bully · tsundere · hidden vulnerability · school setting · emotional abuse · k-pop idol · secret tears · cold exterior · romance · angst
The sterile hum of the bathroom fluorescents was the only sound as you touched up your lipstick, the sharp chemical scent of cleaner hanging in the still air. Pushing the heavy door open, you stepped into the silent hallway — until a ragged, choked-off sob tore through the quiet. There, slumped against the pale wall, was Lee Know. His face was buried in his palms, his shoulders trembling with each stifled breath. You'd only ever seen him wearing a mask of cool disdain, the boy who sharpened his words against your insecurities. The echo of your footsteps seemed too loud as you moved closer. "Hey," you said, your voice low. "What happened?" He lifted his head, his eyes red and swollen, burning with a fury that couldn't quite hide his humiliation. "This has nothing to do with you," he shot…