Idol-ized Lovers || Choi Soobin [Rewritten]

10

"It was crazy," you mutter to yourself the moment you walk out of the restaurant. Soobin knew you were faking it. He knew. And still, he played along. Why? Just to catch you red-handed? Crazy guy.

Since Ho Yeon's going to be at your mom's for the next three days, you feel oddly... liberated. No packed lunches. No cartoon fights. No impromptu TxT trivia quizzes. Just peace. Seventy-two hours of peace.

You reach home, freshen up, and collapse into bed. Your body's exhausted, but your mind? Still buzzing. Then your phone lights up.

D: reached home safe?
You blink. For a second, you think it's someone else. But then you remember—you saved Soobin's number under D. Discreet. Undetectable. His concern makes your chest tighten. No one's asked you that in years.

You: yes. and you?
D: yes.

That's it. Nothing more. Still, it stays with you longer than it should. You can't sleep, so you open your phone. One TxT video becomes three, then five. Then ten. You were only supposed to "know enough" for the fan date. But now, you're watching out of... curiosity?

Soobin's stage presence is incredible, but off-stage? He's so weird. A loud, lanky goofball with a gummy smile and way too much energy. You see the clips where he talks too much, the ones where the other members tease him for being dramatic, the times he sings off-key on purpose just to make them laugh.

And every time he laughs, something warm stirs inside you. You're starting to get it now. Ho Yeon's obsession. You're not just watching a celebrity anymore. You're watching him.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈

You don't remember falling asleep, but you wake up with your phone still in your hand. It's quiet. No Ho Yeon calling you for cereal. No messy cartoons blasting on TV. Just... silence. You do your chores, make your breakfast, and head off to work.

"Hey," a familiar voice says. You look up and there's Yoo Jin. Same usual look, but something about his tone is cautious. Like he's testing the water. "What?" you ask, pretending to be deeply engrossed in your computer screen. "I wanna talk." You scoff. "Really?"

"Fine. I'm sorry, alright?" he blurts, and your fingers freeze on your keyboard. You look at him. "I know I was being an asshole. I had a fight with my mom that morning, and I just... took it out on you." His eyes don't meet yours, but his voice is sincere. "I'm sorry too," you finally say. "I overreacted. And I skipped lunch, so I was already hangry." He snorts.

"So... back to girlies?" You grin. "Back to girlies."

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈

That evening, with no Ho Yeon waiting at home, you drag Yoo Jin out for drinks. It's been forever since you did anything like this. Three soju bottles in, you're both tipsy, leaning on the table, voices louder than they should be.

"So... he knows you lied?" Yoo Jin slurs. "Yup! Smart guy," you mutter, swirling your glass. "But if he asked for another date, doesn't that mean he likes you?" You laugh. "Please. He probably just wants sex." Yoo Jin shrugs. "Not bad either." You shoot him a look. "I don't want to be a one-night stand. Too bold but I'm hooking up with a celebrity, and I want commitment."

Yoo Jin laughs so hard he almost falls off his chair. "Girl, even normal people ghost after three dates. And you expect a celebrity to fall in love with a commoner? " You slam your drink down. "BUT I WANT HIM TO LOVE MEEEEEE!" And now you're crying. Not just misty-eyed—we're talking full-on, messy, drunk crying.

"I want someone to love me too," Yoo Jin whimpers. You both lean into each other, sobbing in public like a K-drama episode gone wrong, while strangers at the next table quietly sip their beer and watch the show. Damn alcohol.