Twilight of Shadows

Chapter 5: Shadows in the Storm

The storm arrived in the dead of night, sudden and violent. Thunder cracked like a whip, and lightning illuminated the room in fleeting bursts of harsh light. The rain hammered against the windows, relentless and unforgiving.

Jeonghan sat curled up on the bed, his knees pulled to his chest as he tried to steady his breathing. He hated storms. They reminded him of nights spent alone, of being left behind, of things beyond his control. The walls of the room felt too close, too confining, and the sound of the storm only amplified the suffocating pressure.

Another crash of thunder made him flinch, his body trembling despite himself. He clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms, willing himself to stay calm. He was stronger than this. He didn’t need anyone.

But then another lightning strike lit up the room, and Jeonghan was out of the bed before he could stop himself, his legs moving on instinct. He opened the door and stepped into the hallway, his bare feet silent against the cold marble floor.

---

Mingyu’s Room

Mingyu had barely drifted off when the soft creak of his door pulled him back to consciousness. He sat up, his sharp instincts immediately on alert, but relaxed slightly when he saw the small figure standing hesitantly in the doorway.

“Jeonghan?” he asked, his voice low and rough from sleep.

Jeonghan didn’t respond immediately. His arms were wrapped around himself, and his eyes darted toward the window as another rumble of thunder shook the house. Mingyu noticed the way his shoulders trembled, his usual defiance replaced by something raw and vulnerable.

“What are you doing here?” Mingyu asked, though his tone had softened.

Jeonghan hesitated, his pride warring with his fear. “I... I can’t sleep. The storm...” He trailed off, hating how small his voice sounded.

Mingyu swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood, his towering frame illuminated by the dim light of the bedside lamp. “You’re scared.”

Jeonghan bristled at the bluntness, glaring at him despite the fear flickering in his eyes. “I’m not scared. I just—” Another thunderclap cut him off, and he flinched visibly.

Mingyu sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Come here.”

Jeonghan froze, his lips parting in surprise. “What?”

“I said, come here,” Mingyu repeated, his voice firmer this time.

Jeonghan hesitated for only a moment before stepping further into the room. Mingyu gestured toward the bed, and Jeonghan’s pride almost made him refuse. But when another flash of lightning lit up the sky, he found himself moving without thought, sitting on the edge of the mattress.

Mingyu watched him for a moment before sitting down on the other side, leaving a respectful distance between them. “Lie down,” he said simply.

Jeonghan stared at him, unsure if he was serious. “Are you—”

“Jeonghan.” Mingyu’s voice was gentle but unyielding. “It’s just sleep. Lie down.”

Reluctantly, Jeonghan complied, slipping under the covers and turning his back to Mingyu. The bed was larger than anything he’d ever slept in, the mattress firm yet somehow comforting.

For a while, neither of them spoke. The storm continued to rage outside, but the warmth of the bed and Mingyu’s steady presence began to chip away at Jeonghan’s anxiety.

“You didn’t have to do this,” Jeonghan muttered finally, his voice muffled by the pillow.

“I know,” Mingyu replied.

Jeonghan turned slightly, glancing over his shoulder. Mingyu was lying on his back, one arm behind his head, his expression unreadable. “Why, then?”

Mingyu’s eyes flicked toward him, dark and piercing even in the dim light. “Because no one deserves to be alone in fear.”

Jeonghan didn’t know how to respond to that. For all his cruelty and coldness, Mingyu was a contradiction—an Alpha who showed moments of unexpected gentleness.

Another crash of thunder made Jeonghan flinch again, and before he could stop himself, he shifted closer to Mingyu. It wasn’t much—just a small movement, barely closing the distance between them—but it was enough.

Mingyu noticed, of course. He always noticed. But he didn’t say anything, didn’t tease or mock. Instead, he reached out slowly, hesitantly, and rested a hand on Jeonghan’s shoulder. The touch was light, almost imperceptible, but it was grounding.

“You’re safe here,” Mingyu said quietly.

Jeonghan’s breath hitched, and for the first time since the storm began, he felt his fear begin to subside.

For the rest of the night, they stayed like that—two broken souls finding an uneasy peace in the midst of the chaos outside.