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Hyeonjoon is one of Jihoon’s closest friends, Jihoon is proud to say that he must be one of the persons that know him the most and only getting behind for the years they haven’t been in the same team.
But nothing can erase four years as teammates and friends.
He knows him, he knows Hyeonjoon. Years of spending almost every day together gives him the confidence to say that.
And one thing Jihoon knows really well about Hyeonjoon is when he likes somebody.
Jihoon was there during some of his relationships, from his first girlfriend when Hyeonjoon was still an awkward teenager that his only thoughts were about league and getting better, but it didn’t stop him from blushing everytime he got a new text from that girl and how he would come back to the dorms with a huge smile on his face after a date.
He saw Hyeonjoon in love and giving his heart for free like he did in the game. He gave it all of him, giving up any free time to rest so he could see his girlfriend even for a few hours. And Jihoon was there when Hyeonjoon tried to go back to practice pretending he was fine after a break up.
And he also knows how Hyeonjoon acts with a crush. Endless hours hearing him talking about Lee Sanghyeok gave him enough proof of how his hyung acted thanks to his infatuation with the older pro.
That being said, Jihoon has four years of experience that makes him an expert when it comes to identifying the signs.
What signs? You might wonder.
The same signs Jihoon has been seeing since Hyeonjoon started being part of T1.
Choi Hyeonjoon has a crush.
The worst part?
He has a crush on Moon Hyeonjun .
It all starts one night when they finally get the chance to catch up. Hearing Hyeonjoon’s voice on the other side of the call gives him a sense of peace that Jihoon has been missing. It’s been a while since it gets harder to keep contact as the season progresses but it’s worth it once he hears Hyeonjoon’s screams and sighs while he is concentrating on his own game.
They talk about everything, he asks about Morning and Hyeonjoon gets on a full twenty minutes rant about her full of adoration for his dog while he asks how he is feeling and keeps making fun of Jihoon’s attempts of working out with constant jokes about his injury on the first week of his new year’s resolution.
In between, they touch the subject of their teams and Jihoon is relieved of the good care they are taking of him. It’s not a surprise, Hyeonjoon always adapts and makes himself loved by everyone no matter the team he is in. Even with the pressure and expectations he is facing in T1, he also knows that they are a team that always support each other during every challenge.
He holds his laugh the moment Hyeonjoon mentions Sanghyeok, instantly noticing the change in the tone of his voice. That is his our-hyuk-voice.
“You even played TFT for him, Hyeonjoon-hyung.” He teases with an exaggeration of a whine. “Did our four years together mean nothing to you? You had me all the time begging you for one game. One game!”
Hyeonjoon laughs, so softly that Jihoon can’t get mad at how he is laughing at him. “Sorry, Jihoonie but it’s Sanghyeok-hyung. Not even you can see no to him. Right, obedient Top?”
He rolls his eyes as Hyeonjoon laughs again, probably knowing what he is doing even if it isn't a video call. Sure, whatever. It is not a big deal as he says because is Sanghyeok-hyung.
“Let’s play once, then, last time you left without saying anything.”
“I thought you didn’t notice since somebody was asking you how you were so good at TFT.”
“Or maybe you guys just sucked.” Jihoon scoffs, opening his lobby and inviting him even when Hyeonjoon hasn’t agreed yet. “Come on, I don’t have all night, Hyeonjoonie-hyung.”
He smiles when Hyeonjoon’s account appears at his side and he forgets in an instant about the petty scene he was making.
There he is, finally, after years waiting, a TFT session with Hyeonjoon.
“Dojunie-hyung? You’re still playing this late?” Says another voice.
It sounds far away from the mic, but close enough that Jihoon can understand what that person is saying. He can’t recognize it, unfortunately, so he waits if they are going to say something else and use it to decipher who it is.
Instead, what he hears is a warm voice and giggles coming from Hyeonjoon. “Sorry, Jjunie, I didn’t see the time. I’ll just play one time with Jihoonie and go to the dorm.”
The alarms on Jihoon’s mind go crazy after that.
Maybe he is imagining things, maybe it’s true and they went overboard with the time and he is too tired to think correctly.
“Oh, I can’t wait for you then.” Says Oner and Jihoon is grateful of how considerate he is with Hyeonjoon even when this interaction is making him go crazy.
“Are you sure?” Hyeonjoon asks with a tremor in his voice that tells Jihoon he is flustered . “I don’t know how long it will take.”
“It’s fine.” Oner laughs and when he speaks again it sounds clearer than before. “Hello, Jihoon-ssi, please let our Hyeonjoon-hyung win for once, please.”
His laugh goes lower, probably getting away from Hyeonjoon while the older hisses at him embarrassed, something along the lines of “don’t say that!” and “I can win on my own, thank you.” which gets Hyeonjun’s signature loud laugh and clapping in return. Jihoon laughs, too, enjoying the teasing until Hyeonjoon speaks again.
“Don’t be mean, Jjunie.” Hyeonjoon cries but in the end Jihoon hears a low laugh, almost imperceptible which means that his smile is wide enough that not a sound gets out.
He is thrilled with Oner’s teasing and it doesn't stop at that. During the rest of the game he would hear the other’s voice giving tips or laughing at Hyeonjoon when he lost.
And everytime Hyeonjoon would laugh and repeat his nickname fondly over and over again.
It leaves Jihoon speechless.
After that, Jihoon starts to notice how often Hyeonjoon mentions the younger Hyeonjun in his texts. Before he didn’t pay any mind to it since it was normal that he mentioned his new teammates a lot and he took it as a good sign of how well he was getting along with them.
Maybe Jihoon was too naive. He obviously was getting along with them. Hyeonjoon knew Minhyung and Minseok from before, he was known as one of Sanghyeok’s biggest fans in the LCK and the only doubt Jihoon had was Hyeonjun.
So, he thought that Hyeonjoon mentioning Hyeonjun always meant that he was spending more time with him so they could get to know each other.
Not to get a crush on the guy.
This new revelation torments him all day without a single moment of peace.
Hyeonjoon and him don’t text daily but they do check on each other constantly and Jihoon has been receiving updates from him more than before with the change of teams. But now it’s annoying to read Hyeonjoon bringing up Oner for everything.
We had a shooting today and Hyeonjun was covered in blankets because he was cold.
Waffles for dinner!! Jjunie ordered for us.
Hyeonjunie is sulking because he did bad at scrims hahahaha
Congrats for the win! Watched with the team and Hyeonjun says you better be ready to lose.
Hyeonjun this, Hyeonjunie that, fucking Jjunie. He was just Oner-ssi a few weeks ago, he is still Chovy-ssi for most of them after years and being in the same team for the Asian Games, as if Sanghyeok and him—
Hyeonjoon and Oner, what actually matters is Hyeonjoon undeniable crush on Moon Hyeonjun.
Jihoon needs help, urgently.
He texts him knowing that he is going to drag another person along to this but it doesn’t matter. Jihoon needs as much help as possible. Also, he has an idea of who would be the unlucky one.
A few days later, Wangho stands in front of him with a confused Wooje at his side.
“Jihoonie! I brought reinforcements since you are clearly losing your mind here.”
“Hello, Jihoon-hyung.” Wooje bows, like the polite kid he is. “Wangho-hyung told me you need advice with Sanghyeok-hyung?”
Who is now in the hands of Han Wangho.
“What? No! I didn’t say that.” He growls at Wangho’s obnoxious laugh but makes space for them so they can enter the dorm. “But it’s close. I need your help with Oner-ssi.”
“Hyeonjun? What about him?”
Jihoon makes a dramatic pause and looks back at the last days, he isn’t crazy, right? He knows Hyeonjoon better than anyone, he has seen him acting like an idiot in front of the people he likes, he has heard him (involuntary) flirting and talking sweetly on a call, how he blushes and smiles when he speaks about that person. And everything is the same now with Hyeonjun.
“I think Hyeonjoon-hyung has a crush on him.”
He expects gasps and one of them telling him he is crazy for thinking that. He is waiting for a “that’s impossible! Hyeonjoon doesn’t like him” or just a laugh and a shake of their heads telling him Hyeonjoon is only trying to build a good relationship with his teammates.
Instead he gets something worse.
“Well, who wouldn’t? Those kids are crazy . They are as flirty as Sanghyeok-hyung at their age.” Wangho smirks as if he isn’t giving Jihoon the worst news. “Minhyung-ah even tried to flirt with me on chat the other day. Our poor Hyeonjoon must be getting attacked all the time.”
“That’s Hyeonjun-hyung for you. Didn’t you see that Avatar video? I’m sure he is worse. ” Wooje agrees with a laugh. What is so funny of Moon Hyeonjun being a flirt? “He’s just like that and from what he has told me Hyeonjoon-hyung has won him over. Don’t worry, Jihoon-hyung! Hyeonjun is just trying to get closer to him.”
“But that’s the problem.” Jihoon grumbles, crossing his arms. “What if he breaks Hyeonjoon-hyung’s heart? I would have to kill him then and die trying.”
“Hyeonjunie is a good kid, Jihoonie, don't worry. He is one of Sanghyeok's kids after all.”
Jihoon snorts. “Is that supposed to make me feel better? It terrifies me. ”
And his worries are justified with the way Wooje laughs at him, clearly enjoying seeing Jihoon suffering. See? These are the kids that Sanghyeok has practically raised. One is laughing on Jihoon's face and the other is playing with Hyeonjoon’s heart without any remorse.
Small evil demons.
“Trust Hyeonjoon. He has a big and naive heart, yes, but he is an adult and he isn't an awkward and shy teenager anymore.” Wangho speaks in a more serious tone of voice. “He knows how to take care of himself. But if you want I can text Sanghyeokie—”
“No one likes a snitch.” Jihoon cuts him off and decides to ignore the smug expression on the older's face. “I will talk with him, later.”
Jihoon thinks the subject ends there judging from Wangho’s silence. Instead, Wooje takes the lead and kicks Jihoon's pride with a single question.
“Are you sure, hyung? Has Hyeonjoon-hyung textually told you he has a crush on him?”
“Oh, that's a good one, Wooje-yah.”
The two look at him expectantly, waiting for Jihoon to tell them about a confession of his feelings coming from the top laner. And. Fine. Maybe Jihoon doesn't have proof as solid as Hyeonjoon admitting he likes his new teammate but he can feel it. He is completely sure about it!
Right?
“He is going to say some crap like I am a Doran specialist. ”
He pouts and looks away when they laugh at him, again. So what? If they don't believe him Jihoon would make sure to get to the bottom of this… situation and save Hyeonjoon from some one as dangerous as Moon Hyeonjun.
“Leave!” He whines and goes to the door to get the food he ordered for them. “...After dinner, since you came all the way here.”
“Aw, how nice of you, Jihoonie! Don't worry, if you need help again just call us.”
Jihoon doesn't need help.
Jihoon does, in fact, need help.
But there is not someone he can tell them his problem after the whole telling-Wangho-and-Wooje-fiasco, the options he has would only make it more difficult for him and Hyeonjoon.
If he tells Siwoo, everyone in the league will know about Hyeonjoon’s crush in less than an hour, starting from their mutual friends and Hyeonjoon is going to hate Jihoon forever for exposing him like that.
Dohyeon? No, thanks. He probably already knows from Wangho and even if he could be more discreet, Wangho would come back to make fun of Jihoon again.
Telling Jaehyuk is as bad as telling Siwoo because he would tell him the second Jihoon leaves him alone. Those two love gossip, they used to get distracted between scrims telling each other the last rumors they had from other players.
If Hyeonjoon—or worse, Hyeonjuun— finds out his name is going around along with his crush, Jihoon is dead to him.
These same reasons narrow his options of people he can try to ask for help. There is Hyukkyu, too, but only thinking about how he could explain everything to him makes Jihoon feel ashamed of himself and right now he loses enough sleep with just this whole Hyeonjoon and Hyeonjun situation.
Does he want to embarrass himself in front of his hyung? No.
Or in front of T1, out of all the players in the league? Also no.
Unfortunately, it has to be someone from T1 if Jihoon wants answers.
The opportunity presents itself to Jihoon in the form of Lee Sanghyeok, waiting for the elevator at the same time Jihoon comes back from practice, hour later than the rest of his team and, judging from how Sanghyeok lacks of a companion, Sanghyeok is the same case.
“Hello there, Jihoon-ssi.”
Sanghyeok smiles with a knowing look, reading Jihoon like he is one of his books, and moves to the side so Jihoon can wait with him. “Long day?”
“You could say.” Jihoon answers, trying to forget about them for a moment. “You too, hyung? It’s pretty late, did you stay practicing?”
“I was waiting for Minhyung.” He explains in a few words. “But Minseok came and told me to come home, said he was going to stay with him.”
“No one can break them apart, huh.”
The other man smiles in return, softly, the kind of smile you only get from the Faker when it comes to his teammates.
Jihoon stops his thoughts.
If Minhyung and Minseok are still at T1 and Sanghyeok is here with Jihoon. Where are Hyeonjoon and Hyeonjun?
“Are Hyeonjoon-hyung and Hyeonjun back already?”
His words work as a manifestation, the doors of the elevator open and show those two standing now in front of them. Hyeonjoon smiles when he looks at Jihoon and it makes him feel just a bit guilty of going around talking about his crush on his back.
“Jihoonie!”
“Jihoon-hyung.”
Hyeonjun greets him with a lazy smirk, leaning against the opposite wall from where Hyeonjoon is standing and Jihoon frowns at that. Is Hyeonjoon disappointed at the distance between them? Is Hyeojun crushing any illusion from the older man?
Hyeonjoon likes this kind of small details, holding too much weight in his feelings that it can even change what he feels for that person.
“Hey.” Jihoon goes for a casual greeting. “Are you going somewhere?”
“We were going to have dinner.” Hyeonjoon answers while gesturing Hyeonjun to get out of the elevator first. “We didn’t know you were coming back, hyung.” He says to Sanghyeok.
Sanghyeok laughs and shakes his head. “Don’t worry, Hyeonie, I’m not in the mood to eat out. But maybe Jihoon wants to go with you two?”
There is something weird with the way Sanghyeok adds the last question, from the mysterious tone of his voice to the side look he gives to Jihoon.
Does he know?
Before he can say anything, Jihoon looks over to Hyeonjoon and any word dies in his throat when he finds round and shiny eyes begging him to say no. He is practically saying don't you dare to ruin my moment with his eyes.
“It's fine, right now all I want is to jump to my bed and not get up for the next three days.” He jokes, getting inside the elevator after Sanghyeok now that the other two got out. “Take care, I'll see you in our next match.”
Hyeonjoon's body is almost vibrating from excitement and Jihoon has to hold a snort from how obvious he is. Meanwhile Hyeonjun pushes him slightly with his shoulder and they walk to the building's entrance talking to each other.
The older man leans to the younger’s side with Hyeonjoon tilting his head so he can speak closer to Hyeonjun's ear. Probably to help Hyeonjun hear him since Hyeonjoon’s voice is more on the softer and lower side.
“You're staring.” Sanghyeok teases as the door closes. “They are getting along fine, don't worry, Jihoon. We are all taking care of him.”
He only nods as an answer, replaying in his mind how Hyeonjoon looked so bright only from standing next to Hyeonjun. There is no way to deny it. He has a crush on him.
Hyeonjoon, one of his best friends, has a crush on Oner.
“It surprises me how fast they are getting closer.” He admits, looking up to keep his gaze on the changing number of the floor.
“Hyeonjun has been doing all he can to get to know Hyeonjoon better.” He says, the amusement in his voice getting more evident. “He is a sweet kid, maybe they can be troublemakers sometimes but they are. He is almost like a happy puppy with him.”
“Hyeonjun? Oner? ”
“Maybe not as obedient as others, but he is.”
The elevator stops as Sanghyeok laughs louder this time, biting his bottom lip to hold it. “Don't think too hard, Jihoon-ah.”
Once he is out of the elevator he decides to give it to rest.
For now.
Sanghyeok takes his hand, running his thumb through it while they walk to T1 dorm. It's one of those rare times where the dorm is empty for only the two of them, Jihoon isn’t sure if it’s the first time since Hyeonjoon signed with them.
He follows Sanghyeok inside and they go directly to his room with Jihoon laying in the bed in less than a second. The tiredness of a full day of practice and scrims kick him the moment his body touches the bed and Sanghyeok sees, too, judging by the way he laughs when he seats at the edge.
“Hyeonjoon-hyung likes the younger Hyeonjun.” Jihoon’s exhaustion speaks for him, offering his hand to Sanghyeok who takes it with the same care as before. “Choi Hyeonjoon, my best friend, likes someone and he hasn’t told me.”
“Maybe he isn’t ready, Jihoon-ah.”
Jihoon should be using his logic the same way Sanghyeok is doing. Sanghyeok is wise, he always knows what to say, things that come with age and years of experience.
“Can we not talk about my age?” Sanghyeok delights him with another laugh and Jihoon closes his eyes ashamed of how he was thinking out loud.
Was he this tired before?
“Hyung, be honest with me.” He opens his eyes and tries to look at the older man with the seriousness this conversation requires. “Does Hyeonjun like him back?”
Sanghyeok looks stunned at his question and the corner of his lips lift with what Jihoon nows is his distinctive mischievous smile. Oh, how thrilled Jihoon is everytime Sanghyeok acts like he knows something that he doesn't.
“I can’t speak for him and neither has he told me how he feels.” Sanghyeok starts. “But I know Hyeonjunie and I know he has a gentle heart and he always offers everything he can to everyone. But…”
He looks away, turning his face so Jihoon doesn’t see his expression but Jihoon always follows any movement that Sanghyeok does. It’s an exclusive look only for his kids.
“I have never seen him like this before. Wherever Hyeonjoon goes, Hyeonjun goes after him. He notices everything before any of us— if Hyeonjoon is down, Hyeonjun is already there to help him. Even when Hyeonjoon isn’t there, Hyeonjun finds a way to bring him up. There is trust, a bond that has formed in a short time that it’s different to the one they have with the rest of the team.”
Jihoon mirrors the smile on Sanghyeok’s lips, feeling a sense of relief at the way he speaks about Hyeonjun. Maybe, just maybe, he can give Hyeonjoon what he needs, what he has always deserved.
“If he doesn’t feel the same, he would be honest and fair with Hyeonjoon. He cares about him, Jihoon-ah, and Hyeonjoon will always have us, too.”
“And he has you, above everything else.”
He nods at his boyfriend’s words, his body losing the battle against his tiredness, being this the first time in days he feels this relaxed. He is right, after all. Hyeonjoon has a lot of people that loves him, he has him, it has been like this for years.
But, If Hyeonjun is what Hyeonjoon wants now, Jihoon will wish from the bottom of his heart, with every piece of himself, that Hyeonjun wants him too.
Losing always hurts but there is no defeat that hurts more than the ones against T1. There is so much more that they still have to work on, from adjusting to the new team, the changes in the meta and their playstyle and the LCK Cup is an opportunity to try as many things as they can. But even if they are using these matches to find their own path, it doesn’t make it any less painful when they lose.
Interviews and a fanmeet keep his mind occupied for the next hours, and when he goes back to take his things after more than two hours he decides to do something else. They are already here at the same time, aren’t they? It doesn’t hurt to take advantage of it.
He sends a quick message to Sanghyeok, confirming T1 is still at LoL Park like them and before he sets off to T1’s waiting room before they leave.
Just like the day at the lobby, he finds Sanghyeok outside of the room, his back leaning against the door and his phone in one hand.
“Are you leaving now, Sanghyeok-hyung?”
“No, I’m just waiting for Hyeonie and Jjunie but they are still inside.” Sanghyeok’s eyes widen at his own words in what seems to be a slip from his part.
“Is something wrong?” He quickly asks.
His mind goes through any possibility in a few seconds. The game went fine from their side, Hyeonjoon also played really well, taking part in some of the most important plays, even killing him much to Jihoon’s despair. Maybe some journalist made an ill-intended question? Or someone in the fanmeet made him uncomfortable?
“Let me in, hyung.” But before Jihoon can open the door, Sanghyeok stops his hand with a shake of his head.
“It’s better if we wait here.”
“Why? Did something happen with Hyeonjoon-hyung? Is he sick? Is he hurt? Should we call someone?”
Sanghyeok stays quiet and Jihoon’s anxiety increases with each second without an answer. He looks intently at him, trying to maintain his patience knowing that he must have reasons to stay silent.
“Don’t make any sound, please.” He finally says, sending a warning look in Jihoon’s direction.
Once he nods, Sanghyeok opens the door slowly, trying to make the least amount of noise possible so he doesn’t disturb those inside the room.
Knowing what Jihoon would do before he does it, Sanghyeok covers Jihoon’s mouth with his hand the moment their eyes lay on Hyeonjoon and Hyeonjun, stopping any inhuman sound from coming outside of his mouth.
They are taking a nap just like Sanghyeok said, but he forgot to mention in what state they were doing it.
They are snuggling.
In the biggest couch of the room, Hyeonjoon and Hyeonjun are laying together, half of Hyeonjun’s body is resting over Hyeonjoon’s without a care in the world. Hyeonjoon has his mouth part open like he does when he is profoundly asleep but his arms are wrapped around the younger man tightly as if he was a stuffed toy. Hyeonjun isn’t any better, instead he is the most shocking of the two.
His head is resting on Hyeonjoon’s chest but his face is hiding between his shoulder and neck, only a part of his face visible to Jihoon— a content and satisfied smile along with a relaxed expression. One of his hands is resting close to his face, but not exactly in Hyeonjoon’s chest.
The hand is under the collar of his uniform, stretching the shirt to reveal a portion of his collarbone while the rest has Hyeonjun’s hand over it.
“They have been working really hard, I wanted them to rest a little.” Sanghyeok whispers and here it is again, the smile reserved only for them. “I know you are worried about Hyeonjoonie, Jihoon-ah, but I can see it now when I look at them and I hope that you’re seeing it too, now.”
As if they were calling them, Hyeonjun shifts in his place and his eyes start slowly opening. Jihoon freezes, holding his breath, and searches for a quick and believable excuse to say now that he is trapped spying on them. What if Hyeonjun gets mad? What if this is something that he didn’t want anyone to see? What if—
Instead, Hyeonjun turns his face upwards, his eyes softening at the sight of Hyeonjoon so close to him. It has the same effect in his mouth, lifting in a smile that Jihoon has never seen before in him. Sweet, nothing to compare to his usual smirk.
It tells him everything he needs to know.
But it doesn’t stop there.
Hyeonjun stays still, not moving or saying anything, just looking at Hyeonjoon sleeping face with shining eyes from the endearing way he looks at him.
And then, with a voice that you wouldn’t expect from someone with the same reputation as Moon Hyeonjun, he says:
“Wake up, Dojunie-hyung.” He coos. “Sanghyeok-hyung said we only had thirty minutes.”
The tenderness in his voice has the opposite effect, Hyeonjoon’s arms tighten around Hyeonjun’s body and he groans, frowning. “Five minutes, Jjunie.”
“Just five minutes,” Hyeonjun agrees instantly, laying his head on Hyeonjoon’s shoulder this time. He seems to remember something at the last moment and he lifts his head so he can leave a gentle kiss on Hyeonjoon’s lips.
Sanghyeok covers his mouth again and drags him outside of the room as quietly as before while Jihoon sees Hyeonjun closing his eyes and hiding his face against his neck again. This time, his hand move deeper under his shirt, somehow enjoying to caress Hyeonjoon’s collarbone.
“Let’s leave them some time, I’ll go wake them up in ten minutes.” Sanghyeok says when they are in the middle of the hall again. “They need it.”
Jihoon knows what he really means.
What Hyeonjoon has been waiting for, what the universe has prepared for him, the future that is ahead of him.
The infinity love that he deserves to receive every day, every second of his life.
It’s here, in Moon Hyeonjun.
“Make it twenty, Sanghyeokie-hyung, so you can accompany me since I forgot something.”
Sanghyeok follows him to their waiting room with a knowing smile.
He still has a pending talk with Hyeonjun, though.