#dying inside

⤷ 𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬.ᐟ- after being assigned to a mission or fighting against the enemy or being brutally murdered, you and the boys didn't know it would be your last final moments together, slowly dying in peace, body and body against each other with promises of a future you two would never see.

⤷ 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠.ᐟ- rudo ৴ enjin ৴ tamsy ৴ zanka ৴ corvus ৴ gris ৴ follo ৴ fu ৴ zodyl ৴ jabber

𑣲 RUDO SUREBREC

another trash beast to take care of right?… nothing bad wasn’t supposed to happen.

you and rudo stood side by side when you first saw it—too large, too still, its shadow swallowing the ruined ground around it. it wasn’t like the others. it was wrong, heavier, denser, breathing like the land itself was alive.

“that’s… bigger than usual,” you murmured.

rudo grinned anyway, that familiar spark in his eyes. “doesn’t matter. we’ll handle it. like always.”

and at first— you did.

you moved together without speaking, rudo struck first, his vital power moving fast, you following immediately, covering his blind spots, trusting him with your life like you always had.

the beast roared. the ground shook.

for a moment, it felt possible. then something went wrong.

the trash beast adapted—its core shifting, compressing the energy instead of breaking apart. rudo pushed harder, his vital power surging beyond its limit, desperation flashing across his face.

“rudo— stop—!” you shouted.

too late.

the backlash hit like the world collapsing inward. the explosion didn’t destroy the beast— it collapsed, crushing everything around it.

you felt yourself thrown violently through the air.

everything went white.

when your vision returned, the world was quiet—too quiet. your body was pinned against a jagged pile of trash, breath knocked from your lungs. pain bloomed sharply in your chest, deep and unbearable.

you looked down. something had pierced you clean through.

your hands shook as you tried to move—then stopped when you saw rudo.

he was on the ground nearby, glass embedded deep in his side, blood soaking his clothes. he wasn’t moving.

“rudo,” you whispered. your voice barely was loud enough.

using everything you had left, you dragged yourself across the rubble, every breath burning. you reached him and pulled him close, cradling his head against your chest despite the pain ripping through you.

his eyes fluttered open slowly. “…you’re here,” he murmured, feeling pain. a weak smile touched his lips. “good.”

“stay with me,” you cried softly. “please— just stay.”

rudo tried to lift his hand. it shook before resting against your cheek. “hey… it’s okay,” he whispered. “i messed up, didn’t i?”

tears streamed down your face as you held him tighter.

“when i first met you…” your voice cracked, pain and love tangling together. “i knew i loved you.”

rudo’s eyes widened slightly. you laughed weakly through your sobs.

“guess i’m bad at timing.”

your breathing grew shallow, each inhale harder than the last.

“rudo…” you whispered. “if we’re reborn as humans… and grow old together… will you make me your wife?”

for a moment, the world felt still.

then rudo smiled—soft, earnest, full of warmth even as life slipped away.

“yeah,” he said immediately. “i promise. i’ll make you happy. every day.”

your trembling hand brushed his face, memorizing him—his scars, his warmth, his smile.

“i love you,” you whispered first.

your fingers traced his cheek as your strength finally gave out. your body relaxed against him, pain fading into quiet.

rudo felt it—the moment you left.

“i love you too,” he whispered desperately, pressing a kiss to your hand, holding it against his lips. “wait for me.”

his eyes closed as he pulled you closer, forehead resting against yours.

𑣲 ENJIN

you and enjin had fought together countless times before. you trusted him. he trusted you.

but the enemy in front of you didn’t look special—just another threat that needed to be taken down.

but something felt wrong.

the enemy moved faster than expected. the fight became messy, loud, desperate. metal clashed, sparks flew, and dust filled the air.

you didn’t even see the blade at first. only felt it.

a sharp pain bloomed in your side, stealing the air from your lungs. you gasped and fell back, hands shaking as you tried to stay standing.

“no—!” enjin shouted. his calm broke instantly.

rage flashed across his face as he activated his vital instrument, striking the enemy down without hesitation. the blow was final. the enemy collapsed.

but even as he fell, the enemy laughed weakly. with the last of his strength, he threw a knife.

enjin turned—too late. the blade hit his chest. very hard.

he stumbled back, breath knocked from him, blood spreading quickly. he dropped to his knees, then to the ground.

“enjin!” you cried.

using everything you had left, you crawled toward him. your body hurt everywhere, but all you could see was him.

enjin crawled too, dragging himself closer until you were face to face, foreheads almost touching.

your hands shook as you held onto his clothes.

“i don’t want to die,” you sobbed. “please… i want to live. i want to stay with you. i don’t want this to be the end.”

enjin smiled. it was tired. soft. full of love.

“me too,” he said quietly. “i wanted more time.” he lifted a shaking hand and wiped your tears with his thumb.

“in another life,” he whispered, “i’ll find you again. i’ll marry you. we’ll have kids. we’ll grow old together… watching them grow up, watching them fall in love like we did.”

you cried harder, pressing your forehead to his.

“promise?” you asked through tears.

he nodded slowly. “i promise,” enjin said. “i’ll always choose you.”

your breathing grew weak. your grip on him loosened. “i love you,” you whispered.

enjin leaned forward and pressed his forehead to yours.

“i love you too,” he said softly.

your eyes slowly closed, your body relaxing in his arms, fear fading into quiet.

enjin held you close, even as his own strength left him.

𑣲 TAMSY CAINES

tamsy thought it was over. “the act of love” he called it.

regto was gone. the past was buried. the pain had finally ended. what he didn’t know—

was that someone had been watching. someone who remembered. someone who waited.

years passed quietly. too quietly.

that night, you were alone at home. the air felt wrong, heavy in a way you couldn’t explain. when you heard the balcony door shift open, your heart skipped.

“tamsy?” you called softly.

no answer.

you walked toward the room, checking every corner. nothing. no one. just silence. uneasy, you turned back—

and suddenly, strong hands covered your mouth. you didn’t even get time to scream.

pain struck your chest, sharp and sudden. then again. your body went weak instantly, legs giving out beneath you as the world spun.

you hit the floor, breath broken, vision blurring.

the man laughed quietly above you—low, cruel—before stepping away, disappearing into the shadows.

waiting.

tamsy came home later, tired from training, already smiling as he called your name.

“i’m back.” no answer. his smile faded.

panic crept in as he searched the house, steps getting faster—until he saw you.

on the floor.

bleeding.

not moving.

“no— no, fuck!,” he whispered, rushing to you, dropping to his knees.

he reached for you— and pain exploded at his neck.

his body stiffened as he collapsed forward, falling against you. the man laughed again, footsteps retreating until the door closed behind him.

tamsy struggled to breathe, hands shaking as he tried to hold himself up. blood soaked his clothes as he leaned his forehead against yours.

“i’m so sorry,” he choked. “i should’ve been here… i should’ve protected you.”

you cried, weakly lifting your hands to hold his face. “don’t apologize,” you whispered. “please… just stay with me.”

his eyes softened, even as his strength faded.

he smiled faintly.

“i remember when we first met,” he said quietly. “the way your eyes looked at me… that’s when i knew.”

he swallowed hard.

“i knew someday you’d be my wife.” tears streamed down your face as you kissed his cheek, then his lips—soft, trembling.

“i love you,” you whispered. your breathing slowed.

tamsy looked at you like you were the only thing left in the world.

“i love you more, my dear,” he said gently.

your grip loosened as your eyes closed, your body finally still.

tamsy held you as long as he could, memorizing your face, your warmth, your love—until his own breath gave out.

his angelic eyes stayed on you. even in the end.

𑣲 ZANKA NIJIKU

zanka trained every day.

no matter how tired he was. no matter how hurt. no matter how many times he fell, all because he wanted to be the greatest of all.

you watched him often—from the side of the field, from doorways, from places he never noticed. the way he pushed himself harder than anyone else always made your chest ache in a quiet way.

you admired him. his strength. his focus. his stubborn will to keep going. his pettyness, his cutie patootie self.

you never said it out loud much, but zanka always felt it. the way your eyes followed him. the way you smiled when he finished training, even when he was exhausted.

that day, you went on a mission together.

just the two of you.

the trash beast didn’t look special at first. large, yes—but manageable. zanka tightened his grip on his vital instrument and smiled at you.

“stay close,” he said. “i’ve got this.” and you believed him.

the fight was hard. the beast was stronger than expected, its body constantly shifting, absorbing hits instead of breaking. debris flew everywhere. the ground cracked under its weight.

zanka pushed himself harder. faster. stronger.

too hard.

the beast struck back with full force. you felt the impact before you understood it—your body thrown violently aside, breath knocked from your lungs as you hit the ground. pain spread fast, sharp and deep.

“zanka!” you cried.

he turned instantly, panic flashing across his face. he ran to you—but the beast followed.

zanka stood between you and it, taking the hit meant for you. the force sent him crashing back, glass and metal piercing his side as he collapsed beside you.

the trash beast finally fell soon after—but it didn’t matter anymore.

you crawled toward each other, hands shaking, bodies barely moving. zanka reached you first, pulling you close despite the pain tearing through him.

“hey… hey,” he whispered. “i’m here.” you cried quietly, clutching his clothes.

“i always admired you,” you said through tears. “every day you trained… i thought you were the strongest person i knew.”

zanka let out a weak laugh.

“you always watched, didn’t you?” he murmured. “guess i wanted to look cool for you.”

your forehead rested against his. “i thought you were cute,” you admitted softly. “even when you tried to act tough.”

his smile faded into something softer—something full of love. “i wanted to protect you,” zanka whispered. “that’s all i ever wanted.”

your breathing grew shallow. his did too.

“i love you,” you said quietly. “i should’ve said it sooner.”

zanka tightened his hold on you as much as he could.“i knew,” he said. “i loved you too.”

you held each other there—among broken ground and silence—arms wrapped tight, afraid to let go.

your eyes closed first.

zanka pressed his forehead to yours, memorizing the feel of you, the sound of your breathing, the warmth you shared.

“rest,” he whispered. “i’m right here.”

and when your breath finally faded, zanka followed soon after— holding you in his arms forever.

𑣲 ARKHA CORVUS

corvus didn’t usually fight on the front lines.

as the boss of the cleaners, his place was planning, commanding, watching from a distance. but this time was different. you were still learning, still growing, and he wanted to be there—to teach you himself.

“i’ll go with you,” he said calmly. “just this once.”

you smiled at him, a little surprised, a little excited.

fighting beside corvus felt safe at first. he showed you where to stand, how to move, how to strike without wasting energy. his voice stayed steady, even when the trash beast appeared—bigger and heavier than expected.

“stay close,” he told you. “watch my movements.”

you tried.

you really did.

but the trash beast was stronger than either of you planned for. its body shifted strangely, ignoring blows that should have stopped it. the ground shook as it struck back.

everything happened too fast.

you were thrown hard against the wreckage, pain stealing your breath. corvus turned immediately, shouting your name as he rushed to you—but the beast didn’t give him time.

it struck again. when the dust finally settled, the trash beast lay still… but so did you.

corvus dragged himself toward you, ignoring the pain tearing through his body. he pulled you into his arms, holding you tightly, like he could keep you here just by refusing to let go.

“hey… stay with me,” he said softly.

your breathing was weak, your hands trembling as you clutched his coat.

“corvus… i’m sorry,” you whispered.

he shook his head. “don’t,” he said. “this is my fault. i should’ve protected you better.”

he rested his forehead against yours, eyes closing for a moment.

“you know,” he continued quietly, “i always liked it when you came to my office. when you said hi like it was the most normal thing in the world… when you leaned close, when you were clingy.”

a faint smile touched his lips. “no one else ever did that with me.”

tears slipped from your eyes. “i just liked being with you,” you whispered.

corvus’s voice broke, just slightly. “i wish i had more time,” he admitted. “time to love you properly. time to tell you how much you meant to me.”

he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to your lips, lingering like he was memorizing the feeling.

“i love you,” he whispered.

your eyes slowly closed, your body relaxing in his arms.

corvus held you tighter as he felt you go still. “rest,” he murmured. “i’m right here.”

he closed his eyes too, forehead resting against yours, refusing to let go— choosing to stay with you until the end.

𑣲 GRIS RUBION

gris was always somehow getting hurt.

scrapes, bruises, torn knuckles—training never went easy on him, and he never complained. every time he came back aching or bleeding, you were there without a word, already reaching for bandages.

“you don’t have to,” he’d say.

but you always did.

you cleaned his wounds carefully, scolding him softly while your hands stayed gentle. gris would watch you from under his lashes, saying nothing, pretending it didn’t matter—when it mattered more than he ever admitted.

he liked the way you worried. the way you stayed.

the mission that day felt normal at first. just another enemy, another fight. gris stood in front of you like always, broad and steady, taking hits meant for you without thinking.

but something went wrong.. the enemy was stronger. faster. desperate.

the ground cracked beneath you as the fight collapsed into chaos. you were thrown aside, pain blooming sharp and deep. gris shouted your name, rushing to you—but the enemy struck him hard too.

when it was finally over, silence fell heavy.

gris crawled toward you, dragging his body across the broken ground until he reached you. he pulled you close, holding you carefully like you were something fragile.

“hey,” he murmured. “i’ve got you.” your breathing was shallow. tears filled your eyes as you clutched his chest.

gris lifted a shaking hand and brushed your hair away from your face, slow and tender. his thumb lingered against your cheek as he looked at you.

“you’re always this pretty,” he whispered. “even now.” you let out a weak laugh through your tears.

“you’re still strong,” you said softly. “my big, buff hero.” his breath hitched.

“i should’ve told you,” gris admitted quietly. “a long time ago. every time you patched me up… every time you stayed… i fell harder.”

his forehead rested against yours.

“when this is over,” he said weakly, “i’ll find you again. in the afterlife. i swear i will. and i’ll make you my wife.”

your tears spilled freely now as you held his face. “i love you,” you cried. “i love you so much.”

gris smiled—soft, full of warmth, full of love. “i love you too,” he whispered.

your body relaxed in his arms, breath slowly fading as you stayed close to him, safe, held.

gris kept holding you, memorizing the weight of you, the sound of you—until his own strength gave out.

his last thought was of you. his last promise was to find you again.

𑣲 FOLLO TUNITO

follo was always careful.

he always made sure you were behind him, always glancing back just to be sure you were safe. whenever you tripped, whenever you hesitated, he was there—steady hands, calm voice.

“i’ve got you,” he’d say. and he always did.

that day felt no different.

the enemy didn’t look special. dangerous, yes—but manageable. follo smiled at you before the fight, adjusting his grip.

“stay close,” he said softly. “i’ll protect you.” and you trusted him.

the battle started strong. you moved together, covering each other like you’d done so many times before. follo took the front, blocking blows meant for you, his movements precise and sure.

then everything went wrong.

the enemy changed tactics suddenly, striking with a force neither of you expected. the ground gave way beneath you. pain tore through your body as you were thrown back, breath leaving your lungs in a sharp gasp.

“no—!” follo cried.

he ran to you without thinking, ignoring the danger, kneeling beside you as the enemy struck him too. when the dust settled, the enemy was gone—but so was the strength in your bodies.

follo pulled you into his arms, holding you close as if that alone could keep you here.

“hey… look at me,” he whispered. his voice trembled, but he tried to keep it gentle for you.

you reached up, weakly touching his face. “i’m scared,” you admitted. “but… i’m glad it’s you.”

follo smiled sadly, tears gathering in his eyes.

“i wish i had more time,” he said. “more time to keep you safe. more time to show you how much i love you.”

he pressed his forehead to yours.

“but listen to me,” follo continued, voice steady with promise. “in the next life, i’ll find you again. no matter what. and i’ll protect you forever.”

your chest tightened as tears fell freely.

“i’ll remember you,” you whispered. “always. and i love you.” his breath shook as he hugged you closer.

“i love you too,” follo said softly.

your eyes slowly closed, your body relaxing in his arms, fear fading into warmth.

follo held you long after your breathing stopped, memorizing the feel of you, the sound of your voice, the love you shared.

when his own strength finally left him, he smiled faintly.

𑣲 FU OROSTOR

fu was scared.

he always was—of battles, of making mistakes, of doing the wrong thing. but whenever he stood beside you, that fear felt a little quieter. you were his safe place, even if he never knew how to say it.

that mission went wrong fast.

the enemy was stronger than expected, striking without mercy. fu tried to follow orders, tried to protect you the best he could, but everything collapsed into chaos.

when it finally stopped, the ground was silent. you were hurt badly. fu was too.

he crawled toward you with shaking arms, every movement painful, until he reached you and pulled you close. his whole body trembled—not just from pain, but from fear of losing you.

“i-i’m sorry....” he whispered over and over. “i’m so sorry!… i-i wasn’t strong enough... for you”

you cried softly, holding his face with both hands.

“fu...” you said gently, even as tears fell, “you did your best. that’s enough.” his breath hitched. he squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them again like he was forcing himself to be brave just once.

“i… i need to say this,” he stuttered softly. “i-i love you... ! i’ve l-loved you for a long t-time... i was j-just too scared to say it.”

your tears turned into a small, shaky smile.

“you’re adorable,” you whispered. “i always thought so. even when you were scared.”

fu let out a quiet, broken laugh. “r-really?” you nodded, leaning closer.

“i love you too.”

fu’s eyes filled with tears as he leaned in, pressing his lips to yours. the kiss was soft, clumsy, full of warmth and fear and love all at once—like he was afraid it might disappear if he wasn’t gentle enough.

they stayed like that, foreheads touching, breathing slowing together.

“t-thank you...” fu whispered. “for c-choosing me.”

your hands rested against his chest as your strength faded. “always,” you murmured.

your eyes closed first, a peaceful smile still on your face. fu held you tightly, tears falling freely now.

“i love you,” he whispered again, pressing a final kiss to your lips.

his arms loosened slowly as his own breath faded— his last thought of you, his heart finally brave enough to love.

𑣲 ZODYL TYPHON

zodyl never said it.

he never said how he noticed the time every day— how his eyes lifted automatically when your footsteps reached his office. how he expected you, even when he pretended he didn’t.

you would knock. sometimes not even wait. sometimes just sit there, near him, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

he never told you how much that mattered.

he showed love differently— making sure missions near you were safer, assigning protection from other raiders without explanation, and watching from a distance, always calculating, always protecting.

you couldn’t tell. you never knew.

until the mission failed.

the enemy was ruthless. fast. unforgiving.

by the time it was over, both of you were on the ground, blood staining the ruins around you. zodyl dragged himself closer, pulling you against his chest with what strength he had left.

his arms were firm. familiar. you trembled as you held onto him.

“zodyl…” your voice cracked. “i love you so much.”

his body stiffened.

you continued, tears spilling freely. “all i ever wanted was a happy life with you. that’s all. nothing big. just you.”

for the first time— zodyl’s heart cracked. his jaw tightened. his breath shook. he lowered his forehead to yours, eyes closing slowly.

“…i know,” he said quietly.

his voice was softer than you’d ever heard it. “i waited for you every day,” he admitted. “i just didn’t know how to say it.”

his hand lifted, trembling slightly as it cupped your face. his thumb brushed away your tears with surprising care.

“you were already my life,” he whispered.

he leaned down and kissed you—slow, gentle, full of everything he never allowed himself to feel. not desperate. not rushed. just honest.

your breath hitched against his lips.

“i love you,” you whispered again. zodyl rested his forehead against yours.

“i love you too,” he said. no hesitation. no restraint.

your body relaxed in his arms, eyes slowly closing as the pain faded away. zodyl held you tighter, refusing to let go, memorizing every second.

when your breathing finally stopped, he stayed still— holding you like the world had narrowed to just this moment.

then, quietly, zodyl closed his eyes too— finally allowing himself to love, even if it was only at the end...

𑣲 JABBER WONGER

jabber never knew how to love gently.

everything about him was sharp edges, loud laughter, reckless choices. pain was something he welcomed—something that made him feel alive. but you were different. you were the one thing he didn’t want to break.

that day, things went wrong fast.

the fight spiraled out of control—too close, too chaotic. jabber pushed himself too far, laughing through the danger like he always did, not realizing how close the edge really was.

until it snapped. the impact knocked you down hard. too hard.

jabber froze. for the first time in his life, the grin vanished.

“hey— hey, get up,” he said, dropping beside you, hands shaking as he pulled you into his arms. “c’mon. don’t do this.”

blood stained your clothes. your breathing was weak. his laugh broke into something ugly and desperate.

“…shit,” he whispered. “i didn’t mean— i swear i didn’t mean to—”

he pulled you closer, pressing his forehead to yours, kissing you again and again like if he stopped you’d disappear.

“don’t leave me,” he begged, voice cracking. “i love you. i love you too much. i can’t— i can’t let go.” tears streamed down your face as you hugged him back, holding him as tight as your fading strength allowed.

“jabber,” you whispered softly. “it’s okay.” he shook his head violently. “no, it’s not. i should’ve protected you. i should’ve been better.”

his kisses were frantic now—your cheeks, your lips, your forehead—each one like a promise he was too late to keep.

you smiled through your tears.

“if… if we’re reborn,” you murmured, voice trembling, “will you marry me in another lifetime?”

jabber froze. then he laughed quietly—broken, breathless.

“yeah,” he said immediately. “yeah, i’ll marry you ma.. i’ll do it right next time. i swear.”

you leaned closer, your voice barely there.

“i love yo—” your breath stopped halfway through the words.

jabber felt it. his whole body went still. “…no,” he whispered. “no, no, no— say it. finish it. please.”

he held you tighter, rocking slightly, tears finally spilling freely. “i love you,” he said for you, pressing a final kiss to your lips. “i love you more than anything.”

he stayed there with you, refusing to move, refusing to let go—until the pain, the blood loss, the world itself finally caught up to him.

jabber rested his forehead against yours, eyes closing slowly. “wait for me,” he murmured. “don’t go anywhere without me.”

「©valentinesxoxo˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚ 」

Pairing: YJH x Reader

Genre: best friend’s brother to lovers (or something), FLUFF, romcom, office setting, yjh and his sister are nepo babies Summary: Now that you've just graduated, you don't know which direction to follow next in your life. That is, until your friend recommends you to start working at her family's company (coincidentally, the same company where her brother works).

A/N: Okay, here's the first ever chapter of (please feel free to include some improvement points!!). It's also super long, just keep that in mind. I just winged this and my friends were also the ones who proofread, so props to them 👩‍🦰👧 Lastly, MILITARY HAIRCUT JEONGHAN>>>

Teaser | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

Chapter 1

Graduating sucks. Graduating from elementary school was weird, you didn’t even notice that you’d already started middle school. Graduating from middle school wasn’t that bad, actually, but then there was high school. You were a new adult, freshly turned 18, and thrust into an unfamiliar city with skyscrapers taller than your local buildings.  Fortunately for you, you had your best friend, a certified “city girl,” beside you. And right now, she still is.

Your dorm right now is a mess. All of your things are scattered on the floor, and very few were properly organized in boxes. Unfortunately for you, it’s your last day here since you’ve just graduated. Your best friend was lounging on a box labeled “Do not sit,” phone in her hand, pretending to work. Although it’s obvious that her phone is doing all the work.

She finally looks up to you as you’re trying to bite a piece of scotch tape, and says, “You know what you should do?”

You look at her, confused about what she’s asking about, when you were finally able to tear the tape off.

“Apply to our company.”

You blink at her while placing the tape on a box full of picture frames. Your best friend of 8 years never fails to show her nepo-baby tendencies. Ever since you two were teenagers, she has had a habit of suggesting pretty random shit that you’d consider impossible if you said them. 

You knew that she was trying to help you out, after all, you’ve always mentioned how you didn’t know what to do after graduation. But, isn’t it kinda weird since, you know, that would be considered a nepo internship? Besides, her family’s company screams tight-ass.

“Your family’s company?” you repeat. “You mean the scary high-rise building with the marble floors with interns that look like they belong in the Truman Show?”

“Exactly! It’s pretty chill,” she says. “I’m already there anyway. Besides, you’re smart enough to get in. Imagine us slacking off in the break room together.”

You snort out a bit, taking the tape again. “That sounds… corrupt.”

“That’s the goal. Yours and mine.”

Right on cue, as you laugh at her, a knock is heard from the door.

Yoon Jeonghan. In black slacks that elongate his already long legs, with his perfect medium-length hair tucked behind his ears, he gets ready to push up his sleeves like some villain getting ready to torture his captive. 

“You said you were done packing twenty minutes ago,” he pestered as his eyebrows furrowed.

Your friend throws your pillow at him. “I’m supervising.”

He catches the pillow mid-air like it’s choreographed and tosses it on the couch. “Oh, I can tell. You’re sweating from all the effort.” 

Then he sees you.

And smiles.

Smiles?

As his sister steps outside with her suitcase, you find yourself alone with him. Jeonghan moves closer, picking up a box of yours like it weighs nothing.

“You moving back home after this?” he asks, his voice low and placid.

“Uh-huh, just for a bit, though. Job hunting.”

He hums. “That won’t take long. You’re competent enough. Despite… this.” He gestures vaguely to the chaos that is your dorm floor.

You glance up from organizing. “You sound confident.”

“Well, yeah.” He shrugs. “You’re not stupid. I know that ‘cause my sister won’t shut up about you and your work.”

You stammer something like "thank you" but it’s probably closer to “th-thank-you” and he just tilts his head, looking amused. You’re still gathering the fact that he has heard about your work. 

As you were overthinking everything he just said, he stepped closer. He looked at your face for just a moment, then his gaze dropped. To your mouth. A sudden wave of heat instantly flushed your cheeks.

His fingers hover near your lips, just short of touching. He doesn’t move.

You can count the seconds.

 One… two…three… Oh god, are you dying? Is this your ticket to heaven?

He finally steps back. You exhale like you’ve been holding your breath underwater.

But he pauses, standing a little too close. “You’ve got tape.”

“Huh?”

“On your face. Right there.” He gestures vaguely near your mouth, his fingers stopping just short of touching your skin. “Very chic. Love the DIY lip gloss.”

He grins pretentiously at your wide-open eyes, your cheeks heating up from either the embarrassment of having tape on or how his fingers almost touched your lips.

Jeonghan cockily walks away as you quickly try to remove the damn tape.

Fuck, isn’t this embarassing.

After giving it some thoughts, you finally did agree to applying for your friend’s company. With your best blazer on, you walk into the conference room. Your heart was pounding in your ears as memorized words started to jumble in your head.

You haven’t even noticed that you were already sitting when a manager from the panel cleared her throat. You look up to see a few respectable managers on the panel. 

A stern-looking lady whose voice it was. HR, probably

A bald man with the most glittery eyes you’ve ever seen. …Production? I guess so.

A man in round glasses looking at at presumably your file–

Yoon Jeonghan.

Shit?

When your friend told you he also worked in their family’s company, you weren’t surprised. But for him to be in a managerial position? Nope, you had thought he was somewhere higher? 

You nearly fall off your chair. All the nervousness from preparing and now this? 

He doesn’t greet you. Doesn’t smile. Doesn’t even blink. He just stares at your resume like it personally keyed his car.

“You coordinated multiple campus events,” he says, voice as neutral as a gray wall. “Tell us about a time you resolved conflict, without any real authority to back you up. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?”

One of the other managers glances at him like bro, what is your damage?

Before this, he hadn’t even asked any questions to the past interviewees. Hell, he hadn’t even talked.

You blink rapidly. “I-I mediated disputes by implementing sanctions? And promoting emotional… uh… clarity?”

He nods slowly, then his gaze flicks to your shoes. “You’re nervous.”

Sir.

“Well-yes,” you mutter. “Interviews are stressful.”

He finally writes something down. “You think this is stressful? You should see our Slack group chats.”

A pause. Then, he says very softly:  “You’re doing fine, by the way.”

Which, somehow, makes it worse. The Sahara itself would be jealous of how you’re now a puddle on the floor.

After a week of radio silence from job portals and spiraling in jobless anxiety, you return home. Only to find your best friend sitting at the dinner table with your parents like she’s the daughter.

“Why are you here?” you ask, baffled and admittedly peeved.

“Dear, don’t talk to your friend like that.” Your mother suddenly stops her conversation with your friend midway, welcomes you home, and starts talking to your father about some whatnot-home-recreation-whatever.

You sit beside her with a dramatic sigh. “Dinner,” she says. “Also, I have something to tell you later.”

“You better take me out for some soju after this because life is hard.”

“No, it’s way better.”

Your parents chuckle as she leans toward you, whispering with a smug look on her face: “You got the job.”

“You’re in. My brother pulled some strings.”

You scream. Out loud. No shame. You pull her into a side hug, both of you bouncing in your seats.

“Wait, your brother? Jeonghan?”

“He’s the one who insisted,” she says, smug.

“I thought I fucked it up!”

“You were sweating so bad,” she agrees. “Like a broken faucet.”

You groan. “Shut up. You’re the worst. Wait, how do you even know that?

“First off, nope, you’re the worst. Secondly, Jeonghan told me.”

Jeonghan? Oh God, whyyyyy?

“God, you probably looked like how you did when you confessed to Seungcheol back in middle school.”

“OH MY GOD, SHUT UP. DON’T. DON’T EVER MENTION THAT EVER AGAIN.”

“I’m imagining your 14-year-old sweaty head attached to your adult body stuttering–”

You’re mid-lunging at her when you freeze.

There was a soft chuckle behind you.

Jeonghan steps out of the hallway, unhurried, like he’s been waiting his whole life for this exact moment. He’s grinning like the devil got a promotion.

“I think she made the right call,” he says, as he sits beside you, sipping from a glass like this is a family drama and he’s the cool second lead who actually gets the girl.

Your head turns to him so fast you feel whiplash. “Oh, god, you’re here. Why are you here? How long have you been here?”

“Long enough,” he says with a shrug. “Also, seriously? Seungcheol? That’s your type?”

Your parents are laughing now, and your friend is conveniently stuffing her face with rice to avoid eye contact.

You groan, burying your face in your hands. “I hate everything.”

He sets a glass of water in front of you, his voice low.

“I don’t,” he says. “Not even close.”

You peek through your fingers at his smirk. Of course, he knows exactly what he’s doing.

Later that evening, you step outside with the siblings to see them out. Your best friend gets in the backseat of the car to place the 20-something dishes your mom packed for them.

As you waited outside to say your goodbyes, Jeonghan walked closer to stand beside you. He drifts closer, his steps unhurried. He’s close enough that you could smell him. His signature sandalwood scent, mixed with the spicy aroma of kimchi and… lavender. A little too similar to yours. Close enough that you wonder—did he pick it on purpose? Or are you just imagining things? Either way, you're drunk on the mix, and it’s hard to tell where your perfume ends and his begins.

“You did fine in the interview,” he abruptly says, while putting both of his hands behind his head.

You raise a brow. “Even if I was a nervous wreck?” Even when you asked me if I was the nervous wreck?

“I’ve seen worse,” he pauses, then continues with a lower voice, “Hell, I’ve been worse.”

He clears his throat. “Anyway. Is that the perfume I gave you?” 

He leans forward slightly, as if about to say something else—or get closer.

“Jeonghan, get in here! I can’t adjust the passenger seat!”

He halts mid-step, clicks his tongue softly. “Next time, then.”

Your hand, which was unknowingly clutching your heart-shaped necklace, suddenly loosens its grip. As he walks to the other side of the car, your friend takes his place and notices the swift blinking of your eyes, pointed towards him.

“Honestly, if Jeonghan wasn’t my brother, I’d think he had a thing for you.”

Then again, your answer is cut off as it was her brother’s turn to call her. 

“See you next week, ex-roommie!”

She ducks into the car like she didn’t just detonate a bomb.

What the hell?