#singlesinferno4

Dongho stepped off the helicopter, his chest still heavy from the whirlwind of emotions in Paradise. He had come so far with Haelin, and in a way, the tension between them had softened. But as soon as he stepped onto Inferno, something in the air shifted. The soft, cool breeze carried a tinge of uncertainty.

He caught sight of Theo and Arin sitting side by side by the shore, their laughter a bit too easy, their faces a little too close. Dongho’s heart stuttered.

His eyes couldn’t help but linger, tracing the lines of their conversation, the way Theo would tilt his head toward Arin whenever she spoke. Their closeness was undeniable, and in that moment, something he hadn't expected tugged at him—jealousy.

“Dongho, you okay?” Haelin’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts, but the weight of what he was feeling remained. He turned to her, forcing a smile.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” he lied, though the words tasted bitter.

Haelin was kind and genuine, a part of him wanted to lean in and forget everything, but his eyes kept drifting back to the pair by the water.

“Arin and Theo seem... closer,” Dongho murmured, his voice a bit rougher than he intended.

Haelin raised an eyebrow. “Are you… jealous?”

Dongho stiffened, caught off guard. “No. Why would I be?”

But the truth was, he couldn’t quite explain it. Theo had been his close ally in the Inferno, their bond was strong, and so was his connection with Arin, even if it had been more friendly than anything else. But now, seeing them together, something inside him stirred—something more than friendship.

Haelin smiled softly, sensing the undercurrent of emotion. “Maybe it’s time you talk to Arin. She’ll listen, you know.”

Dongho nodded, though the idea of opening up felt difficult. But in his chest, there was a feeling he couldn’t ignore. He had to do something.

Later that evening, Dongho found Arin sitting alone, watching the sunset. She was lost in thought, her eyes distant but peaceful.

“Arin,” Dongho said, approaching slowly.

She looked up, her face lighting up with a warm smile. “Dongho! How’s everything going?”

“Good,” he said, though the word felt foreign on his tongue. “I’ve been thinking… about you and Theo.”

Her smile faltered slightly, sensing the tension in his voice. “What about us?”

Dongho hesitated, unsure of how to phrase it. “I guess... I just didn’t expect you two to get so close.”

Arin raised an eyebrow, her tone gentle yet firm. “Dongho, we’ve been friends since the beginning. Theo’s a good person, and I enjoy spending time with him. Is that bothering you?”

He opened his mouth to speak but stopped himself. Was it bothering him? Maybe it was. Maybe it was the way she smiled at Theo, the way their laughter felt more natural, the way her eyes sparkled when they spoke. It was something he hadn't anticipated in all his time on the island.

“I… don’t know,” Dongho admitted, running a hand through his hair. “I guess I’m just trying to figure out what all of this means.”

Arin’s expression softened. She stood up, taking a step closer. “Dongho, I’ve always cared about you. We’ve been through a lot together. But don’t let jealousy get in the way of what we have.”

Her words were like a gentle nudge, reminding him of the bond they had. It wasn’t just about Theo or any other distraction. It was about them—about the connection they had shared since the beginning.

Dongho looked at her, his heart pounding. But before he could respond, Arin’s expression shifted, a small crease of worry forming on her forehead.

“What about you and Haelin?” she asked softly. “You two seemed to get close in Paradise. I saw how you looked at her. I don’t want to come between that...”

Dongho’s heart skipped. He could hear the concern in her voice, the vulnerability in her words. The last thing he wanted was for Arin to feel like she was in competition with Haelin. He took a deep breath, stepping a little closer to her.

“Arin,” he said gently, “I don’t want you to worry. Haelin is someone I’ve enjoyed spending time with, and I respect her, but...” He paused, choosing his words carefully, “Arin, you’re my number one. Always.”

Her eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, she was silent. Then, a small, relieved smile curved her lips.

“Really?” she asked softly, her voice barely a whisper.

Dongho nodded, his gaze unwavering. “Yes. I care about you. A lot. And I don’t want you to feel like you’re second to anyone.”

Arin’s eyes glistened with sincerity. “I just don’t want to complicate things for you. You’ve been through a lot with Haelin, and I don’t want you to feel torn.”

Dongho reached out and gently took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. “You won’t. No one’s going to come between what we have. And that includes Theo, Haelin, or anyone else. You’re my priority, Arin. I just needed to be sure of what I was feeling.”

The tension between them shifted, melting away like the evening sun sinking beneath the horizon. Dongho felt the weight on his chest lift. Arin squeezed his hand back, her smile genuine and warm.

“I’m glad,” she said, her voice filled with the softness of a promise. “I’ve always been here for you, Dongho. And I always will be.

XOXO

I kept thinking about that one small scene where Dongho came in between Arin and Theo when he saw them talking and laughing with each other. I genuinely think Dongho was kind of jealous. Man! I bet he would go crazy seeing another guy take interest in her. I guess Arin has given him enough assurance that he's being too comfortable. Dongho, we need to see some action from you, you know. 😮‍💨

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction created purely for entertainment purposes. The events, characters, and scenarios depicted in this story are entirely fictional and do not reflect the real-life actions, relationships, or feelings of any individuals associated with Single's Inferno or its participants.