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Layla gets home from another exceptionally long day at work and goes to call for Misty.
"Oh that's right. She's not here tonight,"
Her bowl is empty.
When she gets out the shower nobody is waiting on her bed. There's no earrings or rings hastily taken off and placed on the nightstand.
No humming coming from the kitchen or balcony. Nobody else's clothes on the bathroom floor. No aroma of food cooking. Layla's dishes are the only ones in the sink. No head peering over the back of the couch to watch her. The only scent lingering in the air is the perfume she'd worn today.
The apartment is just still and quiet. And empty.
Isn't this what she complained about a little while ago when San and Wooyoung had come over together?
She should try to enjoy the still and quietness.
Layla orders out for the first time in ages and puts all her favorite toppings on her pizza. Plenty of peppers and onions with extra cheese.
While she waits she pulls out a white wine Seonghwa had bought her a little while back claiming it was some of the best he'd ever tasted.
Layla wasn't sure about that but she was happy to still have a trace of her boyfriends to hang on to.
****
The next day isn't quite as long but equally (if not more) exhausting as the previous.
The vet had called earlier in the morning to say they'd keep Misty for another day just to monitor her a bit more.
Layla goes through the regular motions but it feels so meaningless without them.
She's not sure when she had gotten so used to more than Misty and occasionally Iseul greeting her.
Instead of a full dinner she just eats instant rice and steamed veggies.
It's cold but seeing all the furniture meant for more people depresses her and she steps outside with a mug of hot chocolate.
The moon is full and bright tonight.
My loves❤️🔥
L: The moon is so pretty tonight
WY: Really?
L: Mhm!
MG: She's right
MG: It's lovely tonight
YH: Wow!
YS: Oh it is really pretty
WY: it's very bright
SH: It feels so close
HJ: It's gorgeous
JH: A beer on the balcony would probably be great
L: I heard tonight is the wolf moon
L: I just wanted to share with you guys
L: Something we could all see together
HJ: Are you okay?
L: Yep! I'm fine
L: It's actually nice how quiet it is around here
CS: Well I miss you
CS: Is Misty home yet?
L: Aww Sannie
L: No Misty's at the vet's till tomorrow :(
They talk for a bit more then Layla heads to bed.
****
Misty's home and sleeping next to her and for the next few days it's enough. Until it's not.
Layla can't tell anyone the last time she'd slept without another human beside her.
With how often the guys had been touring lately it shouldn't seem so normal honestly.
The bed and couch are made for more than just her. There's supposed to be 8 other bodies there.
It's the first night she's had real trouble getting to sleep.
Scrolling through (private) pictures of the guys does a lot though and then she's drifting to sleep.
Everyday it's just a little more like rewatching old videos then listening to old voice notes until nothing's enough.
My loves ❤️🔥
L: Guys this is gonna sound pathetic but
L: I miss you guys sm I can't sleep 😞
L: I was okay for a little bit but definitely not now
L: The voice notes and cute pics aren't enough anymore
YH: Oh Layla....
CS: That's not pathetic
WY: Cause we're patheticER
WY: We missed you since you were out of sight 🥲
L: Oh my Sannie and my Youngie
L: You sweeties 🥲
L: I love you guys sm
YH: We love you more!!!
MG: Don't worry princess
MG: We'll be home soon
SH: Yeah and we'll hold you until you fall asleep 💓
L: I don't wanna stay home next time
HJ: We'll see what we can do, okay?
L: Okay 😔
****
It's a few days later and the guys promised to stop by for dinner and make sure she got some good sleep.
When Yunho unlocks the door they're met by the smell of garlic and onions. He immediately moves into the kitchen placing a quick peck on her cheek.
"Hi my Yuyu. Doing okay?"
"Much better now, princess. I've missed you like crazy," Yunho replies.
Wooyoung and San round the corner next kissing each side of her face all over.
"Stop or I'll burn something,"
"But we've missed you so much," San pouts.
"Aww I know Sannie. Me too. But don't you want something yummy for dinner?"
"Yeah. I guess Yunho and I will go sit down," San adds, pouty.
"Don't pout handsome. Go play with Misty. I know she's missed you too,"
"Need some help?" Wooyoung asks slightly loosening his hold on her waist.
"Yes please,"
He immediately moves and starts to wash some more rice to put in the rice cooker.
Soon Seonghwa is coming to help and Layla has gotten kisses or hugs from all 8 guys.
Mingi lingers near the threshold just in case and dinner is ready soon.
They catch up over dinner. Layla sits in the middle and helps pass dishes to everyone. She's all smiles.
Wooyoung tells an embarrassing story about San that San blushes and denies, Yunho talks about the visit to his parents, Hongjoong tells her about the concerts and room arrangements, and Seonghwa and Mingi add gossip while Jongho and Yeosang mostly listen.
This goes on for who knows how long and eventually they move to the living room with drinks.
Layla's sitting on Mingi's lap with her legs in Seonghwa's (lap).
They continue catching up Layla playing with Seonghwa's hands as she listens and responds here and there.
Eventually conversation lulls and Seonghwa notices her dropped hands.
"Aww guess our angel really couldn't sleep without us," Yunho coos.
"I guess we should put her to bed, hmm?" Yeosang questions.
"I don't want to move her out of my lap," Mingi whines.
"Don't leave," Layla mumbles sleepily.
"We won't, baby. Let's get you to bed, yeah?" Seonghwa asks.
"Love you guys," Layla adds eyes still closed.
Everyone else replies in kind before Mingi takes her to bed. Instead of leaving he wraps himself around her back.
He places a soft kiss to her forehead before leaning over and putting her glasses on the nightstand. A few minutes later Wooyoung joins then San until eventually all of the other "clingy" members have wormed their way in to the bed or gotten comfy on the floor.
Bedtime routines are done in pairs or trios until eventually everyone is ready for bed.
"Goodnight everyone," Captain mumbles from the doorway.
He gets back a chorus of goodnights both from inside the room and in the living area.
Nobody has ever felt as at home as they do now sleeping in their girlfriend's home.