CHAPTER 17: Sleepless Hearts and Soft Confessions

As they reached the dorm at 5 p.m., all the members stood up and got off the van—but DK didn't move.

Nian had fallen asleep on his shoulder, her headphones still on. DK sat still, unable to shift. Her head rested against him like a clingy cat, and though his arm had gone numb, he couldn't stop smiling.

Xuanye glanced at them before stepping out of the van, chuckling to herself. DK looked at her in disbelief as she left him behind.

He tried to wake Nian gently, but she only stirred slightly and tightened her hold on his hand, murmuring in her sleep. DK's heart thudded in his chest. He raised his other hand, intending to brush her hair away—but midway, he froze. It felt too personal. Too tender. He let it drop and simply stayed still, waiting for her to wake up.

After half an hour, Nian finally stirred. Her eyes fluttered open as she looked around, surprised to find herself still in the van—and on someone's shoulder.

She quickly sat upright and jumped to the opposite seat.

"DK… what are you doing here?" she asked, flustered.

DK acted cool, folding his arms.

"You were sleeping so loudly I couldn't sleep either. And my arm hurts—you were lying on it the whole time."

Nian blinked. "Really? I did that?"

DK raised a brow and nodded.

Nian clapped her hands joyfully.

"Then my dream came true~"

DK was stunned speechless. She smiled, stood up, and said sweetly,

"Thanks for lending your shoulder," then walked out of the van.

DK sat there alone, his lips trembling slightly, heart doing flips. Her reply had hit him like a lightning bolt. He chuckled to himself and finally got out of the van.

---

Back inside the dorm, the members were all scattered around.

Mingyu was lounging on Scoups' lap, the TV playing quietly. Vernon and Dino were debating what to order for dinner. Jeonghan was cleaning (because it was his turn), while Hoshi was busy annoying Boo.

Wonwoo was in his room playing games. Joshua and Woozi were scribbling lyrics for their next song.

Meanwhile, DK and Minghao were sitting silently on the couch—each lost in their own world.

DK was replaying that moment in the van, a dreamy smile on his face. Minghao, seated beside him, eventually turned to look.

"DK," he asked, tapping his arm. "Why are you smiling like that?"

DK glanced at him, grinning.

"Minghao, come on… don't pretend. We both know what's going on."

Minghao raised a brow. "…You're right, hyung."

He hesitated for a second, then asked, "Do you love her?"

DK placed a hand on his chest, eyes wide with honesty.

"Even now—just hearing her name makes my heart pound."

He turned to Minghao. "And you?"

Minghao blinked. "Me…?"

He thought for a moment, then nodded.

"I think yes, DK."

Suddenly—

"Ohhhhhh~~~" chorused the rest of the members.

DK and Minghao looked around, startled to see everyone gathered around them in a tight circle.

"When did you all get here?!" DK asked.

Jeonghan smirked, imitating him.

"'Even now my heart pounds when I hear her name~' That's when we came in."

Hoshi grinned, eyes vanishing into crescents.

Boo added, "When did you guys fall for them, huh?"

Both DK and Minghao replied in unison, "I don't know."

They looked at each other, surprised, then broke into laughter and shook hands.

Mingyu, Woozi, and Wonwoo sighed dramatically.

"You two act like you don't even know what love is," Mingyu muttered.

Vernon pointed at them. "Then do you three know about love?"

The room fell silent. The trio clammed up immediately, making Scoups burst out laughing.

"Well?" he asked DK. "What are you going to do now?"

DK smiled confidently.

"I'm going to pursue her."

Minghao blinked. "You are?"

DK nodded. "I'll make her mine."

Minghao gave him a thumbs up. "Then I'll make my move too. She's already my fan—it'll be easy."

DK smirked. "Nian is my fan too. But Minghao… being a fan and being a lover are two different things."

Boo, pretending to be wise, nodded like he understood. Everyone looked at him suspiciously.

---

Just then, Nian and Xuanye returned, carrying dinner.

They paused, seeing all the boys huddled together.

"We brought food," Nian said. "What were you guys talking about so seriously?"

Hoshi opened his mouth, "We were talking about how to pursue—"

The others lunged at him like flying pillows, tackling him to the floor.

Joshua stammered, "We were talking about lyrics! Pursuing lyrics."

Woozi was laughing in the corner.

Nian and Xuanye exchanged glances.

"Anyway," Xuanye said, "just come and eat."

The boys gathered at the table. Hoshi, despite being tackled, flashed his signature Horanghae. DK dramatically strangled him, while Boo smacked his backside like a disapproving mom.