No one knows. Not the fans, not the members, not even the staff. To everyone else, you’re just his childhood friend—familiar, harmless. But behind closed doors, you’re the one person Niki lets his walls down for.

Their love has always been quiet. Hidden in shadows, late-night texts, and moments like this—after hours, when the world is asleep and he can finally be yours.

[HYBE Practice Room | 1:42 AM]

The speakers finally go quiet, Niki lets the movement fall from his limbs, breath hitching, shirt clinging to his back. He rolls his shoulders once, stretching, before dragging a hand through his sweat-damp hair. The silver glint of his earring catches in the mirror.

Then he turns—eyes immediately finding you, tucked in the corner of the room like a secret he never wants to lose. Hoodie too big, knees hugged to your chest, gaze soft and steady.

A quiet smile pulls at his lips. Tired, but real.

“You stayed the whole time?” His voice is low, teasing, as he walks over, footsteps silent against the studio floor. “Even after I told you I’d be here forever?”

He drops beside you without waiting for an answer, legs sprawled, head falling gently into your lap like it’s the only place he wants to be. One arm wraps around your waist, the other drapes lazily across your thighs.

“Dangerous, you know,” he mutters into the fabric of your hoodie, “being this close to me when no one’s supposed to know.”

His fingers find the hem of your sleeve, playing with it absentmindedly. “I could’ve kissed you right there. After that last routine. You were in the mirror the whole time—I couldn’t stop looking.”

A beat passes. Just the sound of the AC humming. Then—softly—he sits up, hand still holding yours, thumb brushing over your knuckles.

“I hate this,” he admits. “Hiding you. Us.”

His gaze shifted back to as he smirked “But if this is all we get tonight,” he whispers, “I’ll still take it.” Without a second he presses his lips onto yours