Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Part 1

The arrival terminal at Incheon was a blur of harsh lighting, recycled air, and camera phones raised like weapons. Kitty could already hear the whispers—Minho’s name, half-recognized in the swell of noise and crowd movement. Not unexpected, considering he was the younger brother of Korea’s most iconic solo artist. He wasn’t technically famous, but being adjacent to fame came with its own brand of chaos.

Minho didn’t react to the stares. Hoodie up, sunglasses on, posture straight—he moved like he’d trained for this. Maybe he had. His expression didn’t shift, but Kitty noticed the subtle change in how he walked when fans got too close—more deliberate, shoulders tightening, fingers flexing slightly, like his body was preparing for impact.

Without thinking, she reached for his hand.

He laced their fingers together immediately, like it was second nature.

It had started months ago—Tokyo, maybe—when they nearly lost each other outside a venue in the crush of people and sound. She had grabbed for him instinctively, and he hadn’t let go. After that, hand-holding became their default setting. Practical, they told themselves. Preventative. But somewhere along the way, it stopped being about the crowd. It was just... more comfortable this way.

“Left,” Minho murmured, not looking at her.

Kitty shifted with him, guided by the slight pull of his hand. They moved together through a tight knot of fans waving signs for Joon Ho, camera flashes strobing like lightning.

“You’re leading like we’re in a ballroom competition,” she muttered, her tone dry.

Minho didn’t miss a beat. “I’m leading like you were two steps away from becoming the center of a very aggressive TikTok compilation.”

“I was not.”

“You absolutely were. That girl in bunny ears had her phone aimed like a heat-seeking missile.”

“I had it handled.”

“You ducked behind me.”

“I strategically repositioned .”

He hummed—a smug, non-committal sound that said he knew he was right. Kitty rolled her eyes but didn’t press it. His hand around hers was steady and warm, and somehow the only solid thing in a blur of too-bright lights and too many expectations.

Behind them, Eunice trailed with her guitar strapped over one shoulder and sunglasses pulled low over her face. She looked both half-asleep and fully done with everything.

“If I ever do a tour again,” Eunice said, not bothering to raise her voice, “someone better promise me blackout curtains, earplugs, and no fans crying in the hotel lobby.”

Kitty glanced back. “You say that like you didn’t love it.”

“I loved performing ,” Eunice clarified. “I didn’t love being handed six fan letters for Joon Ho while trying to order pancakes.”

“You did kind of look like part of the entourage,” Kitty offered.

“I was the opening act ,” Eunice shot back. “Not his roadie.”

Minho added, perfectly deadpan, “You gave off mysterious musical girlfriend energy. The fans were just trying to crack the lore.”

Eunice tilted her sunglasses down. “I’m going to assume that was a compliment because I’m too tired to fight you.”

“Smart choice,” he replied.

Kitty smiled, small and private. The three of them had formed a bond on tour—bickering, banter, small comforts disguised as jokes. It wasn’t glamorous or perfect, but it had felt like home in a way she hadn’t expected. Eunice became a friend she hadn’t seen coming, someone who felt a little like family—sharp-witted, calm under pressure, and always quietly there.

Outside, the late afternoon sun clung to the pavement in shimmering heat. The sleek black town car idled at the curb like a promise. Their driver, immaculate in a blazer and white gloves, opened the door with a polite bow before moving to load their luggage.

Kitty slid into the car first, grateful for the cool, citrus-scented air and the buttery leather seats. She tucked her legs beneath her as Minho joined her, his knee bumping hers as he settled into the seat beside her. Neither of them shifted away.

Without looking, he passed her a bottle of water.

She took it with a smirk. “Trying to hydrate me into submission?”

“You’re dehydrated. Again.”

“I’m fine.”

“You slept through the entire flight.”

“Exactly. Beauty rest. Look at this glow.”

“You look like a dehydrated dumpling.”

Kitty gasped. “That is so rude. ”

“I’m trying to keep you alive.”

“You’re trying to negg me into drinking water.”

“If it works…”

Across from them, Eunice slumped into her seat and pulled up her hood. “Wake me up when one of you confesses or when we arrive—whichever comes first.”

Kitty blinked. “Confesses what?”

Eunice didn’t answer. She was already pretending to be asleep.

Minho said nothing, but Kitty caught the twitch of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. She twisted off the cap and took a sip—partly because he was right, mostly because she hated how he always knew when she needed something, even before she did.

Their shoulders stayed pressed together, the contact so natural now that she almost didn’t notice it. Almost.

She unlocked her phone and opened the group chat out of habit, thumb scrolling as a familiar warmth bubbled in her chest.

Group Chat: KISS Krew (Q and the girls)

Q: Was that HAND-HOLDING in the airport story or am I hallucinating from dehydration???
Yuri: Unclear. Could’ve been strategy. The crowd looked wild.
Madison: They do move kind of in sync now... 👀
Juliana: Do we think they’re sharing brain cells or just playlists?
Praveena: Like... synced in the “we dress the same by accident” kind of way?
Kitty: Missed you guys 🥲 see you soon 💛
Q: You better have! I need to hear everything —over food, in dramatic detail.
Q: Also, don't think I didn't notice you not confirming or denying. Nice try. I expect receipts. And your secrets.

The rest of the drive passed in a blur. Outside the window, Seoul swept by in a rush of summer twilight, the city familiar and fast and quietly beautiful. Minho had leaned his head back, one earbud in, his breathing slow and even. Kitty could hear the faint thrum of lo-fi beats—his go-to playlist for nights when he couldn’t sleep.

When the car rounded the final bend before campus, their legs bumped again.

He didn’t pull away, and neither did she.

The gates of KISS appeared like something out of a memory—the wrought iron, the ivy-covered walls, the warm gold light slipping across the quad. Everything looked the same.

But Kitty wasn’t.

She wasn’t the girl who arrived last year with a suitcase full of hopes and her mother’s memory in her pocket, chasing someone else’s love story. She was someone else now—someone who knew how Minho took his tea when he was upset, how he needed silence after big crowds, and how he always checked to make sure she walked on the inside of the sidewalk.

And Minho… he was still sarcastic and infuriating and too good-looking for his own good, but now he also remembered her drink order without asking, let her steal his hoodies, and knew when to stand beside her and when to walk ahead.

He was her constant. Her comfort. The hand she reached for without thinking.

And—though she wasn’t about to say it out loud—he was the one person she didn’t want to live without.

As the black town car rolled to a smooth stop just in front of the steps of KISS, Kitty felt the familiar flutter in her stomach—nerves and nostalgia tangled together. The buildings hadn’t changed. The quad was as perfectly trimmed as ever, and the late afternoon light spilled golden across the pathways like it had been waiting for them.

The driver stepped out and opened the door.

Minho climbed out first, stretching his legs with a groan that was far too dramatic for someone who hadn’t lifted a single bag the entire trip. Kitty rolled her eyes as she stepped out behind him, the heat of the pavement rising through the soles of her sneakers.

Eunice followed, blinking at the sky like she was surprised it still existed. “That was the longest thirty minutes of my life.”

“It was twenty,” Minho said.

“I experienced it emotionally,” Eunice replied, slinging her guitar over one shoulder.

The driver retrieved their bags with quick, practiced movements. Kitty adjusted her backpack on one shoulder and took a moment to look around, the warm breeze catching strands of her hair.

She was back. Somehow, the campus looked smaller than she remembered, but in a good way—like she’d grown into it. Like she belonged here now in a way she hadn’t before.

“Kitty!”

She turned at the sound of her name just as Q came jogging across the courtyard, arms already spread wide.

“My girl returns!” he cried, launching himself into a full-body hug before she could react.

Kitty laughed, hugging him back as her backpack nearly slipped off her shoulder. “I missed you too.”

“You look great. Tired, but great. World tour glow is real. And Minho,” Q added, turning to him without missing a beat, “you’re still too pretty. Take it down, like, 10%.”

Minho smirked. “You say that every semester.”

“And I’ll keep saying it until someone puts you on a poster for skin care products.”

“Already happened,” Eunice said casually, brushing past them. “Seoul airport. Laneige billboard. Top right corner.”

Q made a strangled sound. “We’ll be catching up about that later. Anyway—” He turned back to Kitty, linking arms with her like they hadn’t missed a beat. “Madison’s throwing a welcome-back thing tonight. Nothing wild—just snacks, music, and casual social chaos. You’re expected.”

“Of course she is,” Minho said, smirking.

“Oh! And,” Q added, glancing at Kitty with mock seriousness, “surprise! You’re Madison’s roommate now. Dorm B, top floor. Double unit. Separate rooms, but shared kitchen-slash-living space. Super cute. She already claimed the pink kettle, though. Sorry.”

Kitty blinked. “Wait—I’m living with Madison ?”

“I’m kind of jealous,” Q said in a tone that suggested it wasn’t temporary at all. “I mean, since we can’t room together anymore, at least you’ll have the fun female-me to work with!”

Kitty groaned. “She’s already decorated hasn’t she?”

Q cut in smoothly. “I can neither confirm, nor deny.”

Kitty covered her face. “This is going to be a disaster.”

“You love disasters,” Minho said, gently bumping her shoulder with his.

Q looked between them, eyes narrowing just slightly. “You two still do that thing, huh?”

“What thing?” Kitty asked, a little too quickly.

“The…One breath, one brain cell thing. And you’re sure nothing happened while on tour?”

Kitty gave him a look. “I’m sure .”

“Mm,” Q hummed noncommittally. “ Sure .”

Minho said nothing, just glanced between the two of them, curious to see where it was leading.

Q eventually raised both brows. “Not saying anything. Just observing.”

Kitty stared at him.

Q smiled innocently. “Your’s and Madison’s room in twenty. Don’t be late.”

Part 2

The second Kitty stepped inside her new dorm suite, she felt like she’d walked into a spa-themed Pinterest board—if the spa had been designed by someone with too many throw pillows and an unlimited credit line at a scented candle boutique.

String lights wrapped around the top corners of the living room, casting everything in a soft golden glow. A eucalyptus-something diffuser misted lazily on a shelf. The furniture—two couches, a shag rug, and a coffee table scattered with pastel bowls of snacks—had clearly been rearranged with vibes in mind.

She dropped her suitcase just inside the door and stared.

“Okay,” she said slowly, “this is... not what it looked like in the floorplan.”

“Right?” Madison popped up from the kitchen holding a bag of popcorn in one hand and a pink claw clip in the other. She looked pleased with herself. “I added a few things. Rearranged a few more. Left you the room with better light for mirror selfies.”

Kitty blinked. “We were supposed to move in together. I haven’t even seen my room yet.”

“I’m an efficient visionary,” Madison replied. “You’re welcome.”

“You took over the kitchen.”

“I optimized the kitchen,” she corrected. “Also, I borrowed two mugs. And, um... a hoodie.”

Kitty turned. “One of my hoodies?”

“It was cold!”

Before Kitty could respond, Q called out from the couch, “Focus, lovebirds. Kitty’s here. Kitty survived. Kitty returned .”

He popped up dramatically and presented a can of peach soda like it was an award. Kitty took it with a grin.

The suite was already full. Yuri and Jin were curled together on the smaller couch—Yuri with her feet tucked under her and Jin in his signature monochrome, sipping from a cup like it was whiskey and not probably lemon water. Praveena was cross-legged on the floor, wrapped in a blanket and scrolling on her phone while eating popcorn from a large bowl. Juliana sat nearby on the rug, long legs stretched out in front of her, a sparkling drink in hand and a soft, amused smile already in place.

Mihee and Eunice were chatting near the kitchenette, Mihee sitting on a floor cushion, Eunice leaning against the counter in her signature hoodie and Converse. She looked relaxed. Comfortable in a way Kitty hadn’t seen since before the tour started.

It was strange—comforting and jarring at the same time—how familiar everything felt and yet how foreign it seemed after three months away. Everyone had changed just a little, like books you remembered fondly but forgot the exact words of.

Dae stood near the hallway, a bowl of chips in one hand, his posture casual but his eyes alert. He caught Kitty’s gaze and gave her a small nod and smile. She smiled back, unsure why she felt the tiniest twinge of guilt for not texting him more over the summer.

Minho dropped onto the main couch like he owned the place. His jacket was half-on, his hair a little messy from the ride over, and he looked entirely at ease. Like he’d never left. Like being in this room, with these people, beside her—it was just another stop on the tour.

Kitty sat next to him without thinking.

Their knees touched instantly. Neither of them moved.

“This room is insane,” she said under her breath.

Minho looked around, unimpressed. “It’s aggressively curated.”

“She reorganized the tea shelf into emotional categories.”

“She put rose petals in the fridge.”

Kitty snorted, then leaned a little closer. “It smells like a luxury candle store in here.”

“It smells like debt.”

Juliana looked up from her drink. “You two done whispering sweet nothings yet, or should we leave you alone?”

Kitty flushed instantly. “We were just... talking.”

“We were judging the eucalyptus,” Minho added.

“Sure,” Juliana said with a grin.

Q plopped into the armchair across from them. “Okay, official debrief time. We’ve got our world travelers, our rock star support crew, and our local icons. I’m expecting chaos. But first—snacks.”

He passed Kitty a cookie, then offered Minho a bag of chips, which Minho declined with a shake of his head.

“So,” Q went on, “let’s cut to it. Which European city made you two soulmates?”

“We’re not soulmates,” Kitty said a little too quickly.

“You did post about each other constantly, ” Praveena pointed out.

Minho shrugged. “It was content.”

“We were together a lot,” Kitty said, trying to sound casual. “It made sense.”

“Together how?” Madison asked, teasing but careful. “Like tour logistics together or we have one brain cell now together?”

“Logistics,” Kitty insisted.

“That’s what she says,” Juliana said, “but that hand-holding in Madrid looked... sincere.”

“It was for safety,” Kitty replied.

Minho leaned back, one arm along the couch. “Crowds. It’s practical.”

“That’s your answer for everything,” Q muttered. “Practicality.”

Madison waved a chip. “Okay, game time. Best and worst moment of the summer. Everyone shares. No skipping.”

“We don’t even get snacks first?” Kitty asked.

“This is the snack,” Jin said.

“Juliana,” Q prompted.

Juliana lifted her drink. “Worst: spent the night in an airport hotel that smelled like carpet cleaner and regret. Best: met a very charming nurse after nearly fainting at said airport.”

Yuri gasped. “You didn’t !”

“She gave me crackers and oxygen. It was romantic.”

“Praveena?”

“Worst: tried to make dalgona candy and gave myself a sugar burn. Best: accidentally discovered I love poetry.”

Yuri: “Worst: my cousin’s wedding. Best: the dress I wore to the wedding.”

Q turned to Dae. “You're up.”

Dae hesitated. “Worst was probably missing the annual fireworks festival. My sisters go every year.”

He paused. Kitty saw him glance, briefly, at Eunice.

“Best,” he said more quietly, “was seeing TikToks of Eunice’s sets. Especially the Paris one. That was... cool.”

Eunice blinked, eyes flicking toward him. Mihee nudged her gently with an elbow, but didn’t say anything.

Eunice gave a small smile. “Thanks.”

Kitty glanced at Minho, who watched the moment with his usual quiet neutrality—but she noticed the way he glanced between them, then back at Kitty, like he was cataloguing everything.

Q didn’t miss a beat. “Mihee?”

“Worst: teaching my brother to dance for his school talent show. Best: FaceTiming Eunice before her Paris set.”

Eunice rolled her eyes, but Kitty saw the faint pink rise in her cheeks.

“Minho,” Q prompted.

Minho took a slow sip of his drink. “Worst was the heat wave in Rome. Kitty almost passed out.”

“I did not.”

“You were sticking ice cubes to your neck.”

“It was very hot. ”

He gave her a sideways look. “And your pants were coffee-stained.”

“Not my fault!”

“Anyway,” he continued, “best was Tokyo.”

Juliana raised a brow. “That was the first stop. What happened in Tokyo?”

He didn’t answer. But Kitty remembered. That was the first night they’d fallen asleep in the same bed—not planned, not talked about, just... necessary. And after that, they hadn’t really stopped.

“Kitty?” Q asked gently.

She swallowed. “Worst was probably New York. Our flight to Rome got delayed, the gate seating was miserable, and I spilled coffee on my last clean pair of pants.”

“Tragic,” said Yuri.

“And best...” Kitty paused. “Vienna.”

“Why?” Juliana asked, half-curious, half-smirking.

Kitty shrugged. “We had a day off, and I slept better there than anywhere else.”

Minho didn’t say anything. But he was watching her, eyes softer than she could handle.

Their hands weren’t touching. But they were close.

No one called them out on it, but they all definitely noticed it.

Part 3

The room had gotten too warm.

Not because of the temperature—Madison’s suite was aggressively climate-controlled—but because her chest was tight and her thoughts were starting to loop in on themselves again as Minho and her remained pressed together. Kitty murmured something about getting some air and slipped through the sliding balcony door before anyone could stop her.

The cool breeze hit her like a relief.

She braced her arms against the railing and let the quiet wrap around her.

Inside, the laughter and music were still going, dimmed now by glass and distance. Out here, there was only the low rustle of leaves and the occasional murmur of someone walking across campus. The courtyard was lit with fairy lights. Everything looked soft and golden, like the past few hours should’ve felt.

But all Kitty could feel was the ache of trying not to show too much.

It wasn’t new. She’d gotten good at it—laughing, deflecting, pretending her feelings weren’t eating her alive. She’d known she was in love with Minho before the tour even started. That terrifying, heart-heavy truth had already rooted itself in her chest long before she boarded that first flight.

Every moment of the tour had only confirmed it. What she was still confused about was his feelings. There were moments where she thought, maybe, he still felt the same.

The way he looked for her in every room. The way he leaned into her shoulder when he was tired. The way his hand found hers without hesitation, and the way his body sought hers out at night, as if he couldn’t go a night without her.

Except, each time, he was the one to pull back. To draw an invisible line in the sand.

She’d loved him already, and she still did. More so now than before. And she needed to find a way to be okay with just being his friend, because if he wanted more, he would have said something. Done something.

The door slid open behind her and for a half-second, she thought—hoped—it might be him.

But it wasn’t.

“You okay?” Eunice asked gently.

Kitty glanced over her shoulder, then nodded. “Just needed a minute.”

Eunice stepped out, arms folded, and joined her at the railing without needing an invitation. “That room’s got… a lot of energy.”

Kitty gave a short laugh. “You could say that.”

They stood there for a while, not talking, just listening to the soft sounds of KISS at night. The wind moved through the ivy on the stone walls, and somewhere nearby a door creaked shut.

“It’s weird being back,” Kitty said eventually. “Everything looks the same, but I don’t feel the same.”

“You’re not,” Eunice replied. “That’s not a bad thing.”

Kitty let her gaze drift upward. “I knew I loved him before the tour even started.”

Eunice turned to look at her. “You never said anything.”

“I told Q.”

“But not him?”

Kitty shook her head. “What was I supposed to say? ‘Hey, I know you’re swearing off relationships and Stella really messed you up, but also, I love you. Hope that’s chill’?”

Eunice smiled, faintly. “That would’ve been… bold.”

“I didn’t want to make it weird. Or ruin it. Whatever this is.”

“You don’t think he feels it too?”

“I don’t know. Sometimes I get the feeling that maybe…but then, he always pulls away and it’s like nothing happened, or he wished that it didn’t happen, I don’t know.” Kitty said quietly. “And I’m scared that if I say something, I’ll lose whatever we have.”

They were quiet again for a beat.

Eunice reached over and bumped their shoulders together. “I saw the way he looked at you in Lisbon. And in Berlin. And basically every time you weren’t looking back.”

Kitty gave a soft, helpless smile. “He must be good at pretending.”

“So are you.”

They stood there another few minutes, until Eunice said, “I should get back in before Mihee makes me do a TikTok dance.”

“Thanks for coming out here.”

“Anytime.”

The door clicked shut behind her, leaving Kitty alone again with the night. She wrapped her arms around herself and let the air settle.

Later, in bed, the ceiling above her was unfamiliar. Too smooth. Too blank. Her new sheets still smelled like laundry detergent and cardboard. Everything felt like a reminder that she was back where it all started, but she wasn’t starting over.

She was in the middle of something she couldn’t name.

She rolled over and grabbed her phone.

DM with Q

Kitty: I think I made a mistake.
Q: By falling for him?
Kitty: By not telling him. I knew before the tour. I knew . And I said nothing.
Q: You weren’t ready.
Kitty: I was scared.
Q: Still counts as not ready. You loved him enough to be there for him after everything with Stella. To stay and protect what you did have.
Kitty: I hate not knowing what he’s feeling.
Q: You know more than you think. You’re just afraid it might actually be the thing you want.
Kitty: You don’t know that.
Q: Kitty.
Kitty: Yeah?
Q: Sleep. You’re allowed to rest.
Kitty: Thanks. Love you xo
Q: Love you back xo

On the other side of campus, Minho lay in bed, staring into the dark of his new dorm room. The single bedroom in the quad felt too quiet, too neat, too empty.

He’d only unpacked the essentials—his speaker, toiletries, the black hoodie Kitty always tried to steal. Everything else stayed in the suitcase near the closet. There hadn’t been a reason to settle in yet.

Across the common space, Q and Dae were already asleep in their shared room. He could hear the occasional rustle of sheets, the soft buzz of Q’s sleep playlist.

But here, in his room, there was silence.

Minho shifted onto his side, expecting—stupidly, instinctively—the weight of her next to him. The way she used to curl in close, stealing space and heat. The press of her forehead against his shoulder. The soft hitch in her breath right before she fell fully asleep.

This was the first night he hadn’t had that.

And his bed felt wrong without her in it. He felt wrong without her .

He’d gotten used to the rhythm of her beside him—her body finding his in the dark, no matter how big or small the hotel bed was. They never talked about it. It had just… happened. And once it did, there was no going back. Not for him, at least.

Minho reached for his phone, thumb hovering over her name.

It’s only been a few hours. I’m being ridiculous.

Instead, he stared at the ceiling and tried to remember the exact way she fit against his side. The exact moment each night when she stopped shifting and stilled, like even her heartbeat trusted him.

He closed his eyes and tried to sleep.

But everything about the room reminded him of what—who—was missing.

It was hard to fall asleep when your whole body—your soul—remembered the shape of someone who wasn’t there.

Chapter Text

Part 1

Kitty woke with a start.

For one blissful second, she forgot. Forgot she was back at KISS. Forgot that the tour was over. Forgot she wasn’t going to roll over and find a very warm, very asleep Minho pressed up against her like a clingy golden retriever with incredibly high cheekbones and a jawline that could cut glass.

But when her hand reached for the other side of the bed, she found nothing but cold sheets and disappointment.

Oh. Right .

She cracked one eye open to confirm it. Madison’s ridiculous ceiling decal— Start Each Day Like It’s a Launch Party! —glared back at her in soft, pastel-aggressive lettering.

Kitty groaned and rolled onto her stomach, burying her face into her pillow. Minho’s hoodie (which she had absolutely “borrowed permanently”) bunched around her shoulders, and for a moment she just stayed there, cocooned in the faint scent of him—clean, citrusy, warm.

She knew this was going to be hard, but no one warned her that waking up without him would feel like slamming into a brick wall made of feelings.

The soft brushing sound of Madison’s electric toothbrush hummed faintly through the bathroom door. Somewhere in the suite, the spa playlist Madison queued up every morning was already in full swing. Pan flute. Distant waves. Possibly the echo of Gwyneth Paltrow whispering about intention .

Kitty flopped onto her back with a dramatic sigh. “Morning, heartbreak. We meet again.”

The ceiling didn’t respond, which was rude, honestly.

She stared at the light fixture for a minute before sitting up. Her limbs felt too heavy, like her body had noticed the absence of Minho before her brain did. It wasn’t just emotional. It was physical .

For three months, she’d fallen asleep beside him. Not just beside him— with him. Minho the dramatic cuddler. Minho the midnight blanket stealer. Minho who sometimes woke up before her and stayed still, letting her sleep in the crook of his arm like it was the most normal thing in the world.

And now?

Now there was just... space.

Unoccupied. Unwarmed. Un-Minho-ed.

Kitty made a noise halfway between a sigh and a whimper and slouched over to the window. Outside, KISS was already awake. Students moved across the quad with the kind of unbothered energy she both admired and wanted to sabotage. People waved to each other. Laughed. Lived their best academically-inclined lives.

She watched them like they were some alternate universe version of herself. The one who hadn’t spent the summer falling deeper in love with her best friend.

Correction: the one who had felt the stirrings of feelings, and then just… leaned into it. Fully. Completely. No brakes. And fell wholly in love. Like an idiot.

Her phone buzzed.

Q: Breakfast in 10? I’ll save you a seat with the cuter roommate (it’s me)

Kitty smiled despite herself.

Kitty: Pass for today, taking a solo morning to reflect on my tragic romantic delusions ❤️

She added the heart just in case Q thought she was spiraling. And maybe because she was spiraling, just a little.

She tossed the phone onto her bed and took a long, dramatic sip from her water bottle like it was the only thing tethering her to reality.

Then, she sat down at her desk and cracked open her journal. Page one of the semester. Clean slate.

She stared at the blank page.

Then wrote: Things I Should Not Do (Again):

1. Meddle in anyone’s love life.
2. Make a mess of everyone’s lives this semester again.
3. Sleep next to Minho again (but I really want to)
4. Fall in love with Minho again (because let’s be honest, I never stopped).

She underlined number four twice, then slammed the journal shut.

Flashback – Lisbon

Lisbon had been a blur of pastel buildings, hills that tried to murder her calves, and endless bakery runs where Minho claimed he was “studying regional pastry culture.”

Kitty hadn’t questioned it. Mostly because he always shared.

Their hotel room had been warmly lit by the bedside lamp— cozy , despite it’s unnecessarily large size of their room really being a suite . The bed was a California King, and despite both Kitty and Minho making every effort to stay on “their sides”, they still woke up tangled together, as if their bodies just simply couldn’t help but gravitate to each other, conscious or not.

That night, though, had been quiet. Golden. The kind of quiet that felt full instead of empty.

Kitty had shifted to make space for him… and found his arm casually slung around her waist.

She hadn’t moved.

His breath was warm on the back of her neck. His body radiated heat like he was a human space heater with excellent skincare. She could feel his fingers twitch occasionally against her belly, like even in sleep, he was still holding on.

Kitty stared at the ceiling, heart racing.

This wasn’t new. They’d shared beds before. But tonight—it felt different. Quieter. Not about logistics or necessity or the excuses they’d built around each other.

Tonight, he had settled close, and she had curled up against him as they scrolled through his phone together. Tonight, they had both silently accepted that they would inevitably wake up wrapped around each other, and so they might as well…fall asleep that way too. Though neither of them said the words out loud.

They’d climbed into bed still laughing over a poorly translated room service menu (“What do you think ‘joyful beef wings’ means?”), and somewhere between scrolling through TikToks and bickering over who stole the last pastel de nata, Minho had conked out mid-sentence.

She glanced over her shoulder. His face was soft in sleep. Hair tousled. One eyebrow slightly raised like he was still judging her from a dream.

And Kitty knew. She knew.

“I’m already in love with you and this is breaking my heart,” she whispered to the dark, her voice barely audible even to herself.

He didn’t wake.

Which was good.

Because even saying it—out loud, even just once—was enough to make her feel like the air had shifted. Like the world had tilted and she was trying to walk on a slope.

She turned back onto her side, slowly, careful not to wake him.

And let herself press her forehead lightly against his chest.

Just for a minute.

Just to see how it felt.

Back in her dorm, Kitty blinked, heart thudding like the memory had physically shaken her.

She stood abruptly, grabbing her journal and her water bottle off the desk.

She was still wrapped in Minho’s hoodie—the sleeves pulled over her hands, the fabric soft from too many washes and too much shared wear. It didn’t help, because it still smelled just like him. Or maybe it helped too much.

What she needed was air. Possibly caffeine. Probably both.

What she didn’t need was to sit at breakfast with him and pretend like her entire life hadn’t rearranged itself in the shape of his arms.

She slipped out the door before she could second guess herself. Yeah, air and coffee is what she needed.

And maybe—just maybe—she wouldn’t spiral further today.

Maybe .

Part 2

Minho stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the cuffs of his black button-up shirt for the third time. He told himself he wasn’t nervous. This wasn’t a date. It was just a mixer. A school event. A totally ordinary, definitely not emotionally loaded return-to-KISS tradition.

But Kitty was going to be there tonight, no doubt looking beautiful.

And that made it feel like something else because Minho knew they were already more touchy-feel than what was acceptable for platonic friends—even for platonic best friends. It was easy to ignore this fact while on tour and away from the scrutiny of their friend group, but being back in their old group dynamic proved more challenging than Minho expected.

He knew he’d want to be connected to her in some way as soon as he saw her, but he wasn’t ready to deal with whatever fall out that might entail with eagle eyes watching their every move.

He exhaled, checked the collar again, and smoothed the dark slacks he'd specifically picked because they matched the trim on his blazer. If Kitty noticed—well, that was the goal. If she didn’t… at least he looked great. For someone else. In case anyone was looking. Not that he cared. Obviously.

“Chill,” he muttered to himself. “She’s your best friend. Who you’re in love with. And maybe a bit, wildly obsessed with. Totally normal.”

Q poked his head into the room. “Hey, Min. Your light was on at, like, 3 a.m. Were you up late... brooding?”

Of course Q saw his light on. Minho didn’t bother to look at him. “I wasn’t brooding.”

Q strolled in, already fully dressed in a forest green suit that somehow managed to be both sharp and relaxed. “Right. You were just lying awake, not brooding, staring at the ceiling, wondering if a certain girl was wearing your hoodie and thinking about you.”

Jin trailed behind him, leaning on the doorframe, wearing a navy blue suit that looked like it was meant to match Q.

Minho shot Q a glare. “I couldn’t sleep.”

Dae, who overheard the conversation while grabbing a drink from the kitchen, wandered in with a raised eyebrow. “You’re wearing a full suit and putting cologne on for a mixer . You sure you’re not preening now because of that same girl?”

“I can’t just want to look good?” Minho asked.

Q grinned. “You can . But if this isn’t a date, and you’re not in love with Kitty, then I’m the Emperor of Emotional Denial.”

Minho rolled his eyes, tugging on the lapel of his blazer. “We’re friends.”

“Friends who,” Dae said, “according to Eunice, shared a bed on tour.”

Minho froze.

He turned slowly. “She told you that?”

“She mentioned it when I asked what it was like living in hotel rooms while on tour. Said you guys shared a suite, but she walked in once and found you both passed out in what looked like a full-on cuddle situation.”

Minho opened his mouth, then closed it. Then opened it again. “It wasn’t—it wasn’t like that. We had one bed. It was purely logistical.”

“Oh, so you did you share a bed?” Jin asked, intrigued.

“Uh huh,” Q said, settling onto the desk chair with a grin. “So you’re saying you slept beside the girl you’re in love with, nightly, for months, and nothing happened?”

Minho flushed. “I’m not in love with her.”

Dae made a noncommittal sound. “Didn’t you say last semester that you were over it and weren’t going to do anything stupid again?”

“I didn’t,” Minho said quickly. “Do anything stupid, I mean. I learned my lesson, Dae, I promise. I kept it platonic. We were just… tired. And wanted to be comfortable. That’s it.”

“And your ‘comfortable’ was, quote, ‘wrapped around her like a koala’?” Q asked.

Minho dropped his cup. “Wait—what? What the hell has Eunice been telling you? We didn’t—I mean—”

Q looked far too delighted. “You guys shared a bed , didn’t tell anyone and you’re ‘just friends’? That’s huge. That’s, like, fanfiction-level intimacy.”

Minho turned pink. “It wasn’t like that. It was a on-tour type of thing. Kind of. It was just practical. Nothing happened.”

“Mmmhmm,” Q said, clearly unconvinced. “Sure. Nothing happened. Just some super platonic bedtime spooning.”

“Q,” Jin warned, though he was smiling.

Minho flushed to his ears. “I learned my lesson, okay? No doing anything stupid this time.”

Dae looked at him, suddenly a little quieter. “You know... maybe it wouldn’t be so stupid.”

Minho met his gaze, startled.

“Things are different now,” Dae said with a shrug. “That’s all I’m saying.”

Minho didn’t respond, not really sure what to say. Instead, he made his way to the front to put his shoes on.

He had barely finished tying his shoes when he received a message from Kitty.

Covey: Hey, I’m ready. Want to come pick me up, or should I meet you there?

Minho’s heart skipped. He glanced at the clock—perfect timing. He grabbed his jacket and headed out to her dorm.

Minho: Be at yours in 15.

When he arrived, she was standing outside, looking like something out of his dreams. Her black dress was simple yet elegant, hugging her form in just the right way. She looked effortlessly chic, but also… herself —as if she belonged exactly here, in that dress, with him.

She caught sight of him walking up and smiled. Minho couldn’t help but grin back.

“You look amazing,” he said, a little breathless.

Kitty tilted her head with a smile. “You’re not too bad yourself. A little overdressed for our first school event of the year, though. Is that a full bespoke suit?”

He raised an eyebrow. “You’re going to be the one to talk? Look at you!”

She shrugged. “I figured you’d look good, so I had to match the vibe.”

They both laughed, the air between them light and easy, though Minho felt that familiar tension—a mix of comfort and something more, something unspoken but undeniable.

Minho offered his arm. “Shall we?”

Kitty laughed, taking his arm and leaning into him. “We shall”

The mixer was in full swing when they arrived. The atmosphere was electric with the hum of conversation, and everyone was dressed to impress. Minho’s eyes wandered to Q, who stood near the bar, beaming at him when he saw them enter arm-in-arm.

“Look who finally made it,” Q called, grinning wide. “Our favorite duo.”

Kitty rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile as she glanced at Minho. “We really know how to make an entrance, don’t we?”

Minho grinned. “You know it.”

Q eyed them, looking pleased. “I’ve got to say, you two are a sight. Matching outfits, practically glued together. It’s cute.”

Jin, who had been leaning against the bar next to Q, smiled and waved at them. “You both look great. Ready for another year?”

“Yeah, if we can survive Q’s unabashed prodding,” Minho muttered.

Q pretended to look offended. “I’m just here to make sure you two don’t make this ‘best friend’ thing even more painful to watch.”

Kitty shot him a look. “Oh, we’re the ones being painful ?”

“You guys make it too easy,” Q said, grinning. “But hey, I can’t blame you. Who else would spend months glued together only to come back as friends ?”

Laughing and shaking her head, Kitty gave Minho’s arm a squeeze. When he looked down, she tilted her head towards Madison, Yuri and Juliana across the room. “I’m going to go join them and leave you to…whatever this is.”

As she left, she gave Minho’s hand a soft squeeze. He felt his pulse quicken at the touch, and as her hand trailed away from his, he couldn’t shake the feeling that she was pulling a piece of him along with her. Because only Covey can make my own thoughts this dramatic.

Minho's face heated, and before he could say anything, Dae appeared with a casual grin, taking a sip from his drink. “So, Minho,” Dae said, his voice relaxed, “are you finally admitting you two are more than just ‘friends’?”

Minho's heart skipped. “We are just friends,” he insisted, a little too quickly, a little too loudly.

Dae raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, okay. Just like when you two shared a bed on tour, huh?”

Minho froze, unsure whether to laugh hysterically or just go hide in a corner. “It was... logistical.”

“Uh huh,” Dae said, clearly unconvinced.

“Man, you are so obvious,” Q said with a grin as Minho watched Kitty walk across the room.

“Shut up,” Minho muttered, though he was still staring at her.

Q elbowed him. “You gonna keep pretending you're not gone for her, or...?”

Minho exhaled slowly. “I'm just trying to survive the night.”

“Cute,” Q said. “Pathetic. But cute.”

Minho didn’t deny it. Because he was pathetic. And totally, hopelessly gone.

Part 3

The night at the mixer was winding down, and the low hum of chatter faded into the background as a familiar slow song began to play. The DJ chose Picture You by Chappell Roan as the last song of the night, and Kitty felt her breath catch in her chest. She hadn’t heard this song since the Winter Ball.

It was first time Minho and Kitty had danced together—before Stella had so rudely interrupted. It was also the first time Kitty admitted to Minho that he was someone she could miss. The memory was so vivid in her mind, the closeness, the soft brush of his hand against her waist, the feeling of the world shrinking down to just the two of them, before everything had been ruined in an instant.

They had danced together since then, throughout the tour. Trying to keep up with the Flamenco dancers in Seville. Doing the Tango together in Buenos Aires. At the side of the stage, jumping along to Joon Ho's performances. Minho wrapping her in his arms from behind her, swaying them to a slow song.

She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away, but the song had a way of pulling her back to that first moment. The moment she realised her feelings.

Kitty was still processing the song’s emotional weight when she felt a hand come to rest on her shoulder. She turned to find Minho standing there, the hand on her shoulder ghosting down her arm to capture her hand in his, his face just a little too serious. For a second, his expression wavered—maybe he was thinking about the same memory, maybe not—but whatever it was, he was clearly nervous.

“Dance with me?” he asked, his voice a little lower than usual, almost as if he was asking permission. His gaze flicked toward the center of the dance floor, the invitation clear.

Kitty stared at him for a moment, a smile tugging at her lips. She wasn’t sure if it was because of the song or just how often they had danced around their feelings, but something about this felt like they were finally getting a moment to finish what they’d started.

“I don’t think I can say no to you,” Kitty replied with a playful wink.

Minho grinned, leading her toward the dance floor, where their friends watched them go, all of them exchanging curious or camused glances.

The music swirled around them as Minho took her into his arms. She could feel the familiar pull between them, the comfort of being this close, but also the undeniable tension that had been building for so long.

They started to move in time with the music, the slow beat guiding them, and before long, they were swaying gently, their bodies close but still careful. Minho’s hand rested low on her back, and Kitty had her hands locked behind his neck, the lack of distance between them uncomfortably familiar yet full of possibility.

“So,” Minho started, his voice teasing, trying to break the ice. “Do you think we’ll make it to the end of the song this time?”

Kitty couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, it’s hard to say, considering we’ve got an audience.” She flicked her gaze toward their friends, who were still watching them. “But I think we’re safe this time.”

Minho chuckled, a soft, genuine sound that made her stomach flutter. “I swear, the universe owes us a do-over for that. You know, the last time we danced to this, it felt like the most cliché movie scene, and then—” He made an exaggerated gesture with his free hand, mimicking the interruption. “—boom, Stella.”

Kitty smiled, feeling the moment sink into something more intimate despite their lighthearted conversation. “Yeah, well, maybe it was a sign that we needed this one. A chance to finish what we started.”

Minho’s expression softened, and he nodded, his thumb brushing lightly over her back as if grounding himself in the moment. “Yeah. I’m glad we got the summer together to figure things out.”

Kitty’s heart swelled. She didn’t say anything, but she wanted to. She wanted to tell him everything she was feeling, but the words stuck in her throat, tangled in the space between them. She settled for a small smile instead, leaning her forehead gently against his, their connection deepening as they swayed.

For a moment, there was no one else. Just them. Just the music, their slow movements, and the quiet buzz of this thing that had built between them over the past few months.

Soon, the song began to wind down, and Minho leaned back slightly, his hand still on her waist. Taking a quick glance around, Minho realised the crowd had started to thin out. “I guess this is where we say goodbye, huh?”

Kitty laughed softly. “Don’t say it like we won’t see each other tomorrow.”

Minho laughed, the sound genuine and a little bit relieved. “Yeah, well, at least we finally got our dance.”

“Next time, no interruptions,” Kitty said with a wink.

As the last notes of the song faded, they slowly stepped apart, still holding each other’s hands. Minho gave her a mischievous grin. “Come on, I’ll walk you back to your dorm.”

They started walking toward the exit, the cool night air greeting them as they stepped outside. As they walked uphill, Kitty paused, leaning on Minho and groaning as she checked on her heel.

“Men definitely invented these to prevent women from running away,” Kitty muttered as she rotated her ankles and flexed her toes.

Minho’s laugh was low and warm. “You’re not wrong.”

Without missing a beat, he turned to her with a grin. “Hop on. I’ll give you a piggy-back ride back to your dorm.”

Kitty let out a burst of laughter, raising an eyebrow. “With this dress? I’ll flash everyone!”

Minho froze, blushing at the thought before shrugging off his jacket, holding it out to her. “I got you. Here, this’ll protect your modesty.”

Kitty laughed, shaking her head. But before she could overthink it, she slipped her arms through his jacket, feeling the longline cut of it fall against her thighs. She watched as Minho turned his back to her before stopping slightly. Resting her hands on his shoulder, she hopped onto his back, winding her arms around his neck and hugging on to his shoulders as she settled.

Minho adjusted his stance, trying to steady himself as Kitty’s legs wrapped around him, his hand coming to rest on her bare thigh as he hiked her up a bit to a more comfortable position.

Kitty gasped, feeling the heat of his hand against her skin. She tightened her grip around his neck, her body instinctively pulling herself closer. Kitty could feel the warmth of his body against hers, and she couldn’t deny that the proximity made her feel warm. And tingly.

“Sorry,” Minho muttered, his voice thick with an emotion she couldn’t place. He started to move, awkwardly at first, but they eventually found their rhythm. The walk back to her dorm was filled with banter, Kitty giggling in Minho's ear as he fake dropped her, making her hold on tighter.

As they reached the door to her dorm, Minho helped her slide off his back, his hand grazing her thighs as she wiggled down. He stood facing away from her as she readjusted her dress. There was an electric moment as she finally found her feet, her hand resting on his back, signalling him that it was okay to turn back. She looked up at him, her heart racing.

Kitty started to shrug off his jacket to hand it back, but Minho gently tugged it back around her shoulders, wrapping it tightly. “Keep it. You look better in it anyway,” he said, his voice soft but sincere.

“I miss having you as my blanket hog,” Minho admitted sheepishly, pulling away with a small, almost shy smile.

Kitty laughed, the sound light and genuine. “I can’t sleep without your snoring in my ear.”

Minho gave her a faux scandalised look at that before he leaned in and kissed her forehead. It was brief, tender, and left her breathless in a way that was completely unexpected. Kitty smiled, her heart fluttering. She opened her mouth to respond, but couldn’t find words.

Finally, Minho took a step back and nodded his head at her door with a smirk. “Goodnight, Covey. Try not to miss me too much in your dreams.” 

Kitty shook her head fondly, pulling his jacket tighter around her as she unlocked her dorm door. Turning back, she gave him a final smile before closing the door behind her.

Minho watched her go, still feeling the weight of everything unsaid between them.

Chapter Text

Part 1

That morning, Minho received a message from Kitty—simple, as always, and yet, with that undertone that made him smile just a little more than he’d expected. She wanted to grab coffee later. Just them.

He didn’t hesitate.

The café was cozy, tucked away just outside of campus where they could go unnoticed. Minho spotted her right away as he walked in—sitting at a small window-side table, a coffee cup in front of her and her phone lying idle beside it. She wasn’t using it, though, just letting it sit there as she stared out at the world outside, chin resting in one hand.

He noticed a second steaming cup across from her, cleary waiting for him.

She looked up when he approached, and her face lit up immediately.

“Hey,” Minho greeted as he slid into the chair across from her.

“Hey yourself,” Kitty replied, offering him a smile that. “You made it, on time . I’m impressed.”

Minho grinned. “Yeah, I had to. I know you’d never let me hear the end of it if I was late.”

Kitty rolled her eyes, but there was a softness in the gesture, a familiarity that felt good. “You’re lucky,” she said, shaking her head. “Otherwise, I’d have had to plan a dramatic exit and make everyone believe I had better plans than I really did.”

“Dramatic exits?” Minho teased. “And I thought I was the dramatic one.”

Kitty laughed softly. “Oh, trust me, I can be equally dramatic if I want. But only for special occasions.”

Minho raised an eyebrow. “I’d love to see that.”

Kitty smirked but didn’t respond. Instead, she picked up her coffee again and took a small sip. She nodded towards the second mug, “Vanilla latte, the way you like it.”

Minho felt warmth bloom in his chest as he wrapped his hands around his mug. She remembered, still. Casting her a smile of appreciation, he leaned back in his chair, stretching his legs out under the table to tangle with hers.

He watched her for a moment, to see if she’d pull away, unsure what was only acceptable as “tour behaviour”. She didn’t though, instead, she hooked one of his legs with her own, and glanced shyly up at him over the rim of her cup.

“So,” Minho began, clearing his throat. “How’s everything with your family? I feel like I haven’t heard much since we got back.”

Kitty’s smile softened as she placed her cup down. She tilted her head, looking at him thoughtfully. “It’s been... okay, I guess. Margot’s still busy with work, and LJ’s doing her thing in New York. She’s really been keeping busy lately. It’s been hard to get them both at the same time. But actually,” she added, her tone brightening a bit, “LJ and Peter are planning to come to Seoul for Chuseok break! I’m so excited. I haven’t seen them in months.”

Minho grinned, feeling that warmth that came with hearing about her family. He could tell how much they meant to her. “That sounds amazing. I bet you’re looking forward to it.”

“I really am,” she said, nodding enthusiastically. “They’ve both been to Seoul before, obviously, but LJ’s she’s coming back with Peter, and we’re going to make the most of it. It’ll be nice having them here for a bit, especially since I’ve been away for so long.”

Minho smiled. “That sounds perfect. What are you going to do with them? Show them around?”

Kitty’s eyes lit up. “Oh, definitely. I want to take them to all the places we didn’t have time for last time. I mean, you can’t come to Seoul and not see all the best spots, right? But also, it’ll be so nice to just spend time with them. I miss them both so much.”

Minho nodded. “If you need an extra guide to show them around, I’d be happy to help out. I know all the best places—there’s a few hidden gems that not many people know about.”

Kitty beamed at the offer, clearly grateful. “That would be amazing! I’m sure they’ll be happy to have a local guide. Or, well, a semi-local guide.”

Minho smiled back. “No problem. I’m happy to show them around.”

Kitty nodded, her smile softening. “Thanks, Minho. That means a lot to me.”

Minho’s smile deepened, and for a moment, he forgot about everything else. It was just her. Just them. “Of course.”

Kitty’s smile faded a little as she looked down at her cup. “I didn’t realize how much I’d miss them after the summer, but I'm really looking forward to seeing the rest of them over Winter break.”

Minho’s heart softened at her words. He knew she had a strong bond with her family, and hearing her talk about them like this made him feel closer to her. “I get that. Between last semester, this one and summer in between, that’s probably the longest you’ve been apart from them.”

She paused for a moment, looking at Minho with a more serious expression. “What about you? I take it your mum’s working again over Chuseok this year then, if you’re going to be around as my tour guide?”

Minho’s smile faded slightly. “Yeah, her role on that TV show was extended, and the shooting schedule is intense. There’s no point in me flying to LA when I won’t even get a chance to see her.”

Kitty reached out, placing her hand on the one he had resting on the table. “I’m sorry, I know you were looking forward to seeing her.”

He shifted in his seat. “I think she was a bit thrown when I joined Joon Ho and my dad on tour.

Kitty nodded. “She might just need some time to adjust. I bet she’s been used to being the main parent in your life and is trying to adjust to a new dynamic…How’s it been with Joon Ho and your dad since we got back?”

"It’s been...okay, actually. Joon Ho’s been caught up with his new album stuff, and he’s always kind of in his own world, but he’s been checking-in more. But with my dad, it’s like we’re still figuring out how to act ‘normal’. He’s been busy with work too, but he texts, calls at night. it’s...” Minho hesitated, looking out the window for a moment. “It’s different now. I don’t know how to explain it.”

Kitty watched him quietly, understanding there was more there than he was letting on. She shifted in her seat, leaning in just slightly, her voice quieter. “It must be hard, right? With everything you and your dad went through before the tour... You’re worried it’ll go back to how it was, with a bunch of things unsaid.”

Minho met her gaze, feeling the weight of her words. “Exactly. We’re figuring it out, but it’s slow. I’m not sure it’ll ever be like what you have with your dad and sisters, but we’re trying.”

Kitty nodded, her voice quieter now, squeezing his hand. “That’s the most important thing. But, you know, you’ve got other people who care about you. And I hope that helps.”

Minho smiled faintly. “Yeah, it definitely does.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the weight of the conversation settling between them. It was easy, familiar, like nothing had changed, even though everything had. Minho reached for his coffee with his free hand, his other hand turning around to hold hers, palm-to-palm, and neither of them pulled away. It was just a simple touch. Just them. But it felt like so much more.

They sat quietly for a moment, the weight of the conversation settling between them. It was easy, familiar, like nothing had changed, even though everything had. Minho reached for his coffee, his hand brushing hers as he set it down, and neither of them pulled away. It was just a simple touch. Just them. But it felt like so much more.

“So,” Minho started, leaning back in his chair, “ready to get out of here?”

Kitty smiled. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

As they both stood, Minho reached out, naturally taking her hand as they walked to the door. He didn’t think about it. He didn’t hesitate. Their fingers slid together effortlessly, like they had done it a thousand times. Kitty didn’t pull away. They just walked, hand in hand, swinging between them as they moved toward the exit.

Outside, the night air was cool, and the conversation turned back to the casual, playful rhythm they’d fallen into. As they walked down the street, Minho couldn’t help but steal glances at her. They were just friends, but there was a familiarity in their closeness that felt too right, like it was always meant to be this way.

“So, no big plans for tonight?” Minho asked, trying to shift the topic before his mind wandered too far.

Kitty grinned, her eyes sparkling. “Oh, absolutely. I’ve got a whole evening of being super productive ahead of me.” She threw a cheeky smile at Minho before continuing, “A party of one, with a side of TikTok.”

Kitty shrugged dramatically. “You’re welcome to come crash my solo party. But I can’t promise I’ll be anything more than mediocre company.”

Minho chuckled, glancing at her as they walked. “Your mediocre is better than most people’s best.”

Kitty smirked, her fingers tightening around his. “You sure know how to flatter a girl.”

“Only because it’s true,” Minho teased, and they both laughed.

Kitty paused when they reached her dorm, still holding his hand without thinking. “Madison’s going out tonight. She won’t be back until late, so it’ll just be me, us. I’ll even let you eat my snacks.”

Minho smiled, not sure if the invitation was as casual as it seemed or if it meant something more. But it didn’t matter right now. “Sounds perfect.”

Kitty squeezed his hand, her thumb brushing against his. “I’ll see you later then.”

Minho smiled back, the weight of everything unsaid hanging between them. “Later.”

Kitty unlocked the door and stepped inside, pausing to look back at him. She gave him a final smile before closing the door softly behind her. Minho stood there for a moment, his heart racing with everything he didn’t say. But he couldn’t push it now. It wasn’t the right time.

He turned to head back to his dorm, the quiet night stretching before him, and tried to ignore the way his chest ached with anticipation. He would go change out of his uniform and come meet her soon.

Part 2

She had already changed into her pajamas by the time Minho messaged that he was on his way back.

Kitty had already set the temperature in her room to Minho’s preferred subzero temperatures. To fight off the chill for now, she wore flannel pajama pants and her usual cropped sleep shirt, throwing Minho’s liberated hoodie on the back of her desk chair for later.

She stood at her dresser, fingers idly combing through her hair as her thoughts chased each other around in circles.

Their evening coffee hang out had felt like a date. Not officially, obviously. But it had been...easy. Intimate. Warm. Full of quiet laughter, soft confessions, light teasing. It had been them.

And now, he was coming back to hang out. Which was totally normal, or at least that’s what she was trying to fool herself into thinking.

When the knock came, she barely had time to shove a few empty snack wrappers under the bed before opening the door.

Minho stood there, casually leaning against the doorframe dressed down in white t-shirt and black joggers, hair slightly messy from the wind and hands shoved in the pockets of his pants.

“Hey,” he said, like he hadn’t just seen her about an hour ago.

“Hey,” she echoed, stepping aside.

He didn’t wait for her to offer a seat. He didn’t even glance toward the couch. He just walked straight in and flopped into her bed.

And Kitty just watched, her heart thudding somewhere near her throat.

She flicked off the light, letting the glow from her laptop guide her way to her bed.

She climbed in, nudging him closer to the wall to make space for her, adjusting the pillows and pulling the blanket over them both without a second thought. 

Minho shifted, leaning back against the headboard. His arm found its way around her waist with the same ease it always did, like his body had a GPS set to her. Kitty settled beside him, hip against his, letting her head rest lightly on his shoulder.

They didn’t say anything. They didn’t need to.

A Netflix show played quietly on her laptop—something neither of them cared about. It was just ambient noise, an excuse to not talk about how weirdly not weird this was.

Minho reached over her to grab a few snack bags from the nightstand, brushing against her side as he did. His forearm grazed her ribs, and the blanket shifted slightly from the movement. Kitty didn’t flinch. She didn’t even look away from the screen.

He tucked a pack of M&Ms next to him on the wall, using his hip to keep the bag propped up right, while dropping a bag of chips between them. A few moments later, she leaned across him to snag a chocolate, stretching to reach where he had placed it, her fingers wiggling in the air as it was just out of her reach. He watched her stretch for about a minute before passing the bag to her himself.

“Could’ve just asked,” he said with a raised brow.

“And missed the opportunity to disrupt your airspace?” she replied, popping the chocolate into her mouth with a grin.

He rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth tugged upward.

Their feet tangled under the covers without fanfare. His sock brushed her bare ankle, and she instinctively nudged him back. He nudged her again. It devolved into lazy foot-wrestling until Kitty giggled and gave up, letting her leg hook casually over his. Minho didn’t even blink.

They were a mess of limbs and shared air and closeness that had crossed the line of “just friends” and settled into something in the gray area of muscle memory.

Kitty’s eyelids began to droop, her body relaxing more and more with every passing minute. Eventually, she slouched down, curling in tighter and resting her head fully against Minho’s chest.

Quietly, against his chest, Kitty murmured, “Stay tonight?”

He didn’t react at first. At least, not outwardly. Internally, his entire nervous system short-circuited.

This—this exact position—was one he hadn’t let himself wish for since the tour ended a few days ago. But now it was here again, real and warm and sleepy in his arms, and he wasn’t about to screw it up.

“Yeah.” He exhaled. “Yeah, I’ll stay.”

Kitty shifted one more time and burrowed further into him with a quiet sigh. Her hand curled against his t-shirt, clutching a fistful of fabric like she was anchoring herself.

Minho chuckled softly, lowering the volume on the show.

“Took you long enough,” he murmured.

She didn’t answer. Her breathing had already deepened into the slow, steady rhythm of sleep.

He turned his head, eyes settling on her features—soft, peaceful, and close enough to kiss. Not that he would. God, he wouldn’t. That would be—

Wrong. Stupid…Dangerous.

Minho sighed and tilted his head back, staring at the ceiling. He remembered the first time they shared a bed—how awkward he’d been about where to put his arm, how carefully he’d crawled in to his side, terrified of making her uncomfortable. He’d barely slept that night.

They had fallen into this habit like it was gravity. Tour stop after tour stop. At first it had been necessity. Then comfort. And then… it was just because they couldn’t sleep without the other.

He was used to the way she tucked her hands under her chin. Used to her head finding his shoulder around the two a.m. mark. Used to waking up with her leg tossed over his and her hair in his mouth.

He missed it.

And now that it was back—just for tonight—he wasn’t sure how he was supposed to give it up again.

His eyes dropped back to her. Her mouth was parted slightly. Her cheek rested against his chest, and he could feel the faintest warmth of her breath through the fabric of his t-shirt. His hand rubbed absentminded circles against her lower back, and she didn’t stir.

Minho closed his eyes and smiled to himself.

This felt right. Too right.

And it scared the hell out of him.

Part 3

Flashback – Tokyo, first night of tour

Minho had been in his fair share of nice hotels—penthouse suites, VIP lounges, places where the carpets were so plush they swallowed your shoes and the staff somehow remembered your name and your drink order. It came with the territory when your older brother was an international pop star and your dad treated luxury like it was a blood type.

But something about this Tokyo suite hit different.

Maybe it was the floor-to-ceiling windows and the ridiculous skyline view. Maybe it was the velvet chaise by the fireplace or the fully automated everything—from lighting to the curtains that swished closed at the push of a button.

Or maybe it was the fact that Kitty was standing in the middle of it, wide-eyed, whispering “What the actual hell?” under her breath like the size of the room had personally offended her.

Minho dropped his blazer over the arm of a gold-trimmed chair and glanced at her, trying not to look too smug. “It’s not bad, right?”

Kitty turned in a slow circle, jaw slightly open. “Minho, this suite looks like it belongs in a drama where two people fall in love and have a steamy almost-kiss by the window while it’s raining.”

He laughed. “Well, good thing it’s not raining.”

She flushed at that, before her eyes landed on the bed, and her face turned a deep red.

“Oh no.”

Minho followed her gaze. The California king bed sat like a throne in the center of the room—crisp white linen, an excessive amount of pillows, and a headboard so tall it could double as a statement wall.

“Minho, why is there only one bed?” Kitty asked, spinning to face him, brows raised.

He scratched the back of his neck and gave his most charming grin. “It was the last suite available. Art convention. Everything else was booked. This one came with—” He gestured around them. “...a skyline view and a bathtub that could drown three people. Not my fault they didn’t include two queens.”

Kitty flopped face-first onto the mattress with a dramatic groan.

Minho smiled faintly, watching her limbs sink into the cloud-like surface. “Come on, it’s enormous. You get your side, I get mine. We’ll make a pillow wall. You’ve had weirder roommates.”

She muttered something into the duvet that sounded suspiciously like “You’re not a roommate, you’re a walking skincare ad with boundary issues.”

He chuckled. “I heard that.”

Later that night, after long showers (separately, thank you very much), they ordered room service. They fought over dumplings, argued about who got the bigger half of a shared mochi, and when they were both full and comfortably sunk into the bed— on opposite sides of said pillow wall —they queued up some TikToks on his phone.

Kitty laughed until she wheezed at a video of a cat jumping out of a paper bag. He laughed just watching her laugh.

The moment was easy. It always was with her. Even when it was just the two of them, half-dressed in hotel loungewear, lying in a five-star suite bed and pretending like this wasn’t the weirdest and most emotionally loaded thing ever.

Eventually, Kitty rolled over and said, “Okay, sleep time. No funny business, and no stealing the blanket.”

Minho smirked. “The blanket is yours. I run hot.”

The lamp clicked off. The city glowed outside. Kitty rolled away from him, probably forming some blanket burrito strategy.

Minho lay on his back, staring at the ceiling. His heart wasn’t racing or anything dramatic. But he wasn’t not aware of her just... being there. Within arms reach. Breathing softly. Wrapped in the same blankets. In his bed. In his space. In his orbit, like always.

This should be fine. Totally fine.

Except—

Rustle.

Shift.

More shifting.

And now there was a muffled groan.

Minho sighed. “Covey. You trying to dig to the bed’s core?”

“I’m freezing,” she hissed.

“It’s sixteen degrees. That’s optimal sleep temp.”

“For a penguin maybe!”

He turned his head toward the vague shape of her under the blanket. “I told you—I run hot. I need it cold to sleep.”

“Well I need warmth to sleep and I’m currently a popsicle.”

He bit back a smile. Then, quietly, he murmured, “Come here.”

She didn’t move. “What?”

Now that his eyes had adjusted to the darkness, he saw her face pop out from under the blanket and turn to him.

Minho hesitated. This was dangerous territory. But she was shivering, and he wasn’t a monster. Though, apparently, he was a masochist.

“Kitty,” he said, voice low. “You’re literally vibrating. Come here.”

Still no movement.

So, slowly, he reached across the mattress and tugged her toward him, gently enough that she could still pull away—but she didn’t. Her back pressed against his chest, and he slid his arm around her waist.

They both froze.

Minho’s heart thumped.

Stupid, stupid idea.

He could feel every inch of her, the warmth of her skin through her shirt, the soft rise and fall of her chest. Her hair smelled like coconut. His hand was resting on the skin exposed between her crop top and dangerously close to the hem of her sleep shorts.

This was bad. This was... the best kind of bad.

“Body heat,” he whispered, trying to play it cool. “Don’t make it weird. It’s science.”

She didn’t say anything.

“Relax,” he added. “We both need sleep.”

And eventually, she did. He felt her exhale, her back melt into him slightly, her tension easing before she wiggled further back, burrowing into his body heat.

Minho lay there with his arm around her, eyes wide open in the dark, trying not to react to having her so close, trying not to think about how right this felt. How natural. Like he’d been waiting all summer for an excuse to hold her like this and now that it had happened, it was simultaneously not enough and way too much.

Chapter Text

Part 1

Something had changed.

Not in the world-ending, friendship-shattering kind of way—but in that quiet, almost imperceptible shift of gravity that makes you feel like the ground isn’t quite where you left it.

Kitty woke up that morning with the unmistakable feeling that something in her life had tilted. And maybe that wasn’t surprising, considering she’d spent the night tangled up with Minho in her bed, warm and safe and swaddled in the kind of closeness that felt dangerously like belonging.

She’d woken to the sound of the door clicking softly shut behind him.

No conversation. No awkward goodbye. Just a gentle brush of his lips on her forehead and a sleepy “Go back to sleep, Covey” before he disappeared into the hall and left her to wonder what any of it had meant.

And now she was brushing her teeth beside Madison, pretending she hadn’t spent the night wrapped around her best friend like some kind of emotionally confused octopus. Her reflection looked the same, but everything underneath felt rewired. Her limbs were heavier. Her heart too loud. Her brain a noisy swirl of what-ifs and how-dids and now-whats.

“Sleep okay?” Madison asked, applying serum like it was a competitive sport.

“Yep,” Kitty said, spitting into the sink. “Fine.”

Madison gave her a long, knowing look but said nothing.

As she moved to grab her bag, she added casually, “By the way, you’re helping me decorate for the Fall Fair tomorrow. Social chair perks—I get to draft my dormmate into glitter duty,” Madison said, then smirked. “And maybe make sure your maybe-boyfriend shows up too. I have things for him to carry.”

Kitty choked on her mouthwash. “He is not my boyfriend.”

“Mm-hmm,” Madison hummed, totally unconvinced. “Sure. Just your nightly cuddle buddy and emotional support blanket. Totally platonic.”

Kitty muttered something under her breath, cheeks pink, but didn’t argue. It was Madison. There was no point.

She took that as her cue to escape.

By the time she made it to campus, the quad was already bustling with students filing into their first Monday lectures. The air buzzed with post-break energy, but Kitty felt strangely detached from it all—like she was watching someone else’s life from the outside. She wasn’t sure if it was the lack of sleep or the emotional whiplash of waking up without Minho for the first time in weeks.

Or maybe it was the fact that she hadn’t seen him since he left her dorm.

She told herself she wasn’t looking for him. Not really. But every classroom she passed, every hallway she glanced down, she caught herself scanning for tall silhouettes and effortless swoopy hair.

She spotted him briefly before first period, walking with his usual confident stride, blazer slung over one shoulder, chatting with someone in his literature class like he hadn’t just spent the night spooning her. He looked like the same Minho everyone else saw—charming, composed, slightly arrogant. And yet Kitty couldn’t help but notice the way his eyes flicked up for a fraction of a second, scanning the crowd as if he might catch sight of her.

He didn’t.

Or if he did, he didn’t stop.

Which, of course, was fine. Totally, entirely fine . They were best friends. That’s what they did—support each other, share private jokes and long silences and the occasional forehead touch that may or may not feel like it could rearrange your whole heart, sleep next to each other. You know. Typical best friend stuff.

She slammed her locker closed a little harder than intended.

“Whoa,” came Q’s voice from behind her. “That’s a lot of frustration for 10 a.m.”

Kitty turned to find him standing there with an iced Americano in hand and a deeply amused expression on his face. His curls were especially voluminous today, sunglasses pushed up like a crown, and his hoodie hung off one shoulder with the kind of cool that couldn’t be taught.

“You good?” he asked, nudging her gently.

Kitty pasted on a smile. “Just first-day-back blues.”

Q tilted his head, unconvinced. “Funny. Because I saw Minho come home last night, change into loungewear, and then walk right back out the door. And this morning? I caught him sneaking back into our dorm at sunrise. So unless he took a nighttime jog in Gucci slides, I’m guessing he wasn’t sleeping in his bed.”

Kitty blinked. “And you’re telling me this because...?”

Q sipped with mock innocence. “Because your face right now is telling me everything I need to know.”

Narrowing her eyes, Kitty sniped, “I neither confirmed nor denied.”

“You didn’t have to.” He started to walk backward toward his class, calling over his shoulder, “Oh, and see you later. Madison said you’re on glitter duty. Can’t wait to see your face when you realize what she’s got planned.”

Kitty rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling.

She finally found Minho again at lunch, already seated at their usual table beneath the gingko tree near the quad. He looked like something out of a K-drama—rolled sleeves, hair effortlessly tousled, eyes scanning the courtyard like he wasn’t waiting for anyone in particular.

Except there were two bottles of flavoured sparkling water on the table.

And one of them was her favorite.

She hesitated only a second before walking over. “Hey,” she said, sliding into the seat across from him.

Minho looked up, and for a moment, the mask slipped. His expression softened, all tired edges and something that looked suspiciously like relief.

“Hey,” he said back, voice lower than usual.

Kitty reached for the bottle, fingers brushing his. “Thank you.”

His shoulder lifted in a soft shrug. “Of course.”

They sat in silence for a while, watching the other students pass, too aware of the quiet but unwilling to break it just yet. Someone nearby was playing guitar. The sun filtered through the leaves above them, casting lazy golden shadows across the tabletop.

Finally, he asked, “You okay?”

Kitty met his gaze. “Are you?”

He paused. His fingers tapped an uneven rhythm against his tray.

“I’m…fine,” he said eventually.

Kitty’s throat tightened. “Yeah. Same.”

There was so much she wanted to say—wanted to ask—but the words stayed lodged in her chest. Did he regret it? Did it mean anything? Did it mean nothing? But all she did was smile faintly, the kind that didn’t quite reach her eyes, and reach across the table for a chip. He didn’t stop her. Their fingers grazed. The contact was brief.

But it lingered. And it felt... different.

By the time her last class let out, Kitty was emotionally exhausted. The day had dragged in the way only a post-longing morning-after could. She headed toward the courtyard, half-hoping for space, half-hoping for—

Minho was already there.

Leaning against the tree, just like always. Waiting.

She didn’t say anything when she reached him. Just nodded her head in the direction to walk and took slow steps forward. After a beat he fell into step next to her, keeping careful space where there hadn’t been in a while.

“You survived,” he said lightly.

“Barely.”

“Running on caffeine and charm?”

“Mostly charm.”

“Mostly caffeine,” he corrected.

They walked closer now, arms brushing. The silence between them wasn’t heavy now—It was careful. It was filled with every unspoken thing, each word that hovered on the edge of maybe .

As they approached her dorm, Kitty glanced over. “By the way, Madison roped me into helping decorate for the Fall Fair.”

Minho groaned. “Why do all roads lead back to glitter?”

“Because we know Madison,” she replied. “And apparently, so do our fates.”

He gave her a look. “ Our fates?”

“I mean, if you want to keep your sparkle-free reputation intact... feel free to leave me unprotected.”

He sighed. “I’ll bring snacks.”

She smiled faintly, unsure if he was really as reluctant as he sounded.

Part 2

“Okay,” Madison said, leaning against her locker like she was about to launch into a campaign speech. “So you saw what I saw, right?”

Q didn’t even pretend to be confused. He just sipped his oat milk latte and nodded. “You mean Kitty wearing Minho’s hoodie, looking like she’d just walked out of a rom-com morning-after montage?”

Madison tilted her head. “I was going to say ‘glowing like someone who definitely didn’t sleep alone,’ but sure, yours works too.”

They both turned to peer down the hallway, where Kitty was deep in conversation with Eunice and Mihee, laughing at something Mihee said but stealing occasional glances toward the far end of the hallway.

Specifically, toward Minho.

Who, in turn, was leaning against a locker like he was doing a press shoot for GQ, casually pretending not to watch Kitty, but 100% doing exactly that.

“It’s insane,” Q said. “They’re in love with each other, and somehow they’re both too blind, stubborn, or emotionally constipated to say anything.”

“Or too scared,” Madison added with a shrug. “It was easier for them to flirt their way across the world when it wasn’t real life. Now they’re back here and suddenly it’s, ‘No, we’re just best friends who sleep curled up together and gaze longingly at each other while pretending that’s normal.’”

Q gave her a side-eye. “That’s... weirdly accurate.”

“I know,” she said, smug. “I’m a people watcher. It’s what makes me a great social chair.”

“Let me guess,” Q said. “You want to stage a covert op to nudge them closer together.”

“I’m thinking Operation: Nudge,” Madison confirmed, already scrolling through her Notes app.

Q held up a hand. “Okay, but nothing crazy. No fake dating schemes, no kidnapping.”

“I was literally just thinking of sitting them next to each other during glitter duty.”

Q blinked. “Oh. Wow. Subtle. Thoughtful. Not at all emotionally manipulative.”

“I’m evolving,” she said, snapping her gum. “Anyway, we have glitter, a shared task, and the natural romantic tension of joint event planning in a darkened corner of a room. All we have to do is get out of their way.”

“I can do that,” Q said easily. “Step one of emotional matchmaking: know when to disappear.”

Across the courtyard, Dae sat under a tree with a bento box on his lap, chewing a piece of kimbap while half-watching Minho and Kitty walk toward their dorm buildings.

They were talking, but not touching—not like usual. Their hands weren’t brushing. Their elbows weren’t bumping. And Minho, for once, wasn’t leaning just a little too close.

Dae’s brows pulled together as he watched Kitty say something that made Minho smile faintly, and then—like some kind of echo—Kitty’s smile dimmed a second too late.

Something was off.

Not in a fight way. Not in an angry way. But like two people who had shared too much and didn’t know what to do with it.

Eunice dropped into the grass beside him, pulling her headphones down to rest around her neck.

“You’re staring again,” she said, glancing between him and the pair disappearing around the building.

“I’m not,” Dae said.

“You are,” she said, opening her soda. “But it’s okay. Everyone is. It’s like watching a slow-burn drama unfold in real time.”

He frowned. “I think something happened.”

Eunice shrugged. “Wouldn’t surprise me. They were inseparable all summer. And Minho? He’s... not great at pretending he doesn’t care.”

Dae poked at his rice. “You don’t think they’re already together?”

“If they were,” Eunice said, “they’d be doing a much worse job of hiding it. This feels more like... two people who know they’re on the edge of something and are scared to fall.”

Dae looked at her thoughtfully. “That’s... kind of poetic.”

Eunice gave him a small smile. “I’m a singer-songwriter. I contain multitudes.”

He grinned despite himself.

She held his gaze for a moment, then looked away, taking a long sip of her soda.

“Hey,” he said after a beat, surprising himself. “Do you want to hang out sometime this week?”

Eunice blinked. “Like... hang out hang out?”

He flushed. “Like friends. Or maybe—I just thought—I don’t know. Yes?”

Eunice didn’t answer right away, but she didn’t say no either. She gave him a quiet, thoughtful look, and then a small nod.

“Okay,” she said. “Yeah. I’d like that.”

Back at Kitty’s dorm, she was curled up on the couch with a sketchpad in her lap, drawing out poster ideas for the Fall Fair while Madison organized a chaotic explosion of glitter, stickers, and gel pens on the coffee table.

“You know,” Madison said, chewing the cap off a glue stick, “if you wanted to invite a certain someone to help decorate, I wouldn’t object.”

Kitty glanced at her phone and casually said, “Minho’s on his way. He’s bringing snacks.”

Madison looked up from her glitter pile with a slow, knowing grin. “Let me guess—he’s bringing all your favorite snacks.”

Kitty rolled her eyes. “He’s bringing snacks. Period.”

Madison raised an eyebrow. “Uh huh. He just happens to know your go-to gummy bears, your weird seaweed chips, and that one brand of sparkling water you pretend not to like until he opens it.”

Kitty muttered something into her sketchpad and didn’t deny it.

Madison grinned. “I rest my case.”

Kitty didn’t look up. “Are you still on this?”

“I’m always on this,” Madison replied. “And besides, you’ve been weird all day. Tense. Moody. Like a tragic period piece heroine.”

Kitty glared. “I’m literally drawing pumpkins.”

“Tragic pumpkins,” Madison corrected. “Emotional squash.”

“You’re exhausting,” Kitty muttered.

“I know,” Madison said cheerfully. “But I’m also right.”

Kitty didn’t respond. Her pencil moved more slowly now, softer strokes. She thought of Minho’s and how he had pulled her in so closely last night. Of how easily he’d brushed his lips to her forehead this morning. Of how his smile had softened, just for her. Of how he’s kept a careful distance since.

She wasn’t sure what this evening would bring. But, nothing like glitter and crafts to bring two people together, right?

Part 3

Kitty was standing on the ladder, trying to adjust the banner, but there were too many things distracting her. One of those distractions was the fact that Minho was standing just below her, barely two feet away. And every time she shifted on the ladder, it felt like he was right there. Not in a way that made her feel crowded—no, it was more like he was a safety net, always there just in case she slipped.

But his proximity made her feel everything all at once.

“Careful,” Minho said from below, his tone light but with that undertone of concern that made her stomach do flips. “You’re wobbling.”

“I’m fine,” she muttered under her breath, focusing on the corner of the banner she was trying to adjust. It had to be perfect. This was for the Fall Fair, the event where parents would visit the school to see what they had to offer. There were no second chances here. Kitty didn’t want to be responsible for anyone thinking the school wasn’t the perfect place to send their children.

But Minho’s eyes were on her, and every time she wobbled slightly, he was right there, stepping closer to steady the ladder. His hands rested lightly against the back of her calves, counterbalancing her when she needed it. She tried not to flinch, but the contact was too much—too much because it felt like she could feel the heat from his fingers all the way up to her chest.

“You’re not fine,” Minho said, his tone shifting, more serious now. “You’re shaking.”

“I’m not,” she replied, but she could feel the way her legs were actually a little too unsteady, despite what she was saying. She was fine—except that her body wasn’t listening to her brain. Her heart was beating too fast, and it wasn’t from the ladder.

She turned to look down at him, meeting his eyes for a second. His brow was furrowed in that slightly concerned way, his hands still hovering near her calf.

“Stop worrying about me,” she added, trying to brush it off with a forced, slightly playful tone. “I’m good at this stuff.”

Minho’s lips curved in the barest smile, but he still didn’t move away. “Yeah, but I’m not good at watching you almost fall.”

Kitty sighed, shaking her head. “I’m not going to fall.”

“You’re wobbling,” Minho repeated, his voice lowering just slightly, his eyes tracing her movements.

Kitty leaned forward to reach the top corner of the banner, stretching to place the last piece of tape. But before she could manage it, her foot slipped. A sudden panic flared in her chest as the ladder wobbled beneath her, and she gasped.

The world tipped. Gravity suddenly became her enemy.

Before she could react, Minho’s hands shot out to steady her, and she was immediately pulled back into his chest. His arms wrapped around her waist, holding her steady. The movement was quick, seamless, but his arms around her waist were firm and solid—like they were the only thing keeping her grounded.

Kitty’s heart stopped.

Her feet were no longer on the ladder. She was in his arms, her body flush against his, and her mind went completely blank.

For a moment, she thought she might pass out. The only thing grounding her was the feel of his hands on her waist, the warmth of his breath against her neck. She didn’t even know if she was still holding onto the ladder or if she had just been consumed by the closeness of the moment.

Minho’s grip was firm but gentle, as though he was just as afraid of her getting hurt as she was of falling. But the way his hands stayed on her waist, the pressure of his body against hers—it didn’t feel like a rescue anymore. It felt like something else.

Kitty stayed still, trying to breathe, trying to make sense of the sensation coursing through her. His hands on her waist felt like a lifeline, but it was also something else. She wasn’t sure what to do, how to move. It felt like she was teetering on the edge of something—something she had been avoiding, and maybe, just maybe, wanted .

“Minho,” she gasped, her voice coming out breathless. It wasn’t like her. She wasn’t this breathless. “I—”

“You’re fine, Covey,” he said, his voice low, steady. But there was a hesitation in it. His hands tightened just slightly, his fingers flexing as if he couldn’t decide whether to pull her closer or let go.

Kitty stayed still for a moment longer, feeling his body against hers, feeling the steady rhythm of his breath. What was happening? Was this still just a friendly rescue? Or was this something more?

Minho let out a breath, clearly still a little tense. “Okay. No more ladder stunts.”

Kitty chuckled nervously, feeling a little like she might collapse on the spot. “Right. No more ladder stunts.”

She could feel him easing her back toward the ladder, letting her regain her balance, but her heart wasn’t done racing. The feeling in her chest hadn’t stopped.

As she took a step forward, Minho’s arms loosened, as though he was going to pull away. But before they could completely fall away, she turned in his arms, her hands reaching up to pull him back around her. She needed the reassurance. Needed to feel him there a little longer.

She could feel his breath against her forehead, the heat of his body pressing close, and when she looked up, she found his eyes already watching her intently, flicking between both of hers. His breath was shallow, just like hers, and the space between them was closed.

It wasn’t just physical closeness. It was emotional, too. It felt like their worlds had come together in that one moment.

Kitty was about to say something, maybe make a joke to cut through the tension, but the air between them felt thick, charged. She wasn’t sure what to say. She wasn’t sure what to do.

She wasn’t sure if she should lean in.

Then, without thinking, she tipped her head up, her lips instinctively parting, giving him the invitation. She didn’t even know what she was inviting him to do. But in that moment, with his eyes flicking down to her lips, and his hand resting lightly on her waist, the distance between them felt like the last thing she wanted.

Minho’s hand tightened just slightly on her waist, and his body shifted as he leaned closer.

Click. The sound of the gym door opening.

“Hey, who’s got the command hooks?” Praveena’s voice rang out, completely oblivious to the charged moment in the room.

Kitty’s heart jumped in her chest, and she quickly pulled away, her face flushing as she stepped back. Her mind raced to catch up with reality. What had just happened? Had they almost— almost —kissed?

Minho moved away too, quickly distancing himself. His gaze flickered to her, but she couldn’t tell what he was thinking. His eyes didn’t seem confused, but there was something unreadable in them.

“Uh, command hooks?” Kitty said too loudly, trying to clear the tension that had built between them. She grabbed some decorations from the table, avoiding his gaze.

Minho cleared his throat. “I’ll go check the supply closet,” he muttered, as if trying to escape the situation.

Kitty nodded quickly, still trying to compose herself. She grabbed the nearest box of decorations, pretending everything was fine. Pretending she hadn’t just almost kissed Minho in the middle of a gym full of decorations and friends.

But as she glanced up, Minho had already disappeared into the crowd of students, and she was left alone, wondering if what had just happened had been a mistake . Or was it a sign of something more? She wasn’t sure.

She wasn’t sure about anything anymore.

Chapter Text

Part 1

Kitty sat on her bed, staring at the window across the room, the daylight slanting in at an awkward angle. The sky outside was overcast, the clouds a muted gray that seemed to mirror her mood.

The quiet moments she’d shared with him in the past few days weighed heavily on her, and she didn’t know how to process it all. The near-kiss in the gym, how he seemed to have pulled away since, the way he seemed to be everywhere—in her peripheral, in her thoughts, in her dreams —yet nowhere at the same time as he seemed to be avoiding her now. Her emotions were a mess, and she wasn’t sure where to start untangling them.

She let out a breath, her hands fidgeting with the fabric of her sweatshirt. It was Minho’s sweatshirt, though it no longer carried his scent. It wasn’t like her to get so stuck . Usually, she’d have a plan, a way to solve whatever was eating at her. But with Minho? It was different. She was drowning in the weight of it all, and no amount of daydreaming or introspection could clear the fog.

Kitty hadn’t realized how long she’d been staring at the same spot out the window until the door to their dorm creaked open. Madison stepped inside, carrying a bag from the student center, her eyes immediately landing on Kitty.

“Hey,” Madison said, her voice gentle but with a note of concern. “You okay?”

Kitty didn’t answer immediately. She just shrugged and kept her gaze fixed out the window, not sure how to begin. The silence stretched for a moment, and then Madison walked over, sitting down on the bed beside her. The way she moved so casually, as if she didn’t have a care in the world, was exactly the opposite of how Kitty felt in that moment.

“You’re staring at that window like there’s someone out there who owes you money,” Madison commented lightly, nudging her gently with her elbow.

Kitty gave a weak smile. “Just thinking.”

Madison raised an eyebrow. “About?”

Kitty hesitated, her gaze flickering to Madison. She knew that talking to Madison about this wasn’t going to be easy. After all, Madison had dated Minho. She knew him in ways Kitty didn’t, and the idea of opening up about her feelings—especially when it came to Minho—felt complicated.

“I don’t know if I should say,” Kitty admitted, her voice quieter now. “It feels... weird.”

Madison turned her body fully toward Kitty, her expression softening. “What feels weird?”

Kitty swallowed, her throat dry. “You know how you and Minho... had a thing, right?” She winced at how awkward the question sounded.

Madison didn’t miss a beat. “Yeah,” she said easily, the edge of amusement in her voice. “It wasn’t serious, though. I mean, we were never that kind of couple.”

Kitty nodded, though she wasn’t entirely sure if it was true. The more she thought about it, the more she wondered if Madison and Minho had ever had a chance at being serious. Had they ever been more than just two people thrown together by circumstance?

Madison tilted her head, clearly noticing the hesitation in Kitty’s demeanor. “Look,” she said, voice shifting to something gentler. “It’s not weird. I swear. Minho and I were never really a ‘thing’—we had fun, but it wasn’t love. And, honestly? I think it ended because he already had feelings for someone else.”

Kitty’s heart skipped. “Someone else?”

Madison didn’t look away. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure he already had feelings for you. I mean, when we first…um, happened , it was just after I caught him staring at you and Dae. I hadn’t seen a look of longing before until then, and gotta say, I didn’t expect that from Minho of all people. So it’s either you or Dae he was staring at, and my money’s on you.”

Kitty froze. She hadn’t expected that. The heat in her chest flared, her pulse quickening. “What? No, Madison, that’s... no. He doesn’t like me like that.”

Madison shook her head, giving a soft chuckle. “I’m not blind. I saw how he looked at you, how he’d always be there for you, how his eyes would... I don’t know, follow you around, as if he needed to make sure you were always okay . You two are so much more than just ‘best friends’.”

Kitty felt her stomach turn, guilt and hope swirling in equal measure. “But... what about you? You really don’t care?”

“Kitty.” Madison’s tone softened, and she reached over to gently grab her hand. “It’s not about me anymore. That was... months ago. I’m not going to hold on to something that was never serious. And you know what? I’m really glad you two are close. I’m glad you’re friends.” She paused. “And maybe more than friends, but that’s for you two to figure out. Not me.”

Kitty felt a rush of gratitude toward Madison—toward her understanding and the ease with which she had let go of her past with Minho. It was a relief, honestly. She had feared that her feelings would be complicated by the knowledge of their history. But hearing Madison talk about it so openly made Kitty feel like there was room for her, too.

“Thanks, Madison,” she said quietly, squeezing her hand in appreciation. “You really are one of the best friends I could ask for.”

Madison grinned. “Anytime, Kit. I’m always here for you.”

And in that moment, Kitty felt the weight she hadn’t even known she’d been carrying ease a little. She pulled Madison into a quick hug, holding onto her a moment longer than she’d planned. It felt comforting, the simplicity of friendship, the understanding between them.

“I’m still trying to figure this all out,” Kitty said, pulling back and wiping her eyes quickly. “But I’ll talk to you when I’m ready. I think I just need to figure out how I really feel or what I want first.”

Madison nodded, her smile softening. “Take your time. Don’t rush. But know that I’m here for you when you want to talk.”

Kitty nodded gratefully. “Thanks.”

With that, Madison stood up, giving her a quick wave before heading towards her own room. “See you later,” she called over her shoulder, disappearing down the hallway to her room.

Kitty sat in the silence of her room, the words Madison had said lingering in her mind. Maybe she wasn’t crazy for feeling what she felt. Maybe Minho did care about her, too. But could she really open herself up to the possibility that he felt the same way?

Kitty stood up, deciding to clean up a little. Her mind always worked better when she was active, when she had something to focus on. She grabbed a handful of stray papers and tossed them into a recycling bin, then noticed a small object tucked under a pile of old textbooks.

Frowning, she reached for it, pulling it free. It was a small token—a trinket Minho had given her in Vienna. It was a small, delicately carved wooden charm, about the size of a coin, with an intricate design that looked like a swirl of waves and leaves intertwined. She remembered him giving it to her on their last day in the city.

Her heart clenched slightly as she ran her fingers over the smooth surface. In the chaos of the tour, it had been so easy to forget about small things like this. But holding it now, in the quiet of her dorm room, everything came rushing back—how connected they had been in Vienna, how much closer they had gotten after, and how much it had hurt when they hadn’t been able to confront what they were feeling.

She closed her eyes for a moment, feeling a lump form in her throat. She had known, even then, that there was something between them. Something more than friendship. But she had been too scared to admit it, too scared to say it out loud, fearing she was reading too much into Minho being…Minho. Gifts were his love language after all, and she couldn’t be sure that the language he was speaking with his gifts were anything more than platonic.

As she sat on the edge of her bed, the trinket in her palm, a heavy thought settled in her chest: Had she missed her chance?

Had Minho given her that charm because he was just being nice—or because he knew he wasn’t ready to say the words, but he knew she would understand?

Kitty swallowed, feeling both heavy and light at the same time. She didn’t know what the future held for her and Minho, but she realized she couldn’t keep holding on to what might have been or pining for what could be. It was time to figure out what was right in front of her.

Part 2

Flashback – Vienna, Austria

It had been a quiet day, one of those rare moments on tour when there were no rehearsals, no obligations—just the freedom to explore. Minho and Kitty wandered through the cobblestone streets of Vienna, past little shops with fogged-up windows, their breath visible in the crisp air. For once, there were no looming deadlines or pressing concerns. It felt like time had slowed, and in this moment, they were just two people in a city filled with history, walking side by side without the usual weight of their hectic schedules.

Minho had been quieter than usual. There had been a strange tension hanging over him the last few days—his work with his father was far from ideal, and the cracks in their relationship were beginning to show. Today, he seemed distant, his gaze constantly flickering from one thing to the next, absorbing everything around him with a quiet intensity. Kitty, always observant, had kept pace beside him, giving him space to process whatever thoughts he was mulling over. Her mind was equally restless, but somehow, walking beside him made her feel more grounded. It was a comfortable silence—an unspoken understanding between them.

As they walked, their steps in sync, their proximity felt natural. Minho had his arm casually slung over her shoulder, and her own arm was wrapped around his back, keeping them close. It was a slow, unhurried pace, one that allowed them to savor the day’s reprieve from the usual chaos of their tour life. In truth, they were both enjoying the time alone with each other, even if they didn’t say it out loud.

They eventually came across a small market, nestled between old buildings, with vendors selling everything from handcrafted scarves to delicate jewelry. The air was filled with the scent of warm bread and spices, mingling with the faint smell of fresh rain. Kitty had been caught by a vibrant stall of trinkets—small wooden carvings, intricate designs, all hand-made, each one holding a story that wasn’t hers to tell. She squeezed Minho’s side to get his attention before pulling away to explore on her own.

The small wooden carvings caught her attention first, their detailed designs giving off a warm, earthy feeling. But it wasn’t long before something else caught her eye—a pendant hanging from the corner of the display. It was a delicate piece, made of what appeared to be carved wood, with swirling patterns of leaves and waves etched into its surface. The design was simple, yet striking, and it felt like it was calling to her.

itty’s fingers brushed against the pendant, and she lingered there, feeling a strange pull. She wasn’t planning to buy anything for herself—she had already picked out gifts for her family—but this piece... it was different. She caught herself staring at it, almost mesmerized by the swirling patterns.

She set it back down with a sigh, her hands lingering on the display for a moment longer than she intended. She wasn’t the type to indulge herself—not when there were so many people she needed to buy for. Kitty was always thoughtful in her gift-giving, but when it came to herself, she tended to hold back. She pulled away, glancing over her shoulder to find Minho watching her quietly from a few feet away, though he quickly shifted his attention elsewhere when their eyes met.

What Kitty didn’t realize was that Minho had been quietly observing her the entire time. He had noticed her lingering over the pendant, her fingers brushing against it, almost as though she were debating whether or not to buy it. He could tell she wouldn’t. Kitty rarely bought anything for herself; it was always for others. It wasn’t the first time he had seen her hold back when it came to treating herself, always putting others before her own desires.

Once he saw Kitty safely distracted at the next stall, he quietly doubled back to get her that pendant. He didn’t tell her what he was doing, didn’t make a show of it. He simply bought it when she wasn’t looking. It wasn’t a grand gesture. He wasn’t expecting anything in return. It was just something he knew she’d like.

They continued to stroll through the stalls, Kitty picking up a small wooden statue, scarves and jewelry as gifts for her family. Later, when they passed another stall filled with leather goods, she noticed Minho slowing down again. This time, it was a slim leather cuff that seemed to call to him. Coming up next to him, she saw that the simple design mirrored the pendant she’d just seen, the swirling patterns echoing the same motifs of leaves and waves. It was understated, but elegant.

Minho hesitated as he reached out to touch it. His fingers grazed the leather, and for a moment, he lingered. Kitty noticed, her heart skipping at the way he hesitated. There was something about it—something she couldn’t put into words—that made her want to buy it for him. The design mirrored the pendant, the one she’d been drawn to earlier. The connection between the two pieces was subtle but real.

But Minho quickly moved on from the cuff, shaking his head as if to say it wasn’t right. Kitty wasn’t sure what held him back. She’d seen him hesitate, and it made her want to do something. Without him seeing, she quietly made the purchase for him, slipping it into her bag as a secret.

When they got back to the hotel that night, they took turns showering away the day and got ready for bed. They were quiet as they crawled into the shared bed, the day’s excitement still hanging in the air between them.

Minho settled into the bed first, flopping back dramatically. “Back to marching orders tomorrow,” he groaned, arching his back up as he stretched his arms out before folding them over his face, covering his eyes. “Regret coming with me on this tour yet, Covey?”

He felt the bed dip on the other side, but at Kitty’s silence, Minho lifted his arms and looked over to find her kneeling on the bed, looking at him with her lip caught between her teeth. “Covey?”

Kitty spoke up after a few moments of silence. “I, uh, got you something.”

He raised an eyebrow, surprised but intrigued. “Oh?”

“Yeah,” she said, feeling a little awkward, but it wasn’t like she could take it back now. She reached into the pocket of her jacket, pulling out a small cloth pouch, placing it atop the covers between them.

Minho sat up slightly, looking from the pouch to her, a flicker of curiosity in his expression. “You got me something?” he said, the surprise evident in his voice. He reached over to the side of the bed, rummaging through their bags, and pulled out a small box. He placed it next to the pouch. “I got you something too.”

Kitty’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t expected him to have a gift for her. She hesitated for a moment before picking up the box he’d given her. At his nod, she opened it, and the sight of the pendant took her by surprise. Her fingers shook slightly as she lifted it from the box.

“Minho,” she breathed, looking at him in disbelief. “How did you know?”

He shrugged slightly, trying to play it off. “I saw you eyeing it earlier. Thought you might like it.”

Kitty was speechless for a moment. She turned the pendant over in her hands, her heart beating faster. It was beautiful, delicate, and something about it felt like a part of her.

Without thinking, she handed it to him and turned her back to him, pulling her hair over her shoulder. “Could you... could you help me put it on?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Minho’s hands moved carefully, sliding the chain around her neck. When his fingers brushed against her skin as he clasped it, a small shiver ran through her. The warmth of his touch felt like it lingered on her skin, sending a thrill through her.

“Thanks,” she whispered, her voice thick with the emotions she didn’t quite know how to express. She looked at him, unsure of what to say next. Instead, she reached out for her gift to him, a soft smile on her face as she took the leather cuff out of it’s pouch and handed it to him.

Minho stared at it for a long moment before meeting her eyes. His expression softened as he traced the design on the cuff with his thumb. “You didn’t have to,” he said, his voice quiet, but there was something in his gaze that made Kitty’s heart skip.

Kitty shrugged, a soft smile still on her face. “I wanted to. I saw you hesitate... and I thought you might like it.”

Minho smiled, and it was warm—sincere. “No one’s ever gotten me anything like this before. It’s always been... well, apologies or gestures from my parents,” he said quietly, his voice filled with emotion.

Kitty’s heart ached a little at that. “Well,” she said softly, “this is just because I noticed, and because I wanted to.”

Minho reached for her, pulling her into his arms. “Thank you,” he whispered into her ear, his voice low and full of gratitude. He held her tightly, his breath warm against her skin. Kitty felt her chest tighten as she held him back, her fingers threading into his hair.

They pulled apart slowly, and as they did, Kitty realized she was straddling him. She froze, and he did the same, the shock of their closeness hanging between them. His hands rested on her hips, and her hands on either side of his neck as they waited for the other to move.

After a long moment, Kitty cleared her throat. “Goodnight,” she whispered, leaning forward to press a soft kiss to his cheek.

Minho didn’t say anything, just watched her as she climbed off him, the moment still hanging heavily in the air. Kitty slid under the covers, and Minho followed her, letting her pull him close. They settled into the quiet comfort of each other’s arms.

He kissed the top of her head softly, and with that, they both drifted into sleep, tangled together in the quiet, unspoken comfort of being close.

Part 3

Minho stood in the kitchen of his shared dorm room, the hum of the stovetop filling the silence. His hands moved automatically as he chopped vegetables, the knife cutting through with rhythmic precision. Cooking had always been a way for him to unwind, a routine that allowed his mind to settle. He had learned to silence the chaos of his thoughts when needed, but today, even the comfort of cooking couldn't calm him.

His fingers brushed against the leather cuff as he set the chopping board aside, his thoughts wandering again. He looked down at it, the dark leather against his skin. Kitty’s gift to him. Simple, but meaningful. He ran his thumb over the edge of it absentmindedly, lost in thought.

The door opened, interrupting his contemplation. Minho glanced up to see Q toeing off his shoes. His best friend's eyes immediately flicked to him, taking in the atmosphere with a raised brow.

“It smells good in here. What are you making?” There was something knowing in Q's tone, something Minho couldn't quite ignore.

“Just some bulgogi. Don’t worry, there’s enough for you and Dae too.” Minho continued his task, trying to avoid making eye contact.

Q wandered into hisroom, dropping off his bags before joining Minho in the kitchen. He grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge before leaning against the closed fridge doors, quietly observing Minho as he worked his way around their small space.

“You look pensive,” Q remarked, his voice light yet laced with curiosity. “You’ve been kind of... quiet lately.”

Minho hesitated, unsure of how to answer. He wasn’t exactly in the mood for a heart-to-heart with Q, but he knew better than to pretend nothing was going on. “Just… thinking,” he muttered, focusing on stirring the vegetables.

Q wasn’t buying it. He leaned against the island, arms folded over his chest. “Uh-huh. And by ‘thinking,’ you mean ‘overthinking,’ right?”

Minho let out a soft sigh, keeping his back to Q as he started adding the next ingredient. He didn’t even notice that he was absentmindedly fiddling with the cuff on his wrist until Q spoke up again.

“I noticed you’ve been fiddling with that a lot. Is it new?” Q’s voice had softened, the casual question laced with interest.

Minho stiffened at the mention of the cuff, but he tried to keep his expression neutral. “Yeah,” he said quietly, his thumb continuing to trace the design. “Covey got it for me in Vienna.”

Q’s eyes softened, though his tone stayed light. “Oh?”

Minho shot him a look, feeling a little defensive. “It’s not like that,” he muttered, but even he could hear the lack of conviction in his words. He could feel Q’s gaze on him, studying him in a way that made him uncomfortable.

“No? Seems like it,” Q said, unfazed. “I’ve seen the way you two are around each other. It’s... obvious.” He tilted his head, his voice shifting to something more curious. “And it’s not just the gifts. It’s how you look at her, how she looks at you.”

Minho shifted uncomfortably, pushing a piece of meat in the pan a little too forcefully. “It’s not like that,” he repeated, but his voice was a little too quiet. “We’re just… friends.”

Q raised an eyebrow, his eyes keen. “Are you sure about that?” he asked again, his tone softer now. “Because it seems like you’re both trying to pretend you don’t feel something, but it’s pretty clear you do.”

Minho felt his chest tighten, his stomach churning at the weight of Q’s words. He opened his mouth to say something, but the words got stuck. He shifted on his feet, the awkwardness weighing on him. Finally, he blurted out, “I think we almost kissed the other night in the gym.”

Q’s eyebrows shot up, surprised by the confession. “Woah. Okay. What do you mean by ‘you think you almost kissed’?” His tone shifted from lighthearted to genuinely curious, but with a hint of disbelief. Sure, Q and Madison did pair the two up with the intent to nudge them together, but he certainly didn’t expect this.

Minho let out a breath, his hands tightening around the spoon as he recalled the moment in the gym. “She was on the ladder, right? And when she almost fell… I just, I don’t know. I caught her. And I swear… I think she leaned in. Or maybe I did. But then Praveena walked in, yelling about command hooks, and she jumped away from me like I burned her. And after that, she avoided me the rest of the night. I think… I think she regrets it. Or maybe she thinks I made a move when I shouldn’t have. I don’t know. Maybe I misread the situation, but I’ve been avoiding her for days now, and she hasn’t even texted me since then. So, maybe I’m just overthinking it, and she was fine with it, but now she’s mad at me because I’ve been avoiding her?”

Q listened in silence for a beat, letting the words settle. Then, after a pause, he asked, “Okay… What do you wish happened?”

Minho let out a slow breath, his fingers fidgeting with the cuff again. He was trying to find the words, but they felt stuck in his chest. “I don’t—” His throat tightened, the words caught. He inhaled deeply, trying to steady himself. “I don’t know. I just wish it had gone differently. I don’t want things to be awkward with her. But it’s hard. And I just—ugh, I hate this.”

Q stepped closer, his voice lowering to something more serious. “Minho, I’m not saying you need to jump into anything, but if you’re waiting for her to make the first move, you might be waiting forever. She hasn’t told me anything, but I think she believes that you’re not interested. From what I’m seeing, I think you both have feelings for each other. And if you wait too long, you might miss your chance.”

Minho ran a hand through his hair, the weight of Q’s words sinking in. “I’m scared,” he admitted quietly. “Scared of messing it up.”

Q’s expression softened, and he clapped Minho lightly on the back. “It’s okay to be scared, man. But you can’t keep pretending it’s nothing. You’re both too far gone for that.” His voice dropped to a more serious tone. “Look, if you don’t make a move soon, you might lose out on what could be something really good. You both could. And I don’t want that for either of you.”

Minho didn’t respond right away. He stared at the cuff again, lost in his thoughts. He had spent so long convincing himself that he and Kitty were just friends, that it could never be more because she simply would never feel that way about him. But everything had changed on that tour, before then even, if he was being honest with himself. And now, every moment with her felt more intense. Every look, every touch, every conversation carried so much weight, and it scared him.

But more than that, he was terrified of what would happen if he let himself hope that she could feel even remotely the same way. He had tried to shut down those feelings once, but now, it felt impossible to ignore.

Q watched him for a moment longer before offering a small, encouraging smile. “You know I’m right,” he said, his voice light again. “And hey, no one ever said you had to figure it out all at once. But just… don’t let this slip through your fingers, okay?”

Minho nodded slowly, though his mind was still swirling with uncertainty. He wasn’t ready to confront it all yet—not with Kitty, not with anyone. But maybe, just maybe, it was time to start being honest with himself.

Chapter Text

Part 1

The library was quiet, save for the tapping of keyboards and the occasional murmur of students working through their assignments. The group had decided to meet up and make a good dent into the assignments they had been given to complete over the Chuseok break, so they could enjoy more of their time off from school, stress free.

Kitty sat at a long table with her friends, but the usual comfort of being surrounded by people felt distant today. Her mind kept circling back to one thing: Minho.

They’d been avoiding each other since the near-kiss in the gym a few days ago. And every time she tried to act normal around him, her brain failed to cooperate. Every time their gazes met, it felt like they were screaming at each other, but neither of them could hear the words being thrown. It was a far cry from a few months ago, when a simple look was enough to communicate everything they needed.

Kitty glanced across the table at him. Minho was hunched over his laptop, sitting as far away from her as he seemingly could get, typing with the kind of focused intensity that made her wonder if he was using his work as a shield to keep himself from looking at her. There was an unmistakable tension in his posture, a stiffness in his shoulders. The way his eyes darted to hers every now and then only to quickly flick away confirmed what she already knew: he was just as uncertain about everything between them as she was.

Her fingers traced the edge of her notebook absently as her mind raced. She kept hoping that the work in front of her would distract her from how tangled everything had become, but the truth was, it was impossible to focus. She was usually able to compartmentalize her thoughts, but today, that felt out of reach. And every time she glanced at Minho, the same conflicting mix of longing and confusion twisted in her stomach.

A soft clearing of the throat broke through her thoughts, and she looked up to see Q standing beside her, an eyebrow raised in that familiar, knowing way. He wasn’t buying the “everything’s fine” act.

“You’ve been really quiet today,” Q said, his voice louder than usual, drawing the attention of a few nearby students—including Minho, whose gaze briefly flicked between Kitty and Q.

Kitty immediately froze, her heart skipping a beat. She opened her mouth to deny it, but the words didn’t come. What could she say? That she didn’t know how to act around him anymore? That everything felt wrong between them ever since that almost-kiss?

Q flashed her a small, knowing smile. “Come on, let’s take a walk. You look like you need to talk.”

Kitty bit her lip, glancing over at Minho. He was still absorbed in his work, oblivious to the conversation that was about to unfold. She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or frustrated that he hadn’t even noticed.

Without saying anything, she grabbed her things and followed Q, who led her toward a quieter corner of the library, away from the bustling group. When they reached a secluded spot near the back, Q leaned against one of the tall bookshelves, arms crossed.

“So,” he started, his voice softer now, “what’s really going on between you and Minho?”

Kitty stared at the floor, unsure where to start. She didn’t know how to put into words everything that had been swirling in her head. How every time Minho looked at her now, it felt like he was holding something back, a secret he wouldn’t share. How the closeness they had once enjoyed had become a distance neither of them seemed able to cross.

She’d already told Q and Madison about the near-kiss during their movie night a couple of days ago. Both had been shocked, though Q seemed less so than Madison, which Kitty didn’t think much about at the time. She just needed to vent, to say it out loud, but she wasn’t sure she was ready for advice yet. So, she’d asked them to listen and comfort her, not to tell her what she should do. Now, though, after days of awkwardness and tension with Minho, she felt like she was about to break.

“I... I don’t know,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s just... we’re both avoiding each other. I don’t know what happened. After that night in the gym, everything changed. Before that, I thought maybe we were on the same page. But now, I’m pretty sure we’re on completely different books .”

Q watched her for a long moment, his eyes softening as if he saw right through her. “What are you so afraid of, Kitty?”

Kitty couldn’t find the words for a second, the tight knot in her chest making it hard to breathe. She had spent so long ignoring her feelings for Minho, pushing them aside, but now it was impossible to ignore them any longer. The truth was, she did care about him. She did love him. But she was terrified of ruining everything.

“I don’t want to make things worse,” she admitted quietly, looking up at Q. “He told me I broke his heart before, Q, and that it took him a long time to get over that. I… I have no right to want him the way that I do after everything I’ve put him through.”

Q sighed, his expression thoughtful. “Kitty, you’re both so afraid of what might happen that you’re letting fear make the decision for you. You’re walking around pretending nothing’s going on between the two of you, but it’s clear as day that something is .”

Kitty bit her lip, torn between wanting to deny it and wanting to let it all out. “It’s just... I don’t want to make things weird. I don’t want to lose him, you know?”

Q’s tone softened. “I get that. But you also can’t keep pretending like there’s nothing there. If you care about him the way I know you do, then you owe it to both of you to figure it out. Not doing anything is the same as letting it slip through your fingers.”

Kitty swallowed hard, her heart heavy with the weight of his words. She knew he was right. She could keep pretending it didn’t matter, keep pushing her feelings aside, but that wasn’t fair to either of them. The last thing she wanted was to look back and regret not taking a chance.

“What if it’s too late?” she whispered, her voice breaking. “What if he’s already moved on, and I’m just holding on to something that isn’t there anymore?”

Q stepped forward, giving her a gentle smile. “You won’t know unless you take the chance. You both deserve to be happy. Don’t let fear hold you back from figuring it out.”

Kitty nodded, her chest tight as she took in his words. She appreciated the way Q always managed to push her to see things clearly, even when she was afraid to confront them herself. But now, it was up to her to make the next move.

“Thanks, Q,” she said quietly, offering him a small smile. “I needed that.”

Q grinned back, giving her a quick wink. “Anytime, Kitty. Just don’t keep me hanging too long. I’m getting impatient.”

Kitty chuckled softly, though her heart was still heavy. She turned to head back toward the group, and as she did, her eyes flicked to Minho once more. He was still absorbed in his work, but there was something in the way he sat—tense, distant—that made her wonder if he was pretending to be absorbed just as much as she had been.

Maybe it was time to stop pretending. She was going to take a chance, pull Minho aside on the way back to the dorms. It was time to talk to him.

Part 2

The library was beginning to feel like a pressure cooker. The hum of keyboards, the rustling of papers, and the occasional cough filled the silence, but to Minho, it was all noise. He was trying to focus on the assignment in front of him, but the thoughts swirling in his head—mostly about Kitty—refused to be ignored.

Since the near-kiss in the gym, everything had been... different. Every glance between them, every passing moment, felt weighted. There was an unspoken tension hanging between them, thick enough to cut with a knife. He could feel the distance creeping in, and no matter how many times he told himself it was better this way, it didn’t make it any easier to bear. He missed the easy camaraderie, the quiet connection they'd shared before things had gotten even more complicated. How he got to pretend he was hers and she was his, even if it was only in his head.

Dae, sitting across from him, noticed his distracted demeanor, and after a few moments of silence, leaned in slightly. “Are you okay?” Dae asked, his voice low enough not to attract attention.

Minho stiffened slightly, not expecting the question. He tried to keep his posture casual as he nodded, but Dae wasn’t convinced. He had known Minho too long to buy that simple answer.

“I’m fine,” Minho muttered, returning to his notes, though his mind was far from them.

Dae wasn’t having it. He sat back in his chair, observing Minho for a moment. “Come on. You’ve been acting weird ever since that night in the gym.”

Minho’s heart skipped at the mention of it. He didn’t want to talk about that—didn’t want to confront the mess it had left behind. The near-kiss. The way they had almost crossed a line, only to be interrupted by Praveena’s sudden arrival.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Minho replied quickly, even though it was clear he wasn’t fooling anyone. “We’re just—” He broke off, unable to finish his sentence.

Dae leaned in, his eyes softening. “Minho, I’m not stupid. You don’t have to pretend around me.” He lowered his voice. “Are you still in love with her?”

The words hit Minho like a punch to the gut. He froze, his fingers tightening around the pen in his hand. “I’m not,” he said quickly, but his voice faltered, betraying his certainty.

Dae raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. “Are you sure about that? Because it doesn’t seem like you’ve been handling this... whatever it is, very well.”

Minho exhaled sharply, rubbing his hand over his face in frustration. He wasn’t sure how to explain everything that had been happening between him and Kitty. The truth was, he had been avoiding her because he didn’t want to risk their friendship, and didn't want to hurt Dae again like he had the last time, and couldn’t risk things not working out with Kitty and losing her too.

“Covey and I are just... friends.” Minho said, finally looking up at Dae, his voice quiet. “ Maybe that’s all we’ll ever be. It’s better that way… less complications.”

Dae was quiet, taking a moment to consider this before responding. “Better for who?”

At Minho’s silence, he continued. “You know, I get it. I really do. But if you’re going to keep pretending you don’t feel anything for her, you’re just hurting both of you. And don’t you think she deserves to know where you stand? Because, if you’re waiting for her to make a move, you’re going to be waiting forever. I’m pretty sure she’s getting whiplash between me, Yuri then now you pulling away…She’s already scared.”

Minho stiffened, a tight knot forming in his chest. He hadn’t realized that Kitty might be feeling the same way. All he had been thinking about was how much he was trying to protect their friendship, but he hadn’t considered the possibility that she might be feeling just as unsure as he was.

“I don’t want to mess things up with her,” Minho admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. He swallowed hard. “I know she’s been through enough. The last time I admitted to having feelings for her... well, we both know how that turned out with her… and with you.”

Dae’s expression softened as he nodded. “Yeah, but things are different now. She’s different. You’re different.”

Minho felt his stomach twist at the thought. He hadn’t allowed himself to think about it in those terms before, not really. Maybe it was true. Maybe he was just terrified of taking the leap and ruining everything.

“Dae, I—” Minho started, but the words caught in his throat. The weight of it all felt too much to say aloud. He couldn’t explain why he’d been keeping his distance, why he hadn’t even sent Kitty a text since the night in the gym. It was easier to stay away than to risk confronting what he was really feeling.

Dae cut him off gently, his tone quiet. “I’m just saying, you need to think about it. You can’t keep avoiding her forever. And…you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll always have love for Kitty, but you were right back then that we were better off as pen pals, as friends.”

Minho didn’t respond right away. His thoughts were racing, and his mind kept returning to that night in the gym, to the moment they had almost kissed. The way everything had felt electric for those few seconds, how their bodies had gravitated toward each other. But it had all shattered in an instant. The opportunity was gone, and all he could do was watch as Kitty pulled away.

He kept telling himself that she didn’t want more, that she wasn’t looking at him like that anymore. But deep down, a part of him refused to believe it.

Dae watched him for a moment longer before giving him a light pat on the back. “You’ll figure it out, Minho. Just don’t let whatever’s going on between you two slip away.”

Minho nodded absently, the weight of Dae’s words settling heavily on his chest. He wasn’t sure what to do. He wasn’t sure if he was ready to face the gravity of what he was feeling—or if he could even handle the truth if he did. But there was no denying that everything had changed. Something had shifted between him and Kitty, and it felt like it was slipping through his fingers faster than he could catch it.

The rest of the study session passed in a blur, but Minho’s mind kept circling back to the same thought: what if he was too late? What if Kitty had already moved on?

When the session finally ended, Minho packed his things quickly, eager to find Kitty and finally talk to her. He scanned the room, looking for Kitty, but she was nowhere to be seen. His heart gave a little tug at the thought, and he walked around the table, searching for her among the group.

But she wasn’t there.

His pulse quickened slightly, the unease creeping up again. Where was she?

He looked to the side and saw Q standing by the entrance, texting someone. Minho made his way over, forcing a nonchalant smile.

“Hey,” Minho greeted him. “Have you seen Covey?”

Q looked up from his phone, his expression neutral. “Oh, yeah, I saw her leave a little while ago. I think she went out with Madison. They probably grabbed a coffee or something.”

Minho’s stomach dropped. He couldn’t explain why, but hearing that Kitty had left without telling him made him feel... uneasy. Had she been avoiding him? Did she need space after the tension that had been building between them?

“Oh,” he said softly, trying to sound unaffected.

Minho nodded absently, the words not doing much to settle his mind. He was just... disappointed. He had been hoping to see Kitty after the study session. To talk to her, figure out what was going on between them. But now she was gone.

As he walked out of the library, Minho felt his heart clench. He had made a mistake by keeping his distance. He missed her, and was relieved that Chuseok break was upon them. While he knows Kitty’s family will be visiting, he hopes that she’s still willing to have him tag along to help show them around.

Part 3

Kitty’s footsteps echoed softly through the library as she made her way down the aisle, her hand brushing the spines of the books she passed. She had gone to grab a book for her next class, trying to distract herself from the uncomfortable knot in her stomach. The tension between her and Minho had only gotten worse over the past few days, and she didn’t know how much longer she could keep pretending that everything was fine when it clearly wasn’t.

As she rounded the corner of the aisle, she heard Minho’s voice. It wasn’t loud, but it was clear enough to cut through the silence of the library. Her steps faltered as she recognized who he was speaking to. Dae.

Minho’s voice was low, tinged with something Kitty couldn’t quite place. “Covey and I are just... friends. Maybe that’s all we’re meant to be. It’s better that way… less complications.”

Kitty froze, her heart sinking in her chest. She hadn’t meant to overhear. She hadn’t meant to hear those words—the ones she had feared for so long.

Just friends. That’s all we’ll ever be.

It was like a punch to the gut. All the time they had spent together, all the moments that had made her believe there could be something more—it meant nothing to him. He had always seen her as just a friend , and that’s all he ever would.

She didn’t know what to do. Her feet felt heavy, and she wanted to move away, but she couldn’t tear herself from the scene. She stood still, hidden around the corner, her hands trembling as she fought to keep herself together.

Kitty couldn’t stay hidden anymore. She had to leave before they saw her, before they knew she had overheard them. She turned quickly and walked briskly back to their table to shove her things into her bag before running to the exit, trying to keep herself composed, trying to keep the tears from falling.

Kitty hadn’t even realized that Madison had followed her until she heard her voice calling out to her as she entered their dorm.

“Kitty?” Madison called softly, her tone full of concern. Kitty froze, biting her lip as she tried to swallow down the lump in her throat.

Madison was standing a few feet away, her expression guarded but caring. “Are you okay? You just... ran out of there.”

Kitty didn’t look at her right away. She felt like if she did, the tears would spill over and she wouldn’t be able to stop them. “I’m fine,” Kitty said quickly, trying to brush it off. “Just... tired.”

Madison stepped closer, her eyes narrowing with understanding. “You’re not fooling anyone, you know,” she said gently. “What’s really going on?”

Kitty finally looked up at her, fighting to keep the emotion from showing. “I overheard Minho talking to Dae. He said all we’ll ever be is friends. That’s it. No more, no less.”

Madison didn’t seem to know how to respond at first. Her brow furrowed in confusion. “But Kitty, that doesn’t make sense. I mean, you two—there’s something there. I can see it. You both have this… unspoken thing.”

Kitty felt a knot tighten in her chest. “I thought so too, but clearly, I was wrong.” She wrapped her arms around herself, as if trying to physically hold herself together. “I’ve been reading into things, thinking maybe… he felt the same way but was scared too, but I was wrong.”

Madison’s brow furrowed in confusion, and she stepped closer, her voice soft and insistent. “But Kitty, he... He can’t possibly mean that. I don’t get it. I know you’ve both been distant, but I don’t think he feels that way. Maybe you didn’t hear everything? Maybe you misunderstood?”

Kitty could feel the frustration bubbling up in her chest. She knew what she had heard, and she wasn’t about to go over it again. I know what I heard, Madison.” She wiped her eyes, embarrassed by the tears that threatened to fall.

Madison looked torn. She clearly didn’t understand, but she also knew how deeply Kitty was affected. “Kitty... you’ve been through a lot together, and I don’t think Minho would behave the way he has with you if that’s really how he feels. It doesn’t make sense for him to feel that way, not after everything.”

Kitty felt a pang in her chest. It wasn’t that Minho didn’t care—she knew he did. But the truth was clearer now—she had told him he was swearing off relationships, and she had been foolish not to listen. “It doesn’t matter,” Kitty said quietly. “I have to let it go. I can’t keep holding on to something that’s clearly one-sided. If all he wants is to be friends, then that’s what I’ll be. I’ll learn how to be okay with that.”

Madison stepped closer, her hand reaching out to touch Kitty’s arm. “It’s not about being okay with it, though. It’s about being honest with yourself. If you’re not okay with just being friends, then pretending won’t make it better. You have to feel what you feel, even if it’s uncomfortable.”

Kitty shook her head, biting back another wave of emotion. “I can’t. I don’t want to make things worse. It’s better this way—at least I still get to have him in my life, right? Even if it’s just as a friend.”

Madison sighed, clearly torn. “I know this isn’t easy, but you’re not fooling anyone by pretending. If there’s something more to it, you can’t hide from it forever.”

Kitty’s voice softened, barely above a whisper. “I’m not hiding from it. I’m just... accepting it. I don’t want to lose him.”

Madison nodded slowly, understanding. “I know this is probably a lot right now, but you’re not alone in this, Kitty. I’m here if you need.”

Kitty nodded again, giving her friend a brief hug before walking away. The few steps to her room felt long, and the weight of the conversation lingered as she made her way back to the dorm. Once inside, she quickly changed into comfortable clothes and crawled into bed, pulling the covers over her head as if they could shield her from the emotions threatening to spill over.

She closed her eyes, hoping sleep would come, but it didn’t. Her thoughts raced, and every time she tried to push them away, they came rushing back. Could she handle going back to just being his friend?

Her phone buzzed beside her on the nightstand. Flipping it over, she felt a shock go through her at seeing his name pop up.

Minho: Hey, you okay? Was hoping to see you after that study session but Q said you ran out.

Kitty stared at the message for a moment before putting the phone face down. She wasn’t ready to face him yet—not after hearing what he’d said. Not after everything that had happened.

As she lay in bed, the silence of the room surrounding her, she realized just how much she had been holding on to. But now, everything felt so uncertain. She had to protect herself. And if that meant stepping back, keeping her distance, and accepting the boundaries he had been trying to set, then that’s what she would do.

It’s not his fault that she feels this way, and she can’t hold it against him for not returning her feelings.

They were just friends . She could do friendship. With that, Kitty picked up her phone, and sent a reply.

Kitty: I’m fine, just had a headache. Hangul textbooks are my enemy right now.

Minho: This wouldn’t be a problem if you let me teach you more hangul on the tour like I offered, you know.

Minho: I could help you with that over Chuseok. I know you’ll be busy with your sister and that bloke, but I’m sure we could fit that in.

Kitty read his words, trying not to read too much into them. She didn’t know how to respond. He was being kind, but it wasn’t the same.

Kitty: You know his name is Peter. I’m pretty sure there won’t be much time for sleep with everything I want to show them.

Minho: When do they get in?

Kitty: Not till Sunday morning. I don’t think they’ll be up to doing much that day though, except maybe dinner.

Minho: Let me know what your plans are and I can meet you whenever.

Kitty: You don’t have to do that. I know you offered, but that was weeks ago, I won’t hold you to it if you have better things to do.

Minho: I’m still happy to. Have to make sure they see Seoul the right way, like a local.

Did she though? Kitty hesitated, a wave of sadness washing over her. She could feel the weight of his kindness, but she couldn’t let herself hope for more. He was doing this because she was his friend, nothing more. And Minho was always kind to his friends.

Kitty: They’ll appreciate that. And I do too. I’ll send you a text with our rough plan once I figure it out :) 

Minho: Sounds good. I’ll see you in a couple of days then.

Kitty set her phone down again, this time with more certainty. She had a few days to pull herself together. She could do this. She had to.

Minho and his friendship was worth it.

Chapter Text

Part 1

Kitty was getting ready to leave when she heard the familiar knock on her door. She wasn't expecting anyone. She checked the time, thinking it might be one of the girls stopping by for a quick chat before heading out. But as she opened the door, she was surprised to find Minho standing there, leaning against the doorframe with a casual air that only he could pull off.

“Minho?” she asked, blinking in confusion. “What are you doing here?”

His expression was a little guarded, but his eyes held something softer, almost hopeful. “I was thinking I could help out,” he said, his voice quiet but firm. “I’m offering my driver and car for the day. He can take you to pick up LJ and Peter from the airport. If you need it, of course.”

Kitty paused for a moment, taken aback by the unexpected offer. She stared at him, not sure what to make of the gesture. She hadn’t expected this. Minho’s thoughtful, generous side was something she was still getting used to, despite all the months they’d spent together.

Her heart gave a small, uncontrollable flutter. She quickly forced it down, reminding herself that they were just friends. Nothing more. She couldn’t afford to read into every little thing.

Before she could respond, Minho continued, looking almost sheepish now, his hands tucked into his jacket pockets. “I know you’re already busy with everything, and I just thought... it would be easier for you if I could help out.”

Kitty hesitated, glancing at the clock and then back at him. She could tell he was being genuine, but it still felt like a lot—especially with everything between them being so tangled and unresolved. The near-kiss, the tension. She wasn’t sure how to navigate it.

“You don’t have to do that,” she said, but her voice trailed off, unsure and almost apologetic.

Minho smiled slightly, his confidence never wavering. “It’s really no trouble. You’ve got enough on your plate today. You don’t need to deal with the hassle of getting to the airport on your own.”

Kitty looked at him for a long moment. She knew he was right. She was already a bit overwhelmed with the thought of managing everything and keeping it all together for her family. Minho’s gesture was thoughtful, and she knew he was trying to make things easier for her. But part of her still wanted to keep some distance, to protect herself from whatever this… whatever they were. Still, something inside her clicked, and before she could stop herself, the words slipped out.

“Come with me.”

Minho’s eyebrows shot up, clearly surprised by her request. “What?”

Kitty’s face flushed instantly. She hadn’t meant to say that. She was supposed to be keeping things platonic, figuring out how to navigate everything between them. But then he does something like this, and it all goes out the window.

“LJ’s been a little jealous that Peter and even Margot and Halmoni have met you already – even though Margot and Halmoni was through a window seat wave. LJ's been wanting to meet you too, so... You know, so she can get to know you better.”

Minho stared at her for a beat, as if processing her words. Then his lips tugged up into a smile, a playful glint entering his eyes. “Yeah. Okay, Covey, I’m in. But you owe me dinner if LJ interrogates me about the tour.”

Kitty laughed, feeling a sudden lightness in her chest. “Deal,” she said, smiling up at him. “Lead the way, Moon.”

The ride to Incheon was quieter than expected. Kitty found herself glancing at Minho every now and then, but it was hard to read him. He was absorbed in his phone, the screen lighting up his face in the dim light of the car. The silence hung heavy between them, and it felt... strange. The same strange that had been there ever since the gym, where everything had nearly changed in an instant.

Kitty kept her focus on the road, trying to distract herself from the thoughts that kept swirling in her mind. It wasn’t like she could ignore what had happened or how Minho made her feel, but today, she had to focus. She had to remind herself that they were just friends. It was easier that way, right?

Finally, she broke the silence. “How’s everything with your family, Minho?” she asked, trying to keep her voice light. The silence had started to feel too heavy, and she didn’t want to make things more awkward than they already were.

Minho glanced up from his phone, meeting her eyes. “Same old. My dad’s still pushing me to reconsider my future with the company,” he said with a slight shrug, his smile wry. “You know, the usual.” He glanced over at her with a small smile. “What about you? Looking forward to this week?”

Kitty smiled at the mention of her family. “I’m just excited to have them here. I’ve missed LJ and Peter. I didn’t have much time with Peter when he was last here, so I’ve been looking forward to a chance to show him—them—around properly. Plus, I can’t wait for them to see how great things are at KISS. I think they’ll love it here.”

Minho nodded, his expression softening. “I’m sure they will. I can imagine how much they must have missed you.”

Kitty bit her lip, unsure how to respond to that. She knew he was being supportive, but what did that mean? Why did it sound like he was skirting around what he actually wanted to say? Why did everything feel so complicated now?

The car soon pulled up to the airport, and Kitty’s focus shifted immediately to finding her family. It didn’t take long before she spotted LJ and Peter just outside the gates, looking around for her in the crowd. As soon as they saw her, LJ’s face lit up, and she was at Kitty’s side in an instant, pulling her into a tight hug.

“I missed you, sis!” LJ said, her voice full of warmth. “You look so grown up! When did that happen?”

Kitty laughed, feeling her heart swell with affection for her sister. “I missed you too, LJ. It’s been way too long.”

Peter stepped forward, raising an eyebrow. “Alright, alright, I’m next,” he said with a grin, and Kitty gladly threw herself into his arms.

“Missed you, kiddo,” Peter said with a teasing grin. “There was no one around to distract Dan so I could sneak bites into my napkin.”

Kitty rolled her eyes, laughing. “I’m so sorry for all the snacks you lost,” she teased. “I’ll make it up to you.”

“And you must be Minho!” LJ’s voice cut through the laughter, and Kitty turned to see her sister looking at him with curiosity.

Kitty smiled and made the introductions. “LJ, this is Minho. Minho, this is my sister, LJ. And, of course, you’ve already met Peter.”

Peter stepped forward, shaking Minho’s hand. “Nice to see you again, man. Thanks for coming with Kitty to pick us up.”

“Of course,” Minho said, smiling back. “Good seeing you again, mate. And lovely to finally meet you, Lara-Jean.”

LJ smiled, giving Minho a nod. “Call me LJ. Kitty’s shared a lot about you.”

Kitty felt a warmth spread in her chest as she watched the easy exchange between Minho and her family. It felt natural, comfortable. Like this was exactly where he belonged—beside her and her loved ones.

After a few more pleasantries, they headed to the Han Hotel, with Kitty and Minho chatting with her family along the way. The ride was filled with light-hearted conversation and laughter. It was nice to see her family settling in so easily, and Minho’s presence made it feel like everything was falling into place.

When they finally dropped them off at the hotel lobby, Kitty gave her sister a quick hug. “See you later,” she said, grinning. “Good luck with the jetlag, call me when you’re up?”

LJ gave her a thumbs up, waving as they headed into the hotel. “I can’t wait to stretch out on a real bed. Message me when you guys are back at K.I.S.S. See you later.”

Not long after the car pulled away, Kitty’s phone buzzed in her hand. It was a message from LJ.

LJ: There’s been a mix-up with our room, but we got upgraded to an incredible suite! LOOK AT THIS!

Kitty grinned as she opened the message, showing Minho the video of LJ and Peter standing excitedly in front of their luxurious hotel suite. It was exactly what her sister deserved. She could practically feel the excitement radiating from the photo.

After tapping out a quick reply, she turned to Minho, her eyes wide. “LJ says there was a mixup and they got upgraded to a suite,” she said, showing him the video. “Look at this place—it’s amazing!”

Minho leaned over to get a better look, smiling as he glanced at Kitty, enjoying how happy she looked for her sister and Peter. “They’ll enjoy that suite, it’s got a great view of the city at night,” he said.

Kitty’s eyes flicked to him, brows knitting at his words, wondering how he knew which suite they were in. A thought crossed her mind, and it hit her like a soft wave.

“Did... you arranged this for them?” she asked, her voice quieter now.

Minho looked at her, his face a little more guarded, a blush creeping up his neck. He looked away briefly, his gaze drifting out of the window before he shrugged. “I just— I know how excited you were to see them and I wanted them to have a good experience.”

Kitty’s heart fluttered at his words, and for a moment, she was just a little stunned. “You didn’t have to do that, Minho,” she said, her voice soft with appreciation.

Minho’s lips tugged into a small, nonchalant smile. “It’s nothing. It’s just a room upgrade. I’m happy to help.”

Kitty reached out without thinking, her hand coming out to rest on his which was lying in the seat between them. She gave him a soft, sincere smile. “Thank you. That means a lot to me—and to them.”

Minho froze for a brief second before he relaxed, his hand shifting slightly under hers as he turned his hand so they were palm to palm. He didn’t pull away, and neither did she. Instead, their hands naturally intertwined, the simplest contact feeling unexpectedly powerful.

“Of course,” Minho said, his voice lower now. “It’s no trouble at all.”

Kitty’s breath caught slightly as she realized how comfortable the touch felt—how easily it came to them, even now, even with everything between them. She let the moment linger, feeling the warmth of his hand, the unspoken connection between them.

Minho cleared his throat, breaking the moment, though his voice was softer than usual. “Alright, alright. No need to get too sappy.”

Kitty laughed softly, feeling the tension finally ease. “Thank you,” she repeated, her heart still full.

Minho nodded, looking ahead as they continued the drive back to KISS. The rest of the ride passed quickly, with light banter filling the space between them. It felt easy, natural—almost like they were slipping back into when they were a big, heady, maybe . Something they hadn’t fully admitted yet but both quietly wanted.

Kitty couldn’t shake the warmth spreading through her chest as she looked at him, trying to convince herself that this is what just friends did. But with every word and every shared moment, it was becoming harder and harder to pretend that she wasn’t desperate for more.

Part 2

The next few days passed in a blur of sightseeing, family bonding, and moments of quiet introspection. Minho had become a natural part of the family dynamic, slipping effortlessly into their routines, just as comfortable as if he had been there for years. Kitty had watched, a little stunned, as Minho’s easygoing manner blended perfectly with her sister’s and Peter’s excitement. It made her feel… happy. And just a little bit conflicted.

On the third day of LJ and Peter’s visit, Minho had offered to take them around the city for a more “authentic” experience. The kind of places only locals knew. Kitty had jumped at the opportunity, excited to see her family experience Seoul in a way they hadn’t before. She’d insisted on coming along, of course—though she couldn’t quite tell if Minho was more excited about spending the day with her family or if he was secretly hoping it would help him figure out where he stood with her.

As they piled into Minho’s car, the driver taking them to their first destination, the mood was light and carefree. Minho, ever the gracious host, started the day with a smile that had become so familiar to Kitty, yet still made her heart skip a beat. He was, without a doubt, the best tour guide any of them could ask for.

“Alright, first stop,” Minho said, glancing back at the three of them as they settled into the backseat. “The Gwangjang Market.”

Peter’s face lit up. “Gwangjang Market? I’ve heard about that. Is it as good as they say?”

“You’ll see,” Minho replied, a knowing glint in his eye. “Best place for street food in the city.”

Kitty was already excited. She hadn’t been to Gwangjang since she met up with Jiwon and imohalmeoni there, except she had her priorities straight that day and didn’t take the time to wander around. From the look Minho was giving her, he knew that she would appreciate a chance to explore it along with LJ and Peter.

When they arrived, the market was alive with colors and sounds, packed with locals and tourists alike, the scent of freshly fried foods mixing with the spicy aroma of kimchi and fish cakes. Peter’s eyes widened as they entered, and he immediately pulled out his phone to snap pictures.

“This is insane,” Peter said, grinning as he walked toward a stall that sold bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes). “This is exactly the kind of stuff I wanted to try.”

Minho had already led Kitty and LJ to a nearby stall serving tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), where a smiling old lady handed them their order. The heat from the spicy sauce hit Kitty immediately, and she couldn’t help but smile at the familiar comfort it brought her.

“Here you go, Covey,” Minho said, offering her a piece from his fork. “Try this. It’s the best in the market.”

Blushing, Kitty leaned forward to the food, the warmth of it spreading through her as she bit into the chewy rice cakes. “It’s perfect,” she said, her voice soft but full of appreciation. She looked up at Minho, who was watching her with a soft smile.

When Minho wandered off to another stall, LJ, who had been eyeing a nearby vendor selling handmade scarves, leaned over to Kitty. “Okay, I get it now. I can see why you like him.”

Kitty froze slightly, trying to keep her expression neutral. “What do you mean?”

LJ raised an eyebrow. “He’s thoughtful, and he’s got this easy confidence about him. But also, he’s... genuine.”

Kitty felt a little breathless at her sister’s directness. “Yeah, he’s all of those things,” she said, trying to sound casual, but inside, her heart was racing.

Noticing her breathlessness, LJ tilted her head to observe Kitty. “Kitty, he also looks at you like you hung the moon — no pun intended. And I can’t help but notice you giving him the same kind of look.”

Kitty was thrown, unsure how to respond, if there was anything she could say to explain how complicated things were.

Peter appeared behind them, his face stuffed with tteokbokki as he made his way to join the group. “What’s going on with you two?” he asked, looking between Kitty and LJ.

Kitty tried her best to laugh it off. “Nothing. Just a bit of sister talk.”

But even as she said it, she couldn’t ignore the small flutter in her chest when Minho turned his attention back to her, his warm smile never quite leaving his face.

After the market, Minho took them to Ikseon-dong, a trendy, vibrant neighborhood that had recently become popular with younger crowds. With its narrow alleyways, traditional hanok houses, and modern cafes, it was a place where old and new Seoul collided. Kitty loved the area for its eclectic mix of history and modernity, and she could tell her sister and Peter were just as intrigued.

As they walked through the streets, Minho showed them some of his favorite hidden spots—restaurants, cafes, and quirky little boutiques tucked away from the main thoroughfares. At one point, they stopped at a small tea shop, where the warm steam from freshly brewed traditional tea filled the room.

Minho, who was always so self-assured, seemed to relax even more in these familiar spaces. He let Peter and LJ take their time exploring the tea varieties, willingly offering his thoughts on each one whenever they asked. There was something comforting about how natural he made everything feel—like he wasn’t just showing them the city, he was sharing a piece of himself.

Later that afternoon, sitting across from each other at Minho’s favourite coffee shop, the four of them fell into a comfortable rhythm, exchanging stories and laughing at inside jokes. Kitty was acutely aware of Minho’s presence next to her, of how his arm was slug across the back of her chair, his knee resting against hers. It was as if time slowed when they were together, and she couldn’t help but feel peace in that.

After they finished their drinks, Minho stood, stretching his arms above his head. “Alright, what’s next on the agenda?”

Kitty glanced at her phone. “We’ve got a dinner reservation at that restaurant you suggested. But if you have something in mind, we could always do that first.”

Minho, waving his hand dismissively, interrupted her. “Don’t worry about it, we can do what you want first. I can sort out dinner plans somewhere else later.”

Both Peter and LJ didn’t miss the soft look Kitty gave Minho at that, or the fact that his hand had come to rest on the small of her back.

LJ, who had been scrolling on her phone, suddenly perked up. “Ooh, can we go to that bookstore near the park?” she asked, looking excited. “I’ve heard good things about it.”

Minho raised an eyebrow. “You sure you don’t want to keep wandering around the city? The bookstore will still be there later.”

But LJ was insistent. “Trust me, I’ve been reading about it for months.”

Minho chuckled, clearly amused by her enthusiasm. “Alright, alright. Covey did say you were a book lover. Let’s go.”

As they walked toward the park, Kitty found herself slipping into a comfortable silence with Minho. It wasn’t awkward, just natural, and she couldn’t help but feel thankful for how easy it had been around him this week—even when things were complicated.

By the time they arrived at the bookstore, the sun was beginning to dip behind the buildings, casting a soft orange glow over the city. Kitty felt a sense of contentment settle over her, knowing that the day had been one of the most relaxed and fun she’d had in a long time.

And maybe, just maybe, she was beginning to feel like she could be okay with whatever the future held for her and Minho.

Part 3

After dinner, the group made their way down the street, the warm glow of the streetlights casting long shadows over the cobblestone paths. The city was alive, buzzing with activity, but there was a calmness to the night that made everything feel a little more intimate. They weren’t in a rush; after all, the night was still young.

Minho, Kitty, LJ, and Peter strolled leisurely, the conversation easy and light. They were enjoying each other’s company, chatting about everything from the food they’d just eaten to the upcoming Chuseok plans. But Minho couldn’t help but notice that while the conversation flowed easily, the familiar tension between him and Kitty still hung in the air. He caught himself stealing glances at her, trying to read her expression, but every time she looked back at him, she quickly averted her gaze.

It was almost as if they were both playing a game, pretending that nothing was happening, but both knowing that it was.

They paused at a boba stand, where the line was short, and ordered a few drinks. The sweet, creamy scent of the milk tea mingled with the cool night air as they stood in silence for a moment, sipping their drinks. It was a small, quiet moment, but it felt charged.

LJ and Kitty were stolling up ahead, arms hooked, chatting about everything and nothing, while Minho and Peter lagged behind them. The silence between them wasn’t as awkward as Minho expected, though the weight of the conversation he knew was coming was still there, lingering just beneath the surface.

Peter finally broke the silence with a casual glance over at Minho. “So, tell me something,” he started, his voice light but with an underlying curiosity. “When are you going to admit that you’re in love with Little LJ?”

Minho nearly choked on his drink. He wasn’t expecting that kind of question. “What do you mean?” he asked, trying to sound casual, though the question made his stomach tighten.

Peter raised an eyebrow. “Come on, man. It’s pretty obvious. Why else would you spend your school holidays playing tour guide right now for either me or LJ?”

Minho’s heart skipped a beat, and he tried to avoid Peter’s gaze, looking instead at the sidewalk. “She’s my best friend, mate. That’s it. I swear.”

Peter didn’t seem convinced. He stopped walking for a moment, turning to face Minho. “Really? Because the way I see it, there’s more to it than that. I’ve watched you two for a while now, and I’m pretty sure there’s something there. And it’s not just you—Kitty’s been acting the same way. So, what’s holding you guys back?”

Minho felt a knot form in his chest. He wasn’t sure how to explain it without sounding like he was making excuses. The truth was, he wasn’t ready to admit to anyone—least of all Peter—how deep his feelings for Kitty ran, and how paralysing the fear of losing her again was. The thought of risking it made him hesitate.

“It’s not like that,” Minho muttered, hoping Peter would drop it.

But Peter was persistent. “Come on, Minho. The first time I met you at that stationery shop? I told Kitty that I was pretty sure you had feelings for her. She disagreed with me then, but I wasn’t convinced. After seeing you two together these past few days though? It’s clear that you do.”

Minho swallowed hard, feeling his throat tighten. “If she felt the same, wouldn’t she have said something on tour? We had months together and she… we came back just as friends. I don’t want to risk our friendship over something that might not be there.”

“You’re not just friends, Minho,” Peter continued, his voice a little quieter now. “You’ve been friends for so long, but there’s more between you two. And if you don’t say something, if you don’t do something about it... you might end up losing your chance. She deserves someone who’s brave enough to find out for sure.”

Minho’s chest tightened at Peter’s words. He had already lost her once before, and the thought of risking everything again terrified him. “And if she doesn’t want the same thing?” he asked quietly.

Peter shrugged lightly, clapping Minho on the back. “Then you’ll know. You can’t keep living in this limbo, man. You don’t know until you try.”

Minho nodded slowly, feeling a sense of resolve starting to form in his chest. Maybe Peter was right. Maybe it was time to stop pretending everything was fine when it wasn’t. The truth was, he did care for Kitty—more than he had ever been willing to admit, even to himself. It was time to stop hiding from that.

Peter clapped him on the back with a gentle smile. “Look, man. I know it’s scary. But Kitty…she’s like a sister to me. She’s been through a lot, but if you’re the one she’s been waiting for, you’ve got to show her. She’s the reason I’m with the love of my life now. If I can return that favor by nudging you two in the right direction, I will. She deserves someone who isn’t afraid of what could be.”

As the two of them continued walking toward the hotel, Minho couldn’t shake the conversation with Peter from his mind. It was like a wake-up call, a nudge that pushed him closer to something he had been avoiding for too long. He didn’t have all the answers, but he knew that he couldn’t keep running from what was right in front of him.

And maybe, just maybe, it was time to take a chance.

Chapter Text

Part 1

Kitty was already dressed when she heard the familiar buzz of her phone. She checked it and smiled, already knowing who it would be.

Minho: I’m downstairs. Take your time. You still have a few minutes before I pretend to leave without you.

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the grin that spread across her face. No emoji. Classic Minho. She grabbed her jacket and her bag, trying to ignore the flutter in her stomach. It had been an incredible week—showing LJ and Peter around Seoul, laughing over street food, late-night conversations, impromptu karaoke. And Minho had been there for it all. By her side through every museum, every market, every moment.

And that was what made today so hard.

Chuseok break was almost over, and LJ and Peter were heading back to Portland. Her family would return home, and she would return to school. And whatever unspoken thing that had grown between her and Minho this week—whatever easy rhythm they had found—might just end with it.

She took one last look in the mirror before heading out.

When she walked out of the dorms, Minho was leaning against the side of the car, his arms folded as he waited for her. His sunglasses were perched low on his nose, but when he saw her, he pulled them off and gave her a smile that made her knees wobble slightly.

“You’re lucky I like you, Covey,” he said casually as she reached him.

“You were literally the one who offered to pick me up,” she shot back with a smirk.

“Still,” he said, opening the door for her, “I could have revoked the offer when you took ten minutes longer than necessary.”

She slid in, tossing her bag onto the seat. “I wasn’t late. You were early.”

Minho rounded the car and got in on his side, still smiling to himself. “If that’s what you need to believe.”

The banter was easy, but beneath it, Kitty felt the nervous energy returning. She glanced at him as the car pulled away from the curb. They didn’t say much on the drive. She was lost in her thoughts, staring out the window as the streets of Seoul passed by, her heart growing heavier the closer they got to the hotel.

When they pulled up to the entrance, Minho was the first to move.

“I’ll go make sure the driver gets their luggage from the concierge,” he said, already stepping out. “Give you a second.”

Kitty blinked. “Wait—Minho, you don’t have to—”

He waved her off. “It’s fine. I’ll be right back.”

Kitty watched him go, a lump forming in her throat. It wasn’t just that he was giving her space—he was doing it in the most thoughtful way possible.

She stepped into the hotel lobby and immediately spotted LJ and Peter, their luggage already packed and stacked beside them. LJ rushed over, pulling Kitty into a tight hug before she could say a word.

She found LJ and Peter already in the lobby, sitting on one of the plush couches near the window. LJ stood the second she spotted Kitty and pulled her into a hug so tight Kitty could barely breathe.

“You’re going to walk me to the gate too, right?” LJ asked after a beat, muffled into her sister’s shoulder.

“If I could sneak into your suitcase and come home with you, I would,” Kitty said, squeezing her tighter. “But yes. Of course.”

Peter watched them with a warm smile, arms crossed as he leaned against the back of the couch. When Kitty finally let go of LJ, he stepped in and pulled her into his own hug, resting his chin lightly on top of her head.

“You’ve got something really good here, kid,” he murmured. “Hold onto it.”

Kitty pulled back slightly, looking up at him with confusion. “You mean Seoul?”

Peter smiled, but didn’t clarify. Instead, he gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder as he reached for his carry-on, slinging it over his shoulder. “We should head down to the car.”

“Min Ho’s getting it ready,” Kitty said softly. “He’s...really been amazing this week.”

LJ tilted her head. “Yeah, he has.”

They stepped outside together, and sure enough, Min Ho had everything arranged. The trunk was open, the bags being loaded, the driver already waiting. Kitty lingered behind as LJ and Peter stepped toward the car. LJ turned and gave her one last, searching look.

“Hey,” she said, gently tugging Kitty by the arm. “You okay?”

Kitty hesitated. “Yeah. Just... it’s hard to say goodbye, you know?”

LJ nodded. “I know. But you’ve got this. I’m proud of you, Kitty. For everything. You’re really building something amazing here.”

Kitty’s eyes welled up, and she quickly blinked the tears away. “Thanks. That means a lot.”

LJ pulled her into another hug and whispered, “And don’t let him go, okay?”

Kitty froze while LJ pulled back, smiling knowingly. “He adores you. Anyone can see that.”

Before Kitty could say anything, Peter came over and wrapped an arm around both their shoulders, guiding them to the car.

The mood inside the car was quieter than it had been all week. There had been so much laughter—museum selfies, karaoke disasters, endless boba stops. Kitty had nearly forgotten that this was temporary. That this moment, like all good things, had an expiration date.

When they pulled into the departures lane, Kitty and LJ were the first to step out. LJ hesitated, then turned and wrapped her arms around her sister once more, burying her face in Kitty’s shoulder.

“I hate goodbyes,” LJ whispered.

“I know,” Kitty replied, her voice cracking as she tried to hold herself together.

Behind them, Minho and Peter exchanged their own farewell. Peter shook Min Ho’s hand firmly. “Thanks for everything this week,” he said. “We really appreciated it.”

“Of course,” Min Ho said, his smile soft. “Kitty had a great week with you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

Then LJ stepped up beside him, reaching out to give him a hug, which seemed to catch him off guard—but he returned it quickly, gently. “Thank you,” she said. “For making Kitty so happy. I can tell she’s safe here. And... I can tell you’d do anything to make sure she stays that way. Other that Peter, She’s my favorite person. You’re lucky to know her the way you do.”

Min Ho blinked, clearly taken aback. “I know,” Minho said, the words slipping out before he could stop them.

LJ smiled. “Then take the leap, Minho. You might be surprised what happens.”

She didn’t wait for a response, just reached forward and gave his arm a quick squeeze before rejoining Peter. The two of them walked toward the terminal entrance, luggage rolling behind them.

Kitty and Minho stood there for a few moments, watching as LJ and Peter disappeared into the crowd.

“I can’t believe they’re gone,” Kitty said quietly, her voice thick with unshed tears.

Minho turned immediately, reading the emotion in her voice. Without hesitation, he reached for her and pulled her into his arms. She didn’t resist. She let herself fall into the warmth of his embrace, her forehead pressed against his shoulder, his hands firm and steady at her back.

“They love you so much,” he whispered against her hair. “I get it now. You come from that. You’re brave and chaotic and stubborn—but you’re loved. Fiercely. And it shows.”

Kitty blinked quickly, fighting the wave of emotion threatening to rise again. She pulled back slightly, and Minho’s hands found her face, cradling her gently. One thumb brushing away the tears rolling down her cheek as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. His eyes were soft, unreadable.

“You okay?” she asked, voice barely audible.

He gave a half-smile. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

Kitty shrugged. “Maybe. But I asked first.”

Minho hesitated, then nodded with a wry smile. “I haven’t been. But... I think I will be.”

Kitty searched his face, puzzled by his words, but nodded anyway. “Okay.”

Neither of them moved. His hand stayed at her cheek, the other still lightly resting on her waist. Kitty’s fingers were tangled in the lapels of his coat without her even realizing. They stood like that for a moment, neither speaking, breathing the same breath.

And then, like a spell broken, Minho cleared his throat and gently stepped back.

“We should head back,” he said, his voice a little rough. “Q’ll be mad at us if we’re late for his end-of-Chuseok game day thing?”

Kitty exhaled shakily, nodding. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

He reached for her hand automatically as they walked to the car, their fingers intertwining like it was the most natural thing in the world.

And maybe, just maybe, it was time to accept that it was.

Part 2

The warmth of the late afternoon faded into the comfort of a familiar breezy evening as Kitty and Minho arrived at the boys' dorm, the last hues of gold sinking into the skyline behind them. The campus buzzed with life, windows lit and voices already echoing faintly from the upper floors. Inside, the scent of takeout and popcorn greeted them like an old friend, and the hum of chatter gave the dorm a kind of cozy vibrance Kitty hadn’t realized she’d missed.

“Home sweet home,” he said dryly, nudging the door open for her.

Q had done a surprisingly great job turning their shared space into a makeshift party venue. Throw pillows were scattered everywhere, a “Happy Chuseok!” banner hung crookedly over the kitchenette, and snacks lined the counter.

The room was warm with low lighting, laughter already bubbling up from the little crowd gathered in the living area. Q stood near the snack table, wearing an apron for no reason other than dramatic flair, waving a bag of shrimp chips like he was unveiling a masterpiece.

As soon as they walked into the boys’ shared dorm, Q beamed from the corner of the room. “You made it! Just in time for the chaos.”

Kitty smiled and waved as she toed off her shoes and slipped further into the room. Dae looked up from where he was refilling drinks and offered a soft nod and a smile. Minho dropped his hand lightly to Kitty’s back, his touch gentle and familiar, before stepping past her to help Q rearrange the snacks on the counter.

The rest of the group was already there. Madison was curled up on one end of the couch, chatting animatedly with Praveena, while Eunice and Mihee were perched on the floor nearby, laughing at something Juliana had just said. Yuri sat on a nearby ottoman with Jin, her legs draped casually over his lap. Everyone looked like they belonged. Like they fit.

Kitty exhaled slowly, letting herself ease into the warmth of it.

“Alright, alright,” Q called, clapping his hands once. “Since everyone’s here and no one has passed out from sugar coma yet, let’s do the thing.”

Madison raised her brow. “The thing?”

“The Chuseok high-low game,” Q said with a dramatic flourish, as if he were unveiling something sacred and ceremonial. “I know we usually do this over food and family, but tonight, our chosen family is all we need.”

Minho shot him a look. “You’re so corny sometimes.”

“Don’t front like you don’t love it,” Q shot back, grinning.

He plopped down beside Jin, looping an arm around his shoulders. “I’ll go first since I’m already the emotional glue holding this whole operation together.”

Minho rolled his eyes and nudged Kitty as they sat down on the floor across from Eunice and Mihee. She leaned toward him slightly, their knees brushing. Minho handed her a can of yuzu soda before cracking one open for himself.

“Alright,” Q said, clapping once. “Jin, hit us.”

Jin adjusted his glasses, thoughtful. “High was going to my grandmother’s hanok for Chuseok. My cousins were all there. Lots of food, lots of noise. It was perfect.”

“And your low?” Q prompted.

Jin hesitated, casting a glance at Q. “My cousin brought his new girlfriend, and now my grandma won’t stop asking me if I’m next.”

The room erupted into knowing laughter.

“I feel that in my soul,” Praveena muttered.

“Q, you’re up,” Kitty said with a grin.

Q cleared his throat. “High of Chuseok: going back home to see my family. My mom kept me fed without me having to beg, and we all know holiday eats do not count. My low,” he glanced sideways at Jin with a small pout, “was that someone here couldn’t come with me.”

Jin nudged him gently, squeezing his hand. “Next time.”

“Mihee?” Q passed the torch with an exaggerated bow.

Mihee smiled. “High was reuniting with this one,” she said, nudging Eunice gently. “Low was getting a cold the night I came back. She made me tteokguk, though, so it wasn’t all bad.”

“Aww,” Kitty said, looking between the two of them. Eunice ducked her head, clearly shy but smiling.

“Eunice, your turn,” Praveena nudged.

Eunice gave a small smile. “My high was coming back and reuniting with Mihee. My low...” She glanced toward Dae briefly. “Not getting to spend Chuseok with the person I wanted to. But maybe next year.”

Dae looked down at his drink, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Madison jumped in before the silence could stretch. “Okay, okay, me next! My high was this boy I met while we were away. Tall, kind of shy, but like... in a hot way?”

Kitty snorted.

“He let me win at this arcade game and pretended I didn’t cheat at darts, so naturally, I told him I was in love with him and then ran away before he could respond. Classic me.”

Everyone laughed again.

“And my low,” Madison added with a sigh, “was that he lives in Busan.”

“Long-distance is character-building,” Q said, offering her a chip.

Praveena’s turn came next. “High was trying all my dad’s weird recipes again. He made a kimchi lasagna that somehow worked. Low was... realising I only have one more semester at KISS before uni decisions need to happen.”

Juliana squeezed her shoulder lightly. “You’re going to get into wherever you want. Just don’t make me write your admissions essay.”

“Yuri?” Q said, reaching for a rice cracker.

Yuri straightened up, crossing her legs. “My high was actually spending Chuseok with my mom. It wasn’t perfect, but... we’re trying.” Her voice softened on that last word, and Kitty felt something warm twist in her chest. “And my low was running into a girl I ghosted during my short-lived skateboard phase.”

Juliana snorted. “Tragic.”

Minho chuckled, then felt the room tilt ever so slightly as Q turned to him.

“Kitty. You’re up.”

Kitty cleared her throat. “High was having LJ and Peter here. It meant the world to me to show them Seoul and my life here. They’ve always looked out for me, and it was nice to be the one doing the planning for once. To share this place with them.”

Minho’s gaze slid to her, soft and unreadable.

“My low,” she added, quieter now, “was saying goodbye. I already miss them.”

“Minho. Take us home.”

The room quieted slightly.

He leaned back against the couch, gaze drifting toward Kitty for the briefest second before looking away again. “High was probably spending time with Kitty and her family. It was good to see where she gets her spark from.”

Kitty blinked at that, not expecting the answer. Her stomach fluttered.

Minho looked down at the can in his hands, rotating it. “Low... Realising they’ve all met me. But my mom still hasn’t met her.”

Kitty’s breath caught, and she wasn’t the only one who noticed. The room seemed to pause, just long enough for the implication to hang in the air, unsaid but understood. Before she could even process what he meant by that, Q clapped his hand and jumped up from his spot.

“Okay, that’s everyone!” Q announced, clapping his hands together. “Now that we’ve all trauma-dumped—drinks? Games?”

As people started moving around, breaking into smaller groups, Kitty stood slowly, slipping out onto the small balcony connected to the dorm, in need of fresh air and a little space .

It didn’t take long for Minho to follow her.

He didn’t say anything at first. Just stood beside her, shoulder brushing against hers, both of them leaning against the railing. The night air was cool, crisp against her skin, and the sky stretched wide above them, full of stars.

“You okay?” Minho asked eventually, his voice quiet.

Kitty nodded, but then shrugged. “I don’t know. Everything’s changing again. It always feels like the second I figure out where I stand... the ground moves.”

Minho’s fingers twitched against the railing, but he didn’t pull away. “That’s life though, isn’t it? Just... constant earthquakes.”

Kitty gave a soft laugh, turning her face toward him. “Deep.”

He tilted his head to look at her. “I have my moments.”

They stood there for a while, not speaking. Just letting the quiet settle around them like a blanket. The tension from earlier seemed to dissolve in the cool air, and for a moment, it felt like they were back on tour again—late-night talks, city lights, unspoken feelings neither dared name.

“I meant what I said,” Minho said after a beat. “About your family.”

Kitty smiled faintly, heart squeezing at the memory of LJ’s words to him. “They liked you, you know.”

He looked at her then, and the way his eyes met hers made her feel like the ground beneath her had shifted. “I hope so,” he said softly. “Because I really liked getting to know them.”

Kitty looked away before she could say something she wasn’t ready to admit. “Thanks again... for everything this week.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” he said, nudging her shoulder with his. “I was happy to help.”

She glanced up then, eyes searching his. “So... you meant what you said this morning? About not having been okay?”

He nodded, slow and careful. “I meant it.”

Kitty looked back down at her hands, fidgeting with her fingers. “But you think you will be?”

There was a long pause, and when she looked up again, his expression had shifted—gentle, but with a flicker of something deeper.

“I hope so,” he said. “Being around you… helps.”

Her breath caught slightly. Before she could find something to say, Q yelled from the living room, “If you’re done being emotionally intimate on my balcony, I need a partner for trivia and it better be one of you!”

Minho rolled his eyes and reached for Kitty’s hand, lacing their fingers together without thinking.

“Let’s go kick their asses,” he said with a grin.

And with that, she followed—hand in hand, heart still unsure, but not quite as heavy anymore.

Part 3

Minho followed Kitty back inside, the lingering chill of the night air still clinging to his skin, but the warmth of her hand in his had left something far deeper. They didn’t say much—didn’t need to. The quiet moment outside had said enough for now. Her hand had let go of his gently once they’d stepped back into the party, slipping away just as the noise of their friends swallowed them again.

Dae glanced up from where he was sitting cross-legged on the floor, reshuffling a deck of cards, half-heartedly trying to organize a game no one seemed all that interested in playing. His brows lifted slightly, a silent question. Minho nodded once in return, letting Kitty veer off toward the snack table where Mihee and Madison were now arguing over the correct chip-to-dip ratio.

Without a word, Minho flopped down beside Dae on the floor, letting out a sigh that came from somewhere deep in his chest. Dae didn’t say anything at first, just passed him the bag of crackers, waiting for Minho to speak if he wanted to.

Dae leaned over slightly, voice low enough for only Minho to hear. “So... things are good now?” 

Minho shrugged, keeping his voice casual, but his eyes never strayed far from Kitty. “Better. I think we’re finally on the same page again.”

As the noise in the room settled into background hums of laughter and quiet conversations, Minho leaned his head back against the wall and exhaled slowly. Kitty’s laugh rang out again, and he looked over just in time to see her toss a pillow at Madison, who caught it midair with a triumphant grin. Everything in that moment felt... peaceful.

Dae nudged him with his elbow. “Can I ask you something?”

Minho blinked back into focus. “Yeah, what’s up?”

Dae’s tone was more serious now, his usual grin replaced with something quieter. “Are you still in love with her?”

Minho froze for a second, his lips parting like he might deflect with a joke. But then he saw Dae’s face—earnest, calm, like he genuinely wanted to know.

“Wow. Subtle,” Minho said, his voice lighter than he felt. “Should’ve been a therapist.”

“I’ve got layers,” Dae replied dryly. “But seriously. I’ve been wondering.”

Minho glanced down at the cuff on his wrist—Kitty’s gift. The leather was worn now, but it was still his favorite thing to wear. His thumb traced along its edge like muscle memory.

“I almost let it slip away,” he said finally, his voice low. “I convinced myself I’d misread everything. That I was being stupid again, seeing something that wasn’t there.”

Dae said nothing, waiting.

Minho took a deep breath, pushing past the instinct to guard himself. “So I tried to bury it. I thought maybe that was safer. But I was miserable. I’ve been miserable.”

“And now?” Dae asked.

Minho looked up, his eyes flicking instinctively to Kitty across the room. “Now... I’m not making that mistake again.”

Dae nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. “I was wondering how long it would take you to admit it.”

Minho let out a short laugh, a little self-deprecating. “You knew?”

“Come on,” Dae said. “You were basically wearing it on your face all tour. And after the summer? You two came back practically a couple already.”

Minho smirked. “Yeah, well. We were roommates.”

Dae gave him a look. “You shared a bed, dude . That’s a bit more than roommates. And, you know that’s not what I meant.”

Minho nodded, the smile fading into something more thoughtful. “I’m in love with her.”

There it was—said out loud, with no qualifiers. It didn’t feel scary anymore. It felt true. Solid. Inevitable.

Dae didn’t say anything for a moment, then clapped Minho on the back. “I’m glad. For you. And for her.”

Minho raised an eyebrow. “Really? Even after everything?”

Dae looked over at Kitty, his expression soft. “She’s happier around you. I’d have to be blind not to see it. You’ve always been there for her—even when I wasn’t. It took me a while to make peace with that. But I have.”

Minho was quiet, throat tightening with emotion he didn’t quite know what to do with. “Thanks,” he said eventually.

Dae tilted his head. “So, what now? You going to tell her?”

“I’m going to woo her,” Minho said, straight-faced.

Dae nearly choked on his drink. “You’re going to what?”

“Woo. As in court. Romance. Show her what she means to me,” Minho said, leaning back against the wall like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“You really think you need to woo her?” Dae asked. “Pretty sure you already won her over.”

Minho glanced toward Kitty again with a gentle shrug. “Maybe. But she deserves the effort.”

Dae didn’t argue. He just gave a small nod, something like approval in his eyes. “Just don’t do anything dumb.”

Minho grinned. “Define dumb.”

They lapsed into a companionable silence, the buzz of the party continuing around them. The room was warm, both in temperature and atmosphere, and for the first time in weeks, Minho felt like he could breathe again.

But even in that moment of peace, his mind was already spinning—plotting, planning, thinking of all the ways he could show Kitty what she meant to him. Not in grand, sweeping gestures, but in everyday things. In the small moments.

He just needed her to know—really know—that she was loved. Deeply.

A sudden commotion near the snack table broke the moment. Madison had apparently tried to build a leaning tower of tangerines, which Q had accidentally knocked over while dramatically imitating someone’s dramatic gasp from a K-drama. Minho watched Kitty laugh, her head thrown back, cheeks flushed with joy. The sight of her like that—genuinely happy—made something settle inside him. A certainty.

He wasn’t letting her go.

“She makes you lighter,” Dae said, following his gaze.

Minho smiled, the kind that reached his eyes. “Yeah,” he said. “She does.”

They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes more, playing a quiet game of Go Fish while Minho watched Kitty from across the room. She caught his eye and smiled—soft, quiet, like a secret just between them.

Minho’s heart thudded.

Yeah. He was in deep. And this time, he was going to run head first towards it.

Chapter Text

Part 1

Kitty was ten steps from the humanities building when she realized she was walking too fast.

Too fast for a Monday morning. Too fast for someone who hadn’t had coffee yet. Too fast for someone trying very hard not to admit she was hoping—expecting?—Minho might be waiting at the lecture hall door.

She forced herself to slow down. Adjusted her bag on her shoulder. Pretended she wasn’t actively replaying their last few days of Chuseok break like it was a playlist she couldn’t stop looping.

Minho had been… different. Softer, maybe. Closer. The way he cradled her face after LJ left. The way he whispered that it was comforting to see how loved she was. The way he’d looked at her like he wanted to say something else, something more, but didn’t.

But that was vacation mode. Guest-star-in-my-family’s-holiday-life mode. Now they were back at school. Back in reality. Back in the realm of boundaries and confusion and her needing to remember that overheard conversation in the quad when Minho told Dae, clear as day, that they were just friends and that’s all they’d ever be.

Her heart wasn’t built this much heartbreak.

So she was resetting. Friendly, appropriate, full-boundary-reset Kitty.

She reached the building and spotted him instantly—leaning against the banister near the entryway, backpack slung over one shoulder, hair tousled like he'd just rolled out of a magazine spread. He was holding a to-go coffee cup in one hand. The second was tucked casually into his pocket. His head lifted as she approached, and the way his expression lit up was immediate, like he had been waiting just for her.

“You’re early,” she said as she approached, adjusting her bag and trying to sound normal.

Minho didn’t answer right away. Instead, he held out a to-go coffee cup like a ceremonial offering. “For you.”

Kitty blinked. It was from her favorite café just off campus. She could tell by the logo stamped on the sleeve—and the smell. Vanilla latte. Extra foam.

She took it slowly, her eyes narrowing. “Is this... my exact order?”

“I mean, I didn’t personally milk the almonds, but yeah,” he replied with a shrug, as if this was the sort of thing he did every day. “Figured you might need a caffeine assist after last week.”

That made her pause. He said it so casually, like he hadn’t just confirmed that he’d been paying closer attention than she’d ever assumed. She took a cautious sip. Perfect. Of course it was perfect.

“You feeling okay?” she asked, studying him with faux suspicion. “You were clearly up earlier than you needed to be and brought me coffee. If this is some kind of body-snatcher situation, blink twice so I can notify the proper authorities.”

Minho grinned. “If I’d been body-snatched, you’d be the last person I’d want figuring it out.”

“That’s not at all reassuring.”

They walked into the lecture hall together, settling into their usual seats midway up the tiered rows. The room filled around them with the usual rustle of bags, shuffling notebooks, and sleepy grumbles. Professor Bae hadn’t arrived yet, but the projector was already humming.

Kitty tucked her coffee into the drink slot attached to the desk, trying very hard not to read into any of this. He’d brought her coffee. Big deal. He was always doing little things for their friends, for her. Friends did that sometimes. Maybe he was just... being nice.

Next to her, Minho leaned back in his chair, legs stretched out and ankles crossed with the kind of unbothered ease that made her want to poke him with a pen just to disrupt his balance. She hated how easily he pulled off casual and composed. Especially when she felt anything but.

Class began. Professor Bae launched into a deep dive on the evolution of K-pop choreography as a mirror to shifting gender norms. Minho didn’t pass notes or whisper jokes, but every so often, Kitty felt his attention flick toward her—like he was checking to make sure she hadn’t fallen asleep or drifted off into a full-blown identity crisis. And once, when she furiously underlined a phrase in her notes and mumbled “ugh” under her breath, he reached over and nudged the edge of her notebook with his pen, writing “deep sigh” in perfect cursive just above her messy handwriting.

She snorted. Quietly. But not quietly enough.

Professor Bae paused, scanned the room, and continued with only a mildly judgmental glance.

After class, they fell into step again on the way out. Kitty tugged her coat tighter as the cool breeze picked up outside.

“You’ve got Lit now, right?” he asked.

“Unfortunately. I’m already behind on the reading, so I’m preparing to fake a meaningful interpretation of a text I barely skimmed.”

“You’ll be fine.”

Kitty didn’t know how to respond so she just shrugged her shoulders a bit with a smile.

Minho smiled, but didn’t answer. He just bumped his shoulder lightly into hers as they reached the intersection where their paths split. “See you in script class.”

Kitty watched him walk away, her heart doing something fluttery and deeply unhelpful. She shook her head like she could physically dislodge the feeling and turned toward her next class.

Hangul class was the one place where Kitty’s confidence routinely disintegrated into dust.

It wasn’t the professor—Ms. Park was kind and patient, always willing to explain things twice. Or three times. Or twelve. And it wasn’t even the pace, technically. It was the simple fact that Kitty’s Korean reading and writing still lagged miles behind everyone else. Even the non-native speakers seemed to pick it up faster. She struggled. A lot. And no matter how much she told herself to be okay with that, it still made her stomach twist every time she sat down in that classroom.

Today, that twist came with a side of confusion, because as she settled into her usual spot at the back of the room, Minho sat down beside her and dropped a small paper bag on her desk.

She stared at it. Then at him.

He stared ahead like nothing was unusual.

“Minho.”

“Yes, Covey.”

“What is this?”

He glanced at her. “Snack break.”

She opened the bag cautiously. Inside were honey butter chips and a Choco Pie—her favorite salty-sweet combo. The vending machines rarely had both. She was certain of that, because she’d checked more times than she’d ever admit.

Her eyes widened. “Did you rob a convenience store?”

“I’ll never reveal my sources.”

Kitty stared at him. He still wasn’t looking at her, which somehow made the knot in her stomach tighten. “What is happening right now?”

He turned to her then, and there was a flicker in his eyes—not teasing exactly, but something quieter, gentler.

“I just thought you might be hungry,” he said, voice softer than before. “And I know you get stressed about this class.”

Kitty’s breath caught for half a second. Oh .

She blinked and looked down at the snack bag again, suddenly unsure what to do with all the weird warmth building in her chest. This was nothing. Just... him being a good friend. A really, really attentive, emotionally intuitive friend with perfect snack timing.

No big deal.

She opened the bag and pulled out a chip.

“Okay,” she said slowly. “But if this turns out to be a plot to distract me so you can steal my lunch spot in the cafeteria later, I will take you down.”

“Duly noted.”

They worked through the class in near silence, save for the occasional whispered comment or pencil tap when one of them got stuck on a particularly confusing vowel. Kitty focused hard, trying to keep her notes neat even as her brain buzzed with questions. Their knees brushed under the desk once, twice, and neither of them shifted. Minho didn’t seem to notice, or if he did, he didn’t comment. Maybe it didn’t mean anything. Maybe she was the only one cataloguing every second like it was a clue.

When class ended, she sat still for a moment longer than she needed to, pretending to rearrange her notes while Minho tucked the empty snack wrapper into his bag and stood. He gave her a small smile, easy and unreadable.

“See you later,” he said, voice light.

Kitty nodded, fingers tightening around her pen. “Yeah. Later.”

She didn’t watch him leave. Not exactly. But she was very aware of the sound of his footsteps fading down the hallway. Very aware of the space he left behind.

By the time she stood up, the classroom was almost empty.

She slung her bag over her shoulder and walked out slowly, heart beating in a rhythm she couldn’t quite translate. None of it made sense. Not the coffee. Not the snacks. Not the soft way he looked at her, like he wanted her to feel okay again.

Minho had said they were just friends, and that’s it. She hadn’t imagined that. She hadn’t misheard it. And yet…

This didn’t feel like just friendship.

Or maybe she was reading too much into everything because she wanted it to mean more. Because it had been easier on tour, easier when it was the two of them against the noise of the world.

Now they were back to routine. Back to school. Back to pretending like they didn’t spend weeks falling asleep holding each other.

Kitty exhaled sharply as she stepped outside and let the cool breeze hit her face, trying to clear the haze in her head.

Something changed for Minho over Chuseok, but she wasn’t sure what. She didn’t know what any of this meant. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

Part 2

The sun was lower by the time Kitty stepped out of her final class of the day, the late afternoon light casting a hazy gold across the quad. The air had cooled, crisp and autumnal, and her shoulders ached from a combination of poor posture, emotional whiplash, and sheer academic fatigue.

She’d barely taken two steps before she heard it.

“Hey, Covey.”

Minho.

He was leaning against a nearby railing like he’d been there for a while, one hand in his coat pocket, the other clutching his phone, which he slipped away as soon as he saw her. His hair had flopped slightly over his forehead, and his expression was open—gentle in a way that made her pulse skip.

“Oh,” she said, startled, blinking like she wasn’t sure if he was real. “Hey.”

“Thought I’d walk you back.”

Kitty paused. “You didn’t have to wait.”

“I know.”

There was something in the way he said it that made her chest tighten. Not performative. Not smug. Just simple. Like it hadn’t even occurred to him not to wait.

She adjusted the strap of her bag. “You’re full of surprises today.”

Minho tilted his head, falling into step beside her. “Good ones, I hope.”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

That made him laugh under his breath, the sound low and familiar, sending butterflies erupting in her stomach. They started walking along the main path that wound between buildings and dorms. The campus was still teaming with students, and Kitty tried not to feel hyper-aware of the glances they got as they passed—more specifically, the glances Minho got.

She noticed it in slow, building layers: the second looks, the quiet whispers, the not-so-subtle hair tosses from a pair of girls standing outside the library. One even waved. Minho didn’t wave back. Didn’t even seem to see her.

His eyes were on Kitty.

“How was the rest of your day?” he asked, completely oblivious to the way a trio of girls nearly walked into a bench trying to sneak a photo of him.

Kitty blinked. “It was… long.”

“You look tired,” he said, not unkindly. “Not like, bad tired. Just... first-day-back tired.”

“I don’t even know what half of my classes covered today,” she muttered, rubbing her temple. “I think I blacked out during the second half of Lit. Pretty sure I agreed to lead a discussion next week. About a book I haven’t read.”

Minho chuckled. “Classic Covey.”

His voice was light, teasing, but his eyes stayed on her like she was the only thing in his world. Kitty didn’t know how to handle that kind of attention. Not from him. Not now, after everything. It made something curl in her gut—a strange mix of warmth and panic.

The echo of his words from weeks ago kept rising to the surface, sharp and cold against the soft texture of the moment: “Covey and I are just friends. That’s all we’ll ever be.”

She looked away, focusing on the crunch of leaves beneath their shoes.

“I should head back,” she said after a beat. “It’s been a long day, and I’ve got Hangul homework. It’s… a lot.”

Minho nodded once, then glanced at her again, more carefully this time. “Do you want help?”

The offer caught her mid-step. “What?”

“With Hangul,” he said quietly. “I could help you study. If you’d like.”

Kitty hesitated. She wasn’t sure what stunned her more—how casual the offer was, or how not casual it felt in her chest. He sounded so sincere. No teasing. No smug little grin. Just… Minho. Thoughtful. Steady. Trying.

She could’ve said no. She probably should’ve said no. But instead, she said, “Okay. Yeah. That’d be… that’d be great.”

He grinned then, bright and immediate, and something about it made her heart stutter.

They kept walking, and Kitty was aware of how her hand kept fidgeting with the edge of her bag strap, how her mind was trying to process his behavior all day and failing spectacularly. Coffee in the morning. Her favorite snacks. Walking her to class. Offering to help with her hardest subject like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

She didn’t know what to make of any of it.

It didn’t fit into the box he’d put them in. The boundaries she’d told herself to respect.

This wasn’t what a guy who saw you as “just a friend” did. Right?

But maybe it was. Maybe this was just how Minho was with people he cared about platonically—intuitive, observant, generous. He had always been that way. Especially when they were close. Before everything got confusing. Before she let herself hope.

And yet…

He wasn’t looking at any other girls. He didn’t seem distracted. Every time she looked up, his gaze was already on her. Not in a creepy way, or even in a flirty way.

Just focused. Present.

It was driving her crazy .

They reached her dorm before she was ready for the walk to end. She slowed near the entrance.

“So,” she said, turning to face him, her tone aiming for breezy and missing. “Hangul study buddies.

“Yeah,” Minho said, stuffing his hands into his coat pockets. “How about we start tomorrow? You look like you’re about ready to collapse.”

Kitty could only nod as they stood there for a beat too long.

Kitty fumbled for her keycard just to have something to do. “I’ll see you in a bit, then.”

“Yeah. Have a good night, Covey.”

She slipped inside, the door swinging shut behind her. As soon as it clicked closed, she leaned against it, let her head thud lightly against the wood, and whispered a very quiet, “What the hell is going on?”

Her heart was a confused mess of electricity and unease. This wasn’t like last semester. This wasn’t even like the tour, or how they came back. Something had shifted, and she didn’t know if it was in him or her or both of them. But she didn’t know what to make of any of it.

She kicked off her shoes, dropped her bag, and fished out her phone with shaking fingers.

Group chat: Q, Madison, Eunice

Kitty: SOS. Girl talk required.

She stared at the message for a beat, then added:

Kitty: Minho is being weirdly sweet and my brain is not equipped to handle it.

She hit send, then tossed her phone on the couch, buried her face in her hands, and groaned into her palms.

What was he doing to her?

Part 3

The second Kitty pressed send on the group chat, she barely had time to blink before a chorus of incoming messages lit up her phone like a fireworks show.

Eunice: Omw.
Q: Same. Bringing popcorn.
Madison: Be there in 2 babe.

True to their word, it wasn’t long before Kitty’s dorm door swung open and her cavalry spilled in. Madison entered first with the authority of someone who lived there—which she technically did—followed by Q, who was wearing pajama pants covered in little cartoon tteokbokki, and Eunice, who looked genuinely concerned in a way that made Kitty’s throat tighten.

Eunice plopped cross-legged on the floor and pointed a finger at Kitty. “Start from the beginning. No skipping. No summarizing. What did Minho do?”

Kitty curled up against a corner of their couch, arms tucked around a throw pillow like it might shield her from her own feelings. “He didn’t do anything bad. That’s the problem.”

Madison raised an eyebrow from where she perched on the arm of the couch. “Which means she’s spiraling.”

Kitty shot her a look. “You’re not wrong.” She took a breath, trying to get her thoughts in order. “Okay, so... you guys remember how you all sort of thought maybe something happened over the tour? That there was this vibe?”

“You mean when you two were posting joint selfies at every UNESCO site like it was a soft launch?” Q asked. “Yes.”

Eunice nodded. “I literally watched you two fall asleep curled up with each other on the same bed. More than once.”

“Right. So... I thought maybe something was happening too. Until a few days before Chuseok break, at our library study day? I overheard Minho talking to Dae. He said—” Kitty hesitated, her voice catching. “He said, ‘Covey and I are just friends. That’s all we’ll ever be.’”

There was a moment of silence.

Eunice’s brows shot up. Q’s mouth actually fell open.

Q blinked. “Wait. What ?”

Eunice looked genuinely stunned. “He said that ?”

Kitty nodded. “I wasn’t supposed to hear it. They didn’t know I was behind them. And I’ve been trying really hard to just... respect that. Reset boundaries, expectations. Stay in my lane.”

Q turned to Madison, eyes narrowing. “You knew about this.”

Madison held up her hands. “I did . I just didn’t want to betray Kitty’s trust. But yes, it shocked me too. And before you ask—yes, I told her it was hinky.”

Madison gave Kitty a pointed look that practically screamed thank you, validation achieved.

Eunice was still frozen, her expression a mix of disbelief and concern. “That doesn’t make sense. I was there on tour. I saw how he looked at you. I saw how you two were. You think he was just... being friendly ?”

“I don’t know,” Kitty said quietly. “Maybe I’m delusional and imagined the whole thing.”

Q frowned. “You’re not delusional. I’m sorry, no. I don’t accept that narrative. Because even I picked up on the tension between you two, and I was busy figuring out if my cousin’s boyfriend was flirting with me.”

“He wasn’t,” Madison added.

“I know that now, Madison.” Q breathed, exasperated by the commentary.

Kitty let out a soft laugh, the tension in her chest easing a fraction.

Q was still staring at her like something didn’t compute. “Wait. You said this was in the library, like the day we were all in there to try and knock out some of the Chuseok break assignments?”

“Yeah. After that Friday half day, before break started.”

He went quiet for a second, then looked sharply at her. “So… that means this was after the Fall Fair decorating night?”

Kitty blinked. “Yeah. Why?”

Q’s eyes widened, and he leaned forward slowly. “Kitty. Are you saying you overheard him say that after you and Minho almost kissed?”

Everything froze. Even the popcorn stopped crackling in the bag.

Kitty’s entire body tensed. “ What? ”

Madison looked up sharply. “Wait— almost kissed ?”

Eunice whipped her head around. “ You and Minho WHAT?! ”

Kitty’s eyes went wide. “Q! How do you even know about that?!”

Q gave her a sheepish, mildly defensive shrug. “Minho sort of… blurted it out. We were talking one night, and it just came out. He didn’t mean to, but once it did—”

“Wait wait wait— back up ,” Eunice said, holding up a hand like she needed traffic control. “There was an almost kiss? When? Where? How?!”

Madison turned to Kitty, wide-eyed. “You didn’t tell me that.”

“I didn’t tell anyone ,” Kitty said, still reeling. “Because it felt like this private, confusing moment that we both decided to ignore. It was that night we were decorating for the Fall Fair in the gym. Everyone else was off doing their thing and I was trying to hang that stupid banner. I was on the ladder and he was holding me steady, being annoying and telling me not to fall. And he touched my leg and it felt like this current ran through me and I lost my balance and fell off the ladder but he caught me. And it was like…time froze. He was holding on so tight like he didn’t want to let go, and when I turned to look at him… I thought he was going to kiss me. I know he was going to.”

“And?” Eunice asked breathlessly.

Kitty hesitated. “Praveena walked in, yelling something about command hooks. We jumped back and I was so embarrassed that someone almost walked in on our first kiss. I turned away. Not dramatically. Just… enough. But he all but ran out of there! Then he just… avoided me, like it never happened.”

Q whistled. “Minho didn’t say that part.”

“I was going to ask why he even told you,” Kitty said, eyeing him. “But I’m guessing you’re not going to give me an answer.”

“Same way I don’t betray what you tell me, I don’t spill his stuff either,” Q said gently. “But I will say this—if that’s when you heard him tell Dae you were just friends? I guarantee that wasn’t the full story. He was spinning, Kitty. Probably trying to protect himself.”

Kitty let out a shaky breath and looked at the others. “None of it makes sense. And it’s not just that one moment. It’s everything since then.”

“Okay, slow down,” Madison said, sitting forward. “Walk us through it. Timeline-style.”

Kitty nodded, grounding herself. “Alright. So—tour ends. A few weeks into school, I get the news that LJ and Peter are coming to visit. I tell Minho, and he immediately offers to help. He says he wants to show them around.”

Q nodded. “So far, very Minho.”

“Then a few weeks after that, we almost kissed in the gym…then few days before Chuseok, I hear the conversation with Dae. And I figure, okay, he doesn’t feel the same way. But, that afternoon, he messages me, asks when they get in. I give him an out. I tell him he doesn’t have to feel obligated to help with LJ and Peter. That it’s totally fine.”

“And?” Madison asked.

Kitty sighed. “He insists . Says he wants to.”

She paused, her voice softening. “And then for the rest of Chuseok break… he’s just amazing . He picks me up every morning. Drives us all around Seoul. Helps me plan every outing. Tells Peter all these ridiculous stories about me that make him laugh. Offers to take our picture every time we stop somewhere because he says he wants me in them too. He carries LJ’s luggage like it’s nothing. Makes sure we eat. Gives me his hoodie without me asking.”

Q let out a low whistle. “Full boyfriend mode.”

Kitty nodded. “And then, when LJ and Peter were flying out, I got emotional. I was crying. He wiped away my tears. Cradled my face in both hands. And he told me—he whispered —that it was comforting to see how loved I am.”

Madison’s jaw dropped slightly. “That’s not a friend thing.”

“It gets worse,” Kitty said, voice tinged with helpless laughter. “Today he brought me my exact coffee order before our morning class together. Then honey butter chips and a Choco Pie before our afternoon one. Waited for me after my last class. Walked me back to my dorm. Ignored every girl on campus trying to get his attention. And when I said I had Hangul homework, he offered to help me study.”

Eunice stared at her like she’d grown a second head. “Kitty. What is happening?”

“I don’t know!” Kitty said, exasperated. “That’s the problem. It’s too much. And I feel like… like I’m being pulled back into something I can’t understand. Like he’s breaking my heart without even realizing it.”

“You’re not crazy,” Q said softly. “His heart is on his sleeve, Kitty. I think you scared him that night at the Fall Fair. I think he backed off because he thought you didn’t feel the same.”

“And then when he realized he couldn’t stay away,” Eunice added, “he came back and decided to be present. To try.”

Kitty frowned. “But then why not say something?”

“Because he’s scared,” Madison said, matter-of-fact. “Because he thinks he blew it. Or because he thinks you don’t feel the same.”

“Or,” Q added, “because — I say this with love — he has no clue how to navigate emotions without a PR team.”

That got a laugh out of all of them, even Kitty.

“I just…” she hesitated, her voice dipping softer. “I don’t know how to be around him right now. Every little thing feels charged. I don’t know how to act like his friend without getting hurt. But I don’t know how to ask for something more without risking everything. ”

“You don’t have to make a move right now,” Eunice said gently. “You can just... take your time. I think…Minho’s not the best with his words, so let him show you what he wants. And trust us to help you stay grounded.”

“And if it turns out he’s playing with your feelings,” Madison added, “we’ll key his skincare fridge.”

“No we won’t,” Q said.

“We might ,” Madison said.

Kitty looked between them, heart swelling a little despite the ache still pressing at its edges.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you guys.”

“Well, you’ll never find out,” Eunice said, giving her a soft squeeze.

Madison stretched and stood. “Okay, I vote we get takeout and watch something that distracts Kitty from her existential romance crisis.”

“Is there a movie where the love interest brings snacks and coffee but never confesses his feelings?” Q asked. “Because I feel like we’re living in it.”

Eunice smirked. “You mean every K-drama ever ?”

They all laughed, the tension finally beginning to ease, and Kitty let herself lean into the comfort of their voices, their jokes, their unwavering belief in her. She still didn’t know what Minho wanted, or what tomorrow would bring—but at least she wasn’t spiraling alone.

And that, for now, was enough.

Chapter Text

Part 1

Kitty had never seen a pencil look as dramatic as the one she currently held between her fingers. She tapped it against her notebook, paused, turned it sideways, and then resumed tapping, as if maybe—just maybe—it could distract her from the fact that Minho was sitting less than two feet away from her on the floor of her dorm suite’s small shared living area, fully focused, legs crossed, and flipping through a packet of Hangul worksheets like he was preparing for a teaching credential.

He looked infuriatingly good doing it, too. Casual in a soft charcoal crewneck and jeans, his hair perfectly tousled, eyes scanning the page with relaxed concentration. He looked like a whole Pinterest board. And not just a regular one. A curated, password-protected one titled Things That Are Going To Make Kitty Covey Lose Her Mind.

Minho glanced up and caught her staring.

“You okay?” he asked.

Kitty blinked and sat up straighter. “Yeah! Yep. Just… taking a mental warmup lap.”

He grinned, and she tried very hard not to melt on the spot.

“Ready for consonants round two?” he asked, adjusting the packet so it was angled toward her. “We’re picking up where you left off last week. You got through the basic batch, but your double consonants are still shaky.”

She groaned and flopped back dramatically onto the rug. “They’re evil. Why are there so many ways to make an S sound?”

Minho chuckled. “Technically, there are only a few. You just keep guessing the wrong one.”

“Brutal.”

“Accurate.”

Kitty lifted her head, narrowed her eyes at him, and propped herself up on her elbows. “You’re enjoying this a little too much.”

“Only because I know you’ll get it.”

The confidence in his voice threw her off balance. He wasn’t teasing. He actually believed it. And it made her stomach do this completely unnecessary flutter like it was auditioning for a teen drama.

She sat up properly again. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

Minho handed her a sheet of paper and a pen. “Write out each of the five double consonants, and I’ll correct as you go.”

Kitty focused. Tried to focus.

But it was hard when he was watching her so closely, eyes sharp but expression soft. She could feel the heat of him next to her, the way his knee lightly bumped hers every time they shifted positions, the subtle scent of his cologne—clean citrus and something warm she couldn’t quite place but had come to associate with him.

She wrote the first consonant and glanced at him. He didn’t comment. Wrote the second. Still no response. On the third, she paused and tilted her head.

“Wait, is it this one or the other one that sounds like a hard G?”

He leaned in over her shoulder without hesitation, chest hovering just behind her as he reached his arm around, finger pointing to the character. “That one’s a hard G. The other one is a K sound. Kind of.”

“Kind of?”

“Yeah. Context matters.”

Kitty dropped her head into her hands “Context is the worst.”

Minho laughed. “You say that, but you thrive on it. Your whole personality is ‘context with feelings.’”

She looked up at him, mock offended. “Wow. Drag me, why don’t you?”

“I’m just saying, you once cried over a shampoo commercial and then gave a TED Talk about metaphor.”

“…Fair.”

He smiled, then nudged the worksheet back toward her. “Finish the last two. You’re almost there.”

She managed to get through the last consonants without too much of a disaster, though her brain felt like a twisted-up ball of yarn by the end of it. She exhaled dramatically and tossed the pen down like she’d just completed a thesis.

“You know, this might be the most stressful Hangul lesson I’ve ever had.”

“Wasn’t the first one with me,” Minho said, leaning back on his hands. “You’ve gotten better.”

Kitty snorted. “Says the guy who makes his vowels look like they were printed in a calligraphy shop.”

Minho glanced over at her notebook and then shrugged. “Yours are getting neater.”

“Are you… complimenting my penmanship?”

“I’m complimenting your perseverance.”

Kitty blinked at him.

He wasn’t flirting. Not exactly. But there was something in the way he said it—something grounded and honest and just a little bit warm. And it caught her off guard. Again.

She glanced away quickly and reached for the water bottle beside her. “Okay, well, don’t get used to it. My vowels are still deeply chaotic.”

Minho chuckled. “Then we’ll work on vowels next.”

There was a quiet pause. Not awkward—just… charged.

Kitty took a sip of water and glanced at him over the rim of her bottle. “Why are you doing this?”

He looked up, surprised. “Doing what?”

“This.” She gestured vaguely between them. “Helping me. Spending your night being my unpaid Hangul tutor. Bringing me snacks. Coffee. Walking me back after class.”

Minho opened his mouth, then paused. Closed it. He looked down at his lap, then back at her.

“You were there for me when I needed you, being a buffer between me and my dad all summer,” he said finally. “When you said you needed to catch up… I just wanted to make your day easier.”

Her heart thudded. It was such a simple answer. Such an honest answer. And yet, it only made her feel more confused because it didn’t fit into the box she’d been trying to keep him in.

Before she could respond, the door to her suite swung open and Madison waltzed in, earbuds still in from her evening run.

“Whoa,” she said, stopping short. “Didn’t expect you guys to be sprawled out on the floor like it’s a middle school sleepover.”

Kitty held up her notebook, displaying it reflexively. “We’re studying!”

Minho stood up smoothly, brushing imaginary lint off his jeans. “You’re interrupting an intense consonant summit.”

Madison raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh.”

Kitty could feel her cheeks heating up. “How was your run?”

“Cold. Smelled like ginkgo trees and academic burnout,” Madison replied, pulling off her sweatshirt. “You guys want me to head back out? I can go, like, sit in the laundry room if we’re still pretending this isn’t a thing .”

“It’s not a thing,” Kitty said quickly.

Madison gave her a sure, Jan look, but didn’t push it. “Right. I’ll go shower. Carry on with your flashcards of flirtation.”

She disappeared into her room, door clicking shut behind her.

Minho looked mildly amused. “She’s subtle.”

Kitty stood up too, brushing off her leggings, unsure what to say. The moment felt delicate again. Like a balloon filled too close to the edge of bursting.

Sensing her slight anxiety, Minho grabbed his backpack, slinging it over one shoulder. “You did good today. Better than last time.”

She smiled faintly. “Thanks to your tutoring.”

“I mean, I’ll take the credit. But you’re the one doing the work.”

Kitty nodded, then glanced down at her notebook again. “Thanks for coming. Really.”

“Anytime.”

He looked at her for a beat longer than felt necessary. Then he smiled, easy and open.

“See you tomorrow, Covey.”

And with that, he was gone.

Kitty stood frozen in the middle of the room, heart thudding too fast. She looked down at her notes, the neat consonants circled in blue ink, and wondered how the heck she was supposed to concentrate on pronunciation when her brain was screaming about the way Minho looked at her, how she could feel his heat hovering behind her.

Madison’s door creaked open again.

She poked her head out. “So.”

Kitty didn’t move. “I can’t talk about it.”

“That bad?”

“That confusing .”

Madison stepped all the way out and crossed her arms. “He likes you.”

Kitty gave her a look. “You don’t know that.”

“I do. I’m not blind.”

“Well, I’m trying to be.”

Madison smiled. “Not working.”

Kitty sighed, dropped onto the couch, and covered her face with both hands. “How did we go from not even being able to stand each other to... whatever this is?”

“Sex dreams.” Madison said, matter-of-factly.

“That’s not helpful.”

“It’s not supposed to be. It’s just true.”

Kitty peeked out from behind her hands. “Can you maybe lie to me a little instead?”

Madison laughed and tossed her a pillow. “Sure. He definitely doesn’t have feelings for you. He’s just naturally charming, has an incredible memory for your snack preferences, and somehow coincidentally brought the exact coffee you like nine mornings in a row.”

Kitty groaned into the pillow. “You’re the worst.”

“I’m the best,” Madison said sweetly, disappearing back into her room. “Goodnight, future Mrs. Moon—has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”

Kitty made a strangled sound and threw the pillow at the door, but it bounced harmlessly off and landed on the floor.

She looked back at the spot on the rug where they’d been sitting. Where he’d smiled at her like he wanted her to know she was seen. Where his voice had dipped just enough to make her heart leap.

If he was trying to win her over… it was working.

And that might’ve been the scariest part of all.

Part 2

By the time Kitty stepped onto campus the next morning, she had convinced herself that she had imagined half of what happened during the study session.

Sure, Minho had been sweet. Encouraging. Unreasonably close. But maybe that was just… him. Being a good friend. A really, really ridiculously attractive friend with an uncanny memory for her coffee order and a patience level unmatched in Hangul tutoring.

It didn’t mean anything. Probably.

Hopefully?

She wasn’t sure which answer she wanted anymore.

Her fingers were still fidgeting with the zipper on her hoodie when she spotted Q by the bulletin board outside the language building, tilting his head at a flyer like it had hypnotised him.

“Please tell me you’re not considering joining the KISS Fencing Club,” Kitty said, sliding up beside him.

Q snorted. “Please. I’m just admiring the drama of their flyer design. Look at this—four fonts, minimum. One of them is literally called ‘bloody midnight.’”

She laughed, and for a second, it grounded her.

Then Q turned to her with a sly smile. “So. How was your very academic, extremely platonic Hangul tutoring session with a boy who’s obviously in love with you?”

Kitty narrowed her eyes. “It was… fine.”

“That sounds like a lie.”

“It’s not a lie,” she muttered. “It’s just... hard to define.”

Q raised both eyebrows. “Which is also how I’d describe the entire Minho-Kitty dynamic since the end of last semester. Did he bring snacks again?”

“No,” Kitty said. “But only because I complained the chip crunching was louder than my thoughts, and needed to hear every single one to survive the session.”

Q cackled. “Sounds about right.”

Kitty sighed. “I don’t know what to do with him, Q. He’s being—he’s so sweet it’s like my brain short-circuits every time he speaks.”

Q softened slightly. “You’re allowed to enjoy it, you know. You don’t have to analyze everything.”

“Have you met me?”

“Touché.”

“What was he like on tour?”

“Similar…but somewhat distracted. Him and his dad… we were mostly working and only had maybe a day to ourselves in each city.”

Just then, a pair of girls walked past behind them—laughing, arms linked—and one of them very not-subtly said, “I heard Minho broke up with someone on tour. Maybe he’s finally single again.”

Kitty went very still.

Q looked over at her.

She didn’t move, didn’t even blink. Just stared straight ahead like the campus trees were the most interesting team she’d seen all day.

“You okay?” he asked gently.

“I’m fine.”

“Because I have some scathing comebacks locked and loaded if you want me to follow them.”

“I’m really fine,” she repeated, though her voice betrayed her.

Q didn’t press. He just slipped his hands into his jacket pockets and walked with her toward the humanities building. “So. Are you going to the outdoor market event this weekend?”

“I hadn’t thought about it.”

“You should come. There’s going to be live music and food trucks. And Minho will definitely be there.”

Kitty gave him a look. “Subtle.”

“Wasn’t trying to be.”

She bit the inside of her cheek, hesitating. “What if I’m making it all up again? What if I think he’s flirting and being sweet and all that, but it’s just who he is—and I’m reading into it because I want it to mean something?”

“Then you’ll figure it out. But he’s definitely not like this with other people.”

Kitty didn’t answer. She couldn’t. Because part of her—the part that had nearly kissed him once, the part that kept replaying how he cradled her face outside the airport— wanted to believe Q. Wanted it so badly that it scared her.

Later that afternoon, after their shared media studies class, Kitty was packing up her notebook when Minho appeared beside her like he hadn’t just been on the opposite side of the room.

“Hey,” he said casually, brushing a piece of lint off his sleeve. “What are you doing after this?”

Kitty blinked. “Um. Probably going back to the dorm. Catch up on reading. Why?”

Minho shifted his weight, like he was trying to play it cool but wasn’t entirely sure how. “I was gonna head into Insadong to pick up something for my mom. She wants those weird handmade tea canisters from that one shop.”

Kitty smiled. “The one with the rice paper walls and the incense that smells like eucalyptus and existential dread?”

“That’s the one.”

She raised an eyebrow. “You’re willingly going into a tourist trap for your mom?”

“She threatened to send me photos of my middle school perm if I didn’t.”

Kitty laughed, but then paused. “Oh my god, I’d pay to see those!”

Minho looked mildly affronted, though he couldn’t help the smile that escaped as he heard her laugh. Then softly, “I was actually going to ask if you wanted to come.”

Her breath caught.

“Just for a bit,” he added quickly. “I mean, you helped me with that birthday present for her last year which she loved, so you’ll probably find something faster than I would on my own. And if we survive the shopping, we could grab dinner or something.”

“Oh.” Her voice came out smaller than intended. She tried again. “Yeah. Sure. That sounds... fun.”

He grinned. “Cool. I’ll meet you outside your dorm around six?”

“Okay.”

He walked off with a little wave, leaving Kitty standing there with her bag half-zipped and her brain spinning.

Dinner or something?

Dinner. Or something .

Did he even realize how ambiguous that sounded?

She barely heard the rest of the hallway empty around her. All she could think was that she needed backup. And help with an outfit. And maybe a therapist.

When she got back to her dorm, she threw her phone onto her bed and paced in front of it like it was going to ring spontaneously and tell her what to do.

Finally, she grabbed it and fired off a text.

Kitty: Q. Emergency. Are you free in like 20 minutes?

Q: For you? Always. Spill.

Kitty: Not over text. Meet me by the library steps.

Q: Omw.

Twenty-three minutes later, she was sitting beside Q on a stone bench with a caramel latte in one hand and a crumpled napkin in the other that she had no memory of grabbing. She filled him in on everything—Minho’s casual invite, the tea shop, the “dinner or something” comment.

Q took a sip of his drink. “Okay. So it’s a date.”

“It’s not a date.”

“It is clearly a date.”

“No one said the word ‘date.’ It’s just errands and maybe food.”

Q leveled her with a look. “Kitty. If I invited someone to a fancy tea shop and dinner, you’d ask me what I was wearing.”

“I'm  asking you what I’m wearing!”

“Exactly.”

She buried her face in her hands.

Q patted her back. “You don’t have to panic. Just… go. Be yourself. He likes you, Kitty, though that's underselling it. He’s doing that thing where he tries not to look too eager, but he’s also showing up in every possible way. Let yourself enjoy it.”

Kitty peeked up from between her fingers. “And if I get my heart broken?”

“Then we’ll destroy him socially and emotionally.”

She laughed—soft, but real. “You’re very dramatic.”

“You love that about me.”

By six o’clock sharp, Kitty was standing outside her dorm in a navy blue jacket over her favorite white top and dark jeans, trying to look casual and confident while also overthinking every breath she took.

Minho arrived two minutes later, looking just a little more polished than usual—sleek black coat, a patterned button-down underneath, and hair styled like he’d definitely run his fingers through it too many times but somehow made it work.

“Hey,” he said with a smile that felt warm enough to melt through her nerves. “You look… beautiful.”

Kitty blinked. Then she blushed. “Thanks. You too. Uh. Handsome. You look handsome”

Minho chuckled at her stuttering as they fell into step easily, walking toward where his driver had the car idling. The conversation started light—how annoying their professor had been in the morning, how the campus café kept running out of good pastries—but somewhere between traffic lights and escalator rides, it started to feel like more than a friendly errand.

More than casual.

At the tea shop, Minho lingered near her as they browsed, asking for her opinion on patterns and colors, holding up canisters for her to feel the weight, watching her face more than the merchandise.

When he settled on one—a brushed silver cylinder with subtle gold etching—he nodded toward it. “You picked it.”

“No, you did.”

“Only after you said it didn’t look like it belonged in a wizard’s lair.”

“Helpful feedback.” Kitty said, as if it were obvious.

He paid for it without hesitation, and Kitty followed him out into the cool evening air, her heart doing small gymnastics under her coat.

“Dinner?” he asked.

“Lead the way.”

With his hand on the small of her back, they ended up at a cozy noodle shop tucked off a quieter street, half lit by warm hanging lanterns. It was small, not fancy—but not nothing. The kind of place you went to feel full in more ways than one.

They sat across from each other, steaming bowls between them, and Kitty couldn’t stop catching his gaze. Every time she looked up, he was already looking.

He didn’t look away, and neither did she.

After dinner, they walked slowly, aimless, not ready for the evening to end.

Kitty thought about asking. About the coffee, the tutoring, the Chuseok memories she hadn’t forgotten. About what this was.

But she didn’t, because she didn’t want to break the spell. At least not yet.

Instead, she stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, turned to him, and said softly, “Thanks. For today.”

He looked at her for a long moment.

“Anytime,” he said.

And she believed him, even if she didn’t quite understand why.

Part 3

The night air was cooler than Kitty expected, crisp in a way that made her glad she'd chosen the thicker jacket before leaving. Minho walked beside her, one hand tucked into his coat pocket, the other holding the small tea canister in a paper bag with twisted handles.

It should’ve felt like any ordinary walk—two classmates heading back from errands.

But nothing about it felt ordinary.

There was an ease between them, yes. But there was also a current underneath it. Something quieter, humming just beneath the surface. A charged silence, the kind that made even the simplest moments feel like they could tip into something else with the smallest shift.

They weren’t saying much now, but it didn’t feel awkward. Just... suspended. Like both of them were walking a balance beam of maybe.

Kitty glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He wasn’t looking at her. He was watching the sidewalk ahead, lips pressed into a thoughtful line, eyes squinting slightly in concentration. Not distracted. Not distant. Just... pensive.

And that somehow made her chest ache more.

“Hey,” he said suddenly, cutting into the quiet. “You didn’t have to come with me tonight.”

She looked up. “... I know.”

“I’m glad you did.”

Her breath caught. She wasn’t expecting that—his voice that soft, that open. Her response stuck in her throat for a beat before she managed, “Me too.”

He smiled at the sidewalk, then glanced at her. “You were the only person I thought of asking.”

Her heart did that stupid somersault again, the one she was starting to associate exclusively with him. She didn’t know what to say to that. So she tucked her hands into her jacket sleeves and gave him a faint smile, hoping it said something her voice couldn’t.

They passed a quiet stretch of storefronts, lights dimmed, windows reflecting the two of them back in long, stretched silhouettes. The city buzz had faded into something quieter—softer conversations from nearby apartments, the occasional motorbike zipping by in the distance, a faint wind chime from a second-story balcony.

It felt like the kind of night where something should happen. Like the city itself was holding its breath for them.

They reached the campus gates faster than either of them seemed to intend. Kitty almost wanted to double back and make up a reason to walk another block, stall the end of the evening just a little longer. But her feet kept moving forward, like they didn’t trust her mouth to lie convincingly.

At the edge of the dorm courtyard, they stopped. Kitty turned to face him.

“This was fun,” she said quietly. “Thanks for inviting me.”

Minho nodded, stepping a little closer. “It’s better with you.”

Her mouth went dry.

He looked at her like he was trying to decide whether to say something more—eyes flicking to her lips, just for a second, before darting away. Like the thought crossed his mind before he could shove it down.

Kitty’s stomach twisted. That moment between them in the gym flickered in her mind—the quiet tension, the nearness, the way they hadn’t acknowledged it after.

She should say something. Ask something. But she was terrified to ruin it. Whatever this fragile, sweet, inexplicable thing was between them, she wasn’t sure she could survive it breaking.

So she smiled instead. Quiet. Careful. “Let me know what your mom says about the canister.”

“I will,” he said, though he still hadn’t moved.

As her hair fluttered in the breeze, his hand came up to tuck some of strands behind her ear, his thumb trailing across her cheek.

A second passed. Then another.

And then Kitty, feeling the swirl of everything unsaid crowding too close to the surface, took a small step back.

“I should go in. I’ve got Hangul flashcards to fail.”

Minho smiled faintly. “I could quiz you tomorrow.”

She couldn’t help tilting her head at him, “You’re really committing to this tutor bit, huh?”

He shrugged. “Is it working?”

She laughed softly, heart caught somewhere between warm and aching. “Okay. Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow,” he echoed, still watching her like she was the only person in the world.

She turned and headed toward her building, not looking back until she reached the main door and peeked over her shoulder.

He was still standing there, waiting until she was safely inside.

Ten minutes later, Kitty sat cross-legged on her bed, phone in hand, staring at the blank message thread she had open with Eunice. She didn’t even know where to start.

So she resorted to the group chat instead.

Kitty: I just got back from hanging out with Minho and I am... A mess.

Madison: Did he kiss you?

Eunice: Did you kiss HIM??

Q: Did anyone kiss anyone?!

Kitty: No kisses. Just an evening full of perfect lighting, a quiet noodle shop, and him saying “you’re the only person I thought of asking” with his Actual Face

Eunice: OH.

Q: That man is in love with you. Sorry, I don’t make the rules.

Madison: Please tell me you wore the boots I told you to wear.

Kitty: I wore the boots. He noticed.

Madison: Then I’ve done all I can. Godspeed.

Eunice: Wait back up. What did he say exactly?

Kitty: That he was glad I came. That it was better with me. And he offered to quiz me on Hangul tomorrow with this LOOK in his eyes

Q: Am once again asking: WHAT IS STOPPING YOU

Kitty Covey: Fear. Hormones. The knowledge that I’ve already rewritten this in my head five different ways and might be hallucinating?

Eunice: You’re not. That’s the thing. You’re not.

Q: Every time you describe one of your interactions with him I’m like ??? Do y’all not see this is a romcom?

Madison: Except now we’ve reached the part where they both know they like each other but won’t admit it and it’s dragging out the tension for maximum ratings.

Kitty: It’s like he wants me to know. But also wants to pretend he like all of this is normal.

Eunice: Because he’s scared. Like you are.

Q: Two idiots. One slow-burn. Infinite frustration.

Kitty: So what do I do?

Eunice: You keep showing up. You let him do the same. And eventually, one of you will say something you can’t walk back.

Q: Or you trip and fall into each other’s faces by accident. Either way.

Madison: Both options are valid.

Kitty smiled down at her phone, the buzz of panic in her chest slowly giving way to something softer. More steady.

This didn’t have to be everything all at once. She didn’t have to declare her feelings or force his. She could just... keep going. Let things unfold.

And maybe, just maybe, trust that they were already moving toward something neither of them had words for yet.

The next morning, Kitty woke up to a message from Minho.

Minho: Bring your flashcards. I’m on coffee duty today.

She stared at the message for a full minute before answering.

Kitty: Who made you Team Captain of Hangul Success?

Minho: Me. It’s a self-appointed monarchy. No elections. Just snacks and moral support.

Kitty: ...and coffee?

Minho: Of course. Only the best for my top student.

Kitty bit her lip to hide the smile that bloomed across her face.

This wasn’t how she thought things would feel. It was better. Scarier. Realer. Like a door was opening—slowly, hesitantly—and she was being invited to walk through it without a script.

And this time, she was going to let herself hope, even if her heart was still learning how to believe it was allowed to.

Chapter Text

Part 1

It was a little unfair, honestly, how normal everything felt.

Kitty had expected some kind of emotional whiplash after their “not-a-date” in Insadong—some shift in the air, a flicker of awkward tension or nervous overcompensating. But when Minho knocked on her dorm door the next afternoon holding a bottle of Yakult and a new packet of Hangul flashcards, he looked so calm. Like he wasn’t turning her inside out with feelings and confusion.

Maybe she was the only one who’d felt it.

Maybe she’d made it up again.

They were sitting cross-legged on the rug in her dorm’s shared living area now, books and snack wrappers scattered around them, with Minho focused on quizzing her and Kitty doing everything in her power not to fall apart every time they had even the slightest physical contact. Knees or shoulders bumping, arms brushing, fingers grazing.

“Okay,” Minho said, flashing a card in front of her face. “What’s this one?”

Kitty squinted. “Ssangbieup?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Say that with a little less question mark at the end and I might believe you.”

She groaned, flopping back onto the carpet with dramatic flair. “Why does my brain refuse to retain these?”

“Because you keep mixing them up with the single consonants,” he said patiently. “You’re overthinking the sound—they’re muscle memory, Covey. You’ve got to feel them.”

“I’m feeling a lot of things right now and none of them are linguistic mastery.” She muttered, throwing an arm up and across her face.

He chuckled and tossed the card down beside her head. “Okay, drama queen. Reset. We’ll switch to compound vowels. They’ve been less terrifying for you lately.”

Kitty groaned again, louder this time. “I’m starting to think I was never meant to speak Korean.”

Minho leaned back on his palms, watching her with a small, fond smile. “You were meant to do a lot of things. I’ve seen you talk your way out of a baggage fee with nothing but your very American charm and stubborn confidence.”

“That was survival instinct,” she muttered into her arm.

They stayed like that for a moment—Kitty lying on the floor, Minho watching her, their books open around them like little islands. It should have been just another study session. Familiar. Comfortable. Easy.

But it wasn’t.

Not anymore.

Minho shifted and leaned forward, his voice quieter. “You know... it’s weird not seeing you for a whole day.”

Kitty blinked and lifted her head.

He wasn’t looking at her when he said it—his eyes were on the scattered flashcards like he hadn’t realized he’d said the words out loud at all.

Her stomach flipped.

“I mean,” he added, still not meeting her gaze, “I know we saw each other, technically, but you were with Q and Eunice. I didn’t really get to talk to you.”

“Oh,” Kitty said, trying not to sound breathless. “Right.”

Minho finally glanced at her, and there was something unreadable in his expression—soft around the edges, but uncertain. She could feel the silence stretching between them like a held breath.

Then he smiled and nudged a honey butter chip toward her. “Reset your brain with carbs. It’s a scientifically proven method.”

“Is it now?” she asked, taking the chip anyway.

“I’m the study expert, remember?”

“Since when?”

“Since I’ve officially earned the title of Most Patient Hangul Coach.”

Kitty looked at him with a grin. “Oh please, you love it.”

He smirked. “Only because you have a very charming pout.”

She blushed at the compliment before she reached for another chip. Their fingers brushed, and neither of them moved right away.

Her breath caught before she pulled her hand back a second later, pretending she needed to fix her hair, but her heart was pounding in her ears like a drum solo.

This was too much. Too close. Too easy. Too... everything .

Kitty shifted slightly, pulling her knees in and wrapping her arms around them like a physical barrier. She couldn’t keep pretending she wasn’t affected by all of this. By him.

They resumed studying—sort of. There were on the couch now and Minho was trying to explain the difference between ㅙ ( wae ) and ㅞ ( we ), but she kept catching herself watching the way his mouth moved when he pronounced things, the shape of his hands when he wrote a character in her notebook to demonstrate.

It was getting increasingly hard to remember which vowels were which.

And then, right on cue, the door to Madison’s room swung open, breaking the tension like a needle popping a balloon.

“Hope you’re saving her from failing so she stays at KISS,” Madison said, stretching as she stepped out in an oversized KISS hoodie and fluffy socks.

Kitty sat up straight so fast she nearly pulled something.

Minho barely glanced up. “She’s actually doing okay. I only had to threaten her with a quiz twice.”

“Rude,” Kitty muttered again.

Madison’s eyes flicked to the space between them. Then to the empty snack wrappers. Then to Kitty, who was still very much sitting on the side closest to Minho—and had apparently forgotten that she’d been leaning her head against his shoulder not five minutes ago.

Madison didn’t say anything, but her eyebrows did all the talking.

Kitty flushed and grabbed the nearest worksheet, holding it up like a shield. “We were just—studying. Productively.”

“Sure,” Madison said with a smirk. “I’ll pretend I didn’t see you looking like the cover of a cozy romance novel.”

Minho chuckled and stood, stretching. “That’s my cue. I’ve got to meet Dae in ten anyway.”

Kitty blinked. “Oh—already?”

He smiled at her. “Tomorrow?”

“Yeah. Tomorrow.”

He gave her a little wave, grabbed his stuff, and slipped out the door.

The second it closed, Madison flopped dramatically onto the couch and pointed a finger at her.

“Katherine. Song. Covey.”

“I know,” Kitty groaned, collapsing face-first into the pillow beside her.

“You were on his shoulder.”

“I know. ”

“And blushing.”

“ I KNOW. ”

Madison laughed and nudged her with her foot. “So, what’s the plan? You gonna kiss him next time or just make me combust from the slow-burn?”

Kitty rolled onto her back, covering her face with both hands. “I don’t know what this is, Madison. I keep thinking I’m imagining things, and then he says stuff like ‘it’s weird not seeing you for a whole day’ and my brain just—short circuits.”

Madison softened slightly. “You two look at each other like a Spotify playlist of sappy love songs. I don’t think you’re imagining anything.”

“But he hasn’t said anything,” Kitty said quietly. “Like, directly. And neither have I. So maybe it’s just… habit. Maybe we got so used to each other over the summer that we don’t know how to stop.”

“Or maybe you’re both scared out of your minds and trying not to ruin something that already feels good.”

Kitty didn’t answer. She couldn’t.

Madison stood and ruffled her hair on the way past. “You’ll figure it out. Or, worst case scenario, one of you will blurt out something wildly emotional in the middle of a study session and the other will panic kiss you.”

Kitty let out a weak laugh. “Romantic.”

“Realistic,” Madison corrected. “This is KISS. Half the relationships start with accidental confessions and mild chaos.”

When Madison disappeared back into her room, Kitty sat in the quiet for a while, letting the hum of the room settle around her. She reached for her study notebook, meaning to glance back at her vowel notes—but as she flipped a few pages ahead, something caught her eye.

A short message, scribbled near the top margin of one of their working sheets—written in Hangul, and definitely not in her handwriting.

She blinked at it, heart stuttering. It was neat, clean, confident and almost certainly Minho’s. The characters blurred together at first, but she leaned in, squinting. Some words she could make out. Others, she’d only half-mastered.

It was something like:

You…way more…I thought…

She didn’t know exactly what it said, but it felt like something important.

She was tempted to look it up, Google the translation, but something told her that being able to read it herself would have a bigger impact.

Frustrated again by her limitation in Hangul, and struggling to collect her own thoughts, Kitty carefully tore out a fresh sheet of paper and pulled her pen from the pencil pouch and she started writing a letter—to him.

She didn’t know if she’d ever give it to him. But the words poured out anyway. Her heart didn’t want to hide anymore, even if her lips weren’t ready to say the truth yet.

By the time she was done, the paper trembled in her hands. She folded it in half and tucked it behind her pillow.

Then she lay back, staring at the ceiling, and whispered into the stillness, “What are we doing, Minho?”

No answer came. Just the quiet weight of everything left unsaid.

Part 2

By the time Kitty reached the front gates of the Fall Markets, the golden-hour light had draped the KISS campus in an unfair level of cinematic charm. String lights fluttered in the breeze overhead, and the air smelled like roasted chestnuts, sweet rice cakes, and vaguely overpriced coffee.

Madison walked beside her, wrapped in a plaid scarf, sipping something lavender-colored with a straw. “Okay,” she declared, nodding in approval. “Student Council understood the assignment. This feels like we’re in the ‘cute montage before the emotional kiss scene’ part of a K-drama.”

Kitty laughed under her breath but said nothing. Her eyes were already scanning the crowd, like they were magnetized.

And sure enough, there he was. Minho was standing just inside the gate, leaning casually against a white canvas signpost that read KISS Fall Markets, dressed in his usual weekend chic: a long, sand-colored coat over a slate gray turtleneck and dark jeans. His hair was slightly windswept, and his expression was relaxed—but the second his eyes found Kitty, his entire posture shifted, straightened, softened.

Madison took one look at him, then back at Kitty. “I’ll leave you to your leading man. Don’t say I never did anything for you.” She winked and peeled off into the crowd before Kitty could protest.

Kitty felt her pulse quicken as she walked toward him, trying to look casual. “Hey.”

“You made it,” Minho said, falling into step beside her.

“You sound surprised.”

“I just figured you’d still be recovering from last night’s Hangul meltdown.”

Kitty rolled her eyes. “That was a totally reasonable response to academic trauma.”

Minho smirked. “You tried to guilt-trip me with sad puppy eyes until I gave you the Yakult and skipped the quiz.”

“I can’t help that you’re very susceptible to suggestion .”

“Only from certain people.”

His words were casual, but coupled with the soft look he was giving her almost had her tripping over her feet, her heart doing things it shouldn't.

They started by weaving through the booths—handmade accessories, calligraphy bookmarks, scented soy candles that claimed to smell like “first love” and “revenge.”

“So... how is that ‘revenge’ smells like cherry blossoms?” Minho asked, picking one up and immediately putting it down. “Feels dishonest.”

“Like, I want to be offended,” Kitty said, “but it also smells really good.”

They reached their group gathered on a picnic blanket near the lawn’s edge—Q, Eunice, Dae, Yuri, Juliana, and Praveena all sipping various drinks and trading bites of street food.

Q raised his eyebrows dramatically. “Ah, yes. The school’s favorite co-dependent duo has arrived.”

Kitty blinked. “We’re not—”

She was cut off by Minho’s laugh, clearly unbothered by the implication.

Kitty glanced at him. His expression was unreadable, but he hadn’t corrected Q. Not really.

Yuri smirked. “So... that’s not a no?”

Minho just shrugged, and Kitty stared at him wide-eyed and off balance.

A few minutes later, while Kitty sampled a skewered rice cake from Eunice’s plate, she caught Minho and Dae slipping away from the group. They stood just beyond the stalls, talking in low voices. Dae looked serious. Minho’s shoulders were loose, his hands buried in his coat pockets.

His eyes flicked toward Kitty once but she looked away, not wanting him to feel like she was staring at him.

A shadow passed in front of her. A guy—tall, easy smile, vaguely familiar—stopped just short of bumping into her.

“Hey,” he said. “Kitty, right?”

“Yeah,” she said slowly.

“I’m Junseo. We had that media lecture together last semester. I just saw you and thought I’d say hi.”

She smiled. “Hi.”

Junseo gestured toward the vendors. “Not bad for a school-run event, huh?”

“It is pretty decent,” Kitty agreed.

“You here with anyone?” he asked casually.

Kitty hesitated. “Sort of. I mean—I’m with friends.”

Junseo smiled, clearly not deterred. “You want to walk around a bit? I was going to grab some hotteok before they sell out.”

Before Kitty could answer, Minho reappeared beside her, holding two paper cups of ginger tea.

“Oh,” he said, his voice a touch too neutral. “Hey.”

Junseo gave him a nod. “Hey, man.”

Kitty felt her brain flicker like a broken signal tower. “Minho. This is Junseo. We were just—”

“Talking,” Junseo finished, looking between Minho and Kitty. After a beat, he looked back at Kitty, still with that easy smile and a shrug. “Sorry, I didn’t realise you had a boyfriend. Didn’t mean to step on any toes, man.”

He walked off with a friendly enough smile, but there was something in it—something knowing—that made Kitty’s stomach twist.

Minho handed her one of the cups. “Ginger tea. You like this one, right?”

She nodded, fingers brushing his as she took it. There was a beat of silence. Then—

“Want to do a lap?” Minho asked. “Check out the other booths?”

Kitty blinked. “Yeah. Sure.”

They fell into step easily. But Kitty could feel the ripple of tension under the surface, the way his steps matched hers a little too exactly, his posture stiffer than it was when he met her at the entrance/

“So,” he said after a beat, “Junseo.”

Kitty glanced at him. “Yeah?”

“Nothing. Just... he seems bold.”

“He was nice,” she corrected.

“You know, bold and nice aren’t mutually exclusive.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you mad at me or at the hotteok guy?”

Minho exhaled a laugh and shook his head. “Neither. Maybe.”

They paused at a game stall where you threw plastic rings over milk bottles for candy prizes. Minho gave her a look of challenge. “Think you can beat me?”

Kitty crossed her arms. “I know I can.”

Two minutes later, Minho was smugly holding up a packet of strawberry Pocky while Kitty looked at her last missed ring with a pout.

“That last one was rigged,” she grumbled.

“Sure it was.”

“Swear to me you’ve never trained for this.”

“Never professionally,” he replied with a smirk.

They grabbed steamed buns from a food stall and sat on a bench just off the path, steam curling between them as the sun dipped lower behind the buildings.

Minho glanced sideways at her. “You looked... surprised when that guy asked if I was your boyfriend.”

Kitty felt her breath catch. “I wasn’t expecting it.”

He nodded slowly, gaze on the distant crowd. “You didn’t correct him.”

“I wasn’t sure what to say,” she admitted.

He didn’t say anything for a moment. Then, softly: “Me neither.”

When they eventually wandered back toward the picnic blanket, the group had thinned. Q and Jin were off dancing to the live music near the student stage. Dae was chatting with Eunice and Praveena near the food line. Madison was leaning on a guy Kitty didn’t recognize, giggling at something he’d just whispered to her.

When she spotted Kitty, she grinned. “Don’t wait up,” she called with a wink, and disappeared into the crowd with him.

Minho raised an eyebrow. “So she gets a Fall Market boyfriend, and I get a snack you ate three-quarters of.”

Kitty grinned, unapologetic. “It’s called sharing. You should be flattered.”

He shook his head, feigning solemnity. “I’m being exploited.”

The walk back to the girls’ dorms was quiet but not uncomfortable. Their hands kept brushing, and neither of them moved away. Kitty’s tea had long gone lukewarm, but she still held the cup to give her fingers something to do.

When they reached her door, they both slowed, neither really making a move toward the door. Minho nudged her gently with his elbow. “Guess this is me officially delivering you home.”

Kitty smiled. “Safe and sound. You’ve fulfilled your duty.”

“Goodnight, Covey.”

She reached for the door handle, then paused.

“You want to come in?” she asked softly.

Minho blinked. “To...?”

“Just to hang out. Watch a movie or something. Like we used to.” She hesitated. “No Hangul flashcards. I swear.”

He smiled slowly, eyes flicking between hers like he was searching for the catch.

“Yeah,” he said. “I’d like that.”

And for the first time that day, Kitty let herself feel something steady. Something that wasn’t confusing or terrifying or half-finished.

It felt like a beginning, even if she didn’t know where it was headed yet.

Part 3

Kitty’s dorm was quiet when they stepped inside, just the soft hum of the A/C and the low glow of the hallway light filtering in through the open door. Madison’s bedroom door was shut, silent.

Kitty slipped off her sneakers and headed straight for her room, not looking back.

After toeing off his own sneakers, Minho hesitated in the entryway for half a second before following her in.

The room was quiet, dimly lit, and familiar. The faint scent of her shampoo still lingered in the air, soft and familiar, settling into his senses.

Minho hovered in the doorway as Kitty rummaged through her dresser drawers.

“These are yours,” she said, handing them over. “From Milan. Or maybe Lisbon. I can’t remember.”

Minho took them, lifting the shirt to eye level. “You know, most people just borrow a hoodie. You basically shoplifted a whole travel wardrobe.”

She rolled her eyes. “I had limited luggage space, and you clearly didn’t miss them.”

Minho gave her a slow, teasing grin. “You’re so obsessed with me.”

Kitty snorted, already grabbing her own pajamas, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she headed toward the bathroom. “Don’t flatter yourself, Moon.”

As the door shut behind her, she leaned against it for a second, taking a steadying breath.

It wasn’t a date. They were just watching a movie, something they’d done a dozen times before.

Except now, it was different. Heavier. And her hands were shaking like she’d never hung out with a boy before—like she’d never hung out with him .

Tonight wasn’t just a casual hangout between friends—it was two people hovering on the edge of something more, too scared to take the first leap.

She took longer than necessary getting ready, tying her hair back loosely and hesitating before pulling on yet another hoodie she had liberated from him while on tour. The sleeves were a little long, the hem hitting just below the curve of her shorts, the scent of his cologne still faint in the fabric.

When she stepped back into the room, Minho was just pulling his t-shirt over his head. Her breath caught for a second at the glimpse of toned abs and smooth skin before he tugged the shirt into place.

Minho looked up at the exact moment and froze.

His eyes dropped to her bare legs, lingered there just long enough to make Kitty feel very aware of how short her shorts were. Then they flicked upward, registering the hoodie. His hoodie.

His brows lifted slightly. “You know, I think you officially have more of my wardrobe than I do.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away, mumbling, “Well, you’ve got plenty of clothes anyway.”

Minho tilted his head, eyes soft. “You look better in them anyway.”

She didn’t have a comeback for that.

Slowly, Kitty brushed past him before crawling into bed, flipping the comforter back and settling in. She didn’t say anything at first—just looked at Minho, eyes soft, and gave the space beside her a quiet pat.

He hesitated before he climbed in next to her. The bed dipped slightly under his weight as they settled in side by side, laying perfectly still and just barely touching, like neither of them quite remembered how to be this close anymore.

Minho shifted, clearing his throat. “It’s cooler in here than I expected.”

Kitty didn’t answer right away. Just stared at the ceiling for a few seconds before speaking. “I turned the A/C up before I left.”

There was a pause.

“You turned it up... knowing I’d be here?” His voice was careful.

Her eyes darted to him, then away. “I didn’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

Minho looked at her now, full-on, and something shifted in his face—softened and sharpened all at once. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to.

Kitty took a chance, turning to her side and propping her head up on her hand as she looked at him.

Quietly, almost as if she wasn’t sure if she should share this, she whispered, “I miss you.”

Minho turned his head slightly toward her, brows furrowed, but said nothing.

“I mean...” She exhaled slowly. “I miss us. Before things got weird. When it was easy. I thought... maybe a movie night could help us get back to that.”

There was a beat of quiet. Then, gently, Minho reached out and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her to rest against him, his voice soft. “In the spirit of getting back to comfortable.”

At first, she stayed stiff, unsure. But hearing his heartbeat soaring under her ear, she breathed and relaxed into him, throwing a leg over him as a hand came up to rest over his heart, under her cheek.

It felt... right. Familiar. Like finding the exact shape of a piece that had been missing.

They watched the movie like that for a while, saying nothing. Though, in all honesty, Kitty couldn’t even see her laptop screen from this angle. Not that she cared.

Eventually, as his heart rate settled, Kitty shifted, turning in his arms just slightly so she could see his face in the soft blue light of the screen.

Minho looked down at her, searching her eyes like he was reading between the lines of a book only they shared.

Then, quietly, he pressed a kiss to her forehead and pulled her closer.

Kitty’s breath hitched. She gripped the front of his shirt without meaning to. “Minho...”

Her voice was barely a whisper.

He tilted his head, not saying anything.

And Kitty—heart racing—pushed herself up just enough to kiss him. It was soft, a press of lips against lips, hesitant and hopeful.

Minho, however, was frozen, unable to process what was happening. That Kitty was kissing him. That the girl he was hopelessly in love with was finally kissing him. And his brain had short-circuited, his limbs frozen, his heart trying to escape his body.

She felt him stiffen, felt that he wasn’t returning the kiss, and panicked, pulling back instantly. “I’m so sorry,” she blurted, pushing away from him. “I—clearly read that wrong, oh my God—”

And suddenly, Minho caught up with reality. Realizing Kitty was scrambling over him to get out of the bed, he gently caught her wrist. Not hard, just enough to stop her. “Kitty—”

She stilled, straddling his lap now as she looked down at him, breathing fast.

He reached up, his hand sliding to her face, cupping her cheek like she was something precious while his other hand moved to cradle her waist.

“Kitty,” he said again, voice lower now, rougher with something he’d been holding back for too long, his thumb brushing against her cheek as if trying to confirm she was real.

Then he kissed her.

Properly.

There was no hesitation in it—just heat and want and the ache of everything unsaid crashing into the space between them. His mouth met hers with intensity, his hand anchoring her to him as if she was the only thing keeping him grounded.

Kitty gasped against his lips, and that was all it took—Minho deepened the kiss, his other hand sliding up her back, fingers curling into the fabric of his own hoodie that she was wearing. She kissed him back like she was making up for every second they’d wasted, her hands diving into his hair, pulling him in until there was no space left between them.

Their mouths moved in sync, hungry and desperate and utterly lost in each other. She shifted in his lap, and he groaned softly against her lips, like her touch alone was enough to undo him.

There was nothing careful about this anymore.

Kitty felt flushed, like every nerve ending in her body had lit up, sparking beneath her skin. She pulled back just long enough to tug the hoodie over her head and toss it aside. The cool air kissed her skin and her crop top clung to her—but Minho’s gaze? That burned hotter.

His hands found her waist, bare and warm beneath his fingers. She shifted in his lap, breath catching as he kissed her harder, deeper. Like he’d been waiting for this. For her.

Her hands threaded into his hair, tugging him closer. Their mouths moved in sync, growing faster, hungrier—desperate.

Everything around them blurred.

And then—

Bzzzzzz.

A phone buzzed sharply against the wood of her nightstand. Loud in the silence. Jarring.

Startled, they broke apart, gasping for air. They stayed there, breathing hard, foreheads pressed together, lips still just barely brushing as they caught their breath.

They didn’t move.

Didn’t speak.

Chapter Text

Part 1

The phone buzzed again.

Neither of them moved.

Minho's hand was still on her waist, Kitty's fingers still curled in the fabric of his shirt. Their foreheads touched, breaths shallow, lips inches apart, the ghost of their last kiss still warm between them. The vibration rattled once more, then finally fell silent.

But the silence didn’t feel empty.

It felt full .

Kitty swallowed hard, pulling back just enough to see his face clearly. Minho's eyes were fixed on hers, wide and unreadable. His thumb was still brushing gently along her hipbone, like he didn’t quite know he was doing it.

She opened her mouth to say something—anything—but the words tangled behind her teeth. She shifted slightly in his lap, and her breath caught when she felt the unmistakable press of him beneath her. Minho inhaled sharply, his fingers tightening on her hips, holding her still as he let out a low, involuntary groan. His eyes squeezed shut for a second, like he was trying to keep himself from unraveling entirely. "Kitty," he breathed, the sound barely more than a whisper, strained and desperate. The air hit her bare skin, but it did nothing to cool the fire simmering just beneath the surface.

Kitty cleared her throat softly, her eyes flickering away as she shifted again—this time, deliberately easing off his lap. “So,” she said, voice hushed and uneven, “that just happened.”

Minho blinked, then gave the smallest, dazed nod. "Yeah. It did."

Neither of them moved to get off the bed. Kitty exhaled slowly, brushing a strand of hair out of her face and away from the heat that still prickled along her cheeks.

She settled beside him, heart still racing, the warmth of his hands echoing on her skin. Her cheeks flushed—not from embarrassment, but because she’d caught the evidence of his still-present arousal, and her body had reacted before her mind could catch up. It left her giddy, unsure, and quietly terrified. The room felt cooler now, but her skin was still buzzing, her heart pounding somewhere behind her ribs.

Minho drew his legs up too, subtly adjusting himself, like he wasn’t sure if she’d noticed—or was afraid she had. He kept his gaze low, elbows on his knees, the flush creeping up his neck betraying how tightly he was holding it together. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence was thick but not uncomfortable—just suspended, like they were both waiting to see what the other would do.

Minho was still looking at her like he hadn’t caught up with reality yet. Like he wasn’t sure if she was going to vanish if he blinked.

Kitty cleared her throat. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make it weird."

Minho turned to her, running a hand through his hair like he was trying to center himself. His voice was soft, but there was something tight in it—like he was barely holding it together. “You didn’t make it weird.”

She gave a half-smile. "I just... I didn’t plan any of that. It just—"

"Happened," Minho finished. His voice was quiet, but sure. "I know."

There was a long pause before he added, more softly, "I’ve wanted to do that for a while."

Kitty looked at him sharply. "You did?"

Minho met her gaze without flinching. "Yeah."

Her heart tripped over itself. Her fingers curled tighter around her knees. "But I heard you. In the library. You told Dae we were just friends. That that was all we'd ever be."

Minho's expression shifted, surprise flickering across his face. "You heard that?" He hesitated, then exhaled. "I... lied. Dae asked what was going on with us and I wasn't sure how to answer him. And... I thought... you pulled away. After the gym. After that almost-kiss. I figured that was a clear sign that you didn't want more, and I guess I was trying to protect myself too because I thought I ruined it."

Kitty blinked. "No. I thought you pulled away."

They both stared at each other, slightly stunned.

Then, slowly, Kitty began to laugh. Just a breath of sound, almost disbelieving. "We are so dumb."

Minho gave a sheepish smile. "Painfully."

Another silence fell, this one softer. Kitty let her hands fall to the bedspread between them.

"So now what?" she asked, not looking at him. "We kissed. For real this time.""

Minho didn’t answer immediately. Then, instead of speaking, he reached over and gently took her hand.

Kitty looked down at their fingers laced together. She could feel her pulse in her palm.

"We don’t have to figure everything out tonight," he said, his voice low and a little shaky. "But I don’t want to pretend anymore. Not about how I feel. I’ve been trying to act like it wasn’t real—like you weren’t real to me. But I can’t do that anymore. I have feelings for you, Kitty. And I don’t want to keep hiding them, or pretending they don’t mean anything."

Kitty's breath hitched. She squeezed his hand. "I don't want to go back," she said softly, eyes still on their joined hands. "Not after this. I don’t think I could even pretend none of this happened."

Kitty hesitated before stating. "You called me Kitty."

Minho paused, not answering, his eyes dancing between her own again as if he was trying to read her.

Kitty shrugged, trying to play it off. "You just always call me Covey. But tonight you..."

He looked down, a bit sheepish before glancing up at her, a soft smile playing at his lips. "Yeah. I don’t know... it just felt right. Like maybe it was time?"

She gave a small, breathy laugh. "I didn’t say I didn’t like it."

"I'll switch back, if you want."

Her chest tightened. "No. I mean... maybe not always. Just... sometimes. When it feels like this."

"Yeah, okay," he whispered.

Minho turned their joined hands over in his, bringing her knuckles to his lips for a soft kiss. Kitty's breath caught again. Her fingers curled tighter around his, then she slowly slid back down into bed, tugging him gently with her.

They lay back down again, this time with Kitty nestled in front of Minho, his arm slung around her waist, their fingers still loosely twined over her belly. She could feel his heart still pounding against her back—steady, fast, and undeniably real. His body pressed close, his arousal still very much there, and when she shifted against him, he let out a low, strangled laugh.

"Kitty," he said, her name half a warning, half a plea.

She smiled into the darkness, teasing, "Sorry. Just getting comfortable."

Minho groaned softly and pressed a kiss to the back of her shoulder, his hand settling more firmly on her waist. "Don’t start something you don’t plan to finish."

She laughed softly, leaning into him, and he pulled her closer until his body fit snugly against hers, the heat between them steady and unspoken.

No one kissed anyone again. Not tonight. But they stayed there, awake longer than they admitted, until their breathing synced up and they finally drifted into sleep.

The next morning, Kitty woke first.

It took her a full minute to register the weight of the arm around her waist, the warmth behind her, the even breath brushing the back of her neck. Minho.

Her heart gave a small, traitorous flutter. He was still here.

She shifted slightly, not enough to wake him, and turned just enough to peek at his face. His lashes rested against his cheeks, mouth relaxed, chest rising and falling with slow, steady rhythm.

She almost didn’t want to move.

But her phone buzzed again where it lay next to her head. She tensed.

This time, it was a text. From Madison.

madison: coffee and judgement incoming. get dressed.

Kitty groaned softly.

Minho stirred behind her. "That better not be Dae."

She jumped. "You’re awake."

"Have been," he mumbled. His voice was low and raspy. "Since you started fidgeting."

Kitty turned more fully to face him. He blinked at her sleepily, hair a little tousled, and Kitty felt a ridiculous urge to kiss him again.

Instead, she leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to his throat, feeling his Adam’s apple bob beneath her lips as he swallowed. A quiet rush of heat curled in her chest.

"Madison's bringing coffee. She’ll be here any minute," she murmured against his skin before pulling back.

Minho groaned and flopped onto his back, pulling Kitty along with him while he threw his other arm across his face. "Great. Can’t wait."

Kitty laughed and sat up, running a hand through her hair. "You should probably get dressed."

Minho peeked out from under his arm. "Wouldn't want her to think we did more than we did."

Kitty shot him a look. "Minho."

He held up a hand. "Kidding. Mostly."

She tossed a clean shirt at him. "Bathroom. Now."

He obeyed, still grinning.

Less than a minute later, there was a knock.

Kitty opened the door to find Madison holding two coffees and a bag of croissants. She took one look at Kitty’s rumpled hair, bare arms and legs and the hoodie on the floor and raised a single, arched brow.

"I plead the fifth," Kitty said quickly.

Madison smirked. "I didn’t ask a question."

She breezed inside, setting two coffees down on the desk. "Should I pretend I didn’t see Minho’s shoes in the entryway or...?”

"Pretend very hard."

Minho emerged from the bathroom, now fully dressed. Madison greeted him with a chirpy, "Morning, sunshine. Sleep well?"

"Like a rock," Minho said, unbothered.

Madison handed him the second coffee. "You’re going to need caffeine to survive the stares today."

"Why?" he asked, taking a sip.

Madison just smiled sweetly and walked out, letting the door swing shut behind her.

Minho turned to Kitty. "Should I be worried?"

Kitty shrugged. "Depends. Are you planning to avoid me all day?"

He tilted his head. "Are you planning to pretend nothing happened?"

Kitty bit her bottom lip. "No."

He nodded once, reaching out to tangle his fingers with hers. "Then we’ll be fine."

And somehow, that was all she needed to hear.

Later that morning, they crossed paths in the corridor between classes.

Minho slowed when he saw her. She was already looking at him, like she’d felt him approaching.

They didn’t speak.

But she smiled, and he smiled back.

Like it was automatic, second nature.

And for the first time, it felt like maybe—just maybe—whatever they were becoming wasn’t something to fear.

It was something to finally fall into.

Part 2

The sky was soft and overcast by the time Kitty stepped outside again, tugging her blazer tighter around her KISS uniform as the cool air nipped at her skin. Her uniform sweater didn’t offer much warmth, but she didn’t really feel the chill. Not with the memory of Minho’s arms still wrapped around her lingering under her skin. Her hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, strands curling from the humidity. She didn’t even bother trying to do more with it. Her reflection in the mirror that morning had looked flushed and tired but in a way that wasn’t bad. She’d woken up wrapped in warmth, her heart still doing double-time.

And now, she was floating.

Minho had left only a few minutes after Madison. No awkward goodbyes, no weird tension. Just a brush of their hands, a lingering smile, and a whispered, "See you soon."

And now he was everywhere in her thoughts.

In the quiet moments between classes, she found herself glancing down at her phone even when she hadn’t gotten a notification, almost hoping something from him would be there. They hadn’t talked since that morning—not really. They had a class together later, and Kitty didn’t know whether to be excited or nauseous.

She wasn’t second-guessing the kiss. Not even a little. But she was wondering how long they could keep it hidden. She’d barely made it out of the suite without Madison giving her a look so pointed it could slice steel. Q had already texted her a gif of a raccoon peeking through blinds.

In their shared media studies class, Minho slid into the seat beside her without hesitation. He looked sleek in his uniform—the same blazer, shirt, and tie every other guy wore, yet he somehow made it look like a fashion editorial. His hair was perfectly styled, as if he'd walked out of a photoshoot instead of class. He didn’t say anything right away, but his knee bumped hers beneath the table. Purposefully.

“Hi,” he murmured.

Kitty felt her face warm. “Hi.”

“Q caught me sneaking back into our dorm this morning to change,” Minho murmured instead, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “So… expect questions.”

Kitty blinked, surprised. “What did you tell him?”

Minho opened his mouth to answer, but the professor walked in, and the moment snapped shut. Minho just gave her a knowing smile as they both turned forward, pretending to pay attention while their pinkies brushed lightly under the desk.

After class, they walked together down the hallway, keeping pace naturally. Other students brushed past them, too caught up in their own worlds to notice. No one gave them a second look—they were used to seeing Kitty and Minho together. But their friends? Their friends would notice the difference. The way their arms brushed more deliberately now. The way Minho lingered a half-step closer than he used to.

“So Q already knows something,” Kitty muttered as they stepped outside.

“He thinks he knows, but he doesn’t actually know,” Minho replied.

Kitty gave him a sidelong glance. “We should probably decide what we’re doing. I mean… are we telling people?”

Just before they reached the humanities building, Minho gently caught Kitty's hand and tugged her toward a quiet alcove tucked between two columns, hidden just out of sight of the passing crowd.

"Wait," he said softly.

Kitty blinked, surprised, as Minho stepped in close. His fingers reached up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and her breath caught at the intimacy of it. She found her own hands moving automatically, smoothing down the already-perfect line of his tie, more for something to do than anything else. They were standing a breath too close to be just friends, and they both knew it.

"I just wanted to make sure we're still on the same page," Minho said. "About... not telling people yet."

Kitty nodded slowly. "Yeah…I want this to be just ours for a little while. Before it gets picked apart by everyone else."

Minho searched her face for a beat, then smiled. "I was hoping you’d say that."

Kitty looked up at him, her voice quieter now. "You’re not disappointed?"

"Not even a little," Minho said, brushing his knuckles gently against her hand. "I like this. Us. And let’s be real—we’ve both been pretty terrible at being honest with each other about how we feel. It’s kind of nice having some time to figure that out without everyone else jumping in with opinions or assumptions."

Kitty gave him a soft, understanding smile. "So what are we saying, if people ask?"

Minho tilted his head, thoughtful. "That we’re best friends and working on things. That we’re in a better place now. Not confirming, not denying—just... keeping it between us."

"So not lying," Kitty murmured, relieved then nodded slowly. "Okay. That works for me."

They stood there for a beat longer, and Kitty swore her heart wasn’t going to survive much more of this day.

“Although,” he added, stepping a little closer, “if you keep wearing my hoodie around campus, our cover story’s not going to last long.”

Kitty laughed. “Maybe I want people to wonder.”

Minho grinned. “You little chaos gremlin.”

Then, with a final squeeze of her fingers, Minho let go, and they walked the rest of the way together.

They parted ways outside the humanities building with a lingering look neither of them tried to hide. Kitty turned toward the dorms with her heart doing Olympic-level gymnastics.

When she got back to her dorm, Q and Eunice were already inside, sprawled across her bed like they lived there.

“Okay,” Q said, sitting up. “We’re not leaving until you talk.”

“Confess,” Eunice said, offering Kitty a gummy worm. “Or at least blink twice if he kissed you.”

Kitty narrowed her eyes. “What makes you think something happened?”

Q scoffed. “You’re glowing like someone just rewrote your fanfic ending to include actual kissing.”

“You were wearing that look this morning,” Eunice added. “Like you had a secret you weren’t ready to share.”

“You left in a daze yesterday,” Q said. “You barely noticed me standing in the hallway.”

“Your hair was a mess.”

“And Madison hasn’t stopped humming like she knows something.”

“And,” Q added, with a smug grin, “Minho came sneaking back into our dorm around 7 this morning, clearly doing the world's fastest outfit change. So unless he decided to sleepwalk around the courtyard all night... where oh where could he have been?”

Kitty stared at them. “Are you two building a case or auditioning for a reality TV tribunal?”

“That's not a denial,” Q said sweetly.

Kitty dropped onto her bed, laughing under her breath. “We’re figuring things out. I don’t know exactly what it is yet, but… it feels like we’re getting back to something. Or maybe moving forward from something. Either way, I’m… hopeful. And kind of excited.”

Eunice clutched a pillow dramatically. “This is the best season of your life. I swear.”

“So are you together?” Eunice asked.

“Not exactly,” Kitty said. “We haven’t really defined it yet."

“Oh honey,” Q said. “You two have never needed a label to act like a couple.”

Kitty smiled, a little helpless. “I know.”

And in that moment, she realized something else: it didn’t matter if they weren’t calling it anything yet. What they had was real.

And sooner or later, everyone else would see it too.

Part 3

The next few days passed in a blur of almost-normal.

Kitty and Minho didn’t kiss again—not because they didn’t want to (because God knows, they did), but because it seemed like they’d both silently agreed to wait. To hold off until they knew what this was, what they were. It wasn’t something they talked about, not directly, but the understanding lingered unspoken between them.

It seemed the rest of their bodies weren't as cooperative. Their hands brushed a little longer than they used to. His knee bumped hers under the lunch table. She found herself leaning into him when they walked, shoulder to shoulder like magnets. His arm stayed slung around her shoulder anytime they were still.

And their friends absolutely noticed.

Q narrowed his eyes at their interactions with the kind of scrutiny that belonged in crime documentaries. Madison kept humming love songs whenever she was in the same room. Eunice asked increasingly loaded questions about Kitty's "emotional availability." Even Dae had taken to staring at Minho with a raised brow anytime Kitty laughed at one of his jokes.

Yuri made a point of glancing between them during group conversations, her expressions unreadable but very pointed. Juliana, sharp as ever, didn’t say anything outright, but Kitty caught her smirking a few times when she thought no one was watching. And Jin? Jin didn’t say much, but he’d raised one perfectly skeptical eyebrow the last time Minho handed Kitty a drink without being asked.

Still, no one said anything out loud. Yet.

Kitty wasn’t sure if that made it easier or harder.

Because in those quiet, in-between moments—between classes, between conversations—it felt like something was steadily blooming between them. Fragile, maybe. Undefined, definitely. But it was there, alive and unfolding, and she didn’t want to rush it or ruin it by naming it too soon.

On Friday afternoon, Kitty was sitting on the steps outside the library, her history notes spread across her lap and earbuds in, trying to focus. The breeze tugged at her hair, and the late autumn sun warmed her legs where her skirt didn’t quite cover. She didn’t hear Minho approaching until he nudged her sneaker with his shoe.

"You ditching our Hangul session?"

She blinked up at him. "Crap, is it already four?"

"Mm-hmm."

She scrambled to pack up her things. "I lost track of time. Sorry."

"It’s okay," Minho said with a small grin. "I’m very forgiving."

They started walking together toward one of the smaller study lounges tucked into the arts building. It was usually empty by late afternoon, and quiet enough for Kitty to feel only mildly humiliated when Minho quizzed her on vowel pairings.

"You brought the Yakult, right?" she asked as they stepped inside.

Minho raised an eyebrow. "You think I’d show up unprepared for battle?"

Kitty laughed and reached for the tiny drink bottle as he pulled it from his bag. She popped the straw in and took a sip, sighing like it was a gourmet espresso.

They settled in with their books, their knees pressed together on the cushioned bench seat. Kitty could feel the shared warmth radiating from where they touched, subtle but insistent, like a quiet heartbeat under the surface of everything. It was the kind of contact that should've felt accidental, but it didn’t. Not anymore.

She found herself glancing at him more often than necessary, catching the way his hair curled slightly at the ends or how he chewed on the inside of his cheek when he concentrated. It made her chest ache in the softest, most ridiculous way.

When Minho looked up and caught her staring, he didn’t tease. He just smiled that lazy, knowing smile of his and gently nudged her knee with his. Kitty looked away fast, cheeks burning, but she couldn’t stop the grin that tugged at her lips.

She picked up her pen again, trying to hide her smile.

Minho shifted closer, just slightly, and pointed to the character she was trying to write. "That's almost right. Just round the curve here more—"

His fingers brushed hers, guiding the pen, and Kitty’s breath caught.

They froze for a beat, eyes meeting. Minho looked like he was trying to decide whether to lean in further, let go or stay right where he was. Eventually, he slowly pulled back, but the ghost of his touch lingered.

Kitty tried to focus again, but the atmosphere had changed. Everything felt sharper. Closer. She couldn’t remember how to pronounce anything.

They didn’t talk much after that. Just worked side by side until the sun dipped low enough to bathe the windows in warm gold.

When they packed up for the evening, the silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable—just full of things neither of them had said out loud yet.

They stepped outside into the chill air. Kitty wrapped her arms around herself, and Minho immediately shrugged off his blazer and draped it over her shoulders without comment.

She looked up at him, startled. "You're going to freeze."

"I run hot," he said. "You know that."

Kitty blushed but didn’t argue.

They walked side by side across campus, and Kitty couldn’t help but feel like they were walking inside a moment suspended from time. Everything felt heightened—the crispness of the air, the glow of the campus lights beginning to blink on, the faint sound of music drifting from a nearby dorm window. It was a kind of quiet intimacy that didn’t need to be named.

Minho didn’t rush their steps. If anything, he slowed them, matching her pace like he didn’t want the walk to end either. At one point, their shoulders bumped and instead of pulling away, Kitty leaned in slightly. Minho didn’t say a word, but his fingers brushed against hers again like muscle memory before hooking his pinkie around hers, and Kitty had to look straight ahead just to remember how to breathe.

She felt cocooned in his jacket, the scent of his cologne clinging to the fabric, wrapping around her like a quiet truth she wasn’t quite ready to say aloud.

Minho slowed their pace as they reached the edge of the quad. "So... I was thinking."

"Always a dangerous start," Kitty teased.

He shot her a look, amused. "Tomorrow night. Would you want to get dinner? Just us."

Kitty’s heart tripped. She stopped walking, and he paused too, turning toward her.

"Like a date?" she echoed, the word heavier than expected, like it carried all the possibilities they hadn’t dared name yet.

Minho nodded. "Yeah, like a date. I mean, if you—."

Kitty smiled, a little breathless as she rushed to answer him. "I do."

"Great," he said, stepping closer, his expression softer than she’d ever seen it. "I know this has all been... a lot. I just want you to know, I’m not trying to rush anything. We go at your pace."

Kitty’s chest warmed. She reached up to fix the knot of his now askew tie, fingers brushing against his collarbone. "You always say that. But maybe this time, it’s our pace."

Tugging gently at the lapels of his jacket that now hung on her shoulders, Minho looked at her like she’d just said something important—maybe she had.

He leaned in slightly, his voice low and just for her. "You’re not going to make me quiz you halfway through it, are you?"

Kitty smirked. "No promises."

They lingered for another moment, then, with a soft smile, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead. It was gentle and grounding, and Kitty’s breath caught, the warmth of it bloomed under her skin.

They parted a few minutes later, but not before Minho gave her hand a final squeeze and a look that lingered.

Back in her dorm that night, Kitty sat cross-legged on her bed, scrolling through a playlist titled "Almost, Definitely Something." She added a new song without thinking, heart still doing somersaults from the conversation.

A real date.

They hadn’t defined what they were—not yet. But this felt like a step in the right direction. Like something new they were building, piece by piece, at their own pace.

It was starting to feel real, and for now, that was more than enough.

Chapter Text

Part 1

Kitty stood in front of her closet like it held the answers to the universe.

It didn’t.

She chewed her lip and scanned the lineup again, shifting hangers side to side for the fifth time, trying to find the elusive outfit that said: I’m cool and casual but also put effort into this. Flirty but not try-hard. Interested but still totally not spiraling.

"You’re spiraling," Madison said from the doorway, sipping a can of sparkling water with all the smug wisdom of someone who wasn’t the one going on a first date with their maybe-boyfriend.

Kitty turned to her, wide-eyed. "I’m not. I’m... considering."

"You’ve been 'considering' for forty minutes," Madison said, walking in and flopping onto Kitty’s bed. “Wear the cream sweater and the skirt. That one that makes your legs look like they belong in a music video."

Kitty stared. "You actually paid attention to my outfits?"

"Please. I have to live with you. I’ve seen that sweater more than I’ve seen my own reflection."

Despite herself, Kitty laughed. She yanked the cream sweater from the hanger and pulled it on. It hit that rare sweet spot of soft and structured, hugging her just enough to make her feel cute but not overdressed. The plaid skirt was familiar and flattering, and the boots gave her just enough height to feel confident.

She checked herself in the mirror one last time, smoothing her hair and trying not to look too... eager.

Madison raised an eyebrow. "You're gonna knock him out."

Kitty blushed. "It’s just dinner."

Madison grinned, tapping her can against Kitty’s elbow on her way out. "Just dinner with the boy who looks at you like you're made of stardust. Have fun, future Mrs. Moon."

Kitty groaned. Madison laughed all the way down the hall.

Minho was waiting outside the dorm, leaning against the railing in that effortless way he had, dressed in sleek black pants and a dark button-up layered under a structured coat. He looked expensive. And nervous.

Kitty stepped out and immediately felt her pulse stutter. He looked up from his phone, and when he saw her, he straightened slightly.

His eyes swept over her slowly, and for a second, Minho looked like he might be speechless. Then, recovering, he tilted his head and said with a crooked grin, "Wow. Good to know I’m wildly underdressed for my own date."

Kitty raised an eyebrow, lips curving into a smirk. "If this is you wildly underdressed, I’m in trouble."

Arm in arm, he led her to a sleek black car, opening the passenger door for Kitty who raised an eyebrow as she slid in.

"Should I text Madison a code word in case you’re secretly taking me to some high-society gala and I need to escape?" she teased, settling into the leather seat.

Minho climbed in beside her, clicking his seatbelt into place. "Relax. I only reserve secret kidnappings for Tuesdays. This is strictly above board."

Kitty laughed, eyes dancing. "So mysterious."

"You love it," he shot back, smiling sideways at her.

Their smiles mirrored and tentative, they relaxed into the soft hum of the car, the city lights blurring past the windows. Dinner wasn’t far—a place he’d mentioned once on tour, a quiet little bistro with string lights and low music tucked into a corner near Hongdae. Casual, but cozy. Romantic, if you were looking for it. And totally unexpected.

"I thought for sure you were going to drag me somewhere with a tasting menu and microscopic portions," she teased once they were seated inside.

Minho chuckled, glancing at her as a waiter placed menus down in front of them. "Tempting, but... you never cared about all that. About the status stuff. Or my family’s name. That—that’s one of the things Io—" He stumbled slightly, catching himself. "Appreciate. About you."

Kitty blinked, surprised but warmed by the confession. He kept going before she could say anything.

"Besides, I remember how hungry you always were after those fancy dinners with my family on tour. I figured you'd appreciate food that's actually... food."

She laughed, touched. "So this is the Minho Moon version of practical?"

He gave her a mock-scandalized look. "I have layers."

They made small talk at first—safe things. Classes, campus gossip, whether Eunice had actually won her dramatic standoff with the vending machine in the humanities building (she had, barely). But as the food arrived and the lighting softened, so did the conversation.

"This feels weird," Kitty said, setting down her chopsticks. "But like... good weird."

Minho nodded. "We’ve done meals together before, but I guess this one has... atmosphere."

"Because it’s a date."

"Yeah. There is that."

Kitty grinned. He reached across the table and nudged her plate toward her. "You barely touched your food. I didn’t spend all afternoon choosing this place for you to survive on vibes alone."

"You already knew the vibe would be right the second we walked in."

He grinned, eyes crinkling. "Guilty. I might’ve done a little recon."

"Just a little?" she teased.

"Okay, a lot," he admitted. "But only because I thought you’d like it."

Kitty poked at her rice, heart fluttering. "I do."

She paused, then added quietly, "I think that’s why I’m kind of nervous. The butterflies are making it hard to eat."

Minho tilted his head, his expression softening. "Hey. We’re still us, Covey. The only real difference is that... maybe now I get to kiss you at the end of the night."

She blinked, startled, then smiled. "You say that like it's a maybe."

He faltered, eyes widening a little. "I mean—only if you want. I would never—"

Kitty giggled, reaching across the table to rest her hand over his. "Minho. I want."

The conversation turned deeper after that. They talked about the tour again—the highs and lows. The nights they spent wandering unfamiliar cities, the late-night laughs in hotel hallways, the quiet mornings when it was just them and room service and too many pillows.

"I missed that," Kitty said softly. "Not just the places. You. Us. Just being able to...be together as much as we wanted, even if we were working on the tour."

Minho looked down at his water glass. "Yeah. I missed it too. More than I thought I would."

She hesitated. "Do you think it was just because we were away? Like, a bubble?"

Minho looked at her then, lips tugging slightly like he was trying not to smile. "I mean... you were already my favorite person before the tour. The tour just made it harder to ignore."

Kitty exhaled slowly, the knot in her chest loosening. She reached across the table, fingers brushing his. He turned his hand over and linked their fingers easily.

They didn’t rush dinner. When the server brought the check, Minho waved him off without even glancing at the bill. Kitty rolled her eyes but let him.

Outside, the air had cooled even more, their breath visible in the glow of the streetlamps. Kitty hugged her coat tighter as Minho offered her his arm again. This time, she didn’t hesitate.

When the car pulled up in front of the dorms, neither of them moved for a moment. The silence was soft, full of things unspoken. Minho walked Kitty to her dorm, their steps slow, reluctant to let the night end. At her door, he paused and turned to face her.

"Thanks for coming out with me," he said quietly.

"Thanks for asking."

There was a beat.

Then Kitty stepped forward and kissed him.

It was gentle, like the first few notes of a song she didn’t want to rush. He leaned in, deepening it just slightly, one hand brushing against her cheek as if afraid she’d disappear.

When they pulled back, Kitty was breathless.

"That felt very... on purpose," Minho murmured.

"Good," she whispered.

He rested his forehead against hers for a second before stepping back. "Sleep well, Covey."

"Goodnight, Minho."

Kitty floated into to her room like she was lighter than air. Madison was already asleep, the dorm quiet except for the soft rustle of blankets as Kitty changed into her pajamas and slipped into bed.

She stared up at the ceiling for a while, her face still warm, her fingers tingling. Her phone buzzed softly on the nightstand.

Minho: Try not to miss me too much tonight.

Kitty smiled, biting her lip before tapping out a reply.

Kitty: Too late. You already showed up in my dreams wearing that stupid coat.

Minho: Which one?

Kitty: The one that made me want to undo every button. xo

Kitty bit her lip, fighting a smile, heart racing as she stared at the screen—hoping she'd thrown him off-balance as much as he always managed to do to her. The typing dots blinked, paused, blinked again, looping endlessly while she waited.

Minho: You’re trying to kill me.

Kitty giggled, hugging her pillow as she turned onto her side, her heart fluttering.

She didn’t know what would happen next, or how they’d define it.

But it was real. It was growing.

And it was hers.

Part 2

Kitty didn’t fall asleep right away.

She tried. After the texts with Minho, she had curled into her blankets, set her phone down, and closed her eyes. But her mind wouldn't shut off. Her heart wouldn’t stop racing. The kiss. The way his hand had cradled her cheek. His stupid flirty texts afterward. The way her own responses had made him pause. And that last message from him—you’re trying to kill me—still lingered at the back of her mind like the softest kind of triumph.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. Kitty blinked awake and grabbed it.

Minho: You still up?

Kitty: Barely. You miss me already?

Minho: Yeah.

There was a pause. Then:

Minho: I’m outside. Side entrance. Can you let me in?

Her heart stuttered. She glanced at the time—past midnight.

She didn’t reply. She just threw on her robe and slippers, and padded quietly through the dorm. When she reached the side entrance, she saw him waiting there, hoodie pulled up, a small backpack slung over one shoulder, hands in his pockets.

When she opened the door, he looked up with that sheepish half-smile. "Hey," he said.

Kitty blinked at him, wide-eyed. "Minho. It’s past midnight."

He nodded. "I know. I couldn’t sleep. And your texts didn’t exactly help."

Kitty felt warmth bloom in her cheeks. She stepped aside.

Minho didn’t hesitate. Once Kitty let him in, they both moved quickly and quietly down the hallway, keeping their heads low and their pace steady to avoid the hallway cameras. When they reached her dorm room, Kitty opened the door and slipped inside first. Minho followed, tugging his hoodie down only once they were safe inside.

Inside the room, Kitty closed the door softly behind them and whispered, "Mads is already asleep," nodding toward her roommate's closed door. She glanced down at the bag on his shoulder. "What's in the bag?"

Minho scratched the back of his neck, a little sheepish. "Clothes. For tomorrow. Just in case."

Kitty’s lips twitched. "Optimistic. I like it."

Minho toed off his sneakers quietly, but hovered, suddenly unsure of himself. He followed her toward her room on autopilot, but it wasn’t until the door clicked shut behind them that he seemed to register what he’d done.

He shifted his weight, hand brushing the back of his neck. "I’m sorry for showing up so late. I shouldn’t have—maybe this was dumb, I can go—"

Kitty reached out, gently grabbing his hand before he could turn. Her fingers curled around his, grounding him. "I'm glad you came," she whispered. "I missed you, too."

She didn’t say anything else. Just led him to the bed, fingers laced with his.

They didn’t turn on a show or even scroll through their phones. There were no playlists or background noise. Just the hum of the A/C and the soft sounds of their breathing as they lay facing each other, sharing a pillow.

For a long moment, neither spoke.

Then Kitty said, softly, "I wasn’t ready for tonight to end."

Minho smiled. "Me neither."

They talked for a while. Whispered things they hadn’t said aloud yet. Minho admitted he hadn’t stopped thinking about her since the tour ended—or really, since before that. "It was brutal," he confessed, voice low. "Trying to act normal around you. Pretending like I didn’t want more when it was all I could think about. Especially during the tour."

Kitty's hand tightened around his. "I felt it too," she said softly. "Even before the tour. But... you said you were swearing off relationships, and I didn’t think I had the right to say anything."

Minho looked at her then, something tender and sure in his expression. "I don’t want anyone else, Covey. This might still be new, but it feels long overdue."

He hesitated, then added, "Can I... Would you want to be exclusive? Like, officially mine? My girlfriend?"

Kitty blinked, her heart skipping a beat. Then she smiled.

"Yeah. I really would."

And then she kissed him.

Or maybe he kissed her. Later, she wouldn’t remember who moved first. Just that they met in the middle like gravity had made the decision for them.

It started soft. Minho’s hand came up to cradle her cheek, his thumb brushing gently over her skin like he couldn’t believe she was real. Kitty’s fingers twisted into the fabric of his shirt, gripping tight, like she didn’t trust the moment not to vanish.

Then his hand slid down to her waist, and when his fingers brushed the bare skin just above the waistband of her shorts, Kitty gasped at the contact. Minho immediately pulled back slightly, eyes searching hers.

"Okay?" he whispered.

But Kitty didn’t answer with words. She chased his mouth instead, kissing him again, more urgently this time. That was all the answer Minho needed. His hand slipped beneath her top, fingertips exploring the warm skin of her back.

Kitty broke the kiss briefly, gasping for air, her head tilting back slightly as her grip on his shirt pulled him closer. Her eyes fluttered closed, chest rising and falling as she exhaled a shaky breath.

Minho watched her, completely transfixed, then slid both hands under her shirt, palms spreading across her back, anchoring her to him.

Kitty sighed, her lashes lifting just before she leaned in again, pressing another kiss to his lips. This time, she hooked her leg over his hip, shifting until their bodies aligned perfectly.

The moment deepened. And it didn’t stay slow. Not after that.

Hands tangled in hair. Bodies pulled closer. Kitty shifted so she was straddling his hips, her hands framing his face as he looked down at her like she was something he didn’t dare reach for unless she asked. Minho gasped, a sharp inhale escaping him, followed by a low, breathless, "Fuck."

His hands slid from beneath her shirt, one settling firmly on her hip, the other coming to rest on the bare skin of her thigh where it was squeezed against his side.

When she rolled her hips once, the groan that escaped Minho's lips was rough and real, his fingers tightening on her thighs, almost holding her in place while he looked like he was losing his grip.

"Kitty," he breathed, eyes fluttering closed.

She stilled, uncertain. A flicker of embarrassment crossed her face. "Sorry," she whispered. "I don’t really know what I’m doing. I just... I thought it might feel good. It did. To me."

Minho opened his eyes again, dark with something unspoken. He huffed a breath of laughter, one hand smoothing up her side. "It does. It really does."

He exhaled slowly, grounding himself. "But maybe we should slow down. I don’t want to rush this... or you. You're too important for that."

Kitty looked at him for a beat, her hands resting lightly on his chest, feeling the steady thump of his heart beneath her palms—and the persistent press of his arousal beneath her. It was at odds with his words, and yet she could feel how sincere he was. Her cheeks flushed, but the warmth blooming in her chest wasn’t embarrassment. It was affection. Trust. Something deeper. She leaned down again, kissing him softly.

This time, it was slower. But no less intense.

But eventually, Kitty pulled back, resting her forehead against his. "We should sleep," she murmured.

Minho nodded. He helped her climb off of him, and once they lay down, Kitty turned onto her side and Minho moved in behind her, spooning her close. He tucked his arm around her waist, pulling her in gently, their fingers loosely twined over her belly.

Kitty could feel his heartbeat against her spine.

When she shifted slightly and brushed against the hardness still pressed behind her, Minho groaned again, low and involuntary.

"Jesus, Covey," he exhaled in warning.

She giggled. "Sorry."

"You’re not."

She wasn’t.

He pressed a kiss to the back of her shoulder, then another just below her ear. "Don’t start something you don’t intend to finish."

Kitty smiled into the dark. "Then maybe you shouldn’t sneak into girls' beds after midnight."

He pulled her tighter, his hips shifting to settle more comfortably. "Noted."

Eventually, their breathing slowed. Kitty closed her eyes and let the comfort of his arms lull her to sleep.

They were still tangled up in each other when Kitty’s phone buzzed loudly against the nightstand.

She stirred first, groaning softly before grabbing it.

Madison: Q’s on his way. He noticed your boy's bed is still perfectly made. Thought you'd want the heads up.

Kitty’s eyes widened as she turned to Minho, who blinked awake beside her, hair tousled, voice groggy. "What?"

"Q's coming," she whispered. "You need to go—now."

Minho sat up quickly, grabbing his small backpack. "I’ll change and head him off with some coffee. He’ll buy it."

He ducked into her bathroom to change into his spare clothes. When he came back out, Kitty was still curled up in bed, half-asleep, her head resting on the pillow he had used.

Minho hesitated at the edge of her bed, watching her for a moment. Then he stepped closer. "Hey."

She eyes blinked open at him, sleepy and warm.

He leaned in and gave her a quick, sweet kiss. "I’ll see you in class."

Then he slipped out quietly, leaving Kitty blinking after him, heart thudding.

Minho made it back to his dorm in record time to find Dae sitting at the kitchen island, staring blankly at the kettle like he could will it to boil faster. A moment later, Q emerged from the bathroom with his toothbrush hanging out of his mouth.

Q spotted the coffee cups in Minho’s hands and raised a brow. "Early morning coffee run?"

Minho shrugged casually and handed one each to Q and Dae. "Felt like it’s been a while since we did the whole ‘just guys’ thing. No plans today, right? I was thinking hot wings and a rematch."

Dae perked up slightly. "Only if you’re ready to lose this time."

Q narrowed his eyes suspiciously over his toothbrush but took the coffee anyway. After a beat, he asked, "Can Jin come too? His FOMO’s been off the charts."

"Yeah, of course," Minho said, setting the drinks down. "I always end up ordering too many wings anyway."

Q leaned on the counter, watching Minho with a raised eyebrow and shrewd eyes. "So, how’s Kitty?"

Minho felt the heat creep up his neck before he could stop it. He schooled his features into something neutral. "Wouldn’t know. We haven’t texted yet today."

Not a lie, but still not the whole truth — though guilt pricked at him anyway.

Q just hummed and turned to grab a bowl from the cupboard while Minho leaned against the counter, sipping his coffee.

Now that it was real—official—Minho wondered if it was time to tell the others.

He was already looking forward to the little things—holding her hand on the way to class, pressing a kiss to her cheek between lectures, stealing a real kiss just because he could.

He’d have to talk to Kitty about it first, of course. Figure it out together.

And he couldn't wait.

Chapter Text

Part 1

Q wasn’t nosy by nature.

Well, maybe a little. But only when it came to his friends.

And lately, there had been a lot to notice.

It started small. A moment outside the dorms where he caught a glimpse of Minho tucking a strand of hair behind Kitty’s ear as they talked near the vending machines. She smiled at something he said, and Minho’s expression had softened in a way Q had never seen before. By the time Q reached them, they were standing a little farther apart. Nothing obvious. But different.

Then there was the time at lunch when Q watched Kitty fix the knot of Minho’s tie with the kind of ease that didn’t come from a one-off gesture. It was practiced. Familiar. Minho didn’t even blink, just kept eating his sandwich while Kitty adjusted his collar like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Q didn't call them on it then.

Another day, he spotted them leaving class together, Minho’s arm casually slung over Kitty’s shoulder, her hand gripping the strap of his backpack like it belonged there. Q had been walking toward them but ducked behind a column just in time to see Minho drop his arm like it burned him the second Eunice rounded the corner.

It happened again a few days later in the quad—Kitty and Minho sitting a little too close on the edge of the fountain, pinkies linked, sharing a bag of chips like it was second nature. When Q had approached from behind, he’d seen them lean in like they were about to whisper something private—Kitty's nose practically brushing Minho's cheek—before they sprang apart like they’d been caught, as soon as Yuri started up the steps towards them.

Still, neither of them had said anything.

But Q noticed.

In the hallway before assembly one morning, he caught them hovering in the doorway to the music room. Minho was saying something low under his breath, and Kitty was laughing so hard she had to press her hand to her mouth. Then—so gently Q almost thought he imagined it—Minho leaned down and kissed her temple. Just a brush of lips. A blink, and it was over.

Kitty’s smile lingered for a second too long.

Later that day, Q walked into the library to find them sitting across from each other—books open, notes scattered, but no words exchanged. Just the kind of stare that said everything. When Kitty glanced up and saw him, she nudged Minho with her knee under the table and quickly turned back to her notes. Minho followed suit a beat too late.

Then there were the mornings.

More than once, Q had passed Minho in the quad with damp hair and his tie only half done, as if he’d gotten ready in a rush. Minho always brushed it off with a casual excuse, claiming he hit the gym late or overslept. But once, Q had woken early and gone to grab coffee, only to see Minho sneaking out of the girls’ dorm building wearing the same clothes from the night before.

Minho had spotted him and waved like nothing was unusual. Q hadn’t said anything, but something lodged in his chest that didn’t quite go away.

He knew Kitty and Minho were “figuring things out”. He knew that, because Kitty told him. But, they hadn’t told him anything about them since. From what he’s been seeing between them, they had already clearly figured it out and just weren’t telling anyone.

It wasn’t about judgment. It wasn’t even about surprise. It was the secrecy. The decision—by both of them—not to share this part of their lives with him.

He kept noticing things. Like the way Kitty would text someone under the table and smile at her screen for a full minute before slipping her phone away. Or the time he saw her take Minho’s hoodie out of her locker between classes and tug it on without a second thought.

One afternoon, Q caught them exiting a small café near campus. They hadn’t seen him, and he didn’t call out. He just watched as Minho reached for Kitty’s hand, lacing their fingers together, then dropped it a moment later when a group of students passed by.

Later that week, they were walking to class, Kitty clutching a folder against her chest. Minho reached over to adjust her backpack strap with the kind of tenderness that looked out of place in the middle of a crowded hallway. When their friends arrived, they walked a little farther apart. Kitty’s fingers toyed with the edge of her sleeve. Minho’s hands stayed in his pockets.

And then, this week.

The final nail in the coffin.

They were at their group project meeting—Modern Korean Society. Kitty and Minho were seated next to each other, typing notes and bouncing ideas back and forth. Q hadn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary until Yuri and Praveena had left to find a book.

Minho had leaned over to point something out on Kitty’s screen. She’d turned her head to say something, and he’d pressed a lingering kiss to her cheek as she leaned in further to him, eyes fluttering close as if she were savouring the contact.

Q froze behind them, just arriving with their printed documents.

These weren't just one-off moments. They were easy, familiar—the kind of touch that only came from repetition. From comfort. These weren’t new behaviors; they had become second nature between them.

Again, Q said nothing. Just handed over the papers and sat down. But inside, something cracked open.

Later that night, he found himself staring at his phone, waiting for a message from Kitty or Minho. Something. Anything.

But none came.

Not even a meme. Not even a "hey, what’s up." Not even a half-hearted attempt to play it cool.

They were clearly more than friends now. That much was obvious.

So why hadn’t either of them told him?

He wasn’t just anyone. He wasn’t some distant classmate. He was their friend. Minho’s roommate. Kitty’s confidant.

And suddenly, Q felt like the one person left out of a story he used to be part of.

A ghost haunting the edges of their new beginning.

And he didn’t know what hurt more—the fact that they were hiding it, or the fact that neither of them had trusted him enough to let him in.

Part 2

Q wasn’t usually the type to let things fester. If something was bothering him, he liked to deal with it head-on. Clean lines, honest conversations. But this—this slow, aching distance—was different.

Because it was Kitty. And Minho.

And he didn’t want to be wrong.

He paced their dorm room that night long after Minho had gone to bed. The lights were off except for the soft blue glow of Q’s laptop screen, still open to a paused K-drama he’d lost interest in halfway through. His phone sat on the desk beside him, untouched.

Kitty had texted earlier, just like she always did—something funny about a squirrel trying to steal her Yakult—but that was all. Nothing about Minho. Nothing about anything.

It wasn’t the silence that stung. It was the quiet omission.

He opened and closed his chat with her at least four times. Started typing a message. Deleted it. Started again. Gave up.

It wasn’t like he needed them to confess anything. He just... wanted to be included. Wanted to be trusted.

The next day, Q decided he couldn’t ignore it anymore.

He found Madison alone in the school cafeteria, a tub of kimchi in one hand and her phone in the other. She looked up when he slid into the seat across from her, immediately narrowing her eyes.

"Why do you look like you’ve been running through conspiracy theories since dawn?" she asked.

"Because I have," Q replied, dropping his bag beside him. "And you’re going to help me solve one."

Madison popped the lid off her kimchi and arched a brow. "If this is about whether or not Mr. Choi wears a wig, I already told you, I’m not getting involved."

"It’s not about Mr. Choi’s wig," Q deadpanned. He leaned forward. "It’s about Kitty. And Minho."

Madison blinked. "What about them?"

Q gave her a flat look. "Come on. You’re her roommate. You’ve definitely noticed it."

She didn’t answer immediately. Just stuffed a bite of kimchi into her mouth and chewed with exaggerated slowness. Too slowly.

Q leaned back, crossing his arms. "So you do know something."

"I know a lot of things," Madison said. "For instance, I know you’re not going to stop until you get answers, so you might as well just say what you’re actually asking."

"Are they together?" Q asked.

Madison hesitated.

"Please don’t lie. I’ve seen the hair tucks. The whispered conversations. The hoodie stealing. The backpack sharing. I literally saw him kiss her cheek like it was nothing."

Madison sighed. "I think... it’s complicated."

"That’s not a no."

"It’s not a yes either," she said. "They’re figuring it out. Quietly."

Q’s chest tightened. "Why quietly? Why not tell us?"

Madison softened, setting her container aside. "Because they’re scared. You know how both of them are. Kitty overthinks everything, and Minho’s never actually done real feelings before. They don’t want to mess it up by adding pressure."

"I wouldn’t pressure them."

"I know," Madison said gently. "But you’re still Q. You’d notice everything. They want space to make sense of it."

Q looked away, swallowing hard. "I just wish they trusted me enough to include me in that."

Madison nudged his hand. "They do. They’re just... trying to protect something fragile. Give them time."

Q didn’t respond right away. Just stared down at the table, then nodded.

But it still hurt.

He found himself watching Kitty and Minho more than usual that week. Trying to pick apart the pieces. Were they more affectionate than before? Were they hiding something in plain sight?

There was a moment in the library—Kitty and Minho at one end of the long table, laughing softly over something in her notebook. Her hand lingered on his arm a little too long. His smile dipped into something fond and private. The kind of look you gave someone you didn’t want to stop looking at.

Later, in the quad, Q caught them on a bench—Kitty with her head tipped toward Minho’s shoulder, her foot tapping against his. Minho was scrolling on his phone, but his pinky was hooked with hers like it belonged there.

It was subtle. Always subtle. But unmistakable.

That night, Q sat in bed scrolling through his notes for their Modern Korean Society project when Minho walked in, fresh from a shower, hair damp and phone in hand.

Q looked up. "Hey."

Minho nodded. "Hey."

There was a pause.

Q turned back to his laptop, then casually said, "You and Kitty have been hanging out a lot lately."

Minho glanced at him, wary. "We always hang out."

"Sure, but I mean... more than usual. Late nights. Morning walks. Sharing food. Holding hands."

Minho froze for a second too long.

Q didn’t press. Just let it hang in the air before continuing.

"That guy I mentioned from my stats class? He asked about her again. Wanted to know if I thought she was seeing anyone."

Minho’s jaw tightened. "What did you say?"

"I said I didn’t know. Because I don’t. Because apparently I’m the only one who doesn’t."

Minho didn’t reply.

Q kept his tone light. "I told him I’d check. I mean, if you’re not planning on doing anything, maybe it’s worth introducing them. She’s cute. Smart. Available, maybe."

Minho looked up slowly. "Don’t."

Q raised a brow. "Don’t?"

Minho sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Just... don’t. Not yet."

That was all the confirmation Q needed.

He nodded once and turned back to his screen.

But he didn’t stop thinking about it. Couldn’t.

He remembered when Kitty first arrived at KISS, bursting into their world like a hurricane with a mission. She’d pulled them all into her orbit with that mix of chaos and heart that made you want to protect her and strangle her at the same time.

Minho had barely tolerated her. At least, that’s what he claimed. But Q saw it even then—how quickly his tolerance had turned into fascination. He’d watched them go from rivals to allies to something that looked a lot like home.

So yeah. He understood why they’d be scared. Why they might not be ready to say it out loud.

But it still sucked to be on the outside.

That night, Q opened a new group chat and started typing:

Q : Game night this Saturday. My place. Mandatory attendance. And yes, there will be pizza and dumb party games.

Yuri : Dumb how?

Q : Dumb like "truth or dare" and stuff we’re way too old for but still live for.

Eunice : What’s the occasion?

Q : Just want to hang out. It’s been a while.

Dae : When did we agree to a game night at our place? I’m in though.

Kitty : Sounds fun! Count me in, do we bring snacks? 🧃🍕

Q : Bring your competitive spirit. And maybe chips.

Juliana : Can I bring Praveena?

Q : Obviously! The more the messier.

Mihee : This better not be another Kahoot night disguised as a party.

Jin : If there’s pizza, I’m there. What time?

Minho : I’ll come if you promise not to make me do a dare involving hot sauce again.

Madison : If anyone gets glitter in my hair this time, I will end you.

Q : No promises. Be there by 5.

He stared at the screen a moment longer before hitting send.

A second later, a private message popped up.

Madison : What are you up to?

Q : 👀 Who says I’m up to anything?

Madison : Because I know that emoji. That’s your "scheming" emoji.

Q : It’s just game night.

Madison : Sure. Totally innocent 🙄

Q wasn’t planning to ambush anyone. Not really. But a little strategic chaos couldn’t hurt.

And maybe, just maybe, he’d finally get some answers.

Part 3

Q believed in the power of a good game night. Not just the snacks and the laughter—though those were important—but the carefully orchestrated tension. The kind that built under the surface of truth-or-dare dares and unspoken questions. It was a subtle art: set the stage, seed the chaos, and let the evening unfold.

By Saturday afternoon, his dorm suite was spotless. He’d rearranged the common area into a comfortable ring of beanbags and floor cushions, strung up a few fairy lights, and stacked a dozen pizzas on the counter beside bowls of chips and candy. The whiteboard he used for class notes had been scrubbed clean and repurposed for scorekeeping. There were three decks of cards, a stack of truth-or-dare prompts tucked under the couch, and a Bluetooth speaker waiting to fill the space with low background music. It was casual. Relaxed. Totally normal.

And absolutely a setup.

He double-checked everything one last time before collapsing onto a cushion in the corner, phone in hand.

Q : Games start at 3. Arrive fashionably late and I’ll make you sing first.

One by one, the replies rolled in:

Yuri : Already on my way. Don’t test me.

Jin : I’m bringing soda. If someone else brings ginger ale, we fight.

Eunice : Picking up Mihee. Be there in ten!

Juliana : Praveena and I are walking over now.

Dae : Grabbing more snacks, on my way back. We better not be out of garlic bread already.

Q : Don’t worry, co-host. The garlic bread kingdom is safe under our rule.

Minho : On my way back with the pizza. Hope you're all starving.

Kitty : I’m on drinks duty! Don’t let anyone forget cups this time.

Madison : I’m bringing napkins, cups and judgment.

Q smiled at that last one.

He glanced at the time. Still a few minutes to go.

Madison was the first to arrive, of course. She sauntered in with a tote bag of her haul and an unimpressed expression.

"Okay, schemer," she said, handing him a bag of sour gummies. "What’s the game plan?"

"Play it cool," Q said. "Observe. Nudge. Deploy chaos if necessary."

"Chaos will absolutely be necessary," she muttered, dropping onto a cushion.

By 3:15, the room was full. The usual KISS crew filtered in, laughing and jostling each other as they claimed seats and raided the food table. Kitty arrived with Minho in tow, both of them casual but not casual enough. Their arms brushed when they reached for the same chip bowl. Kitty pulled back quickly, flushing. Minho just smirked, letting her have it.

Q didn’t miss any of it. Neither did Madison, who glanced at Q with a snirk.

Games started slow. Icebreaker questions and tame dares. A few rounds of charades. Jin was surprisingly good at impersonating teachers. Yuri had everyone crying with laughter when she re-enacted an entire scene from a drama none of them had seen, complete with improvised props.

But Q kept his eye on the real goal.

"Truth or dare," he announced after another pizza run. "New round. Madison, you’re up."

Madison arched a brow. "Truth."

"Have you ever kissed anyone at KISS?"

She smiled. "Yes."

"Who?"

"That wasn’t the question."

Laughter rippled around the room.

Q grinned. "Okay, okay. Kitty, your turn."

Kitty looked up from where she was sitting between Minho and Eunice, a half-eaten breadstick in one hand. "Truth."

He tilted his head, playful. "Are you currently interested in anyone?"

There was a beat.

Kitty chewed. Swallowed. Smiled. "Yes."

Minho stiffened beside her, so subtly Q knew only someone who was looking for it would notice. Q watched him, cataloguing every shift.

"Your turn," Q said, nodding to her.

Kitty turned to Eunice. "Truth or dare?"

"Dare."

"Tell us the weirdest place you’ve ever made out with someone."

The room broke into groans and laughter while Dae choked on his drink.

The rest of the afternoon blurred together in a whirlwind of laughter and shouted dares. But Q kept circling back. Little things. Strategic nudges.

He dared Minho to do a wall sit while reciting a poem. He asked Kitty what her ideal first date looked like. He asked Minho who he’d text first if he got good news. He asked Kitty what song made her think of someone special.

They dodged. Laughed. Deflected. But Q could see it—the cracks. The almost-glances. The flushed cheeks.

Later, when most of the group was refilling drinks or scrolling on their phones, Q found a moment.

Kitty was rearranging the empty pizza boxes into a stack. Q stepped up beside her.

"You and Minho seem... close lately."

She didn’t look at him. Just smiled and kept stacking. "We’ve always been close."

"Sure. But lately it’s different."

Kitty hesitated, then glanced at him. "Q..."

He held up a hand. "You don’t have to say anything. Just... I hope you know you can. Whenever you’re ready."

She softened. "I know. I just... I’m not ready yet. We’re not."

Q nodded. "Okay."

But it was enough.

Later, when most of the group had left, Minho lingered to help clean up. Q joined him in silence, tossing napkins and stacking cups.

"Good party," Minho said.

"Mmhmm."

"You’re not subtle, you know."

Q smirked. "I wasn’t trying to be."

Minho paused, then said, quietly, "We weren’t trying to hide it from you. We just... wanted to be sure."

"Are you?"

Minho looked over, and for once, there was no teasing in his expression. Just sincerity.

"Yeah," he said. "I really am."

Q smiled. "Good. Because if you hurt her, I’ll make you cry."

Minho huffed a laugh. "You and half the school."

They both fell into a comfortable silence, the kind that only came after hours of shared chaos and sugar highs.

And Q, finally, felt a little less on the outside.

Chapter Text

Part 1

Kitty and Minho sat at a tucked-away noodle shop Minho had once stumbled across on a shoot. The kind of place with handwritten menus and fairy lights strung along the ceiling. The windows fogged up from the steam rising off every table’s bowl of broth. The entire place smelled like comfort.

They took a booth near the back, barely large enough for two, their knees brushing beneath the table. Kitty’s cheeks were already flushed from the warmth, or maybe from the way Minho kept stealing glances at her when he thought she wasn’t looking.

“You know slurping that loud is basically a crime,” Kitty said, eyeing him over her chopsticks.

Minho smirked, deliberately slurping even louder. “You mean to tell me you’ve never seen ramen commercials?”

“Not like that.”

“You wound me.”

She leaned over and stole the last dumpling off his plate without breaking eye contact. “Guess we’re even.”

He gasped theatrically. “You didn’t.”

Kitty grinned, popping the dumpling in her mouth. “I did.”

They dissolved into laughter, the kind that bubbled out easily. Their banter flowed with the same rhythm they’d found over months of shared experiences—friendship turned something else. Something deeper.

Conversation shifted effortlessly from K-drama plots to the merits of each other’s playlists. Minho accused Kitty of having a soft spot for angsty ballads, while Kitty insisted that Minho’s playlists were just him trying to be mysterious.

“I swear, one more lo-fi track and I’m staging an intervention,” she said, pointing her chopsticks at him.

“Coming from someone who put ‘Glimpse of Us’ on repeat for four hours?”

“It was raining!”

“Exactly.”

They shared their bowls, stealing bites without asking, sipping from each other’s spoons like they’d always done it. It felt so easy now, this open affection. No sneaking, no avoiding questions. Tonight, it was just them.

“I still can’t believe we’re actually doing this,” Kitty murmured, leaning back slightly. “Like… it’s real now.”

Minho watched her, his expression softening. “Yeah. I don’t feel like I have to perform with you.”

“Perform?”

He nodded. “Like, I’ve spent years curating this image. You know. What I wear. How I act. How I’m seen. But with you? I can just be.”

Kitty smiled, her thumb brushing the side of her glass. “I’m still getting used to being happy without second-guessing it.”

His knee nudged hers under the table. “You deserve it.”

After dinner, they wandered out onto the streets of Hongdae, arm in arm. The city buzzed around them, lights reflecting in puddles and storefronts still alive with weekend energy.

They strolled without direction, their fingers loosely entwined as they moved through the crowd. They talked about the tour, about the little alleyways they got lost in in Santorini, how Joon Ho nearly getting them kicked out of a hotel in Lisbon for using the sauna after hours, about Eunice’s karaoke performance in Osaka.

“Do you ever miss it?” Kitty asked, glancing up at him.

“Sometimes,” Minho admitted. “But I like where we are now too.”

“Even with school?”

He made a face. “Mostly.”

They reached a quieter side street lined with closed boutiques and indie cafés. Minho pulled her to a stop beneath a string of lights that twinkled above them.

“This is the best version of us so far,” Kitty said quietly.

Minho tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his thumb brushing her cheek. “It’s only going to get better.”

She leaned into his touch. “Promise?”

“I’m literally wearing a sweater with a small hole in it because you bore a thumb hole in it. I’m all in, Covey.”

She laughed, then stood on tiptoe to kiss him quickly, sweetly.

Their walk continued, slower now, like neither of them wanted the night to end. Eventually, they found a small corner store and bought a bottle of Yakult for Kitty and a canned coffee for Minho.

“You’re such a rebel,” she teased as they leaned against the railing outside.

“I’m unpredictable,” he said, deadpan.

“Predictably unpredictable,” she responded with a smirk as he bumped her shoulder with his.

They stayed out for another hour before making their way back toward the dorms. It wasn’t curfew yet, but close. As they approached KISS, Kitty slowed, her hand still snug in his.

“Thanks for tonight,” she said.

“You don’t have to thank me. I’d do this every night.”

She blushed and looked away. “Still…”

They stood there, just outside the entrance, basking in the low hum of the streetlights and the quiet comfort of being seen, together. Eventually, she reached up, brushed her lips against his again.

“Goodnight,” she whispered.

He grinned. “Night, Covey.”

But she didn’t move.

Minho blinked at her. “What?”

Kitty bit her lip, then glanced around. “Come in with me.”

He raised a brow in surprise before a smile bloomed across his face. “Lead the way.”

They looped around to the quieter side entrance, Kitty peeking around corners before unlocking the door and motioning for him to slip in.

Back in her dorm, lights low and quiet, Madison’s bedroom door was firmly shut.

Minho toed off his sneakers, suddenly a little hesitant as he hovered near the doorway.

Kitty kicked off her shoes and padded quietly to her room, Minho close behind.

She paused just inside her door, nodding toward the hall. “She’s asleep. We’re good.” Kitty turned back to look at him. “You coming?”

Minho gave a crooked smile but didn’t answer—just stepped inside, slow and quiet, as she gently closed the door behind him. The click echoed in the still room, and for a second, they just stood there, the warmth of the night lingering between them.

Kitty reached for the hem of her sweater. “I’m gonna change. Make yourself comfortable.” Tilting her head towards her dresser as she passed, she reminded him, “Your clothes are in the top drawer.”

Minho nodded, setting his drink down and slipping his backpack off one shoulder, suddenly all too aware of how small and quiet her room was. He heard the soft rustle of fabric from behind the bathroom door as he got changed in her room.

When Kitty returned, hoodie-swamped and bare-legged, Minho felt something in his chest tighten. Not from what she was wearing—but from the way she looked at him. Like she needed him here.

She padded over to the bed, pulling the comforter down and curling onto one side, leaving space beside her. Minho hesitated only a moment before crawling in beside her, mirroring her position, close but not quite touching. They stared at each other across the pillow, a quiet kind of wonder in both their eyes.

Whatever this night became, it already felt different.

And neither of them wanted it to end.

Part 2

The world outside was still humming, but inside Kitty’s dorm, everything had softened into quiet. Kitty tucked herself against Minho, head on his chest, fingers brushing over the hem of his t-shirt like she wasn’t even aware she was doing it. His laid a hand against her back, tracing slow, absentminded patterns there.

They stayed like that for a while, their conversation slow and meandering—Kitty teasing Minho about his inability to fold laundry properly, Minho poking fun at how she always managed to lose one sock on every trip.

Eventually, talk turned to other things.

“What would be your dream date?” Kitty murmured, her voice muffled against his shoulder.

Minho hummed. “You mean besides ramen and sneaking into your dorm?”

She laughed into his shirt. “Yeah. Besides that.”

He was quiet for a beat. “Okay. Maybe a rooftop picnic in Paris. String lights. Music. Dessert I didn’t make but take credit for. You’d wear something sparkly, and…it’s just us.”

He looked down at her. “Your turn.”

She smiled. “Somewhere quiet. Beach at night, probably. Warm wind, soft music, maybe we dance barefoot in the sand.”

He made a face. “Are we in a K-drama?”

“Absolutely. I’m the main character.”

Minho laughed. “Then I guess I’m the second lead who doesn’t get the girl.”

Kitty blinked at him. “You’re not the second lead, Minho.”

He paused. “No?”

She shook her head. “You’re the one who always shows up. Every single time. That’s the lead, dummy.”

He didn’t say anything, just looked at her for a long moment, then leaned in and kissed her—gentle, reverent.

When they broke apart, Kitty traced her fingers lightly across his chest. “Do you ever think about the future?”

“All the time,” Minho said. “I used to think I had to follow the path my family expected. But lately…” He looked at her. “I think I want to figure out what I want. Not what makes sense. Just—what makes me feel something.”

Kitty nodded. “Yeah. Same.”

She hesitated. “You know I still don’t know what I want to do after KISS, right? I used to think it would be writing, or something big and impressive. But now I’m not so sure.”

Minho smiled softly. “You don’t have to have it figured out yet.”

“That’s what everyone keeps saying.”

“Because it’s true.” Minho squeezed her hand lightly. “Besides, I think the future’s less scary if we’re in it together.”

Kitty exhaled, shifting closer, her leg slipping over his as she settled against him. The blanket rustled as they resettled, the air between them thicker now, heavier.

Minho’s fingers trailed up her arm, featherlight, until they reached her jaw.

Kitty turned her head to look at him. He was watching her so intently, so sincerely.

And then he said it.

“I love you.”

It wasn’t dramatic. No sweeping music or orchestrated moment. Just three words, simple and sure, like they’d been waiting in his chest for months.

Kitty froze. She felt his chest rise and fall beneath her, felt the nervous thrum of his heartbeat against her palm. Her head snapped up, eyes wide.

Minho’s expression shifted instantly, panic flashing behind his eyes. “I—sorry, that wasn’t—I mean, it was. I meant it. I just didn’t mean to say it now. I wasn’t trying to—”

Kitty blinked. “You…?”

He paused, eyes wide. “I meant it,” he said again, steadier now. “I didn’t know how to say it. And maybe I was scared that if I did, you wouldn’t feel the same. And then the almost-kiss happened and I thought you pulled away, and I didn’t want to ruin everything, and—”

Kitty stared at him, heart pounding so hard it echoed in her ears.

“I love the way you care about people,” Minho said, voice lower. “How you never back down, even when it’s hard. How you always try. You believe in people, even when they don’t believe in themselves. Including me.”

Her throat was tight. “Minho—”

“I tried to stop,” he continued, looking at her like she hung the stars. “Last semester. I told myself we were just friends. But it never stopped. It just… got louder.”

She pressed a hand over her mouth.

“Co–Katherine. I love you, Katherine,” he said again, and this time it didn’t slip—it landed.

Kitty let out a breath that trembled at the edges. “I love you too,” Kitty whispered, voice trembling. “So much.”

He blinked, stunned.  “Oh,” he said, breathless. “Thank god.”

She sat up slightly, cupping his face in her hands. “I didn’t know how to tell you either. I thought you didn’t want anything serious. That you didn’t want to risk it.”

“I didn’t want to risk you ,” he said. “I was an idiot.”

Kitty reached out, fingers lacing with his. “You still are. A little.”

He laughed, breathless.

“But you’re my idiot.”

“But this idiot is happy he’s your favourite person.” Minho pulled her in, arms wrapping around her, and kissed her—soft and slow, like he was kissing her for the first time all over again.

Her fingers curled in his shirt, her nose brushing his as they stayed close. “Say it again.”

“I love you,” he whispered.

She smiled. “Good. Because I really, really love you too.”

She laughed, a little teary, and kissed him again.

They didn’t rush it.

Not this time.

It was slower, softer—hands cupping cheeks, fingers curling into shirts, foreheads pressed together in between. The kind of kiss that made your chest ache in the best way.

They didn’t speak for a while, just lay tangled together, heartbeats syncing in the quiet.

Kitty shifted slightly to face him, her fingers trailing lightly down his chest, over the smooth cotton of his shirt. “You know,” she said, her voice quiet, playful, “I’m still not over you calling yourself my favorite person. Kind of cocky.”

Minho grinned, lips brushing her temple. “Not cocky if it’s true.”

“Hmm.” She ran her fingers along his collarbone, watching him. “Do you always make declarations right before bed, or am I just special?”

He tilted his head, eyes dark and warm. “You’re not just special. You’re it.”

That took the air right out of her lungs. But before she could reply, he leaned forward and kissed her again—slowly this time, his hand sliding up her side to her back, fingertips dipping under the hem of her shirt.

Kitty gasped softly, arching into the touch as heat sparked beneath her skin.

She kissed him back, fingers gripping the front of his shirt, pulling him with her as she rolled onto her back. He followed without hesitation, bracing his weight on one arm while the other skimmed across her waist, anchoring her to him like he never wanted to let go.

Her leg hitched over his hip.

The kiss deepened.

His hand slipped higher up her back, the fabric of her shirt bunching under his touch. She sighed into his mouth, the pressure of his body over hers suddenly the only thing grounding her in the moment.

Minho broke away just enough to look at her, lips pink and kiss-swollen, chest heaving.

“Are you okay?” he asked, voice husky. “Tell me if you’re not.”

“I’m okay,” she whispered. “I want this.”

He closed his eyes briefly, like he was collecting himself. “You’re going to ruin me, Covey.”

Kitty smiled, breathless. “You already ruined me first.”

Minho dropped his forehead to hers, shaking his head with a soft laugh before kissing her again—this time slower, but no less intense.

The tension curled around them like heat lightning, a quiet storm waiting to break.

And just before the room could tip over into something more, Kitty whispered, “Stay.”

Minho didn’t hesitate. “Always.”

Part 3

The silence between them wasn’t awkward. It was electric.

Kitty could still feel Minho’s heartbeat beneath her palm, steady but fast—like hers. His shirt was bunched in her fist, their legs tangled beneath the blankets, and her forehead rested lightly against his, breath mingling with his in the small space between them.

They hadn’t moved since she whispered, “I love you too.”

But now, something was shifting in the air between them. Slower, softer—but undeniable.

Minho brushed the backs of his fingers along her jaw. “I don’t think I’m going to stop hearing that in my head anytime soon.”

She smiled, her fingers smoothing over his chest. “Good. I meant it.”

His hand found her waist, the bare strip of skin where her hoodie had ridden up. His touch wasn’t bold, but it was firm enough to make her breath catch. He noticed. Of course he noticed.

“You okay?” he asked, voice quiet.

“Yeah.” She looked at him fully, her cheeks warm but eyes sure. “Are you?”

His thumb brushed against her ribs. “Very.”

She shifted slightly to face him more, and the movement brought her even closer. Her leg slid between his, and she didn’t miss the sharp inhale he made at the contact.

Her heart fluttered—but not from nerves. From awareness.

When she kissed him again, it was different. There was no hesitation, no slow build this time. Just the undeniable need to be close, to feel, to show rather than say. Her hands moved to his neck, one slipping up to cup the back of his head.

Their kisses deepened, losing their sweetness, growing heavier—breathless and searching. Kitty shifted, climbing over him, her knees on either side of his hips as she straddled him. Minho's hands instinctively found her waist, gripping her like he needed her closer. Their mouths met again, hot and urgent, and when Kitty rolled her hips forward—just slightly—he gasped against her lips.

Her core pressed down over his arousal, separated only by thin layers of fabric, but it was enough to make them both still. Their foreheads touched, breath mingling in the quiet thrum of the room.

“Covey, fuck,” he whispered, voice wrecked.

Kitty stilled, suddenly unsure. “Sorry—I didn’t mean—”

“No,” he said quickly, his eyes flying open. “No, I just—Jesus, Covey.” His hand slid gently to the back of her neck, grounding them both. “I just really, really want you.”

Heat shot through her, her nerves melting into something deeper. She leaned down and kissed him again, slower this time, savoring every brush of his lips, every stroke of his fingers against her waist.

“I don’t know what I’m doing,” she whispered into the kiss. “I just know it feels good. With you.”

Minho exhaled shakily, resting his forehead against hers. “It does. It really does.”

She hovered over him, lips parted, heart pounding as she searched his eyes. Then, slowly, deliberately, she shifted again—grinding down just enough to feel him beneath her. He let out a low, strangled groan and dropped his head back against the pillow.

The sight of him like that—undone—made something twist inside her. She settled her weight more firmly into his lap, her hips rolling into him again, more confident now. Minho sat up then, chest to chest, his hands gripping her hips as he guided her against him, slow and steady.

They moved together, breath and friction and building tension.

When Kitty whimpered, Minho kissed her like he couldn’t bear not to. One of his hands slid up her back beneath the hem of her hoodie, fingertips tracing the curve of her spine.

She was already overheating, nerves alight, skin too sensitive under all the fabric between them. With a frustrated gasp, she broke the kiss long enough to tug the hoodie off and toss it aside, leaving her in his slightly rumpled t-shirt which had since become her sleep shirt.

Minho’s eyes drank her in, jaw slack with awe. “Jesus,” he breathed, barely audible, eyes skimming her neck and down to where her t-shirt hung off one shoulder, exposing her collarbones.

Then he bent forward, his lips brushing along the edge of her jaw, then her neck, kissing slowly, reverently. She tilted her head, giving him more access, her hands in his hair, knees tightening around his hips.

His mouth found her collarbone, then dipped lower, his nose skimming the top of her breasts. And his hands—God, his hands—slid beneath her t-shirt again, palms warm and wide as they spread across her back, splaying over her spine and holding her like she was something sacred.

Kitty arched into him, moaning softly as their bodies rocked together, all rhythm and rising need. She kissed him again, messier now, their mouths not quite lining up but not caring. His grip tightened at her hips, guiding her movements as she ground against him—slow, deliberate, devastating.

When she gasped and her forehead dropped to his shoulder, Minho whispered her name like a prayer.

And when she said his in return—desperate, shaky, aching—he swore he could have fallen in love with her all over again right then and there.

They came together like a storm gathering on the horizon. Loud in silence, shattering in every place they touched.

And neither of them would ever forget the way that night felt—like choosing each other all over again, with every kiss, every sigh, every breathless grind.

Eventually, Minho collapsed back against the pillows, breath uneven, his cheeks flushed.

Kitty curled into him, one leg draped across his, her lips brushing his collarbone. “Hi,” she murmured.

Minho laughed, a quiet, blissed-out sound. “Hi.”

They lay there in the dark, still catching their breath.

“I’ve never…” she started, but didn’t finish.

Minho turned to look at her, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. “Me neither. Not like this.”

She nodded. “I liked it.”

“I loved it.”

That made her laugh softly, and then he was kissing her again—languid, dreamy, lazy like the night had all the time in the world.

Eventually, Minho tucked the blanket around them and pulled her close, spooning her gently. His hand found hers over her stomach, their fingers twining.

Kitty exhaled, pressing back into him. He was still warm, still slightly trembling, and when her hips shifted, she felt the evidence of how little he’d cooled down.

“Careful,” he muttered against her shoulder. “Unless you plan to finish what you started.”

Kitty giggled and tangled their legs more tightly together. “Tempting.”

His hand slid up under her top again, resting over her heart. “This is enough. You’re enough.”

She turned her head just enough to kiss his knuckles. “So are you.”

The night wrapped around them like a secret.

And in the quiet that followed, they both finally fell asleep—warm, sated, and tangled together in the softest version of love either of them had ever known.

Chapter Text

The sunlight spilled in slowly through the crack in the curtains, soft and golden, casting a gentle glow over Kitty’s room. Her phone buzzed softly somewhere on her desk, ignored. It was Sunday, and for once, the world could wait.

Minho stirred first, shifting against the pillow before realizing that the warm weight curled against him wasn’t just the blanket. Kitty’s leg was still draped over his, her arm across his chest, her face tucked into the crook of his neck.

He blinked a few times, adjusting to the light, then looked down at her with a slow, disbelieving smile. How was this his life now?

Kitty groaned softly and buried her face deeper against his skin. “No sunlight,” she mumbled.

Minho chuckled, voice still thick with sleep. “I’ll tell the sun to chill.”

“Do that,” she murmured, eyes still closed.

They didn’t rush to get up. They lay there in the hush of the early morning, limbs tangled beneath the sheets, wrapped in the kind of quiet that didn’t demand to be filled. Minho’s hand idly traced the slope of Kitty’s back through the fabric of her sleep shirt, and she hummed contentedly.

After a while, Kitty tilted her head to look at him. “We should tell them soon.”

Minho arched a brow, amused. “You want to break the news over group chat?”

Kitty made a face. “Not unless we want Madison to spam us with emojis and Q to live blog the responses.”

He laughed, the sound low and warm. “So… dinner tonight?”

She nodded. “Korean BBQ with everyone later. We could… say something.”

“Or,” Minho said, leaning in, “we could just make out in front of everyone and see who reacts first.”

Kitty burst out laughing. “You’re the worst.”

He grinned. “You love it.”

She pulled back slightly, her smile softening as she brushed a strand of hair off his forehead. “I love you.”

His breath caught for half a second before he smiled—full and warm. “I love you too.”

She tilted her face up, her nose nudging against the curve of his jaw. His thumb stroked along her cheekbone, and he leaned in to kiss her—soft and reverent at first, then again, more insistent. Deeper. Like he couldn’t get close enough. 

Minho shifted, gently rolling on top of her, cupping her cheek with one hand and propping himself up with the other, keeping his weight of her.

Kitty pressed closer, one of her hands sliding into his hair, the other gripping the front of his t-shirt, pulling him down to her. She could feel the tremble in his breath, the careful restraint in the way his lips moved against hers, but there was tension in his arms, in his body, like he was holding back.

Her mouth opened beneath his, and that restraint frayed. His hand slid from her cheek down the curve of her neck, pausing at her shoulder, and then slowly skimming past her breast before settling on her waist. The contact sent a shiver racing across her skin, and she arched closer to him on instinct.

His hand burrowed its way between Kitty and the bed, his fingers splaying against the curve of her back where her t-shirt had ridden up. The heat of his hands made her gasp quietly, her body instinctively curling closer. His thumb skimmed lightly across the dip of her spine as he rolled her gently on top of him, their legs tangling as she settled on top of him.

Kitty’s fingers slipped beneath his shirt, palms sliding up the firm plane of his stomach. He inhaled sharply, muscles twitching under her touch. She paused, letting her nails scrape lightly along the edge of his ribs before smoothing over his chest. The way he looked at her then—eyes half-lidded, breathing heavy—made her stomach flip.

His head pressed back into her pillow, both of them breathing hard. “You’re gonna kill me, Covey,” he whispered, voice thick and hoarse.

“You started it,” she shot back, a breathless laugh escaping her.

Minho chuckled too, but it quickly died as he pulled her down to him as he sat up to press a line of kisses down her neck, over the edge of her collarbone. His hand slid up her back beneath the fabric of her top, warm and firm and possessive as he pulled her closer. Kitty arched into his hand as her hips pushed down, her body fitting perfectly against his, and the friction sent a delicious jolt of heat spiraling through her.

He kissed her again, harder this time, and she met him with equal intensity. Her hands roamed beneath his shirt, fingertips exploring, memorizing. She felt his muscles tighten as her fingers traced along his spine, his breath hitching in response.

Their kisses deepened, growing slower and more urgent all at once. She let out a soft moan when his teeth grazed her bottom lip, and he swallowed the sound with another kiss as her hips ground gently into his, the sensation drawing a shocked gasp from both of them.

“Minho,” she breathed, widening her legs to settle more firmly against him.

He groaned low in his throat, the sound guttural and desperate, and pressed his forehead to her shoulder to regain control. “God, Kitty…”

Sensing his hesitation, Kitty mustered her courage before she slowly pulled off her sleep shirt, tossing it away mindlessly, leaving her in just her lacy bralette and short sleep shorts.

Minho froze, breath catching in surprise—his eyes widened with every new inch of skin they skimmed over. His hands squeezed her thighs as he pressed his eyes closed, his control hanging on by a thread as he felt himself hardening further under where Kitty sat nestled against him.

Even behind his closed eyes, he could still see her as if the image was imprinted behind his eyelids. Hair tossed over her shoulder, mussed from both his hands running through them and from static from rubbing against the pillow. Bright red bralette that left her waist bare and collarbones exposed, inviting him in as she leaned back, palms now resting on his thighs behind her.

Kitty stilled, unsure what to do with herself. She could feel him, hard and hot under her, but she wasn’t what he was thinking or feeling. Physically, he clearly wanted this but emotionally, mentally, she suddenly worried she was pushing him too much.

Feeling Kitty start to pull away, his eyes snapped open as he exhaled sharply. Sensing where her thoughts were heading, Minho rushed to sit up, holding Kitty close to him as he did, one hand firm across her lower back, the other reaching up to bury itself in her hair.

“No, don’t. I just—I’m not dreaming right?” He whispered, looking at her wide eyed, unsure if he was ready to believe this was really happening. That she was here in his arms, looking at him like that .

Feeling the tension drain out of her shoulders at his words, Kitty relaxed into him, resting her forehead against his as she shook her head, before, cheekily, she pinched his forearm.

“Ow! What the heck, Covey?!”

“See, definitely not dreaming,” she laughed, eyes bright as she looked at him, seeing the smile creep up his face.

“You know, dream-you wasn’t this abusive.” Minho said, caught between being annoyed and absolutely besotted.

“Was dream- you this chatty when his girlfriend was sitting half-naked in his lap?” Kitty huffed in response, as she carded a hand through his hair, while her other hand settled over his heart, feeling it’s wild beating under her palm.

“Awake-me is clearly an idiot,” Minho said as his hands skimmed down to rest against her thighs, searching her face again for any trace of doubt that she wanted this, but found none. Only trust. Only the girl he loved looking at him like he was the safest place in the world.

Nodding his head slightly, as if he had made a decision, Minho reached behind him pulling off his own t-shirt, tossing it on the floor near Kitty’s discarded sleep shirt.

At Kitty’s own wide-eyed reaction, Minho couldn’t help the sheepish laugh as he shrugged, “Didn’t seem fair that you were…wearing less?”

Huffing a laugh at him, Kitty leaned forward to kiss him, softer this time, and let her hand from his neck, over his shoulders and down his now naked back as she pulled him in closer, fingers skimming his spine.

Minho’s fingers danced across the bare skin of her waist, then higher, tracing the bottom edge of her bralette, coaxing another shiver out of her. Kitty arched into the touch, hands on his shoulders now while he softly thrust up against her, her fingers curling instinctively as heat pooled low in her belly.

Their kisses grew more heated, breaths mingling, the sheets rustling softly beneath them. Minho’s fingers gripped her hips, not to pull her closer—but to steady himself.

Kitty shuffled forward slightly, gasping as he bumped against her at a new angle. As Kitty repositioned herself, Minho glanced down, noticing a wet spot on his sweatpants. Feeling her heat against him was one thing, but seeing the very visible sight of her arousal nearly pushed him over the edge.

Looking back up at her, watching as her breathing stuttered, eyes shut, head tilted slightly back with her lip caught between her teeth, Minho knew he wasn’t going to last long, but he needed her to get there first.

Minho dropped a hand to squeeze one of her thighs, brushing his hand up the back of her thigh until he reached the hem of her underwear, tracing a line until Kitty’s eyes opened, fixing her eyes on him as she struggled to catch her breath.

Understanding what he was asking, she cupped his cheek as she nodded her head. He kept his eye on her as his hands slipped under, cupping her ass cheek beneath her snorts and underwear, fingers gripping slightly.

She gasped, legs shaking as he pulled her close, kissing her as though he needed it to ground himself.

He pulled back, dropping kisses down her neck, feeling her hands come up to thread itself into the hair at the nape of his neck, her fingers clenching as his own slowly traced the hemline of her underwear from under her cheek to between her thighs.

Kitty was hovering over Minho now, gasping, feeling the pressure of his fingers as it lightly skimmed over her core. “Minho—”

At hearing his name fall from her lips, Minho stilled, worried he had misread her. As he started to withdraw his fingers, Kitty’s eyes snapped open, her hand coming down to catch his wrist.

“What—why—?” She wasn’t coherent, but Minho understood.

“I thought you…”

“Don’t stop,” Kitty whispered, tugging his wrist until his fingers bumped against her. “Please, don’t stop. Um, you can—under—” Kitty blushed, stuttering over her words as she struggled to ask for what she wanted.

Swallowing hard, Minho watched her wide-eyed as he tested the waters, hoping he understood her right. Gently, his fingers traced the edge of her underwear between her thighs again, feeling her heat and wetness. He pressed a little harder as he traced a path between her thighs, watching as Kitty bit down on her lip again, feeling her nails as they sunk gently into his neck.

Slowly, he slipped a finger underneath the edge, pushing her underwear to the side as his finger—finally—slipped against her skin-to-skin. He ghosted his finger, tracing the outline of her lips before circling her clit.

“Oh, my God.” Kitty gasped, throwing her head back as her hips swiveled, seeking friction, heat, anything .

She felt like she was teetering on the edge of something that was just out of reach. “More, please. I need—oh fuck.”

Answering the call, Minho turned his wrist, his middle finger tracing her intimately, collecting her wetness. His thumb reached to flick her clit as his middle finger traveled down to slowly tease at her entrance.

Her eyes snapping open, Kitty found Minho already watching her. Watching for any sign that she wanted him to stop. She didn’t. Instead, she tilted her hips a bit, silently asking him to continue.

He drew her in, foreheads touching and eyes locked as he slowly slipped a finger into her, pausing slightly to let her adjust. She was wet, slick and god , so hot. “Okay?” He murmured against her cheek before he pressed a kiss there.

“ So okay.” Kitty hissed, hands grabbing at his shoulders to ground herself. “I—that feels good,” she whispered into his ear.

Moving slowly again, Minho withdrew his finger, tracing along her lips, this time with a second finger as he circled her clit a few times before edging down again. Gently, slowly, watching her closely, he slipped both fingers into her, curling them inside her and causing a sharp gasp and a deep moan to escape her. 

Feeling Kitty start to thrust against his hand, seeking friction, Minho started to pump his fingers with his thumb occasionally joining to circle and press against her clit.

He watched as, captivated as her breathing turned more erratic, her hands gripping his shoulder and neck almost painfully now.

It only took a few more pumps before she came apart in his hand, “Minho—”.

Her thighs spasmed as she threw her head back with a “oh, God,” her chest rising and falling as she struggled to catch her breath.

Minho’s other hand held her weight as he felt her body coil tightly first, shaking slightly with her orgasm before loosening. He was sure that if he weren’t holding her up, her legs would have given out on her.

He felt her tremble as he slowed his pumping, eventually withdrawing his fingers, his hand now cupping her cheek as he supported her weight.

It was quiet, save for both of their breathing, and the air in the room was thick and definitely smelled like sex.

Minho reminded himself to crack open Kitty’s window before they left.

Eventually, Kitty came back down to Earth, rolling her head forward to press her forehead against him. Her eyes were wide, bright as they flicked between both of his.

Leaning forward, Kitty’s hands moved to cup his face, thumbs brushing his cheeks as she kissed him again—tender, lingering.

“I—you—thanks?” Kitty stuttered out, for once, at a loss for words.

Minho couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of him at that, smiling around their kiss, his head shaking slightly as he whispered, “God, I love you, Covey.”

Minho shifted to lie back against the pillows, tugging her with him. She settled into his side, her head on his chest, legs tangled with his, his heart still thumping wildly under her ear.

Kitty blinked up at him, eyes shining. “I love you too, Moon,” before pressing a kiss over his heart.

Chapter Text

Part 1

The streets of Itaewon buzzed with weekend energy as Minho and Kitty walked side by side, his arm looped over her shoulder and hers wrapped around his back. The glow of the city’s lights shimmered in the puddles left behind by a light afternoon drizzle, and Kitty could still hear Minho humming beside her, upbeat and faintly off-key.

She elbowed him gently. “You’ve been singing that same verse for like ten minutes.”

“It’s catchy,” he said, squeezing her close and pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “And I’m in a good mood.”

“You don’t say,” she teased, but her grin gave her away.

Minho glanced over at her, lips curving into a softer smile. He didn’t say it, but she knew what he meant. She felt it too. Ever since that slow, tender morning wrapped in each other’s arms, they’d been more anchored than ever. No more questions. No more walls. Just them.

As they neared the restaurant, Minho slowed slightly. “Are you ready?”

Kitty arched a brow. “For grilled meat? Always.”

He gave a mock groan. “You know what I mean.”

Her smile softened. “I’m ready.” She squeezed his waist, then added with a smirk, “Wonder how long it’ll take them to figure it out.”

Minho leaned closer. “Bold of you to assume they don’t already know.”

They arrived at the corner barbecue joint just as the scent of sizzling meat hit them. The others were already gathering near the hostess stand. Q waved them over while Yuri whispered something to Juliana, who immediately whispered something back to Praveena. Madison caught Kitty’s eye and winked. Mihee nudged Eunice, nodding toward them.

Subtle, it was not.

“Here they come,” Dae muttered, earning a shove from Q.

Jin looked up from his phone and gave them a knowing smile. “Wow, they’re already wrapped up in each other. So shocking.”

Minho simply smirked while Kitty rolled her eyes with a fond smile, as if their entrance was the most natural thing in the world. Kitty didn’t shrug him off. She didn’t even blush.

Juliana leaned into Praveena’s side and whispered something that made Praveena laugh into her hand. Yuri just shook her head with a knowing sigh.

“Late again,” Q said dryly. “Were you two making out in an alley or just having a slow, romantic stroll under street lamps?”

Minho smirked. “Little column A, little column B.”

Kitty rolled her eyes. “We’re not that predictable.”

“You keep telling yourselves that,” Eunice said with a sweet smile as she stepped aside to let them into the restaurant first. “But we’ve been running bets.”

“On what?” Minho asked, raising a brow, intrigued by the prospect.

“Whether you’ll finally admit you’re dating before the semester ends,” Q said dryly. “Odds are shrinking by the day.”

Inside, the restaurant was warm and bustling, the scent of grilled garlic and smoke curling through the air. They were led to a corner booth with two round grills and a stack of side dishes already waiting. They split naturally into two groups—Q, Dae, Jin and Praveena on one side, and Minho, Kitty, Madison, and the girls on the other.

As they settled in, Kitty busied herself laying out chopsticks and napkins. Minho reached for the grill tongs immediately, already turning the meat as it sizzled. When Kitty passed him his favorite dipping sauce without needing to ask, Yuri nudged Juliana again.

“This is getting out of hand,” Juliana whispered.

“Tell me about it,” Madison murmured back. “They’ve basically been playing house since the tour.”

Mihee leaned over to Praveena, who was watching Kitty and Minho with mild fascination. “If they’re not dating, I’ll eat an entire plate of garlic raw.”

“That would be dramatic,” Praveena said. “But… fair.”

No one said anything directly, not yet. But the reactions around the table told a story.

Madison reached for her drink, smirking behind the rim. “So, Kitty. Did you make the lettuce wraps for Minho, or does he just get special treatment because he’s wearing good cologne today?”

Kitty blinked. “He always wears good cologne.”

“Exactly,” Madison said, grinning.

Minho turned toward Kitty, nudging her shoulder gently. “You gonna eat or just keep talking about how amazing I smell?”

Kitty narrowed her eyes playfully. “Don’t tempt me to throw this lettuce wrap at your head.”

“As if you’d ever waste food like that, Covey.”

Across the table, Q let out a slow breath. “This is exhausting.”

Dae, who was watching the meat brown, shook his head. “I think they genuinely believe that ‘friends’ act like this.”

Jin tilted his head. “Are we sure they’re not just this weird normally?”

“I’ve known Minho for three years,” Q said. “Whatever this is, isn’t normal.”

“It’s cute though,” Dae admitted, trying not to smile.

Praveena folded her arms. “It’s cute, but I’m still going to scream if they say the words ‘just friends’ again.”

The meal continued with laughter, inside jokes, and more whispered speculation. The food was amazing, the company even better. And for a while, Kitty and Minho slipped right into the rhythm of the group—laughing, eating, bantering like always. But even in that comfort, they couldn’t help the little things.

Kitty returned to the table with two canned drinks and set one in front of Minho before even taking her seat. Minho, midway through grilling, waited to serve her first like it was a given. They didn’t exchange a word during the entire exchange, but their friends couldn’t help noticing the easy, unconscious choreography of it all.

Q muttered something to Dae, who just gave him a look that said, “I know.”

Juliana leaned her chin in her palm. “Honestly, it’s kind of impressive how in sync they are.”

“Painfully,” Yuri added.

Just as the grill was cooling and the last lettuce wraps were finished, Minho draped his arm casually over the back of Kitty’s chair. She leaned into him without hesitation, still laughing at something Jin said about Q's competitive streak. Her hand found Minho’s where it hung casually brushing over her shoulder and squeezed it gently, thumb brushing along the back of his knuckles.

Then, without a second thought, Minho turned and pressed a kiss to Kitty’s temple.

She didn’t freeze.

She didn’t flinch.

Instead, she smiled—warm and easy—and turned her face toward him, brushing a soft kiss to his jawline in return before leaning back to her conversation like it was the most natural thing in the world.

And that’s when the rest of the table had gone quiet.

Praveena had stopped mid-sentence.

Yuri’s straw had slipped right out of her drink.

Juliana’s jaw was practically on the table.

Q had paused mid-bite, chopsticks halfway to his mouth, staring at them like they’d grown a second set of heads.

Eunice blinked. Twice.

Even Dae, who had been explaining something to Jin, just sat there, mouth open, visibly short-circuiting.

Kitty looked up and finally registered the stunned expressions pointed their way.

Minho took in their reactions with wide eyes—the slack jaws, the sheer stunned silence that had fallen over the group like someone had hit pause on the world.

With a perfectly straight face, Minho cleared his throat and asked, “So… who won the bet?”

Part 2

There was a beat of stunned silence.

Then, the table erupted.

Q dropped his chopsticks with an audible clatter. “Wait. Wait—did that just happen? Did I hallucinate that kiss?”

Eunice gasped, hands flying to her cheeks. “No, you did not! He kissed her. Like, actually kissed her!”

“And she kissed him back ! Oh my god. I KNEW IT! ” Q all by shrieked.

Mihee gaped. “Wait, is this new-new, or like... you’ve been hiding it and we’re all idiots?”

Yuri looked genuinely affronted. “I asked you two yesterday if anything was going on and you said, and I quote, ‘He’s just my friend, and I steal all my friends’ hoodies.’”

Kitty flushed. “I mean... it was technically true…he is my best friend?”

Q gave her a flat look. “Now that’s just rude.”

Praveena gasped. “So when I saw Kitty sneaking back into the dorm wearing Minho’s sweater—!”

“I WAS NOT SNEAKING,” Kitty interrupted.

“You were totally sneaking,” Madison said. “There was tiptoeing.”

Minho tried to interject. “Okay, but to be fair—”

“No,” Q cut in, holding up a hand. “You don’t get to speak yet. You—” he pointed dramatically at Minho, “—have been walking around like the Human Definition of Repression for months . And now you’re kissing her in public?”

“Technically, it was the side of her head,” Minho said, attempting a weak smile.

Jin whistled. “You’re brave.”

Kitty laughed despite herself, burying her face in her hands. “This is so embarrassing.”

“It’s about time,” Dae said with a grin.

Juliana raised her hand. “Okay, but I have questions. Who confessed first?”

Q didn’t even hesitate. “Minho. One hundred percent.”

Minho looked mildly offended. “Excuse you, I am subtle.”

“You confessed that you loved her at the end of first semester,” Q said. “We all know that.”

Yuri’s eyes widened. “What?”

“Pretty sure that was just you and I who know that, Q. And, um, Stella—I guess,” Dae muttered awkwardly.

“Oops?” Q replied with a shrug, not sounding the least bit apologetic.

Juliana, who was watching this unfold like a tennis match, jumped in the. “Okay, so…Minho confessed like a year ago? So, have you guys been secretly dating this whole time? But…I thought—with Stella—and Yuri, at the cabin—”

Minho chimed in dryly, “Nope. I was dating Stella. Unfortunately. And Yuri and Kitty—” he cut himself off, with a glance to Kitty. Clearing his throat, he continued, “It’s been a few weeks.”

“Soon after Fall Markets, right?” Q threw out, voice sure and even.

Kitty turned to Minho, surprised. “You told Q?”

“No, I swear I didn’t!” Minho exclaimed. “How—?”

Mihee laughed. “I feel like I’m watching a drama reveal in real life.”

“I need popcorn,” Praveena muttered.

“I saw you kiss her, in the library. I think it was a few days after Fall Markets.”

Kitty leaned into Minho, who immediately wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Oh. Okay,” she said, breathless from laughter. “Yes. We’re together. We’ve been figuring it out, and we weren’t ready to tell anyone at first, but... we’re together.”

Minho glanced down at her, something soft in his eyes. “And I’m in love with her,” he added quietly, like it wasn’t even a question anymore.

Kitty froze, not expecting him to make that declaration so publically. Neither did everyone else, apparently.

Even the clatter of a chopstick falling onto a plate didn’t break the moment.

But then Kitty turned her head, met his eyes, and smiled with a radiance that made the whole table hold their breath.

“I love him too,” she said, voice steady, clear.

And that was it.

Dae blinked at them. “Wait. For how long?”

Kitty gave a small shrug, lifting her water glass like a toast. “Depends when you start counting.”

“Was it before or after Chuseok?” Jin asked, frowning in concentration. “Because I distinctly remember tension. Like, romantic K-drama-level tension.”

Q finally found his voice, half-offended and half-in awe. “You’ve been playing the long game on us? You let me—me!—spiral trying to figure it out, when you were secretly making out this whole time?”

Minho raised an eyebrow. “You spiraled?”

“I had a flowchart,” Q muttered, pulling out his phone.

Kitty laughed, reaching across to squeeze Q’s hand. “We weren’t trying to lie. We just wanted a bit of time to ourselves before things got... loud.”

“Too late,” Juliana said, eyes twinkling. “This is loud now.”

Q groaned dramatically and slumped across the table. “I knew it. I knew it .”

Dae wiped an invisible tear. “They grow up so fast.”

Minho buried his face in Kitty’s shoulder with a groan. “This is going to haunt me forever.”

Kitty giggled and kissed his cheek. “Maybe. But at least we’re haunted together.”

Yuri, ever the fact checker, “Okay, so wait, who made the first move?” When all eyes turned to her, she shrugged. “What? We’ve all been invested in this for way too long and I want to know who won the bet.”

Kitty was proud to admit, “I did.”

“And who can really blame her for resisting all this,” Minho replied jokingly, as they observed Q drop his head, before he and the others handed dollar bills over to Juliana who clearly won the bet.

When Minho raised his eyebrow at Juliana, she answered his unasked question. “I saw this brewing after the whole ‘Kitty asks to join Minho on tour’ thing.”

“You didn’t confess to him in a letter, did you?” Yuri asked then, directing her question to Kitty.

“No, I didn’t get a love letter—which is a bit insulting, honestly.” Minho answered instead. “I technically confessed first. Again.”

“But I said it back like 2 seconds later!” Kitty cut in with a sharp elbow to his ribs.

This time, everyone passed bills over to Dae and Kitty looked over with surprised, wide eyes. “He was clearly going to break first. Watching him so obviously yearn for Kitty everytime he came back to the dorm room was exhausting.”

Madison just smiled over the rim of her soda, eyes warm. “Took you guys long enough.”

The rest of the table turned to her in unison.

“You knew?” Q asked, scandalized.

“I live with her,” Madison said, unapologetic. “I was emotionally blackmailed into silence.”

“That’s not true!” Kitty protested, but at Madison’s smirk, acquiesced. “Okay, it is a little.”

“I need to reevaluate all my life choices,” Q muttered.

“Can we eat dessert now?” Jin asked, reaching for the menu.

Minho laced his fingers with Kitty’s under the table, and she gave his hand a quick squeeze. Their secret was out. And weirdly, it felt better than she expected. Lighter. Freer.

“So,” Minho said, glancing around. “Do we all still like each other?”

“Unfortunately,” Q said. “Yes. But I demand compensation. In the form of double chocolate bingsu and godparent rights if you ever have children.”

Kitty blinked. “That escalated.”

“It’s what I deserve.”

Minho turned to Kitty. “Should we tell them about the matching playlists next or save that for another day?”

Kitty grinned. “Let’s not traumatize them all at once.”

The server returned with the dessert menus, and slowly, the chaos of the reveal gave way to shared laughter and orders of ice cream and sizzling brownies. The buzz of conversation returned, and Kitty let herself relax fully, tucked against Minho’s side as the group began trading stories about their worst dates, best confessions, and oddest romantic gestures.

No one made a big deal out of it after that—not really. They teased and prodded, but beneath the jokes was something gentler. Support. Acceptance.

When they stood to leave, Minho reached for Kitty’s hand. No hesitation. No second-guessing. She laced her fingers through his and felt his thumb brush the back of her hand in a way that said he wasn’t letting go anytime soon.

Later that night, as they walked together under the soft hum of city lights, Kitty glanced up at him and smiled.

“We really did it,” she said.

Minho squeezed her hand. “Yeah. And they didn’t even cry.”

“I think Q might’ve teared up.”

“I’ll take it.”

They walked on, shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand, hearts a little lighter until Minho pulled Kitty to a stop under a streetlight.

“You know what the best part of all this is?” Minho asked, voice soft as he tugged Kitty in close.

“Hmm?” Kitty went willingly, leaning into him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Now I get to love you out loud.”

Chapter Text

Part 1

The arrivals terminal at Portland International buzzed with soft, pre-holiday energy—families reuniting, luggage wheels humming across the floor, and Christmas music drifting faintly from the overhead speakers. Kitty bounced slightly on her heels, peering over the heads of waiting passengers, heart thrumming in her chest.

Next to her, LJ sipped a latte, looking relaxed but sharp-eyed, and Peter—ever the supportive boyfriend—stood with a giant welcome sign that read “Welcome to Portland, Minho” in metallic markers and glitter glue. Kitty had groaned when she'd first seen it, but now, seeing the grin on Peter’s face, she couldn’t help but laugh.

“And you’re sure this is what you want him to see first?” she asked for the fifth time, tugging at the hem of her coat.

“Too late now,” Peter said cheerfully. “He’s ours for the holidays. He might as well know what he signed up for.”

LJ nudged Kitty with her elbow. “You okay? You’ve barely blinked in the last five minutes.”

“I’m fine. Just—nervous. He’s met you guys, but this is… everyone. Dad. Trina. Margot . At home. With all of you watching. Closely.”

Peter tilted his head sympathetically. “You did warn him, right?”

“Oh yeah,” Kitty muttered. “I told him my family was loving, supportive, and fully prepared to interrogate him over a turkey roast. He said he was honored. And terrified. Mostly honored.”

“Good,” LJ said, smirking.

Less than a minute later, Minho appeared through the glass doors, rolling his sleek black suitcase and wearing a cream wool coat that looked like it belonged on a magazine cover, Kitty felt a familiar flutter in her chest.

He spotted her immediately and when their eyes met, everything softened as a grin spread across his face.

Kitty launched herself into his arms before he could say a word, while Minho dropped his suitcase handle to catch her, hugging her tight enough to lift her off the ground for a second. He buried his face into her shoulder, warm and solid and very much hers.

“Hi,” she whispered into his neck.

“Hi,” he murmured back. “You smell like sugar cookies.”

“LJ was baking this morning,” she laughed, pulling back to look at him. “I missed you,” she breathed, taking him in.

“I missed you too, Covey,” Minho murmured while pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Kitty started to tilt her chin up for a proper kiss, when when they heard Peter whispering to LJ. “Think they forgot about us?”

Clearing his throat and taking a step back, Minho turned towards them, reaching his hand out to Peter first who was standing closest to him. “Sorry. Peter, nice to see you again, mate.”

“Good seeing you again, man. Welcome to Portland.”

“Hello again, Lara-Jean. Thanks for letting me join your family over Christmas.” Minho reached his hand out to LJ who lightly pushed it aside and pulled him in for a gentle hug.

“It’s LJ, remember? We’re happy to have you. And I’m so happy you pulled your head out of your ass,” LJ teased with a squeeze to his shoulders, hearing Peter snort behind her at the callback to her parting remarks to Minho from their Cheusok visit.

Kitty, on the other hand, asked with furrowed brows, “Okay, what did I miss with that?”

“Nothing you need to worry about little sis,” LJ brushed her off with a wink to Minho. “We really should get back before dad gets impatient and takes over the cooking. You ready?”

He nodded, and Kitty tugged him by the hand as they made their way to the carpark. When they reached the car, LJ popped the trunk, and Peter stepped forward to help with the bag.

“So,” LJ started, as Minho climbed into the backseat beside Kitty. “Ready to be judged?”

Minho blinked. “You’re joking, right?”

Peter grinned. “Not at all.”

The drive back to the Covey-Song house was filled with banter—Peter quizzing Minho on his favorite holiday traditions, LJ mock-interrogating him on his taste in rom-coms (“What do you mean 10 Things I Hate About You isn’t your top five?”), and Kitty watching it all with amused delight. Minho took it in stride, answering every question with charm and the occasional sarcastic flourish, slipping his hand into Kitty’s between rounds.

When they arrived in the late afternoon, Minho was greeted by a house that was already decked out for the holidays—twinkling lights wrapped around the porch railing and a modest but cheerful tree blinked at them in the living room window.

The scent of gingerbread and something savory greeted them as they piled into the house. Kitty entwined her fingers with Minho’s, whispering a “I’m just going to apologise on behalf of my family now.”

“That’s not terrifying at all,” he replied sarcastically, pursing his lips as he felt his shoulders tense up. “But I brought gifts, so I’m hoping for leniency.”

Hearing the door open, Trina rushed out of the kitchen and to the front of the house.

“Welcome! Come in, you must be freezing!” she exclaimed, pulling Kitty in for a hug before turning to Minho.

“Hi, Mrs. Song-Covey,” he said, dipping his head slightly in greeting before reaching his hand out. “Thank you for having me.”

She smiled as used his outstretched hand to pull him in for a hug instead. “Call me Trina, please. We’ve heard so much about you. Kitty’s been talking about this trip for weeks .”

Kitty flushed, and Minho gave her a smug look that she elbowed away.

Dan came down the stairs just in time to intercept them. “Minho! Welcome. Trina and LJ have been cooking all day, and I’ve been looking forward to meeting you ever since Kitty asked if you could join us.”

“Thank you for letting me join your family’s Christmas. It’s been…awhile since my family celebrated one together.” Minho said earnestly, as they followed Trina and Dan further into the house.

In the living room, Margot was settled into her favorite chair, a blanket over her knees and a book in her hands. She looked up as they walked in, eyes twinkling as she caught sight of Minho.

“So,” she said, standing up with her arms crossed. “This is the infamous private jet benefactor.”

Minho nodded politely, nervously. “We finally meet in person.”

Margot looked him up and down, eyes narrowed just enough to make him sweat. Then she held out a hand. “Thanks for flying me and Halmoni out. You made quite the impression.”

“It was important to Co—Kitty, I was happy to help,” Minho said, accepting her hand without missing a beat.

“Mmm-hmm.” Margot’s expression was unreadable. “We’ll see if you’re still charming after dinner.”

Kitty winced. “She’s kidding. Mostly.”

“I expected nothing less,” Minho said under his breath, squeezing Kitty’s hand.

Pre-dinner prep was a whirlwind of activity—Trina and LJ commanding the kitchen like a culinary tag team, Peter on dish duty, and Kitty stealing bites from the prep trays while she set the table with Minho’s help. Dan and Margot simply watched the chaos from the kitchen island.

Eventually, Minho wandered into the flurry of the kitchen, surprising everyone—except Kitty, of course—by offering his help.

The chaos quieted as their eyes swung to Minho, then to Kitty as if to ask “Is he for real?”

Kitty simply shrugged, offering a blasé, “He’s a good cook. Trust me, that surprised me too,” to which Minho could only snort in response.

Taking the additional apron that LJ offered him, Minho slipped in seamlessly, helping Trina and LJ prep the meal with ease and a precision that impressed them. His knife work in particular had Trina raising an eyebrow.

“You clearly didn’t pick that up from K.I.S.S., because Kitty is still hopeless in the kitchen! Where did you learn how to cook?” Trina asked, curious to understand how a young man, dressed to the nines in clearly expensive designer clothing, could wield a knife with the same ease as a professional chef.

Kitty, knowing the answer already, tried to spare him. “You don’t have to answer that if you don’t want to.”

Clearing his throat, Minho paused as he considered. As he glanced around the room, he saw the openness in everyone’s faces, as well as the curiosity at Kitty’s clear concern. These were the people that cared most about Kitty, and as he looked back at her, he decided to take a chance and be vulnerable.

“No, it’s okay. Um… My parents weren’t around much when I was younger. Mum’s an actress, so she was always off on a set somewhere. We travelled a lot because of that. And my dad…well, my dad was wherever my older brother was, which wasn’t anywhere near mum or I. So I had nannies raise me whenever we were home, and one of them insisted I learn how to cook. She taught me how to make healthy, nutritious food so that I could at least avoid relying on take-out whenever mum whisked me away to a set in another country where I’d spend time either on set with her or left alone in service apartments.”

Kitty had wandered over to stand next to Minho as he was speaking, settling in close to him, standing hip to hip. She watched her family’s reactions as he spoke, clocking the surprise, sympathy, empathy and understanding pass over their faces.

“Well, that nanny clearly thought you well,” Trina acknowledged softly.

“Yeah, and maybe you could teach Kitty a thing or two, huh?” Dan teased, breaking the attention as the room rippled with laughter.

Eventually, with dinner ready and the table set, dinner began. And with it, the first “test” came quickly.

Dan leaned across the table during a lull in the conversation. “So Minho, what do you want to do after school? What’s the plan?”

Minho set his fork down carefully. “I’m interested in media production. Not just acting, but behind-the-scenes work—directing, writing. My family wants me to take over their company, but… I’m hoping to carve my own path.”

Dan nodded slowly. “And what happens if that path leads somewhere different than Kitty’s?”

Kitty’s fork paused mid-air.

Minho didn’t miss a beat. “Then we figure it out. I’ve spent the last year realizing that there are things worth adjusting your path for. She’s one of them.”

That earned him a quiet gasp from Kitty, surprised by his candor and touched by his answer, reaching out to thread her fingers through his. Her squeeze let him know she was on the same page.

While the couple were caught up in each other, they both missed the quiet smile from Margot and a shared look from Trina and LJ.

The second test came during dessert.

LJ leaned forward, propping her chin on her hand. “So when did you know? About Kitty?”

Minho blinked. “That I liked her?”

LJ arched an eyebrow.

He exhaled. “Probably the moment she showed up in Seoul and started spinning everyone around into a mess of perfect chaos. But it took me a lot longer to admit it to myself. I think I was scared that she’d never see me that way.”

“Hey, I clearly came around!” Kitty cut in, defending herself from her seat beside him.

“After clearly being in denial for a long time.” Minho couldn’t help but remind her.

Kitty laughed, sliding her hand into his under the table.

Peter grinned. “Look at him, passing the final boss level of Covey interrogation. We might actually let you stay.”

“Thanks, I was so worried,” Minho deadpanned as the table dissolved into laughter.

Later that night, as everyone dispersed into smaller conversations or clean-up duty, Kitty caught Minho standing by the window, watching the snow begin to fall.

She stepped up beside him, resting her head on his shoulder.

“You did good,” she whispered.

“I was terrified.”

“They liked you.”

“I think Margot’s reserving judgment.”

“Pretty sure you’ve won her over and she’s just trying to deny it. You have that effect on people, you know.”

He turned toward her slightly. “I meant everything I said tonight, you know.”

She smiled. “I know. That’s why they believed you.”

Outside, the snow dusted the world white, and inside, with her hand in his, he felt warm and like he was exactly where he should be.

Part 2

Kitty woke slowly, the golden morning light pooling on her quilt in dappled shapes, the scent of cinnamon and pine wafting from the kitchen. Her first thought wasn’t of presents or the snow outside or even the quiet promise of Christmas Day.

It was of the warm arm slung low across her waist, and the steady breath ruffling the back of her neck.

Minho.

His body was curled perfectly behind hers, their legs tangled beneath the covers. Her room smelled like him—clean and warm and comforting. Sometime during the night, he’d kicked the blanket halfway down and now it pooled around their hips, her bare calves brushing against his.

The door was open, thanks to Dan’s very pointed rule when they arrived back at the house the day before: if Minho was sleeping in Kitty’s room, the door stayed open.

Minho had laughed and said he respected the boundary. Kitty had rolled her eyes and kissed him on the cheek in front of everyone.

Now, she lay still in the morning hush, her fingers lightly tracing over the forearm wrapped around her middle.

“Are you awake?” she whispered.

Minho murmured something that sounded suspiciously like her name and pulled her closer.

Kitty smiled into her pillow, burrowing back into him. “Merry Christmas.”

His voice was still thick with sleep. “Merry Christmas, Covey.”

She twisted in his arms until they were face to face, the blanket falling further down as she hugged one of his legs between her own. His eyes were heavy-lidded, hair a soft, tousled mess, cheeks warm from sleep.

“You drooled,” she said, poking his chest.

He grinned. “Only because you’re the one I dream about.”

Kitty rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t get stuck. “Gross.”

“You love it.”

“I love you ,” she whispered.

That wiped the sleep from his face in an instant. His expression softened, warm and radiant. “I love you too.”

They kissed, slow and gentle and lazy in the quiet of her childhood bedroom.

A knock on the door made them break apart.

“Keep it PG in there,” came Margot’s voice. “Dad’s making pancakes.”

“We’re literally just waking up ,” Kitty called back.

“Still PG!”

Minho groaned and rolled onto his back. “Your family’s never going to let me live.”

Kitty stretched on top of him, hair spilling next to his face across the pillow. “You’re surviving just fine.”

Ten minutes later, after Kitty brushed her hair and Minho tugged on a sweatshirt over his t-shirt and pajama pants, they padded into the living room hand in hand.

Dan was flipping pancakes at the stove, still in his robe and slippers. Trina was assembling a fruit plate. LJ and Peter were almost dozing off on the couch, wearing matching flannel pajamas and sipping coffee from mugs that said "Santa’s Favorite Author" and "Litigator of the Year."

Margot was sitting cross-legged on the floor by the tree, sorting gifts into neat piles by recipient.

“Merry Christmas!” Trina beamed as they walked in. “Coffee’s fresh.”

Minho went to grab mugs for both of them while Kitty joined Margot on the floor.

“Morning,” Margot said, looking far too smug for someone who’d only had one cup of caffeine.

Kitty raised an eyebrow. “What.”

Margot smirked. “Nothing. Just happy to see you’re in a good mood.”

“You’re insufferable.”

“And you’re glowing .”

Kitty stuck her tongue out but couldn’t help the grin tugging at her mouth.

Once everyone was settled with food and coffee, the gift exchange began.

Dan handed out the first gift—softly wrapped in green tissue and a plaid bow—to Minho.

“It’s not much,” Dan said. “But I figured you could use one.”

Minho peeled back the paper to reveal a leather-bound journal, embossed with the letter MM. Inside the front cover, Dan had written a note: For the next chapter—write it well.

Minho blinked. “Thank you, Mr. Song. I mean—Dan.”

Dan nodded, and Kitty’s heart felt warm and full.

LJ and Peter’s joint gift to Kitty and Minho was a handmade photo album from their week together over Chuseok, complete with little notes in the margins from LJ’s neat handwriting and Peter’s scrawl.

“We figured you guys should have something tangible,” LJ said. “To look back on when things get hard or long-distance hits.”

“It’s perfect,” Kitty whispered.

Margot’s gift to Minho was a copy of her favorite psychology text annotated with her own thoughts in the margins and a note that said: If you’re going to keep dating my sister, at least try to understand her brain.

Minho cracked up laughing. “This is either the best or worst gift I’ve ever received.”

“To be determined,” Margot said sweetly.

Trina gave Kitty a delicate gold necklace with a tiny cherry blossom pendant—“to remind you where you started.”

Kitty teared up and threw her arms around her stepmom.

Then it was Minho’s turn. He handed Kitty a small, neatly wrapped box, his eyes bright with anticipation.

She opened it slowly and found a delicate charm bracelet resting inside. She gasped softly.

It wasn’t until the third charm that she realised their significance, representing different stops along Joon Ho’s world tour: a miniature microphone for their first concert stop, a guitar for Lisbon, a camera for the film roll she’d lost and he’d helped her find in Florence, a little steaming bowl of ramen from Tokyo, and more. They were tiny, memories of little moments they had shared.

All, except one, a compass.

Kitty looked at him, eyes glistening. “Minho…You remembered everything.”

“They were all with you. How could I forget?” Minho said softly, shaking his head with a laugh as he heard Kitty’s family ‘aww’ing around them.

Noticing Kitty playing with the compass, Minho cleared his throat before continuing. “That’s so you always find your way,” Minho said softly.

She leaned in, kissed him gently. “It’ll be back to you.”

Dan clearing his throat reminded them that they weren’t alone. Slowly pulling back, Kitty reached behind her, pulling out a flat box from under the tree and placing it in Minho’s lap.

He raised an eyebrow but unwrapped it carefully.

Inside was a scrapbook—not just any scrapbook. Photos from every leg of the tour, concert moments, blurry selfies, quiet hotel breakfasts – seems like the pair had the same idea about tour momentos as gifts. But the real gift was the captions. Kitty had written notes under each one.

Here, you wouldn’t stop teasing me about the sunblock I forgot. But you shared your ridiculously expensive sunblock with me so I wouldn’t turn into a lobster.

This was the night I heard you singing in the hallway and thought my heart might combust.

This was the room where I pretended I couldn’t sleep just so you’d stay next to me.

Minho turned the pages slower and slower, his fingers trembling.

By the time he reached the page with a selfie of them at the wrap party, after the last night of the tour, he realised how blind he had been. Both of them. Staring back at him, page after page, photo after photo were two people clearly crazy about each other, and clearly in denial.

Kitty waited, heart pounding.

Minho let out a soft, watery laugh. “I didn’t know then. I wish I did.” He looked up, eyes shining. “We wasted so much time.”

“Not wasted…it made us, us,” Kitty whispered.

Minho nodded and pulled her close.

The morning continued with more laughter, more food, and the slow unraveling of ribbons and tissue paper. It was loud and messy and chaotic, but somehow still full of warmth.

Part 3

By late afternoon, the house had quieted into that cozy lull unique to holidays. The wrapping paper had been cleared, leftovers packaged and stacked in the fridge, and Peter was dozing upright on the couch with a throw blanket over his head like a makeshift tent. LJ sat curled beside him, flipping through a cookbook Trina had given her while occasionally poking his foot to keep him from snoring.

In the kitchen, Dan and Trina were finishing up a tray of holiday cookies—half for the house, half to bring to the neighbors—while Minho helped Margot rearrange the living room furniture to make room for the board games she insisted were non-negotiable.

Kitty sat on the stairs, her knees tucked under her chin as she watched them all with a quiet, happy sort of glow warming her chest. This—this was what she’d missed without knowing she’d missed it. Her people, under one roof. And now, Minho was part of that too.

When he caught her watching him, he raised an eyebrow and gestured broadly like Are you seeing this? before giving her the most unnecessary thumbs up in the history of thumbs ups. She laughed, covering her mouth, and gestured for him to join her.

He dropped down on the step below hers and leaned back against her legs like it was second nature. “Hey.”

“Hey,” she murmured, running a hand lazily through his hair. “Having fun?”

He made a mock-grimace. “Your sister threatened me with Bananagrams. That’s your idea of fun?”

“She’s just testing your endurance.”

“I’d rather do karaoke with my dad again again.”

“You didn’t do karaoke with your dad. You panicked and fake-choked on Yakult.”

“He was singing a BTS ballad, Covey. I blacked out.”

Kitty laughed again, her fingers still in his hair. “You’re surviving though.”

He tilted his head back enough to look up at her. “Only because it’s for you.”

That warm glow in her chest turned molten.

She reached out and traced the line of his cheekbone, watching his eyes flutter at her touch. “You’re really good at this, you know.”

“At what?”

“This. Fitting in. Letting them see you.”

“I was terrified,” he admitted.

“I know,” she said. “But you did it anyway.”

He reached for her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “I wanted them to know I’m serious about you.”

“You passed their tests,” she whispered.

“Oh, good,” he sighed. “Because I think Dan was five seconds away from giving me an actual written exam.”

They sat like that for a long moment, tucked away just enough to have a sliver of privacy.

Then Kitty leaned forward, resting her chin on his shoulder. “You want to take a walk?”

Minho nodded. “Yeah.”

They tugged on coats and boots and slipped outside. The world was quiet under a layer of fresh snow, all sound softened into muffled peace. Kitty led them down the street, hands entwined in her pockets, shoulders brushing.

They passed twinkling houses and snow-dusted lawns, feet crunching softly with every step. Minho slowed when they reached a park near her street, the same one she’d told him about back when they were still “just friends.”

“It looks like the inside of a snow globe,” he murmured.

Kitty smiled. “You’re allowed to say something poetic. It’s Christmas.”

He gave her a look. “Did you just give me permission to be romantic?”

“Minho,” she said, voice warm, “you’ve always had permission.”

He went quiet, eyes on her face, like he was memorizing it. After a beat, he whispered, “Can I kiss you now?”

She didn’t answer, she just leaned in and kissed him first—slow and sweet, right there in the falling snow.

When they eventually pulled apart, they were both grinning like fools.

“I still can’t believe we’re here,” he said, brushing snow from her hood.

Kitty tucked her cold nose into his scarf. “You came halfway across the world for me.”

“And I’d do it again.”

She looked up. “Will you?”

“Do it again?”

She nodded. “When we’re long-distance. When it’s hard. Will you come back for me?”

Minho held her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing the corners of her mouth.

“I won’t let anything keep me from you,” he said. “Not distance. Not timing. Not fear.”

Kitty blinked, tears threatening.

“God,” she said, laughing softly. “You really are a poet sometimes.”

“I save it for you.”

Back at the house, the living room had been turned into game central. Trina was undefeated at Uno, Peter was dominating at charades, and LJ was threatening to ban her boyfriend if he didn’t stop winning everything.

“If we’re playing teams, you better pray you’re not up against us.” Minho declared with a smirk, dragging Kitty to the couch and throwing an arm around her.

“Oh no,” Peter groaned. “Not you two.”

Kitty beamed. “We’re a power duo. Accept it.”

Dan handed them both hot chocolate and gestured for them to pick a team. “The competition is stiff, so I hope you like disappointment.”

Minho took a sip and shrugged. “As long as it’s not trivia, I think I’ll survive.”

Margot arched a brow from across the table. “Why? Can’t flex your cheekbones for bonus points?”

“Sadly,” Minho said with mock regret, “not in this crowd.”

Peter leaned forward, cracking his knuckles. “Just wait until we get to charades. I’ve been training.”

“You can’t train for charades,” Kitty said, laughing.

“You absolutely can,” Peter insisted. “It’s about range. And wrist flexibility.”

LJ handed out game pieces like she was officiating a tournament. “Alright, team assignments are locked in. No switching mid-game, no blood feuds until after dessert.”

“Good thing we came prepared to win,” Minho replied, slipping his arm around Kitty’s shoulders with dramatic flair.

Margot rolled her eyes. “God, you two are already insufferable.”

Kitty grinned, leaning into him. “And we haven’t even started playing yet.”

Hours passed in a blur of games, laughter, and fake betrayals. It was easy—natural. Kitty couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this present, this full of joy. At one point, she looked across the room and saw Margot smiling at her—not smug or teasing, just… proud, content.

Later, when it was dark and the tree lights glowed soft and golden, Minho slipped his hand into Kitty’s and leaned in.

“Best Christmas I’ve ever had,” he murmured.

Kitty’s heart swelled. “Me too.”

They didn’t need more. Just her fingers laced with his. Their family filling the space with warmth and noise. The scent of cinnamon in the air. And the quiet, unshakable certainty that they were exactly where they were meant to be.

Together.