⟡ ˚₊‧ SORRY, AGAIN. ‧₊˚ ⟡
⟡ ˚₊‧ synopsis: you keep bumping into him. hallways, stairs, corners always accidental, always awkward. what starts as coincidence slowly turns into longer pauses, shared walks, and shoulder brushes that aren’t really accidents anymore.
⟡ ˚₊‧ pairings: han jisung x fem!reader
⟡ ˚₊‧ genre: college au, slow burn, awkward comedy, fluff
⟡ ˚₊‧ warnings: profanities, harsh swearing, kys/kms jokes, unhinged gc, idiots in love, soft physical contact, implied makeout, skz being obsessed with the word 'bro'
⟡ ˚₊‧ word count: 67k (jk lost the count:3)
hi :) this is a soft collision trope fic with awkward han and accidental romance. he overthinks everything, gets bullied by his friends, and falls first. happy ending guaranteed.
there are people who move through campus like they belong there.
they walk in straight lines. they don’t hesitate at intersections. they don’t stop suddenly in the middle of hallways. they don’t almost trip over their own shoes while trying to check their phone and hold a drink at the same time.
you are not one of those people.
you move like someone who is constantly apologizing to furniture.
it’s not intentional. you just… miscalculate space. a lot. you’ve walked into doors that were fully open. you’ve bumped into chairs that were not moving. once, you apologized to a coat rack.
so when you collide with someone in the hallway, it doesn’t feel like a big deal.
it’s just another addition to the list.
your shoulder hits something solid, your step stutters, and you automatically say, “sorry,” without even looking up.
the other person says “sorry” too, slightly higher pitched, slightly rushed.
you both keep walking.
that’s it.
you don’t turn around. he doesn’t either. the hallway swallows both of you back into its noise, backpacks brushing, voices overlapping, shoes squeaking against tile.
it’s forgettable.
or it should be.
⸻
the second time, you notice.
not immediately just half a second later, when you realize you’ve bumped into someone in nearly the exact same spot near the library entrance.
you glance back this time.
he’s already stepping away, adjusting the strap of his bag like he’s trying to pretend nothing happened. messy hair, oversized hoodie, stack of books held against his chest like he’s worried they might escape.
he doesn’t look up.
you turn forward again and keep walking.
still, something about it lingers. maybe because he sounded just as startled as you felt. maybe because he said sorry at the same exact time. maybe because you vaguely think he looks familiar, even though you’re not sure why.
you forget about it again five minutes later.
⸻
the vending machine collision is what ruins him.
you’re at the vending machines outside one of the lecture halls. there’s a long break between classes, and the hallway is mostly quiet except for the hum of fluorescent lights.
you’re crouched slightly, trying to read the tiny labels, when someone steps beside you.
your elbows knock.
you jerk upright.
he jerks upright.
both of you say “sorry” at the same time.
you stop.
he stops.
you both blink.
“…oh,” he says, like he’s just realized something.
you tilt your head slightly. “i think we’ve—”
“yeah,” he nods quickly. “twice. i think. maybe.”
“three,” you correct, before thinking about it.
he looks mildly alarmed. “three?”
“i bumped into you near the library.”
“…oh.”
silence settles between you, not heavy, just unfamiliar. you realize you’re technically having a conversation with someone you don’t know, which feels weirdly more awkward than the actual collisions.
he gestures vaguely at the vending machine. “i wasn’t even moving.”
you glance down. “you stepped into my elbow.”
“i think you elbowed me.”
“i think you exist in my space.”
“…that sounds hostile.”
you almost laugh. he looks relieved when you do, like he wasn’t sure if you were joking.
the machine clunks loudly as someone farther down the hall uses it. neither of you reaches for the buttons.
you suddenly realize you’re just standing there.
he clears his throat. presses a random drink. it drops.
“uh. have a good—” he pauses, like he forgot the rest of the sentence. “day.”
“you too.”
you both walk away.
halfway down the hall, you realize you never got his name.
you also realize you didn’t want to ask.
not yet.
he stands there holding a random drink he didn’t even want.
“…what the fuck,” he mutters.
someone walking past gives him a look. he pretends he didn’t speak.
he makes it halfway down the hall before opening the gc.
⸻
rich idiots (8)
han: okay question
han: hypothetical
han: if you keep physically colliding with the same person
han: like repeatedly
han: is that weird
seungmin: yes
minho: you’re fighting someone
changbin: did you get your ass beat
hyunjin: enemies to lovers arc
jeongin: you’re being hunted
felix: are you okay
han: i’m not fighting anyone you freaks
han: i’m just saying
han: i keep bumping into someone
han: like three times now
seungmin: three times???
seungmin: bro just kiss already
han: kys
changbin: WHERE
changbin: LIKE SAME PLACE??
changbin: SAME TIME??
han: DIFFERENT PLACES
han: that’s why it’s weird
han: hallway
han: library
han: vending machine
minho: you’re in a shitty romcom
han: shut the fuck up
hyunjin: are they hot
han stares at that message.
han: i mean
han: i didn’t really look
han: but maybe
han: a little
seungmin: oh he’s gone
changbin: bro is cooked
jeongin: he’s smiling at his phone
han: i’m not smiling
minho: liar
⸻
han locks his phone and shoves it into his pocket.
he’s not smiling.
he is, however, replaying the interaction in his head like an idiot.
you exist in my space.
that sounds hostile.
maybe it is.
he groans quietly.
“fuck me.”
⸻
fourth collision.
stairs.
almost bump.
shared eye contact.
small smile.
han walks away and immediately opens the gc again like a loser.
han: okay it’s them again
han: stairs this time
han: we almost collided
han: like inches
han: im gonna throw myself off the building
seungmin: do it pussy
chan: ???
seungmin: i’m joking jesus
minho: he’s not joking
changbin: DID YOU ASK THEIR NAME
han: NO
han: WE JUST
han: STOOD THERE
han: AND TALKED A LITTLE
han: AND THEN LEFT
seungmin: you two are fucking stupid
hyunjin: slow burn ass idiots
jeongin: this is painful
han: I PANICKED
han: OKAY
han: THEY SMILED
han: I FORGOT MY ENTIRE PERSONALITY
minho: you never had one
han: fuck you
⸻
han sees you again across the courtyard later.
not a collision.
just you walking.
he recognizes you instantly now, which is already embarrassing. he pretends he doesn’t see you. you don’t see him either.
he watches you disappear.
then opens the gc again.
han: i just saw them but we didn’t collide
han: this feels wrong
han: something is missing
seungmin: you’re addicted to violence
changbin: bro misses getting shoulder checked
han: shut up
minho: you’re down bad
han: i’m not down bad
han: i don’t even know their name
seungmin: exactly
seungmin: you’re down horrendous for a nameless npc
han: kms
⸻
fifth collision.
courtyard.
harder this time.
he grabs your arms.
his brain shuts off.
you’re close. he panics. lets go immediately. you both say sorry again.
you linger. again.
you leave. again.
han stands there like he just experienced a religious awakening.
then pulls out his phone.
han: I FUCKING TOUCHED THEM
han: FUCK
han: THEY WERE FALLING
han: I GRABBED THEIR ARMS
han: I THINK I’M GOING TO PASS AWAY
felix: too much swearing for you
jeongin: like you can do anything better LMAOOOOO
seungmin: physical contact???
seungmin: scandalous
changbin: bro held hands before introductions
han: IT WAS NOT HOLDING HANDS
minho: sure
hyunjin: did sparks fly
seungmin: did your dick harden
han: shut the fuck up
jeongin: did you ask their name
han: NO
everyone types at once.
seungmin: KYS
changbin: USELESS
minho: PATHETIC
hyunjin: BRO
felix: 😭
han: I PANICKED
han: THEY WERE CLOSE
han: LIKE REALLY CLOSE
han: I FORGOT HOW TO SPEAK
minho: average jisung experience
han: i’m going to throw my phone into the fountain
seungmin: do it pussy
changbin: livestream it
minho: i’ll push you in
jeongin: aim head first
hyunjin: i’ll bring popcorn
han: you people are actually fucking evil
chan: don’t drown yourself on campus pls i don’t want paperwork
seungmin: wow dad arrived
chan: shut up
hyunjin: did they look at you
han: YES
han: WE MADE EYE CONTACT
han: AND THEN WE JUST STOOD THERE
han: LIKE NPCS
han: NO DIALOGUE JUST BUFFERING
jeongin: romantic
han: SHUT UP
changbin: did you say anything
han: I SAID
han: “this is getting ridiculous”
han: I THINK
minho: wow panties flew off
han: i’m going to kill you
seungmin: you two literally keep body slamming each other and then standing there like wet cardboard
han: FUCK OFF
felix: i think they like you though
han freezes.
han: what
felix: they keep talking to you right
felix: and not immediately leaving
seungmin: yeah if someone kept shoulder checking me i’d avoid them like the plague
minho: unless they’re hot
changbin: bro found love through blunt force trauma
han: STOP SAYING BRO
han: i’m actually going to kms
seungmin: finally
chan: don’t say that
jeongin: coward won’t even do it
han: I HATE ALL OF YOU
hyunjin: did they smile at you
han: maybe
seungmin: HE’S GONE
changbin: bro folded
han: I DID NOT FOLD
han: THEY JUST
han: SMILED A LITTLE
minho: disgusting
jeongin: he’s giggling
han: I’M NOT GIGGLING
seungmin: you’re literally giggling in 4k
chan: jisung just ask their name next time
han: I CAN’T JUST ASK THEIR NAME
han: WHAT DO I SAY
han: “HI PERSON I KEEP COLLIDING WITH”
changbin: yes
minho: that’s literally perfect
seungmin: i’d fall in love immediately
han: KYS
felix: what if they’re also noticing you though
han: shut up
jeongin: what if they look for you
han: STOP
hyunjin: what if they think it’s fate
han: STOP TALKING
seungmin: he’s sweating
minho: he’s blushing
changbin: or horn-
chan: changbin stfu
chan: breathe jisung
han: I’M BREATHING
han: I JUST
han: OKAY
han: WHAT IF THEY’RE ALSO EXPECTING IT
chat goes quiet for a second.
seungmin: oh
minho: oh he’s fucked
changbin: yeah he’s done
jeongin: tragic
han: FUCK ALL OF YOU
⸻
the next time han sees you, he already knows he’s fucked.
not in a dramatic way. not in a “love at first sight” way. just in the very specific, very humiliating realization that he’s now actively adjusting his walking speed because he thinks you might appear around the corner.
he hates himself for it.
he turns the corner anyway.
and there you are.
of course you are.
you both stop before colliding this time — like you finally learned something. your shoes almost touch, but don’t.
progress. kind of.
“…okay,” you say, squinting slightly. “this is getting creepy now.”
han lets out a breathy laugh. “yeah. i'm starting to think you're stalking me.”
“you wish.”
“i actually don’t.”
“rude.”
there’s a pause.
a real one this time. not just the awkward two seconds before leaving. neither of you moves. people pass behind you, annoyed, but you both stay slightly off to the side like you accidentally created your own small bubble.
“we’ve done this,” you say slowly, “what, like… five times?”
“…six,” he admits.
you blink. “you counted?”
he immediately wants to jump out the window.
“i— no— i just— it’s hard not to remember when i keep getting body checked.”
“you walked into me half of those.”
“that’s debatable.”
you smile. he almost stops breathing again.
“…i feel like we should at least know each other’s names at this point,” you say.
his brain blue-screens.
oh fuck oh shit this is it, say your name. just say your name. it’s literally two syllables. why are you panicking.
“i’m—” he coughs. “jisung.”
“jisung,” you repeat, like you’re testing how it sounds.
he immediately regrets existing.
you tell him your name.
he nods too many times. “yeah. cool. that’s— yeah.”
silence.
he wants to slam his head into the wall.
you shift your weight. “so… do we stop colliding now or—”
“no,” he says too fast. then freezes. “i mean. not— not like— not on purpose—”
you laugh.
he actually wants to die.
“…we probably still will,” you say.
“statistically,” he mutters.
you both stand there another second. then you gesture vaguely. “i’m going to class.”
“yeah. same. i mean not same class. just. class.”
“right.”
you walk past him.
this time, your shoulders brush lightly.
not an accident.
han stands there like someone unplugged him.
then immediately pulls out his phone.
⸻
han: I TALKED TO THEM
han: I FUCKING TALKED TO THEM
seungmin: holy shit
seungmin: alert the media
seungmin: baby boy is growing
minho: did you black out
han: FUCK YOU BOTH
han: WE EXCHANGED NAMES
changbin: screenshot or fake
han: I CANT SCREENSHOT REAL LIFE YOU IDIOT
hyunjin: did you flirt
han: I DONT KNOW
han: I SAID STATISTICALLY
minho: wow
seungmin: insane rizz
chan: jisung stop saying statistically it sounds like you’re writing a research paper
han: I PANICKED
jeongin: bro flirting with data
changbin: academic rizz
felix: grades check!
hyunjin: IM CRINEEEE 😭🙏🏻
han: I’M GOING TO KILL ALL OF YOU
chan: please don’t commit murder on campus
jeongin: so all of you shut up
jeongin: hyung what does she look like
han pauses.
han: they’re…
han: kinda cute
seungmin: oh brother
minho: here we go
changbin: bro already glazing
han: I’M NOT GLAZING
han: JUST SAYING
hyunjin: define cute
han: like
han: quiet
han: pretty
han: and like
han: soft
seungmin: SOFT????
changbin: he’s gone
jeongin: bro describing a marshmallow
minho: man fell in love mid shoulder check
han: I DID NOT FALL IN LOVE
felix: you sound like you did
han: I JUST THINK THEY’RE PRETTY OKAY
chat explodes.
seungmin: HE SAID PRETTY
changbin: THIS IS NOT A DRILL
minho: he’s cooked
hyun: bro’s cheeks red
han: I’M NOT BLUSHING
seungmin: next you’re gonna say they’re hot
han: …
minho: oh no
changbin: oh he’s typing
han: they are kinda hot
absolute chaos.
seungmin: HE SAID HOT
changbin: BRO’S HARD
jeongin: he got a hallway boner
han: SHUT THE FUCK UP
minho: man buffering with blood rushing elsewhere
seungmin: he’s gonna cream his pants next collision
han: I’M GOING TO KILL ALL OF YOU
changbin: bro gonna bump into them and immediately short circuit
jeongin: “sorry—” explodes
felix: STOP 😭
seungmin: he’s folding so bad
minho: did you stare at them
han: MAYBE
changbin: he stared
jeongin: bro was undressing them with his eyes
han: I WAS NOT
seungmin: defensive = guilty
chan: you guys are insane
seungmin: granpa he’s hard
chan: STOP
changbin: jisung fighting demons mid hallway
minho: man adjusting his jeans suspiciously
han: I’M NOT HARD
jeongin: bro said it unprovoked
seungmin: no one even mentioned it just now
changbin: he exposed himself
han: I HATE ALL OF YOU
chan: jisung calm down
seungmin: he can’t he’s bricked up
chan: I’M LEAVING THIS CHAT
minho: don’t leave your son is struggling
han: FUCK ALL OF YOU
changbin: next time they brush shoulders he’s gonna combust
jeongin: bro gonna apologize while sweating
seungmin: “sorry” voice cracks
han: STOP
felix: you’re actually down bad
han: I’M NOT DOWN BAD
han: I JUST THINK THEY’RE
han: REALLY
han: REALLY
han: PRETTY
seungmin: he’s whimpering now
minho: tragic
⸻
meanwhile, two floors down, chan and minho are leaving a lecture.
chan is mid-sentence about some schedule when someone bumps into minho’s shoulder.
minho barely moves.
“sorry,” you say quickly, stepping back.
chan looks up.
he actually registers you this time quick glance, but enough. soft face, slightly rushed, avoiding eye contact. cute. but also… kind of pretty.
you’re already walking away.
chan watches for half a second.
“…they’re cute,” he says casually.
minho looks at him. “you just saw them for one second.”
“still.”
“you fall in love fast."
“i didn’t say love. just cute.”
“you’re old.”
“shut up.”
minho glances back once more. “they did look kinda pretty.”
chan nods. “yeah.”
they keep walking.
⸻
another message pops in.
minho: someone bumped into me btw
han: WHERE
minho: econ hallway
han: WHAT DID THEY LOOK LIKE
chan: small
chan: quiet
chan: kinda pretty
han freezes.
han: ...
seungmin: OH SHIT
changbin: WAIT WAIT WAIT
hyunjin: pretty?
minho: fast walker too
chan: apologized like they committed a crime
jeongin: that’s literally them
han: SHUT THE FUCK UP
han: THAT COULD BE ANYONE
seungmin: bro got territorial instantly
changbin: he’s jealous
han: I’M NOT JEALOUS
minho: chan called them pretty
hyunjin: he’s spiraling
han: WHY ARE YOU LOOKING AT THEM
chan: they bumped into me ???
seungmin: bro acting like chan stole his wife
han: I’M GOING TO KILL ALL OF YOU
jeongin: he’s hard and angry
han: I’M NOT HARD
minho: defensive
changbin: next time they bump into chan he’s gonna combust
han: STOP
chan: jisung calm down
han: I’M CALM
han: I’M VERY CALM
han: I JUST
han: okay maybe that was them
seungmin: tragic
hyunjin: soulmate meeting everyone except him
han: kys
⸻
the thing is, once you stop pretending the collisions are accidents, everything becomes worse.
or better. han hasn’t decided yet.
he just knows that now, when he turns corners, he’s expecting you. not consciously. not in a desperate, pathetic way. just… he slows down without thinking. he checks reflections in glass windows. he takes the longer hallway instead of the faster one because he’s seen you there before. it’s not stalking. it’s not. it’s just pattern recognition. coincidence. probability. statistics.
he turns the corner near the humanities building.
you’re already there.
you don’t even almost bump this time. you both stop early, like you’ve learned the rhythm. your shoes end up a few inches apart, close enough that he notices the scuff on the front of yours, the way you shift your weight slightly when you realize how close you are.
“…we didn’t even collide,” you say.
“…we’re improving.”
“that’s kind of disappointing.”
he blinks. “what?”
you shrug. “it’s become routine.”
he laughs under his breath. “routine violence.”
“exactly.”
neither of you moves away. people walk around you, annoyed, but you both stay slightly off to the side like you accidentally built a wall around yourselves.
“…are you heading somewhere?” you ask.
“class.”
“same.”
you both start walking at the same time, no discussion, no awkward hesitation. just… together.
⸻
walking beside you is different than colliding.
collisions are quick. loud in his head. over before he can think. but this — this is slow. your steps match his without trying. your sleeve brushes his arm once, then again, then stays there for half a second too long. he pretends not to notice. you pretend too.
“…you always walk this way?” you ask.
“not really. you?”
“sometimes.”
you nod at the same time. it’s stupid. neither of you laughs. you just keep walking.
he glances at you quickly. you’re looking ahead, expression calm, like this is normal. like you always walk with him between classes. like you didn’t just meet a few days ago through repeated physical accidents.
he likes that. it’s dangerous.
⸻
you reach the stairs.
you slow down.
he slows down.
neither of you comments on it.
you start climbing together, shoulders brushing lightly halfway up. not enough to knock you off balance. just enough to feel it. you smile a little, like you noticed. he nearly misses a step.
“…careful,” you say quietly.
“yeah.”
you keep walking.
⸻
at the landing, you stop. he stops too. the pause stretches longer than usual.
“…this is weird,” you say.
“…yeah.”
“but not bad weird.”
he nods.
you adjust your bag. your fingers brush his wrist accidentally. you both freeze. neither of you pulls away immediately. then you shift back slightly, like you just remembered you’re not supposed to do that.
“…see you around, jisung.”
“yeah.”
you walk off.
he stands there.
again.
he’s starting to think he only exists in motion when you’re around.
⸻
the next time happens outside the vending machines.
you bump him first. lightly.
“…sorry,” you say automatically, then wince. “…habit.”
“yeah.”
you both smile.
you lean against the vending machine. he mirrors you without realizing. the space between you is smaller than before. someone squeezes between you, forcing you closer together. your shoulder presses fully into his this time.
neither of you moves.
“…you’re quiet,” you say.
“…you too.”
“fair.”
you both stay there longer than necessary. the machine hums beside you. footsteps pass. conversation buzzes around you. none of it really registers.
“…what’s your next class?” you ask.
he tells you.
“oh. same building.”
“…yeah?”
“yeah.”
you push off the vending machine. he does too. again, at the same time.
⸻
walking again.
this time, your hands brush.
not sleeves. not wrists.
hands.
it’s brief. barely there. but both of you notice. he keeps walking. you keep walking. neither of you acknowledges it. the silence gets heavier, but not uncomfortable. just… charged.
he flexes his fingers once.
you pretend not to see.
⸻
outside the building, you slow down.
“…i think we’ll keep doing this,” you say.
“…statistically.”
you laugh quietly. “you really like that word.”
“…i panic.”
“i noticed.”
you look at him properly this time. not quick glances. not accidental eye contact. just… looking.
he feels it in his chest.
“…bye, jisung.”
“bye.”
you turn.
your shoulder brushes his one last time as you pass.
not an accident.
he watches you leave.
and for the first time, he doesn’t move immediately.
⸻
after the shoulder bump thing, nothing dramatically changes. you don’t suddenly hold hands. you don’t confess. you don’t even talk about it.
you just… stop pretending the collisions are accidental.
sometimes you bump him lightly when you walk beside him.
sometimes he does it first.
neither of you apologizes anymore.
it becomes its own language.
⸻
a few weeks pass.
you and jisung now walk together more than you don’t. you sit beside each other when you run into one another. conversations stretch longer. silences become easier.
he learns:
you hate loud crowds
you always forget to eat
you laugh quietly first, then louder after
you learn:
he overthinks literally everything
he fidgets when nervous
he stares at you when he thinks you’re not looking
the tension builds slowly.
too slowly.
⸻
one night, in the library, you both end up in the same aisle at the same time.
coincidence. probably.
it’s quiet. students mostly left. staff somewhere in the distance. fluorescent lights hum softly overhead.
you walk side by side without saying much.
your shoulders brush once. then again.
neither of you reacts.
after a minute, you stop near the end of the aisle.
he stops too.
“…we didn’t collide,” you say softly.
“…yeah.”
silence.
you’re standing closer than usual. he’s aware of everything, your sleeve near his wrist, your shoes almost touching his, the way you’re not moving away.
you bump his shoulder lightly.
he looks at you.
“…you did that on purpose.”
“yeah.”
he swallows.
then bumps you back.
you don’t move away.
neither does he.
the space between you shrinks slowly. not from stepping forward — just slight shifts. breathing. eye contact that lasts too long. his hand hovers near yours, unsure, then lightly brushes your fingers.
neither of you pulls away.
he says, quietly, “we’re really bad at this.”
“at what.”
“…not doing this.”
you laugh softly.
he watches your mouth for half a second too long.
you notice.
the silence stretches until it almost hurts.
he leans in slightly — then stops.
“sorry—” he starts automatically.
you shake your head. “don’t.”
that’s all it takes.
he leans in again, slower this time. hesitant. like he expects you to move.
you don’t.
your noses bump first.
both of you freeze.
“…shit,” he whispers.
you laugh quietly, breath warm. “smooth.”
“i’m really bad at this.”
“i can tell.”
he exhales, nervous, then tries again.
this time you meet him halfway.
the kiss starts soft — unsure — barely there. just a light press, like both of you are still figuring out if this is actually happening. his breath catches almost immediately, warm and uneven against yours.
for a second, neither of you moves.
then you lean closer.
the shift is small, but it changes everything. the kiss deepens naturally, slower, lingering instead of hesitant. your fingers curl into the fabric of his shirt without thinking, and he makes a quiet sound against your lips — surprised — before leaning in more firmly.
his hand moves from your wrist to your side, hesitant at first. when you don’t pull away, his fingers settle there, warm and steady, pulling you just slightly closer. your shoulders press fully together now, no space left between you.
you tilt your head, and he follows instinctively, the angle changing. the kiss grows warmer, less careful. it lingers, breath mixing, both of you pausing only long enough to breathe before leaning in again.
he exhales softly against your lips, like he forgot how breathing works.
you shift closer, and he backs up half a step without breaking contact, shoulders brushing the shelf behind him. the movement pulls you in with him, your hand sliding higher against his chest to steady yourself. his heartbeat is fast — uneven — and it makes your stomach flip.
neither of you pulls away.
the kiss stretches longer. slower. the kind that keeps almost ending but doesn’t. he pauses, barely pulling back, and your lips brush again immediately. the hesitation is gone now — replaced with something heavier, quieter.
your shoulders bump lightly in the process and you both almost laugh, breath mingling, the sound swallowed when he leans in again. this time he’s more certain, fingers tightening slightly at your side as he pulls you closer without realizing it.
somewhere in the distance, a chair scrapes softly.
a book closes.
the quiet of the library presses around you, but neither of you moves. you’re tucked between shelves, half-hidden in the aisle, the lighting slightly dimmer here.
a blindspot.
when you finally separate, it’s only to breathe.
your foreheads hover close, noses brushing lightly. he looks dazed, like he’s still processing, eyes flicking down to your mouth before back up again. your hands are still holding onto him, and neither of you lets go.
you don’t move away.
neither does he.
“…we didn’t collide,” he murmurs softly.
you bump his shoulder.
“we kinda did.”
he lets out a quiet laugh, still close enough that it brushes your lips.
“…yeah.”
footsteps pass faintly at the end of the aisle.
you both freeze instinctively — then pull apart just slightly, exchanging a look that’s half embarrassed, half breathless.
thank goodness the shelves block the view.
a perfect blindspot.
jisung doesn’t move for a full five seconds after you step back.
you mumble something about needing to return your book, already walking toward the end of the aisle, glancing back once — just once — before disappearing past the shelves.
and he’s left there.
standing.
still.
brain completely gone.
then—
he fumbles his phone out like he’s calling emergency services.
han: I JUST MADE OUT WITH THEM
seungmin: ?
minho: ?
changbin: ?
hyunjin: ?
jeongin: ?
felix: ?
chan: ?
han: I JUST MADE OUT WITH THEM IN THE FUCKING LIBRARY
seungmin: disgusting
minho: public indecency
changbin: bro couldn’t wait
hyunjin: feral behavior
jeongin: bro lasted 3 weeks
han: SHUT THE FUCK UP
han: THEY JUST LEFT
seungmin: they ran
han: THEY DIDN’T RUN
han: THEY SAID THEY HAD TO RETURN A BOOK
minho: excuse
changbin: ghosted mid makeout is crazy
han: I HATE YOU
jeongin: did you chase
han: NO
seungmin: coward
hyunjin: bro froze
han: I COULDNT MOVE
changbin: bro buffering
minho: brain blue screen
felix: was it good though
han: YES
chat explodes.
seungmin: HE SAID YES
changbin: HE'S SMILING
minho: he’s giggling
han: I AM NOT GIGGLING
jeongin: he’s kicking his feet
hyunjin: bro definitely hard
han: I'M NOT
seungmin: defensive
changbin: exposed
han: FUCK ALL OF YOU
chan: okay calm down what actually happened
han: WE WERE IN THE AISLE
han: AND WE WERE TALKING
han: THEN WE JUST
han: KISSED
minho: useless ass storyteller
seungmin: describe it properly coward
changbin: was it a peck
han: NO
jeongin: oh
hyunjin: oh he's done
han: WE KISSED FOR A WHILE
seungmin: A WHILE????
changbin: bro timed it
han: I DIDN’T TIME IT
minho: where were your hands
han: I HELD THEIR HAND
han: AND LIKE
han: THEIR SIDE
jeongin: THEIR SIDE
hyunjin: bro gripping
changbin: bro pulling them closer
han: I DIDN’T MEAN TO
seungmin: instinct
minho: animal
han: SHUT UP
changbin: did you almost moan
han: WHAT
jeongin: bro definitely did
han: I DID NOT
hyunjin: he definitely did
seungmin: library makeout is insane
han: WE WERE IN A BLINDSPOT
minho: premeditated
changbin: criminal
jeongin: bro scoped the area
han: I DIDN’T
seungmin: he’s lying
felix: did they kiss you back
han: YES
chat explodes again.
changbin: HE WON THE LOTTERY
seungmin: bro ascended
minho: accidental romance successful
hyunjin: hallway collision to makeout pipeline
jeongin: he's never shutting up about this
han: I’M SHAKING
seungmin: bro gonna cream his pants remembering it
han: STOP
changbin: he’s replaying it
minho: smiling at phone in library
jeongin: people think he’s insane
han: I AM STILL IN THE AISLE
seungmin: MOVE
han: I CAN’T
hyunjin: bro stuck in cutscene
changbin: npc behavior
chan: jisung go return to reality
han: THEY LOOKED BACK BEFORE LEAVING
seungmin: oh
minho: oh he’s fucked
changbin: yeah he’s done
jeongin: tragic
hyunjin: bro in love already
han: SHUT UP😳😳😳😳😳🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
chan: wait that's actually really cute though
seungmin: here he goes
minho: hopeless romantic
changbin: he’s giggling behind the screen
chan: i'm not giggling 😭 i'm just saying it's sweet
jeongin: you would've confessed immediately
chan: no i wouldn't
seungmin: liar
minho: he'd bring flowers day one
changbin: handwritten letter too
chan: you guys are evil
hyunjin: you'd walk them to class and hold their bag
chan: that's normal
seungmin: that's boyfriend behavior after one kiss
minho: he's projecting
chan: at least i'm not like you
minho: what's that supposed to mean
chan: you'd just stare and say nothing
seungmin: that's literally you too
chan: no?????
changbin: both of you useless
jeongin: han learned from them
han: i'm literally still here
hyunjin: we know
seungmin: he's still in the aisle smiling
minho: creepy behavior
han: i'm not smiling
changbin: you definitely are
felix: did anyone else notice he typed slower
jeongin: bro still processing
chan: jisung go find them again tomorrow
han: yeah
seungmin: OH
minho: he's planning now
changbin: bro already thinking about next collision
hyunjin: addicted
han: shut up
chan: just don't freeze again
seungmin: he will
minho: guaranteed
changbin: man gonna buffer again
jeongin: tragic sequel
han: you guys are so fucking annoying
⸻
the next day is painfully normal.
jisung spends the entire morning pretending he’s not waiting to see you. he walks slower in the hallway, then faster, then slower again like an idiot. he checks his phone even though you didn’t exchange numbers. he almost turns down the wrong corridor twice.
he tells himself he’s not nervous.
he’s lying.
he sees you near the vending machines.
you see him at the same time.
both of you pause not dramatically just enough that it’s obvious. he almost lifts his hand to wave, then aborts halfway, which looks worse. you notice. your mouth twitches.
“…hi,” he says.
“hi.”
there’s a small silence. not awkward exactly just full. like both of you are replaying last night at the same time.
he scratches the back of his neck. “so… uh…”
“yeah.”
“…yeah.”
you both laugh quietly.
he relaxes a little.
you start walking together without really deciding to. the distance between you is smaller now naturally. no pretending. your shoulders don’t bump, but they’re close enough that he’s aware of every movement.
his hand brushes yours accidentally.
he freezes.
you don’t move away.
he doesn’t either.
your fingers brush again when you turn the corner. this time you don’t pull back. you just… let them stay there. the contact is light, barely anything, but it’s enough to make his brain completely stop working.
he glances down.
your hand is still there.
you notice him noticing.
“…you’re thinking too hard,” you say quietly.
“i’m not.”
you gently hook your fingers with his.
that’s it.
no warning. no build up. you just take his hand.
jisung short-circuits.
completely.
his hand tightens automatically like his body decided before his brain could. he looks down again like he needs to confirm it’s real. your fingers are intertwined now, warm, casual, like it’s always been that way.
he forgets how to walk for half a second.
you tug him forward slightly.
“you good?”
“…yeah.”
he is not good.
he is dying.
but he walks with you anyway, hand still in yours, heart beating loud enough he’s convinced you can feel it through his palm.
⸻
across the quad, two people freeze mid-conversation.
jeongin squints.
“…is that jisung.”
seungmin follows his gaze.
“…no.”
pause.
“…wait.”
another pause.
“…WAIT.”
they both stare.
jisung. holding hands. with you.
walking calmly like this is normal.
jeongin physically recoils.
“what the fuck.”
seungmin is already pulling his phone out.
jeongin: I’M GOING INSANE seungmin: WHAT THE FUCK
chan: what
changbin: ??
minho: why are you yelling
hyunjin: what happened
felix: ???
jeongin: JISUNG IS HOLDING HANDS
seungmin: WITH A GIRL
changbin: BULLSHIT
minho: impossible
chan: where
seungmin: QUAD seungmin: NEAR VENDING MACHINES seungmin: HE’S WALKING LIKE HE BAGGED HER
jeongin: WHO IS THAT
seungmin: wait
pause.
jeongin: …
seungmin: oh
chan: WHAT
jeongin: oh he actually bagged a baddie
seungmin: what the hell
changbin: SEND PIC
seungmin: I CAN’T BE OBVIOUS
jeongin: she’s hot
chan: WHAT
minho: define hot
seungmin: like seungmin: actually pretty
jeongin: fine as hell
changbin: NO WAY
hyunjin: jisung??
seungmin: YES JISUNG
chan: HOW
jeongin: how did he bag the baddie
minho: that’s suspicious
seungmin: she’s literally holding his hand
changbin: voluntarily????
jeongin: willingly
chan: i’m happy for him but also confused
hyunjin: this feels illegal
felix: she sounds cute
seungmin: not cute seungmin: fine
jeongin: hottie alert
changbin: if he fumbles i’m going for her
chan: YOU CAN’T SAY THAT
minho: he absolutely can
hyunjin: poor jisung
seungmin: he’s smiling like an idiot
jeongin: I CAN SEE HIM FROM HERE
chan: is he blushing
seungmin: violently
changbin: man is gone
minho: never seen him hold hands before
jeongin: he’s walking like he’s scared she’ll disappear
hyunjin: that’s actually pathetic
chan: leave him alone 😭
seungmin: no
changbin: absolutely not
jeongin: this is the greatest day of my life
⸻
jisung freezes when he sees them.
eight of them. staring at your joined hands.
“…no.”
“friends?” you ask.
“unfortunately.”
they walk over.
“hi, i’m chan,” he says, smiling.
you introduce yourself.
seungmin: “how did this happen.” changbin: “yeah seriously.” hyunjin: “you can still run.” jisung: “please shut up.” jeongin: “she’s holding him willingly.” felix: “he talks about you.” jisung: “I DON’T—” everyone: “YOU DO.”
you laugh.
chan: “don’t mess this up.” seungmin: “he will.”
they leave.
you squeeze jisung’s hand.
you bump his shoulder.
“…again?” he says.
“again.”











