#haechan fluff

"right," riku sighs, smacking him again, on top of his head this time, before placing the pencil down. "you know what, this is my fault. i shouldn't have grouped with idiots."

you gasp, "excuse me? your gpa is only point 5 more than mine!"

"dude, i'm not even going to talk about mine..." anton adds, flipping to his back and flopping onto the bed.

obviously. anton, despite his nice, and shy exterior, had a peanut for a brain. a singular braincell he utilizes only for swimming.

you chuckle, secretly pulling up your messages — making sure riku doesn't see your screen. he would probably smack you like he did anton if he knew.

haechi [10:52 AM]: pspspspspspspsps haechi [10:55 AM]: umm love of my life? haechi [10:56 AM]: hot chocolate? in the kitchen?

you try to hide your smile by biting your lip, before excusing yourself for water.

...

it's been so long since you've been able to see your boyfriend.

mid-semester equates to a devastatingly long list of deadlines, and haechan had just started interning at corporate, submitting himself to the 9-5 life. it's a rare occurence to see your boyfriend, let alone be able to melt into his embrace like this.

"missed you," he hums, jet-black hair tickling your neck as he leans in, pressing a kiss onto your neck, he wraps his arms around your hips, lifting you up onto the counter before planting a kiss onto your forehead. "let me make you the drink right now."

you swing your legs in the air as he manages to make you the hot chocolate one-handed, his other hand resting on your thigh. haechan's become a pro when it comes to doing things one-handed — driving with his hand on your thigh, holding your shopping bags while holding your hand, typing on his laptop while playing with your hair... the list goes on. you talk about the things that happened throughout the week, all about your mean professor, your favourite cafe shutting down, and riku's strictness when it comes to assignments. he chuckles, shaking his head.

"sounds like riku," haechan murmurs, stirring the beverage. he chuckles at your pout, kissing it away. "sounds like a terrible week, baby."

once done, he passes you the mug, letting you warm your palms with the ceramic. you take a sip, setting it aside with a satisfied sigh. haechan couldn't stop chuckling at your every move, grinning with his arms rested against the marble countertop, on your sides, trapping you there.

"good?"

"mhm," you hum. "i like being here, like this, with you."

"me too, baby."

he leans in, pressing chaste pecks all over your skin — on your forehead, your cheeks, your nose, your neck, and lastly, your lips. what was intended to be innocent pecks turn to a make-out session, with his fingertips leaving imprints on your waist. your senses are overtaken with the smell of his cologne as he sucks your lower lip into his mouth, gently biting onto your lip.

"let's not defile my best friend on the countertop, please."

panickingly, the two of you break apart, your eyes blown wide while haechan stands there, grinning. absolutely no remorse. riku stands at the kitchen entryway, eyes narrowed at you — illustrating something along the lines of, "you're supposed to be doing work!" anton stands behind the brunette, munching on a bag of chips.

"hi hyung," anton waves, earning a wave back from haechan.

"hi, chanyoung."

"you," riku starts, pointing at you. you hurriedly jump off the countertop, brushing off your shirt awkwardly. "you're supposed to be working on the methodology!"

haechan's about to defend you when riku holds his finger up, "don't even start, hyung — you're distracting us from our marketing work. she's here for me, not you!"

"fine," haechan sighs, watching as riku drags you away, fast-walking back upstairs. he wraps an arm around anton's shoulder, "wait, marketing work? hey, i can help — i took that class on my second semester, you know."

seeing riku flash him a middle finger, he rolls his eyes, exchanging a look with anton. "you should've been my brother instead."

...

turns out, haechan is of no help. he may have taken the same marketing class, but what he didn't tell you, is that, he barely passed.

haechan stares at the excel sheets in front of him, hands hovering over the keyboard yet not actually typing anything. he considers himself to be a tech genius, what-not with the amount of time he spends playing games — but excel sheets are simply too complicated.

"oh my god, you're useless," riku grunts, snatching the laptop and placing it on his lap instead. he pulls up some youtube tutorial, while haechan flops himself onto your lap.

his hair tickles your thighs, but you don't mind. you let him lay on your lap, entangling your fingertips through his black strands with one hand.

"i'll help with the methodology, though," he murmurs to you.

"don't even bother, yn, he's stupid."

haechan glares at his brother, clicking his tongue. you chuckle, squishing his cheeks with your hands.

"it's okay, you're stupid-ly gorgeous."

"ew, what the fuck?" both anton and riku looks at each other, grossed out.

haechan sticks his tongue out at the two, "you're both just mad because neither yushi nor sohee likes you back."

they gasp, "what the fuck, yn — you've been telling my brother about our business?!"

...

Certamente não para Johnny — não daquele jeito. Entre vocês havia uma espécie de acordo silencioso, quase fraternal. Você, inclusive, já tinha prometido a ele que o apresentaria para sua irmã mais velha no próximo feriado.

— Pra sua tristeza, não. Mas eu trouxe...

— Ah, oi, Jaehyun!

Jaehyun já não era novidade. Na verdade, tinha sido um marco: duas semanas inteiras indo ao bebedouro da academia com a desculpa esfarrapada de encher a garrafinha d’água, só para observá-lo entre um aparelho e outro. Em uma dessas vezes, você quase deu de cara com a parede — a de verdade, infelizmente, e não o peitoral de algum cara gostoso. Uma pena.

— Johnny, você não vai acreditar… aquele otário do Don Lotário me deu uma caixa de bombons caríssimos. Mas, tipo, ele tem uns quarenta anos e é casado há, sei lá, vinte? Eu não sei mais o que fazer…

Você não gostava de fofoca, mas Johnny era a exceção. Era o personal trainer em quem você mais confiava, aquele que te protegia como se você fosse, de fato, sua irmã mais nova.

Tinha cogitado contar ao Changbin, mas entre vocês só existiam histórias engraçadas — e você não queria manchar aquilo com algo que se aproximava demais de um incômodo real.

Porque era isso que você sentia: incômodo.

— De novo?

— Sim, eu…

Foi então que você o viu.

E, de repente, tudo fez sentido.

Você esperava, sinceramente, que ele começasse a frequentar a academia na semana seguinte — não por qualquer motivo nobre, mas porque precisava de um novo alvo para os seus olhares descarados. Ele parecia uma boneca de tão perfeito.

Você ajeitou o cabelo quase por reflexo — e Johnny percebeu na hora.

Haechan seria o cara da semana.

— Ah, esse é o Haechan. Haechan, essa é a _____.

Você sorriu, um pouco envergonhada por ter falado tanto antes mesmo de se apresentar. Haechan retribuiu com o mesmo tipo de timidez doce e, naquele instante, você teve vontade de simplesmente… voar nele.

Nos dias seguintes, ele passou a frequentar a academia com uma regularidade quase religiosa. Às vezes, ficava parado ao lado de algum aparelho, claramente perdido, encarando o próprio celular enquanto fingia entender o que estava fazendo. Os QR codes estavam ali para ajudar, mas ele parecia mais interessado em disfarçar a confusão do que em resolvê-la.

Era… adorável.

Haechan iria embora em cinco minutos.

E, dessa vez, você estava pronta.

Ele não seria só mais um.

Ele seria o cara.

Você tinha finalizado o cabelo de um jeito diferente, retocado a maquiagem durante o intervalo — tudo milimetricamente pensado para chamar a atenção dele. Não que fosse exatamente necessário: nos últimos dias, vocês já tinham trocado olhares suficientes para deixar qualquer um desconfiado. Ele até tinha te comprado um smoothie da lanchonete.

E você, sendo quem era, quase o beijou ali mesmo.

Mas, claro…

Don Lotário apareceu.

— Você tá livre hoje?

— Tenho faculdade depois do expediente.

— Sério? Quer que eu te leve? Vim com o carro da minha esposa e…

Nojo.

Era só o que você conseguia sentir.

Qual era o problema desses homens? De onde vinha essa convicção irritante de que podiam tudo? Ele realmente achava que você se impressionaria com dois carros na garagem — sendo que um nem era dele?

Ou com a cadeirinha infantil no banco de trás?

Que ridículo.

— Amor!

Você se virou imediatamente.

Reconheceria aquela voz em qualquer lugar.

Por um segundo — um único segundo —, o pior passou pela sua cabeça: ele tinha namorada. Era claro. Era óbvio. Homens eram assim, não eram?

Mas não.

Ele estava olhando para você.

— Amor, você tá bem?

Você ficou imóvel, surpresa demais para reagir. Estar fora do balcão facilitou quando ele se aproximou e deixou um beijo leve na sua bochecha, murmurando baixinho:

— Confia em mim.

— Tô bem, amor — você respondeu, entrando no jogo, ainda que o coração estivesse completamente descompassado.

Don Lotário finalmente perdeu aquela expressão nojenta. Haechan nem sequer olhou para ele — toda a atenção dele estava em você.

E, de alguma forma, aquilo bastava.

— Te levo pra faculdade hoje?

Você assentiu.

Nem percebeu quando o outro homem foi embora, derrotado, levando consigo as caixas de bombom e o ego ferido.

— É sério… quer que eu te leve?

— Seria legal.

— Posso te buscar também?

— Sim.

O sorriso veio tímido, quase contido. Era estranho — e, ao mesmo tempo, absurdamente bom — perceber que talvez ele gostasse de você também.

Haechan se aproximou de novo, repetindo o gesto suave na sua bochecha, agora com as próprias orelhas levemente vermelhas.

a/n: Happy birthday to my favorite boy ever. Happy Hae Day!!!!!!! This is based on the lyrics of drop dead by Olivia Rodrigo. I’ve been loving this song so much and with Haechan’s birthday coming up, I wanted to combine the two. This is very rushed (life’s always busy) but I tried my best!! If you see any mistakes, I’m sorry in advance. This is also my first time posting smut SO PLEASE BE NICE THANK YOUUUUU that’s all. Likes, reblogs, and comments are always appreciated. Hope you enjoy 🤍

Donghyuck had a plan. On June 6th, he would sleep in, lounge around all day, have his brothers over, order delivery, and then game the whole night. Cake too, if he remembers.

Na Jaemin has a different plan.

A plan that Donghyuck is unaware of until now.

The birthday boy’s original plans had gone accordingly throughout the day. He woke up at a time far past morning and continued to stay in bed even later. Any other weekend, he’d have plans, appointments, places to be, but today is his day. No one and nothing to answer to unless he wills it.

Donghyuck smiles when he hears the doorbell ring- those would be his brothers, friends he’d known for the better part of a decade, the only people he wants to spend his birthday with.

He strolls up lazily to his front door, phone already open to a food delivery app.

However. When Donghyuck opens the door and sees Na Jaemin’s big smile, he feels his heart drop, dread washing over him.

He knows something is wrong when he steps back and really observes his friends.

Why is Renjun wearing his clubbing boots? Why are Jisung and Chenle holding two six packs of beer? Why is Jeno avoiding his gaze? Why is Mark wearing his good leather jacket? And, why is Jaemin looking at him with the most shit-eating grin he’s ever seen?

“What are you wearing?” Donghyuck starts, eyebrows raised so far you might think they’ll float off his face.

Jaemin claps back immediately, “What are you wearing?”

Donghyuck looks down at the sweatpants and old t-shirt he’s currently adorned in.

“I’m wearing clothes appropriate for a nice night in of pizza and gaming. Why the hell are you all dressed like that?”

Jaemin hums and they all push past the birthday boy, stepping into the apartment like they own it.

(With how much they stay over, they basically do at this point.)

The sound of the front door closing shocks Donghyuck out of his astonishment and he follows his friends into the kitchen.

“We’re going out. Tonight.” Jaemin says like it’s obvious. The friends work quickly around the space, pulling out glasses and bottle openers.

“No we’re not.” Donghyuck says sternly.

“I assure you, we are.” Jeno speaks up with a sigh, against the idea of going out in the first place but what Jaemin, Renjun, and Chenle want- they get.

“I’m sorry?” Donghyuck says, growing more frustrated by the minute. “Did you forget whose birthday it is today? I don’t want to go out.”

Jaemin walks over to face him directly.

“Baby,” he starts, to which Donghyuck rolls his eyes, “You only turn 26 once! You are a young, handsome bachelor. Why are you wasting your 26th birthday inside?”

Donghyuck steps back and rebuts- “It’s not a waste if it’s what I want to do.” Jaemin hums, point taken. But, he won’t give up. He refuses to let his friend stay home on his birthday.

“He’s not gonna take no for an answer, Hyuck. Let’s just go out tonight and we won’t bother you tomorrow.” Mark speaks up, snacking on some chips he found in his pantry.

The birthday boy scoffs. Closing his eyes as he weighs his options.

He wanted to celebrate with his friends. If his friends want to spend tonight at a bar, he guesses that’s okay.

Just as he’s about to surrender, Jaemin speaks up again.

“Who knows? Maybe you’ll meet a pretty lady and she can make the whole night for you,” eyes wiggling suggestively in his Jaemin manner.

Donghyuck groans and turns to walk out of the room. “Fine. I’ll go get ready.”

He only hears the echoes of cheers as a response.

-

An hour later, Donghyuck emerges back into the kitchen. Hair slightly damp from his shower but still swept back with a light gel. A nice t-shirt compliments his frame and the leather jacket he wears on top accentuates his shoulders. Bootcut dark-wash jeans elongate his legs. Tying it all together is a pair of black boots. He looks good , even if he doesn’t feel like it.

Chenle whistles and Jaemin ‘woo-hoos’ when they see the man of the evening has returned in appropriate bar attire. Donghyuck shakes his head and reaches for a beer. God, he needs a drink.

Thankfully, they ordered pizza while he was getting ready. Eating and drinking commence while camaraderie takes place around him. He listens to Mark and Renjun have a debate about the best hotpot ingredients; he watches Jisung lose drinking games again and again to Chenle while Jeno and Jaemin (and himself) watch fondly.

The beer and pizza loosen him up a little bit and he feels better about the prospective of going out tonight. It could be fun, he supposes.

7:30 p.m. comes and the group starts getting ready to go- Chenle mentioning something about Jaehyun saving them a table.

Everyone is a little tipsy and in good spirits, even the birthday boy.

-

Soon enough, their taxi pulls up to a lively bar. Donghyuck had never been here before.

“Is this place new?” He wonders out loud.

“No,” Chenle answers for him, “But, Jaehyun recently took over the management and he really revived the place.”

Donghyuck could do nothing but agree. Groups gather at every table outside the bar, drinks on tables and in hands, cigarette smoke wafting through the warm summer air, but not enough to overwhelm you. The chatter is joyful and lively- you could tell good stories are being shared all around. Lamps extending from the brick exterior of the building give enough light to see in front of you but leave enough darkness to hide an intimate moment if you wanted to.

That thought give Donghyuck chills.

He follows his friends inside the bar, feeling relief that the good energy follows as well. The inside matches the outside, except a little louder as the chatter was now contained within four walls. Stone floors, wood paneling, tables, and chairs, warm lighting, small paintings decorating the walls- it reminds him of an English pub he visited during a boy’s trip to London a few years ago. The memory warms him inside.

Chenle finds Jaehyun soon enough. The older man’s face lights up when he sees the group has arrived. He moves from behind the bar to greet them properly.

“Donghyuck!” He shakes his hand.

“Been a while.” He replies with a smile. It has been a while since he saw his friend. Jaehyun graduated a few years before him, and post-grad life kept them busier than they anticipated.

“Happy birthday man!” Jaehyun claps him on the back affectionately. “I saved a booth for you guys.”

He leads the way and the younger men follow him like ducklings. Their table is a little tucked away from the main scene, to which Donghyuck feels a little relief- it’s just a bit quieter and it gives the group a chance to be with themselves. There’s only one other table- a high-top table where three young women sit, seemingly wrapped up in their own friendship too.

Once they get settled and order their first round of drinks, Donghyuck feels more at ease. Him and his friends carry on their own lively conversation. Sharing memories, inside jokes, teasing each other- the friendship flowed effortlessly between them. Donghyuck realizes that this is all he wanted- whether it was in his own home or in the bar, the company with him is all that matters.

He stands up to help Renjun with the next round of beers- he’s strictly prohibited from paying for any round tonight- but he’ll help carry the drinks as a thank you.

Falling into conversation with Jaehyun, Donghyuck didn’t even notice another figure appear next to him. Didn’t notice until-

“Can I get three pints of Kloud please?” A sweet voice interrupts.

Nothing could prepare Donghyuck for the vision he sets his eyes on.

Is he so far gone that he’s seeing angels now?

You lean forward on the bar with a smile that matches your sweet voice. Somehow there are stars in your eyes that compliment the flush in your cheeks.

Donghyuck can’t breathe for a second- mind and body too busy taking you in- the way you look just like heaven. The conversation with Jaehyun and the beers in front of him long forgotten.

“Are you ever gonna try anything else?” Jaehyun teases you with a playful grin, preparing your pints nevertheless.

“We know what we like, nothing wrong with that.” You play back. Your smile grows and it makes Donghyuck very nervous.

Thankfully, you hadn’t noticed the silent stranger whose eyes were glued to you like he’s afraid you’ll disappear if he looked away for a moment. Unfortunately, the stranger’s friend behind the bar did notice Donghyuck’s sudden quietness.

When he takes your card from you, he nods his head toward the man next to you.

“It’s my good friend’s birthday tonight.”

Donghyuck looks away quickly to not be caught staring at you. He stares down an old water stain on the bar top while his cheeks fail to hide his blush.

When your eyes do land on the dark-haired boy, warmth rushes over you. In the moment, you’re keen to blame it on the alcohol.

It’s amazing how someone who looks so cool can simultaneously be so shy.

You feel endeared toward him and you’ve not yet spoken a word.

“Happy birthday.”

Your honey voice sounds like music to his ears and when he looks up to meet your gaze, an entire symphony erupts.

Are everyone’s eyes so pretty? How are you so pretty?

“Thank you.” He hopes you can feel his genuineness and when your smile grows just a bit more, he has a feeling you do.

Your eyes break away from his and move to the drinks sitting in front of him, “Surely you’re not paying for your own drinks tonight.”

He chuckles and shakes his head, “No, no. My friend would never let me pay tonight- they’d hide my wallet if they could.”

You giggle in response and he feels his confidence returning. Thank god. He’d never forgive himself if he fumbled that bad in front of you.

“You have good friends.”

“Yes, I do.” He agrees. You two then fall into easy conversation, how you each know Jaehyun, your jobs, where you’re from, your current neighborhood- not the most exciting conversations but Donghyuck makes it fun anyway.

Pints and beers long forgotten in front of you, swept up in the company beside you.

“I just moved a few months-“

“Donghyuck-ah!” comes the booming voice of Zhong Chenle. The man in question flinches, praying to any god listening that this younger brother won’t embarrass him.

“Why are you taking so long? The beer must be- oh.” Chenle stops his complaint as soon as he sees what- rather who- has kept Donghyuck from returning to their table. A teasing smile immediately appears on his face as he glances between you two. Donghyuck adorns a tight lipped smile while you smile as if you’re not bothered at all. Matter of fact, you’re curious about Donghyuck’s friend.

“I see.” Chenle says, mostly to himself. It’s taking every thing in him not burst into giggles.

“I’m sorry I kept your friend and your beers.” You shoot Chenle a smile, but the playful glint in your eyes tells everyone that you’re not really sorry.

“No, no. Not a problem at all.” He says, big goofy grin on his face. “I’m Chenle.” He holds his hand out, which you shake. Irritation grows in Donghyuck’s chest. He was perfectly content getting to know you within your own bubble.

“I’m Y/N.”

“It’s his birthday.” Chenle nods toward Donghyuck, mimicking Jaehyun’s actions minutes earlier.

“I’ve heard.” You grin, turning back to the handsome boy whose cheeks are flushed once again.

“You know he didn’t even want to come out tonight.” Chenle starts; he can’t help but being a shit-stirrer, even on his friend’s birthday.

You feign shock before sending Donghyuck a sweet smile. “Well, I’m very happy you did.”

“Me too.” He admits. Chenle grabs the beers and leaves the two of you, alone once again.

Just as you’re about to continue your conversation, a familiar melody starts playing through the bar. Donghyuck wishes he could capture the way your face lights up and frame it forever.

“Just Like Heaven” by The Cure- one of his favorite songs.

“I love this song!” You exclaims.

One of yours too it seems.

You start singing the lyrics, and Donghyuck joins in, unable to resist.

You wish you had a tape recorder so you could capture his sweet voice and listen to it on repeat forever.

No one pays attention to you both- well except for the two tables of friends who are already planning all the jokes they’ll make about the two of you. But, you pay no mind to them. You’re lost in your own world.

“You

Soft and lonely

You

Lost and lonely

You

Just like heaven”

When the song finishes, your eyes meet Donghyuck’s; and though out of breath, you both burst into a fit of giggles.

“I think we’ll deserve a drink after that.” He declares, already pulling out his wallet.

“Oh no.” You place a hand on his arm, making Donghyuck freeze. “I can’t let the man of the hour pay for a drink on his birthday.”

He shakes his head and takes out his card anyway. “Since it’s my birthday, I can do whatever I want. And, what I want is to pay for a pretty girl’s drink. What would you like? A pint of Kloud?”

You’re grateful he’s turned his head away from you so he can’t see the blush that graces your cheeks.

He’s thinks I’m pretty.

“Yes, please.”

With drinks in hand, Donghyuck offers to walk you back to your table. Initial disappointment weighs on your chest. Is this where it ends? A handsome stranger charms you to a blushing mess, buys you a drink, and now he’ll walk you back to your table and….leave you alone for the rest of the night?

No. Something inside tells you that it’s not over yet. A gut feeling. An intuition.

“Where’s your table?” Donghyuck puts his hand lightly on your lower back to help guide you through the still-crowded bar. He hopes you don’t feel the way it shakes.

“It’s in that corner back there.” You point. When Donghyuck follows your gesture, he realizes it’s the high top right next to his booth.

“Oh you’re right next to mine!”

When you get closer, you realize that you do recognize Chenle at Donghyuck’s table.

You pause in front of the tables, looking at him, hopeful that this won’t be where you part for the night.

“So, we’re here.” You prod. He can practically see the hope shining in your eyes.

“Thanks for talking with me tonight. I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening with your friends.”

Donghyuck winces at this own response. He can’t believe he just said that. He’s too out of practice, too sober, to think of a flirty, clever way to talk to you more. He shifts his gaze to avoid seeing your disappointment, but is unfortunately met with the disapproval of his friends. Renjun sighs and Jisung shakes his head.

“I hope you have a good birthday.” You say softly before walking back to your table.

As soon as Donghyuck returns to his seat, the scolding begins- though at low whispers as to not be heard by the neighboring group.

“Are you stupid?” Jaemin scolds him in a whisper-shout.

“Oh my…” Mark mutters to himself.

“Even, Jisungie is better at flirting than that.” Renjun sighs out again.

“What do you guys suggest I do? Hm?” He exhales, looking at his friends expectedly. If they were going to nag him, the least they could do is offer him some solid advice.

However, as he suspected, the table grows quiet. “Exactly. Let’s keep our comments to ourselves.” Then, he takes a long sip of his beer.

Camaraderie ensues again, but Donghyuck can’t stay focused. His eyes keep moving back to you. The way you’re leaned on the hightop table, fully focused on the story your friend is telling, and how your eyes somehow sparkle in the low bar lighting- he thinks you’re so pretty.

You catch him staring at you a few times, but before you can hold the eye contact, he looks away, as if embarrassed.

“This is your chance.” Jaemin mutters to Donghyuck, snapping him out of his daydream.

“Hm?”

“Her drink. It’s empty. Offer to buy her a new one and then ask you if can talk more privately.”

Donghyuck thought for a moment. It’s actually a good idea. What’s the worst that could happen? You could laugh in his face and tell him he missed his chance.

But you wouldn’t do that.

He stands up, his own empty beer glass in his hand, and walks around to your table. He feels even more pleased with his decision when your face lights up seeing him in front of you.

“I see you’ve got an empty glass. Care for a refill?”

“Who’s paying?” You prod with a teasing grin.

“It’s on me if that’s okay with you.”

“More than okay.”

Donghyuck is sporting a full toothed grin now. Feeling brave, he holds his hand out. When you take it, he feels on top of the world. A simple gesture has him flying.

He leads you back to the bar, pays for your drink as promised. Comfortable silence comes over you while you watch Jaehyun pour your beers.

“I’m not sure how much longer you’ll be staying but I wanna talk with you more, away from my nosy friends.” He says as confidently as he can.

You blush- you were right to listen to your heart. This is not over. “I’d like that a lot actually. You know I was a little disappointed when you went back to your table.”

Donghyuck throws his head back and groans, “I know, I’m sorry. I don’t know why I did that.” The dramatics make you giggle.

“It’s okay. I’ll just go let my friends know.” Donghyuck watches you walk back to your tables. He’s entranced by you, completely. Taking a deep breath, he prays that tonight goes in his favor.

It’s his birthday after all.

Not even minutes later, you return.

“Let’s go to that table over there.” As he follows you, he finally notices that the bar has considerably cleared out. Soft jazz music now plays through the speakers. A mellowed out vibe compared to an hour earlier. This puts him more at ease.

You both slide into the booth, only centimeters separate you. You’re practically sitting shoulder to shoulder, feeling the heat radiate off him.

Conversation between you both begins again, flowing like it never stopped. You talk about the friends here with you tonight, your go-to coffee orders, your travels- if he’s ever been to Japan or France. Everything and anything in between.

Somehow you’ve both drifted closer to each other, shoulders now touching. You’re leaning into him as he is into you. Beer glasses still half-full- too caught up in the company next to you to care.

You can hardly focus on anything at this point. His proximity makes your head spin- or maybe that’s the alcohol still in your system you’re not sure. All you know is you can hardly focus on anything but the way his lips move as he talks. They look so soft. How would they feel moving against yours?

“….That’s when I told Jeno he was absolutely crazy. Are you even listening to me right now?” He teases.

You can only hum and nod as your reply, too dazed and entranced by him to properly say yes. Even so, it’d be a lie. You were not listening; you were just staring at his lips and begging any higher power listening that they would whisper to Donghyuck that-

“Y/n….can I kiss you right now?” He asks, voice barely above a whisper as if he’s afraid he’ll pop the perfect bubble you’re in right now.

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

You nod and before you know it, he’s leaning in.

You expected fire- hot and heavy that makes you flinch if it burns too long. But, the moment your lips meet Donghyuck’s, it’s warm. Not sparks, a steady flow of electricity that makes you feel alive. His lips are as soft as they look. He applies the perfect amount of pressure that doesn’t push you away but still leaves you wanting more. His hand comes up to cup your jaw and bring you closer together. Your mouths move more fervently and one hand comes up to rest on his chest to keep you steady. You’re starting to squirm, that electric flow awakening other parts within you. If he stops now, you might drop dead.

To your dismay, he pulls away, leaving you both breathing heavy. He smiles, a mix between embarrassment and satisfaction.

“You know the bar closes at 11.” He mutters. You turn to check the wall clock.

10:45

“Maybe, if you never finish your beer. We’ll never have to go.” You joke, but there’s a hint of sadness in your voice. You’re worried once you exit the walls of this bar, you’ll go back to being strangers. Then, you’ll spend the rest of your life missing that one handsome man you met at a random bar in your twenties.

“I don’t think Jaehyun would like that.” He says while patting your head affectionately as you pout in response.

“It’s getting late. Let me take you home.”

Such a simple statement stirs butterflies in your chest. You’re still feeling buzzed from the kiss you just shared.

“My apartment’s only a few blocks from here.”

“Lead the way pretty girl.”

You both bid goodbye to Jaehyun who is already starting to clean up. If you two weren’t so caught up in yourselves, you would’ve read the phone messages your friends sent you that they’ve gone home.

You don’t know when your hands connected after leaving the bar but you’re more than happy they did. The action warms your heart more than the alcohol tonight ever did.

You swing your hands together almost childlike as he walks you home. The light to guide the way are the street lamps. But, you’re not scared. Not with Donghyuck by your side.

“What did you do for your birthday today? Before the bar?”

“Hmm,” He thinks for a minute, “I slept in really late and stayed in my pajamas most of the day until my friends took me to the bar.”

“You didn’t do a lot..” You murmur.

“It’s exactly how I wanted it to go.” He raises your intertwined hands and kisses the back of yours. Donghyuck of course leaves out the part that his friends had to practically drag him out of his apartment to this bar. He figures you don’t need to know that.

“Did you have any cake at least?”

“Hmm. Nope. No cake.”

You completely stop in your tracks. He walks a few steps before feeling a tug on his hand.

“You didn’t have any cake?” You ask incredulously, eyes practically bugging out of your skull. Donghyuck chuckles to himself at the sight. You’re so damn cute, and dramatic.

“I guess we just kind of forgot.” He shrugs.

“We have to fix this.” You shake your head. “There’s a convenience store the block before my apartment. Let’s see if we can find something in there.”

He doesn’t argue with you, letting you pull him forward. Donghyuck doesn’t know you well but he has a feeling once you set your mind to something, there’s no convincing you otherwise.

Sure enough, after walking a ten more minutes, you’re stood in front of a 24 hour conveniences store. The bright light glowing from the sign almost makes Donghyuck squint.

The bell rings as you push yourself inside, dragging the birthday boy behind with your intertwined hands.

The clock reads 11:07. Plenty of time.

You scan the aisles diligently; Donghyuck follows like a lost puppy (he practically is one in this moment). Finding a pack of two basic candles, all that’s left is a cake, or something close to.

“All they have is a big chocolate cookie or a cup of strawberry ice cream.” You frown. Donghyuck feels the temptation to kiss it right off you. He refrains for now- you’re on a serious mission after all.

“Whatever you want pretty.” He says, moving his thumb across your hand absentmindedly. Donghyuck truly doesn’t mind- he’s not even sure he wants a sweet treat. But, you’re so determined, he can’t say no to you.

“But it’s your birthday. I want you to choose.” You whine.

“Ok. Let’s do strawberry ice cream and we can share it.” You smile in satisfaction before taking the both of you to the register.

“Oh! Do you have a lighter?”

After he shakes his head, you take one off the shelf and start to pay. Best believe, Donghyuck insisted he pay but, you argued back that he payed for your two drinks and it’s a gift for his birthday. He conceded in the end.

Next thing you know- you’re sat on the curb outside of the store. You prepare the impromptu birthday cake, carefully placing the two candles in the very small cup of ice cream.

“Ready?”

He nods, giving you the okay to light the candles.

“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..”

Your voice is so sweet. He wants to drown in the honey. He wants to freeze this moment. Just between you and him, and the bright convenience store lights.

“Make a wish!” You whisper.

He closes his eyes and really wishes.

He wishes for more moments like this with you. He wishes that this isn’t the end of your journey together. He wishes that by the end of the night he’ll be brave enough to get your number. He wishes this, whatever this is, will blossom into so much more.

Donghyuck will never say any of this out loud though. He won’t risk anything for his wish to not come true.

He opens his eyes and blows out the candles. You cheer and watch the smoke dissolves into the summer night.

11:35 perfect timing.

“Happy birthday, Donghyuck.” You smile at him shyly. He wants to eat you alive. How can you have such a hold on him? Not even four hours ago, he hadn’t even known you. He never wants to go back there again.

You both dig into the ice cream. Granted, you each only get about four full bites in before the cup is finished.

“Best birthday cake ever.” He says, and you giggle in reply. He hopes you know that he means it though. Silence settles over you. It’s disgusting- the hearts that are coming out of both your eyes. Anyone would become sick looking at the two of you.

Donghyuck brings a hand up to your cheek. “You have a little something here….” And, he’s kissing you again. It’s sweeter this time- the lingering taste of strawberry on both your lips. In sheer desperation, you grab his shirt to pull him closer. He opens his mouth in response to you, his body telling you that he wants you as much as you want him. Your tongues dance together, in perfect sync. Breathing in each other’s air, you’re bordering on exhibitionism.

Maybe, not that far.

But, if he keeps this up, you might ask him to take you right here on the curb.

“Please take me home.” You whine, breaking away, an unfortunate but necessary communication.

“Okay, yes, okay.” He stands up, helping you in the process. You’re a giggling fluttering mess, practicing skipping the rest of the block to your apartment. Donghyuck follows close behind, extremely amused and equally as happy.

His hands are on your waist as you come to your front door. You fumble with the keys, from both nerves and giddiness

As soon as the door opens and closes, he’s on you again. Arms wraps around your waist to pull you close and your lips connect again, moving with more passion than before. It’s quite a haphazard scene- the two of you walking backward in the dark completely unaware and uncaring about your surroundings.

Eventually, Donghyuck taps your thigh. You hop up and wrap your legs around his waist, fully supported by him now.

“Where’s your bedroom sweet girl?” He detaches for a moment and then continues kissing down your neck, waiting for your reply.

“To the left, down the hall.”

He walks with haste; you appreciate it. Pushing open your bedroom door, he sets you down, now hovering over you.

“I should prep you baby. What do you want?” He says, searching your eyes. You look like a dream- face flushed, hair laid out around you like a halo. The moonlight that shines through your window seems to make you sparkle.

You blush at the question. What do you want? Your mind is too clouded by him . That’s the only answer you have.

“Just want you.” You murmur. He hums and thinks.

“Really want to be inside you. How about my fingers? I’ll eat you out another time- I’ll do it slow and properly next time. Is that okay?”

You nod frantically. You’d have him in anyway; it didn’t matter to you.

“Need words.” He whispers, hardly a centimeter from your face.

“Please fuck me, Donghyuck.” You practically whine out, growing patient. If you weren’t such a horny mess, you’d be more appreciative at his thoughtfulness.

With the green light, he helps to strip you, throwing the clothing across your room.

God, you’re a sight. He could come just looking at you.

He full crawls on top of you, connecting you lips once again. One arm braces himself over you while the other one snakes down your torso. You whine into his mouth when his hand stops at your hip. Your body tries to take initiative when your hips buck into him. He chuckles into your mouth.

“Okay, okay.” He relents. Donghyuck didn’t mean to tease you- he was trying to savor the moment.

Once his fingers prod your entrance, all is forgiven. It’s overwhelming- how he stimulates your clit, applying just the right amount of pressure to make you squirm. He curls his fingers in just the right way. Your body reacts to him so well- like you’ve known each other for years.

That familiar coil starts to wind in your stomach. You’re close. He knows it, you feel it.

“Want you inside me.” You whimper. He happily obliges to your request. Taking his fingers away from your core- you whine at the loss of contact, even though that’s what you just asked for. Donghyuck takes his fingers up to his mouth and you watch, with lust-filled eyes, him put his fingers into his mouth, sucking and licking them clean from your slick.

He moans at the taste. “You taste so sweet, baby. I promise I’ll fuck you with my tongue next time.”

After completing stripping himself, he lifts your leg and bends it, exposing your core. Donghyuck starts to nudge himself inside- the feeling making both of you close your eyes in pleasure.

You could feel him pulsing inside your walls; he no better, barely holding his sanity together.

“You’re so tight babygirl. Fuck.” He grunts.

“Move please, Hyuck.” You whimper. When he does start rocking his hips against yours, you feel euphoric all over again. The rhythm, the angle- he’s hitting all the right spots. His head is buried in your shoulder, willing himself to not come just yet.

But, something about you makes it hard for him to control himself. His movements turn frantic, chasing that high for both of you.

“I’m close.” Your grip on his arm tightens as you’re about to come undone.

“Yeah? Come for me baby.”

He leans down to connect your lips again. It’s with such passion, adding to the stimulation. Overwhelming but welcome nevertheless.

You unravel under him. Donghyuck winces when he feels you come around his cock. He rocks inside you a little more, helping you ride out your high before pulling out and finishing on your stomach. Collapsing next to you, he’s silent for a minute, catching his breath and recollecting himself. You’re doing the same. The perspiration on your skins makes you look like you’re glowing. Some could argue it’s a post-sex glow; Donghyuck argues it’s also from pure happiness.

Not long after you’ve both finished, he starts to get up- the urge to take care of you ever present. You murmur sleepily where your washcloths and pajamas are. Donghyuck is now on a mission.

First, he sneaks into your kitchen for some glasses of water. Then, he stops in your bathroom to prepare a washcloth to clean you up. His final destination is your closet where he finds a soft old t-shirt and new underwear for you to sleep in.

Once he cleans you up, he lays down next to you, pulling you into his chest. You’re so sleepy and far gone, you could think this is a dream. The last thing you feel is Donghyuck’s steady heartbeat before you’re pulled into a deep sleep.

-

It’s sunlight that pulls Donghyuck into consciousness. The light shining through your windows prods his eyes open. Then, he registers a weight on him. You’re sprawled out across him, left leg draped across his body and arm curled on his chest. He relishes in the feeling.

Donghyuck doesn’t know what time it is, if you have plans today, or how you’ll feel when you wake up. All he knows is that he doesn’t want to leave your warmth.

He doesn’t have to wonder long as he feels you start to stir as well. The way you nuzzle into his shoulder makes him melt.

“Morning.” You murmur, still refusing to open your eyes to the sunlight.

“Hi pretty girl.”

“Did you sleep okay?”

“Better than ever.” He grins.

“Good.” It’s quiet for a moment. Maybe, you’re feeling brave, or maybe it’s the sleep clouding your brain, you dare to ask, “How long can you stay?”

Forever, Donghyuck thinks.

But, he squeezes your waist instead and offers an answer much less overwhelming, “I have no plans other than you, baby.”

Let’s go steady.

Let's go out

And tell the whole damn world how….

You woke up an hour and a half earlier to get ready. Every hair in your blow out sat perfectly, your face glowed and your outfit looked amazing. You even took an everything shower and shaved your whole body, just in case. Not that any of this would make a difference because the IT department insists the meetings are online as none of them can be bothered to come into the office. But you still want to look your best for the occasion.

Entering the call, you are ready to sit back and look pretty because you don’t plan on adding anything productive to this meeting or anything at all. You look around the small pictures of your coworkers and spot him. The man of your dreams, the love of your life, the father of your future children. You hit the jackpot today because instead of his usual purple LED lights, he actually sits next to a window and the clear sight of him overwhelms you. Haechan looks absolutely scrumptious. The fleece jacket he wears is the one that everyone gets as a present on their first day on the job. You threw yours away the day you got it but now you regret it as you wish you could match with him. When you look at his hair, your hands are twitching as if they feel the strands in between the fingers. What would his hair feel like? Soft and smooth? Dry and stubborn? What shampoo does he use? How often does he wash his hair? Does he wash his hair at all? Does he have dandruff? You want to know all about it.

Satisfied, you sit back and for the next hour you have a dumb smile on your face as you watch Haechan while everyone else spoke about go-through rates and adjustments in the UI. You hope he looks at your icon, too. Which is not the case based on the lines of code that reflect on his glasses. You get lost deep in thoughts while the meeting carries on.

-

It’s when you hear a chorus of “Bye”s that you realise the meeting is over and everyone’s leaving. As one picture after the other disappears, you notice Haechan is still there. This is your chance. You fidget with your mouse to turn your mike on and your voice comes on just in time before he leaves “Oh Haechan, ehm would you mind staying for a little. I had a question.” His pretty eyes look at you expectantly through his glasses. Now that his picture is fully sized on your display you can’t help but admire the small details on his face. Skin clear but with a slight stubble at his chin like he knew you would go feral over that. You follow the path of moles from his nose down to his neck which remind you of constellations of stars. And just like a shooting star, the lights shine bright in his eyes. Even his ears are pretty, this is so unfair. You remember he is still waiting for you to speak.

“Oh, ehm, yeah so, I wanted, I mean, I was thinking” Ok, it’s not that hard just finish the sentence.

“I just wanted to” You keep stumbling over your words.

You close your eyes and take a deep breathe in before the word vomit leaves your mouth.

“I just wanted to say that I had a lot of fun on Friday. The work event I mean. I didn’t know you would come because you never show up to these kinds of things haha Not that I noticed ehm my… ah yeah right my coworker mentioned that to me. She keeps track of this kind of stuff. I mean, no, she doesn’t. But yeah so I wanted to say that I had fun and you are such a great dancer. The way you did the milli rock was so cool. Maybe you could teach me one day? Maybe during lunch break? Or maybe not during lunch that would be weird, right haha. Maybe without the dancing and only the lunch, that would be better, I guess. Do you like sandwiches? For lunch, I mean. I have a 50% off coupon for the grocery store next door. You could also do your grocery shopping if you wanted. You know because I have a coupon, it’s a great deal. So yeah no dancing only lunch. Like us. Together. When we have a break. You with me. Eating lunch together? During the break?”

Good thing there was no air left in your lungs to continue this embarrassment. You open one eye to watch Haechan’s reaction. He looks at you unblinkingly. You give him a nervous smile, neck turning red while you wait for his reply. Oh no, he doesn’t want to have lunch with me, you think to yourself, I weirded him out. I shouldn’t have mentioned sandwiches, he probably hates sandwiches.

You try to save face “We don’t need to meet for lunch. Actually, I’m just realising I’m busy this week. And the week after. Oh, I’m busy until July” you pretend to scroll your calendar “in two years. Just forget I asked.”

He stays silent, frozen. In fact, not even blinking. Slowly it dawned onto you – the internet connection was gone.

“YN, you hear me? I think the connection is gone.”

Dumbfounded, you reply shortly “Oh yeah, it was.”

“Did you say something?”

His doe eyes stare into yours, warm and patient. But you couldn’t do it, all the courage a minute ago left you. So, you gave up.

“No, I was just about to log out.”

You hang up the call before you slam your face against your desk groaning loudly. Heads turn your way but you didn’t care because you just lost your chance to ask Lee Haechan out for lunch.

-

Goodbyes were exchanged as the Marketing x IT meeting ended but Haechan stayed a little longer. He waited until everyone else was gone and before you could leave the call, too, he spoke up.

“Hey Y/N, would you want to grab lunch together some day?” He waited a few seconds, no reaction. Then he noticed the connection was gone.

“YN? YN, you hear me? I think the connection is gone.”

After you both hung up the call, he felt stupid for ever even considering that maybe you would want to get lunch with him.

“so,” giselle’s voice breaks you out of your thoughts, “that haechan guy is kinda cute. definitely your type.”

you already know that.

“hm…he’s alright,” you shrug, forcing a careless tone as you drag your eyeliner across your lid. too long. you wipe it with concealer. too short. you redraw it. a repetitive cycle until you finally accept that your eyeliner are sisters, not twins.

“ugh!” she flops dramatically onto her bed — the room comes with two double beds, courtesy of haechan, which she refuses to stop bringing up. “you always say that. when are you finally getting a boyfriend?”

you laugh. because she’s not the only one in your friend group waiting for that miracle to happen.

“please, i’m so tired of boys,” you say, lining your lips now, “i swear — there’s no real men nowadays. they all act like princesses.”

“girl, he might be different!” she insists, sitting up now, eyes wide. “just make the first move. i swear, with how pretty you are? he’ll be wrapped around your finger in seconds,” she continues, adorably pouting up at you.

you don’t know why your friends are so obsessed with your nonexistent love life. you barely think about it at all. at least, not as much as they seem to.

“no fucking way,” you reply, smacking your lips together as you finish with your gloss, “you know i’m old fashioned.”

“fine! whatever,” she groans.

her phone rings on the nightstand she’s occupied, finally taking her attention off of you.

instantly, her entire demeanor softens.

“hi my love,” she coos at her phone and you almost snort.

you can’t even imagine yourself talking like that. to a boy. ever.

“yeah, baby, i’m just gonna go to the club for a bit with y/n and her brother and a couple of their friends, i promise i’ll be back at the hotel before 2 a.m.”

ew. updates like that? like she’s reporting to a parent? the thought makes you scrunch your nose. could never be you.

“oki, yes, i’ll call you later taro, i love you.”

she hangs up, all dreamy-eyed and glowing, catching your gaze in the mirror. you gag dramatically, sticking your tongue out, and she laughs, throwing a pillow straight at your head.

“but seriously,” she says, propping herself up on her elbows.

“seriously what?”

“why are we even invited to this?” she gestures around the room, “we’re the only two girls here. and i’m only here because of you — he has to be at least a little interested in you to book us a room.”

you shrug, refusing to agree, even though a small part of you knows that lee haechan may also have a tiny crush on you, too.

because there was that moment.

that stupid, lingering four seconds when your eyes met for the first time. you didn’t even say hi then. there were no introductions. no words. but you felt it. crazy, as that sounds.

even crazier when you take in the fact that you only really formally met him earlier today — at the hotel lobby. when he waved at you, awkwardly, passed you your hotel room card and personally walked you and giselle up your room, which was, coincidentally, right next to his.

“jisung probably just forced him to include us,” you say, still pretending the boy had no effect on you, “and everyone knows no one can say no to my brother.”

giselle laughs, “yeah i guess…your brother is just too adorable to say no to.”

you scrunch your nose up again…because…ew. if only they knew how annoying that little shit actually is.

“we still have hours until we need to get to the club,” you say, glancing at your watch, “wanna check out the hotel?”

giselle nods immediately, already halfway off the bed before you even finish your sentence.

the two of you wander through the hotel. pool first, then the gym, then the café where you linger a little too long pretending to consider overpriced pastries you both know you’re not buying. eventually, you make your way up to the rooftop, the view stretching out in gold and glass and city noise.

it would’ve been perfect. if it wasn’t so hot. like, offensively hot. the kind that clings to your skin and melts your makeup no matter how hard you try to salvage it.

“okay, no,” giselle groans, fanning herself with her hand. “i’m gonna pass out.”

“same,” you laugh, already turning back toward the elevator, “let’s go back.”

by the time you reach your floor, you’re both a little flushed, a little sticky, and very ready for air conditioning.

but as you walk down the hallway, something catches your attention — the door to haechan’s room is wide open.

and before you can even pretend not to notice — chenle, your personal favorite friend of your brothers’, pops out.

“hey! come in—we’re just pregaming,” he says, his kitty-like smile beaming at you, whiskers and everything. and how could you say no to that actual cutie?

the room smells faintly of alcohol and cologne, the table cluttered with half-empty bottles of vodka and mixers, some sadboi/fuckboi playlist humming through the speakers. and the boys are all sprawled out in different parts of the room.

your brother was by the window, one hand in his pocket while jaemin angles a camera at him like he’s shooting a magazine spread. jeno’s on the bed, head down, thumbs moving across his phone — probably texting that situationship jisung told you all about. renjun’s seated neatly in the corner chair, sipping from his bottle like he doesn’t belong in the chaos at all. then there’s someone new, someone you didn’t meet in the hotel lobby earlier.

and of course, lee haechan — with his back against the wall, a bottle in hand, standing coolly, chatting softly with renjun.

you’re not sure if that’s his natural habitat or if he’s putting up a front for you but you come to a conclusion quickly — you don’t really like it. he seems different from the first time you ever saw him. like he’s trying to be someone he’s not. but then again, you don’t even know who he is.

“hey, i’m mark,” the new guy says, bringing your attention back to him.

mark’s cute. his leather jacket fits him perfectly and he seems like the friendly/outgoing type which are the type of people you enjoy the most since you’re not too friendly yourself.

“i’m y/n,” you say, returning his smile, “this is my friend, giselle.”

she waves at everyone before sitting at the unoccupied bed and starting a conversation with mark. she asks him what his major is. he asks her about her job. leaving you standing there.

your brother, who has now finally realized you were in the room turns towards your voice, and you look at him.

“i can’t believe you guys started pregaming without us.”

“oops,” he shrugs, giving you a gummy smile. you notice jaemin’s camera is pointed at you now. you throw it a small peace sign with the signature duck lips — something you’ve embarrassingly conditioned yourself to do every time a camera is on you.

“here,” a voice captures your attention and your eyes are on the bottle haechan is handing you.

to be fair — he is the closest one to you, geographically speaking, so it’s only right he was handing you a bottle.

you inspect it. it’s quite literally — green.

“uhm…that look’s disgusting,” you say, a playful, totally not flirtatious, lilt in your voice.

he chuckles softly, holding the bottle out closer, “just try it, it’s not that bad.”

“how do i know if i can trust you?” you continue the playful nature, an eyebrow going up, the tiny smile on your face purposefully evident so he knows you’re kidding.

and he plays along with you. his mouth curving slowly, amused.

“guess you’ll just have to take that risk,” he smirks, still holding the bottle out to you.

you huff out a quiet laugh, finally taking the bottle from his hand and bringing it up to your lips, ignoring the fact that this was, technically — an indirect kiss.

but whatever.

you’re too old to be giggling about indirect kisses.

you’re delightfully surprised when the alcohol hits your tongue, eyes flicking back up to him immediately, and he’s already watching you. like he never looked away in the first place. waiting.

“what did you put in this?” you ask, narrowing your eyes slightly.

“can’t tell you, it’s a secret ingredient,” he teases.

“okay, mr. krabs,” you scoff, taking another sip, trying to decipher what the flavor is…until it finally clicks, “it’s lime tang, isn’t?”

he gives you a small chuckle. it’s cute.

“ahh,” he hums, clicking his tongue, “and here i thought you’d spend your whole life trying to pry the secret from me.”

you roll your eyes, and you hate the way you can feel your smile getting wider.

over a boy.

yuck.

“someone’s a little too obsessed with spongebob,” you mutter, “but i do have to give it to you haechan, this is pretty good.”

you hand the bottle back to him. but he doesn’t take it.

“keep it,” he says, gently pushing it back towards you, his hands soft, “it’s yours now.”

you hesitate for half a second, “…thanks.”

your fingers tighten around the bottle and for a moment, the two of you just — look at each other. and there it is again. that same pull from the four second eye contact when you first saw him at your brother’s university.

eventually, you have to force yourself to look away because his gaze is too much. and you don’t like it. too aware of all the people around you. too aware of the fact that your brother was just right there.

so you turn, slipping away before it lingers enough for the others to notice, dropping down beside giselle on the bed. she’s mid conversation with mark, chenle and renjun who joined at some point, you didn’t even notice.

and you fall into it easily. laughing. talking. blending in like you always do.

🏹

when everyone was dressed up and ready, you all met at the lobby once again. you kept it simple, not wanting to make it look like you were trying to impress someone — just a black fitted mid top with low rise jeans, black kitten heels and your cherry red mini handbag.

“who’s riding with who?” you ask, already pulling your phone out, thumb hovering over the grab app.

you glance around casually. but not really. because a small, traitorous part of you is waiting. for him. just one sentence. one “i’ll go with you.” that’s all it would take.

but the moment stretches…then passes.

most of them still feel like strangers. after all, besides chenle, you met the rest of them today. and there’s still that awkward hesitation in the air, like no one wants to assume, no one wants to overstep.

“i’ll go with you guys,” mark says after a beat.

“same,” chenle adds, already standing beside giselle.

renjun just nods, quiet but certain, like it was never even a question. and just like that, it’s decided.

you, giselle, mark, chenle, and renjun pile into one car.

jisung, jeno, jaemin, and haechan in another.

the ride is loud, easy, comfortable in a way that surprises you. mark keeps the conversation going effortlessly, chenle’s half-laughing at everything, and renjun, quiet at first, eventually warms up, adding little comments that make you laugh more than you expect.

it’s nice. more than nice. and for a moment, you forget about the other car entirely.

🏹

the club is already alive when you get there. lights flashing, bass heavy enough to feel in your chest, the air thick with heat and perfume and something electric that makes your pulse pick up.

you spot your friends almost immediately — karina waving you over, ningning already mid-story about something ridiculous, jungwoo grinning as he pulls you into a quick side hug.

introductions blur into laughter, and somehow, seamlessly, everyone just…fits.

the music is good. really good. the kind that makes it impossible to stand still. one song bleeds into the next, and before you know it, you’re dancing, singing, losing yourself in the rhythm as drinks keep appearing in your hand like magic. shot after shot. picture after picture. arms slung over shoulders, phones flashing, memories being made faster than you can process them.

at some point, you notice the boys drifting. one by one, here and there — disappearing into the crowd, probably pulled away by girls who couldn’t help but notice them. you don’t blame them. your group easily has the most attractive men in the entire place tonight. it would be weirder if they weren’t getting attention.

mark and renjun chooses to stay though. and somewhere between your fourth — or fifth? —shot, you realize they’ve quietly become your favorites.

especially when you belong with me starts playing.

“oh my god,” you gasp, grabbing renjun’s arm. his eyes light up instantly. and then the two of you are screaming the lyrics at the top of your lungs, perfectly on-key, you think?, completely unbothered, jumping in place like it’s a private concert instead of a packed club.

mark’s laughing beside you, shaking his head but joining in anyway, and it’s just — fun. pure, uncomplicated fun.

but just as promised, giselle left the bar around 1:40am, whispering in your ear, “i’m gonna go…have fun babe,” she says, kissing your cheek.

you hold her hand, not letting her get away so easily.

“i’ll go with you,” you say immediately, steady, no hesitation, “i’m not letting you go alone.”

she pauses, then turns back to you with that same bright, tipsy grin, eyes soft, a little glassy.

“y/n,” she laughs quietly, “you’re having so much fun.”

you don’t loosen your grip, “giselle—”

“stay,” she insists gently, squeezing your hand now instead. “see what the night holds.”

you narrow your eyes at her, “i’m not letting you commute by yourself,” you say, firmer this time, “especially like this.”

“i’m fineeee,” she drags out, giggling under her breath. then she leans in again, dropping her voice like she’s about to share a secret, “taro’s already outside…he brought his motorcycle.”

she wiggles her eyebrows, “we’re gonna put that hotel bed to use.”

you snort, the concern breaking just enough for amusement to slip through, “oh my god.”

“what?” she beams, completely unashamed.

you shake your head, still smiling despite yourself, “fine,” you sigh, tightening your hold on her hand as you start guiding her toward the exit anyway, “i’m at least walking you out.”

“god,” she mutters, leaning her head briefly against your shoulder as you both weave through the crowd, “you’d be such a good girlfriend…”

you side eye her.

“…so caring,” she adds softly.

you can’t help but laugh as the two of you make your way down the stairs, out of the heavy bass and flashing lights, and into the thick, warm night air. it hits you immediately — humid, a little quieter, the distant echo of music still thumping behind you.

shotaro’s already there, waiting by his bike, helmet in hand, posture relaxed but eyes instantly lighting up the moment he sees her.

you feel giselle’s grip tighten just slightly in yours before she lets go, drifting toward him like it’s second nature.

“be careful, shotaro,” you say, passing her over with a pointed look.

“of course,” he nods easily, smiling as he gently steadies her, carefully putting on her customized helmet. he is really good to her. and you can’t be happier for your friend.

she watches him the whole time — soft, fond, completely gone. and you notice. of course you do. you’re the one who always notices.

and yeah, maybe, sometimes, very, very rarely, usually only when the clock hits 2am — you wonder what that would feel like. to let someone look at you like that. take care of you like that. instead of always being the one who does it for everyone else.

“and please,” you smile teasingly, “don’t do it on the left bed, that one’s mine.”

giselle bursts into laughter, “no promises,” and then they were riding off, her arms wrapped tightly around his middle, their laughter’s ringing in the air.

gross.

but there’s no real bite to it. just a small smile lingering as you turn back toward the club.

it’s past 2:00am now, which only means — the party’s just getting started.

you thank the heavens that karina, ningning and jungwoo showed up tonight. because without them? you’d probably be standing awkwardly in a corner somewhere, pretending to enjoy your drink while wondering how the hell you ended up in a club full of your brother’s friends.

instead, you’re grounded. comfortable. exactly where you’re supposed to be.

renjun’s basically been absorbed into your circle somewhere between screaming song lyrics with you and laughing at absolutely nothing. mark stuck around too, easygoing as ever, but you can tell that he had developed a tiny crush on ningning.

the party continues, more shots, more laughter more of everything. you catch glimpses of your brother once and immediately wish you hadn’t. because he’s very clearly lip-locked with some random girl in the middle of a chanting crowd.

“oh my god,” you mutter, turning away instantly, “i don’t have a brother.”

karina cackles beside you, “too late for that.”

“no, i’m disowning him,” you insist, already grabbing another shot to erase the image from your brain.

the music keeps going — song after song, each one louder than the last, lights flashing in colors that start to blur together the longer you stay. time slips. fast.

and then suddenly — it’s 3:00am.

“fuck,” renjun groans, checking his phone, his whole expression dropping. “i need to go. i’m way past my curfew.”

you blink at him, the words taking a second to fully land. right. they’re still in university. some of them still live at home.

“can you get home okay?” you ask, leaning a little closer so he can hear you over the music.

“i’ll get him a grab,” mark cuts in easily, already pulling out his phone. you nod, trusting him without a second thought. maybe you’d be more concerned if you were sober.

but right now? your head is light, your body warm, the world just a little softer around the edges.

they disappear into the crowd and you don’t even try to keep track of how long mark’s gone for. because the second baby by justin bieber comes on, everything else fades.

“OH MY GOD—” ningning screams.

you don’t even think, already grabbing karina and jungwoo, the four of you forming a mini circle as you all shout the lyrics at the top of your lungs like it’s 2010 and this is the only song that exists. jumping. laughing. completely losing it.

by the time the clock hits 4:00am, the energy shifts.

it’s still loud, still bright, but softer now. heavier. like the night is finally starting to catch up with everyone. most of the boys have made their way back, sitting on the couch like gravity is pulling them in.

jeno’s the first one you noticed. he’s hunched forward, looking like he’s in distress, thumbs rapidly pressing buttons on his phone. you make eye contact with him, flashing him a thumbs up, a small way of asking if he was okay. he just nods solemnly. definitely not okay.

jaemin, slouched beside him, catches the exchange and grins lazily, mouthing, “girl problems.”

you let out a quiet “ahh,” nodding like that explains everything. good enough for you.

and right next to him — lee haechan. with his flushed cheeks and lightly damp hair. he looks like sin. pulling you in without trying.

so pretty. so tempting. everything your brother’s friend shouldn’t be.

and like he can feel you looking, his eyes meet yours. a slow smile tugs at his lips. it’s soft. but it does something to your chest that you don’t like. you’re about to return it when—

“y/n, we’re leavinggg,” ningning’s voice cuts in, hands already on your shoulders as she turns you towards her, “we’ve still got work in a couple of hours,” she groans.

“thank’s for coming,” you laugh softly, pulling her into a hug, “and not letting me dance alone,” you murmur in her ear. she hugs you just as tightly.

“message us when you’re back at the hotel, okay?”

you nod, already moving on to karina and pulling her in a hug as well.

then jungwoo, “you gonna be okay? you’re the only girl left,” he says with concerned eyes.

“i’ll be okay,” you assure him, “jisung’s around here somewhere.”

“please,” he scoffs immediately, “that big baby can barely protect you.”

you laugh, softly hitting him on the chest in a small act of protecting your brother. even though jungwoo was absolutely correct.

“she’ll be okay,” a voice behind you says. low. easy. and your heart speeds up without your permission, “we’ll take care of her.”

you turn, already knowing who it is.

“yup, look — four strong men all right here to protect me,” you say gesturing toward the four men not equipped at all to protect a woman at the moment.

jeno is still too busy typing on his phone, sighing every two seconds. jaemin is fully slumped now, head tipped back, mouth half open, completely passed out. haechan just looks like pure trouble. and mark was sitting at the end of the couch, rubbing his temples.

you take note of the open space right between mark and haechan. like it was reserved with your name on it. like he wanted you to sit there.

jungwoo sighs in disappointment as you laugh, turning to face him again, “i’ll be okay. you know me.”

he nods because he does know you. knows the fact that you never get drunk enough to lose your sophistication. and with that, they leave you to it. alone. with that empty space on the couch. you finally give in. settling right between the two boys.

mark’s shoulder brushes yours immediately, his head lolling lazily from one side to the other, eyes half-lidded, clearly losing his battle with alcohol. every few seconds he lets out a quiet sigh, like he’s drifting in and out of consciousness.

you glance at him first, a small smile tugging at your lips.

“you still doing okay?” haechan’s voice is low.

you turn and your breath catches for half a second. he’s right there. closer than you expect. closer than he has any reason to be. close enough that when you turn, your nose brushes lightly against his cheek. it’s quick. barely there. but it’s enough.

you pull back just as fast, leaning into the couch like it didn’t happen, like you didn’t feel that tiny spark shoot straight down your spine.

“yeah,” you say, clearing your throat just slightly. “this is nothing. we barely drank.”

he lifts an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, “okay…miss party girl.”

you laugh, nudging his knee with yours, “i don’t party that much.”

he huffs out a quiet chuckle, leaning back into the couch, one arm draped lazily over the backrest behind you — not touching, but close enough that you’re aware of it.

“where’s your brother?” he asks.

you tilt your head, giving him a look, “you’re asking me? you were the one with him the whole night.”

“fair,” he admits, smiling a little.

you shrug, glancing out at the crowd, “last time i saw him, he was making out with someone.”

his brows lift, “and you didn’t step in?”

you let out a soft snort, “why would i step in?”

“you’re his older sister,” he says, like it should mean something.

and for a second — you can’t tell if he’s reminding you…or himself.

you roll your eyes, a small laugh slipping out, “please. he’s twenty-two,” you say, shaking your head, “he doesn’t need me stepping in.”

you glance back at him, a teasing smile pulling at your lips, “what about you?” you ask. “you disappeared a lot tonight…busy?”

he lets out a quiet breath through his nose, like he already knows where you’re going with this.

“busy playing your brother’s matchmaker,” he says, a small smile tugging at his lips. “that’s for sure.”

you hum, unconvinced, “i’m sure it was very mutual,” you tease.

“nah,” he shrugs, almost too casually. “didn’t really see anyone i liked.”

you blink at him, then laugh lightly, nudging his knee again, “really? a whole club full of hot women and not a single one caught your attention?”

“guess not.”

there’s something off about how easily he says it. you tilt your head, studying him a little closer now.

“your standards that high?”

he doesn’t answer right away. just looks at you. steady. unrushed. like he’s not even trying to hide it.

“we can’t always have what we want,” he says quietly but you’re so focused on him, you hear it loud and clear, even when the first beat of just like heaven fills up the room.

you feel it again. that pull. that quiet, dangerous tension that keeps threading itself between every interaction you have with him, tightening each time like it’s building toward something you’re not ready to name.

and for a second, you don’t know what to say. don’t know if you should say anything.

but before the moment can stretch any further, a sudden weight drops against your shoulder. you jolt, blinking as you look down.

mark.

completely out. head resting heavily against you, breathing slow and even like he passed out mid-thought. you let out a small laugh, glancing back at haechan.

“your friend fell asleep on my shoulder,” you point out, amused.

haechan leans forward slightly, looking past you at mark, then huffs out a quiet laugh, “yeah…he’s gone.”

you shift a little, adjusting so mark doesn’t slide off, instinctively steadying him even as you try not to laugh too loud.

“great,” you mumble. “now i’m stuck.”

“mhm,” haechan hums, leaning back again, eyes still on you, “looks like it.”

and somehow, even with mark half-asleep on you, it still feels like you’re the only two people on that couch.

🏹

you try to stay upright. you really do. but your body’s slowly giving up on you, shoulders heavy, head dipping every few seconds no matter how many times you blink or straighten yourself out.

your head tilts forward slightly. you catch it. straighten. then it happens again, slower this time, your balance slipping just enough that it’s obvious you’re losing the fight.

haechan notices. of course he does. he’s been watching you longer than he should admit. the way your movements get softer, slower. the way your eyes take a second longer to focus. the way your head keeps dipping like you’re trying to convince your body to stay awake when it’s already decided otherwise.

so when it happens again, when your head tips just a little too far to the side — he moves. one hand comes up, gentle but sure, stopping you before you can awkwardly jolt yourself back upright. his fingers brush lightly against your temple as he guides you, not forcing, not rushing, just enough. until your head comes to rest against his shoulder. steady. comfortable. like it was meant to be there. he adjusts slightly after, shifting his posture so you don’t have to hold yourself up anymore, his shoulder dipping just enough to support you properly. and you’re too tired to protest.

from an outside perspective you can almost imagine how ridiculous this group looks. a full row of half-dead bodies on a couch. mark passed out on one side, jaemin completely knocked out on the other, jeno still stress-texting like his life depends on it, and you — resting on haechan like the final piece of a sleeping train.

“tired?” he murmurs softly.

“no,” you whisper. it such an obvious lie, it almost makes you smile.

he chuckles under his breath, “wanna go back to the hotel?”

you nod your head no against his shoulder, the movement slow and lazy, “don’t wanna ruin jisung’s fun.”

honestly, you have no idea where your brother even is anymore. somewhere out there. still partying like the night isn’t already over.

“okay,” haechan says.

just like that. no pushing. no teasing. just…okay. his voice is quieter now, like he’s matching your pace without making a big deal out of it.

a few seconds pass. then, “you’re gonna fall asleep on me,” he adds, softer this time, almost amused.

you hum faintly, eyes slipping open for a second, “i’m not asleep,” you mumble.

he lets out another quiet laugh, “sure.”

after a while, he was getting pretty over it too. it was nearing 5:00am and jisung and chenle were still nowhere to be found.

haechan takes one last glance at you, your breathing has evened out now and he’s pretty sure you’ve fallen into a light slumber. he moves carefully, afraid to wake you.

“jeno,” he calls out to his friend, whispering, which is pretty ironic since the rest of the club is still loud.

your ears pick up on it immediately even if your eyes refuses to open.

“can you find jisung and chenle?” haechan says, softer than you’ve ever heard him all night, “we should head back soon.”

“yeah,” jeno mutters, pushing himself up from the couch, still sounding half-annoyed, half-exhausted. “i’ll look for them.”

you feel the couch move under his weight. and for a second — it’s just the two of you again. you’re still resting against him, eyes slightly open now, too tired to pretend you’re not listening anymore. too tired to move away.

“go back to sleep,” haechan murmurs, quieter this time, “i’ll wake you up when they’re here.”

you let out a small breath, barely audible, “mmm.”

his hand shifts again, briefly brushing against your arm like he’s checking if you’re okay. if you’re comfortable. and you are. too comfortable. dangerously so.

a few minutes pass before you hear familiar voices again — jisung’s loud, unmistakable laugh cutting through everything as he stumbles back over with chenle not far behind.

“yo…why do you all look dead?” jisung says, breathless, still riding whatever high he’s on.

the sound of your brother’s voice finally snaps you back to reality and you slowly remove yourself from haechan’s shoulder.

“we’re heading back,” haechan tells them simply. no explanation. no teasing. and for some reason, they listen.

you reach for your bag and pause. it’s not there. your eyes shift to the side. haechan already has it slung over his shoulder like it’s been there all night. you don’t say anything. you just…notice.

🏹

by the time you step out of the club, it’s exactly 5:15am the sky is pale blue now, the sun slowly rising like it’s stretching awake with the rest of you.

the air feels different. cooler. cleaner. quieter in a way the city never really is.

and somehow, that short slumber on the couch did wonders. your head’s clearer now, your steps steadier, your body no longer fighting to stay upright.

you’re already pulling your phone out, opening grab, thumb hovering over the screen when—

“i’m hungry,” your brother says, of course.

you look up at him, unimpressed, “you’re always hungry.”

“there’s a burger place like seven minutes away,” chenle adds, walking backward with way too much energy for someone who’s been up all night. “we can just walk.”

you hesitate. just for a second. you were about to book a ride. go back. end the night.

but then — you feel it. that look.

you turn slightly. haechan’s already looking at you. quiet. waiting. like the answer somehow sits with you.

you exhale softly, shoulders lifting in a casual shrug, “i could eat.”

and just like that — plans change.

the walk is slow, the streets are calmer than usual, nearly empty, filled with other late party-goers looking for food or getting ready to go home.

you end up beside haechan without thinking. step for step. you don’t mention the bag still hanging off his shoulder. don’t mention the way he subtly switches sides so you’re on the inner part of the sidewalk, closer to the buildings, away from the road. like it’s instinct.

jaemin and mark are a few steps ahead, quiet for once, walking a little too straight, a little too focused. like if they concentrate hard enough, no one will notice how drunk they still are.

far ahead, jisung, jeno, and chenle are louder. their voices echoing through the quiet street as they argue like it’s broad daylight.

“i’m telling you…just block her,” chenle says.

“i can’t just block her,” jeno groans.

“why not? peace of mind,” jisung adds like it’s the simplest thing in the world.

“because i like her,” jeno shoots back, frustration clear even from a distance.

“i don’t know man—you can like someone that doesn’t make you feel like shit,” jisung says, way too confidently you almost roll your eyes.

for someone who’s never been in a serious relationship he sure does speak like he knows it all.

“yeah, exactly!,” chenle adds. those two always hyping each other up.

you laugh softly under your breath, shaking your head.

“they’re giving terrible advice,” you mumble.

“yeah,” haechan hums beside you, hands tucked into his pockets, “but it’s fine — jeno’s not gonna listen anyway.”

you glance at him “you think so?”

he nods once, eyes forward, voice calm in a way that feels a little too certain.

“people forget all logic when love comes to play.”

you let out a small laugh, nudging his arm lightly, “okay, shakespeare found in a ditch.”

his lips twitch, shaking his head a little like he’s trying to hide how easy it is for you to make him smile.

🏹

by the time you reach the burger joint — your brother is already seated. burger halfway unwrapped, bite already taken, like it never even crossed his mind to wait for you. you don’t comment on it.

you just shake your head lightly, stepping inside and glancing around and realize it’s just you, mark, and haechan left standing.

mark stretches beside you, running a hand through his hair like he’s still trying to wake himself up, eyes scanning the menu lazily.

and haechan — he’s still next to you. close. like he’s been the entire walk. and maybe he notices the way your shoulders drop just slightly, the quiet acceptance of your brother being…well, your brother. because when you look at him, he’s already smiling at you.

“what do you want?” he asks, glancing down at you.

you blink, a little caught off guard, “uh — no, it’s okay,” you say quickly, shaking your head, offering him a small smile, “i’ll just order after you.”

something about it — the idea of someone just casually buying you something — makes you feel a little…awkward. flustered.

he notices that too. of course he does. and it makes his smile widen just a little.

“c’mon,” he nudges your arm lightly with his elbow, “my treat.”

you narrow your eyes at him, half amused.

“how rich are you?”

he scoffs, a brow lifting, “it’s a burger.”

you huff out a small laugh, crossing your arms loosely.

“you already paid for the hotel rooms,” you remind him, like he might’ve conveniently forgotten, “if anything, i should be treating you.”

he laughs at that, easy and unbothered.

“those were from my parents’ saved-up credit card points,” he says casually, “don’t worry about it.”

then he tilts his head slightly, looking at you again.

“so you either tell me what you want,” he adds, voice light but firm, “or i’m ordering the entire menu.”

you blink. once. twice…you’re not entirely sure he’s joking. and honestly? you don’t feel like finding out.

you sigh, giving in just a little, “…just fries,” you mumble.

his grin widens instantly, “just fries?”

you hesitate for half a second, “…and maybe a sundae,” you add, a little quieter this time.

there’s something about the way he looks at you then — like he’s enjoying this way too much.

“with chocolate syrup?” he asks, like he already knows the answer.

you glance up at him, lips pressing together to hide your smile.

“…with chocolate syrup.”

🏹

you find a table for the three of you after that, sliding into your seat with a quiet exhale, finally giving your legs a break.

jisung’s already on his second burger. of course he is. you don’t even bother commenting anymore, just shake your head faintly as you settle in.

a few minutes later, haechan comes back with the tray.

he sets everything down in front of you first — fries, sundae, and a bottle of water you didn’t ask for. but immediately appreciate. you glance up at him, just for a second.

“…thanks,” you murmur.

he just hums, like it’s nothing. like it didn’t matter. like he didn’t think twice about it.

he drops into the seat right in front of you. and you’re glad. because it gives you a perfect view of him.

his hair a little messy from the night, curling at the edge, cheeks slightly flushed, lips a little swollen from too many drinks and he’s so just so — pretty. annoyingly pretty.

and suddenly you’re aware of yourself. of how you probably look right now after hours of dancing, sweating, laughing, barely fixing your makeup. not…put together. not the version of you you’re used to presenting. you resist the urge to check your reflection on your phone. force yourself not to care.

instead, you just reach for your fries, acting like nothing’s changed. like you didn’t just become hyperaware of everything.

you grabbed the ketchup packet, biting the corner off and out of pure habit — you drag a perfect line of red across a single fry. precise. neat.

haechan watches you do it. and then he looks at you like you’ve just disobeyed all the laws of the universe.

“who the fuck eats their fries like that?”

“hey!,” you say defensively, “don’t knock it before you try it.”

he lets out a short laugh, shaking his head.

“you psycho,” he says, leaning back slightly, “it’s literally easier to just put the ketchup on the napkin and dip your fry like a normal person.”

“it doesn’t taste as good!” you argue, already preparing another one.

he raises a brow, unconvinced.

“i swear,” you insist, glancing up at him. “it doesn’t.”

and before you even realize what you’re doing — you’re holding it out to him. right in front of his lips. a perfectly ketchup-lined fry.

there’s a split second where you register it. where you could pull back. laugh it off. but you don’t.

and he doesn’t hesitate. he leans in just enough, his pretty lips wrapping around the fry as he takes it from your fingers — eyes still on you the entire time.

it’s not as innocent as it should be. your breath catches, just slightly.

and then mark drops into the seat beside him.

you retract your hand immediately, reminded of company.

“see?” you say quickly, grabbing another fry to distract yourself. “tastes better, doesn’t it?”

“it tastes like a fry,” he says, completely unimpressed, but his eyes are sparkling with mischief. like he’s enjoying this more than he’s letting on.

you can’t help the grin that slips through.

“whatever.”

🏹

it’s calm now. quiet. no pounding bass. no flashing lights. just early morning chatter, wrappers crinkling, the soft hum of the city waking up. conversation comes easy. you laugh over small moments, replaying bits of the night like it didn’t just happen. and then, you look at mark. tilting your head slightly, a knowing smile creeping in.

“so, mark…” you start casually, grabbing a fry, “you and ningning were dancing all night.”

you let it sit there for a second. just enough for him to realize you noticed.

“oh…yeah,” mark shrugs, like it’s nothing, unwrapping his burger. “she’s cool.”

you narrow your eyes at him slightly. she’s cool? that’s it? you glance at haechan for half a second, like you need a witness to how underwhelming that response was, before looking back at mark.

“just cool?” you press, a teasing edge in your voice, “you were glued to her the whole night.”

mark huffs out a small laugh, rubbing the back of his neck, “okay, okay…she’s more than cool,” he admits, a little sheepish now, “she’s…fun. it’d be nice to see her again.”

you hum, satisfied. and if you’re being honest? you’re pretty sure ningning liked him too. and that doesn’t happen easily. it’s hard for any man to keep her attention.

you lean forward slightly, resting your chin on your hand, “are you single, mark?”

it comes out casual. but not really. mark blinks at you mid-bite, clearly caught off guard.

“uh, yeah,” he nods. “yeah, i am.”

you nod slowly, like you’re filing that information away, “good to know.”

he squints at you, “…why?”

“nothinggg,” you say simply, popping a fry into your mouth.

haechan lets out a quiet laugh across from you, watching the whole thing unfold and you can’t help but match his smile.

“what’s your type?” you ask, shifting gears smoothly.

mark thinks for a second, chewing slowly, “i don’t know…someone easy to talk to,” he says. “not…too complicated.”

you nod, accepting it, for now. then your eyes flick to haechan.

“…what about you?”

it’s casual. too casual. like you didn’t just ask that on purpose. he pauses for half a second. then he leans in slightly, one arm resting on the table, gaze steady at you.

“someone who can be my best friend,” he says. simple. but it hits harder than it should. you don’t know why. so you look away first, reaching for your sundae like it suddenly needs your full attention.

“and you?” mark asks, turning it back on you.

you pause mid-scoop, spoon hovering for a second before you shrug lightly.

“i don’t know…someone who actually knows how to act like a man,” you say, half joking, “not someone i have to babysit.”

“easy enough,” haechan murmurs.

you glance up at him, one brow lifting, a quiet challenge in your eyes.

“yet impossible to find,” you add.

mark laughs at that. and then — there’s a brief moment. a quiet look shared between the two of them. quick. subtle. but you catch it. and immediately pretend you didn’t.

suddenly, you’re regretting bringing this topic up.

“what about your type…physically?” mark asks, amused now.

you hum, thinking about it for a second.

“don’t have one.”

“oh well now that’s just bullshit,” haechan says, not missing a beat.

you kick his foot lightly under the table, a laugh spilling out from your lips before you can stop it.

“swear,” you insist, shaking your head, “none of my exes even look alike.”

“there has to be something,” mark presses.

“well…” you trail off, tapping your spoon against the cup, “i guess they’re all conventionally attractive,” you shrug.

“how about you guys?” you ask, wanting to rid the attention off you.

mark opens his mouth but haechan beats him to it. you glance at him and immediately catching the smirk sitting on his lips. yeah. he’s about to be annoying.

“someone conventionally attractive,” he says, taking a slow sip of his cola like he didn’t just throw your cop out answer right back at you.

you roll your eyes instantly but before you could reply, your brother’s voice interrupts. you look over, and sure enough — him, chenle, jeno, and jaemin are already standing, throwing their trash away like they didn’t just eat half the menu.

“we’ll see you guys back at the hotel,” he adds casually.

that’s it. no are you coming? no you good? no second thought about leaving you behind with two men you’ve technically only known for a day. you’re over it at this point. waving him off without a word.

🏹

you reach for your bag and pull out your compact mirror, flipping it open with a small click. you had a feeling the three of you would be leaving soon anyway. might as well check. you glance at your reflection — and freeze.

“…oh my god,” your head snaps up.

haechan’s already looking at you, amused.

“what?”

you turn the mirror toward him like evidence.

“i have no more lipstick,” you say, scandalized. “and none of you told me?” you look between him and mark like they’ve committed a serious offense.

mark lets out a tired laugh.

haechan just smirks, “we’re supposed to tell you that?” he asks.

“yes. that’s what friends do,” you reply instantly, no hesitation.

you’re already digging through your bag, pulling out your lip liner and lipstick like it’s muscle memory. you lean slightly toward the mirror, fixing it. precise. practiced.

you notice the way he’s watching you. the way his gaze drops — lingers. follows the movement of your hand as the liner traces your lips, steady and smooth. but you don’t comment on it.

and haechan — he can’t help but stare at the way your lips part just slightly as you fill them in. careful. focused. it’s such a small thing. mundane. but for some reason, he’s captivated.

he shifts slightly in his seat, glancing at mark for a second like he’s checking if he’s the only one noticing this. mark doesn’t look nearly as entertained, just tired, almost bored, half-focused on his food, completely unbothered. not like him who’s eyes are now drifting back to your lips. his thoughts drifting somewhere he probably shouldn’t let them go. like how your lips probably taste as sweet as the vanilla sundae with a hint of salt from the fries. a combo he doesn’t mind trying.

you snap your compact shut with a soft click. and he’s reminded of who you are.

“there,” you say, tucking everything back into your bag, “much better.”

haechan leans back slightly, dragging his eyes away like it didn’t just take effort.

🏹

it doesn’t take long before the three of you are up too. you pull your phone out, opening the grab app.

“i’ll book it,” you say.

“okay,” mark nods sleepily while haechan just hums beside you.

the car pulls up not long after. you slide in first, then haechan in the middle then mark. his thigh brushes yours immediately. and it stays there.

there’s enough space to move away but neither of you does. instead, you stare out the window, pretending not to notice.

the ride feels longer than it should.

you don’t know if the driver took a wrong turn, or if it’s the traffic slowly building. but you don’t mind. not really. the city outside is alive now, soft light spilling over buildings.

and inside the car — it’s quiet. almost too comfortable. so you enjoy it. letting the ride take just a little longer.

but the longer actually gets ridiculous. almost concerning.

haechan leans over to whisper in your ear, “you’re not kidnapping us are you?” his breath causing goosebumps to rise on your neck.

“little ol’ me?” you say in mock offense.

he hums, glancing between you and the driver like he’s genuinely weighing his options, “i don’t know,” he says, lips twitching. “you did book the ride.”

you scoff softly, crossing your arms.

“i’m the one stuck in a car with three men i barely know,” you point out, tilting your head at him. “i think if anyone should be scared, it’s me.”

he lets out a quiet laugh. but it fades quicker than expected. because he’s been aware of it the whole night and for a second, something shifts in his expression, subtle, but there.

truth is, he doesn’t get it. doesn’t get how jisung could just leave you like that, not even thinking twice. he can’t even imagine doing that to his own sister. his jaw tightens just slightly before he looks back at you.

“are you scared?” he asks softly. no teasing. no smirk. just…genuine. his eyes search yours like he actually wants to know.

you meet his gaze, surprised by the change in tone but you don’t hesitate — you smile. small. real.

“no,” you say honestly. and maybe it sounds a little crazy. but you mean it. you feel safe around him.

he holds your gaze for a second longer, like he’s searching for the truth in your eyes.

“good,” he says, a faint smile returning.

🏹

a few minutes later, the car finally slows, pulling up to the hotel entrance just as the morning light fully settles over the city.

it’s close to 7:00am now. the sky’s no longer soft and dim. it’s bright enough to feel real, like the night has officially ended whether you’re ready for it or not.

you sit up properly, blinking once as you glance over. mark’s still out cold. completely gone.

“bro,” haechan nudges him lightly, then a little harder. “we’re here.”

nothing. not even a twitch. you sigh, already pushing your door open and stepping out, even though the entrance is technically on mark’s side.

haechan follows after you, a sheepish smile on his face like he already knows what’s coming. you both circle around the car.

and yeah — this is gonna be a problem.

“fuck,” you groan immediately when mark’s arm lands around your shoulder, your heels digging into the pavement as his full weight leans into you. “your friend is heavy.”

haechan lets out a breath on the other side, adjusting his grip.

“why’d you let him drink this much?” he shoots back.

you snap your head toward him, “me?” you groan. “you’re the one who left him with us.”

“yeah, well,” he huffs, trying to hoist mark up properly, “i didn’t expect you guys to be alcohol immune.”

you let out a laugh despite yourself, “don’t make me laugh,” you warn, struggling to keep mark upright. “or your friend is going down.”

haechan laughs too — quiet at first, then slipping out a little more.

“i’m serious—” you choke out between laughs, tightening your grip.

“okay, okay—sorry,” he says, still smiling, though he’s barely helping by laughing himself.

the two of you wobble forward, barely coordinated, mark completely dead weight between you.

it’s ridiculous. but fun.

finally, the hotel’s doorman sees your struggle. thank god. and immediately got a wheelchair ready.

“here ma’am, sir, let me assist—”

“please,” you breathe out, immediately letting some of mark’s weight shift off you as he’s carefully guided into the chair.

you straighten up instantly, flexing your hands, rolling your shoulders, “took him long enough,” you mumble under your breath.

haechan lets out a quiet laugh beside you.

“you good?” he asks, glancing at you.

“i think that’s the most workout i’ve done this year,” you mutter. he snorts softly.

🏹

the elevator hums softly as it starts to rise. haechan’s behind the wheelchair, one hand resting on the handle, the other loosely by his side. you’re standing next to mark, who is still completely out, head tilted to the side like he’s given up on consciousness altogether.

you glance at him. then at haechan. then back at mark. and you can’t help it — a laugh slips out.

“this is so embarrassing,” you mumble, already reaching into your back pocket.

“what are you doing?” haechan asks, though there’s already a hint of amusement in his voice.

you pull your phone out, turning the camera on.

“this is too good not to remember,” you say, stepping in slightly.

you angle the phone just right with mark slumped in the middle, you leaning in beside him, barely holding in your laughter.

and haechan doesn’t hesitate. he leans in too. closer than necessary. just enough that his shoulder brushes yours.

the picture snaps. you glance at it and immediately grin.

“send that to me,” he says, looking down at your screen.

you glance up at him, trying to act nonchalant, “sure.”

but internally — you hate it. because now you’re the one who has to follow first.

you unlock your phone anyway, opening instagram like you don’t already know exactly what you’re about to search.

“what’s your instagram?” you ask casually.

like you’ve never stalked him on the internet before.

he tells you. you type it in. and yeah— it’s exactly how it looks the last time you were on his profile.

you send the picture quickly then hit follow before you can overthink it.

he’s already pulling his phone out, thumbs moving fast.

“followed back,” he says a second later.

your lips press together, trying to hide the small smile threatening to show.

“good.”

🏹

the elevator dings. doors sliding open. you step aside, letting him go first, one hand holding the door as he carefully wheels your shared patient of the night out.

you follow them down the hall, quieter now, the hotel almost completely still.

and you step into their room with him, not even thinking twice about it — just making sure everything’s okay.

“okay…one more time,” haechan mutters, already moving to lift his friend. you step in without being asked, slipping under mark’s arm again.

“god, how did he get even heavier,” you mumble.

you both manage to get mark onto the bed with a soft thud, his body sinking into the mattress like he belongs there.

you straighten up, brushing your hands off, exhaling.

“there,” you say, “mission accomplished.”

“thanks partner,” haechan teases, a small smile on his face.

you shrug it off like it’s nothing, “yeah, no problem.”

then you turn slightly, already about to head for the door—

“hey.”

you look back. he’s still standing there, watching you.

“you still tired?”

you pause. pretend to think about it for a second even though you already know your answer as soon as he asked. then shake your head lightly.

“not really.”

his lips curve, “wanna have a beer?”

“…where exactly are you planning on getting a beer at 7 am?”

he doesn’t answer. just walks past you and straight to the mini fridge. you watch as he crouches down, opens it, and pulls out two bottles, opening them and holding one out to you.

you let out a quiet laugh, shaking your head. but you take it from his hand anyway, fingers brushing his briefly.

then, instead of taking the obvious seat — you walk over to his side of the room. slipping down to the floor, back resting lightly against the side of his bed, right in front of the window.

it’s partially hidden, tucked behind the frame of the bed. private. quiet.

in truth — you hate the taste of beer. you just didn’t want the night to end.

he watches you for a second — then lets out a soft laugh.

“you know you can sit on my bed, right?”

you glance up at him, immediately scrunching your nose, “ew. what do you think i am? a monster?”

he pauses, “…huh?”

“i’m not sitting on your bed with these dirty clothes on,” you say, gesturing to yourself. “that’s disgusting.”

he laughs, shaking his head as he walks over, lowering himself down beside you anyway, back against the bed, shoulder just barely brushing yours.

“you’re weird,” he mutters.

“and yet you’re sitting next to me.”

“unfortunately.”

you grin into the rim of your drink.

and for a while — it’s quiet. no music. no chaos. just the two of you, side by side on the floor, bottles in hand. watching the city wake up through the window. cars moving. people beginning their day. the sky fully bright now. and neither of you rushes to say anything.

you just…sit there. together.

🏹

“so,” he finally breaks it, voice low, easy, “your brother…”

“hm?” you hum, not looking at him, eyes still on the window.

“you two close?”

you turn your head slightly, brow lifting.

“why?” you ask, a hint of amusement already creeping in. “you got a crush on him or what?”

he chokes. actually chokes.

“wh—what??”

you turn fully now, fighting your smile.

“do you have a crush on my brother?”

“n-no,” he stumbles, suddenly very awake. “are you asking me if i’m gay??”

you shrug, taking another sip just to hide how entertained you are.

“hey, nothing wrong with it, i’ll even support you.”

“why would you even—”

you cut him off with a small tilt of your head.

“maybe because we can’t get through a conversation without you bringing him up.”

he opens his mouth. closes it. pauses.

“…that’s not—”

you just stare at him. waiting.

he exhales, running a hand through his hair, clearly flustered now.

“that’s not why,” he mutters.

“then why?” you press lightly.

and this time, he doesn’t answer right away. the teasing fades. his gaze shifts back to you — and lingers. longer than it has all night. and you feel it again. that pull that’s been there all night, in every look, every joke, every quiet moment.

but this one feels different. heavier. closer.

“because,” he starts, voice quieter now, like the words aren’t meant for anyone else but you, “you’re his sister.”

you exhale softly through your nose, fighting the urge to roll your eyes.

“yes,” you say, dry. “we’ve established that plenty of times tonight.”

he doesn’t take the bait. doesn’t laugh. just huffs out a breath, gaze dropping for a second before coming back up to you. like he’s thinking. weighing it. like there’s a line he knows he shouldn’t cross. and he’s standing right at the edge of it.

but then he looks at you again. really looks. and whatever restraint he had — it slips. just enough.

“and i’ve been trying really hard not to do something stupid.”

your fingers tighten slightly around your bottle. your heartbeat picks up before you can stop it.

“…like what?” you ask, softer now. not teasing anymore. not really.

there’s a pause. a small one. but it stretches. his eyes flick briefly to your lips. back to your eyes. like he’s already imagining it.

and then he says it.

“like kiss you.”

it lands between you. heavy. quiet. real. no joke to soften it. no smirk to take it back. just the truth — sitting right there, in the space between your shoulders, your knees almost touching, your breaths just slightly out of sync.

you don’t move. you don’t even think you breathe. because suddenly — everything feels louder. your heartbeat. the silence. the way he’s still looking at you like he hasn’t decided if he’s done holding himself back yet.

“how long have you and my brother been friends again?” you ask.

he blinks at you, thrown off, confused. like that’s the last thing he expected right now.

“…like a year?” he finally says.

you nod slowly. like you’re actually thinking about it. weighing it. but you weren’t. not really.

your fingers loosen around your bottle, setting it down gently on the floor. then you turn toward him slowly, deliberately, letting the moment stretch.

he watches you intently, his gaze darting from your eyes to your lips and back again. he's trying to read you, to predict your next move, but the air between you thickens, heavy with unspoken want.

you tilt your head just a fraction, holding his stare without flinching. the words slip out soft but pointed—

“so you’re not gonna kiss me over a year long friendship?”

it’s quiet. but it hits. hard. his breath catches. for a second, just one, he looks like he’s still holding on to that last thread of restraint.

you lean in closer, inch by torturous inch, until the heat radiating from his body seeps into yours. the world narrows to the space between you, the faint hitch in his breathing, the way his scent settles into your lungs, steady and consuming, until it’s the only thing you can focus on.

and fuck. you’re so close he can’t even hear himself think anymore. everything else fades. logic. rules. bro-code. mark’s snores in the background. all gone.

all that’s left is this pull— magnetic, inevitable — like you’ve both been circling this moment all night and finally stopped pretending otherwise.

and when your noses brush, you whisper, softly—

“or will you risk it and kiss me?”

and he feels like he might drop dead.

your question hang in the air between you, soft and sure, unraveling the last thread of his restraint.

haechan's eyes lock onto yours, dark and stormy. he doesn't hesitate anymore. can't. his fingers thread gently into your hair, cradling the back of your head as he tilts your face toward his — and then his lips crash into yours in a soft, slow kiss. enough to steal your breath.

you pull apart for a second, breathless, and you can’t help but bite your lip.

“jisung’s just gonna have to deal with it,” he mutters.

you raise a brow, “yeah, bringing up my brother right after kissing me is—”

you don’t get to finish your sentence because his lips are on yours again. soft, but urgent, like he's been starving for this taste. and you don’t even remember what you were going to say. your mouth responds to him immediately.

his lips part just enough to let his tongue trace the seam of your mouth, seeking entry. you open to him — and god, you taste even sweeter than he imagined, now with the hint of his favorite beer.

it turns hungrier, tongues sliding together in a slick, intimate dance that sends sparks racing down your spine. haechan groans low in his throat, the sound vibrating against your lips, raw and unguarded.

his hand travels down, fingers settling on your belt loops, thumb tracing circles on your slightly exposed skin. your hands come up, tangling in his hair, eliciting a whine from him.

that whine ignites something fierce in you, a bold urge that overrides the caution flickering at the edges of your mind. you tug harder on his hair, guiding him with you as you lean back until your back meets the soft carpet floor, the bottle of beers completely forgotten.

your legs part instinctively, making room for him to settle between them, his body pressing down with a weight that's both grounding and electric.

the kiss is hotter now, lips and tongues clashing with desperate need.

the carpet scratches lightly at your back, but you barely notice — everything is him, the heat of his body pinning you, the way his breath comes in hot pants against your mouth, his hand roaming down your side.

his lips break from yours, trailing a wet path down your jaw, teeth grazing the sensitive skin there just enough to make you arch into him. he moves lower, mouth finding the curve of your neck, his hand comes up to move your hair out of the way and his touch is enough to make you feel dizzy. then he sucks hard, tongue flicking over the sensitive spot before his teeth sink in lightly, marking you with a blooming bruise. the sensation earns him a sweet moan, the sound echoing softly in the quiet room, reaching his ear like music.

haechan lifts his head just enough to murmur against your skin, his voice a low, teasing rumble.

“shhh, pretty girl, you don’t wanna wake mark up now, do you?” he smiles into your neck, lips brushing the fresh mark as his hand squeezes your hip.

“please,” you say breathlessly, “he wouldn’t even know if the world ended right now,” you joke, mark’s soft snores from across the room confirming your statement.

haechan chuckles softly, the vibration humming against your skin as he nips at your earlobe.

“good point,” he whispers, voice thick with desire, his mouth returning to your neck to soothe the mark with a slow lick while his free hand wanders up to squeeze your tit.

you bite your lip, stifling your moan as you slide your hand down his back, fingers dipping into his back pocket to squeeze his ass. the muscle tenses under your grip, and haechan looks up at you, eyes wide with a little shock, his lips parting in surprise.

“what? two can play that game,” you tease, your voice light but laced with mischief, holding his gaze as you give another squeeze.

he smirks, recovering quickly, his hand still cupping your breast as he leans in closer, “didn’t know you were an ass man,” he says, his tone playful, eyes darkening with amusement and hunger.

“oh yeah,” you reply, teasing, squeezing harder, feeling the firm curve fill your palm, “i just love cute little butts so much,” your tone laced with sarcasm.

haechan laughs at that, the sound warm and genuine, breaking the intensity for a split second and god, he’s just so, so pretty — you’re almost paranoid that you made him up. that this was all just a figment of your imagination. and you’d wake up with your phone in your hand opened to his instagram profile.

before you could completely spiral, you crane your neck up to kiss him again, almost begging. it’s kinda pathetic and so not who you are. but you can’t help it, you’re a sucker for pretty boys.

“hmm,” he hums, the hand on your tit wandering up to brush your bottom lip. you place a soft kiss on the tip of this thumb, “so pretty,” he murmurs.

and lucky for you — he’s a sucker for you.

his lips crash on yours again, “never wanna stop kissing you,” he sighs in between breaths, the moment heating up once more as he melts into you, tongues tangling urgently.

your finger pulls at his belt loop and he understands your signal, grinding on your clothed core once, hips rolling forward with deliberate pressure, and even through the layers of both of your jeans, it’s enough to make you shiver, a jolt of pleasure shooting straight to your clit. you’re so wet, so fucking wet, your panties soaked and sticking to your folds, aching for more friction, more of him.

but before you can ask him to do something about it — before you can beg him to unzip your jeans and slide his fingers inside — your phone buzzes in the back of your pocket.

you try to ignore it, focusing on him, but then it buzzes again. and again. and again. insistent and relentless.

finally, you break the kiss, turning your head to the side. haechan’s mouth trails after you, lips brushing your cheek in a reluctant chase, both of you out of breath and flustered, chests heaving in the dim hotel light.

“one moment,” you say, smiling sheepishly, as you reach back to pull out your phone from your back pocket.

haechan groans softly in protest, but he hovers above you anyway, propped on his elbows, his dark hair tousled from your earlier fingers raking through it, strands falling messily over his forehead. his lips are swollen and glistening from your kisses, parted slightly as he breathes heavily, eyes locked on yours with that hungry, lingering heat. pretty. so fucking distracting. you have to force yourself to look away, tearing your gaze away from the way his chest rises and falls, the faint sheen of sweat on his collarbone.

your screen lights up with a string of texts:

giselle 🖤: where r u????

giselle 🖤: it’s almost 9

giselle 🖤: i heard the boys come in earlier

giselle 🖤: if you’re not here cause of taro, he already left for work

giselle 🖤: i’m getting really worried please

giselle 🖤: if you don’t answer right now, im calling the police

you almost feel bad, a twinge of guilt twisting in your gut. but hey, she was the one telling you to “see what the night holds.” and if she knew you were under lee haechan right now — she’d be proud.

“shit,” you mutter under your breath, thumb scrolling through the messages.

haechan's expression shifts instantly, worry creasing his brow as he pushes up slightly, his warm hand sliding to your waist.

“everything okay?” he asks, voice low and concerned, laced with that protective edge that makes your heart skip a tiny beat.

he helps you sit up with gentle pressure, the two of you shifting to sit side by side on the carpet again, his thigh pressing firmly against yours. the heat from his body radiates through your clothes, a reminder of how close you were to stripping them off.

“it’s giselle — she’s looking for me,” you explain, tilting the phone so he can see the frantic string of texts.

he leans in close, his shoulder bumping yours, breath warm against your ear as he reads over your shoulder, his scent filling your senses. and you’re not too sure how you’re going to walk out of this room.

his free hand rests on your thigh, fingers tracing lazy circles that send sparks up your leg, even now.

your phone buzzes again.

giselle 🖤: 3 seconds and i’m waking everyone in this damn hotel

your eyes widen as you type quickly, thumbs flying:

y/n: i’m here!

y/n: sorry!

y/n: im okay!

y/n: omw back

you don’t wait for her response, shutting off the screen and placing your phone to the side.

turning towards haechan, you send him an apologetic smile before cupping his jaw, pulling him in for a kiss — this one soft, innocent, almost sweet, a gentle press of lips that contrasts the raw urgency from before. his mouth yields to yours, warm, tongue flicking out just once to taste you before you pull back.

“i should probably go,” you say sheepishly, your voice hushed, fingers lingering on his cheek as reluctance tugs at you.

before you can fully pull away, haechan’s hand cups the back of your neck, his fingers threading into your hair with a gentle but insistent tug. he draws you back in, capturing your lips in another soft press.

“i’ll walk you back,” he mutters against your lips, his voice a low rumble that vibrates through you, as he nips at your bottom lip.

you smirk, the playful curve of your mouth brushing his as you lean in again, stealing another kiss — quick but firm, “i’m literally right next door,” you murmur.

the two of you just can’t seem to stop. every separation lasting only seconds before one of you closes the gap. his lips find yours again, softer this time.

he pulls back just enough to flash you a mischievous smile, his eyes sparkling with that devilish glint, dark lashes framing the heat in his gaze.

“i know you are,” he says, punctuating the words with another kiss, deeper now, “i put you there.”

you pretend to be shocked, pulling back with wide eyes and a dramatic gasp, though your fingers curl into his shirt, holding him close.

“ahhh, i knew it wasn’t a coincidence,” you say, your voice laced with feigned accusation, even though his confession makes your head spin.

“did you?” he counters, his grin widening as he chases your lips for another kiss, this one playful and light.

“mhm,” you hum affirmatively, your response muffled as you kiss him back.

he chuckles, the sound low and vibrating against your lips, warm air fanning your face as he hovers close.

“what can i say? i always had a vision of you begging for my kiss,” he teases, his free hand drifting to your hip, thumb circling the strip of exposed skin above your waistband, dipping just under the edge of your jeans to trace the curve of your bone.

you pull back immediately in mock offense, swatting his chest lightly while trying to suppress your laugh.

“begging? me?? you’re crazy,” you retort even though you did just that. the memory of how desperately you'd wanted him earlier flashing in your mind.

“okay, fine,” he laughs, the sound rich and genuine, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he concedes, pulling you flush against him, “it was me begging.”

“that’s much better,” you smile, your thumb brushing his jawline, feeling the slight stubble rasp against your skin.

he matches your smile, slow and seductive, his gaze dropping to your lips before flicking back up, dark and intent.

“give me another kiss, baby, please,” he says, the endearment rolling off his tongue like velvet, husky and intimate, making your pulse stutter.

and you do. because he called you baby. because he said please. because he’s just oh, oh, so pretty.

the kiss lingers, sweet and unhurried, his free arm wrapping around your waist to pull you closer, bodies aligning in a perfect, warm fit against the carpet.

when he pulls away for the umpteenth time, he stares at your lips a little too long and you think he might lean in again, but all he does is say something that pulls a soft laugh out of you—

“your lipstick is gone,” he says, a playful smirk on his face.

🏹

haechan stands first, offering his hand to help you up, his fingers lacing with yours as you rise, the simple touch sending sparks up your arm.

“come on,” he murmurs softly, “before your friend gets all of us kicked out of this hotel.”

you giggle, squeezing his hand, letting him lead you toward the door, the cool air of the hallway a stark contrast to the warmth you left behind in the room.

the walk is short — literally just five steps down the dimly lit corridor, the carpet muffling your footsteps, the faint hum of the hotel’s ac the only sound breaking the charged silence.

his thumb strokes the back of your hand, a subtle reassurance, his presence solid and comforting beside you.

at your door, you fish the key card from your bag, holding it out, but before you can swipe it, he takes it from your fingers, his touch lingering on your skin.

he pulls you in for one last kiss, slow and deep, lips molding to yours with a final, aching sweetness. his free hand cups the back of your neck, holding you there as his tongue teases yours one more time, a soft suck on your bottom lip that draws a quiet moan from you.

then, with a reluctant exhale, he breaks away, swiping the card through the reader. the lock beeps green, the door unlocking with a click. he hands the card back but doesn’t step away, leaning in close, his lips brushing your ear.

“good night,” he whispers, the words silent and intimate, meant only for you.

“good night,” you whisper back, your voice barely audible, slipping through the door as it swings open.

your fingers stay tangled with his until the distance forces them apart, a final brush of skin that leaves you both reaching for a second longer.

the last thing he hears before the door shuts is your friend’s voice, sharp and exasperated from inside the room.

“oh my god, you better have a good reason why you’re back so late.”

the door clicks closed, muffling your response, and haechan stands there in the empty hotel hallway, a slow, unstoppable smile spreading across his face.

he looks like a lovesick fool, heart pounding and he thinks you two might go really nice together.

🏹