Chapter Text
Jo could feel Yuma's fingers tracing patterns on his chest, moving in mesmerised circles over his blue fleece pyjama top. The overhead light was off, but a reading lamp near Fuma’s bed across the room illuminated Yuma's fascinated expression. They were curled together on Yuma's top bunk, and Jo couldn't help but smile at how Yuma was always finding excuses to touch him lately — as if making up for all the months they'd spent carefully maintaining distance.
"You're like a cat," he murmured, keeping his voice low. They were alone for now, but K or Fuma could return at any moment. "Are you going to start purring?"
Yuma's hand stilled against his chest. "I might." Then Yuma pressed his face into Jo's shoulder, and Jo felt him inhale deeply. "Why is this so soft? All my pyjamas feel like cardboard now."
"The perks of doing your own shopping instead of letting the coordi-noonas buy everything." Jo couldn't resist running his fingers through Yuma's hair, letting his other hand settle on Yuma's waist. Two months ago, he would have been paralysed by such intimacy. Now, it felt as natural as breathing, though sometimes the ease of it still startled him.
Yuma had gone quiet, and Jo recognised the particular quality of his silence — the one that meant he was composing in his head, finding rhymes for his feelings. "What's on your mind?” Jo whispered, giving Yuma's hair a gentle tug.
"You." Yuma lifted his head, meeting Jo's eyes. "Always you."
Jo felt his ears growing warm — they still did that, even now — but he didn't look away. Instead, he leaned down, drawn by the openness in Yuma's expression—
Footsteps in the hall. Laughter. Fuma's voice carried through the door: "—and that's why K-hyung won't let me cook anymore!"
Panic surged through Jo and Yuma — they were still keeping their relationship a secret from the rest of the group. Some days were more difficult than others, but overall they were pretty sure they’d remained undetected.
Jo moved on instinct, swinging his legs over the rail and dropping to the floor with a grace that would have surprised anyone who knew how awkward he usually was. He landed just as the door opened, Fuma entering mid-laugh and calling a final joke to someone in the hall.
When Fuma turned, Jo was conscious of his burning ears and the muffled sounds of Yuma trying to suppress his laughter above. He stood awkwardly in the centre of the room, feeling like his heart was beating loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Oh, hey Jo," said Fuma, taking in the dimmed room and giving him an odd look. "Didn't know you were here."
"Just chatting, but it's time to say goodnight." Jo's voice came out steadier than he expected despite Yuma's poorly concealed giggles. He’d forgotten about the light being off. At least it would cover how red his ears had become. His boyfriend had a pillow pressed over his face, but Jo could see his body shaking with laughter. "Goodnight, Yuma."
Yuma raised a hand and waved, still keeping the pillow over his head. Something like a gurgle emerged from beneath it.
As he slipped past Fuma into the hall, Jo turned back just enough to mouth the words again, letting his real feelings show in the smile he gave Yuma, who had finally ripped the pillow off his head to watch him go: "Good night."
The happiness in Yuma's answering smile made Jo's chest tight. He closed the door quietly, already looking forward to tomorrow.
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Jo's hand lingered on his room's doorknob, giving a single knock at the door then listening before entering. He liked to wait a beat, giving his roommates time to cover up or to give Taki space when he was video-calling his mother. But tonight, there was only the light rustle of movement from within.
When he stepped inside, Taki was perched on the edge of his bed, still fully dressed in dark jeans and a loose sweater. Their eyes met briefly before Taki looked away, fiddling with his phone. There was something off about his posture, a nervousness that reminded Jo of their pre-debut days.
"You're up late," Jo said carefully. EJ and Maki were already in their bunks, the steady rhythm of their breathing filling the quiet room.
"Waiting for a call." Taki's voice was pitched low, barely above a whisper. "Might need to go out."
Jo moved to his own bed, studying Taki from the corner of his eye. In the two months since their shared telepathic experience, Jo had noticed subtle changes in his friend — moments of unexpected stillness, flashes of the same quiet observation Jo often practised. Others had even remarked on it lately. But tonight, Taki seemed to be vibrating with nervous energy.
"Everything okay?" Jo asked, keeping his tone light as he removed his slippers and socks.
“Mm." Taki's noncommittal hum was so unlike his usual chatty self that Jo almost pressed further. But then he remembered how others had given him space when he needed it, how sometimes silence was a gift. If Taki wanted to share whatever was bothering him, he would.
Jo climbed into bed, careful not to wake EJ sleeping in the bunk above. As he settled under his blanket, he caught Taki watching him with an unreadable expression.
"Goodnight, Taki," Jo said softly.
"Night." Taki's response was automatic, distracted. His attention had already returned to his phone, its blue light casting shadows across his face.
Jo closed his eyes, thoughts drifting back to Yuma's smile and the warmth of having him close. His last conscious thought before sleep took him was wishing he could hear the rhymes Yuma composed in his head.
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Hello .
Jo stretched lazily, still half-asleep. The voice in his head sounded familiar.
Hello? Wakey-wakey!
Jo's eyes snapped open. That wasn't Yuma's voice.
What—?
It's me!
I know it's you, Taki. Jo sat bolt upright, nearly hitting his head on EJ's bunk. What are you doing? How did—
I talked to Luna.
You what? Jo's voice came out as a squeak. He glanced across the dim room to where Taki was sitting cross-legged on his bed, grinning at him.
Luna. Your witch friend. I copied her address off that letter and wrote back. I wanted her help.
“Help for what?” Jo whispered furiously, though he wasn't sure why he was whispering when they were talking inside their heads.
This. Taki's mental voice was bright with enthusiasm. I need a wingman.
A what?
A wingman. Someone to help me capture the attention of the object of my infections. Oops, I mean affections. I’m not sure where the word came from, but I like it. It sounds more adventurous and like my friends are all on a mission with m—
Jo flopped back onto his pillow with a soft thud. He realised his head was tender, like after a headache.
Taki .
Yeah?
Jo tried to remain calm. This isn't like ordering takeout. You can't just call up a witch when you need a mental vacation in someone else’s head.
But it worked! And look how well everything turned out for you after last time.
Could Taki know about Yuma? They’d wanted to keep their relationship private for now. No chance of that if Taki knew about it. He wouldn’t outright spill the beans, but his jokes and clowning would eventually give the secret away to the others. Jo pressed his hands over his eyes.
That's not the point. The point is— He stopped. Wait. What do you mean, you need a wingman?
Taki's mental voice went unusually shy. It's about K-hyung.
Oh no.
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Dance practice was going to be a problem.
Jo stood at the back of the practice room, trying to focus on stretching while Taki's voice bounced around his skull. Their leader was going over the day's schedule, but Jo could barely hear EJ over Taki's running commentary.
K-hyung is wearing the grey hoodie today. He always wears it when he's planning to work hard. See how the sleeves are pushed up? That means he's ready to—
Taki.
Right, sorry! Paying attention now.
"—and after that, Yuma has his vocal training until three," EJ was saying. Jo's ears pricked up at Yuma's name. His boyfriend was sitting cross-legged near the front, head tilted as he listened to EJ. The morning light from the practice room windows caught in his hair, making it shine like—
Oh! OH! You and Yu—
Don't.
But this is amazing! Why didn't you tell me? Wait, is that why you keep thinking about empty practice rooms and— wait, was that a janitor’s clos—
Taki. Please.
"Jo?" EJ's voice cut through their mental tangle. "Did you hear what I asked about your homemade MV? Editing wants any other clips you’ve got on your phone for inserts.”
"Sorry, what?" Jo felt his ears growing warm as everyone turned to look at him. Yuma's concerned expression made his chest tight. Jo tried to find that peaceful centre Taki had once admired, but with Taki's voice in his head and Yuma's eyes on his face, calm seemed very far away.
Aww, that's so sweet! Your ears go red whenever he—
I will find a way to mentally strangle you.
Can you do that? That would be really cool, actually. Like in Star Wars! Do you think Luna could—
"Are you feeling okay?" K interrupted Jo's murderous thoughts, stepping away from where he'd been helping Maki with warm-up stretches. "You look a bit distracted."
He's worried about you! Did you see how quickly he noticed? He's so observant and caring and—
Jo wondered if it was possible to die from telepathic overload.
"I'm fine," he managed. "Just... didn't sleep well."
Jo feared he was about to have the longest day of his life.