"Yeah." Hwan said quietly, his voice losing its playful edge, something vulnerable flickering across his features. "Yeah, that's... that's exactly it." The moment stretched between us, heavy with understanding. Then Tae-min groaned loudly from the couch.
"Great, now we're having TWO Feelings Hours." Tae-min complained, but when I looked over, he was smiling, his game forgotten in his lap, his eyes bright with warmth. "Is this what pack life is? Just constant emotional breakthroughs? Because I'm going to need more snacks."
"I'll get snacks." Hwan volunteered, his brightness returning like the sun coming out from behind clouds, but I could see now that it was a choice — a gift he gave rather than a mask he hid behind. "What does everyone want?"
Orders were placed — chips for Tae-min, chocolate for me, nothing for Jin-ho who was already turning back to his computer with renewed energy. Hwan disappeared toward the kitchen, and the studio settled into a comfortable rhythm.
"Want to try writing something together?" Jin-ho asked, pulling up a new file, his fingers already moving over the keyboard with practiced ease. "I have a melody I can't find words for. Maybe you can hear something I'm missing."
"Play it for me." I said, settling deeper into my chair, ready to work. He played a fragment — something tender and yearning, strings layered over a gentle beat. I closed my eyes and let it wash over me, feeling for the edges of the emotion, searching for words to give it shape.
"It sounds like wanting something you're afraid to have." I said slowly, the words coming before I fully formed the thought, my eyes still closed. "Like standing on the edge of something beautiful and being terrified to step forward."
Jin-ho's fingers stilled on the keys. When I opened my eyes, he was looking at me with that intensity again, that focus that made me feel seen down to my bones.
"Yes." Jin-ho breathed, the single word heavy with wonder. "That's exactly it. How do you do that?"
"I don't know." I admitted, shrugging one shoulder. "It just... comes. Like the music speaks and I translate."
"Write with me." Jin-ho's voice was soft but urgent, and it wasn't a question — more like a plea, his dark eyes intent on mine. "Not for work. Not for deadlines. Just... create something. Together."
So we did.
For the next two hours, we built something from nothing — Jin-ho playing fragments on his keyboard while I scribbled lyrics on scraps of paper, passing ideas back and forth like a tennis match. Tae-min offered occasional commentary from the couch.
"That line needs to be sadder." Tae-min called out, not looking up from his game, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"More longing in the second verse." Tae-min added a few minutes later, his voice floating across the room.
"Can you make me cry?" Tae-min asked eventually, finally setting down his Switch to watch us properly, his eyes bright with interest. "I want to cry."
Hwan returned with snacks and stayed to watch, unusually quiet as he observed us work. Min-jun appeared at some point with tea, as promised, setting cups beside us without interrupting the flow, his movements silent and careful.
"It's beautiful." Min-jun said quietly, his hand finding my shoulder and squeezing gently, his voice warm with something I couldn't name. "Both of you. What you make together."
Then he was gone, and we were back to work, and I lost track of time entirely until Jae-won appeared in the doorway.
"It's past midnight." Jae-won announced, his voice carrying that pack alpha authority that somehow wasn't demanding, just informative, his broad frame filling the doorway. "You should rest."
I looked up, blinking, surprised to find that hours had passed without me noticing. The song we'd been building was nearly complete — rough, still needing polish, but whole. A skeleton with flesh.
"We're almost done." I said, but even as the words left my mouth, a yawn cracked my jaw, undermining my protest.
"You're done for tonight." Jae-won corrected, crossing the room to stand beside my chair, his hand finding the back of my neck and rubbing gently at the tension there, his fingers warm and strong.
Pack alpha,my omega sighed, going soft and pliant under his touch.Taking care of us. Always watching.
"The song will still be here tomorrow."
"He's right." Jin-ho admitted reluctantly, saving the file and leaning back in his chair with a stretch that made his spine pop. "We did good work tonight. We don't need to finish it all in one session."
Tae-min had fallen asleep on the couch at some point, his Switch still clutched in his hands, his mouth slightly open, soft snores escaping with each breath. Hwan was curled up beside him, also asleep, golden hair spilling across the cushions like spun sunlight.
"They crashed an hour ago." Jae-won said, following my gaze, a hint of fondness softening his voice. "I didn't want to disturb you."
"You were watching?" I asked, something warm curling in my chest at the realization.
"Someone has to make sure you take care of yourself." Jae-won said it simply, like it was obvious, like he hadn't justadmitted to standing guard while we created, his thumb still tracing soothing patterns on my neck. "You forget to eat when you're working. Forget to sleep. Forget everything but the words."
