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The past few days had been rough on Sunoo, testing his patience more than ever. He’d been unusually clumsy lately — spilling drinks on himself, bumping into furniture left and right. He knew it was all due to sleep deprivation, but with their current schedule, he couldn’t afford more than an hour of rest at a time. He found himself silently praying for a miracle — just something, anything, that would let him escape his exhausting celebrity life, even for a little while longer.
But today? Today was the worst yet.
They were preparing for a comeback, their days packed with relentless rehearsals. Like now — the practice room sweltering with heat as they danced away every ounce of energy. They’d only just started, yet Sunoo’s body was already lagging behind. His legs felt like jelly, and he stumbled again. Predictably, everyone noticed.
“Sunoo-hyung, are you sure you’re okay? You tripped again—”
“I’m fine, really. Let’s keep going,” he interrupted the youngest member, cutting him off before he could say more. He didn’t need the reminder that he was the reason they’d probably be staying late — eating into what little peace they had at the dorms.
“No, we’re taking a break. You can’t push yourself like this, especially before the comeback,” Jungwon declared, reaching for his water bottle and sliding down the wall. The rest of the members followed suit, each retreating into their own little bubbles.
The room fell quiet, the hum of the speakers fading into the background. Sunoo slumped against the mirror, sweat clinging to his hairline, his eyes fixed somewhere on the floor.
Now with nothing but his thoughts for company, he spiraled. Because of his weak body, he was holding everyone back. He tried to appear neutral, unfazed, but he knew it wouldn’t take long before he came over. Sunghoon always knew when something was off — and unfortunately, Sunoo couldn’t hide anything from his boyfriend.
After all, Sunghoon was always watching him.
He’d already picked up on how worn-down Sunoo looked. The pout on the younger’s lips made him resemble a kicked puppy — the kind you could only hug until the sadness melted away. He loved seeing Sunoo smile, but damn if that pout wasn’t adorable. Honestly, he wanted to kiss him right then and there. Instead, he walked over and sat beside him.
“Hey, baby. How’re you feeling?” he asked softly, eyes drifting from Sunoo’s pupils to the lips he adored.
“As I said, hyung, I’m fine. Nothing a short break won’t fix.” Sunoo’s voice was quieter than usual. Normally, it sparkled with joy and energy, like sunlight through stained glass — the kind of voice that recharged everyone else’s battery. But today, it was flat. Empty. He was the one in need of recharging.
“That pout says otherwise. Come on, talk to me. What’s going on?” Sunghoon asked, gently poking his waist.
“I’ll be fine. Go get ready for practice,” Sunoo replied, starting to stand — only for Sunghoon to catch his hand.
“You’ve been pouting since the second verse.”
Sunoo’s lips twitched. “I have not.”
“You have,” Sunghoon said with a grin. “It’s cute, though. Like you’re mad at the floor for existing.”
That earned him a sideways glance. “You always say that.”
“Because it’s true,” Sunghoon teased. “You do this little thing with your lips when—”
“Sunghoon,” Sunoo cut in, his voice sharper now.
Sunghoon blinked, caught off guard. “What?”
“Can you not?” Sunoo muttered, still not meeting his eyes. “I’m really not in the mood for you to joke about this right now.”
“I wasn’t making fun of you,” Sunghoon said quickly. “I just—”
“You always do this,” Sunoo snapped slightly. “Every time I’m upset, you joke like that’s supposed to fix it. It doesn’t.”
The words hung heavy between them, a sudden chill in the warm room. Sunghoon opened his mouth, then closed it again.
“…Okay,” he said eventually, his voice barely above a whisper.
Sunoo sighed and rubbed his temples. “I’m sorry. I just... I need a minute.”
Sunghoon nodded, jaw clenched, eyes turning to the mirror, his reflection unreadable. Meanwhile, Sunoo made his way back to Jungwon, ready to resume practice. He felt Sunghoon’s gaze on him through the entire next song. He felt guilty — not just for snapping, but for letting his own self-directed frustration bleed into the person he loved. But if he didn’t clear his head now, he knew he’d only make things worse.
──── ୨୧ ────
The ride back to the dorm was silent. Not an awkward silence — just the kind that settles between exhausted bodies who’ve given their all. Still, Sunoo could feel a particular pair of eyes glued to him.
Does this guy ever blink? Or look somewhere else for once?! Seriously.
A sigh escaped his lips, though his signature pout remained — which, ironically, was part of the reason Sunghoon couldn’t stop staring. His mind, however, was in total chaos.
Is he really mad at me? What if he wants to break up?
Did he always think I was mocking him when I complimented him?
Would he leave me over this? It wasn’t that serious, was it? …Unless?
Yeah, he was spiraling. But! He had a plan. He’d go see Sunoo once everyone had settled in — apologize, make things right, and hopefully cuddle their problems away.
When they arrived, he was ready to put that plan into motion — until he realized Sunoo had vanished.
“Guys, where’s Sunoo?” he asked, placing a hand on Jay’s shoulder.
“Oh, he went to his room just now. Surprised you didn’t notice, since you’re basically his personal bodyguard,” Jake teased with a grin.
Sunghoon thanked them and headed off. Time to execute the plan: unpack, change into comfy clothes, and fix everything.
Sunoo wouldn’t break up with you over this, he told himself, tugging on a soft black tee and grey sweatpants.
Just as he left his room, he ran into Jungwon.
“Oh—what are you doing here?” the younger looked startled.
“Oh, uh… Jay-hyung wanted to show me his new guitar. Yeah!” Jungwon laughed nervously, arms crossing. “You?”
“Going to talk to Sunoo.”
“Right, right. Please do. No drama in the group, okay?” Before Sunghoon could respond, Jungwon slipped into Jay’s room. He sighed.
Alright. Let’s do this.
The walk to Sunoo’s door felt much longer than it was. Why was he so nervous? It wasn’t like they were breaking up — right? He raised his hand to knock—
But the door opened first.
There stood Sunoo, now in a loose white t-shirt and black sweats, eyes widening in surprise at the sight of his boyfriend.
“Hyung—” he began, but Sunghoon gently pushed him back into the room and shut the door behind them, placing both hands on Sunoo’s arms.
“I’m sorry,” he said immediately. “I should’ve given you space when you were clearly overwhelmed. And I’m sorry you felt like I was making fun of you — I swear I wasn’t. I just… You always look so cute when you pout. I can’t help teasing, but I promise it’s always meant sincerely. I thought—”
His ramble was cut off by a kiss.
Stunned, he looked into those familiar hazel eyes — and finally, finally, the smile he’d missed returned, lighting up the room more than the sun ever could.
“Oh, Hoonie-hyung, you don’t have to apologize,” Sunoo said. “I was actually just about to come find you. I was so rude earlier, I’m sorry. I’ve just been exhausted lately. I’ve been messing things up, slowing everyone down. And then I took it out on you. I felt horrible.”
Without hesitation, Sunghoon pulled him into a tight embrace, arms wrapping securely around his smaller frame. Sunoo immediately melted into it.
“It’s okay. We both messed up a little, but we’re okay now, right?” Sunghoon murmured, brushing his fingers through Sunoo’s silky hair.
“Yeah.”
They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in each other’s arms, safe.
“Can I stay in your room tonight?” Sunoo asked. “We can watch some of those K-dramas you like and cuddle?”
“Yes, please~” Sunoo turned to walk to the bed — only to be scooped up and gently tossed onto it, then tickled right after.
“HYUNG, STOP—HAHAHA!” he couldn’t help but scream through his laughter, struggling desperately to escape the merciless torture. When the older finally relented, he took a moment to admire the sight before him—tears clinging to half-closed eyes, a rosy blush spreading across smooth cheeks, plump glossy lips curved into a smile that soon melted into that irresistible pout he could never get out of his head.
“That’s better,” Sunghoon said softly. “You can pout only when I tease you. I hope you never feel despair again.”
Sunoo laughed at the seriousness in his hyung’s expression. “Unfortunately, I’ll probably be sad again someday,” he said with a playful smile. “But you’ll be there for me, right?”
That sweet face gazing up at Sunghoon with so much affection, arms draped around his neck, made him shower the younger with kisses until they both burst into giggles.
“I love you.”
“I love you too. So… what do you want to watch?”