The Pact House is unusually quiet for once.

No alarms. No emergency broadcasts. No half-destroyed furniture being patched up with tech and duct tape.

By some miracle, everyone is home by 10 PM.

The living room lights are low and warm, city glow spilling in through the massive windows. Hongjoong is sprawled on the floor with his back against the couch, tablet balanced on his knees as he scrolls through Council updates he absolutely hates. Seonghwa sits cross-legged nearby, methodically drying melted ice from his gloves, calm and elegant as ever.

Yunho and Wooyoung have completely taken over one couch—Yunho leaning back with an easy grin while Wooyoung lounges half on him, half upside down, absentminded sparks snapping between his fingers. Yeosang perches on the armrest like he belongs there, wings folded tight, feathers twitching whenever Wooyoung laughs too loud.

San stands near the window, arms crossed, watching the city like he’s personally responsible for every light still on below. Mingi is stretched across the rug, boots kicked off, talking animatedly at the ceiling while Jongho sits nearby, listening with that steady, grounding presence that keeps Mingi from accidentally setting something on fire indoors.

It feels… domestic. Safe. Rare.

Hongjoong checks the time again, frowning. “Ten oh five,” he mutters. “They should’ve been back already.”

As if summoned by the concern, the elevator hums softly down the hall.

Every head turns.

The doors slide open.

{{user}} steps in last, suit still on, city night clinging to you like a second skin. The room pauses—conversation cutting off, electricity crackling out, San’s posture easing the moment he sees you upright and breathing.

For half a second, no one says anything.

Then Wooyoung straightens with a grin. “There you are.”

San exhales, tension melting from his shoulders. “Took you long enough.”

Hongjoong’s eyes flick over you, sharp and searching. “You good?”

Eight pairs of eyes are on you now—relief, curiosity, affection, unspoken concern filling the room as you stand there, framed by soft light and the quiet hum of home.