Work Text:
It's not every day they have a schedule that ends early with enough time in the day to still enjoy it. Jo is just happy to be able to take a breath after rushing everywhere. Kei does a headcount, an arm wrapped around Euijoo's shoulders. Euijoo looks at him sulkily, faux upset he took his job. Kei just grins at him, pulling him into a playful headlock. Taki has Fuma wrapped up in a conversation, probably about some new Pokémon game he found. Maki has a game loaded on his phone, muttering curses under his breath in English.
Jo smiles. It's times like these he's grateful for, the bright chatter of still-there energy from a full day. The buzz of conversation surrounds him the entire way back to the dorms. He spends the ride looking out the window, not bothering to put in earbuds this time. Moments like these he prefers to enjoy, rather than hide them away with music.
He's not sure when he'd closed his eyes, but a weight on his knee brings him back. Jo looks up; Yuma is staring at him with a suspicious glint in his eyes. He raises an eyebrow as he sits up.
"What's that look for?"
Yuma grins, removing his hand. "What look?"
"The one you have right now," Jo nods towards him.
Yuma just grins wider, snaggletooth peeking out behind his lips. "I don't know what you're talking about, Jo-kun."
Jo stares at him. "You look like a cat about to pounce on their prey."
He won't admit he likes the manic look sometimes. To Jo, it opens a part of his heart that makes him want to be the reason behind his smiles.
Instead, he just watches as Yuma exits the car, only to jump on Taki and cackle with glee as the pair nearly tumble onto the sidewalk. Jo shakes his head dumbfoundedly, stepping out of the car himself and following the rest into the building.
Jo knows he's in love with Yuma; has come to terms with it for months now. And it's not that he thinks Yuma doesn't like him back, he's just never really found a reason to believe otherwise. The older flirts with everyone; why would it be any different with him? Though, it does sting a little seeing him stretched out cat-like against another member while barely initiating contact with only him.
Even now, the touch of Yuma's hand on his knee lingers and spreads a warmth through his body to the tips of his ears, where he's sure everyone can see in the crowded elevator if they look in his direction. Thankfully, everyone's too busy in their own conversations or personal activities to notice, and Jo takes the moment to bury his nose in his phone for the remainder of the way up.
The bickering starts almost as soon as the front door opens. Yuma tries to drag Taki to the living room, but the younger resists.
"Come on Taki, you said you would play with me!"
"Yeah, but I'd like to actually sit down first and get something to eat —"
Jo can hear the pout in Yuma's voice from where he's taken off his shoes and pads down the hallway. Unfortunately for him, he crosses Taki's line of sight, and he catches the tail-end of a shit-eating grin. Oh no. Taki frees himself from Yuma's grasp despite the protests and pushes Jo towards the living room before he can process anything.
"Here, make Jo play with you or something. I'm getting food," he declares. Jo glares after him, his plans to lie down ruined. On the other hand…
He shrugs, taking a seat on the couch and picking up a controller. Yuma is still standing, mouth slightly agape. An eyebrow raise from Jo pushes him into motion again. Yuma takes a seat next to Jo, an uncomfortable amount of space between them. Jo notices. He doesn't say anything; he's already used to it at this point.
"So," he starts, "what game are we playing?"
Yuma looks like a fish out of water, honestly. Jo almost laughs at the way he mutters some random title and busies himself with setting it up. He tries not to think about how cute he looks with his bottom lip jutted out into a pout of frustration (keyword: tries). He also tries not to focus on the fact his hair looks longer and fluffy at the nape. Yuma comes back to the couch before he can dwell on it, and he doesn't miss the way the space narrows slightly when he sits down. Jo hands the extra controller to him, and Yuma takes it wordlessly.
That pricks something under his skin. "What's with the silent treatment, huh?"
Yuma startles. "What —?"
"You've barely said a thing to me since Taki shoved me over here. That's not like your usual attitude," he comments. That seems to knock some sense into him. The older scoffs, sticking out his tongue and starting up the game.
"What, want me to give you special treatment instead?"
"No, I'd just rather you act like you actually don't mind me playing with you instead of ignoring me."
Yuma stares at him. "I do like playing with you."
"Then what's got you so cold?" Jo stares back.
He doesn't get a response, just the faint countdown of the round starting on the screen. Jo huffs a breath, slumping into his spot and turning his focus to the game.
It doesn't last long, however; Yuma's stare on the side of his face is becoming increasingly hard to ignore. Jo does his best, nimble fingers moving through muscle memory as his mind wanders. He's sure the older can see his ears turning red the longer he stares at him.
"You're staring."
"Am not," Yuma pipes up far too quickly. Jo's pretty sure Yuma gives himself whiplash with how fast he snaps his head back to the TV screen.
"You most definitely were," he points out. His character celebrates as the round comes to an end, and Jo turns to face the shorter. He bites back a smile. Yuma refuses to look back at him, choosing instead to keep his view in front of him.
The taller frowns. "You're so confusing," he says. Yuma side-eyes him.
"Excuse me?" He stands up, stretching. Jo lets his eyes linger on the expanse of stomach that shows briefly before forcing his gaze towards the kitchen. No one's there, he realises. He checks the hallways. All the other members have gone to their rooms, it seems. He spares a glance at his phone as Yuma continues to ramble. There's only one single message from Taki, a "you're welcome :)" burned into the bottom of his screen.
"— How can I be the 'confusing' one here when I'm the one who's always asking you to do stuff —"
Jo stands up, using his height to his full advantage. Yuma still hasn't noticed. His lips form a frustrated pout as he talks. It's cute, and Jo just can't take it anymore. He reaches a hand out, placing his index finger under Yuma's chin and tilting it up towards him.
Yuma freezes.
"You talk a big game for someone who looks like a cute cat," Jo mutters. He takes a step closer, eyes flicking down. He feels the moment Yuma's breath stutters, smaller hands grazing his waist before falling away uselessly. Warm air ghosts his cheek.
Panic flashes across the older's eyes. Jo bites the inside of his lip. He goes to step back, disappointed, but steady weight holds him in place. Yuma stares, mouth parted.
"Jo…"
"I really, really want to kiss you, Yuma-kun."
Time stills.
The hands on Jo's waist slowly slide up, hooking behind his neck.
"But, I can't do this without knowing you want this, too."
The older nods. Jo just shakes his head.
"Words."
Yuma's lashes flutter. The tone nearly makes his knees buckle. He swallows.
"Please, kiss me."
Jo tilts Yuma's chin a little higher as he leans down, capturing him into a kiss. It's sweet, soft enough for them to feel light and floaty. Jo takes the lead, placing his other hand against Yuma's cheek as he presses in. The touch makes the older preen, leaning into it as he pulls Jo down more.
Nothing exists outside of them. The air around them releases the breath it was holding, tension dissipating. Everything feels slow and perfect and just right; the feel of each other's lips against one another, joined by light touches and shared space. Neither of them want to pull away.
Yuma is the first to, suddenly aware of the open area they're in. Still, he doesn't move far, foreheads still touching. He slides his hands to Jo's chest, dropping down to flat feet. He's not even sure when he went up on his tiptoes. Jo smiles, eyes crinkling.
"Good?" he asks gently, breath fanning against the shorter's lips. Yuma rolls his eyes. A smirk tugs at the corners of his mouth.
"More than good."
Jo leans in for another kiss, but Yuma stops him. "Not here."
"Oh?"
"Not like that, you dumbass," Yuma blushes. Jo grins at the hit directed to his shoulder. "I just don't want to be interrupted."
The younger holds his hand out.
"Lead the way then, princess."
"Shut up."
Neither of them say anything about the stupid smiles on their faces.