Aiven barely slept.
Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the crowd again—
the rocks, the screaming, the broken window…
and Raze standing in front of everyone like a fire nobody could extinguish.
Morning sunlight hit his face, and he blinked awake on the couch in his destroyed living room.
Raze was sitting beside him.
Watching him.
Protectively.
Quietly.
Like he hadn't slept either.
Aiven sat up, embarrassed. "You're still here?"
"Where else would I be?" Raze asked softly.
Aiven looked down at his hands.
His fingers were still trembling faintly.
"I didn't want you to be alone," Raze added.
Aiven's chest tightened.
Before he could answer, Suri burst down the stairs wearing a bunny pajama suit and holding a frying pan.
"GOOD MORNING—WAIT—WHY ARE YOU TWO SITTING SO CLOSE?!"
Aiven nearly fell off the couch.
Raze coughed and looked away.
"Suri, stop—"
"NO. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A ROCK YESTERDAY. I DESERVE ROMANCE AS COMPENSATION."
Aiven groaned.
Raze hid his smile.
---
Emergency Call From the Company
Aiven's phone buzzed.
Zenith:
"Velric wants everyone at the office NOW. This includes Aiven."
Aiven swallowed.
Raze stood immediately.
"You're not going alone."
---
The War in the Fandom
On the drive there, Raze scrolled through the internet.
The fandom was exploding.
Millions of posts.
People fighting.
Hashtags everywhere.
Some were supportive:
#AivenStayStrong
#WeStandWithRaze
#LoveIsNotAFanCrime
But others were cruel:
#NoGayIdols
#BanAiven
#RemoveHimFromRaze
Aiven saw one comment that made his stomach twist:
> "If Aiven doesn't disappear, we'll make him disappear."
Raze's grip tightened around the phone.
"They're disgusting," Raze muttered.
Aiven looked away, hands cold.
---
The Company Meeting
The moment Raze and Aiven entered the boardroom, Velric slammed his fist on the table.
"You've finally arrived. Good."
His eyes burned with fury.
"Explain to me what THAT was yesterday?"
Raze's voice stayed calm.
"I protected someone."
"You nearly destroyed the group!" Velric barked.
"You want to lose half your fans in one night?"
"If those fans think attacking a teenager is okay," Raze said, "then I don't want them."
The room fell silent.
Velric stared at him, stunned.
Zenith stood up slowly.
"We support him."
Astrix looked tense.
NOVA was angry and shaking.
KAZE looked ready to fight someone.
Velric pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Aiven cannot stay at his house. It's not safe anymore."
Aiven stiffened.
"What does that mean?"
"It means," Velric said reluctantly, "you'll be staying with ECLYPSE for now."
Aiven's eyes widened.
"S-Staying with them? At the dorm?!"
Raze's expression softened.
"I think it's safer."
Aiven's heart flipped.
Velric sighed dramatically.
"Fine. But if one more scandal appears, I'm making a statement denying everything."
Raze stepped forward.
"You release that statement, and I'll walk away from the company."
Everyone froze.
Velric stared at him like he'd grown two heads.
"You wouldn't dare."
Raze didn't blink.
"Try me."
The room fell dead silent.
Zenith smirked.
Kaze whispered, "Holy shit."
Nova's eyes sparkled with admiration.
Astrix looked away, jaw tight.
Velric sank slowly into his chair.
"…Fine. No statement. But keep your distance in public."
Raze didn't respond.
But his silence was loud.
---
Moving Into the Dorm
Aiven stood awkwardly in the ECLYPSE dorm hallway while the members carried in his small bag and pillow.
Kaze hopped around him.
"WELCOME TO CHAOS!"
Nova gave him a shy smile.
Zenith nodded calmly.
Astrix stared at him without expression.
Raze stood close.
Closer than necessary.
"You can stay in my room," Raze said.
Aiven blinked.
"W-What?"
"There are two beds," Raze added quickly.
"But one is closer to the window. You can have that one."
Aiven nodded shyly.
"Okay…"
He didn't notice Astryx's fists clench.
---
A Private Moment in the Room
Once everyone left, Aiven sat on the bed, overwhelmed.
"What if this makes things worse?" he whispered.
Raze sat beside him gently.
"Then we face it together."
Aiven looked up at him—
truly looked at him.
Raze's eyes were soft, tired, warm.
"Aiven," Raze said quietly, "I meant what I said yesterday."
Aiven swallowed.
"About not leaving me?"
Raze nodded.
Aiven's heartbeat thumped loudly in his ears.
"Why?" Aiven whispered.
Raze's voice dropped.
"Because I care about you. More than I should."
Aiven froze.
The confession was soft—
but powerful.
Before he could respond, a notification pinged on Raze's phone.
Another fan protest outside the company.
Another wave of anger.
Another storm coming.
Raze sighed deeply, rubbing his face.
Aiven reached out hesitantly and touched Raze's sleeve.
"Hey… you're not alone either."
Raze looked up at him, eyes softening instantly.
And for a moment—
just a moment—
the chaos outside didn't matter.