Work Text:
Horizon
[Jongho] Now you're gonna take me there
[Yeosang, Jongho] Um, one, two, we're going beyond the horizon
Tick. Tick. Tick.
The quiet ticking of the clock had been reverberating in Jongho's head all night. He thought that counting the ticks would lull him to sleep, but hours later he was still wide awake. No matter what he did he couldn't get Yeosang's smiling face out of his mind. Was Yeosang actually flirting with him or was he just being friendly? As Jongho thought about their interaction earlier that day, he couldn't extinguish the hope that had ignited in his chest. Was there a chance that Yeosang was crushing on him too? Yeosang could literally have anyone. Could someone as perfect as Yeosang ever see him as more than a friend? Jongho sighed, vividly picturing Yeosang's ethereal beauty.
Yeosang was the most beautiful man that Jongho had ever seen and he had admitted to himself months ago that he had caught feelings for Yeosang. Jongho had never been the shy type. When he was interested in someone, he would boldly flirt with the person in an attempt to gauge their interest. If they flirted back, he would make his interest known. He had been subtly (at least for him) trying this tactic with Yeosang for months and he still hadn't gotten anywhere. Yeosang was very shy so when Jongho would blow him a kiss, take his hand, or hug him, Yeosang would just blush, giggle, and allow it to happen. He never outright rejected Jongho's attentions, but he never actively reciprocated them either. While it was true that sometimes Yeosang teased him, initiated physical contact with him, and complimented Jongho, he would shyly back away when Jongho would try to push the issue. Oh well, that's that then, Jongho would think to himself. He clearly isn't interested. The problem was that as soon as Jongho would resign himself to accept that, Yeosang would give him flirty glances during a performance, run his hand down Jongho's back, play footsies with him - something that would revive Jongho's hope and make him rethink his decision. Case in point, the most recent episode of 'read Yeosang's mind' occurred during Jongho's 19th birthday V-Live.
In celebration of Jongho's birthday, the members had thrown him a party and created a birthday mission that Jongho had to complete to get his presents. Seongwha and Yeosang had shown Jongho a sweet birthday message from the guys and led him to a birthday box that contained heart balloons, a T-shirt with Jongho's face on it, and a mission that required Jongho to compliment all of the members while wearing a cute headband. As Seonghwa adjusted a headband on Jongho's head, Yeosang smiled at Jongho. "Guys, Jongho is really cute, isn't he?" Yeosang stated. Huh, Jongho thought to himself. Jongho decided to go for it and boldly looked into Yeosang's face. "I'm cute?" Jongho pressed. Yeosang silently held eye contact with Jongho before self-consciously scampering away. Fulfilling his role as the "mom" of the group, Seonghwa sensed the tension between the two of them and redirected the conversation back to the mission.
Complimenting each member, Jongho finally got around to Yeosang. He deviously decided to start with a back hug. Of course as soon as Jongho put his arms around Yeosang, Yeosang hung his head and laughed in that adorable bashful way that he always did when he was embarrassed. Yet, Jongho took note of the fact that Yeosang made no attempt to leave his arms. Interesting. Jongho closed his eyes, blissfully enjoying the closeness of Yeosang's body until he was rudely interrupted by Seonghwa. "Don't do that; it's weird!" Seonghwa admonished. Yeosang, still laughing, asked "Why?!" Jongho's heart began to pound. To hell with it. "Why? It's because I like him!" Jongho honestly declared. "It's not because you like him; it's more like, it looks more like 'you come here!' Seonghwa laughingly explained. "What are you talking about?" Jongho blustered and released his hold on Yeosang.
OK, so Jongho was a little on the dominant side. He would never hurt Yeosang and judging by the way Yeosang's eyes were shining as he had faced forward, he obviously didn't share Seonghwa's sentiments. Jongho went on to compliment Yeosang on his work ethic and his dedication to becoming a better performer. All of them knew that Yeosang lacked confidence when it came to his vocals and Jongho sincerely wanted to let him know what an asset he was to the team. At the same time, he couldn't resist flirting with Yeosang a little more. "Look at Yeosang hyung. I should compliment his face as well." Both he and Seonghwa began to encourage Yeosang to pose for the camera, and Yeosang reluctantly complied. "Oh!" Jongho exclaimed. As Yeosang danced away in embarrassment, Jongho masked a familiar feeling of frustration and sadness. Everything he was saying to and about Yeosang was true, but his truest feelings remained unspoken. Why couldn't he just tell Yeosang how he felt about him already? Was it even possible that he and Yeosang could someday have what Wooyoung and San had?
It was obvious to anyone with eyes that Woo and San were deeply in love. While they had no intentions of ever publicly confirming their romance, they didn't try to hide it either. Unlike other management companies, KQ pretty much gave them the freedom to do whatever they wanted. As long as the guys didn't officially confirm anything, KQ had no problems with the guys being in relationships with each other. After all, it was neither unexpected nor entirely unprecedented (Jimin and Jungkook of BTS being the most high-profile example and the worst-kept secret in the industry). The nature of the trainee program practically guaranteed it. They were attractive young men partly chosen because of their chemistry with each other and sequestered in the same living space for years on end with virtually no time to meet or develop relationships with other people. Sexual attraction was bound to happen. As long as they were professional enough to put any differences aside and put the team first, Jongho knew that no one would care if he and Yeosang decided to quietly pursue something. Everyone was fully supportive of Woosan's relationship and the low-key situationship between Seonghwa and Hongjoong. Those two had been dancing around each other for years but had yet to get their heads out of their asses. While caring and sensitive Seonghwa was the more emotionally open of the two, Hongjoong had always been too fiercely independent and career-minded to entertain a romantic relationship. Poor Seonghwa, Jongho thought to himself.
For the rest of the day, Yeosang and Jongho were constantly surrounded by the others. Thus, Jongho never got the chance to get Yeosang alone and find out where things stood between them. Was it all in his head? Were his feelings for Yeosang causing him to read into Yeosang's actions, or was Yeosang doing a little reconnaissance of his own? Maybe Yeosang was just as scared of rejection as he was and felt too unsure to make a move. Tired of trying to figure it out, Jongho decided to take matters into his own hands. Having watched Seonghwa hopelessly pine away for Hongjoong, Jongho was determined not to make their mistake. He was going to clear the air with Yeosang. Yes, no, maybe - whatever Yeosang's answer was, at least Jongho would know definitively. If the answer was no, would they be awkward with each other for a bit? Possibly, but Jongho knew Yeosang. He was confident that their friendship could survive anything and would prevail in the face of any weirdness.
Mind made up, Jongho made his way to Yeosang and Wooyoung's room. If Jongho had to get everything out in the open, tonight was a good night to do it. Jongho knew for a fact that Yeosang was alone. As lovers were wont to do, Woosan had fallen asleep cuddling in San's bed, leaving the way clear for Jongho and Yeosang to talk privately. If all went well, the guys would find out soon enough. Jongho had no desire to have this conversation in front of an audience. At last Jongho was standing outside Yeosang and Wooyoung's bedroom door. Should he knock? He didn't want to scare Yeosang by just bursting in there, but he didn't want to alert the others either. Jongho quietly opened the door and silently stepped across the threshold. Softly closing the door behind him, he made his way to Yeosang's bed. "Yeosang?" Pat, pat. "Yeosang?" Jongho murmured again. Yeosang blinked and then suddenly he was wide awake. "Jongho? What - what's going on? Are you OK? Is it morning?" Yeosang groggily checked the time on his phone. "No, it's not morning. I just - I really needed to talk to you," Jongho tentatively began. Reading the unease in Jongho's face, Yeosang's entire demeanor changed. Seeking to comfort Jongho, Yeosang firmly pulled him into the bed until they were lying next to each other. "What is it, Jjong?" Yeosang softly asked.
Jongho took a deep breath and got straight to the point. "Yeosang, earlier today, were you flirting with me? Are you - do you - like me?" Yeosang slid closer to Jongho and peered into his face. Looking at Jongho warily, Yeosang gently queried, "How do you mean?" "When I was hugging you today, you wanted to know why. When I said that it was because I liked you, I meant it. As in, I like like you. I - I know that I joke around a lot, but I'm crazy about you; I have been for a while now. I need to know - do you feel the same?" Jongho paused, praying that the answer was yes. Yeosang smiled beatifically and gently placed his hand on Jongho's cheek.
"Yes, I was flirting with you, and yes, I like you too." Yeosang looked into Jongho's eyes intently, making sure that Jongho knew that he meant every word. Jongho briefly closed his eyes in relief before returning Yeosang's smile. "Wow, that's - but you're so - perfect," Jongho whispered in awe. "So are you, silly!" Yeosang teased. This time it was Jongho who looked away in embarrassment, but Yeosang tenderly turned Jongho's face back toward his. Staring into each other's eyes, both of them began to blush but neither boy backed away. Yeosang began to lazily stroke Jongho's cheek with his thumb before lightly resting it on Jongho's lips. Momentarily ceasing to breathe, Jongho kissed Yeosang's thumb and playfully bit it. Yeosang, his eyes trained on Jongho's mouth, inched his face forward until their lips finally met.
Jongho and Yeosang had little to no experience so the kiss was initially clumsy. Neither of them cared, though - they were finally kissing! - and before long, all traces of awkwardness were gone. "Wait!" Jongho suddenly panicked mid-kiss. "What's wrong? Am I scaring you?" Yeosang worried. "Of course not. I just - this isn't why I came in here," Jongho blurted. "I wasn't trying to get you alone so that I could - I would never - I want more than just the physical from you, OK?" "OK?" Yeosang questioned, puzzled as to why Jongho felt the need to specify this. And then it came to Yeosang. People tended to fixate on Yeosang's looks to the exclusion of everything else. Yeosang had dated very little because he had such a hard time finding someone who was truly interested in getting to know him. Naturally he had related this to the guys. Ever the gentleman, Jongho was trying to make sure that Yeosang knew that he was different. 'Typical,' Yeosang thought fondly. Jongho was always thinking about the comfort of others and making sure that everyone was OK. This situation was no exception.
"Jongho, I know that. If you haven't noticed, I'm not a reluctant participant. Did it ever occur to you that I've been waiting for this?" Yeosang countered. Jongho froze in disbelief. "But I've been flirting with you forever!" Jongho indignantly replied. "How could I be sure? All of us flirt with and tease each other for fun, but none of us take it seriously. I had no way of knowing that you really meant it until just now. Besides, I'm older than you. No matter how attracted I was to you, I didn't feel comfortable approaching you. I didn't want to come across like a creep just waiting for you to grow up so that I could legally hit on you. If anything happened between us, you had to be the one to come to me," Yeosang maintained. "Well, why flirt with me then?" Jongho asked. "I promised myself that I wouldn't approach you, but that didn't mean that I couldn't test the waters or give you a little nudge now and then," Yeosang answered, looking slightly guilty. "I've wanted you for a long time, Jongho."
Jongho's curiosity piqued, he asked the next logical question. "Exactly how long?" "From the first moment I laid eyes on you," Yeosang revealed. Jongho's eyes widened in amazement. "Oh, come on!" Jongho exclaimed. "I'm serious!" Yeosang insisted. "But what was I supposed to do? You were just a kid when we met!" "But that's stupid! You're only a year older than me! You were a kid too," Jongho shot back. "It didn't feel like it," Yeosang explained. "Management kept going on and on about you being the maknae and how it was our job to be your hyungs. You were so innocent, and I could tell that you looked up to and depended on me. It put me in a position of power over you and I wasn't going to take advantage of that. So I decided to be whatever you needed and be satisfied with that. And Jongho, I still feel that way. If you're ready for this night to be over, I'm OK with that. But if you're not, I would really like to continue kissing you."
In Jongho's mind, there was only one valid response that any sane person would have to an invitation like that. Jongho lowered his lips to Yeosang's and they unreservedly explored each other's mouths. Soon their hands began to wander and Yeosang gasped into Jongho's mouth as Jongho played with one of his nipples. "Off?" Jongho grasped the top button of Yeosang's pajama top, his mouth watering at the prospect of having a shirtless Yeosang underneath him. "Yes," Yeosang purred. Obviously they had all seen each other in various stages of undress before, but Jongho had never had the privilege of studying Yeosang's body at his leisure. Jongho gulped, his hands trembling as he slowly unbuttoned Yeosang's top until it lay open.
"So beautiful!" Jongho breathed. Yeosang blushed, almost reflexively crossing his arms. Jongho slowly and reverently caressed Yeosang's chest and abs as he began kissing Yeosang again. Driven by need, Jongho began to trail kisses down Yeosang's neck. He kissed and gently sucked every inch of skin within reach, taking his time and fully enjoying the taste of Yeosang's skin. Yeosang, longing to do some exploring of his own, excitedly slid his hands under the bottom of Jongho's T-shirt. Desperate to feel Yeosang's hands on him, Jongho abruptly sat up and eagerly removed his T-shirt. As Jongho leaned back down, Yeosang put his arms around Jongho's neck and recklessly tugged Jongho atop him. Both boys moaned at the amazing feeling of being skin to skin. Neither of them had ever been this intimate with anyone before and they were quickly drowning in desire for each other.
Their kisses increased in intensity until things came to a head, (no pun intended :), when Yeosang arched up against Jongho with a broken groan. Yeosang sounded completely wrecked already and Jongho was rapidly getting there. However, the feel of Yeosang's hardness against his own sobered him a little. Jongho realized that if one of them didn't put a stop to this, they were going to go much farther than either of them could handle. Jongho was mature enough to know that wanting something and being ready for it was not the same thing. Naturally, Jongho's hormones strongly disagreed and tried to persuade him to give into temptation. Undeniably they were winning until Jongho thought about how he and Yeosang would feel afterward. He had no intentions of sullying their relationship before it even got started. Motivated by that incentive, Jongho sank down fully onto Yeosang and held him. "Yeosang, we can't," Jongho pleaded. He and Yeosang clung to each other until their pulses returned to normal and the haze of lust that enveloped them receded.
Jongho raised up on one elbow and looked down into Yeosang's face for any signs of hurt feelings or disappointment. He wanted to make sure that Yeosang understood that he wasn't rejecting him. To his relief, Yeosang smiled at him. "Thank you; I wasn't thinking," Yeosang sheepishly admitted. "I'm not quite ready for that." "Me neither," Jongho agreed. "How about we do this the right way? Yeosang, will you go out with me?" Jongho formally asked. "Yes!" Yeosang happily answered. Jongho smilingly pecked Yeosang on the nose and put his shirt back on. "Jongho, can you stay? Just to sleep?" Yeosang asked as he rebuttoned his top. Settling back down again, Jongho cradled Yeosang in his arms and nuzzled his face into Yeosang's neck. Content and secure in their feelings for each other, they drifted off to sleep. Whatever awaited them, tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.