#chanmin

After their last comeback, Chan called for a break, and Jyp sent them to America to rest and to travel to wherever they want.

About a month after the on stage rut incident, they've gotten impossibly closer.

As in, casual kisses on the lips.

It hasn't gone farther than that since his last rut, but every time he gets a kiss, he acts all shy.

Of course, no one but them knows.

They stopped at an Airbnb in California, hoping to rest for a while near the beach before they prepare for the next comeback.

They have a three week grave period, and Changbin made sure Chan was doing nothing but relaxing.

Currently, Seungmin, Jeongin, and Han were out shopping.

"Should we try this?" Jeongin asked, holding up some strange meat with a doubtful expression.

"What even is that?" Han cringed.

Jeongin looked closer, and read it out loud.

"Canned meat?"

Han and Seungmin both said ew simultaneously.

They all paused before laughing softly.

They returned shopping for their dinner, then went back to the rental.

They spoke gently, thinking about different themes for the next comeback.

It was a long conversation, and Han led it. He was very passionate about the subject, and all the maknaes could do was listen with a smile.

When they got back, they dropped the stuff off with Minho in the kitchen.

Minho blinked, unfamiliar with a lot of the ingredients.

Han laughed.

"Just for that, you have to help me," Minho glared at him.

Han whined, but went behind the counter anyway.

That left Seungmin and Jeongin to entertain themselves.

They went to their shared room, and collapsed on the bed.

"Want to watch a movie?" Seungmin asked the younger.

"As long as it's not a horror,"

And with that, a small comedy cartoon was started, and they both snuggled together on the bed, fully immersed.

About forty minutes in, the door creaked open, and a smiling, giddy Chan walked in after closing the door behind him.

Seungmin smiled softly while jeongin raised a brow.

"Watcha guys doing?" He asked, getting in the bed on the other side of Seungmin.

"Movie," Jeongin answered, watching the screen.

"Ah, I see. Mind if I join?"

The Maknaes laughed.

"Well, your already here," Seungmin said sarcastically.

"Psst...guys, guess what?" Chan whispered fifteen minutes later.

They both turned to him.

He smiled shyly, his dimples showing. Then, unexpectedly, reached for his beanie.

He slowly slid it off, revealing silver hair; freshly dyed.

Seungmins eyes widened while Jeongin let out a noise of shock.

"When-" "This morning while you guys were at the store," Chan answered quickly.

Seungmin gulped, feeling a warmth spread through his chest.

No, not now.

"It looks good, hyung," Jeongin said, turning back to the TV.

All Seungmin could do was nod.

Chan raised a brow.

"What? No, 'it makes you look even more old' or some other remark?" Chan questioned.

Seungmin opened his mouth, taking a deep breath before trying to speak. But all that came out was a soft noise.

Chan blinked, and realized what could potentially be happening. Jeongin didnt notice.

"Its okay...say something," Chan said softly, reaching down to grab his hand. He gasped when he felt how warm he was.

Seungmin licked his lips, his eyes becoming glossy as he felt the heat blooming in his chest move to his groin.

"Is it...time?" Chan asked softly, snapping Jeongins attention away from the TV.

"What?" Jeongin asked, sitting up a bit more to get a look at his best friend.

Seungmins face was flushed, mouth open and wet, panting. Chan was holding his limp hand at his side, and his eyes looked unfocused.

"Seung-?" Jeongin asked softly.

Seungmin pulled his hand away, bringing both of them to cover his face.

Why was he feeling shy? After everything he's experienced with his members?

Chan and Jeongin looked at each other, silence speaking more than words. They knew what was going to happen, and they were all for it.

"Hey...puppy?" Chan said softly, gently pulling the youngers hands from his face.

Seungmin shuddered.

"Its okay," Jeongin whispered, both of their attention on the hybrid in front of them.

They could almost imagine Seungmins imaginary ears flat against his head.

"Dont be shy with us, okay? We're going to help you," Chans voice was so gentle it almost made Jeongin want to cry.

Seungmin visibly relaxed.

"Come here," Chan played on his side, pulling seungmin close to him, kissing him softly.

Jeongin took that as his chance to curl up behind seungmin, pressing soft kisses to his neck.

Seungmin made a soft noise of approval, gripping Chans shirt.

A few minutes later, Chan felt his hips start to grind against his own, a needy sound escaping him.

Chan pulled away, leaving both of them breathless.

"More?" Chan raised a brow.

Seungmin nodded with a whine.

Jeongin smirked against his neck, and reached around to grab Chans hand. Chan said nothing, letting the youngest tell him what to do.

Jeongin pushed his hand past Seungmins waistband, and at last, Chans hand firmly gripped his cock, making him jolt between them.

The needy noise he made almost made Chan cum in his pants.

His strokes were gentle, but quick.

At this point, seungmin was thrusting his hips into the hand in front of him, causing him to rock back into Jeongins hard on.

Jeongin bit his lip, fighting the groan.

After a while of sloppy kissing and a slow handjob, Jeongin had had enough. He needed to hear more of Seungmins noises.

He sucked his fingers, making sure they were well lubricated. Then, he pushed down Seungmins sweats, and circled his rim, making Seungmin moan loudly.

Chan knew what he was doing, and pulled his mouth from his, letting him breathe incase there was any pain.

Slowly pushing a finger in, Jeongin let out a deep breath, feeling his walls tighten at the intrusion.

Seungmin groaned, tensing before relaxing again.

Jeongin couldn't see Seungmins face, but Chan could.

And god was it a sight.

Seungmins eyes roll back before closing, his mouth open in a soft moan before he pulls his lip between his teeth. His face red and slightly wet, lips glistening from their kiss.

How did Chan get this lucky?

Once Jeongin started moving, Seungmin slowly got louder, gripping Chan like a lifeline as he rocked his hips.

Chan resumed the movements of his hand.

"Nngh... ah!" Seungmin turn to bury his face in the pillow to muffle his sounds, but Chan grabbed his chin, gently guiding him out.

Chan was sure the rest of the members could hear him through the walls, and it made his cock throb.

"M-more-" Seungmin whimpered, and Chan kissed him deeply, forcing his tongue into his mouth, gripping his cock harder.

Seungmins hips bucked, a whine escaping his throat.

Jeongin added another finger, lingering his neck with love bites.

With Seungmin sandwiched between them, he could hardly move, and he felt suffocated in the best way.

Without much thought, his hand trailed down Chans clothed body, meeting his bulge.

Chan growled against his mouth, and that sound did something to Jeongin.

He removed his fingers, making Seungmin pull away, about to beg him to keep going.

But Chan knew what was going on, and kept his hand on Seungmins chin, keeping him from turning around.

Seungmin pouted, and Chan smirked.

Seungmin felt something at his hole again, but it most definitely wasnt a finger, and a deep moan escapes from him in anticipation.

His rut didnt let him think properly, which meant he couldn't tell his friends that he was a virgin.

He tucked his head into Chans neck, sucking roughly before Jeongin slowly pushes in.

All three of them hiss at once, Chan from the rough onslaught against his neck, Jeongin from how tight his hyung was, and seungmin from being penetrated for the first time.

Jeongin wasnt thick; he was on the longer side.

"Holy, fuck!" Jeongin gasped, stilling his hips.

All three of them panting, soft whines coming from the man in the middle.

"Chan...hes so tight," Jeongins eyes were shut tight, trying not to cum.

Chan grinned.

"Move, Ayen...he needs it," Chan said darkly, rubbing Seungmins bare hip.

Jeongin groaned, slowly pulling out before thrusting back in harshly, making the elders back arch.

Chan groaned at Seungmins expression as Jeongin starts picking up his pace.

Soon, Jeongin was at full speed, half sitting up to get more leverage.

Seungmin at this point was a babbling, moaning mess, eyes crossed, focused on nothing but pleasure.

Chan started messing with his nipples, sucking and flicking them.

Seungmins eyes filled with tears as he whines loudly, addicted to the feelings he was receiving.

One hand tugs at Chans silver hair while the other goes down to stroke his cock.

Seungmin could barely breathe, especially when Jeongin found his prostate.

Jeongin was a sweating mess, but when he felt his hole clench, and the noise he made, he knew he was close.

He bent down, biting his neck, leaving more Mark's as he pounded harder.

Chan was stroking his cock for a while now, close.

"Such a good boy, Minnie..." he whispered, his eyes dark as he stares into the youngers eyes.

Seungmin cried out, both at the praise, and a particularly hard thrust.

"C-channie....can't-" he cried, his cock twitching.

"Cum." Chan commanded deeply, not entirely meaning to.

But he was glad he did, because the face Seungmin made as he shot his load was so angelic, he wanted to tattoo it into his brain.

With a few more thrusts, Jeongin pulled out, his own load finding purchase on Seungmins back.

Chan had came right after Jeongin, but he opted to shoot it into his shirt, tossing it to the side.

"Hey..." Chan said softly, pulling both of them to his sides.

"You guys okay?"

Both Maknaes nod, tired. Seungmin was nearly asleep.

Jeongin and Chan smile softly.

The both cleaned up before coming to clean the sleeping boy, and tucked him in.

Hours later when he woke up, he found all of his members on the floor in from of the bed, playing super smash brothers as quietly as they could.

Which wasnt very quiet.

Felix, Han, Chan, and Changbin were currently playing, with Felix losing majorly.

Seungmin stayed quiet, silently watching from above with a smile.

A few minutes pass before Han stretches, looking up. He nearly jumps out of his skin, a loud screech escaping him.

Domino effect style, everyone jumped, turning towards Seungmin.

"Gah! You scared me!" Han yelled, hand placed over his heart dramatically.

Seungmin laughed.

Everyone softened at the sight.

"You look like your glowing, Seungmin," Felix says with a bright smile.

He shrugged, smiling shyly.

Chan smiled, but Jeongin spoke up.

"I wasnt too rough, was i?" He asked, a frown on his face.

Jeongins eyes trailed down Seungmins neck, seeing the dark, purple bruises there.

"No...I liked it I'm okay," Seungmin reassured, moving to sit next to him.

Jeongin softened, grabbing his hand.

"Was that your first time?" Lee Know asked suddenly, knowing eyes.

Everyone froze. No one even thought about that. Jeongin especially seemed tense.

Seungmin nodded.

"Wait, what?" Jeongins eyes raised.

All of a sudden, Hyunjin bursted out laughing, pointing at Han and Felix.

"$20 each!"

Everyone's eyes widened.

"You bet on his virginity?" Changbin yelled with his down turned smile.

Turned out, everyone but Lee Know, Chan, and Changbin were all in on the bet.

Seungmin laughed, making the situation lighter.

"Me next!" Hyunjin yelled playfully, making Seungmin scoff with a grin, and a small flush.

"You wish,"

Seungmin had never been one who cried very easily.

So when he suddenly got ambushed by emotions while reminiscing about his past with Chan during their “2 Kids Room” episode, it caught everyone off guard. 

Himself, more than anything.

The tears sprung onto him so quickly, rising from a neglected little pit in his stomach and surging up his throat before he could even think to will them back. 

The panic in Chan’s voice might be something to laugh about in the future, but in the moment, Seungmin couldn’t seem to focus on anything other than keeping himself from fully falling apart.

He’d managed to compose himself midway through, to some extent, embarrassed to have broken down in front of the cameras, but thankful to have Chan. 

Just like he’d always been thankful to have Chan, even if he’d never quite found the words to say so.

As the episode came to an end and the cameras cut off, the initial wave of emotion stirred back to life— just as sudden and just as overwhelming as the first time.

Maybe even more so, now that the pretense of holding it together had diminished.

Seungmin swallowed back the lump in his throat with all his might, pressing past a few crew members in the hallway as he made his way toward the green room.

His strides were brisk and determined, moving him through the halls and away from commotion at an impressive speed. He didn’t stop for anyone, he couldn’t.

The second the door clicked shut behind him, the first sob broke through— raw, like it shattered right out of him.

His shoulders shook with the weight of it, forcing him to bend over and grip onto the backrest of a nearby chair to stay upright. 

Tears flooded his eyes, clouding his vision before swarming down his cheeks, like the damp tracks from before were made to become permanent installations in his skin. 

Seungmin didn’t even understand why he was crying.

He wasn’t sad, it wasn’t something he’d bottled up for years, the way Chan seemed to fear— at least he didn’t think it was.

He was happy now, he was grateful for everything, even the bad times. It all had led him to where he was today. He was happy. 

So then why did it feel like something inside him had suddenly been cracked wide open?

Collapsing into the chair, Seungmin buried his face in his hands, sobbing as quietly as he could manage. 

Maybe it was just exhaustion— emotional, physical, everything— crushing down on him. Maybe he just needed to let it all out, to drain himself of both tears and these strange emotions he didn’t know he held. 

There was a knock on the door, and Seungmin’s breath caught in his throat.

“Seungmin-ah?”

Chan. 

Of course. Of course Chan had followed him. 

Whether he’d seen the younger hurry off or not, the leader was bound to be searching for him, to make sure he truly was alright after his first little breakdown in the studio. 

As any good leader would, probably. 

Automatically and almost without thinking, Seungmin pressed a foot against the door to keep it shut, even though he knew it was a childish move. 

Feeling the resistance, Chan reluctantly let go of the door handle, a soft sigh leaving his lips. 

There was a pause, then the soft thunk of Chan’s forehead resting against the other side of the door. He sucked in a breath before speaking, keeping his voice calm and gentle. 

“Hey, man… can I come in? It’s just me, it’s just hyung..”

Seungmin rubbed at his eyes vigourously, desperate to dispel all evidence of the emotions that kept overwhelming him. 

It was no use, of course. The tears just kept coming anyways, like the dam inside him had fully been broken through, and he had no idea how to contain the leak.

At last, Seungmin decided Chan had seen him worse off anyways. Plus, he could really use a hug.

Hesitantly, Seungmin moved his white sneaker away from the door, covering his face with his hands once more as if bracing for impact. 

The door creaked open, then shut again with a soft click. Footsteps shuffled gently towards him over the floor. 

Then, a hand on his shoulder; not heavy, but with enough weight to be grounding in a way Seungmin couldn’t quite explain. He instinctively leaned into the touch despite himself.

“Aigoo… I’m surprised you have any tears left.” Chan murmured, leaning down beside him, the familiar cadence of humour softening the thick air. “Don’t you get dehydrated, hm?”

Seungmin let out a hoarse, breathy laugh that caught somewhere between exasperation and disbelief. “Apparently not...”

Chan huffed softly, his fingers ruffling gently through Seungmin’s hair. He suddenly paused mid-motion, tracing his hand back to brush his knuckles across Seungmin’s forehead. He frowned.

“What..?” Seungmin blinked, confused by the two fingers suddenly planted on his forehead like Chan was somehow trying to gain telepathic access to his brain. 

“Are you trying to install an anti-crying software or somethin’? Cuz.. too late, dude. Damage's been done..."

Chan chuckled at that, a low, warm sound that rumbled against Seungmin’s side. “No, no… you just..” he paused, brushing his fingers briefly against Seungmin’s cheek. “You’re warm.”

“Warm..?”

Seungmin blinked blearily at him, sniffing yet again. “Probably just from crying.” He reasoned, lowering his voice to a hush. “Or embarrassment…”

“Yeah, maybe…” Chan murmured, seeming entirely unconvinced. “Or maybe a fever would explain why someone I hardly ever see cry suddenly burst out in tears during our quality time together.”

Seungmin let out a reluctant, breathy chuckle, his eyes squeezed shut. God, how they burned. “Mm.. Sorry about that…” 

“No need to apologise.” Chan replied instantly, running his hand down Seungmin’s arm. 

“I mean..” he added after a beat, the tone of his voice softening again. “It was an Oscar winning performance and all but… you were holding something back out there, weren’t you..?"

Seungmin didn’t say anything, he didn’t really know what to say. He opened his mouth to try, but quickly closed it again. 

No, he didn’t feel like he was holding back. 

Not necessarily. 

It was a little more embarrassing to break down with cameras all in your face, yes— and a little easier to melt into a comforting hug when it was just the two of them. A hundred percent.

But…He didn’t hold back, he didn’t try to hold back, at least. It wasn’t intentional. 

Seungmin was just as confused as anyone. 

He didn’t know how to explain that strange swell in his chest, the way the past suddenly felt so close it was almost brushing up against his skin. 

The way just thinking back to that time had brought the same emotions up front so vividly and intense, only exacerbated by the immediate guilt ignited in Chans eyes. 

The unspoken weight they’d carried for years, quietly balancing between them like a shared burden they never really discussed.

It was a small thing, really.

It wasn’t a problem, it had never been a problem, but maybe, somehow, it had left marks deeper than Seungmin even knew.

They were just kids, after all. Just kids chasing dreams and working themselves to the bone.

And how strange it was to care about someone so deeply when you hardly knew the depth of it yourself. 

“Hey..” Chan’s lowered his voice, almost to a whisper. “I just wish you’d told me earlier, y’know. About the small things. The ones that didn’t feel big enough to share.”

Seungmin’s breath hitched, fingers curling into the sleeves of his jacket. His lips wobbled again, dangerously close to another break. “I just.. y-you know… I didn’t want to… dump them on you. You already had so much on your plate, hyung.”

Chan sighed. Not annoyed. No, just… sad. Sad and frustrated with himself for not picking up on the signs back then. For not being able to tell that Seungmin maybe needed him more than he’d let on. 

That maybe, if he’d just taken the time to sit down and talk about it, things would’ve been a little different. Maybe even a little easier. 

“You weren’t dumping anything. You were just being you.”

There was something about the way he said it, so plain and without judgment, that made the tears threaten yet again. 

Stupid tears, Seungmin thought. Like his body hadn’t already emptied out every last drop already.

He sniffled, reaching up to wipe his nose with the last remaining tissue he had crumpled in his fist. Chan beat him to it, pressing a fresh wad of tissues into his palm like he’d been waiting for the right moment all along.

Seungmin blinked, momentarily stunned, before his gaze drifted to the tissues peeking out from the pockets on Chan’s chest.

He snorted, equally grateful and amused by the gesture.

It was such a Chan thing to do. Thoughtful to the point of being ridiculous. Sweet, in the silliest of ways.

“I’m not mad about any of it, by the way.. I’m glad you told me now, at least..” Chan said softly, a quiet chuckle threading through his words. “Better late than never, right?”

“R-right..” Seungmin choked out, puffing his cheeks as he tried to control the waves that kept pushing and pulling inside him. 

His face almost felt raw now, tender and flushed, with salty remnants of tears still clinging to his skin. 

“And I'm really sorry, truly..” Chan’s voice faltered, and he bit his lip, watching helplessly as Seungmin’s shoulders trembled once more.

There was silence for a moment, the only sound being of Seungmin trying to get his breathing under control. Chan remained close, his hand drawing slow, soothing circles across the younger man’s back.

Then, he leaned in slightly, one brow raised as he cupped a hand at the back of Seungmin’s damp neck. “Seriously, though. You’re really warm. You been feeling off lately?”

Seungmin paused to think, then shrugged. “I… I don’t know. Maybe a little tired. And my head feels kinda heavy? But it felt fine before crying..”

Chan let out a quiet ‘tsk’, brushing the back of his hand against Seungmin’s temple again. “You’ve definitely got a mild fever.”

Another beat of silence.

“That’s so dumb.” Seungmin declared, deadpan. “Now I’m crying AND sick? Ugh, give me a break.” 

Chan smiled sympathetically, smoothing Seungmin’s hair back from his forehead. “Sometimes when your body’s a little weak, everything else gets louder. Feelings included.” He paused, then grinned softly.

“Take it as a valid excuse for crying so out of the blue. I’d milk it for all its worth if I were you.”

Seungmin thought about it for a second… then gave a small, tired nod. “Yeah,” he said softly, a hint of a smile breaking through. “That’s actually not bad.”

Chan hummed softly, clearly trying and failing miserably at hiding his growing concern. Seungmin could practically hear the sirens going off in his hyungs head the second the word ‘fever’ was spoken in relation to him. 

Chan was always like that, and Seungmin hated how good he was sometimes. Too good. Too caring.

Not that he’d ever want him to change. 

"Am I allowed to say it now that it’s just us?" Chan suddenly asked, pulling the younger man away from his barrelling train of thoughts.

Seungmin’s brow furrowed faintly, unsure of exactly what he meant, but he gave a small nod anyway. 

“I love you, Seungmin-ah.” Chan said warmly, like a truth that had been waiting patiently in his chest. 

A little incantation kept safely hidden from exploitation until it was just the two of them, in this quiet little green room, where everything felt just a little more sacred. 

It was said so simply too— no drama, no fanfare. Just truth. Quiet and sincere, like everything Chan did when it mattered most.

The words wrapped around Seungmin like a warm blanket, bringing on a fresh wave of tears he didn't stand a chance of fighting. He let out a broken sound, twisting in his seat until his face was pressed against Chan's chest.

The hug that followed was full-bodied and anchoring, like it had been building for years. Chan’s arms wrapped around him, familiar and strong, holding him together when Seungmin felt himself unravelling.

Seungmin clung to him, his arms wound tightly around Chan's back, the warmth in his chest blooming bigger than the previous ache he’d failed to suppress. 

The fabric of Chan’s shirt was a little scratchy against his sensitive skin, and his head was starting to hurt from the sheer amounts of tears he’d shed in just the past hour.

But when Seungmin buried his face in the crook of Chan’s neck, it was like a final puzzle piece slid into place.

His voice came out soft, muffled into the warmth of his hyung’s neck.

“I love you too, hyung…” 

He hiccuped softly, his voice wobbly as he added, “Please.. don’t change. You don’t need to do anything better or-or anything like that…” he sniffed weakly.

“I like you just the way you are now. So don’t… don’t change.”

Chan paused, letting the words whir around in his mind before finally settling in. He didn’t say anything in return, not with words. 

Instead, he started to sway them gently from side to side, slow and instinctive. Like how you’d soothe a younger sibling after a bad dream. 

Whether it was by conscious choice or some sort of muscle memory, Seungmin had to admit…

It was embarrassingly soothing.

Under any other circumstances, Seungmin probably would’ve teased Chan or pushed him away— told him that sort of thing was reserved for babies.. But not today, not now. 

Now all he could do was lean into the gentle rhythm, letting the repetition smooth the frayed edges of his nervous system and regulate whatever had triggered today’s sudden onslaught of emotions.

After a long moment of careful consideration, Chan exhaled a soft laugh, not even a shred of judgement or condescension in his tone. “Okay… I won't. Just for you.”

And just like that, something inside Seungmin began to settle. 

A smile tugged weakly at his lips, even if it trembled at the corners. Somehow, even with his face pressed into damp fabric and his head pounding faintly, Seungmin felt lighter.

Somewhere between the soft reassurances and the gentle rocking motion, the tears finally slowed to a trickle. His breathing evened out, though the occasional hitch still caught in his throat. His skin still felt warm and raw, uncomfortably so, but it didn't matter. Not when Chan was there to hold him through it.

At last, Seungmin pulled away just enough to sniffle and wipe at his face. Chan shoved a new load of napkins into his hands without a word, to which he was grateful.

“Hyung…” 

Chan looked down expectantly, prompting him to continue. In return, Seungmin bit his lip sheepishly.

“I-uh.. I think I might’ve ruined your shirt…” 

Seungmin blew his nose as discreetly as he could, turning away from the other as he did so. But Chan only laughed, gentle and unbothered.

“Meh… It’s just a shirt.” He said casually. “You’re a lot harder to replace.”

That earned a scoff and a weak jab to his side, but Seungmin didn’t pull away. If anything, he leaned in again, nudging his head into Chan’s shoulder like he was settling into place for the night.

“I might’ve asked the stylists for something other than all white if I knew this was going to be a cryfest though..” Chan added playfully, looking down the proposed damage. 

Some smudged makeup, some wet blotches— a probable mixture of tears and snot, simply a whole lot of repressed love and emotion poured out onto its plain white surface. 

Seungmin huffed again, still embarrassed, yet still not pulling away. 

The smile on Chan’s face didn’t fade, and Seungmin caught it out of the corner of his eye; that reassuringing, dimpled ‘it’s all going to work out in the end’ kind of smile. 

Over the years, Seungmin had come to intertwine that smile with his very sense of vitality; like it was something he couldn’t quite live without anymore. 

Like Chan was something he couldn’t quite live without anymore. 

When Seungmin finally lifted his gaze to meet Chan’s, eyes glassy and puffy, but vision clearer now, he noticed it.

The way Chan’s own eyes were red-rimmed, with a faint sheen of tears still clinging to his lashes.

He blinked, brow furrowing once again.

“Hyung… you cried too?” Seungmin asked, even if the answer was painfully obvious, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Chan cleared his throat, quickly looking askance as if he could hide what clearly had already been caught. “Whaaat? Naah, ‘Dunno what you’re talking about.”

Seungmin just narrowed his eyes, unimpressed, and the post-breakdown-puppy-eye-look was utterly impossible to lie to.

Chan folded right on the spot, letting out an exasperated sigh. “Fine, yes- my eyes are a little damp. You know I’m allergic to seeing my dongsaengs cry.” He sniffled, letting out a watery laugh. “It’s chronic. No cure.”

Seungmin scoffed, but there wasn’t much strength behind it. “You’re so lame.” He murmured, voice deflated but with a hint of fondness woven into it. 

“Yeah.” Chan agreed, tilting his head until his cheek rested gently atop of Seungmin’s. “I’m a little lame...”

Seungmin only managed a faint hum in response, his heartbeat gradually slowing with each shuddering breath. His chest burned with every inhale, and his muscles throbbed like he’d just ran a marathon.

No wonder he rarely cried. It was beyond exhausting– like his body had been wrung dry.

“Dunno how Felix does it..” Seungmin whispered softly, pressing the heel of his palm against his warm, tender cheek. Chan’s chest rumbled softly against him, a low ‘hm?’ vibrating through the quiet.

“Crying.” he clarified, another sniffle forcing its way through. “I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck..”

Chan chuckled lightly. “Ah.. yeah, it’s quite the workout, eh?” He squeezed Seungmin’s shoulder, giving a brief massage to the tense muscles there. “But it feels a little good too, doesn’t it? Letting it out?”

“No.” Seungmin’s answer was immediate, without even a shred of hesitation.

Perhaps not a hundred percent truthful, if he really thought about it, but right now.. It just felt shitty.

“Welp, alright then.” The leader sighed, a small smile pulling at his lips. “If you say so.”

Chan’s cheek was still resting lightly against Seungmin’s head when he added, “Y’know… it’s actually kinda unfair.”

Seungmin blinked, voice still thick. “What is?”

Chan shifted just slightly, enough to catch the younger’s bleary gaze with a faint grin still tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“How pretty you are when you cry.”

Seungmin froze, jaw going slack. “What—?”

“I’m serious!” Chan laughed softly, raising both hands in defense as Seungmin pulled back to give him a scandalised look. “It’s insane, actually. I cry and I look like a mess. You cry and you look like the lead actor of a top tier drama.”

Seungmin paused, his poor brain working overtime to make sure he was hearing him correctly. Maybe the tears had washed a few brain cells away along with them…

“That is... so dumb..” he mumbled, eyes narrowing once again. He covered his face with his hands, peeking through his fingers. "You're so dumb."

“Yeah, yeah..” Chan laughed softly, seeming entirely unfazed by the younger man’s words. "I'm dumb and lame, and you're devastatingly cute and a pretty crier~ We've established that."

Seungmin groaned, dragging one hand down his face, even as the corners of his lips twitched upward against his will. “Hyung…” he warned. 

“What?” Chan nudged his shoulder lightly, ever the playful lilt in his voice. “Just saying what everyone’s thinking.”

“Everyone better not be thinking that.”

“Well, they are. You’re doomed, Kim Seungmin.”

It was Seungmin’s turn to laugh this time. It was tired and raw, but at least it was genuine. His head dropped briefly back down to rest against Chan’s shoulder, hiding the faint pink dusting his cheeks.

Whether from the fever, the tears, or Chan’s words, he didn’t bother clarifying.

Chan let the moment settle before straightening up, smoothing his hand across Seungmin’s back in one last comforting sweep. “Alright.. fever or not, you’re clearly not feeling great…” he said, voice softening. “So let’s get you home, huh?”

Seungmin glanced up at him, eyes still glassy but clearer than before, the heaviness behind them beginning to lift just slightly. He nodded wordlessly. There was nothing he wanted more. All he wanted to do was go to sleep and forget this day ever occurred.

Chan took a step back, extending his hand out to the man still seated before him.

Seungmin hesitated for only a split second before reaching up to take it in his own, using it as leverage to pull himself upright. His fingers curled around Chan’s naturally; no dramatic pauses, no second-guessing. 

Just quiet, honest trust.

Chan helped him up, not letting go of him even once he knew Seungmin was steady. Their joined hands stayed clasped between them, comforting and steady.

“…Thanks, hyung.” Seungmin said quietly, his gaze fixed on their hands for just a moment too long. Chan followed his eyes, but didn’t comment on it, only shifting slightly as they started toward the door.

“For what?” he prompted.

Seungmin glanced up at him– only to be met, once more, by that same damned smile. The one that somehow stitched together every cracked piece of him without even trying.

For everything, is what he initially wanted to say. 

But it was too heavy. Too worn. Too cliché. 

Instead, with what little energy he had left, Seungmin opted for a simpler response, one that didn’t feel too grand or melodramatic.

“For coming after me..”

Chan’s dimples grew just a little more prominent. “Of course..” he said– and then, a little stronger, a little steadier..

“Always.”

____________________________________________

Sup🤭

As you might’ve guessed, I— like many other stays across the globe— watched the newest 2 Kids Room featuring Seungchan (and yes, I may have cried a tiny bit).

Seeing Seungmin cry definitely sparked something within me, and this little fic was born from it. The notion of adding a potential fever actually came from a friend while I was tossing around my ideas, so shoutout to them😗