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Euijoo has been thinking about it all day. The way Nicholas teased him. Stretched him out and made him wait in front of everyone. He’d sat behind him and tipped him back in his own seat until Euijoo was drawn out long and tight and balancing in the space between them. His blood had ran hot, a burn through his veins matching the ache in his muscles as he strained to stay in the position Nicholas had put him in.

It wasn’t new though; these feelings he gets whenever Nicholas has his hands on him. He can normally deal with them. He’s become good at burying those particular feelings. Avoiding being too close for too long. There was something about being put on display like that though, feeling put bare in front of everyone that got him so riled up he didn’t think twice before going straight back at Nicholas to do the same to him. The way it felt to hold Nicholas down in front of everyone sent even more of a thrill up Euijoo’s spine. The way Nicholas barely resisted with a giggle and let Euijoo grab his hands from behind and lean him back as his shirt rode up. Nicholas may be slim, but he is solid muscle. Euijoo knows he could have overpowered him at any second if he wanted to. He didn’t. He sat there in Euijoo’s arms, strung out in front of everyone’s gazes while Fuma focussed in to watch them, Jo leaned back in his seat to get a better look and Taki... Taki moved Nicholas’ shirt up even further and blew on his stomach making Nicholas whine. And that. Well, Euijoo had to breathe a bit deeper at that.

It was a nothing moment. Just some playful banter that truly wasn’t supposed to be that deep and yet Euijoo had never felt quite like that before. The wave of possessiveness that crashed over him. In that moment he wanted everyone to look away, but then Nicholas giggled and Euijoo knew he was enjoying this. Nicholas has always enjoyed being the centre of attention, but Euijoo had never allowed himself to think about Nicholas being the centre of attention in that way before today. But after noticing it was all Euijoo could think about. He suddenly wanted everyone to look. To see that Nicholas was allowing him to do this. Was giggling at being manhandled by him. Was allowing him to do whatever he wanted with him.

And it’s not like he hasn’t thought about holding Nicholas down before. About finally shutting that smart mouth of his up by giving him something else to wrap his tongue around that tastes better than the bitterness of quick whit and sarcastic comments. God has he thought about it. It’s just never happened for them because Euijoo has pulled back so many times now that Nicholas has stopped pushing the boundaries. They’ve settled into a comfortable teasing that never goes anywhere and that’s exactly what Euijoo had asked for after he became the leader. He didn’t have to use words, Nicholas could tell he had put a wall up and he respected that. Only ever teased just enough before retreating back over the line. Euijoo has slowly, over the years, begun to really resent himself for building that wall so high that Nicholas only ever climbs half way up anymore.

Something about the feeling he got today has awakened a part of him he has tried so hard to bury. The part that so desperately wants Nicholas in a way he has never needed anyone else in his life. It’s always been different with Nicholas. It’s always been a little bit easier and yet little bit more difficult with him. Euijoo wants to provoke him in ways that will leave him begging for more. Wants to reward him for always being so tentative to him by dropping to his knees and unwinding the tension that has built between them with his mouth. These thoughts he has suppressed for so long have suddenly taken over him in a fire that burns hotter than he has allowed it to get before. Nicholas enjoyed being watched and Euijoo enjoyed holding him open to be watched. He doesn’t know what to do with this information, but it has short-circuited his brain.

He had popped a very awkward boner and very quickly ran to the toilet after he had snapped out of his daze and let Nicholas back up again. Which is why he purposely made sure he did not touch Nicholas again today. Has been blatantly avoiding being near him since and is now hidden away in his dorm room the second they returned home. Mumbling excuses about being tired. He should have known that would never wash. That he would never be able to get a minute of peace to maybe wrap his hand around himself and think back to that afternoon. No, because that would mean the world would have given him a break and when has that ever happened before? He’d been too obvious. Too careless this time. It was going to blow up at some point, he knew that, but Euijoo just wasn’t sure if he was quite ready yet.

He’s lying flat on his back in bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in memories and berating his own lack of self-restraint when he hears the quick knock on his door. He flicks his eyes to his clock. He’s only been in his room for 10 minutes, not nearly enough time to fully overthink this like he was planning to actually. He yells to ask who it is, but gets no response. Sighing loudly, he launches himself off the bed to open the door. He’s ready to tell the person to please give him some space, but when Nicholas appears from behind the closed door his brain shuts down again.

“Oh.”

Nicholas smiles wide at him, mischief lining his features. “Oh? Is that all I get now? I waited at the door and everything. Didn’t even barge my way in and you say ‘oh’?” His tone is playful, but Euijoo can see something brewing deep behind those eyes. Knows Nicholas too well to be fooled by the casual tone.

“Sorry. I just, I, I was just-”

“-avoiding me?” Nicholas finishes for him, crossing his arms across his chest.

“Savage”

Euijoo is broken from his trance by the sound of Maki’s voice. He abruptly realises that they are in fact being watched by the entire house who are congregating in the living room, sneaking peaks at them. His blood runs hot through his veins. He’s standing in his open door, but he feels backed up against the wall. “What are they-?”

“-They’re very interested in why you ran off earlier after getting your hands on me and then decided to avoid me even more than usual all afternoon.” Nicholas raises an eyebrow in challenge, drawing out the words matter of factly.

There it is. The confrontation that they normally dodge. Nicholas hasn’t side stepped it this time. No. He’s brought a full audience. Placed Euijoo at the centre of the show. Nicholas has always been a little too good at knowing what Euijoo wants before he’s even realised it himself. Or allowed himself to realise.

“Oh damn, Nicholas is actually a little annoyed.” Taki hides his faint snigger into his hand.

“That’s hot.” Harua lets the words escape him with a smirk and Eujoo would agree if he wasn’t currently on the receiving end of Nicholas’ mood.

“Stop it, Harua.” Jo mutters in return, eyes widening slightly as they shift to the younger member.

He’s just telling the truth.” Yuma shrugs casually, eyes locked onto the scene in front of him.

Nicholas closes his eyes on a heavy sigh, presumably at the idiots behind him, before opening them with a fierce gaze and whips his head around. Tone sharp, short. “Shut up, all of you.”

Euijoo feels his heart beat out of his chest. Questions spinning in his mind. When did they talk about this? Did Nicholas reach out to everyone in the 10 minutes Euijoo was in his room? Was today finally the last straw for him? Why is everyone involved? He must say that last one out loud because Yudai stands and walks over to them, a calm hand held up.

“Euijoo, I don’t want to spook you with this information but uhh, you weren’t exactly subtle earlier.” He says with a soft smile on his face.

Well yes, Euijoo did realise that.

“To be clear. You guys are never subtle, but today was really another level of fumbling.” Fuma shrugs from where he’s leaning against the back of the sofa observing the scene before him.

“It gets to a point.” Yuma tilts his head and pouts. Stops talking quickly when Fuma glances at him.

Euijoo’s pulse quickens, his tongue sticks to the roof of his mouth. This is an ambush and he is the victim. “What do you mean?”

“I swear to every god Byun Euijoo, you are the most frustrating man I have ever met in my life. Please stop being purposely dense for one second.” Nicholas finally turns back to Euijoo, takes another deep sigh and then more gently, “You don’t have to keep running away from me. It’s getting really tiring now.”

Is this really happening right now, in front of everyone? Has Nicholas finally climbed to the top of the carefully constructed wall Euijoo has built brick by brick upon every stray thought he has had about Nicholas over the years? The fact that every single one of their band mates is here too, staring him down, as if daring him to still try and deny this now. They all know. They are all watching. Just like earlier. Just how Nicholas had enjoyed it earlier. Was that why he was doing this now with everyone here? Nicholas and his insatiable need for attention will be the end of Euijoo one day, he’s sure of it.

Euijoo looks past Nicholas to the faces of every one of his band mates. His friends. His brothers. All sharing various looks of amusement and encouragement. Euijoo kind of wishes he didn’t look at them at all, but at the same time he feels a thrill run down his spine. That familiar itch from earlier on his skin at the thought of being stripped bare in front of everyone. It’s terrifying and exhilarating. All this time he’s been cursing Nicholas for his attention seeking ways and here he is once again feeling the thrill of having eyes on him. He’s such a hypocrite. Nicholas must have known, must have seen his reaction earlier, felt the heat that Euijoo was feeling when he had his hands on him. A switch flips. Euijoo’s stomach drops in an uncomfortable way, embarrassment prickling down his neck.

“This is ridiculous. I’m not running away from you. You’re the one who’s always joking around.” Euijoo's defences come up a little. His leader mode is flickering, but has not yet been deactivated. He’s desperately trying to backtrack out of this situation. To put a few more bricks onto his wall to stop Nicholas from climbing over it. One last ditch effort to stop the overwhelming feelings from taking over. “Why are you all here just listening in like this anyway?!” He looks back to the crowd in the living room with a gesture of his hand.

“Don’t think we didn’t all notice the way you locked in when you realised everyone was watching you hold Nicholas down earlier.” Yudai chuckles from their left and then gestures to Euijoo’s general person. “The way you’re acting now like you’re going to crawl out of your skin just to wrap it around him.”

Fuma leans forward and hits his arm, tuts and mutters, “Don’t scare him off, remember.” And then louder. “We are here for moral support.”

“Yeah that and the fact that it was way hotter than it should have been to see you finally break a little and we want to see the moment we’ve all been waiting for happen.” Harua chirps up, with a huge grin on his face and laughs when Fuma immediately tuts again and throws his hands up in a ‘why do I bother’ gesture.

Euijoo is running frantically around his mind grabbing bricks to add to the wall, but the wall is crumbling, too fragile to hold any more weight. Desperately he tries to save it. Can’t believe after all these years this is how it starts to crumble. With all his friends pulling up with bulldozers and popcorn to watch it fall. He always kind of figured if this was to happen it would be a moment just between him and Nicholas. Something they figure out between themselves. But really, he should have known the moment they started to make this thing between them everyone elses problem that they would all have to be involved. He doesn’t know if this is what he wants though. The thrill of being watched and goaded runs hot in his veins, but the thought of being vulnerable in front of the very people he has tried so hard to be strong for makes him feel sick. The reason he has avoided this for so long is for them.

“You all need to stop.” He hears his own voice tremble and jumps when he feels Nicholas’ hands reach out for his own. His hands are shaking. He didn’t even realise. He feels it now. Feels the tremors wracking through his body. The tears filling his eyes. God. He’s been ensnared and he is terrified.

“You don’t have to be the strong, sensible one all the time, Euijoo.” Nicholas sighs and rubs his thumbs soothingly over Euijoo’s hands. It’s a welcome feeling of soft comfort amongst the jokes and jabs of the group, bringing him back to Nicholas. “Sometimes it’s ok to want things for yourself.”

God. He does want. He is feeling so much he doesn’t know which feeling to lean into. The despair and retreat into his room to have a crisis. The jokes of his bandmates and try to laugh this off, make it not a big deal. Or, most thrilling and terrifying, the overwhelming weight of his feelings for Nicholas and potentially screw everything up for everyone.

“I can’t.” Euijoo’s voice cracks, head shaking from side to side. He closes his eyes and a stray tear escapes down his cheek. He feels so stupid right now. “I can’t. With you. I can’t.”

“You can have anything you want with me, Euijoo. I thought you knew that. I thought I made that clear.” Nicholas drops his voice as he runs his hands up Euijoo’s arms comfortingly, grounding him. “Come on Juju, it’s only me. Tell me what you want.”

“Only you.” Euijoo’s laugh is borderline sinister. Doesn’t think before he opens his mouth again with a little too much honesty. “As if you aren’t the one person who matters the most.” Euijoo shakes his head and opens his eyes again. He stares Nicholas down, his vision zoned in on Nicholas and almost forgetting the other 7 pairs of eyes watching their every move. Nicholas is looking at him like he’s looking right through him, trying to encourage the part of Euijoo that only he can see out. “You already know. Don’t make me say it. Please. I need- .”

“I’m right here, Juju. I’ve always been right here.” Nicholas steps into Eujoo’s space, deft fingers of one hand reaching up to carefully brush Euijoo’s hair out of his eyes. He’s never been quite this soft with Euijoo in front of everyone before and it’s shaking the ground under Euijoo’s feet. Nicholas keeps his hand there, gently carding through Euijoo’s hair as his head drops down to face the floor. “Just take what you need.”

Euijoo feels buried under the wall. The rubble surrounding him. The dust in the air makes it hard for him to breathe, hard to see what’s right in front of him. What’s been right in front of him for years. His whole body is trembling now. His hands are gripping the bottom of Nicholas’ shirt. Nicholas uses the hand he has moved to Euijoo’s hip to pull him close. Closer still, until he rests his forehead against Euijoo’s. Every bone in Euijoo’s body is telling him to lean forward and take. Claim what is his. But his head is still buried under the wall. The remnants of it are still a crushing weight in his chest.

He knows if they do this now, there’s no going back. Everything will change. He knows there are 7 sets of eyes watching them now whose lives will be impacted by this decision. How selfish does he need to be to put them in that position? How can he be a leader and a lover to Nicholas? That’s not fair. That’s not right. He can’t just- he can’t…

He’s fully resting his forehead against Nicholas’ now. Slumped over him like all the weight of the world is on his shoulders and Nicholas is holding him up.

But that’s just it, isn’t it.

Nicholas is holding him up. Nicholas always holds him up. He makes his life easier, not more difficult. It’s Euijoo who makes it difficult. Who keeps making it difficult. Nicholas is here, holding onto him. His band mates are here, wanting him to stop neglecting himself in favour of them. And he’s still making it difficult. He feels a soft sob fall over his shoulders with a shudder. Nicholas holds him tighter. God he wants to kiss him. He wants to pull him closer until he doesn’t know where he ends and where Nicholas begins. Why is this so hard?

“You know you already have me, don’t you?” Nicholas breathes the words out and he’s so close Euijoo feels them on his own lips. Just a breath away from him. “But you don’t have to do this. If you’re not ready. It’s ok. I’ll still be here.”

And fuck. That does it. The dust in his mind settles and clears and standing in the rubble is Nicholas. There’s no more wall separating them. Euijoo has run out of bricks to rebuild it with. He feels his lips tilt into a soft smile and he opens his eyes. He straightens up, just slightly, just enough to take his weight off of Nicholas, but not far enough to take his forehead away from his. He breathes deeply and unclenches his hands from Nicholas’ shirt. Runs them up his lean body until he reaches Nicholas’ face. He cups his head in his hands. Fingers tangling in the strands of Nicholas’ hair and thumbs sitting just in front of his ears.

“What happened to the guy who’s always teasing me?” Euijoo murmurs gently into the space between them. Just for Nicholas.

“He’s giving you an out.” Nicholas breathes back, eyes sincere. His own hands now rest on either side of Euijoo’s neck where it meets his shoulders. “If you want it.”

Absolutely not actually, no he does not. He doesn’t want that. Not anymore. Euijoo adores this annoying, frustrating man who has done nothing but love and encourage him for years. He doesn’t want to hold back any longer. Everyone here is on their side and these are the only people that really matter anyway. He wants to be brave. He wants to take. To show Nicholas off in a way he has only ever dared to dream about before because he can. He wants to wear the red string of fate that has been binding them together since before he had even spoken to Nicholas on his wrist like a promise.

Euijoo gently shakes his head. “I don’t want an out.” He uses the hands on Nicholas’ face to tilt his head back just a little bit further and as he leans in his speaks against Nicholas’ lips. “I want in. If you’ll have me.”

“You’re a fucking idiot if you even need to ask. Was the ambush not clear enough for you or som-.” The words die on Nicholas’ lips as Euijoo captures them with his own.

The reaction is instant. Booming cheers and jeers assault the quiet bubble they had put themselves in. Oh shit. Euijoo forgot all about their audience. Something hot runs down his spine again with everyone watching. For once, he doesn’t want to blush and hide, he wants to perform and shut them up. He takes one of his hands and burns a path down Nicholas’ back until he rests it just above his tailbone and pulls him in close. The jeering seems to explode at that and Euijoo feels Nicholas smile against his lips. He takes the opportunity to lick into Nicholas’ mouth and revels in the way he can feel his rumble moan and the sag of his body against his own. Yeah, they both need this.

“Ok! Jesus Christ keep it pg would you, the kids are here!!” Yudai loudly announces with a huge smile on his face as he quickly pretends to cover Taki’s eyes, garnering some indignant cries from the younger members.

Euijoo chuckles into Nicholas’ mouth and reluctantly pulls back. Just enough to make eye contact with everyone in the room over Nicholas’ shoulder. He feels hot all over at the way everyone’s gaze is glued to them. A mixture of wide smiles, smug smirks and very interested eyes. He beams with a pride that he didn’t realise he possessed and looks back to the man in his arms. Feels his heart grow two sizes at the adoration in the eyes looking back at him. Screw this. He does not have one logical thought in his mind anymore. Leader mode, off.

Giving in to his needs completely, he finds himself grabbing Nicholas by his shirt collar and pulling him into his room with a knowing smile. A small noise of pleasant surprise slips out of Nicholas’ lips and warms through Euijoo’s chest. The wolf whistles and cat calls explode out of the 7 people in the living area, but Euijoo just grins like a cheshire cat, heart jumping at Nicholas’ giggle as he allows himself to be yanked fully into Euijoo’s room.

It’s exhilarating, being watched by everyone as he holds Nicholas in his arms, but now he needs them all to go away. He pulls Nicholas into the room far enough to lean past him and close the door. As he’s pushing it shut a bout of cockiness comes over him upon hearing the cheers of his bandmates. The support of his friends. He leans around Nicholas to make deliberate eye contact with Fuma.

“You’re in charge tonight. I don’t want to be disturbed.” He almost gets through it without smiling, but then Nicholas loudly snort giggles and tucks himself into Euijoo’s chest. He can’t help but bite his cheeks to stop himself smiling too widely. Especially when Yuma jumps up and claps his hands jeering loudly. Fuma does not tell him to calm this time, merely responds to Euijoo with raised eyebrows and a salute sign.

Maki laughs out loud but his voice holds some genuinity to it. “As if we would ever interrupt this highly anticipated union.”

Beside Maki, Harua hits his arm with a delighted giggle, vibrating in his own seat.

Euijoo almost misses the way Yudai and Taki lean into each other, looking at them with a fondness that simmers brightly behind their teasing. They’ve been there from the very start with them. Euijoo knows out of everyone, those two have really seen it all with him and Nicholas. He puts the information to the side for now.

It feels easy, natural to have Nicholas curled around him and his band mates bickering and smiling at them fondly. Euijoo realises in an instant that he had spent so long building that wall in his mind that he’d made it into something huge when it was never supposed to be. It’s still terrifying, but this feels right. He shuts the door on the members bickering and feels the air in the room crackle and pop in anticipation. Nicholas is still hiding in his chest giggling softly, fitting in there like he belongs. And he does. Should have been there a long time ago.

Euijoo allows the feeling to bubble through his veins pleasantly until Nicholas pushes him back. Only far enough to make eye contact and damn if Euijoo doesn’t fight the instinct to look away. Nicholas’ gaze is strong, heavy with a weight it has been carrying for years, now unguarded as he studies Euijoo in the dim light of the bedroom. Euijoo wants to say so much and yet the words are stuck in his throat. Nicholas must find what he’s looking for in Euijoo because he smirks, a subtle lift to the right of his lips, and firmly pushes Euijoo back further until he is taking steps backwards. He falters as he falls onto the bed, but lies down easily when Nicholas continues to push him. His heart is racing in his rib cage, body vibrating with a need he has spent years repressing.

Nicholas leans down over him, enveloping him in between his limbs effortlessly, and asks gently “If you don’t want this night to end messy, but almost certainly satisfied, speak now.”

And Euijoo finds it within himself to scoff. That won’t do. In an instant he holds firm onto Nicholas’ hips and flips them. Revelling in the way Nicholas doesn’t even put up a fight. He towers over Nicholas, caging him in. “Almost certainly satisfied. Are you worried I can’t completely satisfy you?”

Nicholas, always quick to put Euijoo in his place, lets his hands wind their way around Euijoo’s neck as he responds with a slow grin “You left me high and dry for years Juju, what am I supposed to think?”

Euijoo all but growls, pulls at Nicholas’ hands and forces them above his head, holding them tightly. “Never again.”

“Ohhh, touchy.” Nicholas allows the grin to cover his face, biting his tongue between his teeth in a move that makes Euijoo want to do it for him. He flicks his eyes up briefly to where Euijoo is pinning his arms above his head. “You really like pinning me down huh?”

Euijoo’s stomach swoops. Thinks back to how this all started. How holding Nicholas down and open in front of everyone had set off the end to his denial. God yes he does. Euijoo’s breath comes in fast. Nicholas could break free. Of course he could. He is stronger than Euijoo, muscles carved along his arms in ways that drive Euijoo insane. Yet he stays still, sturdy wrists caught loosely but undeniably in Euijoo’s delicate grasp. The sight of Nicholas like this, waiting, grinning up at him, sends fire racing through Euijoo’s veins.

Euijoo swallows hard, pulse hammering in his throat. “Maybe I do.”

Nicholas shivers again, the subtle lift of his chest betraying a sharp breath. His grin softens, curving into something fonder, tender. “Good. I like it too.”

For a moment, the world stills. Just the sound of their breathing, the heat of Nicholas’ wrists under Euijoo’s palms, the air humming between them. Euijoo has never felt so aware of another person. Of every shift of muscle, every flicker of expression, every unspoken permission.

He leans down again, claiming Nicholas’ mouth with a new certainty. This time Nicholas doesn’t laugh, doesn’t tease. He meets Euijoo with an equal hunger, letting their kiss deepen until Euijoo feels dizzy from the way Nicholas’ tongue fights with his own. Teeth biting at lips, just to run over them and soothe the sting straight afterwards. Nicholas tastes like the stupid vanilla toothpaste he uses because mint is too mainstream for Nicholas Wang. Euijoo wants to lick into every ounce of his mouth until the vanilla is gone and all that’s left is Nicholas.

When they finally break apart, both panting, Nicholas tilts his head back against the pillow under his head, throat exposed, lips swollen. “God, Juju,” he says softly, voice roughened. “What took you so long?”

Euijoo’s laugh comes out shaky, breathless. He lets go of Nicholas’ wrists, only to lace their fingers together instead, grounding himself in the reality that this is happening. “I could ask you the same thing.”

Nicholas squeezes his hand, eyes gleaming with heightened emotion. “I was waiting for you.”

That simple truth hits harder than any teasing comment Nicholas could have made. Years of denial, of excuses, of pretending, all of it collapsed into that one truth. Nicholas had been waiting until Euijoo was ready.

He’s ready now.

Euijoo presses his forehead against Nicholas’, closing his eyes, letting the closeness settle around them. He feels Nicholas’ smile reach his cheeks and curve against his skin.

“I’m sorry I made you wait so long.” Euijoo whispers sincerely.

Nicholas’ answering laugh is quiet, almost reverent. “I would have waited longer.”

And Euijoo knows it’s the truth. Knows Nicholas is too kind and considerate, under all his sharp looks and teasing words, to ever push anyone further than he knows they can take. It’s something Euijoo admires about Nicholas. His ability to push people to be better, to try harder, but offer a guiding hand to help them through it when the push is too much.

Euijoo grips tighter onto Nicholas’ hands as he tilts his head back lazily, exposing his throat as though daring Euijoo to take advantage of it.

Nicholas’ voice is like honey when he speaks. “I guess I’m still waiting.”

Euijoo leans down, letting his mouth hover close enough for Nicholas to feel the heat of his breath. “Don’t test me.”

Nicholas shivers and the sight of it, the shiver running down the body he is holding in place, makes Euijoo’s pulse pound. He shifts his weight, knees bracketing Nicholas’ hips, pressing him more firmly into the bed. Nicholas’ grin falters into something softer, darker, though the amusement never leaves his eyes.

“Careful” Nicholas teases, voice husky now. “If you keep this up, I might start thinking you like being on top.”

Euijoo arches a brow, tightening his grip just enough to make Nicholas exhale sharply. “Maybe I do.”

The words hang between them like a thin veil.

Nicholas’s grin returns, but it’s slower this time, more deliberate. He slowly, purposefully, runs his eyes down the entire length of Euijoo’s body and back up to meet his gaze. “Good. Because I like you here.”

Euijoo’s heart jolts. He hadn’t expected Nicholas to give it up so easily, to admit it so openly. His first instinct is to laugh it off, to ease the tension, but he doesn’t. He holds Nicholas’ gaze, letting the weight of the moment press down just as firmly as his hands are.

And Nicholas. Nicholas lets him. For a moment. Until he starts to tease, to push back slightly. The struggle turns into a steady rhythm. Nicholas pushes, a twist of his wrists, a sudden shift of his hips, and Euijoo pushes right back. Pinning him with firm hands and a steady weight. Each time Nicholas yields, Euijoo loses himself a little more, until he’s not sure if he’s breathless from the effort or from the intimacy of it.

Their laughter is threaded through the tension. Nicholas taunts him, throwing out little jabs like “Maybe you’re too gentle for this” and “Is that all you’ve got?” only to break into a grin when Euijoo presses him down harder, bites at whatever body part is closest in retaliation.

Nicholas twists with real force, a sudden surge that nearly throws Euijoo off balance. Euijoo catches himself just in time, leaning all his weight forward, catches Nicholas’ wrists once more to slam them back against the bed. Their chests collide, breath mingling in the scant space between them.

Nicholas’s eyes widen, then narrow with delighted surprise. “Well, damn,” he breathes out through a smirk, almost in awe.

Euijoo’s own breath comes in ragged bursts. “Told you I’m stronger than I look.”

Nicholas laughs, but it comes out low, rough. “Not stronger. Just stubborn.”

“Maybe that’s why I fall for your awful rage bait every time.” Euijoo challenges, eyes shining with mirth.

Nicholas’ grin softens into something fonder, his eyes holding Euijoo’s with a heat that he feels bone-deep. He relaxes beneath Euijoo completely then, wrists slack in his hands, chest rising and falling with quickened breaths. For the first time, Euijoo realizes Nicholas isn’t just playing along anymore. He’s giving himself over, piece by piece, to this moment. To him.
The shift is dizzying.

Euijoo’s grip loosens, fingers sliding from Nicholas’ wrists up to his hands, threading through them once more. He holds on, firm but gentler now, settling into the rhythm of Nicholas’ steady pulse beneath his palms.

Nicholas smiles up at him, softer than Euijoo has ever seen, and breathes out “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted this.”

The honesty unfolds him. He knows. Of course he knows. He’s wanted it for just as long. Longer than he’s allowed himself to think about it. Euijoo leans in, kissing him again. Slower this time, deeper, as if to make up for every moment they’ve wasted. Nicholas kisses him back with equal fervour, fingers curling tight around Euijoo’s and Euijoo loses himself in it. Feels Nicholas teasingly shift his hips under him as he allows Euijoo to take control of the kiss. Euijoo pulls away to groan into Nicholas’ mouth as he keeps rocking his hips up into him. He buries his face into the space of Nicholas’ neck and shoulder and ruts back down against him, feeling hotter with each passing second. He squeezes Nicholas’ hands in his own and then lets go. Just long enough to shift his weight and lean his own hips up, moving one hand to hold Nicholas’ hips down. Creating space between them.

“I refuse to let this be over in 5 minutes. There will be no ‘almost satisfying’ ending tonight, Wang Yixiang.” Euijoo all but growls into Nicholas' ear, softening the words with a lick and kiss to his earlobe.

Nicholas shudders underneath him and Euijoo feels it vibrate through his entire body. He smirks against the skin below Nicholas’ ear and sucks gently. Now his hands are free, Nicholas slips them under Euijoo’s shirt, teases the skin with the gentle bite of his nails. Euijoo’s skin burns at the touch, sensitive but desperate for more. Euijoo cups his hand around one side of Nicholas’ neck while running kisses down the other side. The quiet breathy noise Nicholas lets out echoes around Euijoo’s mind, vibrations muddling his thoughts. Euijoo kisses down to the neckline of Nicholas’ t-shirt and huffs.

“Unless you want me to rip this thing off you, take it off now.” Euijoo sits back on Nicholas’ hips and flaps his t-shirt.

“It’s Gucci.” Nicholas squarks out, mock outrage on his face. Then with more of a teasing lilt to his voice. “And you’re bossy.”

Euijoo’s hands wander underneath the shirt, gradually pushing it up, eyebrows raised. He leans forward and places a quick kiss to Nicholas’ lips. “Take.” Kiss. “It.” Kiss. “Off.” Kiss.

Nicholas chuckles, drawls out an ‘okaaaay’ and pushes Euijoo back. He lifts himself up to take his shirt off and throws it on the floor. Before he leans back down, he grabs at the bottom of Euijoo’s own shirt, raising a challenging eyebrow and smirks. Euijoo’s eyes flit over Nicholas’ body, his hands following their gaze. God he is so toned in all the right places. Milky skin littered with freckles that Euijoo wants to get his mouth all over. Broad shoulders strong from the hours Nicholas spends in the gym. He follows the line of Nicholas’ arms, biceps on full display, the scar on his right arm starting to glow redder as it heats up. Trails his finger tips over Nicholas’ chest, fingers dipping in and out of his defined abs and gazes down to Nicholas’ hands where they grasp his own shirt. Then slowly, he strokes his hands back up to Nicholas’ shoulders and allows them to rest there while he meets Nicholas’ gaze with his own. Nicholas’ eyes are piercing. Euijoo’s pulse quickens. He’s seen Nicholas shirtless so many times, but he always looks away quickly, never letting his eyes linger. Now he’s allowed to admire and the sudden knowledge that he can touch and take makes him dry swallow.

“You done staring so I can take this off you, or do you need more time?” The mirth in Nicholas’ voice is strong as he tugs gently at Euijoo’s shirt.

Euijoo shakes his head, partially to tease Nicholas, but mostly to clear his thoughts. “No, I’m not done.”

Nicholas laughs and drops Euijoo’s shirt, lying back down on the bed and puts his hands behind own head, biceps flexing unashamedly. Euijoo takes the move for what it is; a challenge. Leaning over Nicholas, he places a quick kiss on his lips and kisses down his jawline. Feels Nicholas’ breathing stutter under the ministrations. He allows his lips to linger faintly over Nicholas’ skin, trailing them over his shoulder and bicep, feeling the muscles jump under his lips and carefully grazing his teeth over them in response. He mimics the move on the other side and then tugs at Nicholas’ biceps until he gets the hint and moves his arms down from behind his head, allows Euijoo to kiss his hands and guide them back down to where they were previously holding his shirt.

Nicholas grasps the edges of his shirt once more and this time Euijoo allows him to take it off. Before Euijoo can lean forward over Nicholas again, Nicholas places a steady palm to his chest. Quietly holding him in place. His other hand curves around Euijoo’s hip and squeezes as his eyes roam over his body. He can see the emotion behind Nicholas’ eyes, the want. Then it morphs into something more fond that settles warm in Euijoo’s chest. Nicholas smirks slightly and meets Euijoo’s eyes.

“I can feel your heart going crazy.” He drawls out in a voice that sounds as proud as it does in awe. He traces his thumb back and forth over Euijoo’s heartbeat.

“That’s your fault.” Euijoo smirks back, hand coming up to meet Nicholas’ over his chest.

He loves this. The easy back and forth between them. The way they can switch from fond to teasing and back again. They have a language of their own that they have mastered over the years. For a moment, Euijoo allows himself to just feel. Forget all the reasons that told him not to do this. This is exactly where he should be.

He leans forward over Nicholas once more and this time Nicholas allows him, hand gliding over his skin to settle onto his back and pull him closer. Euijoo meets his lips with another kiss that he intends to keep light, but quickly turns heated when Nicholas nibbles at his bottom lip until he opens up. He’s never wanted to kiss like this before. Messy and needy. Tongues dancing together, running along lips and sliding behind teeth. He pulls back when his lungs start screaming at him. Only enough to bite at Nicholas’ jaw and breathe heavily onto the wet skin.

Nicholas’ hands find their way to Euijoo’s jeans. Teasing fingers slipping in and out of the waistband leaving Euijoo’s skin on fire with every touch. Euijoo lets out a groan into Nicholas’ shoulder and feels him laugh under him. Nicholas flicks open the button with one hand and Euijoo is almost too impressed to respond to the gentle nudge Nicholas gives him to move. He shuffles back off the bed and makes quick work of taking his jeans off.

“If you aren’t naked on my bed in 3 seconds Wang Yixang I might call this whole thing off.” Euijoo is far too into this to start overthinking now. All he can think is; more, now, all of you. Long gone are the worries that held him back. His hands hover over his underwear, waiting for Nicholas to catch up because he is not about to be the only naked one here.

Nicholas raises an eyebrow, smile fighting its way onto his face. Without breaking eye contact he moves his hands to his own jeans and pops the button open, slowly undoing the zip. He sits up and shuffles to the end of the bed. He raises up off of the bed, standing to take his own jeans and underwear off. Euijoo can’t help but stare at the man in front of him, fighting the urge to pinch himself because god would that be stupid and Nicholas most certainly would never let him live that down. Nicholas reaches forward to Euijoo who’s standing like a statue. Euijoo holds his breath as Nicholas turns him until his back is facing the bed. Then carefully, he takes his underwear down, allowing Euijoo to step out of them. Kneeling on the floor in front of him.

Euijoo has been hard for the last 10 minutes but being exposed to Nicholas who is now eye level with his dick, he thinks he might break if Nicholas doesn’t put his hands on him soon. Nicholas runs his hands from Euijoo’s calves all the way up his thighs, over his exposed butt and leans forward. Euijoo holds his breath, but Nicholas tilts his head and kisses Euijoo’s hip. Pushes him until he sits on the edge of the bed.

Euijoo groans and flings himself back on the bed “Fuck you’re such a tease. Why are you like this?”

Nicholas laughs brightly, but before Euijoo can say anymore Nicholas’ mouth is on him. Tongue running from tip to base. Hands holding onto his hips to keep him still. Euijoo’s stomach pulls tight. He leans up on his forearms and looks down. Nicholas’ hair is all he can see for a second as he bobs up and down on him. He feels every lick, every suck deep in his stomach. Euijoo purposely tries to control his breathing, he will not break apart like a teenager at the slightest touch. He will not. He will not.

Nicholas pulls back slightly, eyes meeting Euijoo’s as he gently runs his tongue over the head. Euijoo’s arms shake with the effort of leaning up, but it feels so good. He throws his head back, swearing as he feels Nicholas wrap his lips around him and engulf him fully once more. His breaths start coming faster as the pleasure builds and he whines Nicholas’ name. Reaching his hands out far enough to settle into Nicholas’ hair. He tugs and feels Nicholas groan around his length. Fuck, that is not helping.

“Ni-Nichol. Fuck, please. Come up here.”

Nicholas takes pity on him because he releases Euijoo from his mouth with a quick pop and soft rub of his hand. Euijoo’s stomach tightens as Nicholas grips his length before taking his hand off him completely too, moving up the bed to straddle him. “Didn’t think you’d be one to swear this much.”

“I’m not swearing that-”

Nicholas reaches down to stroke his fingers along Euijoo’s length again teasingly.

“-Fuck!”

Nicholas laughs and ‘hmms’. Euijoo forces the air back into his lungs and pushes Nicholas’ to turn over. Leaning over him and pinning his hands above his head. Nicholas has got to stop touching him before he explodes.

“Oh. Almost forgot about that kink of yours too.” Nicholas smirks up at him, hands flexing under Euijoo’s own but making no move to take control back.

Euijoo growls and leans down to shut him up with his mouth. Clashing their mouths together and kissing down his jaw. He leaves Nicholas’ hands unattended, moving down his body until he gets to Nicholas’ length. Wastes no time in getting his mouth around it. Sloppy and wet, too eager to think about finesse, but Nicholas’ hands grip into Euijoo’s hair anyway. Euijoo pins Nicholas’ hips down with one hand to stop himself from gagging. With the other he strokes deft fingers over Nicholas’ balls and carefully creeps to where he wants to touch him most, just holding back. Nicholas is gasping under his ministrations, every soft sound encouraging Euijoo on. Euijoo traces his finger teasingly over Nicholas’ perineum as he pulls back. Nicholas is letting out the lightest whimpers under the touch, eyes scrunched shut. Euijoo leans back up over him, keeps his finger teasing, but props himself up on his elbow with the other arm until he’s able to stroke the hair back from Nicholas’ face. Nicholas opens his eyes and Euijoo nearly curses again at the wild look in them. God. He is the hottest thing Euijoo has ever seen.

“Can I?” He glances down, no other words needed for Nicholas to understand exactly what he’s asking.

Nicholas lets out a breathy chuckle and grasps Euijoo’s face in both hands, bringing him down into a quick kiss. Then, against his lips. “Of course you’re a top.”

Euijoo shrugs nonchalantly. “This time.”

Nicholas bites his lip and groans. He presses a quick peck to Euijoo’s lips and nods, pulling away enough to speak. “Please, do whatever you want. I want it all.”

Euijoo runs his fingers through his hair and kisses him once more, before he reaches into his draw to grab his lube.

Nicholas chuckles “Do I even want to know why you have that?”

Euijoo smirks as he untangles himself from Nicholas just enough to open the bottle and drizzle some over his fingers. “And if I tell you I use it when I’m thinking about you?”

Nicholas groans loudly and flings his head back. Euijoo laughs heartily and uses the distraction to lean down and take him into his mouth, fingers stroking back around his rim. Nicholas tenses up under him, hands immediately in his hair and pulling again. Euijoo’s starting to like the slight hint of pain that Nicholas causes every time he tugs at the strands. Slowly he sneaks a finger inside and hears Nicholas swear in Mandarin under his breath. He tries hard not to smile around his mouthful of dick. Nicholas is always so easy to rile up, he should have known he’d be no different in bed. He wastes no time adding a second, third finger and tries not to think about how easily Nicholas’ body accepts the intrusion. That’s a conversation for later. Lazily he rolls his own hips down into the bed, searching for his own friction.

Nicholas is pushing back on his fingers now, biting at his lip to hold in his groans. Euijoo swallows hard around his member and runs his mouth back up again to lap at the tip.

“Ju” Nicholas grunts out, tugging at his hair.

Euijoo eases up, pulls his mouth off Nicholas. “More?” He simply asks, hand lazily stroking up and down Nicholas’ length.

Nicholas looks up at Euijoo, eyes shining bright with lust and wonder. His hands untangle from Euijoo’s hair, one cupping the side of Euijoo’s face the other dropping to his back between his shoulder blades. Euijoo is struck with a heavy feeling of being cared for and it almost folds him. Nicholas does that for him, hand on his back applying gentle pressure which Euijoo goes with easily to move up and meet his lips in a kiss a little too gentle for the situation. Euijoo lets go of Nicholas’ dick to catch his balance as he moves. Nicholas hums into the kiss and Euijoo feels it rumble through his whole body.

“Don’t care that your dick was just in my mouth then?” Euijoo smirks against Nicholas’ lips.

“Did you think I would?” Nicholas raises an eyebrow, thumb gently moving a stray strand of hair out of Euijoo’s eyes where it rests against his cheek.

Euijoo huffs out a laugh and shakes his head. “Knew you were freaky.”

“Let’s not forget how we ended up here.” Nicholas’ smile turns into a smirk of his own, hand stroking up and down the long lines of Euijoo’s back. “You’re the one who enjoyed holding me down.”

Euijoo closes his eyes, trapping his tongue between his teeth to try and stop the laugh that bubbles up his throat. He can’t really argue with that can he. When he opens his eyes Nicholas has a fond look on his face. He slides both hands down Euijoo’s back now until they reach his butt, takes his cheeks into his palms and drags him forward to start a steady grind against each other. Euijoo doesn’t need Nicholas to hold him, more than enjoying grinding down against him, but he savours the feeling anyway, resting his forehead against Nicholas’. Euijoo feels hot all over. Sweat littering his skin and a fire burning within, simmering hotter with every grind Nicholas pushes up into him.

“If you don’t get in me soon I-”

Euijoo bites at Nicholas’ lip to shut him up. Delighting in the way it makes Nicholas squeak in surprise. He pulls back and untangles himself from Nicholas enough to roll off him and lie down next to him. He tilts his head to the side to watch the way Nicholas’ mouth drops open as he huffs out a laugh. He turns his face to look at Euijoo and Euijoo can’t help but smile back at the confusion he can see there.

“I said get in me, not off me.” Nicholas pouts, rolling onto his side and placing a hand over Euijoo’s chest.

Euijoo smirks, feeling bold, he flicks his eyes down to the hand Nicholas has on his chest and taps over it with his own. “And I liked the way you held me down earlier too.”

Nicholas’ eyes widen for a fraction of a second, before the mischievous look returns to his face. “Oh?”

Euijoo doesn’t respond with words. Instead raises his eyebrow and trails his hand down to his own dick, slowly stroking and lets his eyes flick from Nicholas and down. He’s enjoying being the one in control. Knows good and well that Nicholas will do whatever he wants him to and right now he’s making him feel confident enough to ask for anything. Right on cue, Nicholas gets the hint, groaning loudly and throwing a leg over Euijoo to straddle him. He grabs at Euijoo’s hand, snatching it away from his dick and shoves it above his head roughly. Doing the same with the other. Euijoo’s pulse spikes, his ears ringing with how much he is holding his breath. Nicholas grinds down against Euijoo’s dick and meets his mouth with a strong kiss before Euijoo can let out the wail that is building in the back of his throat.

Being enveloped entirely by Nicholas like this sets all of Euijoo’s senses on fire. He struggles against the hold Nicholas has on his hands, testing him. He doesn’t let up. Instead grinds down harder against him. Euijoo’s hands clench and unclench, desperately searching for something to grab onto. Nicholas pulls back, leaves a trail of kisses down the side of Euijoo’s neck, to the dip of his collarbone and back up again. Euijoo’s skin tingles all over, aching to reach out but his brain is shutting down. Something about giving the control over to Nicholas making him feel relaxed and on edge simultaneously. It’s a feeling he’s certain he could become addicted to.

Nicholas’ mouth is at his ear before Euijoo realises. “As you wish.”

Euijoo almost asks him what he’s talking about but before he can force his brain to make his mouth work, Nicholas changes his grip on Euijoo’s wrists holding both in one hand. Euijoo’s brain short circuits again at thought of how big Nicholas’ hands are. How easy it is for him to move Euijoo where he wants him and hold him down as easy as breathing. Nicholas strokes his free hand down the length of Euijoo’s body, causing a hot shiver to run down his spine. By the time he wraps his hand around Euijoo’s dick, Euijoo already feels like he is about to snap. Nicholas is looking down, watching as his hand strokes Euijoo. Euijoo would give anything to know what he’s thinking. He doesn’t get the chance to ask before Nicholas leans up and lowers himself onto him. Euijoo groans at the tight heat that surrounds him, watching as Nicholas’ mouth opens in a silent gasp. He stills for a moment and Euijoo longs to reach out to Nicholas. To tangle his fingers into his already messy hair and pull him down into another kiss. He twists his wrists again in Nicholas’ hold, but Nicholas does not budge.

Nicholas looks down at Euijoo as he rolls his hips steady, getting used to the feeling. “Absolutely not.”

“Nichol, please. I need.” Euijoo isn’t actually sure what he’s asking for. He doesn’t want Nicholas to stop. He doesn’t want to be let go of, but he just needs-

Nicholas changes his grip, leans over him, brings both hands up to Euijoo’s own and slots their fingers together above his head.

Oh.

That. That’s what he needs.

Nicholas leans forward to kiss Euijoo again as he starts bouncing his hips. Euijoo feels like a lead weight in the ocean. Like he should be sinking, but instead he’s floating. He meets Nicholas’ thrusts with his own and sucks on the tongue that finds its way into his mouth. He can feel the heat pooling in his stomach. Grasps Nicholas’ hands more firmly in his own and mewls into his mouth. Nicholas’ own rhythm is becoming stuttering. He breaks away from Euijoo to lean his head into his neck. Wet breath hitting his skin in pants getting quicker and quicker.

Euijoo feels the familiar coil of heat in the pit of his stomach. Tries to warn Nicholas so he can move off before he cums, but Nicholas doesn’t stop. Keeps his hips moving until Euijoo’s whole body tenses, tips over the edge in a rush that shudders through every inch of him. Nicholas’ walls clamp down hard over him, hands clenching in his own as Euijoo shakes through it. Euijoo feels hot all over, a deep ache in his bones that feels so good and Nicholas has still not let him go. He stills his hips when Euijoo whimpers at the sensitivity. It’s a good ache and Euijoo almost wants to lie there and bask in it, but Nicholas is still right here with him. Body over his own, head buried in his neck, holding him down. Euijoo just wants to touch him now. To help Nicholas feel as good as he made him feel.

“Please, Nichol.” Euijoo presses a kiss to the top of Nicholas’ head. The only part of him he can reach with his hands still being held above his own head. “Let me touch you now.”

He feels Nicholas nod slightly into his neck and the weight pinning his arms is lifted enough for him to pull out, wincing at the slight whimper that Nicholas lets out. He flips Nicholas over, climbing back on top of him. Without waiting for a warning he slides back down Nicholas’ body to get his mouth back on him. The weight of Nicholas against his tongue makes him moan and he can feel the twitch of Nicholas in his mouth. Hands clamp back into his hair as Nicholas swears. Euijoo sets a ferocious pace, reaching up to stroke and pinch Nicholas’ nipples at the same time, delighting in the way it makes Nicholas squirm and gasp under him. Sensitive, he’ll remember that. Nicholas’ fingers dig into his scalp, body tensing as Euijoo sucks on his tip and Euijoo sinks back down to catch every drop as Nicholas finally lets go.

Nicholas’ hands drop from his hair to his shoulders as he relaxes back into the bed. Euijoo swallows down the load in his mouth and kisses Nicholas’ hip bone. God he looks glorious like this. Pink flush littering his skin, just on the right side of sweaty, hair wild on the pillow beneath him. As Euijoo slides up the bed to hover over him and move the stray hair from sticking to his forehead, Nicholas opens his eyes. A smile stretches across his lips and he wraps his arms around Euijoo’s waist, pulling him closer. Euijoo thinks he can’t possibly get any closer, but he still tries, body flush against Nicholas’ head to toe. He drops his head to kiss Nicholas again. Lazy and slow this time. He’s absolutely exhausted and it’s clear Nicholas is just the same. Nicholas hums contently into his mouth and Euijoo has to pull back to smile down at him.

“You were worth the wait, Juju.” Nicholas’ voice is soft in a way that makes Euijoo ache.

This was more than worth the wait, he thinks. No matter how many times he’s thought about it, he could have never done it justice.

“Thank you for waiting.” Euijoo pecks his lips playfully several times. Needing to get out of the heavy moment.

Nicholas giggles and pushes him back. Euijoo climbs off him and lies beside him. Watches as Nicholas scrunches his face up. Euijoo rests on his side, propping his head up with his hand.

“Hey, you ok?” Carefully, he reaches a hand back out towards Nicholas, cupping his chin to make him turn his face towards him.

Nicholas just lets out a huff of a laugh and nods. He looks to Euijoo with such adoration Euijoo feels his chest clamp. “I’m fine, it’s just.” He laughs now, a proper laugh. Looks away and shakes his head. When he opens his eyes he’s smiling. “You came inside me and it was really hot, but it’s also not so comfortable right now.”

Euijoo releases a breath he didn’t realise he was holding. Oh thank god. For a second he was worried what Nicholas was thinking, but this, this he can fix. He leans over to give Nicholas another kiss. “Sorry, let me go get something to clean you up.”

As he gets off the bed to walk towards the door Nicholas laughs heartily. He stops as he reaches the handle and turns back to Nicholas on the bed laughing with his hands covering his face. He waits until Nicholas stops laughing enough to look at him before he shrugs in question towards him.

“Clothes, babe.” Is all Nicholas manages to laugh out at him.

Shit! Euijoo snaps back to reality with a thud. The members are all still here and he was really about to- Jesus Christ. He looks over to Nicholas once more as he pulls on a pair of sweat pants. “You! This is your fault. You can’t distract me like that.”

Nicholas sorts. “Good to know everything will still be my fault even though I just gave you exactly what you asked for.”

“Shut up.” Euijoo snipes back playfully, hiding his smile from Nicholas as he puts his shirt on and walks back to the door. He doesn’t look back as he opens the door, he can hear Nicholas laughing and he’s not about to get caught up in their banter.

He makes it exactly two steps out of his room before he is cornered.

“Oh look who it is, Mr I don’t want to be disturbed!” Maki exclaims from the living area. TV playing loudly in front of him, Harua, Yudai and Yuma.

Euijoo feels his face flush as four sets of eyes find their way to him, all sporting various shit eating grins.

“That feels like a disturbance to me.” He drawls out as he pads towards the bathroom.

“Are you seriously not going to say anything?” Yuma asks in a whine.

“Hey, come on guys. Leave him alone.” Yudai orders in a firm voice.

Ahh Yudai, he’s always looked out for Euijoo. What a good friend.

Euijoo reaches the bathroom and picks up his flannel, running it under the warm water. He slings a towel around his shoulder. As he walks back towards his bedroom, he is met once again by the four people in the living area looking at him expectedly.

“Fuma, Taki and Jo went to go and get food, do you guys want anything to eat?” Yudai asks with a sweet smile on his face.

Euijoo is actually starving and he’s sure Nicholas is too, food would be a great idea.

“I think he’s probably eaten quite a lot tonight actually” Harua smirks.

“Yeah, I think he’s probably been well fed already by the looks of him.” Yuma joins in.

“Oi! I said leave him alone.” Yudai tuts and shakes his head.

“Thank you!” Euijoo’s voice breaks a little, he clears his throat and swallows around the scratchy feeling.

Yudai looks to Euijoo and then back to the others, he tilts his head in Euijoo’s direction as he speaks “actually maybe we should ask them to grab some vitamin C, his voice is pretty hoarse from all the screaming he was doing.”

Forget what he said about Yudai. Worst friend ever. Euijoo is going to combust on the spot. Is it hot in here?

“Maybe we should ask them to bring us earplugs too.” Maki shrugs, joining in the teasing. “We can’t just keep turning the tv up every time they go at it.”

“Do you really think ear plugs will be enough to drown out those wails we just heard?” Yuma scoffs, as the other three now giggle openly in glee.

“OK! I get it. Sorry we were loud.” Euijoo can feel his blush hot on his face as he reaches the bedroom door. He opens it and his breath catches at the sight. Nicholas hasn’t moved, sprawled naked over his bed. He smiles softly to Euijoo as the door opens. Hair still messy, skin dewy. Euijoo’s stomach tightens pleasantly. He flings a look over his shoulder, “Yeah, you better get those ear plugs. It will happen again!”