Another week passed quickly as you got even closer to the others and learned all their weird habits and quirks. At the same time, you found yourself getting closer to Daehyun specifically. Something about his looks, his smile, it just drew you to him. You couldn’t be sure if he felt the same, but you kept making lots of food for him in order to try and win his heart in return.

However, you could not do this without feeding all of BAP because you didn’t want it to be obvious. You didn’t care about being obvious with Daehyun, but Himchan was a force to be reckoned with. He could be downright frightening sometimes. If he found out you were trying to break the no-dating rule, especially with one of his best friends, it would not end well at all. So if this were to happen, you had to be secretive about it.

Due to this large amount of food being used on feeding all of them, the supply was getting pretty low so you decided to go get groceries. “I’m heading out!” You called as you put your shoes on.

“Wait, what? Where are you going?” Himchan asked.

“Just to get groceries. No big deal,” you chuckled at his concerned expression.

“I don’t like it. You shouldn’t go alone.”

“Why not? There’s nothing after me. Are you afraid a vampire will come snatch me off the streets or something? It’s bright daylight out. Nothing will happen.”

“Don’t joke like that,” he scolded. “Kidnapping is a serious thing.”

“Yeah yeah,” you rolled your eyes. “But I’m going now anyway.”

“No, wait. I want someone to go with you.”

“Fine, if you're that concerned. Hurry up and get ready,” you huffed.

“Well,” he bit his lip in hesitation. It was unusual for your brother to be indecisive like this. He glanced back to his bedroom, and then it all clicked in your head.

“Ah, I see,” you chuckled. “Well I’ll leave you two be then.”

“No, I still don’t-” Himchan started, but was interrupted by the front door opening to reveal four grinning and obnoxious boys.

“Hey hyung,” they said and filed in the apartment. “We were bored and just decided to hang out.”

“Oh, actually _____-ah was just leaving to get some food. Do you want to accompany her?” Himchan asked.

They looked at you, before grinning. “Sure! It’ll be fun!” Junhong exclaimed excitedly.

“Okay.” You shrugged so the five of you left Himchan and walked cheerily along the sidewalk on the bright and sunny day. The boys managed to crack you up easily as Youngjae pointed out a flower and said its long, sciency name and Jongup started breakdancing to some music playing nearby before getting embarrassed and Junhong was just his cute self while Daehyun just kept beaming, his eyes reflecting happiness.

A part of you wished that walk could have lasted forever since it was so pleasant. But, then something interesting, and amusing on your part, happened. A young man, probably around your age, had the guts to approach your group with smile.

“Uh, hi,” you gave a smile. “Do I know you?”

“No, but I’ve seen you around. ______, right?” His attitude was welcoming and friendly.

Jongup gave Junhong a confused look of what was going on as the others didn’t know how to react to this situation. “Yes, that’s me,” you replied. “How do you know?”

“You know Minsung, from your graduating class? I’m her older brother. We’re only a year apart.”

“Oh! Jinsoo is it? I’ve heard about you, but we never met.”

“No we didn’t. I saw you sometimes though. I heard you were going to the University of Seoul this upcoming semester, right? I go there now.”

“Really? That’s good. I’ve heard a lot of good things about it,” you nodded.

“It’s a good place. I was thinking, to help you out, that maybe I could show you around campus sometime? It can be confusing when you first start.”

“I’d lik-”

Youngjae stepped in front of you, blocking Jinsoo from you. “Yah, she doesn’t want a boyfriend right now.”

“Youngjae-” you started, but was cut off by Jongup, who finally figured the situation out.

“Her brother would beat you up on the spot right now if he were here and we’re acting in his place right now, accompanying her.”

You opened your mouth to protest, but the silently furious Daehyun took a protective stance next to Youngjae, and even Junhong-your innocent, cheery, Junhong-said, “I’d suggest you scram before this gets ugly.”

Jinsoo seemed overwhelmed by this sudden onset of forces, and immediately backed off. “I didn’t mean anything! Just trying to be helpful, geez.”

“Yeah, helpful my a-”

“Youngjae!” You scolded. ‘I CAN take care of myself!”

“Well after a tour of the campus, it’s the local eating places, then the cutesy shops, then the dorms and then his own bedroom,” Daehyun growled.

You gasped. “Daehyun-”

“Just stop arguing,” Jongup interjected. He looked back to Jinsoo. “Just go.”

He looked between you and then the four overly protective guys, before shaking his head. “I guess I’ll see you later...maybe,” he addressed you before turning around and leaving.

Once he was a certain distance away, they relaxed and turned back to your furious expression. “What was that for? He was just being nice!”

“No, he’s was making moves on you. People don’t try to be super friendly to their sister’s classmate unless they want something. No more talking, let’s go to the store,” Daehyun said rather coldly and took your hand to pull you ahead before you could argue the point.

“It’s okay noona,” Junhong gave a smile. “You can’t date anyway.”

You huffed, but let it drop as the maknae line try to get you to smile again before you made it to the store. Once there, you took out your long list and started reading off of it what you needed. As you listed the items, Jongup dashed off to get something. “Yah! Jongup-ah, don’t just run off like that!” Youngjae scolded and chased after the teen.

“Come on noona, let’s go find some yummy food,” Junhong took your hand and began moving you along.

“Wait, we need a cart,” you protested.

“Daehyun-hyung can get one,” Junhong grinned and you couldn’t help but go along with it as you reached the meat counter. “What do we need here?” Junhong asked, looking at all the packages of meat while you checked the list before telling him.so he grabbed it and held it in one hand as the other held yours. You saw Youngjae and Jongup returning with some fruit, but had to do a double-take. Did Jongup have a watermelon on his head?! Once he was close enough you saw that he did, in fact, have a watermelon on his head.

“Where can I put this? It’s heavy,” Jongup asked with adorable puppy-dog-eyes.

“Um...Daehyun was supposed to get us a cart,” Junhong looked around.

“I got one,” Daehyun muttered from behind you, making you jump slightly before everyone set their things in it.

You all continued shopping cheerily, Jongup coming up to you holding a candy and asking with puppy eyes if you’d buy it, which of course you laughed and agreed. That sent Youngjae into a be healthy rant, making you laugh even more. Junhong pointed out another candy and you shrieked with delight before running over and picking it up, squealing with delight with Junhong. Daehyun was just left to hold the basket of food, scowling and silent which seemed strange to you, but you were too distracted to do anything.

Then you noticed something and grabbed Junhong’s arm. “Where did you get these bruises?” You questioned.

“Oh, those are from skateboarding,” he said quietly.

“Well be more careful!” You exclaimed with a smile and ruffled his hair.

He smiled back, happy you weren’t mad at him, and promised, “I will.”

The five of you continued shopping and just as you were almost finished, you saw something else that caught your attention. “Yah, Jongup! Where did you get those bruises!? You don’t skateboard!” You gestured to the bruises on his upper arm that were strikingly similar to Junhong’s.

“Ah, um...” He stuttered in reply before his phone went off, saving him from replying. After listening to the urgent voice, he paled. “Oh, yeh hyung. We’ll be right there.” He hung up and looked to the others with big eyes. “Big Castle is in trouble, we need to go now.”

The others stiffened and didn’t try to hide their shock and worry, before taking off wordlessly with Jongup. What the heck just happened!? You thought angrily. Now I’m all alone to get all this home. What could be so important that they completely abandon me without a word like that!? What are they hid-

Your rant was interrupted by Daehyun’s voice. “I’ll watch over you,” he said rather coldly.

“Good I’m not alone!” The words slipped out of your mouth in relief. “But really, what was that about?”

Daehyun shrugged, but you got the sense that he know perfectly well what was going on. “Do we have everything we need?” He changed the topics, once again in a rather cold tone.

“Um,” you checked the list before looking up at Daehyun, “We just need a few more things then I suppose we could get lunch after if you want.”

“Sure, kaja,” Daehyun said and you noted the much lighter tone in his voice.Yup, food was the definite way to Daehyun’s heart. The two of you kept walking around, grabbing things off the list until you were finally finished and able to check out before heading back to the apartment. This time the walk was peaceful as the two of you carried the bags of food. Daehyun had taken more than you had since he said it would be too heavy for you to carry so much, yet he himself seemed to be having troubles (not that he’d admit that).

The two of you made quick work of putting your purchases away before you turned to him, “Thanks for your help.”

“No problem, so how about we go get some lunch like you mentioned earlier?”

“I’d like that,” you couldn’t help but smile as you said the words and Daehyun smiles back at you. You do your best not to stare at him, his smile is just so...stunning. The thought is interrupted as he speaks.

“I know a great place we can go to.”

“Lead the way then,” you said as you let, locking the apartment door behind you. It isn’t long before you’re standing on the crowded street and following Daehyun, trying not to get separated as you go. Noticing this, Daehyun takes your hand as the two of you continue along to wherever he’s taking you. “Are we almost there?” You can’t help but ask.

“Yup, it’s just up ahead now,” Daehyun’s voice is filled with excitement as he keeps guiding you along. You craned your neck to see over the crowd to see where you could be going. You stared in awe at the sight of a small restaurant beside a park, sure it wasn’t much, but you couldn’t help but marvel at it. “They have lots of good food here, especially the cheesecake!” Daehyun tells you as you reach the small building. You take his word for it as you look the menu over, still holding hands with Daehyun, who is now giving you suggestions. After thinking it over you settle on a burger and some cheesecake and Daehyun opts for the same.

For such a small place the order is given to you quickly so the two of you settle down in the shade of a tree. “You know there are tables over there, right?” Daehyun gestures with his wrapped up burger.

“Yeah, but this is nicer; there’s a nice view and it’s shady,” you explain as you started unwrapping your burger while sitting in the grass. There’s a slight breeze that kept the two of you cool even though it’s not that hot of a day. You bit into your burger and couldn’t help but make a delighted sound. Daehyun was right, this was delicious. Out of the corner of your eye you saw Daehyun chuckling at you even though his mouth was full of food. You ignored him and kept eating the burger before settling back for a moment to let the food settle so you could fully enjoy dessert.

“You ate that fast,” Daehyun commented beside you. All you can do is nod, because you really didn’t know what to say. “Just wait for the cheesecake, it’s perfect. In fact, none of the others know about how amazing this place is. It’s kind of my secret.”

“Chicha? Then why are you sharing it with me?”

Daehyun was silent for a moment before saying, “No reason.”

You gave him a suspicious look, that got completely ignored. After a moment, you concluded that there was only one thing to be done. “Daehyun~” You used your best aegyo voice.

“It won’t work,” he shook his head and covered his ears.

Smirking, you moved in front of him and began pouting and attempting to be cute...not that it appeared to be working. Clearly, watching Himchan’s aegyo over the years hadn’t paid off. You reached out for your cheesecake and were about to eat it before Plan B came to mind. “Daehyunnie~” You used the nickname you’d heard Youngjae and Himchan use once or twice before, but Daehyun was still covering his ears so you moved the food around in front of him until he removed his hands.

“What are you doing now? Food seduction?”

“If that’s what you want to call it, sure. I want to make you a deal.”

“A deal?” He raised his eyebrow. You had his attention now.

“Yup! The cheesecake will be yours if you tell me what you’re hiding.”

“I’m not hiding anything.”

“Daehyunnie,” you say doubtfully.

“No deal!” He shook his head, and your eyes widened in surprise. He’d just turned down his secret cheesecake?!

“Wae?”

“I’m not supposed to tell you!” He blurted out before smacking a hand over his mouth.

You blinked at him. Clearly, the two of you were on different pages now. “You can’t tell me why you’re sharing your secret cheesecake place with me?”

He lowered his hand and opened his mouth as if to speak, only to end up shutting it and thinking. “Oh,” he said after a moment, clearly figuring out whatever he’d been thinking about wasn’t what you’d been referring to.

“‘Oh’ does not answer my question,” you rolled your eyes.

“Well, do we still have that deal?”

“Hmm...I suppose,” you agreed since you were curious.

“Alright, hand it over then,” he held out his hand for it.

“Yah, not until you tell me! I’m not stupid; you’d just take the cheesecake and eat it without telling me,” you exclaimed.

“You spent too many years with Himchan it seems, but fine, just swear you’ll follow through?” He asked and you could sense a serious, almost pleading, tone in his voice.

“Cross my heart,” you made the motion.

“Alright,” he took a deep breath, “I really don’t have a better way to say it so I’m just going to say it. I know we haven’t known each other long, but, well, I heard some stories from Himchan before you came to live with us and I thought you sounded like a really nice person, which you are. The thing is that you’re Himchan’s little sister and he told us not to date you, so I told myself I wouldn’t because he’s my hyung and I don’t want to get on his bad side, but when I saw you....” He trailed off with uncertainty.

“When you saw me...?” You gently pressed for more as your heart pounded in your chest. Your mind wandered in a matter of seconds, what was he leading up to? Could he be confessing? He remained silent so you took a forkful of cheesecake and held it out to him. He glanced at you then at the food before eating it.

“Well, I thought you were beautiful, stunning even. I didn’t know how I could resist you, but I tried for Himchan-hyung. You just kept coming to mind all the time when I tried to think about other things and all the times we were together with the others I saw all the little things about you and you were beyond wonderful. I’m sure this all sounds nuts, but it’s the truth! I can’t hide it anymore since it drives me crazy to keep quiet when I see you playing with Junhong and ignoring me. I wanted to be that way with you because...I like you ___________-ah!” He spoke the last few words quickly since he wouldn’t have been able to say them otherwise.

You sat there stunned; he really did confess to you. You had to resist the urge to pinch yourself to check if this was a dream. Just do not freak out, you told yourself even though the butterflies in your stomach were flying around at a million miles an hour while your heart hammered in your chest. You were aware Daehyun was looking at you, waiting for you to say something, but what could you say without sounding crazy? Wait, how long have you been silent?

You saw his face fall as he seemed to start moving away from you. Stop him, stop him now! You yelled at yourself and without thinking practically lunged forward and wrapped your arms around his midsection. Your move made him stiffen in surprise for a brief second. “Me too Daehyun-oppa. I like you too,” you admitted. At your words, you felt his arms wrap around you, although he said nothing more as he held you close to him.

After what seemed like forever, he murmured, with happiness in his voice, “That’s the first time you’ve called me oppa.”

“Well it’s what you call boyfriends if I’m correct,” you looked up and grinned at him.

“Yes, but what about Himchan?” He asked, concerned. “Neither of us would ever want to get in trouble with him.”

You shrugged. “It’s not my first time I’ve had a secret boyfriend. It’ll be harder with you being such a close friend of his, but we’ll manage. I want to see where we can take this.”

His priceless smile returned as he kissed your forehead. “And that is one of the reasons I like you.”

You snuggled closer against his chest and the two of you spent the rest of the afternoon lazily spending time together while eating cheesecake.