it's odd, being the prince in a tower to be rescued by whatever pure-hearted hero is meant to come along and save him. but jun found that he doesn't quite mind so much when you're not in your dragon form, sitting with him as he reads until someone crosses the wards and calls your attention away. besides: he knows your bark is far more brutal than your bite, and you'd rather chase people away who aren't fit for his hand than be forced into violence.

all this to say: you are kinder than he once thought you'd be, and that is why he shares his birthday treats with you when he finishes making them in his little kitchen. you sit on the floor, cross-legged, watching him with intrigue. the few scales that litter your skin in this form shine when the sunlight stretches through the window. he's always found himself captivated by them, if he's honest.

warning! one mention of food

sometimes, you feel extremely inadequate.

han jisung is just so full of love— how could you ever hope to be enough? how could you think that your love, as massive as it feels as it sits heavy in your chest, could come anywhere close to what he is capable of feeling?

you see him, when he jokes around with his friends, when he snuggles up to chan for hugs or goes to annoy jeongin because he knows the younger will always be extremely fond of him even when be swats at him.

your eyes always follow him as he curls up into a ball as he randomly falls asleep mid recording sessions or when he stores food in his cheeks like the cutest little squirrel.

and you're happy, really, you are!

just existing near him would have been enough for you, but you get to have the priviledge of being his friend. being his friend means that sometimes, you're the target of some of his unending love.

right now, you're just watching him as he laughs loudly at one of changbin's ridiculous jokes. the staff around you have handed you multiple towels and two heavy makeup bags, and you can't bring yourself to complain, because being used as a glorified table at least means you're free to look at him all you want.

amidst the commotion, you don't notice as seungmin comes to stand next to you, startling you as he pokes your shoulder.

"oh, hey," you turn to look at him, but his gaze is stuck where yours was just a moment ago.

"you really like him, huh?" he casually asks, and you look away in slight embarrassment. were you that obvious, or do you also fall into the category of people who seungmin observes?

"i'm sorry," you quietly mutter, just loud enough for his ears. the weight in your chest feels heavier than ever, and you find your shoulders slightly curling in on yourself.

you're not sure why you're apologising. for apparently being visibly unprofessional, perhaps? "i just..." you sigh, not sure what you're trying to say.

your head is still hanging, eyes trained on the floor, when he pokes your shoulder again, "he stares at you too, y'know? when you're not looking."

you look up at him with a jerk of your head, and find him already looking at you, expression unreadable. he looks you in the eyes and confidently says, "as a matter of fact, he's looking at you right now," and tilts his head.

you don't think you've ever turned your head faster, and sure enough, jisung looks away just as you look at him. you don't want to believe what you just saw. it could just be a coincidence, right? is seungmin playing a prank on you?

you flinch as one of the staff members yells that break is over. seungmin casually walks away, except he doesn't. he stops two steps away and turns to smirk at you.

"maybe try confessing. he's too scared to do so."

if it was anyone else, you'd ignore them. but there is something about seungmin...

maybe you will confess.

Surprise preview of the stickers I’ll be giving out as freebies at Citi field on July 13! We’re also making bracelets. ❤️

Updated versions of my ateez quote stickers! I’m having so much fun making pixel art you guys have no idea. ❤️❤️❤️