Chapter 59

Requested – chupachiups

The Katseye house was unusually quiet that afternoon. No music, no yelling, no chaotic laughter drifting through the hallways. You’d come over expecting the usual whirlwind – Megan stealing snacks, Sophia lecturing someone, Yoonchae bouncing off the walls – but instead, the house felt still.

You wandered through the living room, then the kitchen, calling out softly.

“Dani?”

No answer.

Manon poked her head out of her room, her expression softer than usual. “She’s in our room,” she said quietly. “She… wasn’t feeling great. I didn’t want to push.”

Your chest tightened. “Is she okay?”

Manon hesitated. “She will be. She just… needs someone she trusts.”

You nodded, already heading down the hall.

*

You knocked gently.

“Dani? It’s me.”

Silence.

You waited a moment, then turned the handle slowly.

The room was dim, curtains half-drawn. Dani was sitting on the floor beside her bed, knees pulled to her chest, her hoodie sleeves covering her hands. Her hair was messy, her breathing uneven, her eyes red like she’d been crying for a while.

She didn’t look up when you stepped inside.

Your heart cracked a little.

You closed the door behind you and crossed the room quietly, lowering yourself to the floor beside her.

“Hey,” you whispered.

She swallowed hard, her voice barely there. “Hi.”

You didn’t touch her yet – you waited, giving her space to come to you.

After a moment, she leaned sideways, her shoulder brushing yours. That was all the permission you needed. You wrapped your arm around her gently, and she melted into you like she’d been holding herself together for too long.

*

It started with a shaky breath.

Then another.

Then her voice cracked. “I’m so tired.”

You held her tighter. “I know.”

“It’s just-” She stopped, pressing her sleeve to her eyes. “Everyone expects so much. And I’m trying, I really am, but it feels like no matter what I do, it’s never enough.”

You brushed your thumb along her arm, slow and steady. “Dani…”

She shook her head, tears spilling again. “They compare me to the others all the time. Online. In comments. Even in interviews sometimes. And I love the girls, I do, but it’s like-” Her voice broke. “It’s like I’m always behind. Like I’m the weak link.”

You felt her whole body tremble as she tried to breathe through it.

You shifted, pulling her fully into your arms, letting her hide her face in your shoulder. “You’re not behind,” you whispered. “You’re not a weak link. You’re Dani. And you’re incredible.”

She let out a small, broken sound – the kind someone makes when they’ve been strong for too long.

You held her through it.

Her fingers curled into your shirt, gripping like she needed something solid. You stroked her back slowly, grounding her, letting her cry without rushing her.

“I hate feeling like this.” she whispered into your shoulder.

“It’s okay to feel like this,” you murmured. “You don’t have to be perfect. Not with me.”

She exhaled shakily, her breath warm against your neck. “I didn’t want you to see me like this.”

You cupped her cheek gently, guiding her to look at you. “I want to see you however you are. Happy, stressed, tired, overwhelmed – all of it. I’m here for every version of you.”

Her eyes softened, filling again. “You mean that?”

“Always.”

*

Eventually, you helped her up and guided her to the bed. She lay down facing you, her head tucked under your chin, your arms wrapped around her like a blanket.

Her breathing slowly steadied.

You ran your fingers through her hair, brushing it back gently. She closed her eyes, leaning into your touch.

“You’re allowed to rest,” you whispered. “You don’t have to carry everything alone.”

She let out a small sigh. “I feel safe with you.”

You kissed the top of her head. “Good. That’s all I want.”

She shifted closer, her hand finding yours under the blanket, fingers lacing with yours.

“Stay?” she whispered.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

You felt her relax fully for the first time that day – her shoulders dropping, her breathing evening out, her body softening against yours.

The room stayed quiet, warm, safe.

Just the two of you, wrapped up in each other, the world outside paused for a moment.

*

After a long while, Dani spoke again, her voice small but steadier.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

“For what?”

“For being here. For not making me feel stupid. For… everything.”

You kissed her forehead. “You don’t have to thank me. I love you.”

She smiled – a tiny, tired smile, but real. “I love you too.”

You held her until she drifted off, her breathing soft and even, her hand still tangled with yours.

And you stayed awake a little longer – watching over her, brushing your thumb over her knuckles, promising silently that she’d never have to face days like this alone.

———-

Can I just put my two pence in for a moment… WHAT’S WITH ALL THE DANI HATE???? Like why the fuck is my wife getting hate all of a sudden. Like let the poor girl BE. Let her listen to her music in PEACE. 

Jesus.