When Kyungsoo opened his eyes, Ume was in front of him. 

He must be dreaming. Why would Ume be here? 

That vulnerable look.

Those soft, full lips.

He leaned forward.

I want to protect you. 

Ume couldn't think straight. Kyungsoo was leaning closer and closer... and she couldn't move.

Her second gasp made him realize it wasn't a dream after all. He startled backwards and for a split second, there was only their breathing. Ume could barely hear her thoughts cos her heart was thumping so hard it's drowning everything else out. Kyungsoo, on the other hand, was trying to make sense of reality, his eyes unblinking.

What if?

She can't continue looking at him this way. Ume felt as if his eyes were boring into the very deepest part of her and anytime now, she might come undone.

Time.

She broke the staring spell and glanced at her watch. Kyungsoo blinked.

It's 5:20 am. 

Ume sat up abruptly and the rustle of the bed sheet made her look anxiously towards Kai, fearing that any noise might awaken a third party... who would bear witness to this deviant moment.

Kyungsoo also rose slowly. 

When their eyes met again, he spoke so softly Ume thought she might have been imagining it. 

"Are you.. alright?"

"Oh.." She found herself mimicking his quietness. "I need to go."

"Now?"

Ume got up as soundlessly as she could from the bed and walked cautiously towards the door. Kyungsoo followed closely behind. She could feel his warmth less than an arm's length away and struggled not to turn around.

"Sorry.. for disturbing you." She opened the door.

"Ah... "

Kyungsoo steeled himself to refrain from pulling her into a hug. He didn't know where this urge is coming from and he wasn't even sure whether his actions just now had made her think he's anything less than a ert.

As Ume walked down the corridor, she was keenly aware of the door click that never happened. She picked up her pace and walked into the lift. 

_________________

Jongdae woke up at 5 am. He hadn't slept very much. He was staying on the same floor as the K members and had heard them leaving Kai and D.O's room. However, when he opened the door and chatted to Joonmyun, he learnt that Ume was still inside. He tried to appear casual, but the truth is, he couldn't help but note that an hour after the meeting ended, there was still no door clicking sounds nor goodbyes at the hallway indicating she had left. 

What was she doing inside?

Knowing the two members, D.O. had probably given up his bed to her.

They are fairly decent people as far as he's concerned. Yet, he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy over the fact that she was in a room with another two guys. One of which she had obviously given way more attention to than any other members.

D.O.

He had seen their connected smiles during the interview. She had smiled at himself like that before. The knowledge that something which is usually purely reserved for important people in Ume's life... Now being given to another person which is not himself, doesn't sit well with him.

And then he had heard that click.

He quietly got up and opened the door, just wide enough to see what's outside. 

D.O at the door, watching her until she entered the lift. He couldn't see his expression. He tells himself it is common for someone like D.O to stand watch like that. He's nice and well-mannered in that way. Ume is just like the other girls.

Closing the door, he fell back on his bed, but sleep didn't come again.

____________________