Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Jennie sat curled up on the plush velvet couch, the soft hum of the air purifier the only sound filling the room. Her phone was balanced in her palm as she absently scrolled through TikTok, her mind too tired to focus on anything too intense. The exhaustion from BLACKPINK’s world tour weighed heavily on her shoulders, but it was nothing compared to the restlessness twisting in her chest.

This was it. Their last tour, at least, their last one before everything changed.

BLACKPINK wasn’t disbanding, far from it. They had agreed to renew their group contracts with YG Entertainment, but the future was no longer just together. Each of them was carving out a path of their own. Lisa had already set her sights on conquering Hollywood with her new project and also the fashion scene, Rosé was diving deeper into songwriting, eager to define her unique sound. Jisoo, with drama projects already lined up, was stepping further into acting. They all knew solo albums were on the horizon, but beyond that, everything felt uncertain. The intensity of being BLACKPINK, the global phenomenon , had started to fade into the distance.

And Jennie ?

She was ready to take control of her future. Founding her own agency for her solo career meant freedom, the kind she hadn’t known in years. No more waiting for approval, no more being told what kind of music to make. She could write her own lyrics, travel when she pleased, and for the first time in her career, truly belong to herself.

The thought was exhilarating. And terrifying.

She exhaled slowly, pressing her fingers to her temples. This past year had been relentless, Coachella, The Idol, constant flights, promotions, and yet another world tour. It felt like there was always something, a new event or an endless chain of obligations. She loved her work, but at times, it felt like she was being swallowed whole.

It wasn’t just work, though.

Her fling with Taehyung had ended quietly a few months ago. If she were honest with herself, she’d known from the beginning that it was nothing more than a distraction. Maybe it was his agency’s pressure. Maybe it was the way things had played out. But the sudden exposure in Paris, the way their relationship had been framed for the public eye... it had felt too manufactured. Too much of a show. She’d been with GD for over two years, and somehow, their relationship had stayed protected, private. But this ? This had left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Still, she had moved on. She was free now, no attachments, no expectations, just the promise of something new. She could breathe, could travel, could be selfish with her time.

And yet, despite the endless possibilities, an odd, gnawing loneliness crept in.

Jennie shook her head, banishing the thought, and refocused on her phone. The screen flickered to a new video, an unexpected one.

“SEVENTEEN = BLACKPINK’s biggest fanboys ” the title read.

Curious, she tapped the play button. The video began with a montage of SEVENTEEN members dancing along to BLACKPINK’s hits, DDU-DU DDU-DU, Pink Venom, Shut Down. It wasn’t just casual. They knew the moves. They knew the lyrics. Jennie chuckled softly, watching Dokyeom and Seungkwan go all out, over-exaggerating every move with comical intensity.

Jennie had seen SEVENTEEN around before. Their paths had crossed countless times at award shows, backstage at music broadcasts, but their interactions had always been brief, polite nods, quick hellos, nothing more. Still, she couldn’t deny that there was something charming about them. The way they exuded energy, unfiltered, joyful, was something she hadn’t seen in a while. It reminded her of the carefree days when BLACKPINK was just getting started, before everything became about expectations, about perfection.

She lingered on the video a little longer, watching them sing along to the chorus of Pink Venom with wild enthusiasm. Mingyu flashed on screen, his smile wide, almost mischievous. Her fingers froze over the screen for a moment, before she absentmindedly swiped away.

The last two concerts of BLACKPINK’s tour loomed just ahead. It would be a night to remember, but after that, everything would change.

This marked the end of an era, but also the beginning of a new one, one she couldn’t wait to explore.

Chapter Text

Mingyu tapped his fingers against his knee as the car sped through the streets of Seoul, heading toward the Gocheok Sky Dome. The energy in the vehicle was infectious, SEVENTEEN’s group chat had been buzzing all week with excitement about BLACKPINK’s final concert. It wasn’t just another show; this was history.

It wasn’t uncommon for idols to attend each other’s concerts, but tonight felt different. He had watched BLACKPINK grow over the years, seen them go from rookies to global superstars. Their paths had crossed multiple times , music shows, year end award ceremonies, and backstage encounters. But that was back then, when they were all just starting out. Now, BLACKPINK was BLACKPINK. And even as their sunbaenim, Mingyu couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe.

“Yah, do you think they’ll perform Whistle ?” Dokyeom asked from the seat beside him, scrolling through the setlist rumors online. "I haven’t heard that one live in forever.”

““They have to,” Seungkwan insisted. "It’s their last show before things change. I bet they’ll bring back all the classics."

Mingyu grinned, leaning back against the seat. He had seen all the viral clips from Coachella, the way Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo, and Rosé dominated the stage with effortless charisma. He had seen their stadium shows light up the night sky, their presence magnetic even through a screen. But tonight, he’d get to see it live.

When they arrived at the venue, the atmosphere was electric. Fans were everywhere, dressed in BLACKPINK’s signature pink and black, holding banners and lightsticks that created a sea of pink across the arena. The moment SEVENTEEN stepped inside, whispers and excited glances followed them. Carats and Blinks alike had long speculated about their admiration for each other’s groups, and tonight only fueled the playful theories.

“I feel like we’re walking into a Blinks’ dream,” Hoshi joked, nudging Mingyu. “We’re about to be exposed for how much we actually love their music.”

Seungkwan smirked. “No one’s even surprised. You all dance to Pink Venom every time it plays and don't make me start about Boombayah.”

Mingyu laughed but didn’t deny it. He was a fan. They all were.

As the lights dimmed and the opening VCR played, the excitement in the air became palpable. The moment the first beat of Pink Venom dropped, the entire dome erupted into deafening cheers.

Then, there they were, BLACKPINK, larger than life, commanding the stage like it was theirs alone.

The heavy bass vibrated through the arena, and before Mingyu could even take in the spectacle, Dokyeom shot up from his seat and began mimicking the iconic Pink Venom choreography, dramatically lip syncing to the opening lines. The entire row of SEVENTEEN members burst into laughter.

“Sit down, DK! You’re embarrassing us!” Joshua half-shouted between fits of laughter, while Woozi just shook his head, covering his face.

“You think Jennie saw me?”Dokyeom wiggled his eyebrows, pretending to smooth his hair back.

“You wish,”Jeonghan snorted. “Sit down before you get kicked out.”

Mingyu was laughing along with them, but the moment he turned his attention back to the stage, he found himself caught in the moment. The girls dominated from the first second, moving with precision and power, their voices cutting through the heavy beats like they owned the world.

As the concert blazed on, Mingyu found himself increasingly distracted, his attention constantly drifting back to Jennie. He told himself it was just the power of her performance, her stage presence, but deep down, something about her was pulling him in. He tried to shake it off, focusing instead on the energy of the crowd, the excitement in the air, but it didn’t help. Every time he looked back at her, there she was again, commanding the stage, effortlessly transitioning between rapping and singing, her eyes sparkling with an intensity that matched the lights overhead.

"You’ve seen her perform a million times" Mingyu thought, trying to quell the rising discomfort in his chest. "This is nothing new."

And yet... it was.

He couldn’t put his finger on it, but tonight felt different. Maybe it was the finality of it all, the emotion in the air, the way Jennie seemed to be savoring every moment of the performance. Or maybe it was the way she seemed to glow, even among all the other shining stars. It wasn’t just her beauty, it was the raw power she exuded, a kind of magnetic confidence that demanded attention.

"What the hell ? "Mingyu thought, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. "Why am I even thinking about this ? It’s just Jennie."

But it wasn’t just “Jennie, was it ?"

Mingyu’s mind began to race, his thoughts starting to spiral. He had known her for years, had admired her, respected her talent. They had crossed paths countless times in the industry, shared fleeting moments of casual conversation. But that was it, he hadn’t ever really thought about her in this way before. At least, not like this.

"What’s happening to me ?" he wondered. "I’ve never been like this over a colleague. Hell, we’re not even that close."

He glanced at Seungkwan, who was still laughing about Dokyeom’s antics, oblivious to the shift happening in Mingyu’s mind.

"Get a grip !" Mingyu silently chided himself. "You’re just caught up in the moment. It’s the whole “final concert” thing. It’s an emotional night. That’s all it is."

But as the night went on, his rationalizations grew weaker. The more he watched her, the more undeniable it became. There was something in the way Jennie owned the stage, in the way her eyes sparkled when she interacted with the crowd, in the way her body moved so fluidly to every beat. There was a fire in her that wasn’t just about her talent or her looks, it was her. Something about her made him feel like the whole world outside the concert was fading into the background, leaving just the two of them in the spotlight.

"No, no, no..."Mingyu thought, mentally shaking his head. " I can’t be doing this right now. It’s just admiration. Just respect."

But deep down, he knew it was more than that.

Seungkwan, noticing Mingyu’s prolonged gaze and his silent focus on the stage, raised an eyebrow. “Hyung,”he said quietly, leaning toward Mingyu with a teasing smirk, “you’ve been staring at her for way too long.”

Mingyu snapped out of his trance, startled, his cheeks flushing as he tried to laugh it off. “I’m just watching the show,” he muttered, but even to himself, the excuse sounded weak.

Seungkwan’s grin only grew. “Sure you are. Just ‘watching the show.’ You’re not even trying to hide it. C’mon, Mingyu, I know that look. You’re captivated.”

Mingyu’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly turned his attention back to the stage, his mind scrambling for a way to dismiss Seungkwan’s comment. It’s not like that, he thought desperately. It’s just... she’s impressive. I admire her.

But Seungkwan’s words hung in the air, his teasing tone sharp. "Do I really ?"

As she performed, mingling seamlessly between rapping and singing, his chest tightened. She was beautiful, insane, as he had already muttered under his breath, but it was more than that. There was a calm, cool confidence in the way she moved, in the way she controlled the crowd without even trying. It was like she was built for this, born for the stage, and he couldn’t help but feel a strange pull toward her.

"Stop it !" Mingyu told himself. "This isn’t how I’m supposed to feel."

But the more he told himself that, the harder it became to ignore. He was fixated. "Why am I staring at her like this ? He tried to divert his attention, but it kept drifting back to Jennie.

As she paused to speak to the crowd, her voice filled with gratitude, Mingyu’s heart skipped a beat. The emotion in her voice was unmistakable, and in that instant, everything else seemed to fade away. He wasn’t just watching her perform anymore, he was watching her live, feeling the weight of her words and the history behind them. And that... that made his stomach twist.

"Why am I feeling like this ?" He frowned. "This is crazy. We’re just two idols. This is what we do."

But his mind refused to let it go. The connection he was feeling wasn’t just about the show anymore, it was personal. She wasn’t just an idol he admired. She was Jennie Kim, someone who had carved her own path, fought her own battles, and made her mark on the world. And for some reason, Mingyu couldn’t stop thinking about how he might fit into that picture.

He tried to snap himself out of it, focusing on the rest of the performance. But even as the concert neared its end, with BLACKPINK giving their final bows, his gaze stayed locked on Jennie. The way she waved to the crowd, her expression a perfect mix of strength and vulnerability, it hit him hard. There was something undeniably magnetic about her, something he couldn’t quite articulate.

When the show ended and the arena exploded into applause, Mingyu stood along with everyone else, clapping as loud as he could. But his mind was elsewhere, on the woman standing at the center of it all. This isn’t just about admiration, he realized. This is something else.

As Jennie walked offstage, her presence still lingering in the air, Mingyu felt something shift inside him.

"What is this? " he thought, his chest tight with a mix of excitement and confusion. "What am I supposed to do with this ?"

Chapter Text

The moment Jennie stepped off stage, the roar of the crowd still echoing behind her, she felt her body grow heavier. She had spent every second of the concert fighting back the lump in her throat, holding herself together through each song, each cheer, each chant of BLACKPINK. But now, backstage, the weight of everything crashed down on her all at once.

She had just closed a chapter of her life, one that had defined her entire existence for the past decade. And despite the exhaustion that wracked her body, it wasn’t just physical. She was drained mentally, her emotions teetering on the edge, ready to spill over at the slightest trigger.

Then she saw her mother waiting for her, standing just a few steps away, arms open.

Jennie didn’t even think. She rushed forward, collapsing into her embrace as the dam finally broke. Tears streamed down her face, her breath hitching as she sobbed into her mother’s shoulder. The tension, the pressure, the years of pushing herself beyond her limits, she let it all go in her mother’s warmth.

“You did so well, my baby,” her mother whispered, stroking her back. “I’m so proud of you.”

Jennie could barely speak. She clung onto her mother as if letting go would make everything real. She didn’t want this moment to end. Didn’t want to step away and face the fact that BLACKPINK’s era as they knew it had just come to an end.

She wasn’t ready.

A voice broke through her sobs.

“Yah, if you cry this much, how are we supposed to stop?” Lisa’s voice was wobbly, but Jennie could hear the teasing smile behind it. When she lifted her head, she saw Lisa, Rosé, and Jisoo standing there, all with red-rimmed eyes, trying (and failing) to hold back their own tears.

And just like that, they broke too.

They fell into each other’s arms, clinging to one another as years of memories flooded their minds.

“I don’t even know what to say,” Rosé sniffled, burying her face into Jennie’s shoulder. “This was our last tour stop. Can you believe it?”

“I don’t want to believe it,” Lisa admitted, her voice cracking.

Jisoo, always the composed one, let out a shaky laugh. “At least we didn’t cry on stage. I was so close.”

They all laughed through their tears, hugging tighter.

“I love you guys,” Jennie whispered, her voice raw with emotion.

“We love you too,” Lisa said instantly, her grip tightening.

For a few moments, they just stayed like that, just them, just BLACKPINK. No cameras, no screaming fans, no flashing lights. Just four girls who had been through everything together.

After a while, they pulled away, wiping at their eyes and laughing at how ruined their makeup was. The makeup team immediately rushed in to fix them up, and soon, they changed into more comfortable outfits, preparing to greet the people who had come to support them.

As they stepped into the reception area, they were immediately enveloped in warm embraces from their closest friends in the industry. Red Velvet, TWICE, WINNER, AESPA, and Sunmi were all there, offering heartfelt congratulations, sharing inside jokes, and taking pictures to commemorate the moment. The air was filled with laughter, cheers, and the occasional tear as fellow artists celebrated their journey.

Jennie felt a sense of ease being surrounded by people who truly understood what this night meant. It didn’t feel like a goodbye, but rather a shared understanding that they had all made history together.

Jennie barely had time to process the flow of industry guests congratulating them before a familiar group of faces walked in - SEVENTEEN. They looked slightly hesitant, like they weren’t sure if they should be formal or just relaxed.

“We just wanted to say congratulations,” S.coups said with a respectful nod. “That was insane. You guys were unbelievable.”

“Seriously, I think my throat is sore from cheering so much,” Dokyeom admitted, rubbing his neck. “And my legs hurt, I danced way too much.”

Jennie smirked, crossing her arms. “Oh, I saw you.”

The SEVENTEEN members instantly froze.

“You… you saw us ?” Seungkwan asked hesitantly.

Jennie nodded, fighting back a laugh. “I saw all the clips. You guys have been dancing to our songs for years.”

The room erupted into laughter as the SEVENTEEN members groaned, covering their faces in embarrassment. Dokyeom looked the most shameless, throwing his hands up. “Well, what can we say ? We’re fans !”

“That’s an understatement,” Joshua muttered, shaking his head.

Hoshi grinned. “But hey, at least we got noticed by Jennie. I call that a win.”

Jennie laughed, genuinely touched. “Well, I really appreciate it. It means a lot to us.”

A playful voice cut in. “You know, Mingyu was staring the whole concert.”

Jennie turned her head just in time to see Mingyu’s ears turn bright red as Dokyeom and Seungkwan nudged him teasingly.

“I was not!” Mingyu protested, looking both flustered and betrayed.

Jennie raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. “Oh ? Was the concert that fascinating ?”

The other SEVENTEEN members erupted into laughter as Mingyu groaned, covering his face. “I’m never coming to a BLACKPINK concert with these guys again.”

Jennie chuckled, shaking her head. She wasn’t used to feeling this light after such an emotional night, but something about their dynamic made her feel at ease. As she watched Mingyu, she found herself wondering, almost absentmindedly, why she had even noticed him in the first place. She hadn’t given him much thought in the past, but tonight, there had been something about his presence, he clearly was a a good looking mind even a blind person can sense it ...

Her thoughts were interrupted as the group continued their playful teasing, and she quickly brushed the feeling aside. What was she thinking ? Mingyu had always been around, part of the same orbit as her. Nothing had changed.

“Well, since you all had so much fun,” Jennie said, looking around at them, “You should come to the after-party. You in?”

The SEVENTEEN members exchanged looks before cheering. “We’re in!”

As the night stretched on, Jennie felt something settle within her. The overwhelming sadness was still there, lingering in the back of her mind, but for now, she chose to enjoy the moment.

This was the end of a chapter, but it wasn’t the end. There was so much left to do, so much left to explore. And tonight, surrounded by friends, laughter, and warmth, she realized she wasn’t scared anymore.

She was ready.

But before heading out to the after-party, she stood still for a moment, the weight of the night’s emotions briefly crashing back in. It was almost too much. She needed this night. She needed the chance to let off steam and just be. To breathe and laugh and forget the uncertainty of the future, if only for a few hours.

As she turned to leave the room, her gaze briefly met Mingyu’s.

It was only for a second, but there was something there, a flicker of something unreadable in his expression. Maybe curiosity, maybe something else. She wasn’t sure, but it made her pause for just a moment longer than she expected.

Mingyu had always been in her orbit, one of the many faces she’d encountered over the years. But tonight… something felt different. She quickly brushed the thought away. She was being ridiculous. It was probably nothing.

Whatever it was, she’d figure it out later.

For now, she just wanted to party and get drunk.

Chapter Text

The after-party buzzed with life, the air thick with excitement and chatter. But Jennie couldn’t shake the weight that had settled over her. The concert had been a massive success, yet there was a lingering feeling of unease in the back of her mind. She laughed with her members, trying to lose herself in the celebrations, but her thoughts kept drifting.

The night was supposed to be a release, a moment to let everything go. But as the alcohol flowed and the music pulsed, she found herself glancing toward the far side of the room where SEVENTEEN was gathered. Among them, Mingyu stood out, his tall frame leaning casually against the bar, his posture relaxed, but his eyes sharp as they took in the scene. He seemed slightly removed from the chaos of the party, content to observe in his own way.

And then their eyes met.

For a split second, Jennie felt something, a strange, almost electric pull in her chest. It wasn’t anything overt, nothing obvious. But the way he looked at her made her heart skip in a way that felt completely unfamiliar. She quickly turned away, trying to shake off the feeling, telling herself it was nothing.

Was she really this distracted by him?

“Yah, are you alright?” Rosé asked, her voice playful as she nudged Jennie’s side. “You’ve been staring into space for like, five minutes.”

Jennie laughed awkwardly, trying to recover. “Yeah, just a bit tired. This whole night’s been… a lot.”

Rosé raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. “Of course,”she teased. “And is there someone on your mind, huh ?”

Jennie froze for a moment, unsure if she had heard that right. Before she could even process what Rosé had said, her friend was already laughing.

“What? Who” Jennie asked, trying to play it cool, though her heart was already racing. She’d never been one to shy away from teasing, but now she was on the other side of it, and it felt strange.

“You know who” Rosé winked, lowering her voice just a touch. “Mingyu. You’ve been stealing glances all night.”

Heat rose to Jennie’s cheeks, and she quickly shook her head, laughing nervously. “I...I’m not...”

Rosé’s raised eyebrow didn’t falter. “Don't try to denied it. If does make you feel better, Mingyu’s been looking too, by the way. It’s written all over his face. If he wasn’t so shy, he might’ve already made a move.”

Jennie’s stomach did a strange little flip at Rosé’s words. Was it true? Mingyu had been looking at her? Her mind raced as she tried to brush off the feeling of vulnerability. She was overthinking it, she told herself. It was nothing. It was probably just the alcohol playing tricks on her.

And yet…

She glanced back across the room, her gaze seeking Mingyu’s once more. He was still talking with his members, but this time, when their eyes met again, there was something different about it. It wasn’t as casual as before. It was intentional. Something unspoken seemed to hang between them, and for a fleeting moment, Jennie felt her heart skip again.

Was there something to this? Or was she just imagining it?

As the night went on, the energy around her continued to rise, and Jennie’s mind was awash with competing thoughts. The music pulsed in her veins, and laughter echoed in her ears, but her thoughts still kept circling back to Mingyu. The way he had looked at her. The way his presence had seemed to draw her in without him even trying.

She stood by the bar, pretending to listen to Rosé and Jisoo chat about the after-party plans, but her attention was elsewhere. Once again, she glanced over at SEVENTEEN’s group. This time, Mingyu wasn’t just glancing her way; his gaze was fixed on her, a little longer, a little more intense. Jennie felt an unexpected warmth spread through her, a mix of curiosity and something else, a pull that she couldn’t quite define.

The music thumped, louder now, and Jennie felt an inexplicable urge to move. To break the bubble of stillness that had been settling around her. Without really thinking, she excused herself from the conversation and made her way toward the group. She wasn’t sure why, but something in her urged her to do it. To step into the unknown for just a moment, to see where it might lead.

She reached them just as Seungkwan was in the middle of an exaggerated retelling of something that had happened earlier in the night, drawing laughter from the others. Mingyu, standing at the edge of the group, caught sight of Jennie approaching. Their eyes met once more, and this time, there was no hesitation in his gaze. His lips curved into a soft smile, and for the first time, Jennie felt herself smile back, not because she had to, but because she wanted to.

She wasn’t sure what exactly was pulling her toward him, but it felt right to be there. Among SEVENTEEN, among the chaos, but also in this quieter space where everything else seemed to fall away.

"Hey," she said, stepping into the circle with a smile that was only partially playful."I thought I’d join the fun."

Mingyu chuckled lightly, his eyes bright with something that wasn’t quite amusement but more of an acknowledgment, something unspoken between them that neither of them had put into words yet.

“You’re welcome anytime” he said, the words casual but with a warmth that made Jennie feel strangely at ease.

As Jennie settled into the group, the conversation around her continued to flow easily, mingling with the laughter and noise of the party. Mingyu was leaning against the bar, his easygoing demeanor a sharp contrast to the chaos of Hoshi and Dokyeom, who had commandeered the dance floor. They were, as always, making a spectacle of themselves, showing off some of BLACKPINK's most iconic choreographies, causing a ripple of laughter and applause from the crowd.

“I’m telling you, I can’t handle those two” Joshua said, shaking his head.“They’re going to break something if they keep going like that.”

Mingyu chuckled, his eyes following his members' antics. “They have no shame, do they ?”

“Nope,” Seungkwan chimed in with a grin. “But that’s what makes them so fun.”

Jennie laughed along with the others, but her gaze wandered back to Mingyu. He caught her looking and raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.

"So," Jennie began, her voice playful as she took a sip of her drink, “Is this your idea of a fun night, watching your friends make fools of themselves ?”

Mingyu laughed, shaking his head slightly. “They never need an excuse to be extra. Trust me, they’ve been waiting for this moment for ages.”

She nodded, her eyes flicking to where Hoshi had almost lost his balance mid-spin. “It’s good to see people enjoying themselves, though. The night’s been crazy, hasn’t it ?”

“Crazy, but in a good way” Mingyu said, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. His tone was warm, almost reassuring. Jennie felt the familiar pull in her chest, the strange sensation of being seen in a way that felt oddly comforting.

For a moment, their eyes locked, and the noise of the party seemed to fade into the background. The connection between them, subtle, unspoken, but undeniable, seemed to hang in the air.

“You know," Jennie said, breaking the silence, her voice teasing, “I just realized something.”

Mingyu raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “What’s that ?”

“You debuted before me, but I’m older than you,” she said with a grin, crossing her arms playfully.

Mingyu blinked, surprised. “Oh, don’t start with that,” he said with a light laugh, but there was something more in his voice, a warmth that made Jennie’s heart flutter unexpectedly.

“No, seriously,” she continued, leaning in just a little, “I think that means you should call me noona.”

Mingyu immediately shook his head, his face a picture of mock horror. “Absolutely not. I might be younger, but I’ve been in this industry longer. I’m your sunbaenim.”

Jennie’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Hmm, I could respect that… but I think I prefer you calling me noona.”

Seungkwan, overhearing the conversation, clapped his hands with delight. “Yes! He has to! It’s only fair.”

Mingyu groaned, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity. “I will not,” he insisted, though his eyes were dancing with amusement. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Jennie leaned closer, her voice lower and teasing. “Come on, just once. For me ?”

Mingyu sighed dramatically, playing along. “Fine...Noona. Happy ?”

There was something about the way he said it, the soft playfulness, the subtle warmth behind the words, that made Jennie’s heart do another flip. It wasn’t just the word itself, but the way it felt like an inside joke between them, something shared in a space no one else could touch. Jennie smiled wider than she had all night, a feeling of lightness she hadn’t expected.

“Yes, I’m very happy,”she said, raising her glass to him in victory.

Seungkwan and the others laughed, but Jennie’s eyes stayed on Mingyu for just a moment longer. There was something in the way he had said it, something unspoken that felt like a quiet acknowledgment of the strange tension that had been building between them all night.

The party continued around them, the music growing louder, the atmosphere turning wilder. Lisa and Rosé were dragging everyone onto the dance floor, and even Jisoo, normally the composed one, was swaying with a drink in hand.

As the group moved on to other topics, Jennie’s smile faded, the weight of the night creeping back into her chest. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was pulling her in the direction of Mingyu, and it made her restless. Her fingers tightened around her glass as she glanced toward the exit.

“I think I need a breather,” she murmured to Rosé, who was still laughing with Jisoo across the room.

Rosé raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile on her lips. “Take your time, just don’t vanish completely, alright?”

Jennie nodded, offering a distracted smile before slipping away from the group. stepping out onto the balcony, the cool night air immediately soothing the warmth of the party still lingering on her skin. The chaos from inside was muffled by the thick glass doors, and here, alone in the quiet, she could finally catch her breath. She leaned against the railing, eyes closed for a moment, letting the stillness settle around her.

It wasn’t until the sound of footsteps broke through the silence that she opened her eyes, and there he was - Mingyu, following her without hesitation. He didn’t ask why she left, didn’t try to fill the silence with unnecessary words. He just stood next to her, his presence oddly comforting.

“You know,” Mingyu’s voice was soft, pulling her out of her thoughts, “Disappearing from your own party doesn’t seem like the best move for a host.”

Jennie exhaled a laugh, turning her head to face him, though she didn’t quite meet his eyes. “And yet, here you are. Following me,” she replied, her tone teasing but not entirely lighthearted.

He smiled, leaning slightly against the railing, eyes flicking toward the city lights in the distance. “Maybe I’m just trying to figure out what’s going on in that head of yours,” he said, his voice quieter now, a hint of curiosity lacing his words.

For a moment, they were both silent. The buzz of the party seemed to fade completely, replaced by the distant hum of the city and the steady rhythm of their breaths.

Mingyu shifted slightly, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. “You’ve been holding a lot in tonight, haven’t you?”

Jennie didn’t know how to answer that, so instead, she just nodded. She hadn’t expected to feel so conflicted, so unsettled after the concert. The celebrations were supposed to wash it all away, but they hadn’t. The weight of the night, of what it represented, still clung to her, heavy and unshakable. She felt like she was at a crossroads, but she wasn’t sure where the road was leading.

Mingyu seemed to sense it, his next words soft but sure. “I’ve been there. You know, with SEVENTEEN, when we had to step back and wonder what came next. It’s scary, but it’s not the end. And it doesn’t change what you’ve built. What BLACKPINK has built.”

Jennie swallowed hard, feeling the familiar tightness in her chest. “It’s hard to let go of something that’s been your entire life, though. This... this has been everything to me.”

Mingyu turned toward her then, meeting her gaze with an intensity that surprised her. “And maybe that’s why it’s so important to let go. To be scared. To feel lost. Because that’s how you find what’s next.”

Her heart skipped at his words, and she felt a lump form in her throat. Was it really that simple? Or was it something she had to believe in, something she had to find within herself?

“I just feel like I’m standing on the edge of something big, and I don’t know if I’m ready to jump,” Jennie admitted, her voice quieter than before. The vulnerability in her words hung between them, but somehow, it felt safe here, with Mingyu, away from the noise and the expectations of the party.

Mingyu’s gaze softened, his expression gentle as he spoke again. “It’s not about being ready. It’s about taking that step, even when you don’t know what’s on the other side. You don’t have to have all the answers right now.”

Jennie let out a breath, the weight on her chest easing slightly. Maybe he was right. Maybe it was okay not to have everything figured out.

She offered him a small smile, one that felt more real than anything she’d done all night. “You know, for someone who tries so hard to act like a troublemaker, you’re surprisingly wise.”

Mingyu laughed, a soft sound that matched the quiet moment between them. “Don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation to maintain.”

Jennie grinned, feeling the corners of her lips pull up. “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.”

They fell into a comfortable silence after that, not needing to say anything more. For once, the uncertainty didn’t feel so overwhelming. She wasn’t alone in it. And for the first time tonight, Jennie felt the tension in her shoulders ease.

Eventually, she straightened up from the railing, glancing over at Mingyu. “I guess we should head back in before they start wondering if we ran off together,” she said with a playful glint in her eye.

Mingyu smirked, his eyes lighting up with mischief. “Now that would make for some interesting headlines.”

Jennie rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped her lips. “Please, no headlines. Let’s just get back to the party.”

Mingyu followed her as they both stepped back inside, the noise of the party enveloping them once again. But something between them had shifted, something unspoken but understood. It wasn’t just about the party anymore, and it wasn’t just about the night.

As they rejoined the others, mingling with the music and the laughter, Jennie couldn’t shake the feeling that this night, this conversation, was the start of something else.

Chapter Text

The night stretched on, the air thick with laughter, music, and the heady buzz of celebration. The drinks kept flowing, and the once perfectly composed crowd had dissolved into a more uninhibited, carefree version of itself. What had started as a polished industry event had now transformed into something warmer—friends, colleagues, and idols simply enjoying the moment.

Jennie watched from the side, sipping her drink as she took in the chaos. She was glad she had invited SEVENTEEN. They blended into the atmosphere so naturally, making everyone around them laugh, drink, and let loose. Their presence added something special to the night, something lighthearted and fun.

She had spent time talking with some of them, S.Coups, Joshua, Woozi, laughing at their stories, teasing them about their members’ antics. They were easy to be around, genuine, and approachable in a way that made Jennie feel at ease.

And yet, even as she mingled and made conversation, she found her eyes drifting across the room, searching for one person in particular.
Mingyu.

She didn’t forget about him, not after what he said to her on the balcony. His words had settled in her chest, comforting and steady.

Her gaze found him easily. He was on the dance floor, moving with the same playful confidence he had on stage, except this time, there was no choreography, just pure, uninhibited joy. He was clearly tipsy, swaying to the beat with a loose grin, his laughter blending into the music. Jennie found herself smiling.

Of course, she wasn’t blind. Mingyu was a very attractive man, tall and broad-shouldered, his features sharp under the dim party lights. But it wasn’t just that. It was the way he carried himself—playful, unbothered, completely in the moment.

As the hours passed, the energy only grew. Drinks flowed freely, and even the more reserved idols had begun to loosen up. The dance floor became a spectacle, Lisa and Hoshi had turned it into an all-out competition, their movements getting more ridiculous with every song. DK, fully embracing his role as hype man, provided exaggerated commentary as if they were in an actual dance battle, making everyone cry with laughter.

Jennie soon found herself getting pulled into the madness. Rosé grabbed her hands and spun her in circles, making them both dizzy. One of the SEVENTEEN members, The8 joined in, twirling her dramatically before handing her off to someone else. It was pure chaos, but Jennie let herself be swept up in it, her earlier emotions momentarily forgotten in the warmth of the celebration.

Mingyu leaned back against the bar, nursing his drink as his gaze drifted across the room, landing on Jennie. Again.

This time, it was different. There was no confusion, no sense of being caught off guard, just a quiet observation. She was with Rosé now, her face flushed from the alcohol and the warmth of the night. The two were laughing, clearly lost in their own little world. Mingyu couldn't help but smile softly to himself. There was something magnetic about Jennie, her laughter, her energy it was impossible not to be drawn in.

Seungkwan, ever the keen observer, noticed the direction of Mingyu’s gaze and raised an eyebrow. He leaned toward Dokyeom, who was halfway through a conversation with Woozi, and whispered with a smirk.

“Look at him.”

Dokyeom followed his line of sight, then burst into laughter, drawing a few confused looks from the others. “Oh no. It’s happening.”

Mingyu groaned and ran a hand over his face. “What’s happening ?”

“You know exactly what’s happening,” Seungkwan teased, a sly grin playing on his lips. “You’ve been staring at her all night.”

“I have not,” Mingyu muttered, attempting to play it cool by taking a long sip of his drink, but his amused grin betrayed him.

Dokyeom, noticing the way Mingyu’s eyes softened when he looked back at Jennie, wiggled his eyebrows.“Are you sure ? Because I think Mingyu’s got a little crush on Jennie.”

Mingyu rolled his eyes, shaking his head as if to dismiss the teasing, but just then, Jennie amid the chaos of the dance floor caught his eye. Their gazes met for a brief moment, and something in her smile made him feel warm, a little off-balance. He quickly looked away, but the smile lingered in his chest.

As the hours wore on, the music began to slow, the crowd thinning out, but there was still an undeniable energy in the air. Jennie felt herself drawn back to the dance floor. The alcohol flowed freely, easing her body into a rhythm that felt lighter than before, the kind of movement that didn’t require thought. The flashing lights turned everything hazy, and for a brief moment, she lost herself in the music, just her and the beat.

But then, in the midst of it, she caught his gaze.

Mingyu was no longer standing at the edge of the group, leaning casually against the bar. Instead, he was in the heart of the dance floor, moving with the crowd, yet his focus was entirely on her. He wasn’t lost in the chaos around him. His eyes were locked onto hers with a kind of intensity that felt different from the playful teasing earlier. This time, it wasn’t just about being near each other, it felt like something was starting to unfold, a silent connection building in the space between them.

Jennie’s heart skipped a beat. She didn’t know why, but something inside her shifted. The air between them crackled, tuning out the music, the lights, the room. For a moment, it was just her and Mingyuk, everything else a blur beyond the pull of his gaze.

Without even realizing it, her feet moved of their own accord, bringing her closer to him. Each step felt deliberate, like she was walking toward something inevitable. The moment she crossed into his space, the distance between them closing, her breath caught in her throat.

And when she reached him, her body seemed to react before her mind could catch up. Her shoulder bumped lightly against his, almost by accident, but the touch felt like a spark in the quiet of the night. Her fingers barely grazed his arm, but even that fleeting touch sparked something, a jolt that lingered in the space between them, electric and undeniable. It was fleeting, but it left something behind, something electric that lingered in the air.

Mingyu didn’t move right away. He didn’t even seem startled. Instead, he looked down at her, the corner of his lips quirking up just slightly. And then, without hesitation, his hand slid around her waist, pulling her in closer. It wasn’t a forceful movement. It was natural, as if they both understood this unspoken connection that had been building.

His hand found her waist, light, unassuming, but warm enough to make her breath hitch. The brush of fabric between them felt more intimate than words ever could.. For a brief moment, they both just stood there, caught in the quiet shift of the space between them.

Mingyu’s breath, warm and steady, brushed against her ear as he leaned in closer, his voice low enough to almost be swallowed by the pulsing beat of the music.
“You know,” he murmured, his voice sending a shiver down her spine, “I didn’t think you could dance like this.”

Jennie smirked, pulling back just a little to meet his gaze, eyes dark and filled with something unspoken. The air between them felt thick with tension, something neither of them was ready to break. “Guess I’ve been hiding my talent,” she said with a playful glint in her eyes, but even she couldn’t deny the undercurrent of something else in her words.

Their gazes held for a beat longer than necessary, and in that moment, Jennie felt it , the way something had quietly shifted. This wasn’t the buzz of music or drinks. It was them, caught in something neither had expected but couldn’t ignore.

Mingyu’s hand, still resting on her waist, tightened just a little, but not in a way that felt forced. It was as if he was just holding her there, tethered by that invisible pull. He didn’t say anything, but his eyes were speaking volumes, things that neither of them had the words for.

Jennie’s chest rose and fell a little quicker than before, her heart racing with the realization that this moment, this small shift, felt like it had been building for so much longer than just tonight. And for the first time, she didn’t want to pull away. She didn’t want the moment to end.

Mingyu didn’t rush it either. He stayed close, close enough that she could feel the warmth of his body, the steady rhythm of his breath. It was almost like they were in their own world, away from the noise and flashing lights. The way he looked at her, soft but intense, had her wondering if he, too, could feel the electric pull between them.

The music continued to pulse through the air, the beat growing softer, the crowd around them thinning as the night began to wind down. Jennie remained in Mingyu's embrace, the distance between them closing in a way that felt neither forced nor rushed, just right, in the quiet aftermath of their shared connection.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. No words were needed. Something unspoken passed between them, raw, unfamiliar, yet comforting. His thumb traced slow circles at her waist, anchoring her to the moment like it meant something.There was no need to.

Jennie’s breath came a little more steadily now, her heart still pounding in her chest as she slowly registered just how close they were. How natural it felt. She had come here for fun, for a night away from the chaos of her career, but what she hadn’t expected was the way her connection with Mingyu had grown, so unexpectedly and effortlessly.

Mingyu, too, seemed to be lost in the moment, his eyes never leaving hers. They weren’t just dancing anymore; they were standing in the quiet space between something new and something unknown.

And then, finally, the moment broke. The laughter and chatter from the surrounding crowd started to pierce the bubble they’d created, pulling Jennie back into the reality of the night. She could hear Rosé calling her from across the floor, the familiar sound of her friend’s voice pulling her attention away.

“Jennie!” Rosé called again, waving. “Come on, let’s get out of here!”

Jennie turned her gaze away from Mingyu, but not without a lingering glance. As she pulled away, she felt the familiar warmth of his touch fade, but it left something behind, a sense of anticipation.

She wasn’t sure what had just happened between them, but as she made her way back to her friends, her mind kept drifting back to Mingyu. There was a strange calm in her chest, like she was standing at the edge of something uncertain but magnetic, and she couldn’t bring herself to look away.

Mingyu watched her go, his heart still pounding, a quiet smile tugging at his lips. He didn’t chase after her. He didn’t need to. Something had happened, and though neither of them knew where it would go, he could feel it, a magnetic pull that neither of them could deny.

For now, he stood there, watching Jennie disappear into the crowd, feeling the weight of the night pressing down on him, but in a way that didn’t feel heavy. It felt... promising

Chapter Text

Jennie groaned as she rolled onto her side, the soft glow of sunlight breaking through the curtains doing little to alleviate the dull throb in her head. It wasn’t a full-blown hangover, but it was enough to remind her that she’d overindulged last night. She buried her face into the pillow, hoping to drift back to sleep, but the memories of the night crept in, whether she wanted them to or not.

The music. The flashing lights. The laughter mingling with the bass-heavy beats that had vibrated in her chest. The dance floor had felt alive, each movement contagious. Everyone around her had been so carefree, so uninhibited.

But what really stuck with her, despite the chaos and noise, was him.

Mingyu.

She let out a slow exhale, flipping onto her back. Her thoughts scattered like wild confetti, but no matter how hard she tried to push them away, one memory kept resurfacing. The way he moved with the crowd, playful, unbothered, yet somehow... grounded. The way he’d pulled her into his orbit without even trying. His hands on her waist, his fingers lightly grazing the fabric of her dress, sending a shiver through her. The heat of his body so close to hers, yet there was a strange ease to it.

There was a moment when their faces were so close, she could feel his breath on her skin. Mingyu had leaned in, his voice a low hum, teasing her in that way only he could. “Don’t worry, Noona,” he’d said with that cocky smirk of his, “I won’t bite... unless you ask me to.”

The words had hit her like a punch to the gut, but she hadn’t known whether to laugh or step back. Instead, she’d stayed right there, their bodies swaying together to the rhythm of the music, the space between them filled with an undeniable tension that made her heart race. She tried to brush it off as just part of the night, but the way his hands held her just a bit tighter, the way his eyes lingered just a bit too long, it all felt different.

Jennie swallowed, pulling the blanket tighter around her shoulders. Her gaze moved to the ceiling, though it didn’t help to clear her mind. Had she been... flirty? She hadn’t planned on it, but in the heat of the moment, it had felt so natural. The playful teasing, the light brush of her hand against his arm, none of it had felt forced. She’d felt alive in a way that was different from the usual events, different from how she acted with the other idols.

But was that the alcohol talking ? Or was there something else ?

She closed her eyes, willing the thoughts to stop, but they just wouldn’t. Mingyu’s smirk, the way his eyes had softened when he looked at her... It wasn’t just the alcohol that had loosened her up, was it? It had felt like more. She wasn’t used to feeling this way, this aware of someone, of what they meant to her in such a short time.

Her stomach twisted. Great. Just great. The night had been full of energy, of fun. But now, as she lay there, the quiet aftertaste of it all felt different. She wasn’t sure if it was excitement or something else, but she couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something had changed. And worse, had he noticed ? She was suddenly self-conscious about every playful word she’d said, every touch she’d shared.

There was no escaping it now, Mingyu had left an impression, one that had nothing to do with the flashing lights or the music. He was... different. And now, for reasons she couldn’t quite figure out, she had to deal with it.

As for Mingyu he wasn’t sure when the night had shifted. One minute, they were just friends laughing over cocktails, the next, Jennie’s fingers brushed his wrist, and everything tilted. The air grew thick, electric. Her gaze lingered, warmer, bolder. The night had changed, and Mingyu felt it in his bones before his brain caught up.

He hadn’t expected to enjoy himself that much. Sure, he knew the after-party would be fun, SEVENTEEN always had a blast when they went out, but last night had been different. Something had shifted. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but he knew it was her. Jennie.

When they’d danced together, it was easy. Effortless. There hadn’t been the usual distance between them, the formality of industry colleagues or the polite small talk he was used to. Instead, their movements had synced in a way that felt natural, like they’d been dancing together forever. Her hand on his shoulder, her fingers brushing his waist, it had been electric.

But had it meant anything ? Or had he just been caught up in the celebration ? In the fun of it all ?

His mind kept replaying the way she’d looked at him on the dance floor. It was a glance that lingered just a little too long, a look that wasn’t casual or friendly, but something more, something that made his heart skip a beat. It made him wonder: Was she feeling the same way ?

But then, the more he thought about it, the more he questioned himself. What if it was just the alcohol ?

Sure, they had laughed, teased, and connected in a way that felt genuine, but maybe that was just the party atmosphere, the freedom of letting go in a space where no one was really paying attention. Maybe Jennie had just been caught up in the moment, just like him.

But even as Mingyu dismissed the thought, his stomach twisted. Deep down, he knew it wasn’t just the alcohol. The way she’d looked at him, the playful teasing, the way they’d stayed close even after the song had ended, that wasn’t normal. At least, not for him.

And then there was the way she had smiled when he’d said that stupid thing on the dance floor. His voice had come out smoother than he’d intended when he teased her about not biting unless she asked him to. He’d expected her to laugh it off, like everyone else did. But Jennie had held his gaze, a knowing glint in her eyes, as if she were... aware of what he was saying.

He groaned into his pillow, pulling the blanket tighter around himself. Stop overthinking this, he told himself. It was just a night. Just some fun. Nothing more.

But even as he repeated it in his head, the doubt lingered. Was it really that simple ? Had they just shared a moment in the chaos of a party, or was there something more to it ? Was there something deeper between them that neither of them was ready to admit ?

Mingyu had barely started making his morning coffee when his phone lit up with a flurry of notifications. He had made the mistake of muting the group chat before bed, and now the flood of messages made him wince.

[Hoshi] : I just woke up and remembered the way Mingyu followed Jennie around all night.

[Seugkwan]: Not just followed...flirted. Badly.

[DK] : And she FLIRTED BACK. Noona was definitely enjoying it.

[Joshua] : Did anyone else see the way they looked at each other ? That was like an emotional rollercoaster, but in a good way.

Mingyu snorted in disbelief.

[Mingyu] : I didn’t follow her around… We were just hanging out. What’s the big deal ?

[Woozi] : Isn't it everyone's business when you look like you're starring in a rom-com ?

Mingyu felt his cheeks heat up. He hadn’t even realized how much time he’d spent with Jennie, but now that everyone was pointing it out, he couldn’t help but feel like maybe he’d done something too obvious.

[Mingyu] : C’mon, guys. We were just having fun. It was a party.

[Hoshi] : So, Mingyu... how was that dance with Noona last night ? The one where you two were practically one person ?

[Seugkwan] : You mean the one where he had his hands on her waist and was looking at her like he wanted to kiss her ?

[Vernon] : Honestly, it was so sensual I thought I was watching a drama. That dance could’ve been its own plot twist.

[Dino] : I’m still recovering from that tension. I need a moment. Is there a part two coming or...?

[Mingyu] : Okay, first of all, you guys are exaggerating. It was just a dance. We were having fun.

[DK] : Fun ? You were so close to her, I thought you guys were rehearsing for a love scene. You should’ve seen yourself. It was like you two were in your own little world.

Mingyu rolled his eyes, but a slight flush crept up his neck. He really hadn’t realized how obvious it was until now. But no way was he going to admit it. Not to them.

[S.Coups] : Mingyu... did you get her number or what ? After all that, you did ask, right ?

Mingyu hesitated, and in that moment, the group chat seemed to wait with bated breath. He took a long sip of water, trying to keep his composure.

[Mingyu] : Uh, no. Didn’t get the number.

There was a brief pause, and then bam, the flood of messages came rushing in.

[Hoshi]: Wait... YOU DIDN’T GET HER NUMBER ??! What was the whole point of that dance then ?

[Seugkwan] : Hyung, you had one job. You danced with her like that, and you didn’t get her number ? You’re an actual idiot.

[Vernon] : You seriously just danced her into a corner and forgot the most basic part ? Rookie move, my guy.

[Wonwoo] : This is legendary. It’s like you had all the tools but forgot the most important one. Did you forget how to text

Mingyu let out a laugh, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. He wasn’t sure why he hadn’t asked her for it. He was just so caught up in the moment. But of course, now it felt like a massive oversight, and they were never going to let him live it down.

[Mingyu] : I don’t need a number. I’ll see her again soon, alright ? Let’s not make it a big deal.

[Jeonghan] : You’re lucky, man. If it was me, I’d be texting her every minute after a night like that.

[S.Coups] : Yeah, I don’t think Jennie’s going to forget that dance. Pretty sure you guys were basically telegraphing your feelings. The whole club saw it.

Mingyu groaned and threw his phone on the counter. He’d never live this down.

[Mingyu] : You guys are the worst. It’s not like that. Just let me breathe.

[Hoshi] : Yeah, right. You want to breathe, but the whole world saw you inhaling all that chemistry last night.

[Seungwan] : Hyung, it’s called love at first dance. Get on with it.

Mingyu laughed despite himself, shaking his head. He knew they were just messing with him, but there was a weird part of him that wanted to say, “Yeah, maybe it is more than that.” But he didn’t. Not yet. He wasn’t ready to admit it.

[Mingyu] : Alright, enough. Drop it, seriously. I’ll figure it out.

[JUN] : Sure, sure. We’ll all be waiting for the sequel.

Jennie had barely recovered from the chaos of the morning when she found herself in a small café, hoping for a quiet moment to gather her thoughts before her meeting. She tugged her hoodie lower over her face, wishing for a quick in-and-out experience. But the rich aroma of espresso and the comforting hum of the café made her pause, taking a long breath before stepping up to the counter.

It was then she felt it, a presence. A familiar one.

“Well, well.”

She turned, her stomach doing that weird little flip she couldn’t quite explain.

Mingyu stood there, casual in a hoodie and sweatpants, his hair a bit messy, yet somehow still looking effortlessly good. His smirk was immediate. “Noona, you stalking me now ?”

Jennie blinked, trying to shake the surprised feeling in her chest. “Please. I have a meeting nearby. What’s your excuse ?”

He held up a small bag and a coffee cup, both looking entirely too casual. “Dropping this off for my sister. I’m spending the day with her.”

She nodded, glancing at the coffee in his hand. “And the coffee ?”

“For survival” he admitted, running a hand through his hair. “Turns out, staying out late and dancing like an idiot has consequences.”

Jennie smirked, eyes glinting with amusement. “Weak.”

Mingyu raised an eyebrow, feigning offense. “Says the one who needed to ‘take a breather’ last night.”

Her lips twitched at the memory, and for a moment, the banter made her feel lighter. Like the energy of the night before hadn’t completely faded, but it felt… different now. More real.

Before she could come back with a sharp retort, the barista called out her order. She stepped forward to grab her iced americano, but as she reached for it, a larger hand beat her to it.

Her eyes narrowed as she looked up. “Did you just steal my coffee ?”

Mingyu grinned, tapping his card against the reader before she could react. “Consider it my treat.”

Her eyes flicked to his hand wrapped around the cup, then back to his face. Her smirk was slow, a challenge hidden in the curve of her lips. “Trying to impress me ?”

“I don’t need to try, Noona,” he quipped, handing it to her with that familiar teasing smirk. “I’m naturally impressive.”

Jennie couldn’t suppress a laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. “You’re ridiculous.”

He leaned casually against the counter, watching as she took a sip of her drink. There was something in the way he was looking at her now, a little softer, like there was more beneath the surface. A small flicker of something that felt a lot like tension, but neither of them acknowledged it outright.

The moment hung between them for a few seconds too long before Mingyu broke the silence, his voice lower than before. “So, Noona... did you wake up regretting anything from last night ?”

Jennie raised an eyebrow, her smile playful but with a hint of something more. “Regret ? I don't regret anything, Mingyu. It was a party.”

But the way she said it , soft, almost teasing, hinted that maybe there was more to it than just “a party.” Her eyes stayed on him, and despite the easy smile on her face, the underlying question was there.: Was it really just that?

Mingyu tilted his head slightly, considering her words. “Hmm, just a party, huh? Not the... 'memorable' kind of party?”

Jennie’s heart skipped a beat, but she didn’t let it show. Instead, she shrugged nonchalantly, adjusting the strap of her bag. “A good time, that’s all.”

The playful tension in the air was undeniable now, both of them circling around something unspoken, but neither was willing to fully admit their attraction. Jennie shifted on her feet, feeling the tension almost like a magnetic pull between them, but she didn’t want to be the one to make the first move. So, she did what she did best, distracted herself.

“Anyway,” she said casually, “I’m sure you’ll survive the aftermath of your ‘dance moves,’ right ?”

Mingyu let out a short laugh, his eyes still fixed on her. “It’s not the dance moves I’m worried about.”

Jennie glanced up at him, her lips curling into a teasing smile. “What are you worried about then, huh ?”

Mingyu faltered for a second, clearly not expecting her to push him. He cleared his throat, his smile returning but with a hint of something more uncertain. “Nothing. Just... you know, the usual.”

She watched him for a moment, studying the way he avoided answering directly. There was something there, in his eyes, like he was holding back. Jennie could feel it too, the slight awkwardness that neither of them had quite expected after their playful night together.

“Right,” she said, her voice light, like nothing was amiss. “The usual.”

She turned to walk away, but before she could take more than a few steps, Mingyu called after her, his voice just loud enough for her to hear over the soft hum of the café. “Hey, Noona.”

She stopped and looked back, her curiosity piqued.

“I’ll see you again soon,” He said, that same teasing smirk tugging at his lips.

Jennie couldn’t help but smile. “You’re so sure of yourself, aren’t you ?”

He shrugged, not at all fazed. “What can I say ? I make an impression.”

She shook her head, a soft laugh escaping her lips. “Yeah, you’re quite do.”

With one last glance, she turned and walked out of the café, leaving Mingyu standing there with that same smirk. But as she stepped into the sunlight, something lingered. It wasn’t just some encounter. There was a small, quiet possibility hanging in the air that she wasn’t ready to confront just yet.

As the café door closed behind her, Jennie didn’t glance back.

Mingyu stayed where he was for a moment, watching through the window as she adjusted her hoodie and slipped into the crowd, her figure disappearing around the corner.

He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

Why did it feel like every time he saw her, the world slowed down for a second ? Like something important was happening and he just hadn’t figured it out yet ?

He grabbed his own coffee from the counter, finally turning away, but the flutter of energy still buzzed beneath his skin. She hadn’t exactly shut him down. That smile... that banter... it was still there. It meant something. Right ?

He took a sip, distracted, smiling a little to himself as he walked outside. For a minute, the morning didn’t feel so heavy anymore.

Then, it hit him.

His steps halted mid-sidewalk.

Wait.

Wait.

Shit.

He hadn’t asked for her number.
Again.

His eyes widened, and he spun slightly as if by some miracle she might still be standing nearby. But of course, she was long gone.

“Unbelievable” he muttered under his breath, dragging a hand down his face.

Third time’s a charm, right?

Jennie sat at the sleek conference table, fingers curled around her iced americano, eyes drifting over the documents in front of her. The meeting should’ve had her full attention, discussions about her label’s direction, future collaborations, more autonomy over her solo career. Important things. Things she’d fought for.

But her mind kept wandering.

Back to the café.

To him.

She took a long sip of her coffee, the cold bitterness grounding her. "Why am I still thinking about this ?" It wasn’t like they’d shared a life-altering moment. Just a random encounter.

“Unnie, why are you smiling at your drink like that ?” one of her team members asked, amusement in her voice.

Jennie blinked. “What ? I’m not.”

“You definitely are” another chimed in. “You’ve been looking at that cup like it just told you you're its soulmate.”

Jennie rolled her eyes, but couldn’t quite hide her grin. “I just really like iced americanos. Is that a crime ?”

The table laughed, and the conversation moved on. But Jennie felt the glances. The curiosity. The knowing smiles.

Get it together, she told herself. She had deals to finalize, people to lead. No time to daydream about some charming giant with coffee-stained hands and an embarrassingly perfect smile.

And yet, even as she tried to refocus, her fingers idly traced the rim of her cup.

Across the city, Mingyu stepped into his sister’s apartment, coffee in hand. He placed it carefully on the counter, but his fingers lingered on the lid just a second too long.

The café. Jennie. That moment.

And the fact that he’d messed it up again.

His sister entered, her brows lifting in surprise. “Wow. You actually remembered my coffee order this time ?”

Mingyu mustered a weak smile. “What can I say ? I’m growing.”

She took a sip, eyeing him with suspicion. “Okay... but why do you look like you’re stuck in a music video breakup scene ?”

“I’m just tired,” he muttered, leaning against the counter.

She shrugged, already scrolling through her phone, but he knew she wasn’t buying it. Still, she didn’t press, which gave him the opening he needed. He pulled out his phone and opened a private chat with the only person he could trust not to completely destroy him.

Or so he thought.

[Mingyu] : Hyung… I ran into Jennie again.

[S.Coups] : Oh ? Where ?

[Mingyu] : At a café. This morning. Totally random.

[S.Coups] : And ?

[Mingyu] :And I forgot to ask for her number. Again.

There was a beat of silence. Then

[S.Coups] : …You’re actually hopeless.

Mingyu groaned, dragging a hand down his face.

[Mingyu] : Please don’t tell the others. I’m begging you.

[S.Coups] :Of course, of course.

He should’ve known better.

Because two minutes later, the group chat pinged.

[S.Coups] : ATTENTION. Our boy Mingyu ran into Jennie again. Still no number. Let the roast commence.

Mingyu stared at the screen, horrified.“No, no, no”

Too late.

[Hoshi] : BROOOOOOOOOO

[Seungwan] : I CAN’T DO THIS WITH YOU

[Dino] : HYUNG. PLEASE.

[Jeonghan] : At this point, Jennie should pity him.

[Joshua] :: Maybe he’s doing a slow-burn K-drama IRL ?

[Woozi] : He’s going to start writing poetry at this rate.

Mingyu tossed his phone onto the couch and collapsed beside it, groaning into a pillow.

The worst part ? He couldn’t even argue.

Because yeah, he was hopeless.

But he also couldn’t stop smiling.

Chapter Text

Three days later

Mingyu slumped onto the practice room bench, sweat dripping down his neck, muscles sore from hours of choreography drills. His head tipped back against the wall, chest rising and falling as he tried to catch his breath.

But despite how exhausted his body felt, his mind was restless, replaying that morning on a loop.

It had been three days since he ran into Jennie again. Three days of kicking himself for not asking for her number. Three days of wondering if she’d thought about it at all.

His phone buzzed. A message from his manager.

[Manager] : Reminder : Calvin Klein launch event tonight. Private dinner after. Big crowd. Dress well.

Mingyu let out a groan.

“I heard that,” Seungkwan called from across the room, stretching his legs. “What is it now ?”

“Calvin Klein thing. I might skip. I’m dead.” Mingyu muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Skip ?” Jeonghan raised a brow as he sat down beside him, sipping a smoothie. “Aren’t you in talks with them for a collab ?”

“I already met them last month.” Mingyu replied. “I’ve got nothing left to prove.”

“You sure ?” Vernon chimed in lazily from the corner. “You don’t wanna go… for professional reasons ?” He gave Mingyu a pointed look, which earned him a scowl in return.

“What’s that supposed to mean ?” Mingyu asked, narrowing his eyes.

Vernon tilted his head. “I mean, Jennie’s their global ambassador. It’s literally knows as her brand.”

There was a brief pause. Mingyu blinked.

Seungkwan let out a slow, exaggerated gasp. “Don’t tell me… you forgot ?”

Mingyu sat upright. “She’s going to be there ?”

“Probably front row, probably glowing.” Jeonghan added with a smirk. “And you were about to skip it ? Wow. Tragic.”

Vernon shrugged. “I was gonna say ‘pathetic,’ but tragic works too.”

Seungkwan grinned. “I give him ten minutes before he’s raiding his closet like a man possessed.”

Mingyu was already scrolling through the event details, double-checking the guest list, eyes widening slightly when he spotted her name.

Yep. She’d be there.

He stood abruptly, grabbing his bag.

Jeonghan smirked. “Where are you going ?”

“To shower,” Mingyu said, already halfway out the door.

“Wow” Seungkwan deadpanned. “From corpse to Casanova in five seconds flat.”

Hoshi clapped his hands. “Someone cue the makeover montage.”

Mingyu rolled his eyes, but his smirk betrayed him. He was already mentally picking out a suit, thinking through how to play it cool, if he saw her. No, when. This time, he wasn’t leaving without her number.

A fews hours later....

Mingyu adjusted the cuffs of his denim jacket as he stepped into the private Calvin Klein launch event. Warm lighting spilled across sleek black decor. Camera flashes flickered at the far end, ambient music thumping just beneath the surface.

He exhaled, steadying himself.

This time, he was ready. No Seungkwan blowing up his phone mid-crisis, no awkward stammering, no forgetting the most basic social moves. Just him, a drink, and maybe just maybe a conversation with the girl who had not left his mind since that morning at the café.

He made it exactly ten steps in before fate and a certain golden maknae intervened.

“Why do you look like you’re waiting for destiny to walk through that door ?” Drawled a familiar voice behind him.

Mingyu turned, already bracing himself. “Jungkook.”

Jungkook grinned, raising his glass. “You didn’t think I’d miss this, did you ? So tell me all about what's going on

Mingyu rolled his eyes and grabbed a drink from the bar. “Don’t tell me they sent you.”

“Oh, no,” Jungkook said, tapping his phone screen with a devilish smirk. “I volunteered. But Seungkwan did request live updates. You’re a hot topic right now.”

Mingyu groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “I hate everyone.”

“You’re fidgeting,” Jungkook said, raising a brow. “You’ve fixed your jacket like three times.”

Mingyu rolled his shoulders. “I’m just adjusting.”

But then, he went still. Not fidgeting anymore. Just frozen.

There she was.

Jennie had just entered the room, dressed in a sculpted black jean ensemble that hugged her perfectly, hair cascading over one shoulder. She moved with quiet confidence, like she didn’t need to command the room, she just naturally did.

His throat went dry.

Jungkook, ever the observant menace, followed his gaze and chuckled. “Yup. She’s here.”

Mingyu barely heard him. He wasn’t fidgeting anymore. He was frozen. Not with fear but something closer to awe. The soft lighting kissed her cheekbones, her eyes catching the room with that signature quiet fire. She looked radiant and untouchable. And then she saw him.

A split second. Their eyes met.

Jennie didn’t look away. Instead, her lips curled into the faintest, knowing smile. It was subtle. Dangerous. A spark lit in Mingyu’s chest.

Jungkook leaned in, whispering like a gossiping schoolgirl “You’re so gone, bro.”

Mingyu blinked, shaking himself back into motion. “Shut up.”

Jungkook held up his phone. “One update coming right up.”

Mingyu snatched it out of his hand. “No !”

Too late. The damage was done.

Meanwhile, across the room…

Jennie swirled her drink, eyes locked briefly on the tall frame standing near Jungkook. Her smirk deepened.

Mingyu looked good. Too good, actually. Denim on denim should’ve felt casual, but somehow, on him, it looked intentional. Effortlessly hot. His usual self-assured energy was still there, but tonight, there was an edge of hesitation. Of anticipation.

He’s nervous, she thought, sipping her cocktail. Cute.

She made her way through the crowd, heels clicking with a confidence honed over years in the industry, until she slid effortlessly into the conversation beside them.

“Jungkook,” she said smoothly “I see you’re causing chaos as usual.”

“Noona,” Jungkook grinned, raising his glass “I live to serve.”

Her gaze shifted slow, deliberate to Mingyu. She didn’t speak right away, just let the silence stretch for half a beat too long.

Then, with a tilt of her head “Well. This is unexpected.”

Mingyu straightened, eyes meeting hers. “Surprised to see me ?”

Jennie’s smirk grew. “I’d say... intrigued.”

Mingyu chuckled, trying not to let the warmth of her gaze completely derail his brain. “Glad to know, I’m full of surprises.”

Jungkook, never one to stay quiet for long, sipped his drink with a wicked grin. "Oh, he’s full of things tonight,” Jungkook said. “Nerves. Delusions. Big main character energy.”

Mingyu shot him a glare.

Jennie raised an amused brow. “Is he always this dramatic ?”

Mingyu sighed. “Only when I’m in pain.”

“And you are,” Jungkook added “deeply, thoroughly suffering.”

Jennie laughed, and something in Mingyu relaxed. Her laugh was low and bright, melting the tension in his shoulders. She was enjoying this. Enjoying him.

“I have to admit” she said, swirling her drink “I wasn’t expecting to see you here tonight.”

Mingyu tilted his head, the corner of his mouth lifting. “And why’s that ?”

Jennie took a slow sip, her eyes glinting. “Because, Mingyu... last time I checked, you weren’t part of this brand.”

He raised an eyebrow, unfazed. “Not yet.”

Jennie hummed, clearly amused. “Ah. So that’s why you’re here.”

His smirk widened. “What ? You don’t approve ?”

Her gaze raked over him not subtly, either. “Actually… I don’t mind at all.”

Mingyu blinked, then chuckled lowly. “Yeah ?”

She leaned in just slightly, a teasing glint in her eyes. “I mean… you do have a reputation for wearing very little” she said, voice smooth as silk “And Calvin Klein’s all about that.”

Jungkook sputtered behind his drink while Mingyu struggled not to combust on the spot.

Jennie smiled, clearly enjoying the effect she had on him. “I guess I’ll just have to keep an eye on your campaign.”

Mingyu’s mouth opened,then closed. For a moment, all coherent thought abandoned him. Jennie had just casually flirted like it was nothing. Like it was fun.

Jungkook burst out laughing. “Look at him. He doesn’t know whether to thank you or faint.”

“I’m fine” Mingyu said weakly, trying to pull it together. “Completely fine.”

Jennie raised a brow, clearly not buying it. “You sure ? I think I saw your soul leave your body for a second.”

Mingyu groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. “You guys are brutal.”

Jungkook slapped his back. “We’re just here for the show.”

Jennie, still smiling, tilted her head. “Well, if this is how you handle one compliment… maybe you should wear less. See how you survive that.”

He met her gaze, lips curving. “You’re not making this easy, you know.”

Jennie gave him an innocent look. “Good.”

Jungkook let out another low whistle. “This is dangerous. He’s about one compliment away from spontaneously combusting.”

Jennie sipped her drink, then added casually “Well, if he melts under pressure, he’s not CK material anyway.”

Mingyu let out a breathless laugh. “Oh, I’m definitely material.”

Jennie quirked a brow. “We’ll see.”

Jennie laughed, low and bright, then let her gaze linger on him. “So tell me, Mingyu, are you here for Calvin Klein… or were you hoping to run into someone ?”

He tilted his head. “Why ? Are you hoping I say you ?”

Jennie grinned. “Maybe I just want to see how brave you are.”

Mingyu took a long sip of his drink, then leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough that Jungkook rolled his eyes and muttered something about needing popcorn.

“Brave enough to tell you, that I might’ve been hoping to see you again.”he murmured

Jennie didn’t answer right away. She just looked at him, eyes glinting, lips tugging at the corners. Then

“Careful” she said “You’re starting to sound like someone who wants to ask for my number.”

Mingyu blinked. That wasn’t a tease. That was an open door.

He opened his mouth, then promptly closed it.

Jennie smirked. “You okay there ?”

“Totally fine” Mingyu muttered, taking a long sip of his drink.

Jennie tilted her head. “You sure ? Looked like your soul left your body for a second.”

“You short-circuited him” Jungkook said gleefully. “I told you he wasn’t ready.”

“I’m fine” Mingyu said, clearly not fine.

He pulled himself together with a deep breath, then reached into his pocket. “Okay. You’re right. I was going to ask.”

Jennie raised a brow. “Oh ?”

He handed her his phone. “I figured if I didn’t, I’d regret it.”

She stared at it for a beat, then took it with a quiet smile and typed in her number. Her contact name ? Just JENNIE.

When she handed the phone back, Mingyu couldn’t help the grin that broke across his face. It was real. No more missed moments. No more what-ifs.

Jennie crossed her arms lightly. “So… what now ?”

Mingyu stepped back, slipping his phone into his pocket. “Now I stop pretending to be casual and admit I’ve been thinking about you.”

Her lips parted, just slightly, but before she could reply, Jungkook clapped once, loud enough to turn heads.

“FINALLY! God, I thought I was gonna have to push you two into a supply closet.”

Mingyu turned, horrified. “Yah...”

“Don’t worry” Jungkook said, already pulling out his phone. “I’m just updating the group chat.”

[Jungkook] : Mission accomplished. Mingyu got the number. She even smiled. He’s cooked.

[Seungkwan] : FINALLY. He is still functioning ?

[HOSHI] :THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

[Woozi] : Can we move on now ? Or is this gonna become a weekly show ?

[JUN] : I'm invested. I need weekly recaps.

[Jeonghan] :Took long enough. I had money on next month.

Mingyu’s phone buzzed over and over, lighting up on the bar. He didn’t even check it.

Jennie looked amused. “Let me guess. SEVENTEEN group chat ?”

Mingyu groaned. “They’ve been documenting my downfall in real time.”

“Well,” she murmured, leaning closer “If you survive tonight, maybe you’ll earn a second chance.”

He smiled, soft and full of mischief. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

Chapter Text

Mingyu barely crossed the threshold of his front door before his phone began to vibrate incessantly. He let out an exasperated sigh, already anticipating what he would find. SEVENTEEN's group chat was in full swing.

[Seungkwan] : So ? Have you texted her yet ?

[DK] : We’re waiting.

[Hoshi] : If you don’t send something in the next 10 minutes, I swear...

[Vernon] : He’s overthinking it. Classic Mingyu.

[Minghao] : Honestly, we’ve never seen him like this before.

[Jun] : Exactly. If he’s acting like a lost puppy, there’s probably a reason.

[Joshua] : Right ? If it were just some random girl, he wouldn’t be this hesitant.

[Wonwoo] : Yeah, watching him second-guess himself is honestly kind of hilarious.

[Woozi] : Maybe it’s something more than he’s willing to admit.

Mingyu stared at the screen, the weight of his friends’ words sinking in. Of course, he fancied Jennie who wouldn't ? She was gorgeous, effortlessly funny, always teasing him, and surprisingly bold, everything he hadn’t expected, but couldn’t help but find captivating.

Before he could craft a response, another message appeared.

[Seungkwan] : I bet he’s just lying there, staring at the ceiling, isn’t he ?

Mingyu glanced around his empty room. How did Seungkwan know ? Was it that obvious ?

[Mingyu] : Go to sleep.

[Seungkwan] : Text her, coward.

Mingyu rubbed his temples, phone still glowing in his hand. He had Jennie’s number. That part was done. But now what ? Was there a window of time where texting was cool and confident, without tipping into desperate or weird ?

His screen lit up again.

[Seungkwan] : Don’t tell me you’re still stuck in “what do I say ?” mode.

He let out a low groan and tossed the phone onto the bed, watching it bounce once before landing facedown, silent again. He flopped beside it, staring at the ceiling.

He’d faced screaming crowds, forgotten choreo mid-stage, even once split his pants on national TV and laughed through it. But this ? One message to a girl ?

His heart was pounding like he’d just finished a concert.

Because if he said the wrong thing, it wasn’t just embarrassment. It was losing something that felt good.

Another buzz. Seungkwan again.

[Seungkwan] : I can practically hear you agonizing over it from here. Just text her already.

Mingyu had half a mind to throw his phone out the window. But instead, he ran a hand through his hair, typed, deleted, and typed again. Maybe if he sent something simple, something casual…

Meanwhile, Jennie slipped into her apartment and let the door fall shut behind her with a quiet thud. The silence wrapped around her like a blanket. She reached down to unbuckle her heels, leaving them askew by the entrance as she padded barefoot into the kitchen.

Her makeup was still flawless. Her hair still perfect. But inside ? She felt wrung out.

She poured herself a glass of water, sipped it slowly, and leaned against the counter. The night had been a blur, smiling, posing, mingling, smiling again. But one moment stuck in her head, like a tiny splinter she couldn't quite shake.

Her phone buzzed. She grabbed it on instinct, her thumb scrolling absently, until she saw the name light up her screen.

Mingyu.

A small smile tugged at the edge of her mouth before she could stop it.. She hadn’t expected to give him her number so easily, but something about Mingyu had made her feel... lighter. He was fun, easy to tease, and, to her surprise, she found herself flirting with him without even thinking twice. It was almost like she couldn’t stop herself and for once, it didn’t feel forced or awkward.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Lisa.

[Lisa] : How was the event ?

[Jennie] : Same old. Jungkook was there.

[Lisa] : Oh ? And Mingyu ?

Jennie paused.

[Jennie] : What about him?

[Lisa] : Unnie, don't play dumb. I saw the clips and do have insiders. It looked like a very interesting night.

Jennie’s frown deepened as she opened her social media. Sure enough, there were clips from the Calvin Klein event, some of them featuring her and Mingyu laughing, standing close. And, of course, Jungkook was there, smirking like he knew something that no one else did.

She sighed, switching back to the conversation.

[Jennie] : You stalk me too much.

[Lisa] : The internet does. I just happen to be on it.

[Jennie] : Uh-huh. And what exactly do you think you saw ?

[Lisa] : A very flustered Mingyun who couldn't keep himself from mooving. And you, looking like you were having fun.

Jennie hesitated, her thumb hovering over the screen. Had she been having fun? It had been an enjoyable night for sure

[Lisa] : So ? What’s the deal ?

[Jennie] : There’s no deal. We just talked and gave him my number. That’s all.

[Lisa] : No deal ? You gave him your number.

[Jennie] : And ?

[Lisa] : And ? You don’t just hand that out to random guys. Come on, you may enjoy his company, don’t you ?

Jennie bit her lip. Lisa wasn’t wrong, talking to Mingyu felt easy. Comfortable in a way that snuck up on her. The kind of person who made silence less awkward and more natural.

[Lisa] : Maybe this is a good thing ? Don’t overthink it. If it’s easy, it might just be worth it.

Jennie exhaled slowly, her thoughts swirling.

[Jennie] : You’re way too invested in this.

[Lisa] : I like seeing you interested in someone. Sue me.

Jennie smiled despite herself, setting her phone down. Her gaze lingered on Mingyu’s contact. If it’s easy, maybe it’s worth giving a chance… Lisa’s words played in her mind.

Meanwhile, Mingyu had been staring at Jennie’s contact for nearly twenty minutes. He typed a message, deleted it, then typed again. His thoughts were a jumble. He didn’t want to overthink it, but how could he not ?

Finally, he gave up. His fingers typed out whatever came to mind.

[Mingyu] : I feel like I should say something cool right now, but all I can think about is how badly Jungkook messed up my moment.

He hit send before he could second guess himself. And then, almost immediately, his phone buzzed with a reply.

[Jennie] : You really thought no one would notice ?

Mingyu let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. Okay. This was fine. He could handle this.

[Mingyu] : I had hope. Turns out, it was misplaced.

[Jennie] : Tragic.

[Mingyu] : Truly. But at least I survived. Barely.

[Jennie] : Should I be impressed ?

[Mingyu] : Yes. I endured great suffering tonight.

[Jennie] : So dramatic. Should I start calling you an actor now ?

[Mingyu] : Only if you promise to watch my debut movie.

[Jennie] : Depends. Do you cry in it ?

[Mingyu] : Of course. It’s a tragic story about a man who was betrayed by his own members and humiliated in front of the most famous woman in Korea.

[Jennie] : Wow. Sounds award-worthy.

[Mingyu] : At least a nomination, right ?

Their conversation was flowing too easily, too naturally, almost as if they’d been friends for years. The clock ticked past midnight, but neither of them made any move to end the chat.

After a while, Mingyu hesitated. His fingers hovered over the screen, unsure.

[Mingyu] : I think you owe me a chance to redeem myself after Jungkook ruined my moment.

He stared at the blinking cursor, the glow of the phone screen the only light in his room. The half-finished ramen on his desk had gone cold.

[Jennie] : Oh ? And what do you propose ?

[Mingyu] : Coffee ? A walk ? A five hour conversation about how I definitely didn’t overthink texting you ?

[Jennie] : Hmm. Only if you can handle me picking the place.

[Mingyu] : Sounds like a trap.

[Jennie] : Maybe.

[Mingyu] : …I’m in.

Whatever this was turning into, he was in.

Chapter Text

The apartment was enveloped in silence. It was the kind of quiet that, on any other night, Jennie might have relished. The soft hum of the city outside her window should have been comforting, but tonight it felt intrusive, distant, yet strangely unsettling.

She sat curled on her couch, her phone in hand, her mind adrift. Normally, she would have been content to indulge in solitude, to lose herself in the stillness of her own thoughts. But tonight, something lingered beneath her calm exterior. An unfamiliar restlessness that refused to be ignored.

She wasn’t waiting for his text. She was certain of it.

And yet, when her thumb unlocked the screen of her phone, her heart skipped, irrationally expecting a notification that had not come. Not yet, anyway.

Three days. Three days since their last exchange. And nothing. The absence of any follow-up felt… conspicuous, almost unnerving. But why? They barely knew one another, and yet, the quiet was oppressive, as if a promise had been left unspoken.

Her thoughts circled, restless, searching for a reason to justify her growing unease. It wasn’t as though she had been waiting...no, certainly not. She had a life, a rhythm. She was perfectly capable of filling her time without checking her phone every few minutes, expecting it to light up with his name.

But still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing, an absence she had never quite felt before.

With a resigned sigh, she tossed her phone onto the cushion beside her, as though the action might somehow dissipate the tension clinging to her chest. She reached for the remote, flicking through television channels in a bid to distract herself.

Her eyes skimmed over the options until a familiar name caught her attention: “SEVENTEEN’s Hoshi, Joshua, DK & Mingyu join Yoo Jae-Suk for a fun interview !”

For a moment, she paused, fingers hovering over the remote. She didn’t need to watch this. But something, an instinct she couldn’t quite place, urged her to press play.

The interview unfolded with its usual chaos. The familiar banter, the easy camaraderie of the SEVENTEEN members, and the playful teasing between them created a lighthearted atmosphere. But Jennie’s attention, despite herself, kept gravitating toward one individual.

There he was, effortlessly charming, laughing at a joke only he seemed to find particularly amusing, his presence captivating in a way that made it impossible for her to look away. It was disorienting, to see him so at ease, so carefree, while she sat alone in her apartment, caught between curiosity and something… else.

The conversation soon took an unexpected turn.

Yoo Jae-Suk leaned forward, his gaze narrowing with playful mischief. “Mingyu-ssi,”he said, his voice light but teasing “I've been told that you’ve been looking a little… distracted lately. Must be tough, huh ? A handsome guy like you, there’s probably no shortage of admirers, am I right ? ”

A slight flush crept up Mingyu’s neck, but he quickly masked it with a forced, confident smile. He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to look nonchalant. “Hyung, I’m not sure what you mean.”

DK, never one to hold back, leaned in with a grin. “Oh, you’re definitely distracted. We can all tell.” He raised an eyebrow suggestively. “And here I thought you were too cool for all that.”

Hoshi chimed in, his voice light but laced with humor. “He’s stopped giving us trouble, though. I think that says it all.”

Mingyu shot them a glance, trying to stay cool, but there was a clear unease in his eyes. “You guys are imagining things.”

Yoo Jae-Suk didn’t let up, his smile widening. “Really ? A guy like you, who could have anyone, has your heart already been claimed, then ?”

The playful comment, paired with the knowing glances from his members, seemed to hit Mingyu harder than he expected. His confident facade wavered for just a moment. He glanced to the side, feeling his face warm.

Joshua, always the observant one, couldn’t resist adding his two cents. “Look at him, his face is all red. We definitely hit a nerve.”

“Definitely distracted” DK added with a snicker, elbowing Hoshi.

Mingyu groaned, throwing his head back in mock exasperation. “You guys are impossible. This is insane.” But the flush in his cheeks betrayed him. He could feel their eyes on him, the weight of their teasing both familiar and oddly disarming.

Hoshi, smirking, leaned in a little closer. “There’s definitely something you’re not telling us about.”

Mingyu rolled his eyes but his lips twitched in amusement. “I can’t believe this is happening right now…” Jennie sat on the edge of her couch, her phone in her hands, but her focus entirely on the screen in front of her. The moment she heard Mingyu’s name come up, she found herself leaning in slightly, curious. She had to admit, there was something undeniably entertaining about watching Mingyu fumble under the teasing of his members, especially since he usually seemed so in control.

The way his face flushed, despite his attempts to play it cool, didn’t escape her notice. She could almost hear the slight shift in his tone, the way he tried to cover up whatever it was they were hinting at. Interesting, she thought to herself, her lips curving into a small, knowing smile. There was a quiet satisfaction in seeing him try so hard to maintain that cool, confident image, even though his reactions said otherwise.

Jennie’s eyes narrowed, almost like she was savoring the moment. So, something has been on his mind, she mused, feeling a little thrill at the thought. The thought of him being distracted like that was… amusing, and maybe even a little flattering, though she wouldn’t admit it to herself.

She bit the inside of her cheek, watching the playful banter continue on screen.

Her fingers twitched slightly as her phone buzzed, the familiar notification pulling her from her thoughts.

Jennie hesitated. She wasn’t sure why, but there was a little rush in her chest at seeing their last conversation. They hadn’t texted in days, she found herself tapping the screen, her thoughts running fast. The idea of sending a text crossed her mind. But how ? Should she keep the playful teasing going ? Or should she act like nothing had happened ? She didn’t want to overthink it, but she was almost positive he was waiting for her to make the next move.

Without giving herself too much time to second-guess, she tapped out a quick message.

[Jennie] : You alive ?

She smirked as she hit send, leaning back into the couch, feeling a sense of satisfaction at the simplicity of it. A challenge, but not too forward. It was a safe way to break the silence, but still keep things light.

Mingyu, having just finished his shower, was lounging lazily in his room when his phone buzzed from across the room. He didn’t immediately react, assuming it was another group chat message. But when he saw the name on the screen, he froze.

Jennie.

He hadn’t expected this. After their last exchange, he had convinced himself she wasn’t interested in continuing the conversation. Three days had passed without a word. He had started to wonder if maybe she had forgotten about him, or worse, if he had misread the entire interaction.

But now ? Now, her message was sitting there, unexpected, with a simplicity that carried its own weight.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. He quickly grabbed his phone, fingers moving as though it was the most natural thing in the world.

[Mingyu] : Barely. I was starting to think you forgot about me.

Jennie laughed softly, shaking her head at the text. Forgot about him? Please.

She couldn’t help herself, her response coming quickly, a little more sassy this time.

[Jennie] : I was being polite. Didn’t want to overwhelm you.

Mingyu’s next message was fast, the teasing evident even through text.

[Mingyu] : How thoughtful. Should I be honored ?

Jennie’s fingers hovered over the screen as she debated. She could tease him back, keep him guessing, or just let the conversation flow naturally. But this was too good an opportunity to pass up.

[Jennie] : Probably.

[Mingyu] : Good to know where I stand.

[Jennie] : Somewhere between ‘mildly entertaining’ and ‘potentially amusing’.

She smiled as she sent it, knowing it would get under his skin in the best way. And it did.

[Mingyu] : Wow. High praise. I’m touched.

Jennie leaned back in her seat, her eyes gleaming with amusement as she typed.

[Jennie] : You should be. I don’t text just anyone, you know.

She could almost hear him smirking through the phone, the tension in the conversation starting to shift. She was curious now, just how far he would go with this. Mingyu had a way of making even the simplest messages feel like a challenge.

[Mingyu] : Now I feel special.

[Jennie] : You should. It’s rare.

It was quiet for a moment, the pause making her wonder if he’d keep it going. Then his next text popped up.

[Mingyu] : So does that mean I get to ask, why now ?

Jennie tapped her fingers against the couch, feeling the anticipation rise. Should I tell him ? She debated, then decided to leave a little mystery in the air.

[Jennie] : Felt like it.

She hit send, but then, before he could see it, added a cheeky little wink emoji, then quickly deleted it before her finger could make contact with the screen again. Just a little teasing, she thought, feeling a rush of excitement.

Mingyu’s next reply didn’t take long, and Jennie couldn’t help but laugh softly.

[Mingyu] : Dangerous answer.

[Jennie] : Why ? Were you waiting ?

Mingyu’s message came through in the next instant.

[Mingyu] : Me ? No way. I’m very cool and unbothered.

Jennie rolled her eyes at the text. He was trying to play it cool, but she could hear the hint of vulnerability underneath. She decided to play along, making it even more playful.

[Jennie] : Sure you are.

[Mingyu] : Painfully.

Jennie couldn’t help but grin at his self-deprecating humor. He was trying so hard to play it off, but the underlying tension between them was undeniable. There was something about this back-and-forth, this subtle dance, that made her feel more intrigued than she had in a while.

[Jennie] : But since you’re here… what do we do now ?

Mingyu responded with a slight hesitation in his next text, a little unsure of where the conversation would go, but still ready to play along.

[Mingyu] : I’ll allow it. Only because I’m generous.

Jennie’s heart skipped a beat, realizing they were both in this weird space of playful uncertainty. Her mind wandered, and she tapped her phone screen again.

[Jennie] : Oh, how lucky I am.

[Mingyu] : You say that like you’re not secretly thrilled.

[Jennie] : Secretly ? Please. I’m perfectly obvious about my indifference.

[Mingyu] : Wow. Crushing my ego one text at a time. I’m impressed.

[Jennie] : You should see what I’m capable of when I actually try.

[Mingyu] : Is that a threat or a promise ?

Jennie stared at his reply for a second, a slow smile tugging at her lips.

[Jennie] : Depends on how brave you are.

There was a brief pause. She watched the three little dots appear, disappear, reappear again.

[Mingyu] : I’ve been told I’m brave... selectively.

[Jennie] : Selective bravery. That’s a very diplomatic way to say “terrified of me.”

[Mingyu] : Maybe I just have good instincts.

[Jennie] : Or maybe you’re just smart enough to know not to poke a sleeping cat.

[Mingyu] : But what if the cat is kinda cute when she’s annoyed ?

Jennie blinked, caught slightly off guard by the line. Smooth. A little unexpected. Her lips curled into a grin.

[Jennie] : Dangerous logic. You know what happens to people who try to pet angry cats, right ?

[Mingyu] : They get scratched… but maybe it’s worth it.

[Jennie] : You’re flirting with disaster, Kim Mingyu.

[Mingyu] : That’s better than being ignored by disaster, don’t you think ?

[Jennie] : Wow. Look at you. All poetic now.

[Mingyu] : Only when properly inspired.

[Jennie] : So you’re telling me I bring out your inner tortured artist ?

[Mingyu] : More like mildly inconvenienced romantic.

[Jennie] : Even worse. I should probably ghost you right now.

[Mingyu] : Too late. I’ve already read the signs. You're charmed.

Jennie chuckled, shaking her head to herself.

[Jennie] : Confident, aren’t we ?

[Mingyu] : You kinda make it easy.

That one made her pause for half a second.

[Jennie] : Careful. Say one more sweet thing and I’ll start thinking you’re serious.

[Mingyu] : And that would be a bad thing ?

Jennie didn’t reply right away. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, the weight of that one text lingering a second longer than the others. Not heavy, but definitely charged.

Finally, she typed

[Jennie] : Wouldn’t want to ruin the mystery, would we ?

[Mingyu] : I don’t mind a little mystery. Keeps things interesting.

[Jennie] : Good. Because I’m not exactly easy to figure out.

[Mingyu] : Perfect. I like puzzles.

Jennie exhaled, her thumb resting lightly on the screen, her smile lingering.

[Jennie] : Just don’t complain when the pieces don’t come with instructions.

[Mingyu] : Wouldn’t dream of it. Guess I’ll just have to keep talking to you until I figure it out.

[Jennie] : Now that... is the smartest thing you’ve said all night.

[Mingyu] : I do have my moments. Any chance you'll have one tomorrow night ?

[Jennie] : Are you trying to book my schedule already ? Bold.

[Mingyu] : Just being efficient. You know, in case I’m your favorite distraction.

[Jennie] : You’re definitely a distraction. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

[Mingyu] : I’ll take it. That’s basically a compliment.

[Jennie] : In your dreams, Kim.

[Mingyu] : Funny you mention that...

Jennie’s eyes widened slightly, biting back a laugh.

[Jennie] : Don’t even go there.

[Mingyu] : Too late. I’m already halfway down the road.

[Jennie] : Turn around before I block your number.

[Mingyu] : Worth it.

She shook her head, a real laugh bubbling up this time, quiet but genuine. For someone she’d barely spent any real time with, he had a way of crawling under her skin, but not in a bad way. Just… enough to keep her on her toes.

[Jennie] : You’re ridiculous.

[Mingyu] : And yet… here you are.

[Jennie] : Still texting you. Shocking.

[Mingyu] : Miracles do happen. Goodnight, Jennie.

She hesitated, then typed slower this time, like she wasn’t quite ready to let the thread go, but wasn’t about to admit it either.

[Jennie] : Goodnight, Mingyu.

She stared at her screen for another second after sending it. Then smiling faintly to herself, she finally set her phone down, sank deeper into the couch, and let out a quiet breath.

Her apartment was still quiet.

But now, somehow, it didn’t feel so still.

Chapter Text

Jennie woke up feeling… lighter.

She blinked at the ceiling, stretching lazily before reaching for her phone. It was a habit, checking messages first thing in the morning but this time, she lingered longer than usual on one specific conversation.

Her thumb hovered over their chat, re-reading parts of it. The teasing. The effortless flow of words. The way she had actually enjoyed their back-and-forth banter more than she wanted to admit.

God, why was she smiling ? It was just a few texts. Just a little back and forth. That’s what normal people do. Flirt. Joke. Move on. So why did her stomach do that weird little flip when she saw his name ?

Her finger hovered over the keyboard. She tried to type something but erase it immediately. This was ridiculous. He was probably texting five other people just like that. That’s what guys like him did, right ?

Before she could spiral further, a voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Unnie, why are you smiling like that ?”

Jennie snapped her head up to see Rosé standing in the doorway, arms crossed, smirking.

“I’m not” Jennie said too quickly, locking her phone and tossing it aside like it burned her.

Rosé’s eyes narrowed. “Oh my god. You so are.”

Jennie rolled her eyes. “You’re imagining things.”

Rosé sauntered over, plopping onto the bed beside her. “Right. Because my imagination just told me you’ve been checking your phone every five seconds and grinning like a lovesick fool.”

Jennie threw a pillow at her. “I was not grinning.”

Rosé laughed, dodging the attack with ease. “Mmm-hmm. Who were you talking to last night, huh ?”>

Jennie hesitated for a fraction of a second...too long.

Rosé gasped. “Wait. Was it Mingyu ?!”

Jennie groaned, burying her face in her hands. “ Shut up.”

She cackled. “I knew it !” “I don’t even know why I bother talking to you,” Jennie muttered.

“Because I’m your best friend and I’m never letting this go ?” Rosé shot back, wiggling her eyebrows. “Come on, spill. Did he finally confess his undying love ?”

Jennie threw another pillow. “Leave.”

She dodged it again, still laughing as she skipped out of the room. “Just admit it, you like talking to him !”

Jennie flopped back onto her bed with a groan. She hated how easy it was for Rosé to read her. Or maybe she hated how easy it was for Mingyu to get under her skin. She didn’t do this, smiling at her phone like a teenager. She was Jennie Kim. Composed. Cool. Unbothered.

So why did one dumb text from him feel like a victory ?

Her phone buzzed. A phantom notification. She reached for it instinctively, only to see it was just an email.

Get a grip.

Jennie typically went to another pilates studio, but with her usual place temporarily closed, she had to find an alternative. This gym complex wasn’t her usual scene, it was more of a high intensity training facility, with weight rooms, boxing areas, and athletes sweating through drills.

Not exactly her vibe.

But it had a reformer room, and she needed to stretch. Badly.

She was towel draped, freshly stretched, hair tied back in a loose bun that had started to unravel at the edges. Jennie stepped out of the reformer room, her muscles pleasantly sore and her mind blissfully blank, until her eyes landed on a very specific, very familiar frame across the room.

Tall. Black sleeveless shirt. Too-casual sweatpants that left nothing to imagination. Head tilted slightly as he adjusted a barbell on a rack.

Her body reacted before her brain could catch up, heart skipping a beat, stomach twisting with that stupid little flip again. Mingyu hadn’t seen her yet. She could turn around, retreat into the safety of the locker room, and pretend none of this happened.

But of course, fate had other plans.

He straightened mid set, reaching for a towel to wipe the sweat from his neck and his gaze landed right on her.

Their eyes met.

And everything slowed.

Not in a romantic slow motion kind of way. No, this was more like a “you’ve got to be kidding me” freeze frame moment, where Jennie wanted to disappear but also couldn’t look away.

Mingyu’s eyes widened slightly at first, like even he hadn’t expected to see her. Then a smile began to creep across his face, slow and unmistakably cocky.

“Well, well” he called out, voice low but warm. “Fancy seeing you here.”

Jennie forced her spine straight, conjuring the most indifferent expression she could manage. “I could say the same to you.”

Mingyu picked up his water bottle, taking a slow sip, eyes still on her. “Didn’t know pilates counted as gym time.” “It does when your usual studio is closed and this place is the only one with a working reformer” she replied, stepping closer, her tone cool but playful. “I didn’t realize I needed permission.”

He chuckled. “No judgment. Just surprised. You don’t exactly scream... gym rat.”

"I’m not,” she replied. “I scream discipline. There’s a difference.”

“Ah,” he said with a nod. “That explains why I’ve never seen you struggling through deadlifts like the rest of us poor mortals.”

Jennie smirked, arms crossed. “Some of us don’t need to throw metal around to feel validated.”

His grin widened. “Some of us just like to look good doing it.”

Jennie’s gaze, involuntarily, flicked down to his arms, big mistake. He was practically glistening, muscles taut from his workout, veins visible in a way that should be illegal. And of course, he caught her looking.

His eyebrows lifted. “Wait, was that an actual check out I just witnessed ?”

Jennie rolled her eyes, praying her cheeks weren’t betraying her. “You’re standing in the middle of the gym like a human sized Nike ad. Hard to miss.”

He leaned one arm against the weight rack, clearly enjoying himself. “You could’ve just said yes.”

“And let your ego inflate to the size of this gym ?” She snorted. “Please.”

Mingyu’s gaze softened, like he was watching something he couldn’t quite name. “You know,” he said, stepping closer not close enough to crowd her, but enough to make the air feel different “You’re kind of dangerous.”

Jennie raised a brow. “Dangerous ?” “To my focus,” he said, shrugging. “I’m pretty sure I forgot how to breathe for like... ten seconds when I saw you.”

That made her laugh, unexpected and genuine. “You’re ridiculous.” “I’m serious.” “Even worse.”

They stood there, a beat longer than they should have. Her phone buzzed in her hand, but neither of them looked away.

Jennie cleared her throat, stepping back a little to regain control. “Anyway. I should go before this place turns into a testosterone tank.”

Mingyu placed a hand on his chest in mock horror. “You saying my presence alone spikes testosterone levels ?”

Jennie smirked, eyes dancing. “Among other things.”

Mingyu blinked, actually blinked, his smug expression faltering as the words landed. “Okay...wow. Did not see that coming.”

Jennie took a slow step forward, reaching out to pat his arm as if to dismiss the moment. A casual gesture. A “no big deal” tap.

But the second her hand met his skin, warm, solid, still slightly damp from his workout, something short-circuited.

She meant to brush him off. What actually happened was her hand lingered just a beat too long. Her fingers grazed the curve of his bicep, and before she could stop herself, her thumb pressed slightly into the muscle.

Why? Why did she do that ? She was supposed to be composed.

Instead, her hand was now apparently starring in its own slow-burn romance drama with Kim Mingyu’s arm.

Mingyu didn’t move. He didn’t speak. But he did smirk and winked at her.

He just watched her, quietly, curiously, as if he could feel the static ripple of that one touch just as sharply.

Jennie snapped back into herself, yanking her hand away like she’d been burned. “Good talk, gym bro,” she said, too fast, too breathy, and turned on her heel.

She didn’t look back.

But if she had, she would’ve seen him flex his arm once, just slightly. Like he was trying to remember exactly where her hand had been.

And failing. Because now he was thinking about what it felt like.

It had been hours since Jennie left the gym.

Her legs had recovered. Her body had moved on. But her brain ?

Still back there.

Still standing next to the weight racks.

Still patting Kim Mingyu’s very illegal bicep like it owed her money.

She had no excuse. She couldn’t even say it was involuntary. No, she reached out. She squeezed. What kind of unhinged, post-pilates version of herself was that ?

Jennie Kim the queen of poise, face of luxury, master of "I'm unbothered" had turned into someone who got flustered over… arms.

Very warm. Very muscular. Very smug arms.

She groaned and face-planted into the couch, phone clutched to her chest like it might grant her absolution.

A second later, she lifted it. Checked. No texts.

Then checked again. Still no Mingyu.

Pathetic.

She unlocked the screen, pretending she wasn’t opening their chat for the fifth time that hour. The last thing he’d sent was from the night before.

[Mingyu] : Sleep well, noona.

It was simple. Sweet. Slightly flirty. But now, in the fluorescent light of her shame spiral, it read like evidence. Proof that she’d been spiraling over a man who probably said that to half the industry.

Her thumb hovered.

[Jennie]: You’re kind of annoying, but weirdly funny.

Deleted it.... Typed again

[Jennie]: Are your arms always that distracting ?

Deleted it so fast she nearly cracked her screen.

What was she even doing ?

“Are you waiting for your phone to levitate” a voice interrupted, “or are you texting your future boyfriend?”

Jennie flinched. Rosé stood by the kitchen counter, holding a green smoothie that looked medicinal and judgmental all at once.

“I’m not texting anyone,” Jennie muttered.

Rosé raised an eyebrow and walked over, flopping onto the couch beside her like a truth-seeking missile. “Right. You’re just emotionally hovering. Totally different.”

Jennie rolled her eyes. “I’m literally just sitting here.” “You are sitting here. With the world’s most chaotic expression on your face” Rosé said, tilting her head. “Which usually means one thing.” “Please don’t say it.”

As if summoned by chaos itself, Jennie’s phone buzzed.

She froze.

Rosé leaned in. “Is that…”

Jennie peeked at the screen.

Mingyu.

Her soul left her body.

Jennie stared at the message on her phone like it was ticking.

[Mingyu]: So… do you always grope people post pilates, or am I special ?

She didn’t respond.

She couldn’t.

Her soul had left her body. Her hands were limp at her sides. Her brain was somewhere under a dumbbell rack reliving the moment in humiliating high definition.

“You touched him ?” Rosé asked, too casually.

Jennie stayed silent.

Rosé’s eyes widened. “Oh my god. You did.”

Jennie looked at her, horrified. “I didn’t mean to!”

Rosé leaned forward, fully invested now. “Okay, walk me through this. Step by tragic step. What exactly happened in there ?”

Jennie inhaled like she was about to testify under oath.

“I saw him. Again. And he saw me. And he said something stupid. And I laughed, because, fine, he’s funny. Then he said some dumb line about needing to train his core because I keep knocking the wind out of him, which is… criminal behavior, first of all.”

Rosé blinked. “That’s so smooth, I feel pregnant just hearing it.” “Exactly!” Jennie cried. “And then he smiled. Like that smile where he knows he’s being dangerous. You know that one ? That evil, polite K-drama second-lead-who-ends-up-being-the-better-choice smile.”

Rosé nodded solemnly. “The worst kind.” “And I...I don’t know...I was trying to not seem affected, so I made some snarky joke and then I...I don’t even know...I reached out to pat his arm, just like, friendly, you know ? Like, haha, good one, buddy.”

Rosé tilted her head. “Except ?”

Jennie clutched the pillow to her face. “Except his arm was right there, and it was just so… firm. And my hand didn’t want to leave. It had… questions.”

Rosé choked on her smoothie. “Oh my god, Unnie.” “I panicked !” she groaned. “I meant to just, like, tap it. But it was warm ! And dense! Like, science defying levels of bicep.”

Rosé was openly cackling now. “So you groped him.”

“I evaluated him ! Like a trainer ! Very professionally !” Jennie said, flailing.

Rosé wiped tears from her eyes. “Unnie. You pet him like he was a golden retriever.”

Jennie shrieked into the pillow.

“And what did he do ?”

Jennie peeked out with haunted eyes. “He grinned. Like it was the highlight of his week. And then he winked.”

Rosé wheezed. “He winked? Oh no. He knew.” “He definitely knew.”

Jennie tossed her phone onto the coffee table like it burned. “And now he just texted that. That knows exactly what happened text.”

Rosé picked up the phone and read the message. “Wow. He’s good.” “I am so screwed.”

Rosé handed it back to her. “You need to reply.” “I can’t reply. My pride is still in traction.”

Rosé folded her legs and crossed her arms. “Okay. Listen to me. You already grabbed the man like he was fresh out of the oven. You might as well own it now.”

Jennie groaned. “I was doing so well being normal around him.” “You were never normal around him.”

Jennie scowled. “How do I fix this ?”

Rosé leaned back, smug. “You flirt back. Harder.”

Genuinely, without thinking. Her fingers moved before her brain did.

[Jennie] : Don’t flatter yourself. I was checking for a pulse.

[Jennie] : On my bicep ?

[Jennie] : I panicked, okay ?

[Jennie] : Then you must’ve felt my pulse racing. You were still touching me.

She rolled her eyes so hard she saw stars.

[Jennie] : For approximately 1.3 seconds.

[Mingyu] : Long enough to change my entire workout plan. I couldn’t focus for the rest of it.

Jennie chewed the inside of her cheek, fighting the stupid grin forming. This was dangerous. He was dangerous. Texting Mingyu was like walking on a tightrope over lava. Shirtless lava.

[Jennie] : Sounds like a personal problem.

[Mingyu] : It is. You caused it. You and your lethal hands.

She snorted.

[Jennie] : They were literally just hands.

[Mingyu] : Yeah, well. Mine almost dropped a 20kg plate because of them. Want to explain that to my trainer ?

[Jennie] :Tell them your core wasn’t engaged. I thought that’s what you were working on, no ?

[Mingyu] : Not fair. I can’t be witty when I’m imagining you checking my pulse with your “just hands.”

Jennie groaned, throwing her head back against the couch. This man had no business being this good at flirting and lifting things.

Then another message buzzed in.

[Mingyu] : Alright. Truce. Since you touched me and all, I think you owe me a coffee.

Her eyebrows shot up. Bold.

[Jennie] : That’s what we’re calling it now ? A payment for bicep-based emotional distress ?

[Mingyu] : Exactly. A recovery meeting. You, me, caffeine. No accidental fondling this time. Unless you insist.

Jennie’s heart stuttered.

She sat up straighter, staring at the screen.

[Jennie] : You’re relentless.

[Mingyu] : You’re still texting me back.

Damn it.

He had a point.

She exhaled through her nose, fingers hovering.

[Jennie] : Fine. Coffee.

[Mingyu] : You picked the gym. I’m picking the place.

[Jennie] : I didn’t pick the gym. It was fate.

[Mingyu] : Then I guess fate wants you to see me again. I’ll send the location.

Another beat.

Then

[Mingyu] :Tomorrow. 3PM. Don’t ghost me.

[Jennie] : No promises.

[Mingyu] :But maybe… hands off this time?

[Jennie] :No guarantees.

[Mingyu] :😵‍💫

Jennie stared at her screen, a quiet smile blooming on her lips.

She had just agreed to coffee with Kim Mingyu. Voluntarily. Sober. And with the full knowledge that her self-control was already hanging by a thread.

She flopped back down on the couch again and muttered into the air

“What the hell am I doing ?”

From the kitchen, Rosé called out without missing a beat “Falling. And fast.”

Chapter Text

Jennie had no reason to be nervous.

Just coffee, she repeated to herself.

But somehow, that thought didn’t stick. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, fiddling with the hem of her shirt as she shifted from one foot to the other.
She had started with something simple, an oversized hoodie, leggings, sneakers. Safe. Comfortable. Effortless.

But then she’d thought about Mingyu. His teasing grin. How he always seemed to find a way to make her feel seen. And suddenly, a hoodie didn’t seem like enough.
So she’d changed into something a little more put-together fitted jeans, a soft knit sweater, and boots. Casual, but nice.

Now, she was standing in front of the mirror again, second-guessing her choices. Was this too much ? Too little ? It’s just coffee, Jennie.

But when she thought about the way Mingyu had laughed, that teasing glint in his eyes, she couldn’t help but feel her heartbeat pick up. She tugged at her sweater, and for the fourth time, checked her phone.

“Unnie.”

She turned to see Rosé leaning casually against the doorway, arms crossed, an amused smirk playing on her lips.

“You’re acting like it’s a date.”>

Jennie rolled her eyes, a little too quickly. “It’s not.”

Rosé raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Then why do you look like you’re about to have a mental breakdown over your outfit ?”

Jennie huffed, glancing at her reflection again. Was she overthinking it ? Probably. It was just coffee, right ? Just coffee... but still. She’d spent longer than necessary picking out an outfit, second-guessing herself over every small detail. Maybe she was looking for approval from someone who had no idea what kind of approval she even wanted.

“I just… want to look nice.” The words sounded forced, even to her.

Rosé’s smirk deepened. “For him ?”

Jennie grabbed a pillow off the bed and tossed it at her, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks. “I hate you.”

Rosé didn’t flinch. “You’re totally into him.” “I am not.” Jennie’s denial came too fast to be convincing, and she knew it.

“Then why are you blushing ?”

Jennie’s face flared even more, and she grabbed her purse, marching out of the room as quickly as she could without breaking into a sprint. “I don’t know why I tell you anything.”

Rosé’s voice followed her, far too smug for her liking. “Because I’m right !”

-

Mingyu wasn’t nervous.

At least, that’s what he kept telling himself as he fixed his hair for the fifth time, his hands fidgeting with the strands, only for them to fall right back into the same place.

He had just grabbed his jacket when Seungkwan’s voice rang out from behind him.

“Hyung.”

Mingyu froze, swallowing. “Yeah ?”

Seungkwan narrowed his eyes with a mischievous smile. “You look suspiciously put together.”

Mingyu shot him a look. “It’s just coffee.” “With Jennie.”

Mingyu exhaled, resisting the urge to rub his hands over his face in frustration. “Yes, and ?”

Seungkwan grinned. “Oh my god, you like her.”

Mingyu groaned. “I do not.”

Seungkwan ignored him, already pulling out his phone.

[Seungkwan] : Guys. He’s leaving for his date !

Mingyu bolted toward him, trying to snatch the phone away. “IT’S NOT A DATE.”

Seungkwan’s laugh echoed in his ears as Mingyu stormed out the door, feeling both ridiculous and giddy at the same time.

-

The second Jennie stepped inside the small, tucked-away café, her eyes instantly found Mingyu. He was sitting at a table near the window, his large frame conspicuously taking up too much space in the quiet café. For a moment, they just stared at each other, both pretending to be casual, but there was a silent tension between them, unspoken and new.

Mingyu stood when he saw her, offering a grin that didn’t quite hide the nervous edge to it. “No bodyguards ? No disguises ?”

Jennie smirked as she slid into the seat across from him, pretending to adjust her coat like she wasn’t acutely aware of the way her heart was beating a little faster than usual. “I could say the same to you.” “I thought about wearing a fake mustache.” Mingyu joked, rubbing his chin dramatically. “You know, blend in.”

Jennie rolled her eyes, the corner of her lips twitching. “You’re, like, six feet tall. There’s no blending in.”

Mingyu chuckled, shaking his head. “Good point.”

There was a brief silence between them. Not awkward, but different. “So” Jennie began, tapping her fingers on the table, trying to break the silence “Do we just sit here in silence, or…?”

Mingyu leaned back in his chair, grinning wider than usual. “I don’t know, Noona. You tell me.”

Jennie rolled her eyes. “Oh, so we’re doing that now ?”

Mingyu raised an eyebrow. “I’ve got to redeem myself after Jungkook ruined my moment.”

Jennie laughed, her lips curling into a smile. “You’ll need more than coffee for that.”

And just like that, the tension melted. It was familiar, effortless. Their usual banter, the kind that felt so natural, even after everything.

Their drinks arrived, and as the conversation shifted from light teasing to more personal exchanges, Jennie realized how easy it was to talk to him. How easy he made it. The air between them, though familiar, felt charged with something new, something unspoken. But instead of dwelling on it, Jennie decided to lean into the casualness of the moment, taking a sip of her coffee as she glanced out the window.

“So,” she began, trying to ease into the conversation with her usual cool demeanor, “Tell me about your group’s latest schedule. How are you managing all the crazy concerts and performances ?”

Mingyu exhaled dramatically, stretching his legs out under the table. “You know how it is, always running between practices, shoots, and rehearsals. It’s like we’ve been on a perpetual loop since last year. And then the world tour happened, so…” He trailed off, a laugh escaping his lips. “I don’t even know where I am anymore half the time.”

Jennie chuckled, recognizing the all too familiar feeling. “I get that. The endless cycle of tours and promotions. Sometimes, you forget what it feels like to just sit down and breathe.” She paused, her gaze softening as she thought about the constant pressure of being in the public eye. “But… it’s worth it, right ?”

Mingyu nodded, though his eyes seemed to flicker with something else, perhaps the weight of his own thoughts. “Yeah. It’s hard, but it’s what we do. But honestly, some days, I miss the days when we were just trainees. Everything felt like it was building to something. Now it’s like... we’re always ‘there,’ you know ? Always at the top.”

Jennie’s lips quirked. “I remember those days. The chaos of trying to get everything perfect. Late night practices, sneaking in meals, barely getting any sleep.”

Mingyu’s eyes brightened with the mention of those early days. “I remember tha one time we tried to make ramyeon in the dorm, but it ended up being so spicy that we couldn’t even finish it? And then we had to go perform with burning mouths !”

Jennie laughed out loud, covering her mouth as she shook her head. “Oh my god, how you guys managed to perform in front of everyone.” “It was a miracle no one noticed” Mingyu agreed with a grin. “I was dying inside.”

Jennie smiled, her heart light from the nostalgia. “You guys must have had so much fun back then.” Mingyu agreed with a grin

There was a pause between them, and then Mingyu asked “What about you ? Any funny stories from your trainee days ? Or… has it been all smooth sailing for you ?”

Jennie’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “Smooth sailing ? Not even close. I think my first month at the company, I was so shy I couldn’t even talk to the other trainees without feeling like I was going to pass out.”

Mingyu raised an eyebrow. “You ? Shy ?”

Jennie shrugged, looking down at her cup. “You’d be surprised. I was so focused on just making it, I didn’t care about anything else. All I could think about was surviving, you know? I wasn’t exactly the confident Jennie you know now.”

Mingyu leaned back in his chair, clearly intrigued. “I can’t imagine you being shy. You’ve always had that aura, even when we first met in your rookie era.”

Jennie snorted. “I think that’s just because I was too tired to put up a front. If I’d known what was ahead, I would’ve been freaking out just like the rest of you. But I didn’t have time to think about it. I was too busy trying to learn choreography without embarrassing myself.”

Mingyu laughed. “I get that. I think that’s how most of us felt. Like we were all trying to survive, but then, bam ! Debut, and everything changes.”

Jennie nodded, her mind briefly drifting back to those early days of Blackpink’s rise to fame. “It’s crazy how fast everything can happen, right ? It’s like one moment you’re just a trainee, and the next… you’re headlining festivals.”

Mingyu smiled, his expression softening with genuine curiosity. “Speaking of headlining, how was it ? Performing at Coachella twice ? I mean, that’s a big deal.”

Jennie’s eyes flickered with something between nostalgia and pride. “It was overwhelming, honestly. I think the first time was so surreal that I don’t even remember much of it. The adrenaline was just so intense. And then to come back a second time, headlining... it felt like the culmination of everything we had worked for. But, you know, there’s also this pressure. It’s not just about putting on a great show anymore, it’s about representing something. And that's heavy.”

Mingyu leaned in a little closer, his voice dropping a bit. “I get that. It’s not just about performing anymore. It’s about setting the bar. You’re not just doing it for yourself, you’re doing it for your fans, for the industry, for your group’s legacy.”

Jennie nodded slowly, grateful that Mingyu understood. “Exactly. It’s exhilarating, but there’s always this undercurrent of anxiety. Will we live up to expectations ? Will it be enough ?”

Mingyu’s expression shifted, his usual joking demeanor replaced with something more serious. “I can’t imagine that kind of pressure. But you guys,Blackpink, you’ve made your mark, Jennie. You’re legends now. Performing at Coachella, even headlining it, all your achievements in the music industry.”

Jennie looked down, a faint blush creeping up her neck, but she shrugged it off. “We’ve worked for it. Nothing comes easy in this industry. But... it’s not just about the music, right ? It’s the whole journey.”

Mingyu nodded, his voice quieter now, like he was contemplating his own thoughts. “Yeah. Sometimes I wonder where Seventeen would be if we hadn’t pushed ourselves so hard. We’re always on the go. Always promoting. It feels like we haven’t had time to just... breathe.”

Jennie smiled softly, understanding all too well. “You’ll find that time eventually. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

Mingyu gave her a playful look. “Yeah, but when it’s your career, it feels like sprinting through a marathon sometimes.”

Jennie laughed, her gaze meeting his with a flicker of understanding. “Yeah. I think I know what you mean.”

There was a brief pause as both of them took a moment to let the conversation settle. Mingyu’s expression turned thoughtful, and he asked “So… what about you, Jennie ? I know you’ve been busy, but is there anything else coming up for you soon ?”

Jennie hesitated for a moment before answering, her voice a bit quieter than before. “Actually… in a few weeks, I’m launching my own company.”

Mingyu blinked in surprise. “What ? You’re starting your own company ?”

Jennie nodded, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup. “Yeah. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I wanted to branch out, build something of my own, something that reflects what I believe in. I’ve been working on it behind the scenes, but it’s finally ready.”

Mingyu’s eyes widened. “That’s amazing. Seriously, Jennie. You’ve always been a force, but this ? This is huge.”

Jennie chuckled, though there was a touch of vulnerability in her smile. “I’m excited, but also terrified. I mean, it’s one thing to be an artist in a group. It’s another to be the boss.”

Mingyu’s expression softened with understanding. “I can’t even imagine how much pressure you must feel. But I know you’ll do great. You’ve always had that drive. It’s why you’re where you are now.”

But even with all her calculated confidence, Jennie couldn’t help but feel like she was stepping off a cliff. Building something on her own meant she could no longer hide behind the name Blackpink. And that kind of exposure, the real, raw kind, was terrifying.

Jennie met his gaze, feeling a warmth in her chest. “Thanks, Mingyu. That means a lot.”

The conversation shifted, but there was a different energy between them now. A sense of mutual respect for their paths, for what they had built, and for the future they were both trying to carve out. As the afternoon sunlight dimmed, they found themselves lost in easy conversation, sharing stories about their groups, cracking jokes, and navigating the highs and lows of their careers.

She twirled her straw, looking at him with a raised eyebrow. “So, what do you even do when you’re not being an idol ?”

Mingyu smirked, leaning in a little closer as if the question was a challenge. “Are you asking about my hobbies ”

Jennie shrugged, feigning disinterest. “Sure. Enlighten me.”

Mingyu let out a dramatic sigh. “Wow. Jennie Kim wants to know more about me ? I feel honored.”

Jennie couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped. “Forget it.”

Mingyu chuckled, more relaxed now. “Okay, okay. I cook, I play games, I go to the gym..” “Obviously.” “And I like hanging out with my friends and members, ”Mingyu continued with a grin. “They make my life chaotic, but it’s never boring.”

Jennie hummed, taking a sip of her drink. “Sounds nice. Having that kind of energy around you all the time.”

Mingyu tilted his head, eyes twinkling. “Yeah, but it also means I rarely get time to myself.”

Jennie leaned forward slightly, intrigued. “You don’t like being alone ?”

Mingyu hesitated. “I don’t mind it. But I’ve always been surrounded by people, so sometimes it feels… weird. Like I don’t know what to do with myself.”

Jennie’s brow furrowed. She understood that more than she wanted to admit. “I get that.”

Mingyu gave her a sidelong glance. “Do you ?”

She exhaled softly, her gaze turning inward. “I used to love being alone. But lately… I don’t know. It’s different.”

There was a brief pause, and Mingyu let out a quiet chuckle. “You know… I probably should’ve asked you out sooner.”

Jennie choked on her drink. “Excuse me ?”

Mingyu grinned, his voice warm with amusement. “I said...”

Jennie held up a hand, cutting him off. “I heard you.”

Mingyu leaned forward slightly, his gaze softening just a little. “You didn’t say no.”

Jennie looked at him, really looked at him. The kind of look you don’t mean to give someone unless you’ve already given them too much of yourself. She masked it with a smirk, but her heart had already betrayed her. “You didn’t actually ask.”

Mingyu tilted his head, eyes glinting with playful mischief. “Would you have said yes?”

Jennie took a slow sip of her drink, pretending to deliberate. “Hmm. I’ll think about it.”

Mingyu laughed, shaking his head in mock exasperation. “Tease.”

Jennie smiled, the tension between them now an easy, comfortable hum.“You love it.”

They held each other’s gaze for a second longer than either of them meant to. The noise of the café faded, replaced by the silent weight of what neither of them was brave enough to say aloud. Not yet.
Outside, the sun dipped a little lower. Inside, something else was beginning to rise.

-

As the conversation flowed effortlessly, the hours slipped by without either of them noticing. The teasing banter, the light-hearted jokes, and the quieter moments between them felt strangely natural, more comfortable than either of them had expected. Each glance lingered just a little longer, each laugh a bit fuller. Neither of them seemed ready to let go, even as the space between them began to shrink.

When they finally stepped outside the café, the chill of the evening air brushed against their cheeks, but the warmth of the conversation clung to them like an invisible thread.

Jennie tucked her hands into the pockets of her coat, a sense of unexpected calm settling over her. For the first time in a long while, her thoughts weren’t racing. No mental to-do list, no gnawing doubts. Just... stillness. A quiet she hadn’t realized she was craving.

“Well” she said softly, her breath fogging in the air “This was nice.”

Mingyu’s grin widened, mischief lighting his features. “Nice enough to do again ?”

She shot him a look, amused but wary. "Already planning our next coffee ?” “I like to stay ahead of schedule” he said, with a shrug and a wink.

Her gaze lingered on him, longer than she intended. There was something about the ease in his stance, the warmth in his eyes. She could feel the question pressing at the edges of her mind: Was it okay to want this ? To want more ?

Jennie hesitated. Just for a moment. The silence between them wasn’t awkward, it was charged, delicate. And when she finally smiled, it wasn’t her usual guarded one. It was slower. Realer.

“I’ll think about it” she murmured, but there was something in her tone, something he caught and didn’t question.

Mingyu watched her, his heart strangely light, a contentedness he hadn't expected wrapping around him like the cool evening breeze. As she began to turn away, her silhouette softened in the streetlights, but his gaze never wavered. For a moment, time seemed to stand still.

He stood there longer than he should have, a grin still tugging at the corners of his lips. He didn’t know why it felt so important, this moment. Maybe it was the way her eyes had met his, the way she seemed to hesitate for just a second before walking away. Or maybe it was the feeling that this wasn’t just another casual encounter.

“See you soon” he whispered, more to the night than to her, but the words hung in the air like a promise.

Meanwhile, Jennie had her own thoughts swirling as she walked down the street. Her heart wasn’t racing, but there was an odd flutter that she couldn’t quite ignore. She had told herself over and over that it was just coffee, that there was no reason to make this anything more than a simple meetup. But that small voice, the one that usually tried to keep her emotions in check, was strangely quiet tonight. She wasn’t sure what exactly had shifted, only that it had. Her usual armor felt thinner somehow, her usual distance, less necessary.

It wasn’t the coffee that made her smile when she thought of him. It was the way he listened, how he’d looked at her, like she was the only person in the room. It was the moments when their laughter faded into something more, something unspoken but undeniable. And even now, as she tried to convince herself it was all just harmless fun, she realized she didn’t want it to be over.

She glanced at her phone, hoping without admitting she was. Nothing. And yet... she was still smiling. But then she thought about his question: Would she want to do this again?

It was hard to admit, but she couldn’t remember the last time someone had made her feel this... light. Like she could just be herself, without pretending, without the walls she usually put up.

She sighed quietly, her breath coming out in a soft puff in the cool air. “It was just coffee” she whispered, but this time, even she didn’t believe it.

-

That night, as Jennie lay in bed staring at the ceiling, her mind replayed every moment of the day, each memory like a film she couldn’t stop watching.

A buzz from her phone interrupted the spiral of thoughts. It was Rosé.

[Rosé] : So... are we still pretending this is nothing ?

Jennie let out a groan, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach. She had known this was coming. She had spent all the afternoon trying to convince herself that it was just coffee, that there was nothing to overthink. But of course, Rosé wouldn’t let her off the hook that easily.

Jennie typed back quickly, hoping to brush it off.

[Jennie] : It was just coffee.

[Rosé] : Sure. If you say so

Jennie stared at the text, her thumb hovering over her phone screen. She tossed the device aside in frustration, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips despite herself. Rosé was annoyingly right, there was no way to deny it anymore. But as much as Jennie tried to tell herself it didn’t mean anything, she knew something had shifted.

When she finally dragged herself out of bed and went downstairs, she froze for a moment at the sight of Rosé sitting on the couch, waiting, looking entirely too smug for Jennie’s liking.

Rosé’s grin widened as Jennie entered the room, arms crossed, clearly ready to dive into some serious interrogation.

“You know” Rosé started, her tone dripping with mischief “I was thinking… I might need a full breakdown of every detail.”

Jennie paused, mentally cursing herself for the second time today. Why had she ever suggested Rosé stay here until the painting of her new house was done? Rosé was going to make her life hell, she could already tell.

“Rosé”Jennie muttered, rubbing her temples “I swear, if you say one word...”

“Oh, I will” Rosé interrupted, bouncing on the couch as if she were a kid on Christmas morning. “Come on, unnie, I’m dying to know! How was the ‘just coffee’ with Mingyu? I know you’re dying to tell me everything.”

Jennie dropped her head back, exhaling loudly. Of course Rosé would pick the exact moment she was feeling the most conflicted to pounce on her like this.

She leaned against the wall and sighed dramatically. “It was nothing, okay ? Literally just coffee.”

Rosé raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. “Uh-huh. Sure. Keep telling yourself that.”

Jennie gave her a pointed look, but Rosé’s teasing smile only widened.

“I’m serious. It was casual ” Jennie added, but the words didn’t have the same certainty as before. Not after everything that had happened. “We talked. That’s it.”

Rosé leaned forward, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. “Talked ? About what ?”

Jennie groaned, sliding onto the couch beside her. “You’re insufferable, you know that ?” “I’m just curious” Rosé said, her voice light and teasing. “You’re not getting out of this that easily.”

Jennie ran a hand through her hair. She could feel her cheeks warm at the memory of Mingyu leaning in slightly, of how their conversation had slipped effortlessly between banter and something more. The last thing she wanted to admit was that she’d enjoyed it, that maybe it meant more to her than she was willing to admit.

But Rosé wasn’t letting her off the hook.

“Fine” Jennie said, sighing. “We talked about work, about his members, about... stuff. It was fine. Honestly, just fine. No big deal.”

Rosé narrowed her eyes, unconvinced. "So why are you acting like you’ve just had a life changing experience ?”

Jennie bit her lip, looking away as if the answers to her questions were written somewhere on the walls of her living room. She had been thinking about it all evening, the whole night spent wrestling with the idea of what had happened. And yet, she didn’t have the words.

“Because it’s not just fine” Jennie muttered, more to herself than to Rosé.

Rosé sat up straighter, her teasing expression softening just a little. “You’re not fooling anyone, Jennie. You’re in it, aren’t you ?”

Jennie swallowed, fighting the sudden rush of emotion in her chest. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

Rosé smiled knowingly, and for the first time, there was no teasing edge to her voice. “You don’t have to figure it out right now. But don’t lie to me.”

Jennie leaned back into the couch, her head still spinning. For a second, she wondered if Rosé had been right all along about this being something more.

“Guess I’ll think about it” Jennie said, finally letting herself smile.

-

Mingyu wasn’t sure what to expect when he walked into the practice room.

He had been replaying the moments from the café over and over in his mind. The way Jennie had looked at him when she laughed, the way their conversation flowed effortlessly, and that lingering feeling in his chest every time she smiled. It wasn’t just “coffee” anymore, he knew that. But he couldn’t quite pinpoint why it felt different this time.

He was still caught up in his own thoughts as he stepped through the door, only to be met by a chorus of familiar voices.

“Hyung !”

Mingyu froze. He recognized Seungkwan’s teasing tone before he even saw him, and he knew the drill by now. The moment he walked into the room, he’d be cornered by his members.

“So, how was your date ?” Seungkwan asked with a mischievous grin, leaning against the barre.

Mingyu rolled his eyes, his fingers instinctively running through his hair as he tried to regain his composure. “It wasn’t a date” he muttered, but his tone didn’t carry the usual conviction. He could feel the weight of his own words, like he was trying to convince himself more than anyone else.

“Sure, keep telling yourself that,” Joshua chimed in from the back of the room, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Oh my god, Mingyu! ” Hoshi exclaimed, dramatically slapping his hand over his forehead. “Is this the part where you get all giddy and start planning your future together ?”

Mingyu shot him a glare but couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at his lips. “It wasn’t a date !” he insisted, though the lack of conviction in his voice made it clear that even he didn’t fully believe it.

Seungkwan raised an eyebrow. “Then why are you blushing ?”

Mingyu groaned, sinking into a nearby chair. “I’m not blushing. I’m just... tired. I didn’t sleep much last night.” He waved his hand dismissively, hoping they would drop it.

But they weren’t letting him off the hook that easily.

“You didn’t sleep because you were thinking about Jennie, didn’t you ?” Seungkwan pressed, pulling out his phone and typing something. “Come on, admit it.”

Mingyu opened his mouth to protest, but his words got caught in his throat. The truth was, Jennie had been on his mind all day. From their conversation at the café to the way her laugh echoed in his ears long after she’d left. His heart was still racing from the simple exchange, and now that he was here with his members, trying to focus on practice, his mind kept wandering back to her.

“It’s not a big deal” he muttered, trying to sound casual. “It was just coffee, alright ?”

“Right, just coffee,” Seungkwan said sarcastically. “And I’m the president of Korea.”

Mingyu ran a hand down his face in frustration. “Why do you guys have to make it weird ?” “Because you’re acting like a lovesick puppy.” Hoshi teased, winking at him. “Don’t try to deny it. You’re the one who’s walking around with that goofy grin on your face.”

Mingyu sighed. “I’m just... distracted. Let’s practice.”

But even as he tried to shake it off, his mind kept drifting back to Jennie. Her smile, her laugh, the way she looked at him like she was waiting for something more.

He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but one thing was for sure, it wasn’t just coffee anymore.

Chapter Text

It had been two days since the coffee.

Nothing earth shattering had happened. They hadn’t made any life altering confessions. No dramatic spark. No kiss.

But something about it still stuck with Jennie.

The way he smiled at her like she was in on some inside joke. The easy rhythm of their banter. The effortlessness of it all. Mingyu had been… surprisingly good company. Annoyingly so.

Now, two days later, Jennie lay sprawled across her couch, legs tangled in a throw blanket, scrolling aimlessly through her phone. She’d already gone through her notifications. Checked Instagram. Deleted old screenshots she didn’t need. Watched exactly two and a half YouTube videos.

And somehow, she was still bored.

Not bored enough to admit it, of course. But just enough that her mind kept drifting back to him.

Her thumb hovered over his contact.

She could text him. Just something casual. Lighthearted. A little jab, maybe. He’d flirt back, and she’d roll her eyes, and it would give her exactly five minutes of entertainment before she got annoyed again. Probably.

She stared at her ceiling.

God, she hated this.

Because it wasn’t just about being bored. Not really.

She wanted to talk to him.

Wanted to hear what sarcastic nonsense he’d say. Wanted to see if that same comfortable vibe was still there. And maybe, just maybe, she wanted to see his stupid face again.

Still, texting him first ? It felt like breaking a rule she hadn’t agreed to but was very committed to following.

A full minute passed. Then two. Then

Screw it.

Her fingers moved before her brain could catch up.

[Jennie] : I hope you didn’t embarrass yourself in front of your members after our coffee.

There. Casual. Playful. Not desperate. She locked her phone and tossed it on the couch cushion beside her, immediately regretting sending it. He probably wouldn’t reply. Or worse, he’d leave her on read.

But before she could fully spiral, her screen lit up.

[Mingyu] : I did not. But I was forced to confirm that you enjoy my company.

She blinked, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

[Jennie] : Who forced you ?

[Mingyu] : Me. I’m very reliable.

[Jennie] : Debatable.

[Mingyu] : You must really miss me if you’re texting me again so soon.

Jennie rolled her eyes, but her fingers were already typing.

[Jennie] : Don’t flatter yourself.

[Mingyu] : Too late. I’m flattered.

She let out a small laugh, pressing a hand to her mouth like she’d been caught.

[Mingyu] : What are you doing anyway ? Bored ?

Yes. But she wasn’t going to admit that directly.

[Jennie] : Possibly. Seoul is quiet tonight.

[Mingyu] : So am I. Wonder what that means.

[Jennie] : That you have no life.

[Mingyu] : Wrong. It means I’m free to entertain you.

Jennie paused, thumb resting on her screen. He was being bold tonight. Or maybe she was reading too much into it Still, something about the ease of their exchange made her feel lighter. Less stuck in her head.

[Jennie] : Entertain me how, exactly ?

[Mingyu] : That depends. Are we talking “funny gifs” or “I show up outside your place with snacks” level of entertainment ?

Her pulse ticked up. Just slightly.

She stared at the message longer than she needed to.

He was probably kidding. He had to be.

But the image popped into her mind anyway, Mingyu at her doorstep, some ridiculous grin on his face, holding chips and chocolate like it was a peace offering and a dare at once.

She could say no. Could brush it off with another sarcastic jab, pretend she wasn’t intrigued.

But her fingers moved before her doubts could catch up.

[Jennie] : Tempting.

[Mingyu] : You’re very full of yourself tonight.

Jennie smirked, curling deeper into her blanket.

[Jennie] : I was being nice.

[Mingyu] : You ? Nice ? This must be a cry for help.

[Jennie] : Or maybe I was bored out of my mind and thought annoying you would help.

[Mingyu] : Flattering. I'm honored to be your human distraction.

She paused, staring at the screen. The thing was… he kind of was.

[Jennie] : You're lucky I texted you.

[Mingyu] : Oh, I know.I was just sitting here, wishing someone gorgeous and emotionally unavailable would message me.

[Jennie] : Your standards are in hell.

[Mingyu] : And yet, here you are, texting me again. Coincidence ?

[Jennie] : Maybe I needed a reason to smile.

There was a beat.

Not dramatic. Just long enough to feel intentional.

[Mingyu] : You could’ve just said you wanted to see me, Noona.

Jennie stared.

Her heart knocked once, hard, against her ribs.

[Jennie] : And if I did ?

[Mingyu] : Then I’d be outside in twenty minutes.

She bit her lip.

Hesitated.

Then :

[Jennie] : Bring snacks.

[Mingyu] : Already halfway there.

And just like that, without a plan, without thinking it through, Jennie was getting out of bed to brush her hair, toss on a hoodie, and wait for the sound of tires rolling up outside.

What the hell was she doing?

But the butterflies didn’t care.

-

Exactly twenty minutes later, headlights spilled across the quiet street in front of her apartment. Jennie slipped into the passenger seat, the familiar thump of bass vibrating gently through the car.

The air inside was warm, easy. Mingyu shot her a sideways grin, one hand on the wheel, the other draped lazily over the gear shift.

“This feels illegal”he said, eyes flicking toward her.

Jennie buckled her seatbelt with a smirk. “Sneaking out past midnight ? Or getting in a car with you ”

He gave her a mock-wounded look. “Wow. Can’t it be both ?”

She grinned. “Definitely both.”

They pulled onto the road, cruising through the sleeping veins of Seoul. The streetlights threw flashes of gold across the windshield, cutting the silence into soft, glowing pieces.

Mingyu had brought snacks of course. Two cans of a non alcoholic beer, a convenience store bag filled with some sweets and salty treats, so and something vaguely spicy that he couldn’t explain but insisted she try. Jennie accepted it with a suspicious look and a dramatic sniff.

“You’re lucky I’m trusting” she said, popping one into her mouth.

“I’m lucky you’re bored” he corrected.

She didn’t disagree.

As the car rolled past quiet storefronts and dark apartment buildings, the speakers crackled softly, shifting tracks.

A familiar, low synth began to pulse through the car.

Jennie stiffened slightly.

Her song.

One of the Girls.

She cut a look toward him. “Really ?”

Mingyu's grin was wicked. “This is my part.” “You’re unbelievable.” “Shh” he said, already clearing his throat. “Let me deliver.”

And then he started singing.

Not half hearted. Not ironically. Full on, sultry The Weeknd energy, deep voice, teasing tone, eyes on the road but the corners of his mouth curled up like he knew exactly what he was doing.

Jennie stared at him, caught between horror and laughter. “You actually practiced this.” “I was born ready for this duet” he said, without missing a beat.

When her verse hit, he motioned for her to join in with a dramatic gesture.

Jennie rolled her eyes but couldn’t fight the grin.

Fine.

She sang.

Low, breathy, not at full power but enough to make it real and as their voices intertwined over lyrics far too suggestive for 1 a.m., something subtle shifted in the car.

The song wasn’t innocent. And neither were they.

He kept glancing at her between lines. Lingering. Watching her mouth. Watching the way her eyes fluttered shut on certain notes.

When it hit the bridge “ I just wanna be one of your girls tonight…” their eyes met.

And this time, neither of them looked away.

Jennie’s voice caught just slightly. Mingyu stopped singing altogether.

The music kept playing, but the moment froze around them, silent, charged, held together by nothing but unspoken things and too long stares.

Finally, Mingyu broke it with a low laugh, soft and rough. “That was something.”

Jennie swallowed. “You started it.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You finished it.”

She turned her face to the window, biting her lip, but the smile wouldn’t leave.

The drive to the lookout was quiet, but not in an empty way.

Jennie was leaned back in her seat, one leg tucked under her, hair falling loose around her face as she nibbled on some flavored chips like it was a full course meal. Mingyu stole glances whenever he could, pretending to focus on the road, but really, he was memorizing the way she looked under the glow of streetlights.

He still couldn’t believe she’d texted him first.

She hadn’t said why exactly. Just flirted. Teased. But there was something in the spaces between her words that felt like an invitation.

Something about tonight wasn’t like the other times. It wasn’t just banter.

By the time they reached the top of the hill, the city had cracked open beneath them, Seoul stretching out like a living thing. Lights blinking softly. Quiet, golden. The kind of view that made people fall in love with the idea of something.

He parked the car and left the engine running, the music low in the background. A gentle bassline. A voice he didn’t recognize singing something slow and sensual. He didn’t think either of them registered it, too busy just being.

Jennie leaned forward, her face lit in blues and silvers, eyes roaming the skyline. “I forgot how pretty the city looks from up here.”

Mingyu didn’t answer right away.

He wasn’t looking at the view.

He was looking at her.

The curve of her cheek. The way her lashes kissed her skin when she blinked slowly, thoughtfully. The shape of her mouth when it curved around quiet words.

She looked soft in a way he wasn’t used to seeing. Not on stage. Not in pictures. Just… now.

She turned and caught him watching her.

He didn’t look away.

And for once, neither did she.

Something shifted in the air. That invisible line they always danced around ? It felt thinner now. Fragile. Like one word too much, one breath too close, and they’d cross it.

Jennie smiled, but it was smaller this time. Real.

“You know…” she said, her voice barely above the music, “this is starting to feel like more than just coffee.”

His lips tugged into a smile. “Yeah ?”

She nodded, her eyes never leaving his. “Yeah.”

His fingers tapped the steering wheel once. A beat. Then stopped. Even that small movement felt too loud now.

He wanted to say something light. Something stupid and safe. But he didn’t. Because this didn’t feel safe anymore.

It felt like standing on the edge of something. And wanting to fall.

“So…” he said, turning slightly toward her, voice pitched softer now, more intimate. “If I wanted to see you again, should I just haunt every café in the city and hope I get lucky?”

Jennie’s smile curved, a little lazy, a little amused. “You have my number now.”

A beat.

“Use it.”

God, she was lethal.

He bit the inside of his cheek to keep himself from grinning too wide. “Dangerous.”

Her eyes dipped to his lips, then slid slowly back to meet his.

“Are you scared?”

It hit him low in the gut. That look. That voice.

He almost said yes. She was terrifying in all the ways that mattered.

But he didn’t blink.

He leaned in...just a breath. Just enough.

“Not even a little.”

She laughed, soft and low, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. And it killed him, how badly he wanted to touch her. To trace that exact motion for her. To feel the curve of her neck, the edge of her jaw, the softness just under her lip.

She popped another chip into her mouth with a smirk like she had no idea the effect she was having.

She knew exactly what she was doing.

“You eat like you’re on a cooking show” he said, leaning back just slightly, his arm now stretched casually behind her seat.

She tilted her head. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.” “Oh, it’s not. It’s just incredibly dramatic.”

Jennie gasped, mock offended. “You’re the one who sang like you were auditioning for The Voice twenty minutes ago.”

Mingyu chuckled, turning his head toward her. “And you loved it.”

Jennie didn’t deny it. Just shrugged with a smirk, eyes glittering in the dim light. “Maybe I just like chaos.”

He leaned in a little more, voice softer. “Then you’re definitely in the right car.”

Just then, the music shifted somewhere between a sigh and a heartbeat. Slow synth, breathy vocals. The kind of song that made everything feel like a movie.

His hand was resting between them, fingers splayed on the gearshift, but it felt like an invitation. Her pinky ghosted against his. Not an accident. Not subtle.

Intentional.

He turned his hand over.

Open.

Waiting.

She looked at it.

Then at him.

Then back down again.

Her fingers slid into his, hesitant at first. Like testing fire.

He gripped hers gently. But it was enough to send heat all the way up her arm, straight to her chest.

He leaned in, closer now. So close she could feel the warmth of his breath, the tension in his jaw, the weight of his restraint.

Jennie swallowed.

He watched her throat move.She was close enough now that he could see every little detail in her face, the flecks of honey in her eyes, the soft curve of her jaw.

She tilted her head just slightly. A bare shift.

He matched it.

It would take nothing to close the space. Nothing at all. One inch. Half.

His thumb stroked the inside of her wrist. Slow. Careful. Reverent.

And she nearly gasped at how intimate it felt. Like he wasn’t asking for permission. He was worshipping it.

The music swelled again, slow synth, a voice like honey, like skin against sheets.

Their eyes met.

Everything else disappeared.

Just him. Just her. Just this moment suspended in some breathless, sacred space.

“Jennie” he said, and it wasn’t even a question.

It was a confession.

She exhaled like she’d been holding her breath for hours. “Yeah.”

And then

A burst of light. Headlights. A car speeding past. Horn blaring.

The moment cracked.

Jennie flinched, pulse skittering. “Jesus...”

Mingyu cursed under his breath, sitting back with a frustrated breath that barely disguised the ache in his voice. “Perfect timing.”

Jennie exhaled slowly, settling back into her seat like her body was trying to remember how to move again.She stared at him, heart still hammering, lips parte

Mingyu was still watching her, his jaw tight, his hand still holding hers, his thumb tracing idle circles against her skin like he hadn’t realized he was doing it.

“So” she said, voice low, eyes on the windshield but not really seeing it “Are you always this dramatic, or do I just bring it out in you ?”

Mingyu let out a breath of a laugh, cocking an eyebrow. “Dramatic ? You were the one who practically sighed into the music like it was foreplay.”

Jennie turned her head slowly, a smirk tugging at her lips. “You were this close to kissing me, don’t get cocky.” “I was ?” he asked, faux innocent, leaning back just enough to feign detachment. “You looked like you were about to climb into my lap.”

She laughed, quiet, breathy, a little shaky and glanced down at their still-intertwined hands. “I wasn’t even leaning in.”

He tilted his head. “You were.”

She lifted her chin. “You blinked first.” “You licked your lips.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You stared at them.” “I’m only human.”

The heat in the car hadn't gone anywhere. It clung to the walls, hummed between their bodies like static. The song had changed, but the beat was still slow, still suggestive. Still too intimate for a moment that was supposed to have passed.

And neither of them let go.

“I didn’t kiss you” he said, voice softer now.

Her smile curved slow and knowing. “No. You didn’t.”

A beat.

“But you wanted to.”

He met her eyes. “So did you.”

She shrugged, feigning casual, though her fingers curled a little tighter in his. “Guess we’ll never know.”

Mingyu leaned forward again, just slightly. Enough to make her pulse jump. Enough to test the line without crossing it.

“Oh, we know” he murmured.

Their faces were inches apart again. She could feel his breath when he spoke, warm and steady.

But this time, neither of them moved closer.

They just sat in it, the heat, the challenge, the unspoken question that hung in the charged silence like smoke.

Jennie’s eyes flicked down to his lips, then back to his eyes. “We’re being so responsible right now.”

His laugh was quiet, rough around the edges. “I hate it.”

She smiled, resting her head back against the seat, the corners of her mouth still tilted with mischief. “Don’t worry. You’ll get another chance to be reckless.” “Oh yeah ?” “If you’re good.”

Mingyu let out a low hum, biting the inside of his cheek as he looked at her. “Define ‘good.’”

Jennie’s smirk widened. “Exactly.”

-

The drive back was quiet.

Not awkward, never awkward, but thick with something else. Something hot and restless that settled under Jennie’s skin like a second pulse.

Jennie sat back, letting the moment stretch as they cruised down empty streets, the city lights flickering against the windshield like stars in motion.

But she wasn’t looking at the skyline anymore.

She was looking at him.

Really looking.

The soft flicker from the dashboard cast warm shadows across his jawline. Strong. Sharp. His profile looked like it’d been carved by hand, like someone had taken their time with it. Mingyu’s right hand was on the wheel, broad and steady, veins shifting every time he turned, every time his fingers adjusted the grip. Casual. Effortless. God, she thought, his hands. And those hands... gripped loosely around the wheel, the veins along his forearms shifting as he maneuvered the car. Casual. Unbothered. Hot in a deeply unfair way.

Her eyes dipped again, following the subtle flex of his forearm, the lazy way his wrist leaned into the curve of the steering wheel. That vein, that damn vein...traced all the way up, disappearing into the cuff of his sleeve, and she had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep her imagination in check.

She wasn’t proud of it, but all she could think about was how it would feel if he grabbed her there. Thighs. Waist. Neck. Just once. Just...

“You’re quiet” he said, not looking over, but his voice low, knowing.

She blinked, caught.

“I’m thinking.”

“That’s when you’re most unpredictable” he murmured, a ghost of a grin on his lips.

Jennie tilted her head, letting her gaze linger on him. “Maybe that’s the point.”

He looked at her then, just a glance, but it was enough. That same heat from earlier flared again, raw and ready.

“You keep staring at me” he added.

“I’m allowed.”

Mingyu chuckled under his breath, but there was tension in his jaw. Like he was holding back. Like both of them were.

Jennie turned slightly in her seat, her leg brushing his center console. “You drive like you know everyone’s watching.” “No one’s watching.” “I am.”

He glanced sideways again, slower this time. “And what exactly are you watching?”

She didn’t answer.

She didn’t need to.

Her gaze dropped to his hands again. Obvious this time.

Mingyu let out a low exhale, like he felt it, like the way she looked at him had weight. “Jennie…” "I’m just thinking, don’t flatter yourself." she said innocently.

Too late. He was already grinning like he knew exactly where her mind had gone. And he wasn’t wrong.

The car slowed to a stop in front of her building, engine humming low beneath them like a heartbeat they were both trying too hard to ignore.

Neither moved.

Mingyu rested his hands on the steering wheel, thumbs drumming gently. Jennie didn’t reach for the door. She sat there, angled slightly toward him, one leg tucked under the other, body turned like she was still mid conversation, though neither had said a word since they hit her block.

The silence between them was thick, but not uncomfortable. It lingered, like the night didn’t want to end.

“I liked tonight” she said quietly, her voice softer than it had been all evening.

He looked at her then, fully. “Yeah ?”

She nodded. “Yeah. More than I should, probably.”

His smile was slow, but something flickered behind it, something cautious and warm and just a little wrecked. “Same.”

Jennie glanced down at her hands for a second before lifting her gaze again. “It was supposed to just be coffee.” “And now it’s what ?” Mingyu asked, not teasing, genuine. Barely above a whisper.

Her lips parted, breath catching just a little. “Something I don’t want to walk away from. Not yet.”

That did something to him.

His hand dropped from the wheel, knuckles brushing hers where they both rested on the console between them. Not quite holding. Just there. Close.

“I keep thinking,” he said slowly, “if I say the wrong thing, you’ll leave.”

“I keep thinking if I stay too long, I’ll do something stupid.”

“Like ?”

She didn’t answer. Not right away. Just looked at him like she was memorizing every detail, the soft shadow of stubble along his jaw, the way his lashes curled when he blinked slow, the heat in his eyes that hadn’t cooled since the moment they’d almost kissed.

“I should go”she murmured, but still didn’t move.

Mingyu leaned his head back against the seat, watching her from the corner of his eye. “Yeah. You should.”

She turned her body slightly, the movement making her thigh brush against his. Purposeful. Electric.

Another beat passed.

And then Jennie leaned in.

Not fast. Not dramatic.

Just close.

Her hand brushed against his chest, light and steady as she tilted forward and pressed a kiss, not on his lips, but achingly close, to the corner of his mouth. The place where smiles lived. Where almosts happened.

It lingered. Warm. Bold. Intentional.

She pulled back slowly, eyes still on his lips before lifting to his eyes. “Goodnight, Mingyu.”

His breath caught.

That kiss hadn’t been innocent. It had been a promise wrapped in restraint.

He swallowed hard. “Noona…”

But she was already reaching for the door, already slipping out, her fingers trailing the edge of his seat like she didn’t want to let go just yet.

At the curb, she turned back, smirking, eyes lit with mischief. “Don’t overthink it.” “Too late”he called softly.

Jennie just smiled, then disappeared into the building.

And Mingyu ?

He sat there, still staring at the spot where her lips had touched his skin, pulse thrumming like she’d left something behind.

Because she had.

Chapter Text

Jennie barely slept.

Every time she closed her eyes, she was right back in that car, his scent lingering in her memory, the sound of his voice still echoing in her ears. The warmth of his gaze, the near miss of a kiss hanging in the air, unresolved. God, she was obsessed with the way his voice had sounded when he hummed along to that song, like he knew something she didn’t, like there was an unspoken promise between them that neither had acted on.

But it wasn’t just that. It was him.

His jawline, so sharp it could cut through her defenses, his lips slightly parted in that casual, confident grin. And those hands, big, veiny, capable, the kind of hands that made her wonder what it would feel like to have them on her, not just the wheel of the car.

What would it feel like if he were gripping her thighs instead of the gearshift ? Her breath caught as that image hit her, the thought making her pulse flutter in her chest.

She squeezed her eyes shut, her body betraying her. This was insane. It was just Mingyu. Just a guy she just started to know, someone she had laughed with, talked to, and almost kissed.

But still, the image of his hands on her, of him so close she could feel the heat of his body against hers, wouldn’t leave her. It had been so long since she had felt this kind of desire, this deep pull inside her. No wonder she couldn’t stop thinking about it. About him.

She rolled over onto her stomach, burying her face in her pillow, desperate to erase the thoughts swirling in her mind. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. But the truth was, she was frustrated. It had been too long since she’d felt that spark, that fire. It had been too long since she’d taken care of herself the way a woman should.

The thought of Mingyu… it was starting to make her feel a little bit hot in the wrong places. She bit her lip, trying to steady herself. But damn it, just imagining what it would be like to be touched like that… It made her want to feel something. Anything.

Her hand drifted to her neck, fingertips brushing lightly over her skin, a soft sigh escaping her lips.

"Focus, Jennie." But she couldn’t. She kept picturing it, his hand on her skin, his fingers tight on her thighs, guiding her into his lap, his lips tasting hers…

“Stop it” she muttered under her breath.

But she couldn’t stop.

Her body wasn’t listening. It was like it was aching, begging for that release, for something more.

She groaned, burying her face deeper into the pillow. It was ridiculous. She shouldn’t even be thinking about this. She didn’t even know what to call this thing between them, this… almost kiss. But when had almost ever felt like this ?

She grabbed her phone, suddenly feeling the impulse to reach out to him, just to prove she wasn’t the only one haunted by the night. Just to see if he was feeling anything like she was. The words came easily, as if they’d been lingering on her fingertips for hours, just waiting for the right moment.

[Jennie] : “Good night, Mingyu. Sleep well”

She stared at the message after she hit send, her pulse picking up again. That was all she could muster. Nothing too obvious, nothing that screamed “I want you.” But deep down, she hoped he’d get it. Hope he’d understand that the tension between them wasn’t just in her head. And maybe,just maybe, he was feeling the same heat too.

She clicked her phone off and laid back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling a strange mix of satisfaction and vulnerability. She felt a little bold for sending the message. Was she being too obvious ? Would he think she was... desperate ?

And then, just before sleep finally pulled her under, she realized: She didn’t care

-

Mingyu was barely able to get through the morning without his mind wandering back to last night.

He had tried to distract himself. He’d thrown himself into his routine, showered, dressed, did everything he could to force his body and mind to focus on the present. But Jennie’s hands, those soft, warm hands, kept pressing against his chest. He couldn’t forget how they felt there, just for that brief moment, as if she was trying to anchor herself, like she was deciding something.

The way her fingers had lightly brushed against his shirt, the subtle pressure as if she was about to pull herself closer. He could still feel the heat from her palm searing into his chest, his body reacting instantly, his heart hammering in his chest, his breath quickening.

He could have sworn he felt the thrum of her pulse against his skin, felt the electricity humming between them. And when she had leaned in, her breath warm against his ear, the proximity. God, the proximity, had nearly undone him.

Then, she’d pulled back, but only just.

It had been so close. Too close.

Mingyu’s mind kept replaying the moment when Jennie had lifted her hand, her fingertips almost tracing the outline of his jaw before she carefully studied his face, like she was planning to kiss him on the cheek. But Mingyu had known. He had known that her lips had been a hair’s breadth away from his.

That cheek, it had been too close to his lips.

And the way she had hesitated, right there in the space between them, was like some unspoken invitation. She had been testing the waters, just like he had been. He could feel it. Could sense it in the way she watched him, the intensity in her gaze. The dangerous part ? He could feel the pull in his body, the urge to grab her, to turn her face toward him and kiss her properly. Not on the cheek, but right on those soft, inviting lips.

Mingyu had wanted to... No, he needed to, but somehow, he’d resisted. Barely.

He could still see it so clearly in his mind’s eye: her lips just inches from his, soft, plump, the color of ripe cherries. He could almost taste them, the sweetness of her breath, the heat that radiated between them, pulling him closer, making him ache with need.

The sound of her voice, so soft, barely above a whisper, had only made it worse. He could still hear the way she’d said his name, her voice tremulous, the subtle invitation hanging in the air.

God, why didn’t I just kiss her ?

He couldn’t stop replaying it. The way she had leaned in, the delicate curve of her lips, the way her fingers had brushed his chest so innocently, but it had been anything but. It had been a warning. A temptation. And Mingyu’s body had responded in ways he couldn’t control.

He had barely resisted. If that damn car hadn’t driven by, if that moment hadn’t been interrupted...

Mingyu groaned softly, trying to shake the thought from his head. He needed to stop thinking about it. But every time he closed his eyes, there it was again, her face, her lips, her body just inches from his, the sensation of her touch still lingering on his skin. He could still feel the heat from her hands pressing into his chest, the faint thrum of her pulse against him. The dangerous feeling of her lips so close to his own, threatening to ignite everything he had carefully kept under control for so long.

Just one kiss, he thought. One kiss wouldn’t have hurt.

But Mingyu knew better. If he had kissed her then, he would have kissed her again. And again. And who knows where that would have taken them.

No, he had to be careful. But the struggle was real, and it was intense. Every thought he had about Jennie sent a rush of heat through him, and every little memory from that night, a touch, a look, the way she smelled when she was close, was enough to make his chest tighten, his breath catch in his throat.

He stepped into the bathroom, desperate for something, anything, to cool the fire that was starting to smolder beneath his skin. His body was betraying him, aching for something he couldn’t have. He turned the shower on, the cold water hitting him like an electric shock.

But even under the chill, all he could think about was Jennie. The way her body had felt against him. The way her lips had been so close to his.

Mingyu pressed his palms against the shower wall, taking deep breaths, trying to ground himself, but the memory wouldn’t leave him. He had to get it together before he saw his members, before he stepped into practice and had to pretend like he wasn’t burning up inside.

He leaned against the wall, water cascading down his back, the coldness doing little to cool the heat in his veins. His body was craving her, the memory of her touch too vivid, too real. And the worst part ? He couldn’t stop thinking about it.

He took a deep breath, letting the cold water sting him until he couldn’t feel anything but the physical discomfort. But it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t enough to erase the way his body wanted her, the way she had almost kissed him, the way he had almost given in.

Finally, he stepped out of the shower, his body still humming with the need for release. He rubbed a towel over his face, trying to focus, trying to get a hold of himself. But nothing helped.

Not until I see her again, Mingyu thought. And when I do, I don’t know if I’ll be able to hold back.

-

Mingyu walked into the practice room, hoping to slip in unnoticed. He was definitely not in the mood for the usual chaos, not after the restless night he'd had. His eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep, and the bags under his eyes were a dead giveaway. He had barely been able to keep his mind from wandering back to Jennie, and everything that happened, and didn’t happen last night.

He dropped his bag with a heavy sigh and was immediately met with a chorus of comments from the boys.

“Whoa, Hyung, what happened to you ?” Seungkwan asked, eyeing him suspiciously. “You look like someone just ran over your heart.”

Mingyu groaned, rubbing his face in frustration. “I’m fine” he muttered, but his tone was all wrong. It sounded more like he was trying to convince himself than anyone else.

The other members exchanged looks. Joshua squinted at him, his head tilted like he was studying a particularly intriguing puzzle. “You okay, Mingyu ?” he asked, his voice laced with curiosity. “You look… kinda grumpy, which you never are.”

“Grumpy ?” Mingyu blinked, finally looking up at his members. He didn’t even try to smile. “I’m just tired.”

Hoshi smirked. “Tired, huh ? You look like you’ve been up all night… waiting for someone to text you back.”

Mingyu blinked in surprise, his mouth opening as if he were about to respond. But before he could, Seungkwan piped in again.

“You’re like a lovesick puppy, man.” Seungkwan chuckled, crossing his arms and grinning at the sight of Mingyu’s furrowed brow.

Vernon, sitting quietly on the couch, raised an eyebrow. “You don’t look like yourself. You usually come in with that goofy grin, but today it’s like... someone took your candy away.”

Mingyu wanted to bury his head in his hands. This wasn’t how he wanted to start the day, not with all these stupid comments about how he looked and sounded like a lovesick, exhausted mess. But before he could say anything else, Wonwoo, who had been quietly watching from the corner, spoke up.

“Funny” Wonwoo began, his voice smooth and dry “Because I actually heard something interesting last night.”

All the attention shifted to Wonwoo, and Mingyu froze, his heart skipping a beat.

“What’s that ?” Hoshi asked, his eyes glinting with interest. “You know something we don’t ?”

Wonwoo didn’t reply immediately. He just leaned back against the wall, a small, knowing smile playing at his lips. Then he casually dropped the bombshell. “I saw Mingyu sneak out late last night. Didn’t come back until almost 3 a.m.”

Mingyu’s face went from annoyed to shocked. His heart rate spiked as the other members went dead silent. For a brief second, all eyes were on him.

“Wait, what ?” S.Coups blurted out, his jaw hanging open. “You snuck out ? What were you doing ?”

Jeonghan's grin grew impossibly wide. “Bro, you’re telling me you stayed out that late ? And didn’t even mention it ?”

Mingyu’s mind was racing. How did Wonwoo know? He must have heard him leave. And of course, he had to spill the tea. But now, the entire room was full of questions.

Joshua raised an eyebrow, his usual calm expression replaced with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. “So... late-night adventure, huh ? Care to tell us what that was all about ?”

Mingyu stammered, trying to think of something that would make sense. He didn’t want to tell them the truth, especially not about Jennie. It was too complicated, too… personal.

“I...uh, I was just... out for a walk,” he muttered, hoping they’d buy it. “Needed some fresh air.”

“No way” Dokyeom cut in, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “You’re telling me you were out for a walk at 2:30 a.m ?”

The others jumped in with their own teases.

“Sounds like a date to me” Seungkwan smirked. “You do look like someone who has the weight of the world on their shoulders.”“Yeah, like someone who’s just had a very interesting night.” Jeonghan added, grinning.

Jun raised his eyebrows, his voice deadpan. “So... did you get a kiss, or what ?”

Mingyu let out an exasperated sigh, slumping against the wall. “Guys, just drop it, okay ? It’s nothing.”

But that only seemed to fuel their curiosity further.

“Nope” Dino said, leaning forward with a dramatic flair. “You’ve been sneaking around, you’re acting all grumpy and lovesick, and now you’re avoiding the question. We need the details, Hyung. Did you kiss her ?”

“Tell us everything” Hoshi demanded, eyes twinkling with amusement. “We’re all dying to know if you finally made a move.”

“Yeah, did you kiss her ?” Woozi pressed, looking way too entertained. “We need the full scoop, Mingyu. Did you finally get that kiss you’ve been talking about for weeks ?”

Mingyu let out a strangled laugh. He was trapped. No escape from their relentless teasing.

“I... almost kissed her” he admitted, his voice sounding defeated. “But... a damn car ruined it.”

The room went completely silent. The members exchanged looks of disbelief before breaking into laughter.

“A car ? ” Seungkwan. “What are you, the worst luck magnet ?”

Hoshi jumped up, practically vibrating with excitement. “What do you mean, almost ! You were this close, and you let her slip away ?”

Mingyu just threw his hands up in surrender, his patience wearing thin. “It was literally that close. But, yeah, the car showed up, and that was that.”

The members stared at him for a long moment, the silence hanging heavy in the air.

“Are you for real ?” Minghao finally said, his voice dripping with amusement. “A Car ? Really that's it ?”

Mingyu buried his face in his hands, wishing he could disappear. His heart was still racing, and he was already picturing the images from last night again, Jennie’s gaze, the way she had gotten so close. But it was all over now, wasn’t it? He had almost kissed her, and that was all.

But the teasing kept coming, and he had no way out.

-

Mingyu barely remembered how he got home. He was running on empty, his mind a haze of exhaustion, his thoughts still tangled up in Jennie. The choreography session had felt like a blur, a thousand movements that meant nothing because his head was stuck on that near-kiss, her eyes on his lips. He couldn’t shake the feeling of her body so close, the way she had touched him, how everything had felt so right before reality pulled them apart.

He barely had the energy to shower. He’d dragged himself into his bathroom and let the hot water pour over him, hoping it would wash away the tension clinging to his muscles. He needed a moment, a second of relief, but his mind wouldn’t stop. Jennie’s face kept flashing in front of him, her teasing smile, the way she had leaned in just a bit too close, the warmth of her breath against his skin.

Wrapping a towel around his waist, he made his way back to his room, collapsing onto his bed with a groan. His body was exhausted, but his brain wouldn’t shut down. He hadn’t even realized he hadn’t texted Jennie to wish her goodnight. The thought hit him like a punch to the gut. She probably thought he didn’t care, that he had just moved on from everything, and...

He froze.

Oh God. He had never left a conversation hanging like that.

His fingers hovered over his phone. Maybe it was too late now to message her. Maybe she was asleep. But then again... what if she’s awake?

The idea of her lying there, maybe thinking about him like he was thinking about her, made his stomach flip. His heart pounded as he stared at the screen, his thumb tapping on the phone’s glass. But he couldn’t send a message. Not after everything. It felt too... casual. He needed to see her. He needed to hear her voice.

Without thinking, he clicked on her name and hit the FaceTime button.

It rang once. Twice. And then ...

She picked up.

Jennie’s face appeared on the screen, her expression initially startled before she let out a tired sigh. Her hair was a little messy, her eyes half-lidded, as though she’d just woken up. The dim lighting of her room gave her an almost ethereal glow, and for a moment, Mingyu couldn’t breathe.

“Hey,” he said, his voice a little raspy from the long day. “What are you doing ?”

She rubbed her eyes, clearly not expecting this. “Mingyu ? It’s late..."she paused and her eyes became wide open " And you’re calling me looking like that ?"

Mingyu leaned closer to the camera with a lazy grin, the towel still wrapped around his waist, his bare chest visible. He couldn’t resist teasing her. “Like what ? Distractingly handsome ?” He smirked, letting his eyes drop briefly before lifting them back to meet hers. “Or just shirtless enough ?”

Jennie’s face tightened as she flushed slightly. Her mouth curled into a smirk, but there was an unmistakable hint of heat in her eyes. “I’m hanging up” she threatened, her voice a mix of amusement and something else he couldn’t quite place.

“Too late” Mingyu replied smoothly, his grin growing. He leaned even closer to the camera, watching her eyes widen slightly as his voice dropped lower. “I already caught you staring.”

Jennie’s breath hitched, and she quickly glanced away, trying to hide the flush creeping up her neck. But Mingyu saw it all, the way her face softened, how her lips parted just the tiniest bit. She wasn’t as unaffected as she was pretending.

“Don’t do this” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, though the smirk tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement.

“Don’t do what ?” Mingyu teased, his voice low, now completely leaning into the flirtation. “Look at you. I’m not the only one feeling this, am I ?”

She rolled her eyes, but Mingyu noticed the way her body shifted, the way she pulled the blanket up to her chin like she was suddenly self-conscious. Her eyes, though ? They didn’t leave him. They were glued to his face, drawn to him despite her best efforts to keep her cool.

His heart raced, but it wasn’t from exhaustion anymore. It was because of her.

“I shouldn’t be doing this” she said, her voice thick with hesitation. “It’s late. You need to sleep.”

Mingyu smiled, leaning back slightly but never breaking eye contact. He loved seeing her squirm like this, loved how much she was trying to hide what was happening between them.

“Yeah” he agreed softly, though his grin remained. “But I couldn’t help it. I had to see you.”

Her breath caught again, and for a moment, the playful teasing faded, replaced with something much deeper. The silence stretched between them, heavier than before. And it wasn’t just the physical distance that hung there now. It was the tension.

Finally, Jennie spoke, her voice quieter, as if she was confessing something she wasn’t entirely ready to admit. “I...uh, I almost thought about calling you last night, too.”

Mingyu’s pulse quickened. “Yeah ? And what would you have said ?”

She hesitated, but then her eyes met his, and he could see the flicker of longing in them. “I don’t know. I guess… I would’ve asked if you made it home okay.”

Mingyu’s smile softened, his voice low and sincere now. “I’m home, Jennie. And I’m thinking about you.”

There was another long pause as they just looked at each other. And for a brief moment, it was just them, their faces framed by the dim lighting of their respective rooms, a shared connection that neither of them could quite explain, but both of them felt deep down.

Then, Mingyu broke the silence with a teasing tone. “You’re trying to hide it, aren’t you ? That you missed me.”

Jennie gave him a look that was half-amused, half-embarrassed. “Oh, please. Not everything has to be about you.” “Oh, but it is” Mingyu murmured, voice dripping with playful certainty. “And you’re just as affected as I am.”

Jennie swallowed hard, the heat from his words making her pulse race. She wanted to deny it, to keep up the pretense that it was no big deal, but everything inside her screamed that it was.

She just couldn’t say it out loud. Not yet.

“Well, I guess you’ll never know” she said with a teasing smile, but even she couldn’t hide the soft look in her eyes.

Mingyu’s smile lingered, his heart hammering in his chest. “Goodnight, Jennie,” he said softly, already knowing that he wouldn’t be able to sleep anytime soon.

“Goodnight, Mingyu” she whispered back, and though the call ended, the connection between them remained.

As he lay back against his pillows, staring at the ceiling, he couldn’t help but think about how things were changing. How the tension between them had grown deeper, how the almost-kiss, the near miss, was only the beginning.

And he was ready for more.

Chapter Text

Mingyu dragged himself through the front door, his body aching with exhaustion. The day had been long, filled with practice sessions, choreography reviews, and endless discussions about their next schedule. His muscles felt heavy, his mind foggy. He could barely keep his eyes open as he tossed his jacket aside and trudged toward the bathroom for a quick shower.

The mirror reflected a tired version of him, eyes dark and unfocused. He had barely slept the night before, too busy tossing and turning in bed, replaying fragments of his last conversation with Jennie. His body was on autopilot, performing the mundane tasks, but his thoughts were still miles away. He wasn’t even sure if it was exhaustion or something else that made him feel so out of it.

He undressed, wrapped a towel around his waist, and sank under the coolness of the shower. The steam wrapped around him, the water cascading down his body in soothing streams. But it didn’t take long for his mind to drift again. The events of the day, rehearsals, group discussions, and most importantly Jennie, flooded his brain.

God, Jennie. It felt like she had been lingering in his mind for weeks now, but today, it had intensified. Their late-night FaceTime call had left him in a haze, her smile and laughter dancing in his head like an unrelenting loop. He hadn’t been able to focus on anything since. Everything seemed to remind him of her, her voice, the way she would smile, how she teased him, how she fit into his world so easily, making everything seem lighter.

He imagined what it would be like to feel her hands on his chest again, the way her fingers had brushed against him when she’d been so close. His body reacted almost instinctively, a tightness building in his chest. Mingyu clenched his jaw, cursing under his breath. It was just a touch, but it felt like it had burned through him, leaving him aching with the memory of it. His mind started to spiral, replaying every interaction they'd had, every laugh they shared, every stolen glance.

He couldn’t shake the thought of her. What would it feel like to have her closer ? To feel the softness of her skin pressed against his ? The way her lips looked when she smiled, when she teased him, how they would feel under his, soft and warm. The idea of her underneath him, her body flush against his, sent a rush of heat through him. His breath quickened as the image of her lips, her body, her curves, flashed in his mind.

His hand gripped the shower wall as the tension in his body grew. He couldn’t get the thought out of his head. What would it be like to have her in his arms, her legs wrapped around him as he kissed her ? The thought of her surrendering to him, her breath hitching in the silence between their kisses, made his pulse race.

Mingyu let out a frustrated groan, turning the water temperature colder, trying to cool the heat that had suddenly built inside him. But it didn’t work. The image of Jennie wouldn’t leave him. Her smile, her voice, the way she made him feel ? everything about her was driving him crazy.

He couldn’t even focus on the damn shower. His thoughts kept drifting to what it would be like to have her pressed against him, to hold her close as if she were his. What would it feel like to slip his fingers into her hair, to feel her lips on his again, deeper this time, without the teasing distance between them ? What would it feel like to have her gasp as he kissed her, to feel her hands pulling him closer, urging him to give in?

The thought of it was overwhelming. But his body still burned for her. And that was the problem.

Mingyu stepped out of the shower, the cold air of the room hitting his damp skin like a sudden jolt of reality. His mind was still tangled in thoughts of Jennie, thoughts that wouldn’t let him go. It wasn’t just the physical attraction that had been consuming him lately. Sure, the memory of her smile, the way she laughed, the warmth of her presence were enough to make his pulse quicken. But there was something more, something deeper than just the surface-level attraction he’d once thought was all there was between them.

The truth was, over time, that feeling had changed. It had grown, quietly at first, like a seed planted deep in the soil, and now, it had taken root, filling every corner of his mind with longing. He wasn’t just thinking about her body, about the way she’d looked at him or how their hands had brushed so many times. Those moments, fleeting as they were, had always stirred something in him. But now, it was about more than just the chemistry. It was about wanting to share his world with her in a way he hadn’t with anyone else before.

He couldn’t deny it anymore. The playful teasing, the stolen moments they shared, those had been easy, safe, distractions. But now it was different. The way he craved her presence wasn’t just about wanting her to be close, wanting to feel her warmth against him. It was about something deeper. Something more profound that had crept up on him without him fully realizing.

Mingyu’s mind wandered back to the late-night conversations they’d shared. At first, they had felt light, nothing more than idle chat between friends. But then, as the hours passed and the world outside their screens faded away, something had shifted. It was in the way their conversations flowed so easily, the way they didn’t need to fill the silence with words. It was the moments of quiet understanding, when he’d look at her and feel like they were both on the same wavelength, as though they were saying everything without speaking.

The way she had looked at him that night, when they said goodnight... It wasn’t like any look she’d given him before. It was soft, filled with something unspoken that made his chest tighten. He had felt it in the pit of his stomach, the deep pull toward her, the undeniable urge to close the space between them.

But it wasn’t just about the physical pull. It was more than that. He found himself thinking about what it would be like to have her in his life beyond the moments they shared in private. To be the one who was there when she needed someone, to share quiet moments, laughter, and even the pain of the world they lived in. What would it feel like to truly be part of her life, to be the one who could call her just to hear her voice, or simply sit with her in silence and have it feel right ?

There was an intimacy in that idea, a deeper connection that he hadn’t considered before. He wanted to be the one she reached for, not just when she needed a friend or when they had a free moment between hectic schedules, but all the time. He wanted to be the one who made her laugh in a way that was just for them, who held her when the weight of the world felt too heavy. That kind of closeness, that sense of belonging, those were the things he realized he was craving now.

It had started with the small things, the way she made him feel like he wasn’t just another idol, just another face in the crowd. With her, he was himself. He didn’t have to be on guard, didn’t have to keep up the facade. She saw him, all of him, and yet somehow, it didn’t scare him. It made him want more.

He had always been used to the chase, the excitement of a crush, the way his heart raced when someone caught his attention. But Jennie had changed that. She made him think about the future, about the kind of life he wanted, not just the next big moment or the thrill of a new connection. He wanted her to be part of that future. It wasn’t about a fleeting attraction anymore. It wasn’t about wanting just another night together, more stolen moments.

No. It was about her. About wanting to be more than just a passing thought in her day, more than just the fun and teasing that had once been the foundation of their interactions. He wanted to know her, really know her, in a way that wasn’t confined to the boundaries of friendship or flirtation.

The jealousy he’d felt earlier when he’d seen her with another idol while he was scrolling on instagram, it had stung, yes, but it had also been a revelation. It wasn’t just about a physical desire for her body; it was the thought of someone else being close to her in that way, the thought of someone else sharing that bond with her, it was more than he could stand. It was that realization, that jealousy, that forced him to confront the truth. He didn’t just want her physically. He wanted her in his life, in the most intimate, all encompassing way possible.

Mingyu exhaled deeply, a wave of frustration sweeping over him. He had tried to push these thoughts down for so long, to keep the distance between them. But now, it was too late. He couldn’t keep pretending that this was just another crush, another fleeting feeling. It was real. It was deep. And it wasn’t just about the physical. He wanted her. All of her.

His hand hovered over his phone, the weight of his decision pressing on him. He wasn’t going to wait anymore. He was done pretending, done hiding behind the walls he’d built. He wanted more than just a playful text exchange or a late-night chat. He wanted to take that first step toward something real. Toward her.

With a deep breath, he typed his message.

[Mingyu] : Busy tonight ?

The reply came a few minutes later.

Jennie stared at her phone, fingers hovering above the screen as she read the message again. She felt a flash of warmth spread through her chest as she imagined Mingyu smirking on the other end. She could practically picture it, his playful grin, the way his eyes would gleam with mischief, and that confident air about him that always made her heart skip a beat. It was impossible to ignore, especially when it made her feel like she was already wrapped around his finger.

[Jennie] : Why ?

A simple question, but it felt loaded with so many unspoken things. She watched the message send and leaned back against her pillows, waiting for his reply. Was he going to make this harder for her? Or would he just throw out something even more direct?

As she waited, she allowed herself to indulge in the thought of what a date with Mingyu might actually feel like. A real one, not just the casual hangouts they’d had before. Maybe she was overthinking this. But maybe she wasn’t.

Seconds passed, and then....his response.

[Mingyu] : "Because I want to see you. And before you try to dodge...yes, it’s a date."

Jennie’s heart skipped. She read the message twice, then a third time, just to make sure she wasn’t imagining it.

A date.

He had said it outright. Not “let’s hang out,” not “let’s grab food,” not “wanna go for a drive ?”

Her stomach flipped as her fingers gripped the edges of her phone. Was she ready for this ?. It was easy to play it cool with him when they were together in person, exchanging jokes, teasing each other, keeping everything light. But this ? This felt different. She wasn’t sure how to handle it. A date ? Was he serious ? They had spent time together before, sure, but this was new. And the weight of that was making her feel both excited and… anxious.

She chewed on her lip, deliberating. Should she dismiss it as nothing, just another one of his playful suggestions ? Or was he actually being serious ? He had always had a way of making things feel so effortless, so natural. But this... this felt like a step beyond the friendly teasing they were used to. Was she ready for that ? Was she ready to open up to the idea of them becoming something more ?

Her thumb hovered over the keyboard.

She could always say no, right ? There was always the option of brushing it off. She could joke, play it cool, and pretend she didn’t care. She had mastered that mask long ago. But something in her chest twisted as she thought about it. What if this was different ?

It had been building up for weeks now, this pull she felt when they were together. The chemistry, the moments that felt more intimate than she was willing to admit. The way her heart fluttered when he looked at her a little too long, the way her stomach would tighten when he made her laugh. It was hard to ignore, even though she tried.

Jennie pressed her lips together, staring at her phone, weighing her options. Do I just let him in ? She could already feel the excitement bubbling beneath her skin, but there was that familiar hesitation too. What happens if I say yes ? The thought of opening up to him in this way, it was both thrilling and terrifying.

Her mind buzzed with a million thoughts. The word date felt heavier than it should have, more serious. She had always been careful with the idea of relationships, always cautious, never rushing into anything. And yet, everything about Mingyu had been different. He made her feel things she hadn’t expected to feel, things she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Because the truth was, they had already been acting like something more. The long conversations late into the night, the way their words seemed to flow effortlessly, like they were on the same wavelength. The quiet moments, when no words were needed, and just being in his presence felt enough.

And then there was the way he looked at her. Like she was the only person in the room. She could feel the weight of his gaze, how it made her heart race in a way she couldn't ignore.

But it wasn’t just that. It was the way she felt when she was with him, light, unguarded, free. When Mingyu was around, the walls she had spent so much time building seemed to fade away. She didn’t have to pretend. She could just be herself.

Her breath caught in her chest as the implications of the word date sank in.

She hadn’t planned for this. She had told herself that this year was about her, about regaining her own space, focusing on her future, learning to enjoy her own company again. Relationships had been the last thing on her mind. She had meant to take a break, to breathe, to focus on herself.

But then came Mingyu. And with him came this strange, magnetic pull she hadn’t been able to ignore.

Now here she was, heart pounding, staring at a text that felt like a turning point. She couldn’t deny it, her body had already made the decision for her. The excitement fluttering in her stomach, the way her thoughts had been consumed by him in the past days, all of it had brought her to this moment.

Maybe this was something she wasn’t supposed to resist. Maybe it was fate, a sign that she wasn’t meant to be alone anymore, or maybe she just needed to let herself live a little.

The question wasn’t whether she was ready for this, but whether she was ready to let herself take the risk. She had always been cautious, always held back, but Mingyu... he made her want to leap without looking down.

She exhaled slowly, as if releasing a breath she’d been holding for too long. Maybe this was a chance to let go, to explore something she had been too scared to try.

Okay, she thought, Let’s see where this goes.

She typed her response and hit send.

Her heart pounding. A date. Tonight. The thought of seeing him, of being close to him in that way, set her pulse racing. It was a simple word, but the meaning behind it felt heavy.

She hit send, her heart pounding. A date. Tonight. The thought of seeing him, of being close to him in that way, set her pulse racing.

Mingyu stared at the screen, his heart hammering in his chest. The word “Fine” flashed back at him, and a grin spread across his face before he could stop it. She said yes. It was more than he expected, and everything in him wanted to leap at the chance to see her tonight.

He’d been trying to ignore the pull he felt toward her, the constant ache for her presence. But now ? Now, it was undeniable. He wanted her tonight. The thought of being with her, without any pretense or games, sent a thrill through him.

His fingers flew over the keyboard.

[Mingyu] : "Great. I’ll pick you up at 11"

It was all happening so fast, and yet, he knew it was the right time. No more playing it cool. No more holding back. He had to have her in his world tonight.

He hit send and leaned back against his couch, the excitement buzzing through him. There was no turning back now.

-

Jennie hadn’t expected to feel this nervous.

She had stood in front of her mirror for way too long, cycling through outfits that all suddenly felt too casual, too serious, too... not right. It wasn’t about impressing him, not really. It was about how this wasn’t just a maybe anymore. No more hiding behind friendship or harmless flirting. He’d said it himself. A date.

The word echoed in her chest as she slid into the passenger seat of his sleek black car. The door shut with a soft click, trapping her inside the charged space between them.

Mingyu turned toward her, his signature grin already tugging at the corner of his lips. One hand rested on the wheel, the other lazily draped over the gearshift, like he’d been waiting for her all night.

“Hey, Noona.”

Jennie rolled her eyes at the nickname, but the flutter in her chest betrayed her “Hey.”

The car purred to life, deep bass from the speakers vibrating through the seats as a slow, sensual R&B track filled the silence. The kind that dripped like honey, all velvet harmonies and pulsing beats. Of course he’d set the mood, because of course Mingyu knew exactly what he was doing.

The city lights spilled through the windows as they drove, shadows dancing across his face in passing streaks. Jennie tried not to stare, but the way the light played against his sharp jawline, the calm grip he had on the wheel, the relaxed way he leaned back like he had all the time in the world, it was unfair. He was completely at ease. Too attractive for her peace of mind.

“You’re staring” Mingyu said without looking over, voice smug and low.

Jennie scoffed, heat blooming in her cheeks. “I am not.” “You are.” He glanced at her briefly, that grin deepening. “It’s okay, though. I’d stare at me, too.”

She snorted. “You’re unbelievable.” “And yet,” he murmured, glancing at her again, eyes lingering this time, voice dropping, “You’re here. On a date. With me.”

The word sat there, bold and warm and unshakable. Date. She didn’t correct him. She didn’t want to.

“Shut up and drive, Kim.”

He smirked but obeyed, turning his focus back to the road, though she could see the satisfaction curling in the corner of his smile.

The drive stretched in a comforting rhythm, music flowing around them like silk, tension slowly winding tighter with every shared glance, every brush of his fingers near the gear shift. The silence between them wasn’t empty. It was electric. Their bodies knew what their mouths hadn’t dared say yet.

Eventually, he pulled off the main road, guiding the car down a quiet stretch that overlooked the city from above. It was beautiful, washed in the soft amber of streetlamps and distant stars. No one around. Just them and the night.

Jennie blinked when the engine turned off.

“Here ?” she asked, curiosity blooming in her voice.

“Here,” he confirmed, climbing out and walking around to open her door like it was second nature. She stepped out, the breeze catching her hair, and her eyes widened slightly when she saw the backseat.

A basket. A real one. With a folded blanket and homemade food containers inside, along with a pair of chilled non-alcoholic beers nestled in ice. It was simple, but thoughtful in that quietly intimate way that made something tighten in her chest.

“Mingyu... did you make this ?”

He rubbed the back of his neck, just a little shy for once. “Yeah. I mean, it’s nothing fancy. But I figured, you know... I wanted it to be real.”

Jennie stared at him, surprised, not because she didn’t think he could do it, but because he did. For her. He really meant it..

Her gaze lingered on the little picnic setup between them, the folded napkins, the neat containers, the careful thought behind each item. It wasn’t about the food. It was about the care. The intention.

“Real, huh ?” she murmured, her lips twitching. “You’re kind of impossible to read sometimes, you know that ?”

Mingyu rubbed the back of his neck again, a little sheepish, but his eyes didn’t leave hers. “I think you read me just fine.”

There was something quiet in the air after that an unspoken shift. A soft breath of truth lingering between them.

They didn’t move to the backseat. They didn’t need to, They stayed at the front.

Mingyu had turned off the engine, but the music kept playing, low and rhythmic, pouring out of the speakers like a secret. The city glittered below them, but Jennie barely noticed. Her attention was entirely on him.

They sat sideways in their seats, knees angled toward one another, their bodies pulled into the same orbit like gravity had chosen this moment for them.

Jennie leaned back a little, taking him in.

Even in the dim light, she could see the faint shadows under his eyes. The wear of long nights, early mornings. Practice. Schedules. Pressure. He always carried it like it was nothing but tonight, she saw through it.

“You’re tired” she said softly.

Mingyu’s brow lifted slightly. “That obvious ?” “To me, yeah” she murmured, her gaze gentle. “You’ve been pushing yourself too hard again, haven’t you ?”

He looked away for a second, then exhaled through his nose. “It’s just... stuff’s picking up again. Choreo, interviews, late-night shoots. You know how it goes.”

Jennie nodded, understanding more than she could say.

“Still” she said, her voice quieter now, “You didn’t have to do all this. The basket, the drive, tonight...”

His eyes flicked back to hers. “I wanted to.”

A pause. Then...

“I needed to.”

There it was. No deflection. No teasing. Just truth, bare and vulnerable.

Jennie’s chest tightened, something warm and aching blooming there. She reached across the console and brushed her fingers against his... just a graze, but he turned his palm up instantly, catching her touch like it was instinct.

“I’m glad you did” she whispered.

For a moment, they just sat like that, fingers intertwined in the small space between them, music wrapping around their silence.

Then she spotted the box of strawberries still nestled in the center of the basket

Jennie grinned, voice dipping into something laced with challenge. "So… is this where you try to seduce me with chocolate ?”

Mingyu’s mouth curled into a slow smile. “I was thinking more along the lines of gently impressing you. But… seduction has a nice ring to it.”

She laughed, the sound light and musical, like a breeze in the heat of summer, something that grounded them even as the atmosphere thickened again, tension curling like smoke in the narrow space between their bodies.

Jennie plucked a strawberry from the box, her gaze never leaving his. “Let’s see how good you are at both.”

The strawberry gleamed dark with chocolate, glossy and tempting under the low light, like it already knew it was part of something bigger.

Mingyu leaned in, just slightly, the barest tilt of his frame, his eyes laser-focused on her lips. “Careful,” he murmured, voice like velvet and gravel all at once. “You’re playing with fire.”

Her eyes sparkled. “Maybe I like the burn.”

The chocolate strawberries had stopped being food the moment their fingers brushed. Now, each bite was a dare. A line crossed.

Jennie tried to concentrate on the sweetness, the texture, but it was impossible, not when Mingyu was licking his fingers after every bite, slow and deliberate, not when the soft thrum of The Weeknd’s voice pulsed around them like a second heartbeat. The air in the car was dense, electric.

He fed her another piece, fingers grazing her mouth with the kind of care that made her breath catch.

“Sweet, right ?” he asked, tone low, coaxing, like he already knew the answer.

Jennie didn’t answer. She couldn’t. Not when his voice had dipped like that, low and lazy and heavy with meaning. She chewed slowly, almost deliberately, lips parting just slightly more than necessary, eyes fixed on his.

Mingyu’s tongue darted out to swipe a drop of juice from his thumb. Jennie tracked it with unblinking focus, her thighs pressing together instinctively. Her whole body was thrumming with need, her thoughts entirely overtaken by the man sitting inches away, by the way he was watching her, like he already knew she was unraveling, like he wanted to push her off that edge.

Then she saw it.

A single line of strawberry juice sliding slowly from the corner of his mouth, tracing the hard angle of his jaw, glistening against his perfect skin.

Her breath caught.

She didn’t think. She reacted.

Jennie leaned across the console, steadying herself with her hands on his thighs. Mingyu stilled, tension snapping taut in the tiny space between them.

She dipped her head, her breath brushing his collarbone, and then slowly, agonizingly, dragged her tongue up. She traced the path of the juice, from his throat up to the corner of his mouth, heat blooming between them like a wildfire.

She lingered there, at the edge of his lips, her breath warm, her lips hovering like a promise.

A soft, deliberate lick. A whisper of her breath against his lips.

Mingyu didn’t move. Couldn’t. Every muscle in his body was suspended between restraint and need, between holding back and giving in. His hands fisted the seat. His pulse thundered.

Jennie pulled back an inch, just enough to look into his eyes. “Still playing with fire ?” she whispered.

And then, like gravity had chosen them, they moved.

Like a match to gasoline.

Mingyu surged forward, his hand cupping the back of her head as he pulled her into him, mouths crashing together in a kiss that was messy, needy, raw. It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t slow. It was everything they had been denying themselves, all the teasing, the flirting, the looks, the tension, they first look at the after-party, it all exploded in that moment.

Jennie moaned into his mouth, the sound sending Mingyu into a frenzy. He kissed her like he was starving, like he was trying to memorize the exact way she tasted, the exact shape of her sighs.

She leaned in, lips crashing against his in a kiss that was not tentative, not careful, but desperate, urgent, as though they’d both been holding their breath for too long. Her hand reached for his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath his shirt. She wanted to feel him, every inch of him. She needed to feel him

The kiss deepened instantly, becoming more frantic. His hands were at her waist in an instant, pulling her closer, fingers digging into the soft fabric of her sweater as he pulled her into his lap. The weight of her body pressed against him, sending a surge of heat through his veins. His heart raced. There was no room for doubt, no space for uncertainty. There was only this, only her.

Her body responded, shifting in his lap, the heat between them unbearable. She didn’t want to be apart from him, not even an inch. She wanted to sink into him, to lose herself in the moment, to give in to the craving that had been gnawing at her since the first glance. She could feel his breath hitching, and the low, almost frustrated groan that escaped his throat only made her want him more.

Mingyu broke the kiss for a breath, both of them gasping, but neither of them pulling away. His hands slid down her back, over the curve of her hips, pulling her closer, impossibly closer. He could feel the press of her body against his, the tension building again, higher than before. There was no going back now.

Jennie’s fingers found the fabric of his shirt, tugging it upward, desperate to feel his skin beneath her hands. The sensation of her touch, so sure and eager, made his pulse thunder in his ears. His chest tightened as she moved over him, her hips grinding against his as if they were already on the verge of something...something that neither of them wanted to stop.

But then, she paused. Jennie pulled back slightly, just enough to meet his gaze. Her eyes flickered with something more vulnerable now, uncertainty mingled with desire. “Mingyu… are you sure ?” she whispered, her voice thick with the emotions swirling between them.

His gaze softened, hands cupping her face, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” His words were simple, yet there was a weight to them, something honest, raw, unfiltered. “But we don’t have to rush this. Not if you don’t want to.”

Her heart skipped a beat. She had expected him to push, to make this a game of who could hold out the longest. But instead, he gave her the space to decide, to feel it. To take a breath. And Jennie, despite the heat that still curled in her belly, nodded. Her fingers traced the line of his jaw, her lips curving up into a soft, teasing smile. “I’m not running, Mingyu,” she whispered. “I just want it to be right.”

The words sent a shiver through him, and before he could say anything else, she was leaning in again, capturing his lips with hers. This time, it was slow. Sensual. She wanted to savor this. Their mouths moved together in perfect sync, tasting and exploring, the kiss growing deeper, more urgent. Her hands slid beneath his shirt, fingers skimming over the taut muscle of his chest. The contrast of his warmth and the cool air of the car sent a jolt through her, but it wasn’t enough to make her stop.

Mingyu’s hands were on her back again, slipping under her sweater, feeling the softness of her skin as he traced the curve of her spine. He couldn’t get enough. Her body was like a magnet, pulling him in, every movement a pull toward something neither of them had the words for. His breath quickened as she shifted in his lap again, the pressure of her body against him making it impossible to think, to process anything except how right this felt.

The tension between them had reached its breaking point, but neither of them wanted to give in just yet, not completely. Not without savoring every second, every inch of this raw connection. Jennie pulled back slightly, and this time, it wasn’t because she was unsure. It was because she needed something more. Something they hadn’t yet shared. Her lips were parted, her breath coming in quick bursts, and her eyes, God, those eyes, burned with desire. She looked at him with a challenge, a spark that dared him to match her energy.

And match it, he did.

Without warning, Mingyu reached for the strawberries and chocolate that had been tucked away in the car, the small gesture somehow adding to the sweetness of the moment. He dipped a strawberry into the chocolate and brought it to her lips.

Jennie didn’t hesitate. She bit into it, eyes never leaving his. And then, in an unspoken agreement, Mingyu dipped another one and slowly fed it to her, his fingers grazing the corner of her mouth. Her lips were still coated in chocolate when he leaned in, licking it off slowly, deliberately, making her shiver. The act was simple, but the way he did it, the way his lips lingered just a little too long against hers, set off a fire deep within her.

Her body reacted before her mind could catch up, and she gripped his shirt again, pulling him closer. He responded instantly, kissing her hard, tasting the sweetness of the chocolate on her tongue, their movements matching in urgency.

And then, just as quickly, Mingyu pulled back, staring at her lips with a heat so intense it was almost suffocating. Without thinking, he leaned in again, licking the edge of her lip, this time, not from chocolate, but from the glistening trace of strawberry juice.

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, neither of them moved. The moment felt suspended in time, the taste of fruit and the heat between them mingling into something explosive.

They came together at once, mouths crashing again together in a kiss so raw, so hungry like they can't get enough, it consumed everything around them. The heat between them spiraled, building, growing, until nothing else mattered but the need to finally feel each other in the way they had been aching for.

Jennie’s hands moved with a purpose, pulling him closer, her body grinding against his as he responded with equal fervor. His hands were everywhere, on her hips, her back, her neck, as though he couldn’t get enough of her. She was all softness and fire, and he couldn’t pull away. He didn’t want to.

Their kisses grew frantic, desperate, the world outside forgotten. They both knew, this was it. The moment they had both been waiting for. Nothing would stop them now.

Chapter Text

The air in the car felt impossibly still.

Not heavy exactly more like suspended, like time had paused just to let them sit in the silence. Their breaths were the only sound, mingling softly in the dim space between them.

Jennie slowly leaned back into her seat, her pulse still thrumming against her ribs like a soft drumbeat. Her body was warm in a way that wasn’t just physical, it was emotional, too. Lingering. Lingering from his touch, his nearness, his eyes on hers like she was something sacred.

She closed her eyes for a second, inhaling slowly through her nose, trying to center herself. But even with her eyes closed, she could feel him beside her. Mingyu. Too close, and somehow not close enough.

Her fingertips still tingled from where they’d clutched at the fabric of his hoodie. Her lips felt too aware, like they'd been almost kissed and that almost was louder than any kiss could’ve been.

God. What just happened ?

She opened her eyes and turned slightly toward the window, watching the quiet fog that had bloomed across the glass. It blurred the world outside, made the night feel softer, dreamlike.

And across from her, Mingyu still hadn’t moved.

He sat motionless in the driver’s seat, elbows resting on his knees, his head tilted back ever so slightly. His heart was beating too fast. Like he’d run a marathon. Like she’d wrecked him with nothing but her presence, her breath, her willingness to let herself be seen.

He didn’t dare look at her again.

Because if he did, he wasn’t sure he could stop himself from reaching over. From pulling her back into his arms and finishing what they started. And he didn’t want to rush this. Whatever this was, it wasn’t just heat. It wasn’t just want.

It was more. So much more that it scared him a little.

Still, he couldn’t stop the quiet words from slipping out of his mouth.

“You okay?”

Jennie turned slowly, blinking at him. Her lips curved into something small and fragile. “Yeah,” she breathed, voice barely above a whisper. “I think I just forgot how to breathe for a second.”

Mingyu’s chest tightened. He chuckled quietly, just once, like he didn’t quite know what to do with himself. “Same.”

A soft silence settled between them again. But this time, it wasn’t filled with tension. It was filled with something tender. Something they weren’t quite ready to name.

Jennie tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and gave a soft laugh, just a breath of amusement. “That was… intense.”

Mingyu nodded slowly, his gaze finally dragging over to her. “Yeah,” he said, eyes locked on hers. “But not in a bad way.”

Jennie shook her head. “No. Not bad.” Her smile tilted a little. “Just… unexpected.”

He let out a breath, his fingers flexing once on his thigh like he was trying to release something that still clung to him. “I didn’t mean for tonight to be like that,”he said. “I didn’t plan it. I just… I don’t know. When I’m with you, I don’t want to hold back.”

Her stomach flipped. She stared at him for a moment, something soft and vulnerable rising in her throat.

“I don’t want you to,” she said quietly.

And just like that, they were close again, without touching. A breath away. A heartbeat apart.

But this time, Jennie was the one who broke the tension.

“I need some air” she murmured, already reaching for the door. “Before I combust or something.”

Mingyu’s laugh was low and full of warmth. “Yeah. Good call.”

She stepped out first, her shoes crunching softly against the gravel. The cold night air rushed up to meet her, kissing her flushed skin, grounding her.

And still, even with space between them again, she missed his warmth.

Mingyu followed seconds later, the car door shutting gently behind him. The air around them felt different out here. Less charged. Or maybe just diffused, stretched out under the stars.

Jennie wrapped her arms around herself, taking a deep breath.

Mingyu stood a few steps away, hands shoved in the pockets of his hoodie. He looked up at the sky briefly, then over at her. And when their eyes met, both of them smiled.

A little breathless.

A little stunned.

Like neither one quite knew how to come down from what had just happened.

They walked slowly, side by side, the cool night air wrapping around them like a gentle reminder that the world still existed beyond the bubble they had created for themselves. Their steps were light, almost in sync, as if their bodies had already learned to match each other’s rhythm without needing to think about it. The quiet stretched between them comfortably, like a soft blanket.

Jennie found herself glancing over at Mingyu, her gaze lingering longer than she meant. There was something in the way he was holding himself, a quiet confidence in the way he walked, that made her heart skip. His hoodie, a little too big, hung loosely on him, the fabric bunching at his sleeves where he had pushed them up earlier. His hair still looked messy from her fingers running through it, the disarray endearing.

And then there was his smile, the one he couldn’t quite keep hidden, no matter how much he tried. It was warm and genuine, a smile that made her feel like everything around them had disappeared. The way he looked at her, it wasn’t like before. It wasn’t playful teasing or casual flirtation.

This was different.

This was... something more.

Jennie’s heart fluttered in her chest at the thought. How long has he been looking at me like this?

She let out a soft laugh to herself, mostly to break the sudden pressure that was building between them. It was almost funny, how everything felt like it was shifting so quickly, and yet, at the same time, nothing had changed. But everything felt new.

Mingyu caught the sound of her laugh and looked at her, that smile turning into a grin that reached his eyes.

“Can’t stop smiling, can you ?” he teased, his voice light, but there was an undercurrent of something deeper, something that made Jennie’s breath catch just slightly.

Jennie couldn’t help it. She smiled wider, her cheeks heating. “It’s hard not to. You’re... impossible.”

Mingyu raised an eyebrow, but there was no mistaking the gleam of amusement in his eyes. “I’m impossible, huh ?” “You’re distracting” she said with a small roll of her eyes, trying to hide the warmth blooming in her chest. “I can’t focus when you look at me like that.” “Like what ?” he asked, his voice low, teasing. But there was something else there too. A hint of vulnerability that made Jennie’s heart skip again.

“Like I’m the only person in the world” she murmured, her voice so soft, she wasn’t sure he’d heard it.

But Mingyu had. And when he glanced over at her, it wasn’t teasing anymore. His gaze was steady, searching, like he wanted to say something, but he was choosing his words carefully.

He reached for her hand, just a subtle shift in his posture. His fingers brushed against hers, the barest touch. It was like asking for permission, the way his hand hovered near hers, waiting. The moment was full of unspoken words, the quiet understanding of what was happening between them.

Jennie didn’t pull away. Instead, she let her hand fall into his, fingers curling into his palm. The warmth of his hand against hers was grounding, like an anchor in the sea of emotions that had threatened to overwhelm her all night.

Her heart raced just a little, but there was no fear. Only excitement.

The world had slowed down in that simple touch.

Mingyu’s voice was soft, almost hesitant, but his fingers squeezed hers gently. “I’ve been wanting to do this for a while.”

Jennie’s breath caught in her throat. She didn’t say anything right away, letting his words settle between them. Wanting to do this for a while, it wasn’t just about holding hands. It was about all of it. The way they fit together in the silence. The way they made each other feel.

She squeezed his hand back, her voice barely above a whisper. “Me too.”

They continued walking, their steps falling naturally into sync, both of them giddy with the simplicity of being this close, of sharing this moment. Their fingers brushed occasionally, as if both of them were reminding themselves this wasn’t a dream. This was real.

For a while, neither of them said anything. It didn’t feel like silence, though. It felt like they were speaking without words, like the space between them was filled with everything that had just happened—and everything that was yet to come.

Finally, Jennie spoke again, her voice lighter now, with a touch of wonder.

“I didn’t know it could feel like this.”

Mingyu looked over at her, his expression soft, a little bit puzzled. “Feel like what ?” “Like... everything just makes sense” she said quietly, looking up at the sky. “Like I didn’t know how much I wanted this until it was happening. And now I just... I don’t know how to stop.”

His heart thumped in his chest, the words hitting him harder than he expected. “I don’t want it to stop.”

Jennie stole another glance at Mingyu. His features were softer now, no longer playful or teasing. There was a new vulnerability in his eyes, something deeper, something raw. It made her pulse quicken again, a soft heat blooming in her chest, and she wondered if he could feel it too.

They were silent, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was the kind of silence that said everything needed to be said had already passed between them, and now, all that was left was to let it settle.

Her heart thudded in her chest, the weight of everything still hanging in the air, everything that had happened, and everything that might happen. Her mind kept replaying the way their lips had met earlier, the hunger, the heat, the urgency.

But this time… this moment was different. She didn’t want to rush it. She didn’t need to. The anticipation lingered in her veins, her fingers tight around his hand, but there was a quiet kind of wonder, too.

Mingyu, still a little unsure of himself, noticed the way her breath seemed to catch whenever their eyes met. He felt the same way, even if he didn’t show it. His heart raced with every glance she gave him, with every small touch, and the urge to kiss her again, the urge to feel her lips against his, was growing too strong to ignore.

But this time, he didn’t want it to be the same. This wasn’t about wanting or needing or the rush of lust. This was about something else. This was about feeling every beat of their hearts, syncing them in a way that was delicate, tender, and full of everything they hadn’t yet said.

Without a word, he stopped walking, his hand still holding hers as he turned slightly to face her. Jennie, a little surprised, met his eyes. There was something different there, something soft and full of meaning.

Mingyu leaned in slowly, like he was giving her time to pull away if she needed to, but she didn’t. She stayed still, her breath soft and shallow, waiting. He cupped her face gently with his free hand, his thumb brushing over her cheekbone, a touch so light it made her shiver.

When his lips finally met hers, it wasn’t with the same urgency they’d shared earlier. This time, it was slow, so slow, like they were both savoring the moment. His lips brushed against hers with a tenderness that took her breath away, just a whisper of a kiss at first.

Jennie’s breath caught in her throat as she felt his warmth seep into her, his tongue gentle, exploring slowly, tasting her like he was afraid of breaking the spell. She opened her lips slightly, letting him in, and the kiss deepened just a bit, but it was still slow, deliberate. Every movement was patient, like they both wanted to take their time, to let every lingering emotion flow through them.

She responded in kind, her tongue shy at first, then bolder as she melted into the kiss, her hands moving to his chest, fingers brushing lightly against the fabric of his hoodie. She could feel the steady beat of his heart beneath her touch, and it made her want to stay in this moment forever.

Mingyu’s hand slipped to the back of her neck, his fingers threading into her hair as he pulled her just a little closer, but still, the kiss was soft, filled with meaning. The pressure of his lips against hers was firm but not demanding, every stroke of his tongue careful, as if they were both savoring something too precious to rush.

The world around them felt far away, muffled, as if only the two of them existed in this small, intimate space. There was no need for words, no need for anything other than this, the warmth of their lips together, the shared breath, the quiet exchange of everything that was happening between them.

When they finally pulled away, their foreheads met, a gentle touch as they caught their breath. Mingyu’s eyes were closed, his lips parted, as if he were still trying to absorb the depth of the kiss. Jennie’s heart was pounding in her chest, but it wasn’t the same frantic pace from earlier. This was calmer, steadier, a quiet thrill that hummed under her skin.

“I think that one was better than the first” Mingyu whispered, his voice hoarse but soft, a smile tugging at his lips.

Jennie smiled back, a soft laugh escaping her. “Yeah,” she breathed, still feeling the weight of his kiss on her lips, “I think so, too.”

They didn’t speak for a while after that. Instead, they continued walking, hand in hand, the quiet night surrounding them again, but now there was something unspoken between them, a connection that felt deeper than ever before. They didn’t need to say anything. They didn’t need to rush. The night was theirs, and it felt like it had just begun.

They continued their walk, their fingers still intertwined, the air between them warm despite the cool breeze. Every now and then, one would steal a glance at the other, a smile tugging at their lips when their eyes met. It felt comfortable, natural, like they had done this countless times before.

"Do you always hold hands like this ?" Jennie teased, raising an eyebrow as their steps fell into rhythm.

Mingyu grinned, his fingers giving hers a light squeeze. "Only when I’m with someone I can't stop thinking about," he replied, his voice dripping with playful charm. “Though, I have to admit, I’m kind of loving it.”

Jennie rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the soft smile that pulled at her lips. "You are such a dork. I swear, you think you’re so smooth.” “Hey, I am smooth” he said with mock indignation. “I just have to keep reminding you.” “Uh huh, sure” Jennie laughed. “If you say so.”

They continued walking, the night air crisp as they reached a small bench tucked away beneath a large tree. Mingyu paused, glancing at it with a mischievous grin. "You know" he started, his tone teasing, "this looks like a great spot for a mini adventure."

Jennie narrowed her eyes, not quite sure what he was getting at. "Mini adventure ? You’re not planning on doing anything weird, are you ?” "Hey, weird is a matter of perspective," Mingyu said, his lips curling into a playful smirk. "Come on, let’s sit."

With a shrug, Jennie let go of his hand, walking over to the bench. But instead of sitting down properly, Mingyu decided to perch himself on top of the backrest, a bit of a challenge in his posture, his legs dangling on either side. He looked ridiculously comfortable, leaning back with a sense of casual confidence that made Jennie roll her eyes.

“You are so extra,”Jennie said with a laugh, crossing her arms. “You can’t just sit like a normal person, can you ?”

"Normal is overrated," Mingyu replied, his voice light with humor. "You should try it. It’s a different vibe."

Jennie shook her head and plopped down between his legs, her back against his chest as she comfortably settled in. “You’re impossible.”

Mingyu grinned and wrapped one arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer so she could lean back against him more comfortably. His fingers brushed through her hair as he balanced himself with a steady grip on her shoulder. The closeness felt natural, and Jennie let out a soft sigh, relaxing into him.

“Perfect” he murmured, breathing in the quiet night air.

For a few moments, they just sat there, enjoying the silence, the steady rhythm of their breaths. Then, Jennie pulled out her phone, a spark of excitement in her eyes.

“Hey, you’ve gotta check this out” she said, unlocking the screen and opening an app that displayed star maps and constellations.

Mingyu leaned in a little, curious. "What’s that ?" “It’s an app that shows all the stars and constellations” Jennie explained, her voice suddenly shifting to one of excitement. “I love using it to look up at the night sky. There’s something kind of... magical about it, you know ?”

Mingyu raised an eyebrow, amused by how passionate she suddenly became. “Magical, huh ? Okay, tell me about it then, stargazer.”

Jennie grinned, eyes lighting up. “So, this here”she tapped on the screen, bringing up a bright, glowing constellation chart “This is the Big Dipper. It’s one of the easiest ones to find, and if you follow the stars from the end of the dip, it points straight to Polaris, the North Star.”

Mingyu leaned in closer, intrigued by the way her finger traced the paths of the constellations. He couldn’t help but smile at how excited she was, the way she spoke with such enthusiasm. It was like he was seeing a whole new side of her, one that wasn’t about the playful teasing or the tension from earlier, but something pure and full of wonder.

“Wait, so that means if we follow the Big Dipper, we could just... find the North Pole ?” Mingyu joked, feigning confusion.

Jennie rolled her eyes but playfully slapped his knee. “No, genius. You follow it to find the North Star, not the actual North Pole.” “Ohh, my bad.” Mingyu grinned. “I’m just imagining us with a map, tracking the stars in the middle of nowhere, like a couple of confused adventurers."

Jennie laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I swear, you're ridiculous. But seriously, the stars are kind of amazing, don’t you think ? They’ve been there for centuries, maybe even longer. It’s like we’re seeing a glimpse of something eternal."

Mingyu’s expression softened as he glanced up at the sky. He followed her gaze, watching the stars twinkle. “That’s actually... really cool. I never thought about it like that.” “Yeah, it makes everything feel... small, but also kind of special” Jennie said, smiling as she turned her head to look up at him. “You’re not always going to be able to find a moment like this, you know ?” “Yeah, I get that.” Mingyu’s voice dropped into something a little softer, a little more sincere. “I’m glad I’m here with you for this one.”

Jennie’s heart fluttered at the way his words felt. She didn’t need to say anything in response, though. Instead, she just leaned back a little, savoring the closeness, the easy way they fit together.

They sat there for a while, a quiet laughter lingering between them as she continued to explain constellations, her words mixing with his teasing and playful remarks. The night air, the stars, the soft warmth of Mingyu’s embrace, it all felt like a dream that Jennie didn’t want to wake up from.

As they sat there, the cool night air surrounding them and the stars above twinkling brightly, Jennie’s eyes shifted toward her phone again. A small thought struck her, and she suddenly felt the urge to capture the moment. The night felt too perfect to let slip by without preserving a piece of it.

She unlocked her phone, opening her camera roll. “I need to take a picture of this sky” Jennie said softly, her voice filled with awe. “It’s so clear tonight.”

Mingyu, who had been watching her with a soft smile, nodded. “Yeah, it’s incredible. You should.”

She raised the phone, aiming it up at the vast sky above them. She snapped a picture, the stars scattered across the canvas of the night. The clarity was almost surreal. It was a moment that felt untouched by time, so pure, so... hers.

After a beat, Jennie lowered her phone and turned it in Mingyu’s direction, a playful glint in her eyes. “Now, let’s take one for us. You know, for the memory.”

Mingyu raised an eyebrow but didn’t protest, his curiosity piqued. “For us, huh ? Well, if you insist, I guess I’ll humor you.”

Jennie chuckled, raising the phone between them. “Get in here,” she said with a smile, pulling him closer by the sleeve of his hoodie. Her fingers instinctively brushed against his arm as she positioned the phone, ensuring they were both in the frame.

Just before she clicked the shutter, Mingyu leaned in, his lips brushing against her cheek. Jennie froze for a moment, feeling the soft touch of his kiss, his warmth against her skin. She could almost feel her heart skip a beat as his lips lingered for a fraction of a second longer than she expected.

Jennie quickly snapped the photo, the camera capturing the moment. She glanced at the picture, her heart warming at the sight of them together, so natural and at ease.

“Perfect,” Jennie murmured, her voice soft, as she lowered her phone again. But before she could even bring the phone down, Mingyu shifted again, his lips gently pressing to her forehead this time.

Jennie felt the soft press of his lips on her skin, her chest tightening as if she could barely contain the emotion swelling inside her. She let out a quiet breath, her phone still in her hand, and in one fluid motion, she took another picture, this time of his kiss against her forehead. The picture captured that moment of tenderness, a quiet promise between them.

As Mingyu pulled back, he looked at Jennie with a gentle smile, his eyes full of warmth and something deeper she couldn’t quite place. Before she could react, he leaned in once more, this time brushing his lips gently against hers.

Jennie’s heart fluttered, and without thinking, she brought her phone up once more, snapping a picture of their kiss. The camera caught the soft, intimate moment as their lips met, the way they both melted into each other’s touch. There was nothing rushed about it. It was pure, gentle, and full of the emotions they hadn’t yet fully expressed aloud.

Mingyu pulled back just slightly, his lips still hovering near hers. Jennie stared at him for a second, a soft smile tugging at her lips. She snapped another photo, this one of them both, their eyes meeting, faces just inches apart.

As the picture clicked, she turned the phone toward him, her eyes wide with excitement. “Look” she said, showing him the screen. “We look so good together.”

Mingyu chuckled, leaning in once more to kiss her cheek lightly before gazing at the photos she had captured. “You’re really getting all the angles, huh ?” he teased, clearly pleased with the pictures.

Jennie rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face. “You’re ridiculous” she muttered, nudging his chest lightly with her elbow. “But yeah, we do. It’s insane how perfect this turned out.”

Mingyu’s hands found her shoulders, pulling her in even closer, tightening his hold around her. “Well, of course we do. How could we not ?”

Jennie let out a mock gasp. “I’m going to need you to dial it down a notch. You're getting way too cocky.”

But even as she said it, she found herself unable to stop the smile that tugged at her lips. There was something so effortlessly easy about being with him,like this was just where she was always meant to be.

Mingyu tightened his grip around her, pulling her even closer as he held her against him. “You’re just mad that I’m right.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Jennie huffed, giving his thigh a playful slap. “You are so annoying, but I guess I’ll let it slide just this once.”

Mingyu laughed, the sound deep and genuine, filling the night air around them. He placed a quick kiss on the top of her head, just a small peck that made her heart do another flip. "Just this once, huh ? I'll take it."

Jennie shifted slightly, leaning back against him more comfortably, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest as he sighed contentedly. "It's crazy, isn't it ?" she asked softly, her voice almost a whisper now. "How everything just feels so... right ?"

"Yeah," Mingyu murmured, his voice low and sincere. "It is. But I’m not complaining."

The two of them sat there in the quiet for a while longer, the world fading away, leaving only the stars, the warmth of their embrace, and the shared understanding between them. It wasn’t just a perfect night, it was a moment they would both carry with them, long after the stars had faded.

Chapter Text

The car hummed softly as they drove through the quiet streets, the night air cool outside but warm within the vehicle. Jennie couldn’t help but steal glances at Mingyu every few seconds, her heart still racing from everything that had just happened. The touch of his hand on her thigh, the weight of his kiss everything felt surreal. The mix of emotions swirling inside her made it impossible to think clearly.

She tried to focus on the passing streetlights, but every time she turned her eyes back toward him, he was looking at her with that knowing smirk on his face, like he could read her every thought.

Mingyu, sensing her gaze on him, didn’t let her off the hook. He glanced over at her with a raised eyebrow, his voice light but teasing. “What ? Got something on my face ?”

Jennie blinked, startled, but the soft smile tugging at her lips betrayed her. “Maybe I just like looking at you,” she murmured, her voice low but full of meaning.

The playful glint in his eyes only deepened as he turned his attention back to the road. “Can’t keep your eyes off me, huh ?” he teased, his fingers subtly brushing against her leg again, just enough to make her breath hitch.

Jennie didn’t trust herself to say anything back, too aware of the warmth spreading across her body. Instead, she simply held his gaze, the connection between them palpable, charging the air around them with an unspoken understanding.

The teasing didn’t stop. As he drove, Mingyu’s hand slid up her thigh, warm and steady, and for a moment, Jennie’s whole world seemed to narrow down to the sensation of his fingers on her skin. She squirmed slightly in her seat, the heat from his touch making her pulse spike.

Mingyu’s smirk grew as he felt her reaction, and his grip tightened just enough to make her breath falter. “You okay there ?” he asked, his voice playful, yet laced with something deeper.

Jennie’s lips parted to respond, but the words caught in her throat. Instead, she swallowed hard and let out a shaky breath. “Stop teasing me,” she whispered, her voice quieter than she intended.

“Why would I do that ?” Mingyu replied, drawing lazy patterns on her thigh, his hand still firmly in place, his grip now both comforting and electrifying. “You like it too much.”

The tension was so thick that Jennie barely knew what to do with herself. Desperate for some distraction, she grabbed her phone, trying to focus on something, anything, other than the way his hand was making her feel. But it was impossible to ignore him, especially when she lifted her phone and aimed it at him.

He noticed immediately, the glint in his eyes turning mischievous. “What are you doing ?” he asked, his lips curling into a grin.

Jennie hesitated for a moment but couldn’t resist. She snapped a photo of him, the moment feeling too perfect to pass up. His hand on her thigh, the soft glow of the dashboard lighting his features, it was too good not to capture.

Mingyu leaned over, peering at the screen of her phone. “Let me see,” he said, a teasing edge to his voice.

Before she could react, he placed his hand back on her thigh, fingers pressing firmly against her skin once again. Jennie tried to look away, but she couldn’t tear her gaze from him. His smile, the confidence in his eyes, and the way he had such a grip on her, both physically and emotionally, had her losing her mind.

With her heart racing, she took another photo. This time, she snapped a shot of his hand in place, capturing the moment for what it was, tender, teasing, and yet impossibly intimate. Her thoughts scattered as she stared at the screen, trying to make sense of what was happening between them.

“You like what you’re seeing ?” Mingyu’s voice was low, a hint of satisfaction in the way he watched her.

Jennie gave a breathless laugh, her fingers trembling as she lowered her phone, still unsure of how to handle the way he was making her feel. “You’re impossible.”

“Impossibly good looking ?” Mingyu’s smirk only deepened, his voice a blend of playful arrogance and something else, something more earnest that she couldn’t quite place.

Jennie rolled her eyes, but her heart was racing, and her cheeks flushed pink. As much as she tried to stay composed, the moment was slipping away from her, and all she could focus on was him, the way his hand still rested on her thigh, the warmth of his body next to hers, and the way his eyes held hers with such intensity.

As if sensing her vulnerability, Mingyu leaned in slowly, his gaze flicking down to her lips. Without another word, he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers gently, like he was savoring every second of the kiss. Jennie’s breath caught, her body reacting to the softness of the kiss, the way his tongue gently traced her lower lip before coaxing her to deepen the kiss, just a little bit, before pulling back.

The red light turned green, but neither of them moved right away. The world outside was irrelevant. They were caught in the moment, in the space between two hearts finding their rhythm.

“Let’s go,” Mingyu whispered when they finally pulled apart, his hand still on her thigh as he accelerated, the car moving down the road once again.

Jennie nodded, trying to steady her breath as she looked at him, her thoughts a little scrambled but her heart completely open.

The drive stretched on, but there was a comfortable, heated tension between them now, one that neither of them could quite escape. The quiet was broken only by the soft hum of the car and the occasional teasing comment Mingyu threw her way. Jennie was too flustered to respond properly, her mind too clouded by the way his touch made her feel.

Finally, the familiar sight of Jennie's house came into view. The streetlights illuminated her driveway, casting long shadows on the ground. As Mingyu pulled up, he slowed the car, his fingers still resting on her thigh, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

Jennie swallowed hard, still trying to steady her breath “We’re here,” she said quietly, as if to remind herself that the night, this perfect, maddening night, was coming to an end.

Mingyu looked at her for a long moment, his gaze still heated, his lips curled into a lazy smile. “Yeah. We’re here,” he murmured, but there was something in the way he said it that hinted at something more, something that wasn’t finished yet.

And just before the car came to a complete stop, he gave her thigh a final, lingering squeeze.

Jennie turns to look at him, and for a moment, they just sit there, studying each other in the dim light of the car. The air between them feels charged, heavy with something unspoken. Their hearts beat a little faster than they should, and even though there's no physical touch, the proximity is intoxicating.

Jennie breaks the silence first, tilting her head playfully as she looks at him. “You’re being clingy.”

Mingyu smirks, his gaze never leaving hers. “You love it.”

She huffs a laugh, a small, unintentional smile tugging at her lips. “Maybe.”

Mingyu leans in just slightly, his voice lowering to that teasing, almost velvety tone she’s come to adore. “Say it again.”

Jennie pretends to think for a second, eyes flicking up as if considering her words, then she shakes her head, mischievously “Nope.”

Mingyu clicks his tongue, a playful grin dancing across his features. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

Jennie rolls her eyes, but the smile on her face gives her away. She can’t help herself. “You’re ridiculous,” she mutters, though her voice is soft, fond.

There’s a brief silence, comfortable but full of anticipation. Mingyu's hand is still resting near hers, and it feels like the world outside has faded away. His thumb brushes lightly against her skin as he lifts her hand to his lips, pressing a slow, deliberate kiss against her knuckles. The warmth of it lingers, and she feels it down to her bones.

Jennie’s breath catches, her heart stuttering at the gentleness of it.

She’s had people kiss her hand before, but this ? This is different. It's tender, intimate, like he's trying to convey everything he can't say with just words.

Like a promise.

Her chest tightens, but she swallows hard, trying to ignore the way it makes her feel too full, too much. "Goodnight, Mingyu,"she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mingyu, still holding her hand, doesn’t let go right away. Instead, he gently tugs her closer, just enough to steal one last soft kiss, his lips brushing hers with a sweetness that makes her pulse race. It’s quick, but it leaves her dizzy, her heart skipping in her chest.

“Goodnight, Noona,” he murmurs, his lips lingering near hers for just a second longer before finally pulling back. His thumb traces the back of her hand, a soft, lingering touch before he reluctantly lets go.

Jennie steps out of the car, feeling the cool night air kiss her skin, but somehow, she still feels warm. The absence of his presence next to her makes the air feel colder, sharper, but she tries to push the feeling away, focusing on the way her heart is still pounding in her chest.

She walks toward her door, and for a split second, she dares to glance back, Mingyu is still watching her, his elbow propped casually on the edge of his window, a small, content smile playing on his lips. His eyes are soft, filled with this little sparkle that makes her stomach flutter. It’s the kind of look that makes her feel like she’s the only person in the world that matters to him.

Jennie bites her lip, unable to resist the urge. She waves at him before slipping inside the house. The door clicks shut behind her, and the sudden silence feels almost deafening.

-

The moment Jennie steps inside her home, the weight of the night crashes over her, and she leans against the door with a heavy sigh, exhaling sharply like she’s been holding her breath the entire time. Her heart is still racing, the remnants of his touch, his gaze, the taste of his kiss lingering on her lips. Everything about tonight is too fresh, too vivid, making her pulse race even now.

She feels a warmth in her chest that won’t go away, a soft, comforting sensation that blooms in her ribcage, expanding every time she recalls the way Mingyu had looked at her, the way his lips had pressed against hers, the way he held her hand with such natural ease.

Her fingers tremble slightly as she pulls out her phone, still feeling the absence of his presence next to her. She opens her gallery and scrolls through the pictures, each one a snapshot of moments she never wants to forget. The phone feels heavier in her hands now, as if it holds all the intensity, all the beauty of the evening in the little images captured between them.

Her thumb hovers over the last picture, the one of Mingyu driving, his hand resting on her thigh, the warmth of his touch seeping through the image. It’s simple, yet so profound, and Jennie can still feel the way his fingers had curled around hers. Her chest tightens, and she smiles at the memory, that fluttering feeling rushing to her stomach again.

But then, another photo catches her eye. It’s of the two of them, slightly blurry, a little off center, but perfect in its own way. They’re mid-laugh, their faces close together, so close that she can almost hear the sound of their shared joy. Mingyu’s hand is resting on her shoulder, that same warmth she feels just looking at the picture.

It feels like something more than just a photo. It feels like a moment, a memory she can carry with her. It’s like a promise, a reminder of the night they’d shared, full of smiles, stolen glances, and sweet touches.

Her heart skips, the weight of it all settling deep in her chest. Jennie’s eyes soften as she stares at the screen, and her lips curl into a small, tender smile. This night… this was something she hadn’t expected, something she hadn’t even dared to hope for. But now, here she is, caught in a whirlwind of emotions that feel both overwhelming and exhilarating.

She locks her phone, setting it gently on the counter, the softness of the moment not quite leaving her even as she moves away. Her mind is still swirling with the images, the feelings, the soft warmth of his kiss still lingering on her lips. She moves through her space almost absently, undressing for bed, but her thoughts never stray far from the night she just lived through.

She had felt everything with him, his gentle touches, his words, the heat between them. But there was something else there too, something quieter, more tender. The way he had kissed her hand earlier, the way he had made her feel safe, like she was more than just a passing moment in his life. Like she mattered.

Jennie can’t quite shake the feeling that tonight wasn’t just an isolated memory. It was the beginning of something. Something deeper than either of them might be ready to admit. She closes her eyes, taking in a slow, deep breath as she lays down in bed. The softness of the sheets is comforting, but her thoughts are still alive with him, his smile, his laugh, the way he held her as they stood under the stars.

A part of her still wants to reach for him, to pull him back to her, but she knows it’s not the right time, not yet. But as she drifts off to sleep, there’s one thought that lingers, a quiet whisper in the back of her mind: This isn’t over. Not by a long shot.

-

Mingyu watches Jennie disappear into her house, her silhouette framed by the soft glow of the porch light. He doesn’t drive away immediately. Instead, he keeps his eyes on the door, watching her until it closes behind her. A strange, almost electric feeling hums beneath his skin, and he can’t shake the thought of her, even as the night air cools the car around him.

He exhales slowly, his fingers still gripping the steering wheel, though the warmth of her presence lingers in the seat beside him. He has to admit it: there’s a part of him that doesn’t want to leave. A part of him that wants to keep her close, keep talking, keep feeling that warmth, that pull between them. But he knows she needs space, she needs to process everything just as much as he does.

The ride home feels too quiet after the whirlwind of the night. His thoughts keep returning to the way she had looked at him, the way her hand had fit perfectly in his, like it was meant to be that way. And that kiss. That damn kiss. He’s kissed plenty of girls before, but none of them had made him feel like this.

His lips still feel the imprint of hers, soft and lingering, every inch of him remembering the feel of her close, the way her breath had caught when he’d kissed her hand, the way her chest had pressed against his when he held her. The way she’d looked at him, vulnerable and full of trust, had almost knocked the breath out of him.

But it wasn’t just the tenderness of their moments that stuck with him. The heat, the electric pull between them, was undeniable. The memory of the strawberry juice dripping down his jaw and the way Jennie had leaned in to lick it off... That feeling hits him like a punch to the gut. Her tongue had brushed against his skin so delicately, and it was like the world stopped for that brief moment. He could feel every part of her then, the way she had felt so close, so incredibly real, and how that simple, innocent act of licking the juice sent his pulse racing.

His fingers tighten around the steering wheel. Jesus, he thinks. The way she moved against him when she straddled him, her lips tracing over his jaw with slow, deliberate pressure, the way her body had pressed against him with an almost unconscious rhythm… It felt like fire spreading through him. Her hands gripping him, pulling him closer, and the way her hips had rolled, slow and seductive, the heat between them growing with every inch. He couldn’t get enough. And the way she held onto him, like she never wanted to let go, it was everything.

The pressure builds in his chest, and he has to swallow hard. The image of her lips on his skin, her body on top of his, is burned into his mind. The feeling of her warmth, her softness, and the heat between them, it’s all he can think about now. Damn it, Mingyu, he tells himself. Control yourself.

Mingyu shakes his head, laughing softly to himself. What the hell is happening to him ?

He knows it’s more than just the physical attraction. He feels it, the way his chest tightens when he thinks about her smile, the way his heart skips a beat whenever she laughs. But there’s no denying the physical draw between them. When he had kissed her for the last time tonight, the need to feel more of her had almost consumed him. He could still feel the heat of her body pressed against his, the sensation of her lips on his, her breath mingling with his.

As much as he wants to distance himself from those feelings, the need to feel her, to have her in his arms again, burns brighter with each passing second. His body still reacts every time he closes his eyes and remembers the way she had kissed him, the way her lips had parted against his, the soft moan that escaped her throat when he had held her close.

But for now, all he can do is drive away, even though it feels like every part of him is pulling in the opposite direction.

Mingyu pulls up to a stoplight, still caught in his thoughts. The red light blinks at him, but he doesn’t care. His gaze drifts to his side mirror, catching sight of the reflection of the empty seat beside him. His chest tightens again.

Is this really how I’m going to feel every time I leave her ?

With a sigh, he leans his head back against the seat, eyes closing for just a moment. The warmth of the car feels too empty without her next to him. The car had never felt so silent. Even with the hum of the engine, it’s like everything around him is muted, distant. The only thing real, the only thing that stands out in his mind, is Jennie.

When he had kissed her tonight, he had wanted to take things slow. He had wanted it to be something special. But now, he can’t help but wish there was more time, more moments where they could just... be. The thought of her smile, her laugh, and the way her voice sounded when she said his name has his heart pounding in his chest.

Mingyu lets out a frustrated sigh and presses down on the gas pedal once the light turns green, his car picking up speed as he drives toward his apartment. But he feels a strange pull, like the night isn’t truly over, like he’s not ready to let it end. His mind races, torn between wanting to see her again and knowing he has to give her the space she needs.

He passes through the familiar streets, but they all feel different now. He’s not sure if it’s because of the night he just had with her or the feeling that something bigger is beginning to take shape. Something that could change everything.

What the hell am I doing ?

The question bounces around in his mind as he parks his car outside his apartment. He doesn’t even bother turning the engine off right away. His hand rests on the wheel, and his gaze drifts out the windshield, the distant lights of the city blurry in the reflection of the glass. He lets his mind wander back to Jennie, the way she had smiled at him when he teased her, the way her eyes had sparkled with curiosity as they talked about their star app, and how she had leaned in so naturally when they had taken that first picture together.

A part of him wants to reach out to her again, send a message, but he knows he can’t. Not right now. He wants to savor this, to let the anticipation grow.

His phone buzzes on the seat next to him, pulling him out of his thoughts. Mingyu looks at it, his thumb hovering over the screen before he locks it again without replying.

Instead, he leans back in his seat and closes his eyes, letting the silence of the car fill his mind.

He doesn’t know what tomorrow will bring. But one thing is for sure: he’s not going to forget tonight.

And he hopes she won’t either.

Chapter Text

Jennie woke slowly, the soft morning light filtering through her curtains, painting the room with a gentle glow. She shifted beneath the covers, the warmth of sleep still clinging to her body, making it harder to fully wake up. Her limbs were heavy, like she’d been wrapped in soft, comforting cotton. It was the kind of sleep that left her tangled in thoughts, like the night wasn’t really over.

And then it hit her.

Last night.

The kiss. His arms around her. The way he’d looked at her before, almost asking for permission, as if he could pull back if she wanted to. But she hadn’t wanted him to. She hadn’t even thought about pulling away. She’d leaned in, her breath hitching, hands finding his shirt, the air between them thickening as she’d felt him draw closer.

Her fingers absently grazed her lips as she thought of the way his mouth had felt against hers, so deliberate, slow, yet insistent. There was an undeniable pull, but also a tenderness to it. But beyond the kiss, she could still feel the heat of everything that had followed.

Her mind wandered back to how wild she had felt. The way she’d caught herself licking the strawberry juice from his jaw, his jaw. What had possessed her ?

Maybe the heat of the moment, maybe the way he tasted like strawberries and something she couldn’t name. All she knew was, it hadn’t felt wrong, just insanely, recklessly good.

The thought of it made her cheeks flush, but her body stirred, remembering how hot it had been to have him underneath her, his grip tightening around her. The feeling of him pressed into her, the way his breath had quickened when she rolled her hips. His moan had been low, strained, and that sound, god, it had lit a fire inside her. The urge to hear more, to drive him crazy, had been overwhelming. They were both so hungry, breathless, unable to tear their eyes away from each other. It was raw. It was right.

But then there had been the shift, the softness. The bench, his hand in hers. The way his gaze softened when she explained her love for the stars, and how he had actually listened, interested in the little facts she’d shared. It was such a simple thing, but it had made her chest tighten. He didn’t just care about her in a physical way, he cared about her. That was what lingered long after the wild moments had passed.

Jennie exhaled slowly, shaking her head slightly as she pulled herself from the bed. She grabbed her phone off the nightstand, fingers moving almost instinctively to check the time, 8:45 AM. And, of course, there was a text from Mingyu. She hesitated for a moment, her thumb hovering over the screen.

[Mingyu] : “Morning, Noona. I slept well... Did you dream about me ?”

Her stomach did that little flip again as she stared at the message, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She ran her fingers through her hair before typing back, trying to keep it casual, but also giving a little back.

[Jennie] : “Bold of you to assume you didn’t just exhaust me too much to dream at all, ”

He responded almost too fast.

[Mingyu] : “So you’re saying I wore you out ? That’s… kind of hot ”

She let out a quiet, breathy laugh, her heart doing this ridiculous fluttery thing again. She stared at his message for a moment, shaking her head.

[Jennie] : “Don’t get cocky, you’re already insufferable enough as it is.”

[Mingyu] : “But you still like me.”

[Jennie] : “Unfortunately.”

There was a pause this time. And then:

[Mingyu] : “...Me too. A lot.”

Jennie blinked, her smile softening.

The teasing made it easy to breathe, but this, this was what made her heart squeeze. The way he knew just when to dip into something sweeter, without making it heavy.

She pulled the covers tighter around her, hiding half her face even though no one was there to see her blushing like an idiot.

[Jennie] : “You’re really something, Kim Mingyu.”

[Mingyu] :“I hope that means you’re thinking about me right now. Because I haven’t stopped thinking about you.”

God, she was doomed.

Jennie tossed her phone onto the bed, face buried in the pillow as she let out a muffled squeal. She felt ridiculous. Ridiculous and warm and a little out of her mind, but mostly happy. And when was the last time she felt like this ?

She finally rolled out of bed, feet meeting the cool floor as she padded toward the bathroom. Her reflection stared back at her, slightly flushed, hair messy, lips just a bit too pink, like they still remembered his.

She touched her bottom lip with her thumb and exhaled slowly.

No amount of splashing water on her face could wash away the butterflies. He had gotten under her skin in a way no one ever had, and he hadn't even stayed the night. Somehow, that made it worse. Or better. She couldn't decide.

Jennie finished in the bathroom and shuffled into the kitchen, opening the fridge with a lazy yawn. She grabbed a yogurt cup and leaned against the counter, scrolling back through their texts. Her phone buzzed again before she could stop smiling at the screen.

[Mingyu] : “By the way, I was thinking... maybe we can go stargazing again sometime ? I’m definitely in for more star facts from you. ;)”

Jennie chuckled softly, feeling a warmth spread through her at the idea of being with him again, somewhere quiet, under the stars. She hadn’t expected to feel this way, drawn in, but also wanting to give a little part of herself to him.

[Jennie] : “You’re really digging the star talk, huh ? Maybe I’ll share a few more secrets next time.”

[Mingyu] : “Secrets? You’re a tease, Noona. You know I like it.”

She smiled at the playful banter, but there was something more in his words now. Something that had her heart beating a little faster. Maybe this wasn’t just about the kiss. Maybe it was about something deeper.

She looked out the window, the sunlight spilling across her bed. As much as last night had been wild and heated, she couldn’t forget the tenderness too. The quiet moments they shared felt just as important as everything else. The way he listened, the way he made her feel seen, like she wasn’t just another person in his life.

With one last glance at her phone, she tucked it into her pocket. Maybe it was crazy to feel all these things already, but she didn’t care. She was starting to think that maybe, just maybe, they both wanted this. And what came next ? She couldn’t wait to find out.

-

Mingyu woke up smiling.

That was the first sign something was off.

Usually, mornings meant dragging himself out of bed, eyes half-closed, groaning at whatever ungodly schedule awaited him. But this morning ? His body felt light, stretched over warmth that had nothing to do with the sun bleeding through the blinds. And worse, he was grinning. Full teeth, no filter, couldn’t help himself grinning.

It was stupid.

Because he already knew why.

Jennie.

Her name hit him like a warm splash of water, soft, a little dizzying, and still lingering somewhere behind his eyes. He didn’t even need to reach for his phone. He remembered everything. The kiss. The taste of her laugh. The way her hand fit under his jaw when she leaned in like she owned him.

Which, judging by the way he’d been spiraling since 3a.m., she kind of did.

His phone buzzed just as he turned over, and there it was. Her message.

He let out a laugh, quiet, helpless.

God, she was dangerous. And funny. And hot. And smart. And apparently, she liked him. Or at least, last night, she had.

When he finished responding to her, the door cracked open without warning with Seungkwan barged in, followed closely by Dokyeom and Dino, like they owned the place.

“Morning, loverboy,” Seungkwan called out with a smirk already primed for maximum teasing.

Mingyu groaned, dragging the covers over his face. “No.”

“Oh yes,” Dino said as he shut the door behind him like they were setting up for an interrogation. “You’re not getting out of this.”

“You saw her last night, didn’t you ?” Dokyeom grinned, hopping onto the foot of the bed.

“I’m not confirming anything,” Mingyu mumbled into his pillow.

“But you don’t have to,” Seungkwan said, smug. “You’re glowing, hyung.”

Mingyu lifted his head slightly. “I always glow.”

Dino snorted. “Not like this. This is post ‘I made out with Jennie and now I don’t know what to do with myself’ glow.”

That shut him up. And that silence? It was all the confirmation they needed.

“Oh my god,” Dokyeom gasped. “YOU DID !”

Mingyu exhaled hard, hands covering his face. “You guys are the worst.”

“Tell us everything,” Seungkwan said, crawling up next to him like a gossip gremlin. “Start from the car. You left with her, right ?”

Mingyu hesitated, just long enough for Joshua to throw a pillow at him.

“I’m thinking !” he laughed, sitting up, ruffling his already messy hair. “God, okay, fine...yeah, we kissed.”

A collective gasp echoed around the room like he’d confessed to a crime.

“It was…” Mingyu paused, his face already flushing at the memory. “Intense.”

“Ooooh,” Dokyeom leaned in. “Details.”

He covered his face again with both hands but peeked between his fingers like he couldn't stop himself. “It was in the car. She climbed over, like, full-on straddled me, and I think I forgot how to breathe.”

The room erupted.

“Oh my GOD,” Seungkwan shouted. “You were STRADDLED ?!”

Mingyu threw a pillow at him, but it bounced off harmlessly.

“And her hands were in my hair, and I think I blacked out a little,” he muttered, like admitting a crime. “I literally didn’t want her to stop.”

Dino leaned forward, wide-eyed. “How did you not crash the car ?!”

“I wasn’t driving at the time, genius,” Mingyu said, then laughed despite himself. “But it was hot. Like… out of body hot. I didn’t know I could feel like that.”

There was a long pause. They were all leaning in now, totally invested.

“But,”Mingyu added, his voice softening, “then we sat on this little bench after. Just… chilled out. Talked about the stars.”

Dokyeom blinked. “You went from straddling to stargazing ?”

Mingyu shrugged, smiling to himself “Yeah. She told me this random astronomy fact like it meant something. And I just… I don’t know. It hit me that I liked listening to her. Like really listening.”

That quieted them again.

Dino gave a low whistle. “Damn. You’re down bad.”

Mingyu nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah. I think I am.”

A beat passed, the room unusually soft for a second, until he suddenly squinted, sitting up straighter.

“Wait. Why the hell are you even here ?” he asked, looking between them. “You don’t live here.”

They froze.

Dokyeom coughed. Dino looked away. Seungkwan gave a sheepish shrug. “We were in the neighborhood ?”

“Liar.”

Finally, Dino sighed. “Okay, okay. Wonwoo texted us last night after you left.”

“He what ?!”

“He said, and I quote, ‘Mingyu went out looking like a man on a mission. If he comes back emotionally compromised, I expect a full report.’”

Mingyu let out a loud groan and collapsed back into the bed, flinging his last pillow at the wall while his friends howled with laughter.

“I hate all of you,” he mumbled, face buried in the sheets.

“But she doesn’t she like us” Dokyeom sang.

“And that’s what matters,” Seungkwan added with a wink.

-

The moment Jennie stepped into the building, sunglasses low on her nose, coffee clutched in hand like it might save her from the truth radiating off her skin, she knew she was doomed.

Alison was already waiting near the elevator arms crossed, a single brow arched so high it nearly touched her hairline. Jennie barely made it two steps before Alison’s voice cut through the quiet like a scalpel.

“Okay. What’s going on with you ?”

Jennie didn’t flinch. She took a sip of her coffee. “Good morning to you too.”

“Don’t ‘good morning’ me. You’re glowing. Like, I exfoliate and sheet mask twice a day and I still don’t look like that kind of glowing.”

Jennie tried to walk past her. Alison followed.

“Who is he ?”

Jennie blinked, feigning innocence. “Who ?”

“Oh, please.” Alison hit the elevator button and turned toward her with a grin far too smug for someone who hadn’t even had her first espresso. “Your lips are a little too pink, your hair is a little too… post-pillow. You’ve got that I-had-a-night look going on. So spill.”

“There’s nothing to spill.”

“Lie better.”

Jennie sighed, dragging out the denial. “You’re being dramatic.”

“And you are being suspicious,” Alison shot back, then narrowed her eyes. “Wait. Oh my God. It’s really about a boy. I knew it.”

Jennie snorted and sipped her coffee again. “You’re ridiculous.”

“But correct,” Alison beamed.

“Who is it ? Who’s the lucky guy who finally made Jennie Kim smile like she just got proposed to by a chocolate soufflé in Paris ?”

Jennie was quiet for a beat, then leaned in, lowering her voice just slightly. “Well, if you weren’t blackout drunk at karaoke three months ago, you could probably remember and guess.”

Alison froze. “...What ?”

“You remember that night,” Jennie said, already grinning. “When we were all supposed to name our current celeb crushes ?”

“Oh God.” Alison blinked slowly. “Don’t do this to me.”

Jennie smirked. “You went on this whole monologue. Said something like, what was it again ? Ah, yes. ‘If I ever meet Kim Mingyu in real life, I’m gonna crawl him like a tree.’”

Alison’s eyes widened in horror. “NO ! ”

“Yes.”

“Jennie, I was drunk.”

“You described his arms for a full minute.”

“Oh my God.”

“And then you asked, and I quote, ‘How are thighs that big even legal ?’”

Alison covered her face with both hands, muffling a scream. “Stop. Stop it right now. Are you telling me....are you actually telling me...”

The elevator dinged.

Jennie stepped in casually. “Yep.”

Alison followed on autopilot, still processing, her face a mix of awe, secondhand embarrassment, and wild curiosity.“Wait, wait, wait. You actually kissed him ?”

Jennie leaned against the elevator wall, unbothered. “I might’ve straddled him.”

“WHAT ?!”

“It was hot.”

Alison grabbed her arm. “No shit Sherlock ! Tell me everything. Right now. I’m cancelling all your morning meetings.”

Jennie laughed, but gave in. “Okay, okay. So… it started in his car. We were just sitting there, talking, and then I don’t know, I kind of lost my mind for a second ? I licked strawberry juice off his jaw.”

Alison’s jaw dropped. “Jennie !”

“I know! But like, he was looking at me like that, and I just...anyway. One second he’s staring at me, the next I’m in his lap. It got heated. Really fast.”

Alison fanned herself with her clipboard. “I hate you.”

“I’m telling you, it was insane. Like, we couldn’t stop touching each other, breathing each other in. His hands were everywhere, and the way he sounded ? Alison. I...” Jennie broke off with a soft exhale, flushed just remembering. “It was just... a lot.”

Alison let out a slow, envious breath. “You held his thighs, didn’t you ?”

Jennie grinned. “Firm. Solid. Unreal.”

“I am going to throw myself into traffic.”

Jennie giggled, then softened a little. “But then it wasn’t just that. We cooled down. We ended up on this little bench, just talking. And he listened to everything I said. Not in a fake, nodding way, like, really listened. I told him these stupid facts about stars and he actually remembered them. He even asked me this morning to tell him more.”

Alison put a hand on her heart. “Stop. That’s so disgustingly cute.”

Jennie shrugged, but her smile gave her away.

They stepped out of the elevator, still wrapped in the cozy chaos of the conversation. Alison nudged her. “So... are you seeing him again ?”

Jennie’s phone buzzed just then. She glanced down. One word from Mingyu lit up the screen:

[Mingyu] : Lunch ?

Jennie turned it so Alison could see.

Alison clutched her chest. "Oh my GOD.”

Jennie just grinned.

-

The restaurant was tucked away on a quiet street in Sinsa, the kind of place that didn’t scream “celebrity date,” but was just lowkey enough to make it feel private. Jennie arrived first, because of course she did, early, composed, but secretly scrolling through her texts trying to calm her nerves.

He’s just a guy... A really, really hot guy she straddled last night.

She was mid-sip of her iced tea when she caught sight of him through the glass, tall, too tall, in that way that made her stomach flip. He wore a casual button-up with the sleeves rolled, and jeans that really weren’t helping her stay composed. His hair was slightly tousled like he’d just run a hand through it, and the smile that stretched across his face when he spotted her ?

Mingyu stepped in, and for a second, they just… stared.

She stood up automatically. He froze halfway. They both laughed nervously at the exact same time.

“Uh...hi,” Jennie said, unsure what to do with her hands. Should she go for a hug? A wave ? Was a kiss allowed ?

Mingyu rubbed the back of his neck, just as flustered. “Do we… I mean...should we…?”

They took a small step toward each other like two magnets trying to figure out how to connect. Jennie tilted her head, and Mingyu looked like he was about to speak, but instead, he leaned in and kissed her cheek.

Except.

Very close to her mouth.

So close her lips actually parted for a second in surprise.

“Yah,” she said, smacking his chest playfully as her cheeks flared up. “You did that on purpose.”

He pulled back with that ridiculous boyish grin that always got him out of trouble. “Maybe.”

Jennie tried to play it cool, but her ears were burning. “You’re insufferable.”

“But you’re smiling,” he pointed out, clearly proud of himself as he slid into the seat across from her.

She rolled her eyes and sat too, fiddling with her straw just to avoid eye contact for a second. “That was sneaky.”

Mingyu rested his chin in his palm, watching her like she was the most interesting thing on the menu. “You’re pretty when you blush.”

She nearly choked on her tea.

“Mingyu !”

“What ?” he said, eyes wide with faux innocence. “I’m just being honest. I mean, I haven’t stopped thinking about last night, and now you’re here, in front of me, looking like that ? I’m only human.”

Jennie pressed her hand to her face, trying to hide the grin that wouldn’t go away. “You’re really something.”

He leaned back, still smiling, then reached out like it was the most natural thing in the world and brushed his fingers lightly over hers where they rested on the table. “I was nervous, you know?”

She looked up. “Really ?”

“Yeah,” he said, a little more quietly. “I wasn’t sure how this would be. After last night. But then you smiled at me just now and I felt like... yeah. This is okay.”

Jennie’s heart thudded. “It is.”

They looked at each other for a second, and the air around them softened, no pressure, just two people figuring it out with messy hearts and warm hands.

Then Mingyu, unable to help himself, added, “Still thinking about the strawberry juice, though.”

Jennie groaned, covering her face with both hands. “I knew you’d bring that up.”

He laughed, leaning closer across the table. “You started it.”

She peeked at him through her fingers. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

“Lucky ?” He grinned. “Noona, you climbed into my lap. I think we’re both lucky.”

Jennie just shook her head, smiling into her drink.

Lunch hadn’t even started yet, and already she felt like she was in trouble, in the best, sweetest, most ridiculous kind of way.

The little grandma came by, breaking the little bubble around them just long enough for menus to be handed out and water to be refilled. They both glanced at their options but, let’s be real, neither of them was really focused on food.

“I don’t know what to get,” Jennie said, trying to sound casual, even as her eyes kept flicking to where Mingyu’s fingers still brushed hers now and then, like he forgot or maybe didn’t care.

“You’re the foodie,” Mingyu replied, eyes scanning the menu. “Pick for me.”

She raised a brow. “Dangerous offer.”

He leaned in, grinning. “So is kissing you, apparently.”

Jennie nearly dropped her menu. “Kim Mingyu.”

“Just saying” he said with an exaggerated shrug. “I risked my life with that thigh grip of yours.”

Jennie smacked his arm under the table, face absolutely burning. “Oh my god, shut up.”

He laughed, delighted with himself. “I'm just glad I didn’t pass out from how hard you were holding on.”

“You are the worst.”

“Yet... here you are. On a lunch date with me.” He wiggled his brows.

She groaned, pressing her forehead to the table for a dramatic second. “Why are you like this ?”

Mingyu softened a little, biting back his smile as he tilted his head at her. “Because you laugh when I am.”

Jennie blinked, and yep, there it was again. That shift. From chaos to sweet in 0.2 seconds. It was disarming, the way he did that. But she couldn’t even pretend to be mad about it.

Once their food arrived, pasta for her, bulgogi salad for him (yes, she picked both), they actually ate, though conversation flowed just as easily.

“So…” Mingyu said between bites, “Do you always attack guys with strawberries and sit on them during car rides ?”

Jennie coughed. “Excuse me ?! Attack ?”

He nodded, straight-faced. “It was a bold move, Noona.”

“Oh, please,”she scoffed. “You were practically begging for it with that smug face of yours.”

He leaned forward, eyes sparkling. “Oh ? So my face made you climb on top of me ?”

“You make it sound so much worse than it was,” she muttered, cheeks warm again.

“Was it bad ?” he asked, suddenly quieter.

She looked up, meeting his eyes. “No. Not at all.”

His smile shifted into something softer, something slower. “Good.”

They ate in silence for a moment, not awkward now, just... charged.

Then Jennie cleared her throat. “So. You’re gonna tell me your karaoke go-to or what ?”

He grinned. “Ah, we’re digging up secrets now ?”

She nodded, leaning on her hand.“Fair is fair. I told you about my stargazing obsession.”

He chewed thoughtfully, then pointed a fork at her. “Okay. But only if you promise not to laugh.”

“I already want to laugh,” she deadpanned.

“Yah !” he laughed. “Fine. It’s... Taeyang. Only Look at Me. I go full drama. Eye contact. Knee drops. The works.”

Jennie gasped, delighted. “You’re kidding.”

“I never kid about Taeyang.”

“Oh, I’m making you prove that next time.”

Mingyu smirked. “Only if you sing with me. I feel like you’d do a mean HyunA cover.”

Jennie raised a brow. “You just want an excuse to see me dance.”

He grinned wider. “And you just admitted you’d do it.”

Her jaw dropped, but she was laughing too hard to protest.

They lingered long after their plates were cleared, sipping drinks, teasing back and forth. It was the kind of date that didn’t feel like a date. As they finally got up to leave, Mingyu held the door open for her, brushing his hand against her lower back as she passed. It was subtle, sweet. But she noticed.

And when they stepped outside into the sunlight again, he looked at her like he didn’t really want to go yet.

“Can I see you again soon ?” he asked, voice quiet.

Jennie smiled, heart skipping. “Yeah. You can.”

He grinned, clearly fighting the urge to kiss her again, properly this time.

They stood near the edge of the sidewalk, sunlight slipping between buildings, casting golden light across the quiet street. Just ahead was a small alley between two shops, mostly empty save for a couple of passing strangers too wrapped up in their own world to pay them any mind.

Mingyu glanced down at Jennie, hands in his pockets like he was trying to be casual, but his shoulders were tense in that way that betrayed he didn’t want to say goodbye yet.

Jennie shifted on her feet, lips tugging into a soft smile. “So… I guess this is the part where we awkwardly wave and pretend we don’t want to kiss each other again ?”

He laughed under his breath, shaking his head. “Or…” he glanced toward the alley, then back at her, “we could... not pretend.”

She blinked. “Smooth.”

“I try,” he said, already taking a slow step toward the alley. He glanced over his shoulder, brows raised. “You coming ?”

Her heart thudded, hard. But her feet moved before she even thought about it.

They slipped into the shade, the hum of the city dulling behind them. The narrow space between the buildings was quiet, private, like the world had paused just for a second.

Mingyu turned to face her, eyes searching hers. “Is this okay ?”

Jennie nodded, already breathless. “Yeah. More than okay.”

He took her face in his hands, gentle, but firm enough to anchor her. His thumb brushed her cheek, and then he kissed her.

It started soft. Careful. But neither of them could hold back for long.

Jennie’s fingers curled into his shirt, pulling him closer as his arms wrapped around her waist, fitting her to him like he couldn’t bear a single inch of space between them. His kiss deepened, and hers matched it, all warmth and want and everything they hadn’t said out loud yet.

He tilted his head, lips moving with hers in a rhythm that felt too natural for something so new. Her hand slid up to the back of his neck, fingers curling into his hair, and he groaned softly against her mouth like she was driving him insane in the best way possible.

It was supposed to be a short kiss. A goodbye. But it lingered, slow, addictive, like they were both afraid to let go.

When they finally broke apart, it wasn’t far. Their foreheads touched, breaths mingling, eyes half-lidded and dazed.

Jennie was the first to speak, voice barely above a whisper. “That was... longer than it should’ve been.”

Mingyu gave a lazy, utterly satisfied smile.“Regret it ?”

She laughed, flushed and breathless.“Not even a little.”

He kissed her again, just a quick one this time, a soft press to the corner of her mouth, dangerously close to her lips again. “Text me when you get back ?”

Jennie nodded, still dizzy from him. “Okay.”

He pulled back slowly, like it physically pained him to let her go. And honestly, it might’ve.

They walked back to the main street, side by side but not quite touching. Just close enough to feel the pull between them.

When they finally split off in opposite directions, Jennie looked over her shoulder once, just once, and caught him doing the same.

And just like that, she was smiling like an idiot all over again.

-

The second Jennie stepped foot into the company’s hallway, she knew she was in trouble.

Alison was perched at the far end, arms crossed, legs kicked out, and a very suspicious mug of lukewarm coffee in hand. She looked like she'd been sitting there for a while… waiting. Plotting.

Jennie didn’t even get to say hello before...

“So…” Alison’s voice rang out, smooth and smug. “How was lunch, Miss Glowy Cheeks ?”

Jennie barely resisted the urge to walk straight back out.

“Normal,” she replied, breezing past her like she wasn’t seconds away from combusting. “Totally, completely, absolutely normal.”

“Oh yeah ? Normal includes your lipstick being smudged just a tiny bit and your pupils dilated like you saw the gates of heaven ?”

Jennie hissed and ducked into the nearest dressing room, Alison hot on her heels, shutting the door behind her with the enthusiasm of someone about to receive tea hotter than hellfire.

Jennie didn’t even sit down before Alison let loose.

“Okay, I waited two hours and twenty-eight minutes for you to come back. I refreshed your IG page twice just in case you did something insane like go public. I’ve had three iced Americanos. Spill. NOW.”

Jennie collapsed onto the couch, hand to her forehead like a fainting lead in a drama. “I hate how much you love this.”

“I live for this. I was there when he texted you this morning. Don’t think I didn’t see the way your fingers shook when you typed ‘sure’ back like you weren’t about to black out.”

Jennie groaned into a pillow. “I don’t even know where to start.”

“Start with the moment you laid eyes on him. Was he hot or cute today ? Did he look like someone who eats heartbreak for breakfast ?”

Jennie peeked at her from behind the pillow. “He was... stupid hot. In that effortless way. And then he was awkward like, really sweetly nervous.”

“Hot and awkward ? Are you kidding me ?” Alison gasped dramatically, throwing her hands up. “Continue before I chew this throw pillow.”

“So we didn’t know how to greet each other” Jennie muttered, face still flushed. “Like… do we hug ? Wave ? Pretend we didn’t make out last night ?”

“And ??”

Jennie exhaled. “He kissed my cheek. Really close to my mouth. I nearly slapped him.”

Alison clutched her chest. “So violent. So romantic.”

“And then lunch was... actually amazing. Like, we talked about real stuff, but also dumb stuff. He told me his members won’t stop teasing him. I almost choked on my rice.”

“Did you feed each other ?” Alison whispered dramatically. “Did your chopsticks graze ?”

Jennie rolled her eyes, laughing. “No. We’re not in a web drama. But, when we left, he walked me to the main road, and then we kind of ducked into this alley...”

“STOP,” Alison cried, already grabbing her phone like she needed to take notes. “You kissed him again ?!”

Jennie gave her a look. “Alley. Close proximity. Privacy. What do you think happened ?”

Alison screamed. Again. Into the throw pillow. “I am so jealous! I’m so happy! I’m so jealously happy !”

Jennie was glowing, undeniably, and maybe even a little smug now. “It was supposed to be a short kiss. But…”

“It lasted.”

Jennie nodded.

“He cupped your face ?”

“Like I was the only person on Earth.”

Alison practically melted into the couch, eyes wide and sparkly. “Did you grab his thighs again ?”

Jennie paused, then smiled slowly. “Does it count if I slid my hands up his jacket and nearly made him forget where we were ?”

“YOU’RE A MENACE.”

They both burst into laughter, the kind that echoed off the walls and made a couple of passing interns outside the room raise their eyebrows.

When the laughter settled, Alison sighed contentedly and looked at Jennie with a soft, fond expression.

“You’re really into him, huh ?”

Jennie nodded. “Yeah. I think I really am.”

Alison grinned. “Then get ready, babe. Because you just kissed the first line of a very hot, very chaotic love story.”

Chapter Text

Midday. Quiet BBQ restaurant.

The place was half-empty, a few low conversations, soft clinking of plates, the subtle hiss of meat cooking on the grill in the back. Outside, the heat shimmered against the glass. Inside, the air was cool and thick with the smell of soy, garlic, and beer.

Mingyu had barely slid into the booth before Jungkook leaned forward, forearms on the table, expression unreadable.

“Alright,” he said calmly. “Talk. Now.”

Mingyu blinked. “Hi to you too.”

“Don’t start with me,” Jungkook said, voice low but eyes sharp. “You ghosted me for two days. No memes. No workout check-ins. Not even a sad emoji. That only means one thing.”

He took a deliberate sip of his beer.

“…Something happened.”

Mingyu sighed and reached for his own drink. “You’re relentless.”

“I’m invested.”

There was a pause. Mingyu glanced around, no one was paying attention.

“We made out,” he said simply.

Jungkook stared at him.

Then he burst out laughing, loud and abrupt enough to turn two heads in the corner.

“Jesus,” Mingyu muttered, ducking slightly.

“You’re serious ?” Jungkook asked, voice too loud, grin too wide. “You and Jennie. Made out. Like, properly ?”

Mingyu nodded once, lips twitching.

Jungkook slammed his palm gently on the table. “Unbelievable. Finally. I was starting to think one of you would combust from unresolved tension. Where did this happen ?”

Mingyu hesitated, then leaned back in his seat, arms folded. “My car.”

“Your car ?” Jungkook echoed, incredulous.“You’re telling me that Kim Mingyu and Jennie Kim, "queen of self-control" had their first real kiss in a parked car like two high schoolers avoiding curfew ?”

“It wasn’t like that.”

“It sounds like that.”

Mingyu shook his head, a slow grin tugging at his mouth. “We were out late. Had strawberries, we were messing around...” he paused, chuckling softly to himself. “I had juice on my neck. She licked it off. That was... the moment.”

Jungkook stared at him like he’d just described a scene from a slow-burn movie.

“Wait, wait, wait. She licked the juice off your neck ? That was her opener ?”

“Caught me completely off guard,” Mingyu admitted. “One second we were laughing, and the next she leaned in and ...”

“... and your brain just shut down,” Jungkook finished for him.

“Exactly.”

There was a short silence.

“Okay, but... details,” Jungkook pressed. “Was it soft ? Was it desperate ? Did she pull your hair ?”

Mingyu raised a brow. “You need to calm down.”

“No, I need to live vicariously through your better choices.”

Mingyu laughed, running a hand through his hair. “It was both. It started wild but also slow like we were testing the water. But once it hit, it hit hard. She moved into my lap, kissed me like she’d been waiting to. And I swear, for a second, I forgot where we were.”

“Damn.”

“I couldn’t even think straight,” he said. “She had her hands in my hair, and I was just… holding her. Completely lost in it.”

Jungkook leaned back, shaking his head in amazement. “I’m actually impressed. Not gonna lie, she doesn’t give herself away easily.”

“No,” Mingyu agreed, his tone shifting. “She doesn’t.”

There was a pause. The teasing ebbed, replaced by something quieter.

“Afterwards,” Mingyu continued, “we got out of the car. It felt like too much all at once, so we just walked a bit. Found this bench near the park. Sat there for maybe an hour. Didn’t even talk much. I was wrapped around her.”

He let out a breath.

“There were stars. I don’t even remember the last time I actually looked up like that. But she did. And then I did. And suddenly it felt... easy.”

Jungkook didn’t interrupt. Just nodded once.

“You’re in deep,” he said finally.

Mingyu smiled faintly. “Yeah.”

“You’ve had flings, sure. And something real with Somi. But this...”

“... is different,” Mingyu said quietly. “With Somi, I always felt like I was trying to earn it. Like I had to say the right thing or hold back the wrong parts of me to keep it from cracking.”

He glanced at Jungkook.

“With Jennie, I don’t feel like I’m performing. She calls me out when I’m too much, she teases, she makes me slow down. But she sees me. And I didn’t realize how much I needed that until now.”

There was a beat.

Jungkook leaned forward again. “So what are you gonna do ?”

“I don’t know,” Mingyu admitted. “I don’t want to pressure her. She’s been through enough. And I’m not trying to define something she’s not ready to name.”

“You don’t have to define it,” Jungkook said. “But don’t pretend it’s nothing, either. Not when it clearly means something to both of you.”

Mingyu nodded slowly.

Then his eyes narrowed slightly.

“Speaking of undefined relationships,” he said. “How’s Minjeong ?”

Jungkook blinked. “What ?”

“You know. Minjeong. Winter. Aespa. Your ‘casual hangout partner’ who’s been wearing your hoodies and cooking you tofu stew.”

“That’s...” Jungkook cleared his throat. “That’s different.”

“Different like how ?”

“We haven’t labeled it.”

“Sure,” Mingyu said, sipping his drink. “That’s why she posts your hoodie on her story and calls your dog ‘our boy.’”

“She was joking.”

“She stayed over for three nights last week and reorganized your skincare shelf.”

“…Okay, maybe it’s a slightly serious situationship.”

“You’re in denial.”

“You’re in love.”

“I never said that,”Mingyu said, but he was smiling.

Just then, his phone buzzed on the table.

He glanced down.

Then froze.

“…What ?” Jungkook asked.

Mingyu didn’t answer. He was already reading.

[Jennie] : Are you free tonight ? I kind of want to see you.

Something flickered across his face, not just a smile, but a softness. The kind that lingered in the eyes.

He typed quickly.

[Mingyu]: Always. Can’t get enough of me already ?

Jungkook squinted at him. “There it is.”

“What ?”

“The look. The one where your face goes all... warm. It’s disgusting.”

Mingyu ignored him. Another message came.

[Jennie] : Maybe. Should’ve invited you over last night, honestly.

His lips curved.

[Mingyu]: Do it tonight. I’ll cook.

[Jennie] : Tempting. But my fridge is tragic. I have mustard and... half an egg.

[Mingyu]: Perfect. Grocery run first. You pick the snacks. I’ll handle dinner. I might steal a kiss in the produce aisle.

[Jennie] : You better.

Mingyu chuckled, tapping the screen off. But he didn’t hide the way his expression stayed soft.

Jungkook shook his head, mock-disgusted. “You’re nesting. You’re doing couple errands. Grocery runs. Do you hear yourself ?”

“You reorganized your life around tofu stew.”

“That’s different.”

“Sure it is.”

They stood, tossing a few bills onto the table. Jungkook clapped him on the back as they walked out.

“At least promise me one thing.”

“What’s that ?”

“Tell me when you two get matching slippers. I need time to emotionally prepare.”

Mingyu laughed. “Deal.”

He looked down at his phone once more, fingers already typing.

[Mingyu]: I’ll pick you up at 6. Hope you’re ready to be spoiled.

[Jennie] : I already am.

-

Mingyu’s car idled at the curb, engine purring like it was in on the secret. Inside, his fingers tapped a restless rhythm against the steering wheel. He wasn't nervous, exactly, just... buzzing. Like something good was about to happen and his body already knew it.

Then the porch light flipped on.

And there she was.

Jennie stepped out wearing a black hoodie that swallowed her hands and soft jeans cuffed at the ankles, like she’d gotten dressed in five minutes and still looked like she belonged in a magazine spread. Hair tied back in a messy knot, no makeup he could see but somehow, she looked like the exact definition of effortless.

Mingyu’s brain short circuited for a full two seconds. He barely had time to breathe before she opened the car door and slid in beside him.

Their eyes met. No words.

And then she kissed him.

No warning, no greeting just the soft press of her lips against his. Slow. Warm. A little smile built into it, like she’d been thinking about it all day and finally got to cash in.

Mingyu reacted instantly. His hand rose to her jaw, thumb brushing her cheek. He kissed her back like it was the easiest thing in the world like kissing her was muscle memory already.

When she finally pulled away, just barely, they stayed close. Close enough to feel the same breath between them.

“Well… hi to you too,” Mingyu said, voice low and still a little dazed.

Jennie’s lips twitched. “I figured you’d talk too much if I gave you the chance.”

He grinned. “Rude. True, but rude.”

She smirked, turning in her seat to buckle her seatbelt. “Call it preemptive affection.”

“I call it unfair warfare.” He started the car, shooting her a sidelong glance. “Now how am I supposed to function when you ambush me like that ?”

Jennie shrugged, her tone light but eyes gleaming. “Sounds like a you problem.”

He laughed as he pulled away from the curb. “I see. This is how it’s gonna be tonight.”

“I told you,” she said, sliding her hand into his without even looking. “I get spoiled.”

“Oh, believe me,” he said, lacing their fingers, “you haven’t seen anything yet.”

The ride was quiet in that easy kind of way, city lights sliding past the windows, the faint hum of the radio in the background. At every red light, Mingyu snuck a glance at her.

Jennie caught him on the third time.

“Stop staring.”

“I can’t help it. You’re literally glowing.”

She raised an eyebrow. “It’s a hoodie. I’m not exactly red carpet ready.”

“You could wear a trash bag and I’d still be like ‘wow, art.’”

Jennie rolled her eyes, biting back a smile. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously whipped,” he agreed.

That got a laugh. She squeezed his hand once, thumb brushing over his knuckles. He stared at their hands for a second longer than necessary before the light turned green.

By the time they pulled into the grocery store parking lot, their fingers were still intertwined.

“Ready to create domestic greatness ?” Mingyu asked, killing the engine.

Jennie gave him a flat look. “You mean dinner ?”

He grinned. “Same thing.”

She opened her door before he could race around to do it for her. “You are way too eager to play husband.”

“Only if you’re playing wife.”

Jennie paused, pretending to consider. “Hmm. Can’t promise I’ll do dishes.”

“I can cook, clean, and look good doing it,” he said, jogging to her side. “Multifaceted king.”

“Okay, now you sound like your own PR manager.”

“Am I wrong though ?”

The grocery store lights buzzed overhead as they stepped inside, heads low beneath baseball caps and sunglasses, hoodies pulled just high enough to stay out of sight. Not that anyone was really looking. Not when the only orbit that mattered right now was theirs.

Jennie took the cart. Mingyu casually slid his hand over hers as they rolled toward the produce section.

“So,” she said, “Chef Kim. What’s the master plan ?”

“Dak-galbi,” he announced proudly, inspecting a bunch of green onions. “Spicy. Comforting. And guaranteed to make you fall harder for me.”

Jennie raised a brow. “Confident, aren’t we ?”

“Confident and capable. Big difference.”

She snorted. “If you screw it up, I’m ordering ramen.”

Mingyu leaned close. “Bold of you to assume I won’t make both.”

That earned him an actual laugh.

“God, you’re such a showoff,” she muttered, grabbing a head of lettuce.

“Only because you bring it out of me.”

They moved through the aisles like they’d done this a dozen times. Mingyu reached the top shelves for her without asking. Jennie pretended not to stare at how easily he did it and definitely didn’t notice the way his hoodie rose just enough to reveal a sliver of skin.

He threw a box of strawberry Pocky into the cart with a casual, “You like these, right ?”

Jennie blinked. “You know that ?”

He just shrugged like it was obvious. “You said it once. In passing. While chewing.”

She felt her chest warm. “That was weeks ago.”

“I’m a good listener. Especially when it comes to snacks.”

Halfway through the frozen aisle, he slowed.

“No one here,” he murmured.

Jennie barely turned before he kissed her again, quick and sweet this time, but with just enough pressure to make her toes curl in her sneakers. She blinked when he pulled back, his face smug and entirely too pleased with himself.

“That was risky,” she said, breath catching.

Mingyu shrugged. “Felt like the right way to say I missed you.”

Jennie stared at him, then laughed. “You’re insufferable.”

“You love it.”

“I’m tolerating it,” she corrected, nudging him with her hip.

“Same thing.”

The cart filled steadily, vegetables, rice cakes, garlic, chili paste, instant noodles “just in case,” and the kind of snacks you buy when you’re pretending you’re just friends but shopping like a couple who shares a pantry.

As they reached the checkout, Jennie glanced down at the cart and laughed under her breath. “We could feed a small army.”

“Or two very hungry idiots who are very bad at portion control,” Mingyu offered.

She looked at him, head tilted. “This is kinda nice.”

He smiled softly. “Just kinda ?”

Jennie shrugged, but her voice dipped a little. “Feels weirdly easy. Like… natural.”

Mingyu looked over. “Weird in a bad way ?”

“No.” She met his eyes. “Weird in a really good way.”

The cashier barely glanced up as they bagged their groceries and walked into the cool night air. The sound of traffic buzzed faintly, but in their little pocket of the world, everything felt still.

Mingyu opened the car door for her like it was instinct. Jennie brushed his hand lightly as she stepped in, letting her fingers linger.

When he got in, they sat there for a minute, grocery bags in the backseat, quiet music playing low, and their hands finding each other again without fanfare.

Jennie turned to him, voice soft. “This feels like one of those nights I’m gonna remember later. When I’m older.”

Mingyu didn’t tease. Didn’t smirk.

He looked at her like she was something sacred.

“Then let’s make it a really good one.”

He brought her hand to his lips, kissed it once, and started the car.

The engine hummed beneath them, but they didn’t speak.

They didn’t need to.

Not when every smile, every glance, every shared silence said the one thing neither of them had dared to say just yet

They were falling. And it felt exactly right.

Chapter Text

The first thing Mingyu noticed was the quiet.

UN Village wasn’t loud to begin with, tucked into the side of Yongsan like a well kept secret the calm hit different. The streets were clean and tree lined, and the scent of sun warmed pine and something faintly floral lingered in the air. No honking. No echo of nightlife. Just the breeze and the low rustle of leaves.

He glanced up at the row of houses nestled into the hillside

The garage door clicked open with a low mechanical hum, the car’s tires easing over smooth concrete as Mingyu turned into the narrow space.

““Go slow,” Jennie said, watching from the passenger seat. “It’s tight. My neighbor parks like she’s playing Tetris blindfolded.”

Mingyu grinned, easing the car to a stop. “Got it. No need to dent the produce.”

He pulled the handbrake and looked to his left, where Jennie’s car sat, parked neatly in its spot.

“Is that yours ?” he asked, already leaning toward the window.

She followed his gaze and smirked. “Mhm.”

“Wait, you drive a Porsche 911 ?”

“Why do you sound offended ?”

“I’m not, just impressed.” He squinted, taking it in. Black, sleek, matte finish. Clean but not overly flashy. “Didn’t know you were the type.”

“I’m not, usually. I'm not like Lisa” she said, grabbing a grocery bag. “But I test drove it once, and that was it. Felt like it listened better than most people I know.”

Mingyu laughed. “I believe that.”

They got out, arms loaded with bags, the door from the garage to the house swinging open with a soft creak as Jennie pushed it with her hip.

As soon as they stepped inside, a blur of caramel fur launched itself down the hallway.

“Uh oh”

The little Pomeranian zipped down the path like a streak of light. Mingyu bent on instinct, setting down the bag just in time to catch the flurry of caramel fluff.

“Hey, little guy,” he said, holding out his hand slowly.

Kuma gave one perfunctory sniff… then promptly licked his knuckles and headbutted his leg like a tiny, fuzzy bulldozer.

Jennie stared.

“Is this… normal for him ?” Mingyu asked, crouching as Kuma did a little spin and flopped onto his back for a belly rub.

“No” she said slowly. “He barked at my stylist for a week straight.”

“Maybe he just has taste.”

Kuma rolled onto his side with a happy huff. Mingyu scratched gently behind his ears.

“Are you charming him with beef jerky when I'm not looking ?” Jennie asked.

“He must sense greatness,” Mingyu said solemnly, lifting Kuma like a small offering. “Or maybe he just smells the snacks in the bag.”

She snorted. “You know he’s basically my son, right ? If he doesn’t like someone, it’s usually a red flag.”

“And if he does ?”

“…I’m confused.”

Mingyu grinned. “I’ll take confused over hostile.”

She shook her head but smiled. “Come in before he moves in with you.”

He followed her inside, Kuma trotting along beside him like a proud escort.

The air inside was cool, with a faint citrus and cedar scent he couldn’t quite place. For a beat, he just stood there, taking it all in.

Jennie moved ahead toward the kitchen, but Mingyu lingered in the entryway.

It was nothing like he expected.

The house was quiet, but not sterile. Clean, but lived-in. Woven textures and warm woods anchored everything. Soft grays and creams on the couch. A set of open shelves filled with stacked ceramics and books that looked like they were actually read. There was a record player. A candle flickering gently in the corner. Kuma’s little bed tucked neatly beside a low window.

And beyond it all, through the sliding doors at the back of the living room, was the view.

The garden was small but beautiful, full of tall grass and stone pavers that felt more wild than manicured. Beyond the hedges and the hill, the Han River unfolded below them, glittering under the early evening light.

Jennie appeared beside him a moment later, holding a glass of water.

“Caught staring ?” she asked.

“It’s beautiful,” he said quietly.

She took a sip, then looked out with him.

“This neighborhood’s quiet, but not too far from everything. I’ve always liked that balance.”

“I thought you lived nearby already ?”

She nodded. “Penthouse. Literally fifty meters up the hill. Bigger, newer

“But ?”

“I didn’t feel like I belonged in it anymore,” she said, almost too casually. “Too cold. Too many glass walls. Too many old memories I bought it when I thought I needed distance from everyone.”

She turned toward the kitchen and tossed the words over her shoulder.

“This place felt more like me.”

He followed, slow steps behind her.

“How long have you been here ?”

“Three months. Still getting used to having neighbors. And real plants that aren’t just for photoshoots.”

Mingyu smiled, watching as she opened a cabinet and began pulling out space for the groceries.

They settled into the quiet rhythm of unloading. Him passing things from the bags, her organizing the shelves. The sunlight shifted slowly behind them, casting golden lines across the counter.

“This kitchen,”Mingyu said, pausing as he placed the eggs into the fridge. “I’d kill for this kitchen.”

Jennie raised an eyebrow. “You can use it, no homicide necessary.”

“I might move in.”

Kuma barked from under the table.

“See ? He’s fine with it,” Mingyu added.

“Traitor,” Jennie muttered to her dog, but her lips quirked.

Mingyu glanced around again, then looked at her.

“You really built something here.”

She didn’t answer right away. Just kept folding the paper bag, fingers slow and deliberate.

“I wanted to feel… grounded,” she said finally. “Not hidden. Just… here. Quiet. A place that didn’t feel like it was performing all the time.”

He didn’t speak, but he understood.

And when she finally looked at him again, she didn’t say anything either, just gave him a small, real smile and nudged a container of kimchi toward him.

After they put away the last of the groceries, Jennie leaned against the counter, arms folded.

“I’m going to change,”she said. “These jeans are lying to me.”

Mingyu laughed softly. “You make discomfort look good.”

“That's because I’m in pain silently and fashionably,” she said, pushing off the counter. “Come on, I’ll show you around while I grab something else.”

She led him out of the kitchen, down a softly lit hallway with pale oak floors and tall windows that opened up to the garden view.

Her guest room was first a minimal, quiet space with pale linen sheets, abstract art on the wall, and a sliding door that opened directly to a little patio. There was a stack of neatly folded blankets at the foot of the bed, and a candle burning softly on the dresser.

“Do you host often ?” Mingyu asked, brushing his fingers along the windowsill.

Jennie shrugged. “Not really. It’s more for my mom. Or Jisoo, when she drinks too much wine and refuses to call a cab.”

He smiled at that, imagining it too easily.

She continued down the hall and opened another door.

“This is mine.”

Her bedroom was softer. Cozier. Cream colored bedding, light gray curtains, a hanging pendant lamp that cast a warm glow over everything. There was a large canvas above her bed, something abstract and moody, all stormy blue and copper brushstrokes.

The windows overlooked the river. No balcony, but the view was enough.

Mingyu didn’t speak for a moment.

“I like it,”he said finally.

She raised a brow. “What did you expect ?”

“I don’t know. More mirrors ? Neon ? A stage, maybe.”

She rolled her eyes but smirked. “Very funny.”

And then she opened the next door.

“And this,” she said, “is my closet.”

Mingyu stepped inside, then stopped.

The room was nearly the size of her bedroom. Floor to ceiling open wardrobes lined the walls, color coded and lit by soft inset lights. Rows of shoes. Drawers labeled by season. Bags displayed like trophies. The center held a sleek island with sunglasses, jewelry, and what he could only describe as perfectly organized chaos.

He turned slowly, taking it all in.

“You could live in here,” he murmured.

Jennie crossed her arms. “I basically do.”

He laughed under his breath. “Do people know you have a personal fashion museum in your house ?”

“I have a reputation to uphold.”

“You are the nation’s fashion icon,” he teased, stepping closer to the glass case holding vintage sunglasses. “Didn’t that jacket you wore in Paris sell out in two hours, I saw it on Naver ?”

“One hour and thirty-eight minutes, actually.”

Mingyu gave her a slow, impressed nod. “I stand corrected.”

She rolled her eyes again, reaching into a drawer and pulling out a neatly folded black hoodie and matching joggers, her new merch set from her company’s recent launch. She turned to grab something for herself, but paused when she glanced back at him.

He was still dressed in jeans. Perfectly fitted, dark washed, a little too snug to be practical for kitchen work. And even with the casual white tee, it wasn’t subtle how good he looked in them.

Jennie’s gaze paused longer than intended.

“You can’t cook in that,” she said, a little too quickly.

Mingyu tilted his head, amused. “In what ?”

She tossed the extra hoodie and pants at him. “Here. Change. You’ll be more comfortable.”

Mingyu caught them with ease. “Wow. Designer loungewear, exclusive merch, hand selected by the Jennie Kim herself.”

“Don’t make it weird.”

“I feel like I just got promoted to boyfriend tier without earning it.”

Jennie gave him a look. “You’re borrowing it, not getting adopted.”

But she was smiling.

He peeled off his jacket first, setting it gently across the island. Then, without hesitation, he tugged his shirt over his head and dropped it in the same spot.

Jennie blinked.

And stared.

She knew he was fit. She’d seen TikTok edits, shirtless clips, gym videos, fancams slowed down and overdubbed with soft R&B.

But this? This was real. In her closet. Under her lights.

Shoulders broad, back smooth, abs, well, yeah. Those were a problem. Defined, golden, absurdly proportioned.

This is illegal, her brain whispered. “He’s standing next to your shoe wall. With no shirt.”

Mingyu noticed the silence. And the staring.

He turned his head slightly, a knowing grin tugging at his lips.

“Everything okay ?”

Jennie forced herself to look up at his face. “You really have no shame, huh ?”

“Why would I ?” he replied, voice low and amused. “You’re the one dressing me.”

“I was being helpful.”

He stepped closer. Not much, just enough to close the space between humor and tension.

“You gonna take a picture ?” he asked lightly. “Or are you just going to stand there and memorize it ?”

Jennie scoffed, at least, she tried to and turned abruptly toward her dresser.

“You’re ridiculous,” she muttered, grabbing her own matching set and slipping out of the closet.

“Hey,” Mingyu called after her, still grinning. “Make sure yours matches mine. I like a coordinated aesthetic.”

The only reply was the soft click of the bathroom door closing.

Inside, Jennie leaned back against it, took a slow breath, and stared at the ceiling.

“This man is dangerous,” she thought. “ And I invited him into my house. In joggers.””

She was absolutely not having a heatstroke.

Yet.

She leaned her palms against the cool marble counter and exhaled slowly, watching her reflection.

She looked calm. Not flustered. Not flushed. Not like someone who had just witnessed Kim Mingyu’s abs in person, glowing like they were carved under museum lighting.

She dabbed under her eyes. Unnecessary. But calming.

Okay.

She didn’t invite him over for that. This wasn’t some late night PR trap or industry playdate. This was supposed to be easy, chill. Grocery shopping. Cooking. Maybe a quiet meal with someone she... liked.

Liked.

That word felt small. Juvenile. Not quite enough for what her chest was doing when he smiled at her like that, with his whole face, like she was the only person in the room. Or when he caught her off guard and didn’t gloat about it. Just… held space.

She knew he was attractive. Everyone with eyes and a smartphone knew that. She’d seen the edits. The gifs. The fancams slowed to half speed with dramatic zoom ins. “Mingyu being 6ft2 of boyfriend material for 3 minutes straight.”
She may or may not have saved one.

She never expected to feel it though. Not like this. Not here.

Not with him shirtless in her closet, throwing off casual confidence like it was cologne, completely unaware that her heart had skipped three beats and a vowel.

“ And he put on my merch,” she thought. “ He’s wearing my name. In my house. With my dog asleep at his feet like he’s lived here forever.”

That thought did something strange and warm to her chest.

Jennie closed her eyes, trying to focus.

She didn’t usually let people into this part of her life. Not into her home. Not into the real, soft bits she didn’t show through campaign shoots and backstage banter. But Mingyu, somehow, without trying, had gotten in.

Maybe it was the way he listened. Or the way he looked around her living room like it mattered. Like he saw her in the little things. The stacks of books. The mug on the window ledge. The messy blanket she never remembered to fold.

It was quiet with him. But not empty.

And that was starting to scare her a little.

Because she could already feel herself letting go.

Jennie opened her eyes again and shook her head, grounding herself.

“Get a grip,” she whispered to her reflection, then pulled the hoodie over her head and ran a hand through her hair.

When she opened the door, she would act like nothing happened.

Like she hadn’t just had a silent crisis over a man in joggers.

Like she wasn’t already wondering what he’d look like here again, tomorrow, next week, maybe even on a Sunday morning, making pancakes barefoot with Kuma nipping at his ankles.

God, she thought, this is getting dangerous.

When Jennie finally stepped out of the bathroom, hoodie sleeves pushed halfway up her forearms, hair loosely tied back, and her face reset into something neutral, composed, she immediately smelled garlic and gochugaru.

Mingyu was already in the kitchen, head tilted slightly to the side as he examined the contents of her fridge with surgical precision. The black joggers hugged his legs just right, and the matching hoodie, her hoodie, was pushed up past his elbows, revealing strong forearms dusted with flour and a tiny smudge of chili paste on one thumb.

She stopped in the doorway for half a second too long.

He didn’t look up, but he felt her.

But then he tossed her a smirk over his shoulder.

“Back from your little heart reset in the closet ?” he asked, tone smooth as butter.

Jennie rolled her eyes, internally first. Then she crossed the kitchen and dropped into one of the chairs at the island like it meant nothing.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, come on,” he said, finally looking at her, eyes dancing. “You practically sprinted to the bathroom. Like I was gonna eat you alive.”

“You were undressing in my closet.”

“You gave me clothes.”

“You were smirking.”

He held up his hands, still holding a cutting board. “I can’t help what God gave me.”

“God gave you zero humility.”

Mingyu chuckled, turning back to the counter. “Fair. But you let me in, so really… who’s the reckless one ?”

Jennie didn’t answer. Instead, she reached behind her and flicked on the Bluetooth speaker tucked near the espresso machine. A mellow jazz playlist filtered into the room, something low and smoky, with soft drums and a wandering saxophone.

She turned back to him and rested her chin on her hand. “Alright, Mr. Confidence. What’s on the menu ?”

“Dak-galbi,” he said easily. “Spicy, saucy, comforting. Plus rice, pickled radish, and some stir-fried greens. If you behave, I’ll even plate it like a Michelin chef.”

Jennie blinked. “You really do cook ?”

Mingyu raised a brow. “You thought I was joking when I said I’d spoil you ?”

“I thought that meant… takeout. Or, I don’t know, ramen with artistic toppings.”

“Jennie,” he said, turning around with a bowl of sliced chicken already marinating, “you seriously underestimated me.”

He moved around her kitchen with a calm, practiced rhythm. Knife skills smooth, precise. Pan sizzling just hot enough to make her stomach growl. He reached overhead without looking to grab the sesame oil. Stirred with one hand while plating greens with the other. Moved like he’d cooked in her kitchen before. Like her stove belonged to him, just for the night.

Jennie didn’t say anything. Just watched.

She liked watching him like this, focused, relaxed. His usual on stage energy softened, grounded. Here, he wasn’t trying to perform. He just was.

Her gaze dropped to the way his brow furrowed slightly as he tasted the sauce from the edge of a wooden spoon. He adjusted the seasoning like it was instinct. Like it mattered.

He looked up and caught her watching.

“What ?” he asked, voice low, amused.

Jennie blinked. “Nothing.”

“You’re staring.”

“I’m just surprised.”

“At ?”

“That you’re… competent.”

Mingyu laughed. “Wow. The bar is so high in this house.”

“I didn’t expect you to be this good.”

“I told you. I’m full of surprises.”

She hummed, sipping from a bottle of sparkling water. “You’re cocky.”

“I’m confident. There’s a difference.”

“I’m still figuring that out.”

Mingyu grinned and dropped a handful of scallions into the pan. The smell filled the kitchen, smoky, rich, laced with spice and just enough sweetness.

Jennie leaned back in her chair, the jazz lilting softly in the background, Kuma snoozing nearby on the rug. The light above the island was golden, and Mingyu’s silhouette moved through it like he belonged there.

She didn’t want to admit how good it felt. How normal.

No pressure. No noise. Just a man cooking dinner in her kitchen while teasing her about her reaction to his abs.

And somehow, that felt more intimate than any night out or red carpet moment ever could.

Jennie had been content to sit back and watch truly. Watching Mingyu move around her kitchen like he belonged there had a certain... draw. The soft jazz, the smell of sizzling sauce, the comfortable stretch of the evening unfolding she could’ve stayed there forever.

But then he tossed her a smirk over his shoulder.

“You know,” he said, stirring the pan of dak-galbi with practiced ease, “you could help. It’s your house.”

“I did help,” she countered. “I bought the ingredients. I played the music. I provided the wardrobe.”

“And now you’re just sitting there like royalty.”

She raised a brow. “Is that a problem ?”

“Only for me,” he said. “Because I’m starting to feel underdressed and overworked.”

Jennie huffed, standing up and crossing to the counter. “Fine. What do I do ?”

Mingyu blinked, surprised. “Seriously ?”

She shot him a look. “Don’t make me change my mind.”

He grinned, stepping aside. “Okay. Stir the sauce. Low heat. Just keep it moving.”

Jennie looked down at the pan, thick, red, fragrant.

“And if I burn it ?”

“I’ll cry.”

“No pressure, then.”

She grabbed the wooden spoon and began to stir, slowly and carefully.

Mingyu stepped behind her to rinse a few dishes, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off him or maybe it was the stove. She wasn’t entirely sure anymore.

“You’re doing fine,” he murmured.

She rolled her eyes. “It’s been fifteen seconds.”

“Fifteen perfect seconds.”

She fought a smile.

A few moments passed in comfortable silence. Then he returned to her side and dipped a spoon into the sauce, blowing on it gently before holding it out.

“Taste.”

Jennie looked at the spoon, then at him.

“Really ?”

He raised an eyebrow. “What, scared ?”

“I just know how this goes. Feed me and then call me dramatic when it’s too spicy.”

“It’s not spicy,” he said. “It’s perfect. Come on.”

She leaned in, lips parting slightly as she tasted the spoon and immediately froze.

Because he hadn’t stepped back.

He was still standing right there, holding the spoon with one hand, watching her with this quiet, amused expression like he knew exactly what he was doing.

The sauce was delicious. Rich. Balanced.

But suddenly all she could taste was heat.

She swallowed slowly, clearing her throat. “It’s good.”

“I know.”

“Stop looking at me like that.”

“Like what ?”

“Like you’re about to kiss me over gochujang.”

He grinned. “Would it be the worst idea ?”

Jennie’s breath hitched.

There was a second just one where neither of them moved.

Then, mercifully, Kuma barked from the other room. Loud. Sharp. Followed by the unmistakable sound of him tripping over his own water bowl.

Jennie blinked, startled, and stepped back. “He’s such a drama queen.”

Mingyu, to his credit, laughed and turned toward the sink. “I think he saved us.”

Jennie gave him a side eye. “From what ?”

“From kissing in front of a pan of chicken.”

“And ?”

He shrugged. “Would’ve been iconic. But I respect the dog’s timing.”

She huffed out a laugh and returned to the stove, giving the sauce a final stir.

“You’re dangerous,” she muttered.

“Only in joggers.”

She gave him a warning look.

He just winked and handed her the bowl of greens for plating. “Alright, Chef Kim, let’s finish this before we set your kitchen or our self-control on fire.”

Jennie didn’t reply. But she was smiling.

-

They didn’t rush.

Mingyu insisted on plating everything properly, two shallow bowls with dak-galbi nestled over rice, stir-fried greens curled neatly beside pickled radish, sesame seeds sprinkled with unnecessary but appreciated precision. Jennie added some cold bottle of soju and small square plates for banchan like she occasionally knew what she was doing.

And then, finally, they sat.

The island lights hung low over them, casting a golden ring around the counter. Outside, the sky had melted into navy. The river below caught flickers of city light and carried them like secrets across the surface.

Mingyu took a bite and closed his eyes.

Jennie watched him, amused. “Satisfied ?”

“I’d marry myself for this.”

“That’s deeply concerning.”

He grinned. “I’m just saying. If I had to seduce someone through food, this would be the dish.”

Jennie tried a bite herself and immediately made a surprised face.

“Okay,” she said after chewing. “This is stupid good.”

“Told you.”

“Like... spicy in a way that makes me mad.”

“Spicy and emotional. My specialty.”

She took another bite, less elegantly, then sighed. “I hate how good you are at this.”

“You’ve said that about a lot of things tonight.”

She shot him a look, chopsticks still in hand. “Don’t make me regret feeding your ego.”

He smiled but didn’t answer. For a while, they ate in quiet sync, just the sound of jazz in the background, Kuma occasionally shifting on the rug nearby, the clink of metal against ceramic.

It felt... peaceful.

Jennie didn’t realize how loud her days usually were until now, even when she was home. Her phone buzzing. Deadlines. Voices. Expectations pressing in from every side. But here, now, with Mingyu just across the counter, casually barefoot in her borrowed clothes, making her laugh in between bites of spicy chicken.

It was quiet in a way that didn’t make her restless.

It made her feel full.

Not just from the food.

“You cook often ?” she asked after a while, pushing some rice to the side.

Mingyu wiped his fingers on a napkin, nodding. “When I can. It’s like... therapy. Plus I like seeing people’s reactions.”

He paused, then smirked. “Yours is one of my favorites so far.”

Jennie snorted. “I’ve given you maybe a six out of ten.”

“You made a noise. It was borderline obscene.”

“It was a hum.”

“It was a spiritual experience.”

She shook her head, smiling. “You’re too much.”

“You’re just not used to being spoiled.”

That pulled her up short.

She didn’t show it, but the words landed heavier than expected.

Because... maybe he wasn’t wrong.

“Maybe,” she said softly, eyes dropping to her plate.

Mingyu noticed the shift, the sudden quiet in her voice, the way her chopsticks paused mid air. But he didn’t press.

Instead, he reached for the radish, then added a few pieces to her bowl.

Jennie blinked. “What are you...”

“You always skip sides,” he said lightly. “Balance. Respect the radish.”

She looked down at the small gesture, absurdly ordinary, almost stupidly sweet and something in her chest moved.

She picked one up and ate it without complaint.

“Happy now ?”

“Very.”

They kept eating. Slowly. Comfortably.

By the time their plates were mostly empty and the last of the barley soju was gone, the quiet had shifted into something softer, not silence, but something more like stillness. A warm, golden kind of pause.

Jennie sat back slightly, watching Mingyu swirl the last of the sauce in his bowl, spoon resting in his hand. His sleeves were pushed up. His hoodie — her hoodie — was rumpled at the edges. His hair was a little messy now, and his smile, when he caught her looking, was unguarded. Easy.

She stood.

Not abruptly, just… moved.

Came around the island. Stopped beside him.

Mingyu looked up, mid sentence about how he once ruined a family dinner by burning sweet potatoes.

Before he could finish, Jennie leaned down, slow, sure and pressed her lips to his.

It wasn’t fast. Or playful. Or dramatic.

Just real.

Soft.

Lingering.

One hand lightly brushed his jaw, her thumb grazing the edge of his cheekbone. He exhaled into it, a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding and kissed her back with the kind of care that made her chest tighten. Not pulling. Not demanding. Just there, like he’d been waiting for her to come to him on her own.

When she finally pulled away, she didn’t go far. Just looked at him, eyes quiet, open.

“Thank you,” she said, voice soft. “For dinner. For… all of it.”

Mingyu’s smile was small, but something in it flickered deep.

“For you ?” he murmured. “Anytime.”

She could’ve kissed him again right there.

Instead, she reached for the plates and he stood, already gathering bowls and cutlery with practiced ease.

“Hey,” he said gently, brushing her arm. “I’ve got it. Sit down. You’ve done enough.”

Jennie turned to face him. “It’s my house.”

“I made the food.”

“And I made the moment,” she quipped, deadpan.

He grinned. “You’re not letting me clean, are you ?”

“Not a chance.”

-

They moved around each other in that easy rhythm again, Jennie rinsing, Mingyu washing, her drying with a towel slung over her shoulder. They bumped hips. He dripped water on her sock. She flicked a wet spoon at his back. Kuma circled their feet like he was supervising domestic bliss.

And when the counters were clean and the lights dimmed, Jennie pulled out a bottle of red from her small wine rack, along with two stemless glasses.

“No label ?” Mingyu teased.

“Gift from someone who knows too much about wine.”

He followed her into the living room, carrying the snacks she’d assembled: dried mango, dark chocolate almonds, sunflower seeds, and a small bowl of salty crackers that weren’t fancy, but comfort always beat aesthetic.

The couch they were on felt like heaven. Plush, worn in all the right places, and deep enough to swallow them whole. Mingyu sank into it like a man exhaling after years of holding his breath. But more than that, it was Jennie beside him that made it feel like a place he never wanted to leave. Her presence wove itself into the cushions, into the rhythm of his breath.

They had settled into an effortless quiet. The kind that only blooms between two people comfortable in each other's orbit. The TV played some Korean Tv shows neither of them were really following. Their laughter had quieted, replaced by a low hum of something warmer, heavier. Her thigh brushed against his. Her perfume curled faintly in the air, clean, sweet, and just a bit citrusy and it was doing dangerous things to his focus.

Mingyu kept glancing over, stealing looks. Jennie’s profile glowed in the flickering light of the screen, and every now and then she would tuck her hair behind her ear in that absent-minded way that drove him quietly insane. He watched her lips curve when she smiled at something on the screen. God, those lips.

Jennie shifted slightly, the soft blanket slipping from her lap. Her arm pressed against his now, and she didn’t move away. Her warmth seeped into him, making him feel almost drunk.

Mingyu reached out, almost without realizing it, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His fingertips lingered a little longer than necessary, skimming the curve of her cheek. She stilled.

Their eyes met.

Something shifted, a pause, a catch of breath. Jennie looked at him like she could hear every thought in his head. Her pupils dilated just slightly. He could feel her pulse in the air between them.

His hand dropped to her jaw, thumb gently stroking along the edge of it, tracing the soft skin just beneath her ear. Her breath hitched. She didn’t move away.

“Jennie,” he whispered, not asking, just... acknowledging.

She leaned in first.

Their lips met in the softest way possible. A feather light touch that said I’m here and I’ve wanted this all in one breath.

Then it deepened.

The second kiss came with more certainty. His hand slipped into her hair, fingers curling gently as he tilted his head to taste her again. She sighed into his mouth, one hand landing on his thigh, firm, grounding herself. Her other arm hooked around his neck, drawing him closer.

He made a quiet sound against her lips, something low and reverent, and it made her heart flutter violently. She kissed him again, slower, firmer and felt the way his whole body responded.

Mingyu leaned into her, guiding her gently back against the cushions until she was almost reclining, his body half above her. One knee anchored beside her hip, while his torso hovered just enough to make her crave more.

Jennie pulled him down by the front of his hoodie, kissing him deeper. Her fingers slipped beneath the fabric, brushing warm skin. The heat of him, the tension coiled in his muscles, it was intoxicating.

He groaned softly, head dipping to her jawline. He kissed a slow trail down to the base of her throat, where he paused, breathing her in.

“You taste like wine and something sweeter,” he murmured.

Jennie tilted her head back, giving him more room. “I had chocolate,” she said, breathless.

He hummed in approval, lips brushing her collarbone. “Figures you’d still manage to be the most addictive thing here.”

She gasped at that, a soft laugh slipping out. But her laugh broke when his hand slipped beneath her shirt, splaying across her waist. Not rushing. Just... claiming. His fingers dragged gently across her skin, and every pass left her shivering.

Their kiss deepened again, molten and slow, like neither wanted to come up for air. Jennie could feel his heart pounding through his chest, matching the staccato rhythm of her own. Her legs shifted beneath him, thighs brushing his. Every point of contact was fire.

Mingyu’s hand traced along her side, skimming the lace edge of her bra, then pausing.

He pulled back just slightly, eyes dark, his voice a low murmur. “Tell me to stop if it’s too much.”

Jennie looked up at him, hair fanned across the pillow, lips swollen, cheeks flushed and she cupped his face in both hands.

“I’ll tell you,” she whispered. “But right now, I want you close.”

He exhaled sharply, like her words knocked the wind from him. Then he kissed her again, deeper than before, one arm sliding under her back, lifting her into him.

Clothes shifted. Hands wandered. But it wasn’t about the rush. It was about the feeling. The pressure of skin against skin, the soft hitch in Jennie’s breath when he whispered something against her ear, the way she buried her fingers in his hair and clung like she never wanted to let go.

They kissed for what felt like hours. The world faded. The show on TV continued playing to an empty room. The only thing that existed was the two of them: breathless, entangled, and alive.

Jennie’s leg curled over his hip. Mingyu groaned against her mouth, his hand gripping her waist to guide her down into his lap. She moved with him, the heat between them undeniable now, heavy and pulsing.

“Fuck,” he whispered, pressing his forehead to hers.“I want you so bad.”

Jennie let her forehead rest against his, her breathing shallow. “Me too. I… I really do.”

They kissed again, hungrier now, with hands that didn’t hesitate. Her shirt peeled off. His hoodie followed.

When Jennie saw him shirtless again, it hit her all over. Her breath caught, eyes raking over the broad expanse of his chest, the sculpted lines of his abs, the cut of his shoulders, like he’d been carved just for her. She hovered above him for a second, stunned by the sheer beauty of him, and then her hands moved. Tracing. Admiring. Possessing. Her fingertips swept over his chest, her nails dragging lightly down the grooves of his stomach.

“I swear to God, Mingyu,” she whispered, her voice thick with need, “I want to taste every inch of you. Mark every part of you as mine.”

He moaned softly, head tipping back as she pressed a kiss to the center of his chest.

But then he pulled back to get a look at her.

And that’s when he saw it, her, in nothing but a lacy Calvin Klein bralette. The sight knocked the wind out of him.

“Jesus,” he breathed, his voice nearly trembling. His hands ghosted up from her waist, thumbs brushing just beneath the soft cups. “You’re unreal.”

His fingertips traced the curve of her breasts, gentle and reverent. Jennie felt like she might combust under the heat of his gaze alone.

Her breath hitched, pleasure and vulnerability washing over her at once. “You’re not helping my self-control, Gyu.”

He leaned in, pressing a slow, open-mouthed kiss between the swell of her breasts. “Good.”

They kissed again, hotter now, messier, all instinct. Jennie’s hips rolled forward slightly, pressing down on him, and Mingyu’s fingers dug into her thighs like he was holding on for dear life.

And then, she paused.

“Wait.”

Mingyu froze instantly, blinking up at her. “What is it ?”

Jennie bit her lip, brushing her fingers along his jaw. “Do you have anything ?”

He stilled. His face fell, and he exhaled a groan, full of want and frustration. “No. Shit. I don’t.”

She flopped forward onto his chest with a dramatic sigh. “You’re such a gentleman. Why didn’t you think of that ?”

He laughed helplessly beneath her, arms wrapping around her waist. “Because I was trying not to think about fucking you the second I stepped into your house.”

Jennie huffed into his neck. “Worst gentleman ever.”

“Next time, I’ll be a little less honorable.”

“Please do.”

They lay there, still tangled, still simmering. The tension hadn’t broken, it just shifted. It became promise.

Mingyu kissed her temple, then her shoulder, then anywhere he could reach. “Next time.”

Jennie smiled into his chest. “Next time.”

The heat between them still lingered, even as their breathing slowly settled. Jennie’s body was sprawled gently across Mingyu’s chest, her skin flushed, her heart racing against his in a quiet syncopated rhythm. His arms wrapped around her protectively, anchoring her in place while her fingers drew soft patterns over the dip of his sternum. His chest rose and fell beneath her, strong and steady, like the safest place in the world.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The silence wasn’t empty, it was thick with everything they had said with their mouths and hands instead. Words would’ve only diluted what pulsed between them.

Jennie inhaled deeply, his scent still clinging to her skin, warm, woodsy, something clean and a little wild. Her eyes fluttered shut as she rested her cheek against the space just beneath his collarbone.

And then, quietly, she spoke. “Stay the night.”

Mingyu’s arm, already curled around her waist, squeezed her gently.

He tilted his head just enough to glance down at her. “Yeah ?”

She nodded against his skin, lips brushing it as she murmured, “I don’t want to see you leave.”

He smiled, slow and fond. “Can’t get enough of me, huh ?”

Jennie let out a breath that was half a laugh. “Don’t push it. Just take the win, Gyu.”

His chest rumbled beneath her. “Like I’d ever say no to that.”

They stayed like that for a while, tangled up on her couch, their bare torsos pressed together, the faint sounds of the city through the windows wrapping around them like a lullaby. His thumb traced idle circles against the small of her back. Every now and then, one of them would lean in and press a lazy, open mouthed kiss somewhere, shoulder, jaw, temple, like a silent reminder: I'm still here.

Eventually, Jennie sighed softly “I should go change,” she murmured against his collarbone, her voice still breathy.

Mingyu glanced down at her with a soft smile. “Take your time. I’ll use the bathroom ?”

“Mm-hmm,” she said, lifting her head just enough to meet his gaze. “There’s a spare toothbrush in the drawer. And if you wanna wash your face or whatever, help yourself. My products are all cruelty free and terrifyingly expensive.”

He chuckled, sitting up slowly, his body still a little warm from her touch. “Noted. I’ll try not to bankrupt you with a single cleanse.”

She rolled her eyes fondly. “Don’t mess with my serums, Kim Mingyu.”

He leaned over to press a lingering kiss to her temple. “Wouldn’t dare.”

As he padded off toward the bathroom, Jennie finally stood from the couch, stretching out her limbs with a soft groan. Her body still hummed from all the almosts. The wanting. The aching. The feel of him against her, his weight, his warmth, the way he touched her like she was both a secret and something sacred.

She walked toward her closet, tugging at the waistband of her joggers as she went. There was no way she was sleeping in them, not tonight, not with how hot her skin still felt. She grabbed a pair of sleep shorts, soft and barely there, the kind she usually reserved for summer nights and solo lounging.

As she was pulling them on, her eyes drifted toward the pile of clothes discarded earlier that night.

And there it was. His shirt.

The one he had peeled off hours ago, just before undressing in front of her like it was nothing, like he hadn’t just short circuited her entire nervous system in the process.

She picked it up slowly, holding it between her fingers.

God, it still smelled like him. Clean and woodsy and slightly spicy, like cedar and sunshine and something warm she couldn’t name. She pressed the fabric to her face, inhaling softly. Her heart did a little flutter in her chest.

Without thinking, she slipped it on.

The hem hit mid-thigh, slightly longer in the sleeves, draping over her frame like a second skin of someone else's comfort. His comfort. Her comfort now, apparently.

Jennie glanced at herself in the mirror. Shirt slightly rumpled, shorts peeking underneath, bare legs, no makeup, hair loosely braided from earlier.

She looked… soft. She looked like someone in love.

A few moments later, she padded quietly down the hallway. The bathroom light was off now, and the faint hum of the bedroom’s warm lighting spilled out ahead of her. When she stepped inside, her breath caught.

There he was.

Mingyu, shirtless, reclining back against her pillows like he belonged there. The soft amber glow of her bedside lamp kissed the ridges of his chest, the lines of his collarbones, the shadow along his abs. His hair was damp at the ends from splashing his face, and his skin looked even more golden against the soft ivory of her sheets.

He was scrolling on his phone lazily, clearly waiting for her. He looked up.

And Jennie nearly dropped to her knees.

His eyes traveled from her legs, up the oversized shirt, realizing it was his shirt she’d chosen. His jaw tightened, his lips parting slightly as he sat up straighter.

Jennie leaned against the doorframe with a raised brow and a smirk, playing it cool even though her heart was trying to leap out of her chest. “You always look that good in other people’s beds ?”

Mingyu blinked, then laughed softly, voice low and warm. “You always look that good in my shirt ?”

She crossed the room slowly, the floor cool under her bare feet, then crawled into the bed next to him without breaking eye contact. “Touché.”

They kissed again, lingering, drawn back to each other like magnets. But it wasn’t rushed anymore. It was warm. Intimate. Just… them.

Eventually, she pulled back with a heavy sigh and murmured, “You know, all of this would’ve ended very differently if someone had remembered to bring condoms.”

Mingyu stared at her for a beat, then threw his head back, laughing. “You’re really gonna hold that against me ?”

“Yes,” she said, unapologetically. “Who raised you to be this responsible ?”

“I was trying to be respectful.”

Jennie rolled her eyes fondly. “Next time, be a little less respectful.”

He caught her wrist and tugged her back to him, his bare torso pressed close again. “Deal. But I’m still sleeping in your bed tonight.”

She softened instantly. “Good.”

Moments later, side by side in her bathroom, they brushed their teeth, bumping into each other like two people who’d done this for years. Jennie’s eyes kept drifting to his reflection beside her, bare-faced, smiling, humming a song she didn’t know. Hers. Already.

Back in the bedroom, she curled beneath the covers and waited for him. When he slipped in behind her, his arm wrapped around her waist instinctively. Her back met his chest like puzzle pieces clicking into place.

“Gyu ?” she whispered.

“Hmm ?”

“I really like you.”

He kissed the back of her shoulder. “Good. Because I like you too and I’m not going anywhere.”

They fell asleep tangled in each other, skin against skin, warmth layered over warmth. And in the stillness of the night, both of them knew, whatever this was between them, it had just begun.

Chapter Text

The first light of dawn crept gently into the room, painting soft shadows across Jennie’s bedroom walls. The hum of the city beyond her windows was still distant, muffled. Time hadn’t quite started yet.

Jennie stirred, still half asleep, her body instinctively curling back into the warmth behind her. A solid chest, a familiar arm draped around her waist, the slow and steady rise and fall of someone else breathing.

Mingyu.

He was still here. Still holding her.

A smile tugged at her lips before her eyes even opened.

Mingyu’s breath brushed against the back of her neck, and she felt it in her bones, low and slow and warm, like a promise. His hand, splayed wide across her stomach, flexed slightly in his sleep. He shifted, pressing a little closer, until his nose was buried in her hair and his chest aligned perfectly with her spine.

Neither of them said anything for a long moment. Jennie was awake, but reluctant to break the quiet. It was too good. Too still.

Then, his voice, low and hoarse and still wrapped in sleep, vibrated against her shoulder.

“Mm... morning.”

Jennie felt her pulse stutter. God, that voice. She pressed her thighs together on instinct.

“That’s illegal,” she murmured.

Mingyu blinked slowly, his eyes still closed. “What is?”

“That voice. You can’t talk to me like that first thing in the morning.” She turned slightly, just enough to see his face.

Mingyu chuckled, low and deep, the kind of sound you felt before you registered it.

“Like what ?” he whispered, nudging his nose into her shoulder, his voice dragging like velvet. “You mean this voice ?”

Sleep still clung to his features his lashes heavy, cheeks flushed, lips swollen from where he’d probably slept with his mouth slightly open. His hair was tousled, the way it always got when she ran her fingers through it the night before.

And he was smiling now, that slow, sleepy grin that made her stomach flip.

“You’re staring,”he said quietly, cracking one eye open.

“You’re not allowed to be this handsome at 8am,” she muttered.

Mingyu grinned, eyes barely open, but so focused on her. “You’re wearing my shirt. That’s cheating.”

Jennie raised a brow. “Do you want it back ?”

His hand tightened around her waist, tugging her flush against him. “Touch it and you die.”

She laughed, soft and lazy, and rolled onto her back, letting the fabric of his shirt ride up slightly. Mingyu followed, propping himself on one elbow, eyes sweeping over her face like he was still trying to believe she was real.

Her skin glowed with the early light, hair fanned out on the pillow, eyes shining despite the sleep still weighing them down. He traced her cheek with his thumb, slow and reverent.

“You’re really beautiful, Jennie.”

Her lips parted, the compliment hitting deeper than she expected. Not because it was new but because of the way he said it. Like he was seeing her for the first time. Like she was something delicate in the light and he didn’t want to blink and miss it.

She reached up, brushing her fingers along his collarbone, down his arm, feeling the muscles shift beneath his skin. He let her explore, eyes never leaving hers.

“You always this warm in the morning ?” she whispered.

“I don’t know,” he said. “You’re the first one since a long time, I’ve ever stayed over with like this.”

Jennie’s fingers paused. Her throat tightened, just slightly. “Really ?”

He nodded, leaning in to press a feather-light kiss to her jaw. “Yeah. You ruin other people for me.”

Jennie sucked in a soft breath, her hands moving to trace the outline of his ribs now, her touch slow, mapping. “Don’t say things like that unless you mean them.”

Mingyu’s expression didn’t change. “I do.”

Their mouths found each other, sleepy, slow, breathless. Morning kisses with no rush. Mingyu kissed her like he had all the time in the world, like she was something sacred. He cupped her jaw, let his fingers slide behind her ear, pulled her in until she was sighing into his mouth.

Jennie rolled into him now, leg draped over his hip, her thigh sliding up against his waist. Their bodies aligned too easily. Her hand found the back of his neck, fingers twining in the soft hair there as she kissed him deeper.

Then, without breaking away, she whispered into his mouth, “You didn’t brush your teeth.”

Mingyu smirked, pulling back half an inch. “Neither did you.”

Jennie grinned. “Gross.”

“Hot,”

There was a pause. A charged one.

Mingyu leaned in slowly, pressing a barely there kiss to the corner of her mouth. Jennie turned her head, meeting him fully, their lips brushing, slow and exploratory. Morning kisses were a different breed, gentle, unhurried, drowsy but full of promise.

She melted into it.

His hand slid up her thigh, still under the shirt, fingertips drawing slow, teasing circles against her skin. She was already warm, but now she was burning.

Jennie deepened the kiss, tilting her head to get more of him. His hand splayed against her lower back, pulling her closer until there was no space between them.

“You’re not helping my self-control,” she whispered against his mouth.

He kissed her again, slower this time. “Who said I had any left ?”

Their kisses turned greedy quickly. Mingyu rolled them over so she was beneath him, and Jennie gasped at the sudden weight of him pressing her into the bed. His knee slotted between hers, his hips cradled perfectly into hers, and the moment his tongue slid across her bottom lip, she was lost.

They were still clothed but barely. Her shorts had ridden up during the night, and Mingyu’s merch joggers hung low on his hips, but it felt like nothing at all when his hand slid up her ribcage and found the edge of her bralette.

Jennie arched into him, fingers digging into his back, desperate for something more. She kissed him like she was hungry for it, because she was.

Mingyu groaned softly, dipping his head to her neck, kissing along her collarbone, then lower. His hand cupped her breast, thumb brushing across the lace. Jennie gasped at the contact, clutching at his arm.

“Gyu…”

He looked up at her, lips kiss swollen, eyes heavy. “Tell me if you want me to stop.”

“Don’t you dare,” she whispered.

That was all he needed.

He shifted lower, mouthing at her stomach, pulling the shirt higher as he moved. Jennie’s hands fisted in the sheets, her breath coming in shallow bursts. His touch was reverent, but his mouth; his mouth was everything.

He left a slow, open mouthed kiss just beneath her navel, then moved to her inner thigh, kissing it through the fabric of her shorts. She whimpered, hips twitching beneath him.

“Mingyu...”

He hushed her, smiling against her skin. “Still thinking about last night,” he said, voice muffled by her thigh. “About how close we were.”

Jennie sat up slightly, watching him with hooded eyes. “Yeah. We were stupid close.”

He nodded. “I’m still tense from it.”

Jennie let her hand drift into his hair, tugging gently. “Then fix it.”

Their eyes locked.

Mingyu hovered above her, his hand braced beside her head, his other sliding beneath the hem of her borrowed shirt. Her bare skin was soft under his touch, warm from sleep, but trembling now with something far deeper.

Jennie watched him as he took her in, the way his gaze flickered from her lips to her eyes, then back down to where his fingers pushed the fabric higher, slowly revealing her inch by inch.

“I dreamed about this,” he murmured, voice thick. “So many fucking times.”

She bit her lip.“Yeah ?”

“I always woke up hard,” he admitted, dipping his head to her collarbone. “And pissed it wasn’t real.”

He kissed her there, slow, open mouthed and then again, lower, until he reached the edge of the lace bralette that had already driven him mad the night before. His fingers brushed over the strap, then under it, then he paused.

Jennie reached behind her and unhooked it herself.

Mingyu sat back on his heels, watching with reverence as the fabric fell away.

His breath left him in a rush.

“Jennie…”

Her skin glowed in the morning light, bare, flushed, exposed to him completely for the first time. Her chest rose and fell under his gaze, and he couldn’t stop staring.

His hands moved up her torso slowly, reverently, and then he dipped his head down and kissed the swell of her left breast, right above her heartbeat. She gasped, her back arching slightly, already sensitive from all the teasing.

He smiled against her skin, then dragged his tongue up until it circled her nipple, slow, warm, wet.

Jennie shuddered.

Then he closed his lips around it.

Soft at first. Teasing. He suckled gently, tongue flicking, then flattening, then flicking again. Her fingers clutched at his shoulders, breath hitching as his hand came up to palm her other breast, thumb brushing the peak there until it pebbled under his touch.

He switched sides, because he had to taste all of her, and when he took the other nipple into his mouth, he groaned at the way her hips jumped beneath him.

“God...Mingyu,” she whimpered, threading her fingers into his hair. “That feels…”

She couldn’t even finish the sentence. She just arched higher into his mouth.

He suckled deeper now, hungrier, tongue stroking with a rhythm that made her press her thighs together. His other hand continued kneading the breast he’d just left, alternating between pinching lightly and soothing it with slow circles.

Her head tipped back, mouth falling open, eyes fluttering shut.

“I could do this for hours,” he murmured against her skin, before giving another deep lick that made her whimper. “You taste so fucking good.”

Jennie writhed beneath him, completely undone from just his mouth on her chest. “If you keep going like that, I’m gonna come without you even touching me anywhere else.”

He chuckled low, wicked. “Tempting. But I have other plans.”

With a smooth motion, Mingyu sat back on his knees and gently tugged her shorts down her legs, slow enough to make her squirm. She lifted her hips to help him.

Now, she was completely bare before him.

And fuck, he lost his breath.

Jennie lay sprawled on her bed, cheeks flushed, her chest rising and falling with every shaky inhale. Her thighs pressed slightly together in reflex, her gaze flickering from his eyes to his hands, waiting for his next move.

Mingyu took his time, kissing his way down her stomach, his hands sliding up her legs, parting them gently.

She sucked in a breath as he kissed her inner thigh. And again. Higher this time.

“God,” she murmured. “You’re seriously going to make me explode just from that.”

Mingyu looked up at her, his voice husky. “That’s the plan.”

Then he leaned in and kissed her center, soft, lingering, exploratory.

Jennie let out a strangled gasp, her hand flying to his hair.

He groaned low in his throat at the taste of her, sweet, intoxicating, better than anything he’d imagined in all his late night fantasies. And he’d imagined this so many times. But nothing compared to the way she actually sounded, the way she trembled under his mouth.

He licked a long, slow stripe, then focused on the most sensitive spot, circling it with the flat of his tongue, teasing it with short flicks. Jennie’s hips bucked up and he held her down gently, his arm braced across her stomach.

“Shit...Mingyu...” Her voice cracked, already fraying at the edges.

Her thighs tightened around his shoulders, but he didn’t relent. He wanted to unravel her. Wanted to taste every whimper, every curse, every twitch of her hips.

He moved lower, dragging his tongue down to dip inside her, slow and deep.

Jennie cried out, one hand gripping the sheets, the other clinging to his hair like an anchor.

“Don’t stop...fuck, please...”

He groaned into her, the sound vibrating against her heat, and her whole body jerked. Then he added his fingers, sliding one inside, curling just right, then two, his rhythm slow, sensual, unrelenting.

Jennie was completely gone.

Her head rolled back against the pillow, her back arching off the bed as she chanted his name like a mantra. “Gyu...Gyu...oh my God...”

He sucked again, fingers stroking her just right, mouth and hands working in perfect sync, chasing every signal her body gave him. And when her legs began to shake, when her breathing became high and shallow and broken with little moans, he knew she was close.

“Come for me,” he whispered against her. “I want to feel you lose it for me, baby.”

That did it.

Jennie shattered beneath him, crying out with a sound so raw and beautiful it echoed in his chest. Her body seized around his fingers, her thighs trembling, back arched, mouth open in a silent scream before her breath finally caught up with her.

Mingyu didn’t stop until the tremors had fully run their course.

He kissed her through it, gentle again now, tender, like he was helping her back down from the edge. He slid up beside her, pressing kisses to her belly, then her chest, her collarbone, her neck.

Jennie’s breath was still uneven as she pulled herself back to the surface, her body humming, every nerve ending buzzing from the waves Mingyu had just sent crashing through her.

But even with her legs still trembling, her eyes had already found him again flushed, breathless, kneeling there like he was both ruined and reverent. His pupils were blown wide, lips slightly parted, chest rising and falling like he’d run miles just from touching her.

“You okay ?” he asked, voice low and wrecked, concern and pride dancing in his tone.

Jennie didn’t answer, not with words.

Instead, she sat up, slowly, with purpose. Her hands pushed gently at his chest until he laid back against the pillows, hair splayed out beneath him, golden skin glowing in the soft light seeping through the blinds. Helping him out of his joggers and he's CK underwear.

Jennie knelt over him, and for the first time, her gaze dropped to all of him.

And God.

Nothing could have prepared her.

Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes traveled down the length of him, sculpted chest, the thick line of muscle leading lower, and then… him. Fully, achingly hard, glistening at the tip, bold and undeniably him. A sight so beautiful and unreal she almost forgot how to breathe.

“Holy shit,” she whispered under her breath, blinking as if she might’ve hallucinated the whole thing. “How is this fair ?”

Mingyu grinned, chest shaking with a quiet laugh. “You’re staring.”

Jennie dragged her nails lightly down his sides, making him twitch. “Can you blame me ?”

He reached for her, but she caught his wrists, pinning them gently above his head.

“My turn,” she murmured. “You said you weren’t going anywhere. So lie still.”

Mingyu’s smirk faltered, replaced by something far needier. “Jennie…”

She kissed his chest. One kiss, then another, working her way down. Her hair brushed over his ribs as she kissed just beneath them, letting her tongue flick across the crease of muscle there. Mingyu groaned, deep in his throat.

“I’ve thought about this,” she confessed, kissing lower. “So many times.”

His hands clenched into fists above him. “Don’t say things like that unless you want me to lose it.”

She glanced up at him through her lashes, her smile sinful. “That’s kind of the point.”

Jennie kissed just above his hipbone, nipped lightly, and then finally, finally wrapped one hand around him. Mingyu swore, hips jolting.

“Fuck, Jennie…”

She took her time, slow and deliberate. Her fingers circled the head, dragging his arousal down the shaft, watching the way he twitched under her touch. Every little sound he made, the sharp inhales, the low grunts, the broken whispers of her name only pushed her further.

When she finally leaned down and took him into her mouth, Mingyu let out a strangled sound that was somewhere between a curse and a prayer.

She moaned softly around him, and the vibration made him buck into her mouth. His hand shot down, tangled in her hair despite himself.

“Jesus...Jennie, slow down, you’re gonna...”

She didn’t stop. She wanted this. Wanted to see him fall apart the way he’d done to her. Her tongue moved in slow circles, her lips tightening as she took him deeper, letting her hand stroke what she couldn’t yet take fully.

Mingyu’s head fell back against the pillow, his throat taut, breath ragged.

“Fuck, you’re gonna make me...Jennie, baby, I...”

She squeezed lightly near the base, her other hand pressing to his hip to hold him down.

“Let go,” she whispered, voice husky. “I want you to.”

That was it.

With a low, guttural groan, Mingyu came, tensing under her hands, jaw slack, body arching helplessly. Her name tumbled from his lips like it was the only word he knew, over and over.

Jennie didn’t look away. She wanted to see all of it. How his muscles flexed. How his eyes fluttered shut. How beautiful he looked when undone.

When he finally stilled, gasping, body glowing in sweat and pleasure, she crawled back up his chest and kissed him, slow and possessive.

He tasted himself on her lips and didn’t even flinch.

“You’re dangerous,” he whispered, voice cracked and raw.

Jennie smiled against his mouth. “Takes one to know one.”

They lay tangled, heat still pulsing between them, and for a long moment neither of them spoke.

Then Mingyu pulled her into his arms, pressing a kiss to her temple. “I don’t think I’m ever going to recover from this.”

Jennie chuckled, tracing lazy lines across his chest. “Then don’t.”

-

Jennie was still breathless. Skin flushed, lips swollen, limbs trembling in that deliciously wrecked way that said you've just been completely undone. Her head rested against Mingyu’s chest, still rising and falling with deep, post climax breaths. He was stroking lazy circles into her back, his other hand tangled in her hair, and his lips occasionally brushing over the crown of her head like he couldn’t stop kissing her even now.

She tilted her head up just enough to find his gaze. He looked just as ruined, hair wild, mouth curved in the most satisfied, smug grin, cheeks dusted pink. Still glowing from the high of what they’d just shared.

“You know,” she murmured, voice husky and sleepy, “you’ve completely ruined me for anyone else.”

Mingyu chuckled, low and warm. “Good. You think I’d let anyone else near you after this ?”

She laughed, weakly smacking his chest. “Possessive much ?”

He rolled over slightly so he could hover above her, kissing her again, soft this time, slow and warm. “You started it,” he whispered against her lips. “You were the one moaning my name like you belonged to me.”

Jennie blushed hard, burying her face in his shoulder. “God. You’re never letting me live that down.”

“Nope,” he said proudly. “You sounded exactly like I imagined you would in my dreams. Except louder.”

“Shut up,” she groaned, but she was smiling, biting back a laugh.

They stayed like that, tangled together in sweat-slicked sheets, bare and shameless. Mingyu’s hand roamed her back lazily, their bodies still warm from the storm they’d ridden together. He kissed her temple again, then her cheek, then nipped lightly at her jaw just to make her squeak.

And then...

Grrrrrrrrrrrowl.

Jennie froze. Her stomach betrayed her, loud and unashamed.

Mingyu blinked. “Was that…?”

She covered her face. “Yes. My stomach. Traitor.”

He laughed, deep and full, dropping his head to her shoulder. “Guess I really did ruin you.”

“I can’t move,” she whined, still curled against the pillows. “Everything hurts. In the best way. But I’m starving.”

“I’ll fix that,” Mingyu said, kissing her once more before sitting up.

She watched him stretch, tall and broad and golden in the morning light and then swing his legs over the edge of the bed, completely, gloriously naked.

Jennie was silent for a moment. Just admiring.

He turned to look back at her, catching the way her eyes had gone a little hazy again. “You okay ?”

She sighed. “Just trying to remember how to breathe. Don’t mind me.”

He smirked. “I’ll take a quick shower. Breakfast will be ready in twenty.”

Jennie grumbled, burying herself in the comforter, but not before letting her gaze follow him as he walked toward her ensuite bathroom each muscle of his back flexing, his thighs pure sin.

Ten minutes later, he reappeared in the doorway, a towel slung low around his hips, still damp, hair dripping slightly down his temple.

Jennie’s jaw dropped. “You have got to be kidding me.”

Mingyu raised an eyebrow. “What ?”

“You look like you just walked out of a fragrance ad. That towel is illegal.”

He grinned, sauntering in like he hadn’t just wrecked her world an hour ago. “Still hungry ?”

“Yes,” she admitted. “But not for food.”

Mingyu leaned down, gave her one last toe curling kiss, then whispered, “Hold that thought. Let me feed you first.”

And with that, he left her in bed, half dazed, utterly ruined, and completely his.

-

The bathroom was still fogged up from Mingyu’s shower, the mirror slightly misted, the tiles warm beneath her bare feet. Jennie stood under the stream of hot water, head tilted back, letting it cascade over her body in steady ribbons. Her muscles ached, in that delicious, boneless way and her skin still buzzed with the ghost of Mingyu’s touch.

She exhaled, long and slow.

That had been… something else.

Not just the pleasure, though God, that had been overwhelming. It was the way he looked at her, like she was sacred. The way he whispered her name like a prayer. How gentle and reverent he’d been even while she was falling apart in his arms. He didn’t just make her feel good, he made her feel wanted.

Worshipped.

Her lips curled in a soft smile as she lathered her hair. That morning would live rent free in her mind forever. And it wasn’t even over yet.

She already couldn’t wait to do it again.

The thought made her thighs press instinctively, even under the water, and she let out a breathy laugh. “Get it together, Kim.”

After toweling off and brushing her teeth, she stood in front of the open closet for half a second before spotting it, Mingyu's shirt the one she had worn last night. Folded neatly. Still holding the faintest trace of his scent: woodsy, clean, him.

Jennie tugged it over her still damp skin, pairing it with a simple black thong. That was enough. He’d already seen and touched everything. And anyway, she wasn’t dressing for anyone but him now.

Barefoot and humming softly, she padded through the apartment and made her way into the kitchen.

What greeted her made her stop cold and reach instinctively for her phone.

Mingyu was shirtless, of course. Towel long gone, replaced back by a pair of joggers that clung sinfully to his waist. His hair was still wet, pushed back messily, and he was dancing, dancing at the stove to some chill R&B playing low from her Bluetooth speaker.

Kuma was sitting loyally at his feet, tail wagging, clearly enchanted by him.

Jennie grinned, quietly pressing record as Mingyu flipped a pancake with an easy flick of the wrist, hips swaying with the beat, completely unaware of the soft gasp she let out.

This ? This was too much. This was unfair.

The video captured everything: the way his back muscles moved when he reached for the fruit, how effortlessly he moved around her kitchen, like he’d been there forever. It was domestic. Intimate. Kind of ridiculous. And kind of everything she never knew she needed.

She stopped recording only when she couldn’t resist the urge to touch him anymore.

Slipping her phone onto the counter, she walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his bare waist, resting her cheek against his back.

Mingyu startled slightly, then immediately relaxed into her embrace. “Mmm. Morning, angel.”

“You’ve ruined me,” she murmured against his skin, smiling.

“I consider that a public service.”

Jennie held him tighter, closing her eyes for a second as she breathed him in. “You’re too good at this.”

“At pancakes ?”

“At everything.”

He turned slightly, craning his neck to press a kiss to her temple. “You’re just still high on orgasm hormones.”

“Maybe.” She squeezed his hips. “But I’m also starving.”

“Well, I’ve got banana-strawberry oat pancakes, blueberries, some coconut yogurt, and...”

“...you, half naked in my kitchen,” she finished, stepping around to face him, her arms still looped loosely around his waist. “Honestly, I’m full just looking at you.”

Mingyu laughed, dipping his head to kiss her slow. “Get used to it.”

“I already am,” she whispered.

And the way he looked at her shirtless, sunlight spilling through the windows, smiling like she was the only thing he saw, Jennie knew one thing for sure:

She was absolutely, completely, blissfully gone for him.

-

They sat at the small table tucked near the garden, the sun streaming in and catching the warm tones of the wood, casting golden halos on their bare legs. The table was already beautifully set, Jennie didn’t even remember owning half the bowls he’d used, but somehow Mingyu had found everything like he lived there.

There were pancakes, perfectly golden. Slices of banana, fresh berries, a drizzle of honey, some crushed almonds. And two glasses of orange juice. No crumbs in sight. Of course.

Jennie sat with one leg folded beneath her, still wearing his shirt, sleeves falling past her fingertips as she reached for her fork. Mingyu sat across from her in those joggers that had no right to sit that low on his hips. Hair still damp. A piece of strawberry between his lips as he grinned at her.

“You’re unreal,” she mumbled around a mouthful of pancake. “How are you this good at cooking ?”

Mingyu tilted his head. “This is nothing. Wait until I make you samgyetang from scratch.”

Jennie narrowed her eyes. “Are you trying to seduce me with ginseng chicken soup ?”

“Is it working?”

She paused, chewing slowly. “Yes.”

He laughed and leaned across the table to wipe a little yogurt from the corner of her mouth, thumb grazing her lips. “Messy eater.”

She caught his hand gently, holding it there for a second before pressing a kiss to his thumb. “Careful,” she warned. “If you keep doing that, breakfast might not be the only thing I’m eating.”

Mingyu groaned, tipping his head back. “Jennie.”

“What ? You started it.” She grinned, popping a blueberry into her mouth and licking her fingers slowly, deliberately. “I’m just playing along.”

His eyes darkened a little, just enough to make her heartbeat stutter. But he leaned forward instead of lunging for her, brushing his foot against her bare ankle under the table.

“I’m never going to survive mornings with you,” he muttered.

Jennie scooped a bite of pancake, leaned over the table and offered it to his mouth. “Then don’t survive. Stay.”

He took the bite from her fork with slow lips, watching her with heat and something far more ... fondness.

They went back to eating, but their hands kept finding each other, his brushing along her thigh, hers sliding under the hem of his shirt, fingertips tracing the sharp line of his abs like she couldn’t help herself. Every kiss stolen between bites. Every glance longer than it should be. Every touch warm, soft, familiar.

“You know,” Jennie said eventually, twirling a bit of strawberry on her plate, “I used to think mornings were annoying. But now…”

She looked at him. He was mid chew, looking at her with the most devastating smile.

“…I think mornings are kind of perfect.”

He swallowed. “Because of pancakes ?”

“Because of you, idiot.”

Mingyu leaned over the table, almost knocking over his juice just to press a sticky, strawberry flavored kiss to her lips. “Right back at you.”

Jennie was breathless when he pulled back, blinking at him with something helpless and dreamy in her eyes.

“Do you realize we haven’t stopped touching each other since we woke up ?” she asked.

“Do you want me to stop ?”

She bit her lip. “No.”

“Good.”

Their feet tangled beneath the table again, knees brushing, hands never far. It wasn’t just lust anymore. It was need. Closeness. Them.

And breakfast ?

Well, that was just foreplay with extra carbs.

Chapter Text

The dishes from breakfast were still on the table, untouched since they’d stopped pretending to eat and just kept kissing between bites. But now, the clock was ticking. Reality waited outside the door.

Mingyu was standing in the middle of Jennie’s bedroom with the kind of tragic pout that didn’t belong on someone so annoyingly sculpted.

He was shirtless again, because of course he was. His jeans were already on, hugging his hips in a way that made Jennie’s thighs clench under the sheets. That denim should be illegal. And now, they were supposed to say goodbye.

“I really don’t wanna go,” he muttered, still watching her with warm, reluctant eyes.

Jennie was lounging in bed like the picture of temptation: bare legged, tousled, lips pink and swollen from their constant kissing, wearing only a pair of panties and his T-shirt, the one he’d stripped off the night before and that now hung dangerously low on her collarbone.

“Then don’t,” she replied with a lazy shrug. “Cancel dance practice. Tell them Jennie Kim ruined you.”

Mingyu chuckled, stepping closer. “That would not be a lie.”

She grinned. “So admit it.”

“I’m completely ruined,” he said without hesitation, climbing back on the edge of the bed, fingers brushing along her thigh. “My brain hasn’t rebooted properly since last night. You broke me.”

Jennie leaned up on her elbows. “Good. Then I did my job.”

He tilted his head, letting his gaze drop slowly down her body. “You really gonna wear my shirt like that ?”

Her lips curved. “Like what ?”

“Like you don’t know I’m one second away from throwing my whole day away.”

“Should’ve thought of that when you let me borrow it.”

Mingyu held the hem between his fingers, tugging playfully. “I’m taking it back.”

Jennie narrowed her eyes. “If you want it back, you know what you have to do.”

He gave her a look, cunning, boyish, hungry. “Kisses again ?”

She shook her head slowly, that sultry Jennie smile creeping across her lips. And then, with maddening calm, she lifted the hem over her head in one smooth move and dropped the shirt to the floor.

There she was. Completely bare. Glowing. Smirking.

Mingyu forgot how to breathe.

“Fuck,” he whispered, voice raw, eyes glued to her. “You really don’t play fair.”

“Don’t start something you can’t finish, Gyu,” she warned sweetly.

“I never start something I don’t plan to finish,” he murmured, crawling over her like a man possessed, but she pressed a hand to his chest, stopping him just as his mouth hovered above hers.

“You’re already late,” she whispered, even as her legs parted for him, wrapping loosely around his waist.

“Worth it,” he whispered back, nose brushing hers. “Everything about this ? Worth it.”

He kissed her once, deep and slow, like he wanted her lips etched into his memory.

When he pulled back, his voice dropped. “You know this isn’t even the worst part ?”

“What is ?” she asked, eyes fluttering open.

“That we’ve barely even touched what this could be.” His eyes searched hers. “We’ve just started. I haven’t even really had you yet.”

Her breath caught.

The room shifted.

Mingyu leaned closer again, grazing her jaw with his lips, his voice brushing her skin. “And now I have to go a whole fucking week without tasting you again.”

Jennie gripped his arm, her voice rasping. “We’ve created a monster.”

“You created him,” he corrected. “You walked into your kitchen this morning in nothing but my shirt and a smile. That’s on you.”

She sighed dramatically. “I’m not apologizing.”

He sat back, grabbing the shirt from the floor, trying to look anywhere but her chest as he slid it back on. “You shouldn’t.”

Then came the sigh.

The real one. The goodbye sigh.

“I really have to go,” he said, almost to himself, glancing at the time.

“I know.” Her voice dropped. “You’ll do amazing. Just… don’t flirt with your backup dancers.”

Mingyu smirked, bending to kiss her nose. “Not possible. I’m already emotionally compromised.”

Jennie tugged him down by the collar, pulling him in for one last kiss, tender, aching, drawn out longer than it should’ve been.

When they parted, he rested his forehead against hers.

“I’ll miss you,” he murmured.

“Same,” she whispered.

And then, finally, he stood. She watched him cross the room, muscles shifting under her shirt, jeans clinging in all the right ways. Jennie groaned and grabbed a pillow, hiding her face.

“Stop walking away like that,” she called after him. “You’re going to haunt my dreams.”

He glanced back, playful and smug. “Good. Then we’ll be even.”

As he opened the door, she propped herself on one elbow. “Text me when you get there ?”

“I’ll FaceTime you.”

“Shirtless ?”

He winked. “For you ? Always.”

And just like that, he was gone.

But the scent of him lingered. So did the warmth. And the smile she couldn’t wipe off her face.

The house felt too quiet without him.

Jennie sat curled on the edge of the couch, legs tucked beneath her, with Mingyu’s hoodies swallowed around her like a second skin. The faint scent of him lingered in the fabric, fresh, clean, warm and somehow it made her chest ache more than she'd expected.

She replayed everything from the last twenty four hours in slow motion, as if her brain refused to let a single moment slip away.

No one had ever cooked her a homemade meal before, except her mom. That thought alone made something tug deep in her chest. Mingyu hadn’t just thrown something in a pan; he’d spoiled her. He’d danced barefoot in her kitchen, flipped pancakes while laughing with Kuma, set the table like he was hosting Sunday brunch for two. And then he cleaned up like it was second nature. Husband material didn’t even begin to cover it.

God.

She buried her face in her hands, groaning softly.

How the hell had she gone from casual teasing and shared coffees to being completely, utterly obsessed with this man ?

She'd always been a little clingy. Her friends teased her for it, how she needed constant affection, how she was touchy and warm and always curled up beside someone she loved. But this was different. With Mingyu, it wasn't just want. It was need.

And it wasn't just emotional. It was physical. Painfully physical.

She couldn’t stop thinking about him. The way he looked last night with his hoodie off, the way his hands explored her like she was something sacred. The way he’d groaned when he kissed her. The way he’d moaned when he tasted her.

Her thighs pressed together instinctively at the memory.

She’d never climaxed like that before. Not with anyone else. And sure as hell not just from someone’s mouth. The way he held her, the reverence in his touch, the way he looked up at her like she was the only thing that existed, Jennie knew she was ruined. Absolutely wrecked for anyone else.

And then when it had been her turn…

Jennie bit her lip, cheeks flushing. He hadn’t held back. He’d let her see every inch of him, let her worship him the way he deserved. He was built like a Greek god, every curve and dip of his body seemed made to be touched. And she had touched. Kissed. Traced. Memorized.

She’d meant it when she said she wanted to mark him up. She wanted everyone to know he wasn’t for sharing. Hell no. Not after the way he moaned her name. Not after the way his voice cracked with need when he came for her, head thrown back, hands gripping her like she was air.

Jesus. She shook her head, fanning herself. “Get it together, Kim.”

But it was so hard when everything about him screamed temptation. The way he moved. The way he smiled. That fucking voice. His laugh. His pout this morning when he didn’t want to leave. The way he kissed her like it hurt to stop. The way they both hadn’t wanted to let go.

And the worst part ?

They still hadn’t even crossed that line. No sex. No full surrender. Just the build up. The tension. The hunger.

All because he didn’t bring a condom.

She started giggling to herself.

Of course Mingyu wouldn’t assume anything. Of course he’d show up with nothing but his heart in his hands and a need to feed her. He was so… good. And it made her fall harder. What kind of man shows up to a late night hangout and ends up spoon feeding and stroking her hair on the couch ?

A better man than she thought she'd ever find.

And now… she was scared. Because she wanted more.

Jennie turned her face toward the window, the light glinting off the Han River in the distance.

She didn’t want this to be just a phase. Not some accidental weekend fling.

Letting Mingyu go after this would be a waste. A tragic, stupid waste.

She closed her eyes and whispered into the silence of her empty house:

“I don’t wanna let you go.”

-

The city blurred past his window as Mingyu drove through the familiar streets toward the company building but his mind was nowhere near the traffic, or the playlist humming softly through the speakers.

He was still back in her bed.

Still with her in his arms.

Leaving Jennie’s house that morning had been agony. His body had fought him at every turn, clinging to the warmth of her sheets, the faint citrusy scent on her skin, the sleepy sound of her voice when she told him he looked too good to leave. He hadn’t wanted to. Not even a little.

God, he didn’t expect any of this.

What started out as a low pressure night, some grocery shopping, a casual dinner, some longing kisses if the vibe felt right, turned into one of the most intense, intimate, and real nights he’d ever had with anyone.

He ran a hand through his hair, gripping the wheel a little tighter.

Jennie had undone him.

He knew she was special. He’d always been drawn to her, even before they were this close, before he’d learned the sound of her moaning his name. But she wasn’t just special. She was everything.

And she was so much more than what the world saw.

He thought she’d be a little shy. Maybe reserved. A little cool, maybe.

But holy shit, she was wild. She was fire in silk and honey on his tongue. He should’ve known the moment she licked his throat under the excuse of a strawberry. That was no accident. That was war.

And he lost. Gloriously.

He had dreamed about what it would feel like to have her under him, above him, touching him, needing him. But nothing prepared him for the reality.

Jennie Kim, naked, panting, trembling under his mouth, whispering his name like it was sacred, yeah, that wasn’t something you just walked away from and pretended to forget.

Mingyu exhaled sharply, his chest tightening.

Her body… perfect didn’t even begin to cover it. Every curve, every sigh, every gasp, he’d tasted heaven and now had to go to practice like a sane human being.

Practice. After seeing her in his shirt. After watching her come apart for him. After burying his face in her chest, dragging his tongue across skin he was convinced was made just for him.

She was filthy and precious all at once. And she made him feel like hers.

He grinned to himself, shaking his head. “Fuck.”

No one had ever made him feel like that. Like he could lose himself completely in her orbit. Like teasing could turn to tenderness, and laughter into breathless moaning within seconds. Like he could spend forever spoon feeding her pancakes just to see her eyes sparkle when she laughed at him dancing.

And the fact that they still hadn’t had sex was killing him.

That one line still echoed in his head :“Next time, be a little less respectful.”

Next time. God, he wanted that next time to be now.

He groaned softly, leaning his elbow on the door. He could still feel her thighs around him. Her lips on his skin. The way she looked at him when she was about to take him into her mouth, like she owned him, because she fucking did.

And she didn’t even know it.

What really got him wasn’t just the sex, though. It was everything else.

The way she kissed his shoulder before rolling away. The way she whispered “Stay” like it cost her something to say it aloud. The way her laughter filled every corner of her house and the way Kuma hadn’t even barked once at him. Even her dog knew he belonged there.

Mingyu swallowed, his smile fading just a little.

He didn’t want to go a whole week without her. Knowing she was flying to Japan tomorrow made it worse. He already missed her and she wasn’t even that far behind him yet. That tight ache in his chest was foreign but not unwelcome.

This wasn’t just a crush. It wasn’t just chemistry.

Jennie was quickly becoming something he couldn’t walk away from.

And if he had any say in it, he wouldn’t have to.

-

Mingyu pushed open the studio door like nothing had happened.

Like he hadn’t just spent the past twenty-four hours being thoroughly wrecked by the woman who’d been haunting his dreams for months. Like he wasn’t still tasting her lips, still feeling her fingers dragging down his back, still hearing the soft moans she’d made just hours ago echo in his head like a song he couldn’t stop playing.

Nonchalance was the goal. He even threw in a casual yawn for good measure.

Seungcheol glanced up from his phone. “Look who finally decided to show up,” he said, grinning. “You’re late, Kim Mingyu.”

Mingyu waved a hand without replying, heading straight for his corner to drop his water bottle and change shirts.

“Excuse me ?” Seungcheol called after him. “Did you not hear me or are you just ignoring me because your excuse is that bad ?”

Still silent, Mingyu peeled off his jacket, revealing the white tee underneath already clinging to his skin. He tugged that off too, letting it drop on the bench as he grabbed the spare tee from his bag.

And then, he paused.

Silence.

Too much silence.

He turned slightly, shirt half on, and froze.

All the members were staring at him.

A few wide eyed. A few grinning. A few trying not to laugh.

“What ?” Mingyu said, instantly suspicious.

Wonwoo squinted at him. “Bro… are you okay ?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be ?”

“That’s a lot of marks,” Vernon said, pointing at his shoulder. “And neck. And your chest. What the hell ?”

Mingyu blinked, then turned to the mirror, his reflection catching him off guard.

Oh.

Shit.

The love bites. The faint nail marks. The deep red blotch just below his collarbone that very much looked like someone’s mouth had been there for a while.

Jeonghan whistled low. “Damn. You fight a wild cat last night or something ?”

“Or was it a tiger ?” Joshua added, not even hiding his smirk. “She clearly won.”

“I didn’t...” Mingyu started, flustered. “It’s not...shut up.”

“You spend a wild night, wasn’t it ?” Seungkwan said, gasping dramatically. “Oh my God. It was Jennie, wasn’t it ?”

The room went still.

Jun let out a high pitched, “Cough Jennie,” behind his fist and everyone exploded.

Mingyu’s face burned.

“Shut the fuck up,” he muttered, trying to pull the shirt on faster than physics would allow.

“No wonder he’s glowing,” Dino said, laughing. “You literally look like someone ran you over with a lust truck.”

“Bro, what kind of stamina did she have ?” Hoshi chimed in. “Or is it you who finally unleashed the beast ?”

Mingyu sat down, rubbing a hand over his face. “You guys are the worst.”

“Tell that to the hickey on your ribcage,” Vernon said, barely holding in his laughter.

Seungcheol crossed his arms, smirking like the smug leader he was. “I don’t know what’s more impressive, the fact that you tried to lie, or the fact that Jennie fucking Kim left you looking like this.”

“Can we please just dance ?” Mingyu groaned, yanking the collar of his shirt up higher like it could magically erase the constellation of marks on his skin.

“Dance ?” Seungkwan echoed, eyebrows arching. “You wanna start now ? After dropping that kind of lore and expecting us to just do shoulder rolls like it didn’t happen ?”

“I’ve seen fanfic with less build up,” Jeonghan added, shaking his head in mock disappointment.

“I have fanfic with less build up,” Vernon muttered, not quite under his breath.

Mingyu dropped onto the floor, face buried in his hands. “I hate you all.”

“Oh, you love us,” Seungcheol said, walking over with his arms crossed, an unmistakable smirk playing at his lips. “But clearly, not as much as you loved whoever had you like that.”

Mingyu didn’t move.

“Come on, Gyu,” Jun said, dropping down beside him, “Spill. We need details. You owe us. You ghosted the group chat for twelve hours. Twelve.”

“I was busy.”

“Busy getting devoured, apparently,” Seungkwan said, wiggling his brows.

“Seriously though,” Hoshi leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, “How many rounds was it ? Or did she just mark you for sport ?”

“Okay, okay, okay,” Mingyu sat up, pointing aggressively. “I am not having this conversation.”

“Which means it’s true, you got laid ” Joshua said with a knowing nod.

“You’re deflecting.”

“Classic guilt.”

“Textbook post wrecked behavior.”

Mingyu stood up and walked to the mirror wall again, stretching his arms up to start warming up, muscles flexing in that annoying effortless way that only pissed the rest of them off more.

“You’re not even gonna deny it ?” Wonwoo asked, amused now.

“I did deny it,” Mingyu snapped, glaring over his shoulder.

“No, you shut down.”

“Same thing.”

“You’re literally glowing,” Jeonghan insisted, pointing again. “Like I don’t know what you used on your skin this morning, but it’s giving afterglow dewy finish. That’s not skincare. That’s sexcare.”

“Not sex,” Mingyu corrected immediately. “There was no sex.”

A pause.

Dead silence.

Then chaos.

“NO WAY.”

“Bullshit!”

“Those marks and you didn’t even get laid ?”

“Oh my God you poor, tragic himbo,” Seungkwan laughed, half doubled over.

Mingyu turned around, annoyed. “We didn’t have condoms.”

And then the room exploded.

“THE RESPONSIBILITY !”

“HE’S A GENTLEMAN !”

“BOY SCOUT MINGYU !”

“My man pulled out the morals when he should’ve pulled out the..”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence,” Mingyu barked, face redder than a sunburn.

Hoshi was wheezing. “You have the hottest woman in the country, on you, wanting you, and you chose to be responsible ?”

“I didn’t choose, I wasn’t planning on anything happening !”

“Is that why you walked in here with bite marks like an appetizer plate ?”

Mingyu groaned, scrubbing his face again, then shot Jeonghan a glare. “She said she wants to mark me all over, okay ? That’s her fault.”

Jeonghan clutched his chest dramatically. “So it WAS Jennie. I KNEW IT.”

Mingyu closed his eyes. "Of course who else did you think about, idiots .”

“Also,” Seungkwan added, “How the hell are you standing right now ? Like, not even being dramatic, but you look like you just got spiritually exercised.”

A slow beat passed before Mingyu, cheeks still flushed, gave the smallest, most exhausted nod. “That woman is a menace.”

“God I wish that were me,” Dino whispered.

Seungcheol clapped his hands once. “Alright, alright, let the man breathe. Let’s try to run the routine once before we lose the studio time.”

“Fine,” Hoshi said, grabbing his water bottle. “But don’t think this conversation’s over.”

“It better be,” Mingyu muttered, moving into formation.

Wonwoo leaned over just before the music started. “Hey,” he said under his breath, “Next time bring the condoms.”

Mingyu rolled his eyes. “Trust me,” he whispered back. “I won’t forget.”

Chapter Text

Jennie had been back in Seoul less than twenty-four hours, but her body was still restless, like her skin hadn’t caught up to her return. The city hummed beyond her windows, headlights weaving in streaks of white, neon bleeding into the night sky but she barely noticed.

She stood at her vanity in nothing but a silk robe, fabric whispering against her skin. Her hair was still damp from the shower, twisted in a loose clip, droplets clinging to her neck. She’d gone through the motions, cleansing, moisturizing, the ritual of unwinding but none of it grounded her. Not when her mind kept looping back to him.

Mingyu.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the way he’d looked at her last week, half-naked, jaw tight, restraint straining like it hurt. She heard his groan in her ear when he’d realized he didn’t have what they needed to go further. She felt his hands, his mouth, the way he’d pulled her apart anyway, like he couldn’t leave her unsatisfied.

And it wasn’t enough. God, it wasn’t even close.

The week in Japan had been a blur. Hotel suites, cameras, stylists, crowds. She’d smiled, nodded, performed but at night, when the door shut, the ache came back. Her body taunted her, heat curling low in her stomach, thighs pressed tight under sheets as she tried not to think about him. Tried and failed.

Her phone buzzed.

Incoming FaceTime: Mingyu.

Her stomach flipped as she accepted instantly.

There he was. Propped against pillows, hair damp, shirt hanging open like he’d stripped it off in a rush. His lips were pink, bitten. His chest rose and fell too quickly for someone at rest.

“Hey, pretty girl,” he said, voice thick and low.

Jennie smirked, angling the camera so he could see the loose dip of her robe. “Hey yourself. What happened ? You look like you’ve just fought a war.”

“Dance practice.” He raked a hand through his hair, strands falling into his eyes. “Thought I’d tire myself out so I wouldn’t lose my mind before tomorrow.”

A pause, his grin lazy and sharp. “Didn’t work.”

Jennie tilted her head, letting the robe slip lower. “Still tense ?”

His laugh was humorless. “Jennie… you have no idea.”

She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Want a teaser ?”

His eyes narrowed. “Don’t start.”

“I had a dress altered for tomorrow. Black. Backless. Slit up to my thigh.” Her smile was pure provocation. “It fits me like sin, Gyu. When I walk past you, everyone will think I’m just greeting an old colleague. But you’ll know. You’ll know exactly what’s under it.”

He cursed softly, dragging a hand down his face. “You’re trying to kill me.”

Jennie tilted her head, savoring it. “No. Just break you.”

“Impossible.” His grin widened, cocky even as his voice dropped. “You’ll break first. I’ll have you cracking before the champagne’s poured.”

Her brows arched. “You think you can survive a whole night pretending you don’t want me ?”

“I don’t think,” Mingyu murmured, leaning closer to his screen. “I know. I’ll have you begging before dessert.”

The silence stretched, electric. Her pulse thudded in her ears. His gaze didn’t waver. The game had already started.

Jennie’s smirk softened into something smaller, more dangerous. “Still… I missed you.”

His cocky grin faltered, eyes softening. “I missed you more. A week without you ? I’m fucked. Every rehearsal, every night, I kept thinking about you. Couldn’t stop.”

The admission burned in her chest. She bit her lip, then laughed to cover it. “God, you’re so...” She hesitated, then blurted it out. “...cute.”

Mingyu froze. His jaw slackened, color rushing to his ears. “Cute ?”

Jennie burst out laughing, delighted. “Oh my god, you can tell me in detail how you’d fuck me against the wall in that tux, but call you cute and suddenly you’re blushing ?”

“I’m not...” he stammered, running a hand over his face. “Jennie...”

“You are,” she sang, grin wicked. “Kim Mingyu, shameless dirty-talker, undone because someone thinks he’s adorable.”

He groaned, hiding behind his hand, but the corners of his mouth betrayed him.

And then he laughed. Not the low, practiced chuckle, but a real laugh, boyish and unguarded, spilling into the quiet of his dorm. It hit her harder than any filthy whisper ever could.

They talked until the hour blurred, trading more dares and soft confessions, neither willing to hang up first. When she finally dropped her phone beside her pillow, Jennie was grinning so wide her cheeks hurt. Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.

-

By late afternoon, Jennie was still pacing between her vanity and her closet, unable to settle. The curls in her hair had been smoothed and re-curled twice. Her phone sat face-up on the counter, buzzing occasionally with group chat notifications she ignored, the only name she wanted lighting up the screen hadn’t appeared in the last hour.

Allison was stretched on the armchair in the corner, one leg thrown over the other, watching with the smug patience of someone who knew they’d be proven right.

“So,” Allison began, voice casual, “are we pretending this is just a normal event ?”

Jennie’s curling iron paused mid-air. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Allison arched a brow. “You’ve changed four times, you’re checking your phone like it’s an oxygen tank, and I heard the noise you made when his name popped up on your screen early on.”

Jennie nearly burned her ear. “What noise ?”

“Oh, you know.” Allison mimicked a strangled gasp, pressing a hand to her chest in mock ecstasy.

Jennie groaned, slamming the curling iron onto the vanity. “You’re insufferable.”

“Guilty.” Allison leaned forward, grin widening. “What I don’t get is why you’re trying so hard to act cool when everyone can see you’re basically vibrating.”

The makeup artist, Mira, who’d been quietly unpacking her brushes, laughed under her breath. “She’s not wrong.”

Jennie spun in her chair. “ You too Mira ?”

“Sweetheart,” Mira said with a kind smile, “you’ve reapplied gloss three times already. For a charity gala. I’ve prepped you for award shows and you weren’t this jittery.”

Jennie rolled her eyes, but heat crept up her neck. “It’s not my fault. He’s… he’s just…” She faltered, searching.

Allison jumped in mercilessly. “Hot ? Built like a sin ? Smiles like a dream, kisses like a curse ?”

Jennie slapped her knee. “Stop reading my brain !”

Allison cackled. “God, you should’ve seen yourself at the airport. Moody, lip-biting, scrolling your phone like you were in some Tumblr edit circa 2013.”

Mira snorted. “Please tell me you at least slept last night.”

Jennie busied herself with a lipstick cap. “Define ‘slept.’”

Allison gasped theatrically. “FaceTimes. With heavy breathing. Did you two...”

“Alison !” Jennie’s voice shot up an octave.

“I’m just saying.” Allison leaned back, smirk sharp. “You don’t spend a week overseas, come back glowing like this, unless somebody’s wrecking you over Wi-Fi.”

Jennie pressed her palms to her face. “I hate you.”

“You love me.”

“Unfortunately,” Jennie muttered, but her cheeks betrayed her, pink and hot.

Finally, she stood and moved to her closet, hand brushing over sequins, silks, velvets. Her fingers stopped on the dress. Black satin. Backless. Slit indecently high. The one she’d teased Mingyu about last night. She tugged it free and stepped into it.

When she turned back toward the mirror, Mira nearly dropped her powder brush. Allison let out a low, appreciative whistle.

“Jesus Christ,” Allison said. “That man’s soul is not leaving his body intact.”

Jennie adjusted the straps, smoothing the fabric against her hip. “I don’t want to kill him,” she said lightly. “Just destabilize him.”

“You’re going to destabilize the entire ballroom,” Mira muttered, dusting highlight across Jennie’s collarbone. “I should start a betting pool.”

Jennie smirked at her reflection, tilting her chin. She looked dangerous. Elegant. Like temptation bottled in satin. And she felt it, too ... the hum under her skin, the anticipation coiling low.

Her phone buzzed again.

[Mingyu]: You better wear that dangerous thing. I’m already losing it.

Jennie typed with deliberate slowness, lips curving.

[Jennie]: Patience, baby. Tonight’s the real game. Don’t break too early.

Three dots. Then

[Mingyu]: I’m not losing to you.

Jennie set her phone down, exhaling hard through her nose to hide her grin.

Allison caught it anyway. “He texted, didn’t he ?”

Jennie didn’t answer. She just smoothed the dress over her thighs again, voice softer now. “He’s… not just a fling.”

The room quieted. Mira’s brush stilled. Allison’s smirk softened into something gentler. “No,” she said simply. “I know.”

Jennie swallowed, meeting her own reflection once more. She looked like a woman stepping into battle.

And tonight ? Mingyu was the only opponent that mattered

-

Mingyu adjusted the cuffs of his shirt for the fifth time, but his hands wouldn’t stay steady. The mirror gave him back an image that looked fine, too fine, maybe. White dress shirt unbuttoned at the throat, sleeves rolled to show forearms, tailored pants fitted close around his legs. The kind of polished, effortless look he’d worn a hundred times before.

But nothing about tonight felt effortless.

It had been seven days since he last touched her, seven nights of sleeplessness and torment. Every FaceTime had left him half-wrecked, her robe slipping lower, her voice dropping softer, her words filthier than anything he’d dared to dream. And now ? Tonight he’d have to sit in a venue full of cameras and colleagues and pretend she was nothing more than another idol at the same event.

He braced his palms against the sink, leaning forward, jaw tight. “Fuck,” he muttered under his breath. Just imagining it , Jennie walking in, satin clinging to her curves, heels clicking like a countdown, it made his chest constrict. His body was already tense, straining against his pants like the fabric was a cage.

The door creaked behind him.

“Mingyu,” Seungcheol’s voice came first, measured, watchful. “You alright ?”

“No.” The word slipped out too fast, too raw. He dragged a hand through his hair. “How the hell am I supposed to sit across from her tonight and act like she’s just… someone I barely know ? Like I don’t remember the way she...” He cut himself off, but the heat rose anyway.

Seungkwan appeared in the doorway, grin sharp. “Like you don’t remember her voice wrecking you over FaceTime last night ?”

Mingyu groaned, tipping his head back against the mirror. “Exactly. I’m already hard just thinking about it, and I haven’t even seen her dress yet. How the fuck am I supposed to keep a straight face when she’s right there ?”

Soonyoung whistled low. “In pants, no less. Painful.”

Mingyu exhaled sharply, adjusting himself through the fabric, as if that would help. It didn’t. “She said she’s wearing black. Tight. Cutouts. Do you understand what that means ? Every guy in that room is going to look at her, but none of them will know how she sounds when she moans my name. And I can’t show it. I can’t claim her. I have to sit there in a suit and pretend like I’m fine.”

The silence that followed was brief but telling. Even Vernon, leaning against the wall with his usual composure, raised a brow. “You’re not fine.”

“No shit,” Mingyu muttered, rolling his shoulders like he could shake the tension off. “I feel like I’ve been on edge for a week and tonight’s just going to… snap me. And she’ll love it. She’ll make me suffer for hours. She’ll smile at everyone else, laugh, touch their arms, and I’ll have to sit there in these fucking pants, pretending I’m not dying for her.”

Seungkwan clapped him on the shoulder, grinning. “You sound doomed, my guy.”

“I am doomed,” Mingyu admitted, almost laughing at himself. “But I swear to God...if she thinks I’ll be the first to crack tonight, she’s wrong. She started this game. I’m going to finish it.”

He tugged his jacket on, smoothing the lapels with hands that still trembled faintly. The cologne at his throat lingered like proof of how much effort he’d put in, more than usual, more than he’d ever admit out loud.

-

By the time they piled into the car, Mingyu sat stiff-backed, thigh bouncing, gaze fixed out the tinted window. The city stretched ahead, neon and shadows rushing past, but his mind was already in the ballroom, already tracking her entrance, already tasting the restraint it would take not to devour her in front of everyone.

“She’s going to kill me,” he muttered, low enough that only Seungcheol heard.

“Yeah,” Seungcheol said with a chuckle. “And you’ll thank her for it.”

Mingyu clenched his jaw, tugged at his collar once more. Tonight was going to be war. And he was walking straight into it with nothing but a suit, a glass of champagne, and a pair of pants already too tight.

The car rolled to a stop, and for a moment Mingyu thought about staying inside, breathing through the last few seconds of quiet. Then the door opened, and the quiet shattered.

Flashbulbs exploded in staccato bursts. Fans screamed from behind velvet ropes, voices blending into a roar. Reporters leaned over barricades, calling questions no one would really answer. The red carpet stretched ahead like a gauntlet, gleaming under the glare of spotlights.

Mingyu stepped out first, posture straight, smile practiced, the perfect idol composure. Cameras snapped instantly, capturing the sharp cut of his tuxedo, the easy roll of his shoulders, the lazy confidence of a man who’d done this a thousand times. But inside, he wasn’t confident. Inside, he was a coil of nerves so tight he thought he might shake.

The rest of Seventeen spilled out behind him, Seungcheol steady, Vernon languid, Soonyoung already posing dramatically, Seungkwan waving like he was on parade. Their synergy filled the carpet, laughter and banter covering any tension.

Mingyu kept his smile in place as they moved forward, answering greetings with nods, pausing for photos. But his gaze was restless, scanning the entrance, the stretch of polished steps leading into the venue. She wasn’t here yet.

Not yet.

They finished the carpet, smiled for a few more flashes, and were ushered into the ballroom where the cocktail hour was already underway.

The space glowed gold. Chandeliers spilled light across marble floors, and the air was alive with perfume, champagne fizz, and chatter layered over soft jazz. Waiters glided past with trays of glasses, laughter rose from clusters of designers, idols, actors. It was elegance packaged as chaos, everyone polished, everyone watching.

Seventeen gathered near one of the high tables, glasses placed in neat rows. Mingyu grabbed his flute immediately and drained half in a single swallow. The bubbles barely hit his throat before he was tugging at his cuff again, then his collar, then his cuff once more. He couldn’t stay still.

“Jesus, slow down,” Seungcheol muttered, eyeing his emptying glass.

“I’m fine,” Mingyu lied, already reaching for another from a passing tray.

“You’re vibrating,” Seungkwan said with a grin, swirling his own drink lazily. “Like a rabbit in mating season.”

Soonyoung leaned on the table, dramatic sigh. “Honestly, I’ve never seen him this bad. He can’t stop staring at the entrance like she’s going to materialize out of smoke.”

“She might as well,” Vernon added, voice dry. “With the way you’re waiting, the entire red carpet is just foreplay for you.”

Mingyu didn’t answer. His eyes flicked again to the main doors, where new arrivals kept trickling in. More flashes, more applause from fans gathered outside. A famous actor. A girl group in glittering sequins. Another wave of stylists. He scanned each face instinctively, pulse thudding with every person who wasn’t her.

He tugged his cuff again. Finished his drink. Snagged another. His throat burned, but it did nothing to cool the heat crawling under his skin.

“You know,” Seungkwan murmured behind his glass, “You could at least try to pretend you’re here for the event and not just to combust over one woman.”

Mingyu exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “You don’t get it. When she walks in, it’ll be..."He cut himself off, swallowing hard.

Soonyoung leaned closer, grin wicked. “Nuclear ?”

Mingyu adjusted his collar again, jaw clenched. “Worse.”

The others laughed, but he didn’t. Because he knew the truth: the second Jennie appeared, the whole night would stop belonging to him. And he wasn’t sure he’d be able to hide it.

Mingyu had been staring at the doors so long he almost forgot what he was drinking. The champagne glass was cold in his palm, condensation sliding down to wet his fingers, but he hadn’t tasted a drop in minutes. He tried...God, he tried...to pretend it was just another gala. To let his gaze wander the chandeliers, the glitter of sequined gowns, the endless parade of idols and actors stepping off the carpet.

But every muscle in his body was wound tight, buzzing with one thought : when ?

When would she walk in ?

He loosened his grip on the glass, forcing a long breath out of his lungs. For a moment, he even managed a laugh at something Vernon murmured about the hors d’oeuvres. One second of relief. One second of pretending this was fine.

“Look at him,” Seungkwan said, smirk sharp as a blade. “Almost normal. Almost human.”

Mingyu rolled his eyes, lifting the glass to his lips...

And then the air shifted.

It was instant, visceral. A ripple cut through the ballroom, not silence, not shock, but something subtler, heavier. The kind of shift that made people pause mid-word, mid-laugh, their attention tilting as one. Heads turned. Phones lifted. The staccato burst of cameras outside doubled in speed, harsh flashes bleeding white through the glass doors.

She was here.

Jennie appeared at the entrance, and the room bent toward her like metal to a magnet.

She didn’t walk. She arrived.

The black satin clung like a second skin, liquid and merciless. It dipped scandalously low at the back, slit high on her thigh so every step threatened to bare more. Her heels clicked a tempo steady enough to rival the jazz band in the corner, each note measured, unhurried. Her hair fell in deliberate waves, brushing against bare shoulders that glowed under the chandeliers.

The effect was lethal.

Every eye followed her. Conversations dimmed to background static. Even the photographers outside, still shouting names, might as well have been silent, because in here, she was the only thing anyone saw.

She paused for the flashes, just briefly, angling her body with practiced precision. One hand rested lightly on her hip. The other smoothed down the satin curve of her dress, fabric catching the golden light like spilled ink. Her chin tilted, her lips curved into the faintest suggestion of a smile. One pose. That was all it took.

And then she moved deeper inside, as if the rest of the world didn’t exist.

Mingyu’s breath caught in his throat.

He couldn’t move. Couldn’t blink. His pulse thundered so loud he felt it in his teeth. His cock pressed painfully against the inside of his trousers, the fabric already too tight, already unforgiving. He shifted minutely, praying no one else noticed, but the boys around him did. Of course they did.

“Goddamn,” Soonyoung whispered, reverent.

“Do you see him ?” Seungkwan hissed, biting back a laugh. “He’s gone. She’s not even looking at him and he’s fucking gone.”

Vernon clinked his glass softly against Mingyu’s, smirk lazy. “To your downfall, hyung.”

Mingyu ignored them. Couldn’t afford to break his stare.

Jennie was working the room like it belonged to her. A nod to one CEO, fingertips grazing the sleeve of a designer she knew, laughter soft and practiced at something whispered in her ear. She leaned in just enough to spark curiosity, tilted her head back just enough to reveal the line of her throat. Every move precise. Every smile measured.

Not once did her gaze flicker his way.

She knew exactly where he was. He could feel it, that awareness threading between them like a live wire. But she was determined to starve him of it. She gave her attention to everyone else: actors, singers, stylists. Everyone but him.

It was torture.

His knuckles whitened around his glass. He tugged at his cuff, then at his collar loosen it up, then back at his cuff, unable to stand still. His eyes devoured her every step, the sway of her hips, the gleam of her legs through the slit, the curve of her smile as she greeted yet another person who wasn’t him.

Every laugh she offered them carved another mark into his chest.

Every second of her deliberate avoidance made him harder.

“Honestly,” Seungcheol muttered under his breath, shaking his head. “You’re staring like she’s oxygen and you’ve been drowning.”

Mingyu didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His throat was too tight.

Minutes stretched, slow and merciless. She circled the ballroom, orbiting closer, then further, sipping her wine with lips just parted enough for his imagination to ruin him. Every so often, she’d lean in to speak to someone, and her hair would slip over her shoulder, baring the line of her back. Satin sliding. Skin gleaming.

He swallowed hard, heat flooding his stomach.

And then ... finally ... she gave him what he’d been starving for.

It wasn’t long. A flicker, a glance, so subtle he might’ve doubted it if not for the way it pinned him in place. Her eyes cut across the crowd and landed on him.

Cold. Deliberate. Precise.

They scanned him slowly, shamelessly. Down the crisp line of his tux, pausing at his hands curled around his glass, his stance spread too wide to hide the strain of his trousers. Then back up, higher, locking with his eyes at last.

Heat roared through him, dizzying, sharp. His lips curved before he could stop them , a smirk, slow and hungry.

She didn’t smile back.

But her gaze lingered one second longer than it needed to.

And Mingyu felt it in his bones: she was already undressing him. Already winning.

His cock throbbed against the fabric, painful, insistent. He clenched his jaw, forcing another sip of champagne, as if bubbles could drown the fire spreading through him.

Beside him, Seungkwan groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I can’t watch this. He’s actually about to self-combust.”

Soonyoung patted Mingyu’s back like he was delivering last rites. “Rest easy, king. You lasted longer than we thought.”

But Mingyu didn’t hear them. Couldn’t.

Because she’d already turned away again, smiling at someone else, laughing lightly and the game continued.

-

Jennie had known from the moment she zipped up the dress that tonight wasn’t about blending in. It was about control. About making every inch of satin, every flick of her hair, every tilt of her chin work like a weapon.

And the second the cameras found her, she knew she had them.

Flashbulbs burst the instant she stepped onto the carpet, painting her in white light. She shifted her weight, one leg forward through the slit, hand resting lightly on her hip. The fabric hugged her waist, draped at her thigh, dipped low at her back. A living promise.

She posed once, twice, chin angled just right, lips curved into a smile that never reached her eyes. She didn’t need to overdo it. Less was more. A single glance over her shoulder, and the photographers clamored for more. She gave them nothing.

Because she wasn’t here for them.

She was here for him.

Inside, the ballroom swallowed her whole, golden and glittering. Conversations swelled and faltered as she moved, every eye tugged in her direction. Jennie let it happen. She was used to this, the orbit, the pull. Tonight, she leaned into it. She smiled, greeted, air-kissed, whispered polite things into waiting ears. She let her fingers rest lightly on sleeves, let her laugh bubble soft and controlled.

But she didn’t look at him.

Not yet.

Alison was glued to her side, grinning like she’d been given front-row seats to a private play. She leaned in, her whisper sharp. “He hasn’t looked away from you once. Not once.”

Jennie’s pulse kicked. She sipped her champagne slowly, letting the stem linger between her fingers. “Good,” she murmured, even as her stomach fluttered.

“You don’t get it,” Alison pressed, eyes sparkling. “He looks… God, Jennie, he looks unfair tonight. That shirt, those pants, the way he’s standing, you better not look yet or you’re toast. You’ll drool and lose your little game.”

Jennie smiled into her glass, heat crawling up her neck. “I don’t drool.”

“Mm-hm,” Alison hummed. “Keep telling yourself that. Meanwhile, your boy’s about two seconds from combusting.”

Jennie’s laugh slipped out, soft and wicked. She adjusted the strap of her dress, letting it slide against her skin, knowing full well he was watching. Knowing it would wreck him.

But God, the temptation to look back was torture. She could feel him, even without seeing, his stare burning into her spine, his presence a constant weight in the room. Every time she leaned in to greet someone, she imagined his jaw tightening. Every time she laughed at a joke she didn’t care about, she pictured his fists clenching around a glass.

She forced herself to keep orbiting, playing the game. Smile. Nod. Don’t look.

Until she couldn’t resist anymore.

She let her gaze slip, casual, as if by accident. Just a flicker across the crowd, her eyes catching on him.

And it nearly broke her.

He was standing near his group, broad shoulders relaxed in a lie, glass hanging forgotten in his hand. His hair was pushed back but still tousled, his shirt collar open, his stance wide. The tuxedo hugged him in all the places she remembered touching, all the places she wanted to touch again. His eyes were already locked on her, hot, dark, burning through the distance.

Jennie’s pulse spiked, heat blooming in her chest, low in her stomach. And when his lips curved into that slow, dangerous smirk, she felt it like a hand dragging down her spine.

For one terrifying second, she almost smiled back. Almost gave in.

But she swallowed it down, tilting her chin away, laughter spilling for someone else. She turned her shoulder, let her hair fall forward, forced herself back into the crowd.

Alison smirked knowingly. “Mm. That look he just gave you ? If stares could fuck...”

“Don’t,” Jennie hissed, cheeks warming, her composure slipping for half a heartbeat.

The champagne was cool against Jennie’s palm, bubbles fizzing against the rim as she lifted it slowly, buying herself a moment. She’d managed to turn her gaze away from Mingyu, but her pulse was still thrumming from that smirk, the way his eyes had eaten her alive across the ballroom.

She wasn’t going to let him win.

Alison stayed close, her grin sharp, her voice a low buzz in Jennie’s ear. “He still hasn’t looked away. Not once. Honestly, it’s almost embarrassing how obvious he is.”

Jennie forced a serene smile for a passing stylist, inclining her head just enough to look unbothered. “Good. Let him suffer.”

Alison hummed. “I’d say he’s already there.”

Jennie’s lips curved as she drifted further into the crowd, offering polite greetings to industry figures, her presence as measured as it was magnetic. A hand on someone’s arm here, a smile just sharp enough there. She played the part flawlessly, the star, the professional, untouchable and admired.

And then she spotted him.

Not Mingyu, but someone else. A familiar face.

A famous actor she’d worked with last year, a colleague of Jisoo’s who had a reputation for charm and an easy laugh. He caught her eye across the room and made his way over, slipping through the crowd like he knew he’d be welcome.

“Jennie,” he greeted warmly, “It’s been too long.”

She let her smile soften, just a shade warmer than necessary. “Far too long.”

He complimented her dress, her performance schedule, the usual chatter. Jennie responded gracefully, tilting her head back when she laughed, touching his sleeve lightly, leaning in close enough that the perfume at her collarbones would linger between them.

And she knew exactly what she was doing.

Because out of the corner of her eye, she could feel it, Mingyu watching. His stare a weight pressing between her shoulder blades, down her spine. She didn’t have to look to know his jaw would be tight, his grip too firm on his glass, his stance betraying just how much he hated this.

Good. Let him burn.

She sipped her champagne, lips parting deliberately around the rim, then tilted her head to the actor with a small, knowing smile. She was in control. She was winning.

Except... She glanced back, casual as a queen surveying her court, and he wasn’t where she’d left him.

Her heart gave one sharp beat.

She scanned the crowd, smile frozen in place as the actor kept talking, oblivious. She nodded absently, eyes darting past stylists, producers, the swell of gowns and tuxedos.

And then she saw him.

Mingyu.

Standing with Twice...

He looked good. Too good. And worse, he looked like he wasn’t thinking about her at all.

Jennie’s chest tightened, her composure wobbling for half a second. Heat curled low in her stomach, sharper this time, tangled with something she didn’t want to name.

Alison leaned in, voice smug as ever. “Well,” she whispered, “look who finally decided to fight back.”

Jennie’s gaze locked on him across the room, and for a moment she swore he knew exactly what he was doing.

He leaned in closer to Jihyo, laughing at something she’d said, his smile easy and blinding. He angled himself just slightly toward Nayeon when she touched his arm, not pulling away, letting the contact linger like it was nothing. Sana leaned in too, head tilted, her glossed lips curving as she teased him about something only they could hear.

And Mingyu ?

He was eating it up.

Not clumsy. Not awkward. Not flustered like she’d half expected him to be in the face of so much attention. No, he was composed, confident, playing his part with infuriating ease. His hand slipped into his pocket, his shoulders loose, his stance wide. Every move screamed casual charm.

But Jennie knew better.

This wasn’t just him being polite. This was a move. A countermove.

Her lips tightened around the rim of her glass, hiding the way her stomach flipped. He was performing for them, sure, but really, he was performing for her. Showing her that she wasn’t the only one who could play games. That he could laugh, lean close, let other women touch him, and look good doing it.

And the worst part ? He did look good. Too good.

Jennie forced her smile to hold, tilting her head at the actor still speaking beside her, but her attention was gone. Every nerve in her body was wired toward Mingyu, the way his eyes sparkled when he smiled, the sharp cut of his jaw as he bent closer to listen, the way his suit clung to his frame under the chandeliers.

He knew she was watching. She could feel it in the occasional flick of his glance, subtle, fleeting, but sharp enough to pierce her composure.

Alison’s voice brushed her ear, smug and low. “Oh, baby. He’s punishing you.”

Jennie swallowed hard, her throat tight. Her laugh slipped too easily, her glass tilting slightly as she pretended to still be engaged with the actor beside her. But her focus was shot. Mingyu’s low voice carried across the hum of the crowd every now and then, that deep rumble she knew too well. Each time, her chest tightened.

Every tilt of his head, every easy grin flashed a warning: you’re not the only one who can play this game. And he was right, she could already feel the control slipping, her pulse spiking every time Nayeon’s hand lingered too long on his arm or Sana leaned in close enough to make him laugh.

Her lips pressed together. No. Enough.

If he thought she was going to stand across the ballroom and let him win, he didn’t know her at all.

She set her champagne glass down on the nearest tray with deliberate calm, smoothing her hands over the satin at her hips. Her spine straightened. Her chin lifted. Alison’s brows shot up instantly, reading her body like a book.

“Oh, shit,” Alison whispered, half-delighted, half-pitying. “You’re really going in.”

Jennie didn’t answer. She didn’t need to.

Her heels clicked against marble, sharp and steady, slicing through the buzz of conversation as she made her way across the room. Each step was a decision, each sway of her hips a silent declaration. The crowd parted easily, greetings tossed her way, but her eyes stayed forward now.

She could feel it before she even reached them: the shift in energy, the weight of every gaze flicking between her and him. Mingyu was right there, towering, the air around him hot and heavy with suppressed tension. Twice shimmered at his side, his members stood close, all of them oblivious to the war being waged in silence.

Jennie slowed as she reached the cluster, her lips curving into that perfect, polite smile, the one that could mean everything or nothing.

This was it.

The beginning of their death. The beginning of restraint.

Chapter Text

Mingyu had sworn he wouldn’t let her get to him tonight.

He’d told himself on the car ride over, in the bright glare of the carpet, even as the boys laughed around him: he’d stay composed. He’d smile, he’d pose, he’d sip champagne like everyone else. No matter what Jennie wore, no matter how she looked at him, or didn’t look at him, he would not snap.

But then she leaned in to that actor.

He saw the way her lips curved a little too warmly, the way her hand rested against the sleeve of his jacket like she had every right. And worse, she laughed. She tilted her head back and laughed, satin stretching across her body as her throat gleamed under the light.

The actor grinned like he’d just been given the sun.

Mingyu’s jaw clenched so tight his teeth ached. Heat surged low, hot and ugly, mixing with the ache already straining against the fabric of his trousers. His fingers dug into the delicate stem of his champagne glass until condensation slipped down his knuckles.

He hated it.

He hated that the man got to be that close, hated that she let him be that close, hated that she wasn’t even pretending to glance his way while she did it.

“She kissed him,” Seungkwan muttered suddenly, just loud enough to carry, eyes glinting.

Mingyu’s head snapped so fast he nearly spilled his drink. “She what ?”

Soonyoung bit down on his fist to keep from laughing. “Relax, I’m kidding. But the way you whipped around ? Priceless.”

Vernon raised his glass in lazy salute. “Obvious much, hyung ?”

He swallowed hard, chest tightening, and looked away before he broke something.

Seungcheol shook his head, lips tugging into a dry smile. “You’re easy to read tonight. You look like you’re ready to deck a man in front of half the industry.”

Mingyu bit the inside of his cheek, breathing hard through his nose. The fizz of the champagne tasted like nothing, the golden light of the ballroom felt too warm, the collar of his shirt too tight. His cock pressed unbearably against the seam of his pants, reminding him with every shift of weight that he was already ruined, already too far gone.

And she hadn’t looked at him once.

Not a glance. Not a flicker.

It was deliberate. Calculated. Every laugh she gave the actor, every tilt of her chin, every time she let her hair slide over one shoulder it was all for Mingyu. A punishment. A challenge.

His hand loosened suddenly from the glass, the decision crashing through him like instinct. He set it down too hard on the high table, crystal ringing as it met marble. One hand slipped into his pocket, the other adjusting his cuff as if that could ground him.

“She wants to play ?” His voice was low, rough, almost a growl. “Fine. Let’s play.”

“Oh, here we go,” Seungcheol sighed, rubbing his forehead.

“Two horny people, one ballroom,” Seungkwan said gleefully. “Best night of my life.”

Soonyoung fanned himself with his hand. “Somebody call medics. He’s about to commit a homicide by flirting.”

Vernon chuckled. “More like suicide. He’s doomed either way.”

Mingyu ignored them. He set his glass down with more force than necessary, slipping one hand into his pocket as he straightened his shoulders. His eyes caught on the cluster nearby, Jihyo radiant as ever, Sana already beaming when she spotted him, and Nayeon… Nayeon, whose eyes lingered on him a little longer than most, who’d never been subtle about her crush.

Perfect.

If Jennie wanted to use an actor to provoke him, he’d use idols everyone adored to provoke her.

He straightened his shoulders, let his expression slide into something relaxed and charming. Then he began to move, long strides through the crowd, casual enough to seem unbothered, deliberate enough that anyone who knew him could see the purpose.

And he didn’t look at her. Not once.

Even though every nerve in his body screamed to check, to see if her eyes were on him. Even though he could feel her presence like a magnet pulling at his chest, dragging at his will. He refused to give her that satisfaction.

The laughter from the small cluster was warm, easy, welcoming. To anyone else, it would’ve looked like the most natural thing in the world: Mingyu slipping into a conversation with three of the most beloved idols in the industry, tall and polished, bowing politely before relaxing into his usual charm.

Jihyo was the first to beam at him. “Finally,” she teased, patting his arm. “I was starting to think you were going to ignore us all night.”

“Impossible,” Mingyu replied smoothly, tilting his head with practiced ease. “You’re always the life of the room.”

Sana laughed, bright and playful, her hand grazing his sleeve as she leaned closer. “You say that to everyone."

“Only when it’s true,” he shot back, grinning, which made her laugh harder.

And then there was Nayeon.

Her gaze lingered on him a beat too long, the kind of look that held knowledge behind it. When she spoke, her voice dipped just a little softer, just for him. “You’ve been working out again, haven’t you ? That suit doesn’t lie.”

The corner of his mouth tugged upward. “Noticed, did you ?”

Nayeon flushed, her laugh catching in her throat, and Jihyo immediately rolled her eyes with affectionate exasperation. “God, don’t encourage her.”

But Mingyu did. On purpose. He bent slightly lower, smiling down at Nayeon as though the entire ballroom had disappeared. His hand brushed lightly along the small of her back when he shifted, polite enough to mean nothing, deliberate enough that Jennie would see it and feel everything.

Because this wasn’t about Nayeon.

This was about her.

Every tilt of his head, every low note in his laugh, every subtle touch, it was aimed straight across the room, to where Jennie still stood with that actor, pretending she wasn’t watching. He knew she was. He could feel her attention, sharp as a blade.

Behind him, the boys were a wall of badly contained amusement.

“Look at him,” Seungkwan muttered under his breath, lifting his glass to his lips to hide his grin. “Full playboy mode. If Jennie doesn’t murder him, I will.”

Soonyoung’s hand clutched dramatically at his chest. “He’s going to hell. And I’m going with him because I love this too much.”

Vernon smirked into his drink. “She’s fuming right now. I’d pay to hear what she's saying.”

Even Seungcheol, trying to play the adult, sighed. “They’re both insane. This is going to end in blood.”

Mingyu kept his expression smooth, his smile easy. He was too good at this, too good at acting unbothered, too good at knowing exactly how to use the angles of his body, the warmth of his voice, the weight of his height to pull people in.

And it was working.

The girls laughed freely, teasing him about choreography, about his group’s schedule, about how unfair it was that he looked better tonight than most of the men in the room. He answered smoothly, voice low, shoulders loose, charm radiating like it cost him nothing.

But inside, his chest burned.

Because every laugh they gave him, every blush, every touch, he imagined Jennie’s jaw tightening. He imagined the fire in her eyes, the twist in her stomach, the exact way she would hate this.

That was the point.

He was provoking her, deliberately, mercilessly, even as his own restraint frayed.

Then, a tap on his arm.

Subtle. Just enough to break the rhythm of his smile. He turned, and Seungkwan’s eyes widened meaningfully.

“Don’t react,” Seungkwan whispered, his lips barely moving around the rim of his glass.

Mingyu’s stomach dropped.

He didn’t need to ask. He knew.

She was coming.

She was walking toward them.

And no one at the table, not Jihyo, not Sana, not Nayeon, had the faintest idea what was about to happen.

The boys, though ?

They knew everything. And they were dying inside, laughter shaking just under their skin, while their faces stayed perfectly straight.

Jennie approached with Alison at her side, every step deliberate, her smile warm but measured. On the surface, she was just another star weaving through a constellation of colleagues. Inside, she was fire aimed at one target.

“Jennie!” Jihyo greeted first, lighting up with genuine warmth as she reached to touch her arm. “You look absolutely unreal tonight.”

Jennie returned the touch, bowing her head politely. “Jihyo, you’re too sweet.”

But before the circle could close entirely, Jennie turned, her gaze sweeping deliberately across the men beside them.

It was the first time all night she’d acknowledged him.

“Good evening,” she said smoothly, her voice perfectly polite as her eyes landed on Mingyu. Her smile didn’t falter, but something sharper flickered underneath. “It’s nice to see you all here.”

Her words were aimed at the group, but everyone knew who they were really for.

Mingyu’s throat tightened. For a half second, he forgot how to breathe, then forced a smile onto his face, one that was too slow, too careful. “Jennie-ssi,” he returned, his tone even, almost too formal. “You look… well.”

The pause was dangerous, his eyes betraying far more than the words allowed.

The boys caught it instantly.

Vernon sipped his champagne to cover the smirk tugging at his lips. Soonyoung’s brow arched, his expression screaming did you hear that ? Seungkwan nearly snorted into his glass, only saved by Seungcheol’s hand pressing firmly at the small of his back like a silent warning.

Jennie’s lips curved, faint and unreadable, before she pivoted seamlessly back to Jihyo.

“Radiant, as always,” she added lightly, and just like that, the conversation shifted.

“Radiant ?” Sana laughed, looping her arm around Jennie’s shoulders. “No, you’re radiant. We’re all just accessories now.”

Jennie’s laugh was light, melodic, perfectly timed but the subtle tilt of her hip let the slit of her dress fall open another inch. Satin whispered against her thigh, bare skin catching the chandelier light. She adjusted her strap, baring the elegant dip of her back.

Mingyu nearly choked on his drink.

The glass jerked in his hand, the fizz burning his throat as he forced it down. His jaw flexed hard, his ears burning red.

The boys noticed everything.

Seungkwan’s shoulders shook violently, Vernon disguised a grin with another long sip, Soonyoung’s lips parted in silent glee, and even Seungcheol exhaled like a man watching two trains collide in slow motion.

Jennie kept talking as though nothing had happened.

“This is Alison,” she said smoothly, gesturing at her side. “My manager and the only reason I made it here on time.”

Alison smiled politely, offering a bow. “It’s a pleasure.”

The Twice girls greeted her warmly, and in seconds the attention swung back to Jennie, admiration spilling freely.

“That dress,” Sana gasped. “Seriously, no one else could pull it off. Look at those legs.”

Jennie laughed softly, tilting her hip just enough to emphasize the slit, the fabric parting higher. She turned slightly to fuss with her hair, the back of her gown glinting under the light. “You really think so ?”

Mingyu’s grip on his glass whitened. His throat bobbed as he swallowed too hard.

And Nayeon shifted closer with her usual ease, looping her hand lightly around Mingyu’s arm as she tilted her head up at him. “And you what are you up too ?” she teased with a smile.

The touch was casual, harmless on the surface but Mingyu’s body reacted before his mind did, shoulders tightening, his glass dipping slightly in his hand.

Across from him, Jennie’s smile didn’t falter, but something in her eyes sharpened, a flicker quick as lightning. The stem of her glass turned once between her fingers, the only sign of strain

Then, smooth as silk, she closed the gap.

“Oh, Nayeon,” Jennie said lightly, her voice warm as she leaned forward, “your nails are gorgeous, let me see them properly.”

Jennie reached for it, her smile serene, but her body slipped perfectly into place, sliding between them in one graceful motion. Her shoulder brushed Mingyu’s chest, her perfume curling into his lungs, the bare line of her back grazing the fabric of his sleeve.

The circle carried on, Twice oblivious, but Mingyu’s breath caught. The boys stood stiff with the effort of not bursting, Seungkwan’s lips pressed white against his teeth, Vernon biting his cheek, Soonyoung biting his knuckle.

Alison only smirked, leaning toward Seungkwan, her whisper a conspiratorial drawl. "Subtle, isn’t she ? ”

Seungkwan coughed violently into his drink to hide the laugh that nearly broke free.

And Jennie ? Jennie just smiled, holding Nayeon’s hand up to admire the glittering polish, her voice sweet as silk, even as her body claimed the space beside Mingyu’s like it had always belonged to her.

Jennie stayed right where she was, directly beside Mingyu, her perfume threading into his lungs with every shallow breath. On the surface, her smile was flawless, her posture relaxed. To anyone looking, it was nothing. To Mingyu, it was hell.

“So I heard,” Jihyo said, eyes bright, “you’re opening your own agency ?”

All eyes turned to Jennie. She inclined her head gracefully, lips curving. “It’s in motion, yes. A lot of work still ahead, but it feels right.”

Excitement sparked instantly. Alison received several impressed glances, nodding with polite pride as Jennie spoke.

“That’s amazing,” Sana gushed, reaching for her hand. “You’ll do incredible, you always do.”

Jennie’s smile softened. “Thank you.”

Seungcheol’s voice cut in, steady and thoughtful. “That’s my next wish for Seventeen, actually. Building something of our own.”

His words carried weight, and the boys nodded around him, murmuring their agreement.

“That’s the dream,” Vernon added.

The Twice girls jumped in, talk shifting to contracts and renewals, JYP, the strain of transitions. It was animated, supportive, genuine, colleagues sharing victories and worries alike.

And through all of it, Mingyu stood silent.

Jennie’s arm brushed his whenever she shifted her glass. The satin of her gown grazed his sleeve each time she leaned forward. He kept his shoulders taut, his hand locked around his drink, because the only thing he wanted, to touch her, was the one thing he couldn’t do. Not here. Not in front of everyone.

His chest burned. His jaw ached. His trousers were still too tight.

And then the conversation drifted away from him entirely, Twice laughing with Alison, Seungcheol sharing a quiet story about rehearsal. For one brief moment, no one was speaking directly to him.

He exhaled shakily. He needed something. Anything.

His hand, still hanging loosely at his side, shifted. Slowly. Too slowly. His little finger traced the barest line along Jennie’s wrist, feather-light, careful enough that no one could see. Just enough to search. To ask.

For a heartbeat, nothing. His lungs locked, waiting.

Then he felt it.

Her pinky curling back, hooking around his with quiet finality.

It was nothing. Barely a touch, a single point of contact hidden behind the frame of her figure, invisible to everyone else.

But to them, it was everything.

Their breaths eased in the same instant, a pair of imperceptible sighs, relief, release, the smallest crack in the armor they’d worn since the night began.

Not enough. God, not nearly enough. But something.

Jennie didn’t shift. Her voice carried smoothly as she responded to Sana’s joke, her hand still raised slightly to emphasize a point. To anyone looking, she was poised, radiant, untouchable.

Behind that picture-perfect figure, their hands remained tethered in secret, two fingers locked in defiance of the room around them.

Their pinkies remained hooked, an invisible lifeline between them, hidden in the shadow of Jennie’s silhouette. For the first time all night, Mingyu could breathe. His shoulders eased, the burn in his chest dulled, replaced by something softer.

And then Nayeon spoke.

“You’re unusually quiet tonight, Mingyu,” she said, tilting her head, eyes curious. “That’s not like you. Usually we can’t get you to shut up.”

The bubble shattered instantly.

Jennie froze, her pinky slipping free of his in a blink. Mingyu’s hand stilled uselessly at his side, the ghost of her touch searing his skin. His heart stumbled once before slamming harder in his chest.

Every pair of eyes swung toward him, Twice, Seventeen, Alison… and Jennie. Her gaze met his with polite interest, as though she were simply part of the group, as though nothing had just happened between them.

He swallowed, stunned, before his mouth moved on its own.

“How could I possibly speak,” he said smoothly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, “when I’m surrounded by so many beautiful, interesting women ?”

The response hit exactly as he knew it would.

Laughter rippled through the circle, light, easy, delighted. Nayeon flushed, Sana clapped her hands together, even Jihyo chuckled at the shamelessness of it.

Jennie’s lips twitched, her composure taut. The faintest curve appeared, betraying the fact that even she couldn’t stop the flicker of heat that rolled through her chest.

And then Sana struck.

“You know,” she said, grinning as her eyes flicked between them, “you two standing next to each other like this… you look like the leads in a drama. Gorgeous, dramatic, impossible not to root for.”

The words hit like a spark to kindling.

Jennie’s cheeks burned instantly, her smile faltering as color flushed up her neck. Mingyu coughed into his fist, ears flaming red.

At the same time, both blurted out variations of denial, Jennie became red, and Mingyu with a rough, “Oh, no, no, that’s not...It’s not like that....”

The overlap only made it worse.

The laughter doubled, Twice giggling freely, Sana winking, Jihyo covering her mouth with her hand. Even the boys lost their composure, Vernon shaking his head with a quiet grin, Soonyoung muttering “main leads, she’s right” under his breath, Seungcheol pinching the bridge of his nose.

And Seungkwan ? Seungkwan was glowing.

“Okay, okay,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender, his grin devilish. “Let’s not torture them too much.”

Mingyu’s relief was instant. Jennie’s lungs expanded with a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

But Seungkwan wasn’t finished.

“Let’s talk about Jihyo instead,” he added brightly. “We’ve all heard the rumors. Come on, leader-nim, set the record straight.”

It worked for a second, the spotlight swung to Jihyo's dating life, her cheeks pink as she laughed. “Yah, Seungkwan! Always stirring trouble.”

The laughter rolled again, everyone teasing her gently. Mingyu even allowed his lips to curl into a smirk of reprieve.

The circle buzzed with laughter and chatter until Jihyo, ever the bold one, leaned forward with a sly grin.

“Alright then, Mingyu,” she said, eyes glinting. “Tell us are you seeing someone ? We haven’t heard a word since Somi.”

The name rippled through the group like a quiet chord, soft but resonant. Twice leaned in instinctively, curiosity piqued, while Seventeen and Alison went still, their expressions carefully neutral.

Mingyu’s chest locked tight. His hand twitched around his glass, and for a moment he thought about deflecting, about joking his way out. But when his eyes flicked sideways, he caught Seungcheol watching him steadily. The older man gave the smallest nod, a silent be honest.

On Jennie’s other side, Alison tilted her chin almost imperceptibly, lips curving into the faintest knowing smile. You’ll be fine.

It steadied him.

He cleared his throat softly. “After Somi… I really didn’t see anyone.”

A breath of relief rippled, Jihyo nodding, Sana smirking knowingly, and Nayeon’s wide eyes blinking fast as if she’d just lost a bet with herself.

But Mingyu wasn’t done.

His gaze shifted. Straight to Jennie.

Her shoulder was taut, her profile poised as if she were only half-listening. But when their eyes met, sudden, deliberate, inescapable, the room blurred.

And he smiled.

Not his usual polished grin, not the cocky smirk he’d been wearing all evening, but something open, soft, almost boyish. He couldn’t stop it, no matter how hard he tried.

“But right now…” His voice was low, steady, carrying over the group. “…yes. I am seeing someone. Nothing official yet, we’re still getting to know each other.”

A pause. His smile deepened, warm as sunlight, tugging at his cheeks like it belonged there. “But I’ll admit this much: I really, really like her. A lot.”

The words settled heavy in the air.

Twice burst into delighted noise, Jihyo clapping once, Sana nudging Nayeon with a grin, Nayeon blinking at him like she was trying to solve a puzzle on the spot. Even Alison laughed softly, shaking her head as though she’d known it all along.

Jennie’s champagne tilted faintly in her hand, her lips still curved in a polite smile. But her chest tightened, her breath snagging once before she steadied it. Because she knew. She knew those words, that smile, weren’t meant for anyone else.

And the boys ?

They pounced

“God,” Seungkwan groaned, smothering his laugh in his sleeve. “Look at him. He’s smiling like a puppy in love.”

Soonyoung pressed a hand to his chest dramatically. “Our Mingyu, hopeless romantic. Who would’ve thought ?”

Vernon raised his glass lazily. “You’ve got it bad, hyung.”

Even Seungcheol cracked the faintest grin. “At least you admitted it.”

Mingyu’s ears burned crimson, but he didn’t stop smiling. He couldn’t. His gaze flicked once more toward Jennie, softer now, anchored in something deeper than the game they’d been playing all night.

Jennie hadn’t meant to look at him. Not like that.

But after his confession after that smile he couldn’t hold back, soft and boyish, so unlike the mask he wore for everyone else, her composure cracked. For the first time all night, she let herself meet his gaze without armor.

Her eyes softened, warm and unguarded, carrying every word he hadn’t dared to say out loud.

If they’d been anywhere else, she would have kissed him. Right then. Right there.

Instead, she shifted imperceptibly closer, her body angling toward his. The scent of his cologne curled around her, rich and deep, and she inhaled quietly, greedily, letting the heat of him soak into her skin.

It wasn’t enough.

And then, fate intervened.

“Twice, please, just a moment,” a staff member called from across the room, gesturing politely.

The girls laughed, apologizing, but before leaving they agreed to one last photo together. Someone corralled them into place near the backdrop, a photographer raising his camera.

The group squeezed in, bodies pressed shoulder to shoulder, glasses set aside. Mingyu shifted slightly to make space, Jennie following suit, the boys falling into formation with practiced ease.

And then chaos struck, courtesy of Seungkwan.

Sliding into place with an exaggerated grin, he wedged himself between Jennie and Nayeon. In the process, his shoulder “accidentally” nudged hard against Jennie’s back.

She stumbled, her heel catching the marble.

“Ah...!”

Before she could fall, Mingyu’s hand snapped to her waist, steadying her instantly. The strength of his grip seared through the satin, pulling her flush against his side.

Jennie’s breath hitched audibly, her body locking against his.

“I'm so sorry, Noona !” Seungkwan chirped, bowing his head with a devilish smile that fooled no one. “Clumsy me.”

The photographer laughed it off, adjusting their positions, oblivious. But the damage was done or the miracle.

Jennie was pressed fully into Mingyu’s frame, her side molded against his chest, her hip brushing his. His hand didn’t leave her waist. Instead, it shifted, palm sliding slowly up the bare curve of her back.

Her skin shivered under the contact, goosebumps rising in the trail he left. She almost moaned out loud, had to clamp her teeth together as her lungs seized, the shock of his touch too raw, too intimate.

And then the bastard moved.

His fingertips traced lower, deliberate and teasing, gliding down the curve of her spine as though he was searching for the point where satin began again. Every inch was fire, every brush a dare.

Jennie’s knees nearly buckled. She fought to keep her smile fixed for the camera, her nails biting faint crescents into the stem of her glass.

Beside them, the boys held their expressions steady, faces politely neutral for the photo. But their eyes were alight, shoulders trembling with the effort of not laughing because they’d seen Seungkwan’s grin, and they knew exactly what he’d done.

The camera flashed.

And for the space of that picture, Jennie and Mingyu were pressed so close they might as well have been one body, bound together under the pretense of friendship, their secret alive in the hidden curve of her back where his hand traced fire.

The photo was snapped, another flash popped, and then Twice were being called away again, staff ushering them gently toward their next obligation. Jihyo hugged Seungcheol goodbye, Sana blew a playful kiss toward the group, and Nayeon gave Mingyu one last lingering smile before following the others out.

And then they were gone.

The moment the circle thinned, the dam broke.

“Oh my God,” Seungkwan gasped, nearly doubling over. “Did everyone see that ? Did you see the fall, the catch, the hand placement ?! ”

Soonyoung clapped his hands together like a delighted seal. “On her bare back ! He didn’t even hesitate !”

Vernon smirked lazily, sipping his drink. “Hyung looked like he was about to faint. Or combust. Maybe both.”

Even Seungcheol chuckled, shaking his head. “You two are reckless. And Seungkwan... you’re not innocent either.”

Seungkwan only grinned devilishly. “What ? I was helping. Look at them. That was art.”

Alison hummed in agreement, one brow arched as she crossed her arms. “I have to admit… it was effective. You’re welcome.”

Jennie’s cheeks burned, but she didn’t move. Mingyu’s hand was still splayed against her bare back, warm and steady, his fingers tracing the lightest patterns over her skin as if he owned the space.

Every subtle stroke sent heat pooling lower, her thighs tightening instinctively.

But she stayed rooted, glass steady in her hand, her smile sharp. Let him win this round. Just this one.

When the laughter subsided, the group shifted, freer now that the Twice girls had gone. Conversations overlapped, easier, looser. Alison joined in, teasing Jennie about her gown; Soonyoung poked at Mingyu about his suit.

Finally, Jennie turned slightly, her shoulder brushing Mingyu’s chest. Her voice was low, smooth. “You look good tonight.”

Mingyu’s lips curved, his thumb pressing just faintly against her back. “You’re one to talk. That dress…” His eyes swept down briefly before snapping back to hers. “You knew what you were doing.”

Jennie smirked, sipping her champagne. “Maybe. And you didn’t disappoint either. Black suits you.”

The boys groaned collectively.

“God, they’re flirting in plain sight now,” Seungkwan muttered.

“Finally,” Vernon deadpanned.

Jennie ignored them, tilting her head just enough that her hair brushed Mingyu’s jawline. Her pulse hammered, but her expression was cool. “So… how are you coping tonight ?”

“Badly,” Mingyu muttered, his smile tight. Then, leaning down, his breath brushed her ear. “But better knowing I bought a new pack of condoms. We’d better use most of it.”

Jennie’s breath hitched, her knees trembling so suddenly she had to shift her weight. Her glass wavered, almost slipping, and she prayed no one noticed the flush creeping up her throat.

Mingyu straightened again, his face perfectly polite, sipping his drink like he hadn’t just set her body on fire with a whisper.

Jennie swallowed hard, forcing her smile back into place. Heat coiled low and hot between her thighs.

Mingyu’s hand hadn’t left her back. His fingers traced lazy, invisible shapes along her bare skin, each pass lower than the last, each brush a question. Jennie’s chest rose faster, her body betraying her even as her smile stayed sharp for the group.

Then he leaned in again, his lips grazing just near her ear. His voice was a growl wrapped in velvet.

“You know what I’ve been thinking about all night ?” His breath fanned across her skin, making her shiver. “How it would feel to bend you over the first surface I find the second we leave. How fast I could make you forget every name in this room.”

Jennie’s knees trembled. Heat coiled low and hot between her thighs. The heat between her legs pulsed harder now, sharper, and she knew, she wouldn’t last much longer tonight without cracking.

“And when you walked in with that slit,” he murmured lower, “I pictured sliding my hand higher, under it, in front of everyone. You wouldn’t stop me. Not with the way you’re shaking.”

Jennie didn’t shy away.

Instead, she turned, deliberately shifting until she was fully in front of him, their bodies brushing chest to chest. Her hip pressed into his, the satin of her gown gliding against the sharp lines of his suit. She leaned in closer, her lips barely curved, her eyes alight with wickedness.

And she felt him.

Hard. Straining. Pressed against her through the fine fabric, undeniable.

Jennie’s pulse spiked, but her smirk deepened. She shifted just slightly, enough to drag her thigh across him under the guise of leaning closer, her whisper brushing his jawline.

“Mmm. Poor you,” she teased softly. “You’ve been like this all night, haven’t you ? And still pretending you’re in control.”

Mingyu’s breath hitched audibly, his hand flattening against her back to steady her or himself.

Jennie tilted her head, her voice honeyed but sharp. “Don’t think I don’t know what you want to do. But you’ll have to wait. And watch. Just like I’ve been making you all week.”

Her body pressed more firmly into his, enough to make him groan under his breath, low and muffled.

Around them, their friends laughed loudly, chatting in a loose cluster that conveniently placed them in front of Jennie and Mingyu blocking the line of sight from the rest of the ballroom.

Seungkwan’s grin was sharp as glass as he leaned conspiratorially toward Alison. “We’re babysitting sinners.”

Alison’s smirk was equally wicked. “No. We’re giving them privacy.”

Soonyoung laughed too loudly at something Vernon hadn’t even said, his shoulders shaking, while Seungcheol pretended to listen to them with the patience of a saint.

Behind their cover, Jennie’s lips hovered near Mingyu’s jaw, her body pressed so tight against his that she could feel the desperate twitch of him against her thigh.

Her whisper curved like a knife.

“New pack, hm? You’d better hope it’s enough.”

Mingyu’s eyes darkened, his jaw flexing, his breath heavy against her hair.

Jennie’s lips brushed Mingyu’s jaw, her whisper molten. “You’d better hope you survive until dessert.”

His chest tightened, his hand pressing harder at her back as if he could anchor her there. And then the sharp call from the staff cracked through the ballroom, cold and unwelcome:

“Ladies and gentlemen,” a staff member called over the crowd, microphone echoing faintly, “dinner will now be served. Please make your way into the hall.”

The words cracked the moment clean in half.

Jennie inhaled sharply, her body stiffening as the current around them shifted. Guests began to move, gowns brushing together, chairs scraping faintly against marble as the sea of voices swelled toward the tall double doors. Mingyu’s hand slipped reluctantly from her back, his warmth leaving a cold ache in its absence.

Neither looked at the other. They couldn’t. Not here, not now, not with everyone flowing around them like a tide pulling them apart.

Jennie’s chest tightened. For one wild second, she wanted to turn back, to cling to his wrist and keep him there. Instead, she smoothed her dress with steady hands, pasted her smile back into place, and let herself be swept along with the crowd.

The hum of voices carried into the glittering hall, softened now by the clink of cutlery laid in neat rows. Jennie traced the gold lettering of her name card before sinking gracefully into her chair. Only when she looked up did she realize how far and yet how close Mingyu’s name had been placed. Three seats from across her. It might as well have been miles.

She wasn’t alone.

“Jennie !” A familiar voice sang, warm and delighted. Moon Ga-young slid into the chair across from hers, eyes shining. “I didn’t know you’d be here tonight.”

Jennie’s face softened instantly. “Gayoung ! It’s been too long.”

And next to Gayoung, Lee Ho-jung leaned in with a smirk. “Trust you to upstage all of us. That dress…” She gestured at the satin with exaggerated awe. “Unfair.”

Jennie laughed, tension easing just slightly. “You’re exaggerating. You both look stunning.”

They dove into easy chatter, catching up, their laughter ringing soft over the ambient hum of the hall. Jennie let herself relax into it, for a moment. But every time her smile widened, every time her friends teased her about schedules or holidays, her eyes drifted.

Toward him.

He sat tall, polite smile in place, nodding to a producer across from him. But his eyes, every time she dared glance, licked to hers. Quick. Heavy. Like a tether pulling taut despite the distance

It was unbearable.

Mingyu’s chest felt tight, his jaw aching from the effort of composure. Separated, he felt stripped, raw, as if half his skin had been left behind in the cocktail hall with her. His gaze darted once more toward Jennie, laughing with Gayoung, leaning toward Ho-jung, satin slipping perfectly along her legs under the candlelight and the burn in his stomach flared all over again.

Too far.

He scanned the table again. Jennie’s name. HOSHI s just beside hers. His pulse jumped.

Perfect.

He leaned subtly toward the other man, voice pitched low. “Switch with me.”

Soonyoung blinked, then grinned like he’d been waiting all night for this. “Ohhh. This is good. You really can’t stand it, can you ?”

Seungkwan, already watching, nearly spit his wine. “Unbelievable. He lasted all of three minutes apart.”

Vernon smirked lazily, lifting his glass. “Pathetic. I respect it.”

Alison, ever the composed observer, arched a brow from across the way. “Smart, if you ask me. Very… deliberate.”

Seungcheol sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose like a man too old for the chaos. “Just sit down before you embarrass yourself more.”

Soonyoung winked and slipped easily into Mingyu’s original seat, giving the swap without hesitation.

And Mingyu ?

He straightened his jacket, smoothed his cuff, and walked the few steps toward Jennie’s side. The heat of him hit her before she even looked up.

Her laugh caught mid word with Ho-jung as she turned her head and there he was, sliding into the chair beside hers, a polite smile curving his lips like it was all perfectly natural.

“Evening,” he said simply, his voice low, his eyes catching hers with deliberate weight.

Jennie’s breath faltered for a beat. Then she smiled, sharper this time, her thigh brushing his under the table as she shifted her napkin into her lap.

The hall glowed warm under chandeliers, gold light gleaming on silver cutlery and crystal glasses. The first course arrived with quiet elegance: plates set before them, each carrying delicate towers of salmon and truffle mousse, caviar glinting like black pearls.

“Jennie,” Gayoung said, eyes bright, “I swear we’re cursed. Every time we’re in the same country, I’m shooting night scenes, and you’re rehearsing until dawn.”

Jennie laughed, her shoulders easing. “It’s true. At this point, I think we’re communicating more through stylists than each other.”

Ho-jung smirked. “At least we’re all sitting together tonight. That’s progress.” She lifted her glass in mock toast. “Better than FaceTime at 3 a.m.”

Jennie clinked softly, her chest warming with the comfort of their banter. It felt like a reprieve, her girls here, grounding her, laughing about schedules and scripts. For a moment, Jennie let herself sink into the comfort of familiar voices. She laughed with Ga-young, teased Ho-jung about her grueling filming schedule, let herself feel normal again. But then pressure brushed her knee under the linen. Subtle. Steady. A reminder that no amount of laughter could pull her free from the fire at her side.

Jennie’s fork paused, but her smile didn’t falter as she angled back toward Gayoung.

“You wrapped your new drama already ?” Jennie asked.

“Finally,” Gayoung sighed, rolling her eyes. “Two months of crying in the rain. My skin still hasn’t forgiven me.”

“Tell me about it,” Ho-jung added, twirling her fork. “I’ve got night shoots next week. Of course, they want me sobbing on a rooftop at 3 a.m. Too glamorous, right ?”

Jennie chuckled, nodding in sympathy. “Actresses. We suffer beautifully.”

Beside her, Mingyu’s low voice cut in smoothly. “I bet you make suffering look easy.”

Jennie’s head snapped slightly, her lips twitching. “Are you complimenting me,” she murmured, “or exposing how much you’re watching me ?”

Mingyu’s smirk curved, his hand sliding casually onto his lap,then brushing just barely against the silk over her knee. “Both.”

Jennie shifted, her thigh pressing into his in answer, her voice sweet as she replied to Ho-jung’s story about Paris.

Across the table, Seungkwan snorted, eyes darting between them. “God, they think they’re subtle.”

Soonyoung leaned back, grinning. “At least try harder. We’re sitting right here.”

Jennie lifted her glass, her smirk cool, unbothered. “You two are imagining things."

“Mm-hm,” Vernon murmured, sipping his wine with a lazy smile. “Sure.”

The second course arrived, rich beef tenderloin glazed in wine jus, foie gras melting into the plate. The hall buzzed louder now, drinks loosening tongues, laughter climbing higher.

Jennie’s girls kept the conversation flowing, pulling her into chatter about auditions, travel, directors they loved. Mingyu joined easily, chiming in with jokes and observations that made them laugh, his charm seamless.

But under the linen, the war burned hotter.

Jennie’s ankle hooked around his, her thigh sliding against his. Mingyu’s fingers brushed higher along her leg, retreating just when she leaned into it, teasing her with absence. Their shoulders touched when they leaned in to laugh at something Ho-jung said, their voices softening when the rest of the table was loud.

Jennie sipped her third glass of wine, her lips curving, her gaze catching his just a moment too long.

“You’re enjoying this,” she murmured low, hidden under the table’s noise.

Mingyu tilted his head, eyes gleaming. “What, dinner ? Or driving you insane ?”

Jennie laughed into her glass, her pulse pounding. “Both.”

Seungkwan groaned loudly across the table, breaking the moment. “Honestly, I feel like I’m intruding.”

Alison arched a brow, her smirk sharp. “You are.”

Laughter rippled again, light and easy, the group basking in food, wine, and stories. But beneath the linen, Jennie and Mingyu’s legs stayed tangled, their secret game growing bolder with every passing course.

The tenderloin melted on the tongue, the red wine jus rich and heavy, the table alive with chatter and laughter. Glasses clinked, stories tumbled over one another, wine warming every edge of the room.

Jennie leaned slightly toward Mingyu as the conversation drifted to Ga-young’s drama. Her hair brushed his shoulder, her perfume sliding under his skin. Mingyu bent down as if to catch her words, but instead let his lips hover just close enough to graze her ear.

“You have no idea,” he whispered low, his breath a spark, “how hard it is not to drag you under this table right now.”

Jennie’s fork clinked faintly against porcelain. Heat flooded her cheeks before she could stop it, her chest tightening with the force of it. She ducked her head quickly, sipping her wine to hide the flush creeping up her throat.

But it was too late.

Ho-jung’s sharp eyes caught it instantly. She froze mid-sentence, her smirk curving slow. Ga-young noticed a beat later, her brows lifting, her gaze darting between Jennie and Mingyu.

They exchanged one look. Predatory.

“So, Jennie,” Ho-jung drawled, leaning her chin into her hand, “you’ve been glowing lately. Happier. We thought it was just good lighting.”

Jennie blinked, her smile taut. “New skincare routine, that’s all.”

“Mm,” Ga-young hummed, swirling her wine. “That, or someone special keeping you entertained.”

The boys froze then smirked all at once, hiding it behind their glasses. Alison tilted her head, lips twitching, her silence the loudest confirmation of all.

Jennie’s pulse kicked hard. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, please,” Ho-jung said, laughter spilling into her voice. “We know you’ve been seeing someone. You’re just too smug about it to hide.”

Jennie’s glass paused halfway to her lips. “I...”

Ga-young cut in, her grin wicked. “So tell us this, then. Is he the sexiest man you’ve ever made out ?”

The table erupted.

Laughter rippled, sharp and delighted. Soonyoung clapped the table, Seungkwan wheezed into his napkin, Vernon muttered “brutal” under his breath. Even Seungcheol cracked a rare smile, shaking his head like a man watching chaos unfold.

Jennie’s entire body flushed hot. She laughed, too high, too quick, pressing her glass to her lips as if it could shield her. “You two are insane.”

But her mistake came when her eyes flicked sideways, just for a second.

To him.

Mingyu sat perfectly still, lips curved in a half-smile that was equal parts smug and undone. His gaze locked on hers, heavy with everything they weren’t saying out loud.

And that was all it took.

Ho-jung gasped, pointing between them. “No. No way.”

Ga-young’s laughter rang out like a bell, triumphant. “Oh my God, it’s him.”

Jennie’s head fell into her hand with a groan, her laugh breaking through despite herself. She couldn’t escape it anymore. The table roared, everyone but the staff in on the joke, their mirth ringing through the golden hall.

Jennie lifted her head, cheeks burning, her smile helpless. “You’re all impossible.”

But beneath the table, Mingyu’s hand found her thigh again, squeezing gently, a silent vow that he didn’t care who knew.

The table hadn’t recovered.

Ga-young was still laughing into her glass, Ho-jung’s grin wicked as she nudged Jennie’s arm. Even Alison, normally so composed, was hiding her smile behind the rim of her wine.

Jennie groaned softly, pressing her palm to her cheek, her laughter helpless. “You’re all children,” she muttered, but the color on her skin betrayed her.

“Children who are right,” Seungkwan sing-songed.

Ho-jung leaned forward, chin propped on her hand.“Honestly, I thought we’d have to drag it out of you, but you gave yourself away with one look.”

Jennie shot her a glare, but it was half-hearted, her lips twitching at the edges.

And under the table, Mingyu’s hand squeezed her thigh. Firm. Possessive. His thumb stroking slowly over the satin, leaving heat pooling low in her stomach.

She stiffened, not from rejection, but from the effort of keeping her face composed. Her friends were still talking, but her breath hitched as his palm pressed higher, dangerously close.

Mingyu’s smile was infuriatingly smooth as he lifted his glass. “What can I say ?” he said lightly, eyes glinting. “She’s hard to resist.”

The table erupted again, laughter spilling from every direction.

Jennie turned, arching a brow at him, her smirk cutting. “Don’t flatter yourself too much.”

“Oh, please,” Seungkwan groaned, throwing his napkin down dramatically. “They’re back flirting openly.”

Jennie’s pulse thudded under her skin. She shifted in her seat, her knee pressing back against Mingyu’s, her voice low but audible enough for the table. “If anyone’s been struggling tonight, it’s you.”

The boys howled, Alison chuckling into her glass. Ho-jung clapped her hands once, gleeful. “Oh, she’s got you there.”

But Mingyu only leaned back in his chair, his grin slow, his hand still hot on Jennie’s thigh. “She’s not wrong,” he admitted, his voice low, velvet. He turned his head just slightly, his eyes locking on Jennie’s. “But that just means I’ll enjoy making up for it later.”

Jennie’s glass froze halfway to her lips.

The group laughed, assuming it was another cheeky line, alcohol, charm, harmless teasing. But Jennie heard it for what it was. A promise.

Her thighs pressed tighter together, heat sparking through her body as his thumb traced lazy circles over her skin.

She swallowed hard, forcing a laugh to match the table’s noise. But when her eyes flicked back to Mingyu, his gaze was already waiting, dark and burning, lips curved into a smile that was equal parts tender and devastating.

By the time the main course plates were cleared, the dinner hall had shifted. The air was thicker, laughter louder, voices climbing over one another as wine bottles emptied faster than they were replaced. Guests leaned closer across the table, some slipping away toward the bar, others laughing too hard at jokes they wouldn’t remember in the morning.

No one was paying close attention anymore.

Except them.

Jennie and Mingyu had folded into their own world. The group still buzzed around them, Ho-jung teasing Vernon about his English, Ga-young laughing at something Soonyoung said, Alison calmly cutting her foie gras beside Seungcheol but for Jennie, it was all background noise.

Because Mingyu’s hand was still on her thigh.

Higher now. Bold. Hidden by the linen and the way Jennie sat angled slightly toward him. His palm burned against the silk, fingers sliding slow, deliberate strokes that never quite reached where she needed them.

She leaned closer, her lips near his ear, her breath warm. “You’re going to get us caught.”

Mingyu smirked, his thumb pressing just higher. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you ?”

Jennie’s cheeks flamed, her thighs clenching instinctively. She turned her head, sipping her wine to mask the shiver that ran through her body. “You’re drunk,” she muttered.

“On you,” he murmured back, low and steady.

Her breath caught.

“All I can think about,” he whispered, “is how fast I can get this dress off you. Whether I’ll have the patience to take my time… or ruin it trying.”

“All I can think about,” he murmured, so soft she almost shivered, “is how your lips would taste if I kissed you right now. How sweet you’d sound if I pushed my hand higher.”

Her breath caught. The room spun faintly, not from the wine, not only from the wine but from him. From his words, his hand, his scent wrapping around her until she couldn’t breathe without wanting more.

She turned her head slightly, her hair brushing his jaw. “Stop,” she whispered, but it came out weak, shaky, more plea than command.

He smiled against her ear. “I don’t think I can.”

Jennie’s chest ached, heat rising so sharp between her thighs she pressed them together under the linen, her focus narrowed until all she could think about was his mouth.

God, she was drunk on his lips.

That was all she wanted. To kiss him. To feel him.

She tilted her head toward him, her voice no louder than a breath. “Then stop thinking. Follow me.”

Mingyu froze, his chest tightening, his fingers gripping her thigh harder.

Jennie set her napkin delicately on the table, her composure flawless.“Excuse me,” she said lightly, to no one in particular. Then she glanced at Alison, her smile sweet but pointed. “Come with me ?”

Alison arched a brow, lips twitching knowingly. She rose at once, following Jennie as she slipped from the table, satin brushing silently against marble.

Mingyu’s hand clenched into a fist under the table, the heat of her thigh still on his palm. His chest heaved once, his jaw flexing as he tried to hold still.

“Bathroom ?” Seungkwan muttered, eyes gleaming.

Soonyoung smirked. “Sure.”

Seungcheol gave him a warning look. “Wait. Then go.”

Mingyu forced himself to sit, forced himself to breathe, every second a battle. But the image of her walking away, her hips swaying, her perfume lingering, burned through him until he couldn’t sit still.

At last, he stood. “Stretching my legs,” he muttered, voice low, sliding from his chair with careful calm.

The corridor beyond was a different world.

Quieter. Cooler. Candlelight flickered against marble walls, shadows stretching long and deep. The noise of the hall dulled behind him until all he heard was the echo of his own footsteps.

And then her.>

Jennie stood tucked just beyond an alcove, her back against the wall, her skin glowing under the soft golden light. Her chest rose fast, lips parted, her eyes dark and fixed on him like she’d been waiting a lifetime.

Alison leaned against the nearby doorframe, arms crossed, her smirk sharp as a knife. When Mingyu approached, she shifted just enough to make space. “Five minutes” she murmured, voice low, before gliding away to stand watch.

Mingyu’s breath caught.

Jennie didn’t speak. She didn’t need to. The look in her eyes was molten, desperate, unguarded, drunk on him.

His steps faltered once, then carried him straight to her, his chest nearly brushing hers, the heat of her body reaching his skin like a flame.

Jennie tilted her chin, her voice breaking in a whisper that was more command than plea.

“Finally. Kiss me.”

The words had barely left Jennie’s lips before Mingyu obeyed.

He closed the last inch between them and crashed into her mouth, his lips hot and hard and desperate. The kiss wasn’t careful, it was starving, the kind of kiss that came from a week of deprivation, from hours of torture at the same table, from years of holding back more than he could bear.

Jennie gasped into him, her back hitting the wall with a soft thud, satin rustling as his body pressed into hers. Her hands fisted in his jacket, yanking him closer, clinging like she’d drown if he pulled away.

Mingyu groaned low in his chest, the sound reverberating against her mouth as his hand cupped her jaw, tilting her head up to devour her deeper. His other hand slid lower, gripping her hip through the silk, pulling her flush against the sharp line of him.

Their mouths moved frantically, lips parting, tongues clashing, teeth grazing. She tasted of wine and heat, sweet and intoxicating, every stroke making him hungrier.

Jennie moaned softly into his mouth, the sound muffled but enough to wreck him completely. He kissed her harder, sucking her bottom lip into his mouth before letting it slip free with a wet, needy sound.

Her hands slid up, threading into his hair, tugging until his groan deepened. She arched into him, her chest pressed against his, her body melting and clawing at the same time.

“God,” Mingyu breathed against her lips, his forehead pressing to hers for half a second before kissing her again, harder. “I’ve been losing my mind.”

Jennie pulled back just enough to catch a breath, her lips swollen, her eyes dark. “Then shut up and kiss me again.”

He did.

This time slower, deeper, but no less consuming a kiss that wasn’t just hunger, but claim. His hand slid along her thigh, pulling the slit of her gown higher, his thumb dragging over bare skin as her gasp hit his mouth.

Jennie clutched him tighter, her leg sliding slightly against his, pressing into the hardness she’d teased all night. Mingyu groaned, his hips pressing forward instinctively, grinding just enough to make them both shudder.

The kiss had unraveled them.

Every kiss was a collision. Every breath stolen. Every moan swallowed.

And then Mingyu changed the game.

>His fingers climbed higher, past satin, past the line of her slit, up the bare heat of her thigh, higher, until he brushed the thin lace between her legs. The heat was searing, damp with need. He groaned into her neck, his teeth scraping lightly at her pulse. “Fuck… you’re soaked.”

Jennie choked on a whimper, her hand flying to his wrist not to stop him, but to keep him there.

He pressed firmer, stroking slow, devastating circles over the damp fabric. She bucked against his hand, biting down hard on her lip to keep quiet, her eyes squeezing shut as her hips rolled.

“Shh,” Mingyu whispered, kissing her hard again, swallowing the desperate sounds that escaped her throat.

Her body trembled, knees weak, her thighs opening just enough to let him slide his fingers beneath the lace. When his skin met her wetness, she moaned into his mouth, broken and raw.

“Mingyu...oh God...”

He stroked once, slow and deliberate, coating his fingers in her arousal. Jennie’s head fell back against the wall, her chest rising sharp and fast, her lips parted as her breath caught.

She was seconds away from snapping completely.

And then he stopped.

Jennie’s eyes flew open, dazed and blazing. “What...?”

Mingyu pulled his hand back, slick with her wetness. His lips curved into the most devastating smirk as he lifted his fingers slowly, deliberately, and slipped them into his mouth.

He groaned softly, eyes locked on hers, sucking his fingers clean like he was tasting the finest wine.

Jennie’s whole body shook. Heat flooded her, her chest heaving, her thighs trembling from being left raw and desperate.

“You son of a...” She bit the words back, fury and want colliding, her nails digging into his chest. “You absolute asshole.”

Mingyu chuckled low, dark, pressing one last hot kiss to her lips. “Later,” he whispered against her mouth, voice ragged, wrecked. “I’ll take you apart piece by piece. You won’t even remember how to stand.”

Jennie’s lips trembled, her eyes wide, furious, humiliated and yet her whole body still burned for him, every nerve screaming.

She wanted to slap him. She wanted to beg. She wanted both.

And before she could do either, Alison’s voice cut through the haze with a soft knock on the door.

“Five minutes,” she called, sharp amusement lacing every syllable.

Mingyu stepped back smoothly, licking the last taste of her from his lips, adjusting his jacket like nothing had happened.

Jennie stayed against the wall, flushed, wrecked, her chest rising like she’d just run for her life.

He smirked at her one last time, voice low. “This game’s over. Tonight, you’re mine.”

Jennie glared, cheeks blazing, her voice breaking as she hissed, “You bastard.”

But her knees still trembled, her body still begged for more. And Jennie knew the night was nowhere near over.

Chapter Text

Mingyu walked back into the hall with his hands tucked neatly in his pockets, his stride slow, measured, perfectly casual. To anyone watching, he was just another guest returning after stretching his legs. His posture was easy, his expression smooth, but inside, he was wrecked.

His lips still burned from her kiss, swollen, tingling, carrying the taste of her like a brand. His tongue still remembered the sweetness of her mouth, the gasp she gave when he devoured her against the wall. His fingers still pulsed with the memory of sliding against her heat, of feeling her tremble on the edge before he cruelly pulled away.

He had thought kissing her, tasting her, would undo her. And it had. But he hadn’t prepared for what it would do to him. Now every step felt like agony, every breath heavy with the ghost of her pressed to him. He was supposed to sit down and act normal, laugh at jokes, eat dessert, as though he hadn’t just had the aim of his desire shaking in his hands.

He lowered himself into his seat with deliberate calm, lifting his glass in a fluid motion. But the boys caught him instantly.

Seungkwan’s wide eyes glinted with mischief, his lips twitching with the effort of holding back a laugh. Soonyoung tilted his head, brows raised high in mock innocence. Vernon hid a smirk behind his wine glass, watching with lazy amusement. Even Seungcheol’s gaze slid over, quiet and unimpressed, but carrying the weight of someone who knew exactly what had happened.

“You were gone a while,” Seungkwan said finally, voice pitched just low enough to carry a bite.

Mingyu didn’t look up from his glass. “Lost track of time.”

“Stretching your legs ?” Soonyoung drawled.

Vernon huffed a laugh. “He for sure stretched something.”

The group chuckled, shoulders shaking, the kind of laughter that was too sharp, too knowing. Mingyu ignored them all, taking a long sip of his wine, his jaw tight. Pretending nothing had happened was harder than anything else he’d done tonight.

—

Jennie, meanwhile, was still leaning against the wall when Alison found her.

Her lips were swollen, her body trembling, her breath coming too fast. She could still feel him , the press of his chest, the grip of his hands, the way he had kissed her until she forgot everything but him. And worse, she could still feel the cruel ghost of his fingers leaving her undone, trembling, aching, unfinished.

Alison didn’t need to ask.

“Well, well,” she murmured, crossing her arms with a smirk sharp enough to cut. “I don’t need to guess what you’ve been doing. But I will want the details.”

Jennie groaned, covering her face with her hands. “Don’t.”

“Oh, I absolutely will.” Alison stepped closer, producing a compact from her clutch. She tilted Jennie’s chin up, her voice warm but teasing. “Lipstick first. He wrecked it.”

Jennie stayed still as Alison carefully fixed the smudges, smoothing her hair back into place, the practiced routine grounding her even as her chest still heaved.

“You look like you’ve been mauled,” Alison said matter-of-factly, snapping the compact shut.

Jennie shot her a glare through burning cheeks. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” Alison hooked her arm through Jennie’s with mock elegance. “Now come on. Dessert’s about to be served. Walk in like nothing happened.”

Jennie shook her head, a helpless laugh slipping free, and let Alison lead her back through the corridor. Every step echoed, every brush of satin reminding her she was still raw, still aching.

They returned just in time. The waiters swept through the hall in smooth procession, placing delicate plates of desserts in front of each guest. Soufflés rose pale and sugared, glossy chocolate tarts gleamed, jeweled slices of fruit glistened under the chandeliers.

The atmosphere had shifted: wine had loosened every tongue, conversations overlapped, laughter grew louder, the table alive with warmth and indulgence.

Jennie slid into her chair, poised and composed, her smile as smooth as ever.

But then his hand brushed hers under the table. Heat surged instantly.

Mingyu leaned closer, his lips grazing her ear as he whispered low, his voice dark velvet. “Already had a taste. Dessert doesn’t compare.”

Jennie’s chest clenched, her spoon pausing over the soufflé. Heat licked low in her stomach, her thighs tightening at the sound of his words. She swallowed once, forcing her smile back in place, pretending to be absorbed in Ho-jung’s story.

And then she struck back.

“Oops,” she said lightly, letting her napkin flutter deliberately to the floor. She bent down gracefully, retrieving it in one smooth motion.

But when she rose, her hand brushed along Mingyu’s thigh, sliding higher, firmer, until her palm pressed directly against the bulge straining beneath his suit trousers.

Mingyu froze. His spoon clinked faintly against porcelain.

Jennie leaned in sweetly, her lips nearly grazing his jaw as her hand gave one slow, deliberate squeeze. “You think you’re the only one who can tease ?” she murmured, her voice dripping silk. “I can make you suffer too.”

Her hand lingered just long enough to make his breath hitch audibly, then slipped away as if nothing had happened. She smoothed the napkin back over her lap, straightened her posture, and spooned delicately into her dessert.

Mingyu sat rigid, his pulse hammering, his jaw tight, his entire body fighting not to shift in his chair.

The waiters moved like clockwork, laying delicate plates before each guest, airy soufflés dusted with sugar, glossy chocolate tarts, fruit carved like jewels. The chandeliers glittered, the air thick with laughter and the low hum of too much wine.

Jennie dipped her spoon into the soufflé, the sweet steam rising in curls, but her attention was fixed on the man at her side. Mingyu leaned close, his thigh pressed against hers, his hand hidden under the linen where only she could feel it. His thumb stroked idly across her skin, enough to make her shiver.

“You’re cruel,” he murmured, his lips brushing her ear, his voice a low growl. “You think you’re winning. You’re not.”

Jennie smirked faintly, pretending to savor the dessert. “Maybe I like watching you sweat.”

Mingyu’s breath hitched, his grin dangerous. “Then let’s make it better.” His hand pressed higher on her thigh, his whisper molten. “After this, we’ll go to the afterparty. Cha Eun-woo’s hosting, half our friends will be there. You can keep pretending you’re not mine for a few more hours.” His lips almost grazed her skin. “And after that… you are.”

Jennie’s chest tightened. Her spoon clinked faintly against porcelain as she turned just enough to graze his jaw with her lips. “What makes you think I’ll last that long ?”

His reply was immediate, velvet and rough. “Because tomorrow,” he whispered, “I have no schedule. Which means I have you. All day.”

Her pulse stuttered. The words hit harder than she expected, not just lust, but a promise. Hours with him already felt impossible. A whole day ? The thought burned straight through her, making her thighs press tight together under the table.

Jennie bit her lip, hiding the smile that threatened to betray her.

And that was when Ga-young’s voice rang out across the table.

“What are you two whispering about ?”

Every head turned.

Jennie froze, her cheeks burning instantly. Mingyu leaned back smoothly, his face too composed, which only made it worse.

Ho-jung gasped theatrically, her grin wicked. “Ohhh, caught red-handed.”

Seungkwan nearly toppled his glass, laughing. “God, you make this too easy !”

Soonyoung slapped the table, eyes wide with fake innocence. “Leaning close, whispering like teenagers. At least try to be subtle.”

Even Alison smirked, sipping her champagne. “If they’re whispering, it’s not about the dessert menu.”

Jennie groaned, hiding her face in her hands. “You’re all impossible.”

Mingyu smirked, his arm brushing hers, his voice pitched loud enough for everyone to hear. “Relax. I was just asking if she’s going to the afterparty.”

That shifted the mood instantly.

Ho-jung’s brows shot up. “Afterparty ? Who’s hosting ?”

Soonyoung leaned forward, grinning. “Cha Eun-woo. Rooftop bar in Cheongdam. Apparently he rented out the whole place.”

Ga-young whistled softly. “Of course he did. He doesn’t know how to throw small gatherings.”

Vernon smirked. “Which means endless drinks and celebrities trying too hard. Sounds about right.”

Seungkwan pointed his fork at Jennie and Mingyu, his grin sharp. “And you two better show up. I want to see how long you last pretending you’re just colleagues.”

The table broke into laughter again, the teasing rolling over them like waves. Jennie shook her head, her smirk sharp. “Don’t hold your breath.”

Mingyu leaned closer, his lips brushing her ear under the cover of noise. “We’re going,” he whispered, his voice rough with promise. “But the second we leave, you’re mine.”

Jennie’s pulse spiked, her thighs trembling. She turned slightly, her lips grazing his jaw as she whispered back, “Then you’d better survive until then.”

The table roared at another joke from Soonyoung, glasses clinking, voices rising. But Jennie and Mingyu barely heard it.

-

The applause from the final toast still echoed as the guests rose, gowns and tuxedos swishing in the golden light. The dinner hall emptied in swells, clusters of celebrities drifting toward the exit, their voices buzzing as cars were called. The chandeliers still glittered, but the air was lighter now, formalities done, anticipation humming for whatever came next.

Jennie lingered near the corner with her circle, Mingyu and the boys, Alison at her side, Gayoung and Ho-jung bubbling with energy, cheeks flushed from wine. They looked like they owned the space without trying, loud and bright even among glittering peers.

“So,” Soonyoung said, bouncing on his heels, “Eun-woo’s afterparty. Who’s in ?”

“Everyone,” Vernon replied dryly, tucking his hands into his pockets. “Don’t act like we’re debating. It’s Cha Eun-woo of course we’re going.”

“Some of the other guys are joining us too,” Seungkwan added, his grin wide. “Wonwoo, Joshua, maybe DK. They’re already heading straight to Cheongdam.”

Gayoung laughed, tossing her hair. “I already promised him I’d come. He’s been bragging about that rooftop for weeks.”

Ho-jung leaned in with a grin. “So that’s settled. We’re all going.”

“Not all,” Alison said smoothly, adjusting her coat. “I’m not joining. I have an early meeting tomorrow, company schedules wait for no one.”

Groans erupted from the group.

“You’re ditching us ?” Seungkwan gasped.

Alison smirked, unbothered. “I’m driving Jennie home first so she can change, and I’ll drop the girls at the afterparty after. You’ll survive without me for one night.”

Gayoung and Ho-jung exchanged delighted looks. “Perfect. We’ll change too,” Ho-jung said. “It’ll be like pre-drinks but with wardrobe.”

Soonyoung clapped his hands once. “Fine. But you better not bail. Eun-woo already ordered enough bottles to drown us.”

Jennie rolled her eyes, her lips curved. “We’ll be there.”

Mingyu, standing just behind her, leaned down enough that his voice brushed her ear. “And I’ll meet you there.”

She tilted her head slightly, eyes sharp. “Meet me ?”

He grinned, low and dangerous. “I’ll swing by home first, grab a bag for the night. Then I’ll take my car. Easier to drive us back… after.” His eyes burned into hers, his smirk devastating. “Don’t forget to change your soaked panties.”

Jennie’s cheeks burned instantly. She elbowed him lightly in the ribs, forcing herself to keep her expression calm as the others chattered around them. “You’re disgusting,” she hissed under her breath.

Mingyu chuckled low, the sound curling heat into her stomach. “And you love it.”

“Stop whispering again !” Seungkwan shouted suddenly, pointing at them. “Seriously, what are you two…”

“None of your business,” Jennie cut in smoothly, flashing her brightest smile.

The group erupted with laughter, Alison shaking her head like a woman far too patient and her voice cut through the tension like a blade. “Jennie. Car. Now.”

Jennie groaned and slipped inside the black sedan with Gayoung and Ho-jung, Alison settling behind the wheel. Mingyu’s gaze caught hers through the tinted window one last time, a silent promise burning there, before he turned to join his members.

-

The city lights slid over the windows like water, Seoul glowing in gold and neon. Inside the car, laughter spilled louder than the radio. The air smelled of perfume and champagne and the faint chill from the night outside.

Jennie sank into the leather seat, her cheeks flushed from wine and the high of the evening. Ho-jung was already half-turned toward her, eyes bright and wicked.

“So,” Ho-jung began, dragging the word out. “When we left the table you were whispering like a spy, and then you vanished for ten minutes. You must tell us what happened.”

Gayoung gasped dramatically. “Yes ! Confess. You’ve been glowing since you came back, it’s suspicious.”

Alison gave a low laugh from the driver’s seat. “If you two interrogate her too much, she’s going to melt before we reach her house.”

Jennie groaned and covered her face with both hands. “Why are you all like this ?”

“Because you love us,” Gayoung sang.

“And because we’re living through you,” Ho-jung added. “Now talk. Don’t make me start guessing, because my imagination is way worse than reality.”

Jennie peeked through her fingers, her voice muffled. “We made out.”

The car erupted. Gayoung squealed, Ho-jung slapped her knee, even Alison smiled.

“I knew it!” Gayoung shouted. “Was it soft ? Rough? Did you...”

“Stop !” Jennie yelped, half-laughing, half-mortified. “You sound like teenagers.”

“Then give us something better than teenagers,” Ho-jung said, eyes sparkling. “Tell us everything. How was it ?”

Jennie hesitated. The wine made her honest. “It was… a lot. He kissed me like he’d been holding his breath for a week. I forgot where we were.”

Gayoung leaned back, fanning herself. “Okay, that’s actually romantic.”

“Romantic ?” Ho-jung said, grinning. “That’s dangerous. You’d better make him beg when he sees you at the afterparty. You need to walk in there looking so good he forgets how to spell his own name.”

Jennie laughed helplessly. “You’re an evil women.”

“Practical,” Ho-jung corrected. “Men like him need to suffer a little.”

Alison’s dry voice floated from the front. “She’s right. Keep him guessing; it builds character.”

Jennie groaned into her hands again. “You’re all giving me terrible advice.”

Gayoung nudged her shoulder. “Admit it, you love that he’s losing his mind. You’ve never liked someone this much before.”

Jennie’s laughter softened. She watched the lights passing outside, her reflection faint in the glass. “I didn’t plan any of this,” she said quietly. “After Taehyung, I told myself I’d stay single for a while, focus on work, on myself. But then Mingyu just...appeared. And now I can’t stop thinking about him.”

The car quieted for a heartbeat. Even Ho-jung’s grin gentled. “He’s a good one ?”

“He’s… everything,” Jennie admitted, the words almost a sigh. “He’s handsome, obviously. But he’s also funny, kind, patient. He opens doors, he listens, he looks at me like I’m...” she stopped herself, laughing softly. “It’s stupid, but he feels too good to be real.”

Gayoung smiled. “That’s not stupid.”

“Also unfair,” Ho-jung said. “You realise we’re all going to compare every man to him now.”

“Good luck with that,” Alison muttered, amused.

Gayoung poked her leg. “So what now ? The afterparty is basically a runway. You’d better have a plan.”

Jennie leaned her head back with a groan. “Plan ?”

Ho-jung grinned. “Yes ! Step one, change into something that will end him. Step two, act completely unbothered. Step three...”

“Make him beg,” Gayoung finished, high-fiving her.

Jennie burst out laughing, shaking her head.

Alison glanced at them in the mirror, her expression half-fond, half-stern. “Okay, ladies. Less scheming, more breathing. We’re almost home.”

The car rolled to a stop in front of Jennie’s townhouse, headlights sweeping over the quiet street. The three women piled out laughing, heels clacking against the pavement, their voices echoing in the cool night.

Inside, the house felt like a refuge: soft lighting, faint music still humming from a hidden speaker, the scent of jasmine and candles lingering in the air. Jennie dropped her clutch on the counter and called out over her shoulder, “Water’s in the fridge, make yourselves at home, try not to destroy my closet.”

But Gayoung and Ho-jung were already gone, racing down the hallway.

“Too late !” one of them shouted.

Jennie sighed, smiling to herself. She poured three glasses of cold water, letting the chill of it calm the warmth that still lingered under her skin. The quiet lasted only seconds before the familiar sound of chaos carried down the hall, hangers sliding, drawers opening, the kind of happy shrieking that could only come from her friends ransacking couture.

When she stepped into the dressing room, the scene could have been from a movie. Mirrors glowed under bright bulbs; silk and lace were everywhere. Gayoung stood on a step stool like a stylist in a rush, Ho-jung knelt by a pile of skirts, and Alison leaned against the doorway with her arms crossed, her usual picture of patience and quiet amusement.

“Jennie !” Gayoung cried. “You can’t go comfortable for this after. We have a mission.”

Jennie handed her a glass of water. “Mission ?”

“Make him beg,” Ho-jung announced, straightening with a hanger in hand.

Jennie groaned but couldn’t keep from laughing. “You two are ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously right,” Gayoung countered. She rummaged deeper into the racks, then suddenly froze, holding something up with both hands. “Wait. Look what I found.”

From the far end of the wardrobe she pulled out something folded in pale tissue, a piece Jennie hadn’t worn yet. The corset was black lace and silk, a sculpture of delicate lines and boning, the kind of garment made to be seen only in glimpses. The satin shimmered faintly under the light, structured panels tracing the waist like art.

“This isn’t a garment,” Gayoung whispered reverently. “It’s a declaration.”

Ho-jung whistled. “Agent Provocateur, right ? Of course it is. You’re wearing it.”

Jennie blinked. “Absolutely not. That’s… not practical.”

Gayoung arched a brow, her grin wicked. “Oh, it’s very practical. Think of it as an open invitation for certain hands to admire the design.”

Laughter exploded through the room. Jennie covered her face, half-mortified, half-laughing.

“Fine,” she surrendered at last, cheeks warm but eyes bright. “But if I can’t breathe in it, someone’s helping me out of it later.”

Ho-jung smirked. “Please. We both know who that someone will be.”

A pillow sailed in her direction. Alison caught it mid-air, chuckling. “Enough plotting. Let’s get her ready before you make her miss the party entirely.”

They went to work like professionals. The corset first, cinched just enough to frame her shape, black satin gleaming beneath the light. Then the skirt: shorter than she’d planned, soft fabric brushing mid-thigh, simple but devastating.

“Now the legs,” Ho-jung ordered, grabbing a jar of body oil from the vanity. The scent of vanilla and amber filled the air as she smoothed a sheen along Jennie’s calves. The skin glowed under the lights, catching every movement.

Gayoung stepped back to admire. “Shiny legs, high heels, zero mercy. He’ll be on his knees.”

Jennie rolled her eyes, laughing. “You sound like choreographers of chaos.”

“Visionaries,” Ho-jung corrected, passing her the matching heels, sleek black stilettos that clicked with authority.

When Jennie stood, the transformation was startling. Her posture straightened, confidence sliding into place as naturally as breath. Alison reached for the finishing piece: a tailored black blazer, sharp-shouldered and perfectly cut.

“Balance,” Alison said, draping it over her shoulders. “Hide just enough to make them curious.”

Jennie turned toward the mirror. The reflection staring back was calm and dangerous at once, polished on the surface, all fire beneath.

For a heartbeat, no one spoke. Then Gayoung exhaled softly. “He’s not going to survive this.”

Jennie’s smile curved, slow and sure. “That’s the idea.”

Alison clapped her hands once, breaking the spell. “All right, ladies. Car in twenty minutes. Touch up your lipstick and try not to knock over anything worth more than my salary.”

Laughter filled the room again, the kind that made the walls seem closer and the night ahead feel endless. Jennie glanced once more at her reflection, smoothing the lapel of her blazer. Her pulse was steady now, her mind clear.

She was ready, not just to face Mingyu, but to make sure the next move was hers.

-

The elevator doors closed, sealing out the noise of the street. For a second there was only the hum of the cables and his own reflection in the mirrored walls.

He looked almost too polished, the open collar of his fitted black shirt exposing a line of skin, sleeves rolled to the elbow, the veins in his forearms catching the light each time he moved. He tugged the fabric straight, adjusted the chain at his wrist. The air-conditioning hummed, but his pulse ran hot.

He raised his phone, caught his reflection again, and smirked. The picture wasn’t for anyone, really. Just proof that he looked as good as he felt and maybe because he knew that if Jennie saw him like this, her eyes would linger where the fabric ended. She always did.

He slid the phone back into his pocket, exhaling slowly.

Get it together, Kim Mingyu.

The elevator doors slid open on a wash of warm light and the low thrum of music. A wall of sound hit him first: laughter, bass, and the faint echo of glasses being set down on marble. The rooftop stretched wide, a terrace wrapped in fairy lights, the skyline of Seoul glittering all around.

He adjusted the cuff of his rolled-up sleeve and took a slow breath. The air smelled of summer and champagne. He still felt the echo of the gala in his bones, the ghost of her perfume on his skin. Every step closer to the party reminded him that somewhere in this city, Jennie was getting ready. He tried not to imagine what she’d wear; he already knew he’d lose whatever composure he had left. No matter what she wore, he’d be undone. That was the problem with Jennie: she didn’t have to try.

“Finally,” Cha Eun-woo said, spotting him from across the room. The actor’s grin was bright even under the golden light. “You took your time. I thought you’d ditched your own friends.”

“Traffic,” Mingyu said, clasping his hand. “And a wardrobe crisis.”

Eun-woo took one look at him and laughed. “Crisis averted. You look like you just stepped out of a campaign shoot.”

Before Mingyu could answer, a familiar voice rose from behind the bar.

“Don’t encourage him,” came Yugyeom’s voice from behind the bar, a drink already in each hand. “The man doesn’t need the ego boost.”

Mingyu accepted one glass with a smirk. “Nice to see you too.”

Yugyeom lifted two drinks in greeting, grin wide. “Come save me; Eun-woo’s been telling terrible jokes.”

“I was just warming the room,” Eun-woo protested.

Mingyu laughed, slipping into the circle, taking the glass offered to him. “You two together are dangerous.”

“That’s rich coming from you,” Yugyeom said, smirking. “Jungkook told us something last week.”

Mingyu raised a brow. “That sentence never ends well.”

“No, no, this was interesting.” Yugyeom leaned closer, lowering his voice even though the music was too loud for anyone to hear.

Eun-woo grinned. “Apparently he said one of you was seeing someone. Very hush-hush. Said the guy’s been smiling at his phone like he’s in a music video.”

Yugyeom nudged him. “He didn’t name names, but come on. It’s obvious.”

Mingyu tried for a shrug but the corner of his mouth betrayed him. “You all need better hobbies.”

“So it’s true,” Yugyeom said, delighted. “You are seeing someone.”

“Did I say that ?” Mingyu asked lightly, raising his glass.

Eun-woo grinned, undeterred. “You didn’t deny it.”

Yugyeom elbowed him. “Is she someone we’d know ? Don’t worry, we’re good at secrets.”

Mingyu only hummed, taking a slow sip.

“That’s a yes,” Eun-woo said instantly. “Come on, give us a hint.”

Yugyeom ticked points off on his fingers. “Singer ? Actress ? Model ? Variety host ? Chef ?”

“Chef ?” Mingyu laughed, shaking his head. “Why would you...”

“I’m just covering all the bases,” Yugyeom said. “Okay fine, at least tell us what she’s like.”

Mingyu’s grin softened. He stared briefly into his glass before answering. “She’s smart. Funny in ways you don’t expect. Knows exactly what she wants.” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “And she makes everything else look small.”

That quiet honesty earned him a long look from both of them.

Eun-woo exhaled. “You’re gone, man.”

“Completely,” Mingyu admitted. “Didn’t plan it. Didn’t stand a chance.”

Yugyeom groaned theatrically. “Great. Another one bites the dust. He’s talking like a poet now.”

“Let him,” Eun-woo said, laughing. “At least one of us believes in feelings. The rest of us just buy dogs.”

Mingyu chuckled, grateful for the easy teasing. “You’ll meet her soon enough,” he said.

That made them exchange a quick, knowing glance.

Eun-woo tilted his head. “So she’s in our circle.”

“Close enough that you’ll recognise her,” Mingyu said with a small smile. “And that’s all you get.”

Yugyeom groaned again, rubbing his face. “You’re impossible.”

“Good,” Mingyu said. “Keeps life interesting.”

Eun-woo lifted his glass again. “To impossible women and the men who think they can keep up.”

“I’ll drink to that.”

They fell into easier conversation, swapping stories about filming, rehearsals, and travel, their words occasionally drowned out by the wind. But Mingyu’s attention kept drifting, back toward the elevator at the far end of the terrace.

He knew how these nights worked. The rooftop was their unspoken sanctuary, no cameras, no press, no strangers. Everyone here had earned their place and the promise of discretion. The gossip stayed inside the circle; it was an unspoken pact born of mutual scars.

Maybe that was why he felt braver tonight. For once, he wasn’t worried about who might be watching. He was just waiting.

The night had grown louder, warmer, the kind of rooftop glow that blurred everything into soft gold and laughter. The bar was crowded now, half the industry buzzing under fairy lights, music spilling through the open air, the skyline glittering like a stage backdrop.

Mingyu stood by the tall table with Eunwoo and Yugyeom, his glass half-empty, his sleeves still rolled up. He was trying to look casual, too casual and both of them could tell. His eyes kept flicking toward the elevator every few minutes, even when he pretended not to.

Yugyeom leaned against the railing, grinning. “You keep staring like your life depends on it. You expecting someone or waiting for divine intervention ? ”

“Neither,” Mingyu said smoothly, taking a sip.

Eunwoo hummed, amused. “Right. And I only invited you here for your sparkling personality.”

They didn’t have time to push further, the elevator chimed behind them, and chaos poured out.

“THERE he is !” Seungkwan’s voice cut through the music like a trumpet. “Our man of the hour !”

Vernon followed, lazy grin in place, one hand already raised in greeting. Soonyoung came bouncing behind him followed by Joshua and Dokyeom, and Seungcheol brought up the rear, sharp in a black shirt and that usual look that said he’d been dragged along but was secretly having fun.

Yugyeom muttered under his breath, half-laughing. “Oh no. The circus has arrived.”

The group reached them in seconds, all energy, cologne, and champagne. Seungkwan immediately slung an arm around Mingyu’s shoulders. “You absolute menace,” he said, voice too loud and too delighted. “Don't you think I forgot when you sneak off during dessert !”

Soonyoung was already laughing. “Bro, the man came back looking like he’d just run a marathon and committed a crime.”

Vernon smirked over his glass. “A very pleasurable crime.”

Eunwoo blinked. “Okay, wait. What did we miss ?”

“Ohhh,” Seungkwan said, grinning wide. “You missed a show. Mingyu forgot we were all sitting two meters away and decided to have a whole secret romance under the table.”

“Not secret,” Vernon corrected lazily. “Just… delusional. They really thought they were being subtle.”

Yugyeom laughed. “Hold on. They ? As in...?”

“Don’t even try,” Seungcheol cut in, smiling into his drink. “They’re not telling you who.”

Eunwoo’s brows shot up. “So it’s someone here tonight ?”

“Maybe,” Soonyoung said, sing-song, swaying slightly from the champagne. “Maybe not. You’ll see.”

Yugyeom grinned. “Let me guess... an idol, model ?”

“Someone way out of his league,” Seungkwan said instantly.

“HEY,” Mingyu finally interjected, his tone calm but his ears pink. “You’re all drunk and slandering me.”

Eunwoo leaned forward, intrigued. “All right, back up. You guys are telling me Mingyu disappeared mid-dessert with a girl, came back looking wrecked, and now he’s waiting for her to show up ?"

“Pretty much,” Seungkwan said cheerfully. “Oh, and he’s been a walking disaster for a week. Ask anyone, he couldn’t focus in rehearsal, kept zoning out, dropped his phone more time than I can count.”

Dokyeom nodded vigorously. “He forgot his lines. His lines ! You know how impossible that is ?”

Vernon chuckled, resting an elbow on the table. “He’s been twitching like a man in withdrawal.”

Eunwoo blinked between them, half-amused, half-impressed. “What happened a week ago ?”

The boys exchanged a look, a single, silent beat of wicked camaraderie, before Seungkwan dropped the bomb. “He forgot the condom.”

Yugyeom choked on his drink. Eunwoo nearly spilled his. Mingyu groaned, pressing a hand over his face.

“You what ! ” Yugyeom wheezed, laughing so hard he doubled over. “Bro, are you serious ?”

Eunwoo gasped for air between laughs. “You have one job !”

“It wasn’t...” Mingyu started, but Seungkwan cut him off.

“It was ! He went to her place, and apparently things got very close, but the man came unprepared. Rookie mistake. So now he’s been living in purgatory ever since.”

Sooyoung slapped the table. “He’s been on edge like a man in a drought. A self-inflicted drought.”

Mingyu groaned again. “You’re all idiots.”

Eunwoo, still laughing, pointed at him. “You’re telling me you’re still hung up on this girl a week later because you forgot a condom ?”

Seungcheol smirked into his drink. “Not hung up. Tortured.”

“Haunted” Dokyeom added.

“Possessed,” Joshua said dramatically.

Yugyeom shook his head in disbelief, still grinning. “Who is this woman ?”

Mingyu only shrugged, feigning calm. “Does it matter ?”

“Oh, it matters,” Eunwoo said, grinning. “Because from what I’m hearing, she’s got you acting like a man possessed. So come on, at least give us a hint.”

Seungcheol leaned forward, his voice calm but amused. “He’s not saying anything. None of us are.”

Yugyeom looked from one to the other. “You all know ?”

Joshua nodded eagerly. “Every detail.”

“Except the ones we’d rather not imagine,” Vernon added, deadpan.

Eunwoo leaned his elbow on the bar, watching Mingyu carefully. “So you’re saying she’s coming here tonight ?”

“She is,” Seungcheol confirmed, voice low, smug. “And when she does, you’ll understand why we’re all taking bets.”

Yugyeom perked up. “Bets ?”

“Oh yeah.” Dokyeom rubbed his hands together. “We’re betting how long he lasts before disappearing with her. So far, I’ve got ten minutes.”

“Five,” Soonyoung said instantly. “If she shows up looking like she did at the gala ? Five minutes, max.”

“I’m giving him fifteen,” Vernon added dryly. “Out of respect.”

Eunwoo grinned. “I’m in, 1H. What’s the prize ?”

“Loser buys the next round,” Seungkwan declared. “Or in Mingyu’s case, breakfast.”

“Assuming he ever leaves the bed,” Joshua murmured, earning another roar of laughter.

Then Eunwoo, still wiping tears of laughter from his eyes, grinned wickedly. “All right, I’ll bite, is she even hotter than Somi ?”

The table went dead silent for a beat. Then chaos.

“EUNWOO!” Seungkwan practically screamed, spilling champagne on the table. “You can’t just...”

Soonyoung gasped theatrically. “Bro, you’re insane !”

Vernon hid a grin behind his glass, waiting.

Mingyu just leaned back, calm, eyes half-lidded, and smirked faintly. “She’s not about comparison,” he said simply. “She’s just… something else.”

That one line detonated the group harder than any brag could have.

“SOMETHING ELSE ?!” Dokyeom howled. “Man’s talking like he’s in a movie trailer !”

Seungkwan was clutching his chest. “He’s gone. He’s gone, gone.”

Even Eunwoo burst out laughing. “Okay, that’s actually worse. You sound in love.”

Yugyeom groaned. “And proud of it. Damn, you’re finished, bro.”

Mingyu chuckled, running a hand through his hair, unbothered. “Maybe. But if you saw her tonight, you’d understand.”

That softened the laughter for just a heartbeat, enough for Seungcheol to shake his head with quiet amusement. “He’s not wrong.”

Vernon hummed, smirking. “Yeah. When she walks in, you’ll get it.”

“You’re all children.”

“Children who remember you choking on your drink when she touched your hand,” Seungkwan shot back.

Yugyeom’s brows rose. “Oh, so she’s that girl ?”

Seungcheol smirked. “Yeah. That girl.”

Eunwoo exhaled, laughing softly. “Okay. Now I really want to see who she is.”

Mingyu didn’t answer. He was staring again, past them, toward the elevator doors that still hadn’t opened. The city lights danced in the reflection, gold against glass. His pulse thrummed low and steady.

The others followed his gaze, exchanging grins.

Seungkwan leaned close, whispering in mock suspense, “And here we go. The man’s about to combust.”

Joshua raised his glass. “To the end of his self-control.”

Vernon clinked his against it. “And to the women who managed to make Kim Mingyu forget a condom.”

The group burst out laughing again, drinks clinking, their voices blending with the hum of the rooftop.

Mingyu just smiled into his glass, a quiet, dangerous curve that said everything they didn’t need to hear.

Because she was coming, and they all knew that when the elevator doors finally opened, he wouldn’t last a second.

-

Conversation thinned automatically, laughter fading just enough for the bass to fill the gap. The mirrored doors slid open, and warm air poured out, perfume, laughter, and something electric that made heads turn without anyone realizing why.

Jennie stepped forward first.

The light caught her legs before anything else, long, flawless, the kind that had their own gravitational pull. Her blazer dress was sharp and sculpted, cinched perfectly at the waist, the hem brushing just high enough to be a problem. Beneath it, the shimmer of silk teased at what it was hiding. The neckline hinted more than it showed, a balance that only she could manage: dangerous, elegant, and infuriatingly effortless.

Mingyu froze.

The hand holding his glass tightened, veins standing out against his wrist as condensation slid down to his sleeve. He’d spent the last hour convincing himself he was fine, that he could keep it together. But the second she appeared, everything in him rebelled.

Gayoung and Ho-jung followed her out, laughing about something small, but the entire terrace only saw her.

Next to him, Yugyeom blinked once, twice, then swore softly. “WhAT the hell ?”

Eun-woo turned, his glass halfway up. “That... that’s Jennie, right ?”

“She’s even hotter in person,” Yugyeom said, completely unfiltered, jaw slack. “Jesus. Those legs.”

Eun-woo let out a low whistle, his grin crooked. “I take back everything I’ve ever said about Somi being untouchable. This is next-level. That outfit should be illegal.”

Yugyeom nodded, eyes wide, already laughing. “Bro, I’ve seen her a hundred times, but every time she looks good ? It’s not even fair. She’s like...”

“Like the woman every man in the country’s been in love with since 2016 ?” Eun-woo finished for him.

“Exactly.”

Their laughter cut through the bass, catching Seungkwan’s ear. He exchanged a look with Soonyoung, who was already smirking.

Dokyeom muttered, “Oh, they’re about to find out.”

Eun-woo elbowed Mingyu lightly, not even looking at him. “You can’t tell me she doesn’t make your brain stop working. That woman is everyone’s dream girl. If I were you, I’d be on my knees already.”

Yugyeom laughed. "She’s definitely your type, bro. Look at her. Dangerous.”

Mingyu’s jaw flexed. He hadn’t looked away once. “She’s something, isn’t she ?”

Eun-woo grinned. “Something ? She’s every song ever written about temptation.”

A laugh slipped out of Mingyu before he could stop it, soft, low, proud.

Yugyeom joined in, tipsy enough not to filter himself. “Seriously, she’s like the final boss of hot. Whoever her guy is, he’s got to be on edge twenty-four seven.”

“Yeah,” he said quietly, eyes never leaving her. “He is.”

They chuckled, not catching the undertone at first.

Eun-woo clapped his shoulder. “Man, that poor guy. Imagine trying to keep it together around a woman like that.”

“Impossible,” Yugyeom agreed. “He probably forgets how to speak.”

Mingyu’s voice dropped, almost to himself. “Sometimes.”

That earned him a double take. “Wait,” Eun-woo said slowly, blinking. “What do you mean sometimes ?”

Mingyu took a slow sip of his drink, eyes still on her, and said it quietly but clearly, just loud enough to cut through their chatter.

"She’s everything,” Mingyu murmured, the smile widening just enough.

Yugyeom barked a laugh. “Every guy says that about Jennie Kim.”

Mingyu lifted his glass. “Good thing I’m not ‘every guy.’”

It was almost casual.

Almost.

The two men froze mid-laugh.

For a second they stared at him, trying to process what they’d just heard. Then they turned, heads snapping toward him in perfect synchronization.

“No,” Yugyeom said slowly, pointing at him. “No way. You didn’t just say...”

Eun-woo’s eyes widened, his words tumbling out in disbelief. “You’re joking. You’re telling me that’s Jennie Kim ?”

The reaction was immediate and catastrophic.

Yugyeom’s drink nearly sloshed over the edge of his glass. “You bastard !” he yelled, half-laughing, half-screaming. “You're joking ! You actually did it ?!”

Vernon grinned into his glass. “He’s not, He hasn’t stopped smiling in weeks. We knew it was serious.”

“Serious ?” Seungkwan wheezed. “He’s been suffering! Forgot half his choreography, broke two water bottles, stared at a wall for ten minutes in the studio last Monday !”

“Because of her? ” Yugyeom asked, incredulous.

“Because he’s in love,” Soonyoung said dramatically, hand over his heart. “It’s been a tragic romance film ever since their first moment.”

Eun-woo still hadn’t recovered. “Jennie Kim. The Jennie Kim. You’re telling me she’s your girlfriend ?”

Mingyu corrected gently, still watching her move through the room. “Not girlfriend. Yet.”

That single word sent the group howling.

“Yet !” Seungkwan repeated, pointing at him. “He said yet !”

Soonyoung gasped between laughs. “He’s planning the wedding already.”

Eun-woo grabbed Mingyu’s shoulder, shaking him like he was trying to wake him from a dream. “How, how did this even happen ? That’s Jennie Kim !”

Seungkwan was wheezing. “We tried to warn you ! You didn’t believe us !”

Joshua raised his drink in salute, grinning. “To Mingyu: national enemy number one.”>

Vernon leaned in, smirking. “National hero, depending on who you ask.”

Eun-woo collapsed against the bar, laughing and groaning all at once. “I take back everything I said tonight. You absolute bastard. How...how do you even function ?”

“I don’t,” Mingyu admitted, finally laughing with them. “But I’m proud.”

Yugyeom shook his head, still staring toward Jennie. “Proud ? Man, I’d be terrified. You realise she’s everyone’s dream woman. There’s no competition; you’re just holding the trophy for the rest of us.”

“Gladly,” Mingyu said, simple and sure.

The group broke again, the laughter spilling across the rooftop. Even Seungcheol was grinning. “Can’t argue with that.”

“Unbelievable,” Yugyeom muttered, running a hand through his hair. “Do you even realize what you’ve done ? Every man in this country just gave up hope.”

“Speak for yourself,” Soonyoung said. “Some of us are still in denial.”

Eun-woo laughed, incredulous. “It all makes sense now. You’ve been acting weird. That explains the smiling, the zoning out...”

“...and forgetting the condoms,” Seungkwan added helpfully, earning another round of howling laughter.

Mingyu groaned but couldn’t hide his grin. “Remind me to fire you all as friends.”

Eun-woo shook his head, still laughing, still stunned. “I mean, I get it now. Who wouldn’t be on edge with that waiting for them ? Jennie Kim walks into your life and suddenly you’re expected to function like a normal person ?”

“Exactly,” Yugyeom said, still not over it. “You should’ve told us. We’d have held an intervention.”

“Or a ceremony,” Joshua said, amused. “To mark the end of his self-control.”

Seungcheol chuckled. “Like he had any to begin with.”

Across the terrace, Jennie turned slightly, catching the ripple of laughter. Her eyes found them, searching briefly, then landing on him.

That single look hit harder than the whole night’s noise. She didn’t smile right away. Just studied him, her gaze dragging down, slow, deliberate, before lifting again. Then her mouth curved, small, private, and utterly knowing.

Eun-woo groaned, running a hand over his face. “Oh my god. They’re that couple. The ones who don’t even have to talk for the entire room to know.”

Seungkwan nodded solemnly. “Yup. Telepathic chaos.”

Yugyeom stared at Mingyu, shaking his head. “You don’t deserve her.”

“I know,” Mingyu said, not even pretending to argue.

“And yet she’s still here,” Vernon murmured, clinking his glass against Mingyu’s. “So you must be doing something right.”

Eun-woo laughed again, still half in awe. “No, seriously, I’m not over this. Jennie Kim. Of all people. You couldn’t have aimed higher if you tried.”

Mingyu’s grin softened, pride slipping into something warmer. “Didn’t have to aim,” he said simply. “She found me.”

That silenced them for a heartbeat, enough for the music to slide back in, soft and low.

Then Soonyoung broke it with a laugh. “Ugh. Gross. Get married already.”

“Soon,” Seungkwan muttered, “if she doesn’t kill him first.”

Mingyu only smiled, eyes still fixed on her across the terrace. She’d started walking their way now, the slow measured grace of someone who knew exactly what she was doing and exactly how little control he had left.

Eun-woo exhaled, still dazed. “I don’t even know whether to congratulate you or call you insane.”

“Both work,” Mingyu said.

“Then cheers, you insane lucky bastard,” Yugyeom said, raising his glass again.

Laughter rolled through their group, sharp and bright. And in the middle of it, Mingyu stood perfectly still, waiting for the only thing that mattered, the moment she reached him.

-

Jennie crossed the terrace with Gayoung and Hojung at her sides, the three of them weaving through clusters of guests who stepped aside without even realizing it. The music rolled low under the sound of glass and wind, fairy lights swaying in the breeze.

She didn’t need to look around to find him; the group’s laughter was loud enough to guide her. Mingyu stood a little off to the side, sleeves rolled, collar open, that half-smile on his face that could fool anyone but her.

When she reached the circle, the noise dipped again. She smiled at the two new faces she hadn’t seen earlier and the ones hovering nearby.

“Eun-woo, Yugyeom ... it’s been forever.”

Eun-woo’s grin was instant, a little too wide. “Too long. You look incredible.”

“Thank you,” she said easily, then nodded toward DK and Joshua. “And you two... hi , It’s been too long.”

DK bowed slightly in greeting. “And here I thought Seungkwan was exaggerating about how good you looked tonight. He undersold it.”

Seungkwan gasped in mock outrage. “Excuse me ? I said ‘devastating’ at least twice !”

Jennie laughed again, shaking her head. “You’re all terrible.”

“True,” Soonyoung said. “But not wrong.”

Mingyu finally moved. He stepped forward enough to meet her halfway, letting the rest of them shuffle aside without thinking. It wasn’t possessive, not obviously, but the movement had weight, quiet, sure, natural. She looked up at him, their eyes locking for a moment that felt longer than it should have.

“Hi,” she said, voice warm but edged with amusement. “You clean up well.”

Her fingers brushed lightly against the open collar of his shirt, a casual, public gesture that still managed to knock the air from his lungs. “This shirt should be illegal,” she added quietly, just for him.

Mingyu swallowed, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Look who’s talking.”

Jennie smiled, slow and deliberate, and pressed herself a little closer when she leaned in to set her drink on the table. “You make it hard to stay polite.”

The collective groan from the others hit instantly. Seungkwan clutched his chest. “Okay, no. Absolutely not. You two had an hour apart, that’s it.”

Soonyoung threw his hands up. “Get a room...or at least another table.”

Jennie laughed, unbothered, and slid into the empty spot beside Mingyu as if it had been waiting for her. He sat down next to her automatically, his knee brushing hers under the table.

Gayoung and Hojung followed, settling across from them. The waiter appeared like he’d been summoned, refilling glasses and leaving a fresh bottle of champagne in the middle.

That made her glance at Mingyu, her eyes catching the faint color creeping up his neck. “I like your friends,” she murmured.

“They like you too much,”he replied under his breath.

Eun-woo and Yugyeom, who had been quiet only because they were still processing reality, finally found their voices.

“So,” Eun-woo said, leaning forward, his grin already forming. “We’re still trying to understand something.”

Jennie tilted her head. “What’s that ?”

Yugyeom raised his glass slightly, half-teasing, half-sincere. “Out of every man in this industry… you picked him ?”

Mingyu groaned, dragging a hand over his face. “Please don’t start.”

Eun-woo pointed an accusing finger at Mingyu. “You don’t get to look that smug. Do you even realize how many guys have had a crush on her ?”

>Jennie looked between them, feigning curiosity. “Should I be flattered or scared ?”

“Both,” Seungkwan said. “Mostly flattered. Maybe a little scared.”

Yugyeom grinned, not letting it go. “Seriously, though. Of all the men you could’ve chosen,you could’ve broken any heart you wanted and you picked the one guy who used to hide behind his fringe during interviews ?”

Mingyu shot him a look. “I’m sitting right here.”

Jennie didn’t even blink. “That’s exactly why,” she said calmly.

Eun-woo blinked. “What ?”

“He’s the hottest guy I know,” she said simply, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “I didn’t need to look anywhere else.”

It landed like a firecracker.

Yugyeom choked on his drink. “What...!”

Eun-woo nearly doubled over. “No way she just said that out loud.”

Even Gayoung laughed, shaking her head. “That’s our cue to go home, right ?”

Seungkwan pointed at Mingyu, howling. “Look at him ! He’s melting !”

He was. His neck and ears were bright red, the grin tugging at his mouth completely unfiltered. He tried to say something, gave up halfway, and just took another swallow of whisky instead.

Joshua clapped him on the back. “Congratulations, man. You’re officially unroastable for the rest of the year.”

Soonyoung added, “Yeah, because none of us can compete with ‘hottest guy Jennie Kim knows.That’s permanent bragging rights.”

Jennie looked at him sideways, amused. “See ? I’m helping your reputation.”

Mingyu laughed quietly, shaking his head. “I don’t think I needed the help, but thanks anyway.”

Eun-woo groaned, leaning back in his chair. “I hate how cute this is. You two are ridiculous.”

“Jealous,” Seungkwan sang.

Correct,” Yugyeom said, raising his glass again. “Here’s to the man living every man’s fantasy.”

Jennie clinked her glass against his. “He’s earned it.”

The group laughed again, loud, easy, half-drunk. Someone called for more bottles; a waiter appeared like magic, refilling glasses, ice clinking in fresh tumblers. The city spread behind them, glittering and endless.

Mingyu finally leaned toward her, voice low, just for her ear. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

Her lips curved. “Maybe. You look good when you blush.”

He couldn’t even argue; he just laughed, warm and helpless, while around them the party roared back to life.

Someone popped the new bottle, and the group’s noise filled the air again,laughter, clinking glasses, the soft rush of music. The skyline glittered behind them like a secret, and in the middle of all the teasing, Jennie rested her hand briefly on Mingyu’s thigh under the table, hidden from view.

He didn’t move it away.

Chapter Text

The rooftop pulsed with gold and bass, laughter spilling through the warm Seoul night. Fairy lights tangled above the tables, bottles of champagne catching the light like they were holding little pieces of the city itself. It was late enough that no one was pretending anymore, jackets undone, heels abandoned, laughter louder, shoulders brushing without apology.

Jennie sat tucked into the corner of the low couch, the hem of her blazer-dress grazing her thigh as she leaned closer to him. Mingyu’s arm was slung along the back of the seat, close enough that his fingers brushed her hair every time he moved. Her hand rested over his, thumb tracing idle circles over his knuckles, as if her body had forgotten how not to touch him.

They weren’t even pretending to hide it anymore.

“So,” she murmured, voice soft enough that he had to lean in to hear. “Are you done staring ?”

Mingyu’s smile curved, lazy, the kind that hit low in the stomach. “Not even close.”

He tipped his glass against his lips, eyes never leaving hers, before setting it down on the table beside them. His other hand found the bare skin at the back of her neck, fingers brushing up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re trouble,” he whispered.

Jennie laughed quietly, that low sound that always undid him. “You say that like it’s news.”

“News ?” he said, his thumb dragging lightly down her throat until it met the edge of her collarbone. “No. It’s a full-blown crisis.”

Her breath hitched. The music, the voices, the world around them blurred until all she felt was the heat where his skin met hers. He was close enough that she could smell the whisky on his breath, the faint mix of cedar and something darker clinging to him.

“You should stop looking at me like that,” she said, half teasing, half plea.

He tilted his head, mouth close to her ear. “Why ?”

“Because you make me forget there’s anyone else here.”

He laughed under his breath, the sound vibrating against her skin. “Good. That’s the point.”

Someone at the table said something that made the group burst into laughter, Seungkwan too loud, Soonyoung clapping his hands, champagne spilling onto the table. Jennie glanced over, smiling automatically, but Mingyu’s fingers brushed the inside of her wrist and she forgot what they’d said. His touch was barely there, but it burned.

She turned back to him, her smile faltering just enough to betray her. “You’re impossible.”

Mingyu leaned closer, his knee brushing hers. “I’ve been called worse.”

The air between them was thick with warmth and everything unspoken. She could feel the weight of his gaze on her mouth, his fingers still resting against her pulse. He didn’t kiss her yet, he just looked at her like he was memorizing the moment, letting the tension stretch until it hummed.

Jennie’s lips parted. “What are you thinking about ?”

He didn’t answer right away. His hand slid higher, fingers tracing the line of her jaw, his thumb catching the edge of her bottom lip. “I’m thinking…” He paused, his voice lowering until it was almost lost in the music. “…that if you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to stop caring where we are.”

Her laugh caught halfway out of her throat, turning into a small, shaky sound. “You already don’t.”

He smiled, leaning in until his nose brushed her temple, the ghost of a kiss that never landed. “You noticed.”

Jennie’s hand tightened around his, nails grazing the back of his palm. The city stretched around them, bright and endless, but the space they occupied had shrunk to the span of a heartbeat, a private pocket of heat and breath and the faint clink of glasses in the background.

For a while they didn’t speak. Her fingers toyed with the chain around his wrist, his thumb traced lazy lines along her shoulder. The noise around them softened to static, the laughter, the music, the clinking glasses, all fading beneath the sound of their breaths syncing together. Each movement was small, careful, but every brush of skin felt like a confession.

"Stop it,” she murmured without looking up.

He tried to smile, failed, then did it anyway. “Can’t. You keep giving me reasons.”

Her eyes lifted. He wasn’t even pretending to look at her face; his gaze had dropped, caught on the plunge of her blazer. When he finally realized she’d noticed, color rose up his neck.

“Careful,” she said, voice almost kind. “You’re about three seconds from burning a hole through the fabric.”

He huffed a laugh, half-embarrassed, half-undone. “Hard not to look.”

“That’s the point.” She tipped her glass to her lips, slow, deliberate, the gold liquid catching the light. “You left me waiting earlier,” she added, tone too casual to be harmless. “At the gala. Remember ?”

His fingers tightened around his glass. “How could I forget.”

“Good.” She leaned closer until her mouth was at his ear, her perfume curling warm and sweet. “I think I’ll let you wait this time.” The words were a whisper, soft enough that he almost missed them, until she added, lower still, “Just to see you suffer a little.”

The breath that left him wasn’t a laugh or a sigh; it was something caught halfway between. He turned his head before he could stop himself, and her mouth brushed the corner of his jaw, almost like a accident, but it felt like intent.

She drew back wearing a smile that was all victory. “Now you understand how it feels.”

Mingyu swallowed hard, his pulse visible at his throat. “You’re cruel.”

Jennie’s fingers slid up the back of his neck, pushing a stray lock of hair from his collar. “I’m patient,” she said. “Cruelty’s just the side effect.”

He almost groaned; she heard it and laughed quietly, the sound catching in the music. Around them, their friends were shouting over some joke, the table a blur of light and motion, but none of it touched them. They were a world of two.

“You keep this up,” he whispered, “and I’ll...”

“You’ll what ?” she interrupted softly, the edge of a smile still on her lips. “Lose again ?”

He didn’t answer. His hand slid along the back of the couch until his fingertips found her shoulder, tracing the bare line of skin there. Every touch was a question; every breath, an answer neither of them wanted to say out loud.

-

Someone dropped a shot glass. It hit the table with a dull thunk instead of breaking, but the sound was enough to draw every pair of eyes.

“Okay,” Seungkwan announced grandly, already on his feet, cheeks pink from too many cocktails. “Alright, people, if we’re doing this properly staying up here all night. No more quiet drinking. No more quiet flirting in the corner, Game Time !”

Ho-jung groaned, “You mean no more watching them flirt in the corner,” tilting her chin toward Jennie and Mingyu.

Groans and laughter followed, but no one objected. The table had become a scatter of half-empty bottles and glowing phones; it was late enough that everyone wanted something stupid to do. Mingyu leaned back, one arm still behind Jennie, as Soonyoung produced a lime wedge like a magician, brandishing it between his fingers. “Tequila edition,” he declared.

“Classic,” Vernon said dryly. “Never Have I Ever with tequila. What could possibly go wrong ?”

“Everything,” Seungcheol replied, already pouring.

The first round came easy: career stories, dumb accidents onstage, interviews gone wrong.

“Never have I ever fallen off a stage,” Yugyeom said.

Soonyoung and Vernon immediately drank, the table erupting with laughter as they acted out their respective disasters. Jennie bit her lip, trying not to laugh, and leaned into Mingyu just enough for her shoulder to brush his chest.

He felt the contact like a spark.

Eunwoo turn raised his glass, eyes scanning the table. “Never have I ever fallen asleep during a rehearsal.”

Every idol present groaned. Half the group reached for their drinks. Mingyu raised his hand halfway, looking guilty.

“Exactly,” Soonyoung said. “We all have. Next.”

Jennie tipped her glass toward the guys. “Never have I ever ripped a costume on stage.”

That set off a burst of laughter; both Joshua and Soonyoung drank immediately, Seungkwan howled, and someone demanded details.

The second round went around the circle: harmless things, missed flights, fan-meeting mishaps, dating rumors that were secretly true. Each confession loosened another knot of tension in the group, laughter getting louder, the night warmer. Mingyu’s laugh came easy, low and warm, and Jennie couldn’t stop looking at him when he smiled.

“Never have I ever sent a risky text to the wrong person,” DK said.

Mingyu groaned and lifted his shot. Jennie’s brow arched. “Wrong person ?”