Work Text:
Hayi rubbed her tired eyes and checked the time on her phone. It was nearly dawn, but she wasn't quite done yet. She'd been practicing her choreography for hours, and she was determined to get it perfect.
As she made her way back to the recording room to retrieve her things, she noticed a light still on inside. Curious, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.
There, sitting at the console with his head propped up on his hand, was Hanbin. His blonde hair was tousled from a long night of hard work, and his eyes were fixed intently on the monitor. Despite the late hour and his tired demeanor, Hayi couldn't help but feel a flutter in her chest at the sight of him. There was something undeniably attractive about a man who was so passionate about what he did. She admired his dedication and couldn't help but find it alluring.
She quickly shook her head, trying to banish the thought from her mind. They had work to do, and she couldn't afford to get distracted.
He wasn't supposed to stay late, but he had promised to help her prepare for her upcoming album promotions until the end of it. She was deeply grateful for his support.
“Hey," Hayi said softly, approaching Hanbin with a light touch on his shoulder. She didn't want to startle him.
Hanbin turned to her, a small smile forming on his lips. "You didn't have to come back," he said, his voice husky from exhaustion. Hayi shook her head. "I know, but I couldn't leave you here all alone," she said, feeling a wave of tenderness towards him.
Hayi sat down next to Hanbin, her arm brushing against his as she did so. She tried to ignore the electric jolt that shot through her body at the contact and focused on the task at hand.
"What are you working on?" she asked, genuinely curious about her own song for her upcoming album. Hanbin's eyes lit up at her question and he launched into an animated description of the changes he had made to “No One.”
But he noticed that he had been talking for a while, and suddenly cut himself off. "Sorry, I'm rambling," he said, looking slightly embarrassed. "I know you’ll do a great job with this song.”
She loved hearing Hanbin delve into the intricacies of his lyrics, the intricate beats he was incorporating, the multitude of musical layers he had been deftly adding to the timeline, and the way his eyes would light up with enthusiasm. But she didn't want to make him uncomfortable or feel like he was hogging the conversation. "No, it's okay," she reassured him. “I’m doing this with you so I know I’m in good hands.”
Hanbin's gaze shifted down to Hayi's hand resting on the console. He hesitated for a moment before tentatively reaching out to take it. "Like this?" he asked softly, looking up at her.
Hayi felt her face turn red hot. Hanbin had an unexpectedly cheesy side to him and she felt a spark of excitement in her stomach.
"Uh, yeah, like that," she mumbled, avoiding his gaze and focusing on their intertwined hands. She knew she must be blushing furiously.
Hanbin chuckled softly at her reaction as his thumb gently stroked the back of her hand. "Thanks for trusting me.”
Hayi's face lit up with a smile, and she squeezed his hand gently. "Of course I trust you," she said. "I couldn't imagine working on this song with anyone else."
The two of them sat in comfortable silence for a moment, both lost in their thoughts. Finally, Hayi broke the quiet, turning to Hanbin. "Do you want coffee…or breakfast?" she asked.
Hanbin looked up from his work, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Just coffee for me, thanks," he replied.
As Hayi stood up, Hanbin's grip on her hand tightened, causing her to turn and face him. They both looked down at their joined hands for a moment, feeling a sudden wave of awkwardness wash over them. Hanbin finally let go of her hand, a blush creeping up his cheeks. "Thank you," he murmured, feeling a little silly.
"Coffee it is, then," she said, grabbing the coffee pot and filling up two mugs. As she handed one to Hanbin, their fingers brushed again, and she could feel the heat rising to her cheeks once more. It was like every little touch was sending electric shocks through her body.
They settled back into their work, sipping their coffee and occasionally stealing glances at each other. Hayi felt a sense of contentment as she looked around the recording studio. The soft glow of the studio lights made everything feel cozy and intimate. She couldn't imagine being anywhere else in the world right now.