raised his brows, “A fire extinguisher?”

“Yeah, damn it.” The bigger male pants, resting his hands on his knees after wiping his eyes. “What’s happening?”

“Who knows?”

“Trains.” Cheongsan stated as he approached them, “Train to Busan.”

“The movie?” Daesu gives him a puzzled look.

“Aren’t they zombies? It’s the same thing.” Everyone looked at each other, contemplating whether what Cheongsan’s saying added up. It was crazy, but he kinda has a point. “Watch this, it’s true.” He pointed outside to convince Daesu before pulling him towards the windows when he still doesn’t believe it.

Gyeongsu also tries to walk over, but was reminded by Joonyoung of the door and went back instead to hold it close, curiosity plastered on his face.

“Shit, what the hell?” Wujin curses upon seeing the chaos.

All three of them flinches with a curse when a hand slams on the window in front of them, only to see it’s Suhyeok. They quickly help him get inside and he turns around to hold his hand out to Namra, who you helped rush up the ladder. You were next to climb up quickly as Suhyeok and Namra helps you get inside, barely missing the zombie-turned teacher from getting your leg.

Suhyeok breathes heavily and drops on the floor with his eyes wide in shock, adrenaline wearing off. “It’s that, isn’t it? Zombies.”

You sighed, turning to look outside.

For the first time, you learned minding your own business doesn’t apply to all situations. You would’ve been bitten by those nasty zombies if it wasn’t for Namra — your only actual friend in the campus — coming over to drag you away along with Suhyeok, because you were ignoring people who ran and screamed thinking they’re just playing childishly. She knew you wouldn’t spare anyone a glance, so coming to save you was a right choice.

Cheongsan came to stand beside you while making sure nobody would see your mouths moving. “Are you okay? I was worried.” He said barely above whisper.

“I’m fine, and they can’t get close to me anyway.” You replied, giving him a side-eye. Cheongsan scans your figure to make sure you were saying the truth, before he was annoyingly interrupted by a female body getting herself between you and him.

“Are you okay, (Y/n)?” Nayeon questioned, feigned concern lacing her tone as she pulls your arm to turn you towards her, beginning to run her hand all over your body to check for any injuries. “Are you hurt? What took you so long to come? I texted you.” She pouts.

Irritation quickly bubbled within Cheongsan’s chest at her attempt of making herself look cute and adorable. He forgot the rumors about Nayeon liking you.

With an uninterested look appearing, you quickly grab her wrist to keep her from further harrassing your body. “Keep your hands to yourself, Lee. Can’t you see I’m not bleeding? If I was hurt, there would’ve been blood on me. It should be obvious. And I was too busy reading a book to notice your text.” You waved your hand dismissively as your straightforwardness once again causes everyone to wince.

“That’s gotta hurt for a girl who has a crush on him.” Joonyoung mutters under his breath.

Your eyes shift to Cheongsan’s direction after feeling jealousy radiate from him, and he catches the look that they said— I’m glad you’re here.

That’s right, you don’t care about anyone but him.

“Who the hell does she think she is?”

This class couldn’t get any worse. You thought while sighing deeply as your back leaned on the seat, head thrown back with closed eyes.

This argument between Nayeon and Gyeongsu is a complete nonsense that Nayeon started to get on his nerves for no apparent reason. Giving a fuck is an irrational thing to do when it comes to this stupid girl who does nothing but to whine for others to start doing something. She doesn’t want to save anyone, she wants to be saved.

Talk about self-centered narcissist.

You opened your eyes when Gyeongsu let out a scared yell all of a sudden as the sound of door opening echoed throughout the room, pushing your head forward to look at the person that entered.

“Coach Kang.”

Rolling your eyes, you threw your head back again to stare at the ceiling, finding it more interesting than anyone or anything right in this moment. The Coach is your least favorite person; he’s a fucking egotistical jerk that thinks women are men’s toys. He thinks he’s hiding it well, but you can see it from a mile away.

“Are you guys okay?” Coach Kang’s trembling voice asked and he sighs in relief after Gyeongsu nodded together with everyone else.

Gyeongsu approaches him, albeit hesitantly. “What about you? You weren’t bitten?”

“No. Of course, not. I’m— I’m alright.”

Your brows furrowed. Something’s odd. He shouldn’t have this much difficulty in breathing. Even if he ran all over the campus, his breathing would’ve just been heavy or out of breath. His voice shouldn’t shake this much, as if he’s trying to hide something.

“Hey, guys. Let’s block the door first. Get moving, hurry!” Coach Kang starts to lead the students as they began to help moving the seats to block the doors, attempting to stack them high.

You stood up from the chair but remained in your place, watching him move around and instruct the survivors. There’s a wave of negativity in your gut, like something’s not right, that you shouldn’t trust him too easily. You scan his body thoroughly, until your eyes froze at the nasty bite on his arm.

Your breath hitches. This motherfucker’s gonna kill everyone.

As Onjo and Isak moves to help, you quickly grabbed both of their arm to keep them in place. They looked at you surprised since this is the first time you’ve ever approached anyone by yourself. “What’s wrong?” Onjo asked, and Cheongsan stops after seeing you holding them.

“Don’t get close,” You warned, voice low and whispering. “He got bitten on his arm.”

Their eyes widened and almost instantly, looked at the Coach’s arm to find out you’re telling the truth. But then again, you never lied.

“Coach Kang. Your arm.” Onjo doesn’t hesitate to speak. You gently squeeze her arm in encouragement and praise. Being honest saves everyone, believe it or not.

“What are you doing? Come help us!” The Coach yelled.

“You have a bite mark on your arm!” Onjo raised her voice, causing everyone to freeze and look. Wujin flinches backward when he noticed the bite mark as the others began to feel fearful once again.

Coach Kang sees his own arm and begins to panic. “I wasn’t bitten. No, no. I—” He quickly rolls his sleeve down, “I— I wasn’t bitten.”

“It’s a bite mark.”

“I said it isn’t. Don’t talk back to me, okay?” His voice gets aggressive. You stare at him intently. He shouldn’t get close.

It was Isak who spoke next. “It looks like you were really bitten.”

Coach Kang seems to get angry at that as he raised his voice, “I wasn’t! How many times must I tell you?”

Isak felt you squeeze her arm as well. You wanted her to stand up for herself and her classmates. “Then why the hell are you hiding it!? Just show it to us!” She raised her voice and stepped forward as you went beside Onjo, sharing a look with Cheongsan. You knew she’s important to him.

“I think you should leave now.” Isak quietly said.

“What?”

“Get out of here immediately.”

“You want me to go out there?” Kang pointed at the door, “After all I did to get here? You want me to go back out?”

“You were bitten.” She doesn’t back out. Standing up against teachers is scary, but getting bitten by zombies and turning into one is terrifying. She thanks you internally for encouraging her. “Come on, get out. I SAID GET OUT NOW!!”

“Cocksucker!” Kang yelled. “How dare you yell at me like that?”

You scowled, glaring at him, pulling both Onjo and Isak behind you when Kang steps forward. Your protectiveness usually only kicks in when Cheongsan is the one in danger, but right now, he wasn’t the one that needs protecting. This girls, who can easily be overpowered by the coach.

“You little... Get over here. Come here.” He was showing his true colors at this point, and you clenched your jaw in anger. “NOW! You won’t come? Hey.” He makes a move to advance and you stepped in front of the girls as they quickly hide behind you.

Everyone stops when blood starts to run down Kang’s nose as he turns his back to wipe it.

“Onjo, don’t—!” Onjo ignores your warning, smacking a backpack against the back of his head. You cursed and pulled her back behind you again, watching as Kang turns around and shoots her a glare. Cheongsan immediately rushes over to you, realizing you might get involved in Kang’s rage.

“You fucking bitch.” He cursed, raising a hand and steps forward only to drop on the floor.

You ignored everyone’s gasps and mutterings, turning around to push Cheongsan, Onjo and Isak away knowing he’ll turn. Cheongsan grabs your hand that was pushing him and pulls you so you wouldn’t be close to Kang. The crunching of bones filled the noisy air together with Nayeon’s fearful beg to get Kang out of the room.

Soon enough, a growl erupts from Kang and he launched himself onto Minji, pulling her down on the floor, unfortunately getting a bite of her face. Daesu rushes over to hold zombified Kang back, throwing him on the lockers. You all looked to see a chunk of Minji’s skin beside her mouth gone with blood coating the place.

While Daesu’s in shock, Kang stands back up with a growl and advanced towards Wujin and Suhyeok, who both fortunately avoided him as the latter attempts to fight him off. Cheongsan grabs the table right on his side and uses it to trap Kang against the wall, struggling to do so due to Kang continuously shoving to get a bite out of him.

“Cheongsan!” You and Gyeongsu both yelled as he runs to help and pushes the table more on Kang.

“Shit.” You muttered when Minji begins to turn after getting kicked by Nayeon, feeling the survival folding knife through the fabric of your pants in your pocket.

Using it to kill them would probably make everyone mistaken you for a murderer or perhaps, even torturer, but was that really important when all of your lives are at stake? You don’t give a fuck about everyone except Cheongsan, anyway. But won’t he judge or hate you for bringing a knife at school? Won’t he be afraid of you just like everyone else is?

You thought carefully, before Daesu’s struggling voice snapped you out alongside Cheongsan’s and Gyeongsu’s grunts.

That doesn’t fucking matter. If you don’t kill them with whatever you have, everyone’s gonna be dead, even Cheongsan.

“Whatever,” You sighed. “Fuck this.”

You quickly ran towards the two and pushed them away, ignoring Gyeongsu’s “what are you doing!?” thrown in your direction. Holding the table with one hand, you used the other to whip the knife out and press the two buttons on the handle, the sharp blade instantly making an appearance. Everyone widened their eyes in shock as you don’t hesitate to stab Kang’s head repeatedly with your knife, its force causing his blood to stain your uniform and a small amount of your face. You only stopped when the growling and struggling died down, dropping his completely lifeless body and the table on the floor.

Everyone flinches when you turn around, finding the unbothered and casual look on your face unsettling.

They watch you twirl the knife as you shifted your gaze on Daesu, who was holding zombified Minji that tried to bite him. You cock your head to the side. One slit on the neck should be enough.

Your stare was enough to force Daesu into throwing Minji on the floor as you don’t waste time to grab her hair and stab your knife deep into the side of her neck, before slitting it by sliding the knife towards other side with great force and fast movement. Blood splatters on the floor as she goes limp.

It didn’t even take you thirty seconds to successfully kill two zombies. Maybe you’re more terrifying than those cannibals, everyone thought in sync.

You walk over to the towel that Daesu used to wipe his face with and begins wiping off the blood on your knife, leaning against the lockers. Cheongsan approached you — shrugging Gyeongsu’s alarming hand off his arm — and he sees your body tense almost immediately.

“Did they get to you?”

You look up in surprise at his caring, concern-filled voice.

He gives you a comforting look, having an idea on what you’re feeling right now. You neither regret nor feel guilty about killing them, but you were afraid of a possibility that his thoughts about you might’ve suddenly changed. After all, you’re aware of how even the slightest action can change a person’s thoughts about anyone. Let alone as big of an action as murdering a zombified teacher and classmate.

You silently shake your head, pressing the buttons to make the blade disappear into the handle.

“Then, that’s great.” He smiles, gratitude plastering his face.

“Thank you, for saving us.”

You dropped on the floor as soon as the door of recording room shut behind you, knees growing weak and tears stinging your eyes.

Gyeongsu’s gone. Nayeon did it.

He was Cheongsan’s bestfriend and to think that the girl who liked you was the one who killed him? It fucking made you feel shitty. Guilt devours you from the inside, spreading all throughout your veins and blood as you taste the bitterness in your mouth. There’s no fucking excuse to what she did; Gyeongsu was trying to help and she went all out accusing him of things that didn’t happen — and then goes on killing him without remorse just to prove her point when he didn’t turn.

“You did the same thing to Coach Kang and Minji!” Her voice bitterly haunts your ears.

You did kill them, after they turned into zombies. She wiped a zombie’s blood on Gyeongsu’s hand purposely to make him turn. There’s a big difference. You never wanted Kang and Minji to turn, even though the former pissed you off to no end. No one deserves to be a zombie.

She probably thinks you’re a hypocrite now, maybe even others who stayed quiet the whole time Namra was confronting Nayeon. They must be terrified of you yet they haven’t left you alone to die or kicked you out. Come to remember, they didn’t stop Nayeon from going out on her own.

A knock sounded from the window and you look up to see Cheongsan staring at you worriedly, gesturing to the lock. Unlocking the door, you let him inside by scooting away and watched as he sit beside you after locking it again, leaning both of your back against it.

There was only silence while you two stared blankly at the wall of recording room, grieving over a bestfriend— in your case, a classmate.

“You didn’t do the same thing to Coach Kang and Minji, you know.” He suddenly spoke, breaking the silence. He shifted to face you and also make himself comfortable. “You killed them because you had to, otherwise we would all be dead. Nayeon didn’t have any reason to kill Gyeongsu. Everyone agreed on that.”

“Really?” Your eyes finally met his.

Cheongsan nods with sincerity coating his face. “They understand, and all of them are actually thankful you were brave enough to kill those two. No one thinks you’re the same as Nayeon.” He takes your hand in his and rubs it comfortingly, to which you responded by squeezing his hand back.

You play with his fingers, tracing them and tangling them with yours as you avoid eye contact. “I’m sorry about Gyeongsu...” He frowns at the look on your face. “I noticed something’s wrong with Coach Kang, but I didn’t notice anything when it came to Nayeon. I feel like I should’ve, specially when I’m the one who usually notice small things in this group, and I can’t help but think it’s—”

“It’s not your fault.” Cheongsan immediately interrupted, voice firm and unwavering. “None of us knew what was gonna happen. In fact, I think we’re the ones at fault because we told Nayeon to come here and apologize to Gyeongsu when that was probably what she wanted us to do. You tried to stop us, but we didn’t listen.”

You look up at him, seeing guilt and sadness in his eyes. You intertwined your fingers and Cheongsan doesn’t waste time to hold your hand back. “It isn’t your fault, either. We all carry the burden of not being able to save him, don’t beat yourself up.”

“It’s just—” He sighs. “I’m his best friend. Well, was. I could’ve done something more.”

“But you did, Cheongsan. You kept him from hurting you.” Cupping his face with one hand, you smile to reassure him. “I’m sure the last thing Gyeongsu wanted was to hurt his bestfriend and end up turning him.”

Cheongsan sighs and leans on your touch as he closed his eyes. It feels warm. He believed your words— even you knew Gyeongsu is a kind person who would never dare lay a hand on anyone he treasures. He was poor, but he had the richest heart among all people. Which is why what Nayeon did is even more unforgivable and frustrating.

Why does kind people have to always be the target to cold-blooded people? They might be easy to manipulate, but you still didn’t understand. Why was the world so cruel?

“(Y/n)?” Concern instantly plastered your face at how his voice trembled and he cleared his throat, feeling tears gather in his eyes.

“What is it, love?”

“You’re not gonna leave me, right?”

Cheongsan was afraid. You could easily tell. He was afraid of losing you like he lost Gyeongsu, of seeing you turn into those cannibalistic monsters, of seeing you die. You’re the only thing that kept him sane in this apocalypse. If he lost you, he would have no will to survive anymore.

You frown, wiping off the tears that spilled on his cheeks with your thumb. “I would never leave you, Cheongsan. It’s not gonna happen no matter what. I’ll stay by your side until we can be safe together, okay? Don’t cry, baby.” Bringing your other hand to cup the other side of his face, you gently pulled him to press a kiss on his forehead.

Cheongsan felt butterflies filling his stomach. Even in this zombie apocalypse, you never fail to make him feel loved and tinglish.

No one would probably believe you’re actually this soft and gentle when it comes to your lover. People always assumed you were rough and aggressive, and that you’re far from boyfriend material type. Little did they know you make sure everyday that he knows you love him, even though you can’t be close to each other in school.

You look into each other’s eyes before Cheongsan wrapped his arms around your neck and pulled you close to capture your lips in a lingering kiss.

It’s a life or death situation — feeling each other’s presence and kissing each other’s lips mattered more than hiding your relationship. Nothing should matter anymore than you and Cheongsan, and how you would live knowing the grim reaper can suddenly knock on your door anytime.

Right now, you just wanted to focus on the feeling of Cheongsan’s lips more than the zombies probably lurking outside the broadcasting room.

Gathering around the bonfire created by Namra’s lighter, everyone shared their own stories that no one has heard before. Hearing Namra open up made you smile, knowing she never got to do it with anyone up until now because no one bothered to befriend her. It’s actually why you two got along, being the black sheep of Ms. Park’s class.

You didn’t join them on bonfire, only listening to them share their own life stories as you leaned on the railings with both elbows rested on the surface. After dealing with so much crap and Gwinam going for your boyfriend’s head, you needed a well rest and a smoke to calm yourself, as well as to make the stress dissolve even just a bit. Though, dealing with zombies is honestly much better than dealing with school full of shitty students and teachers.

At some point, their conversation shifts from life story to crushes and you resist the urge to chuckle. Talking about crushes is probably the most mundane yet comforting thing to do in the middle of zombie apocalypse because it gives everyone a feeling as if they went back to a time when everyone wasn’t eating everybody. It reminds them of what they were doing when this apocalypse wasn’t a thing.

“How about you, Cheongsan? Do you have a crush?”

Their question made you puff a smoke as your thoughts wandered. Cheongsan can choose whether he’ll tell them or not, you suppose it doesn’t matter now since practically everyone in Korea is a zombie and not many would care anymore if two men are dating each other. Besides, you also wanted to care for him openly without worrying about someone finding out.

You assume Cheongsan nodded in reply due to various noises of curiosity leaving the other’s lips. He, too, probably doesn’t care anymore.

“Really? Who is it?” Onjo asked with surprise and tease lacing her voice, looking at him and waiting excitedly for his answer. Everyone anticipated it as well, some even growing impatient.

Cheongsan doesn’t say anything, instead points at you, who had your back turned to them.

All of their eyes follows the direction his finger pointed at and as soon as you entered their visions, their jaws drop in sync. Joonyoung looks at his finger and you back and fourth as he also pointed at you, mouth moving but no sounds coming out. Suhyeok had his brows raised, shock evident, staring at Cheongsan in disbelief. Hyoryung, Jimin and Daesu all covered their mouths, while Wujin, Onjo and Namra looked at him dumbfounded.

“You have a crush on (Y/n)!?” Wujin was the first to break everyone’s shock, beginning to look at you and Cheongsan back and fourth.

“How come you didn’t tell us? We shared our opinions about him in cafeteria, but you didn’t say anything about liking him.” Suhyeok shoots him a look, betrayed that Cheongsan hid it from them while they were idiotically telling what they felt and thought about his crush.

“Well, I did say he’s handsome.” Cheongsan defended himself. You subtly shake your head with a smile, realizing he must have said it so his friends would take the hint. “And to be honest, it’s not a crush anymore.” He shrugs.

Confusion is next to appear on everyone’s faces at his words, but Cheongsan stands up before they could ask what he means.

They watch as he walks towards you, and couldn’t help but notice that you immediately faced him as soon as his footsteps entered your ears. You inhaled one puff of smoke and threw the cigarette on the concrete floor. As if on instinct, Cheongsan steps on it to put it out. Your interaction was so natural that had everyone thinking if you often do it when you’re together.

“What’s up, Cheongsannie?”

He doesn’t respond, instead brings his hand up to tug your uniform with a pout. It’s a gesture he always does when he wants you to kiss him.

Without hesitation, you slip your hand on his face and leans forward to capture his adorable pouting lips in a kiss as Cheongsan closed his eyes, fist gripping the fabric of your uniform. You heard few of them gasp before you pulled away and ruffled your lover’s hair.

“Satisfied?” You smirk, licking your lips.

Cheongsan smacks your hand away and grumbles about you ruining his already ruined hair, red tint on his cheeks unfortunately visible. His heart pounded rapidly against his chest at first time kissing in front of people.

“Don’t worry, darling. You still look handsome with ruined hair and blood all over you.” Throwing him a teasing compliment, you leaned forward again to kiss his forehead, something that became a habit of yours after you started dating him.

“Fuck you,” Cheongsan playfully curses while pinching your side and shoving you away, though the smile on his face betrayed him.

You scoffed smugly, “You wish. We’re still in the middle of apocalypse, moron.”

“(Y/N)!!”

You laughed, avoiding his hand that tried to smack you over the head and runs over to the bonfire when Cheongsan starts chasing you, using Daesu as a shield. Now, all of them were shocked of how playful you are — a big contrast to how you are in school everyday.

“(Y/n), stop hiding behind Daesu.” Cheongsan panted as he glared at you playfully.

You childishly stuck your tongue out, which made Cheongsan roll his eyes while amusement crosses everyone’s face. “Only if you can make him move away.” You said smugly, knowing no one can force Daesu to move.

Your boyfriend gives you a look before shifting his gaze on Daesu, “Can you move, please?”

Much to your displeasure, the said man scoots away without hesitation and chuckles when he hears your gasp of betrayal. “What the— You traitor!” You smacked his arm quite strongly, causing him to wince and hold the arm that you hit.

Everyone laughs; it feels weird to see you be childish and playful when you’re usually calm, collected, cold and quiet, but they were happy nevertheless because you finally showed a side that you never did. However, they find it also sad how this is the only time they got to see you be playful, when they have just little chances of surviving. They regret fearing you just because you look intimidating. You may have a resting bitch face, but that doesn’t mean you hurt everybody on sight. They should’ve figured that out before.

Cheongsan comes to sit beside you (after successfully smacking the back of your head) with a yawn, exhaution finally showing itself on his body. Your eyes softened as you tugged his arm and Cheongsan let himself fall to your side. His head softly lands on your lap, facing the night sky, and you immediately bring your hand to massage his scalp. Cheongsan sighs in content, closing his eyes.

“Rest, darling. You need it.” You softly say. Everyone can’t help but stare at how gentle you are with Cheongsan.

“You need to rest too,” Cheongsan mutters with eyes still closed. “You and Suhyeok fought those zombies off more than we did.” He feels you shake your head.

“It doesn’t matter. We’re all the same in terms of exhaution.” You take his hand in your unused one to press a kiss on his knuckles. He opens his eyes, feeling butterflies clouding his stomach again. “And besides, I have to protect you from Gwinam. He’s after your head, who knows when he’ll come back.”

“He’s actually after my eye, but you don’t need to protect me all the time, you know.” Intertwining his fingers with yours, Cheongsan looks at you with worry in his eyes. “If you keep thinking about me, you’ll eventually forget to protect yourself. I don’t want you to get hurt or bitten.”

A smile spreads across your lips.

He might be right and it’s probably too dangerous to think about your boyfriend before yourself when zombies can grab you anywhere and anytime, but knowing he’s worried made you feel happy, warmth spreading from your heart outwards.

Cheongsan notices your smile and lightly hits your shoulder with his free hand, pouting. “Why the hell are you smiling? You rarely smile yet you’re smiling at the possibility that you could die protecting me. It’s not funny. Stop that.”

You only let out a chuckle in response to his scolding.

The others can’t help but smile when they heard the sound of your laughter for the first time as Cheongsan continues to simultaneously threat and scold you at the same time, refusing to stop until you swear you’ll look after yourself too. They found yours and Cheongsan’s couple interaction cute and entertaining, some even feeling as if they missed an opportunity to tease the two of you when zombies didn’t exist. It made them feel sad, but at least they found out before it’s too late and could still have an opportunity to tease.

“If you really—”

“Relax, sweetheart.” You interrupted, giving his hand a squeeze. He opens his mouth to object, but you beat him to it. “If you really think I’m going to forget about myself, then protect me instead. That way, we could prevent the worst from happening, hm? How does that sound?”

Cheongsan goes silent as he thinks about it for a while, then squeezed your hand back to let you know he settled his mind. “Okay. Sounds good enough.”

You grinned, leaning down to kiss his lips before petting his hair after pulling away. Greatly satisfied with your suggestion, Cheongsan closes his eyes to get himself to sleep, his free arm wrapping around your torso as he snuggled closer to you, wanting to feel your presence as much as he can. Shrugging your blazer off, you laid it over him to serve as a blanket.

“This is our first time seeing you smile,” Suhyeok spoke when silence fell. You look up to see a soft look plastered on his face. “I don’t mean to tell you what to do, but you should smile more.”

The others nodded their head in agreement. “You look good smiling.” Jimin compliments, receiving another nods of agreement from everyone.

You shrug, “I naturally don’t smile that often. He makes me laugh everytime, though. If you want any reaction out of me, just bring Cheongsan and let us talk. You’ll get a smile or laughter.”

“That’s probably because you trust him more than anyone else.” Onjo smiled, eyes soft. You nod while smiling, gently playing with Cheongsan’s hair.

“You don’t trust anyone that much.” Claimed Joonyoung. “So seeing you be freely yourself around us, it made me think how we gained it over the times we’ve spent together in this zombie apocalypse. Thanks for, you know... Trusting us.”

You flash them a smile. “Thanks for trusting me, too.”

Maybe letting your secret out wasn’t such a bad thing even before the apocalypse, with an exception of those gangs you beat up that may or may not use Cheongsan as hostage to get back at you.

Nonetheless, you were glad that your boyfriend had revealed everything out in the open — you’ve gained not many, but enough support. You’ll forever cherish this day, even if there’s little hope left to survive.

© ᴀʟʟ ʀɪɢʜᴛs ʀᴇsᴇʀᴠᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ғᴀʟʟᴇɴᴍᴏɴsᴛᴇʀs. sᴛᴇᴀʟɪɴɢ, ᴘʟᴀɢɪᴀʀɪᴢɪɴɢ, ᴏʀ ᴜsɪɴɢ ᴍʏ ᴡᴏʀᴋs ғᴏʀ ᴍᴏɴᴇᴛᴀʀʏ ɢᴀɪɴ ɪs sᴛʀɪᴄᴛʟʏ ᴘʀᴏʜɪʙɪᴛᴇᴅ. ᴀsᴋ ᴘᴇʀᴍɪssɪᴏɴ ʙᴇғᴏʀᴇ ʀᴇᴘᴏsᴛɪɴɢ ᴏʀ ᴛʀᴀɴsʟᴀᴛɪɴɢ.

[24hlevi]

Out Of Time

Lee Cheongsan (All Of Us Are Dead) X Gn!Reader

Genre: Angst

Summary: Cheongsan has liked Y/n since they were kids, but never confessed due to them never seeming to feel the same. By the time the male confesses, he's out of time.

Warnings: Canon-typical violence, Language, Major Character Death

Word Count: 2.9k

Now Playing:

wow my first aouad fic yay, i dont have a masterlist but i write for everyone EXCEPT Gwinam so feel free to request for them

italics + bold = flashback

Cheongsan and you had been best friends ever since you two were kids, always sticking with one another, and constantly teasing the other one, but still having love and respect for each other. But there was one thing wrong.

Cheongsan’s feelings for you.

When the infection of zombies started at your school, you were beyond terrified, but Cheongsan was there for you, just like he always was. What a fool you were to believe he was just being a good friend instead of something more.

“Y/n! Are you okay? Are you hurt?” Cheongsan asked as he ran up to you, both of you now safe in the science classroom with zombies piling outside the door. His eyes were full of worry and concern, something you hadn't seen many times.

“I’m okay.” You answered him.

His hands grabbed onto yours and he checked your arms for any bites, letting out a sigh of relief when he found none and that you were still alive and human. “Don’t do that again.” He lightly scolded you quietly.

“I won't.” You told him, nodding your head. “Now stop acting like my mother, we're gonna be fine.” You smiled gently at him.

Cheongsan didn't respond, as he was too busy staring at your oh so beautiful smile that he could never get used to, the feelings of butterflies in his stomach whenever you did anything. He had never felt these things before, and all of a sudden when you two were just becoming high schoolers, he then realized that he had fallen for you. His childhood best friend.

“Hello? Cheongsan? Hello?” You waved your hand in front of his face and that was when he finally snapped out of it.

“What? You got something else to say?” He responded, not realizing how harsh it sounded before it left his lips.

Your smile fell from your face as you then shook your head, saying a quiet, “No.” before walking away to the other end of the classroom and sitting on the ground beside Onjo.

“What was that about?” Onjo asked you, seeing Cheongsan say something to himself before looking down.

“I dunno.” You shrugged. “He’s always like that.”

Onjo’s face contorted to confusion as she asked another question, “Like what?”

“Like one minute we’re friends and then the next he's an asshole to me.” You sighed, your chin falling on your knees that were tucked right under your head. “I can never tell what's up with him.”

Onjo’s jaw dropped when she heard what you said, already knowing that Cheongsan liked you because he already told her, but she quickly closed her mouth before you turned to face her.

“Is there something wrong with me?” You asked her.

“What?” She responded, taken back by your sudden question.

“You know,” Your eyes glanced over to Cheongsan and Suhyeok before looking back at the girl in front of you, “Because of the way Cheongsan acts. There must be something wrong with me, right?”

Onjo’s eyes widened as she quickly shook her head and her hand at the same time, “No, no, no, there's nothing wrong with you! Cheongsan is just…” She trailed off for a second, not knowing what to say. “He's just freaked out because of what's happening right now, he's been doing the same to me too. So it's nothing to do with you.”

Your eyes narrowed at how reactive she was to what you had said, but they quickly stopped when Suhyeok came over to you two. Both of you looked up at the boy as he smiled his charming smile before asking to talk to you. You looked at him confused before nodding and allowing him to help you up.

Suhyeok and you made your way to the corner of the classroom that had no one there as he looked down at you, “Hey, uh, so, I have something to ask you.” He said, almost looking nervous.

Sensing his nervousness, you feared what he was going to ask, but you nodded, telling him to continue without speaking.

“Do you like anyone?”

What?

You looked at him with both shock and confusion, “Are you really asking me this in the middle of a fucking zombie apocalypse?”

Suhyeok sighed at your annoyed tone and nodded, “Yes, I am.”

“Why?” You asked. “Wait, don't-don't tell me that you like me! I thought you were with Namra!” You whisper-yelled at him.

His eyes widened and he shook his head, “What?! No! I mean, yes I am with Namra but no I don't like you!” He whispered at the same level.

Now you were even more confused. Your eyebrows furrowed together as you responded with, “Then why the hell are you asking me this?”

“Because someone else likes you. And is using me as the messenger.” Suhyeok answered with a sheepish smile on his face.

“Are you fucking serious?” You questioned.

All the boy did was nod in response, too afraid to actually speak when you would scold him for doing this in the first place.

“Well tell them to tell me face to face, not you. You had me worried for a second, because no offense but you are so not my type, I would have rejected you.” You told him.

“Ouch.” Suhyeok feigned being hurt before nodding, “Yeah I’ll tell him.”

You smiled and nodded, giving him a thumbs up before he walked away, leaving you alone as you sat on the ground again, leaning your head against the wall and closing your eyes.

“Hey, you know you don't have to lie to my mom about her chicken, right?” Cheongsan asked you, well, more like told you.

“What do you mean?” You replied, looking at him as you walked back home.

“You told me it was salty, but you told her it was amazing. Which one was it?” He explained.

“Oh. Well, I mean, salt isn't bad. But it was just a little too much, that's all.” You said.

“So you were lying.” He responded, stopping in his tracks.

You turned around when you heard his footsteps stop, and looked at him confused. “Why does it matter so much?”

“Why would you lie to her?” Cheongsan ignored your question with one of his own, knowing it would get you irritated like it always did when he blatantly ignored your questions.

“Because I don't want to hurt her feelings.” You answered with a sigh. “Now can we please just go home? My feet hurt.”

Cheongsan didn't reply for a moment, too busy processing what you said and how weird it made him feel. He knew that you loved his mother like your own, but you had never said anything like that before about her, and it caused a warm feeling inside of him. When he finally finished processing it, he walked over to you and grabbed your backpack and bags of food from his mother and stood in front of you with his back facing you.

Looking at him confused, you asked, “What the hell are you doing?”

“Get on my back, I’ll carry you the rest of the way.” Cheongsan answered, not looking at you.

You let out a light chuckle, something he always wanted to hear despite it not happening often as you got on his back, his arms supporting your legs as your own wrapped around his neck.

“Onward, gopher!”

“Y/n? Hey, wake up.”

You heard that before feeling someone shake you gently, making you open your eyes to see Cheongsan standing above you.

“What are you doing?” You asked him.

“You fell asleep, so I’m waking you up.” He stated like it was obvious.

You let out a short groan, “It was nice, why did you wake me up?”

Cheongsan looked at you like you were crazy, “Did you forget what's going on? We’re fighting zombies, fucking zombies. We can't sleep.” He told you before his eyes widened and his hand reached to your forehead. “Are you okay? Is something wrong?” He quickly asked.

“Cheongsan, stop. I’m fine.” You swatted his hand away from your head, not wanting him to treat you like some child. But at the same time, you didn't know why you were rejecting his kindness, maybe because there was something you didn't want to admit. And sure as hell not right now.

Cheongsan moved his hand away, and looked at you with a look you’d never seen before he sat down next to you. “I’m sorry, I’m just...worried.” He said quietly.

“About me?” You questioned. “Or everything?”

“Both,” He sighed. “I just don't want to lose anyone else. Not after Gyeongsu.” He admitted to you, looking down at his hands.

“Hey,” You said, but he didn't look up, “You're not going to lose anyone else, and not me,” You reached for one of his hands and held onto it, making him look at you. “I promise.” You smiled.

Cheongsan smiled back at you, looking back down at your now connected hands made him feel those funny things again. The feeling of wanting to hug you, to laugh with you, to kiss you. That's it. That's what it was. He finally knew what he was feeling now. It was love. He loved you, more than a friend. He wanted to be with you all the time, but not just as friends, as lovers. He couldn't help these feelings. He had known you since you two were 5, and he had these feelings ever since he was 6. But he finally understood what they were.

But how did you feel? That was the hard part for him. Cheongsan couldn't tell whether you liked him back or not, just as you did for him, and that was the worst part of it all. The fear of the unknown. Everyone has it at some point in their lives, and for you two, it was right now. There were unknown things everywhere. From why zombies had infested your school, why your friends had to die, to did you feel the same way about his feelings? He hated it. Not knowing how to tell if you had feelings for him despite it being over 10 years that he's known you. Not knowing how to confess these feelings to you in a zombie apocalypse. And not knowing if you both were going to make it out alive.

That was his worst fear, being separated from you forever. If one of you were to die, he would never forgive himself for it. Even if there was nothing that could be done about it. No matter if he was the one who was dead or not, he would still feel guilt and shame for never being able to change what happened.

Cheongsan opened his mouth to speak his thoughts, and finally confess when you leaned your head on his shoulder, closing your eyes.

“Wake me up whenever we have to leave.” You said to him quietly.

He wanted to say no, for you to just stay up a little longer so he could state his feelings for you, but instead he wrapped his arm around your shoulder and pulled you closer to him, “Okay.”

“You know Cheongsan, I wish you’d be nicer to me sometimes.” You said to the boy that was sitting on your couch.

“What?” His head spun around to look at you.

You sighed, “You treat me differently than your other friends. And I’d wish you'd stop it. Why do you even do it?”

Cheongsan stood up off the couch and walked over to you, putting his hands on your shoulders, “Because you're my best friend since childhood, Y/n. You know that.”

“Then why do you not treat Onjo the same as me?” You questioned, staring up at him.

The boy paused for a second, knowing he had just gotten trapped in a hole that he couldn't climb out of. “Because….Because I like her.” He lied. Not even thinking before he spoke.

He could see all the emotion drop from your face, and you let out a quiet, “Oh.” You grabbed his hands and took them off your shoulders, “Well, I’m sure she likes you back.” You told him, knowing fully well that she liked Suhyeok because she told you. You then turned away from him and went into the kitchen, leaving him alone cursing to himself for how stupid he was for what he said.

“Fucking stupid, why did I say that? Fuck.” He said to himself and added a sigh at the end.

“Y/n! Y/n wake the fuck up! We gotta go!”

You were shaken awake forcefully and your eyes and body shot open and up, eyes darting around all over the place, seeing the chaos that erupted in the room somehow when you were asleep and you saw Cheongsan yelling at you with wide eyes.

“What's happening?” You asked, letting your best friend pull you up on your feet and hand you a broken off piece of a desk.

“The zombies are breaking in, look,” Cheongsan pointed to the classroom door that was creaking loudly due to all the zombies pushing on the door. He then looked at the window behind everyone and back at you, “We’re gonna have to jump to another room.”

Your eyes widened as you began to shake your head, “What? No! I’m not jumping!”

Cheongsan grabbed your arm and pulled you over to the window as he opened it with his other hand and turned around to face everyone. “Everyone listen up! We can't get out that way, so we have to jump to another room!” He yelled for everyone to hear.

Soon enough, everyone had recreated a rope to hold onto while going from floor to floor and was going from person to person until it was just Cheongsan and you left.

You leaned over the window ledge, seeing how high up you were and feeling such immense fear that you froze in your spot, leaving everyone confused.

“Y/n? What are you doing? We gotta go.” Cheongsan said to you, putting his hand on your shoulder.

You quickly shook your head, backing away from the window slowly. “I can't.”

“What? Y/n you hav-”

“I can't! I don't want to do this anymore! I'm sick and tired of it all!” You yelled at him loud enough for everyone else to hear from the floor above you, the zombies pushing down the door more and more.

Cheongsan’s eyes were wide and full of fear as to what you were doing, and he rushed towards you but you kept taking steps back and he stopped when he realized. “Y/n?”

Tears began to well up in your eyes, and your vision was becoming blurry because of it. “What's the point if we’re all gonna die anyways? Just go, Cheongsan. You don't need me. You have Onjo.”

“No, I’m not leaving you. I need you, Y/n.” He said desperately, slowly inching towards you to pull you away from the door.

“I said go!” You screamed, making him flinch. “You like her, don't you? So go be with her. You deserve it.”

“I don't like her, okay?!” Cheongsan yelled back, walking towards you. “I never liked her! I just said it out of stupidity okay?! I like you! You! Ever since I was 6 I've been in love with you!”

You froze in your spot after hearing him. “You...what?”

Cheongsan made it to you and placed his hands on your shoulders, “I like you, Y/n. I always have.”

You wanted to respond, to say that you felt the same, but it suddenly felt hard to breathe, and your throat felt like it was on fire. You felt something start to trickle down your nose and you touched it, only to see blood. Your eyes widened as you looked at Cheongsan who had the same look, as he grabbed your arm and lifted up your sleeve, seeing a bite mark.

“You...You told me you were okay.” Cheongsan said quietly.

“I’m….sorry.” You spat out through the pain surging all throughout your body as you ripped your hand away from Cheongsan. Suddenly, your bones started cracking as they moved unnaturally and you backed away from the boy, groans leaving your mouth. “Get..away.”

Cheongsan stayed in his spot as he watched you start to turn into one of those beasts with wide eyes that had tears spilling from them. “Y/n, please.” He cried.

“I said get away! Now!” You yelled at him, continuing to back away.

“I can't lose you too.” Cheongsan said as he watched what happened to Gyeongsu happen to you. “Please. I love you, Y/n.”

Your eyes rolled into the back of your head as your back went backwards, and all of your sense of direction, logic, and normality was gone. You had become a beast. You growled when you spotted Cheongsan and started to run towards him. When he understood you had finally turned, he ran to the window and jumped out, grabbing onto the rope and watching you follow and fall to the ground. A loud thud echoing to make it even worse for him.

“Y/n…” He whispered to himself.

The others helped pull Cheongsan into the room they were in as the rest of the zombies began to fall out of the room below just as you did. When he opened his hand after getting pulled inside safely, he was holding your name tag that he had quickly swiped off before you turned, and it made him want to cry again. Because his worst fear had come true. He lost you. All because he confessed when he was

out of time.

[allofusaresimping]

Hi! I’m a new blog writing for All Of Us Are Dead (mainly *cough* smut, but fluff is allowed too)

Who I write for (boys)

* Suhyeok

* Cheongsan

* Gwinam

* Gyeongsu

* Wujin

* Daesu

Who I write for (girls)

* Nayeon

* Namra

* Onjo

* Mijin

* Hari

* Eunji

All characters are of age (so are the actors, all 18 or above)!

What I write about:

* Smut

* Fluff

* Angst

* Or all of the above ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

* Fem! Or GN! Reader ONLY, no Male!Reader

* Character x Reader

* Character x Character

Anyways feel free to ask me anything and in the meantime, I’m going to write! I have some spicy Suhyeok and Namra smut coming

[manuchyy]

Can i request an all of us are dead x male dancer reader insert, where they react to him run and attack zombies in heels (like the pointy heels) hehe 😊😊😊 also maybe a slight suhyeok x male reader😳😳😳

Of course! That was actually quite a fun and creative idea :) I actually got so invested on this, that I might make a Part 2 soon with a lot more action. I hope you liked this so far though. Thank you very much for this request!

Lee Su-hyeok x Dancer! Male! Reader

Running from zombies on pointy high heels wasn't exactly what you had anticipated, and how you were even doing it was also out of the question. Maybe the stumbling and falling actually saved your life, giving how those things also fell over multiple times and took a few moments to get up. Though, the zombies seemed quite invested on the clicking sounds your heels made.

Your mind and thoughts were racing non-stop, all you could think about was run and find somewhere to hide. Somewhere safe. Was there even a safe place? You'd be dead before even finding one.

Turning on to another hallway leading to the staircases, you tried avoiding the zombies as much as possible, stumbling into other panicked students in the process and possibly making them get eaten.

''S-Sorry- I'm sorry-''

Your breathless whispers were unheard, mixed with the pure hysteria and loud screams of students and zombies. Blood painted the walls and floors of the school, the sickening smell of death reached your nose, making you gag in disgust.

One step at a time you walked down the stairs holding yourself on the bloody handrail with both arms. The activity on this area ceased, with only a student or two running by. Reaching the end of the stairs, you instantly freeze upon noticing a woman standing there.

''Teacher Sun-Hwa...?!''

Park Sun-Hwa turns around to face you, panic written all over her face as the zombies come in through the entrance doors. You notice a school staff getting attacked and eaten by them. One of them had a traffic cone stuck on it's leg and once it took notice of both of you, it let out a loud scream.

Taking you by the hand, Sun-Hwa tries dragging you back up the stairs, only for the cone zombie grab her by the leg. Your fight mode instantly activated, and in hopes of saving your teacher, you kick it with your heels hitting it right on the head a few times.

The hits were enough to make it stumble backwards, buying time for you and Sun-Hwa to go up the stairs and run towards the broadcast room.

After barricading the door to make sure the zombies wouldn't get in, Park Sun-Hwa attempts on making a brief announcement using the broadcast room's equipment to hopefully reach out to other survivors scattered around the school. You hoped you two weren't the only ones.

And to think everything was normal a few moments ago.

...

''Su-hyeok!''

You rushed towards him, only coming to a stop once he turned around. The cheerful smile on your face was probably contagious, as the instant he saw it was you he started smiling the same way.

You and Su-hyeok knew each other since childhood, so close that both families liked to meet up once in a while when you two were together. His parents and yours didn't pester much, but you thought your mom only wanted to get close to his family for a possible marriage, though.

''Hey (N/N). You're going to dance classes?'' He began, his voice low and casual, starting to walk with you by his side. The nickname making you slightly blush in delight.

''Yeah, I am. The girls in my class aren't very fond of me though. They said a man can't use high heels and dance.'' You admitted, smile fading just slightly and your tone of voice barely above a whisper.

Su-hyeok lowered his head in acknowledgment, he hated how some people just couldn't be free to do what they wanted because of their gender. It shouldn't matter. He felt bad for you, no one should go through that.

''I think you're a really good dancer though, no matter what people say. To be frank, it's unique.'' He objected, trying to lift up your mood as he could.

''What is?''

''You.''

...

Waiting for any sign of survivors or life sure was exhausting, specially hoping on getting rescued. Someone must've called for help right? You at least prayed that Su-hyeok was okay, he was strong and a good fighter. You were aware he used to fight back in the days, didn't really please you but it might've come in handy now.

Leaning against the window with your back facing the chaos outside, you stare at your teacher who paced frantically around the room trying to come up with some sort of plan or solution. It was evident that as a teacher, she felt responsible for saving her students and getting them to safety. Or worse, responsible for their deaths. For not acting sooner.

''Teacher...do you think that maybe Su-hyeok and others are alive? It can't be just us.'' You muttered, tears threatening to fall.

Sun-Hwa wiped her own tears from before and approached you, placing her hands on your shoulder for comfort. She looked you dead in the eye and sniffed.

''I'm sure there are more survivors, and Su-hyeok...'' Sun-Hwa didn't have time to finish her sentence as the moment she looked behind you, her eyes went wide.

''W-What-'' You turn around and see a hose hanging out outside.

The two of you wait for a few moments, and once a person is seen climbing down, Sun-Hwa rushes to open the window and help them. It relieved you to see the familiar face of your good friend.

''Gyeong-su!''

Helping the boy get inside, you try to not fall down and balance yourself on the edge. Gyeong-su takes a moment to lean outside and scream, alerting the other survivors that you and teacher Sun-Hwa were there, while she hits him in the back in frustration and relief.

Sun-Hwa quickly checks him up, anxiously asking if he's alright while you look for any bites or scratches - guessing that was how it spread. Once certain he was okay, you look out to see more survivors come climbing down, reaching out to help them.

Maybe Su-hyeok was with them?

One by one, the students safely got into the broadcasting room and your hopes of seeing him lowered by the seconds. After helping Nam On-Jo inside, you and the others wait for more to come. Apparently there was someone else with them.

Gulping, you get the courage to speak as more tears threatened to fall. ''Su-hyeok...?''

The other students stare at you, your desperate and anxious expression making some of them lower their heads, not wanting to say anything. It was a painful silence, one that pierced through you like a bullet. Just by thinking about the possibility of the person you cared the most for dying, made your whole world crumble to pieces.

Still hoping for a response you stare at On-Jo silently questioning her. To your dismay, she shook her head in a no motion making you cry instantly.

''H-He was with us! He might still be alive. W-We didn't see him die.'' Gyeong-su added, desperately trying to give you some positive thoughts.

Gyeong-su was a very good person, you truly appreciated his friendship. He had helped you countless times before when the girls in your class tried shaming you in front of others. Surprisingly, the boys didn't really bother you much but didn't make it any better either. It was tough handling those situations alone so you opted to trusting him to give you some support.

Debating on whether to believe him or not, you chose to believe him instead. Maybe it was best for your own mental stability. Wiping your tears and looking outside the window to see if there was any sign of life, you try to get rid of those thoughts momentarily and focus on the survivors. It took a while, but the hose started moving again and voices were heard from outside. Were your prayers heard?

You and the other students rush to the window and lean forward, and once looking upwards, Lee Cheong-San was seen hanging on the hose with someone else hugging his back, alongside a zombie trying to get to them.

''Cheong-San!''

The person on Cheong-San's back kicks the zombie hanging on the hose with them in the arm, making it fall all the way down. You and the others back up to avoid getting hit by it and once it was safe again, all lean forward to see if they were okay.

You all stare in silence, witnessing both man hang on the hose for dear life. They seemed to be teasing each other? It truly was quite an interesting scene but also terrifying as both could fall down at any given moment. Though, you still couldn't recognize the one hugging Cheong-San.

Helping them get inside after all the fuss made, you take a moment to analyze the other man while the other students checked them for any wounds. Once he looked at you, your eyes went wide.

''Su-hyeok...?''

To be continued...

[alohajun]

♡ ANXIETY AND RELIEF — PARK JIHOON

jihoon x fem!reader | wc : 0.8k words | content : possible grammar and spelling mistakes, lowercase intended, all of us are dead au, mentions of zombies, angsty-fluff, reader has panic attack, best friends au | loki's lines : i have fallen into the all of us are dead abyss expect more of this au too ig

anxiety is a normal emotion that leads to excessive nervousness, fear, and worry. as much as it is normal to feel anxious, if the brakes on your anxiety train fail, you must seek a pillar to anchor yourself to. but that wasn’t possible for you right now, for your pillar was yet to return.

you sat in the classroom's corner, detaching yourself from your classmates as you looked at the windows, waiting for your best friend. the other kids looked at you, wanting to comfort you as they knew about your state, but with the way you kept distancing yourself, it was impossible.

“y/n …” cheongsan walked over with onjo, worry for you growing with each passing second. “jihoon will make it. i’m sure of it. he’s the fastest out of all of us.” he knew how you felt more than anyone in the room, having the same worry whenever onjo was out of his sight.

“gwinam was fast too,” you muttered, your anxious mindset only showing you the negatives. “but the zombies got him too, didn’t they?” this was the most you had spoken since suhyeok and jihoon had left, and it only showed the little hope you had left.

“we’ve been running from the zombies all this time, y/n.” wujin gave you an encouraging smile. “we got away every single time. jihoon too, right? this time will be no different.”

you appreciated your classmates’ attempts to calm you. you were grateful — you really were. but fear kept creeping into your head, and without jihoon to be your pillar, you knew you had to do something yourself.

without a clock, no one knew how long it was. but all you knew was that it certainly had been too long since the two males had left — and hearing absolutely no ruckus outside didn’t ease your mind, either.

namra sighed, standing near the windows as she looked at you. “you freaking out will not help them come back faster. jihoon might be your best friend, but you aren’t the only one who's going through a hard time. there are many classmates we’ve lost too,” she uttered, speaking the truth with no sugarcoating.

“i know, i’m sorry.” you apologised, looking down as you hugged your knees. “but jihoon isn’t just my best friend. he is the only one i have in this world, so he’ll always be important to me.”

onjo crouched near you, holding your hand. “you don’t have to be sorry. we know–” everyone turned towards the window, seeing a familiar pair of long legs dangle down the makeshift rope they had tied. “suhyeok! suhyeok-ah!” the boys ran towards the ledge, pulling the male along with the backpack he had on.

the strongest males of the group had gone to find rations before they moved to the rooftop, wanting to make sure they had enough to survive on for a few days since it wasn’t certain how long it’d be until help arrived.

“where is jihoon?” cheongsan questioned the missing male’s presence before you could, looking out the window, wondering if he was following behind. “suhyeok-ah? where is he?” his attention turned back to the tallest, feeling his heart drop at his expressions.

“a shelf crashed just as we were about to leave, and the zombies came in–” he tried explaining, his eyes never leaving yours, wordlessly conveying an apology he couldn’t put into words. “–he told me he’ll follow, and i waited for him in the office but he …” suhyeok trailed off, stepping forward in an attempt to comfort you.

“j-jihoon … d-didn’t?” you couldn’t bring yourself to complete the sentence, struggling to stand as your knees felt weak. “jih-hoon.” you covered your mouth with your hands, falling to the floor as you muffled your cries; the reality of his words sinking in.

feeling your chest constricting, you took a deep breath, trying to calm yourself down to no avail. your brain shut down, and you forgot the simplest act of breathing, gasping for air while wiping away the tears that blurred your vision.

“y/n? y/n!” you couldn’t comprehend what was happening around, just knowing your friends were probably trying to help you deal with your panic attack. “y/n, hey–” the rest of their words were drowned by the sound of your heart racing, fear engulfing you.

just as you wanted to give into the darkness, a pair of arms wrapped around your shoulders, pulling you into a familiar embrace. jihoon? you forced yourself to look, your glossy eyes meeting jihoon’s crescent-shaped ones.

“jihoon!” you cried out, happy tears falling down your face as you clung onto him, feeling relieved. “you are here! you are okay!”

“yes, i am okay, love. i’m completely alright.” he smiled as he pulled away to look at your face. “you didn’t really think i’d leave you alone with all these zombies running around, yeah?”

relief was a feeling of reassurance and relaxation following the release of anxiety. feeling relieved was feeling free — just being back to the person you usually are. you were in the arms of your pillar, and nothing else felt more relieving than knowing he was back by your side.

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© 2022 ALOHAJUN | PLEASE REFRAIN FROM COPYING OR REPOSTING MY WORK WITHIN OR OUTSIDE THIS SITE

[xxwearelovingescapesxx]

I'm With You- Suhyeok x fem!reader

A/N: Takes place after they arrive on the roof and the helicopter takes off. Y/N is on edge and Suhyeok talks to her. I didn't really specify their relationship, so you can interpret it whatever way you want.

Y/N stood away from the others wiping her hands frantically on her skirt, trying to get rid of the blood that stained them. She blinked back tears trying not to think about what happen in the last day or so.

It was nightmare.

This world had become a nightmare she couldn't wake up from.

Lost in her own thoughts Y/N didn't hear Suhyeok approach her. She yelped in fright when he placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you. I called your name a few times and you didn't answer," He placed his hands up in surrender.

Y/N looked up at the taller male, "I'm sorry I was thinking."

Hearing the quiver in her voice, Suhyeok took her hands; which were tightly gripping her skirt, in his own squeezing them gently.

"They left us...that helicopter was our chance to escape this hell."

"I'm sure another will come," He spoke trying to convince himself and her.

Wrapping his arms around her, Suhyeok held Y/N close to his chest.  "I promised to protect you and I meant it,"

[justice4gyeongsu]

━━━ 'CHAPTER FOUR' [WHEN DAWN BREAKS]

SYNOPSIS ➢ a fast-spreading outbreak soaks the school in blood. quite literally & figuratively.

PAIRING ➢ lee suhyeok x male!reader

AU ➢ enemies-to-lovers au!

CONTENT WARNING ➢ this chapter contains; classism, homophobia, bullying, embarrassment, mentions of gore, blood, cannibalism [let me know if i missed any!]

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[DAY OF THE OUTBREAK…]

sitting at your front door, tying your shoes, you can't shake the feeling that something's off. last night's sleep was weirdly quiet - no dreams, no whispers in your ear, no memories bubbling up to the surface. just a big, empty space where your subconscious usually runs wild. it's unnerving, to be honest. you're used to your mind being a bit of a battlefield, even when you're sleeping. but last night, it was like someone hit the mute button. and now you're left wondering if this is what it's like when... well, when it's all over. is it just silence? nothingness?

the thought sends a shiver down your spine. you're not sure what's more unsettling - the idea of an afterlife that's just a blank slate, or the possibility that last night was just a weird fluke. either way, you can't shake the feeling that something's shifted, and you're not sure what's coming next.

your father's footsteps broke the spell, and you refocused on tying your shoes as the TV droned on in the background. the familiar sounds of his morning routine were comforting - washing dishes, drinking tea, and making job calls. occasionally, he'd cook breakfast, a rare treat when finances allowed. you'd learned to supplement your meals with snacks from school, stashing them away for weekends.

as the news anchor spoke, a name caught your attention - "missing student from hyosan high" - and you turned to see the scientist teacher's son on screen. but before you could process the news, your father's gruff voice cut in, "what'd you do to your hair?" his question was a stark reminder of your own daily struggles. you hesitated, a sheepish shrug your only response. the salt spray you'd applied to enhance your natural texture had slipped your mind, but the 35 anxious glances in the mirror hadn't. you'd sought validation in your reflection, ensuring the subtle waves framed your face just so. "just wanted to, uh, try something different," you mumbled, the words trailing off like a hesitant confession.

your father's gaze lingered for a moment, as if searching for a hidden meaning, before he turned away, disappearing into his room. the unspoken dismissal was clear: time to head out. with a quiet sigh, you grabbed your bag and slipped out the door, leaving the uncertainty of your father's reaction behind, like a lingering whisper in the morning air.

as you locked the door, a spark of excitement ignited. you headed down the steps with enthusiasm, careful not to trip. today was a first: ditching the bus for your bike. it was a small change, but one that filled you with unexpected joy. the prospect of feeling the wind and sun on your face was exhilarating. you smiled at how something so simple had awakened a sense of adventure. your feet hit the concrete with a loud thud, and as you looked up, three imposing figures loomed before you. their black coats billowed behind them like dark wings, and their smiles seemed to hold a sinister intent. you knew exactly who they were - and your heart sank. one of them concealed a bat behind his back, and your excitement was replaced with icy fear. paralyzed, you couldn't even think of calling the police. your father's words still lingered in your mind: "if you want me to live, let them beat me." the memory of his scolding made your stomach twist with anxiety. the men simply walked past you and began to head to the door you once came from only seconds ago. with shaking hands, you hastily untied your bike and stuffed the chain into your backpack, desperate to escape the ominous scene unfolding before you.

as you entered the classroom, your gaze instinctively sought out choi namra, your deskmate and sole point of reference. the murmur of conversations momentarily subsided as you took your seat, but you stood firm, refusing to be swayed by the subtle scrutiny of your peers. today, you had made a deliberate choice to style your hair, sweeping it aside to reveal your face in a departure from your usual disheveled appearance. the tangled locks that often obscured your features were now neatly parted, with wavy bangs framing your tired eyes. just as you settled into your chair, a gentle voice pierced the air, speaking from behind namra, who was engrossed in her textbooks. onjo's warm, kind eyes met yours, accompanied by a soft smile and a subtle thumbs-up. "y/n-ah, you look great today," she said, her words catching you off guard with their sincerity. a spark of surprise ignited within you, leaving you momentarily breathless. did she just say.. great?

your eyes only blankly blinked at her words until you cleared your throat, “w-what?” you asked. unfortunately, the sound of a high-pitched voice had cut off onjo’s next words. “yah!” the entire classroom was now facing a pink-cardigan-wearing nayeon who angrily stepped towards her desk. to which, he was surrounded by wujin and his friends. “get off of there. you stink,” she commanded to gyeongsu, who was sitting on top of her desk. your eyebrows raised at the interaction, gyeongsu hopped off the abnormally upset girl's desk. “oh, okay. my bad,” he spoke with a slight confusion in her tone. he proceeds to wipe off any excess ‘stink’ that he might have left, nayeon raises her voice once again at this. “cut it out! you're so dirty,” she shouts in disgust while moving her backpack away from him. to say that nayeon was privileged was an understatement, but you knew that already. “what the hell is your problem?” gyeongsu murmurs before taking a step forward in rising annoyance.

luckily, his friend cheongsan wraps his arms around his shoulder and tells him to just let it go. knowing that arguing with a disdainful girl like nayeon was practically a suicide mission. before the situation could escalate for the worse, the teacher stepped foot into the classroom. signaling everyone to stop chatting and head to their respective seats.

as the chairs scraped against the floor, your gaze wandered to the window. a tiny mosquito buzzed against the pane, trying to get in. this reminded you of what those threatening men called your father - a mosquito. they said he was a nuisance who took risks and left problems behind. you wondered why your father never talked about his life, before or now. he kept his secrets to himself, never sharing anything you wanted to know. his silence was frustrating, and you wished he would open up.

“alright everyone, c'mon bring up the phones.” your teacher announced. everyone piled to the front to bring their phones, it wasn't something you cared for. the only person you would text nowadays should be your father. if he didn't get a new one every other week that is.

with what money? you never did ask.

when everyone finishes turning their phones in the teacher, being as intelligent as she is, texts the classroom group chat and you suddenly hear a notification sound coming from right in front of you. your long-ago friend, wujin, and to the right of him, was daesu. who quickly looked behind him and looked at namra and you. pretending it was you two who had their phone still, however the entire class knew it was him. including your teacher. “daesu, seriously?” a voice asked in disbelief as the rest of the class laughed at his failed scheme so early in the morning.

the teacher began to go on about english studies and you tried your best to focus this time. to put in effort and change your lifestyle around. you're gonna be the best version of yourself, you're tired of trying to blend in and be accepted, and you will exceed in everything you do your studies, the way you carry yourself, everything. today was the day when you no longer lived in fear and humiliation. the new you was something you are ready for and you're starting to no longer care if others aren't. “y/n-ah!” your head snapped up to the teacher who smiled at you and pointed at your hair, “you look so handsome, wow.” to say your cheeks heat up in embarrassment was an understatement, the class had quiet giggles and all eyes were on you once again. you nodded your head and awkwardly cleared your throat. “let's see… how about you give me your take on individuality, in this case?” she points to the chalkboard where she wrote her previous inquisitions.

with a surge of determination, you straightened your posture, shedding the timid persona that had held you back for so long. just 24 hours ago, you were a different person, but now, you were ready to evolve. taking a deep breath, you began to speak, your voice steady and clear. "um, in this character's case, …she lacks the idea of being her own person. she feeds off of what her friends decide at every moment.." you carefully avoided eye contact with your classmates, focusing intently on your words. "meaning that she kinda sets herself up for disappointment when her results don't match her peers." as you finished speaking, you felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. your teacher's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and a moment of silence hung in the air before she responded, "perfect answer." the words hung in the air like a badge of honor, a testament to your growth and newfound confidence.

suddenly, her eyes darted to the other side of the classroom and her gleeful demeanor changed instantly to a sternful one. “you, bare-su, stand up.” everyone's eyes shot to the back of the class, except yours. “what's with ‘bare-su’?” she asks as he stands up and everyone laughs once again but a little louder now. as you stare out the window, the uncomfortable conversation fades into the background. you'd rather not dwell on the past or revisit old emotions.

the warm sunbeams streaming through the glass wrap around you, and your mind begins to wander. a familiar figure pedals into your daydream - the boy from the bike shop, with eyes like a fox and dark hair that makes your heart skip a beat. the memory of him is a balm to your soul, a sight that soothes your eyes and stirs your pulse. the thought of seeing him again sends a thrill through you, and you can't help but wonder when your paths will cross once more.

kyungho, kyungho, kyungho…

the name stuck to you while you gaze at nothing in the classroom. “oh yeah? what did y/n just say then?” the teacher's question cut through the air, snapping you back to reality as it echoed off the wooden classroom walls. suhyeok's eyes widened in surprise, his gaze fixed on you as if seeing you in a new light. your hair, styled differently, and your eyes, no longer hidden, seemed to have caught him off guard. as his gaze met yours, you quickly looked away, pretending not to care, trying to conceal the flutter in your chest. you didn't want him to think you still had feelings for him, that his presence still affected you.

“he uh… he said..”

just as suhyeok was about to speak, hyeonju burst into the classroom, her shocking appearance captivating everyone's attention. her face was pale, with blood trickling down her cheeks and lips. gasps filled the room as the teacher called out her name, but hyeonju collapsed to the ground, unresponsive. classmates rushed to her side, forming a circle around her as ms. park rushed to her aid. you remained seated, stunned, as ms. park cradled hyeonju's limp body, her face a picture of brutal injury. it looked like she had been hit by a car, with deep gashes and bruises covering her skin. the room was filled with worried murmurs and shocked expressions, as everyone struggled to process the scene unfolding before them.

you stood slowly from your seat when you heard someone ask their friend beside them “did she just say the science teacher drugged her?” your heart dropped. you had had some odd conversations with the science teacher before. him asking you to stay a bit after class and telling you if you felt like you needed to defend yourself from others, to always fight back, and then they’ll leave you alone.

little did he know that you have already done that and it still didn't exactly solve your crisis. you would just nod and awkwardly look away before saying you had to be home soon or else your father was going to come looking for you, even if you both knew, he probably wouldn't. on certain days, the man's demeanor shifted to one of frantic urgency, as he emphasized the harsh principles of survival of the fittest. his intensity was unsettling, leaving you concerned about his well-being. before you could ask if he was okay, he would dismiss you, leaving your questions unspoken. reflecting on these encounters, you revisited the memories, searching for any subtle signs that might have hinted at his inner turmoil.

“we gotta get her up, can you get up, hyeonju-ah?” the teacher tried speaking calmly, but every student in the room knew she was frightened just as much as you all were. “i'll carry her,” suhyeok offered, and began carrying the drifting girl on his back with isak and onjo following out shortly behind. ms. park closed the sliding door, leaving all the students to gather in small groups and discuss what they had just witnessed.

the lunch bell's gentle chime echoed through the school's corridors, signaling the start of the midday break. students sprang into action, eager to escape their classrooms. but you lingered, lost in thought, as you made your way out. questions swirled in your mind: what was wrong with hyeonju? why were people blaming the science teacher? would she recover? and then, a nagging doubt: was suhyeok really looking at me-

you looked up to see cheolsu, a quiet boy often overlooked by his peers, crumpled on the floor. he winced in pain, his eyes wide with surprise, as if your accidental stare had been a physical blow. "oh, cheolsu, are you okay?" you asked, offering a helping hand and lifting him up with ease. the height difference between you two was striking, with cheolsu's slouched posture making him appear even smaller. "ugh, s-sorry...i was in a rush," he stuttered, his eyes cast downward, a habitual gesture that spoke volumes about his struggles.

you shook your head and apologized, "no, sorry, my fault, I wasn't paying attention." as you took a deep breath, your gaze lingered on the scabs around his neck, a subtle hint of a hidden struggle. sensing your notice, he seemed to shield his secret, and you instinctively covered the area with a gentle touch, pretending to rub his neck. seeking to shift the focus, you asked, "heading to the cafeteria?" but he sidestepped your question, his eyes locking onto your hair as he asked, "what's up with your hair?" the familiar criticism stung, a reminder of the constant scrutiny you'd been facing.

“j-just uh,” you hesitate, “doing something different,” you responded while clearing your throat, trying oh so desperately to avoid the awkward ambiance. cheolsu stared at your new look for a few more seconds until he looked at something behind you, his eyes widened before moving to the wall quickly. bewildered by his action, turning to see someone you despised. myunghwan, walking with changhoon smirked as they looked in both of your directions.

your heart sank as you turned to face myunghwan, his smug expression making your blood boil. changhoon, walked alongside him, a sneer twisting his features. you felt cheolsu's tension beside you, his eyes fixed on the duo with a mixture of wariness and hostility.

"look at this," myungwhan stated. they snickered to one another. you rolled your eyes and looked away trying to keep yourself neutral despite the growing unease in your chest. myunghwan chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. his gaze roved over your new appearance, his expression dripping with disdain. "i see, you're trying to.. reinvent yourself," you rolled your eyes, fists clenched. “fuck off.”

but myunghwan just laughed, his eyes glinting with malice. "what, y/n? you gonna defend your new boyfriend? how cute.." you felt a surge of anger at his jab, but cheolsu's warning glance kept you from responding. changhoon, however, seemed eager to stir up more trouble. "yeah, what's going on between you two? you're not...together, are you?"

the air seemed to thicken with tension as myunghwan's smirk grew wider. you knew you had to defuse the situation before it escalated further. but how? you felt a familiar knot in your stomach as myunghwan's smirk seemed to grow roots, digging deeper into your skin. "what's going on here?" a soft voice interrupted, slicing through the thick air.

you turned to see a quiet figure emerging from the crowd, their eyes fixed on changhoon with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.

myunghwan's smirk faltered, and for a moment, you saw a glimmer of uncertainty. "just having a little chat," he said, his tone dripping with false nonchalance. the nurse's gaze lingered on myunghwan before shifting to you and cheolsu. "looks like a pretty one-sided conversation to me." the air seemed to vibrate with unspoken words, and you sensed a hidden dynamic at play. myunghwan's eyes narrowed, but the nurse's calm demeanor didn't waver. you looked down to see a rather odd looking infection on the nurses arm. her arm turning an almost black color, her neck twitching. cheolsu and you shared a look of concern, “um..m-miss…” cheolsu couldn't bring himself to ask so he simply pointed at her revealing forearm.

but before he could say another word, the nurse's eyes rolled back in her head, revealing only whites. her body began to twitch and convulse, her limbs flailing wildly like a puppet on a broken string. her skin turned a sickly shade of green, as moldy bread and dark veins bulge beneath the surface like twisted rivers. a low, guttural moan escaped her lips, growing louder and more menacing with each passing moment. she lunged at changhoon, her fingers grasping for his face like claws, her teeth snapping wildly with almost animalistic hunger. changhoon screamed, his voice high-pitched and terrified, as the nurse's zombie form tackled him to the ground. her hands closed around his head, her fingers digging into his hair like talons. cheolsu stumbled backward, tripping over his own feet as he desperately tried to escape the horror unfolding before him. his eyes were wide with fear, his face pale and sweaty. “what the…?”

suddenly the nurse took a huge chunk of the screaming boys cheek with her teeth. his screams reached new heights as he frantically tried to shake off the nurse's grip, but she held firm. his eyes widened in terror as he realized the nurse's eyes had turned a strange, almost feral gray. just as suddenly as it had begun, the nurse released her grip on the boy's cheek, and he stumbled backward, clutching at the wound. myungwhan saw the opportunity to shove her however, she had other plans. she rushed at him next but myungwhan turned around and shoved you while swiftly running away down the hallway. where many students were gathered around eyeing the intense and gorey happening just seconds ago. they all screamed and began to scatter, seeing that now changhoon was thrashing on the ground uncontrollably.

you hold your shoulder with your right hand, myungwhan had shoved you with full force causing your shoulder to ache and sting. you wince as you quickly gather yourself. you grabbed cheolsu’s arm, pulling him away from the chaos with a strength that was almost desperate. "we need to get out of here, now!" you yelled, dragging him down the hallway as the sound of the nurse's moans echoed behind you, growing fainter but no less terrifying.

cheolsu stumbled after you, your heart racing with fear. the hallway seemed to stretch on forever, the lockers and classrooms blurring together in a mad whirl of color and sound. you could hear the distant moans of people, growing fainter but still echoing through the corridors like a chilling reminder of the horror you'd just witnessed.

"wait, slow down!" he yelled, his voice hoarse from fear.

you didn't listen. your eyes were fixed on the outside quad, you could hear the distant moans and screams, growing louder with every step. you wrenched open the doors and shoved cheolsu first outside before you. "close it! close it!" you shouted, following close behind. as you shut the doors, you see students screaming inside and running into classrooms. panting, you gripped your shoulder once again in pain, while you both noticed people running away outside as well. “shit,” you cursed. “run! everyone run!” you turned to hear a girl screaming while running across the schools soccer field only to get tackled by two other bloodied peers. cheolsu shared a look with you before you both ran toward the outside set of stairs of the school as the infected horde burst through the doors you were once holding behind you.

climbing up the stairs, step by step, you felt weightless until a sudden jolt sent you flying. your body rolled and bounced, landing with a sickening crack on your shoulder. the pain was excruciating, and your scream echoed through the staircase as you finally came to rest at the bottom. gritting your teeth, you opened your eyes to see the cause of your fall: a girl with black braided pigtails, her leg twisted at an unnatural angle, bone protruding from her skin. her eyes, bloodshot and wild, locked onto yours as she gurgled and began to crawl towards you with an unnatural speed. you rolled onto your side, desperate to escape, but she climbed on top of you, her grip on your sweater tightening as she pulled herself up to your face. with a surge of adrenaline, you grabbed a nearby rock with your one good hand and swung it behind you, connecting with a sickening crunch.

in a stroke of luck, the rock sent the girl flying onto the grass, momentarily freeing you. as you gazed up, cheolsu remained paralyzed on the same step, his eyes wide with shock. “cheolsu, help-” you yelled, but the girl latched onto your ankle, attempting to sink her teeth in. you grunted, shaking her off with a series of swift kicks. cheolsu's horror-stricken expression lingered as the girl scaled you once more, her relentless grip unyielding. trying to wriggle free from the girls grasps, you look around quickly to find anything to get away.

just as all hope seemed lost, a fleeing girl accidentally collides with your attacker, diverting her attention. seizing the opportunity, you broke free from the infected girl's grasp. you looked up to see cheolsu's fleeting glance before he turned tail and sprinted up the stairs, abandoning you. “wait, w-where are you going?” you shouted, alarm rising in your voice.

as cheolsu vanished from sight, you sprang to your feet, still reeling from the harrowing encounter. but your relief was short-lived, as another classmate - bloodied and bizarre - began to stir across the school yard. his eyes locked onto yours with a menacing glare, and he charged towards you with a ferocious intensity, plowing through others in his path. his bloody mouth twisted into a snarl as he sprinted closer, and you gasped in terror, bracing yourself for the impending impact. but just as he launched himself into the air, something unexpected happened - a shocking savior appeared out of nowhere, sparing you from the brink of disaster. your eyes widened in astonishment as you turned to behold the last person you ever expected to save your skin.

“we gotta move! come on,” suhyeok grabbed your good arm and pulled you alongside him. you grunted while running feeling a sharp pain every time you moved your body to keep up. you noticed he wasn't alone, choi namra was beside him as well. you never seen her face in any other emotion besides serious. right now, it was horrified.

"what's.. what the fuck is going on?" you panted, wincing in pain as suhyeok's grip tightened around your arm. "what's happening to everyone?"

suhyeok didn't answer, his eyes fixed on some point ahead as he dragged you through the chaotic school yard. choi namra kept pace beside him, her horrified expression never wavering. her eyes darted towards you, and for a fleeting moment, you saw a flicker of concern before her mask of seriousness slipped back into place.

"let me fucking go!" you demanded, trying to keep up with suhyeok's frantic pace. you ripped your arm away from him as you kept running.

"hurry up,," he gritted out, his jaw clenched in determination. "we need to get out of here, now." as you ran, the sounds of mayhem grew louder - screams, crashes, and an eerie, unsettling laughter that sent shivers down your spine. you risked a glance over your shoulder, and what you saw made your blood run cold. the school yard was descending into chaos. students were attacking each other, their eyes vacant, their movements jerky and unnatural. some teachers tried to intervene, but they were vastly outnumbered. the once-familiar surroundings were now a war zone, with desks overturned, windows shattered, and debris scattered everywhere.

suhyeok yanked you back into a sprint, his grip on your arm like a vice. "don't look back!" he yelled. "keep moving!" choi namra kept pace beside him, her eyes scanning their surroundings with a mix of fear and determination. "we need to find a safe place to hide," she shouted above the din. suhyeok nodded, his eyes fixed on a point ahead. "there!"

he led you towards the ladder that was leading up to a window in the school building. you all rushed towards it, once close enough you pushed namra to go first, “go, try to open-”

“no, its not safe. i'll go,” suhyeok states before moving her aside and beginning to climb the ladder, you attempted to hold back an eye-roll. if namra and you were down by where the crazy students were, how were you guys safer..?

you didn't ask the question aloud, as there was no time to bicker over insignificant things. suddenly, you seen two figures barreling towards you and namra. “namra, go up, now!” you grabbed her hand and hoisted her onto the ladder, “go! climb!” you seen suhyeok was being pulled into the window, quickly going back to reach for namra. as namra's feet disappeared into the window, you felt a surge of relief wash over you. but it was short-lived, as you saw suhyeok's eyes widen in terror. "hurry! hurry!" he shouted, his voice strained. you turned to him and tried as quickly as possible to climb with two legs and one working arm. you could hear then snarling as you went upward, when you start to feel the ladder tipping back and forth. the weight of the two men making the ladder almost fold under the pressure, “come on! you got it!”

suhyeoks voice rung through your ears, the burning in your shoulder making you wanna just give up, as you reach your arm for the next step, you suddenly feel yourself being grabbed and hoisted upwards. your body feeling light when you came through the window. suhyeok pulled you with all his might and the pull carried you both to the nearby wall. you stumbled into your dimly lit english classroom, gasping for breath. suhyeok slammed the windows shut behind you, leaning against them to catch his breath. choi namra stood guard, her eyes fixed on the doors as if waiting for the inevitable. you leaned against a nearby wall, your mind reeling with questions.

“so? whats going on out there?” nayeon asked impatiently. out of breath, you held onto to your shoulder gently. everyone out of breath or staring was quiet. no one dared to speak. “are you deaf?” she shouted with a voice crack.

“shut up,” you muttered. everyone's eyes were glued to you now. “what?” she asked with disbelief, folding her arms over her chest. you closed your eyes while holding in tears because of the pain in your shoulder. “i said…shut up.” you repeated with vigor this time. standing upwards nonchalantly while looking at the doors who were being held by your classmates. “oh you little piece of-”

“stop it! both of you! now's not the time for this!” jimin shouted. you winced again with a heavy breath this time. once again all the attention turned towards you. “what happened to you?” onjo asked while walking towards you, only to be stopped by her best friend, cheongsan. onjo glared at him before removing his arm, however choosing to still stand beside him.

“i fell,” they stared at you for more information, “down the stairs outside. one of those..things tackled me.” upon being further informed the students all seemed to be getting more nervous.

“oh..my god. what the hell are they?”

the two girls huddled in the corner with freak-struck facial expressions. meanwhile gyeongsu looked like his arms were gonna break from holding the door from opening. “don't you know? theyre.. zombies.”

[nanawiin]

my ask box is open for all of us are dead male characters x reader, you can send me fanfic ideas

I will write for:

Cheongsan

Gyeongsu

Gwi Nam

Suhyeok

And maybe will write for the other boys

((I also accept smut requests))

[juicyvrse]

untamed desolation overview!

PAIRING ・❥・ lee suhyeok x quiet male!reader

GENRE ・❥・ strangers to lovers au, a little fluffy and angsty sometimes.

SUMMARY ・❥・ M/N was a typical student at hyosan high, kind of rude and bitchy, or so everyone thought. in reality though, M/N was a really timid person inside who played a persona to get by in school. But, one faithful day a little while after his good friend Jin-su disappeared would change his life forever

warnings ・❥・ i may or may not change the story around a little, but other than that this book contains spoilers and may be inappropriate for younger readers.

Story!

CH 1 : 01

CH 2 : n/a

CH 3 : n/a

stay tuned lovies!!❤️

[justice4gyeongsu]

━━━ 'CHAPTER FOURTEEN' [WHEN DAWN BREAKS]

SYNOPSIS ➢ an old friend becomes a new person of interest, not everyone is happy about it.

PAIRING ➢ lee suhyeok x male!reader

AU ➢ enemies-to-lovers au!

CONTENT WARNING ➢ this chapter contains; flashbacks, violence, alot of angst, signs of depression, jealousy, signs of ptsd, intimate scenes, fluff sprinkles, anxiety mentions, barely legal drinking, flirting, death, reoccuring ptsd, mentions of gore, blood, cannibalism [let me know if i missed any!]

NEXT I PREVIOUS

after trudging through the desolate streets for what feels like an eternity, the group finally reaches a critical juncture. you're walking behind kyungho, your senses on high alert as you tiptoe down the empty street. everyone's weapons are at the ready, prepared for a potential ambush by a horde of zombies. kyungho suddenly stops and leans against the building, peeking around the corner. the rest of the group follows suit, pressing themselves against the wall as they wait for kyungho's signal to proceed.

kyungho drapes his arm over your shoulder, gently guiding you to take a look at what's ahead. you carefully peer around the corner, your katana clutched tightly in your hand. kyungho's face is inches from yours, his warm breath on your skin as he points down the street. "there's two of them down the street," he whispers, "but the store is right there." he nods toward the back of a two-story building situated in the middle of the street. your heart skips a beat as you take in the sight, your stomach growling with anticipation at the prospect of finding food and shelter.

kyungho begins to outline his plan, "if i head over to unlock the door, you have to protect my—" but he's cut off by suhyeok's sudden bold move. suhyeok sprints down the street, bat in hand, and strikes the ground once, as if to announce his presence. then, with swift and deadly precision, he takes down the two zombies, smashing their faces with his bat as they crumple to the ground.

the group watches in awe, peeking around the corner to take in the scene. kyungho's eyes widen in surprise, and he chuckles, "or he can just do that." the tension is broken, and the group quickly scatters, moving towards the store. wujin, cheongsan, and suhyeok form a rear guard, watching the group's backs with their baseball bats at the ready, ensuring no other zombies sneak up on them. meanwhile, kyungho swiftly retrieves the keys from his bag and unlocks the door. he gently pushes you inside by the waist, ushering you into the safety of the store.

as you step inside, you're enveloped in darkness, the only light coming from candles scattered around the store and the faint slivers of sunlight peeking through the newspaper-covered windows. the air is stale, but the store seems quiet, a haven from the dangers outside.

as the last person steps inside, kyungho secures the door by wrapping a sturdy chain around the handle and locking it with a massive lock. the sound of the lock clicking into place is music to everyone's ears, and they let out a collective sigh of relief. as they look around, their eyes widen in shock and amazement. the store is a treasure trove of food and drinks, with fully stocked aisles and corners filled with cold beverages. "dig in, guys," kyungho says with a smile, patting your back softly as he walks by.

the group erupts into a frenzy of activity, scrambling to grab as much food and drink as they can. you sprint to the drink section and find the largest water bottle you can, twisting off the cap and chugging the water greedily. some of it spills down your neck, but you don't care – the refreshing taste is like heaven.

daesu's voice rings out across the store, "where's the ramyun?!" he shouts, racing through the aisles until he spots an entire section dedicated to his beloved noodles. he drops to his knees, overcome with emotion, and begins to sob. "thank you, god," he whispers, his hands clasped together in gratitude.

meanwhile, namra stands off to the side, observing the chaos with a detached air. her stomach growls with hunger, but she's not craving the usual food that would normally satisfy her. she's developed a strange, unsettling appetite, one that she can't quite explain. as she scans the surrounding area, she strains her ears to listen for any signs of movement or potential threats outside. but the only sounds she can hear are the contented noises of her companions: the smacking of lips, the gulping of drinks, and the groans of pleasure as they devour their food.

hroryeong's voice breaks the spell, "i could actually cry," she says, her eyes welling up with tears as she savors a full chocolate bar. sure enough, she begins to sob, overcome with emotion. wujin offers her a sympathetic pat on the back before chugging a soda bottle, some of the fizzy drink spilling onto the floor as he does so.

kyungho double-checks the security of the front doors now, tugging on the handles and jiggling them to ensure they're securely locked in place. he tests the doors, pulling and pushing to confirm that they don't budge, his actions methodical and deliberate as he makes certain that the group's temporary sanctuary is safe and secure.

you're winded by the time you've made it halfway through the bottle, and you lean against the cold beverage door to catch your breath. as you pause, your mind begins to wander to all the peers you've lost, and the fact that they'll never get to experience this moment of relief with you. the thought brings a pang of sadness, and you feel a lump form in your throat.

you make a silent vow to yourself to consume everything in their honor, a way of celebrating their memory and the struggles you've overcome. as you turn around, you're met with namra's gentle gaze, and she offers you a twinkie. you look up at her, and she hands you the snack, her slender fingers brushing against yours.

"thanks," you say softly, your voice barely above a whisper. namra's response is a small, enigmatic smile – a smile that you'll come to recognize as her signature expression.

as you gaze at namra, her eyes fixed on the ground, you pose a question that seems to have been avoided by everyone around you. "you okay?" the words hang in the air, heavy with unspoken concerns. namra's silence is palpable, but instead of responding, she reaches out and grasps your hand, her fingers intertwining with yours.

without a word, she leads you to the front of the store, where newspaper-covered windows block our view of the outside world. the air is thick with tension as she stops in front of the makeshift barrier. "if you need me to scout out supplies, i can do it without putting anyone at risk of getting caught," she says, her voice low and determined. you sense a deep-seated resolve in her words, a willingness to take on the challenges that lie ahead. "i'll come with you," you offer, but namra's expression turns resolute as she shakes her head. "too much of a risk," she whispers, her eyes locked onto yours, conveying a depth of understanding that goes unspoken.

as you begin to inquire about namra's hunger, the creaking of a door opening captures your attention, and you turn to see a doorway on the opposite side of the store. a steep staircase leads up to the second floor, and kyungho gestures toward it with a gracious smile. "there are beds upstairs, you're all welcome to rest there," he says, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "i'll be keeping watch down here, behind the register."

you return his smile, feeling a sense of gratitude toward this stranger who has taken you in. "thank you, that's sweet of you," you say, as you gently tug on namra's hand, encouraging her to follow you upstairs. the prospect of rest and a safe haven is a welcome respite, and you can sense namra's reluctance giving way to exhaustion as she allows you to lead her toward the staircase.

as you begin to ascend the stairs, the creaking of the wooden steps beneath your feet echoes through the quiet space. namra follows closely behind, her eyes fixed on the stairs ahead. you can sense her weariness, her body language screaming for rest. the upstairs area is dimly lit, with only a few faint rays of light peeking through the grimy windows. you see a few beds scattered about, each one neatly made with a thin blanket. the air is stale, but it's quiet and peaceful, a welcome respite from the chaos outside.

kyungho calls out from downstairs, "make yourselves at home." he points to a small area that you realized was a bathroom. "if you guys need to freshen up, there a shower."

"you're saying there's a shower?" you ask, your eyes widening in astonishment. the mere mention of it is almost too good to be true. you can't recall the last time you had the luxury of a shower, and the thought of being clean again is almost overwhelming. the group's collective stench had become a norm, something you'd all grown accustomed to.

kyungho nods, a charming smile spreading across his face as he leans against the doorway, his arms crossed. he seems to be savoring your reaction, and you can't help but laugh, a delirious, disbelieving sound. kyungho joins in, his laughter warm and genuine. "man, you guys have probably been through a lot," he says, shaking his head in sympathy. namra, who had been watching the exchange, turns to you and whispers that she'll go share the good news with the others.

as namra heads off to spread the news, you can't help but feel a sense of excitement and trepidation. a shower sounds like a luxury, but it's also a reminder of how long it's been since you've had access to basic amenities. you glance over at kyungho, who's still smiling at you, and feel a sense of gratitude toward this stranger who's offering you a glimmer of hope. "thank you," you say, your voice sincere. "this means a lot to us." kyungho's smile widens, and he nods, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "you're welcome," he says. "i'm just glad i can help. now, go enjoy that shower. you've earned it."

"that'd be nice, but i think i'll let the girls go first," you say, as you wander into one of the rooms, taking stock of the space. you notice that there are more than enough mattresses for everyone, and a sense of relief washes over you. kyungho observes your actions, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.

"what a gentleman," he teases, his voice laced with a playful tone, as he leans against the doorway, watching you with a warm smile.

his words bring a flush to your cheeks, but you can't help but smile, feeling a sense of gratitude toward this kind stranger who's taking you in. you shrug off the compliment, feeling a slight blush rise to your cheeks. "its common sense," you say, attempting to downplay kyungho's praise. but he just chuckles and nods, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "well, whatever your motivations are, it's appreciated," he says, pushing off from the doorway and heading back toward the stairs. "i'll go get some more blankets, get comfortable." he disappears down the stairs, leaving you to continue exploring the makeshift shelter.

as kyungho descends the stairs, you take a moment to look around the room again, this time noticing the small details that make it feel more like a home. there's a small bookshelf in the corner, filled with worn paperbacks and dog-eared pages. a faded rug covers the floor, adding a touch of warmth to the space.

you hear the sound of footsteps coming from the stairs, and as the group makes their way upstairs, their faces light up with wonder and relief. the sight of a functional bathroom and comfortable sleeping quarters is almost too good to be true. wujin, ever the enthusiastic one, can't contain his excitement. "i call the first shower!" he shouts, already making a beeline for the bathroom. but before he can take another step, hari reaches out and grabs his ear, pulling him back with a playful scold. "women go first, idiot," mijin chimes in, her voice dripping with amusement and a hint of teasing. wujin rubs his ear, looking sheepish, but can't help grinning at the good-natured ribbing.

you can't help but laugh at the lighthearted exchange between wujin and the others. meanwhile, cheongsan and suhyeok wander into the adjacent room, their eyes scanning the space filled with beds. suhyeok lets out a deep sigh of relief, his shoulders sagging as he takes in the cozy atmosphere. "this is gonna be so nice," he breathes, his voice filled with gratitude.

as the group begins to settle in, they all remove their shoes and leave them outside in the hallway, a habitual gesture that speaks to their growing sense of comfort and security. the tension and wariness that had been palpable just hours before seem to be melting away, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and shared relief.

onjo takes charge, assigning the rooms with a practical sense of fairness. "the girls will take this room, and the boys can take that one," she declares, pointing to the room closest to the bathroom. the others nod in agreement, and the group begins to settle into their respective spaces.

just then, the sound of footsteps echoes up the stairs once more. kyungho appears, his arms laden with a pile of knitted blankets. "hey, i found a few more blankets," he announces, offering them up to the group. "anyone who tends to get cold can grab another one."

you consider reaching for an extra blanket, but then think better of it, realizing that some of the girls might need it more than you. and indeed, they quickly claim most of the blankets, leaving only two remaining in kyungho's hands. cheongsan notices your ripped shirt and gestures for you to take one of the remaining blankets. "you should get one, y/n," he suggests, his expression concerned. you nod, feeling a bit self-conscious about your torn clothing. you walk over to kyungho, giving him a smile as you take one of the blue blankets from his outstretched hand.

daesu's eyes light up with a warm smile as he whispers to himself, "kyungho's so nice." wujin catches the comment and nods in agreement, a matching smile spreading across his face. however, suhyeok's expression takes a different turn. his eyes narrow, and his face clouds with suspicion as he notices kyungho's gaze lingering on you. his eyes flicker with unease, and he seems to be sizing up the situation.

kyungho, oblivious to suhyeok's concerns, continues to offer his hospitality. "whoever is showering first can go ahead," he says, his eyes scanning the group. "i can hand-wash your clothing and leave it out to dry. in the meantime, there are clothes in the drawers in your rooms. i'm sure they belonged to the people who owned this place before, but they would've wanted you all to wear them." the group exchanges warm smiles and nods, grateful for kyungho's kindness. hroryeong's face lights up with a shy smile as she thanks kyungho again for saving them. kyungho responds with a thumbs-up and a reassuring smile. "no worries, really. you guys are all doing me a favor by not letting me be lonely," he says, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

the boys chuckle at kyungho's comment, but suhyeok remains stoic, his expression unreadable. the group's laughter and chatter fill the air as they begin to settle in, the warmth and comfort of their new surroundings slowly seeping in. kyungho watches them with a gentle smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he takes in the scene.

as the girls start to make their discussion on the bathroom, eager to take advantage of the shower, kyungho turns to you and asks, "do you need anything?" his voice is low and considerate, and you feel a sense of gratitude toward him.

meanwhile, suhyeok's eyes never leave kyungho's face, his expression a mask of suspicion and wariness. it's clear that he’s still not convinced of kyungho's intentions. "no, it's okay, i'm good," you say, waving your hand dismissively. "i'm just ready to get out of these clothes." you gesture to your dirty, torn clothing, feeling a sense of self-consciousness about your appearance.

kyungho's eyes follow your gesture, and he takes a step closer to you. he reaches out and gently takes hold of the torn part of your shirt, his index and middle fingers loosely grasping the fabric. "yeah, looks like you've been through a lot," he says, his voice filled with empathy. as he speaks, kyungho tilts his head to get a better look at the damage. his eyes scan the torn fabric, and then drift to the scratches on your skin, visible through the tears.

suhyeok's interruption grabbed both of your attention. "is the backdoor downstairs the only exit?" he asks, his eyes locked intently on kyungho. you turn to look at suhyeok, but only for a brief moment, before your gaze drifts back to kyungho. there's something about kyungho's calm and gentle demeanor that puts you at ease, and you find yourself drawn to him.

kyungho's expression changes, a flicker of surprise crossing his face, before he quickly composes himself. he points to the rooms, his gesture expansive. "besides the windows that slide open, yeah," he explains. "you're more than welcome to go out through the front door, but if any of them see you out there, you'd bring them right to the rest of us." kyungho's voice is laced with concern, and it's clear that he's thinking about their safety. suhyeok's question has brought a sense of unease to the group, and you can't help but wonder what's behind suhyeok's inquiry.

kyungho's question hangs in the air, and everyone's eyes turn to suhyeok, waiting for his response. "were you thinking of leaving?" kyungho asks, his tone neutral, but his eyes searching for answers.

suhyeok's expression is inscrutable, his arms crossing over his chest as he responds with a curt, "just curious." the words are dismissive, but the tension in his body language suggests that there's more to it. without another word, suhyeok turns and walks into the boys' room, leaving the rest of the group to wonder about his intentions. a small flag pops up in your mind, warning you that there's more to suhyeok's question than meets the eye. you're not sure what's driving his curiosity, but you have a feeling that it's not just idle wondering.

hroryeong's voice rings out, announcing that she's taking the first shower. you take the opportunity to head into the boys' room, where you see that most of the guys have already staked their claims on the beds by placing their weapons beside them.

you make your way to the bed that's deepest in the room and place your katana down beside it, claiming it as your own. as you look around, you notice daesu standing by the sliding windows, his eyes gazing out at something in the distance. his expression is melancholic, and you can sense a deep sadness emanating from him.

just then, wujin's voice cuts through the air, grabbing everyone's attention. "who wants to take the first shower after the girls finish?" he asks, his eyes scanning the room. you look up at wujin and shrug, "cheongsan should. he did a lot for us," you say, nodding in cheongsan's direction. suhyeok chimes in, his voice a little softer than usual, "yeah, cheongsan, you go first."

daesu lets out a deep sigh, his arms folding over his head as he complains, "man, it was really warm outside." his voice is laced with a whiny tone, and wujin can't help but grimace in response.

wujin's eyes dart to daesu, and he covers his nose, his voice muffled as he says, "maybe daesu should go first..." the suggestion is met with a chorus of agreements from the other boys, including you, as the pungent aroma wafting from daesu's armpits begins to fill the room. daesu's expression turns defensive, his arms slowly lowering as he accuses wujin, "stop lying! you can't even smell anything." wujin's face scrunches up in indignation, and he begins to argue, "why would i lie?" the two boys start to bicker back and forth, their voices rising in a comedic display of denial and accusation.

you step out of the shower, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. the warm water has washed away the dirt and grime of the day, leaving you feeling clean and revitalized. your damp hair clings to your face, and you try to push it back, away from your forehead. you're surprised to notice that your hair seems longer when it's wet, and you make a mental note to get it cut soon.

you slide open the wooden door to the boys' bedroom, expecting to see the others lounging around. but to your surprise, the room is empty. you assume that everyone must be downstairs, and you're left alone in the quiet, peaceful space.

you look down at your outfit, feeling the soft, lightweight fabric of the plain dark blue pajama shirt and pants. it's a simple but comfortable ensemble, and you appreciate the feeling of the gentle cotton against your skin. you take a deep breath, feeling relaxed and at ease, and begin to make your way downstairs to join the others.

you make your way down the stairs, and your eyes scan the room, taking in the scene. some of the girls are gathered around kyungho, their faces aglow with excitement as they listen to him talk about his studies. they're practically swooning over his every word, and you can't help but chuckle at the sight.

your gaze drifts to the corner of the room, where hari and mijin are sitting together, chatting quietly. they're both smiling, and their body language suggests that they're having a relaxed and enjoyable conversation. you continue to scan the room, searching for wujin. you spot him and cheongsan standing in front of a shelf, engaged in a heated debate. they're arguing over which brand of garlic chips is superior, and their voices are rising in excitement.

you call out to wujin, letting him know that it's his turn to take a shower. his face lights up, and he instantly tosses the bags of chips to cheongsan. "i'll be right back!" he exclaims, before turning and making a beeline for the stairs. wujin's enthusiasm is palpable, and he's in such a hurry that he trips twice on the stairs before he reaches the bathroom. you can't help but laugh at his antics, and you shake your head in amusement.

as wujin disappears, you can't help but smile at his energetic behavior. you turn your attention back to the rest of the group, noticing that kyungho is still regaling the girls with stories of his studies. hari and mijin are still chatting quietly in the corner, looking relaxed and comfortable.

cheongsan, on the other hand, is still standing in front of the shelf, looking triumphant as he holds up the bags of garlic chips. he catches your eye and grins, clearly proud of having won the argument with wujin.

you chuckle to yourself, feeling grateful for the sense of camaraderie and friendship that's developed within the group. despite the challenges and dangers you've faced, you're all managing to find moments of joy and laughter together. as you continue to observe the group, you notice that suhyeok is still sitting off to the side, looking a bit subdued.

you feel a pang of frustration with yourself as you realize that your heart is trying to get the better of you. you're drawn to suhyeok, despite his odd behavior, and you find yourself wanting to check in on him, to make sure he's okay. you curse your heart for its weakness, and force yourself to look away, trying to ignore the concern that's rising up inside you.

just then, cheongsan speaks up, his voice low and understanding. "he's gonna be alright," he says, his eyes following your gaze to suhyeok. "i think he's stressing because this wasn't part of the plan."

cheongsan's words are like a splash of cold water, bringing you back to reality. you realize that suhyeok's behavior is likely due to the unexpected turn of events, and that he's probably just feeling overwhelmed. you nod in understanding, trying to push aside your concern for suhyeok and focus on the bigger picture.

you turn to cheongsan, your eyes filled with hope as you ask, "you think we can reach the mountain?" your voice is laced with a mix of worriesome and trepidation, and you can't help but feel a sense of uncertainty. cheongsan's expression is reassuring, and he nods confidently. "we'll make it, all of us," he says, his voice firm and resolute. "so stop worrying so much about it." he adds, his tone playful as he reaches out to push your shoulder gently.

you nod, trying to muster up a smile, but it's tinged with worry. you can't shake off the feeling of unease, and you're not sure if you'll really be able to make it to the mountain safely. but with cheongsan's reassurance, you try to push aside your doubts and focus on the task at hand.

"have you seen namra?" you ask cheongsan, and he points to the front of the store. you follow his gesture and see namra kneeling beside a small bonsai plant. the plant looks like it was carefully tended to before the apocalypse, and you can't help but wonder who might have been growing it.

you approach namra quietly, but she turns around before you can sneak up on her. "how'd you know i was behind you?" you ask, feeling a little surprised.

namra's response is casual, but it sends a flutter through your chest. "i recognize your steps," she says. "you always step like you're careful something might jump in front of you." her words are simple, but they reveal a level of awareness and attention to detail that makes you feel seen. you kneel down beside her, feeling a little self-conscious about your habits. "i guess it's a bad habit," you say, clearing your throat. you both sit there in silence for a moment, looking at the bonsai plant. the quiet is comfortable, and you feel a sense of ease with namra that you don't always feel with others.

namra's eyes are fixed on your face as you gently rub the leaves of the bonsai tree, oblivious to her gaze. she takes a moment to glance behind her, noticing suhyeok sitting on an upside-down bucket, staring at his knuckles. he's wearing an all-white thin pajama set, and namra can't help but think that he looks softer, more vulnerable, in white.

she turns her attention back to you, her expression careful. "he likes you," she says, her voice low and matter-of-fact. you snap your head towards her, your eyes wide with surprise. "wait, really? you think so?" you ask, your voice filled with excitement.

namra nods, her expression serious. "he cares a lot about you. did you know that?" she asks, her voice soft. you look around, as if checking to make sure no one is listening, before responding.

"well," you say, a smile spreading across your face, "i thought maybe he was into guys, but i wasn't sure." you admit, shrugging. namra's expression changes to one of disbelief and confusion. "you weren't sure?" she asks, her voice incredulous. you nod, matter-of-factly. "yeah, it's kinda hard to tell."

namra's eyes sparkle with curiosity as she asks, "even after he kissed you?" her words are innocent, but they send a shockwave through you. you stop dead in your tracks, turning to her with a confused expression. "what did you just say?" you ask, blinking rapidly as you try to process her words.

namra's face flushes with embarrassment, and she looks away, her voice barely above a whisper. "i saw, i'm sorry, i didn't mean to." she's clearly uncomfortable, and you can tell she didn't mean to spill the beans. your mind is reeling as you try to understand what's going on. "what? kyungho didn't kiss me?" you ask, feeling bewildered. namra's expression changes to one of confusion, and she looks back at you. "kyungho?" she repeats, clearly unsure what you're talking about. you nod, waiting for her to explain what she meant. your heart is racing with anticipation, and you can't help but wonder who she's talking about. it couldnt be..could it?

namra's words hang in the air like a challenge, and your entire world freezes in that moment. "i'm talking about... suhyeok," she finally says, her voice barely above a whisper. you're stunned, unsure of how she could possibly know about the kiss. it was in the middle of the night, and you thought you two were being quiet.

your mind is racing with questions, but before you can even process your thoughts, namra speaks up again. "i won't tell anyone if you don't want me to," she says, her expression reassuring. she can see the shock and confusion written all over your face, and she's trying to put you at ease.

you blink slowly, still trying to wrap your head around the fact that namra knows about the kiss. "how...?" you ask softly, your voice barely above a whisper. namra takes a deep breath before explaining, her words spilling out in a gentle rush. "i couldn't sleep that night," she says. "i heard and saw everything that happened."

you let out a sigh and bury your face in your arms, still kneeling on the ground. namra's hand finds its way to the top of yours, and she gives it a gentle squeeze. you feel a sense of comfort from her touch, and her words that follow only add to the feeling.

"i could hear his heart beating," she says softly. "it was steady throughout most of it." you lift your head, confusion etched on your face. "..so?" you ask, seeking clarity on what she's trying to say.

namra's gaze drifts behind her, to where suhyeok is sitting, looking troubled. "which means he wasnt lying," you follow her line of sight, and your gaze softens as you take in the sight of him. suddenly, flashbacks of the two of you walking home together every day flood your mind. the feeling of safety and friendship that you experienced during those walks blossoms in your chest, and you can't help but feel a sense of affection towards suhyeok.

you continue, your voice barely above a whisper. "then you'd also know how he was scared to be seen with me..." you bring your fist to your heart, feeling it racing in your chest. you're not sure what emotion is causing it, but you know you need to calm down. as you speak, you can feel a lump forming in your throat, and your eyes start to well up with tears. you bite back a pout, trying to hold back the emotions that are threatening to overwhelm you. your eye line begins to water, and you look away, trying to compose yourself. the memory of suhyeok's fear of being seen with you is still raw, and it's clear that it's still affecting you deeply.

you take a deep breath, trying to calm down and process your emotions. namra's hand is still on top of yours, and she gives it a gentle squeeze, offering you comfort and support.

"hey, it's okay," she says softly, her voice full of empathy. "he was scared, but that doesn't mean he didn't care about you. people are complicated, and sometimes they do things that hurt us without meaning to." you look up at namra, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her. she's always been a good listener, and her words of wisdom are just what you need to hear right now.

you take another deep breath, feeling your emotions begin to settle. you look over at suhyeok, who's still sitting on the bucket, looking troubled. you can't help but wonder what's going through his mind, and whether he's still scared of being seen with you. namra's words are cryptic, and you look at her with confusion. "i asked him... back at the storage closet," she says, leaving you wondering what she's talking about.

but then she adds, "i asked if he liked you," and your eyes go wide with surprise. you're eager to hear more, and you wait with bated breath for namra to continue.

however, suhyeok's name is called out by daesu, and he reluctantly gets up to head over. namra's gaze follows him, but then she turns back to you. "what did he say?" you ask, staring into her eyes, hoping to find some answers. namra's expression is sympathetic, and she says, "he didn't say anything." you sigh, feeling a pang of disappointment. but then namra adds, "but, he looked at me and i heard his heart beat rise quickly." her words are like a ray of hope, and you can't help but feel a spark of achievement.

you feel a flutter in your chest as you process namra's words. the fact that suhyeok's heart beat rose quickly when she asked him about you suggests that he might have feelings for you after all.

you look over at suhyeok, who's now talking to daesu, and you can't help but wonder what's going through his mind. does he really like you? and if so, why hasn't he said anything?

namra's hand is still on top of yours, and she gives it a gentle squeeze. "don't worry," she says softly. "i'm sure he'll come around eventually." you nod, feeling a sense of gratitude towards namra. she's always been a good friend to you, and her words of encouragement mean a lot. as you continue to talk to namra, you can't help but steal glances at suhyeok, wondering what the future might hold for the two of you.

you pause, collecting your thoughts before speaking. "it's not that," you say, your voice barely above a whisper. namra looks at you curiously, sensing that there's more to your words.

you take a deep breath, hesitating for a moment before admitting the truth. "i'm not sure if i even want him anymore," you say, your voice laced with uncertainty. namra's expression changes, and she looks at you with surprise. she didn't expect you to say that, and you can tell she's wondering what's going through your mind. you look away, feeling a little vulnerable. you're not sure why you're unsure about suhyeok. you care about him deeply, but you're not sure if your feelings for him are romantic. you're confused, and you don't know what to do.

namra's expression softens, and she nods understandingly. "it's okay to be unsure," she says gently. "feelings can be complicated, and it's normal to take time to figure them out."

you nod, feeling a sense of relief wash over you. it's nice to know that namra understands, and that you're not alone in your confusion. "do you think... he'd wait for me to figure things out?" you ask hesitantly, looking over at suhyeok, who's still talking to daesu. namra follows your gaze, and then turns back to you. "i think he might," she says with a small smile.

you can't help but laugh as you wipe your eyes, making sure no tears fall. "when did you become a love doctor?" you ask, amusement dancing in your voice. you scoff and look away, a small smile still playing on your lips. namra's eyes sparkle with mirth as she catches your teasing tone. "did you just scoff at me? ms. namra?" you tease her further, trying to stifle a grin. namra shakes her head, a smile still plastered on her face. she stands up, her movements fluid and effortless. "you're ridiculous," she says, her voice laced with affection. she looks down at you, her eyes shining with warmth. "but i'm always here for you, no matter how ridiculous you get deskmate."

namra offers you her hand, and you take it with a smile, feeling a sense of gratitude and affection towards her. "likewise," you say, your voice sincere.

but then namra's expression changes, and she whispers a name that makes your heart skip a beat. "so... kyungho?" she says, a small smile playing on her lips. your ears turn bright red as you realize that you've unintentionally shared your secret crush. you feel a wave of embarrassment wash over you, and you look away, trying to play it cool. but it's too late, namra's already seen the look on your face, and she knows that you have feelings for kyungho.

you try to brush it off, but namra's knowing gaze makes you feel like you've been caught red-handed. you can't believe you let your secret slip out, and now namra knows that you have a crush on kyungho.

namra's smile grows wider, and she gives your hand a gentle squeeze. "don't worry, your secret is safe with me," she whispers, her voice full of amusement. you look at her, feeling a mix of relief and embarrassment. you're glad that namra is being understanding, but you're still mortified that you let your secret slip out.

"thanks," you say, your voice barely above a whisper. namra nods, still smiling, and you can't help but wonder what she's thinking.

you hear a familiar voice calling out to you, and you turn to see horyeong smiling and waving you over to her. "y/n-ie!" she exclaims, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. you can't help but notice kyungho standing on the other side of the register, his muscular arms and chest on full display in his muscle shirt. hari, mijin, and horyeong are all gazing at him with interest, and you find yourself sneaking a few peeks as well.

mijin smirks at you, "kyungho-nim is gonna pour us some drinks." she says, and you raise an eyebrow in surprise. "really?" you ask, looking around at the others. daesu stands up, enthusiasm written all over his face. "count me in!" he exclaims, raising a finger in the air. hari chimes in, "add two more," with a nonchalant nod in kyungho's direction.

kyungho smiles at hari, "you got it," and begins mixing drinks with a combination of soju and beer. you watch with curiosity, unsure of what to expect. as someone who's recently come of age to drink legally, you've never really had the opportunity to try alcohol before. your father's struggles with alcoholism had always made you wary of drinking, but now you're not so sure.

hroryeong's bright smile is infectious as she asks loudly, "onjo, you want one?" she's clearly excited, and you can't help but notice that she seems happier than usual. you attribute it to the presence of kyungho, who's still busy mixing drinks behind the register. maybe his handsome face has brought out her confident side, especially after she's freshened up from her shower. onjo shakes her head, declining the offer, and cheongsan chimes in, "leave us out." hroryeong nods, unfazed, and continues to chat with the others, still beaming with enthusiasm. the atmosphere is lively, and you can't help but feel a little left out, wondering if you should join in on the fun and try one of kyungho's mysterious drinks.

kyungho's smile is still plastered on his face as he gestures behind you, asking "what about you big-man?" you turn to see who he's addressing, and your eyes land on suhyeok, who looks decidedly annoyed. he's wearing all-white pajamas, which somehow makes him appear less intimidating than usual.

daesu's laughter rings out as he chimes in, "yeah, c'mon bare-su!" he exclaims, using suhyeok's well-known nickname. you can't help but feel a twinge of distaste at the nickname, mainly because it's a reference to suhyeok's peculiar habit of not wearing socks with shoes. suhyeok's expression remains serious as he crosses his arms, leaning against an aisle. "count me out too," he says, his voice firm. you can't help but wonder why he's being so stubborn.

kyungho's eyes lock onto yours, and he asks, "what about you, y/n-ie?" the added cuteness at the end of your name makes you feel a flutter in your chest, and you can't help but feel a little shy.

"me?" you ask, shocked, as if you're surprised he's even considering you. hroryeong's smile falters as she looks between you and kyungho, a confused expression on her face. she seems to be wondering how close the two of you really are. meanwhile, daesu's eyes narrow slightly as he looks at kyungho with suspicion. kyungho raises an eyebrow, his expression daring you to say no. "yeah, sorry. is it cool if i call you that?" he asks, his voice low and smooth.

you laugh, feeling a little self-conscious, and reply, "sure, i don't mind." you pause for a moment before adding, "i don't mind a drink either," as you fidget with your pajamas, feeling a little more aware of your appearance.

kyungho's low, smooth voice sends a shiver down your spine, and you can't help but straighten your posture, feeling a little more alert. "good," he says, his tone dripping with a quiet confidence that makes you feel a little fluttery inside.

just as you're processing the effect of kyungho's voice, you're startled by a sudden movement beside you. hroryeong is pushed aside, and suhyeok's long arm reaches over you, placing a plastic cup still in its bag on the table in front of you. "i'll take one," suhyeok says, his voice low and even, but with a hint of authority. you don't dare to look up at him, sensing a subtle tension in his tone. instead, you keep your eyes fixed on the cup, wondering what just happened.

the atmosphere around you seems to shift slightly, with a subtle undercurrent of tension. kyungho's eyes flicker to suhyeok, a hint of surprise and curiosity in his expression.

hroryeong, who had been pushed aside, clears her throat and steps back, her eyes darting between suhyeok and kyungho. "alright, so... two drinks, then?" she asks, trying to break the tension. kyungho nods, his expression neutral once more. "yeah, two more drinks. coming right up." he turns back to the counter, his movements fluid and efficient as he begins to prepare the drinks.

as kyungho continues to prepare the drinks, the tension in the air seems to dissipate slightly. suhyeok, however, remains standing beside you, his presence still radiating a sense of quiet intensity.

daesu, seemingly sensing the awkwardness, attempts to lighten the mood. "what made you change your mind?" he asks, his voice cheerful and curious. suhyeok's response is low and even, "just thought i'd join in." his tone doesn't invite further questioning, and hroryeong wisely decides not to push the issue. meanwhile, kyungho slides two drinks across the counter, his eyes meeting suhyeok's for a brief moment before he looks away. "enjoy," he says, his voice neutral. you pick up your drink, feeling a little uncertain about what to expect.

as daesu calls for a toast, everyone raises their drinks in unison, cheering and clinking their cups together. you join in, feeling a sense of camaraderie with the group. as you take a gulp of your drink, the liquid burns its way down your throat, making you grimace.

as you tip your head back, your eyes wander from the cup to suhyeok, who's also downing his drink. your gaze is drawn to the column of his neck, stretched out as he tilts his head back. suddenly, you're struck by the size difference between you and suhyeok. his broad shoulders and tall frame make you feel almost dainty in comparison. you can't help but stare, feeling a little awestruck by suhyeok's imposing presence. his eyes, still closed as he swallows his drink, seem to be savoring the moment, and you find yourself wondering what he's thinking.

the tranquility of the moment is shattered by a loud, booming voice echoing from the stairs. "why the hell didn't you guys save me one?" wujin's angry shout sends a ripple of amusement through the group.

daesu, quick-witted as ever, shouts back, "we were waiting, brother-in-law!" his response is met with a burst of laughter from the others. hari, however, takes a more... creative approach. with lightning-fast reflexes, she grabs the nearest object and hurls it at daesu's head. the room erupts into chaos as daesu ducks and weaves, narrowly avoiding the projectile.

mijin's arm brushes against your shoulders as she attempts to draw you into a friendly embrace. "did you like the drink?" she asks, her voice tinged with curiosity.

you gaze down at the bottom of your cup, recalling the unexpected flavor. "it wasn't exactly how i imagined it would taste..." you admit, trying to be diplomatic. mijin's laughter chimes in, and she playfully teases, "yeah." you both share a laugh, your grimaces mirroring each other's as you remember the drink's unusual taste.

as the night wears on, the group finds themselves in a circle on the floor, surrounded by the refrigerated drinks. the hours have slipped away, and midnight is fast approaching. the air is thick with laughter and the smell of snacks and ramen.

more than half the group is now tipsy or downright drunk, and the jokes are getting progressively sillier. wujin, still chuckling, nudges cheongsan and begs him to repeat a joke. cheongsan rolls his eyes, claiming it wasn't that funny, but mijin disagrees, her laughter echoing through the room as she leans against hari, who's also giggling. kyungho gets up to grab a water bottle from one of the fridges behind them, but before he can even take a sip, daesu snatches it from him and starts drinking from it too. the absurdity of the situation sends you into a fit of giggles, and you double over, holding your stomach in laughter. namra watches you with a warm smile, clearly amused by your reaction.

still riding the wave of laughter, you propose, "lets take one more shot!" daesu and wujin erupt into cheers, their enthusiasm infectious and making you even more hyped. in this moment, you're grateful for these two friends, knowing they'll always be up for a good time.

wujin shouts, "yeah, let's do it!" as he nudges suhyeok, who responds with a calm smile and a casual flick of his hair. mijin teases him, "i feel like you're not on the same level as us..." suhyeok just laughs and says, "i'm just feeling warm."

kyungho chimes in, "hey, you could be a good drinker." mijin and hari exchange shocked glances, seemingly surprised by the suggestion. the room falls silent for a moment, awaiting suhyeok's response to kyungho's provocative comment.

suhyeok's enigmatic response, "something like that," hangs in the air as you take the soju bottle and begin pouring shots for those who want them. "hroryeong, you want some?" you ask, but she shakes her head, her eyes already half-closed as she leans back against the aisle. "no, i'm done," she says, her voice laced with exhaustion. daesu seizes the opportunity to tease her, "she can't keep up!" he laughs, and the room erupts into a fit of laughter. you're caught off guard, and your giggles become uncontrollable. you put your head down, trying to compose yourself, but it's no use. the laughter is too much, and you're happy to let it consume you.

as the laughter overtakes you, you feel someone gently pry the bottle from your grasp. you don't even bother to open your eyes, too caught up in the hilarity of the moment. instead, you let your body relax, laying back on the ground as the laughter continues to shake your frame.

onjo slips into your spot, taking over the task of pouring shots for the others. you're vaguely aware of onjo, cheongsan, and namra being the only ones still sober, but even that thought is enough to send you into another fit of giggles. the three of them seem to be enjoying the show, watching their friends with amused smiles.

namra's gentle hands guide you back into a seated position, and she tenderly fixes your disheveled hair. onjo's compliment, "aigoo, y/n, you're so cute," makes you blush, and you pull your knees to your chest, feeling a little self-conscious.

you bow your head, murmuring a soft "thank you," which prompts cheongsan to chuckle and shake his head. just as kyungho is about to ask if everyone is ready for the shot, you suddenly speak up, "wait! where's joonyeong? he needs one." your words are met with an awkward silence, and the laughter that had filled the room just moments before dies down. you look around the circle, expecting to see joonyeong's familiar face, but he's nowhere to be found. "did he go upstairs?" you ask, a hint of concern creeping into your voice. you shout his name, "joonyeong!" but there's no response. namra and onjo exchange an uncertain glance, before turning to look at you, seemingly surprised by your seriousness. the room remains silent, with all eyes on you, as you wait for a response that doesn't come.

daesu's slurred words cut through the awkward silence, "what did you say?" he asks, his eyes squinting slightly as he tries to focus.

you brush your hair out of your face, feeling a warm flush spread through your body as the alcohol takes hold. "huh? joonyeong," you repeat, your tone casual, as if you're discussing something mundane. you shrug, looking around at the others, who are still wearing serious expressions. "what? should we not invite him?" you ask, a hint of confusion creeping into your voice. you laugh, thinking it's all some kind of joke, but the others' somber faces only add to your confusion.

namra's soft voice breaks the silence, "y/n..." she says, her words trailing off as she hesitates to repeat the painful events of just a couple of hours ago. but before she can continue, cheongsan interrupts, "asleep." his voice is firm, but his eyes betray a hint of sadness. "remember? he said he was tired," he adds, his words a gentle lie.

the group's attention turns to cheongsan, their faces a mix of confusion and sadness. you, however, seem to accept his explanation, thinking for a moment before nodding, "oh, you're right. i kinda remember that now." you point at cheongsan, a look of vague recollection on your face. the others exchange somber glances, their expressions a mix of sorrow and confusion. it's clear that they're struggling to understand how you could have forgotten, or perhaps, how you could have thought joonyeong was still alive. the atmosphere in the room grows heavier, weighed down by the unspoken truth.

kyungho, sensing the awkwardness in the air, attempts to shift the mood with a sudden declaration, "okay, let's take this shot then!" the others, grateful for the distraction, quickly grab their shots and cheer before downing them.

as you tilt your head back to take the shot, your hand seems to move of its own accord, spilling some of the liquid down your chin and onto your neck. you hastily swallow the remaining drink in your mouth, wincing slightly at the burning sensation. wujin's enthusiastic "woo!" cuts through the air, followed by nods of agreement from the others. "that was good," he declares, savoring the taste. hari, meanwhile, admits, "i wish i knew drinking games," a hint of wistfulness in her voice.

you bring your fingers to your neck, assessing the damage from the spilled drink. your eyes, now hazy from the alcohol, gaze upward to find kyungho gently wiping your chin with a small towel. he flashes a warm smile, asking, "did you even drink any?" his smile is infectious, and you can't help but laugh. for a moment, you're tempted to lean into his touch, but a tiny voice of dignity within you protests, urging you to maintain some semblance of composure. "i did, i promise," you reply, trying to sound convincing, before a hiccup escapes your lips, betraying your inebriated state.

onjo stands up, adjusting her pants as she announces, "okay, i think i'm gonna take hroryeong upstairs and sleep." you immediately protest, "no! onjo, stay here," but she's resolute.

hari chimes in, "i'mma head upstairs too," and together, hari and onjo carefully lift hroryeong and begin to make their way up the stairs. you watch them go, feeling a pang of disappointment. as you turn to mijin, you ask, "you're staying, right?" but mijin looks uncertain, glancing back and forth between you and hari, who's now disappearing up the stairs. you tease her, "whatever, just go," and laugh, trying to make light of the situation.

mijin hesitates for a moment before she too decides to head upstairs. "alright, i'll go," she says, before turning to leave. you watch her go, feeling a bit deserted.

the group has dwindled significantly, leaving only a handful of people remaining. you glance around at the others, noticing that the atmosphere has become more subdued. kyungho catches your eye and smiles, and you can't help but smile back. "so, what's next?" wujin asks, breaking the silence. he looks around at the others, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "should we play another round?"

the playful banter between mijin and wujin continues, with the others watching with amused smiles. kyungho chuckles and shakes his head, "you two are something else." suhyeok, who had been quietly observing the exchange, suddenly speaks up, "actually, i think wujin has a point." he says, his voice calm and measured. "we could play a game. something to liven things up." the group's attention turns to suhyeok, intrigued by his suggestion. "what kind of game?" daesu asks, his curiosity piqued.

"how about 'rock, paper, scissors, shot'?" you suggest, a mischievous grin spreading across your face. "we can play a best-of-three series, and the loser of each round has to take a shot."

mijin's eyes sparkle with excitement. "oh, i love that game," she says, already pouring herself a shot. "it's so simple, but so brutal." wujin chuckles. "yeah, and it's a great way to get drunk quickly." kyungho nods, a competitive glint in his eye. "alright, let's play. i'm going to crush you all."

the air is electric as everyone prepares for a thrilling round of "rock, paper, scissors, shot." kyungho's voice cuts through the tension, "ready?" the group collectively holds their breath, focusing intently. "rock, paper, scissors!" kyungho exclaims, and in unison, everyone reveals their hand.

namra and cheongsan opt out, leaving you, wujin, daesu, mijin, and suhyeok to battle it out. the results are in, and daesu and mijin triumphantly shout, "we got scissors!" a glance around reveals that everyone else had chosen paper. you can't help but sigh, knowing daesu and mijin are off the hook. wujin breaks the silence, "okay, us four, let's go." the others prepare for another round as kyungho's voice rings out once more, "rock, paper, scissors!" but this time, you notice your vision starting to blur. you blink hard, struggling to refocus.

as you take stock of the situation, you breathe a sigh of relief to see wujin and kyungho are safe, but your anxiety quickly returns as you realize you and suhyeok are the last two remaining. kyungho's enthusiastic shout of "come on y/n!" breaks the tension, while wujin offers suhyeok a supportive pat on the back. the group's energetic chant of "rock, paper, scissors!" fills the air, and you throw a rock, only to have suhyeok try to sneak in a scissors before swiftly changing to paper. you catch him in the act, smacking his hand away, and the group erupts in laughter, with suhyeok joining in. namra observes the scene, noting the way this lighthearted moment has effortlessly dissipated the tension between you and suhyeok.

as suhyeok reaches for a cup, the room erupts in a chorus of cheering, with everyone chanting his name. he chugs the contents instantly, and the crowd goes wild. your gaze lingers on him, and you can't help but notice how captivating suhyeok looks in this moment.

your eyes grow heavier, and your head spins slightly. daesu slurs, "y/n is so drunk," but it's clear he's not one to talk, given his own inebriated state. you turn to him, shaking your finger in mock scolding, "you're worse than he is!" mijin points at daesu, cackling uncontrollably as she topples backward. namra's voice trails off as she mentions heading upstairs to check on the girls, and in an instant, she's gone. the sudden absence isn't even registered until an hour later, when a careless reach for her reveals only empty space.

kyungho's subtle posture hadn't caught your attention - he was leaning on his side, head propped up, and gazing at you with an intriguing smile. mijin, however, had noticed and couldn't help but react with a raised eyebrow. she nudged wujin and discreetly pointed to kyungho, prompting wujin to tilt his head in confusion.

in a slightly slurred tone, mijin asked, "so, kyungho, are you...into guys or girls?" the question hung in the air, and you froze, apprehensive about the potential fallout. even in your intoxicated state, a thread of fear managed to weave its way into your relaxed demeanor. kyungho paused, taking a moment to collect his thoughts. his gaze drifted to the bottle in his hand before he replied, "i like what i like." as he spoke, his eyes locked onto yours, and he took a sip from his bottle. daesu, who was leaning against wujin, caught the intense look and immediately sought wujin's confirmation, as if to validate what he thought he was seeing.

daesu's voice cuts through the air, a hint of forced nonchalance betraying his drunken state. "so, what's your thoughts on my friend here?" he asks, his gesture in your direction drawing attention to you like an unwanted spotlight.

you feel your face grow warm as the conversation continues, your embarrassment simmering just below the surface. "guys, shut up," you interject, your voice low and even, as you turn to wujin. "can you pass me that water bottle?" you ask, nodding towards the refrigerated doors behind him. wujin complies, retrieving the bottle with a bit of clumsiness, his movements a reminder of the evening's events.

kyungho's response is laced with a hint of mischief. "let's just say, i like what i see," he admits, his words sparking a contagious laughter from mijin, who playfully punches him in the arm. her eyes sparkle with giddy excitement at the subtle confession. meanwhile, you maintain a poker face, sipping on the cold water that brings some relief to your embarrassed flush.

kyungho's smirk returns as he recounts your first meeting. "seriously, i was drawn to his charm," he says, his gaze locked on yours. "he was sweet," he adds, his expression sincere. you nod in agreement, giving a thumbs up that sets off a round of laughter. however, not everyone shares the amusement. suhyeok's eyeroll and scoff don't go unnoticed by kyungho, who turns to face him with a serious, low tone. "you don't think so?" the room falls silent, with all eyes on suhyeok.

suhyeok's gaze drifted sideways, his annoyance palpable as he was met with yet another overly flattering comment. "i didn't say anything," he muttered, his tone subdued. kyungho, however, wasn't one to let things slide. "oh, come on," he pressed, taking a sip of his drink. "you were thinking something. the eye roll was a dead giveaway." his words hung in the air, making you feel uneasy for the second time. in that moment, you couldn't help but wish namra was by your side.

suhyeok shakes his head, his expression a mix of concern and amusement. "i think you've had one too many, friend," he says, nodding towards kyungho's drink. kyungho raises an eyebrow, his voice laced with a hint of defiance. "i'm not even tipsy, but i'm a man who values honesty. if you're going to call me out, i'll tell it like it is. apparently, that's not your style." the air is thick with tension as the two lock eyes. sensing the unease, you intervene, your voice soft and soothing. "how about we play another round?”

mijin breaks the tension with a nervous chuckle, "come on guys, let's not ruin the night." wujin chimes in, his awkward smile a testament to the discomfort in the air. "i'm game for another round, but..." kyungho sits up, his eyes fixed intently on suhyeok, "actually, can we clear the air? if suhyeok's not cool with me flirting with y/n, i'd like to know why." the atmosphere grows heavier, the group's attention now squarely on suhyeok.

suhyeok's demeanor shifted in an instant, his eyes transforming into those of a wolf poised to strike. the atmosphere grew thick with tension as you felt a shiver run down your spine. desperate to escape the uncomfortable encounter, you attempted to stand, but a wave of dizziness washed over you, forcing you back into your seat.

concerned voices filled the air as wujin asked, "y/n, are you okay?" mijin's grip on your arm tightened, her eyes filled with worry. "i'm really tired all of a sudden," you stammered, struggling to keep the tension calm. mijin swiftly took charge, helping you to your feet and draping your arm over her shoulders. "let's get you to bed," she said, guiding you upstairs as you stumbled, your vision blurring. "everything is so... fuzzy," you mumbled, rubbing your eye with your free hand.

wujin broke the silence with an awkward suggestion, "i think we should call it a night." he patted suhyeok's back as he stood up, suhyeok agreed by standing up and ttrailing behind mijin and you.

meanwhile, daesu's voice slurred as he slapped kyungho's back, "tomorrow, we drink again!" kyungho returned the gesture, playfully slapping daesu's back in response. “ofcourse!” he said with a bright smile.

kyungho was left to solitude, tasked with gathering the scattered trash while everyone else retreated upstairs. meanwhile, mijin struggled to lift you, her efforts hindered by your shifting weight. your outstretched hand grasped for the wall, but it offered little support. "y/n, come on! use your strength to help me out," mijin urged, her voice laced with a hint of amusement. just then, suhyeok swooped in, gently prying your arm from mijin's grasp and draping it over his shoulder. as he bent down to match your height, he simply stated, "i've got him." mijin nodded in agreement, affectionately ruffling your hair as you gazed down at your feet.

her voice dripped with amusement as she giggled and hurried up the stairs, peeking over the railing to catch your struggle. you leaned into suhyeok's embrace, placing a reassuring hand on his chest. "this is impossible," you whined, to which suhyeok offered a gentle nod and a soft whisper of encouragement: "you've got it." meanwhile, wujin's voice echoed up the stairs, "come on, y/n!" as he helped daesu, equally drunk, navigate the steps.

daesu's sudden declaration, "i think i need to go to the bathroom," is quickly followed by a gagging sound, prompting suhyeok to swiftly scoop you up in his arms. he rushes into the room, gently placing you on your bed. you can't help but laugh at the frantic pace. suhyeok inquires about your well-being, and you nod reassuringly.

just then, wujin's voice echoes from outside, calling for suhyeok's assistance with daesu, who's struggling to make it up the stairs. mijin's cackles can be heard, while suhyeok rushes out of the room to lend a hand, leaving you alone.

as you waited for the others to arrive, you found yourself fidgeting with your clothes, the silence a gentle hum in the background. the sound of footsteps and muffled voices drifted in from the hallway, signaling the boys' passage as they escorted daesu to the restroom. it was then that cheongsan slipped into the room, his voice barely above a whisper as he asked, "is he sick?" your response was a fit of giggles, accompanied by a nod, leaving cheongsan to wonder what had transpired.

cheongsan slid the wooden door shut with a soft creak, seeking refuge in his bed. he collapsed onto the mattress with a contented groan, his voice dripping with relaxation as he murmured, "this is going to be the best sleep ever." you trued to copy him, but your comfort was short-lived. a sudden lump formed in your throat, prompting you to sit up with alarm. "no, no, i need to stay upright," you whined, clutching at your chest with growing unease, fearful of succumbing to the same queasiness that had afflicted daesu.

"i need some water," you whispered to cheongsan, who sprang into action, sitting up with a jolt. his voice was laced with concern as he asked, "are you sure?" you nodded, becoming increasingly aware of the inky darkness that enveloped the upstairs. the alcohol was already wreaking havoc on your vision, and the shadows seemed to be closing in, making your head spin.

the door slid open once more, and suhyeok's voice cut through the darkness, "daesu is throwing up..." but before he could finish, cheongsan swiftly intervened, his voice tinged with urgency. "suhyeok, grab a cold water – y/n needs one, now." suhyeok vanished into the night, his footsteps a distant echo as he hastened downstairs. cheongsan shifted to your bedside, his gentle hands rubbing soothing circles on your back. "you're okay, y/n. hang in there," he whispered reassuringly, as you pressed your fingers to your forehead, fighting to stay awake.

meanwhile, suhyeok's feet pounded the stairs, skipping two at a time, as he hastened to fetch water. his mission was to help his friends rehydrate and sober up, despite his own slightly tipsy state. the cold air seemed to have a sobering effect on him, and he focused intently on his task. he yanked open the refrigerator door and scanned the shelves, his eyes locking onto the largest water bottle. as he pulled it out, he noticed it was the last one. his gaze wandered behind the refrigerator, where the open freezer door caught his attention. beyond it, a deeper freezer door came into view, adorned with a thick chain and lock. suhyeok's curiosity was piqued, and he found himself wondering what could be hidden behind such a secure door. his reverie was shattered by a sudden voice. "hey!" kyungho's greeting made suhyeok jump, his heart racing as he stood up straight, water bottle still in hand.

kyungho descended the aisle with a jog, small packets clutched in his hand, his expression a mask of contrition. "hey, man, i wanted to apologize. what i did earlier was stupid and immature," he admitted, his head shaking in guilt. suhyeok's gaze darted to the staircase before returning to kyungho, his response a simple, acknowledging nod. kyungho extended the packets, a peace offering of hangover remedies. "take these, give some to whoever needs them upstairs. i'll be behind the register if you need anything, anything at all," he said, his tone sincere. suhyeok's eyes flicked to kyungho's frame, a fleeting thought crossing his mind – he could take him down if needed, though it might require some effort. instead, he chose to accept the offering, nodding curtly as he took the packets and closed the fridge door. with a sense of urgency, he hastened back upstairs.

cheongsan moved with gentle purpose, lighting the lanterns scattered throughout the room. the soft glow of the flames cast a warm, golden light, transforming the space into a haven of comfort and tranquility.

you gazed around, taking in the cozy atmosphere, and turned to cheongsan with a smile. "this feels amazing, doesn't it?" you asked, and cheongsan's face lit up with a nod of agreement. "yeah..." he murmured, his voice barely audible, "i wish gyeongsu could've seen this." though spoken under his breath, the words carried to your ears, and you shared a laugh with cheongsan at the thought of gyeongsu's antics. "he would've eaten so much," you chuckled, the image conjuring up a warm, fuzzy feeling.

the door slid open once more, and you anticipated suhyeok's return, but instead, wujin stumbled into the room, his face a picture of distress. "guys, i couldn't take it anymore – he got it everywhere," wujin exclaimed, collapsing onto the floor with a dramatic flourish. cheongsan's eyes widened in shock, "no way, really?" he asked, incredulous. your concern, however, was focused on daesu's well-being, "is he okay?" you inquired, worry etched in your voice. just then, mijin's unmistakable cackles echoed from the hallway, and you couldn't help but ask, "is that mijin?" but your question was cut short as you doubled over, falling forward onto your bed, consumed by a fit of laughter.

wujin's laughter harmonized with yours, "yeah, the girls are trying to get her to sleep," he chuckled, clearly amused by the situation. cheongsan slipped out of the room, likely to lend a hand with daesu. just then, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the doorway, and suhyeok appeared, his voice low and cautious as he whispered, "wujin, watch out." but wujin remained immobile, too caught up in the hilarity of the moment.

suhyeok expertly navigated around him, his eyes fixed on you as he approached. he tosses something in his hand in the forner of the room with annoyance, it sounded like sugar packets but you ignore it. he twisted open the water bottle en route, the soft gurgle of the liquid a soothing serenade. as he sat down in front of you, his expression turned concerned, "you okay? do you feel sick?" he asked, his voice gentle. you smiled and shook your head, feeling an unexpected wave of relief wash over you now that suhyeok was back by your side.

as you gazed at suhyeok, you couldn't help but be captivated by the soft, golden light of the lanterns dancing across his features. the gentle glow seemed to accentuate his inviting expression, making it impossible for you to look away.

your eyes lingered on his hair, which lay flat against his forehead, appearing impossibly soft. suhyeok's sudden command, "open," startled you, and for a moment, you hesitated. your gaze dropped to the water bottle, now poised near your lips, with suhyeok's hand positioned beneath to catch any stray droplets. the tender gesture only added to the sense of intimacy, leaving you feeling momentarily breathless.

you parted your lips, and suhyeok carefully tilted the water bottle, allowing you to sip from it. as you swallowed, his fingertips from his other hand brushed against your throat, sending a subtle feeling in the bottom of your stomach. your gaze drifted upward, meeting suhyeok's eyes, and you felt a flush rise to your ears under his gentle scrutiny. your eyelids grew heavy, blinking lazily as you succumbed to the soothing sensation. the scene was almost surreal, with you resembling a deer calmed by a wolf's gentle touch. wujin, still sprawled on the floor, watched the exchange with an astute expression, as if he had just stumbled upon a profound realization. his eyes sparkled with a knowing glint, while you continued to drink.

suhyeok set the water bottle down, allowing you to catch your breath. you murmured a shy thank you, but suhyeok didn't respond, instead focusing on closing the bottle and placing it beside the bed. the moment was interrupted by cheongsan's shout, "wujin!" which jolted wujin out of his trance-like state.

he cursed under his breath, "shit..." before reluctantly pushing himself up from the floor and shuffling out into the hallway. however, he suddenly stopped in his tracks, tiptoed back to the room, and carefully slid the door closed before continuing on his way. cheongsan's voice echoed down the hallway once more, "wujin!" this time, wujin responded with a shout of his own, his tone tinged with annoyance, "i'm coming already!"

the room fell silent once more, with only the two of you remaining. suhyeok hadn't uttered a word, instead focusing on removing his socks as he padded over to his bed. you watched him intently, your gaze fixed on his every move, much like a devoted puppy awaiting instructions. suhyeok carefully placed his socks beside his bed before walking back over to you, his movements fluid and deliberate. he knelt down beside you, his hands gently cradling your foot as he began to remove your socks. the tender touch sent a warm feeling in you chest, and you couldn't help but bask in the soothing sensation.

suhyeok carefully set your socks aside, mirroring the precise manner in which he had handled his own. the silence was finally broken by your soft, grateful whisper, "thank you."

suhyeok stood up fully, his eyes never leaving yours, and said, "you should rest now. you've had a long night." his voice was low and soothing, a gentle command that brooked no argument. he reached out and carefully pulled the blankets up to your chest, his fingers brushing against yours in the process. you didn't pull away, instead letting the warmth of his hand linger on yours. "i'll be right outside if you need anything," he continued, his voice a soft promise. "just call out, okay?"

suhyeok turned to leave, his footsteps quiet on the floor, but you called out to him again, your voice barely above a whisper. "suhyeok?" he stopped in his tracks, his back still turned to you, and waited for you to continue. "i need you," you said, the words feeling inadequate for the comfort and care he had shown you. suhyeok turned around, a familiar look on his face, and nodded slightly. "what is it?," he replied, his voice low and gentle.

you hesitated, unsure of what to say next, but before you could gather your thoughts, a loud voice echoed down the hallway, "suhyeok!" wujin's boisterous call made both of you turn towards the door, suhyeok's eyes flicking towards the hallway before returning to yours. "can it wait?" he asked, his voice low and questioning. you nodded slowly, feeling a pang of disappointment, but also relief. suhyeok gave a small nod before turning to leave, sliding the door closed behind him. the moment the door clicked shut, you were alone with your thoughts, and they came flooding in. your face grew hot, a deep red spreading across your cheeks as your mind whirled with thoughts of suhyeok. you couldn't shake the feelings that had been building, and you felt overwhelmed. in a desperate attempt to drown out your thoughts, you closed your eyes and pulled the blanket over your head, hiding from the emotions that threatened to consume you.

[justice4gyeongsu]

━━━ 'CHAPTER THIRTEEN' [WHEN DAWN BREAKS]

SYNOPSIS ➢ the power of being stuck in a storage closet makes some come together while others seem to stray away.

PAIRING ➢ lee suhyeok x male!reader

AU ➢ enemies-to-lovers au!

CONTENT WARNING ➢ this chapter contains; flashbacks, violence, alot of angst, signs of depression, jealousy, mentions of bullying, death, depression, some fluff, reoccuring ptsd, mentions of gore, blood, cannibalism [let me know if i missed any!]

NEXT I PREVIOUS

as morning breaks, the storage closet transforms. sunlight pours in through the few high windows, casting a warm glow on the space. the air is filled with the sweet sounds of birds chirping and crickets falling silent, a serene contrast to the chaos that has unfolded.

one by one, the group stirs, each person slowly rising to sit across the room in contemplative silence. the weight of the past few hours hangs heavy, as they process the loss of loved ones and the turmoil that has brought them to this place. but amidst the somber stillness, one figure remains motionless. you lie sleeping underneath a chair, wrapped in the gentle protection of onjo's sweater. your face is turned away from the windows, away from the world outside, as if seeking refuge from the pain and exhaustion that has consumed you.

in this moment, sleep is a welcome respite, a fleeting escape from the overwhelming emotions that threaten to engulf you. and as you rest, you can't help but feel a sense of resignation, a tempting desire to simply stay hidden away in this storage closet forever, shielded from the uncertainty and heartache that lies beyond.

onjo sits vigilantly beside you, her presence a gentle comfort as she watches over your slumber. she feels an overwhelming urge to care for you, to shield you from the world and its cruelties. her eyes soften as she gazes at your peaceful form, her heart filled with a deep affection for you and cheongsan, who sits quietly to her right.

as she looks at you, she's reminded of a young deer, vulnerable and alone, struggling to find its footing in a vast and unpredictable world. your tired, fragile appearance evokes a strong maternal instinct in her, and she feels a deep desire to protect and nurture you, to help you find your strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

wujin turns to his sister, his voice laced with concern, "noona, you didn't fail in the preliminaries, did you?" he asks, his eyes searching for reassurance. his sister hesitates, her gaze drifting away as she responds slowly, "no, i did really well." her voice is measured, but the lack of conviction is notiecable. wujin's curiosity is piqued, and he presses for more information, his tone gentle but insistent. "well, then what happened? why did you come back to the school if you won?" he senses that something is amiss, and his doubts begin to simmer just below the surface.

mijin, sensing the unease, intervenes with a light, conversational tone. "you're her brother?" she asks, sitting up a bit straighter, her interest piqued. wujin nods, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern, "yeah, i am."

mijin's face glows with pride as she gazes at hari, a smug smile spreading across her features. "you should know then that she got a perfect score, so she made it to the nationals," she reveals, her voice dripping with satisfaction. she adds a casual remark, "i saw her," to lend an air of authenticity to her statement.

wujin's eyes widen in awe as he turns back to his sister, a bright smile illuminating his face. "really?" he asks, his excitement palpable. "no way. you're really in nationals? does mom and dad know?" he presses, sitting up even straighter, his enthusiasm bubbling over.

however mijin's sarcastic tone quickly deflates his excitement. "gosh, you rascal, how could they know now? look around," she scoffs, her words a harsh reminder of their current circumstances. wujin's eyes dart away, his face flushing with embarrassment at his oversight. cheongsan's gentle reprimand interrupts the exchange, "hey guys, quiet down. y/n's still sleeping." wujin nods, chastened, and turns back to his sister, ready to ask another question, but mijin catches his eye, a warning glint in her own.

mijin's expression turns stern, her voice tinged with a mix of disappointment and amusement. "yah, she jumped out of the archery bus and ran to the school to find you. you little..." she trails off, smacking her lips in a gesture reminiscent of a disapproving aunt.

wujin's face contorts in disgust as mijin continues, her gaze drifting to hari, who remains lost in thought. "you be good to her," mijin instructs, her tone softening slightly. she pauses, a hint of pride creeping into her voice. "...and to me too." her eyes sparkle with amusement as she looks away, a subtle smile playing on her lips. wujin attempts to whisper to his sister, his voice barely audible as he tries to convey his confusion. "who is she and why does she keep talking for you?" his words are laced with a mix of curiosity and annoyance, but mijin's sharp ears pick up on the hushed conversation, her gaze flicking back to wujin with a knowing glint.

hari's gaze shifts to mijin, a faint smile playing on her lips. "she's my friend," she says, her voice soft and gentle. mijin's heart skips a beat as she processes hari's words, a thrill of excitement coursing through her veins. "yeah, we're... fucking besties," mijin agrees, her tone shy and hesitant, but her eyes sparkling with delight. wujin's reaction is immediate, his face contorting in distaste as he looks away, clearly uncomfortable with the exchange.

his gaze falls on daesu, who stands before them, a solemn expression etched on his face. wujin's eyes widen in surprise, and he mutters, "shit, you scared me." daesu's presence is unexpected, and wujin's words hang in the air as daesu prepares to speak, his expression somber and serious.

daesu clears his throat and looks down at his feet awkwardly. “i..” he trails off. “..you?” mijin tries to help him finish his sentence.

daesu's words tumble out in a rush, his voice barely above a whisper. "i think you're the perfect girl," he confesses, his chest rising with a deep breath, as if he's been holding the sentiment inside for far too long.

wujin's eyes dart between his friend, his sister, and back again, his expression a mix of shock and incredulity. "you freak..." he whispers, his voice laced with disbelief. the room falls silent, with all eyes fixed on the unfolding scene, except for two people - suhyeok and you.

suhyeok's gaze is captivated by your shoes, which lie neatly on top of each other, a testament to your orderly nature, even in rest. he sits transfixed, his eyes drinking in the sight of your belongings, his presence drawn to yours, even as you sleep. without drawing attention to himself, he subtly shifts his position, inching closer to your shoes, and by extension, to you. though he doesn't touch them, he feels a sense of comfort in being near, as if your presence is a soothing balm to his soul.

suhyeok's emotions are a tangled mess, a jumble of shame, regret, and self-reproach. his anger, a familiar companion for most of his life, has turned inward, and he's consumed by the memory of how he spoke to you the night before. the weight of his words hangs heavy, and he's tormented by the thought of how he treated someone as fragile yet resilient as you.

as he sits, his arms fold over his knees, and his head bows, resting on his arms. his gaze drifts upward, drinking in the sight of you, sleeping peacefully. his mind is a cacophony of recriminations, a constant, piercing criticism that echoes through his thoughts. the turmoil within him is a palpable, almost overwhelming force, as he struggles to come to terms with his actions and the emotions that drive him.

daesu's voice echoes through the room, his words tumbling out in a desperate, anguished cry. "why don't you understand? i really like you!" he shouts, his emotions raw and unbridled.

suhyeok's gaze had been fixed on you, lost in thought, but daesu's outburst snaps him back to reality. he's missed the chaos that erupted moments before, when hari's temper flared in response to daesu's confession. he's unaware of the punches and slaps that flew, or the way hari trapped daesu within a makeshift prison of metal racks, their wire mesh confines overflowing with sports balls of every shape and size.

but suhyeok's attention is riveted on you now, as your body jerks in response to daesu's sudden, ear-piercing shout. suhyeok's head snaps up, his eyes locking onto yours, his expression a mask of concern and alarm.

you stir, pulling your legs up and sliding out from underneath the chair, as the sudden shouting jolts you awake. your head darts wildly around the room, struggling to comprehend the chaos that's erupted. your eyes scan the space, drinking in the scene before you, as you try to shake off the remnants of sleep.

in your haste to stand, onjo's sweater slips off your shoulders, and you instinctively reach out to catch it, clutching it tightly to your chest. onjo and namra rush to your side, their hands extended in a calming gesture, as they try to reassure you that there's no danger.

but you're still disoriented, half-asleep, and struggling to process the mayhem that's unfolded. your gaze darts around the room, confusion etched on your face, as you try to make sense of the shouting, the commotion, and the worried expressions of those around you.

hari's voice drips with sarcasm as she turns to daesu, her eyes blazing with annoyance. "now look what you did. you woke up y/n, my dear husband," she says, her tone heavy with irony.

she lunges forward, trying to grab daesu, but he dodges and weaves, avoiding her grasp. "you attacked me first!" daesu protests, trying to reason with hari, but she's having none of it.

instead, she begins to hurl volleyballs at him, her aim true as she tries to pelt him with the balls. daesu ducks and dodges, desperate to avoid the flying projectiles as hari's anger continues to simmer, threatening to boil over at any moment.

mijin's voice is low and casual as she issues a gentle command, "yah, kid. go back to sleep." she slips her hands into her pockets, her demeanor nonchalant, as if trying to downplay the chaos that's erupted. your mind is still foggy, struggling to shake off the remnants of sleep. you nod slowly, your gaze drifting around the room in confusion. onjo seizes the opportunity, grasping the hem of your pants and gently tugging you down to sit beside her. you follow her lead, still disoriented, and settle in next to her.

meanwhile, suhyeok's eyes hold a glimmer of hope, a fleeting wish that you might glance in his direction. but even in your tired, bewildered state, your instincts don't lead you to seek him out. suhyeok's gaze lingers, a mixture of longing and resignation, as he watches you settle in beside onjo, his hopes dashed, if only for the moment.

onjo gently cradles your head in her lap, softly laying her sweater back over you. your eyelids grow heavy, and you succumb to sleep once more, the warmth and comfort of onjo's lap a soothing balm to your exhausted mind and body. the transition is seamless, and you're asleep again within mere minutes, a testament to your deep fatigue.

mijin's voice cuts through the din, her tone detached as she ignores the ongoing commotion between hari and daesu. "gosh, i never thought i'd see that brat again," she remarks, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.

hroryeong's curiosity is piqued, and she asks, "you know y/n?" her confusion evident, as she tries to piece together the connection between mijin and you. mijin's response is smooth, a subtle smile playing on her lips. "yeah, we go way back," she says, the statement a blatant fabrication, but one that goes unchallenged in the moment, even by you, who slumber peacefully, oblivious to the conversation.

mijin's gaze sweeps the group, a small smirk still playing on her lips. "glad to see the guy actually has some other friends," she says, her tone laced with a hint of dry humor. the group exchanges small smiles, a sense of warmth and camaraderie evident in their expressions, as they reflect on the bonds that have formed between you and them over the past few days.

wujin's voice cuts in, a hint of smugness creeping into his tone. "y/n and i were childhood friends, actually," he says, crossing his arms over his chest, a self-satisfied smile playing on his lips. mijin's gaze lingers on wujin, her expression unreadable. after a beat, she responds, her voice measured, "oh yeah?" her tone invites wujin to elaborate, and he nods, still not meeting her gaze. "yup, spent almost every day together," wujin says, a faraway look creeping into his eyes, as if he's genuinely reminiscing about fond memories. however, the hint of smugness still lingers, suggesting that wujin might be embellishing the truth, or at least, enjoying the attention.

mijin lets out a dismissive scoff, a proud smile spreading across her face. "yeah, well, y/n and i are pretty close," she says, her voice dripping with confidence. "i mean, we're practically family. you know, he calls me noona instead of sunbae?" she adds, the claim a blatant fabrication, but one she delivers with conviction.

joonyeong and suhyeok exchange a look of annoyance, their expressions a testament to their skepticism. they return their attention to the exchange between mijin and wujin, their gazes neutral.wujin responds, a hint of smugness creeping into his tone. "i mean, that's cool, but i think since i've known him longer, i'd say we were closer." he adds a casual "just saying" to his statement, but the underlying competitiveness is palpable.

mijin's gaze snaps to wujin, her eyes narrowing into an annoyed glare. the air is thick with tension as the two engage in a silent stare-down, each attempting to outdo the other in their claims of closeness to you.

mijin's eyes narrow, her gaze piercing as she scrutinizes wujin. "that's funny," she says, her voice laced with skepticism. "last time we spoke, he told me he didn't have any friends." her tone implies that wujin's claims of a close relationship with you are dubious, at best.

wujin hesitates, his eyes darting around the room as he searches for a response. but before he can speak, mijin presses on, her words dripping with challenge. "honestly, he never even mentioned your name." the statement hangs in the air, a gauntlet thrown, as mijin awaits wujin's response.

wujin's chuckle is nervous, a forced attempt to diffuse the tension. he's clearly caught off guard by mijin's revelation, and his mind is racing to come up with a plausible explanation. the room falls silent, all eyes fixed on the exchange between mijin and wujin, as even daesu and hari pause in their argument, intrigued by the sudden drama unfolding before them.

mijin's voice rises, her anger and frustration simmering just below the surface. "actually, he said everyone was pretty much against him because he's..." she begins, her words trailing off as she meets wujin's gaze. suddenly, she realizes what she's about to reveal, and her expression freezes. she gulps, her throat constricting, before clearing her throat and looking away, her anger and frustration boiling over. "ugh, nevermind, you little brat," she mutters, her voice laced with irritation, as she scratches her cheek in frustration. the tension in the room is palpable, until cheongsan speaks up, his voice calm and soothing. "we know," he says, his eyes drifting to your peaceful form, still slumbering away. "it's not a big deal, so let's not make it one." his words are a gentle rebuke, a reminder to mijin to let the matter drop.mijin's eyebrows furrow, her eyes narrowing suspiciously as she turns to cheongsan. "you know... what?" she asks, her voice low and even, as if daring him to reveal how much he really knows.

daesu's voice is barely audible, his words whispered as if sharing a secret that's too sensitive for outsiders to hear. "he's gay," he says, his tone conspiratorial, as if the storage closet is a confessional.the room falls silent, with no one responding or reacting. joonyeong breaks the silence, giving a thumbs up, a subtle acknowledgment of daesu's revelation.

mijin's expression transforms, her suspicion giving way to a warm smile. she nods, seeming to accept the information, before sitting up, a mischievous glint in her eye. "okay, thank god," she says, chuckling to herself, "cause i wanted to ask him more questions about his love life, and it would've been hard with all you brats here."

hroryeong and onjo exchange a look, their expressions bored, before shrugging and focusing on their skirts, playing with the fabric as if seeking distraction from the conversation. their nonchalant attitude is a stark contrast to mijin's enthusiasm, and the tension in the room begins to dissipate, replaced by a sense of mundane normalcy.

suhyeok abruptly rises to his feet, his eyes fixed on the metal ball containers stacked below him. with a sudden burst of energy, he begins to kick and clang against the containers, testing their sturdiness. the loud rattling noise fills the room, causing everyone to turn their heads in unison, seeking the source of the commotion.

joonyeong is the first to react, getting up from his seat to approach suhyeok. "what's going on?" he asks, a hint of curiosity in his voice. suhyeok pauses, his chest heaving slightly, as he explains, "i was just wondering if we can move these things."

joonyeong's expression changes, a spark of understanding igniting in his eyes. he begins to think critically, his mind racing with the possibilities. he starts to envision ways to utilize the metal containers to their advantage, his gaze drifting back to suhyeok, a nod of appreciation on his face.

suhyeok's words spark a flurry of activity, as everyone rises to their feet, united in their efforts to create a makeshift shield. "we can tie all the carts in a circle, then we can use them as a shield," suhyeok explains, his idea igniting a sense of purpose in the group.

as the others begin to work together, gathering zip ties and securing the carts in a circular formation, suhyeok's gaze meets onjo's. onjo's eyes had been fixed on your sleeping form, a look of quiet contemplation on her face. suhyeok's eyes lock onto onjo's, and onjo responds with a subtle nod, as if acknowledging suhyeok's unspoken understanding.

onjo's hands gently cradle your head, her fingers stroking your hair with a soothing gentleness. the calm, peaceful atmosphere surrounding you is a stark contrast to the bustling activity around the makeshift shield. as the group works together, their movements become a blur of efficiency, united in their determination to protect and defend.

the storage room transforms into a flurry of activity, as everyone works together, pooling their resources and skills to create a formidable barrier. tool boxes and crates are raided, yielding a treasure trove of random supplies that are quickly repurposed for their defense.

joonyeong, wujin, and hroryeong scour the room, gathering an assortment of ropes, including jump-ropes, to secure the carts in place. meanwhile, cheongsan and daesu work in tandem, holding the carts together in a circular formation, as they await the ropes to tie everything together.

suhyeok, ever the climber, attempts to scale a nearby shelf, his eyes scanning the top for any equipment that might aid in their defense. his movements are agile and precise, as he searches for anything that might give them an edge.

nearby, namra, mijin, and hari engage in a heated discussion, debating the merits of adding a top section to their makeshift shield. "we should add a top part," namra suggests, "so they can't climb over." hari nods in agreement, while mijin chimes in, her voice filled with determination. "yeah, we can't let those zombies get the drop on us." the trio continues to brainstorm, their conversation flowing easily, as they work together to fortify their defenses.

the sense of harmony and cooperation is shattered in an instant, as onjo's leg jolts, startling you awake. you sit up with a jolt, your eyes scanning the room, and your ears assaulted by the sound of screaming. but it's not hari's voice that fills the air - it's mijin's.

"you piece of shit! who do you think you are?" mijin's words are venomous, her face twisted in rage, as she shoves joonyeong with all her might. suhyeok attempts to intervene, but he's no match for mijin's fury.

you leap to your feet, your voice ringing out across the room. "yah! what's going on?" you demand, your eyes scanning the scene before you. mijin's anger is still simmering, her finger jabbing accusingly at joonyeong. "ask your idiot friend," she spits, her tone dripping with malice. joonyeong's face is a mask of anger, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. wujin steps in, his voice laced with annoyance. "we shouldn't fight like this, especially not now," he says, his words a plea for calm in the midst of chaos.

suhyeok tells them both to stop but joonyeong pushes his hand away from him, “who the hell is she to tell us we have to redo it?”

mijin's expression twists in scorn, her voice dripping with venom. "your fucking nightmare, that's who!" she retorts, her anger and frustration boiling over. she attempts to take a step forward, but suhyeok once again intervenes, his body positioning itself between mijin and joonyeong.

suhyeok's voice rises, his tone firm but calm. "look, we're in this together, so let's not make it harder than it needs to be," he says, his eyes darting between mijin and joonyeong, as he strives to mediate the conflict.

your gaze falls on suhyeok, and for a moment, the tension between mijin and joonyeong fades into the background. memories of the previous night's encounter with suhyeok come flooding back, and your face flushes with a mix of desire and embarrassment. the feelings are still raw, and you're not ready to confront them. your anger and frustration serve as a convenient shield, allowing you to push those memories aside, at least for the time being.

“youre gonna die out there if you don't listen to me,” mijin sneered at joonyeong who rolled his eyes. “you think im putting it up cause i wanna die? no!” joonyeong responded back, “stop acting like you're better than us just because you're not in the same grade as us.” he huffed in annoyance at mijins fiery spirit. however mijin took that as disrespect.

the atmosphere is electric with animosity as mijin and joonyeong engage in a heated exchange. but your calm and authoritative voice cuts through the chaos, bringing the argument to an abrupt halt. "both of you stop, we can discuss this in a better way than screaming at each other," you say firmly, your words commanding attention.

the room falls silent, with all eyes on you. you notice namra's gaze fixed intently on you, her eyes having been on you the entire time. you flash her a soft smile, accompanied by a subtle smirk that only she can see. "what do we do, class president?" you ask, your voice low and gentle.

namra's expression remains serene, but she raises her head slightly, her eyes locked on yours. "we'll vote on it," she declares, her voice clear and decisive. the room remains silent for a moment, before namra instructs everyone to gather around, her words sparking a sense of anticipation and expectation.

you position yourself beside cheongsan and mijin, leaning casually against the cart as namra begins to outline the options. "one, we split up," she says, her voice clear and concise. but instead of sparking a debate, her words are met with an uncomfortable silence. no one raises their hand, the reluctance to split up palpable in the air.

namra's expression remains neutral, her eyes scanning the group as she continues. "two, we stick together," she says, and this time, the response is overwhelmingly in favor. one by one, hands begin to rise, some more hesitant than others. the consensus is clear: sticking together is the preferred option, and the group's collective relief is almost tangible.

namra's voice is calm and authoritative as she announces, "alright, that means we are staying together." but before she can continue, daesu and mijin's disagreement threatens to boil over into a full-blown argument. you intervene, firmly telling them to "shut up and listen." they both reluctantly comply, their faces still stormy with discontent. namra seizes the opportunity to press on, her voice steady. "anyways, one, we make the outside higher." joonyeong's hand shoots up first, followed by suhyeok, onjo, and cheongsan. you hesitate, weighing your options, and just as you're about to raise your hand, mijin's death stare freezes you in place. you flash her a small, conciliatory smile before lowering your hand.

but you're not willing to abandon your opinion entirely. when mijin's attention is diverted, you slyly mouth to namra, "count me too." it's a subtle gesture, one that allows you to register your support without openly defying mijin's glare. namra's eyes flicker to yours, a hint of understanding in their depths, before she continues with the discussion.

namra's voice continues, steady and clear, as she presents the second option. "two, we fold the lids to make a box." mijin's hand springs up instantly, followed by hroryeong, wujin, and hari. mijin's eyes dart to you, expecting to see your hand raised in agreement. but your hand remains still, and you deliberately avoid her gaze, pretending to focus on something else.

mijin's reaction is immediate and intense. she mutters a curse under her breath before elbowing you sharply on your injured arm. the pain is sudden and intense, and you can't help but groan in response. but despite the discomfort, you lift your other arm in a show of solidarity with mijin, though you carefully shake your head at namra, indicating that you don't actually support the second option. the gesture is a delicate balancing act, one that aims to placate mijin's temper without compromising your own opinions.

namra's announcement is met with a mixture of reactions. "majority votes for option one. we'll be building the barricade higher," she declares, her voice firm and decisive. some members of the group rejoice, seemingly pleased with the outcome, while others remain stoic.

mijin, however, speaks up, her voice tinged with a hint of challenge. "what about your vote?" she asks, her eyes fixed intently on namra. the question hangs in the air, implying that namra's own vote might have swung the decision in a particular direction. the group's attention is now focused on namra, awaiting her response to mijin's inquiry.

namra's blank stare speaks volumes before she finally announces, "i go with one." the decision is met with a mixture of reactions, but mijin's disappointment is palpable. she lets out a curse under her breath, clearly unhappy about losing the vote.

you try to offer some comfort, patting her back as everyone starts to build the shield. "hey, if you ever get mad again, just know i was on your side," you whisper with a small smile. but mijin isn't buying it - she knows you're lying, and she gives you a small glare to prove it. "you moron, this is what i get from treating you so well?" she says, hopping off the cart and motioning for you to help her drill the boards to the carts. despite the tension, you can't help but notice the way mijin's eyes sparkle with annoyance, and you can't help but feel a twinge of amusement at the situation.

"hurry up," you say, following mijin with a small smile. you're trying not to laugh at how adorable she is when she's sulking. it's been a whirlwind few days, and to say you've built a lot of things is a massive understatement. you've been pushed to your limits, and your skills have been put to the test.

as you work alongside mijin, you can't help but think about the future. once this ordeal is over, you're going to have a slew of new skills to add to your resume. you're not sure what kind of job you'll be applying for, but you're confident that your experiences will make you a strong candidate. the thought is a comforting one, and it gives you the motivation to keep going, even in the face of adversity.

as you kneel down to drill the wood panels, mijin holds them in place, her hands steady and firm. your focus is solely on the task at hand, the sound of the drill filling the air. around you, the others are working on different aspects of the barricade. namra is carefully holding down a nail that will secure a makeshift mattress to the metal cart's pole, while suhyeok is supposed to be attaching a zip tie to hold it in place.

but suhyeok's attention is elsewhere, his gaze drifting across the room to settle on you. he's noticed little things about you as he's spent more time with you, like the way you react to mijin's teasing. she calls you a moron, and you don't bat an eye, but when myungwhan used to say the same thing, you'd get defensive. suhyeok's observations are subtle, but they reveal a deeper understanding of your personality and dynamics within the group.

suhyeok's observations of you have given him a glimpse into your emotional intelligence. he's realized that you're able to distinguish between people who are genuinely trying to hurt you and those who are simply joking around. it's a subtle but important distinction, and one that speaks to your ability to navigate complex social dynamics.

just as suhyeok is lost in thought, namra's soft voice breaks the spell. "staring isn't going to help us get done faster," she says, her tone gentle but pointed. suhyeok's head snaps towards her, his expression a picture of innocence. he blinks slowly, his eyes wide with feigned nonchalance. for a moment, suhyeok tries to come up with an explanation for his behavior, but he quickly thinks better of it. instead, he focuses on tying down the zip tie, his movements sudden and deliberate. it's clear that he's trying to avoid an unwanted conversation, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to steer the focus back to the task at hand.

namra's gaze lingers on suhyeok for a moment, her eyes sparkling with a hint of amusement. she seems to sense that there's more to suhyeok's behavior than meets the eye. slowly, she looks around the room, taking in the sights and sounds of the group's industrious efforts.

her eyes scan the space, lingering on mijin and you as you work together, before moving on to joonyeong and the others. finally, her gaze comes back to rest on suhyeok, who's still intently focused on securing the zip tie. namra's voice is low and casual as she asks, "suhyeok, do you... like y/n?" her words are dropped like a stone into a still pond, causing ripples of tension to spread through the air. suhyeok's hands freeze, the zip tie momentarily forgotten, as he struggles to come up with a response. suhyeok's ears turn a brilliant shade of red as namra's question hangs in the air. he's frozen in place, his body as still as a statue, as he struggles to process his emotions. it's clear that he's unsure of how to respond, and the silence that follows namra's question is oppressive.

just as it seems like suhyeok is about to implode from embarrassment, daesu ambles over, a look of annoyance on his face. "hey, suhyeok, can we switch?" he asks, patting suhyeok on the back. "wujin keeps yelling at me, and i'm getting tired of it." daesu's interruption is a welcome distraction, and suhyeok's frozen state begins to thaw. he blinks slowly, his eyes darting towards daesu as he tries to process the sudden change in conversation. namra's question is left hanging, unanswered, as the group's attention shifts to daesu's complaint.

wujin stands up from his kneeling position, a look of exasperation on his face. "he's always complaining that he's hungry," wujin says, his voice tinged with frustration. "i'm trying to focus on getting this done, and all he can think about is his stomach."

daesu shoots back, "hey, i'm starving! we've been working for hours, and i haven't eaten anything since..." he looks around the group, hoping to garner some sympathy, but wujin just rolls his eyes. "you're always hungry, daesu," wujin says, shaking his head. "it's like you have a bottomless pit for a stomach." the group chuckles at wujin's comment, and the tension is momentarily broken. suhyeok, still looking a bit flustered from namra's earlier question, takes a deep breath and tries to compose himself. as the sound of your drill momentarily stops, cheongsan suddenly speaks up, his voice low and barely audible. he mutters something underneath his breath, and you strain to catch the words. at first, you're not sure what he said, but then you pick up on a single word that makes your ears perk up: "chocolate". you're not sure what cheongsan is talking about, or why he's mentioning chocolate out of the blue. but the word itself is enough to spark a sudden craving within you. you can't help but wonder if there's any chocolate to be found in their current surroundings, or if cheongsan is just taunting you with the mention of it.

as everyone turns towards cheongsan, they're met with a surprising sight: he's holding an unopened chocolate bar in his hand. the room falls silent for a moment, before suddenly erupting into a flurry of activity. people start gathering around cheongsan, their eyes fixed greedily on the chocolate bar.

you can't help but be drawn in, your curiosity getting the better of you. daesu is the first to make a move, quickly snatching the chocolate bar out of cheongsan's hand. "let me see," he says, examining the package with a critical eye.

after a moment, daesu looks up, a hint of disappointment on his face. "it's expired," he announces, as if that's the final nail in the coffin. but suhyeok is undeterred. "who cares?" he says, a mischievous glint in his eye. "we can still eat it."the room falls silent again, as everyone considers suhyeok's words. then, slowly, a murmur of agreement starts to build. "we can take small bites," someone suggests. "just to calm our hunger a bit."

the discussion quickly gains momentum, with everyone chiming in with their opinions. it's clear that the prospect of sharing the chocolate bar is a tantalizing one, and no one wants to miss out.

the group forms a circle, the chocolate bar placed in the center. one by one, each person takes a small bite, savoring the sweet, rich flavor before passing it on to the next person. as the chocolate bar continues to make its way around the circle, you find yourself standing between suhyeok and cheongsan. you can't help but stare at the chocolate, your eyes fixed on the decreasing size of the bar. with each passing bite, your mouth waters more and more, and you can feel your hunger pangs growing stronger.

the chocolate bar is getting smaller and smaller, and you can feel a sense of urgency building up inside you. you hope that there will be enough left for everyone to have another bite, but as you glance around the circle, you realize that might not be the case.

as suhyeok brings the chocolate bar up to his mouth, you're completely entranced, your eyes fixed on the sweet treat. but as he pauses, his gaze meeting yours, you realize that you're staring directly at him, your eyes locked on his lips. the air seems to freeze around you, and for a moment, it's as if time has stopped. suhyeok's eyes narrow slightly, his expression unreadable, as he takes in the sight of you staring up at him with an unguarded intensity. your eyes, wide and unblinking, seem to be begging for something, and suhyeok's gaze lingers on yours, his face inches from yours. for a moment, it's as if the entire room has melted away, leaving only the two of you, suspended in a moment of charged anticipation.

the room falls silent, with everyone staring at suhyeok and you with a mixture of confusion and awkwardness. it's as if they're all waiting for something to happen, but nothing does. except for namra, who seems to sense that something is off. she elbows suhyeok gently, as if to snap him out of a trance. suhyeok blinks, his expression unchanged, and looks down at the chocolate bar still clutched in his hand.

and that's when he realizes, with a flush of embarrassment, that you were never actually looking at suhyeok's face. you were still fixated on the chocolate bar, your eyes glued to the sweet treat. suhyeok's face hadn't moved, and you were just... staring at the chocolate.

suhyeok clears his throat, a faint blush rising to his cheeks. he hesitates for a moment before offering you the chocolate bar, his eyes locking onto yours with a hint of uncertainty. "here," he says, his voice a little softer than usual. "you can take a bigger bite. it'll count for both of us."

daesu's eyes widen in protest, and he lets out a dramatic whine. "hey, no way! that's not fair!" he complains, his hands on his hips. "we're supposed to be sharing equally!" the group chuckles at daesu's outburst, and suhyeok shoots him a wry glance. "it's just a little more chocolate, daesu," he says, his voice tinged with amusement. "don't be so greedy."

you take the chocolate bar from suhyeok, your fingers brushing against his as you do so. but as you're about to thank him, you suddenly remember the words he spoke to you the night before. "i'm just gonna leave you alone." the memory of those words sparks a flicker of anger within you, and you feel your expression harden.

"no thanks," you say curtly, your voice devoid of gratitude. "i'm not that hungry anymore." you quickly pass the chocolate bar on to cheongsan, who takes a bite with a look of enthusiasm. suhyeok's eyes narrow slightly, a hint of confusion and hurt flickering across his face. but you don't meet his gaze, instead turning away and focusing on the task at hand. the tension between you and suhyeok is palpable, and the group's mood seems to shift in response.

suhyeok's eyes linger on you, his expression a mixture of surprise and curiosity. he seems to be studying you, trying to read the emotions behind your actions. and then, it clicks. he realizes that you're not the same person you were before. you're not the pushover people thought you were. he can sense that you've built a wall around your heart, a high, impenetrable barrier that's guarded with military-grade weapons. and he knows that those weapons are aimed directly at him.

you walk past suhyeok, your eyes fixed on namra, who's leaning against one of the metal racks, a look of quiet observation on her face. you make your way towards her, your footsteps echoing through the room.

as you approach, namra pushes off from the rack and watches you with a concerned expression. you sit down on the floor, your back against the rack, and close your eyes, taking a deep breath. the cool air fills your lungs, and you feel a sense of calm wash over you. you can hear the muffled sounds of the others, but they seem distant, unimportant. all that matters is this moment, this breath, and the sense of peace that comes with it. namra sits down beside you, her presence a comforting silence. she doesn't say anything, doesn't try to offer words of comfort or advice. she simply sits with you, a steady, reassuring presence in a chaotic world.

as you sit there, eyes closed, focusing on your breath, you're not even aware of namra's presence beside you. you're too caught up in your own attempt to escape, to temporarily forget about the dire circumstances that surround you.

mijin sits down in front of you and namra, her eyes scanning your faces as she takes in your calm expressions. for a moment, she just looks at you, a hint of curiosity on her face. then, as if drawn in by the peaceful atmosphere, mijin closes her own eyes and takes a deep breath. she sits down, her back straight, and begins to focus on her own breathing.

the three of you sit in silence, your eyes closed, your faces serene. you look like a meditation class, with you as the instructor guiding your students through a peaceful exercise. mijin and namra seem completely absorbed in the moment, their breathing slow and steady. meanwhile, wujin whispers to joonyeong, nodding discreetly in your direction. "what's going on with them?" he asks, his voice barely audible. joonyeong looks up from his project, his eyes squinting slightly as he takes in the scene. he shrugs, his expression uninterested. "no idea," he says, his voice equally quiet. "maybe they're just really into... breathing."

wujin raises an eyebrow, but joonyeong's already gone back to his project, his focus solely on the task at hand. he's still nursing a grudge about not getting any chocolate, thanks to daesu's sneaky snacking. the memory of that injustice still rankles him, and he's not about to let some mysterious meditation session distract him from his work.

as the three of you continue to sit in silence, the rest of the group begins to take notice. daesu, still licking his fingers from the last bite of chocolate, looks over at you with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. cheongsan and suhyeok exchange a glance, their expressions unreadable.

but joonyeong remains focused on his project, his eyes fixed intently on the task at hand. wujin, on the other hand, can't seem to tear his gaze away from the three of you, his eyes fixed on your peaceful faces with a mixture of fascination and confusion.

as you sit in silence, your mind begins to wander to a different time and place. you visualize yourself sitting on the couch in your living room, surrounded by the warm and comforting familiarity of home. your father is sitting beside you, a big smile on his face as the two of you laugh together.

the memory is so vivid, so real, that you can almost feel the softness of the couch beneath you, and the warmth of your father's presence beside you. you can almost hear the sound of his laughter, deep and rich, and feel the way it makes you feel happy and safe.

but as the memory washes over you, it's followed by a wave of sadness and longing. you realize that it's been a while since you last thought about your father, and that's a painful admission. you miss him dearly, and the not knowing - not knowing if he's even alive - is a constant ache in your heart. your eyes begin to sting, and you feel a lump form in your throat. you try to push the emotions away, to focus on the calm and peacefulness of the moment. but it's hard to shake the feeling of loss and longing that's settled over you.

namra's eyes remain closed, but a subtle smile plays on her lips as she visualizes herself sitting on top of a high building. the wind blows gently, carrying warm rays of sunshine that dance across her skin. she feels carefree, unencumbered by worries or responsibilities.

in her mind's eye, she's alone at first, savoring the peace and quiet. but then, she notices a presence beside her. she doesn't need to look to know it's you. she can sense your calm energy, your quiet contemplation. as she "sees" you standing beside her, looking out at the other buildings, a soft smile spreads across her face. it's an unconscious gesture, a reflexive response to the sense of comfort and companionship she feels with you by her side. the smile lingers on her lips, a gentle, serene expression that reflects the peace and tranquility of the moment.

mijin's eyes remain closed, a subtle nod of her head the only outward sign of the vibrant scene unfolding in her mind. she visualizes herself in her own room, surrounded by the familiar comforts of home. her headphones are clamped firmly over her ears, the rich sounds of her favorite rap tracks pulsating through the speakers.

as the music washes over her, mijin starts to rap along, her lips moving silently as she mouths the words. her hands begin to gesture, weaving intricate patterns in the air as she channels the swagger and confidence of her favorite artists. the bass thumps and bumps, the vibrations resonating deep within her bones. mijin feels alive, energized by the music and the freedom of expression it brings. her entire being seems to vibrate with the rhythm, her very essence infused with the raw energy of the rap.

in this private world of sound and motion, mijin is unstoppable, a force of nature unencumbered by the worries and cares of the outside world. she's lost in the music, and the music is lost in her.

wujin walks over to the three of you, his eyes scanning your peaceful faces with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. he squats down in front of you, his voice loud and jarring as he speaks. "what's going on here?" he asks, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "are you guys having some kind of meditation party or something?" he gazes at each of you in turn, his eyes lingering on your calm expressions. "you know, i didn't realize we were in a zen monastery. i thought we were stuck in a storage closet in our school gym." wujin's words are like a splash of cold water, disrupting the peaceful atmosphere you'd managed to create. you feel a jolt of annoyance at his interruption, but you try to maintain your calm demeanor.

namra lets out a soft sigh, her eyes still closed, as if reluctant to leave the peaceful state she'd achieved. mijin, on the other hand, smacks her lips in annoyance, her eyes snapping open to glare at wujin. "men ruin everything," she mutters, her voice dripping with exasperation, as she gets to her feet. namra follows suit, her movements graceful and fluid. as she stands up, she turns to you and smiles, her eyes crinkling at the corners. it's a warm, comforting smile, and you feel a sense of solidarity with her. you take a deep breath, feeling the calmness begin to seep away, and get to your feet as well. the three of you stand there for a moment, a sense of shared understanding passing between you, before

mijin turns and walks away, namra following close behind.

wujin's face reddens as he stutters, "w-wait,!" he takes a step forward, his eyes darting between mijin and namra as he defends himself. "y/n is a man too!" he exclaims, as if that somehow justifies his behavior. just then, hroryeong walks into the conversation, a sly grin spreading across her face. "a good one!" she says, as she rolls her eyes at wujin. “the special treatment is getting out of hand..” wujin sighs defeated while going to cheongsan who patted him on the back.

you shake your head, a smile still playing on your lips, as you watch the exchange between wujin and hroryeong. your hair falls across your forehead, partially covering your eyes, and you absently brush it aside, your fingers grazing your skin.

as you move your hair, you catch a glimpse of yourself in your mind's eye, and you can't help but think that your hair must look completely flat and lifeless. you've been cooped up in this place for who knows how long, and you haven't exactly had access to a salon or even a decent hairbrush. you sigh to yourself, wondering what you must look like to the others.

as mijin swiftly changes the subject, the atmosphere shifts and everyone begins to prepare for what's to come. the room fills with the sound of rustling fabrics, clicking buckles, and the occasional grunt as people struggle to get into their gear. knee pads, chest padding, and elbow guards are all being strapped on, each person determined to be ready.

you, meanwhile, are rummaging through a box tucked away on a high shelf, your fingers searching for the perfect pair of protective gloves. as you pull out a pair of worn leather gloves, you wonder if they're from a hockey set – the padding on the palms and the reinforced fingers seem to suggest it. you quickly lace them up, tightening the straps around your wrists until they feel secure. a quick flex of your fingers confirms that you can still grasp objects without issue.

just as you're finishing up, your gaze falls upon a mysterious object tucked away between two crates. it's a thick, metal... something, and it seems to be beckoning you. without thinking, you reach in and wrap your gloved hand around it, feeling a satisfying weight to it. it's heavy, but not unmanageable. as you pull it out, you can't help but wonder what it is, and what it's used for.

as you grasp the mysterious object, you notice a white cover enveloping it, shaped like a long, slender stick. your curiosity piqued, you search for a zipper and, upon finding it, slowly unzip the cover. the sound of the zipper giving way is followed by a collective gasp as the object within is revealed: a sword.

at first glance, it's reminiscent of a fencing sword, but the blade's thickness tells a different story. as you carefully pull the sword from its cover, it emits a clear, ringing sound – a "shling" that sends shivers down your spine. you can't help but stare in awe, the sword's beauty and craftsmanship leaving you breathless.

this is undoubtedly an upgrade from the hammer, and you can't wait to try it out. your friends, equally captivated, gather around, their eyes wide with wonder. "wow!" mijin exclaims, her voice barely above a whisper.

joonyeong, meanwhile, rushes over to you, his glasses slipping down his nose as he takes in the sight of the sword. "where did you find that?" he asks, his voice filled with excitement.

daesu, not one to be left out, chimes in, "yah! see if there's one more!" but before you can respond, joonyeong speaks up, his eyes still fixed on the sword.

"there isn't another one," he says, his voice laced with a mix of disappointment and reverence. he looks up at you, his eyes shining with excitement. "do you know what this is?" he asks, but you can only shake your head, feeling a bit like a deer caught in the headlights.

joonyeong turns to the others, a sly grin spreading across his face. "this, my friends, is a damn hanwei katana." wujin and cheongsan spring to their feet, their eyes wide with astonishment. "you're telling me someone just casually stashed a limited edition katana in our school's dusty auditorium?" wujin asks incredulously, his voice dripping with skepticism. "what an idiot," he mutters under his breath, shaking his head. "that belongs in a glass case, not collecting dust in some forgotten corner of the school."

hari rolls her eyes good-naturedly at her brother's outburst, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "it's gotta be destiny that you found it here," she says, her voice filled with a sense of wonder.

joonyeong's expression turns serious as he looks at you, his eyes burning with intensity. "this is no ordinary sword," he says, his voice low and measured. "it's a powerful symbol, one that demands respect and caution."

taken aback by joonyeong's solemnity, you clear your throat before offering a awkward smile. "i guess it's about time i had some good karma," you say, trying to lighten the mood.

joonyeong's expression remains serious as he hands the sword back to you. "listen, you need to be careful if you're going to use this," he warns, his voice firm but concerned. "one wrong move, and you could slice someone's hand off." you nod soberly, feeling a sense of responsibility wash over you as you take the sword back.

you carefully slide the sword back into its cover, the sound of the zipper echoing through the air as everyone around you scrambles to arm themselves. metal baseball bats and sharp objects are distributed among the group, each person preparing to defend themselves. you tie the sword's belt around your waist, tightening it until the weight of the sword feels secure against your hip. suhyeok hands a baseball bat to cheongsan, his voice low and serious. "i'll take point, you cover our backs." cheongsan nods, his grip on the bat tightening as the group begins to form a tight circle.

metal crates are pushed into place around them, forming a makeshift barricade. mijin's voice trembles slightly as she speaks, her fear protruding. "you better be right about this,” joonyeong nods, “we've seen so many zombies already... they're not smart enough for this." joonyeong's expression remains calm, reassuring.

“lets do this!”

everything unfolded in a chaotic blur, your brain struggled to keep pace. fragmented images sear themselves into your mind: joonyeong's face contorted in agony, hroryeong's tears streaming down her face as she cowers beside you. your legs tremble beneath you, muscles screaming in protest as you push with every ounce of strength you possess. cheongsan's frantic yells echo in your ears, urging you to keep pushing, to keep fighting.

as the chaos subsided, you're left sitting in stunned silence, exhaustion washing over you like a wave. the same feeling of numbness, of detachment, that you experienced when you were trapped in that car comes flooding back. it's as if life itself has lost all meaning, leaving you feeling empty and hollow. why has this feeling returned? what triggered it? the questions swirl in your mind, but the answers remain elusive. what even happened? what is happening now.

you're lost in a world of silence, oblivious to mijin's repeated attempts to rouse you. but then, as if a switch has been flipped, your hearing suddenly returns to normal. "y/n!" mijin's voice cuts through the fog, and you turn to her in confusion. she's standing beside you, her expression a mix of concern and urgency. "cmon, we need to go," she says, trying to sound harsh but failing miserably. she knows all too well what you're going through, and her words come out laced with empathy.

you blink once, twice, and suddenly the world around you snaps into focus. you're sitting outside the gym, the bright sunlight a stark contrast to the darkness you'd faced just moments before. and then you see him - onjo's father, embracing cheongsan in a tight hug. memories come flooding back, and you recall the desperation, the feeling of being trapped. the doors had been locked, impassable... until they weren't. a man in a green bomber jacket had appeared, his face etched with the same exhaustion and terror that you felt. he'd been through the same hell, and somehow, he'd managed to unlock the doors and save you all.

you gaze down at your hands, surprised to find them steady and still. normally, they'd be shaking uncontrollably, but not today. today, they're calm, serene even. you can't help but wonder why. everyone around you seems to be trembling with fear, their eyes wide with anxiety. but you... you're numb. your gaze drifts up, past mijin, to suhyeok, who's staring down at his feet with a look of shame etched on his face. you've seen that expression before, just last night, when the two of you were arguing. the memory replays in your mind like a broken record, refusing to be silenced.

mijin's gentle tug on your arm breaks the spell, and you allow her to help you up. as you stand, you try to shake off the haze, to regain some semblance of clarity. but your mind remains foggy, refusing to cooperate.

mr. nam's concerned voice cuts through the din, "are you kids alright?" he scans the group, his eyes lingering on each of you before moving on. when his gaze falls on you, it pauses, and you sense a flicker of surprise. you follow his gaze to your shirt, and your eyebrow twitches in confusion. a portion of the fabric is torn, leaving a gaping hole. not again. you try to recall when it happened, but your brain refuses to cooperate. you grasp the torn fabric, willing yourself to remember, but the memories remain elusive.

mr. nam's voice cuts through the silence, "okay, are you all able to run?" the group exchanges hesitant glances before nodding in unison, still refusing to speak. mr. nam sighs, a mix of relief and concern etched on his face. "good."

he takes a deep breath before issuing instructions, "if you go straight through the tennis courts and pass the construction site, you'll hit the mountain." he points behind you, and you turn to follow his gesture, taking in the makeshift plan he's devised.

but before you can even process the information, your hand is grasped, and you're suddenly pulled into a sprint. you stumble forward, regaining your balance as you take in the chaos around you. everyone is scrambling, running up the hill near the gym, desperate to escape the horrors behind them.

you glance back, and your heart sinks. more of the infected are closing in, their twisted faces contorted in a snarl. you whip your head back around, focusing on the path ahead. your legs pump furiously as you push yourself to keep up. it's then that you notice suhyeok's hand still grasping yours, his grip tight as he pulls you along.

mr. nam's voice echoes from behind, "the tennis courts! run!" the sound of heavy footsteps and ragged breathing fills the air as your group sprints towards the gate. daesu's shout of "c'mon!" urges you on as wujin finally reaches the door and flings it open. everyone pours inside, a chaotic tide of panicked bodies.

you release suhyeok's hand as you enter, taking a moment to ensure everyone makes it in safely. hari's struggling to fend off an infected with her bow, but she's suddenly tackled by another. mr. nam leaps into action, saving her from the brink of disaster. "hurry!" you shout, relief washing over you as hari stumbles through the gate, unscathed.

mr. nam slams the gate shut behind her, and the group takes off, racing towards the far end of the tennis court. but as you run, you realize with a sinking feeling that the zombies can still see you, their moans and screams growing louder as they give chase. everyone skids to a stop, frantically scanning their surroundings for an escape. "oh fuck.." you gulp, a cold dread creeping up your spine.

wujin's voice trembles as he asks daesu, "what do we do?" the group's panic is palpable, and you can't help but wonder if you've simply traded one trap for another. in an instant, the gates that had been locked just moments before burst open, succumbing to the crushing pressure of the zombie horde. the bloody, snarling mass surges forward, their eyes fixed on you with an unrelenting hunger. you react instinctively, grabbing hroryeong's arm and pulling her close as you take off in a sprint.

cheongsan leaps into action, wielding his bat with deadly precision as he smashes aside the zombies that aren't tangled in the tennis net. the sound of crunching bone and snapping metal fills the air, a grim testament to his determination.

meanwhile, mr. nam rummages through his bag, producing a red stick that he flicks open with a practiced motion. a blazing red flare erupts from the stick, its intense light and ear-piercing whistle drawing the zombies' attention like moths to a flame. the creatures inside and outside the court converge on the flare, their mindsless bodies driven solely by their insatiable hunger.

seizing the distraction, you spin hroryeong around, shouting to the others, "c'mon, guys!" the group gives chase, hot on your heels as you make a beeline for the opposite door.

just as you're about to grab the handle, a tan, larger hand clamps down on yours, holding you back. suhyeok's eyes scan the surrounding area, his gaze darting back and forth before nodding in satisfaction. with a gentle tug, he opens the gate, allowing you and hroryeong to slip through, the others close behind.

you spin around, ensuring everyone's safe exit, but your gaze falls upon a scene that makes your heart sink. mr. nam has closed the gate behind onjo and cheongsan, trapping them outside. onjo's face contorts in desperation as she rips away from cheongsan's grasp and slams into the gate, frantically trying to reopen it.

her words trail off as she notices the bite mark on her father's hand. tears well up in her eyes, and her face crumples in anguish. you watch, frozen in horror, as the reality of the situation sets in.

you tear your gaze away, looking toward the trees that lie ahead. you take a few hesitant steps forward, trying to get a better view of the path ahead. the trees seem to loom before you, their branches creaking ominously in the wind. you pause, unsure of what to do next, as the sounds of onjo's despairing cries echo through the air.

you take a few more cautious steps forward, scanning the trees for any signs of zombies. your eyes dart back and forth, searching for any movement or telltale signs of danger. but for now, the coast seems clear. the trees are so dense that you can't even see any buildings in the distance, which means it'll take some time to reach the construction site mr. nam mentioned.

just as you're starting to feel a sense of relief, you catch a glimpse of someone peeking around a tree. your heart skips a beat as the person quickly ducks back out of sight. a wave of unease washes over you. who - or what - was that? could it be a zombie that hasn't noticed you yet? or is it someone else, someone who might be a threat? you instinctively crouch down, trying to make yourself as small and quiet as possible.

you take slow, deliberate steps towards the nearest tree, trying to be just as sneaky as the mysterious person. your senses are on high alert, ready for whatever might be lurking just out of sight.

you focus intently on the person, your eyes squinting as you try to make out any distinguishing features. the person darts to another tree, using it as cover. you hold your breath, waiting for them to make another move.

and then, in a flash, the person takes off again, giving you a better look. it's a man, dressed in a plaid shirt that's even more tattered than yours. his baggy jeans are torn and frayed, and he's clutching something in his hand, though you can't quite make out what it is.

just as you're taking in this information, you hear the sound of footsteps rushing towards you, accompanied by heavy breathing. you swiftly move behind your tree, out of sight, and signal for your friends to stop. you press a finger to your lips, warning them to be quiet.

daesu, who's in the lead, looks at you with confusion etched on his face. you slowly point in the direction of the mysterious man, and your friends quickly hide behind nearby trees, thinking that zombies are approaching. namra slips behind the same tree as you, her voice barely above a whisper. "it's a human." she breathes, confirming your suspicions. you glance at her, nodding in agreement.

with a slow, deliberate movement, you draw out your sword, holding it with both hands as you press your back against the tree. you're poised, ready to swing into action at a moment's notice.

wujin mouths to you from his hiding spot behind a large tree, where hroryeong is also concealed, "you don't even know how to use that!" his eyes sparkling with frustration. you roll your eyes good-naturedly and mouth back, "it's gotta be the same as a baseball bat." wujin's expression turns incredulous, and he rolls his eyes in response. just then, the sound of snapping branches and crunching leaves fills the air as the mysterious person approaches. you tense, ready to react. with a swift motion, you step out from behind the tree, sword at the ready. the blade comes to rest against the person's adam's apple, and they freeze, eyes wide with fear.

the person hastily drops their weapon and raises their hands in surrender. "wait!" they exclaim, taking in the sight of multiple young adults emerging from the trees. "i mean no harm to any of you!" they declare, attempting to sound brave despite the quiver in their voice.

his eyes meet yours, and you take in his features. he's gotta be older than you, with that strong, toned build and a few scratch marks on his face. despite his rugged appearance, there's something about him that seems... put together. hroryeong asks quietly, "w-whats your name?" breaking the silence. she suddenly feels like speaking for some reason.

wujin gently pushes down on your hands, signaling for you to lower the sword. you realize you're still holding it up and begin to sheathe it. the boy takes advantage of the distraction to slowly retrieve his axe, his movements cautious. “kyungho, im a senior at bomoon high.” as he stands up, you can't help but notice his stature. he's tall, with broad shoulders and a rugged build that makes him look like an actual lumberjack. cheongsan steps forward and asks, "is bomoon high infected too?" but you're too busy taking in kyungho's appearance to focus on the conversation.

daesu whispers to suhyeok, "how is he still so handsome even though he's all dirty like us?" but his voice carries, and the whole group hears him. kyungho's face flushes, and he looks down, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment. he smiles awkwardly, his eyes meeting yours, and you feel a flutter in your chest.

kyungho's eyes lock onto yours, and he says, "hey, i know you." you're taken aback, unsure of what to say. "me?" you ask, incredulous. the group's attention shifts to you, their faces filled with curiosity. mijin steps forward, her arm crossed, her expression skeptical. "you know him, y/n-ah?" she asks, her tone implying she doesn't quite trust kyungho. you shake your head, "n-no, i don't think..." but kyungho interrupts, taking a step forward. "you're that kid in the bike store!" he exclaims, a smile spreading across his face.

daesu whispers to suhyeok, "he called him a kid when they're only a year apart.." his voice is laced with amusement, as if he's watching a show. suhyeok's eyebrows furrow, his expression unreadable as he takes in the interaction between you and kyungho.

the memories of kyungho come flooding back, and you're surprised you didn't recognize him at first. he looked so beat up, but now that you remember, you recall the cute boy you had followed into the bike store. your face grows hot as you realize everyone is still staring at you, awaiting your response.

"right... i remember now," you stammer, trying to play it cool. "it's good to see you." you manage a small smile, but you can't help the way your heart skips a beat as kyungho's eyes lock onto yours. you feel yourself melting under his gaze, and you look away, trying to compose yourself. but you can't shake off the feeling that kyungho's eyes are still on you, and you sneak a glance back at him. his expression is soft, and he's smiling at you, making your heart flutter even more.

“why is y/n so shy..?” daesu's whisper is cut off as suhyeok steps forward, his tall, athletic build positioning him slightly in front of you, as if shielding you from kyungho. the two of them are almost evenly matched in height and build, although kyungho appears slightly more muscular.

suhyeok's gaze is skeptical as he asks, "so you're saying you made it all the way from bomoon high, by yourself?" kyungho's eyes flicker to suhyeok, and he nods calmly. "yeah, today was the day some of the seniors went into the city for a project, and suddenly a bunch of those zombies got into the cafe we were at. luckily, i escaped through the back door," kyungho explains, pointing back in the direction he came from. "so i traveled all this way to find someone, and i've been on the run since."

wujin and daesu nod in unison, seeming to accept kyungho's story. you, however, are intrigued by his survival skills. "how could you survive by yourself for this long?" you ask, your curiosity getting the better of you. kyungho holds up a finger, as if to say "wait," before slipping off the long tote bag he'd been carrying on his back. he rummages through it, revealing a stash of food and snacks that makes everyone's eyes widen in surprise.

"i managed to break into a convenience store," he explains, a hint of pride in his voice. "so that's where i've been staying. i've been looking for people who survived, but you guys are the first people i've seen in days." the group's reaction is immediate. everyone's eyes light up at the sight of food, and they exchange excited glances. kyungho's face breaks out into a warm smile as he continues, his words tumbling out in a rush of excitement. "we can all head back! i'll show you guys. you can eat and sleep for the night." his enthusiasm is infectious, and the group's mood begins to lift at the prospect of food and shelter.

kyungho tosses a loaf of bread to daesu, who catches it and immediately tears into it, savoring the taste. hroryeong speaks up, "that'd be great," but cheongsan cuts her off, his expression apologetic.

"we can't," he says, his words hitting you like a ton of bricks. "i'm sorry, but we're trying to get out of the city." your heart sinks, realizing that you won't be able to rest and eat in a safe place after all. kyungho's face falls, but he quickly recovers, his expression curious. "oh, well, me too!" he exclaims, zipping up his bag. "where are you guys headed?" suhyeok takes over, explaining, "there's a construction site down that way. we need to pass it to get to the mountain." kyungho's eyes light up with interest, and he nods, as if considering something.

kyungho glances back in the direction he came from, a thoughtful expression on his face. "i mean, i can go with you guys if you'd allow me," he says, turning back to the group. "but the store isn't that far from here. we could make it and go first thing tomorrow. come on, you guys look like death." he tries to persuade the group, his eyes locked on cheongsan.

you turn to cheongsan, your eyes pleading. "we won't survive long out there if we don't eat and rest properly. one night," you beg, your voice barely above a whisper. the rest of the group's bodies seem to be echoing your plea, their tired and starving eyes begging for relief.the group falls silent for almost a minute, the only sound the heavy breathing of exhausted bodies. cheongsan looks at suhyeok, who's shaking his head in disagreement, but then his gaze sweeps the rest of the group, taking in their desperate expressions. finally, he nods. "lead the way," he says to kyungho, who grins triumphantly.

"awesome, come on," kyungho says, gesturing for the group to follow him. "if we move quickly and quietly, we'll get there in no time." you thank cheongsan before falling in behind kyungho, who takes the lead. suhyeok crosses his arms, looking disbelieving, but the rest of the group follows kyungho, their footsteps quiet and hopeful.