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After a very long fan meeting, Ateez had all returned to the largest dorm together. It had become a custom, almost a ritual, because no one wanted to let Yunho have Yeosang all to himself.
On the road, Yeosang was oblivious to the challenging looks the others were giving each other over who would have him the longest tonight. Every night was the same as the night before : the seven boys vying for the eighth’s favor, bickering over who would get to cuddle him before bed.
……….
Arriving at the dorm, Yeosang wanted to go wash up, but Ateez wasn’t determined to let him do it alone. It wasn’t perverted (even though none of the boys would say no to touching Yeosang in his bath and fucking him in the hot water), but it was out of a sincere desire to make the moment more enjoyable for him, easier. No one wanted the boy to lift even a finger to do the slightest thing on his own ; they simply wanted to pamper him.
It had started in the hallway with Wooyoung offering to soap him up. He followed Yeosang closely, wrapping his arms around his waist and looking at him with puppy eyes for the right to do so. The younger was dying to run his hands over Yeosang’s body to clean him, while gently massaging him to relax him. Yeosang, his cheeks flushed, had refused the offer in a small, shy voice, but Wooyoung kept trying. The idea seemed to please San, who argued with him about doing it.
« Sangie, who do you want, hm ? Wooyoungie or me ? »
« Yeosangie will be awkwardless around me, he’s known me much longer ! »
« All the more reason to let me do it, you’ve had him to yourself more time than everyone else ! »
Yeosang found himself between two excited cats, both running their hands over his body in an attempt to bring him closer. He didn’t dare say anything, just hoping they would both calm down before he exploded in the middle of the hallway. And judging by the tension in his body and his trembling, Yeosang wasn’t going to resist the feeling of four warm hands caressing his entire body for long.
« Enough ! »
After crossing the hallway, which had taken place between San’s and Wooyoung’s bodies, the two boys had the door slammed in their faces by a breathless and embarrassed Yeosang.
Once the door closed, Yeosang turned around to see that his long-awaited bath was already ready. It was even perfect : the water at the right height, the right temperature, and the right scent, which made him very happy (Mingi had therefore told himself he was one step ahead of the others tonight). To thank him, Yeosang gave him a big smile in which all his joy shone through. Mingi swore his heart stopped for a few seconds before starting up again, faster and stronger.
« Thank you, Mingi, that’s lovely. »
Responding with a sincere smile, Mingi moved closer to the older man and, reaching his eye level, leaned in, patting his own cheek.
« Can I have a kiss, since I did such a good job ? »
The question made Yeosang laugh, and Mingi’s heart raced even faster. Then, tenderly, the singer leaned toward the rapper, who was expecting a kiss on the cheek. He was very surprised to receive one on the lips.
« You did a good job, thanks again, Mingi. »
With his head in the clouds and his heart in a tizzy, the younger boy decided to give his hyung some privacy. He wanted to remain a good boy in his eyes for tonight (in the hopes that it would help him be the one who could cuddle him in front of the TV).
No sooner had Mingi left than Yunho arrived in the bathroom. He had a very specific plan in mind : to help Yeosang undress, which made him blush and fidget against Yunho’s body. The big puppy had a hard time not jumping on him to adore him with kisses and caresses, his precious little friend was so adorable when he was embarrassed.
« Yunho… I can do it myself… »
« I know, but why do it yourself when I can do it for you ? »
« Well… »
« Tut tut tut, let me take care of you, Yeosang. »
Yunho still took the opportunity to kiss Yeosang’s skin in several places, even nibbling a few times to leave tiny red marks that would be gone the next day. Hongjoong would kick his ass for giving the makeup artist hickeys to cover up.
« Yunho… »
« Hmm ? What’s going on ? »
« Stop bothering me. »
Yeosang sighed and meowed, fidgeting in Yunho’s arms as he tried to escape (not putting much motivation into it either, which made Yunho laugh). But once completely naked, Yeosang still managed to kick Yunho out, even though the taller obviously tried to negotiate a little more time to admire and touch Yeosang’s unclothed body.
When he was truly alone in the bathroom, he thought he could finally relax, but that was without counting on Hongjoong, who would occasionally stick his head around the door to ask if he needed anything (and occasionally enjoy the view). The answer, however, never changed :
« Yes, everything is perfect, hyung, don’t worry. »
And Hongjoong always replied the same thing :
« You deserve only the best, Yeosang, that’s why I’m worried, I just want to give it to you. »
Hongjoong was always a little apart in his fight for Yeosang. He wasn’t physically clingy, touching and kissing the younger one as if his life depended on it ; he didn’t impose anything on him. The captain gravitated around him ; he was never far away, asking every possible question to ensure Yeosang’s well-being. And it was nice to feel so precious thanks to Hongjoong’s words ; it was warm with tenderness and it made his heart swell with happiness, but Yeosang had to admit that he would simply like to be alone with himself. At least for a few minutes ; he simply needed to be alone for a little while.
So, luckily for him, Wooyoung and San called a truce in their argument to guard the bathroom door and protect Yeosang’s privacy from a nosy Hongjoong. They both positioned themselves on opposite sides of the door, arms crossed over their chests and closed faces, sending anyone who tried to disturb their precious Yeosang’s peace back to the living room.
……….
Almost an hour later, and dressed only in underwear and an oversized white t-shirt, his hair still damp and his skin flushed from the hot bathwater, Yeosang planned to return to the living room. On his way, a pleasant smell guided him to the kitchen, ignoring the hubbub in the living room when Wooyoung and San returned to boast about protecting Yeosang from the pervert who lusted after him.
The boy saw Seonghwa drying his hands, obviously having just washed them, and he called out to him in a perfectly adorable little voice while approaching timidly, not wanting to frighten or disturb him.
« Hyung, have you been cooking ? »
« Um huh. »
Seonghwa hummed in response before moving closer to Yeosang and wrapping his arms around the young man’s waist. Shyly, Yeosang placed his hands on Seonghwa’s chest, his cheeks turning red at the infinite tenderness in the elder’s eyes.
« I know you like snack after a bath, so I made you a little one. Does that make you happy, hm ? »
Yeosang smiled, genuinely happy, and nodded. After thanking him with a kiss on the cheek, he sat down to eat with him (the older one had to fight the urge to feed him himself, the younger one was so cute, but he didn’t want to push his luck too far tonight).
When Yeosang was done eating, he stood up with his trademark delicacy and began gathering the dishes to clean them up. Seonghwa stopped him right away, placing a hand on his wrist and simultaneously placing a kiss against his temple.
« I’ll do it, don’t worry. I think they’re getting impatient, go back to the living room. »
« Are you sure, hyung ? You already cooked, isn’t it nice to leave you to clean up too. »
« I like it when you have nothing to do, so let me pamper you, hm ? »
Biting his lower lip, Yeosang struggled to decide. But he finally gave in to his boyfriend’s adorable pout. He then gathered his courage and placed a light kiss on his lips.
« Thank you, hyung. »
Before the hyung in question had time to respond, too surprised by this gesture that his boyfriend rarely initiated because of his timidity, Yeosang was already in the living room. Upon his arrival, the hubbub ended only a few seconds before leaving again. And it was a question of who could have the cute man on their lap tonight.
Wooyoung and San decided their truce was over and started arguing right back, both wanting Yeosang to cuddle and kiss.
« He was already with you yesterday, San ! You can’t monopolize him like that ! »
« Sorry ? Yesterday was another day, I’m allowed to try my luck today too ! »
Hongjoong let out a loud, annoyed ‘tsk’ before joining the debate.
« I have priority tonight, leader’s privilege. Stop chattering in my ears and leave me with Yeosangie. »
« I’m pretty sure it doesn’t work like that, hyung. Otherwise, you’d be pulling this card on us every night. »
The voice that had just been heard was Mingi. He paused briefly before continuing,
« After a bath, Yeosangie likes to snuggle up. He needs someone big, strong, and cool for that. So I’m the one he’s cuddling with tonight. »
The three little ones glared at the rapper, feeling both insulted in their dignity and annoyed at this hellish struggle for their innocent boyfriend who was watching without saying anything, with his adorable puppy eyes. Wooyoung, who always had a sarcastic dig up his sleeve, giggled as he retorted,
« We’re going to show a horror movie and you’ll automatically be removed from the competition, then. »
Mingi looked deeply offended, sitting up straight as a post and puffing out his chest to appear braver than he actually was.
« For Yeosangie, I’d brave any horror movie. »
« Don’t force yourself, Yeosang can perfectly stay with me tonight, you can try your luck tomorrow. »
Yunho finally entered the competition, careful not to tell the others that he had the privilege of undressing the youngest earlier in the evening. It would have caused a huge scandal, and Yunho doubted he’d get away with it if those hyenas teamed up to separate him from Yeosang. San and his pouty face called him to order anyway.
« You live with Yeosangie, so you should be out of competition. When we have to go back to our respective dorms, you can stay with him and do whatever you want to him. »
And the bickering continued like that, they no longer even paid attention to the person concerned who had slipped onto the couch, next to a young man who had been very silent from the start.
« How are you feeling ? »
Jongho had welcomed Yeosang into his arms, accompanying this gesture with a tenderly asked question. The older of the two snuggled up to his reassuring warmth, resting his head against his shoulder and a hand on his chest to trace small circles. He smiled, amused by this scene that had been happening almost every night since he had been on KQ.
« I’m fine, tired, but it feels good to be home. »
Jongho gently nuzzled Yeosang’s hair to sniff the vanilla scent, before placing a kiss on his temple. His arm wrapped around Yeosang’s shoulders to keep him close, taking the opportunity to slip his thumb under the loose sleeve and caress his boyfriend’s white skin. Each of his gestures was filled with gentleness and love, helping Yeosang’s body relax and his mind soothe.
« As long as we’re here with you, you’ll always be at home, here or elsewhere. »
Yeosang didn’t answer, his cheeks turning red from his shyness. But the sigh of ease and contentment he let out was enough for Jongho to understand that he was happy.
« Jongho ! Why is Yeosang with you ? Are you sneaking around now ? »
The maknae smiled with a pride he didn’t even hide, responding to Yunho who had his arms crossed over his chest and a vexed pout.
« You just don’t know how to fight to win, that’s all. »
Wooyoung and Hongjoong were about to answer at the same time before the oldest of the group walked into the living room with glasses of drinks and some random snacks. When he spoke, all attention was on him.
« That’s enough now, it’s late. Yeosangie isn’t going to disappear tomorrow, so leave him with Jongho for tonight. He needs some quiet time, and we’re all tired, so let’s put on a movie and go to bed afterward. »
Everyone agreed with varying degrees of difficulty, but Seonghwa’s smile seemed as sharp as a knife, so they all quickly understood that no further debate was possible. Today they may have lost a battle, but tomorrow they all intended to win the war.