Work Text:
Jealousy is a dangerous thing;
to Hyunsuk, it comes like a meteor, unexpected and fast. The impact leaves a crater, big and ugly inside his soul, a wound he can't forget even if he wanted to. But why Hyunsuk thinks it's dangerous, because just like the unpredictable nature of a meteor strike, it hits at the wrong time, wrong place, for the wrong person--even if that person is not Hyunsuk's to begin with.
It's Jihoon's 22nd birthday celebration; happiness is in the air but Hyunsuk can breathe nothing but jealousy.
The camera is blinking innocent and aloof, so different from the turmoil inside Hyunsuk. It live-streams moments of togetherness of what's left of Treasure in their break period. The Japanese bunch has gone home so only half of the group is present for Jihoon's VLive. The man himself, dressed dashingly in a black leather jacket, has been non-stop chirping to the live audience just like how he did hours ago as an Inkigayo MC--
A clenched fist; even recalling the scene makes Hyunsuk shiver in tense. Gritting his teeth, he turns his back on the camera, sightseeing the numerous Jihoon's baby photos stuck on the blue wall to divert his bitter emotion elsewhere. As if there's a bowl big enough to contain his ugly jealousy along with the unreciprocated love for the younger leader.
There's none; Hyunsuk is hopeless ever since two years ago when he realized how nice Jihoon's laughs, chats, touches--basically, everything, from his presence as a friend to a leader to something Hyunsuk hopes more. But here's the thing about hope; it lingers and skyrockets into desperation for the hope to come fruitful so when reality slaps Hyunsuk with the exact opposite, then he crashes, hard--leaving debris of baseless anger.
Unfortunately, the crash happened earlier when Hyunsuk caught seconds of skinship between Jihoon and that guy from NCT in their MC gig. A brush of a hand, nothing more. Most likely a planned skit. Normal people would saw it as a very minor fan service, but normal people don't love Jihoon the way Hyunsuk does.
Normal people weren't there when Jihoon needs a shoulder to cry on, or when he hugged an upset Hyunsuk in the middle of practice; normal people wouldn't understand the heartbreak Hyunsuk feel knowing he will forever stand together with Jihoon but as no more than a friend.
So the meteor strikes; the jealousy hit Hyunsuk without warning and opened a gaping hole somewhere in his heart that aches even until now--
now, when Hyunsuk has to fake joy across his face everytime Jihoon looks his way.
The younger raises an eyebrow, noticing the slight change of expression, from sour to smile. Hyunsuk replies with an even bigger one before joining whatever conversation the other leads. Actually, all is well until the second Jihoon brings out the topic of tonight's dinner. The younger leader is so confident the group will follow his will as in eating at his dorm, Hyunsuk, who's not in the best mood to cater that spunk, can't help but object.
"No, I'm going to eat with Junkyu in our dorm."
Jihoon quickly frowns. "No, eat at my dorm, instead."
"No. I made a promise with Junkyu first." And it's true, Hyunsuk did make a promise even if Junkyu feigns dumb just for the hell of it.
"Come on, it's my birthday," Jihoon coaxes, pleading eyes and all, further appealing to the mute fans to take his side. "Everyone, I'm the main character today, right?"
"Let's just eat on our own, alone," Junkyu chimes in, true to his Introvert self. Everyone laughs, do does Hyunsuk--mostly to cover a scowl. Guess he has to maintain his mask of being a caring, definitely-not-jealous eldest a little longer more. It drains him but what can he do.
So the VLive ends; everyone bows at the staff after the TV goes dark before going back to the dorm.
The group orders some lavish dinner. Steaks, shrimp, sushi, and so on. They eat at Jihoon's dorm, on Jihoon's wallet, accompanied by Jihoon's cheery mood--in a nutshell, the night goes according to Jihoon's plan and it irks the secretly fuming Hyunsuk more.
The eldest is mostly quiet during dinner, merely responding to questions and jokes once or twice but no one notices his silence when the birthday boy is quacking like a duck from start to finish. Jihoon always has a lot to say and tonight is no exception.
After spending three hours of talk and dine, the group agrees to end the night. Yedam and Junghwan are looking pretty worn out, and Doyoung hasn't taken a bath so Hyunsuk asks them to rest early and let the older line take care of the dirty dishes. They reluctantly agree and part ways.
It leaves the three hyungs in the kitchen, putting out the stained tablewares when at some point, Junkyu excuses himself for a sudden call. Suddenly Hyunsuk finds himself alone with the object of his longing and it urges him to wash the greasy plate faster to get out from there.
"God, I'm so tired today."
The tired moan comes from behind Hyunsuk; Jihoon is currently placing the dried bowls into the cabinet.
"Well, you're up since morning for Inkigayo," Hyunsuk shrugs, hiding his tense jaw.
"Yeah. Can't even rest on my birthday. But hey, got some nice surprise there with Sung--"
"Yeah, we saw your Twitter update," Hyunsuk cuts in, sharp; the last thing he wants to hear is the name of the man that is going to spend Sunday with his Jihoon.
His Jihoon, he said. Delusional.
Hyunsuk clicks his tongue and turns off the water faucet. The meteor strikes again, cracking Hyunsuk's mask--any second now the caring eldest of Treasure will disappear, leaving only a weak man in bitter jealousy.
"I'm done here. See you."
"Hyung."
The call stops Hyunsuk just one foot out of the kitchen hall. He turns around; Jihoon is looking at him, hopeful. "No birthday presents for me?"
Hyunsuk creases his eyebrows, confused.
Jihoon makes it clear. "You always give one to the others."
Oh. It earns a scoff from Hyunsuk. After everything and Park Jihoon still wants more. Hyunsuk shoves a hand to his pocket, hiding how it trembles mad.
"I thought earlier surprise is enough. And you got more than one today, so--"
"But I want you."
Ba-dum.
Hyunsuk's heart skips a beat hearing the other's words. Wide-eyed, he stares at Jihoon agape until the younger realizes what he just accidentally insinuated.
"Uh, I mean, I want yours. Your presents." Jihoon looks away, scratching his brunette hair while Hyunsuk freezes on the spot. After taking a sharp breath, the eldest is finally able to function again.
"But I don't prepare anything, Jihoon-ah. Maybe tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow's not my birthday anymore."
Hyunsuk sneers, "Oh, come on--"
"A hug then," Jihoon suggests oh-so-casually as he opens his arms wide for the eldest to snuggle into.
Hyunsuk is both dumbfounded and annoyed especially at the puppy eyes and pout plastered across the other's face. Jihoon is guilty-tripping Hyunsuk and the man doesn't even hide it. Rolling his eyes, Hyunsuk ponders a second or two before surrendering. Whatever.
The eldest embraces back, with Jihoon's arms quickly locks around his waist. Hot breaths engulf his right ear as the younger rests his head on Hyunsuk's shoulder.
Warmth,
and a racing heart; Hyunsuk hopes Jihoon doesn't hear it even as their chest pressed together, sharing heat and heartbeats.
Hyunsuk sighs, feeling relaxed for the first time since the catastrophe today. Leaning his cheeks against Jihoon's shoulderblade, he murmurs, "Who would've thought you become a sap on your birthday?"
Jihoon chuckles and the tremble runs across Hyunsuk. "It's your fault for not preparing anything for me. Everyone gave me something, even Sung--"
"Well, sorry about that!" Hyunsuk snaps, glaring at the startled Jihoon. Hyunsuk hates it with every inch of his being, hearing the name coming out of Jihoon's mouth.
The warm moment immediately shatters; Hyunsuk tries to untangle from Jihoon's hold. "Y'know what, I'm just gonna go back--"
"No." But Jihoon doesn't budge, even tighten his arms around the smaller leader. Damn his muscles. It riles Hyunsuk more.
"I'm tired, Jihoon-ah. You're not the only one who's working today--"
"Sleep with the birthday boy, then."
The words rob air out of Hyunsuk. He stops moving, breathing, even existing, and simply gawks numbly at Jihoon like an idiot.
The other idiot stares back. "Oh, that came out wrong, doesn't it?"
"Uh, duh!"
Jihoon snorts before wheezing uncontrollably. Watching the younger being so happy, Hyunsuk can't help but join, snickering at their stupid antics.
After a brief while, Jihoon manages to regain himself. Sighing, he turns to Hyunsuk, who's still tucked small inside his hug, and shoots a kicked-puppy look. "Sleep with me. I'm the main character today. The least you could do is pamper me like you always did with the younger on their birthday."
Jihoon pouts, looking quite upset. Just like he did when he demanded a present from Hyunsuk.
Then, suddenly, something clicks inside Hyunsuk.
"Are you--jealous?"
But Jihoon immediately shakes his head, though his eyes lose their focus, averting to the kitchen furniture instead of Hyunsuk. "Not really. Just a dongsaeng asking his only hyung for a birthday present since he gives him none."
Jihoon appears to chew his lips, lost in his thoughts, before adding in low whispers, "You even gave Junkyu one last year."
Oh. It dawns to Hyunsuk--like a reckoning from a sky; look, there's another meteor coming.
"Sleep with me," Jihoon murmurs, half-lidded and soft, "Hyunsukie."
And it collides and crashes and leaving Hyunsuk in a wreck--blushing from head to toe. But it's a welcome mess, one that Hyunsuk has been waiting for. So he lowers his gazes timidly and nods. "Okay."
The front door creaks open; Hyunsuk and Jihoon separate just in time for Junkyu to walks in. "Hyung, sorry about that. Mom was calling. You're done? Let's go back then."
Hyunsuk opens his mouth to reply only to be beaten by Jihoon. His tone sounds snarky too. "Nope, hyung is staying. Night night, Junkyu-ah~"
Jihoon loops an arm around Hyunsuk's shoulder and drags him toward his bedroom. Junkyu looks baffled, utterly lost on what just happened, but soon makes peace with it and retires to his dorm.
The door clicks closed.
Inside Jihoon's red-dimmed room, between darkness and moonlight, Hyunsuk stands, facing a seated Jihoon on the bed. Snuggling and cuddling aren't uncommon for them, they're pretty close to begin with, but tonight is different.
Tonight, there's a light across the sky that shines a hidden side of Jihoon.
"Hyung."
He calls, and it's needy yet soft and his palm opened and raised toward Hyunsuk, asking for the other with tender eyes and buried want.
And it mirrors Hyunsuk's so he takes the hand,
crosses the chasm,
and into Jihoon's hold once again, where he belongs, for tonight, another meteor strikes from Jihoon--no, knowing Jihoon and his jealousy to the younger members, Hyunsuk reckons it's more of a shower than a strike. All this time, without Hyunsuk knowing; it rains down and leaving scattered holes on the ground.
Snuggling into Jihoon's crook of the neck, Hyunsuk chuckles;
oh, what a mess they made.