The evening air had cooled, the ruins bathed in the orange glow of sunset. Students laughed around campfires, some singing, some dozing in their tents. The lively noise made the place feel less like ancient ruins and more like a festival ground.
Away from the crowd, Seul sat cross-legged on a stone wall, phone in his hand, pretending to scroll. His thumb barely moved across the screen. Every so often, he lifted his eyes to the sky, watching as the first stars blinked faintly into view.
He breathed out softly.
"Nights away from home… huh," he whispered, though no one was there to hear him. His words seemed to float toward the stars.
He had never admitted it to anyone—not even to his family—that he hated staying away from the familiar warmth of his room, his house, his little routines. Even this trip… he hadn't wanted to come. Not since middle school's first year had he been on a trip. And yet here he was, smiling, laughing just enough, making it seem like he was enjoying it. His mask intact.
What no one knew was that he often whispered to the stars, to trees, to the walls of his room. Non-living things were safer. They wouldn't judge, wouldn't question. They just listened. And somehow, that eased the weight he carried.
"You look like you're having a board meeting with the sky again."
The voice startled him. Seul turned, blinking as Zeddy walked up, hands stuffed in his pockets, his usual grin softer than usual.
"I'm just… scrolling," Seul said quickly, shaking his phone for proof.
Zeddy snorted. "Yeah, sure. 'Scrolling.'
Seul looked away, lips twitching in the faintest, almost guilty smile. "You always notice too much."
"Of course I do," Zeddy said simply, plopping down beside him. "I'm your friend."
The words were light, casual—but for Seul, they cut deep. He had always had friends. Good friends, even. But none of them had ever looked past the happy mask he wore. None had ever tried. Zeddy… did. Without Seul even realizing it, Zeddy had become the one who made the silence less heavy.
For a moment, Seul thought about saying thank you. About telling him how much it meant. Instead, he pocketed his phone, tilted his head back, and muttered, "The stars are brighter here."
Zeddy leaned back too, hands behind his head. "Told you this trip wouldn't be so bad."
Seul smiled faintly. "That's what worries me."
Zeddy laughed, shoving his shoulder lightly. "You'll survive. Especially with me around."
Seul didn't answer, but his smile lingered, this time just a little more real.
The bonfire crackled in the distance, laughter and songs rising with the sparks. Most of the students were gathered there, shadows dancing in the firelight.
Seul glanced at Zeddy beside him, then at the fire. "Why aren't you sitting over there? Isn't that more your kind of thing?"
Zeddy smirked, leaning back on his hands. "Because if I sit too close, the fire gets jealous of me. Too much heat in one place, you know?" He flashed a grin, adding, "Besides, if I start telling jokes, everyone else's stories will sound boring. I'm doing them a favor."
Seul rolled his eyes, lips twitching. "So basically… you're hiding."
"Correction: I'm strategically maintaining my legend," Zeddy said with mock-seriousness, pointing a finger at him.
Before Seul could answer, a voice slipped from the shadows behind them.
"…Legends burn out too, you know."
Both boys stiffened. Seul turned slowly.
Selene was standing just behind the stone wall, her pale grin stretched wide, the firelight flickering in her eyes. She leaned forward a little too close, whispering like she was sharing a secret with the dark.
"If the fire doesn't eat you, the night will."
Seul nearly dropped his phone. "Do you have to creep up on people like that?"
Zeddy chuckled nervously, rubbing his arm. "Man, Selene, you're like… a ghost with perfect timing."
Selene tilted her head, unblinking. "Ghosts only visit those who carry heavy hearts." She pointed lazily at Seul. "That means you."
Seul froze, unsure whether to laugh or shiver.
Zeddy blinked, then grinned, trying to shake off the tension. "Guess that makes me ghost-proof then."
Selene's grin widened. "No. It makes you bait."
The three of them—Seul, Zeddy, and Selene—were sitting a little away from the bonfire when Selene's gaze flicked to a figure passing by.
Solace walked with his hands shoved into his pockets, shoulders slouched. His usual cocky swagger was gone, replaced by mild disappointment.
"No luck tonight?" Selene called out sweetly, tilting her head.
Solace paused, raising an eyebrow. "Tch. Guess the stars aren't on my side. Not a single girl to bless with my charm."
Selene's grin stretched wider. "Then maybe you should bless my friends instead." She gestured toward the two boys beside her. "This is Seul. And that's Zeddy."
Seul, caught off-guard, shifted uncomfortably, clutching his phone. "…Hi." His voice was quiet, almost swallowed by the crackle of the bonfire.
Solace's eyes lingered on him for a second longer than necessary. Then his smirk returned. "Well, well. Shy types, huh? Careful—if you don't talk more, people like me might just steal your spotlight." He leaned a little closer, voice dropping to a playful tone. "Or your heart."
Seul blinked, heat creeping into his ears. "…Uh—thanks?"
Zeddy slid between them, grinning. "Alright, Romeo, slow down. This one's under my protection. You can go charm the fire if you're that desperate." he said in a fun way
Solace chuckled, throwing up his hands. "Relax, champ. Just having fun."
Selene clapped her hands together. "Ooh, this is fun. Like watching two wolves circle a rabbit."
Zeddy's eyes suddenly caught a glint on Solace wrist. "Whoa—cool watch. That's a unique one. Where'd you get it?"
Solace tilted his hand slightly, his grin sharpened. "This? It's not something you just buy at a shop." He tapped the face lightly. "It's one of a kind. More than you think it is." His eyes flicked between them, pride shining, before he winked. "Let's just say—it's built for someone like me."