Work Text:
Jungwon has always been careful. Too careful.
As the leader of a rising global group, he knew his words mattered. One wrong move and the headlines would eat him alive. So, every time an interviewer asked, “Are you in a relationship?”—he would smile and laugh, the same way he always did.
“No, I’m single. Too busy for love.”
And every time he said those words, a small part of Sunoo broke.
They never really talked about it. Sunoo knew what he signed up for when they fell in love. He knew Jungwon had a dream he couldn’t risk. He respected that. Loved him enough to keep quiet. Loved him enough to smile even when his heart ached.
But lately… the ache wouldn’t go away.
It was late at night when Sunoo sat curled on the couch, hugging his knees. Jungwon had just come back from a schedule. His voice was hoarse, his shoulders heavy with exhaustion, but his eyes instantly found Sunoo.
“Baby, you’re still awake?”
Sunoo didn’t answer. Just stared blankly at the black TV screen.
Jungwon’s heart dropped. He knew that look.
He sat beside him, gently placing a hand over Sunoo’s. “Talk to me…”
Sunoo bit his lip. “Do you ever get tired of hiding me?”
Jungwon stiffened.
“…Because I do,” Sunoo continued, voice shaking. “I get tired of pretending we’re nothing. I get tired of hearing you say you’re single like I don’t even exist.”
Jungwon’s throat tightened. “Sunoo…”
“I know I agreed to this. I know why we can’t be public. But it doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.”
Tears brimmed in Sunoo’s eyes. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m really someone you love or just someone convenient to love behind closed doors.”
“No,” Jungwon said quickly, grabbing his hands. “No, Sunoo. Don’t say that.”
Sunoo pulled away. “I’ve given you so much of me, Jungwon. And I feel like I’m always waiting… waiting for you to choose me in the light too.”
Jungwon’s heart was pounding so hard it hurt. “I do love you. You’re everything to me. You don’t know how scared I am every day—scared that if I lose you, I’ll never find someone like you again.”
Sunoo looked at him, eyes filled with pain. “Then why does it feel like I’m the only one sacrificing?”
Silence.
Jungwon was speechless. Tears formed in his eyes too.
“Because you’re braver than me,” he whispered. “And I hate myself for it.”
Sunoo stood up, brushing his tears away. “I need space.”
Those words stabbed Jungwon like knives.
“Please don’t leave me,” he whispered, standing too. “I’ll do better, I swear. I’ll figure something out—just please, don’t give up on us.”
Sunoo looked at him for a long time.
“I’m not leaving… yet. But I’m tired, Jungwon. I need you to start fighting for me the way I’ve always fought for you.”
Days passed.
Jungwon was a mess. He couldn’t eat properly, couldn’t focus during practices. Everyone noticed, but no one knew why. Only Heeseung caught the way Jungwon would stare at his phone like he was waiting for it to ring.
Meanwhile, Sunoo stayed silent. Distant. Guarded.
Until one day, Jungwon posted something unexpected on their private couple account—something he rarely did.
A photo of Sunoo, sleeping peacefully on his lap, a caption written in trembling fingers:
“If I could scream your name to the world and still keep you safe, I would do it a thousand times. I’m sorry I’ve made you feel like a secret instead of a treasure.”
Sunoo read it that night.
And cried.
That weekend, Jungwon showed up outside Sunoo’s apartment.
No schedule. No mask. Just him.
“I don’t care anymore,” he said breathlessly. “I don’t care about the backlash. I don’t care what people say. I’ll face everything as long as you’re by my side. Just… don’t let go of me.”
Sunoo opened the door, eyes red from crying again.
“You’re late,” he said softly.
Jungwon’s heart dropped again.
But then Sunoo smiled faintly.
“…But not too late.”
And finally, Jungwon pulled him into the tightest, most desperate hug he’s ever given anyone.