The group finally arrives at Peem’s place, a cozy house filled with the warm, familiar scent of home. Everyone gets ready for bed, settling down in various corners of the room, and the soft murmur of quiet conversations and laughter gradually fades as the night settles in.
However, Tan, despite the exhaustion from the night’s events, finds himself unable to sleep. The weight of everything the fight, his friends' worries, his own inner turmoil keeps him awake.
He tosses and turns in the makeshift bed on the couch, staring up at the ceiling in silence. After a few minutes, he decides he needs some fresh air. He quietly slips out of the room, careful not to wake anyone, and makes his way outside to the small bench by the side of the building.
The cool night breeze brushes against his face, but it does little to calm the storm inside his mind. He sits there, his elbows on his knees, lost in his thoughts.
The night had been fun, full of laughter and camaraderie, but in the back of his mind, he can’t help but feel that he put his friends in danger. They got hurt because of him, and no matter how much he tried to convince himself otherwise, the guilt gnaws at him.
Tan: muttering quietly to himself "I should’ve just stayed out of it... I made them all worry, I... I hurt them too."
His thoughts spiral further, and he starts to doubt himself. The night’s fun feels distant, overshadowed by his inner conflict. He tries to shake off the guilt, but it’s hard to ignore. Tan sits in the silence, struggling with his emotions, until a voice breaks the stillness.
Peem: softly, appearing from the shadows "Tan? You alright?"
Tan looks up, surprised to see Peem standing there, his figure illuminated by the faint light from the building’s exterior. He quickly wipes his face, trying to hide his feelings, but Peem can see through the façade.
Peem: sitting down next to Tan "You’re still awake, huh? Couldn’t sleep?"
Tan: shrugging, trying to act casual "Yeah, just... couldn’t really relax."
Peem watches him for a moment, sensing there’s more to it. Tan’s usually calm, the one who jokes around and lifts everyone’s spirits, but tonight, he seems different distant, like something’s weighing on him.
Peem: gently said "You know, it’s not your fault, right? What happened tonight... with the fight. None of that’s on you."
Tan: hesitating, his voice low "But... I got everyone involved, Peem. I put you all in danger. If I hadn’t started that fight "
Peem: cutting him off "No. It’s not like that. You didn’t start anything. We’re your friends, Tan. We chose to help. You didn’t force us into anything."
Tan stays silent, looking down at his hands. He still feels the weight of the night, the responsibility of being the one everyone turns to for answers, for calm. But Peem’s words are a small comfort. He’s not sure if he believes them yet, but hearing them helps more than he expected.
Peem: leaning back slightly on the bench, trying to ease the mood "Besides, you weren’t the only one throwing punches. We all got in on it. Even Q, and I didn’t think he had it in him."
Tan chuckles weakly at that, the tension in his chest loosening for a moment. It’s true Q, the calm one, had thrown the first punch. Peem catches the small smile on Tan’s face and gives him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
Peem: smiling warmly "Look, we’ve all got your back. It’s not about who did what first. We’re all a team, Tan. Don’t let this make you think you’re alone in any of it."
