It was midnight when Ryeowook first heard the tiny noises. The soft shufflings of a person tiptoeing through the living room and down the corridor.

Thinking that it was just one of the members going to the toilet, he lay back in bed. But the noises continued, getting louder and louder. It didn't sound like someone going to the toilet.

 

Almost paralysed with fear, Wook gently shook Yesung's shoulder. "There's someone in the dorm.."

"Wookie, there are fifteen of us. It'll just be someone getting a snack..."

Shaking the boy more harshly, Wook almost cried with fear. "Listen!"

Both boys sat silently as they listened to the noises, the shuffling sounds and small grunts.

 

Yesung got up, and went to the door, his fierce expression contrasting with his cute turtle pajamas.

"What are you going to do?" Wook asked. "Are you going to fight him?"

"Of course not. I'm going to get Kangin."

 

Creeping across the short corridor to Kangin's room, Yesung tiptoed gently. Ryeowook followed, clinging to his sleeve.

"Kangin, wake up."

"What is it?"

"A burglar" Wook whispered.

"Or a serial killer" Yesung added, waking Sungmin. The boy shuffled next to Kangin, leaning into him sleepily.

The boys looked at him, begging him to see who it was. "Please hyung, it's really scary.."

 

Kangin looked at Ryeowook, and sighed before climbing out of bed. "A spider last night, now a burglar.. I can't wait for tomorrow..."

As his boyfriend headed out of the door, Sungmin looked at Yesung with wide eyes. "Is it really a murderer?"

"We don't know, we just heard noises.." 

 

The three boys hugged together in fear, and jumped when they heard a smashing noise.

"Kangin!" Sungmin shouted, running out to the living room.

When they got there, they saw Kangin standing over an unconscious man. He was holding some games controllers, wallets, and jewellery.

"It was a burglar.." Wook whispered, his eyes fearful. "Is he dead?"

"No" Kangin answered. "I just hit him with Heechul's beer bottle."

Yesung immediately grabbed some shoelaces, and began to bind the man's wrists. Then there was a scream.

 

"Who is that?!"

"Is it a murderer?"

"Did Yesung kidnap him?"

The boy shook his head in annoyance. "Of course I didn't kidnap someone. This is a burglar that Wook heard, and Kangin hit."

Leeteuk was pale as snow as he looked at the man.

"We need to call the police..."

 

Zhoumi sat him down on the sofa with Henry, who was also looking pale. "Let me do it hyung, just take deep breaths and relax."

Dialling the number, he gave the address, and smiled.

"They'll be here soon. Don't worry at all, just keep him unconscious."

 

Sungmin frowned. "His hands are twitching Kangin. Hit him again."

"I can't hit him again, I might kill him.. We've tied his hands and feet, so don't worry, he won't hurt you."

Min just hugged Kangin tightly, feeling grateful for his strength and comfort.

 

After the police had taken him, Kangin went back to his room with Sungmin. Feeling a small hand touch his back, he turned around to see Ryeowook.

"Thank you Kangin.. Thank you for protecting us, I'm sorry for waking you up."

Smiling brightly, he hugged the smaller boy. "It's okay, you can wake me up if you're scared. I'll always help." 

 

As all of the members went to their rooms, Ryeowook noticed that Yesung was looking a little forlorn. He kept looking at the sheets, and his smile was gone. Wook hugged into him in the bed.

"Is everything okay?"

Yesung looked at him. "Am I pathetic?"

"What? No! You're not pathetic."

"I didn't hit the burglar, I didn't protect you. How am I supposed to look after our family when I can't even defend our home?"

"Yesung, we'll get a burglar alarm, everything will be okay. Don't worry. It won't happen again."

"I just keep thinking about Sungmin, he can sleep soundly because he has a strong boyfriend, he feels safe at night. You were awake at midnight, terrified about noises.."

"Yesung, I wasn't awake because I was paranoid about being hurt. It wasn't because I'm afraid to go to sleep. I just needed the toilet, that's all."

 

Yesung hugged him gently, and then more tightly, until his body was completely encasing Ryeowook's. Tangled together, Ryeowook fell asleep in the soft warmth of his boyfriend's arms. Hearing the boy's slow breathing, Yesung vowed to protect him, vowed to care for him. He would be the next one to hit the intruder. He would be Ryeowook's protector.