⌖

“Mhm? You responded without taking your eyes off the screen.

“But then you looked too pretty.”

You giggled, shaking your head, hearing the cheesy line from him, “You flirt too much.”

“You blush too easily,” he leaned back, grinning.

That caught your attention. You turned to look at him. “I do not.”

He tilted his head just enough to catch your burning cheeks. “Sure.”

“Don’t you need to finish the verse you were writing?” you sighed before looking back at the monitor, trying to finish the first chorus of the song.

“Can’t I at least listen to the first few seconds?” He pouted. “I need some inspiration.”

You let out a dramatic sigh, “Fine, only a few seconds.” You handed him your headphones, letting him listen to ATEEZ’s upcoming song. You watched as he nodded along to the beat.

The moment the final note faded, Mingi looked at you instead of the monitor. “What?” You scrunched your brows. “Is it bad?”

“I don’t know.” He took off the headphones.

“Mingi!” You huffed, crossing your arms.

“I just like looking at you,” he admitted with a smug smile.

You were in disbelief. “You are unbelievably distracting.” You took the headphones from his hand to put them back on.

“And yet,” he smiled, “you’ve still produced another hit.”

You shoved his shoulder, earning a laugh that echoed around the studio.

Some nights were quieter. You’d still be editing vocals long after midnight while Mingi stretched out on the couch watching you with sleepy eyes. “You’ve been staring for ten minutes,” you noticed his reflection on the monitor.

“I know,” he yawned. “I missed you.”

You looked back at him, “We literally saw each other this morning.”

“That was in front of everyone!” He said, before walking over behind your chair, wrapping both arms loosely around your shoulders. “This is different,” his voice was softer now.

“How is this different?” you looked up at him.

He pouted, “I couldn’t kiss you all day.” he gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind your ear before leaning in. “Let me make up for it now.”

Before his lips pressed on yours, you placed a finger against his chest, “What if someone sees us?”

He glanced at the locked studio door before looking back at you with a mischievous smile, “They won’t.” He redted his forehead against yours, your lips only a few inches away. “So.. can I?” he tilted his head.

Instead of answering, you leaned forward first. It was a quick kiss, yet it was gentle. When you pulled away, Mingi frowned dramatically, “That’s it?” 

“Someone could walk in right now.”

“Babe, the door is literally locked,” he pouted. 

“But Hongjoong has a spare key! What if he caught us? What if he tells the world that–” Your rambling was cut short by his lips pressed to yours. This time, it lingered a little longer.

Both of you pulled away breathlessly. “You’ve become clingy.” You rested your chin on his chest while looking up at him.

“I’ve always been clingy,” he said, pressing a kiss to the top of your head as his hand gently stroked your hair.

Award season arrived sooner than either of you expected. ATEEZ had been nominated for song of the year with a few tracks the two of you had poured months of restless nights into creating. You were backstage, with the other staff and the production team, watching the award through the TV.

Your heart pounded as the presenter opened the envelope. “And the award for song of the year goes to…” 

There was a brief pause, and then. “...ATEEZ!”

The arena exploded into cheers. The members embraced each other before making their way towards the stage. You and the rest of the crew were in disbelief and erupted into applause, congratulating each other for their hard work. 

The members finally reached the stage, Hongjoong thanked ATINY, the staff, the company, and everyone who had believed in the album before handing Mingi the microphone. He looked down at the trophy for a moment. “I’ve thanked the members countless times,” he began, “but there’s someone I don’t think gets enough credit.”

The audience suddenly went quiet. 

“To the love of my life…”

A wave of surprised gasps rippled through the arena.

“...thank you for always staying by my side every late night in the studio… every song we made…you always reminded me why I started making music in the first place.”

His smile grew impossibly gentle, “I hope one day I can thank you properly without hiding anymore.”

The crowd erupted. The rest of the members looked at each other with wide eyes before Wooyoung broke into a knowing grin, nudging Mingi.

The second the cameras stopped rolling and the members disappeared backstage, the hallway exploded into chaos. You quietly slipped away, figuring he’d be occupied for a while.

“Where is she?”

You heard a familiar voice as you turned around. You noticed Mingi stood at the other end of the hallway, the trophy tucked under one arm, looking over the crowd. Then his eyes landed on you, “There you are.”

Without another word, he ran to you. Staff instinctively stepped aside as he hurried straight toward you. The moment he reached you, his arms circled your waist and pulled you into a hug so tight you almost laughed. “Congratulations, babe.” You pulled away for a second.

“We did it,” he whispered, slightly out of breath.

You wrapped your arms around his neck, “You finally got song of the year!”

He shook his head immediately, “No, we got song of the year.”

“Mingi-”

“I’m serious,” he leaned back just enough to look at you. “None of those late nights would’ve happened without you.”

Your expression softened, brushing a stray strand of hair off his forehead, “I’m still proud of you.”

He smiled before pulling you back into a hug, “I want everyone to know you’re mine.” He whispered into your ear.

“What?” 

His grip on your waist tightened. “I just can't bear the idea of anyone else touching you, of anyone thinking they still have a chance because they don’t know about us.”

Somehow, it felt like the hallways disappeared, it was just the two of you. Before you could respond, Wooyoung’s voice echoed through the hallway, “There he is!”

“I knew it,” Yunho laughed so hard he had to lean against San. 

“I told you he’d find her before he found us.” Hongjoong folded his arms with an amused smile. 

Mingi only scratched the back of his neck, completely unbothered, “I had somewhere important to be.”

You felt your cheeks warm, “Well, I should get going, congratulations again everyone!” You said before pressing a quick kiss on Mingi’s cheek. You waved goodbye to the others as you walked away.

“Can you two be disgusting after the photos?” Wooyoung groaned dramatically. Mingi chuckled in response, “Shut up.”

No matter how loud the world can be, whenever you’re with him, in the studio or anywhere else, it always feels like home.

Suddenly, a dramatic gasp came from beside you, “No, no no!”

You finally lowered the script just enough to glance at him, “Park Seonghwa.”

He turned to look at you, “Hm?”

“You’re louder than the drama,” you let out a sigh. “Stop watching and help me practice the dialogues,” you handed him the script you were holding.

He cleared his throat dramatically before flipping through the pages, “So what’s my role?”

“The male lead,” you shifted your position so you could face him better.

His eyebrows lifted, “I knew I had the main character energy.”

You rolled your eyes, giggling, “Just shut up and read your lines.”

For the first few minutes, everything went surprisingly well, he read the male lead’s lines naturally while you replied with yours. Then he reached the next page. His voice suddenly stopped, and the room fell silent.

You looked up, only to find him staring at the script with a pout. He was reading the kissing scene.

“Why does it say… he gently cups her face… before kissing her?” his eyes moved between the page and you. 

“...Oh, um, yeah...” you scratched the back of your neck.

“You have a kissing scene?” he glanced at you. “With another actor?”

“Well, it’s kind of hard to have a kissing scene by myself,” you chuckled at his sudden jealous behaviour.

Seonghwa let out a seated sigh, “Cancel it, reject the role.” He said before snapping the script shut. 

You stared at him, “I can’t! The shooting starts in a few days.”

“Tell them you caught a cold or something.” 

You covered your face, laughing into your hands, “I’ve already signed the contract.”

“Then I’ll buy all of their ads and cancel the kissing scene,” he huffed, raising his eyebrows.

You shook your head, “You’re unbelievable.” You reached over to grab the script again, but before you could, he held it above his head. “Really? I need to practice these scenes!”

“I’m confiscating it,” he said, looking down at you.

You scoffed, crossing your arms over your chest, “You know I can still reach it.”

He smirked, tilting his head, “You can try.”

You leaned forward, trying to grab the script. Seonghwa grinned as you tried to climb over him to reach the script. Suddenly, he leaned down and stole a quick kiss from you while smiling.

“There,” he murmured with a satisfied smile.

“What was that for?” You scrunched your eyebrows.

“You said you need to practice, right? Count it as a practice.” He leaned back with a grin.

You looked up at him, “You’re ridiculous.”

“I’ve been told,” he said before leaning down and pressing a more passionate kiss to your lips. It was meant to be brief, but the second you kissed him back, he craved more. One kiss turned into another, until you’d both completely forgotten about the script.

When you pulled away, slightly breathless, you shoved his shoulder playfully, “You’re such a distraction.” 

He sneered, “I know.”

You rolled your eyes, trying to push him away, but your fingernail accidentally grazed the back of his hand. He immediately pulled away with a dramatic wince, “Ow…”

Your smile disappeared, “Oh my god, are you okay?” You took his hand instinctively, carefully inspecting the tiny scratch on his hand with your brows knitting together in concern.

The moment your eyes met his, Seonghwa smiled. Before you could realize what he was doing, he leaned in and kissed you again, making absolutely no effort to hide that smug smile that lingered afterward.

You blinked at him, playfully smacking his chest, “You totally faked that.”

He pretended to be in pain, “Ouch, I was in pain.”

“You used my sympathy.”

“I used the opportunity,” he defended.

You stared at him for a second before laughing, letting your forehead fall against his shoulder, “I hate you.”

He only wrapped an arm around your waist again, pulling you back into his side, “So you’re still rejecting the script, right?” he suddenly asked.

You groaned, “No, Seonghwa!”

✶⋆.˚ HUSBAND!YUNHO who loves slow mornings with you. He wakes up before you just to admire your face for a few minutes before you wake up. When he has the time, he’d make breakfast for the two of you then come back to the bedroom to wake you up, even though he’d climb back to bed because of your puppy eyes asking him to stay for “5 more minutes.”

✶⋆.˚ HUSBAND!YUNHO who refuses to let you carry anything even if it’s lightweight.

You had just finished grocery shopping and insisted on carrying a few bags yourself. However, the second Yunho see you carrying those bags, he carefully takes the bags from both of your hands.

“I’ve got it, it’s okay,” you said.

He scoffed while carrying the bags, “what kind of a husband am I to let my wife carry heavy things?”

You laughed under your breath, “Jeong Yunho, they’re not even that heavy.”

“Honey, just let me take care of it, okay?” he leaned down kissing your forehead.

You smiled quietly and raised your hands in surrender, “alright then, don’t whine at me if your hands start to hurt.”

✶⋆.˚ HUSBAND!YUNHO who can’t live without physical affection. Whenever you’re walking on the streets together, he’d casually place his hand on your lower back gently rubbing it. He intertwines your fingers while watching TV. He even pulls you onto his lap while he’s reading, one hand holding his back and the other caressing you by the waist.

✶⋆.˚ HUSBAND!YUNHO who still gets ridiculously excited over calling you his wife.

The two of you had stopped by a small cafe on your day off, when you approached the counter, a staff member smiled politely, “is this order together?”

Yunho nodded without hesitation, “Yeah.” He said while glancing at you with the softest smile, “It’s for my wife.”

“Your wife?” you repeated once you were seated.

He looked at you in confusion, “Yeah?”

You giggled, “you sounded really happy saying that.”

“I am,” he sipped his coffee silently.

You laughed in disbelief, “You’ve been calling me your wife for two years.” You looked at his eyes, smiling sheepishly, “somehow it still feels brand new everytime.”

“Well, I just like saying it,” he admitted.

You giggled before continuing sipping your coffee, “you’re cute.”

“So are you,” he reached his fingers across the table to intertwine your fingers with his. “..My wife.”

You couldn’t help but laugh, gently nudging his feet under the table, “you’re never gonna get tired of that, are you?”

He smiled proudly, “Never in a million years.”

✶⋆.˚ HUSBAND!YUNHO who always drives with one hand resting on your thigh. It wasn’t intentional, it’s just second nature. He just naturally reaches for you whenever you're sitting in the passenger seat beside him, absentmindedly circling your thigh with his thumb while you talk about your day to him.

✶⋆.˚ HUSBAND!YUNHO who still gets distracted by how pretty you are. You’ll be ranting about your day or gossiping about your friends over dinner when he suddenly smiles to himself. “What?” you’ll ask, think that he’s not listening to you when in fact he’s admiring you. “Nothing,” he’ll grin. “I just really like looking at you.”

✶⋆.˚ HUSBAND!YUNHO who loves slow dancing with you in the living room for no reason at all.

You’re folding laundry on the floor, in front of the couch, while Yunho half-listens to the music playing faintly in the background.

Then, he suddenly stands up.

You look up at him, “where are you going?”

“Nowhere,” he says casually before holding out his hand to you.

You blink, “what?”

“Dance with me,” he smiled.

You shrugged, “I don’t know how to dance.”

He laughed softly, "That's the point, just follow the rhythm.”

You sighed but still took his hand. The moment you stand, he pulls you closer by the waist while the other gently holds yours. No rush, just swaying to the rhythm slowly as if the world only revolves around the two of you.

“You always do this,” you murmured quietly.

“Do what?” he tilted his head.

“Steal me when I'm busy.”

He smiles, “your existence is better here.”

You roll your eyes but you don’t move away. After a few sways, his grip around you tightens just a little.

“Stay a bit longer,” he says softly.

You look up at him, “you always say that.”

“And you always stay,” he pressed a kiss to the top of your head.

The two of you just keep swaying slowly in the middle of the living room, while Yunho holds you like time doesn’t matter at all.

Everything was normal until your cousin arrived carrying her baby daughter, "Look who's here!" you squealed. You carefully settled your niece on your lap while pressing a kiss to her cheek.

"There you are, princess," you cooed, playfully poking your nose against her neck, making her giggle.

Your little niece babbled happily as you played peek-a-boo and even made funny faces, her giggles filled the room.

Jongho watched the interaction with a small smile. He'd always known you were good with kids, but what he wasn't prepared for was how adorable you looked holding the baby.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?" you asked Jongho, who couldn't stop staring at you.

He blinked, "Huh?"

"You keep looking at me," you giggle, holding your niece as she continues to babble.

"No, I wasn't," he coughed, awkwardly.

"You literally were," a grin spread across your face. "Am I really that pretty?"

Jongho rolled his eyes, "Don't even start."

You laughed softly before turning your attention back to the baby. A few minutes later, her energy slowly disappeared until she eventually curled up against your chest, and you gently rubbed her back instinctively.

Somehow, Jongho's chest suddenly felt strangely tight. He found himself imagining a baby with your smile, a little version of you. He even imagined you holding a child that belonged to both of you.

By the time dinner finally ended, he was still thinking about it. The drive home was unusually quiet, but you assumed he was just tired and didn't think much of it.

After unlocking the front door of your house, you decided to ask him, "Are you okay?"

Jongho sighed, "I'm fine."

You narrowed your eyes, "Jongho."

"What?" he glanced at you.

"What happened back there?" Your voice was gentle. You noticed him hesitating for a moment, until he finally admitted it.

"You were really good with her," he murmured, his voice was low.

"My niece?" you chuckled. You leaned against the dining table, shrugging playfully. "I guess I'm naturally gifted at melting hearts, babies just know it."

He laughed softly, "Clearly, but watching you like that, it made me think," he stopped for a second. "When's it our turn to have that kind of joy? that kind of love?"

You looked at him with an eyebrow raised in suspicion, "Our turn? Are you saying that the baby fever has finally gotten to you?"

Jongho's cheeks flushed a hint of pink, "Maybe? I thought I'd been hiding it better, but yeah—I want it.. I want a baby with you.. our little one to love."

Your smile softened as you reached over and took his hand, gently stroking your thumb over his, "That's really sweet, honey, kind of surprising coming from a guy who thought babies were loud."

He nudged you gently, "Well, I'm full of surprises, besides, I guess you could say I'm a little jealous of all those babies stealing your attention."

"I love that you want this, but how about we just take a little more time? I want to savor us, our weird late-night talks, your warm hugs, before we add a new chapter in our lives," you looked up at him.

Jongho pouted in response, "So you want to keep me waiting so you can keep stealing my hugs?"

"Absolutely," you teased with a mischievous smirk. "And maybe I like to keep you all to myself a little longer."

He laughed, "Fine, I'll wait, but only if you kiss me?"

You immediately pressed your lips to his, standing on your tiptoes as your arms found their way around his shoulders. He returned the kiss without hesitation, pulling you a little closer by the waist, craving for something more.

You pulled away softly, "Okay, let's stop this before I change my mind about this whole baby thing."

He hummed in response, "Right, right, sorry about that."

✶⋆.˚ SAN

The two of you were in the dorm kitchen late at night, looking for snacks while the rest of the members were supposedly asleep.

You kept opening every cabinet, searching for snacks the members had hidden from you, since you loved to sneak around and steal their favorites. Instead of helping, San leaned against the counter, watching you open every cabinet.

“Be careful, love,” San gently reminds you.

“You know,” you pointed out. “You could at least pretend to search.”

“I am searching.”

You snapped at him, “You haven’t moved for the past five minutes.”

“I found what I was looking for already,” San moved closer to you.

You rolled your eyes at his cheesy pick-up line, “You’re weird.”

A few seconds later, you finally found the exact snack you were looking for, “Found it!” you exclaimed, standing on your tiptoes and stretching slightly to reach the top shelf. However, the second you stepped backward, your sock slipped against the slippery kitchen floor.

“Whoa–”

Before you could fully lose your balance, San quickly grabbed your waist, instantly pulling you back against him so you barely had time to react. One of his hands stayed firmly at your waist while the other steadied your body, your faces suddenly way closer than before.

For a second, both of you just froze. “Told you to be careful,” he murmured.

“I was careful,” your voice was stern. 

“You almost died reaching for chips.”

“Okay, that was dramatic,” you laughed breathlessly. Before you could say anything else, San leaned down and kissed you suddenly. 

His hands tightened around your waist, preventing you from falling. You responded by wrapping your arms around his neck, pulling him deeper into the kiss as your bodies swayed instinctively, caught in the momentum of the kiss. He trailed kisses down your jawline, guiding you backward as you reached out, fingertips grazing the edge of the kitchen counter.

As you moved together, the room became a blur of soft furniture and scattered shadows. The two of you completely forgot where you were, until.

Wooyoung stood near the kitchen entrance, rubbing his eyes–not believing what he just saw, “I don't even wanna know.”

You jumped apart instantly, and you hid behind San’s huge figure in embarrassment. Meanwhile, San just blinked once before smiling sheepishly. “In our defense,” he started.

“There is no defense, Hyung.” Wooyoung interrupted immediately. He groaned dramatically before walking back toward the hallway.

San turned back toward you with the biggest grin, “You okay though?”

You stared at him in disbelief, “That’s your biggest concern right now?”

“Yes?” San answered innocently.

Despite everything just happened, you still ended up laughing while San pulled you back against his side again.

✶⋆.˚ MINGI

You had been lying against his chest for nearly an hour, his arms loosely wrapped around you while soft music played quietly in the background. At some point, the conversation faded gently, leaving only comfortable silence between the two of you. Eventually, you glanced at your phone and sighed softly before pushing yourself up slightly.

“It’s getting late,” you mumbled sleepily. “I should probably go home.”

Mingi immediately frowned, “Already?”

“It’s literally past midnight.”

“So? Stay a bit longer,” he pouted.

You scoffed, “You said that like an hour ago.”

“And I still mean it,” before you could get up properly. Mingi grabbed your wrist gently and pulled you right back against him, making you fall onto his chest again with a surprised laugh.

“Mingi!” you yelped.

“What?” He smiled sleepily. “Five more minutes, I promise.”

You rolled your eyes while he looked up at you with the softest expression, “That’s never actually five minutes with you.”

Then, before you could keep arguing, Mingi leaned up and kissed you softly. 

It was supposed to be a quick and lazy kiss, but the second you kissed him back properly, he smiled into the kiss and pulled you closer again. His smile lingered in the kisses, turning the kiss from soft to something deeper, more alive. “You were supposed to be leaving,” he mumbled teasingly between kisses.

“This is your fault.”

“Mhm.”

A few more kisses later, you found yourself sitting on Mingi’s lap, his hands resting lightly on your waist, steadying you as his lips claimed yours again and again. Each kiss was a lingering promise, deep and slow, teasing and bold.

“Mingi,” you laughed softly. “Seriously, I should–”

The bedroom door suddenly opened.

The two of you froze instantly. 

It was Hongjoong. 

“Ah…so this is awkward,” Mingi groaned, covering his face with his hands.

Meanwhile, you hid your face in Mingi’s shoulder, completely mortified.

“I saw nothing!” Hongjoong said quickly before shutting the bedroom door. A few seconds later, the door creaked open again, and he peeked his head inside. “Next time, lock the door before traumatizing people,” he muttered before closing it again.

The second the door shut, Mingi laughed quietly, “So…can you stay five more minutes now?”

✶⋆.˚ WOOYOUNG

The hallway near the dressing rooms was unusually empty for once. You had only pulled Wooyoung aside because he’d been whining all day about not getting enough attention from you.

“You’re so needy today,” you complained while he followed you from behind down the hallway.

“And whose fault is that?”

You stopped in your tracks, turning back to him, “How would that even be my fault?”

“You made me obsessed with you.” Wooyoung moved closer to you.

“That sounds like a YOU problem.”

Wooyoung gasped dramatically, “Wow, you're so cold.”

“Oh, you’ll survive,” you crossed your arms while rolling your eyes, trying to hold your smile, but Wooyoung noticed immediately.

“There it is,” he grinned proudly. “That smile.”

“You’re so annoying, you know that, right?”

“And yet you love me, right?” he teases back at you.

Before you could answer back, Wooyoung’s hand found yours, his grip firm yet gentle as he pulled you closer. Suddenly, he had you backed against the wall with his other hand slid beside your head, framing your face with quiet confidence.

“What are you doing?” you laughed quietly. 

“Getting your attention,” he smirked.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“Mhm,” then he kissed you before you could continue talking. One hand rested firmly at your waist, pulling you impossibly close while the other held your jaw with a gentle yet possessive touch. His lips moved against yours with a bold confidence, with every kiss a statement, every breath a promise.

“Wooyoung,” you whispered between the kisses. “Someone’s gonna see.”

“No, they won’t.”

“You said that last time.”

He grinned against your lips, deepening the kiss while completely ignoring your protests. 

Which was exactly why neither of you noticed someone turning the corner until a voice suddenly went, “I’m uncomfortable.”

You jumped immediately, while Wooyoung only turned his head slowly toward San, who was standing nearby.

“And now you interrupted a beautiful moment,” Wooyoung complained immediately.

“More like a disgusting moment,” San continued.

“Okay, hater,” Wooyoung replied.

Meanwhile, you were hiding your burning face with your hands, feeling shy while the two of them argued back and forth. “You’re unbelievable," San sighed before finally walking away.

Wooyoung watched him leave before looking back down at you innocently, “Anyway, where were we?”

You uncovered your face while staring at him, “You cannot be serious.”

“I’m extremely serious,” he smiled.

Then he leaned down, attempting to kiss you again while you laughed and shoved his face away immediately.

✶⋆.˚ JONGHO

Most of the staff had stepped outside the dressing room, leaving only the soft noise of distant conversations echoing outside. Jongho sat beside you on the couch, still half-dressed for the next performance, jacket slightly unbuttoned while he scrolled through something on his phone.

You noticed a piece of hair stuck near his shoulder and reached over automatically, “Hold still.”

He glanced at you, “What?”

“There’s something on your jacket.” Your fingers brushed against the fabric carefully while Jongho silently watched you the entire time.

“Okay, there you go,” you smiled softly while brushing away the piece of hair.

Instead of saying ‘thank you’, Jongho gently grabbed your wrist before you could pull away. 

You blinked, “What?”

“Come here for a second,” he mumbled quietly.

He suddenly leaned closer and kissed you, with one hand remaining loosely wrapped around your wrist, holding you tenderly but with a subtle strength, the other settled at your waist, pulling you closer against him. A small smile lifted the corner of your lips against his lips as you pulled back just enough to look at him, “You’re so clingy today,” you whispered.

“You don’t sound like you mind.”

“I didn’t say that.”

Then, without hesitation, he kissed you again. This time, more proper and deeper, with intention and a quiet hunger that sent a thrilling shiver down your spine. Before you realized it, you were settling halfway onto his lap, your body molded perfectly against his. His hands tightened slightly at your waist while his lips never left yours.

And that was exactly when the dressing room door opened.

“Jongho ya~ They’re looking for–” Yeosang’s voice was cut off by something he’ll be traumatised for life.

You pulled away immediately in shock, while Jongho barely reacted at all.

The room became painfully silent. Jongho just looked at Yeosang calmly while holding your hand.

“Staff’s looking for you,” Yeosang finally said, awkwardly. 

“Okay, thanks,” Jongho replied casually.

A few seconds of silence passed before Yeosang slowly backed out of the room, “I’m gonna pretend I didn't see anything.” Then the door quickly shut.

“Oh my god,” you buried your face in Jongho’s chest.

“That was embarrassing,” he chuckled while looking completely unbothered.

You turned to stare at him in confusion, “How are you so calm right now?”

Jongho only smiled slightly before fixing his jacket, “because we weren't doing anything wrong.”

“Jonghoongie, we were making out.”

“And?” 

You sat there speechless while he looked at you with the smallest hint of amusement in his eyes.

✶⋆.˚ HONGJOONG

You were on the couch, scrolling through your phone quietly, when you noticed he looked stressed. You quietly make your way to him, silently asking to sit on his lap until he finally gives in and lets you. “You’ve been staring at the same line for ten minutes,” you point out.

The room was dim with the soft glow of his monitor. “I’m just thinking,” he let out a tired sigh. 

“You look like you’re suffering.”

Hongjoong rolled his eyes before finally looking over at you, giving you the 'you’re so annoying' look.

“What?” You scrunched your eyebrow.

A quiet scoff escaped him before he grabbed you by the waist, pulling you closer, until both of your foreheads nearly touched.

“What are you doing?” you laughed awkwardly.

“Nothing,” he looked you in the eye, then his eyes were now focused on your lips.

You were still smiling when Hongjoong leaned closer and kissed, with one hand resting against the back of your head while the other stayed on your waist.

The kiss started slowly, and you melted into the kiss as you kissed him back while wrapping your arms around his neck. You moved your lips gently to his jawline, peppering him with kisses, then down to his neck. 

“You’re clingier lately,” you mumbled softly against his neck, absentmindedly leaving faint lipstick marks along his skin. 

“Shut up,” he groaned while looking up, allowing you more access to his neck.

Suddenly, the studio door swung open, and the two of you pulled apart instantly. 

It was Seonghwa. He stood frozen near the entrance, munching on a snack in his mouth while you stared at him blankly.

The silence was loud.

“...Sorry, I’ll come back later,” Seonghwa muttered before closing the door quickly.

You immediately buried your face in your hands, leaning against his shoulder in embarrassment.

Hongjoong looked down, noticing your sudden gesture. “You look cute while being embarrassed.”

“I’m not.”

“Your ears are red, my love.”

“They’re always red.”

“That’s not true.”

You grumbled as Hongjoong quietly laughed at you, pulling you closer. Hongjoong continued to work as he lay his chin on the top of your head as you nuzzled into his neck. 

✶⋆.˚ SEONGHWA

It was late at night when the two of you were alone in the dorm kitchen, making ramen together while other members were either asleep or busy in their rooms. 

Honestly, you’re there just for emotional support while Seonghwa is cooking. 

“So you’re not gonna help me?” he complained while trying not to smile.

“I am helping you,” you crossed your arms.

“You’re absolutely not helping,” he continues, while stirring the noodles in the pot.

“I’m helping you as an emotional support!” You smiled proudly at him before leaning against the counter beside him.

Seonghwa shook his head in disbelief. A few quiet moments passed before you noticed him staring at you, “You’re so beautiful.”

You tilt your head to the side, confused by the sudden confession. “Um, thank you?”

“Aww, are you getting shy now?” he teased.

You gasped, “ya! I’m not!” You smacked his arm lightly. 

“Oh, you completely are.”

Before you could argue more, Seonghwa cut you off by leaning down and kissing you passionately, both hands cupping your cheeks.

The kiss was sweet and slow. His hand slowly went down to your waist, gently tugging you closer to deepen the kiss. Your hand travels around his hair, playing with a few strands. 

Seonghwa smiled against your lips, “You fold too easily around me, huh?” 

He lifted you, letting your legs wrap around his waist, then suddenly.

“Ahem.”

The two of you looked away immediately. You jumped down, slightly embarrassed, while Seonghwa hid part of his face behind one hand.

Mingi stood near the kitchen counter while holding an empty bottle, looking equally shocked and amused. “Go get a room, you two!” he laughed.

Seonghwa’s eyes widened instantly. “Sorry!”

Mingi blinked, “Hyung, why are you apologizing?”

Seonghwa shrugged, you tried not to laugh, “Why are you still awake anyway?” you asked Mingi.

“I was just getting water,” Mingi muttered. “Clearly, I came at the wrong time.”

“Yeah, you definitely did,” you mumbled.

Mingi stood awkwardly before rushing to his room, “Okay, see you two later!”

Seonghwa looked like he had just been caught stealing candy from a kid. You turned toward him, smiling, “You okay?”

“Yeah, it’s just I panicked,” he groaned.

“You’re adorable when you panic, though,” you pecked his cheek.

“That’s not helping.” 

✶⋆.˚ YUNHO

Practice just ended hours ago, but the two of you decided to hang around a bit longer in the empty rehearsal room while Yunho stretched lazily on the floor beside you.

You were sitting cross-legged, scrolling through your phone, when he abruptly rested his head on your lap.

“Yunho ya~ you’re so heavy,” you complained.

“Oh, you know you love me.”

“You’re literally crushing my legs right now.”

“So you weren’t denying that you love me?” he smirked at you.

You huffed at his comment while Yunho grinned up proudly, completely unbothered. He kept teasing you every five minutes until you finally gave up.

“You’re so annoying,” you rolled your eyes.

“Annoying you is what I’m good at,” he said with a grin, leaning back slightly with his hands resting behind him against the floor.

“Is there anything else you’re good at?” Now it was your turn to tease him, moving slightly closer to him.

Yunho chuckled while leaning in and kissing you gently. It was sweet and playful at first. He kept smiling against your lips every few seconds whenever you got shy. The kiss wasn’t rushed, it was steady. His hands slowly roam around your body until he slides his hand underneath your shirt.

“Yunho,” you laughed between the kisses. “Someone’s gonna see us.”

“Let them be then,” he mumbled.

As if the universe took your words for granted, the practice room door immediately opened.

“Hyung! Did you see my–” Jongho entered the room, then he noticed you and Yunho on the floor.

The two of you pulled apart quickly, as Jongho stood silently while also looking traumatized.

“Umm, I just came to grab my charger,” Jongho walked swiftly to snatch his charger from the table.

“And instead you witnessed this,” Yunho sighed.

“I’m going to pretend this never happened.” Jongho dramatically responded before leaving the rehearsal room.

You and Yunho looked at each other and laughed for a few minutes, still not believing what had just happened. “I’m never emotionally recovering from this,” you said.

Yet a few minutes later, he looked over at you, grinning again. “Can I still kiss you, or is the moment ruined?”

You stared at him in disbelief before flicking his head lightly.

✶⋆.˚ YEOSANG

Both of you were sitting on the floor beside his bed, surrounded by snacks and random trinkets he likes to collect. He kept showing you the trinkets while soft music played quietly from his speaker. 

“And this,” Yeosand said with a serious tone while holding up a tiny figurine he owns. “Is emotionally important to me.”’

You stared at him for a second before bursting into laughter, “Why do you sound like you’re introducing me to your child?”

“Because he is my child and you need to respect him.”

“Well, I think it’s stupid,” you shook your head in disbelief.

“It’s not stupid! It’s called manners,” he smiled.

That made you laugh harder. It’s kind of funny how a man like him has a soft spot for tiny figurines. To him, your laughter sounded like a melody he could listen to forever. He loved making you laugh, he even thought it was quite romantic.

“Has anyone told you how beautiful you are?” he complimented you out of nowhere.

You nod, “Yeah, you, you’ve said it a million times.”

“I know, how can a guy like me get so into you?” Yeosang hummed before leaning closer.

His lips crashed into yours. It was soft, lazy, almost, while his hand rested loosely around your waist, pulling you even closer against him, feeling the warmth against his body. Yeosang breaks apart the kiss for a second, a smile stretching on his face, “I like the taste of your lips on mine.”

You giggled, kissing him again, fingers gently tracing the side of his face down to his neck.

Somehow, neither of you cared about the world around you, not until San burst the door open.

Both of you quickly scattered, pretending as if you weren’t eating each other’s faces.

San stood frozen at the doorway, “Oh, am I interrupting? Maybe I should come back another time,” he muttered while fidgeting with his hands, looking shy.

“You saw nothing,” Yeosang stated. 

San stared at him blankly, “Yeah, yeah–I actually regret entering this room,” he covered his face while shutting the door.

“Poor San, he’s probably traumatized right now,” you giggled. “How are you so calm anyway?” You looked back at Yeosang, laughing quietly.

Yeosang only shrugged before pulling you back closer against him, kissing your forehead softly, “Panicking wouldn’t change anything, darling.”

✶⋆.˚ GRUMPY!HONGJOONG who first met you by accident, 

It was late at night, your phone screen lighting up to show that it was already 2 a.m. You were still awake, buried under a pile of deadlines for your uni. You decided to go to the nearest convenience store that was almost empty. You were standing in front of the coffee shelf, looking exhausted, and you were about to reach for the last canned coffee left when another hand grabbed it at the same time.

You blinked before looking up at him. “Oh, I’m sorr–”

You saw a tired figure beside you. He was wearing a black hoodie with a black mask that almost covered his face. You quickly noticed how tired his eyes looked. You didn’t know who he was, yet he somehow felt familiar to you.

Hongjoong immediately let out a tired sigh, already looking annoyed, “You can take it.”

His tone was cold, which made you hesitant, “No, I think you need this more.”

He raised an eyebrow, “Why?”

You shrugged, “I don't know, you look like you’re overworking yourself,” you said softly. “Like… It’s kinda concerning actually.”

For a second, he just stared at you. Most people don't comment on how tired he looks, but you said it so casually that it caught him off guard.

“I’m fine,” he muttered.

“Yeah, sure you are,” you nod slowly while glancing at the dark circles under his eyes. 

Instead, you grabbed a banana milk from the fridge and looked back at him, “You know, you should rest though, I mean you’d probably collapse if somebody poked you too hard.”

A quiet laugh escaped from his lips.

“Wait–was that a laugh? Oh my god, so you can smile!” you teased him.

“No, it wasn't.”

“Mm, I’m sure it definitely was.”

Hongjoong grabbed the coffee and shut the fridge door with a heavy sigh, walking toward the counter, “You talk too much.”

“Ouch, and you look like you sleep three hours a week,” you pretended to be hurt as you followed him to the counter.

“...probably,” he replied.

After that brief conversation, when he walked back into the studio, the first thing that stuck in his mind wasn’t the unfinished song waiting for him. It was you.

✶⋆.˚ GRUMPY!HONGJOONG who slowly starts letting you slip into his routine without realizing it. Oftentimes, he’d "coincidentally" start to hang out in the convenience store longer than usual, hoping to see you again, and when you don't show up one night? His mood is ruined for the rest of the week, even though he refuses to admit why.

✶⋆.˚ GRUMPY!HONGJOONG who acts annoyed about your excitement over little things, when in fact he secretly finds it one of the most lovable things about you. Every single time, he always catches himself smiling at your reactions before he even realizes it.

✶⋆.˚ GRUMPY!HONGJOONG who suddenly confesses first. You were both sitting outside near the Han River sharing instant ramen when you casually teased him, saying, “Ooh, I know you wanna kiss me sooo bad,” and he bluntly said, “What if I do?” Then you stared at him blankly, “What…?” There was a quick silence before he realized what he had just admitted, and it looks like he wants to bury himself alive.

✶⋆.˚ GRUMPY!HONGJOONG whose love language becomes quiet acts of care. He’d remember your favorite snacks, keep extra hand warmers in his pockets in case you’re cold, and walk on the side closest to the road automatically. 

✶⋆.˚ GRUMPY!HONGJOONG who was the first one to use pet names in an early relationship,

The waiting room was quieter than usual, most of the staff were busy moving around outside the room, leaving Hongjoong alone on the couch. He was scrolling through something on his phone, a tired expression on his face.

You walked in holding the iced coffee he had asked for earlier. “Here you go,” you said to him while handing the drink.

Hongjoong hummed absentmindedly, taking the drink without even looking up, “Thanks, love.”

You tilted your head to the side, “What did you just call me?”

Slowly, he lowered his phone and looked up at you, “Nothing.”

“You called me love?” you repeated, trying to hide your smile.

“No, I didn’t.”

“Oh my god,” you laughed softly, moving closer to him. “THE Kim Hongjoong accidentally called me love!”

He covered part of his face with one hand, “Can you not make this a big deal?”

“Too late,” you grinned. “I’m literally never gonna shut up about this moment.”

BONUS 𑣲⋆

✶⋆.˚ GRUMPY!HONGJOONG who genuinely cannot understand how you have energy all the time. After you start dating him, you become much more talkative,

Sunlight was already peeking through the curtains when Hongjoong felt his phone vibrate on the bedside table. He groaned softly, eyes barely open, only to find your name on lighting up his phone.

He picked up the call, “Morning?” he mumbled, voice hoarse from sleep.

“Good morning!” Your voice was cheerful, way too cheerful for eight in the morning. “You know I had the craziest dream ever! It was about bees, and I understood what they were talking about! Do you think bees talk in our language or are they just buzzing and we understand them?”

Hongjoong sighed quietly, hair messy and face still half buried in the pillow, but you kept talking anyway. 

“Anyway, I also remembered when–”

“Are you really this happy 24/7? He interrupted, his voice still raspy.

You gasped dramatically through the call, “Are you really this grumpy 24/7?”

“I just woke up.”

“And I chose to woke up happy, see the difference?”

He smiled siletnly, “How do you even have this much energy in the morning?” he muttered.

“Whatever at least it made you smile, right?” 

“Go away…”

“So mean this early in the morning.”

Despite the complaining, you continued to ramble on while he listened to you, focusing on every little detail so he wouldn't miss a single thing.