𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍 //𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑲𝒊𝒅𝒔 𝑭𝑭//

~𝟮𝟮~

When we got home, it was starting to get dark. Hyunjin was just about to open the door to the dorms when it opened on its own. Lee Know stepped out and his eyes widened slightly when he saw us. His eyes fell on all three of our faces, but his gaze lingered the longest on mine. I saw Hyunjin clenching his fist, and I gently wrapped my fingers around his forearm. The gesture didn't go unnoticed by Lee Know. His gaze caught my hand, and he scoffed. He rolled his eyes and walked past us, his shoulder gently brushing against mine. My eyes followed him as he walked past me. When he was gone, I sighed, dropping my head. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to find Felix tilting his head and giving me a smile. I smiled back before following Hyunjin inside.

"Hey, you guys made it just in time. Dinner's early tonight," Chan said, wiping his hands on the red polka dotted apron he was wearing. I laughed slightly at his appearance before it struck me.

"Wait, isn't Lee Know going to eat with us? He just left."

"He had something he needed to do, but I made him promise he'd eat something as soon as he got back."

I nodded, but my thoughts stayed preoccupied. All through dinner I played with my food, stomach churning too much from my thoughts for me to be able to stomach anything. When the boys tried talking to me, I gave them one-word answers. I got the feeling they would ask about it later, but I just brushed it off. I'll deal with it when it comes up, I thought to myself. My thoughts about Lee Know acting weird and my previous commander still being out there swirled together. I didn't think I would be getting any sleep. After dinner, Chan came up to me, asking if I was okay.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just keep thinking about how weird Lee Know has been acting around me recently. Have you noticed it as well?"

"Actually, yes. He has been seeming a bit off recently. Do you want me to talk to him?"

"If you don't mind, I'd actually like trying to talk to him myself. He's helped me out with my emotions so much lately, so I might as well try returning the favour."

"Okay that's fine, but I have to warn you. He comes off quite hostile when he doesn't want to talk about something, but he doesn't mean it. It's just a defence mechanism he's picked up."

"Okay, I'll look out for it. Thanks."

...

Later that night, I sat upright in bed, looking out my window. I shivered occasionally but couldn't be bothered to pull the covers over my body. The boys were all fast asleep. All but the one who hadn't come home yet. I convinced myself I wasn't waiting up for him, that I just couldn't sleep because of the stressful day I had. But every time I heard a sound echo out through the quiet house, I caught myself sitting up straighter. Almost as if anticipating Lee Know's return. Then, when I had just started feeling tired, I heard it. The key in the front door. I got out of bed slowly, trying to make as little noise as possible. I skipped the squeaky steps on the stairs, having memorised them by now. I sneaked into the kitchen and turned on the light just as the front door opened. Lee Know walked in, but he didn't seem happy to see me. Then I noticed the cuts on his face. Just as he was about to disappear up the stairs, I stopped him.

"What? What do you want?" he asked curtly.

"I want to help. What happened to your face?"

"Long story."

"I have time."

I looked at him for a moment before moving past him up the stairs. I rushed into my room and grabbed the first aid kit in the bathroom. I half-expected him to have followed me, but I noticed he didn't. I heard sounds coming from the kitchen, clueing me in to the fact that he was there. When I got there, he was busy making coffee. When he noticed my presence, he offered me some as well. I nodded and beckoned him closer, placing the first aid kit on the counter. As he came to stand in front of me, I realised I wouldn't be able to clean his wounds without my arms giving out on me. So, I clambered onto the counter. He gave me a look.