The group's dorm was unusually lively for a weeknight. Y/N's group had gathered in the living room, their laughter echoing off the walls as they sat on the couches.
"Who's texting you so much?" Giselle teased, nodding toward Y/N's phone, which buzzed again.
"Is it your mom?" Karina chimed in with a playful smirk.
Y/N rolled her eyes, clutching her phone tighter. "It's not my mom."
Karina leaned forward with a sly grin. "Oh? Then who is it?"
"It's Lara," Y/N admitted, her cheeks heating up.
The room erupted into a chorus of oohs and knowing chuckles.
"Lara, huh? What's she saying?"
"She just asked about my hand and said I forgot something at her place," Y/N explained, trying to sound casual.
"Your scarf?" Ningning asked. "The pink one? Classic move, Y/N. Forget something so you have an excuse to go back."
Y/N groaned. "It wasn't on purpose!"
"Sure it wasn't," Karina said, winking. "Are you going over now?"
Y/N hesitated, her thumb hovering over the screen. "Yeah, I guess I should. She's waiting for me."
"Well, don't forget anything else this time," Winter teased as Y/N grabbed her jacket and headed out, ignoring their laughter trailing behind her.
Lara opened the door before Y/N could even knock, leaning casually against the frame. She was wearing a loose sweater and sweats, her red hair messy.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite scarf-forgetter," Lara said, her lips curving into a small smirk.
Y/N crossed her arms, with a smirk. "Are you going to let me in, or are you just going to roast me from the doorway?"
Lara chuckled, stepping aside. "Come in. Your scarf's on the couch."
Y/N entered, the warmth of the apartment instantly wrapping around her. The soft lighting and faint scent of wood felt comforting, almost intimate.
"You keep this place cozy," Y/N said, shrugging off her jacket.
"Helps when you're here," Lara quipped, making Y/N falter slightly before she caught the teasing glint in her eye.
Y/N spotted her scarf folded neatly on the couch and picked it up, wrapping it around her hands. "Thanks for keeping it safe."
"No problem," Lara said. Then, as Y/N made a move toward the door, Lara's voice stopped her. "You're not leaving already, are you?"
Y/N turned, blinking. "Well, I don't want to overstayâ"
"Stay a little longer," Lara said, her tone softer now, more inviting. "I was about to make some tea. Unless you don't like tea."
Y/N hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Tea sounds nice."
Lara smiled, heading toward the kitchen. "Make yourself comfortable."
Y/N sank into the couch, her eyes wandering around the room. A few personal touches stood outâa stack of books on a side table, a framed photo of Lara with Katseye. The place felt lived-in, like it reflected Lara's quiet confidence.
Lara returned with two steaming mugs, handing one to Y/N before settling into the armchair across from her. "Chamomile," she said. "Helps you relax."
"Are you trying to get me to fall asleep on your couch?" Y/N teased, taking a sip.
"Would that be so bad?" Lara shot back with a grin, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "I wouldn't mind keeping you company while you rest."
Y/N smiled, leaning back into the couch. "I suppose I could use the rest."
Lara moved to sit beside Y/N, curling her legs underneath her as she tucked herself into the corner of the couch, her body relaxed but close. She picked up her tea again, holding it in both hands. "You know, I don't really have people over often. It's nice to just... be here, like this."
Y/N followed Lara's example, stretching her legs out and curling them underneath her as well, her knee lightly brushing Lara's. She could feel the warmth from Lara's body, and the cozy atmosphere made the space between them feel even smaller. "Yeah, it feels... easy. Comfortable."
The conversation slowed as they sipped their tea, letting the soft hum of the quiet apartment fill the space around them. Their eyes met occasionally, a lingering moment each time, each glance charged with something unspoken.
"What's your life like outside of all the craziness?" Y/N asked, her voice almost a whisper, as if she didn't want to disturb the peaceful atmosphere. "When you're not being 'Lara, the idol,' what do you do?"
Lara paused for a moment, staring into her tea as if considering the question. "I don't really know anymore," she said, her voice softer, more thoughtful. "I spend a lot of time trying to figure out what I want. Sometimes I'm too focused on what's next. But when I'm alone, I like quiet things. Music, reading, just... not thinking about anything too hard."
Y/N nodded, feeling something warm spread through her chest. "I get that. Sometimes I wish I could just turn everything off and not worry about what comes next."
They looked at each other for a moment, the silence between them comfortable, but heavy with the weight of what they had shared.
Lara tilted her head, studying Y/N in a way that made her heart skip a beat. "I think... you make it easier to not think about everything for a while."
Y/N felt the heat rise in her cheeks at the comment, but she smiled softly. "I feel the same way. You're easy to be around, Lara."
Their legs shifted slightly, curling in further as they grew closer, the warmth between them undeniable. Y/N's heart raced just a little as she caught Lara's gaze again, this time a little softer, a little more vulnerable than before.
"I like this," Lara said quietly, her voice almost a whisper now. "I like having you here. Just... being here with you."
Y/N felt a flutter of something in her stomach, her pulse quickening, but she kept her voice steady. "Me too. Feels... good. Like nothing else matters right now."
Lara smiled, her tired eyes soft and sincere. "Yeah... it does."
The space between them seemed to shrink as the night wore on. Their gazes locked, and for a moment, the world outside felt distant, irrelevant. They were just two people, sitting together in the quiet comfort of a shared moment.
As the evening wore on, the gentle feeling of the apartment, the soft glow of the lamp, and the quiet hum of conversation felt like a warm embrace, pulling Y/N into a peaceful stillness.Her eyelids grew heavy, the tea and warmth from the room pulling her into a sense of sleepiness she couldn't fight off. The soft, comforting silence between them made it hard to imagine leaving at all.
Lara glanced over at her, her gaze softening as she noticed Y/N becoming more relaxed, her posture shifted comfortably on the couch. A soft smile tugged at the corners of Lara's lips, but her eyes remained warm, watching Y/N with a fondness that wasn't hidden.
Y/N, feeling the pull of sleep tugging at her, blinked a few times and straightened up slightly. "I should get going," she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.
Lara didn't immediately respond. She stayed quiet for a moment, then spoke softly. "You don't have to go yet, you know," she said, her voice low and gentle. "Stay a little longer."
Y/N paused, looking up at her, and found Lara's eyes fixed on her with an intensity that was almost tender. There was no teasing this time, no playful edge. It was just... sincerity, and Y/N could feel it in her bones.
But despite the temptation to stay, Y/N gave a small, reluctant sigh. "I should go. I'm already probably overstaying my welcome."
Lara shook her head, standing up slowly, her gaze soft but not leaving Y/N. "You're not overstaying," she said quietly, moving to stand beside the couch. "I like having you here."
There was something in her voice, something vulnerable and real, that made Y/N's chest tighten. It was so different from the playful banter they'd shared earlier, and for a second, Y/N was at a loss for words.
Lara sat back down on the couch beside her, a bit closer than before, but not quite close enough to crowd Y/N. There was an easy familiarity in the way Lara moved comfortable, no rush. She glanced at Y/N, noticing the exhaustion in her eyes.
"Are you tired?" Lara asked, her voice softer than it had been all evening.
Y/N's smile was faint, but genuine. "Yeah, I think I am. But I don't want to leave. It's... peaceful here."
Lara's expression softened even more, and for a moment, it felt like the entire world had slowed down, the air between them thick with unspoken understanding. Lara's hand shifted closer to Y/N's, her fingers brushing lightly against hers. It was small, but Y/N felt it an unmistakable, gentle invitation to stay longer.
"You don't have to leave if you're not ready," Lara said quietly. "It's okay to be here. With me. You're welcome here, Y/N."
Her words were a gentle balm, soothing the subtle tension Y/N didn't even realize she was holding. And as she looked at Lara, she felt her heart beat just a little faster. There was a warmth in her eyes now that went beyond the usual teasing...it was a tenderness that made Y/N's pulse skip.
"I justâ" Y/N's voice faltered, unsure of how to express the swirling feelings inside her. "I like being with you. More than I thought I would."
Lara's smile deepened, and she turned her body more fully toward Y/N, her gaze never leaving hers. "I like being with you too," she said softly, her voice quiet, but her words felt like a promise, unspoken but clear.
The room was so still, it felt as if time itself had slowed, their bodies close yet not quite touching, the space between them charged with something delicate and real. Y/N swallowed, her heart thudding in her chest.
Lara didn't rush. She just stayed close, her warmth wrapping around Y/N like a comforting embrace. She reached out, brushing a strand of hair from Y/N's face, her fingers grazing her skin in the softest of touches. It felt like a gentle caress, one that lingered long after her hand had moved away. Y/N felt a warmth spread through her chest, a quiet affection blooming between them.
"You're special, Y/N," Lara said, her voice barely above a whisper. It was the first time she'd said something so direct, so unguarded. It wasn't just playful, wasn't a tease...it was a simple truth.
Y/N's breath caught, and her heart skipped. The words seemed to settle in the space between them, and for a moment, she forgot to breathe.
"Iâ" Y/N started, but the words felt stuck in her throat. Instead, she simply smiled, her gaze locking with Lara's.
Lara's eyes softened even more, and for a long moment, they just looked at eachothers eyes tired but full of something more, something unspoken. They were close enough now that Y/N could hear the quiet beat of Lara's heart, could feel the warmth of her body.
Y/N shifted, her body automatically curling slightly closer as her eyelids grew heavy again. The pull of sleep was strong now, but the comfort of Lara's presence made her not want to leave, not yet.
And that's when she realized she was ready to stay. She didn't want to let go of this moment.
Lara noticed the shift, and without another word, she stood, her hand reaching out to gently help Y/N off the couch. "Come on," she said softly. "Let's get you home. You need to rest."
Y/N nodded, standing with her. But the words didn't feel final this timeâthere was a quiet understanding, a soft promise lingering in the air.
"Goodnight, Y/N," Lara said as she walked Y/N to the door, her voice soft, and almost hesitant, as though she didn't want the evening to end either.
"Goodnight, Lara," Y/N replied, her voice quiet but full of the warmth that had filled the space between them all evening.
As Y/N stepped into the hallway, her heart felt full in a way she hadn't expected. The evening had shifted in so many ways, and she wasn't quite sure what it meant yet but she knew this was only the beginning.
Her hand lingered on the doorframe for a moment before she walked away, the warmth of Lara's gaze still fresh in her mind.
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this is so long sorry I got too invested in ts. Also sorry for not updating I got sick but finishing this chapter was more important..𤧠tysmmm for all the love!! ð«¶