Silence. That's all Harusi could hear as she ran from her assailants. She glanced behind her, eyes widening as she watched them gain on her. Her foot caught on a crack in the pavement, causing her to fly forward and land face-first on the ground. Pushing herself up after regaining herself, she wiped her mouth on the back of her hand, seeing a streak of blood in the streetlight close to her.
"There you are." Harusi's eyes snapped up as she saw her best friend, Key, standing in front of her. "I've been looking for you!"
"Key!" she scrambled to her feet, clinging to his thin frame. "Help me!"
"It's alright, I'm here." he replied, wrapping his arms around her body. She started to feel safe as he tightened his grip slowly, as to not cause panic. Eventually, Harusi realized she couldn't breathe as she clawed at his back.
"I can't breathe! Key, stop!" she pounded on his back to try and get him to loosen up but he kept his grip, keeping silent as her vision started to turn black.
"Wake up. Come on, Rusi."
Harusi jerked away from the hand on her arm, her eyes flying open as she fought to breathe. She sat up quickly, her hand fluttering over her chest as someone placed a hand on her back. She slowly regained herself, calming down as she glanced over at the person who was next to her. Key sat on the bed next to her, worry written on his face as he stared.
"You finally came around. Thank goodness." he said with a sigh, retracting his hand as Harusi turned towards him. "I heard you making noise, so I decided to check on you."
Harsui stared quietly, unable to speak at the moment. Key rested his hands in his lap, glancing down at the floor. She had been living with him and his friends ever since she left her home. She placed a hand on his arm, a soft sigh escaping her. They sat in silence until she was able to speak.
"I'm sorry for waking you." Harusi said quietly, her blue eyes flicking up to her friend's face. "It was just a nightmare."
"What was it this time?" he asked, turning towards her and placing a hand over hers, squeezing her hand.
Harusi grew quiet, the nightmare flashing through her mind. She sat back a little bit, frowning. The lamp next to them sent a soft glow through the room. illuminating the shadows. She shook her head, trying to pull away from him.
"What is it? What's wrong?" he asked, tugging her back to him. She stared at him, a pained look on her face. "What happened?"
"Key…"
He stared for a moment before realizing why she wouldn't tell him. "I was in it, wasn't I?"
She nodded, scooting back slightly. She knew he wouldn't hurt her, but the nightmare stayed with her and clouded her reason.
"Rusi, I'm sorry." he reached out, a sad look on his face. "You know I will never do anything to hurt you."
He leaned forward, wrapping his arms around her body and pulling her close. She allowed him, leaning against him and sighing softly. "I know you won't, Key."
He rested his chin against her head as he lifted her into his lap, rubbing her arm comfortingly. She closed her eyes, listening to the sound of his heartbeat as she tried to push the haunting thoughts out of her mind. Key started to hum one of their songs to her, knowing she loved listening to them. A smile creeped onto her face as she listened, letting herself slowly drift to sleep.
Harusi opened her eyes to bright sunlight, causing her to throw an arm over her face to block it out. She turned over, coming face-to-face with her friend. Her breathing faltered as she stared at his sleeping expression. His hair was tossed about, probably from moving around in his sleep. She felt her cheeks start to heat up as she turned onto her back again.
'What is he doing in here?' she thought, remembering the previous night's events. 'That's right...'
Harusi sat up gently, trying not to wake the sleeping boy next to her. She looked back at him, smiling as she reached forward, brushing some of his hair down. Key shifted closer to her, wrapping himself around her as she continued running her hands through his hair subconsciously. Eventually, he opened his eyes, staring up at the distant girl.
"Annyeonghaseyo, Rusi." he said quietly, taking her hand into his and sitting up next to her. She snapped out of her trance, her eyes following his movements as he smiled at her.
"Ye, annyeonghaseyo." she replied, returning the smile. She reached up with her free hand, untangling parts of his hair. She lowered her hand slightly, brushing her fingers against his cheek as she grew distant once more. Key stared at her, resting his cheek against her hand. "Why did you stay here?"
Key remained in his position as he closed his eyes, a small sigh escaping his lips. "I wanted to make sure you didn't have another nightmare."
Harusi tilted her head, her shoulder-length brown hair falling to the side. "You know I never do when you're around."
Key nodded, lifting his head and staring back at her with a small frown. "I care about you, Rusi. I don't like seeing you in pain."
Harusi's eyes widened momentarily as a light pink colour dusted her cheeks. Even though she knew already, it was the first time he ever admitted it.
Key noticed her blush, reaching up with his free hand and brushing his thumb across her cheek. "Did you not know that?"
Harusi snapped back to attention as he left his hand on her cheek. "O-Of course I knew. What kind of friend would I be if I didn't?"
He chuckled quietly, sighing afterwards. "You have a point. Come on, get dressed. I'm sure the others are up and starving by now. And you know how they hate to feed themselves."
Harusi laughed softly as Key pulled her off the bed, touching her nose with his finger before leaving the room and heading to his own to do the same. Harusi shut her door, just noticing her racing heart. She's had feelings for Key for years, but she didn't know how he felt at all. Sighing softly, she walked over to her closet, opening it and pulling out a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt with a graphic of a puppy and a kitten.
After changing, she folded her pajamas and left them on her bed, opening her door to find Key waiting for her.
"You're done." he smiled at her, taking her hand in his and intertwining his fingers through hers. "Let's go."
"Y-Yeah." she replied shortly, fighting back the blush that threatened to rise once more.
"What are you in the mood for?" he asked as they went down the stairs. The others were already on the huge couch they had in the main room. "What about you guys?"
"The usual!" they all said in unison, keeping their eyes on the television as it played one of their favourite movies. Key's hand left Harusi as he went to the kitchen to start cooking. Harusi stood at the bottom of the stairway awkwardly. She still didn't know Korean that well, so she had no idea what was going on in the movie.
"Yah, Rusi! Come here!' Taemin said, turning around as reaching for her. She stepped around the couch as he grabbed her, pulling her down into his lap and wrapping his arms around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder.
"Eh…"
Taemin smiled at her, pushing his face into her hair. She sat stiff as the others glanced over at them. Onew shook his head as he smiled at her, turning his attention back to the movie. The others said nothing as Key walked into the room with two plates of food. He almost dropped them as he saw Harusi sitting on Taemin's lap. Stiffening, he retained his smile as he handed Onew and Jonghyun the plates. The thanked him and sat the plates down on their lap, waiting for the others to get their food. Key came back with three more plates, handing one to Min-ho and the other two to Taemin and Harusi before walking away. Harusi watched him walk away with a confused look on her face. He came back with his plate, his gaze locking with Harusi as he entered the room. They stared for a moment before Key broke it, sitting next to Taemin and quietly eating his food.
Harusi's back was to him, and she was still trapped by Taemin's arms, so she couldn't see what was going on with her friend. Taemin lifted his head from Harusi's shoulder as he ate, his eyes glued to the television screen. She glanced at him before sighing and proceeding to eat her own food. It was the first time she had Key's cooking in months. She took her first bite of the fluffy pancakes, her eyes fluttering shut in happiness. Twisting in Taemin's arms, she clamped a hand onto Key's leg with a smile.
"This is amazing, Key!"
His eyes darted to her before he looked away, his face remaining the same. She lifted her hand before she tilted her head. He looked back, a small smile forming on his face.
"Thank you, Rusi." he replied quietly. She grinned back, nodding before turning around to finish her food. Taemin had already finished his, staring at his empty plate with a childlike pout.
"Already done, Taeminnie?" she teased him, poking his nose with the end of her fork. He nodded, staring at her food hungrily. She laughed, cutting off a small piece of her food and holding it towards him. He opened his mouth, his eyes flicking up to hers as he took the food into his mouth, smiling happily. Key watched them, shaking his head as he got up, taking the others' empty plates and heading to the kitchen.
"You're the best, Rusi!" Taemin replied as she gave him half of her food.
"I can't turn down that face of yours." she laughed as Key came back, taking her plate from her with a distant look. She looked up at him, her smile faltering as she saw his look before he turned away. Taemin buried his face in her neck as she turned towards the door, watching Key walk away once more. "Is he okay?"
"He's just jealous." Taemin mumbled quietly, closing his eyes. She frowned as she heard the movie come to an end.
"Jealous?" Harusi repeated quietly. "Of what?"
The maknae didn't reply, instead nuzzled her neck like a cat as he sighed. Key walked back in the room, standing against the doorframe as he stared at Harusi. She stayed quiet as Taemin rested his head against her chest. Key's eyes locked with hers, causing her to flush, embarrassed, as her heart sped up slightly. Taemin opened his eyes, lifting his head and glancing at Harusi, who continued to stare at Key. He looked back just as Key left. He raised his hands, threading them through Harusi's hair as he stared at her.
"Does Harusi like Key?"
The others glanced over, the question catching their attention as Harusi froze, her eyes widening.
"W-What makes you ask?" she whispered. Key froze at the bottom of the stairs.
"I heard your heartbeat." Taemin replied simply, twisting the ends of her hair around each other. She fought back the blush that threatened to arise as they all waited for her answer.
"N-N-No." she stuttered, instantly feeling bad for lying to them. Key lowered his head as he went up the stairs, going to his room and shutting the door. Taemin stared at Harusi, releasing her as they heard the door shut. Her eyes widened as tears sprung to her eyes. Scrambling off of Taemin's lap, she bolted up the stairs, slowing down as she reached Key's room.
'He had to have heard it.' she thought to herself as she raised her fist to knock on his door. Tapping against the door quietly, she pressed an ear to his door. "Key? Are you in there?"
She heard shuffling, then silence as she tapped once more. "Key, I know you're in there. Please, talk to me."
The boy inside spoke, but it was too muffled to be heard. She sighed, pushing herself off of the door and placing a hand on the doorknob. 'I'm sorry for this, Key.'
She twisted the knob, pushing the door open as she squeezed her eyes shut. It was quiet as she stood in the doorway, eyes closed. Key stared at her with tear-filled eyes as he curled on his bed, surrounded by his blankets. Harusi opened her eyes slowly, staring at Key with an apologetic look. She stepped inside, closing the door behind her quietly. She turned back around, sighing softly as she stepped over to the side of the bed Key was sitting.
"May I sit down?" she asked quietly, earning a small nod from her friend. She sat on the bed gently, casting her eyes down. "I'm really sorry, Key."
He remained curled up, his knees against his chest. Harusi wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, brushing it against her leg. They sat in silence as Key stared at her. She lifted her head, glancing towards him through her hair.
"I didn't… If I knew you were still there, I wouldn't have said what I did." she told him, turning her eyes towards the ceiling. "I wouldn't… Have lied."
Key rubbed at his eyes, blinking back more tears as he unfolded his legs, reaching out and grabbing her shirt. She looked at him as he started pulling her towards him, lifting her and placing her in his lap. Wrapping his arms around her, he buried his face in her neck, his body shaking from holding back his sobs.
"Key…" she lifted an arm, holding him close as she ran her fingers through his hair. "Don't cry. I didn't mean it."
She continued to speak to him, trying to soothe her best friend. Eventually, his body stopped shaking, allowing him to breathe normally as he looked up at her. She smiled sadly at him, her fingers latching themselves in his hair as she sighed.
"I apologize it took me this long to tell you." she said, staring at him, searching his face for anything. "I really do love you. I just didn't want to ruin our friendship on the chance you didn't feel the same."
Key frowned, reaching up and placing his hands on either side of her face. He pulled her down, his lips crashing onto hers. She made a muffled noise of surprise before allowing herself to return the kiss. Tears welled up at the corner of her eyes, trailing down her cheeks as they pulled away.
"Nothing could ever ruin our friendship. It'll only make it stronger." Key said softly, brushing the tears out of her eyes. "Rusi, I do love you. You have nothing to be afraid of."