Aiven couldn't hold it in any longer.
He had been thinking about Zenith all day—how quiet he had been, how honest, how vulnerable—and the way he had admitted to liking Draven. He wasn't sure why, but he needed to tell Raze.
When he met Raze at the dorm, he blurted it out before the idol could even greet him. "Raze… Zenith likes Draven."
Raze's expression didn't change at first, but his eyes darkened slightly, thoughtful. "He does?"
Aiven nodded, heart hammering. "I mean… I think so. He told me. And I just… I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to get involved, but you should know."
Raze was silent for a long moment, pacing near the window. Then he stopped abruptly. "Thank you for telling me," he said finally. "You did the right thing."
Aiven hesitated. "What are you going to do?"
Raze smirked faintly, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I'm going to talk to Zenith. And I'm going to make sure he understands something very important."
---
Later, Raze found Zenith sitting alone on the rooftop, staring at the city lights.
"You've got something on your mind," Raze said, leaning against the railing.
Zenith didn't look at him immediately. "You're… too observant," he muttered.
Raze smiled faintly. "Someone has to be. So… you like Draven, huh?"
Zenith stiffened. "How do you—"
"I know," Raze interrupted. "And you're overthinking it. You don't have to pretend you're not feeling anything. But I do have a suggestion."
Zenith raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."
Raze leaned closer, lowering his voice. "We're going on a camping trip. You, Draven, Aiven, me, the whole group. Somewhere quiet, away from fans, cameras, everything. It's time for people to… face their feelings without excuses."
Zenith blinked, caught off guard. "Camping?"
Raze shrugged. "Yes. And I'm not taking no for an answer. You'll go, and you'll be honest with yourself while you're there."
Zenith looked down at his hands. "I don't… I don't want to go."
Raze's eyes softened. "I know. But you will. Trust me—you'll thank me later."
Zenith let out a breathless laugh. "You really think you can control everything, don't you?"
Raze smirked. "I don't control feelings. I just make sure they're confronted."
---
The next day, ECLYPSE went shopping to prepare for the camping trip.
Raze led the group, making lists and picking up supplies, while Zenith tried to act indifferent. Kaze and Astyx bickered over snacks. Nova followed quietly, excited to see the others getting ready.
Draven stayed behind at first, reluctant. "I don't see why I have to go," he muttered to Aiven.
Aiven gave him a pleading look. "It's just a trip, Draven. A chance to… you know, step away from everything."
Draven crossed his arms. "And risk spending a whole weekend with idiots in the middle of nowhere?"
Aiven sighed. "Please… for me?"
Draven blinked, then groaned. "Fine. But only because you asked."
Aiven smiled, relieved. "Thank you."
---
By the evening, everyone had gathered at the dorm with bags packed.
Raze looked at the group, his usual calm confidence in place, but his mind was focused on Aiven, on Zenith, and on the delicate balance he had to maintain.
He caught Aiven's gaze across the room. "You ready for this?" he asked quietly.
Aiven nodded, heart racing. "I think so."
"Good," Raze said softly, leaning close. "Because things are going to get… interesting."
Aiven swallowed, a mix of excitement and nervousness twisting in his stomach. He didn't know what Raze meant entirely, but he knew he could trust him.