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Jiung always noticed when things were about to change. So naturally, he felt the shift in the weather. That afternoon, as practice dragged on and sweat cooled too quickly against his skin, he felt it again. The chill that slipped in through the cracked window. The way the sky outside looked too pale.
"Hyung," Intak said, glancing outside mid-stretch, "doesn't it feel colder today?"
Jiung nodded. "Yeah. Might snow soon."
Intak lit up immediately, trying (and failing) not to look excited. "Really?"
Jiung smiled to himself. "Probably."
After a long day of work and practice, they both decided to eat at a restaurant near the company.
"It's sad that the others can't come. I like when we all eat together." Intak said.
"As friends though, not just coworkers." He added.
Jiung didn't answer, instead, he looked at Intak. He doesn't know when he started to feel that way - but his affection for Intak felt more than just as a "friend".
During dinner, Intak talked about all the things he plans to do for their next tour, Jiung talked about this new stationery store he visited.
They took a walk after. Suddenly, Intak felt something on his shoulders. He looked up, and his eyes sparkled:
"Hyung, look!"
Jiung raised his head. First snow.
"You were right, it's snowing!"
"Yeah." Jiung chuckles.
The snow rapidly piled up while they were walking. Jiung kept talking about everything and anything. At some point, he noticed Intak wasn't following, so he turned around. Before he could say anything, Intak threw a snowball at him.
Cold hit his sleeve, and Jiung laughed, startled. "Yah!"
"Oh, no, I was targeting your face.." Intak said, already running.
"Seriously?" Jiung giggled.
He bent down and scooped snow in his hands.
"First snow means you have to play!" Intak added.
Jiung chased after him, shoes slipping slightly on the thin layer of snow. They laughed too loudly for the empty street, throwing messy snowballs that barely held together. Jiung missed more than he hit, while Intak’s throws were surprisingly accurate.
"Admit it," Intak teased, ducking another throw. "You’re having fun."
Jiung bent down, scooping snow. "I never said I wasn’t."
They slowed eventually, breath coming out in foggy puffs, laughter fading into quiet smiles. Without thinking too much about it, they both dropped backward onto the snow-covered ground. Snow fell above them, drifting past the streetlight like tiny stars.
"Hyung," Intak murmured, staring up. "This is kind of nice."
"Yeah," Jiung said softly.
Their hands lay close at their sides. Close enough that Jiung could feel the warmth of Intak’s presence without touching. Then their fingers brushed. It was accidental, but Jiung’s breath caught anyway. He didn’t pull away. Neither did Intak. Slowly, cautiously, Intak’s fingers curled around Jiung’s hand. Then his other hand joined, holding both of Jiung’s like he was afraid the moment might disappear if he let go. Jiung turned around to face Intak.
"Is it okay?" Intak whispered, still looking at the sky.
Jiung tightened his grip in answer, a soft smile on his face.
They lay there like that, hands entwined, snow collecting on their coats, the world hushed around them.
"You know that thing people say," Intak said quietly. "About the first snow."
Jiung nodded. "Yeah."
"If you’re with someone you love during it…" Intak hesitated. "…you’ll stay together."
Jiung’s heart beat loudly in his ears. "Do you believe that?"
Intak finally turned to look at him. His eyes were soft, nervous, hopeful all at once. "I don’t know. But I kind of want to."
Jiung’s chest ached.
He sat up slowly, pulling Intak with him. They faced each other, knees brushing, hands still connected.
"I’ve wanted to say this for a while," Jiung admitted. "I just didn’t want to ruin what we have."
Intak smiled faintly. "Me too."
Jiung took a breath. "I like you. More than a friend."
For a moment, Intak just stared. Then he laughed softly, eyes shining.
"Hyung," he said. "I was hoping you’d say that."
"You were?"
Intak nodded, squeezing Jiung’s hands. "I like you too."
Snow continued to fall, gentle and unhurried, as if giving them all the time they needed. They didn’t kiss. They didn’t have to. They just let the moment settle, enjoying this new spark between them.
It is said that if you confess your love on the first sowing day, you’ll spend the rest of your life with the person. That night, both Jiung and Intak felt this more than ever.