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1. The Practice Room Attempt (a.k.a. The Disaster of Attempt #1)
Lee Know had rehearsed the line in his head at least thirty times.
“Jisung, I like you.”
Simple. Direct. Efficient. Very him.
He even practiced saying it in the mirror that morning, only to immediately cringe at himself and threaten to kick his own reflection.
But now, standing in the practice room doorway, watching Han Jisung dramatically collapse on the floor after finishing a rap verse, Lee Know felt the words evaporate like they’d never existed.
“Hyung,” Jisung wheezed, sprawled like a starfish. “If I die, tell my mom I went out doing what I loved.”
“You went out complaining,” Lee Know said, stepping over him.
Jisung blinked up at him, sweaty and adorable in the most annoying way possible. “You came to check on me? That’s so sweet.”
Lee Know’s heart did a weird flip. “Don’t flatter yourself. I came to tell you—”
This is it. Just say it. Say it.
“—that your form is terrible.”
Jisung gasped like he’d been shot. “My form?! Hyung, I’m giving my soul to this choreography!”
“Your soul needs rhythm.”
Jisung sat up, pouting. “You’re so mean to me.”
Lee Know opened his mouth. Now. Say it now.
“I—”
Jisung suddenly brightened. “Oh! Can you watch my verse again? I think I’m getting the timing right.”
And just like that, the moment was gone.
Lee Know sighed.
Attempt #1: failed. Miserably.
2. The Dorm Kitchen Attempt (a.k.a. The Attempt Ruined by Cheese)
Lee Know was chopping vegetables.
Jisung was hovering behind him like a clingy cat. “Hyung, can I taste that?”
“No.”
“Hyung, can I taste that?”
“No.”
“Hyung—”
Lee Know shoved a piece of carrot into Jisung’s mouth just to shut him up. Jisung lit up like he’d been given a Michelin‑star meal.
“You’re the best,” he said around the carrot, smiling so wide his eyes disappeared.
Lee Know’s chest tightened. Okay. This is a good moment. Just say it casually. Like you’re talking about the weather.
“Jisung,” he began, “I like—”
“CHEESE!” Jisung yelled suddenly, pointing at the fridge.
Lee Know froze. “What.”
“I forgot I bought cheese yesterday! Hyung, move, I need to get it before Changbin eats it.”
Lee Know stepped aside, dead inside.
Jisung opened the fridge, humming happily. “Hyung, do you want some? We can share.”
We can share.
Why did that sound romantic coming from him?
Lee Know swallowed. “I don’t want cheese. I want—”
“Wait, this isn’t my cheese,” Jisung said, frowning. “This is Seungmin’s. I’m gonna get murdered.”
Lee Know put the knife down.
Attempt #2: ruined by dairy.
3. The Car Ride Attempt (a.k.a. The Attempt Sabotaged by Jisung’s Playlist)
They were in the van, heading back from a schedule. Everyone else was asleep. Jisung had one earbud in, head leaning against the window, humming softly.
Lee Know stared at him. This is perfect. Quiet. Private. No cheese. He cleared his throat. “Jisung.”
Jisung pulled out his earbud. “Yeah?”
“I need to tell you something.”
Jisung blinked, suddenly attentive. “Are you okay? Did something happen? Did someone annoy you? Was it Changbin? It was Changbin, wasn’t it—”
“No. It’s not about Changbin.”
“Oh. Then what is it?”
Lee Know inhaled. Just say it. Three words. Easy.
“I like—”
Jisung shoved the earbud into his hand. “Hyung, listen to this part. The harmony is insane.”
Lee Know stared at the earbud like it had personally betrayed him.
Jisung leaned closer, eyes sparkling. “Isn’t it good?”
Lee Know listened. It was good. But that wasn’t the point.
Attempt #3: destroyed by Jisung’s questionable playlist timing.
4. The Dance Studio Attempt (a.k.a. The Attempt Interrupted by Felix)
Lee Know had cornered Jisung in the dance studio. Literally cornered him. Jisung was backed up against the mirror, blinking rapidly.
“Hyung… why do you look like you’re about to interrogate me?”
“I need to tell you something,” Lee Know said, determined.
“Okay…?”
Lee Know took a breath. “I like—”
The door burst open.
“HEY GUYS!” Felix yelled, skipping in with a bag of brownies. “I baked!”
Jisung lit up. “BROWNIES!”
Lee Know closed his eyes. “Felix.”
Felix froze. “Oh. Were you guys… talking?”
“Yes,” Lee Know said.
“No,” Jisung said at the same time.
Felix blinked. “Should I… leave?”
“Yes,” Lee Know said.
“No,” Jisung said.
Felix looked between them, confused. “I’ll… put the brownies here.”
He set them down and fled.
Jisung immediately grabbed one. “Hyung, try this, it’s so good.”
Lee Know stared at him, defeated.
Attempt #4: ruined by baked goods and Felix’s sunshine energy.
5. The Late‑Night Attempt (a.k.a. The Attempt Sabotaged by Jisung’s Face)
It was 2 a.m. The dorm was quiet. Jisung was lying on the couch, scrolling on his phone. Lee Know sat beside him, pretending to watch the TV.
“Hyung,” Jisung said suddenly, “why are you staring at me?”
Lee Know jolted. “I’m not.”
“You are.”
“I’m not.”
“You’re literally doing it right now.”
Lee Know exhaled. Fine. This is it. No interruptions. No cheese. No Felix. No music. Just say it. “Jisung,” he said softly.
Jisung turned to him, eyes warm and sleepy. “Yeah?”
“I like—”
Jisung smiled. Soft. Sweet. Devastating. “Hyung, you’re being weird today.”
Lee Know’s brain short‑circuited. “I’m not being weird.”
“You are. But it’s cute.”
Cute.
CUTE.
Lee Know’s heart combusted.
Attempt #5: ruined by Jisung’s stupid, adorable, unfair face.
+1. The One Time Lee Know Actually Did It
It happened the next morning.
Jisung stumbled into the kitchen, hair a mess, wearing a hoodie three sizes too big. “Hyung… coffee…”
Lee Know handed him a mug without a word.
Jisung took a sip and sighed happily. “You’re the best.”
Lee Know stared at him.
Something inside him snapped.
Five attempts. Five failures. Zero progress.
He was done. “Jisung,” he said.
Jisung looked up, still half-asleep. “Mm?”
Lee Know stepped forward, grabbed the front of his hoodie, and kissed him.
It wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t even that long. But it was warm. And soft. And Jisung made a tiny surprised noise that went straight to Lee Know’s knees.
When Lee Know pulled back, Jisung blinked at him, stunned.
“Hyung,” he whispered, “did you just—”
“Yes,” Lee Know said.
“Why?”
Lee Know crossed his arms. “Because you’re oblivious.”
Jisung blinked again. Then again. Then—
“Oh,” he breathed. “OH. Wait. Hyung. Do you… like me?”
Lee Know stared at him. “I kissed you.”
“Yeah but—”
“I tried to confess five times.”
“FIVE?! When?!”
Lee Know groaned. “Never mind.”
Jisung suddenly grabbed his hand. “No—wait—hyung—do it again.”
Lee Know froze. “What?”
Jisung’s ears were red. “The kiss. Do it again.”
Lee Know’s heart did a full somersault. “You want me to kiss you.”
“Yes,” Jisung said, tugging him closer. “Please.”
Lee Know didn’t need to be told twice.
This kiss was longer. Deeper. Jisung melted into him, hands clutching his hoodie like he never wanted to let go. When they finally pulled apart, Jisung grinned.
“Hyung… you should’ve confessed earlier.”
Lee Know glared. “I TRIED.”
Jisung laughed, leaning his forehead against Lee Know’s. “Then I guess you’ll just have to make up for lost time.”
Lee Know smirked. “Gladly.”
And he kissed him again.