Chapter Text
Orange cat dancing. Black cat purring. Cute little headbutts. Making biscuits in a comfy blanket. Takes a pet no problem. As Jungwon continued to scroll through his phone this morning, he realized how nice it is to do nothing productive for once. Everyone has been exhausted. Promotions were coming to an end finally. The members had done well showing off their hard work for their latest comeback, but Jungwon knew deep down that everyone was tired. The members needed this well-deserved break, and so did he. So, he let himself enjoy this mindless scrolling for a few more minutes, taking in the cute cats on his phone screen.
A knock at the door pulls Jungwon’s attention from the cats on his phone. A head of black hair peeks, eyes landing on where Jungwon is lounging under the covers. His slicked-up bangs frame his forehead, and the undercut on his sides emphasizes his jawline. The intruder tilts his head in question before speaking.
“Jungwon,” he calls softly. “I wanted to drop this off for you before I head out.” A hand appears from behind the door, and a grocery bag settles on the floor by the door frame. “Enjoy your day off!” The door gently shuts before Jungwon can process the interaction, his senses slow with the morning sleepiness still shaking off of him.
“Wait-” Jungwon sputters out, voice raspy still. The boy has already disappeared from the door frame before Jungwon can protest. Reluctantly, Jungwon sits up, patting his bed head down, smoothing his faded cherry red hair down against his forehead. The stubborn hairs continue to stick out in every direction.
Hopping out of bed, Jungwon approaches the mysterious grocery bag on the floor. He pulls out a tub of curry, white rice, Coca-Cola, and a sticky note with “For Jungwonie” written on it. The aroma of spices and tender chicken makes Jungwon’s stomach grumble, suddenly realizes that he should eat something. Jungwon smiles to himself. This day off is off to a really nice start so far.
After inhaling the curry, Jungwon is feeling lethargic already. Despite the beckoning of his bed, Jungwon decides to get ready for the day and goes through his messages. He finds his messages fairly empty, save for one message from one of his members.
Sunghoon ⛸️
hey wonie r u busy today
With a raised eyebrow, Jungwon considers the lone text on his phone. Sunghoon did not often reach out this mysteriously. Jungwon also knew that Sunghoon liked to spend his days off on his personal hobbies. Curiosity gets the best of Jungwon quickly.
Jungwon
I just got out of bed and got ready. Whats up Sunghoonie?
Sunghoon ⛸️
do u wanna come to the ice rink with me?
Jungwon and the ice rink do not mesh well together. He recalls how the previous outing had gone, and the many bruises and aching muscles that had followed the next day. Sunghoon didn’t ask the members to come very often. It was Sunghoon’s element. His free time. His peace. Something pulls in Jungwon’s heart, questioning why Sunghoon is asking him to come today.
Jungwon
Well this is a surprise - don’t you normally like to practice alone?
Sunghoon ⛸️
I can’t ask my leader to come to a little skating outing?
Jungwon
You’re being awfully suspicious today…
Sunghoon ⛸️
Pleaseeee - there’s nothing to be afraid of
ill keep a close eye on u
U can even use the little ice walker :)
Jungwon
You really want me to join you today huh?
Sunghoon ⛸️
If you’re free id love to see u
Despite Jungwon’s reluctance to step on the ice, he’s curious as to why Sunghoon is trying so hard to get him to join today. Even if there may be a suspicious reason, Jungwon remembers that he and Sunghoon don’t get to spend much one-on-one time together.
Jungwon
I have nothing going on! I was just scrolling through my phone. I’ll come
Sunghoon ⛸️
^-^ ill see u soon
Anything for his members, right?
~~~
“You have nothing to be afraid of Jungwon.”
“That’s easy for you to say!”
With shaky knees and arms outstretched to his sides, Jungwon tries his best to stop himself from tumbling onto the slippery ice. Equipped with a helmet, a pair of knee pads, and cozy jeans with a thick plaid flannel, he was ready to give this ice skating thing another shot. Standing in the middle of the arena is Sunghoon, encouraging Jungwon to step away from the perimeter. Why had he agreed to this? With another step forward, Jungwon begins slipping. Whirling his arms around to regain his balance, he is reminded of just how terrible he was at this.
“Sunghoon-hyung I’m going to fall!” he exclaims.
“Just make it to the middle here Jungwon, and I can help you out more,” Sunghoon replies.
Refusing to give up, Jungwon steels himself and slowly starts to scoot towards the center of the arena. With his lips pursed, eyebrows furrowed, and a determined look in his eyes, Jungwon starts to slowly close the distance between him and Sunghoon. Suddenly, Jungwon’s skate clips an awkward chunk of ice. He stumbles down, knee pad slamming into the ice and arms flailing to catch himself. Jungwon sits up, brushing the ice shavings from his flannel. How embarrassing. He glances up to see Sunghoon chuckling to himself, hand trying to smother the laughter.
“Hey! C'mon, I'm trying my best here,” Jungwon yells across the ice.
“You’re doing amazing Jungwonie,” as Sunghoon fails to suppress another laugh.
With Jungwon away from the perimeter, he doesn’t even bother trying to get up at this point. Without the support of the wall, he can’t picture himself picking himself up. He slowly started crawling towards Sunghoon.
“I can’t believe I agreed to this. I am doing terribly,” Jungwon says as he finally makes it over to Sunghoon. With flushed cheeks, Jungwon sits up on his knee pads and lets out a sigh. Sunghoon looks amused watching Jungwon struggle. Jungwon reaches a hand up. “Please Sunghoon-hyung, help me out here.”
With a firm grip on Jungwon’s hand and elbow, Sunghoon hauls him up. Once Jungwon is up, Sunghoon holds his palms out. “Here, let me help you out a little. It’s kind of unlike you to take help so easily.” Sunghoon’s right. Jungwon is very stubborn, and despite being younger, he tries to avoid accepting help from his hyungs unless absolutely necessary.
With a huff, breath visible in the cold arena, Jungwon places his hands in Sunghoon’s. Sunghoon slowly begins to skate backward, tugging Jungwon along. Lifting one skate at a time, Jungwon slowly gets into the rhythm of pushing off with the edges of his blades. Despite the awkward predicament, Jungwon smiles at the sight of Sunghoon. Sunghoon looks different in the arena. His grin is stretched wide, defined smile lines shaping his cheek bones. His eyes are gleaming from the bright reflection of the lights off the ice. A light pink flushes his cheeks from the cold. Even with the somewhat humiliating display of ice skating that Jungwon is putting on currently, he can’t help but smile back.
As they continue to slowly circle the arena, Jungwon becomes more and more confident in his skating. The speed starts to get faster as Jungwon pushes harder, and Sunghoon keeps pace. Sprinting down one of the straightaways, Jungwon feels free. They both glide, laughter filling the air at the joy of the wind blowing by. Caught up in the moment, Sunghoon fails to recognize how close to the curve they had gotten.
“Woah, Sungho-” but before Jungwon can try to stop the pair (even though he hasn’t learned how to stop yet), Sunghoon crashes into the barrier and tempered glass, Jungwon following soon after. In a mess of body parts, skates and elbows clash into each other as they both go down onto the ice.
“Ow…” groans Sunghoon. When the pair open their eyes, their position is an awkward entanglement of limbs. “Jungwon, you’re crushing my leg.” he stammers out. Jungwon glances up from his position on Sunghoon’s chest. Flushing red, Jungwon stammers out an apology, rushing to get up. However, Jungwon slips again on the ice, crashing into Sunghoon’s chest again. “Oof, Jungwonie…”
Jungwon can’t help but laugh at their predicament. Sunghoon follows soon after. Sitting up just on his knees this time, Jungwon gets up and smiles at Sunghoon before maneuvering over Sunghoon’s leg to lay perpendicular to him. Jungwon rests his head on the side of Sunghoon’s chest, reaching up to grab Sunghoon’s hand. With their hands intertwined, Jungwon brings them together down to lay over his own chest. They both just lay there, silence washing over them.
“Thanks for inviting me out here today, Sunghoon,” says Jungwon. He begins to play with Sunghoon’s fingers, gently massaging each digit. “I was really surprised that you texted me to come skate, but I’ve been having a really good time with you.” Jungwon is met with an alarming quietness. He feels his hand being squeezed, Sunghoon’s grip tightening slightly. A sniffle is let out above Jungwon. Sitting up, eyebrows furrowed in concern, he sees Sunghoon’s eyes watering with tears. Sunghoon avoids eye contact with Jungwon, electing to stare blankly at the arena ceiling. Leader mode kicks in for Jungwon.
“Oh no, Sunghoon-hyung, what's wrong?” Jungwon squeezes his hand back in reassurance. “It’s ok, I’m here, hyung.”
Inhale. Exhale. Sunghoon tries to steady his breathing, letting out a gentle sob. The two stay like that, hands squeezed together, for a little while. Finally, Sunghoon speaks.
“Thank you for coming here Jungwon-ah. I really needed this today.”
The two continue to lay there in silence. Jungwon’s head on Sunghoon grounds him, helping him steady his breathing. Jungwon patiently waits for Sunghoon to prepare himself. The cold ice is starting to seep into their light jackets and pants, but neither of them care at all, attention fully focused on the moment.
“One of my close training friends, Jun Hwan, is attending a competition for ice skating this week. It’s a highly renowned event. Part of me still wonders what life would have been like if I had continued pursuing my figure skating career.” Sunghoon’s eyes seem far away, like he’s searching the arena ceiling for answers. The lost look makes Jungwon’s heartache. Giving up a curated talent and passion for many years could not have been easy. “I miss parts of it. It’s a little painful watching my teammates- well, former teammates… continue on without me,” Sunghoon says, letting out a sigh.
Jungwon listens because that is what he is best at, being the stable glue that holds his team together. The image of Sunghoon not being a part of Enhypen seems impossible. They would not be the same group without him. It pains Jungwon to see Sunghoon torn between these two paths. If only Sunghoon could see that he is right where he is meant to be.
“Sunghoon-hyung, let me help you,” Jungwon says as he slowly starts to get up. Surprisingly, he is able to get up on his two skates alone this time, determination pushing him onto his feet. Sunghoon raises an eyebrow in question, eyes still watery, but follows Jungwon’s motion to get up. “You’re irreplaceable Sunghoon-hyung, and I hope you know that. I know it must be hard but I think you made the right choice.” Jungwon reaches his palms out to Sunghoon. “I’m glad you’re here hyung.”
Sunghoon stands frozen, watching Jungwon’s outstretched palms, tears now flowing down his cheeks. Moving forward to close the distance, he skips past Jungwon’s hands and embraces Jungwon around the shoulders, pulling him into a tight hug. Caught off guard, Jungwon slowly settles his hands onto Sunghoon’s back, rubbing small circles.
“Thank you Jungwon-ah.”