Round & Round [Pt. 1]
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Summary: Always on opposite sides of the room, always narrowly missing one another, always just a second too late.
How many times can two people run in circles before they crash into one another?
Something, something, slow burn.
Pairing: 707 x Reader
Word Count: 1,428
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You dropped your bags on the lush carpet, resting your hands on the glass of the check in desk. Your palms were hot, they felt like they were burning in comparison to the coolness of the desk.
You’d had an eventful few days, to say the least. Between the break-in at Rika’s apartment, the bomb, Seven showing up, and now being moved across South Korea. The move was honestly more convenient, you were closer to everyone, and the venue for the party. But still! You were tired!
You cleared your throat, gently tapping the bell on the desk– Gaining the attention of the desk agent.
“Good morning! What can I do for you?”
You cleared your throat again, groggy still, “Hi, I’m checking in. Should be under Jumin Han.”
The clerk nodded, typing away on her computer and clicking a few buttons, “Alright, you are in suite 506. Do you need help with your bags?”
“Oh, no, I just have the one, thank you though.”
The clerk gave a warm smile as she passed you the key, “Let us know if you need anything else.”
You swiped the key off the desk before swinging your bag over your shoulder.
“Thank you!” You called back, having already started to walk away. The lobby was massive and bustling. It almost reminded you of something out of a tv show you watched as a kid. Something about a sweet life…? Eh, you’d remember later.
You made it to the elevator just as it opened, allowing people from higher floors to step out into the lobby.
You patiently waited off to the side, your hands tucked into the pockets of your jacket. You heard the familiar ding of the messenger app— Only it echoed? You furrowed your brows, quickly looking up in search of whichever of your friends was in the hotel with you.
Your eyes locked with golden ones, staring you down from the elevator. The two of you said nothing, phones in hand– The afternoon background of the chat reflecting in his glasses.
Seven looked away, blatantly ignoring you as he stepped off the elevator. You pursed your lips, choosing not to say anything. If he wanted to be a dick, who were you to stop him?
You stepped into the elevator, pressed the button to your floor, and immediately pressed the “close doors” button. You let out a deep breath, leaning your head back against the wall. He’d been acting weird since the break-in, but really before that too. You couldn’t place what it was, just that he was… Off.
After the break-in, Seven spent a few days fixing the security system; The two of you were stuck in that tiny apartment together, as he was too scared to let you out of his sight. You thought you had gotten through to him, but once the bomb was secure, he left. It wasn’t long after that, Jumin booked you a hotel and sent a car to pick you up. Seven had barely said anything to you since then, even in the messenger. He’d leave as soon as you joined.
You pushed your hair out of your face, letting your head fall forward to finally read the messages.
Chatroom : ZEN, Yoosung ★, Jumin Han
~ [Name] has joined the chat ~
ZEN: [Name]! Did you make it to the hotel alright?
Jumin Han: I received an email that check-in went smoothly.
[Name Hi Zen, Jumin :) I’m on my way up to the room right now
Yoosung ★: Hi [Name] :D
[Name]: Hey Yoosung <3
[Name]: Was Seven in before I joined?
Jumin Han: He didn’t say much.
ZEN: I think he was just reading the chat
Yoosung ★: Idk, he’s being weird
[Name]: I think he’s just dealing w a lot rn
[Name]: Anyway, I’m gonna go find my room now. Ttyl
~ [Name] has left the chat ~
The elevator dinged as it landed at the fifth floor, the doors opening up into an equally elaborate hallway. Jumin really spared no expense. You meandered down the hall, scanning the room plates for number 506. You finally found it, just before the end of the hall.
You swiped the key card before pushing the door open and stepping into—well basically an apartment. Jumin had booked you one of those “extended stay” rooms. You had a small kitchen, a bathroom complete with the shower/tub combo, and a queen-sized bed. You dropped your bag on a nearby couch, before laying flat out on the bed. You didn’t really have a reason to be this tired, or at least that’s how you felt. You didn’t drive to the hotel or anything, all you did was pack a bag and check in. Maybe it was all the emotional stress– Between your weird relationship with Seven and planning a party.
Whaaaatever.
You rolled onto your stomach and pulled out your phone. Might as well answer some emails! You had 15 confirmed guests for the party, so far. You were in talks with plenty more. Your email time was interrupted though, when a notification popped up in the center of your screen.
New Message: incoming
– 707
* Did you make it to your room all right?
You hesitated, glaring down at the device in your hand. Oh the audacity of this man. He wants to talk now? After ignoring you like that in the lobby? You tossed your phone to the side and buried your face in a pillow.
It wasn’t long before your phone dinged. Once… Twice… Three times!
You groaned and begrudgingly grabbed your device– Swiping at the notification bar with more force than necessary.
New Message: incoming
– 707
* [Name]?
* Just let me know you’re okay
* Please?
You bit your lip, staring down at the messages. You didn’t want to worry him, but you also really didn’t want to talk to him.
Message: outgoing
– [Name]
* yes, seven. I’m fine.
New Message: incoming
– 707
* Good
* I’ll stop hacking the hotel servers now
You blinked. Was that a joke? Probably…. Maybe?
He was talking to you, so that was nice. But it stopped there, he checked on you and that was it. You went back to checking emails, looking at venues, picking out decor, emailing back and forth with Jaehee, all the things.
It was nearly midnight before your phone rang again. This time it wasn’t just a ding, but that overly cheerful ringtone.
You stared at it for a moment, debating picking it up. What else could he possibly have to say?
You let it ring– Once, twice…
“...Hello?”
“[Name]!” his voice was rushed, like he’d been freaking out, “You haven’t been in the chat since this morning.
“Well, hello to you too.” You muttered, pulling the blanket tighter around your shoulders.
You could hear the frustrated sigh Seven let out, “I just– I don’t have access to a security camera like I did at the apartment.”
“There’s literally one in the hallway.” You deadpanned, blinking at the door.
“Yes. But it just barely catches your room.”
“..How do you know which room I’m in?”
Silence, a long pause.
You exhaled, “Nevermind. I’m fine.”
“You haven’t left the room either. Have you eaten?”
“Seven–” You sat up, pushing your hair out of your face.
“Here, I just left a bag of groceries at your door. Eat.”
And then he hung up. No goodbye, no explanation, just gone. Typical.
You sat there in your confusion, staring at your phone. Eventually you got yourself together and got up to collect your new groceries.
You found a paper bag sitting outside your door. No note, no knock, just Seven being Seven. Inside the bag you found: eggs, milk, fruit, some miso packets and instant ramen, and a couple of vitamin waters.
You brought it inside and set it on the counter like it meant nothing. Like it hadn’t just proven everything.
You chose the ramen. It felt the least personal.
The water boiled in the small kitchen, the kettle whistling to let you know it was ready. You poured the water over your noodles, letting them sit for a while before opening a package of chopsticks.
It was ramen, it wasn’t anything special but it brought you that familiar comfort.
You left your empty bowl in the kitchen– You’d wash it tomorrow, when you weren’t so tired.
You once again fell into the comfort of your hotel bed, pulling the comfort up around your neck– The soft hum of the air conditioner lulling you to sleep.
You had to get as much sleep as possible! Party planning was in full swing tomorrow.
