In the dazzling world of idols, where every move is scrutinized and every emotion is masked by a perfect smile, Jeonghan finds himself trapped in a silent battle against his own heart. For years, he has mastered the art of pretending-pretending that Seungcheol's lingering touches don't set his skin on fire, pretending that their closeness is nothing more than friendship, and pretending that the growing ache in his chest isn't love. But when distance starts creeping between them, and Seungcheol begins noticing the way Jeonghan pulls away, cracks begin to form in the carefully crafted walls he has built. With every stolen glance and unspoken word, the tension mounts, and Jeonghan is left wondering-how much longer can he keep pretending before the weight of his longing becomes too much to bear? As the days blur into sleepless nights and fleeting moments of what-ifs, Jeonghan must decide: will he continue to run from his own feelings, or will he finally let Seungcheol see the truth he's buried for so long? cross-posted on my ao3 account -hanniecoups