Archive of Our Own ^beta

The practice room was filled with the usual chatter and the thumping of bass as Seventeen wrapped up another long rehearsal. Sweat glistened on Dino’s forehead as he wiped his face with a towel, catching his breath while the others were sprawled out on the floor, exhausted but satisfied.

Vernon sat cross-legged near the speakers, eyes closed as he bobbed his head to the beat still playing softly from his phone, he was working on his new solo. Dino couldn’t help but glance his way, noticing how peaceful he looked despite the long practice. A small smile tugged at his lips before he quickly turned away, his heart skipping a beat.

“What’s up with you?” Mingyu teased, nudging Dino’s shoulder. “You’ve been zoning out.”

“N-Nothing,” Dino stammered, trying to hide the slight blush creeping onto his cheeks. He busied himself by adjusting his sneakers, cursing inwardly at how obvious he must have seemed. It wasn’t the first time his heart had done strange flips when Vernon was around lately.

Little did he know, Vernon had cracked one eye open, catching the faint pink dusting Dino’s cheeks. A curious smile spread across his face, but he chose to keep quiet, not wanting to make Dino even more flustered.

As the group started to gather their belongings and head out, Dino realized he was one of the last left in the practice room. To his surprise, Vernon was still sitting near the speakers, casually scrolling through his phone as if waiting for something, or someone.

Dino hesitated, unsure whether to make a move or simply leave. But just as he was about to follow the others, Vernon glanced up and caught his eye.

"You’re not leaving yet?" Vernon asked casually, slipping his phone into his pocket.

Dino shrugged, pretending to stretch. "Just... taking a break."

A comfortable silence settled between them, the air humming with something unspoken. Eventually, Dino plopped down next to Vernon, their shoulders almost touching. Neither of them acknowledged how close they were sitting, but neither moved away either.

After a while, Vernon spoke up again, his tone a little softer than usual. "You seemed distracted today. Everything okay, Chan?"

Dino froze for a moment, the casual use of his real name sending a shiver down his spine. It always sounded different when Vernon said it, like it meant more.

"Yeah," Dino replied, forcing a grin, "Just tired, I guess."

Vernon eyed him carefully, as if he could see right through the excuse, but he didn’t press the issue. Instead, he nudged Dino’s shoulder with his own, a subtle gesture that made Dino’s stomach flip.

"You wanna grab something to eat?" Vernon asked suddenly, his tone so nonchalant that it almost felt rehearsed.

Dino’s heart did a little somersault. Just us? He tried to sound casual. "Sure, Vernon-hyung. I could eat."

They ended up at a small, tucked-away restaurant that had become one of their favorite spots. As they sat across from each other, steam rising from the hot bowls of ramen, the atmosphere was surprisingly calm. Vernon’s usual teasing was toned down, and Dino found himself relaxing more than he expected.

"Something on your mind?" Vernon asked, breaking the comfortable silence. His gaze was steady, and Dino could feel the intensity of it even though he was focused on his food.

Dino hesitated before answering. "Just... thinking about how things have been lately. I feel different."

Vernon raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Different how?"

Dino bit his lip, unsure how to put it into words. "I don’t know... Just like something’s changed. But I don’t know what."

Vernon hummed thoughtfully, taking a sip of his drink. "Maybe you’re just growing up," he suggested. "Or maybe it’s something else."

Dino couldn’t help but notice how Vernon’s eyes seemed to linger on him a little longer than usual. Something else. The phrase echoed in his mind, and he couldn’t help but wonder if Vernon felt it too.

They ate in comfortable silence after that, occasionally making small talk about their upcoming schedules and practice routines. Dino found himself relaxing more, the initial tension slipping away as they laughed about the silly mistakes they’d made during dance practice earlier. It felt natural, like it was just the two of them against the world.

When they finally left the restaurant, the night air was cool and refreshing, the streets mostly empty. As they walked side by side, Dino felt his heart pounding again, but he forced himself to keep talking, anything to distract himself from how his hand kept brushing against Vernon’s.

When they reached the dorm, Vernon paused at the door, turning to look at Dino with a soft, almost hesitant smile. "Hey, Chan," he said quietly. "Thanks for coming with me."

Dino gave a small smile back, his chest feeling strangely tight. "Yeah. Anytime."

Vernon lingered for a moment before reaching out and ruffling Dino’s hair, something he rarely did. Dino’s face heated up, but he couldn’t help but grin, trying to play it off as if it didn’t make his heart race.

"Sleep well," Vernon said, his voice low and almost tender before he headed inside.

Dino stayed rooted in place for a moment, wondering why his chest felt so full and why he couldn’t stop smiling. He didn’t know what was changing between them, but for the first time, he didn’t want to fight it.

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Touring was always exhausting, but exhilarating too. The members moved from city to city, country to country, pouring their hearts into each performance and barely catching their breath in between. Dino loved it; the energy, the rush of adrenaline, the way fans screamed his name. But it also left little room for thought, and that was both a blessing and a curse.

One night, after another successful concert, the group was scattered throughout the hotel. Some were already knocked out in their rooms, while others were gathered in the lounge eating a late-night snack. Dino found himself wandering the quiet hallway, his feet unconsciously leading him to the hotel’s rooftop terrace.

As he pushed open the heavy door, he wasn’t surprised to find Vernon already there, leaning against the railing and staring out at the city lights. The gentle breeze played with his hair, and he looked lost in thought, completely unaware of Dino’s presence at first.

Dino hesitated, considering whether to leave him be, but Vernon turned his head and caught his eye, offering a small smile. “Couldn’t sleep either?” he asked.

Dino shook his head, walking over to stand next to him. “Too much adrenaline, I guess,” he replied with a chuckle.

Vernon hummed in agreement. “Yeah, it’s hard to wind down after a show like that.”

For a while, they just stood there in silence, letting the cool night air calm their senses. Dino couldn’t help but glance at Vernon out of the corner of his eye, noticing how the dim light softened his features, giving him an almost ethereal glow. He swallowed hard, trying to focus on anything else.

“It was a good show tonight,” Vernon said, breaking the silence. “You were killing it out there.”

Dino couldn’t help but grin. “You weren’t so bad yourself, Vernon-hyung.”

Vernon laughed, the sound low and warm, and Dino’s chest felt tight again. He didn’t understand why being around Vernon made him feel so jittery and strange, but it was becoming harder to ignore. Suddenly, Vernon nudged his shoulder playfully, catching him off guard.

“You’re really spacey lately,” Vernon teased. “Got something on your mind?”

Dino hesitated, debating whether to say anything at all. The words were stuck in his throat, but the comfort of being alone on the rooftop gave him just enough courage to speak. “Do you ever feel like... something’s changing?” he asked softly.

Vernon turned his head, his expression curious but serious. “You said the same thing last time we went out to have dinner. What do you mean?”

Dino chewed on his lower lip, unsure how to put it into words without sounding ridiculous. “Just... us. Or maybe me. I don’t know. It’s like... things feel different, but I don’t know why.”

For a moment, Vernon was quiet, his gaze unwavering as he studied Dino’s face. “I think I know what you mean,” he admitted, his voice almost a whisper. “Sometimes... I get this weird feeling when it’s just the two of us. Like the air’s heavier or something.”

Dino’s heart thudded loudly in his chest, and he couldn’t help but stare at Vernon, surprised by the confession. “You feel it too?” he asked cautiously.

Vernon’s lips quirked into a small, almost shy smile. “Yeah. Kinda thought it was just me being weird.”

Dino couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh, the tension breaking just a bit. “Guess we’re both weird, then.”

They stood there in quiet understanding, a gentle comfort settling between them. Eventually, Vernon spoke again, his voice barely above a murmur. “Hey, Chan... maybe it’s not weird at all. Maybe it’s just... something we haven’t figured out yet.”

Dino looked at him, unsure how to respond, but the thought made his heart race in a strangely pleasant way. Instead of speaking, he just nodded, letting the peaceful silence say the rest and resting his head against Vernon's shoulder.

When they finally decided to head back inside, Vernon gave him a lingering glance, his hand brushing against Dino’s shoulder in a soft, almost hesitant touch before he walked ahead. Dino stayed behind for just a moment longer, trying to calm the flurry of emotions threatening to overwhelm him.

As he finally made his way back to his room, Dino couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across his face. Maybe it wasn’t so bad, letting himself feel this way.

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Filming Going Seventeen was always chaotic, members running around, playing games, teasing each other, and causing as much chaos as humanly possible. Today was no different. The staff had set up a game in which the members had to compete in pairs, and somehow, Dino and Vernon were teamed up.

They found themselves sitting next to each other on the floor, laughing as Seungkwan dramatically accused Jeonghan of cheating. Vernon leaned back on his hands, his usual calm demeanor contrasting with Dino’s barely-contained excitement as they waited for their turn.

“You think we’ll win?” Dino whispered, leaning closer to Vernon.

Vernon gave a soft, endearing smile. “We’ve got this. Just don’t get too ahead of yourself.”

Dino scoffed playfully. “Says the one who almost tripped last round.”

Vernon smirked, nudging him with his shoulder. “You didn’t see anything.”

The game finally began, and as expected, the chaos only increased. At one point, Dino found himself almost toppling over, but Vernon grabbed his arm, steadying him without a word. The touch was brief but warm, and it sent a spark through Dino’s body. When he glanced up, Vernon was still holding onto him, his eyes reflecting something unreadable.

A loud cheer erupted from the other members, and both of them snapped back to reality, quickly letting go and pretending nothing had happened. Dino’s heart wouldn’t stop racing, and he forced himself to focus on the game, but his thoughts kept drifting back to how gentle Vernon’s grip had been.

During a break between filming segments, Dino found himself cornered by Jeonghan, who gave him a knowing smirk.

“You two seemed pretty close today,” Jeonghan remarked, taking a sip of his drink.

Dino froze, trying to play it off. “W-We’re just a good team.”

Jeonghan hummed noncommittally, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Sure. A team that keeps staring at each other like lovesick puppies.”

Dino spluttered, heat rushing to his face. “That’s not–”

But Jeonghan just laughed, patting his shoulder. “You’re really bad at hiding things, Chan.”

Flustered, Dino hurried back to his spot, only to find Vernon looking at him with mild concern.

“You good?” Vernon asked, eyebrows raised.

“Yeah,” Dino mumbled, still embarrassed. “Just... Jeonghan-hyung being Jeonghan-hyung.”

Vernon chuckled softly, and the sound sent warmth through Dino’s chest. Before he could say anything else, the staff called for them to get back into position, and the teasing atmosphere resumed. But every now and then, Vernon’s hand would brush against his, and Dino couldn’t help but notice how natural it felt, like it belonged there.

After filming wrapped up and the members started heading back to the dorms, Dino found himself trailing behind with Vernon. They walked side by side, the fading sun casting long shadows on the ground.

Vernon glanced over, a rare hint of shyness in his expression. “Hey, Chan... about earlier...”

Dino stopped, heart pounding. “Yeah?”

Vernon hesitated, glancing down before meeting his gaze. “It didn’t feel weird... when I held your arm. Actually... it felt kind of nice.”

Dino’s breath caught, and he didn’t know how to respond. His mind was a blur of emotions, but before he could think too much, he smiled shyly, his own voice quiet. “Yeah... Yeah it did.”

Vernon’s lips curved into a small smile, and for a moment, they just stood there, the unspoken understanding settling between them. Neither of them said anything more, but when Vernon’s fingers brushed against his again, Dino didn’t pull away.

As they continued walking, their hands eventually found each other, fingers interlacing gently. It was subtle, almost hesitant, but neither of them let go, even when they reached the dorm.

Maybe figuring this out wasn’t so scary after all.

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The next few days were a whirlwind of schedules, but no matter how busy they were, Dino couldn’t shake the memory of Vernon’s hand holding his. It wasn’t just the touch itself, but the way it made him feel. Safe, warm, and oddly content. Even during dance practice, when everyone was too exhausted to function, he found himself glancing at Vernon from time to time, wondering if he felt the same.

One evening, it was time for Seventeen’s monthly meeting, a casual get-together where, this time, they’d cook, eat, and get drunk. The atmosphere was relaxed, with members scattered around the kitchen and living room of Seungcheol’s apartment. As usual, the room was filled with chatter and the occasional sound of something clattering to the floor.

Vernon, who was attempting to chop vegetables for the stew, he lost a game and was now in charge of it, looked completely lost. Dino noticed his hesitant movements and couldn’t help but chuckle softly to himself before walking over to help.

“Need a hand, Bononie-hyung?” Dino asked with a teasing grin.

Vernon glanced up, a bit embarrassed but grateful. “Yeah... I think I’m butchering these carrots.”

Dino laughed and took the knife from his hand, gently brushing his fingers against Vernon’s. “Let me show you.”

Vernon watched intently as Dino demonstrated the right way to hold the knife and slice evenly. Their hands kept brushing together, and every time they did, Dino felt that familiar warmth spreading through his chest.

“You’re good at this,” Vernon mumbled, trying to focus on the technique and not on how close Dino was standing.

“Cooking for myself pays off,” Dino replied with a smirk. “Just don’t cut yourself. You’re always spacing out.”

Vernon smiled softly, more to himself than to Dino. “Only when you’re around.”

Dino froze for a second, glancing up to see Vernon’s expression. The older boy’s face was calm, but his eyes had that same intensity they held during their rooftop conversation. Dino’s hand wavered, almost forgetting about the knife entirely.

Taking a chance, Dino shifted a little closer, their shoulders almost touching. “Vernon... about that night... on the rooftop,” he started, his voice just above a whisper.

Vernon’s gaze didn’t waver. “I’ve been thinking about it a lot,” he admitted, his tone softer than usual. “And about how it felt to hold your hand the other day at the recording... and how I didn’t want to let go.”

Dino’s heart raced, and his mouth went dry. He wasn’t sure what to say, how to put into words the way his feelings kept growing every day. Just as he was about to respond, Hoshi’s voice cut through the air, loud and cheerful.

“Yah! Are the vegetables done yet? We’re waiting on you guys!”

Both of them jumped apart, their faces flushing. Dino hurried to finish chopping the carrots, trying to ignore the way his hands were trembling. Vernon rubbed the back of his neck, giving Dino a shy smile before moving to stir the stew.

As the night went on, the members gathered around the large dining table, food spread out and laughter filling the room, just as they were filling cups of soju over and over again. Dino and Vernon ended up sitting next to each other, and despite the crowded space, their knees kept brushing under the table. Every little touch sent an electric shock through Dino’s bones, making him feel both thrilled and nervous.

When the meal was almost over, Seungkwan started telling an exaggerated story about a chaotic practice session, and everyone burst into laughter. Vernon leaned over to whisper to Dino, his breath tickling his ear. “I guess we really do get caught up in our own world sometimes.”

Dino turned his head slightly, meeting Vernon’s gaze just inches away. “Maybe that’s not such a bad thing,” he replied, his voice quieter, more thoughtful.

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the room. But then, Dokyeom loudly suggested a round of karaoke to end the night, and the group scattered to set up the machine, leaving Dino and Vernon alone for just a second longer.

Vernon hesitated, glancing down before looking back at Dino with a soft smile. “Let’s talk later?” he asked, his tone carrying a quiet promise.

Dino nodded, unable to stop the small smile from forming on his lips. “Yeah... later.”

Just as they were about to find a quiet spot, Seungcheol approached them with a sheepish grin. “Hey, can you guys help me take Hoshi home? He drank too much, and he’s knocked out on the couch.”

Dino and Vernon exchanged a quick, slightly disappointed glance, but neither of them could refuse. “Of course, hyung,” Vernon replied, giving Dino an apologetic look.

They spent the next half hour guiding a barely coherent Hoshi to the car, Seungcheol thanking them repeatedly. By the time they made it back, most of the members had already moved on to singing loudly in the living room.

The moment was gone, and the opportunity slipped through their fingers. As they sat on the floor near the karaoke setup, both feeling slightly defeated, Vernon leaned over just enough to nudge Dino’s shoulder gently.

“Later,” he whispered again, a hint of determination in his tone, and Dino couldn’t help but smile at that.

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The city lights blurred into soft streaks as the rain drizzled lightly outside. It was late, past the time they should have been asleep, but sleep was the last thing on Dino’s mind. His heart was racing for an entirely different reason.

Somehow, he and Vernon had ended up in one of the company’s private studios. It was the only place they could go without the risk of being seen, a place that had always been kind of their sanctuary. The soft hum of an instrumental track played from the speakers, but neither of them was really listening. The only sound that mattered was the quiet rhythm of their breaths and the occasional patter of rain against the large window overlooking the city.

Dino’s thoughts swirled as he sat on the couch, staring at the dim lights outside. He thought about their pre-debut days; sleepless nights spent rehearsing until their bodies ached, the way Vernon had always stayed behind to practice just a little longer with him. He thought about the countless moments, big and small, that had led them here: the stolen glances, the late-night conversations, the way Vernon’s laughter always made something in his chest tighten.

It had always been there, hadn’t it? Lingering beneath the surface, waiting for them to realize.

“Hyung,” Dino started, his voice quieter than he expected. Vernon turned his head, eyes locking onto his in that way that always made it hard to breathe.

“Hm?”

Dino swallowed hard. “I think… I think I’ve always felt this way about you.”

Vernon stilled. The studio’s soft lighting casting shadows on his face, highlighting the uncertainty flickering in his eyes. Dino’s pulse roared in his ears as he forced himself to continue.

“I didn’t know what it was at first. I thought maybe it was just admiration, or how we’ve been close for so long. But lately… it’s been different. I- I think I’ve known for a while, but I was just too scared to say it.”

Vernon didn’t speak right away. He exhaled, tilting his head as if processing the words. Dino’s fingers curled into his sleeves, his breath held in anticipation.

Finally, Vernon spoke, his voice steady yet impossibly gentle. “I know what you mean.”

Dino’s breath caught. “You do?”

Vernon nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips, though his eyes held something deeper, something just as uncertain and longing as Dino felt. “It’s like… all those little moments we’ve had, they’ve been leading to this. And I didn’t realize until now how much I wanted it to mean something more.”

A warmth spread through Dino’s chest, relief and something even deeper settling into his bones. “So… what now?”

Vernon shifted, hesitating only for a second before reaching out. His fingers brushed against Dino’s, tentative but warm. “I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “But we can figure it out together.”

Dino let out a soft laugh, one that was filled with both nerves and something that felt an awful lot like happiness. He turned his hand over, letting their fingers interlace naturally. It felt right.

They sat there, their knees touching, the quiet between them wasn’t heavy anymore. It was full of something unspoken but understood.

Then, as if drawn together by an invisible force, Vernon took a small step closer. The distance between them felt almost unbearable now. He hesitated for only a second before murmuring, “Can I…?”

Dino barely had time to nod before Vernon closed the space between them, their lips meeting in a slow, tentative kiss. It was soft, lingering. A question and an answer all at once. Dino’s breath hitched, his fingers instinctively tightening around Vernon’s hand as warmth flooded his chest.

When they finally pulled apart, Vernon rested his forehead against Dino’s, a breathless smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah,” he whispered, squeezing Dino’s hand, “We’ll figure this out together.”

Dino let out a small laugh, his heart so full he thought it might burst. Maybe, just maybe, this was exactly where they were meant to be.

Vernon gave his hand another squeeze before leaning back against the couch, exhaling a soft chuckle. “You know this is gonna change everything, right?”

Dino nodded, a slow smile spreading on his lips. “Yeah. But I think I’m okay with that.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the rain streak down the window. Dino felt lighter than he had in years, like something that had been weighing on him had finally been lifted. Vernon reached up absentmindedly, playing with the hem of Dino’s sleeve, and Dino just let himself enjoy the moment.

“Should we tell the others?” Dino asked after a while, tilting his head toward Vernon.

Vernon smirked. “Let’s see how long we can keep it a secret, I don’t want them to disturb our peace.”

Dino laughed, knowing full well that their members were far too observant for that, but he nodded anyway. Maybe keeping this just for themselves, even if it was just for a little while, would make it even more special.

And as the rain continued to fall outside, they sat there, hands entwined, knowing that whatever came next, they’d face it together.

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The second season of Na PD’s Nana Tour had taken them to Spain, a rare break from their packed schedules. Between the chaotic filming sessions, the long dinners, and the late-night exploring, Vernon and Dino had found little pockets of time just for themselves. They had been careful; stolen kisses in the dim corners of restaurants, hands brushing together under the dinner table, whispered words exchanged in the quiet of the hotel halls. No one knew. Or at least, that’s what they thought.

One night, after a long day of sightseeing, they slipped away to a private terrace attached to the villa Na PD had arranged for them. The air was warm, carrying the scent of citrus and the distant sound of the city. It was just them, alone under the glow of the fairy lights wrapped around the balcony railing.

Dino sighed, leaning against the railing. “It’s kind of perfect, isn’t it?”

Vernon hummed in agreement, stepping closer. “Yeah. Just us.”

Dino turned toward him, the golden glow casting a soft warmth on Vernon’s face. He reached out, fingers ghosting over Vernon’s wrist before slipping their hands together. Vernon gave a small, knowing smile before tilting his head slightly.

“We don’t have to keep hiding, you know,” Vernon murmured.

Dino swallowed, his thumb brushing absentmindedly over the back of Vernon’s hand. “I know… but I kind of like having this just for us a little longer.”

Vernon didn’t argue. Instead, he closed the small distance between them, pressing their lips together in a deep, lingering kiss. Dino sighed against him, his hands sliding up Vernon’s arms as Vernon cupped his face, tilting his head to deepen the kiss. It was slow, intoxicating, filled with all the things they hadn’t been able to say out loud, at least, not yet.

Then, the sound of the terrace door creaking open shattered the moment.

“OH MY GOD.”

Dino and Vernon jumped apart like they had been electrocuted, eyes wide as Seungkwan stood frozen in the doorway, mouth agape. Behind him, Jeonghan and Dokyeom peeked around, Jeonghan smirking knowingly while Dokyeom just blinked in shock.

Jeonghan snorted. “Well. That explains a lot.”

Dino groaned, burying his burning face in his hands while Vernon ran a hand through his hair.

Seungkwan pointed dramatically. “YOU– AND YOU–” He exhaled, pressing a hand to his chest. “I need a moment.”

“So much for keeping this under wraps,” Dino mumbled.

Seungkwan crossed his arms, shaking his head in dramatic disappointment. “Unbelievable. I feel betrayed. This is worse than when Hoshi ate the last piece of cake and blamed it on me.”

Dokyeom, still grinning, clapped his hands together. “Alright, so… details. How long?”

Vernon sighed. “A while.”

Jeonghan leaned in, smirking. “And who confessed first?”

Vernon and Dino exchanged a glance before Dino grumbled, “Me.”

Seungkwan gasped again, clutching his chest like it was the biggest revelation of his life. “CHAN CONFESSED FIRST? I need a moment.”

Dokyeom laughed. “Okay, but like… This is kind of cute.”

Seungkwan shot him a glare. “NO, IT’S NOT. They had a whole secret romance behind our backs! I demand compensation.”

Vernon raised an eyebrow. “Compensation?”

“Yes,” Seungkwan huffed. “You guys have to buy me coffee for a month. No- Two months. For emotional distress.”

Jeonghan snickered. “Oh, this is just the beginning. You guys better be prepared for endless teasing.”

Dino groaned, burying his face in Vernon's chest. “We’re never gonna hear the end of this, are we?”

Vernon just smiled, embracing Dino's waist with his arms despite the audience. “Probably not. But… I don’t really mind. At least we don’t have to sneak around anymore.”

Dino looked at him, feeling his heart swell again, and realized he didn’t mind either.

As the teasing continued, with Seungkwan dramatically threatening to write a tell-all novel and Dokyeom already brainstorming couple nicknames, Vernon and Dino just stayed there, their hands still intertwined. No more secrets. Just them, together.

And honestly, it felt kind of nice.