"Ok, now truth or dare. I start, Wooyoung, truth or dare,"

"Truth,"

"Ok, who do you love in the room

Wooyoung's playful smirk faltered for just a moment as he glanced around the room, his gaze landing on each member. Yunho was watching with mild amusement, Mingi was grinning like a Cheshire cat, and Yeosang was holding his breath, his heart pounding in his chest.

“Hmm,” Wooyoung said, tapping a finger against his chin in thought, feigning deep contemplation. His eyes danced with mischief as he finally spoke. “I love… food!”

Laughter erupted from the group, but Yeosang felt a pit form in his stomach. While everyone else found the answer amusing, Yeosang couldn’t shake the weight of disappointment that settled over him like a thick fog. Wooyoung caught his gaze for just a moment, and in that flicker, Yeosang thought he saw something—a glimmer of awareness. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by Wooyoung's signature playful demeanor.

“Alright, alright!” Yunho said, clapping his hands together to move the game along. “Wooyoung, you’re up! Who do you pick?”

Wooyoung shot a glance at Yeosang, a mischievous glint returning to his eyes. “Hmm… Yeosang! Truth or dare?”

Yeosang’s heart raced again. “Um… truth.”

“Boring!” Wooyoung laughed, but there was a teasing warmth in his voice. “Okay, then. Tell us your biggest secret that no one here knows.”

Yeosang felt a heat rush to his cheeks. He had a few secrets, but none he was prepared to share, especially in front of Wooyoung. “I… I don’t think I can share that,” he stammered, mind racing to find an answer that wouldn’t expose too much of his heart.

“C’mon, it’s just a game!” Wooyoung prodded, leaning closer, a playful pout forming on his lips. “Don’t be shy!”

The laughter of the others followed, but Yeosang felt vulnerable under the intensity of Wooyoung’s gaze. “Okay, fine. My biggest secret is… I despise pineapple on pizza,” he teased, trying to lighten the mood, but the truth behind his facade lingered.

“That’s not a secret! That’s just common sense,” Mingi chimed in with a chuckle.

Wooyoung rolled his eyes dramatically but was evidently not done. “Alright, fine. Let’s turn the heat up. Yeosang, what’s the real answer?”

Yeosang swallowed hard. He could feel their eyes on him, especially Wooyoung’s, and the pressure felt almost unbearable. He was losing his chance to voice what he really wanted—the hurt, the longing—but instead, he maintained his wall, wishing he could just blur into the background.

"I love Wooyoung," he said finally, looking away.

"Awww, baby, i love you too," Wooyoung cooed at Yeosang's cuteness, hugging him gently.

"You don't show it..." Yeosang trailed off, pouting out of frustration.

"Baby, I do stay over at yours and spend time with you, did you forget? I could say I love you forever... I'm sorry if I made you feel used, I do love you, sincerely," Wooyoung clarified, his tone shifting from playful to earnest, sincerity glimmering in his eyes. The room quieted as the air hung thick with tension, the laughter fading into a soft hush as everyone absorbed Wooyoung’s unexpected change.

Yeosang’s heart raced, caught between relief and confusion. “But it doesn’t always feel that way… I need more than just words.” His voice was quiet, vulnerability creeping in as he carefully chose his next words. “I want to know that you truly mean it.”

Wooyoung’s expression shifted, brows knitting together with concern. “I get it, and I’m really sorry if I’ve been too… casual,” he murmured, his gaze darting to the floor for a moment before locking onto Yeosang’s eyes again. “I didn’t realize I was making you feel that way. I’ll do better, I promise.”

Yunho, sensing the intensity of the moment, cleared his throat. “Okay, how about we lighten this up a bit?” he suggested, trying to ease the weight in the room. “Let’s not turn a fun game into a therapy session! Wooyoung, pick someone else!"

But Yeosang wasn’t quite ready to retreat into the background just yet. “No, this is important,” he insisted, his voice firmer now. “I’m tired of hiding how I feel. Wooyoung, can you see me?”

Wooyoung’s heart sank at the hint of pain in Yeosang’s voice. “Of course, I see you,” he replied softly, his hand reaching out to gently cup Yeosang’s cheek. “I’m sorry if I’ve made you feel unseen. I have a tendency to joke around, but it doesn’t mean I don’t care about you.”

Yeosang leaned into the touch instinctively, comforted yet still feeling uncertain. “I want you to be serious with me, too. I need to know that you love me in a way that means something.”

“I will,” Wooyoung promised, sincerity radiating from him. “I’ll be more serious about how I show you I feel. Just… be patient with me. I’m still figuring out how to express it all. The last thing I want is for you to feel like you’re not enough.”

Yeosang swallowed back the lump in his throat, feeling a mix of hope and apprehension. “Okay. I can do that,” he said finally, a small smile breaking through. “Just remember, sometimes actions speak louder than words.”

“Deal!” Wooyoung beamed, the mischief returning for just a moment as his hand dropped from Yeosang’s face. “Now, how about we go for a double dare? You and me against the world!”

Laughter erupted again, breaking the seriousness that had enveloped them, and Yeosang couldn’t help but chuckle as he felt the warmth of Wooyoung’s spirit wash over him once more. “You’re impossible,” he teased, yet the weight on his heart felt a little lighter now. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”