Ice Hearts || ATEEZ ✔️

four.

Ae Ri's POV

"Hongjoong? Oh okay." Unknowingly a blush crept up my cheeks, as I remembered his warm arms around me and his soft but charismatic voice. "Ae Ri, are you okay? OMG you're face is so red. I'm gonna go get hyung!" "N..no I'm okay." I stuttered but he's too fast as he was already out of my sight. Soon, he returned with the smaller, older male behind him, both with a worried expression on their faces. "Hey, you alright? I heard from Mingi that your face was red and hot. Do you need medicine?" Hongjoong asked as his hand came up to my forehead, making me heat up even more, furrowing his eyebrows as he felt the head emitting from me.

Despite my temperature, I was frozen. All I could do was to stare at his big eyes, the scene from before replaying itself in my head. "Erm, er yeah I'm okay, probably just a minor fever." I let out along with an awkward smile, finally able to get myself together. He replied with a small smile, making me freeze again. Just when I thought I got myself together, he's making me lose it again. Why am I like this in front of him? "We've decided to let you stay with us, at least for now. Don't worry, we won't do anything bad to you, not like your nasty stepbrother. Make yourself at home and just be comfortable. We'll leave you to rest." Smiling at me, both Mingi and Hongjoong made their way out of the room. Oh god what just happened... I felt my own forehead and indeed it was burning. Was it fever or just me?

Time skip to the next day

*knock knock*

"Good morning, Ae Ri. It's time for breakfast, come on!" San smiled brightly as he poked his head into my room. He guided me to the dining room, everyone was already there. Except Hongjoong. "Good morning guys. Oh, Ae Ri you're here too. How was your sleep? Are you feeling better?" Just when I thought of him. Once again, he smiled at me and once again making me red in the face. I shyly nodded my head as I fiddled with my fingers under the table. "Ae Ri you're red. Still having a fever? Or is it something else?" Yeosang smirked at me with one of his eyebrows raised. Just as I met his eyes, Seonghwa entered with plates of food in his hands, a heavenly smell filling the room. Nice timing, Seonghwa. "Dig in everyone! Hope it suits your taste buds, Ae Ri." The oh-so-motherly Seonghwa beamed.

After the amazing breakfast by Seonghwa, I felt so much more comfortable around them. I got to know them better, like them owning a bar named 'Destiny' and that they knew each other since they were kids. They were all major dorks, joking around like family, even including me. Stray Kids would never... I accidentally let out a sigh, causing eight heads to turn to me at once. "Anything wrong?" Hongjoong questioned. Giving them a small smile, I looked at each of them. "I'm fine. Just that, I've never felt this...included, this comfortable around someone. Thank you guys so much, especially you Hongjoong-ssi." They looked at me with soften expressions, "You're welcome and please leave out the formalities. Just call us by our names, or oppa for those who are older than you." Yup, it was Yeosang trying to tease me again. "Yeah, just be comfortable. We're happy you're here too, you...you remind us of someone close to us." Wooyoung agreed, with a rather sad smile. Someone close? Wonder who that is...

Hey there, it's me again :)

Do hope there are ppl reading and enjoying this book :')

Have a nice day everybody!

~thedouble_a (19/4/20)