Chapter 6: Chapter 5

Late Night Tensions and Quiet Comfort

The living room buzzed with energy as laughter and chatter filled the air. Duru was tucked comfortably against Arda, giggling at one of Barış’s exaggerated stories, while Rosé sat cross-legged on the floor, sipping her drink with a contented smile.

Meanwhile, Y/N leaned back on the couch, her eyelids heavy and her body aching from the long day. She stifled a yawn, checking her phone for the time. “Rosé,” she called, her voice edged with fatigue, “we need to go. It’s already late.”

Rosé waved her off. “Relax, Y/N. It’s not even midnight. We can stay a bit longer.”

Y/N sat up, frowning. “We have practice tomorrow, remember? If we don’t leave now, we’re both going to be wrecked in the morning.”

Duru chimed in, glancing at Y/N. “You guys go if you’re tired. I’m staying here for a bit with Arda.” She shot Arda a playful look, and he smirked, tightening his arm around her shoulders.

“Duru,” Y/N said, her tone laced with concern, “you can’t just stay here all night. It’s late.”

Duru grinned. “I don’t have to wake up early tomorrow, so it’s fine. Besides, I don’t get to hang out with Arda like this very often.”

“Exactly,” Rosé added, backing her up. “We’re finally relaxing. Just chill, Y/N.”

Y/N let out an exasperated sigh, rubbing her temples. “Fine. Stay if you want. But don’t blame me when you’re dragging yourself around tomorrow, Rosé.”

Rosé shrugged. “I’ll be fine. You worry too much.”

Y/N stood up, grabbing her bag. “You’re impossible. I’m calling a cab.”

---

Kenan Steps In

As Y/N unlocked her phone, Kenan, who had been leaning silently against the wall, stepped forward. “Don’t bother.”

Y/N glanced at him, confused. “What do you mean?”

“I’ll drive you home,” Kenan said simply, grabbing his keys.

Y/N blinked, her expression shifting from surprise to defiance. “That’s not necessary. I can manage on my own.”

Kenan raised an eyebrow. “You’re exhausted, it’s late, and you’re not taking a cab alone. Not with fans potentially lurking around.”

“I’ll be fine,” Y/N insisted, crossing her arms.

Kenan tilted his head, his tone calm but firm. “You’re too tired to argue properly right now, so let’s not waste time. Let me drive you.”

Y/N narrowed her eyes at him, but the combination of her exhaustion and his unrelenting tone made her relent. “Fine,” she muttered. “But only because I’m too tired to deal with you.”

Kenan smirked. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

---

Outside: A Quiet Moment

The night air was crisp as they stepped outside, the hum of the city in the background. Y/N zipped up her jacket, shivering slightly as they walked toward Kenan’s car.

“Wait here for a second,” Kenan said, scanning the street for something.

Y/N leaned against a lamppost, her body swaying slightly with fatigue. She sighed, tilting her head back to look at the stars.

“Cold?” Kenan asked as he approached, his voice softer.

“A little,” Y/N admitted, her eyes still on the sky.

Without a word, Kenan shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. She blinked, looking up at him.

“You didn’t have to—”

“Just take it,” Kenan interrupted, his tone casual but his expression unreadable.

Y/N pulled the jacket tighter around herself, her lips twitching into a small smile. “Thanks.”

Kenan leaned against the lamppost beside her, and for a moment, they stood in comfortable silence. Y/N shifted closer unconsciously, and before she realized it, she leaned her head against his chest.

Kenan stiffened slightly but relaxed when he noticed how tired she looked. “You really do push yourself too hard,” he murmured.

Y/N hummed softly, her eyes half-closed. “It’s not like I have a choice.”

“You do,” Kenan said quietly. “You just don’t see it.”

They stood like that for a few moments longer, the sounds of the city fading into the background.

---

The Ride

The drive back was quiet, with Y/N half-asleep in the passenger seat. Kenan glanced at her occasionally, shaking his head with a faint smile.

As they neared her building, Y/N stirred slightly, blinking sleepily. “Thanks,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“No problem,” Kenan replied as he pulled up to the curb.

Before she climbed out, she turned to him. “Are you heading back to Arda’s place or going home?”

Kenan shrugged, resting his hands on the steering wheel. “Depends. If I go back to Arda’s, Barış will probably make me stay up until morning with his stories. If I go home, I might actually sleep.”

Y/N smirked faintly. “You should go home. You look like you could use the rest too.”

Kenan raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. “Is that your way of saying I look tired?”

Y/N chuckled softly, stepping out of the car. “Take it however you want. Goodnight, Kenan.”

“Goodnight,” he replied, watching as she made her way inside before leaning back in his seat with a sigh. After a moment, he started the car and drove off, heading home for the night.