Chapter 15 - Fractures and Friendships

The early morning sun cast a muted glow over the university campus, the crisp autumn air carrying a gentle bite. Hyunjin walked with slow, measured steps, hands tucked into the pockets of his coat, his mind still lingering on last night's events. The ache in his chest was becoming familiar, a dull weight that refused to lift no matter how much he willed it to disappear.

He had barely slept. The echo of Minho's indifferent voice, Seungmin's smug smirk, and the overwhelming loneliness of his situation had left him restless.

But today, at least, he wasn't alone.

"Oi, Hyunjin!"

Hyunjin turned at the familiar voice just as Chan's arm slung around his shoulder. "What's with that gloomy look, huh?"

Felix appeared beside them, his bright smile like a beam of sunshine cutting through the cold. "Maybe it's because he misses us too much?"

Changbin chuckled, giving Hyunjin's back a firm pat. "Or maybe he just needs food. Have you eaten?"

Hyunjin let out a small, breathy laugh at their antics, some of the tension in his chest loosening. "I'm fine, guys."

"Debatable," Chan muttered, but he let it slide. Instead, he gestured to the bench near the university café. "Come on, let's sit for a bit."

As they settled into their seats, Jisung approached them with enthusiasm, already familiar with Chan and Changbin as part of 3RACHA, and knowing Felix very well.

Hyunjin immediately brightened seeing Jisung approaching them. "Oh! Guys, this is Jisung. We met recently. He's been helping me survive this place." He had no idea that Chan, Changbin, Felix, and Jisung already knew each other—sometimes, Hyunjin could be a little oblivious to his surroundings.

Jisung grinned, sliding into the conversation with ease. "I do my best."

Chan, Felix, and Changbin exchanged knowing looks, their expressions tinged with slight amusement. They knew Jisung all too well.

Hyunjin, oblivious as ever, clapped his hands together and beamed. "Great!"

"Oh, we know him very well," Changbin said with a smirk. "He's one of the members of 3RACHA." He then leaned in, teasing, "The 'gracefully unfortunate' guy, huh?"

Jisung's eyes widened. "You told them about that?"

Hyunjin laughed, and it was a real, genuine sound. "How could I not?"

Felix grinned and said warmly. "Well, consider yourself officially part of the group, welcome to the chaos, Jisung."

Jisung hesitated for a moment before his lips curved into a playful smirk. "As long as there's food involved, I'm in."

--

The atmosphere was light as they sat together, sipping on warm drinks and sharing stories. Jisung fit in surprisingly well, his playful banter meshing effortlessly with Changbin's sarcasm and Felix's boundless energy.

Chan, however, remained observant, his gaze occasionally flickering to Hyunjin when he thought no one was looking.

Eventually, when Felix and Jisung got lost in a discussion about the best instant ramen flavors, Chan leaned in closer to Hyunjin, voice low.

"How are things... at home?"

Hyunjin stiffened for only a second before forcing a small smile. "They're fine."

Chan gave him a flat look. "Try again."

Hyunjin sighed, lowering his gaze to his hands. "It's not great."

Chan's jaw tightened. "Is he—?"

"No." Hyunjin shook his head quickly. "Not since... that time."

Chan didn't look convinced, but he let it go—for now.

Instead, he reached out, squeezing Hyunjin's wrist gently. "You know you're not alone, right?"

Hyunjin swallowed past the lump in his throat, nodding. "I know."

--

By the time Hyunjin returned home that evening, the warmth from earlier had already faded, leaving behind the cold familiarity of the house he was trapped in.

Minho was in the kitchen, standing by the counter with his phone in hand. He didn't even glance up when Hyunjin walked in.

But Seungmin did.

He was perched on one of the bar stools, stirring his tea with deliberate slowness, his gaze locked onto Hyunjin with thinly veiled amusement.

"Long day?" Seungmin mused, the corner of his lips twitching.

Hyunjin ignored him, heading toward the fridge to get himself some water.

Seungmin hummed. "I was just telling Minho how nice it is to have a place where we can spend time together without interruptions."

Hyunjin's fingers clenched around the bottle, but his face remained impassive. "That's nice."

Seungmin pouted. "You don't sound very happy for us."

Hyunjin met his gaze then, his expression as calm as ever. "Should I be?"

Minho finally looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly at the edge in Hyunjin's tone.

Seungmin, however, just chuckled. "I guess not."

Silence hung between them like an unspoken challenge.

Then Minho exhaled through his nose and turned back to his phone. "Seungmin, let's go."

Seungmin smirked as he slid off the stool. "See you later, spouse."

Hyunjin didn't reply. He simply stood there, listening to the front door click shut behind them.

Then, finally, when he was alone, he allowed his shoulders to sag, the exhaustion creeping in like an unwelcome guest.

He was tired.

Tired of pretending.

Tired of hurting.

But he wasn't broken.

Not yet.