The kings Avater

When they stepped out of the police station, Ye Qiu paused and turned to look at them. His gaze was steady but tired, his light brown eyes reflecting a heaviness that words could not express. He seemed to take his time, his eyes moving from one face to the next as though trying to memorize each of them. Then, in a voice so calm it almost felt hollow, he said, "Thank you." No more, no less. He gave a small nod of acknowledgment before turning away, ready to leave.

Grayworm, ever the lively one, couldn't let the moment pass without an attempt to lighten the mood. "I can drive you home," he offered, his voice carrying a hopeful lilt. "I came with... a car," he added, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

Ye Qiu shook his head, his messy hair swaying slightly as he did. "I'm not going home," he replied quietly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

" where then?" Somi asked, stepping forward, her pink hair catching the evening sunlight. "We can take you there," she added, her voice softer this time. Her concern was evident, and the others nodded in agreement, each of them silently vowing to help in any way they could.

Ye Qiu hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on Somi before shifting to the rest of them. Finally, he said, "The city hospital." His voice remained calm.

Grayworm didn't need to be told twice. "Alright, hop in," he said, motioning to his car parked nearby. The group followed suit, piling into the vehicle without a word. Ye Qiu settled into the backseat, choosing the spot by the window, and stared silently outside as Grayworm started the engine.

The drive to the hospital was unusually quiet. Grayworm, usually full of chatter, kept his eyes on the road, his hands gripping the wheel a little tighter than usual. Sparrow, sitting next to him in the passenger seat, glanced back occasionally, unsure of what to say. Omega, seated next to Ye Qiu, rested his head on the car seat, with his eyes shot. Somi, on the other hand, couldn't stop herself from sneaking glances at Ye Qiu, her concern growing with each passing moment.

Ye Qiu said nothing during the entire ride. He sat motionless, his head leaning slightly against the window, his expression unreadable. His pale complexion looked even more striking in the soft glow of the car's interior, his unique features almost haunting under the dim light. He seemed lost in thought, his light brown eyes fixed on the passing scenery, yet unfocused. The weight of his silence was palpable, filling the car with a tension none of them could shake.

Somi wanted to ask him if he was okay, but something about his demeanor stopped her. she just stayed quiet, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sweater as she watched him from the corner of her eye.

When they finally arrived at the hospital, Grayworm pulled into the parking lot and killed the engine. The silence lingered for a moment before Ye Qiu unbuckled his seatbelt and reached for the door handle. "Thank you again," he said again, his voice just as calm and quiet as before. Without waiting for a response, he stepped out of the car.

They watched as he walked toward the hospital entrance.

"Should we go with him?" grayworm asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"No," somi said firmly, though her gaze didn't leave Ye Qiu's retreating figure. " i think He needs to be alone."

Grayworm sighed, resting his hands on the steering wheel. "you think something else happened to him, other than getting arrested, for God knows why" he asked

"maybe its about the, Stacy girl" sparrow replied.

As Ye Qiu entered the hospital, the smell of antiseptic filled the air, and the faint hum of medical equipment buzzed in the background. He hesitated briefly before approaching the nurse's station. His voice was low but steady as he asked, "Which room is Stacy li in?"

The nurse gave him a quick glance before consulting her records. "Room 218. Down the hall, second door to your right," she replied with a faint smile.

Walking down the corridor, Ye Qiu's footsteps echoed softly on the tiled floor. His heart was heavy, and each step felt heavier than the last. When he reached the door, he froze momentarily, staring through the glass panel. Inside, he saw Stacy lying motionless on the hospital bed, surrounded by beeping monitors and tangled wires. Her face was pale, and her chest rose and fell faintly, evidence that she was still fighting.

A young lady sat beside Stacy, her back to the door. Her hand rested gently on Stacy's arm, her posture radiating quiet pain. Ye Qiu pushed the door open slowly, and the lady turned at the sound.

"You must be Ye Qiu," she said, her voice calm.

"I'm Stacy's sister, Ling Yan," she introduced herself before turning back to her sister. She let out a sigh, brushing a strand of hair from Stacy's face.

For a moment, there was silence, and Ye Qiu just stood there, unable to look away from Stacy. The sight of her in such a vulnerable state tore at him.

Ling Yan broke the silence. "You should have just come to the party." Her tone was oddly very calm. "She got into a fight that night... with one of our cousins. Someone who made fun of her because of you__She said you'd be there. She told everyone you were coming because she wanted to introduce you,"

Ling Yan's words hit Ye Qiu like a punch to the chest. Guilt crept in, weighing him down even further.

"I'm telling you this because I want you to feel bad," she said bluntly, turning to face him. Her expression was hard to read—a mix of anger and sadbess. "The incident wouldnt have happened if she had just stayed and she wouldnt have left the party if you were there with her. Stacy deserves better, and I hope you understand that." She paused, her voice softening slightly.

"I believe, if you truly feel anything for her, you will let her go, im sure she already did with you the last time you met."

Ye Qiu stared at her, his face stoic, but his emotions churned violently inside.

"Please don't show up here again," Ling Yan said firmly, her voice breaking as tears welled up in her eyes. "I'll be sure to let you know when she wakes up… or if she doesn't."

Her last words lingered in the air like a dagger. Ye Qiu looked back at Stacy, his gaze lingering on her frail form. It was painful to see her like this, but he didn't argue. He Simply said "im sorry" he said "im sorry again, but i wont stop visiting, Stacy is a strong person therefore i know she would wake up soon, till then i will stay by her side, and when she wakes up, i would make it up to her" he said as Ling yan cried silently.

"im sorry" He said with a slight nod and then left.

As he walked out of the hospital, the cold evening air hit him, but it didn't soothe the heat of guilt and sadness burning in his chest. His steps were slow, his posture slouched as though the weight of the world rested on his shoulders.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Grayworm's car. It was still parked in the same spot, and his teammates stood in front of it, their voices carrying faintly through the quiet street__they were waiting for him

Ye Qiu was surprised. He hadn't expected them to still be there. As he approached, he noticed them laughing and joking with one another. Grayworm's laughter, loud and contagious, filled the air. For the first time that evening, a faint smile tugged at Ye Qiu's lips. Their camaraderie was like a small light in his otherwise dark thoughts.

"Here's the boss!" Grayworm exclaimed, spotting him.

Ye Qiu walked up to them, his expression softening. "You guys are still here?"

"We thought you might be hungry," Somi said, avoiding his gaze as if shy.

"I saw a restaurant a few blocks back. Maybe we can head there," Omega suggested.

"My treat," Sparrow added, grinning as they cheered at him

Their casual concern touched Ye Qiu more than he cared to admit. He nodded, his lips curving into a small smile. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of belonging.

The team piled into Grayworm's car, the atmosphere now lively and filled with chatter.

"What are we going to eat? Tofu? Shrimp?" Somi asked as Grayworm gasped dramatically. "How do you know I'm allergic to shrimp? Did you hack my personal profile?"

"No," Somi shot back, smirking. "Just by looking at you, I figured you'd be allergic to a thing or two. You look like a spoiled brat. And sea food is best to start guesses with."

The others burst into laughter, and Grayworm clutched his chest in mock offense.

"Ouch," he muttered with a grin.

As the laughter and jokes continued, Somi kept sneaking glances at Ye Qiu, hoping to see his mood brighten. Her heart lifted when she saw him smile faintly, the first real smile since they'd met.

She couldn't stop staring. Even his smile, faint as it was, had a beauty to it that was hard to ignore.

For Ye Qiu, this moment felt surreal. He wasn't used to people caring for him, but here they were—his teammates—offering him comfort in the simplest yet most profound way, and oddly he didnt feel awkward liks he normally Feels with a group of stranger gers around him.