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Sieun finds himself at a flea market on a weekend where he's managed to wrangle Suho off to the rest of his friends. He knows he probably won't find an exact replica of Suho's shirt he borrowed a few weeks ago, but he doesn't want him to notice he's down a shirt and question him any time soon.
His eyes land on a shirt hanging in one of the stalls. It's the same shade of black, the white text on it reads ‘I had a passionate affair in Seoul and all I got was this lousy t-shirt’. It's tacky and ridiculous. It makes Sieun cringe instantly – It's exactly the kind of thing Suho would like. He asks the old lady sitting in the stall how much it cost. He doesn't think twice when she says that its 20,000₩, and immediately grabs his wallet.
He tucks the shirt into his briefcase as he's packing. The sun sears his skin through the open window of his bedroom and he starts reconsidering agreeing to this trip in the first place.
An hour-long ride in Suho's “new” car with a faulty AC that only blows hot air back in his face, days filled with time spent under the blistering August sun – A month away from his apartment, a month with Suho. He hates to admit the long-term pros outweigh the mildly inconvenient cons.
The car is in Suho's usual spot, just outside of Sieun's apartment. Suho's elbow is propped on the open window as he pokes his head out in an attempt to fight off the suffocating heat inside the parked car. His sunglasses rest on his head, pushing his bangs up from his forehead. He's whistling to himself as he looks into the distance at nothing in particular.
The trunk swings open and snaps Suho back to reality. Sieun shuffles his suitcase in and shuts the trunk hastily before crossing the distance back to the passenger side and stepping in.
As soon as Sieun gets situated, Suho's eyes drop down to his shirt. Sieun's head follows the movement and he takes in the outfit he's wearing for the first time today. He's wearing Suho's shirt and shorts that stop just above his knees.
He's wearing Suho's shirt.
“I was wondering where that was.” Suho lets out an airy, playful chuckle.
“You gave it to me. You really never thought to ask?” Sieun mumbles back with about as much confidence as he can while his eyes dart away from Suho and focus on the dashboard.
“Honestly, I totally forgot.” Suho sounds way too happy about Sieun's predicament. He beams as he starts up the car.
The drive is peacefully quiet. Sieun watches the scenery as they drive past – the way the towering apartment complexes are slowly replaced with acres of land that go on for miles and small family farms.
Suho had asked Sieun if he had any summer plans and when he didn't, Suho leaped at the opportunity to drag Sieun along with him to finally meet his grandma. Suho has always talked so highly of her, Sieun looks forward to meeting her.
After an unbearably scalding 40 minute drive, Suho's car bumps up the sidewalk and onto the dirt path in front of his grandma's porch.
Suho brings up his left hand to wipe the sweat beading across his forehead. Sieun's eyes flicker onto him and he watches Suho fan himself with the collar of his shirt. His eyes travel down and catch a glimpse of Suho's chest with each tug of his hand onto the collar.
Sieun gulps. He can hardly tell if the heat bubbling up in his body is due to the weather or the man sitting next to him. Obviously it's just the weather, Sieun reassures himself.
Suho catches his eyes and a smug smirk finds its way onto his face. “Yah, Sieun-ah. Let's go, I'm dying in here.”
Sieun's back straightens and he reaches for the door handle hastily, a rosy blush sneaking its way up his cheeks and ears.
They drag their suitcases behind them up the porch. Suho knocks rhythmically and waits. He looks over at Sieun who's staring at the door and fidgeting with his nails, fists resting at his sides.
The door creaks open and Suho's grandma comes into view. The wrinkles under her eyes are evident as she smiles up at the pair.
“Halmeoni!” Suho bends down to her height and reaches his hands up to the small of her back, squeezing her tightly.
“Oh, baby,” She coos and wraps her arms around Suho's neck. “It's so good to see you.”
Suho lets out a warm laugh as he sways her upper body side to side. “It's good to see you too.”
When she pulls away, her eyes immediately shift to Sieun, her smile never fading. “You must be Sieunnie.”
Sieun nods. She raises her arms and pulls him down into a hug too. It takes him a second to process it. When he does, he brings an arm up to hug her back.
“Ahh.. Such a pretty boy…” Her hands smooth over his arms comfortingly. “No wonder Suho likes you. Come, I've already made lunch.” She starts walking back into the house while she gestures for them to come inside. “You like mandugguk, don't you?”
Sieun's shoulders relax. He can definitely see where Suho gets it from. “Yes, ma'am.”
She gives the two a moment to settle their things before eating. Suho guides Sieun to a room with a crimson red door, the paint on it slightly chipped – Suho's childhood bedroom.
It still smells faintly of him, and by the looks of it everything has been kept neat, presumably by his grandma. Little action figures and model cars and motorcycles are strewn across various pieces of furniture – organized micro collections Suho grew up loving. There are very few books on his shelf, and the ones Sieun's eyes can make out are all old school textbooks that probably haven't been touched since they were bought.
It's all so cozy and so him. Sieun settles into the space almost like its second nature. Suho doesn't let them linger too long when the sound of his stomach grumbling fills the room.
“Ahh… I'm so hungry. We can't let the mandu get cold. Come on,” Suho talks loudly as he drags Sieun out of the room, back to the dining area.
Lunch goes smoothly. Sieun can't remember the last time he's truly sat down to savor a meal before, and he's definitely not complaining that Suho's grandma's cooking brought him to do so.
“It's good, isn't it? I've been telling you!” Suho nudges Sieun when he sees the look of pure, innocent surprise that spreads across his face after he takes his first bite.
They're sitting side by side, whilst Suho's grandma sits across from them. Sieun looks over at Suho who flashes him a smile full of pride and a mouth full of food.
Suho's hand glides over Sieun's thigh from under the table and he squeezes it reassuringly. Sieun hardly shows any outward reaction, already accustomed to just how touchy Suho is, but the sensation still surges a feeling that pools deep within his gut.
“Sieunnie, do you know what happened the first time Suho went to the beach?” The old lady's voice permeates the familiar silence.
Suho sighs immediately. “Ah, Halmeoni. Don't embarrass me like that.”
Sieun can't hide his curiosity, however. His wide eyes look up at her sheepishly like he's waiting for her to continue.
“He was running around for hours and got lost. He started following a nice lady who he thought was me, until she turned around and he realized it was a total stranger.” She giggles through her story. “I was only a few feet behind him too!”
“Yah! You let me make a fool of myself for no reason! That's not my fault!”
She leans in towards Sieun and whispers secretively, “He's still mad that I made him cry.”
Suho groans and leans back until his back meets the floorboards. He sprawls himself onto the floor in defeat.
The fondest smile starts to appear on Sieun's face, the kind that's only reserved for Suho – now reserved for him and his grandma.
Suho acts differently around her. It's not obvious, not to anyone who isn't as attentive – as in tune to Suho as Sieun is. But Sieun notices the way his broad shoulders slump comfortably and his eyes lose their usual edge. It's a lot like how Suho looks when it's just him and Sieun.
“Let me know when either of you get hungry so I can start dinner.” She smiles at them warmly before returning her attention to the dishes as the two boys disappear into Suho's bedroom.
A few hours pass as the sun starts to set.
Sieun turns the controller in his hands, eyes laser focused on the screen, back hunched as he leans closer to the TV. He and Suho are playing a game together. His character just got stuck and he can't figure out how to jump as he jams every button his thumbs can reach on the small plastic controller.
“Relax, Hyung will take care of it.” Suho snatches the controller from Sieun's hands and starts moving Sieun's character out of the hole.
Sieun shoots him a look. “I’m older than you—”
“By two months. Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Suho finishes Sieun's sentence. “It doesn't matter, being the Hyung is all up here.” Suho turns to him for a moment and points to his temple.
Sieun scoffs. “What's that even supposed to mean?”
“It's a mindset, Sieun.” Suho leans in, expression way too serious for the conversation they're having. He gestures to himself pointedly. “I take care of you. I'm the Hyung.”
“Really?” A teasing smile tugs at Sieun's lips as Suho goes back to the game. “You couldn’t even kill a spider the last time you stayed over. You ran out of the bathroom half naked begging me to kill it.”
Suho brings a hand up to his chest as if Sieun just shot him with his words. He glares at him, a wounded expression on his face. “That was a moment of weakness. You little—”
Sieun watches as Suho drops the controller and lunges at him. He tackles him onto the mattress, hands pressed firmly on either side of Sieun's torso. Sieun looks up at him as he fights back a laugh. Suho grins at him, only with a hint of mischief Sieun recognizes all too well.
He barely has a second to react before Suho's hands fly up his ribcage and start tickling him. Suho's grin widens as Sieun tries to flail away, pleading with him through choked out giggles.
“Stop— Not fair—” Sieun squeaks out. “Halmeoni—”
Suho's hands stop immediately. Sieun turns his head back towards him and catches the way his jaw has gone slack with shock.
“Halmeoni?! You're calling my Halmeoni now?” Suho's tilts his head, amusement mixing with exasperation. “You think she's taking your side now? You're her new favorite?” A smile tugs at his lips again as he moves his hands back to continue his attack.
Sieun grabs his wrists to stop him just in time. “No— Sorry, sorry,” He wheezes out.
Suho drops his fists onto the mattress. His eyes soften as he watches Sieun attempt to catch his breath. Sieun's eyes meet his after a while and he pauses – and then he takes in the position they're in.
Suho is hovering over Sieun and fully straddling him. Sieun's hands are still circling Suho's wrists as his fists dig into the mattress on either side of Sieun's shoulders.
They're now too aware of each other's breathing. It feels like all the oxygen in the room was sucked out and neither of them can catch enough air in their lungs. It all feels too heavy, like time has slowed down around them.
“Is everything okay?”
The older lady's voice cuts through the tension. She knocks on the door a few times to make sure the pair heard her.
Suho coughs as he sits up again. Sieun follows, his hold on Suho's wrists lingers for a second too long before he reluctantly lets go.
“Everything's fine. Don't worry, Halmeoni,” Suho half-yells back.
Sieun's hand comes up to scratch his temple while his other hand smooths over the sheets beside him awkwardly. He looks up at Suho through his eyelashes. “We should probably go eat.”
Suho's head snaps towards him again. His eyes linger on him for a second too long before he replies, “Yeah. Good idea.”
A few hours after they've eaten and Suho's grandma took the opportunity to tell Sieun about several other embarrassing stories from Suho's childhood, Suho is lying on his bed, hands behind his head as he stares up at the ceiling.
The door creaks, only a miniscule sound ringing out in the comfortable silence, and Sieun steps into the room. His hair is fluffy and damp from his shower, and he's holding his old clothes in his hand.
Sieun extends his arm over Suho, who just barely registers that he's giving him his shirt back. Almost instantly, a soft smile sneaks onto his face as he shakes his head and turns his eyes back to the ceiling.
“Keep it.” Suho's voice is low, the warmth that radiates from him reverberating in his tone.
“What? No, it's yours. I shouldn't have kept it this long anyway.”
Suho turns back to Sieun, eyes flickering between his face and the shirt in his hand. He pushes the shirt into Sieun's chest with purpose.
“Don't make me say it again. If you like it so much, keep it.”
Sieun does like it. He likes it alot. Not because the design is life changing or the fabric is the perfect texture – just because it's Suho's. He's worn it countless times and now that it's gone through Sieun's laundry cycle way more than he'd like to admit, Suho's scent has faded and it just smells like every other shirt he owns now. That's partly why he even wants to give it back.
He doesn't reply, only turning around and taking slow steps until he reaches his suitcase. He drops the shirt and his shorts into it before Suho's voice chimes up again.
“Wait—What are you doing?” Suho's eyebrows furrow in confusion.
Sieun turns around, a meek expression on his face. “What do you mean?”
Suho is baffled as he lets out an exhale. “Go put those in the laundry, idiot. You're not keeping your stinky sweaty clothes in here the whole month.”
There's a beat of silence as Sieun blinks at him. His eyes widen slightly with the realization that he is staying here for an entire month. This whole exchange already aged him 10 years and he completely forgot that it's only the first day of their summer vacation.
As Sieun leaves the room and makes his way to throw the clothes into the laundry basket, his heart squeezes in his chest. He would be a fool not to admit that he actually likes having Suho care for him, as much as he teases him for being so over the top about it.
It's been a week since they first arrived at the house. The sun peeks in through the thin curtains covering the window that peers into Suho's bedroom. Sieun stirs first and he's immediately met with a – now more usual than before – weight pressing into his waist.
Suho's arm keeps finding its way around Sieun's waist in his sleep – or maybe Sieun keeps finding his way into Suho's arms. Whichever one it is, Sieun doesn't mind. That is until he has to actually get up and he can't break Suho's iron clad grip around him. It takes about three tries for him to finally get Suho to let go.
Sieun pads into the living room, dimly lit by the newly rising sun. The house is quiet enough that he can hear his own breathing.
The sliding door to the back porch slides open with little force as Sieun steps out. He steps up to the edge before taking a seat on the planks which make a barely audible creak as he shifts his weight.
Sieun looks out into the horizon at the sunrise, beautiful hues of orange and yellow painting the sky in ways he's never thought to sit down and admire until now.
It feels like the entire world has gone quiet. There's a certain tranquility once unbeknownst to Sieun in not having the responsibility to do absolutely anything.
The soft creaks of wood approaching behind him hardly bother him as he closes his eyes and listens to the wind blow through the trees.
He hears a choked out groan as someone plops down next to him, which he immediately recognizes as Suho. He doesn't open his eyes yet.
Neither of them talk for a while. Suho's eyes scan over Sieun, onto the trees, then the sky, then a cat wriggling on its back on the grass, then back at Sieun.
“You sleep like a log,” Sieun mutters out.
Suho lets out a soft exhale. “You act like you didn't know that. Stop pretending you don't love it.”
Suho's arm rests behind Sieun's back as it supports the taller boy's weight. Sieun only reacts with the softest hint of a smile, the corners of his lips lifting just slightly to show, like he's too comfortable to move another muscle.
“Halmeoni wants us to go into town and get groceries.” Suho gazes out into the horizon. “I was thinking we could stop by the pond and feed the ducks later. Since you're feeling so romantic lately.” He tilts his head towards the view they're admiring, even though Sieun can't see it.
Sieun's eyes flutter open, squinting slightly as he readjusts to the sunlight. He turns his head just a little in Suho's direction.
He doesn't know what's gotten into him. He damn near giggles as his eyes meet Suho.
“Okay.”
It's nearly noon once they trudge the vast roads into town. Suho's eyes keep sneaking glances at the crate of watermelons in front of the stall they're standing at while Sieun buys the radish Suho's grandma asked for.
“Can we take a watermelon too, please?” Sieun turns his body to the side and points sheepishly to the large crate.
Suho's head snaps in Sieun's direction immediately like an overly excited puppy. He barely registers the clerk nodding before he starts inspecting each watermelon to figure out which one is the ripest.
Suho practically bounces through the town with the large fruit in hand once they finish buying all the groceries. Sieun, however, is starting to feel the effects of the weather, coupled with the heavy plastic bag full of produce in his right hand.
The sun burns bright in the center of the sky. The wind has slowed to a stop, leaving the two boys gasping for air as they walk directly in the sun's line of fire.
A few minutes into their walk back, Suho grabs Sieun's wrist, throwing him entirely off his axis. He has no time to react before Suho starts leading them into the trees. Sieun feels a strange sense of relief once they finally enter the shade.
Suho brings them onto a tiny wooden dock that overlooks a pond – the one Suho mentioned earlier that morning. The trees still provide some shade over it.
Imaginary question marks appear over Sieun's head while he attempts to catch his breath. “I thought we were coming later.”
“Ah, don't worry. Halmeoni won't miss us too much. You looked like you needed a break.” Suho sits down on the dock, the watermelon at his side. He stretches his arms over his head and sighs. “Plus, I really wanted to crack open this watermelon.”
It almost worries Sieun how easily he goes along with Suho's plans. He sets the plastic bag down and takes a seat, legs dangling over the edge of the dock.
“How are you gonna do that?”
“Easy. Watch.”
Suho rises onto his knees and slots the watermelon between them. He lines the edge of his palm up to the center before he brings it down with a thud, cracking the watermelon in half.
Sieun is rendered speechless. The combination of Suho's toned thighs flexing around the watermelon in those shorts that are way too short, the veins popping in his hand from the force, and the boyish smile on his face as he hands one half over to Sieun – it's enough to make his brain malfunction.
Suho's laughter fills the air as he sits back down. “Cute,” He mumbles to himself before he starts digging into his half of the watermelon.
Sieun comes back down to reality immediately at that. He looks around them for anything else he can use to change the subject until his eyes land on the row of ducks swimming through the pond.
“...We didn't bring anything to feed the ducks.”
“Hm?” Suho raises an eyebrow in confusion. It takes a moment for his brain to catch up, like he wasn't the one who brought up the idea.
“Ah,” He chimes, “I'm a master at improvising. I got this.”
Suho takes another hefty bite of watermelon. He chews for a good few seconds before he spits the seeds into the pond and the ducks start to float over to eat them.
Sieun's face drops – it's like his whole body cringes at Suho's antics.
“That was disgusting. Never do that again.”
Suho deadpans. “Someone's jealous.”
Sieun scoffs and turns his entire body away from Suho. He folds his knees up to his chest and starts eating the watermelon like it's an act of defiance against Suho's relentless teasing.
The silence that falls over them isn't out of the ordinary. Between bickering and teasing, or soft exchanges and warm smiles, the silence they share says more than any of that. It settles. Even when words escape them – they've realized long ago they don't need them anyway.
Suho taps Sieun's bicep with his forearm to get his attention. Sieun watches as he takes another bite of watermelon and then spits the seed into the air and angles his head back to catch it.
Suho dips his head down and looks back at Sieun, grinning triumphantly.
Sieun grimaces. “You missed.”
Suho's eyebrows pinch together. “No I didn't, It's right here.” He points to his cheek.
Sieun squints his eyes – sure enough, the seed landed perfectly over the mole under Suho's eye. A smile tugs his lips downwards as he shakes his head and turns back to the pond.
The way Sieun's golden skin is accentuated by the sun nearly drives Suho insane. As many times as he's admired Sieun, he can't think of any where he looked this… breathtaking. His hair is tousled just right, his bangs a little damp with sweat.
Though he probably could've said the same about how Sieun looked this morning, with his bangs flowing with the wind and his eyes still puffy with sleep. It feels like every time Suho turns to look at Sieun he finds something new to cherish.
After they're both done eating, Suho reaches over Sieun's shoulders to grab the bag of groceries he was carrying.
“My turn,” Suho states with a grin. “Let's go.” He sticks his hand out to help Sieun back onto his feet.
The rest of the day flies by with practiced ease. After dinner, Suho manages to rope Sieun and his grandma into a game of UNO.
“Yah, Halmeoni! Now you're just being cruel!” Suho exclaims after the 3rd draw 2 she places on the table.
“Am I supposed to let you win? Do you make Sieunnie lose to you too?” She pokes Suho's side playfully which makes him lose his balance.
“No! We both play fair! Right, Sieun-ah?” Suho looks at Sieun with pleading eyes.
Sieun nods. “Mhm. I beat him last time.”
That much is true. Sieun did beat Suho the last time they played together – after a streak of games where Sieun let Suho win 80% of the time. He's become an expert at avoiding Suho's sulk sessions.
Sieun looks down at his hand and realizes he only has one card left – a blue 8. Suho's grandma just put down a blue draw 2, so Sieun's victory is blatantly guaranteed.
For a moment he considers pretending he doesn't have the right card and drawing from the deck. The idea fizzles out once he wonders what kind of show Suho will put on after he beats him this time.
Sieun places the card down and Suho's grandma cheers. Suho freezes, his jaw going slack. His gaze slowly lifts from the card pile up to Sieun – who's now getting his hair ruffled as his grandma praises him for finally shutting Suho up. The sight of Sieun's bashful smile while the two of them bond makes Suho's heart skip a beat. He doesn't dare to break the moment with his usual moping.
It's not until they're both in bed an hour later that Sieun's mind flickers back to it briefly – the softness in Suho's expression, uncharacteristically quiet as his jaw flexed. Sieun couldn't quite read him then, and he knows if he asked Suho would probably avoid the subject and kickstart his sulking just to make Sieun happy.
Suho's soft snores fill the space and Sieun starts feeling a sense of ease when he zones in on the sound, letting his mind focus on something else besides his roaring thoughts.
In the limbo between conscious and unconscious, a faint mumble lifts Sieun back to reality.
“Sieun… Sieun-ah…”
Sieun blinks himself awake again, expecting to see Suho looking back at him – instead, he's met with a still sleeping, still mumbling Suho.
“Sieun…” Suho whines, his hand on the mattress between them just barely reaching out towards the other boy.
Sieun takes a moment to survey the situation, eyes darting over Suho's face. He tries calling out to him.
“...Suho?” His voice is barely audible, just shy of a whisper.
He barely makes out the shift in Suho's expression through the dark. His eyebrows pinch together and his pinky finger wiggles towards Sieun weakly.
“Sieun-ah…”
Sieun feels a pit growing in his stomach, unsure of what to do. He stares at Suho's hand between their bodies and inches towards it uncertainly, his own hand making contact with the warm skin as he curls his fingers into his palm and holds it gently.
“Suho-yah.” His voice is slightly louder this time. He figures the best course of action is to wake Suho up immediately in case he's having a nightmare.
Suho's face relaxes immediately, the tinges of joy spreading across his features slowly until he's fully smiling in his sleep. His hand weakly fists at the sheets in an attempt to tighten the grip between their hands. Sieun lets out a soft exhale between a laugh and disbelief.
As Sieun falls back asleep, his thumb subconsciously brushes along Suho's knuckles.
It's the last day of summer vacation.
The day flies by in a haze of laziness, in which Suho somehow managed to convince Sieun to sleep in a few hours later than usual. They spent all afternoon sprawled out in the living room, watching Suho's grandma's favorite channel on TV.
A sense of unease settles in them amidst the domesticity – like when you're doing nothing on a Sunday afternoon. Tomorrow Suho has to drive them back to the city and they have to return to their normal life. Sieun didn't think he could dread a routine until now.
Sieun rummages through his suitcase while Suho is in the shower. His hands finally land on the shirt he bought for Suho a few weeks ago – now would probably be a good time to give it to him.
Sieun turns around as the door swings open and Suho steps into the room. There are still beads of water scattered across his exposed skin and his towel is wrapped around his waist, his v-line peeking through the top almost teasingly. Suho flexes his left peck as he shifts on his feet, gauging Sieun's reaction.
Sieun tears his eyes away from him suddenly and down to the shirt in his hands – he extends it to him hurriedly.
“I bought it for you last month, since I practically stole your shirt.”
Suho takes the shirt, straightening it out in his hands. His eyes scan the letters before he doubles over with laughter.
His eyes dart over it amusingly as he beams, “Sieun-ah, This is great.” He throws it on immediately.
Suho's smile shifts smugly as he looks back up at Sieun. “Does that mean you were seriously planning on keeping it anyway?”
Sieun attempts to collect himself, trying to keep his expression blank, though his eyebrows lift at the accusation.
“No, I was gonna give it back. I just thought you would like that one.” Sieun's lips fall into a slight pout.
Suho mocks, “Ahh. That doesn't sound guilty at all.”
Sieun sighs as he walks out of the room, his shoulders slumping defeatedly. Suho can be so insatiable sometimes, like he lives and breathes on getting under Sieun's skin.
As the door clicks shut, Suho yells out, “Thank you, Sieun-ah!”
Suho's hand comes up to bunch the fabric in his fist. A steady inhale lets him smell Sieun's scent that lingers on it from being mixed in with all his other clothes.
A sense of urgency wells up inside of him when he imagines Sieun doing the same with his shirt. He quickly gets dressed and follows Sieun outside.
The night is quiet as both boys sit under the stars. The lack of light pollution lets them fully admire the view – it's breathtaking.
Suho turns his head to Sieun who's still lost in the stars. They reflect off of his eyes with such precision Suho feels like he's still looking into the night sky.
Sieun's voice comes out small, “I've never seen the sky like this before. It's so soothing.”
Suho all but melts into a puddle next to him, a dorky smile hanging off his lips. “Yeah. It is.”
Sieun's eyes are wider than they've ever been, darting over the countless constellations. He grabs Suho's hand with his left one and points up at the sky with the right. “That's Canis Major. The bright star at the top is Sirius. It's the brightest star we can observe because it's so close to earth.”
Suho looks where Sieun is pointing, resting his head on his shoulder to get a better look.
“I've never seen it in real life before,” Sieun's voice gets even smaller as his hand drops down to his thigh.
Suho's heart tightens. “Nerd.”
Sieun turns to protest, but his whole body loses strength when he sees Suho look up at him as fondly as he does.
Suho doesn't let him wonder what's whirling in his head for too long as he leans in to close the barely existent distance between them.
Sieun freezes. As if time has come to a screeching halt, leaving them in this moment.
Sieun's top lip slots in between Suho's like it was made to be there. Sieun relaxes all of his muscles again as he closes his eyes and kisses Suho back. It feels natural – like it's not both of their first time's ever kissing someone.
Suho pulls away. Sieun's eyes are full of wonder, wide as ever when their gazes meet. Suho hesitates for a split second.
“Sorry, I shouldn't have—”
Sieun can't stop himself when he leans back in to kiss Suho again. Their teeth scrape together clumsily which makes Suho chuckle into Sieun's mouth. Sieun circles his arms around Suho's neck as his lips glide with Suho's feverishly.
Sieun pulls away this time, though he doesn't go far with his arms still wrapped around Suho's neck.
“What was that for?” Sieun whispers, like the moment is too precious and it could break at even the harshest sound.
Suho snakes his arms around Sieun's waist as he pulls him even closer. His embrace is warm and safe. He hardly thinks he needs to vocalize it at this point – only because Sieun asked does he even consider it.
“Yah, Sieun-ah… You’re really gonna make me confess how much I love you, hm? You're relentless.”
Suho brings a hand up to stroke Sieun's cheek softly with his thumb. Sieun nearly sends both of them toppling onto the porch when their lips collide again as he leans his body mass into Suho.
Suho smiles through it, letting Sieun deepen the kiss with all his might. Sieun's finally found a way to pour out all the love that's inside him. Suho's arm tightens around Sieun's waist as he carries his weight happily.
A few weeks after they go back to school, Sieun's friends plan a movie night and as always, Sieun is the unlucky host.
“You picked the movie last time!”
“Well maybe if you didn't always pick shitty cowboy movies!”
Baku and Gotak bicker as they sit side by side on one of the futons on the floor of Sieun's living room. Baku gives up fighting for the remote when he remembers where they are, and that Sieun wouldn't hesitate to kick them out if they started making a scene – it wouldn't be the first time.
Juntae is emptying out his backpack, sprawling out the countless snacks he brought for the others to grab. Sieun is sitting idly on the couch, knees to his chest as he waits for Suho to return from the bathroom. He's quiet as he always is, but his expression is softer, a touch calmer than the last time the others had seen him.
Suho plops down into his usual spot next to Sieun and immediately wraps his arm around him. It's casual, familiar – like their shared vacation hadn't changed anything.
A lot has changed, yet much of it has stayed the same. The one glaring difference the rest of the group notices is how Sieun's hand is now shoved into Suho's shirt, the outline of his fingers all too visible as they trace shapes over Suho's stomach.
None of them dare to say anything, but there are many frantic shared glances as they all make sure they're seeing this right. Baku's eyes are wide with shock, mirroring Gotak’s as they share a look after they both catch Sieun let out a content sigh under his breath and snuggle further into Suho's side until he's practically on top of him.
Once the movie starts playing and the noise provides enough distraction, Baku leans in to whisper to Gotak, “Okay, I know Suho is different but… This is crazy. I feel like we shouldn't be here.”
Juntae reaches over Gotak to slap Baku's arm. He whisper-yells, “Shh! They're not deaf, Baku!”
The two don't even hear the commotion happening right under them, still deep in their own little world. Suho's hand inches on top of Sieun's inside his shirt. The motion is so small, if anyone blinked they'd miss it – as he guides Sieun's hand over his chest until he can feel his heartbeat right underneath his palm. It's relaxed, soothing.
The rest of the group wouldn't recognize it but Sieun is wearing Suho's shirt again – only this time it actually smells like him. He falls asleep not even 10 minutes into the movie. In Suho's arms, where it feels right.