It was nearly 2 a.m. when Chan walked back into the hotel suite. The hall lights were dim. Most of the members had long since gone quiet behind their doors. Except for Felix. He was sitting cross-legged on the couch, hoodie draped over his shoulders, nursing a half-empty bottle of water. The TV was on low, playing muted highlights from their concert. But his eyes weren't on the screen. They were on him.
"You stayed up," Chan said softly, dropping his bag near the door.
Felix gave him a knowing look. "Of course I did."
Chan walked into the room and sank onto the other end of the couch. He let out a long, tired breath, resting his elbows on his knees.
"You okay?" Felix asked gently.
Chan paused, then nodded. "Yeah. Actually... yeah, I think I am."
Felix smiled at that, quiet and warm. "I talked to Hyunjin and Minho."
Chan looked over, his expression tightening just a little. "How'd that go?"
Felix tilted his head, playing with the edge of his sleeve. "Better than you probably think."
Chan waited.
"They're not pretending it didn't happen," Felix said carefully. "There were real feelings, and they felt seen by her, too. You all did."
Chan nodded slowly, bracing for more.
"But you know what else they said?" Felix continued, his voice softer now. "They said... it's not just about what happened with them."
He turned his eyes to Chan, full of something deeper than sympathy—understanding.
"They see the way you look at her," Felix said. "Hyunjin said it first. Said you haven't looked at someone like that in a long time. Maybe ever."
Chan swallowed hard, gaze lowering to his hands.
"They're not bitter," Felix added. "They're relieved. Because she didn't just lift you. She lifted all of you. Something about her... grounded the whole room."
Chan let the silence hang for a moment, eyes burning, chest full. "I don't know what I'm doing, Lix," he whispered. "I just know it feels different."
"Then trust that," Felix said. "And be honest with her. With them. With yourself."
Chan looked at his friend, the one who always stood behind the scenes and somehow saw everything clearer than anyone else. "Thanks for staying up," he said quietly.
Felix smiled. "Always. Someone's gotta make sure the leader's heart is still beating."
They shared a soft laugh, no teasing behind it—just brotherhood.
Then Chan stood, stretching slowly. "I'm seeing her again in the morning. She's staying one more night."
Felix's smile widened. "Good."
"Yeah," Chan said, heading toward his room. "It really is."
And when his door closed behind him, for the first time in a long time—Chan felt peace.