Chapter Text
Taeyong walks into the practice room. He licks his lips, seeing Ten leaning on the wall by the speakers, his expression stoic, eyes focused on his phone. "Ten Ten!" He calls out in a sing song manner.
Ten looks up, his face instantly bright. "Hyung." He beams with his pearly white teeth.
Taeyong cracks a smile. "Are you that happy to see me?" He slings an arm on the younger's shoulders.
"No." Ten's expression changes in an instant.
Taeyong nudges him with a small hip swing.
Ten chuckles, amused.
"What are you doing?" Taeyong peers over Ten's shoulder. "Youtube?"
Ten nods. "I'm really into this cooking channel these days."
"Ah." Taeyong nods, watching the video. His eyes travel to Ten, his features more defined up-close. He blinks, noticing his soft eyes, sharp nose, and thin cherry pink lips, pursed as he concentrates on the video. "Ten." He softly calls his name.
"Hm." Ten keeps his eyes on his phone.
"Ten." He calls out again in the same gentle tone.
Ten turns, noticing the eyes fixed on him. He looks at Taeyong, his eyes unwavering. "What?" Ten asks, not quite curious but feeling the need to fill the silence.
Taeyong's eyes move from Ten's lips to his eyes, then back to his lips.
Ten wets his bottom lip, waiting for a response.
Taeyong's eyes linger on the supple lips before him.
Ten cocks his head. He waves his hand in front of Taeyong's face. "Hyung. What is it?" He asks, now curious.
Taeyong swallows, a thought crossing his mind, for the first time. He chuckles nervously, peeling his eyes away.
"What? Why are you laughing?" Ten scrunches his eyebrows.
Taeyong shakes his head, looking ahead. He bites his lower lip, the image of Ten's lips flashing in his head.
Ten eyes him, as if trying to comprehend his behavior. "Are you hungry?"
Taeyong turns to Ten.
"Did the video make you hungry?" His eyes sparkle as if he knows he hit the mark.
Taeyong nods. "Looks delicious." His focus on the luscious lips now formed into a smile.
It's almost a week after the thought came to him. Taeyong sits on a plastic chair, his elbow rests on the table, hand on his mouth.
Ten walks into the room, mood bubbly as soon as he sees Taeyong.
"Ten!" Taeyong calls him over on reflex.
Ten sits beside him. "We'll have a live today?"
Taeyong nods, noticing Ten's pale chest and exposed collar bones, his brown dress shirt unbuttoned at the top. His jaw tenses up, the same feeling from several days ago coming back to him. He brings his attention to the schedule at hand. "Any concepts you'd like to do for later?"
"Hmm." Ten taps his fingers on the table. "It's going to be a long talk right?"
"About 30 minutes or an hour?" Taeyong plays with his bottom earing.
Ten puffs up his cheeks, his lower lip pouting as he thinks. "Mukbang? Like a snack?"
"Cake?" Taeyong suggests.
Ten smiles. "Of course. Hyung and his obsession with pastries."
Taeyong chuckles, feeling a bit too happy about Ten's remark. "Shall we?" He stands. "I know a place."
"Your favorite cafe?" Ten walks beside him.
"Where else?" Taeyong's grin lingers, his mind beginning to wander and imagine more than what's on the surface.
"Okay! I've always wanted to go."
Taeyong nibbles on his lower lip, the other's interest playing with his feelings. He looks at Ten curiously.
"I always see you eating their pastries and you often boast about how good they are." Ten's lips almost pout. "Got me curious."
Taeyong's lips curl up. "Too cute." He blurts out.
"Hm?" Ten looks at Taeyong.
Taeyong's face flushes.
Ten grins, a slight pink on his cheeks. "Did you just say I'm cute?"
Taeyong holds his breath, unable to take his eyes off the now more adorable expression on Ten's face, sparkly eyes, and his signature blinding smile. "It's no secret." He manages to say.
Ten looks ahead, smile frozen, ears burning red.
Taeyong takes a deep breath. "I always thought you were cute." Taeyong carefully studies Ten's expression.
Ten's wide smile disappears, eyes in thought. "I remember." Ten plays with the white string bracelet on his wrist. "So cute I'm like a younger sister."
Taeyong’s eyes widen. He scratches the back of his neck. "Did I offend you when I said that?"
"It was a long time ago, Hyung." The response is curt, silent.
"Sorry." Taeyong stops walking and gently holds the hem of Ten's long sleeves, like a child holding on to his parent.
Ten turns to look at him, an endearing smile on his face. "Why are you being so serious? It was a long time ago."
"I..." Taeyong starts to explain himself.
Ten looks him in the eye. "Hyung. It's okay."
Taeyong swallows his words.
Ten grabs his hand. "Come on. We still have a Live to do."
Taeyong looks at Ten's frame, pulling him forward, his hand on his, just like that time they were still rookies. Taeyong allows himself to be dragged, enjoying the moment a little too much but also feeling conscious about that small remark he'd said in the past.
Ten releases his hold on Taeyong's hand as soon as they reach their destination. He pushes the glass door, a single bell welcoming them.
Taeyong walks toward the counter, his hand still feeling the little warmth from Ten's slender fingers.
Ten stands beside him, reading through the selection of drinks printed above the counter.
"Should I order for you?" Taeyong offers.
Ten ponders. "Hmm." He glances at Taeyong. "Alright. Surprise me."
Taeyong leans toward Ten. "Coffee?"
Ten shakes his head. "Maybe later after the Live."
"Okay okay. Something light." He picks out two bottles of drinks from the cooler then scans the selection in the cake display. He orders two different pastries and picks some macaroons from the basket on the counter. "Good?" He asks for Ten's approval.
Ten lifts his thumb up and takes out his phone, snapping a picture of the decorative lighting that seemed to interest him.
"Let's go." Taeyong holds Ten's wrist.
Ten matches his stride, eyes still glued to the phone, finger swiping. "Look." He shows him a picture of a lightbulb inside a clear glass globe, green plants adorning the wall behind it. "Pretty."
Taeyong nods, noticing Ten's pleased expression.
The walk back starts out silent, their shoulders occasionally bumping. Taeyong is bringing the boxed slice of cake and Ten is bringing a paper bag of other goodies.
"What are we going to talk about again?" Ten breaks the silence.
"Nothing really."
"Nothing? That's hard."
Taeyong teasingly responds. "I know right? How are we going to keep it interesting for half an hour?"
Ten playfully slaps Taeyong's back. "Hyung, you're supposed to know more about this than me."
"Oh yeah." He takes a deep breath. "It's okay. Let's just wing it." He grins.
"Hyung!" Ten protests in an almost panic, a slap landing on Taeyong's arm.
Taeyong laughs. "I'm kidding!" He squeezes Ten's arm reassuringly. "You said we'll do a mukbang. We can start there."
Ten looks at him in thought, as if playing it in his head. "Okay okay." He says after a quick moment, like the plan's registered in his memory.
Taeyong's lip curls, amused at this very Ten way of processing information. He muses to himself, realizing all the little things he's noticing about the younger. He wonders and quickly pushes the thought back, seeing the company building up ahead. He didn't have time for such thoughts right now.
As soon as they arrive back at the building, they settle on the white table in the practice room, setting the food neatly behind the camera. Ten runs to the bathroom, a quick pang of stress hitting him.
Taeyong sits on his designated chair, tapping the table as he waits for his partner.
Ten comes back from the bathroom, his hands on his sides like a stiff robot.
"You alright?" He eyes Ten.
Ten nods, sitting beside him.
"Just relax, ok?" Taeyong rubs Ten's back.
Ten looks at Taeyong, head nodding and looking like he's holding his breath.
Taeyong lets out a snicker.
Ten laughs, his nerves getting the best of him.
Taeyong moves closer, his torso on Ten's shoulder, pulling him in a semi hug.
Ten takes a deep breath, a small smile on his lips, feeling calmer, his eyes on Taeyong.
"Ready?"
"Yes." Ten says with a determined nod.
Taeyong starts the Live. Everything goes smoothly as they set the mood and introduce their concept of eating snacks. Taeyong can't help but smile, impressed by Ten's ability to deliver. Four minutes in and they start eating the macaroons.
"It's not chocolate, but it's good." Taeyong comments about his macaroon.
"What is it?" Ten asks.
"What about yours? Is it vanilla?" Taeyong watches as Ten's teeth sink into the macaroon.
"This is vanilla." He confirms.
"Do you want to try this?" Taeyong brings the macaroon to Ten's mouth but quickly retracts his hand, a shy smile on his lips and a blush on his cheeks, realizing their hands were about to cross as Ten also tries to feed him the vanilla macaroon.
Ten grins, seeing Taeyong giggle. "Why? Hyung, try this." Ten grabs Taeyong's hand and takes the macaroon, giving the other to Taeyong. "Okay." He takes a bite and exclaims. "Tiramisu! It's tiramisu."
"Ah it's tiramisu." Taeyong responds but the thoughts he pushed back at the start of their schedule floods in. He tries his best to keep his composure, but his body moves on its own, seeking more contact. He inches closer to Ten, shoulder to shoulder and head to head when the opportunity arises. Taeyong glances at Ten every so often, as if getting his fill for the day. He switches seats with Ten and while looking at comments, he can't help but notice Ten's clear complexion, his smooth skin, his long neck, his collar bones, and his chest, a tease with that slight exposure and the contrast of the black necklace dangling on his skin. Oh how he wishes he could trade places with that jewelry. Taeyong pauses, the thought loud in his head. He quickly turns to Ten and with his own fingers, he tries to cover up the tempting site. "They said you should button up your shirt." He chuckles, attempting to mask his beating heart.
Ten's eyes squint like half-moons, shy, and he buttons up, apologizing to the fans.
"Isn't there a really revealing scene?" Taeyong mentions, remembering he'd seen Ten half naked a few weeks ago, dressed in black fitting pants, a sleek coat, and a makeshift corset.
Ten places a hand on his back, facing him. "Hyung, that's a secret." His eyes are on Taeyong.
Taeyong's eyes are on Ten, the clear image of his sexy appearance distracting him. "Oh uhm." He realizes he's digging his own grave by thinking of that moment. "Did I say something important?" He tries to cover up the spoiler.
They move on and talk about what else to do to make the broadcast fun, eat cake, dance, read comments, talk about the past, dancing, and first impressions.
“What was Ten’s first impression like?” Taeyong reads a fan’s comment, sincerely thinking about what it was like meeting him for the first time.
Ten smiles fondly, remembering the past. “Everyone said I was scary.” He looks at Taeyong, waiting for a response.
“You?” Taeyong’s eyes are elsewhere, still in the middle of recalling.
“That’s not true! Wasn’t my first impression really nice?” Ten attempts to defend his past self.
“You?” Taeyong now looks at Ten.
“Yeah.” Ten’s eyes are expectant but also ready to be shot down with a negative answer about his past self.
“I really liked you from the start.” Taeyong then quickly looks away, shy about his somewhat sudden confession. He folds his arms on his chest, feeling self-conscious.
“I asked another member how I looked.” Ten continues. “Mark said I looked like a gangster.”
“Really?” Taeyong can’t help but laugh, finding it totally unlike his impression of the younger. “Do you know the expression ‘gorgeous’?”
Ten shakes his head, eyes completely on Taeyong.
“It means that you were bright.” Taeyong cannot help himself from giving more praises. “You were really bright. You really liked to practice dancing, so we practiced a lot together.” He recalls a dance they worked on. “We practiced dancing together.” He twists his arms into a pretzel, feeling shy.
“You taught me a lot about dancing.” Ten recalls with him.
“I used to teach you back then.”
“Yeah.” Ten agrees.
“But now, Ten teaches me.” He looks at the camera, proud of what he said and for what Ten has accomplished.
Ten’s mouth is ajar, surprised at the compliment. “Thank you.” He clasps his hands together and bows at Taeyong.
Taeyong bows.
They share a smile.
“We’re both developing with time.” Taeyong confirms his and Ten’s growth, assuring the younger that they are on the right track.
“Ok! Let’s go!” Ten exclaims, pumped up.
They share a friendly high five and handshake, both feeling warm in the heart.
Taeyong then continues to give more praise for Ten, enjoying his wide smile. In the middle of all that, a curiosity strikes in him. “I forgot to ask this question.” He begins, his finger on his lips, feeling apprehensive about the question he’s about to ask. “Yes.” As if giving himself the go signal. He faces Ten. “What was your first impression of me?” He throws it out there, his other hand anxiously planted on his knee.
Ten chuckles.
“Why?” Taeyong is taken aback. He did not expect to get a laugh.
“The real version?” Ten manages to say in the middle of laughing.
“Huh?” He looks away. “Yes, the real version.” He fidgets with the edge of the table.
Ten pauses to think, still struggling to keep from laughing.
“It’s that bad?” Taeyong looks at him, concerned and feeling a little hurt with the response he’s getting.
“You know…” Ten finally comes up with an answer. “I was eating alone when I first joined SM.”
Taeyong swallows, nervous to hear what the other will reveal about his past self.
“You entered the room.”
“The restaurant?” he interrupts, prolonging his agony.
“Yes, the restaurant.” Ten responds, a wide smile on his face, clearly amused at the memory.
“In the basement?” Taeyong inquires further.
“In the basement.” Ten confirms. “I couldn’t speak Korean back then.”
Taeyong looks around, almost dying in anticipation, a shy smile on his lips, his fingers fidgeting with whatever it can touch.
“You came in front of me…”
He brings his attention back to Ten.
“…and said ‘Hey!’” Ten imitates his past action, his neck lunging forward.
Taeyong jerks back, surprised. “Why?” His nervous laugh resurfaces.
Ten continues to imitate him. “Hi. What do you think of me?” He finishes with a chuckle.
“What? I asked you that?” Taeyong is in disbelief.
Ten nods, his hand on his chin. “Yes, you did.”
“I did? Why?”
Ten shakes his head. “I’m not sure.”
“No way.” Taeyong hangs his head, refusing to accept the memory. “No way. I am very quiet when I first meet people.”
Ten agrees and explains that he only remembers one part clearly and not all the others he asked because he barely knew Korean then.
Taeyong ponders and shifts the topic to something else, flustered that he apparently did something so bold before. He takes a bite of cake and listens to Ten, his ears tuning out whatever he’s saying and his eyes only focusing on how animated he is talking about the past. The conversation then leads to other topics, they take selfies, and read comments. Taeyong once again finds himself struggling to make out the words on the screen.
“I can’t see because I’m wearing white.” Taeyong complains.
Ten attempts to help with the situation, stretching himself and his brown dress shirt, positioning himself behind Taeyong.
Taeyong leans on Ten’s outstretched limbs, his shoulder on Ten’s chest.
“No. I have to do this instead.” Ten switches his position to the front, covering Taeyong’s white sweater.
Taeyong leans closer, his face right above Ten’s arm. A faint scent dances on his nose, clean and fresh, strangely addicting. He inhales and glances at Ten as he makes conversation. He rests his hand on the edge of Ten’s chair, hoping to bask more in his aroma.
“What songs do you listen to these days?” Taeyong reads a fan comment.
Ten moves his hand down and sifts through his phone.
Taeyong stretches his neck closer to Ten, the tips of his hair touching Ten’s head. He glances at the camera, making sure to not make his intentions obvious.
“It’s a sad song.” Ten finally picks a song, playing it.
Taeyong snickers. “Why do you always listen to sad songs?” He comments.
Ten looks at him, a slightly embarrassed grin on his face. “Okay, I will pick dance songs.” He looks through his song list again.
Taeyong dives in as Ten talks about Justin Timberlake’s song. He cocks his head as close he can to the younger’s personal space and inhales deep. “Oooh!” He exclaims, shaking his head giddily. “I love it!” He then concentrates on the song, realizing he is losing his control. Saying his inner thoughts so boldly just because it matches with the situation is reckless. He makes a mental note not to get too caught up in his feelings especially on broadcast.
He nibbles on his lower lip, half of him swimming in Ten related ideas and the other half trying to get the Live going. Before he knows it, he’s dancing cutely in front of Ten, and while he recovers from getting called cute by the person in question, Ten links arms with him for another dance. He stiffens up, a smile forcing itself on his lips as they both work hard to dance freestyle. He takes a deep breath, pausing to listen to the song, then dances along with Ten, using this chance to enjoy the moment, happy memories of them dancing together as trainees flashing in his head. They get caught up in the fun and before long, they run out of battery. They hurriedly close the broadcast and high five, their fingers interlocking with each other. They squeeze each other’s hand and grin, both satisfied for a job well done.
Ten stretches his arms and legs while still sitting on the white plastic chair. His brown dress shirt sloughs down with gravity, falling on his small frame.
Taeyong swallows, catching the graceful act in the corner of his eye as he bids farewell to the staff who supervised their V Live. “Tennie! Let’s go.” A small smile plays on his lips.
Ten’s face brightens and he quickly stands beside Taeyong. “Let’s eat!”
Taeyong nods, moving a step closer to the younger so their shoulders graze, that bit of contact sending giddy butterflies in his stomach. He looks at Ten, mesmerized at his side profile, almost fairytale-like, and his skin, always so beautiful, with just a small touch of brown blending well with a slightly pale complexion. He blinks, warmth welling up inside him. “This is nice.” He says.
“Hmm?” Ten meets his gaze.
“Working with you.”
Ten’s lips curl into a smile, his eyes smiling along with it. “It is.”
“It’s been a while.”
Ten nods.
Taeyong places a hand across Ten’s shoulder and pulls him close. “I’m glad we get to do this together. Just you and me.”
Ten looks at him, as if processing what he just said. He chuckles.
“What?” a blush shoots on Taeyong’s face, becoming self-conscious.
“Why are you being so cheesy all of a sudden?”
Taeyong laughs nervously, still pulling Ten close, unable to take his hand off the smaller guy’s shoulder.
“You’re being sentimental because it’s our first VLive together?”
“It’s not our first. We did one in Ukraine.” Taeyong pauses. “But I still really liked the V Live today. Is that so wrong?” He asks Ten teasingly.
Ten shakes his head, his lips in a bit of a pout. “You’re cute, hyung.” He pinches Taeyong’s cheek.
Taeyong can’t help but smile, his ears now beet red.
Ten laughs, his finger pointing at Taeyong’s face. “You’re so red!”
Taeyong releases Ten and hides his face with both of his hands, laughing nervously.
“Let me see! Let me see!” Ten’s hands are on Taeyong’s, trying to force them off the embarrassed boy’s face.
“Ten!” He stands still, hands down, eyes on the younger.
Ten bites his lower lip, forcing himself not to laugh. His eyes are sparkling, clearly amused at the almost upset expression on Taeyong’s face. Ten pats his back apologetically and leads him back to walking. After a few minutes of walking in silence, Ten finally opens his mouth, a thought coming to mind. “Hyung!” He faces Taeyong.
Taeyong looks at Ten, curious what he’s so upbeat about.
“Should we?” Ten lifts his fingers up his mouth as if drinking from an invisible glass. He wiggles his eyebrows, waiting in anticipation for the older’s response.
Taeyong pauses, thinking about their schedule. “Alright. We don’t have anything else for today, right?”
Ten nods.
“But let’s not get too drunk.”
Ten pouts. “You mean let’s not stuff ourselves.” He groans, more worried about gaining weight than a hangover. “I’ll have to work out tomorrow at this rate.”
Taeyong chuckles, putting his arm across Ten’s shoulders. “We could just go for salad.”
Ten shakes his head. “No! I want some meat!”
Taeyong rubs Ten’s arm. “Yeah! We’ve been working hard, we deserve it!”
A sweet smile crawls back on Ten’s lips, happy to hear Taeyong’s words.
A block and a half of walking and they arrive at the samgyeopsal place they frequent with the other members. They come in and settle at a private booth, opting for some privacy. They order a basic platter, two bowls of rice, kimchi jjigae, and a bottle of soju.
Although Ten is the younger, Taeyong insists on grilling the meat, garlic, and kimchi. “Ten, try this.” Taeyong lifts a grilled piece of meat and places it on top of Ten’s rice.
Ten gladly wolfs it down with some kimchi and an assortment of side dishes, a contented grin on his face. “You should have the next one, Hyung.” He takes out a lettuce, picks out a thick piece from the grill and pairs it with kimchi, garlic, red pepper paste, and cucumber kimchi. He neatly folds the vegetable into a deliciously packed bomb of samgyeopsal heaven. “Hyung.” He offers it to Taeyong.
Taeyong opens his mouth and takes it all in, chewing like he’s eating food from the gods.
In no time, they finish their meal and the lone bottle of soju, both downing the last shot. They split the bill and exit the restaurant, feeling warm in their stomachs.
“That was nice.” Ten rubs his tummy. “But I have to work extra hard tomorrow.”
Taeyong pats him on the back. “Ten-ah, want to go for round two?”
Ten looks at him in disbelief. “Am I hearing things?” His hand is on his mouth.
Taeyong looks at him in silence.
Ten laughs. “Okay, okay. Beer?”
Taeyong slings his arm on Ten’s shoulder. “Sounds good.”