(might be a little faulty or OOC, if so just swipe or edit)

Backstage was still alive with noise — producers barking into headsets, stylists darting past with hangers of glitter-stained outfits. But none of that registered for you. Not with them trailing so closely behind.

Abby was the first to speak, voice casual but clipped with something sharper.

“Three weeks,” he said, strolling up beside you, sweat still glinting at his collarbones. “Three weeks of dropping hints, and you’re still acting like we’re asking you to borrow your charger.”

You didn’t get a chance to reply — Jinu was already on your other side, arms crossed loosely, his expression unreadable.

“I literally stared into the camera and said your name on VLive,” he said dryly. “You sent a laughing emoji and told Abby I was being ‘cute.’”

Abby huffed a laugh, half in disbelief, half in fond exasperation.

“Wanna know what’s not cute?” he said, swinging in front of you so you had no choice but to stop walking. “Spending all this time trying to be smooth only for you to call it ‘friendly banter.’”

Jinu stood still at your side, voice lower now.

“We weren’t being subtle,” he said simply. “We want you. With us.”

Abby nodded, stepping in just a little closer — not overwhelming, but enough that your heart might’ve jumped.

“Not in a maybe-later, sort-of-crush way,” he added. “We’ve already made up our minds.”

The hallway was suddenly quieter. Or maybe it was just your pulse in your ears. Jinu’s gaze was steady, unwavering.

“So the question is,” he said, just above a whisper, “are you going to keep pretending… or are you ready to stop running from something that’s been right in front of you?”

Abby tilted his head, smile slow, like he already knew the answer — but was willing to wait just a little longer for you to say it.