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2i1han · 1 month ago

Text

Slowly, Then All at Once

5.2 : finally (choice)

pairing: classmate!leehan x fem!reader│word count: 14k

genre: fluff, slow-burn, young adult, romcom, coming of age

characters mentioned : kim leehan , park sungho , sakai moka , kim minji , bae jinsol , lee jooyeon , jay park (en) , junhan , kim minju , kim woonhak

warnings : no warnings! sfw

summary : you and leehan have known each other for years—classmates since ninth grade, always familiar but never really close due to leehan's indifference. but when his brother enters the picture, everything starts to change. unresolved situation that were once buried begin to surface, and leehan must decide: let go or finally take a chance.

a/n: finally! after a whole week, i've finished this! i ended up deleting and reworking a lot of parts because i wasn't completely satisfied, so i really hope the finale meets your expectations (or at least comes close!).

this series holds a special place in my heart—writing it felt like stepping into its universe and living in it myself. and now, we've reached the finale! i hope you all enjoy it. (making it up to you for the long wait with some extra word count!)

playlist : serenade/boynextdoor , love me like that/sam kim , love, this/las , we're already/kimmuseum , the rose song/rio , our film/rio , dance with me/jiyul , dry flower/jiyul , where am i/jiyul

the warm spring air rushed past as you sped through the streets, the wind tugging at the strands of your hair that had escaped from beneath your helmet. your hands on his shoulders were firm, his occasional grins flashing through the side mirror. his excitement was contagious, and despite the nerves that came with riding a motorcycle, you couldn't help but smile too.

after weaving through the city, the bike finally came to a smooth stop in front of a rental studio. you carefully swung your leg over and stepped down first, adjusting your floral yellow cami top and smoothing out your jeans. with a quick tug, you removed your helmet, handing it back to sungho, who was still seated.

"you're enjoying this too much," you teased, raising an eyebrow.

"of course i am." he laughed, taking the helmet from your hands and setting it on the bike before hopping off.

your attention shifted to the sign above the studio, reading it as sungho came to stand beside you. he nudged your shoulder lightly. "let's go?"

you looked up at him and nodded. "lead the way."

the two of you entered the building, the sound of your footsteps echoing as you ascended the stairs to the second floor. halfway up, sungho turned to you with a grin. "thanks for coming with me today," he said, rubbing the back of his ear—a habit he did when he was a little nervous.

you waved off his gratitude. "it's nothing. i could use a good distraction before drowning in my project later."

he chuckled, pushing open the door to the studio. the room was dimly lit, with black soundproof foam covering the walls. in the center, a drum set and various instruments were neatly arranged, amplifiers lined up. to the side, a couch and coffee table sat occupied by jooyeon, junhan, and jay. at the sound of the door opening, they all turned their heads toward you.

jooyeon smirked as he stood from the couch, stretching lazily. "didn't know you'd be bringing company."

"be nice," sungho shot back, shaking his head.

ignoring him, jooyeon strode up to you, extending a hand. "nice to see you again, junior."

you shook his hand with a polite smile. "nice to see you too, senior."

jay, who had been leaning back, gave you a nod in acknowledgment, while junhan, true to his usual quiet nature—headed straight to his guitar, already preparing.

"i'll be over there," you said, gesturing to the couch. you slipped off your sling bag and set it down before taking a seat. sungho gave you one last glance before joining his bandmates.

"be our audience, and don't hold back on the feedback," he said as he stood by the mic stand.

you leaned back against the couch, crossing your legs. "i doubt there'll be anything to criticize, but sure, i'll pretend to be judgmental."

sungho laughed before focusing, and soon enough, the session began.

they played a mix of songs, some for an upcoming competition on monday, others for local gigs around the city. the energy in the room was electric—sungho, despite his usual frisky vibe, was completely in his element, voice effortlessly smooth through the speaker. jay's drumming was sharp, jooyeon's bass smooth, and junhan glided the notes with his guitar so precisely.

but what made it even better was the atmosphere. the guys were hilarious, cracking jokes in between songs, throwing playful jabs at each other, and making you feel welcome. you found yourself genuinely enjoying the moment, laughing at their gimmicks and nodding along to their music.

however, while you were here having a great time, someone else was most certainly not. because back at your apartment building, leehan sat by his desk, staring into his fish tank like a brooding protagonist in a melodrama. his chin rested on his hand, lips slightly pouted, eyes locked on the little fish swimming aimlessly. behind him, woonhak lay sprawled on leehan's bed, phone in hand, scrolling lazily.

"she went out with sungho," leehan muttered, as if the words tasted bitter.

woonhak, without even looking up, sighed. "that doesn't mean she doesn't like being with you."

leehan's pout deepened. he turned his gaze from his fish to the desk, then spun around dramatically to face woonhak. "then why did she choose to go with him?"

finally, woonhak set his phone down, propping himself up on his elbows. "ever considered that maybe she thinks she'll see you later anyway? and that she just wanted to hang out before getting buried in assignments? college is exhausting, man." he rolled his eyes, flopping back onto the bed.

leehan frowned, thinking it over.

"can't she have fun with me?" he muttered under his breath. "why does it have to be sungho?"

woonhak shot him a deadpan look before grabbing a plushie from the bed and chucking it at him. "you're so selfish."

leehan caught it with ease, glaring.

"you just made a move recently," woonhak continued, crossing his arms. "let it breathe. don't act like y/n's obligated to only hang out with you. sungho hyung is her friend."

leehan scoffed. "yeah, her friend who likes her." he rolled his eyes and turned back to his fish tank, sulking.

woonhak just sighed. "you're hopeless."

leehan didn't respond. instead, he just kept staring at his fish, watching them swim in circles, completely unaware of the ridiculous love triangle drama their owner was caught onto.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

three hours had passed since you first arrived at the studio, and now, at 1 pm, you found yourself sinking into a singular couch, stretching your arms as you sighed in satisfaction. across from you, sungho occupied the other single couch, legs lazily spread out, while jooyeon, junhan, and jay sprawled across the long couch like a pack of hyenas that had just devoured their prey. in the middle, the remains of your takeout meal sat on the table—empty containers, crumpled napkins, and a singular crab leg that nobody dared to claim.

"thank you for lunch, y/n," jooyeon mumbled through a mouthful of food, his cheeks bulging like a chipmunk's.

sungho didn't say anything, but he flashed you a small, grateful smile as he chewed his food calmly, the corners of his lips curling up. it was his silent way of saying thanks.

"the set was really good," you said, popping another piece of kimbap into your mouth. "i'm excited for the competition. i'll be there to watch."

junhan snorted. "don't say that. sungho might get all nervous and end up swallowing the mic whole on stage."

sungho immediately lifted the abandoned crab leg, wielding it like a weapon. "say that again and this is going in your soup next practice," he threatened, his voice muffled by the food in his mouth.

you laughed at the scene—sungho's puffed-out cheeks, junhan dodging as if the crab leg was an actual danger, and jooyeon just shaking his head like an exhausted parent.

"don't listen to him," sungho finally said after swallowing, throwing the crab leg back onto the plate.

you just shook your head, smiling, as the conversation shifted to other things. music, upcoming gigs, and jooyeon's weird theory that the practice room was haunted (it wasn't, he was just scared of the creaky air vents).

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

before you knew it, the morning had slipped away, and it was time for you to head to the university. you had a project to finish with leehan, and the band still had an entire afternoon of practice ahead.

"at least let me drive you back," sungho insisted for the fourth time.

you sighed, hands on your hips. "sungho, i can take the bus—"

"save your money," he cut you off, grinning. "besides, what kind of friend would i be if i let you take public transport when you have a personal chauffeur?"

you narrowed your eyes at him. "so now you're a chauffeur?"

"only for you," he quipped, and jooyeon made a fake gagging noise in the background.

after a few more minutes of arguing (in which sungho made it painfully obvious that he just wanted to spend more time with you), you finally caved in. who were you to turn down free transpo?

"fine," you surrendered.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

as you stepped out of the studio, you turned back to the boys, bowing lightly. "i had fun. i'll see you all at the competition."

"thanks for the food, art kid!" jooyeon waved. "good luck with your project—don't go insane before the exhibit!"

"i'll try," you called back with a laugh, disappearing behind the door as sungho followed you down the stairs.

the two of you walked side by side towards his motorcycle, the air a little lighter. "well, that was fun," you admitted, stretching your arms as you took in a deep breath.

"told you," sungho said with a smile. "hope you got the unwinding you needed."

"i did. thank you," you said sincerely, grabbing the helmet from the motorcycle seat and securing it over your head.

but when you looked up, sungho was just standing there, staring at you—not in a creepy way, but in a way that made you slightly aware.

"what...?" you asked, feeling a little self-conscious.

he exhaled, shaking his head slightly. "no, just, thank you. for spending time with me today."

his voice was softer and, his eyes bright with something. for a moment, you just stood there, unsure of what to say. it was strange, seeing sungho like this. unguarded, open. you realized that ever since that night, when you told him you only saw him as a friend, he had been acting differently. not in a bad way, just different.

before, he used to hold himself back, trying to mask his feelings, but now? now, he was allowing himself to express them, even if he knew nothing would change between you two.

and you—well, you weren't sure how to handle it. you wished you could reciprocate, wished you could force yourself to feel something more, but you couldn't. no matter how much your id told you to at least try, your superego knew the truth: he wasn't the person you liked. and your ego? stuck somewhere in the middle, drowning in guilt.

you cleared your throat, breaking eye contact. "let's go. i already messaged leehan that i'll be there in five minutes."

at the mention of leehan's name, sungho's expression faltered—just for a second. he lowered his head slightly, nodding as he grabbed his own helmet and climbed onto the bike. you got on behind him.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

"take care on your way back, sungho," you said, your voice light as you unclasped the helmet from beneath your chin, handing it back to him. the glossy black helmet almost seemed to absorb the sunlight, its smooth surface reflecting the quiet campus around you. sungho's face was entirely hidden behind the helmet's dark visor, but you could still sense his gaze on you.

"i will. you too, y/n. i'll see you later," his voice came through muffled, but you could still make out the words.

you offered a quick nod, then waved as sungho revved the engine. the motorcycle roared to life, cutting through the silent afternoon air, and he sped off, leaving behind a trail of dust. you stood there for a second, watching the spot where he had been, before you turned toward the university gate.

you scanned the area in front of you—no sign of leehan anywhere. your eyes darted left, then right. the usual crowd of students were milling about, some of them rushing to extracurricular activities, others strolling aimlessly in the sun. no leehan. shrugging to yourself, you figured he was probably just on his way.

you set off toward the art building, the click of your shoes on the pavement tapped. the smell of paint, wood, and graphite that you've grown used to welcomed you as you stepped into the building, the cool air contrasting with the warmth of the sun outside. you moved toward the back hall where the art room was located.

as you entered the studio, you spotted him almost immediately.

leehan stood at the far end of the room, near an abandoned sculpture covered in a dusty tarp, his hands clasped loosely behind his back. he was wearing his denim jacket and a white t-shirt. his blonde hair, as usual, was artfully messy, with dark brown roots beginning to show through in that way that made you wonder if he ever bothered to check if it was still the same shade.

you knocked softly on the doorframe, just enough to make your presence known.

leehan's head turned slowly, like he'd been expecting you but still looked pleasantly surprised. the blank, neutral expression on his face softened almost immediately, his lips curling into a small, welcoming smile. his eyes, always warm and light, brightened even more as they met yours.

"hi," you greeted, raising a hand in a little wave. you couldn't help the small smile curling at your own lips in return.

"hey," he replied, a slight tilt to his head.

"you're early," you commented, still keeping your hands casually behind your back.

leehan took a small step toward you, his smile only widening. "i may be," he said, glancing upward as if mentally checking the time. "i arrived five minutes earlier."

you raised an eyebrow. "you take my words so literally."

leehan chuckled at your reaction, shrugging with a slight smirk. "what can i say? i like to be punctual."

you laughed subtly, placing your bag down beside his on the nearby counter before walking over to your station. you pulled the large canvas out, the edges still slightly curled from being packed away.

for a moment, there was just the sound of you preparing your space, the soft scrape of the canvas against the easel, the rustle of your bag. but then leehan spoke again, his voice quieter this time.

"of course. i take you seriously unless you tell me otherwise."

his words kind of caught you off guard. it wasn't the typical leehan you were used to who's hesitant, and careful. this time, his voice was sure, and steady. and when you looked up, you found his gaze consistent, intense in a way that was almost different.

you blinked, momentarily thrown off by how sincere he sounded. was this the same leehan who used to fumble over his words and shove you aside?

for a moment, you just stared at him. not because you were secretly swooning—okay, maybe just a little—but because there was something so strangely magnetic about how he was looking at you. it was like he was trying to figure you out just as much as you were trying to figure him out.

"what does that even mean?" you asked, your voice slipping into a laugh as you crossed your arms, trying to regain your composure. you tilted your head, squinting at him in playful suspicion.

instead of awkwardly retreating like you half-expected, leehan surprised you by mirroring your posture, crossing his arms and leaning back slightly. he tilted his head, inspecting your face like it was the most fascinating thing in the room. his eyes lingered on you for just a second longer than necessary, making you feel a little more self-conscious than you'd like to admit.

"let's get to work," leehan said firmly as he reached out to place his hands gently on your shoulders.

you blinked, feeling the sudden, surprising warmth of his palms over your clothed skin. he gently nudged you towards your stool, his hands guiding youcarefully, and you couldn't help but feel a small flutter in your chest.

"okay, okay," you muttered, trying to mask the slight surprise with a lighthearted shrug. you sat down and adjusted the canvas, glancing back at him.

leehan lowered himself onto his stool, but instead of immediately straightening up, he just watched you for a second, expectant.

it was almost as if he was waiting for you to say something. and that made you pause. you hadn't realized it until now, but you'd been waiting for him to say something too. but for now, neither of you said anything, and instead, you just sat there in quietly.

as usual, the first 30 minutes of the session are painfully silent, the only sounds in the studio being the soft scratching of your brush against the canvas and the occasional clinking of paint tubes being shuffled around. the air smells faintly of turpentine and acrylics.

but something feels off this time.

you don't know if you're just being hypersensitive, or if leehan is actually staring at you. and not the casual, for project purposes type of stare, but the damn, she's pretty kind.

you do everything to ignore it, keeping your eyes fixed on your work, but it's impossible to shake off the feeling. the weight of his gaze lingers on your face so heavy. and when you finally dare to glance up, you nearly choke on your own breath.

leehan isn't just looking at you. he's admiring you. his dark brown eyes are almost glowing under the studio lights, his pupils slightly blown out, as if he's seeing something mesmerizing. if your friends were here, they'd be violently shaking you by the shoulders, screaming, "told you we're right"

you quickly snap your gaze back down, pretending to be extremely invested in mixing the right shade of ochre, but your hands stumbled. the brush trembles slightly in your grip.

your heart, which had been relatively calm before, suddenly decides it's auditioning for a drum solo. the rapid pounding is so loud in your ears that you're convinced leehan can hear it, too. instinctively, you ball your fist and press it lightly against your chest, as if that'll somehow muffle the deafening thudding.

and then, he smirks. not a small, barely-there smirk. no, this is a full-fledged, i-know-exactly-what-i'm-doing-to-you kind of smirk, with the corner of his lips quirking up just enough to make your stomach drop.

your body tenses as if you've just been caught red-handed in something scandalous. desperate to escape the building tension, you blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.

"hey, focus. stop smiling. you'll ruin the expression," you stammer, shifting in your seat and gripping your brush tighter, trying so hard to sound steady. but the slight tremble in your voice betrays you.

leehan doesn't even try to hide his amusement. instead of wiping the grin off his face, he chuckles.

"you're the one who should focus," he says, leaning forward slightly, propping an elbow on his knee as he tilts his head at you, his lashes fluttering. his expression is taunting.

and suddenly, the room is an oven, and you're melting.

your entire body language goes against you—shoulders slumping, spine curving slightly as if trying to make yourself smaller under his gaze. your fingers twitch slightly over the palette, your grip was unsteady. you swallow hard, your throat suddenly dry, and your eyes flicker up at him before quickly darting away again.

"how could i focus? you're staring. it's... it's distracting," you mutter, rolling your eyes in an attempt to regain some control over the situation. but your movements are stiff, and you don't even realize that your brush is now aimlessly swirling in the palette, mixing colors that definitely weren't supposed to be mixed.

leehan watches you, clearly entertained.

"am i not supposed to look? you know, for the perspective," he says, voice screams faux innocence.

you huff, tightening your jaw. "yeah, but not like that."

his eyebrows lift slightly. "like what?"

the atmosphere shifts. his tone is different now. lower, and softer. not teasing, not mocking, but genuine. you hesitate, gripping the edge of your palette just a little tighter. your heart skips, then starts racing all over again. when you look up at him this time, it's worse. his eyes are closer. his gaze is warmer—yet somehow heavier, and more intense. it makes your chest feel tight, makes your fingertips tingle.

your shoulders tense as you quickly drop your gaze again, this time fixating on the wooden floor, suddenly finding the texture of the planks very interesting.

"like..." your voice is barely above a whisper. "like that."

"look at me," leehan murmurs.

his voice is softer than than you've ever heard it. it's not a command, but it might as well be, because without thinking, without meaning to, you do. hesitantly, you lift your eyes to meet his. and he smiles.

not the teasing smirk from earlier. not the mocking grin.

his gaze flickers downward for a moment, nodding toward the abandoned palette on your lap.

"the paint's drying," he says.

you blink, momentarily confused, before realizing—oh, right. the actual reason you're both here.

"oh, yeah—" you clear your throat, immediately snapping your focus back to your work, adjusting your posture as if that'll somehow reset the past five minutes. the back of your hand brushes your bangs away from your face in a nervous habit, and across from you, leehan does the same, except he looks too satisfied with himself.

"let's be quick," you mutter, picking up your brush again.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

the entire day was a wrap. your piece was finally almost done, and for the next steps, you wouldn't need leehan anymore. when you told him earlier, his face had fallen like you'd just announced the end of the world. he tried to hide it, of course, brushing it off with a casual nod, but you could see through him.

now, the two of you were walking side by side on the way to the bus stop, your steps unconsciously slow, neither of you seeming in a rush to part ways. the sun had already dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in deep shades of violet and blue, streetlights flickering on one by one. the cool evening breeze swept past, rustling the leaves above.

"thank you for having me as your subject," leehan finally spoke, his voice breaking through the quiet hum of the evening. his hands were stuffed into his pockets, his usual reserved demeanor slightly loosened. "when you showed me the semi-finished portrait, i was like, is this really how i look in your perspective? it's unreal." he chuckled, shaking his head slightly.

"i wasn't able to capture you perfectly. that's all i could do," you said, a bit apologetic.

leehan glanced at you, his dark eyes twinkling under the streetlight. "and it's perfect," he assured, nodding at you as if he meant every word.

you hesitated, kicking at a loose pebble on the pavement before speaking. "thanks... also, will you be there on monday? you know, sungho's band competition?"

leehan pondered for a second, his expression thoughtful before he nodded. "yeah, even though he's a pain in the ass, of course i'd be there," he replied with a casual shrug. then, with a small, almost teasing smile, he added, "and it'd be more fun since you'd be there."

something about the way he said that made warmth creep up your neck, but you ignored it, instead letting out a small laugh. "back then, you seemed to be having the worst day possible whenever i was in the same room as you," you mused, side-eyeing him.

leehan tilted his head slightly, waiting for you to finish. "now, what?" he asked.

you thought for a moment, debating whether to say it or not, but you did anyways. "you started to act more like sungho when you're around me."

leehan didn't seem disappointed or defensive like you expected. instead, he merely nodded, his expression is like he was genuinely considering your words.

"i'd assume you're trying to say i'm now more comfortable around you?" he said.

by then, the two of you had reached the bus stop. the old metal shed creaked slightly as the wind passed through. leehan turned to face you, standing directly in front of you now.

"something like that," you smiled. "those three and a half years about you are still the biggest mystery to me."

at your words, leehan's expression shifted. the air between you changed slightly. his gaze lowered—to your hand resting on the strap of your sling bag. he stared at it for a moment, as if debating something. for a second, you thought he might reach for it. but instead, he took a step closer.

the back of your shoe hit the metal pole of the bus stop. the proximity was enough to send a jolt of awareness through you.

leehan exhaled softly, his breath was warm against the cool night air. his usual nonchalant demeanor was gone.

and then, finally, he spoke.

"y/n, whenever you're close..." he started, his voice quieter than before, like he was gathering the courage to lay everything out. "my heart—"

a loud rev of an engine cut him off.

you instinctively turned your head to the right, and leehan did the same. a motorcycle rolled up from the corner, and it was sungho.

one foot planted on the ground, his hand lifted the visor of his helmet, revealing his sharp gaze. even from a distance, you could see the glint in his eyes—not directed at you, but at leehan.

the tension was immediate.

leehan, who had just been on the verge of saying something incredibly important, now stood rigid beside you, his jaw tightening.

then, sungho slowly moved his motorcycle forward, inserting himself between the two of you.

"wanna lift?" he asked casually, a smug grin tugging at his lips. he didn't even acknowledge leehan, acting as if he were just an air between you

you glanced at sungho, but in your peripheral vision, you could see leehan's reaction—his nostrils flaring slightly, his tongue poking at the inside of his cheek, his gaze flickering away toward the trees like he was trying to contain himself.

you let out a small, awkward smile. "me and leehan are taking the bus."

"bus fare is expensive," sungho quipped.

you sighed, already feeling the weight of the atmosphere compressing around you. "i don't think we'll fit on the motorcycle. and also, you only have one spare helmet."

sungho didn't look convinced. "then let leehan take the bus."

that did it. leehan's entire body tensed, and his patience, already hanging by a thread, seemed to snap as he turned sharply toward sungho, his posture radiating pure irritation. he was seconds away from marching straight up to him when you instinctively grabbed his forearm.

the effect was instant. leehan froze. the storm in his eyes settled just slightly. you tightened your grip, your expression serious as you turned to sungho. "sungho, i don't think we can just leave leehan."

something flickered in sungho's gaze as he looked down at your hand still securely wrapped around leehan's arm. the way you held him. the way you defended him. whatever sungho saw in that moment made his smugness falter.

"i understand," he muttered, his tone quieter now, almost defeated. he looked at you one last time, then exhaled sharply.

but when his gaze lifted back to leehan, all softness was gone.

"bring her home safe," sungho warned, his voice sharp as a blade. then, without waiting for a response, he slammed his visor shut and sped off.

for a moment, neither of you moved. leehan, to his credit, had kept his composure the entire time. as sungho finally disappeared down the road, his shoulders relaxed, and he let out a slow breath.

then he glanced down, and realized your hand was still on his forearm.

"what's with that guy acting like you're his wife or something?" leehan muttered under his breath, visibly annoyed. "so freaking annoying."

you couldn't help it. you laughed that made leehan turn to you, startled. "what?"

"nothing..." you held up your hands, trying to suppress your giggles. "it's just...why are you so pressed about it?"

at that, leehan broke into a small, almost reluctant smile. "it's just annoying, isn't it?"

"he's just being nice," you rolled your eyes.

"yeah, by leaving me alone," he scoffed.

"well, that's a different topic for a different day," you said.

"and so is your question," leehan shot back. then, nodding toward the road, he said, "let's go. bus is arriving."

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

the day after that, you hadn't seen much of the brothers, aside from running past leehan in the hallway on your way to the university. you were heading to the art room to finalize your portrait for the upcoming exhibit in two days.

your encounter was quick: a simple exchange of nods and smiles, but leehan still found time to ask, "are you sure you won't need me anymore?"

you chuckled, waving him off casually, but the warmth of the interaction lingered long after he disappeared down the hallway. maybe it was just your imagination, but the blush on your cheeks that you carefully applied this morning seemed to burn a little brighter.

now, inside the empty art room, the silence was almost so loud. it wasn't that you couldn't work alone, you had spent countless hours in this very spot, your focus solely on the strokes of your brush, but something about today felt different. the absence of leehan was more noticeable than you had anticipated.

your gaze flickered to the empty stool in front of you, where leehan had sat everytime. it was strange, how accustomed you had become to having him there, even if it was just for three days. you had enjoyed his company, though you'd rather gouge out your own pride than admit that out loud.

the hours crawled by at an agonizing pace. instead of painting, you found yourself zoning out, your brush hovering uselessly above the canvas as you stared at the vacant seat in front of you. the only sound in the room was the soft ticking of the clock and the occasional grumble of your stomach—a reminder that you had completely skipped lunch.

you sighed, rubbing your temples. the loneliness was starting to sink its teeth in, until suddenly, a burst loud, and familiar voices echoed through the hallway.

the corners of your lips lifted instinctively. even before the door swung open, you already recognized the energy.

"tada!"

moka made the grandest entrance possible, hopping through the doorway like she was stepping onto a stage, arms spread wide as if expecting an applause. behind her, minji and bae followed at a much calmer pace, hands tucked into their pockets.

your shoulders sagged in relief, the tension melting away. the once stifling silence was now chewed up and spat out by your friends.

"you messaged earlier that you'd be alone today," bae said, slinging an arm around moka's shoulders with a smirk. "figured we'd swing by before loneliness physically kills you."

moka nodded enthusiastically, leaning into bae as she grinned at you. "we brought chicken."

minji lifted two plastic bags showing you. "you're welcome." without further ado, she walked over to the table behind you and made herself comfortable.

you tilted your head, your heart warming at their thoughtfulness. "thanks, guys."

"no worries," bae said nonchalantly, dropping down onto the floor and pulling a small box closer. moka followed, the two of them sitting cross-legged in front of you while minji took a seat beside your stool.

as moka tore into the plastic bag, the aroma of garlic-parmesan chicken slipped. your stomach made a noise at the scent, and before you could even reach for a piece, moka had already plucked up a wing, holding it out for you.

without hesitation, you leaned forward past your canvas, opening your mouth as moka extended the chicken towards you. you took a bite, humming in appreciation as the buttery, garlicky flavor melted on your tongue.

"so..." minji started, casually prying open another box. she didn't even glance up as she asked, "where's your art buddy?"

you chewed slowly. after swallowing, you cleared your throat, trying to sound indifferent. "ah... leehan." you straightened your back as if that would somehow make you look less suspicious. "i'm almost done here. just finishing touches, so pretty much it's already unnecessary to have him around." you reached for an oil paint tube, busying yourself with your palette.

moka scoffed, rolling her eyes dramatically. "let's be real. you want him here even though it's 'unnecessary.'"

"it's not like that," you mumbled, but even you didn't sound convinced.

bae arched a brow. "you looked like you were at rock bottom before we got here. now? zero to a hundred, real quick."

you sighed, shifting uncomfortably. "i just... i can't stand being alone, that's all." it was a safe, reasonable excuse. mostly true. but some part of you knew there was another layer to it, one you weren't ready to peel back just yet. even with your best friends here, cracking jokes and lifting the mood, something still felt missing.

minji sneered knowingly, her gaze flicking toward you. "we're not blind, you know." she gestured vaguely at your face. "it's written all over your face."

moka smirked, resting her chin on her palm. "so, tell us—anything special happened? we're waiting for updates, you know."

you hesitated, twisting your lips in thought before finally peeling off your gloves and stepping down from your stool. settling beside minji, you let out a breath before dropping the bomb without hesitation.

"i think leehan's flirting with me."

"this is a moment in history," bae chuckled, shaking her head. "not just because leehan's flirting with you, but because you finally noticed something that's been in plain sight."

moka sneered, "she's finally seen light."

you groaned, rubbing your temples. "but... i don't know. he's just been acting so strange." you frowned slightly, deep in thought.

"we can see that too," minji deadpanned. "what about sungho?"

your expression chamged at the mention of his name. "i think he and leehan aren't doing well."

"clearly," bae muttered.

"they're already fighting over you," minji added bluntly, making you grimace.

you wanted to scoff, say something like 'that's dumb,' but could you? you didn't know if it was because of you that they were mad at each other, or if there was something deeper, something personal between them. either way, they were definitely not on good terms.

"enough of that," you waved your hand, changing the subject "y'all watching the uni band competition tomorrow?"

"duhh, of course we're going," bae said, glancing at minji, who simply nodded.

moka waved a hand. "uh... hi? i would too?"

minji smirked. "no need to ask. you show up to every event anyway."

moka rolled her eyes. "and you already know i'm rooting for dalbit. the band from our uni is rude as hell, how can i support such lowlifes...it's annoying."

you chuckled as their bickering continued. even though the unease about leehan and sungho sat at the back of your mind, for now, you allowed yourself to rest at the moment.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

with a tired but satisfied sigh, you tossed the palette onto the cluttered table behind you, its surface smeared with dried paint from hours of work. pushing back your stool, you stood up, your shoulders stiff from staying in the same position for too long. slowly, you took a few steps back, hands slightly lifted.

a smile tugged at your lips. it was rare for you to feel this level of satisfaction with your own work, but was different. leehan's unrealistically handsome face looked like it had been plucked straight out of a mythology, his sharp features framed perfectly by the soft strokes of your brush. usually, you were overly critical of your paintings, nitpicking every little detail until you convinced yourself they weren't good enough. but not this time. this piece was perfect, perhaps the best one you'd ever done.

leehan's painted eyes were so vivid, so hauntingly lifelike that it felt like they were watching you—like the portrait might start talking at any second. the thought made you jolt a little, but instead of stepping away, you moved closer, drawn in by the illusion. your fingers hovered over the canvas, hesitant at first, before gently grazing the rough texture of the dried paint. the strands of his painted hair looked so real, you almost expected them to slip through your fingers like silk.

for a second, a selfish thought crossed your mind. do i really want to submit this to the exhibit? the idea of keeping it for yourself, hanging it in your room where only you could see it, was tempting. but as soon as the thought formed, you let out a small chuckle, shaking your head.

you chuckled to yourself, shaking your head. god, i'm thinking like an obsessed fan.

snapping out of it, you turned away from the canvas, ready to tidy up. peeling off your paint-stained apron, you neatly folded it before starting to clear the mess on your table. brushes, crumpled tissues, and paint tubes were scattered around as you carefully lifted the canvas, carrying it over to the safest corner of the room. just as you were about to call it a night, a sudden knock echoed from behind.

your heart jumped for a moment before settling into excitement. a smirk crept onto your lips as you confidently turned around, already expecting a certain someone.

"leeha—"

but as soon as your eyes landed on the person standing at the doorway, your face instantly fell.

"oh! sungho..." the name died on your tongue the moment your eyes landed on someone else, the earlier excitement now replaced with mild embarrassment. "didn't expect you to be here."

sungho stood there, hands tucked into the pockets of his hoodie, his smile seconds ago slightly dimmed. he had noticed your slip-up. "you expected leehan, didn't you?"

your gaze dropped in embarrassment. "well... kind of."

a flicker of disappointment crossed sungho's face, but he quickly recovered, a lopsided smile appearing as he stepped inside. "sorry it was me who showed up."

guilt immediately pricked at you. "no! don't be. it's fine, really." you waved your hands dismissively. "i just didn't expect you to be here since i thought you'd be busy. you know, competition is tomorrow."

"fair enough," he nodded, his gaze drifting past you. his eyes landed on the large canvas.

noticing his interest, you turned as well, the two of you now standing side by side, looking at the portrait as if you were already at the exhibit.

"last band practice just ended," sungho finally spoke, still studying the painting. "i checked to see if you were still here so we could go home together. surely enough, you were."

you chuckled. "guess that means i get a free ride."

sungho grinned. "lucky you."

a silence settled between you both as he studied the painting with a thoughtful expression. after a moment, he spoke again. "this is perfect, y/n."

you turned to him, your lips tugging into a small, proud smile. "isn't it?"

"leehan looks amazing here..." sungho mused before glancing at you. "only because you painted it."

you shut your eyes for a second, shaking your head with a laugh. "would you say that if you were the one i picked as a subject?"

"obviously not," he replied, grinning. then, he looked back at the painting with a smirk. "i'm sure leehan would say the same thing if my face were up there. 'sungho looks ugly, but you made him handsome.' i'm already betting on it."

that made you burst into laughter, your head tilting back slightly. sungho grinned at the sight, watching the way your smile crinkled your eyes.

"that's funny," you said, arms crossing over your chest as you calmed down.

"but really though," sungho said, his tone shifting to something more sincere, "it looks amazing. i'm sure you'll do well at the exhibit."

his words caught you off guard, warmth blooming in your chest.

"thank you, sungho," you said.

"always welcome."

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

by the time the two of you reached your apartment complex, it was nearly midnight—later than expected, considering you'd taken a detour to stroll around for a bit. now standing in front of your doors, sungho exhaled before turning to you.

"be there tomorrow," he said, voice unusually calm. "i have something for you."

you tilted your head slightly. "what is it?"

"just be there." his lips curled into a small, knowing smile.

you narrowed your eyes at him but nodded nonetheless. "fine, fine. i'll be there."

"good." he stepped back, shoving his hands into his pockets again. "good night, y/n. get some rest."

"good night." you flashed him a small wave before disappearing behind your door.

sungho watched your door close before sighing and heading into his own apartment. as he kicked off his shoes and neatly placed them by the doorway, he barely had time to relax before a voice cuts in.

"so, what would that be?" leehan asked.

sungho rolled his eyes, exhaling through his nose. "didn't mom ever tell you it's rude to eavesdrop?" he deadpanned, walking past him toward the kitchen.

"you're doing too much." leehan scoffed.

sungho took a sip of water before slamming the glass down with unnecessary force, turning to glare at him. "and you're doing nothing at all. that's way worse."

leehan was visibly gagged, momentarily caught off guard. he opened his mouth to retort, then simply rolled his eyes and looked away, clearly not in the mood to argue.

sungho, on the other hand, was already heading toward his room when he paused at the doorway. without looking back, he spoke.

"also—" he turned slightly. "make a change rather than whining about it like a kid behind closed doors."

and with that, he disappeared into his room, shutting the door with a firm thud, leaving leehan alone in the dimly lit living room.

meanwhile, you sprawled across your bed like a crime scene victim, exhaling a long, deep sigh, staring blankly at the ceiling. the dim yellow glow of your bedside lamp cast cozy shadows across the walls. the world outside was calm, but your mind? a complete mess.

kim leehan.

the name alone sent you kicking your feet. it had been living rent-free in your head for years. since university started? definitely. since high school? probably. since middle school? …no comment.

but lately, something felt different. he wasn’t just leehan, your newly made friend anymore. now, whenever he smiled at you, or even breathed in your direction, something fluttered in your chest—an annoying, persistent feeling that you refused to acknowledge.

your stomach did this weird little flip anytime he was near, and your brain, like a malfunctioning computer, short-circuited the moment he so much as looked at you for longer than two seconds.

you groaned, throwing an arm over your face. no. no way. i don’t like him.

"just interested, that’s all."

"almost the same thing," your own conscience shot back.

"no, it’s not!"

you rolled onto your stomach, aggressively burrito-ing yourself into your comforter as if willpower could smother the thoughts out of existence. maybe if you stayed like this long enough, time would do the hard work of sorting out your feelings for you.

solid plan. foolproof.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

morning to early afternoon was packed to the brim. the main art hall bustled with business, students rushing around in a hectic last-minute adjustments and nervous excitement. you had spent long minutes setting up your portrait, adjusting the lighting, ensuring the positioning was just right.

then, finally, you stepped back and the reaction was instant.

a hush fell over the group of students as they took in the massive portrait you had just unveiled. whispered wows and awed gasps spread through the hall like bees.

"this is insane. you're a freshman?!"

"if this is what you do now, imagine what you'll make by senior year."

"this looks like something that belongs in an actual museum."

you basked in the praise, smiling humbly as you bowed and thanked each person who approached. their admiration sent a rush of pride through you, and any exhaustion you might’ve felt from setting up vanished under their words.

but then, of course, came the inevitable shift in focus.

"damn, you really have an eye for muses, huh?"

"no kidding. leehan looks stupidly handsome in this."

"kim leehan, from the performance arts department. he's already popular, but after this? he's gonna blow up even more."

"you should put his social media under the painting, you know, as credit."

"how’d you even convince him to pose for you? i might need him for my sculpture project."

you barely held back an eye roll. your lips twitched into a forced smile as you thanked them, though deep down, you felt a twinge of… jealousy?

that was ridiculous.

you shook your head, mumbling under your breath, "he knew me first, anyway. what’s there to be jealous of?"

by the time you left the art hall, the sun was already dipping below. the university grounds buzzed with excitement as students gathered for the competition. the setup was the same as the freshmen welcoming party—string lights twinkling above, a modest stage standing at the center, food stalls dotting the perimeter.

your friends, moka, minji and bae, had promised to meet you here at six sharp. you checked your phone.

6:15 pm.

"six my ass," you muttered, shaking your head with a chuckle.

as you scanned the crowd, your eyes landed on someone different instead. it was leehan.

the instant recognition made your stomach flip. he stood a few feet away, casually dressed in a loose hoodie and jeans, looking effortlessly cool as usual. when he spotted you, his entire face lit up, and he waved.

your lips twitched into a smile before you could stop yourself. you took a step forward, but before you could even reach him, he jogged towards you.

"here all by yourself?" he asked, stopping just a breath away.

"not really," you replied, suddenly hyper-aware of every little thing—your voice, your posture, the way your fingers twitched at your sides. "minji, bae, and moka are just late."

leehan nodded, a thoughtful expression flickering across his face. "will you be with them, then?"

you hesitated. your mouth opened, then closed. your brain scrambled for the right words but ultimately went with the most honest answer.

"we can be together."

leehan blinked. then, just for a second, he ooked almost stunned. his lips parted slightly, like he hadn’t expected that response. then, under his breath, he mumbled to himself.

"god, i wish."

your head snapped up. "what?"

leehan's head jerked up just as fast. "huh?"

you stared at each other in mutual panic for a solid second before he coughed into his fist, rubbing the back of his neck. "oh... uh, i mean, yeah! we can, you know—" he gestured vaguely. "walk around, watch the competition together."

you squinted, suspicious, but ultimately let it slide. "right."

"until your friends get here?" he clarified, still fidgeting.

you shook your head, smiling. "no, we can hang around until it finishes."

then, his lips stretched into a very satisfied grin. "alright, well," he said, nodding toward the snack stalls. "wanna get something before it starts?"

you nudged him playfully with your elbow. "as long as you're paying."

leehan scoffed, hand over his chest in mock offense. "excuse me? i didn't agree to that."

"well, i did paint you like a goddamn renaissance masterpiece, so—"

"fine, fine," he laughed, shaking his head as he led the way.

side by side, you walked toward the stalls, waiting for the competition to begin—completely oblivious to the fact that, for everyone else watching, you already looked like a couple.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

thirty minutes of strolling with leehan felt both like an eternity and a blink. time moved in contradictions when you were with him—one moment, you felt hyper-aware of every second passing, and the next, you’d realize how easily conversations flowed.

at some point, you started talking about the praises he got for your painting at the art hall earlier. there was an obvious playful annoyance in your tone, which leehan immediately picked up on. his lips curled into a tease.

"so you're saying i stole the spotlight from your masterpiece?" he asked, feigning innocence, one hand casually tucked into his pocket as he strolled beside you.

"i mean... it is my painting," you huffed, crossing your arms dramatically. "but people kept talking about your face instead."

leehan let out a chuckle, tilting his head toward you. "well, i can't blame them. the artist captured me too well."

you gave him a deadpan look, but the warmth spreading to your ears exposed you.

leehan leaned slightly closer with a smirk. "but honestly, i should be thanking you, right? you made me look that good."

the way he said it—low, and smooth, with that damn knowing smile made you fumble for a second. your mouth opened, but no words came out. instead, you let out a weak laugh and looked away, feeling an embarrassing blush creeping up your face.

thankfully, your friends finally made their appearance, saving you from completely embarrassing yourself. or so you thought.

bae, minji, and moka arrived twenty-five minutes late, and instead of apologizing for their delay, they immediately gave you the look.

"oh, don't stop on our account," bae teased, crossing his arms and eyeing the space, or lack thereof between you and leehan.

minji smirked. "yeah, please. continue your little date."

your eyes widened in horror. "we're not—"

moka let out an exaggerated sigh. "damn, we should've given you an hour alone instead of just thirty minutes."

you shot them a glare before smacking their shoulders, making them burst into laughter. meanwhile, leehan just stood there with an amused smile, watching your flustered reaction. when your eyes met his, he raised an eyebrow at you—teasing, suspicious.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

as the competition began, the five of you gathered near the barricades. the lights dimmed slightly, the stage glowing with variety of colors as the first performance started. the sound of music filled the air, but your mind was barely processing it. you were too aware of leehan beside you.

there was a subtle tension between you two—not the awkward kind, but the kind that made your skin buzz with anticipation. you'd catch yourself stealing glances at him, only to find him already looking at you. neither of you would say anything, just exchanging small smiles before pretending to focus on the performance.

it was like the two of you were already something, yet neither of you had confirmed it.

you used to brush this off, convincing yourself that this was just how close friends acted. but now, you weren't so sure. the way he sometimes leaned closer, the way his hand would lightly brush against yours without either of you pulling away, the way he said your name like it meant something—it made you want to stop second-guessing.

and for the first time, you actually wanted to confront it. but then there was that problem.

for three years, leehan had an obvious history of ignoring you like it's the olympics. without a word. no explanation, just silence. even now, you still didn't know why. and if you did bring this up, your growing feelings, this weird, almost-relationship thing—what if he pulls away again?

the thought made your chest tighten.

back then, you had managed to move forward, convincing yourself that maybe it was for the best. but now, after finally building something with him, you weren't sure you could handle being set aside by him again.

the spotlight finally lit up. the moment it did, the crowd erupted into cheers, a wave of energy pulsing through the air. students flooded the grounds—some familiar, others from neighboring universities, their faces blending.

you joined in without hesitation, cupping your hands around your mouth and letting out a loud "hoooooo!" with the rest of them.

leehan, on the other hand, remained still beside you. he didn't cheer, didn't raise his voice, just stood there with a small, amused smile as he watched you.

you turned to him, still laughing, breathless from the rush of it all. "do you know after how many bands sungho's group is gonna perform?" you shouted over the blaring sound system, leaning closer so he could hear.

leehan smirked. then, without warning, he leaned down.

you barely had time to react. your body jolted slightly, instinctively flinching at the sudden closeness, and for a fleeting moment, you almost closed your eyes in anticipation, only for him to stop just beside your ear.

"four bands," he spoke against your ears, and far too close. "they perform last."

then, just as quickly, he straightened back up, standing tall again as if nothing happened.

your excitement shifted into something else entirely. a rush of dopamine flooded your system, leaving your heart stumbling over itself. you let out a small, breathy smile, barely catching yourself.

"right… i see," you muttered just loud enough for him to hear, though it might as well have been a whisper.

the performances began, breaking the moment before you could dwell on it too much. the first band, representing moka’s university, stepped onto the stage. as soon as they picked up their instruments, the crowd roared again.

three songs per set. the energy shifted with each performance—some bands tore through the stage with rock anthems, guitars wailing under bright lights, while others soothed the crowd with jazzy melodies, smooth and hypnotic.

then there were the slow rock ballads—the kind that had people swaying, arms draped over each other’s shoulders, the entire field echoing love is in the air.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

the sets had flown by so quickly that you could hardly believe it, but as you glanced at your wristwatch, you realized it had already been two hours. the time had slipped away, and now, it was nearing 9 p.m. the competition had come down to the final band—dalbit.

as the senior mc announced their arrival on stage, a shift rippled through the crowd. the cheers grew deafening, the energy buzzing through the air as if this was the moment everyone had been waiting for. it was clear—sungho's band owned this crowd. this was their territory.

bright, colorful stage lights flickered to life, illuminating the band members as they made their way onto the stage. a wave of enthusiastic screams and whistles erupted, echoing across the field. sungho, leading the group, strode confidently to the mic stand, the warm glow of the spotlight catching in his dark, slightly tousled hair. he was positioned just in front of you, and for a fleeting moment, his gaze met yours.

a quick glance, then he smiled, as if it was meant just for you in the sea of crowds. before he turned back to the audience, raising a hand in a wave that only made the crowd scream louder.

"we’ve been waiting for this one!" someone behind you hollered, their excitement was infectious.

you chuckled, glancing sideways at your friends. moka was vibrating with excitement, bouncing on her feet like she was about to rocket off into the sky. bae had her phone up, already recording. even minji, who was usually the calm, rational one was clapping along, a rare and genuine grin on her face.

leehan, however, remained unmoving beside you, arms crossed over his chest. his expression had a proud smile tugging at the corner of his lips. unlike the others, he wasn't jumping or screaming. his gaze locked onto the stage, watching every move carefully.

then, the first song kicked in.

a sharp snare hit. the guitar burst to life. and just like that, the entire field erupted. the crowd transformed into an ocean of movement, jumping, screaming, hands reaching toward the sky as the band unleashed their full energy onto the stage.

the song was fast-paced, the kind that pulsed straight through your chest, rattling your bones and sending a thrill through your veins. the kind that made you feel alive.

you couldn't help yourself. the energy was contagious, pulling you into its rhythm. you swayed, then jumped, arms lifted as you screamed along with the others. your laughter blended into the music, caught up in the pure joy of the performance.

even leehan, usually so composed, gave in. though he didn't jump wildly like you, he nodded along with the beat, shifting his weight subtly as if he couldn’t help but be drawn into the atmosphere.

song after song, the energy never dipped. they had always been good, but tonight? they were unstoppable. their hard work and late-night rehearsals paying off in the way the audience responded—fully immersed, fully alive.

then, after two high-energy songs, a sudden hush fell over the field.

sungho stepped up to the mic again, running a hand through his hair as he exhaled. "this'll be the last song of our set," he announced, his voice carrying over the expectant silence.

the moment he said it, the entire crowd groaned in protest.

sungho laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender. "hey, hey, don't give me that! but listen, if you want more, come to our gigs in the city this week! the passes are on us if we win tonight."

predictably, the crowd went wild again. the screams were louder than ever, a perfect proof to sungho’s ability to work an audience. you couldn't help but grin at his gimmicks. he always had a trick up his sleeve.

then, his expression shifted slightly, something softer beneath "the last song," he continued, gripping the mic stand, "is a little different from the first two."

he paused for effect, his eyes scanning the crowd before settling on you.

"i composed this myself," he said, his voice dipping slightly, "and i'm dedicating it to someone i know."

a chorus of teasing "oohs" and knowing murmurs swept through the audience.

it felt like every single person in that field had turned to look at you. even though logically, you knew they hadn't, the weight of their assumed gazes made your skin tingle with heat.

you weren't assuming things. it was clear. it was for you.

you shifted on your feet, not entirely from embarrassment, but from something else. excitement, and anticipation.

meanwhile, beside you, leehan's posture stiffened.

you didn't have to turn to know he was tense. the sharp inhale, the way his arms remained rigidly crossed, the way his eyes narrowed at sungho. he wasn't just uncomfortable, he was agitated. there was something about the way he stared at the stage, exchanging quick, unreadable glares with sungho, that made the air between them feel charged.

then, the song started—serenade

a gentle tap, tap against the wooden body of junhan's guitar. then, a few soft strums.

and then, sungho's angelic, smooth voice.

the moment he started singing, you felt yourself relax, the lyrics and beat were playful, and romantic, with a touch of humor that made you chuckle under your breath.

sungho was enjoying himself, grinning as he leaned into the mic, eyes half-lidded immersed in his feels as he sang each line.

the crowd swayed along, fully immersed in the moment, while you simply listened to the words of the song he had written for you.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

as the final notes of dalbit's performance faded into the night, the mc's voice rang out through the speakers, signaling a short break before the announcement of the winners. the crowd that had been pressed against the barricades slowly dispersed, people stretching their legs, chatting excitedly, and heading off to grab refreshments.

you, leehan, and your friends joined the flow, stepping away from the stage lights to wander through the festival grounds.

the two of you wandered among the scattered clusters of students, chatting idly about the bands that had performed. the conversation flowed easily, a mix of opinions, critiques, and mutual agreement that dalbit had, without a doubt, delivered the best performance of the night.

it wasn't just bias, either. as you passed by a group from another university, you caught snippets of their conversation—words like insane stage presence and unreal chemistry confirming that they indeed had left an impression on more than just their own school.

leehan hummed in agreement. "they really outdid themselves this time."

you nodded. "exactly, you could tell they've been working hard for this. i mean, even students from other schools are talking about them."

leehan let out a small chuckle, shoving his hands into his pockets as he glanced toward the stage. "sungho must be over the moon right now."

before you could respond, the speakers crackled again, and the mc's voice returned, loud and clear. "alright, everyone! time to gather back!"

as if drawn by an invisible force, the crowd surged forward again, filling the space in front of the stage like metal shavings pulled by a magnet. you and leehan followed, slipping through the gaps between excited students.

"with no further ado," the mc continued, holding a cue card in one hand, "let's announce the two runner-ups first!"

cheers erupted as the two runner-up bands were called, their members stepping up to accept their awards amidst waves of applause and congratulatory shouts.

then, the moment everyone had been waiting for.

the grand prize.

the mc glanced down at the last card in his hand before breaking into a knowing smile. "well, i'm sure you all saw this coming…" he lifted the mic closer. "the winners of tonight's competition, taking home the grand prize and securing a spot in the regional band competition—dalbit! congratulations!"

the crowd exploded.

you barely had time to react before pure excitement took over, your feet bouncing off the ground as cheers filled the night. laughter bubbled up in your throat as you turned to leehan, grabbing both of his hands in a moment of shared joy.

"they won! i knew they would!" you beamed, your hands clapping his excitedly.

leehan chuckled, lifting his hands in the air in celebration before glancing at the stage. there was something almost fond in his gaze. not just for the victory, but for the sight in front of him. for you, jumping excitedly in your dress, your long hair swaying with each movement, your joy as contagious as the energy around you.

"they didn't win last year," he spoke. "i'm glad they did this time."

you finally settled down, though the grin hadn't left your face. "me too," you agreed, breathless from excitement.

still high on adrenaline, you stretched onto your tiptoes, craning your neck to get a better view of the stage. your eyes scanned the band members, searching for sungho, only to see him already looking for you.

even among the roaring crowd, even with the flashing lights, his gaze searched until it landed on yours. the moment his eyes found you, his lips curved into a grin, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly.

without hesitation, you threw your fists up in celebration, bouncing on your heels as you cheered for him.

sungho's smile widened. he lifted a hand in response, acknowledging you.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

the event had finally settled, and now all that remained were students spilling out onto the streets, looking for a place to celebrate. the nearby eateries were already filling up with groups eager to keep the night alive with drinks. you had briefly considered joining in, but with your exhibit tomorrow, it wasn't exactly the best idea.

your friends had the same thought. even though they were tempted, they ultimately decided against it, agreeing to just crash at moka's place instead. "we have to be hungover-free for your big day," bae had said, earning nods from the others. surprisingly, sungho and leehan had also opted out of the afterparties.

standing by the school gates, you turned to leehan, who had been walking with you all this time. a few steps behind you, your three friends stood, waiting patiently.

"i'll be off with them now," you told leehan, shifting on your feet slightly.

"take care, all of you," he said, his voice as steady as ever.

you gave him a small nod before offering a soft smile. "you too." then, after a pause, you added, "and… i really had fun today, just so you know."

leehan's expression lit up like he wanted to say something more, but instead, he just let out a small breath and nodded. "me too, y/n." his gaze drifted over your shoulder, noticing your friends waiting, and whatever he was about to say seemed to slip away. he just smiled faintly and took a small step back. "see you tomorrow?"

"yeah, see you."

as you turned to rejoin your friends, you immediately caught the way they were grinning at you. three pairs of teasing eyes. but this time, you didn't roll your eyes or launch into a defense. instead, you just smiled back at them, a little shyly.

"love is in the air, and i'm a mold spore," minji sighed dramatically, folding her arms.

moka and bae chuckled, locking arms like a pair of delighted married couple for 50 years.

"time does wonders, minji," moka sneered playfully before nudging your side. "anyway, shall we?"

you were about to nod, but then you remembered sungho, wanting to congratulate him up-close

"wait," you turned back toward the school building. "let's wait for sungho and his bandmates for a bit. i haven't gotten the chance to congratulate them properly."

your friends exchanged glances but agreed without hesitation.

luckily, you didn't have to wait long. a minute later, sungho's voice called out from behind, his usual energy evident in his tone.

"y/n!"

you turned just in time to see him jogging toward you, a wide grin plastered across his face. behind him, his bandmates walked at a much calmer pace, clearly still riding the high of their victory.

"how was it?" sungho asked as he reached you, slightly breathless.

you nudged his shoulder playfully. "congratulations, sungho. i loved it. like, really loved it."

sungho's grin widened before he glanced over at your friends.

"it was lit!" moka declared, pumping a fist in the air. bae and minji nodded enthusiastically in agreement.

sungho chuckled before turning back to you, "and… the last song? what did you think?"

you pursed your lips, pretending to think, before tilting your head at him. "i think you're silly."

sungho let out a small laugh, "fair enough." then, after a moment, his gaze turned a little more serious. "let's talk?"

you hesitated for a second before nodding. "yeah."

your friends stayed behind as you and sungho walked a short distance away, crossing the street to where a quieter sidewalk stretched out. a row of benches lined the pavement, and you both took a seat on one.

"i also have something to tell you," you admitted, folding your hands together on your lap.

"me too," sungho said.

you gestured for him to go first, watching as he took a deep breath, his hands slipping out of his pockets.

"y/n…" he exhaled slowly, gathering his thoughts before looking at you. "i want to take you out on a proper date. i want to court you." his voice was steady, and there was something incredibly sincere about the way he said it. "i like you a lot. and i really want to have a chance with you."

you sighed softly, a guilty smile on your lips as you lowered your head. you reached out, gently placing a hand on his right arm.

"look, sungho…" you started, but this time, he didn't stop you.

"i loved the song. i appreciate your admiration toward me. i'm grateful that you see me in ways i don't even see myself, but…" you hesitated, taking in a deep breath before looking down again.

"i don't want to lose you as my friend," you admitted, voice barely above a whisper. "you're great, sungho, but i just… i just can't see myself being with you like that, and i'm already sure of it."

there was a long silence.

when you finally gathered the courage to look up, you expected disappointment, or maybe even hurt, but instead, all you saw was understanding. sungho just watched you, his eyes were warm, and patient. he said nothing, sensing that you weren't finished yet.

"and… sungho, i like—"

"leehan?" he cut in respectfully.

your breath hitched for a second, but you eventually nodded, humming a quiet yes. sungho simply sat there. then, without warning, he stood up. your heart lurched—was he upset? was he going to storm off?

but then he knelt in front of you instead, taking your balled fists in his hands.

"i had a feeling," he admitted softly. his expression was so kind, so heartbreakingly gentle. "i just… tried to shoot my shot again. just in case there was even a tiny chance. but now that you've said it out loud…" he sighed, squeezing your hands once before setting them back on your lap. "that's my cue to step back."

"i enjoyed every second with you, and i don't regret writing that song for you," sungho continued. then, he cracked a small grin. "but if you want it taken down, i totally will."

you let out a small, choked laugh, the lump in your throat loosening. "of course not, and really, thank you."

"good." sungho tapped your palm before standing up fully. "no need to thank me, by the way. if anything, i should be thanking you for coming into my life, for bringing light as my crush… and now, as my best friend."

your smile wobbled slightly, but you held steady.

sungho stretched his arms over his head, then suddenly smirked. "and hey, at least i didn't lose to just any guy."

you raised an eyebrow. "hm?"

"it was my brother," sungho pointed out dramatically. "that stings a little, but if it had to be anyone… i'm glad it's him. he's a good guy. he just needs a little push sometimes."

you nodded, agreeing. but then something about his wording struck you as odd.

"i'm in… safe hands?" you echoed, squinting at him.

sungho visibly straightened, as if realizing something. his eyes darted away, and suddenly, he looked very much like a man who had just given away classified information.

"i mean— i'm just saying, he wouldn't hurt you. if he found out you had a fat crush on him," he quickly backtracked.

you narrowed your eyes suspiciously, but he had already started walking away, heading toward your friends.

"trust me," sungho called back over his shoulder, flashing you one last knowing grin. "give him time."

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

after turning sungho down, you went your own way with your friends, and sungho did too, spending the night swinging around with jooyeon, junhan, and jay. he needed time to process everything, to laugh things off, to pretend, even just for a little while, that nothing had changed. they stayed out until midnight, letting the city lights blur the reality he wasn’t quite ready to face.

by the time he finally made it back to their apartment, exhaustion clung to him like a second skin.

as he stepped inside, he wasn’t expecting to find anyone awake, but there was leehan, standing by the kitchen counter. he was in his usual white shirt and pajama pants, black glasses perched on his nose, hair a tousled mess like he'd been running his hands through it all night. a glass of water sat in his hand, half-finished.

"wow, so early," leehan muttered as he set the glass down on the counter.

sungho just sighed, too drained to come up with a snarky response, and dropped down onto the couch with a heavy exhale. leehan followed, mirroring his posture, one leg resting against the coffee table.

"congrats on the win," leehan said, his tone was casual, but not completely indifferent. "y'all did awesome. i wasn't surprised that you won."

sungho barely reacted, just muttering a single, exhausted "thanks" before shutting his eyes.

leehan glanced at him, then did a double take. something was off.

"you look like you just got dumped," he joked, not thinking much of it.

sungho let out a dry chuckle, cracking an eye open. "ddaeng ddaeng, bingo."

leehan blinked. then blinked again. "wait… seriously?"

sungho cracked an eye open, his smirk was faint but still there. "yeah. i did."

"y/n?" leehan asked, though he already knew the answer.

sungho gave a small nod, confirming it. for a second, leehan actually felt bad. sungho didn't look heartbroken, not exactly, but there was a bittersweet acceptance in the way he sat there, shoulders slightly slumped, like he'd seen it coming but still wished it had ended differently.

"i—"

"don’t," sungho cut him off before he could say anything. "it's good. i already had a hunch before she even said it."

leehan stared at him. "i mean… you get mad, but do you not hate me right now? like, two times more than usual whenever we argued about her?"

sungho let out a small snort. "why would i take it that far?" he turned his head slightly, finally looking at leehan. "i get jealous, yeah. but now that it's settled, i won't be. also, you've been in love with her for years. i was the one who barged in."

leehan didn't say anything. for a moment, he had convinced himself that sungho was the better choice, that he didn't stand a chance. he spent years suppressing himself. but now, hearing this, sungho willingly stepping aside, it didn't quite feel real.

"you've always been stubborn," sungho continued, smirking slightly. "but this time, you were an idiot."

leehan frowned. "what?"

"you thought you had no chance, so you never even tried." sungho turned to face him fully. "but... you had higher chances than you think." his voice was teasing, but there was seriousness, like he was hinting at something more without saying it outright.

leehan swallowed. the words hit deeper than he expected.

sungho smirked wider. "you finally grew up."

leehan blinked, still caught off guard. "huh?"

"i'm proud of you," sungho said, his voice quieter now, more sincere. "for finally being a man."

leehan tensed slightly, not expecting the sudden shift in tone. "where is this coming from...? so cheesy."

sungho just grinned, then, before leehan could react, he reached out and ruffled his hair, just like he used to when they were kids.

"my young little baby leehan is all grown up now."

leehan huffed, swatting his hand away, but his reaction came a second too late, his vision blurred for just a moment.

sungho caught it instantly. "what's this? why are your eyes getting all shiny?"

"they're not," leehan muttered, sniffing. he quickly wiped at his face, trying to play it off, but sungho wasn't buying it.

sungho just chuckled. "what's that? say it again, but without the sniffling."

"shut up," leehan grumbled, but despite himself, he was truly smiling.

sungho didn't bring up your feelings. that wasn't his place. he wanted leehan to hear it from you directly.

instead, he simply patted his brother's back. "i'm happy for you, no matter what."

leehan let out a shaky laugh, rubbing at his eyes again. "thank you, hyung."

and for the first time in a long while since the arguments, the silent rivalries, and everything between them felt right again.

sungho grinned. "just don't make me regret giving up."

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

that night opened a door for leehan, clearing something inside him. he had one of the best sleeps he'd had in a while and woke up eager to see you at the exhibit.

you, on the other hand, were restless—your mind tangled in endless worries. between leehan and the exhibit itself, you had plenty to stress over. at least sungho was off the checklist; you'd finally settled things with him, and it was for the best.

determined to present your best self today, you carefully picked out your outfit. you styled your long brown hair into a neat bun, securing it with a pencil, with your wispy bangs framing your face just right. a floral light blue dress with a white collar, paired with white stockings and matching doll shoes, gave you an effortlessly artsy look. you even swapped out your thick-rimmed glasses for a clear, thin-framed pair so they wouldn't clash with the aesthetic.

you weren't sure why you felt the need to dress to impress. maybe because you'd be standing next to an insanely well-done portrait, and you didn't want to look like a joke beside it. whatever the reason, you loved how you looked, and that was enough.

arriving early at the art hall, you were immediately greeted by the other participants, all dressed up for the event. the spacious hall buzzed with excitement.

"so pretty today!" a second-year student called out from across the room.

"only today?!" you joked.

"everyday," she chuckled, and you shared a laugh before turning back to admire your masterpiece.

leehan had done you a huge favor by agreeing to be your subject. the piece had come out better than you'd even hoped.

by 3 pm, the hall was packed—students from different classes, years, and even other schools filled the space. professors from various universities roamed the hall, praising the young artists and commending your university for fostering such talent.

as expected, your portrait of leehan drew plenty of attention. people lingered, taking their time to admire it. some praised your skills, while others predictably asked about your muse. who is he? how did you get leehan to agree? was there something going on between you two? at this point, you didn't even have the energy to be annoyed. you just met those questions with indifference.

not long after, sungho arrived, hair tousled from the ride, rubbing off his helmet.

"came here to support you," he grinned, pulling you into a quick, friendly hug.

"thank you, sungho," you pouted slightly, slouching against him.

"sorry i can't stay long, got a gig in an hour. but i'll take a picture of you with your portrait and post it on my social. that way, more people can see it. does that make up for it?"

"you're crazy! that's already too much. in fact, you don't need to make up for anything. i feel bad for making you rush over an hour before an important gig."

"shush." sungho hissed, cutting you off. "no more words."

you smiled, appreciating the gesture as the two of you caught up briefly before he had to leave.

shortly after, minji, bae, and moka arrived, all looking extra supportive as they approached your wall.

"you're so prettyyy!" moka squealed, immediately pulling you into a hug.

"whoa, whoa, whoa—how is leehan actually so good-looking here?!" minji exaggerated, hugging you next while eyeing your piece.

"in my opinion, he's always been good-looking," bae chimed in, nudging you. "you just managed to capture it perfectly with your impressive skills."

"finally, a normal praise that includes both me and leehan," you joked, making them all laugh.

the four of you stood there, chatting.

"has leehan seen this yet?" minji asked.

"not yet. he's supposed to come, but he's not here yet," you said, glancing up at the portrait.

"this is actually so perfect," moka hummed, leaning against bae, who nodded in agreement.

"thank you, guys. you're making all my worries fly away," you pouted at them.

"nothing to worry about, y/n. you're doing so good!" bae reassured you.

they took a closer look at the plaque below the portrait, reading the title of your piece.

moka pointed at it. "what is this cheesy name?" she turned to you, curious.

you smiled, a thoughtful expression crossing your face. "he was, though."

for a moment, your thoughts drifted to leehan.

moka let out a dramatic sniffle, pretending to wipe away tears. "i knew this day would come. we're so proud of you."

she leaned on bae, while minji and bae gave you the same proud-parent look.

you could only laugh, feeling a mix of emotions—gratitude, excitement, and maybe just a tiny bit of nerves. because somewhere in this crowd, leehan would soon arrive. and you weren't sure how he would react.

and, just as you called it, your eyes instinctively flickered toward the entrance, and there he was. kim leehan, classic

he stood across the room, framed perfectly under the warm glow of the gallery lights, like he had just stepped out of one of the paintings. his black semi-formal button-up clung just right, the top two buttons undone, revealing a hint of collarbone. his blonde hair, usually tousled, had been styled back, well, mostly. a few stubborn strands had slipped forward, softening his sharp features. white trousers balanced out his effortless look, but nothing shined brighter than the best part of all—his smile.

it was blinding, radiating through the crowd like a beacon, and even from across the room, it was clear that he was looking at you.

he didn't rush. he didn't push through the people admiring the art. instead, he walked toward you with the same quiet confidence he always had, measured and steady, like he wanted to take in every second of this moment.

your heart raced a little, but you tipped onto your toes slightly, hands clasped behind your back, waiting as if you'd been expecting this moment all along.

when he finally reached you, you grinned up at him. "hey, you made it."

leehan's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled back. "i did." then, with a teasing lilt, he added, "i almost mistook you for one of the sculptures here."

you scoffed, rolling your eyes as you lightly nudged his arm. "what was that supposed to mean?"

he tilted his head slightly, his gaze running over you in a way that made you red.

"you just look really beautiful."

the words were simple, yet they landed heavier than you expected, it wasn't playful. it wasn't hesitant. it was just honest and a genuine one.

your fingers instinctively smoothed over your outfit, trying to ground yourself. "well, i can't exactly stand next to a handsome portrait looking basic," you said, trying to keep it light.

leehan finally glanced up at the large painting behind you, the one capturing his face in the most delicate, intentional strokes. his brows raised slightly as he took it in, the realization settling.

"so this is why people kept staring at me when i walked in," he murmured, stepping closer to the canvas. his fingers hovered near the edge of the frame, as if he wanted to touch it but held back.

you moved beside him, mirroring his stance as you both stood in front of the painting.

"it's like you made this with so much passion," he continued, his voice softer now. "that's why they love it. it feels… alive."

you turned to him, watching the way his eyes traced every detail. "i did paint it with passion. i was with you through it."

leehan's eyes flickered downward, catching sight of the small plate beneath the frame. he squinted slightly as he read it aloud. "the… moment?"

you nodded, a small, genuine smile curved on your lips.

"yeah," you said. "you were the moment."

a beat passed before leehan inhaled, looking down for a split second before turning fully to face you.

"no." he spoke. "you were the moment."

the shift was almost tangible. for the first time, everything—the years of wondering, the quiet longing, the unanswered questions, felt like they had finally led to this very second.

leehan's gaze didn't falter, didn't shift away like it had so many times before. instead, it softened, deepened, held you in place. and then, just as gently, he reached for your hand. his fingers were warm as they laced through yours.

"y/n…" he sung your name. "you have always been the moment. my moment. ever since ninth grade…"

your lips parted slightly, surprised, heart hammering against your ribs as he squeezed your hand a little tighter.

"i was an idiot for ignoring you for years," he admitted, his brows knitting together. "i let fear get in the way, fear of things that weren't even real. i was a coward. i couldn't even see what was right in front of me anymore."

he exhaled sharply, as if trying to steady himself before he continued.

"y/n, i ignored you because i liked you—so much, too much. it felt unreal. and it scared me."

you inhaled, but no words came out. he wasn't done yet.

"it was never minju." he shook his head slightly. "it was always you. your questions, the answers… everything has always been you, y/n." his other hand came up, enveloping yours between both of his. "i'm sorry. for all of it."

you let out a slow breath, eyes never leaving his. then, finally, you smiled.

"i forgave you a long time ago," you said gently. "the moment you finally started letting me in, all those silly ignoring games didn't matter anymore. we were kids, leehan. young. you were trying to figure things out, and i can't blame you for that." you squeezed his hands reassuringly. "but this moment right here? it just proves how much we've both grown."

leehan let out a quiet chuckle, his eyes glistening a little. his grip tightened, as if grounding himself in you.

"i want to be closer to you," he said, more determined now. "i need to. i need to make up for the past three years by proving to you just how much i care."

your heart swelled, your smile widening. "i want that too," you whispered. "i just… liked you a lot too."

leehan's eyes lit up before he let out a small, amused scoff. "since when?"

you bit your lip before giggling. "i think… since middle school. but i only really figured it out this year when we got closer. back then, i thought i was just upset that you wouldn't be my friend, but now i realize… i just wanted your attention." you laughed at yourself. "i wanted you to like me back."

leehan let out a breathy chuckle, shaking his head. "this is such a life-changing fun fact."

"the more we know," you teased.

both of your laughter filled the space before, without warning, he leaned in and pressed a soft, quick kiss to your cheek. the warmth of it spread through your entire body like a ripple, your eyes widening slightly as you froze.

leehan leaned back with a satisfied smirk. "one off my checklist. only about two hundred more to go."

it took you a second to process, but then, you broke into the happiest smile of your life.

whatever lay ahead of you and leehan felt promising. there was no rush, no pressure—just a path unfolding slowly but surely, step by step. just like the warmth of his love, easing into your life.

slowly, but all at once.

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