I'd spent so long running from the possibility of pain that I'd never considered the possibility of healing. But here it was,surrounding me on all sides. In the nest they'd built. In the letters they'd written. In the food Min-jun had cooked and the song Jin-ho had sung and the memes Tae-min had sent and the way Hwan had held my hand while I slept.
In the way Jae-won was looking at me now — like I was something precious, something worth waiting for, something he would never, ever try to cage.
"Okay," I whispered, and felt something crack open in my chest — not pain, not fear, but something that felt almost like relief. Almost like surrender. Almost like the first step toward something I'd been running from my whole life.
Jae-won's smile was like the sun breaking through clouds, warm and bright and full of a joy he couldn't contain. His hand tightened slightly on mine, a gentle squeeze that said more than words ever could.
"Okay," he echoed, his thumb tracing gentle circles on the back of my hand. "Rest now. The others will want to see you when they wake up, and Min-jun's going to insist on feeding you the moment you're ready. But for now... just rest. We've got you."
We've got you.
Three simple words that carried more weight than I could possibly express. I let my eyes drift closed, let his hand anchor me to the present, let the bonds in my chest hum their quiet contentment. I was still scared. Still uncertain. Still carrying twelve years of walls that wouldn't come down overnight.
I was here. I was staying. And for the first time in my life, that felt like the right choice.
Stay, my omega sighed, the word carrying us both toward sleep.We're going to stay.
This time, I didn't argue.
Chapter Seventeen
KEIRA
I woke to the smell of food and the sound of whispered arguing.
"—should let her sleep more. She needs rest."
"She also needs to eat. Look at her, she's barely eaten in days."
"Min-jun-hyung, I know you express love through food, but maybe don't lead with that when she wakes up?—"
"I wasn't going to say it to her face, I'm not an idiot?—"
"Could've fooled me?—"
"Both of you, shut up. She's waking up."
I blinked my eyes open slowly, the morning light brighter now than it had been before. The nest was warm around me, soft blankets and pillows creating a cocoon of comfort that my body didn't want to leave.My stomach was growling, and the smell of whatever Min-jun had cooked was making my mouth water.
"Hey." Jae-won's voice was soft, and I turned my head to find him still beside me, still watching me with that careful, hopeful expression. His hand was no longer holding mine — he must have let go at some point while I slept — but he was close enoughthat I could feel the warmth radiating from his body. "How do you feel?"
"Hungry," I admitted, and heard a quiet sound of triumph from somewhere to my left.
"I told you." Min-jun's voice was smug, and I turned to see him kneeling at the edge of the nest with a tray balanced on his knees. His forest-and-cedar scent was warm with satisfaction, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I made juk. Rice porridge. Easy on the stomach but filling. There's also fruit, tea, and some side dishes if you want them."
"Min-jun." Jae-won's tone was gently chiding, a hint of amusement underneath, his eyebrow raised slightly.
"Right. Sorry." Min-jun ducked his head, a flush creeping up his neck, but he didn't move away. Just waited, the tray steady in his hands, his whole body radiating a need to take care of me that I could feel even without focusing on the bond.
I pushed myself up slowly, my arms trembling with the effort. Immediately, hands were there — Jae-won on one side, Hwan materializing on the other — supporting me without crowding, helping me settle against the pile of pillows without making me feel trapped.
"Thank you," I managed, my voice still rough with sleep.
"Of course." Hwan's smile was bright but careful, his golden eyes searching my face like he was cataloging every detail. His sunshine-and-vanilla scent wrapped around me, warm and comforting. "Do you need anything else? Another pillow? A blanket? Water?"
"I'm okay." I looked around the nest, taking in the faces surrounding me. They were all awake now — Tae-min sitting cross-legged near my feet, Jin-ho hovering near the door like he wasn't sure if he was allowed to come closer, Min-jun still holding the tray with barely contained impatience. "I'm... I'm okay."
The words felt strange in my mouth. Foreign. I couldn't remember the last time I'd said them and meant them.
