Chan and Minho would be so gentle with your plushies, arranging them deligently when they tidy up and placing one close when you fall asleep so you can easily grab it and hold it close.
Changbin and Jeongin would do little picnics with you and get you pretty blankets that match each season and a variety of temperatures, so you can sit comfortably outside whenever you want.
Hyunjin and Seungmin would do colouring books with you, argue about colour combinations, as well as encourage you to use your favourites as often as possible, and get you pretty notebooks and silly stickers.
Jisung and Felix would clumsily play ball games and climb on tress with you where you can rest hidden from the world but with a good view of it.
Summary :: A marriage neither of you wanted nor accepted. Years of side eyes and unwanted insults. But when love is born, Everything changes.
Warnings :: kisses, parent neglect, arranged marriage, forced marriage etc
Authors note :: as I said I am improving. And oh my god lee minho. Thats it. Oh my god lee minho
''Can I?'' He asked while gently stroking her cheek. Minho has always been gentle with her. He knew that she needs and deserves it. Y/N gently nodded and allowed Minho to kiss her. He smiled and pulled her face a little closer and kissed her.
The kiss was passionate yet so soft. As if she was made of glass, like she would break because of a wrong touch or word. His hands were caressing her cheek. Their lips were moving as if they were magnets which connected after eternities.
All her pain seem to melt away as he kissed her under the mistletoe. She always thought that kissing under the mistletoe was a myth. But he proved her wrong. Christmas never felt so.. better. All the christmases that her parents ruined by pressuring her to study or not letting her enjoy herself. The last christmas they wanted to marry her off to a man who was cold and rich.
The only thing they ever thought about was,money. Not their daughter. She was scared about how her future husband would be. But, she never thought she would be this lucky and marry this man standing before her. Kissing her. Even though at first, she was so close to Taking a knife to his throat, he never lost patience. Minho proved to her that christmas is all about spending time with our loved ones.
She never had a loved one. Until he came. He made her feel like she is cared about. And she made a promise to herself to treat him the same. The day that he smiled at her, genuinely was her birthday this year.
They never clicked before. But, now? They both realised they just didnt talk and learn about each other. Whenever they meet their parents, he puts his arm around her waist to seem like they both were happy. But now, he does it because he loves her.
She made him realise that love doesnt only come from our parents. Minho always thought that no one would love him. But She, somehow, stole his heart.
They both pulled away from each other. Stared into each others eyes Lovingly. Minho gently patted her head as she giggled.
He made find her true self. The cheerful girl that once turned into darkness because of her parents. But he made her the cheerful girl again. Getting excited when the main characters meet in a movie. Smiling giddily when she sees her favourite food on the table. The only thing he wanted for Y/N was for her to feel like herself.
He is always gonna be reminding her to be herself. He is always gonna be there, and thats certain.
''That was awesome min.'' She said, still out of breath. Minho chuckled looking at her was more like looking at a kitten. ''Yeah that was indeed awesome. But, not more than you dove.''
Minho said looking into her eyes. She looked at his face and kissed his cheek on her tippy toes. He kisses her forehead as she giggles. ''Stop it!'' Y/N says as she hits Minho's chest playfully. He winces dramatically and whines.
''Its cold! Lets go inside. I want hot chocolate.'' Y/N says rubbing her arms to stop shivering. Minho looks at her and the door, ''Yeah sure. I miss my cats anyway.''
''So you dont miss me?''
''I didnt mean it that way you know it baby.''
''All men do is lie''
''I DIDNT LIE—''
''Yeah sure sure.''
Minho and Y/N banter as they go inside. This all proves one thing, love will find us when we need it. Not when we want it. The love that blooms, not forcefully but genuinely, are stronger. Than those which are forced.
“I don’t show love the way they do. But I pay attention. I remember. And even when they don’t say a word — I already know how to love them back.” -🐰
<Prev entry Next entry>
Lee Know’s POV
Some days, I feel like the ghost in the room.
Not because they ignore me — no, they’re always around. Loud, laughing, affectionate in that easy way they all are. It’s just… sometimes I think they don’t see me the way I see them.
They think I don’t care. That I’m just blunt. Cold. Always pushing them away.
But that’s not fair.
I do care. So much that I get overwhelmed by it. I don’t say “I love you” like they do — I don’t have that kind of softness in my voice. But I show it. I’m trying. I always have been.
And sometimes, when they laugh like I’m the joke, or flinch when I’m just being honest, I wonder if they’ve already made up their minds about who I am.
I know I’m not the easiest person to read. But I wish they’d stop reading me like I’m a closed book.
So here it is.
This is how I love them. Even if they never ask. Even if they never fully understand.
Entry 1: 3rd October
Chan
Hyung is always checking on everyone — and somehow, no one ever checks on him the same way.
He says he’s fine. Always. Even when he’s clearly not.
I don’t ask a lot of questions. I just sit next to him when I know he’s tired. Bring him something warm. Make him eat. That’s how I show I care. He gets that. I think that’s why he never pushes me away.
He used to tell me he wasn’t sure if I liked him. I told him, “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”
Simple as that.
He needs someone who doesn’t make him talk to feel heard. That’s what I give him — quiet understanding. No pressure. No pity.
Just presence.
And sometimes, I catch him looking at me like he’s about to say thank you, but doesn’t know how. He doesn’t have to.
I already know.
Entry 2: 14th September
Jisung
Jisung wears his heart on his sleeve, even when he doesn’t want to.
He talks fast to cover the fact that he’s feeling too much. Laughs when he’s anxious. Makes jokes when he’s scared.
I used to tease him just to watch him flail — it was funny. But then I realized something: sometimes when he talks too much, it’s because he thinks no one’s listening.
So I started listening more. Really listening.
He’s smarter than people give him credit for. Sensitive in a way that makes him tough, not weak. He hides his panic in noise, but I’ve learned how to hear the silence underneath.
And when he’s quiet — really quiet — that’s when I sit next to him and let him lean against me. He won’t ask for affection, but he’ll sink into it like he’s starving for it.
He’s a lot of energy on the outside, but inside he just wants to feel safe.
I get that.
Entry 3: 20th March
Hyunjin
Hyunjin feels everything like it’s a storm.
Big love, big sadness, big reactions. And I used to think we were complete opposites. I’m guarded — he’s all open flame.
But the longer we’ve lived together, the more I’ve seen that he needs someone who won’t flinch when the emotions get too loud.
That’s where I come in.
He comes to me when he’s overwhelmed. When he’s doubting himself. When the world gets too loud and he doesn’t know how to slow down.
He doesn’t always speak. Sometimes he just lies on my floor, staring at the ceiling, breathing like he’s trying not to fall apart.
I let him be. I don’t ask questions. But I’ll hand him a snack. Put on music. Fold his laundry without saying anything.
Later, he’ll text me something like “you saved me today” and act like he didn’t mean it that dramatically.
But he did.
And I don’t need credit for it.
I just want him to feel steadier again.
Entry 4: 15th September
Felix
Lixie is warm in a way that makes everyone want to be near him.
But sometimes I wonder if he ever gets tired of giving so much. Of being the comfort for everyone else.
So I try to be the one who gives him comfort.
He comes into my room and curls up in a ball on my bed, like it’s his default setting. He won’t say he’s drained — but he’ll hum low, like a tired cat, and pull the blanket over his face.
I let him stay as long as he wants. I don’t touch unless he reaches out first.
Sometimes I give him space. Sometimes I let him play with my hair while we talk about dumb things. Sometimes he gets real quiet and says something like, “You know you’re one of the only people who makes me feel calm?”
He means it.
And I never tell him how much that means to me — but I always make room for him after that.
Always.
Entry 5: 11th August
Changbin
Bin acts like a tank, but he’s more like a big-hearted puppy in a muscle suit.
He’s loud, yeah. But he’s also the most sensitive out of all of us. You just wouldn’t know it unless you’re watching closely.
He talks tough, but the moment something small goes wrong, he spirals in his own head. That’s when he comes to me. Usually pretending he’s just looking for a snack. Or “checking on me.”
But I see through it.
So I make room on the couch. Play his playlist. Let him talk without teasing. When he’s done, I tell him I’m proud of him. Every time.
He acts like it’s no big deal. Shrugs it off. Flexes and says, “Yeah, I know.”
But he doesn’t know. Not really.
So I say it again. And again.
Because he deserves to hear it. And I know he hears it best when I say it quietly.
Entry 6: 22nd September
Seungmin
He thinks we’re the same. Emotionally constipated. Sarcastic. Blunt.
He’s not wrong.
But Seungmin has a softness under his teeth that most people don’t get to see. He hides it behind that dry wit and passive-aggressive smirk, but I’ve seen it slip through.
He cares a lot. Too much. So he guards himself by acting like nothing bothers him.
When he teases me, I tease back. But when I know something’s off, I’ll sit beside him and let the silence stretch. Sometimes I’ll poke his side. Sometimes I’ll just hand him a snack without looking at him.
He always takes it.
Sometimes, if the day was really hard, he’ll say, “Thanks,” in this soft voice that almost doesn’t sound like him.
That’s how I know I got through.
He won’t say it — not to me, not to anyone — but I know he loves all of us deeply. He just loves in the same way I do.
Careful. Wordless. Constant.
Entry 7: 8th February
Jeongin
Jeongin wants so badly to prove he’s grown.
He walks taller. Talks smoother. Keeps his tone cool, like he’s already past all the childish stuff.
But I still see it — the boy who used to peek into my room when he had a bad dream. The one who clung to me on his first tour and asked if he was doing okay.
He still comes around when he thinks no one’s paying attention. Still lingers at my door. Still calls me “hyung” in this quiet way when he needs something but doesn’t want to ask.
So I offer it without words.
I let him talk about his day. Let him argue with me about music. Let him win sometimes.
And when he dozes off beside me mid-conversation — which he always does — I pull the blanket over his shoulders and pretend I don’t notice him leaning in.
But I do.
He’s growing. He’s strong. But he still needs love. Still needs safety.
And I’ll always be that for him, even when he pretends he doesn’t need it anymore.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
A/N: This is centered around how he feels misunderstood by the others. He’s often seen as blunt, sarcastic, even aloof. But there’s a soft center under all that sharpness — one that’s careful, deeply loyal, and sometimes hurting in silence.
hey!! just wanted to say i really love your writing 🫶
any chance you'd ever write a leeknow x reader high school au? i feel like that would be so fun to read, especially from you!!
no pressure at all ofc, just wanted to throw the idea out there <3 thanks for all the fics you’ve already blessed us with!!
-From, a loyal fan of ur ffs🥹🥹🥹
first of all, thank you so so much!!you’re so sweet 🥲 i actually cranked this one out in a day surprisingly… i may or may not have crashed tumblr with this…
Coincidence?
leeminhox!f!reader high school au
Prologue: You’re always late. Always will be. But what happens when your lateness gives you a new crush? What will you do about it? More like, what will he do about it?
word count: 5.1k
warnings: fluff, lil angst, a bit of cursing, overprotective brother Heesung, sexual tension
——————————————————————————————————————————
You were going to be late.
Of course, you knew you were and still didn’t care. Everyday you woke up just early enough to actually get yourself ready, but still late enough to make you late for your first block. I mean, atleast you showed up at all, right?
As your snooze alarm blared for the fifth time this morning, you finally decided to give in and get up, later than you usually would. You let out a displeased groan, walking into your bathroom and picking up your toothbrush to brush your teeth, begrudgingly thinking about everything else you had to do today. Your mom gave you a whole list of errands to go and do after school for her, so she could finally sleep in. Your mom gave always felt bad for your mom, she continuously worked a 9-5 job, sometimes even taking the night shift on top of a dayshift. I mean, what do you expect? Shes a nurse. A damn good one at that.
You finally made your way up the stairs from the basement to try and find something to eat for breakfast. As you expected, your mom was already gone, leaving you a plate of waffles with a note that said “hurry and and try not to be TOO late today” , that was signed with a heart. Your brother, Heesung, had already left for school. Since he’s a senior, he has to report earlier than the other grades. You took the two soggy waffles and started eating them as you grabbed your keys and headed out the door. You threw your school bag into the backseat and turned your engine on to head off to school.
Your school was big, you swore you hadn’t even met half of the kids that go to your school because grade levels are usually split by classes. Upperclassmen are on the main floor, and underclassmen are on the second floor of the schools already huge layout. They split the grades even further by grouping all seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen into their own sections. And as a junior, you were extremely lucky you didn’t have to walk all the way up to the underclassmen areas. Let’s not talk about how late you were the first two years of high school…
When you walked into your first block, nobody paid any attention to you, as you regularly walked in late pretty much every single day. The teacher didn’t care too much, she was your favorite teacher in the building by far. She understood a lot of her students on a level many others didn’t. It wasn’t like she was a creep or anything, she just empathized with kids that had struggles and found them help. She was also a great teacher, and you had zero clue how she ended ip at your boring high school out of all the prestigious schools in your area.
You walk over to your seat, right next to your best friend Yunji.
“You know every day i countdown from 5 and you walk in the door at 1 every time” she says as you set your bag down next to you.
“Okay, Einstein did i miss anything??” You ask as you roll your eyes.
“Just a work day, actually do work today please. We have like twenty assignments due this week y/nnie” she says as she puts her nose down in her workbook again. You look at her desk, papers scattered everywhere and she looks like shes been awake for 24 hours.
Yunji had always been really smart, she worked really hard for her grades. But for you, it came naturally. You were never as organized or planned out as any other normal highschooler, you just paid attention in class and let the information sink in. There was no extra effort, no extra assignments, no stressful late night study sessions. Thats how your mom raised you. You’re very smart because your mom shoveled knowledge into your brain all throughout your childhood and you thank her eternally for that. But that doesn’t mean you two don’t know how to party. You’ve been to just a couple parties throughout high school, and it’s safe to say you and Yunji were the life of the party.
“Im gonna go to the restroom” you tell Yunji, she just nods as a response.
Then you ask the teacher, she obviously says yes, and you walk out the door and head to the restrooms. As you roam through the eerily quiet halls, you see two tall figures coming toward you on the other side of the hallway. As they come closer and closer, you realize its Heesung and one of his friends, Minho.
“‘Sup little sister” Heesung greets as he playfully pushes your head backwards.
“Hi Hee, skipping again??” You say as a smirk grows on your face as you look at how Minho is standing, akward and wanting to go back to class.
“Nope. Im just shocked you made it to school this early. Usually youre halfway into second block before you get here.” He says, which is blatantly untruthful (mostly).
“He’s lying. I get here during first block. Most of the time” You say, telling Minho, who has a concerned look on his face.
“You get to school late and you still have all A’s?? Wow.” Minho chimes in, looking between you and Heesung, like he’s judging Heesung.
“Okay just because i got ONE B doesn’t mean shes smarter than me, okay” Heesung says, very defensively toward Minho.
“Okay you two, now go back to class so i can go pee” You say very impatiently, you’ve had to pee this whole time and they’re just testing your patience.
“I’ll just keep you here longer then.” Minho says, slightly looking you up and down very judgementally.
“Thats fine, if you want me to piss on the floor.” You say, obviously annoyed with the little meetup you just participated in the middle of the hallway.
“Alright go, see ya at home y/nnie” Heesung says, giving Minho a subtle side-eye that you miss, because you’re already turned around walking to the restroom.
When you return to the classroom, you pull out only some of your papers to really get some work done, but you cant help but think about Minho. You’ve never really seen him around the school. Granted, he is a senior and you’ve only ever saw your own brother a handful of times in the hallways since he’s a senior. Youve never really noticed him at any parties and nobody you know ever really mentioned the name Minho ever.
You look over to your right and you see Yunji asleep and drooling on the final paper that she has to complete, so as a good friend, you don’t wake her up and you let her puddle of drool pool on her paper.
You sigh quietly and try to redirect your brain back to your unfinished assignment, but Minho’s voice keeps echoing in your head. “Wow.” Just that one word, like he was surprised, impressed, or maybe just plain confused.
You tap your pen against your paper and glance at the clock. Great. Still thirty minutes of class left, and your brain is completely checked out. You start scribbling down some answers on your first assignment, but they’re nothing serious more like doodles rather than real effort.
A soft snore escapes from Yunji beside you and the whole situation almost makes you laugh out loud. You nudge her arm gently.
“Mmm?” she mumbles, eyes still shut.
“Your paper’s drowning.”
She squints, sees the wet spot, and groans. “Kill me.”
“No thanks, I’d miss you too much.”
“You’re annoying,” she says, wiping her face and smearing her answers. “What happened? You were gone for like ten minutes.”
You shrug, not really sure how to explain why a thirty second hallway run in felt like it mattered. “I ran into Heesung. And one of his friends.”
“Which one?”
“Minho.”
Yunji raises an eyebrow. “The quiet one with the sharp jaw?”
“Sure?”
She hums suspiciously. “You’ve got that look.”
“What look?”
“The ‘I just found someone new to obsess over for the next six to eight business days’ look.”
You roll your eyes so hard it hurts. “Do not.”
“You do. I’ve known you too long.”
Before you can even argue, the bell rings. As students start packing up, the teacher calls out something about turning in progress forms by Friday and reminds the class that late work will be accepted “as long as there’s an effort.” You thank the universe for teachers like her. Without them, your GPA would probably be hanging on by a single, frayed thread.
You and Yunji walk out together, headed toward your lockers.
“I wonder if Minho is going to that party at Jina’s this weekend,” Yunji mentions casually, swinging her bag over her shoulder. “You know… in case you randomly wanted to brush your hair or wear real pants or something.”
You bump her with your elbow. “You’re insufferable.”
“And you’re predictable.”
You unlock your locker, already dreading the rest of the school day. The next two blocks are tolerable at best. But what really gets you is the idea that somewhere in the school, Minho’s probably just existing in a totally normal way, talking to friends, sitting in class, eating lunch. And yet your brain is already spinning.
You’re not even sure what it is about him. The way he stood so awkwardly while Heesung messed with you? The fact that he didn’t just ignore you like most of your brother’s friends? Or maybe… maybe it was the way he looked at you. Not like “Heesung’s little sister,” but just… you.
Whatever it was, your brain wasn’t letting go of it any time soon.
The next day, you somehow managed to wake up on time. Not early, but not embarrassingly late either. You even brushed your hair for more than five seconds and put on something slightly cuter than your usual bare minimum hoodie and sweats combo. You put on some cute low-rise dark jeans and a DIY cropped plain grey hoodie on. Not because of anyone in particular, obviously.
Yunji noticed the second she saw you.
“You curled your hair?” she asked, eyebrow raised.
“It’s called self-care,” you said, avoiding eye contact.
“Mhm. Self-care named Minho.”
“Shut up.”
You were both walking to second block together, chatting half heartedly about an upcoming quiz.
You turned the corner and there he was again.
Minho. Leaning against the wall outside a classroom, arms crossed, airpods in, backpack slung low over one shoulder. He wasn’t talking to anyone, just waiting, eyes glued to his phone.
You were ready to just walk past and ignore him, mostly because you weren’t prepared for actual words to come out of your mouth, but he looked up at the exact moment you were passing.
“Oh hey,” he said casually, taking one airpod out. “y/n, right?”
You stopped in your tracks. “Yeah?”
He nodded like he’d just remembered something important. “You left your brain in the hallway yesterday.”
You blink. “What?”
He grinned, just a little. “I mean, you stared at me for a full ten seconds like I was an alien. I figured you needed it back.”
Your jaw dropped slightly, not because it was rude, but because he was right. You had stared, but you didn’t think it was really that obvious.
Yunji let out a loud, delighted snort next to you.
“Bold of you to assume I ever had a brain in the first place,” you said, quickly recovering with a smirk of your own.
Minho laughed, actually laughed, not just a polite chuckle, a real, amused sound that made his eyes crinkle a little.
“Touché,” he said. “You headed to class?”
“Unfortunately.”
“Great, I’ll walk with you.”
You blinked again. You weren’t hallucinating. Minho had just voluntarily offered to walk with you. You, of all people, meanwhile you’ve literally never seen this guy before in your life. And now he was turning and walking in step beside you like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Yunji shot you a look so full of shock and glee that you were tempted to trip her, but you kept walking. Your heart was thudding a little louder than you’d like to admit.
“So” Minho said as the three of you strolled down the hall, “what do you even do in class if you’re always late?”
“Sleep” you replied dryly.
“Clearly working for you,” he said. “Heesung said you’ve got straight A’s.”
“Heesung talks about me?”
“Only when he’s mad you’re smarter than him.”
Yunji made a sound like she was physically struggling to hold back her laughter.
You glanced at Minho again, trying to read him. He didn’t seem like he was teasing just to be mean. If anything, it felt like he was genuinely curious. And for some reason, that felt a lot more dangerous than someone just being nice.
The warning bell rang, slicing through the moment, and he gave you both a little wave.
“See you around, y/n. Yunji.”
He disappeared into a classroom before either of you could say anything else.
You stood frozen for a second, your face warm. Yunji finally turned to you with a look that screamed “I told you so.”
“You like him,” she said immediately.
“No I don’t.”
“You so like him.”
You started walking faster. “We’re on the opposite side of the school than where were supposed to be. Let’s go. ’m literally going to fight you.”
She caught up, grinning. “He likes you too. I saw it. That was premium flirty hallway banter. 10/10. Would read again.”
“Shut. Up.”
But even as you tried to act cool, your heart kept repeating the same phrase.
He remembered your name.
———————————————————————————————————————————
The hallway was unusually quiet during the final period transition, the hum of voices softened under the sharp sound of classroom doors sliding shut. You were halfway to your music block when you spotted him again.Minho. He was standing near the bulletin board outside the teacher’s lounge, looking at something pinned up, a list, maybe. His uniform blazer was unbuttoned, shirt a little rumpled like he’d been napping during a free period. You were debating whether to speed walk past or pretend to be busy on your phone when he glanced over and met your eyes again.
He smiled. Subtle. Confident.
“Junior,” he greeted, exactly the same way as earlier, but this time with a little nod.
“Senior,” you replied, mimicking him, trying not to sound like your heart was trying to escape your chest.
He stepped away from the board and walked toward you, slow and casual like he had nowhere else to be. “Did you eat?”
You blinked. “What?”
“Lunch. Did you eat properly? Or just drink banana milk again and call it a meal?”
You tilted your head, suspicious. “How do you know about the banana milk?”
“Heesung complains about you all the time.”
You groaned. “Of course he does.”
Minho smirked. “He says you have a ‘selective sense of nutrition’.”
You crossed your arms, feigning disinterest. “What if I’m not?”
“Then I’ll be very bored.”
You blinked. Minho looked completely serious.
Before you could reply, he gave you a small smile and turned down the stairs. No smug look, no teasing glance back. Just left you standing there like he hadn’t just casually flirted with you in the most confusing way possible.
You stood there for another second, staring at the stairwell, until a student from your class brushed past you.
“y/n, are you coming or what?”
“Oh, yeah!” you snapped out of it, hurrying toward your room.
Later that day, you and Yunji were sitting on the rooftop steps during break, sipping peach juice and hiding from the chaos downstairs.
“So…” she said, drawing out the word.
You sighed. “He ran into me again.”
Her eyes nearly popped out of her head. “Again? What did he say?”
You gave her a quick recap, and by the end, her jaw was practically on the floor.
“y/nnie… this is not just some random interest. That boy is putting in effort.”
“I don’t know…” you mumbled, biting your straw. “He’s a senior. I don’t really want to get involved.”
“Okay, and? People date between grades all the time here. Plus, he doesn’t act like he’s just playing around.”
You didn’t respond. You were too busy thinking about the way Minho said “i’ll be bored” like it meant more than just a casual joke.
———————————————————————————————————————————
Friday evening, you stood in front of the mirror in your room, fluffing your hair for the fifth time and debating if you should change your top again. Yunji had already texted “I’m outside” five minutes ago, but you were still pacing, holding lip gloss in one hand and your phone in the other. You heard a knock, two slow taps against your bedroom door, before it creaked open without waiting for a reply. Then Heesung leaned in, arms crossed, his usual lazy expression replaced by something closer to suspicion.
“Where are you going?”
You responded without looking at him. “You already know. Jina’s party.”
“You usually don’t try on four outfits for Jina’s parties.”
You paused. “Excuse me?”
“I walked past your door. I counted.”
You sighed and turned around. “Why are you being weird?”
Heesung raised a brow. “Why are you being suspicious?”
“I’m literally just going to a party with Yunji. Like always.”
He walked in fully now, sitting on your bed and eyeing your outfit like a disappointed dad. “Right. And Minho’s going to be there.”
You tensed just slightly. “So?”
He clicked his tongue. “Don’t ‘so’ me.”
You narrowed your eyes. “What, you think your friend’s gonna corrupt me or something?”
Heesung didn’t answer at first. He scooted down on the edge of your bed and leaned forward. “Minho’s not a bad guy. I wouldn’t be friends with him if he was. But he’s… older.”
“He’s a senior, not thirty.”
“That’s exactly the problem. You’re still a junior.”
“And I’m not a baby,” you snapped.
“I never said you were,” he said quietly. “But I know Minho. I know how he flirts without trying. I know how girls act when he looks at them for more than five seconds. And now you’re dressing like-”
“Like what?” you cut in. “Like someone who doesn’t want to look like she just rolled out of bed for once?” You said, getting slightly irritated
He sighed. “Look. All I’m saying is that I’ve seen this before. People start something, it gets messy, then someone gets hurt. I dont want you to get hurt.”
You stared at him blankly for a second. “You think I can’t handle myself?”
“No,” he said firmly. “I know you can. But I also know Minho doesn’t always think things through when it comes to girls. He’s not a bad guy, but he’s a dumb one sometimes.”
You crossed your arms. “So you want me to stay home? Cancel plans because you don’t trust him?”
“I’m not your dad,” he muttered. “I just-”
“You’re just being annoying,” you snapped, grabbing your bag and heading for the door.
Heesung called out before you left, softer this time. “If anything happens… if he says anything weird… promise you’ll tell me.”
You paused, hand on the doorknob, the tension between you hanging in the air like a held breath.
“…Fine.”
“Promise.”
You rolled your eyes, but a smile tugged at your lips. “I promise, okay?”
“Good,” he muttered. “I might see you at the party. Be safe. Love you. ”
You shout a short “love you too” back at Heesung, then shut the door behind you, heart racing, not from nerves about the party, but from the fact that maybe, just maybe, something actually was about to happen.
The house was already full when you and Yunji showed up. Shoes were lined up outside the door in messy rows, the bass of a speaker made the floor vibrate, and people from every year, junior and senior alike, were already scattered across the living room, the hallway, the kitchen. Jina never did do anything small.
The air smelled like alchohol, snacks, and too much cologne. You could barely hear yourself think, and you hadn’t even made it past the doorway yet.
“Wow,” Yunji said, adjusting her bangs as she stepped in behind you. “It’s like… a zoo, but with worse lighting.”
You laughed and slipped off your jacket, tucking it under your arm. Your eyes scanned the room almost out of habit, and of course, there he was. Minho. Leaning against the wall near the back sliding door, dark gray hoodie, sipping from a plastic cup like he wasn’t actively the coolest person in the room. He hadn’t seen you yet. Or maybe he had and was just pretending not to. But what surprised you more was the person beside him, your brother, and how the hell he got here before you and Yunji. Heesung stood a little off to the side, arms crossed, cup in hand, and very obviously watching you from across the room the second you stepped inside.
You sighed.
“Found him,” Yunji muttered beside you. “Minho looks like a poster, and your brother looks like a tipsy parent chaperone.”
“Because he basically is,” you whispered. “He told me earlier to tell him if Minho tried anything weird.”
Yunji raised an eyebrow. “What are you going to do if he does?”
“…Lie?” You say untruthfully
She snorted.
The two of you weaved your way to the kitchen to grab a drink, you grabbed a beer and Yunji grabbed a cup of spiked fruit punch. Though neither of you really drank much, you had an incredibly high alcohol tolerance, unlike Yunji, who can have a sip and feel buzzed. You just needed something to sip. Something to distract you. You could still feel Heesung’s eyes burning holes through your skull.
“So,” Yunji said as you leaned against the counter. “Are you gonna talk to him or what?”
“Who?”
She gave you a flat look. Before you could answer, you heard your name.
“y/n.”
You turned, and Minho was right there.
“Hey,” you said, like your brain wasn’t scrambling.
“You made it,” he said with a soft smile, stepping a little closer. “Didn’t think your brother would let you out of the house.”
“I didn’t ask him,” you replied. “He just decided to show up.”
Minho chuckled, glancing across the room. “Yeah… he’s watching you like you’re a mission objective.”
You looked too, and yep. Heesung was pretending to be so into a conversation, but his eyes flicked your way every twenty seconds like clockwork.
“He’s impossible,” you muttered.
“Protective,” Minho said simply. “It’s not a bad thing. Annoying, maybe, but not bad.”
Your stomach did a little flip, but before you could even respond, you heard your brother’s voice, way too close.
“Minho.”
You and Minho both turned. Heesung had walked straight over, drink-less, arms still crossed, expression neutral but very obviously older brother mode.
Minho nodded casually. “Heesung.”
“Just making sure everything’s good,” Heesung said, tone friendly enough but layered with meaning. His eyes flicked to you. “y/n?”
You raised an eyebrow. “I’m fine.”
“Uh huh.” He glanced at Minho again. “Just remember she’s my sister.”
Minho lifted his hands slightly in surrender. “I haven’t forgotten.”
Heesung gave him a long look, then looked at you once more, softer this time.
“You good?”
You smiled, a little touched despite yourself. “Yeah. Really.”
Heesung gave a nod and stepped back, rejoining his group across the room.
“I’ll be over there, I guess ill leave you alone… for now.”
“Wow,” Minho whispered. “That was… less intense than I expected.”
“I think he’s saving the actual threats for later,” you muttered. “Just wait till we get home.”
Minho laughed. “I’ll take my chances.”
The music picked up and a new group of people started gathering in the living room, pulling others into a casual dance circle, which ended up more like a dance blob. Minho looked at you like he was about to say something else, then paused.
“You wanna go outside for a bit?” he asked. “Too loud in here.”
You hesitated for a second, glancing across the room, but Heesung had his back to you now, talking to someone, finally letting his guard down.
You looked back at Minho.
“Sure,” you said.
And just like that, you followed him out to the backyard, your brother’s watchful eyes momentarily left behind, but not forgotten.
The cool night air hit your skin the second you stepped outside. The backyard was dimly lit by string lights draped along the fence, and the noise from inside dulled to a low thrum behind the closed glass door. A few kids were huddled by the edge of the yard, chatting over snacks and laughter, but it felt like you and Minho had slipped into your own little corner of the world. He led you toward the far end of the yard, where the grass was still a bit damp underfoot and a patio swing sat just out of the light. He dropped down onto it casually, and you followed, settling beside him, not too close, but not far either.
“I like it better out here,” he said, stretching his arms across the back of the swing casually, like he wasn’t testing to see if you’d lean in. You didn’t. But your knee did brush his.
“Too many people inside,” you said, eyes on the lights overhead. “And I swear the air in there was, like… 90% cologne.”
Minho laughed softly, his voice lower now. “You’re not wrong.”
The swing creaked as it shifted slightly under your weight. You glanced at him, and found him already looking at you. He didn’t look away this time. His eyes lingered, on your lips, your jaw, the way your fingers nervously played with the hem of your sleeves. It made your skin tingle, and you suddenly felt hyper aware of everything; the closeness, the warmth radiating off his body, the faint scent of his cologne mixed with the air.
“You clean up nice, y/n,” he said, voice teasing and a small smirk growing on his lips, but there was something sincere under it.
“You’re not so bad yourself, Minho.”
He let out a low hum, then tilted his head slightly. “So, tell me the truth.”
“About?”
“You’ve been thinking about me.”
Your mouth parted in surprise. “What?”
“C’mon. Don’t lie. You’ve been staring at me all week like I’m a K-drama character with a tragic backstory.”
You scoffed, but your face was definitely burning now. “Wow. Confident.”
“Only because I’m right.”
You shook your head, laughing, but when your eyes met his again, his expression had changed.He wasn’t teasing anymore. His gaze dipped to your lips again, slower this time. And then he leaned forward, not too much just enough to test the space between you.
Your breath caught.
You didn’t pull back.
Minho’s hand moved from the back of the swing, brushing the side of your arm before settling lightly at your waist. He leaned in, closer, his nose almost brushing yours, his breath warm across your skin.
You felt it before it even happened.
Your hand had instinctively rested on his knee, grounding yourself, and he was so close now that your eyes fluttered shut for a split second.
And then—
-SLAM-
The swing jolted as a loud slam cut through the yard like a dagger. You and Minho jumped apart like you’d been electrocuted. Your heart slammed against your ribcage as you turned sharply, and there he was, standing a few feet away, with one hand over his mouth and the other on his hip, mouth twisted into the smuggest grin you had ever seen.
“I knew it, this door really does slam loud.” Heesung said, loud enough for the wind to carry it back to the patio.
You shot up from the swing, mortified. “Why the hell would you slam the door Hee!?”
“Just getting some air, not my fault the doe tried to squish me.” he said, innocently.
Minho stood too, rubbing the back of his neck with a cough, very clearly trying not to laugh. “Hey, Heesung.”
“What are you doing?” Heesung said just quiet enough for only Minho to hear
“I like her. Okay? I promise you i don’t have the bad intentions you’re afraid of. Can you please give me a chance?” Minho pleaded, looking the most genuine Heesung had ever seen him. It made his expression falter for a second. You glared at your brother from afar, face burning hotter than it ever had.
“If you ever hurt her” he continued “I will never speak to you again. Got it?” Heesung stated. Looking like he was on the verge of tears. “Shes my little sister. You know that. I’ve spent my whole life with her and I really don’t want you to mess this up for yourself and hurt her.” Heesung finishes.
You groaned from afar, now realizing that they’re definitely ignoring you and talking amongst each other.
“I need you to promise me that you’ll take care of her. Do not hurt her. I know thats typical overprotective brother shit but i mean it. If you like her you don’t hurt her.” Heesung explains.
“Heesung, you know ive had a past, you know ive made mistakes, but you also know we’re good for eachother. I will not hurt her, i will not make her cry, and i really wont make her mad because when she gets mad- oh does she get mad. How the hell do you deal with that???” Minho confessed with a slight chuckle.
Heesung crackled a smile and brought him in for a loving hug. Then Heesung looked at you, still standing by the swing and locked eyes with you over Minhos shoulder. You knew. You knew he was accepting him. And you gave him the biggest grin you’ve ever put on your face. After a few seconds, Heesung let go.
He waked over and held the door open for you as you came to join the both of them. “Lets go, party girl. Curfew’s in thirty.”
You walked past him, swatting his arm on the way in. He only laughed. But as you stepped back into the noise and lights of the house, cheeks burning and pulse still racing, you couldn’t help but glance back. Minho was still standing outside, hands in his pockets, watching you go with a crooked little smile, and a look that said.
