SONG REC: "CALL ME BABY" - EXO

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"Jisung, I can't do this," Lee Know mumbled nervously as he paced his room.

"Yes, you can, big boy. You murdered like three people without blinking last week; you can tell this girl you're sorry."

"Right. I am Lee Know, leader of Stray Kids, survivor of a horrible past, killer of many. I can apologize to Yun–" His voice cracked at the end, and he cleared his throat. "Kim Yun-Yeong. Yes."

Han rolled his eyes. "Just go already. I'm gonna take a nap, wake me up when you're back." He proceeded to get comfortable on Lee Know's bed.

Lee Know walked to Yun's door, mentally preparing himself to apologize. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on her door gently. Anxiety filled him as he waited. Forgive me, Yun, I'm sorry–

"Come in!" her smooth voice called.

He opened the door and found Yun on her bed, wearing one of his old t-shirts that she cut shorter into a crop top. He noticed that she covered her stomach with her arm.

"What do you want?" she asked bitterly.

"To apologize. I'm sorry." He placed the gifts on the end of her bed, gauging her reaction. She hardly blinked.

"Mmmm," she hummed. "No, I really don't forgive you."

Flustered, he stuttered, "I...I'm sorry, Yun," as if he had never felt sorry before. Probably because he never had.

"And why should I forgive you? Just because you feel bad?" She raised a single brow. "Apologize for the shit you did, not because you're feeling guilty. Actually, apologize for the shit you did and for how I'm feeling."

"Yun, I...I'll do anything to get you to forgive me. I know what I did was wrong, inappropriate, rude, and I just want–" He paused. "I just want you to trust me."

"I do trust you. That doesn't mean you're forgiven."

He stepped closer to her, and instinctively, Yun leaned in. "Do you want me to beg? Yun, if you want me to beg, just say so, and I'll be on my knees."

She startled before regaining composure. And then, she smirked. "Beg for my forgiveness in front of all of the members, and then I'll think about it."

He smirked right back at her, and she shrunk back.

"Yes, ma'am," he said slowly. "Anything for you."

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Dinner came quickly. Yun decided to arrive a little late so that Lee Know would already be there when she came out.

When she walked out, Lee Know was staring at her with a small smile on his face. Standing, the members gaped as he walked over slowly, the room completely silent.

He stood in front of her and she tilted her head. He sent her another sultry smile before getting down on his knees.

"I'm sorry for what I said to you yesterday. I should've never commented on your body, and I know it was wrong. You're a very important member of this gang and we'd be a lot worse without you. You're not just your body, and the reason we all like you so much is because of who you are. I said shitty things yesterday, and I know I should've known better than to create a scene and comment on anybody's body, especially when I'm insecure about mine as well. I'm sorry."

Yun smirked, waiting a few seconds to make him squirm. The smirk on his face fell off as she stayed soundless. Finally she said, "I forgive you. Now get up, you're embarrassing me." She walked past his kneeling form and sat down between Felix and Han, refusing to look back.

She could hear him standing up and walking into his room. The whole table was frozen until they heard his door shut. When the lock clicked, all the members began talking at the same time, a few even congratulating her.

As she ate in smug silence, Felix whispered into her ear, "You're definitely the top between you two."

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Despite the apology, the two didn't feel quite the same after. They still spoke to each other, but the late night talks and private affections were long gone.

On a normal Friday night, Lee Know bursted into Yun's room.

"Go on a dinner date with me?" he asked, slightly red. When she didn't respond, he added, "As friends, of course."

She stared at him like he was crazy. Or rather, was finally showing it. "With me? Who dared you to do this?"

"Nobody did. I just wanted to..." he waved his hands around vaguely. "You know."

"Oh, sure." She knew that the awkwardness was becoming unbearable. "When?"

"In an hour."

She shot up from the bed. "I'll get going."

Speeding past him, she opened her closet door, but then turned to glare pointedly at him.

"Right. I should leave," he said. "I'll go get ready."

Once he left, she reopened her closet and assessed her outfits.

"Ah, shit," she mumbled. "I don't have any fucking clothes except for Lee Know's." Dejectedly looking at each article of clothing, she sighed.

But then, she remembered Lee Know's apology gift. Opening the box, she found an elegant yet simple dark green dress. It was just perfect for the occasion. She had to make a reminder to go shopping with Felix, though.

As she got ready, she could hear members whistling downstairs. Putting on her makeup, she frowned, trying to tamper down the butterflies. It was just dinner with a friend to clear the air. Nothing less, nothing more.

She opened the door at the same time Lee Know was preparing to knock on the door. His eyes flickered down for a second before giving her a shy smile.

"You look good in that dress."

"Well, you bought it, after all. Let's go?" She glanced at his outfit as if she could care less, when in fact, she could hardly tear her eyes away. "Oh and – you look good, too."

They went out of the building, his car already in front of the doors. He opened the door for her in a grand gesture, and she patted his shoulder before entering. The car ride was comfortably quiet, with some soft music playing.

Once they got to the restaurant and sat down, Lee Know nodded encouragingly at the menu. "Feel free to order anything. It's on me."

"Of course it's on you," Yun laughed. "You made me mad, remember?"

"Hey," he frowned playfully. "I apologized. On my knees."

She laughed again, and he found himself staring at her eyes and then her lips. Quickly, he snapped out of it. Soon enough, they were eating the food they ordered.

The tension disappeared as they talked like best friends of years.

"So have you forgiven me yet?" Lee Know asked gently.

"I have been. Since you got on your knees."

"That's um, good, but I also want you to..." he trailed off, confused by his own thoughts.

"Want me to what?" She tensed.

"...look at me the same way." He took a shaky breath. "Yeah."

"Look at you the same way." She paused for a second. "Like this?" She softened her eyes and smiled at him.

His breath caught in his throat. "I..."

She bursted out laughing, ruining the atmosphere. "You're cute when you blush. Don't worry, I completely forgive you."

He huffed. "Well, I'm glad. We're...I'm really grateful to have you on the team."

"I know. Trust me, I know my value. Do it again and I won't hesitate to leave," she said, spinning a fork in between her fingers.

He bowed his head. "You're a truly important–"

She yawned. "I already forgave you. Stop being so serious, let's enjoy and finish this dinner."

He rolled his eyes. "My bad, let's share a plate of spaghetti and one milkshake with two straws."

Yun shrugged and raised a hand at a waiter. "Can I get one milkshake with two straws? Sorry," she said to him, "I'm too full for spaghetti."

When the sundae arrived, she put in their straws and pushed it into the middle of the table.

"Bon appétit," she grinned. She tilted her head down to take a sip. After a second, he leaned in to take a sip as well, and their eyes met over the drink.

"Let's hang out again? Please?" he murmured. "Can we work out together and spend time at night in each other's rooms?"

Without thinking, she reached her hands out and cupped his face.

"Of course."

He smiled a full, happy smile, and in that moment, Yun's heart almost stopped beating.

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