Archive of Our Own

Dino had been recording in the studio with Woozi for quite some time when, without warning, everything was plunged into darkness. The hum of the equipment fell silent, and the soft glow of the console screens disappeared. A power outage. For a moment, all he could hear was Woozi clicking his tongue in annoyance, followed by the distant chatter of staff members outside the room. Apparently, there was a problem with HYBE’s power supply, and until it was resolved, all recording sessions had to be put on hold.

With a sigh, Dino stepped out of the booth, the cool air of the studio brushing against his skin as he made his way to the seating area. He leaned back onto the large, comfortable sofa, the leather cool beneath his fingertips, and exhaled deeply. The room was now eerily quiet, save for the occasional murmur of voices beyond the door. The emergency lighting cast only a faint glow, barely illuminating the space.

He instinctively reached for his phone, but after a quick glance at the battery percentage—already lower than he would’ve liked—he decided against using it. If the power remained out for a long time, he would need whatever charge was left. Instead, he simply closed his eyes, letting the silence settle around him.

But just as he was beginning to relax, a distinct scent filled his nostrils, stirring his senses and pulling him out of his thoughts. It was familiar, yet unexpected in the moment. His brow furrowed as he blinked his eyes open, adjusting to the dim surroundings.

“…Mingyu hyung?” he called out into the darkness, his voice slightly uncertain.

There was a brief pause before another voice answered him, followed by the sound of someone clearing their throat.

“Huh? No, it’s Wonwoo.”

Dino tilted his head slightly, still processing the response.

“Ah…” he muttered. “It’s just… you smell like Mingyu.”

Wonwoo, who had been standing near the doorway, was taken aback by the statement. He blinked in confusion, his lips parting slightly before he managed to respond.

“How is that?” he asked, stepping a little closer as curiosity took hold of him. It wasn’t something he had ever thought about before. He quickly ran through the possibilities in his mind—what he had worn today, whether he had been around Mingyu recently, or if it was just some odd coincidence.

Dino, still lounging on the couch, hummed as he tried to pinpoint exactly what he was sensing.

“Well…” he started, closing his eyes again to focus. “It’s similar, but not the same. Mingyu hyung mostly smells woody—like sandalwood or cedar, but with hints of peach. And you…” He opened his eyes and glanced in Wonwoo’s direction, though he could barely make out his figure in the dim room. “You smell like peach, but with hints of wood. It’s almost the reverse of his scent.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Wonwoo blinked, his mind still processing Dino’s oddly specific observation.

Chan sighed, shaking his head. “I know it sounds weird, but it’s true. Right now, I could probably pass for a perfume expert,” he muttered with a small chuckle.

Wonwoo, now genuinely intrigued, frowned slightly and looked down at himself. He had grabbed a random shirt from his closet earlier that day, one from the shared wardrobe he had with Mingyu at home. But that alone wouldn’t explain why their scents were so similar. After all, they wore different colognes—didn’t they?

And so, this was where the mystery truly began. How exactly did Wonwoo and Mingyu come to smell this way?

♡♡♡

THE NIGHT BEFORE

After an intense workout session at the gym, Wonwoo finished his routine earlier than Mingyu, as was often the case. While he continued with a few extra sets, Wonwoo decided to head home first, knowing that by the time he arrived, showered, and got comfortable, Mingyu would likely be wrapping up his own workout and making his way back.

The night air outside was crisp, a stark contrast to the heat that still lingered on his skin from exercising. He walked home at a steady pace, his muscles pleasantly sore but relaxed. As soon as he stepped inside their shared home, the familiar scent of their space welcomed him—a mix of clean linen, traces of whatever cologne they had worn that day, and the faintest hint of the meal they had cooked earlier.

Not wasting any time, Wonwoo headed straight for the bathroom. The cool tile floor sent a slight shiver up his spine as he stripped off his gym clothes, tossing them into the laundry basket before stepping into the shower. The warm water cascaded over his body, soothing his tired muscles and washing away the sweat from his workout. He lathered his favorite body wash, enjoying the way the steam filled the small space, creating a cocoon of warmth and tranquility.

Despite how much he enjoyed long, hot showers, he didn’t linger too much. He knew Mingyu would be home soon, and since they only had one bathroom, he would definitely be rushing in for his turn as soon as he arrived. So, Wonwoo rinsed off quickly, turned off the water, and stepped out, wrapping a towel around his waist before moving to the mirror, where condensation clung to the glass.

Still damp from his shower, he instinctively reached for his perfume. It had become a habit—one he had picked up from a passing conversation years ago. Someone had once told him that applying perfume immediately after showering was the best way to make a scent truly your own. The warmth of freshly cleansed skin helped blend the fragrance with a person’s natural scent, creating a unique aroma that lingered much longer than when applied to dry skin. Wonwoo had taken the advice to heart and, ever since, had made it part of his post-shower routine.

Tonight, he chose Bitter Peach by Tom Ford. The deep, fruity yet warm and slightly woody notes of the perfume mixed with the natural freshness of his skin, creating a scent that was both rich and familiar. He closed his eyes for a moment as the fragrance settled around him, inhaling deeply before stepping out of the bathroom.

As he made his way into the bedroom, toweling off his hair with slow, absentminded movements, he heard the front door creak open. Right on time. He knew without looking that it was Mingyu. The taller man would now be making a beeline for the shower, probably just as eager to wash off the remnants of workout. Wonwoo smirked slightly, shaking his head as he sat on the edge of the bed, listening to the sounds of Mingyu moving around the apartment.

Since they had already eaten dinner before heading to the gym and had followed it up with their usual post-workout protein shakes, neither of them was particularly hungry. Instead, exhaustion was settling into their bones, making the idea of crawling into bed all the more appealing.

Not long after, he heard the water running again—Mingyu’s turn to shower. Wonwoo took the opportunity to dry his hair properly, running his fingers through the strands to make sure it wasn’t too damp before he slipped under the covers. The house was slightly colder than usual tonight, and though they could easily turn up the heat, he found himself unwilling to move from his warm cocoon of blankets.

A few minutes later, the bedroom door opened again, and this time, it was Mingyu, his hair damp, a towel slung around his neck as he moved toward his side of the bed. Wonwoo watched as he went through his usual bedtime routine, from drying his hair further to stretching his sore muscles slightly before finally reaching for his own bottle of cologne.

It was something he had done for as long as Wonwoo could remember—putting on his perfume before sleeping. Wonwoo never questioned it, though he always found it somewhat amusing. Tonight, he noted that Mingyu’s choice of fragrance carried the deep, woody notes that suited him so well. The familiar scent filled the air as he climbed into bed, his presence immediately adding warmth to the space.

The moment Mingyu settled beside him, Wonwoo turned slightly, inhaling softly. The scent was comforting, familiar, and undeniably Mingyu.

"You smell so good," Wonwoo murmured, his voice thick with drowsiness as he nestled into his pillow.

Mingyu let out a deep, rumbling laugh, the sound vibrating in his chest as he shifted closer.

"You smell really good too," he replied with a small grin, his voice soft.

For a brief second, their noses brushed, the space between them growing smaller. Wonwoo barely hesitated before closing the remaining distance, wrapping his arms tightly around Mingyu and resting his head on the other’s shoulder.

“I’m so cold,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. “Stay like this, please.”

Mingyu chuckled softly, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he wrapped his arms more securely around Wonwoo, pressing a comforting hand against his back, rubbing slow, soothing circles.

Neither of them moved after that. The cold that had crept into the room earlier no longer seemed to matter.

Wrapped in warmth, in the quiet comfort of each other’s presence, they drifted into sleep.

♡♡♡

Mingyu was supposed to be the first one out of bed that morning. His schedule demanded it—he had an early photo shoot to attend, and if he didn’t get up soon, he would risk running late. The logical thing would have been to slip out of bed quietly, get ready efficiently, and leave without any trouble.

But logic wasn’t exactly on his side today.

The moment he tried to shift away from the warmth of the blankets, he realized there was a significant obstacle preventing his escape: Wonwoo.

Despite being deep in sleep, Wonwoo had latched onto him like a koala, his arms wrapped securely around Mingyu’s torso, his legs tangled with his own, and his face buried somewhere against Mingyu’s chest. The weight of him was comforting, his body warm against the morning chill that lingered in the air. And while under normal circumstances, Mingyu wouldn’t have minded staying curled up like this for a little longer, duty called.

He sighed, lifting his head slightly to glance at the clock on the bedside table. He still had time, but not much.

Carefully, he attempted to peel himself away, inching back just enough to test how tightly Wonwoo was holding on. He barely moved an inch before he felt the grip around him tighten instinctively, Wonwoo making a small, displeased noise in his sleep as if sensing that his personal heater was trying to escape.

“Won,” Mingyu murmured, his voice still thick with sleep as he tried again to free himself. “I have to get up, or I’ll be late.”

A sleepy groan was the only response he received at first. Wonwoo buried his face deeper into Mingyu’s chest, his grip momentarily tightening before, after a long pause, his arms finally loosened their hold.

Mingyu exhaled, relieved but also a little reluctant to leave the warmth they had created under the blankets. He reached up, gently brushing Wonwoo’s tousled hair away from his forehead, taking a moment to admire how peaceful he looked when he slept.

“We’ll see each other later,” he promised softly, a small smile playing on his lips. “And then I can keep hugging you as much as you want.”

With that, he pressed a gentle kiss to Wonwoo’s forehead, lingering for just a second before slowly pulling away from him completely.

Wonwoo, still half-asleep, made another small sound of protest but didn’t reach for him again. Mingyu chuckled quietly before slipping out of bed, the cold air immediately making him miss the warmth he had just left behind.

Shaking his head to wake himself up fully, he stretched briefly before heading toward the door, leaving the bedroom behind to get ready for the long day ahead.

♡♡♡

Wonwoo woke up much later than Mingyu had that morning, the warmth of the blankets and the lingering drowsiness keeping him in bed for a little longer than he had originally intended. The absence of Mingyu’s presence beside him was noticeable, the spot next to him already cold from how long he had been gone. Stretching his arms above his head, he let out a soft sigh before finally pushing himself up and out of bed.

His morning was relatively uneventful. He moved through his usual routine—freshening up, getting dressed, grabbing a quick breakfast—before heading out for the first item on his schedule: his Japanese class. It was something he had been diligently attending for a while now, determined to improve his skills and expand his fluency. The class went by in a blur of carefully practiced sentences, grammar exercises, and casual conversations with his instructor, and by the time it was over, he felt both accomplished and mentally drained.

From there, he went straight to his photography class, something he always looked forward to. There was something deeply satisfying about capturing moments through a lens, playing with light and shadows, adjusting angles, and freezing time with just a single click. Today’s session focused on natural lighting techniques, and Wonwoo found himself completely engrossed in the process, experimenting with different settings and compositions.

By the time he was finished, the sun was beginning its descent, casting a warm glow over the city. He checked his phone, glancing over his schedule for the rest of the evening. The next and final stop for the day was the studio—he had recording duties to complete, and though he was starting to feel the weight of his busy day, he was ready to wrap things up.

But as soon as he arrived at the HYBE building, something felt… off.

Stepping inside, he was immediately met with an unusual darkness. The usual brightness of the hallways was gone, the familiar hum of equipment was missing, and the entire place was eerily quiet, save for the occasional murmur of voices. A few staff members were standing near the entrance, speaking in hushed tones, and Wonwoo quickly pieced together what had happened.

There was a blackout.

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he took in the situation. If the entire building had lost power, then that meant recording sessions were most likely on hold. He wondered how far behind schedule this would push them—HYBE operated on tight deadlines, and even a temporary delay could cause a chain reaction of rescheduling.

Still, he figured he might as well head to the recording booth and check things out for himself. Maybe the power would come back soon, and he could at least be ready when it did.

As he walked through the dimly lit corridors, navigating his way toward the studio, he eventually spotted someone else already there. Dino was sitting outside the booth, looking relaxed despite the circumstances.

The younger member noticed Wonwoo’s arrival and tilted his head slightly, as if trying to place something in his mind. Then, out of nowhere, he said, “Hyung… you smell like Mingyu.”

Wonwoo blinked in confusion. “Huh?”

Dino sat up a little straighter, narrowing his eyes as if to confirm his own observation. “Yeah. You really do. I noticed it as soon as you walked in.”

Wonwoo stared at him for a moment, processing the statement. He didn’t think he had borrowed any of Mingyu’s clothes today, nor had they been close to each other all morning. But then, a sudden memory surfaced in his mind—one that made everything click.

They had spent the entire night wrapped around each other, their limbs tangled together, sharing warmth under the blankets. He had fallen asleep with his head against Mingyu’s shoulder, their bodies pressed close for hours.

Their perfumes must have mixed at that moment.

Was that how it happened? Had his scent blended with Mingyu’s overnight, lingering on his skin and clothes even now?

The realization made his lips part slightly in amusement. He hadn’t even noticed it himself, but now that Dino had pointed it out, it made perfect sense.

Wonwoo chuckled softly, shaking his head.

♡♡♡

Mingyu and Seungkwan met early in the morning, both still slightly groggy but filled with excitement for the day ahead. Their schedule was packed, and today was particularly special—they were set to film a brand-new variety show alongside Jungwoo from NCT and Shownu from Monsta X. The combination of personalities promised to be entertaining, and Seungkwan, always eager for good chemistry on set, had been looking forward to this collaboration for days.

Their manager had arranged for them to be driven to the filming location together, so the two of them climbed into the company van, settling into their seats as the vehicle pulled out onto the road. The destination was a well-known restaurant where the episode of the show would be filmed, and though the sun had barely risen, the thought of good food and fun interactions helped wake them up.

Mingyu, leaning his head against the window, scrolled through his phone absentmindedly while Seungkwan sat beside him, humming softly to himself. It wasn’t until a few minutes into the ride that Seungkwan’s nose twitched slightly, his brows furrowing as he turned to look at Mingyu with curiosity.

“Mingyu,” he said, his tone slightly suspicious, “did you change your perfume?”

Mingyu blinked, pulling away from his phone and turning to his friend. “Huh? What do you mean?”

“You smell different today,” Seungkwan pointed out, leaning in slightly as if trying to get a better whiff. He then pulled back, tilting his head as he thought about it more carefully. “It’s not bad—just… different.”

Confused, Mingyu looked down at himself, scanning his outfit. He was wearing a simple button-up shirt, something stylish yet comfortable for filming. It wasn’t until he took a closer look at it that he remembered—this wasn’t just any shirt. This was one of the pieces Wonwoo had worn during a recent photo shoot.

That realization made something click in his mind, but before he could respond, Seungkwan’s eyes suddenly widened in understanding.

“Oh! Wait a second—” Seungkwan’s expression shifted into one of amusement as he sniffed the air once more, now completely sure of what he was sensing. “You don’t just smell different. You smell like Wonwoo hyung.”

Mingyu stiffened for a fraction of a second before exhaling in disbelief. “What?”

Seungkwan grinned, nudging him lightly with his elbow. “I’m serious! Your perfume must have mixed with his somehow.” Then, as if this discovery was the most entertaining thing that had happened all morning, he winked at Mingyu playfully. “Care to explain, Mr. Boyfriend?”

Mingyu frowned slightly, processing the information. How did their scents mix? He was sure the shirt had been cleaned before he took it from the closet. He always made sure to check—at least most of the time. There was no reason it should still carry Wonwoo’s scent, especially since it had been hanging in their wardrobe.

But then again… Maybe there was a reason.

Now that he thought about it, there were definitely other days when he didn’t mind if a shirt of Wonwoo’s still carried his boyfriend’s scent before putting it on. In fact, sometimes, he actually preferred it.

There was something oddly comforting about it—having Wonwoo’s fragrance linger on him throughout the day, like a subtle reminder of his presence even when they were apart. If it was a rest day with no packed schedule, Mingyu would sometimes purposefully choose to wear one of Wonwoo’s pieces of clothing, just to carry a piece of him along. It wasn’t a big deal in his eyes.

And besides, Wonwoo did the same thing.

More than once, he had caught his boyfriend wearing one of his oversized sweatshirts, sleeves slightly too long for him, the fabric draping over his lean frame in a way that Mingyu found both amusing and ridiculously endearing. Wonwoo never admitted outright that he liked doing it, but Mingyu knew. He had seen the way Wonwoo absentmindedly tugged on the sleeves, the way he buried his face into the collar when he thought no one was looking. It wasn’t like they made a habit of not washing their clothes, but occasionally… they didn’t mind.

Mingyu sighed, shaking his head with a small chuckle as Seungkwan continued to give him that knowing look.

“I swear, the shirt was clean when I put it on,” he muttered, though his words did nothing to convince Seungkwan, who simply smirked at him.

“Sure, sure,” the younger man teased. “And I definitely believe that it just so happens to still smell like him. Totally a coincidence, right?”

Mingyu rolled his eyes, but deep down, he had to admit—maybe Seungkwan had a point. Maybe, without even thinking about it, he had grabbed the shirt knowing it had once belonged to Wonwoo. Maybe he liked the idea of carrying a small part of his boyfriend with him today, even if it was unintentional.

Or maybe… it wasn’t unintentional at all.

♡♡♡

THAT MORNING

Mingyu and Wonwoo woke up at almost the exact same time, their bodies stirring from sleep in unison, as if their internal clocks had synchronized over the years of living together. The warmth of the blankets and the lingering comfort of sleep made it tempting to stay in bed a little longer, but both of them had schedules to keep. The sunlight filtering through the curtains signaled the start of another busy day, and they knew they couldn’t afford to laze around.

Luckily, neither of them had to take a shower immediately, having already washed up the night before. That small advantage shaved a few precious minutes off their morning routine, allowing them to get ready without the added rush.

Still groggy, Mingyu let out a deep yawn, rubbing his eyes as he followed Wonwoo toward their shared closet. “What do you have to do so early?” he asked, his voice still slightly raspy from sleep.

“I have a photoshoot for a magazine,” Wonwoo replied as he casually flipped through the hangers, searching for something comfortable to wear. He didn’t need to think too much about his outfit—once he got to the set, the stylists would have him change into whatever they had prepared. So, for now, all he needed was something simple. “And you?”

Mingyu, who had begun scanning his own side of the closet, hummed in response. “First, I’m filming a show with Seungkwan. Shownu hyung and Jungwoo will be there too.,” he explained, picking out a few options for the day. “Then I’ll be heading the building to rehearse.”

As they searched for clothes, Mingyu’s eyes landed on a section of freshly laundered garments hanging on a rack, neatly arranged after coming back from the dry cleaners. His gaze moved over the items until something in particular caught his attention—a shirt.

More specifically, Wonwoo’s shirt.

It was the same one he had worn during a recent photoshoot, and something about seeing it again made Mingyu pause for a moment. He reached for it, still on its hanger, and with a playful grin, he held it up against his body, pretending to try it on.

“Hyung!” he called out, trying to get Wonwoo’s attention.

Wonwoo glanced up from his own search, and when he saw Mingyu posing with the shirt, a small smile appeared on his lips.

“It’ll look great on you, Min,” he said easily, already giving his silent approval. “Wear it today.”

Mingyu beamed at the suggestion. That was all the encouragement he needed. If Wonwoo thought it suited him, then it was settled—this would be part of his outfit for the day.

With their choices made, they both changed as quickly as they could, shedding their pajamas and slipping into their day’s attire. There was no time to waste; they had schedules to follow, places to be, things to do.

Once dressed, they moved to the bathroom, standing side by side at the sink as they brushed their teeth. This had become a habit over time—getting ready together whenever their schedules allowed. According to them, it was a way to save time and water, but actually, it had simply become an unspoken ritual.

As they brushed, the scent of their morning routine began to unfold. When they were done, each of them reached for their respective perfumes, spritzing on their signature scents. Mingyu used his usual Le Labo Santal 33, its deep, woody fragrance settling onto his skin, while Wonwoo applied Tom Ford’s Bitter Peach, the rich and slightly sweet aroma adding a contrast to the air between them.

Maybe that was when their scents started to mix.

Maybe, as they stood close in front of the mirror, the air between them filled with the layered notes of both perfumes. Maybe, as they moved in sync—adjusting their hair, fixing collars, making last-minute outfit checks—some of Wonwoo’s scent clung to Mingyu, and vice versa.

Maybe, without even noticing, Wonwoo had caught the faintest trace of Mingyu’s fragrance lingering in the space between them.

And perhaps, Mingyu had already gotten so used to it that he didn’t even notice.

After all, their home already smelled like this—a constant mix of peach and wood, blending together in different forms.

Sometimes, it was from the cleaning products the lady who helped them with house chores used. She always made sure their place smelled fresh and warm, and over time, the combination of scents had become something familiar, something comforting.

Other times, it was from the fabric softener used at the laundromat where they sent their clothes. A mix of fragrances clung to the fabric, lingering just long enough to become part of their daily environment.

And then there were the scented candles—Mingyu’s scented candles. The ones he had been so excited to buy, picking out different fragrances to make their home feel cozy, only to forget to light them most of the time. They sat on shelves and countertops, waiting to be used, their scents barely escaping their waxy confines.

Maybe, after living in this shared space for so long, the mixture of their fragrances had become something so natural, so ingrained in their everyday lives, that Mingyu had stopped noticing altogether.

But did Wonwoo notice?

Did Wonwoo ever pause and think about how their scents had blended, not just in the air but in the fabric of their lives? Did he ever recognize the way their home, their clothes, even the space between them, always carried a little bit of each other?

Maybe he did.

Or maybe, like Mingyu, he had simply grown so used to it that he never thought twice.

♡♡♡

A dedicated Seventeen fan uploaded a fancam of Wonwoo at the airport, a close-up video capturing every detail of his presence as he moved through the bustling terminal. The clip was steady, focused, and framed perfectly to highlight his features—the way his glasses rested on the bridge of his nose, the way his hoodie was pulled up just enough to partially hide his face, and the way he carried himself with quiet confidence.

But what caught people’s attention the most wasn’t just the way he looked.

It was the way he smelled.

The fan had been standing incredibly close to him, perhaps too close—close enough to notice something beyond just his visuals. In the video description, she didn’t just mention how effortlessly cool Wonwoo appeared or how graceful his movements were.

No, she detailed something far more intimate.

"It feels like a bitter peach scent layered over another perfume… a woody scent."

For a moment, her description made other fans pause.

How close had she been to pick up on something as subtle as his perfume?

And more importantly, why was it so noticeable?

The replies flooded in almost immediately.

"Wait, so what does Wonwoo smell like then?"

"Bitter Peach + Le Labo Santal 33."

Two distinct fragrances, two separate signature scents—but now, somehow, fused together into something unmistakably his.

Yet, those who knew better—those who paid attention to the details—realized that this wasn’t just about Wonwoo’s choice of perfume.

Because Bitter Peach belonged to him.

And Le Labo Santal 33?

That belonged to Mingyu.

It wasn’t a coincidence.

It wasn’t a random mix of scents that just happened to blend that day.

Perhaps, on this particular morning, it had been inevitable—an unavoidable consequence of the hours they spent together, of the shared spaces, of the subtle ways their lives intertwined even when they weren’t trying to make it obvious.

Or perhaps, on this day, it had been absolutely necessary for their scents to mix.

Necessary for it to linger.

Necessary for it to be so noticeable that even a passing fan could recognize it.

♡♡♡

THAT MORNING

Mingyu blinked at the bright screen of his phone, scrolling through his packed schedule with a quiet sigh.

“Our flight to Paris is today...” he muttered, rubbing his eyes as he processed the reality of the packed schedule ahead.

From the other side of the bed, Wonwoo, still stretching lazily beneath the sheets, reached for his own phone and began scanning the same calendar. His voice was calm, but there was a trace of tiredness in it.

“Oh, that’s right… Then we’ll come back, and right after that, we’re flying to Thailand, right?”

Mingyu hummed in response, still staring at the long list of engagements ahead.

“That’s a lot of days away from home.”

And that meant no privacy, no peaceful mornings like this one, no casual moments of affection that had become second nature between them whenever they were home. It wasn’t that they were opposed to public displays of affection—it was just necessary to keep things subtle.

Whenever they were away, they spent most of their time with the members, who sometimes teased them for how much time they spent together at home. Mingyu could already hear Seungkwan’s complaints in his head: "You live together and still act like you don't see each other enough!" It wasn’t untrue.

They genuinely loved being with their group, laughing over meals, playing games in hotel rooms, and making memories together. But still—there was something different about the quiet moments when it was just them.

And perhaps to others, it might seem like physical contact wasn’t all that important to them. But if that were really the case, they wouldn’t have chosen to live together in the first place.

But that was a different story.

For now, they needed to get ready for another stretch of time apart.

In their shared closet, they moved in sync, picking out their outfits for the flight. They had packed their suitcases the night before, ensuring they wouldn’t have to rush in the morning.

Wonwoo carefully placed his camera in his carry-on bag—he wanted to take plenty of photos during their trip. Mingyu, on the other hand, packed a smaller, more compact camera. It had become a habit between them: even if their schedules kept them apart, they could always exchange their photos later. It was their way of sharing their experiences, even when they were busy with separate activities.

They dressed in comfortable silence, both lost in thought. Their movements were unhurried, as if neither of them were in a rush to leave the familiar comfort of their home.

Outside, their loquat tree stood quietly, once again left to grow on its own in their absence.

Surprisingly, they finished getting ready earlier than expected, leaving them with an extra twenty minutes before their manager arrived to take them to the airport.

Wonwoo settled onto the large blue armchair in their cozy living room, pulling his hoodie over his head as he exhaled deeply. It was too quiet.

From the hallway, Mingyu stepped out of the bathroom, rubbing his damp hands against his jeans. His eyes immediately found Wonwoo, and before he could say anything, Wonwoo simply patted the empty space beside him on the sofa.

A silent invitation.

Mingyu didn’t hesitate.

He crossed the room in just a few strides and sank onto the sofa beside Wonwoo, their bodies naturally gravitating towards each other.

For a moment, they just looked at each other.

“It’s going to be a long time away from home,” Mingyu murmured, his voice quieter than before.

Wonwoo didn’t respond with words. Instead, he opened his arms.

It was all the reassurance Mingyu needed.

He shifted immediately, adjusting his position so that he could press himself fully against Wonwoo’s chest. He needed this. He leaned into the embrace, tucking his head beneath Wonwoo’s chin, his forehead resting just near Wonwoo’s lips.

Their bodies fit together seamlessly, not a single inch separating them.

Mingyu’s arms wound tightly around Wonwoo’s waist, while Wonwoo’s hand rested between Mingyu’s shoulder blades, fingers lightly tracing patterns against the fabric of his hoodie.

It was a warm hug. A silent promise.

A way to hold onto each other for as long as possible—because in a few hours, they would be surrounded by cameras, by managers, by stylists and fans and schedules and obligations. This was their moment.

Perhaps twenty minutes of holding each other in the stillness of their home didn’t seem like much.

But actually, it was everything.

Because by the time they stood up and grabbed their bags, by the time they climbed into the van that would take them to the airport, by the time they sat next to each other, fingers intertwined even as they stared out the window—

Mingyu already smelled like Wonwoo.

And Wonwoo already smelled like Mingyu.

It was inevitable. It was unmistakable.

Even after they let go of each other, the scent lingered, woven into the fabric of their clothes, imprinted on their skin.

So perhaps it wasn’t surprising at all that, later that day, when a fan stood close enough to Wonwoo at the airport, she caught onto something unusual.

Perhaps it had been absolutely necessary for their scents to mix.

Perhaps, even before they parted ways, they had already left pieces of each other behind.

♡♡♡

“It’s true, you two smell the same.”

Seungcheol’s voice carried a mix of amusement and curiosity as he casually pointed it out, setting down his cup of coffee with a soft clink against the ceramic saucer. His words weren’t meant to be anything more than an observation, but the moment they left his lips, both Wonwoo and Mingyu froze mid-bite.

They had met Seungcheol for breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant, expecting nothing more than a quiet meal before their schedules started. But now, with Cheol’s comment hanging in the air, they found themselves suddenly hyperaware of each other’s presence.

Smelling the same?

It had already been days since they last held each other close, days since they’d fallen asleep in the warmth of each other’s arms back at home. Their schedules had kept them busy, pushing them in different directions, and yet—

Why would their scents still linger?

Mingyu instinctively sniffed at the collar of his sweater, his nose barely catching anything unusual. Beside him, Wonwoo was subtly doing the same, tilting his head slightly as if that would somehow help him detect whatever scent Seungcheol had picked up on so effortlessly.

They couldn’t tell at all.

Maybe the others had developed an unusually strong sense of smell. Maybe they were just teasing them.

Or maybe—just maybe—they had become too accustomed to each other to notice.

Jeonghan appeared at their table not long after, sliding into the empty seat next to Seungcheol with a lazy smile. He had caught the tail end of the conversation, but that was enough for him to understand what was going on.

“You’ve spent so much time together that your scents must have mixed.”

He said it with such certainty, his words carrying the same teasing tone as always, but there was an undeniable truth in them.

The two of them exchanged glances. Had that really happened?

Mingyu’s cologne, Wonwoo’s cologne—had they blended so seamlessly over time that it had become a shared scent rather than an individual one?

Seungcheol took a sip of his coffee, eyeing the way they both looked mildly confused, as if they were only now realizing how natural it was.

“It’s okay,” he assured them, his tone lighter now, the corner of his lips twitching into a knowing smirk. “You’ve probably both gotten so used to it that you can’t tell anymore.”

Maybe that was it.

Maybe it was the way they spent so much time together, how they naturally gravitated toward each other no matter where they were.

Or maybe it was the way they shared clothes, Mingyu pulling on one of Wonwoo’s hoodies without a second thought, Wonwoo tugging on one of Mingyu’s oversized sweatshirts just because it felt comforting.

Or maybe—

It was the love they shared.

Unspoken, yet always present.

Lingering.

A scent that didn’t fade, no matter how many days passed.