#illit!reader

The speaker crackles as the opening beat of REDRED fills the practice room, bouncing off the mirrors and polished floors. You’re already counting under your breath, trying to match the timing Moka keeps whispering beside you.

Across from you, Martin claps his hands together. “Okay! From the top. I’ll go slow.”

He says that, but he’s not looking at the mirror. He’s looking at you.

You don’t notice. You’re too busy trying to get the footwork clean, but Seonghyeon does. He’s standing behind Martin, arms crossed, watching the way Martin’s eyes keep drifting away from the choreography and straight to you.

“Hyung,” Seonghyeon mutters, “you’re off beat again.”

Martin blinks like he’s waking up from a trance. “Huh? No I’m not.”

“You literally did the move backwards,” Wonhee says, not even looking up from tying her shoelace.

You pause mid‑step. “Wait, backwards? I thought that was the right way-”

“No, no, you’re fine,” Seonghyeon says quickly. “Martin’s the one messing up.”

Martin shoots him a look that says shut up before I trip you, but Seonghyeon only raises an eyebrow.

You try the move again, slower this time, and Martin steps closer to adjust your arm position. His hand hovers for a second, like he’s debating whether touching you will make him combust, before he gently nudges your elbow.

“There,” he says softly. “Perfect.”

You smile at him, bright and proud. And that’s it. That’s the moment he forgets the entire choreography again.

Wonhee watches him stare at you like you hung the moon. She leans toward Seonghyeon. “Is he always like this?”

“Only around her,” Seonghyeon whispers back.

You’re too focused on the mirror to hear any of it.

“Okay,” you say, determined. “Let’s try it with music again.”

Martin nods. He absolutely does not hear what you said.

The music starts. You hit every move with laser focus. Martin hits… none of them.

He’s a full two counts late, staring at you like you’re the choreography he’s supposed to be learning.

“Hyung,” Seonghyeon groans, stopping the music. “Please. I’m begging you. Get it together.”

“I am together,” Martin insists.

“You’re literally not,” Wonheesays. “You’re staring at her like she’s the only person in the room.”

Your head snaps up. “What?”

Martin’s ears turn red instantly.

“I- I wasn’t- I was just-” He gestures vaguely at the mirror. “looking at the… formation?”

“There is no formation,” Seonghyeon deadpans. “It’s four people standing in a line.”

You blink at Martin, confused. “Are you okay? You keep zoning out.”

He swallows. Hard.

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine. Just… tired.”

You step closer, concern softening your features. “You should’ve said something. We can take a break.”

And just like that, he melts.

“Okay,” he says quietly, eyes softening in a way that makes Seonghyeon roll his eyes so hard he almost pulls something.

Wonhee claps her hands. “Break time! Maybe during the break Martin can remember which direction left is.”

Martin glares at her. You laugh. Bright, warm, the kind of sound that makes his heart do a backflip, and he forgets how to be annoyed.

You hand him a water bottle. He takes it, fingers brushing yours, and he looks away like the contact physically short‑circuited him.

“You’re supposed to be teaching me,” you tease lightly, “not staring.”

His head snaps up.

“I wasn’t- I mean- I wasn’t staring.”

You tilt your head. “Then what were you doing?”

He opens his mouth. Closes it. Opens it again.

Seonghyeon walks by, patting his shoulder. “He was staring.”

Martin shoves him lightly, face burning.

You laugh again. Soft, sweet, completely unaware of the effect you have on him, and Martin decides he’s never going to survive this collab.

Not if you keep smiling at him like that.

dividers by - @pixopix,