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The early evening glow bathed Gimpo International Airport in gold, but the terminal was anything but calm. Hundreds of fans lined the arrival area, banners and cameras in hand, waiting for AHOF’s return from Japan—their first music festival appearance as nine since Chihen’s long-awaited comeback from his health hiatus.
The crowd was packed and thrumming. Chants of “AHOF! AHOF! Welcome back!” filled the air as airport staff struggled to contain the surging fans and the flashing media lights.
"Welcome back, Chihen!"
"Get some rest, our nine!"
"Look here, please!"
"AHOF! Look your way here please."
Inside the secure zone, the nine members gathered before stepping out, adjusting masks and caps, their staff briefing them on the security route to Gimpo Airport, where they’d board their private transfer to the company dorms.
Steven, the ever-calm leader, clapped his hands once. “Remember the formation—wolf pack mode, okay?”
“Copy, leader-nim,” Woongki teased, earning a snicker from Jeongwoo beside him.
They always called it the wolf pack formation. It was the way AHOF navigated crowds safely—two members leading, the rest in pairs, and Steven guarding from behind.
Formation tonight:
Front – Jeongwoo and Woongki.
Second to fourth rows – the hyung-maknae pairs: JL with Chihen, Hani with Daisuke, and Shuaibo with Juwon.
And at the rear – Steven, eyes everywhere.
It wasn’t the usual setup. Typically, JL was paired with Juwon while Shuaibo took care of Chihen. But Shuaibo hadn’t been feeling well since the flight, pale and quieter than usual, and JL—ever the observant—had noticed.
So earlier, while waiting for their luggages, JL had quietly approached Juwon.
“Hey,” JL murmured, “how about we switch? I’ll stay with Chihen-ah tonight. You stick close to Bobo-hyung just in case he feels dizzy.”
Juwon blinked. “You sure, hyung?”
JL smiled. “Yeah. Chihen-ah just got back from his health hiatus, and you know how he is—he’ll insist he’s fine even when he’s not.”
“Okay,” Juwon agreed, clapping JL’s shoulder. “Take care of him, hyung.”
And now, here they are, walking into the storm.
******************************************
The members adjusted their pace, tight and steady. They had done this a hundred times, but the noise tonight—the frenzy—was different. Maybe it was because of Chihen's return. Maybe because AHOF was shining brighter than ever now that they are complete.
The moment the sliding doors opened, the noise hit them like a tidal wave. Fans screamed, cameras clicked, and flashes exploded from every direction.
Woongki and Jeongwoo led the way smoothly, their posture steady despite the chaos. A few staff and security surrounded the boys, forming a loose human barrier.
JL adjusted his cap, glancing at Chihen beside him. “You okay?”
Chihen nodded curtly, his face half-hidden behind a mask. “I’m fine. It’s… a bit overwhelming again, I think.”
“Yeah, you just got back after all,” JL said softly, inching closer. “Stay beside me, okay? Don’t get separated.”
Chihen nodded slightly. "Got it."
Their line moved forward in sync. Hani gently guided Daisuke ahead, murmuring reassurances in Korean and Japanese.
Shuaibo, though looking tired, kept a hand on Juwon’s shoulder, their movements in tune as if choreographed.
Steven stayed at the back, scanning everything—bodyguards, fans, flashing lights. Years of experience taught him to read tension like sheet music, and something about the air felt off.
******************************************
The trouble began near the parking exit.
The crowd surged suddenly—too suddenly.
The barriers rattled as a wave of fans broke past the security rope. Staff yelled.
Fans and media alike, swarmed closer, blinding flashes bursting like firecrackers.
“Stay close!” Jeongwoo barked.
But “close” quickly turned into “too close” as the crowd surged forward. The cheers grew into screams, barriers shaking as fans pushed for a better view. Security guards tried to hold the line, but a ripple of chaos spread like wildfire when a few overeager fans broke formation.
“Back up!” one guard shouted, but his voice was drowned out.
JL felt a sudden shove from behind—someone bumping hard into him—and before he could grab Chihen’s wrist, they were both pushed to the side.
“Chihen-ah!”
“JL!”
The airport security line fractured for a moment. Jeongwoo and Woongki turned immediately, but the crowd blocked their view. Steven, from behind, instantly noticed the gap in formation.
“Where’s JL and Chihen?” Steven barked.
“They got pushed out to the side corridor!” Shuaibo shouted. "They were near the service gates!”
“Woongki, Zhang Shuaibo—please stay with the maknaes!” Steven commanded without hesitation. “Jeongwoo, Hani, with me!”
Woongki and Shuaibo immediately moved, shielding Juwon and Daisuke, their arms out protectively as security scrambled.
The three hyungs broke formation and sprinted toward the side.
******************************************
In the push and pull, someone grabbed JL’s arm leading him toward the quieter passage that led toward Gimpo Airport’s connecting wing. The commotion behind them was still loud, but this area was oddly empty, eerily so.
He turned sharply—too late to see who it was—just in time to feel a harsh tug dragging him sideways.
“JL—!” Chihen's panicked voice cut through the noise as he reached out.
In the confusion, two men in black caps appeared from the side passage near the loading bay—moving too confidently, too purposefully.
“Manager?” JL started to ask, instinctively pulling Chihen closer.
The taller man in black grabbed Chihen’s wrist. “Come with us, quick! This way!”
Something about his tone felt wrong—too forceful, too cold.
JL’s chest tightened. “Wait. Show me your pass—”
The second man’s grip tightened on JL’s arm.
That was all the confirmation he needed so JL swung his carry-on bag forward, slamming it into the man’s chest with a sharp thud.
Chihen froze, eyes wide, heart thudding as he too realized—these weren’t staff.
“Chihen-ah, run!” JL shouted, his voice slicing through the chaos.
The younger boy froze for half a heartbeat, wide-eyed. “JL—?”
“Go get help! Now!”
Chihen hesitated, torn—but JL shoved him toward the main terminal. “Go!”
That broke the trance. Chihen bolted toward the terminal, shouting for help. JL turned back just as one of the men grabbed his wrist, trying to drag him toward the black van idling by the curb.
******************************************
JL turned back just in time to block another grab. His training instincts kicked in—memories of AHOF’s mandatory safety workshops flashing in his mind. He swung his carry-on bag like a shield, hitting one man in the chest.
“Get away from me!” he hissed.
The man lunged again, but JL ducked and kicked backward, his sneaker scraping against concrete. He managed to twist free, but another hand caught his hoodie. He struggled fiercely, trying to wrench free as his heart pounded against his ribs.
Just hold them off. They’re coming. Help is coming.
He was smaller, but adrenaline made him fast. One man tried to shove him toward the open van door, but JL slammed his elbow into his ribs.
The man cursed and swung back, the impact grazing JL’s head hard enough to make stars dance in his vision. He stumbled, the world tilting for a second, but he didn’t stop.
He forced himself upright, dizzy but defiant.
“Not him, not me,” JL spat through clenched teeth, glaring up. “You’re not taking anyone.”
******************************************
“Jaeyelie!” Hani's voice thundered like a whipcrack as he came sprinting with Jeongwoo and Steven.
"JL!" Steven also yelled.
“Over there!” Jeongwoo pointed.
Steven’s sharp eyes zeroed in on JL—cornered near the van, blood trickling near his temple. Jeongwoo didn’t hesitate; he tackled one of the men to the ground. Hani rushed forward, pulling JL away while Steven barked orders to staff and security who followed them and rushed over.
“Jaeyelie! Are you hurt?” Hani’s voice was shaking with barely contained anger as he steadied him.
“I’m fine hyung—just dizzy—”
“Don’t say fine!” Hani snapped, gripping his arm tighter. “You’re bleeding.”
The police arrived moments later, dragging the two men down while the van screeched away empty-handed.
From the crowd, Chihen burst through, eyes red and teary. “JL!” He nearly stumbled, dropping to his knees beside him.
“Hy—JL, you’re bleeding! I—I told them, I ran as fast as I could—”
JL smiled weakly. “You did good. You did really good.”
Steven crouched beside him, jaw clenched. “You shouldn’t have stayed alone.”
JL’s voice softened. “I couldn’t let them take him.”
Jeongwoo exhaled harshly, rubbing a hand over his face. “You scared us half to death.”
Hani, visibly trembling, muttered something under his breath that sounded a lot like “I’m gonna find whoever sent them.”
But for now, all that mattered was that both members were safe.
*****************************************
They were escorted back inside by police and airport security. JL’s minor concussion was checked on the spot at the airport clinic—thankfully nothing severe, though Hani refused to let him walk alone.
In the van heading to the dorm, silence hung heavy. Chihen sat timidly beside JL, still clutching his hand.
“You really scared me,” Chihen whispered.
JL smiled tiredly, head leaning against the window. “You’re not supposed to say that. I’m the hyung, remember?
Chihen didn’t answer right away. Then softly, barely audible over the hum of the road, he said, “Thanks…hyung."
JL’s eyes widened just a little before softening. “Anytime.”
From the front seat, Steven glanced back, expression unreadable but proud.
When they reached the dorm, the members didn’t scatter as usual. Instead, they gathered in the living room, the air warm but protective.
Woongki handed JL a cold compress, muttering, “Next time, don’t go full action movie star, okay?”
Jeongwoo ruffled his hair gently. “Still… you did good.”
Hani, sitting beside him, sighed. “I aged ten years today.”
Shuaibo, now resting better, smiled faintly. “You protected one of our baby maknaes, JL and you both got back here safe. That’s what matters.”
JL looked around at his members—their tired eyes, worried faces, and the quiet strength in the room—and he smiled softly.
“I just did what any hyung would do.”
And from somewhere behind him, Chihen whispered, “The best hyung.”
The laughter that followed was soft but full of relief, the kind that only comes after a storm—reminding them all that no matter what happens, AHOF always moves as one, one pack, one family.
EPILOGUE
The dorm was unusually quiet the next morning.
Golden sunlight filtered through the curtains, catching dust motes in the air and painting everything in a soft, sleepy glow.
After last night’s chaos, everyone had finally crashed wherever they could... couches, beanbags, even the floor of the living room.
JL, with a neat bandage on his temple, woke first. His head throbbed faintly, but the silence felt like a blessing after the storm. Across the room, he spotted Chihen curled up on the carpet beside him, a blanket half-slipping off his shoulders.
JL smiled faintly. Even in sleep, the younger boy’s brows furrowed as if he were still worried. Quietly, JL leaned over and tucked the blanket properly around him.
“Sleep, En,” he murmured softly. “You’re safe.”
He sat back against the couch, sipping the glass of water someone had left by his side, probably Steven hyung or Hani hyung. The realization made him smile.
The dorm kitchen came alive with soft sounds a few minutes later, the gentle clatter of mugs, the gurgle of the coffee machine, and the low hum of a familiar voice.
JL followed the scent of toast and eggs and found Hani standing by the counter, wearing a loose hoodie and sweatpants, hair tied up messily. The early sunlight caught the curve of his cheek, and for a moment, JL paused.
“You’re up early, Hani hyung,” JL said, voice raspy from sleep.
Hani turned, blinking in surprise. “And you shouldn’t be up at all. Sit down, concussion boy.”
JL laughed weakly, easing into one of the kitchen stools. “It’s minor, the doctor said.”
“Still,” Hani muttered, sliding a plate toward him. “You scared us half to death last night.”
JL looked down at the scrambled eggs, the simple kindness of the gesture hitting harder than he expected. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
“Don’t apologize,” Hani interrupted gently, his tone softer now. “You protected our own. I’d have done the same.”
There was a pause. The only sound was the coffee dripping into a mug.
Then, quietly, JL said, “You were the first one who got to me. I heard your voice before anything else.”
Hani’s eyes flickered, something unreadable passing through them. “Of course I did. I thought I was going to lose my mind seeing you like that.”
JL chuckled faintly. “You were scary, you know. You yelled at the security.”
“Yeah, well,” Hani muttered, looking away as a faint blush crept up his neck. “Nobody messes with my members.”
“Your members, huh?” JL teased.
Hani shot him a side glance. “Don’t make me regret making you breakfast.”
JL laughed again, then fell quiet, just watching Hani move—calm, careful, the morning light catching his every gesture. There was something grounding about it, something safe.
****************************************
Later, the others began waking up one by one—Steven with his usual sleepy scowl, Woongki and Shuaibo bickering softly over who drooled on the couch, Juwon half dragging half carrying Daisuke on his back like a lazy koala, and Jeongwoo assisting Chihen, who is shuffling out, still wrapped in his blanket like a burrito.
The dorm filled with quiet laughter and teasing again. It was ordinary, warm, a perfect contrast to last night’s chaos.
But through it all, JL caught Hani’s gaze once more across the table— a silent check-in, a flicker of something deeper.
“You okay?” Hani mouthed.
JL nodded, smiling. “Now I am."
Hani looked away with a small grin, sipping his coffee. “Good.”
And just like that, the morning carried on— soft, golden, and filled with the quiet kind of peace that follows a storm.
END