𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐷𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 :

. 𝙵𝙸𝚁𝚂𝚃 𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 .

[TXT Dorms]

Hangyeol pushed open the dorm door, the soft click echoing in the quiet night. He stepped inside, removed his shoes, and placed them neatly on the shoe rack before entering fully.

As he walked into the dimly lit living room, a sigh escaped his lips.

"What's wrong, hyung?"

He flinched slightly, startled by the maknae's soft voice. Isn't it like 3 a.m. already? His eyes shifted toward the couch, gradually adjusting to the semi-darkness. There, bathed in the muted light of the TV playing some late-night movie, sat the tall figure of Kai.

"Why aren't you asleep, Kai?"

Kai shifted slightly, scooting to the side and tapping the couch cushion beside him, wordlessly inviting his hyung to sit. "I was, but I got worried." His eyes lifted from the screen for the first time during their exchange, taking in Hangyeol's disheveled appearance. "You look like a mess."

Hangyeol chuckled, watching the younger's eyes sparkle with concern. Without hesitation, he crossed the room and plopped softly onto the couch beside him.

"I'm fine." He ruffled Kai's soft blonde hair. The younger leaned into the touch with a faint smile.

"So don't worry, and go to sleep." His tone was soft but turned stern at the end.

Kai sighed. "Okay. But don't sleep too late, please."

He leaned forward, their foreheads gently meeting. He studied Hangyeol's eyes, noting the sorrow and dread tucked behind their familiar calmness. Why do you do this to yourself, hyung? Another sigh slipped from his lips before he stood hesitantly, casting one last worried glance at his hyung before retreating to bed.

Left alone, Hangyeol adjusted on the couch and let his eyes fall shut. He won't be able to wake up early tomorrow, he thought, a small smile tugging at his lips as he pictured Kai's tired yet concerned expression. Slowly, sleep pulled him under.

.
.

Hangyeol yawned, stretching as he stood from the—unexpectedly comfortable—couch. His muscles popped in relief as he padded toward the kitchen.

Since it's early, I'll just heat up some rice to eat with the leftover pork, he mused, humming in satisfaction.

Once the food was warmed and the table set, he decided to wash up quickly before waking the others.

"Wake up, Bin."

Soobin groaned, rolling over and tugging the covers over his face. "Go away..." he mumbled, his voice muffled.

Hangyeol chuckled. "Come on, Soobin-ah. It's already seven o'clock. You need to get up before Yeonjun-hyung and I leave."

Soobin shot upright, grumbling a string of half-coherent curse words as he stumbled toward the kitchen.

Okay, four more to go, Hangyeol sighed, heading toward Kai's room.

"Wake up, Hyuka," he whispered, gently running a hand through the younger's hair.

Kai hummed, clearly pleased by the contact, before muttering, "Five more minutes, hyung..."

Hangyeol chuckled. His dongsaeng really was just like a child.

"Come on, Hyuka. Up you go," he rumbled, slowly lifting the taller boy into a sitting position.

"No," Kai whined, pulling Hangyeol down with him and yanking the blanket over them both.

"What are you doing, Hyuka? We need to get up." Hangyeol laughed, trying to tug the blanket off, but Kai just snuggled closer, seeking warmth.

Hangyeol looked down, locking eyes with the sparkling brown irises shaped like tiny petals.

"Don't give me that look, Hyuka. You need to get up."

Kai sighed dramatically before finally sitting upright. He rubbed his eyes with one hand while covering a yawn with the other.

"I'm up."

Hangyeol smiled, giving the younger a pat on the back. "Thanks, bud."

By 8:25 a.m., all the members were finally gathered in the kitchen. They settled into their seats—older members at the head, the younger ones along the sides. With a soft chorus of gratitude, they broke their chopsticks apart, muttered thanks for the food, and began to eat.

.

.

The quiet clink of chopsticks filled the kitchen as the members ate in comfortable silence. Hangyeol glanced at the digital clock on the microwave—8:57 a.m. He chewed the last bite of pork and set his bowl aside before wiping his hands on a napkin.

"We should head out soon," he said, his voice low, but it easily caught Yeonjun's attention.

The eldest nodded, scooping the final bit of rice into his mouth and standing from his seat. "I'll grab my bag."

Hangyeol turned to the table, "Make sure you guys clean up, okay? I left food in the fridge if anyone gets hungry later."

"Okay, hyung," Soobin mumbled with a mouthful, Kai giving a lazy salute beside him.

Hangyeol smiled softly before grabbing his jacket from the back of the couch. He slipped it on with practiced ease, tugging the collar slightly. Yeonjun returned moments later, slinging a black duffel bag over his shoulder and tapping his phone screen.

"Let's go," he said, pushing his dyed hair out of his face.

The two stepped out into the hallway, the dorm door clicking shut behind them. The morning air was cool, almost crisp, as they descended the stairwell quietly, their steps in sync.

"What's first today?" Hangyeol asked, adjusting the strap of his crossbody bag.

"Dance practice," Yeonjun replied, glancing at his phone. "The choreographer wants to go over the bridge section again before we film the dance relay this week."

Hangyeol groaned playfully. "I still mess up the footwork in the second chorus."

"You and Beomgyu both," Yeonjun chuckled, holding the door open as they stepped into the waiting van.

The ride to the company building was quiet, filled with soft music and the occasional buzz of their phones. Hangyeol rested his head against the window, watching the passing cityscape blur by. The buildings, the people, the rhythm of the streets—it was all part of the life they'd chosen.

At the studio, the lights were already on and the scent of disinfectant lingered faintly in the air. Their choreographer, Jiwoo-noona, stood by the mirrored wall, arms crossed and a warm smile on her face.

"You're early," she said, nodding at them as they placed their bags down.

"Barely," Yeonjun replied, stretching his arms over his head.

Hangyeol rolled his shoulders, already loosening up. "We wanted to warm up before getting into it."

Jiwoo clapped her hands together. "Great. Let's go over the bridge and chorus sections. We'll clean the transitions today."

The speakers boomed as the first beat dropped. Instinct kicked in as the two idols moved into position, their bodies flowing with practiced grace. Sweat built quickly, their breath syncing with the rhythm, feet hitting the floor in precise patterns.

"Hangyeol, remember the drop spin before the floor hit," Jiwoo called out over the music.

"Got it!"

They practiced for an hour before taking a break. Yeonjun collapsed dramatically onto the floor, chest heaving. Hangyeol tossed him a bottle of water before sitting beside him, both of them drenched in sweat.

"We're gonna ace the relay," Yeonjun said between gulps.

Hangyeol leaned back on his hands, letting out a satisfied breath. "Yeah. Let's kill it."