#dpr series

Unlocking the door, you stepped inside and found Soyeon sprawled on the couch, her textbook open on her lap and a pen dangling from her fingers, she looked up as you kicked off your heels and collapsed in the chair opposite of her.

"Rough night?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"The usual," you replied with a sigh.

"You talked to him yet?" she teased, setting her textbook aside.

You shook your head. "He's not exactly chatty."

Soyeon gave you a knowing look. "You're curious about him?"

You hesitated, then nodded. "There's something about him. He's... intense but not in a bad way. I don't know, it's hard to explain."

Soyeon leaned forward, her expression serious. "Just be careful, okay?"

"I'm not getting involved. I'm just... curious." you said, trying to dismiss her concern.

₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚

The next night at Club Venus started like any other. The music was loud, the crowd was lively, and you were back in your usual routine of weaving between tables with trays of drinks. Christian was at his post near the entrance. Everything was normal until it wasn't.

The first sound was sharp and unmistakable: a gunshot.

The music screeched to a halt, and the crowd erupted into chaos. People screamed and scrambled for cover as more shots rang out, the flashes of gunfire cutting through the dim lighting.

Your heart raced as you ducked behind the bar, your hands trembling. You peeked out and saw Christian moving through the chaos, his face a mask of determination. He was trying to herd people toward the emergency exits, his voice booming over the panic.

A second later, he stumbled, clutching his arm. Blood seeped through his shirt, but he didn’t stop.

“Christian!” you yelled, instinct taking over as you crawled toward him.

His eyes met yours, and for the first time, you saw a flicker of something vulnerable. “Stay down!” he barked, but you ignored him.

You reached his side, your training kicking in as you tore a strip of fabric from your shirt and pressed it to the wound. “You’re not dying on me,” you said, your voice firm despite the fear clawing at your chest.

“Y/n…” His voice was strained, but his eyes softened as he looked at you.

“We’ll talk later,” you snapped. “Right now, I’m not leaving you.”

The chaos around you blurred as you focused on him, your hands working quickly to stop the bleeding. The night was far from over, and you could only hope you’d both make it out alive.

After pacing your apartment for what felt like hours, you finally decided you couldn’t take the uncertainty anymore. You grabbed your keys and drove to his house, your heart pounding harder with every mile.

₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚

When you reached his house, you hesitated at the door, hand hovering above the knocker. Was this a mistake? Maybe you were overthinking everything. But just as you were about to turn around, the door swung open.

Two women stood there, both beautiful and clearly surprised by your presence.

“Uh… can I help you?” the taller one asked. She had a sharp jawline and an air of confidence, her tone guarded but not unkind.

“I’m looking for Christian,” you managed, your voice uncertain.

The other woman, smaller and softer in appearance, gave you a curious look. “And you are?”

“I’m Y/n,” you said quickly. “I—uh—I’m a friend.”

Before you could say anything else, Christian appeared behind them, his expression shifting from confusion to something closer to regret. “Y/n.”

The taller woman raised an eyebrow, glancing back at him. “You didn’t mention you were expecting company.”

“I wasn’t,” Christian said, stepping forward. He held the door open wider, motioning for you to come in. “Y/n, this is Rosé and Chaeyoung. My sisters.”

The knot of tension in your stomach loosened slightly, but you still couldn’t ignore the awkwardness of the situation. “Oh,” you said, feeling a bit foolish. “I didn’t mean to intrude. I just… I hadn’t heard from you.”

Rosé crossed her arms, her sharp gaze never leaving you. “Well, now you’ve heard from him. Christian’s been busy.”

“Rosé,” Christian warned, his tone firm.

“What? I’m just saying,” she said with a shrug, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Chaeyoung stepped in, her voice softer. “Don’t mind her. She’s just protective.” She offered you a small smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Y/n.”

“Nice to meet you too,” you replied, though your voice wavered.

Christian sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Can we talk?” he asked, motioning toward the living room.

₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚

You followed him inside, your chest tightening as the weight of the past few days settled between you.

“You could’ve told me,” you said once you were alone, trying to keep your voice steady.

“Told you what?” he asked, his brow furrowed.

“That you needed space. That you were dealing with something. Anything.”

Christian sat down, his elbows resting on his knees. “It’s not that simple, Y/n.”

“It could’ve been,” you argued softly.

He sighed, looking down at his hands. “I didn’t want to drag you into it. My family… it’s complicated.”

You hesitated, your frustration melting into something closer to understanding. “Christian, I’m not asking you to tell me everything. I just… I want to know where I stand.”

He looked up at you, his dark eyes filled with something you couldn’t quite place. “You stand right here,” he said finally.

Before you could respond, Rosé appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame. “Are you telling her everything?”

“Rosé, not now,” Christian said through gritted teeth.

“She should know,” Rosé pressed, her gaze fixed on you. “If she’s going to be around, she deserves to know what she’s walking into.”

“Rosé!” Christian snapped, his voice sharp.

Chaeyoung appeared beside her, placing a hand on her sister’s arm. “Let it go.”

Rosé huffed but didn’t argue further, retreating with Chaeyoung close behind.

You turned back to Christian, your chest tight. “What don’t I know?”

“It’s not about keeping things from you,” he said, his voice low. “I just… there are parts of my life that aren’t easy to explain. Things I’ve been trying to protect you from.”

You swallowed hard, your heart aching for him. “You don’t have to protect me, Christian. I’m not going anywhere.”

For the first time that night, he smiled—a small, genuine smile that made your chest flutter. “I hope so.”

And in that moment, as fragile as it was, you felt like you’d finally started to break through the walls he’d built around himself.

Yuto, the club owner, was perched at the end of the bar, scrolling through his phone. When he spotted you, he waved you over with his usual smirk.

"Malibu!! You're killing it tonight," he said, his voice barely audible over the music. He never used your real name - "Malibu" and "Barbie" were his go-to nicknames.

As you replied, he leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "Heads up, though. Christian's in a mood tonight. Watch yourself."

Your eyes flicked to the far corner of the room, where Christian Yu stood near the entrance, arms crossed and jaw tight. The head bouncer was impossible to miss, his broad shoulders and intense gaze making him a commanding presence. He scanned the room like a hawk, his eyes sharp and calculating.

You'd been working here long enough to know that Christian was both respected and feared. He rarely spoke, but when he did, people listened. He wasn't someone you wanted to cross, but there was something about him that intrigued you- a softness in his eyes when he thought no one was looking, a flicker of vulnerability behind the hard exterior.

"Thanks, for the warning," you said to Yuto, grabbing your next order of drinks.

As you made your way to a table in the VIP section, you passed Hwasa and BIBI, two of the club's waitresses. Hwasa winked at you as BIBI chimed in.

"Taehyun's been watching you, by the way. I think he has a thing for you." You glanced over at the bar, where Taehyun was laughing with a customer. He caught your eye and waved, earning a playful nudge from Hwasa.

"He's sweet, but not my type," you said, returning to your work.

The night wore on, a blur of drinks, laughter, and thumping music. As the club began to wind down, you found yourself lingering near the bar, stealing glances at Christian. He hadn't moved from his post, his focus unwavering.

You found yourself drawn back to where he stood near the makeshift bar, the hum of conversation fading as you approached. His eyes lit up when he saw you, but there was something different this time—a deeper connection between you.

“Y/n,” he greeted softly, his voice calm and steady.

You smiled, but it didn’t quite reach your eyes. The walls you usually kept up, the ones designed to protect yourself from vulnerability, were starting to crumble.

“I’ve been thinking,” you confessed, your voice quieter than before.

Christian stepped closer, his expression calm, waiting.

“I’ve never really had anyone I could open up to,” you admitted. “Not like this.”

His brow furrowed, as though trying to piece together what you were saying.

“I’ve always kept things to myself—fears, doubts, everything,” you continued. “But with you, it feels… different. Like I could let those walls down.”

Christian said nothing, only giving you his full attention, his eyes searching yours.

“I’ve been scared,” you admitted, almost in a whisper. “Not just of the dark, but of what’s real. My past… everything that’s happened. And you… you make me feel like maybe I don’t have to be scared anymore.”

His expression softened, his intensity giving way to something gentler. “Y/n, you don’t have to carry that alone.”

“I know,” you said, feeling tears sting your eyes. “It’s just… I’m not used to relying on anyone. But being with you… it’s like everything is so much clearer.”

Christian stepped even closer, his presence grounding you. “You can rely on me. Whatever it is.”

For a moment, you just stood there, the weight of your shared silence hanging between you. The noise of the party seemed far away, like it didn’t matter anymore. All that mattered was him.

“Thank you,” you murmured, brushing a loose strand of hair from your face.

Christian smiled, his eyes warm. “Anytime, Y/n.”

You took a deep breath, the first time in a long time you felt truly seen. And though the walls weren’t completely gone, something about standing there with him made you believe they didn’t have to stay up forever.

You blinked, rereading the message. It had to be a mistake, right? But as you refreshed the page, there it was—official. The exam was off.

A surge of relief washed over you. No more cramming. No more sleepless nights. You had your weekend free.

Without hesitation, you grabbed your phone and sent a quick text to Christian. Let’s meet up. Tonight.

₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚

The house was packed. The kind of party that had random strangers mingling, music blaring, and drinks flowing. It wasn’t the usual Club Venus scene, but you were glad to be out. You made your way through the crowd, your eyes scanning the room. It didn’t take long to spot him.

Christian stood near the makeshift bar, laughing at something Dabin had said. His usual intensity had softened, replaced by a relaxed charm. His eyes caught yours across the room, and his smile widened as you approached.

“Hey,” he greeted you, pulling you into a hug. His warmth and strength comforted you instantly.

“Hey,” you replied, taking a deep breath. For once, the party didn’t feel so overwhelming.

But then, the subtle shift in attention caught your eye. You followed his gaze to a group of women nearby, their eyes locked on Christian. One of them, a bold brunette, was already inching her way toward him, a playful smile plastered on her face.

You clenched your jaw, trying to look away, but your gaze was drawn back to Christian. How easily they were drawn to him. It was as if they couldn’t help themselves.

“Y/n,” Christian’s voice pulled you from your thoughts. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” you lied, forcing a smile.

Christian narrowed his eyes. “I haven’t seen you in forever. Where’ve you been?”

“I’ve been busy,” you admitted softly.

“Too busy for me?” His voice was laced with mild frustration.

“No,” you answered quickly, feeling guilty. “It’s just school.”

Christian studied you for a moment before shaking his head. “I get it. But you didn’t have to push me away.”

“I didn’t mean to,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

As you spoke, the brunette sidled up to Christian, resting a hand on his arm. “Hey,” she purred.

Christian glanced at her briefly, then back to you. “Sorry, she caught my attention. What were you saying?”

The brunette smirked, clearly unfazed by his lack of interest, and moved off toward someone else.

“Christian,” you began, but he cut you off with a soft laugh.

“You don’t have to explain anything to me, Y/n.”

“But—”

“I like you,” he said simply. “And I want to be with you. But if you’re not sure…” His voice trailed off, the weight of his words hanging in the air.

You could feel the heat rising to your cheeks. “I do like you. I just… I didn’t want you to think I was second-guessing everything because of the fights. It’s not about that.”

Christian stepped closer, placing his hands on your shoulders. “Then why do I feel like you’ve been avoiding me?”

“I wasn’t sure if you wanted me around,” you admitted quietly.

He shook his head, his eyes serious. “I’ve made mistakes, Y/n. But I want this—us. I don’t want to mess it up because of what others think.”

You exhaled, feeling a mix of relief and uncertainty. “Okay,” you whispered. “Let’s figure this out.”

Christian smiled, his grip on your shoulders tightening slightly. “We will. Together.”

Just as you were about to respond, a familiar voice cut through the noise.

“Y/n!”

You turned to see Hwasa, BIBI, Dabin, and Hyungmo making their way toward you, drinks in hand and smiles wide.

“We’ve been looking for you!” BIBI exclaimed, pulling you into a hug. “You finally made it!”

“Yeah, we thought you wouldn’t show,” Dabin said with a playful grin, his eyes shifting to Christian for a moment.

“We’re all here,” Hyungmo added, giving you a nod. “Come join us.”

Christian stepped back, giving you room as he watched you. “Go. I’ll be here.”

You nodded, turning back to your friends, leaving your doubts behind for now. But as you mingled with the crowd, your thoughts kept returning to Christian—his strength, his vulnerability, and the undeniable pull between you. Would he still be waiting when you returned? Or would the crowd draw him away?

This was the first time you had let anyone get this close since Taemin, and despite the heat and tenderness from last night, your mind wandered. Could you trust him? Or was he hiding pieces of himself just as you were?

Christian shifted, his dark lashes fluttering open. He caught your gaze and smirked sleepily. “Morning.”

“Morning,” you murmured, suddenly feeling shy.

He reached for you, his hand brushing against your waist as he pulled you closer. “You okay?”

You hesitated but nodded. “Yeah… just thinking.”

“About?” he asked, his voice still groggy.

“About you. About us,” you admitted, your eyes searching his for answers he hadn’t yet given.

Christian sighed, propping himself up on one elbow. “You’re overthinking again, aren’t you?”

“Maybe,” you said with a small smile, though the heaviness in your chest lingered.

He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to your forehead. “You don’t have to worry, Y/n. I’m here.”

₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚

Later that day, you returned to the club for your shift. The familiar buzz of music and chatter filled the air as you moved through the bar, weaving between patrons with practiced ease.

That’s when you saw her—a new face among the staff. Jessi. She was tall, confident, and striking, with a playful smirk that seemed permanently fixed on her face.

“Hey, you must be Y/n,” she said, sidling up beside you at the bar. Her tone was friendly, but there was something sharp in her gaze.

“Yeah, that’s me. You’re the new bottle girl, right?”

“Yep. Jessi,” she introduced herself, her eyes darting toward the bouncer stand where Christian stood, scanning the crowd. “So… Christian. What’s his deal?”

Your stomach twisted at her boldness. “What do you mean?”

She shrugged, leaning on the counter. “You know. He’s hot, broody, and single, right?”

“Not really your business,” you replied, your tone clipped.

Jessi raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by your reaction. “Oh, I see. You two have something going on?”

You didn’t respond, instead grabbing a tray and heading back to the floor. But her laughter followed you, grating against your nerves.

₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚

Later that night, as the crowd thinned, you found Christian near the back exit, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. The sight of him instantly calmed your nerves, even as Jessi’s words lingered in your mind.

“Hey,” you said, walking up to him.

“Hey,” he replied, his expression softening as he saw you. “Long night?”

“You could say that,” you muttered.

He tilted his head, studying you. “Something bothering you?”

You hesitated, unsure if you should bring it up. “The new girl… Jessi. She seems interested in you.”

Christian smirked, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. “Is that what this is about? You’re jealous?”

“I’m not jealous,” you said quickly, though the heat rising to your cheeks betrayed you.

He chuckled, pulling you closer. “You don’t have to worry about her, Y/n. I don’t care about anyone else.”

“Then why do I feel like you’re hiding something?” you blurted out before you could stop yourself.

Christian’s expression grew serious. “I’m not hiding anything from you. But there are things about my past that aren’t easy to talk about. And I know you’re not telling me everything either.”

You swallowed hard, his words hitting too close to home. “Maybe we’re both just scared,” you whispered.

“Maybe,” he agreed, brushing a strand of hair from your face. “But I’m not scared of this. Of us.”

The vulnerability in his voice made your heart ache. Slowly, you nodded. “Me neither.”

As he leaned in to kiss you, the doubt in your chest eased—just a little. For now, that was enough.

As he pulled into the driveway, Christian killed the engine and leaned back in his seat, exhaling deeply.

“You didn’t have to come,” he said, his tone flat.

You glanced at him, your fingers gripping the strap of your bag. “You asked me to, Christian. And I came because I wanted to support you. But…”

“But what?” His voice sharpened, his eyes darkening as he turned to look at you.

You hesitated, searching for the right words. “I just don’t get it. Why do you fight? You don’t seem like the kind of person who needs this.”

He let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “You think I do this for fun?”

“I don’t know what to think,” you admitted, your voice rising. “All I know is that you’re putting yourself in danger—”

“For money,” he interrupted, his voice cold.

The words hit you like a slap. “Money?”

“Yeah,” he said, his jaw tightening. “Fighting pays better than bouncing at the club. And I’ve got things I need to take care of—things you don’t know about.”

You stared at him, your chest tightening. “You’re risking your life for money? Christian, there has to be another way.”

He turned to you, his gaze intense. “You don’t get it, Y/n. You don’t know what it’s like to have nothing. To have people depending on you and no way to make it all work.”

“I might not understand completely,” you said, your voice trembling, “but I know what it’s like to lose everything. To feel like the ground’s been ripped out from under you.”

For a moment, his expression softened, but it was fleeting. “This is my life, Y/n. I’m not proud of it, but it’s what I have to do right now.”

You looked away, your eyes stinging. “I don’t like it. I don’t like seeing you hurt. I don’t like knowing you’re putting yourself in danger.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Then maybe I shouldn’t invite you to any more fights.”

The words stung, but you nodded. “Maybe you shouldn’t.”

The silence between you was deafening as you both got out of the car. Christian unlocked the door, and you followed him inside, the weight of the conversation hanging over you.

₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚

In his house, the tension didn’t ease. You set your bag down on the kitchen counter, unsure of what to do next. Christian leaned against the counter, his arms crossed, watching you.

“I didn’t mean to upset you,” he said finally, his voice softer.

“I know,” you said, meeting his gaze. “But this is hard for me, Christian. I care about you, and it scares me to think about what could happen to you.”

He stepped closer, his dark eyes searching yours. “I don’t want you to worry about me.”

“How can I not?” you whispered.

He reached out, his fingers brushing your cheek. “I’ll be fine. I’ve been doing this a long time.”

“That doesn’t make it any easier,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

Christian’s hand slid to the back of your neck, pulling you closer. “I hate seeing you upset.”

You didn’t respond, your breath hitching as he leaned in. His lips brushed against yours, tentative at first, then more insistent. The world seemed to fade away as you melted into the kiss, your hands gripping his shirt to steady yourself.

When he pulled back, his forehead rested against yours. “Stay,” he murmured.

Your heart raced as you nodded, unable to deny him—or yourself—any longer. As he led you to his bedroom, the argument and the weight of his world faded, leaving only the undeniable pull between you.