The cool night air wrapped around them as they stepped out of the venue, the chaos of the evening finally behind them. Dino let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. They did it. Jeonghan was safe. The plan-somehow-had worked.
As the group began to disperse, murmuring about finally getting some much-needed rest, Dino felt a hand wrap around his wrist.
He turned, eyes widening when he saw them.
Hoshi and Woozi stood before him, their gazes uncertain yet intense, as if they weren't sure if they even had the right to stop him.
"Dino..." Woozi was the first to speak, his voice hesitant. "Are you... are you okay?"
Dino blinked at them, momentarily taken aback. Out of everything, that was the first thing Woozi asked? Not why he didn't come to them, not what the hell he had been thinking-but if he was okay.
A small, almost amused smile crossed Dino's lips. "Yeah, I'm fine," he reassured, tugging his arm back but not moving away. "A little sore from all the running, but otherwise fine."
Hoshi's eyes softened, but the tension in his shoulders remained. "Why didn't you come to us?" he asked, his voice quieter than usual. "Even if... even if things between us are complicated right now, we still would've done anything to help you."
Dino exhaled slowly, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "And if I had come to you," he asked, tilting his head, "would you have really let me go through with such a dangerous plan?"
Hoshi opened his mouth-then hesitated.
That hesitation was all Dino needed.
"Exactly," he muttered, shaking his head. "I knew you wouldn't. And I needed this to happen. We all did."
Hoshi pressed his lips together, guilt flickering across his features. "I'm sorry," he murmured.
Dino knew that apology wasn't just for tonight.
Woozi sighed beside him. "Me too," he admitted. "For... all of it." His eyes flickered toward the ground before meeting Dino's again. "If you still need more time-more time to think, to figure things out-you can have it. We'll be here."
Hoshi nodded immediately. "For as long as it takes. A lifetime if we have to."
Dino's breath hitched.
He had spent so long convincing himself that taking a step back had been the right choice. That Hoshi and Woozi had needed the space to realize they couldn't just bury themselves in work and expect their relationship to hold itself together. And yet, standing here now, hearing those words...
His heart ached.
Dino shifted on his feet, eyes flickering between them. Then, after a moment, he took a steady breath and asked, "Would you guys be willing to... start over? Once all this drama calms down?"
There was no hesitation this time.
"Of course," Woozi said immediately.
"In a heartbeat," Hoshi added.
A warmth spread through Dino's chest, melting away the remaining tension in his shoulders. He didn't say anything, just let himself feel the moment for what it was.
Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, Woozi and Hoshi each leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to either of Dino's cheeks.
Dino let out a small, surprised laugh, his heart thudding against his ribs.
For the first time in a long time, everything felt right.
