The next morning Cleo was woken by the buzzing of a phone on the nightstand. She squeezed her eyes shut, not willing to face the day just yet. She buried her face into Felix's shoulder blades as Chan groaned and turned over, picking up the call with a gravelly "'lo".

Cleo heard the voice on the other end of the line speak for a few seconds before Chan sat up suddenly. She rolled over to look up at him, his face had gone pale. "Who is it?" she whispered.

In response he said into the phone, "T I'm here with Cleo. I'm going to put you on speaker now okay?" before lowering the phone and tapping the screen. T's voice filled the room.

"Cleo, there's been a development," his voice was grave. Cleo looked from the phone to Chan who shook his head, indicating she should listen. "The police found Jason. He's dead."

Cleo froze, unsure she'd understood. "Dead?What? How?"

"I'm not positive but as of now it's being investigated as a failed mugging. Apparently, he was found in an alley outside a bar a few miles from your place. The police came by when Axel and I were at your apartment cleaning up. We told them you were on vacation and we were house sitting. It seemed like they were there to notify, not to interview you so that's good. They'll probably call you at some point today, so make sure you have your story straight in case they ask questions."

Chan exhaled heavily, glancing at Cleo who'd nodded but otherwise remained silent. "We'll take care of it T, thanks for everything. Call me if anything changes."

"You've got it man. And… Chan? Take care of her please."

He hung up the phone and tossed it to the side. Felix had sat up halfway through the conversation and put an arm around Cleo's waist, pulling her into him. Her eyes were dry and there was no expression on her face. Felix looked to Chan, concern and fear written over his own face. "Chan you don't think Minho caused…"

Cleo finally looked up, her face stricken. "No." Felix and Chan were taken aback by the forcefulness in her voice. "I mean, it doesn't matter. For all we know he went and started a fight at a bar or drank himself to death. Minho didn't do this and even if he did we can't tell him. I don't care how strong you guys think he is or how indifferent he pretends to be, this could ruin him. Trust me, I've been in enough situations at work to know people will always blame themselves and it never ends well."

Chan and Felix exchanged looks before Chan grabbed Cleo's hand. "I agree but we have to tell him something."

She looked around the room in desperation as if hoping the answer would materialize in front of her. "He was obviously alive when he left my place, there's no reason to suggest he wasn'tactuallymugged... Minho probably wouldn't know that a head bleed can take time to become deadly, I say we just push the mugging narrative. We don't lie to him, but we do conceal certain speculations to protect his mental and emotional health."

Chan nodded thoughtfully. "You're right, Cleo. We need to protect Minho."

Felix chimed in, "So, the plan is to let the police handle the investigation and keep our involvement to a minimum. Cleo will cooperate without volunteering unnecessary details. We inform Minho about the mugging and deny any chance he could have contributed to Jason's death."

Cleo sighed, relief evident on her face. "Exactly. We don't want to add more burden to Minho, especially if it's something that could potentially haunt him."

As Chan and Felix continued discussing this latest development, Cleo couldn't shake the feeling of shock from Jason's death. She had imagined confronting him and making him face the consequences of his actions… But now she was left with a strange mix of emotions – relief, guilt, and confusion. There was no doubt in her mind that he deserved it for what he'd done, but she was afraid for is no reason for the police to believe he was even in the country let alone involved in Jason's reminded e to think of it, would they even have reason to believe they knew each other?Chan and Felix were the only members who had ever visited her before. She shook her head, trying to process everything at once.

"Cleo?" Felix was peering up at her concerned. She suddenly became aware that the conversation had been continuing on around her and she had no clue what they were talking about.

"Yup, sorry. I'm here."

"I asked if you wanted to order breakfast? We can have room service. Chan and I have to leave for a press event in a few hours, but we have enough time to eat with you if you want?"

"Yeah, that'd be great." She gave him a reassuring smile, "I'll have a coffee with soy milk if they have it. And I guess fruit."

Felix still looked concerned, but after a moment he turned and took Chan's order before heading to the phone to call for their food. While Felix used the hotel phone Chan came and sat closely to Cleo. "We're going to get through this together. We're here for you, you know that right?"

Cleo's answering smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "I know Chan. I just wish it wasn't necessary. Even with Jason gone things aren't going to be easy. Just wait until Chul catches wind of all this… Oh! That reminds me, what did you decide to do about Minho's hand injury?"

Chan rolled his eyes. "Let me worry about Chul, I can handle him-"

"But the company?"

"We bring the company enough money, they generally leave me alone to make decisions for the team. If one of those decisions is to let a manager go they'll shuffle him to a new group", he waved off her concerns. "And regarding Minho, he's expressed an interest in boxing to the fans a few times. We're releasing a statement today that he received a minor injury during a sparring match."

Cleo chewed on her lip, unconvinced. Before she could argue more about Chul her phone rang.

Picking it up she felt her heart skip a beat. "It's the police."

Her face had gone pale. Chan placed a steadying hand over hers. "You can do this. Remember, you weren't home. You're on vacation visiting me and Felix."

She nodded, keeping her gaze focused on Chan as she answered.

"He-hello, this is Cleo."

"Good morning Cleo, this is detective Drake with MPD. I'm sorry to bother you, your friend let us know you were out of the country on vacation."

"Yes, that's right. I'm visiting friends. Is everything okay?" She held her breath waiting for his reply.

"Well I'm calling to inform you that a Mr. Jason Patterson was found deceased last night."

"Oh. Oh my god," she stuttered, "How? I mean, where? I mean, what happened?"

She hoped her stuttering and anxiety came across as shock. The detective didn't seem interested in asking her any questions. He simply informed her that there was a pending investigation and he was calling because of the open case involving her assault. In total it was a 3 minute 24 second conversation. When she hung up she couldn't help but laugh. Chan looked at her as if concerned for sanity.

"Sorry," she forced out between chuckles, "it's just I had all these scenarios rehearsed for lying to the police and he practically hung up on me."

Chan tried to smile in what he hoped was a reassuring manner. "Hopefully this means they're just going to dismiss his death as karma and we won't have to deal with them moving forward."

Cleo nodded, pulling her knees to her chest. Chan leaned forward, intending to press a kiss to her lips. He'd barely made contact when she suddenly pulled away. "Oh god Chan, I've got morning breath. Hold on!" and suddenly Cleo was up, racing for the bathroom to brush her teeth. Chan chuckled, glancing over and making eye contact with Felix who raised his brow.

"So, when are you going to make it official?"

"Make what official?" Chan feigned ignorance.

"You know exactly what I mean." Felix gestured toward the bathroom where Cleo had disappeared. "Have you two even had a conversation about what you're doing?"

Exasperated, Chan raised his brows. "Well we've had a bit going on in case you hadn't noticed."

Felix's rolled his eyes. "I'm well aware. I'm just saying, you should probably have that talk sooner rather than later. Who knows how long she'll be willing to stay with us now that Jason's not a threat."

Chan hadn't thought of that. He'd assumed her presence would be a permanent thing now that she was here. Anxiety shot through him at the idea of her leaving again. "Look mate, I don't even know what this is. How am I supposed to have that conversation with her when our lives are what they are? It'll be years before we could publicly date and even then, the public is unlikely to take it well. I'd be asking her to live a secret life just to endure ridicule and online hate in the future."

"I get that bro, I really do, but shouldn't you let her make that choice?"

Chan knew Felix had a point, but it didn't stop him from being if he offered himself and let's be honest, Stray Kids, to her and she left again?

"What're you guy's talking about?" Cleo had returned from brushing her teeth.

"Oh nothing, just the plan for the day" Felix shot Chan a pointed look, "I think Hyunjin and Jeongin are free today if you want any company."

"Mmmm okay, sounds good." She took her spot back next to Chan on the bed. He instinctively reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers. Felix saw and shook his head, but before Chan could say anything a knock came to the door, their breakfast had arrived. They ate in a comfortable silence, occasional comments or questions breaking up the quiet chewing. Another knock at the door came as they were finishing up. Chan answered it this time, letting in Changbin and Minho. Changbin grinned at the sight of Cleo at the table. "It's nice to have you back, kid. Chan's been nearly unbearable since you left. Ooff-"

Chan had elbowed hi roughly in the ribs. "Anyways," Changbin continued, rubbing his side, "we're here to collect these two. Don't worry- we'll have them back by dinner. And don't forget, night before the last show we have a team dinner. I expect to see you there Cleo." He turned to leave with a wink, dragging Minho behind him. "Lobby in five kiddos."

Chan shook his head while Felix laughed. "We'd better get dressed. Sorry to leave you like this…" He looked distressed as he stood. "Text me if you need anything okay? I'll be back as soon as possible."

Cleo stood with him, smoothing his shirt over his shoulders. "I'll be fine. Go. Put on a good… whatever it is you're doing." Chan pressed a rushed kiss to her lips and turned to follow Changbin.

Felix rushed to hug Cleo, grabbing his Switch on his way out. "These things are boring, never know when I'll need some entertainment." Just before the door could shut he stuck his head back in, "Seriously. Hyunjin and Jeongin would love to see you." And with the click of a door Cleo was alone.

Cleo took her time finishing her coffee before taking a shower. She hasn't decided how she wanted to spend her day yet. She loved traveling and had never been to São Paulo before. Once she'd washed her hair she wrapped herself in a towel and sat in the bed, scrolling on her phone. She googledSão Paulo in one day. A number of interesting sights appeared, she bookmarked a few before getting dressed. She didn't bother with much makeup; a swipe of mascara and some tinted lip balm was all she managed before she couldn't stand looking in the mirror any longer. She'd found a few new bruises from Jason in the shower that morning. There were matching marks on the inside of her thighs where he'd forced her legs open, an obvious handprint on her forearm, and some smaller scattered bruises across her neck from when he'd held her down. She'd never felt more disgusted by her own appearance, even after the original attach when her face was bruised beyond recognition she hadn't struggled this much.

She pulled on a pair of jeans and grabbed one of Chan's shirts, preferring to be surrounded by his scent than her own. She made a mental note to make sure he was okay with her borrowing his clothes like this. As she left her room and made her way to the elevator she hesitated, looking back at the room she knew belonged to Hyunjin and Jeongin. Before she could overthink it, she knocked on their door. The door swung open and she was greeted with Jeongin's dimples. "Cleo!" he shouted in joy. In a second Hyunjin had appeared over his shoulder, a grin splitting his face.

They stopped at a small café on their way to the São Paulo Cathedral, Jeongin and Cleo ordering iced coffees while Hyunjin ordered a fruit tea. Once at the cathedral they wandered in different directions, Hyunjin pulling out his camera to photograph the arches and stained glass that made the interior of the cathedral so beautiful. Cleo made her way around the pews, stopping to examine each stained-glass piece. The inside of the cathedral was hushed, the few other tourists exploring the building speaking in soft voices. She found her way to the front pew and sat gently on the red velvet. Tipping her head back she examined the ceiling above her, the intricate details lost to distance and darkness. She closed her eyes, grateful for the stillness around her. Around her she could hear the rustling footsteps of other tourists, the creaking of the wooden pews, and in the distance, soft organ music.

Her eyes snapped open as Jeongin sat in the seat next to her. He didn't say anything, just looked forward, examining the altar in front of them. After a moment Cleo relaxed, a rush of gratitude for his quiet presence surprising her. Tentatively she reached for his hand, slipping her fingers carefully between his. He didn't turn but a small smile spread across his face, dimples forming on his cheeks as he squeezed her hand. They stayed like this for a few minutes before Hyunjin found them, asking if they were ready to leave. Jeongin squeezed Cleo's hand once before releasing it and standing, together they trooped out.

Next Cleo led them to the Pinacoteca, an art gallery she had chosen hoping Hyunjin would enjoy it. Watching him examine the collection of paintings and sculptures she was glad she'd suggested it. He looked at each piece of art with awe, capturing their beauty when he remembered the camera hanging around his neck. Meanwhile Cleo and Jeongin strolled behind him, speaking in hushed voices about the different art pieces that caught their eye. The atmosphere of the Pinacoteca was different from the cathedral, but Cleo found it equally serene. As they explored the art gallery Cleo's hand occasionally found its way back into Jeongins's, seeking the reassurance of his presence. There was no romantic feeling, instead there was a quiet comfort that came from the steady presence of someone familiar.

At the end of their visit they decided to head to the Mercado Municipal for a meal before heading back to the hotel. The sounds and smells of the market a direct contrast to the cathedral and art gallery. As they navigated the stalls Cleo examined the different culinary offerings, pointing out various unique items to Hyunjin and Jeongin. Hyunjin's camera capturing vibrant scenes of vendors and, when she wasn't looking, Cleo. He wanted to immortalize the look of excitement and joy on her face as they wandered the alleys, he'd never seen her so relaxed. Felix hadn't been willing to share why exactly she'd returned to their lives so suddenly, but it must have been for a good reason. He hadn't asked any questions but that morning he had caught a glimpse of what was unmistakably a handprint on her forearm. Between that and the bruising barely hid by the neckline of her shirt he felt incredibly certain that the safest place for her was with them.

The three of them tasted their way around the market, sharing different dishes and snacks. Fresh fruits were offered to them by vendors while the smell of spices drifted through the air. Cleo was partial to the sweets while Hyunjin was drawn to the pastries. Jeongin was willing to try anything offered but became wary after a particularly spicy bite surprised him. After checking the time Jeongin suggested they head back to the hotel, "the rest of the members should be back soon for team dinner." Reluctantly, Cleo and Hyunjin agreed and they picked their way back through the crowd.

Dinner was held in Han and Minho's room that night. Hyunjin had won rock, paper, scissors and was able to choose where they ordered from (he settled on pizza). Cleo settled into her spot between Chan and Felix. She ate silently, enjoying the camaraderie of the boys around her. They joked around, making fun of each other and recounting different stories from their schedules. The atmosphere was light and happy, the members looking forward to starting the American leg of their tour. The sounds of their laughter washed over Cleo and she found her eyelids drooping. Chan noticed, softly tugging her toward him until she was leaning on his chest. She closed her eyes, listening to the steadythumpof his heart beat until she drifted off.

Chan shifted his weight, gently lowering Cleo until her head was in his lap. He continued his conversation with Changbin while running his hands through Cleo's hair. Hyunjin interrupted, leaning forward past Felix to make eye contact with Chan. "Chan, what's going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean with Cleo. Don't misunderstand me, I'm happy she's here, but what happened? Why did she show up in the middle of the night? And…" He glanced at Minho and Han, "what happened to Minho's hand? I know he didn't hurt it boxing like the company said."

Felix put a hand on Hyunjin's shoulder, shaking his head. Han was staring at the floor, Minho threw his arm around him but kept his gaze on Hyunjin. Jeongin and Seungmin glanced back and forth between Chan and Hyunjin, Jeongin's mouth hanging slightly open. Chan gave Hyunjin a long look before glancing down at Cleo. "It's not my story to tell. All you need to know, all anyone here needs to know is that Cleo's staying with us for as long as she wants."

Hyunjin didn't seem entirely satisfied with this answer, opening his mouth as if to argue when Minho spoke up. "Drop the conversation Hyunjin."

Felix squeezed Hyunjin's shoulder as he nodded to Minho. After an awkward silence Seungmin asked Han about the song he'd been working on and slowly the mood shifted back to being lighthearted. As the evening turned to night Chan announced the need for everyone to go to bed. With the show the next evening followed by a flight it was important they all be well rested.

He stood, scooping a still sleeping Cleo into his arms and led the way out of Han and Minho's room. Cleo curled in closer to his chest as he walked across the hall to their room. Once in the privacy of their room, he laid her gently on the bed, smoothing her hair away from her face. He watched her for a moment, torn between the responsibilities of his public life and the feelings he could no longer deny, Chan sighed. He'd been able to secure her a position on the flight tomorrow with little pushback by staging the conversation while surrounded by staff, but he knew a confrontation with Chul was coming. Putting off the unpleasantness of his thoughts he crawled into bed, wrapping his arms around Cleo and pulling her close to him. A soft sigh escaped her lips and he buried his face in her neck, savoring the moment for as long as he could.