The rain started unexpectedly, thin at first, then heavier, drumming softly against the café windows. Aiven watched it for a moment before turning back to the counter, wiping away water from a spilled cup. Rainy days always made him restless. They reminded him of things left unsaid.
Draven leaned against the wall near the register, arms crossed. "You're staring again."
Aiven blinked. "Am I?"
"Yes. Same look. Different day."
Aiven sighed. "It's nothing."
Draven raised an eyebrow. "Liar."
Before Aiven could respond, the café door opened and a group of customers rushed in, shaking umbrellas and laughing. Work resumed, the moment slipping away like everything else lately.
Across town, the ECLYPSE dorm was anything but quiet. Kaze had music blasting while Nova attempted to cook, the smell of something burning drifting through the air.
"Is that smoke?" Raze asked, stepping out of his room.
Nova panicked. "It's… experimental!"
Zenith shut the kitchen door with a sigh. "Everyone out. Now."
Despite the chaos, Raze felt uneasy. He checked his phone again, fingers tapping restlessly. He hadn't heard from Aiven since morning. Not unusual—but it felt wrong.
He typed anyway.
Raze: Are you home yet?
Several minutes passed before a reply came.
Aiven: Still at the café. Rain picked up.
Raze's chest tightened. Be careful, he almost typed—but stopped himself. He didn't want to sound like he was hovering. Instead, he sent:
Raze: Text me when you get home.
At the café, Aiven slipped his phone back into his pocket just as Draven watched him.
"Raze?" Draven asked casually.
Aiven nodded.
Draven scoffed softly. "You really fell hard."
Aiven met his gaze. "So did you."
Draven stiffened. "Don't."
"I'm not pushing," Aiven said quickly. "Just… noticing."
Draven looked away, jaw clenched. "Drop it."
Aiven did.
Later that night, the rain slowed, the streets glistening under streetlights. Aiven walked home with his hood pulled low, every step echoing too loudly in the quiet. He was halfway down the block when he noticed it—a figure lingering near the corner, phone raised slightly.
His heart skipped.
He didn't stop walking. He didn't look back.
When he reached his apartment, he locked the door behind him and leaned against it, breath shallow. His phone buzzed almost immediately.
Unknown Number: You were with him again.
Aiven's hands shook.
Unknown Number: Do you think you can steal him from us?
He swallowed hard and typed with trembling fingers.
Aiven: Please stop.
The reply came instantly.
Unknown Number: This is only the beginning.
At the ECLYPSE dorm, Raze stood frozen as his phone buzzed. Aiven's name lit up the screen.
Aiven: I'm home. But… something's wrong.
Raze's chest tightened painfully.
Raze: What happened? Are you safe?
Aiven hesitated before replying.
Aiven: I think someone followed me.
Raze ran a hand through his hair, anger and fear colliding in his chest. He wanted to go to Aiven immediately—to hold him, protect him—but he knew he couldn't.
Zenith watched him from across the room. "What is it?"
Raze exhaled sharply. "Fans."
Zenith's expression darkened. "It's starting."
That night, Draven lay awake, staring at his ceiling, replaying Aiven's earlier words in his mind. So did you.
He clenched his fists, phone lighting up beside him.
Zenith: Are you okay?
Draven stared at the message, heart pounding.
Draven: Why do you care?
The typing bubble appeared, disappeared, then appeared again.
Zenith: Because I do.
Draven closed his eyes, chest tightening. He didn't reply—but he didn't block him either.
The rain stopped sometime after midnight, leaving the city washed clean but tense. Somewhere between fear and longing, all of them lay awake, aware that things had crossed an invisible line.
The fans were no longer just watching.
They were getting closer.