Crossed Lines
Pairing: Dino x F!Reader Genre: Fluff, Slight Angst Warnings: None Length: 11.3K
You and Dino have been inseparable since childhood. You were best friends, each other's worst critics, and constant rivals in everything that mattered and didn't. A harmless teasing has always been your way of caring, until the day he asks for your help with something new: learning how to date. It's just advice, you tell yourself, just helping him impress someone else. But as teaching turns into serious talks and practice feels too real, you start to wonder when your friendship began to feel like something more. And when distance becomes the only way to protect your heart, will he realize what you were trying to hide all along?
Dino didn't want to do this. But a bet was a bet, and he had lost.
That was how he ended up standing stiffly in the middle of the dorm's living room at seven in the morning, the light outside pale and the wind cold, with twelve pairs of bleary eyes all turning on him like predators smelling weakness. He rarely called everyone together this early, and when he did, it was usually for practice. This time, though, there was no music, no mirror, no choreography. Just him and the weight of a bet he immediately regretted. He already hated himself for agreeing to it.
Jeonghan was the first to appear, hair sticking out like an old broom, dragging himself onto the couch with a yawn that made it clear Dino had destroyed his sacred sleep. Seungcheol followed soon after, heavy steps and red-rimmed eyes betraying another night of gaming. Woozi, of all people, looked the most unimpressed. His hoodie was zipped up to his chin, his hair still flattened from his headphones, and there was a faint red mark on his cheek from where he'd clearly fallen asleep against his mixing console. Being dragged out of his soundproof studio before sunrise was a crime in itself, and the silent glare he shot made that perfectly clear.
The rest trickled in one by one, shuffling in half-awake, collapsing onto cushions, chairs, and the floor until the room looked like a graveyard of pajamas and morning breath.
It was obvious what they were all thinking. This had better be worth it.
Dino swallowed hard, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. He wasn't the type to freeze on stage, but this was different. Worse. Standing here, in unforgiving early morning light, in front of the people who knew him better than anyone, his palms suddenly felt clammy. For the first time in a long while, he had no idea how to start.
"So," He began, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. "You all remember the deal? That if I ever liked someone, I'd tell everyone at once?" His voice cracked slightly before he steadied it. He took a breath. "Well... this is that."
The words hit the room like a grenade. Silence stretched for two full seconds. Mingyu blinked. Twice. Joshua's lips parted like he'd just seen a ghost. Wonwoo froze, phone halfway to his face, as if his brain had short-circuited. Even Jeonghan, half-asleep moments ago, snapped upright with wide eyes, the kind of shock you only see at a surprise wedding announcement.
It was ridiculous, really, but not unexpected. He was the maknae, the youngest, the one they'd spent years teasing and scolding, as if he were still fifteen. The idea of him actually liking someone was apparently too much for their brains to process.
Seungcheol's voice finally cut through with amusement creeping in, saying Dino would never live this down and that the girl would be the talk of the dorm for weeks.
Before he could respond, another voice rang from the doorway.
"This is national emergency." You leaned against the frame with your arms crossed, glaring at Dino. As Seungcheol's younger sister, you had grown up around these boys long enough to recognize when chaos was brewing. And this? This was gold.
Dino groaned, already regretting every life choice that had led him to this moment. Your eyes glinted with disbelief. The little kid who cried over Mario Kart, begged you to lie for him about unfinished homework, and couldn't even keep track of his socks or lunchbox, was now standing here talking about liking someone? The thought was so absurd you almost laughed.
You couldn't resist reminding him of every embarrassing thing he'd ever done, memories spilling out faster than you could stop yourself. It was teasing, yes, but also quiet shock at realizing the kid who once trailed behind you had somehow grown up enough to talk about dating.
His head snapped up at once, eyes narrowing, the air shifting in that familiar way it always did when you pushed too far. Dino never let teasing slide. If you poked fun, he made sure to hit right back, and he did so with precision. He brought up that old middle school rejection, the one you had tried for years to forget, and even the love letter you had written and never sent.
Your jaw dropped, heat creeping up your neck as you tried to recover. That was ancient history, and the fact that he still remembered every detail made it so much worse. You bit back, forcing a grin, claiming you would still have a better chance than him anyway.
"Here they go again," Wonwoo muttered.
"Is anyone certain she's not the one he likes?" Seungkwan pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head in weary disbelief. "They argue more than my parents."
In the days after that announcement, Dino became the maknae under full surveillance. Every room he entered came with a new "foolproof" love-life strategy, none of which were remotely useful.
Woozi was unexpectedly the first to offer advice, barely glancing up from his laptop as he suggested learning guitar because, apparently, girls loved music. Dino had only stared, unimpressed, reminding him that Woozi himself played guitar. That earned nothing but a shrug and the quiet sound of Woozi's headphones being readjusted, conversation immediately over.
Then Mingyu chimed in from the couch, insisting that a good cologne would do half the work for him. It might've been convincing if Seungkwan hadn't immediately muttered something about Mingyu's scent resembling regret, to which Mingyu proudly corrected, "luxury regret." Dino decided not to ask what that even meant.
Soonyoung, on the other hand, went full romantic drama mode. He threw himself across the floor, insisting Dino should serenade the girl outside her window with roses at night. Dino nearly lost it at that point, mentally swearing he'd never take advice from someone who choreographed his own grand gestures for fun.
And then there was Jun, who added with full confidence that eye contact was the real secret, a power move as he called it. Joshua quietly countered from the side that such tactics usually got people banned from places, and Dino found himself silently agreeing.
By the end of it, Dino was done. The more they spoke, the more ridiculous it became, and the clearer it was that none of them were to be trusted with anything even remotely related to his love life.
That was when Seungcheol finally spoke, watching the disaster unfold. "We will only make you worse," he said. "Ask *YN*. She has more experience, so she'll actually make sense."
Seungcheol cared about many things like meals, practice schedules, and making sure no one destroyed the house. But Dino's love life? That was new.
"You cannot fail your first attempt," Seungcheol replied simply, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
It was truly absurd. And yet, as Dino sat there with his ears burning red and his eyes darting anywhere but Seungcheol. He just buried his face in his hands, muttering into his palms, "That is the worst idea ever."
It was supposed to be nothing more than a casual hangout and an assignment to finish in a café that was far too delicate for Dino's sulking mood. You sat across from him, laptop open between the two of you, papers scattered across the small table while he slouched like a hostage.
He was not paying attention. His eyes drifted to the ceiling, the polished floor, the window outside, just at anywhere except his notes. His pen hovered uselessly over the notebook, never really writing. Every now and then he sighed, steady and quiet like a clock ticking.
"Did you even read the article I sent you?" You asked, scrolling through your notes.
"I skimmed it," He said, far too quickly to sound believable.
"Skimmed?" You glanced up, raising a brow. "Right. That explains why your notes look like a preschooler's doodles."
He bristled, dropping his pen with a clatter. "You didn't even give me proper instructions. How was I supposed to know what part was important?"
"Because it's common sense?" You said, finally looking at him. "You just had to read and highlight the main points. You do know how to highlight, right?"
He groaned and let his head fall back. "You're so annoying."
"And yet I'm still the one making sure you don't completely fail this class." You rolled your eyes.
Just then, a server arrived with two drinks Dino had ordered. ou blinked at yours, instantly recognizing it before glancing at him. Strawberry Banana Frappe. Of course he knew what you liked. You had been getting the same thing since you were twelve. You scoffed, wiping at the condensation ring the cup left behind. One of these days, you swore you'd order something completely different just to throw him off.
Without missing a beat, he leaned forward and casually took a small sip from your drink. A smug little grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. He had some excuse ready. Something about checking if it tasted okay, probably layered with that half-serious claim of being thorough. Quality control as he'd call it.
You shook your head, unable to stop a small smile. He was infuriating, but somehow that familiarity always softened the irritation.
As the moment settled, something about him still felt slightly off. The smile didn't quite reach his eyes, and the quiet that followed carried a weight you could not name.
"Spit it out." You said softly, leaning forward. "You've been spacing out all morning."
He blinked, hesitant. "Well... I keep thinking about the advice the hyungs gave me." He admitted, fiddling with his pen nervously. "About dating."
You huffed out a laugh, tilting your head at him. "Unbelievable. You're really prioritizing romance over schoolwork, loverboy?"
He rolled his eyes, a faint flush creeping up his ears. "It's not like that. I just—" He stopped, exhaled, and met your gaze again. This time, his voice came out quieter. "I just don't want to screw this up."
Silence filled the space between you, broken only by the hum of the café and the hiss of the espresso machine. You studied him across the table, unexpectedly serious. There was something quietly reassuring about the way he trusted you with his thoughts despite all the bickering.
"Wow," You said after a beat, smirking. "Lee Chan's officially growing up. Should I be proud or concerned?"
You studied the way he fiddled with his pen and the faint crease between his brows. It was almost funny how hard he was trying to seem calm. His effort alone made you want to tease him even more.
"Just say you need my help," You said finally.
His head snapped up. "Never."
You laughed, shaking your head. This was so typical of him. "Of course. You would rather flunk out of life than admit you need me."
"Because I don't," He insisted, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of uncertainty. "Just watch."
"Fine," You said with exaggerated indifference, turning back to your laptop. "But if you ever change your mind..." You glanced up again, catching the way he was glaring at your screen like it had personally offended him. "You can just test things on me."
He blinked, caught off guard. You shrugged, pretending it was nothing.
"Whatever you'd do or say to her, you can try it on me first. I'll tell you if it works. Think of it as... an honest feedback. If you can make me flutter, then maybe you'll know you're ready."
He stared at you for a beat, lips parting before he spoke quietly. "Are you serious?"
"Completely," You said, eyes already back on your screen, like it was the most casual offer in the world. "But knowing you, you'll probably crash and burn before you even try."
That finally drew a real smile from him, small but genuine. "You talk like you're some expert."
"I don't need to be," You shot back easily. "I just know when someone's hopeless."
Dino stared at nothing for a moment, thinking about everything he wanted to do and needed to do when it came to dating. He figured you probably felt indifferent about all of it, and honestly, he did too. He had never really liked anyone before, except maybe that girl from the other class. Love at first sight, maybe? He wasn't sure. All he knew was that he needed to try. He had to make something work.
"It's so weird. I mean..." He went on, eyes flicking toward you before darting away again. You looked up, surprised by how open and serious his voice had become. "You're the only girl I've really dealt with my whole life. And I don't even—" He stopped himself, shaking his head. "You're just... you."
"Then you're doomed," You said lightly. "Because I'm not exactly the standard."
He smiled faintly, gaze lingering on you a little longer than it should have. "Dealing with you would be a little easier."
You rolled your eyes as he kept watching you. The two of you fell back into the easy rhythm of bickering and borrowed insults and just like that, the moment passed.
When you told Dino he could test things out on you, it had been half a tease, half a jab. You hadn't actually thought he would do it. But apparently, he'd made it his personal mission.
At first, it was laughable. Every few days, he'd try something new. Like a compliment dropped too casually, or a lingering glance that was a little too obvious, or a sudden act of chivalry that felt straight out of a bad drama. Each attempt was so clumsy you couldn't even get annoyed. You'd just stare at him, deadpan, and ask what he was trying to do. He'd shrug, mumble that he was testing something, and move on like it was completely normal.
He was terrible at it. Disastrously terrible.
Once, he tried to open a door for you but forgot to step aside, leaving you stuck in a strange half-step limbo until you pushed past him with a muttered, "Casanova?" Another time, he tried to compliment your perfume but ended up coughing halfway through the sentence, insisting it was too strong when it was barely noticeable.
You mocked him relentlessly. If this was his idea of charm, he was doomed. He'd roll his eyes, mutter something under his breath and then show up the next day ready to try again.
And maybe that was the problem. He kept trying.
It started to feel less like a joke. Somewhere along the line, it turned into a pattern you couldn't ignore. Every time you told him what he was doing wrong, he listened. He actually listened. Then he would show up again, fixing the exact thing you had pointed out. The clumsy charm began to smooth out, his movements less awkward, his tone more sure of itself.
One afternoon, he caught you off guard. You were rambling about something random and unimportant when you noticed him watching you, his expression unreadable. You frowned, halfway through your sentence. "Why are you staring at me like that?"
"Eye contact. You told me to practice it." He didn't flinch. He just said it softly, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
You wanted to laugh. You wanted to roll your eyes and tell him to stop being ridiculous. But his gaze didn't waver for a fleeting second. You swatted at him instead, muttering, "You're staring into my soul, idiot."
He smiled then, that quiet kind of smile that never announced itself, and it slipped past your guard before you noticed.
Then there was the cold afternoon when the wind slipped through your sleeves. You rubbed your arms and pretended you were fine but Dino noticed anyway. He didn't ask or say anything. He just shrugged off his jacket and draped it over your shoulders, his touch brief but the warmth seeping in immediately.
"You should've worn something thicker," His voice was low and almost absentminded. His eyes lingered just long enough to make your insides tighten. Then he pressed a hot pack into your hands like it was nothing.
You stared at it, then at him, too caught off guard to scoff.
You leaned back, forcing out a disgusted expression so he would not notice how your pulse had skipped. "Ew, that didn't make me feel anything."
But even after saying that, the heat stayed with you long after you went home that day. It was impossible to ignore.
The next thing he did was smaller, but it stayed longer. Everyone in the dorm was arguing about dinner, voices loud and overlapping. Dino sat across from you on the couch, peeling tangerines while nodding along to something Jeonghan said. You didn't think much of it until he quietly reached over and pressed a peeled slice into your hand.
"You were frowning," He murmured, barely meeting your eyes. "Figured you needed something sweet."
Then he went back to peeling like it was nothing. You ate the slice just to hide the sudden tightness in your chest. It tasted like citrus and warmth, and something you were not ready to name.
"If you're trying something out, well, I felt nothing." You muttered, popping the rest into your mouth.
From then on, every time he tried something new like a compliment, or a smile, or a touch that lingered a heartbeat too long, you told him it didn't make you feel anything. You said it with a smirk, like it was fact. He'd groan in frustration, call you heartless, say maybe you were made of stone. You'd grin and shoot back that maybe it was because it was him, and that he just wasn't exactly capable of making anyone flutter.
He always took the bait, throwing you a mock glare that never lasted more than a second. But deep down, you knew. Each time his eyes softened, each time his hand brushed yours or each time he attempted anything, something in you shifted stubbornly, like a secret you couldn't afford to name.
Days later, you thought Dino had finally stopped proving whatever point he thought he had to make. But that night in the library, he tried again. The room was hushed, the yellow lights dim, pages turning in soft rhythm. Loose strands of hair kept falling into your face no matter how many times you tucked them back. You were about to give up when Dino's hand reached over.
He plucked the small hairpin from your lanyard and slid it through your hair, his fingers brushing against your temple. The touch was gentle and unhurried.
"There," He said quietly. "Better."
You didn't trust your voice enough to answer. You just stared at your laptop, pretending to read while your heart thudded traitorously loud. He didn't look away. His thoughtful gaze stayed.
"You should always tuck your hair like that," He murmured. "It looks good on you."
Your chest tightened, and your throat went dry. So you did what you always did. You smiled faintly and whispered under your breath, "Still not fluttering."
His words shouldn't have meant anything. But they did. They sank deep and they echoed.
"What? I'm not even trying. It's true." He said, tapping his pen against his notebook. "Anyway, can you listen to some lyrics for me? Woozi hyung asked me to write a few lines."
You arched a brow. "Since when did you need my opinion for your music?" You meant to sound teasing, but your voice came out softer than you intended.
He didn't answer. Instead, he reached into his pocket, pulled out his earphones and untangled the wire.
"Here," His fingers brushed yours as he placed one bud gently in your ear. "Just tell me what you think."
The world shrank to that small circle of light between you. You could hear his soft exhale as he pressed play. The demo started quiet and unpolished, the sound audible enough through the shared connection. Then his voice in it came through, close enough to feel.
You're the only one for my breathless self Even if we're facing each other, I miss you still Even without saying anything You're the only one who understands me
You didn't move. The faint hum of the air conditioner, the rustle of pages, all of it faded until there was only his voice and the warmth of his knees so near your own. The lyrics weren't perfect, but they were honest and raw. Too raw.
When the song ended, he slowly pulled the earbud, eyes lifting expectantly.
"It works," You said, your voice barely above a whisper. "It sounds like something you shouldn't be telling me."
He looked at you, eyes steady. "Is that a bad thing?"
Your throat tightened. "No. It's just... it sounds real. Like it's for someone."
He wasn't looking away, and for a moment, you forgot how to breathe. The space between you felt smaller than it had any right to be. Your chest thudded painfully as he said something you barely caught. Maybe your name, perhaps nothing at all. You just let the silence stretch. And from there, you knew.
You were done for.
You forced a small smile that didn't feel like one. "I should go," Your eyes fixed on your laptop screen even though it had long gone dark. "And you can stop testing things on me now. It doesn't work anyway."
He didn't argue. He watched you for a moment, as if he could hear everything you weren't saying. You told yourself it was just him. Just Chan. The same boy who used to bicker with you, steal your snacks, and laugh at your expense. But your hands wouldn't stop trembling, and your chest wouldn't settle.
Get it together. It's Chan.
But maybe that was exactly the problem. Because now, it wasn't just Chan anymore. And you were far past pretending he didn't make you feel anything.
In the days that followed, you did everything you could to pretend nothing had changed. You still replied to his messages, laughed at his jokes, and still teased him when he bragged about his choreography.
But it all felt different.
So you found excuses to detach from him like deadlines, errands, headaches, anything that sounded reasonable but never quite true. Because every time you thought about that night in the library, his lyrics, his voice, the way he had looked at you, something twisted inside you in a way that felt like both ache and longing.
You kept your distance, hoping the feeling would fade if you starved it long enough.
It didn't.
And then came the news.
Dino was officially dating.
Seungcheol had mentioned it halfway through dinner, almost casually. You froze mid-bite. You managed a small nod, maybe even a smile. Something easy enough to hide behind. You didn't ask for details. You didn't trust your voice to sound normal. You stayed in your room, staring at your phone until the screen dimmed. His name sat there in your messages, and for the first time, you didn't open it.
You couldn't.
You needed time. You needed anything but the truth, the truth that talking to him now would mean wondering if his girlfriend was hearing the same warmth in his voice that once belonged to you. You remained quiet. You ignored him. Because if you talked, even once, you weren't sure if you could pretend nothing had changed.
You stayed away from him. And he noticed.
At first, he told himself you had a lot on your plate. It was reasonable. But when your messages didn't come at all, he knew better. Something was off.
It wasn't obvious. The distance between you settled in quietly, filling the small pockets of silence that used to hold your laughter. He tried not to mind. He told himself you'd come around like you always did. But every time he saw your name in the group chat, active and replying to the others, the knot in his chest pulled tighter. You were definitely ignoring him.
One evening, he gave in. He typed before thinking.
[Lee Chan: 17:54] Can I come over? I really need your help.
He didn't need your help. Not really. He just needed an excuse to hear your voice. He missed the way your sarcasm filled every pause and made everything lighter. Your reply came minutes later.
[You: 18:14] No. I'm busy.
He stared at the screen, thumb hovering. You were never busy enough when he needed you. He knew it. Before he could stop himself, he pressed call.
You picked up after a few rings, your voice sharp. "I clearly said I was busy."
He almost laughed. "You seem to be lately."
You scoffed softly. "What do you even need?"
It was nice to hear that tone again. For a second, it felt normal. He hesitated, racking his brain for a reason that wouldn't sound like he just missed you, but ended up blurting the first stupid thing that came to his mind.
"I need tips about kissing."
A beat of silence.
"I'm sorry, what?.." Your voice dripped disbelief. "Why would you ask me that?"
"I—It's just..." He took a breath, choosing his words carefully. "It's easier with you... talking about these."
He meant the feeling beneath his words. Everything had always been easier when it was you. Talking, laughing, just being himself. He missed that ease more than he wanted to admit, and the thought that he might be losing it made something coil tight inside him.
Neither of you spoke and he could hear the faint rustle on your end. When you finally said something, your tone was lighter, teasing again. "You should be careful. Saying stuff like that might make me think you like me instead."
He laughed, though his chest felt tight. "Yeah, and that would be a nightmare, huh?"
"Tragic," You said easily. "Maybe stop asking me before you ruin your dating progress."
He smiled to himself. It should not have stung, but it did. "You don't ruin anything."
Then there was this silence again that never appeared so often before. There was something he could feel from you, maybe distance or restraint. He couldn't place it exactly, but it hadn't been there before. And as it stretched, the lightness between you faded again.
"You okay?" He couldn't pretend not to notice anymore, and he couldn't resist asking.
"Of course." Your answer was too quick. As if it were already practiced. "Why?"
"Are you sure? Lately you seem... distant."
You let out a short laugh, masking all of the feelings you left unsaid. Of course he would notice. Why wouldn't he, when the two of you had spent most of your lives tangled into each other's routines? "Please, I've been amazing. You're just clingy."
You swallowed a bitter lump in your throat. Lying was never your forte, but it was the only thing you could do, hoping he would take it and leave things as they were. And he did. Since you were teasing him again, like always, a sign that everything was fine. So he smiled at that.
"Right," He said, matching your tone. "I'll work on that."
"You better." Your voice softened by a touch. "Good night, loverboy."
Later that night, when the dorm finally quieted and the hum of the city slipped through the window, Dino lay awake staring at his ceiling. Your voice still echoed in his mind. You sounded perfectly normal, yet something in the silence beneath your words kept tugging at him. He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. He told himself he was imagining it, but the unease pressing against his ribs refused to fade.
You hadn't realized how quiet things had become between you and Dino until the family trip crept up on you.
You hadn't expected much. Just another quiet family getaway. A chance to reset before life got busy again. The thought of leaving town felt like a small mercy. A few days away from everything might help untangle the knots that had been in your chest for a while now.
You stepped outside and Seungcheol was already by the car, arguing about snacks with Jeonghan. He was practically family at this point so you barely paid attention. Until something familiar caught your ear.
"For someone who just broke up," Seungcheol said casually, shoving a bag into the trunk. "Dino looks extremely fine."
"Wait, what?" You cut their conversation. Your words slice through your morning haze. "Chan broke up?"
Neither of them noticed your tone. Seungcheol kept talking like it was nothing. "Yeah, last week."
Jeonghan glanced at you, brow creased in confusion. "You didn't know?"
"He didn't tell me." You looked away, forcing your face to stay still even as something in your chest pinched sharply.
Seungcheol shrugged, shutting the trunk. "He probably didn't want to make a big deal of it. Besides, you two don't talk much anymore."
You almost laughed, a bitter one. You two don't talk much anymore. It stung, but that was putting it lightly. The space between you had stretched a lot, filled with unsaid things. It was your fault. You were the one who pulled away from him. But even then, a part of you ached that he didn't reach for you as you drifted. Somehow you had believed he was only giving you space, that he would still tell you the important parts of his life when they happened.
Apparently not.
Seungcheol leaned against the car door. "You guys can talk. He's coming with us."
Your head snapped up, flicking between them both in confusion. Jeonghan chuckled. "All of us are."
"Mom said to invite everyone." Seungcheol grinned like it was good news. "Like old times."
You opened your mouth, then closed it again, contemplating whether this would be fun or a disaster. You always had a good time being around your brother's friends. You practically grew up with them as their baby sister. But with Dino? After months of silence and everything lodged unsaid between you? It would probably be awkward now. You didn't even know what you were supposed to feel about him anymore.
For months now, the biggest parts of his life had passed without you knowing. Partly it was your fault. But you still couldn't hide the tinge of pain that flared whenever you thought about it. First, he hadn't told you he was dating. Then, he hadn't told you it ended. If he actually considered you his friend, wouldn't it be natural for him to tell you these things despite the distance?
You turned toward the house before either of them could notice your expression, muttering something about checking your bag. Inside, the air felt heavier. You sat on the edge of your bed, staring at your half-zipped suitcase. The realization hits you at the back of your head.
It shouldn't have mattered. It was stupid to expect anything from him otherwise. But the thought still pressed down on you. All this time, you thought you were his best friend. Maybe you were the only one who still believed that.
Will you confront him? Be serious about it or be cool about it? You don't know. The trip hadn't even started, but you were already dreading the moment you'd have to see him. Maybe you should just avoid him again. It was easier.
By the time you reached the rest house, you'd managed to keep Dino out of sight all day by dodging his path, while pretending the knot in your chest wasn't tightening with every accidental glimpse of him.
Until dinner.
The table was chaos, as always, thirteen boys talking over each other, jokes flying, food disappearing faster than it could be passed. Normally, that kind of noise would've made you smile. Tonight, it only made your silence louder.
Dino sat across from you. Because fate has a cruel sense of humor. His plate caught your eye the second you sat. There were cucumbers on his food, which he hated. You used to pick them off for him without a word, a habit you never thought twice about. This time, you didn't move. You let them sit there.
When he noticed, his fork paused midair. "You're not gonna get my cucumbers?" You didn't even look up. "No."
A small beat of confusion passed before he caught on. You could feel his eyes on you, searching for the joke, or the smirk you always gave him. But there was none. Your expression stayed still, too cold. "You're mad at me, aren't you?"
You didn't answer. YYou looked at him briefly with a frown before rolling your eyes, like nothing was new about being annoyed with him. You've spent most of your life doing so. A flimsy attempt to disguise what you truly feel.
"I knew it." He leaned closer, careful not to draw attention. "What did I do?"
Still, you didn't answer. You sliced through your food carefully, giving all your focus to it instead of him. Dino didn't know what to do with your silence. He'd gotten used to your sharp words and your quick comebacks. He never had to deal with this before.
He huffed a quiet laugh, trying to brush it off. "So you're just gonna ignore me?"
You didn't look at him, but he heard the exhale you tried to hide. The sound of your fork clicking against the plate was the only response he got.
His eyes dropped slowly, looking at you in confusion. "*YN*, please tell me what I did."
That almost made you speak. Almost. But you only shook your head and reached for your drink, the motion smooth and final. His smirk faltered completely as he leaned back, studying you in silence. The room's noise carried on, but the space between you felt different. You could feel it, and so could he.
Soon after dinner, the boys disappeared almost all at once, leaving the rest house quieter than you expected. For a fleeting moment, there was relief. You busied yourself clearing the table and checking your luggage, just anything to keep your hands occupied and your thoughts elsewhere.
You were halfway to convincing yourself that this trip would be anything but normal when you wandered into the kitchen for a drink of water. Seungcheol was there, leaning lazily against the counter.
"Don't be so hard on him." He snatched the glass from your hand.
You looked at him, forcing a chuckle. "What are you even saying?"
"Dino... You know he can't function without you." He smirked like he'd already said too much. A knowing look that made something twist low in your stomach. As your brother, he always knew. Maybe because he'd grown up watching the two of you.
"I don't care," You said flatly.
"Of course you don't," He said, amused. "Mind bringing us something upstairs? Thanks."
You rolled your eyes, but somehow, five minutes later, you were carrying a plate of snacks up the stairs. The door to their room was locked, and you had to knock a few times before someone opened it.
"Is that food?" Mingyu grinned immediately. "How nice of you."
"Brother's orders," You said, handing him the plate. "Took you long enough to open the door. You guys watching porn or something?"
Woozi, sprawled on the couch, shot you a look. "Watch your mouth. One does not simply disrespect Marvel."
"Porn isn't a bad idea, though," Jun added with a grin.
"Disgusting." You faked a gag.
"Join us," Seungkwan said, tugging at your wrist.
And right on cue, Dino pushed open the bathroom door, hair damp and messy, a towel hanging at his waist. Your gaze traveled from his chest down to his abdomen, noting how the shower had left his skin gleaming. It's not the first time you've seen this, but somehow, with all the unsaid thoughts lodged in your mind, it felt as though your face would betray you with heat just from looking. His eyes found yours, warm with that easy grin. "I thought I smelled food."
Jeonghan scooted over, making space beside him. "Took you long enough. We started without you."
You slipped into the couch at the far end, pretending you didn't feel Dino's gaze find you immediately. He sat beside you, fully dressed now, the scent of soap and shampoo clinging to him. It never felt this intimate, this close. You didn't look at him. You couldn't. But when a sandwich appeared in front of you, instinctively, like a reflex, you leaned forward and took a bite without thinking. The taste hit before the realization did, and you caught the flicker of his smile, the kind that said he knew exactly what he was doing. It was frustrating how he could still get past your walls without trying.
He settled beside you, casual as ever, as if the tension between you didn't exist. The movie started, laughter rippling through the room, but you barely heard it. You kept your eyes on the screen, pretending to be absorbed, pretending he wasn't staring.
He leaned slightly closer, voice low, careful not to disturb the others. "Will you tell me now why you're mad at me?"
For a while, you told yourself to keep quiet. Silence was easier because it meant you wouldn't say something you'd regret. But the longer he sat there, close enough for his sleeve to brush yours, the more childish the silence began to feel. Maybe it was time to stop giving him that treatment.
"I'm not mad," You said finally, your tone calm, though you were holding back more than you wanted to admit.
Dino frowned. "Then what is it? You've been avoiding me."
"I'm not avoiding you." You lied, turning slightly to meet his gaze for the first time. "I don't think there's anything left to talk about. You made it this way."
That landed harder than you intended, and you knew it. But you weren't going to dress it up to soften the blow.
Dino leaned back a little, the teasing fading from his lips as he caught the seriousness in your eyes. He hadn't expected this. The last time you'd talked, you'd said things were fine, and he believed it. Now, watching you sit and stare as if he were a stranger, the distance felt real.
"What? Do we have a problem? You said everything was fine." He said quietly, replaying a memory that suddenly didn't make sense.
"It was fine." Your gaze flicked toward him again. "I'm just confused. I'm trying to figure out where I stand."
Dino's brow furrowed. "Where you stand? What does that even mean?"
You didn't answer right away. For a moment, you weighed whether it was worth explaining. Probably not. He'd just laugh at you for being dramatic. Your lips curved faintly. "Please don't ask. Just give me some space."
"When did we even need that?"
"Please?" You sighed softly and stood, brushing imaginary crumbs from your lap. Dino stared, confusion flashing across his face, caught between wanting to argue and sensing the quiet desperation in your voice. Whatever that is, he'll wait when you're ready to say it. That's how things have been. "Enjoy the movie,"
You walked out, giving him a smile that's not quite masking the ache underneath. He felt the air leave the room with you. He stayed seated for a few minutes, pretending to watch, but the noise around him had dulled to a meaningless hum.
He told himself to leave it alone but the longer he sat there, the heavier it felt. He didn't know what had gone wrong. All he knew was that somewhere between your faint smile and your words, something had shifted. And his stubborn self couldn't stand not knowing what.
Outside, the night air bit your skin. You stood on the terrace, arms folded, trying to calm your thoughts. You couldn't even process it on your own. How were you supposed to tell him the truth? The cold wind tugged at your sleeves, but it did nothing to ease the weight sitting in your chest.
The door slid open behind you, and you didn't have to turn to know.
"Hey," Of course it was Dino. He stepped out, hands deep in his pockets, stopping just short of where you stood.
You let out a slow breath. "You really need to stop looking for me."
He didn't flinch. "Then talk to me properly," He said quietly, the edge of frustration in his voice impossible to miss. "Because I don't get you. I really don't."
You let out a slow, tired laugh. Not mocking, just sad. "Yeah. That's kind of the problem, isn't it? You're always slow."
His brow creased, confusion flickering across his face.
You debated whether to say your reason, whether it will even be worth bringing up. As your best friend, he deserved to know, and you needed to say it just to let it go.
"Do you really consider me as a friend?" You said softly, your heartbeat pressing against your ribs until it hurt. "I know we fight most of the time, but I was still there for everything, right?"
"Of course! You're my best friend. You don't need to ask that." He said, shaking his head with a small smile.
"But why don't I get to know the important stuff about you? You date and break up, and I don't even hear it. Not a word. I had to know from the others, like I'm some outsider in this friendship."
He opened his mouth, guilt flickering across his face. "I was going to tell you. I just— I didn't know how. I'm sorry."
"You didn't know how? Or it just didn't feel important enough?" You exhaled slowly, the faintest trace of a sad smile crossing your face. "You know, Chan. To be honest, it made me feel like you only show up when you need me. And I hated you for it. But then I realized, maybe that's on me for letting you."
"That's not true. You know I'd show up for you... anytime." He paused, meeting your eyes for a beat too long. When he spoke again, his voice was softer. "I'm sorry. For making you feel like that."
"It's okay. It's done." You said quietly. "I just need a little space to clear my head, okay? So stop looking for me." You hesitated, a small huff of laughter escaping you, your expression gentler now, though still distant.
And with that, you turned away. The soft shuffle of your footsteps was the only sound between you, followed by the faint click of the terrace door as it closed behind you.
Dino stood there, staring at the empty space you'd left. The air was cold, the kind that bit at his skin, but he barely noticed. His thoughts were louder than the wind. He'd spent weeks trying to convince himself that the distance between you was imagined, and that whatever tension he felt was just bad timing, but hearing you tonight and seeing the look in your eyes when you said those words? It left a hollow ache in his chest he couldn't shake. It was his fault. He made you feel that. Of all people, you. The one he'd spent his entire life trying to please and impress, even if he never admitted it. Now you're disappointed and everything was messed up, all because of him.
When he finally went back inside, the movie had long ended. The others were scattered, some asleep, some talking in low voices. He barely noticed any of it. He just sat down quietly, eyes unfocused, mind still on you.
The trip went on, and Dino gave you the space you'd asked for.
At first, it was a relief. You could eat, laugh, and breathe without feeling his eyes on you. No pressure. But as the hours became days, the distance began to feel strange. You weren't sure if it was better or worse that he was actually listening to you this time.
For him, those two days were brutal. He told himself he was doing the right thing, respecting what you asked for by letting you have the quiet you needed. But every moment apart only made it worse. You just a few feet away, and he couldn't even look at you. He missed you. Your teasing, your laugh, even your nonsense blabbering. Everything about this setup felt like punishment.
It felt worse when he saw you laughing with Dokyeom one afternoon, sunlight catching on your hair as you tossed a pillow across the couch. Something tightened in his chest again, something he can't admit. Because it shouldn't have hurt to see you laugh like that, yet it did. You looked happy, but it wasn't with him.
He tried not to stare, tried to focus on his own conversation with Mingyu, but his attention kept drifting. Every time you smiled, his heart stuttered. He wanted to stay put, to give you more time, but the thought of letting things stay this way was starting to feel unbearable.
Dino couldn't stand it anymore.
He wanted things to go back to how they used to be. If that meant swallowing his pride, letting you have the upper hand, or acting like nothing had ever happened, then fine. He'd take it. Anything was better than pretending.
He had left Mingyu and sat slouched on the porch steps, elbows resting on his knees, watching the sun sink behind the trees. The noise from inside had faded into a dull hum, almost like the world was holding its breath. He barely noticed the door slide open until Jeonghan's voice cut through.
"What are you brooding about?"
Dino didn't look up. "I'm not."
"Right," Jeonghan said dryly. "Haven't made up yet? With *YN*?"
Dino's head snapped up.
Jeonghan smirked, stepping out and closing the door behind him. "Please. I'd have to be blind not to notice. You two could suffocate the whole living room."
Dino didn't answer right away. He tried so hard for them not to notice but Jeonghan was always one step ahead. He was smart, and somehow, he always knew. Dino's jaw tightened as he stared at the floorboards, the words from your last conversation replaying in his mind. "I messed up big time. I didn't tell her important things I should've. It's like I took her for granted."
Jeonghan tilted his head. "And why did you do that?"
"I don't know." Dino rubbed the back of his neck, his voice low. "Maybe I didn't know how to tell her without sounding like I failed her. She's the one who helped me with everything."
Jeonghan hummed knowingly. "Is it just that?"
Dino hesitated, then sighed. "Wha— hyung. I don't know."
"What's your plan now? Leave it like that? You think you'll be okay?"
"No,.. I miss her." Dino finally let it slip and Jeonghan wasn't even surprised. He paused, searching for the words. "Everything felt better with her... even practice dating."
Silence hung briefly between them. Dino wished he could take the words back, but they were already out there.
"You're not that dense, you know what that means." Jeonghan finally spoke, his voice calm. Dino gave him a confused look. "Come on, you're sitting here like someone ripped out half your rhythm, and saying dating her felt better." He gave a small, knowing smirk but when Dino stared at him cluelessly, he had to say it. "You like her!"
"Hyung!" Dino looked at his surroundings, afraid someone might hear, before lowering his voice. "I can't. We're—"
"Friends?.. Best friends?" Jeonghan finished for him. "You sure about that? Because the way you both are acting doesn't exactly scream just friends."
Dino opened his mouth, then shut it again. His heartbeat stumbled.
Jeonghan chuckled, leaning back. "Don't make me spell it out for you. You just need to stop pretending you don't already know."
"And what difference would it make?" Dino lowered his head, thinking this has to be the most ridiculous thing that could happen. "She'd probably laugh in my face. Or worse, look at me like I ruined everything."
"You don't know that." Jeonghan's expression softened. "You keep assuming how she'll react but you never give her the chance to prove you wrong. You can't keep the what ifs forever, Dino. At some point, you must try."
Dino went quiet as he stared down at his hands, tracing the faint scars on his knuckles, the ones you'd once teased him about for being the proof he couldn't stay still. Every memory of you slipped through his mind like a film he'd been replaying without realizing. He remembered the way you laugh, the way you noticed when he was tired before anyone else could, the warmth of your voice saying his name. Nothing about this felt like what he had with his ex. The more he compared it, the more the guilt curled in his chest, because he had said he liked her when what he felt for her was not even a fraction of what he felt for you.
It hit him then, sharp and terrifying in its simplicity. Jeonghan was right. It wasn't just comfort. It wasn't just friendship.
"I'm doomed." He groaned softly, dragging a handthrough his hair. "This is definitely one-sided. And Seungcheol hyung would kill me if he knew."
"Our maknae has a lot to learn." Jeonghan laughed at him in amusement. "You really think Seungcheol doesn't know? We're on the same wavelength. Maybe he's just waiting for you to admit it, to confirm what he already saw."
"What will I do?" He looked at his hyung with pleading eyes. He felt lost in a way that scared him. You had always been his compass, the person he ran to whenever he needed clarity. But now, when the confusion was about you, he had no idea who he was supposed to ask.
Jeonghan stood, brushing off his jeans. "First, think about it. Then admit what you have to. There's no use in running." He said lightly. "Trust me, Seungcheol is the least of your worries."
Dino didn't answer, and Jeonghan didn't wait for one. He just patted his shoulder before heading back inside, leaving him alone with the faint sound of your laughter drifting through the walls, pulling at something he could no longer pretend not to feel.
Nothing was harder than acting like Dino did not exist for the rest of the trip. ou had never been this hypersensitive around him, so aware that you could almost smell him from across a room. It was exhausting, but from what you could see, it did not seem nearly as heavy for him. Yes, you had told him to give you space and to stop looking for you, but you had not expected him to be so good at it. He was completely avoiding you now, and somehow, that hurt more.
It felt like he was not trying anymore. Like there was no reason to hold on to you. The familiar sting of feeling unimportant crept back in. You did not get to complain though. You had asked for this.
Seungcheol broke your thoughts instantly when he asked you to fetch his phone from his room. And like the obedient sister you were, you got up immediately. He had seen the restlessness in your eyes for days now, but he did not dare to ask.
When you stepped inside the room, the faint scent of your brother's cologne lingered in the air. The curtains fluttered slightly from the fan's steady hum and warm afternoon light spilled across the wooden floor. You already knew the doorknob was broken, so you left it slightly ajar before crossing the room. Your eyes swept over the desk, then the bedside table, until you spotted his phone resting there, exactly where he said it would be. You reached for it with a soft sigh, already turning to leave.
Right then, the door swung shut, and when you turned fully, Dino was standing across from you.
You blinked, disbelief flickering across your face, half from his sudden presence, half from him closing the door. "You closed it."
"Yeah..." He looked strangely unsure. "What about it?"
"The knob's broken. It locks when it's closed all the way." You crossed the room and twisted the handle, but it didn't move. It can only be opened from outside.
"Oh," He stepped closer to try it himself. The knob rattled helplessly in his grip. "So... we're locked."
"Yeah, genius." You sighed and pressed your fingers to your temple, already pulling out your phone to call Seungkwan. Your shoulder brushed his for a second, sending your pulse off balance. Slowly, Seungcheol's cologne faded beneath Dino's scent, warm and familiar. You could feel yourself becoming hypersensitive again.
"No, don't." He stopped you, his hand covering yours where it held the phone. The touch sent a quiet jolt through your skin, and you pulled away immediately. You lowered your phone, the soft click of the button sounding far too loud. "Don't call him,.. yet. Just for a little while. I mean, it's not that bad being stuck here with me, right?"
You blinked. "Are you serious? We're locked."
"Yeah but..." He tried for a small, nervous smile. "I just... I want to talk to you. Just us. And no one else around. This is the only chance I can get." His tone was light, but the strain beneath it gave him away.
Dino had been waiting all day for a moment to speak to you alone. It was almost impossible now. You were always surrounded by the boys, and whenever he tried to approach you, someone interrupted or you slipped away before he could get a word out. So when this moment appeared, he grabbed it.
You studied him, caught between disbelief and something softer. His expression was careful, as if afraid that one wrong word might push you farther away. Your posture stayed guarded, your brows drawn, while he rubbed the back of his neck. The room felt smaller, the air heavier with everything unsaid. You walked to the edge of the bed and sat slowly.
He took a breath, hesitant, before meeting your eyes. "I know you said you needed space," His voice sounded barely above a murmur. "And I tried to give it to you. I really did. But the longer I stay away, the worse it feels. I don't know if you feel it too but," His gaze faltered for a second, then returned to you, earnest and tired. "Maybe that's not what we need."
You said nothing, but the smallest twitch of your fingers betrayed the tension building in your chest. If he only knew what the space done to you. You regretted asking for it, but it had been the only escape you had, the only way to avoid admitting what you were afraid to face.
You could not respond. You did not know how to say anything without sounding like you missed him too much. The silence stretched as he fought for the right words. "You're right. You're my best friend. I should've told you everything that's going on with me. You didn't deserve to find out from anyone else, or worse, not at all." His voice wavered. Your lips pressed together, the sting of his words softening just slightly at his tone.
You looked at him, trying for a small, humorless smile. "It's alright. I don't want you feeling bad because of it. It's not even a big deal. Maybe I was just being dramatic."
He shook his head. "You're not dramatic. I know I hurt you. I took our friendship for granted and I hate it. I hate that I made you feel like you didn't matter when you were the one who was there through all of it." He let out a rough breath. "I just... didn't know how to explain something I didn't fully understand myself."
You said nothing but your gaze wavered, caught between sympathy and the ache that came with hearing his voice that soft.
"When I started dating, I wasn't happy. I couldn't stop feeling like I'd lost something instead of gaining. I just didn't like it. I didn't tell you because after everything you did to help me, it felt like I was throwing it all away." He stopped, wondering if he must continue. But stopping would mean running again. And Jeonghan is probably right, there's no use in running. "The worst part was realizing that being with someone else meant losing what we had together. I couldn't text you the same way, couldn't just show up and hang around like before. I felt miserable."
The words settled between you, relentlessly. You swallowed hard, the ache in your chest tightening with every second he didn't look at you. His voice was steady, but his hands were clenched at his sides. You wanted to say something, anything. You wanted to tell him you felt exactly the same, but the lump in your throat refused to move.
He drew in a shaky breath. "That relationship didn't feel right. I kept waiting for it to feel the way it did when I was with you... but it never did."
Your heart was pounding against your ribs, it started to hurt. You don't understand if Dino meant every word or if he had not thought this through so you stopped him before he could say anything he might regret. "Chan, don't say stuff like that." The words came out tight, almost pleading. "You can't just say things like that."
But Dino was determined, every part of him straining to be honest for the first time. "I broke up with her for the same stupid reason. Everything I did in the relationship felt wrong. It only felt right when it was you I was doing them with."
The air left your lungs. The words trembled between you like glass ready to shatter. "Chan, please... we're best friends. You shouldn't say anything you will regret." You wanted him to stop, but your heart said otherwise. You wanted him to mean every word he was saying.
"I'll regret it more if I don't say it. It's been in my head for so long. I just didn't have the heart before because if I speak, it would ruin this friendship." He looked down and let out a weak, bitter laugh. "I'm not supposed to feel this way, right? It's not supposed to happen. Like you said, we're best friends." His voice trembled as he forced the next words out. "But I feel it, I like you. More than just a best friend."
Your eyes lifted to him. His were moist, filled with tears he kept swallowing back. He was hurting, and what he did not see was that you looked exactly the same. Both of you had been suffering because neither of you could admit the truth.
"Chan," You let a tear slip free. You were happy, overwhelmingly happy, that your feelings were not delusions and that they were mutual. But you just can't bring yourself to accept it. Because what if it fails? Then you lose him completely?
"I know. This is tragic, one-sided. Because nothing I did ever made you flutter. You said it yourself."
There was nothing left in his eyes but honesty, fear, and something deeper that you weren't ready to face. The memory hit you like a pulse. You only told him none of it made you flutter because admitting it would've ruined everything.
"I lied to you..." Your fingers tightened around the hem of your shirt.
He froze. "W-What?"
"I lied, Chan, every single time. When you noticed things no one else did, when you looked at me a little too long, and when you remembered the smallest things I said... I felt something. I just didn't want to, because it would be ridiculous." You shook your head, trying to smile through the sting in your throat. "I thought if I didn't say it out loud, the feeling would go away."
He stared at you like the ground had tilted beneath his feet.
"But it didn't." You said quietly.
The tension between you thickened, heavy with everything you had both been too afraid to say. Dino took a slow step forward, the space between you shrinking with every heartbeat. His hand lifted, fingers brushing the edge of your sleeve. "Then say it now,.. so I know it's real."
Your breath hitched. You could feel his warmth even without him touching you fully. You met his eyes, and for a moment, the world stilled.
Your lips parted, voice breaking as you whispered, "I like you, Chan. I just kept pretending I didn't."
The confession terrifyingly hung in the air. His eyes softened, disbelieving, and before either of you could think, he leaned in. The distance between you closed, the air buzzing with the kind of tension that hurt to hold. You didn't pull away. You couldn't. His breath brushed against your skin, his forehead barely touching yours. One more inch, and everything would change.
And yet, somehow, it already had. The air felt lighter and almost unreal, like the whole world had gone quiet just for you. It was the kind of happiness that stole your breath, the kind that made everything else fade away. It was just the two of you, stripped of everything but the truth. Every glance, every word left unsaid had been leading here, to this quiet, trembling moment where you both finally knew. It felt like breathing for the first time after holding it too long. His gaze flicked from your eyes to your lips, and your heart stuttered. But before you both could do anything, the door knob twisted and clicked open from the outside.
"Why is the door—" Seungcheol's voice cut through the air as the door swung open. "—closed?" He stopped mid-sentence, eyes darting between you and Dino, both of you still too near to pretend otherwise.
There was a solid five seconds of silence. Then, his brow rose slowly, dangerously. "I swear I only asked you to get my phone," He said, voice eerily calm. "You've got to be kidding me."
"It's not what it looks like!" You jumped back so fast you nearly tripped over the bed, stammering. Dino straightened up like he'd just been caught committing a crime.
"Hyung, we were just—" He began, his voice cracking in sheer panic.
"Don't," Seungcheol said flatly, holding up a hand. "Whatever you're about to say, don't. I knew this was gonna happen someday, but wow, I didn't think I'd walk into it."
"What do you mean you knew?" You groaned. "And please, oh my god, stop being so dramatic. It's not like we were—"
"Not like you were what? Locked inside my room with him?" His voice rose, incredulous, as he jabbed a finger toward Dino who looked like he desperately wanted the floor to open up and swallow him whole.
"We were locked in, okay? You know the stupid knob's broken! Nothing happened, you're being ridiculous."
"I wouldn't have to be ridiculous if I didn't walk in and see you two looking like you were about to kiss!" Seungcheol shot back, voice cracking from frustration he clearly had no idea what to do with. He's definitely traumatized now. e knew for a while that you liked each other, even before either of you admitted it, but he definitely had not expected to see his younger sister and youngest friend seconds away from getting intimate.
"Hyung, I wasn't— I mean, it was just—" Dino still tried to defend himself, but Seungcheol's glare shut him up before he could continue.
"Don't. Speak. Please." Seungcheol pointed sharply at him, then stormed past you to snatch his phone from the bedside table with a dramatic flourish. He paused long enough to shoot you a look that shifted from judgment to something downright mischievous. "I'm telling the fam and the boys."
"What? No!" You ran after him, but he was fast, slamming the door shut and leaving you locked inside again.
"I'm giving you two minutes!" He shouted from the other side. You heard him run away, screaming Jeonghan's name at the top of his lungs. This was officially the most embarrassing moment of your life.
Dino was the first to speak, his voice still hoarse from what happened. "I thought he was the least of my worries."
You groaned, pressing your palms to your face. "This is your fault. I hate you," You muttered, muffled by your hands. You could already picture the entire household losing their minds over this.
"No, you don't." He laughed softly, the sound nervous but warm.
You peeked at him through your fingers, glaring weakly. "I do. I totally do."
His grin deepened, still shy, still breathless. "Yeah? Then why are you smiling?"
You dropped your hands, eyes sparkling with mischief, lips curved in a teasing grin. "Because I'm imagining their faces when I tell them you locked us in here on purpose just so you could confess to me."
His expression faltered instantly. "...You wouldn't."
"Oh, I would," You said, barely containing a laugh. "As soon as we go out."
He stared at you, the corners of his mouth twitching despite himself. And for a second, the world righted itself again, the embarrassment eased, replaced by something lighter and strangely sweet. Outside, you can still hear Seungcheol and Jeonghan's voice echoing down the hall, grumbling about traitorous little siblings and idiot best friends.
You laughed under your breath, shaking your head. "They're never letting this go."
Dino smiled, a quiet kind of smile that reached his eyes this time. "Then I guess we'll just have to give them something worth freaking out over."
Your heart stumbled in your chest, but you didn't look away this time. The space between you hummed again dangerous but alive. His smile faded, replaced by something gentler. He stepped closer, slow enough to give you time to pull away, close enough that you didn't want to. And before you could think, before you could talk yourself out of it, he leaned in and kissed you, his lips brushing yours with a softness that sent a shiver down your spine. The kiss was tentative at first, warm and careful, the kind that felt like it had been waiting for years. His mouth moved against yours in small, uncertain motions, as if he was memorizing the shape of you, testing how much he was allowed to want. Your breath caught when he pressed in just a little more, the faintest pull of his bottom lip against yours turning the moment into something unbearably real.
It wasn't perfect. You could feel the nervous hitch of his breathing, your own matching it, your heart racing, your mind a blur, and you were sure Seungcheol was still yelling somewhere in the hallway. But none of it mattered. Because when Dino kissed you, everything finally made sense. The noise and confusion all stilled into something warm and steady, a slow, blooming heat that settled deep in your chest, something that felt like finally understanding the thing you had been afraid to name.
You pulled back just enough to breathe, your foreheads touching. "Now that's definitely something you've been looking forward to." You teased, half-laughing.
He smiled back, eyes still on you. "As if."
It was not the ending either of you expected. But for the first time, it felt like the right beginning.
First Dino fic, yayyy. Let me know what you think. Give me a heart if you liked it, a reblog would be nice too tehee. Thank y'all! -belle♥