Jaeyeon stepped inside his apartment, a familiar sense of comfort settling over him as he shut the door behind him. The hallway lights flickered on, casting a soft glow across the small space. The sounds of the city faded away as he kicked off his shoes and walked down the corridor. He tossed his scarf and coat onto the glass table in the living room, the fabric landing carelessly but without a second thought from him.

He plopped down onto the couch, his body heavy with exhaustion. The world had changed in ways he had never imagined, but he had made it through. The weight of it all still lingered in his chest, but it was manageable. He reached for the remote and flicked the TV on, letting the sound of it fill the silence of his apartment.

As the channels changed, his mind wandered. So much had happened in such a short time. The world had shifted, and yet, there were moments of clarity amidst the chaos. His life, too, had evolved. From being just an intern detective at his uncle's office to handling cases of his own, Jaeyeon had come a long way. He'd gained respect, built a reputation, and yet, there was always a piece of him that felt unfinished, a lingering ache of all the losses.

A channel caught his eye. It was a live broadcast, from just the night before. A girl group performed, the bright lights of the stage reflecting off their costumes. Eunhye. He smiled at the familiar face. She was radiant, as always, dancing alongside her bandmates. She looked so alive, so full of joy. He knew from the years spent together that she truly loved what she did. She had found her footing again, after everything, and that gave him peace. He watched for a moment longer before flipping through the channels.

Another report caught his attention—Sae Joon Hyun was on screen. He had made it, just like Jaeyeon knew he would. He had risen from the ashes of his past company, the one that had wronged him, and started fresh at a new station. Now, he was making waves as a reporter with the highest PR, never shying away from the truth, no matter how much others tried to bury it. Jaeyeon smiled to himself. It was good to see Sae Joon Hyun thriving again.

Jaeyeon shifted the remote, continuing to flick through the channels, but a pang of sadness struck him. The vaccine had saved many, but not all. There were still scars, invisible and deep. The memories of the ones lost—his brother, Hyeong—still haunted him. He glanced at the picture on the wall, of him and his roommate smiling side by side. The vaccine had failed to save his Hyeong, but Jaeyeon wouldn’t forget him. The weight of that loss settled deep within his chest.

He turned the television off and lay down on the couch, staring at the ceiling. Sleep began to take him, but his thoughts drifted—on the people he had lost, on the ones he was still fighting for, and on the small moments of peace that he could hold onto. The world was running, and he was alive, but it didn’t feel like enough. It never would. Yet, it was something.

Hours passed, and the night deepened. It was past midnight now when Jaeyeon woke with a sudden jolt. His chest tightened, a sharp pang of pain coursing through his body. His breath hitched, and he scrambled off the couch, his hands trembling as he reached for water. The cold air felt heavy around him, the apartment too quiet, too still.

The pain worsened, and he collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air. His heart pounded in his chest, a suffocating wave of anxiety building. He reached for the nearest surface, trying to steady himself, but his body felt out of control. The same ache he had been carrying for so long seemed to have deepened.

Suddenly, a knock on the door startled him. “Jaeyeon! ARE YOU OKAY???” The voice came from the other side, sharp and full of concern. It was Sae Joon Hyun. Jaeyeon’s heart skipped a beat, but before he could respond, he heard the unmistakable sound of the door unlocking. Sae Joon Hyun was coming in.

The door swung open, and Sae Joon Hyun rushed inside, his eyes wide with alarm as they fell on Jaeyeon, who was now sprawled on the floor, clutching his chest. Without hesitation, Sae Joon Hyun was by his side, his hands gently guiding Jaeyeon into a sitting position against the couch.

“Drink this,” Sae Joon Hyun said, quickly filling a glass with water and pressing it into Jaeyeon’s hands. Jaeyeon gulped it down eagerly, but the thirst was unquenchable. His body was still trembling from the pain.

“Get the whole jug, Hyeong,” Jaeyeon rasped, his voice weak. Sae Joon Hyun didn’t hesitate. He grabbed the jug from the counter and returned with it, filling Jaeyeon’s glass again and again. Jaeyeon drank until the burn in his throat faded, but still, something felt off.

Sae Joon Hyun didn’t say anything as he sat beside Jaeyeon, watching him with concern etched on his face. The room was silent, the only sound the soft hum of the city outside. Then, without warning, Sae Joon Hyun pulled Jaeyeon into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around him securely.

“I’m sorry…” Jaeyeon whispered, his voice barely audible.

Sae Joon Hyun pulled back slightly, his hands gently cupping Jaeyeon’s face. “You’re the one in pain,” he said softly, “Why are you apologizing?”

Jaeyeon felt his breath hitch, and without thinking, he buried his face into Sae Joon Hyun’s chest, his body shaking with the weight of everything he couldn’t say. “I… I don’t want to harm anyone, Hyeong,” he muttered, the words spilling out like they had been locked inside for far too long.

“I know,” Sae Joon Hyun whispered, his voice steady, reassuring. “I know. So don’t worry.”

Jaeyeon nodded, clinging to Sae Joon Hyun, feeling his presence grounding him, giving him strength. The world had moved on, but the scars they carried would never fully heal. Yet, in this moment, in this quiet embrace, Jaeyeon knew that he wasn’t alone.

The pain in his chest slowly dulled, replaced by the comfort of being held. As the night stretched on, Jaeyeon closed his eyes.