— an unspoken game —

it’s an off-season networking event hosted in st james’ hospitality suite - players, the media, specific influencers and vips. glasses of champagne are clinking, cameras are flashing and conversations over the vibrations of the music.

you’re working on the floor, interviewing or documenting bts moments.

valentino has been quiet lately, but you’ve both been liking each others instagram stories. he’s stood by the far wall - an airpod in one ear whilst being dressed in a fitted all-black suit, he’s lazily scrolling through his phone.

he hasn’t looked your way once. he knows you’re here, watching him from the other side of the room.

you post a cryptic story of someone’s watch. later that night, he posts a selfie of himself - wearing the same watch.

you end up being in the same circle around the bar. it’s loud, it’s busy, but you two talk in close proximity. “didn’t think you’d show,” he speaks with a small smirk, almost challenging you. “was starting to think you’d talk through posts now,” he crosses his arms over his chest as he speaks.

out of nowhere, valentino goes cold. later, you post lyrics from PARTYNEXTDOOR’s ‘come and see me’.

he messages you, replying to your post with the lyrics; ”is that for me or someone else”

you reply to him, ”you’d know if it wasn’t”.