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Wonwoo leans back into him with a sigh as Seokmin squeezes down hard on his shoulders, his fingers rubbing circles into sore muscles. Chan laughs, probably at Wonwoo’s expression, and takes a swig out of his water bottle.
“Please tell me we don’t have another half hour of practice,” Wonwoo groans out.
“We don’t have another half hour of practice,” Jihoon says, tone bright and teasing as he sinks down next to the two of them. Wonwoo sighs and Seokmin pushes him away, leaning his head back against the wall behind him.
He’s surprisingly not quite exhausted yet, which is why he smiles brightly and extends his offer of a massage to the members nearby. Everyone looks too tired to bother getting up so he turns his head.
“What about you Wooza-hyung?” An airconditioned breeze ruffles the small gray feathers blended into Jihoon’s hair and Seokmin’s eyes widen. “Oh right. Uh, sorry hyung, I forgot.”
Jihoon opens his mouth, but Chan cuts him off.
“Why?” he asks, gesturing vaguely towards Jihoon. Seokmin smiles sheepishly.
“Ah well, you know, I’m not Seungcheol-hyung or Jeonghan-hyung, I’m sure he doesn’t want me too close to his wings.”
Chan tilts his head to the side, blinking hard.
“Oh yeah… jeez my brain is barely working, hyung is really running us hard today.”
Jihoon stays silent, his wings opening slightly and then settling back down against his back. Seokmin doesn’t blame him, what would he even say to that? Yes touching and preening a bird-hybrid’s wings is an incredibly vulnerable act, a privilege only ever granted to a select few?
Of course he wouldn’t want Seokmin touching his wings, because he could never instinctually trust him as much as he does his oldest friend or the only other bird-hybrid on the team?
Seungcheol’s call breaks through his jumbled thoughts and he pushes himself to his feet, eager to drive away his thoughts with the repetitive stomp of feet on hardwood.
~~~~~
Days later he finds himself on the couch of the new and improved Universe Factory, the last member of the vocal unit to leave besides Jihoon himself. He’s cleaning up the remains of his lunch slowly, because he has no more schedules today (and maybe because it’s just so cool to watch Jihoon vibe in his element and create music seemingly out of thin air).
There is a rustling sound and Seokmin looks up to see Jihoon’s wings spread wide. He can’t help but stare on in awe.
Jihoon’s wings are beautiful, and they always look so soft and neat (well at least after he stumbles into the practice room, only half-awake as Jeonghan fusses over him, smoothing everything down). The unusual shape of his chair with only lower back support and a solid, thin backing continuing up to the headrest gives him a wholly unobstructed view.
His gaze traces over the bend in Jihoon’s wings and up as the shape of his bones become more apparent, sloping down to where his wings attach to his shoulder blades through gaps in his shirt.
Jihoon suddenly turns his head and Seokmin freezes, a deer caught in the headlights. Jihoon stretches out his left wing.
“Can you uh, fix a feather for me Dokyeom-ah?”
“What?” Seokmin says a moment later, not quite sure if he had heard Jihoon correctly.
Jihoon shrugs and gestures with one wing.
“Can’t quite reach one up here.”
Seokmin jumps to his feet in one quick motion, hesitating for another moment before stepping up to the back of Jihoon’s chair. Now that he’s closer he can see a couple tiny feathers ruffled up, disturbing the neat pattern and presumably causing his hyung some annoyance.
He reaches out automatically, fingers hovering above Jihoon’s wing as he tries to figure out how he’s actually supposed to do this.
“Just, um, straighten them out?” he asks.
“Yeah, so they’re lined up with the rest again.”
His first touch with the tip of one finger barely brushes the tip of one feather, even from that he can feel how soft Jihoon’s feathers are. That tiny push didn’t seem to move it much, so he tries again, prodding at it with a little more force until he eventually grips the feather between two fingers (gently, gently) and maneuvers it back into place.
He fixes the others as well and then nervously glances over at Jihoon’s face. Hopefully that was fine and it didn’t take too long or hurt and they’re properly straightened out now—
Fondness blooms in Seokmin’s chest as Jihoon blinks sleepily, slumping back into the chair. Jihoon must be tired after working hard all day, and well he doesn’t seem upset so Seokmin probably did an alright job.
“Are you going home soon?” he asks.
Jihoon yawns, sitting up and shaking his head.
“Naw, probably in a bit.”
“Alright, I’ll leave you alone to work your producer magic,” Seokmin says with a smile, one that Jihoon returns, nodding at him as he waves and takes his leave.
~~~~~
And now, all that must have somehow led to him sitting on Jihoon’s bed while he pulls off his shirt in one smooth, practiced motion in front of him. Which sounds…
Seokmin shifts where he sits on his knees. It’s not anything like that, Jihoon takes his shirt off a lot, he usually doesn’t like things touching his wings. He resolutely looks down and studies the pattern of Jihoon’s duvet. There’s a soft thump of Jihoon’s shirt landing in a hamper… or a pile of dirty clothes.
Seokmin looks up just as Jihoon yawns, looking adorably sleepy. Holding back a yawn of his own Seokmin gestures for him to come closer. It’s been a long day for them both so he’ll try and make it quick.
His hyung deserves to be pampered after all, especially after he had winced as he had been walking up the stairs and said something about sleeping on his neck funny. Of course Seokmin offered to give him a massage right on the spot and then bam, he had suddenly found himself in Jihoon’s bedroom.
Jihoon sits down in front of him, muscles shifting as his wings flare out about half-way. Seokmin gulps.
“I’ll just, start now,” he says, slowly reaching out and placing his hands on Jihoon’s shoulders. Jihoon just hums, still under his hands. Confidence rising slightly, Seokmin grinds his palms down across the back of Jihoon’s neck and Jihoon’s wings shiver, relaxing down onto the bed.
“Where is it,” Seokmin mutters, half to himself. Jihoon tilts his neck to the side and Seokmin’s fingers trail upwards until he pushes into something a little too firm. Jihoon hisses softly as he probes at the area and Seokmin apologizes, a swirl of concern twisting through his chest. He’ll try to be gentle, he’s not a professional and there is an actual issue here he doesn’t want to make it worse.
But the knot works itself out quickly and Jihoon lets out a sigh that trails off into something low and melodic… a warble? Is that what you would call it? It’s soft and sweet, so it sounds like it means something good, but as soon as Jihoon starts he stops, tensing under Seokmin’s hands.
Seokmin falters for a moment, hesitantly continuing to press down and Jihoon thankfully relaxes. There may be some sort of invisible line he is getting close too, and fucking up (likely hurting Jihoon in the process) after Jihoon had just recently gotten comfortable letting him near his wings is the last thing he wants to do.
“Yeesh hyung,” he mutters a moment later, trying to keep his voice light. “I know you’re busy creating masterpieces but you gotta watch your posture when you're sitting in front of that computer for hours on end yeah? I— we all want you healthy and together with us for a long time.”
Jihoon tips his head back and grins, the apples of his cheeks rising up.
“You’re probably right. Though all my back exercises probably just cancel it out.”
“I don’t know if it works like that hyung.”
He really doesn’t, but he keeps a firm expression on his face. Jihoon squints and then tilts his head back down.
“Okay, okay, I’ll try to do better,” he says.
“Good,” Seokmin replies, feeling quite proud of himself. He places a steadying hand on Jihoon’s shoulder and digs the points of two knuckles in where Jihoon’s spine connects with his head. Drawing his hand down, the muscles easily gives under firm pressure. Jihoon groans softly, a noise Seokmin tries not to think about too much as he draws his knuckles up and down again.
Jihoon fully melts at that, curling into himself and slipping out of Seokmin’s grip. His wings twitch and he sits back up after a moment of silence, slowly turning to face Seokmin, placing one knee on the edge of the duvet.
Sat back on his heels Seokmin has to scoot back to avoid getting thwacked by a wing, but once they are tucked close to Jihoon again and he lets himself lean forward into Jihoon’s space.
Jihoon’s hair is messy, as expected, he has a habit of running his hands through it when it gets a little longer like it is now. There’s a piece loose and sticking out awkwardly on the side of his head. Seokmin reaches up and gently tucks it behind his ear, his fingers brushing against one of the many feathers scattered around on his head.
There’s the faintest ruffling sound and Jihoon grabs his wrist, stopping him from pulling back his hand completely. A rush of nerves shoots through Seokmin’s chest as his gaze drops to meet Jihoon’s.
Was that the line?
Jihoon’s eyes are two calm pools of dark brown, betraying nothing. Seokmin suddenly realizes how close they are and he can’t help the flush that rushes to his face, his lips pressing into a thin line and his heart picking up speed even as he tries to control his reaction.
Jihoon’s head cocks to the side and Seokmin, unable to keep his gaze a moment longer, instead looks down to where his wrist caught in Jihoon’s grip, idly noting Jihoon’s red ears. Jihoon swallows audibly and Seokmin’s gaze quickly drawn back, first to his mouth, then to his eyes again.
“Do you…”
Jihoon’s voice is a low rasp and he trails off, grimacing slightly. He clears his throat and brings his other knee up onto the bed. Seokmin remains frozen still as Jihoon adjusts his grip on Seokmin’s wrist until his hand is resting over top of Seokmin’s.
Jihoon takes a deep breath in, as if bracing himself, and spreads his wings wide. Caught up in a brief moment of wonder and awe, Seokmin barely notices when his arm is pulled forward and suddenly his hand is pressed against something soft and warm.
He blinks, glancing down to see his hand resting against Jihoon’s wing. It takes a moment for his brain to connect with the image in front of him and the soft, ticklish feeling against his palm, but then it does and he jerks back.
He doesn’t get very far; Jihoon’s grip is firm. At his reaction, Jihoon lets him go though, curling into himself slightly. Suddenly Seokmin feels he just made the wrong decision. His hand is left hovering in the air just above Jihoon’s wing. He swallows.
“You really… you actually want me to?”
Jihoon nods, chewing on his lower lip.
“It’s not a big deal really. I just… trust you. All of you. And it’s just a social thing you know?” Jihoon sighs and his shoulders slump down. “Sorry if it’s weird.”
“No, no,” Seokmin is quick to say. “I’m just surprised is all. You only really let Scoups-hyung and Jeonghan-hyung touch your wings so… I mean you’ve asked me before, but it just seemed like a one time thing. I’m like, honored you’d want me to. I still can if you want?”
Jihoon nods, jaw clenched tight and ears even redder than before. His wings extend out again, and Seokmin lowers his hand down. He pets along the long line of feathers covering the top of Jihoon’s wing down to the very tip with the gentlest touch he can manage.
He’s actually, really sitting here, touching Jihoon’s wings with his enthusiastic permission. Jihoon shudders and Seokmin glances over, a small amount of nerves still rolling around in his stomach. Jihoon curls his wing inwards.
“You can uh, straighten the feathers here,” he says and points to the middle of his wing, a small smile curving his lips upwards. Seokmin trails his fingers down and stops above one that is very obviously out of place. It’s a bit bigger than the first feather he had touched so he doesn’t feel as hesitant to grip on the edge and (still very carefully) pull it into place. Jihoon grins. “Just like that.”
“Your molt isn’t soon, is it? We’re gonna be busy for a while.”
“No, it’s easy to tell that by how my feathers are doing. Almost all of them are healthy, but not new. Except for this one!” Jihoon turns and spreads out his wing, pointing over his shoulder. “Jeonghan-hyung pulled the sheath off of it last night. That’s why it’s shiny!”
Seokmin grins, endeared by Jihoon’s enthusiasm and eagerness to talk about the subject. It must be weird for him that hybrid habits aren’t really talked about to other species, since he’s the kind of person to talk over and over about his interests and the things he lets himself feel proud about. Squinting, Seokmin finally spots a shorter feather, just a little glossier than the rest.
“Oh yeah, I see it.” Seokmin’s hand ghosts over the feather. “You're growing your feathers well hyung, your wings are very pretty.”
Jihoon’s feathers fluff up and then quickly smooth out, his shoulders drawing up instead.
“Thank you,” he squeaks out. Seokmin suppresses the urge to laugh. His cute hyung who never takes compliments that easily.
“Is that it?” Seokmin asks.
“No!” Jihoon says quickly. “Um, I think… here.”
Seokmin doesn’t question Jihoon’s hesitance, just follows Jihoon’s now pointing finger and splays his hand out against his wing. He straightens a couple feathers that are just so slightly unaligned and Jihoon hums, hopefully in approval, the sound slowly morphing into a soft trill. Instantly Jihoon slaps his hands over his mouth.
“Why’d you stop?” Seokmin blurts out. Shit. Well, he meant it. Jihoon’s sounds are pretty. “I mean, you don’t have to listen to me but, don’t stop if you really want to make those sounds. I don’t mind.”
Jihoon shrugs, shoulder muscles flexing. Seokmin doesn’t push it. Instead he sits down fully on the bed and rests his weight on his hands, tilting his head to the side as Jihoon looks down at him.
“You look like a cute dog.”
Seokmin scrunches up his face in mock annoyance.
“I’ll leave the dog mannerisms to Mingyu. But I’m glad you think I’m cute.”
Jihoon sputters for a moment, raising his wings up before just as quickly lowering them in defeat.
“Fine whatever, you’re cute.”
Jihoon stretches his arms out wide, titling his head back as he stretches. His wings of course follow and Seokmin stares up at them, his face probably a little too awestruck as he fights the urge to look any lower than Jihoon’s shoulders. He really shouldn’t feel like blushing at the thought, they’ve changed in front of each other too many times to count.
“You like them that much huh?”
Seokmin desperately latches onto the distraction.
“I love them. I’m sure they come with their own day-to-day challenges and such, but they’re also just so cool, and maybe someday you could try to glide, and they look so soft so I’ve always wanted to touch them…”
Seokmin’s eyes widen as he flushes and his gaze darts away for a moment or two. Maybe that was too much of a distraction.
Clearing his throat, Jihoon nods.
“Yeah, I could definitely try that someday. The idea has stuck with me a little ever since I’ve started working out more. Though I don’t know if it would be as fun without Jeonghan-hyung. And it’s still a bit dangerous even with a flight guide.”
Seokmin hums thoughtfully, slightly amused by the fact they both know Jeonghan wouldn’t be the type to get the muscles and training necessary to even attempt flight.
“Just to do it even one time though… I’d volunteer to hang glide next to you hyung, but that’s terrifying. Scoups-hyung would probably do it if you asked him to.”
Jihoon shrugs, dropping down onto his hands. Then he stretches out until he’s resting on his stomach, head coming down to rest on his arms just below the pillows. Seokmin takes the chance to lie down next to him and Jihoon’s wings unfurl, one spreading out over him like a blanket across his chest.
He laughs and starts to stroke along the top of the wing, much more sure of his touch than he had been earlier that day. Jihoon hums, offering no complaint. He turns his head to look at Jihoon, sighing softly as the comfy bed and typical late afternoon drowsiness start to fog his brain over.
His gaze drifts slowly over Jihoon’s face and a slow warmth pulses in his chest. Jihoon is especially cute when he’s sleepy, even the way he blinks is cute as he stares across the bedcovers at Seokmin. The warmth burns hotter and his gaze drifts down. Just to kiss him once…
He can’t help the pleased grin that unfurls across his lips, a hint of butterflies flushing through him at the thought. Fingers idly brush over smooth feathers as Seokmin finally looks back up.
Jihoon stares back at him, eyes wide.
It takes a moment for his expression to register in Seokmin’s mind, but once it does he jerks his body to the side, staring straight up at the ceiling and pulling his hands back from Jihoon’s wing like he had been burned. He stays like that until his lungs start to ache.
One shaky exhale later he actually starts to calm down and assess the situation. Maybe he overreacted? Like, no way Jihoon thought it was like that. Though they were close enough it was probably obvious… but Jihoon doesn’t like him like that! So he definitely wouldn’t jump to that conclusion first. Seokmin probably just made a fool of himself for no reason in his eyes. Hopefully.
He dares a quick glance out of the corner of his eyes, but he can’t really see Jihoon’s face. Another breath in and he’s able to school his expression into something neutral. He props himself up on one elbow as turns to face Jihoon again and goes with the approach of pretending the last minute never happened.
“Were you… staring at my lips?” Jihoon asks softly. Well, mission failed. Jihoon immediately slaps a hand over his mouth, like he hadn’t meant to ask that out loud.
“Wha— no,” Seokmin replies, swallowing down his rising panic. Jihoon simply stares at him, seemingly trying to search deep in his eyes for another answer.
“I— sorry? I um, didn’t mean to. To bother you!” Seokmin eventually squeaks out. Any moment now Jihoon’s expression will turn to discomfort, he’ll pull away, and he’ll tell Seokmin to leave. Jihoon’s wings rustle, then they lift, folding away behind Jihoon.
Ah, here it comes. Seokmin nervously watches on as Jihoon props himself up on his forearms. Jihoon looks down at his pillow first and then back at Seokmin. His feathers fluff up a bit, even his hair seems to get fluffier.
“Did you want to kiss me?”
Seokmin’s stomach swoops, apprehension and desire mixing together until he can’t tell one from the other. Should he continue to deny it when it’s so obvious? Why does Jihoon even need to ask?
“I… um. Yes.”
Seokmin immediately squeezes his eyes shut, bracing for impact. Instead, there is a low crooning noise. It’s not something he’s heard before, but it promises safety and warmth, and unbidden his tense shoulders start to relax. He opens his eyes, slightly confused.
He’s surprised to find Jihoon even closer than before, nearly perpendicular to his body, a slightly awed expression on his face, and his wings half unfurled. That’s… not a bad reaction? He’s not kicking Seokmin out after confessing that he wants to kiss him?
He can practically feel the confusion radiating off of himself. Jihoon reaches a hand up to Seokmin’s face and a small part of him can’t help but look at the distance between them and hope.
“Do you still want to kiss me?”
Seokmin nods, unsure if he breaks the silence this won’t turn out to just be a dream. Jihoon’s breath ghosts across his lips and Seokmin fights the urge to shiver, and to pinch himself when Jihoon starts to lean closer.
Jihoon swallows, pausing mere centimeters away and looking suddenly apprehensive. Nerves bloom to life in his chest, but Seokmin still raises a hand to curl over Jihoon’s.
Fuck, this moment feels so unreal and his heart is trying to beat right out of his chest. It might actually be real though and he’s not going to move forward unless he knows Jihoon wants this one hundred percent. He’ll just pour all his hope and— and love into his gaze and hope that it’ll assuage any fears Jihoon has.
Another breathless moment. He could also just say—
A warm mouth presses into his own.
Oh.
Seokmin’s eyes slide closed and he basks in the feeling, elation rushing through him. He almost forgets to move, quickly scrambling to kiss back so Jihoon knows he’s more than happy with this turn of events.
He hums a scrap of a tune out of pure delight, tilting his head into the kiss. Jihoon is gone as quickly as he came, Seokmin’s eyes flying open at the loss. Jihoon covers his mouth with his hands, ears turning pink.
“That tickles,” he says, voice muffled by his palms. Seokmin giggles, which turns into laughter, the rush of dread morphing into pure delight filling his veins with an energy that threatens to overwhelm him. He drops his head back onto the pillows, throwing his arms out wide.
Seokmin laughs again, in disbelief this time. Did that… really just happen? He glances over at Jihoon.
“Um, wanna do that again?”
Jihoon turns even pinker, but he pushes himself up, wings flaring out wide. For a brief moment all Seokmin can see is Jihoon and miles of soft feathers. Then Jihoon faceplants into his chest.
Seokmin winces, Jihoon is certainly denser than one might expect a bird-hybrid to be.
“Shut up,” Jihoon mutters somewhere near his collarbone and Seokmin stifles a laugh. Asking for a kiss can lead to a cutely flustered boyfriend, got it. Shit, ah, not like they’ve said they’re dating or anything yet…
“But can I kiss you again? And take you on a date?” Seokmin asks before he has a chance to stop himself.
“Yes,” Jihoon answers.
“Cool, very cool. Great!... How about Hot Tofu?”
They go there quite often, though with other members as well usually. It would feel a little different this time. Not that they could hold hands or anything, the fact they won’t look out of place there is probably good. Not that it’s odd for two members of the group to go out to eat together anyway.
His body thrums with energy as his mind races, tensing as he tries not to disturb Jihoon. He settles for resting his hands on Jihoon’s back and letting his fingers do as they please, tapping quick rhythms or tracing random patterns over his back.
“Sure, sure,” Jihoon replies, preoccupied with squirming up and tucking his face into Seokmin’s neck. He makes that warbly sort of sound again, which based on all the contexts he’s heard it in so far seems like a pretty good thing. Jihoon in his arms, wings splayed out over the both of them, and a kiss still tingling on the surface of his lips…
Yeah, he’d make a sound like that too right now if he could.