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heeseung wasn't used to these silences, the ones that stretched between him and yuwon now. they weren't awkward, just. . . different. quieter than before. they stood outside the train station with the group, waiting for their next step in osaka. her shoulder brushed against his every now and then, like it wasn't even intentional, but every time it did, he felt a small spark travel through him.
and maybe, just maybe, there was something to that spark. maybe it was because, after what happened in the elevator, something had shifted between them. yuwon had seen him vulnerable, had seen a part of him no one else ever had, and instead of looking at him like he was broken, she acted like nothing had changed. she still teased him, still tossed him casual looks, but those looks seemed. . . softer. warmer. as if she was trying to remind him that she was still there for him, no matter what.
he found comfort in that, even if he wouldn't admit it out loud.
"yah, you're staring" jungwon's voice broke through his thoughts, amusement dripping from his tone. "if you keep looking at yuwon like that, she might start charging you." heeseung blinked, quickly averting his gaze, but not without rolling his eyes. "i wasn't staring." "sure you weren't." saeri chimed in, nudging jungwon with a smirk. "totally innocent."
zahra, never one to miss an opportunity, leaned in closer, pretending to whisper but loud enough for everyone to hear, "it's okay, heeseung, we all know yuwon's pretty, no one can blame you"
jake was the first to burst out laughing, and zahra quickly followed, her cheeks coloring as she glanced shyly at him. the group's energy bubbled with playful teasing, but as everyone else laughed, heeseung's gaze drifted—just for a second—toward yeonjun.
yeonjun, standing off to the side, his jaw clenched just enough to be noticeable. his eyes flitted between heeseung and yuwon, dark and stormy, as if he was trying to keep himself in check but failing miserably. it was obvious— the jealousy brewing in him.
in fact, he felt a wave of satisfaction roll over him.
heeseung wasn't blind. he knew yeonjun had been closer to yuwon. he'd always noticed the way yeonjun's eyes lingered on her longer than they should, how he seemed to hang on her every word. and now? now, yeonjun had to stand there and watch as yuwon, the girl he probably thought he had all figured out, exchanged small, secret glances with heeseung. how she smiled at him with that softness in her eyes that made it feel like they were the only two people in the world.
heeseung leaned in a little closer to yuwon, just enough for his shoulder to brush hers again, and when she glanced up at him, flashing him that subtle smile, he almost grinned. it was small, barely noticeable, but he caught the way yeonjun's expression darkened, his fingers curling into tight fists at his sides.
