Lacy Euphoria

His Favorite Girl/Part One: The Moment He Notices You

Originally published on AO3.

🔞 Adults 18+. MDNI. Fictional fanwork using names fictitiously for entertainment. Not real, endorsed, affiliated, or a claim of real events. All romantic and sexual content is between consenting adults. Please consume fiction with media literacy intact.

This is your first fansign. It’s loud, messy, full of energy that should be distracting. None of it is. Because you’re not watching the crowd. You’re fixed on Mingi.

He’s exactly how you expected him to be. Relaxed, playful, and a little reckless with his attention. He leans in toward the girl in front of him, flirting with that big gummy smile like he means it, like she’s the only one there.

“You’re my favorite girl, okay?” Wow. She’s that close to him and still holding it together. You see her say something, but you can’t make out what. Whatever it is makes him grin and say back, “you’re better.” That did it. Something about the tone in his voice absolutely made this girl weak in the knees. Oh shit, she’s gonna fai– Yep. Down for the count. Tsk. She’ll be a’ight.

After security and medical swoop in to save her from the powers of Mingi, he goes right back to ruining more Atiny with his charm.

He says it again with that deep voice and provocative smile,“You’re my favorite girl.”

Copy and paste, rinse and repeat.

By the time he gets to the girl next to you, who’s also losing her entire mind, you’ve got your game face on. You’re sitting in front of San now, briefly distracted by how fine this man actually is. “Sannie, I visited Lotte World and oh my goodness, I had so much fun there,” you say, genuinely excited. “It’s one of my favorite places,” he said with joy, “it’s romantic at night too.” You continued to chat until you were interrupted by staff who needed to tell San something.

While that’s going on, you find yourself studying Mingi again, watching how effortlessly his fan service lands on Atiny. This man is smooth and really good at his job. You try reminding yourself he’s working right now and you’re literally benefiting from fan service. You let your thoughts run wild.

Girl, be serious. You are entirely too grown to be standing here this gone over a man at a fansign. Actually, two men. Because somehow you bias both Mingi and Hwa while the other six take turns wrecking whatever dignity you have left. And now here you are thinking about Hwa’s hands around your throat like jewelry while Mingi looks fully capable of ruining your life against a wall. Embarrassing. Absolutely embarrassing.

San turns his attention back to you. “I’m sorry,” he says apologetically. “We added your time back.” “Great,” you say. You talk a little more about Lotte World before wrapping up with a polite kiss to the back of your hand— “Gamsahabnida, Annyeonghi Gyeseyo,” he says with that killer smile. “Annyeong!” you say back.

It’s your turn to get in front of Mingi now. Damn. This man is so fucking fine, you’re fighting for your life trying not to be affected. And losing. He’s still moving in that same flow, pen in hand, head down.

“Name?” he asks, casually. You tell him, spelling it out when he asks. He writes without looking up, saying something you barely register because you’re too distracted pressing your thighs together. When he finally looks up to hand you the signed photo, something shifts. His attention catches. And stays.

He pauses briefly, apologizing for speaking casually. You wave it off immediately “It’s okay,” you say. “You can.”

“Mm… pretty name,” he says, voice lower now. Not dramatically. Just enough to notice. “Let’s talk for a minute,” he says while taking your hand in his.

You hold his gaze. You offer a pleasant smile and you keep it together. Mingi notices. You’re not losing your mind like everyone else before you. You’re composed. “You having fun?” he asks, still light, still in that public tone. You nod once. “I am. I’ve been watching how you work the room… how you handle Atiny.” He’s curious now, “Oh yeah?” he says. “What’d you see?”

This is your chance. Do not fuck up this moment.

“At events like this, when Atiny asks who your favorite girl is, you tell everyone the same thing.” You tilt your head slightly. “You’ve got a lot of favorite girls tonight.” His mouth pulls into something like a grin, he’s amused. “ya… I have to take care of my Atiny” You nod again, puffing out a little laugh from your nose. “I know, trust, I get it,” you say, matching his grin. “Still,” you say, smiling a little. “Not exactly realistic for you.”

Fuck it, you’re going in. What do you have to lose other than your dignity?

“Why impossible?” he asks, curious now. “Say it properly.”

You lean in close just enough for only him to hear you clearly.

“Mingi, I’m saying I want to be your favorite girl, your only favorite girl.”

Shit. Shit. Shit. You got this.

He looks at you like he’s figuring out whether to take you seriously. “Let me repeat myself in case you didn’t hear what I said, I want to be — ” Mingi interrupts you.

“ya… you know I say that to everybody, right? fans, interviews… it’s not something special.” You nod. “I know. I know it’s fan service. I’m not stupid.”

Oh you so you’re taking this approach, huh? Not smart. You’re fucking this up.

“You’re very direct,” he says.

“I don’t believe in hinting. If I want something, I say it.” you say matter of factly. His eyes move over you once. More intentional this time. “You’re not one of those fans, right? not following, not waiting, not crossing lines.” he says with suspicion. You shake your head immediately. “Tsk, hell no Mingi. I’m not a sasaeng. I ain’t chasing or following you. I saw you, I liked you, and I decided to say something, now, like an adult.”

That sits heavier and you let it. “I hear this many times,” he says “Atiny only likes me because I’m a member of Ateez.” You realize your time is running out and disappointment is written all over your face.

You fucked this up royally, you have one final chance to save this opportunity.

“Mingi-ya” you say humbly, “this is no different than if we met at a business networking event, I found you attractive, and shot my shot.” He’s intrigued and so you continue. “I’m simply a woman interested in a man who just so happens to be working right now.”

You’ve got his full attention now. The staff signals to him to move it along. He motions for them to come to the table and says, “ttag 2bunman deo jusil su issnayo?” The staff nods in approval and gives you more time to talk.

“You like me?” he asks with that gummy smile, “I don’t know about it, Noona.”

“Obviously, I know I’m older than you,” you continue, unceasingly. “I know there are a lot of reasons this sounds crazy.” He doesn’t interrupt nor look away.“But I’m still saying it. I want you. And I know I’m worth you taking a chance on me.”

The noise around you fades or maybe it just stops mattering.

“mm… you’re confident,” he says, quieter now.

“I am.”

He lets out a small breath, almost laughing when he says, “This is not normal, most people don’t talk like this.” Boldly looking into his eyes you say, “Well I didn’t come here to be like most people.” He leans in a little closer to you over the table.. “You really think you can handle what you’re asking for?” he says, voice lower, more private. “Yes.” you say pointedly with no hesitation and without softness, Just yes.

What is happening? Is this happening? Fucking fuck oh my gawd is this happening now!

He watches you like he’s waiting for something to crack and nothing does. “Mm… okay,” he says finally. “Then don’t act like ATINY after this. Don’t look at me like I’m something you watch.”

Your breath shifts slightly, but you don’t step back when you confirm with a simple, “I can do that.” Someone calls his name from down the table. The line keeps moving. But he doesn’t rush you off right away. “Then we see,” he says, kinda cocky, “if you keep same energy.”

You nod once, “I will.” He nods back, slower this time. Like he believes you more than he expected to. When you finally step away, it doesn’t feel like you just met him. It feels like you started something.

But what though?