A non idol scenario.
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The gym buzzed with the usual post-practice chatter. Jay tossed a basketball to Heeseung, smirking. "You’re quiet today. Thinking about a special someone?"
Heeseung froze mid-catch. His friends, Jake, Sunghoon, and Jungwon, exchanged knowing looks and snickers.
“Who’s the lucky one, huh?” Sunghoon teased, leaning on Jay’s shoulder.
“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Heeseung stammered, trying to play it cool.
“Oh, please,” Jake drawled, spinning a basketball on his finger. “You’ve been acting weird every time we hang out at Jay’s place. You’re totally into Sunoo.”
Heeseung’s face turned crimson, and Jay’s smirk vanished instantly.
“Wait.” Jay held up a hand, eyes narrowing. “Are you serious? Sunoo? My brother?”
“I—” Heeseung started, but Jay cut him off.
“No way.” Jay crossed his arms, his tone accusatory. “You’ve been crushing on my brother while hanging out with me? That’s low, Heeseung.”
“Jay, it’s not like that—”
“It sure seems like it,” Jay snapped.
“Hey, calm down,” Jungwon interjected, stepping between them. “It’s not like Heeseung did anything wrong. He can’t control who he likes.”
“But it’s my brother,” Jay repeated, glaring at Heeseung.
Jake sighed, tossing the ball aside. “Look, Jay, I get it. It’s weird. But Heeseung’s a good guy. Would you rather Sunoo date some random jerk or someone you know you can trust?”
Jay groaned, running a hand through his hair. “That’s not the point! He should’ve told me!”
“Well, he’s telling you now,” Sunghoon said, his voice calm but firm. “And if you weren’t so busy being dramatic, you’d notice he’s probably terrified of losing your friendship over this.”
Jay glanced at Heeseung, who looked genuinely regretful. He let out a long sigh.
“Fine,” Jay said, sitting on the bench. “But if you hurt him, I’ll kill you. Got it?”
Heeseung nodded quickly. “Got it.”
That evening at Jay’s house, the usual energy felt different. Sunoo greeted them with his usual cheerful smile, but he immediately picked up on the tension.
“Did something happen?” Sunoo asked, glancing between Jay and Heeseung.
Jay groaned and plopped onto the couch. “Nothing. Just Heeseung being a lovesick idiot.”
Sunoo blinked, his cheeks flushing. “Wait, what?”
Jake and Sunghoon burst into laughter, while Jungwon shook his head, muttering, “Smooth, Jay. Real smooth.”
Heeseung rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding Sunoo’s gaze. “I… I like you, Sunoo,” he said softly. “I’ve liked you for a while.”
Sunoo’s eyes widened, and for a moment, everyone held their breath. Then, Sunoo broke into a radiant smile.
“I like you too,” Sunoo admitted, his voice shy but sincere.
Jay groaned loudly, covering his face with a pillow. “Oh, come on! Why do I have to be here for this?”
“Because you’re the overprotective big brother,” Jake teased, earning a playful shove from Jay.
Sunghoon grinned. “Looks like you’ve got your work cut out for you, Jay. Keeping Heeseung in line and all.”
