Work Text:
The clock hits 10pm, yet Noah has no plans on taking a break from work. Eunho tried offering him a musubi but he just waved it off with a ‘Thanks, but I’m not really hungry’.
Worried, Hamin did the same — and just received a small smile in return, getting ignored right away.
With a long sigh, Bamby contacted the person who knows Noah the best.
“Are you aware that he’s not giving a damn about eating since the morning?” He asked on the phone, voice laced with worry and annoyance because apparently, he couldn’t do anything to make his hyung eat.
Yejun sighed on the phone, understanding Bamby’s frustration. “He’s not listening to any of you, isn’t he?” He bit his lip, getting worried as well.
Bamby shook his head despite not being seen. “He doesn’t! That’s why I’m telling you because you can do it, right, hyung?”
Yejun responds with silence. Not even a breath, not even a hum, silence. And Bamby might have a clue about what’s up.
“Oh, don’t tell me you guys are in some Lover’s Quarrel or something? Are you?”
He let out a nervous laugh. “No, it's not like that. We’re just…busy. Just too busy to talk.”
“And yet you’re talking to me right now.”
His mouth opened to defend himself, but suddenly the words were stuck somewhere deep under his tongue.
“Well, I guess we couldn’t help it. We’ll just make sure that he eats tomorrow, hyung. Sorry for disturbing you…” Bamby tells him.
“No no no, don’t be sorry. Thank you for telling me, Bonggu-yah. Leave it to me. Goodnight.”
When the call ended, he leaned on his bedroom’s drawer with his arms supporting him with a long sigh. All of them should be at home or going home now, but sometimes, times like these are inevitable.
He then picked his phone up and clicked on Noah’s number, staring. contemplating. It’s been a while since they’ve talked about things other than work. Maybe two weeks? Yejun’s not sure. They didn't fight or anything, but somehow, the air shifted between them and he’s unsure if his cold hands will be safe touching the candlelight.
Damn, it’s really frustrating. He thought, and thought, until he ended up clicking bubble and ask their fans to maybe try to persuade Noah to eat.
Like a coward.
But he chose to do it rather than do nothing at all.
‘Please tell him to eat.’
‘And don’t tell him I said so.’
‘If he asks, just say it was Eunho who told you guys.’
In a matter of seconds, notifications immediately flooded. Some saying ‘okay’, some teasing him.
It made him smile a bit, realizing how special they were treated by their fans. So if they ask Noah to eat, he probably will, right?
A few minutes passed, and new sets of notifications popped up again saying that Noah said something to the fans as well.
And mentioned Yejun, too.
His heart skipped a beat, he opened his secret social media account to see what Noah had said. (Yes, secret. For update purposes like these.) And there, his lips automatically stretched into a smile, a shy one.
‘Oh, Yejun’s worried about me?’
‘He should have ordered me some food then, hehe’
Yejun chuckled, face a little too red. Noah’s message felt like an invitation, a sign to finally go for it.
And his fans thought the same thing.
He knew where to go. Without another thought, he changed his clothes as fast as he could, picked up his keys and wallet, turned off the lights and left.
It was cold, but he felt warm inside in anticipation. Like a high-schooler. Like a first time experiencing being a lover.
Well…except for the fact that they’re not actually lovers. yet.
He got out of his car with a take out meal in his hand. The studio was in front of him, all the lights were on, and a silhouette of a beautiful man peeked out of the window then disappeared.
He breathed out, and smiled before finally going up until he saw the face of the man that everyone’s worried about. The most stubborn man he knows.
“So, you couldn’t help but actually bring me something to eat, huh? Aren’t you being too obvious?” The same man smiles teasingly, but soon his eyes disappear in a soft smile that could make Yejun forget everything.
Yejun walked closer, placed the plastic bags on the studio table, and looked at his watch, then at Noah.
“It’s 11pm.” He says, clicking his tongue. He was about to scold him, but Noah just laughed until he did too.
The blonde opened the plastic bags. Inside there was tasty meat without fats, and rice, just like how he likes it. “A meal for two?” Noah looks at him.
He nodded, “I’ll join you so you wouldn’t feel lonely.” He replied, voice soft. Noah almost melts because of it.
“See that? You’re too obvious, Jun-ah.” He jokes, then finally takes a bite, humming because it was delicious. He didn’t realize that he was actually starving until now.
“Hey, careful. Don’t swallow too fast.” He opened one water bottle and placed it in front of Noah who gave him a thankful smile.
They ate in silence, since Noah was actually busy eating. And since Yejun was busy watching him.
He waited for another few seconds before speaking. “We’re okay, right?” He asked, careful.
Noah was caught off guard, but didn’t take too long to get what he was trying to say.
He swallowed the last bite of his food, drank water, while Yejun waited. And then, he looks him in the eye. “Yes, of course we are. We are fine.”
The latter finally released the breath he didn't know he was holding. “I’m glad. Because I’d like to eat dinner with you more often starting tonight.”
Noah lifted a brow, “Hm, sounds like a date to me.”
Yejun smirked then shrugged. “Maybe it is.”
“Oh, let me correct that, dates.” Noah said and giggled. He looks so endearing as he does so, Yejun thought. He couldn't help but smile in admiration.
Noah has no idea how beautiful he is, and that's why Yejun's more determined to take care of him.
They talked a bit more, then later he successfully persuaded Noah to finally go home and rest. The next morning, he saw his fans’ greetings and silly questions that he couldn't answer. Like: “So did you feed Noah?” Of course he did, but it’s too precious for him and he wants to gatekeep the moment.
He shared it to their gc of five though, a picture of a before and after of the food they ate, and a selfie of him and Noah—earning different reactions from the members.
Noah: Thanks for worrying about me and for bringing food, Jun-ah~
Bamby: ??!!!!?!?
Bamby: We all were literally worried for you too??!
Hamin: I see favoritism
Eunho: No, I see a slowburn fluff romance and denials and angsty confessions in two months
Hamin: hehe i like your silly brain hyung
Bamby: i hate romance
Yejun chuckled at their messages, then with a sigh, he rested his head on Noah’s shoulder who was reading the group chat messages as well.
“What was Eunho saying?” Noah asked, amused but also confused.
Yejun just hummed, “we’ll see someday, Noah-ya.” he smiled.
He can't answer that now as well, but maybe, the future will.