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Sunghoon doesn’t remember exactly when he first noticed it.
Maybe it was back during their I-LAND days, when Jungwon used to curl up in the practice room corner after long hours of training, looking like a tiny ball of exhaustion. Or maybe it was after their debut, when Sunghoon started realizing how Jungwon moved. Graceful yet silent, always watching, always waiting, like a predator hiding its claws.
Jungwon doesn’t just act like a cat. He is a cat.
And once Sunghoon made that connection, he started seeing it everywhere.
The way Jungwon stretches in the morning, arching his back like a spoiled house pet. The way he blinks at people when he pays attention to what they‘re saying. How he leans into touch only on his terms, nudging Sunghoon’s arm absentmindedly before pulling away just as quickly. Even his mood swings scream feline- independent and distant one moment, then suddenly clinging to somebody´s side the next.
It takes everything in Sunghoon not to meow at Jungwon whenever he enters the room.
(To be completely honest, he‘s done it a few times already)
And don’t even get him started on Jungwon’s visuals. He doesn’t just have cat-like behavior, he has the face for it too. Those sharp, watchful eyes, those illegally cute yet ridiculously attractive dimples, that frustrating mix of innocent and mischievous. The kind of look that makes Sunghoon both want to tease him and protect him at the same time.
Sunghoon has been trying to tell the world this for years.
Interviews, Livestreams, Fan events; he never lets an opportunity slip.
“Jungwon is basically a cat,” he announces during a variety show, completely unprompted.
“Everyone, don’t you think Jungwon looks like a cat? One of those short-legged ones.” he asks during a livestream.
“Yeah, he doesn’t like to admit it, but Jungwon is actually a baby-kitten in human form,” he tells a fan at a fansign, smiling teasingly.
The joke has become so ingrained that their fans, their members, and even their staff have started playing along. Every time someone brings it up, Jungwon brushes it off like his dignity is being attacked. But he never denies it completely.
Which only proves Sunghoon’s point.
__
Right now, Jungwon is curled up on the dorm couch, legs tucked underneath him, sock-covered feet barely peeking out from under his oversized hoodie. He’s scrolling through his phone, his brows furrowing slightly in concentration.
Sunghoon watches from across the room, already suspicious.
Jungwon gets this look on his face sometimes: a blank stare, lips pressed together, like he’s thinking too hard about something. It usually means he’s reading something about himself.
Curious, Sunghoon plops down on the couch beside him, leaning in. “What are you looking at?”
Jungwon tenses slightly, then pulls his phone closer to his chest. “Nothing.”
He looks up to the older with his big, cat-like eyes.
Sunghoon smirks. “If it’s nothing, then why are you hiding it?”
Jungwon exhales, already knowing there’s no escaping. With a dramatic sigh, he unlocks his phone and turns the screen toward Sunghoon.
The screen is filled with fan posts.
More specifically, posts about them.
There are countless pictures of Sunghoon and Jungwon together. Some are from interviews where Jungwon unknowingly stretched like a lazy cat mid-question. Others are of Sunghoon watching him, with fans going crazy over his expressions. There are also compilations, videos of Jungwon curling up in chairs, blinking at members, and subtly seeking warmth by leaning into Sunghoon without realizing it.
The captions are even better.
“Jungwon is literally a cat and Sunghoon is his owner. No one can convince me otherwise.”
“Sunghoon always looking at Jungwon like a proud cat dad is killing me TT, Our Jungcat president”
“Not Jungwon walking like an actual cat mid-video while Sunghoon is just whipped LMAO.”
Sunghoon snorts. He’s loving this. “So, the internet finally figured it out?”
Jungwon groans, locking his phone and tossing it onto the couch. “I am not a cat.”
Sunghoon leans back, resting an arm across the couch. “You are, though.”
Jungwon glares at him. “I don’t purr.”
“No, but you do that little humming noise when you’re comfortable.” Sunghoon raises an eyebrow. “And you blink at people when you listen to them.”
Jungwon opens his mouth to argue, then hesitates. His jaw tightens slightly, before he huffs, crossing his arms. “That’s just how I am.”
Sunghoon hums in amusement. “You also curl up in tiny spaces when you sleep. And you act all independent, but the second I ignore you, you come sit next to me like a cute little stray-cat.”
Jungwon scowls, looking away. “…Coincidence.”
Sunghoon chuckles, watching his cheeks turn rosy. Jungwon is trying not to react, but Sunghoon knows him too well.
“You’re just mad because that makes me your owner.”
Jungwon’s head snaps back toward him, eyes narrowing. “You are not my owner.”
Sunghoon tilts his head, smirking. “No? Then why do you always come to me when you’re tired? Or when you’re cold?” He rests his chin in his palm. “Face it, Jungwon. You’ve already chosen me.”
Jungwon stares at him for a long moment, lips pressed into a thin line.
Then, with an exasperated sigh, he shifts closer, flopping against Sunghoon’s side.
“…Fine. Maybe a little.”
Sunghoon smirks in victory, wrapping an arm around him. “Good kitty.”
Jungwon groans but doesn’t move away. If anything, he relaxes into him, resting his head against Sunghoon’s shoulder.
For a moment, they just sit there, the warmth between them settling into something quiet and comfortable.
Then, from across the room, Jake suddenly bursts into laughter. “You guys are so weird.”
Sunghoon glances up to see Jake and Niki standing by the kitchen.
Niki smirks. “Nah, let them be. Sunghoon’s been trying to get Jungwon to admit it for weeks.”
Jungwon groans again, this time burying his face into Sunghoon’s arm like he wants to disappear. “I hate you all.”
Sunghoon chuckles, pressing his cheek against Jungwon’s hair. “No, you don’t.”
Jungwon mutters something under his breath, but he doesn’t move away.
And Jungwon thinks to himself - if he gets to be the only one Sunghoon lets this close, he doesn’t mind him being called his owner at all.