xio

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ

The drive back to the dorm was nerve-racking, Your knee bounced anxiously in the backseat of the Uber that moved through the quiet streets. The soft hum of the engine filled the silence, but your thoughts were louder than anything else. 

Keonho knew.

He finally knew you liked him.

And even more importantly, you finally knew he liked you too. He had liked you this whole time. It was truly never a joke to him. 

You still felt the nerves twisting in your stomach, but excitement drowned them out. All the stupid what if’s got shoved to the very back of your mind. Right now, you were just happy. Happy to call him yours.  

You leaned your head back against the seat and stared at the ceiling of the car, smiling to yourself like an idiot. You couldn’t wait to see him. To wrap your arms around him. To finally feel him instead of reading his feelings through a screen. 

You were a little embarrassed that the whole group knew now. You always imagined this being something private between you and Keonho. Something romantic. But of course, you had to text the groupchat begging them to let keonho know you like him back because he blocked you.

Typical.

That was the funny thing about the two of you, bad timing and stupid humor always found a way into your story. Of course your love confession had to be via texts instead of under the rain like all the K-dramas you watched. Still, you were happy it was finally out. No more gut twisting uncertainty about whether he liked Iroha or you.

God you were still pissed that he kissed her. Your nose scrunched at the memory in annoyance.

Whatever. He’s stupid. He’s lucky I left Ni-ki before he told me that.

Because you absolutely would’ve kissed Ni-ki out of pure pettiness if you had found out earlier.

You groaned quietly and covered your face with your hands. Damn. I really need to work on my pettiness.

You were still texting Keonho during the whole drive back home, and giving the fact it’s Keonho you kept giggling to yourself like a weirdo, but who cares right now. All you care about is going home to him.

| IM PULLING UP

The Uber slowly rolled into the dorm driveway, tires crunching softly against the pavement. Your heart immediately sped up. You suddenly felt sixteen again. Nervous, sweaty , and panicking over a boy.

“Thank you so much, sir,” you said quickly as the car came to a stop. “Of course” the driver smiled.

You reached for the door handle, but froze. What if this is awkward in person? What if—

The dorm door suddenly bursts open and Keonho came out running towards the car….Like actually running. Really fast too with that bright smile you had loved since the day you debuted together plastered on his face. God, that smile. You didn’t know why it took you so long to realize the love of your life had been standing right in front of you this entire time.

He was wearing black sweatpants that hung loosely on his hips, that stupid Joy Division shirt he always wears, and a blue beanie that you know for sure he stole from Seonghyeon. You laughed at the sight of him, still frozen in the backseat from nerves. But seeing him this excited? This happy to see you? It gave you the courage to move. 

Keonho yanked the car door open before you could even attempt to push it.

“KEONHO” you burst out laughing, “Let me get out first!” 

“BRO hurry!” he grinned impatiently, grabbing your arm. You finally swung your legs out and stood up fully. Keonho reached past you and gently shut the Uber door. The driver pulled away, leaving the two of you standing in the quiet driveway under the beautiful night sky. His hands rested on your arms as he stared at you. You stared back, both of you smiling, soaking in the moment.

The first real moment of knowing each other’s feelings completely.

His eyes softened, those beautiful puppy-like eyes you had always adored. They were warm and expressive, crinkling at the corners when he smiled. Seeing them made you smile even more. He lifted one hand to your face, gently tucking a strand of hair behind your ear, his fingertips brushing your skin and resting on your cheek.

“You’re so beautiful” he murmured.

You broke eye contact, your cheeks warming. 

“Shut up.”

“So feisty, I like it.”

“Ewwww shut up” you laughed, playfully shoving at his chest.

He laughed too, but then his expression softened again, this time pulling you fully into his embrace. You wrapped your arms around his torso, while his arms encircled your shoulders. One hand cradling the back of your head protectively, his fingers threading lightly through your hair as he held you.

Oh, how much you had longed for this.

You buried your face deeper into him and inhaled softly. He smelled like clean laundry (that you had washed), warm musk, and that stupid Dior Sauvage cologne he’d been so excited about even though you told him it was basic. 

⋆˚࿔

“Dude, Keonho, that’s such a basic-ass cologne. I can name you ten dudes who wear it,” you said, wrinkling your nose dramatically as he sprayed the tester strip again.

The entire fragrance section clouded with expensive scents that mixed together making your head hurt, and Keonho spraying every cologne in the damn store didn’t help. 

“Alright, don’t piss me off,” Keonho replied, rolling his eyes playfully as he shoved the bottle back onto the shelf. “How do you know ten dudes?”

“BRO!? WHAT?” You let out a loud laugh. 

A couple nearby glanced at the two of you, but neither of you cared.

“First of all,” you started, holding up your fingers dramatically, “I’m literally in a group with five dudes already. Our manager is a dude, so that makes six. I have a brother and a dad, so that’s eight. And we just saw Tomorrow X Together yesterday, so BOOM thirteen.” You smacked the back of his head lightly, laughing at your own logic.

“Mannnn, whatever,” he muttered, making a funny face. “You’re telling me if you were some random girl and I walked past you, you wouldn’t be like, ‘Damn… he smells good’?”

He puffed his chest out jokingly, acting way too confident for someone who looks stupid. You snorted immediately. “Bro, I’d be like, ‘Damn, he smells basic as fuck.’”

Keonho laughed  “You’re so lame.”

“I’m lame?” you shot back, pointing at yourself. “Really, Keonho? Says the guy buying an expensive-ass cologne that every man on earth owns.”

He stared at you for a second before suddenly stepping closer with the most unserious grin on his face.

“Shshhhhhh,” he teased softly, trying to hold back a laugh. “You’re too pretty to be disagreeing with dada right now.”

Your face scrunched instantly as you burst out laughing. “EW, KEONHOOOO! FUCK OUT MY FACE, BRO!” You shoved him away while laughing uncontrollably nearly stumbling into the display counters. Keonho laughed just as hard grabbing your arm so you don’t bump into all the colognes. 

“Bro, I fucking heard that.”

You both turned at the same time to see Juhoon standing a few feet away, staring at the two of you like he regretted coming over.

For a second, you and Keonho looked at him… then at each other. And immediately burst into louder laughter.

Juhoon blinked slowly, already looking exhausted. “You guys are so weird, I swear.”he softly laughed still shaking his head, he walked away leaving you and Keonho cackling in the middle of the store like two idiots. 

⋆˚࿔

You laughed quietly against his chest at the memory.

You felt him take a deep inhale of your hair.

“Did you just sniff my hair?” you said into his chest, amused.

“It smells really good. You smell really good.”

“You’re so weird,” you laughed softly.

“Don’t ruin it,” he smiled into your hair, his voice muffled.

You stayed like that for a little longer, bodies pressed together, hearts beating in sync under the quiet night sky.

Eventually, you pulled back just enough to lift your head and look at him, your arms still looped around his back. You gazed up at him with those doe eyes he loved so much. He looked down at you with soft, awe-filled puppy eyes, his left hand resting on your waist now. While his right slowly moved from your hair to your cheek, rubbing his thumb gently across your skin.

“Can I?” he asked softly.

You smiled, knowing exactly what he meant, and nodded.

He glanced down at your lips, then back up at your eyes. You did the same.

He took another glance at your lips and leaned down slowly. You followed, tip toeing given your height difference. Your noses bumped, and you both smiled. He tilted his head a little more to the right, and finally after years of hidden flirting, months of him being down bad, and days of horrible miscommunication—he kissed you. 

fucking finally 

The kiss was soft and passionate. It was full of love. It was like a ginormous weight was taken off your shoulders. The sensation of relief. Like the feeling of when you've been holding in your pee during a long car ride and you finally get to use the restroom. Or when you take off your shoes after a long day of performing in them. 

His hand stayed cupping your cheek while the other pulled you even closer against him. You smiled into the kiss. And the second he felt it, he smiled too. 

You both pulled away slowly, foreheads nearly touching. Your hand rested on the bicep of the arm holding your waist and the other on his chest, feeling his heartbeat. His hand moved from your cheek to your arm. 

“You don’t know how long i’ve been waiting to do that” he said, making you smile. “Was that okay?” he asked.

Yeah,” you smiled. “I mean clearly it was okay given the fact you kissed another girl before this,” you rolled your eyes in a playful manner.

“Oh my goddddd bruh,” he laughed throwing his head back. “Stop itttt. I regret it okay? I pinky promise baby.”

Baby. 

That fluttery feeling in your stomach came back at the nickname.

You grabbed his face gently. “Yeah yeah whatever,” you said as you leaned in for another kiss before he could defend himself. He placed his hand under your jaw, fingers resting against your neck, and kissed you back deeper.

needier.

You stayed like that for a while. 

A longggggggg while.

“ALRIGHT WE GET IT YALL ARE IN LOVE BRO!” you heard Martin shout.

You and Keonho pulled back quickly, turning to see Martin, James, Seonghyeon, and Juhoon all standing crowded at the front door, openly staring. 

“Oh my God." Embarrassed laughter spilled from your lips as you immediately buried your face into Keonho's shoulder, trying to hide from the group standing just a few feet away.

"Bro, how long have y'all been standing there?" Keonho shouted while laughing, his arm still wrapped tightly around your waist.

"Since you ran out screaming 'my girl is home dont interrupt us'," Seonghyeon answered instantly.

Your eyes widened. Meaning they saw EVERYTHING.

"DUDE?" you yelled, heat flooding your cheeks as fresh embarrassment crept across your face.

Martin doubled over laughing, clutching his stomach, while James stared at the two of you with an amused smirk plastered on his face. Juhoon stood slightly behind them, trying, and failing, to look innocent.

“Don’t listen to him, we barely came out right now,” Juhoon said, laughing.

“Yeah bro and I regret that shit. Why are y’all making out in the middle of the driveway bro?” James said.

“Maybe because we didn’t expect ALL of you to be staring like creeps,” you shot back.

“Aye mannnn who you callin a creep?” Seonghyeon said, throwing his hands up defensively.

“Hyeon shut the fuck up don’t even right now. Keonho told me all about your stupid ass plan you gave him. You’re the reason he went out with Iroha, fuck you,” you scolded, still half-hidden against Keonho’s chest.

“YOU TOLD HER?!???!? FUCK YOU KEONHO.”

“Dude, I had to pledge my innocence. You were the one who told me it would make her confess her feelings for me,” Keonho said, grinning while barely holding back laughter.

Seonghyeon just rolled his eyes. “Fuck you man I’m never helping you for shit… y/n I’m sorr-“

“Nah fuck you”

“BRO COME ON.”

“Nope.”

“I’M SORRY DUDE.”

You laughed, finally peeking out from Keonho’s shoulder. “It’s whatever Hyeon, you better not make him do some stupid shit like that again tho.”

“I WONT, I’M NOT HELPING HIS UGLYAHHH OUT ANYMORE FUCK HIM.”

“Hold awnnn I’m still here chill,” Keonho said, side eyeing you and Hyeon.

Juhoon, Martin, and James just stood there staring at the three of you like kids watching their favorite drama unfold on TV. Martin was still chuckling, James looked way too entertained, and Juhoon kept shaking his head.

“I told them not to come out here and to give y’all some privacy buttttt they didn’t listen,” Juhoon said.

“Man don’t lie, yo ahh was curious too,” Martin said, pushing Juhoon lightly in the chest. Juhoon immediately slapped his hand away.

Meanwhile, Keonho wasn’t paying attention to any of them. His focus was entirely on you. He leaned down and kissed your forehead softly, then your cheek, and finally your lips again.

“Ew bro! We’re still here you know,” James said in disgust.

“Man, go back inside then!” Keonho replied, not even bothering to look back at them, too busy staring at you.

"I hate to be the breaker of bad news," Martin sighed dramatically, "but manager-nim is almost back, so y'all should probably head inside before we all get yelled at."

"Ew," Seonghyeon gagged. "Does this mean they're gonna cuddle and kiss in their room now?"

"BRO I DIDN'T EVEN THINK OF THAT," Juhoon added.

The boys immediately started bickering and teasing each other about the idea as they shuffled back toward the dorm entrance, their voices echoing off the pavement. But you barely heard them. Your attention was completely fixed on Keonho—on the way his thumb was still gently stroking your cheek.

"Y/N," Keonho said softly, his voice low and intimate.

"Hm?"

"I love you."

Your heart stopped for a second. He stared directly into your eyes, one hand still cupping your face while the other rested on your lower back, pulling you closer. His thumb still brushing your cheek.

"I really love you," he whispered. "I meant everything I said in those messages."

You smiled softly. "Keonho, I love you too," you admitted quietly.

"Like... a lot. I'm sorry it took me so long to realize."

"Yeah," he teased lightly, "Wish you realized before going out with Ni-ki but whatever.”

“And I wish you confessed before kissing Iroha but WHATEVER,” you mimicked.

He groaned immediately. “Y/N PLEASE,” making you laugh softly.

“Let’s go back inside, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

He wrapped an arm around your shoulders, pulling you into his side as the two of you walked toward the dorm entrance together. Your body fit perfectly against his, your arm slipping around his waist.

“So like… you’re basically my girlfriend now right??”

“HELL NAH, you better ask me out PROPERLY.”

“YOU ruined our confession!!!” he said in shock.

“YOU BLOCKED ME KEONHO,” you said defensively.

“Bro YOU could’ve waited till you got home but okayyyyyyy buddy,” Keonho said, making you roll your eyes playfully.

“That is genuinely one of the dumbest things you’ve ever said.”

He shrugged, smiling wide. You laughed and leaned further into his side, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Right before opening the door, he stopped and turned to face you.

“Can I ask you for a favor?”

“What?” you asked, eyebrows furrowed in curiosity.

“…Can you do the dance with me,” Keonho said quietly, almost embarrassed, his cheeks tinting pink.

You blinked. “What??”

“The dance you did with Ni-ki,” he muttered bitterly. “Can you do it with me instead?”

You stared at him for a few seconds, trying your hardest not to burst out laughing.

He rolled his eyes immediately. “Bro. I’m being serious y/n,” he whined. “I hate that he did that stupid dance with you.”

You finally burst out laughing while he rolled his eyes again dramatically. "You're so cute," you laughed before grabbing his face with both hands and kissing him softly. "Fine. But we are NOT posting it."

"Wow. So you want me to die.”

"Keonhoooo."

"Okay okay fine, whatever. We won't post it," he said, a small smile creeping onto his face.

You smiled and intertwined your fingers with his as the two of you finally headed inside, the door clicking shut behind you.

───────────୨ৎ───────────

After a couple minutes of teasing jabs from the boys, you and Keonho finally slipped away to your shared dorm room.

The space was dimly lit by a small lamp on the nightstand, casting a warm golden glow across the cluttered space—clothes draped over chairs, a few scattered plushies from fans, and the faint scent of Keonho’s cologne lingering in the air.

You sat down on the edge of your bed, the soft mattress dipping under your weight. Keonho followed right behind, sitting close enough that his thigh pressed against yours, his warm hand resting possessively on your leg.

You smiled at him, heart fluttering, and leaned in to give him a quick peck on the lips. He smiled back but glanced around nervously, his fingers gently squeezing your thigh.

"Why are you nervous?" you teased, laughing softly.

"Shut up, I'm nottt," he said, rolling his eyes. You just smiled, taking in the boy you loved—his slightly flushed cheeks, the way his dark hair fell messily over his forehead, and those eyes that always seemed to soften whenever they landed on you.

"Come here," you said, pulling him toward you as you lay back on the bed.

Keonho shifted smoothly, positioning himself a little higher so your head nestled perfectly into the crook of his neck. His strong arms wrapped around you, one sliding under your head while the other rested along your waist. Both of you tangled together in a warm, comfortable cuddle, his chest rising and falling steadily against yours.

He started playing with your hair, gently twirling the strands around his finger as his arm adjusted beneath your head for better support.

"So why did it take Iroha for you to figure out you liked me?" he asked, looking down at you with a soft, curious gaze.

"Don't even mention her."

"I'm sorryyyyyy," Keonho said, lifting his head to look at you properly. He cupped your face with one hand, his thumb brushing lightly over your cheek.

"What will it take for you to forgive me?" he asked, playfully squishing your cheeks together.

You furrowed your eyebrows and giggled, pushing his hand away.

"You don't wanna know the answer to that dude."

Keonho’s smile immediately dropped. "Pst."

"I'm serious," you laughed.

"UGHHHHH, it wasn't even my fault."

"Boi shut your stupid ass up, you had the choice to kiss back, ain't no way that lil ass girl forced you to kiss her. Be so for real Keonho," you said, propping yourself up on one arm, your body now half-hovering over his as you looked down at him.

Keonho pouted, lips pushed out dramatically. "UGHHHHHHHH shut up you don't get it."

"Get what Keonho?"

"You don't get how I felt y/n. Seeing you out with him. Feeling like I wasn't worthy of your love... I've liked you for so long you know... No. Loved."

"Loved? as in past tense?”

"LOVE. I'M SORRY."

"Mhm."

"AGHHH STOP! You're messing with my head. Ion fuck with dat."

"Ewwww you're ugly," you laughed, but the sound was quickly interrupted as Keonho pulled you down into a quick, firm kiss. You both settled back down, bodies pressed close again, relaxing into each other’s warmth.

Thirty minutes passed of cuddling and random chatter. Keonho was being incredibly touchy—his hands roaming gently over your waist, threading through your hair, tracing your face, sliding down your back, squeezing your shoulders, interlacing your fingers, and brushing along your arms. Every touch felt reverent, like he was making up for lost time.

"Keonhooooo, stop," you whined playfully, though your voice was full of affection.

"Shshhh just let me have this baby, I been waiting for this for so long it's not fair."

You laughed. He was so cute when he was needy and yearning like this.

"I'm gonna miss your stupid down bad comments."

"Yeah right.” he scoffed “you fucking hated them."

"NO I DID NOT?"

"YUH HUH."

"NUH UH."

You laughed and pushed his face back lightly. He caught your wrist mid-motion, pulled you in, and gave you another quick peck.

"I love you," he said, his face still inches from yours, breath warm against your lips. "I love you too," you smiled.

You eventually sat up, clapping your hands together. "OKAY. We gotta make rules."

"UGHHHH BORINGGGGG come on cuddle with me."

"I'm serious Keonho, people can't find out about us."

He rolled his eyes in frustration. "Baby please I just wanna hold you, I don't care about the media right now."

"You don't now but you will if we get caught."

"You're lame."

"Keonho."

"Okay I'm sorry," he said, standing up and grabbing you gently by the waist, pulling you against him. His arms wrapped around you as he leaned his head into the curve of your neck, breathing you in.

"I just wanna enjoy today with you, it is our day off after all," he murmured against your skin, hands splayed across your lower back.

“I know baby but we can’t get caught, just real quick okay?” You said, caressing his back soothingly.

“UGHHHHHH,” Keonho groaned, lifting his head. “Okay but you have to give me a kiss after every rule.”

You laughed. “Okay Keonho,” you said, earning a big, bright smile from him.

“Number one, we can’t be touchy in public, while filming anything, or while any staff is around,” you declared, leaning in to give him a quick peck.

“Nuh uh I said kiss not peck,” he said, grabbing your face with both hands and pulling you into a proper, deeper kiss.

You giggled into it, smiling against his lips.

“Number two, we can’t let anyone else know about us. This stays between us and our group,” you said, earning a sharp glare from him.

“Bro then how will Ni-ki know you’re mine?”

“Keonho, we can’t.”

“Bro okay what about Iroha. You’re telling me you don’t want her to know that I wanted you this whole time?” Keonho said.

“Of course I want that Keonho but unfortunately we can’t let anyone else know. The more people know the riskier it becomes.”

Keonho rolled his eyes and puckered his lips expectantly. You smiled and leaned in to kiss him.

“Okay number 3,” Keonho started, “We cuddle every night.”

“No!” you said, laughing. “Are you forgetting manager-nim lives with us dumbass! He CANT know.”

“Ughhh why are you so lame! Let’s just tell him!”

“No Keonho! Are you crazy?”

“Bro he’ll help us keep it a secret.”

“Keonho, as cool as he is with us he’s still our manager and he has rules. He can get fired if his higher ups find out he’s known this whole time.”

“This is not fair bro.” Keonho said with a pout on his face.

“I know but we have to keep it low if we want this to work out.”

“So when will we get time for ourselves,” Keonho said, his eyes softening as he looked at you.

“Off days, days when manager-nim is out, when we’re alon—“

“Can we give each other kisses when no one is looking?” he interrupted.

You smiled, leaning in to kiss him. “Sure but it has to be when we’re isolated.”

“Fineeeeeughhhh,” Keonho groaned, grabbing your face to kiss you once again.

You laid your hands on his chest, feeling his heartbeat as you deepened the kiss. You stayed like that for a while… a longggg while.

Knock knock.

You and Keonho jumped apart instantly.

“Oh my god I’m coming in please don’t be doing some weird shit, I left my airpods on Keonho’s bed. Please please please don’t be doing some weird shit,” Seonghyeon called out, entering with both hands covering his eyes.

You and Keonho burst into laughter. “Hyeon we’re not doing anything you can loo—“ you started, but Keonho cut you off by kissing you loudly and dramatically so Seonghyeon could clearly hear it.

“EWWW BRO PLEASE SHUT UP! I’M RIGHT HERE FOR FUCKS SAKE,” Seonghyeon yelped, snatching his airpods off the bed before bolting out of the room.

Keonho burst out laughing as you smacked the back of his head. “You’re messed up!” you told him, barely holding back your own laughter.

“That was funny as fuck, we should do that to all of them,” Keonho said, pulling you back onto his bed. “Now can we pleaseeeee just relax for the rest of the day?”

“Fine… but can we go out to eat later? I’m hungry.”

“Yes baby, it’s my treat,” Keonho said, kissing your temple as he pulled you under his blankets. His arms wrapped securely around you, one hand gently stroking your hair.

“I love you,” he whispered softly into your hair.

“I love you more,” you said, smiling as you cuddled deeper into the boy you loved.

The two of you spent the rest of the evening like that—cuddling, stealing kisses here and there, basking in the quiet joy of finally being together. It would be hard keeping this relationship a secret, but as long as your group had your backs, you could make it work. Right now, nothing else mattered. Everything felt just right. Keonho was finally yours.

Well… more importantly, you were finally his.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ

✦ i hope you guys liked this written chapter😣😣 btw this is NOTTT the end, i plan on making smaus of them in a relationship and etc so dw broskis you’ll get more of y/n and keonho 😉👅 thank you for all the love yall give thissss i love yall so so much

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