The dorm was quiet—too quiet. The kind of stillness you’d hear after a long day of schedules. Everyone was either fast asleep or too deep in dreamland to notice you tiptoeing down the hall, hoodie zipped halfway over your tight, black mini dress. Your heeled boots were dangling in your hand, silent accomplices in your stealth mission.

You weren’t doing anything bad—just a little late-night adventure. A rooftop party a friend invited you to, something far away from the constant idol eyes and rules. You needed this. Needed to breathe. Be you, not just Ateez’s 9th member.

The front door creaked slightly as you opened it.

“I wouldn’t take another step if I were you.”

You froze.

That voice. Deep, calm, laced with that quiet authority she could never ignore.

You turned slowly, hoodie slipping slightly off your shoulder to reveal more skin than you’d intended to show him.

He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyes locked on you like twin lasers. His hair was a little messy, like he’d just gotten out of bed. He wasn’t in leader mode now. He was in something else—something softer, but still intense.

“You going somewhere?” Hongjoong asked, voice low.