~Heartstrings~

▪️Heartbeat Echo▪️

Note: sorry no warnings yet if thats what you're waiting for but I hope you still like it I'm trying really hard.
Anywhozles, love ya🩵
1,596k words
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        Seungmin froze in his seat as you kissed the top of his head, his cheeks turning a deep shade of red. He looked up at you with affection as you walked out to the living room, still in a state of shock from your unexpected gesture. The other members noticed his flustered state and smirked, knowing exactly what had just happened. I sat on the couch next to Minho. Minho chuckled as you sat down next to him, noticing the blush on Seungmin's face from the kitchen. "Looks like someone's a little flustered." He noted. I ignore his comment only having made the gesture it out of being sweet not romantic. Minho chuckled again, nudging you playfully. "Sure, sure. Whatever." He says noticing the look on your face he knew you well enough to know what that ment. "I was just trying to be sweet." I explained anyway. The other members snickered, clearly not believing your claim of it being just a sweet gesture. I rolled my eyes dramatically. Felix leaned forward from his spot on the couch, a sly grin on his face. "You can't deny it, Y/N. That kiss on the head was totally romantic." He teases. "Hey you guys weren't here last night you have no idea whats going on between us." I get defensive. Hyunjin chimed in, a smirk on his face. "Oh, trust us. We've seen the way you two look at each other. It's painfully obvious that there's something there." I shrugged my shoulders as I thought about what happened last night. I couldn't give him an answer and how he was willing to wait, the fear of losing him was just too strong. Chan noticed the look on your face and leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "Hey, you alright? You seem distracted." He takes notice. "Huh? Oh sorry." I snapped back from my thoughts. Chan studied you for a moment, concern etched on his face. "Don't apologize. Just tell us what's on your mind." He reassured. "It's nothing." I try to seem convincing. The other members exchanged skeptical glances, not buying your dismissal. "It doesn't look like nothing. Come on, you can tell us." Felix presumes. "I'm afraid." I said in a small voice. The other members softened at your admission, their expressions turning sympathetic. "Afraid of what, exactly?" Changbin asks. "Well I don't know if you know this but me and minho had a similar situation when we were trainees, but we decided it was better as friends, and I'm terrified that could happen with seungmin he means everything to me and if it didn't work out I couldn't be around him anymore it would be to painful." I paused. "I couldn't give him an answer." I explained. The room fell silent for a moment as the members processed your words. Chan was the first to speak up, his voice gentle and understanding. "I get it. It's scary to risk your friendship like that. But you have to remember that you and Minho are different people. What worked for you guys may not work for you and Seungmin." I look at him. "Thats a part of why I'm so afraid." I admit. Hyunjin leaned forward, resting his hand on your knee in a comforting gesture. "We understand your fear. But don't let it hold you back from being happy. Seungmin deserves to know how you feel about him, and so do you." He tells me. "He knows." I said in a small voice. The members looked surprised at your response. "Wait, he knows?" Felix asks confused and surprised. "Yeah, I told him I loved him last night." I explain with slight melancholy. The room fell silent again, the members stunned by your confession. Chan was the first to break the silence, a mixture of shock and disbelief on his face. "You... you told him you love him? And he knows how you feel?" I look at him. "Yes, and he told me he wanted to be with me more than anything." I tell them. A collective gasp filled the room, the members exchanging looks of surprise and excitement. "Holy shit. So, you two are together now?" Changbin asks. "No." I say reluctantly. Their excitement quickly turned to confusion and concern. "What do you mean 'no'? He said he wanted to be with you, but you're not together?" Chan asks. "Like I said I couldn't give him an answer." I reiterate. Felix furrowed his brows in confusion. "What do you mean you couldn't give him an answer? You told him you love him, he told you he wants to be with you, and you still couldn't give him an answer?" Felix asks. "Because what if I lost him?" I bring back up fear finding it way back to me. Han let out a sigh, understanding your fear once again. "But what if you miss out on something amazing because you're too afraid to take the risk?" He asks. "Hes not something im willing to risk." I've said that before but I still mean it just as much. Changbin leaned back, crossing his arms. "That's a pretty big decision to make, not willing to risk him. But are you willing to live with the regret of not being with him?" He questioned. "At least he'd still be in my life." I retort. The room fell silent again, the members unsure of what to say.
They could understand your reasoning, but they also wanted you to be happy. "He said I could give him an answer when I'm ready." I add. Chan nodded, a small smile on his face. "At least he's understanding about it. He really cares about you." He states. "You think so?" I ask slightly insincere. The other members chuckled. "You're kidding, right? The way he looks at you, the way he talks about you... it's pretty obvious that he cares a lot about you." Han exclaims. "I made a horrible joke last night." I cover my face  remembering it. Felix raised an eyebrow, intrigued.  "Oh, now you've got me curious. What kind of horrible joke?" I feel embarrassed by the memory. "You guys know how I joke when I'm nervous or anxious?" I ask. They nodded. "Yeah, we're well aware of your joking habits. They're pretty bad, if l'm being honest." Changbin clarifies. "Yeah I'm aware. I said we should just skip it all and just get married." I groan in embarrassment. The members burst out laughing, unable to contain themselves.
Chan was clutching his stomach as he laughed, tears in his eyes. "You... you actually said that to him? Oh my god, that's priceless." He asks. "Yeah don't mention it, I'm pretty embarrassed." I say. Felix wiped away a tear from laughing so hard. "Don't be embarrassed, you're just unique." He tried to reassure me. I laugh. "Thanks." I say. Changbin tried to catch his breath from laughing so hard. "Seriously, though, that was probably the most cringeworthy thing l've ever heard you say." He said. "Right!" I slumped back in the couch. Hyunjin chuckled, still trying to compose himself. "And he didn't react badly? He didn't run away screaming or something?" He asks. "No actually." I say sitting back up. The members exchanged glances, clearly surprised by your response. Felix's jaw drops. "What the hell? How is he so calm about it? Most people would've been freaked out by that kind of proposal, even as a joke." He exclaims. "Right!" I say. Changbin shook his head in disbelief. "I mean, I guess that just proves how much he cares about you. He's probably just too whipped to be bothered by it." He says. I smile at his response then a thought pops into my head. "Am I a horrible person?" I ask feeling down suddenly. The members look at you with concern. "What? No, of course not. Why would you even think that?" Chan asks and I look at him. "Because i couldn't give him an answer." I say. Hyunjin moved closer to you, putting a comforting hand on your shoulder. "Hey, you're not a horrible person. It's okay to need time to think and figure things out. It's a big decision to make." He reassures. "But I know I like him." I say softly. Changbin smiled softly. "Then you know that your feelings are genuine. And I'm sure he knows that too. Just give yourself time to process everything, okay? Don't rush into things." He says. "What if I wait too long and he finds someone else?" I said feeling scared. Felix furrowed his brows, gently poking your forehead. "Stop thinking like that. He's not going to find someone else, and even if he did, it wouldn't be the same as you. You're irreplaceable to him, trust me." Felix says. "Do you really believe that?" I ask in uncertainty. All the members nodded in unison, their expressions serious. "Absolutely. You're one of a kind, and he's lucky to have you. You're worth waiting for, and he knows it." Chan chimes in. "Thank you." I say feeling reassured. I lean back on the couch and let out a breath of relief, as seungmin walks in. Seungmin grins at you, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Chan stands up from the couch. "Well now that we're all here are we ready to head to practice?" The members all groan in unison, not wanting to go to dance practice.