SVT NEXT DOOR | ꜱᴇᴠᴇɴᴛᴇᴇɴ

SVT NEXT DOOR | 28

TW: descriptions of panic attack

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Amidst the fading evening light, the atmosphere was tinged with an undercurrent of unease. My heart raced as I glanced at Seokwoo, his gaze piercing through me. Chanyoung seemed oblivious to the tension, ready to address Seokwoo, but I intervened urgently, my words a desperate plea. "Chanyoung, let's just go," I whispered, my voice trembling with anxiety.

Chanyoung hesitated, his gaze shifting between me and Seokwoo, uncertainty clouding his features. "But Noona—" he began to protest, only for me to shake my head with a subtle urgency. "Let's go," I insisted, the weight of avoiding Seokwoo's scrutiny pressing on me.

Reluctantly, Chanyoung relented, and we moved away, our steps quickening as we distanced ourselves from the potentially uncomfortable encounter. As we reached the sanctuary of our home, the weight of potential exposure hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the thin line we walked between the supernatural and the mundane.

"Hey, Areum, are you okay? You look super tired," Aria's presence greeted me, her concern palpable. 

Her observations didn't go unnoticed, but I offered a dismissive explanation. "Yeah, practice was intense," I replied, skillfully omitting the real reason for my fatigue.

Aria's concern remained, but she seemed to accept my response, offering a directive for the evening. "Go take a shower. We're having dinner next door again tonight."

I nodded in agreement and retreated to my room. As I prepared for the shower, I realized that Chanyoung was conspicuously absent. I pushed aside the thought, assuming he had his reasons for his vanishing act.

After a refreshing shower, I emerged from my room, clad in a comfortable sweater and shorts. Aria and I made our way to the neighboring apartment unit, anticipation humming beneath my skin. 

"Welcome!" Dokyeom's warm welcome met us at the door, and I couldn't help but smile in response.

As we entered, Dokyeom guided us to the dining area where the members of SEVENTEEN were gathered. My heart skipped a beat as my gaze landed on Chanyoung, his presence a mix of surprise and hidden intentions. My suspicions only deepened as I noticed his sly grin, seemingly satisfied with himself.

My narrowed gaze locked onto him, silently challenging his unspoken motives. I was well aware that Chanyoung's nature led him to mischief, and it seemed he had something up his ethereal sleeve.

"Take a seat, Areum," Joshua's voice was a comforting anchor, breaking through the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind. He gestured to the empty chair beside him, a fond smile playing at his lips.

Heat tinged my cheeks as I obliged, sliding into the offered seat. The subtle exchange of knowing glances among the members was not lost on me, and I couldn't help but wonder if they were privy to the recent developments between Joshua and me.

The evening held a sense of shared camaraderie as the aroma of the meal filled the air, a tantalizing promise of satisfaction. The clinking of utensils against plates marked the beginning of the feast, S.Coups' invitation prompting us to dig in.

Amidst the tranquil atmosphere, the air became charged with anticipation as Joshua's voice cut through the silence, his words an invitation to a moment of importance. Chopsticks paused midair, suspended by the news that hung in the balance.

"So, I have some significant news to share," Joshua's voice carried a mix of intrigue and seriousness as he nonchalantly shoveled a clump of black rice into his mouth.