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It's a warm, late afternoon that finds Enhypen filming outside for their latest En-O'clock episode.
Well, the second half of an episode really.
They’re all going to bungee-jump again. No swing or ejection seat this time, just the seven of them jumping from an even higher spot after a game that Jungwon still doesn’t quite understand how it works but had fun playing anyway.
At least that’s what they’re gonna try to do. Sunghoon doesn’t look too sure.
Jungwon glances at him every so often, hoping the anxiety in his eyes would dissipate, but it only seems to grow stronger.
“In what order are we going?” Ni-Ki asks, snapping Jungwon out of his thoughts. He looks far too excited, especially in comparison to Sunghoon, and to a lesser degree, Jake and Sunoo.
“Rock-paper-scissors? The winner goes last,” Heeseung suggests.
A few rounds and shrieks later (Jungwon's ears hurt), it's decided that Jay would go first, then Ni-ki, followed by Jake, Sunoo, Heeseung, and finally Jungwon and Sunghoon.
The one time he and Sunghoon get lucky, this is what it's for.
“It's not so bad,” Jay says when Sunoo and Jake start to get jittery, like deciding the order they're going has sealed their fate. “The first step is really the worst of it, the rest is just fun.”
“Hyungs are just cowards,” Ni-Ki cackles, then screeches when Jake starts chasing him around.
“Just because you don't have an ounce of self preservation doesn't mean we're all the same!” Sunoo shouts, more joking than anything, but he does look a little anxious.
Jay seems to sense the same as he pats his shoulder with a small smile.
Heeseung is as cool as ever, laughing as Jake finally catches Ni-Ki and tackles him to the ground. They roll around on warm grass like puppies, surrounded by their own giggles and the fond laugh of the rest of the members and the staff.
Sunghoon, on the other hand, is unnaturally quiet; the anxious, get-me-out-of-here type of quiet. He eyes the ledge suspiciously, and his smile is pretty and fake when the cameraman swings his way.
Jungwon won't step in.
He could, if he wanted. He's done it last time, making the decision for Sunghoon when he couldn't bring himself to take the big swing, volunteering someone else for him. He could do it now, even if Sunghoon ends up the only one not jumping, because there's very little that Jungwon cares about more than his member's safety and comfort.
But he won't. He's learnt that his members like to test their limits sometimes, that cameras make them a little braver, and some things need to be faced head on.
He won't step in because he knows Sunghoon actually wants this. He wants it even more since they're all jumping this time, and he won't miss a chance to share this experience with them. Sunghoon has never been the type to let his fears fester regardless, always taking a leap of faith.
The most Jungwon does now is sit beside him, keeping a silent, steady presence if it became needed.
“Let's start,” the director's voice interrupts his thoughts. “Jay-ssi, Ni-Ki-ssi, up you go,”
Jungwon must've zoned out longer than he thought, seeing that Ni-Ki is already up and has dusted off his shirt and pants. He hollers as he skips to Jay's side and wraps himself around him, using his grip to drag Jay forward.
“Yah!” Jay shouts. He looks the furthest thing from being annoyed.
“Good luck Jay-ah!” Jake says. “Ni-Ki, don't play around!”
If not for the cameras, Jungwon knows Ni-Ki would have flipped him off. When he meets Sunoo's eyes, he knows the other must think the same because they both burst out laughing.
It's a quick process after that.
Jay jumps first, screaming I love you for his parents and the members. They cheer for him, Jake the loudest between them. Ni-Ki is similarly quick, declaring his love for them and the fans.
“I don't know if I can do this,” Sunoo says with a chuckle, but the nerves are there.
“You can, Sunoo-yah,” Heeseung says kindly. “And Jay was right, it's actually pretty fun after the first step.”
“You can do it,” Sunghoon echoes. His lips are tight around the edges. “We'll be waiting for you here.”
He doesn't look all that comforted. Jake wraps him in a bear hug, and although Jungwon knows he's scared as well, he's all confidence when he says, “it's gonna be fine. I'm coming with you, aren't I?”
It makes Sunoo relax, a little soothed. “We'll be brave together.”
“That's the spirit!”
Jay and Ni-Ki join them soon, and after quick encouragement and pats on the back, Sunoo and Jake go up.
It takes longer for someone to appear on the ledge, and it's Sunoo who does, not Jake. Jungwon smiles warmly at that, knowing that Jake probably did it so he can support Sunoo from up there.
“Sunoo hyung, you can do it!” Ni-Ki shouts, rocking on his heels.
“Fighting, Sunoo-yah!”
“Fighting, fighting!”
“Heeseung hyung, Jay hyung, Jake hyung, Sunghoon hyung, Jungwonie and Ni-Ki, I love you all!” Sunoo says back. “Enhypen, fighting,”
Jungwon's throat is starting to feel raw with all the yelling, but he still does it anyway when Sunoo finally jumps, screeching all the way down.
Jake is a little quicker to appear. Even from where he's sitting, Jungwon can see his nerves. It helps that he's giving short screams randomly that Ni-Ki echoes.
They're so dumb, Jungwon thinks, chest aching with fondness.
“I want ice cream when I'm done!” Jake informs them.
Jay laughs, loud and exasperated. “I'll buy you all the ice cream you want, come down here now,”
“It's on camera Jay-ah, you can't back out now!" He grins. "I love you, Enhypen!”
And he jumps to the chorus of their cheers. He's giggling when he bounces back, even when he utters his usual oh, kamjagiya! that has Sunoo clapping. He gathers himself quickly enough and throws a peace sign to them and to his camera, tongue sticking out playfully.
“Alright, let's use the time, Jungwon-ssi, Heeseung-ssi, and Sunghoon-ssi, you'll go together.”
Jungwon makes a big show of high-fiving all the members, receiving them with extra pats on the back. It gives Jay the chance to stop Sunghoon with a comforting look and a mutter that doesn't quite reach their ears. It must mean more than Jungwon knows though because a fraction of tension slides off Sunghoon’s frame. Or maybe it’s just Jay's reassuring nature that gets them all when they need it.
Once they're inside the elevator, Heeseung and Jungwon share a look. Jungwon steps closer to the camera in the corner, murmuring lyrics as he pretends to fix his hair
“You good?” Heeseung asks behind him, trying to be quiet enough for the mics not to pick up the question.
Sunghoon hums. He doesn’t sound good. When Jungwon turns around, he doesn’t look good either; he's paler than usual and he's clenching his hands tightly, nails digging into his palm.
He's still smiling though. Or attempting to, at least. They've learnt how to be scared and anxious and tired while keeping a believable smile when someone is filming.
Jungwon wants to comfort him, but he knows better than to do anything, not in plain sight anyway.
They arrive at the top quicker than anticipated. Heeseung is whisked away to get harnessed, and it leaves Jungwon to deal with Sunghoon’s rising anxiety.
“Hyung, it will be okay.”
Sunghoon shakes his head. Sweat dots his forehead, and his hands start to faintly tremble. It’s rare to see his anxiety get the best of him like that, and Jungwon’s heart breaks a little.
If there’s something Jungwon absolutely hates, it’s seeing his members in stress and not being able to stop it. He rakes his brain for some way he could reassure Sunghoon. He wouldn’t be able to help him unless he held his hands all the way down.
Wait.
Could he? Maybe he could do that.
Jungwon’s face lights up. “Hyung, come with me!”
He drags a flustered Sunghoon behind him as he seeks one of the staff.
“What are you doing?! Jungwon-ah!”
The noise attracts the director's attention.
He turns around to face them with raised eyebrows. “It’s not your turn yet.”
Jungwon bows, Sunghoon hastily follows. “I’m aware, but I wanted to ask something first.”
The director gestures for him to continue.
“Is it possible for Sunghoon hyung and I to jump together?”
“What?”
He ignores Sunghoon in favour of watching the director.
He rubs his chin with a low hum. “Yes, it’s possible, but we’ll have you strapped by your feet instead of the way we did the rest of the members.” He narrows his eyes at Jungwon. “We weren’t told this is part of the gig today. Does your staff know?”
“I’m sure it would be a nice surprise for them?” Jungwon gives his most charming look, eyes widening just enough to appear as innocent as possible.
The director blinks at him. He laughs, and Jungwon expects the worst.
“Sure, kid. I’ll even defend you if your manager makes a fuss.” he looks at Sunghoon for a second before turning back to Jungwon. “Just make sure your friend here doesn’t get a heart attack.”
At the last sentence, Jungwon looks up at a stunned Sunghoon. “Hyung?” he fidgets with the hem of his shirt. “We can go normally if you want. Sor—”
“No!” A few heads snap up to look at Sunghoon in concern. His ears burn red. “No. Jungwon-ah, that would be perfect. I don’t think I’ll do it otherwise.”
Just then, they hear the members shouting. A look outside shows them Heeseung falling. All the colour Sunghoon gained from his outburst drains out of his face with a shudder.
“Yeah, definitely going together.”
The staff rally around them quickly, taking off their current harness to replace it with something more appropriate. It takes a bit longer than Jungwon would like. He knows the rest are worried by now, fearing that Sunghoon's anxiety has gotten the best of him.
They finish eventually, but Sunghoon looks impossibly stressed.
“Hyung, you trust me, right?” Jungwon asks, the smile on his face full of adoration when Sunghoon blushes and stammers a quiet ‘yes'. “Then trust me on this too. You don’t even have to take the final step; I’ll take care of that.”
Sunghoon runs his fingers through his hair, and Jungwon, not for the first time, is in awe. It’s hard not to be when he’s this close to Sunghoon, who is absolutely one of the most handsome people he’s ever met.
“Okay.” Sunghoon breathes. “I can do it.”
It's the consent that the staff apparently need, as they're hurried towards the ledge.
The sun is close to setting now, the breeze cool against their skin. It's calm up here, serene in a way that any other time, Jungwon imagines would bring him peace.
Sunghoon is shaking beside him though, even when he puts on a smile for the camera.
It takes Jungwon a moment to notice that he's shaking as well, a fine tremor that wrecks his limbs and disrupts his breathing. He's done this before, he reminds himself. He's done this before and even if he didn't, it won't matter because he needs to do this for Sunghoon, fear of heights be damned. He shoves his own anxiety to the back of his mind. Sunghoon needs him to be strong now.
“My members, I love you!” Sunghoon shouts with a crack in his voice. His knuckles are white from his grip on the post beside him.
The replies from below are muffled by the wind, though nothing can take away the encouragement of the members’ excited response.
“Me too!” Jungwon laughs, winded even before they jump. “I love you, Enhypen and Engenes!”
Then, as the staff instructs them, Jungwon turns his back to the edge, facing Sunghoon, who steps closer so they can wrap their arms around each other. The camera Jungwon's been given sticks awkwardly with how they're holding each other, but he doesn't particularly care. With gentleness that Jungwon doesn’t normally show around people, he hooks his chin on Sunghoon's shoulder, his voice soft when he says, “we’re gonna be just fine, hyung.”
Taking several deep breaths, Sunghoon nods. The movement is a little frantic and Jungwon laughs as he rubs his neck to calm him down.
He takes his own deep breath. He tries not to, but his grip on Sunghoon tightens to an almost painful degree, and his chin maybe digs a little too much into Sunghoon's shoulder to be comfortable for either of them.
Sunghoon doesn't comment on it.
“On your count.” Jungwon says and Sunghoon’s arms bring him impossibly closer.
“One,”
He hears the members shouting, unintelligible but reassuring.
“Two,”
He can’t believe he’s actually going to jump and take Sunghoon with him.
“Three!”
Jungwon takes a step with a helpful push from the staff behind him and then he doesn’t hear anything but the wind whistling in his ears and the elated screams of the two of them. It’s different, jumping upside down, a frightening rush that is just as exciting as the first time, adrenaline crashing his system and heightening all his senses. The water below them gets closer and closer until the cord gains tension. Jungwon feels it tugging on his legs, but it doesn't prepare him for the bounce back, almost reaching the top again. Sunghoon yelps at the sudden motion, and Jungwon can’t stop laughing at him, even when his stomach swoops in his freight.
It takes a bit for the cord to settle. They’re both hanging mid-air, upside down, water close enough to hear its gentle lapping. Sunghoon’s heartbeat thumps so loudly between them, Jungwon can feel it as well as his own.
He laughs, shaky, and buries his face in Sunghoon's shoulder for a moment. He wonders briefly if any footage from the small camera is usable with how hard he's trembling.
It doesn't matter though, because Sunghoon is laughing too. He's flushed and teary-eyed, and more than a little shocked, his hair wind-swept and getting frizzy, but his laugh rings genuine and delighted.
“I did it! Jungwon-ah, we did it!”
Jungwon tightens his hold, hoping the pride blooming in his chest can get to Sunghoon. “We did it, hyung.”
With a little nudge, he makes Sunghoon face the camera, giving it a peace sign before pressing his cheek to Jungwon.
Soon enough, Jungwon sees the boat coming their way. The crew start helping them down, but instead of sitting beside them, they're both pushed to lie down.
“You'll get really dizzy if you sit up immediately,” someone on Jungwon's side explains. “Just give it a minute or two.”
It's nothing short of awkward lying down in the small space with four strangers surrounding them, but Jungwon couldn't care less. He points his camera at them and nudges Sunghoon's head with his own.
For some reason, it makes them giggle uncontrollably. It's bordering on hysterical if Jungwon thinks about it, so he doesn't. Instead, he tries to stifle his laugh to ask, “Sunghoon-ssi, how are you feeling?”
Sunghoon grins, pearly teeth full on display. He gives a thumbs up like an approving grandfather, still managing to look cool with it. “10 out of 10.”
“Would you do it again?”
“If our Yang-Leader comes, why not?”
And it's stupid that this makes him tear up, but the sheer conviction in Sunghoon's voice gets him. Like he truly would jump again as long as Jungwon did too. So he makes a purposefully stupid expression, hiding his emotion away to process the gravity of this trust later.
The boat comes to a gentle stop then. The crew helps them sit, and it only takes a second for Jungwon's eyes to clear themselves.
When they stand, his legs are shaky with leftover adrenaline. He almost buckles, but Sunghoon leans on him, and he forces himself to stay up straight to support his weight.
He's not going to let his hyung down now.
Their members cheer loudly when they walk to them, Jake bouncing as he approaches Sunghoon to pull him into a bone-crushing hug. They all join in, and Sunghoon's blush deepens at the attention and praise, but his smile is delighted.
“No one told me we could do that!” Sunoo pouts when he pulls back. “I would have done it with Jay hyung otherwise.”
Jungwon could only laugh as Ni-Ki objects at not being the first choice. It's cut short when Heeseung slides to stand next to him, shoulders gently knocking together.
“You did well, Jungwon-ah.” He says, tone as warm as his smile.
“Thank you, hyung.”
I only did what I had to for hyung, he thinks. I'd do it again, if he needs me to, he doesn't say.
He risks a look at the director, and sees him smile. It looks like it’s going to be a great episode.