Chapter Text
Zerobaseone will begin a new chapter as a five-member act, agency WakeOne Entertainment announced on February 12th, 2026, Thursday.
Sung Hanbin, Kim Jiwoong, Seok Matthew, Kim Taerae, and Park Gunwook have decided to continue as a team, while Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyuvin, and Han Yujin have chosen to leave after the project band disbands, as expected.
Ricky stared at the glow of his phone, blinking once, then again. No matter how much he blinked, he couldn't deny the reality he had been aware of beforehand.
Time really didn’t move slowly for them, did it?
It came as no surprise to the members of Zerobaseone. They all knew this day was bound to come, the day they would be separated, no matter how much they tried to deny it. Those two and a half years had passed far too quickly; no matter how tightly they tried to grasp time, it slipped through their fingers like sand, carried away by relentless, harsh winds.
Yuehua Entertainment had pulled away four members, leaving the remaining five to continue as a group. Zerobaseone, once nine, was now five. It felt incomplete without the four, yet all nine of them understood that wishing time would slow down didn't really change anything. The 2.5 years had passed in the blink of an eye, leading them to this very day.
"Let's go out, my treat." Hanbin tried to cheer them up, taking everyone out to dinner and insisting he’d pay so they could eat to their hearts’ content.
But despite his efforts, here they sat, all remained quiet and gloomy. The restaurant was filled with silence; it was suffocating for every member, yet no one dared to voice it out as they knew their emotions were over the edge, and one single word would overflow the glass containing those sentiments.
Yujin sat quietly, which might’ve seemed normal to others, but those who knew him well understood he talked endlessly when he wanted to. Gunwook stared down at the flat glass of beer in front of him, the bubbles gone, the taste stale and dull on his tongue.
Matthew, usually the loudest, the one who drank until he passed out, leaving Hanbin to deal with his antics, was silent too. Jiwoong stood near the grill, passing around meat with a composed smile, doing his best to hold everything together. Taerae’s laughter was missing. So was Zhang Hao and Hanbin’s playful flirting. Gyuvin wasn’t even making faces or secretly recording them.
All of them were present, but only physically; all of them were over the edge, and Ricky? He just wanted to go to the dorm rooms and just hide under his blanket. Everything he worked hard for, everything he built by his efforts alone, was slipping away, and he just stood there despite it being his own life, yet he was helpless and could only hope for the best.
Slowly, Hanbin and Jiwoong began talking, and one by one, the others followed. The night eased into comfortable chatter, savoring each other’s presence and pretending not to notice the elephant in the room.
“Come on. Let’s drink.”
And just like that, the night slowly but surely unraveled into noise and laughter and clinking glasses. Familiar chaos returned, if only for a few hours. Everyone drank except Yujin and Gyuvin, who stayed clear-headed, watching over their hyungs.
By the time they returned to the dorm, exhaustion clung to them like cheap perfume. Yujin supported Taerae down the hallway, Gyuvin called the manager, and one by one, doors closed. Ricky, who was only slightly tipsy, plopped onto the couch, his mind slightly refreshed from all the chaotic announcements and the departure from Zerobaseone. Everything was just too much.
His back sank against the soft couch as he relaxed, keeping his eyes shut before he heard loud retching sounds from Matthew's room.
Ricky stood up immediately. In Matthew’s room, he found Jiwoong standing beside the sink, one hand rubbing slow circles against Matthew’s back, the other gently tucking his hair away as Matthew clutched the sink helplessly. He had clearly drunk too much.
Jiwoong noticed him and smiled softly. He was clearly tired as well. He helped Matthew rinse his mouth, guided him into bed, and pulled the blanket over him gently.
“I’ll leave him to you then,” Jiwoong said quietly. “Goodnight, Ricky-ah.”
Ricky merely nodded, not trusting his voice to betray his inner turmoil. He watched him disappear down the hallway, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
He went into the kitchen, filling up a glass of water for Matthew, who was still drunk. Matthew drank the water in huge gulps and leaned against Ricky, muttering random words, and Ricky paid them no mind. But his next words tightened the feeling around Ricky's chest.
“Ricky-ah, hyung deserves to know.”
Five simple words, yet the moment they reached his ears, they made his breath hitch and his throat constrict. Ricky ignored the tightening around his chest. He knew exactly what those words meant, and they hit him straight in the heart, but he feigned ignorance as he just pushed Matthew onto his bed, gently tucking him in. Matthew, who was seemingly too drunk, just drifted off to sleep, leaving Ricky with a strong ache in his heart.
Jiwoong’s smile lingered in his thoughts. The first time Ricky had seen him on stage, under blinding lights, dressed in something so seductive, wearing a shy smile that didn’t quite match his seductive cleavage, which peeked out of that dark blue blazer.
He had feelings for the man. He had always passed it off as a puppy crush, but deep down, he knew puppy crushes didn't last longer than their entire contract as nine. That gentle yet sharp-looking man bewitched him, those deep eyes that seemed to pull him in like the tide.
That night, Ricky lay awake in his bed, tossing and turning, staring at the ceiling. He was a coward; he was well aware. Yet, he didn't have the guts to confess, especially now, when everything already felt like it was breaking apart.
Sleep eventually claimed him. And as his heart settled into a softer rhythm, one thought lingered deep down.
Maybe Jiwoong would notice. Maybe, just maybe, he might like him too.
"I like you, Jiwoong hyung.”
*
Ricky stirs in his sleep when he feels an arm settle around his waist, legs loosely tangled with his, and soft, warm breath brushing against his ear.
For a fleeting second, he assumes it’s Matthew, maybe he’d wandered in sometime during the night, seeking comfort and warmth. But the younger Canadian never held him this close. Never fit against him like this, and the weight is different, too.
The scent is oddly familiar, fresh and clean, the same scent Jiwoong carried when he stepped out of the shower, when the blankets would cling to him and steal it away. Ricky knows it too well. How does he know this is something he would rather choose to not explain.
He opens his eyes quickly, and he sees a completely unfamiliar ceiling. Panic blooms in his chest as he tries to pull away from the embrace, but the arm tightens instead, drawing him even closer. The man buries his face into Ricky’s neck, making his breath hitch softly, lips brushing against his skin as he murmurs,
“Ricky-ah... let me sleep a little longer.”
The voice sounded like Jiwoong, but softer and almost whiny. His heart skips a beat as he slowly looks down, dark hair spilled messily across the pillow, wrapped tightly in the blanket, nuzzled into Ricky’s neck as if it belonged there. His head spins, remnants of last night’s drinking colliding with the impossible reality in front of him.
JIWOONG HYUNG IS IN HIS BED?!
As Ricky’s thoughts were all over the place, the man beside him stirred awake. Jiwoong lifts his head, blinking sleepily, eyes soft and unfocused. His cheeks were flushed, his hair messy from sleep, and his expression was pouty and annoyed in a way that made Ricky feel butterflies in his stomach.
Before Ricky can pull himself together or utter a single word, Jiwoong leans down and presses a soft kiss to his lips.
“You woke up early, baobei.”
Ricky’s brain shuts down completely.
Error. Ricky.exe has stopped working.
Jiwoong chuckles, raising an eyebrow as he tightens his hold around Ricky, pulling him even closer. “What’s wrong?” he asks.
He reaches out, hand lifting to Ricky’s forehead, but Ricky jerks away quickly, scrambling back and putting a distance between their bodies until he’s huddled at the edge of the bed, like a scared kitten. His heart is pounding too loudly, thoughts crashing over each other like tidal waves.
What is happening? Why is Jiwoong hyung here? Why is he calling me that?
“What are you doing in my room, hyung?” Ricky asks. His voice comes out shaky and nervous, betraying him.
Silence stretches. They stare at each other in silence. Ricky, with a panicked expression, and Jiwoong, with a confused one. until Jiwoong finally speaks, his tone confused and almost hurt.
"Ricky-ah, I'm your husband, where else would I be?"
They both sat in silence, exchanging careful glances. The Jiwoong in front of him looked visibly disappointed once everything was somewhat straightened out. So far, they had reached one impossible conclusion: Ricky had crossed into another universe.
In a universe where Jiwoong is a model, Ricky has inherited his parents’ business, and they are happily married, with an adorable calico cat named Rinini.
Apparently, this Ricky had returned late from a week-long business trip and fallen asleep in Jiwoong’s arms without a second thought.
Ricky couldn't help but curse his other self inwardly. What a lucky bastard.
Panic curled quietly in his chest, tightening with every passing second. Jiwoong noticed it almost immediately.
“Can you tell me what’s happening?” Jiwoong asked.
He looked lost, confused in a way that tugged painfully at Ricky’s heartstrings. And despite everything, Ricky found it unbearably adorable.
“Well,” Ricky began hesitantly, “in my universe, we’re just bandmates. Well, we were. We’re K-pop idols. We debuted in a group called Zerobaseone.”
Using the past term left a bitter taste on the tip of his tongue, but he ignored it.
Jiwoong’s expression softened. “Oh,” he said quietly. “So you did pursue your dream after all.”
“Yeah.”
Jiwoong stood up, who was now dressed comfortably in simple trousers and a sweatshirt. Even like this, he looked ridiculously breathtaking and scrumptious.
“Let me take you to the doctor,” Jiwoong said, extending his hand.
Ricky stared at him, completely lost. “I’m not sick, Jiwoong hyung. I’m perfectly fine.”
“Fine?” Jiwoong echoed. “Ricky, this doesn’t make any sense. You’re my husband, and you don't remember anything about us.”
“We’re just bandmates,” Ricky said before he could stop himself.
The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them instantly.
Jiwoong’s expression shifted, hurt flashing across his face before he masked it. He scoffed softly, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Fine,” he said. “Then where is my Ricky? The man I married?”
The words "My Ricky" send an unwanted flutter through Ricky’s chest, making his heart beat loudly, almost afraid that the beautiful man in front of him might hear.
“I don’t know,” Ricky admitted quietly. “I’ll have to figure that out.”
Jiwoong exhaled, gaze steady but unwavering. “Then we’ll figure it out,” he said. “Because that body is still my husband’s.”
Ricky had to fight the urge to melt on the spot.
It looks like Jiwoong hyung had returned his feelings after all. Just not in the universe Ricky came from.
They both settled down as Jiwoong cleared out his schedule, and Ricky’s as well, calling Ricky’s secretary and informing him that Ricky was feeling unwell and wouldn’t be able to come in. The secretary merely agreed, well aware that Ricky had always been diligent when it came to work, never taking days off despite being the CEO himself. But if Jiwoong said so, then this man would be gone for entire weeks.
“So what happens now?” Ricky asked, taking a bite of the rice congee in front of him as Jiwoong sat on the other side of the dining table.
“I made you an appointment.”
Ricky nodded.
“Finish your breakfast, and then we’ll leave.” Jiwoong sipped his coffee, staring at Ricky with an unreadable expression.
Ricky, already shy under Jiwoong’s attention, couldn’t help but steal a few glances at the silver ring coiled around Jiwoong’s ring finger. He had to mentally pat this universe’s Ricky on the back, the ring looked absolutely beautiful against Jiwoong’s delicate fingers.
Jiwoong cleared the table while Ricky stood off to the side, feeling out of place. He offered to wash the dishes, only for Jiwoong to deny him completely, so he just stood there awkwardly watching him.
“Relax. I don’t bite, Ricky-ah.” Jiwoong glanced up from the table with a soft smile. No matter what the current situation is, Ricky is his husband after all.
Oh, I wouldn’t mind if you do.
Ricky mentally cursed himself for even thinking that.
Jiwoong guided him around the house. It was huge, everything tailored perfectly to both of their tastes. The light-painted walls, the comfortable sofas, everything screamed home, especially the cute, adorable calico cat resting on one of the sofas. Ricky secretly envied his other self.
They both dressed up and stepped outside. Jiwoong adjusted the mask around his face.
“The paparazzi still love you even in another universe, huh?” Ricky teased lightly.
“Judging by the looks,” Jiwoong replied with a hint of amusement in his tone, “you do too.”
Ricky quickly turned his head away, ears burning and face flushed red like the strawberries he loves to eat. Was he really that obvious?
“Is it that obvious?” he asked quietly.
“Not really. I’m just good at reading my husband’s body language.”
Every word Jiwoong spoke made Ricky want to blush and giggle like a high school girl with a crush, which, honestly, he kind of was. Minus the high school girl part.
Jiwoong opened the front door, and Ricky froze.
A massive garden stretched before him, flower beds carefully arranged, grass neatly trimmed. He knew they lived in a villa, but seeing it like this still left him breathless.
“You really have good taste in architecture,” Ricky blurted out awkwardly.
Jiwoong merely nodded. “I designed the garden. I do enjoy gardening.”
“This isn’t Korea, right?” Ricky asked, noticing the subtle differences.
“It’s Shanghai, your hometown.”
Ricky smiled at the thought of Jiwoong marrying him and moving to China with him. It had always felt like a distant dream, yet here it was, very much real and possible.
Jiwoong watched his husband quietly, eyes sparkling as he took everything in. He hid his chuckle behind his hand, well aware of what exactly Ricky was thinking.
“Shall we go?”
Ricky nodded.
Jiwoong took the driver’s seat while Ricky sat in the passenger seat beside him.
At the hospital, they ran tests, X-rays, blood work, everything. Jiwoong stayed close, careful not to overwhelm Ricky, standing just behind him and nodding along as the doctor spoke.
The results would be out the next day.
They returned home, and Jiwoong prepared dinner while Ricky hovered nearby, offering help that was repeatedly denied. Eventually, he leaned against the counter, simply watching.
“Take a picture,” Jiwoong teased, stirring the stew. “It might last longer.”
Now more comfortable, Ricky pulled out his phone. “I might as well.”
He smiled as he snapped photos of Jiwoong sticking out his tongue. Ricky silently prayed to every god that existed for forgiveness for the thoughts running through his head at the sight of Jiwoong in a tank top, silver ring glinting, sticking his tongue out playfully in front of him.
“I’ll show these pictures to my Jiwoong hyung,” Ricky said.
Jiwoong’s ears perked up, like a curious kitty. “Your Jiwoong hyung?”
Ricky turned away, hiding his flustered expression and red ears.
Jiwoong lowered the heat, letting the stew simmer, and leaned back against the counter. “Go on. Tell me about your Jiwoong hyung.”
“Don’t tease me like that, hyung,” Ricky muttered shyly, but continued anyway. “My Jiwoong hyung is really nice. He’s adorable and good at everything; he cooks, sings, and has even acted before, which I’m still jealous of. How could he just kiss someone like that? I wish I’d met him earlier. He dances so well; every time I see him, it takes my breath away. We even had a duo part in one of the choreos, and, fuck, it was just so hot.”
Jiwoong leaned against the counter, amused. Were all Rickys across the multiverse this obsessed with him? It made him strangely proud, every version of Ricky seemed just as in love as his husband was.
Dinner was served, and Ricky ate while continuing his enthusiastic rambling about how amazing his Jiwoong hyung was. Jiwoong simply nodded, mentally patting himself from the other universe on the back for keeping him on his toes just like he had his own husband, Ricky, on his.
They cleaned up together before settling onto the couch. Ricky slumped back with a sigh.
“The food was delicious. But my Jiwoong hyung makes the best mackerel fish, though.”
“You two get along well, huh?” Jiwoong leaned against the headrest.
“Yes! He teases me a bit, but he’s really kind. He always makes the best food for me.”
“Does he know you like him?”
Ricky went still, his voice much quieter as his head hung low. “Not really. It’s just a puppy crush. And after the announcement, I haven’t really thought about it. I doubt Jiwoong hyung even likes me back, so there’s no point.”
Jiwoong rolled his eyes. “You’re both frustrating. You clearly like each other, and that Jiwoong hyung is just dumb. I doubt he hasn’t noticed your heart eyes. I trust myself enough to know I wouldn’t be that oblivious. And that ‘puppy crush’? That’s bullshit.”
Ricky looked down and changed the subject, and Jiwoong let him, aware that now wasn’t the time.
They decided to watch a movie. Jiwoong was sleepy but agreed. They sat close on the couch, watching an action movie Ricky chose. They acknowledged the distance between their bodies, their legs brushing against each other, and Jiwoong’s arm resting along the back of the couch.
Ricky's ears burned red, and his heart fluttered every time their skin brushed against each other, yet he felt so comfortable and cozy.
Eventually, they both fell asleep.
The movie continued playing as Jiwoong pulled Ricky into his chest, the two of them curled together on the small couch, clinging to each other, basking in the warmth of shared presence.
Jiwoong knew Ricky liked his Jiwoong hyung, and he was sure that Jiwoong hyung liked him back. These idiots were just too oblivious. And he definitely didn’t buy that “puppy crush” bullshit.
He’d noticed the way Ricky’s eyes sparkled when he spoke about him, how his nose scrunched slightly when mentioning a guy named Matthew, though he hadn’t mentioned that this Matthew is a close friend of his in this universe and is a professional streamer and happily married to a gym trainer named Gunwook, a friend of Ricky.
He knew mentioning this would only spoil the fun since the other nine in that universe were young and stupidly oblivious.
Some things were better left unsaid.
Jiwoong just hoped they’d all find their way back to each other, despite the harsh winds of life. Judging by how Ricky spoke about them, he knew they were precious.
Just like how they are to him
And he could only wish and hope the world would be a little kinder to the nine boys.