Voices echoed from the hallway.
Ari turned just in time to see the rest of the group stepping into the kitchen, a wave of energy crashing into the stillness Yu Jun had carefully wrapped himself in.
Min entered first, eyes immediately scanning for snacks. "Is this kitchen heaven? Are these brownies?"
Hyeon-ju rolled his eyes and elbowed him aside, pulling Hyeon-u in after him. The serious twin gave a short nod to Hana and Ari before being nearly crushed in a double hug.
Yul stepped in last, expression cool as ever, but the moment Ari opened her arms, he melted into them without hesitation. Hana ruffled his hair afterward like he was still a kid.
"I thought you all grew up," she said, smiling.
"Never," Min grinned. "Where's the birthday boy? I have a gift I had to pretend I wrapped myself."
Hyeon-ju held up a box wrapped in duct tape. "And I have trauma in the shape of packaging."
Ari laughed, holding out her hands to accept their offerings. "You all brought gifts… except Yu Jun." She turned toward the lone figure leaning against the fridge, arms folded.
Yu Jun didn't blink. "I brought myself."
A beat of silence.
Then Hana burst out laughing. "Typical."
"You're still the worst," Min added fondly, clapping him on the back.
Ari chuckled as she moved to place the gifts on the nearby table. "Well, thank you for your sacrifice, oh mighty Alpha."
They all started talking at once—catching up on old stories, remembering failed missions, pack rumors, how Hana once punched a training instructor in the ribs and Ari got detention for it instead.
It was warm.
Loud.
Alive.
Yu Jun stood at the edge of it all, apart but present.
His eyes drifted to the photos on the fridge. One of a birthday cake shaped like a moon. One of Hana teaching someone how to ride a bike. Another of Ari asleep on the couch, a hooded figure curled up beside her like a shadow.
He knew how to blend in with noise. How to endure presence without partaking in it.
But here—now—the quiet stretched tighter around him.
He didn't belong here. Not with their laughter, their warmth, their easy touch. He'd rather be out in the woods, teeth bared, chasing rogues through the trees.
But Hana and Ari had called.
And for them… he came.
Even if it burned
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
---– The Upstairs Chaos
Upstairs looked like a hurricane had swept through it—except the hurricane was named Jin and his path of destruction was purely fashion-related.
Clothes were scattered across the bed, chair, floor, and somehow even the ceiling fan (Ryung's doing, apparently). Hangers hung off drawer handles. A pair of pants dangled dramatically from a lamp.
And in the middle of it all stood Ye Jun, barefoot and stubborn, arms crossed over his chest like a fortress.
"No."
"But this one is perfect," Jin whined, holding up a soft cream shirt with embroidery that shimmered faintly in the light. "Delicate but sharp—just like you."
"I'm not wearing that."
"It screams 'elegant mystery with a hint of sadness.'"
"I don't want to scream anything."
"Exactly!" Jin exclaimed, clapping once. "Subtle scream is fashion."
Kwang groaned from the floor where he and Ryung were tossing grapes into each other's mouths. "Let him wear what he wants, Jin."
"He'll thank me when his soulmate falls in love at first sight," Jin muttered, throwing the shirt dramatically onto the pile.
Ye Jun rolled his eyes and reached for his own outfit—plain dark pants and a black turtleneck. Comfortable. Not loud. Not embroidered.
Just as he tugged the shirt on, the door opened.
Ari peeked in, dodging a flying sock.
"Children," she greeted warmly. Then her eyes landed on Ye Jun, and she gave a soft smile. "You look perfect, sweetheart. Come downstairs."
"Now?" he blinked.
"Yes. There's someone I want you to meet."
Ye Jun paused mid-button.
"Someone?" Ryung wiggled his eyebrows.
"Oh no," Kwang gasped. "They've finally arranged it."
Ye Jun frowned. "What?"
Jin gasped with mock betrayal. "Your mothers found you a wife and didn't tell us?!"
"Or a husband," Ryung added helpfully.
"Or both," Jin said with a wink. "Options, darling."
Ye Jun groaned. "Please stop."
But a flicker of curiosity curled quietly inside him. Someone important enough for Ari to personally come fetch him?
He adjusted the collar of his shirt, ignoring the way his palms suddenly felt warmer than they should.
Downstairs, a quiet storm waited.
And he was about to walk right into it.
---