spider | hoshi + s.coups

18

present day

"I'm here with you, you'll be fine."

Soonyoung's words helped her a lot, and gave her courage to take slow, but firm steps alongside Soonyoung. He stopped in front of a door, which looked quite distinctive, what with the bright nameplate that stated that Soonyoung, Seokmin, and Seungkwan shared this apartment.

Hyeri could already hear the buzz and chatter of people inside the house, which was abruptly silenced when Soonyoung rang the bell. She heard hushed voices, and footsteps rushing around, before the door swung open to reveal an angelic man, who went by the name Yoon Jeonghan.

Instantly, Hyeri felt much better.

Jeonghan had changed a little since she had last seen him. His blonde hair had been replaced by long black hair that was almost reaching his shoulders. His face looked pleasant and serene, as if he hadn't aged at all. His warm and bright smile immediately helped her feel at ease.

"Hyeri!" His voice was as sweet as she remembered.

She automatically smiled. "Jeonghan, it's good to see you."

He smiled, opening the door wider, giving her space to enter, which she did with a shaky breath. She was met with the sight of three other familiar men, who were looking in her direction with anticipation. She smiled.

"Hey, guys," Hyeri said, smiling widely, but it was shaky, her lips quivering. She was deeply overwhelmed by everything.

Joshua smiled back at her, and Chan waved at her excitedly, but Mingyu stood up and quickly engulfed her into a bear hug. That was her last straw. She broke into sobs in Mingyu's embrace, hugging him back tightly.

She was vaguely aware of the door closing behind Soonyoung and Seokmin, and everyone standing silently, not wanting to interrupt her.

Mingyu somehow understood that she needed a good cry, and let her cry against his chest, uncomplainingly obliging and comforting her.

When Hyeri pulled away, she had to fight the urge to bury her head once again in Mingyu's chest. Everyone else was staring at her sadly, Soonyoung and Chan with tears in their eyes too.

"It's so good to see you guys again," she said, mustering courage to meet each of their eyes. She tried ignoring the pity in their gazes.

"We missed you so much, Hyeri. . ." Joshua said, and the others nodded in agreement.

"Why didn't you ever visit us?" Chan asked.

"How could I, Chan? How could I face you guys after everything I did?" Hyeri said sadly.

"You did absolutely nothing wrong, Hyeri," Jeonghan said softly.

"I—I was embarrassed to face you guys, honestly," she admitted shakily. Mingyu immediately wrapped a muscular arm around her shoulders.

'Still as cuddly as before,' Hyeri thought, internally smiling at Mingyu's clinginess.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about, Hyeri," Seokmin said.

Before Hyeri could respond, however, Soonyoung came to her rescue. "Okay, let's forget about the past. She's here now, so let's help her feel at home."

Everyone agreed, and all of them settled on the couches, Mingyu clung to Hyeri's side like a koala. She didn't mind it. After everything she went through, she really needed a Mingyu-sized personal koala to cuddle with.

Jeonghan took a seat beside Hyeri, gently cradling her other hand which wasn't with Mingyu. Chan took a seat right opposite to Hyeri, and the others settled on the remaining seats.

It all felt so natural and domestic.

She was surrounded by (extremely handsome) men, yet she didn't feel uncomfortable or unsafe in any way. Ironically, she felt safer here than she would've felt if she were at her home.

Hyeri was reminded of the time before she married Seungcheol. It seemed as if nothing had changed between them.

Everyone was still cheerfully joking and laughing, Mingyu was still teasing Chan about his height, Soonyoung and Joshua still kindly reacted to Seokmin's stupid jokes, Jeonghan still conversed with Hyeri as if they were still besties and that wretched fall-out had never happened. It seemed perfect.

It was ironic, because Hyeri knew everything was far from perfect. Everything had changed. And nothing could change that.

xx

really need a mingyu in my life right now who can hug and let me cry all my problems away in his warm and comforting embrace 💔

[ May, 2023 ]