✿⋆｡˚ ☁︎ "the rain showers around april without fail, they always fall down beside me, at the end of the pants that have been dragged along the ground the rain gently rises and fills up my heart."
svt ⁑ april shower
✿ what i'm down to write and requests i won't fulfill:
I'm not /really/ the best at writing smut, but if the request peaks my interest I will. also if i do i refuse to write for minors.
i mainly focus on seventeen, but am down to take requests for groups/idols i don't stan. (no gg's pls, srry)
i prefer text au's & one off long fics
note: everything written is for fun and is fictional <3 but i love asks about anything random too. xoxoxo
✿ more:
inbox.
get to know me (only a little, lol).
boombox (a list of my fic playlists.)
svt masterlist.
synopsis: y/n while in her third year at greenwood international university finally gets an opportunity to move off campus into a new complex, she has to deal with the realization that her childhood rival is her new next door neighbor.
genre/s: reader is super oblivious, fluffy, sexual themes.
content: swearing, mentions of sexual relations, some drinking& mary jane 🍃
tag list - open
word count: 13k. 🖤
masterlist ▸ 22. dive in, dove's inn. 24. a night to remember.
Y/N tugged her jacket on and grabbed her bag. “Ugh, well we should probably head back home,” she said, forcing a casual smile.
Mingyu frowned slightly. “Already? What about breakfast?”
“Yeah, Yuqi kinda locked herself out of her apartment this morning,” Y/N said smoothly. “She has plans later, so I promised I’d go help her get inside.”
Mingyu blinked. “Oh, okay.” He smirked. “A rescue mission?”
“Exactly,” Y/N said, laughing lightly. “Very dramatic, very thrilling.”
He grinned, leaning over to kiss her cheek. “Alright, just don’t get stuck in someone else’s drama for too long.”
“I won’t, we’re over that.” she said, throwing him a sweatshirt to put on.
The drive home was quiet. The hotel faded behind her, the morning sunlight washing over the streets. In the privacy of the car, Y/N’s thoughts churned, but she kept her expression calm. To Mingyu, this was just a errand for a friend. To her, it was a necessary detour to figure out something else entirely.
By the time she pulled up to her building, her hands were gripping her phone a little too tightly. She sat there for a moment, taking a deep breath, steeling herself.
“Thank you for last night.” She said leaning over and giving his thigh a squeeze. “It was perfect.”
“Anything for you.” He smiled and really meant it.
Mingyu hopped out of the driver's seat fast, grabbing Y/n’s bag for her from his truck, hanging it over her shoulder. His eyes lingering on her for a second.
“You good?”
“Yeah, fine. Just happy.” He ran his hands over her arm, leaning in and giving her a kiss on the cheek, bidding her a goodbye before getting back into the driver's seat and pulling out of the loading zone. Giving her a honk on the way out and waving out his window. “Bye, Y/n.”
“Text me, okay?”
“As soon as I get home.”
Y/n watched him as he drove away, as soon as his car rounded the corner she took a deep breath in. Maybe on a high from last night, but also breathing out the anxiety she has from whatever is about to happen as she goes up the elevator.
As soon as the elevator door split and opened up to their shared floor, Y/n’s heart started beating faster than it was a few hours earlier. As she stepped down the hallway, the lights felt brighter than it had in the past, she reached Seungkwan's door, and held her hand up to knock just as his knuckles hit the wood that flung open.
“Oh, thank god. I wanted to be dramatic, but I know Seungcheol has a weed delivery or something coming, so I took my chances.” He stood there with a smile on his face, which Y/n couldn’t tell if it was a good one or an anxious one.
He grabbed the bag from her shoulder and shuffled her inside like he was in a dramatic movie.
“What’s going on?” Y/n asked sort of laughing under her breath, looking at his fleeting eyes as he led her past the entry way to their couch where Soonyoung was sitting criss-cross, sipping something dark red out of a plastic cup.
“Y/n!” Soonyoung reached his paws out to grab her hand and whisked her next to him on the couch.
“Hi.. I cannot tell if you guys are excited to see me or just are incredibly fucking anxious because of what you texted me and its really weirding me the fuck out.”
Seungkwan sat down next to her, leaving her in the middle of her two friends feeling more awkward than she ever has. “Both, I think.”
Hoshi and Seungkwan exchanged glances, smirking slightly, which only made Y/N’s chest tighten more.
Y/N raised a brow, trying to laugh it off. “Okay, well, should I be scared? What’s everyone doing here? Is this, like, an intervention? Because I’m still in my pajama shorts and that feels like a cruel setup.”
Soonyoung snorted, nearly spilling his drink. “You do look like someone who just got out of a cute dream and walked straight into a hostage situation.”
“Perfect,” Y/N muttered, tugging at the hem of her shorts. “Exactly what I was going for.”
Seungkwan grinned, trying too hard to keep things light. “Alright, options. Wine, weed, snacks, or emotional chaos, dealer’s choice.”
She blinked, still scanning the room, unsure whether to play along or brace for impact. “Uh… I don’t know, maybe start with whatever that message was?”
That wiped the grin right off Seungkwan’s face. He sat forward a little, elbows on his knees. “Right. The message.”
Soonyoung’s playful expression softened too, his thumb tapping against his cup as if he already knew what was coming.
Y/N frowned, the lightness in her chest collapsing. “Okay, that’s not a fun tone. What is it?”
Before Seungkwan could answer, the door clicked open behind them.
Seungcheol stepped in, looking slightly out of breath, a plastic bag of iced coffees dangling from his hand. “What’s going on?” he asked, eyes moving between all of them. “You texted me like it was an emergency.”
“It kind of is,” Seungkwan said quickly.
Y/N turned toward him, her voice caught somewhere between nervous and impatient. “Can someone please explain what the hell is happening before my brain starts inventing crimes I didn’t commit?”
Seungkwan hesitated, glancing between her and Seungcheol, who was still standing near the door, confused. Finally, he exhaled and said quietly, “It’s about that message I sent you this morning. I got more of them.”
The room went quiet. Y/N’s stomach dropped.
“More of what?” she asked carefully.
He swallowed hard. “More messages. And they’re about that night you guys went to the bar.”
Seungcheol’s brow furrowed as he set the coffee bag down on the counter. “The night at the bar? What does that have to do with—”
“Cheol,” Seungkwan interrupted, holding up a hand dramatically, like he was directing a stage play. “Please, sit your tall, confused, dad-energy self down before I develop a stress rash.”
Seungcheol blinked at him. “What?”
“Sit. Down.” Seungkwan pointed at the empty chair across from the couch like it was a throne in a courtroom. “I am not repeating myself while you hover around like a lost retriever.”
Soonyoung snorted into his drink. Y/N would’ve laughed too if her heart wasn’t already doing gymnastics in her chest.
Seungcheol sighed, but crossed the room anyway and dropped into the chair, still looking bewildered. “Okay. I’m sitting. Now what the hell is going on?”
Seungkwan leaned forward, unlocking his phone with a dramatic flourish like he was about to reveal state secrets. “Thank you. Now can everyone breathe quietly while I ruin Y/N’s morning?”
Y/N’s stomach twisted at the way he said it, half-joking but serious underneath. Her fingers curled against her thigh. “Just show me.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Seungkwan muttered, scrolling quickly. “You might want to, like, hold on to a pillow or Soonyoung or… I don’t know, emotional support furniture.”
Soonyoung patted her knee softly. “I got you.”
Finally, Seungkwan turned the phone toward her. His face wasn’t playful anymore. “Okay,” he said, voice quieter now. “This is what I woke up to. And it’s not just a text. There’s a video, too.”
Y/N leaned in, taking the phone from Seungkwan’s hand. Her thumb hovered over the screen for a second before she finally scrolled.
At first, it looked like screenshots, text bubbles, half-cropped names, blurry profile icons. But she knew those colors, those typing patterns, the punctuation.
It was Yuqi’s messages.
The first few seemed harmless enough, flirty jokes, emojis, talk about the night at the bar. But as Y/N scrolled further, her chest tightened. The tone changed. Yuqi teasing someone, saying a guy had “stayed late,” that “he was so sweet about it.” Then a blurry video thumbnail attached at the bottom.
Y/N hesitated, her pulse thudding against her throat.
“Is that—” Soonyoung started, leaning in, but Seungkwan lifted a hand quickly.
“Wait, let her see first,” he said softly.
Y/N tapped the video open. The sound was muffled, grainy, bar noise, laughter, and someone’s voice too close to the mic. Two figures sitting close together in the corner of what looked like the same bar where she’d confronted Chaewon that night. Yuqi’s laugh was unmistakable, even through the static. The other person’s face was harder to see, broad shoulders, familiar hair, maybe Mingyu. Or maybe not. The angle was off, and every frame felt like it could be a trick of the light.
Her stomach dropped anyway.
“When would this even have been?” she whispered.
Seungkwan looked at her, eyes heavy. “Apparently the same night you went home. After everything with Chaewon.”
She blinked at him, still staring at the blurry video looping silently on the screen. “That doesn’t make sense,” she murmured. “I left early. Mingyu and Yuqi stayed to close the tab. It could’ve been anyone.”
Soonyoung leaned closer, frowning. “Wait—what is it?”
Y/N didn’t answer. She just pressed her lips together and shook her head faintly, the phone trembling in her hand.
From across the room, Seungcheol’s voice broke through the silence, confused but cautious. “What are we looking at?”
Y/N swallowed hard, still watching the flickering screen, her reflection ghosted faintly over it. “I… I don’t know yet.”
Seungcheol leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Who sent this?”
Seungkwan exhaled, his hand drifting up to rake through his hair. “That’s the thing, I don’t actually know them. It came from a friend of a friend. You know Jiyeon? The girl who used to bartend at The Dive?”
Soonyoung nodded slowly. “Yeah, the one who always gives us free fries.”
“Right. She texted me this morning saying her coworker, some new girl was there that night too. Apparently, she saw Yuqi and Mingyu still at the bar after Y/N left. Said it looked a little too close.” He winced at his own phrasing, eyes flicking toward Y/N. “Anyway, the coworker recognized them from someone’s story, and before anything could spread, Jiyeon sent it straight to me because she didn’t want it ending up on the stupid gossip account.”
Y/N finally tore her eyes off the screen, her head spinning. “So you don’t even know who actually filmed it?”
Seungkwan shook his head. “No clue. Jiyeon said the girl didn’t post it, just mentioned it in passing, but someone else clearly had the footage. She panicked when she realized it was about you and sent it before it could get passed around.”
Soonyoung blew out a low whistle. “So we’re talking about a maybe-video, from a maybe-guy, about a maybe-situation.”
“Basically,” Seungkwan muttered. “But I figured Y/N should see it before it gets twisted into something worse.”
Y/N stared down at the paused video again. It was all shadows and movement, but her mind wouldn’t stop filling in the blanks. Yuqi’s laugh, the man, maybe Mingyu’s hand near her drink, the way they leaned close to talk.
She handed Seungkwan back his phone, her fingers trembling. “Thank you for showing me,” she said quietly, even though her voice barely sounded like hers.
Y/N sat back down slowly, her eyes still unfocused on the dark screen of Seungkwan’s phone. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the fridge and the soft clink of ice in Soonyoung’s cup.
Seungkwan shifted beside her, glancing between her and Seungcheol. “Okay,” he said after a long beat, clapping his hands together a little too loudly. “That was emotionally dense. I think I’ve hit my daily quota for dramatic revelations before noon.”
Soonyoung looked at him. “You’re not helping.”
“No, I am helping.” Seungkwan pointed at Y/N, then Seungcheol. “You two clearly have stuff to talk about. I’m gonna do my laundry like a responsible adult.”
“You hate doing laundry,” Soonyoung said flatly.
“Exactly. That’s how you know I’m serious,” Seungkwan replied, already standing up and grabbing his keys from the counter. He gestured to Soonyoung. “You’re coming with me.”
Soonyoung frowned. “Why?”
“Because you’ll sit here and make bad jokes to fill the silence, and I am not letting that happen while I’m gone.”
“I do not make bad jokes,” Soonyoung protested, standing anyway.
“Uh-huh. Let’s go, Mr. Emotional Buffer.” Seungkwan tugged him toward the door before anyone could argue. “Y/N, just, breathe. Cheol, don’t be an idiot. I’ll be back before the spin cycle’s done.”
The door shut behind them with a soft click, leaving Y/N and Seungcheol alone.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Y/N’s fingers played absently with the hem of her sleeve, her mind still looping through what she’d just seen.
Finally, Seungcheol broke the silence. “You think it’s true?” he asked quietly.
“I don’t know.” She sighed, staring at the floor. “It doesn’t even look clear enough to tell. But, It's Yuqi. And Mingyu was there with her.” Her throat tightened on the names. “It could be them.”
Seungcheol nodded slowly, leaning back. “That was the night everything went sideways, wasn’t it? When did you go home?”
“Yeah.” She rubbed her temples. “After Chaewon. After the tequila. Not that long after you Irish goodbyed.”
He smiled faintly. “Good times.”
She shot him a look, half exasperated, half grateful for the levity. “Yeah. Great night.”
He sighed again, quieter this time. “I remember them staying back when we all split. But, it didn’t seem weird then. Just like they were talking. I mean they were obviously drunk, but so was everyone else.”
Y/N swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet his eyes. “I mean, yeah. And it’s not unusual for them to be out together, like they’ve been friends for a long time. But it seems weird doesn’t it?”
His gaze softened, steady. “A little bit, but you can’t even be sure it’s him, right?”
“Right. But, that still means she might have cheated on Mark.”
That quiet assurance sat between them, uneasy, but real.
Y/N let out a shaky breath, her shoulders sinking. “I don’t even know what I’m supposed to feel right now,” she said finally. “Like, am I supposed to be angry? Sad? Embarrassed? Because honestly, I just feel… like an idiot.”
Seungcheol watched her, elbows on his knees, his voice low. “It makes sense you’d feel that way. You don’t even know what’s real yet.”
“Yeah, but it feels real,” she murmured. “That’s the problem. Even if it’s fake, even if someone edited it or it’s just bad timing or whatever, it still makes me feel stupid for believing everything’s fine for once.”
Her voice cracked just a little on that last word. She covered it with a soft laugh that didn’t land.
“I mean, Yuqi?” she continued, shaking her head. “She’s supposed to be my person. And Mingyu—” she stopped herself, eyes flicking toward the window. “Last night felt so uncomplicated. For once, it felt like things were okay. And now this.”
Seungcheol leaned back, the muscles in his jaw tightening. “Hey,” he said quietly. “You don’t owe anyone calm right now.”
She looked at him, surprised.
He shrugged. “You always do this thing where you try to sound fine because you don’t want to make anyone else uncomfortable. But you get to be pissed off if this turns out to be what it looks like.”
Y/N looked down at her hands, twisting her fingers together. “You think I’m pissed?”
“I think you’re hurt,” he said. “And pretending you’re not.”
That landed heavier than she expected. She sat with it for a long second, blinking hard. “I hate that you’re probably right,” she muttered.
“I usually am,” he said softly, and she almost smiled.
Almost.
The silence after that wasn’t sharp, just weighted. She finally leaned forward, resting her arms on her knees. “You were there that night. You saw how messy everything got. Do you think I made this happen? Like I set it up to fall apart?”
Seungcheol frowned, his voice gentler now. “No, Y/N. You didn’t make this happen. You got drunk and kissed Vernon, that’s not the same thing as this. Whatever Yuqi and Mingyu did or didn’t do, that's on them.”
She nodded faintly, but the guilt didn’t leave her face. “It just feels like everything’s bleeding together again. Like one bad night is going to become the story people tell about me.”
Seungcheol reached over then, resting a hand briefly on her shoulder. “Then maybe it’s time you stop letting other people write it.”
Seungcheol’s hand lingered on her shoulder for a moment before he pulled it back, his tone soft but steady. “You know what makes this worse?” he said. “Yuqi’s not even single. She’s been with Mark for how long now? If this is real, it’s not just a betrayal, it’s reckless. For both of them.”
Y/N let out a shaky laugh that wasn’t funny. “Yeah, well. That makes me feel so much better.”
He gave her a small, sympathetic smile, but didn’t push.
She stared down at the floor, chewing at the inside of her cheek. “Did you notice anything, like, when I wasn’t around that night? Or at my parents house with them?”
Seungcheol exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “Honestly? I was out of it. Still bleeding, remember? Vernon was trying to get me ice, Mingyu went to grab a drink. Yuqi was there, talking to him. I didn’t think anything of it.”
His brow furrowed as he looked at her. “You left right after me with Vernon, right?”
“Yeah,” she said quietly. “Nothing happened until…” She trailed off, swallowing hard. “Until I kissed him.”
Seungcheol nodded once, not judging, just listening. “You were drunk. You were hurt. That’s not the same as what this looks like.”
Y/N looked at him for a long moment, then asked, almost without thinking, “So you’re not mad? About me and Mingyu?”
He blinked, thrown by the question. “Mad? No. Why would I be mad?”
“I don’t know,” she said, her voice smaller than she meant it to be. “Just thought maybe you’d have an opinion.”
He tilted his head a little, searching her face. “You’re allowed to do whatever you want, Y/N.”
That should’ve comforted her, but instead, it stung.
Something about the way he said it, steady, unbothered, detached, made the ache in her chest twist tighter. She wanted him to mean it, to be as calm as he looked, but part of her had hoped he wasn’t.
“Right,” she said quietly. “I guess I am.”
He looked at her for a moment longer, his expression unreadable. “You deserve to be happy, even if it’s not with the same people who hurt you before.”
She nodded, blinking hard, trying to keep her voice from cracking. “Yeah,” she murmured. “Guess I just have a really bad habit of picking people who know each other.”
That pulled a faint laugh from him, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
They sat in silence for a while, the weight of Seungkwan’s earlier words still hanging between them. The sound of a washing machine starting somewhere down the hall filled the gap where either of them could’ve spoken.
Then Seungcheol cleared his throat softly. “So,” he said, glancing at her, “your date. With Mingyu. How’d it go?”
Y/N blinked, caught off guard. “You really want to know how it went?”
He shrugged, his eyes fixed on a thread loose at the hem of his sleeve. “You said you wanted to give him a chance. I just want to know if it was worth it.”
“It was fine,” she said after a pause. “He was sweet. Funny. He tried, I guess. It’s just hard to focus when you feel like everyone’s watching you.”
“Everyone’s always watching you,” Seungcheol said quietly. “You just notice it more when you care what they think.”
Y/N gave a small, wry smile. “So you think I care what people think?”
He looked up then, meeting her eyes. “I think you care what someone thinks.”
Her stomach twisted. “Mingyu?”
Seungcheol hesitated, then shook his head. “No. Me.”
The room went still. He broke eye contact first, a faint, sad smile tugging at his mouth. “But that’s not fair to you. You should get to have a night without all this history following you around.”
She studied him, searching his face for some regret, jealousy, anything to prove she wasn’t imagining the distance. But all she saw was restraint. The kind that comes from wanting someone and knowing you shouldn’t.
“You don’t have to act like it doesn’t bother you,” she said finally, her voice quiet.
He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “It’s not about acting,” he said. “It’s about not making you feel guilty for doing exactly what you’re supposed to, living your life.”
She nodded slowly, eyes stinging. “You make it sound so easy.”
“It’s not,” he said softly. “Trust me.”
Y/N blinked, surprised. “What do you mean?”
“I mean…” He paused, looking down at his hands, fingers flexing against each other. “…I don’t deserve you worrying about me. Or about Mingyu. Or about Yuqi. About anyone.”
Her brows knit together. “Seungcheol…”
“No,” he said, shaking his head slightly. “Listen. You care. You feel guilty, or protective, or whatever and you shouldn’t. Everyone here, everyone who actually matters, we just want what’s best for you. You shouldn’t have to weigh other people’s feelings against your own happiness.”
Y/N’s throat tightened, her chest aching in a way she couldn’t quite put into words. “You really mean that?”
“Of course I do,” he said, voice quiet, but steady. “I care about you. That’s why I’m telling you, don’t let anyone’s actions or opinions make you doubt yourself. Don’t let anyone’s feelings pull you away from what makes you happy.”
She swallowed, trying to steady herself, feeling both relief and a deeper ache at the same time. “I don’t know how to do that sometimes.”
“You’ll figure it out,” he said gently. “And I’ll still be here. Even if it’s not me.”
Her lips parted, but no words came. She just let the weight of his honesty settle around her, quiet and grounding, even as her heart continued to ache from everything that had happened.
The sound of keys jingling and the apartment door opening pulled Y/N from the fog of her thoughts.
Seungkwan strutted in first, arms raised in mock triumph. “Ladies and gentlemen, the laundry heroes have returned.” He glanced at Soonyoung, who was trailing behind, shaking his head but smirking. “And what do I see? Y/N and Seungcheol, sitting all serious and brooding like some cheesy drama scene. Don’t tell me, you two were just having a deep conversation about feelings without me?!”
Y/N’s cheeks flushed immediately, and she glanced at Seungcheol, who gave her the smallest, almost imperceptible shrug.
“Uh, yeah, something like that,” Y/N said quickly, trying to sound casual while her stomach twisted.
Seungcheol, for once, didn’t roll his eyes or joke. He just looked at her quietly, his expression unreadable, letting the moment linger.
Seungkwan tilted his head, squinting at them. “Huh. Well. That’s suspiciously mature for you two. Should I be taking notes?”
Soonyoung snorted, dropping onto the couch with a dramatic sigh. “Notes? Kwan, I think you just missed a masterclass.”
Seungkwan waved a hand dismissively, clearly oblivious to the tension he was poking at. “Masterclass in what?”
Y/N looked at him, trying to force a laugh. “In handling complicated feelings? Something like that.”
Seungkwan’s grin widened, completely missing the reality. “Ooooh, complicated feelings! Classic. Well, don’t worry, we won’t intrude. You two just figure it out. Or fight. I’m down for either.”
Seungcheol’s jaw tightened just slightly, but he stayed quiet, eyes drifting back to the floor.
Y/N shifted in her seat, a mixture of embarrassment and relief washing over her. Somehow, the humor helped, even if just a little, to ground her before the next wave of reality hit.
“Okay… so,” she started, her voice hesitant, “should I tell Mingyu? Or Yuqi? Confront them? Ask them about it?”
Seungkwan flopped back into the armchair across from her, exaggeratedly rubbing his temples. “Oh, so now it’s a full-on ethical dilemma. Classic Y/N. You want my advice? Don’t do it yet.”
Y/N blinked at him. “Not do it?”
“Hell no,” Seungkwan said, leaning forward with mock gravitas. “First, you need to make sure you actually know what happened. Because confronting people with half-truths is basically throwing a grenade in your own living room.”
Soonyoung, still perched on the couch next to her, nodded. “Yeah. And from the looks of it, you don’t even know if that video is real. If you go in guns blazing it could blow up in your face.”
Y/N bit her lip, twisting her fingers together. “But what if it is real? Or what if it’s not, and I do nothing and it actually is real? Then I’d just be sitting here letting them—” she stopped herself, shaking her head.
Seungcheol, who had been quietly observing her the whole time, spoke up softly. “Then you handle it when you’re ready. Not when someone else says you should. If it’s real, Y/N, it’ll come out. And if it’s not, you’ll have saved yourself a lot of unnecessary drama.”
Seungkwan clapped once, making a little show of pointing at Seungcheol. “Look at you! Being all sage and calm. Respect.”
Soonyoung rolled his eyes. “Sage? The guy still looks like he wants to punch someone from last night.”
Y/N let out a short laugh, finally feeling a little lighter. “Okay. Okay. So I don’t confront them yet. But—” she hesitated, looking at Seungcheol, “what would you do if you were in my shoes?”
Seungcheol’s jaw tightened, and he ran a hand through his hair. “Honestly?” he said quietly. “I’d probably sit on it, figure out the facts, then decide if it matters enough to confront anyone. And if it’s someone you care about, like Mingyu or Yuqi, do it carefully. Don’t let anger make the call for you.”
Y/N nodded slowly, absorbing his words. “Carefully,” she murmured. “Got it.”
Seungkwan leaned back with a dramatic sigh. “Look at you two, all thoughtful and serious. Meanwhile, I have laundry in the spin cycle and Soonyoung is eating potato chips in my ear like a fucking maniac. Life goes on, kids.”
She let out a genuine laugh this time, the tension in her chest loosening just a little.
Seungkwan flopped back dramatically, crossing one leg over the other like he was about to host a talk show. “Okay, but seriously, can we talk about the real crime here?”
Y/N blinked. “What?”
He gestured at her outfit, the soft sweatshirt hanging off her shoulder, her hair still tousled from the night before. “You show up here looking like that, all glowy and mysterious after your big romantic getaway, and expect us to focus on messages?”
Soonyoung grinned. “He’s got a point. You looked good, Y/N. Like, dangerously good. Like you just walked out of a perfume ad and forgot to tell anyone you were filming.”
Y/N rolled her eyes, cheeks warming. “You guys are fucking idiots.”
“Hot idiots,” Seungkwan corrected quickly, pointing at himself and then at Soonyoung. “But still idiots, yes. And honestly?” He threw a glance toward Seungcheol, who was suddenly pretending to be very interested in the floor. “We’re both just a little sad it wasn’t us you got all dressed up for. Right, Cheol?”
Seungcheol looked up, half-smiling despite himself. “Don’t drag me into your delusions.”
“Oh, please,” Seungkwan said, waving a hand. “You can pretend all you want, but I saw that micro-expression when she walked in. Don’t test me, I read people for a living.”
That got a real laugh out of Y/N, the kind that pushed her shoulders back and softened her features for the first time all morning.
“Barely,” Y/N said, shaking her head, but she was smiling now. “You’re impossible.”
“Impossibly fabulous, thank you very much,” he said, flicking an imaginary lint off his sleeve. “Now, we can either keep spiraling about potential betrayal or we can hype you up some more. Because, babe, that post-date glow is serious.”
Soonyoung lifted his cup in mock cheers. “To Y/N, survivor of chaos, breaker of hearts, and too good for this nonsense.”
Even Seungcheol cracked a quiet smile at that, and for a second, it almost felt normal just friends teasing, trying to make her forget the knot forming in her stomach.
Y/N’s phone buzzed on the coffee table, startling her out of the teasing laughter and playful banter. She picked it up slowly, frowning as she saw Mingyu’s name flash across the screen.
“Uh that’s weird,” she murmured, her heart skipping a beat.
Seungcheol glanced over, curious. “What is it?”
She hesitated, thumb hovering over the screen. “He just texted me. Says we need to talk.”
Seungcheol raised an eyebrow, leaning back slightly. “Talk about what?”
Y/N’s stomach twisted. “ I don’t know. That’s the thing. The timing is fucking weird. Right when we were just talking about him.”
The apartment grew quieter after the laughter died down, though the air still buzzed with tension. Y/N’s mind kept flicking back to the messages, her hands clenching the edge of the couch.
“So…” Soonyoung started, breaking the silence, “are we actually going to do anything about this? Or are we just gonna sit here and slowly implode?”
Seungkwan groaned, flopping dramatically onto the floor. “I swear, Y/N, you’ve dragged us into a full-on emotional hostage situation. I came here to hype you up, not—”
“—to freak out!” Y/N finished, voice a little louder than she meant, and suddenly the room felt heavier. “I don’t even know what’s real, or what I should do, or—”
Seungcheol held up his hand. “Okay, okay. Breathe. One thing at a time. You don’t have to decide anything right now. You just process.”
Y/N nodded, taking a shaky breath, her eyes flicking to her phone on the coffee table. It buzzed again. She glanced at it, heart lurching, and saw Mingyu’s name flashing once more.
“He texted me again,” she said softly, almost afraid to speak it aloud.
Seungkwan’s eyes lit up. “Oh, is this it? The dramatic talk we’ve all been waiting for?”
Y/N blinked. “I don’t know. He just said we need to talk.”
A beat of silence stretched across the room. Then Soonyoung’s voice, incredulous: “Now? Now? Right when we’re all losing our minds?”
Y/N groaned, swiping to open the message. And then she blinked, confused, and a small laugh escaped her.
“‘Hey, can we talk? I need your opinion, what suit do you think I should wear for the charity man auction beauty pageant thing?’” She read aloud.
Seungkwan froze for a second, staring at her in disbelief. “That’s it?”
“That’s it,” Y/N said, shaking her head. “That’s why he said we need to talk. He literally has no idea about any of this.”
Soonyoung groaned, sinking back into the couch. “Of course. He’s completely clueless. Classic Mingyu.”
Seungcheol’s lips twitched, almost a smile, but he stayed quiet, letting her release a little of the tension.
Y/N finally laughed properly, the sound shaky but real. “Wow. The universe really knows how to time things, huh?”
Seungkwan grinned, clapping his hands together. “See? Everything’s fine. Emotional meltdown? Check. Dramatic vibes? Check. And the culprit? Totally harmless. Crisis averted.”
Y/N shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah, harmless, if completely oblivious.”
Even Seungcheol let out a quiet chuckle, the first real warmth in the room since she’d arrived, and for a moment, it felt like maybe she could breathe again.
Her heart pounded. Mingyu’s clueless text had arrived at the exact wrong or maybe perfect moment. It was almost cruelly timed, a reminder that while her friends were here to support her, the people involved in the drama were out there, unaware, waiting or maybe oblivious.
She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, and pulled the video back up. The weight of it all pressed down, but for the first time since she’d arrived, she felt like she could face it.
Y/N pressed pause on the video, throwing her head back against the couch. She let out a strangled laugh that quickly turned into a hiccuping mix of giggles and tears.
“What the fuck…” she choked out between laughs, her voice wobbling. “What is happening to me right now?!”
Seungkwan froze mid-bite of a chip, eyes wide. “Uh, are you okay?”
Soonyoung’s jaw dropped slightly, staring at her like she’d just started speaking an alien language. “Did… did she just laugh-cry?”
Seungcheol’s eyebrows knit together, and for the first time, he actually looked genuinely concerned. “Y/N. Are you okay?”
She waved a hand wildly, laughing through her tears. “No. I’m fine. I just… I don’t even know what’s happening. I’m watching myself act like a lunatic, and somehow everything is a disaster, and also, I might die from embarrassment, and I don’t know if I should scream or cry or what the hell is happening?!”
Seungkwan held up his hands in surrender. “Okay, we get it. Full panic mode. Message received.”
Soonyoung muttered, mostly to himself, “Someone save this girl…”
Y/N wiped at her cheeks, hiccupping and laughing at the same time, looking between them. “I swear… I can’t. This is so fucking much shit, I want a reset.”
Seungcheol leaned closer, voice calm but firm, trying to anchor her in the chaos. “Y/N, breathe. Just breathe. One thing at a time.”
She sniffled, managing a shaky nod. “Okay but what the fuck is happening to my life?”
Seungkwan, grinning despite himself, shrugged. “Apparently, it’s this. Welcome to the chaos club. Membership is mandatory. And payment is bi-monthy bottles of white wine and cookies.”
Even Soonyoung cracked a small smile at that. Y/N laughed through another hiccup, and despite the panic still thrumming in her chest, she realized somehow, the presence of her friends made it a little less unbearable.
Y/N paced in front of the couch, phone clutched in one hand, hair messy, eyes wide. Her words tumbled out faster than she could process them herself:
“What should I do? Like, how do I confront them? Tell them? Show them the video? Make a post on the drama page about Yuqi cheating on her boyfriend in the style of Gossip Girl? I can’t just sit around knowing this semi-truthful information and be normal. I haven’t even showered yet, but she’s probably sitting across the hall waiting for me to walk in so she can make a weird joke that I smell like sex or lust, even though I maybe fucked the guy she kissed behind my back? Like, I’m embarrassed and so mad, I am spiraling.”
Seungkwan, crouched by the coffee table, watched her with a sly grin. “Hmm. Okay, hear me out,” he said, voice conspiratorial. “You don’t have to confront anyone yet. You don’t even have to post anything. You just rant. And, hypothetically, maybe I will submit a subtle, spicy Gossip Girl-style post about cherry red girl cheating… totally anonymous… totally safe… just to see how people react.”
Y/N froze mid-step, blinking at him. “Wait are you seriously saying—”
“I’m saying,” Seungkwan interrupted, smirking, “that chaos is an art. You hypothetically suggested it, so I’m hypothetically executing it. Totally harmless. Trust me.”
She stared at him for a moment, mouth slightly open, then flopped dramatically onto the couch. “Oh my fucking god. No, I can't.. I can’t even handle myself right now.”
Seungkwan chuckled, grabbing his phone while she continued pacing, ranting, and flailing her arms in a mix of fury and amusement. “Relax. This will be perfect. Subtle. Cryptic. Ambiguous. Maximum chaos, zero names.”
“Seungkwan, I don’t think-”
Minutes later, her phone buzzed. One notification. Then another. And another.
Y/N glanced at it and her eyes nearly bugged out of her head. “Cherry red girl caught with mysterious stranger… secrets of the night to be revealed”
“…Seungkwan,” she whispered, equal parts horrified and thrilled.
He raised his hands innocently. “What? You said it first. Hypothetical chaos. I just made it reality.”
Soonyoung snorted, barely containing laughter. “Oh my god. You’re insane. This is brilliant.”
Seungcheol shook his head, smirking. “You actually did it. I can’t believe it.”
Y/N grabbed her phone, tapping frantically. “I didn’t do anything! Oh my god. I can’t even handle this.”
Seungkwan leaned back, grinning. “You are handling it. Look at you. Chaos queen in action. And the best part? You didn’t even have to lift a finger.”
Y/N groaned, hiding her face in her hands, laughing through the panic. “Oh my god… this is insane. But… also… I love it.”
The three of them erupted into laughter, the absurdity of the situation her rant, Seungkwan’s stealth posting, the notifications blowing up, turning the chaos into something exhilarating and strangely satisfying.
Y/N’s phone buzzed again. Yuqi. Probably still freaking out. She hesitated, then picked up the call.
“Hey, what’s going on?”
“Please tell me you’re on your way home.”
“Oh, I just got here. I’m at Seungkwans, he got me coffee. Is everything okay?”
“No. Fuck. I’m coming over.”
When she hung up, she could already hear the frantic knock from the other side. Before she could look up, the door flung open.
“Y/N! Fuck! Where have you been?!” Yuqi’s voice was sharp, panicked. Her hair was slightly disheveled, and her eyes were wide. “Did you guys see that post on the page?! Mark probably saw it! I don’t even know what to do.”
YAs she stepped in, hands slightly raised in mock surrender. “I have no idea what you’re talking about?”
Yuqi’s eyes narrowed, scanning the room. Behind Y/N, Seungcheol, Soonyoung, and Hoshi froze, all perfectly still, trying to look like innocent bystanders.
Seungcheol said casually, leaning against the wall. “What post?”
Soonyoung raised his hands, feigning ignorance. “Oh, that? I just saw. I mean it’s not true right?”
Seungkwan chimed in, voice a little too cheerful, “It’s not that bad.”
Yuqi’s panic didn’t falter, but she frowned at the perfectly staged innocence. “I.. Does that even fucking matter right now if it’s true? Like, who the fuck would do that? To me? Whoever it is I’ll fucking kill them.”
Y/N bit her lip to keep from laughing, slipping past Yuqi into the apartment. “Well, we’ll help you figure it out.”
Yuqi’s eyes flicked between the four friends, all wide-eyed and perfectly fake-surprised. “ You really don’t know?”
Seungkwan, leaning casually against the counter, smiled faintly. “Nope.”
Yuqi groaned, burying her face in her hands. “This is a disaster. Mark’s going to see it… I… oh my god.”
Y/N tried not to roll her eyes, whispering to Seungcheol and the others as Yuqi continued ranting. “This feels like a mistake.”
He just gave her a look before looking back and Yuqi, “Look people have some crazy shit to say about all of us too, it’s not any different, unless it’s the truth.”
Yuqi leaned back against the couch, crossing her arms tightly. “Who the hell would even post that? Like, someone had to know. Someone had to be there.”
The room went still again.
Y/N felt Seungkwan’s elbow brush hers, a silent plea to keep it together. Soonyoung looked at the ceiling like it had the answers. Seungcheol casually picked at a loose thread on his sleeve.
Yuqi’s gaze flicked between them. “Wait.” Her voice sharpened. “Did you guys see something? Or hear something? Because if you knew and didn’t tell me—”
“Woah, woah,” Seungkwan cut in, holding up both hands like a traffic cop. “We’re innocent civilians here. We just found out like five minutes ago. You think I’d sit on gossip that big? Please, I’d have already sent a group text.”
Soonyoung nodded earnestly. “He really would’ve.”
Yuqi squinted at them, suspicious but frazzled. “I don’t know? This feels personal. Like someone wanted to humiliate me.” Yuqi’s eyes widened as if an idea had just been whispered by God herself. “Oh my god. Of course. That bitch.” She stood up, pacing, hands flying again. “She totally would! She’s obsessed with me,like she’s always trying to one-up me, acting like she’s above the drama when she is the drama!”
Soonyoung looked confused, like he had missed something. “Wait, who?”
“Chaewon. Seriously she’s had it out for me since she realized she couldn’t be Y/n’s top bitch, that little fucking snatch.”
Seungcheol leaned back, a faint smirk twitching at his mouth. “Wouldn’t be the first time she started something.”
“Exactly!” Yuqi snapped, nodding furiously. “You all saw how she was at the bar. She probably got someone to send it in.”
Y/N glanced at Seungkwan, who looked seconds away from bursting into laughter.
“So what are you gonna do?” Y/N asked.
Yuqi stopped pacing and looked at them with wild eyes. “I should go talk to Mark, right? Before he sees it from someone else? I should just tell him myself.”
“That’s probably smart,” Seungkwan said quickly, seizing the opportunity to get her out of the apartment. “Get ahead of it. Be the first to control the narrative. PR 101, baby.”
Soonyoung added, “And maybe, like, don’t mention Chaewon by name yet. Just in case. You know. Legal stuff.”
Yuqi nodded decisively, taking a shaky breath. “Okay. Yeah. I’m gonna go. I’m just, I can’t believe this is happening.”
She started toward the door, muttering to herself, “Chaewon’s going down for this.”
As soon as it closed behind her, there was a long beat of silence.
Then Seungkwan exhaled loudly, collapsing against the counter. “Oh my god, I’m never doing PR again. That was the most stressful thing I’ve ever done.”
Y/N dropped her face into her hands, trying not to laugh. “You almost cracked, Kwan.”
He peeked through his fingers. “I did crack. But in a charming way.”
Seungcheol rubbed his temples. “We’re all going to hell.”
Y/N lifted her head just enough to grin. “Yeah,” she said softly, “but it’s kind of funny.”
Y/N leaned against the wall, arms crossed, every nerve buzzing.
Seungkwan broke the silence first, his tone sharp but not cruel. “You were enjoying it.”
She turned toward him. “What?”
“The post. The look on her face when she came in here—” His voice faltered, a flicker of regret showing through. “You liked it.”
Y/N didn’t answer right away. Her throat felt dry. “Maybe I did,” she said quietly. “Because I’m tired of people acting like I’m the problem. She told me herself she’s submitted posts about me before. And she’s the one who sent the thing about Seungcheol at the party, saying he was flirting with someone.”
Seungcheol’s head lifted immediately. “Wait. What?”
Y/N nodded, sheepish. “That’s why I got pissy with you that night.”
His brow furrowed, disbelief written all over his face. “You thought I was flirting?”
“I thought you were leaning into some girl,” she muttered.
Seungcheol scoffed, half amused, half frustrated. “I was asking if she’d seen you. You’d vanished.”
“Yeah,” Y/N sighed. “Guess so. About a lot of things.”
For a moment, no one spoke. Then Seungkwan said, softly now, “If you hadn’t seen that text would you have even gone out with Mingyu?”
The question landed like a stone in the middle of the room.
Y/N blinked, then looked at him. His expression had already shifted, guilt creeping in, his hand half-raised like he wanted to take the words back.
“Sorry,” he said quickly. “That was too far. I didn’t mean it like that. I just—”
“No,” she interrupted, shaking her head. “It’s fair.”
Seungkwan frowned, watching her closely.
“I was on the fence,” Y/N admitted. “About Mingyu. About the whole thing. And when Yuqi sent that message, it just pushed me. Like, if you were already moving on or whatever, then maybe I should too.”
Seungcheol’s jaw clenched, eyes fixed on the floor.
Y/N exhaled, voice dropping. “It’s not his fault. Or yours. I just didn’t want to feel pathetic anymore.”
Seungkwan let out a soft sigh and leaned against the counter beside her. “I shouldn’t have asked that,” he said. “It’s not my place. I just didn’t think about how it’d sound.”
“It’s fine,” Y/N said, and she meant it. “You’re not wrong.”
Soonyoung looked between them, his voice quiet but a little weary. “Guess we all kind of messed up today, huh?”
No one disagreed.
The four of them sat in the echo of it, the laughter from earlier gone, replaced by something quieter, heavier, but maybe just a little more honest.
Seungkwan was the first to break the uneasy quiet. He cleared his throat, still fiddling with his phone like it might explode. “Okay, so. Crazy thought,” he said slowly. “We’re all just gonna pretend we didn’t see the video again? Like, just totally move on?”
Soonyoung groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “Oh my god, Seungkwan.”
“What?” Seungkwan shot back, indignant. “We’re sitting on the biggest piece of drama this campus has seen in months. It’s practically a public service to investigate.”
Y/N frowned. “Investigate?”
Seungkwan’s eyes flicked between her and Seungcheol. “Well, if it is Mingyu in the video, don’t you wanna know for sure? Like, really sure?”
Soonyoung sat up, a sly grin spreading across his face. “You know what we should do?” he said. “We should go back to the bar. Ask the bartender if they saw Yuqi with anyone that night.”
There was a pause.
“Like detectives,” Soonyoung added with a wink. “You know. Mission: Find the Mystery Man.”
Y/N blinked at him, half ready to laugh, half ready to say absolutely not. “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard,” she said flatly.
“Yeah,” Seungkwan said, already standing. “But it’s not the worst idea.”
Seungcheol’s head lifted, and Y/N could see the gears turning behind his expression, that mix of reason and chaos she recognized all too well.
“Oh my god,” she said, realizing it. “You’re all actually considering it.”
Soonyoung shrugged. “Hey, it’s either that or sit here overthinking until Yuqi figures out we might’ve accidentally destroyed her relationship.”
Seungkwan gestured dramatically toward the door. “Come on, we’ll just ask around! Casual, harmless, totally not suspicious.”
“Right,” Y/N muttered. “Because nothing says casual like showing strangers a grainy video and asking if they recognize the back of someone’s head.”
Seungcheol was quiet, but the corner of his mouth twitched, not quite a smile, but something close. “It wouldn’t hurt to know the truth,” he said softly.
Soonyoung clapped his hands together. “Operation Bar Crawl for Justice begins now.”
Seungkwan paced the small living room like a general mapping out a battle plan. Y/N sat on the edge of the couch, arms crossed, trying not to look too invested, though her stomach was buzzing with equal parts dread and excitement.
“So step one,” Seungkwan said, pointing dramatically at his phone as if it were a whiteboard, “we confirm the target. I mean, hypothetically. Like, who we’re even talking about. We don’t go in blind, people.”
Soonyoung leaned back, pretending to be a captain of some elite squad. “Right. Then we gather intel. Not creepy or anything. Just subtle reconnaissance. A casual observer.”
Y/N raised an eyebrow. “You mean follow strangers and ask bartender questions?”
“Exactly,” Seungkwan said, clasping his hands together like he’d just announced a brilliant strategy.
Seungcheol stayed quiet, leaning against the wall. His arms were crossed, but his eyes flicked to Y/N every now and then. She caught one of those glances and felt something twist in her chest, that same pull of familiarity and tension that always seemed to appear when it was just the two of them.
“So…” Y/N said softly, scooting a little closer to him. “Do you think she’d really do this, like to hurt me or?”
Seungcheol shrugged, but his voice was gentle. “Does it matter? Whoever it is, it doesn’t change a lot of other stuff.”
She swallowed, realizing she didn’t know how to respond, so she didn’t. Just sat there, letting the weight of the moment hang.
Seungkwan’s phone suddenly blared a ridiculous, obnoxious alarm, the kind that could wake the dead.
“Ugh.” he groaned. “Laundry. It’s done. Soonyoung, you’re coming with me. I will not have wrinkled pants again. Last time I nearly cried in front of the dean because of these damn creases.”
Soonyoung groaned dramatically, standing. “I’ve already risked my life for this mission, now I’m doing laundry?”
“Priorities, people,” Seungkwan shot back, not even looking at them as he marched to the door. “Wrinkles are not an option.”
As the two of them shuffled out, Y/N and Seungcheol were left sitting in the quiet apartment. She exhaled, leaning back a little.
“You’re surprisingly calm,” she said softly, just loud enough for him to hear.
He shrugged, glancing at her with a small smirk. “You’re the one freaking out about the video, the post, the whole mess. I’m just observing.”
She rolled her eyes but smiled despite herself. “Observing, huh? That sounds suspiciously like you’re judging me.”
“Maybe,” he said quietly. “But, I get it. I don’t think you should ever feel bad about standing up for yourself, even if it’s weird.”
She blinked, caught off guard by the gentleness in his tone. “Yeah” she whispered. “Thanks.”
For a moment, neither spoke. Outside, Seungkwan’s muffled complaints about folding pants drifted in, and Soonyoung’s groans followed.
Y/N leaned back and let herself relax a little, the storm inside her settling, if only for now.
Seungkwan finally returned, holding a half-folded stack of pants with the precision of someone diffusing a bomb. “Alright,” he announced, “step one: gather evidence. Step two: confirm identity. Step three: optional chaos.”
Soonyoung leaned over the counter, pretending to take notes. “Optional chaos? Is that like moral support?”
Y/N sank onto the couch, watching him run around with a notebook he had commandeered from Soonyoung’s desk. “You’re insane.”
“So are you for even considering this,” Seungkwan shot back, scribbling furiously.
Seungcheol, leaning against the wall, watched them both and let out a quiet laugh. “I think we’re about to get involved in something we’ll regret.”
Y/N smirked, nudging him with her elbow. “And you’re just sitting there observing again?”
He shrugged, lips twitching. “I like to watch the chaos before I decide if I should step in. Makes me feel wise.”
“You’re not wise,” she said softly. “You’re annoying.”
“Noted,” he replied, but the corner of his mouth lifted in that small, teasing smile that made her chest tighten.
Seungkwan interrupted their moment by holding up a diagram he had drawn — a crude map of the bar, scribbles and arrows everywhere. “Step five: enter the bar discreetly, observe the subject, note suspicious behavior, retreat if necessary.”
“Soonyoung,” Y/N said, pointing at the diagram, “you realize none of this is actually discreet, right?”
He leaned just slightly closer, voice low. “If it is, it’s not your fault.”
Y/N felt heat rise to her cheeks and looked down, smothering a laugh. “Thanks. I think.”
Seungkwan suddenly clapped his hands, startling them both. “Step six: reconnaissance gear!”
Y/N groaned. “You mean our phones?”
“No,” Seungkwan said, brandishing a pair of sunglasses and a trench coat he had somehow found in the corner. “We need to look like professional detectives.”
Seungcheol shook his head, hiding a smirk. “Professional is not the word I’d use.”
Soonyoung snorted. “You look like a cosplay gone wrong.”
Y/N laughed, finally letting herself relax fully. Despite the absurdity, the tension in her chest eased just a little.
And somewhere in the back of her mind, she realized she liked having Seungcheol there, not lecturing, not judging, just quietly watching the chaos unfold with her.
Seungkwan, oblivious to the subtle moment, started pacing again, muttering about “exit strategies” and “timing our approach.”
Y/N leaned back, smiling despite herself.
Seungkwan had declared that before they went full-scale, they needed to “run a dry recon” in the apartment.
“So,” he said, adjusting the trench coat that was far too big for him, “we simulate. Y/N, you’re the suspect. We need to follow your movements without being noticed.”
Y/N blinked. “What? I’m the suspect?”
“Yes,” Seungkwan said, dead serious. “We need to anticipate behavior patterns. Think of it as spy training.”
Soonyoung immediately jumped into the role of “undercover observer,” crouching behind the couch like a cartoon. “I see all. I am invisible.”
Seungcheol leaned against the wall, arms crossed, trying not to laugh. “You’re not invisible. You’re ridiculous.”
“Ridiculous is exactly the point,” Seungkwan said, waving a finger at him. “Distraction, misdirection, chaos. All essential tools for any field agent.”
Y/N rolled her eyes, stepping around the living room carefully, playing along. “Okay, Mr. Secret Service, what’s my behavior pattern supposed to be?”
She paused, then nodded. “Yeah. It’s kind of nice, actually. Being part of this ridiculous chaos with you guys takes my mind off of sulking”
A small smile tugged at his lips. “I guess I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Y/N’s lips twitched. “Yeah, me neither.”
Seungkwan crouched behind the couch again, adjusting his trench coat and whispering to Soonyoung. “Okay, we need to establish a perimeter. Y/N’s movements are unpredictable, but I can anticipate them if we recalibrate.”
Soonyoung peeked over the edge of the couch, nodding seriously. “Right. Thermal readings. Pattern recognition. I think I saw someone in the hall earlier who could be a double agent.”
Y/N groaned, rubbing her temples. “We’re not in a spy movie.”
Seungcheol, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, gave a slow sigh. “Or maybe we should just be normal.”
Seungkwan froze. “Normal? What is this, surrender?”
“No,” Seungcheol said patiently. “We ask the bartender straight up. You think they’d care about us asking? Probably not. Spying is a little weird.”
Soonyoung blinked, then frowned. “We could blend in and observe. Casual, inconspicuous, definitely not weird.”
Y/N let out a laugh she didn’t mean to, shaking her head. “Soony, you are the least inconspicuous person I’ve ever met.”
Seungcheol smirked faintly. “Exactly. That’s why we go straight. No trench coats, no hiding behind counters, no pretending to be secret agents. Just talk to the bartender.”
Seungkwan huffed, glaring at him. “Where’s your sense of adventure? The thrill? The dramatic tension?”
“The thrill can be imaginary,” Seungcheol replied calmly. “But a direct question gets real answers.”
Y/N nodded, feeling oddly relieved. “Yeah, I like that. Direct. Simple.”
Soonyoung muttered, “Fine. But if it fails, I reserve the right to initiate full surveillance mode.”
Seungkwan crossed his arms, pretending to sulk, but there was a mischievous glint in his eye. “Fine. But I’m keeping my trench coat.”
Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling. For the first time since the chaos started, she felt a little like maybe this ridiculous mess could actually be handled.
Seungcheol glanced at her, quietly, almost like he was checking if she was okay. She caught the look and gave him a small, grateful smile. “Thanks,” she whispered.
“For what?” he asked, voice low.
“For just being normal with me,” she said softly.
Y/N stretched, flopping back on the couch. “So, when are we actually going to do this? I thought we were just planning for fun today.”
Seungcheol rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, we didn’t really need to go out tonight…”
Seungkwan’s eyes snapped open, dramatic as ever. “Tonight, people. Tonight. The bachelor auction is tomorrow night. And the day after, I have that thing I told you about. Soonyoung’s mom is visiting next week. This is literally the only night all of us can do this.”
Y/N blinked. “Like, right now?”
Soonyoung groaned, flopping onto the couch. “Yeah, guess there’s no other option. Might as well get it over with.”
Seungcheol nodded slowly. “Alright, tonight it is. But maybe we should keep it low-key?”
Seungkwan waved a hand. “Low-key? No, no. Professional, tactical, stylish. Black only.”
“Soonyoung, take something from my closet,” Seungkwan said, tossing him a pair of sleek black pants.
Soonyoung shook his head. “Nah, I’ll just borrow something from Cheol. He’s already dressed like a secret agent anyway.”
Seungcheol gave him a side-eye, smirking. “I do not look like a secret agent.”
Y/N chuckled quietly. “You do.”
Seungkwan threw her a dramatic look. “Exactly. Coordinated, professional, stealthy. Trust me, you’ll thank me.”
Y/N groaned, grabbing her bag. “Fine, spy night it is. But if anyone trips over a trench coat or knocks over a drink, it’s on you.”
Seungcheol chuckled, leaning back. “This shit is like a fucking circus.”
Soonyoung grinned. “Chaotic spy circus. I like it.”
Seungkwan, already fussing with his trench coat and sunglasses, gave a small, proud nod. “Black. Sleek. Professional. Spy vibes only.”
Y/N rolled her eyes but smiled. “Alright, I’m going to change. I’ll meet you in the hall.”
Y/N stepped into her apartment, the familiar hum of the fridge and distant city noises grounding her for a moment. She set her bag down and leaned against the door, letting out a long breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
Her fingers lingered on her phone, scrolling briefly through the messages from earlier, but she quickly locked it. Not now. Not while she needed a second to just exist.
She kicked off her shoes and wandered toward her bedroom, slipping out of the casual clothes she’d worn all day. The soft fabric of her pajamas fell to the floor as she pulled on something sleek and black, more for confidence than anything else.
Standing in front of the mirror, Y/N took a long, steadying breath. Her hair fell into place, her makeup minimal but enough to make her feel like she wasn’t just walking into a storm, she was walking in prepared.
She exhaled again, letting the tension roll off her shoulders. “Okay,” she whispered to herself, “you’ve got this. It’s just a stupid plan with friends. Nothing can go wrong… probably.”
Y/N grabbed her bag, slinging it over her shoulder, and gave herself a last glance in the mirror. One final deep breath. One last moment just for herself.
Then she stepped out, ready to meet Seungkwan, Soonyoung, and Seungcheol, and dive headfirst into whatever ridiculous spy antics awaited them tonight.
Y/N stepped out of her apartment, her purse slung over her shoulder, and spotted Seungkwan leaning against the wall like a kid in a spy movie, trench coat flaring dramatically in the hall light. Soonyoung crouched low behind a potted plant, peeking out like he was on some covert mission.
“Ready?” Seungcheol asked quietly, hands in his pockets, trying not to laugh at the absurdity.
“Ready,” Y/N said, smirking. “Let’s just try not to draw too much attention to ourselves, okay?”
Seungkwan straightened with a flourish. “Attention? No. Stealth mode, maximum. Observe, record, report.”
Soonyoung peeked around the corner again. “I see the elevator. Initiating approach protocol.”
Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. “Protocol. Right.”
As the elevator doors closed, Seungkwan whispered under his breath, “Tonight, we are shadows. Ghosts. Legends.”
Seungcheol gave him a side glance. “Legends in black hoodies and trench coats.”
Soonyoung elbowed him. “Hey. Hoodies can be tactical.”
Y/N laughed quietly, feeling a little lighter. Even with the chaos, even with the stress of the video and the drama, this ridiculous mission with her friends was grounding.
When the elevator doors opened to the lobby, Seungkwan moved first, dramatically sweeping his arm toward the exit. “After me, team. And remember stealth. Elegance. Precision.”
Soonyoung followed closely, crouched low. Y/N and Seungcheol exchanged a glance and silently agreed to just walk normally.
Outside, the night air was cool against their faces, and the city lights stretched ahead. Y/N inhaled deeply. This was it, the start of their “recon mission.” And despite herself, she was actually excited.
Seungcheol leaned closer, voice low. “You good?”
Y/N smiled faintly. “Yeah. Let’s do this.”
The four of them piled into Seungcheol’s car, Y/N sliding into the passenger seat while Seungkwan immediately started whispering tactical instructions to Soonyoung in the back.
“Alright,” Seungkwan murmured, “we need to be discreet. Everyone stays in position. Y/N, eyes forward, remember, this is surveillance.”
Y/N rolled her eyes but smirked. “Sure, tactical genius.”
Seungcheol started the engine, glancing at her with a faint smile. “We’ll get there in about an hour. Plenty of time to, you know, strategize.”
“Or we could just talk to the bartender when we get there,” Seungcheol interrupted, shaking his head with an amused look. “No need for full-on espionage.”
Seungkwan pretended to be offended, slumping dramatically in his seat. “Where’s your sense of adventure?”
Y/N laughed quietly, leaning back against her seat. “Honestly, I don’t know if I’m ready for the full spy treatment. Let’s just get the bartender, okay? Simple, direct, less chance of someone tripping over a trench coat.”
Soonyoung snorted, pulling out a small notebook anyway. “Fine, fine. But if we need codes, I’m ready.”
The city lights blurred past as they drove toward Seungcheol and Y/N’s hometown. The hum of the car, the occasional muttered instructions from Seungkwan, and the quiet banter between them made the hour feel shorter than it actually was.
Y/N stared out the window, her thoughts a jumble of anticipation and nerves. “Once we find the bartender, maybe we’ll actually figure out if this video is real. And if it is well. At least we’ll know.”
Seungcheol reached over, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Whatever happens, we’ve got this.”
Y/N nodded, gripping her bag a little tighter. “Yeah. Let’s just hope the bartender remembers anything useful and that we don’t get too carried away playing detectives.”
Seungkwan, hearing this, leaned over with a sly grin. “Too late for that.”
By the time the car rolled into the quiet streets of their hometown, the sky was turning a deep, soft orange from the setting sun. Y/N watched the familiar storefronts blur past, a mix of nostalgia and nerves fluttering in her chest.
Seungkwan’s eyes practically popped out of his head. “Oh my god! Look at this place. It’s adorable! And fancy! Who even knew this town had—”
“Seungkwan,” Seungcheol said, trying not to grin, “it’s just a normal town. This is where we grew up.”
“Normal?” Seungkwan gasped, hands flailing. “These cobblestones. The little cafés. The streetlights. I mean I knew you guys were rich, but Jesus.”
Soonyoung snickered from the back seat.
Y/N chuckled quietly, glancing out the window. “Honestly, it is kind of cute, though.”
Seungkwan leaned forward, voice full of wonder. “Tell me everything. How’s the bakery down the corner? The ice cream shop? Are the streets still named after those old founders? I have to know.”
Seungcheol gave a small shrug, smirking. “Some things haven’t changed. The bakery still smells amazing. The ice cream place, still overpriced.”
Y/N laughed, shaking her head. “And apparently Seungkwan is going to write a full report on the town’s aesthetics before we even find the bartender.”
Seungkwan gasped dramatically. “A report? No, no, no. This is reconnaissance. Every detail matters. The streets, the lighting, the vibe, it all affects the mission.”
Soonyoung muttered, half-laughing, “If by ‘mission’ you mean wandering around like tourists, then yeah, totally critical.”
Y/N smiled at Seungcheol. “Just let him have his fun.”
Seungcheol gave a quiet laugh. “Alright.”
As the car wound closer to the familiar bar where the night in question had happened, Y/N took a deep breath. “Okay. Enough sightseeing.”
Seungkwan leaned back, giving a dramatic sigh. “Fine, fine. But seriously this town is incredible.”
Y/N rolled her eyes, but the faint smile on her face didn’t fade. No matter what happened tonight, at least they were doing it together, and somehow, even Seungkwan’s theatrics made the nerves a little lighter.
They parked a few blocks from the bar, the familiar neon sign flickering in the early evening light. Y/N took a deep breath, her stomach fluttering nervously. “Alright. Here goes nothing.”
Seungkwan and Soonyoung immediately leapt into full spy mode, crouching behind a trashcan and peeking around corners, whispering code phrases like they were on a covert ops mission.
Seungcheol groaned, rubbing his face. “Please. Stop. You look ridiculous. We’re literally about to walk into a bar, not infiltrate enemy territory.”
Soonyoung crouched lower, whispering conspiratorially, “Agent Y/N, you need to stay low. Eye contact with civilians is dangerous.”
Y/N blinked at him, half-laughing. “Soonyoung, it’s a bar. There are literally thirty people in here. How dangerous can eye contact be?”
Seungcheol threw up his hands, exasperated. “I cannot take you two seriously right now. I’m begging you. Just walk normally.”
Seungkwan gave him a mock salute. “Understood, General Cheol. But the mission requires stealth.”
Seungcheol groaned again, muttering under his breath, “I can’t believe I agreed to this.”
Y/N, trying not to laugh, tugged at Seungkwan’s sleeve. “Maybe tone it down a little?”
Seungkwan blinked at her, a little pouty. “Fine. For you. But only slightly.”
Soonyoung whispered conspiratorially, “Slightly is my favorite level of crazy.”
Seungcheol buried his face in his hands. “I am doomed. Completely doomed.”
Y/N couldn’t help it, she laughed, shaking her head. “Yeah, we’re doomed. But at least it’s kind of fun.”
And with that, the four of them stepped toward the bar, half-spies, half-tourists, fully ready to find the bartender and get the answers they needed. Seungcheol was still muttering dramatic warnings under his breath the whole way.
The four of them pushed open the bar’s door, the low hum of conversation and clinking glasses greeting them. Seungkwan and Soonyoung instantly went rigid, scanning the room like it was enemy territory.
Seungcheol groaned audibly, grabbing Seungkwan by the shoulder. “Okay, enough. Sit down, seriously. You’re making everyone else uncomfortable. Here, let me get you a drink before you start twitching.”
Seungkwan flopped dramatically onto a barstool, sighing. “Fine, but only because this is part of the operation.”
Y/N raised an eyebrow. “Operation or not, you look like you’re about to fall over from anxiety.”
Seungkwan gave her a sheepish grin. “Maybe I wasn’t just doing the spy act for fun. It’s a way to not freak out, honestly. I didn’t want to think about what we might find.”
Seungcheol shook his head, smirking. “I get it. But you don’t have to act like a secret agent to cope. Sit. Relax. I’ll get your drink. Everything’s fine.”
Soonyoung leaned back, laughing quietly. “Guess the spy mission is officially downgraded.”
Y/N chuckled, sliding onto the seat next to Seungkwan. “Yeah, I think we can manage asking one bartender some questions without full espionage mode.”
Seungkwan leaned his head back, finally exhaling. “Thanks. I didn’t want to freak out in front of you guys.”
Seungcheol patted his shoulder. “You’re fine. Just chill. Drink in hand, eyes open, detective mode off. Got it?”
Seungkwan nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Got it.”
Y/N let herself relax a little too, feeling the tension ease. Maybe they could actually do this, get the answers they needed without turning it into a full-blown covert operation.
Y/N took a deep breath, stepping closer to the bar. Seungcheol stayed behind to ease Seungkwan’s anxiety. “Hey, um, do you remember a few months ago, me and my friends were here? I’m not sure why you remember, because you see a lot of people, but uhm.. I just wanted to ask, did you see anyone unusual? Someone interacting with this girl?” Y/n held up her phone to the bartender's face with a picture of Yuqi on it.
The bartender blinked, leaning on the counter. “Oh yeah, her. Unusual how?”
Y/N hesitated for a moment. “ I’m not sure. Just acting differently, maybe someone who didn’t normally come here. Anything that stood out?”
As the bartender thought, Y/N’s eyes flicked to the restroom doorway and froze. Yuqi was coming out, slipping into a booth on the other side of the bar. Y/N ducked down instinctively, heart racing, trying not to be seen.
She straightened and quickly made her way back over to Soonyoung, Seungcheol, and Seungkwan, crouching slightly to whisper. “She’s here.”
Seungkwan’s eyes went wide. “Who? The bartender? Is that her?”
Y/N shook her head quickly. “No. Yuqi. She’s in the bar.”
Seungcheol raised an eyebrow, leaning closer. “What? Are you fucking serious?”
Y/N nodded, biting her lip. “Yes, I am fucking serious. I just saw her. Sitting at a booth. I couldn’t see who she was with, but…” She swallowed, glancing back toward Yuqi subtly.
Seungkwan leaned back, trying to mask a grin. “Well, that complicates things.”
Soonyoung muttered under his breath, “What the fuck is going on.”
Seungcheol sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Okay. Let's not panic. Just, stay calm. We ask our questions, get the info, and try not to get caught staring at her.”
Y/N exhaled slowly, glancing toward the booth again. “Are you insane? We can’t stay here. We have to go. Now.”
The four of them just stared at each other, the tension mixed with anticipation, knowing that Yuqi being here added an entirely new layer to their night.
“Wait. But, don’t you want to know who she's with?” Soonyoung asked quietly, all of them still whispering.
“Obviously, but how the fuck do we do that without her seeing us.” Y/n said, rubbing her temples. Stealing the drink Seungkwan had set down.
Seungkwan squinted up at the bar, trying to make sure he could get up there somehow without being noticed and came up with an idea.
“Okay, you guys go back to the car. I have an idea.”
Seungcheol groaned immediately. “Oh, god.”
But Seungkwan was already in motion, eyes glinting with that dangerous mix of nerves and enthusiasm. “We get the bartender to help us. She probably knows everyone. I’ll tell her what’s going on, just enough and ask if she can, like, take a photo or get the name on the guy’s tab.”
Soonyoung blinked. “You’re gonna recruit the bartender?”
“Yes,” Seungkwan said, dead serious. “She’s a public servant of vibes.”
Y/N hissed under her breath. “Seungkwan no, that’s too obvious—”
But he was already waving the bartender over with an exaggerated, innocent smile. “Excuse me. Hi! Sorry, um, quick question—”
The bartender leaned in, and Seungkwan immediately lowered his voice. “Okay, so this is going to sound super weird, but we’re kind of trying to help our friend. She’s here, over there, that girl in the booth and she’s with someone who might not be who she thinks he is. Would there be any chance you could, like, discreetly see who she’s with? Maybe get the guy’s name off the tab or something?”
The bartender blinked, processing. “You want me to spy on a customer?”
“Not spy!” Seungkwan said too quickly. “Just lightly observe for justice.”
Before she could respond, his elbow hit his glass and sent it tumbling, tequila splashing across the counter. “Ah, shit! I’m so sorry—”
Y/N jumped up. “Oh my god—”
Soonyoung was already grabbing napkins, but Seungcheol caught Y/N’s wrist and whispered, “Go. Now. Before she looks over here.”
Y/N blinked. “What?”
“Go,” he repeated, nudging her toward the exit.
Within seconds, the three of them were ducking out the door, sliding into Seungcheol’s car parked just down the block. From inside, Y/N peeked out the window toward the bar’s front windows, pulse hammering.
A moment later, Seungkwan burst out, half-running, half-laughing, waving a damp napkin. “Mission accomplished.”
Soonyoung leaned over the seat. “Did she do it?”
“I think so,” Seungkwan panted, climbing in. “She said she’d check. I told her to text the number on the napkin.” He held it up proudly, sure enough, the bartender’s number scrawled in quick pen strokes.
Y/N stared at him, half in disbelief, half in awe. “You gave her your number?”
Seungkwan shrugged, dead serious. “For evidence.”
Seungcheol dropped his head back against the seat, muttering, “This is insane.”
Y/N chewed her lip, still peering through the windshield. “If it works, though…”
Seungkwan turned in his seat dramatically. “No, we’re friends on a mission for the truth.”
Seungcheol groaned again, but he was smiling now as he started the car.
The car was idling just down the street, headlights off, the heater humming low. The four of them sat in an anxious half-silence, waiting.
“Do you think she’s really doing it?” Soonyoung whispered, peering over Seungkwan’s shoulder.
“She said she would,” Seungkwan muttered, still gripping his phone like it was a detonator. “I told her it was, like, urgent-urgent.”
Y/N stared out the window, chewing her lip. Her pulse hadn’t calmed since she’d spotted Yuqi slipping into that booth. The way she’d smiled, comfortable, like she belonged there, made her stomach twist. “ The thing I can’t make sense of is why Mingyu and her would come here? Like it’s so weird and—”
A sharp ping cut through her voice.
Seungkwan’s phone lit up. He glanced at it, eyes scanning fast. “She sent a name. Hold on—uh…” He squinted, reading aloud.
“Guy’s tab is under Joon Betts. Does that help?”
Y/N’s head snapped toward Seungcheol so fast it startled the others. Her chest went cold.
Seungcheol didn’t say anything. His knuckles whitened on the steering wheel, his jaw locked hard.
Soonyoung frowned, glancing between them. “Wait, who’s Joon Betts?”
Seungkwan looked equally lost. “Yeah, should that mean something? ’Cause you two look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Y/N let out a hollow laugh that didn’t sound like her. “He’s the guy who—” She stopped, swallowing. “He’s the reason that video of me and Seungcheol exists.”
Soonyoung’s expression dropped. “What?”
Seungkwan blinked. “As in the guy who filmed it?”
Seungcheol finally spoke, voice low and even. “Yeah. And the one who hit me at the party.”
No one moved. The heater hummed softly, the car suddenly feeling too small.
The name hung between them like a bad smell.
Joon Betts.
Y/N stared straight ahead, her pulse still catching up to her brain.
Seungkwan looked at Soonyoung. Soonyoung looked at Seungkwan.
Seungcheol just said, “Don’t say it.”
“I wasn’t gonna say it,” Seungkwan said, offended.
“You were absolutely gonna say it,” Y/N muttered.
He shrugged. “Okay, but can I say it now?”
Seungcheol groaned. “Fine.”
Seungkwan threw his hands up. “What the fuck is wrong with this bitch?!”
Y/N groaned, eyes still on her phone. The drama page notification glared at her, practically daring her to open it again.
Soonyoung leaned over, frowning. “Okay. Where are we even supposed to go now?”
Seungcheol rubbed the back of his neck and finally let out a long, tense sigh. “Well, my dad’s out of town. Hana’s home and said we could all crash at the house for the night, she seemed excited for company. Drinks, a couch, maybe some snacks. Figure things out in the morning.”
Seungkwan blinked. “Wait. You mean your dad’s hot fiancé is gonna let all of us just stay there?”
Seungcheol shrugged. “Well it was my house first. She’s surprisingly chill. And we clearly need a plan.”
Y/N exhaled, shoulders finally sagging. “Fine. Drinks. Snacks. Emergency strategy session. But I’m not dealing with any more surprises tonight. I might need Hana too. She’s my favorite girl your dad has had. Sorry. She helped me at my mom’s party, helped Cheol when he was hurt, made him feel. Well, better than he has in a long time. I love her.”
Soonyoung smirked. “No promises. This whole day has been a disaster anyway.”
Seungkwan’s eyes flicked to Y/N’s phone again as another notification buzzed through. He froze, a shadow crossing his face. “Huh. funny how these posts always seem to come right when she’s around.”
Y/N didn’t notice, busy leaning back, trying to steady her racing thoughts.
The car’s heater hummed softly, the sound oddly menacing in the otherwise quiet space. Outside, the neon of the bar faded into the night, leaving only darkness and the unknown stretching ahead.
Y/N’s phone buzzed again. Another alert from the drama page. Her fingers hovered over it, and for a moment, she considered turning the phone off, pretending none of it existed.
But she didn’t.
The screen lit up, casting a pale glow across her face. And in the back of her mind, she knew one thing for certain. Nothing tonight would be simple ever again.
note: well hi, everyone <3 sorry theres no actual texts in this chapter i just chose to make it written for more context reasons ykwim. but let me know what u think, do u think the guy in the video was mingyu or u think it was shady joon. (also yes gave him the last name betts bc i'm a dodgers fan && always a mookie fan lmao.) let me know what u think, ilyily. next one will be the auction where im sure more shit will hit the fan, quite possibly blow up yk. ily.
In Pursuit of Wedded Bliss (Updated Masterlist) (A Seventeen Regency!AU Series) @fantasyescapes17
seventeen fic recommendations
Kim Mingyu
In Soft Hands | Part 2 (Mingyu) @beahae (SingleDad!Mingyu x DaycareTeacher!Reader(f))
what’s your number?; kmg @nevernonline (synposis: after finding an online article about the number of sexual partners a woman should have, your day with your neighbor turns into him being lucky number eighteen. paring/s: model! mingyu x afab! reader, ft. little brother! chan.)
again and again ⟢(exes, fake dating, mutual pining, idol!gyu, vet!reader, mild angst, fluff, smut) @lovelyhan
creep (Halloween, ghost!mingyu, serial killer!mingyu, etc…) @smileysuh
Aphrodite (smut, friends to lovers, established relationship, fluff at the beginning) @highvern
Slowly; All At Once (fluff, best friends to lovers with Mingyu, boyfriend material!Mingyu, slight angst.) @gyuwoncheol
Hits Different (...'cause it's you) (1) (brother's best friend!au, brother!seokmin, fluff, angst, smut) @gyuswhore
His Smile(smut, fluff, slowburn, fake dating!au) @angelwonie
Parties, Yachts and Wishful Thinking (enemies to lovers, reader and Mingyu are rich, Mingyu is kind of an asshole but so is reader, parties, mentions of reader crushing on Wonwoo, drinking, cursing, tennis, yachts and pure filth) @ithinkilikeit-reactions
Other Mingyu recs @novalpha
we don’t usually hold hands (m) || kmg & reader (angst, fluff, smut, friends with benefits, idiots to lovers, sort-of-mean!oc, nice guy!mingyu, emotionally constipated!oc honestly) @gyukult
kim mingyu’s (unhelpful) guide to losing your virginity (smut, fluff, humor, college au, best friends to lovers au, friends with benefits au) @shuaflix
the very first night. (exes to lovers, roommates!au | romance, angst, smut) Link works on pc and through my reblog i think
OVER MY HEAD (brother'sbestfriend!mingyu, fratboy!mingyu, pining, friends to lovers, angst (only a little), reader's a chronic overthinker, slow burn, smut, f reader, oral (f receiving), penetrative sex, wonwoo's kinda absent </3, crying (blame mingyu), etc.) @hannieehaee
it’s all fun and games (mingyu x female reader ) @dontflailmenow
Hong Joshua (Jisoo)
Loverboy (regency era romance, historical, drama, slow burn, angst.) @starlightxsvt
cranberry concoctions (bartender!joshua x f!reader) @onlyhuis
Mr (not) so perfectly fine (Joshua Hong x Fem! Reader, not super relevant to the plot but, this is a Non-Idol AU, exes to exes with benefits, elements of angst) @hwanghyunjinenthusiast
the devil wears baby blue (mut (minors PLS dni!), strangers to fucking lol) @onlyseokmins
Virgin Killer (cheerleader!reader, nerd!shua, virgin!shua, he’s kinda cold in this but is lowkey still a soft boi, drinking, teasing, jealousy, reader has a little bit of a corruption kink, loss of virginity, oral sex (f and m receiving), unprotected sex, riding, multiple creampies, overstimulation) @wonusite
isohel (all time joshua fav) (slowburn, modern royalty au, angst, fluff) @toruro
mr. nice guy (, neighbor!joshua, joshua's muscles deserve their own tag tbh, oral (f receiving), alcohol consumption (NOT drunk sex), petnames (sweetheart mostly :pp), biting, spit kink, unedited as alway) @toruro
Blown up love (gaming is all fun and... well, games, until you start crushing on the only person that takes pity on you and saves you from mobs.) @starsstuddedsky
I found love in your smile (doctor!wonwoo x lawyer!female oc) @wonlouvre
wonwoo reading list / fic recs part 3 ! @jeonride
meet cute of the century (meet cute, strangers to lovers, pining, discourse abt being an idol as a career, mild angst, smut) @lovelyhan
to build a home (idol!husband! jeon wonwoo x actress!afab!reader) @tomodachiii
X + Y = YOU AND I ||( jeon wonwoo academic rival!wonwoo x fem!reader) @angelwonie
yoon jeonghan
just one day (fluff // angst // nonidol!au // brother's best friend // fake dating!au // they're idiots lmao // not edited nor proofread so pls bear w me lol // cursing and. two? kissing scenes.) @wonwoonlightligh
to live again (ime travel!au, childhood friends to lovers!au, slow burn, angst, some fluff, some humor) @viastro I WAS CRYING PLS READ
Pathetic Series @leejihoonownsmyhearthoonownsmyheart
Jeonghan’s Guide to Insurance Fraud (And Falling in Love) (fluff, angst, non-idol au, elementary school teacher!jeonghan, f2L, fake relationship) @starsstuddedsky
xu minghao
✧ the letter (slowburn, fluff, angst, childhood f2l) @toruro
✧ flight of the stars (mut (18+ / mdni), f1 au, brief high school au, angst, fluff) @toruro
✧ oh my! @toruro
fixer upper (s2f2l. “beg” minghao. LOTS OF PLOT with eventual smut. slow and i mean SLOW burn. some member slander(affectionate),) @seungkwansphd
Glacial Pace (fake dating au, friends to lovers, fluff, smut) @wonusite
To Keep You Warm @idyllic-ghost
Kwon Soon-young
My Best Friend's Mother (is the One For Me) — ksy (milf chaser!soonyoung, milf!reader) @rubyreduji
driving lessons for dummies (fluff, humor, smut, strangers to lovers au, college au) @shuaflix FAV ATM XD
be sweet (prince!hoshi x princess!reader) @heartkyeom
charity f*ck (virgin guy who lives with his parents!soonyoung, he’s not shy but he is very clumsy, a lot of texting so be prepared for that format for a lil bit (THIS IS NOT A SOCIAL MEDIA AU), facetime-sex, real life sex) @ncteez
I cackled and immediately ran to see pfd’s new update and THE TEA??? kwannie honestly clocked it everytime like he knows everythingggg
I hope yn also chooses the man she feels is right because our girlie has been going through it for too long!!
ahhh!! u too <3 i missed ur commentary sm!! kwan is the best friend everyone wishes they had truly (except yuqi, but she prob deserves it) our girl y/n will be so loved no matter who she chooses don't even worry.
synopsis: y/n while in her third year at greenwood international university finally gets an opportunity to move off campus into a new complex, she has to deal with the realization that her childhood rival is her new next door neighbor.
genre/s: reader is super oblivious, fluffy, sexual themes.
content: swearing, mentions of sexual relations, some drinking& mary jane 🍃
tag list - open
word count: 11k. (please note theres writing under some of the texts too ily. 🖤)
masterlist ▸ 21. surprise! 23. girls so confusing
The knock was soft, almost guilty.
Y/N blinked up from where she lay cocooned in her comforter, half-scrolling, half-dissociating.
“Y/N?” Yuqi’s voice came through the door. “I got you a cold brew. Hopefully my bribe works.”
A beat.
Then the door creaked open slightly and Yuqi peeked in, holding two plastic cups like peace offerings. She was in an oversized hoodie and socks, her hair a little messy like she hadn’t really slept either.
Y/N sat up slowly. “Hey.”
Yuqi stepped in and left the door open behind her.
She didn’t say anything right away, just crossed the room, set one drink on the nightstand, and handed Y/N the other with both hands. She didn’t sit, either, just sort of stood there awkwardly like she wasn’t sure if she was welcome.
“I’m sorry,” she said quietly.
Y/N blinked. “For what?”
Yuqi sighed, dropping onto the edge of the bed finally. “I think I’ve been acting weird. Like, all the comments about Mingyu and Seungcheol and making dumb jokes. I wasn’t trying to make you feel worse. I think.. I don’t know. I’ve been feeling a little left out lately. Like everyone’s caught up in these big dramatic things, and I’m just kind of orbiting around it.”
Y/N’s heart pinched.
“I know it’s dumb,” Yuqi rushed to add. “I have Mark, and I love him, and I love you. But when I saw you with Seungcheol last night, I realized I was being kind of shitty. Like maybe it looked like I was judging you for not picking Mingyu, and I swear I wasn’t.”
Y/N shook her head. “You weren’t being shitty. I just didn’t want to make you feel like you had to choose sides. I also have literally no idea what I’m doing. Also, I still haven’t picked anyone. I don’t want to feel like I have to either.”
Yuqi shrugged. “You don’t have to explain. I just wanted you to know that no matter what you choose, or who. I’m on your side, okay? You could date a broomstick and I’d be like, 'That’s my best friend and her stick. We love him.'”
Y/N finally smiled, the first real one all morning.
“I missed you,” she said softly. “Like really missed you, even when you were right there.”
Y/N and Yuqi made their way back into the kitchen, still bleary but more settled now, wrapped in the quiet warmth that only comes after clearing the air.
The apartment was sun-dappled and still smelled like last night’s perfume and leftover sugar from a half-eaten birthday cake. The windows were cracked open, letting in a light breeze that tugged at the corners of their frayed thoughts.
Y/N slid into a seat at the kitchen counter, sipping her cold brew slowly.
Yuqi flopped across from her, tucking her legs up into the bar stool. She was watching Y/N closely now, in that quiet, best friend way where the silences weren’t uncomfortable. Just honest.
“So…” Yuqi said eventually, voice low and teasing but gentle, “was it a good kiss?”
Y/N tried not to smile, but it crept in anyway. “Too early.”
“I’m serious! There’s kissing and then there’s life-shifting cinematic moment kissing.”
Y/N sighed, leaning her chin into her hand. “It was the kind of kiss that makes everything worse, because now I really don’t know what I’m doing.”
Yuqi softened. “You don’t have to know. You’re allowed to feel all of it confused, pulled in different directions, angry, happy, scared. All of it.”
“I hate feeling like someone’s going to get hurt.”
“You’re not doing it on purpose.”
“It still hurts.”
Yuqi reached across the counter and nudged her pinky finger against Y/N’s. “You’ve got time. You don’t have to fix everything today. But, tell me did it bring you back to before all of this? Like when you kissed him for the first time?”
Y/N nodded slowly, eyes drifting toward the phone sitting screen-down beside her drink. She hadn’t checked her messages yet. Hadn’t opened the DMs. Part of her didn’t want to know what was waiting.
But that part was shrinking.
“Yeah. It did. But, I’m scared,” she admitted softly, surprising even herself.
Yuqi let the silence stretch just enough before saying, “Then you just have to change your mindset about it. Think of it like… figuring out where you feel safe. Where it feels like you.”
That stuck.
That stung, a little too.
Y/N didn’t answer right away. Just tapped her finger against her drink lid and stared at her reflection on the surface.
Finally, she looked up. “Want to help me get ready for tonight?”
Yuqi smirked. “Babe, I’m already picking your outfit. I’ve got three options and one of them involves sunglasses and a trench coat in case you want to go full incognito.”
Y/N laughed, despite herself. “God, you’re so annoying.”
“I’m the most annoying,” Yuqi said, standing up. “But I’m yours.”
The apartment had quieted again, the kind of lull that only came after a late night and an early heart-to-heart. Yuqi had disappeared into her room to dig through her “date outfit war chest,” calling occasional updates over her shoulder about silk vs. leather and whether platform boots were “too much.”
Y/N stayed behind at the counter, fingers tapping a slow, uncertain rhythm against her cold brew.
Her phone still sat where she’d left it.
Eventually, with a sigh, she turned it over and unlocked the screen.
The app was still open.
The notification was still pulled up.
She hesitated for exactly one breath before looking at the photo again.
Y/N blinked at the screen.
The words didn’t shock her anymore. She knew how this game worked. She’d played it enough times, even if she never meant to. Still, it cut deep. Not because it was true. But because there was just enough plausibility in it to make her question everything again.
She set her phone down harder than necessary.
Yuqi reemerged, holding a black slip dress in one hand and a simple pair of kitten heels in the other. “Okay, so hear me out—”
“I said yes to Mingyu because I wanted something to feel easy,” Y/N said suddenly, not looking at her.
Yuqi stopped mid-stride.
“I wanted something good. Something uncomplicated. And he is that. He’s kind, and he’s hot, and he likes me. And it has never felt like a game with him.”
Yuqi walked over slowly, placing the dress and shoes on the counter.
Y/N kept going, voice thinner now. “But now I’m second-guessing everything because one stupid fucking picture from an idiot hiding behind a screen made me feel like a fool. And I hate that. I hate that I care.”
Yuqi gently touched her shoulder. “You care because it’s real. You wouldn’t be spiraling if none of this mattered.”
Y/N finally looked up. “I feel like I’m breaking something, no matter what I choose.”
Yuqi offered a small, knowing smile. “Then choose what makes you feel the least broken.”
Y/N closed her eyes for a second, grounding herself. Then opened them and exhaled.
“…Show me the dress again.”
Yuqi beamed, holding it up. “See? Now this is breakup-proof, drama-resistant armor.”
Y/N raised an eyebrow. “You’re aware I’m not breaking up with anyone yet, right?”
“Details, details,” Yuqi said, waving her off. “Let’s get you hot.”
Incoming Texts — Mingyu 🐾
[4:42 PM]
hey, just checking in, still on for later?
[4:42 PM]
i booked us a table at the dove inn at 7. i want you to have a night that’s about you, not anyone else
[4:43 PM]
i can come pick you up, or we can meet there. whatever feels better for you
[4:46 PM]
also no pressure at all!! if today’s weird or you need more time or whatever, just tell me. seriously. no hard feelings
[4:47 PM]
(but i’d really like to see you)
Y/N stared at her screen for a long moment, thumbs hovering before she finally typed:
Y/N [4:51 PM]
7 is perfect. just pick me up. 🖤
Yuqi stood behind Y/N with a curling iron in one hand and a glass of rosé in the other, looking like a girl who took her beauty rituals very seriously, even when they were someone else’s.
“You’re too calm,” Yuqi said, tugging gently at a section of Y/N’s hair. “You’re either having a mental breakdown in slow motion or you’re planning something.”
Y/N smirked, sipping from her own glass. “I’m just trying to enjoy it for once. No spiraling. No what-ifs.”
Yuqi studied her in the mirror. “That’s hot girl behavior.”
“Don’t make it weird.”
“You kissed your ex-enemy and now you’re going on a date with your forever-fake date who might be your real crush. I think we passed ‘weird’ three chapters ago.”
Y/N laughed despite herself, twisting slightly to face her. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For still being my friend even when I’m a whole-ass mess.”
Yuqi softened. “You think I don’t relate? Come on.”
They laughed together, and Yuqi handed her a tube of lip gloss. “Okay. Final touches. Do not cry it off before the appetizers.”
There was a knock right as Y/N slipped her heels on.
“I got it,” Yuqi said, darting from the room.
She opened the door to find Seungcheol standing there, hoodie on, game controller in hand.
“I promised you ‘Stardust Kart 8,’” he said, holding it up like a peace offering.
Yuqi smiled, taking it. “You’re a man of honor, I respect that.”
“Who’s here? I swear to go if it’s– Oh, Hey.” Y/N peeked her head out from the hallway, freezing just slightly when she saw him.
Seungcheol’s eyes lifted, briefly catching hers. His mouth parted, maybe to say something, maybe just a breath, but nothing came out.
Yuqi looked between them and made a dramatic show of stepping backward into the kitchen. “And I will plug this in and definitely not eavesdrop.”
The door stayed open behind her, and the silence lingered.
“You look really nice.” Seungcheol said softly, trying to shake off the awkward feeling in his stomach.
Y/N tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Thanks. I’m, um, going out with Mingyu.”
He nodded once, slowly. “Right.”
More silence. The soft thrum of the game starts up from the other room.
Y/N bit her lip. “I should finish getting ready.”
“Yeah,” he said, backing up. “I hope you have a good time.”
She watched the door close behind him, but didn’t move for a beat.
Seungcheol dropped onto the couch next to Seungkwan like gravity was working overtime.
Seungkwan didn’t even look up from his phone. “You look like you just watched someone kill a puppy.”
Cheol didn’t answer.
Seungkwan finally turned to him. “Okay, wow, you’re spiraling, drama queen. What happened?”
“I just saw Y/n. She’s going on a date with Mingyu.”
Seungkwan blinked. “Okay, and?”
“And she looked happy.”
“Right. So naturally, your plan is to sit here and emotionally wallow like a Victorian widow?”
Cheol glared at him. “What am I supposed to do?”
“Tell her you’re still in love with her, dumb ass. I’ve never seen you act like such a puss before. What’s going on?”
“I can’t do that right now. She’s confused.”
Seungkwan groaned and tossed a throw pillow at him. “You’re also confused. You’re both doing that thing where you pretend you’re fine when you’re actually being slowly crushed by your own emotional constipation.”
“That’s not a thing.”
“Oh, it’s a thing,” Seungkwan said, poking him in the chest. “But here’s the good news, you’re not dead yet, and you’re not out of time. Who the fuck makes up their mind after one lame date at a fancy fuck dinner where they don’t even give you enough food, which I also might point out is not very Y/n. She, like you, grew up being spoiled and hating shit like this, so I’m not sure at this point if he’s trying to impress her or her mother more. ”
Seungcheol looked at him, rolling his eyes.
“Look, people make the wrong choice all the time,” Seungkwan continued. “But they also change their minds. Especially when they realize the right one’s been waiting right across the hall the whole time.”
Cheol didn’t respond right away.
Seungkwan smirked. “Now come on. Put on some shoes. We have to go get some food so we can either rage and play video games or do face masks and talk about our feelings. Your choice.”
Y/N checked herself in the hallway mirror for the third time, pressing her lips together to make sure the gloss hadn’t smudged. The soft hum of music played from the speaker in Yuqi’s room, the kind of girly playlist made for outfit changes and small affirmations.
“You look like you’re about to get drafted into the WNBA,” Yuqi said, standing in the kitchen doorway with her phone up. “Now hold still, I need like three full-body shots and one close-up for safety.”
Y/N groaned. “You’re so annoying.”
“Shut up and pose,” Yuqi commanded, snapping a burst of photos as Y/N awkwardly turned toward her. “Okay now one smiling like you actually like him, cute. And now a ‘don’t start drama or I will’ face, perfect. Oh my god. Vogue is shaking.”
“This is so embarrassing.”
Yuqi grinned. “You’re welcome. Now go. Be hot. Be mysterious. Text me if you need an escape route.”
“I won’t.”
“But you might,” Yuqi called after her as Y/N opened the door.
“And if you kiss him, lip gloss check at all times.”
“Okay, enough. See you later.”
“Maybe you won't, if you’re lucky.”
The sun was just dipping beneath the treetops, casting everything in soft amber. The street outside their building was quiet except for the distant thrum of someone’s bluetooth speaker and the occasional breeze.
And there he was.
Mingyu stood leaning casually against the side of his car, black slacks and a linen shirt rolled to his elbows, bouquet in hand. He was texting one-handed but looked up the second the door clicked behind her.
His smile grew instantly.
“Wow,” he said, pushing off the car to meet her halfway. “You look…”
She raised an eyebrow as she approached. “If you say ‘nice,’ I’m going back inside.”
Mingyu laughed, holding out the flowers. “I was gonna say perfect, actually. But noted.”
Y/N softened as she took them, the scent hitting her immediately, lilac and something citrusy.
“I didn’t know your flower knowledge was that good.”
“I asked my sister what not to get on a first date,” he shrugged. “No roses, no carnations. Went for vibes.”
“You nailed it,” she said, tucking the bouquet close.
He opened the car door for her with a small grin. “You ready?”
She hesitated only for a second, then nodded. “Yeah. I think so.”
The grocery bags weren’t heavy, but Seungkwan made them sound like a punishment from God.
“Do we look like men who carry fresh produce? This is why humans invented delivery, Cheol.”
Seungcheol just huffed a quiet laugh, adjusting the bag in his arms. “You insisted we needed juice and those fancy granola bars.”
“Yeah, emotional support granola bars,” Seungkwan muttered. “You’re the one brooding in the dark about your crush-slash-friend-slash-fake enemy-slash—”
He stopped cold. Seungcheol almost didn’t catch it until Seungkwan’s hand shot out like a reflex across his chest.
“Dude. Don’t look. But, actually, no. Look.”
Seungcheol turned.
There, across the street in the golden evening light, was Y/N, her hair curled, lips glossed, wrapped in a different dress than he’d seen her in earlier. Laughing.
Mingyu was standing next to her in a white button-up, one hand slipping into the pocket of his slacks, the other gently offering her a bouquet of flowers.
The two of them looked like two perfect characters in a movie.
Y/N smiled softly, brushing his fingers as she took the flowers. Mingyu leaned in to say something, close, and she laughed again.
Seungcheol didn’t realize he was holding his breath until Seungkwan said, “Okay. Now you can look away.”
He didn’t.
Not until Mingyu opened the passenger door for her and she slipped inside with ease.
They drove off, tires humming on the pavement.
Seungkwan glanced at his best friend, reading the clenched jaw, the grip tightening on a handle of oat milk like it was the problem.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man get emotionally bodied by wildflowers before,” Seungkwan muttered. “That’s a new one.”
“Shut up,” Seungcheol said quietly.
“I’m just saying—”
“Seriously, Kwan.”
“Sorry.”
They started walking again, silence thick between them. The apartment building came back into view, the sun fully dipped now. Seungkwan finally broke the quiet.
“You know, if this were a drama, this would be the part where the second male lead realizes he’s actually the main one.”
Seungcheol didn’t answer.
“But lucky for you,” Seungkwan added with a shrug, “this is real life. So nothing’s written yet.”
They reached their floor and paused outside their door.
“You think she looked happy?” Seungcheol asked suddenly.
Seungkwan sighed, unlocking the door.
“Honestly?” he said, nudging it open. “She looked like she wanted to be.”
Back in the car, the silence was awkward, not in the way they had nothing to say to one another just in the way they weren’t sure how to start the night off. “I’m happy you decided to come,” he said softly.
“You really thought I wouldn’t?”
“No,” he grinned, “but I was nervous anyway.”
The air between them in the car felt like laughter in motion. Mingyu had some playlist going, one he proudly titled “For Y/N, Always”and even though it was mostly a mix of songs she’d once offhandedly said she liked, it somehow hit every mood just right.
Y/N had her legs curled up in the seat, hand dangling out the window, hair catching the wind. Mingyu drummed the steering wheel, occasionally sneaking glances at her and grinning when she caught him.
When Let’s See What the Night Can Do came on, sweet, nostalgic, cheesy in the best way, she gasped.
“Oh my God, how do you even know this song?” she laughed.
“You told me once you and Vernon sang it at a wedding, drunkenly during his best man speech.”
“I said that one time!”
“And now it’s our song,” Mingyu declared dramatically, turning it up and serenading her in the most off-key falsetto.
Y/N threw her head back laughing, clutching her chest like it hurt. “You’re ridiculous.”
“You love it.”
“I really do.”
When they pulled up to the restaurant, a tucked-away little spot with warm lighting glowing through the front windows, Mingyu parked and cut the engine. For a second, neither of them moved.
He turned toward her, suddenly quieter, but still smiling. “You ready?”
“Yeah.” She nodded, smoothing her hands over her jeans like she couldn’t sit still.
Mingyu climbed out first and jogged around the front of the car, popping her door open before she could even reach for the handle.
“Stop,” she giggled, pretending to swat him away. “You’re gonna make me feel spoiled.”
“That’s the point,” he said, offering her his hand.
And when she stepped out, her eyes met his and something about the night, how light she felt, how careful he was with her without ever making her feel small, made her heart leap a little.
“I’m really glad it’s you,” she told him suddenly, voice soft.
Mingyu just squeezed her hand. “Me too.”
The host greeted them with a polite smile, but Mingyu didn’t even have to say his name. “Ah, welcome back, sir,” the host said, already reaching for two menus. “Your table is ready.”
Y/N blinked. “You have a table?”
Mingyu just smiled. “You’ll see.”
They followed the host through the softly lit space, past couples sharing wine and small plates, through a narrow corridor lined with candles. The music was low and jazzy, a little romantic, and the hush of conversation added to the sense of being somewhere far away from everything else.
When they stepped into the back terrace, Y/N stopped short.
“Oh.”
The table was tucked into a quiet corner under string lights, surrounded by leafy plants and a view that spilled out over the water. The sun was low enough now that the last of the gold was pooling on the lake's surface, and the candles on the table glowed like fireflies.
“This one,” she whispered. “I told you this was my favorite spot here once.”
“I know,” Mingyu said. “I remembered.”
He pulled out her chair before she could say another word, and when she sat down, she looked out at the water, trying not to show how her eyes shimmered just a little. She didn’t even know when she’d told him that. It had been forever ago. Maybe some late-night conversation or a casual memory she’d shared without thinking. But he remembered.
He always remembered.
When he took his seat across from her, she smiled at him softly. “You’re kind of making this hard.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Hard?”
“It's hard not to fall for you.”
Mingyu’s lips parted for just a second before he laughed, gentle and a little stunned. He leaned forward, forearms on the table, his voice low like a secret. “Maybe I’m not trying to make it easy.”
She didn’t look away. Not this time.
As the server poured sparkling water into their glasses, Y/N glanced around, then leaned across the table with a playful whisper. “Did they forget our menus?”
Mingyu grinned, slow and sheepish like he was waiting for her to notice. “Nope.”
She blinked. “Then, are we just gonna vibe and guess what we’re eating?”
“I already ordered for us.”
Y/N sat back in mock surprise. “You what?”
“I planned the whole meal,” he said casually, reaching for his water like this was the most normal thing in the world. “Course by course. You’re always indecisive and you get flustered when the waiter comes. So I figured I’d save you the stress.”
Her mouth dropped open a little, part laugh, part protest. “That’s actually true, but what if I don’t like it?”
“You will.”
“What if I’m allergic to it?”
“You’re not allergic to anything, you just lie when you don’t want to eat something that you are. You can’t fool me.”
She squinted at him, narrowing her eyes like she was trying to find a flaw in his logic. “Are you trying to be the perfect man or something?”
Mingyu shrugged, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. “I’m trying to be the right one.”
Y/N flushed. It wasn’t even a line, not really. It was just Mingyu, matter-of-fact and completely earnest.
The first course arrived, fresh pasta with lemon butter and shaved parmesan, delicate and comforting, and she raised her brows in approval. “Okay, that’s one point.”
“I’m gonna sweep this,” he warned, teasing now. “You’ll be crying by dessert.”
“From happiness?”
He nodded. “Obviously. And maybe again later from something else, if you catch my drift.”
“Okay, Casanova. You have obviously been spending too much time with Yuqi.”
“I’m playing.”
They talked between bites, about everything and nothing. He told her about a construction project he’d seen recently that he couldn’t stop thinking about, and she teased him for sounding like a dad. She told him about a professor who always forgot her name and kept calling her “Emily,” and he vowed to find him and stage a gentle but firm intervention.
And when the main course arrived, her actual favorite dish, perfectly cooked, she just stared at it, then at him, and shook her head.
“This is kind of scary,” she said softly. “I don’t think I like how well you know me.”
Mingyu looked at her for a second, then leaned in again, voice low.
“It’s not scary,” he said. “I just pay attention.”
“Isn’t a little mystery good?”
Mingyu laughed, “Don’t worry, you’re still an enigma, just the way you like it.”
By the time dessert arrived, some delicate confection with berries and cream and a warm drizzle of honeyed something, Y/N didn’t even ask how he knew. She just took the first bite, closed her eyes, and let out a little sigh that made Mingyu nearly drop his spoon.
“Okay,” she murmured. “Fine. Crying by dessert.”
He chuckled. “Victory is sweet.”
She narrowed her eyes, chewing slowly. “You might understand food but the subtle art of a good joke is very lost on you.”
“Yeah, but you smiled.”
She tried to hide it. Failed. “Maybe.”
They lingered over the last bites, not in any rush to leave. The restaurant around them hummed softly, low music, soft conversations, candlelight flickering against the glass windows that overlooked the water. For a moment, it felt like the world had narrowed to just them.
When the server came by with the check, Mingyu slid his card in without even looking at the total. Y/N reached for her purse instinctively, but he gave her a look that stopped her short.
“Let me,” he said gently. “I wanted to do this.”
She held his gaze for a second. Then nodded. “Okay.”
They stepped out into the warm night air, a soft breeze brushing Y/N’s hair off her shoulders. The moon glinted off the water, and the quiet from the restaurant made the city sounds feel distant, softened.
“Wanna go for a walk?” Mingyu asked, slipping his hand out slightly, not reaching for hers, just making space for it if she wanted.
She stepped closer, their arms brushing. “Where?”
He grinned. “It’s a surprise.”
“Oh no, not again. You guys really love surprising someone who hates surprises.”
“No, a good one. Trust me.”
“Did you already plan that too?”
“Of course I did,” he said smugly. “You think I’m gonna peak with dessert?”
They wandered through the quiet streets, passing the occasional couple, shop windows aglow. He led her down a narrow alley lined with ivy and string lights, then to an old-looking building with no sign, just a dark green door and a small, golden doorbell.
“Mingyu…”
“It’s a speakeasy,” he said, lips close to her ear as he pressed the bell. “They won’t let you in unless you know the password. Which I do. Because I’m excellent.”
Y/N shook her head, laughing softly. “You are way too proud of yourself right now.”
“Just a little,” he whispered. “But you’ll see. This place, it’s cool. It’s quiet. It’s not like bumping music and sticky floors. It’s for talking. For feeling good.”
The door creaked open slowly from the inside. Mingyu reached out, opened it wider, and turned back to her with a boyish smile.
“After you.”
The moment they stepped inside, Y/N felt it in her chest, the hush of the space, the low hum of music that wrapped around her like velvet.
It was nothing like she expected.
Dark wood floors. Deep green velvet booths lining the walls. A bar lit by amber glass pendants, glowing like something out of a movie. And in the far corner, a small stage with a live band, upright bass, brushed drums, keys, a woman in a silk dress crooning something sultry into a vintage mic.
Y/N turned in a slow circle, trying to take it all in. “Okay,” she said under her breath.
“Cool?” Mingyu offered his eyes to her, not the room.
She looked at him, lips parting. “Sexy.”
He blinked, caught off guard. “Really?”
“Yeah. This place is serious. How did you even find it?”
“I have my ways,” he said, but his voice dipped a little, maybe because she was still looking at him like that. “I figured you’d like something lowkey. Grown-up. A little out of the way.”
She raised a brow. “So I give grown-up?”
“You give mystery,” he said, pulling out a chair for her at one of the back booths. “But, like, the fun kind.”
The band swelled as they slid into the booth, candles flickering between them. A server in suspenders and red lipstick brought two menus, but Mingyu waved them off.
“I called ahead,” he said casually. “They know.”
“Of course they do,” Y/N said, smiling. “You planned the whole night like it was a movie.”
He shrugged, pretending not to be glowing from her tone. “It kind of is.”
She tilted her head. “What’s the genre? Horror?”
He looked at her for a long moment. “Romance, Y/n. Obviously.”
The drinks came in chilled glasses, hers was smoky with citrus and rose, his deeper, with a hint of coffee and something spicy. They sipped. Talked low, leaning in without meaning to. She asked about his week, he told her in that warm, slow way he always did, letting his stories trail into little jokes that made her laugh into her glass.
Then the singer finished her set. And the lights dipped lower.
From across the room, the bassist picked up a new rhythm, lazy, deliberate, and someone began a slow, instrumental version of At Last.
Mingyu looked toward the small space in front of the stage, then back at her. “Do you wanna…?”
Y/N followed his gaze, heart kicking a little. “Are you serious?”
He stood and offered his hand anyway. “Only if you want.”
She didn’t answer. Just took it.
The dance floor was barely a few feet wide, but it didn’t matter. It felt like they were the only ones there. The music wrapped around them, warm and sleepy, and Mingyu’s hand pressed against the small of her back, careful but sure. Her palm rested against his chest, steady with the beat.
Neither of them said anything. They didn't need to.
She leaned her head against his shoulder. He let out a breath like he’d been holding it all night.
“I really like you,” he murmured.
She smiled against his collar. “I know.”
The dim, honey-lit room pulses with the low hum of live jazz, all amber warmth and velvet shadows. A saxophone croons in the background, slow and sultry. Mingyu and Y/N are still dancing. They haven’t stopped, not because of the music, but because it’s easier to keep moving than to sit still with everything stirring between them.
Their bodies move together gently, close but not pressed, Mingyu’s hands resting on her waist like he’s afraid to push the moment. Y/N leans her head back slightly to look up at him, her expression softer now, more honest.
“I feel like I’ve been holding my breath for months.”
Mingyu nods, not pushing her. Letting her go at her pace.
“I like you. I do. I think I always have, even when I didn’t know it. But everything’s just gotten so complicated, and I feel like I’m still figuring out what’s mine and what’s leftover from everything else.”
Her voice cracks a little, not from sadness exactly, but from exhaustion and honesty.
“I don’t want to be a mess in your hands. And I wouldn’t blame you if this, me, not knowing what I’m doing, not knowing what I want fully yet, if that made you not want to wait around.”
Mingyu exhales slowly, resting his forehead against hers for a moment. The music carries on, but everything between them is hushed.
“You’re not a mess to me. You’re human. You’re figuring it out. And you’re here. That’s enough.”
She finally looks at him.
“You don’t have to have an answer tonight. I just want to keep dancing with you.”
“Even if I’m still dancing with other ghosts?”
“I’ll wait until I’m the only one in the room.”
A beat. Her eyes brim, not from sadness, but from the simple truth of being seen and accepted.
They don’t say anything else for a while. They just keep moving to the rhythm of the saxophone and the soft sounds of clinking glasses. The world keeps turning around them, but for now, it feels like they’ve carved out a tiny, timeless space of their own.
They took their time finishing the last drink, something rich and floral that neither of them could pronounce but both agreed tasted like the color purple.
Y/N rested her chin on her hand, smiling across the small table at Mingyu. Her shoes were off beneath the booth, her feet sore in the best way from dancing for hours. Her eyes were bright, cheeks flushed, and for once, her chest wasn’t weighed down with overthinking.
He glanced down at his watch with a reluctant sigh. “It’s getting late. I don’t want to drive back this tired,” he said, nudging his glass away. “So, I might’ve gotten us a place nearby. Two rooms. Promise.”
Y/N blinked at him, surprised. “You did?”
“I figured if the night went well, neither of us would wanna end it crashing on a couch or white-knuckling it back in the dark,” he said with a shrug. “And I got you pajamas.”
She laughed, a genuine, glowing sound that made a couple at the bar glance over and smile to themselves.
“Mingyu,” she said, shaking her head with that same fond disbelief she always seemed to reserve for him, “you’re unbelievable.”
“Just a little prepared,” he said, beaming. “I didn’t want anything to ruin this. Not for you.”
Something about that settled in her chest deeper than she expected. This hadn’t just been a good date. It was magic. And now he was offering her a safe, quiet way to end the night. No pressure. Just thoughtfulness.
Y/N stood and slipped her coat on. “Okay, Boy Scout. Show me the way.”
He held out his hand, and she took it without hesitation.
The hotel had boutique-style warm lighting, soft jazz in the lobby, even the scent felt intentional. Everything about it matched the rest of the night: considered. Mingyu handed her one of the two keycards and they took the elevator in tired but happy silence, shoulders brushing as they leaned back against the wall.
When they reached her room, he smiled and nodded toward the door across the hall. “I’m right there if you need anything.”
Y/N gave him a sleepy smile. “Thanks for everything tonight. Really.”
He hesitated, hand on his door. “Of course. Sleep well, okay?”
“You too.”
She slipped inside, and he did the same, quietly clicking his door shut behind him, letting the stillness settle over his shoulders. His shirt was unbuttoned before his brain even caught up to how fast the evening had passed. He was unbuttoning his pants to slide into his sweats, when the knock came.
Not loud. Not rushed.
He quickly pulled on his t-shirt. He opened the door, hair already a little messy, pants still unbuttoned and froze.
Y/N stood there in an oversized t-shirt and cotton pajama shorts, a bottle of wine cradled in her arm and two tumblers in her hand. Her makeup was off, and her smile was soft and a little hopeful.
“I know it’s late,” she said, “but I’m not very tired, and I was getting bored.”
Mingyu blinked at her, then grinned so wide it dimpled. “Yeah. Me either.”
She walked in without waiting for an invite, already handing him a glass. “Hope you don’t mind red.”
“Not at all,” he said, watching her curl up on the floor like it was nothing, like this kind of comfort between them had always existed.
He poured carefully, passed her a glass, and then sat beside her, close but not assuming.
Y/N looked around and smiled again, softer this time. “Are you going to button your pants? Or?”
“I was just changing before you came over. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay, Champ.” she said, tilting her glass toward him.
He ran to the bathroom, quickly pulling on a pair of black joggers, and the room went quiet for a beat, warm with the buzz of wine and late-night calm, that golden hour of vulnerability where things unsaid start to float to the surface.
When he came back out he took the spot on the floor next to Y/n, they sipped slowly, knees nearly touching, both staring straight ahead for a while with their backs resting against the mattress. The muted hum of the city below filtered in through the cracked window. One of them had turned on the bedside lamp low, amber, and warm.
Y/N was the one who broke the quiet first.
“I feel like I’ve been running on autopilot lately,” she said, almost to herself. “Like I keep moving forward, but I’m not really sure where I’m actually trying to go.”
Mingyu glanced at her, quiet. “Is that about school? Or something else?”
She exhaled a soft laugh. “School. Life. Guys.”
“Ah.” He smiled into his glass. “The eternal trifecta.”
She nudged him with her shoulder. “You’re annoyingly good at pretending this is casual.”
“I’m not pretending anything.” He turned to look at her fully now. “But I also don’t want to make it heavier than you want it to be.”
Her lips pressed into a line. “What if I don’t know what I want it to be?”
“That’s allowed.”
She looked at him, really looked. His hair still messy from undressing, his long frame curled gently toward her but not pushing. Kind eyes. Solid presence.
“I just feel like this is all really unfair to you..”
“It’s not,” he said, simply. “You’re just figuring it out. That doesn’t make you the bad guy.”
She looked down at her glass. “It’s just there's still history with Seungcheol, and then there’s all of this confusing shit going on with Vernon. And I know you know there’s a part of me that’s kind of a mess right now.”
Mingyu was quiet, letting her speak.
“But thank you for showing up,” she continued. “Even when you don’t have to.”
“No thanks needed. I want to,” he said. “And I’ve never expected you to be anything other than yourself. Mess and all.”
She blinked. “That sounds dangerously close to a confession.”
He laughed, cheeks pinking a little. “Maybe it is.”
A beat passed. Y/N bit the inside of her cheek, then asked, “What do you want from me, Gyu?”
He didn’t rush. Took another sip of wine. “Time. Honesty. A chance, if you ever feel like giving it. Maybe for you to be a little more open about your feelings about everything instead of just keeping them vague.”
She didn’t say anything right away. Just reached for the bottle again, refilled both of their glasses. Her hand lingered on his when she passed his back.
“You really mean it?”
“Yeah,” he said. “I do.”
She leaned back against the headboard now, exhaling slowly. “Then I’ll try not to run, at least.”
He smiled, softer this time. “Then we’re good.”
“Okay, pause. I just chugged that second glass and now I have to pee so badly.”
And they were not perfect, not tied up in a bow, but good. For now.
Mingyu had followed suit, chugging his own glass and just finished pouring them each a glass of wine when Y/N came back from the bathroom, her hotel slippers whispering across the carpet. Her hair was starting to curl near her ears from washing her face, her oversized pajama top sliding off one shoulder.
He looked up from the floor and smiled, something small, fond. “You look like a disheveled toddler.”
She let out a soft laugh, setting her glass on the table. “Shut up, it’s not that bad.”
“You’re worse,” he said, patting the spot beside him.
She curled up next to him like she’d done a dozen times before, but it felt different tonight. Not just the wine or the quiet hum of the heater or how they were both pretending not to notice the slow-lingering scent of her skin cream and his cologne mixing together. It was heavier. Realer.
Mingyu pulled the blanket over both of them and let his arm rest behind her.
Y/N was quiet for a moment, nursing her glass, then asked quietly, “Can I ask you a stupid question?”
Mingyu blinked, caught off guard. “What?”
“Why did you ever like me?”
“Seriously?”
“You've been patient. With me. With all of this,” she said, gesturing vaguely, like the mess of everything in her heart was a visible cloud in the room. “I keep thinking about tonight. About how easy it was with you. And then I think about everything else. And I wonder if I’m hurting you just by not knowing what I want.”
His brow furrowed gently. “Y/N…”
“I’m trying not to be selfish,” she said, curling in closer, like she couldn’t quite bear to look at him directly. “But I’m scared I already am.”
He was quiet, letting her talk.
“I love Vernon,” she continued, “not like, maybe not how I used to think. But I do. And Seungcheol, he’s like this unfinished chapter I keep trying not to reread, but it’s still bookmarked.”
Mingyu stared at the ceiling a second before answering. “Do you want me to be honest?”
“Of course.”
“I didn’t fall for you because you were sure of everything. I fell for you because you feel everything so deeply even when you’re confused. Even when it hurts.” He turned slightly so he could look at her. “And yeah, sometimes it’s hard. When you talk about them. But I’d rather be the person you’re honest with than the one you lie to because you’re afraid I’ll leave.”
She swallowed hard, eyes glossy. “That’s a lot of faith to put in someone.”
“I’ve had it in you for a long time.”
She reached for his hand without thinking, fingers slipping between his. “Do you ever wish you didn’t?”
“No,” he said simply. “Even when it hurts, I don’t.”
She was quiet again, her head resting gently against his chest now, letting the rhythm of his heartbeat anchor her.
“I’m really glad I knocked on your door,” she whispered.
He smiled, brushing his thumb across the back of her hand. “Me too.”
Mingyu glanced down at the bottle she cradled, the soft hotel lamplight catching the curve of her smile as she settled beside him on the edge of the bed. She was in his hoodie now, barefoot and warm from the wine and laughter.
“You only brought one bottle?” he teased, nudging her knee with his. “You thought that would be enough?”
Y/N narrowed her eyes playfully. “I didn’t know if we’d even open it. Thought I’d play it cool.”
“Well, good thing one of us is a planner,” he grinned, leaning over to dig into the hotel’s mini credenza. He pulled out his own bottle with a triumphant flourish. “Surprise. I brought two of them. Just in case you wanted to extend the night.”
She laughed, genuinely, and it echoed off the walls like something familiar and soft. “You had the same idea.”
“I always do,” he said, voice lower now, more intimate. “When it comes to you.”
That softened the mood, just a touch. She curled into his side, her knees tucked under her, head gently resting near his shoulder like they’d done a hundred times before. But this time, it felt more known. More chosen.
He glanced at her, half a grin tugging at his mouth. “Can I ask you something now?”
She looked over, head resting on a pillow, hair a little messy now from the hoodie and her hands. “Yep.”
Mingyu hesitated, then said it anyway. “Why do you like me?”
She blinked, caught off guard. “Oh, reversing the question now?”
“I mean you could’ve liked anyone,” he said, lightly but not uncurious. “You have all these intense connections. Seungcheol. Vernon. Even Yuqi knows how you think better than most people. But me? I’m not from your hometown. I’m not tied into all that history. I’m just me.”
Y/N sat up a little, brows knit. “That’s kind of why,” she said. “You’re not a puzzle I already solved.”
He let out a soft, surprised laugh. “That’s a really weird compliment.”
She smiled. “But it’s true. You’re smart and kind and weird and really thoughtful in ways I don’t think people always notice. I didn’t either, at first. But it started adding up. You remember what I say, even if I say it when I’m tired or mad or pretending not to care. You bring extra wine. You always walk on the outside of the sidewalk.”
Mingyu looked down for a second, his cheeks tinged pink. “That’s just manners.”
“No,” she said, nudging his knee. “That’s you.”
He looked at her again, slower this time. The air shifted a little between them.
“You said you weren’t trying to hurt me,” he murmured, “but, do you think it’ll happen anyway?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “But I don’t want it to. I think that matters.”
He nodded, quiet. Thoughtful. Then, gently, he reached out and touched her face. “Can I kiss you?”
Y/N’s breath caught, but not in a bad way. He wasn’t teasing, not like that night during truth or dare, when everything felt like a game and she didn’t know what was real yet. This wasn’t a dare. This was a choice.
“Not like last time,” he added softly, like he read her mind. “Not just because we were drunk and everyone was watching. I want to kiss you because I want to. If you want to.”
She leaned in, slow but sure. “Yeah,” she said. “I want to.”
Mingyu kissed her like he had all the time in the world.
No games. No dares. Just them.
When they pulled back, forehead to forehead, neither of them said anything for a moment.
And then he whispered, “I’m still opening my bottle, though.”
She laughed into his chest, and he held her closer.
Y/N held her glass up, swirling what little wine was left as she tilted her head at him. “Okay, your turn. Truth or dare?”
Mingyu grinned, settling further into the headboard, legs stretched out in front of him while Y/N curled at his side. “Truth. I don’t trust you with a dare.”
She laughed softly, cheeks warm. “Coward. Fine. When did you first know you liked me?”
Mingyu smiled into his glass before taking a sip. “I could give you some fake deep answer, like the time you lent me a pen in class and it felt so fucking meaningful,” he teased, then softened. “But probably the first time you called me at like, two in the morning, I totally panicked about a quiz. You were pacing your room and rambling and I thought. God, I could listen to this girl talk about nothing forever.”
Y/N blinked, warmth blooming in her chest. She nudged him with her toe. “That was when I thought you were annoying. You were too nice about it.”
“Yeah, you were really mean,” he said, pretending to flinch. “Okay, your turn.”
“Truth.”
Mingyu raised a brow. “What was it about me, then? What made me different?”
Y/N toyed with her sleeve, eyes cast downward. “I think I didn’t notice at first because it felt so easy. No drama. You never made me question how you felt or if I could lean on you. I liked you before I even realized I was allowed to.”
There was a quiet beat between them, the kind of silence that hums with everything unsaid.
When they finally pulled away, both smiling and a little shy, Y/N tapped her glass. “Okay. One more question. Loser drinks.”
“We’re both losers,” he said, holding up another bottle of wine he’d secretly stashed behind the nightstand.
Y/N narrowed her eyes as he triumphantly popped open the second bottle of wine. “You think you’re so clever, huh?”
“I am clever,” Mingyu said, pouring them each another glass. “I knew you'd try to play it cool and bring one bottle like this was just casual. But I came prepared for a sleepover.”
“Oh, is that what this is?” she teased, raising her brows. “A sleepover?”
“Well, I brought wine and my nicest sweats,” he said, gesturing to his very oversized hoodie and the pajama pants he’d clearly packed with zero intention of sleeping on that couch. “So yeah. I had high hopes.”
She sipped slowly, smirking over the rim. “You always have high hopes around me, don’t you?”
Mingyu leaned closer, elbows resting on his knees, voice dropping just a little. “Only when I think they might actually happen.”
Her stomach flipped. “That’s bold of you.”
“You’re bold,” he shot back. “You showed up looking like that and expected me to behave?”
Y/N laughed, even as her cheeks flushed. “I’m literally in a t-shirt and my pants have Care Bears all over them.”
“You make them look like lingerie, don’t play with me,” he said, and she swatted at his arm with a disbelieving grin.
They stayed close like that, the space between them charged, wine loosening their grins.
“Okay,” Y/N said, “new game. You finish this sentence: ‘If I wasn’t trying to be a gentleman right now, I would—’”
Mingyu raised a brow, mouth twitching into a grin. “Dangerous game, Y/N.”
“I’m brave.”
He leaned in, voice smooth. “If I wasn’t trying to be a gentleman right now, I’d have you in my lap already, probably distracting you so much you forgot whatever game you were playing.”
Her breath caught for half a second before she recovered. “That’s so specific.”
“Not hypothetical, either.”
“Then why are you being a gentleman?”
He reached out and brushed his fingers over her knee, warm and light. “Because I like you too much to rush it. But that doesn’t mean I don’t think about it.”
Y/N didn’t say anything at first, only let her leg fall slightly against his. “Well,” she said, lifting her glass to her lips again, “maybe I like being distracted.”
Mingyu took that as an open invitation, scooting in until their knees were fully touching, and her drink threatened to spill from her laugh when he tried to fake whisper, “So... what happens at sleepovers again? Do we braid each other’s hair or...”
“Okay,” Mingyu said, tapping his fingers against his thigh. “Truth or dare? And no dumb questions or I’ll give you a swirly in the toilet.
Y/N gave him a look. “You’re saying that like you’re not the one who got dared to kiss me in front of half of our friends.”
“Don’t hate the player, hate the game!” he defended, laughing. “Also, I’d do it again.”
“I know,” she muttered under her breath, trying not to smile. “Alright, truth.”
He tilted his head, clearly debating something. “Did you ever tell Yuqi or anyone about having a crush on me?”
She groaned. “That’s unfair.”
“That’s a stall.”
“Fine. Yes, Soonyoung.” She tucked her hair behind her ear, eyes flicking toward the ceiling like the answer might be written up there. “That day we all went to the lake over summer break. You made me that dumb sandwich because you said I get weird when I’m hungry. And you didn’t even sit next to me, but I remember thinking ‘Oh no. That’s a problem. I also think that may have been the first time I saw you without your shirt on, so it’s not like that helped me any. I didn’t want to tell Yuqi cause I knew she’d throw a weird fit about it and everyone would find out, so Soony was the best option for me.’”
Mingyu stared at her for a long second, softer now. “I remember that. You fell asleep in the sun and your nose got all pink.”
“You put your hat on me,” she added, quieter.
“I didn’t want anyone else to see your sunburn and think you looked cute.”
She blinked. “Wow. Possessive and sweet. Hot combo.”
He smiled with half of his mouth and said, “Your turn.”
“Okay... She hesitated, then leaned in just a little. “Do you ever wish that kiss during the game had gone differently?”
Mingyu looked at her like she’d asked something far more serious. “Yeah,” he said. “I wish it had been private. I wish you didn’t feel like it was a joke. I wish I could’ve kissed you like this—”
He caught himself, paused. “Like now. With no one watching. Just you and me.”
Y/N swallowed. “Then why don’t you?”
His gaze flicked down to her lips, then back to her eyes. “Because I want to be sure it’s okay. Not like before.”
She leaned in closer, until their foreheads almost touched
Mingyu’s voice was low. “Can I kiss you, Y/N?”
Her breath hitched. “Yes.”
He didn’t rush. He brought his hand up to her jaw like he needed to memorize it first, eyes scanning hers for any flicker of hesitation. And then soft, steady, he kissed her.
It was nothing like the quick dare at the party. This one was warm and open and real, like he had waited a long time and wanted her to feel that in every second of it.
When they broke apart, her lips were still parted, heart thudding. He rested his forehead against hers.
“I really like you,” he whispered.
And Y/N, who didn’t usually let herself feel that safe with anyone, whispered back, “I know.”
Mingyu’s grin widened when Y/N flicked the bottle cap at him. The bottle of wine between them was already half gone, their legs barely brushing, every look lingering just a second longer than it used to.
“I still can’t believe you brought wine too,” Y/N said, taking another sip. “It’s like you knew I’d crash your room.”
Mingyu chuckled. “I absolutely knew you’d crash in my room. You can’t resist the hospitality.”
She laughed, bumping his shoulder. “You are so fucking cocky.”
“Only because you like it.”
“Oh, do I?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Don’t play coy. You like it when I plan things. When I get the wine. When I—” He reached over, brushing a piece of lint from her pajama sleeve, lingering too long. “—make you laugh.”
She paused, the air around them shifting, a tension threading between the warmth. “You're not wrong,” she said quietly.
“What?” Mingyu asked, his voice low, his hand still resting lightly over hers.
“I just realized I haven’t looked at my phone all night,” she said, glancing over her shoulder at where it sat, face-down and forgotten, on the dresser. “Which is probably not smart. I should check. Just in case.”
But before she could move, Mingyu reached out, gently tugging her hand back toward him.
“Nope.” He shook his head. “Don’t kill the mood.”
She raised a brow. “You think one text is going to ruin your romantic momentum?”
“I think,” he said, inching closer again, “that whatever’s on that phone can wait until tomorrow. Just give me tonight. Just this.”
Y/N stilled, her breath catching. “That smooth line rehearsed?”
“Not even a little.” He smiled. “Come on. You and me, in this room. Bad wine. Good lighting. No interruptions. Feels like a crime to waste it.”
She hesitated only for a second more before settling back against the carpet beside him, curling her fingers into his like it was second nature. “Okay,” she whispered. “No phones. No real life. Just vibes.”
“And maybe one more kiss?”
She looked at him, a smile playing on her lips. “Now that,” she said, “is something you don’t even have to ask for.”
Eventually, the wine dwindled, the television softened to a sleepy hum, and the laughter between them turned into quiet smiles and lingering looks. Y/N stretched her arms above her head, already sunk into the plush carpet, blinking lazily at the ceiling.
“I’m too comfy to move,” she murmured.
Mingyu glanced toward the door, then back at her, amusement flickering across his face. “You know we’re not twelve. We can just share.”
Y/N looked at him for a beat, then nodded like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Yeah. Okay.”
They moved without ceremony, Y/N grabbed her wine glass and her phone (which still stayed unopened), and Mingyu flicked off the main light. They climbed into the same bed, still half-dressed from lounging but both quieter now. The kind of quiet that meant this matters.
Y/N curled naturally into him, head on his chest, leg hooked lazily over his. His arm settled around her like it always had, protective, like he’d been waiting for her to land there.
After a long, hushed moment, he spoke.
“I know we’ve done this before,” he said, voice just above a whisper, fingers drawing slow shapes against her arm. “But why does it feel so different now?”
Y/N exhaled against his shirt, her breath warm through the cotton. “Because we’re not pretending we don’t want it to mean more.”
Mingyu smiled softly in the dark, heart hammering like it was the first time again.
“Yeah,” he said. “That might be it.”
They lay there in the hush, the kind of quiet that felt warm instead of awkward. Y/N’s hand rested lightly against Mingyu’s stomach, rising and falling with each breath he took. His fingers trailed up and down her back, slow and thoughtful.
“Can I ask you something?” she murmured, tilting her face toward him slightly, her cheek still on his chest.
Mingyu hummed. “Anything.”
“Why do you think we’ve always been friends? Like how did it even start? I don’t remember.”
“I just remember you coming into the class, it was organic chemistry . You sat in front of me and you were the only person in that room that didn’t look around awkwardly for a lab partner, like you knew someone would find you. So cocky as always.”
“Oh my god, right. But all of that was because I was so fucking scared. I thought we’d get paired up from the teacher, but I was mistaken, I didn’t move out of fear of making a fool of myself.”
He let out a soft laugh. “Are you kidding? You walked into that room like you didn’t owe anyone an explanation. Like you already knew you were the most interesting person there. It wasn’t confidence, it was just you. I couldn’t look away.”
Y/N let the words soak in. “That sounds fake but okay.”
He nudged her with his knee. “I’m serious. You made everything feel electric. And even when you weren’t trying, you were kind. You remembered stuff people said. You’d make faces at me in class just to see if I’d break.”
“I did do that,” she whispered, smiling. “I thought you were way too cool to notice. But, thank you for volunteering to be my partner, I got lucky.”
Mingyu laughed again, this time lower, softer. “I noticed everything. Still do.”
She went quiet for a second, then quietly asked, “Does it hurt? That I’ve liked other people?”
He was quiet too, but not in a way that felt uncertain. More like he was being careful with the answer.
“I think it only hurt when I felt like I didn’t matter. When it felt like you were trying to forget I ever did.” His fingers paused their slow trail. “But I get it. You weren’t supposed to wait around. I just hoped I hadn’t imagined it all.”
Y/N lifted her head slightly so she could look at him, her features soft in the dim room. “You didn’t imagine it.”
He looked at her then, really looked, and his voice dropped even lower.
“Is it okay if I kiss you again?” he asked.
Her heart stuttered. “Yeah, and you can stop asking,” she said, barely above a breath. “It’s more than okay.”
He leaned in slowly, giving her the chance to change her mind, but she didn’t. She moved with him. The kiss was gentle at first, warm and careful, like it had always been waiting. And then it deepened, her hand moving up to the side of his neck, his arm wrapping fully around her to draw her closer, closer still.
The lines between comfort and craving blurred until they were tangled up in each other, breath catching, hands exploring slow and reverent. Not rushed. Not like a secret. Just two people who had waited long enough.
The kiss deepened like it had something to prove, years of waiting compressed into one slow pull of her bottom lip between his teeth, into the way her fingers curled into his shirt like she needed to hold onto something real. Mingyu’s hand slid under the hem of her top, his palm warm against the small of her back, drawing her closer, until there was no space left to bridge.
“You sure?” he murmured against her jaw, breath shaky, lips brushing just below her ear.
Y/N nodded, her voice soft but certain. “I’ve never been more sure.”
Clothes shifted, limbs tangled, breath hitched. Everything about it was patient but hungry, the kind of intimacy that felt like a long exhale after holding it in for too long. Mingyu kissed every inch of skin like it was familiar and new at the same time, like he’d dreamed about this but hadn’t let himself believe it.
She whispered his name once, maybe twice, and each time it made his hands stutter a little, made his lips press harder to her skin like he was anchoring himself there.
And when they moved together, it wasn’t frantic or messy, it was slow and deep, a conversation in movement, a quiet understanding passed between their bodies. Mingyu looked at her the whole time, awe written all over his face like he still couldn’t believe this was real.
After, they stayed close, breath mingling, fingers tracing patterns across flushed skin. Mingyu pressed a kiss to her shoulder, murmuring, “You feel like home.”
Y/N didn’t know how to answer that, so she just turned in his arms and let their legs tangle again, forehead resting against his. “Thank you.” she whispered.
Sunlight spilled into the room the next morning, golden and slow. Mingyu woke first, bleary-eyed and warm, with Y/N still wrapped around him like gravity itself had changed. Her hair was a mess, her cheek smushed against his chest, and he thought she’d never looked more beautiful.
He brushed a piece of hair from her face and kissed the top of her head. She stirred, eyes fluttering open.
“Morning,” she whispered, voice raspy.
Mingyu smiled, soft and stupid and completely gone. “Hi.”
Neither of them moved, and neither of them wanted to.
“Does it still feel different?” she asked quietly, remembering his words from the night before.
He looked down at her, eyes shining.
“Yeah,” he said. “But now it feels right.”
Y/N stretched slowly, sore in that lazy, satisfying way, blinking up at the ceiling like she couldn’t quite believe the night before had been real. She turned her head and saw Mingyu already awake beside her, propped on one elbow, watching her with a soft smile.
“Creep,” she teased, voice husky with sleep.
“You snore,” he whispered back, grinning. “But, like, really cute.”
She laughed, nudging him with her foot under the covers. He caught it, kissed her knee. It was absurd how comfortable this all felt.
Then her phone, somewhere across the room, buzzed.
And buzzed again.
And again.
Mingyu’s phone started lighting up too calls, texts, more notifications than either of them wanted to deal with before brushing their teeth.
“Should I check?” Y/N mumbled, already rolling over to peer at her screen on the nightstand.
He caught her wrist gently. “Wait. Let’s stay in this bubble a little longer. Whatever it is can wait.”
Y/N hesitated. “What if it’s, like, a real emergency?”
He sighed dramatically, dragging his arm over his face. “Fine. But if it’s just a group chat panic over breakfast bagels again, I’m revoking your phone privileges.”
She grabbed it, squinting at the messages. Two separate ones. One from last night and one from this morning, two very different energies.
[Yuqi]: how was your night?? U didn’t come home.. So..
[Seungkwan]: hey.. Well interesting news, I got a message with something you might want to see.. When you’re home, come over. Please. Also, Good Morning. 💙
She ignored the message from Yuqi and immediately texted Seungkwan back.
[Y/n]: Is everything okay?
[Seungkwan]: I’m not sure, no rush. It’s not an emergency or anything, it’s just something you want to see.
[Y/n]: okay, i’ll be home in like an hour? Maybe?
[Seungkwan]: okay, see u then.
note: omg hi. long time no see (missed u guys sm) i had a super busy end of summer/start to my semester this few months, but now things have slowed down lmao. thank goodness. but im happy to be back finishing this up. this chapter is really just he first part towards the end resolve and i'll probably have another one up by tonight or tomorrow with whatever tf is going on w/ seungkwan, which will make sense v soon. hope u all are having a good time. ily.
I don’t want pfd to end like it’s just one of the smaus I have to recommend tbh I always recommend your works because they’re just THAT GOOD omg I can’t wait to read more of your upcoming works because they just slap so hard the suspense the romance just everything it’s so beautiful <3
I hope you’re doing well!!
ilysm!! you're my fav (i've said it many times too, yk) thank u so much genuinly i look forward to seeing your replies every time. i hope you're doing good too, bb.
synopsis: y/n while in her third year at greenwood international university finally gets an opportunity to move off campus into a new complex, she has to deal with the realization that her childhood rival is her new next door neighbor.
genre/s: reader is super oblivious, fluffy, sexual themes.
content: swearing, mentions of sexual relations, some drinking& mary jane 🍃
tag list - open
word count: 11k. (please note theres writing under some of the texts too ily. 🖤)
masterlist ▸ 20. moving backwards ▸ 22. dive in, dove's in.
The rehearsal space is buzzing, folding chairs scraped across the hardwood, half-eaten pastries on a back table, DK and Joshua testing mic levels at the front, their voices echoing over each other like overlapping radio frequencies.
Y/N stepped inside, her body tense with the awareness of who’s here. Mingyu leaned against the far wall, face half-shadowed under his cap, talking low to Wonwoo. Across the room, Chaewon’s eyes flick up from her phone just long enough to clock her entrance. And Vernon, Vernon’s here too, headphones on and gaze pointedly fixed on the empty stage. No nod, no smile. The space between them might as well be oceanic.
But Seungcheol’s presence that coils around her spine the tightest. He’s laughing at something Mark just said, head tipped back slightly, arms crossed, like nothing’s wrong, like the last few nights didn’t leave them tangled up in lines they weren’t supposed to cross.
She feels like a thread pulled taut between all of them. Too many truths she doesn’t know how to say out loud. Too many silences she doesn’t know how to sit in.
“Hey, Birthday Girl” Mark says softly, stepping up beside her and bumping her arm with his. His voice is steady, kind. “Want a muffin before DK eats them all?”
She manages a soft smile. “Depends. Are they the good ones or the fake healthy ones with flax seeds?”
“They’re the lemon poppyseed,” Soonyoung adds, popping up like a ghost beside her. “And I already stole two.”
“Classic,” Seungkwan sighs, flopping into the seat next to her and tossing his phone onto his lap. “You look like you’re about to start levitating from anxiety. Breathe, Y/N. You’re not being auctioned.”
“Yet,” Soonyoung says, then winks.
Y/N lets out a breath, actually laughs. It’s small and shaky but real. Mark offers her one of the muffins, actually the good kind and the warm pressure of the three of them settling around her creates just enough of a buffer to ease the tightness in her chest.
She knows she should look at Vernon. Mingyu has been awkwardly staring at her for the last five minutes. Seungcheol hasn’t said a word, but his laugh rings a little too loudly whenever she gets close.
And Chaewon… Chaewon is smiling at her phone again, tapping the screen. Like she’s not sitting in a room full of barely-simmering wreckage.
She bites into the muffin and decides she’ll deal with it later. For now, she leans into Soonyoung’s shoulder, let's Mark make some dumb joke about DK’s show-host voice, and watches the chaos of the auction prep unfold around her like it’s a play and not her actual, unraveling life.
“Okay, someone’s definitely gonna trip on this stage and I hope it’s Vernon,” Seungkwan declares, stretching his legs across two folding chairs like he owns the place.
“Your vendetta against Vernon is so 2022,” Soonyoung says with a mouth full of muffin. “Let it go.”
“I don’t have a vendetta,” Seungkwan replies quickly. “I have taste. And memory. Which is different.”
Y/N snorts, the laugh catching her by surprise. It’s the kind of dumb back-and-forth she usually lets wash over her, but today it feels like a life raft. She presses her thumb into the ridges of the muffin wrapper, grounding herself. Every nerve in her body is on alert, Seungcheol brushing past her on his way to grab a coffee cup and heavily poured the wine Y/n brought in. Mingyu’s gaze flicking toward her then away again, Chaewon still typing something quietly like she’s outside of the tension entirely. Untouchable. Above it.
And Vernon, sitting two rows ahead, jaw clenched beneath his over-ear headphones, not once turning around.
“Still with me?” Mark’s voice cuts through, soft. He doesn’t crowd her, never does, but there’s a warmth to him that’s always made Y/N feel like she could sit in silence and still be seen.
She nods. “Yes, just soaking in the disaster.”
“We’ll call it a soft disaster,” Soonyoung offers, tapping the back of her hand. “There’s wine. That makes it manageable.”
“And you're not the one being auctioned off,” Seungkwan adds. “I’m already planning my fake bidder. I can’t have some stranger winning me and discovering my skincare routine out of context.”
Y/N smiles, and it hurts a little because it’s real. “You’re the only person I know who would sabotage a charity event to keep your beauty secrets. Plus, you’re the clear frontrunner.”
“Someone has to have standards,” Seungkwan replies with a shrug.
“Let me guess,” Soonyoung says, turning to Y/N. “You’re pretending everything’s fine while internally screaming?”
She hesitates. Blinks. “That obvious?”
“It’s giving a repressed spiral,” he says, not unkindly. “But it's hot.”
That earns another laugh from her and a sideways glance toward the people she's avoiding or the one’s avoiding her. There’s still a faint echo of Seungcheol’s fingertips brushing her lips from the night before, a ghost of his voice in her ear when he lit the joint and whispered something that wasn’t quite teasing.
She shuts it all out and turns back to her safe trio.
“You guys know you’re like, the only normal people in this room, right?”
Mark smiles. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me all day.”
“You’re welcome,” she says, voice quieter now. “I didn’t realize how much I needed to be around people who weren’t pretending.”
“Who says we’re not pretending?” Seungkwan quips, then leans in dramatically. “I’m actually emotionally unwell and fueled entirely by spite and espresso.”
“Same,” Soonyoung says. “But I’m really good at compartmentalizing.”
“Mark?”
“I’m the emotionally stable one,” he says with an exaggerated peace sign.
“That tracks,” Y/N mutters.
She takes a breath, lets it fill her up slowly. For now, the mess is still distant. For now, it’s just voices, wine, the clatter of mic checks and the comforting chaos of three boys who let her breathe.
She doesn’t know how long the moment will last, but she knows she needs it. Desperately.
The corners of her lips are still curled when another chair scrapes against the floor beside her.
“Didn’t realize the cool kids were all hiding back here.”
Mingyu.
Y/N freezes for just a second, barely noticeable, probably, but her heartbeat trips over itself. He smells like clean laundry and aftershave, and she hates how instinctively her body reacts to him. She hasn’t seen him much since her disastrous ride home from her parents or really even spoken to him since their phone call when he popped the question of a date.
“Hey, Y/n. Happy Birthday.” he adds, softer now, his voice just for her.
Mark leans back in his seat, suddenly more alert. Soonyoung stops chewing. Even Seungkwan, bless his dramatic little heart, still goes on like he can feel the temperature shift.
Y/N doesn’t look at Mingyu. Not yet. “Didn’t know you were even coming today.”
“I figured I’d better come rehearse at least once,” he says casually, stretching his long legs out. “Support the cause. Flirt with the volunteers.”
Soonyoung fake-gags.
Seungkwan recovers quickly. “Well, you just missed your chance with me. I’m exclusively dating people with blood sugar issues now.”
Mingyu laughs, easy and low, but his eyes are still on Y/N. “Damn. Always late.”
“Story of your life,” she says before she can stop herself.
His smile falters. Just slightly. “You okay?”
“I’m great.” She finally looks at him, smiling razor-thin. “We’re doing group therapy through wine. You should try it.”
Mark bumps his shoulder lightly against hers, barely there, just enough to remind her he’s on her side. She’s grateful for it.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Mingyu says, but he doesn’t get up. Doesn’t move.
“You didn’t,” she lies.
“I bought a few more bottles, if anyone wants some more.” He gestures to the drinks tray he set on the edge of the table.
“Well, I’d be a bad person turning it down, right?” Seungkwan asks, already reaching.
Y/N lets the banter swirl around her, but her body’s tense now. Every laugh feels a little too loud, every silence a little too long. Mingyu’s presence throws the balance off just enough to remind her what she’s trying to forget: that her chest still twists when he looks at her like that. That she still doesn’t know where they stand.
She glances toward the stage. Seungcheol there, headphones around his neck, scribbling something down in a notepad.
And Chaewon, not far behind him, casually scrolling through her phone.
Y/N leans back in her chair and takes a sip of the drink Mingyu set down for her without asking. Her favorite thing. Of course it is.
From somewhere near the front, a voice cuts through the scattered conversations.
“Alright!” DK’s bright voice echoes across the room, cheerful but commanding. “We’re getting started in five, so if y’all could wrap up your very important matchmaking circles and head toward the stage, that’d be super sexy.”
A few laughs ripple through the room.
“Chaewon, mic check with Joshua?”
“On it,” Chaewon replies crisply, sliding off the armrest of a couch she’s been half-perched on. Her eyes flit briefly toward Y/N’s corner, a small smile. She doesn’t approach.
Y/N uses the shift in movement as an excuse to get up. She brushes her hands on her jeans and looks at Soonyoung, Seungkwan, and Mark.
“I’m thriving,” Soonyoung says, mouth full of cookies.
Mark flashes her a soft grin. “Want me to walk with you?”
She hesitates. Mingyu’s still beside her. So is the weight of everything that hasn’t been said. “No, I’m good,” she says quickly. “I should probably check in with Joshua anyway.”
She makes her way across the room, weaving through folding chairs and camera cords. She feels Mingyu’s eyes on her as she walks. And not far from the stage, Seungcheol finally glances her way giving her a wave and a big wink.
It’s brief. Barely a beat, but she knew what he meant, he didn’t even have to say it.
Joshua stands with a clipboard in hand, half-laughing as Chaewon fiddles with a mic pack on his back.
“Y/N,” he says, pleased, when he sees her. “Perfect timing. I was gonna ask if you’d be willing to help run timing cues and maybe keep the boys from—” he gestures loosely toward a corner where Soonyoung and Seungkwan are now play-wrestling, “—breaking their limbs.”
Y/N smiles. “Yeah, I’ve got you.”
Chaewon turns just slightly, eyes flicking over her. “ Y/n, hey, Happy Birthday first of all. Second of all I was meaning to ask if you’re okay to help backstage later too? There's a few segments that might run long, and I trust you more than, like… Wonwoo with a walkie.”
“Hey,” Wonwoo mutters from somewhere near the soundboard.
Y/N nods. “Thanks, but yeah, of course. Just tell me where you need me.”
Chaewon gives her a crisp smile, polite, almost too polished, but she looked hurt, her eyes heavier than Y/b has even seen her.
It’s strange. Everything is functioning. Everyone is doing what they’re supposed to. But Y/N feels like she’s standing in the middle of a glass box, watching herself interact from the outside. Her smile fits, her voice works, but it’s all a little offbeat.
Her phone buzzes.
A message from Vernon.
“Hey. We good?”
She doesn’t answer it. Not yet.
The stage lights buzz to life, flooding the front of the room in soft gold. Joshua hops up with a theatrical flair, holding a cue card dramatically in one hand.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he says, voice echoing over the speakers, “and everyone in between, welcome to the inaugural rehearsal of the Bachelors With Purpose charity auction. Remember, all proceeds go to a good cause. Mostly me never having to work with Soonyoung’s improv again.”
“Fucking rude!” Soonyoung yells from the wings, already standing in a spotlight he was not called to.
Y/N finds herself smiling despite everything. She slides into a seat by the stage, clipboard resting on her lap, ready to time segments. The comfort of logistics helps, counting seconds, managing order, staying useful.
Mark plops into the seat beside her, whispering, “This is either going to be the most entertaining fundraiser or a complete disaster.”
“Both,” she whispers back.
The first round is light: a trial run with Seungkwan as a sample auctionee.
DK’s voice rises with mock enthusiasm: “Next up is Seungkwan! He sings! He dances! He cries during The Bear!”
Seungkwan steps forward, over-dramatic, blowing kisses to the empty audience chairs. “My talents include memorizing everyone’s coffee orders and surviving having agonizing conversations about movies with Vernon.”
“Hey.” Vernon calls from off-stage, holding a foam prop he’s clearly going to throw at him.
Y/N laughs before she can stop herself. For a moment, everything’s warm and easy.
But then her eyes flick toward the edge of the stage, where Mingyu is leaning against a column, arms crossed, watching her with unreadable calm. His smile when their eyes meet is soft. Subtle. Knowing.
Seungcheol steps up next for his run-through. And it’s like the air shifts.
Joshua lifts the mic. “We now present — the one and only — Seungcheol. He builds things, breaks hearts, and probably has a Spotify playlist called “Sad Boy Autumn.’”
Laughter from the team. Y/N watches as Seungcheol takes center stage, slightly bashful but composed. He adjusts the mic, then looks out across the room and his eyes land on her. Just for a second. And then he smirks and looks away.
Mingyu makes his way toward her seat a little while later, slipping into the row behind her. “You didn’t laugh at my test line,” he murmurs, teasingly. “I said I was donating my time, charm, and possibly my abs.”
“You didn’t have the mic,” she says, dry.
He leans in a little. “You’d rather I keep the charm to myself?”
Before she can respond, Seungcheol walks past them again, this time toward the side lighting rig and Y/N feels a shift. Mingyu does too. There’s something tense in the line of his shoulders as he straightens back up, jaw set.
“Do you want to help me figure out some good lines or something later? My coach literally a fucking snooze fest, she told me to pick a girl from the audience and slow dance with her to a Taylor swift song.” Mingyu asks, louder now. “Which ultimately I considered, because I know Yuqi would fucking barf.”
Y/N blinks. “Lines?”
“You know what I mean. If I say something stupid when I’m up there like, ‘I love dogs’ and then someone says ‘but cats are better’ and I panic.”
Y/N raises a brow, suspicious. “Are you planning on turning your auction set into a debate?”
“I’m just saying… I’d be less panicked if you were coaching me.”
She doesn’t know what to say. Part of her wants to say yes. The other part of her is still stuck on Seungcheol’s glance. On the way the room shifts when they’re near each other. On the fact that every little thing feels loaded lately like she’s constantly at the edge of saying something she can’t take back.
“Alright,” DK says from the mic, “next up — we’ve got a mock duo round, just for fun. Two for one. Let’s say the radio station wants to auction off double dates. Or chaos.”
Wonwoo raises a brow. “That’s not in the script.”
“I am the script,” DK replies.
Joshua jumps in. “Mingyu. Seungcheol. You’re up. Show us how it’s done.”
There’s a pause.
Mingyu, leaning against a folding chair, looks toward Y/N first, then pushes himself up and walks toward the stage. “Sure.”
Seungcheol follows more slowly. Not hesitant. Just careful. Watching.
Y/N shifts in her seat, suddenly tense.
The two of them stand side-by-side in the light. Close, but not comfortably. The kind of close that feels like a test.
“Okay,” DK says, grinning, oblivious. “Pretend someone just bid on the two of you for a private dinner. Give me your pitch.”
Mingyu looks over at Seungcheol, then turns to the room. “You’d be getting a night with two guys who could build you a house and fix your kitchen sink. Might argue over the blueprint though.”
A few people laugh.
Seungcheol doesn’t. His tone is even. “I wouldn’t argue. I’d just fix whatever you mess up.”
More laughter — but sharper this time. Even Joshua sits up.
Mingyu’s smile flattens. “Wouldn’t want to overstep. I know you’ve got experience in telling people what to do.”
“Only when they pretend they don’t know what they’re doing.”
The silence that follows is immediate.
Soonyoung whispers to Seungkwan, “Are they still in character?”
“Pretty sure this is the character,” Seungkwan mutters.
Y/N feels the heat crawl up her neck. She wants to disappear. She wants them to stop. She wants to scream.
Before anyone can speak again, Chaewon claps her hands. “Okay! Let’s call it here for the night.”
Everyone files out in loose groups, the earlier buzz now muted. Joshua jokes quietly with DK. Soonyoung’s texting someone. Chaewon’s already on her phone with a sponsor, voice brisk and professional.
Y/N lingers by the side door, wrapping her sweater tighter around herself. She hadn’t even remembered it was her birthday today. Not really. Not with everything else.
“Hey.”
She turns.
Vernon.
He’s got his hands in his coat pockets, curls tucked under his beanie, face calm as ever, but his eyes hold something quieter. Something she can’t name.
“Happy birthday,” he says.
Her breath catches. “You remembered.”
He shrugs. “Of course I did.”
From his pocket, he pulls out a small, unevenly wrapped package. No card. Just black tissue and a silver ribbon.
She takes it gently. “What is it?”
“Open it later,” he says, smiling just a little. “Didn’t want to make a thing of it. But, I figured you’d need something nice today.”
Y/N swallows. There’s so much she could say. So much she wishes they’d talked about sooner.
Instead, she just nods. “Thanks, Vern.”
He walks backward toward the sidewalk, slow, hesitant like he wants to stay.
“We’ll talk later,” he says, softer this time.
She watches him go, the gift in her hands. She doesn’t even realize she’s clutching it until it starts to crinkle.
Five minutes later, Seungkwan and Soonyoung pulled up in a rideshare, Seungkwan dramatically rolling down the window like it was a limo.
“Your chariot awaits, birthday princess,” he called, sunglasses far too big for his face.
“Where are you kidnapping me first?” she asked, sliding in.
“Nope, we’re not telling you” Soonyoung said, cracking open a can of something suspiciously fruity. “Just trust the process.”
Their first stop was a bright, over-decorated dive bar that served alcoholic slushies in absurd flavors and even more absurd cups, Y/N’s was a neon green drink called Freaky Frog Friday served in a boot-shaped cup. Seungkwan insisted on Blue Meltdown and Soonyoung got Cherry Hot Lips, because of course he did.
Two slushies in, Y/N was giggling with the two boys running into the first boutique they saw.
“Should we get dressed up and go to the weird dive bar later?” Y/n looked between the two of them Seungkwan’s eyes sparkling either from the alcohol or all the silk fabric draping around the room, he ran through the racks trying to find the perfect thing for Y/n to try on.
“What about this?” He pulled out a black mini skirt and a matching top that was way more revealing than anything Y/n has probably ever worn, twirling it towards them.
Y/n’s eyes opened wide. “The fuck. Where is the rest of the fabric?”
Soonyoung gasped like she’d just revealed state secrets. “That is exactly what your enemies would hate you for.”
“Which means,” Seungkwan said, sipping his straw pointedly, “you literally have to buy it.”
“You guys are being way too fucking nice it’s suspicious,” Y/N said, narrowing her eyes.
“We’re always nice,” Soonyoung said, grinning.
“But today we’re suspiciously nice,” Seungkwan added, “because it’s your birthday and we actually like you, even if we act emotionally unavailable.”
She stared at them, suspicious but soft. “There’s something going on.”
“Nope,” they said in unison, completely lying.
“No, come on. Spill the beans.” Y/n set the leaned back on the rack and crossed her arms, flicking her eyes between the two of them.
Soonyoung just laughed, “There are no beans to spill, we just wanted to treat you on your birthday, especially since we know you weren’t really feeling it this year. We just wanted you to have a perfect day, well night, same thing.”
“Yeah, you mean a lot to us. So we’re literally just here to buy you things and hype you up,” Seungkwan smirked, handing Y/n the outfit he picked for her, “Now take your cute ass inside the fitting room and try it on, thank you.”
Y/N stared at the tiny scraps of black fabric draped over her arm, still narrowing her eyes at the two of them.
“You’re both way too coordinated with your lies,” she muttered, but the edges of her mouth curled up anyway.
Soonyoung raised his slushie like a wine glass. “To being deeply suspicious and incredibly charming.”
Seungkwan clinked his cup to Soonyoung’s with a nod. “And to our birthday girl, whose trust issues we completely understand.”
Y/N shook her head, laughing under her breath as she ducked into the fitting room, the heavy velvet curtain brushing behind her.
Inside, the outfit fit better than she expected, maybe a little too well. It was flirty, bold, a little unlike her. But she didn’t hate how she looked. In fact, she looked kind of hot. The kind of hot that would make people stare. Or regret. Or confess.
“Are you alive in there?” Seungkwan called, knocking twice.
She exhaled, one last glance in the mirror before pulling the curtain aside.
Their reactions were immediate. Soonyoung's jaw dropped. Seungkwan clutched his chest like he’d been shot.
“I’m calling the fucking cops,” Seungkwan said.
Soonyoung just blinked. “Wait… This is potentially the best you’ve ever looked, like you always look good, but this is… Damn.”
Y/N smiled slowly, her confidence catching up with her body. “You think?”
“You’re going to emotionally destroy someone tonight,” Seungkwan confirmed. “Like, minimum one person. Hopefully someone who deserves it.”
“Okay, well, if this was your evil plan all along, it’s working.”
“No evil,” Soonyoung said, slinging an arm around her shoulders. “Just us. And you, looking criminally hot.”
Y/N raised an eyebrow. “Still don’t believe there’s not a bigger scheme.”
Seungkwan’s voice got a little softer. “Swear there’s not. We just figured… After everything this week, you deserve to feel good again. Like, really fucking good. Even if it’s just for one night.”
That gave her pause, the kind of pause that meant her throat tightened just a little and she had to blink too much.
“Thank you, I love you guys.” she said quietly.
“Don’t get sentimental on us now,” Seungkwan warned, fanning himself. “You’ll ruin your eyeliner.”
They paid, Y/n not changing out of the outfit they put her in, plus a few more accessories they all agreed on, carrying their bags. Talking loud and a little wobbly from their slushies, and headed out onto the street, the city buzzing as the sun began to dip. Everything felt golden. Light. Like things might be okay for a second.
In the car, Y/N leaned her head back, watching the sky blur past, her friends bickering on each side of her over which playlist to put on.
She wasn’t sure what they had planned, but maybe that was the whole point.
The sky was soaked in orange and lavender by the time they pulled up in front of her apartment building. Everything looked deceptively normal. Too normal.
“Wait,” Y/N said, squinting at the quiet entrance. “We’re really just going to the dive bar? You didn’t change your minds?”
Seungkwan shrugged, suspiciously casual. “I forgot my ID, so we’re swinging by to grab it first.”
“You forget your fucking ID the same way people forget to breathe,” she muttered, but followed them through the doors anyway.
In the elevator, she leaned against the mirrored wall, fixing her hair in the reflection. Her outfit still felt like borrowed confidence, but now, she didn’t want to give it back.
She caught Soonyoung and Seungkwan exchanging a glance in the mirror.
“You two are acting like we’re about to rob a bank.”
“Honestly,” Soonyoung said, clearing his throat, “I would commit crimes for you tonight. You look that good.”
Y/N rolled her eyes, but her heart felt warm. Even if she couldn’t shake the sense that something was off.
Then the elevator stopped.
Not on their floor.
On the rooftop.
The button was already glowing.
“What the—” she started, but the doors slid open before she could finish.
It was dark at first, until—
“Surprise!”
A cheer rang out, followed by applause and whistles and laughter as string lights illuminated the rooftop space. The scent of grilled food, candles, and something sweet hit her all at once.
Her eyes widened as the scene came into view, fairy lights strung between the railings, old photos clipped to wire displays, a table of drinks, and almost every person she knew standing there smiling at her.
Yuqi pushed her way to the front, holding a cupcake with one very crooked candle jammed in the center. “Happy birthday, bitch,” she grinned, eyes shining. “You didn’t really think we were going to let you skip celebrating, did you?”
Y/N blinked a few times, overwhelmed and frozen.
Seungkwan gently pushed her forward. “Go. Let them love you.”
Soonyoung whispered, “You can cry, but not too much or your makeup will run and I didn’t buy that shirt for nothing.”
She stepped forward slowly, breath catching as someone turned the speaker up. A playlist, her playlist, spilled into the air. The rooftop glowed with soft golds and deep purples from the sky above.
Someone handed her a drink. Someone else hugged her. Mingyu waved from across the space, standing near Mark and a few others from the radio station. She saw Seungcheol leaning against the railing, eyes already on her, unreadable but present.
And even in the thick of it, even in the flood of noise and love and light, Y/N felt it.
That something was shifting. But she smiled anyway. Because this, right here, this moment, was hers.
The rooftop felt like it had been pulled from a different universe, one where nothing had gone wrong, no one had kissed the wrong person, and Y/N’s only concern was making sure her drink stayed full and her heels stayed on.
She bounced between groups, letting herself be passed from hug to hug like a birthday gift herself. Jeonghan and Wonwoo had shown up late with a ridiculous oversized card filled with inside jokes and doodles. Mark handed her a shot and said, “For being the glue,” before immediately handing her another and saying, “And for being unhinged, in the best way.”
She laughed until her stomach hurt with Seungkwan and Soonyoung as they dragged her into an impromptu dance-off to Britney Spears: Deep Cuts Edition.
It was messy. It was fun. It was exactly what she didn’t realize she needed.
She felt loved.
And a little invincible.
It wasn’t until her third trip to the snack table that she noticed how certain people orbited each other at awkward distances. Chaewon was across the space, deep in conversation with Joshua and DK. Vernon lingered by the drinks, every so often glancing over but not approaching. Mingyu, all tall and radiant, had a laugh too loud and too easy, like he was trying too hard to not look like he was watching her.
And Seungcheol…
He hadn’t moved much.
He’d spoken to a few people, gave her a quick smile when she’d arrived, but otherwise, he stayed leaning against the railing, watching the chaos unfold with quiet eyes and a drink he barely touched.
Y/N was halfway through a light cocktail when Yuqi’s voice suddenly rang out, louder than it should have been.
“Okay, okay, everyone shut the hell up for like two seconds.”
The rooftop buzz thinned out. Everyone turned.
Yuqi stood near the center now, awkwardly holding a solo cup like it was a microphone.
“I wasn’t going to do a speech because Y/N hates those,” she started, and already Y/N wanted to crawl into the floor. “But then I remembered that since I was literally her first friend when she came to school I know every dirty detail about her, and if there’s one person who can embarrass her legally, it’s me.”
A few cheers. Someone yelled, “Let her cook!”
Yuqi rolled her eyes. “No, but seriously, Y/N has been through hell lately. And not like dramatic hell, like actual flaming, secret-exposing, almost-lost-all-her-friends hell.”
That got a couple of uneasy laughs. Y/N froze.
“But through all of it, she’s still shown up for everyone. Even when she shouldn’t have had to. And I don’t say that lightly, she’s stubborn, she’s emotionally constipated, and she doesn’t let people love her nearly enough. But she’s one of the best people I know.”
A beat passed.
“I’m not going to pretend we haven’t all messed up,” Yuqi added, a little softer now, “but I hope this proves something, that she’s still got people in her corner. And that corner is fucking full.”
The group erupted in applause, a little unsure, a little too much, like no one was sure whether to clap for the speech or the person it was about.
Y/N tried to smile. It was a little watery. She wasn’t sure if it was the drink or the truth hitting her square in the chest.
As the music came back and the group began to break apart again, Y/N ducked away for just a second slipping past the table and into the quieter corner of the rooftop, trying to get some air.
She needed a second. But someone else was already waiting there.
Chaewon.
Sitting on the ledge, nursing a soda like it might explode. They locked eyes. And for the first time in weeks, neither of them looked away.
The music was a soft thump behind them, like a heartbeat they were both ignoring. Y/N hovered by the ledge, not sitting, not leaving. Just there.
Chaewon didn’t look up right away. She took a sip of her soda and let out a little sigh.
“You know this wasn’t how I imagined talking to you again,” she said quietly. “I thought maybe we’d run into each other at a coffee shop. Like, neutral ground. Fluorescent lighting. A buffer of overpriced lattes.”
Y/N let out a breath that wasn’t quite a laugh.
“This party isn’t exactly neutral,” she replied.
“Nope.” Chaewon glanced around. “This is very much nuclear.”
Silence settled for a second. Not tense. Just old. Familiar. Heavy.
“I didn’t know if I should say anything,” Chaewon continued, her voice barely above the music. “You looked happy when you got here. And I figured the last thing you needed was me ruining it.”
“You’re not ruining it,” Y/N said. Her voice cracked slightly, surprising even herself. “Just throwing in a curveball. Feels on brand, for both of us really.”
That stung. She saw it land, right there in Chaewon’s tightened jaw. But Chaewon didn’t fight it. She nodded.
“I deserve that.”
More silence.
Y/N finally sat beside her. Not close. But not far either. She looked straight ahead, toward the skyline, all glittering city lights and everything that felt bigger than her feelings.
“I don’t know what to say to you,” she admitted.
Chaewon picked at the label on her soda bottle. “I don’t expect you to say anything. Honestly, I wouldn’t know what to say either if I were you.”
They sat like that for a minute.
“I miss you, though” Chaewon said finally, barely above a whisper. “And I know that doesn’t fix anything. But I do.”
Y/N felt something in her chest twist. Because she did too. And she hated that.
“People keep lying to me,” she said, more to the sky than to Chaewon. “And every time I start to think I’m okay, it’s like another secret slips out and reminds me I’m just the last to know everything.”
Chaewon didn’t argue. Just let the words hang.
“I never wanted to be part of that,” she said. “I was your friend first. And I didn’t mean for any of it to get so…” Her voice cracked. “Complicated.”
“You could’ve just told me,” Y/N said, quieter this time. “Or said something when everything started falling apart.”
“I know.” Chaewon finally looked at her. “I’m trying now.”
They locked eyes, and it was quiet in the most painful, truthful way.
Y/N let out a slow breath.
“Trying is better than nothing,” she murmured.
They didn’t hug. No dramatic tears or grand forgiveness.
But they sat there, shoulder to shoulder, watching the city.
Footsteps padded over the gravel rooftop behind them. Not rushed. Not loud. Just… sure.
Chaewon glanced up first, and Y/N followed her gaze just in time to see Mingyu approaching.
He hesitated when he spotted them. His usual lopsided grin faltered for a second, but he pushed forward anyway, hands stuffed awkwardly into the pockets of his black trousers. His sleeves were rolled to the elbows, and his hair looked like he’d run his fingers through it too many times trying to say something he hadn’t yet figured out.
“Oh, shit. Sorry,” he said, stopping a few feet away. “Didn’t mean to interrupt anything.”
“You’re not,” Y/N said, her voice more even than she expected. “We’re good.”
Chaewon stood a beat later, brushing invisible lint off her jeans. “I should go help Mark wrangle Seungkwan before he grabs the mic again. He’s dangerously close to telling that story about freshman year and the trampoline.”
Y/N cracked a small smile. “God forbid.”
Chaewon gave her a look that meant something, maybe “thank you,” maybe “we’ll talk again.” And then she was gone, slipping back into the warm glow of the party lights.
Mingyu lingered in her space for a moment, then slowly dropped down next to her, mirroring the way she sat.
“Didn’t think I’d find you here,” he said softly.
“Didn’t think anyone would look.”
“Please. I always look.”
It hung there, heavier than it should’ve. Y/N tilted her head to glance at him.
He smiled a little, but it didn’t quite meet his eyes. “Are you doing okay?”
“Define ‘okay,’” she said, stretching her legs out in front of her.
Mingyu chuckled quietly. “Fair enough.”
They were quiet for a moment. The music below was muffled now, just a thrum under the still night air.
“You look good,” he said finally, turning to face her fully. “The skirt is doing heavy lifting, but the face is carrying the team.”
She gave him a dry look, but it warmed quickly into a reluctant laugh.
“You’re such a dork.”
“I try.”
There was a pause. And then—
“I meant what I said on the phone the other night,” he added, his voice gentler. “About wanting to take you out. Not just because of the deal we made, but because I want to.”
Y/N looked down at her shoes. “I know.”
“You don’t have to say yes now. Or at all. I just figured with everything going on, you should at least have someone who wants to make you feel special.”
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak yet.
He nudged her shoulder gently. “Plus, we both know the Dove Inn’s food slaps.”
That made her laugh. Really laughing this time, her head falling back.
“Fine. Dinner,” she said, pointing at him. “But you’re not allowed to psychoanalyze me over appetizers.”
“No promises.”
They sat like that a moment longer. And just when it was starting to feel easy again—
Her phone buzzed.
Then his.
They both reached for their phones at the same time, glancing down at the screens.
Another drama page post.
Y/N didn’t open it yet. Her fingers hovered. She looked at Mingyu, who was already frowning down at his screen.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered.
Her chest tightened.
But she hasn't read it yet. Not yet.
“You keep checking your phone,” Mingyu said, nudging her knee with his.
“Because it won’t stop buzzing,” she muttered, setting it down beside her.
“Okay,” he said, scooping it up before she could protest, “ten minutes. Just ten. You don’t get to think about anyone else right now.”
She blinked at him, halfway to annoyed and halfway to smiling.
“Seriously?”
He held it out of reach. “I’m invoking birthday immunity. It’s a real thing.”
“And what exactly happens during this immunity?”
He didn’t answer. Not right away. Instead, he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a folded receipt from the bar, smoothing it across his palm.
“You said once you liked when things feel unplanned but still thoughtful,” he said. “So I wrote a list while you were talking to Chaewon at the bar, the other night. Just dumb stuff I want to do with you.”
Y/N’s stomach flipped. “What kind of dumb stuff?”
Mingyu read aloud from the back of the receipt:
“Get matching socks.”
“Try to cook something you’ll hate and pretend you like it.”
“Take you to a museum just so we can make fun of the weird portraits.”
“Kiss you outside The Dove Inn like we’re in a romcom and someone’s watching from a window.”
She was quiet. The kind of quiet that made her feel warm and a little dizzy.
“That’s not dumb, it’s actually really sweet.” she said softly.
He looked at her, his voice quieter now too. “I don’t know what’s going on with everything. But I meant it when I said I wanted to be the one who showed up.”
Y/N didn’t know what to say. But the smile tugging at her mouth said enough.
Mingyu held out her phone then, like a peace offering. “Ten minutes are up. But if you don’t want to read whatever it is yet, you don’t have to.”
She looked down at the screen, still dark in her hand.
Y/N tipped the cup back only to find it nearly empty, the last bit of slush melting into syrup at the bottom.
She held it up between them. “Tragic. I’m gonna need a refill before this becomes a crime scene.”
Mingyu grinned, taking it from her hand like it was a mission. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered.”
“Do you, though?”
“Always.”
And there was something so easy in the way he said it that made her chest ache just a little. Not in a bad way, in a way that reminded her what it was like to be chosen gently, without a catch.
As they made their way back toward the louder part of the roof, laughter and music swelling around them again, Y/N felt like she was floating, a strange calm washing over her that she hadn’t felt in weeks. She wasn’t ready for it to end.
But she also didn’t want to pull away from it too fast.
Mingyu headed off to the makeshift drink table, leaving her behind in the soft glow of the string lights for just a moment. Y/N exhaled, pressing her palms against the cool metal railing. Behind her, she heard Seungkwan yelling something about a karaoke mic and Soonyoung demanding a dance battle. Everything was still spinning, still messy, but for now, it felt kind of like magic.
Her phone buzzed in her bag again, a tiny vibration against her side. She didn’t check it.
Back in the thick of it, someone yelled something about beer pong, and suddenly there was a rush of movement, red solo cups being arranged, ping pong balls being hunted down from under couches and behind planters.
The table was chaos in the best way, cheers, hoots, someone yelling about a redemption shot. But when Seungcheol stepped up beside Y/N with a smirk and said, “You and me,” the noise dipped just slightly. Enough for a few heads to turn.
“Oh, we’re doing this?” she asked, arms crossed, already smiling. There was an edge to her voice, teasing, knowing. She stepped into place across the table from their opponents, brushing shoulders with him as they sized up the cups.
Seungcheol slid into her side like it was the most natural thing in the world. He already had two cups in his hands, one for her. “I’ve been carrying this party on my back. Don’t embarrass me.”
She raised a brow, taking the cup and trying not to smile too obviously. “That’s rich, coming from someone who couldn’t hit a single shot at Soonyoung’s birthday.”
“Please,” he scoffed, bumping her shoulder with his. “That table was slanted. Everyone knows it.”
“Uh-huh. Keep making excuses. I’ll just carry you this time.”
“Oh, she’s cocky tonight,” Seungcheol said to no one in particular, grinning as he handed her a ping pong ball. “Let’s go then, birthday girl. Show me what you’ve got.”
Seungcheol leaned in, a low whisper against her ear: “If we lose, you owe me dinner.”
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t fight the grin. “You’d throw the game for a free meal?”
“Only if you’re paying. But I have faith in us.” He winked. “We’ve always made a good team.”
Y/N shot first, and landed it. Of course.
Seungcheol let out a loud, dramatic gasp and clutched his heart like he’d just witnessed a miracle. “Hell yes!” he shouted, dropping to one knee before cracking up and hopping back to his feet.
Across the patio, Seungkwan sipped his drink slowly, watching with narrowed eyes.
“Is this… is this happening?” he muttered mostly to himself.
Soonyoung leaned toward him without looking away from the game. “I’m pretty sure it’s always been happening.”
“Oh my god.”
Seungkwan didn’t say anything more, but his eyes followed every glance, every brush of Seungcheol’s hand on Y/N’s waist when she leaned over the table, every soft grin that passed between them when their fingers touched over the ping pong ball.
They were winning, naturally. Seungcheol fist-pumped when he sank the last shot and immediately pulled Y/N in for a celebratory hug, lifting her slightly off the ground before setting her down gently.
When she laughed and looked up at him, just for a moment, it was like no one else was there.
Someone shouted “Rematch!” but she was already stepping back, cheeks flushed, her voice light: “I need a refill. And maybe a bathroom.”
She didn’t look at anyone in particular as she walked inside. But behind her, Seungkwan turned to Soonyoung with a long sigh.
“This is going to be a fucking mess.”
Across the patio, Mingyu had just arrived with fresh drinks in hand, only to stop short when he saw Seungcheol still smiling toward the door Y/N had disappeared through. His expression slipped, just a little.
He didn’t say anything. Just passed a drink to Soonyoung and took a long sip of his own.
The bathroom was dimly lit, cooler than the rest of the rooftop, and mercifully quiet. Y/N leaned against the sink for a second, the beat of the music muffled behind the walls, just letting herself breathe. Her drink was half-finished and she could still taste the syrupy sweetness of it on her tongue.
She hadn’t checked her phone since the beer pong game, she hadn’t needed to. Between Soonyoung, Seungkwan, Seungcheol, and Mingyu fluttering in and out of her orbit, it was easy to get caught up.
But now, alone with nothing but the hum of the overhead fan and the faint laughter outside, she finally opened it.
Five notifications.
Three from the group chat, Yuqi sending a photo of Mark mid-dance, captioned “literally who let him cook”, a meme from Soonyoung, and someone saying “Y/N WHERE R U I MISS U” in all caps.
But the other two were private messages.
From: campustea_unfiltered 8:42 PM
Hope you’re having a good birthday 💋
8:47 AM
Just wondering how it feels watching him flirt with someone else at your party. Would love your thoughts 😇
Y/N blinked at the screen, her breath catching in her throat. Her thumb hovered, then reluctantly tapped into the account.
The message was followed by a blurry zoomed-in photo. Not damning, not explicit, but Seungcheol standing with a girl near the bar, angled toward her. The girl looked like she was laughing, her hand brushing his arm. The body language was suggestive, the framing deliberate.
Her stomach sank.
She stared at the photo for longer than she meant to, heart thudding loud in her ears. It wasn’t proof of anything, not really. She knew that. Seungcheol hadn’t even looked interested earlier. But seeing it like this, filtered through someone else’s lens, twisted into a narrative she couldn’t control, it made her feel like the ground under her was slowly tipping sideways.
There was a knock on the door. Someone is waiting. She didn’t move. She just turned the phone face-down on the edge of the sink and looked at herself in the mirror.
Her lips were smudged. Her eyeliner faded a little. Her birthday outfit looked good, and she’d been having fun. But something behind her eyes, tired. Wary.
She blinked, hard.
Then stood up straighter, picked up her phone, and walked out.
Y/N pushed the bathroom door open, back into the buzz of the hallway, but she didn’t step forward.
Seungkwan was already standing there.
Hands on his hips. Eyebrows arched. “Girl.”
She blinked. “What?”
He didn’t even let her finish blinking. “You’ve been gone for ten minutes. Mark started a conga line. Yuqi tried to kiss everyone on the cheek. Mingyu went looking for you with the most worried boyfriend energy I’ve ever seen. And Seungcheol lost four straight rounds of flip cup because he was too busy glancing at the bathroom door every thirty seconds.”
Y/N opened her mouth to say something, she wasn’t sure what, but Seungkwan just shook his head and closed the space between them.
He looked at her like he was trying to read more than what she was saying. “What happened?”
“Nothing,” she lied automatically.
“I know something is up. You dipped, and I knew it wasn’t just to pee.”
She sighed, eyes softening slightly. “I’m fine.”
“Yeah, no offense, babe, but you look not fine. You’ve got your ‘I’m about to dissociate in public’ face on. That’s usually my thing.”
She let out a quiet laugh, but it didn’t quite land. Seungkwan stepped closer, tilting his head to try and catch her gaze.
“So? What happened?”
Y/N held out her phone wordlessly, letting him read the DMs.
He skimmed them once. Then again. And on the third pass, his expression shifted from playful concern to full protective fury.
“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” he muttered, jaw tightening. “I knew that girl in red was weird. She downed like three tequila shots deep and no sense of personal space.’ Cheol didn’t even look like he was into it.”
Y/N leaned back against the wall, head thudding gently. “Doesn’t matter. It looks bad. And I don’t want to be the girl who cares when I shouldn’t.”
“First of all,” Seungkwan said, crossing his arms and looking more like someone’s terrifying aunt than a drunk college student, “you’re allowed to care. It’s your party, it’s your birthday, and that account is obviously trying to piss you off.”
She didn’t respond right away. He lowered his voice, stepping in closer.
“Was it just the post?”
Y/N hesitated. “I think I wanted tonight to feel easy. Like maybe things were finally falling into place.”
He sighed, nudging her shoulder. “Things are falling into place. You just have to make them fall the right way. And hey, you still looked hot doing it.”
She laughed, finally real this time, softer around the edges.
He smiled. “Come back upstairs. Finish your drink. Dance with me for like thirty seconds so I can pretend people are into me, then go flirt with your date. You earned it.”
Y/N exhaled slowly, then nodded. “Okay. Yeah.”
Seungkwan held out his pinky. “Promise you won’t disappear again without telling your bestie?”
She hooked hers through his.
“Promise. “I don’t want to ruin the night,” Y/N muttered, even as she let him guide her down the hall.
“You’re not ruining fucking anything,” he said quickly. “We love drama. But more importantly, you are the party. You are the reason everyone showed up in crop tops and glitter and spent twenty bucks on slushies earlier.”
She laughed a little, weak but real.
“And if some nosy anonymous troll is trying to mess with your head on your birthday?” Seungkwan paused at the door leading back onto the roof, pulling her to a stop. “We don’t give them the satisfaction of seeing you sulk in a bathroom. You walk out there with your head high and your lip gloss popping.”
Y/N smiled, watery and reluctant. “You rehearsed that in the mirror, didn’t you?”
He scoffed. “Obviously. I’m deeply underappreciated in this friend group.”
She squeezed his hand.
“I’m okay,” she said, not fully sure if she meant it yet. “But thank you. Really.”
“Good,” Seungkwan said, straightening her collar like a stage mom. “Now let’s go back before Seungcheol thinks you crawled out the window or something.”
He pushed open the door dramatically, letting the rooftop noise spill out again, as Y/N blinked at the sudden contrast.
Back on the rooftop, the music had shifted to something bass-heavy and bold, the kind of beat that made it impossible to stand still. People had started dancing in the far corner. The smell of someone’s off-brand mango vape clung to the fairy lights.
Y/N stepped out with Seungkwan just as Yuqi screamed something gleeful and launched herself at Mark with cake on her face. Someone had clearly started shots without her.
Across the space, Mingyu looked up and locked eyes with her instantly—his whole face relaxing when he saw her. He was holding her drink.
“Where the hell did you go?” he asked, handing it to her as she reached him.
“Bathroom,” she said, sipping it. “But apparently I was missed.”
“Like hell you were,” Mingyu said, stepping in just a little closer, his hand hovering at the small of her back. “Almost caused a search party. You okay?”
She glanced up at him and smiled, warm but distracted. “Yeah.”
But when she looked away, her eyes landed on Seungcheol.
He was sitting on the edge of one of the lounge chairs, a half-empty beer in his hand, knee bouncing slightly. He was already watching her. He didn’t look away.
She wasn’t even sure what she felt exactly, annoyance, maybe, or embarrassment, or some strange cocktail of hurt and pride and fuck it.
Mingyu leaned in again, voice lower now. “Hey… not to be that guy, but I’ve been holding off asking because tonight’s supposed to be about you—but… you still down for that dinner? The Dove Inn? Just us?”
Y/N didn’t look away from Seungcheol.
She tilted her head, just slightly. “You mean the date you promised me?”
Mingyu smiled. “Exactly that.”
Y/N turned to him fully, her smile blooming brighter than it had all night. “Yeah. I’d like that.”
And she felt it, the way Seungcheol’s gaze snapped away like he’d touched a hot stove. Like the moment had signed him.
Soonyoung whooped behind them, catching just the tail end of the interaction. “Ohhhhh, okay birthday girl! Is that a date I just heard?”
Y/N laughed, biting the inside of her cheek. “Maybe.”
“Get it,” Seungkwan whispered under his breath, half-impressed, half-dramatic as he slid into view with a drink of his own.
Mark grinned. “Better wear something Dove-worthy.”
The group burst into chatter again, back to drinks and games and someone setting up another round of beer pong. But the undercurrent was there now. Buzzing.
And across the roof, Seungcheol stood up too fast and muttered something to Joshua before disappearing inside.
Y/N shook her head once like she could physically throw the feeling off her shoulders. “Okay. That’s it. I’m not ruining my birthday because of some drunk girl and some coward on a fucking drama account.”
Seungkwan grinned, proud and pleased, and dramatically held his hand out like he was escorting royalty. “That’s my resilient, emotionally complex queen.”
The music swelled and someone called for another round of beer pong, but Y/N waved them off, eyes catching Seungkwan and Mark doing some ridiculous two-step dance across the rooftop. Yuqi was behind them, talking to one of the radio boys with that wild glint in her eye, the one she always got when she was planning something borderline dangerous and probably hilarious.
For the first time in days, Y/N felt a little, anchored.
A little normal.
A little okay.
Mingyu nudged her arm gently. “You good?”
She turned to him, and for once, didn’t fake it. “Yeah,” she said honestly. “This is really nice.”
He smiled, a little crooked. “Well, don’t get used to it. I’m probably gonna lose beer pong and get roasted for it later.”
“You’re not even playing.”
“I’m pre-roasting myself. Saves everyone time.”
She laughed and took a sip of her drink, letting the moment stretch. It was warm and safe and a little fizzy, in her glass and in her chest.
Somewhere in the background, someone yelled her name, and then a chorus of “Speech! Speech!” started up. She groaned, already knowing Yuqi was behind it.
“Please, fuck no,” she muttered.
But Seungkwan reappeared, dramatically tossing a feather boa around her shoulders. “It’s your time, birthday royalty.”
Mingyu leaned closer, voice warm against her ear. “You’ve got this.”
The chorus of “Speech! Speech!” finally died down when Y/N raised her glass and leaned into the mic someone had shoved in her hand.
“My only birthday wish tonight,” she said, deadpan, “is that no one ever makes me do another speech again.”
Laughter broke out around the rooftop, and she tipped her drink toward the crowd with a smirk before slipping back into the sea of familiar bodies and glowing faces.
Mingyu caught her hand before she could vanish. “That was brave.”
“It was an act of self-defense.”
“You were incredible. Should’ve ended with a mic drop though.” He tugged her just slightly, a soft pull at her fingertips. “Come dance with me.”
The music had shifted, not too slow, but slower than the chaos from earlier. The kind of song you could sway to without making a scene. She hesitated for a second, but he gave her that look the one that was too sincere, too patient, too sure and she followed him.
They didn’t do anything wild. Just leaned into the rhythm. His hands settled low on her back, hers loosely around his neck. It was quiet, in the way that only a dance could be on a rooftop surrounded by noise. The kind of quiet you had to lean into.
“You’re really not gonna wish for anything else?” he asked after a moment.
She tilted her head. “What else would I ask for?”
Mingyu smiled, but didn’t answer. Just kept moving with her, fingers tracing careful circles into the fabric of her shirt.
And then—
“Can I cut in?”
Seungcheol.
Y/N blinked up at him. He wasn’t smiling, not fully. Just standing there like he’d always had the right to step in, like she wasn’t dancing with someone else, like he hadn’t been holding tension in the corner of the room all night like a secret waiting to leak.
Mingyu’s hands didn’t drop right away, but he glanced at her for a cue.
“It’s okay,” Y/N said finally, untangling herself gently.
Mingyu stepped back. Quiet. Watchful.
Seungcheol stepped in.
The music hadn’t changed, but something about the space between them had. He didn’t touch her right away. Just stood there, both of them barely moving. When his hands finally found her waist, they were tentative. Like he was scared he’d mess it up.
“You looked happy,” he said, not quite meeting her eyes.
“I was happy.”
That made him look up. “And now?”
She didn’t answer right away. “I don’t know. This night’s weird.”
“Yuqi’s parties are always weird.”
She looked at him, really looked at him. “I don’t mean the party.”
He didn’t answer, and she didn’t press.
Instead, they swayed. Awkwardly at first. The way you do with someone you know too well and not well enough at the same time.
His hands tightened a little at her waist. “You still don’t make birthday wishes?”
“Not unless they come true.”
There was something in his face then, something small and breaking. Like he’d missed something he hadn’t even known to look for.
“Maybe you should start,” he said, quiet enough that she almost didn’t hear.
The song faded out. Seungcheol's hand lingered at Y/N’s waist a beat longer than it should have, and she didn’t move away. Not until her eyes flicked up and caught something, someone, across the rooftop. Then her whole body tensed like a wire pulled too tight.
He noticed.
“Hey,” he said, voice soft, brushing her hair from her cheek. “You good?”
“Do you make all the girls feel special, or just the ones you don’t kiss?”
Seungcheol blinked, caught off guard. “What?”
She tilted her head, smiling like she wasn’t crumbling. “Just wondering if that’s your thing. Flirting until someone else takes it the wrong way.”
“What are you talking about?” His voice dropped, firm now, but still confused.
“You really don’t get it?” she asked, stepping back just a little. “Never mind.”
“Y/N—”
“Don’t worry about it, Cheol,” she said, already walking toward the drink table. “You’ve got your admirers. Stick to what you’re good at.”
He just stood there, stunned.
Across the patio, Seungkwan lowered his drink mid-sip, watching them with a sharp kind of stillness. He didn’t say anything, just clocked the interaction like it meant more than either of them would admit out loud.
And Seungcheol?
He was still standing in the same place, unsure when exactly things turned sideways or why it felt like he'd lost something that wasn’t his yet.
“Hey.”
Seungkwan’s voice came soft as he approached, not needing to ask what had just happened.
“You okay?”
Seungcheol dragged a hand through his hair, still staring in the direction Y/N had walked off to. “I don’t know. She said something, and I don’t even know what I did.”
Seungkwan sipped his drink. “You probably did something.”
Cheol turned to him, irritated. “Well, thanks.”
“I mean it in the nicest way possible. You have a special talent for saying the wrong thing or doing nothing at all when it counts.”
Seungcheol exhaled slowly, tension curling in his shoulders. “I wasn’t even talking to that girl in. She was just drunk. Chatty. I didn’t want to make a scene.”
“But it looked like something,” Seungkwan said.
“Yeah.” His voice cracked. “I think it did.”
They stood in silence for a few beats, the hum of the party rising again behind them.
“Go talk to her,” Seungkwan finally said.
“She doesn’t want to talk.”
“Not yet,” Seungkwan agreed, “but if you wait too long, someone else is going to say everything you didn’t.”
Seungcheol didn’t answer. Just watched Y/N laugh at something Mingyu said, her smile a little too bright to be real.
The elevator back down as their night came to an end had been cramped and echoey, someone half-heartedly hummed a song they couldn’t remember the words to, and Soonyoung said something about being too old to drink this much on a Thursday. It was easier to laugh in that tin can of metal and warm bodies, easier to pretend things were still smooth.
When the elevator doors slid open on their floor, the group spilled out in twos and threes. Yuqi was already unlocking the door to their apartment, Mark trailing along behind her, tipsy and glowing from the night.
“I’m stealing your ice cream before I go to bed,” she called over her shoulder as she kicked off her shoes and disappeared.
Y/N hovered in the hallway just a little longer.
Mingyu shifted next to her, one hand rubbing the back of his neck like he was trying to figure out the right level of chill. “So tomorrow?”
She smiled, warm but tired. “Yeah, sounds nice.”
He reached out and tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear, slow like he didn’t want to overstep. “I’ll text you. Pick you up at seven?”
“Perfect.”
She leaned up to kiss his cheek, and his hand lingered a second too long on her waist, not greedy, not unusual for them before everything started going down just hopeful. She let herself linger too, and when she pulled back, she didn’t miss the way his eyes searched hers.
Across the hall, Seungkwan had paused outside their door.
So had Seungcheol.
They weren’t pretending not to see it, not exactly. But they weren’t watching either.
Y/N turned, feeling it in the back of her neck more than she saw it.
She gave Mingyu a last soft smile. “Goodnight.”
“Night,” he said, letting her go.
She crossed the hallway slowly. As she reached for her door, she glanced sideways and caught Seungcheol’s eyes just for a second. Not long enough to read anything. Just long enough to feel it.
She closed the door behind her with a soft click.
Seungcheol turned around immediately, reaching for their own door, but Seungkwan stopped walking.
“You know,” Seungkwan said, leaning against the doorframe like the night hadn’t already drained him, “you probably should’ve kissed her.”
Seungcheol didn’t answer right away. His jaw flexed, then relaxed again.
“I didn’t think she wanted me to,” he muttered.
“She did,” Seungkwan said simply, key in the lock. “She just didn’t want to want you to.”
And then he disappeared into their apartment, leaving Seungcheol standing alone in the hallway, lit by nothing but the glow of the exit sign and the weight of everything he hadn’t said.
The quiet that followed her door closing was too immediate.
Seungcheol stood still for a few beats, his fingers curled loosely around his key, like maybe if he stayed there long enough, the door would open again. But it didn’t.
Inside their apartment, Seungkwan had already thrown himself onto the couch, muttering about needing electrolytes and a neck massage and maybe divine intervention. But Seungcheol didn’t go inside right away.
The door clicked shut, and Seungcheol stared at it like it might crack open again.
It didn’t.
Behind him, the hallway was quiet. His apartment waited, dark and dull across the corridor, but his feet wouldn’t move toward it. His body stayed rooted. Chest tight.
You probably should’ve kissed her.
He still could.
That thought sparked through him so fast it made his fingers twitch.
And for once, he didn’t fight it. He turned back to her door. Stared at it like it was a cliff edge. And raised his hand.
Three soft knocks.
Barely a pause before he heard movement on the other side. Light steps, muffled voices. A little laugh that sounded like Yuqi. Then the lock turned.
Y/N opened the door, blinking at him. Her lipstick was smudged just slightly, like she’d been drinking or smiling too hard. Her eyes widened.
“…Did you need something?”
Seungcheol’s breath caught. His tongue felt clumsy in his mouth.
“Yeah,” he said, quietly. “I forgot to give you something.”
She opened the door a little wider. “Okay?”
And then he stepped forward, one hand bracing the doorframe, the other coming up to her face with almost hesitant care, like if she flinched, he’d stop.
She didn’t.
So he kissed her.
It wasn’t desperate. Wasn’t a claim. It was soft, slow, like a question he didn’t know how to ask out loud. His thumb brushed her cheekbone as her hands, frozen for a moment, found his shirt.
The kiss broke, not awkwardly, just like it had to.
Her eyes searched his face, unreadable.
“I don’t know what this means yet,” he said, voice low, barely above the quiet music floating from her apartment. “But I didn’t want to leave without doing it.”
Y/N blinked. Still quiet.
And then Yuqi’s voice rang out faintly from inside. “Y/N, is that the pizza?”
Y/N’s eyes widened. Seungcheol stepped back, but she caught his wrist lightly.
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” she whispered.
He just nodded, the corners of his mouth tugging up as he turned and crossed the hall again.
And as she closed the door, Y/N leaned back against it for a second, lips tingling, heart pounding.
Yuqi rounded the corner, holding a slice of pizza and staring. “Wait, where is the food? Who was it?”
Y/N just shook her head slowly, breathless. “It was a delivery guy, but they had the wrong door.”
“Should’ve taken it anyway.”
Y/n just smiled, giving her a fake yawn. “Yeah. Missed opportunity. I’m heading to bed now, you guys have fun, save me a piece of pizza to eat cold at 5am.”
“Love you, birthday girl.”
Y/n disappeared down the hallway, the faint echo of their laughter lingering behind. The quiet in her room felt heavier now, filled with the unspoken questions she couldn’t quite shake.
She sank onto the edge of her bed, fingers tracing the spot where his lips had brushed her skin. The taste of that brief, unexpected moment flickered behind her eyes, sweet, confusing, and impossible to ignore.
Her phone buzzed, but she didn’t reach for it. Instead, she let the silence settle, letting her heart wrestle with the weight of what she wanted and what she was afraid to admit she needed.
Tomorrow was another day. But tonight, all she had were the shadows of the choices she couldn’t yet make.
note: hi :') i hope u guys enjoy this chapter its prob (?) third to last??? fourth to last?? idk but i;m enjoying writing and getting into nitty gritty more yk. which i'll prob keep for the next few and then we can go on to the next.. which u can help me with if u want like joshua?? dino?? dk??? idk u let me know bc I have a few ideas hehe. ily. also team mingyu or team seungcheol bc….
synopsis: y/n while in her third year at greenwood international university finally gets an opportunity to move off campus into a new complex, she has to deal with the realization that her childhood rival is her new next door neighbor.
genre/s: reader is super oblivious, fluffy, sexual themes.
content: swearing, mentions of sexual relations, some drinking& mary jane 🍃
tag list - open
word count: 6.7k. (please note theres writing under some of the texts too, since its been so long. ily. 🖤)
masterlist ▸ 19. repercussions ▸ 21. surprise!
Y/N dropped Hoshi off outside his place just after 10, the headlights from his neighbors’ house catching the tail end of his dramatic wave goodbye. He’d spent the walk home recounting some over-the-top movie plot like it was life or death, and she’d let him, laughing when it was easy, smiling when she didn’t have to think too hard. It had been a nice distraction.
But now she was alone again.
The sidewalks felt quieter than usual. Every step back toward her house tugged her closer to the weight she’d been dodging all week: Vernon’s silence, Yuqi’s knowing eyes, Mingyu acting like nothing happened, and the ever-present hum of Seungcheol in the background of everything.
She stopped just before the street corner and pulled out her phone.
[Text to Seungcheol]Y/N: heading back now.
Y/N: if you still want to hang out.
She hesitated, then hit send. No punctuation, not too eager. Casual. Or something like it.
She didn’t expect a reply before she reached her building steps. But her phone buzzed before she’d crossed the next block.
[Text from Seungcheol]Seungcheol: yeah. roof?
[Text to Seungcheol]Y/N: see you there.
The door to the roof creaked louder than she remembered.
Y/N stepped through it slowly, careful not to let it slam behind her. The air was cooler up here, breezy in a way that made her hug her arms instinctively. It smelled good, someone must’ve been burning a fire pit or grilling. Or maybe she was just too used to holding her breath lately.
Seungcheol was already there, sitting cross-legged on a stack of folded blankets. He looked comfortable, not careless, but like he’d made an effort. A speaker played something soft, Fleetwood Mac or Phoebe Bridgers, something timeless and quietly emotional. A few candles flickered in the corner, like they’d been borrowed from an overly romantic picnic.
“Hey,” he said, glancing up.
He wore a hoodie, sleeves pushed up, and that stupid necklace she always noticed but never asked about. His phone lay screen-down beside him like he wasn’t checking it every five seconds for once.
“Hey,” she echoed, stepping closer.
Seungcheol patted the spot next to him without standing. “You cold?”
“Not really,” she lied.
He handed her a blanket anyway.
She sat down, knees brushing. It wasn’t silent there was music, distant cars, and a group of drunk twenty-somethings laughing on another rooftop, but it felt quieter than anything had in days.
He didn’t rush to speak.
Neither did she.
Instead, they just sat there, sharing a blanket under a moon that wasn’t doing its job properly. For the first time in a long time, Y/N felt maybe everything didn’t have to be figured out right away.
Maybe it was okay to just be here. With him.
Seungcheol nudged her with his knee. “So. Was the movie good, or did Hoshi just yell through the whole thing again?”
Y/N smiled, tugging the blanket tighter. “A little of both. He cried at the end.”
Seungcheol laughed, low and warm. “Of course he did. He’s cried during Minions before.”
“Okay, yeah. If you weren’t such an emotional fortress you would’ve cried too.”
“Not a chance.”
“You’re so full of shit.”
He tilted his head, grinning. “Maybe. But at least I cry quietly. With dignity.”
She rolled her eyes, but the sound of his voice settled into her like a weighted blanket, familiar. Safe. Dangerous.
He leaned back on his palms, looking up. “You really like to be up high when you need space, huh?”
“Yeah, since high school, really. It’s quieter than my room and my mom never thinks to check these spots for me.” She glanced sideways.
Seungcheol nodded like he already knew.
Y/N pulled the blanket’s edge to cover his leg too. She didn’t look at him, but he noticed anyway and let his knee press lightly against hers.
The speaker hummed something soft and moody. Her fingers fidgeted with the blanket between them, and his hand shifted closer, not quite touching.
“You seem different tonight,” he said after a moment.
“Yeah?”
“Not in a bad way. Just quieter. Tired, maybe.”
Y/N exhaled. “It’s been a weird fucking week.”
“Yeah.” He paused. “I figured, after everything.”
Another beat passed. Not uncomfortable.
Then, almost like he couldn’t help it:
“You wanna talk? Not the whole drama, just whatever you want.”
Y/N glanced at him, then down at the sliver of space between their hands. Her pinky stretched slightly, grazing his.
He didn’t pull away.
She nudged his pinky back, barely a brush, and looked out across the rooftops.
“I don’t even know where to start,” she said softly. “It’s all just loud. In my head.”
Seungcheol didn’t answer right away. He leaned over, pulled a thermos and a can from a tote bag.
“Okay, so—I brought options,” he said. “Hot chocolate or beer. Depending on the vibe.”
She blinked, surprised. “Seriously?”
He handed her the thermos first. “It’s probably lukewarm, but if you were crying, you’d want hot chocolate. If not, beer.”
She laughed quietly. “I’m not crying.”
“I noticed,” he said gently. “Still figured you’d want something.”
She unscrewed the thermos and took a sip. It wasn’t hot, but still sweet. Warm-ish. Something he thought about.
“You remembered,” she said quietly.
“Course I did.”
She held the thermos like it might anchor her. “I kissed Vernon because I was drunk. I was caught up in the moment. I’m so pissed it happened the way it did. He’s always been there, and it just felt easy, like maybe I could undo some of the mess.”
“You don’t have to explain,” he said, but she shook her head.
“No, I do. Not because I think you’re mad. You didn’t text me back, so I figured you weren’t thrilled. But I hated not hearing from you.”
Seungcheol sat up straighter. “I wasn’t mad.”
“You were something.”
“I was…” He scratched his neck, eyes flicking away. “Weirded out. But not because of you. I know you’re trying not to hurt anyone. I hate watching you carry that alone.”
Y/N stared into the thermos like it held answers.
“It’s killing me, Cheol. Because I care about you, Vernon, Mingyu in some confusing way. And no matter what I do, someone gets hurt. I don’t want that.”
His voice was quiet. “I know you don’t.”
“But I don’t want to lie to myself either.”
He didn’t push. Just shifted closer until their shoulders touched, letting the moment hold.
Y/N sipped the hot chocolate, holding it like an anchor.
“I think I made things worse,” she said finally.
He glanced at her. “You?”
She nodded. “With Vernon. The kiss. The weird text. I think I made it harder for you to believe I meant any of it.”
He didn’t say anything.
“I didn’t even get the money,” she added, as if the absurdity was still sinking in. “I just made everything more confusing for no reason.”
“So you didn’t kiss Vernon for a hundred bucks?”
Y/N groaned. “God, I hate you.”
Seungcheol laughed. “I’m just clarifying.”
“No,” she smiled tiredly. “I kissed him because I didn’t know what else to do. Because everything was weird. I felt weird.”
He didn’t respond, but the humor slipped quietly from his face.
“You’ve always made things complicated.”
That got his attention. He looked at her, something careful in his expression.
“Complicated how?”
Y/N shrugged. “You’ve always been a constant in my life, but not the way I thought or wanted you to be.”
Her eyes widened a bit. She looked back down.
“I didn’t mean—”
“It’s okay,” he cut in. Not brushing it off, but steadying it. Meeting her there.
They sat in silence for a while.
He leaned back with a quiet smile. “Want a beer too? If we’re getting into it?”
Y/N snorted. “Honestly? Yes. This is kind of brilliant.”
“Right? Emotional support beer.”
“Trademark it.”
“Limited edition. Rooftop exclusive.”
They smiled into their drinks, both more aware of the space between them and how thin it suddenly felt.
“Isn’t it against your better judgment to send confessional texts while tipsy?” Seungcheol asked, amusement tugging at his lips as he fumbled with a joint.
Y/N laughed and nudged him, taking the papers. “Isn’t it against yours to try rolling when clearly underqualified and half-frozen?”
He held up his hands. “I was trying to be helpful.”
“You were trying to show off.”
“I was trying to impress you,” he muttered.
She blinked, caught off guard, but smiled crookedly. “Well, color me impressed. That’s a solid six out of ten roll.”
“I can live with that.”
Y/N tucked the joint between her lips, squinting at Seungcheol from beneath her lashes. “Light me?”
He raised a brow, amused. “You’re getting real comfortable bossing me around.”
“You’re getting real comfortable listening.”
He let out a low chuckle and leaned forward, flicking the lighter to life with one hand. His other cupped slightly against the breeze as the flame sparked at the end of the joint.
Y/N inhaled, the smoke curling around them in the night air. The light flickered across her face, and for a second, it was like time slowed just enough for him to really see her.
She exhaled and grinned. “You’re staring.”
“You’re imagining things,” he said, shifting back. “Or maybe you’re just really high.”
She passed him the joint, shaking her head. “I’ve smoked with you enough times to know you don’t look at everyone like that.”
“I don’t look at anyone like that,” he muttered, just under his breath, but loud enough that she heard.
Her smirk faltered slightly.
They kept passing it back and forth, the smoke soft between them, the music low in the background, the rooftop world closing in tighter and tighter until it felt like they were the only ones left awake in the city.
Y/N took another hit and then winced, pulling back. “Ow—shit.”
Seungcheol reached for her hand instinctively. “Burn yourself?”
“No,” she said, laughing. “Almost. I didn’t realize we were down to the roach.”
“Here.” He took it from her, holding the tiny roll delicately between his thumb and forefinger. “One more for the road?”
She hesitated, then nodded.
He held it out for her, angling it toward her mouth — but he didn’t pull away as she leaned forward. His fingers steadied the roach just as her lips closed around it, and for a second, they were both completely still, focused on nothing but the warmth of breath and the faint scratch of skin against skin.
Her fingers brushed his wrist when she exhaled, and his stayed where they were, just barely grazing the edge of her mouth.
When she opened her eyes again, his were already on her.
Something settled between them. Or maybe something broke loose.
“Thanks,” she murmured.
He dropped what was left of the roach in the tin beside them without looking away. “Anytime. You cold?” he asked.
She shrugged. “Not really.”
He grinned. “Good. Me neither.”
The quiet settled again, but it wasn’t awkward. Just thick with the kind of energy that comes when you know something is shifting not loudly, but in small, irreversible ways.
Seungcheol leaned back on his elbows, glancing up at the sky, and without looking at her, said, “You remember when you got nominated for homecoming court?”
Y/N groaned. “God. Please don’t.”
He laughed instantly like he’d been waiting for that reaction. “You lost your mind on Mr. Dugan.”
“In my defense,” she pointed a finger at him, “he tried to force me into a sparkly dress while I was actively trying not to fail calculus.”
“And you told him and I quote ‘I’m not wearing a tiara and pretending to be likable while I’m dying inside over derivatives.’”
Y/N covered her face. “I can’t believe you remember that.”
“How could I forget?” He sat up now, eyes warm with amusement. “You had a whole meltdown in the hallway. I think you threw a highlighter at his office door.”
“It was a mechanical pencil,” she corrected. “And I missed.”
“Tragic aim. Still iconic.”
She laughed, trying to hide the way it made her heart twist. “I was stressed, okay?”
“I know,” he said, more gently this time. “You were always hardest on yourself.”
She met his gaze, softer now. “You were always the one who noticed that.”
He didn’t look away. “I still do.”
Something in her chest tightened. Not painfully, more like the way your muscles tense right before you jump into cold water.
There was a long pause before she said, quieter, “I didn’t go to homecoming that year.”
“I know. You stayed in the library. Said you were studying, but you didn’t touch your textbook for, like, two hours.”
She blinked. “How do you know that?”
He raised a brow. “I was there.”
Y/N stared. “You were supposed to be in the pep rally.”
“I ditched.”
“You ditched the pep rally?”
He shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Figured someone should keep you company while you spiraled.”
She was quiet for a second, trying to recall the memory fully. She remembered someone being there. Sitting across from her, sketching lazily in the corner of his notebook while she tried not to cry over integrals. She just hadn’t realized it was him.
“You know,” she said, smirking a little, “that might’ve been the first time you were ever actually nice to me.”
He leaned in, just slightly. “Don’t get used to it.”
Her eyes flicked to his, then his lips, and back again. “You’re nicer now.”
His voice dropped, teasing but edged in sincerity. “Only to you.”
And there it was again, that something. The feeling that the air had shifted, that the years they spent pretending not to feel this had finally thinned the distance too much to ignore.
She bumped her knee against his. “You’re still annoying.”
He bumped her back, slower. “You’re still mean.”
“I’m still not wearing a tiara.”
“You’re still stressed about everything but the right things.”
She gave him a look. “Oh? And what should I be stressed about?”
Seungcheol didn’t answer immediately. He just held her gaze, something flickering in his expression, that quiet dare again.
“You tell me,” he said softly. “What’s actually on your mind?”
And for the first time all night, Y/N wasn’t sure if she was going to answer.
But she was sure he already knew.
“Nothing, just that you make shit hot chocolate.”
Seungcheol just titled his head back and laughed, raising his beer to her before taking a sip.
“But, I do make good beer.”
“You literally didn’t make this, but that’s fine.”
“No, really though. What’s on your mind?”
“I guess just the fact that everything's on my mind?” Y/n sighed, looking out over the lights of the city flickering slightly, the small tear in her eye making them look crystalized. “I know it sounds stupid. It was always bad, but somehow being home just made everything worse. The fact that I somehow manage to lose every fucking person important in my life in the matter of a few days? Or most of them anyway. I just feel lost, I guess. Between my mom, Vernon, Chaewon, now Mingyu and Yuqi it seems like they are avoiding me for some reason.. Not that they are, I just feel like eventually that will blow up too and I’m nervous. I’m nervous all the fucking time, it sucks. I feel like I can’t do anything right anymore. It might sound literally fucking insane, but it’s starting to feel like every day I wake up and something else bad happens.. Or it all gets worse, I don’t know? You know?”
“It’s not insane, but it’s not true either.” Seungcheol placed a hand on her knee, not romantically, but it didn’t feel all too friendly at the same time. “Nobody hates you or is mad at you, that’s just your perspective. Vernon’s just upset, he’ll come around, Chaewon made her own mistake and I’m sure if you let her make up for it or want her to she can. Yuqi and Mingyu are just having fun, they clearly aren’t mad considering the way they continuously show up for you, maybe they just trust that you can figure it all out on your own.”
“And you?”
“What about me?”
“I still have you?”
Seungcheol smirked, “Of course you do, you also have Soonyoung and Seungkwan for what that’s worth.”
Y/n just giggled, tossing his hand off her knee playfully, feeling the heat creep through her cheeks at her cheesy question.
“But it’s different now, isn’t it?” she asked.
He didn’t answer with words, just lifted a hand, tentatively, brushing a loose strand of hair from her cheek, his fingers lingering against her jaw like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to be doing this.
“I don’t want to mess this up,” he said.
“You’re not.”
“You’re scared.”
“So are you.”
His lips twitched, not quite a smile. “I’ve never wanted to kiss someone this badly and also be this afraid of it.”
She felt her heart race again, her skin hypersensitive to the closeness. Their knees are touching now. Her breath is quick and shallow.
So she did what she always did with him, softened the moment with something teasing, something safer.
“Bet you say that to all the girls who yell at teachers.”
He chuckled, eyes never leaving hers. “Only the ones who call themselves fake-ass princesses.”
Her grin matched his, but the moment between them didn’t dissolve. It was held. Teetering.
And for a second, it felt like the universe might finally tip in their favor.
A buzz. Then another. Both their phones lit up at once, the glow catching on their faces in the dim rooftop light.
Seungcheol groaned, dragging his hand down his face. “Why does this always happen when things start getting good?”
Y/N smirked, pulling her phone out of her hoodie pocket. “Swear to God if it’s Yuqi again, I’m revoking her friendship privileges.”
He chuckled and tilted his screen toward her. “Double buzz. You know that means it’s Twitter.”
Y/N tapped her lock screen, and sure enough, top of her feed, bolded in campus drama font, was a tweet from the infamous gossip account. Her stomach sank before she even read it, and when she did, her skin went cold despite the warm blanket over her lap.
[submission: 1:17am] okay but why were Y and MG out together tonight… alone… no usual suspects in sight, and definitely no 5-foot space between them.
they didn’t kiss or anything (unfortunately for us), but the body language was giving “this isn’t the first time.”
no one’s saying they’re cheating… but no one’s not saying it either.
also… how do you think Y/N feels knowing the fallout from her drama-filled weekend somehow brought her two closest friends closer and now she’s nowhere to be found?
#campustea #spotted #messy #momspartyaftermath
She didn’t say anything at first. Neither did he.
Then Seungcheol gave a dry, humorless laugh and muttered, “Wow. That’s one way to bring us back down to earth.”
Y/N stared at the screen, the familiar pressure building behind her eyes. Her jaw clenched.
“Guess I’m really out here being the plot twist in my own life,” she muttered.
He looked over, face unreadable for a second. “You okay?”
She swallowed hard, trying to play it off. “Yeah. Just funny how even when I’m not around, I still somehow end up in the headline.”
Seungcheol leaned back against the railing, rubbing the back of his neck. “Do you think they…?”
“I don’t know,” she said quickly. Too quickly.
She didn’t want to think about it. She didn’t want to feel anything about it. Especially not here, not now.
She tried to shake it off with a half-laugh. “Yuqi’s probably somewhere reading this and swearing she told me so about everything. It’s like she has a sixth sense for ruining our moments.”
Cheol’s mouth quirked up. “Nah, she doesn’t ruin them. She just resets them. Like a cosmic reminder that we’re still in the real world.”
But it didn’t reset. Not this time.
Because suddenly, the real world was right here. It was Vernon and Mingyu and gossip threads and the weight of history pressing between their knees under the blanket.
Seungcheol’s hand inched a little closer to hers.
“Does it bother you? Like them not telling you they were hanging out?” he said quietly.
Y/N didn’t answer. Couldn’t.
Y/N stared down at the tweet again, then locked her phone. Her voice came out quieter than she expected.
“Do you think they didn’t tell me because of me?”
Seungcheol blinked. “What?”
She tucked her knees to her chest, resting her chin there. “Like… because of everything lately. My mom’s party, the falling out, the kiss,” she paused, correcting, “kisses. Me choosing you. Then not. Then Vernon. Then not. Mingyu…” She rubbed her hands over her face. “I’ve been the center of every damn thing. And I feel like maybe everyone’s just waiting for me to implode again. Or trying not to set me off.”
“You’re not a landmine, Y/N.”
She looked at him. “Aren’t I? I kind of blew everything up.”
Cheol didn’t respond right away. Instead, he glanced at the tweet again and then looked back at her. “Even if that was true, it’s not like they handled it better. If that tweet’s even accurate.”
“That’s the worst part. I don’t even care if they were out alone, or if they kissed, or whatever.” Her voice broke slightly, not angry, just sad. “I just care that no one told me.”
Seungcheol shifted closer. “Then let’s find out the truth. Because either that tweet’s another one of campus tea’s half-baked rumor bombs or…”
“Or?”
“Or it’s real. And if it is, then yeah. That’s a conversation. But it’s not your fault.”
Y/N gave a hollow laugh. “It’s starting to feel like everything is.”
He bumped her shoulder lightly with his. “You know what I think?”
“Hm?”
“I think this is someone’s full-time hobby now. Watching us like we’re episodes of some show. And that page…” He trailed off, staring out over the quiet campus below. “That page feels weird. Like it always knows the worst version of the story. Never the truth.”
Y/N glanced over. “You think it’s someone we know?”
Seungcheol’s mouth tightened into a line. “I think it’s someone too close.”
Before she could respond, the rooftop door suddenly burst open with a loud bang, both of them flinching as Yuqi, wearing the same outfit from the photo and sheer panic, came sprinting across the rooftop.
“Y/N!” she shouted. “Cheol? Okay, it’s not true!”
Y/N scrambled up halfway, eyes wide. “What?”
Yuqi skidded to a stop in front of them, out of breath. “I swear, I wasn’t with Mingyu like that. We ran into each other buying alcohol for the party and because we were off to the same place, we just went together, my phone was dead and I had to tell Mark they were out of that weird Tequila he liked so he let me use his phone. No scheming. No secret romance. No betrayal!”
Y/N blinked. “You ran here to tell me that?”
“Yes!” Yuqi huffed, hands on her hips. “Because Twitter is hell, and I knew your dramatic ass would spiral.”
Yuqi blinked between them as she finally caught her breath, squinting under the dim fairy lights that Seungcheol had strung up earlier.
“…Wait,” she said slowly, glancing between Y/N’s cozy blanket-wrapped shoulders and Seungcheol’s suspiciously casual lean against the wall. “What exactly are you two doing up here?”
Y/N pulled the blanket tighter around herself like she’d been caught. “Hoshi bailed after the movie and I texted him to talk so we just came here.”
“For what? Rooftop therapy?” Yuqi’s eyes narrowed. “Why does it feel like I interrupted something that’s been in the works since, like, ninth grade?”
Seungcheol gave her a look. “It’s not like that.”
Y/N let out a laugh, nervous, maybe. “It’s definitely not not like that.”
Yuqi turned to her. “Girl. You’re literally on a rooftop, wrapped in a blanket, drinking hot chocolate. With him.” She gestured wildly at Seungcheol like he was evidence in a courtroom.
“So? Soonyoung and I do this all the time too. ” Y/N defended, but she was smiling now, cheeks warm despite the wind. “We were just talking. Catching up.”
Seungcheol offered a shrug like, Yeah, sure, but his eyes stayed locked on Y/N’s for just a second too long.
Yuqi’s gaze flicked back and forth between them like she was watching a game of tennis she hadn’t realized was in the finals. “So let me get this straight. You two were up here vibing. Blankets, music, drinks and somehow I’m the one under suspicion for hanging out with Mingyu?”
Seungcheol held up both hands. “It’s not like we were doing anything suspicious, Yuqi.”
“Yet,” Yuqi muttered, then gasped. “Oh my fucking God. Have you two kissed?”
Y/N froze. “No.”
Yuqi pointed. “But you paused. That’s a pause, Y/N.”
Y/N buried her face in her hands. “This is the worst intervention-slash-investigation ever.”
Yuqi grinned, finally plopping down next to her. “Don’t worry. I’m not mad. Just confused. Thought the big boy here was pissed about the Vernon kiss text thing?”
There was a beat of silence, a mutual look between Y/N and Seungcheol before Y/N spoke quietly, eyes fixed on the ground:
“No. He didn’t care, which is what we were talking about actually.”
That shut Yuqi up for a second.
“Oh,” she said, softer now.
“Yeah,” Seungcheol murmured, “Oh.”
Seungcheol raised his hands like he was caught red-handed. “We’re just sitting. Talking.”
Yuqi blinked. “And… smoking?”
“Barely.”
There was a beat of silence, the three of them standing in this weird triangle of tension, broken only by the wind picking up.
“Sorry I interrupted. I mean I just came up here to tell you guys that that post is bullshit,” Yuqi started, eyes flicking to Seungcheol, then quickly back to Y/N. “I mean Vernon and Mingyu didn’t do anything. Not like that.”
“I know,” Y/N said softly.
“I just—I didn’t want you to read it and think something was going on behind your back.” Yuqi stepped closer, sincerity in her face. “I would never let that happen. You know that, right?”
Y/N nodded, though her stomach tightened at the way her friend looked so anxious.
“I mean…” Yuqi let out a breathy laugh, trying to lighten it. “Not everyone’s out here sneaking around with people they’re not supposed to be with.”
Y/N’s eyes snapped up.
Yuqi froze. “I didn’t mean that how it sounded.”
Seungcheol shifted, but didn’t say anything.
Yuqi winced. “Shit. I wasn’t trying to call you out. I just meant—”
“No, it’s fine,” Y/N said quickly. Too quickly.
“Seriously, Y/N, I didn’t mean it like that.” Yuqi stepped forward, her voice softer now. “I think I just… panicked. I saw the post and I thought of how much worse things might feel for you if you saw it alone. And I wanted to fix it. But then I saw you two up here and I was just like… what the fuck is happening tonight?”
Y/N didn’t answer right away. The sting lingered, not because Yuqi had said anything that wasn’t sort of true, but because she had felt like she was hiding. And maybe that was the worst part. The not-telling.
Yuqi glanced between them again, this time with something more like understanding—and maybe a little wariness. “Okay, well… you’re both being weirdly cute and complicated, so I’m gonna go order chicken and pretend none of this happened until I have snacks.”
She stood, brushing gravel off her pajama pants.
“And for the record,” she added, walking backwards toward the door, “I still think you paused.”
Y/N groaned into her knees.
Seungcheol chuckled. “She’s not wrong.”
The rooftop felt colder the moment Yuqi disappeared back through the hatch. For a while, neither of them spoke.
But then Y/n’s phone buzzed. She looked down, thumb already unlocking her screen when she saw his name flash across it.
Mingyu
“Hey. Are you up?”
She didn’t respond right away.
Seungcheol tilted his head. “That him?”
Y/N gave a tiny nod, reading the follow-up before she could stop herself.
Mingyu
“Can I call you? Just for a minute. Or… maybe ask you something.”
Seungcheol leaned back on his hands, letting out a breath through his nose. “Timing’s unreal, huh?”
She glanced at him, hesitant. “Should I…?”
“I’m not stopping you.”
“But do you want to?”
He didn’t answer right away, and when she looked at him again, his gaze was already on her. Something unspoken flickered in his eyes. A little hesitation. A little more than that.
“It’s not my call,” he finally said, his voice quiet. “Not yet, anyway.”
That not yet echoed louder than anything else tonight.
She looked at her phone again.
It rang.
She stood, half-smiling down at Seungcheol, suddenly unsure of which part of her felt worse: the part that wanted to pick up or the part that didn’t.
“Hey,” she whispered, stepping toward the hatch. “I’m gonna take this.”
He nodded, not looking away.
“I’ll come back,” she added before she could think too hard about it.
And then she went back into the staircase, into the pull of whatever Mingyu was about to ask her. Leaving Seungcheol behind with cold fingers, the memory of her lips on his fingertips, and the question neither of them had dared to ask just yet.
Y/N slipped into the hallway, phone pressed to her ear as she tried to quiet the pounding in her chest.
“Hey,” she said softly once she heard the line connect.
There was a pause on Mingyu’s end before he replied, “You answered.”
She smiled faintly, leaning against the cool wall. “You said it was just for a minute.”
“I lied,” he said, voice lower than usual—a little unsure, a little too vulnerable for how confident he usually tried to be. “I think I needed to hear your voice.”
Y/N closed her eyes for a second. “You okay?”
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I saw the post. About us. The tweets. I didn’t think it would bother me but…” He trailed off, then laughed, humorless. “Okay, that’s a lie too. It does bother me. Because I feel like it hurts you. And so now I’m finally sick of waiting around and not asking you out.”
“Mingyu…”
“That was the deal, wasn’t it?” he said, and she could hear the hint of a grin in his voice. “You said if I went to that nightmare party with you, you’d go out with me.”
Her smile deepened, a quiet laugh slipping out. “I also said I’d owe you forever.”
“You do,” he said easily. “But I’m not cashing that in yet. This is just me asking you to let me take you out. For real this time.”
Y/N leaned her head against the wall, staring at the patterned carpet. “Where?”
“The Dove Inn,” he said. “Your favorite, right? Just dinner. We don’t have to make it a whole thing. Just… you and me, talking, eating, breathing, preferably not in the middle of gossip or chaos for once.”
She was quiet for a moment, lips parting like she might say something, but she didn’t yet. Mingyu picked up on it instantly.
“I get it if now’s not the right time,” he added. “Things have been insane. But I’ve been thinking about asking for a while. And I guess I didn’t want someone else’s tweet being louder than my own voice.”
She swallowed that tight knot in her throat. “You remembered my favorite place.”
“Course I did,” he said. “You don’t shut up about those bread rolls.”
A soft, genuine laugh escaped her lips before she could stop it. “They’re fucking amazing.”
“Exactly,” he said, and she could hear the warmth spread across his whole face. “So let me take you. Doesn’t have to mean anything if you don’t want it to. But if it could…”
She felt her heart knock against her ribs again.
“Let me think about it,” she said, voice gentle but honest.
“Take your time,” he said easily. “But just so you know, I’d be really happy if you said yes.”
He didn’t wait for anything else. He just added a quiet, “Goodnight, Y/N,” and hung up.
She stared at the screen in her hand, thumb still resting over the disconnect button, before slowly lowering it. She wasn’t sure what the right thing to do was. But she knew that for the first time in a long time, someone had asked for her in a way that made her feel like she could say yes.
He remembered the Dove Inn. He remembered the bread rolls.
He remembered her.
And even though she’d said she needed time to think about it, something about the way he phrased it—I’d be really happy if you said yes—sat warm and golden in her chest.
But as she climbed the stairs again, the night air wrapped around her shoulders like a different kind of pressure. One she couldn’t name. Not yet.
When she pushed the door open to the rooftop, Seungcheol was still there, legs stretched out, back against the railing, his head tilted up like he’d been counting stars—or trying to clear his head.
He looked over when he heard her footsteps, his eyes soft but alert.
“You okay?” he asked, flicking his thumb across the lighter he still held. The glow of the joint burned low between his fingers.
“Yeah,” she said, walking over and slipping back into her place beside him like no time had passed. “Just Mingyu.”
A pause. “Everything alright?”
She nodded, pressing her knees to her chest. “He asked me out.”
That got his attention.
Seungcheol’s brows twitched, but he didn’t say anything right away. Just took a slow inhale, his shoulders lifting with it.
“To the Dove Inn,” she added.
He exhaled a puff of smoke and glanced at her with a slight smile. “Fancy.”
“Not that fancy,” she murmured, teasing. “It’s mostly about the bread.”
He chuckled at that, shaking his head. “You and the damn bread rolls.”
Silence fell again. Not heavy, but charged.
“So…” he said after a beat, voice quieter. “Are you gonna go?”
She looked up at him through her lashes. “Do you think I should?”
A pause. The flicker of something in his expression, restraint, maybe. Or something just barely cloaked.
“I think…” he started, then stopped. “I think you should do what makes you feel good. And safe.”
She swallowed. “I haven’t felt very safe lately.”
“I know,” he said. “I’ve been trying to fix some of that.”
Y/N blinked slowly. “I know.”
More silence. Then she tilted her head toward him with a half-smile.
“You look like shit, by the way. We have a lot of work to do before some girl or woman bids on you.”
His laugh broke the tension like glass, head dropping to her shoulder in mock defeat. “Oh my god, fuck you. I obviously will look way better than sweats and Seungkwan’s furry blanket draped over me, eyes glazed as fuck.”
She grinned, leaning into him for real this time. “Excuses.”
“You’ve always been such an ass.” His grin stretched across his face, warm and familiar.
That’s what made it dangerous.
Because there it was again, the them that still lived in the cracks. Not in memories. Not in nostalgia. But right now, in how easily they still made each other laugh. How they still knew the exact versions of each other no one else did.
They looked at each other. Too long. Not enough.
And then—
“Cheol,” she said, almost a warning.
But it was too late.
Because he leaned in.
Not like a decision, more like gravity. Like he was already halfway to her before either of them could name it.
And she didn’t stop him.
His hand came up to her jaw first, fingers tentative, thumb brushing a wisp of hair from her cheek. His gaze flicked down to her lips like he was asking, but only barely.
“You’re gonna make this complicated,” she whispered, voice low and unsteady.
His thumb paused near her mouth. “Hasn’t it always been?”
And then he kissed her.
Not softly. Not like it was new.
Like it was familiar. Like it was muscle memory. Like it had been waiting behind every almost-touch since the moment he came back in her life.
Her hand curled in the front of his hoodie, dragging him closer, and his other arm came around her waist without hesitation. The rooftop spun, but it didn’t matter. There was only this his mouth, his breath, the way his lips curved like he was half-smiling even now.
They broke apart just barely, foreheads pressed together, catching their breath.
“We shouldn’t…” she breathed.
“I know,” he said. But he didn’t move.
Her eyes closed. “Everything’s a mess.”
“Then let it be messy.”
Silence crackled.
But her phone buzzed again—too loud, too sharp—and they both jumped like the rooftop had tilted.
Reality surged back.
She pulled away slowly, blinking hard, the wind suddenly biting. “I should… check that.”
He nodded, jaw tight.
The air was different now. Charged and hollow.
She looked at the screen. Another message.
From the gossip page.
Seungcheol didn’t ask who it was. He just sat back and looked up at the sky again, jaw set, eyes unreadable.
hi , y/n. not to stir the pot but you’ve been real quiet lately and funny how the two guys everyone swears you’re not choosing between both went out of their way for you tonight. I guess some people like having their cake and eating it too. don’t choke, babe.
Her stomach dropped. She felt it physically—like the floor of the roof gave out beneath her, the cold biting into her skin sharper now.
The kiss.
The party.
Mingyu.
Seungcheol.
Her.
Yuqi.
Vernon.
And now everyone was watching again.
She didn’t even show him. Didn’t even say a word. Just let her phone fall face down beside her, screen still glowing in the dark like an open wound.
Y/N let out a slow breath and laid back, spine pressing into the rooftop like it might ground her, but nothing felt solid anymore.
“Still think it’s the same sky?” she asked quietly, voice barely above a whisper. Her throat felt tight, raw.
Seungcheol turned his head to look at her, his expression unreadable in the shadows.
“Not tonight,” he murmured.
And neither of them said anything after that.
The air between them once electric, now thrummed with something else. Something heavier. Like a thread pulled too tight.
So she closed her eyes instead and let sleep take her.
Unspoken words hanging in the air like smoke.
Unanswered. Unfinished.
note: hi omg i didn't even realize it had been like three weeks?? time fucking flies. i'm sorry i haven't been posting, i went on vacation after my semester sort of randomly. lol. anyway, i made this a little written as well, which i may start doing more often as this story reaches more towards it's close, rip. but let me know what you guys think ily. xoxo.
synopsis: y/n while in her third year at greenwood international university finally gets an opportunity to move off campus into a new complex, she has to deal with the realization that her childhood rival is her new next door neighbor.
genre/s: reader is super oblivious, fluffy, sexual themes.
content: swearing, mentions of sexual relations, some drinking& mary jane 🍃
tag list - open
word count: 18k. (please note theres texts in between writing too 🖤)
Seungcheol’s eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the hospital room’s dull lighting. He blinked a few times, brows knitting together as he slowly processed where he was. His body felt sore, his head was pounding, and his gaze landed on Y/N.
She was curled up in a chair beside his bed, still awake, though she looked exhausted. He noticed the way her hands were gripping the blanket over her lap, the tense set of her shoulders.
His voice was hoarse when he finally spoke. “What the hell happened?”
Y/N looked up, startled by his sudden alertness. “Cheol,” she breathed, relief flashing across her face before she quickly masked it. “Morning.”
“Yeah. And very much not dead,” he muttered, grimacing as he sat up, a sharp pain shooting through his head. “Why am I still here?”
Y/N hesitated before answering. “You fainted.”
He blinked. “I what?”
She sighed, rubbing a hand over her face. “You passed out last night, after getting hit by Joon. Your blood sugar was low, and you were running on, like, zero sleep. The doctors said your body just shut down from everything—stress, exhaustion, dehydration, the works.”
Seungcheol groaned, leaning back against the pillow. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”
“I wish I was.”
He was quiet for a moment, processing. Then, his head tilted slightly, eyes narrowing as he took her in. “Wait. How do you know all this?”
Y/N swallowed, suddenly feeling caught. “Because I slept here and took care of you, your dad and Hana looked stressed so I told them to go home for the night.”
Seungcheol stared at her, unreadable. “You stayed.”
“Yeah,” she admitted, shifting uncomfortably. “I felt bad. I didn’t want you to wake up alone.”
A flicker of something passed through his expression—surprise, maybe something else—but it was gone too quickly for her to catch. He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “Shit. So everyone saw me go down?”
“Uh, yeah. Pretty dramatically, too.”
“Great,” he muttered, pressing his fingers to his temples. “I’m never gonna live this down.”
Y/N snorted. “Nope.”
Despite the situation, she saw the corners of his lips twitch, like he wanted to smile but was too annoyed with himself to fully commit.
Then, his expression sobered as his gaze flickered back to hers. “Seriously, though… why’d you stay?”
Y/N inhaled sharply, caught off guard by the weight of his question.
She could’ve told him the truth—that she felt guilty, that seeing him like that had shaken her more than she wanted to admit, that despite everything, she still cared about him more than she probably should.
Instead, she went with the safer answer.
“Because someone had to be here when your stubborn ass woke up.”
Seungcheol studied her for a long moment, something unreadable in his eyes. Then, finally, he huffed out a small laugh, shaking his head.
“You’re impossible.”
Y/N forced a smirk. “And you’re a dumbass.”
A smirk of his own played on his lips. “Guess that makes us even, huh?”
Not even close, she thought. But she didn’t say that. Because the truth was, she didn’t know why she had stayed.
Y/N shrugged, crossing her arms. “Mingyu and Yuqi are on their way over, and Vernon’s with his parents, but he’ll come check on you later tonight.” She paused, then smirked. “Someone’s popular.”
Seungcheol was already irritated. Not only was he stuck in a hospital bed, but now he had to sit here and listen to Y/N tell him how everyone was about to show up like this was some sort of field trip.
He rubbed a hand over his face. “So, let me get this straight—I get knocked out, and now I have a whole damn welcome committee?”
“Pretty much.”
Seungcheol groaned. “Great. Can’t wait.”
Y/N didn’t miss the way his expression soured slightly at Mingyu’s name. He wasn’t obvious about it—he never was—but she knew him too well. Seungcheol could tolerate Mingyu at best, and at worst… well, he’d never admit it out loud, but she knew.
She leaned against the chair, watching him. “You know, for someone who pretends not to care about Mingyu, you’re doing a terrible job hiding it.”
Seungcheol scoffed. “I don’t care.”
Y/N raised a brow.
“I don’t.”
Her brow lifted higher.
He exhaled sharply. “Okay, maybe I mildly care.”
Y/N grinned. “Right. And I mildly think you’re full of shit.”
Seungcheol rolled his eyes but didn’t argue further.
She let the teasing go for now, instead shifting in her seat, her expression becoming more serious. “Also… This might make me sound fucking insane but, I swear I saw Chaewon at the party.”
Seungcheol’s head snapped toward her. “What?”
Y/N nodded, chewing on her lip. “I mean, I think I did. It was only for a second, but I swear she was there. Then she was gone.” She huffed, shaking her head. “I probably just imagined it, but it freaked me out.”
Seungcheol frowned. “Chaewon, as in—”
“Yes, that Chaewon,” Y/N cut in, rubbing her temples. “I don’t know. I was already on edge, and with everything going on, my brain could’ve been playing tricks on me. But for a moment, it felt real.”
Seungcheol stayed quiet, his jaw tightening slightly.
Y/N sighed. “Anyway, that’s not even the biggest problem right now. I’ll bring it up later when everyone else comes. The problem is you—specifically, how you’re gonna explain to everyone that you went down like a poorly built Jenga tower.”
Seungcheol, looking far too comfortable for someone who had been knocked out cold the night before, watched her with that knowing smirk. He was relaxed, but there was something in his eyes—something sharper, heavier.
“So,” he said, drawing out the word. His voice was a little hoarse, but steady. “We gonna talk about it?”
Y/N glanced at him, feigning confusion. “Talk about what?”
His smirk deepened. “Don’t do that.”
She rolled her eyes and took a sip of wine straight from the bottle. “You’re on painkillers.”
“Actually, I’m not. My dad probably turned them down because he thinks I’m going to be an addict or whatever else he can come up with.. So?”
“You’re being bold.”
He laughed softly, shifting slightly in the bed. “Maybe.” He didn’t look away. “But that doesn’t mean I’m wrong.”
Y/N sighed. She knew exactly where this was going.
“We almost kissed,” she admitted.
Seungcheol tilted his head, as if considering something. “Yeah. And?”
“And it didn’t happen.”
“Right.” He nodded. “But do you wish it did?”
Her stomach flipped. She looked away, eyes focusing on the monitors beside him. “You’re seriously asking me this while hooked up to an IV?”
He grinned. “Wouldn’t be the first time we had bad timing.”
That made her laugh, despite herself. “No, it really wouldn’t.”
His gaze searched hers, like he was looking for an answer before she could even say anything. “You felt it too, didn’t you?”
Y/N opened her mouth, but before she could respond, the hospital door swung open.
“Oh, good! You’re awake.”
Yuqi’s voice filled the room as she stepped in, holding up a bottle of wine triumphantly. Behind her, Mingyu followed, arms full of snacks.
Y/N closed her eyes for a brief second, exhaling through her nose. Of course. Somehow, no matter when these moments happened, Yuqi was always the one interrupting.
Seungcheol glanced at Y/N, amused by the way her shoulders tensed.
“Speaking of bad timing,” he muttered under his breath, voice laced with something teasing.
Y/N shot him a look, but he just grinned, and somehow, she knew this conversation wasn’t over.
Yuqi set the wine down with a dramatic sigh. “You have no idea the struggle we went through to get this. Apparently, people have issues with buying alcohol before noon. Like, excuse me, my best friend had a stressful night, and I think she deserves a drink.”
Mingyu dropped a bag of chips onto Seungcheol’s lap. “You just get snacks, though.”
Seungcheol glanced at the bag before looking up at Y/N. “This feels like a weak trade.”
“Be grateful,” she deadpanned, though she was still tense from their conversation.
Yuqi flopped onto the chair beside Y/N, eyeing the two of them suspiciously. “Alright, what’s going on here? I walked in, and the air was thick.”
“Nothing,” Y/N said quickly, a little too quickly.
“Uh-huh.” Yuqi narrowed her eyes. “Cheol?”
Seungcheol leaned back against the pillows, looking entirely too smug for someone in a hospital gown. “I don’t know, Yuqi. Maybe Y/N was just about to confess her undying love for me.”
Y/N rolled her eyes so hard it hurt. “Right. That must be it.”
Mingyu, who had started unpacking the snacks, snorted. “Yeah, that sounds fake, but okay.”
Yuqi, however, seemed intrigued. She glanced between them, her matchmaking instincts kicking into high gear. “Wait. Wait, wait, wait—did something happen last night?”
“Nope,” Y/N said immediately.
“Almost,” Seungcheol muttered.
Yuqi’s eyes widened. “Almost what?”
“Nothing,” Y/N insisted. “Nothing happened.”
Mingyu paused mid-bite into a granola bar, staring at them. “Okay, now I feel like something definitely happened.”
Seungcheol smirked, shifting just slightly toward Y/N. “She’s just mad because people keep interrupting us.”
Yuqi gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. “Me?"
Y/N pinched the bridge of her nose. “Yuqi, you literally always interrupt.”
Mingyu laughed, tossing a snack onto the table. “Damn, okay. Should we, like, leave so you two can—”
“No,” Y/N cut in quickly.
“Yes,” Seungcheol said at the same time.
Yuqi clapped her hands together, absolutely delighted. “Oh, this is fun.”
Y/N groaned. She could feel Seungcheol looking at her, waiting, but now that their friends were here, she wasn’t going to keep whatever that moment was alive. Not now.
So instead, she grabbed the bottle of wine, twisted the cap off, and took a long, much-needed sip.
Yuqi smirked. “Okay, so now I definitely need to hear the full story.”
Y/N, still reeling from the almost moment with Seungcheol, decided to steer the conversation far away from that particular topic. “Actually, something else was weird about last night.”
Yuqi raised a brow. “Weirder than you and Cheol almost—”
“Yes,” Y/N interrupted, leveling her with a glare. “I swear I saw Chaewon at the party.”
That got their attention. Yuqi’s smirk faded, replaced with genuine surprise. “Chaewon? Like Chaewon?”
Mingyu, who had been less than enjoying Yuqi interrogating Y/N, suddenly looked much more alert. “Wait. You think you saw her?”
Y/N nodded. “I mean, I only caught a glimpse, but I know what I saw. And she—she looked like she was hiding.”
Mingyu frowned, popping a chip into his mouth. “You don’t think she was just, like, there as someone’s plus-one?”
Yuqi scoffed. “Yeah, sure, because Chaewon definitely rolls in those kinds of circles. No offense, but why the hell would she show up to that party of all places?”
Y/N bit her lip, hesitant. “That’s the thing… I don’t know.”
Seungcheol shifted in the bed, wincing slightly. “You’re sure it was her?”
Y/N hesitated, but then nodded. “I think so. It was fast, but it felt… I don’t know, like she wasn’t supposed to be there or she got scared when she saw me and ran off, like I genuinely have no fucking idea.”
Yuqi tilted her head. “Okay, but if she was there, why wouldn’t she just say hi? I mean, yeah, it’s awkward, but it’s not like she—” Yuqi suddenly stopped her phone scrolling and gasped loudly.
Y/N watched her carefully. “What?”
Yuqi’s lips parted slightly before she cursed under her breath. “Oh my fucking god.”
Mingyu blinked, confused. “Oh my fucking god what?”
Yuqi looked at Y/N, then at Seungcheol, then back at Y/N. “Chaewon is dating Joon.”
The words hit like a slap to the face.
Seungcheol’s expression darkened instantly, his grip tightening around the blanket on his lap. “You’re fucking kidding.”
Y/N’s stomach dropped. It made so much sense now—the secrecy, the way she ran. “So that’s why she didn’t want me to see her?”
Yuqi let out a low whistle. “Damn. No wonder she kept that quiet. She knew how bad that would look.”
Mingyu shook his head. “So, let me get this straight. Joon—who was already acting like a complete psycho last night—brought Chaewon to that party? And she didn’t tell any of us?”
Y/N exhaled sharply, sinking back into her seat. “And it gets worse. If she was there with Joon, then that means she saw everything.”
Seungcheol’s jaw clenched. “Including him taking a swing at me.”
Yuqi groaned, rubbing her temples. “This is a mess.”
Mingyu nodded. “I mean, no offense, but she’s dating an asshole.”
Seungcheol scoffed. “You’re just figuring that out now?”
Y/N shook her head, mind still racing. “I just—I don’t get it. Why would she go for him? Do you think she knows what he did to me? What did he did to Cheol?”
Yuqi shrugged. “People make bad choices for bad men every day.”
Seungcheol still looked pissed, but now there was something else behind his eyes—something that looked almost like… hurt. Like the idea of Chaewon knowing what Joon did and still being with him bothered him in a way he wasn’t ready to admit.
Mingyu sighed, grabbing a handful of snacks. “Well, guess we’ll just have to figure out how to deal with this now, too.”
Y/N nodded slowly, but her mind was still stuck on Chaewon’s face, the way she had disappeared into the crowd. She knew this wasn’t the last time she’d have to deal with her. And somehow, she had a feeling that whatever came next wasn’t going to be simple.
Yuqi leaned back against the little sofa in the hospital room, a chip still half-hanging out of her mouth. “Okay, what if you just text her?” she said, chewing thoughtfully. “Act like you don’t know anything. See what she says.”
Y/N blinked. “What would I even say? ‘Hey, random question, were you lurking around a launch party hosted by my mother while dating my ex’s psycho best friend?’” She gave Yuqi a flat look.
Mingyu laughed through a sip of his soda. “Maybe dial it back a little.”
Seungcheol, still lying stiff in the bed but watching closely, added, “You could say you were just thinking about her or checking in, maybe something about the fundraiser. Something casual.”
Yuqi nodded. “Exactly. Play it cool. If she lies, we’ll go from there.” Then, with a glint in her eye, she added, “And if she doesn’t lie, maybe we can figure out what the hell she was doing there.”
Y/N sighed, unlocking her phone. “I hate that this is actually a decent plan.” She started typing.
Mingyu let out a low “damn” from across the room, then raised his brows at Y/N. “Remind me not to lie to you. Ever.”
Y/N shrugged, crossing her arms. “Only if you’re bad at it.”
Seungcheol, head tilted slightly on the pillow, gave her a look. “And you think she'll just confess to you?”
“I hope so. I guess,” Y/N said slowly, “If theres no issue I don't see why she wouldn't?”
Mingyu tilted his head. “Yeah, not to be rude, but… since when do you go full private investigator on someone?”
Even Seungcheol raised an eyebrow, rubbing the side of his temple gently. “You hate confrontation. You used to make your mom break up with your friends for you.”
Y/N gave a short laugh under her breath, but her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. She glanced at her phone for a second before tucking it into her back pocket and sitting back in the chair, suddenly a little quieter. “Yeah. I know.”
Yuqi exchanged a glance with the boys but stayed quiet, waiting.
Y/N exhaled through her nose, fidgeting with the hem of her hoodie. “I think I’m just tired,” she finally said, voice softer than before. “Of letting people lie to me. Of brushing it off and pretending it doesn’t get to me.”
No one said anything, but the air in the room shifted. Heavier. More real.
“I used to tell myself it wasn’t worth it—confronting people, pushing back, whatever. That it just made things messy. But the thing is…” She looked around at all of them, her eyes briefly landing on Seungcheol’s before drifting away again. “It’s already messy. And I’m still the one cleaning it up.”
Yuqi’s expression softened instantly. “Y/N…”
“I don’t want to stay stuck in this cycle anymore,” she said, her voice getting steadier, firmer. “Where people get to hurt me or hide things from me, and I just swallow it down because I don’t want to ruin the vibe or start a fight.”
Seungcheol’s lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but he stayed quiet.
Y/N glanced at him again, her voice gentler now. “I’m not doing it to start drama. I just… want things to be simple again. I want to move forward without always wondering who’s telling me the truth.”
Mingyu leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, and after a moment he nodded slowly. “That actually makes sense.”
Yuqi walked over and perched on the side of the hospital bed. “Okay, I’m proud of you, but also—are we going undercover to a bar tonight or what?”
Y/N cracked a smile. “Yeah.”
Seungcheol finally spoke, voice low but clear. “You deserve simple, Y/N.” His eyes met hers. “You deserve better than what we’ve all put you through.”
Y/N sighed, scrubbing a hand over her face as she leaned forward, elbows on her knees. “I just hate when people get caught in my crossfire,” she said quietly. “Especially people I care about.”
Yuqi's teasing grin faded.
Y/N glanced toward Seungcheol without really looking at him. “I never wanted you to get hurt either. And I think… I think I might’ve hurt Vernon’s feelings last night, too. So now I just need to figure out what the fuck I’m doing.”
That made the room go still. Seungcheol’s jaw tensed ever so slightly, and Mingyu looked up from the snack he was unwrapping.
“I’m trying to move forward, but it’s like—every step I take just ends up hurting someone else, and it makes me feel sick. I didn’t mean for any of this to be a game, and I know it’s not, but it feels like it sometimes. And I hate that.”
There was a long pause before Yuqi quietly said, “Okay, well, step one of moving forward: get the truth.”
Y/N huffed a laugh and looked up. “If Chaewon was at the party, then something’s up. I mean she’s not from around here. She doesn’t have family nearby. And she’s dating Joon. So what the hell was she doing at my mom’s house?”
Yuqi nudged Mingyu. “We should get her a few drinks, loosen her up. Drunk people are bad at lying. And hey, maybe we steal her phone.”
“Yuqi,” Seungcheol said flatly, raising an eyebrow.
“What?” she shrugged. “For truth. For justice.”
Y/N laughed despite herself, shaking her head. “Let’s not steal anything, yet. But if she’s lying to my face, I want to know. I’ve let too much slide already.”
Seungcheol’s voice was soft. “You sure you want to do this tonight?”
“I need to,” Y/N said, firmer now. “I’m tired of wondering. Tired of guessing who’s real and who’s full of shit. I want answers, and if I don’t get them, I want peace anyway.”
Yuqi stood up with a dramatic stretch and clapped her hands together. “Alright, I'm gonna hit the bathroom. If I come back and someone’s crying, I’m walking right back out.”
“Noted,” Y/N muttered with a small smirk.
Once Yuqi disappeared down the hallway, the room fell into an awkward, loaded silence. Y/N stayed standing, shifting her weight from one leg to the other. Mingyu leaned back in his chair, arms crossed loosely, watching her for a beat.
Then, casually—but not really—he asked, “What did you mean earlier? About Vernon?”
Y/N hesitated, fiddling with the edge of her hoodie sleeve. “Nothing, just I think I crossed a line last night.”
“How?” Mingyu asked, brows furrowing like he couldn’t quite figure out what she could’ve done.
Seungcheol didn’t jump in, but his eyes flicked to her, clearly listening. Quiet, but tuned in.
Y/N shrugged and sat down on the edge of the chair beside Seungcheol’s bed. “I was drunk, we were talking, it got weird.”
Mingyu tilted his head, trying to read her. “Weird how? Like kissing weird?”
Her silence was enough of an answer.
Mingyu’s eyes widened slightly. “Wait—did you actually kiss him?”
“No.” Y/N’s voice was quick. “But it almost happened. And I didn’t mean for it to. I mean, it was kind of a joke, kind of not, and it just—” She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. The point is, I saw his face after, and I think I hurt him. And I hate that. Vernon’s like—he’s been my best friend since I was a kid.”
Mingyu looked like he wanted to say something more but bit it back, his expression unreadable.
Seungcheol was still quiet, gaze down on the blanket across his lap. After a moment, he said softly, “He’s not the only one who got weird with you last night.”
Y/N looked over at him. “Yeah,” she said. “I’ve been thinking about that too.”
Mingyu leaned forward, a little incredulous now. “Wait. You’re telling me you almost kissed both of them? Last night?”
Y/N buried her face in her hands. “I hate it here.”
Seungcheol let out a low chuckle, and even Mingyu cracked a smile.
“Okay, that’s… that’s kinda interesting, honestly,” Mingyu said, shaking his head. “Messy as hell. But it's interesting.”
Y/N dropped her hands. “I’m not trying to be interesting. I just want to stop feeling like I’m ruining everything.”
“You’re not,” Seungcheol said, voice steady. “You’re just figuring it out.”
Before Y/N could reply, they heard the toilet flush down the hall.
Yuqi’s footsteps padded back down the hallway, but she hadn’t quite rounded the corner yet when Mingyu leaned back again, arms behind his head like he was stretching out the tension.
“So wait,” he said, mock-offended, “you almost kissed Vernon and Seungcheol last night…”
Y/N gave him a cautious look.
He raised a brow, grinning. “But not me? Damn, Y/N. I thought we had something special.”
She rolled her eyes. “Gyu—”
“I mean,” he went on with faux dramatics, “you’ve got this whole Bachelor situation going on, and I’m still in first place without even trying. Talk about winning by default.”
Y/N let out a small laugh, but it didn’t reach her eyes. The joke hit a little too close to a sore spot she wasn’t ready to unpack—again. Her stomach twisted as she looked down at her hands.
Mingyu didn’t seem to catch it. “You really can’t commit, huh?” he teased, his smile wide. “One foot out the door with all of us.”
That one stung. Her smile faltered, and the air shifted.
Seungcheol sat up straighter in the bed, his voice sharper than usual. “Dude. That’s not funny,” Seungcheol said, eyes steady on him. “Feelings are involved.”
Y/N didn’t say anything right away, but her throat was tight. She tried to play it off, brushing invisible lint off her pants. “It’s fine. He’s just joking.”
Seungcheol glanced at her, then back at Mingyu. “Still. Don’t make her feel like she’s some joke you’re winning.”
Mingyu’s grin faded a little as he looked at Y/N again. The momentary flicker of guilt passed over his face.
“Sorry,” he said, a little more seriously now. “I didn’t mean it like that. You know that, right?”
Y/N nodded, but the silence that followed was heavier than before.
Yuqi finally stepped back into the room, breaking it like a snapped string. “Okay, what did I miss? Why do you all look like you just cried without me?”
Mingyu quickly cleared his throat and offered a crooked smile. “We were just talking about Y/N’s love triangle.”
“Love square,” Yuqi corrected with a knowing glance, sitting back down. “And I’m still voting that we steal Chaewon’s phone tonight.”
Y/N managed a real smile this time. “Only if I get to do the talking.”
Mingyu opened his mouth, maybe to say something light again, but this time he thought better of it. He just nodded once.
Yuqi looked between them. “So. We’re still doing this, right?”
Y/N stood, setting her wineglass down with a little more force than she meant. “Yeah. We’re doing this.”
She turned toward the door and then paused, glancing back at her friends. “But I’m the one who’s gonna talk to her. No games. No drama.”
Yuqi grinned. “We’ll just be your backup dancers.”
Mingyu gave a mock salute. “Operation Bad Bitch, begins.”
Seungcheol watched from his bed, slow and steady, eyes still on Y/N. “You sure you don’t want someone with you?”
Y/N shook her head. “No. I need to do this one myself.”
And despite everything, there was something solid in the way they all looked at her—maybe even proud. As much as she felt scattered and uncertain and guilty, there was one thing she finally had a grip on.
The knock at the hospital room door came with the distinct sound of a nurse pushing a cart, and a moment later, the door opened to reveal not just the nurse, but Seungcheol’s dad stepping in behind her—tall, serious, and surprisingly gentle in his tone. Hana followed quietly, her expression unreadable but eyes darting straight to Seungcheol in the hospital bed.
“Sorry to interrupt,” the nurse said cheerfully, already glancing at the monitor. “Just one more set of vitals and we’ll get the paperwork going. He should be good to go soon.”
Seungcheol groaned softly, but not from pain. “You mean I actually get to leave?”
His dad smiled—just a flicker, but it was there. “Told you it wouldn’t be forever.”
“I didn’t believe you,” Seungcheol muttered, leaning a little so the nurse could check the cuff on his arm. He tried not to flinch at the blood pressure reading; it still made him feel like a patient instead of a person.
Hana stood off to the side, eyes scanning the room—taking in the way Y/N stood with her arms crossed, Mingyu lounging awkwardly nearby, Yuqi tapping her fingers on the arm of the chair in the room, and the tension that had clearly only just started to settle.
Seungcheol’s dad nodded to the room in general. “Didn’t realize you had this much company.”
Y/N offered a polite smile. “We were just about to head out, actually.”
Yuqi dragged Mingyu up and started leading him outside, with just a small goodbye to the rest of the group still lingering in Seungcheol’s room.
The nurse smiled as she scribbled something down. “Well, you’re free to hang around until discharge is finalized. Just don’t go trying to run off before I bring the wheelchair, alright?”
Seungcheol gave her a tired look. “I’m not eighty.”
“Hospital policy,” she chirped, before rolling out of the room with a wave.
His dad stepped closer to the bed, hands in his pockets. “You’re lucky. You hit your head harder than they first thought. Take it easy, alright?”
“I will,” Seungcheol mumbled, but his eyes were on Y/N again, like whatever tension had paused between them was waiting to pick back up the second everyone cleared out.
Hana’s voice finally cut through. “We brought some of your things, by the way. Clothes, that hoodie with the stupid hole in the elbow you like so much. Some snacks, just a care package of sorts.”
“Thanks,” he said, though it came out a little stiff.
Y/N didn’t miss the way Hana looked at her—kind, curious, and cool.
“I’ll go put them over there,” Hana said, slipping past Y/N with a slight brush of her shoulder. Not to be rude. Just enough to remind her she was there.
As Hana set the small duffel bag down on the chair near the bed, she turned slightly toward Y/N, her expression softening from cool to warm in a heartbeat. She waited until the nurse and Seungcheol's dad were briefly distracted talking over the discharge papers.
“Hey,” she said quietly, just for Y/N to hear. “Thank you for staying. You being here let his dad and me actually sleep last night.”
Y/N blinked, caught a little off guard by the genuine tone. “Oh—yeah. Of course. I didn’t mind. It was kind of my fault anyway.”
Hana tilted her head, her voice low and kind. “Still. You didn’t have to. But I think he needed you here, even if he doesn’t say it out loud.”
Y/N gave her a small smile, something tired but grateful in her eyes. “He always says it without saying it.”
That earned a soft laugh from Hana. “Sounds about right.”
They shared a moment—brief, but real—before Hana squeezed Y/N’s arm lightly. “Go get some air. I’ll stay with him until everything’s settled. You’ve done your part.”
Y/N hesitated. “You sure?”
Hana nodded. “I’ve got him now. Go breathe. Maybe sneak a real coffee.”
Y/N glanced at Seungcheol, who was distracted with the cuff still wrapped around his arm and muttering something to his dad. Then back at Hana.
“Thanks,” she said quietly. “For not… making this weird.”
Hana grinned. “You and me? We’re on the same team.”
Y/N stepped out of the way to let her sit beside the bed, still a little stunned at how simple the exchange had been. But grateful. Really, really grateful.
Y/N lingered by the door for a moment longer, letting the calm energy in the room settle. Hana was already talking to Seungcheol’s dad, who was reviewing the last bits of paperwork with the nurse. The noise of the busy hospital corridor outside felt distant, and Y/N, for the first time in what felt like days, took a deep breath, letting herself relax.
She felt the weight of everything—the party, the tension with Seungcheol, the confusion with Vernon, and everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours—begin to catch up with her. It wasn’t just the mess of emotions that had been swirling around her; it was the fact that she felt like she was always walking on the edge, trying not to hurt anyone else or let her feelings get the best of her.
As she stepped outside the room and into the hallway, the sudden quietness was almost overwhelming. She didn’t know whether she wanted to find some space, clear her head, or run away from the whole situation. But what was she running from, really? She didn’t even know where she was heading. Maybe she was just looking for something to hold onto.
Just then, her phone buzzed in her pocket, snapping her out of her thoughts.
She shoved her phone back into her pocket with a sigh, feeling a lot less satisfied than she had hoped. She leaned back against the wall for a moment, rubbing her eyes as she tried to clear her head.
She had to focus. Focus on Seungcheol. Focus on everything going on around her. Maybe confronting Chaewon wasn’t the best idea, but it was the only thing that was making sense to her right now.
A soft voice broke through her thoughts. It was Hana, standing at the door to Seungcheol’s room, her head poking out from the threshold. “Y/N, you okay?”
Y/N nodded, forcing a smile. “Yeah, all good.”
Hana smiled kindly, the understanding between them unspoken. “Everythings gonna be fine. Don’t worry too much.”
Y/N walked back toward the room, her mind buzzing. She didn’t want to overthink everything, but it felt like everything was coming to a head. Whatever Chaewon was hiding, it had to come out. She couldn’t keep letting things slide, not when people she cared about were getting caught in the crossfire.
She pushed the door open slowly, finding Seungcheol looking much more awake and alert, though still groggy. He flashed a tired smile when he saw her, his eyes still a little unfocused.
“Hey,” Y/N said quietly, sitting down beside him again, offering him a soft smile.
“Hey…” Seungcheol’s voice was hoarse, but there was a certain calm in his expression. He reached out for her hand, squeezing it gently. “How are you doing?”
Y/N swallowed, her emotions still swirling. “I’m okay. Just a lot on my mind.”
He gave her a small, knowing look. “I get that. But you don’t have to carry everything yourself, you know? I’m here.”
Her heart softened at his words, the familiar comfort of his presence still grounding her, even if things felt off. She couldn’t help but feel conflicted, even as she tried to push aside the tension and focus on the moment.
“I know,” she replied, her voice quieter now, a little more vulnerable. “But sometimes it just feels like it’s all too much. Like I’m just letting it all pile up.”
Seungcheol gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, his expression turning more serious. “You don’t have to figure it all out right now. Let’s just take it one step at a time.”
As Y/N sat beside Seungcheol, lost in her thoughts, the door creaked open, and the nurse from earlier stepped inside with a clipboard in hand. She looked between Seungcheol and Y/N, offering a warm smile.
“So, Seungcheol, everything looks good to go,” the nurse said, giving him a quick check of his vitals. “If you’re feeling up to it, we can get you discharged.”
“Fuck yeah.”
The nurse nodded with a smile. “I’ll just leave this here then.” She handed over some papers for Seungcheol to sign and stepped back toward the door. “I’ll be back in a minute to get you on your way out.”
As the nurse stepped out to grab a wheelchair for Seungcheol, Y/N lingered by the window, scrolling aimlessly on her phone. She heard him groan softly behind her and turned to see him sitting on the edge of the hospital bed, rubbing his temples.
"Ugh, my head feels like someone hit it with a brick," he muttered, squinting as he tried to stand.
"Well," Y/N said, walking over to him with a wry smile, "that’s because someone kind of did."
"Right," he said with a short laugh, wincing as he shifted his legs over the side. “God, I feel like I aged twenty years overnight.”
"You're really committing to the grumpy old man vibe, huh?" she teased gently.
He gave her a crooked grin, eyes flicking to hers with a softness she hadn’t seen from him in a while. “Only thing missing is a cane and yelling at kids to get off my lawn.”
Y/N rolled her eyes playfully. “Alright, Grandpa, let’s get you dressed before the nurse comes back and sees you flashing your ass in this hospital gown to the world.”
Cheol snorted but didn’t object as she moved to grab his folded clothes from the chair beside the bed. She handed him his shirt first and turned her back halfway, giving him privacy while still staying close enough to help if he needed it.
After a few seconds, she heard the faintest sound of a grunt—him trying to tug it over his head—and turned back around just enough to see him struggling to lift his arms properly.
"Okay, stop," she said, walking over before he could protest. "Let me help, you’re going to rip a stitch."
He didn’t argue. Instead, he sat still while she gently helped him ease the shirt over his shoulders, mindful of the bandages and bruises. Her touch was careful, but there was something intimate in the silence that followed—quiet, steady, trusting.
Cheol cleared his throat after a moment. “Thanks for staying. You didn’t have to.”
Y/N looked at him, her hands brushing down the fabric of his shirt as she straightened it. “I wanted to,” she said softly.
His eyes met hers. There was a flicker of something there—something warm and searching—but he didn’t press it. “You’re gonna make me cry in a hospital gown,” he joked, trying to lighten the mood again.
“You’ll live,” she replied with a small smirk, handing him his sweatpants.
“Debatable,” he muttered dramatically as he leaned forward to step into them, groaning with every movement. “Okay, this is officially the least sexy thing that’s ever happened between us.”
“Good,” she said, holding his arm steady as he stood. “Let’s keep it that way for now, old man.”
He laughed again, low and hoarse but genuine. And as she helped him ease down into the wheelchair the nurse had left outside the door, neither of them said much—just sat in that shared, quiet understanding that something between them had changed again. Maybe not in the big, dramatic way it always used to, but in a quieter, more human way.
The nurse reappeared just as Y/N adjusted the blanket over Seungcheol’s lap, tucking it around his legs like someone who’d clearly done this before—probably for her grandma, or maybe a friend. She gave them a quick glance, a cheerful smile forming as she double-checked the chart in her hands.
"Vitals look great, and you’re officially cleared to go," she said, unclipping the last monitor from Seungcheol’s finger. “Now—did your girlfriend want to wheel you out, or should I?”
There was a split second of silence.
Y/N froze, halfway through adjusting the wheelchair handles. Seungcheol blinked. Hana, standing just outside with a half-empty coffee cup, covered her mouth like she was trying not to laugh. His dad just raised his eyebrows with the kind of silent amusement only a father could pull off.
“Oh—uh,” Y/N said, her voice going a bit high, “I’m not—he’s not—we’re not…”
“I mean, if she wants to, I’m not stopping her,” Seungcheol added quickly, that usual smirk tugging at his lips even as his ears turned red.
“She stayed overnight,” Hana added slyly, sipping her coffee with a knowing look. “That counts for something.”
Y/N gave her a playful glare and then cleared her throat, trying to recover. “I’ll wheel him out. Might as well see this through.”
The nurse nodded, clearly entertained but saying nothing else, and handed Seungcheol his discharge papers. “All yours, then. Take it easy for the next few days, alright?”
“Not like I have a choice,” Seungcheol grumbled.
They rolled out slowly, Y/N behind the chair as they exited the hospital room and headed toward the elevators. Hana and his dad walked ahead, giving them a little space, murmuring about stopping by the pharmacy on the way home.
Y/N dug her phone out of her pocket with one hand and shot a quick text to their friends that they're coming out and ready to go as they waited for the elevator.
By the time she looked up from her phone, Seungcheol was eyeing her suspiciously over his shoulder.
“What?” she asked.
“Nothing,” he said, leaning his head back against the wheelchair. “Just making sure you’re not trying to kill me for not telling the nurse you weren’t my girlfriend and just some annoying stalker.”
She gave him a look. “You’re so dramatic. Relax. You’d be so fucking lucky if I was your stalker.”
“I am relaxed,” he muttered. “Just fucking around, I think the head injury got to me.”
Y/N rolled her eyes fondly, pushing him into the elevator as the doors dinged open. “Okay, grandpa.”
The elevator doors closed with a quiet ding, and Y/N leaned lightly against the back rail as it descended, her fingers curled around the wheelchair handles. Seungcheol’s head tilted lazily to the side, his shoulder brushing against her knee as he adjusted in the seat.
“You know,” he said after a beat, voice a little hoarse but playful, “if I’d known you’d be helping me get dressed and wheeling me out of the hospital like some tragic drama scene, I would’ve gotten punched in the face way sooner.”
Y/N huffed a laugh, even though her heart was still knotted from earlier. “Don’t get used to it. This was a one-time thing.”
He smirked, then grimaced when the motion made his head pound. “Noted. Old man rules still apply, though. Might need help getting into bed.”
Y/N rolled her eyes but smiled, the elevator gliding to a stop. “You’re literally almost thirty years old, you’re fine.”
“And someone with a minor concussion and a face bruise to match my bruised ego. Don’t age-shame me.”
They exited into the quiet hospital lobby, where Hana and his dad were already waiting near the doors. Y/N’s grip tightened subtly on the handles, a strange pang hitting her chest as the bright afternoon sun spilled through the glass.
“Thanks. For staying. For helping me, if you ever wanted a change in majors you could be a nurse, you’d look cute in scrubs.”
Y/N helped him slide his arms through his hoodie, moving slow so it wouldn’t jar his stitches. “Mhm, thank you, but It’s kinda my fault you were here in the first place.”
“You didn’t make Joon hit me,” he replied.
“No. But if I never kissed you back then and let it go further than maybe you wanted, it would’ve never happened.” She looked down at the ground, scratching her shoe on the pavement.
Seungcheol stilled a little at that.
He didn’t say anything at first. But when he did, his voice was low.
“You never made me do anything I didn’t want,” he said. “The feeling was mutual.”
Her eyes flicked to his, and for a second, they just looked at each other—past the teasing and the banter, past all the things they hadn’t said out loud.
And then Hana called out from the passenger seat, cheerful as ever, “Cheol! You want your grandma blanket for the ride home?”
The moment popped like a soap bubble. Y/N chuckled under her breath and stepped back.
“Come on,” she murmured, patting his shoulder. “Let’s get you out of here before she starts asking if we need to pick up prunes and slippers too.”
Seungcheol groaned as he stood, leaning lightly on her for balance. “You joke, but I think she already got me a cardigan.”
Hana popped open the backseat door just as Seungcheol leaned into Y/N’s side again for balance. He was wobbly, not from pain this time, but mostly just exhaustion. Even with a solid night’s sleep, it was like his body hadn’t quite caught up to everything that had happened.
“Okay, big step,” Y/N coached gently, guiding him toward the car.
“Don’t patronize me,” Seungcheol mumbled with a crooked grin. “I’m still taller than you.”
“Not if you collapse in the parking lot.”
“I’d fall with dignity.”
Hana reached out to steady him on the other side. “You’d fall like a baby deer.”
That made him snort, wincing as he lowered himself into the seat. Y/N crouched to help him swing his legs in, adjusting the blanket while Hana fluffed the little pillow she’d brought from home.
“You good?” Y/N asked him.
Seungcheol nodded slowly, eyes fluttering shut for a second. “Yeah. This is the most care I’ve felt since I had the flu in middle school.”
“Cute,” Y/N murmured. “Try not to make this a regular thing.”
Once he was situated, she stepped back to let Hana close the door. They lingered for a second on the curb, a rare moment of quiet between them.
“Hey,” Hana said, nudging her shoulder lightly, “you’re welcome to come hang at our place tonight. Invite the rest of your friends, watch a movie and order pizza or something?”
Y/n smiled at the offer, genuine but apologetic. “I wish I could,” she said, brushing her hair back. “I need a shower. I feel like I slept in a hospital chair, which—spoiler alert—I did.”
Hana nodded, understanding but still a little disappointed. “Totally fair. Do you guys have plans tonight?”
Y/n paused a beat too long before saying, “Yeah. Just something small.”
She didn’t elaborate, and Hana didn’t push. But she noticed the way y/n looked back at the car—just for a second, a flicker of guilt in her expression. Like maybe she didn’t want to leave him right away, but had already decided she would.
“Thanks for staying with him last night,” Hana added quickly, her voice softening. “You gave us a chance to get some sleep, and I know he needed you more.”
Y/N’s throat tightened at that, but she managed a quiet, “He would’ve done the same.”
“I know,” Hana said with a smile, stepping away toward the passenger side. “He’s good at taking care of people. I’m glad someone’s around to take care of him too, for once.”
Y/N stood on the curb a moment longer after Hana’s car disappeared down the street, the warmth of the moment fading into the chill of her nerves. She stared down at her phone, thumbs hovering to cancel her other plans and just have a night off from anything dramatic, but she knew she couldn’t avoid it.
She sighed. If she let it go now, if she pushed it down again like she always did, it would fester. And she was tired—tired of pretending things didn’t hurt when they did, tired of letting people lie and act like it didn’t matter, tired of being the one who always cleaned up the mess without saying anything.
This wasn’t about Chaewon, not really. It was about everything.
Y/N finally moved, walking toward the car where Mingyu waited in the driver’s seat, messing with the aux cord like it was a life-or-death mission. Yuqi was sitting in the back seat, texting rapidly like her fingers were going to fly off.
He looked up when she slid into the passenger seat. “Ready?”
The silence that followed was comfortable for a moment. Then, without turning his head, Mingyu added, “You sure you wanna do this tonight?”
“No,” she admitted honestly. “But I need to.”
He nodded slowly, taking the corner onto her street. “You really think she’s with Joon?”
“I know I saw her,” Y/N said. “And unless she took up ghosting and astral projection in her free time, she’s hiding something.”
Yuqi snorted. “Chaewon always was a little… elusive.”
“You think she knew what he did to Seungcheol?”
Y/N didn’t answer right away. The thought of it had been sitting in the pit of her stomach all day, growing heavier with every passing hour. If she gave Chaewon the benefit of the doubt, she might have missed it. But if she didn’t...
“I don’t know,” she said quietly. “But she knows us. And I feel like she should’ve said something. Anything.”
They pulled into the driveway. Mingyu killed the engine but didn’t move to get out. “You think she’s gonna confess the moment we show up?”
“No,” Y/N said with a wry smile. “That’s why we’re bringing Yuqi.”
“Ah, yes. The human lie detector with excellent fashion sense.” Yuqi just smiled, gassing herself up.
Y/N unbuckled, pushing the door open. “She’s the super secret weapon because if I fail, she’s got full permission to steal her phone.”
Mingyu let out a bark of laughter. “You guys are both way more terrifying than you look.”
Yuqi smacked the back of his head, “Yeah, and don’t you forget it. Next time you fuck up we’ll haunt you too.”
They stepped into the house, the familiar scent of her mom’s hand soap still faint in the air from earlier. Her dad was in the living room, sprawled across the couch like he’d melted there, a glass of water on the coffee table and a blanket her mom must have thrown over him.
Mingyu was already raiding the fridge. “What time are we leaving?”
Y/N checked her phone. “Maybe, around 7? Vernon’s meeting us there.”
Yuqi just smirked, pouring hot water into her mug of tea. “Can’t believe I’m saying this… but I actually need to see Vernon tonight. Just to make sure you didn’t break his heart or something.”
Y/N froze mid-sip of water.
Her dad, of course, woke up from his nap at the perfect moment and didn’t let that go unnoticed. “Wait—what did you do to Vernon?”
“Nothing, he’s fine! They’re just being dramatic.” she said quickly.
Mingyu gave her a look, exaggerated and teasing. “Y/N Y/L/N, you’re turning into a full-blown heartbreaker. At this rate, you’ll have all three of us in therapy.”
Her dad chuckled from the couch, but it faded quickly. Y/N couldn’t tell if he drifted back into his nap or was just listening on.
The awkwardness from Mingyu’s comment still hung in the air, but Y/N wasn’t in the mood to dwell on it. She wanted to focus. To get this night over with and figure out what was really going on with Chaewon.
She glanced back at the clock, seeing that they only had about 45 minutes before they were supposed to meet Vernon.
“Alright. Let’s go over the plan again,” she said, her voice taking on a more determined edge. “We go to the bar and I figure out what’s really going on. I’ll talk to her, and we’ll see what happens. I don’t know what she’s up to, but I’m going to find out.”
Yuqi nodded, giving her a small smile. “Exactly. You’ve got this, Y/N.”
Yuqi chuckled, her hand brushing against Y/N’s arm in a comforting gesture. “Let’s just get this over with, okay?”
Y/N took a deep breath, putting her phone back in her pocket. She was still nervous, but there was no turning back now. The plan was set, and she was ready to face whatever came her way tonight.
With one last glance at her friends, Y/N nodded. “Let’s go.”
With one last glance at her friends, Y/N nodded. “Let’s go.”
The bar was buzzing with energy when Y/N, Yuqi, and Mingyu arrived. The low hum of conversation and the clink of glasses filled the air, and the neon lights overhead gave everything a slightly hazy glow. Vernon was already waiting for them, leaning against the bar, scanning the crowd. When he saw them, he waved, his familiar grin lighting up his face.
Y/N felt a little lighter at the sight of him, but the weight of the situation wasn’t easy to shake. Chaewon still hadn’t responded to her text, and she was feeling the sting of uncertainty.
“Hey, you guys made it,” Vernon said, standing up straight and giving them a quick hug. “Are you nervous?”
Y/N laughed nervously, trying to hide her nerves behind the usual bravado. “A little,” she admitted. “But I’m just gonna ask her what’s going on. I have to know.”
Yuqi leaned in, squeezing her arm. “You’ve got this. Just keep it cool.”
Mingyu, on the other hand, was already scanning the bar with a smirk. “Alright, what’s the plan? Do you want us to eavesdrop, or?”
Y/N, despite her nerves, couldn’t help but laugh at the idea. “Let’s just find a spot where we can hear her without being too obvious. I don’t want to confront her with the whole group there.”
Vernon nodded in agreement. “Yeah, we’ll just keep it chill. If anything goes down, we’re ready to step in.”
The group made their way to a booth in the back corner of the bar, a small, cozy spot where they could see the front door but remain hidden in the shadows. The dim lighting in the corner booth would give them a slight advantage in keeping an eye on the entrance, but it was just out of view enough to avoid drawing attention.
Y/N sat on the edge of the booth, her fingers tapping nervously against the table. “I don’t know if I can do this, you guys.”
“You can,” Yuqi assured her, taking a seat beside her. “But you’re gonna have to relax. She might not even show up tonight, you know? She could be avoiding the whole thing.”
Mingyu, taking a seat on the other side of Y/N, nudged her gently. “But, hey, if she does show, I’ll be on standby to help you. Just give me a signal and I’ll pretend to spill my drink on her or something.”
Y/N couldn’t help but roll her eyes at Mingyu’s antics, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. “Thanks for the offer. I’m sure that’ll work wonders.”
Time seemed to stretch on in the quiet booth, the noise of the bar surrounding them but not really reaching her. Every minute felt like an hour, and with each passing second, Y/N grew more anxious.
The bar was buzzing, dim lights flickering against clinking glasses and low music. Y/N sat in the booth with Yuqi, Mingyu, and Vernon, her nerves tingling with every passing minute. She kept checking the door. Fifteen minutes late. Twenty. Thirty.
Yuqi leaned in. “She’s not coming.”
“She said she would,” Y/N muttered, gripping her drink. Her stomach had been twisting for the past hour, and the tequila wasn’t helping.
“She could’ve changed her mind,” Yuqi offered with a shrug. “Or maybe she—”
But before he could finish, the door opened again—and there she was.
Chaewon.
She stepped inside, hair tousled from the wind, a soft blush of embarrassment on her face as she looked around and spotted Y/N. She lifted a hand in a small wave, mouthing, Sorry!
Y/N’s breath hitched a little. “Shit.”
Vernon straightened slightly. “Huh.”
Yuqi blinked. “No way.”
“She looks nervous,” Mingyu muttered, adjusting in his seat to watch through the gap in their booth.
Chaewon approached, clutching her coat tighter around herself. “I am so fucking sorry,” she said as soon as she reached Y/N’s table. “I got so lost—I haven’t really been here before, and I thought I could find it on my own, but then I turned down the wrong street and—yeah. Anyway, I’m here.”
“It’s alright,” Y/N said, forcing a polite smile as she stood. “I’m just glad you made it. Wanna sit?”
Chaewon glanced at the booth. “You came alone?”
Y/N nodded. “Yeah. Just figured it’d be easier to talk one-on-one.”
In the booth behind them, her friends ducked slightly lower, their drinks halfway to their mouths, fully invested.
Yuqi whispered, “Okay, I literally love eavesdropping more than actually being involved, but I wish I could see the look on her face when Y/n brings up Joon.”
Mingyu nodded. “Now let’s just hope she doesn’t lie to her face.”
Vernon, still nursing the same beer, murmured, “She’s definitely hiding something. I’m not sure what, but you know.”
Y/N, back at her table with Chaewon, took a breath. Her pulse thumped in her ears, but she kept her voice steady. “So? You’re here. That’s kind of surprising.”
Chaewon offered a nervous laugh. “Why’s that?”
“You’re not from here,” Y/N said. “And you didn’t mention anything about visiting. Just caught me off guard.”
Chaewon glanced down at her drink menu. “Yeah, it was sort of a last-minute thing. And I really did not remember you were from here. I was surprised when you texted me. I just wanted to enjoy the long weekend and get away, you know?”
“Mhm,” Y/N said carefully. “Get away from what, though?”
Chaewon hesitated, just for a second, and Y/N caught it.
Back in the booth behind them, Yuqi whispered, “That was a pause. She’s lying.”
“She’s definitely lying,” Mingyu agreed.
“Now we just see how good Y/N is at calling her bluff,” Vernon added quietly.
Chaewon had ordered a simple cider. Y/N had switched to a club soda a while ago, the earlier buzz from tequila fading into something steadier. She kept tapping the edge of her glass, nerves stitched through the casualness she was trying to maintain.
“So,” Y/N said after a few minutes of catching up. “What’s really going on, Chae?”
Chaewon blinked. “What do you mean?”
Y/N gave her a look. Gentle, but pointed. “I mean what made you come here out of nowhere? Why did I see you at my mom’s party but you avoided me? Why are you pretending this is all just some little detour?”
Chaewon sighed and set her cider down. “Okay. You’re right. I wasn’t totally honest about that.”
Y/N didn’t respond, just waited. Her silence urged the truth forward better than any questions could.
“I really didn’t know it was your mom’s event,” Chaewon said. “I swear. I wouldn’t have shown up like that if I had known. It was just—he brought me.”
Y/N frowned. “He?”
Chaewon hesitated. “The guy I’m seeing.”
Y/N’s throat tightened, but she kept her expression even. “So you’re seeing someone.”
“Yeah,” Chaewon said, eyes flicking away briefly. “It’s kind of new. And kind of complicated.”
“Complicated how?”
“We got into it at the party,” she admitted. “There was some insane shit going down, I guess? Honestly, I don’t even know how to explain it. He was being weird and kind of intense, and I felt so awkward once I realized where I was, and by the time I got the courage to say something to you, we had to leave.”
Y/N studied her, trying to piece together the truth buried underneath. “You left because of what? Drama?”
Chaewon nodded. “Partially, yeah. And I just—I felt horrible. I knew you saw me, and I didn’t know how to explain any of it without sounding like a bad friend.”
There was sincerity in her eyes. Y/N could see it. Or maybe she just wanted to.
“You could’ve said something earlier,” Y/N said softly. “We’ve been through too much for silence to be our thing.”
Chaewon’s eyes dropped. “I know. That’s on me.”
Back in the booth behind them, Yuqi muttered, “She’s good.”
“She’s too good,” Mingyu added, leaning in.
“She’s not lying about everything,” Vernon said under his breath. “But she’s definitely not telling the whole story.”
Back at the table, Y/N finally sighed. “I’m not mad you’re seeing someone, Chae. I’m mad I had to find out by spotting you across a damn party and then you ran away from me.”
“I know. I know,” Chaewon said again. “It wasn’t fair. I was scared. He’s not really someone I thought I’d be seeing seriously. And I just didn’t want to be judged, especially if it didn’t work out.”
Y/N nodded slowly, but something didn’t sit right.
She tilted her head, giving Chaewon a soft smile as she swirled the straw in her drink. “So… this guy you’re seeing.”
Chaewon’s eyes flickered with a nervous edge. “Yeah?”
“Is he from school?” Y/N asked casually.
Chaewon nodded. “No actually. He’s from here, and goes to law school. We met through some mutual friends at the comedy club.”
Y/N hummed. “Must be serious if he brought you to a fancy party.”
Chaewon gave a tiny laugh. “I mean, I didn’t even realize whose party it was until I got there. I didn’t know how to act, honestly.”
Y/N nodded, taking a slow sip before setting her glass down. Then, lightly—like it barely mattered—she said, “So… Joon, right?”
Chaewon blinked. “What?”
“Joon?” Y/N repeated, brow raised just a little, like she didn’t already know the answer.
Chaewon froze. Just for a second—but it was there. That split second where someone’s brain stutters trying to play catch-up. “…Wait. How do you know Joon?”
Y/N tilted her head. “You said mutual friends, right? Small world.”
Chaewon was clearly thrown off. “Right, but… I didn’t think you… I didn’t even know you two had met.”
Y/N just gave a soft shrug, keeping her tone neutral but her gaze sharp. “Oh, yeah I’ve definitely met him.”
The color in Chaewon’s face shifted slightly, like her body had just caught up with the panic her brain was trying to hide. She reached for her drink again, stalling. “Oh. Huh. That’s… I mean, yeah. He’s—uh. Great. I guess I just didn’t realize you two would have crossed paths.”
Y/N let the silence stretch for a moment, then offered a small, polite smile. “Like I said. Small world.”
Chaewon laughed awkwardly, still clearly trying to figure out if she was being accused of something or just… exposed. “I really didn’t mean to seem weird at the party, by the way. I just panicked. I didn’t know what to say.”
“Makes sense,” Y/N said, still watching her carefully.
Chaewon nodded too fast. “Anyway, we didn’t stay long. There was a little… incident or something. And he wanted to leave early.”
Y/N just hummed, but the glint in her eyes said she’d heard everything she needed.
“Okay, okay—she’s surprised?” Yuqi scoffed under her breath, incredulous. “Like he doesn’t have a picture with her on Twitter?”
Vernon shrugged, sipping his beer. “She didn’t expect Y/N to know. That’s what’s throwing her off.”
Mingyu shook his head. “Which is wild. Because Y/N might be sweet, but she’s not blind. Especially not anymore.”
Yuqi smirked. “I told you. We came prepared. Girl scouts would be proud.”
Vernon leaned on the table, eyes narrowing. “Let’s just hope Y/N doesn’t let her deflect. I know she hates confrontation but... she deserves the truth.”
“She’ll get it,” Yuqi said. “And if she doesn’t—”
“Plan B,” Mingyu and Yuqi said in unison.
Chaewon’s smile faltered for a split second. Barely there. Most people wouldn’t have noticed—but Y/N did.
“Why?” Y/N asked, more direct now. “What would’ve been hard to explain?”
Chaewon hesitated. “Well… he brought me, and then there was that whole mess with his ex or something showing up—and it just got weird.”
Y/N blinked. “His ex?”
“Yeah,” Chaewon said quickly, like she was glad for the change of subject. “I guess they came and got all dramatic, and he had to leave to deal with it. That’s why we left early.”
Y/N stared at her, pulse quickening. That’s what she’s calling it?
“So he didn’t tell you anything else?” Chaewon asked. “Like... not about me, I mean—just... that night?”
Y/N hesitated. She wanted to say everything. About the screaming. About Joon hitting Seungcheol. About Seungcheol’s blood staining the floor.
But something held her back.
“I heard pieces,” she said instead. “You know how words get around.”
Chaewon nodded slowly. “Well, we didn’t even talk after. He said he felt bad for dragging me into it, so I figured it was over.”
Y/N studied her, heart thudding. She could feel her friends listening to her from the next booth. Probably ready to jump in. But she wasn’t done yet.
“So, you didn’t know it was my mom’s party?” she asked gently.
“No. I swear,” Chaewon said, reaching for Y/N’s arm. “I would’ve said something if I had. I just… I was nervous. Everything felt weird.”
Y/N looked down at her drink, her voice barely above a whisper. “It was weird.”
Y/N gently pulled her arm back, her fingers curling around her glass again. Her tone stayed soft, but something shifted in her eyes.
Y/N sighed, swirling the melting ice in her drink. “The video that got posted. Of me and Seungcheol.”
Chaewon immediately looked uneasy. “Yeah, you told me. That’s awful.”
Y/N nodded slowly. “It was. Especially since it was filmed without us knowing. And posted by Joon.”
The words landed like a dropped glass.
Chaewon froze. “What?”
Y/N didn’t flinch. “He was the one who leaked it. And Seungcheol told me, it was all some bet or prank. And he never meant for it to get out. But Joon made sure it did.”
Chaewon’s face paled, her lips parting like she wanted to speak but didn’t have the words.
Y/N tilted her head. “You didn’t know that?”
“I—” Chaewon looked cornered now. “No. He never said anything like that to me. I swear.”
“Okay,” Y/N said, letting the weight of it linger before she continued, quieter. “And you also just completely missed him hitting Seungcheol the other night?”
Chaewon swallowed. “I didn’t. He said an ex-something, I assumed he meant a girlfriend, not.. Not a friend.”
“You didn’t hear it either?” Y/N pressed, brows furrowed. “You didn’t hear the shouting? The crash? Or see Seungcheol bleeding on the floor?”
Chaewon shook her head, too fast. “No, I—I went outside for a phone call. I didn’t even know anything had happened until Joon said we had to leave.”
“You just left?” Y/N asked. “No questions?”
“I was confused! He told me someone was being dramatic and we had to go. I didn’t… I didn’t know what happened until later.”
Y/N studied her face carefully, heart beating fast. “Do you believe him? That it was just drama?”
“I don’t know what to believe,” Chaewon said helplessly, voice cracking. “I thought I knew him. But now—”
She didn’t finish.
Behind them Yuqi was practically vibrating with frustration, phone in hand under the table. Mingyu leaned forward to whisper, “You’re texting him, aren’t you?”
“He needs to be here,” she muttered. “If she’s gonna unravel this much, Cheol deserves to hear it.”
“Isn’t he supposed to be resting?” Vernon asked.
Yuqi’s eyes never left her screen. “You think he’s gonna sit this out when he hears Joon’s name again?”
Y/N exhaled slowly, unsure if she felt relieved or sick.
“You know what fucking sucks?” she said after a beat. “I want to believe you. I really, really do. Because I don’t think you’re a bad person, I know deep down you aren’t. But I feel like I’ve spent so long giving people the benefit of the doubt that I don’t even know when I’m supposed to stop.”
“Y/N…”
“I’m tired of people lying to me. Or leaving me in the dark and acting like it’s not a big deal when I get hurt.”
“I didn’t mean to—”
A voice cut through from behind her.
“Y/N.”
She turned, blinking in surprise as Seungcheol stood there, hoodie pulled over his head, out of breath and looking like he never should’ve left his bed.
Chaewon blinked up at Seungcheol, eyes wide. “Wait... what are you doing here?”
He didn’t say anything at first—just looked at Y/N, then back at Chaewon, jaw tight. The bandage across his face was faintly pink at the edge, like it was still healing. His posture was stiff, like standing here was costing him.
Y/N shifted in her seat and answered for him, voice calm but cold. “He fainted the night of the party, by the way. After Joon hit him. Cracked his head open and everything. Needed stitches.”
Chaewon’s mouth opened slowly, her face going pale. “Wait... I didn’t know it was that serious.”
Y/N tilted her head, expression unreadable. “I guess it would’ve been hard to know, if you were already on your way out with him.”
“I didn’t know,” Chaewon said again, quieter this time. “I thought he just got into an argument, not a physical fight. Not that he passed out. Not that it was—hospital level serious.”
“Well, it was.” Y/N’s tone wasn’t sharp, just... tired. “And I’m not saying this because I want to pick a fight or make you feel bad. I’m saying it because Joon is bad news. He has been for a long time.”
She glanced at Seungcheol for half a second, just long enough to see him still, listening.
“I let him into my life once and he did some real damage. To me. To Cheol. You didn’t know me then, but that stuff still follows us around.” She took a breath. “So I’m not here to tell you what to do. I’m just saying... maybe think twice before letting someone like that convince you of what’s true.”
Chaewon looked like she didn’t know where to look, her mouth pressed into a line. “He’s never been like that with me.”
“I believe you,” Y/N said honestly. “But sometimes people only show you what they want you to see.”
There was silence for a moment. The air in the booth had shifted—less accusatory, but more real.
Behind them, the rest of the group sat frozen in their booth, not even pretending to sip their drinks anymore.
Chaewon sat there for a moment, her hands wrapped around the nearly-empty glass in front of her. Her expression softened, not defensive—just conflicted. “People change, though,” she said finally. “I mean… look at Seungcheol.”
That made Y/N blink. Chaewon wasn’t trying to be cruel, and her voice carried no bite—just sincerity. “I know I wasn’t around back then, but I’ve heard enough to know how bad things got between you two,” she went on. “And you still gave him another chance. He changed. You saw it.”
Y/N looked over at Seungcheol without meaning to. He wasn’t looking at either of them—just staring down at the condensation on a glass someone had set in front of him. Her chest tightened.
Chaewon continued, quiet but hopeful. “I just… I want to believe Joon can change too. That maybe he already has. That I’m not a complete idiot for trusting him.” She laughed a little, almost embarrassed. “And if I am… I guess I’ll have to learn the hard way.”
Y/N didn’t answer immediately. Her face was calm, but her shoulders carried something heavy. “It’s your life,” she said gently. “I’m not here to tell you how to live it. Just keep your eyes open, okay?”
Chaewon gave her a grateful little smile, then glanced at her phone. “I actually have to get going—I’ve got to drive back early tomorrow. The Bachelor charity event set up stuff kicks off in the afternoon, and I’m already behind.”
She stood and pulled her coat on. “I’m glad we talked though. I’ve missed you. And I really hope you both don’t change your minds about participating. We need people like you to keep it from being a complete mess.”
Y/N gave her a tired smile. “I’ll let you know.”
“Let me know when you get back to town, we can talk more.”
Chaewon waved a little as she slipped past the booth and disappeared out into the cold night.
As the door closed behind her, the booth behind them immediately stirred. Yuqi popped her head over the divider like she’d been physically holding herself back. “Okay, I didn’t want to interrupt,” she said, voice low and fast, “but oh my god, is she really that fucking delusional?”
“She really meant that,” Vernon added, frowning. “She didn’t seem like she was pretending.”
Mingyu let out a low whistle and passed Y/N her drink. “You handled that way better than I would’ve. I would’ve been like, ‘ He knocked a guy out and ran. Please.’”
Y/N just shook her head and took the drink. “It’s not worth blowing up over. She heard me. I think.”
Seungcheol was still quiet, eyes back on his drink. Yuqi noticed. “You okay?”
He nodded slowly. “Yeah. I don't think she gets it. What he did. Not really.”
Y/N leaned back, her voice soft. “I don’t think she does either. But she will.”
There was a pause. The weight of the conversation hung there, lingering, even as the music from the bar picked up again.
Y/n raised her glass. “To people who don’t fucking suck,” she declared.
Vernon lifted his. “To Y/N being the most composed drunk I’ve ever seen.”
Yuqi grinned. “To Seungcheol showing up like he was in a fucking movie at the perfect time.”
Seungcheol cracked a small smile, finally, and tapped his glass against theirs. “To dumb bets and better choices.”
They all clinked, laughing quietly. Even if it wasn’t perfect, at least they had each other.
“You know what? I’m done fucking waiting around for shit to happen. I just want to get drunk.”
Yuqi blinked, taken aback by the bluntness of her words. “Well, I can’t say I didn’t see that coming,” she said with a small, knowing grin.
Y/N looked up at her friends, her frustration evident in her eyes. “I just need to forget about all of this for a while. I just need a break from all this fucking shit. I’m done trying to make sense of Chaewon’s excuses. And I’m done with everyone pretending like things are fine when they’re clearly not.”
Mingyu leaned back in his seat, his tone light but still with a hint of concern. “Well, if you’re going to get drunk, we’re all in. But let’s just make sure we do it right. No weird texting people while we’re all hammered, yeah?”
Y/N shot him a sarcastic smile. “I’m not planning on texting anyone else tonight.”
Yuqi raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like a good plan.”
As the night wore on, Y/N, Yuqi, and Mingyu slowly but steadily made their way through the drinks, the alcohol lifting their spirits—if only for a little while. Mingyu was already a bit tipsy, his loud laugh echoing through the bar as he told one of his typical ridiculous stories, much to the amusement of Yuqi and Y/N. Every so often, his attention would flicker to his phone, but he wasn’t looking for any texts or notifications; he was just trying to avoid making things awkward.
Yuqi, who’d started off slow, was now matching Mingyu’s pace. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes had the relaxed, playful gleam of someone who had indulged just enough to feel at ease. She leaned back in her seat, a half-empty glass of wine in her hand, and looked at Y/N with a raised brow.
“You okay?” Yuqi asked, a bit of teasing in her tone as she watched Y/N fiddle with her glass. “I mean, besides the whole Chaewon situation.”
Y/N let out a deep breath, sinking back into the booth and stretching her legs out. “I don’t even know what to think anymore. One minute, I’m here hoping to get some closure, and the next…” She motioned vaguely with her hand. “It’s just… this.”
Mingyu nodded as if he understood, though his slurred words were a little more playful than thoughtful. “Honestly, you might be better off without the whole ‘closure’ thing. The last time I tried to get closure, it ended with me making bad decisions and eating an entire pizza by myself. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”
Yuqi chuckled and shook her head, taking another sip of her wine. “I think Mingyu’s advice is more for entertainment purposes than actual wisdom.”
Y/N smiled despite herself, the alcohol already starting to make her feel more relaxed. “Yeah, well, I guess that’s what I get for coming here and thinking I could fix everything. Maybe I was just kidding myself.”
Mingyu leaned forward a little too eagerly, clearly tipsy enough to push the conversation in his usual teasing direction. “Honestly, you’re just lucky you didn’t get caught up in my chaos tonight. That would have really messed up your whole vibe.”
Y/N laughed softly, shaking her head. “I’m fine with chaos. But now that I think about it, I have kissed pretty much every one of my friends in some form or another, haven’t I?” She raised an eyebrow, looking at Mingyu as if daring him to comment.
Yuqi grinned, recognizing the shift in Y/N’s mood. “Are you keeping score now?”
Y/N smirked, the words coming easier now. “Maybe I should. Vernon, Seungcheol, Mingyu…” She let the words linger for a second, just to make sure Mingyu caught on.
Mingyu, his tipsy grin widening, immediately jumped on the bait. “Oh, I see how it is,” he said with a dramatic sigh. “You’re telling me I’ve got some competition now? This is what I get for being the only one who’s always been here for you?”
Y/N rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. “Oh please, you’re not even in the running. I’ve kissed all the guys, not just you. Maybe you should step it up.”
Mingyu laughed, almost spilling his drink, clearly enjoying the banter. “Well, I’m just gonna say it. I’m still in first place.” His voice dropped to a teasing tone. “But maybe that’ll change after a few more drinks.”
Yuqi shook her head, but her grin was infectious. “It’s a wonder how you two manage to survive each other.”
Y/N didn’t get a chance to respond before Vernon, who had been nursing the same beer since he arrived, cleared his throat.. He hadn’t been part of the conversation much, he was too busy convincing Seungcheol to head back home and rest for his own good. He gave them a smile, though it was slightly strained, and leaned forward.
“You guys sound like you’re having fun without me,” he said, his voice light, but there was an underlying hint of something Y/N couldn’t quite place. Maybe it was jealousy, or maybe something deeper.
Yuqi just laughed, tipping back a shot of clear liquid, “Where the fuck is the patient?”
“I finally convinced him to head back home and get some rest. He wanted to say goodbye, but his head was killing him and it’s loud as fuck in here, so I just let him know I’d tell you guys.”
Y/n just shook her head, “Seungcheol just Irish exited us? Party pooper.”
Vernon laughed, “You remember he’s hurt right?”
“Yes, but also I know his mom and dad sent him to etiquette classes.” Y/N shot Vernon a glance. “You’re just taking it slow, huh? Still nursing that same luke-warm, half drank beer?”
Vernon shrugged, his gaze shifting between the group. “Yeah, not really in the mood to drink much tonight. Just wanted to hang out, I guess.”
Mingyu raised his glass in Vernon’s direction. “No worries, man. You know, I’d offer you a shot, but I think you’re just not ready for my level of madness.”
Yuqi chuckled, but Y/N could sense something different about Vernon tonight. His usual chill vibe was off. He wasn’t fully in the moment, and it made her feel like something else was going on. Maybe it was the frustration from earlier in the day, or maybe he was just trying to keep his own feelings in check.
Y/N didn’t want to press it, though. Instead, she smiled and raised her glass. “Well, you’re welcome to join whenever you want. No judgment here.”
Vernon’s smile was quick but faint, and he nodded. “I’ll think about it.”
Y/N tilted her head, looking at Vernon from across the table. She felt the need to shift the mood, to break the subtle tension hanging between them. A playful smirk tugged at her lips as she leaned in slightly, her voice light but with an edge of mischief.
“So,” she started, her eyes narrowing slightly. “About that money you owe me. The one where you’re supposed to kiss me for a hundred bucks.”
Vernon stiffened, looking over at her in surprise. “Wait, what? You’re not serious, right?”
Y/N let out a soft laugh, casually sliding into the seat next to him. She crossed her arms and grinned, enjoying the way his eyes flickered nervously. “Oh, I’m dead serious. You agreed to it. Or do you need a refresher?”
Vernon shifted uncomfortably in his seat, trying to recover from the unexpected confrontation. “Come on, Y/N, you know I didn’t think it was really gonna happen.”
Y/N raised an eyebrow, her grin widening. “But you didn’t say it wouldn’t happen. That’s on you.”
Mingyu, who had been listening, chimed in with a teasing laugh. “Oh, this is rich. Vernon, I think you’re just afraid to lose.”
Vernon shot Mingyu a look, but it was half-hearted, the teasing from earlier forgotten in favor of the current playful banter. “I’m not afraid, I just—” He looked back at Y/N and huffed in frustration. “This is silly..”
Y/N couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her head. “It’s not silly. You agreed to it. And you’re still trying to back out?” She leaned in a little closer, her voice soft but teasing. “What happened to being a man of your word, huh?”
Vernon shifted awkwardly, his fingers tapping lightly against his beer bottle. “I’m not backing out. I just—” He stopped himself, a little unsure of how to continue. He turned to face her, his eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and frustration. “I don’t think it’s the right time, alright?”
Y/N leaned back, crossing her legs as she gave him a skeptical look. “Oh, I see. Too scared to kiss me now?” She couldn’t help herself—she was enjoying the game too much.
Vernon rolled his eyes but smiled in spite of himself. “I’m not scared, okay? I just think there are other things we should probably talk about first.”
Mingyu, leaning in with a mischievous grin, added, “Ah, so now there’s something more important than a hundred bucks and a kiss?”
Y/N shot him a quick glance, still enjoying the tension she was building. “I think we all know there’s more to it than that, don’t we, Vernon?”
Vernon seemed to hesitate for a moment, his expression flickering between amused and uncertain. “Yeah, well maybe I’ll surprise you later,” he said with a shrug, though his tone was soft, almost like a challenge.
Y/N smirked. “You’ll cave eventually, Vernon.”
Mingyu snickered, thoroughly enjoying the moment. “I think we all know you won’t,” he said, raising his glass to Y/N.
Y/N’s grin softened, and she laughed, leaning back into the booth. “I guess we’ll see what happens.”
The three of them shared a lighthearted moment, their laughter mingling with the chatter and music of the bar. For a brief moment, things felt simple again, and Y/N felt a slight shift in the air—a reminder that despite everything, she could still find moments of ease, even when life felt complicated.
But as she glanced at Vernon, his amused smile hiding a hint of something more, she couldn’t help but wonder what would really happen next.
The night stretched on, the noise of the bar swirling around them as Y/N, Yuqi, and Mingyu laughed louder, their drinks flowing freely. Y/N was definitely feeling the effects of the alcohol, her head buzzing and her cheeks flushed from the warmth of it all. She had been in a bit of a haze, caught between the laughter and the jokes, but as the hours wore on, she could feel herself getting more and more tipsy. Mingyu had been playing some ridiculous card game with the bartender, and Yuqi was showing off some dance moves they all had long forgotten about, but Y/N was starting to lose track of it all.
She leaned back against the booth, a half-smile tugging at her lips, but her thoughts were blurry. She tried to focus on the conversation, but the words felt like they were slipping through her fingers. When she tried to stand, the room swayed a little, and she grabbed onto the table to steady herself, giggling at her own clumsiness.
Vernon watched her with a mixture of amusement and concern. His eyes flickered to Yuqi and Mingyu, who were still clearly intent on staying out longer, their energy far higher than Y/N’s.
“You guys think it’s a good idea for her to keep going like this?” Vernon asked, his voice careful, even though he was trying to keep things light. He already had a slight headache from the secondhand noise and the general chaos of the bar.
Yuqi, grinning from ear to ear, waved him off. “Oh, let her have fun. It’s been a while since she let loose like this.”
Mingyu joined in, leaning back in his seat and tipping his glass, as if to toast to their good time. “Yeah, she’s fine. Who else would be this much fun after a day like today?”
But Vernon’s brow furrowed. He knew Y/N better than anyone in the group, and this was starting to feel like a bit much. She’d been carrying a lot of weight on her shoulders lately, and he could see that she was beginning to fade, her usual spark dimming as the alcohol hit her harder than it had earlier in the night.
He glanced at her again—her laugh was a little more drawn out than normal, and she was leaning a little too far forward in the booth. His instinct kicked in, and he stood up, pushing his chair back.
“I think it’s time we get her home,” he said, his voice firm, more out of concern than anything.
Yuqi, still half-grinning, raised an eyebrow. “What, you want to be the hero now?”
Vernon shrugged, looking at Y/N. “Someone needs to be. Her mom’s gonna freak out if she sees her like this.”
Y/N giggled from the booth, clearly not really grasping the conversation, but the moment she tried to stand, she wobbled, and Vernon was quick to catch her, gently placing an arm around her waist to steady her.
“Let’s get you out of here,” he said softly, his voice warm with concern. Y/N grinned up at him, barely able to keep her eyes open.
“I’m fine,” she slurred, her words a bit too exaggerated. “I can walk. I think.”
But Vernon was already helping her stand, guiding her out of the booth. Yuqi and Mingyu exchanged a glance but didn’t protest. They both knew when it was time to bow out.
“Fine, fine, take her home,” Yuqi said, waving her hand dismissively, though she was clearly enjoying the chaos of the night. “We’ll hang out a little longer and catch up. You guys go ahead.”
Mingyu chuckled, adding with a playful wink, “Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of her next time.”
Vernon shot him a look, raising his eyebrows, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he helped Y/N to the door, her arm loosely around his shoulders as he guided her through the crowd.
By the time they reached the car, Y/N’s head was lolling a little to the side, and she giggled softly, her words a little more jumbled now.
“This was fun,” she mumbled, looking up at him with a dazed smile. “I’m sorry I’m such a mess tonight.”
Vernon’s lips curled into a soft, understanding smile, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes. “You’re not a mess, Y/N. You’re just having a good time. And you deserve that. ”
He helped her into the car, securing her seatbelt before he got in himself, and they started the short drive back to where they were staying. Y/N leaned back against the seat, closing her eyes for a moment. She let out a long, content sigh, still feeling the warm buzz from the alcohol and the chaos of the night.
When they arrived at the house, Vernon helped her out of the car and into the front door, his arm securely around her waist. He was mindful of how unsteady she was, trying his best to keep her steady.
When they finally made it back to Vernon’s house, Y/N was still feeling the effects of the alcohol, her head swimming with the buzz and her thoughts hazy. She was leaning against Vernon for support as they entered the front door, but the moment they were inside, she stopped and pouted, glancing up at him with a playfully frustrated expression.
“Vernon,” she whined, her voice a little slurred, “I can’t... I can’t get my jacket off. Help me.”
Her hands fumbled at the zipper, unable to get a good grip on it, and she pouted, her lower lip sticking out like a little child. It was too cute to ignore, and Vernon couldn’t help but smile at her, even though he was trying to keep his focus.
“Alright, alright,” he said, shaking his head in amusement as he gently took hold of her jacket and pulled the zipper down for her. “You really can’t get that off by yourself?”
Y/N looked up at him with wide eyes, still pouting. “No, I’m too tired. You’re the only one who can help me,” she mumbled, the tipsiness still making everything feel a little exaggerated.
Once her jacket was off, she leaned into him a little more, her face softening with a faint smile. “You know,” she started, her voice a little more serious but still carrying the slurred edge of alcohol, “the bet... I never really got to finish it.”
Vernon raised an eyebrow, already knowing where this was going. “What do you mean, finish it?”
Y/N gave him a mischievous smile, her eyes twinkling despite her obvious drunken state. “I promised you a kiss, didn’t I?” she teased, stepping closer and lifting her hands to his chest, her fingers grazing his shirt. “I think it’s time I make good on that.”
Before Vernon could respond, she leaned up on her tiptoes and planted a quick, soft kiss on his lips. It was brief, but definitely real.
As soon as Y/N kissed him, her lips lingering just a little longer than before, she pulled back with a satisfied grin. But then, almost as if it wasn't enough, she leaned in again, this time a little more confidently. Her eyes were half-lidded with the warmth of alcohol, and her fingers grazed his chest once more, her lips moving closer to his.
"Just one more," she murmured, her voice husky and playful. "I promised, didn’t I?" She was being bold, her body pressed against his as she looked up at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
But Vernon gently pulled back, placing his hands on her shoulders to create a little distance between them. His expression softened, though there was a firmness in his tone as he said, “Y/N, no. You’re too drunk right now.”
She frowned, looking disappointed for a second, then pouted. “But I want to... I want to kiss you more,” she admitted, her voice soft but insistent.
Vernon sighed, his brows furrowing slightly. He gently pushed her hair back behind her ear, his fingers lingering on her skin for a brief moment. “I know you do,” he said, his voice low and calm. “But not like this, okay? Not when you're like this. It wouldn’t be right.”
Y/N’s face fell for a moment, the playful sparkle in her eyes dimming slightly as she processed what he was saying. “You’re really not gonna let me?” she whispered, her voice almost too soft to hear. There was a vulnerability in her tone that almost made him second guess his decision, but he knew this was for the best.
“No,” he said gently but firmly. “I’m not. You deserve to have a kiss that’s real, and right now, you're not thinking clearly. I want it to count too, Y/N.” His hand softly cupped her face, his thumb brushing against her cheek as he leaned in, kissing her forehead lightly. “I’ll be here when you’re ready... but not like this, okay?”
Her shoulders slumped, and she let out a long, exaggerated sigh, her lower lip sticking out in a playful pout. She didn’t say anything more for a few moments, just silently accepting it with a small, resigned nod.
“Fine,” she muttered, though her eyes still held a bit of that mischief. “But you owe me one. When I’m sober, I’m holding you to it.” She glanced up at him with a teasing smile, knowing he would probably regret saying no when the moment came.
Vernon smiled back, shaking his head at her playful persistence. “Deal. But only when you’re sober, Y/N. Promise me.”
“I promise,” she replied, almost giggling at the absurdity of the situation. “You’re so mean. I’ll make you regret it.”
They both chuckled a little, the tension easing between them, though it still hung in the air like a subtle undercurrent. The night had already been so unpredictable, but somehow, this moment felt like a small step toward something that wasn’t rushed, something that could happen when they were both ready.
Vernon led Y/N upstairs to the guest room, his hand gently guiding her as she swayed slightly, her steps unsteady. The room had always been hers whenever she stayed over at his house, and though it was technically the guest room, everyone called it Y/N's room. It was cozy, with soft, neutral colors and a bed that was always made up perfectly, as if waiting for her to return.
He helped her sit on the bed and pulled the blankets up around her, making sure she was comfortable. "Stay here, okay? I’ll be right back with some water."
Y/N nodded, her eyes barely staying open as she flopped back into the pillows, the alcohol making her limbs feel heavy. When Vernon returned, he placed a glass of water on the nightstand along with some Tylenol. "Here," he said quietly, his voice soft as he gave her a warm smile. "Drink this if you’re feeling bad tomorrow, okay?"
She reached for the glass, taking a small sip. "Thanks," she mumbled, her voice still a little slurred. "You’re nice."
Vernon chuckled softly, brushing a lock of hair away from her face. "You should get some sleep now, okay? I’ll be right downstairs if you need anything. Just text me."
Y/N blinked up at him, her expression momentarily serious. "I’m not always like this, you know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, almost sounding vulnerable.
“I know,” he reassured her, squeezing her hand gently before standing up. "Just get some rest, alright? Good night, Y/N."
"Good night," she echoed, sinking further into the pillows, her eyes already beginning to close.
Once Vernon left the room, Y/N took a moment to let everything sink in, but the alcohol was already working its way through her body, making her more relaxed than she should have been. She reached for her phone on the nightstand, her fingers a little uncoordinated as she unlocked it.
Her thumbs hovered over Seungcheol’s contact. She needed to talk to him. She needed to know he was okay. Without thinking much about it, her fingers started typing, the words coming out sloppily as she texted him:
Her phone buzzed, and she half-expected a response right away, but then she remembered that Yuqi might still be out or sleeping. She hadn’t replied immediately, and Y/N thought nothing of it, sinking further into the bed, her eyelids heavy.
She didn’t know it, but she’d sent the message — the one about kissing Vernon, the casual way she threw it out there — to the wrong person. It wasn’t Yuqi who received it. It was Seungcheol.
She hadn’t meant to stir anything, and in her current state, she couldn’t even process the mistake, let alone how it might land with him. All she knew was that it felt like a small confession, something light after such a chaotic, emotionally intense night.
As she waited for a reply she wouldn’t get — not from the person she thought, anyway — her mind began to drift, the weight of the alcohol, the exhaustion from the day, and the tangled emotions pulling her into sleep.
note: hi omg sorry this took so long, i redid it like a thousand times especially with the ending and i had another version where chae didn't come but this felt like the best vibe to keep things going. i'm not incredibly happy w/ it still but thats okay. (also the tumblr rules rlly make me edit out a bunch of stuff but anyway) also studying for exams and everything has been kicking my ass, but my semester ends at the end of next week so if u guys are also in the thick of it good luck!!
so I kind of went crazy after reading the latest chapter of PFD and I just wanna say Joon is a bitch Chaewon is hella sus like on god it’s on sight if she is running the gossip page yuqi it’s a bit in the middle but Vernon literally got friendzoned idk what the ending was but I hope our main man cheol is okay 🥲🥲
omg pls 😭 ykw i did not intend for all of u guys to think he's friendzoned, but maybe he is maybe he isn't ykyk, who can say?? chaewon is def suss but also the party energy could've jsut been an aura or maybe the girl has alterer motives we don't know about yet. more answers abt mr. cheol soon, he's def going to milk this shit tho just so we know. lmao. 🖤🖤
synopsis: y/n while in her third year at greenwood international university finally gets an opportunity to move off campus into a new complex, she has to deal with the realization that her childhood rival is her new next door neighbor.
genre/s: reader is super oblivious, fluffy, sexual themes.
content: swearing, mentions of sexual relations, some drinking& mary jane 🍃
The morning of the party started deceptively quiet.
Y/N woke up to the distant sound of her mom giving instructions to the event planners downstairs, her clipped tone carrying through the house. The clinking of dishes and the low hum of conversation told her that people were already up, probably preparing for the long day ahead.
But there wasn’t time to dwell on it.
With a deep breath, she threw off her blankets and got up.
Downstairs, the house was a whirlwind of activity. Florists were setting up arrangements, catering staff shuffled in and out of the kitchen, and Y/N’s mom stood in the center of it all, directing every little detail.
Y/N had barely stepped into the kitchen when she heard her mother sigh—one of those long, deep sighs that meant she was barely holding onto her patience.
"Unbelievable," her mom muttered, lowering her phone. "Why is it so hard for people to follow simple instructions?"
Y/N took a slow sip of her coffee. "Morning to you too."
Her mom barely acknowledged her. "The caterer is behind schedule, the decorator is missing a whole shipment of linens, and—oh—your father just texted me that he might be running late because he's taking Vernon’s parents out for brunch."
Y/N fought back a smirk. Classic.
"Sounds like he’s having a great morning," she teased.
Her mom shot her a look. "You should be making yourself useful. Where are your friends? I don’t want anyone slouching around like last time—"
"Relax, Mom. We know how to dress ourselves."
Her mom exhaled sharply but didn’t argue. Instead, she checked her watch. "Where's Seungcheol?"
Y/N hesitated. "Why?"
Her mom gave her an exasperated look. "Because I want to know if his father is bringing her again."
Ah. Her. Hana.
"I don't know," Y/N admitted. "But I think so."
Her mom let out another sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Of course. Of course, he is."
Y/N didn’t really know what to say to that. It wasn’t like Hana had done anything wrong—if anything, she was probably the least dramatic person in this entire situation—but her mom’s distaste for Seungcheol’s dad’s choices was a storm cloud hanging over the whole day.
And that wasn’t the only brewing tension.
As Y/N leaned against the counter, scrolling through her phone, a notification caught her eye.
A new comment from the gossip page.
[Why has our favorite group been MIA? 👀 Spotted: Seungcheol, Mingyu, Y/N, and Vernon back in town. Are we getting a reunion, or is something else brewing? Stay tuned. #whatsgoingon]
Y/N groaned. Of course, someone had noticed.
Before she could process it, Yuqi breezed into the kitchen, looking way too energetic for someone who had also barely gotten any sleep.
"Good morning, dysfunctional family!" she greeted cheerfully, grabbing a banana off the counter.
Her mom sighed. "At least someone’s in a good mood."
Yuqi grinned. "It’s called optimism, Mrs. L/N. You should try it sometime."
Y/N hid a laugh behind her coffee cup.
"Do not encourage her," her mom muttered, before turning on her heel and heading back toward the chaos in the living room.
Yuqi waited until she was out of earshot before leaning against the counter. "So, when do we think the first disaster of the day is going to hit?"
Y/N checked the time. Not even noon yet.
"Honestly?" she said. "I think it has already started."
Y/N barely had time to register the absolute mess of the morning before her mom was already barking orders at the house staff about last-minute party preparations.
The air in the house was thick with stress.
It wasn’t just her mom’s usual perfectionist tendencies—it was worse. The tension rolled off of her in waves, and Y/N, Mingyu, and Yuqi were caught in the middle of it.
“I explicitly told them white roses for the centerpieces,” her mom muttered, pacing the kitchen with her phone pressed to her ear. “Why on earth would they send pink? Do I look like someone who would settle for pink?”
Y/N, seated at the counter, exchanged a wary glance with Yuqi.
Mingyu, still groggy from sleep, lazily stirred sugar into his coffee. “Pink roses are nice.”
Her mom shot him a look so sharp he nearly dropped the spoon.
“Never mind,” he mumbled.
Before anyone could attempt to calm her down, her mom suddenly pulled the phone away from her ear and turned to Y/N, eyes narrowed. “By the way, I hope you’re aware of the mess you left behind last night.”
Y/N blinked. “What?”
“The drama,” her mom said, waving her hand. “The tension. The way your little friend group disappeared from the public eye all at once. Do you know what that does to people?”
“…Provides them peace?” Yuqi suggested.
Her mom ignored that. Instead, she reached for her tablet and, with the smug expression of someone about to expose secrets, slid it across the counter.
Y/N looked down.
It was a DM from the campus gossip page.
[MIA?? How could you do this to us, my sweet y/n. Are we a little upset over a tense little family gathering? 👀 Trouble in paradise? 👀 We’re waiting.]
Y/N groaned, rubbing her hands down her face.
Mingyu squinted at the screen. “I mean, at least they called you sweet. Maybe it’s just to tease you or something?”
“Right,” Yuqi muttered.
Her mom smirked, clearly entertained by the gossip. But before she could comment further, her phone rang again, and with an exasperated sigh, she stormed out of the kitchen to deal with the next disaster.
Y/N exhaled slowly, leaning back in her chair. “This day is already too much.”
Yuqi clapped her hands together. “Amazing. Who wants to start drinking now?”
Just as Yuqi reached for the fridge, probably about to pop open a bottle of champagne way too early in the morning, a sharp voice called out from the hallway.
“Y/N.”
Her mom was back—faster than expected, and she did not look pleased.
Y/N sat up straighter. “What now?”
Her mom crossed her arms, expression unreadable. “Tell me why I just got a call from one of our caterers asking if we changed the menu.”
Y/N blinked. “We didn’t?”
“That’s what I said,” her mom snapped. “But apparently, someone sent an email last night saying we needed all the seafood removed due to ‘multiple allergies among the guests.’”
Mingyu let out a low whistle. “Wow. That sucks.”
“Why is that my problem?” Y/N asked, confused.
Her mom raised an eyebrow. “Because the email was sent from your name.”
Her mom sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “The caterer wanted confirmation because it seemed odd that you’d be the one making changes. I told them it was absolutely fake, but now I have to do damage control and make sure they still have time to prep everything we originally ordered.”
“That wasn’t me,” Y/N said firmly, heart pounding now.
Her mom gave her a long, scrutinizing look. “Then who was it?”
Y/N had no idea.
Yuqi frowned. “Okay, but that’s weird, right? Who would even—”
And then Mingyu cursed under his breath, sitting up. “Wait. You guys remember that Twitter post?”
Y/N and Yuqi turned to him.
Mingyu tapped his phone. “The gossip account. If someone’s keeping tabs on us that closely… what if this is connected?”
Y/N felt a shiver run down her spine.
Was someone trying to sabotage the party?
Before she could say anything, her mom’s phone rang again, and with an exhausted sigh, she held up a hand. “I don’t have time for this. Just figure it out, Y/N.”
And with that, she left to put out yet another fire.
Y/N exchanged looks with Yuqi and Mingyu.
This was not good.
Yuqi crossed her arms. “So, what do we do?”
Mingyu leaned against the counter. “We find out who the hell is messing with this party before it gets worse.”
Y/N swallowed. Like that was going to be easy.
Y/N, Yuqi, and Mingyu wasted no time. If someone was trying to sabotage the party, they needed to figure out who before things spiraled further.
Y/N pulled up the catering company’s number while Mingyu opened his laptop, typing rapidly. Yuqi, still sipping her coffee like this was some kind of morning soap opera, leaned against the counter.
Her mom returned a moment later, now armed with a glass of sparkling water. “I’ve handled the caterers—barely. But I’m still expecting an explanation, Y/N.”
Y/N ignored the way her mom’s sharp gaze pinned her in place. “I’m calling them now to ask if they can send over the fake email.”
Her mom pursed her lips, intrigued. “Hm. At least you’re being proactive.”
Yuqi grinned. “Detective Y/N, at your service.”
Mingyu, still typing, suddenly paused. “Uh… guys?”
Everyone turned to him.
He glanced up, looking mildly guilty. “I got a DM too. From the drama page.”
Y/N’s mom raised an eyebrow. “What drama page?”
Yuqi let out a tiny laugh. “Ohhh boy.”
Mingyu grimaced. “Uh. It’s, uh… a drama account. You know, one of those anonymous ones that post gossip about college kids.”
Y/N’s mom perked up. “There’s an account posting about you guys?”
Y/N pinched the bridge of her nose. “Please don’t sound excited about this.”
Her mom took a casual sip of her drink. “I just love a little tea, that’s all.”
Yuqi cackled. “We know.”
Mingyu shook his head and turned the laptop toward them. “They sent me something about the email. Like, exactly about it.”
Y/N leaned over to read:
Experiencing mysterious menu changes at the big event? Someone’s stirring the pot. Hope the host’s daughter enjoys putting out fires instead of partying. xoxo.
Y/N groaned. “Oh, come on.”
Her mom, however, hummed thoughtfully. “Fascinating. They’re watching closely.”
Mingyu nodded. “Too closely.”
Just then, Y/N’s phone vibrated—the catering company had forwarded the email. She scanned it quickly, her stomach tightening at the sender’s address.
It was her email.
Only… it wasn’t.
Yuqi peered over her shoulder. “Wait. That’s a spoof email.”
Mingyu’s eyes narrowed. “Someone made a fake account pretending to be you.”
Y/N’s mom sat back in her chair, folding her arms. “And that, my dear, is a full-fledged scandal.”
Y/N shot her a look. “Please. Not the tone.”
Her mom just smirked.
Yuqi clapped her hands together. “So what now? We have a fake email, a shady gossip page, and no idea who’s behind it.”
Mingyu exhaled. “I think we need to check who had access to party details—see if anyone unexpected was snooping around.”
Y/N nodded. “Yeah. And we should probably find out how the gossip page keeps getting updates in real time.”
Yuqi grinned. “A stakeout?”
Y/N groaned. “We are not calling it that.”
Mingyu smirked. “We totally are.”
Y/N’s mom waved a hand. “Well, you kids have fun. Keep me updated. I have a flower emergency to fix.”
And just like that, she left them to deal with the chaos.
Vernon and Seungcheol stepped inside, both looking mildly out of breath, like they had run up the driveway. Vernon's hair was slightly tousled from the wind, while Seungcheol ruffled his own, oblivious to how much more attractive that made him look.
Y/N immediately wanted to leave.
Her mother, however, ran in and exhaled in pure relief. “Finally. Boys, do you have any idea the level of stress I’ve been under this morning?”
Vernon blinked, slightly bewildered. “Uh. No?”
Seungcheol, ever the one to sense trouble, took one look at Y/N’s face, then at Mingyu, then at the tense energy lingering in the air, and sighed. “What happened?”
Y/N opened her mouth, but her mother—who now looked fully at ease—beat her to it.
“Oh, nothing. Just potential event sabotage, a fake email in my daughter’s name, and a mysterious gossip account documenting everything in real-time.”
Vernon tilted his head. “Oh.”
Seungcheol sighed deeper. “Of course.”
Y/N just groaned. “Can you not sound so used to this?”
Vernon looked back at the door. “Should we, like… leave?”
Y/N’s mom gasped, walking forward and pulling both boys into a loose embrace. “Absolutely fucking not—why would you leave? You’re my favorites. You make things easier.”
Y/N narrowed her eyes. “I am right here.”
Her mother waved her off. “You make things entertaining, dear.”
Seungcheol, to his credit, just looked tired. “So, fake emails?”
Mingyu, still standing behind the kitchen counter, crossed his arms. “Yup.”
Yuqi nodded. “Y/n got a DM from the Gossip page who knew the second you walked in.”
Vernon groaned. “Why do I feel like this is gonna be a long day?”
Y/N dropped her head against the counter. “Because it already is.”
Y/N lifted her head with a deep sigh. “Okay. One disaster at a time. The fake email thing—what do we do?”
Her mom, now far too relaxed compared to earlier, waved a hand. “I’ll have my assistant handle it. You just focus on getting ready for tonight.”
Y/N frowned. “Are you sure? What if—”
“Sweetheart, I throw flawless events. A little mystery email sabotage isn’t going to ruin this night. Now, if you’ll excuse me—”
Her mom’s phone buzzed, and her entire body stiffened.
“What now?” she muttered before answering. “…Yes?—What? The flowers?”
Yuqi’s eyebrows shot up. “Uh-oh.”
“What do you mean they weren’t delivered?” Y/N’s mom snapped, her stress levels skyrocketing again. “No, no, no! I ordered those weeks ago—”
Mingyu winced. “That… sounds bad.”
Vernon leaned toward Y/N and whispered, “I thought she just said nothing could ruin this night?”
Y/N sighed. “Give it five minutes.”
Her mom, still on the phone, let out a very exaggerated laugh—her signature “I am this close to losing it” laugh.
“No, I don’t want substitutions, I want the exact arrangement we discussed. Fix it.” She hung up with a sharp tap and exhaled through her nose. “I am going to scream.”
Seungcheol, hands in his pockets, finally spoke. “Want us to go check with the caterers or something?”
Y/N’s mom exhaled and looked at him, then Vernon, then Mingyu. “…Would you?”
Y/N stared. “Wait, what?”
Vernon shrugged. “Yeah, why not?”
“Gives us something to do,” Seungcheol added.
Mingyu, despite looking less enthused, sighed. “Fine.”
Y/N’s mom clasped her hands together. “Wonderful. Girls, go with them. And be nice.”
Y/N groaned but grabbed her jacket anyway. “Fine. But if I get blamed for anything else today, I’m running away.”
Her mom smiled sweetly. “I’ll send someone to find you.”
Y/N rolled her eyes as they all headed for the door.
Inside the catering company, the tension was thick. The manager, a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes but a warm demeanor, waved them over the second they walked in.
“Oh, thank God you’re here,” she said, pushing her clipboard against her chest. “I was just about to call your mother again.”
“Please don’t,” Y/N begged, exasperated. “We’re here to fix whatever mess this is before she goes nuclear.”
The woman sighed, flipping through her notes. “So, here’s the deal. There was a mix-up with the supplier, and a few of the items for tonight’s menu didn’t get delivered. We tried to source alternatives, but your mom’s order is, well… particular.”
Yuqi snorted. “Understatement of the year.”
Seungcheol stepped forward. “What’s missing, and what can we swap in?”
The woman gave him an approving look. “I like you,” she said before turning back to her notes. “Alright, the biggest issue is the seafood selection. The shrimp for the appetizers? Gone. The lobster for the risotto? Delayed until tomorrow.”
Mingyu winced. “Yeah, she’s gonna love that.”
Vernon peered at the list. “Can you sub in something similar? Like, I don’t know… scallops?”
The woman nodded. “We can. And honestly? They might taste better.”
Y/N perked up. “Perfect. And for the risotto?”
“I can throw in a mix of crab and white truffle. It’s a last-minute fix, but trust me—it’ll work.”
Yuqi gasped. “Ooh, white truffle? Fancy. Your mom might actually approve.”
Y/N exhaled. “Okay. That sounds good. Just—get whatever you need to make it work, and I’ll convince my mom it was the plan all along.”
The woman grinned. “You’re a lifesaver, kid.” Then, with a wave of her hand, she gestured to a side table filled with pastries and a few bottles of wine. “As a thank you for your mom’s business—and for dealing with this chaos—help yourselves. God knows you’ll need the energy for tonight.”
Mingyu’s eyes widened. “Wait, we get free food out of this?”
Yuqi was already making a beeline for the pastries. “Say less.”
Vernon grabbed a bottle of wine. “We should bring this back for your mom as a peace offering.”
Seungcheol chuckled. “Smart move. She might actually forgive us.”
Y/N rolled her eyes, but a small smile crept onto her lips. “Alright, let’s grab what we need and get out of here before she starts calling again.”
With that, they packed up the food, thanked the caterers, and piled back into the car—disaster officially averted.
Now, they just had to survive the actual party.
As Y/N pulled out of the caterer’s lot, the car was buzzing with energy—mostly from the sugar high Yuqi was already experiencing from the pastries.
“So,” Mingyu said between bites of a croissant, “what’s the over-under on how many crises your mom is going to have before the party even starts?”
Vernon hummed, considering. “Two. Minimum.”
Seungcheol shook his head. “You’re underestimating her. I say three. One will be about the flowers, one about the seating, and one about something none of us will see coming.”
Y/N groaned. “Can you guys not manifest this? I’d love just one night where I don’t feel like I have to run PR for my own mother.”
Yuqi cackled. “Not happening, babe. Your mom loves the drama. You saw how she perked up when she caught wind of the gossip page earlier.”
“She did not perk up—”
“She literally smiled. Which for her is perky.”
Y/N scowled, gripping the wheel a little tighter. “Fine. Maybe she enjoys it a little, but that doesn’t mean I have to be part of it.”
Mingyu smirked. “That’s rich coming from the girl who was the main character of the page for years?”
Seungcheol sighed. “Let’s not—”
“Oh, I know you’re not fucking talking, Kim Mingyu,” Y/N shot back, giving him a pointed look in the rearview mirror. “Half the worst rumors about me had your name attached to them.”
Vernon snorted.
Mingyu groaned, flopping back into his seat. “Okay, okay, point taken.”
Seungcheol rolled his eyes, but there was a small smirk on his lips. “I still don’t know how you manage to get yourself into this many messes.”
Y/N sighed dramatically. “It’s a gift. Truly.”
The car settled into a comfortable silence for a moment—until Y/N suddenly veered off their usual route, taking a turn that had everyone else perking up in confusion.
“Uh,” Yuqi said, “not to be like a back seat driver type of person, but this is not the way back to your house.”
“No shit,” Y/N confirmed, grinning. “Because if we go straight home, we’re just walking back into another disaster.”
Seungcheol raised a brow. “So where are we going?”
Y/N just smirked. “Somewhere better.”
Vernon’s eyes narrowed in realization. “Wait—is this—”
She nodded.
Yuqi groaned. “Okay, can someone fill me in?!”
Y/N laughed. “We’re going to one of my old hiding spots from high school. When my parents got to be too much, I’d sneak off here. It’s got a great view, it’s peaceful, and it’s way better than going home just to immediately stress out again.”
Mingyu’s brows lifted. “So you’re actually giving us a break.”
“Yup.”
Yuqi sighed dramatically, throwing a hand over her heart. “I knew I loved you.”
Seungcheol shook his head, amused. “Alright. Let’s see this place of yours, then.”
With that, Y/N drove them further away from the stress of the party, leading them toward the one place that had always been hers.
At least for a little while, they could breathe.
As Y/N drove further into the winding back roads of town, a warm sense of familiarity settled in. The air was crisper here, untouched by the chaos waiting for them back at the house. The road was lined with old trees, and just up ahead, the familiar dip in the road marked the entrance to her long-time hideaway.
Vernon, leaning against the car door with his elbow propped up, let out a small chuckle. “You know,” he said, “every time you disappeared in high school, I’d check here first.”
Y/N smirked. “And you were always right.”
He nodded. “Except for that one time I searched for two hours thinking you might’ve actually gone somewhere else.”
Yuqi perked up. “Wait, what happened?”
Vernon glanced at Y/N, waiting to see if she’d stop him. When she just shrugged, he sighed. “It was after an incident.”
Mingyu stiffened slightly but said nothing. Seungcheol’s expression didn’t shift much, but his jaw tensed ever so slightly.
Yuqi made a noise of realization. “Oh.”
Vernon continued, his tone more thoughtful than anything. “You weren’t at your house, you weren’t answering your phone, and your mom was pissed because you missed some dinner she planned. I checked everywhere—the library, the café, even your old dance studio—”
Y/N exhaled a quiet laugh. “That’s how I knew you’d be looking. I knew you’d check those first.”
Vernon gave her a look. “Yeah, well, once I actually found you here, curled up on that old picnic table with your headphones on, I figured out how to skip all the searching next time.”
“Efficient,” Yuqi praised.
“I try,” Vernon said with a shrug. Then, he turned to Y/N again, more serious now. “That was one of the only times I’ve ever seen you cry.”
The car was quiet for a beat. Y/N tapped her fingers against the steering wheel, eyes fixed on the road. “It was a rough night.”
No one had to say why. They all knew.
Seungcheol shifted slightly in his seat, exhaling through his nose. He still wasn’t sure if he was allowed to feel guilty out loud when she never really blamed him for what happened. But hearing about that night—knowing she ran off to cry somewhere alone while everyone else carried on—it made his stomach twist.
He glanced at her through the rearview mirror, but she wasn’t looking at him. She just kept driving, the same way she had kept going back then.
Mingyu cleared his throat, lightening the mood. “So, this is the sacred spot, huh? The infamous Y/N getaway?”
Y/N smirked. “Oh, just wait. You’re gonna love it.”
A few minutes later, she pulled into the small clearing, tires crunching over gravel. The place hadn’t changed much—a wooden picnic table sat nestled beneath a massive oak tree, overlooking a small lake just beyond the edge of the clearing. The sun hit the water just right, making the whole place glow in gold and orange hues.
“Whoa,” Mingyu muttered, stepping out of the car.
Yuqi stretched. “I see why you never wanted to leave.”
Vernon walked up beside Y/N, nudging her with his shoulder. “Still feels the same?”
She smiled softly. “Yeah.”
Seungcheol stayed quiet, watching her. He wondered how many times she had been out here alone, feeling like she had no one to turn to. He wished he could go back and fix it, but all he could do now was be here.
Y/N clapped her hands together, breaking the moment. “Alright, let’s eat before Yuqi gets hangry and starts threatening people.”
“Too late,” Yuqi grinned, already reaching for the pastries.
As they sat around the table, picking at their food and reminiscing about old memories, the weight of everything waiting for them back home felt just a little bit lighter.
As the group settled in, unwrapping pastries and sipping the coffee the caterers had thrown in as an extra, Seungcheol shifted slightly on the picnic bench. The wood was rough beneath his fingertips, worn down by time and weather, but something caught his attention—a small indentation along the edge of the seat.
He ran his thumb over it absentmindedly before realizing what it was. Y/N.
Her name was faintly scratched into the wood, a little uneven like it had been done in a hurry. A small, almost invisible Y/N was here trailed beside it. Seungcheol exhaled softly, brushing his fingers over the grooves.
“How long ago did you do this?” he asked, tilting his head toward her.
Y/N looked up from her coffee and followed his gaze. Her lips parted slightly when she realized what he was talking about, then she let out a quiet laugh.
“Oh, wow,” she muttered, reaching out to touch it herself. “I forgot about that.”
Vernon smirked. “Back when you were dramatic as hell and needed the world to know you had suffered here?”
Y/N shot him a look. “Oh, like you never did stuff like this.”
Vernon just grinned, sipping his coffee.
Yuqi leaned in, reading over her shoulder. “Damn. This is, like, peak teen angst behavior.”
Mingyu, who had been mid-bite of his croissant, swallowed and pointed a thumb at himself. “I used to do this on desks at school. Never got caught.”
Y/N rolled her eyes. “Yeah, well, no one really came out here but me, so it wasn’t like anyone was gonna yell at me for defacing my own hideout.”
Seungcheol glanced between her and the scratched name. He wondered if she had done it on a day like that one Vernon talked about. If she had been sitting here, trying to make herself exist in some way when she felt invisible to everyone else.
He drummed his fingers on the wood and, before he could think too hard about it, reached for the small pocket knife attached to his keychain.
Y/N narrowed her eyes. “What are you—”
He carefully pressed the tip of the blade against the wood, just beneath her name, and after a few quick strokes, he leaned back.
Right there, right beneath Y/N was here, was a fresh, new engraving.
So was Seungcheol.
The group stilled for a second.
Yuqi snorted. “Oh, that’s so corny.”
Vernon bit his lip to keep from laughing. “I mean, respect. But also, yeah.”
Mingyu just shook his head.
Y/N just stared at it for a moment. Something about it made her chest feel tight—not in a bad way, just... different. She swallowed, forcing a smirk.
“Well, I hope you don’t expect me to get sentimental about this.”
Seungcheol just shrugged, pocketing his knife. “Didn’t ask you to.”
But when she looked back at the carved words, she didn’t hate them. Not even a little.
She just hoped he meant it.
The air around them settled into something quieter after that, filled only with the occasional sound of rustling leaves and distant birds. The morning was crisp, the kind that made Y/N feel like she could breathe a little easier away from the house, the party, and everything else looming over them.
Vernon was the first to break the silence. “Alright, nostalgia hour is cute and all, but do we have to go back yet?”
Yuqi stretched her arms over her head. “Agreed. I say we just camp out here until your mom sends a search party.”
Y/N laughed, but she could already feel the weight of time pressing down. “We should probably head back soon. She’ll be stressed enough without us disappearing too.”
Yuqi made a face. “She already thinks I’m useless.”
Y/N rolled her eyes. “She thinks we’re all useless. Besides those two,” Y/n gestured to Seungcheol and Vernon, “But she still loves you guys, trust me.”
Seungcheol hummed, glancing toward the road. “Then let’s get back before she finds a valid reason to kill us.”
Reluctantly, they packed up their things, tossing empty coffee cups and pastry wrappers into the trash. Y/N let her fingers brush against the carving one last time before turning away.
As they climbed into the car, the ride back was filled with easy conversation, predictions about what kind of drama the party would bring.
Yuqi leaned over the seat, grinning. “How many rich people meltdowns do we think we’ll witness tonight? Over or under three?”
“Definitely over,” Vernon said without hesitation.
“I say under,” Mingyu countered. “I think they’re all too fake to actually lose it in public.”
Y/N smirked. “You haven’t seen my mom under party stress.”
Seungcheol chuckled. “Or her guests after one too many glasses of wine.”
They all laughed, but there was an unspoken tension under the humor. They all knew something was bound to happen tonight—it always did.
By the time they pulled into the driveway, the house was already buzzing with last-minute preparations. Staff moved in and out of the doors, carrying floral arrangements and trays of glassware. The party was still hours away, but the chaos had already arrived.
Y/N hopped out of the car first, glancing at the flurry of activity happening around the house. It was almost overwhelming—staff carrying floral centerpieces, a few people setting up an outdoor lounge area, and some finishing touches being placed on the decor. The house felt different, almost transformed.
She caught the attention of one of her mom’s longtime staff members, a woman named Elise who had been around since Y/N was a kid. “Hey, do you know where my mom is?”
Elise barely paused as she carried a clipboard under her arm. “She went upstairs to get ready. Figured it was best to get her out of the way before she scared someone off.”
Y/N huffed a small laugh. That sounded about right. She glanced back at her friends before holding up the bottle of wine the caterers had gifted them. “I’ll go check in with her. Let her know we handled the catering issue.”
Seungcheol gave her a knowing look but said nothing as she turned and headed inside.
Upstairs, the energy was different. The buzz of people moving in and out of the main areas faded into something quieter. Y/N found her mom’s bedroom door slightly ajar, the light from the vanity inside spilling out into the hallway.
She knocked gently before stepping inside. “Mom?”
Her mother sat at her vanity, adjusting an earring with precision. She was already dressed for the evening, in something elegant yet understated—polished as always. She caught Y/N’s reflection in the mirror and turned, brows lifting slightly.
“You’re back.”
Y/N held up the bottle. “Brought you something.”
Her mother blinked at the wine before exhaling, standing from her seat to take it. “Ah, Good choice. I knew you were your mothers daughter.” She inspected the label with mild approval before glancing at Y/N again. “Did you handle the caterers?”
“Yeah,” Y/N confirmed, leaning against the doorframe. “Crisis averted. Everything’s set, and they even threw in some extra stuff for you.”
Her mom gave a satisfied nod, twisting the bottle cap open with ease. “At least someone is doing something right today.” She poured herself a small glass before taking a sip. “I assume you didn’t completely disappear just to handle the catering?”
Y/N smirked slightly. “Took a detour, had breakfast with the others.”
Her mother gave her a knowing look but didn’t press. Instead, she gestured toward the vanity stool across from her. “Sit with me for a moment.”
Y/N hesitated before moving to sit.
Her mother sighed, swirling her wine. “You know, I appreciate you handling things. It saves me from dealing with another headache before this party even starts.”
Y/N felt something soften in her chest. Compliments from her mom were rare, but they still meant something.
She shrugged. “Figured I’d help out where I could.”
Her mom gave her a long look, something unreadable passing over her features. Then, as if catching herself, she simply took another sip of wine.
“Well, don’t disappear on me later. You’re my daughter, people will be expecting you to be presentable tonight.”
Y/N rolled her eyes but smiled. “Got it. I’ll be on my best behavior.”
Her mom gave a small smirk, as if unconvinced, but she let it go.
For a moment, there was just quiet. A rare, fleeting peace before the inevitable storm of the night ahead.
Y/N’s mom set her glass of wine down and studied her for a moment, her usual sharp gaze softening just a little. Then, as if it was just a passing thought, she said, “I bought you a dress.”
Y/N blinked, caught off guard. “You—what?”
Her mom stood up, walking over to her closet. “For the party. I know you probably had something picked out, but I saw this and thought it might be more your style.” She disappeared inside for a second before emerging with a garment bag. “It’s nothing extravagant, just something I figured you might actually like.”
That was… unexpected.
Y/N watched as her mom laid the bag on the bed, unzipping it carefully. The dress inside wasn’t the over-the-top kind of thing her mother usually leaned toward—it was actually tasteful, something that suited Y/N’s preferences more than she would have guessed.
Y/N swallowed, unsure what to say. “You—uh, you really picked this out?”
Her mom scoffed, shaking her head. “I have known you your entire life, you know. I don’t always get it right, but I do notice what you like.”
Y/N was momentarily speechless. She was used to her mom criticizing or pushing, but this felt sincere.
She ran her fingers over the fabric. “Thanks, Mom. Really.”
Her mom just gave a small nod before picking up her wine again, sipping as she glanced at Y/N with an unreadable expression. “Don’t make me regret it.”
Y/N huffed a small laugh, shaking her head. “No promises.”
For a rare moment, things felt okay. Like they were almost on the same page for once. It wouldn’t last, but Y/N would take what she could get.
Y/N sat on the edge of the bed, still touching the fabric of the dress absentmindedly. It wasn’t lost on her that this was one of the few times her mom had done something so quietly thoughtful. Usually, her affection came in the form of sharp critiques and expectations masked as guidance.
Her mom finished her wine and set the glass down with a quiet clink. “So? Are you going to wear it?”
Y/N glanced up. “Yeah. I think I will.”
Her mom only nodded, but there was the slightest trace of satisfaction in her expression. Then, as if realizing she had lingered on sentiment for too long, she straightened up and smoothed down her blouse. “Good. Now, go make yourself useful and check if the florist got the arrangement placement right. The last thing I need is someone setting peonies where hydrangeas are supposed to go.”
And that was more like her mom.
Y/N shook her head but didn’t argue. She knew this was as close to a warm moment as she’d get, and she didn’t want to ruin it.
She stood, grabbing the dress carefully before heading for the door.
Just as Y/N reached for the doorknob, her mom spoke up again, her tone deliberately casual.
“You know,” she said, swirling the last bit of wine in her glass, “you’re at that age where you should be thinking about who you really want to keep around.”
Y/N paused, turning her head slightly. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Her mom shrugged, standing and walking toward her vanity as if the comment wasn’t anything significant. “Just that some things are temporary, and some things aren’t. You don’t want to waste time playing around with people who won’t matter in the long run.”
Y/N narrowed her eyes, trying to figure out if this was her mom’s strange way of offering actual advice or if she was about to be blindsided by a lecture. “Are you saying that because of my friends, or—”
Her mom gave her a sharp look in the mirror’s reflection. “I’m saying that because you need to figure out what you want before you hurt someone. Or worse, hurt yourself. Again.”
That made Y/N hesitate. It wasn’t often her mom spoke as though she truly knew her. But the weight behind her words made it clear—she saw the mess Y/N was tangled in, whether or not she fully understood it.
Still, Y/N scoffed lightly, trying to keep things from getting too serious. “You’re not exactly the queen of relationships, you know.”
Her mom smirked, turning slightly. “Exactly. Which is why I know what I’m talking about.”
Y/N had no response for that.
She lingered for a second longer before exhaling. “I’ll… think about it,” she muttered, reaching for the doorknob.
“Do more than think,” her mom replied. “Like I said, some things are temporary.”
“I’ll let you know if there’s a floral disaster,” she said dryly.
Her mom waved a hand dismissively. “If there is, don’t let me know—just fix it.”
Y/N rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she walked out.
The moment she stepped into the hallway, she took a deep breath. The atmosphere in her mom’s room had been surprisingly not terrible, but the rest of the house was still buzzing with pre-party chaos. Downstairs, she could already hear voices—her friends, most likely.
She quickly tucked the dress safely in her room before making her way toward the main floor. As she descended the stairs, she caught sight of Vernon and Seungcheol standing near the entryway, looking slightly out of place in the lavish setting.
Yuqi and Mingyu were off to the side, probably finishing up whatever last-minute tasks her mom had roped them into.
Vernon spotted her first, tilting his head. “You survive?”
Y/N scoffed. “Barely.”
Seungcheol’s gaze flickered to her before settling back toward the hallway leading to the main event space. “How bad is it looking out there?”
Y/N exhaled, shaking her head. “I haven’t checked yet, but if the florist messed up, I might have to stage a small rescue mission.”
Mingyu grinned. “Need backup?”
She smirked. “You just want an excuse to run away from whatever my mom had you doing.”
He didn’t even try to deny it. “I fear that woman.”
Vernon snorted. “Welcome to the club.”
Y/N sighed, glancing toward the grand windows that overlooked the estate. The sun was setting now, casting a warm glow over the backyard where the party would unfold later. For now, there was still time—time before things got hectic, before the night spun into whatever chaos awaited.
She turned back to the group. “Alright, I’m going to check on the flowers and then…” she trailed off, knowing they all needed a second to breathe before the storm.
Seungcheol raised a brow. “Then?”
“I have no idea.” Y/n took in a deep breath, gripping onto her cell phone like her life depended on it. “So, you two are heading back to your parents’ place to get ready?” Y/N asked, looking at Seungcheol and Vernon, who were already pulling on their jackets.
“Yeah,” Vernon answered, a grin spreading across his face as he adjusted his collar. “We’ll be back in a bit. Got to look presentable for the drama we’re about to walk into, right?”
Seungcheol’s lips twitched upward for a moment, but his smile was a little more strained than usual. “Yeah. Can’t exactly show up looking like we just rolled out of bed.”
Y/N’s eyes flicked from Seungcheol to Vernon. They were both trying to act like everything was fine, but she could tell the tension was still there—especially between the two of them. It was almost impossible to ignore, like an unspoken battle for attention they weren’t fully ready to face yet.
“Okay, just don’t make it worse when you come back,” Y/N teased lightly, hoping to lighten the mood a bit, but her smile felt too fragile.
“We’ll try our best,” Vernon chuckled, but his tone softened as he stepped toward her. “Hey, you good?”
Y/N paused, caught off guard by the question. She’d been so wrapped up in everything else, she hadn’t taken a moment to truly think about how she was doing. She didn’t want to admit it, but she felt that weight—the pressure of tonight, her mom’s expectations, the quiet tension in the air.
“I’m fine,” she said, forcing a smile. “Just a lot going on, you know?”
Vernon studied her for a beat, his eyes softening. “I get it. But, you know, if it gets too much, just… take a step back. Breathe. It’s going to be okay, Y/N.”
His words were simple, but there was something in his voice that felt like a quiet promise. It wasn’t anything grand, but it was enough. For a brief moment, she could feel the weight on her shoulders lighten, even if just a little.
“Thanks, Vern,” she said quietly, her gaze holding him for a second longer than usual. There was an understanding there—something deeper that had been building for years. She had never admitted it aloud, but there was comfort in knowing that maybe, one day, the quiet tension between them might shift into something more.
“I’ll be back soon,” he added, flashing her a grin before heading toward the door. Seungcheol gave her a nod, not saying much but clearly acknowledging the unspoken words that had passed between them.
As they left, Y/N lingered by the door for a moment longer, feeling a strange mix of relief and anticipation. There was something about the night that felt like it was teetering on the edge of something big—a moment where everything could either fall into place or completely fall apart.
She tried to push those thoughts away, though, reminding herself that tonight wasn’t about any of that. It was just a party. And everything would be fine.
Just as she was about to turn back into the house, her phone buzzed. It was a text from Vernon:
Don’t let the chaos get to you. I’m here if you need me.
Her smile softened at the message, warmth flooding her chest. She stared at the words for a long moment before slipping the phone back into her pocket.
Taking a deep breath, she straightened up and walked into the house.
Y/n couldn’t help but think maybe, just maybe, she would get the answers she needed tonight along the way.
The chaos of the day had finally settled. After spending some time in the garden, Y/N felt like she could finally breathe. With the caterers handled and the last-minute details ironed out, everything was in place.
Back in her room, she found Yuqi on the bed, taming her hair with a brush. She glanced up with a knowing smile. “You look like you’ve been through a battle.”
Yuqi set the brush down. “Is it the party or the ‘boys and drama’ situation?”
Y/N hesitated. “Both. I care about all of them, but it’s messy. I don’t want to ruin what we have.”
Yuqi nodded, brushing a strand of Y/N’s hair back. “I get it. I just want you to be happy, whether that’s with one of them—or none of them.”
Y/N exhaled, warmth settling in her chest. “Thanks for being here with me.”
“Always.” Yuqi picked up the brush again. “We’ll figure it out, like we always do.”
For a moment, the weight of the night faded, replaced by quiet comfort as Yuqi worked through Y/N’s hair.
Then, Y/N turned to the dress draped over the chair. “Guess it’s time to see what this dress is all about.”
It was a sleek baby blue halter dress—simple, elegant, and not something she’d usually pick, but somehow, it felt right. When she slipped it on and looked in the mirror, she barely recognized herself.
Yuqi’s eyes widened. “Wow… You look fucking amazing.”
Y/N adjusted the straps nervously. “You think so?”
Yuqi grinned. “Absolutely. It’s understated, but it suits you perfectly.”
A small smile tugged at Y/N’s lips. She felt different in the dress—like someone poised enough to handle whatever the night threw at her.
Yuqi nudged her. “They will lose their mind when they see you.”
Y/N rolled her eyes but laughed, shaking off her nerves. “Let’s go before my mom thinks we died in here.”
The house was already buzzing as they made their way downstairs. Her mom was giving sharp instructions to the waitstaff, looking every bit in control.
Just before they reached the bottom step, Yuqi whispered, “Don’t be surprised if you get swept away tonight, my princess.”
Y/N exhaled, straightening her posture. No turning back now
Y/N didn’t have time to respond before her mom spotted them. Her sharp gaze landed on Y/N, and for once, her expression softened.
"Finally," she said, though there was no real bite in her tone. She nodded in approval. "You look perfect. The dress suits you."
Compliments from her mother weren’t exactly common, so Y/N just nodded. "Thanks, Mom."
Satisfied, her mother moved on. "The guests will be here soon. The florist fixed the arrangements, so we’re good to go. I need to check on the bar. Try not to disappear before the party starts." And with that, she was gone.
"Well," Yuqi smirked. "That was almost sweet."
Y/N let out a breath. "Yeah, I'll take what I can get."
Just then, the front door opened, and in walked Mingyu, looking effortlessly put together. His eyes landed on Y/N, and whatever he was about to say died in his throat.
Yuqi smirked knowingly. "I'll leave you two to it," she whispered before slipping into the crowd.
Y/N shifted as Mingyu stepped closer, eyes raking over her. "Wow," he finally said, almost breathless.
She crossed her arms. "You’re staring."
"Can you blame me?" He grinned. "I mean, you always look becautiful, but... damn, Y/N."
Rolling her eyes, she fought the warmth creeping up her neck. "You clean up well yourself."
"Yeah, but I do that all the time. This is different." He tilted his head. "Special occasion?"
She gave him a look. "You do realize it’s my mom’s big event, right?"
"Right, right," he said quickly, rubbing his neck. "But still." Mingyu leaned in slightly. "You ready?"
Y/N took a deep breath. "Not even a little."
Mingyu grinned. "Good. Wouldn’t be fun otherwise."
Within the hour, the party was in full swing—soft jazz, clinking glasses, low murmurs of important conversations. Socialites, business moguls, and industry elites mingled in curated clusters, the kind of crowd Y/N had grown up around but never truly felt part of.
Standing near the edge of the room with a glass of wine, she scanned the crowd. Yuqi was charming a group of executives, and Mingyu had been pulled into helping at the bar. That left her alone—until a familiar voice broke through the noise.
"Looking all grown up tonight, y/l/n."
She turned to see Seungcheol, dressed sharply in a tailored suit that looked almost too good on him. He wasn’t quite smiling, but his gaze was warm. Nostalgic.
"You look like a dumbass," she said, sipping her wine.
"The Suit? Please I had to. Didn’t want to embarrass anyone’s family by showing up in my usual mess." He tucked his hands into his pockets, eyes flicking over the crowd before settling on her. "You good?"
"More or less," she admitted. "It’s a lot, even for me."
He hummed in understanding. "Your mom seems in her element."
"Of course she is," Y/N said, glancing at her mother, who commanded a conversation with investors. Poised, confident, completely in control.
"It’s funny," Y/N mused. "She’s so good at making everything look perfect, even when it's barely holding together."
Seungcheol tilted his head. "You say that like you don’t do the same thing."
She blinked, caught off guard.
"You always act like you’re fine, like nothing gets to you," he continued, voice lower now. "But I know this kind of night isn’t easy for you. Just saying—you don’t have to keep it all together if you don’t want to."
Before she could respond, he smirked. "Vernon’s over there. Should probably say hi before he starts texting me passive-aggressive emojis."
She nodded, watching as he disappeared into the crowd.
Before she could process the conversation, Yuqi reappeared, looking amused. "Okay, first of all," she grabbed a champagne flute from a passing waiter, "rich people are insane. Secondly, what the hell was that with Seungcheol?"
"Nothing. Just checking in."
Yuqi gave her a look but didn’t press. Instead, she looped her arm through Y/N’s. "Well, I hope you're emotionally prepared because I just saw your mom heading this way with some people who definitely want to ask you personal questions."
Y/N groaned. "Great. Just what I needed."
"Don’t worry," Yuqi grinned. "I’ll distract them. Watch and learn, my dear friend."
As predicted, Y/N’s mother approached with a curated group of guests, all wearing polite yet predatory smiles.
"Ah, there you are," her mother said smoothly, placing a firm hand on Y/N’s arm. "I was just telling these lovely people about you. This is Mr. and Mrs. Kang—they run one of the most exclusive event planning firms in the city. And this is—"
Y/N barely registered the introductions before Mrs. Kang leaned in with a conspiratorial smile. "Your mother tells us you have quite the social circle. A few familiar names, even! Tell me, darling, are you spoken for?"
Yuqi, ever the quick-thinker, gasped dramatically. "Oh, you haven’t heard? Y/N’s heart is a battlefield. It’s scandalous."
Y/N shot her a seriously? look, but Yuqi only winked and sipped her champagne.
Mrs. Kang’s eyes lit up. "Is that so? Well, now I must know—who’s winning?"
Y/N forced a laugh. "I don’t keep score."
"Oh, but darling," Mrs. Kang cooed, "everyone else does."
Before Y/N could formulate a response that wouldn’t make her mother’s eye twitch, another voice cut in.
"Excuse me, but I need to steal Y/N for a moment."
Vernon, ever the perfect timing, slipped in beside her, effortlessly charming as always.
"Oh?" Mrs. Kang raised an eyebrow. "Is he one of the contenders?"
Vernon blinked. "For what?"
Yuqi barely stifled her laugh. Y/N didn’t give Mrs. Kang the satisfaction of an answer—she simply excused herself, letting Vernon guide her away.
"Did you actually need me, or were you just rescuing me?" she asked once they were out of earshot.
"Little bit of both," he admitted. "Seungcheol’s getting cornered by some guy talking business, and Mingyu looks like he’s trying to charm his way into the caterers’ good graces."
Y/N smirked. "Sounds about right."
Vernon glanced down at her, eyes flickering over her dress. "You look nice, by the way. Not that you don’t always, but... it suits you."
A warmth spread in Y/N’s chest, but she pushed it aside with a teasing grin. "You’re not about to confess your undying love for me, are you, Vernon?"
He laughed. "Nah. When or if I ever do, I should probably be sober."
She nudged him. "Good call."
Before they could get too comfortable, a sudden hush fell over the room.
At the entrance, Seungcheol stood, looking mildly exasperated as an unfamiliar woman—one who definitely wasn’t invited—argued with the staff.
Y/N’s stomach dropped.
She knew exactly who it was.
Seungcheol’s mother.
She was standing tall, her arms crossed over her chest as she spoke sharply to the staff. “I am family, whether you like it or not. Now, I don’t see why I should have to explain myself to you when my son is inside.”
Seungcheol looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. His jaw was clenched, his shoulders tense, and his eyes flickered between his mother and the security standing in her way. Y/N barely caught the glance he shot toward her before his mother’s voice cut through the hushed whispers surrounding them.
“Seungcheol, you’re really not going to say anything?” she asked, tone laced with accusation. “They’re treating me like I’m some kind of stranger at my own friends' event.”
“Mom,” Seungcheol finally responded, voice low, controlled. “It’s Y/N’s mother’s party, if she didn’t invite you, there could be a reason for that.”
That clearly hit a nerve because his mother’s expression hardened. “Oh, so I have to wait for an invitation to see my own son now? Is that it? But your father’s new plaything gets one?”
The murmurs in the room turned into full-on whispers. Y/N could feel her mother’s interest from across the space, no doubt entertained by the scene unfolding in her otherwise perfectly planned event.
Y/N barely hesitated before stepping forward. “Mrs. Choi,” she greeted politely, if not a little tensely. “If you’d like to speak with Seungcheol, maybe we could take this somewhere more private?”
Seungcheol looked at her, something unreadable in his eyes, but before he could say anything, his mother scoffed.
“Oh, of course, you’re involved in this.” Her lips curled into something that barely resembled a smile. “You always were trouble for my son, weren’t you?”
Y/N swallowed down the immediate sting of those words, but Vernon, who had remained by her side, took a step forward.
“Alright,” he said, tone even but firm, “let’s not start rewriting history.”
Seungcheol’s mother turned her gaze to Vernon, eyes narrowing slightly. “Oh, I remember you. The other boy.”
Y/N felt Vernon tense beside her, but before the tension could escalate further, Seungcheol finally sighed.
“Mom, please,” he said, voice quieter but exhausted. “Can we not do this here?”
His mother’s eyes softened just slightly, but before she could respond, another voice cut in.
“What’s all this?”
Hana. She was standing at the edge of the room, clearly having just arrived back from wherever she’d gone to freshen up, and her presence sent a ripple of recognition through the guests.
Y/N didn’t miss the way Seungcheol’s mother’s entire expression darkened upon seeing her.
“Oh, you have got to be kidding me.”
Hana tilted her head slightly, an easy, almost amused smile on her lips as she approached. “Nice to see you too,” she said smoothly, unbothered by the open hostility in Seungcheol’s mother’s voice.
Seungcheol’s mother, however, looked anything but amused. Her jaw tightened as she took a step closer, her gaze cutting toward Seungcheol. “Tell me you’re not seriously standing here, letting her be here while I’m being treated like an intruder.”
Seungcheol sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Mom, you’re not being treated like an intruder. You just… didn’t tell me you were coming.”
“And she did?” she shot back, gesturing toward Hana.
“Well, yeah,” Hana answered before Seungcheol could, her smile widening just slightly. “I was invited.”
The tension between Seungcheol’s mother and Hana was thick. Y/N didn’t know all the details, but it wasn’t exactly a secret that Seungcheol’s parents’ divorce had not been amicable—and his father moving on with Hana certainly didn’t help matters.
“I don’t see why you’re acting so surprised,” Hana continued, still perfectly calm. “You and Seungcheol’s father have been separated for a while. We’ve all moved on.”
Seungcheol’s mother let out a sharp laugh, one that held no real humor. “Oh, you’d love to think that, wouldn’t you?”
Y/N had had enough. She took a step forward, putting herself between them. “Alright, that’s enough.” She looked between both women, her voice steady. “We’re not doing this here. Not tonight.”
Hana blinked, then shrugged lightly. “Fine by me.”
Seungcheol’s mother, however, was far from satisfied. “Oh, I bet it is,” she muttered under her breath before turning her attention back to Seungcheol. “I need to talk to you.”
He hesitated. “Now?”
“Yes, now.”
Seungcheol’s shoulders tensed, but after a moment, he exhaled and nodded. “Alright. Let’s go somewhere more private.”
Y/N caught his gaze briefly, a silent question passing between them, but Seungcheol just gave her a small shake of his head. I got this.
Seungcheol led his mother away from the growing party, down a quieter hallway of the venue. The further they got from the noise, the more the tension in his shoulders tightened. He already knew this conversation wasn’t going to be pleasant.
When they reached a relatively private corner, he turned to face her. “Alright. What’s so urgent?”
His mother crossed her arms, her lips pressing into a thin line. “You really don’t see the problem here?”
Seungcheol sighed, running a hand through his hair. “If this is about Hana—”
“Of course, it’s about her!” she snapped. “She shouldn’t be here, Cheol. Your father parades her around like I never existed, like she didn’t play a part in ruining our family, and you’re just fine with it?”
His jaw tightened. “I didn’t say I was fine with it.”
“Then why are you standing here defending her?”
“I’m not defending her. I’m just not—” He exhaled sharply, forcing himself to stay calm. “Mom, I’m not picking sides between you and Dad. I refuse to. Plus, she’s nice. She’s not the person you should be getting mad at here. Y/n too. You know she didn’t do anything wrong, so drop it. Please.”
Her expression twisted, something almost like hurt flashing across her face before it hardened again. “You shouldn’t have to pick sides,” she said, voice quieter but still laced with frustration. “But I just don’t understand how you can be okay with her being around like this.”
Seungcheol was silent for a moment. Then, carefully, he said, “Because it’s not worth it.”
His mother frowned. “What?”
“All of this.” He gestured vaguely between them. “Holding onto this much anger? It’s exhausting, Mom. I can’t live my life constantly stuck in the middle of whatever war you and Dad have going on.”
She stared at him, her lips parting slightly. For a second, she looked like she might argue, but then she shut her mouth, her gaze flickering away.
Seungcheol sighed, his voice gentler when he spoke again. “I get it. I do. What happened sucked, and I hate that things turned out this way. But I can’t undo it. And honestly? Neither can you.”
His mother was quiet for a long moment. Then, softly, she asked, “Does it really not bother you at all?”
Seungcheol hesitated, then admitted, “It used to. A lot. But, I don’t know, Mom. At some point, I realized it was doing more harm to me than to them.”
His mother exhaled slowly, glancing away. “That’s mature of you.”
He huffed a dry laugh. “Didn’t really have a choice.”
She gave him a long look before sighing. “You’re really all grown up now, huh?”
Seungcheol chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing just a little. “Took me long enough.”
For the first time that night, the ghost of a smile flickered across her face. “I still don’t like her,” she muttered. She rolled her eyes but didn’t push further. Instead, she straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath. “Alright. I’m going to get a drink.”
Seungcheol walked a few paces behind his mother as they returned to the party, his thoughts still lingering on their conversation. He wasn’t sure if anything was actually resolved, but at least she hadn’t stormed off. That was something.
The moment they stepped back into the grand space, the energy of the party wrapped around them again—laughter, clinking glasses, quiet gossip murmured over expensive wine. Seungcheol scanned the room, noting how quickly people adjusted their conversations when they realized they were being observed.
Then, just a few steps ahead, he saw it—the forced politeness of two women who wanted nothing more than to be anywhere else. His mother had stopped in her tracks, her expression smoothing into something neutral yet unreadable. Directly in front of her stood Y/N’s mom, a tight-lipped smile on her face, the kind that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Y/N, standing nearby, instantly picked up on the shift in the air. Her mother was pissed. She was masking it well, keeping up appearances like a pro, but Y/N had spent her whole life reading these cues.
“Mrs. Choi,” her mother greeted, voice pleasant but slightly clipped.
“Mrs. L/N,” Seungcheol’s mother returned in an equally neutral tone.
Seungcheol tensed. Mouthing a sorry to Y/n’s mother. His mother had never had much love for Y/N’s, but given tonight’s circumstances, he wasn’t sure if she was about to play nice or if things were going to turn ugly fast.
Y/N’s mom, ever the socialite, gestured toward the room. “Enjoying the party?”
“It’s certainly lively,” Seungcheol’s mom said with a practiced smile. “You always know how to make an event feel… memorable.”
Her mother’s smile didn’t falter, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes before she replied smoothly, “And you always know how to make an entrance. I was just speaking to your husband’s new… companion earlier. She’s quite the presence.”
His mother’s smile sharpened at the edges. “Oh, I’m sure she is. She certainly has a way of leaving an impression.”
Y/N’s mom hummed, taking a sip of her wine. “Some would call that a talent.”
Seungcheol flicked a glance at Y/N, who was watching the exchange with barely veiled secondhand stress. Her mother’s temper hadn’t fully cracked yet, but the signs were there—the barely-there tension in her jaw, the way she held her glass just a little too firmly. She wasn’t going to start a scene yet, but Y/N knew that if given the right push, she absolutely could.
“Excuse us,” Y/N suddenly cut in, looping her arm around her mother’s with an easygoing smile. “There’s someone who’s been waiting to speak with you.”
Her mother blinked at her, clearly about to object, but Y/N squeezed her arm lightly, a silent let’s not do this here.
After a beat, her mother sighed and gave Seungcheol’s mom one last saccharine smile. “Lovely seeing you, as always.”
Seungcheol’s mom returned the expression, voice honeyed. “Likewise.”
Y/N tugged her mother away, throwing Seungcheol a quick glance before disappearing into the crowd.
Seungcheol exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face. His mother turned to him, arching a brow.
“Well,” she said, “at least the entertainment at this party isn’t just the music.”
Seungcheol stayed behind, watching Y/N disappear into the crowd with her mother, and sighed. This night had already been exhausting, and it was barely getting started. His mother, ever composed, gave him a knowing look.
"You should go enjoy yourself," she said, tone light but carrying an edge of dismissal. "No need to linger around me all night."
He didn’t argue. Instead, he nodded and turned on his heel, making his way toward the bar. A drink felt necessary after all of that.
As he approached, he spotted Vernon already leaning against the counter, sipping something dark in a short glass. His friend glanced over at him and grinned.
"That looked painful," Vernon said, nodding toward where Seungcheol had just come from.
"You have no idea," Seungcheol muttered, signaling the bartender for a drink. "Moms were this close to breaking the whole event into a war zone."
Vernon let out a low whistle. "Damn. I kinda wish I saw it."
Seungcheol rolled his eyes but smirked slightly. "No, you don’t."
The bartender slid him a glass of whiskey, and he took a grateful sip. His shoulders finally relaxed as the warmth spread through his chest.
"Where’s Y/N?" Seungcheol asked after a moment.
Vernon tilted his head toward the other side of the room. "Probably calming her mom down."
Seungcheol nodded, gaze flicking in the direction Vernon indicated. He wasn’t sure why, but he felt the urge to check in. Maybe it was just a habit, but after years of tension between them, he found himself naturally paying attention to where she was, how she was doing.
"Think the night’s gonna get worse before it gets better?" Vernon mused.
Seungcheol smirked. "Wouldn’t be this group if it didn’t."
Vernon chuckled and clinked his glass against Seungcheol’s before taking another sip.
Across the room, Y/N finally convinced her mother to sit down with a fresh drink and let the party continue without her trying to micromanage every little thing. As she stepped away, she exhaled deeply, running a hand over her dress to smooth out any nonexistent wrinkles.
She wasn’t even fully turned around before she nearly collided with Mingyu.
"Whoa," he said, steadying her instinctively. His hands were warm where they touched her arms. "You good?"
Y/N blinked up at him, momentarily thrown. "Yeah, just making sure things don’t fall apart before the actual event even starts."
Mingyu huffed a small laugh. "Sounds like a full-time job."
"You have no idea."
He gave her a lopsided smile, but there was something else in his eyes—concern, maybe? Or something softer.
"You need a break," Mingyu said, releasing her and nodding toward the balcony. "C’mon. Five minutes."
Y/N hesitated, glancing around the room. But then she caught sight of her mother actually staying in one place, for once, and sighed.
"Fine," she said. "Five minutes."
Mingyu grinned and led the way, and as she followed him, she tried to ignore the feeling that tonight was only just beginning.
The night air was a relief. Cool, crisp, and quiet—at least compared to the chaos inside. Y/N leaned against the balcony railing, exhaling as she let the tension in her shoulders unwind. Mingyu stood beside her, hands in his pockets, his usual energetic presence subdued in the dim glow of the outdoor lights.
They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, just listening to the faint hum of music and chatter from inside.
"You holding up?" Mingyu finally asked, voice softer now that they were alone.
Y/N glanced at him, then back at the skyline. "Barely."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "You’ve been running around all day. Should've let someone else handle some of this stuff."
"You think I trust anyone else to make sure my mom doesn’t combust before her big event?" she teased, raising a brow.
Mingyu grinned. "Fair point. Still, you should enjoy the night too. Not just play event planner-slash-family mediator. Let me take over for you for a bit."
Y/N hummed in response, letting her fingers trail over the cool metal of the railing. She wanted to enjoy the night, but something told her it wasn’t going to be that simple.
Before she could say anything else, the balcony door creaked open behind them. She half expected it to be Yuqi coming to drag her back inside, but instead, it was Seungcheol.
Mingyu’s posture stiffened just slightly—not enough for most people to notice, but Y/N did.
Seungcheol, on the other hand, seemed completely unaffected as he stepped outside and took them both in. "Figured you’d be out here," he said simply, eyes flicking toward Y/N before landing on Mingyu.
"Needed some air," Y/N answered, watching the subtle shift in energy between the two men.
Mingyu pushed off the railing and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Well, you got your five minutes," he said to Y/N, though his eyes flicked toward Seungcheol for just a second. "I’ll head back in. Help your mom our for you."
Y/N tilted her head slightly. "You don’t have to—"
"Nah, it’s fine." Mingyu offered her a reassuring smile before glancing at Seungcheol. "I’ll find you later."
And with that, he slipped back inside, leaving the two of them alone.
Y/N sighed, rubbing her temple. "You just love walking into situations like that, don’t you?"
Seungcheol smirked. "Not my fault if he gets weird about it."
She gave him a look. "He doesn’t get weird. He just…" She hesitated, then shook her head. "Never mind."
Seungcheol studied her for a moment before leaning against the railing beside her. "Are you really okay?"
She hesitated again, but this time, she exhaled and let herself be honest. "It’s just been a long day. And the night hasn’t even really started yet."
He nodded, gazing out over the balcony. "Yeah. I get that."
They fell into silence, the quiet kind that used to be filled with tension but now felt different.
After a moment, Seungcheol reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, folded piece of paper. "Vernon told me to give you this before the night got crazy."
Y/N raised a brow, taking the note and unfolding it. Vernon's handwriting was as messy as ever, but she could still make out the words:
"Try to actually have fun tonight, okay? Don’t overthink everything. You deserve to enjoy yourself too."
A soft smile tugged at her lips, and she shook her head. "That idiot."
Seungcheol chuckled. "Yeah, but he’s not wrong."
Y/N exhaled, tucking the note into her dress pocket. "I’ll try. No promises."
Seungcheol smirked. "That’s all we can ask for."
Another moment of quiet stretched between them before the distant sound of a microphone being tested inside broke the stillness.
"Guess that means showtime," Y/N murmured.
Seungcheol nodded, stepping away from the railing. "Let’s get back in there before your mom sends a search party."
Y/N rolled her eyes but let him open the door for her, stepping back inside with him.
As soon as Y/N and Seungcheol stepped back inside, the energy in the room hit them like a wave. The party was now in full swing—glasses clinking, laughter bouncing off the high ceilings, and conversations blending into an expensive hum of socialite chatter. Servers weaved through the crowd with silver trays of wine and hors d’oeuvres, and despite the earlier chaos, everything looked seamless.
Y/N spotted her mom across the room, caught in conversation with a group of well-dressed women who looked like they had been networking since birth. The mask was on—smiling, poised, effortlessly elegant. But Y/N knew her well enough to catch the subtle signs of tension: the slight pinch between her brows, the way her fingers tapped lightly against the stem of her wine glass.
Seungcheol’s gaze followed hers. “She looks like she’s already planning five different ways to spin tonight into something bigger.”
Y/N scoffed. “That’s just how she functions. If she’s not five steps ahead, she thinks she’s falling behind.”
He hummed. “You got that from her.”
She turned to him with an unimpressed look. “Was that supposed to be a compliment?”
He smirked. “Take it however you want.”
Before she could respond, a presence at her side pulled her attention away. Yuqi, looking effortlessly gorgeous in a sleek dress, looped her arm through Y/N’s.
“Okay, serious question,” she said, voice low but urgent. “Have you seen what’s happening at the bar?”
Y/N frowned. “No, why?”
Yuqi glanced over her shoulder, and when Y/N followed her gaze, her stomach dropped.
Mingyu.
And her mother.
At the bar.
Talking.
No—flirting?
Y/N’s mom had one hand delicately resting on the counter, her body language open and amused as she laughed at something Mingyu said. Meanwhile, Mingyu—tall, handsome, and completely oblivious to the sheer insanity of the situation—grinned, his dimples out in full force as he said something else that made her mom laugh again.
“Oh, my God,” Y/N muttered.
“Oh, yeah,” Yuqi whispered.
Seungcheol snorted. “That’s… something.”
Y/N turned on her heel. “Nope. I’m not dealing with that.”
“Wait, where are you going?” Yuqi asked, still holding onto her.
“Bathroom, too much wine.” Y/N yelled as she walked down the hall. It was almost like her bladder knew when she needed an escape.
Y/N felt her stomach twist as her mother laughed at something Mingyu had said, her fingers trailing too casually over the counter, a flirtation Y/N had seen a million times before.
She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t stand there any longer pretending this wasn’t a complete mess. She didn’t need to watch it unfold in front of her.
As she came out from the bathroom, Yuqi was waiting for her in the hallway and gave her a sidelong glance, her smile light but genuine. “Ready?”
Y/N chuckled, the sound barely audible over the noise coming from the party. “I guess I don’t really have a choice, do I?”
“Nope,” she said, stepping ahead and pushing the door open for her. “But at least you won’t be facing it alone.”
Y/N’s heart skipped. She gave her a quick smile as she passed through the door, grateful for her presence. As they entered the room, the air was thick with the chatter of her mother’s guests. It wasn’t quite chaos, but it felt like it could tip into it at any moment. She scanned the crowd, her eyes landing on her mom, who was happily engaged in conversation with a few people from the flower shop, while Mingyu and her dad were talking nearby, both of them looking far more at ease than they’d been earlier.
She made her way over to the food table, pretending to inspect the spread, but her mind was still racing. Despite the calm Yuqi had given her, there was still a storm brewing inside her. It was like there were too many things left unsaid, too many things she didn’t know how to handle.
As she reached for a glass of sparkling water, she felt a tap on her shoulder, and when she turned, it was her mom.
“Y/N,” she said, her tone smooth but laced with the familiar edge of frustration. “There’s someone I want you to meet. Someone who could be good for your future. Very successful in the business world.”
Y/N’s stomach tightened. She could already feel the words before they left her mom’s lips. She plastered on a smile, doing her best to keep the irritation at bay. “Of course, Mom. Who is it?”
Before she could even turn around, she heard a familiar voice from across the room. “Hey, Y/N. Long time no see!”
Y/N stiffened. It was one of the guests from her mom’s usual social circles—someone she’d met once or twice, and who had always made her uncomfortable with his overly familiar demeanor.
She turned toward him with a polite smile, but her eyes flickered over to Seungcheol, who was standing nearby, talking to Vernon. Her mind, still clouded with the tension between them, felt a little clearer in that instant. Seungcheol wasn’t going to just stand by and let this guy get too close to her. She knew that, deep down. Still, it didn’t stop her from feeling the subtle frustration creep back up.
Her mom, oblivious to Y/N’s discomfort, pushed her forward toward the man. “This is Mr. Harrison, a very important investor. He’s been in the industry for years, and I think you two will get along well.”
Y/N barely suppressed the roll of her eyes. She could tell exactly where this was going. Still, she forced herself to make small talk. Her friend's words—about doing things for herself and not letting other people’s expectations define her—echoed in her mind, reminding her that she didn’t have to play along.
But as Mr. Harrison prattled on about his “impressive ventures,” she glanced back at Seungcheol, who was laughing at something Vernon had said, the two of them looking at ease, as if the world outside this room didn’t exist. A small part of Y/N wished she could feel the same.
Her mom was still trying to sell her on Mr. Harrison when Y/N caught Mingyu’s eye, and he gave her a small, reassuring smile. It was subtle but enough to break her focus from the conversation. She nodded back, silently telling him she was fine. At least for now.
When the conversation seemed to hit a lull, her mom stepped in with a forced smile. “Well, I’m sure we can all continue chatting later. Y/N, I’ll leave you to get to know Mr. Harrison better.”
As Y/N stood there, her attention half on Mr. Harrison’s tiresome chatter and half on the growing tension in the air, she felt a shift. The music in the background had changed, softening into something slower and smoother, a waltz-like tune that filled the space with a subtle, almost intimate vibe. It was the kind of music that demanded a change in pace, a moment of connection between two people.
She was about to offer a polite excuse to Mr. Harrison when she saw Seungcheol across the room. His eyes met hers, a knowing look in them as he caught the frustration flickering in her expression. Without missing a beat, he pushed through the crowd, his presence steady and calm, and before Y/N could react, he was standing beside her.
“Mr. Harrison,” Seungcheol said, his tone polite but firm, “I believe you’ve kept Y/N long enough.” He turned to Y/N, his smile warm. “May I have this dance?”
Y/N blinked in surprise, and for a moment, she couldn’t help but feel a flutter in her chest. She’d been desperately trying to avoid the pressure of the evening, but now, standing here with Seungcheol, everything else faded away. Mr. Harrison, who had been speaking to her with such enthusiasm moments ago, seemed to shrink back, his face flushing as he nodded awkwardly.
“Oh, of course,” Mr. Harrison mumbled, clearly taken aback by Seungcheol’s sudden intervention. He gave a tight-lipped smile, “Enjoy the dance, Y/N.”
Seungcheol extended his hand to Y/N, and after a brief pause, she took it. She didn’t think, she just followed his lead, walking with him toward the center of the room as the other guests slowly parted to make room for them.
As they reached the dance floor, the music wrapped around them, and Y/N’s heart rate steadied. She hadn’t expected this, but there was something about Seungcheol’s quiet confidence that calmed her.
They stood there for a moment, both unsure of how to start, until Seungcheol gently placed his hand on her waist and guided her to follow his movements. His touch was warm, a steady presence that reassured her, even as the weight of the evening pressed in on her from all sides.
Y/N exhaled softly, meeting his gaze as they began to move in time with the music. “Thank you,” she murmured. “I wasn’t sure how much more of Mr. Harrison’s pitch I could handle.”
Seungcheol chuckled softly, his thumb grazing the back of her hand. “I could see that. I’ve been in those situations more times than I can count. Figured I’d offer a little escape.”
Her lips curved into a small, genuine smile. “You’re a fucking lifesaver, you know that?”
“I do now,” Seungcheol replied with a grin, the atmosphere between them lightening as they danced. He was close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating off him, but there was a comfortable distance, too. It wasn’t romantic—yet somehow, it felt like it could be.
The slow rhythm of the music gave them space to just exist in the moment, and for a while, everything else faded. Y/N forgot about her mom’s expectations, the pressure of the party, and even Mr. Harrison’s annoying attempts to insert himself into her life. With Seungcheol, she didn’t have to pretend. It was just… simple.
They swayed gently, their steps in sync, and as the song progressed, Y/N felt the stress of the night start to lift. The quietness between them wasn’t awkward—it was comfortable. For the first time all evening, she felt like she could breathe without feeling watched, without feeling like she was being pulled in too many directions.
“I don’t know what it is about this song,” Y/N murmured after a while, her voice barely rising above the music, “but it makes everything feel less fucking insane.”
Seungcheol’s gaze softened as he looked down at her, his lips curling into a small smile. “I think it’s just the moment. Sometimes, you need to pause for a second to realize how much you’re carrying. Then, when you get that little break, you realize it’s not all as bad as it seems.”
“I’m really glad you’re here,” she said softly, the words coming more easily than she expected.
Seungcheol’s smile deepened, and there was something in his eyes that made Y/N’s heart flutter again. “I’m always here,” he replied, his tone light but sincere. “Whenever you need me.”
For a moment, they danced in silence, the world outside this little bubble they had created not mattering. The chaos, the pressure, the expectations—they were all left behind in the noise of the party. It was just Seungcheol and Y/N, sharing a quiet moment that neither of them wanted to end.
But as the song neared its end, the reality of the situation slowly started to sink back in. Y/N took a deep breath, pulling back slightly as the music began to fade. She glanced around, noticing that the others had started to look their way, a few people whispering and nudging each other. She didn’t mind. In that brief moment, she hadn’t cared about anyone else in the room.
Seungcheol gave her a small, playful grin as the last note played. “I think we should save the next dance for later,” he said, his voice teasing but with an edge of warmth.
Y/N laughed quietly, still feeling that familiar flutter in her chest. “Yeah, maybe.”
The party was in full swing when a familiar face entered the scene, one Y/N hadn’t expected to see tonight—especially not after everything that had happened. She was standing near the bar with Yuqi, both of them chatting about the chaos of the evening, when she spotted him.
Joon, one of Seungcheol’s old friends from high school, had just walked in. He wasn’t exactly someone Y/N wanted to see, given the history between them, but there he was. His usual cocky grin was plastered on his face as he made his way through the crowd, clearly in a good mood.
He caught sight of Seungcheol almost immediately and made a beeline for him, greeting him with a loud, exaggerated clap on the back.
“Man, what the fuck is this?” Joon said, his voice a little too loud, as if he wanted everyone to hear. “Haven’t seen you in ages. Are you still throwing the wildest parties?”
Seungcheol didn’t seem thrilled, but he forced a smile. “Yeah, you know how it is.”
Y/N stood to the side, arms crossed, hoping he wouldn’t notice her. But Joon’s eyes quickly zeroed in on her, and she couldn’t ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach. His gaze lingered a bit too long, and a strange smirk pulled at his lips.
Y/N? Wow, let me get a look at you, girl.” Joon said, leaning against the bar casually. “Still looking good. You know, I always thought you had a unique look back in the day... Guess I was right. You really haven’t changed much.”
Y/N’s eyes narrowed, the compliment feeling like more of a jab than anything sincere.
“Thanks,” she muttered, voice flat.
Joon didn’t seem to pick up on her discomfort. Instead, he kept going, his tone now slightly more invasive. “You know, I always thought you and Seungcheol... Well, I never expected to see you two like this. Pretty funny how things work out, huh?”
Seungcheol stiffened, but Joon didn’t seem to notice. He leaned in slightly toward Y/N, as if making an offhand comment.
“Wouldn’t have guessed you’d end up with someone like him. But I guess you’ve always had a thing for the bad boys.” He grinned, not even bothering to disguise the sarcasm. “Maybe you’ve still got a soft spot for him?”.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” she replied, keeping her tone calm but edged with tension.
Joon chuckled, clearly amused by her attempt to brush him off. He didn’t care that she was clearly uncomfortable.
“Well, whatever. Just thought I’d mention it,” he said nonchalantly, glancing over his shoulder to the door. “My girlfriend’s probably going to show up soon, actually. Been telling her about this place for a while. She’s been excited to meet everyone.”
Y/N barely caught the mention of his girlfriend, too distracted by the way he was acting. She was beginning to feel like he was testing her, pushing her buttons just enough to make her squirm.
“Good for you,” Seungcheol said tersely, trying to steer the conversation away from uncomfortable territory.
But Joon wasn’t done yet. His eyes gleamed as he turned back to Y/N, still grinning like he had some secret.
“Yeah, but you know, I’ve gotta be honest. It’s kind of funny to see how things have gone, how people’ve changed. Back then, I would’ve never thought we’d be in a situation like this, y’know?”
Y/N clenched her jaw. There it was—the reminder of high school, the video, the mess with Seungcheol. She hated how easily Joon could bring it all back, even with just a few words.
“I’m sure it’s funny for you,” she replied, her tone clipped. “But I think you’ve said enough.”
Joon seemed unfazed, still wearing that smug expression. He looked over at Seungcheol and gave him a playful nudge. “Well, I’ll let you guys catch up. Don’t want to keep you two from having fun, huh?”
Just as they thought he would finally get the hint, he looked Y/n up and down one last time.
“You still look as good as ever. Don’t let that whole ‘drama’ thing mess with your vibe.” His eyes lingered on her, a little too long for comfort, before he finally turned to Seungcheol with a knowing look.
“Anyway,” Joon continued, his voice dropping to a tone that was almost mockingly casual, “If you two ever need a videographer later, I’m your guy. I can make sure you get all those perfect moments captured, you know, just in case you want to relive any... special memories.” He flashed a grin, clearly trying to provoke some sort of reaction, but Y/N could tell his words were aimed at both of them.
Seungcheol's jaw tightened at the mention of the video, and Y/N’s stomach sank. She didn’t need Joon’s reminder of that terrible incident, the one that had caused so much pain and confusion.
Y/N fought the urge to respond to him, but the words stuck in her throat. Instead, she gave a tight smile, trying to mask how much his comment had affected her.
“That fucking guy...” Y/N began, but her voice trailed off. She wasn’t even sure what to say.
Seungcheol’s eyes softened as he looked at her, his hand still gently resting on her arm. “I’m sorry about him. He’s... always been like that. Just trying to get under your skin.”
Y/N didn’t respond right away. She wasn’t sure how to process the whole situation. She had been doing so well keeping it together, keeping the memories of the video and the aftermath buried, but Joon’s comment brought it all back. The way everyone had looked at her after that video, the whispers, the isolation.
“You don’t have to apologize,” Y/N finally said, her voice steady but quiet. “It’s not your fault.” She glanced up at him, giving him a small smile. “But, I think I’m just tired of him. Tired of everything he reminds me of.”
“I get it.”
"Y/N? Seungcheol? There you are!"
They both froze, and instinctively, Y/N pulled away just a bit. Turning toward the voice, they saw Hana stepping toward them, her eyes slightly wide but a knowing smile on her face.
"Oh... sorry to interrupt," Hana said, her tone teasing. "I was looking for you two. Your mom needs you, Y/N. And Seungcheol, I think your mom was asking for you too."
Uh, yeah... sure,” Seungcheol muttered, glancing at Y/N for a second before stepping away slightly. Y/N nodded, trying to compose herself, her heart still racing as she pulled her thoughts back together.
Hana glanced between the two of them, her smile still present, but now there was a glint of mischief in her eyes. "You know, I’ve seen that look before. Don’t think I haven’t noticed."
Y/N raised an eyebrow, a little too caught off guard to form a response. Hana wasn’t wrong, though. There had been something there, something more than just a casual interaction, but Y/N didn’t know what to say to that without it sounding... complicated.
“Anyway,” Hana continued, her tone light, “You two should probably get back before anyone starts wondering where you disappeared off to.”
As Hana turned to walk away, Y/N felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment. Seungcheol shifted his weight, glancing back at Y/N, and for a brief moment, their eyes met again, that unspoken tension still hanging between them.
Y/N watched him go, her chest tightening with that familiar, unresolved feeling. It wasn’t the right time, and maybe it would never be the right time. But as she made her way back inside, she couldn’t help but wonder if there was more between them than either of them had been willing to admit.
As Y/N made her way through the crowd, her fingers absentmindedly brushed against the note in her pocket. Vernon’s handwriting had been a comfort, a small gesture that reminded her she wasn’t alone in all the craziness of the night. She pulled it out discreetly and read it again, the words still carrying that same warmth.
She smiled softly to herself, her heart a little lighter now. Vernon always had a way of making her feel like everything was going to be okay, even when it felt like the world was pulling her in different directions.
“Y/N!” Her mom’s voice rang through the room, and Y/N quickly slipped the note back into her pocket. Her gaze snapped to where her mom was standing by the microphone, her usual poised self—though Y/N could tell the tension was still bubbling just beneath the surface.
“It’s time,” Y/N’s mom said with a smile, clearly trying to mask the anxiety. “If I could have everyone’s attention for a moment, please.”
Y/N took a deep breath and made her way over to her mom, glancing around as the crowd quieted, all eyes shifting toward the stage. She could feel the anticipation building, and for a brief moment, everything else faded out. This was her mom’s moment, and Y/N knew how important it was. No matter the chaos that had surrounded them, she was determined to be supportive, even if her own emotions felt like a tangled mess.
Her mom gestured for Y/N to stand beside her, and she did, giving her mom a small, encouraging smile.
“Thank you all for coming,” Y/N’s mom began, her voice steady but tinged with a slight edge of nervousness. “This collaboration, this event, means so much to me and to everyone involved. It’s been a long road to get here, and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my amazing team, my family, and all of you.”
Y/N’s mom gave her a meaningful glance, her gaze softening for a second before she continued. “But most of all, I want to thank my daughter. Y/N, you’ve always been my inspiration, even when you’ve made me pull my hair out,” she said with a laugh, lighthearted but genuine. “I’m proud of you every day, and I couldn’t ask for a better daughter. You’re truly remarkable.”
Y/N’s chest tightened as her mom spoke. The words were nice, but there was always that undertone of wanting to prove something, of needing to get everything right. It was as if, at this moment, Y/N’s mom was trying to show the world she was capable of balancing everything—work, life, and even her daughter’s well-being.
Y/N’s attention was drawn to the girl standing at the bar, still scrolling on her phone with no apparent care for the ongoing speech. Y/N’s heart skipped when she realized who it was—Chaewon.
She couldn’t believe her eyes. Chaewon wasn’t someone she expected to see at her mom’s event. Y/N had no idea that Chaewon had any connection to her family or this event..
Y/N felt a strange, confusing mix of emotions—excitement at seeing her friend but confusion at how she could be here, of all places. Was this some sort of coincidence? Or was Chaewon here intentionally?
She squinted, trying to catch Chaewon’s attention, but her friend was too absorbed in whatever was on her phone. Y/N’s mind raced. Could she have known about the event through someone else? Maybe a friend from college? But even that didn’t seem to explain why she was sitting at the bar so nonchalantly, acting like she wasn’t part of the crowd at all.
Just as Y/N was about to try and approach her, Chaewon finally glanced up from her phone, meeting Y/N’s gaze for a brief, almost calculating moment. It was like time slowed for a second. Chaewon’s lips curled up in a small, knowing smile, and Y/N felt an uncomfortable knot form in her stomach. What was going on here?
Y/N turned her attention back to her mom, who was still in the middle of her speech, but her thoughts were elsewhere now. Chaewon’s presence was like an unexpected wrench thrown into the gears of her already complicated night.
Her mom’s voice echoed faintly in the background, but Y/N’s mind was now fixed on the puzzle that Chaewon had suddenly become. What was she doing here? How did she fit into the picture?
Y/N took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She couldn’t avoid it anymore—she had to figure out what was going on with Chaewon.
As soon as her mom finished the speech, Y/N excused herself and made her way toward the bar, her mind locked on Chaewon, who was suddenly gone. Maybe the night had truly gotten to her.
Before she could make herself feel crazy, she felt a sudden warmth spread across her chest and legs. The sharp scent of red wine hit her nose, and she glanced down in shock.
"Oh shit." Y/N’s hand flew to her chest, realizing that Seungcheol’s mom—who, despite her usual stern demeanor, had been steadily drinking all evening—had just bumped into her, spilling wine all over her dress. The wine soaked into the fabric, and Y/N could feel the chill as the stain spread across her torso.
Seungcheol’s mom, clearly out of it, blinked rapidly before she seemed to register what had happened. "Oh no." she slurred, her words thick with the effects of too much wine. “I didn’t mean to, I swear! My balance, these heels—” She laughed loudly, as if it were the funniest thing in the world, but it only made the situation worse.
Y/N took a deep breath, trying to suppress the immediate frustration that was bubbling up. “It’s fine," she said quickly, forcing a polite smile. "Really, it’s okay. No harm done.”
But as she glanced at the mess of wine on her dress, it felt far from okay. The night, which had already been full of tension, now seemed even more chaotic. Seungcheol’s mom giggled, swaying on her feet, her breath heavy with alcohol. She reached out in an attempt to “help,” but only managed to slap her hand awkwardly against Y/N’s shoulder in a misguided attempt at support.
Y/N stood there for a second, trying to process the embarrassment. Her hands instinctively went to her dress, but it was no use—red wine now stained the fabric in an obvious, glaring splotch.
With a quiet sigh, Y/N turned toward the direction of the bar, wanting to escape, even just for a moment. As she walked away, trying to shake off the sudden discomfort, she couldn't help but wish for a few moments of peace—just a few moments to breathe and think clearly before things got any worse.
Y/N stood there for a moment, frozen in the mess of wine and awkwardness, trying to make sense of the chaos surrounding her. She looked around, trying to spot a staff member who might be able to help clean up the mess on her dress. After a few seconds, she spotted one of the caterers nearby, walking past with a tray of hors d'oeuvres.
“Excuse me,” Y/N called out, trying to mask the frustration in her voice. The caterer looked up, and Y/N forced a smile. “Could you please help Seungcheol’s mom? She spilled wine. It’s not a big deal, but I’d appreciate it if someone could help her clean up. She’s a bit, um, tipsy.”
The caterer nodded, looking at Y/N sympathetically. “Of course. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of it,” they said before walking off toward Seungcheol’s mom, who was still swaying slightly and laughing to herself.
Y/N took a deep breath, watching the staff member go before she slowly turned toward the stairs. She couldn’t face the crowd right now—not with this stain all over her dress and her nerves completely shot. She needed a moment alone to change and get herself together.
Her mind was still reeling from everything—her mom’s behavior, the awkwardness with Chaewon, the ridiculousness of Seungcheol’s mom’s drunken stumble—and the last thing she wanted was to go back downstairs and face everyone in this state.
As she reached the top of the stairs, she glanced around the hallway, making sure no one was around before she slipped into her room. She closed the door behind her with a soft click, letting out a long, exhausted sigh.
Y/N moved to her closet and pulled out a simple black sweater and some pleated pants, wanting to get comfortable before she figured out what to do next. She hated that she was so caught up in the drama of the night, but everything seemed so overwhelming. There were too many eyes on her, too many people who expected things from her, and all she wanted was a chance to breathe.
She undressed quickly, tossing the ruined dress aside. As she changed into more comfortable clothes, she stared at herself in the mirror, suddenly feeling small and insignificant. She didn’t want to be the center of attention, but it always felt like she was.
Y/N’s hands lingered on her sweater, but the sound of her phone vibrating on her bed made her jump slightly. She glanced at the screen, seeing a message from Yuqi: Are you okay? You disappeared. Let me know if you need anything, I’m here for you.
Y/N smiled faintly at the text, grateful for Yuqi’s support, but she didn’t know how to explain the mess she was feeling inside. Instead, she quickly typed back: I’m fine. Just needed a break. I’ll be downstairs in a minute.
Y/N glanced at the mirror one last time before leaving her room. She knew she needed to escape for a bit, even if just for a few minutes. The weight of the evening was too much, and she just needed some air—away from all the glances, the whispers, and the lingering tension.
Quietly, she slipped out of her room, careful to avoid the creaky spots in the floor that might give her away. The house was bustling with activity downstairs, everyone caught up in conversations and the late-night excitement of her mom's event. Y/N felt the urge to slip into the background and disappear.
She moved quietly down the hall, passing by the staircase where a few people were gathered, talking and laughing. She paused, just for a moment, listening to their voices carry through the walls. Everyone was preoccupied—no one was paying attention to her.
With a sigh of relief, she moved through the living room and out the front door. The cool night air hit her face immediately, a welcome change from the suffocating atmosphere inside. Y/N knew this was her thing—whenever things got overwhelming, she’d sneak out for a while, just to gather her thoughts. It was like a silent rebellion, slipping away from the world around her without anyone noticing.
Her feet carried her down the driveway, to the quiet street just outside the party. The stars were visible above, and the night was still, almost eerily calm. Y/N took a deep breath, letting the cool air clear her mind, just for a few moments.
She turned down a side street, her sneakers making soft, rhythmic sounds against the pavement. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, but she ignored it for now. She needed a break from everything.
It wasn’t until she was a few blocks away from the party that she paused, looking around at the quiet neighborhood. Her thoughts started to slow down, but she still couldn’t shake the feeling of being caught in everyone’s expectations.
She leaned against a tree near the sidewalk, staring up at the night sky, and let out a long breath. Just then, her phone buzzed again. She glanced down to see a text from Yuqi: Where are you? Mommy is on track for a meltdown.
Y/N smiled faintly but didn’t respond immediately. She knew they’d eventually notice she was gone. She was always slipping away like this—just needed a few moments of peace before going back to the chaos.
A few more moments passed, and Y/N heard a soft voice calling out from behind her. "Y/N?"
She froze, then turned around, her heart dropping. It was Seungcheol, walking toward her with a slight frown on his face. How had he found her? Did he notice she was missing?
"Hey," he said, his tone softer than she expected. "What are you doing out here by yourself?"
Y/N blinked at him, feeling a bit caught off guard. "I needed some air," she said, shrugging slightly. "It’s been a little much.”
Seungcheol nodded slowly, taking a step closer. "I get that," he said quietly. "You okay?"
She hesitated for a second before offering him a small smile. "Yeah."
Seungcheol gave her an understanding look, then glanced at the party down the street. "You know, they’re probably looking for you in there," he said. "Yuqi’s already texting me, asking where you went."
Y/N rolled her eyes slightly. "I know. I’m sure they’ll find me soon enough."
There was a moment of silence between them, comfortable but heavy. Y/N was surprised by how at ease she felt with him at this moment, even though the rest of the night had been anything but.
Seungcheol took another step forward, looking at her carefully. "You don’t have to go back right away if you don’t want to. "
She looked at him for a long moment, wondering if it was strange that it was him, of all people, who was the one standing here with her in this quiet, unexpected moment.
“Maybe we should head back,” she said, standing up and grabbing her coat. “It’s getting late, and I don’t want to leave everyone wondering where we disappeared off to.”
Seungcheol watched her, eyes narrowing just slightly as if weighing something. But he said nothing, simply nodding. “Yeah. Come on.”
Y/N smiled at that, feeling lighter than she had all night. It wasn’t like everything had been magically solved. But at that moment, she didn’t need answers. She didn’t need to figure out her feelings for Seungcheol, or where things with him were heading.
As Y/N and Seungcheol stepped back inside, they were met with an immediate shift in atmosphere. The noise and chatter from the party seemed to grow louder, but it was quickly overshadowed by the unmistakable voice of Y/N’s mom.
"Y/N!" Her mom’s voice was a mix of concern and frustration. She was standing near the entrance, her eyes wide and searching. When she spotted them, her shoulders visibly relaxed, though there was still a furrow in her brow. “Where have you been? I was about to—” She stopped herself, eyes flicking from Y/N to Seungcheol. “I’m just glad you’re back, but I was about to have a meltdown. You two have been gone for—how long?” Her words tumbled out, as if her nerves had finally caught up with her.
Y/N opened her mouth to explain but was quickly interrupted as her mom’s eyes landed on her outfit. The black dress was long gone, replaced with more casual street clothes—jeans and a simple hoodie—completely at odds with the elegance of the event.
“You’re... in street clothes?” Her mom's expression shifted from worry to mild confusion. “What happened to the dress I gave you?” Her words were soft, but there was an edge of disappointment there, like Y/N had somehow let her down without meaning to.
Y/N’s heart skipped. She hadn’t meant to cause her mom any more stress, especially after everything that had gone wrong earlier. She shifted uncomfortably, suddenly feeling like the attention was too much.
“I—uh... spilled wine on it,” she explained, her voice somewhat flat. "It was an accident, Mom. I didn’t want to make a scene."
Her mom’s face softened slightly, though she didn’t look entirely convinced. “Oh... well, that’s good at least. But—” She trailed off, her gaze landing back on Seungcheol. "Seungcheol, you found her, didn’t you?"
Seungcheol nodded, giving a small, reassuring smile. "Yeah, I found her outside."
Y/N’s mom sighed, looking between the two of them with a mix of gratitude and, strangely, a hint of something else. “Well, thank you for that, Seungcheol. You know how she is—always disappearing on me when I need her most.” She gave Y/N a pointed look, clearly trying to keep the atmosphere light, though there was still an undercurrent of tension in her voice.
“Well you guys enjoy yourselves, your dad hid some pizza in the family room.”
And with that her mom walked off into a conversation with a friend of hers. All of the sudden the room quieted as Seungcheol’s dad stepped up to the microphone, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room. The clinking of glasses and soft murmurs slowly faded as all eyes turned toward him. He stood tall, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips, his hands gripping the edge of the podium.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for being here tonight," he began, his voice smooth but warm. "It’s truly an honor to celebrate this collaboration, this beautiful connection, between our families and friends." His gaze swept over the crowd, pausing for a moment as he found Y/N's mother. "I’ve known Rachel for a long time," he continued, his voice thick with nostalgia. "Through thick and thin. It’s not every day you meet someone who challenges you, supports you, and keeps you grounded in equal measure. She’s been a great friend to me, and I’m proud to stand here with all of you tonight."
Y/N glanced over at her mother, who, for a moment, looked genuinely touched. It was rare for her mom to be the subject of such open affection, and for a fleeting moment, she almost seemed at peace with everything—the event, the people, the moment.
Seungcheol’s dad took a deep breath, as though gathering his thoughts. "But, as much as I cherish the past, tonight is also about the future." His smile grew, and Y/N could feel the shift in energy in the room. The words he was about to say were heavier than expected.
He turned toward Hana, who was standing near the back, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. "As many of you know," he said, his voice suddenly tinged with excitement, "Hana and I have been seeing each other for a while now." The room was still, but there was a quiet murmur of approval from some of the guests. "And after a lot of thought, and a lot of time together, we’re ready to make the next step."
Y/N’s stomach sank. She felt her breath catch, her pulse quickening as the atmosphere shifted. Her mother, who had been smiling warmly just moments before, now seemed frozen, her face unreadable but taut with something deeper—something simmering under the surface.
"We’re engaged," Seungcheol’s dad announced, his eyes gleaming with pride as he looked back at Hana. "And I couldn’t be happier."
Her mom’s eyes flicked around the room, landing briefly on Y/N, as though seeking some kind of support, but then she quickly turned her gaze back to Seungcheol’s dad. "I see," her mom said in a voice that was calm but thick with tension. "Well, congratulations to you both."
And then, just as the awkward silence was starting to settle over the room, the conversation took another unexpected turn.
"Wait, are we sure this isn’t a joke?" Joon’s voice rang out a little too loudly as he strolled into the center of the room, clearly tipsy. "I mean, come on, Hana and Seungcheol’s dad? That’s a pairing none of us saw coming."
Seungcheol tensed, his expression darkening, but before he could step forward to defuse the situation, Joon's eyes fell on Y/N.
"You look great tonight, Y/N," he said, his voice overly casual as if nothing about the situation was awkward at all. He shot a sideways glance at Seungcheol. "Still looking like you could have done better, huh? Always figured you’d end up with someone like me, not this rich chumps mini me."
Y/N felt a flush of heat rise to her cheeks, a combination of anger and embarrassment. She could feel Seungcheol’s presence shift beside her, his posture protective as he stood slightly in front of her, silently warning Joon to back off.
"You always had a way of causing trouble, Joon," Seungcheol said, his voice low and firm. There was no humor in his tone, only the kind of anger that had been simmering beneath the surface ever since high school. "Maybe it’s time for you to take your leave."
But Joon didn’t back down. If anything, he smirked, feeding off the tension in the room. "Ah, come on man, I’m just having a bit of fun." He turned to Y/N, his eyes lingering for a moment too long. "But hey, I mean it. If you ever need a good time or a good lay you know where to find me."
Y/N, growing increasingly uncomfortable, took a step back, her patience running thin. Seungcheol, already tense from his past with Joon, stepped forward again, his body blocking Y/N from Joon’s gaze. "Enough," he said, his voice sharp.
The room fell silent again, the weight of the moment thickening. Everyone had heard enough, and now there was a palpable sense of discomfort spreading through the crowd. It wasn’t the grand announcement anyone had been expecting. It wasn’t the celebration that had been hoped for. Instead, it felt like everything had cracked wide open, leaving nothing but confusion and a growing rift between people who had once been close.
Y/N glanced at her mom, who had turned a little pale, but still kept her composure in front of everyone. Her mom wasn’t showing it—wasn’t letting the cracks show—but Y/N could see it, that old frustration and hurt bubbling just under the surface.
The room had fallen into an eerie silence after Seungcheol and Joon’s tense stand-off. Every eye was fixed on the two of them, the air thick with anticipation. Y/N could feel her heart pounding in her chest, the weight of the moment pressing down on her like a suffocating blanket.
Joon, never one to back down from a confrontation, stepped forward with that all-too-familiar smirk on his face. His eyes flickered between Seungcheol and Y/N, the venom in his words unmistakable as he began speaking, the audience of guests hanging on his every word.
“You really think you’re better than me, Seungcheol?” Joon sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm and malice. “You think you’ve got everything figured out? You’ve got this perfect little life with Y/N now, right? Well, what happens when you cheat on her with her younger, hotter self, like your dick of a father huh?”
Y/N’s breath caught in her throat. Her fingers gripped the wine glass in her hand tightly, the tension between the two men threatening to boil over. Seungcheol didn’t flinch, but she could see the muscles in his jaw tighten.
Joon’s next words hit like a punch to the gut. "It’s funny, isn’t it? You took her, didn’t you? Seduced her like you always do, Seungcheol. I’m sure she remembers the night you ‘taught’ her everything, huh? Took her virginity like it was nothing—just like you took everything else. It’s all the same, isn’t it? You think she’s some kind of prize, but you were just using her. Just like you’ve used everyone else."
The room seemed to freeze for a second as Joon’s words echoed, each one sinking into the air like a weighty accusation. Y/N’s face flushed hot, her heart racing, her chest tightening. She could feel the sting of the humiliation, the anger building up inside her.
Seungcheol didn’t move. His eyes were cold, his face expressionless, but Y/N could see the tightness in his body language. He was holding himself back, forcing himself to stay calm, but she could feel the storm brewing beneath the surface. She knew the tension was unbearable for him, but he refused to give Joon the satisfaction of a response.
“You think I seduced her, Joon?” Seungcheol’s voice was low and calm, like ice over fire. "You have no idea what you're talking about. You think you can stand there and make all these claims? Do you think it bothers me? I don’t need to explain myself to you or anyone else. And I sure as hell don’t need to justify my relationship with Y/N to you.”
Y/N’s heart swelled with a mix of emotions, relief and something else—pride? Seungcheol wasn’t giving Joon the rise he was hoping for. He wasn’t biting. He was holding his ground, not reacting, not letting Joon’s pathetic words break him.
Joon’s face twisted into a sneer. "Oh, you don’t need to explain? How convenient. But let’s be real, Seungcheol, you’re the one who’s been playing games with her heart. You think you’ve changed? You think you’re better now? Newsflash: You’re still the same arrogant fucking prick you’ve always been. And so is she, getting wrapped up in all of your lies and games."
The final straw was when Joon’s fist swung out, his arm aimed straight for Seungcheol’s face.
But Seungcheol remained calm. He stood his ground, not even flinching as Joon’s punch cut through the air.
Thud.
The sound was loud, resonating through the room as Joon’s fist landed square on Seungcheol’s jaw. The impact was enough to make Seungcheol’s head snap back slightly, but he didn’t stagger, didn’t fall. He remained rooted to the spot, his expression still frozen in calm detachment, the storm of emotions behind his eyes held tightly in check.
Y/N’s breath caught in her throat. The room was silent, the tension so thick it was suffocating. Everyone had expected Seungcheol to fight back, to retaliate. But he didn’t. He didn’t give Joon the satisfaction of a reaction. Instead, he simply stood there, his jaw tightening, his fists clenched at his sides, refusing to break his composure.
Joon stood back, looking smug for a moment, his chest heaving as he panted. “Yeah, that’s what I thought,” he muttered, his tone bitter. “You can’t even defend yourself. You’re pathetic.”
But instead of the fight everyone had expected, Seungcheol just shook his head slightly, the corners of his lips twitching as he finally spoke, his voice almost a whisper but carrying enough weight to silence the entire room.
“You think this changes anything?” Seungcheol’s words were calm, but there was a rawness to them. “You want to try and provoke me, Joon? Go ahead. You’re not getting anything from me.” His eyes locked with Joon’s, sharp and unwavering. “I’m done with you. I’m done with this.”
He turned his back on Joon and walked away, leaving the room in stunned silence.
Y/N watched him go, her heart pounding in her chest. She wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or angry, but there was something in the way Seungcheol had handled the situation that made her realize just how much he had changed. He wasn’t going to let Joon control him, not anymore.
The room was still buzzing with hushed whispers, but Y/N didn’t care. She followed Seungcheol, not looking back, only wanting to find him, to see if he was okay.
She pushed through the crowd of guests, who were still gossiping in hushed tones, murmurs of disbelief spreading through the room. Some of them were eyeing the scene like it was an ongoing spectacle, but Y/N wasn’t in the mood for any of it. She just wanted to make sure Seungcheol was okay.
When she finally reached the back hallway, she saw him standing at the large glass doors that led out to the garden, his hands shoved into his pockets. He wasn’t facing her, but she could see the way his shoulders were tense, the way he was looking out at the darkened night. For a moment, it felt like the world outside had grown still.
Y/N stepped forward, her breath catching in her throat as she walked slowly toward him.
“Seungcheol,” she said, her voice soft but steady.
He didn’t turn around right away. The seconds stretched on, and for a brief moment, she thought maybe he hadn’t heard her. But then he exhaled deeply and slowly turned to face her. His eyes were calm but guarded, like he was trying to shut something down inside himself.
“I’m fine,” he said, his voice low and controlled, though there was a slight tremor in it that he couldn’t completely hide.
Y/N didn’t buy it. “You don’t have to pretend like nothing happened,” she said, stepping closer. She looked him over, searching his face for any hint of what he was feeling. “You don’t have to bottle everything up.”
Seungcheol’s lips tightened into a thin line as he looked away, his gaze moving to the dark sky beyond the garden. “It’s just easier this way,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”
“I just want you to be real with me,” Y/N replied quietly, her voice unwavering.
Seungcheol glanced at her, his expression still unreadable, but there was something in his eyes now—an openness she hadn’t expected. Slowly, he walked toward her, taking a deep breath as he stopped in front of her. “I’m sorry you had to see that,” he murmured, the vulnerability in his voice surprising her. “I didn’t... I didn’t want you to think I was still that person. I’m not. I’m not the same guy I was back then.”
Y/N reached out, her fingers lightly brushing his arm. The simple touch sent a wave of comfort through her, reminding her of the connection between them that had never quite gone away.
“I know you’re not,” she said gently. “I see it. And I’m proud of you for walking away from that even when Joon tried to provoke you.”
Seungcheol’s lips twitched into the faintest of smiles, but it quickly faded, replaced by a pensive expression. “Sometimes I wonder if I can really change,” he admitted. “There’s so much of that past, so much of who I was, that’s still following me around. I don’t want to be that guy anymore. I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
Y/N’s heart softened at his words, the weight of them settling on her shoulders. She took a step closer, her eyes meeting him with a quiet understanding.
“You’ve changed more than you think,” she said. “And if you ever feel like you’re slipping, or if you feel lost. let me know. You don’t have to carry all of it alone.”
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The world seemed to disappear around them as they stood in the silence, the sounds of the party muted, the tension of the night slowly ebbing away.
And then, before Y/N could even process it, Seungcheol reached out, his hand gently cupping her cheek. The touch was warm, grounding, and her breath hitched at the unexpected tenderness. His thumb traced her jaw, as though memorizing the feeling of her skin under his touch. His gaze softened, and for a split second, Y/N could have sworn there was something deeper in his eyes—something she hadn’t seen in him before.
“Y/N,” he said quietly, his voice low and almost vulnerable.
Her breath caught in her throat, her heart racing. She didn’t know what he was about to say, but the intensity of the moment seemed to pull them closer together, as if gravity itself was drawing them in.
Before anything more could happen, a voice interrupted them, cutting through the intimacy like a dagger.
“Seungcheol! Y/N!”
They both turned to find Yuqi rushing toward them, a worried look on her face. “You two okay?” she asked, her eyes flicking between them. "I was looking everywhere for you guys."
Y/N’s heart sank slightly, the moment slipping away as she pulled back, taking a small step away from Seungcheol. She forced a smile, the weight of the unfinished conversation hanging in the air between them.
“We’re fine,” Y/N said, her voice steadier than she felt. “Just needed a minute.”
Seungcheol nodded, his expression a little more guarded now. “Yeah, just needed some air,” he said, his eyes flicking to Y/N briefly, a subtle sadness in them that she couldn’t fully decipher.
Before she could say anything else, footsteps approached, and both Seungcheol and Y/N turned to see Hana and Seungcheol’s dad step into view, both looking concerned.
"Seungcheol," Hana said softly, her voice tinged with worry as she glanced between him and Y/N. "Are you okay?"
Seungcheol gave a small nod, his face betraying nothing as he quickly masked the hurt and frustration he’d been carrying all night. "I’m fine," he muttered, but his eyes didn’t meet hers, instead staring out at the horizon, where the light from the party flickered.
Y/N, sensing the need for a bit of space, took a small step back, wanting to give Seungcheol the room to deal with whatever was still brewing inside him. She hadn’t realized how much he’d been holding onto, and as much as she wanted to comfort him, it seemed like he needed this moment to himself.
His dad, ever the presence of authority, placed a hand on Seungcheol’s shoulder. "You sure?" His voice was soft but firm, trying to assess his son’s state of mind. "You’ve been through a lot tonight. It’s okay to take a step back."
Seungcheol let out a soft sigh, running a hand through his hair, a small, tired smile tugging at his lips. "I know. I’ll be fine. Just need a minute, that’s all."
Y/N, not wanting to intrude on their moment, took a few steps back, casting a glance at Seungcheol. "Hey," she said, her voice low but steady, so he knew it was just for him. "I’m gonna leave you to it for now, alright? I can go back inside. But if you need anything, text me if you cant find me."
Seungcheol met her gaze, the usual barrier in his eyes softer than before, his jaw relaxing slightly. There was something unspoken between them—an understanding that, even in the chaos of the night, they could give each other the space they needed.
He looked at her, the weight of the world momentarily lifting from his shoulders. "Yeah, that’s... probably a good idea." His voice was quiet, but there was a small relief in it. "I’ll be okay for now. Thanks, Y/N."
She gave him a small smile, the tension in the air easing just a little as she nodded.
As Y/N turned to leave, she could feel Seungcheol’s gaze on her, a fleeting moment of connection passing between them. She walked back toward the house slowly, feeling the shift in the air. It wasn’t much, but it felt like a tiny crack in the wall he’d built around himself—a tiny opening, one he hadn’t allowed anyone to see in a while.
Behind her, Hana and Seungcheol’s dad exchanged a glance, both of them noticing the quiet understanding that had passed between the two of them. Hana gave a small, knowing sigh, her expression softening as she watched Seungcheol.
As Y/N reentered the house, she could feel the shift in the air. The tension was still palpable, but it was also like a strange, delicate balance had been struck—just enough space for everyone to breathe. She walked over to where her dad and Vernon’s dad were talking, and her dad, spotting her, immediately stood up with a smile.
“I’m heading outside if that's okay?” She just gave her dad a small hug and didn’t wait for much of a response from anyone.
Y/N barely registered the chatter as she excused herself and made her way upstairs, her body heavy with exhaustion. The night had been too much—too much tension, too much emotion, too many questions left unanswered. All she wanted now was to sit by herself and let her brain take a rest from it all.
The house was too much—too many people, too many questions, too much stuff she wasn’t ready to unpack.
So instead, she found herself in her dad’s garage, an old beer bottle in hand as she sat on the workbench. The garage smelled the same as it always had—oil, sawdust, a faint hint of whatever cologne her dad used to wear when she was younger. It was cluttered but familiar, a safe pocket of time away from the night.
She barely had time to enjoy the quiet before the door creaked open.
“Figured you’d be here,” Vernon said, stepping inside.
Y/N didn’t even turn around. “And yet, you still walked in.”
He ignored her jab, grabbing his own drink from the workbench before leaning against the opposite counter. “I know you. When things get too tense, you hide.”
She shot him a look. “It’s not hiding. It’s strategic retreat.”
He smirked, taking a swig of his beer. “Uh-huh.”
They slipped into easy conversation, the same way they always did. The night started feeling lighter, the weight of dinner fading into the background as they swapped old stories and exaggerated childhood memories.
And then Vernon’s smirk turned particularly smug. “Hey, you remember that stupid kissing booth in high school?”
Y/N groaned. “Vernon.”
“No, no, hear me out,” he said, grinning. “I never told you this, but… you know how my dad was always talking shit, saying I had ‘no game’ or whatever?”
She snorted. “Because you didn’t.”
“Rude, but anyway,” he continued, “he bet me a hundred bucks I wouldn’t kiss you.”
Y/N frowned. “What?”
Vernon shrugged. “Yeah. He said I’d chicken out, so I made the bet with you—who could make the most money at the booth—just so I’d have an excuse.”
She narrowed her eyes. “But I never kissed you.”
He grinned. “Uh… you did.”
She blinked. “What are you talking about?”
He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly enjoying this way too much. “You were blindfolded, remember? That whole ‘mystery kiss’ gimmick your booth was doing?”
Her jaw dropped. “You’re fucking lying.”
“I literally have no reason to lie about this,” he said, laughing at her reaction. “It was, like, two seconds. You had no idea it was me.”
She stared at him, her brain short-circuiting. “So let me get this straight. Your dad bet you a hundred bucks you wouldn’t kiss me, and instead of, I don’t know, asking me out like a normal person, you schemed an entire fake competition so I’d be blindfolded and not know it was you?”
Vernon shrugged, grinning. “I mean, when you say it like that, it sounds bad—”
“Oh my God.”
“—but it worked. And I made a hundred bucks.”
She smacked his arm. “You asshole!”
He laughed, holding up his hands in surrender. “Hey, in my defense, you were the one putting your lips up for sale.”
“Not for you!”
“Technically, it was for charity.”
She let out a frustrated groan, grabbing a nearby rag and chucking it at him. He dodged it easily, still grinning. “I cannot believe you let me go like nine years without knowing this.”
“I was waiting for the right moment,” he said.
Y/N scoffed. “And now is the right moment?”
“I dunno,” he mused, “felt like a good time.”
She shook her head in disbelief, still processing. Vernon was watching her with that amused little glint in his eyes, like he was enjoying the hell out of this.
“You’re so lucky I don’t hold grudges,” she muttered.
“Oh, please. If you were really mad, you would’ve slapped me by now.”
“Still considering it.”
Then, after a small beat of silence, she let out a sigh, her voice softer than usual.
“You know, I had a moment with Seungcheol tonight.”
She paused, unsure of how to continue. “It made me feel something, something I wasn't expecting, and I don’t really know what to do with it.”
Vernon, who had been mid-sip of his beer, slowed just slightly before setting the bottle down. He picked at the label, his expression shifting, but he didn’t say anything right away.
"I guess it just kind of hit me out of nowhere," she added, trying to fill the silence. "I didn’t think I’d feel this way, especially after everything."
Vernon cleared his throat, a small laugh escaping him as he leaned back. "Well, sounds like a real ‘soap opera’ moment, huh?" he said with a forced grin, as though trying to make light of it. "Seungcheol pulling the heartstrings... classic."
His attempt at a joke didn’t quite land as naturally as usual, and Y/N couldn’t help but notice the subtle change in his tone. The playful edge he usually had was missing. It was almost like he was trying to deflect, keep things light even though the air between them had shifted in an unexpected way.
She turned to him, studying his face. "Vern?" she asked softly. “Are you okay?”
He looked at her for a moment, his smile still there but a little more forced now. "Yeah, of course. Why wouldn’t I be?" he said, quickly trying to regain his usual easygoing demeanor. "Just don't let it get too complicated, alright? Nothing good ever comes from that."
Y/N wasn’t sure if she should push him further or leave it at that, but before she could decide, Vernon smirked again.
“Well, look at you,” he said, his voice lighter, but the undercurrent still there. “You’ve officially kissed all three bachelors now.”
She blinked. “Excuse me?”
He counted off on his fingers. “Seungcheol? Check. Mingyu? Check. Me? Apparently, that was a check years ago.”
She groaned. “Oh my God, Vernon.”
He grinned. “I’m just saying, that’s a solid dating show lineup. You should start handing out roses.”
She shoved his arm. “Shut the hell up.”
Then, as she moved to get up, her foot caught on something.
“Sh—”
She stumbled forward, and before she could catch herself, Vernon reached out, grabbing her waist to steady her.
The laughter died.
The teasing edge disappeared in an instant, replaced by something warmer, heavier.
His hands lingered at her waist, his grip firm but careful. She could feel the heat of his skin through her clothes, the warmth of his breath as it ghosted over her face.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Y/N’s heart pounded in her chest as she looked up at him, and for the first time, she wasn’t sure if she was imagining the way his gaze flickered from her eyes to her lips.
Then, voice low and teasing, he said, “I’ll bet you a hundred bucks you’re too scared to kiss me now.”
Y/N sucked in a breath.
Her first instinct was to roll her eyes, to shove him away, to make a snarky comeback and act like that didn’t just send a ridiculous shiver down her spine.
But she didn’t.
Instead, her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, her lips parting slightly as if she might actually—
Her phone buzzed.
She flinched, the spell snapping as reality crashed back in.
She ignored it at first, until she saw the name.
[ Yuqi: Y/N, you need to come here now.. ]
She wanted to so badly ignore it, go back to her bubble. Still clutching one hand on Vernon's shirt, she began to type back when another text tolled in.
[Yuqi: The hosptial I mean, jesus. voice texting but, whatever. now. Something happened with Seungcheol? Concussion maybe? Idk. He's getting tests now.]
"Fuck."
Vernon just looked down at her, eyes searching the expression on her face. "What's wrong?"
"We, uh.. Need to go."
Y/N stood there for a moment, a little quieter than before. The space between them felt almost too big, even though they were standing so close. She hesitated for a second, unsure, but then reached out and pulled Vernon into a hug.
Vernon froze for a moment, caught off guard by the sudden closeness. His arms remained at his sides as he tried to process what was happening. “What’s this for?” he asked, his voice light, though his eyes searched her face, trying to read her.
Y/N just smiled softly into his chest, closing her eyes for a brief moment. “For everything,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Vernon blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in her voice. He had always been there, right? But tonight felt different. He shifted his stance, his hand lightly brushing against her back before he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering there just a second longer than necessary.
“I’ll always be here, Y/N,” he said, his voice gentle. “You know that.”
She pulled back just slightly, meeting his gaze. Her eyes softened. “I know. But just so you know in advance, I'll be coming for my 100 bucks.”
"And I'll look forward to it. Come on."
Y/n just nodded, they made their way out to the driveway where her dad was waiting in the passenger seat of the car, with his driver waiting for their arrival.
Just like that, the night shifted again—this time, in a way that neither of them could joke their way out of.
note: sorry this took longer than usual lol, it was too long and tumblr made me take our an entire ass portion of text, so the next part if you guys would rather have is another part of this party day OR move back to texts because both are possible <3 lol anyway! hope u enjoy ilysm. thank u for all being patient as hell w/ me.
fans reminisce on your relationship with seungcheol
THE LYRICS BY @seuonji (SMAU)
in which fans find out yn’s lyrics are about someone they know. not even her fellow members knew this but anyways, now their concern is, who’s the lyrics about?
YOON JEONGHAN
FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT BY @bitterie-sweetie
Your Valentine’s date with Jeonghan is coming up and yet the only thing on your mind is how to break up with him. Of course breaking up with someone is difficult, but you’d argue that what’s more difficult is breaking up with someone you never even dated.
DAISIES BY @viastro
the best type of revenge is to hurt the person that means the most to them. aka, in which jeonghan is in charge of making you fall in love with him, just to break your heart.
JOSHUA HONG
STAY UP BY @/bitterie-sweetie
He calls you his favourite person, yet you have no idea he's hosting a party until you get the invite in the mail. Joshua Hong confuses the hell out of you and perhaps now is the time to finally figure him out.
WEN JUNHUI
1 PLUS 1 BY @/bitterie-sweetie
While looking for an outfit for the party, you can't help but notice all the couples' BOGO sales going on. What better way to get free stuff than to pretend you're dating your best friend?
WORTH IT BY @/xinganhao (SMAU)
junhui works on healing a heart he did not break. inspired by jun's 值得 (Worth It) cover.
KWON SOONYOUNG
LOVE HARD BY @/wondernus (SMAU)
kwon soonyoung loves too hard and falls in love too quickly, accidentally building a (very false!!!) fuckboy image that he can’t seem to get rid of. when his friends talk him out of proposing to a girl he went on 2 dates with, he finally realizes he has a big problem with love. signing up to appear on his university’s most popular youtube talk show to unload his baggage and fix his image? what could possibly go wrong?
TOO MUCH COMMUNICATION BY @/xinganhao (SMAU)
(svt x reverse tropes, soonyoung's miscommunication expansion)
JEON WONWOO
POSER BY @macapunoz (SMAU)
it's hard pretending to be good at video games when it's so obvious you have no skills. too bad the guy you're trying to impress is the only one who tells you you're trash at the game.
GAM3 BO1 BY @/horangboosadan (SMAU)
wonwoo tries his best to talk his noisy neighbor into being a little quieter. it just doesn't go exactly how he expected it.
LEE JIHOON
NOW PLAYING : ABOUT NOW BY @flickerchans (SMAU)
a global pandemic paired with months of lockdown; you're pretty sure you're going stir-crazy. when you come across a viral chat-app, you don't even hesitate to join it. thus begin the chaos of meeting 14 random strangers and how they become a bigger part of your life than you thought they would.
SMARTER, AND YOURS BY @vitaminkyeom
Jihoon, school's no. 1 (or no. 2), was nothing but a pain in the ass for you. Sure he was better than you in some subjects but so were you. The two of you were equally good enough for the first place so to increase the competition, he decided to suggest the most scandalous thing you had heard: the two of you tutor each other.
Or, in which, you were the rich kid with your family's dignity on the line and he was the poor kid with his family's sacrifices on the line.
LEE SEOKMIN
SET IT UP BY @/bitterie-sweetie
You have absolutely no idea how to get closer to your crush, but perhaps asking his best friend for some advice is the way to go.
CHAN, YOUR BROTHER'S HOT BY @mingkist (SMAU)
(it's honestly just a fun little smau but so sweet and cute - it's one of my favourite quick reads when I need a pick me up - who doesn't like best friend chan's older brother seokmin and falling in love through teasing chan)
TRIPLE-DOG DARE BY @eoieopda (18+ MDNI)
when you're left off the guest list to seokmin's parent's thirtieth anniversary party, you're content to keep your questions to yourself and stay home. seokmin, on the other hand, is not content. in fact, he pulls the one card he knows will always win.
READY, GET SET, GO GET IT, GO BY @chheolie
(i am so deeply in love with seokmin in this - read:always - and it's such a pleasant read about seokmin being a total fanboy and getting to live his true fanboy dreams)
HINT. HINT. HINT!!! BY @nerdycheol
(seokmin is supremely oblivious but cute all at the same time because of course he is - I adore him)
KIM MINGYU
BOYFRIEND PRIVILEGES BY @idyllic-ghost
The ten times Mingyu has shown off his "boyfriend privileges"
HARD CARRY BY @/studioeisa
your math major soulmate is the only reason you’re surviving college, but how long can you rely on him for help?
NOT FOR SALE BY @xinganhao (SMAU)
a four-part series featuring celebrity!mingyu and small business owner!reader
XU MINGHAO
HOW TO LOSE THE GIRL BY @nevernonline
minghao was feeling tired of shallow relationships. his friends, noticing his frustration, challenge him to pursue a girl and then push her away within ten days. intrigued by the idea, he reluctantly accepts the bet as a fun challenge.
BE MY MUSE BY @yyawnjun (SMAU)
how does it feel to be unexpectedly for one day the muse of your biggest crush since middle school? and what if it became harder than you thought ignoring those feelings?
BOO SEUNGKWAN
YOU SAY THE STUPIDEST (SWEETEST) THINGS BY @savventeen
you say stupid shit on the best of days, so when seungkwan comes over when you're having a bad bout of insomnia, the last thing he expects to hear from you is an accidental love confession
MISSION POSSIBLE BY @thepixelelf
One of Mr Boo's students sees his brand new engagement ring.
HANSOL VERNON CHWE
FLEEING FEELINGS BY @diamonddaze01
so you might have told vernon you loved him while drunk – now all you have to do is avoid him. forever.
EXPOSED BY @gamerwoo (SMAU)
“Have you discovered anything?” “Yup.” “Great! What is it?” “I love Vernon, sir lmao” (journalist reader, subject vernon - what chaos could possibly ensue?)
ON THE CLOCK BY @sailorsoons (FAKE DATING AU)
Modern problems call for modern solutions, including naming a random stranger in the book store as your boyfriend to avoid an embarrassing encounter with your ex. The problem? The stranger is Vernon and he’s not supposed to be a stranger at all - he’s your coworker, and now everyone at the office - including your ex - thinks you’re dating.
CATCH YOU WHEN I CAN BY @/xinganhao (SMAU)
a five-part series charting vernon's relationship with you, an international rockstar. (this is where my love affair with kae started and I've not looked back since - great decision on my part)
LEE CHAN
ROCK WITH YOU BY @horangboosadan (SMAU)
after the release of your most recent drama, the world decides that you and your co-star/best friend would be the perfect couple. the influx of positive reactions are great for your career, his career, and the drama. however, it tears at you to lie to your fans and appear dishonest towards your boyfriend. being a k-pop idol, revealing your relationship can come with unforeseen consequences. how do you tackle the onslaught of people who want the inside scoop of you and your co-star, and your boyfriend in denial about his jealousy without compromising either relationship?
THE FIANCE BY @wondernus (SMAU)
a mysterious pink fishing vest. a fiancé who wakes up in the middle of nowhere. and an upcoming wedding on the line. there's only so much you can take before you let your perfect future crumble before your eyes.
PANG! BY @kkumawrites (SMAU)
You'd consider yourself a simple college student, a freshman who just wants to survive their first year - but things get complicated when you're suddenly falling for someone you definitely shouldn't be, especially since he has a girlfriend already.
THE WAY OF THE WORK HUSBAND BY @studioeisa
going back to work after the holidays sucks, but at least you've got your 'work husband' lee chan to get you through it.
OPERATION DISPATCH BY @/xinganhao (SMAU)
chan has been trying his hardest to get the two of you into dating rumors. it's not really working the way he wants it to.
OT13
SEVENTEEN MED BY @welcometomyoasis
When the previous director of Seventeen Medical Center retired, his grandson, Lee Jihoon, was promoted as his successor. Jihoon made many changes to the hospital, but the most important change of all? He hired 11 new medical staff members and 1 medical student, all of whom he knew from his days as a medical student. As these new changes occur, you bet chaos (and 13 different romance stories) ensue.
YOU'RE THE MAN BY @princessleechan
After your university cut your soccer team to prioritize the men’s team, it’s natural you have a falling out with your then soccer-star-player boyfriend and impersonate your twin brother at the rival university to play on their men’s team. Wait, it’s not? Oh well
XINGANHAO MASTERLIST + STUDIOEISA MASTERLIST BY KAE
(literally everything on both of kae's masterlists are worth reading so i implore you to go do that - i've already mentioned a couple faves in the list above)
synopsis: y/n while in her third year at greenwood international university finally gets an opportunity to move off campus into a new complex, she has to deal with the realization that her childhood rival is her new next door neighbor.
paring: seungcheol x fem! reader.
feat: non-idol! svt, other passing idols ykyk.
genre/s: reader is super oblivious, fluffy, sexual themes.
content: swearing, mentions of sexual relations, some drinking& mary jane 🍃
The road back home felt both too long and too short. Y/N watched the landscape shift outside the car window, the city’s glow fading into familiar roads, old storefronts, and street corners filled with ghosts of her childhood memories.
“Almost there,” Vernon murmured beside her, his voice easy but not quite relaxed.
Y/N hummed in response, resisting the urge to check her phone. She wasn’t sure what she was expecting—her mom wasn’t exactly the welcoming type, and the launch party was more of a social display than a family reunion.
Across from them, Mingyu stretched his legs out, his knee lightly bumping Seungcheol. The shift was barely anything, but the sharp glance Seungcheol shot him made it clear it wasn’t unnoticed. Mingyu didn’t react outwardly, just exhaled and looked back out his own window, jaw tight.
Yuqi, seated beside Mingyu, glanced between them before adjusting her grip on her phone. She wasn’t going to bring it up, not here, not now. If Y/N had noticed the tension sitting thick in the air, she didn’t acknowledge it, which was enough reason for Yuqi to let it be.
The car slowed, pulling into the long driveway. Y/N’s mother had always loved the spectacle of an entrance, and her home reflected that. The estate was pristine, elegant, a place designed to impress. To Yuqi and Mingyu, it was nothing more than an imposing house, but to Seungcheol and Vernon, it was a reminder. Of all the years Y/N spent trying to fit into a place that never really felt like home.
Vernon shifted beside her, nudging her arm with his. “You good?”
Y/N forced a breath through her nose and nodded. “Yeah.”
As the car rolled to a stop, a lone figure stood waiting at the front entrance. Seungcheol clicked his tongue in mild irritation. “She really couldn’t even come outside?”
Vernon sighed. “Do you expect anything different?”
Yuqi and Mingyu exchanged a glance, the weight of the moment settling in. Neither of them had grown up around this—around Y/N’s mother and everything that came with her—but they could feel it now, the history pressing in at the edges.
“Alright,” Y/N murmured, forcing a small smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Let’s get this fucking over with.”
And with that, the weekend began.
The moment they were escorted onto the terrace, Y/N could feel the weight of her mother’s gaze sweeping over them.
“Yuqi,” her mother greeted, giving a small nod of recognition. “It’s been a while.”
Yuqi, ever composed, returned the nod. “It has, Mrs. L/N. Thank you for having us.”
Her mother’s lips pressed into something that barely resembled a smile before shifting her attention to Mingyu. It was subtle, but Y/N noticed the flicker of recognition in her expression—not surprise, but familiarity.
“So this is Mingyu,” she mused, studying him like he was a business deal waiting to be signed. “I had the staff print out the photo you sent me.”
Y/N shot her an unimpressed look. “You said it was just for you not to print?”
Her mother waved a dismissive hand. “Semantics.” Then, with a tilt of her head, she asked, “And what is it that you’re studying, Mingyu?”
Mingyu, still wearing his usual easygoing smile, answered smoothly, “Architecture and urban development.”
A pause.
Just brief enough that most people wouldn’t catch it, but Y/N did. The moment of consideration.
“Interesting,” her mother said, and for once, it sounded almost genuine. “There’s always a need for good developers.”
“Oh, certainly,” one of the women at the table chimed in, stirring her tea. “The right projects can change a city entirely.”
Another woman leaned in, intrigued. “Are you planning to stay local once you graduate?”
Mingyu, ever the natural conversationalist, responded effortlessly. “I haven’t decided yet, but I’d love to work on projects that create more accessible spaces.”
It was the right thing to say. Y/N could tell by the way her mother’s expression remained impassive but not dismissive.
“Well,” she finally said, sipping her tea, “at least you’re being productive with your time.”
It was as close to a compliment as anyone was going to get from her.
But just as Y/N thought the conversation had shifted into safer territory, one of the women at the table smiled sweetly. “And, of course, you must have quite the eye for design,” she mused. “A man who builds and has good taste—how rare.”
Y/N resisted the urge to sink into her chair.
Mingyu blinked once, taken slightly off guard, but chuckled. “I’d like to think so.”
“Oh, he’s modest too,” another woman giggled. “You must tell us—what kind of architecture interests you most?”
As Mingyu entertained their curiosity, Yuqi stifled a knowing grin behind her teacup while Vernon casually enjoyed the show. Seungcheol, however, looked like he was moments away from rolling his eyes into another dimension.
Y/N’s mother observed it all in silence before finally turning to her daughter, arching an eyebrow.
“At least this one has some ambition,” she murmured, just loud enough for Y/N to hear.
Y/N didn’t dignify it with a response.
This weekend was going to be exhausting.
The walk through the house was quiet, save for the sound of their footsteps against the polished floors. Y/N didn’t have to look to know Mingyu was still frowning, Yuqi was eyeing her like she wanted to say something, and the house staff member leading them was politely pretending none of it was happening.
It wasn’t until they reached the guest wing that Yuqi finally spoke.
“She fucking sucks,” she announced.
Y/N let out a dry laugh. “Groundbreaking observation.”
“No, but like—” Yuqi frowned, clearly still irritated. “I can’t get over how she just says stuff like that to you all the time. It genuinely fucking confuses me.”
Y/N shrugged. “Well to be fair, it’s not all the time. Just when she remembers I exist.”
Mingyu made a noise in the back of his throat, but before he could open his mouth, the staff member finally stopped and gestured toward the rooms.
“This will be yours,” they said, motioning toward Y/N’s door before turning to Yuqi. “You’ll be in this one.” Then, finally, to Mingyu. “And you’ll be in the one at the end of the hall.”
Y/N caught the way Mingyu’s brows lifted slightly. “Separate rooms on the same floor? " he asked, not exactly surprised, but mildly amused.
Y/N rolled her eyes. “Of course separate rooms.”
“I wasn’t complaining,” he defended, hands up. “I just thought—”
“That she’d shove you into a corner of the house far, far away from me?” Y/N finished. “I mean I’m surprised you’re not out in the barn sleeping with the horses.”
Yuqi stifled a laugh, but Mingyu just shook his head, amused.
The staff member gave them a final nod before excusing themselves, leaving the three of them standing in the hallway.
Yuqi stretched her arms over her head. “Well. I’m gonna freshen up. Because, you know,” she smirked, throwing Y/N a teasing look. “We should all freshen up.”
Y/N groaned, shoving her lightly toward her room. “Please, fucking go away.”
Yuqi laughed as she disappeared inside, leaving Y/N and Mingyu alone in the hall.
Mingyu hesitated for a moment before shifting his bag over his shoulder. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t have to be.”
Y/N sighed, finally looking up at him. “I am,” she said, a little softer this time. “I knew what I was walking into.”
Mingyu held her gaze for a second longer, eyes scanning her face like he was looking for something she wasn’t showing. But in the end, he just gave a small nod.
“Alright,” he relented. “But if you ever want to disappear for a while, just say the word.”
She huffed out a quiet laugh. “Noted.”
With that, he finally turned toward his room, but not before reaching out and ruffling her hair as he passed.
She swatted at him, scowling. “Mingyu.”
He just grinned, slipping into his room before she could retaliate.
Y/N sighed again, standing there for a moment before shaking her head and pushing into her own room.
The weekend had barely started. And she was already exhausted.
Y/N dropped her bag onto the neatly made bed with a sigh, taking a moment to stare up at the ceiling. She knew she shouldn’t let her mother’s comments get to her—it wasn’t like they were anything new. But after the long trip, the awkward introductions, and now this, she could already feel her patience wearing thin.
A soft knock on her door pulled her from her thoughts.
“It’s me,” Yuqi’s voice came through. “I come bearing gossip.”
Y/N rolled her eyes but crossed the room to let her in. “That was fast.”
Yuqi slipped inside, looking far too pleased with herself. “Oh, you’re gonna love this,” she said, flopping down onto Y/N’s bed. “So, you know how your mom’s gardening friends were all over Mingyu?”
Y/N groaned, sitting on the edge of the mattress. “Unfortunately.”
“Well, apparently, one of them asked about his ‘long-term investment plans’—which, from the way Seungcheol rolled his eyes, I assume was a very thinly veiled attempt at flirting. Another one of them, the one with the pink headscarf said she does have a daughter for him incase you can't commit."
Y/N let out a laugh despite herself. “You’re kidding.”
“Oh, I wish I were.” Yuqi grinned. “And guess who was standing right there looking like he was about to die of secondhand embarrassment?”
Y/N raised a brow. “Vernon?”
“Ding ding ding!” Yuqi pointed at her. “He kept looking at Seungcheol like, ‘Are we seeing this? Are we experiencing this?’ And Seungcheol just looked like he wanted to throw himself into the nearest hedge.”
Y/N shook her head, biting back a smile. “I should’ve known this weekend would be a mess.”
“Oh, it gets better.” Yuqi leaned in, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Mingyu? He was actually holding his own. Like, charming his way through it. But the best part?”
Y/N braced herself. “What?”
“Your mom seemed almost impressed.”
Y/N stared at her, deadpan. “Shut up.”
Yuqi held up a hand. “Swear on my life. She actually nodded. Like, in approval. It was the most unsettling thing I’ve ever witnessed.”
Y/N groaned, flopping back onto the bed. “This is ridiculous.”
“It is,” Yuqi agreed, stretching her arms above her head. “But hey, at least you’re not the only one suffering.”
That was true, at least. If Mingyu was stuck fending off overly friendly older women and Seungcheol was actively regretting his life choices, then maybe she wasn’t the only one having a rough time.
Still, Y/N had a feeling this was just the beginning.
And she wasn’t sure if she should be concerned or entertained.
As Y/N lay on her bed, processing the chaos of the day so far, her phone buzzed beside her. She blindly reached for it, already dreading whatever nonsense was about to be thrown at her.
Sure enough, the notification on her screen made her groan.
[Vernon]: your prospective new husband is impressing your mom
Yuqi, who had been scrolling through her own phone, perked up at the sound. “What?”
Y/N turned the screen to show her, and Yuqi immediately burst into laughter. “Oh, that’s fucking gold.”
Another buzz.
[Vernon]: Seungcheol just walked away. I think he's gonna throw up. lmao.
Y/N snorted. “God.”
Yuqi wiped a fake tear from her eye. “This is too much. We have to go downstairs.”
Y/N groaned but pushed herself up, stretching her arms overhead. “Yeah, before things get worse.”
Yuqi hopped off the bed, checking herself in the mirror before tossing Y/N a look. “Are you ready to face the chaos?”
“Hell no,” Y/N deadpanned, smoothing down her shirt.
Yuqi grinned, looping her arm through Y/N’s. “Perfect. Let’s go.”
As they made their way downstairs, the sound of mingled conversation and soft laughter filtered through the hallway. Y/N could already feel the secondhand embarrassment creeping in.
She spotted Vernon first, lazily leaning against the kitchen counter with a knowing smirk, and then Seungcheol, standing slightly apart from the group with a drink in his hand, looking vaguely irritated.
And then, of course, there was Mingyu—charming as ever, smiling at something one of Y/N’s mom’s friends had just said.
Y/N didn’t even have the energy to ask.
She just sighed.
This weekend was going to kill her.
Y/N barely had a chance to breathe before her mother’s friends turned their attention to her.
“Well, there she is!” one of them cooed, eyes twinkling with mischief. “We were just telling your mother how lovely your friend Mingyu is. So charming!”
Y/N forced a polite smile. “Yeah, he’s great.”
“Oh, we can tell he’s good at many things, y/n, good for you.” another one chimed in, exchanging a glance with the others. “So tell us, dear, how’s school going? Your mother says you’ve been keeping busy.”
Y/N internally winced. Of course, they were fishing. The only reason they ever asked about her was to compare notes with her mother, competing for who could get the juiciest gossip first.
“It’s going good,” Y/N replied, keeping it vague. “Classes are a lot, but I’m managing.”
“Good, good,” one of them nodded, then leaned in slightly. “And what about your social life? Any special someone keeping you busy?”
Y/N resisted the urge to groan. She could feel Yuqi watching from the sidelines, visibly restraining herself from jumping in.
“I have friends,” Y/N answered carefully. “We hang out. Nothing crazy.”
One of the women asked. “Oh, come on now, always so shy .A pretty girl like you, you must have someone making sure you’re not working too hard.”
Mingyu, who had been in his own conversation a second ago, suddenly seemed very interested in the direction this was going. Seungcheol looked like he was bracing himself. Vernon, the traitor, was sipping his drink with a barely hidden smirk.
Y/N crossed her arms. “I’m perfectly capable of managing myself, actually.”
That only made them more excited.
“So independent!” one of them gushed, but her eyes were sharp, scanning for any cracks. “But your mother mentioned you’ve been bringing someone around more often lately…”
Y/N shot her mother a look, but the woman simply sipped her wine, feigning ignorance.
The group’s attention flickered over to Mingyu then, as if expecting some kind of confirmation.
Mingyu, to his credit, didn’t look flustered. If anything, he leaned into it, the corners of his mouth curling in amusement.
“She means me,” he said smoothly. “Y/N and I spend a lot of time together.”
“Oh, do you?” one of them practically purred. “Well, that is very interesting.”
Y/N wanted to disappear.
And then, just to make things worse, one of them turned to Seungcheol. “What about you? You two used to be attached at the hip, no?”
Seungcheol, who had been perfectly content staying out of this, blinked as all eyes suddenly shifted to him.
Y/N swore she saw a muscle in his jaw tighten.
Vernon actually coughed on his drink.
This was a nightmare.
The air in the room shifted.
One of Y/N’s mom’s friends—who had clearly had one too many glasses of wine—tilted her head with a slow, lazy smirk. “You know, it’s so funny seeing you two in the same room again,” she mused, eyes flicking between Y/N and Seungcheol.
Y/N immediately tensed.
Seungcheol’s grip tightened around his glass.
The woman hummed, taking another sip of her drink before continuing, “After everything that happened… I mean, that little scandal was so dramatic. Poor little thing had to change schools, didn’t she?”
The room went still.
Yuqi stiffened beside Y/N, her gaze snapping to her. Mingyu frowned, glancing between them, clearly knowing the full story but sensing something was very, very wrong. Vernon’s smirk was gone, his expression carefully neutral, lip quivering almost enough to make everyone think he was about to lose his calm demeanor.
Y/N’s mother didn’t step in.
She never did.
The woman, oblivious to—or perhaps enjoying—the tension she was stirring, sighed wistfully. “It’s a shame, really. All that over a stupid little video. But kids will be kids, right?”
Y/N’s stomach churned.
She had spent years trying to bury that part of her life, pushing it so far down that sometimes she could pretend it never happened, even trying to reconcile with Seungcheol on her own. But now, in the middle of her mother’s house, in front of her friends, it was being dragged back into the light like it was some piece of town gossip.
Seungcheol’s jaw clenched. His entire posture had shifted, no longer the lazy, indifferent stance he usually carried. There was something dangerous in the way his fingers curled around his drink.
But before anyone could say anything—before Y/N could even react—a new voice cut through the room.
“Get out.”
Y/N’s head snapped toward the doorway.
Her father stood there, eyes dark, posture rigid.
The room fell into a stunned silence.
The woman blinked, swaying slightly. “Oh, come on,” she slurred, waving a hand. “We were just reminiscing—”
“I said get out.”
The authority in his voice was final. Even drunk, the woman seemed to recognize she had pushed too far. She let out a scoff, rolling her eyes as she placed her glass down a little too roughly on the table.
“Well,” she huffed, straightening her blouse. “I can see when I’m not wanted.”
She cast one last look at Y/N—something between amused and dismissive—before swaying toward the door.
The moment she was gone, the weight in the room didn’t lift.
Y/N’s dad exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face before turning to her. His expression softened just slightly. “Are you okay?”
Y/N forced herself to nod, even though she felt like she couldn’t breathe.
He studied her for a moment, then turned his glare to her mother, who had yet to say a single word. “You should have handled that.”
Her mother blinked, taking a slow sip of her drink. “She had too much to drink.”
“That’s not an excuse.”
“She wasn’t saying anything that wasn’t true.”
A muscle in his jaw twitched.
“I think we’re done here,” he muttered before walking away, leaving the rest of them in tense silence.
Y/N swallowed hard, suddenly feeling exhausted.
She already wanted this weekend to be over.
The remaining guests, sensing the shift in mood, started gathering their things. The whispers were already beginning as they exchanged knowing glances, some offering Y/N tight smiles before heading toward the door.
“Well,” one of them sighed dramatically, adjusting her coat. “It was so lovely catching up. Always such lively conversations in this house.”
“Thank you for the wine, darling,” another added to Y/N’s mom, pressing a cheek-to-cheek goodbye. “And for the… entertainment.”
Y/N resisted the urge to roll her eyes as they all finally trickled out, their presence lingering even after the door shut behind them.
Her mother exhaled through her nose, placing her empty glass down with a soft clink. “Well,” she said, smoothing a hand over her blouse. “That was unnecessary.”
Y/N didn’t bother asking if she meant the drunken outburst or her father stepping in.
Instead, her mother turned to her with a practiced smile, as if the entire evening hadn’t just been derailed. “Why don’t you show your friends around?” she suggested. “The house, the town, whatever you like. Keep them entertained before dinner.”
Y/N narrowed her eyes slightly. She knew what this was. It was her mother’s way of making them someone else’s problem for a little while.
But she wasn’t going to argue. Not when the house still felt suffocating.
She turned to the group, forcing a smile. “Anyone up for a tour?”
Mingyu, sensing the need for an escape, immediately nodded. “Oh, absolutely.”
Yuqi, ever the supportive best friend, looped her arm through Y/N’s. “Lead the way.”
Vernon and Seungcheol exchanged a glance, but neither protested.
Y/N let out a slow breath. She had no idea where she was taking them.
But as long as it got her out of this house for a little while, she didn’t care.
The air outside was crisp, a stark contrast to the stifling tension they’d just left behind. Y/N took a deep breath, hoping it would help steady her nerves.
“Well,” Vernon said, stretching his arms over his head. “That was sufficiently awkward.”
Y/N shot him a look, but there was no bite to it. “Understatement of the year.”
Yuqi gave her arm a reassuring squeeze. “At least we’re out of there. So, where to?”
Y/N glanced around, the familiarity of her hometown settling in. The streets hadn’t changed much—same old cafés, the tiny bookstore she used to hide in, the park that held more childhood memories than she could count.
“We could just walk,” she suggested.
No one argued.
As they strolled down the street, the initial silence was quickly filled by casual conversation. Yuqi and Vernon took the lead, with Y/N walking between Mingyu and Seungcheol—an arrangement that felt like a disaster waiting to happen.
Mingyu kept close, his presence warm, protective almost. He had been quiet since the ordeal with her mom’s friends, but every now and then, his fingers brushed against hers, as if checking in.
Seungcheol, on the other hand, had his hands stuffed into his pockets, his expression unreadable.
“You good?” Y/N finally asked him.
He scoffed lightly. “You’re asking me that?”
Y/N frowned. “Yeah, I am.”
He let out a slow breath, shaking his head. “Just didn’t think I’d ever have to hear about that again from anyone other than you and me. And definitely not from some drunk woman looking for gossip.”
Y/N tensed. She hadn’t thought about it like that—not how he must have felt in that moment, being confronted with the same ugly past.
“I guess it was bound to come up eventually,” she muttered.
Seungcheol glanced at her, something unreadable in his gaze. “Maybe. But, our past shouldn’t be a source of free gossip to embarrass you and get a point on the scoreboard against your mom.”
But before either of them could say anything else, Vernon suddenly spun around, walking backward as he grinned. “Alright, serious talk—where’s the first place you’d go if we ditched the party tomorrow?”
Yuqi gasped, clearly delighted by the idea. “Are we planning a rebellion?”
“Just a hypothetical,” Vernon said innocently. “Unless…”
Y/N rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips. “Honestly? Probably the diner. The fries are my source of comfort.”
Mingyu perked up. “Wait, is this the place you were hyping up?”
“Yup.”
“Well, now I have to try it.”
“Are we really planning to bail?” Yuqi asked, eyes glinting with excitement.
“Only if necessary,” Vernon replied. “You know, in case things get too—” he gestured vaguely, “—much.”
Y/N knew exactly what he meant.
Mingyu sighed, but there was the ghost of a smirk on his face. “We haven’t even gotten to the party yet. Hell, we haven’t even had dinner yet.”
Vernon shrugged. “Bro, we just have to be prepared.”
Y/N shook her head, but as the tension eased just slightly, she found herself thinking: maybe a backup plan wouldn’t be the worst idea.
Seungcheol suddenly sighed, which caught the attention of the rest of the group.
“What’s wrong?” Yuqi asked in a slightly snarky tone.
“Oh, nothing. Just time for me to go see my dad and get ready for dinner. I’m going to call a car, I’ll catch you guys later.”
Mingyu glanced at Seungcheol, something unreadable flickering across his face, but he didn’t say anything. Vernon, still relaxed, gave a casual nod.
“Yeah, man, see you at dinner.”
Yuqi, however, wasn’t letting him off that easily. “Are you sure you’re good?” she asked, tilting her head. Her tone was still teasing, but her eyes were sharper than before.
Seungcheol smiled—one of those forced, polite ones that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah. I just need a minute.”
Y/N could feel the shift in the air again, the way it always happened when something unspoken lingered between them. It wasn’t like she wanted to ask him to stay. But at the same time, watching him leave felt too familiar.
Still, she didn’t stop him.
Mingyu shoved his hands into his pockets, rocking back on his heels as he looked away. “Well, guess that’s our cue to keep moving, too.”
Yuqi stretched her arms above her head. “Yeah, let’s go before your mom sends someone to track us down.”
Y/N nodded, pushing away the unsettled feeling creeping up her spine. She could deal with whatever this was later. Right now, they had a tour to get through—and, after that, dinner.
As Seungcheol walked off, the group stood there for a beat, the quiet settling awkwardly between them. Yuqi was the first to break it, exhaling through her nose before nudging Y/N.
“So,” she said, deliberately light, “where to next, tour guide?”
Y/N forced a small smile, trying to shake off the weight that Seungcheol had left behind. “I was thinking we could walk through town a little. Show you guys the places that actually mattered growing up.”
Mingyu perked up slightly at that, though he didn’t fully drop whatever was on his mind. “Like what?”
Vernon grinned. “The library? The questionable convenience store we used to hang out in for no reason?”
“That store was weirdly comforting,” Y/N admitted. “Mostly because we had nowhere else to go that our parents wouldn’t step into.”
Mingyu huffed a small laugh. “Sounds like my kind of place.”
“Then you’ll love it,” Vernon said, slinging an arm around his shoulders, steering him forward. “Come on, might as well get the full experience.”
Y/N felt Yuqi step closer, lowering her voice. “You okay?”
She hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. Just overthinking.”
Yuqi gave her a knowing look but didn’t press. Instead, she looped her arm through Y/N’s and steered her toward the others. “No overthinking, then. Just vibes.”
Y/N let herself be pulled along, letting out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Just vibes.
At least for now.
The store looked exactly the same.
Y/N wasn’t sure why she expected anything different—maybe a new coat of paint, maybe brighter lighting—but the faded sign, the dusty windows, and the oddly comforting scent of cheap instant ramen and convenience store coffee hit her all at once.
Vernon let out a low whistle as they stepped inside. “Man, it’s been forever.”
“Feels like no time has passed at all,” Y/N muttered, trailing a hand along the metal shelves.
Mingyu scanned the aisles with an amused expression. “So this was the big hangout spot, huh?”
“Oh, you don’t even know,” Vernon said, already making a beeline for the back fridge. “We used to buy the worst sodas from here and drink them just to see who could stomach it the longest.”
Yuqi scrunched her nose. “That’s disgusting.”
“Yeah, but it built character.”
“Pretty sure it just built stomach problems. I can still taste the vomit from the ranch dressing and cream soda,” Y/N muttered, grabbing a random can from the fridge before Vernon could get any ideas.
Mingyu chuckled, eyes drifting toward a small counter near the register. “Did you guys get snacks, too, or was it just pain?”
Y/N smirked. “Both. Who comes into a place with a perfect curation of snacks like this and doesn’t buy something?”
Vernon held up a candy bar triumphantly. “These were my go-to.”
Yuqi grabbed a small bag of chips, eyeing Y/N. “You had a favorite, right?”
Y/N hesitated for a second, then finally reached for a pack of old-school cookies she hadn’t thought about in ages. “Yeah. These.”
Mingyu glanced at the packaging. “Sweet tooth?”
“She says no, but yes,” Vernon quipped.
Y/N rolled her eyes but didn’t deny it. Before she could answer, though, Vernon’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and groaned.
“What?” Yuqi asked, peering over his shoulder.
Vernon sighed, stuffing his phone back into his jacket. “That was Y/N’s mom summoning us to come back now. She said my parents just got to her place, so we gotta head back before she starts hunting us down.”
Y/N groaned, but she wasn’t actually surprised. “Of course she called you instead of me.”
“She probably knew you wouldn’t answer,” Yuqi said with a smirk.
Mingyu let out a soft laugh. “Smart woman.”
Y/N sighed, glancing at her snacks before shrugging. “Alright, let’s pay and go. Wouldn’t want my mom putting out a missing persons report.”
As they made their way to the register, the warm hum of familiarity settled over her. For a moment, the tension from earlier faded into something simpler—something almost easy.
But as they stepped back out into the cooling evening air, Y/N couldn’t shake the feeling that the real night was only just beginning.
The taxi they managed to flag down was small—too small for four people to sit comfortably in the back, but Yuqi wasted no time claiming the front seat.
“I get car sick,” she announced dramatically as she climbed in. “You guys will be fine.”
“Convenient,” Vernon muttered, eyeing the cramped backseat.
Y/N sighed, squeezing into the middle seat, her arms pressed against both Vernon and Mingyu as they piled in beside her. The driver barely waited for them to settle before pulling away from the curb, and immediately, Y/N regretted not fighting Yuqi for the front.
Vernon, long-limbed and too relaxed for someone taking up so much space, draped an arm over the back of the seat. “Man, this feels like a high school carpool.”
“Except way worse,” Y/N grumbled, shifting as Mingyu’s thigh pressed against hers. She wasn’t sure if it was just her, but the space felt even smaller now.
Mingyu, for his part, was doing his best to stay still, though Y/N could feel the occasional flex of his leg as he adjusted his position. “Yeah, I definitely would’ve fought for the front seat.”
Yuqi turned slightly from the passenger seat, looking way too comfortable. “I told you guys to call dibs.”
Y/N shot her a glare. “You literally pushed ahead of us.”
Yuqi grinned. “And? I still called it.”
Mingyu huffed a laugh under his breath, shifting again, which only made the situation worse. Y/N could feel the warmth of him against her side, the faint scent of his cologne filling the tiny space. She swallowed, suddenly hyper-aware of how little room she had to move.
Vernon, completely oblivious, just leaned back. “At least we’re almost there.”
The driver hit a bump, sending them all jolting forward. Y/N braced herself on the seat in front of her, her shoulder knocking into Mingyu’s chest. He let out a quiet “oof” but chuckled, steadying her with a hand on her thigh before quickly moving it away.
“Sorry,” he muttered.
“It’s fine,” Y/N said quickly, face warming.
Yuqi snickered from the front. “Are you guys surviving back there?”
“Barely,” Y/N gritted out.
Vernon just grinned, stretching his legs out a little more—making the cramped space even worse. “Tight spaces really bring people together, huh?”
Mingyu exhaled sharply, but Y/N didn’t dare look at him.
By the time they pulled up to her house, she practically shoved the door open, inhaling the cool evening air like she’d just escaped a near-death experience.
Yuqi stretched as she climbed out. “That wasn’t so bad.”
Y/N shot her a glare. “You were in the front.”
Mingyu stepped out, rolling his shoulders. “Yeah, we’re never doing that again.”
Vernon just laughed, clapping Y/N on the back as they headed toward the house. “Welcome home.”
Y/N sighed, steeling herself as they approached the front door. “Yeah. Home.”
Something about it felt heavier than it should have.
As soon as they stepped inside, the warmth and sound of conversation hit them like a wave. Y/N barely had time to register the familiar scent of her childhood home before she heard an excited voice.
“There he is! My boy! Or should I say my man?”
Vernon barely had a second to react before his mom swooped in, pulling him into a tight hug. His dad wasn’t far behind, clapping a strong hand on his back.
“Son, look at you!” his dad boomed, beaming. “Still as cool as ever, huh?”
Vernon, used to this kind of energy, just grinned. “Hey, guys. Missed me?”
“Of course we missed you!” his mom scolded, pulling back to cup his face like he was still a kid. “You never call enough! I have to hear about you through Y/N’s mom.”
Vernon let out a soft laugh and turned to face his friends. “I swear I call.”
Y/N’s mom, who had been standing nearby with her arms crossed, scoffed. “Not enough.”
Y/N barely had time to prepare before Vernon’s mom’s attention snapped to her.
As soon as Mrs. Chwe pulled Y/N into a hug, the last bits of tension melted away.
“You don’t call enough, either!” Mrs. Chwe scolded, but her tone was warm, her grip tight like she wasn’t planning to let go anytime soon.
“I know,” Y/N admitted, hugging her back properly this time. “I’m sorry.”
Mrs. Chwe pulled back just enough to cup Y/N’s face, a soft smile on her lips. “You’re forgiven—for now. But I expect more updates from you, my little lady.”
Y/N smiled, something inside her settling at the familiar warmth. “I’ll do my best.”
Mr. Chwe clapped a hand on her shoulder, grinning. “Good to have you back, kid. Vernon barely makes it through a conversation without mentioning you at least once.”
Vernon groaned. “Dad, come on.”
Mrs. Chwe beamed. “It’s true, though. You two have been attached at the hip since forever. We practically raised her, too.”
“You kind of did,” Y/N admitted, laughing.
Y/N’s dad, who had been watching with an amused expression, finally spoke. “It’s funny. I always said if Y/N ever ran away, she’d end up at your place.”
“She basically lived there for a few weeks,” Vernon said, nudging her. “You had your own toothbrush at our house.”
Mrs. Chwe grinned. “Still do, actually. I never threw it out.”
Y/N laughed, warmth blooming in her chest. “That’s actually kind of sweet.”
Yuqi, watching the whole exchange, leaned toward Mingyu. “Okay, this is adorable.”
Mingyu just smiled, something fond in his gaze as he watched Y/N interact with Vernon’s parents.
Mrs. Chwe finally turned her attention to them. “And you two! I’ve heard plenty about you both. I was especially excited to meet Mingyu.”
Mingyu stiffened slightly at the attention, but Mr. Chwe just laughed, clapping him on the back. “Relax, son. We just like knowing who Y/N and Vernon surround themselves with.”
“I told you, they’re good people,” Vernon said.
“Oh, we trust your judgment,” Mrs. Chwe assured him. “Mostly.”
Vernon sighed. “Thanks, Mom.”
Y/N shook her head, but her smile never faded. Being around Vernon’s family felt easy, like stepping back into a place where she was always welcome.
Her dad clapped his hands together, cutting through the moment. “Alright, let’s get these kids ready for dinner before my wife gets impatient.”
Mrs. Chwe leaned in conspiratorially. “Too late for that.”
Y/N laughed as her mom shot Mrs. Chwe a look.
“Come on,” Vernon said, grabbing Y/N’s wrist and tugging her toward the stairs. “Before they start telling embarrassing stories.”
Y/N followed easily, already knowing it was too late for that.
The group barely had time to settle before Mrs. Chwe was ushering them toward the living room.
"Come in, come in. You all need a drink before dinner," she said cheerfully, already making her way to the bar cart.
Y/N's dad, ever the host, nodded. "Pick your poison, kids. Within reason."
Y/N rolled her eyes, but there was a smile on her lips as she sank into the couch beside Vernon. Mingyu took a seat next to her, while Yuqi happily perched on the armrest.
Mrs. Chwe was already pouring drinks. "Y/N, your usual?"
"You know me too well," Y/N said with a grin, accepting the glass she was handed.
"She practically grew up in our house," Mr. Chwe reminded everyone with a wink.
Y/N’s mom checked her watch again with an exasperated sigh. “Seungcheol and his father are always late. Honestly, it’s a fucking miracle they manage to get anywhere at all.”
Y/N took a slow sip of her drink, glancing at Vernon, who only shrugged. Seungcheol being late wasn’t exactly surprising, but the irritation in her mom’s voice meant it was bothering her more than usual.
Mrs. Chwe, ever the one to smooth over tension, smiled. “Oh, Annie, come on. I’m sure they’ll be here soon. No need to work yourself up before dinner.”
“I just hate waiting on people,” Y/N’s mom muttered before pursing her lips. “And I’m very curious to meet his new girlfriend.”
Yuqi blinked. “Wait—Seungcheol has a girlfriend, since when?”
“Not Seungcheol,” Y/N’s mom corrected, rolling her eyes. “His father, dear.”
That got everyone’s attention. Y/N’s brows lifted slightly, and even Vernon seemed intrigued.
“Wait,” he said, leaning forward. “Seungcheol’s dad is bringing a date? What happened to the other lady?”
“That’s what he told me,” Y/N’s mom said with a pointed look. “And you know how he is.”
Y/N exchanged a glance with Vernon, knowing exactly what her mom meant. Seungcheol’s dad had always been the kind of man who charmed his way through life—sometimes irresponsibly.
“Oh, this is gonna be interesting,” Yuqi murmured under her breath, smirking as she took a sip of her drink.
Mingyu, who had been mostly quiet, finally spoke. “Do you know anything about her?”
Y/N’s mom scoffed. “Not much. Seungcheol only mentioned it in passing earlier when I asked if his father was bringing a plus-one. Apparently, she’s young—too young, if you ask me—but that man has always been reckless.”
Y/N’s dad cleared his throat. “Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. We haven’t even met her yet.”
Y/N’s mom waved a hand. “I don’t need to meet her to know what kind of woman she is.”
Mrs. Chwe sighed. “Maybe she’ll surprise you.”
Y/N, watching the whole conversation unfold, just shook her head. This night was already shaping up to be more complicated than she expected.
Y/N’s mom huffed, clearly not convinced by Mrs. Chwe’s attempt at optimism. “I’ll believe it when I see it,” she muttered, taking another sip of her drink. “Honestly, it’s just—”
The front door swung open just then, cutting her off.
Y/N’s head snapped toward the sound, and she immediately recognized the deep voice that rang through the hallway.
“Aw. Don’t tell me we’re late,” Seungcheol’s dad called out, his voice booming, as usual.
Y/N’s mom stood up sharply, her posture straightening as she glanced at the door. “Seungcheol, finally. And yes, you’re late as usual.”
Seungcheol’s dad, laughing as if the whole thing were some kind of joke, stepped into the living room, with Seungcheol following just behind him.
Seungcheol’s dad was dressed in a sharp suit, as always, looking much to put together for a casual dinner gathering. Beside him was a woman Y/N had never seen before—a tall, elegant woman with dark hair pulled into a sleek ponytail, wearing a fitted black dress that only seemed to highlight how young she was.
“Sorry we’re late,” Seungcheol’s dad said with a grin, clearly unfazed. “You know how it is. Last-minute details, always.”
Seungcheol followed behind, wearing an apologetic smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Sorry, I tried to hurry him up.”
Y/N’s mom stood there, arms crossed, her expression unreadable as she studied the woman standing beside Seungcheol’s dad.
Y/N’s mom watched the girl closely as she shook her hand, her expression giving nothing away, but her eyes were sharp with an unmistakable edge. Y/N could feel the tension building under the surface—her mom’s subtle disapproval hanging in the air like a cloud. His date was, without a doubt, much younger than Seungcheol’s dad, and Y/N’s mom was definitely picking up on that.
“Pleasure to meet you,” She said again, her smile polite but a bit stiff. She glanced around the room as if trying to gauge the mood. Seungcheol’s dad places his hand on her back, clearly proud of his new companion.
“This is Hana, my girlfriend,” Seungcheol’s dad said with a grin, practically beaming. "Isn’t she something? We met through work. She’s brilliant."
Y/N’s mom gave a brief nod but didn’t respond right away, her lips pressing together in what was barely a smile. She took a quiet sip of her drink, eyes never quite leaving Hana, before she shifted her gaze to Seungcheol’s dad.
“I see,” she said softly, her voice almost a purr of polite disdain. “You’ve always had an interesting taste.”
Seungcheol’s dad laughed, completely missing the underlying tone. “What can I say? I know a good thing when I see it.”
Y/N felt the tension creep up her spine, but she tried to keep her focus on the conversation. Her mom, however, wasn’t done with her thoughts on the situation. She let out a quiet sigh and checked her watch again, as if it had something to do with the lateness of the arrival rather than the age gap.
Mrs. Chwe, noticing the subtle shift in the room, leaned toward Y/N with a soft, teasing smile. “Looks like we’ve got quite the interesting guest tonight,” she said, her voice low but warm enough that it didn’t sound like a judgment—more like curiosity.
Y/N shot her a quick glance, feeling the mix of discomfort and the weight of the situation. She didn’t want to get caught in the crossfire between her mom and Seungcheol’s dad, but it was clear her mom was just one step away from making a biting comment.
Hana, trying her best to fit in, smiled and looked at Y/N’s mom. “I’ve heard so much about you, Mrs. Y/L/N” she said, her voice bright but a little unsure. “I’m really looking forward to getting to know everyone.”
Y/N’s mom gave her a measured look, but it wasn’t the warm, welcoming gaze that Hana might have expected. “Of course,” she said, her voice just a touch too sweet. “I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time for that.”
There was a moment of silence as everyone shifted uncomfortably, and Y/N’s mom took the opportunity to focus on the other guests.
“So, dinner,” Y/N’s mom said finally, her tone shifting to something more neutral. “Shall we? I’m sure we can all catch up then.”
The silence that followed was heavy, and as the group made their way toward the dining room, Y/N noticed how Seungcheol’s dad and Hana seemed to linger a little too close to each other.
Seungcheol leaned in toward Y/N, his voice barely above a whisper. “This is gonna be so much fun.”
Y/N didn’t say anything, just exhaled softly and patted him on his shoulder as she walked into the dining room, knowing the night was just getting started.
As everyone gathered around the dining table, the air was thick with tension—but not the kind that could ruin a meal. It was more like the kind of tension that came from unspoken things, an odd mix of discomfort and curiosity, all blended with the nervous laughter of trying to make it through a potentially awkward situation. Seungcheol’s dad, of course, was talking animatedly, completely unaware of how everyone else was reacting to him and Hana.
“So, Hana here,” Seungcheol’s dad began, raising his glass as if about to make a toast, “she’s got this amazing eye for design. You wouldn’t believe the places she’s transformed. Maybe one day we’ll all be staying at one of her hotels!”
Y/N’s mom gave a tight smile, but it was clear that the mention of “transformed” wasn’t something she was buying into. “Fascinating,” she said, her tone thin, almost like she was just humoring him. “How… ambitious.”
Seungcheol sat back in his chair, his face slightly flushed. He seemed to be caught between trying to listen to his dad and not wanting to be caught up in whatever was happening at the table. His eyes flicked across to Y/N, but he quickly looked away.
Meanwhile, Y/N’s dad was picking up on the tension but, as usual, took a different approach. With his usual warmth, he laughed heartily, raising his glass toward Seungcheol’s dad. “To new beginnings and young love!” he said loudly, clearly enjoying the mild awkwardness. “May we all be as lucky in our later years.”
That lightened the mood a little, and even Y/N’s mom gave an almost imperceptible smile, though her eyes still narrowed slightly as she observed Hana.
Vernon’s parents, on the other hand, were having the time of their lives. They had no qualms about being a little loud and boisterous, helping to break the ice. Vernon’s dad, always the charmer, grinned at Y/N’s mom. “I have to admit, this is quite the spread. I mean, your cooking could give a five-star restaurant a run for its money.”
Y/N’s mom, who prided herself on her cooking, relaxed a bit at the compliment. “I’m glad you think so,” she said, the first genuine smile she’d given all night. “Vernon’s family always knows how to make me feel like a chef.”
Vernon smiled back at her. “You know I love your cooking more than anything, Mrs. Y/LN.”
“Now, Vernon. You know I told you to call me Annie.”
Hana, noticing the shift in tone, gave a hesitant but polite laugh. “I’m sure it’s all delicious. I’m looking forward to trying everything, Annie.” She picked up her fork, glancing nervously at Seungcheol’s dad, who had begun telling yet another lengthy story about one of his travels.
Y/n’s mom sent a quick death glare across the table, her dad placing his hand on top of hers as if to calm her down. She inhaled a deep breath, “Please, Hana. Call me Mrs. Y/L/N. That nickname is reserved for.. family.”
As the evening progressed, it became a balancing act between awkward silences and bursts of laughter from Vernon’s family, which seemed to help break the ice. Y/N couldn’t help but notice how her dad seemed to thrive in these moments, making everything feel more comfortable, even if only for a little while. His jokes and anecdotes were funny enough to get everyone laughing, including Hana, who seemed a little more at ease after a few rounds of wine.
Meanwhile, Seungcheol sat silently, pushing his food around on his plate. He was clearly still uncomfortable with the whole situation, and Y/N could tell he was just waiting for the evening to end. He met her gaze briefly, his expression apologetic but still distant. She offered him a small smile, trying to communicate that she understood—there was no way this night would be easy for him either.
But despite the tension, there was also something oddly endearing about how everything was unfolding. Her dad was cracking jokes, and even Y/N’s mom had a couple of dry remarks that somehow lightened the mood, even if just for a second.
Vernon’s mom leaned over to Y/N, whispering in her ear. “Honestly, I didn’t expect the evening to be this entertaining.” She glanced at Seungcheol’s dad. “He’s always been a walking disaster, hasn’t he?”
Y/N chuckled softly, glancing at Seungcheol’s dad who was, indeed, in the middle of recounting a story about getting lost in Paris, clearly embellishing every detail. “I don’t even think we know the half of it.” Y/N whispered back.
The rest of the evening played out in a mix of awkward but genuine moments, punctuated by her dad and Vernon’s parents keeping the atmosphere surprisingly light. There was laughter, good food, and the occasional awkward silence that only seemed to add to the charm. Seungcheol’s dad kept trying to involve everyone in his stories, and Hana, though still clearly uncomfortable, tried her best to smile through it all.
But Y/N couldn’t help but notice the subtle glances exchanged between her mom and Seungcheol’s dad, the way her mom’s lips would tighten whenever he made another boastful remark. It wasn’t something she could point out directly, but the tension was definitely still there, lurking under the surface.
When dessert finally arrived, the conversation had relaxed into a kind of easy chatter, with Vernon’s parents discussing their upcoming trip abroad and Y/N’s dad telling stories of his younger days. But it was clear that the real conversation hadn’t been about the food or the wine—it was about who was here, who wasn’t, and the dynamic that was playing out between them all.
Y/N glanced at Mingyu, who was taking it all in with a bemused grin on his face. He leaned toward her. “Well, I think this is the most eventful dinner I’ve ever had.”
Y/N couldn’t help but laugh, taking a sip of her wine. “Yeah, you can say that again.”
“Hey,” Mingyu said, his voice quieter now, “at least it’s not too bad. It could be worse.”
Y/N turned her head slightly to look at him, meeting his eyes. “True. We’re surviving.”
But as she said it, she couldn’t help but feel that there was still a lot left unsaid.
"So, Yuqi," Y/n mother said, her voice casual but laced with curiosity, "I hear you're seeing someone. That’s a nice change, isn't it?"
Yuqi, caught off guard, glanced at Y/N for a second before giving a small, shy smile. "Uh, yeah. I'm dating Mark." She glanced at Mingyu and Seungcheol, her tone turning a little more defensive, as if she were bracing for a reaction.
"Mark? What a nice name, I mean speaking with bias here as a Mark myself," Y/N’s dad said, his tone genuinely enthused. " How long has that been going on?"
"A few months now," Yuqi replied, looking at her plate. "We’ve been friends for a while."
There was a brief silence before Y/N’s mom, always one to keep the conversation flowing, smiled sweetly and turned to the three boys. "And what about you three?" she asked, clearly enjoying herself. "You’re all still single, yes?"
Seungcheol, who had been unusually quiet, shifted uncomfortably. He wasn't one to talk about his love life, especially not in front of everyone. "Uh, yeah," he muttered, not quite meeting her gaze.
Mingyu’s eyes flicked to Y/N for a moment, but he quickly cleared his throat and looked away. “I’ve been... busy with school. No time for anything serious.” His answer sounded practiced, but Y/N could sense the slight tension in his tone.
Vernon, who had been a little more relaxed about the situation, leaned back in his chair with a nonchalant grin. “Nah, I’m good. I’ve been too focused on life and everything, you know?”
Y/N felt her face heat up. The fact that they were all being asked about their love lives made her feel like she was being put under a magnifying glass. As she shifted in her seat, she noticed that Seungcheol had glanced at her quickly, and Mingyu was doing the same. Vernon, too, seemed to be looking at her more often than usual.
Her mom, clearly delighted by the direction the conversation had taken, leaned back in her chair, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "So, no one’s catching anyone’s eye, then? You must have someone in mind, Y/N."
The whole table seemed to pause at that, the attention suddenly turned on her. Y/N shifted awkwardly, feeling the weight of their eyes on her. Mingyu’s expression was unreadable, but there was a subtle tightness around his jaw. Seungcheol was still quiet, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. Vernon’s grin widened slightly, but there was something behind it—almost like he was waiting for her answer.
Y/N cleared her throat, trying to stay calm. "I don’t know about that," she said, glancing at each of them, trying to hide the fact that her heart was racing. "I mean, it’s not like anyone’s exactly... interested in me."
Her mom raised an eyebrow, her smile barely concealed. "Oh? That’s not what I’ve seen." She gave a pointed look at Mingyu, then Seungcheol, then Vernon. "Seems to me like you all have your own... interests."
The subtle tension at the table deepened. Mingyu’s eyes flicked to Y/N, his expression barely changing, but there was a hint of something unspoken in his gaze. Seungcheol, though quiet, seemed to stiffen slightly at the mention of “interests.” And Vernon—well, Vernon just looked a little too interested, his grin now a little too knowing.
Yuqi, noticing the shift in the air, quickly jumped in. “Let’s not turn this into a big thing, yeah? We’re just here to enjoy dinner,” she said, trying to change the subject, but it was clear that Y/N’s mom was enjoying the moment far too much to let it go just yet.
Y/N’s mom, not quite ready to drop the topic, smiled mischievously. “Oh, I’m just saying. You all might be more complicated than we think, hm?” She glanced at Mingyu. “I mean, there’s always the quiet ones, right?”
Mingyu’s lips twitched into a small, almost knowing smile, but he didn’t say anything. He simply took a sip of his wine, his gaze flickering toward Y/N again, though he didn’t make it too obvious.
Seungcheol, finally breaking his silence, spoke in a low voice. “I’m not complicated,” he said, his tone a little sharper than usual, as if he were trying to avoid being dragged into the conversation. “I’m just... focusing on other things.”
Vernon, clearly sensing the tension, leaned forward and grinned at Y/N’s mom. “I think we can all agree that Y/N doesn’t need a relationship right now. She’s got enough going on.”
Y/N sighed with relief, grateful for Vernon’s attempt to defuse the moment. Her mom, however, wasn’t done yet.
“Well, I don’t know about that,” she said, raising an eyebrow at the group. “You know, sometimes the most interesting things happen when you least expect them.”
The dinner continued with more lighthearted conversation, but the undercurrent of unspoken words and glances between the boys remained. Y/N couldn’t help but feel the strange mix of tension and amusement as her mom continued to throw out little hints, trying to keep the conversation centered on the boys’ personal lives. She knew she was playing a game, but what she didn’t know was how much everyone at the table—herself included—was becoming more entangled in it.
Just as Y/N set her glass down waiting for someone to give her a refill, Vernon’s dad obliged by pouring the deep red wine into her class, her mother sighed dramatically, swirling her new wine in her hand before speaking. “You know,” she started, her voice carefully measured, “I’m still absolutely mortified by what happened earlier. That friend of mine—former friend, I should say—bringing up things that are completely fucking inappropriate for polite conversation.” She huffed, shaking her head. “Honestly, some people have no sense of decorum.”
Seungcheol’s dad, who had been mid-sip of his drink, paused and furrowed his brow. “What happened earlier?” He glanced at Seungcheol, who visibly tensed, shoulders going rigid. “Did I miss something?”
Y/N’s mom gave a thin-lipped smile, clearly delighted to be the one to inform him. “Oh, just a little… unpleasantness. One of my so-called friends thought it would be appropriate to bring up some ancient history about our kids. Something that was absolutely none of her business.” She shot Seungcheol a soft glance before looking back at his father. “Really, I would have thought you’d be used to people stirring up trouble by now.”
Seungcheol’s dad’s confusion turned to curiosity, then mild irritation as he looked at his son. “What exactly did they say?” His tone was light, but there was an edge to it.
Seungcheol clenched his jaw, clearly debating whether or not to answer. He finally let out a quiet sigh, setting down his fork. “It doesn’t matter.”
Y/N’s mom let out a scoff. “It certainly does matter when people go around airing out personal business at a dinner meant to be welcoming.” She took a sip of her wine before adding, “It was humiliating. Completely inappropriate.”
Seungcheol’s dad leaned back in his chair, taking in the information. “Well,” he said, exhaling, “it sounds like a typical dinner around here.”
Y/N’s mom’s eyes narrowed, her grip tightening around her glass. “Excuse me?”
He let out a short chuckle, shaking his head. “Oh, come now. People talk. That’s just how things are.”
Her expression turned icy. “There’s a difference between talking and dredging up things that should be left in the past. It was completely unnecessary.”
Seungcheol’s dad raised an eyebrow, glancing at his son before returning his gaze to Y/N’s mother. “And yet, here we are, still talking about it.”
The table went quiet, tension thick in the air. Y/N could feel the discomfort radiating from Seungcheol, and she knew this was the last thing he wanted to deal with.
Vernon’s dad, ever the peacemaker, let out a loud chuckle, trying to cut through the awkwardness. “Well, at least we can all agree that dinner was fantastic, right?” He turned to Y/N’s mom with an easy grin. “You’ve outdone yourself again.”
Her mother exhaled through her nose, clearly irritated but unwilling to make a scene—at least, not yet. “Yes, well,” she said stiffly, “I do try.”
Seungcheol’s dad let out a short laugh, clearly unimpressed. “Wait a damn second. So let me get this straight—you’re upset because someone talked about something that actually happened? That’s not exactly a crime.”
Seungcheol exhaled sharply, his grip tightening around his fork. “That’s not the point.”
His father raised an eyebrow. “Then what is? Because from where I’m sitting, it just sounds like a bunch of overreactions.”
Y/N could see the way Seungcheol’s shoulders tensed, the way his jaw clenched like he was holding back from saying something he might regret. Her mother, however, was far less restrained.
“It’s about respect,” Y/N’s mom cut in sharply, setting her wine glass down with a quiet but deliberate clink. “Some of us believe in basic decency—knowing when to keep our mouths shut about things that don’t concern us.”
Seungcheol’s dad gave a lazy shrug. “I don’t see why it’s such a big deal. It’s not like she made something up.” He turned back to his son. “You’re not still hung up on all that, are you?”
Seungcheol finally looked up, his gaze sharp. “You wouldn’t get it.”
“Wouldn’t I?” His dad’s voice held an edge now. “Because from where I’m sitting, it seems like you’re making a problem where there isn’t one. The past is the past, and it’s only an issue if you let it be one.”
Y/N’s stomach twisted at the way he dismissed it so easily. As if it hadn’t shaped so much of her life. As if it hadn’t mattered.
Her mother sighed, shaking her head. “This is exactly why I didn’t want this to ruin the evening. But luckily, Y/N’s father already took care of it. He handled the situation, so really, there’s nothing left to dwell on.”
Y/N’s dad, who had been trying to focus on his food rather than the tension growing at the table, blinked as he was suddenly dragged into it. “Well, I wouldn’t say I handled it,” he said, offering a good-natured chuckle. “I just made sure the evening wasn’t completely derailed.”
“You did exactly what needed to be done,” her mother insisted, waving a dismissive hand before turning her attention to Seungcheol. “And frankly, I don’t see why you’re still sulking. You didn’t do anything wrong, and we all know it. This whole thing was blown out of proportion.”
Y/N felt a lump rise in her throat. Of course. Of course, her feelings would be swept aside just like that.
Seungcheol’s dad smirked, leaning back. “See? Even she says it’s not worth getting worked up over.”
Seungcheol was silent for a long moment, but his grip on his fork was tight enough that his knuckles had turned white. His gaze flickered toward Y/N briefly, something unreadable passing over his expression, before he let out a slow breath and forced himself to lean back in his chair.
Seungcheol clenched his jaw, his fingers tightening around his napkin before he abruptly dropped it onto the table. “You always do this,” he muttered under his breath.
His father raised an eyebrow. “Do what?”
Seungcheol let out a hollow laugh, shaking his head. “Act like nothing ever matters. Like I should just shrug and move on because you think it’s not a big deal.” His gaze flickered to Y/N’s mom. “Or like I did nothing wrong, when we all know that’s not true.”
His father scoffed. “Son, you really think holding onto guilt is gonna change anything? You think feeling bad about it now is gonna rewrite history?”
“That’s not the fucking point,” Seungcheol snapped, his voice sharp enough to make even Vernon glance up from his plate. “The point is that no one ever actually talks about it. You—” He gestured toward his dad. “—pretend like none of it even matters. And you—” His eyes landed on Y/N’s mom. “—brush it off like I should just be grateful I wasn’t the one embarrassed.”
His father groaned, rubbing his temple. “You’re being dramatic as always.”
Y/N’s mom, however, simply took another sip of her wine and sighed. “Seungcheol, dear, no one’s saying it didn’t matter. But what good does digging it up now do? It’s over. Dwelling on it only makes things worse.”
Seungcheol laughed under his breath, shaking his head. “That’s exactly what I mean. You all get to decide when it’s over. When it’s convenient to move on.” He turned slightly, looking at Y/N now. His eyes were dark, conflicted. “But it wasn’t over for her just because you decided it was.”
Y/N’s breath caught slightly, caught off guard by the intensity in his voice.
Her mother pursed her lips, clearly unimpressed. “You’re making it sound like Y/N is some helpless victim—”
Seungcheol shot her a look. “Because she was. And I was part of the reason why.”
The table fell silent. Even Y/N’s dad, who had been determined to enjoy his meal and avoid the drama, finally looked up.
Vernon’s dad cleared his throat, forcing a grin. “Alright, alright. Let’s not let the wine get to our heads, yeah? We’re supposed to be enjoying ourselves.”
Vernon’s mom nudged her husband, murmuring, “Pretty sure that ship sailed about twenty minutes ago.”
Y/N’s dad, ever the peacemaker, leaned forward. “Seungcheol, dude, I get it. But let’s not turn this into a whole thing. The past is the past. You don’t need to carry it around forever.”
Seungcheol let out a slow breath, pushing his chair back slightly. “Yeah. Right.” His voice was quiet, but there was a bitterness underneath it.
Y/N watched him carefully. He was frustrated, that much was obvious—but it wasn’t just anger. It was something deeper. Something exhausted.
Mingyu, beside her, let out a soft exhale. “Wow,” he muttered, barely audible over the murmurs of the other guests. “This is… something.”
Y/N didn’t respond. She just kept her eyes on Seungcheol, watching as he ran a hand through his hair, clearly trying to pull himself together.
But she could see it in his face.
He was tired of carrying it. But more than that—he was tired of being told it didn’t matter.
Vernon’s mom, ever the social butterfly, let out an exaggerated sigh and grabbed the nearest bottle of wine. “Alright, I think that’s enough of that. Kids, let’s relocate.”
Hana, who had been lingering at the table, clearly invested in the argument, opened her mouth to protest, but Vernon’s mom shot her a playful but firm look. “Trust me, sweetheart, you don’t want to stick around for round two of that conversation.”
Hana blinked, then huffed lightly but didn’t argue as Vernon’s mom hooked an arm around hers and started steering her away.
Vernon’s dad grabbed a couple of extra glasses with a grin. “Garden party, anyone?”
“God, yes,” Yuqi muttered, standing up immediately.
Y/N followed suit, exchanging a glance with Seungcheol, who was still tense but didn’t resist when Vernon clapped a hand on his back, guiding him toward the back door.
Mingyu slung an arm over Y/N’s shoulder as they stepped outside, the cool night air immediately soothing after the stifling tension of the dining room. “I gotta say,” he mused, “your family dinners are way more exciting than mine.”
Y/N let out a breathy laugh, shaking her head. “I don’t know if that’s a good thing.”
Vernon’s parents settled at the patio table, pouring wine for whoever wanted it, while the rest of them spread out in the garden. The faint scent of flowers mixed with the crisp air, and for the first time that evening, things felt lighter.
Seungcheol leaned against a tree, still looking a little broody but significantly less likely to explode. Y/N watched him for a moment before nudging Vernon. “Think he’s okay?”
Vernon sipped his wine, eyeing Seungcheol. “He’ll live.”
Hana crossed her arms, still visibly annoyed about being dragged away. “I would’ve loved to hear how that argument ended.”
Vernon’s mom shot her a knowing look. “Trust me, darling, it never really ends.”
That earned a few chuckles, and even Seungcheol cracked a small, tired smile.
Y/N let out a breath, finally allowing herself to relax. Maybe things weren’t perfect. Maybe there was still so much left unsaid.
But at least, for now, they could breathe.
Y/N grabbed a glass of wine and, without saying anything, made her way over to Seungcheol. He had been keeping his distance from the group, leaning against the tree with his hands in his pockets, eyes fixed somewhere in the dark.
She held the glass out to him. “You look like you could use this.”
Seungcheol glanced at it, then at her, before sighing and taking it. “Thanks.”
Y/N nodded toward a bench a little farther away from the patio, tucked beneath some hanging lights. “Want to sit for a bit?”
He hesitated for a second, but then nodded, pushing off the tree and following her over. They sat in silence at first, the chatter and laughter from the others fading into the background.
Seungcheol took a slow sip of his wine before exhaling heavily. “I wasn’t trying to make a scene in there.”
“I know,” Y/N said softly, swirling the wine in her own glass. “You just… finally said what no one else wanted to.”
He let out a humorless chuckle. “Yeah, and it went great, huh?”
Y/N smirked slightly. “Well, you pissed off your dad, made my mom uncomfortable, and Vernon’s parents thought it was good entertainment, so… could’ve been worse.”
Seungcheol laughed under his breath, shaking his head. “God.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I just— I hate how they talk about it like it was nothing. Like you just moved on and that was that.”
Y/N took a slow breath. “It’s easier for them that way.”
“Yeah, well, you’re the one who had to leave. You’re the one who—” He stopped himself, clenching his jaw. “I should’ve said something back then. I should’ve done something other than just let it happen.”
Y/N studied him, the way his fingers tightened slightly around the stem of his glass, the crease between his brows.
“You’re right,” she said simply.
Seungcheol blinked, looking over at her.
“You should’ve done something,” she continued, watching the way his face flickered with guilt. “But you didn’t. And nothing can change that now. And for what it's worth at least you tried."
He exhaled sharply. “I know.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The breeze was light, carrying the scent of flowers and the faint laughter from their friends.
Finally, Y/N shifted closer, bumping her shoulder against his. “You know… You don’t have to keep punishing yourself for it.”
Seungcheol turned his head slightly to look at her.
“I mean, don’t get me wrong,” she said, smirking. “I did enjoy making your life miserable for a while.”
He huffed out a laugh, shaking his head.
“But.” She sighed. “I don’t want you to keep carrying it like this. We’ve already lost enough time to it.”
Seungcheol stared at her for a long moment before finally nodding. “Yeah,” he murmured. “You’re right.”
“Usually I am.”
They sat there a little longer, not saying much, just sipping their wine and letting the tension slowly drain out of the night.
For the first time in a long time, it didn’t feel like they were stuck in the past.
Seungcheol swirled his wine in his glass, staring at it like it might hold all the answers he needed. “So… where does that leave us?”
Y/N tilted her head, considering his question. “I guess that depends on you.”
He exhaled a short laugh. “That’s dangerous.”
She raised an eyebrow. “How so?”
He turned his head to look at her fully, his expression unreadable. “Because I don’t know if I’m ready to let it go as easily as you are. I’ve been trying, but clearly it’s been a failure.”
Y/N frowned. “I never said it was easy for me. But, after giving us a chance to be friends again it made me realize how many chances I didn’t give you and that honestly, I missed having you around. You understand me,” Y/n waved her arms around to her family's house, “You understand this crazy shit.”
“I know,” he admitted, running a hand through his hair. “But you’re better at dealing with it than I am. You always have been.”
She scoffed. “That’s not true.”
Seungcheol shot her a knowing look, and Y/N sighed, shaking her head. Maybe he wasn’t entirely wrong. She had spent so much time forcing herself to move on, telling herself that dwelling on it wouldn’t change anything. But that didn’t mean it hadn’t hurt.
“We don’t have to figure it all out tonight,” she finally said. “Or even tomorrow. But I think you do need to stop fighting yourself over it.”
Seungcheol nodded slowly, taking another sip of his wine. “And what about you? Are you really okay?”
Y/N hesitated. “I’m getting there. Which is better than a no.”
It wasn’t a perfect answer, but it was the truth.
Seungcheol studied her for a moment, then, in a rare moment of vulnerability, he murmured, “I hope so.”
Y/n rested a hand on Seungcheol’s arm, looking him in the eyes briefly. “You want to stay here tonight? So the stuff with your dad simmers out?”
“I’m staying with Vernon. His dad offered.”
“Good.”
A comfortable silence settled between them as the breeze rustled the leaves, the voices of their friends drifting from the patio.
Finally, Y/N nudged his knee with hers. “Come on. If we stay out here too long, Vernon’s mom is gonna assume we’re plotting something and come out here with a full interrogation.”
Seungcheol snorted. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”
They both stood, and as they walked back toward the others, Y/N felt lighter than she had in a long time. Maybe they weren’t fully healed. Maybe there were still things left unsaid.
But for the first time, it felt like they were finally moving forward.
A few minutes later, just as the group was settling into the farthest corner of the garden, the back door swung open. Y/N’s dad stepped out, rolling his eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn’t get stuck that way. In one hand, he held a bottle of old whiskey, and in the other, a set of mismatched shot glasses.
“Alright, kids,” he announced, strolling toward them with the kind of ease that came from being just tipsy enough not to care about decorum. “I’m officially done listening to that circus inside. So, I came bearing gifts.”
Vernon’s dad, who had been sipping his wine with an amused grin, perked up. “Oho, is that the whiskey?”
Y/N’s dad smirked. “Only the best for a night like this.” He plopped down into one of the patio chairs and started pouring.
Y/N crossed her arms, eyeing him warily. “Isn’t this the same whiskey you bring out only for really bad nights?”
“Exactly,” he said with a satisfied nod. “And what better way to drown out the sound of your mother eviscerating Seungcheol’s dad?”
As the muffled sounds of Seungcheol’s dad and Y/N’s mom still bickering drifted through the open windows, Y/n’s dad just shook his head and smiled.
"Alright," he announced, clapping his hands together. "Enough of that drama. We need something fun—something competitive—something that'll get us out of our heads." He pointed at the group. "We're playing soccer."
There were a few groans and laughs, but Vernon’s dad immediately perked up. "Now that’s a great idea."
Vernon grinned. "I’m in."
Mingyu stretched his arms over his head. "You just want an excuse to show off."
"Maybe," Vernon admitted, smirking.
"You guys have way too much energy," Yuqi said, shaking her head. "But fine, let’s do it."
Y/N’s dad smiled approvingly. "Now we’re talking. And to make it interesting, we need captains." He glanced around dramatically before settling his gaze on Y/N and Yuqi. "You two. Pick your teams."
Yuqi’s eyes widened. "Wait, why us?"
"Because you’ll take it seriously, and I wanna see a real game," he teased, taking a sip of his drink.
Y/N huffed but stepped forward, looking over the group. “Fine. But I’m picking Vernon first.”
Yuqi gasped, clutching her chest. “How dare you steal my best player?”
Vernon shrugged, clearly pleased. “I mean, I was always gonna be the first pick. No hard feelings.”
Yuqi rolled her eyes but grinned. “Alright then, I’m taking Mingyu.”
Mingyu smirked, stretching dramatically. “Good choice. I won’t let you down, Cap.”
Y/N’s eyes landed on Seungcheol, who was standing off to the side, hands in his pockets. There was a flicker of surprise when she said, “I’ll take Seungcheol.”
He blinked, then nodded, stepping up beside her. Yuqi, however, pouted. “No fair, you’re just picking people who know how to play.”
"Yeah," Y/N said smugly, "because I want to win."
Yuqi huffed and turned toward the rest of the group. "Fine. Hana, you’re with me."
Hana blinked. “I don’t even know the rules.”
"Doesn’t matter, just run when I tell you to."
The picks continued until the teams were settled, and Y/N’s dad grinned at the group. “Alright, let’s keep it simple—first to three goals wins. No tackling, no crying, and no complaining when you lose.”
"Yeah, yeah," Yuqi muttered, rolling her shoulders. "Hope you’re ready to lose, Y/N."
Y/N smirked. “We’ll see about that.”
And just like that, the game was on. The earlier tension of the night began to fade as they got lost in the competition, laughter and shouts echoing through the yard. For a while, it was just them, playing under the night sky, forgetting all the drama that had come before.
The game started off lighthearted, full of laughter and teasing, but as soon as the ball got rolling—literally—the competition kicked up a notch.
Vernon, true to form, was smooth and unbothered, casually maneuvering the ball like he had all the time in the world. Y/N found herself laughing as he dodged Yuqi’s dramatic attempts to steal the ball, barely exerting any effort.
"Vernon, move your ass!" Y/N called as she ran alongside him.
He grinned. “Relax, I got this.”
And to be fair, he did—until Mingyu came barreling toward him, all power and determination. He intercepted the ball with an almost theatrical slide, sending it flying toward Hana, who yelped and accidentally deflected it straight to Seungcheol.
Seungcheol barely hesitated before taking off down the makeshift field, dribbling effortlessly. Y/N kept up with him easily, laughing under her breath. “Show-off.”
He smirked. “You picked me for a reason.”
Mingyu was on them in an instant, determined to steal the ball back. “Come on, Cheol, let’s see what you got.”
Seungcheol didn’t bite at first, sidestepping Mingyu easily, but Mingyu was persistent, trying to block his path at every turn. It quickly became obvious that this wasn’t just about the game—at least not for Mingyu.
"Are you two good?" Y/N asked, raising a brow.
Mingyu didn’t answer, focusing entirely on Seungcheol, who finally exhaled sharply and passed the ball to Y/N instead of fighting him off.
Y/N barely had time to react before Mingyu was on her, his grin widening. “Sorry, princess, but I can’t let you score that easily.”
She scoffed, dribbling the ball backward. “First of all, don’t call me that. Second of all, just try to stop me.”
Challenge accepted. Mingyu lunged, but Y/N was faster, twisting away from him and sending the ball straight to Vernon, who—completely oblivious to the underlying competition—cheerfully kicked it into the makeshift goal.
“Boom,” Vernon announced, throwing his arms up. “That’s how it’s done.”
Yuqi groaned, hands on her hips. “You’re all the worst.”
Hana, who had been mostly running aimlessly, threw her hands up. “Did we just lose?”
“Yes,” Yuqi deadpanned.
While Y/N’s team celebrated, Mingyu ruffled his hair, clearly annoyed but trying to hide it with a good-natured pout. Seungcheol, meanwhile, gave Y/N a nod, like he was genuinely proud of her goal.
She caught Mingyu’s gaze, and he immediately wiped the pout off his face, giving her a small smile instead. “Fine. I’ll admit it. You played well.”
Y/N smirked, hands on her hips. “Took you long enough.”
Vernon clapped a hand on both Seungcheol and Mingyu’s shoulders. “See? That was fun. No drama, just a good game.”
Mingyu let out a short laugh. “Yeah. No drama.”
Seungcheol just shook his head, chuckling. “Sure.”
Yuqi groaned dramatically. “Alright, now that my ego is completely crushed, can we go inside? I need more to drink.”
Y/N’s dad, who had been watching the game with an amused expression, raised the whiskey bottle. “Now that’s something I can get behind.”
With that, the group headed inside, still catching their breath from the game, but the tension—not just from the game, but from the entire night—felt a little lighter. At least for now.
As they made their way inside, still laughing and breathless from the game, the lingering tension from earlier felt distant—at least until they stepped into the living room.
Y/N’s mom and Seungcheol’s dad were still going at it, though their voices had dropped to a lower, more pointed tone. It wasn’t full-on yelling anymore, but the passive-aggressive digs were just as sharp.
“I just think it’s in poor taste to air out old wounds in front of company,” Y/N’s mom was saying, arms crossed.
Seungcheol’s dad scoffed. “Oh, and you think shutting down the conversation completely is better? Ignoring things doesn’t make them go away.”
Y/N rolled her eyes and exchanged a glance with Vernon’s mom, who mouthed, Again?
“We literally just played a whole soccer match, and you guys are still at it?” Yuqi asked loudly, flopping onto the couch. “You have way more stamina than us.”
Y/N’s dad, still holding the whiskey bottle, walked past the two bickering parents and smacked Seungcheol’s dad on the back with a hearty thud before raising his eyebrows at his wife. “I think that’s enough history lesson for one night, don’t you?”
Seungcheol’s dad exhaled sharply, clearly frustrated, but he relented, running a hand through his hair. “Fine.”
Y/N’s mom took a slow sip of her wine, still visibly annoyed, but when her gaze flickered to Y/N—sweaty from the game, clearly exhausted—she sighed and waved a dismissive hand. “Whatever. I need another drink.”
Vernon’s dad clapped his hands together, ever the peacemaker. “Now that is something we can all agree on. Let’s cool off and move on, yeah?”
There was a collective murmur of agreement as everyone settled back into the living room. Mingyu dramatically collapsed onto the floor, arms spread wide. “I’m dead. That game fucking killed me.”
Seungcheol scoffed, grabbing a drink off the table. “You were the one playing like your life depended on it.”
Mingyu smirked up at him. “Gotta put on a show, right?”
Y/N rolled her eyes but smiled, plopping down on the couch next to Vernon, who was still stretching lazily. “So what now?” she asked.
Her dad, ever the instigator of fun, grinned. “Well, since we’re all in need of a distraction, I think it’s time for karaoke.”
A collective groan filled the room, but Y/N’s mom suddenly perked up, clearly pleased. “Finally, a good suggestion.”
Vernon’s mom leaned over to Y/N and whispered, “She’s going to make everyone sing, you know.”
Y/N sighed dramatically. “Yeah. We’re doomed.”
But as someone passed around drinks and Vernon’s dad set up the karaoke machine, Y/N had to admit—it was exactly what they needed. Because, for now at least, the night was about to be fun.
The first few rounds of karaoke started off easy—low-pressure group performances that had everyone singing along from the couches. Vernon’s mom and dad kicked it off with an overly passionate duet that had everyone crying from laughter, and even Y/N’s mom, still holding onto the last shreds of her irritation, got roped into a classic ballad with Vernon’s mom.
As the drinks kept flowing and the tension fully melted away, people started getting bolder.
“Alright, alright,” Yuqi announced, scrolling through the song choices. “Who’s brave enough for a solo?”
“Vernon,” Mingyu said immediately, grinning.
Vernon looked up lazily from his spot on the couch, blinking. “Huh?”
“Yeah, Vernon, come on!” Y/N added, nudging him with her foot.
He sighed dramatically but stood up, taking the mic. “Fine. But I’m picking my own song.”
A few moments later, the opening chords of an early 2000s R&B song played through the speakers. As soon as Vernon started singing—way too seriously for the ridiculous song choice—everyone lost it.
“No way,” Seungcheol wheezed, covering his face.
Mingyu was on the floor, hitting the carpet. “Vernon, please. You are too smooth for this.”
But Vernon just smirked and kept going, fully committing, even throwing in an over-the-top body roll that made Yuqi scream.
By the time he finished, the whole room was in chaos. Vernon plopped back onto the couch like nothing happened, taking a sip of his drink. “See? That’s how it’s done.”
Y/N shook her head, laughing. “I love you forever for embarrassing yourself to others benefits.”
The night carried on like that—terrible duets, impassioned solos, Yuqi forcing Hana into a girl group performance, and even Y/N’s dad getting up at one point to belt out a rock ballad from his youth.
It wasn’t until the mic got passed to Mingyu that things took a turn.
“I think I need a partner for this one,” he announced, scrolling through the song choices. Then, with a too-confident grin, he turned to Y/N. “What do you say?”
Y/N raised an eyebrow. “Depends. What are we singing?”
The answer came in the form of the opening notes of an overly romantic duet.
Immediately, Vernon groaned. “Fuck. Oh no.”
Seungcheol, who had been casually sipping his drink, suddenly sat up a little straighter.
Y/N shot Mingyu a pointed look, but he just grinned. “Come on, Y/N. It’s just for fun.”
And maybe it was the drinks, or maybe it was the lingering adrenaline from the game, but she rolled her eyes and took the mic. “Fine. But if you get too into it, I’m fucking walking off.”
Mingyu just smirked. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
As the song started, Y/N did her best to play it cool, but Mingyu—ever the showman—was fully leaning into it. He sang with just enough charm to make it feel playful, but when he turned to look at her during the chorus, there was something just slightly too sincere in his expression.
Y/N felt a flicker of something, but before she could process it, the song ended, and the room erupted into cheers and whistles.
Mingyu turned to her with a triumphant grin. “Told you it’d be fun.”
Y/N shook her head, handing off the mic. “You’re ridiculous.”
But as she was about to sit back down, she caught Seungcheol’s gaze from across the room. He wasn’t smiling, not really. Instead, he just looked thoughtful. Like there was something on his mind.
And maybe it was just the buzz from the wine, but Y/N had a feeling that despite all the distractions, nothing had really been settled tonight. She just needed some time to herself, so she just excused it as a bathroom break and went up to her room.
Y/N barely heard the sound of the music and laughter downstairs as she sat on the edge of her bed, elbows resting on her knees. The weight of the evening pressed down on her—not unbearable, but enough to make her seek the silence of her room.
She wasn’t sure why it hit her now. Maybe it was the teasing, the way people kept making comments about her and Mingyu like it was inevitable. Maybe it was how Seungcheol had been looking at her, quiet and unreadable. Maybe it was just exhaustion from navigating the minefield that was their families.
Y/N had finally stolen a moment to herself, tucked away in the quiet of her bed sheets, the muffled sounds of karaoke and laughter still drifting up from downstairs. She let out a slow breath, swirling the wine in her glass before taking a sip. The night had been exhausting in ways she couldn’t quite put into words—so much tension, so many emotions simmering just beneath the surface.
She had barely closed her eyes to decompress when there was a soft knock at the door, followed by it creaking open.
“Shit. Sorry—oh! This isn’t the bathroom.”
Y/N blinked, turning to see Hana standing in the doorway, looking mildly surprised but not exactly embarrassed.
“No, definitely not the bathroom,” Y/N said, trying to muster up a polite smile despite the slight awkwardness of the situation.
Hana lingered for a second, her gaze flicking between Y/N and the glass of wine in her hand before she sighed. “I was gonna pretend I wasn’t lost, but I have no idea where anything is in this house.”
Y/N huffed a small laugh. “It’s a bit of a maze. Bathroom’s the next door down.”
“Right. Thanks.” But Hana didn’t leave immediately. Instead, she hesitated, glancing over her shoulder toward the hallway before stepping fully inside and shutting the door behind her. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but… are you okay?”
Y/N stiffened slightly, caught off guard. “Oh.. Yeah, I’m fine. Just needed a breather.”
Hana hummed, unconvinced. “That’s fair. Nights like these can be a lot.”
Y/N took another sip of her wine, studying Hana more closely now. She was still a little baffled by the whole dynamic—this woman, younger than Seungcheol’s dad by a mile, thrown into the chaos of their families’ mess without fully realizing what she’d walked into.
“You don’t have to babysit me,” Y/N said after a moment, giving her a knowing look.
Hana smiled. “Oh, trust me, I’m not. I know you can handle yourself well. Seungcheol filled me in on his friends. I just figured… I know what it’s like to be stuck in the middle of things you didn’t ask for.” She leaned against the wall, arms crossed loosely. “I can tell this whole night has been a lot for you.”
Y/N huffed a quiet laugh, shaking her head. “You have no idea.”
Hana smirked. “I have some idea. I mean, your mom hates me, so there’s that.”
Y/N winced. “She doesn’t—”
“You’re too nice, Y/n. She does,” Hana said, laughing lightly. “It’s fine, I get it. She thinks I’m tacky.”
Y/N stayed quiet, because she couldn’t exactly deny it.
Hana sighed, her amusement fading into something more thoughtful. “Look, I don’t know everything that’s gone down between your families, but from what I’ve seen tonight, it’s complicated.”
“That’s an understatement,” Y/N muttered.
Hana nodded. “I just wanted to say, whatever it is—whatever weight you’re carrying from all of it—you don’t have to let it define you. I spent too long caring about what other people thought, trying to fix things that weren’t mine to fix. At some point, you just have to live your life for yourself.”
Y/N blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in her voice. She wasn’t sure what she had expected from this conversation, but it wasn’t this.
Hana smiled, pushing off the wall. “Anyway, I should probably go find that bathroom before they send a search party for me.”
Just as Hana turned to leave, Y/N found herself speaking before she could think twice about it.
“You can just use mine if you want,” she offered, nodding toward the door on the other side of her room. “It’s just through there.”
Hana paused mid-step, surprised by the offer. Then, a small, appreciative smile tugged at her lips. “Oh. Thanks, that’s… actually really nice of you.”
Y/N shrugged, shifting on the bed. “Figured it saves you from wandering into another wrong door. And, you know, from dealing with any more judgmental stares tonight.”
Hana let out a short laugh, shaking her head as she made her way toward the en-suite bathroom. “You’re not wrong about that.”
As she disappeared inside, Y/N took another slow sip of her wine, rolling Hana’s words around in her head. At some point, you just have to live your life for yourself.
Easier said than done. But maybe, just maybe, it was something worth considering.
A few minutes passed, and when Hana reemerged, she looked a little more relaxed, wiping her hands on a small towel. She lingered near the door for a moment before glancing at Y/N.
"You know," Hana started, crossing her arms as she leaned against the frame. "I wasn’t expecting tonight to be this intense. I heard a lot of stories about your family and you, nothing bad. Just a lot about expectations, stuff like that."
Y/N huffed out a laugh, swirling the wine in her glass. "Yeah, welcome to my life. Family gatherings always come with a side of chaos."
Hana tilted her head slightly, studying her. "You promise okay, though?"
Y/N hesitated. It wasn’t exactly a simple answer. "I’m used to it," she admitted instead. "Which, I guess, doesn’t mean I like it, but…" She trailed off, not really sure how to explain the complicated mix of emotions that came with being here, with dealing with her mom, with facing Seungcheol and everything that still lingered between them.
Hana nodded like she understood anyway. “That’s how it is sometimes. Families have their own way of making things complicated.” She exhaled, glancing toward the door. "For what it’s worth, I don’t think your mom hates me as much as she pretends to. But she definitely thinks I’m a joke."
Y/N winced slightly. "She has… opinions."
Hana smirked. "That’s one way to put it." She took a step toward the door but then turned back, looking more thoughtful. "I meant what I said earlier. You can’t live your life trying to keep up with everyone else’s expectations. You’ll drive yourself crazy."
Y/N looked down at her wine glass, then back up at Hana. "And you? Are you doing that?"
Hana smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Trying. Some days are easier than others."
Hana leaned against the doorframe of Y/N’s room, arms crossed, watching as Y/N poured her a glass of water after offering her the bathroom.
“You don’t have to be so nice to me, you know,” Hana said with a soft chuckle.
Y/N handed her the glass with a small smirk. “Yeah, I know. It’s not that I have to, I want to. You’ve given me no reason to be anything other than nice.”
Hana laughed, shaking her head as she took a sip. “Fair enough.” She sat down on the edge of Y/N’s bed, letting out a deep breath. “You know, I’ve always been a little curious about you. Seungcheol doesn’t talk much about the past, and his dad sure as hell never stops talking about himself. But I could tell from the moment I walked in that there’s history here.”
Y/N sat down across from her, raising an eyebrow. “History is one way to put it.”
Hana swirled the water in her glass, considering her next words carefully. “I don’t mean to pry, but I feel like you’re the kind of person people talk about more than they actually listen to. And I don’t want to be one of those people.” She paused before adding, “So if I ask you something personal, would you answer honestly?”
Y/N hesitated, caught off guard by how genuine Hana sounded. Most people tiptoed around her past or filled in their own blanks, but Hana was different. Maybe it was the fact that she wasn’t really a part of their world—she had no stakes in the old friendships, the unspoken rivalries, or the lingering feelings.
“…Depends on the question,” Y/N finally said, tilting her head slightly.
Hana smiled, setting her glass down. “Alright. What’s the one thing you wish people actually understood about you?”
Y/N’s breath hitched slightly. That wasn’t what she expected—not about Seungcheol, not about the past, but her.
She swallowed, glancing down at her hands. “That I didn’t ask for any of this,” she admitted. “That I didn’t want to be the center of anyone’s drama. That I never wanted to leave my old school, or lose friendships, or have people define me by something that happened to me instead of who I actually am.”
Hana nodded, her expression thoughtful. “I figured,” she said softly. “People like to turn real lives into stories they can talk about over drinks. But that’s not fair to you.”
Y/N exhaled, feeling a strange sense of relief at hearing someone say it so plainly. “Yeah,” she murmured. “It’s not.”
Hana watched her carefully for a moment before a small smirk played on her lips. “Okay, next question. One a little less heavy.”
Y/N raised a skeptical brow. “Go on.”
Hana grinned. “Who’s the one guy downstairs you really want to impress?”
Y/N groaned, flopping back onto her bed. “Oh, come the fuck on.”
Hana just laughed, waiting for her answer.
Y/N groaned, flopping back onto her bed, staring at the ceiling as if it could somehow provide an easy way out of answering. “That’s a dangerous question.”
Hana laughed, shifting to sit cross-legged on the bed. “Oh, come on. It’s just between us.”
Y/N sighed, her fingers picking at a loose thread on her sweater. “Honestly… I don’t know if I want to impress anyone like that.”
Hana tilted her head. “What do you mean?”
Y/N let out a slow breath. “I mean, I care about them—Mingyu, Seungcheol, even Vernon in his own oblivious way—but I don’t know if I want to mess anything up. We all have this thing going, this balance. And if I pick one, or even think about it too much, everything could change.”
Hana nodded slowly, her expression knowing. “Ah. You’re scared of ruining what you already have.”
“Exactly,” Y/N admitted, pressing her lips together. “It’s not just about feelings. It’s about everything. History, friendship, trust… I don’t want to lose what we have just because I can’t figure out what I want.”
Hana smiled softly. “That’s smart. But you know, sometimes change isn’t a bad thing.”
Y/N turned her head to look at her. “Yeah?”
Hana shrugged. “Yeah. The right person will fit into your life without making it feel like you’re losing anything. But I get it. Timing is everything.”
Y/N hummed, considering that. Maybe Hana had a point. Maybe she was overthinking. Or maybe she just wasn’t ready. Either way, she wasn’t about to rush into something just because people were waiting for her to make a choice.
Hana patted her knee before standing up. “Well, if nothing else, you’ve got options,” she teased. “And options are never a bad thing.”
Y/N huffed a small laugh, rolling her eyes. “Yeah, yeah.”
Hana winked. “I better get going before they think I’m up here stealing stuff from your medicine cabinet.”
Hana paused at the door, then smirked as if a ridiculous thought had just crossed her mind. She turned back to Y/N, eyes twinkling with mischief. “You know,” she said, drawing out the words, “if you did end up with Seungcheol, that would technically make me your step-mother-in-law.”
Y/N’s face contorted in horror. “Oh my fucking God.”
Hana burst into laughter at Y/N’s reaction, clearly enjoying herself. “I mean, I’d be a cool step-mother-in-law. You could totally come to me for relationship advice, family drama, all of it.”
Y/N groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Please stop talking.”
Hana only grinned wider. “Too late. It’s in your head now.” Then, almost as an afterthought, she added, “Not to mention, it’s official. Seungcheol’s dad and I are getting married.”
Y/N’s head shot up. “Wait—what?”
But before Hana could respond, there was a noise from the hallway. They both turned just as Vernon appeared in the doorway, looking vaguely uncomfortable, one hand rubbing the back of his neck. “Uh. Sorry to interrupt, but your mom sent me up to… I don’t know, say goodnight? Or whatever fancy rich people do.”
Y/N blinked. “You heard that, didn’t you?”
Vernon hesitated for half a second. “Absolutely.”
Hana, completely unfazed, just grinned. “Congrats, you’re one of the first to know. Guess I should go tell your parents before they hear it from the wrong person, huh?”
Vernon opened his mouth, then shut it, then just pointed at her. “I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear anything.”
Y/N groaned again, falling back onto her bed. “Tonight just keeps getting better.”
Hana chuckled as she made her way toward the door, patting Vernon on the shoulder as she passed. “Good luck with that,” she teased before disappearing down the hall.
Vernon hesitated for a second before stepping fully into Y/N’s room, leaning against the doorframe. “So… are we just gonna act like that didn’t happen?”
Y/N sighed, staring up at the ceiling. “Oh, I fully intend to pretend none of this conversation ever existed.”
Vernon snorted and walked further inside, plopping himself down on the edge of her bed. “Man. Seungcheol’s gonna love that one.”
Y/N rolled onto her side to glare at him. “You are not telling him.”
Vernon held his hands up in surrender. “I mean, I wasn’t going to immediately, but now that you’re forbidding it, I kind of have to.”
Y/N groaned, covering her face with a pillow. “I hate you.”
Vernon just laughed. “No, you don’t.”
They sat there in comfortable silence for a moment before Vernon’s voice softened. “You good, though? You kinda disappeared earlier.”
Y/N peeked out from behind the pillow, suddenly feeling the weight of the night settle back onto her shoulders. “Yeah. I just needed a second.”
Vernon nodded like he understood, and he probably did. “I get that.” He nudged her foot lightly. “You wanna go back down, or do you need more time?”
Y/N considered it. She could still hear the faint sounds of conversation drifting up from downstairs—voices that had finally calmed, laughter starting to take over the earlier tension. Maybe it was safe to return.
Vernon didn’t leave right away. Instead, he lingered by the door for a moment before stepping back inside and sitting on the floor, leaning against the bed frame.
“You know,” he started, tilting his head back against the mattress, “we could just hide out here for a little longer. I don’t think anyone’s really looking for us.”
Y/N huffed out a laugh, crossing her arms over her knees. “Except maybe my mom, who sent you up here in the first place.”
Vernon shrugged. “I’ll just say you fell asleep. I think she’d let it slide after everything tonight.”
Y/N let her gaze drift toward the ceiling, her mind still reeling from her conversation with Hana. “She asked me something earlier. Hana.”
Vernon turned his head slightly. “Yeah?”
“She asked me why I wasn’t with anyone,” Y/N admitted. She twisted the hem of her sleeve between her fingers. “Like, why I wasn’t dating any of you.”
Vernon raised a brow, but he didn’t say anything, just letting her talk.
“And I didn’t know how to answer.” Y/N swallowed, the weight of it settling in her chest. “I mean, I do—kind of. I just don’t think I want to ruin anything. Not with Mingyu, not with Seungcheol.” She hesitated, then added, “Not with you.”
Vernon blinked, his lips pressing together in a way that told her he was holding back a reaction. It wasn’t often that he got caught off guard, but something about the way she said not with you had landed differently.
“You think it’d ruin things?” he asked after a beat, voice quieter now.
Y/N turned to look at him fully. “Wouldn’t it?”
Vernon held her gaze for a second before looking away, tapping his fingers against his knee. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
A beat passed before he exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. “You know, our parents always thought we’d end up together.”
Y/N let out a short laugh, more of a scoff. “Yeah. I know.”
He gave her a look. “You say that like it was a bad thing.”
“It wasn’t,” Y/N admitted, shrugging. “But it was kind of annoying, don’t you think? Every time we were together, someone’s mom would make a joke about us getting married one day.”
Vernon smirked. “That’s because you followed me around everywhere.”
Y/N scoffed. “I did not.”
“You literally used to cry if I left you behind.”
She groaned, covering her face with her hands. “Why do you remember everything embarrassing about me?”
“Because I love holding it over your head,” he said with a grin. But then his expression softened, and he nudged her foot with his own. “You know, I don’t think our parents were crazy for thinking it, though.”
Y/N dropped her hands, eyes flicking to his. “Why?”
Vernon tilted his head, as if the answer was obvious. “Because you and me? We just work. We always have.”
The words settled between them, heavier than she expected. Because the thing was—he was right. They did just work.
And maybe that was why the idea of anything more scared her the most.
Y/N sighed. “I don’t think I’m ready for any of it. Not really.”
Vernon nodded, as if he understood something she didn’t even say out loud. “That’s fair.”
Another pause. Then, Vernon leaned back on his palms and smiled slightly. “Guess that means I don’t have to fight anyone over you, huh?”
Y/N rolled her eyes, but there was no bite behind it. “As if you would.”
Vernon smirked. “I don’t know. I’d be a pretty strong contender.”
Y/N just laughed, shaking her head. “Yeah, yeah. Sure, Vern.”
He grinned, nudging her knee with his own before standing up. “Alright. We should probably go back down before someone actually does come looking for us.”
Y/N sighed but nodded, following him to the door. As they stepped into the hallway, she felt a little lighter, a little less tangled in everything.
Because even if nothing was certain—about her, about them, about any of it—at least she had this. And for now, that was enough.
As Y/N and Vernon rejoined the group, the conversation had settled into something calmer. The tension from earlier was still there, lingering beneath the surface, but the playful competitiveness from the game outside had softened everyone.
“I thought you guys were coming right back,” Mingyu said, eyeing them with mild suspicion.
“Got caught up talking,” Vernon answered easily, sliding into an open seat.
Y/N’s mom, now nursing what was likely her last glass of wine for the night, glanced at her daughter before exhaling. “Well, now that everyone’s here, I suppose we can start winding down.”
Seungcheol’s dad and Hana had reappeared at some point, looking slightly less at odds with Y/N’s mom than before. Hana caught Y/N’s eye and gave her a small, knowing smile—one that Y/N wasn’t sure how to read yet.
“Should we go sit out in the garden again?” Yuqi suggested, stretching. “It’s nice out.”
Vernon’s mom clapped her hands together. “Now that sounds like a good idea. A proper way to end the night.”
With murmurs of agreement, everyone slowly made their way outside again. The cool night air was a welcome contrast to the heat lingering from their earlier game. Someone had lit a few lanterns around the patio, casting a soft golden glow over the garden.
Y/N found herself gravitating toward the same bench she’d sat on earlier, though this time, she wasn’t alone for long.
Seungcheol sank down beside her, silent for a moment. Then, he glanced at her with the barest hint of a smirk. “I guess I owe you a drink this time.”
Y/N huffed a laugh. “That’s how you see it?”
He tilted his head, considering. “I see it as... us looking out for each other.”
She let his words hang between them for a second before nodding. “Yeah. I guess we are.”
Across the garden, Vernon was talking animatedly with his mom and dad, Yuqi listening in with an amused expression. Mingyu sat on the stone ledge, watching the conversation with mild interest, though his gaze flicked to Y/N more often than not.
Y/N exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of everything settle. Tonight had been a lot. But maybe, just maybe, it was exactly what they’d all needed.
The conversation in the garden eventually slowed into a comfortable lull, everyone basking in the night air and the fading adrenaline from earlier. The tension of the evening had thinned out, leaving behind a kind of quiet understanding between them all—messy, unspoken, but real.
Seungcheol, still beside Y/N on the bench, stretched his legs out in front of him. “Guess we survived the night,” he muttered, half to himself.
“Barely,” she quipped, nudging him lightly with her elbow.
A ghost of a smile flickered across his lips, but neither of them said anything more. It was one of those moments where words weren’t really needed.
Eventually, Vernon’s mom stood, clapping her hands together. “Alright, boys, time to get going. We’re not about to be the houseguests that overstay their welcome.”
Vernon groaned but got up anyway. “Ugh, fine. I guess I’ll see you in the morning, then?” He turned to Y/N, expectant.
“Yeah,” she said, standing with him. “I’ll walk you guys out.”
Seungcheol followed suit, ruffling his hair before muttering something about grabbing his jacket. Y/N trailed after them toward the front of the house, where Vernon's dad was already pulling on his coat, still chatting with Y/N’s dad.
The goodbyes were casual—Vernon making some dumb joke about Y/N missing him too much before she could even try to argue, Seungcheol giving her a small nod that carried more weight than it should have. She didn’t press for anything more. They’d all had enough for one night.
As the front door shut behind them, Y/N exhaled, rolling her shoulders back. Just as she turned to head upstairs, Hana appeared at her side, arms crossed loosely.
"You survived," Hana teased lightly, her gaze warm.
"Yeah," Y/N replied, then hesitated before adding, "Thanks for earlier. I know this wasn’t exactly the smoothest night, but… I really enjoyed talking to you."
Hana smiled, something almost knowing in her expression. "Anytime. And hey, don’t overthink things too much, alright? You’re allowed to take your time figuring things out."
Y/N huffed a quiet laugh. "Easier said than done."
"Trust me, I know," Hana said. Then, after a beat, she gave Y/N’s shoulder a light squeeze. “Get some rest. You’ve got another long day tomorrow. And luckily, I’ll be here if you need me. Sometimes it’s easier talking to someone who isn’t involved but wants the best for you.”
Y/N nodded, watching as Hana made her way back toward the living room, where the last few stragglers were finishing up their drinks.
With a final glance toward the front door, Y/N turned and headed upstairs, letting the night settle around her.
As the night settled into silence and Y/N finally curled up under her blankets, her phone buzzed on her nightstand. She groaned, rolling over and squinting at the screen.
A Twitter notification.
She unlocked her phone and tapped on the post, eyes adjusting to the brightness as she read the latest update from the ever-present campus gossip page:
@gossipgw:
DID EVERYONE JUST DECIDE TO GO MIA OR?? 👀 Y’all… not a single sighting of Y/N, SC, M, or V tonight. Last we checked, Miss Y/N was dragging her lil entourage home with her. Something’s up. DROP THE TEA ☕ #WhereAreTheyNow**
Y/N groaned, shoving her face into her pillow. Of course. They couldn’t even have one chaotic family dinner without people speculating.
As if on cue, her phone buzzed again—this time, a text.
[Vernon ]: bet ur missing me already. get some sleep, dummy.
Y/N exhaled a small laugh, shaking her head before typing back.
[Y/N]: pls. go bother ur mom instead. goodnight loser.
She tossed her phone onto the mattress beside her and shut her eyes, exhaustion finally pulling her under.
The night had been a mess, but at least it was theirs.
And tomorrow? That was another story waiting to happen.
note: hi omg sorry this took me a second. i ended up writing way too much of this vacation and ultimately decided to split it into two parts 🫠. but i hope u enjoy part one of getting into y/ns family life and such. the next part will be posted by friday/saturday-ish. (i'm bad at timing this but yk.) ily xoxo.
synopsis: y/n while in her third year at greenwood international university finally gets an opportunity to move off campus into a new complex, she has to deal with the realization that her childhood rival is her new next door neighbor.
paring: seungcheol x fem! reader.
feat: non-idol! svt, other passing idols ykyk.
genre/s: reader is super oblivious, fluffy, sexual themes.
content: swearing, mentions of sexual relations, some drinking& mary jane 🍃
updates: weekly
tag list - open
masterlist ▸ 15. what? like miss america? ▸ 17. loose lips, locked eyes.
note: hii <3 hope ur all having a nice week and staying healthy ik sm ppl getting sick rn and absolutely not. i'll prob have two more uploads within the next few days just to catch up for some time lost and bc i'll be off school!! next time will be a written chapter mainly of their lil weekend away etc. yk the vibes. which who knows who tf thatll go hehe. ily. xoxo.
synopsis: y/n while in her third year at greenwood international university finally gets an opportunity to move off campus into a new complex, she has to deal with the realization that her childhood rival is her new next door neighbor.
paring: seungcheol x fem! reader.
feat: non-idol! svt, other passing idols ykyk.
genre/s: reader is super oblivious, fluffy, sexual themes.
content: swearing, mentions of sexual relations, some drinking& mary jane 🍃
updates: weekly
tag list - open
masterlist ▸ 14. wtf is happening?▸ 16. champagne problems
note: hiii omg sorry this took a hot second school has been v busy lately, but after wedesday i have a bit of a nice break (well needed lol) and will have sm uploads for you over the next two weeks!! soonyoung is also my personal choice for top bestie but yk. biased. xoxo
