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Sanghyeok was used to seeing Jihoon in his usual plaid pajamas paired with his merchandise shirts back when they were still teammates during the Asian Games, and even whenever they decided to hang out.
So, you can't blame him for being surprised when his ‘hot and good-looking’ ex-teammate slashed rival arrived wearing black jogger pants and an unzipped hoodie with a... wait, is that a body-fitting shirt Jihoon’s wearing underneath his hoodie?
"Yo," Jihoon said casually as he strode inside Sanghyeok's penthouse, carrying a plastic bag full of snacks, without waiting for a reply.
"What’s with your getup?" Sanghyeok inquired, trying his best not to stare at Jihoon’s pecs, which he was definitely failing at. I didn’t know he had muscles under those oversized clothes.
"Hmm? Oh, this." Jihoon said obliviously as he adjusted his clothes, touching his abdomen which stretched the fabric even more, revealing defined muscles—completely unaware of the effect it was having on Sanghyeok. "I ran out of clean pajamas and shirts. Jaehyuk hyung broke the washing machine, so before I even got here, I had to stop by the laundry shop to get it done."
"I see…" Sanghyeok muttered, still not done staring. God, he hopes Jihoon doesn’t notice him staring.
"Anyways, hyungggg, c'mon let's watch Solo Leveling already. You promised we’d finish the episodes we haven't seen since we got so busy with the tournament." Jihoon whined as he pulled Sanghyeok over to the sofa. Jihoon, feeling completely at home, moved with ease as he turned on the TV and opened Netflix, searching for the show.
Jihoon didn’t seem to notice his gaze, but instead, he casually threw his arm over the back of the sofa. "You know, it’s crazy how much we've missed. I swear, every time I look away, a new season of something drops." He chuckled, his usual laid-back energy filling the room.
Sanghyeok couldn't help but let out a quiet laugh. "Yeah, you’ve been obsessed with that show for weeks now."
Jihoon looked over at him with a playful grin. "What can I say? You promised we'd catch up, and I expect you to keep that promise."
"Alright, alright," Sanghyeok said, shifting slightly as he settled into the couch. "But I’m not promising we’ll finish the whole thing tonight."
"Deal," Jihoon said and Sanghyeok finally dragged his focus back to the screen, trying his best to ignore how fast his heartbeat was.
Sanghyeok needs to get used to this.
—————
This wasn’t the first time Sanghyeok had seen Jihoon wearing shorts. But this was the first time he found himself giving attention to it.
They were getting ready for the match against KT, and Sanghyeok stood backstage, waiting for his cue to head onto the stage. Once the midlaners were called, he did his best to walk with confidence, trying to push the nerves aside.
As he took his place on stage, he instinctively scanned the crowd, his eyes darting across familiar faces. Once again, he was surprised to see Gen.G sitting in the stands. Probably scouting potential rivals for the finals, he thought. But despite being someone who wore glasses daily, getting spotlighted, and having camera flashes going off in his face, he still managed to see Jihoon clearly in the crowd.
And it seemed that Jihoon was also looking at him, a soft smile on his face as if he was cheering them on. Warmth spread through Sanghyeok when he found out that Jihoon had voted for T1 to win this match. It made his heart swell with pride, and he couldn’t help but feel a little giddy.
Sanghyeok’s eyes travel further, and they freeze as his gaze lands on Jihoon legs. He blinks a few times, his mind scrambling to process what he’s seeing.
Jihoon was wearing shorts.
It shouldn’t have been a surprise, considering how hot the weather was. But for some reason, Sanghyeok couldn’t shake the feeling that it was.
It was just Jihoon in shorts. Nothing unusual. Yet, Sanghyeok is... yeah...
His legs were as white as porcelain, smooth and flawless, with no blemishes in sight. Not a single imperfection marred their surface. They appeared delicate, yet almost unnaturally perfect, as if sculpted from marble, untouched by time or the elements.
Sanghyeok frowns, he can’t believe he was waxing poetic about Jihoon’s leg of all things.
He found his mind lingering on it longer than it should have. That’s when Minseok, who seemed to know exactly what he was thinking or looking at, shot him a side-eye. Even Minhyung was giving him a sly, discreet smile from across the stage. But Sanghyeok ignored them, doing his best to block out the distractions.
I need to focus on this match, he thought, pushing any lingering thoughts of Jihoon and those goddamn shorts out of his mind. The game was about to start, and he couldn't afford to get distracted—not now.
He really needs to get used to this.
—————
“Sanghyeok hyung, wanna go for a workout right now?” Hyunjoon says, breaking the silence as he looks up from his phone. Sanghyeok, who had been lost in a book, slowly looks up, blinking a few times as if processing the suggestion.
Sanghyeok hesitates for a moment, his gaze drifting to the book in his hands, but then he shrugs with a grin. “Yeah, sure. I’m in the mood for a light workout today.”
He stretches his arms above his head, groaning in a way that only someone who’s spent too much time reading could, before pushing himself up from his seat.
“Wow, you got hyung to go to the gym on the first try?” Wooje chimes in, his voice laced with disbelief. “I’ve been trying to get him to even look at a dumbbell for weeks!”
Hyunjoon shoots him a look, his voice playful. “That’s because you never actually go to the gym, Little duck. You’re all talk. As if you’d even step into a gym.”
“Oh, please,” Keria scoffs, crossing her arms. “Like Wooje even knows what a treadmill looks like.” He gives Wooje a wink. “We’ve seen him sprint to the snack machine faster than any gym session.”
Wooje’s eyes widen, and he points dramatically at both of them. “Hey!! Rest time is important, okay? You can’t just jump into workouts every day, your body needs balance!”
Hyunjoon chuckles, already pulling on his gym gear. “Balance? You mean the balance between pizza and naps?”
Wooje pouts, but it’s clear he’s not serious. “Exactly! Now, who’s going to join me in my vital, life-enhancing rest time?”
Sanghyeok laughs at the banter and heads toward the door of his room to get ready. “You know what, Wooje? We’ll save you some pizza after our light workout, alright?”
Minhyung smirks as he proceeds to go grab a drink from the kitchen. “If he manages to crawl out of bed for it.”
“All of you are way too mean!!” Wooje grumbles, crossing his arms in exaggerated frustration as they head out the door.
“You’re just fun to tease, Wooje,” Hyunjoon teases, shooting a grin back at him.
“Anyways, let’s go now, hyung?” he asks, eager to get to the gym.
“Yes let’s go now.”
***
The gym is surprisingly quiet with only a few people present. Hyunjoon and Sanghyeok are walking in, scanning the area for an open spot, when a familiar voice reaches their ears.
“Hey, Sanghyeok! You came to the gym?” It’s Jaehyuk, his voice bright and welcoming. Sanghyeok turns toward the sound of the voice, only to stop dead in his tracks as his eyes land on the person behind Jaehyuk.
Jihoon.
Jihoon is in the middle of a set, lifting weights with perfect form, and to his surprise, he’s looking… pretty impressive. His shirt, a little too loose from the intense workout, has slid up just enough to reveal a glimpse of his toned abs and the waistband of his boxers. For a second, his eyes are glued to those goddamn boxers.
Jihoon doesn’t seem to notice, his focus entirely on his set. He finishes his reps, sets the weights down, and then turns to look at him with a grin. “Need a spot or something, hyung?”
Sanghyeok suddenly realizes he’s been staring, and he quickly looks away, his face burning. "Oh—uh—no, no, I’m good... just—uh, just looking around..." He clears his throat, trying to maintain his composure.
Hyunjoon, ever the observant one, notices the sudden shift in Sanghyeok’s demeanor. “You good, hyung?” he asks with a knowing smirk.
Sanghyeok, still trying to recover, nods quickly. “Yeah, yeah! Totally fine!”
Jihoon, having caught the tail end of the exchange, raises an eyebrow but just shrugs. “Alright, well, if you need any help, just let me know hyung.”
Sanghyeok can barely meet his eyes, his mind scrambling for a response. “Uh, no... I’m good. Really. I can handle it.”
Just as Sanghyeok is about to take a step back, he hears a familiar voice from the other side of the gym.
“Jihoon, stop trying to show off and help me with these sets instead!” Jaehyuk calls out, waving a hand in the air.
Jihoon chuckles and calls back to Jaehyuk, “I’ve got time for both, don’t worry. Just give me a second!”
While Jihoon’s attention is momentarily diverted, Sanghyeok takes the opportunity to sneak a breath of relief. His mind is still buzzing, but he tries to push the thoughts aside. Why was I staring?
Meanwhile, Hyunjoon, having seen the entire scene unfold, sidles up to him, smirking even more now. “Hyung, you look like you’ve seen a ghost. You sure you’re alright?”
Sanghyeok can only manage a half-hearted glare to their jungler. “Shut up.” He pats Hyunjoon’s shoulder a little too forcefully, clearly trying to redirect the attention.
As Hyunjoon walks away, still laughing under his breath, Jihoon comes over, wiping sweat from his forehead with his shirt. “So, you’re really not gonna take me up on the offer to help?” he asks with an easygoing smile, not at all aware of how much his presence is making Sanghyeok’s heart race.
Sanghyeok, caught between his flustered thoughts and his attempt to focus, finally manages to speak. “No, really, I’ve got this!”
Jihoon just nods. “Alright, but if you need me, just shout. Don’t strain yourself.”
Sanghyeok nods frantically, the words catching in his throat. “Yeah, okay. Thank you Jihoon.”
Jihoon gives him a friendly thumbs-up before turning back to Jaehyuk, leaving Sanghyeok standing there, completely overwhelmed. His mind spins in a whirl of thoughts, but he can’t help but let out a little nervous laugh to himself. I really need to stop being so obvious.
Really really badly needed to get used to it.
—————
The heat inside their dorm is suffocating. Sanghyeok can feel the sticky humidity coating his skin, making every movement feel heavier. Desperate for a break from the sweltering conditions, he grabs his wallet and heads to the convenience store, hoping the cool relief of ice cream will help him survive the day.
As he steps outside into the bright afternoon sun, his eyes immediately lock onto Jihoon standing near the store, casually leaning against the wall, his tank top clinging to his fit frame. His muscles are more defined than usual, and the way the sunlight hits him only seems to highlight how damn attractive he looks.
Sanghyeok’s eyes twitch involuntarily. Really? Why does he have to look like that, especially on a day like today?
Sanghyeok manages to move, walking over to Jihoon with an air of casualness he doesn’t actually feel. “Jihoon.”
“Aish, hyung! Don’t sneak up on me like that!” Jihoon jumps, clearly startled by Sanghyeok’s sudden approach, his hand instinctively going to his chest as though trying to calm himself.
“I wasn’t though?” Sanghyeok says, trying to keep his voice nonchalant, though the slight tension in his shoulders betrays him. He chuckles and gestures to Jihoon. “What are you doing here anyway?”
Jihoon shrugs, flashing a grin that makes Sanghyeok’s stomach flip. “Ahh, it was way too hot today, hyung. I was planning on getting some ice cream to cool down.” He licks his lips, the thought of it clearly making him feel more relaxed.
“Oh, me too,” Sanghyeok replies quickly, trying to sound casual, though he’s desperately trying to ignore how good Jihoon looks in the tank top. The way his biceps flex when he gestures... Sanghyeok quickly shakes his head, focusing on Jihoon’s face instead.
“Really? Hey, are you free right now, hyung?” Jihoon asks, his tone light and inviting, as if he’s not even aware of the effect he has on Sanghyeok. He seems completely at ease, unaware of the effect his simple presence is having on Sanghyeok’s mind.
“Yeah, I am, why?”
“Let’s hang out then!” Jihoon says, grinning wide. “We’re both free anyway, right? Might as well do something fun.”
Sanghyeok hesitates for a moment, his mind racing. He tries to suppress the growing excitement he feels, but it’s no use. Being around Jihoon is always like this—unpredictable, intense, and a little overwhelming. “And where do we plan to go?” he asks, the words coming out a little more eager than he intended.
Jihoon shrugs nonchalantly, like nothing is out of the ordinary. “Anywhere our feet take us. Let’s see where the day goes.” His smirk grows even wider, and the way his eyes glint under the sunlight coming from the window makes Sanghyeok’s heart race.
"Anywhere, huh?" Sanghyeok asks, a teasing edge in his voice. His pulse spikes when Jihoon gives him a look that feels like a dare. He knows Jihoon is always up for whatever, but the idea of spending more time with him, so close, stirs something deeper within him.
“Yeah,” Jihoon says, a bit more softly now, though the smirk never fades. “What, don’t think you can keep up?” His voice has a teasing lilt to it, but there's an underlying challenge in it that gets Sanghyeok's adrenaline rushing.
Sanghyeok forces a laugh, trying to regain control of his own emotions. "I can keep up just fine," he replies, the words slipping out before he can stop himself. He can feel the heat rising to his face, but surely he can pass it as the heat getting into him.
“Good.” Jihoon gives a mock salute, spinning on his heel and starting to walk down the street. “Then let’s go. We’re on an adventure now.”
Sanghyeok watches him walk ahead, his mind completely occupied by the sight of Jihoon’s confident stride, his relaxed demeanor, and that damn tank top. He’s trying his best to remain focused, but everything about Jihoon pulls at him. There’s a magnetic pull between them that he can’t ignore.
As they walk, the conversation ebbs and flows with ease. Jihoon is so effortlessly cool, so relaxed in his own skin, and Sanghyeok is starting to wonder just how much longer he can keep pretending like he doesn’t want something more from this.
The sun has started to set, casting a soft golden glow over the city. The air is warm, but there's a gentle breeze that makes it just cool enough to be comfortable. After their spontaneous trip to the convenience store for ice cream, they decided to wander over to the nearby park, preferring to sit on the grass and enjoy their treats instead of heading back to their dorms just yet.
The park is quiet, with only a few people scattered around, enjoying the late afternoon. The grass is soft beneath their feet as they find a good spot near the trees, the last remnants of sunlight filtering through the leaves.
Sanghyeok finds a patch of grass and sits down, his legs crossed as he unwraps his ice cream cone, the cool treat offering a slight reprieve from the heat of the day. Jihoon’s carefree chatter fills the space between them, but Sanghyeok is barely listening, his focus entirely on the way Jihoon casually licks his ice cream, that lazy, almost sensual motion making Sanghyeok’s heart race.
Why is he making something as simple as eating ice cream so... enticing? Sanghyeok mentally curses himself. He tries to focus on his own cone, but every time he looks over, Jihoon’s tongue slides around the edge of his ice cream in a way that makes Sanghyeok’s brain short-circuit.
"Enjoying your ice cream hyung?" Jihoon asks with a playful grin, as if he saw Sanghyeok did something he shouldn’t have. He takes another long, lazy lick of his cone, the cool sweetness of it contrasting with the heat of the day.
Sanghyeok quickly snaps his gaze away, pretending to focus on his own cone. "Y-yeah. It’s... good," he stammers as he goes and eat his own ice cream.
Jihoon raises an eyebrow, clearly amused by the sudden awkwardness in Sanghyeok’s tone. "You sure? Looks like you’re more interested in my ice cream than your own," he teases, leaning in just a little closer.
Sanghyeok clears his throat, trying to play it off. "No, I’m—" he pauses, glancing at Jihoon again, and then quickly looks away. "I’m fine. Just... not used to this much heat." He takes another bite of his ice cream, hoping to cool down—both physically and emotionally.
Jihoon laughs, a soft sound that makes Sanghyeok’s heart skip a beat. "It’s just ice cream, hyung. You’re acting like you’ve never seen someone eat before."
Sanghyeok freezes for a second, caught off guard. “What? I wasn’t—” He laughs awkwardly, but Jihoon just raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying it.
“Sure you weren’t,” Jihoon says, his grin widening. “If you keep looking at me like that, you might make me think you want something.”
Sanghyeok’s stomach drops, and he struggles to keep his composure. His hand trembles slightly as he tries to hold onto his ice cream cone.
Jihoon notices, of course, and gives a smug little grin, clearly enjoying the effect he’s having on Sanghyeok. "You know, it’s just ice cream, hyung," he says again, but this time his tone is laced with something more... suggestive.
Sanghyeok can’t help it. The image of Jihoon licking his ice cream is seared into his mind, and it’s all he can focus on. He tries to distract himself, but his mind keeps circling back to the feeling of Jihoon’s presence, the heat of his body, the way his lips seem to draw him in. It’s maddening.
Sanghyeok finally gives in, his voice low and slightly breathless. "Why do you have to make everything so... difficult?"
Jihoon glances at him, his expression softening for a second, as if he’s genuinely curious. "What do you mean?"
Sanghyeok swallows hard, fighting the urge to close the gap between them. He’s not sure where this boldness is coming from, but it feels right. "You," he says simply, his voice quiet but intense. "You make everything feel... too easy for you. You don’t even know how much you’re..."
He trails off, not knowing how to finish the sentence, but Jihoon seems to understand anyway. There’s a moment of silence before Jihoon leans in closer, close enough that their shoulders brush, his warm breath mingling with Sanghyeok’s.
"Well, if I make it too easy," Jihoon says with a sly grin, his eyes glinting with something dark, "maybe you should do something about it, hyung."
And just like that, everything shifts. Sanghyeok’s heart races, his thoughts a blur, and before he even realizes what he’s doing, he leans in and presses his lips to Jihoon’s, soft and tentative at first. The ice cream cone in his hand nearly slips from his fingers, but he’s too focused on the heat and electricity surging between them to care.
Jihoon responds instantly, his lips parting to deepen the kiss, his hand reaching up to rest on the back of Sanghyeok’s neck, pulling him closer. The sweet, cold taste of the ice cream lingers on their tongues, but it’s soon replaced by the heat of their kiss, both of them completely lost in the moment.
They pull away for a breath, and Sanghyeok’s heart is still pounding. He’s not sure what he’s done, but it feels right—more than anything has in a long time.
Jihoon smirks, wiping his lips with the back of his hand. "Finally," he murmurs, his voice thick with satisfaction. "I was wondering when you'd get the hint."
“What hint?” Sanghyeok asks, genuinely confused, his voice betraying none of the storm of feelings swirling inside him.
Jihoon, looking both exasperated and amused, rolls his eyes. “Hyunggg~” He buries his face in Sanghyeok’s shoulder, his voice muffled but teasing. “Don’t make me say it. You’re not that clueless, are you?”
Sanghyeok chuckles softly, totally endeared by how cute Jihoon is being right now. It’s a side of him that’s not often shown, and Sanghyeok can’t help but feel a little soft. He takes a deep breath, squeezing Jihoon’s cheeks gently with both hands, as if to give him a playful nudge to speak up.
“Come on, tell me," Sanghyeok teases. "Where’s that confidence of yours gone?”
Jihoon’s eyes narrow, and his pout deepens. “I’m sure you know I don’t usually wear clothes like this…” he mutters, his gaze flicking away as if he’s embarrassed by his own admission.
Sanghyeok blinks in surprise, his brain slow to process, then he catches on. “So, you were saying…?” He says with a grin, the realization finally clicking into place.
“Yes,” Jihoon admits with a sigh, now looking up at Sanghyeok, his face slightly flushed. “I did it to try to get your attention, hyung.” His voice drops into a soft pout as he waits for Sanghyeok’s reaction, clearly vulnerable but also hoping for some kind of answer.
Sanghyeok’s heart skips a beat at the confession, his chest tightening in that way that makes him realize just how much he’s been holding back. His mind races as he processes Jihoon’s words. He’s been trying to get my attention? Sanghyeok blinks, slightly stunned, but his lips curl into a playful grin.
“You’ve been trying to get my attention this whole time?” he says, voice light but with a hint of something more serious underlying it.
Jihoon sighs, but there’s a light in his eyes, almost as if he’s daring Sanghyeok to admit something. “Yeah,” he says, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper, his lips curling into a smirk. “I thought you'd catch on sooner. You’ve been so slow, hyung."
Sanghyeok laughs softly, shaking his head. “I’m sorry for being a little clueless, but I guess it worked.” He leans in just a fraction, his breath mingling with Jihoon’s, their noses almost touching now. His voice softens, and there’s a tenderness to it that makes Jihoon’s heart race. “You’ve definitely got my attention, Jihoon.”
"Honestly you’ve made it quite difficult for me to hold back," he says, his voice almost a whisper.
Jihoon leans back against the tree again, his grin never leaving his face. "Good. Because I’m definitely not going easy on you now."
Sanghyeok grins, his confidence shining through despite the way his heart races. “I’ve been working for it, haven’t I?” he teases, his voice full of warmth and affection. “But I think it’s about time I finally get a reward for all my hard work.”
Jihoon raises an eyebrow, a mischievous spark in his eyes. “Hmm… Well, if you’re as good as you say, maybe you’ll get your reward after all.”
Jihoon doesn’t answer with words, instead bringing both of Sanghyeok’s hands to his lips. He presses a light, lingering kiss to the back of each one, the gesture simple but intimate enough to leave Sanghyeok breathless.
“Guess you’ll have to find out,” Jihoon replies, his voice low, a wicked smile curling at the edges of his lips. He pulls back just enough to lock eyes with Sanghyeok, a teasing glint in his gaze, daring him to take the next step.
“Let’s go to my apartment then.”
”Roger that.”