the other eight

: two :

"I'm glad I could help." I spoke to all of them, San translating as I walked to the kitchen. The boys all watched me look in the fridge, but didn't come closer at all. "Can I make anything for you all?" I asked, smiling softly as I pulled out eight water bottles, setting them in front of me.

San signaled for them all to come to the countertop, but Wooyoung stayed in his spot. "We will eat anything, honestly." San nodded, smiling gently at us. "Can we drink the water?'

"Of course." I turned around to the cabinet, grabbing the peanut butter and bread. "I got them out for you guys."

I made eight sandwiches and handed them all to each boy, walking Wooyoung's over for him. He smiled gratefully and started to eat the sandwich. I sat his water bottle on the table beside him, walking back to the kitchen after I finished. "Please, you guys can sit in the living room." I gestured to the empty room, all of them crowded together in front of the counter top. I started to clean up the supplies I had gotten out for my little cooking session.

"What your name?" A voice spoke up, startling me so much that I dropped the clay bowl, breaking it into several pieces.

"Shit." I mumbled, bending down to pick up the mess. It wasn't even two seconds before another man had crouched down beside me, taking the pieces for me with a gentle smile.

"Seonghwa."

"Sun-ha?" I grimaced, smiling apologetically as he chuckled softly, both of us standing with pieces of the bowl in our hands.

"Seong...hwa." He spoke softly, following me to the trash can, our eyes meeting after I closed it.

"Seonghwa." His name rolled off my tongue gently, sparking a smile on his face, eyes glistening. He let out a soft laugh and stepped to the side, lowering his head, a smile on his face. I bit my lip and walked past him, into the living room where a particular red face caught my attention.

"I am sorry!" He raised his hand, voice clear and apologetic. "My voice, scary. I-I Mingi!"

"No, it's okay." I reassured, sitting on the floor next to San. "Uhm, my name is Kennedy."

"Kennedy." San looked over to me, his sandwich held with both of his hands, a speck of peanut butter on his lips. "That's bea-"

"Kenny?"

"Keeny?"

"No no no Kendey."

"Kenny!"

San and I grinned as the other guys argued about how to say my name, none of them quite getting it. Wooyoung stayed quiet, another guy sitting next to him, his lips moving, but inaudible to me.

"Who's Wooyoung next to?" I asked San as he finished his sandwich, picking up the water bottle as he chewed, glancing at the pair in the corner.

"Yeosang." San replied, catching Yeosang's attention. "Say hello." Yeosang smiled nervously, waving, but not saying anything. "He's a bit shy with new people." San explained, before sighing once he saw Mingi throw his water bottle at another man. "Mingi on the other hand..."

"We need some energetic happiness during a time like this." I smiled softly, watching the boys laugh softly, conversing in Korean.

"It's one in the morning." My dad spoke from behind me, much calmer now. I stood up, adjusting my cardigan and stood in front of the guys. "I'm better. I just, they seem alright." I smiled and nodded.

"You all can sleep in my room." I locked eyes with Seongwha as he stood, him helping Wooyoung to his feet.

"Absolutely not." My father's voice made them all freeze, Seongwha rubbing Wooyoung's arm reassuringly, Mingi standing next to San, his head low.

"Where else would they sleep?" I crossed my arms, my dad's eyebrows burrowing deeply as he thought.

"I don't know. I don't want them in a room with you while I'm on watch."

"S-sir." San walked forward and whispered something to my father, Dad's eyes softening after a few moments of San's words.

"I don't know if we have enough blankets or pillows." Dad led us back to my room, gesturing for them all to follow. They all brought their waters with them, footsteps quiet as they followed my silent ones. "Kennedy." My dad smiled as he opened the door to my room, revealing my mess of music and empty pages.

"Sorry." I scrambled to pick up my mess of music, my self composing skills not good. One of the guys picked up a piece and scanned through it. "Uhm." I didn't want to just take it from his hands...

"Ah, I'm sorry." He laughed nervously, the rest of the guys filing in the room, standing around awkwardly, no one really moving. "I'm Hongjoong." He offered me a handshake which I accepted. "Music, it lookeds good."

"Thank you." I blushed softly, the dim light in my room hopefully concealing my softness for compliments. Dad started handing out blankets, but we were short two.

"No worries!" Mingi beamed, wrapping his arm around San. "Share and care!" Dad and I smiled as San covered his face in embarrassment, hitting Mingi softly. Hongjoong explained that they'd be okay without pillows, but we did manage to find enough for them all.

"I'll be out on watch." Dad kissed my forehead before I weaved through the guys who were spread out across my bedroom floor. "Sleep well, all of you."