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Youngjae hadn’t been practicing too long. He wasn’t being reckless or pushing himself past the limit. He just took a wrong step, a tiny miscalculation mid-run that made his foot land weird against the edge of the mirror. A sharp knock. Nothing dramatic.
But the pain was immediate. Not blinding, just enough to make him pause, to sit down slowly against the wall and carefully tug off his shoe. His sock brushed the side of his toe and he hissed, breath catching in his throat.
It was already turning red, a little swollen.
He blinked at it for a moment. And then, without even thinking, he reached for his phone.
Of course he did.
It had always been like that with Jihoon.
When his throat started feeling off during their last promotions, Youngjae had mentioned it casually “I think my throat’s a little off today.” he said one morning as they were getting ready. Nothing dramatic. But Jihoon made it one by showing up minutes later with honey tea and propolis, frowning like it was the worst thing in the world. He kept checking in all day, even leaned over during a radio show break to ask “Hyung, still hurts?” like he hadn’t already asked five times.
And during the recent concert, with all the chaos of costume changes and quick exits, Youngjae had gotten little scratches here and there, you know, nothing serious, just small cuts from sharp corners or tape edges. Still, he always tapped Jihoon’s shoulder to show him. Sometimes he didn’t even say anything, just pointed at the spot and watched Jihoon’s face crease with that same worry. He just looked, nodded, sometimes dug into his pocket for a band-aid he started carrying around just in case.
That was the thing about Jihoon. He noticed. He cared. And more than anything, he never made Youngjae feel like he was asking for too much.
So when Youngjae hurt his foot, even before he knew how bad it was, his first thought was Jihoon.
He opened his call log with familiar fingers, scrolled just once, and tapped the name without hesitation.
It rang only once.
“Jihoon-ah… Where are you?” His voice was steady, but soft like he didn’t want to sound dramatic, just needed him there.
“Can you come to the practice room?”
_____
Jihoon arrived within minutes, hair messy like he’d been running his hands through it, breath just a little uneven. His jacket was halfway on, hanging off one shoulder, and his eyes were already wide with concern as he swung open the practice room door.
“Hyung?” he called out, scanning the room with wide, searching eyes.
Youngjae looked up from where he was sitting on the floor, leaning back against the mirror with one leg stretched out. His shoe was off, sock halfway peeled, and his foot was starting to swell. He didn’t look panicked, just tired. And a little amused.
Jihoon rushed over, crouching down without even blinking. “What happened?” His eyes darted straight to the foot. “Wait… what is that? What did you do?”
Youngjae tilted his head. “I think I hurt my foot.”
“YOU THINK?” Jihoon stared at him, then the foot, then back at him. “It’s red, hyung! It’s literally swelling. Aah what if it’s serious?? What if something’s like like fractured or bent weird or hyung!”
Youngjae laughed under his breath. “Calm down. It was just a weird step. I hit the edge of the mirror, it’s not that deep.”
“But you didn’t call anyone right away?” Jihoon’s voice pitched up a bit, like he was genuinely upset now. “Hyunggg what if it got worse?”
Youngjae rolled his eyes, but his smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “I called you, didn’t I?”
“That doesn’t count!” Jihoon practically threw his hands in the air. “Hyung, you’re supposed to tell someone who can help you like our manager.”
“You’re very helpful, actually.” Youngjae said with a small laugh.
Jihoon didn’t even respond to that, just shifted closer and hovered his hands awkwardly, like he wanted to touch the injury but didn’t know if he should. “Does it hurt a lot? Like when you press on it? Or when you move it? Or… wait, don’t move it… just…”
Youngjae gently nudged his arm. “Jihoon-ah.”
Jihoon met his eyes, visibly distressed.
Youngjae sighed, voice softening. “I’ll have it checked tonight. Can you just call our manager for me please?”
Jihoon nodded a little too quickly. “Yeah yeah of course, I’ll call him.”
“And I’m coming with you.” he added before Youngjae could say anything else.
“You don’t have toー”
“Hyung I’m coming with you…” Jihoon repeated firmly, standing up. “Don’t argue.”
There was no point, so Youngjae didn’t. He just looked at Jihoon. Messy hair, messy jacket, brows pinched tight, and let himself smile a little, despite the throbbing in his foot.
Of course Jihoon came running.
He always did.
______
The hospital visit was uneventful. No fractures, no serious damage. Just a mild sprain, a bit of swelling, a wrap, and a warning to take it easy for a few days.
They were sitting side by side in the waiting area afterward, waiting for the paperwork. The room was quiet except for the occasional announcements over the intercom and the soft hum of the vending machine nearby.
Jihoon hadn’t said much since they left the exam room. He was hunched slightly forward in his seat, elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped together. And every few seconds, his gaze flicked back down to Youngjae’s foot, now neatly bandaged, propped a little to the side.
Youngjae glanced over, brow lifting. “You’re being quiet now.”
Jihoon didn’t look away. “You really scared me…” he said softly, voice lower than usual.
Youngjae blinked. “It’s just a little sprain.”
Jihoon finally turned to him, a soft little grin pulling at his lips. “Yeah, but still…” he said, like that made all the difference. “What if that’s your lucky foot or something? The one that always lands on beat. I’m just saying, hyung we can’t risk that.” Jihoon joked a little.
Youngjae let out a breath that was part laugh, part disbelief. “Aah seriously…”
Jihoon just leaned in a little, eyes still fixed on the bandage. His hand moved without much thought. Fingers brushing gently over the wrapped area, light and tender, like he was afraid to even touch too hard. His thumb traced the edge of the bandage, slow and deliberate.
Youngjae didn’t move, just watched.
Jihoon’s other hand came up and hovered for a second, and then with a soft puff of air that felt almost like a kiss, he pressed his palm lightly over the bandage. Then pulled it back and did it again, smaller this time, like his hand was doing the kissing for him.
“Yaa~ What are you doing?” Youngjae asked, half-amused, half-embarrassed, eyes wide with disbelief.
“Giving it hand kisses…” he said casually, flashing a small grin. “Could help it heal faster. You never know.”
Youngjae huffed a quiet laugh and leaned his head back against the wall, cheeks warming. “Stop being weird.”
“I’m serious though?” Jihoon said, quieter now, thumb brushing again over the top of the wrap. “Hyung please be careful next time, okay?”
There was something about the way he said it. Not nagging, not playful, just… honest. Like he meant every word.
Youngjae glanced down at Jihoon again and saw it, the way Jihoon’s brows were still pulled slightly inward, how his eyes kept flitting over the wrap like he wanted to make sure it hadn’t gotten tighter, or looser, or changed at all.
It wasn’t just worry.
It was care. Deep, unspoken, unwavering care.
And for a moment, Youngjae didn’t say anything. Just watched Jihoon fuss over him, fingers gentle, voice low, mouth pressed into a soft line of concern.
“Jihoon-ah, you're really...” he murmured, quieter, a little warmer.
Jihoon looked up at him, and the smile that followed was small, but so incredibly full.
_____
Back at the hotel, the van ride had been quiet. Jihoon had spent most of it sneaking glances at Youngjae’s foot, even though it was wrapped just like the doctor ordered. The manager had reminded him gently to rest, then left them with a soft “take care” as they stepped into the lobby.
Youngjae walked fine, just a small limp, but Jihoon still hovered.
He didn’t say much. Just stayed close you know, steps perfectly matched, always half a pace behind like he was ready to catch him if he stumbled. Youngjae had told him twice already, “You don’t have to baby me…” and Jihoon had replied both times with a quiet. “I’m not?” even though he very obviously was.
When they stepped into the hallway, walking side by side under the soft hotel lighting, Youngjae was just starting to limp a little more. Jihoon slowed with him, always hovering close and then, out of nowhere, he paused in the middle of the corridor and turned around, crouching slightly with a grin.
“Hyung… piggyback?”
Youngjae blinked. “Han Jihoon. Are you for real?”
Jihoon nodded, still grinning. “Yep. Totally serious.”
“We’re in a hallway…” Youngjae hissed. “There might be people. Staff might walk by.”
Jihoon just shrugged. “My offer expires in five seconds. Five. Fourー”
“I told you not to baby me.” Youngjae muttered. But before Jihoon could hit “three” he stepped forward and wrapped his arms loosely around Jihoon’s shoulders.
Jihoon’s hands found his thighs instantly, lifting him up like it was something they’d done a hundred times before. Youngjae’s legs hooked naturally around his waist, and he could feel the laugh in Jihoon’s chest before he heard it.
“You’re lighter than I expected.” Jihoon teased.
“Just walk.” Youngjae murmured, burying his nose in Jihoon’s shoulder just enough to hide the smile pulling at his lips.
They moved slowly down the hallway, Jihoon carrying him with that quiet kind of steadiness that didn’t try to be anything other than what it was, a soft gesture. He stopped just outside Youngjae’s door and gently let him down, careful not to bump the injured foot.
Youngjae stood still for a moment once he landed, looking at him.
“Thanks Jihoon-ah” he said, softer now. The kind of thanks that carried more than just the words. “Really.”
Jihoon looked up, his expression easing. Not grinning, not teasing, just… open. “Hyung... you always got me, you know?”
Youngjae’s breath caught, just a little. Maybe it was the way Jihoon said it. Steady. Low. Like he meant it more than he knew how to explain.
And so, before he could think too hard, Youngjae leaned in.
Jihoon met him halfway.
The kiss was slow. Gentle. Nothing rushed or dramatic. Just steady and real.
Jihoon’s hands didn’t move, just hung quietly at his sides, but the way he leaned in, the way his lips met Youngjae’s, there was a soft, almost shaky kind of relief in it.
Youngjae kissed him back just as carefully, letting it linger. He didn’t pull too close or too far, just enough. Just right. And in that quiet moment, he tried to pour every unsaid word into the space between them… the thanks, the trust, the quiet I’m glad it’s you. I'm glad you're here.
When they pulled apart, Jihoon’s eyes stayed half-lidded for a beat longer, like the worry in his chest had finally lifted little by little.
And Youngjae? He looked at him the same way he always had. Like Jihoon had never once let him down.
For a second, neither of them moved.
Then Jihoon let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. His eyes were still hazy, lips curved in a smile he couldn’t quite hide.
Youngjae looked a little shy too but like in that quiet, content kind of way.
Jihoon chuckled, just a little. “Hyung, does that lessen the pain?”
Youngjae huffed a laugh, pretending to think about it. “Hmm… a little?”
Jihoon grinned wider. “Should we do it again?”
“Han Jihoon.” Youngjae groaned, turning away before Jihoon could see how red his ears had gone. “Just go back to your room. It's late already.”
Jihoon let out a soft laugh but his grin was wide, stretching all the way to his eyes. He stepped back slowly, dragging his feet like he didn’t really want to leave, but still doing it anyway.
“Thanks again, Jihoon-ah.” Youngjae said, quieter now but still smiling. “Really.”
Jihoon tilted his head, gaze warm. “Of course, hyung. Always. You know that.”
Then, as he backed down the hallway, he raised his hands and started making weird tutting gestures then some hearts to make Youngjae feel lighter, all while mouthing dramatically, “Feel better soon!” like a dork.
Youngjae rolled his eyes, but the laugh that escaped him was soft and real. “Goodnight, Jihoon-ah.”
Jihoon beamed. “Night night, hyunggg.”
And just like that, he turned the corner, still grinning, throwing a final finger heart over his shoulder.
Youngjae stood there for a moment longer, the smile lingering on his lips, heart still light. Then he finally turned the keycard and slipped inside, hand drifting over his chest.
Somewhere in the back of his mind, he remembered he was supposed to be limping but right then, it didn’t seem to matter. The only thing he could feel was a quiet kind of happiness, still blooming gently in his chest.
_____
The next day passed in a blur of stage lights and adrenaline.
Youngjae couldn’t dance, not with his foot still wrapped and tender, but he sat toward the side of the stage during their performance. Mic in hand, doing hand choreo with more focus and precision than ever. He smiled, sang like nothing was wrong, and gave his all from the waist up.
And Jihoon? Jihoon checked on him even while performing. Eyes flicking over between verses, drifting closer during some parts, brushing Youngjae’s shoulder as he passed like it was nothing. But Youngjae knew. He always knew.
It had been a long day, and when they got back to the hotel that night, they returned to their respective rooms to rest. For a while, it was quiet until Youngjae opened Weverse.
He posted a short message to reassure fans:
💬 42!! Thank you so much for worrying about me today!!
It’s not a big injury, so I hope you won’t worry too much 🥲
I’ll recover quickly and return as the flying-around Youngjae 🐹
Until then, I won’t overdo it and focus on recovery!
42, don’t get hurt either!! ❤️❤️
The same minute, a member’s comment showed up:
🪼: baby let me give you a piggyback
Youngjae stared at it for a second, then let out a breathy laugh and replied right away:
🐶: ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ such a funny guy 😄😄
They both knew what it was about. Exactly what it was about, which only made it funnier. Youngjae didn’t bother trying to downplay it. The laugh had been real, and the smile that tugged at his lips lingered long after he locked his phone.
And somewhere in the other room, Jihoon was probably grinning too.