Between Us, Always

Jun's POV

It wasn't until later that night, when I was back in the apartment, that I found myself thinking about Per again. After the movie, Nano had managed to crack him open just a little, even if it wasn't in a way that Per would admit. He was quieter, but in a different way. More like he'd taken a step away from the heaviness, even if it was only for a couple of hours.

I couldn't help but wonder what was going on inside his head. I'd seen him shut down before, and this... this felt different. His break-up had shaken him more than he was willing to admit.

I hadn't expected to think about it this much, but the weight of it all kept circling in my mind.

My thoughts shifted, like they always did when I let my mind wander. Dylan.

I hadn't seen much of him after band practice, but something had felt off earlier. The way he looked at me—or rather, the way he didn't. It was like he was trying to hide something. But what?

I kicked off my shoes and flopped onto the couch, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing through different scenarios.

It wasn't long before the apartment door creaked open, and I heard Nano and Per come in, their voices quiet, but there was something lighter in the air. I half-smiled, knowing Nano must've worked his usual magic.

I turned my head, just in time to see them walk past. Per had that same distant look, but his eyes weren't as empty. Nano, on the other hand, looked like he had a secret victory in his back pocket.

I gave a low whistle, leaning back against the couch. "Well, look at that. The magic of popcorn and explosions."

Nano rolled his eyes but smiled. "I told you, it wasn't all bad."

Per shrugged a little, his gaze flicking between us. "It was fine."

I raised an eyebrow, sensing his effort to downplay things. "Fine, huh? I'll take it."

There was a long pause, and for a brief moment, the air between us felt a little more normal, like we were just a group of friends hanging out instead of navigating the mess of our careers and emotions.

Then, like it always did with me, the playful side crept back in. I kicked my legs off the couch and grinned. "Now, if only we could find a way to make band practice this much fun, right?"

Per let out a soft laugh, the first real one I'd heard from him in days, and I couldn't help but feel a little lighter.

"Maybe," he said, voice quieter than usual.

I watched him for a moment, trying to piece things together in my head. He wasn't okay, not by a long shot, but for tonight, at least, he wasn't drowning in it. That was something.

The evening stretched on, and despite the usual noise and teasing, something was different. There was a stillness in the apartment, a quiet that I couldn't ignore. I found myself watching the others, trying to gauge how they were all doing. Nano and Per were talking quietly in the corner, with Nano saying something that made Per chuckle softly. It wasn't much, but it was enough to let me know that things were shifting, just a little.

I glanced at Dylan, who was seated across from me on the other side of the room. He was looking at his phone, but there was a tension in his posture. His eyes flickered up to meet mine for a split second before he quickly looked away.

I frowned, not sure if I should say something or leave it. Dylan wasn't one to openly talk about his emotions, but I knew he was carrying his own weight—just like the rest of us.

Without thinking, I slid off the couch and walked over to where he sat, sitting down beside him.

"Hey," I said softly, nudging him with my shoulder. "You good?"

Dylan didn't immediately answer, but the way he shifted in his seat told me more than enough. He was avoiding my gaze, and the tightness in his jaw was unmistakable.

"Jun," he murmured after a beat, his voice low. "I'm fine."

I gave him a look, one that said I wasn't buying it. "Right. Because you've got that 'I'm fine' face on."

Dylan chuckled, but it was more of a short exhale than actual laughter. "I'm just tired. It's been a long day."

I didn't press him further, just leaned back and let the silence settle between us. I knew that when Dylan was ready to talk, he'd open up. It wasn't like I could force him to—he wasn't one to let his guard down that easily. But I still couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

Meanwhile, Nano and Per had moved to the kitchen, and I heard the faint sound of them rummaging through the cabinets. Nano always had a way of making things feel a little lighter, a little more bearable.

I found my thoughts drifting back to what had happened that day. Per's announcement. The way he had tried so hard to keep it together, but the cracks were still there. And even though he hadn't broken down again, I knew it was only a matter of time before it all hit him again.

But tonight, at least, he wasn't completely lost in it.

"You know," I said, breaking the silence, "if you're ever not 'fine,' you can always talk to me."

Dylan glanced at me, a flicker of something in his eyes—gratitude or maybe just the quiet acceptance of the fact that we were, for all our quirks and struggles, still here for each other.

"Thanks, Jun," he said quietly.