Chapter Text
Jiahao genuinely doesn’t know how it even started.
Junseo has always been a gentleman — the kind that opens doors without thinking, that offers his hand when stepping out of the van, that instinctively places a palm at Jiahao’s lower back when guiding him off stage. He’s always there, hovering just close enough to help, even when Jiahao insists he doesn’t need it.
It used to feel natural.
Lately though… it feels deliberate.
Junseo has been more attentive. Sharper. Faster. Sometimes he speeds up just to reach Jiahao first, gently but firmly nudging past the others with an easy smile as if nothing happened, claiming the role of “helper” before anyone else can step in.
Clingy isn’t a word Jiahao would normally use for him. Compared to the others, Junseo is composed. Protective? Definitely. Possessive? Oh, absolutely — him and Leo share that silent rivalry.
But clingy?
That’s new. That's Geonwoo's job
And Jiahao notices.
He just hasn’t said anything. Not yet.
Maybe whatever happened during the Maejeomgayo live was Junseo’s last straw.
“Hao hyung, wanna play the pepero game with me again?” Geonwoo suddenly asks, a smug smile stretching across his face like he already knows the answer.
Jiahao lets out a soft laugh, trying to hide how quickly his ears heat up. They joke like this sometimes when he gets too quiet in the waiting room — it’s their way of dragging him back into the chaos.
“Hyung, you just want to kiss him again,” Sanghyeon cuts in with a grin.
“What? I’m allowed to. I’m the boyfriend,” Geonwoo shrugs, voice dripping with confidence as he shoots Sanghyeon a look that’s almost competitive.
Jiahao turns toward Sanghyeon, ready to retort — but his gaze catches someone else.
Junseo.
He’s adjusting his mic, but his eyes are locked onto Geonwoo. Not casually. Not teasingly.
Sharp.
If looks could kill, Geonwoo would’ve evaporated on the spot.
Jiahao tilts his head slightly and smiles at him, innocent and soft.
Junseo’s entire expression changes in an instant. The glare disappears, replaced by that warm, eye-smile Jiahao secretly adores.
The corners of his lips lift gently, eyes crinkling in a way that makes Jiahao’s stomach flutter embarrassingly fast.
He giggles without meaning to.
But the moment doesn’t last.
Geonwoo’s fingers slide under Jiahao’s chin, firm but careful, turning his face back toward him.
The younger puckers his lips exaggeratedly, silently demanding a kiss.
No pepero stick this time.
And absolutely no shame.
Right there. In front of the members. In front of staff. (Thankfully, no one ever reacts anymore. They’re used to this nonsense.)
Jiahao gives in — because of course he does. He loves seeing them happy.
He leans in for a quick peck.
But Geonwoo doesn’t let it end there.
His hands settle on Jiahao’s shoulders, thumbs pressing lightly as he tilts his head just slightly — the way they did during the pepero game — and the kiss deepens naturally, warm and slow, just enough to draw loud groans and fake gagging noises from the room.
It doesn’t last more than five seconds.
Jiahao pulls away first, breath a little uneven, only to see that smug smile still painted across Geonwoo’s face.
Geonwoo turns to Sanghyeon and sticks out his tongue.
“Arno hyung loves me too!” Sanghyeon whines dramatically, and Jiahao can’t help but laugh.
But when he looks up again —
Junseo is staring.
Not adjusting anything now.
Just staring at Geonwoo with something dark and unreadable in his eyes.
Jiahao swears he sees red.
They’re on standby backstage.
Jiahao usually walks them all the way to the entrance, cheering them on softly, clapping lightly like a proud parent before their kids step into competition. Sometimes he jokes that he feels like a mom.
Most of the time, though, they hover close to him — shoulders brushing, hands lingering — as if guarding him from something invisible.
They all know, deep down, that Jiahao carries the weight of unspoken expectations quietly.
He feels an arm curl around his waist.
Leo.
When Jiahao turns, Leo is already looking at him, that familiar, steady warmth in his gaze. Jiahao leans into him slightly, letting his shoulder rest against Leo’s chest, feeling the calm weight of his presence.
“You’ll be with us soon, Hao,” Leo murmurs, his hold tightening just a little in reassurance.
Jiahao doesn’t respond verbally. He just snuggles closer, trusting him.
“I’ll take you out on a date tomorrow,” Leo adds casually.
Jiahao pulls back immediately. “That has nothing to do with what’s happening right now, Leo.”
Leo grins, sliding both arms around him from behind, chin resting on Jiahao’s shoulder.
“Well, babe… I don’t care,” he says coolly, nuzzling lightly against Jiahao’s neck.
They both giggle, the tension dissolving into something soft and familiar.
Jiahao doesn’t notice.
But someone else does.
A pair of eyes watching from just a little too far away.
♡♡♡
“Hey! I swear I’m super pumped in my arms,” Jiahao whines as they walk down the hallway toward their waiting room, still buzzing from watching how the “big guy” trend video with Junseo turned out.
He rolls up his sleeve dramatically to show off his arm, flexing with exaggerated confidence — but before he can finish, Junseo catches his wrist.
Instead of letting him continue, Junseo gently guides Jiahao’s hand onto his own bicep.
Warm. Solid. Firm beneath the thin fabric of his shirt.
“Mm, sure, honey,” Junseo hums, voice low and teasing. “But compared to me? You’d have to admit… I’m way bigger than you.”
The way he says it makes Jiahao’s breath hitch.
His cheeks burn instantly, heat spreading down to his ears, but he doesn’t pull his hand away. If anything, his fingers tighten slightly around Junseo’s arm, squeezing experimentally.
It’s addictive.
Junseo suddenly slows to a stop.
He glances down the hallway. Empty.
Before Jiahao can process what’s happening, he’s gently pressed against the wall beside their waiting room door. Junseo’s left arm plants beside his face, boxing him in, while his right hand slides under Jiahao’s chin and lifts it just enough for their eyes to meet.
Jiahao doesn’t resist. Instead, he wraps both hands around Junseo’s right bicep, eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Yes, hyung…” he murmurs softly. “You’re so strong… so big…” The tone is playful — but undeniably provocative.
Junseo exhales slowly.
Then he leans in.
The first kiss is light. Almost restrained.
The second lingers.
The third deepens.
Within seconds, restraint dissolves entirely, and they’re kissing properly — slow but heated, mouths moving in quiet desperation.
Jiahao’s fingers flex around Junseo’s arm as his back presses flatter against the wall, and the faint sound of their lips meeting echoes embarrassingly in the otherwise empty hallway.
Junseo’s hand slides beneath Jiahao’s slightly untucked button-up, palm warm against his waist.
He knows about public decency.
He usually has control.
But right now, the jealousy from earlier still simmers beneath his skin, and every small sound Jiahao makes feels like gasoline on a flame.
For a moment, he truly considers ignoring everything else.
Until—
The waiting room door creaks open.
“I knew it,” Leo’s voice says flatly.
They freeze.
“I could hear you from inside. You’re lucky Anxin and Xinlong are having a karaoke battle right now.”
As if on cue, Xinlong’s painfully loud high note screeches from inside the room.
Junseo clears his throat, stepping back slightly. Jiahao looks down, mortified, cheeks and ears burning bright red.
Leo sighs, though the faint curve at the corner of his lips betrays his amusement.
“Hurry up. Manager-nim is looking for you. The car’s almost here and you two haven’t changed yet.”
With that, he disappears back inside.
Silence.
Then both of them burst into quiet laughter, foreheads nearly touching.
Junseo’s expression shifts again, turning serious.
“Come to my room tonight, yeah?” he says softly, brushing Jiahao’s bangs out of his eyes.
Jiahao hesitates. “Geonwoo wanted to watch a movie with me tonight, Jun ge…”
The name alone makes Junseo’s jaw tighten.
“Geonwoo. Again?”
“What do you mean again?”
Junseo exhales through his nose. “He already stole a kiss in front of millions. And he still gets you tonight?”
That catches Jiahao off guard.
Junseo doesn’t usually sulk. He doesn’t complain.
Seeing him like this feels… different.
“Jun ge,” Jiahao says gently, looping his arms around Junseo’s neck. “It’s not that I forgot about you. We just live in different dorms… and you’re always busy. I didn’t want to disturb you.”
He looks up at him with wide, earnest eyes.
Junseo melts immediately.
“…Okay. Sorry. I was being dramatic.”
Jiahao smiles and kisses his cheek lightly. “I’ll ask Geonwoo if he’s still up for tonight.”
Junseo nods.
But deep down, he already knows.
Jiahao is coming to his room.
Later that night.
“Hao hyung~”
Geonwoo peeks into Jiahao’s room.
Fresh from the shower, Jiahao’s cheeks are warm and slightly flushed, the soft rose scent of his shampoo lingering in the air.
“Come in, baobao,” he smiles.
Geonwoo slips inside and closes the door behind him.
He wraps his arms around Jiahao’s neck from behind, bending slightly to meet his gaze through the vanity mirror. He nuzzles into Jiahao’s neck, inhaling deeply.
“You’re so pretty,” he whispers. “So perfect for me. For us.”
A shiver runs down Jiahao’s spine.
“Baobao… weren’t we going to watch a movie?” he manages.
Geonwoo hums thoughtfully. “After today… I don’t think I can hold back anymore. The pepero game really messed me up, gege.”
The honorific is deliberate.
It works.
Before anything else can happen—
The door swings open.
“Hao-ya.”
Junseo.
Geonwoo groans. “Go away, hyung. Let me have this.”
Junseo steps inside anyway, movements calm but purposeful.
“No. You’ve had enough today, Kim Geonwoo. I’m here to claim my baby back.”
“Your baby? I thought we agreed on this.”
“Then don’t act like you own him.”
Jiahao looks between them. “Shouldn’t I have a say—”
“My sweet Hao—”
“My Hao gege—”
They speak at the same time, both softening instantly when addressing him.
They glared at each other. Jiahao exhales dramatically.
“Ugh, whatever”
Junseo strides forward, hooks an arm around Jiahao’s waist, and effortlessly lifts him over his shoulder.
“JUN GE!”
Jiahao squeals in shock, gripping his shirt as the world flips upside down. Junseo doesn’t even struggle — his hold is secure, steady.
Junseo turns toward the door.
Geonwoo stands there, stunned.
“Put me down!” Jiahao protests, half-laughing, half-flustered.
Junseo doesn’t slow down.
~~~
Jiahao lets out a soft yelp as his back hits the soft mattress in Junseo's dim, cozy room.
"My precious, beautiful, adorable Hao," Junseo murmurs as he hovers above him, careful not to put any pressure on his injured leg.
Even at times like this, Junseo continues to be the gentleman he is. And Jiahao loves him so much for that.
Junseo shifts them gently, flipping their positions before scooting toward the middle of the bed so Jiahao doesn’t have to bend his legs too much while sitting on his lap.
"Jun ge, that was mean… I was looking forward to a relaxing movie night with Geonwoo," Jiahao says, resting his arms over Junseo’s shoulders. He juts out his lips and gives him those round, boba-like eyes that instantly weaken Junseo.
"Argh… don’t give me those eyes, baby.
You’re making me feel bad," Junseo replies, tightening his grip around Jiahao’s waist.
"You should feel bad! You’re taking away my precious time with Geonwoo."
"Precious? Baby, he practically made out with you in front of everyone today, and he was all over you after that too. Isn’t that enough?"
"Jun ge…" Jiahao’s voice trails off.
A flicker of guilt settles in his chest. The whole week, he had been spending time with Leo and Geonwoo — playful, teasing, close. But he hadn’t carved out a single moment alone with Junseo. The man who had been there from the very start. The one who stayed by his side through his injury, who helped him without ever making him feel like a burden.
"I'm sorry, Junseo. I didn’t realize I was neglecting you. You’ve been with me from the start, and I didn’t return it properly…" He leans in and wraps his arms around Junseo’s neck.
Junseo hugs him back immediately.
"It’s okay, Hao. You already have so much on your mind. I was just teasing, baby..and only a little jealous," Junseo says softly, patting his back in slow, soothing strokes.
Jiahao pulls back slightly to look at him again.
"I’ll do anything for you this time, Jun gege. You can tell me to do anything."
His brows knit together — he’s completely serious. But in Junseo’s eyes, he just looks unbearably adorable. The older chuckles quietly.
"Hm. Okay. First, stop calling me by my name."
Jiahao blinks. "Then what am I supposed to call you?"
"What you’ve always called me."
Jiahao thinks for a moment before a soft realization dawns on him.
"Baobei…" he whispers, voice gentle and sweet — but laced with something undeniably seductive.
Junseo’s smile widens instantly.
"Kiss me, baby."
Jiahao doesn’t hesitate. He leans forward and presses a soft, lingering kiss to Junseo’s lips, holding it there for a few seconds.
Junseo exhales softly.
"More," he murmurs.
And Jiahao gives in.
By midnight, their limbs were tangled while they panted hard, trying to recover from the multiple highs they had reached that night.
"Baobei, I'm tired..," Jiahao says between pants as he lays limp on the bed.
Junseo chuckles. He props his head up with his arms and lays down on his side just admiring Jiahao.
"Baby..one more? Please? I'll let you rest all day tomorrow, you don't have to do anything,"
"Jun ge, we've done it three times! I'm so sensitive right now, I can't take anymore!" Jiahao complains.
"That's what makes it fun, my kitty cat,"
Junseo flips him onto his stomach and lowers himself.
"You don't even have to do anything. Let hyung do all the work, okay?"
"Ngh! Baobei..!"
♡♡♡
Junseo’s alarm blares at 8 a.m., and he shuts it off immediately.
Too early.
He hears soft shuffling beneath the covers. Jiahao’s eyes are still closed, but his hand has a tight grip on Junseo’s shirt, as if he might disappear at any second.
Junseo smiles at the sight in front of him. He loves having Jiahao like this — no schedules, no rushing, just a quiet, cozy morning with his baby.
He gently pulls Jiahao closer, guiding his head back onto his chest, and presses a tender kiss to the top of his hair.
Jiahao sighs contentedly and snuggles closer, his warm breath seeping through the thin fabric of Junseo’s shirt. This — this was what Junseo needed after being apart from him for so long.
At 10 a.m., their peace is shattered again — but this time, not by an alarm.
"JUN GE! I MADE BREAKFAST. COME EAT OR I WILL EAT EVERYTHING!"
It’s Anxin.
Jiahao stirs awake at the sudden shout. Junseo groans in annoyance, tightening his arm instinctively around him.
"Morning, baobei…" Jiahao mumbles, voice thick with sleep.
Junseo melts instantly. "Morning, baby~ Sleep well?"
"So good…" Jiahao murmurs against his chest, clearly nowhere near ready to get up.
"JUN GE!"
Junseo can hear Sangwon whisper-hissing at Anxin from outside, telling him to keep it down and stop disturbing them.
Junseo exhales.
"Baby, let’s get up before Anxin barges in here."
Jiahao whines softly but eventually nods.
They walk into the kitchen hand in hand — not letting go, even after sitting down at the dining table.
"Gosh, you guys act like newlyweds, seriously," Anxin teases as he places full plates of breakfast in front of them.
"Didn’t know Hao hyung was sleeping here last night. Geonwoo looked like he was ready to eat him alive after yesterday," Sangwon comments casually, sipping his morning coffee.
Junseo’s eyes trail slowly over Jiahao, taking in the faint marks peeking out from the collar of the oversized shirt — his shirt.
"Well, he was," Junseo replies calmly. "But you know… things happen."
Jiahao immediately tugs at the collar when he notices Junseo’s gaze lingering. No matter how much he adjusts it, the marks refuse to stay hidden.
Anxin rolls his eyes while Xinlong, sitting opposite them, dramatically gags.
"Gross. At least kick us out first before doing all that. Save our sanity," Xinlong says flatly.
“And maybe gather the whole pack too so you guys will finally stop fighting over him so much,” Anxin adds on, jokingly.
"That’s not a bad idea. Thanks for the suggestion. And the permission. Tell Sanghyeon he can sleep in my room tonight, okay?"
"WAIT, HYUNG—"
But Junseo is already on his feet, dragging Jiahao out of the dorm before anyone can protest.
"Poor Hao hyung…" Sangwon mutters, shaking his head.
"He didn’t even eat the breakfast I made. How is he going to survive those monsters…" Anxin pouts, stealing a bite of egg from Jiahao’s abandoned plate.