How did it even happen? How did he end up liking you

          Yuto wondered for days.

          Of course he had had crushes growing up- everyone did. Girls with pretty hair, boys with pretty eyes- they attracted his attention. But they all faded away so quickly from his mind. They were such simple crushes, and he got over them quickly.

          Not you, though.

          Being Shinwon's close family friend, it was only a matter of time before he introduced you to his brothers in Pentagon. He had brought you around one evening for dinner, and the boys had immediately accepted you with open arms. In no time, you were making easy jokes with them and sharing anecdotes. Of course, Yuto didn't open up as easily just because he was more reserved. But he smiled and nodded and enjoyed your presence. You were pretty, and he thought you were friendly, but there was no real attachment. At least at first.

          But over time, you started to come over more often. You became a common guest, and a close friend to everyone. During promotions, you frequently made food for everyone, and demanded they get enough sleep. You learned of their habits, and fears, and childhood memories. Yuto noticed your caring nature, and your sweet smile. One night, when everyone was making fun of each other, Hyojong brought up the infamous incident of Wooseok, Jinho, and Yuto going into the haunted house during their predebut days. "Yuto is so scared of the dark, and he was terrified of the ghosts," Hyojong laughed, reaching over to pinch Yuto's cheek lovingly. Yuto turned pink, but instead of teasing him too, you chuckled and commented, "Aww, that's so cute." When Hyojong turned his attention elsewhere, you murmured to the boy, "It's okay, Yuto. I don't like scary things either." And in a split second, Yuto felt his heart grow. 

          Of course, this wasn't helped when his birthday came around. Everyone gathered around the table at the dorm, and rushed through a quick rendition of Happy Birthday, knowing he would be too embarrassed if they took too long. But then, you came out of the kitchen, magically carrying three dishes- one with cake, one with seaweed soup, and one with sashimi. Yuto felt his heart jump again, and everyone ate deliciously. Everyone except Hui, that is. Hui later confessed to Yuto that you had spent all day in the kitchen trying to get the sashimi right, and you had made him try so many samples that he had almost been sick and couldn't eat anything for nearly a day afterwards. Yuto blushed and smiled at the ground whenever he thought about it from then on.

          From then on, Yuto couldn't help but notice how cute you were. You were adorable. You were shorter than him (nearly everyone was), so you were at the perfect hugging height (not that he would ever be brave enough to hug you out of the blue). You had the cutest giggle that had his heart racing, and hair that looked so shiny and soft. During the winter season, he saw you with sweater paws for the first time, and you were so cute he could hardly speak or look you in the eye. Another time, all eleven of you squeezed into a karaoke room and sung a bunch of songs for hours. When you sang Pretty Pretty, and rapped along to Yuto's part perfectly, he felt himself fall even further.

          Unfortunately for Yuto, one night Hongseok convinced the rest to watch a horror movie. Yuto wanted to protest, but before he could say anything, he found himself seated next to you, completely tongue tied. He was so close to you, he could see your pink lips, your long eyelashes... but as soon as the lights went out and the creepy music started, his eyes were torn from you. He pulled his legs up to his chest and tried to keep calm. His resolve didn't last long. About halfway through, the movie had the first jumpscare. Yuto cried out softly, and latched onto Hyunggu. At least, he thought it was Hyunggu, until he looked up and realized... it was you. He stiffened, mortified beyond belief, but you quickly wrapped an arm around him and whispered softly, "It's okay... it's okay. I'm here, Adachi." His heart jumped again when you said his last name, but not from fear. He knew he should let go, but he couldn't seem to make himself do it. You held onto him fors the rest of the movie, murmuring to him reassuringly. He had his face buried into your neck, where he could smell your sweet perfume. The scent, along with your words, comforted him and he didn't release your from his grasp once. Afterwards, he felt humiliated and wondered if he should apologize, but you continued to treat him with the same sweetness and consideration.

         It took him six months to realize he was utterly smitten with you.

        He first confessed his feelings for you to Wooseok and Hyunggu one night when they were laying in their beds, not tired enough for sleep yet. Hyunggu whooped with joy and crowed, "I knew there was something going on with you and them!" while Wooseok just looked shocked for several minutes. Finally he asked if Yuto was going to tell you.

          Yuto sighed, and buried his face into his pillow. "I don't know. I don't think I can."

          "What? No, you have to. I'm sure they like you back," Wooseok pressed.

          "I don't think so..."

          "Oh, come on, Yuto! You must know how they treat you," Hyunggu encouraged him.

          Yuto lifted his head, confused. "What do you mean?"

       "Like you're special. Like they care about you. Like they like you, obviously." Hyunggu rolled his eyes at Wooseok, who nodded emphatically in agreement.

          "I don't know guys..."

          Despite his doubts, he began to take their words to heart. Maybe you did treat him differently. Maybe to you, he wasn't just a friend. But every time he got his hopes, he couldn't help but crush them. Surely he was nothing to you. He was just one among many in Pentagon. He was always on the fringes, on the outside it seemed. He was the young member who was afraid of ghosts and the dark. He was the one who was afraid of confessing to you. He was nothing but a coward. He was a loser, a fool. He was an outsider.

          But he couldn't let you go either.

          He felt his first real heartache when you went on a date. You appeared at the dorm, to make dinner for the boys, and Yuto noticed- of course he noticed- your carefully done hair, your jewelry, and the scent of your perfume. You had a bright smile. He felt his heart swell and he smiled shyly- until Shinwon asked what the occasion was.

          "I have a date tonight," you explained, grinning as Shinwon 'oooh'ed and asked who the lucky person was. You described them nonchalantly as you heated the oven, and Yuto felt a piece of his heart chip away.

          Don't date someone else. Don't do that. You'll break my heart.

          Your date came to the door to pick you up soon after, and he watched you leave, he felt a sliver of jealousy in his mind. He tried to distract himself, but every minute that passed, he was imagining how your date was going. Were they making you laugh? Were you holding their hand? Would they walk you home, and at the doorway, would they stop and lean down to your lips to kiss-

          He couldn't even bear to think about it.

         He was snapped out of his thoughts hours later when he heard the door close. You came back from your date. He wasn't sure why you were over at the dorm, instead of your own home, but seeing you somehow made him feel happier anyways- just looking at you made him smile and gave him the courage to quietly ask you, "How did it go?"

          You jumped- you hadn't seen him. "Oh, Yuto. You scared me."

          "Sorry," he said immediately, in his low voice.

          "It's alright." You sighed, and sat down next to him, taking your shoes off. "It was okay. It went nicely, but I don't think I'll be going out with them again."

          Something like an electric current seem to run through Yuto's chest. "Why not?" It was all he could do to keep the joy out of his voice.

          "They're nice, but..." You shrugged. "They're not the right person for me. I though I might be interested, but I'm not really. I'll let them down easy tomorrow."

          "Oh." Yuto was silent for a second. "Don't take this the wrong way, but why are you here, and not at home?"

          "Well, I was a little lonely after tonight. I was hoping I could crash on the couch. You think that's okay?"

          "Hui would be the one to ask, he-" Yuto stopped as soon as he saw your sad smile. He swallowed dryly. "Y-yes, uh yes. Yes. Of course you can stay, no problem." He turned to leave, but stopped and turned back, hardly able to believe his bravery. "Y-you said you weren't interested in them. Is there someone you are interested in?"

          "Yes." Yuto kept a neutral expression, but inside his brain was buzzing with a mixture of panic and curiosity. "I've had my eye on someone for a while. I'm just waiting to see if they like me back." With that, you lay down on the couch, and he took that as his signal to leave.

          You couldn't possibly mean him, right? Maybe... he could allow himself to hope. Maybe he had a chance.

          No. No way. You were like a deep rooted tree, like a beautiful flower made by God. You were too perfect. He didn't deserve you. There was no way you saw anything in him. He was just a loser, a coward who didn't have the courage to tell you his feelings. Disgusted with himself, he went to bed.

          From then on, Yuto decided he would have to be happy having you as a friend. He couldn't bear to drive you away by confessing. So long as you didn't disappear, so long as you didn't change, he could manage.

          At least, he tried. He tried to maintain face around you, but he knew he was coming off a little cold. Hyunggu and Wooseok never brought anything up, but often threw him questioning glances when they saw you two standing or sitting close by. He began moving away, physically and emotionally, over time, till you eventually asked him, "Yuto, are you okay?"

          "Yes, why wouldn't I be?" he replied stiffly.

          "I don't know, I just... I thought I might have offended you..." you said, but Yuto's short "No," did nothing to reassure you. Hurt, you walked away, and Yuto didn't miss the look on your face.

          Stupid. Stupid. Stupid! Yuto spent the rest of the night in his room, wanting to bang his head against the wall. He'd tried to be your friend, and all he had done was make you feel like you'd done something wrong. He'd tried so hard, but he had to admit, he still liked you, a lot. He could never just be your friend, not when the sight of you made his heart pound so much he was sure you could hear it. All he could think about was you, and yet, like a discouraged child, he still couldn't confess. He knew you would laugh at him, surely. But... he couldn't take it anymore. Yuto knew it would drive him to madness if he never did anything. The question haunted him all night, and he tossed and turned, until the sun rose. When the clock struck 9am, a new chord was struck in him as well, and he sat up, full of determination. He took out his phone, and texted you, something he didn't do much. Do you have time today?

          You responded quickly. Yes, I do. Do you need something?

         Can you meet me at the park by the dorms today? Around ten?

         Sure thing.

          Mind buzzing with adrenaline, Yuto got up and got ready with a fervor. He picked out a shirt of your favorite color, and sprayed on cologne. The other members were still asleep (it was one of their rare days off) and Yuto knew he would have to make the most of it. The park by the dorms was really beautiful; there were pathways lined with flowers, and a garden, and a children's playground next to a clear pond. It was perfect. He left without saying anything to anyone, and picked out a beautiful bouquet of flowers from a local store, tied together with a bow. He made his way to the park, and sat on the bench in the garden, waiting for you. You appeared shortly afterwards, walking towards him.

          It's now or never. Yuto set the flowers down surreptitiously, and waited for you.

          "Hi, Yuto," you greeted him cheerfully. You sounded the same as any other day, but he could tell you were still hurt. He wanted to take away all your worries, but for some reason, it seemed as though his mouth wasn't working. He stared at you for a second. "Yuto?"

          "U-uh, yes." His voice was quiet, and his mouth felt dry. He had never felt this nervous before in his life. He swallowed, and sat down on the bench, and you followed suit. "How are you doing?"

          You looked a little puzzled. "I'm doing just fine. You?"

          He breathed a short laugh. "I'm good, too." He paused. "I have s-something I want to tell you." 

          His hands were shaking, but he gently reached over and took one of your hands in his. "H-how do I say this? I, sort of um... from a long time ago, I've li-li-liked you always." He looked down, and when he looked up, your cheeks were pink, and the hand he wasn't holding was covering your mouth in shock. Feeling hopeful, he kept going. "I'm sorry. It took me months to say anything- I knew I was just a loser, but I was a loser who liked you- a loser who loves you. Even though I couldn't say something, I kept you in my heart the whole time."

          It was as though the months of internal turmoil, all the time when he had said nothing built up, and now somehow his feelings were being poured out in front of you, in eloquent words. He turned to face you more fully, now holding you hand in both of his, with an earnest look on his face. "Please. Listen to my heart. You've become part of all my memories- even looking at you gives me strength. I don't want to have to be apart from you again. I want to walk with you from now on. You're the only one i want in this world. I-I love you."

          He felt his heart sink when you giggled. But you quickly removed the hand over your mouth, revealing a bright smile, and whispered, "You're so cute, Yuto."

          It was the last thing he expected to hear. His ears burned red. Before he could speak, you beat him to it.

          "I've liked you for a really long time too. I like- I love you, Yuto. I've liked you since- since day one. I can't believe you actually confessed- I thought that you didn't like me at all." You blushed, still smiling widely, and ducked your head.

          In that moment, Yuto felt his heart soar. "Then- can we start dating? I'm sorry- I promise I'll never make you think twice again. I'll show you how I feel all the time from now on."

          "Yes, of course!" You accepted, and Yuto immediately embraced you. You were surprised that he no longer seemed shy, but you instantly wrapped your arms around him as well, holding him tightly. "Yuto, I love you," you whispered, and Yuto gave the most adorable laugh you'd ever heard in your entire life.

          "I could listen to you say that forever." He pulled away, and you saw how happily he was smiling. You'd seen him smile at s before, but this was the first time it was directed at you, and with such love glowing in his eyes. Suddenly, he scooted in closer, and said in his deep voice that sent shivers down your spine, "Can I try something?"

          It was your turn to be nervous. "Yes."

          "Close your eyes," he whispered. You closed your eyes, and felt his large hand gently cuping your cheek. His other hand moved to the banck of your head Your heart stuttered as your felt warm, soft lips on your own. You moved your hands from your lap to his shoulders, pulling him impossibly closer, and kissed him back. Finally. After months of pining, finally he was yours, and you were his. He didn't stop there, though; he kissed you several more times, slowly and sensually, like he never wanted to let you go. It was you had to pull away for a breath, cheeks red and flustered. Yuto laughed again. "You're so cute."

          Your cheeks burned. You were used to quiet Yuto- hearing his more affectionate side was almost too much, too good to be true. You would never stop loving it, though.

          Yuto suddenly remembered. "Oh yeah, these are for you." He picked up the flowers laying by his side and handed them to you. They were beautiful, and their fragrance was sweet. "Thank you!" you exclaimed,  wondering if it was possible to fall even more in love with him.

          After talking with him for a little longer, you walked around the garden (you picked a flower and put it behind his ear, and laughed when he got adorably embarrassed). It was the start of your beautiful relationship.

 

 

AN: hello the ending is ty but uh it's 4:20 am (ayy lmao) and i gotta be up by 9am so i'll edit this later