Chapter Text
The morning came, light seeped gently through their hotel room. In their shared bed, Seulgi woke up first, the feeling of something warm and heavy on her arm immediately grounding her back to reality. She turned her head slightly, the corners of her lips curving upward when she saw Jaeyi asleep beside her, face pressed against Seulgi’s chest, her arm draped lazily over Seulgi’s waist. She looked peaceful. So peaceful, it made Seulgi’s chest ache a little.
Seulgi didn’t move, didn’t even dare to. Instead, she stayed still, her fingers absentmindedly tracing Jaeyi’s back through her shirt. Her heart felt heavy yet light at the same time, heavy from last night’s emotions, light because Jaeyi was still there, sleeping soundly beside her. After everything that happened, the tension, the misunderstanding, the tears, Seulgi realized moments like this were what she truly lived for. Quiet mornings, Jaeyi’s warmth, it was everything she couldn’t ask for more.
“Baby, wake up,” she whispered softly, fingers brushing gently over Jaeyi’s cheek.
Jaeyi only stirred a little, her brows knitting slightly as she mumbled something couldn’t quite audible before snuggling even closer, pressing her face into the crook of Seulgi’s neck. Seulgi giggled softly at the ticklish sensation of Jaeyi’s hair brushing against her skin.
“Hey, sleepyhead, we need to go. They’re waiting for us,” she said softly, though her voice carried a slight edge of insistence.
Jaeyi reluctantly opened her eyes, blinking against the light. She tilted her head toward Seulgi, a small frown knitting her brows together. Her eyes looked puffy, almost painful, and she winced as if each blink caused discomfort.
“Can I just sleep more? My eyes.. they’re hurting,” she admitted, her lower lip jutting out in a pout that was almost childlike in its earnestness.
Seulgi’s brows softened with concern. She gently tilted Jaeyi’s chin up, and when Jaeyi finally peeked one eye open, Seulgi noticed the faint puffiness beneath them.
“Aw, baby, your eyes are puffy. Let’s get you some relief, okay?”
“I told you,” Jaeyi murmured, frowning, rubbing her eye gently.
“See? I can barely open them.”
Seulgi chuckled under her breath and leaned forward to kiss her forehead. She carefully pulled herself from Jaeyi’s clingy grasp, it wasn’t easy, since even half-asleep, Jaeyi instinctively reached out to hold her again. Seulgi managed to slip away, smiling softly at the sight. She slipped out of bed, her movements careful not to disturb Jaeyi too much.
She walked toward the small kitchenette, opening the fridge to grab some ice. She pulled out the compact medical kit she brought, Seulgi was always prepared, especially since all of them were doctors and retrieved a small compress pouch. She wrapped a few ice cubes in a clean towel before slipping it inside, testing it on her own wrist first to make sure it wasn’t too cold.
When she returned to the bed, Jaeyi was lying on her back now, one arm draped over her face, groaning quietly. She sat beside Jaeyi on the bed, lifting her gently to a more upright position.
“Here, hold this on your eyes, while I take a bath, okay?”” she instructed softly, pressing the cool cloth against Jaeyi’s eyelids.
“It’ll help reduce the puffiness and soothe the pain.”
Jaeyi’s fingers curled around the compress bag, the coldness a sharp contrast to her warm skin. She closed her eyes again, the relief immediate and welcome.
“Can I come with you to the bath?” she asked suddenly.
“Of course, Baby. Come here.” Seulgi’s smile was radiant, her eyes sparkling with love.
She rose from the bed and took Jaeyi’s hand, guiding her carefully to the bathroom. Seulgi turned on the water, adjusting the temperature until it was perfectly warm, inviting.
They began to undress with slow, intimate movements. Seulgi slid into the bathtub first, the water enveloping her. Jaeyi followed, sank into the water in front of Seulgi, her back pressing against Seulgi’s chest, the heat immediately soothing her. She hummed contentedly, leaning her head on Seulgi’s shoulder. The compress had melted a little in her hand, but she still kept it on her eyes.
“I could stay like this forever..”
“You’d get wrinkly.” Seulgi chuckled, wrapping her arms around Jaeyi’s waist.
“Then we’ll wrinkle together,” Jaeyi murmured sleepily, making Seulgi laugh.
Jaeyi’s eyelids fluttered closed again, her head resting softly on Seulgi’s shoulder. Her hand never released the compress bag, still pressed against her eyes to keep the cooling sensation steady. Seulgi rested her chin on Jaeyi’s shoulder, watching the rise and fall of her chest. It was peaceful, and Jaeyi slowly began to drift off again, her hand still loosely holding the compress to her eyes.
“Yah,” Seulgi whispered after a few minutes, amused.
“You’re seriously falling asleep again?”
Jaeyi didn’t answer , only the soft sound of her breathing. Seulgi smiled tenderly, shaking her head. She reached for the bath scrub and gently began to wash Jaeyi’s shoulders and arms, careful not to wake her. Her fingers moved slowly, tracing every curve of Jaeyi’s skin. When she was done, she washed herself too. The warmth of Jaeyi’s weight against her felt domestic, so normal, so comfortable.
After a while, Seulgi gently shook Jaeyi’s shoulder.
“Hey, baby, it’s time to get out now.” Her voice was soft but firm.
Jaeyi opened her eyes slowly, the puffiness noticeably reduced and the ache in her eyes softened. She blinked a few times, adjusting to the light and the world around her. Seulgi leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to Jaeyi’s cheek.
They wrapped themselves in fluffy towels, warmth enveloping their bodies as they stepped out of the bath. Together, they moved to the sink to brush their teeth. Their hands brushed occasionally, sharing small smiles, the kind of connection that needed no words. Afterward, they dressed carefully, choosing clothes that were comfortable, light resort clothes.
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.
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In the dining hall of the resort, Seulgi and Jaeyi stepped in, their presence immediately noticed by their group of friends who were already seated around a large table near the window.
“Hey, you two! Over here!” Yeri called out with a bright smile, waving. Like she didn’t just lore Jaeyi yesterday with a plan that almost ruined her friends’ relationship. Kyung, Byeongjin and Ara chimed in their greetings, their voices blending into a cheerful.
The friends were a lively bunch, the kind of group that had grown close over years of shared experiences in a hospital. The casual camaraderie filled the space with a comfortable energy.
Jaeyi’s heart fluttered slightly as she slipped into the chair beside Seulgi, the warmth of Seulgi’s hand still lingering in hers as they sat. She glanced around, the table was already laden with an assortment of dishes.
Jaeyi reached for a plate and began to serve Seulgi some food, then to herself. Just as Jaeyi was about to start eating, Byeongjin, sitting across the table with a confident grin, leaned forward.
“Seulgi, you have to try this. It’s amazing.” Without waiting for a response, he scooped a generous portion of a dish and placed it carefully on Seulgi’s plate.
Jaeyi’s eyes flickered with jealousy, her fingers tightening slightly around her chopsticks. She opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, Seulgi calmly pushed the dish back toward Byeongjin.
“Thanks, but you don’t have to put that on my plate,” Seulgi said, her tone polite but firm. She turned her gaze directly to Byeongjin, her eyes steady.
“I have hands, and also my girlfriend here could do that for me. Let’s put some boundaries, I don’t want any misunderstandings. I love my girlfriend.”
The room fell into a sudden hush. Byeongjin froze mid-motion, the spoon still hovering over Seulgi’s plate, his confident smile slipping into a stunned state. Kyung and Yeri exchanged amused glances, both trying and failing to suppress quiet laughter behind their hands. Jaeyi’s cheeks flushed, heat spreading rapidly across her face, but smile a proud. Meanwhile, Ara, caught off guard, choked on her drink, coughing awkwardly as she tried to regain composure.
After a long moment, Byeongjin cleared his throat, his face reddening.
“Y-yeah. R-right. Sorry,” he stammered, withdrawing his hand.
Seulgi gave a slight nod, then she turned her gaze toward Jaeyi with a soft smile, leaning over to plant a gentle kiss on her cheek. The gesture was simple but carried an undeniable weight of reassurance and affection.
Jaeyi’s blush deepened further, the warmth spreading not just across her cheeks but throughout her entire body. Unable to bear it more, she stood abruptly, chair scraping softly against the floor. She could feel every pair of eyes on her, some curious, some amused, others clearly entertained by her flustered state.
Jaeyi turned, walking out of the dining area like a robot, stiff like she just rebooted. Everyone’s gaze followed her, still stunned, confused.
Inside the restroom, Jaeyi rushed to the sink, splashing cold water over her face repeatedly, trying to wash away the burning blush still scorching her skin. She leaned forward, staring at her reflection in the mirror.
“You lucky bastard,” she whispered to her own flushed face, a small, goofy smile tugging at her lips despite herself. She bit her lip, the smile growing a little wider.
Her moment of private amusement was abruptly cut short by the sound of the restroom door opening. She stiffened instantly, composing herself with practiced ease, and straightened her posture.
Returning to the dining area, Jaeyi’s entrance was met with barely contained laughter. Yeri and Kyung were the first to lose it, their quiet chuckles escalating into full, unabashed laughter. Kyung doubled over, clutching her stomach, while Yeri wiped tears from her eyes.
Jaeyi’s cheeks burned anew, but instead of pushing through the embarrassment, she slid into the seat beside Seulgi, immediately wrapping her arms around her from the side and burying her face in Seulgi’s shoulder.
“Princess, they’re teasing me,” Jaeyi babied, her voice muffled but tinged with playful exasperation.
“What the fuck,” Ara muttered, completely stunned by the scene unfolding before her. Even Byeongjin looked at Jaeyi with a mix of surprise and awkwardness, clearly at a loss.
Yeri and Kyung’s laughter only grew louder, their teasing lighthearted but relentless.
“Yah! Let’s eat already,” Seulgi interjected firmly, though a small laugh escaped her lips..
As the meal resumed, Yeri took the lead in conversation. She filled the table with stories, her hands moving expressively as she spoke. Kyung chimed in with witty remarks, prompting bursts of laughter from everyone.
Seulgi, meanwhile, kept a watchful and tender eye on Jaeyi. Every so often, she would pick up a small piece of food, carefully feeding it to Jaeyi as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Jaeyi accepted each offering with quiet gratitude, her shy smiles growing more frequent and genuine.
In the afternoon, Yeri, Ara, and Seulgi lay on their loungers, sunglasses shielding their eyes from the glare as they tried to enjoy the hum of the ocean. For a while, it felt like the perfect escape from the constant stress of hospital life.
Yeri was lazily scrolling through her phone, Ara listening to music through her earbuds, and Seulgi had closed her eyes entirely, letting the sun warm her skin, her mind drifting peacefully, not until the calm was broken.
A group of boys, loud and overly confident, walked toward them. At first, they simply stood a few feet away, eyeing the three girls and tried casual greetings.
“Hey, ladies. Mind if we join?” one asked, a smile spreading across his face.
Seulgi didn’t even turn her head. Ara and Yeri exchanged glances, silently agreeing to ignore them. But the boys didn’t take the hint. Another stepped closer, leaning a little too close for comfort.
“We are going to the club later, wanna join us?”
“No, thanks,” Yeri said firmly, still keeping her phone up like a barrier.
“Yeah, we’re not interested,” Ara added, voice polite but cold.
“Come on, you don’t want to miss out. It’s going to be wild. You’ll have a blast.” The boy persisted.
“We said no. Please respect that.” Seulgi opened her eyes slowly and sat up, her posture calm but commanding.
The boys exchanged glances but weren’t ready to give up. One of them, younger and more reckless than the rest, swaggered over and plopped down beside Yeri without invitation. His hand reached out and rested on Yeri’s thigh, fingers tracing slow, unwanted circles.
Yeri’s body stiffened immediately, her eyes flashing with irritation and surprise. She shifted away, trying to pull free, but the boy tightened his grip, a smug smile on his lips.
Before anyone could react further, Kyung, who had been nearby helping Jaeyi carry some trays for the dinner setup, saw what was happening. She didn’t think twice. The moment she saw someone violating Yeri, instinct took over. She sprinted toward them and slammed her fist directly into the guy’s jaw.
The boy stumbled backward, shock and pain flashing across his face. He immediately swung a fist back, striking Kyung squarely in the shoulder. Kyung’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t back down.
Jaeyi, who had been carrying a basket of napkins and utensils with Byeongjin, froze for a moment when she saw Kyung in the scuffle. Rage ignited inside her chest. She dropped the basket without a second thought and ran toward the fight.
“Hey! Leave her alone!” Jaeyi shouted, launching herself at the boy, her fist connecting with his jaw. The sound of the punch echoed across the sand.
Byeongjin, who followed, joined in. His movements were fast, precise, and fueled by adrenaline. Together, Jaeyi, Kyung, and Byeongjin began to fight the boys back.
The fight escalated quickly. The first boy, now angry and bleeding slightly from the earlier punches, swung wildly. Seulgi moved, trying to grab Jaeyi and Kyung, to separate everyone before someone got seriously hurt. Her heart pounded in her chest. She could feel the fear rising, not for herself, but for the people she loved, especially Jaeyi.
But the fight didn’t relent. One of the boys accidentally shoved Seulgi hard enough to push her back onto the sand. Pain shot through her arm, and she gasped, stumbling.
Jaeyi’s head snapped toward Seulgi. Her heart hammered, fury consuming her. She rushed toward Seulgi to help, then dashed forward to the guy, her arms a blur, and punched the boy in the nose. Blood spattered, and he cried out in pain as Jaeyi hovered above him, throwing punches.
“You fucker... hurt her” Jaeyi shouted, voice breaking with intensity.
The other boys tried to intervene, but Byeongjin was already a whirlwind of precision and strength, tackling one to the ground with a loud grunt. Kyung’s fists were relentless, keeping another at bay, while Ara and Yeri, though terrified, shouted for help and tried to grab Seulgi out of harm’s way.
The fight drew attention. Resort staff began to rush toward the scene, whistles blowing and voices shouting commands. They reached them, helping to separate the groups. One of the boys groaned as he held his nose, glaring at Jaeyi, who still hovered over him, fists clenched and shaking with anger.
Breathing heavily, Jaeyi stepped back, allowing Seulgi to guide her away.
“You okay?” Seulgi asked, brushing sand off Jaeyi’s arm.
Jaeyi nodded, still trembling from the adrenaline.
“I..I just.. they hurt you,” she muttered, her voice raw, still panting.
Seulgi shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite the anger lingering in the air. She cupped Jaeyi’s face, thumb brushing along her cheek.
“Idiot” she said, pinching Jaeyi’s cheek.
Kyung and Byeongjin regrouped beside them, both breathing heavily, sweat and sand coating their clothes. Kyung flexed her fists, checking for injuries, while Byeongjin clapped Jaeyi on the shoulder.
“Not bad, Jaeyi. Not bad at all,” he said, his voice half amusement, half pride.
The resort staff escorted the boys away, muttering warnings about harassment and trespassing. Ara and Yeri stayed close, helping Seulgi and the others calm down. Seulgi then dragged Jaeyi gently, holding her arm as they walked to their room to treat Jaeyi’s wounded knuckles.
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.
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In the lobby, Kyung sat on a cushioned bench near the reception area, a small cloth pressed gently to her swollen lip. Across from her, Yeri knelt, carefully cleaning the wound with a soothing antiseptic wipe. Her touch was gentle, practiced, as she tended to Kyung’s injury with quiet care.
Kyung’s eyes flicked toward Byeongjin, who was seated a few feet away, his face a deep shade of red. Ara hovered beside him, expertly bandaging a cut on his arm. Despite Ara’s professional demeanor, Byeongjin’s gaze was firmly fixed on the floor, avoiding Ara’s eyes entirely.
Kyung leaned closer to Yeri, voice barely above a whisper.
“Look, Byeongjin is blushing,” she murmured, nodding toward their friend.
Yeri’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she glanced over.
“Oh my fucking God. He’s folding,” she whispered back, a teasing smile tugging at her lips.
For a moment, the two shared a quiet laugh, the tension of the day melting just a little in the shared humor. Then Yeri’s expression softened, her gaze shifting to Kyung’s face.
“Thank you for earlier.” she muttered
Kyung’s smile deepened, a mixture of pride and something gentler lighting her eyes. She said nothing, simply meeting Yeri’s gaze with steady, unspoken understanding. Her eyes lingered a moment longer, drifting down to Yeri’s lips.
They were both momentarily lost in the connection, the world around them fading until Ara’s voice interrupted.
“Done. Just treat it again later, Byeongjin.”
Kyung cleared her throat, breaking the spell. Yeri straightened, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear as she masked the flutter of emotions with a calm exterior.
Meanwhile, in the privacy of their room, Jaeyi and Seulgi shared a quiet, intimate moment. Jaeyi sat on the edge of the bed, her hands resting on her lap, while Seulgi knelt before her, gently tending to the small cuts and bruises on Jaeyi’s knuckles.
Seulgi’s touch was delicate yet confident, the care in her movements speaking volumes of her affection. Every so often, she paused to press a soft peck to Jaeyi’s hand. Jaeyi looked down at her with a smile full of gratitude and warmth, her eyes shining with trust and contentment.
When Seulgi finished, she leaned in and brushed a tender kiss against Jaeyi’s lips. Seulgi rose to put the medkit aside, but then Jaeyi’s hand reached out, pulling her back gently, guiding Seulgi to sit on her lap, wrapping her arms around her waist. Their eyes met, a shared smile passing silently between them before Jaeyi leaned in, capturing Seulgi’s lips in a deep, lingering kiss.
When they finally parted, Seulgi’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright with affection.
“Let’s go, I’m kind of hungry.” she said with a playful smile.
Jaeyi nodded, her own smile radiant. Without warning, she lifted Seulgi effortlessly into her arms. Seulgi tried to protest, laughing softly.
“Hey! Put me down!”
But Jaeyi only tightened her grip, laughter mingled as they moved toward the door.
The evening air was cool and calm, carrying the faint smell of the sea from the nearby beach. The bonfire crackled softly, lighting up everyone’s faces, warming them. The sound of laughs that came from their group. On the wooden picnic table beside them were plates of half-eaten barbeque, grilled corn, and bowls of rice.
Yeri, of course, had already taken control of the conversation. Her voice carried easily over the fire’s snap and hiss. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and every punchline was met with bursts of laughter from the group.
“And then! Listen to this, when a patient tried to flirt with Kyung, she froze, staring at me like telling me to help her. That was epic”
Kyung, who was chewing on her barbeque, nearly choked.
“Yah! Why would you bring that up now?!” she cried, smacking Yeri’s arm with the back of her hand.
Everyone burst into laughter. Seulgi, who was sitting with her legs crossed beside Jaeyi, almost spilled her drink.
“She didn’t flirt back?”
Kyung groaned and buried her face in her hands, while Yeri grinned triumphantly, leaning against her shoulder.
“Nope. Well, the patient is a grandma.”
That sent Ara and Byeongjin into another round of laughter. Ara’s laugh came out in bursts, while Byeongjin tried to stifle his laugh with his hand, his shoulders shaking. The two looked at each other, and for a moment, Ara’s eyes softened. Byeongjin noticed and looked away quickly, scratching the back of his neck, his ears turning red.
Jaeyi, who had been quietly tending to the grill, turned one of the skewers, shaking her head, though the corner of her lips curved up.
Seulgi, sitting beside her, leaned forward to grab a can of soda. She nudged Jaeyi gently with her knee.
“You’re smiling,” she teased.
“I’m laughing at how chaotic your friends are.” Jaeyi didn’t even deny it.
“My friends?” Seulgi shot back.
“Excuse me, Dr. Yoo, you’ve been with them for years too. You’re part of this circus.”
“Correction, I’m the one keeping this circus in line.” Jaeyi said, her tone mock-serious.
“Sure, boss,” Yeri said, rolling her eyes.
“Says the one who punched a guy earlier, losing it just because her lover got accidentally shoved.”
That shut Jaeyi up for a second. Everyone laughed again, the memory of the earlier fight now nothing but a story to retell under the comfort of the night. Seulgi just shook her head, reaching for a barbeque skewer and offering it to Jaeyi.
Jaeyi took it but didn’t eat immediately. Instead, she waved it teasingly in front of Seulgi.
“Say ah.”
“You’re seriously gonna feed me in front of them?” Seulgi said.
“Why not?” Jaeyi challenged, raising a brow.
“You claimed me at breakfast earlier, in front of everyone, so it’s fair.”
That made Seulgi freeze. Across the fire, Yeri and Kyung were already watching with knowing grins.
“Aw, look at that, Dr. Woo’s shy now.” Kyung teased.
“I am not shy,” Seulgi defended, but her cheeks were already tinted pink.
“Then open your mouth,” Jaeyi said sweetly.
Everyone went silent, watching. Seulgi narrowed her eyes at Jaeyi, but she leaned forward anyway and bit the piece of meat off the skewer.
The circle erupted with noise again, cheers, laughter, fake gagging sounds. Yeri almost fell off her chair laughing.
“God, you two are ridiculous!”
Seulgi just threw the stick at Yeri, who dodged it with a laugh.
“You’re just jealous because no one’s feeding you,” Seulgi fired back.
“I would feed her, but she’d probably bite my finger off.” Kyung raised her hand.
“Try me, Choi.” Yeri squinted at her.
That made Kyung shut up, heat already creeping in her cheeks.
The bickering continued, but it was lighthearted, filled with warmth that only comes from years of friendship. Ara, who was sitting beside Byeongjin, reached for a barbeque from the platter in front of Jaeyi.
“Hey, can I have one of those?” she asked casually.
“Nope. That’s for Seulgi.” Jaeyi replied, without missing a beat.
Ara froze for a second, caught off guard.
“Rude” she teased, though her tone was playful.
“Nu uh, reserved it for my princess only” Jaeyi said, flipping another skewer over the grill.
Seulgi, hiding a smile, reached for the plate beside her and handed one of the extras to Ara.
“Here, before she starts a war.”
“Thank you,” Ara said with a grin, taking it.
But before anyone could say anything, Byeongjin leaned forward and quietly placed another barbeque on Ara’s plate.
“Oh.. thanks.” Ara blinked, surprised.
That small interaction did not go unnoticed. Yeri’s eyes went wide, and she immediately elbowed Kyung. They exchanged amused looks, struggling to suppress their laughter. But then burst into quiet giggles that made everyone glance their way.
“What are you two whispering about?” Ara asked suspiciously.
“Nothing!” Yeri said way too quickly, waving her hand.
“Just admiring the fire.”
Kyung nodded in fake seriousness.
“Yeah, it’s really.. uh.. romantic.”
Byeongjin’s ears turned red again, and Ara threw them both a glare that only made them laugh harder.
Meanwhile, Seulgi leaned back on her elbows, looking at Jaeyi beside her. The firelight made Jaeyi’s features glow softly, her sharp eyes gentled. She was focused on the food, carefully turning skewers so they wouldn’t burn.
“Hey,” Seulgi murmured.
“Hmm?” Jaeyi glanced at her.
“Thank you,” Seulgi said simply.
“For what?”
“For earlier.”
“They deserved the punch.” Jaeyi smiled faintly.
“I know,” Seulgi said softly. She leaned closer, her voice barely above the crackle of fire.
“But still, You didn’t have to lose it like that for me.”
“I didn’t just lose it for you,” she said.
“I lost it because no one pushes you and walks away with it. Not when I am here.”
Seulgi blinked, her heart stuttering in her chest. For a moment, everything else, the laughter, the sound of waves, faded away.
“Stop looking at me like that,” Jaeyi said teasingly, breaking the tension, though her cheeks had gone pink.
“You started it.”
Jaeyi just smirked, reaching up to brush a strand of hair from Seulgi’s face.
“Then finish your barbeque, Princess.”
Across the fire, Yeri groaned dramatically.
“Ugh, they’re doing it again!”
Kyung joined in, mimicking a gagging sound.
“Someone douse me with water, I can’t handle this level of cringe.”
But Seulgi didn’t care. She leaned over and kissed Jaeyi’s cheek quickly, making Jaeyi’s blush deepen.
“Stop it!” Jaeyi whispered, but she was smiling.
The laughter continued. They passed more food around, shared stories from their residency days, cursed at how tired hospital life had made them, and then laughed again about how none of them would ever quit anyway.
At some point, Yeri brought out a small Bluetooth speaker, playing soft acoustic music that blended perfectly with the night’s warmth. Ara hummed along quietly while Kyung started roasting marshmallows with Yeri. Byeongjin excused himself to grab more drinks, and Jaeyi and Seulgi sat a little closer, their shoulders brushing, their fingers occasionally intertwining.
It was a night heavy with laughter and easy affection, the kind of peace they rarely got, the kind that would fade the moment they returned to the chaos of the hospital. But right now, under the stars, surrounded by the people they trusted and loved most, everything felt right.
“To friendship and free food!” Yeri stood up, drunkenly declaring, everyone raised their cups, laughing as they echoed her.
“To friendship,” Jaeyi said.
“To us,” Seulgi added softly, her gaze lingering on her.
And when their cups clinked together, the fire popped, sending a small burst of sparks into the night, bright, and beautiful, just like the moment they were all in.