You're His Best Friend
"Why do I even have to do this?" you muttered, tugging at the hem of the tight black dress Jaebum had insisted you wear.
"Because..." He casually slipped an arm around your waist as he leaned closer, a grin tugging at his lips. "You're my best friend. So stop complaining and help me out."
Before you could protest, he pulled you into the crowded club.
You had agreed to help him make his ex jealous. At the time, it sounded fun. You'd never liked the girl anyway, and if there was one thing you could never do, it was say no to Jaebum.
The music pounded through the room as he dragged you onto the dance floor, where everyone around you was already lost in the beat.
"No drinks?" you asked, raising your voice over the music.
"We can't." He laughed. "We've got a mission, remember?"
You rolled your eyes before giving in, moving along with the rhythm.
"I should've brought Yugyeom instead," he teased.
"Oh, shut up."
He laughed and grabbed your hand, lifting it above your head before spinning you around. You stumbled slightly, laughing as he steadied you.
When the spin ended, your back rested against his chest. His hand remained on your waist while he lowered his head, his chin resting lightly on your shoulder as the two of you swayed to the music.
"I see her," he murmured.
You gave a small nod.
Right on cue.
The upbeat song faded into something slower.
"We should probably change positions," you said.
You turned to face him, but his hands stayed on your waist. Almost instinctively, your arms settled around his neck.
You closed your eyes, trying to ignore how close he was.
You're not falling for him tonight.
That had been the plan.
A warm breath brushed across your face.
Your eyes fluttered open.
Jaebum was already inches away.
Before you could react, his lips were on yours.
Your mind went blank.
For a moment, you simply stood there, too stunned to move.
Then, without thinking, you kissed him back.
The kiss lasted only a few seconds, but it was long enough for you to feel him smile.
Reality hit.
You immediately pulled away and shoved him back before hurrying out of the club.
"(Y/N), wait!"
You ignored him, weaving through the crowd until you reached the street outside.
"That wasn't part of the plan!" you shouted without turning around.
"(Y/N)! I'm sorry!"
His voice finally made you stop.
You let out a bitter laugh before turning to face him.
"You don't get it, Jae."
He looked genuinely confused.
"I'm sorry about the kiss," he said quietly, avoiding your eyes. "I didn't mean to."
You laughed again, though there wasn't any humor in it.
"Exactly."
The single word stung more than you expected.
"That's why I hate that you did it."
He slowly looked up.
"You didn't mean it."
Silence settled between the two of you.
Understanding slowly crossed his face.
"...You like me?"
You winced.
Hearing him say it out loud somehow made it even more embarrassing.
Your gaze dropped to the ground.
"Ani," you whispered, your voice trembling.
A tear slipped down your cheek.
"I love you."
JB
"Why are you out here?"
Mark's voice suddenly broke the silence as he appeared beside you.
You looked at him and forced a small smile. "Nothing. I just needed some fresh air."
You turned your gaze back to the dark garden, rubbing your arms to keep yourself warm.
Mark simply nodded, and silence settled between the two of you.
You weren't usually this quiet, but tonight was different.
You came with Mark to his family's reunion. His parents had insisted you come, and you couldn't say no. Everything had been fine—until Jessica arrived.
His ex.
Mark hadn't noticed anything was wrong. He had been busy catching up with family and old friends, leaving you alone on the couch for most of the night.
You hated that feeling.
Feeling like you didn't belong.
"Do you think she still likes me?"
His question pulled you from your thoughts.
You resisted the urge to roll your eyes.
"I don't know, Mark. Do you think so?"
You didn't even look at him.
He frowned.
"Hey... what's wrong?"
He slipped an arm around your shoulders, gently pulling you closer. The simple gesture made your chest tighten.
"Huh? Nothing," you answered quickly.
"(Y/N)..."
He turned you to face him before wrapping both arms around you.
"I know something's bothering you," he said softly. "Talk to me. I'll listen."
You gripped the hem of his shirt, trying your best not to hug him back.
It didn't last.
You buried your face against his chest, and before you knew it, the tears came.
Mark froze for a moment before gently rubbing your back.
"Hey... hey," he whispered, trying to calm you down.
When your sobs finally quieted, he cupped your cheeks and lifted your face so you were looking at him. His thumbs brushed away the tears that wouldn't stop falling.
"Tell me," he said quietly. "What's wrong?"
You met his eyes, your vision blurred by tears.
"I..."
You swallowed hard.
"I love you."
The words barely left your lips, but they were loud enough for him to hear.
His hands slowly fell away from your face.
Then he took a small step back.
The space between you suddenly felt much bigger than it really was.
He didn't say a word.
He didn't have to.
His silence answered the question you'd been too afraid to ask.
Would he ever love you back?
mark
You sat on the couch in the boys' dorm, a book resting in your hands. The others had gone out to buy snacks for your little "sleepover," leaving you with some quiet time. You made yourself comfortable, absentmindedly flipping through the pages until the doorbell suddenly rang.
You looked up, frowning.
"Who the hell is it?" you muttered.
Without bothering to check the monitor, you walked over and opened the door.
"Oppa!"
Jinyoung stood there, completely soaked from the rain, his body trembling from the cold.
You quickly stepped aside to let him in before rushing to the bathroom. Grabbing a clean towel from the cabinet, you hurried back to the living room and draped it over his shoulders.
"Oppa, where have you been?" you asked, unable to hide the concern in your voice. "Go take a warm shower before you get sick."
You gently guided him toward the bathroom. To your surprise, he didn't protest and simply walked inside, quietly closing the door behind him.
With a sigh, you headed to the kitchen to pour yourself a glass of water.
"(Y/N)-ah..."
You looked toward the bathroom.
"Can you get me some clean clothes?"
His voice was unusually flat.
"Yeah, give me a second."
You set your glass down and walked into the room he shared with the maknae. Opening his closet, you grabbed a black hoodie and a pair of sweatpants. Keeping your eyes shut, you reached for a clean pair of underwear before making your way back to the bathroom.
"Oppa," you called, knocking softly.
The door opened just enough for one hand to reach out. You placed the clothes into his hand, and without another word, the door closed again.
You returned to the living room, your mind wandering.
Something definitely happened.
Before you could think any further, a pair of arms wrapped around your waist from behind.
Startled, you froze for a second before hearing his quiet voice.
"Just... please. Give me ten minutes."
His arms tightened ever so slightly.
You let out a quiet sigh.
"You two broke up... didn't you?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he only held you a little tighter.
That was all the confirmation you needed.
"I hate seeing you like this," you whispered.
jinyoung