(Five Months Later)
The message pinged across Seventeen's group chat, and Hansol could feel the collective sigh of relief from the members. "Okay, everyone! We'll be at the dorms in about two hours!" After months of traveling the world, performing non-stop, and dodging both the exhaustion and the relentless paparazzi, returning to the dorms felt like stepping into a slice of heaven.
Hansol, however, barely registered the announcement. His mind was clouded with jet lag, and his body felt heavy from the long flight. The only thing that kept him remotely grounded was the thought of someone waiting for him.
When the van finally came to a stop, Hansol stirred from his half-sleep, blinking groggily at his surroundings. His manager's voice broke through the haze.
"We're here. Have fun, but stay cautious, alright?"
Hansol nodded, not exactly eager to explain himself, but he knew the drill. Seventeen's rise in popularity had meant more eyes on them—eyes that could turn even the most innocent moments into scandalous rumors.
Seungcheol, the ever-watchful leader, glanced back from his seat, squinting at him. "Who are you going to see?" he asked, suspicion dripping from his words.
Hansol froze for a second, his mind racing to find an excuse. "Just a friend. I promised them lunch," he replied casually, shrugging as if it was no big deal.
"Right," Seungcheol muttered, turning back to his seat. "Have fun then, Sol."
No one seemed to question it further—most were too tired to care—and Hansol exhaled, grateful for the silence that followed. He sent the address to his manager, put on his headphones, and let the music drown out the unease building in his chest.
By the time Hansol awoke, the van had pulled up in front of a sleek apartment building that was all too familiar to him. He had been here enough times over the past months to feel almost at home in the place—an apartment he'd never thought would feel like his second base.
His manager gave him a final word of caution. "Be careful, alright? You know how things can get out of hand."
Hansol simply nodded, adjusting his hoodie and pulling the mask over his face as he stepped out of the van. The familiarity of the neighborhood was comforting, but he knew the risks of being seen. Still, he couldn't suppress the flutter of excitement.
The doorbell rang, and almost immediately, Nabi opened the door. Her face, mixed with confusion and delight, softened as she saw him standing there.
"Oh my god, hi!" she exclaimed. "I didn't know you'd be back today."
Hansol grinned under the mask, stepping inside with a sense of ease, as if he were just another friend visiting. He'd become so familiar with her apartment from her updates and photos that it felt like home in a way he didn't expect.
"I guess I wanted to surprise you," he replied, pulling a canvas tote bag from behind him. "Here, I brought you some souvenirs."
Her eyes sparkled when she opened the bag, pulling out items one by one. "Bro, oh my god, you didn't have to!" she exclaimed, laughing as she sifted through the trinkets he had brought back from New York.
Hansol watched her with a soft smile, completely transfixed by the way her face lit up in the golden light streaming in from the windows. Something about seeing her this happy made his chest tighten, and it wasn't just the souvenirs.
"You chose amazingly, Sol!" she continued, her voice filled with excitement as she looked up at him. The nickname—Sol, like the sun—slipped from her lips easily, and it made Hansol's heart skip a beat.
"Sol?" he repeated, a playful smirk tugging at his lips as he inched closer to her. There was no longer any space between them, and neither seemed to mind the closeness. "Like the sun?"
She nodded eagerly, flopping back onto the couch with a sense of satisfaction. "Yeah! Your name ends with 'Sol,' and it means sun in Spanish, I think? I don't know, I flunked that class, but I wanted it to be your new nickname."
Hansol chuckled at her earnestness, feeling his heart thud a little faster. The nickname wasn't something he had expected, but somehow it felt right—personal. Sol. It was so simple, yet there was something undeniably endearing about it.
"You know," he began, shifting so he was facing her, "I'm actually kind of honored you gave me a nickname. Not many people get to call me anything other than my stage name or some random pet name. This feels... different."
She shrugged, a glint of pride in her eyes. "Well, I'm different, aren't I?"
"Guess so," Hansol replied, his voice softer now, his gaze lingering on her face longer than usual. The silence that settled between them was comfortable, the tension in the air only growing when they exchanged a quiet smile.
But then, just as things were starting to settle, Hansol reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. He opened it to reveal a delicate star-shaped necklace, its silver chain catching the dim light from the nearby lamp.
"I saw this in a little shop while I was in Europe for a fashion show during the tour," he said, his voice almost shy. "I thought it was... I don't know, it just reminded me of you. Like a little star in the night sky."
Nabi's breath caught in her throat as she stared at the necklace. She blinked a few times, trying to process what was happening. "Hansol, you didn't—"
"I did," he interrupted gently, a soft smile playing on his lips. "I've been wanting to give it to you for a while. I think you deserve a little star of your own."
Her heart fluttered unexpectedly, and for a moment, she couldn't find the words. It wasn't just the necklace; it was the thoughtfulness behind it, the quiet, intimate moment shared between them. This felt... different. More than just friendship.
She reached out, taking the necklace from him with a trembling hand. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion she didn't know how to express.
Hansol smiled, though there was a vulnerability in his eyes. "I'm glad you like it," he said softly. "I know we've only known each other for a short time, but... I don't know, it feels like we've been friends for much longer."
Nabi tilted her head, studying his expression. She wanted to say something, to break the silence, but the air between them felt charged in a way she couldn't quite explain.
"Actually," Hansol said after a beat, breaking the tension, "there's this gala our group does every year—a party to catch up and just let loose. It's pretty casual, but it's fancy, too. And I was wondering... if you'd want to come with me?"
The casual invitation caught Nabi off guard. Her eyes widened slightly. "Is Vernon asking me to be his date?" she teased, but there was something soft in her voice that she wasn't prepared for.
Hansol shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck, but the sincerity in his eyes was unmistakable. "Yeah, if you'd want to come. I mean, you probably won't know anyone, but it'd be fun. I'd love for you to be there with me."
She smirked, a playful gleam in her eyes. "Of course I'll go with you! But... will I be able to survive the madness of your friends?"
"It's nothing we can't handle," Hansol said, his expression softening. "I'll be there. And... I think you'll be glad you came."
As they shared another smile, Nabi's hand brushed against his, their fingers lightly touching before Hansol gently squeezed her hand, the warmth of his gesture lingering long after. The night was far from over, but for the first time in months, both of them felt like they were on the verge of something new—something neither of them could ignore.
