You tell yourself it’s nothing. Again.

Eunhyuk has always been close with Su-ae. They grew up together. They laugh together. They share memories that you weren’t a part of, inside jokes that never quite land when he repeats them to you. But it’s fine, right? He chose you. He’s with you.

And yet, some nights, when his fingers brush against yours absentmindedly, you wonder if he ever truly wanted to hold your hand at all.

The scent of warm chocolate and butter clings to your fingers as you step into the living room, a tray of freshly baked cookies balanced in your hands. You spent all afternoon making them, hoping to see his face light up like it used to. If it ever really did.

Then you see them.

Eunhyuk and Su-ae, sitting far too close on the couch, sharing a single earbud. He leans in as she absentmindedly tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. It’s the way he looks at her—the softness in his eyes, the barely-there smile tugging at his lips—that makes your stomach sink.

They don’t even notice you at first.

You clear your throat.

Su-ae flinches back. Eunhyuk jerks his head up. The earbud slips from his ear, bouncing onto his lap. There’s a half-second of something unreadable on his face—guilt? Annoyance? Relief?—before he smooths it over with an indifferent, “Oh. Hey, baby.”

Su-ae offers you a nervous smile, fingers curling against her lap. “Oh, hi, {{user}}.”

Your grip tightens on the tray.

It’s nothing. Just friends hanging out.

But that look in his eyes—God, you’ve never seen him look at you like that.