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Being an idol is exhausting
I'm pretty sure everyone knows that.
So, Martin being the great boyfriend he is, decided to take his beloved Juhoon out on a date on their day off
Walking out of the studio, he pulled out his phone from his pocket, already clicking on Juhoon's contact
Jju <3
Jjuuu~~
?
Want to go out?
It's our day off
My treat
Where are we going??
Wherever you want
Meet me in front of the company at 3pm
👍👍
Martin felt like skipping, and smiled, pleased, and Juhoon's answer, waiting a bit more to check if anyone else sent him anything, and when he answered everything, he finally placed his phone back in his pocket.
Martin and Juhoon have been dating for almost 10 months now.
They started dating after winning rookie of the year, after Juhoon admitted his feelings for the leader, ever since their trainee-era and how he was ecstatic when he found out they'll be debuting together, even though he didn't really show it.
The moment Martin hears that, he was left speechless. This handsome boy was crushing on him?? It felt unreal, and he immediately reciprocated his feelings towards the Korean.
Ever since then, the only people who knew about their relationship were the other CORTIS members and the company, of course.
─ "Martin-ah…" Juhoon spoke, approaching his leader.
─ "Yeah, Jju?" Martin asked, looking down at the shorter male, noticing the way he was fiddling with his finger, "You okay? Is there anything wrong?"
─ "No, theres nothing wrong-" Juhoon began,
─ "Then? Whats-"
─ "I like you, Martin." juhoon blurted out, and instantly regretted everything the moment he realized he can't take those words back.
Martin just.. Stared. Surprised.
─ "Not platonically or bromance or whatever.. I actually like you." The shorter confirmed, "Romantically."
─ "I-" Martin was at loss for words, and he just blurted everything he wanted to say out, "I like you too-! So much, actually- I've did ever since I saw you in the dance studio back in our trainee days-"
Juhoon lightened visibly, and the corners of his mouth tugged upward, unable to contain his blush, his cheeks reddened, "Y-you do-? "
─ "Yes!"
─ "Well- Wow. Okay-" Juhoon spoke, blinking as if he was trying to see if this was a dream or not, "Pinch me quick-"
─ "It's not a dream, Juhoon-ah-"
─ "You swear-?"
─ "Yes!"
─ "I-" Juhoon paused, letting out a laugh full of disbelief as face fell in his hands, "Can I- Can I hug you-??"
─ "Yes-!"
Martin could replay the memory perfectly. The love he got from those round eyes and plump lips of Juhoon's only heightened the moment he confessed.
He checked his watch.
1:43pm
He had an hour left to get home and get ready for his date!
Juhoon looked around his closet, desperately looking for something casual to wear.
Eventually, when he tried making an outfit, and every single one not coming out like he wanted, he ended up sulking on his bed, annoyed that he couldn't make a stupid outfit.
─ ''Juhoon-hyung?'' Keonho spoke, knocking before popping his head into the room, head slightly down as he looked at the turtle on the bed
─ ''Ah, Keonho-ya.'' Juhoon spoke, voice flat as usual, looking up at Keonho from the bed, ''you okay?''
─ "Yeah, I'm fine, I was asking if you could help me with something?"
─ "With what?"
─ "I want to ask Seonghyeon out.." Keonho said, fully stepping into his hyung's room as he suddenly found the ground very interesting, "And I came to you since you confessed to Martin-hyung first and all…"
─ "You like Seonghyeon?"
─ "U-uh… Y-yeah.."
─ "Like roma-"
─ "Yes! Romantically! I love him-!"
Both of them paused.
Juhoon looked up at Keonho, and Keonho just swallowed, his hands turning into fists as he turned to leave the room, "Forget it-"
─ "No, wait- Come back, Keonho-ya -" Juhoon quickly said, getting up from the edge of the bet, "I'll-.. I'll help you."
─ "You will?"
─ "Yes, but make it quick, you have-" Juhoon paused, checking the time. 2:15pm, "10 minutes."
─ "Thank you, Hyung!! thank you-!" keonho spoke up, happily, jumping on Juhoon to hug him excitedly.
─ "Don't mention it." Juhoon spoke, patting his hand on Keonho's back before sitting back on the edge of the bed, "sit."
Keonho immediately sat on the edge of the bed, "What do I say?"
─ "Tell him you like him."
─ "...That's it?" keonho blinked
─ "That's it."
─ "But what if he rejects me?"
─ "Then cry."
─ "Hyung!"
─ "I'm kidding."
Juhoon paused, thinking for a moment, before shrugging, "...Mostly."
Keonho groaned, burying his face in his hands. His face remained in his hands as he groaned
─ "I can't just walk up to Seonghyeon and say 'I like you.' That's terrifying!"
─ "That's exactly what I did." Juhoon tilted his head
─ "And Martin-hyung liked you back."
─ "Yes."
─ "So it worked."
─ "Yes." Juhoon confirmed
─ "So what if it doesn't work for me?" keonho asked, sulking lightly as Juhoon looked at him
─ "...Then you'll know he doesn't like you."
─ "You're terrible at this." keonho slowly lifted his head.
─ "I confessed to Martin without a plan."
─ "How?"
─ "I just panicked."
Keonho stared and Juhoon stared back.
Juhoon let out a small scoff, before speaking again, a smile tugging at his cheeks as he looked forward, crossing his arms over his chest
─ "...And then he said he liked me too."
─ "That's actually the least helpful advice you've given me."
─ "Fine. Don't make some huge confession. Just ask him to hang out. Alone." Juhoon snorted.
─ "Like a date?"
─ "Yes."
─ "And if he says yes?"
─ "Congratulations. You have a date."
─ "And if he says no?"
─ "Then you don't." Juhoon shrugged, like it was the most obvious thing ever, and it was if we were honest.
─ "Hyung, you're making this sound so easy." Keonho groaned again
─ "It is easy."
─ "You've been dating Martin-hyung for ten months!"
─ "Exactly."
─ "That doesn't help!"
Juhoon laughed, finally getting up from the bed, "Just be honest, Keonho-ya. You don't need some perfect speech. If you like him, tell him."
─ "...Okay." Keonho went quiet, as Juhoon smiled
─ "Good."
Keonho suddenly jumped up and hugged him again.
─ "Thank you, Hyung!"
─ "Yeah, yeah. Get off me." Juhoon rolled his eyes.
Keonho pulled away, grinning like a little kid with a lollipop, "I'll do it!"
─ "Good luck."
Keonho reached the door before turning around, "Oh, and Hyung?"
─ "Yeah?"
─ "You should probably change."
Juhoon looked down at his clothes.
Then at the clock.
2:27pm.
His eyes widened.
─ "...Fuck."
Keonho burst out laughing as Juhoon immediately rushed toward his closet.
─ "Keonho, you little shit-! "
Juhoon called out, annoyed that Keonho has taken his time for some useless advice.
Well, he was kinda glad he managed to help his dear maknae with getting a date with his crush, but still! He had his own date to go to!
Jeez.
Martin arrived with a small delay, only a couple minutes but stopped when he didn't see Juhoon anywhere.
He slowed down when he reached the entrance of the company, still slightly panting as he just looked around, his tall frame easily helping him.
─ "Huh.. " He spoke, pulling out his phone and opening it, revealing his lock screen, which was a selfie with the best of them, "I wonder where he is."
He checked for any new messages, but his phone was as empty as a wallet with flies, and so, he just stood there, leaning against a curb stone and looking around, hands in his pocket as he did so.
─ "FUCK!" Juhoon swore, walking outside the doors and hurriedly locking the door behind him, checking that he had everything before finally locking it.
He wanted to kill Keonho for killing so much of his time, not only that, but he also found out last moment that he had to wash some stupid dishes!
Like, What the Hell??
He had to go to a date not wash dishes!
Juhoon continued swearing under his breath, teaching the elevator and desperately clicking on the button and tapping his foot as he waited, impatiently, hoping he wouldn't make Martin wait too much.
Walking in the elevator, he quickly checked himself in the mirror, fixing his hair and flattening out any crumpled part of his button-up shirt. He checked his outfit─ Some casual, dark flared jeans that were held up by a belt, a grey and brown, checkered button-up shirt with a casual white shirt under, paired with a sling backpack.
So this is the 'extravagant' outfit he has taken so much to make.
Juhoon was lowkey disappointed in himself, but hey, and outfit is an outfit, and you need to look your best when meeting your boyfriend.
Except said boyfriend couldn't care less if you were in pajamas or a full-time suit.
Juhoon left the elevator when he reached the ground floor, walking outside the dorm building and heading outside, towards the company.
He was quite grateful that the Company and the dorm rooms had an acceptable distance between them. It was just a 5 to 10-minute walk, so it was okay.
Martinii
Jju, you okay??
Yup
I'll be late though
Not much, Keonho wasted my time as always
Ah, okay
I'm already here
I'm waiting
Yeah ik
How??
I figured
Plus I have your location genius
Thank you for calling me genius <3
Very funny
What a comedian
I don't think you liked the remark
No.
Juhoon rolled his eyes as he continued his walk, his pace slowing down a little as he put his phone back in his pocket. He hoped nobody would recognize him, and pulled his cap lower, the grip on the sling of his backpack growing tighter as he approached
Martin looked up as he heard footsteps growing closer, and the sight of a turtle walking towards him made him smile.
─ "Twinski!-"
He was soon cut off, when said turtle yanked the collar of his shirt downward and caught him in a kiss, making Martin lean down, his hands flying to Juhoon's waist as he did so.
─ "What was that for-?" Martin asked, the moment Juhoon pulled away, and he was mere moments away from leaning down to kiss those pretty lips of Juhoon's again if he didn't have a drop of self restraint in him
─ "What? Can't I kiss my boyfriend nowadays?"
─ "I mean, yeah- You absolutely can- But what was it for?"
─ "I dunno, I just wanted to kiss you." juhoon shrugged, lightly biting the inside of his cheeks as he looked down for a mere seconds, before looking back up at the younger, "You still up for that date or not?"
─ "If I wasn't, would i still be here?"
─ "Right."
Martin laughed at Juhoon's reaction, and Juhoon just started walking, making Martin quickly jog back over to him,
─ "So… where are we going?"
─ "You'll see."
─ "Thats not a sentence I want to hear."
─ "You'll see."
Martin groaned and just fell into step with Juhoon, holding a bag over his shoulder by his hand, not even realizing that that was his gift for Juhoon.
10 minutes into the walk, Martin spoke up
─ "Where are we even going again?"
─ "You'll see! damn! impatient much?"
─ "Well, yeah! Of course! How could I not be??" Martin complained, his hands falling to his sides, and that was the moment he remembered the gift, "Oh yeah-!"
Martin began, extending the bag to Juhoon, a small smile appearing on his face as he stopped in his spot.
─ "You got me a gift-?"
─ "Yeah- I felt the need to get you something, so I did-" Martin scratched the back of his neck, trying to hide the obvious redness creeping up his nape.
Juhoon smiled, looking inside the bag and immediately soothing a bench the moment he looked up, walking towards it and sitting down with Martin soon following.
He started unboxing, and Martin seemed pleased with his turtle's reaction, watching him carefully.
He watched juhoon pull out the various objects, having different reactions to every one─ Rings, a set of earrings, a couple necklaces and chains, a plushie, two fugglers and a hoodie.
Juhoon smiled at the sight of the hoodie, a look of fondness appearing on his face as he looked at Martin, immediately recognizing the piece of clothing,
─ "This is yours isn't it?"
─ "Maybe."
─ "I don't like 'maybe's," Juhoon spoke, looking at Martin who sat down on the bench beside him, "You either say yes or no or im going to suppose this is some random guy's ragged hoodie or something."
─ "Hey! " Martin exclaimed, placing a hand over his heart dramatically, "I find that offensive."
─ "Sure you do.."
─ "I do!"
─ "I'm going to pretend that I believe you." juhoon scoffed, Golding the hoodie to place it back in the bag.
Juhoon turnee towards Martin once again, and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, before speaking again,
─ "Why didn't you tell me you were getting me something?" He began, "I Could've also gotten you something.. "
─ "Nah, no worries, it's okay, Juhoon-ah, dont worry."
Juhoon let out a small sigh, before giving Martin another kiss, before standing up, grabbing the bag in his hands as he waited for Martin to get up as well. Martin grabbed Juhoon's bag from his hands as he got up, hand grabbing Juhoon's as the other made it's way to his pocket, the bag on his wrist as they walked.
They soon approached an aquarium─ It was big, shaped like a stadium, with a large whale figure and other aquatic animals 'swimming' around it.
─ "An aquarium?" Martin asked, looking up at the large building in front of them.
─ "Well, yeah," Juhoon shrugged, turning towards the Canadian, "It opened recently and I thought it would be a good place for a date.."
Martin smiled, and picked up his pace as he approached the aquarium, smile on his face as he turned around, expecting Juhoon to follow.
Juhoon's lift tugged up, and quickly followed his boyfriend, catching up to him quickly as they walked inside, waiting in line for the tickets.
It didn't take much, well not much as in a couple hours, since the aquarium was newly opened and everyone wanted to see whats inside.
Martin walked in first, and slowed down when they walked into this forest like room, walking on wood log platforms, with water and various fish and turtles swimming under them
─ "Twinski.. Look!" Martin spoke, turning towards Juhoon who easily spotted him due to his tall frame. He pointed at two fish, who were swimming together, one longer than the other, "Thats us"
Juhoon looked at what Martin was pointing at, and a twinkle appeared in his eyes, letting out an amused scoff as he crossed his arms on the light woof fence.
They looked around, taking various photos of them and the animals, taking their sweet time as they admired the place
─ "AH SHIT-" Martin exclaimed, jumpscared by a parrot flying over him, which instantly made Juhoon laugh
Not at the scene, but at Martin
─ "Dont laugh at me-!"
─ "You got SO scared-"
─ "No i didn't!"
─ "It's just a bird!"
─ "I was taken by surprise-"
Martin tried to defend himself, but he knew Juhoon wouldn't be convinced one way or another, so he just walked to the next room grumpily, as Juhoon followed, a couple giggles escaping him every now and then.
Martin walked towards a glass enclosure, with sand and coral scattered around the ground as jellyfish puffed around the glass.
─ "Since when do you like jellyfish?"
─ "Since.. Forever?" Martin replied, hands in his pocket
─ "Oh, " Juhoon's lips snapped a small 'o', watching a specific blue jellyfish with yellow spots swim around, "So I chose well, right? "
─ "Chose what well?"
─ "Our date, genius."
─ "Oh- Yeah! I really like the aquarium."
Juhoon barked out a laugh, taking a couple steps back,
─ "What are you laughing about now-??"
─ "Your reaction-!"
─ "Oh my Godd-"
Martin whined, his hands coming up to his face as he let out a groan, though he was unable to hold the smile that stretched on his lips.
They continued their walk, looking at the variety of fish and water life in the attraction.
It seemed like Martin was honestly more focused on Juhoon than anything. They both liked the attraction, especially Martin, but today it seemed like Juhoon was the main attraction instead of the large sharks and old turtles.
They reached the famous part of the aquarium─ That long corridor surrounded by glass, which separated the visitors from the wildlife around them.
Juhoon watched a turtle at swimming and subconsciously followed it. Martin only realized this when he saw Juhoon stop whenever the turtle stopped.
He approached juhoon with a smirk, placing his chin on the top of Juhoon's head, with the help of standing on his tip toes to do so,
Juhoon didn't jump at all, knowing it was Martin the moment his footsteps were getting louder, "What do you want?"
─ "Damn okay-" Martin rolled his eyes, taking off his chin off of Juhoon's head as he followed Juhoon, and Juhoon watched the turtle swim away, "Can't even touch my boyfriend on our DATE."
─ "And I can't even ask my boyfriend what he wants. "
Martin rolled his eyes dramatically, arms crossing over his chest,
─ "Well, I just wanted to hug you but I can't do that anymore apparently."
Juhoon scoffed, and immediately found Martin's hand.
─ "You know.. You really are a tur-"
─ "Martin." juhoon cut Martin off immediately and stopped in his tracks, a look of realization hitting him
─ "What-??"
─ "Where's the bag."
Martin paused, and looked down at his hands, pausing for a second as he realized what he done, pursing his lips inwards as he did so
─ "Martin." juhoon began, his fingers flying up to his eyebrows, "What did you do with the bag?"
─ "I think I left it in the arrival area…"
Juhoon sighed, already turning around to head to the arrival area, and Martin jogged to him soon after, after realizing his dismissal.
They arrived back at the arrival area, where Martin got scared by that ("stupid" - Martin) parrot. Juhoon looked around quickly, and eventually found the plastic bag hanging from the hanger area, and he was grateful that nobody decided to steal it and had the common sense to put the bag in a safe spot.
He grabbed it, checking the interior to see if everything was inside, and by what he was seeing, it was! He let out a relieved breath, closing the bag as he turned towards Martin, who was waiting at the door, and just nodded towards him.
After three hours in an aquarium, Martin checked the time
6:43pm.
─ "You wanna go to a cafe or home and order takeout?"
─ "Cafe.." juhoon spoke, a tired breath escaping his lips as he closed his eyes, letting the hot August air warm him up from the cold interior of the Aquarium
Martin nodded and spotted a small, corner cafe on the other side of the road. He grabbed Juhoon's hand and pulled him as he walked to the cafe,
─ "I can walk by myself, You know-?!" Juhoon escaped Martin's hold, and held his hand properly, walking beside him instead of being dragged
Martin let out a small laugh, and opened the door to the cafe, noticing the cozy atmosphere inside. Dark spruce tables and chairs, a small fire warming up the space in the fireplace, coffee brewing up behind the counter, and various pastries sitting inside the glass.
Juhoon walked up first to the counter, placing his and Martin's order, smiling at the barista while Martin took a seat at one of the tables. He nodded when the barista placed his order and walked towards their table.
─ "What'd you get me?" Martin asked, looking up st Juhoon as he sat down
─ "Your usual," Juhoon spoke, taking out his phone from his pocket, "Oh, and I also got you a donut since I know you like them."
Martin smiled, and took out his own phone for any new messages.
Soon after though, the barista approached them with their orders. Juhoon and Martin thanked her for bringing their order, and the barista spoke up,
─ "Ah.. I'm sorry to bother you two, but are you Martin and Juhoon from..?"
─ "Well, yes.. -" Martin spoke with a small smile, nodding lightly
─ "can we take a quick picture, please-? Ill leave you guys enjoy your orders after-!"
─ "No worries-"
They stood up to take a photo, and the barista thanked the gleefully, lightly bowing before quickly leaving the two to their date, excitedly heading to her co-worker.
Juhoon smiled as he watched the barista leave,
─ "She was nice."
─ "Yeah.." Martin nodded, taking a sip of his coffee, before reaching out for his donut.
They didnt sit there much, though they really enjoyed the warm atmosphere. Martin and Juhoon waved goodbye to the baristas before leaving, the bell ringing as they left.
The two walked quietly back to their dorms, enjoying the hot air of Seoul, of course with leaving a couple complaints of the intense heat in the city, but it was overall peaceful, a comfortable silence settling between them as they walked home.
They finally reached the dorm building, and Martin opened the door for Juhoon.
─ "After you, my lady."
─ "...Never call me that again."
─ "Yes, my lady."
─ "Martin."
─ "Jju."
─ "I hate you."
─ "You love me."
"...Unfortunately."
Martin grinned.
And just like that, another day off came to an end.
No schedules.
No cameras.
No managers yelling at them to hurry up.
Just Martin and Juhoon.
Together.
And for once, that was enough.