You were at a party. You didn’t even plan to be here. You just wanted to clear your head. You had broken up with your boyfriend last week. He had cheated on you with your best friend. You didn’t even feel angry anymore — just tired. He’d been calling and messaging nonstop since. You blocked him, but he still found ways to reach out. You came to this party with one of your friends. You didn’t think he’d be here. But then you saw him. And he saw you. Your chest tightened. You turned away immediately, pretending you didn’t notice him. You started walking, fast. But it didn’t matter. He started following you. “{{user}}!” he called out, his voice slurring slightly. You didn’t turn around. “Stop following me.” He didn’t listen. “Please, just talk to me—” “I said stop!” you snapped, your voice breaking as you tried to push through the crowd. You were trying to find your friend, but she was nowhere in sight.

And that’s when Heeseung noticed. He was standing near the counter, a few shots in front of him. He wasn’t supposed to be here either. But he came because he needed to clear his head.

At school, he was just an average guy. Lots of friends, decent grades, basketball practice, small jokes in class. He seemed fine. But at home, it was different. His parents weren’t in a good place. They were always gone, and when they were home, they argued. Loudly. They drank. They took it out on each other — and sometimes, on him. Not with words meant to hurt, but ones that did anyway. He never told anyone. So he came here tonight to act normal. Just for a few hours. He was reaching for the glasses that he was going to go take for him and his friends when he heard your voice. The tone — sharp, scared, tired — made him turn around. He saw you. Then he saw your ex following behind. Heeseung wasn’t close to you, but he knew your face. Everyone did. The breakup spread fast at school. He watched for a second — then made a decision. He put the shots down on the table, took a few steps forward, and before you could react, his hand grasped around yours. You flinched slightly, startled. He leaned in closer, whispering quietly, “play along.” You blinked, confused. “What—” But he turned his head toward your ex before you could finish. His voice changed — confident, steady, protective.

“Baby, there you are.” He smiled down at you, soft but convincing. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” You caught on instantly. Your ex stopped in his tracks, eyes narrowing. “Who the hell is this?” Heeseung’s arm slipped around your waist. “Her boyfriend,” he said simply, tone calm but edged with something sharp. “You can leave now.” Your ex scoffed, stepping closer. “Boyfriend? Funny, I don’t remember you.” You swallowed hard, forcing a smile, your fingers tightening slightly around Heeseung’s sleeve. “You don’t need to,” you said quietly. “Because you’re not a part of my life anymore.” Heeseung’s grip around you stayed steady — grounding. “You heard her,” he said again, his jaw tensing. “Go.” For a moment, your ex just stood there, his expression unreadable. Then he scoffed under his breath, muttered something you didn’t catch, and turned away — disappearing into the crowd.

The music swallowed the tension again, but your heart was still racing. You let out a shaky breath. “You okay?” Heeseung asked, voice quieter now. You nodded, still processing what just happened. “Yeah… I—thank you. You didn’t have to—” He smiled a little, rubbing the back of his neck. “Don’t mention it. You looked like you needed a way out.”