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The moment they stepped into the dorm after the live ended, Liyu was running purely on muscle memory.
"I’m gonna wash up."
He didn't even wait for a response before disappearing toward the bathroom with a towel draped over his shoulder.
Woojin laughed quietly to himself and dropped onto the couch.
His new phone was already in his hands. He was almost done setting it up.
Minutes later, the bathroom door opened.
Liyu stepped out, hair damp, towel hanging around his neck.
Then he froze.
"...What the hell?"
Woojin was sitting on the floor with his back against the couch.
Crying.
Not just tearing up.
Actually crying.
Shoulders shaking.
Head lowered.
Loud, broken sobs filling the room.
For a moment Liyu genuinely thought something had gone terribly wrong.
"Ya! Mulgogi!"
He rushed forward immediately.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
His hand instinctively found Woojin's hair.
The second he touched him, Woojin's sobbing somehow got even worse.
Liyu stared in alarm.
"Yah, what’s wrong?"
Receiving no coherent answer, he sat down beside him and wrapped both arms around him.
"Woojin-ah..."
Woojin buried his face against his shoulder.
Liyu held him there.
Until eventually the sobs began to slow.
Only when Woojin's breathing steadied did Liyu carefully pull back.
Immediately, Woojin covered his face with both hands.
Liyu sighed. Gently he peeled Woojin's hands away.
"What's wrong?" Silence.
"Woojin." Nothing.
Liyu puffed his cheeks out.
"Are you going to hide it from me too?"
Woojin's lips trembled. Then finally he spoke.
"I..." His voice cracked.
"I don't know if I'm worthy of all this."
Liyu blinked.
"...What?"
"The love." He stared down at the floor.
"From you. From the fans. It’s not like not exceptionally good or anything, you know?"
Liyu stared at him for three seconds. Then flicked his forehead.
"Ow!"
"You stupid puppy."
Woojin immediately pouted.
Liyu grabbed both sides of his face before he could complain.
Third time he'd initiated skinship today. But Woojin was too emotionally overwhelmed to even realize that.
Liyu looked him straight in the eyes.
"You have the best voice I've ever heard in my life."
Woojin froze.
"And you know I never lie."
Liyu's voice softened.
"You always do your absolute best."
"You never give up. Even when situations look hopeless. Even when nobody can see the light at the end.You still keep going."
Liyu smiled.
"That's honestly really impressive."
Woojin felt his eyes sting again.
Liyu's voice became even quieter.
"You're unbelievably kind.You take care of everyone around you.Including me."
The words caught Woojin completely off guard.
"And I'm really grateful for that. Out of everyone I could've debuted with...I'm glad it was you."
"And I'm certain our fans think the same.You're really precious, Woojini. Both to me and our fans. So don't ever think that way."
Liyu's eyes softened.
"You deserve all the love you're getting.. And so much more.hm? "
The room fell quiet.
Woojin quickly turned his head away.
Nope.
Absolutely not.
If he looked at Liyu any longer he was going to start crying again.
Liyu immediately pointed.
"Oho."
"..."
"Who's the crybaby now~?"
Woojin groaned.
Liyu laughed and stood up before extending a hand toward him.
Woojin rolled his eyes.
"It's still you."
He grabbed Liyu's hand and stood.
Then immediately wrapped his arms around Liyu from behind.
Again.
Liyu didn't even react anymore.
He simply continued walking toward the kitchen while dragging his oversized human backpack with him.
Behind him, Woojin's voice became small.
"...Thank you, hyung."
Liyu glanced over his shoulder.
Woojin smiled.
And this time it looked genuine.
"I'm glad it was you too."
Something warm settled in Liyu's chest.
He reached back and ruffled Woojin's hair.
For some reason, Liyu couldn't figure out why he'd been so open today.
Maybe because it was Woojin's birthday.
Maybe because seeing him cry had completely destroyed his defenses.
"Hyung."
Liyublinked.
"What?"
Woojin was smiling.
The dangerous aka his usual kind of smile.
"Can I sleep in your room tonight?"
"No.Go sleep in your own room."
Liyu sighed.
They both knew exactly how this would end.
Because:
A. Kang Woojin never listened.
And B. Liyu got cold easily and Woojin was warm.
The next morning, Liyu woke up first.
As expected. They were cuddled up.
Liyu stared at the arm wrapped around his waist. He carefully untangled himself and sat up.
Woojin immediately frowned in his sleep.
Liyu rolled his eyes.
Then started singing.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUU~"
The exact same strange version he'd sung during the live.
Woojin groaned.
"Hyuuuung..."
"Get up!"
”Nooo”
Liyu smacked his pillow.
Woojin finally sat up. Hair sticking everywhere. Looking completely miserable.
Liyu laughed and went "You can shower first today."
Woojin looked over.
"Since it's your birthday."
Then he patted his own back.
"Wow." Another pat. "I'm such a great hyung."
Woojin rolled his eyes.
Then suddenly smiled. Oh no. Liyu knew that smile. He raised his eyebrows
"Actually...” Woojin started "I want hyung to do something else."
Liyu narrowed his eyes. “What."
Woojin pointed toward his cheek.
"A kiss."
Liyu scoffed.
"You don't deserve to shower earlier."
Liyu stood up.
Woojin grinned triumphantly.
Then..
Liyu leaned down.
Pressed a quick kiss against Woojin's cheek.
And immediately sprinted toward the bathroom.
The door slammed shut.
Silence.
Woojin remained frozen on the bed.
Completely frozen.
Brain offline.Eyes wide. Cheeks burning. Ears turning red. A question mark above his head.
Meanwhile, near the bathroom door, Liyu paused. Turned around. Saw Woojin still buffering. And smiled to himself.
Then disappeared into the bathroom before he could overthink what he'd just done.
Pposilz are now Pposungz :p