Aiven didn't remember how he ended up in the practice room.
One moment he was standing in Velric Kane's office, cold sweat on his back…
The next, Raze was pulling him by the hand down the hall, past staff, past managers, past posters of ECLYPSE smiling like their world wasn't falling apart.
The door shut behind them with a heavy click.
Aiven exhaled shakily.
The room was huge—mirrors everywhere, white lights above, a speaker in the corner, water bottles on the floor.
Raze stopped in front of him.
His expression was unreadable.
"Are you okay?" he asked quietly.
Aiven laughed weakly. "Do I look okay?"
Raze didn't deny it.
He stepped forward, brushing a stray hair from Aiven's forehead before he even realized what he was doing.
Aiven's breath hitched.
Raze snatched his hand back quickly, jaw tightening.
"Sorry. I'm… used to taking care of people."
Aiven frowned. "You don't even know me."
Raze looked straight into his eyes.
"I want to."
Aiven felt something twist inside his chest.
He opened his mouth—
But the practice room door burst open.
---
"WE BROUGHT SNACKS—OH."
Kaze stood in the doorway holding chips and two energy drinks, Nova behind him with cupcakes.
Zenith walked in next, sighing as usual.
Astryx followed, arms crossed, eyes cold.
Kaze's grin widened.
"So THIS is a private moment?"
"It wasn't," Raze said through clenched teeth.
"Should've locked the door," Kaze chimed.
Raze glared.
Kaze shut up.
Zenith sighed. "We came to check on Aiven. Velric was… intense."
Aiven swallowed. "He hates me."
"No," Nova said brightly. "He hates EVERYONE. You're normal!"
Kaze nodded. "Yeah, for Velric that was practically a love confession."
Astryx rolled his eyes. "Stop scaring him."
Aiven looked down. "I don't want any of you to get in trouble because of me."
"Too late," Kaze said cheerfully.
Raze shot him a death stare.
Zenith sat on the floor. "We're already in a scandal, Aiven. But it's not your fault. You didn't film the video."
Astryx leaned against the mirror.
"But you are the reason Raze is acting weird."
Raze froze. "What?"
Astryx lifted a brow.
"You never defend anyone like that."
The room went silent.
Raze looked away—
Which only made everyone stare harder.
Aiven's cheeks warmed.
Kaze whispered loudly to Nova, "He likes him."
Nova nodded. "Obviously."
Raze threw his towel at both of them.
---
Sudden emergency alert.
All their phones vibrated at once.
New headlines.
New photos.
New chaos.
Zenith frowned at his screen.
"Oh no…"
Aiven stepped closer.
#ProtectRaze
#KeepAivenAway
#ECLYPSEinDanger
FANS GATHER AT COMPANY ENTRANCE
GROWING CROWD – SECURITY ALERT
Aiven felt his stomach sink.
Nova rushed to the window and peeked out.
"Hyungs… the crowd doubled."
Kaze swore under his breath.
"That's not fans. That's a riot."
Aiven's breathing quickened.
"I should go. They're angry because of me—"
"You're not going anywhere."
Raze's voice was sharp.
Dangerously sharp.
Aiven turned.
Raze stepped toward him, eyes burning.
"You leave now and they'll tear you apart," he said.
"And I will not let that happen."
Aiven opened his mouth, but Raze wasn't finished.
"You stay here. With us. With me."
Aiven froze.
"Raze…"
Zenith checked his phone again.
"Manager says no one is allowed to leave the building. Too dangerous."
Kaze flopped dramatically onto the floor.
"So we're stuck here all night? Great. Someone order chicken."
Astryx groaned. "Kaze, shut up."
Nova clapped excitedly. "Sleepover!"
Zenith facepalmed. "This is not a sleepover."
Raze ran a hand through his hair and looked at Aiven again—soft this time, not angry.
"You should sleep in our dorm room tonight," he said.
"It's the safest place."
Aiven blinked. "Your… what?"
Raze stepped closer, voice low.
"You're with us now. Whether I wanted it…"
His eyes softened.
"…or maybe I did."
Aiven's heart stuttered.
Zenith cleared his throat. "Let's get Aiven settled before Velric finds a way to make this worse."
They all began packing their things.
Aiven stood still, overwhelmed.
Then Raze took his hand again—gently this time.
"Come on," he murmured.
"I'm not letting you face this alone."
Aiven squeezed his hand back.
Just once.