Archive of Our Own ^beta

<3 @iluv0825 · 3h

can i speak to the mic. ax and sw are literally dating.

💬 4.2k  ⥂ 11k  ❤ 27k

     ↳ Replies:

     shai @passthewonxinblunt · 3h

     PLEASE they’re so obvious 😭

     💬 1k  ⥂ 1.2k ❤ 3.5k

          ↳ Replies:

               J @softywonxin · 3h

               they’re not even TRYING to be subtle im crying

              💬 493 ⥂ 1.1k ❤ 2.3k

     cloud @cuddleline · 2h

     exhibit a: the matching earrings since pre-debut

     exhibit b: each other’s birthstone as pendant

     exhibit c: the peach incident

     exhibit d: and 99 others things they did that is not questionable

      i rest my case 

     💬 620 ⥂ 3.3k  ❤ 5k

     bea @0825truther · 2h

     i’ve been waiting for someone to say it out loud.

    💬 344  ⥂ 978 ❤ 1.2k

     inej @intowonxin · 1h

     like hello?? the stares?? the giggles?? the inside jokes??

    💬 180 ⥂ 1k ❤ 1.5k

     lovely @princessxin · 1h

     even my grandma said they’re the it gay couple and she doesn’t know what kpop is

    💬 210  ⥂ 1k ❤ 1.6k

          ↳ Replies:

               abie @aegiawon · 39m

               this is so funny what the fuck 😭😭😭

              💬 13  ⥂ 76  ❤ 334

     aaa @wonlovexin · 25m

     they’re married in my mind so idk what yall are on

    💬 1.1k ⥂ 5k ❤ 11k

Jiahao and Anxin had been through thick and thin. Thick, when they were trainees at the same company, then decided to join their first survival show together, surviving grueling schedules, facing endless evaluations, and almost making it. Thin, when they finally debuted on Alpha Drive One, living the dream they had worked so hard for.

And if there was anyone who could truly be proud of them, it would be themselves. No one else could understand what they’d walked together and the sacrifices they’d made to reach this point. Only they could truly know what it was worth.

Anxin was barely legal when he decided to leave his country to chase his dream. His parents entrusted him to Jiahao’s care, and Jiahao didn’t hesitate to take it on. It was okay with him. 

Even during Make Mate 1, Jiahao always looked out for him. He treated Anxin like a little brother, guiding him and cheering him on in every small victory. And when the day came that they didn’t make it, they leaned on each other for comfort, promising that no matter what, they would still debut together someday. Though he rarely showed it, his care for Anxin ran deeper than the boy could possibly know. 

During Boys Planet, Jiahao never had to worry about Anxin. Anxin was like a social butterfly. He effortlessly makes friends with everyone, thanks to his bright and infectious personality. Not to mention his face, one look from him and it was impossible not to be drawn in, charmed, or even a little distracted.

He was genuinely happy knowing that Anxin didn’t have to rely on him alone. It was even more comforting seeing him grow close to Sangwon from Planet K, the one Jiahao had noticed Anxin trusted the most.

For Jiahao, Anxin and Sangwon were a perfect balance. Anxin, with his endless energy and bright personality who naturally drew people in, but it was Sangwon who grounded him, the calm to Anxin’s spark.

Jiahao noticed how Sangwon seemed to understand Anxin without words, how he could make him laugh, calm him down, or nudge him in the right direction without ever being overbearing.

Watching them interact, Jiahao felt relief because he could see Anxin happy and supported by someone he trusted. They were close, but not in a way that threatened him—if anything, it reassured him that Anxin could thrive, that he could let go a little, and that the boy he had protected and guided had found someone to lean on who was just as dependable.

Even in other instances, Jiahao could see the depth of their trust and affection. It wasn’t flashy but knowing it was real, it made him feel at ease knowing Anxin had someone like Sangwon by his side.

A month had passed since the final announcement, and the group’s schedules were already a whirlwind. Training sessions, interviews, and practice for their debut kept them moving from one place to another and barely finding a moment to breathe.

Yet somehow, in the chaos, they had grown closer. The long hours together created small and quiet connections. Months of hard work and shared dreams had made them a team in every sense, and even in the busiest moments, they found comfort in each other’s presence.

After another month of a packed schedule, the members finally got some free time. Naturally, they all decided to spend it with their families.

Jiahao expected it would just be him, Anxin, and Xinlong flying back to China, like always. But someone, anyone, please explain to him why Lee Sangwon was casually boarding the same flight with them with his black suitcase in hand and acting like this was normal for him?

Jiahao didn’t even ask. The moment he saw Sangwon walking with them toward the boarding gate, he simply let it go. Sangwon was probably visiting some family in China too, he figured. He nodded to himself, satisfied, as if he had just solved a complicated math problem.

Right when the lights went low and the aircraft settled, Xinlong was already fighting for his life against his neck pillow. He twisted it left, then right, then upside down but none of it felt right. Jiahao watched him struggle for a solid thirty seconds before sighing.

“Just take it off,” he muttered.

“No,” Xinlong whispered stubbornly. “I paid for comfort. I will be comfortable.”

He was not.

Meanwhile, Anxin was seated beside Sangwon, trying to decide whether to watch a movie or sleep but sleep won over. He blinked slowly then leaned back and within minutes, his head naturally fell onto Sangwon’s shoulder. Sangwon even froze like he had been hit by a tranquilizer dart.

Then, carefully, almost reverently, he adjusted his position so Anxin could lean more comfortably, even pulling his jacket over him like a blanket.

Jiahao witnessed the entire thing. Xinlong then finally gave up on the neck pillow and tossed it onto his lap with the disappointment of a betrayed man.

“You okay?” Jiahao whispered.

“No,” Xinlong whispered back. “But look behind you.”

Jiahao turned his head slightly and saw Sangwon gently brushing the hair away from his forehead like he was handling something fragile. He immediately whipped back around and sank into his seat.

“Is that still a fan service?” he mouthed.

Xinlong tried to peek too, but the moment he leaned, turbulence hit and he bumped his head on the window.

The soft thud made Jiahao snort out loud, earning him a sharp glare from Xinlong. “Don’t laugh at me.”

“I’m not laughing,” Jiahao lied, still trembling with the suppressed laughter.

Eventually, exhaustion won. Xinlong drifted off, his head drooping forward at an uncomfortable angle. Jiahao took a quick photo. For blackmail purposes, of course.

The plane touched down. As the cabin lights brightened, the four boys slowly returned to consciousness, except Sangwon, who was already awake and carefully trying not to disturb the weight on his shoulder.

Anxin blinked himself awake, confused for half a second before realizing where he’d been leaning. He straightened so fast he almost hit Sangwon’s chin. Sangwon pretended nothing happened, quietly fastening his seatbelt as though that would erase the last hours.

Jiahao watched all of this with the tired and knowing look of someone who had witnessed far too much for his own peace.

Xinlong stretched his arms above his head. “Finally,” he muttered.

They moved together through immigration and the crowded arrivals hall. The moment they stepped into the main terminal, the group naturally slowed down because this was the point they would split.

Jiahao took a connecting domestic flight to get to his hometown. After a short flight, Jiahao finally landed, and for the first time in weeks, he felt the comfort of home. It was exhausting, yes, but it was worth it. 

He sent a quick message to the group chat, letting the others know he had arrived safely. 

A week had flown by and on the last day of their stay in China, Anxin’s parents invited Jiahao and Xinlong over one final time to their home. Jiahao accepted eagerly, Xinlong, however, had other obligations he couldn’t skip so he couldn’t go.

Despite that, they agreed to meet up later at the airport since they all shared the same flight back to Korea.

Jiahao boarded the train toward Kunshan and when it finally slowed down at the station, he grabbed his bag and stepped onto the platform. He quickly messaged Anxin that he was on his way. 

A flicker of confusion crossed his face as he glanced at his phone again. Sangwon wasn’t responding or even messaging at all. Wasn’t he coming back with them to Korea? Jiahao wondered. 

After a few minutes, he arrived at the Zhou residence. The mundane gate and the neatly trimmed garden greeted him.

“Jiahao!” Anxin’s mother greeted him at the door, her smile bright and welcoming. “Come in, come in! You’re just in time.”

Jiahao followed her inside, the smell of home-cooked food immediately made his stomach rumble. It had been over a year since he last visited, and he wasn’t going to lie he didn’t missed this.

He stepped into the dining area and there, at the table, was Sangwon carefully placing the freshly prepared dishes.

“Sangwon! I told you to just sit. Let Anxin prepare it,” Mrs. Zhou scolded lightly, though her smile made it clear she wasn’t actually upset.

“It’s okay, Mrs. Zhou,” Sangwon said with a polite smile. Then, turning his attention to the newly arrived guest, he greeted warmly. “Hello, Hao hyung.”

Jiahao was slightly caught off guard by the greeting but gave a soft smile tugging at his lips. “Hey,” he replied.

Before Jiahao could settle in, Anxin emerged from the kitchen. His bright smile immediately lit up the room.

“Hao ge! You’re here!” he exclaimed, walking over to greet him then gave a quick hug. “Was it hard going here?”

Jiahao chuckled, returning the hug. “Not really.”

“Alright, everyone, come and sit. The food is ready!” Mrs. Zhou called out, gesturing toward the dining table.

Anxin and Sangwon sat side by side at the table while Jiahao took the seat across from them. Mrs. Zhou moved around the table, serving a little more of this and that, while Anxin chatted animatedly.

“It’s sad Xinlong-ie couldn’t come,” Mrs. Zhou said, glancing at Jiahao with a gentle smile. “I hope that by the time our Anxin comes home again, he’ll be able to join your other friends too.”

Jiahao nodded, feeling a little pang of sympathy for Xinlong. “Yeah… he had some other things to take care of,” he replied softly.

“Sangwon-ah, eat well, okay? Don’t be shy,” Mrs. Zhou added.

“I will, thank you. I’m sure all of these are good,” Sangwon replied with a small smile, carefully serving himself a portion of the food.

Jiahao couldn’t help but notice the contrast between Sangwon’s quiet demeanor and Anxin’s bright energy beside him. It was almost like watching two halves of a whole, one calm and steady, the other lively and expressive, and yet somehow they fit perfectly together.

As they began to eat, Jiahao stole a glance at Sangwon, curiosity getting the better of him. 

“How was your visit with your family? And what time did you get here at Anxin’s place? I thought I would be the first one here,” he asked, a playful edge in his tone.

“What do you mean? Sangwon is staying here with us,” Mrs. Zhou said innocently as though there was nothing surprising about it.

Jiahao was befuddled. “What? Since when?”

Mrs. Zhou set down her utensils and clasped her hands together with a knowing smile on her face as if she were about to drop something that would completely shake Jiahao’s mental state.

“Since you guys arrived here,” she said calmly, meeting his wide-eyed stare.

Jiahao’s mind scrambled to process the news. He looked at Sangwon, who was still quietly eating, though the blush on his ears was impossible to miss. Beside him, Anxin looked like he was barely containing his excitement with a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips as if he’d been waiting for this exact moment.

Before Jiahao could fully settle into the situation, the sound of the front door opening caught everyone’s attention.

“Ah, that must be Anxin’s father,” Mrs. Zhou said with a bright smile, rising from her seat. “I’ll go greet him!”

Suddenly, the dining area felt quieter, leaving only the three of them—Jiahao, Anxin, and Sangwon—at the table. 

Anxin leaned slightly toward Sangwon. Sangwon reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair from Anxin’s forehead. Anxin’s cheeks tinged pink and he couldn’t help but smile up at him. Jiahao swears it sparkled.

This was exactly what he had witnessed back during their survival show, and yet here he was, seeing it unfold again. He had always assumed these little gestures were just for fan service, but… who really acts like this all the time?

Jiahao’s eyes flicked between them recalling all the little things that had made him raise an eyebrow before. Like the way Sangwon would subtly drape his arm over Anxin’s chair when no one was looking, or how Anxin would lean just a little too close.

Then there were moments he had caught during practice or breaks with Sangwon adjusting Anxin’s jacket, brushing off some invisible speck from his shoulder, or the way they shared a single drink bottle without thinking twice or even Sangwon wiping his thumb over a stray crumb from Anxin’s cheek.

If society didn’t make things so difficult, Jiahao wouldn’t have trouble naming whatever was happening between those two. It was all there, if only people could look closely enough. He didn’t need to force the observation; it was obvious to anyone paying attention.

But of course, that was all in his head. And Jiahao wasn’t the type to assume anything about another person’s sexuality. He respected their space, their choices, and their privacy too much to overstep.

Even though he noticed it all, Jiahao decided to let it be. It was better this way. If it was meant to be shared with him, they would do it on their own. No need for him to pry or make things awkward. He could wait and quietly observe without overstepping.

“Zhou Anxin, you’re being shameless. Right in front of my dumplings?” Jiahao joked, a teasing lilt in his voice.

Anxin let out a tiny yelp of embarrassment then snicker while Sangwon’s ears turned into a telltale shade of red. 

And just as Anxin opened his mouth to retaliate, footsteps echoed from the hallway.

“Oh! We’re back,” Mrs. Zhou announced cheerfully as she and Mr. Zhou re-entered the dining room, completely oblivious to the chaos they’d just walked into.

Anxin finally calmed down from laughing, wiping the corner of his eye. “We should eat faster,” he reminded casually. “We still have a flight later, remember?”

“Oh! That’s right,” Mrs. Zhou gasped, tapping her forehead as if she’d forgotten something important. “Go on, finish your food.”

They were only wrapping up their meal when Mrs. Zhou looked up again. “Jiahao, could you take a photo of us later? Just a little remembrance. A family picture.”

Anxin paused mid-bite, his chopsticks hovering slightly. “A family picture?” he repeated, brows lifting.

His mother nodded eagerly. “Yes! It’s been ages.”

Mr. Zhou chuckled. “Your mother’s been planning this since you told us you’re coming home.”

Anxin sighed with a laugh. “You could’ve warned me. I look exhausted.”

“You look perfect,” Mrs. Zhou dismissed, already smoothing her hair. Then she turned to Sangwon with a bright smile. “You too, Sangwon! Come join us.”

Sangwon blinked. “Me?”

“Of course,” she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Jiahao let out a soft huff. “Congratulations, Sangwon. You’re family now.”

She handed her phone to Jiahao. “Please take it for us?”

“Got you.” Jiahao stood, positioning himself where the lighting was best. “Okay, form a line. Or—no, closer! You’ll look awkward if you leave space.”

Mrs. Zhou pulled Anxin to her side, Mr. Zhou taking the other. Then she gestured at Sangwon. “Come here, come next to Anxin.”

Sangwon stepped in, trying not to look too stiff, though his smile was gentle.

“Perfect,” Jiahao said, lifting the phone. “Everyone ready?”

Mrs. Zhou beamed, Mr. Zhou adjusted his posture, and Anxin tried very hard not to look flustered with Sangwon standing so close. Sangwon, meanwhile, glanced at Anxin with a smile.

Anxin’s parents took a few more photos, making sure Jiahao was in some of them as well, before they finally decided it was time to leave. They drove together to the airport, where they met Xinlong.

“Xinlong ge!” Anxin called out, waving enthusiastically.

Xinlong grinned, rushing over. “Hey!”

Soon, they moved toward the boarding gate as a group and were ready to return to Seoul together once more.

Once they were settled in their seats, Jiahao and Xinlong quickly resumed their usual bickering, while Anxin and Sangwon seemed lost in their own little world.

“Why are you so smiley and… happy today, ge?” Xinlong asked, tilting his head in curiosity.

Jiahao snuffled, shaking his head. “Nothing.”

Xinlong just shrugged, leaning back in his seat, while Jiahao rested his head against the headrest. He couldn’t wait for the other members to witness what he had seen and what clicked in his mind. 

Right then, one out of six members had a light bulb flicker on  in their head.

It has been a little over three months since Alpha Drive One debuted. After spending so much time together, the members have grown closer than ever. Living under the same roof means they’re together 24/7: filming content during the day and practicing choreography late into the night.

Their schedules were packed and the pressure of being rookies in an ever-competitive industry never really faded. Despite the exhausting routine, not a single day passed without laughter echoing through the halls of their dorm. 

Their mismatched personalities somehow clicked perfectly. From the chaotic loud ones who turned every break into a variety show to the quieter members who took on the role of grounding the team when things got too wild. 

After long hours of choreography, Junseo always took it upon himself to check on the others and make sure that everyone’s health came first before anything else. 

Recently, he noticed that Anxin was having a hard time sleeping. As the oldest, he couldn’t help but worry especially when the younger tried so hard to hide his fatigue behind his bright smiles.

One late night, the dorm was finally at peace. He was thankful that Geonwoo and Sanghyeon chose to rest for once instead of playing late together again. 

Junseo, however, stayed awake scrolling through the choreography notes on his tablet while stretching out his sore muscles. Just as he was about to call it a night, he noticed a faint light seeping from the kitchen. 

He was expecting to see Anxin, knowing well about the younger’s recent struggle with sleep, but he didn’t expect to find Sangwon instead.

Sangwon was standing at the stove, brow furrows in concentration as he stirred a small pot. The smell of instant soup filled the quiet kitchen. 

Junseo stopped by the doorway. “Sangwon?” he called.

Sangwon jumped, nearly dropping the ladle. “Hyung! You scared me…” He let out a nervous laugh and rubbed the back of his neck. 

Junseo stepped closer to see what he was cooking. It was one of the instant soups stocked in their dorm. “Why are you eating late at night?” 

Sangwon blinked then quickly shook his head. “Ah, no. It’s not for me,” his eyes flicked toward the hallway, as if checking whether anyone else was awake. “It’s for Anxin. I heard him tossing and turning earlier. Plus, he barely ate dinner.” 

He stirred the pot again, cheeks slightly pink as if embarrassed to have been caught.

Junseo nodded. Sangwon glanced at the pot again and spoke a little shyly. 

“Hyung, could you check if it’s cooked already? I’m planning to call Anxin here.”

“Alright,” Junseo said, reaching out to lower the heat before the soup boiled too hard.

Wiping his palms on his hoodie, Sangwon stepped away from the stove and headed toward the hallway while keeping his footsteps quiet so he wouldn’t wake the others.

Junseo stayed behind and started preparing the bowl. It only took a short while before the soup was perfectly cooked. He placed the chopsticks neatly and adjusted the steam so it wouldn’t be too hot when Anxin arrived.

Sangwon slowed his pace as he reached Anxin’s door. The dim hallway light casting soft shadows across the wall. He gently knocked twice, not wanting to startle him.

There was a pause—a faint shuffle from inside—then the door creaked open just enough for Anxin’s tired eyes to peek through. His hair was messy and his voice came out soft. Probably still tinged with sleep.

“Hyung?”

Sangwon offered a small smile. “Yeah. Sorry, did I wake you?”

Anxin shook his head then opened the door wider. “No, I couldn’t sleep anyway.”

Sangwon nodded. “Come with me to the kitchen, then? I made soup.”

Anxin’s brows lifted, the faintest trace of a smile appearing. “You cooked? Did you burn the whole kitchen?”

Sangwon scoffed, pretending to be offended. “Wow. That’s the first thing you ask?”

Anxin bit back a laugh, leaning against the doorframe. “Let’s see. What did my baby cook this time?”

Sangwon rolled his eyes, but the smile tugging at his lips betrayed him. “Just soup,” Sangwon replied, trying to sound casual.

Anxin raised a brow. “Just soup? What kind?”

Sangwon hesitated for a beat before admitting. “...Instant.”

Anxin burst out laughing—that soft and breathy kind of laugh that always made Sangwon’s chest feel lighter. 

“So my boyfriend woke me up at—” he glanced at the clock on his phone, “—midnight for cup noodles?”

“Not cup noodles,” Sangwon defended quickly, crossing his arms. “I cooked it properly! In a pot. That makes it a real meal.”

Anxin grinned then pinched his boyfriend’s cheeks. Sangwon always looked so cute in his eyes whenever he pouted. 

“You really put it in a pot just so you could call it cooking, huh?”

Sangwon rolled his eyes but the smile tugging at his lips betrayed him. “I even added an egg and some green onions. Show some respect.”

“Oh, an egg, you say?” Anxin teased. “Chef Sangwon really went all out.”

Sangwon sighed dramatically and reached out, gently tugging on Anxin’s wrist. “Just come eat before it gets soggy.”

“Fine, fine,” Anxin said, still chuckling as he followed him down the hallway. “You’re lucky I love you.”

“Yeah,” Sangwon said quietly, glancing at him with a small smile, “I know.”

Sangwon led Anxin into the kitchen, keeping their pace normally. The steam from the bowls made the air feel warm. 

Anxin grabbed a seat, tucking his legs under him slightly, and gave Sangwon a small and teasing smile. 

“You even cracked the egg perfectly,” he said. “For instant soup, that’s impressive.”

Sangwon rolled his eyes playfully. “Just eat.”

He glanced over at Junseo. “By the way, thank you, Junseo hyung,” Sangwon said with a small smile.

“You’re welcome,” Junseo replied with a quiet grin.

Sangwon and Anxin ate in a comfortable silence. The quiet is only punctuated by the soft clink of spoons. Every so often, their hands brushed lightly as they reached for chopsticks or leaned a little closer to the bowls.

Junseo noticed the way they lingered together. He was sure he saw floating hearts around them. 

He leaned against the counter and decided to make tea—and, okay he’d admit it. Maybe watch his other two members eating casually. 

He wasn’t supposed to notice but it was hard not to. He had known the two were close ever since their time on the survival show. 

He’d noticed their chemistry way back when they were in the same group during the 1 vs 1 Class Battle. Maybe some of them had met before the survival show, but he was sure it was only the second time they had met the other C trainees. The first time was in the promotion.

Back on Boys Planet, even during the practices, he couldn’t help but notice how naturally they worked together. One time, he rewatched the show with his other members and they all wondered why there had been so little screen time for Room 202. 

Everyone who had been there knew the truth. Sangwon and Anxin were closer than the cameras ever showed. Their small gestures and subtle glances hinting at a bond far deeper than what had made it to the broadcast. 

He knew that their chemistry would spark outside the industry. He’d seen it enough in nearly six years as an idol to recognize when two people just clicked. 

That’s why after the show ended and they got their phones back, he wasn’t even surprised to see Wonxin trending. Well honestly, they were trending almost every day. At least, their fans had already noticed what he had seen all along.

And now, here they were, right in front of him. Junseo couldn’t miss the subtle closeness. The way Anxin leaned slightly toward Sangwon or how Sangwon’s eyes softened every time they met.

From his spot at the counter, Junseo stifled a laugh behind his cup. They were careful and subtle to keep their little gestures hidden from anyone else but he could see it all.

Sangwon reached over and ever so discreetly stole a small bite of Anxin’s soup. Anxin’s eyes widened for a split second then he shook his head, pretending to be annoyed. 

“Hyung!”

“Hmm?” Sangwon said innocently. “Tastes better than mine.”

Anxin’s cheeks warmed and he leaned back slightly. Their secret little bubble in the middle of the kitchen felt perfect. It’s like they are in their own world.

Junseo quietly admired it from the sidelines, already knowing that no one else needed to see. This bond was theirs alone.

Junseo was caught off guard when Anxin’s soft voice broke through his thoughts.

“Junseo hyung, do you want some?” 

Junseo’s lips curved into a small smile. “No, thanks. I’m good with my tea.”

He took a quiet sip then set the cup down and bid goodbye to them. He left the kitchen, leaving Sangwon and Anxin alone in their little bubble.

At that moment, another member seemed to have a light bulb go off in their head. That made two out of six.

Xinlong had a little trouble adjusting when he was announced as one of the members of the newly formed group. He had always found it difficult to socialize with people. 

Good thing that after almost a month, he had learned to adjust and slowly found his place within the group. He was also grateful that the members understood him and always made an effort to include him. 

Whether it was the other members making sure he doesn’t get the spicy one whenever they eat or simply asking for his opinion on small decisions, these little gestures made Xinlong feel seen and valued. Slowly, the walls he had built around himself began to crumble and he started enjoying the warmth of belonging.

He remembered the time the staff assigned their roommates. He didn’t mind who he was paired with, but he had been expecting to room with Anxin and had already braced himself for the worst.

Actually, he could tolerate Anxin’s loud ass. And honestly, it was a win for him too, since he was closer to Anxin than to the other members.

What he didn’t expect was being paired with his Sangwon hyung. They’d had only brief interactions before and had never talked alone. 

Still, it was another win for him, since he knew Sangwon was quiet like him too.

Xinlong followed the staff down the hallway, his bag slung over one shoulder. He had expected some awkwardness, but surprisingly, he felt calm. He glanced at Sangwon walking beside him and he was still quiet but composed.

When they reached the door, Xinlong paused for a moment and took a steadying breath. Sangwon opened it, stepping inside, and Xinlong followed him in.

The room was modest but tidy. Everything looked neat and organized.

Sangwon glanced around the room then back at Xinlong. 

“Which side do you want?” he asked.

Xinlong hesitated for a moment then pointed toward the side near the window. “I’ll take that one, I guess.”

Sangwon moved over to help Xinlong with his bag, lifting it slightly so Xinlong could place it on the bed. 

“Here, I’ll hold this for you,” he said with a faint smile.

“Thanks, hyung,” Xinlong replied, feeling a little more at ease.

Sangwon stepped back, gesturing around the room. “Everything’s pretty simple here. If you need anything, just ask. Don’t worry about bothering me.”

Xinlong nodded, appreciating the effort. Sangwon’s calm and friendly demeanor made the room feel less like a stranger’s space and more like a place they could both belong in.

Xinlong carefully set his bag down, trying not to disturb anything. But in his nervousness, he bumped the edge of the desk, sending a small stack of books wobbling.

“Oh—sorry!” he exclaimed, quickly reaching to catch them.

Sangwon chuckled softly. “Relax, it’s fine. They weren’t fragile,” he said, picking up a book himself and handing it back to Xinlong.

Xinlong laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “Guess I’m still getting used to this.”

As Xinlong started unpacking his things, Sangwon moved around his side of the room and started arranging his few personal items.

“So… you like quiet places too, hyung?” Xinlong asked cautiously, placing his clothes in the drawer.

Sangwon nodded without looking up. “Yeah. Helps me focus. I noticed you’re the same way.”

Xinlong smiled slightly. “Guess that makes it easier… sharing a room, I mean.”

As Xinlong carefully arranged his things, his eyes wandered to Sangwon’s side of the room. He noticed the neat stacks of books on the desk and shelf, all organized by size and type.

“Wow, you have a lot of books,” Xinlong remarked as he picked up a small stack to look at the titles.

Sangwon glanced over, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah, I like reading. It helps me think and keeps my mind busy.”

Xinlong nodded. “I usually just scroll through my phone,” he admitted with a sheepish grin.

Sangwon glanced at Xinlong, tilting his head slightly. “So, what’s your hobby? Besides scrolling through your phone?” 

Xinlong laughed lightly. “I guess I like music. I play a bit on my phone, make small mixes sometimes. Nothing too fancy.”

Sangwon nodded. “That’s cool. Maybe you can show me sometime.”

Xinlong blinked, a little surprised by the genuine interest. “Yeah, I could do that,” he smiled.

Just as they were getting comfortable, the door creaked open and one of the staff peeked in. 

“Alright, that’s enough for tonight, you two,” she said kindly. “Try to get some sleep. Filming starts early tomorrow and we’ll need you bright and ready.”

Xinlong yawned and stretched. He was planning to shower after he settled his things.

Sangwon glanced over and asked. “Xinlong-ie, do you have any trouble sleeping or waking up?”

Xinlong shook his head. “None. What about you, hyung?”

“Well… I do,” Sangwon admitted. “And I tend to get a little grumpy if someone disturbs me while I’m dozing.”

Xinlong froze for a moment.

Sangwon chuckled softly. “Don’t worry,” he said with a teasing smile. “Just call Anxin to wake me up if you need to.”

From that night on, it became a quiet little routine. It was also the reason why they became closer. Whenever Xinlong needed to wake Sangwon, he wouldn’t disturb him directly and he’d call Anxin instead, just like Sangwon had suggested. 

It had been quite a while since Xinlong had adopted the routine of going to Anxin first to wake Sangwon up. The other members didn’t try—well, maybe because they didn’t know how.

The only other person who knew how grumpy Sangwon could be was Leo. As someone who has been with him since trainee days, he would know.

One afternoon, Anxin was meeting up with Suren and he had left a quick note for Xinlong: if Anxin wasn’t back yet, just let Sangwon rest.

Sangwon was out cold under the blankets, looking impossibly peaceful. He didn’t want to wake him but their manager had just called, asking for Sangwon. It was something minor but it required him to be up.

Xinlong hadn’t experienced it firsthand but as Sangwon had told him before, he was notoriously grumpy. He wasn’t entirely sure he could wake him without causing a fuss.

Just then, Leo appeared. “What’s up?” he asked.

Xinlong hesitated for a moment but still answered. “The manager was looking for Sangwon hyung but he’s still asleep.”

“Oh? Okay, I’ll handle it. Trust your amazing Leo hyung, Long-ie,” Leo said with a grin, stepping closer to the bed.

Xinlong stepped back slightly, deciding to watch quietly. He knew Sangwon would respond better to Leo, and honestly, it was safer this way.

Leo leaned down and shook the edge of the blanket. “Sangwon, wake up. The manager is looking for you.”

A muffled groan came from under the covers followed by a sleepy shift. Leo’s expression stayed patient, though, as he gave another gentle nudge.

“C’mon, man, you need to get up,” he said firmly.

Sangwon huffed loudly, clearly annoyed. “Ugh… leave me alone! I’m still sleeping…” he grumbled, rolling over and burying his face further into the pillow.

Leo sighed, tugging at the blanket again. “I’m not leaving until you’re up. You don’t want to make the manager wait, right?”

Sangwon grumbled something incoherent, his voice muffled by the blanket. 

At this point, whoever could get him up smoothly without complaints must be some kind of miracle worker.

Just as Leo was about to tug the blanket again, the door opened quietly and Anxin stepped in.

He glanced at Sangwon. “Hyung, the manager’s looking for you.”

Sangwon blinked and sat up immediately. “Okay, okay. I’ll be right there, Anxin-ie.”

Xinlong, standing quietly in the corner, couldn’t help but suppress a laugh. He noted how difficult it was to wake Sangwon and that he wouldn’t try it in the future.

The ALD1 members were exhausted after filming all day. From their photoshoots to preparing for their first comeback and attending endless rehearsals. By the time they returned to the dorm, their bodies were aching.

What made it worse was that they weren’t finished yet. The only saving grace was that they had two or three hours to rest at their dorm before getting ready for the next shoot.

Xinlong had a long grueling day and the thought of trudging all the way to their room felt like too much. Instead, he sank into the sofa. His eyes closed almost immediately as exhaustion weighed heavily on him. 

After a while, his alarm blared. He almost cursed as he felt like he had just closed his eyes. With no other choice, he got up.

As a routine, he’d go to Anxin’s room and ask him to wake Sangwon up. Even his Leo hyung, Anxin’s roommate, would always wake up whenever Xinlong knocked on their door.

Xinlong walked down the hallway, trying to shake off the last remnants of sleep. He stopped in front of the door and knocked gently.

There was no response. He knocked again, a little louder this time. Still nothing.

“Anxin?” he called softly.

After a few more moments, the door finally opened but instead of Anxin, Leo appeared, rubbing his eyes.

“Uh… is Anxin not in, hyung?” Xinlong asked.

Leo shook his head. “I was so tired, I didn’t even notice where he ended up sleeping.”

Xinlong’s mind raced. Where could Anxin be? There wasn’t much time before their schedule started and he knew they couldn’t be late. 

He realized he had no choice. He would have to wake Sangwon himself. He turned on his heel and headed toward their room, bracing for the groggy response he’d get from his sleepy hyung.

Xinlong arrived at their room and knocked softly on the door. When there was no response, he assumed Sangwon was still asleep.

He pushed the door open slowly and stepped inside with quiet and careful movements. He was praying silently that waking Sangwon wouldn’t be too difficult.

“Please let this be easy,” he muttered under his breath.

Xinlong immediately noticed that Sangwon was completely tucked under the blanket with only a faint outline of his body visible. He reached out and gently shook Sangwon’s shoulder. The blanket shifted slightly.

It was only when the fabric shifted enough that Xinlong realized Anxin was sleeping right beside Sangwon and they were tucked in under the same blanket.

Xinlong blinked several times, trying to convince himself that what he was seeing was real and not just a trick of his sleepy eyes. 

He hadn’t expected to find them so close and sharing a blanket as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Sure, he knew the two were already quite close, especially since they had been roommates during the last survival show. 

The trainees even called it the ‘legendary room’ since that’s where P01 and P02 were. He didn’t realize that this was what made the room legendary. 

Only then did Xinlong realize he needed to wake both of them. He decided to wake Anxin first. It would be easier to wake Sangwon if Anxin was already up.

“Anxin… time to get up,” he murmured softly, careful not to disturb the other one.

Anxin stirred, blinking sleepily at Xinlong. “Huh… already?” he mumbled as he rubbed his eyes.

Xinlong nodded. “Yeah, we need to get Sangwon hyung up too.”

Anxin let out a quiet groan but swung his legs over the bed. “Alright… I’ll help,” he said.

Xinlong sat down on his bed quietly, choosing to watch without interfering. He wanted to see how Anxin woke Sangwon up.

Anxin nudged Sangwon gently then whispered his name.

“Sangwon hyung…”

“Hmm?” Sangwon slowly stirred, blinking groggily before opening his eyes. 

When he realized it was Anxin waking him, he shifted closer and wrapped his arms around him. 

“Five more minutes… I want to stay with you a little longer,” he murmured, nuzzling into Anxin’s shoulder.

Anxin smiled softly, brushing a hand gently over Sangwon’s back.

“We can’t, hyung…” he murmured. “We have to get ready for our last shoot.”

Sangwon let out a soft groan but loosened his hug slightly. “Yeah… I know,” he replied, still nuzzling into Anxin’s shoulder. “Just five more minutes?”

Anxin shook his head gently, though he didn’t push him away. As much as he wanted to stay longer, they needed to attend their last shoot.

“Not this time… also we can cuddle later,” he said, now brushing a hand softly over Sangwon’s arm.

“Besides, we’re not the only ones here,” he added, glancing subtly toward the side where Xinlong was quietly watching.

Sangwon’s eyes flicked toward Xinlong, a faint blush creeping across his cheeks. He let out an embarrassed laugh then scratched the back of his neck.

He wasn’t embarrassed because they had been caught. It was the thought that Xinlong had seen him acting so clingy toward Anxin—especially since Anxin was actually younger than him—that made him feel slightly self-conscious.

Right then, Xinlong remembered the time he’d badly needed to wake Sangwon up and ended up watching his Leo hyung get his ass dragged for trying.

Now, watching how easily Anxin could pull Sangwon from sleep with just a soft voice and a gentle touch, it all made sense. It wasn’t just about knowing how to wake him—it was about who was doing it.

Anxin didn’t need to try hard. Sangwon simply listened.

And that’s when it finally clicked for Xinlong. Maybe the reason no one else could wake Sangwon up wasn’t because he was hard to wake but because the only person he wanted to wake up to was Anxin.

Xinlong was snapped back to reality when Sangwon finally stood up. “Long-ie, you’re taking the first bath, right?” 

Xinlong blinked, shaking himself out of his thoughts. “Ah… yeah, I’ll go first,” he said, though his mind was still replaying what he had just witnessed.

He suddenly remembered all the mornings he had wondered why only Anxin could wake Sangwon without a struggle. At the time, he hadn’t questioned it but now he understood.

Seeing it firsthand, watching how soft Sangwon could be with Anxin, how easily he melted at just a few gentle touches and words, he finally got it. Their closeness wasn’t just familiarity; it was trust, comfort, and something deeper that Xinlong could finally recognize.

He quietly smiled to himself. No wonder Anxin was the only one who could wake him like that. Nobody else could get through to him this way.

Sangwon, who was usually so composed and reserved, was soft and unguarded with Anxin. Anxin, in turn, treated Sangwon with a quiet care, nudged him lightly, brushed his hand over his arm, and spoke softly enough to coax him out of sleep without fuss. 

It was subtle, but to Xinlong, every gesture spoke volumes. It amazed him how something he had overlooked for so long could suddenly feel so obvious.

And just like that, a third light bulb flickered. Three of the six were now in the know.

Leo had known Sangwon for years. They’d been together since their trainee days, and at this point, he could practically call him a best friend—a brother, even.

He still remembered the day he told Sangwon that he was auditioning for Boys Planet. He secretly wished Sangwon would do it too. He knew better than anyone how much Sangwon wanted to be an idol and Boys Planet felt like the perfect stepping stone toward that dream.

The day of the debut announcement finally came and hell, Leo was sweating buckets. All he could think about was Sangwon. He prayed hard that they’d make it together. When both their names were finally called, he couldn’t help but grin like an idiot. He was just… proud. Proud of his best friend and happy that they made it side by side.

After debut, though, Leo started noticing small things. Sangwon laughed more often. He seemed more at ease and lighter somehow. And more often than not, Anxin was there whenever that happened. 

Even back in Boys Planet, Leo had already noticed how close Sangwon and Anxin were. Whenever Sangwon got discouraged after an evaluation or practice, Anxin was always there—talking to him, cheering him up, sometimes even dragging him out for snacks just to make him smile again.

One time, Leo had teased Sangwon about it, joking that Anxin was his personal mood booster. He swore he saw a faint blush creep onto Sangwon’s cheeks but he brushed it off thinking maybe Sangwon was just embarrassed.

It wasn’t anything obvious. He knew that Anxin could light up the mood of every member and that he just had that kind of energy. 

The Alpha Drive One was almost done preparing for their first comeback next month. They were already done with the recording and choreography practices. Most of the concept photoshoots had wrapped up as well.

Geonwoo’s birthday had already passed as well and they had held a small celebration for him. It was brief, though, since Geonwoo preferred to go home and celebrate with his family. By now, it was already May, and their next agenda was Sangwon’s birthday.

As per tradition, Sangwon was set to go live to celebrate his birthday with the fans. What he didn’t know, however, was that the other members were busy planning a little surprise for him behind the scenes. Everyone wanted Sangwon’s birthday to feel special not just for the fans tuning in but for him personally.

That morning on May 6th, Leo was woken up by the rustles coming from the other side of the room. Leo was used to Xinlong waking Anxin first. There were even times when he woke up before Anxin, so it was unusual for him to be up this early on his own. 

He squinted one eye to glance at Anxin. He was already fully dressed and moving around the room. Leo panicked. He thought they had a shoot and that he had overslept. He flopped back against the bed scrambling slightly under the covers.

“Anxin… why are you up so early? I thought—did I oversleep or something?” 

Anxin glanced up and laughed. “No, hyung. We don’t have any schedule today, right?”

Leo nodded then peeked over the blanket. “Then why are you so dressed up?”

“Oh! I need to go somewhere,” Anxin replied.

Leo blinked at Anxin for a moment then shrugged and let it go. 

“Alright, alright. Do what you need to do,” he mumbled, settling back under the covers.

Anxin gave him a small smile before turning back to his preparations and Leo soon drifted back to sleep letting his roommate handle things.

A few hours later, Leo woke up again because he was hungry. His stomach growled loudly that forced him to get out of bed.

He swung his legs off the bed and stretched before heading toward the kitchen hoping to find something to eat. The dorm was quiet with most of the members still asleep or busy elsewhere.

When Leo reached the kitchen, he found Anxin already there preparing ingredients and setting things up for cooking. 

The ALD1 members knew that Anxin loved cooking so it wasn’t new to Leo to see him in the kitchen with his sleeves rolled up and humming while chopping ingredients. Anxin always found comfort in preparing food.

Leo paused at the doorway. “I thought you were out?”

Anxin looked up and gave a small smile. “Oh, hyung, you’re up? Yeah, I went out earlier but I just got back.”

Leo just nodded and walked toward the fridge rummaging through it for something to eat.

Anxin noticed him and spoke up. “Hyung, if you’re looking for something to eat, I bought some food earlier. I was going to cook this but it might take a while.”

Leo started opening the containers Anxin had set aside. He pulled out some sandwiches, a small salad, and a few fruit cups. 

“Ah, this will do,” he muttered.

Then his eyes landed on a small and neatly wrapped cake sitting on the counter decorated with colorful icing.

Ah. Maybe Anxin’s the one who bought the cake for Sangwon, he thought.

“Thanks, Xin,” Leo said as he settled down at the table. Anxin just nodded and went back to cooking.

After a few bites, Leo glanced around. “Where are the others, by the way?”

“They’re still asleep, I think,” Anxin replied, not looking away from the pan. “Sangwon hyung went out early to meet his sisters.”

“Oh, I see,” Leo said, nodding as he took another bite. “They probably wanted to see him first.”

“Yeah,” Anxin said softly, a hint of fondness in his tone. “He said they’re taking him out for breakfast.”

When Leo finished eating, he brought his plate to the sink and began washing it. As the water ran, a familiar aroma drifted through the air. It was sweet, savory, and rich. He glanced toward the stove.

“What are you cooking, Xin?” he asked, leaning over Anxin’s shoulder a little.

Anxin looked up briefly before turning another piece of meat in the pan. 

“LA galbi,” he answered.

“Wow. That’s Sangwon’s favorite, right?” Leo confirmed. “Ah, how lucky he is.”

Anxin chuckled softly, stirring the pan. “Well, I’m practicing for his birthday. He deserves something nice.”

Leo’s gaze then wandered back to the counter where the neatly wrapped cake still sat. “Where’d you buy the cake, by the way?”

“Oh, that?” Anxin finally turned, wiping his hands with a towel. “I baked it myself. I don’t think I’d have time for tomorrow or the day after.”

Leo paused, his eyes widening slightly. “You baked that?”

“Yeah,” Anxin said lightly, almost shyly. “I wanted to make it myself.”

Leo was taken aback. He hadn’t realized someone could go to such lengths for a friend. 

Waking up early despite not being a morning person, cooking their favorite meal, and even baking a cake for their birthday? He found himself wondering if he would ever do the same for his own friends.

It takes him back to when Sangwon did the same for Anxin last year. For most people, December 25 was just Christmas Day but for the members, it was both Christmas and Anxin’s birthday, a double celebration.

Leo remembered how Sangwon had planned everything meticulously. He was with Sangwon when they were shopping for some clothes. They had met up with their friends from other companies and had splitted up.

Sangwon moved back and forth through the store, as if examining each item and comparing colors and fabrics. Leo felt a little dizzy just watching him.

“Sangwon,” Leo finally couldn’t hold back. “Did you find what you’re looking for?”

Sangwon glanced up, a hint of stress on his face. “Not yet.”

Leo sighed. “Okay, what exactly are you looking for? Maybe I can help.”

“I’m looking for clothes for Anxin,” Sangwon murmured then returned to rummaging through the racks. “Lately, he’s really into coordinated outfits.”

Leo knew better than to interfere when Sangwon was stressed, so he let him be. Unfortunately, he ended up being the one who suffered in the end because it took them four hours before Sangwon finally settled on an outfit.

“This is it,” he murmured, neatly folding the pieces before heading to the cashier. “He’s going to love this.”

At last, Leo and Sangwon arrived safely at their dorm. Both were carrying shopping bags, remnants of their quick trip to the mall. 

The sun was already dipping toward evening after a long day of errands so Leo thought it was the perfect time to rest. He hadn’t even made it to his room. He just plopped down on the sofa to relax for a bit.

That was what Leo thought.

Because seeing Sangwon barely pausing after dropping his things made him think otherwise. He just grabbed his phone then quickly checked something on it before heading back out. 

Leo watched him go. He was bewildered. “Where’s he off to now?” he muttered to himself, shaking his head.

Anxin messaged their group chat earlier saying he was out with Sanghyeon and Geonwoo so they were only five at the dorm now. Leo glanced around the dorm. 

Junseo was sprawled on the sofa on the other side of the room and quietly scrolling through his phone. Every so often, his head will tilt slightly reacting to something amusing and then followed by his contagious laugh.

Jiahao was probably in their room. Maybe he was asleep on his bed or perhaps occupied with something.

Xinlong was leaning against the counter with his milkshake in hand and silently observing Sangwon as he worked much like Leo was doing.

While him, he had literally no idea what Sangwon was up to but the intensity in his friend’s movements are something.

Sangwon was moving around the room and carefully setting up each piece for his co-member’s birthday. He had taped up small strings of fairy lights along the wall and now their soft glow illuminated the photos while handwritten notes he had arranged chronologically.

Junseo got up from the sofa and set his phone aside. “Need a hand with that?” he asked.

Sangwon glanced over and nodded. “Yeah, just a little. Can you make sure this corner’s straight?”

Xinlong handed over a roll of tape and scissors. “Here, don’t want you fumbling with that while holding everything.”

Sangwon offered a small smile of gratitude. “Thanks, Long-ie. You’re a lifesaver.”

Jiahao then walked over to Sangwon from his room with a stack of small envelopes. “Here, I lined these up for you. Do you want me to tape them here?”

“Thanks, hyung,” Sangwon murmured, taking one and carefully attaching it to the wall.

Leo decided to help him too. “You guys really put thought into this, huh?”

Junseo tucked away a stray strand of light into place. “It’s all Sangwon, honestly. And it’s for Anxin. He deserves it.”

Sangwon hummed softly, adjusting another photo. “I just want him to see everything we’ve shared. I want him to feel it.”

Xinlong peeked over his shoulder. “Honestly, hyung, this looks amazing already. You don’t even need us though I’m happy to help!”

After a few minutes, they were already done. They all stepped back to admire the work. The wall was now a mosaic of memories—photos, ticket stubs, little notes, and mementos from their time together. 

Leo then looked at Sangwon. He really went all out for a friend here. Every little detail had been carefully placed and every photo chosen with care. It wasn’t just decoration. It was a timeline of their shared moments and a quiet testament to how much Sangwon cared. 

Sangwon told the other members that Anxin messaged him that they were heading back now. Right then, they slowly started making their way back to their rooms, giving Anxin and Sangwon some space. 

Leo hesitated for a moment. He was curious. As he turned the corner, he caught a glimpse of Sangwon and Anxin talking quietly. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he noticed the way Sangwon’s hand gestured subtly and the soft smile on Anxin’s face. He quickly averted his gaze, not wanting to intrude, and continued toward his room.

“Leo hyung?” Anxin’s voice pulled him out of his daydream.

“Hmm? Oh—sorry, I wasn’t paying attention,” Leo replied, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

“I need your help,” Anxin continued, his eyes bright. “I already told the others, but we’re planning a little surprise for Sangwon hyung.”

“Sure, what do you need me to do?” Leo asked curiously.

Anxin leaned in slightly, a mischievous grin on his face. “Just trust me on this one. You’ll see soon enough. But for now, let’s keep it between us, okay?”

Leo chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Alright, alright. You’ve got me curious. I’m in.”

It hit Leo all at once, and he finally pieced everything together. How much effort Sangwon had put in, going out of his way to make every little moment meaningful for Anxin. 

Leo felt a quiet awe settle over him. To witness such thoughtfulness, such genuine care, even from afar, made him realize just how much Sangwon valued Anxin, and how lucky Anxin was to have someone willing to put in that much heart.

And Leo could tell that Anxin was doing the same, returning that thoughtfulness in his own earnest way. It wasn’t just about being considerate; it was about a mutual understanding and a shared care that spoke louder than words.

To witness such genuine attention, even from the sidelines, made him realize just how much the two of them valued each other and how natural it felt, like they had been perfect for one another all along.

Another spark of understanding hit, a fourth light bulb flickered. Four out of six had caught on. 

Sanghyeon had always been friendly with all of the members, easily slipping into conversations and joking around with anyone in the group. But over time, he found himself naturally growing closer to Geonwoo and Anxin. There was something about the way their personalities complemented his own.

Although he was already close with them, Sanghyeon still wanted to grow closer with the other members especially with his Sangwon hyung because he looked up to him. 

To Sanghyeon, Sangwon seemed flawless: composed, thoughtful, and effortlessly admirable. Being around him was inspiring, and he often found himself studying his actions, small gestures, and even the way he treated others, hoping to learn a little from him and earn a bit of that closeness he so admired.

Sanghyeon knew that if he truly wanted to grow closer to Sangwon, he would have to turn to Anxin—the one who shared a bond with both of them. Through Anxin, he hoped to bridge the gap, finding a way to spend more time with Sangwon naturally rather than forcing it.

Sanghyeon sat quietly, turning the idea over in his mind. How could he even ask Anxin for help without sounding awkward? He wanted to be closer to Sangwon hyung, but he didn’t want to seem pushy. 

Maybe if he phrased it right… if he explained that he wanted to learn from Sangwon, spend more time with him… Anxin hyung would understand, wouldn’t he? 

He bit his lip, carefully weighing each word in his head before deciding on the perfect way to bring it up.

Sanghyeon sat on the edge of the couch, fiddling with his fingers as he watched Anxin laugh with Jiahao. He wanted to get closer to Sangwon but how? 

He replayed his approach over and over in his head. “Okay… maybe I should just ask him casually… no, too direct… maybe I say I want to learn from Sangwon hyung… no, that sounds lame…”

Sighing, he finally decided to wait for the right moment, when Anxin was alone. He just needed the perfect words to ask for help without making it weird.

Later, when Anxin stepped away to grab a drink, Sanghyeon seized the chance. He took a deep breath and approached him.

“Uh… Anxin hyung?” he started, scratching the back of his head.

Anxin turned, smiling brightly. “Yeah, what’s up?”

Sanghyeon hesitated, then plunged ahead. “I… I want to be closer to Sangwon hyung. Like, spend more time with him… but I don’t know how. Can you… help me?”

Anxin tilted his head. “Sanghyeon-ah, you don’t really need my help for that. Just go up to him and talk. Your hyungs care about you more than you think, you know.”

Sanghyeon frowned. “But hyung… What if I look weird?”

Anxin burst into a small laugh. “You are weird. But in a cute way. Your hyungs like that about you.”

“Hyuuung,” Sanghyeon whined, hitting him lightly on the arm.

Sanghyeon peeked up at him. “…For real?”

“For real,” Anxin assured. 

Sanghyeon’s eyes widened in horror. “Don’t tell him though! I’ll hide under my bed forever.”

“I’ll keep your secret. Promise,” Anxin said, ruffling his hair. 

Sanghyeon yelped. “Hyung! Don’t treat me like a kid!”

“You are a kid,” Anxin teased, wrapping an arm around him playfully.

The next day, Sanghyeon was excited. They had practice, and he had been looking forward to it all morning. But the moment he saw Anxin storm into the practice room, his smile slowly faded. Something was definitely wrong. The aura alone said don’t talk to me.

Anxin tossed his bag onto the couch and let out an annoyed huff, pacing back and forth like an offended cat.

“Anxin hyung…” he started carefully.

Anxin closed his eyes for a moment before answering. He knew better than to snap at someone who wasn’t involved. “Yeah?”

Sanghyeon fidgeted with his sleeves. “Have you told Sangwon hyung?”

Anxin stopped pacing. “Oh, that? Yes, I spoke to him last night. Don’t worry, your name never came up. I simply told him I’d noticed.”

Just then, the other members walked into the practice room. “Good morning, everyone!” Leo called out cheerfully.

“Morning,” Anxin muttered, waving one hand lazily while still sprawled across the couch. 

“Not even a ‘good’? Why’s your morning that bad?” Junseo teased. 

“Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed,” Jiahao added. 

“Damn Sangwon, what did you do?” Leo piped up. They are now enjoying teasing the two.

“Ohh, a fight,” Xinlong said, eyes twinkling with mischief.

“You two fought?” Geonwoo asked, pertaining to Anxin and Sangwon. 

Anxin didn’t answer. Instead, he rolled his eyes in the most exaggerated way possible, a gesture that didn’t go unnoticed by the others. 

“Oh, your eyes might fly if you keep doing that,” Jiahao bantered.

“Shut up, Hao ge,” Anxin groaned, burying his face in his hands, while a few of the others chuckled quietly at his dramatic reaction.

Meanwhile Sangwon just let off the teasing and greeted Sanghyeon as he settled his things. “Morning, Sanghyeon.”

“Morning, hyung,” Sanghyeon replied, returning the smile, though his curiosity peeked through. “Did you and Anxin hyung fight?”

Sangwon shook his head lightly, a faint chuckle escaping him. “It’s just a silly fight,” he said. “Want to grab drinks after practice?” 

Sanghyeon’s eyes brightened at the suggestion and nodded.

“Alright, everyone,” Leo called, clapping his hands to get attention. “Let’s start so we can go home early.”

Sangwon stole a quick glance at Anxin, who was still flopping dramatically on the couch with a small smile tugged at his lips. Even in his exasperation, he looked impossibly endearing, his boyfriend being impossibly dramatic, as usual.

But that glance didn’t go unnoticed. Sanghyeon’s eyes flicked up just in time to catch it.

Practice finally ended, and the members were stretching, wiping sweat off their foreheads, and chatting lazily as they gathered their things. To pass the time, they started a playful game to decide who would buy the drinks after practice.

Anxin folded his arms across his chest. “I’m not joining,” he muttered, eyes narrowing slightly. He didn’t want to get dragged or worse, be forced to pay.

“Come on, don’t be such a spoilsport,” Junseo teased, nudging him lightly. “It’s just a game.”

Finally, Anxin gave in. “Fine. I’ll join your stupid game,” he muttered, stretching his arms as if preparing for battle.

“Alright, here’s the rule,” Leo announced. “Whoever matches Sanghyeon’s hand exactly gets exempt from buying the drinks. Front or back of the hand, your choice. Got it?”

Everyone nodded, then crowded around Sanghyeon.

“Do back,” Sangwon subtly whispered to Sanghyeon.

He also caught the quick hand signal he exchanged with others except Anxin, who was still staring at the floor, completely clueless about whatever scheme his hyungs were cooking up.

“Alright, ready?” Leo said, raising his voice over the chatter. “On the count of three.”

“One…” Leo called.

Anxin finally lifted his head, still looking half-dazed.

“Two…”

The members exchanged mischievous looks except the oblivious victim.

“Three!”

Sanghyeon lifted his hand, back facing up. As planned, the other members copied him exactly, raising their hands the same way. Only Anxin and Sangwon lifted the front of their hands, making them stand out which exactly the outcome the hyungs had been aiming for.

A beat of silence passed before Leo burst out laughing. “YES! That means the two of you are buying drinks!”

“Wait—what? Both of us?!” Anxin was horrified. “No! I’m buying it alone!”

“Oohh, looks like what Sangwon did was that bad,” Junseo ribbed him.

Anxin shot Sangwon a glare, his face already turning pink. “You’re enjoying this way too much, aren’t you?”

“Why me?” Sangwon blinked, pretending to be innocent, though a small smile threatened to escape. “Let’s just go. Besides, Sanghyeon’s coming with us.”

Anxin groaned, dragging his feet. “Ugh, this is so unfair…”

Sanghyeon, trailing behind them, tried not to giggle at the scene. “Let’s go, Anxin hyung.”

By the time they reached the convenience store, Anxin was already grumbling under his breath. “I can’t believe I’m doing this. Buying drinks… for all of them.”

Sangwon stepped beside him. “What do you want?” he asked, but Anxin didn’t respond. He glanced at Sanghyeon, who was walking just ahead of them.

Anxin crossed his arms tightly, refusing to look at Sangwon. “I’m not talking to him,” he muttered.

Sanghyeon sighed, holding the basket between them. “Hyung… he’s literally right beside you.”

Sangwon glanced at Sanghyeon. “It’s okay. Can you ask him what he wants?” 

Anxin scowled, muttering just loud enough for Sanghyeon to hear. “Fruit tea.”

Sanghyeon repeated it. “He says fruit tea.”

Sangwon nodded slowly. “Got it. Anything else?”

Anxin huffed. “…No. And don’t talk to me!”

Sangwon chuckled softly then he turned his attention to Sanghyeon. “What about you, Sanghyeon? What do you want?”

Sanghyeon shrugged, trying not to laugh at the ridiculous situation. “Uh… iced chocolate, please.”

Sangwon just nodded and headed toward the counter to pay, leaving Sanghyeon and Anxin behind.

Once he was out of earshot, Sanghyeon turned to Anxin. “Hyung,  why are you refusing to talk to him?”

Anxin crossed his arms, pouting. “Because I’m still mad, okay? He set me up with the hand game. And now we’re both buying drinks for everyone!”

Sanghyeon raised an eyebrow. “You are being petty.”

“I am not,” Anxin protested, though his flustered expression made it clear he was enjoying being dramatic.

Sanghyeon couldn’t help but chuckle. “Okay, but do you really want to stay mad at him?”

Anxin huffed, looking away. “I just don’t feel like talking to him right now. It’s my right.”

“Fine, fine. But just so you know, he’s probably not even mad at you,” Sanghyeon shook his head, suppressing another laugh. “I wonder how Sangwon hyung handles  you…”

Sangwon then returned from the counter with their drinks. Anxin pushed past him, walking ahead without a word. 

Both Sangwon and Sanghyeon exchanged a knowing look then let out a sigh. The two of them broke into laughter, shaking their heads at Anxin’s antics while he marched ahead.

By the time they returned to the practice room, the rest of the members were lounging around. Sangwon and Sanghyeon set the drinks down and joined the others, taking their seats among the group.

Sangwon was about to sit beside Jiahao, who was next to Anxin, but Jiahao got up at the last moment, and Sangwon ended up sitting beside Anxin instead.

Xinlong noticed this then nudged Sangwon subtly. “Looks like you two finally made up.”

“Nah,” Geonwoo shook his head. “Even though they fight all the time, they still sit next to each other,” he muttered.

Anxin heard what the others said and stood up abruptly, earning even more teasing from the group.

“Oh, it’s a real fight now?” 

“LQ?”

“Our parents are about to fight.”

“Okay, enough,” Sangwon said without looking up, carefully removing the drinks from the plastic. “Sit down.”

Anxin rolled his eyes but reluctantly obeyed, settling back into his spot.

“Anxin, we’re going to talk,” Sangwon added.

The other members, sensing it was time to give them space, quickly grabbed their drinks and sandwiches. They all walked out swiftly. Leo even nearly slipped on the edge of the floor as he rushed toward the door that made everyone burst into quiet laughter.

The moment Sangwon’s tone was like that, they immediately knew that things were about to get serious. Sanghyeon knew about this. He always witnessed it firsthand along with the other members. 

He knew Sangwon had a way of indulging Anxin’s pettiness. He never outright scolded him, never acted annoyed, and often let Anxin have his dramatic moments or maybe because he found them quietly amusing.

But he also knew that Sangwon had limits. When Anxin went too far, Sangwon didn’t hesitate to speak up and made sure Anxin understood without humiliating him. And, somehow, no matter how stubborn Anxin was, he always listened.

Curious despite themselves, they all lingered by the doorway, leaving it just slightly ajar. They weren't going to intrude, of course… but they might eavesdrop a little. After all, they couldn’t resist finding out how these two would finally settle things.

“Who wants to bet?” Leo whispered. He has this mischievous tone and face.

“Anxin is petty, yes, but tomorrow is Sangwon’s birthday. They’ll probably make up then,” Jiahao said.

“Nah, I don’t think so. Like you said, Anxin is petty. They’ll make up later… or tomorrow,” Junseo added. His voice was low, almost conspiratorial, as if speaking too loudly would tip off the pair inside.

“But Anxin won’t be able to resist Sangwon hyung. My bet is right here, right now,” Xinlong said confidently.

Sanghyeon didn’t join in. His hyungs wouldn’t have let him anyway. But in his mind, he placed a quiet bet that they’d make up right now. After all, they were close and tomorrow was his Sangwon hyung’s birthday. There was no way his Anxin hyung would let his Sangwon hyung be sad on his special day.

He asked Geonwoo instead. “You? Geonwoo hyung?” 

“Me?” Geonwoo’s voice sounded pained.

“What’s your bet?” Leo pressed.

“Me… I’m going to the restroom. I can’t take this anymore,” Geonwoo muttered, shaking his head before quickly making his escape down the hall.

The rest of the members exchanged quiet chuckles as Geonwoo disappeared. 

Leo peeked through the slight opening in the door.“Look at them… Anxin still isn’t looking at Sangwon. It’s kind of funny.”

Sanghyeon stayed back a little though he was at the front, careful not to be seen, but he couldn’t hide his small smile. He had a feeling that, stubbornness aside, Anxin wouldn’t be able to stay upset for long.

Inside the practice room, Anxin sat rigidly on the edge of the bench and still refused to look at Sangwon. Sangwon had just finished settling their food and finally looked up at him.

“Anxin,” Sangwon began softly. “Are you still not going to talk to me?”

Anxin stayed silent staring at the floor.

“How am I supposed to know what the problem is if you’re not going to tell me?” he added.

Anxin’s fingers drummed lightly against his arm. Inside, he was bracing himself because as much as he wanted to stay mad, he knew Sangwon always had a way of smoothing things over without even trying.

Anxin finally lifted his gaze that met Sangwon’s eyes then he drew a deep breath.

“I’m not mad…” he started, his voice trembling slightly. “I’m just… a little upset,” he honestly said, biting his lip, trying to stifle his sobs but it was no use.

Sangwon moved closer to reach for Anxin’s hands and gently rubbed his thumb over it. “Is this about yesterday?” he asked softly.

Anxin nodded, still struggling to hold back his tears. “Because… you wouldn’t let me go all out for your birthday,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sangwon couldn’t help but chuckle at how adorable Anxin looked. He squeezed Anxin’s hands gently. Anxin noticed Sangwon’s expression and nudged him lightly. 

“Stop laughing.”

“I’m not laughing,” Sangwon said with a smile on his face. “You’re just so cute in my eyes.”

Anxin’s cheeks flushed and he looked down. “Shut up.”

“But really, I didn’t mean to upset you. I just…” He hesitated, searching for the right words. “…I just wanted you to not stress out over me.”

“You’re not!” Anxin sniffled, leaning slightly into Sangwon’s touch. “And I wanted to do something for you, too…”

Sangwon smiled warmly, brushing a loose strand of hair from Anxin’s face. “I know. And I appreciate it, really. But you don’t have to go all out for me. Just being with me is more than enough.”

Anxin’s shoulders relaxed a little. “But I feel guilty… you went all out for me last year.”

Sangwon shook his head gently, still holding Anxin’s hands. “Even though I said not to go all out for me, you’d still do whatever you want, wouldn’t you?” he teased.

Anxin chuckled softly. “Not too much, I swear,” he admitted, and gave Sangwon a reluctant smile.

Sangwon leaned just a little closer. “See? That’s why I love you. Even when you act all stubborn, you still do things your way.”

Sanghyeon heard every word of Anxin and Sangwon’s conversation and he couldn’t help but glance at his hyungs. None of them looked shocked, not even a little. Is he the only one freaking out inside?!

“Aigoo, they shocked our baby…” Xinlong whispered, noticing Sanghyeon’s reaction.

He was bewildered. Why was he noticing this now? Sure, his hyungs were close but not that close. Not to the point where they casually exchanged “I love you’s”?

The realization stuck with him long after he returned to his room. That night, his mind refused to quiet down. Time seemed to blur; he didn’t even notice when the hours slipped by, and when he finally drifted off to sleep, it was well past midnight.

He woke up later that day since they didn’t have any schedule aside from his Sangwon’s hyung live for his birthday later. Anxin had told them beforehand, except Sangwon of course, for the birthday surprise later. 

He went to the kitchen to grab something to eat. Maybe because of yesterday’s events, he was a little shocked to see Sangwon there, eating his cereal while reading his book.

“Morning, Hyeon-ah,” Sangwon greeted, not lifting his head from his book.

Sanghyeon nodded. “Morning, hyung, and happy birthday,” he replied before making his own cereal.

“Thank you, Hyeon-ah.”

After finishing his preparations, he sat beside Sangwon and started eating. Sanghyeon tried not to stare too obviously, but his eyes kept drifting back to Sangwon again and again.

“Do you put the cereal first or the milk?” Sangwon asked, having noticed Sanghyeon staring. He finally set his book down.

“Hmm?” Sanghyeon asked with his spoon in his mouth. “Oh,” he swallowed it first before answering. “Cereals.”

Sangwon continued eating. “Right? Anxin-ie does milk first.”

“What?” Sanghyeon exclaimed then let out a light laugh. “Wouldn’t the cereal just float?”

Sangwon smirked, taking a bite of his cereal. “I told him that too. But he always says it makes the milk taste better.”

Sanghyeon chuckled, shaking his head. “Anxin hyung really likes doing things on his own way.”

He quickly looked down at his cereal and pretended to focus on it while a small smile crept onto his face. For some reason, he felt a little closer to Sangwon hyung in that moment. Maybe his Anxin hyung had been right all along. Sometimes, all he needed was to approach his hyungs. They cared more than he often gave them credit for.

That afternoon, along with the other members, they decorated the venue where it will hold Sangwon’s live later. And Sanghyeon swore not to give too much thought about it but he couldn’t help noticing that his Anxin hyung was by far the most energetic, fussing over every little detail of the setup. From arranging the balloons to adjusting the lighting, Anxin seemed determined to make everything perfect.

“Okay, done!” Anxin announced triumphantly, stepping back to admire their work. 

He turned to see the others panting and wiping sweat from their foreheads after putting together the entire setup from scratch.

“I swear this is the last time I will help you both,” Jiahao swore, still panting. Anxin just stuck out his tongue to tease his Hao ge.

After that, they settled the food across the table. There was far too much for a one-person live, and Sanghyeon couldn’t help but wonder if his Sangwon hyung would notice it.

He glanced around at Anxin, who was busy arranging the dishes with the same meticulous energy as before, and at the other members, some of whom were already sneaking tastes.

After everything was set, they left the room to change and dressed as staff. They were going to surprise Sangwon from behind the camera during his live.

Sanghyeon was lost in thought as he changed. He had already drawn his own conclusions about Sangwon and Anxin’s relationship, but he still couldn’t prove them. It was all just… obvious, if you knew where to look, yet still unspoken. 

It only hit him yesterday why his hyungs hadn’t seemed shocked at all because they already knew. Sanghyeon couldn’t help but wonder: had they been told directly by Sangwon and Anxin, or, like him, had they simply figured it out from observing their interactions? And… was he the last person to finally notice what had been obvious to everyone else all along?

He settled behind the camera with the other members, waiting for Sangwon to enter the room. After a few minutes, Sangwon finally stepped in and was immediately taken aback by what he saw.

“Wow…” Sangwon breathed. “This is beautiful.”

Sanghyeon heard Anxin whisper softly, “Cute.”

He wasn’t the only one who heard it. The other members glanced at Anxin and mockingly pretended to vomit while Anxin just rolled his eyes, which made Sanghyeon chuckle quietly.

“This is… a lot of food. Are you sure this is just for me, Ma’am?” Sangwon asked softly, glancing at the spread in front of them.

The woman nodded. “Yes, your theme is mukbang, right?”

“Oh, really?” Sangwon was shocked. He wasn’t informed beforehand but he won’t tell it and just accept it anyway. “Let’s start. I hope I can finish this.”

Sangwon adjusted the camera slightly and flashed a small, cheerful smile to his audience. “Hi everyone! Welcome to my birthday live!”

jadedstillfan: happy birthday, sangwon! 🥳🎉

aegiawon: omg so many foods! happy birthday our awon 💖

princessxin: I LOVE U HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANGWON I LOVE U

sanghyeoniedefender4life: happy bday!!! we love you 😭💜

gwluvr: wow your smile is everything 😍 hbd babyyy

xinlong#1fan: happy birthday, our it boy! hope you finish all the food 🤣

lovejunseo: aigoo, look at all the decorations! so cute ! happy birthday, sangwon <3

jiahaoist: happy birthday, uri sangwon! you deserve all the love everyday 💜

“Woah… there are so many people… thank you so much for all your greetings,” Sangwon said, awed.

Behind the camera, Sanghyeon and the others peeked out from their hiding spots. He glanced at the person next to him and noticed Anxin’s glassy eyes. Anxin seemed completely absorbed, his attention fixed on Sangwon, as if nothing else existed in the room.

“I want to tell you guys a secret…” Sangwon began with a sheepish smile on his face. “I actually wanted to celebrate this with the other members too… and, uh, I don’t think I’ll be able to finish all this food by myself.”

imtoppinggeonwoo: aww he wanted to celebrate with them 🙁

     ↳ replied:

          gwluvr: you’re topping who ?

princessxin: [TOOK OUT MY NERF GUN AND POINTS AT WK1] HE SAID HE WANTED TO CELEBRATE WITH THE MEMBERS WHERE R THE MEMBERS

     ↳ replied:

          aegiawon: can u stop shouting

          princessxin: im not shouting

          aegiawon: u r

          princessxin: ?

         jadedstillfan: just kiss atp

0825truther: the comments above HSAJDHAKFKFAFHAHFHDFHAC 😭

lovinglsw: omg im late T___T HAPPY BDAY BB WHERES UR CAKE

“Where’s your cake?” Sangwon read the comment aloud. 

He paused and glanced at the table, only to realize there really wasn’t any cake. His eyebrows lifted in confusion as he looked toward the staff behind the camera for help.

“Hold on, guys, it’s on the way,” he said quickly, flashing a small smile to cover the slip-up. He gave another glance at the staff, trying not to look too suspicious.

As Sangwon tried to move on and take another bite, the lights in the room dimmed just a little. He paused with a spoon halfway to his mouth. Then, a soft melody started playing and it only took him two seconds to recognize it.

“Happy birthday to you…”

Behind the camera, the members straightened up from their hiding spots. The moment the song grew louder, they stepped into view and now clearly tried not to laugh.

Anxin appeared at the center holding a cake with candles flickering on top while the others trailed behind him.

“Surprise!” Anxin sang out happily, lifting the cake a little higher.

They watched as Sangwon’s jaw dropped, his eyes darting from the cake, to Anxin, to the rest of the members now crowding around the camera area. The chat exploded on the screen but Sangwon didn’t even glance at it; he was too stunned.

Leo and Sanghyeon were shaking a tiny party horn, Junseo and Geonwoo had confetti poppers while pretending to tear up, and  Xinlong and Jiahao danced their way into frame.

“You guys…” he whispered, a smile slowly forming on his face as his eyes began to water.

“Aigoo, our Sangwon is crying,” Leo teased.

Sangwon laughed weakly, wiping at his eyes. “I’m not crying,” he protested, voice cracking just enough to betray him. 

Anxin carefully set the cake down on the table beside him, giving Sangwon one soft look, the kind filled with affection he wasn’t even trying to hide. “Make a wish,” he murmured.

Sangwon closed his eyes, making a quiet wish before blowing out the candles. The moment the flame disappeared, the members and staff erupted into applause. Right after, the staff moved quickly, bringing out extra chairs so everyone could settle beside Sangwon, since he planned to continue to do the live with the members.

When everyone finally settled into their seats, Leo clapped twice to get the group’s attention.

“Okay, let’s greet Allyz first. One, two,” Leo counted them in.

“One Destiny, Drive to the Top! Hello, we are ALPHA DRIVE ONE!” they all said in unison, bowing toward the camera.

Sangwon, still emotional, let out a quiet laugh as he wiped beneath his eyes. “You guys really surprised me…”

Beside him, Anxin looked quietly proud, as if this was exactly how Sangwon’s birthday was meant to be.

“Because you deserve it! Happy birthday, hyung!” Sanghyeon exclaimed enthusiastically, earning a soft giggle from his hyungs.

Junseo pointed at the camera. “Everyone’s saying happy birthday in the chat. Look at all the messages flooding in.”

The staff handed them two more iPads so they could keep up with the live comments. Sanghyeon let the other members handle most of the chatting for a while and decided to focus on reading the comments himself, though he occasionally glanced up to join in on the conversation.

As he scrolled, he noticed Anxin and Sangwon blinking repeatedly, almost in sync. Then, one comment in particular caught his eye.

intowonxin: wonxin please blink if ur in a relationship /j

At this point, Sanghyeon wasn’t surprised anymore. He looked up to see the other members trying to stifle their laughter, probably because they had seen the comment and even noticed what Anxin and Sangwon were doing.

He felt happy knowing that whatever is in between the two, he knows that they cared for each other. He didn’t need them to announce it to the world; it was already there, clear as day for anyone paying attention.

Then the fifth seemed to have a light bulb go off in their head. Five out of six had finally caught on.

Apparently, all of the members had noticed what Anxin and Sangwon were doing during the live. That meant Geonwoo had seen it too. He found it amusing at first because he thought they were just teasing the fans. But he knew what would make it even funnier was to check X and lurk through the fan reactions, because their fans always knew exactly how to respond.

After the live ended, the sleep fairy still hadn’t visited, so he decided to scroll through social media. Of course, they were aware of the duo names the fans had created for them and they didn’t mind. After all, it was just a reflection of how close they were to each other.

He typed Wonxin into the search bar and was instantly bombarded with countless reactions, clips, and fan edits.

<3 @iluv0825 · 3h

OH MYGOSH WHO SCREEN RECORD THE LIVE 

💬 4.2k  ⥂ 11k  ❤ 37k

     ↳ Replies:

          shi @xinaris · 3h

          THEIR EYES WERE ABOUT TO FLY 

         💬 1k  ⥂ 8.2k ❤ 18k

         bea @0825truther · 2h

         SNEAKY AS FUCK

        💬 844  ⥂ 6.5k ❤ 14k

         dani @sangwonlvr · 2h

         THE CHAT IS CRASHING LOLLLL

         💬 566 ⥂ 2.4k ❤ 9.5k

          toni @allyzinwonderland · 2h

          what is going awn fill me in !!!!

         💬 980 ⥂ 1.2k ❤ 5k

               ↳ Replies:

                     inej @intowonxin · 2h

                     ITS ME I DID IT

                   💬 13  ⥂ 966  ❤ 5k

                    inej @intowonxin · 2h

                    i commented on sw’s bday live: wonxin blink if ur in a relationship as a joke and they started blinking nonstop im crying theyre so 😭😭😭

                  💬 1.3k  ⥂ 7.6k  ❤ 17k

He scrolled through the posts. Fans were picking apart even the tiniest details—how Anxin kept stealing looks, how Sangwon’s smiles seemed almost automatic whenever Anxin was near, and the almost-hidden ways the two moved around each other as if trying not to make it obvious.

“Woah, this is quite convincing,” Geonwoo said to himself.

He scrolled and scrolled, completely unaware that his eyes were growing heavier with each swipe. At some point, mid-thread and mid-clip, he knocked out without even realizing it with his phone slipping onto his chest.

<3 @iluv0825 · 3h

what the fuck why did the official account liked my edits ????

💬 12  ⥂ 21k  ❤ 45k

          ↳ Replies:

               shai @passthewonxinblunt · 3h

               who forgot to changed their account lol

              💬 1k  ⥂ 1.2k ❤ 3.5k

By morning, something or someone was shifting in the room and pulled him out of sleep. He cracked one eye open, groggy and confused, only to see Sanghyeon tiptoeing around and trying not to wake him.

“Morning,” Geonwoo mumbled, his voice still heavy with sleep.

“Oh—hyung, you’re awake?” Sanghyeon replied, not even looking up as he kept fixing his hair in front of the mirror. “Rise and shine!”

After that, he dragged himself out of bed to get ready too as they had another content shoot scheduled that morning. Their theme for today’s content was in pairs with something light and fun to match the group’s usual dynamic.

He thought he was the last person to arrive at the van but when he climbed inside there were two missing. The others were still busy fixing their things with adjusting jackets, checking their bags, and making sure everything was complete. Still, they managed to greet him anyway.

“Where’s Anxin and Sangwon?” he asked when he noticed they were the only ones not there yet.

“Oh, man. This is why I wish I was still oblivious,” Jiahao muttered under his breath, tossing his bag onto the seat. “I’m telling you, they’re probably still doing their lovey-dovey stuff somewhere.”

Geonwoo laughed. “I can actually tell they’re already best friends,” he said proudly, as if he discovered something profound.

The way all of the members whipped his head to Geonwoo was faster than the fastest lap in F1 history. It was even faster than the flash of lightning. 

Geonwoo stopped laughing when he realized he was the only one still chuckling. 

His eyes met Jiahao’s pitying glare, as if silently judging him for something he didn’t even know. Junseo and Leo, who had been chatting about the latest additions to their favorite figurine collection, also shot him the same look. Xinlong and Sanghyeon, absorbed in their phones, tried—and failed—not to snicker at Geonwoo’s complete oblivion.

“What?” Geonwoo asked.

Whatever was happening came to a halt as the two people they had been waiting for finally arrived and settled into their assigned seats. Geonwoo, convinced they were pulling some kind of prank on him, decided to let it go. 

The sudden chaos was forgotten the moment they arrived at the café where they were going to film their next content. The café was cozy and stylish with wooden tables, potted plants scattered around, and shelves lined with colorful mugs and pastries.

The ALD1 members were guided by the crew to get settled as the shoot was about to begin. They arranged themselves on the couch, adjusting their posture and making sure they were comfortable, while keeping their focus on the PD.

“Alright, everyone,” the PD began, clapping their hands lightly to get attention. “Today, we’re going to play games but with a twist. All the challenges will be done in pairs. Each pair will compete, and the goal is to have fun while showing off your teamwork and chemistry.”

“How will we know our pairs?” Sangwon asked.

“We all know who you want to be paired with,” Leo teased, earning a round of laughter from the other members.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” the PD said with a smile, holding up a fishbowl filled with folded pieces of paper. “Each of you will pick a paper and it will tell you who your partner is for the games.”

In the end, the pairs looked like this: Anxin and Sangwon, Jiahao and Leo, Junseo and Sanghyeon, and lastly, Geonwoo and Xinlong.

The PD smiled at the final list and clapped once. “Looks like fate did its job today,” he said, earning a few groans and laughs from the members.

“Well, that was… predictable,” Jiahao commented, glancing pointedly at Anxin and Sangwon.

“Hey, it wasn’t rigged,” Sangwon defended, holding up his slip of paper while Anxin laughed beside him.

Geonwoo looked down at his own partner card, then at Xinlong. “Guess it’s us,” he said easily. “Let’s not lose, okay?”

Xinlong nodded. “I’ll try to carry you.”

‘Whatever was going on, today was clearly going to be interesting,’ Geonwoo thought.

“For our last game, it’s called ‘How Well Do You Know Me?’,” the PD explained, smiling as the staff finished setting up the cards. “Each pair will be asked a series of questions. One member will answer first, then the partner has to guess the same answer. If your answers match, you get a point.”

Jiahao and Leo went first. As expected, they were loud and competitive, arguing over answers and calling each other out whenever one of them hesitated. They did well even though it wasn't that long since they met each other.

Next were Junseo and Sanghyeon. They were more careful with their answers but surprisingly accurate. Every correct match earned cheers from the members and Junseo looked especially proud whenever Sanghyeon got one right.

Geonwoo and Xinlong followed. Their round was filled with laughter as Geonwoo confidently answered… and occasionally got it completely wrong. Xinlong just shook his head, laughing, while the others teased Geonwoo for knowing nothing.

Geonwoo glanced at Xinlong’s board, then at his own and frowned. “Wait, since when is that your favorite?”

Xinlong blinked. “Since always?”

“Since when?” Geonwoo protested, making everyone laugh.

Lastly, it was Anxin and Sangwon’s turn. Their answers always came quickly and of course matching almost every time that made the members openly reacting and some just exchanging knowing looks.

“Are you sure you’re not sharing one brain?” the PD joked.

Anxin and Sangwon only laughed but their ears were turning red. And even without saying anything out loud, everyone could tell that this pair didn’t need to think too hard. They already knew each other by heart.

Well, a certain someone can’t.

“Man, I wish I had a best friend like that!” Geonwoo blurted out.

The café erupted in laughter at Geonwoo’s outburst. Jiahao nearly slipped off his chair, Leo covered his face in secondhand embarrassment, and Junseo openly wheezed, gripping the edge of the table.

“Best friend,” Leo repeated slowly, peeking through his fingers. “Yeah. Sure!”

By the time the shoot wrapped up, the sky had already begun to dim and the warm orange of sunset bled into evening. The members piled back into the van one by one. They were tired but still buzzing from the games and nonstop teasing.

When they finally arrived, shoes were kicked off the moment they stepped inside. Some headed straight for the couch, another disappeared into the kitchen, and within minutes, the living room slowly came back to life.

“Let’s drink,” Jiahao suggested casually and was already opening the fridge. “Of course, except Sanghyeon-ie.”

That was all it took.

They gathered in the living room with cans and bottles in hand, spreading out on the floor and couch like they always did on nights when they didn’t want to sleep just yet. 

Geonwoo leaned back against the couch. “Today was fun, though. The games weren’t that bad.”

“Except when we lost,” Xinlong added.

“Hey! I knew some of them, you just changed it last minute!” Geonwoo exclaimed.

Xinlong rolled his eyes while taking a sip of his drink. “Just admit you don’t know me that well.”

Geonwoo laughed. “Do you want us to be close like these two?” he asked, nodding toward Anxin, who had rested his head on Sangwon’s chest, looking completely at ease. Anxin wasn’t drinking and just quietly observing the teasing.

“What?” Xinlong asked, utterly bewildered.

“Okay, from now on, we are best friends!” Geonwoo proclaimed with exaggerated enthusiasm.

All of the members who were drinking immediately choked on their drinks, coughing and sputtering as they tried to process what he said.

“Do you seriously not know, hyung?” Sanghyeon asked, tilting his head slightly.

“Know what?” Geonwoo replied, confusion and a hint of hurt in his voice. “Are you still pulling a prank on me?”

Maybe it was the drink, or maybe it was just the weight of the moment, but Geonwoo felt a small pang in his chest. Why did it feel like everyone else knew what was going on except him? Was he the only one left out… or did he not deserve to know?

He trudged to the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water and let the cool liquid soothe him. He knew the members had their reasons but let him feel what he was feeling first. 

When he finally felt steady enough to head back, faint voices drifted down the hallway. They were hushed, almost playful but he didn’t need to see their faces to know exactly who they were.

“Baby, who won our bet?” one of them asked with a giggle slipping through.

“Can we just call it a draw?” the other replied with a laugh. “It looks like everyone already knew anyway.”

“That’s unfair,” the first teased. “But fine, just give me my reward.”

A brief pause then a softer voice. “Alright. How many kisses do you want?”

Baby?

Just like that, Geonwoo’s eyes widened as if a giant light bulb had just switched on above his head. All six were now in the know.

“That’s exactly what my face looked like when I found out,” Junseo muttered from behind him.

It still hadn’t fully sunk in for him. So the fans had been right all along? Since when has this been obvious? Was he really the last person to find out? Questions swirled in his mind as memories of the two flashed vividly before him. Every moment that once seemed casual now carried a meaning he couldn’t ignore.

Just as he was lost in thought, Anxin and Sangwon stepped out from the hallway.

“Are you okay now, Geonwoo hyung?” Anxin asked genuinely.

He answered the question with another question. “Are you two dating?”

For a moment, the room felt still, as if the air itself was waiting for an answer. Sangwon and Anxin exchanged a knowing smile passing between them.

“Wow! Congrats, Geonwoo!” Leo teased and side-hugged Geonwoo who was still frozen. 

“Everyone else knew?!” he exclaimed.

“Hey! We didn’t tell them directly. It wasn’t even a secret to begin with,” Sangwon replied, laughing at Geonwoo’s reaction. 

Anxin nodded in agreement. “They just found it on their own.”

Jiahao chimed in. “You guys aren’t even subtle about it!”

“I bet you guys were so happy playing your little hiding game, huh?” Xinlong teased, crossing his arms with a grin.

Anxin chuckled with a hint of mischief in his eyes. “Definitely. You should’ve seen your reactions. You guys always have the best expressions.”

Sangwon just shook his head, smiling at Anxin’s playful confession, while the rest of the members laughed along.

“I can’t believe I was the last person to know…” Geonwoo was still in disbelief.

“If only you had stayed when they were trying to make up from their fights,” Junseo chaffed as he shook his head.

“I can’t exactly fight nature’s calling, hyung,” Geonwoo shot back, rolling his eyes but unable to hide his embarrassed smile.

“I envy you. I had to endure all their sweetness knowing I was one of the few who realized it,” Jiahao admitted, shaking his head with a wry smile. “Good thing the others caught on immediately,” he added.

“When did you start dating anyway?” Geonwoo asked the important question. 

They really had no idea because it just all happened. The other members had their own moments of ‘oh, they’re best friends’ but then the couple would do something so undeniably intimate or sweet that it made everyone pause and rethink their life choices.

“After the final announcement,” Anxin answered.

“That long?!” The members exclaimed in unison.

“You guys were really good at hiding it, huh?” Xinlong added, shaking their head in disbelief.

Geonwoo groaned, burying his face in his hands. “I can’t believe I missed all of this…”

“But I really thought you already knew, Geonwoo hyung,” Sanghyeon said, while eating his chips. “Since you left your phone open yesterday… Anxin hyung and Sangwon hyung edits were flashing all over your screen.”

“Woah, are you the president of the fan club or something?” Leo ribbed.

“I was just curious. I saw a comment asking them to blink if they were in a relationship… and they blinked so hard, it was impossible to miss.”

“Ah, crap… I remember that again,” Jiahao muttered, pretending to wipe something from his eyes.

“Now, good luck to us having to witness that every day,” Xinlong raised his drink jokingly that made the room erupted in laughter.