Chapter Text
Chapter One
The sound of distant rustling is all Juhoon can make out of in the dark room; something seems to be sneaking around him. As he sits on a creaky black chair in the silence of the studio, he focuses entirely on the lurking shuffles coming from somewhere near the back. He slowly shifts in his seat, turning his head to catch sight of whatever is hiding. Suddenly, something moves in the darkness. He rubs his eyes to make sure he isn’t just seeing things.
“Who is it?” He asks, voice a slow, deep rumble tearing through the cold silence.
“One…two…three,” a hushed whisper cuts through Juhoon’s earlier question, followed by a chorus: “happy birthday to you~”
The lights flicker on, revealing 3 out of the 4 other members. James proudly holds a cake with Juhoon’s face on it. It isn’t an intruder after all. Keonho lets out a dramatic sigh, stepping forward.
“Happy birthday, uncle!” He grins, pride practically gleaming off of him. Seonghyeon smacks Keonho’s back, letting Keonho’s earlier cockiness fall.
“Thanks guys.” Juhoon finally says, smiling warmly. He looks closer at the cake–someone has drawn a thick mustache right under his nose with black icing.
“Do you like it?” James beams, placing a hand on his hip while holding the cake out. “I drew the mustache myself.”
Juhoon chuckles, taking the cake with a nod. “This was your idea, right?”
James nods, a wide grin plastered onto his face.
“Where’s Martin?” Juhoon asks, tilting his head as he notices the missing member. The others trade glances. “No idea,” Keonho shrugs, “maybe he’s off eating kebab on his own again.” Keonho snickers to himself, Seonghyeon attempts to shut him up with another harsh smack to the shoulder.
“It’s alright, we can wait for him,” Juhoon says, setting the cake on a table.
“The cake will go bad y’know..” Keonho murmurs, eyeing the smoothly decorated dessert like some starved animal.
“It wouldn’t hurt to eat without him, I guess.” Seonghyeon shrugs. James stands up like it's a mission; already huffing.
“We shall cut the cake!” He announces, making Keonho giggle. Seonghyeon and Juhoon give each other a look, shaking their heads before taking seats at the table.
“Alright, let's dig in.” Keonho says happily. James pulls out a knife from god knows where–handing it to Keonho with over-the-top precision.
Keonho cuts a large slice, plating it for Juhoon. He slides the cake slice towards Juhoon, “biggest piece goes to the birthday boy,” Keonho smirks, “or maybe ‘grandpa’ is more fitting.”
Seonghyeon and James break into a fit of laughter, leaving Juhoon sitting there with an annoyed expression glued to his face.
“Just joking!” Keonho manages to choke out between cackles. Juhoon rolls his eyes, deciding to focus on the cake rather than Keonho’s sneaky insults.
“Isn’t James twenty?” Seonghyeon asks, crossing his arms, “Juhoon’s only turned eighteen.”
“Wow, we really have uncles in our group.” Keonho sighs– of course, the maknae has to comment on everyone’s age.
“Then that would make you a baby, Keonho.” James laughs, biting back with an insult of his own.
Keonho rolls his eyes in an awfully dramatic manner, cutting another slice and immediately taking a massive bite out of it.
“It’s so good.” He mumbles between munches, “twinski, you have to try some.” He shoves a piece towards Seonghyeon.
Seonghyeon eyes the cake cautiously, taking it carefully. He takes a bite, then two, then…finishes the whole thing within a few seconds.
“What the hell, he didn’t even breathe!” James gasps, staring at Seonghyeon like he committed some sort of cake-eating crime.
“What? It was good...” Seonghyeon laughs awkwardly, still chewing the last bits of cake.
“We can tell, man.” Juhoon chuckles, taking slow, calculated bites of his own.
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Over the next few minutes, the boys immerse themselves in chatter, talking about cleaning up some choreography, and adding a couple tweaks to some tracks.
“What's up, everyone!?” A loud voice cracks through the group’s conversation. Everyone looks up, ready to put up a fight. Martin grins. He steps forward, tall frame towering over the boys.
“Martin!” Keonho lunges up first, already glowing with happiness.
“Yo, bro!” Martin chuckles, sliding through a signature handshake with Keonho.
“Where were you?” Seonghyeon asks, “you missed out on cake.” Martin pauses, staring at Seonghyeon like he just got told that the world is ending.
“NO, NOT MY CAKE!” Martin fake sobs. He covers his face, secretly grinning behind his hands.
“Chill, there's some more left,” James says with a scoff.
Keonho awkwardly shifts, clearing his throat.
“Uh...not anymore.” He says nervously, “I ate it all.”
“You WHAT?” James gasps, placing a hand on his chest.
Keonho crosses his arms, trying to maintain his pride.
“Whatever, It’s just cake.” Keonho rolls his eyes.
Juhoon shifts slightly, making his chair creak. Everyone turns to look at him.
“He can share mine.” Juhoon says, looking at Martin, “I haven’t eaten it all.”
The boys exchange a confused look.
“That works for me.” Martin shrugs, settling beside Juhoon.
After the awkward cake situation, the boys have a chat, and then everyone simply goes back home. However, Juhoon and Martin are left as the only ones in the studio.
“What were you doing instead of being here?” Juhoon asks, resting his chin in his palm.
“Would you believe me if I told you?” Martin smirks, leaning in.
“Depends. What were you doing?” Juhoon’s eyebrows draw together in confusion.
There's a beat of silence before Martin leans in – far too close than usual.
His voice drops to a sudden, smooth whisper.
“I was looking for a present to give you.” He says softly.
Juhoon pauses, Martin’s breath tickling his nose.
“You didn’t have to.” Juhoon replies, leaning back slightly.
“You always say that,” Martin smirks, “but I know you always want something.”
Juhoon’s heart thumps in his chest, almost breaking free.
*What is he talking about?* he thinks to himself.
“Like what?” Juhoon asks, though his nonchalance is clearly crumbling.
“Hm…maybe it's not something you want,” Martin tilts his head, hand suddenly cupping Juhoon’s neck.
Juhoon’s whole body shivers, throat going dry.
“Rather, something you crave.” Martin continues.
“Stop talking in riddles.” Juhoon clears his throat, trying to look away. Martin chuckles, his thumb traces along Juhoon's jaw.
“So you do crave something.” Martin grins, “I might even know what it is now.”
What is this bastard saying?
Juhoon’s jaw clenches, but the curiosity in him remains.
“What might that be, then?” He asks, still keeping as nonchalant as he can.
“Mm…this?”
Without Juhoon being able to react – Martin’s lips are already pressed to his. It's only a few seconds, but in that period, Juhoon’s heart basically melts, his stomach flips wildly, and time seems to stop.
Martin’s lips are soft– just like how they look–and feel like heaven on Juhoon’s own. Juhoon closes his eyes, savouring the blissful moment.
Martin pulls back slowly, eyes locked on Juhoon’s freshly-kissed lips.
“I think I guessed pretty right.” Martin smiles. “Judging by your reaction, that is.”
Juhoon’s lips are on fire, it's like a cloud has been lifted, and suddenly everything’s pure.
“That’s not what I had in mind..” Juhoon finally replies, “but I’m not complaining.”
Martin smirks, “not complaining, hm? You seem to be enjoying this more than I thought.”
There he goes, letting his pride take over yet again.
Juhoon’s cheeks heat, swatting Martin’s hand away from his neck.
“Ah, don’t get so grumpy now,” Martin chuckles. “You enjoyed it, after all.”
Juhoon can’t seem to figure out his emotions, what could he possibly make of this? Did he really enjoy that? Why is Martin kissing him? He has too many questions and Martin isn’t at all the one to ask.
“I’ll…be heading home now.” Juhoon says, standing up.
Before Martin can make an excuse, Juhoon’s already darting out, not even glancing back.
The door shuts with an echo behind Juhoon, leaving Martin completely alone.
“Shit…did I screw that up?” Martin huffs, head in his hands.