FATE

28.

The familiar warmth of the En-dorm filled the air, a welcome haven after a grueling week. Jeong-hyung hummed contentedly as he stirred a pot of bubbling stew, the aroma twisting through the living room where the other members sprawled. Si-woo, ever the neat freak, was tidying the table, while the rest were already engrossed in a series, their laughter echoing occasionally. Won, was by the sink, washing the dishes.

This was their usual Sunday ritual - a day off spent together, filled with laughter, shared meals, and mindless TV marathons.

Hey, Jeong-yah," Seo-hoon called, momentarily pausing the show. "I'll borrow your extra charger, mine is not working."

Jeong-hyung glanced up, a smile gracing his lips. "Sure, it should be in the second drawer of my nightstand."

The silence that followed after they disappeared around the corner made a cold dread pool in Jeong-hyung's stomach. He'd forgotten about... the drawer.

Riki, oblivious, followed Seo-hoon upstairs. Jeong-hyung followed a few seconds later, his heart hammering a frantic rhythm in his chest.

Seo-hoon, rummaging through the drawer, stopped short. His eyes widened as they landed on unused condoms, lubricant, and a tube of cream. Riki, peering over his shoulder, gasped. A million questions hung unspoken in the air, silent screams trapped in their throats. Seo-hoon and Riki exchanged a stunned look, the weight of their discovery settling heavily upon them.

Jeong-hyung, finally catching up, burst into the room. "Hey, I, uh..." His voice trailed off as his gaze darted between the open drawer and his bewildered mates. This was not how he'd envisioned revealing his relationship with Won.

The moment stretched, thick with tension.

"Hyung, you have a girlfriend?!!!" Riki exclaimed.

"What?! No!," Jeong answered.

Won, alerted by the commotion, had frozen mid-wash, a dishcloth limp in his hand. The laughter that had filled the room just moments ago had died a silent death. The off-day haven had become a stage for a shocking revelation, and Jeong knew their secret was out.

All of them went upstairs.

"Hey, what's happening here?" Taehyun asked. Riki pointed out the things they found and Taehyun was totally shocked. "Wooohhh. Jeong you sneaky head. You have a girlfriend and you didn't tell us." he pouted.

"No, I don't have a girlfriend." He firmly said.

"Then, what are those?" Seo-hoon asked.

"Guys, it's my personal.." he was cut off.

"We're dating. We're dating for three years now."

Aside from Eun-hee, all of them were shocked when they heard Hae-won, their leader speak up. He knew this day would come.

"What?!"

Si-woo was the only F of the group, understood immediately why their hiding their relationship with them. Maybe they tried many times telling them but ended up not because of their fear of the aftermath.

"I'm out of here," said Seo-hoon. "I am going home."

"Hey, hey, Seo-hoonshhi look. We can talk it out as a group. Okay? Please let's settle this. They don't want us to feel a burden. So they keep it themselves." Si-woo tried to explain.

"You know what, I feel betrayed, I feel hurt. Of all people, Jeong is my only unit. We've been together ever since. He should have told me. I feel that I can't be trusted."

"I understand what you feel but let's hear them out first. Kay hyung?" Si-woo said.

Taehyun and Riki became silent and he just felt the assuring shoulder from their Eun-hee hyung.

Everyone went downstairs, to the living room.

Jeong and Won remained. "Love, I'm so sorry. I didn't expect this at all. It's my fault. I love you, you know that." Jeong stuttered while tears were falling. "If I need to quit, I'll do it just to save us. I don't want us...to.."

"Shhh... don't say that. Don't ever think of quitting. No. Please. I love you too. It's about time we tell them about us. Everything will be alright." Won softly said.