The moon had always felt a little too observant, like it knew things it never said out loud. It hung there quietly, silver and patient, watching the world move in soft, fleeting moments—conversations that mattered, confessions that almost happened, feelings that took their time unfolding.
You tilted your head back to look at it, squinting slightly. “Do you think it ever gets bored?” you murmured, half to yourself, half to the boy sitting beside you.
Juhoon let out a small breath of a laugh, the sound barely louder than the rustling of leaves around you. “The moon?”
“Yeah,” you said, glancing at him with a grin. “I mean, it just sits there. Every night. Watching. That’s kind of creepy, actually. Like… imagine watching people all the time. I’d get bored. Or overwhelmed. Probably both.”
He hummed, considering it, his shoulder just barely brushing yours before he subtly shifted—like he hadn’t meant to touch you in the first place. “It probably thinks the same about us,” he replied, voice soft, almost shy.
You smiled at that, shifting a little closer without really thinking about it. The two of you sat side by side on the grass, the night wrapped gently around you, your conversation drifting between nonsense and something deeper without ever feeling forced. It was easy—talking to him always was.
Well mostly because you did most of the talking.
“And then—okay, wait, you’re not even listening anymore,” you said suddenly, narrowing your eyes playfully.
“I am,” Juhoon protested, though his gaze flickered away for a second, like he’d been caught.
“You totally weren’t,” you laughed, nudging him lightly with your shoulder. “What did I just say then?”
He hesitated, lips parting before closing again, and you watched the way his fingers fidgeted in his lap. It wasn’t the first time you’d noticed it—how he seemed to hover around you, like he wanted to get closer but wasn’t quite sure how.
Even now, as you kept talking, you caught him trying again.
Slowly, almost cautiously, he lifted his arm, like he was going to place it over your shoulders. But halfway there, he paysed and then quietly pulled it back, resting his hand on his own knee instead.
You pretended not to notice at first.
He tried again a few minutes later, this time his hand inching toward yours in the grass. His fingers hovered just barely above yours—close enough that you could feel the warmth—but then he stopped, like something held him back, and withdrew again.
Your chest tightened just a little because it wasn’t the first time. He did it a lot, actually. Little almost-touches. Half-finished gestures. Like he wanted to reach for you but stopped himself at the last second.
At first, you figured he just needed time. You didn’t mind. You really didn’t, But tonight, it felt… different.
Juhoon seemed to notice almost immediately. The easy rhythm of your voice disappeared, leaving only the soft hum of the night between you. He shifted slightly, glancing at you.
“What’s wrong?” you asked gently.
“Nothing,” he said quickly, almost too quickly, giving a small shrug. “I’m fine.”
You studied him for a moment, then smiled softly, deciding not to push. “Okay,” you said, your tone light again.
He let out a quiet breath, something between relief and nervousness, and nodded.
Your gaze slowly shifted from him back up to them moon. “Do you think people change a lot?” you asked, your voice softer now. “Like… once they start liking someone?”
Juhoon glanced at you, his expression unreadable for a second. “Maybe,” he said. “Or maybe they just… show parts of themselves they weren’t sure about before.”
You hummed thoughtfully, drawing patterns in the grass with your fingers. “I think I talk more,” you admitted with a small laugh. “Which is saying something.”
He smiled faintly. “I don’t mind.”
“I know you don’t,” you said, nudging him again, lighter this time. “You’re just… quiet about everything.”
The words lingered between you.
And then, slowly, everything went still.
No more talking. No more distractions. Just the two of you, sitting too close and not close enough at the same time. The silence stretched, heavy and warm, like something was waiting to happen but neither of you quite knew how to start it.
Juhoon’s hand shifted again, hesitating near yours.
But this time, you didn’t wait.
You turned toward him, closing the small distance before he could second-guess himself again, and pressed your lips gently against his.
For a second, he froze.
Then you pulled back slightly, just enough to look at him. His eyes were wide, his face flushed in a way that made your chest tighten.
You smiled, a little teasing, a little soft. “You should get used to that,” you said quietly.
Juhoon blinked, still processing, his cheeks deepening in color. Before he could say anything, you leaned in again.
And this time, he didn’t hesitate.
As you moved closer, he leaned back slightly into the grass, and you followed naturally, your hand bracing beside him. His arms wrapped around your waist, hesitant for only a split second before settling there like they belonged.
The kiss deepened just a little, still soft, still careful, but no longer uncertain.
Above you, the moon stayed exactly where it was—silent, steady, and watching, like it always had been.
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.☘︎ ݁˖ note from author: this fic gave me a CRAZY headache
Your waitress kept glancing at you in pity. You were dolled up and had been sitting at your table for the last hour and a bit more. She had already refilled your water five times. You were obviously waiting for someone, constantly anxiously checking your phone and your leg bouncing under the table.
You sighed, dropping your phone onto the backseat of your uber. The driver glanced back with a knowing look in his eye. “Boyfriend problems?” You nodded your head. “I hate men.” “I used to be young. I get it.” He said, without taking his eyes off the road
“You gotta believe in your love.”
You were dropped off at your apartment complex not long after, your mind swimming with what the driver had told you. You barely registered walking into the lobby, getting into your apartment and flopping onto your sofa.
You stared at your living room ceiling, letting time pass by. Minutes went by, and suddenly it was dark outside. You convinced yourself that the ache in your heart was simply because of exhaustion as you poured water into your instant noodles. Deep down, you knew that you missed Juhoon. You understood him. Cortis just had a comeback, of course they’d be busy and constantly working overtime.
You poked at your noodles with chopsticks, your appetite gone. This was definitely not how you had envisioned your night to go. Sighing, you went into your room to shower and change out of your dress.
After showering, you were getting dressed when you heard a knock on your door. “Coming!” You yelled, hastily pulling on a shirt you had lying on your bed. You rushed to the front door, swinging it open.
It was Juhoon.
He was wearing sweatpants and a shirt, his eyes still red and raw. Yet, he was at your front door, flowers in hand and a cu bag in the other.
“I…” His voice cracked. “I’m sorry.”
“Juhoon?”
“I bought these for you.” He handed you the bouquet and bag. “I got you your favourite food, can you forgive me..?”
“Oh my god, you’re the sweetest.” You took the flowers, taking his hand with the other. “Come in.”
Juhoon hugged you, burying his face in your shoulder. “I miss you baby.”
“I miss you too.” He pulls back, looking at you fully.
SYN. What happens when two childhood model friends are reunited after debuting under the same label?
.✦ ݁˖ Childhood friends → lovers trope. Contains: ILLIT, CORTIS, romance, mentions of ' R U NEXT
グダグダ言うけど、君に恋してるよ— ILLIT, Sunday morning ☁️
Prev, Next..
For the first few seconds, neither of them moved.
The hallway around them remained just as chaotic as before—staff members hurried past carrying camera equipment, managers called out schedules, and idols bowed politely as they passed one another—but for Y/N and Juhoon, it all became background noise. They simply stared, each trying to process how someone who had once been part of their everyday life had suddenly become a stranger they hadn’t seen in years.
It was Juhoon who finally laughed first.
Not because anything was funny.
Because he genuinely couldn’t believe this was real.
“…You actually exist,” he said, shaking his head.
Y/N laughed too, her smile growing wider by the second.
“I was about to say the same thing.”
“You got shorter.”
“My manager literally measured me last month.”
“So… you got shorter.”
“I absolutely did not.”
Martin, who had been standing beside Juhoon this entire time, slowly looked between them with raised eyebrows.
“…You know each other?”
Before Juhoon could answer, Y/N grinned.
“I’ve known him since he was missing his front teeth.”
Juhoon’s eyes widened.
“…Don’t start.”
“Oh, I’m absolutely starting.”
“He cried because he lost a race to a seven-year-old.”
“I tripped!”
“You still lost.”
“I tripped!”
Martin immediately burst into laughter.
“No way.”
“It wasn’t funny.”
“It is now,” Y/N replied with a smug smile.
Juhoon groaned dramatically, rubbing a hand over his face.
“I waited years to reunite with you and this is what I get.”
“Oh, you expected me to be nice?”
“…A little.”
“No.”
The members of ILLIT had slowly wandered over by this point, curious about why Y/N suddenly looked so comfortable around someone she’d just bumped into. Wonhee tilted her head before looking at Juhoon.
“…Wait.”
She looked at Y/N.
“Is this… the Juhoon?”
Y/N blinked.
“…The Juhoon?”
“The one you always used to talk about when we were trainees.”
Y/N froze.
Juhoon blinked.
“…You talked about me?”
Her face immediately turned bright pink.
“I—I…”
Wonhee innocently continued before Y/N could stop her.
“You had a box of old modeling pictures with—”
“Wonhee!”
The younger girl immediately clamped her mouth shut.
“…Oops.”
Juhoon slowly turned back toward Y/N.
“…You kept our old pictures?”
Y/N looked everywhere except at him.
“…Maybe.”
“…Seriously?”
“They’re just… memories.”
His expression softened almost instantly.
“…I still have mine.”
This time, Y/N looked back up.
“You do?”
He nodded.
“My mom refuses to throw anything away.”
A tiny laugh escaped her.
“…That sounds like her.”
“My parents still have that commercial where you dumped fake ice cream all over me.”
“I did not dump it.”
“You absolutely did.”
“The director told me to.”
“You enjoyed it.”
“…Maybe a little.”
Both of them laughed, and for a brief moment it genuinely felt like they were twelve years old again, teasing each other between photo shoots while waiting for the cameras to reset.
Unfortunately…
Reality came back much sooner than either of them wanted.
A staff member called out, “CORTIS! Five minutes until rehearsal!”
Another manager immediately answered, “ILLIT, we’re heading to makeup!”
The smiles on both of their faces faltered.
“…Already?” Juhoon asked quietly.
Y/N sighed.
“Looks like it.”
Neither of them seemed ready to leave.
There was still so much they wanted to ask.
How had training gone?
When had he started dancing?
Did he still draw during long car rides?
Did she still collect tiny keychains from every city she visited?
Did either of them still remember the little café they always stopped at after shoots?
Years of questions sat between them.
Yet neither had enough time to ask even one.
Juhoon rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
“So…”
“So…”
“…Congratulations.”
“You too.”
“I’m really proud of you.”
She smiled.
“I watched your debut.”
His eyebrows shot upward.
“…You did?”
“I stayed awake until almost three in the morning because I had an overseas schedule.”
“You watched it live?”
“…Maybe.”
“You definitely did.”
“Maybe.”
Juhoon couldn’t stop smiling.
“I watched your debut too.”
She looked surprised.
“You did?”
“I voted for you.”
The hallway suddenly felt much quieter.
“You…”
“I voted every day.”
Y/N stared at him.
“…You never told me.”
“You were busy trying not to get eliminated.”
“I didn’t even know.”
“You weren’t supposed to.”
For a second, neither of them spoke.
She remembered just how lonely those survival show months had been. Every performance had felt like carrying a mountain on her shoulders. Every ranking announcement had made her wonder if her dream would end that day.
All that time…
Without ever saying a word…
Juhoon had quietly been cheering her on.
She smiled so softly that even she didn’t realize she was doing it.
“…Thank you.”
He shrugged, almost embarrassed.
“I wasn’t going to let you lose.”
Their managers were now gesturing more insistently.
One minute.
They really had to go.
Juhoon hesitated before pulling something from his pocket.
It was his phone.
“…Can I?”
Y/N looked down at it before immediately understanding.
“Oh.”
She laughed.
“We really let years go by without exchanging numbers again, didn’t we?”
“…Kind of embarrassing.”
“Very embarrassing.”
Within seconds, they were typing their contacts into each other’s phones like they hadn’t spent nearly half a decade apart.
Juhoon glanced at the name she’d entered.
Still…
Just Y/N.
No emojis.
No nickname.
He smiled anyway.
Y/N checked his contact.
Juhoon.
Simple.
Just like before.
Neither of them changed it.
Some things didn’t need to.
As they handed their phones back, Martin suddenly leaned toward Juhoon with the biggest grin imaginable.
“So…”
Juhoon immediately sighed.
“…Don’t.”
“You smiled.”
“I always smile.”
“You were smiling differently.”
“I was not.”
“You had heart eyes.”
“I did not have heart eyes.”
Martin looked toward Y/N.
“…Did he always deny everything?”
Y/N nodded without hesitation.
“Constantly.”
“I am literally standing right here.”
Martin and Y/N high-fived.
Juhoon stared at them in complete betrayal.
“…You two have known each other for approximately six minutes.”
“And yet,” Martin replied confidently, “I feel like we’ve been friends for years.”
“Because you’re both teaming up against me.”
“Correct,” Y/N said with a laugh.
Her manager called her name again.
This time, there was no delaying it.
She took one step backward before offering him a small wave.
“I’ll see you around?”
Juhoon smiled.
“You’d better.”
Then, almost instinctively, he added—
“…Don’t disappear again.”
Y/N’s smile became gentler.
“I won’t.”
With that, they turned and walked in opposite directions.
Neither of them looked back immediately.
They both told themselves they needed to stay professional.
Focus on rehearsals.
Focus on performances.
Focus on work.
But after taking only a few more steps…
They both glanced over their shoulders at the exact same moment.
Their eyes met once more across the crowded hallway.
This time, instead of surprise…
They simply smiled.
It was small.
Quiet.
Comfortable.
The kind of smile only shared between people who had once known every version of each other.
Neither of them noticed the rookie camera operator standing nearby, absentmindedly filming backstage B-roll for a behind-the-scenes video.
The lens had captured everything.
Their reunion.
Their laughter.
Their lingering glances.
Their synchronized look back.
The footage lasted less than thirty seconds.
No one thought much of it.
At least…
Not until it was uploaded to the music show’s official YouTube channel later that evening.
Within an hour, fans had clipped that tiny backstage moment and shared it across every social media platform imaginable.
“Wait… why do Juhoon and the ILLIT member look like they already know each other?”
“THEY LOOKED SO COMFORTABLE???”
“Did anyone else notice they both turned around at the same time???”
“I’m telling you, that’s not a normal first meeting.”
“Someone investigate immediately.”
By midnight, the clips had millions of views.
And somewhere in their dorms, both Y/N and Juhoon were completely unaware that the internet had just begun asking the same question neither of them had expected to answer.
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Free to watch • No registration required • HD streaming
Genre: Horror, variety show, established relationship, fluff, comedy
Synopsis: Filming CORTIS' newest SUMBAKKOKJIL episode was supposed to be another chaotic variety show. Unfortunately for you, the production team forgot oneeeee tiny detail: You were utterly terrified of the dark.
Warning(s): Jump scares, mild horror, darkness, suspense, haunted house themes, light language (I realized just now that I never warn this and I’m so sorry)
Word Count: ~11.2k+ 🙂
A/N: Hai! I literally tried my very hardest to condense some of my dialogue so that I can make it all one part…but alas, it didn’t work. I hope you enjoy the rest of the fic!!
They rounded another corner before James spotted one of the abandoned processing rooms with its door hanging halfway open.
"In there!" The two stumbled inside, immediately grabbing their harness lights to kill the brightness until only the faintest glow remained. James slowly pushed the old metal door until only a small crack remained.
"...Don't breathe so loud."
"I literally need oxygen to live."
"Quiet."
Both of them froze. Outside…step, step, step. Something walked across the gravel slowly and patiently. Keonho clamped both hands over his own mouth as the footsteps stopped directly outside. A shadow stretched beneath the crack in the doorway and James felt every muscle in his body lock.
Please…please keep walking...
The handle moved just slightly. Click. Both boys nearly screamed, but the door shifted barely an inch before stopping. There was no sounds for a few seconds, suffocating the two in fear. Then, the footsteps continued stepping. Getting farther away even. James waited another ten full seconds before finally exhaling.
"...I think..." He swallowed. "...I think we're okay."
Keonho slowly lowered his hands. "...I almost met my ancestors dude."
James snorted, calming his heart down from the previous situation.
♡
Meanwhile, Martin sprinted through another narrow alley between the fishing buildings before spotting several enormous rusted metal barrels stacked against a fence.
"...Perfect…I guess."
Without questioning whether this was actually a good idea or an idea that wouldn’t give him tetanus, he climbed into the largest metal barrel feet first before crouching inside.
"...This is either genius..." He looked around the empty barrel. "...Or incredibly stupid."
His eyes landed on a cardboard box leaning nearby.
"...Actually..." He reached over, pulled it inside, and balanced it on his head.
"...There." Complete darkness. "...I can't believe this is working."
Crunch. His smile disappeared. Footsteps were very close outside. Martin held his breath as the footsteps stopped beside the barrel. A slow scratching sound dragged across the outside metal wall.Screeeeeech... He squeezed his eyes shut. There was another scrape before…nothing. Several agonizing seconds later, the footsteps faded away and Martin waited another moment before carefully lifting one edge of the cardboard.
"...Still alive!"
♡
Seonghyeon had barely made it inside another building before he found himself staring at a narrow supply closet.
"...Good enough." He squeezed himself inside, quietly pulling the door almost shut. It smelled like damp wood and seawater.
"...Please don't let there be spiders..." He immediately regretted saying that. "...Why did I say spiders?"
Outside, someone walked past the door. The old floorboards in front of it creaked, and suddenly-
BANG. A nearby door slammed somewhere else in the building, and Seonghyeon physically jumped.
"...Mother of-" He slapped both hands over his own mouth before another sound escaped. "...I'm fine."
He was, in fact, NOT fine but whatever I guess.
♡
Juhoon led you into another abandoned storage room before immediately spotting a tall wooden wardrobe shoved against one wall.
"...In there."
You looked at it. "...Seriously?"
"It's better than outside."
"...okay."
The two of you squeezed inside together, and the doors clicked shut creating instant darkness. Only the tiny antenna lights attached to your harnesses leaked enough light through your hands grasping them to faintly illuminate each other's faces. You could hear both your breathing and your own heartbeat at this point.
"...Jju?"
"...Yeah?"
"I've decided to never get in a car unless I know where I’m going."
A tiny laugh escaped him. "...Me neither."
Another loud clang echoed somewhere outside. You flinched so hard your shoulder bumped into his.
"...Sorry."
"You don't have to apologize."
More footsteps approached closer this time. Instinctively, you reached for his sleeve again, but instead, he quietly intertwined his fingers with yours.
"...You're shaking," he whispered.
"...You're shaking too."
Another step became closer, until the footsteps stopped somewhere outside the closet. Neither of you breathed because someone, or something, was inside the room now. Your grip on Juhoon's hand tightened so much it left an indent, but he gently squeezed back. Then-
BANG! Something slammed against another locker across the room. You jumped so violently a tiny squeak escaped your throat. Juhoon's free hand immediately covered your mouth just enough to muffle the sound. His face was only inches away now, but his own eyes were wide. Terrified. But even in this situation, he was looking at you instead of whatever was outside.
"It's okay," he mouthed silently.
Outside the wardrobe, footsteps lingered. Then...BANG. Another door, further away was hit open. The footsteps followed slower until they eventually became nothing. The silence returned, and after another thirty seconds, Juhoon slowly removed his hand from your mouth.
"...Think..." He listened. "...I think it's gone."
You let out the longest breath of your life. "...oh my gosh I’m going to throw up."
"I feel the same don’t worry."
"So…you still have all ten fingers attached?"
"...Barely."
He laughed quietly. "...That's my brave girl."
You rolled your eyes. For the first time since the game had truly begun, you smiled back.
♡
It was almost funny how no one moved. Every single member was like…waiting for somebody else to make the first mistake. James on the other hand, he slowly cracked the metal door open no more than an inch.
"...Do you see anything?"
Keonho leaned over a few cardboard boxes he’d been sitting by. "...Darkness."
"...wow discovery of the century."
"I'm trying my best."
James pushed the door open another inch. The gravel path outside sat completely empty without any people, ghosts, soaker fisherman, or anything. Only the gentle rocking of boats against the dock.
"...I think we're okay."
"I don't believe you."
"...uh neither do I but how else will we get out of here."
After another careful look in both directions, James finally stepped outside. Reluctantly, Keonho followed him back into the harbor and the dark of the night.
♡
Martin carefully climbed out of the barrel, cardboard box still balanced on his head.
"...I can't believe that actually worked." He tossed the box aside before dusting off his jeans. "...gosh it was so hot in there."
♡
Seonghyeon slowly opened the closet door to be met with nothing. He stepped into the hallway.
"...Hello?" Only silence answered him.
"...o…kay."
He adjusted the straps of his camera harness before cautiously continuing down the corridor.
"...James? Keonho? Anybody?" No response. "...Fantastic."
♡
Back inside the wardrobe, you and Juhoon were still standing much closer than either of you realized.
"...Should we go?"
Juhoon listened for another few seconds before giving a small nod. "...Stay behind me."
"...Jju."
"I'm serious."
He opened the wardrobe door. Fresh night air drifted into the room from the other front door being left open by the seeker. It felt strange after hiding in such a tiny space. You stepped out first this time, your harness lights sweeping slowly across the old storage room.
"...We're okay."
Juhoon quietly reached over and straightened the camera harness on your shoulder where it'd shifted while you were squeezed into the wardrobe.
"...There."
"...Thanks."
♡
For several long minutes, the six of you unknowingly wandered the harbor alone once again. Only this time, everyone moved differently. There was like, no confidence and every corner was approached cautiously. James carefully pushed open another weathered door.
"...Hello?"
Nothing. He swept his harness lights across the room filled with broken shelves, old fishing nets, a cracked cooler, a some funky smell he couldn’t name.
"...uhhh." He sighed before turning around. "...Come on, Keonho."
"...I'm already coming. You don't have to narrate it."
"I do when I'm scared."
♡
Elsewhere, Seonghyeon paused outside another storage building.
"...Okay..." He slowly peeked inside. "...Please don't have another creepy fisherman."
There wasn’t anything, so he took one careful step inside. Immediately, his foot bumped something. Thunk. He looked down very slowly just to see a faded red buoy rolling lazily across the floor.
"...You scared me."
♡
Martin slowly wandered between another row of fishing rooms, shining his light into every doorway he passed.
"...What exactly are we looking for..." His sentence slowly trailed off.
"...Wait." His eyes widened. "...The doll." He stopped walking altogether. "...The bucket."
He pointed back toward the building he was at when the game begun.
"...We actually found one." He laughed quietly to himself. "...We're idiots."
Without wasting another second, he spun around and immediately started jogging back the way he'd come.
♡
You and Juhoon carefully followed the edge of one of the wooden docks, your lights bouncing over the black water.
"...Don't look into it," you muttered.
Juhoon looked over. "...What?"
"The water."
"...Why?"
"They literally said not to?"
"...true."
You kept your eyes firmly on the dock instead. "...I don't need eye contact with whatever lives in there."
A tiny splash echoed somewhere beneath the boards and both of you immediately stopped walking. After a few moments, the two of you continued forward, scanning every rope, every bucket, and every abandoned boat for anything resembling one of the Dead Pieces. After another few cautious steps, Juhoon suddenly stopped.
"...Wait."
You turned toward him. "What?"
His eyebrows slowly pulled together. "...I just remembered something."
"You remembered something now?"
"When I first took my blindfold off..." He pointed back toward the opposite side of the harbor. "...There was a little fishing shrine near the tent where I was at that’s also near the burning bowl area.”
You blinked. "...Okay?"
"There was something sitting beside it like kind of dipped in the water."
"...Like...what?"
"I didn't think anything of it then..." He looked back toward the docks. "...But now..." His eyes widened slightly. "...I think it was a Dead Piece."
You followed where he was looking. "...That's...pretty far."
"...Yeah." He checked the path ahead before looking back at you. "...I'll just jog over there."
Your stomach immediately sank. "...Alone?"
"It'll be quicker."
"...Jju..."
"I'll be back before you know it."
You hesitated. Everything tonight had gone wrong the moment someone separated from the group.
"...Maybe we should stay together."
"I know..." His voice softened. "...But if we're right, that's one more piece already found."
He smiled reassuringly before gently squeezing your hand. "...Stay on the main paths. Don't wander into the buildings unless you have to."
"...You're giving me instructions?"
"...Because I know you'll ignore half of them."
"...Excuse you."
He laughed quietly. "...Meet me back at the burning bowl if you find anything."
"...Promise you'll be careful."
"...Promise."
Reluctantly, you let go of his hand. "...Don't take forever."
"I won't."
With one last smile, Juhoon turned and started jogging down the dock, disappearing between the weathered fishing buildings until only the bouncing light on his harness remained. Then, it vanished around a corner. You suddenly felt a lot smaller standing there by yourself.
"...I hate this..." Taking a steadying breath, you turned toward another row of abandoned storage rooms. "...Come on..."
♡
Several buildings away, Seonghyeon carefully crept through another abandoned processing room.
"...Please let there be literally anything useful..." His light swept over the broken crates, old ropes, and extremely rusted hooks, but there was nothing. "...Seriously?"
He sighed before stepping back into the hallway and rubbing the back of his neck while rounding the next corner. Immediately, he froze. The seeker was there. Not standing, crawling. Her soaked hair dragged across the floor as she slowly pulled herself toward him with unnatural movements.
Scrraaaape...Drip. Scrraaaape... Her head slowly lifted and their eyes met.
"...No."
She smiled and Seonghyeon's entire soul left his body.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
He spun around and sprinted the opposite direction.
"Nope nope nope NOPE!"
Behind him- scrape, scrape, scrape. The sound was getting closer.
"...WHY IS SHE SO FAST?!"
He barely made it down the hallway before someone grabbed his shoulder.
"Caught."
"...WHAT?!"
He nearly collapsed as two laughing staff members stepped out from behind the wall. One pointed toward another building.
"Prison."
Seonghyeon dramatically sighed.
♡
Juhoon slowed to a stop beside the small fishing shrine.
"...Here." Exactly where he remembered it. An old fabric sheet was dipped into the water, connected to some box as well. Weathered prayer ribbons fluttered gently in the breeze, and slowly he crouched down to pull it out.
"...I knew it." His fingers wrapped around the sheet as he began pulling, but he heard something before he got it out. Behind him...
Drip. Juhoon's smile faded. Very slowly, he looked over his shoulder. The seeker stood at the edge of the dock, water dripping steadily from her clothes.
"...Seriously?"
Her head tilted. "...Found you."
"...Oh, you've got to be kidding me."
He barely managed two steps before- Tap.
"Caught."
Juhoon closed his eyes. "...She's never going to let me live this down."
♡
Elsewhere, Keonho cautiously wandered with James through another weathered storage room, his harness light bouncing over stacks of old fishing crates.
"...Please let there be a doll..." He sighed dramatically. "...I'm talking to inanimate objects now."
As he turned to leave, something caught the corner of his eye.
"...Wait." Tucked behind an overturned bucket sat a small wooden box no bigger than both of his hands. Faded rope wrapped around it, and a worn paper talisman was tied across the lid.
"...No way..." He slowly crouched beside it. "...This has to be one."
Very carefully, he untied the rope before lifting the lid. Inside rested another dead piece.
"...YES!" He immediately closed the box again and held it against his chest. "I actually found one!"
James turned on his heels and walked up to him saying, “That’s great!! We are getting closer to escaping!”
Keonho immediately nodded and looked at the doll. “I’m going to quickly take it to the burning bowl area okay? You stay behind and look for more.”
James nodded and Keonho looked around once more before taking off into a jog.
"...Please don't let creepy water lady be nearby..."
♡
The burning bowl sat alone near the fishing shrine as Keonho slowed to a stop, breathing heavily.
"...Okay..." He carefully placed the doll near the bowl. "...Sorry little dude."
Smiling to himself, he quickly turned around and ran back on the harbor. "...Now I just have to not die."
♡
"...Please..." Keonho slowed as he reached another narrow gravel path. "...Please let me reunite with somebody..."
He rounded the corner and adjusted the camera harness on his shoulders before continuing through another abandoned fishing shed. The second he stepped forward-
FWUMP. He tripped into a hole in the ground, legs caught by a tangle of fishing nets.
"...WHAT?!" He rolled onto his back, desperately trying to untangle himself. "...Why is this happening to me?!"
The more he struggled, the tighter it became. "...Seriously?!"
He finally managed to free one arm before pulling the net over his head. "...Almost..."
He staggered to his feet- Tap. Keonho slowly closed his eyes.
"...You're joking."
The seeker stood behind him, dripping seawater onto the floor. "...Found you."
Keonho let out the longest sigh imaginable.
"...I escaped the net..." He looked directly into his camera. "...Just to lose anyway."
Two staff members stepped out from behind the wall. "Prison."
"...I knew you were going to say that."
♡
Back near where Keonho used to be, James carefully pushed open another weathered door.
"...Anything?" He walked farther inside. "...These dolls are impossible to-"
Splash. He frowned.
"...Hello?" No answer. "...Probably just the water..."
He turned around and the seeker stood less than six feet away.
"...what in-." James tried to bolt past her, but a soaked hand tapped his shoulder.
"Caught."
James stopped walking.
"...why is she so scary..." He looked directly into the camera attached to his harness. "...I guess at least I get to know what jail looks like."
♡
Meanwhile, Martin had just made it back at the building where he'd first discovered the floating doll.
"...Please still be there..." He hurried inside and climbed two flights of stairs to reach the bathroom he remembered it being in. The bucket sat exactly where he'd left it, doll floating inside.
"...Yes." He carefully reached into the water before lifting out the dead piece. "...You were a lot creepier the first time I saw you."
He looked toward the doorway. "...Alright."
He started walking towards the door before he heard drops of water coming from the outside. Immediately, his heart stopped, and in an attempt to save himself, he shut the door. As it clicked close, he slowly slid down the back of the door and took a seat.
“Oh my gosh I’m cooked.”
♡
You slowly wandered between another row of abandoned fishing sheds, your harness light sweeping across the ground.
"...Come on..." You frowned. "...There has to be something."
As you stepped around another weathered corner, something tucked beneath a broken wooden pallet caught your attention.
"...Huh?" You carefully crouched down before pulling it free. Another weathered wooden box.
"...Wait..." Your heartbeat sped up. "...Please be one..."
You untied the faded rope before lifting the lid. Inside there was another doll. A dead piece.
"...No way." You couldn't help smiling. "...I actually found one."
You carefully took the doll out of the box before hugging it against your chest. "...Okay..."
You glanced toward the direction of the burning bowl. "...Let's go."
♡
Martin stayed perfectly still against the bathroom door, barely daring to breathe. The Dead Piece rested tightly in his hands…
Drip. Drip… and the footsteps outside hadn't moved.
"...Please leave..." Another slow scrape echoed through the hallway. Screeeeeech...
"...Nope." He looked around the tiny bathroom in desperation. There wasn't anywhere to hide. No closets, no cabinets, not even a barrel this time. His eyes drifted toward the small window above the sink.
"...Wait." A tiny spark of hope crossed his face. "...Actually..."
He hurried over and carefully unlatched it. The rusted frame squealed the slightest bit as he pushed it open.
"...Shhh..."
Martin froze, waiting for a sound. The footsteps outside never changed, so he slowly looked down at the doll in his hands.
"If I get caught with you..." He sighed. "...Someone else is going to have to finish the job."
Carefully leaning through the window, he aimed toward the gravel road running between the buildings.
"...Good luck, little guy."
Whoosh. The doll sailed through the air before landing with a dull, thunk right in the middle of the path. Martin immediately shut the window, backed away, and held his breath once more.
♡
You carefully made your way through the harbor, both hands wrapped around your Dead Piece.
"...Almost there..." The burning bowl wasn't much farther.
Ding. Your phone buzzed. Thinking it was another clue from the PD, you glanced down. Instead, it was…the group chat?
Martin:
I had to ditch one of the Dead Pieces. Bathroom on the second floor. I threw it out the window onto the main road before I got caught. If anyone's still alive...please grab it.
Your eyes widened.
"...Seriously?" You quickly looked around before jogging toward the road Martin had described. "...Please still be there..."
Only a few moments later, your harness light caught something resting in the gravel. "...There!"
You hurried over before crouching down. The weathered doll lay exactly where Martin had thrown it.
"...Good throw." Smiling to yourself, you picked it up before carefully holding it in the same hand as your other doll.
"...Okay." Now carrying two Dead Pieces, you turned back toward the docks. "...Let's NOT get caught."
♡
The burning bowl came into view a few minutes later. "...Made it."
You knelt beside the stone pedestal, noting the Dead Piece that was already waiting there. Keonho’s.
"...Sorry you guys." You gently placed your own beside it, and then Martin's. Three dolls now rested together at the base of the burning bowl. Which meant…only two remained. Was one of them the one Juhoon had almost reached?
"...Two left..."
Before you could think any further-
Ding. Your phone buzzed again. This time it wasn't the group chat.
PD:STATUS UPDATE
Every member except Y/N has been captured. Current Prisoners are James, Martin, Keonho, Seonghyeon, and Juhoon. Y/N is now the final surviving player.
New Mission:
Proceed to the Black Room and complete the trial inside to release the captured members. Failure will result in permanent imprisonment for all remaining players.
Time Remaining:
2,317 seconds.
You stared at the screen.
"...Wait..." You slowly looked around the empty harbor. "...I'm the only one left?"
The realization settled over you all at once. No wonder it had felt so quiet and you hadn't run into anyone. Everyone...had been caught. Your stomach dropped.
"...You've got to be kidding me." Somewhere across the harbor, a rusted sign creaked in the wind. Then, from somewhere deeper in the fishing village a single metal door slowly slammed shut. BANG. You instinctively looked toward the sound.
"...Guess I'm going to the Black Room."
♡
A single wooden sign hung crooked above the doorway. ‘BLACK ROOM’
"...good gosh."
You slowly walked toward it reluctantly, and the old wooden door groaned as you pushed it open.Creeeeeeak... Your harness lights barely illuminated the entrance. Beyond it...was absolutely nothing. Not darkness, no, it was essentially pitch black. A hallway so completely void of light it almost looked solid.
"...Hell nah." You immediately backed out and shut the door. SLAM.
"No." You folded your arms. "...Actually no."
You looked at the camera attached to your harness. "...They really expected me to just walk in there? That's crazy."
A laminated sign beside the doorway suddenly caught your attention. You stepped closer.
RULES
DO NOT USE LIGHT.
DO NOT RUN THROUGH.
"...Those are the two things I was planning on doing..."
You stared at the door, sighing dramatically before pacing back and forth in front of the entrance.
"...Okay..." Deep breath. "...You have watched horror movies."
You bounced lightly on your heels.
"...Come on..." Another bounce. "...You can do this. Easy peasy lemon squeezey."
You jumped up and down a few times, shaking out your hands. Then, you suddenly stopped.
"...Not easy." You groaned loudly before rubbing both hands over your face.
"...Okay ghosts." You pointed toward the door. "...Let's make a deal. If I perform...will you let me pass peacefully? ...Please?"
No words were said. Obviously.
"...I'm taking that as a yes." You nodded confidently. "...Wonderful."
You immediately stood a little straighter before quietly starting the choreography to one of the groups' songs.
"...Okay..." Your feet moved almost automatically as you mumbled the lyrics under your breath. "...Teppanyaki on my Mac, huh, I go 영크크."
You finished your little dance and did a tiny clap.
"...WOOOO!" You pointed at absolutely nobody. "...Let's go!"
Outside, on the other side of the building, the five members sitting behind the jail bars all looked up simultaneously.
"...She's dancing? Why did I hear 영크크." James asked.
"...To calm herself down," Juhoon replied.
"...Honestly..." He laughed quietly. "...It tracks."
Back outside the Black Room, you finished the last move of another dance before dramatically bowing toward the darkness.
"...Thank you." Silence. "...Wonderful audience."
You looked back at the door.
"...Okay now I'm actually terrified." You bounced on your heels again. "...Three...Two...One..."
You opened the door. Creeeeak... Immediately, darkness swallowed everything. You reluctantly reached up and switched off your harness lights. Click. Great it was even darker now, and you couldn't even see your own hands. Your feet refused to move even if you wanted to keep going. Which you didn’t.
"...Come on." You took one step forward and the wooden floor creaked beneath you. "...I'm literally just walking!”
As you took another step, your eyes adjusted. Barely just enough to make out vague shapes lining both walls. They were tall and still, but worst of all, breathing. Every muscle in your body locked. They weren't mannequins, but real people standing shoulder to shoulder in complete silence. Watching you. None of them even spoke to you or made a sound. They just…stared.
"...Hi…I hope you're all having..." You swallowed. “...A wonderful evening."
There wasn’t any sounds made.
"...Okay." Your heartbeat was pounding so loudly you were convinced they could hear it.
"...Remember..." You whispered to yourself. "...Don't run."
You took careful steps, noticing that every person remained completely still.
"...You're doing great." At this point, you were more talking to yourself. "...You're so brave. You're literally amazing."
One of the actors slowly tilted their head.
"...Don't do that." Another one twitched, and you pointed at them. "...Cut that out."
You took one more shaky step before looking up. The hallway was ending soon, and a black curtain hung directly ahead.
"...THAT'S THE EXIT." Without another thought, you burst through it. "WOOOOOO!"
You immediately broke into a sprint the second your feet hit gravel. "So sorry!"
You rounded one corner, and then another before-
"...GUYS!" Five familiar faces immediately shot toward the sound.
"Y/N!"
You practically launched yourself toward the jail. Juhoon reached both arms through the bars just as you crashed into them. He wrapped them around your shoulders as much as the metal bars allowed, gently pulling you close.
"...Hey."
Your breathing still hadn't slowed. "...That was awful."
"I know." His hand softly smoothed over your hair. "...You did so well."
"...There were live PEOPLE in there Jju."
“What!?”
"...They blinked and breathed and stared at me…”
"...I'm so proud of you."
Before either of you could say anything else-
"...HELLO?" James pointed dramatically at the bars. "...I love you two…very much. But I also love freedom even more."
Martin folded his arms. "...It stinks of romance oh my gosh."
You laughed, finally stepping back from Juhoon. "...Sorry."
You quickly went in front of the jail and tapped the red button, releasing all of them. As Seonghyeon walked out, he held up something wrapped in cloth.
"...Good news though."
You blinked. "...Wait. How do you have a Dead Piece?"
"Oh." He smiled. "...Jail challenge."
Y/N stepped closer as he explained.
"There were two metal poles inside. One had a plus and the other had a minus. All we had to do was touch them both at the exact same time while holding hands."
"...Like making a circuit?" you asked.
He nodded. "The box above us short-circuited." He pointed upward. "...And this dropped out. So we weren't completely useless."
"...You were never useless," you smiled.
James immediately pointed toward the harbor. "...Okay. So what's left?"
You looked between everyone. "...Only one now."
Martin nodded once. "...James hyung."
James already understood. "...We'll search ahead. The rest of you take that one to the burning bowl."
"You'll catch up?"
Martin grinned. "...Eventually."
With that, the two disappeared into another narrow path between the fishing buildings while the four of you turned toward the docks once more. The four of you headed down the gravel path together, Seonghyeon carrying the Dead Piece from the jail while Keonho absentmindedly kicked small rocks along the ground.
"...Well," Keonho sighed. "...At least nobody has to go through another Black Room."
"I refuse," you answered immediately. "If there are two, I'm staying here."
Juhoon laughed quietly beside you. "...Noted."
The group continued walking for another minute before Juhoon suddenly slowed. "...Wait."
Everyone looked over. "What?"
His eyebrows slowly knitted together. "...I just remembered something."
"...That's usually either really good or really bad," Martin wasn't there to say it, but Keonho happily filled in.
Juhoon blinked. "...Where I first started..."
"...Yeah?"
"That’s basically where the burning bowl is." He stopped walking altogether. "...The white sheet..."
"...The white sheet?" Seonghyeon repeated.
Juhoon's eyes widened. "...The thing hanging into the water that I almost pulled out."
"...Oh." You slowly looked at him. "...Jju."
"...I think...I think that's the last Dead Piece for sure. Near the burning bowl.”
Nobody spoke. Keonho slowly turned in the direction James and Martin had disappeared.
"...We literally sent them away then."
"...Shoot." You immediately pulled out your phone.
Y/N:
WAIT. COME BACK. LAST DOLL IS BY THE SHRINE.
Several seconds passed, and yet no reply.
"...I don't think they have their phones out," Seonghyeon muttered.
"...They're probably searching," Juhoon sighed. "...Let's just grab it ourselves."
Everyone nodded before breaking into a jog toward the shrine.
♡
Meanwhile, James looked underneath another old fishing table. "...Nothing."
Martin checked behind several stacked lobster traps. "...Nothing here."
James sighed dramatically. "...Whoever hid these dolls is going to be hearing my several complaints soon."
"...Submit them after we survive." Martin rubbed the back of his neck before looking around another abandoned processing room. "...Where would you even hide one?"
James shrugged. "...Honestly, I'd probably hide it somewhere to irritate the people looking for it."
"...Helpful."
"...Thank you."
Suddenly- Scrraaaape... Both of them froze.
"...Martin."
"...Yeah?"
"...Tell me that wasn't what I think it was."
Scrraaaape... Closer this time. Martin slowly looked toward the doorway.
"...Run?"
"...Run."
The two immediately bolted into the nearest storage building, and Martin slammed the door shut. BANG! James twisted the rusted lock. Click.
"...Locked!"
"The windows!"
Together they rushed across the room, yanking every dusty blind downward. Thunk, thunk, thunk.Darkness swallowed the room as both of them stood completely still.
"...I think we lost her."
Martin nodded. "...I think so too."
Five seconds passed. Then- Creeeeeeak. James frowned.
"...Martin.”
"...What."
"...We locked the door."
"...Yeah?"
"...Not the window."
Martin's eyes slowly drifted toward the far wall. The window very slowly began sliding sideways. Creeeeeeeeeeak...
"...oh my fricking-"
A soaking wet hand gripped the windowsill, quickly followed by another before its black hair appeared. And suddenly-
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The seeker's head burst through the opening with an ear-piercing scream. Both boys shrieked louder than she did.
"WE JUST GOT OUT OF JAIL!"
"LEAVE US ALONE!"
James practically climbed onto Martin trying to get away. Tap. Tap. The seeker calmly reached through the window and touched both of their shoulders.
"...Caught."
James slowly looked into the camera. "...This feels targeted!!"
Martin sighed the deepest sigh of his life. "...Can we get a loyalty punchcard at this point?"
Two staff members opened the door from outside. "Prison."
"...Again?" James groaned.
"...Again."
♡
Back near the shrine, Juhoon carefully crouched beside the weathered fishing altar.
"...Here."
Just beneath the soaked white cloth, a familiar wooden box rested half submerged in the water. He reached down, carefully lifting it free before opening and taking the last dead piece out.
"...Got it." You smiled.
"...That's all five." Keonho practically cheered. "...WE'RE FREE!"
"Not yet," Seonghyeon laughed. "...Let's burn them first."
The four hurried the short distance to the burning bowl. The other four Dead Pieces still rested beside the pedestal exactly where you'd left them. One by one you placed every doll into the iron bowl. Beside it sat a large red button labeled ‘FIRE’.
"...Who's pressing it?" Keonho asked.
Everyone immediately looked at him. "...Why me?!"
"You've pressed everything else today," you smiled.
"...That's unfortunately true." He dramatically cracked his knuckles. "...For freedom."
Click. For a moment, nothing happened. Then- WHOOOOSH! Brilliant orange flames erupted from the bowl. Every Dead Piece disappeared into the fire, and immediately-
BEEEEEEEEEEP! Red warning lights exploded to life across the harbor, soon followed by sirens echoing through every building. WEEOOO! WEEOOO! WEEOOO! All four of your phones vibrated simultaneously.
DING.
PD:
MISSION COMPLETE. THE HARBOR IS COLLAPSING. ALL SURVIVING PARTICIPANTS HAVE 100 SECONDS TO REACH THE EXIT. FAILURE TO EVACUATE BEFORE LOCKDOWN WILL RESULT IN ELIMINATION.
A timer immediately appeared.
100, 99, 98…
Keonho looked up. "...RUN!"
The four of you immediately took off.
♡
Across the harbor, the jail door suddenly clicked open by itself. James blinked.
"...We're free already?"
Martin didn't question it. "...RUN FIRST."
The two sprinted out of jail without another word.
♡
Gravel crunched beneath your shoes as the four of you flew through the narrow pathways.
"...Eighty-one seconds!" Keonho shouted.
"I'm trying!" Seonghyeon laughed breathlessly. "...Why is the exit so far?!"
Juhoon looked ahead. "...Almost there!"
Your footsteps slowed as you noticed something. Your hand instinctively reached toward your belt loop, noticing the absence of weight on it. It was empty.
You froze. "...No."
Far behind you near the wooden docks, something small and pink rested on the gravel. "...Shoot."
You looked between Juhoon and the tiny marshmallow before ultimately deciding to spin around and sprint back the way you came.
♡
Juhoon was the first to stumble through the heavy exit doors. A different kind of cold night air hit him, and he bent over with his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.
"...We're out..."
A second later Seonghyeon burst through beside him, nearly tripping over the threshold.
"...Never." He wheezed. "...Doing that again."
Keonho came sprinting out after him, practically collapsing against the nearest wall. "...I hated every second of that."
The three of them stood there breathing heavily while the massive metal doors remained open behind them. Red emergency lights still flashed across the harbor, and somewhere deeper inside the arena the evacuation sirens continued blaring. BWWWWWWWW-
"...We actually did it," Keonho laughed between breaths.
"...Barely," Seonghyeon answered.
Juhoon finally straightened up, wiping sweat from his forehead. "...Now we just need everyone el-"
Another pair of footsteps echoed behind them. Martin and James exploded through the doorway at full speed.
"...MOVE!"
"We ARE moving!"
The two nearly crashed straight into the others before finally slowing to a stop several feet away. James immediately dropped onto the pavement.
"...I'm taking an extended nap tomorrow."
Martin collapsed beside him. "...Same."
Nobody spoke for several seconds. Just six people trying to remember how breathing worked. Then James looked around. "...Wait..."
Martin followed his gaze. "...Where's Y/N?"
Juhoon's smile disappeared instantly. He looked beside himself and then behind him.
"...Baby?" Nothing answered, and his heartbeat immediately sped up.
"...Wait." He turned another full circle. "...Where is she?"
Keonho blinked. "...Wasn't she right behind us?"
"I thought she was with you," Seonghyeon answered.
Juhoon's stomach dropped.
"...No." His voice came out much quieter than intended. "...She was behind me..."
James slowly sat upright. "...Maybe she's still coming?"
Juhoon immediately looked back toward the massive doorway. Still nothing. Only flashing red lights, sirens, and that oh so lovely darkness.
"...No..." He took several steps toward the entrance. "...Y/N?"
No answer greeted him and his breathing became noticeably faster.
"...Y/N!" No sounds. "...No no no..." He looked frantically between every member. “...Did anybody see her?!"
Everyone shook their heads. "...She was literally with us!"
"...Maybe she took another path?" Martin suggested, although he didn't sound convinced himself.
Juhoon ran a hand through his hair. "...Why would she take another path?"
Nobody had an answer which made his chest tighten even more. "...She wouldn't..."
"...WAIT!" Keonho suddenly pointed toward the darkness beyond the docks. "...LOOK!"
Everyone spun around. Far across the harbor, a tiny harness light bounced wildly through the darkness running fast. Very fast.
"...Is that-"
"It is!" Seonghyeon shouted.
Juhoon's heart leapt in happiness…until he saw what was behind you. It was that damn seeker absolutely flying across the gravel, water spraying behind her with every impossibly long stride she took as she closed the distance.
"...BABY!" His voice echoed across the harbor, causing you to look up.
"...JJU!" You were absolutely booking it. "I'M TRYING!"
The countdown speaker echoed through the entire harbor. "...TEN...NINE..." The exit doors began moving slowly, beginning to close.
"...GO!" James screamed.
"...EIGHT...SEVEN..."
You pumped your arms harder. "I'M GOING!"
The seeker's footsteps thundered behind you. Closer. Closer.
"...SIX..."
Juhoon couldn't stop himself anymore. He sprinted toward the doorway.
"...JUHOON!" Martin shouted.
"I'M GETTING HER!"
"...FIVE..."
He reached the edge of the doorway just as you rounded the final corner. Your breathing had become completely ragged, and your legs burned from running this ungodly far distance. Somehow, the seeker was barely a few feet behind you.
"...FOUR..."
"...BABY!"
"...THREE..."
You threw yourself forward, and Juhoon reached for you at exactly the same moment.
"...TWO..."
Your hand slammed into his and he yanked with everything he had.
"...ONE..."
You practically launched through the doorway…and crashed directly into him. The force knocked both of you completely off balance.
"...OOF!"
The two of you tumbled backward onto the hard dirt together just as- BOOM. The enormous metal doors slammed shut behind you. For a second no one moved, and the only sound that can be heard was your heavy breathing. Then everyone collectively exploded.
"...SHE MADE IT!"
"...LET'S GOOOO!"
"...NO WAY!"
"...THAT WAS INSANE!"
You lay sprawled across Juhoon, breathing so hard your lungs hurt. "...I..."
You couldn't even finish the sentence. Juhoon wrapped both arms tightly around you before you could even think about moving.
"...Don't..." His voice shook. “...Ever..." He buried his face against your hair. "...Do that again."
You slowly hugged him back. "...I'm sorry..."
He pulled back just enough to look at you.
"...Where did you even go?"
You looked down guiltily before reaching toward your pocket where the tiny pink marshmallow was shoved. "...It fell off."
Juhoon blinked. "...What?"
"...The keychain..." You held it up. "...It unclipped while I was running. So I went back."
"...You WHAT?" James stared.
"...I couldn't leave it!"
Martin slowly pinched the bridge of his nose. "...You almost got, I don’t know, mauled by a demon lady…for a marshmallow?"
"It isn't just a marshmallow!" You looked down at it. "...Jju gave it to me..."
"...I know it was stupid…but..." You smiled sheepishly. "...They belong together. Like you said!"
Without saying another word, Juhoon gently reached down and clipped the tiny pink marshmallow securely back onto your jeans before tugging on it twice to make sure it wouldn't fall again.
"...There. Now it's not going anywhere."
Your eyes met his. "...Thanks."
He leaned forward, resting his forehead against yours. "...You scared me."
"...I'm sorry."
"...I know." He smiled. "...Just..." He lightly brushed a piece of hair away from your face. "...Stay with me next time, okay? A marshmallow can be replaced."
"...Promise."
"...Good."
"Eugh." Martin dramatically looked away. "...They're doing it again."
James groaned. "...We almost died and yet I’d somehow prefer being back in there."
Keonho laughed tiredly. "I wouldn’t!…I think it's cute."
"...bro no one asked you?" Martin sighed.
Seonghyeon slowly lowered himself onto the pavement beside everyone else, folding both arms behind his head.
"...Honestly..." He stared up at the night sky. "...I'm too exhausted to make fun of them."
"...you’re right honestly," James admitted, flopping onto the concrete beside him. "...My legs stopped working probably…twenty five minutes ago."
"...Mine stopped back in jail," Keonho added before collapsing dramatically onto the ground.
Within seconds everyone was lying there in various states of exhaustion. Nobody cared that the half pavement half dirt road was cold and messy, and no one cared that they were sweaty or that their clothes smelled like seawater. They were alive and that was definitely enough.
♡
Several minutes later...
"...Cut!" The PD's cheerful voice echoed across the now peaceful harbor. "...Great work everyone!"
A chorus of exhausted groans answered him. Staff members finally emerged from every direction, laughing as they collected cameras, microphones, and unclipped the harnesses’.
"...That was unbelievable. The escape at the end was perfect! We genuinely thought she wasn't going to make it."
"...glad there was so much faith placed into me," you muttered.
The manager's van slowly rolled into the parking area before the sliding door opened.
"...Alright," the manager smiled. "...Let's go home."
♡
The ride back couldn't have been more different from the one that brought everyone there. James was asleep before the van had left the parking lot, mouth hanging open against the window, Martin had somehow fallen asleep with both arms crossed, Keonho quietly snored from the seat behind them, and Seonghyeon was already halfway asleep with his hood pulled over his eyes. You on the other hand, sat beside Juhoon while wrapped tightly in one of the blankets the staff had handed out after filming. The warmth was making your eyelids impossibly heavy.
"...You okay?" Juhoon asked quietly.
You nodded sleepily. "...Mhm..."
"...You sure?"
"...Mhm..."
"...You're falling asleep sitting up."
"...No I'm..." A yawn interrupted you. "...Not..."
Juhoon smiled. "...Thought so."
Without even realizing it, your head slowly tipped sideways until it came to rest against his shoulder. Within seconds, you were dead asleep. Juhoon looked down when he felt the weight, and a tiny smile spread across his face. Carefully, so he wouldn't wake you, he pulled the blanket a little higher over your shoulders before gently resting his own head against yours.
"...Goodnight, brave girl."
Outside the window, city lights quietly blurred past. Inside the van, for the first time that entire night, everyone was finally at peace.
And good gosh did it smell like seawater.
*ੈ✩‧₊˚
A/N: Highkey might be one of my longest fics??? It was so fun to make because writing the dynamics was hilarious. I really hope this is loved and I can’t wait to get another story out for you all! (Again thank you for understanding that I couldn’t put it all in one post!)
