SKZ Imagines

Sorry, I Love You - Changbin

Author's Note: Listen to the song while reading for a better experience :)

You'd been friends with Changbin for years—gym buddies, late-night snack partners, the person he'd FaceTime just to complain about his lyrics not rhyming. But then it happened. 

One late night, the gym was nearly empty, just you and Changbin working out. The clank of weights, the hum of the treadmill, the rhythmic sound of your breathing—nothing else.

Before, you never really paid much attention to Changbin. He was just your close friend, whom you liked working out together with. But then that night, as he caught you struggling with the bench press and came over to help, something inside you changed. 

"Need a spot?" he asked, his voice gruff from exertion. You blinked up at him, sweat glistening on your forehead. "Uh—yeah. Thanks." 

He helped you lift the bar, his hands hovering just inches from yours, close enough to feel the heat radiating off his skin. And that was it. That was the moment when everything changed. And that's when you realised... You liked him. A lot.

Since that night, you've tried to act normal. But it became hard to keep your cool with every single moment you spent with him. Whenever he casually slung an arm around your shoulders, you stiffened like a board. Or that time when he fed you a bite of his tteokbokki and you choked. And when he asked what happened, you simply replied with, "Just—spicy! So spicy!"

It wasn't long before Changbin realised your sudden change too. "Why are you being weird these days?" he finally asked, squinting. "I'm not!" you squeaked. He leaned closer. "You literally flinched when I handed you water." You panicked and just playfully pushed him away, changing the topic. Months passed like this and it's been torturing you ever since.

One afternoon, after a particularly grueling leg day, you were both sprawled on the gym floor. Your legs felt like jelly, and you turned to Changbin with a smirk. 

"Bet you can't do one more squat.", you said, teasing him. Changbin groaned. "You're evil.". "Come on," you goaded, poking his shoulder. "I'll buy you protein shakes for a week.". He narrowed his eyes. "Deal." 

Somehow, he managed to haul himself up and you did too. But as you both sank into the squat, your legs gave out, and you stumbled forward—right into him. For a heartbeat, you were pressed flush against him, his hands braced on your waist, his breath warm against your neck. Then you both jerked back, cheeks flaming. "Sorry," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. You bit your lip. "It's okay."

Silence. Heavy, awkward, loaded.

Changbin took a deep breath. "I—". "I'm sorry," you blurted out, interrupting him. He immediately took the chance to tease you. "For what? Your terrible form?" He said, chuckling. "For liking you!" You immediately regretted saying that out loud.

Silence. 

"...Oh," he said softly. Then, "Wait. You apologising for that is the dumbest shit I've ever heard.". You froze. "What?"

"Me too" he said, smiling. You froze. Again. "What?" You asked again. "You've been acting weird," he said, voice barely above a whisper. "And I get it, because I've been weird too. Because I—" He swallowed. "Because I like you too, okay? And I'm sorry if that ruins everything, but I couldn't keep pretending—" 

You kissed Changbin. It wasn't graceful—he was still sweaty, still breathless, and he nearly knocked over a water bottle in his shock. But when you melted against him, fingers tangling in his shirt, he decided none of that mattered.

After a long kiss, you both finally broke apart, gasping for air. "So let me get this straight," you said. "We've both been miserable because we like-like each other?"

He groaned, covering his face. "God, when you say it like that, we sound so stupid." And your laughter filled the gym studio.

Months later, you'd hear Sorry, I Like You live for the first time. Changbin sang his verse while staring directly at you in the crowd, grinning when you fake-glared. 

After the show, you yanked him into a hug. "You owe me for all that stress.". "Nah," he laughed, squeezing you tighter. "I like you too much for that."

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P.S.: The members witnessed this backstage and literally facepalmed like "FINALLY"...