Work Text:
This job is exhausting.
Not the glamorous, red-carpet, camera-flashing kind of exhausting.
The real kind.
The kind where your legs shake after hours of choreography practice and your lungs burn from running the same routine over and over again.
Kim Seok—known to the world simply as Seok—has only been an idol for a year. A year of early mornings, late nights, strict diets, endless rehearsals, and smiling no matter how tired he feels.
It’s everything he dreamed of… but it’s also harder than he ever imagined.
And the worst part?
He can’t even walk home like a normal person.
Tonight, he keeps his head down, hat pulled low over his hair, a plain black mask covering half his face, and glasses perched on his nose.
Just another guy walking through the city. At least, that’s what he hopes.
The streets are cool and quiet, the sky tinted deep blue as night settles in. His body aches, and all he wants is a shower and his bed.
Then—
A sharp gasp behind him.
“I was right! It is him!”
Seok freezes.
His stomach drops. Slowly, he turns his head just enough to see a girl staring at him wide-eyed, her phone already halfway out of her pocket.
He forces a polite smile under his mask.
Please… not tonight.
She rushes up to him. “Can we take a picture? Please? I love you so much!”
His heart pounds—not from excitement, but from nerves.
There’s no security. No manager. Just him.
“I—I’m sorry,” he says gently, taking a small step back. “I really can’t right now.”
He steps back again.
And again.
He doesn’t realize how close he’s getting to the edge of the curb.
A car horn blares.
His heel slips.
For a split second, everything tilts.
Then—
A firm grip wraps around his wrist.
He’s yanked forward sharply, stumbling into someone solid. His shoulder collides with a chest, warm hands steadying him before he can fall.
“Woah! You could’ve gotten run over,” a low voice says, slightly breathless. “Are you okay?”
Seok’s heart is racing so fast it almost hurts.
He looks up.
The stranger is tall, dark hair falling into his eyes, brows slightly furrowed in concern. His hand is still wrapped around Seok’s wrist, fingers warm and steady.
Too steady.
Too close.
“Huh?” Seok blinks, suddenly aware of how close their faces are. “Oh—yeah. I’m okay. I think.”
The stranger doesn’t let go immediately.
“You need to watch where you’re stepping,” he says, glancing toward the road before looking back at him. His expression softens. “Fans can be intense.”
Seok stiffens slightly. “You know who I am?”
The stranger hesitates for half a second.
Then a small, knowing smile appears.
“Yeah,” he admits. “You’re Seok.”
There’s no screaming. No phone in his face. No frantic energy.
Just… calm.
The fan girl seems to have backed off after the commotion, distracted by the traffic and the awkward scene.
Seok barely notices.
His focus is entirely on the guy in front of him.
“Thanks,” Seok mutters quietly. “For pulling me back.”
The stranger finally releases his wrist—but the warmth lingers.
“Name’s Kenny,” he says casually, like saving someone from traffic is just another Tuesday.
“Try not to die on your way home, okay?”
Seok lets out a small, breathless laugh before he can stop himself.
It’s the first genuine laugh he’s had all day.
And for some reason, he has a feeling this
won’t be the last time he sees Kenny.
Seok should leave.
That’s what he tells himself.
He should thank Kenny again, bow politely, and go home before another fan recognizes him. Before this turns into a scene. Before he does something stupid like stare.
But he doesn’t move.
Kenny notices.
“You good?” Kenny asks, tilting his head slightly.
His voice isn’t teasing exactly… but there’s something amused in it.
“Yeah,” Seok answers quickly. Too quickly.
“I just—” He clears his throat. “Thank you. Really.”
Kenny shrugs one shoulder. “You almost became street decoration. I wasn’t going to just watch.”
Seok huffs a soft laugh at that. Street decoration. That’s a new one.
For a moment, they just stand there on the sidewalk. Cars pass. The city hums.
Seok becomes painfully aware that he’s still in disguise, hat low, mask on. Kenny can clearly tell who he is anyway.
“You’re not going to ask for a picture?” Seok blurts out before he can stop himself.
Kenny raises a brow. “Do you want me to?”
“No!” Seok says immediately. Then softer, “I mean… no.”
Kenny studies him for a second—not in a fan way. Not starstruck. Just… observing.
“You look tired,” Kenny says finally.
It’s such a simple statement, but it hits harder than it should.
Seok blinks. “I—”
“You’ve got that look,” Kenny continues.
“Like you’ve been running on caffeine and three hours of sleep.”
Seok feels oddly exposed. Most people see stage Seok. Perfect smile. Sharp moves. Controlled expressions.
Not this version.
Not the version whose legs still feel like jelly from practice.
“It was choreography day,” Seok admits quietly.
Kenny nods like that explains everything.
“That sounds brutal.”
“It is.”
There’s a small pause. Then Kenny glances down the street.
“You heading this way?” he asks.
Seok hesitates. He should say no. He shouldn’t walk around with a stranger.
But… he did just save his life.
“Yeah,” Seok says slowly. “A few blocks.”
“Cool,” Kenny replies casually. “I’ll walk with you. Just in case you decide to throw yourself into traffic again.”
Seok rolls his eyes. “That was one time.”
“Mm-hm.”
They start walking side by side.
At first, there’s space between them. A safe amount. But as they fall into step, it naturally shortens.
Not touching.
Just close enough that Seok is very aware of Kenny’s presence.
It’s… strangely comforting.
“You always walk alone?” Kenny asks after a minute.
“Usually I have a manager,” Seok says.
“Or security if it’s crowded. Tonight was supposed to be quiet.”
Kenny hums. “Guess not.”
Seok glances at him. “You weren’t surprised when that girl recognized me.”
Kenny’s mouth twitches slightly. “You’re hard to miss.”
Even in a hat and mask?
Seok’s heart skips in a way he refuses to examine.
“I don’t mean because you’re famous,” Kenny adds quickly. “You just… stand out.”
Seok looks away, heat creeping up his neck. Good thing the mask hides most of his face.
“You’re not like other fans,” Seok says carefully.
“I’m not really a fan,” Kenny admits.
That makes Seok pause mid-step. “You’re not?”
“I know who you are,” Kenny clarifies. “My sister listens to your group nonstop. I’ve heard your songs against my will.”
Seok snorts softly. “Against your will?”
“Repeated exposure,” Kenny says seriously. “Very traumatic.”
Seok laughs again—fuller this time. It echoes slightly in the night air.
And Kenny smiles.
Not a polite smile.
A real one.
They reach an intersection, the light turning red. They stop. This time, Kenny stands a little closer to the curb than Seok does.
Subtle.
Protective.
“You really should be more careful,” Kenny says, quieter now. “People get weird around celebrities.”
Seok’s chest tightens slightly. “Yeah. I know.”
“You trust people too easily.”
Seok glances at him. “I didn’t trust you.”
Kenny gives him a look.
“You let me walk you home.”
“…That’s different.”
“How?”
Seok opens his mouth—then closes it.
He doesn’t actually know.
The light turns green. They cross.
After a few more steps, Seok speaks again.
“Why did you grab me so fast?” he asks softly.
Kenny doesn’t answer right away.
“Instinct,” he finally says. “You looked like
you were about to fall. I wasn’t going to let that happen.”
Something about the way he says it makes Seok’s stomach flip.
Not dramatic.
Not heroic.
Just simple certainty.
They stop in front of Seok’s apartment building.
“This is me,” Seok says.
There’s an awkward beat.
“Well,” Kenny says, rubbing the back of his neck. “Try not to almost die again.”
Seok smiles behind his mask.
“I’ll do my best.”
Neither of them move.
The air feels heavier now. Charged.
“Hey,” Seok says before he can overthink it. “If you’re not really a fan… why didn’t you ask for anything?”
Kenny looks at him steadily.
“Because you looked like you just wanted to be a person for five minutes,” he says.
“Not an idol.”
The words hit deeper than they should.
Seok swallows.
“Thanks,” he says quietly.
Kenny nods once.
Then he starts to turn away.
And for reasons Seok doesn’t fully understand—
He doesn’t want him to.
“Kenny—wait.”
The word slips out before Seok can stop himself.
Kenny pauses mid-step and turns back around, brows lifting slightly. “Yeah?”
Seok’s heart is beating way too fast for someone who just walked a few blocks. He tightens his grip on the strap of his bag.
“I just…” He hesitates. He doesn’t do this. He doesn’t chase people. “I don’t even have a way to thank you properly.”
Kenny studies him for a second, like he’s trying to figure out what Seok really means.
“You already said thank you,” Kenny replies.
“That’s not what I meant.”
There’s a brief silence.
The streetlights cast a soft glow over
Kenny’s face, and for a second, Seok forgets what he was going to say.
Get it together.
“If you ever want tickets,” Seok blurts out,
“I could get you some.”
Kenny’s expression shifts—something almost suspicious flickers across it.
“Why?”
The question catches Seok off guard.
“Why… what?”
“Why go out of your way for me?” Kenny asks calmly. Not accusing. Just genuinely curious.
Seok opens his mouth, then closes it.
Because you didn’t treat me like a celebrity.
Because you looked at me like I was just… me.
Because I don’t want this to end.
“I owe you,” Seok says instead. It’s safer.
Kenny watches him for another long moment, like he knows that’s not the full answer.
“You don’t owe me anything,” Kenny finally says. “I did what anyone would’ve done.”
Seok almost laughs at that. Anyone would’ve done? No. Most people would’ve frozen. Or pulled out their phones.
“You’re different,” Seok says quietly.
The words hang between them.
Kenny’s jaw tightens slightly. “Different how?”
Seok feels heat creep up his neck again. He’s suddenly very aware of how this sounds.
“Just… different.”
Smooth, Seok. Very smooth.
Kenny exhales through his nose, almost amused. “You don’t even know me.”
“I want to.”
The confession is soft. Honest. And way too real.
Kenny goes still.
The city noise fades into the background for a moment. It’s just the two of them standing under a flickering streetlight, a few feet apart.
“That’s dangerous,” Kenny says quietly.
Seok frowns. “What is?”
“Wanting to know people you just met.”
There’s something in Kenny’s tone now—guarded. Careful.
Seok tilts his head. “You don’t seem like the dangerous type.”
Kenny lets out a short laugh, but it doesn’t fully reach his eyes. “You don’t know that.”
Seok takes a small step closer before he can overthink it.
“You saved me,” he says softly. “That counts for something.”
Kenny looks down at the space between them.
“You trust me too easily,” he murmurs.
“You keep saying that.”
“Because it’s true.”
Another pause.
Then Kenny sighs, like he’s losing an internal argument.
“Fine,” he says. “If you’re really that determined…”
He pulls his phone out of his pocket and holds it up slightly.
Seok’s breath catches.
“Give me your number,” Kenny says. “Not for tickets. Not for idol perks. Just… normal.”
Seok stares at him for half a second, surprised.
“Normal?” he repeats.
“Yeah. No manager. No fans. No stage name. Just Seok.”
Something warm spreads through Seok’s chest at that.
He steps closer, pulling his own phone out. Their fingers brush briefly as they exchange devices.
It’s quick.
But it’s enough.
Seok types his number in, hands Kenny’s phone back, and tries not to look too pleased about it.
Kenny glances at the screen, then at him.
“I’ll text you,” he says.
“You better,” Seok replies before he can stop himself.
Kenny smirks slightly. “You’re kind of bold for someone who almost got taken out by a sedan five minutes ago.”
Seok rolls his eyes. “Are you ever going to let that go?”
“Nope.”
There’s that smile again.
The real one.
Kenny takes a step back this time, creating distance—but not the kind that feels final.
“Get home safe, Seok,” he says.
Not “idol.”
Not “celebrity.”
Just Seok.
“You too,” Seok replies softly.
Kenny turns and starts walking down the street, hands in his pockets.
Seok watches him go.
And right as Kenny reaches the corner—
Seok’s phone buzzes.
He looks down.
Unknown Number:
“Don’t step into traffic tomorrow. I’m not always going to be there to save you.”
Seok smiles to himself.
He types back:
Seok:
“Then maybe you should stick around.”
He hesitates for half a second before hitting send.
Up ahead, Kenny’s phone lights up in his hand.
He stops walking.
And slowly turns around.
The next morning, Seok is running on barely four hours of sleep.
His phone buzzed late into the night—one new contact named Kenny lighting up his screen more than once. Short texts. Dry humor. Nothing dramatic.
Normal.
It felt… nice.
Too nice.
Now he’s back in idol mode. Hoodie up. Mask on. Head down. His manager had to leave early for another schedule, so Seok insisted he could make it to the studio alone. It’s not far.
He should’ve known better.
At first, it’s just whispers.
“Isn’t that him?”
“I think it’s Seok—”
He keeps walking. Calm. Steady. Don’t react.
Then footsteps start matching his pace.
“Seok! Seok, wait!”
His jaw tightens.
He doesn’t turn around.
More footsteps. More voices. Louder now.
“Oppa, just one picture!”
“How can you ignore us?!”
His chest feels tight. This isn’t the excited, respectful fan energy from concerts. This feels different. Closer. Too close.
He speeds up.
They speed up.
A hand grabs at his sleeve.
He jerks away instinctively. “Please don’t touch me,” he says firmly, keeping his voice low.
But that only seems to fuel them.
One girl suddenly rushes in front of him, blocking his path. He barely has time to react before she reaches up—
And presses her lips against his.
Not his cheek.
Not his hand.
His mouth.
For half a second, his brain completely shuts down.
Then everything crashes back in.
He shoves her away immediately, stumbling backward. “What are you doing?!” His voice is sharp now, shaken.
She giggles like it’s funny. Like it’s some cute fan moment.
His stomach twists.
That wasn’t cute.
That wasn’t harmless.
That wasn’t okay.
He wipes his mouth with the back of his sleeve, heart racing, skin crawling. He feels exposed. Violated. Angry.
“Don’t ever do that again,” he snaps, stepping away from her.
Phones are already out. Recording.
Of course they are.
His chest tightens even more.
He doesn’t wait for security. Doesn’t wait for an apology that’s never coming.
He turns and runs.
He hears them calling after him, but he doesn’t look back. He doesn’t stop until he’s a block away, breath coming out uneven, hands shaking.
He ducks into a side alley just to get space. Just to breathe.
His heart is pounding the same way it did last night near the street—but this feels worse.
Last night was an accident.
This was intentional.
He leans against the wall, pulling his mask down for air. His lips still tingle in the worst way. He scrubs at them again like he can erase it.
His phone buzzes in his pocket.
The sudden vibration makes him flinch.
He hesitates before pulling it out.
Kenny.
Kenny:
“You alive today? Or did you fight another car?”
Under any other circumstance, Seok would smile.
Right now, his hands are still shaking.
He stares at the message for a long moment before typing back:
Seok:
“I hate this sometimes.”
The typing bubble appears almost immediately.
Kenny:
“What happened?”
Seok swallows.
He doesn’t usually tell people this stuff. His company always says to stay quiet. Don’t make it bigger. Don’t upset the fandom.
But his chest still feels tight.
Seok:
“A fan crossed a line,”
He pauses. Then adds:
Seok:
“They kissed me.”
There’s a longer pause this time.
The typing bubble disappears.
Then reappears.
Then disappears again.
Finally:
Kenny:
“Are you okay?”
Not what were you wearing.
Not maybe it was an accident.
Just—
Are you okay?
Seok didn’t realize how much he needed that question until now.
He exhales shakily and slides down the wall until he’s crouching, back against the bricks.
Seok:
“No,”
A few seconds later:
Kenny:
“Where are you?”
Seok’s heart skips.
Why does that feel so steady?
So grounding?
For the first time since it happened, the shaking in his hands starts to ease.
Because maybe—
He doesn’t have to deal with this alone
Anymore
Seok was still trying to catch his breath after what just happened.
Kenny was too—hands on his knees for a second before straightening up with a sharp exhale.
“Jesus,” Kenny muttered, running a hand through his hair. “That felt like running a marathon.”
“She literally kissed me,” Seok said, still wide-eyed. “Why would she do that? Is she crazy? A fan has never done that before. Are they nuts?”
He kept pacing, words spilling over each other. “What if someone saw? What if it gets posted somewhere? What if—”
“Seok,” Kenny said calmly. “Relax.”
Seok didn’t.
“She just grabbed me, Kenny! I didn’t even—”
“Seok.”
Still nothing. He kept spiraling, hands moving as fast as his thoughts.
Kenny sighed.
And then he decided on the only way he knew would actually shut him up.
He stepped forward, grabbed Seok lightly by the collar, and pressed his lips against his.
Seok froze immediately.
Eyes widening.
Breath hitching.
For a split second, his mind went completely blank.
And then—oddly—he melted.
His hands, which had been flailing a moment ago, slowly curled into Kenny’s jacket. The tension drained from his shoulders. The frantic energy disappeared like it had never been there.
Kenny pulled back just enough to rest his forehead against Seok’s.
“Better?” he murmured.
Seok blinked.
“…You did that on purpose.”
“You wouldn’t stop talking.”
A beat of silence.
Seok’s cheeks slowly turned pink. “You could’ve just covered my mouth with your hand.”
Kenny smirked faintly. “Where’s the fun in that?”
Seok tried to look annoyed, but it didn’t stick. His grip on Kenny tightened instead.
“What if someone saw?” Seok asked again, but this time his voice was softer. Not panicked. Just worried.
Kenny glanced around the quiet alley they’d ducked into after the chaos. Empty.
“They didn’t,” he said firmly. “And even if they did… I was the one who kissed you.”
Seok’s heart stuttered. “Kenny—”
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Kenny continued, his voice low. “She crossed a line. Not you.”
Seok swallowed. The adrenaline was fading now, leaving behind something warmer. Something heavier.
“…I hated it,” Seok admitted quietly. “When she kissed me.”
Kenny’s jaw tightened slightly. “I know.”
“I only want—”
He stopped himself.
Kenny raised a brow. “Only want what?”
Seok hesitated. His nerves were back, but different this time. Not frantic. Just vulnerable.
“…You.”
The word barely came out above a whisper.
Kenny didn’t tease him this time.
Instead, he leaned in again—slower now, giving Seok time to pull away if he wanted.
He didn’t.
This kiss wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t to stop him from talking. It wasn’t out of impulse.
It was steady.
Intentional.
Seok’s fingers slid up to Kenny’s shoulders as he leaned into him, completely forgetting about the fan, the panic, the noise of everything else.
When they finally parted, Seok was breathless again—but for a very different reason.
“…Okay,” Seok murmured, a small smile tugging at his lips. “That helped.”
Kenny chuckled softly. “Told you.”
In the distance, the city buzzed like nothing had happened.
But right there, in their small, quiet corner of the world, everything felt steady again.
And this time, Seok wasn’t spiraling.
He was exactly where he wanted to be.
Kenny rested his hand at Seok’s waist, thumb brushing lightly against the fabric of his hoodie.
“You good now?” he asked quietly.
Seok nodded, though he didn’t move away. “Yeah… I think so.”
A beat passed.
“…You were kinda scary just now,” Kenny added.
Seok blinked. “Me?”
“You,” Kenny confirmed. “You were about two seconds away from filing a police report, suing the entire fandom, and retiring.”
Seok huffed. “It’s not funny.”
“I know.” Kenny’s teasing faded. “But you don’t have to carry everything alone.”
Seok’s gaze dropped. The adrenaline crash was real now. His body felt heavy, like all the energy he’d used to panic had finally drained out of him.
“I just… I don’t want rumors,” Seok admitted. “One wrong post and suddenly I’m ‘dating a fan’ or ‘leading people on.’ I worked too hard for this.”
Kenny studied him carefully.
There it was.
Not just anger.
Fear.
“You’re allowed to set boundaries,” Kenny said firmly. “Being an idol doesn’t mean people get to do whatever they want.”
Seok looked back up at him. “What if it spreads anyway?”
“Then we handle it,” Kenny replied. “Together.”
That word hung in the air.
Together.
Seok’s lips curved faintly. “You’re suspiciously calm about this.”
Kenny shrugged. “I trust you.”
Seok’s heart skipped. “You didn’t even hesitate when she kissed me.”
“Oh, I hesitated,” Kenny said dryly. “Just internally.”
Seok let out a small laugh for the first time since it happened.
Kenny’s eyes softened at the sound. “I knew you didn’t want it.”
“You could tell?”
“You looked horrified.”
“…Good.”
Another quiet moment settled between them. Not awkward. Just full.
Seok shifted closer without thinking, their shoulders brushing.
“Kenny?”
“Yeah?”
“If… if rumors ever did start…” Seok hesitated. “About me dating someone.”
Kenny’s jaw tightened slightly. “Yeah?”
“…Would you still stay?”
The question wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t loud.
It was honest.
Kenny didn’t answer right away. Instead, he lifted his hand and tilted Seok’s chin up gently so their eyes met.
“I didn’t kiss you to run away later,” he said.
Seok’s breath caught.
“I’m not scared of people talking,” Kenny continued. “I’m only scared of you pushing me away because you think you’re protecting me.”
Seok went still.
He would have done that.
He knows he would have.
“…I wouldn’t,” Seok said softly.
Kenny raised a brow. “Promise?”
Seok nodded. “Promise.”
For a second, they just stood there again, close enough that their breaths mingled in the cold air.
Then Seok’s phone buzzed.
Both of them stiffened.
Seok slowly pulled it out.
A notification.
His management group chat.
He swallowed.
Kenny watched his face carefully. “What?”
Seok read it quickly, then blinked.
“…They’re asking if I’m okay.”
“That’s it?”
“Apparently someone reported a fan causing a scene. Security handled it.”
Kenny exhaled. “Good.”
Seok stared at the screen a moment longer… then locked it.
“They don’t know about the kiss,” he said quietly.
Kenny nodded once. “And they won’t.”
Seok looked at him.
“You’re sure?”
Kenny stepped closer again, brushing their hands together before fully intertwining their fingers.
“I’m right here,” he said simply.
Seok squeezed his hand.
The panic from earlier felt distant now. Like something that happened to someone else.
“…You really just kissed me to shut me up,” Seok muttered.
Kenny smirked. “Worked, didn’t it?”
Seok rolled his eyes—but he was smiling.
“Next time,” Seok said softly, stepping even closer, “just ask.”
Kenny’s brows lifted slightly. “Ask?”
Seok leaned in, their noses brushing.
“For a kiss.”
Kenny didn’t answer with words this time.
He just smiled—slow, knowing—
and closed the distance again.
This time, Kenny didn’t rush it.
He paused just a breath away, close enough that Seok could feel the warmth of him despite the cold air.
“Can I?” Kenny asked quietly.
Seok’s heartbeat kicked up again — but not from panic.
“Yeah,” he breathed.
Kenny kissed him slowly, deliberately. No urgency. No chaos. Just steady warmth. Seok’s fingers curled into the front of Kenny’s jacket again, grounding himself there like he’d found something solid after a storm.
When they pulled apart, Seok let out a soft laugh.
“What?” Kenny asked.
“You actually asked.”
“You told me to.”
Seok smiled, cheeks pink. “Didn’t think you’d listen.”
“I don’t ignore you,” Kenny said simply.
That made Seok go quiet.
The city noise felt farther away now. The earlier incident with the fan was starting to feel like background static instead of something suffocating.
Kenny brushed his thumb over Seok’s knuckles. “You’re still thinking.”
“I always think.”
“Overthink,” Kenny corrected.
Seok sighed. “…What if she posts about it?”
“Then you deny it.”
“And if there’s a blurry photo?”
“Then it’s ‘taken out of context.’”
Seok gave him a look. “You sound like my PR team.”
“I’m better,” Kenny replied. “I actually care.”
Seok’s expression softened at that.
The wind picked up slightly, making Seok shiver. Kenny noticed immediately.
“You’re cold.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re shivering.”
“It’s dramatic effect.”
Kenny snorted and shrugged off his jacket, draping it over Seok’s shoulders before he could protest.
“Kenny—”
“Don’t start.”
Seok huffed but didn’t take it off. It was still warm. Still smelled like him.
“…You got jealous,” Seok said suddenly.
Kenny blinked. “What?”
“You were calm, yeah. But your jaw did that thing.”
“What thing?”
“That tight thing.”
Kenny looked away briefly. “She shouldn’t have touched you.”
There it was.
Not explosive jealousy.
Not anger.
Just protectiveness.
Seok stepped closer again, slipping his hands under Kenny’s hoodie this time, resting them lightly at his waist.
“I didn’t like it,” Seok repeated softly. “I only want you.”
Kenny’s breath hitched — subtle, but there.
“You keep saying stuff like that,” Kenny murmured.
“Like what?”
“Like you’re trying to make my heart malfunction.”
Seok smiled faintly. “Good.”
Kenny shook his head, but he was smiling too now.
After a quiet second, Kenny’s expression shifted slightly — more serious.
“If something like that ever happens again,” he said, “you tell me immediately. You don’t brush it off. You don’t pretend it’s fine for the cameras.”
Seok nodded.
“And if you’re scared,” Kenny added, “you come to me. Not your thoughts.”
Seok let out a small breath. “…Okay.”
Their foreheads rested together again, comfortable in the closeness.
“Let’s go home,” Kenny said softly.
“Mine or yours?”
Kenny raised a brow.
Seok immediately flushed. “I meant— just to hang out!”
“Relax,” Kenny teased. “I know what you meant.”
“Shut up.”
Kenny laughed under his breath, then intertwined their fingers again.
They stepped out of the alley together, back into the glow of the streetlights. The world carried on like usual — cars passing, distant chatter, nothing dramatic.
But Seok felt lighter.
The panic from earlier had been loud and overwhelming.
This felt quiet.
Steady.
As they walked, Seok glanced at their intertwined hands and smiled to himself.
Rumors might come.
Fans might overstep.
Things might get complicated.
But right now?
Kenny was still holding his hand.
And Seok wasn’t spiraling anymore.