(sorry this is kinda long!!)

you were an idol turned actress, a member of the group le sserafim but before that you were a member of the group iz*one which gave you a stable fanbase and the opportunities to act in kdramas.

you were offered to act in a kdrama alongside lee heeseung and let's just say your first meeting...wasn't great.

you guys barely shook hands. from day one, the tension was thick — you thought he was cocky, he thought you were cold and distant. you both clashed on creative choices, misunderstood each others silences, and often got under each others skin.

but it all changed soon, the late night rehearsals, the filming, the late night talks, and soon, the rivalry between the both of you changed into something unfamiliar.

it was late evening on set, after filming a rooftop scene where your characters shared a near-confession. the crew had packed up. you stayed behind alone, enjoying the quiet. when he returned.

you were sitting on the rooftop edge, your legs swinging slightly, the city lights flickering below. the wind played with your hair. you were deep in thought when you heard footsteps behind you.

"you always stay behind after rooftop scenes, huh?" heeseung asks.

"yeah. It's the only place no ones watching me." you answer without turning.

he walks over and stands beside you, not sitting yet.

"except me."

"...you dont count." you say, glancing up at him.

"wow. harsh." he says with mock offense and a quiet laugh escapes your lips. he smiles.

"i meant what i said earlier. you were amazing today." he says, his voice much softer now.

"it was just acting." you answer with a shrug.

"was it?"

you turn to look at him. he’s not smiling now. his gaze is steady. your breath catches.

"...you’re not supposed to say things like that."

"and you’re not supposed to make it so hard to forget a scene after ‘cut’ is called." he says, stepping closer to you.

both of you are quiet. the tension hums between you both like static.

"if someone sees—" you start.

"then I’ll say I forgot my script and bumped into you by accident." he finishes.

you exhale a laugh, but your eyes soften. he finally sits beside you.

"i dont know when it changed… i just know i wait for your scenes more than mine. i remember your lines better than my own." he says quietly.

"heeseung…" you say, your voice barely a whisper.

"you dont have to say anything. just—stay a little longer. like this."

you nod and lean you head gently on his shoulder.

"just for a little."

neither of you move. the city glows beneath you both. somewhere, your characters story ends—but yours is just beginning.

it was now two weeks after the rooftop scene. its well past midnight. you've just wrapped up a long emotional shoot. most of the staff had gone home but heseung waits outside by the studio gate. you walke out, rubbing your eyes, surprised to see him still there.

"you’re still here?" you ask, a bit startled.

"you looked tired. thought I’d walk you back." he answered with a shrug.

"what, suddenly my bodyguard now?" you teased him.

"only part-time. the full-time job is...thinking about you." he replies with a grin.

you roll your eyes but hide a smile. you both start walking, your shadows stretching under the streetlights.

"you really shouldn’t say stuff like that. someone might hear." you say, breaking the silence.

"its just us."

a beat of silence. the night is still. crickets hum. your hand swings closer to his. his fingers brush yours — accidentally at first. then intentionally.

"...you’re not going to let go?" you ask

"not unless you ask me to." he answers without looking at you

you dont reply. you dont need to. you lace your fingers with his.

later that night, at a small convenience store nearby, you stop in front of a snack aisle. you grab a strawberry milk and he watches you.

"of course you’d pick pink."

"its elite. what did you expect?" you reply, grinning.

"i expected you to say something cute and give me a reason to tease you."

"here. this suits you." you say, handing him banana milk.

"what, yellow for a clown?" he laughed.