OFF THE RECORD â PART ONE
summary đâ.Ë You werenât looking for anything. Not between deadlines, late nights at the studio, and helping your best friend plan her wedding. Min Yoongi definitely wasnât either. But somewhere between shared silences, quiet understanding, an unbothered cat and a energetic puppy⌠something begins to shift.
pairing đâ.Ë producer!yoongi x a&r coordinator!reader
word count đâ.Ë 11.6k (this is like half of what i've written lol)
tags đâ.Ë non-idol au, coworkers to lovers, slow burn, strangers to something more, soft tension, mutual pining (eventually), slice of life, studio setting, pet meet-cute, tang the cat, sori the puppy, yoongi is quiet but not immune, reader is stressed and trying her best, found comfort, a little angst, a lot of softness, emotional slow build, he notices everything, she overthinks everything, smut (eventually)
notes đâ.Ë this fic somehow turned into a mini series and iâm just letting it happen at this point đ§ââď¸ i hope you guys enjoy this first part!! things are just getting started <3
teaser âËęŠď˝Ą part one âËęŠď˝Ą part two
You tapped your knuckles against the wooden studio door, a little harder than necessary, and waited.
You exhaled quietly through your nose.
You cracked the door open just enough to peek inside, already knowing what youâd find.
Sure enough, Jung Hoseok sat with his back to you, headphones on, completely lost in whatever track he was working on. His head bobbed lightly to the rhythm, one foot tapping against the floor in time, fingers drumming absentmindedly against the desk.
You stepped in, easing the door shut behind you. The soft click barely registered over the faint thrum of bass leaking from his headphones.
Your hands folded in front of you, gripping your tablet.
âHoseok?â you called.
You tried again, a little louder. âJung Hoseok.â
You pressed your lips together, already feeling your patience thinning.
He jolted in his chair, shoulders jumping as he yanked his headphones off, spinning halfway around to look at you like youâd just materialized out of thin air.
You couldnât help the small, satisfied smirk tugging at your lips.
âYou scared me, y/n,â he said, dropping the headphones around his neck and pressing a hand dramatically to his chest.
âYou werenât answering me,â you shot back, unimpressed. âSo it serves you right.â
You pushed yourself off the wall and walked further into the studio. The space was dim, lit mostly by the glow of monitors and a warm lamp tucked into the corner. Cables snaked across the floor, empty coffee cups crowded the desk, and a half-finished melody still played faintly through the speakers.
Hoseok watched you approach, a smile settling on his face.
You stopped in front of him, unlocking your tablet and pulling up his schedule with practiced ease.
You were an A&R coordinator.
Which, in simpler terms, meant you kept everything from falling apart.
You managed producers and artists, organized schedules, booked studio sessions, handled files, fielded last-minute changes, and occasionally acted as a buffer between fragile egos and harsh reality.
Hoseok was one of the full-time producers assigned to you.
Which meant, more often than not, he was also one of your biggest headaches.
âAnyway,â you said, holding the tablet out toward him, tapping the screen so heâd actually look at it, âMegan added another session for tomorrow. I shifted your afternoon block to accommodate it.â
Hoseok glanced down, scanning quickly.
âAnd,â you added, tilting your head toward the door, âyour two oâclock is here.â
He let out a long, suffering sigh, head tipping back dramatically.
You nodded, lips pressing together in a way that was dangerously close to a smile.
Hoseok dragged a hand down his face. âYou know he canât sing, right? He only got a record deal because his father knows someone upstairs.â
You lowered your gaze, biting back the laugh threatening to slip out.
âYeah,â you admitted, voice dipping just slightly. âI listened to his demo.â
Hoseok huffed out a dry laugh, shaking his head as he turned back toward his setup.
âI donât even know what they want me to do with him,â he muttered. âAuto-tune can only go so far.â
You shrugged lightly, already swiping through your tablet again.
âJust⌠do what you can,â you said. âMake it listenable. Thatâs all theyâre asking for.â
He snorted. âYou say that like itâs easy.â
You glanced up at him then, one brow lifting.
âFor you?â you said, tone just shy of teasing. âYeah. It kind of is.â
Hoseok paused at that, looking back at you.
âSee, this is why I keep you around.â
You rolled your eyes immediately, but there was no real bite to it.
âThatâs literally my job,â you said, though your voice had softened just a fraction.
Hoseok only laughed, shaking his head as he reached for his headphones again.
For a moment, the studio settled into a quiet hum again. The kind that came from too many late nights, too much music, too many people chasing something just out of reach.
You adjusted your grip on your tablet, already mentally moving on to the next task, the next schedule, the next problem waiting to be solved.
âGo save your client,â you said, nodding toward the door.
Hoseok groaned under his breath but stood anyway, dragging himself toward the inevitable.
As he passed you, he nudged your shoulder lightly.
âYou owe me coffee after this,â he muttered.
âSurvive the session first,â you said. âThen weâll talk.â
And as he stepped out, you stayed behind for a moment, glancing at the paused track still glowing on the screen.
Then you shook your head, turned on your heel, and slipped out of the studio, already pulling up your next schedule.
You were walking down the hallway toward the break room to grab something to eat when your phone rang. Your eyes dropped to the screen as you pulled it from your back pocket.
A soft smile tugged at your lips as you answered.
Yuriâs voice rang through the speaker in a sing-song tone, a habit she had picked up ever since her engagement to her long-term boyfriend seven months ago.
You couldnât be happier for her.
You had met Yuri on orientation day at university, and despite being in completely different majors, the two of you had clicked instantly. What started as a random friendship formed over awkward introductions and campus tours had turned into something constant, something steady. You stayed close through your university years and carried that bond into your adult lives.
You had seen every version of Yuri in love.
You were there for the bad dates, the almosts, the ones that ended too quickly or too painfully. You had held her while she cried, reassured her when she doubted herself, and sat through long rants about men who simply werenât worth the time.
So when she introduced you to Daniel, you were⌠cautious.
You couldnât help it. You were protective.
But Daniel proved you wrong in all the best ways. He was patient, kind, attentive. Steady in a way Yuri needed. So when he texted you on a random Wednesday, asking for your help to plan a surprise proposal, you didnât hesitate for even a second.
The proposal had been beautiful. Set on the beach in her hometown of Busan, the sunset melting into the ocean behind them like something out of a movie. That night turned into a celebration, champagne flowing, music blasting, the two of you screaming along to every love song the DJ played at the top of your lungs.
But as the night wore on, as the music softened and the crowd thinned, you found yourself watching Yuri and Daniel from across the beach.
The way he looked at her. The way she leaned into him so naturally.
And somewhere deep in your chest, something twisted.
It wasnât even unhappiness.
Just⌠a quiet, aching awareness.
You hadnât been entirely unlucky in love. Youâd had relationships during university, fleeting things that felt important at the time but never quite lasted. Nothing that rooted itself deep enough to stay.
After graduating, you had thrown yourself into your work. Fully. Completely. Every ounce of your energy poured into building your career in the music industry.
You were now working at one of the top labels in Seoul, surrounded by talent, building connections, proving yourself in a space that didnât hand out success easily.
You had everything you thought you wanted.
But standing there that night, watching your best friend step into the next chapter of her life, you couldnât ignore the question that lingered quietly in the back of your mind.
Somewhere along the way, you had stopped making space for anything else.
Dating became an afterthought. Then a distant idea. Then⌠nothing at all.
And now here you were, helping Yuri pick out wedding dresses, tasting cake samples, planning the details of a life she was about to build with someone she lovedâ
while having no one of your own.
You hummed softly as you listened to Yuri list out your weekend schedule, her voice bright with excitement as she jumped from one wedding appointment to the next. Dress fittings. Cake tastings. Venue confirmations. Each one apparently essential, each one something she needed you, her maid of honor, present for.
ââand then Sunday we have to go back to the boutique because Iâm still not sure about the necklineââ
âMm-hmm,â you murmured, nodding along even though she couldnât see you.
Your eyes stayed trained on the floor as you walked, your steps automatic. By now, you knew the route to the break room by heart. Left at the glass offices, straight past the recording studios, slight turn before the vending machines.
âAre you even listening to me?â Yuri teased through the phone.
âI am,â you laughed softly. âYouâre spiraling over the neckline again.â
âI am not spiralingâokay, maybe a little.â
You smiled, warmth settling in your chest despite everything. This was familiar. Easy.
What you didnât notice was the figure walking toward you from the opposite end of the hallway.
His head was slightly bowed, dark hair falling over his eyes as his gaze stayed fixed on his phone. Earphones tucked in, completely sealing him off from the world around him. His fingers tapped absentmindedly against the screen, replaying a melody over and over, tweaking it in his head, lost somewhere between rhythm and thought.
Neither of you were paying attention.
Which is exactly why you collided.
It wasnât dramatic. No one went flying. But it was enough.
Your shoulder knocked into his chest, your phone nearly slipping from your hand as a startled gasp left your lips.
ââhello? Hello?â Yuriâs voice echoed faintly from your phone as you scrambled to steady yourself.
âIâm so sorryââ you started immediately, the apology tumbling out on instinct as you looked up.
He had already pulled one earphone out, brows slightly furrowed, clearly pulled from whatever world he had been in. For a second, he didnât say anything, just looked at you, processing.
Up close, you noticed everything all at once.
Sharp eyes, still a little distant. Soft skin, pale under the fluorescent lights. Dressed simply, but there was something about him that felt⌠deliberate. Like everything he did had intention behind it.
You blinked, suddenly aware you were staring.
âSorry,â you repeated, this time softer, more composed. âI wasnât looking where I was going.â
Then he gave a small nod, sliding his other earphone out, finally giving you his full attention.
âMe neither,â he admitted, voice low, a little rough around the edges like it hadnât been used in a while.
Something about it made you straighten slightly.
On the phone, Yuri was still talking, oblivious.
ââif we go earlier, we might beat the rushâare you there??â
You let out a small, embarrassed breath, lifting your phone slightly. âI, umâsorry. Iâm on a call.â
His gaze flickered to the phone, then back to you. For just a second longer than necessary.
âRight,â he said simply.
There was no irritation. No annoyance.
You gave him one last apologetic smile before stepping around him, heart doing something strange and unexplainable in your chest as you continued down the hall.
âOkay, Iâm back,â you said into the phone, trying to shake the moment off. âSorry, I just walked into someone.â
âWalked into someone?â Yuri gasped dramatically. âRom-com moment. Was he cute?â
You rolled your eyes, reaching the break room door. âWhy did you automatically assume itâs a man? It couldâve been a woman.â
âPlease,â she scoffed. âI heard him speak. Now answer meâwas he cute?â
ââŚI didnât really look,â you lied, pushing open the break room door.
But for some reason, as you reached for the vending machine, your mind flickered back to him anyway.
Meanwhile, down the hallway he paused.
Glancing back over his shoulder in the direction you had disappeared, brows knitting together ever so slightly.
Then, without a word, he slipped his earphones back inâ
Your keys jiggled in the lock as you pushed your front door open, arms slightly weighed down with grocery bags. You had stopped by the store on your way back, remembering last minute that you were completely out of ramen⌠and more importantly, Soriâs kibble.
Speaking of, the second the door cracked open, the familiar sound of tiny paws skidding against the floor echoed down the hallway.
The small bundle of energy came bounding toward you at full speed, nails clicking against the hardwood as she practically launched herself at your legs. She bounced up on her hind legs, tail wagging so fast it looked like it might fall off, soft golden curls bouncing with every movement.
You let out a quiet laugh, nudging the door shut behind you with your foot before carefully lowering the grocery bags to the ground.
âOkay, okayâhi, I missed you too,â you murmured, crouching slightly as she circled you in excitement.
Her paws pressed against your knee, nose nudging at your hands like she was making sure you were real.
Your smile softened as you looked down at her.
You had taken her in a few weeks ago, a âtemporary placement,â the shelter had said. Just until they found her a forever home.
And there had been no calls. No updates. No families asking about her.
Your fingers stilled slightly in her fur as the thought crossed your mind again, quieter this time, heavier.
How could anyone not want you?
Sori, completely unaware of your thoughts, simply leaned into your touch, tail still wagging like she had no care in the world.
You exhaled softly, brushing your thumb over her head before she suddenly darted toward the grocery bags again, curiosity pulling her away just as quickly as she had come.
You shook your head, a small smile returning.
âUnbelievable,â you muttered, reaching to pull the bag away from her before she could dig her nose in.
Sori only huffed in protest, tail still wagging as she trotted after you while you unpacked your groceries, circling your feet like a tiny, fluffy shadow.
By the time you finally clipped Soriâs leash onto her collar, the sky outside had already begun to dim.
âSorry, baby,â you murmured, glancing down at her as she bounced impatiently by the door. âWeâre late today.â
You usually took her out earlier, when the sun was still high and the park was busier, filled with people and other dogs. But today had run longer than expected. One of the new A&R assistants had misplaced an important demo, sending half the office into a quiet spiral until it was eventually found⌠in the wrong studio folder.
You had stayed back to help fix the mess.
Now, you were paying the price.
Sori, however, didnât seem to mind in the slightest.
The moment you stepped outside, she was already tugging lightly at the leash, eager and full of energy as the cool evening air wrapped around you. The streets were calmer now, the usual daytime noise softened into something quieter, more relaxed.
By the time you reached the park, the sun was beginning its slow descent, painting the sky in soft hues of orange and pink.
You took a deep breath as you walked in, shoulders easing almost instantly.
This was your favourite part of the day.
Sori led you along the familiar path, stopping every few steps to sniff something new, completely fascinated by the world in a way only puppies could be. You let her take her time, your grip on the leash loose, your mind finally beginning to quiet after the long day.
When she eventually settled on a patch of grass, you paused, glancing around absentmindedly as you waited.
Thatâs when you saw it.
You blinked once, then again, just to make sure you werenât imagining it.
The cat sat calmly near one of the benches, tail flicking lazily behind it, completely unbothered by its surroundings.
A small laugh slipped past your lips before you could stop it, the sound soft and disbelieving.
âOkayâŚâ you muttered under your breath, a smile tugging at your mouth. âThatâs new.â
Your eyes lingered for a moment longer, amused by the sight, before your attention was pulled back down by Sori, who proudly finished her business like she had just accomplished something monumental.
âGood girl,â you murmured, reaching down to reward her, the image of the cat still lingering faintly in your mind as you continued your walk.
You didnât think much of it.
The next day felt off from the moment you woke up.
Not dramatically bad. Not catastrophic.
Like everything was slightly out of place.
You had woken up late, your alarm somehow silenced without you remembering turning it off. In your rush, you spilled coffee down the front of your shirt and had to change twice before even leaving the apartment. Sori had decided today was the perfect day to refuse to eat her kibble, staring at you like you had personally offended her.
And that was just the morning.
At work, things didnât get better.
An email you knew you had sent the night before had somehow never gone through, meaning a studio session had to be rescheduled last minute. One of the newer assistants kept forwarding you incomplete files, and you had to go back and forth three times just to get the correct version of a track.
Then, to top it all off, a producer you barely worked with snapped at you over a scheduling overlap that⌠wasnât even your fault.
You had smiled through it.
Because that was your job.
By the time you checked the clock, it was only halfway through the day, and you felt like you hadnât had a single moment to breathe.
All you wanted was ten minutes.
You exhaled slowly as you stepped into the hallway, heading toward the break room, your shoulders tight, your head beginning to ache.
You froze mid-step, eyes dropping to the screen.
For a second, you considered letting it ring out. Just pretending you didnât see it. But you sighed and answered anyway, straightening your posture instinctively.
âCan you come to my office for a moment?â
You closed your eyes briefly.
âOf course,â you replied, voice polite, even.
You stood there for a second longer, staring at your phone, jaw tightening slightly.
By the time you reached the office, your expression was composed again. Calm. Professional. The version of yourself you had perfected over the years. You knocked lightly before stepping inside.
You greeted your superior with a small bow, hands clasped neatly in front of you.
âYou wanted to see me, sir?â
He gestured for you to sit, flipping through a few files before speaking.
âOne of our producersâ A&R coordinator is out sick for the next couple of weeks,â he said, not looking up. âWe need someone to step in temporarily.â
You nodded slowly, already bracing yourself.
âYouâre adaptable,â he continued. âYouâve handled multiple schedules before. Weâd like you to take over his coordination until his usual staff returns.â
You forced a small smile. âThatâs fine. I can take it on.â
âWho is the producer?â you asked.
He, finally, glanced up at you.
The name settled into your chest for a second before your mind caught up.
It was familiar. You had seen him around. Quiet. Kept to himself. Always moving with purpose, like he existed slightly outside the chaos of the building.
Wait. Then you rememberedâŚ
Oh. This is going to be embarrassing.
âIâve⌠seen him around,â you said carefully, keeping your tone neutral.
âGood,â your superior replied. âThen this shouldnât be difficult for you.â
You nodded again, though something in your chest felt oddly unsettled now. Not bad. Just⌠aware.
âIâll make sure everything runs smoothly.â
âThatâs what we expect.â
Just like that, the meeting was over.
The moment the office door shut behind you, the weight of the day came crashing back. You let out a sharp exhale, your composure slipping just enough as frustration curled tight in your chest.
And nowânew responsibility. New expectations. New person to figure out.
Your steps quickened, heels striking harder against the floor as you made your way down the hallway.
There was only one place you could think to go. You reached the studio door and⌠didnât knock.
Three heads snapped toward you.
Hoseok physically jolted in his chair, headphones half slipping off as he whipped around, eyes wide.
Inside the recording booth, Jimin flinched at the sudden noise, hand flying to his chest as he turned toward the door, startled.
And off to the side, seated on the couch with a notebook resting against his knee, Namjoon blinked up at you, pen frozen mid-sentence.
A full, stunned beat of silence.
âYah!â Hoseok yelped, clutching his chest dramatically. âDo you want me to die early?!â
Your eyes flickered around the room properly this time, awareness crashing in all at once.
Jimin was already laughing softly in the booth, one hand still pressed to his chest, shoulders shaking slightly.
âWow,â he said into the mic, voice warm with amusement. âYou really know how to jump-scare.â
Namjoon let out a quiet huff of laughter from the couch, shaking his head as he finally set his pen down.
âYouâve never done that before,â he added, studying you curiously. âNo knock, no warningâŚâ
âIâsorry,â you said quickly, wincing as you stepped fully inside, pushing the door shut behind you. âI didnât realise you guys were in session.â
âDid you forget you scheduled this session for us?â Hoseok shot back, though there was no real bite behind it, just a sly smirk tugging at his lips, like he was far more entertained than inconvenienced.
You ran a hand through your hair, fingers catching slightly as you pushed it back, already feeling your frustration bubbling up under the embarrassment, warm and restless beneath your skin.
âIâIâm having a day,â you sighed, the words coming out softer this time, more honest than you intended as you dropped onto the couch beside Namjoon without asking.
Hoseok straightened slightly, concern replacing the dramatics. Namjoon leaned forward a bit, resting his elbows on his knees, attention fully on you now. Jimin pushed open the booth door, stepping out and pulling his headphones down around his neck.
âThat bad?â he asked, softer now.
âThat bad,â you repeated, exhaling sharply. âEverything is going wrong today. I havenât had a break, people keep messing things up, and Iâm the one fixing itâand nowââ you gestured vaguely, âânow theyâve assigned me to someone else on top of everything.â
âAnother producer?â Namjoon asked.
You nodded, lips pressing together a little too tightly to steady the faint tremble threatening to give you away. You werenât someone who cried easily, especially not here, at work, so you swallowed it down and held your composure in place.
Hoseokâs brows lifted slightly, âYoongi hyung?â
âYou know him?â you asked immediately.
âYeah,â he shrugged. âHeâs new here, but heâs really good. Works a lot. Doesnât talk much. Always wearing earphones.â
âThat explains the whole⌠hallway collision thing,â you muttered under your breath.
Namjoonâs eyes flicked back to you. âHallway collision?â
You groaned, dragging a hand down your face.
âYes, I literally ran into him yesterday,â you admitted.
Jimin let out a quiet laugh, clearly entertained. âFirst impressions are important, you know.â
âPlease donât,â you shot back, though there was no real bite behind it. Your voice came out thinner than you intended.
Hoseok, meanwhile, looked far too amused. You narrowed your eyes at him. âWhatâs got you all happy?â
âNothing,â he said quickly, hands lifting in surrender, though the grin tugging at his lips gave him away.
Namjoon let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. âHonestly,â he added, voice calm, âit might not be a bad thing.â
You turned to him, incredulous.
âRight. Because Iâm not already overworked enough. Letâs just hand her another human being to manage, why donât we?â
You leaned back in your chair with a groan, dragging your hands down your face. The frustration youâd been holding in all day finally started to crack through.
Jimin laughed again, softer this time, leaning against the edge of the console.
âI donât want to survive,â you muttered. âI want a break. Like⌠five minutes where something doesnât go wrong.â
Hoseokâs smile faded first. He tilted his head slightly, studying you more carefully now. Heâd known you for yearsâlong enough to recognize every version of you that existed within these walls. You had always been the steady one. The composed one. Where he was all brightness and noise, you balanced it out with quiet control, dry remarks, and an ease that never cracked under pressure.
You didnât complain about work. You handled it. Always. So seeing you like thisâfrustration slipping through, something heavier sitting behind your wordsâmade something in his chest tighten. His brows pulled together slightly, a faint frown settling in.
He didnât like it. Not one bit.
ââŚHey, whatâs wrong?â he said gently, âThis feels like itâs about more than just being assigned a new producer.â
You hesitated. For a second, you thought about brushing it off. Saying you were fine. Making a joke. Moving on. But something about the way they were all looking at you, not teasing anymore, just⌠there, made your chest feel tight.
You exhaled slowly, shoulders dropping.
âIâm just⌠tired,â you admitted, voice quieter now. âItâs not just today.â
Namjoon shifted slightly, giving you his full attention.
âThereâs always something going wrong recently,â you continued. âEvery day itâs a new issue, a new problem, a new fire I have to put out. And half the time I didnât even cause it, but Iâm still expected to fix it or take the blame for it.â
Your fingers twisted together in your lap.
âAnd then outside of workâŚâ you huffed out a small, breathless laugh, âIâm basically living Yuriâs life right now.â
Jiminâs brows lifted slightly. âWedding stuff?â
âNon-stop,â you nodded. âDress fittings, cake tastings, venue visits, calls, lists⌠I love her, I do. I love seeing her happy. But itâs just⌠a lot. And itâs the same things over and over again.â
You paused, pressing your lips together before adding, softer,
âAnd then thereâs Sori.â
Jimin tilted his head. âSori?â
Hoseok perked up instantly.
You couldnât help it, a small giggle slipped out at how quickly his energy flipped.
âI didnât know you had a dog!â
âSheâs a foster,â you explained, a faint smile forming despite everything. âIâve had her for a few weeks now.â
Hoseok looked like heâd just been told the best news of his life. âWhy didnât you tell me?!â
Namjoon reached over and lightly nudged his arm. âLet her finish.â
Hoseok deflated slightly, though the excitement still buzzed around him. You shook your head, smile fading into something softer.
âThere hasnât been any word from the shelter yet about a permanent home,â you said quietly. âSo itâs just been⌠me and her.â
Your voice dipped just a little. âAnd I donât know. Itâs just another thing to think about. Another responsibility.â
Silence settled for a moment, but it wasnât heavy. It felt⌠understanding. Namjoon spoke first, voice low and steady. âDo you feel a little better?â
You blinked at him. It took a second to really check in with yourself.
The tightness in your chest wasnât as sharp anymore. Your shoulders felt lighter. Like youâd finally set something down after carrying it for too long.
ââŚYeah,â you admitted quietly. âI think I just needed to get it out.â
Jimin gave you a small, reassuring smile.
Hoseok straightened suddenly, clapping his hands once like heâd reached a conclusion. âOkay. That settles it.â
You looked at him, confused. âWhat does?â
âWeâre going out,â he declared. âDinner. You, me, Jimin, Namjoon. Joon call Jungkook and Jimin, you should bring Taehyung.â
You blinked. âRight now?â
âNo,â he confirmed. âwe canât just ditch work, y/n.â
You huffed out a soft laugh shaking your head.
Hoseok grinned, pleased. âTonight. Hyungâs place,â he added.
Your brows lifted. âSeokjinâs restaurant?â
You hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly.
You blinked again. âTo the restaurant?â
âObviously,â he said, like it was the most natural thing in the world. âI need to meet her.â
Jimin laughed under his breath.
Namjoon just shook his head fondly.
And for the first time all day, the idea of the evening ahead didnât feel like another obligation.
It felt like a small escape.
By the time you all settled into Seokjinâs restaurant, the night had already softened around the edges. Warm lighting, low chatter, the steady clink of glasses. The kind of place that made everything feel a little slower, a little easier.
Sori, however, had single-handedly turned the table into a circus.
âI still donât understand why there is a dog in my restaurant,â Seokjin muttered, even as his hand absentmindedly scratched under Soriâs chin.
âYou love her,â you said, smiling into your drink.
âIâm tolerating her.â
Soriâs tail thumped loudly against the floor.
ââŚsheâs well-behaved,â he added after a pause.
Taehyung leaned across Jimin with zero regard for personal space, cooing at her.
âHi, baby,â he whispered, booping her nose.
âShe likes me more,â Hoseok declared immediately, half rising from his seat.
âYouâve known her for ten minutes,â Namjoon said dryly.
âTime is irrelevant when the connection is this strong.â
Jungkook laughed quietly beside him, shaking his head. âYou guys are unbelievable.â
You felt yourself relax into it all, the warmth of the food, the soft buzz of soju in your system, the easy presence of people who made everything feel lighter.
Your gaze drifted around the table, settling on each of them in turn, something quieter taking shape in your chest. Hoseok, still animated as ever, was the first person youâd really grown close to at the companyâthe one who somehow balanced you out from the start.
Namjoon sat beside him, quieter, listening. You had gone to university together, in the same music program, yet never spoke back then. It wasnât until later, already in the industry, that you properly metâand now, it felt strange to think there was ever a time you didnât know him like this.
Across from you, Jimin laughed softly, relaxed in a way you rarely saw in the studio. Youâd known him through work firstâhandling his music, his schedulesâbut somewhere along the way, it had become something more familiar. Taehyung leaned into him, smiling, the kind of constant presence that made it obvious why Jimin kept him close. You werenât as close to him, but you appreciated him all the same.
Jungkook sat at the end of the table, quieter but attentive, still carrying that slight awkwardness of someone not fully used to this yet. He had reached out to Namjoon through your universityâs alumni network, and somewhere along the way, the two of you had just⌠kept him. What started as guidance turned into something closer, something that felt a lot like family.
And Seokjinâhovering nearby more than sitting, despite your protestsâwatched over all of it with quiet fondness. His restaurant had been your place for years now, long before nights like this became routine, and in his own way, he had taken all of you in.
You let the moment settle, the noise, the warmth, the people.
You had just reached for another bite when Hoseok suddenly froze. Then gasped.
âYou wonât believe who just walked in.â
Everyone immediately turned.
âHeyâstop!â Hoseok hissed, waving his hands. âYouâre all gonna make it obvious!â
âWhat are you talking about?â Jimin whispered, already halfway turned.
You frowned, glancing between them. âWho is it?â
Hoseok leaned closer, lowering his voice like he was about to reveal a secret.
Your head snapped toward the entrance.
Standing near the front counter, earphones in, head slightly bowed as he scrolled through his phone like nothing else in the room mattered.
Black hoodie, a little oversized. Dark jeans. Rings catching faint light as his fingers moved. His hair fell messily across his forehead, like he hadnât tried at all, like it just sat that way naturally.
He is lookingâŚreally good.
Not loud about it. Not the kind that demanded attention. But the kind that pulled it anyway.
âWait,â Taehyung whispered, squinting slightly. âWho is that?â
Jimin followed your line of sight, then leaned closer to Taehyung.
âThatâs Min Yoongi,â he murmured. âProducer. And apparently,â he nodded subtly toward you, âher new problem.â
Taehyungâs brows shot up. âThatâs the guy?â
Jungkook leaned forward, interest piqued. âThe one you got assigned to?â
You groaned softly, already feeling the attention shift toward you.
âYes,â you muttered. âThat one.â
Namjoon let out a quiet chuckle.
âTell them the rest.â
âNo,â you said immediately.
Seokjin looked between you all, confused but intrigued. âWhat rest?â
Hoseok grinned. âShe crashed into him yesterday in the hall.â
Jungkook burst out laughing. âOf course you did.â
Seokjin followed, a low amused laugh slipping out. âThatâs actually kind of funny.â
You rolled your eyes, sinking slightly into your seat. âIt was an accident,â you defended. âWe literally just bumped into each other. Thatâs it. Nothing happened.â
âThatâs so unfortunate,â Taehyung said, shaking his head like he truly meant it.
âWhy is that unfortunate?â you shot back.
âBecause it couldâve been something,â Jimin added, clearly entertained.
âIt wasnât,â you deadpanned.
Hoseok leaned in then, voice dropping slightly.
âStill⌠you should be careful.â
Your brows furrowed. âWhat?â
âIâve heard heâs⌠kind of scary.â
ââŚwhat do you mean?â
Namjoon shifted, tone more measured.
âHeâs not new,â he said. âHeâs pretty well known in the industry. Heâs just⌠very private.â
âQuiet,â Jimin added.
âPicky,â Namjoon continued.
Hoseok nodded. âHard to work with.â
âMean?â Taehyung offered.
âNot mean,â Namjoon corrected. âJust blunt.â
âStill scary,â Taehyung insisted.
Jungkook hummed, glancing toward the front again. âIâve heard he doesnât really tolerate mistakes.â
Your fingers tightened slightly around your glass. You werenât one to take rumours at face value. You knew how easily things got twisted in this industry.
But stillâŚyou didnât know him. And tomorrow, you had to work with him.
Almost without thinking, your eyes drifted back again.
He was still there, waiting.
Your heart beat a little faster than it should have.
His head lifted. And his eyes met yours.
Direct. Unmistakable. Your breath caught.
For a split second, the noise of the restaurant faded. His expression barely shifted, but there was something there. Recognition, maybe. Then, you whipped your head back so fast it almost hurt.
âOh my god,â you whispered harshly. âHe saw me.â
Jimin immediately leaned forward. âNo way.â
âHe did,â you insisted, eyes wide. âHe definitely did.â
Hoseok was already trying not to laugh. âThis is incredible.â
âStop looking!â you warned, even as Taehyung very obviously tried to sneak another glance.
Namjoon shook his head, amused.
Right then, a staff member approached the counter with a takeout bag. Yoongi took it, gave a small nod, and turned toward the door without a second glance.
And just like that, he was gone.
The table buzzed again instantly, laughter and chatter picking right back up. But you barely heard it. Your gaze lingered on the space heâd just left.
Your first day working with Min Yoongi.
You exhaled slowly, leaning back in your chair.
Min Yoongi scrunched his nose, squinting at the thin streaks of light slipping through the curtains of his otherwise dark bedroom. He blinked slowly, vision adjusting, and found himself staring directly into a pair of green eyes.
The cat sat perched beside his head on the pillow, her head tilted slightly as she stared at him, one paw still lifted mid-air like she had been debating whether to smack him awake.
âDid you wake me up?â
Tang said nothing, of course. Just blinked once before leaning forward, nudging her head against his cheek.
A quiet huff of a laugh escaped him as he lifted a hand to scratch behind her ear.
He lay there for another moment, staring at the ceiling, mentally running through the day ahead. Studio time. A meeting. A schedule adjustmentâ
He pushed himself up with a soft exhale, running a hand through his hair before swinging his legs off the bed. As long as they did their job, it didnât matter.
By the time he arrived at the studio, the building was already alive.
Muted chatter echoed through the halls. Doors opening and closing. The distant pulse of bass leaking faintly through soundproof walls.
Yoongi slipped his earphones in out of habit, a rough demo looping quietly as he walked, head slightly lowered, attention split between sound and thought.
When he reached his studio door, he pushed it open and paused.
Someone was already inside.
You stood near the console, tablet in hand, scrolling through something, your brows slightly drawn together in focus.
For a second, he didnât move.
Then the door clicked shut behind him.
Your head lifted immediately. Your eyes met his and something flickered. Brief. Sharp. Gone just as quickly.
You straightened, composure snapping into place almost instantly.
âGood morning,â you said, adjusting your grip on the tablet. âI just came here to find you.â
Yoongi pulled one earphone out slowly, gaze still resting on you for a moment longer before he stepped inside. âRight.â
Your posture shifted subtly, more formal now.
âIâm y/n. Iâve been assigned as your A&R coordinator temporarily while your usual coordinator is out.â
He gave a small nod, setting his bag down beside the chair.
But not entirely comfortable either.
âYouâll be handling the schedule?â he asked, tone even.
âYes,â you nodded, tapping your tablet lightly. âSessions, bookings, file coordination, any changes that come up.â
Efficient. Straightforward. His kind of answer.
Yoongi leaned back slightly against the desk, arms folding loosely as he watched you for a beat.
You didnât ramble. Didnât over-explain.
Just gave him what he needed.
You exhaled softly, almost imperceptibly, before shifting into motion.
âYour first session today is at eleven,â you continued, voice steady. âStudio B was originally booked, but I had it moved here so you wouldnât have to relocate.â
His eyes flicked up to you again.
âYeah, I saw that last night⌠Thanks.â
You nodded once, glancing back at your tablet, unaware of the way his attention lingered a second longer than necessary.
Two days ago, you had been all rushed apologies and fleeting eye contact. Slightly flustered. Unsteady for just a moment before pulling yourself back together.
Now, you were composed. Controlled. Precise in the way you spoke, the way you carried yourself.
His gaze stayed on you, thoughtful.
He had seen you around before. In passing. Mostly through open studio doors, or in the hallway with Hoseok.
You werenât like this then.
With Hoseok, you were easy. Relaxed. A little louder. Comfortable in a way that softened the edges of you.
Here, you were careful. Professional. Measured.
Yoongiâs eyes narrowed slightly, in quiet consideration. Interesting.
But he filed it away anyway.
âAnything else?â he asked.
You hesitated briefly, like you were running through a mental checklist, then shook your head. âNo, that should be everything for now.â
Another pause. Quieter this time.
The kind that could stretch if neither of you moved.
âIâll leave you to work,â you said, stepping back slightly. âIf you need anything, just let me know. I left my number on your desk.â
Yoongi gave a short nod. Turning his head to the piece of paper wedged under his mouse.
You turned toward the door. Hand on the handle. For a split second, you paused. Then you opened the door and stepped out.
The room fell quiet again.
Yoongi stood there for a moment, unmoving, before reaching up to slide his earphone back in.
His gaze lingered briefly on the door youâd just walked through.
Then, with a quiet exhale, he turned back to his equipment and got to work.
The first few days passed quietly. Not awkward. Not comfortable either.
On day three, you stopped knocking before entering his studio. A small thing. But intentional.
The first time you hesitated, hand hovering over the door, remembering how he workedâheadphones on, lost in sound, irritation flickering when interruptedâyou made a choice.
You just pushed the door open.
The next time, you didnât hesitate at all.
Yoongi noticed. He didnât say anything. But he noticed.
On day four, you stopped speaking the moment you walked in. Instead, you waited.
You learned the signs quickly.
The slight tilt of his head meant he was deep in a layer of sound. The slow nod to himself meant he was replaying something in his head. The pauseâjust a fraction too longâmeant he was between thoughts.
Thatâs when you spoke. âYour two oâclock is here.â
Yoongi pulled his headphones down, glancing at you briefly.
You nodded like it was nothing. But smiled once you were back in the hallway.
On day five, the coffee started appearing.
He didnât ask for it. You didnât mention it.
Just a cup placed quietly on the edge of his desk, always within reach, never in the way.
Black. No sugar. From his regular cafĂŠ.
You had noticed the empty takeaway cups scattered across his desk every morning, the same logo, the same order. So when you realized he hadnât brought one in that day, you slipped out before lunch and got it for him.
His fingers hovered over the cup for a second before picking it up.
By the end of the first week, the studio stopped feeling like just his space.
Not entirely. But less closed off.
You moved through it like you understood its rhythm now. Like you knew where to stand, when to speak, when to leave. No wasted movement. No unnecessary noise.
It made things⌠easier.
Yoongi found himself finishing things faster. Getting less irritated. Not having to think about anything outside the music.
On the eighth day, something went wrong.
A file didnât transfer properly. He clicked through folders, irritation creeping in, his jaw tightening. âWhere is itââ
âI have a backup.â Your voice cut in, calm and steady.
You were already moving, plugging your tablet in, pulling up the file like you had expected this to happen.
Yoongi stared at the screen for a second, then at you.
ââŚYou always do this?â
âPrevent disasters?â you shrugged lightly, slightly cocky on purpose. âI try.â
You let out a soft chuckle at his deadpan expression, a hint of amusement slipping through.
âBelieve it or not, this has happened a lot before,â you added. âI started keeping my own backup files years ago. You canât always trust everyone you work with.â
Then, quieter, he asked, ââŚCan I trust you?â
You blinked, taken aback, suddenly very aware of how close you were standingâclose enough to notice the faint scent of his cologne, something subtle and clean, close enough that you could hear the quiet shift of his breathing over the low hum of the equipment.
The file finished transferring, the soft click of completion filling the space between you.
You straightened slowly, clearing your throat.
By day ten, the silence between you had changed. It wasnât empty anymore. It was⌠shared.
Comfortable in a way that didnât need to be acknowledged.
You would sometimes sit in the corner of his studio now before leaving, working through schedules, while he layered sounds for hoursâand neither of you felt the need to fill the space.
Sometimes, heâd glance up.
Checking that you were there.
And somewhere along the way, he started to notice more things. The way the tension in your shoulders slowly eased, the longer you stayed in the room. The way your fingers stopped fiddling with the pendant necklace you always woreâthe same absent habit he had seen in passing, out in the hall. The way you would hum softly under your breath, barely audible, completely lost in your work.
Focused. Steady. Present.
And for reasons he didnât bother unpacking, he found that⌠reassuring.
By the end of the week and a half, Yoongi had stopped thinking of you as temporary.
But somewhere along the way, his workflow had adjusted around you. Like you had always been part of it. Like removing you would leave something⌠off.
And you had stopped overthinking every word before you said it. Stopped bracing yourself before walking into his studio. You had learned him. His rhythms. His silences. The way he worked.
And in return, he had started letting you exist in that space without question.
It wasnât friendship. Not yet.
But it wasnât just work anymore either.
The weekend came far too quickly.
Not in a peaceful, finally I can rest kind of wayâbut in a you blink and suddenly youâre being dragged through a bridal boutique at ten in the morning kind of way.
âStand still,â Yuri muttered, gently tugging at your wrist.
âI am standing still,â you complained, though you didnât actually resist as she manhandled you, turning you slightly to inspect every angle of the potential bridesmaids dress.
You huffed, crossing your arms as she adjusted the bow at the back, frowning slightly.
âYou said we had two appointments today,â you mumbled. âTwo. This is the fourth place.â
Yuri didnât even look guilty. âPlans change.â
She grinned, completely unbothered. âAnd yet, you love me.â
You did. That was the problem.
Because despite the way you sighed and dragged your feet and muttered under your breath, there was no real annoyance behind it. You let her pull you from boutique to boutique, gave your opinions when she asked, hyped her up when she stepped out in dresses that made her glow.
Still, by the time you ended up sitting on a plush couch in your sixth shop while she disappeared into yet another fitting room, you let your head fall back with a groan.
âIâm going to pass away,â you declared.
From behind the curtain, Yuriâs voice rang out, far too amused. âNot before my wedding, youâre not.â
You snorted softly, rubbing your face.
ââŚNo,â you said immediately, already suspicious.
The curtain rustled, and Yuri peeked out, eyes sparkling with something that could only be described as trouble.
âWhat?â she asked innocently.
âNo,â you repeated, narrowing your eyes. âWhatever youâre about to sayâno.â
She stepped out fully this time, smoothing down the dress as she walked toward the mirror.
âSo howâs Min Yoongi?â
You sat up straighter, staring at her. âHow do youââ
âWasnât he the guy you bumped into that day we were on the phone?â
âYuri,â you said slowly, âhow do you know about him?â
She blinked at you like it was obvious. âNamjoon told me.â
You pressed your lips together, already feeling the embarrassment creeping up your neck. âWhy is Namjoon telling you about my life?â
âBecause I was bored, and this is entertaining,â she shot back easily, then tilted her head. âDonât get upset at Joon, thoughâwe were drunk and I wouldnât leave him alone about it. You, also, donât really tell me anything anymore.â
âIt is a little true.â
Youâd always been a bit closed off, always had high walls. You felt the need to be hyper-independent, like you had to handle everything on your own. Meeting Yuri had changed thatâshe made it easier to trust, to let those walls down.
But old habits died hard.
And sometimes⌠those walls crept back up before you even realised it.
Yuri softened slightly, walking over and dropping down beside you, nudging your shoulder. âCome on,â she coaxed. âTell me.â
You exhaled slowly, leaning back into the couch.
âThereâs nothing to tell,â you tried.
Yuri was always patient with youâbut she also knew exactly when to push.
ââŚI just got assigned to him for a bit,â you admitted.
Her eyes lit up immediately. âAnd?â
âAnd nothing,â you insisted. âWe work together. Thatâs it.â
You shot her a look. âIâm serious.â
âSure,â she nodded, far too knowingly. âYouâre working. Professionally. Calmly.â
âExactly,â you said, maybe a bit too quickly.
You groaned, dragging a hand down your face. âOh my god.â
âKeep going,â she sing-songed. âCome on!â
Then, quieter, âOkay. Something did happen last weekâŚâ
Yuri leaned in instantly. âWhat?â
You looked down at your hands, fiddling with your fingers absentmindedly.
âThere was an issue with a file,â you said. âI had a backup.â
âI was transferring it, and I said something about not being able to trust people with important stuff sometimes, and then he just⌠looked at me and askedââ
You paused, then mimicked his tone softly,
ââCan I trust you?ââ
An actual, physical sound of disbelief.
You winced. âCan you not yellââ
âThatâs intense,â she cut in, grabbing your arm.
âYuri.â You let out a small, embarrassed laugh, shaking your head. âIt wasnât anything.â
âY/n, you cannot seriously think that.â
âIt wasnât,â you insisted, though your voice softened slightly. âIt was just⌠work.â
Yuri studied you for a moment. Then she smiled.
You nudged her shoulder lightly. âFocus on your wedding, will you?â
She laughed, letting it goâfor now.
But the glint in her eyes said this conversation wasnât over.
By the time you got home, the sky was already dipping into gold.
Your barely made it into the hall before a small blur of energy came sprinting toward you.
The puppy practically launched herself at your legs, tiny paws scratching against you as her tail wagged wildly.
You laughed, crouching down to gather her into your arms. âI missed you tooââ
You glanced up, startled, only to find Jungkook stepping out from the hallway, one hand rubbing the back of his neck.
âOhâKook,â you smiled, shifting Sori slightly in your arms. âThank you for watching her today, seriously. I know it was super last minute.â
He shrugged, soft and easy. âIt was nothing, noona. I actually got a lot of work done.â
âReally? She let you?â you raised a brow.
âYeah,â he nodded, then added, almost like an afterthought, âAlso, I tried to take her on a walk, but she wouldnât leave the house.â
You blinked, looking down at the puppy in your arms. Placing her down gently.
Jungkook huffed a small laugh. âI think she only wants to go with you.â
You sighed but there was a smile tugging at your lips as you looked at her. âOf course she does.â
Sori yipped in response, completely unapologetic. Padding back over to sit my Jungkookâs legs.
âIâll take her out now,â you said, standing up. âYou should go before she decides you live here.â
Jungkook laughed, grabbing his bag. âI wouldnât mind that, sheâs a sweetheart. But, I should probably escape while I can.â
You walked him to the door, offering a quick thanks again before he waved it off and disappeared down the hall.
The apartment fell quiet again.
You glanced down at Sori, who was already bouncing slightly in anticipation.
âOkay, okay,â you murmured, reaching for her leash. âLetâs go.â
The air outside was cooler now, the sun hanging low in the sky like it was in no rush to leave. The park wasnât far, and the walk there was easy.
Sori trotted ahead happily, her tiny paws padding along the pavement, nose twitching at every new scent. She had always been good on walks, rarely pulling, content to explore at her own pace.
Your mind drifted instead.
Tomorrowâs schedule. Emails you hadnât answered. Groceries you needed to buy. Yuriâs never-ending list of wedding tasks.
Your brain ran in quiet loops, organizing, planning, bracing for another day. It was peaceful in its own way.
Until, the leash jerked suddenly from your hand.
You barely had time to react before Sori bolted forward, the thin strap slipping completely from your grasp.
Your heart jumped. âSori!â
You hurried after her, shoes scraping slightly against the path as you rushed forwardâand then froze.
She had stopped at a bench.
More specifically at a cat.
A black cat sat calmly on the bench, harness clipped neatly, completely unbothered as Sori bounded up to it, sniffing excitedly.
âOh my godââ you rushed forward, mortified, grabbing the abandoned leash. âIâm so sorrââ
The words died in your throat.
Because the man sitting beside the cat looked up.
For a second, neither of you said anything.
One of his earphones hung loose, clearly pulled out at the sudden interruption. His gaze met yours, steady, unreadableâbut there was something there. Surprise?
ââŚhi,â you said, a little breathless.
He blinked once, like he was catching up to the moment.
Just the two of you there, staring, the quiet hum of the park settling around you like everything else had faded out.
Sori barked, jumping slightly toward the cat again.
Reality snapped back into place.
You dropped into a crouch immediately, pulling her back gently. âHeyâno, Sori, behaveââ
You glanced up again, flustered. âIâm so sorry, sheâs really friendly, she just gets excited.â
Yoongi nodded once, calm, like none of this phased him.
He reached across, lifting the cat easily into his lap, one hand resting lightly along her back. The cat settled instantly, still completely unimpressed.
You shifted slightly, fingers tightening around the leash as your mind raced.
Do I leave? Do I say something? Why am I still standing here?
Yoongi adjusted slightly on the bench, his fingers brushing his earphone like he was about to put it back inâ
ââŚcat on a leash, huh?â you added, trying to recover. âIâve never seen that before.â
Then looked at you again.
ââŚyeah,â he said. âNot exactly common.â
You nodded like that was a normal, complete conversation.
Okay. Good. You can go now.
You shifted your weight, ready to turnâ
âThe vet recommended it.â
You blinked, looking back at him.
He glanced down at the cat briefly, thumb brushing over her fur. âSaid she needs more activity. Sheâs⌠gained some weight.â
âShe does look a little chubby,â you said before you could stop yourself.
ââŚare you fat-shaming my cat?â
Your eyes widened instantly. âNoâIâoh my god, I didnât mean it like thatââ
And then, just barely, the corner of his mouth lifted.
You exhaled, half-laughing in relief. âThat was not fair.â
He shrugged lightly, like he didnât disagree.
His gaze flickered down to Sori, who was now sitting, still staring at Tang with intense curiosity.
âI didnât think you were a dog person,â he said.
You blinked. âIâwhat?â
âYou donât seem like one,â he added simply.
You narrowed your eyes slightly, amused despite yourself. âWhy not?â
Yoongi shrugged, âDogs are a lot of work.â
âI do a lot of work every day.â
âExactly. Thought youâd want to relax when you get home.â
You huffed a small laugh.
âYouâre not wrong. This is Sori,â you said, glancing down at her. âSheâs a foster.â
His brows lifted slightly. âFoster?â
âYeah,â you nodded. âIâve had her for a few weeks now. Still waiting for someone to adopt her.â
Your fingers absentmindedly brushed over Soriâs head.
Yoongi was quiet for a second. âThatâs really good of you. Fostering.â
You looked up at him. The way he said it wasnât overly reassuring. Wasnât exaggerated.
Something about it settled in your chest.
You smiled, small but real. âThanks.â
But this one wasnât as awkward.
You shifted slightly, glancing toward the path. âI should probably finish up her walk.â
You took a small step back, giving Soriâs leash a gentle tug. âCome on, say bye.â
Sori gave one last curious look toward cat before turning back to you. You glanced at him one last time.
The words slipped out before you could overthink them.
ââŚyeah.â A beat. âSee you.â
You nodded, turning and guiding Sori back onto the path, your steps slower than before.
Monday felt like all the quiet progress of the past two weeks had been wiped clean in one sweep. At least, it felt that way to you.
The entire weekend had been a loop of why did I say that and why didnât I just leave, your brain replaying every second of the park encounter like it was determined to haunt you personally. The eye contact. The awkward pauses. The chubby cat comment.
You pressed your lips together as you stood outside his studio door, inhaling slowly.
You knocked. Then, before you could overthink it, you pushed the door open just enough to peek inside and stilled.
Yoongi was already facing the door. His chair turned fully toward you, like heâd been expecting you. His expression was neutral, as always. Calm. Unreadable.
But there was something there. Faint. Subtle.
Your grip tightened slightly on your tablet.
âGood morning,â you said, voice steady despite the way your chest felt just a little too tight. âI just want to go over the schedule for today.â
Yoongi squinted slightly, like he was trying to read past the surface of you, then gave a small nod toward the inside of the room.
You stepped in, closing the door behind you with a quiet click.
Your heels carried you forward automatically, posture straight, head slightly lowered toward your tablet. Composed. Efficient. Exactly how you always were. But there was a stiffness in your shoulders now. A tension that hadnât been there before.
And Yoongi noticed immediately.
You began listing off the dayâs schedule, voice smooth, professional. Sessions. Demo reviews. Deadlines.
Yoongi listened, but not really.
Heâd already reviewed the schedule the night before. He always did.
Instead, his attention drifted.
To the way you werenât looking at him. To the way your fingers held your tablet just a little tighter than usual. To the way your voice was steady, but just slightly too controlled. Different from the quiet comfort that had slowly settled into his studio over the last two weeks.
His gaze flicked briefly to his desk.
âThereâs no coffee today.â
The words landed simply. No accusation. No edge.
It was the first time you looked up since entering the room. Your eyes snapped to his face, caught off guard, before instinctively following his line of sight to the empty coaster on his desk.
Your gaze lingered there for half a second before drifting back to him and for a brief moment, your eyes met.
His brows lifted slightly. A quiet question.
âShiââ you cut yourself off quickly, straightening. âSorry. I was in a hurry this morning. Iâll make sure you get it.â
Yoongi didnât respond right away.
He was still looking at you.
âYou seem tense,â he said finally. Blunt. Direct.
His eyes moved over you again, not in a way that lingered improperly, not anything that would make you self-consciousâbut precise. Like he was piecing something together.
âIs it your foster puppy⌠Sori?â
âWhatâSori?â you blinked, the question catching you completely off guard. âSheâs fine. Sheâs great, actually.â
The answer came too quickly.
You heard it. He definitely heard it.
âAnd before you askââ you added immediately, cutting him off as his lips parted slightly, âIâm also fine. Just a bit sleepy.â
It felt convincing enough.
Yoongi held your gaze for a moment longer than necessary. âYour lack of sleep isnât a cause for concern, though, is it?â he asked, tone even. âWe have important sessions today.â
The shift was subtle. Back to work.
âNo,â you shook your head quickly. âI promise. Everythingâs under control.â
Because this wasnât just any week.
The labelâs biggest solo artist was coming inâsomeone who hadnât released new music in over a year. A full comeback cycle was being built around this project. Pre-release single, concept rollout, the works. And Yoongi had been brought in as one of the key producers on the track.
Everything had to be perfect.
No delays. No miscommunication. Every demo shortlisted. Every session locked in. Every revision tracked and ready.
You had spent all of last week clearing space for it.
Rearranging schedules. Pushing back smaller sessions. Finalizing unfinished demos so nothing would bleed into this week. Coordinating with management teams, studio engineers, external writers. Making sure contracts, credits, and file versions were all aligned before anything even started.
There was no room for error.
If something went wrong, it would land on you first. And today already felt like it was trying to test that.
Your grip on the tablet tightened just slightly before you forced it to relax.
Yoongi was still watching you. Quiet.
You straightened a fraction, shifting your weight more evenly.
âThe eleven oâclock session is for the pre-release track,â you added, keeping your tone even. âThe Tabloâs team sent over updated references last night. Iâve already sorted and labelled everything, youâll have access on the drive.â
Yoongi held your gaze for a second longer.
Yoongi dragged his hands over his face. For the first time since eleven, his studio was quiet.
Everyone had gone on lunch break. The steady hum of voices and movement outside had dulled into something distant, muted behind closed doors. He should be eating too.
But the melody in front of him still needed work.
Unfortunately, his mind didnât want to focus.
He leaned back in his chair with a quiet groan, head tipping toward the ceiling, eyes unfocused as his thoughts slippedâuninvited, persistentâright back to the same place they had been circling all morning.
It was beginning to irritate him, how easily his mind returned to you. How naturally it lingered there.
Since Saturday, it had been like this.
He had pushed the thoughts away every time they surfaced, burying them under work, under sound, under anything that required focus.
But now, he let them stay. Just for a moment.
You, crouched in front of him, arms wrapped around your overly energetic puppy, apology spilling out of you in a rush. Flustered. Slightly breathless.
He had never seen it like that before.
Loose. A little messy from running. Strands falling out of place.
Then, his lips twitched faintly at the following memory.
ââŚare you fat-shaming my cat?â
The way your eyes had widened. The immediate panic. The way relief melted into laughter when you realised he wasnât serious.
The sound of it. Light and unfiltered.
His gaze had lingered longer than it should have.
And then, your bundle of chaos, Sori. The way you looked at her stuck with him. Soft. Unguarded. Entirely different from the careful, composed version of you he saw every day at work.
Yoongi exhaled slowly, his expression shifting slightly.
Then his thoughts pulled forward to this morning.
The stiffness in your shoulders. The way you avoided his eyes. That smileâtoo quick. Too practiced. Fake.
His brows pulled together slightly.
Yoongi shook his head, pushing himself out of his chair. He stretched his arms overhead, muscles protesting after hours of sitting, before grabbing his keys and stepping out of the studio.
Voices layered over each other, trays clattering, chairs scraping. The kind of noise that usually faded into the background for him.
His gaze swept the room once and stopped, on you.
You were sitting near the corner, shoulders slightly hunched forward, fork lazily pushing food around your plate. There was a smile on your face.
Animated, as always. Hands moving as he spoke, clearly mid-story, completely invested in whatever he was saying.
Yoongiâs gaze lingered a second longer than necessary. Something unfamiliar flickered low in his chest. Subtle. He turned away, heading toward the buffet. He had just finished piling pasta and vegetables onto his plate whenâ
He turned slightly. Hoseok was already waving him over, grin wide and easy. âCome sit with us!â
Yoongiâs eyes flicked back to you. From behind, the tension in your posture was obvious now. Shoulders tight. Spine just a little too straight.
It would be easier not to.
But, he was already moving.
He set his tray down and slid into the seat beside you.
âGood to see you outside your studio, hyung,â Hoseok said, still smiling.
Yoongi gave a small nod, picking up his fork. âMm.â
âY/n told me youâre working on Tabloâs pre-release track,â Hoseok continued, leaning forward slightly. âThatâs huge. Iâve been trying to get on that project.â
He placed a hand dramatically over his chest. âBut she wonât help me.â
Yoongiâs gaze shifted to you.
You turned slightly, offering him a small, polite smileâjust a little too careful.
âHobi is being dramatic,â you said, shooting Hoseok a look. âHeâs working on IUâs next album.â
âThat is true,â Hoseok smirked, clearly proud.
âCareful, your headâs getting too big for your shoulders, again,â you added dryly.
âYou know, youâre really mean to me,â he shot back instantly. âCan never let me have something good.â
You huffed out a quiet laugh despite yourself, shaking your head. âIâm keeping you humble.â
For a moment, it almost felt normal. The tension is your shoulders melting, slightly.
But then, Hoseok pushed his chair back suddenly.
âIâm grabbing a drink and I need the bathroom,â he added, already standing. âDonât talk about anything interesting without me.â
âWouldnât dream of it,â you muttered.
He grinned, then disappeared into the crowd. And just like that the space shifted. The noise of the cafeteria seemed louder now. Or maybe it was just the silence between you.
You focused on your plate.
Yoongi didnât touch his food.
âYouâre still tense.â
You let out a small breath, forcing a light tone. âIâm really notââ
âDid I do something?â
That made you look at him, properly. Caught completely off guard.
âWhat? Noâno, of course notââ
âThen why are you uncomfortable all of a sudden?â he asked, just as evenly.
âI can tell,â he added, not unkindly. âDonât try to deny it. Itâs obvious.â
Your lips pressed together. For a second, you considered brushing it off again. But under his gaze; steady, patient, waiting. You exhaled.
âIâŚâ you hesitated, fingers tightening slightly around your fork. âIâve just been⌠thinking about the park.â
âIâm sorry,â you added quickly, the words rushing out now that theyâd started. âIf I made you uncomfortable in any way. I didnât mean to cross any boundaries or make things weirdâespecially because we work together, I justââ
You stopped yourself, shaking your head slightly.
âIâve been overthinking it all weekend,â you admitted, quieter now. âI just didnât want to⌠overstep.â
Yoongi stared at you for a second.
ââŚYou think you made me uncomfortable?â he asked.
You blinked, uncertain. âI mean⌠I donât know, I justââ
âI wasnât,â he said simply.
âI wasnât uncomfortable,â he repeated, tone steady. âAnd you didnât cross any lines.â
Something in your chest loosened.
He watched your expression shift, then added, âIf anything,â a small pause, âI should be asking if I did something to make you uncomfortable.â
Your eyes widened a fraction. âNoâno, you didnât. At all. This is justâŚâ you let out a small, embarrassed breath, âme overthinking. Like always.â
Then, before you could stop yourselfâ
âIâve just⌠heard things.â
Yoongiâs brow lifted slightly. âThings.â
âYour reputation,â you admitted, wincing a little. âIn the industry.â
ââŚand you believed everything you heard?â he asked.
ââNo,â you said quickly. Then, softer, more honest, âI mean⌠maybe a little. At first.â
âNot anymore, though,â you added, meeting his eyes this time.
A flicker of something passed through his expression.
The tension in your shoulders finally gave way, easing like something had quietly unknotted.
You exhaled, almost laughing under your breath. âGod, I feel so stupid.â
part 2 in the next few days ;)
@roro--i @love-forever-and-more @kingsqueensandvagabonds @busanbby-jjk @jajabro @chaosbunn1
