The Elevator Game ( Bangpink x Reader )

CHAPTER - 18

Hazel was still curled under the blanket, a tissue clutched in one hand and a tightness in her chest that wouldn't ease, even after Yoongi left. The warmth of the morning light didn't touch her. She stared at the door, half-hoping he'd come back.

He didn't.

Instead—

A soft knock.

Then the door creaked open.

Jennie peeked her head in. Her gaze flicked to Hazel's face, immediately clocking the red-rimmed eyes and tear-stained cheeks.

She didn't say anything at first.

Just stepped in and closed the door quietly behind her.

Hazel blinked. "Jennie...?"

"I figured you wouldn't want to be alone." Her voice was soft, stripped of its usual sharp edges.

Hazel tried to smile but it didn't work. She wiped her face, her fingers trembling. "You should yell at me too. I deserve it."

Jennie walked over, sitting on the edge of the bed. She reached out slowly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind Hazel's ear. "You scared me," she admitted. "I've seen a lot of things, Hazel. But watching them carry you up those stairs, limp and shaking like that... I thought we lost you."

Hazel's throat tightened. "I didn't want to play. I told them. I really tried. But I thought... if I stayed, maybe I could—"

"Fix it?" Jennie finished for her.

Hazel nodded, eyes glassy. "I thought maybe... they'd be safer if I was there."

Jennie sighed, leaning back slightly, one hand resting over Hazel's. "That's not your job, you know? To keep everyone safe. That's our job. The older ones."

Hazel bit her lip. "I don't know how to not try."

Jennie looked at her for a long moment, then smiled faintly—sad, but fond. "That's what makes you you. But it's also what's going to break you if you don't learn how to rest."

Hazel's eyes welled up again, her voice small. "I'm sorry."

Jennie gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm not the one who needs your apology. You've been through enough. Just... don't do it again."

Before Hazel could respond, another knock sounded at the door.

Namjoon.

Jennie stood, smoothing down her sweatshirt. "I'll give you two a moment."

She brushed her hand once more through Hazel's hair and then slipped out quietly, nodding at Namjoon as they crossed paths.

Namjoon entered slowly.

Hazel's eyes found his immediately.

And for the first time since she woke up, she let herself breathe.

"Joonie..." her voice broke.

He was beside her in two strides, kneeling down next to the bed without hesitation. She launched forward before she could stop herself, arms wrapping tightly around him, face pressing into his chest.

"I'm sorry," she choked out. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean—"

"Shh," he whispered, holding her tight. His arms wrapped around her shoulders, large and steady and warm. "Don't apologize. Not to me."

"I should've stopped them—"

"No," he said firmly. "That's not on you. You didn't make the call. You didn't hurt anyone. You were the one hurt, Hazy."