𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 & 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 ⨳ lee heeseung

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆-𝘁𝘄𝗼

Aiko & Heeseung

The helicopter touched down with a soft thud on the rooftop of their warehouse base, the vibrations rattling through Aiko's exhausted bones. The moment the engine shut off, a collective sigh of relief filled the cabin. They were home.

Jake was the first to hop out, stretching his arms above his head. "Holy shit, we actually made it back in one piece."

Sunghoon groaned, rubbing his temples. "Barely. I think I aged ten years."

Sunoo patted his shoulder with a teasing grin. "That explains the wrinkles."

"Shut up."

Ni-ki, still hyped from their survival, grabbed Jungwon and shook him. "Dude, we freaking survived!"

Jungwon let out a breathless laugh. "Hell yeah, we did."

Aiko climbed out, stretching her sore limbs. The night air was cool, a sharp contrast to the hell they had just escaped from. She adjusted the strap of her bag, still carrying the vials and research, her mind already racing with what needed to be done.

She turned to head toward the small lab she had set up, determined to get to work immediately—but before she could take a step, a firm grip caught her wrist.

"Aiko," Heeseung said, voice low but firm.

She looked up at him, confusion flashing across her face.

"You've done enough for one night," he told her. "Come on. Let's just go relax."

"But—"

"No buts," he interrupted, his hand tightening slightly. "You're exhausted. We all are. Whatever you need to do, it can wait till tomorrow."

Aiko hesitated, glancing at the bag slung over her shoulder.

Jay came up beside them, smirking. "I hate to say it, but for once, Heeseung actually has a good idea."

"Gee, thanks," Heeseung muttered.

"You're welcome," Jay shot back before turning to Aiko. "Seriously, we need a break. Let's just—breathe for a second."

Yuna linked arms with Aiko, tugging her gently. "Come on. You know we deserve it."

Aiko exhaled, finally letting the tension in her shoulders drop. "Fine."

Ni-ki grinned. "That's what I like to hear!"

The group gathered up a few blankets and sheets they normally used to sleep on and made their way outside to the small patch of grass beside the warehouse. It wasn't much—just a little space they had cleared, still protected by the barricades and fences they had built. But it was something. A little piece of normalcy in a world that had lost all sense of it.

Jungwon, Ni-ki, and Jake sprawled out on one sheet, stretching out like they hadn't laid on soft ground in years.

Sunghoon and Sunoo shared another, immediately launching into a debate about which canned food was the absolute worst.

Jay and Yuna settled on one together, their voices quieter, more intimate.

And then there was Heeseung and Aiko.

She let out a deep breath as she laid back on their blanket, feeling the grass underneath her fingers. Heeseung settled beside her, turning onto his side to face her.

"For the record," he murmured, "this was a good idea."

Aiko smiled softly. "Yeah. It was."

The sky above them stretched wide, dotted with stars. For the first time in what felt like forever, the world didn't feel like it was ending.

Jake popped open a can of beans and passed it around, everyone taking turns eating straight from it.

"I never thought I'd be so grateful for canned beans," Sunghoon muttered as he took a bite.

Sunoo made a face. "It still tastes like garbage, but hey, we're alive."

Jungwon snorted. "That's the spirit."

Aiko leaned into Heeseung slightly, the warmth of his presence grounding her. Heeseung, without hesitation, wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

Across from them, Jay and Yuna sat close, talking in hushed tones, their smiles soft and easy.

Aiko smirked, nudging Heeseung's side. "About time that happened, huh?"

Heeseung chuckled. "Took them long enough."

Jay must have heard because he shot them a glare. "Mind your own business."

Yuna, however, just giggled, hiding her face behind her sleeve.

Ni-ki grinned, leaning over from his spot. "Nah, nah, let's talk about it! Jay, when are you finally gonna—"

Jay reached over and shoved Ni-ki, sending him rolling off the blanket.

"Hey!" Ni-ki protested.

"Talk shit, get hit," Jay said, satisfied.

Jungwon, laughing, plucked some grass from the ground and casually threw it at Heeseung and Aiko. "Alright, lovebirds, get a room."

Aiko let out a laugh, brushing the grass off her arm. "Jealous, Jungwon?"

Jungwon smirked. "Of you? Never." Everyone laughes.

Aiko leaned into Heeseung more, resting her head against his shoulder. "This feels...nice."

Heeseung hummed in agreement, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Yeah. It does."

They stayed like that for a long while, talking, laughing, teasing each other like things were normal again.

And for a moment—just a moment—it was.

No fear. No running. No fighting for their lives.

Just them.

Eventually, exhaustion settled over the group, their voices growing softer, their movements slower. One by one, they drifted off.

Heeseung turned to Aiko, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Get some sleep," he whispered.

She looked at him, eyes half-lidded but still shining. "Stay with me?"

His lips quirked. "Always."

And with that, she let her eyes close, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest beside her.

Safe.

For the first time in a long, long time—

They were safe.