Work Text:
Steven's POV.
I wake up twenty minutes earlier than my alarm clock is supposed to go off. Our room is still dim, the early light barely creeping through the curtains. But I can already hear the sound of plates clinking in the kitchen, the muffled laughs bouncing off the walls unmistakably by Daisuke, Juwon, and Jeongwoo. And from the sound of it, Jeongwoo is probably trying to force-feed Daisuke another bite of Korean pancake or Juwon teasing him about picking out the zucchini and onions again.
I sit up slowly, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes and taking a moment before the rush of another practice-heavy day kicks in. My muscles still ache from yesterday’s chest workout but moreover for our dance lesson—our choreographer isn’t playing around anymore, watching us with his keen eyes. Even my throat is starting to ache, but it’s my fault honestly, for eating a tub of Matcha ice cream after hours of non-stop vocal training. With our debut drawing this close, I should be taking care of myself, staying fit, and healthy, while being consistent with practice. But I am more concerned about JL’s health recently. Although he’s staying in Korea for almost eight months, his body is still adjusting. And hearing the loud silence from the room next to mine, where JL and Daisuke are sleeping, I can’t help but get worried.
Usually, he’ll be the first one to complain about something the moment he walks out of their shared room with Daisuke. Not being biased but the way JL whines sounds so good and cute to me. Always groaning about how he’s too sleepy, sore his calves, or still too tired but somehow still manages to ace in cooking my sunny-side up egg and preparing my coffee that tastes like mocha. JL’s voice is also distinct from others and I know that right away even he breathes out loud, but today, nothing. And if I’m not mistaken, I remember JL saying his throat felt bad since morning but he still joins me as I eat the ice cream ft. ramen—what a combo.
I am really worried that even though I have more minutes to stare blankly at the wall or check my phone for some important messages, I stand up, pick the phone under my pillow, and wear the slippers under my bed then I walk where I left my hoodie last night, slipping it on my arms over my sando before I walk out of our shared room of Hanni. After all, JL is important to me too. Just as I turn the corner towards the dining table, Daisuke steps out from the room he shares with JL, frowning.
“Is JL awake now?” I ask, slipping my phone inside the pocket of my hoodie and hoping that my gut is wrong.
Daisuke frowns sadly and I gulp unconsciously. “He said he’s not feeling well. But by the look of how he’s curling up under his blanket, I think he has a fever, hyung.”
It kinda sounds overreacting but I feel my heart drop. For real. Without another word, I turn around after saying thanks to Daisuke; don’t even care that my hoodie is on backwards—thanks to Daisuke who points it out, or that Daisuke is asking me something. I don’t knock when I reach the door. I just open it slowly, eyes immediately scanning the dark room. Then I find JL, curling up under his blanket, back facing the door. His shoulders rise and fall slower than usual, but it’s obvious that he’s breathing deeply. I step closer, careful not to startle him, and gently kneel beside his bed.
“Hey…” I say tenderly, caressing JL’s arm, “You awake?”
He turns his head just a little, and I catch a glimpse of his face—chapped lips, cheeks flushing, and his eyes barely opening. Then he squints and whispers, “Steven hyung?”
“Yeah.” I smile, then I help him when he turns on the other side, slowly facing me. “Daisuke told me.” I reach out and brush my fingers against his forehead. I flinch at how hot his skin is, way too hot and I don’t like the way his skin feels against the pad of my fingers. I click my tongue. “You have a fever,” I say, quite disappointed at myself. “You shouldn’t eat ice cream then ramen last night—” he stares up at me with his doe eyes. I sigh, pushing back some fringes covering his forehead. “I’m not scolding you…it’s my fault and I’m sorry. I should have been more strict last night…I heard you sneeze multiple times before we ate dinner. But I still…”
“It’s fine, hyung. I’m at fault too.” He gives me a tame smile and I smile back. “What time is it, hyung? Are all the members already awake? Can I request na last to shower?”
I grab his wrist, feeling his pulse then I slide my hand until I touch his hand, intertwining our hands together. “I suggest you should not go to practice today.” I shake our hands together before squeezing his hand. “I’m gonna tell the manager your condition, okay?”
“No,” he whispers, squeezing my hand back and pulling me up on his bed. “It’s okay, hyung. I just need to sleep…”
“No, don’t be stubborn now, JL,” I say gently, using my other hand to brush his bangs away from his face. I slide my fingers, caressing his cheek as I announce, “I’ll stay too. You need someone to look after you.”
Using my free hand again, keeping the other holding him, I pull my phone inside my pocket and I message our manager right away, explaining JL’s condition calmly, without overreacting. I also ask if I can stay so I can take care of him. The reply comes fast and he says he will bring medicine and soup later, and that JL can rest, but I can’t stay behind because we have a full schedule and I need to go soon too.
Bullshit. I can’t unfilter what’s in my head now because I don’t want to leave. I don’t want to leave JL alone in our dorm while having a high fever. I am about to message our manager, asking again to stay, then I will double time with my vocal and dance lessons tomorrow when JL taps my knee. I lift my gaze and ask, “Hm? You want water?”
“I’m curious…what did our manager say?”
I’m hesitant to say what our manager said so I say instead, “I’m trying again to ask if I could stay so I can check you—”
“Hey no~” he cuts me gently, looking straight into my eyes, “just check on me later, okay? You should go to practice. I’ll be fine here.”
I stare at him. Our eyes hold for a moment too long. I really don’t want to leave and I can see it in his eyes that he doesn’t want me too but he also doesn’t want to be a burden. But he isn’t. He will never be because he is my person.
JL and I, how would I say this , our feelings are mutual. Well, I haven’t told him yet but we do things we don’t do to others. I like JL. At first I thought it is just a simple fondness but it grows into admiration and now, it blossoms into something deeper where I want JL’s face to be the first one I see when I wake up and the last one before I fall asleep, not as roommates but as lovers. At first I was confused because I want to protect him, take care of him, make sure he is happy and eating healthy because he is a foreigner and doesn’t speak Korean fluently. Because I know how it feels to be one and I don’t want him to get lonely or homesick. I also want to teach him too. I thought those are just simple ways of showing him I am a responsible hyung not knowing that I am marking my territory without even realizing it. Frequent teasing turns into telling how I appreciate his presence being there for me. Right now, I believe he can feel myself. Gladly, I feel him too. Our actions are louder that even our members asking what we are or are we on a dating stage. I’m glad too that no one finds us disgusting. We haven’t talked about this yet but we have a mutual understanding of keeping this relationship we have and let it bloom more naturally, just like how we click instantly, naturally.
I sigh again, defeated. “Okay,” I murmur, giving in, at least for now. “But I’ll be checking you. Constantly. Keep your phone open.”
He gives a small smile. “Okay, hyung.”
Before I get a chance to speak, my phone vibrates in my hand, reading an information from our manager that we’ll be leaving soon. I hate to leave JL now but I don’t have a choice but to follow the management. “Manager will arrive soon. He will bring your medicine, okay? And some throat-friendly food too...make sure to eat huh, JL?”
He nods multiple times before I stand up, take a step forward, bend a bit, and kiss JL’s forehead. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
Or should I say, after I move quickly, just drink coffee—too bland for my taste because JL’s not the one who made it, and take a brisk shower, I want to go back to the dorm more than I want to stay in the practice room right now. Because everything feels wrong. Something feels missing. And I can’t focus knowing JL is at the dorm, alone and sick.
Every time I spin or hit a note, my mind will drift back to JL in bed, feverish, and worse, lonely. And during vocal lessons, I can’t keep myself in one place, I keep pacing back and forth while I keep glancing at my phone, checking if he replies to my messages.
To JL:
7:50 AM
Hey, we’re at the studio now. How are you?
7:52 AM
Did you eat something already? How about the meds manager-nim brought, have you taken them?
7:57 AM
Practice gonna start in a while, please take care of yourself, hm? I’ll try to excuse myself as soon as possible.
8:03 AM
It’s gotta be a long day 🤧 because you are not here 😎
Sorry, my rizz just slipped out, just only for you, hoping it somehow helps you get better.
Opps, there goes my rizz again 😎
But I hope it made you smile 😊
I miss your pretty face here though 😤
9:05 AM
It’s just an hour passed but I already miss you 😫
But take care, okay? I’ll treat you to dinner when you get well 💘
10:35 AM
I excuse myself to remind my baby here that you should eat and take meds now 🥺
11:34 AM
I grab two water bottles. Silly me, I forgot you aren’t here 😔
JL please eat something, okay?
12:00 PM
Taking a break. You okay? Still sleeping?
12:47 PM
Did manager-nim bring the thermometer? Use it JL and let me know your current temperature.
12:58 PM
Lunch is almost done. Gotta practice again without you 😔
Eat, JL. Please? 🥺
1:00 PM
Call me when you wake up, even just to breathe into the mic or something.
Just send an emoji at least, JL.
I miss you like crazy 🥺
It’s past 3 o’clock in the afternoon but he still hasn’t replied. I know he needs sleep, but damn, the silence is killing me. I’m getting anxious. My feet are itching to walk out of the vocal practice room and ask our manager again at least to let me home early. I am on my phone, giving JL another message when I feel a light tap on my shoulder. I lock my phone and face Jeongwoo.
“Steven, I already talked to our manager. I asked if you could leave early because JL might need someone looking after him and he said sure. He said you can leave now too—”
“Really?”
“Yes—”
I don’t even wait to finish his words as I tap his arm twice , don’t plan to be rude , saying thank you thrice before grabbing my bag lying on the floor and running out of the dance practice room. I just trust Jeongwoo that he’ll look after our other members as I look after JL.
I feel like I fly during the ride—it’s that fast even though I’m just in the company van. The second I step into the dorm, I don’t let seconds get wasted and I throw my bag at the couch then I go straight to the kitchen. I shiver knowing that I forgot to take off my shoes and Jeongwoo might scold me. I just remember it the moment I step into the kitchen. I’ll mop the floor later—just prioritizing JL first. I proceed with cooking what’s best for JL’s throat and stomach. I walk to the fridge and grab everything I need for a Filipino dish JL cooks and later on teaches me when I get sick during Universe League season. I wasn’t a pro, but JL liked my lugaw the last time he got a stomach ache the night after practice. I giggle at the thought of it—don’t mean actually but I feel so proud of myself seeing the love in the eyes of JL as he eats my lugaw before.
I cook quietly but quickly, checking the hallway every few minutes like some lovesick dog—just some thoughts passing in my head that JL may pee or walk out of the room where I left him. By the time the lugaw is done and the smell of the ginger hits my nostrils, I pour some into a bowl and paddle toward his room again, knocking softly while balancing the bowl of lugaw and a glass of water in a tray.
“JL?” I call. I frown when I don’t hear anything. I knock again, this time, hearing the rustling of sheets from the other side. “It’s me, JL…it’s Steven.”
I hear a cough then a raspy reply, “Come in, hyung.”
I walk in, very carefully, pushing the door behind with my left foot and see him sitting up a little now, props against his pillows, a blanket still wraps around him like a burrito. His hair is sticking on different sides and his eyes are puffy. I also see a bowl of soup, half-eaten, some medicines on his desk, and a note written in English probably by our manager. I walk further, setting the tray on his desk. “Babe,” I blurt. “How are you feeling?”
“My head still aches a bit but what’s that?” He asks, pointing to the bowl of lugaw with his pouty lips.
I grinned. “It’s lugaw.”
“Weh?”
I nod twice while chuckling. I see him trying to sit up straight. “Let me help you sit properly,” I tell him then I help him sit up properly, tucking the blanket around his waist then I sit beside him.
“Did you cook that?” he asks quietly.
“Of course. Who else would?” I answer him, trying not to grin so stupidly.
JL gives me this ‘I don’t believe you’ look but soon, his eyes soften, even softer than before, that kind of look that will make your heart race.
“You didn’t have to leave practice,” he says, “or cook something for me.”
“I didn’t want you to be alone and I want to cook this for you.”
He looks down, his fingers playing on his blanket. “You didn’t have to—”
I grab his chin, lifting it gently and finding his shaky eyes then I lock mine to his. “I want it, JL. You are not a burden, okay? Do not ever think you’re a bother, got it?”
“Yes, hyung…” then he smiles, that kind of smile that’s enough to make me fall over and over again.
“Besides, Jeongwoo talked to our manager. But hey, how are you now?” I ask again. My hand automatically moves towards his forehead, checking his temperature. “You’re still hot. Did you take medicine?”
He nods. “I will take it later again as manager-nim said.”
“Okay. So, can you eat now? While this lugaw is still hot? I’ll help you eat, hm?”
He nods slowly, his eyes drop to the bowl, and I see his ears flush. “Thank you, hyung…for always being like this,” he mumbles.
I raise a brow. “Like what?”
“Too good to me.”
“You’re mine though.” JL suddenly coughs and I chuckle. “I mean, half-mine for now.”
His smile stretches wider, smiling a little playful. “Half?”
“Okay. Like eighty to ninety percent? Because you didn’t agree yet to be my boyfriend.”
He looks at me, chuckling. “Why? Are you courting me now?”
“Should I now?”
“Tell me you love me first.”
“You tell me first.”
“Says who gets jealous over a sandwich handed by his Siren groupmate.”
I shake my head, thinking I should be teasing him but it ends up coming back to me. “That’s foul, JL.”
“And why?”
“Because you didn’t eat the sandwich I gave you…thought you like Hanni more than me,” I pout, pretending to be hurt.
“Here we go again,” he says, rolling his eyes with the faintest smirk.
“Oh, you’re rolling your eyes at me, now?” I tease him, poking his side gently. He squirms and squeaks. I do it again. “Huh? JL?” I poke him once more until he finally breaks into a soft, breathy laugh.
“S-Stop, hyung!” He gasps, catching my wrist weakly. “My head’s throbbing—stop.”
“Damn, I’m sorry.” I quickly lean over, cradling the back of his head. “Where does it hurt, baby?” I kiss his forehead. “Here?”
He shakes his head slowly then points to his lips, mumbling with a pout, “Here, hyung. Kiss me here…”
“JL…” I mumble back, half-flustered as my cheeks suddenly feel hot.
But his lips twitch into a tiny grin. “Just kidding!” He blurts out yet softly, eyes crinkling with happiness.
I chuckle, brushing his hair back. “You’re lucky that I…”
JL’s eyes blink against mine. “You…”
“You should eat this lugaw now JL before it gets cold,” I say quickly while laughing awkwardly, breathing out as I pull back and I clutch my chest, my heart pounding loudly inside because I almost said it, almost confessing to him at the wrong time.
He chuckles, shaking his head in a tiny manner. “Pabo.” He leans back against the pillows, cheeks pink now not from the fever I guess.
“Open your mouth JL and say ah~”
JL chuckles first before saying, “Ah~”
I hold back, stopping myself from laughing and then, I feed him. I hold the porcelain bowl and spoon, helping him eat. He takes small spoonfuls of the food I made. I feed him slowly, letting him take his time to swallow the rice and chicken and occasionally wiping his chin using the sleeve of my sweater—I know it’s unhygienic but that makes us unique—whenever the soup drips over his lips. I help him drink water whenever he gets thirsty while I tell him what happened with the dance and vocal lessons.
“Do you have a f—”
“Can I—”
“Go ahead first.” I pause abruptly to let him speak first.
But then, he bites his lip. “Steven hyung?”
I frown in confusion, sensing there’s something he wants to ask but he’s afraid to say it. “Yeah?”
“Can I ask you something weird?”
“Of course…?”
“Is that a no?”
I chuckle. “Of course not, go ahead, babe.”
He hesitates, then looks away, his face flushing with embarrassment. “Sorry if this sounds weird now like super duper weird that I’m sick, but what if...we...what if we...”
“We?” I butt in, swallowing hard unconsciously.
“Can we have likeñ sex? Just a little—I mean just quickly? So, I can like, sweat it out? Maybe it will help with the fever?”
I choke on my own spit. “What?”
“I read it helps sometimes,” he mumbles. “Like in blood…circulation.”
I blink at him and allow myself to digest what he just said. Because originally, hearing JL requesting something like that is really hard to turn down. I really like JL and sometimes I am having thoughts of what would it feel to hold him in an intimate manner, how his warm breath, flushing skin feels against mine, or what his lips taste like. But right now, I can’t pounce on him in bed and ram him the way I am craving for his touch because he is sick and I need to be so so sure before going further to his request.
“You really meant that?” I grab his hand, rubbing the back of his palm gently, “And did you really read it somewhere? Tell me honestly, babe.”
I stare at him, waiting for his answer. He blinks and when he stares at me, I feel he really wants it. I see it in his eyes—shy but full of need. Not just the horny kind, but the kind wanting me as much as I want it.
“Sorry hyung I lied…I haven’t read one but I don’t know…I really just want to lay in bed with you, naked.” He looks down, smiles thinly, mumbling softly, “S-Sorry for requesting something like this, hyung.”
I’m surprised with how bold JL is now because I haven’t heard anything naughty ever since our feelings became visible towards each other. Is it because he’s sick or the effect of the medicine he takes? I hope not.
I smile, lifting his hand and kissing the back of it. “It’s fine, babe. I understand. But, are you sure?” I ask him.
He nods, biting his lip. “I honestly want to feel you right now, hyung. I want to lean against your sweaty body, k-kiss you and h-hug…you…and I’m clean…cleaning my my…every night…” JL whispers the last few words and I find it cute but I’m slowly getting more aroused.
“Oh, JL…” He suddenly lifts his gaze and I look straight into his eyes, setting the bowl with half porridge in it on the side table of his bed and checking his forehead to feel his current body temperature. “But you’re sick.”
“Why?” He whines and I find it really cute whenever he does that. “You don’t want to do it with me—”
“No, babe…” I shush him softly, “I want it. I badly want it.”
“Then why?”
I exhale and caress his cheek. “I don’t think that is right, to do that right now that you’re still sick. Your body needs to rest and not be overworked.”
“But hyung,” he whispers, whining cutely again. “You said I’m yours, right?”
I chuckle under my breath, shaking my head. “You’re using my own words to me, huh.”
He tugs my hand and sexily says, “Let me play with fire with you, hyung.”
I close my eyes, my nose flaring. JL…you’re seriously dangerous. How is it that my brain finds your sick face still sexy and captivating? Oh, right. JL is sexy and pretty in my eyes no matter what he does or nothing. And when I open my eyes I ask, “You did know what that means, right? You’re well aware of what’s gonna happen, right?”
He nods multiple times, staring at me with his cute doe eyes.
Then I lean over him, real slow, pressing my lips to his forehead—soft, warm, careful. I linger there, kissing down to his temple, then to his cheek. “I don’t want to hurt you, babe.” I swallow when my cock suddenly pulsates inside my boxers and pants. “Because I’m really big…”
“Ah hyung~”
He moans and I curse in return.
I lean my face and press my forehead against his collarbone, breathing deep right where he smells the most like home. Then I whisper, “Fuck, JL…you’re making it really hard for me to say no to you.”
He grabs my jaw and makes him face me, cupping my jaw and caressing my cheeks with the pads of his thumb. “Then don’t, hyung…let me feel you…let me feel your nakedness…please. Let me feel your erection inside of me. Please, hyung…” And when he begs, saying what he wants, I know right away that he’s the reason why I’m fully erected now. “I trust you, hyung…I know you won’t hurt me.” Then he smiles, that kind of smile so blinding.
“Okay, my prince,” I mumble, kissing his forehead.
He responds with a giggle, and it makes me smile so damn much that I can’t stop myself anymore to touch him. My hand lifts to touch his chin, guiding him gently as I press a lingering kiss on his lips. Instantly, after a heartbeat of touching our lips, everything stops. My mind goes quiet, as if every uncertainty has gone and there’s a flutter in my stomach that keeps growing. It’s our first and God , it hits me like a punch in the chest as the second passes by as my heart keeps racing. Though his lips are a little dry, slightly chapped from the fever, what matters most is the way they’re warm, soft, and real. A second turns into seconds and my heart skips. A shiver runs through me and my breath shatters out of my lungs. I’ve spent many months aching for him, and now that he’s finally here, kissing me back, it feels like I find my comfort, my solace, my home. I kiss him again, slower this time, like I’m memorizing the shape of his mouth, the way he tilts his head slightly into me, the soft inhale he makes when our lips fit just right. My lips press into his once more, and just before he opens his mouth to mirror me, I lean in again, this time a little deeper, and I experimentally let the tip of my tongue glide across his bottom lip. The contact makes my chest tighten. I pull back gently, catching the warm breath that escapes him, and I let my lips travel sideways from his mouth to the corner, then to his cheek, pressing a soft kiss there. Panting heavily, “Baby,” I whisper, brushing my lips just beside his ear, “are you sure you want to go further? Do you really want it?” Then my lips travel down further until I’m kissing the side of his neck.
He moans in response, tilting his head sideways, giving me more access. “I want to,” he breathes heavily.
I smile through his neck before I lift my head and I kiss him again. This time, slow but deep—one hand bracing beside his head, the other slipping beneath the blanket to find his waist. I open my mouth and initiate an open-mouthed kiss, eventually poking his lips with my tongue again. JL understands it right away as he opens his mouth just a bit and lets my tongue explore his hot cavern. I taste the medicine in his mouth along with the lugaw that I made, but I don’t mind, that makes him unique. His mouth is extremely hot and wet, enough to make my cock go crazy inside my pants. I continue the lead, tilting my head sideways as I deepen the kiss while my hands begin to roam his chest. I lower my left hand to his thigh and caress it, running my hand up and down in a teasing manner while I slip my hand under his sweater and I shiver at how hot his skin is. I find my way up until I touch his nipple, erected, and proud. I give it a flick, causing him to moan softly against my mouth and to arches his back forward. Damn…he’s so responsive , so does my cock. I pull out my tongue and kiss his bottom lip, keeping my hands in their places, adding pleasure to his burning body. I nibble his bottom lip, suck it, then lick it before kissing him again. JL is still following my lead—sucking my upper lip when I suck his bottom lip, eliciting a delicious moan and groan from the both of us. And then suddenly he opens his mouth quite bigger than a while ago, grabbing and pushing my head, nails crawling against my scalp as joins me in deepening the kiss.
JL’s right hand suddenly slides down onto my shoulder, then to my chest, grazing my left nipple and touching my abs before going down to my lap. My thighs jerk involuntarily because I thought he’s going to touch my erection through my pants. But he doesn’t. His hand stays on my lap, squeezing it, running his hot palm up and down, going closer and closer to my erection.
Fuck. I want to feel JL’s soft hand against my tensing muscles and I want more to feel his skin against mine. I want us naked now. I can’t stop my cock from throbbing and aching so bad, straining inside my pants. So, I pull away because it’s not enough for me. I curse internally seeing a string of saliva connecting our bottom and upper lips. I pinch his nipple absentmindedly and he gasps silently. I wet my puffy lips before I slip my hand out of his sweater. “I’ll take care of you,” I say it against his lips, too late to care if I catch his cough— he matters more than that . “Let me make you feel better.”
He nods, and that is all I need , kissing his lips again.
I pull the blanket down gently, revealing the sweat-slick cling of his sweater to his skin. His chest is rising fast now, cheeks blushing, his breathing shaky as I sit back and slowly peel the sweater off him so carefully.
It causes me to pause as my eyes drown to his quite broad shoulders, beautiful flushing chest, pretty tempting caramel-colored nipples, flat stomach, and sexy hips. His nipples compliments through his skin color, making it embossed, highlighting his whole chest. And, I can’t help admiring his upper body more and more as I drink in the sight of him. “You’re so beautiful,” I murmur, unable to stop myself.
“Steven…”
I pull my hoodie over my head and toss it somewhere behind me, my eyes never leaving his. Then I climb onto the bed and he instinctively parts his legs, giving me a space in between them. I gently grip his thighs and spread them wider as I kneel in between his legs. I rub my hands onto his thighs still covered, running my hands in slow motion. Leaning forward, I press our bodies together—chest to chest, groin to groin, resting my weight on him and letting him feel how hard I have gotten for him, just as I feel him and how much I want him without needing to rush.
“God, JL…” I growl, unable to stop myself from rolling my hips down, grinding slowly against his boner.
He arches forward with a sweet moan, gasping loud when our nipples brush, skin on skin, and giving a delicious friction. He grabs my arms, clutching onto them, mumbling, “Hyung…please…”
That voice drives me crazy, letting my hands slide from his sexy hips to the waistband of his sweatpants, my fingers curling just underneath.
“Can I?” I ask.
“Yes. Please…”
I smile, kiss his neck, then begin working him open with slow, teasing strokes—first with my hands, then with my mouth, worshipping every twitch, every breath he gives me. Every moan from him is soft and desperate, like he is losing himself in the haze of it all. Then I kiss the other side of his neck, reminding myself not to plant a hickey on his neck, even though I’m tempted to give him a tiny one. He tilts his head, offering me more of his throat, collarbone, and anything I want. And bloody hell, I want all of him .
“Haaa, JL…” I whisper against his skin as I kiss my way down, slow, and open-mouthed, until my lips are at his chest. I run my tongue along one of his nipples, then gently suck it, not too rough, just enough to make him whimper and arch into my mouth. I continue mouthing his nipple, flickering his hardened bud with my tongue while moving my hand up, kneading the other side of his chest and playing his nipple in between my thumb and pointing finger. And JL arches his chest, his nipple gets in contact with my teeth, grazing against the sensitive tip unconsciously then I feel his heavy breathing on top of my head.
“Sensitive, love?” I ask while his nipple is still inside my mouth.
He nods, hands trembling as they grab my arms. “Steven… please…”
“Please what?” I ask, dragging my tongue across to the other side, giving it the same wet, soft attention. “Tell me what you need.”
“I want more,” he says, barely above a whisper. “Please.”
My cock twitched hard in my pants. I don’t give him a word but I kiss down his stomach instead, tasting a faint sweat and fever in his skin slowly. I am slow on purpose. I want to feel him squirm, to hear those little moans he tries to hold back. But when I reach the waistband of his sweats again, he is already lifting his hips a little, needy and shaking.
“So desperate,” I tease him, tugging them down inch by inch. “You really need this that bad?”
He nods again. “Yes, hyung…I need you.Please…”
I peel the rest off his clothes and toss them to the floor, leaving him bare in front of me. And when his legs fall open for me without thinking, I curse under my breath because fuck, he is so beautiful—smooth and delicate.
“Baby…”
My eyes swim again to his skin but now to his entire body. His skin is glistening, damp with sweat, chest rising fast, face pink and breathless, no pubes, balls look heavy already, and tiny cock jerking cutely for me. Every inch of him looks like it is made to be touched, to be worshipped. His tiny, sexy waist, those soft hips, the tight curve of his thighs— I’ve imagined this —before I sleep, as my hand falls erotically, filthily in my boxers, and as I slip my hand, quietly, shamefully jerking, and wondering how he’ll look underneath me, needy and bare like this. And now seeing everything that I’ve been fantasizing for, the real deal, I exhale deeply.
He reaches for me, parting his lips as he says, “Hyung…stop staring…don’t look…” then grabs a pillow and hugs it tight, hiding behind it like a boy caught in something he isn’t supposed to do. His voice cracks a little when he adds, “I’m ugly…please don’t look…”
I shush him, grabbing his ankle delicately and kissing his foot gently. “Don’t say that,” I murmur against his skin. “You’re not ugly. You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” I don’t tear my eyes off him, and my heart flutters as he slowly peeks out from behind the pillow he’s hugging, his cheeks flushed and eyes unsure. “You think I’m staring because I’m judging you?” I say softly, kissing his toes one by one, gliding my lips up to his calf, his knee to the soft skin of his inner thigh. “I’m staring because I can’t help it. You don’t know what you do to me.” I grab the pillow and gently peel it from his hold, and even as he lowers his head in embarrassment, I tilt his chin up with care, whispering, “Don’t hide from me, baby. Don’t hide your beautiful face to me, baby.” Then I lean down again and plant a kiss dangerously near his cute erection, eyes never leaving his, and mutter huskily, repeating my own words, “You don’t know what you’re doing to me right now.”
His only answer is a whimper. Then I kiss the inside of his thigh again while my fingers sliding down between his buttcheeks, parting them and caressing him gently.
“Gonna open you up real slow,” I whisper, watching his face as I touch his puckered hole. “You feel so hot here too,” I tell him and his cheeks turn redder, “want me to continue?” His response comes quickly, nodding once. “Words, baby…you need to tell me whether I should stop or go on.”
He bites his lip, whispering, “Yes, hyung…go on…please prep me well, hyung.”
I nod with a smile plastering my face, pushing a finger in my mouth, coating well. “First time?” I ask after I slick my finger with my saliva.
“No…”
I’m taken aback instantly, don’t intend to get jealous abruptly of whoever the guy popped his cherry, so I ask right away, “With wh—”
“If a dildo counts, hyung…”
I frown in confusion. “You mean is?” Because suddenly my mind can’t comprehend what he just said.
He reaches for my face, pulling me up until our foreheads touch together, then he says, “I’m a virgin, hyung…if a dildo or vibrator doesn’t count.”
“Fuck…damn it, JL,” I can’t control myself from cursing, even my emotions heighten more as I hear his confession, so does my cock wiggling madly inside my pants. “I’ll be gentle I promise,” I vow, pressing a kiss on his forehead down to his nose and before my lips slide down to his lips, he pulls my head down and lets our mouths touch again.
We continue kissing each other even after I push one finger in slowly, feeling the way his lips clutch to mine, same with his arms throwing around my shoulders and his legs wrapping around my hips. He’s hugging me as I keep pushing my middle finger in and out of his hole gently. His walls are tight and my finger is so thick which only an inch of my finger enters him. I feel his hole clenching around my finger in a tensing manner. So I pull away from the kiss, breathing out, “Relax, baby,” I whisper, kissing his cheek. “Breathe for me, hm? I’ve got you.”
I gently slip my finger out, and he lets out a soft whine in protest. I kiss his lips to soothe him, tender and slow, trailing featherlight kisses down his body—chest, stomach, until I reach his hip bone. I press my lips there, lingering for a moment, breathing him in, unconsciously licking the skin just above his erection before I part his knees further, giving myself more space to worship him. Carefully, I start again—one finger easing in, then two, scissoring slowly, watching the way his body responds, his face twisting with each new sensation. I study him, loving every little expression he makes, how honest and open he becomes in moments like this. I take my time, whispering soft praises against his skin. Then I spread his buttcheek more, lean closer and kiss his soft, pretty rim gently, helping my fingers in prepping him. I prep him carefully, with love, keeping the slow pace of my fingers, dragging them inside his tight, hot hole, and mouthing the skin around his puckered hole. Then later on, His hips begin to move, slow and shy, rolling against my fingers and face. And then, it happens—his lips part in a breathless moan, and I look up to see him flushed, eyes glassy, completely undone, completely ready just for me.
“You’re doing so well, baby,” I murmur, curling my fingers just right. “Even like this…even though you’re sick, you’re taking my fingers so well, my 3-pick.”
“Hyung~” he whines and I chuckle in response. I’m about to kiss his rim when I stop halfway, hearing his, “Steven hyung, please. I want you now,” he begs, his voice breaking around the need. “I want to feel you inside. Take me now…”
Something snaps inside me and I can’t take it anymore.
I strip fast, my clothes hitting the floor without care. My cock bounces free, heavy, aching, and already leaking. I stroke it once, twice unconsciously, just to calm myself.
When I look at him again, JL’s eyes are wide—freeze and lock on my cock. His breath hitches audibly as he mumbles, “Hyung…”
I frown puzzledly. “Why? What’s wrong?” I ask concernedly.
“Wait…” he whispers, blinking. “That’s for real, right? That’s your thing, right?”
I blink, heart stuttering. “Yeah?”
He looks dazed, eyes look dreamily, lips parting with a kind of awe that hits straight to my ego. “It’s…it’s huge and thick, Steven hyung. Like—how is that even real?” His voice is soft, honest, no hint of teasing. Just raw wonder. “I didn’t even know it could be that big. And it’s pretty. Shit.”
My cock twitches in my hand. Because fuck , hearing those words from him, said with that kind of innocent shock, nearly make me lose it.
Heat rushes straight to my face and down to my spine. “JL…” I groan, walking over him. “You can’t just say stuff like that.”
“But it is,” he murmurs, still staring. “I mean…shit—how is that gonna fit?” Then he stares up at me with his big doe eyes. “Is it possible, hyung?”
I let out a shaky breath, my cock twitching again from the way he said it and his stare at my cock—standing thick and curved slightly toward my belly—half afraid and half wondering. Then I take a step forward and I lean down, pressing a kiss to his temple, then his cheek. My hands run over his thighs, calming every nerve of him that’s tensing. “We’ll take it slow, baby,” I whisper. “You don’t have to take all of me. Just what you can. Just tell me if it hurts too.” I stare into his eyes as I ask, “Promise?”
He parts his lips, biting his lower lip as he nods and says softly, “Okay.”
I lean my head even closer to his, touching our foreheads together. “You sure?” I ask, eyes searching his. “We can stop anytime. Just say the word.”
But JL doesn’t hesitate when he pulls me close right away, whispering so heavenly against my ear, “I won’t stop you hyung because I need you.”
I swear, my heart swoons hard and I do not stop myself as I press a soft kiss to his lips. “I got you, babe…I’ll take care of you.”
Pulling away from the quick kiss, I don’t waste another second and I immediately line myself up, hold his hips still with one hand and my cock on the other, spitting directly and coating it evenly on my length up to my head, and push the tip in, slowly, so painfully slow.
My eyes squeeze shut as I feel my cockhead being squeezed tightly. It’s so hot, so fucking tight I can barely breathe. His hole clings to me like it doesn’t know whether to pull me in or push me out. It’s overwhelming, too much in both best and worst way that I have to pause to breathe and also to stop myself from bucking deeper. When I open my eyes, I hear his gasp, panting already even though I barely sink the tip. His back arches off the bed out of discomfort I bet, his fingers clawing at my shoulders and his legs flying around my waist. I stop halfway, chest heaving and breathing hard against his cheek. And I kiss his cheek as I ask, “Are you okay? Does it hurt?”
He nods just a little, eyes squeezing shut.
Fuck. My chest aches watching him like this. “Sorry,” I whisper, kissing his cheek. “I’ll go even slower this time, okay?” I breathe, kissing his forehead gently. “Tell me if it’s too much…”
He nods, signaling me to move so I snap my hips forward, slowly, trying to bury just halfway of my length. But he suddenly clutches onto my shoulders with a whimper, alarming me. I shush him gently, pressing a kiss to his skin my lips can reach.
“I’m sorry…I’m not going to move yet, okay?” I whisper softly, breathing in slow, deep breaths. “Just let me hold you like this until it feels better.”
He nods faintly, clenching his jaw and breathing in shallow. I kiss his temple, his cheek, murmuring softly, trying to ease the pain he’s enduring. But despite myself, I feel my cock twitch inside him, my hips jerking forward on instinct because the way his walls hug me is just too much—too tight, too good, too goddamn perfect. The sensation makes my breath hitch, and I bite my lip, struggling to stay still as my body betrays me.
“Fuck, sorry, babe,” I whisper, my voice low and shaky. “You’re so tight…so warm…”
“Ah haa hyung…” JL’s nails dig even deeper into my skin, his breathing is shaky and heavy as he whimpers under me.
I lift my head, checking his face—his eyes were shut tight, eyebrows furrow, sweat starting to bead at his hairline. “Sorry, babe…” I murmur, kissing his cheek gently.
“Hyung…it hurts…”
“Should I pull out?”
“No…” he whispers, his voice so small, his legs shaking around my waist, his whole body tense it almost breaks me.
“What do you want then?” I ask softly, kissing his lips to calm him. But he keeps his mouth shut, so I urge him. “You have to tell me, JL. If it’s too much, we can stop for now. There are ways other than—”
He shakes his head weakly, cutting me off with a breathy voice, “No…I want this. I want you, hyung. Kiss me, hyung... please…”
“My pleasure, babe,” I whisper back.
I press a kiss to the tip of his nose first, then the soft curve of his cupid’s bow. Finally, our mouths meet. He kisses me back—eager, messy, and pretty desperate. Our tongues slide together in a feverish tangle as I move my hips, pushing the rest of my length inside him slowly, carefully, feeling every inch of him tighten around me. In the middle of the kiss, his hand slides into my hair, tugging, and he bites my lower lip hard. The sting makes me groan—it hurts, but fuck, it turns me on even more. I lose control for a moment and push the rest of my cock in with one deep thrust, burying myself completely. Our mouths stumble against each other as twin moans spill out breathlessly.
JL’s nails rake across my back just as he pulls away from the kiss, his cheek pressing to mine. “I-It’s so big…” he breathes out. “Feels like I’m splitting—” His whole body trembles beneath me, sweat beading on his skin. I try to keep still, but the way he’s clenching around me is driving me wild, and I can’t help the slow roll of my hips. “Hyung, wait…” he gasps, tightening around me, his nails sinking deeper into my back. “Sorry, hyung.” He buries his face into the crook of my neck, panting. “It just hurts so much,” he adds, muttering.
I kiss his temple tenderly, then the line of his brows, then the small mole near his eye. “I’m sorry too,” I whisper against his skin. His head shakes gently, and I kiss him again. “Let’s just take your time and breathe for me, okay?”
“But hyung…” he pants.
“Yes, babe?” I lift myself slightly, resting my elbow beside his head to check on him. My chest aches when I see a single tear sliding down from the corner of his eye. I wipe it with my thumb, then kiss the spot gently, murmuring, “Should we stop, babe?”
His lashes flutter. Then, softly, “No, hyung…”
“You sure?”
He nods twice.
“I don’t want to push you too hard. You still need to rest—”
“Isang putok lang, hyung—”
I frown at the foreign language he uses. I have a doubt that it’s Tagalog but I only recognize the isang which means, “One what?”
He suddenly presses his face into the crook of my neck even more, his body shaking as he clings to me. “Move, hyung…” he whispers shakily. “Please...keep moving and don’t stop.”
“Are you sure?” I ask again while my heart slowly beats twice.
“Yes hyung…please…”
I nod, kissing his forehead softly. “Okay, babe, but promise me to breathe, okay?”
He pulls his head back to look at me, his eyes desperate. “Yes, hyung…please move now.”
I nod back but I stay still for a few seconds, letting him adjust even though he doesn’t tell me and to calm down myself as well. When I don’t feel his limbs trembling around me and my heart beats normally again, I begin to rock my hips backward, slowly and gently. I pull out just a little, then push back in, feeling the tight grip of him choking around me. I breathe through my mouth. His breath hitches sharply, and his fingers tighten on my arms, but he doesn’t tell me to stop. I keep going, shallow thrusts at first, just enough to let his body memorize mine.
“That’s great, babe…that’s it, JL,” I whisper, brushing my lips over his cheek. “You’re doing so well, babe.” He is biting his lower lip hard, eyes squeeze shut, brows still frowning, but then he begins to move his hips faintly, as if his body is ready to chase for more. And then I feel it, his hole loosening bit by bit around me. I kiss his forehead, then his temple reminding him to breathe along with me, “Breathe, baby.”
“I-It still stings,” he whispers shakily, breathily. “But it’s…it’s not as bad as a while ago.” I feel his hot breath against my skin, breathing out, “Just keep going. Please…”
His trust in me shatters something inside of me. I kiss him again, tender and deep, and I start to move in a faster rhythm than a while, thrusting carefully, gliding, stretching him more around me. Then his hole’s slowly adjusting and it feels so unreal. I feel his spasm every time I push in, like his hole is learning how to take me, reshaping to hold me. And then he makes that sound—a tiny, breathy and deep in his throat, not pain but sounds like a moan, a real one.
“Ahh…”
The sound he utters makes me shiver and pauses. “You okay?” I whisper.
He opens his eyes just a little, dazed again, cheeks flushing in deep red, breathing hard. “That…that felt good.”
I give him a smile. Fucking finally , I curse internally once more before I kiss his lips, even deeper and hungrier now. “You feel so good too, JL,” I whisper against his lips, nibbling then sucking his bottom lip, “so tight, so warm...shit, you’re driving me crazy, babe,” then I deepen the kiss even more, almost swallowing his entire lips while I roll my hips, pushing my entire length deeply.
JL’s moans get softer but louder, and needier. I watch him beneath me—mouth falls open, hair sticking to his forehead. His body has gone stiff. He’s meeting my thrusts now with his tiny hips’ movement. And the way he writhes underneath me is way prettier than I imagined.
I stare down and catch his gaze. I smile at him, asking, “Does it feel good now?”
“Yes, hyung,” he whimpers, biting his lower lip after, adding, “but hyung…”
I can’t help but lean forward, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek before I trail my lips down to his jaw, letting the kiss linger a little longer. “What is it, babe?” I whisper against his skin, planting another kiss right beneath his ear. I feel him shiver as I do so I kiss the same spot again while I am still moving steadily in him. I love this part of JL, his sexy neck. I love the softness of his skin, the warmth of it against my lips, the faint smell of his body wash and his natural scent—soft and sweet, not too masculine. And I know for sure I am going to get addicted to this, even way more than before when I could only smell it when I hugged him.
“You’re so deep inside me,” he points out.
I grit my jaw fighting the urge to thrust harder. “Yes, baby,” I murmur against his ear, pressing another kiss. “You like it?”
He nods, “Yes…I love it, hyung,” then he tightens around me, and I gasp, snapping my hips forward.
“Fuck—don’t do that,” I groan, forehead falling to his shoulder. “You’re gonna make me lose it.”
JL just lets out a breathless giggle—too cute for me to handle. So, I kiss him again, slow and messy, still rocking my hips into him gently. His body is slick with sweat, moving beneath mine, but he’s still so goddamn responsive—every grind and every shift in angle makes him moan.
“Steven hyung I think I’m gonna—”
I understand it right away. “I’ve got you,” I breathe, gripping his hand, threading our fingers together. “Come for me, babe. Cum for me.”
JL pulls me closer, his free arm tightening around my shoulder and hands snaking around my nape and the back of my head until his chest presses to mine like he never wants to let go. Our eyes meet between kisses, breath tangle, and I feel his walls pulse around me which makes my hips snap again faster, deeper. I ram inside at a fast but calm pace, trying to get deeper and deeper and getting harder and harder—our skins slapping every second, the headboard banging into the wall, and the bed begins to creak. I pull away from the kiss, giving each other some time to breathe before I press my cheek against his as I whisper shakily against his ear, “I love you, JL…I love you,” and that’s when I feel him break.
He writhes under me, digging his heels into my back as he pushes me deeper inside him and then hot spurts land between our bodies as he comes with a shaky, loud cry. His whole hole clenches around my entire length so tight that it drags my own orgasm out before I can even anticipate it. I follow with a deep, guttural groan, burying my cock to the base, my balls press against his ass, as I cum hard inside, thick spurts of my semen flooding his insides while his hole squeezing me like it never wants to let go, milking every cum I have. For a moment, the world fades into nothing but our tangled bodies and the sound of our unsteady breath. My hips twitch slightly from the oversensitivity, but I stay buried deep, not ready to leave the warmth of him just yet. JL is clutching at my back, eyes fluttering half-shut, and legs still wrap tight around my waist. I kiss his jaw, his cheek, anywhere my lips can reach. Then he meets my lips and we kiss in a messy way as we’re still riding the last waves of our orgasms together. He pulls away from the kiss after more than one minute straight. And then I collapse on top of him, still buried deep, our chests pressed tight, both of us panting while he holds me like he never wants me to let go—and God, I don’t want to either.
“You okay?” I whisper after a few deep breaths, brushing his damp hair away from his forehead.
He nods, chest heaving and panting loudly, obviously. His eyes are still half-closed, lashes wet with sweat and maybe a few tears he doesn’t mean to shed. And his whole body is warm and skin’s glowing.
“You did so well,” I praise him, kissing his temple, lingering my lips a bit longer. Then, “I’m gonna pull out, okay? So I can clean you,” I announce but before I can move, he lets out a soft whine and shakes his head, his arms tightening around me and his legs locking me in as if he doesn’t want me to go anywhere. “You don’t want to?”
“Hm…yes, hyung…don’t pull out yet,” he answers almost inaudibly.
“But I’m heavy…”
“It’s fine…”
“And it’s sticky.”
“I don’t care, hyung…”
“Are you sure?”
He opens his eyes fully in a slow manner, stares them into mine and says, “I…I don’t want to feel empty yet, hyung. Please, just stay inside a bit more…and your cum will come out…I don’t like that,” then he pouts.
My heart suddenly fills with marshmallows and unicorns, after fighting the desire to thrust again for second round, beating quite faster than my normal rate upon hearing those. I don’t stop myself when I hug him back, kissing his forehead again because, sigh, I can’t help it . And I bury my face into the crook of his neck because I can’t fight this feeling anymore.
God I really want JL...I love him even more.
I speak again after I calm down my own heart then I whisper, “I love you.”
He mumbles something I can’t catch because his voice is too sleepy and muffled.
I lift my gaze and stare at him. “What was that, baby?” I whisper.
He locks his gaze on mine and I melt with the way he stares back lovely, longing at me. “Hyung…”
“Yes?” I respond nervously.
Then he smiles so prettily and warmly, saying, “I love you too, Steven hyung.”
JL’s response finds me dumbfounded because for a second, I forget how to breathe and the next second, I feel the corner of my lips curl upward, smiling so wide it almost hurts, my cheeks aching, eyes getting teary-eyed, and everything happens all at once:
JL said it back. JL loves me. JL wants to be mine.
And maybe we never say yet what we are, haven’t put a label on what relationship we have, but with this, everything is enough, even more than enough .
“Love you, JL,” I whisper, so quietly it’s almost just a breath. He hums in reply, eyes already closed, but keeping that beautiful smile on his face. I pull him closer, burying my nose into his damp hair, my arms wrapping around his waist. And then I smile, heart happy, full, and contented.
Jeongwoo’s POV.
I step into the dorm first after the front door clicks open, pulling my mask down and letting out a long sigh. My whole body is aching from dance drills, and all I can think about is crashing into bed. But then, before I can take a step forward I feel a force that makes me stop abruptly. I frown because the air that greets us is humid and warm, yet no Steven greets us and asks how our day went whenever he and JL decide to stroll at Han River after practice and go home earlier than us, and it has a faint smell of…
“Excuse me, hyung,” Juwon’s voice pops up behind me, pausing me from my deep thoughts.
I give him a space as he takes off his shoes then goes inside.
“I’m going to check JL hyung—”
“Me too, hyung!”
It’s Juwon and Daisuke and my brain immediately goes into full crisis mode. My limbs act on their own so that before they can walk away, I stride and grab their shirts, pulling them back and hearing whines and groans, staring at me with confusion comes up next.
I let the other members walk in first, going onto their respective rooms—their shared room, the couch, and bathroom before I speak. “Let’s do that tomorrow, okay?” I said lightly, flashing a smile that feels a little too tight.
Juwon blinks at me. “Why?”
“Yeah, hyung, why?” Daisuke follows up.
Then Juwon again. “We’re just going to check JL-hyung’s condition. We won’t wake him up.”
I sigh through my nose quite heavily, reasoning, “Because Steven’s in there with him.”
Juwon grins. “Yeokshi, Steven-hyung,” shaking his head after.
Daisuke’s eyebrow shot up. “Wait. What do you mean Steven-hyung’s in there, hyung?” He looks back and forth, questioning Juwon and I. “Is he going to sleep there?”
I gulp, how would I explain this to our maknae, “Uh, let’s give this night to them—”
“Why though? Hyung, I don’t understand,” Daisuke says and frowns even more.
“Daisuke, what Jeongwoo-hyung wanted to say is Steven-hyung is taking care of JL-hyung in his own way so we shouldn’t disturb them,” Juwon suddenly butts in and winks which makes my eyes grow bigger.
“Juwon! I didn’t?!”
“Okay so does that mean we’re not going to check them?” Daisuke asks again and my head abruptly goes spiral. “What if they’re hungry, Jeongwoo-hyung?”
“I’m sure Steven-hyung prepared everything beforehand,” Juwon points out.
“But, hyung,” Daisuke chimes, looking at me.
“Tomorrow, okay? We will but not now, okay?” I reply calmly—the best I can even though I’m afraid I might slip something our maknae shouldn’t be knowing at his current age. “Let’s wait for Steven to come out, okay?” I ruffle Daisuke’s hair, teasing him and purposely changing the topic, “You tease your hyung about being the fake maknae but your affection comes out naturally now, huh?”
“N-No! I just don’t want anyone to get sick and I just missed JL-hyung’s presence today because he’s one of the mood makers and how he teaches me, makes us laugh naturally…calms me whenever I’m sad,” Daisuke looks down after he explains his side in one smooth flow. “I just miss JL hyung.”
“Aw poor maknae—”
“Yah!”
It’s Juwon teasing our maknae again. I’m laughing at how they run in circles, running around the center table. But the smile on my face quickly drops when Chih En, who just comes out of his room, announces something.
“JL-hyung?” He calls, knocking at JL and Daisuke’s shared room. “I’m coming in, okay?”
I run fast towards where he is standing and place my arm around his shoulder. “Whatcha doing?” I ask, pulling him away with a bit of force because his feet seem glued to the floor. “Let’s go somewhere, huh, Chih En? And, don’t bother—”
But then he suddenly chuckles. “Just kidding, hyung. I’m just teasing you,” and then he runs back into his room.
What in the world?!
But that response of Chih En pops the tension in my chest. Then I glance at the door and chuckle. Even though they made my heart drop just a while ago by protecting our maknae’s innocent mind, I can’t help chuckling. Because they always try to play it cool, act like it is nothing serious, nothing is going serious between them just close friends but moments like this? They give the answer right away—like a bonus point—give everything away just to prioritize the other. And all those lingering glances from across the room when they are seven members apart, the quiet hugs in every corner of the dance studio, the unspoken comfort that never needs to be said aloud when someone between them wants a crying shoulder or a soothing hand—it all comes together, putting into places and suddenly they make sense: love doesn’t always come loud or obvious.
I walk back towards where Juwon and Daisuke are now, Juwon teasing Daisuke because apparently our maknae is going to sleep in our room.
That kind of love? It doesn’t need to be announced. You just have to feel it. Because feeling it will just be enough to see everything. And I see it with them, Steven and JL, loud and clear through my senses.