Chapter Text
Moondae shifted slightly on the couch, trying to focus on the movie the group had queued up, but he couldn’t quite concentrate.
The quiet buzz of the dorm, the faint glow of the television screen, and the occasional murmur of conversation around him were comforting in a way he couldn’t explain, though part of him still felt tense.
Eugene, sitting beside him, idly ran a hand through Moondae’s hair, brushing it back from his forehead, and Moondae froze almost imperceptibly, his chest tightening with a warmth that had nothing to do with the temperature of the room.
“Relax, Moondae,” Eugene murmured with a small smile, careful not to disturb him too much. “It’s just us.”
Moondae’s lips twitched into a faint smile, but he quickly pulled back slightly, worried that even here, alone with the members, he was letting his guard down too much.
“I’m fine,” he said softly, though his voice lacked conviction.
Raebin, sitting on the other side of him, leaned closer and nudged his shoulder gently.
“You’re completely frozen. You need to relax, at least a little. You always look like you’re bracing for impact.”
Moondae exhaled, letting a small sigh escape him, but he stayed rigid.
He wanted to melt into the warmth surrounding him, wanted to let himself relax against Eugene’s hand or Raebin’s shoulder, but something deep inside reminded him to stay composed. The last thing he wanted was to show too much vulnerability, even here.
“You know, you really shouldn’t try so hard to stay composed,” Sejin added quietly from across the couch, his fingers lightly brushing Moondae’s shoulder in a casual, comforting gesture. “You’re safe with us. You don’t have to pretend.”
Moondae closed his eyes for a moment, letting the touch linger just enough for his body to soak in the comfort, then he pulled back again.
“I know - I just…” His voice trailed off.
He couldn’t articulate the strange mix of relief and embarrassment that came with letting himself relax, even for a second.
The members had noticed these small reactions over the past weeks, the way Moondae’s shoulders would slump when someone leaned too close, the subtle exhale when a hand lingered on his arm, the faint smile that would cross his face in private moments.
It had been impossible to ignore.
He craved comfort and physical contact, and though he would never say so outright, his body betrayed him in ways that made the members quietly determined to give him the warmth he seemed to need.
Later, during a long car ride after practice, Moondae dozed off, his head tilting slightly toward Eugene. Eugene, bored and amused, gently ruffled Moondae’s hair.
“You’re exhausted, Moondae,” he whispered softly. “Just relax. You’ve earned it.”
Moondae exhaled softly, pressing his head just a little closer without realizing it, letting the tension in his body ease.
Raebin, noticing, brushed a hand along Moondae’s shoulder with a quiet, teasing smile.
“Just a little, okay?”
Moondae melted further, a soft sigh escaping his lips.
The warmth was safe here, private and gentle, and for the first time in hours, he allowed himself to be entirely comfortable without worrying about anyone watching.
Even Sejin, who had been leaning back in his seat, commented quietly, “He looks so peaceful like this.”
Moondae’s lips twitched in a small, shy smile, pressing closer into the warmth surrounding him.
It was moments like these that reminded him how much he needed this comfort, how much he wanted it, and how much he had learned to trust the members to give it to him safely.