Chapter 19 - Running in the Rain

The night air was freezing.

Hyunjin didn't have a jacket. He didn't even have an umbrella. All he had was the clothes on his back and the weight in his chest that felt heavier than ever.

The rain pounded against the pavement as he walked aimlessly, the cold seeping into his skin. He could still hear the echo of Minho's voice in his head, sharp and cruel.

"How many more guys are you going to throw yourself at?"

"Where are you going to go?"

Hyunjin bit the inside of his cheek, forcing down the lump in his throat.

Anywhere. He would go anywhere but back to that house.

But as much as he wanted to disappear, reality crept up on him. He had no plan. No extra clothes. No place to stay.

His parents would welcome him back in a heartbeat, but he couldn't go to them—not yet. He didn't want them to know how bad things had gotten.

So he did the only thing he could think of.

He called Chan.

--

It took three rings before Chan picked up, his voice groggy from sleep.

"Hyunjin?"

Hyunjin swallowed hard, his teeth chattering. "Hyung..."

Immediately, Chan was alert. "What's wrong?"

Hyunjin hesitated. The last thing he wanted was to be a burden. But his body was shaking, his heart was pounding, and he had nowhere else to go.

"Can I come over?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Chan didn't even hesitate. "Where are you? I'll come get you."

Hyunjin glanced around. He hadn't realized how far he had walked. The streets were quiet, the streetlights flickering above him.

"I—" His voice wavered. "I think I'm near the convenience store by campus."

"I'm on my way," Chan said immediately. "Stay where you are."

Hyunjin clutched the phone tighter. "Okay."

--

By the time Chan arrived, Hyunjin was drenched.

The older man stepped out of his car, brows furrowing when he saw him. "Jesus, Hyunjin..."

Hyunjin tried to smile, but it probably looked pathetic.

Chan didn't say anything else. He just shrugged off his own hoodie and wrapped it around Hyunjin's shoulders, his touch warm against the cold.

"Get in the car," he murmured. "Let's go home."

Home.

The word felt foreign.

But Hyunjin didn't resist. He climbed into the passenger seat, sighing at the warmth inside.

Chan turned the heater on full blast, then drove in silence.

Hyunjin kept his gaze on the window, watching raindrops race down the glass.

He didn't want to talk. He didn't want to think.

He just wanted to exist—just for a moment—without the weight of everything crushing him.

And for now, that was enough.

--

The moment they arrived at Chan's apartment, Hyunjin felt himself relax just a little.

It was warm. Cozy. A stark contrast to the cold, empty house he had just left behind.

Felix was curled up on the couch, half-asleep, but as soon as he saw Hyunjin, he jolted upright.

"Hyunjin?" His eyes widened. "What happened?"

Chan sighed. "Let's get him into dry clothes first."

Felix nodded, immediately standing up. "I'll grab some towels."

Hyunjin just stood there, feeling strangely out of place.

But before he could say anything, Felix returned with a towel and a change of clothes. "Here."

Hyunjin hesitated. "I—"

Felix gave him a look. "Don't even try to refuse."

A small smile ghosted across Hyunjin's lips. "Thank you."

He took the clothes and disappeared into the bathroom.

--

When Hyunjin returned, Chan and Felix were waiting for him in the living room.

"Sit," Chan instructed, patting the space next to him.

Hyunjin obeyed, feeling small under their gazes.

Felix was the first to speak. "Did Minho do something?"

Hyunjin tensed.

The silence was answer enough.

Chan exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "That bastard..."

Hyunjin shook his head. "It's fine."

"It's not fine," Felix argued, his voice soft but firm. "You don't have to go back, Hyunjin."

Hyunjin bit his lip. "I don't know what else to do."

Chan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Stay here."

Hyunjin's eyes widened. "Hyung, I—"

"You can stay as long as you need," Chan continued. "No pressure. No expectations. Just... stay."

Felix nodded in agreement. "We just want you to be safe."

Hyunjin swallowed the lump in his throat. He wasn't used to this—wasn't used to people choosing him like this.

"Okay," he whispered.

Chan smiled, ruffling his hair. "Good."

For the first time in a long time, Hyunjin felt something close to peace.

Maybe—just maybe—he wasn't alone after all.