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୨⎯ jia ⎯୧

the hospital air feels cold and suffocating. my father is in surgery, and i'm standing in the waiting room, trying to act tough, trying to keep it together.

hana is sitting beside me, her hands shaking as she grips onto mine like it's the only thing grounding her.

''he's okay,'' i whisper, squeezing her hand. ''he's going to get through this.''

she nods, but i can tell she doesn't fully believe it. neither do i but i can't show that. i won't. then, suddenly, i feel a hand wrap around my wrist. firm, deliberate. before i can react, in-ho pulls me away from hana, leading me down the hallway.

''what the hell are you doing?'' i hiss, trying to yank my hand back, but he doesn't let go.

he stops when we're far enough from the waiting area, far enough that hana won't hear. his grip loosens, but his eyes are sharp, focused only on me.

''jia,'' he says quietly, his voice low, measured. ''you need to breathe.''

i stiffen. ''i'm fine.''

''you're not fine,'' he counters. ''you're just pretending to be.''

i clench my jaw, my hands fisting at my sides.

''i have to pretend,'' i whisper, my voice sharp. ''for hana. for dad. i can't fall apart right now.''

''you don't have to fall apart,'' he says, his tone softer now. ''but you don't have to do this alone either.''

his words hit something deep inside me, something i don't want to face right now. but as much as i want to argue, as much as i want to push him away i can't.

one second, i'm standing there, trying to hold it together, trying to breathe, trying to convince myself that everything is going to be okay. the next, my vision blurs, my chest tightens, and i fall into his arms. his grip tightens around me, strong, steady, like he knew i would break. like he was waiting for it.

''i'm so afraid,'' i whisper against his chest, my voice breaking completely. ''i don't know what to do.''

his arms wrap around me fully, his warmth overwhelming, grounding me in a way i didn't even realize i needed.

''hey,'' he murmurs, his voice low, gentle in a way i'm not used to. ''i've got you.''

୨⎯ frontman | in-ho ⎯୧

she's shaking in my arms. her breath uneven, her grip tight on my suit like letting go means she'll fall apart completely. i let her hold onto me. let her break for a moment, because i know she needs this. she's been carrying everything for so long, pretending she's fine, but i know better.

i press my lips against her hair, murmuring softly, ''you need rest.''

she doesn't argue, doesn't even try to act tough. she just nods weakly, her body still trembling slightly. i keep my arm around her as we walk back to the waiting area where hana is sitting. the second she sees us, her eyes flicker with worry - but she doesn't say anything.

we sit down, jia still leaning into me. she barely lasts a few minutes before her breathing evens out, and then she falls asleep against my shoulder.

hana watches her for a long moment before letting out a quiet sigh.

''i feel sorry for her,'' she murmurs, her voice softer than usual.

i glance at her, my brows raising slightly. '

hana shifts in her seat, looking down at her hands. ''she never lets herself fall apart in front of anyone,'' she mutters. ''she acts like she can handle everything, but she can't.'' she swallows, her fingers gripping the edge of her sleeve. ''and i don't think she knows how to let people help her.''