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Wicked Games

Summary: You’ve spent years keeping people at arm’s length, but when an annoyingly bright idol refuses to stop seeing the light in you—even when you can’t see it yourself—you start to wonder if you’ve been protecting your heart or just hiding from it.

Pairing: Sunshine!Theo x Grumpy!Reader

Genre: Fluff, angst, very minimal suggestive content.

Word count: 18k

Authors note: ahhh, it's finally here. (let's pretend I wasn't supposed to release this on the weekend.) I've spent so many hours on this and it accidentally ended up being 18k words and lowkey my brain turned to mush BUTT I hope you all (the 3 people that will read all of it) enjoy and good luck reading my word vomit. (I lowkey only half edited it because I couldn't stare at it any longer so if there is mistakes im sorry😭 but feel free to let me know.) Also this is inspired by the lyrics to wicked games by chris isaak so thats why I titled it that <3

Taglist: @xx-all-purpose-nerd-xx,@missingjuliia, @amzzzlotus,@hxraiiii,@mingijelly, @bluedenebii, @kukkurookkoo,@tilly-death, @mysweetjongseob, @lycxee , @willowedjelly

Comment or message me to be added to my permanent tag list!

—

You’d always wanted to make films.

That was the dream, the end goal. But for now, being a videographer for P1harmony would have to do. And you were grateful for the job, you really were, especially compared to what you had to deal with at your past one.

The pretentiousness, the ass-kissing networking, the people who refused to take you seriously, it all drained you faster than any late-night shoot could and even then you couldn't complain.

Your bosses were decent, your coworkers friendly, and the boys themselves were easy to work with. Plus, you'd take the brutal schedules over fetching coffees any day.

You got to travel, film, and edit content that thousands of people actually wanted to watch. It wasn’t the big screen, but you needed the experience and that was enough for now.

Of course when you first joined, FNC had been skeptical. You didn’t have much experience with the fast-paced TV-style content most idol agencies wanted. Your portfolio leaned more toward short films and visual storytelling filled with cinematic scenes. You weren’t sure they’d go for that.

But when you had proposed making more cinematic videos focused more on showing the boys in their element with minimal talking, they decided to give your idea a chance. Once they saw your early edits, they realized they’d hired someone special, especially when the fans began to notice, and the comments were full of praise.

You’d also been with the team long enough to learn everyone’s quirks and preferences.

Mina, the lead producer, refused to talk to anyone before she could have her morning coffee. No one dared to break that rule.

Jisoo from styling was a perfectionist, always anxiously fixing the boy's hair whenever a strand would go out of place, even when it was unnecessary.

And Jun, one of the newer camera operators, had a habit of humming under his breath while filming, which you found weirdly comforting even though it drove everyone else insane.

Perhaps that's why you were well liked on the team. You were very observant and good at reading people, knowing what to say and to who. You knew how to read the room and helped things run smoothly, which was always valuable in an industry as busy as this one. The way everyone functioned had become familiar and predictable.

Then there was you of course, who just preferred to get the job done.

You weren’t unfriendly. You said good morning, bowed when you passed your coworkers, even laughed politely when anyone would make a joke. But you kept a comfortable distance, there was a reason you preferred being behind the camera.

No one really minded your closed-off nature, though because you always delivered exceptional work.

The same went for the boys.

Keeho was the easiest to get along with. He was always joking, and had a talent for making sure everyone was comfortable, his leader position fit him well. You’d caught yourself quietly chuckling at his antics more than once, which he’d immediately point out just to fluster you.

Jiung was endlessly polite, always thanking you after shoots, genuinely grateful for your hard work.

Soul didn’t talk much, which was a trait the two of you had in common. You’d often find yourselves at the same table during breaks, eating in silence.

Intak was pure energy, he couldn’t stay still for longer than five seconds, but he always made the mood on set lighter.

Jongseob was surprisingly mature, especially for his age, often checking that you’d eaten on longer days. It reminded you of a little brother you never had.

Theo was... different.

He was a little too much for you at times. He was the kind of person who made it hard to stay in a bad mood because his laugh carried through a room like sunlight filtering in through blinds.

He was nice to everyone, in a genuinely real way. You could tell when people’s smiles didn’t reach their eyes, but his always did.

Still, you never knew how to act around him. There was something disarming about how easily he got through to people, his soft voice wrapped in a blanket of warmth when he spoke. It irked you because … you just weren’t built for that kind of softness.

You didn’t mind keeping to yourself. In fact, you preferred it. While the other staff chatted easily with the boys or joked around behind the cameras, you were content staying on the sidelines and doing your job quietly and efficiently. It wasn’t that you didn’t like them, they were good guys. You just… didn’t see the point in trying to befriend people you’d eventually have to move on from.

You’d been in enough environments where getting too close only made it harder when everything ended. The most you’d done is have dinner with Jiung one time after you spent the whole day filming him. He’d practically forced you into it and you appreciated it, but the whole night all you could focus on was the familiar ache in your chest whenever someone tried to get close. You went home as soon as you finished eating.

They all continued to treat you the same way they treated everyone else, not offended by your lack of reciprocation. They pretty much just let you be.

Well, except Theo. You’d caught him watching you a few times before, usually when you were behind the camera, adjusting a lens or checking lighting. He always had this curious look on his face, like he was trying to figure you out. You never gave him the chance. A simple raised brow or flat expression was usually enough to make him look away, a small smile tugging at his lips as if he found your indifference amusing. You didn’t think much of it until today.

You were traveling with them on tour, currently in New York. The morning was chilly, sunlight slipping through the tall glass windows of the hotel lobby where everyone had gathered. Mina stood at the front, tablet in hand, running through the filming schedule.

She announced they were trying a new concept, one you had actually proposed a few weeks back. Each member would explore the city alone, and the videographers would capture their personal experiences for a more intimate vlog series. You hadn’t expected them to approve it, but Mina had liked the idea right away.

Now, as she listed off the filming pairs, your name came up with Theo’s.

You simply nodded, camera strap slung over your shoulder. You could feel his gaze on you from the corner of your eye, but you didn’t look his way.

Mina finished running through the logistics, reminding everyone to check their mics, stay in touch, and have fun. “And please,” she added, half-laughing, “don’t get lost.” She gave Soul a pointed look.

Theo was the first to approach you once Mina dismissed everyone.

“Hey,” he said brightly, walking over with his hands stuffed in his pockets. “Guess we’re partners today.”

You adjusted the strap on your camera, giving him a small nod. “Looks like it.”

“Well, is there anything specific you want to do?” He asked, rocking back and forth on his feet.

You looked up at him, blinking. “You’re supposed to decide what you want to do.”

“Right, but I mean—” he tilted his head, squinting playfully. “You’re gonna be stuck with me the whole day. There’s nothing you want to see while we’re out?”

You shook your head almost instantly. “It’s not about me Theo. Where do you want to go?”

You could see him deflate a little at your answer, but he quickly brushed it off. “Honesty, I kinda just want to go with the flow and walk around, see where the day takes us.”

You nodded easily at him and handed him a camera on a mini tripod so he could film himself throughout the day. “Sounds good.”

You both said quick goodbyes to the others before heading towards the hotel doors.

Theo held it open for you, stepping aside with a small flourish. “After you.”

You gave him a brief, unimpressed look, but walked through anyway. The cool New York air hit instantly, crisp and alive, the city buzzing. Theo pulled up the hood of his jacket and fell into step beside you, hands tucked back into his pockets with a light smile on his face.

“So,” he said as you started walking down the street, “We should probably eat breakfast first. Any ideas Sunshine?”

You shot him a sharp look the moment the word left his mouth. “I asked you to stop calling me that.”

Theo only grinned wider, clearly unbothered. “Yeah, I know. But the annoyed face you make every time I do gives me joy.”

You let out a huff through your nose, opting to ignore the comment he made entirely. “There’s a good bagel place close by,” you said instead, quick to redirect. “It’s my favorite.”

That caught his attention immediately. “Wait, you’ve been to New York before?”

“Used to live here,” you said, eyes on the busy crosswalk ahead. “When I was younger. I have family that still lives here, so I visit sometimes.”

Theo’s head snapped toward you, genuine surprise flashing across his face. “Seriously? You never told me that.”

You shrugged, tightening your grip on the camera strap. “Didn’t think it matters.”

“Of course it matters,” he said, slowing his steps just a little, his voice softer now. “That’s kind of a big thing to just… not mention.”

You looked at him briefly, then away again. “I don’t really talk about myself. There’s not much to say.”

Theo tilted his head, eyes scanning your expression like he was trying to read between the lines. “Now that I think about it,” he said slowly, “you’ve been with us for a while, but we don’t actually know that much about you.”

You exhaled quietly, gaze fixed ahead. “There’s not much to know.” you repeated, this time more firmly.

That was enough for him to get the message. Theo nodded once, falling back into silence beside you. As you crossed the next street, camera swinging lightly against your hip, he glanced at you again and found himself wondering what it was that was making you act so guarded.

When you entered the bagel shop, the smell of toasted bread and roasted coffee wafted around you were hit with a feeling of nostalgia.

Theo looked around with wide eyes, hands buried in his jacket pockets. “This place is cute.” he said, tone bright as always.

You glanced at the menu above the counter. “What do you want? I’ll order.”

He blinked. “You’ll—oh, uh, okay.” He studied the list for a moment before pointing. “Egg and cheese bagel?”

You nodded, already turning toward the cashier. “One egg and cheese bagel, please.”

Theo froze for a moment, taken off guard by your naturally fluent English as you conversed with the cashier. It gave him a bit of whiplash, hearing you speak an entirely different language. It was then that he decided it would be his mission to learn more about you that day.

You finished with the cashier and moved aside to busy yourself with filming clips of Theo and some b-roll of the shop. He leaned against the wall, glancing at the people bustling outside the window. “So… did you come here a lot when you lived here?”

“Mhm.”

“Do you miss it?”

You shrugged, adjusting the lens. “Not really.”

“Why’d you leave?”

You hesitated for only a second. “Family moved to Korea.”

He nodded slowly, watching your face as you lowered the camera. Each answer was clipped and neutral, but he wasn't going to give up so easily.

Before he could try again, the cashier called your name. You grabbed the brown paper bag and led the way to a small table near the window.

Theo sat down across from you and opened it up, the smell of warm bread filling the air. He reached inside and pulled out a singular bagel.

“There’s only one..” he said, brow furrowing.

“I’m not hungry.”

Theo blinked at you. “Did you eat before we left?”

“No.”

He scoffed under his breath, tearing the bagel in half and sliding one piece across the table toward you.

“Really Theo, it’s fine.” you said, not even looking up from your lens.

“I hate eating alone.” he said easily, though the small smirk tugging at his mouth gave him away.

You looked at him for a long moment, exhaling through your nose before taking the bagel half.

He leaned back in his seat, a grin blooming across his face in victory.

You rolled your eyes and took a small bite, pretending not to notice the way his expression softened as he watched you with quiet satisfaction.

Theo took a bite of his half as he watched you eat with downcast eyes and that’s when he realized that cracking through your walls might take time, but he didn’t mind. Not one bit.

He finished eating (his stomach still growling with hunger that he ignored) and wiped his hands on a napkin, glancing toward the window. “So,” he said, his voice casual but laced with excitement, “how about Central Park next?”

You looked and nodded. “That could work. I can get some good footage there.”

“Perfect,” he said with that usual burst of energy, standing up and slinging his bag over his shoulder. “Lead the way, New Yorker.”

You rolled your eyes but did exactly that, weaving through the crowded sidewalks with ease. The city was busier than usual that day, but you moved through it with muscle memory as you sidestepped tourists without breaking pace. You occasionally walked backwards so you could film Theo, who was following close behind, his hood pulled up and his camera in hand, constantly getting distracted by random things he saw.

“That shop has a 2 for $50 deal!”

You didn’t even glance over. “Those souvenir shops overcharge Theo.”

He pouted but continued walking.

After several more blocks, you descended the steps into the subway station. Theo’s eyes darted around curiously as the rumble of trains echoed through the tunnels. You filled your MetroCard and motioned for him to follow, moving quickly.

You entered the car just before it closed and it was packed. You immediately adjusted your camera strap and glanced for space. Theo spotted a single open seat near the center.

“Sit.” he said, nodding toward it.

“I’m fine.”

He shook his head. “You’re carrying the camera. Sit.”

You sighed but obeyed, sinking into the seat. He stood in front of you, one hand gripping the metal rail above, the other with the tripod resting against his side as the train lurched forward.

You looked up at him, intending to tell him to hold onto something properly, but your words caught in your throat. The way the low subway lights hit his face, the faint grin playing on his lips, and the loose strands of hair falling into his eyes made him look unfairly attractive.

Theo caught your gaze almost immediately. His grin widened just a little and he caught the way your lips parted slightly before you changed your expression and turned toward the window.

“Something interesting over there?” he asked, voice light but teasing.

“Just checking how many stops we have left till we need to get off.” you said quickly.

“Mhm.” he hummed, clearly amused, and he swore he could see a light blush dust your cheeks.

When the train stopped at the next station, the doors slid open and a group of passengers shuffled out, pushing Theo closer toward you. He braced himself with one hand on the railing, his legs bumping lightly against yours.

You froze for a second, pretending to focus on an ad but your heartbeat betrayed you, a steady, quickened thrum.

Theo didn’t say a word, but the small, knowing smile on his face said everything. He knew you liked to pretend like nothing affected you, but he could see clearly that this was, and he was loving every second of it.

You shifted in your seat, crossing one leg over the other to create some distance. You told yourself that you were just being polite, it wasn’t about him, or how good he looked hovering above you, or the way your pulse hadn’t slowed since he first caught you staring.

Because you weren’t blind. Anyone with eyes could see that he was attractive, all the members were in their own way.

But something about Theo just bothered you.

That was the excuse you gave yourself, anyway.

The train slowed again, and the crowd thinned. Theo shifted back slightly, giving you space, though his gaze never wavered.

When you finally stood, your voice came out a touch tighter than you intended. “Our stop’s next.”

He smiled, effortlessly casual. “Lead the way, Sunshine.”

You rolled your eyes but didn’t bother to correct him, mostly because your throat felt too dry to even try.

It was warmer by the time you reached Central Park, the sounds of the city fading into the soft pounding of joggers’ feet, and the occasional bark of a dog. Theo stopped beside a stand of rental bikes, eyes lighting up like a kid at an amusement park.

“Bikes,” he said, pointing at them as if you couldn’t already see. “Can we ride them?”

“We can do whatever you want Theo.”

As you paid for two bikes, he glanced over with a trace of concern. “Are you sure you’ll be okay filming while riding? I don’t want you to get hurt.”

You gave him a dismissive look. “Don’t worry about me.”

He chuckled under his breath, watching as you adjusted your camera strap and climbed onto your bike. “Okay, but if you wipe out, you have to put it in the behind-the-scenes reel.”

“Not gonna happen.” you said, pushing off before he could get another word in.

Theo rode ahead so you could record him, arms stretched out like he was flying, the wind catching in his hair. You followed close by, catching quick shots of him turning around to flash you a grin or shout something you couldn’t quite hear over the breeze.

“Come on, slowpoke!” he called once, circling back to ride alongside you.

“I’m literally filming.” you said flatly.

“Put the camera down for a second. Let’s race!” he teased as he sped off.

You muttered under your breath about his happy energy and how annoying his loud laughter was.

At one point, you slowed near a quiet stretch of path lined with trees turning gold. Theo rode ahead a little, the sunlight catching on his face as he threw his head back and laughed.

You lifted your camera instinctively. Through the camera he looked so carefree, you felt something stir in your chest. The corner of your lip twitched just barely.

When he turned and caught you filming, he grinned and waved at the camera. He then motioned for you to catch up with him.

As you neared him he called out to you, posing dramatically. “Did you get my good side?”

“Which one?”

“Ouch.” He clutched his chest in mock offense. “That was cold.”

“It was a genuine question.” you corrected.

Theo laughed, the sound bright and effortless as the two of you came to a stop near a large patch of open grass. “Alright, alright,” he said between breaths. “You win. My ego and my legs are officially tired.”

You raised an eyebrow at him. “Aren’t you supposed to be athletic?”

“Don’t mock me. I’m delicate.”

You huffed and pointed toward a shaded area beneath a tree. “Let’s sit there. It’ll look good on camera too.”

Theo followed you over without complaint, tossing himself dramatically onto the grass as you recorded him. You knelt to frame a few shots of him leaning back, the wind ruffling his hair, sunlight dancing across his face. You recorded different parts of the park as well.

You got a few clips of him gazing off toward a couple playing with a frizz bee before he turned his head to you. “You should sit. You’ve been filming nonstop. You’ve earned a break.”

“I’m fine.” you said automatically, still adjusting your lens.

“Sit.” he said again, more firm this time.

You sighed but finally lowered yourself onto the grass a short distance away, keeping a comfortable, professional gap between you. You glanced down at your camera, already flicking through clips.

“Of course,” Theo muttered with mock exasperation. “Do you know what break means.”

You ignored him.

That is, until his hand suddenly reached out, plucking the camera right from your grasp.

“Hey—!” you started, eyes wide.

He held it just out of reach, smirking. “Enjoy the moment. Look, trees, birds, fresh air! Enjoy nature, Sunshine.”

You scowled. “I’m here to work, not to relax.”

“I don’t care.” he said simply, lounging back onto one hand and holding your camera away like a taunt.

“Theo, seriously. Give it back.” You reached for it, but he quickly shifted, laughing.

“Say please.”

You glared. “Give. It. Back.”

“Didn’t sound like ‘please.’”

You leaned in again, trying to grab it, but he kept moving it just out of reach, his laughter getting louder every time you missed. Finally, he leaned farther back, bracing on his elbow with that infuriating grin still plastered on his face and before you realized it, you were leaning over him, your hair falling slightly forward as your fingers grazed the edge of the camera.

You froze. Your eyes flicked up to his, close… too close, and for a split second neither of you moved. His smirk softened, eyes flickering over your face like he’d just realized the same thing.

Your breath caught, and you quickly pulled back, muttering, “Fine. Whatever.”

You sat down again, arms crossed tightly over your chest, refusing to look at him.

Theo chuckled softly, victorious. “See? Isn’t this nice?”

You shot him a sharp glare but he only grinned wider, leaning back on his elbows again in satisfaction.

Theo stretched out on the grass, letting the sunlight warm his body, before finally turning toward you. “So… did you use to come here often when you lived in New York?”

You shook your head, looking out at the path ahead. “Not really.”

He tilted his head, curiosity still in his voice. “And… do you prefer Korea over—”

You cut him off, voice low and serious. “Theo.”

His grin faltered, and for a fraction of a second, the usual brightness that seemed to radiate from him dimmed slightly.

You met his gaze. “Why do you keep asking about my past?”

He exhaled softly, running a hand through his hair. “I just… I want to get to know you.”

You let a small shrug escape, eyes returning to the trees. “I appreciate the sentiment, but you don’t have to pretend to care.”

That seemed to hit him harder than you expected. He blinked, mouth opening slightly, caught off guard. “I’m… not pretending.” he said quietly, the faintest edge of hurt in his tone.

“Then… why do you want to get to know me better?”

He had no answer. The silence stretched, the air suddenly thick with tension. Theo chewed the inside of his cheek, clearly searching for words.

You noticed it immediately and softened slightly, though your expression remained serious. “Really, it’s okay.”

“I… I’m sorry,” he said finally, quiet and sincere. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable with the questions. You don’t have to talk to me if you don’t want to. I didn’t mean to overstep your boundaries.”

You stayed quiet, letting him speak, watching his posture tense slightly. Then, after a moment, he stood abruptly, brushing off his hands on his pants. He forced a smile back onto his face, a little too wide and manufactured.

“Anyway,” he said, stepping toward your bikes. “we should return the bikes and go get lunch.”

You followed silently, feeling a twinge of guilt twist in your stomach. You’d shut him down quickly and dismissed his curiosity as if it were nothing, even though… maybe he was genuinely interested.

As you pedaled back toward the exit, your thoughts ran wild. Maybe he really had wanted to know you. Maybe he cared.

And then, just as quickly, the familiar walls in your mind came back up. He was just being kind, you told yourself. He didn’t actually care about you. It was just… politeness.

You tightened your grip on the handlebars, forcing your face into a neutral expression, convincing yourself that it was fine.

But a small, stubborn part of you couldn’t shake the quiet pang of regret at his forced smile.

You returned the bikes and Theo bounced slightly on his feet as he asked, “Are you craving anything.”

You shrugged. “If we’re in New York, we should probably eat pizza.”

His eyes lit up. “Pizza? Perfect. Lead the way.”

You guided him through the bustling streets toward one of the city’s iconic 99¢ pizza joints. The smell of baking dough and melted cheese hit immediately as you stepped inside.

You set up your camera as he grabbed a slice, the gooey cheese stretching almost ridiculously as he lifted it. He made exaggerated faces while taking a bite as you recorded the cheese pull.

After finishing, you wandered through the streets again, following him with your lens. Theo dragged you into a few stores, letting you film as he tried on all sorts of ridiculous things. He kept laughing at himself in the mirror and sometimes at you, clearly enjoying the chance to just be a normal person for a while.

Then you spotted a small vintage guitar shop tucked between a cafe and a record store. You pointed it and Theo’s eyes practically sparkled. “Let’s go in here.”

The bell above the door jingled as you entered, and Theo looked around in amazement. The worker noticed and said, “Go ahead, play whatever you want.”

He didn’t hesitate. He picked up a Sunburst Stratocaster first, strumming a few chords before moving on to a more worn acoustic. You stayed off to the side, camera in hand, watching as his playful energy lulled to a calmer one.

He looked so at peace while he played. You could tell just from watching him how passionate he was and how natural it felt for him. The shop’s amber lighting wrapped around him, highlighting the curve of his jaw and the soft focus in his eyes as his fingers moved effortlessly across the strings.

You adjusted the camera, zooming in slightly, trying to pretend that this was purely for work. But the truth was, you couldn’t look away. He felt different in this moment compared to the Theo he’d been the rest of the day. You felt like you were getting a real glimpse into him.

He started humming a song under his breath and you lowered the camera slightly, caught off guard by his soft vocals.

When he finished the song, his fingers stilled on the strings, and the last note lingered in the air like a held breath. He looked up and met your eyes.

You realized you’d been staring, but you didn’t look away this time.

His lips stretched into a small, almost vulnerable smile that made you blink slightly.

Then, as if it were completely natural, he returned his attention to the guitar, letting the strings sing under his fingers some more.

You swallowed hard, trying to shake the flutter in your chest. You felt ridiculous. You were supposed to be documenting his trip, not… whatever this was.

You lifted your camera again, hoping it could hide your expression.

“You sound good.” you managed to let out, voice quieter than you intended.

Theo looked up again, a spark of amusement lighting his face. “Yeah?” he asked, still strumming. “You think so?”

You shrugged, keeping your tone casual even as your heart betrayed you. “Not too shabby.”

He grinned at that, the teasing glint returning to his eyes. “High praise from you.”

You rolled your eyes, but you couldn’t ignore the feeling bubbling in your stomach. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Too late.”

Then he looked back down at the guitar and started to play a lighter, happier tune this time. You turned around when you felt yourself smiling, and he caught sight of your reflection in a glass case, his pulse racing at the fact that he made you smile.

It hit him then, how strange it was that someone could feel like a storm one moment and like calm the next.

And as you turned back to watch his fingers glide effortlessly over the strings, you thought, maybe for the first time in a long time, that letting someone in might not be as terrifying as it used to be.

—

You left the shop with Theo grumbling over wishing he could buy the guitar.

“Well if you wanted it so bad you should have bought it.”

“But I already have one I have to carry for tour.” he said dramatically, glancing back at the storefront as if the instrument might levitate to him.

“Okay well too bad then.”

“You’re mean…” he muttered.

You continued your walk of the city, filming Theo as you go.

When you turned a corner, a crowd had gathered around a group of street dancers, and you stopped to watch.

“Whoa…” Theo muttered, eyes wide with amazement as he took in the performance.

His smile stretched from ear to ear, that kind of unfiltered happiness that made him look slightly juvenile. When one of the dancers pulled off a particularly impressive spin, Theo turned toward you, eyes bright. “Did you see that? That was insane!”

You blinked at him, momentarily caught off guard by how animated he looked. The corners of your lips twitched, a thought sneaking in before you could stop it, cute.

You immediately shook it off. Nope. Not going there.

He tossed a few bills into the open guitar case at their feet. As you continued your walk Theo spotted a coffee shop and turned to you. “Want to grab some coffee?”

You sighed. “Whatever you want.”

He led you to the shop without a response. Theo held the door open for you, giving you a cheeky little bow when you passed.

“Such a gentleman.” you said unimpressed.

“Only for you.”

You rolled your eyes. “That was cheesy.”

“So,” he said, stepping up to the counter. “Some cheesy things are nice.”

You shook your head at his words, and went to grab a table while he ordered. You set your camera down and quietly began replacing the drained battery.

By the time you snapped the new one into place, Theo was back. He slid into the seat across from you, placing a drink in front of you with a casual grin.

You looked up at him, then down at the green liquid in confusion. “I didn’t ask for anything.”

“I know,” he said simply, already sipping from his own straw.

You blinked. “Then why—”

He just shrugged, eyes twinkling with that annoyingly smug satisfaction.

You narrowed your eyes suspiciously at the drink. “How do you even know I like matcha?”

He didn’t miss a beat. “You always drink it on shooting days.”

You hated how he said it so casually, as if it was totally normal to pay attention to something like that.

“Oh.” you said simply, the word slipping out before you could stop it.

You wrapped your hands around the cup, hesitating for a second before taking a small sip. It was exactly how you liked it, not too sweet, perfectly smooth.

Theo leaned back in his seat, watching your reaction with a small, knowing smile.

“It’s good, right?” he said, all too pleased with himself.

You took another sip, refusing to meet his eyes. “It’s fine.” you muttered, but the satisfaction in your tone betrayed you.

A few quiet seconds passed, as you sit in silence. Then under your breath, you mumbled, “Thanks.”

Theo smiled wider. “You’re welcome, Sunshine.”

You sighed deeply at the nickname, but this time, you didn’t have the energy to correct him. You just took another sip of your matcha, pretending not to notice the way he was still looking at you, like he’d just uncovered something about you no one else had.

—

When you exited the coffee shop, Theo sighed beside you, stretching his arms above his head.

“I can’t think of anything else to do,” he said, glancing at the sky that had begun to turn orange.

You slowed your steps, hesitating. There was one thing you thought of. A place you hadn’t been to in years since your last visit. You looked down at your watch. If you left now, you could just make it.

Theo noticed your expression immediately. “What’s up?”

You chewed the inside of your cheek, debating for a moment before saying, “I know a spot to watch the sunset.”

He tilted his head. “Yeah?”

“If we walk fast, we’ll make it in time.”

Before he could ask anything else, you turned sharply. “Come on. No time to explain, just follow me.”

Theo blinked, startled, but quickly fell into step behind you, laughing under his breath. “You’re very mysterious today, Sunshine.”

You ignored him, weaving through the evening crowd, your pace brisk. Every few blocks, he asked where you were going, and every time, you just shook your head. “You’ll see.”

As the sun dipped lower, you started jogging lightly. Theo laughed, his breath coming out in short bursts beside you. “You’re seriously making me run through Manhattan right now?”

“Do you want to see it or not?” you called back, holding your camera steady as you slowed just enough to capture him mid-laugh. His grin was wide and loud, pure, genuine happiness. You had to bite back a smile of your own.

You turned down a narrow alleyway and stopped in front of an old brick building. The door was padlocked, but you knelt and pulled it open just enough to slip through. Theo stared at you, eyes wide.

“You’re kidding.”

You rolled your eyes. “Relax. I’m not gonna kill you.”

“I wouldn’t put it past you.” he muttered, but followed anyway.

The stairwell was dusty and smelled faintly of old paint. You climbed quickly at first, but by the fifth flight, you were pausing to catch your breath.

“This better be worth it.” Theo huffed behind you, dramatically leaning on the railing.

“Stop whining,” you said, panting a little. “We’re almost there.”

When you finally reached the top and pushed open the heavy metal door, a rush of golden light spilled through and Theo fell completely silent.

“Holy…” he breathed, stepping forward.

From the rooftop, the city stretched endlessly in every direction, the skyline bathed in a soft amber glow. The sun was halfway gone, sinking between the skyscrapers, turning every glass surface into molten gold.

You smiled faintly, your chest tight but full. “Told you it was worth it.”

Theo turned to you, his eyes wide, a disbelieving grin on his face. “This is unbelievable.”

You lifted your camera and began shooting him immediately.

After a few minutes, you let the camera hang from your neck and stepped up to the ledge, leaning against the barrier as the city stretched beneath you. Theo joined you know, clearly full of questions.

He glanced at you. “How’d you find this place?”

You froze for a moment, that old, familiar tension flickering in your chest. But before he could take it back, you said softly, “I spent a lot of time alone as a kid. Did a lot of exploring.”

He nodded slowly, but didn’t interrupt. The fading light air brushed your skin in a pretty red hue, and he found himself memorizing the moment and how calm and open you looked, even if it was only a little.

You exhaled softly, almost to yourself. “It really never gets old. It’s perfect, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.” he said, gaze fixed on you.

He turned back to the skyline as silence settled between you again, but this time it was comfortable. The hum of the city below was distant and muted as if the world had shrunk to just this rooftop and the two of you.

After a moment, you spoke, your voice quieter now. “Hey… about earlier. At Central Park.”

Theo blinked, caught off guard. “What about it?”

You hesitated, fingers brushing against the edge of the rooftop. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you. You were just trying to be nice, and I—” You sighed, searching for the right words. “I overreacted.”

Theo’s expression softened. He leaned slightly closer, resting his forearms on the barrier beside you. “You don’t have to apologize,” he said gently. “I was being nosy.”

“You were being curious,” you corrected, glancing at him briefly. “There’s a difference.”

He smiled faintly at that. “Still. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

You shrugged, staring out at the skyline again. “You didn’t. I just… don’t really open up to people that easily.”

“I noticed,” he teased.

You rolled your eyes and shook your head as he laughed, leaning forward to rest your chin on your hands.

Theo took a deep breath beside you, then with a certainty that made you glance his way, he said quietly, “You will.”

You tilted your head, one brow raised. “I will what?”

He turned to meet your gaze, his plump lips curling into that infuriatingly smug smile of his. “Open up to me eventually.”

You blinked, caught between amusement and disbelief. “Oh yeah?”

“Mhm.” he hummed, the corners of his mouth tugging higher into a confident grin. “Im very charming. You’ll break soon enough.”

You scoffed, crossing your arms. “You’re insane.”

He threw his head back and laughed, loud and carefree, the sound echoing faintly against the nearby buildings. When he looked back at you, there was a spark in his eyes.

“You’ll see.”

He sounded so sure of himself. You shook your head, pretending to focus on the skyline again, adamant on holding back a smile.

If he noticed, and you were sure he did, he didn’t say anything. He just stood there beside you, both of you bathed in the last light of the setting sun.

—

When you both got back to the hotel, the sky was dark and lit up by the city lights.

Theo stretched his arms above his head with a groan. “Well,” he said, glancing at you with that familiar lopsided smile, “Thanks for your hard work today.”

You took the hand held camera from him and replied casually, “Just doing my job.”

He made a low sound of protest, shaking his head. “You seriously can’t just take a compliment, can you?”

You shot him a small, amused look but didn’t answer.

Inside the elevator, the two of you stood side by side. The soft hum of the mechanics filled the silence until Theo spoke again.

“I had a lot of fun today.” he said, his reflection catching yours in the mirrored walls.

You stayed silent, staring straight ahead.

After a moment, he turned so he was standing directly in front of you, brows raised. “What?” you asked flatly.

He tilted his head. “Did you have fun?”

“It was alright.”

Theo squinted, unconvinced. “Alright?”

“Yeah.”

He folded his arms, that playful stubbornness glinting in his eyes. “Be honest.”

You let out a frustrated sigh. “I am honest.”

When the elevator dinged and the doors slid open, you immediately tried to step past him but he shifted just enough to block your way.

“Theo,” you muttered warningly.

“Just answer the question!” he insisted, his grin threatening to break through.

You rolled your eyes, gave him a light shove, and managed to squeeze past. As you walked off, he called your name.

You turned, eyebrows raised.

Theo’s expression eased, the teasing fading. “Did you have fun with me?” he asked, his voice quieter now, hopeful and shy beneath the confidence.

You blinked at him, heart skipping for just a moment. The elevator doors began to slide closed, and before they shut completely, you managed a simple, “Bye, Theo.”

He stood there, staring at the metal doors long after they’d sealed shut.

When he finally made it up to his shared room, Jiung was sitting on his bed reading a book. He looked up immediately. “What took you so long?”

Theo blinked. “What do you mean?”

“The rest of us got back hours ago.” Jiung said, giving him a surprised look.

Theo paused, then shrugged nonchalantly. “Guess we lost track of time.”

He washed up and got ready for bed, the earlier events replaying in his head.

He had just climbed into bed when his phone buzzed on the nightstand. He reached for it lazily then froze when he saw your name on the screen.

A single message.

I did.

Theo smiled so hard his cheeks ached. He flopped back onto his pillow, phone pressed to his chest, and muttered into the dark, “Knew it.”

—

In your hotel room, you sat at the tiny desk, plugging in your sd card, the familiar chime echoing as your folders began populating the screen. Theo’s card sat beside yours, waiting its turn.

You leaned back in your chair, stretching your sore shoulders as progress bars filled the screen. The silence in the hotel room felt peaceful compared to the hustle and bustle of the city. As your mind drifted, you caught yourself thinking that, surprisingly, the day really hadn’t been half bad.

You turned back to your laptop just as the first few clips appeared in the preview window. You clicked on a random video and watched Theo’s grin as he strummed the guitar happily. He looked so carefree and in the privacy of your room you watched as you smiled.

Then you slid Theo’s SD card into the reader.

Folders popped up instantly and you began transferring the footage. As they loaded, one of the thumbnails caught your eye.

You leaned forward to look at it and you froze, it was you.

Curious, you double-clicked.

The video opened to shaky footage of you riding your bike through the park, your hair whipping in the wind as he followed behind, laughing softly under his breath. You could hear his voice faintly. “Look at her go…” he mumbled, amused.

Your heart stuttered.

You scrolled down to another video. This time, you were crouched in the park, capturing b-roll of the scenery. Theo’s camera zoomed in slightly. You heard him hum quietly, almost absentmindedly, before whispering something you couldn’t make out.

One clip turned into two, then three. Each one was the same, him filming you without you realizing.

You furrowed your brows, your stomach tightening at the unexpected discovery.

You hovered over your phone for a moment, thumb ready to type out a message. But after a long pause, you set it back down and shook your head.

“Don’t overthink it.” you muttered to yourself.

You finished the transfers, organized the folders, and shut the laptop with a soft click. The room dimmed, lit only by the amber glow of the table lamp.

As you slid beneath the sheets, the quiet returned. But your mind didn’t rest. It replayed flashes of laughter, of sunlight over his hair, of that boyish grin that shouldn’t have been stuck in your head as much as it was.

The last thing you thought about before sleep took you was his voice humming softly.

—

The next day you were able to sleep in a bit before heading to the venue that they were playing at that night. You arrived with your camera slung over your shoulder and ready to shoot some BTS content.

You got to their dressing room, stepping in and bowing while greeting the staff and the boys that were present.

A chorus of hellos greeted you back, but your gaze stopped when Theo’s head lifted from where he was sitting on the couch. His face brightened instantly, that familiar grin stretching wide.

“Hey,” he called out, motioning you over with a wave.

You walked over, trying to ignore the way you could feel your cheeks warming under his gaze. You mentally cursed your body for the reaction.

“Morning.” you said, keeping your tone neutral as you fumbled with your camera.

“Morning,” he echoed, eyes bright. “How’d you sleep?”

“Fine.” you replied quickly.

He nodded, his grin lingering. “How’s the footage looking?”

“Really good,” you said honestly. “I think the video’s going to turn out great.”

He looked pleased by that, leaning back against the couch. You hesitated as you debated whether to say what was on your mind.

Finally, you did. “By the way… I noticed some of the footage you took yesterday.”

“Oh yeah,” he said casually. “Actually, can you give me the SD card when you’re done with it?”

You blinked. “Why?”

He shrugged, the corner of his mouth twitching up. “I want to save the videos.”

You tilted your head, confused. “Why?” you repeated.

This time, his grin widened, lazy, playful, and it made your stomach flip.

“Because,” he said simply, eyes locking with yours, “you looked happy in them. Pretty too.”

The room suddenly felt smaller, but you could sense Jongseob and Jiung were listening to your conversation. You blinked, caught completely off guard, and Theo just smiled.

Your cheeks heated instantly. You shifted your weight, trying to mask the way your pulse jumped at his words. “I still don’t understand why you’d want to keep them.” you mumbled, avoiding his gaze.

Theo tilted his head, like he was debating whether to tease you or give a real answer, but before he could reply, a knock sounded at the door and their manager poked his head in. “Soundcheck in five.” he called.

Theo stood, brushing off his pants. “Guess that’s my cue.”

You crossed your arms, watching him warily.

He turned just before leaving, that same faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Don’t delete them, alright?”

You scoffed, trying to play it off. “I will.”

“Don’t.” he said, voice gentle before he turned to go.

As he walked out of the room, Jiung and Jongseob exchanged looks with silent amusement. You rolled your eyes and huffed out a breath but your face still felt warm long after Theo disappeared down the hallway.

You made your way down to the venue floor with a few of the staff, camera in hand and badge swinging against your chest. The arena was mostly empty, lights half-dimmed, the sound of instruments being tuned echoing faintly through the space.

The boys were already on stage, mics in hand, testing the sound as the techs adjusted their levels. Theo’s laughter carried easily, rich and warm through the speakers, and before you realized it, your lens was pointed directly at him.

They ran through a few verses, Theo’s voice effortlessly smooth and he turned to joke with Intak between songs. The sight made something tighten and twist pleasantly in your stomach. You hated it.

You lowered the camera slightly, pretending to check your settings, but your eyes still drifted back to him and his grin and the faint sheen of sweat on his temples under the stage lights.

God, why did he have to look like that doing nothing?

You shook your head, willing the thoughts away. You were here to work. You forced your attention to the rest of the members, capturing shots of the band and stage crew, anything to keep yourself focused. But your camera always seemed to drift back to Theo.

And when he finally caught your gaze from the stage, he grinned and waved at you and you quickly turned the camera away, heat rising to your cheeks.

Annoying. That’s what he was. Completely and utterly annoying.

The rest of the day, you did your best to avoid him.

It wasn’t exactly easy and Theo seemed to appear everywhere, but you kept your distance, keeping conversations short and professional, always pretending to be too busy to talk.

By the time you got back to your hotel room that night, exhaustion had set in. You pulled your laptop onto the bed and started editing. Hours passed without you realizing and the coffee you bought to keep you awake had gone cold. The clock blinked 12:57 am when your phone buzzed beside you.

You picked it up, squinting at the screen.

Did you eat yet?

You frowned.

Why?

A few seconds later, his reply came.

You ask that too much. Just answer the question.

You rolled your eyes at the reply.

No. I’ll eat later.

He read the message immediately but didn’t respond.

You sighed and tossed your phone aside, muttering under your breath, “Why is he even texting me?” You tried to refocus on the footage again, dragging clips into the timeline.

When a knock suddenly echoed from your door a few minutes later, you froze.

You glanced at the clock, 1:04 a.m. Who would knock at your door this late?

Another knock.

Setting your laptop aside, you got up and padded over to the door, looking through the peephole.

You furrowed your brows and cracked the door open. “What are you doing here?”

Theo looked annoyingly energetic for someone who’d just performed in front of thousands of people. “What do you mean, ‘what am I doing here?’ You said you’d eat later. It’s already 1 am.”

Your eyes widened. “You came all the way here to—”

“Come on,” he interrupted, grinning. “Let’s grab something quick. I checked google and there’s a 24-hour diner a few blocks away.”

You blinked at him, confused. “Aren’t you tired from the concert?”

He shook his head. “Not really.”

You stared at him for a long moment, trying to read whatever ridiculous logic was fueling this. But part of you figured… maybe a quiet walk through the city one last time before heading to the next stop wouldn’t be so bad. You knew you wouldn’t be back in a while.

“Fine.” you said finally.

Theo’s face lit up instantly. “Good. Let’s go. You don’t need to bring anything.” He turned to leave, clearly expecting you to follow.

“Wait—I just need to change.” you said quickly.

He stopped, turning back to you with one brow raised only for his gaze to drop automatically. His eyes flicked over the oversized hoodie you were wearing, down to your long bare legs, and his mouth twitched into a smug grin.

“Yeah… you probably should put on some pants,” he said casually. “It’s pretty chilly out.”

You scowled at the insinuation that you weren’t wearing anything underneath, grabbing the hem of your hoodie and yanking it up just enough to show the pair of shorts you had on. “I have shorts on.”

That only made his grin widen. His eyes darted back down lingering a second too long and your cheeks burned at his gaze. “I’ll be back.” you muttered quickly, and before he could tease you again, you slammed the door shut.

You pulled on a pair of gray sweatpants, ran a quick hand through your hair, and opened the door again.

Theo was leaning against the wall across from your room, phone in hand, but he immediately looked up when you stepped out. His lips curved into that now too familiar smile. “Ready?”

“Yeah.”

He straightened and led the way down the quiet hall. The sound of your footsteps echoed faintly against the patterned carpet as you entered the elevator.

“Is anyone else coming?”

He shook his head. “Just me.” Then, a moment later he added, “That okay?”

You simply hummed in reply.

True to his word, the diner was only a few blocks away. The air outside was crisp, the streets nearly empty except for the occasional taxi or late-night wanderer. The neon sign of the diner flickered in warm red and white, reflecting faintly on the wet pavement from an earlier rain.

Inside, it smelled like coffee and pancakes. There were only a few other people scattered around, an old man reading a newspaper, a couple sitting close in a booth, two tired-looking students sharing fries.

You and Theo were seated by a window. The vinyl seats creaked as you sat down across from each other, menus sliding between your hands.

Theo leaned forward, brows scrunched as he focused on the English words. When the waitress came over, he asked her a couple of questions about the burger he wanted, stumbling through his phrasing with that charming determination that made him oddly endearing.

When she left, you couldn’t help but comment. “Your English is getting better.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Barely.”

You let the silence settle after that, both of you gazing out the window. A man walked past, hands in his pockets, followed by a couple laughing quietly as they disappeared down the street.

Eventually, your food came. The clinking of plates broke the calm as you each thanked the waitress quietly.

Theo took a bite of his burger, then leaned back. “So,” he began, “how are you liking touring so far?”

You swallowed a bite of your sandwich before answering. “I’m grateful,” you said honestly. “It’s… nice, getting to travel, especially for free. And I like how busy it keeps me.”

He nodded slowly, chewing thoughtfully. “Do you find it stressful?”

You shook your head. “No. Especially not compared to you guys.”

He tilted his head curiously.

“I mean,” you continued, “I can only imagine how much pressure it is to perform every night and meet everyone’s expectations.”

Theo’s lips curved into a small, thoughtful smile. “It’s gotten easier over the years,” he said. “But yeah. In the beginning? It was tough. Really tough. It took a while before we felt confident enough on stage to not be nervous for every performance.”

You nodded, listening quietly, your gaze flickering between his face and the reflection of city lights in the window. You could tell by the way he spoke that he really loved what he did.

“This is also our longest tour yet,” he added after a moment. “Do you ever feel homesick?”

You paused mid-bite, then slowly shook your head. “Not really.”

His brows lifted slightly. “You don’t miss your friends or family?”

You hesitated, eyes dropping to your plate. “There’s not… many people to miss.” you said quietly, then bit into your sandwich again, hoping the motion would end the conversation.

Theo’s expression softened instantly. He didn’t say anything, but his eyes lingered on you a moment longer than before, just a little bit sad.

You let out a small, awkward chuckle, hoping to shake off the heaviness that had settled over the table.

“You don’t have to look at me like that.” you said lightly, trying to sound nonchalant.

Theo blinked. “Like what?”

“Like you feel bad for me.” you clarified, giving him a half-smile that didn’t quite reach your eyes.

He opened his mouth to defend himself, but before he could, you tilted your head, studying him. “Is that why you’re talking to me more than usual?”

His reaction was immediate, “No, not at all!” he said quickly, leaning forward slightly as if to make sure you believed him.

You hesitated, then asked, softer this time, “Then why?”

It reminded you of the park the day before when you’d asked the same question but with sharpness in your tone, trying to push him away. This time, though, it came out quieter, genuine, and curious.

Theo chuckled under his breath, the sound low and easy, diffusing the tension that had crept between you. “Is it that hard to believe that I just want to get to know you?” he asked, eyes glinting under the warm diner light. “And to be friends.”

His words made your chest feel oddly tight. You looked away from his gaze, focusing instead on your plate. “Well, I’m not good at having friends.” you murmured.

He shook his head immediately. “That’s not true.”

You looked up, and his expression was firm. “I get it,” he continued. “It might be harder for you to open up. That’s okay. But I just… genuinely want to be your friend. I think you’re cool, you know?” he spoke with a shrug.

That made you blink. “It’s that simple?”

He grinned, leaning back against the booth. “Yeah. It’s that simple.”

You found yourself nodding slowly, still processing his sincerity.

Theo took another bite of his burger, chewing thoughtfully before looking back at you again. “You know, I know you like to keep your distance from everyone at work.”

You frowned slightly, unsure where he was going with this. He noticed and added quickly, “I don’t mean it in a bad way. It’s just… you’re always so formal. Professional. Like there’s this invisible wall between you and everyone else.”

You picked at a fry, pretending not to care even though his words hit closer than you wanted to admit.

He leaned his elbows on the table, studying you with quiet sincerity. “But you don’t have to be like that all the time. Not with us.”

You opened your mouth to respond, but he kept going, his tone gentle. “I don’t know why you are like that,” he said honestly. “But I do know that there are a lot of people who’d also want to be friends with you. You just have to take it easy sometimes… not be so closed off.”

You felt your throat tighten a little. In your head, a dozen memories flashed, all the moments that shaped the way you were. The times when being too open had backfired. When your kindness was mistaken for weakness. When trusting people only led to disappointment.

You wanted to tell him all of that. To explain that it wasn’t just a choice.

But instead, all you managed to say was, “It’s hard.”

Theo nodded immediately, as if he understood more than you expected him to. “Yeah,” he said softly. “I know. But just try, okay?”

You looked back at him and at his small, encouraging smile. The reassurance in his eyes told you that he wasn’t asking for anything in return, just your effort, and something inside you eased just a little.

“So,” he said, raising an eyebrow as he reached for his burger again, “friends?”

Your cheeks warmed at his tone, half teasing and half earnest. “Sure.”

“Good.” he said, satisfied, and took another bite of his burger.

Back at the hotel and in the elevator, he clicked the button for only your floor. You reached out to click the button for his and he stopped you, saying he wanted to walk you to your room. You tried telling him it was unnecessary, but all he did was shoot you a look, lips twitching. “Shhh.”

You sighed but didn’t argue, too tired to. The silence in the elevator only made you more aware of how close he stood next to you, his shoulder brushing yours.

When you reached your floor, he followed right beside you until you stopped in front of your door. You turned to face him, feeling a little awkward now that you arrived and he was still standing there.

“Okay,” you said, fumbling for your keycard. “You can go now.”

Theo let out a small laugh, clearly amused by your stiff tone. His eyes sparkled as he tilted his head slightly. “You’re so awkward, it’s really cute.”

Your eyes widened. “What??”

He just grinned. “Goodnight.” he said, taking a few steps back before turning around and walking down the hall.

You stood there for a second, processing, before shaking your head. “Irritating.” you muttered under your breath.

Inside, your suitcase sat half-open on the floor, clothes spilling out in a mess of exhaustion and procrastination. You looked at it and groaned softly. “I’ll wake up early.” you told yourself, kicking off your shoes and climbing into bed.

The room went quiet except for the faint hum of the air conditioning. You lay there staring at the ceiling, and without meaning to, your mind drifted back to the sound of Theo’s voice.

So friends?

You sighed, pulling the blanket up to your chin.

Why not, you thought. You’d known been with the team for months already, and everyone else on the crew seemed so close.

It wouldn’t hurt to be more friendly with them.

Only a little, you told yourself.

—

The next few weeks of tour passed by in a similar manner. It was a blur of early mornings, flights, and busy schedules. The change in your demeanor was gradual after your conversation with Theo. You were still your same old self, focused, reserved, and brooding, but it showed in small ways.

You started hanging back more with the crew instead of immediately retreating to your hotel room. You laughed more at the jokes that were told and engaged in more meaningful conversations with them. The crew picked up on the shift especially when you began to feel more at ease. It wasn’t a huge transformation, but to everyone who had gotten used to your quiet professionalism, it was enough to make their hands tilt in question.

And with Theo… well.

He had made it his mission to linger in your space as much as possible. No matter the situation, he always seemed to end up near you, tossing comments your way that had you rolling your eyes. And every day, he pushed a little further.

During rehearsals, he’d always find a reason to stand near your camera.

“Shouldn’t you be, you know, rehearsing instead of bothering me?” you’d say without looking up from your viewfinder.

Theo would grin, leaning just enough into your shot to be a nuisance. “I’m giving you good behind the scenes footage.”

“Or ruining everything I’m recording.” you muttered dryly, trying to adjust the focus.

He backed away slightly at your sarcasm. “You always look so serious. It’s kind of intimidating.”

You glanced up at him now. “Good. Maybe you’ll leave me alone.”

He grinned. “Not a chance.”

And for some reason… you were starting to not want him to.

The following week, the “solo day in NYC” videos went live and the response to his video was… overwhelming, to say the least.

You scrolled through the comments:

“This lowkey felt like a short film.”

“Why do I feel like I am there with him.”

“You can tell the person behind the camera really understands him.”

You scrolled through them in bed that night, your stomach twisting strangely. You hadn’t meant for it to come across that way, you’d just captured him how you saw him in the moment.

Later that day while you were backstage helping the crew set up, Theo approached you. His expression was sheepish, his hands tucked into his hoodie pocket.

“So, uh,” he began, glancing at the camera in your hands, “I watched the NYC video.”

You didn’t look up. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” He hesitated, then broke into a small, sincere smile. “It turned out really good. Like… really good.”

You snorted. “It was all you, I just filmed.”

He laughed quietly, rubbing the back of his neck. “No, seriously. You have a talent. The way you filmed and edited it, seriously you’re so talented.”

His words caught you off guard. Compliments never sat easily with you, and you weren’t sure what to do with the warmth that spread in your chest.

You shrugged lightly, eyes flicking toward him. “Well, thank you.”

The first time Theo really felt like he was breaking through to you was a few days later. You were all sitting backstage in a dressing room. The others were sprawled out, half-asleep or watching videos. Theo sat across from you, fidgeting with a phone tripod.

Without warning, he pointed the camera at you. “Say hi to the vlog,” he announced.

You looked up, deadpan. “No.”

“Come on, it’s just for me.”

“You’re so annoying.”

Theo gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. “Annoying? Me?”

You raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Yes. You.”

He turned to Keeho who was lounging on the couch scrolling through tiktok. “Keeho, do you agree? Am I annoying?”

Keeho didn’t even look up from his phone. “Absolutely.”

You giggled at that, the sound escaping before you could stop it.

Theo turned back to you instantly, catching that sweet little laugh like it was a rare melody. A smile tugged at his lips, softer than his usual teasing grin. “It’s funny,” he said, tilting his head, “the first time I hear you laugh, it’s when I’m being insulted.”

That only made you laugh harder as your shoulders shook a little. His expression was a perfect mix of disbelief and amusement, and the more bewildered he looked, the harder you laughed.

He leaned back in his chair, still smiling to himself as he watched you try to catch your breath. Through all the teasing, he felt triumphant.

It didn’t take long for the others to notice.

Theo wasn’t exactly subtle, they had all quickly noticed how much he seemed to be hanging around you.

One night they were having dinner together in one of their hotel rooms when they confronted him.

“Okay,” Keeho said suddenly, his tone playful but suspicious. “I’m just gonna say it — what’s going on between you two?”

Theo froze mid-bite. “What do you mean?”

Jiung smirked from where he sat on the floor, leaning back on his palms. “Come on. You’ve been glued to her side lately.”

“And we all noticed how she’s changed a bit these past few weeks,” Intak added, grinning.

“How so?” Theo asked, crossing his arms.

“She smiles more,” Keeho said immediately, pointing his chopsticks at him. “Like, way more. You realize how rare that used to be?”

Jiung nodded. “Yeah, and she actually talks to us a lot more, too. You got her to loosen up.”

Theo tried to hide his grin, staring down at his plate. “Maybe she’s just more comfortable with everyone now.”

“Uh-huh,” Keeho said, raising a brow. “Or maybe it’s because of you.”

Intak leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. “Be honest, hyung. Do you like her or something?”

The room went quiet. Theo’s fingers drummed lightly on the table as he thought for a moment. Then, with the same casual tone one might use to comment on the weather, he said, “Yeah.”

All three of them froze mid-chew.

“Wait— what?” Keeho blinked.

Theo shrugged, pretending not to notice their reactions. “Yeah. I do.”

Jiung’s mouth fell open slightly. “You’re serious?”

Theo gave a half-smile. “I mean… since she started working with us, she’s just been… I don’t know, interesting to me. I tried to talk to her before, but she never really gave anyone the time of day.”

Keeho chuckled, nodding. “Oh, I remember that. You’d say hi and she’d just nod and walk off.”

“Exactly,” Theo said, laughing softly. “But after that day in New York, when we hung out— I don’t know. I saw a different side of her. She’s funny, smart, and she actually talks to me now so that helps.”

Intak tilted his head. “Do you think she likes you back?”

Theo hesitated, twirling his chopsticks between his fingers. “I don’t know,” he admitted quietly. “She’s hard to read. But I’m not gonna do anything about it.”

“Why not?” Keeho asked.

“Because she just agreed to try being friends,” Theo said simply. “I’m not gonna mess that up.”

The others nodded slowly, the teasing fading into understanding.

“Fair enough,” Jiung said. “Still, it’s kinda wild seeing you like this.”

Theo only hummed, pushing rice around his plate, but his mind was elsewhere. His thoughts lingered on you and he wondered if you could ever feel the same way.

You slowly began opening up to him more, something Theo did not take for granted.

One night, you found yourself sitting alone by the hotel pool, the water reflecting the soft lights above as your thoughts wander. You were so engrossed in the sight that you didn’t notice him walking up until he was right beside you.

“Taeyang.” you said automatically, turning to greet him.

He froze mid-step, caught completely off guard by the sound of your voice using his real name. His brows lifted slightly, and he looked at you, trying to hold back a smile.

“What’s wrong?” you asked, noticing his reaction.

He chuckled softly and sat down beside you, leaning back on his hands. “You… said my name.” he said simply, eyes still on yours.

You felt your cheeks heat up immediately. “I heard someone in the crew say you like it when people call you that.” you mumbled, looking down at your hands.

He nodded, smiling lightly. “I do.”

You gave a small nod in response and quickly turned your gaze back to the shimmering water, trying to hide the blush creeping across your face.

He leaned a little closer, tilting his head. “What are you doing out here all alone?”

You shrugged lightly, your gaze still fixed on the water.

“Something on your mind?” he asked gently.

You hesitated for a moment, debating whether to give him your usual “nothing,” but there was something in his tone that made you feel brave enough to say it. You looked up at him, meeting his expectant gaze, and finally admitted, “It’s my birthday.”

His eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment he just stared at you. “I… didn’t know.” he said quietly.

You shrugged, trying to downplay it. “It’s not a big deal.” you murmured, forcing a small smile.

Theo didn’t push or say anything else, simply settling into the quiet beside you. He let you take your time, giving you space to open up at your own pace.

After a long pause, you exhaled softly, finally letting your guard down a little. “Since I was young… my parents were always busy,” you began, voice low. “And over the years… they just… stopped caring about birthdays. So I… I don’t really like to celebrate.”

Theo listened quietly, his gaze fixed on you, silent but attentive.

You continued, a bitter sort of laugh escaping you. “I… foolishly stay awake as long as I can… hoping they’ll call or remember. But they never do.”

He didn’t interrupt, just kept his eyes on you, his comforting. You could feel that he wasn’t judging, wasn’t trying to fix anything, he was just… there, letting you speak.

You hesitated for a moment, the words feeling heavy on your tongue, but the quiet patience in Theo’s gaze gave you courage. “I… I guess this is why I am the way I am,” you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper. “A lot of it comes from… neglect, I guess. From parents who were always too busy to notice me, or too wrapped up in their own lives to care.”

He nodded slowly, encouraging you to continue without a word.

“I moved around a lot as a kid,” you continued, the memories stirring a mix of frustration and sadness. “Different cities, different schools… never really settling anywhere. I never had the chance to make friends or attachments, because everything always felt temporary. So I… I learned to keep my distance, to not get close to anyone. It just… felt safer that way.”

Theo leaned slightly closer, his presence steady but not intrusive. “That sounds… really hard.” he said quietly, his tone gentle, but there was no pity in it.

You nodded, swallowing the lump in your throat. “Yeah… it made me… closed off and distant… I guess I built walls so I wouldn’t get hurt or disappointed.”

You took a deep breath, finally letting your gaze meet his. “I… I guess I’m telling you all this to say that I shouldn’t let it affect me anymore. And… you helped me realize that I don’t have to be like that. So… thank you.”

Theo blinked at you for a moment, caught off guard by the sudden softness in your voice. He shook his head lightly at your words. “You don’t have to thank me.”

You give him a small smile and turn back to the water as the two of you sit in silence, just enjoying each other's presence.

You gave him a small, teasing smirk. “Don’t get used to me being this sentimental.”

Theo raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Oh, don’t worry. I won’t.”

You glanced at the sky, the stars just starting to peek out. “We should probably get some sleep.”

He nodded slowly. “Yeah… probably.”

You pushed yourself up from the edge of the pool, brushing off your hands. “You coming?”

“I’m gonna hang here for a bit.”

You nodded and gave him a small smile. “Alright. Goodnight, then.”

You head up to your room started your usual bedtime routine, your mind still replaying the conversation by the pool. Just as you were about to set your phone down and drift off, a notification lit up the screen: Theo.

Are you awake?

You blinked, fingers hovering over the keyboard before replying: Yes.

A moment later, another message popped up: Open your door.

Confused, you got up and slowly opened your door. There he was, holding a cupcake with a single candle flickering softly. You froze, your heart catching unexpectedly.

“Can I come in?” he asked gently, his tone careful, almost afraid you would say no.

You nodded, stepping aside, still wide-eyed. He entered your room, cupcake in hand, and you followed, your curiosity warring with your shyness. He hesitated for a moment, scanning your face before a soft, reassuring smile broke across his features.

“Your birthday does matter,” he said quietly, almost reverently. “Your life is worth celebrating, and it doesn’t matter if you or anyone else doesn’t see it that way… because I do.”

You were rooted to your spot, overwhelmed by the sincerity in his voice. He cleared his throat gently and began to sing Happy Birthday, his voice low and soft. Step by step, he closed the distance between you, his gaze never leaving yours.

When he finished, he stood just in front of you, holding the cupcake with the flickering candle. “Make a wish.” he prompted, his smile bright but gentle.

You looked into his eyes for a long moment, your chest tightening, before finally glancing down at the candle. With a small breath, you blew it out. Theo’s grin widened as he set the cupcake on the table and when he turned,impulsively, you wrapped your arms around him. He stiffened slightly, caught off guard, but then slowly returned the hug, his hands sliding around your back. He held you there firm against his chest, as if trying to shield you from all the disappointments of past birthdays.

Your head rested against his chest, and you could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. After a moment, you pulled back slightly, and he noticed the glimmer of tears in your eyes.

“Hey…” he murmured softly, brushing one away with his thumb. “I didn’t want you to cry.”

You shook your head lightly, your voice trembling. “That… that’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for me.”

Before you could stop yourself, you pulled him back into another hug. This time, there was no hesitation. He tightened his arms around you, burying his face lightly against your hair. His warmth, his presence, and the gentle weight of his body made you feel safe in a way you hadn’t allowed yourself to feel in years.

You stayed there for what felt like an eternity, letting the quiet comfort between you settle.

—

The final stretch of tour came quickly, and exhaustion was setting in for everyone, even the brief moments of downtime felt fleeting. You could feel the weight of it all settling over the group, everyone was looking forward to finishing and finally getting a little rest.

You tried to show your support for everyone as much as you could in little ways, especially with Theo who was particularly tempered by the fatigue he was trying to hide.

You quietly passed him snacks when you noticed he was skipping meals. You made sure his water bottle was always full, placing it within easy reach without making a fuss. When he paused to catch his breath or wiped sweat from his brow, you offered a quiet smile or a small nod of encouragement.

In the back of your mind you also caught on to the slightest change in your dynamic, though you kept it exactly there, in the back of your mind. You caught him looking your way constantly, and though you pretended to focus on your own work, you felt the warmth of his attention. He’d lean slightly closer when discussing anything or quietly brush his hand against yours when handing something over, just little touches here and there.

He also became bolder with his teasing, playfully nudging you or smirking whenever you did something small for him.

“You've been spoiling me recently.” he’d joke when you handed him a water bottle or passed him a snack.

You’d brush it off with your usual defense, tilting your head and saying, “Don’t get used to it,” or “I’d do this for anyone.”

He never seemed deterred. In fact, his teasing seemed to grow alongside the subtle gestures you continued to make for him, like a game neither of you fully admitted to playing.

And though you pretended to be indifferent, there were moments when his attention made it impossibly hard not to feel it deep in your stomach, a reminder that your small acts of care hadn’t gone unnoticed.

You and Theo spent more time alone than you even realized at first. Late-night talks in one of your hotel rooms, quiet morning walks, sneaking away for coffee and matcha runs.

You talked about everything and nothing. Sometimes, he’d ramble about his interests, other times you’d sit in silence.

One day when you were walking back to the hotel he said, “You know, I thought at one point you were kinda mean.”

You rolled your eyes. “Wow thanks.”

He laughed, shaking his head. “No, listen, now I know you’re actually the sweetest person, you just pretend to be all ‘I’m so mean and stoic. Grrr’.”

You looked at him in disgust. “First of all I don't sound like that. Second of all, when have I ever growled??”

He burst out laughing, delighted at your reaction. “Come on, admit it,” he teased, leaning closer. “You’re so sweet.”

You rolled your eyes. “You’re an idiot.”

Before you could react, he looped an arm around your shoulders from behind, resting his chin near your temple. “You can’t fool me,” he said with a smug smile. “I know you like hearing it.”

You squirmed in his hold, trying to shake him off. “Get off, Taeyang!”

He only laughed harder, holding on just a second longer before finally letting go. You shot him an exasperated glare, but the tiny smile tugging at your lips betrayed you.

—

It was finally their last show, and this time you watched from the crowd as the boys took the stage for the final time.

Theo caught your gaze more than once, and every time, your heart gave a small, traitorous flutter. You’d seen them perform countless times, but this one marked the end of your first tour with them and it felt bittersweet.

When the confetti began to fall during their encore, you slipped backstage before their final song ended. The sound of the crowd still rang through the air when they ran off stage, flushed and breathless, laughter and cheers filling the space. Staff members handed them flowers and a cake while everyone shouted congratulations.

You stood off to the side, smiling softly at the chaos. Then Theo’s eyes started scanning the room until they landed on you. His grin widened instantly, bright and genuine, and you couldn’t help but clap for him.

When things began to settle, he made his way toward you, sweat still glistening on his temples.

“Congrats,” you said, your smile widening. “You did it.”

“Don’t I deserve a hug then?” he asked, half-teasing, half-hopeful.

You blinked. “Is that… necessary?”

He didn’t even bother replying, just pulled you into his arms before you could protest. You squirmed at first, muttering something that was drowned out by your lips pressing against his chest, but your resistance melted fast. His arms were warm and solid around you and without realizing it, you squeezed him a little tighter.

When you finally pulled back, your face was flushed, but your tone was sincere. “Seriously, though—you guys were amazing. The whole tour, not just tonight. You should be proud.”

His teasing expression softened. “Thank you,” he said quietly, meaning every word.

Someone called his name from across the room, pulling him back to reality. You gave him a gentle nod. “Go,” you said. “Enjoy the moment. You earned it.”

He hesitated for a second, part of him didn’t want to leave, but then he smiled at you one more time before walking away, disappearing into the sea of celebration.

—

The company arranged a rooftop dinner celebration and small party for everyone at the hotel and you all changed and freshened up before heading to the roof.

When you got up there, most people had already arrived. The rooftop was buzzing with conversation, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. Fairy lights crisscrossed above the tables, and the warm evening breeze carried faint traces of music from the speakers.

You glanced around, spotting clusters of staff and members talking. You made your way to the drink table and poured yourself something cold, taking a moment to enjoy the small reprieve from the chaos of the past few weeks.

When you turned around, your eyes met Theo’s from across the space. He was standing with Soul and Intak, laughing at something they said until he noticed you. His grin faltered and you waved lightly. His gaze trailed down your body, over your dress and down to your heels, a little too noticeably, before you turned and walked toward another videographer you worked closely with. You could practically feel his eyes on you as you chatted, pretending not to notice.

When it was time for dinner, you sat with some of the staff while Theo joined his members at another table. You tried to focus on the conversation around you, but every so often, you’d catch that same heavy gaze lingering your way. You’d look up just in time to see him glance away, poorly pretending to listen to Keeho talk.

After dinner, the music picked up as people danced and sang. You stayed for a while, smiling, nodding, taking it all in, but it wasn’t really your scene. So after a few more minutes, you quietly slipped away toward the elevators.

You pressed the button and stepped inside. The doors had nearly closed when a hand darted through the gap, forcing them back open. Theo stumbled in, a little breathless, one hand braced against the wall.

You blinked at him.

He huffed, straightening up with a small pout. “Were you avoiding me?”

Your brows furrowed. “What?”

“You didn’t talk to me all night.” he said, his tone a mix of teasing and genuine offense.

A laugh slipped out of you before you could stop it. “I wasn’t avoiding you, Taeyang.”

He nodded slowly. “Why are you leaving early?”

You shrugged, pressing the button for your floor. “It’s just… not really my vibe. What about you?”

His answer came easily. “Because I’d rather be with you.”

You froze, heat creeping up your neck. You quickly covered it with a roll of your eyes and a fake yawn. “What if I don’t want to hang out? I could use some sleep.”

He leaned back against the wall with a grin that was far too pleased. “Then that’s not my problem.”

You turned away, cheeks warm despite your best effort to seem unfazed, as the elevator hummed quietly around you.

You reached your room and swiped your keycard, holding the door open for him. Theo hesitated for a second before stepping inside, the soft click of the door closing echoing through the quiet room. He slipped off his jacket, tossing it onto a nearby chair, and rolled up his sleeves. You tried not to look but your eyes still flicked to the movement, catching the veins along his forearms before you quickly turned away.

You needed air.

Crossing the room, you pushed open the balcony doors and stepped outside. The night breeze met you immediately and it cooled your burning skin. You leaned against the railing, inhaling deeply, trying to calm the flutter in your chest.

A moment later, you heard the door slide again. Theo stepped out, his hair slightly tousled from the wind. He sank onto the small couch near the railing, his elbows resting on his knees as he looked out at the view. For a few quiet moments, neither of you said anything.

You finally turned toward him, resting your arms on the railing. “How are you feeling?” you asked softly. “Now that it’s over, I mean.”

He tilted his head back, thinking. “Relieved,” he admitted, exhaling with a faint laugh. “But it’s always sad when a tour ends.”

“Yeah… I get that.”

He looked up at you, his expression softening. “What about you? How was your first tour with us?”

You smiled faintly, eyes glimmering at the memories from each city and country visited. “Incredible,” you said after a moment. “I’ll never forget it.”

He hummed in reply and you gazed up at the sky.

When you finally turned your head back, he was still watching you, the faintest curve of a smile playing on his lips. His gaze lingered on your hair, your eyes, the way the moonlight shone down over your face.

“You look beautiful.” he said quietly.

You froze, heart skipping a beat, unsure what to do with the warmth creeping up your neck. Before you could even think of how to respond, Theo’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you all night,” he said, voice low, “just so I could tell you that.”

You tried to brush it off, mumbling something about him being tired, but he stood up from the couch and stepped closer, until he was in front of you and your back was pressed against the railing. The quiet between you thickened.

“I mean it,” he said again, firmer this time. “You’re beautiful.”

You glanced away, trying to collect yourself, but his gaze didn’t waver. He looked down with a small, shy smile before admitting, “I’ve always thought so. Since the first time I met you.”

That made your breath catch. You turned back to him, curiosity flickering in your eyes.

He looked up again, meeting your stare. “You know,” he continued, leaning in just a little, “I had a little crush on you back then, when you first started at FNC. But every time I tried to talk to you…” He chuckled softly. “You’d shut me down.”

You swallowed hard, the sound loud in the still air. “Sounds like me,” you murmured, half-embarrassed, half-amused.

Theo hummed in agreement, his smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Yeah. But you’re not the person I thought you were.” His voice lowered, quiet and sincere. “You’re kind. And gentle. And sweet. And caring…”

He trailed off, eyes falling to your lips before he spoke again, barely above a whisper. “I really want to kiss you right now.”

Your pulse thundered in your ears as he leaned in, slow enough to let you pull away if you wanted to but you didn’t move.

“Tell me to stop…” he murmured, his breath brushing against your skin.

You didn’t say a word.

So he closed the remaining space, pressing his lips softly, almost hesitantly, against yours.

He started slow and tentative, but as the kiss deepened, you found yourself melting into it. Your hands moved without thinking, clinging to the fabric of his shirt like a lifeline. He felt warm and solid beneath your fingers.

Theo pulled back just enough to let you breathe before pressing his lips to yours again, harder this time. His hand reached up to cup your cheek, his thumb tracing gentle circles on your jawline. You moaned into the kiss, feeling your body flush further with heat.

He walked you back slowly, hands coming up to massage lightly over where your back had been pressed against the railing while simultaneously fitting your body snug against his. He sat down on the couch, pulling you on top of him in the process.Your hands rested on his shoulders as you kissed, until you had to pull back for a breath. His lips transitioned to your neck, trailing kisses down your throat and you arched your back towards him, offering him more access, and he took it, his tongue dancing along your skin.

"Taeyang…" you moaned out his name, barely recognizing it as your own voice.

He smiled against your neck, kissing lightly as he mumbled, "You sound so pretty."

You pulled his lips back against yours, kissing him deeply. Your hands slid around his neck, tugging gently at his hair. He groaned into the kiss, arching against you. But suddenly, doubt began to creep into your mind. Wasn’t this happening way too fast? What if you were letting yourself get too close? You weren’t used to anyone actually caring this much, and the thought of being so vulnerable made your chest tighten.

And then the familiar whisper of self-doubt followed: Why would he even want this? He probably doesn’t really care about me, he’s just being nice.

Your lips were beginning to stutter against his, hands loosening in his hair. The warmth of the moment with him felt real, yes, but your mind kept pulling you back, reminding you of the walls you’d built and the years of being overlooked. You tried to push the thoughts away, but they lingered, stubborn and insistent.

What if he changed his mind? What if he got tired of you, just like everyone else eventually did? The fear of being left behind clawed at the edges of your mind.

And deeper still, memories of past hurt surfaced, flashes of all the times you had been disappointed, ignored, or abandoned, making your chest ache. Every instinct screamed to pull back, to protect yourself before it was too late, even as your body ached to stay close to him.

Theo’s brow furrowed as he noticed your sudden stillness, the tension in your body. “Hey… are you okay?” he asked softly, reaching out.

Something inside you snapped back into the harsh reality of your fears. You climbed off him quickly, pressing your back against the balcony railing, putting as much distance as possible between the two of you as your breaths came fast and shallow.

Theo rose immediately, concern etched across his face, taking a careful step toward you. “What happened? Did I—”

You raised your hand, shaking your head slightly. “No… you… you should leave.” you said, voice tight, trembling despite your effort to sound steady.

His confusion and hurt flashed in his eyes. “Wait… what did I do wrong?”

You felt your chest tighten, tears threatening to spill over. “Theo… please,” you whispered, your voice cracking. “Just… leave.”

He stood there, frozen for a moment, his gaze lingering on yours as if searching for some clue. Your own eyes watered, guilt twisting through you because you could see how much you were hurting him, even as you were trying to protect yourself.

Finally, Theo nodded slowly, his jaw tight, shoulders heavy with the weight of your words. Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving you rooted to the spot.

Once the sound of his footsteps faded, you sank to the floor, your back against the railing. Your hands trembled as you brought them to your face, gasping for air, trying to calm your racing heart—but the dam broke. You cried, silent sobs wracking your body as the mixture of fear, guilt, and longing surged through you.

Even with him gone, the ache of what you wanted and what you feared twisted inside you, leaving you raw and trembling on the balcony, all alone.

You only managed to get an hour of sleep before your alarm went off. Your eyes felt heavy, head pounding from exhaustion and from everything that had happened the night before. You dressed quietly, movements robotic, forcing yourself to focus on packing up your last few things before heading downstairs to the lobby.

The group was already gathered when you arrived, the boys clustered together with their luggage. Your heart jumped when you spotted Theo among them, also visibly tired, his hair still damp from a shower. You quickly averted your gaze, mumbling a brief greeting to the staff before busying yourself with checking your bag to distract yourself.

You didn’t look at him once.

Even when you could feel his gaze flickering toward you, pleading for you to look at him, you pretended not to notice. You kept your focus on the floor, on your phone, on anything that wasn’t him. The tension between you was heavy.

At the airport, things didn’t get easier. You walked ahead of the group when you could, always finding a reason to sit far from them, to double-check your equipment, to scroll mindlessly on your phone. Thankfully, the seating arrangements for the long flight home put the boys in first class while you and the staff sat in economy. For the first time, you were grateful for the uncomfortable seats.

You spent most of the flight pretending to sleep, headphones in, trying to drown out your thoughts, but every time you closed your eyes, you saw him again. The confusion in his face. The hurt. .

When the plane finally landed, everyone looked exhausted but relieved to be back home. The group gathered near baggage claim, chatting quietly as they waited for the company cars that would take them to the building where their own cars were parked.

You stood apart from them, your hands gripping the handle of your suitcase, the weight of the last twenty-four hours pressing down on you. You couldn’t take it anymore, the proximity, the guilt, the way your heart twisted just knowing he was nearby.

So, before anyone could say anything, you turned and started walking toward the exit.

He called your name.

Your heart clenched at the sound of his voice and the desperation behind it. You froze for a split second but forced yourself to keep moving, speeding up your pace until you slipped through the automatic doors and out into the cool air.

Behind you, Theo stood still, watching you leave with a heavy expression, fist clenched tightly by his side. The only thing he could do was wonder if he’d pushed too far, or if he’d ever get the chance to fix what went wrong.

The company had given everyone a well-deserved week off after months of nonstop traveling. Normally, you would have been grateful for the break, taking the chance to catch up on sleep, to rest your body, maybe work on a side project. But instead, it only made the quiet of your apartment feel unbearable.

You tried to distract yourself with editing, with cleaning, with anything that could keep your mind busy. But your thoughts always drifted back to him. The way he laughed. The way he’d hover near your camera during rehearsals. The way he would always try so hard to make you feel wanted. You hadn’t realized how used to being around Theo you’d become until now, when his absence felt like a hollow space you couldn’t fill.

But you ruined it.

You told yourself it was for the best, that it would’ve happened eventually anyway. He would’ve gotten tired of you, of your walls, your distance, your inability to let anyone stay too close for too long. That’s just how things always went.

Still… you couldn’t help but hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe, he’d text. Or call. Or send some dumb picture like he used to. But your phone stayed silent, and the longer it did, the more reality began to set in.

By the third night, the loneliness became almost too much to manage. The quiet of your apartment pressed against your ears until you felt like you were on the verge of a breakdown. Eventually you started to wonder how you’d gotten so used to being like this, so accustomed to isolation that it had become your normal.

Without Theo, without his light, his warmth, the darkness around you felt colder and so much harder to escape.

You mentally prepared yourself as much as you could to be back in the FNC building. You had no filming schedules with the boys that day, but you knew they’d be there.

When you arrived, you headed straight to your office, keeping your head down and your earphones in as if that alone could make you invisible. You buried yourself in editing, putting together clips from the tour your eyes blurred and your shoulders ached. You didn’t even leave for lunch, too afraid of running into him in the halls.

When the building finally began to empty and the lights dimmed, you packed your things and lingered a little longer just to be sure. By the time you stepped into the quiet hallway, it was nearly dark outside. The only sound was the soft hum of the air vents and your own heartbeat in your ears.

You reached the elevator, pressing the button with a shaky hand. You waited for the elevator to reach you, and the metallic doors slid open, revealing the only person you had been avoiding.

Theo.

The second his eyes met yours, the world seemed to still. Neither of you said a word. Seconds passed, stretching painfully into what felt like hours.

Your throat tightened, and before you could think twice, you turned sharply, deciding to take the stairs instead. But before you could take a step, his hand wrapped around your wrist and he tugged you in just before the doors closed. You stumbled from the force, your chest colliding with his. The familiar scent of his cologne engulfed your senses, a scent you'd missed more than you cared to admit, and it made your heart race.

You immediately pushed yourself off him, your breath unsteady as you refused to meet his eyes. The enclosed space of the elevator didn't help, and you wondered what you did in your past life to deserve this torment.

The elevator ride down is silent and suffocating. The hum of the machinery fills the cramped space, and yet it feels deafening. Neither of you say a word, and somehow that makes it worse.

When the doors slide open, you rush out immediately, desperate for air and distance. But his footsteps echo behind you.

He says your name so softly, so quietly, and this time it stops you in your tracks. You turn around slowly, your heart pounding as you finally meet his gaze.

And that’s when you see what you’d done to him. The exhaustion in his eyes. The sadness sitting heavy on his face. The faint slouch in his posture.

His voice is gentle when he finally speaks. “Can we talk?”

Something in his tone cracks through your defenses. It’s not angry or demanding… just tired. So tired that it makes your throat tighten. You fight to keep your expression unreadable, to slip back into that calm, unbothered version of yourself that he used to know.

“There’s not much to say.” you manage.

He shakes his head slightly, eyes locked on yours. “That’s a lie.”

You open your mouth, then close it again, and just as you’re about to turn away, a loud growl erupts from your stomach.

The sound echoes embarrassingly in the quiet lobby.

Your eyes widen and your cheeks flush instantly, burning hot as you look away.

Theo blinks, and then his brows knit together. “Did you… eat today?”

You want to lie. You want to tell him yes, that you’re fine, that he doesn’t need to worry. But the truth slips out before you can stop it. You shake your head, eyes still averted.

He exhales softly, nodding once. “Let’s go eat.”

You open your mouth to protest, but nothing comes out. So instead, you just nod faintly and follow him, your steps quiet beside his as you both make your way into the street.

You’re quiet the entire way to the restaurant. Neither of you speak, afraid that one wrong word might shatter everything. When you reach the restaurant and finally sit down, the air is still heavy, the only sound coming from the soft clinking of dishes and the faint slurping of noodles between you.

You find yourself both comforted and nervous. Comforted because his presence, despite everything, still feels familiar and safe. Nervous because you don’t know what to say, how to explain the mess in your head, or whether you even should.

When the meal ends and the bill arrives, you slip your card into the pocket but Theo just looks at you for a moment before gently sliding it back across the table.

You stare at him, wanting to argue, but the look in his eyes leaves no room for it. So you just exhale, defeated, and let him handle it.

Once outside, the cool night air greets you. You stand together for a moment and he asks, “Do you live close?”

You nod. “Yeah, just a few blocks.”

“I’ll walk you.” he says simply.

“You don’t have to…” you reply immediately, already shaking your head.

He gives you that same look again and it reminds you of that night in New York when he walked you back to your hotel room even when you insisted he didn’t need to. You’d felt safe then. You feel that again now, and so once again you accept the defeat with a soft sigh.

The walk starts off quiet, footsteps echoing softly against the pavement. You can tell he wants to say something when his jaw flexes slightly and his hands fidget in his pockets. Eventually, he exhales and breaks the silence.

“I’m sorry,” he says quietly, his tone almost uncertain. “For making you uncomfortable… that night.”

You stop walking. He keeps talking before you can interrupt. “I wasn’t planning on doing that, or even confessing to you at all. I just—” he pauses, glancing down at the ground, “—I told myself I’d keep it to myself. But I couldn’t help it.”

You take a deep breath, your chest tightening as you finally look at him. “Theo… you didn’t make me uncomfortable.”

He turns toward you, brow furrowed in confusion.

“I don’t want you thinking that’s why I stopped,” you say, shaking your head firmly. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You didn’t… you didn’t hurt me. So please, stop blaming yourself.”

He studies you for a long moment, searching your expression. His voice comes out fragile this time.

“Then why did you stop?”

You open your mouth, but no words come out at first. The weight of his question lingers and you finally take a shaky breath.

“I stopped because…” you trail off, your throat tightening, “because there’s no point, Theo.”

His brows knit together, confusion flashing across his face. You force yourself to keep going, even though every word feels like it’s scraping against your chest.

“I know it won’t work out. It never has with me.” You gesture vaguely between the two of you, unable to hold his gaze for long. “Relationships, love, trust… it always gets messed up. It’s easier to just accept that than pretend.”

Your words come out harsher than you intended, as if you’re trying to convince yourself more than him. “I’m just… not the type of person made for being with someone. And that’s okay.”

For a moment, there’s only silence. You finally look up at him, expecting him to be angry, or maybe relieved. But instead, he just looks at you completely bewildered, heartbroken even. His eyes search yours, as if he can’t quite believe the things you’re saying about yourself.

When he finally speaks, his voice is low but full of emotion. “Why can’t you believe that you’re deserving of love?”

The words hit you like a punch to the guy. You inhale sharply, your composure cracking. The sincerity in his voice and the pain in his eyes is too much. You look away quickly, blinking back the sudden sting in your eyes.

“Theo—” you start, but he cuts you off immediately, his tone firm but not harsh.

“No,” he says, shaking his head. “I’m not gonna listen to you talk about yourself like that. Like you don’t deserve love. Because you do.”

You stare at him, stunned by the sudden fire in his voice. “It’s not that simple,” you say quietly, your throat tightening again. “It’s going to be too hard, Theo. You’ll get tired or I’ll ruin it. I’m not your problem to deal with.”

“Please! Please be my problem!”

Your breath catches. He steps closer, close enough that you can see the earnest desperation in his expression.

“You keep talking like you’re some burden I’d eventually want to get rid of,” he says, his voice trembling slightly. “But I don’t see you that way. I never have. I already know you push people away. I know you hold back because you’re scared people will leave and you’ll get hurt.”

You open your mouth to argue, but he doesn’t give you the chance.

“You don’t get to decide what I want,” he continues, taking another slow step forward. “And I’ve already decided. What I want is you.”

You blink hard, feeling your chest ache under the weight of his words. He exhales shakily, his tone gentler now.

“I’m not asking you to be perfect. I just want you to stop running from the idea that someone could actually stay. Because I’m not leaving, not unless you make me.”

For a moment, neither of you move. You can only stand there, heart pounding, eyes glistening, wondering how he could possibly mean every word, and terrified because a part of you believed him.

He steps closer until there’s barely an inch between you, his eyes searching yours like he’s afraid any sudden movements will scare you off. Then, gently, his hands come up to cup your cheeks. His palms are warm against your skin, thumbs brushing over the faint trace of tears that hadn’t fallen.

“Please,” he whispers, his voice thick with sincerity. “Just try—for me. And I’ll prove to you that this can work.”

For a long moment, you can’t speak. The quiet trust in his expression makes your head spin. Somehow, despite every fear, every wall, every doubt screaming in your mind… you nod. Slowly, but surely.

A breath of relief escapes him, and then he’s pulling you into his arms—so tight that he lifts you and your toes barely brush the ground. You sink into his hold, your hands clutching the back of his shirt.

He buries his face into your neck, breathing you in like he’s been starving for the comfort of you. His voice is low and rough against your ear. “You have no idea how hard this week was without you.”

Your throat tightens, guilt curling in your stomach. “I’m sorry,” you whisper, but he just shakes his head against you, his lips brushing your skin.

“Shh,” he murmurs, his hold firm and gentle all at once. “You don’t have to be sorry. You’re here now.”

When he finally sets you down, you keep your eyes on him, your heart hammering. The words come out before you can second-guess them. “I’ll try.”

The smile that spreads across his face is blinding, pure, unfiltered happiness. And the way he looks at you like you’ve just handed him the world makes heat rush to your cheeks.

He tilts his head, his grin turning playful. “If I kiss you, are you gonna push me off again?”

You roll your eyes and shove lightly at his chest, though your lips are already twitching with a smile. “You’re so annoying.”

He laughs, a soft, joyous sound that melts the last bit of tension between you and before you can say anything else, his hand finds your cheek again, and he pulls you into a sweet, lingering kiss.

He pulls away just enough to press a soft kiss to your forehead. The simple gesture sends warmth rushing to your cheeks, and before you can even recover, he grins and squeezes them gently between his fingers.

“You’re so cute.” he says with that teasing tone that never fails to fluster you.

You groan, swatting lightly at his chest. “Stop.”

But you don’t move away, and that only makes him chuckle, his laughter rumbling against you. He reaches down, effortlessly finding your hand, and interlocks his fingers with yours as the two of you start walking again. He swings your joined hands playfully, and even though you roll your eyes, there’s a small smile tugging at your lips.

When you finally reach your apartment, you hesitate, nerves bubbling in your chest before you blurt out, “Do you… want to come in?”

He smiles softly, his eyes lighting up in that familiar way. “Of course.”

You lead him inside, suddenly self-conscious as he takes in your space. “This place is so you.” he murmurs, and something about the way he says it makes your heart flutter.

He sits on the couch as you grab two bottles of water from the fridge. You hand him one before sitting beside him, careful to leave a respectable distance between you. He notices immediately, amusement flickering in his gaze before he simply closes the gap himself, draping an arm around your shoulders and tucking you against his side.

You try not to overthink it. “What do you want to do?” you ask quietly.

He exhales, the sound heavy and content all at once. “Just this.” he says, leaning his head back with a sigh. A yawn slips out, and you can’t help but smile.

“Tired?” you ask softly.

He nods, his voice low. “Yeah. It’s been… an exhausting week.”

You hum in agreement, then glance up at him nervously. “Do you want to… go to sleep?”

He meets your eyes and smiles faintly. “Yeah.”

You stand and motion toward your bedroom. “Come on.”

Your heart races as you lead him inside. You grab a change of clothes and mumble something about washing up before slipping into the bathroom. When you return, face washed and hair down, he’s already sprawled across your bed like he owns it, one arm behind his head, the other lazily resting at his side. His eyes are closed and you think he's fallen asleep.

You pull the covers back and climb in stiffly, careful not to wake him, your back facing him. The room falls quiet except for the sound of your steady breaths until you feel his arm slide around your waist.

He pulls you closer, tucking you snugly against his chest. Your body instantly softens in his hold, the tension melting away as his lips brush a soft, sleepy kiss against your shoulder.

Your mind feels at ease in his arms, any negative thoughts finally pushed out and replaced by him.

#theo angst

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