Chapter Text
Sunoo blinked his eyes open as his consciousness slowly returned to him but the first thing he noticed was the steady sound of a heartbeat that was against his ear. He was tucked firmly into the hollow of Jake’s shoulder, while his forehead was pressed into the center of his hyung’s chest.
Sunoo felt a wave of embarrassment with the realization that they were hugging this intimately, but he could justify this to himself. They had been clinging to each other since they were rookies just to stay warm or stay sane. It was a habit or a platonic survival tactic. There was absolutely no reason for his heart to be racing this fast.
Sunoo even used to hold onto Ni-ki like this all the time, but now he felt strangely shy towards Jake. He wondered if it was because they were now adults and the weight of their secondary genders made everything feel different, but the latter reason would exclude Jake on that one since his hyung was a beta.
Sunoo tried to tell himself that perhaps hugging just became more embarrassing as you grew older, clinging to that denial to settle his racing heart. Then, Sunoo’s thoughts came to a halt as he looked at the face inches from his own. He could not deny the fact that Jake was strikingly handsome. Even in sleep, his features were prominent, from the bridge of his nose to the … soft curve of his lips.
Suddenly, Jake made a soft, whimpering sound, a low moan that vibrated against Sunoo’s ears that sent a small shiver through him. Jake’s eyelids twitched before his eyes slowly blinked open.
Jake saw Sunoo already watching him and offered a sleepy, tiredly soft smile. "Oh, Sunoo-ssi, you’re awake? How are you feeling?" Jake’s voice was raspy and thick with sleep.
Panicking slightly at being caught staring, Sunoo immediately shifted into his usual playful persona. "Ah hyung, you slightly drooled in your sleep. Aish, look at my pillow."
Jake froze up instantly, his eyes wide with horror. He knew that Sunoo and Sunghoon were the most hygiene-obsessed members of the group, so the thought of a mess made him feel immediate shame.
Before his hands flew to cover his face, he gently and awkwardly pulled back his arm that Sunoo had been using as a pillow. "Naur way! Seriously?" Jake quickly turned his back to Sunoo, his ears turning bright pink.
Sunoo could not help but let out a genuine laugh at the reaction. He found his hyung incredibly adorable and funny when he was flustered like this. "I’m kidding, hyung. You really didn't."
"Aish.." Jake huffed, but he still reached up to suspiciously wipe at the corner of his mouth just to be safe. He did not quite trust Sunoo’s word and wanted to make sure he was actually clean.
Sunoo then sat up and stretched his upper body to shake off the grogginess. As the adrenaline of the joke faded, the heavy cloud in his head returned. He reached up to massage his temple as the ache settled back in.
"...Ugh, I think I’m still in that state. My mind feels..." Sunoo’s words trailed off as his eyes wandered down to Jake’s lower back.
When Jake had turned away in embarrassment, his shirt had ridden up slightly to expose a patch of bare skin. In Sunoo’s current state, every detail felt more intense than it should be or he just must have gone crazy.
"My mind’s not right, I think…" Sunoo tried to shake something off. Why was he so affected by this? It made him feel like he was going crazy.
Alarmed by the strain in Sunoo’s voice, Jake spun around to check on him. He reached out, intending to feel Sunoo’s forehead for a fever, but jumped back instantly.
“Kamchagiya!!” Jake yelped as he jumped back, his heart hammering violently against his ribs from the sheer shock. Sunghoon was standing right there, looming silently beside the bed on Sunoo's side.
Before Sunoo could process what was happening, he first felt a pair of startlingly cold large hands wrap around his neck and forehead. The hand that was on Sunoo's forehead was so big that it practically covered his eyes as well, plunging his world into temporary darkness.
"You still have the rut's heat, Sunoo-ssi." Sunghoon’s voice was cool and steady. He did not look at Sunoo, but his gaze was fixed entirely on Jake. "Did you both sleep well?"
"Sunghoon hyung, since when did you get in here?" Sunoo complained, trying to wiggle out of the cold grip. He flicked his hair and shifted his upper body away from the sudden intrusion of the other’s presence.
"Yah! At least make a sound when you enter! You scared the shit out of me." Jake whined, his lips jutting out into a pout as he glared at Sunghoon.
"It's not like you two are hiding anything from us, right?" The tone Sunghoon used was in a joking way, but as he spoke, he intentionally locked his gaze onto Sunoo. It was as if the question was a private probe meant only for him.
The air between them grew heavy with an unexplained intensity, a weight that felt like a silent challenge. Sunoo caught the true intention behind the words immediately and rather than feeling intimidated by the enigma’s presence, he simply felt a flicker of annoyance.
Sunoo gave a sharp, sassy exhale and looked away while muttering, "What is with this hyung right now?" Sunoo did not back down because of fear, but because he found the sudden scrutiny of Sunghoon unnecessary.
"Ani, it’s not about hiding anything." Jake huffed, completely missing the heavy exchange between the other two. "It’s just courtesy when entering a room, Sunghoon-ssi." Jake continued to reprimand Sunghoon, oblivious to the tension between Sunoo and Sunghoon.
Sunoo let out a deep sigh and climbed out of bed, feeling a desperate need to escape the crowded atmosphere. He moved across the small space, his steps a little heavy as he navigated around the furniture to reach for a fresh set of clothes. "I’m going to take a shower first." He announced, already heading for the exit.
Sunghoon’s eyes followed Sunoo's figure as he walked toward the door. "Eat breakfast first, then take your meds, Sunoo-ssi." Sunghoon spoke with honest and good intention, knowing that Sunoo still carried the lingering, exhausting effects of the rut and he wanted to make sure the younger stayed on his feet well.
Sunoo paused at the doorway, his shoulders tensing for a second as he processed the words. He turned his head just enough to catch Jake’s eye one last time, a brief glance that softened his expression for a split second, before returning his gaze to Sunghoon.
"Fine," Sunoo murmured, his voice barely a whisper as he slipped out of the room. The moment the door closed, leaving the two of them alone, Jake collapsed onto the bed. He let out a muffled groan, shoving his face into the pillows.
"What are you doing now?" Sunghoon questioned, his voice had shifted entirely, sounding much softer and warmer as he looked down at the sleepy boy.
"Going back to sleep…" Jake’s voice came out muffled by the fabric. He squirmed against the sheets, trying to find a comfortable cold spot and Sunghoon found the sight of him nesting like that incredibly adorable.
"You’ll regret doing that." Sunghoon started, watching as Jake’s head popped up with a curious look. Sunghoon smiled, satisfied that he had caught Jake's attention so easily. "Ni-ki and I are going shopping today."
Jake’s eyes lit up instantly, the sleepiness vanishing. "What, really? Is the event actually cancelled?"
"Yes. Management gave us a two-day break to reset." Sunghoon explained, then his tone turned teasing as if to say he was about to miss out on all the fun. "So, are you still gonna go back to sleep?"
The promise of a good meal and a change of scenery was all the motivation Jake needed to spring out of bed. He was about to head out when he halted for a moment. “Wait, I should tidy the bed. Sunoo will definitely be grumpy if I leave it like this.”
Jake started straightening the messy blankets and plumping the pillows. Sunghoon stepped in to help, his long fingers working right alongside Jake’s to fix the sheets. Jake couldn't help but start talking, the words coming out in an excited rush. "Where are we going today? Apgujeong? Or somewhere lowkey?" Jake asked, his eyes bright. "We definitely need to eat steak today, Hoon-ah!"
Sunghoon watched him carefully. He watched the way Jake’s nose crinkled when he laughed and how his energy seemed to brighten the dim room, his own movements slowing just to admire how quickly Jake's mood had transformed.
⬩➤
The dorm’s main bathroom was a modern space divided into three distinct zones to handle the chaos of seven people. Upon entering, you were met with a massive square mirror that spanned most of the wall. Below it, there sat a rectangular vanity with a modern faucet, while the walls above were lined with cabinets stuffed full of skincare products, hair styling tools and all the bathroom products they needed.
The shower area was located on the left, parted by a frosted sliding door, while to the right, a matching partition hid the toilet. It was a smart design for a busy group, but even with these separate zones, the morning queue remained a complete nightmare.
Jake stepped into the vanity area while letting out a long yawn. He could hear the steady splash of the water and a low hum of a song being played. He recognized the sound immediately and knew Jungwon was the one currently in the shower.
The leader was notorious for his long, steaming showers and he likely used the heat to organize his thoughts for the day while humming his favorite tracks. Jake grabbed his toothbrush, deciding not to wait for the shower to be free.
The glass partitions offered plenty of privacy, so Jake casually started brushing his teeth at the sink. Meanwhile, inside the shower area, Jungwon noticed the presence of another person through the thick steam and his gut told him exactly who it was.
"Jake hyung? Yoi?" Jungwon’s voice drifted over the top of the glass, sounding slightly muffled by the splashing water.
"Yoi, Jungwonie." Jake mumbled through a mouthful of minty foam, catching his own tired reflection in the mirror.
A moment later, the water cut out. The sliding door swung open with a smooth sound and Jungwon stepped out into the vanity area. He was barely dressed, with only a single white towel hanging low on his hips, leaving his entire upper body exposed to the cool air of the room.
Jake stopped mid-rinse, his eyes unintentionally locking onto Jungwon's reflection in the mirror. He could not deny that the leader’s physique was incredible. From his impressive, broad shoulders to the well-defined biceps and the sharp, athletic cut of his abs, Jungwon looked absolutely ripped.
Jake could not help but let out an impressed smirk. Jungwon caught Jake’s gaze in the glass and a sudden playful smile appeared at the corner of the leader’s lips when he noticed the attention from his hyung.
"Like what you see, hyung?" Jungwon asked, his voice was low and carried a teasing, almost flirty tone.
Jake let out a shy laugh and shook his head as he spat into the sink. "I mean, I can't lie, Jungwon-ah. Your build is getting really impressive. All those extra hours in the gym are clearly paying off."
Jake’s compliment was genuine and light, spoken with the tone of a proud older brother. He did not notice the way Jungwon’s smirk faltered for a fraction of a second. Jungwon's dark eyes seemed to deepen in color as he turned away, beginning to vigorously dry his damp hair with a second towel.
"Your turn, then." Jungwon muttered, stepping back to give Jake more space at the vanity. Jake was eager to get his own shower over with, so he did not hesitate. Jake reached for the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head in one fluid motion.
The room went completely silent.
Jungwon stopped rubbing his hair and his hands stayed frozen on the towel as his gaze landed heavily on the smooth, pale line of Jake's back. Even without any powerful or impactful scent, it was impossible for Jungwon to look away from the sight.
Jungwon felt a sudden tightness in his throat as he watched the muscles in Jake’s shoulders move. When Jake tossed the discarded shirt into the hamper and moved his hands toward the waistband of his shorts, Jungwon snapped out of his trance, his instincts flared with a sudden, overwhelming need for cool air and distance.
Without saying a single word, Jungwon spun around on his heel and practically bolted for the door. He swung it open and shut it with a firm click behind him, leaving Jake standing there blinking in confusion at the sudden exit of the younger member.
In the hallway, Jungwon leaned his back against the hard wood of the wall and took a deep breath. His skin was still damp from the shower, but he felt like he was burning up from the inside out.
"Oh, Jungwon-ah. You're done?"
Jungwon jumped at the sound of the voice. He saw Heeseung standing right there with a shower bag in his hand. The eldest was already moving toward the handle, intent on getting his turn before the queue grew any longer.
"Wait hyung, stop." Jungwon blurted out, quickly stepping in front of the door to block Heeseung’s path.
Heeseung raised an eyebrow at the sudden movement. His expression shifted from simple curiosity to that sharp perception that always seemed to see too much.
"What is it?"
"Jake hyung is in there." Jungwon replied, his voice dropping into a serious tone that did not allow for any arguments. "He just started. Give him some time, hyung."
Heeseung looked at the closed door, then back at Jungwon’s slightly flushed face and damp, messy hair. He seemed to read the situation in an instant.
"In that case, I’ll wait here outside." Heeseung murmured, leaning his back against the opposite wall and crossing his arms over his chest. "If you're done here, you should go dress up now. Jay was looking for you in the kitchen."
Jungwon hesitated at first, but then he offered a quick nod. Jungwon’s eyes lingered on the bathroom door for a second too long before he finally turned on his heel and walked away toward his room.
Heeseung remained in the hallway, staring at the closed door while his mind drifted back to the deep conversation they had the night before. Minutes passed in total silence until a muffled voice drifted from behind the door.
"Heeseungie hyung?" Heeseung did not move at first, his senses already alert. "Heeseungie hyung!!" The second call was much louder and more insistent, so he finally reached for the handle and stepped into the warm vanity area.
"Jake-ssi? What is it?" Heeseung stood tall in the small space, his presence filling the room. He leaned slightly against the partition, but his sharp eyes scanning for any sign of trouble, though his expression remained calm and collected as usual.
"No more conditioner, hyung!" Jake called out from behind the shower slider. "Can you please get me a new one?"
Heeseung felt relieved it was nothing serious and complied silently. He made sure to close the bathroom door behind him to keep the heat trapped inside and then he moved toward the cabinets above the faucet.
Since Heeseung was taller, it was easy for him to reach the very top shelf where the extra supplies were stocked. He successfully pulled out an unopened bottle of conditioner and stepped closer to the shower.
"I’ve got it here." Heeseung said, waiting patiently.
The sliding door creaked open just a few inches. Jake peeked his head out, his face flushed a dark pink from the heavy steam. His damp hair was clinging to his forehead and small droplets of water traced slow paths down his neck and over the curve of his collarbone.
Heeseung caught himself staring at the way the water moved. He felt a sudden dryness in his throat and quickly cleared it before extending the bottle. He was noticeably tensed, his grip on the bottle tightening as he tried to look everywhere except at Jake’s exposed damp skin.
"Here you go." Heeseung managed to say, his voice a bit deeper than usual.
"Thanks, hyung!" Jake grabbed the bottle with a bright, wet smile and slid the door shut again. He was completely cheerful and relaxed, having absolutely no clue about the storm of tension he was causing for the older man standing just a foot away.
"Jake-ssi... are you almost done?" Heeseung asked as he turned toward the mirror and stared at his own reflection, taking a deep breath to regulate his breathing. He focused on his own eyes in the glass, trying to force himself to stay calm and keep his composure under control.
"Yes, hyung! Give me five minutes!" With that response from Jake, Heeseung decided to start brushing his teeth to distract himself. He was nearly finished when Jake’s voice rang out again, sounding slightly sheepish this time.
"Ah, hyung? Sorry, but can you give me a towel? Just the small one for my hair? I forgot to grab a second one." Heeseung did not mind at all. He rinsed his mouth and reached back into the cabinet to pull out a plush white towel.
Heeseung stood by the shower door and waited for Jake again. Inside, Jake had already turned off the water. He patted his body dry and wrapped his main towel low around his waist, leaving his chest bare. When he slid the door open this time, he stepped out fully into the vanity area instead of just peeking through the gap.
Heeseung felt his heart race. Seeing Jake like this really hit him hard. He swallowed and tried to stay calm, but he could feel his instincts reacting deep down as he held out the towel. "Here’s the—" Before Heeseung could finish his sentence, Jake’s bare foot hit a slick patch of soapy water on the tile causing Jake’s balance to vanish in an instant.
"Jake!" Heeseung reacted with lightning speed and lunged forward to catch him. He managed to wrap his strong arms around Jake’s waist, but the momentum of the fall was too much to stop. Heeseung’s own heel slipped on the wet floor and they both went down with a heavy, echoing thud.
Jake landed squarely on top of Heeseung, with his hands planted firmly on Heeseung’s chest for support. Jake was not entirely dry yet and his hair was still dripping wet. Jake looked down at Heeseung in shock, where cold water splashed onto Heeseung’s face and soaked into the collar of his shirt.
Jake gasped, his face only inches away from Heeseung’s. He tried to scramble up quickly, but his wet skin made him slide awkwardly against Heeseung’s chest, making the older man’s breath hitch in his throat.
Suddenly, the bathroom door slid open with a loud bang. Jungwon stood in the doorway, now fully clothed and looking perfectly composed, until he saw them. Jungwon froze in place and his gaze dropped to Jake pinned against Heeseung’s chest on the floor.
Heeseung looked up at Jungwon without moving and for a moment, the two of them locked eyes in a silent, intense acknowledgment of the situation. It was a clear moment of competition between them, yet underpinned by a deep, mutual respect.
Jungwon didn't say a word. He just walked toward them in a silence that felt heavy and a bit scary. He reached down and gently grabbed Jake’s arms, helping him stand up first. Before Jake could even get his balance, Jungwon snatched the small hair towel out of Heeseung’s hand. He draped it over Jake’s wet head, completely hiding his face from view.
Then, Jungwon reached down and helped Heeseung stand up. "Hyung," Jungwon’s voice was unnaturally calm and steady. "Were you injured from the fall?" Jungwon's eyes searched Heeseung's for any sign of pain, his question coming from a place of genuine concern despite the heavy atmosphere.
“My bad, Heeseung hyung. I didn't see where I was stepping.” Jake stood still, biting his lip nervously. His eyes were wide as he waited for Heeseung’s reaction.
Heeseung just brushed the water off his damp shirt, meeting Jungwon’s gaze first with a look that was just as unreadable. He reached out and tapped the leader's shoulder. "Don't worry. I’m fine."
"Jake hyung, go dry off and get dressed now." Jungwon said, his voice steady as he tried to move things along. He didn't want the awkward moment to last any longer. "Jay hyung already has breakfast ready in the kitchen."
Jake was still clearly worried, but he followed the leader's direction. "Right, okay... Sorry again, Heeseungie hyung!" Jake gave Heeseung a final, genuine look of apology that was so sweet and sincere it made both Heeseung and Jungwon soften for a second.
Heeseung smiled and reached out, ruffling the damp hair under the towel with a lingering soft touch. "It’s fine, Jaeyun-ah. I’m just glad I caught you before you got hurt." Jake gave a small nod and hurried out of the room to change, his bare feet pattering softly on the floor.
⬩➤
By the time Jake made it to the kitchen, he was now fully dressed in a comfortable oversized hoodie and wide flowing pants. The air was filled with the delicious scent of toasted bread and seasoned eggs, then he spotted Jay and Ni-ki who were already seated at the island. The youngest was busy scrolling through his phone while Jay put the finishing touches on a colorful plate of food.
"Eat while it’s hot." Jay grumbled, though he immediately slid the steaming plate toward the empty stool for Jake. Jake did not need to be told twice. He took a large, appreciative bite of the omelet and his eyes widened with pure delight.
"Jinja, this is seriously so good! You’re getting better every day, Jay-ah!" Jake’s face lit up with a beaming smile and even gave an enthusiastic thumbs up while still chewing. He looked genuinely impressed and his positive energy seemed to bounce off the kitchen walls.
A small satisfied smirk played on Jay’s lips. He leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms. "It’s just a quick breakfast, nothing special." Although the slight tilt of Jay’s head showed he was clearly pleased by the praise.
Sunoo suddenly emerged from the living room a moment later, looking pale but relatively stable. He did not say a single word as he shuffled over to the large sofa and flopped down flat on his stomach, burying his face deep into the pillow. He looked like an exhausted bird trying to hide away from the rest of the world.
Ni-ki tilted his head and his sharp gaze softened as he watched his hyung. "Sunoo hyung? Is there anything you want? I can buy it for you later." He said, before adding in a low, suggestive tone, "Maybe something sweet to help with that mood of yours?"
Sunoo’s voice was muffled by the fabric of the pillow and was barely audible to the others. "I’m good, I don't need anything. Just leave me in peace..."
"Liar." A new voice rang out clearly. Sunghoon strolled into the living room, looking effortlessly cool in a black leather jacket. He stopped right by the sofa and looked down at the slumped heap that was Sunoo.
"Ah, jinja..." Sunoo groaned into the pillow. He recognized that voice immediately and he was absolutely not in the mood for any of Sunghoon's typical teasings right now. He squeezed his eyes shut, hoping the older member would just pass by.
"Let's just buy a huge tub of mint chocolate ice cream for Sunoo on our way home." Sunghoon said, a teasing lilt in his voice. "That usually fixes whatever is wrong with his head."
Sunoo let out a groan, but he finally turned his head to the side and in one eye, he peeked out from the edge of the pillow to glare up at Sunghoon. "I am not that easy to bribe, Sunghoon hyung."
Sunghoon just shrugged his shoulders, looking completely unbothered by the glare. He insisted on sitting down on the very same sofa where Sunoo was flopped, making the cushions shift and causing Sunoo to bounce slightly.
Sunghoon then glanced over at the kitchen area where the others were finishing up. "The car will be arriving here in fifteen minutes, so you two better be ready by then." Sunghoon announced, sounding exactly like a naggy grandpa trying to keep them on schedule. Jake and Ni-ki shared a quick look across the kitchen island. They both nodded obediently to his words, but they could not hide the laughs that escaped from them.