yeonjun slumped into one of the chairs by the wall, his eyes heavy, fingers twitching in a restless kind of way. he had been practicing for hours. at least that's what it felt like, and nothing seemed right. the choreography was there, but his body? his body just wasn't responding the way he wanted it to. frustration had begun to creep in, gnawing at the edges of his concentration, so he took a quick break, letting himself sit and breathe.

his gaze wandered to the other side of the practice room, where soobin was still moving. the taller boy was dancing alone, lost in the rhythm of the song. yeonjun had always been amazed by how effortlessly soobin could throw himself into the music, how every movement felt so fluid, so natural. it was as if the song was a part of him, running through his veins.

yeonjun leaned back in the chair, rubbing at his face with his palms, trying to shake off the tiredness in his bones. he wasn't jealous, no, not really. but it was hard not to feel like he was falling short when soobin made everything look so easy. where yeonjun's movements were often stiff, a little too forced, soobin moved with a grace that felt almost.. perfect. every jump, every spin, every subtle shift in his body was like poetry in motion.

the soft hum of the music filled the room as soobin continued to dance. his focus was intense, and yeonjun found himself unable to look away. he was captivated by the way soobin's body seemed to blend with the beat, how his muscles moved in such a rhythmic flow. and then, there was the way soobin smiled, the slight curve of his lips whenever he hit the right move, as if he was pleased with himself, but never overly proud. it was endearing, and yeonjun couldn't help but admire him in that moment.

it wasn't just his dancing. no, it was everything. yeonjun watched soobin as he moved across the floor, his every step graceful yet strong, like he was effortlessly balancing between the two. the way the light caught his skin, the way his hair fell just slightly into his eyes, how his chest rose and fell with each breath. yeonjun thought, in that moment, that soobin was the most beautiful person he had ever seen.

he wasn't supposed to feel like this. not about soobin. not about anyone. but the feelings had grown over time, starting small and quiet, like a whisper in the back of his mind, until they became impossible to ignore. every time soobin laughed, every time their hands brushed against each other by accident, every time their eyes met for just a fraction too long, yeonjun felt something stir in his chest.

he couldn't remember the last time he'd let himself just sit and feel. he was always so caught up in his head, so worried about being perfect, about meeting the expectations placed on him. but with soobin, it was different. when they were together, when they were in this space—whether it was the practice room, or just the two of them in a quiet moment. yeonjun felt content. like he didn't have to pretend.

soobin finished a sequence and slowed down, bringing his movements to a gentle stop. yeonjun blinked, realizing he'd been staring, his heart beating faster than it should have been. there was a soft smile tugging at the corners of soobin's lips as he glanced over, catching yeonjun's gaze.

"you're not practicing," soobin said with a teasing tone, though it was light, almost like a question.

yeonjun shook his head, forcing himself to sit up straighter, feeling a bit embarrassed. "yeah, just... needed a break." he rubbed the back of his neck, trying to play it off as casual, but there was no mistaking the warmth in his face, the way his heart was still racing.

soobin didn't press him any further. instead, he wiped his forehead, his movements fluid and easy, as if the effort it took to dance that intensely was nothing. yeonjun's eyes followed the lines of his body, the way his shirt clung to his chest, and the soft shine of sweat on his skin. the sight made yeonjun's throat go dry.

"you're good," yeonjun said, his voice rougher than he intended. "better than me, actually."

soobin chuckled softly, shaking his head. "don't say that. i think you're good," he replied, though there was something in his tone that made yeonjun feel like soobin was being a little too kind. he knew that soobin's humility was part of what made him so special, but sometimes it made yeonjun feel like he was looking at the boy through a fogged-up window, unable to get any closer.

the room fell into a comfortable silence, the faint sound of their breathing and the hum of the air conditioning the only noise. yeonjun watched as soobin stretched, his movements deliberate, but somehow still effortless. there was something about the way soobin held himself, like he was confident but not arrogant, comfortable in his own skin without needing validation from anyone else.

yeonjun stood up slowly, feeling a tightness in his chest, a heaviness he couldn't quite shake. "you're..." he began, and then stopped himself. he felt like an idiot for even trying to form the words, but it didn't matter because soobin was already looking at him with those wide, soft eyes, as if waiting for him to continue. "beautiful," yeonjun said, the word slipping out before he could stop it.

soobin blinked, his expression softening, and for a moment, the world seemed to pause. yeonjun's heart raced even faster, the words hanging in the air like a fragile thing. he wasn't sure if he should take it back, if he should apologize for saying something so personal, but he couldn't help it. it was true. soobin was beautiful. inside and out.

there was no teasing in soobin's gaze now, no playful mockery. instead, he was looking at yeonjun with something else. something that made yeonjun feel like he had just stepped into a new world, one where the boundaries they'd carefully kept between them were slowly starting to blur.

soobin smiled, a soft, genuine smile, and it made yeonjun's heart skip. "you think so?"

soobin's smile lingered, and for a second, yeonjun thought he might be imagining things. the air between them felt different now, more intimate somehow, but soobin didn't seem uncomfortable. if anything, his gaze softened further, a flicker of something unspoken passing through his eyes.

yeonjun cleared his throat, trying to break the tension, but it didn't work. he wasn't sure why he was so nervous all of a sudden. he had said something that was just... true. soobin was beautiful, and that was it. yet here he was, feeling like he had said something too much, too soon.

soobin, as usual, seemed to sense it. he walked over to yeonjun, his footsteps quiet on the wooden floor, and when he stopped in front of him, he reached out, gently patting yeonjun's shoulder. the contact was light, but it felt oddly grounding.

"you really think so?" soobin asked again, his voice low, almost serious.

yeonjun blinked up at him, not sure if he was dreaming this interaction or if it was really happening. he nodded, this time more firmly, his eyes meeting soobin's with a new kind of vulnerability he hadn't shown before.

"yeah," he replied softly, his voice catching a little. "you're..." his words faltered for a second, but he pushed through. "you're perfect."

soobin's lips parted in surprise, his brow furrowing slightly, but it wasn't in confusion. it was like he was processing something, trying to understand the depth of what yeonjun was saying. and in that moment, yeonjun realized just how much he was holding back. how much he had been afraid to say, afraid to admit to himself and to soobin.

he swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest, and he knew it was time to stop holding back. whatever it was between them, whether it was just friendship or something more, he had to acknowledge it. he had to let soobin know what he meant to him. what he felt when he was around him.

yeonjun stepped a little closer, his breath coming a little faster now. the distance between them had shrunk to nothing, and soobin didn't move away. instead, he stood still, looking at yeonjun with an unreadable expression, waiting.

"you don't have to say anything back," yeonjun whispered, almost to himself. "but I... I need you to know."

before soobin could respond, yeonjun found himself closing the space between them even more. his hand reached up, fingers brushing against soobin's jaw. the skin was warm beneath his touch, and yeonjun's pulse quickened as he realized how close they were now, how close he was to doing something he'd never allowed himself to do before.

soobin didn't pull away. instead, he exhaled softly, his lips barely parted, and that small movement. barely noticeable, but enough—sent a jolt of something deep into yeonjun's chest.

in one swift motion, yeonjun leaned in, his lips brushing lightly against soobin's jaw. the contact was barely a whisper, but it felt electric, as if the entire room had shifted around them. yeonjun's hand stayed on soobin's jaw for just a moment longer before he moved it down, his thumb grazing the soft skin of his neck.

soobin stiffened for the briefest of moments, but then, almost imperceptibly, he leaned into the touch, his own breath shallow. yeonjun's lips trailed slowly along soobin's jawline, his heart racing with each inch. the heat between them seemed to grow, the space between them charged with something neither of them had fully acknowledged until now.

yeonjun's lips hovered near soobin's ear, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop. all he could hear was their breathing, so close now, so tangled with each other's. the weight of the moment hit him all at once, and he knew, deep down, that this was something they couldn't go back from. it felt so natural, so right, but it was terrifying, too. he had crossed a line, and he couldn't take it back.

but when soobin tilted his head slightly, just enough to give yeonjun better access to the curve of his neck, everything else faded into the background. yeonjun let out a breath, his lips pressing softly against the warm skin of soobin's neck. the sensation was intoxicating, the softness of soobin's skin sending shivers down yeonjun's spine.

he couldn't stop now, not when soobin was letting him in, not when it felt like they were on the edge of something new. yeonjun's lips traveled lower, finding the sensitive spot just below soobin's ear. his fingers curled slightly into the fabric of soobin's shirt, his body instinctively leaning in closer, as if the physical distance between them was the only thing standing between him and something he couldn't fully understand.

soobin's breath caught, a soft gasp escaping him as yeonjun's lips traced his neck. it wasn't anything overtly sexual. no, it was something quieter. something raw. a quiet declaration of everything that had been left unsaid between them.

when yeonjun pulled back slightly, just enough to look soobin in the eye, there was a softness in soobin's gaze that made yeonjun's heart skip a beat. his lips were slightly parted, his chest rising and falling with every breath, and for a moment, it felt like they were both holding their breath, waiting for something to happen.

"yeonjun," soobin whispered, his voice barely a murmur.

yeonjun's heart fluttered at the sound of his name coming from soobin's lips. it was soft, but there was an underlying weight to it, a depth that yeonjun wasn't sure he had the strength to handle. but he had to. he had to face whatever this was between them.

"soobin," yeonjun said, his voice cracking slightly, unsure of what to say next. his hand moved from soobin's neck to the side of his face, gently cupping his cheek. "you don't know what you do to me," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

soobin's eyes softened, his lips pulling into a gentle smile, the kind that made yeonjun feel like he was the only person in the world. soobin stepped even closer, his own hand resting lightly on yeonjun's waist, and for a moment, the entire world seemed to disappear.

"i think i know," soobin murmured.

and then, with no more words needed, soobin closed the gap between them, his lips meeting yeonjun's in a soft, hesitant kiss. it wasn't the kind of kiss that came with fireworks, with a sense of urgency. no, this one was gentle, tender, like a promise. a quiet acknowledgment that they were stepping into something neither of them had fully understood until now.

yeonjun melted into the kiss, his hands resting on soobin's waist, feeling the steady beat of his heart against his own. everything that had been unspoken, all the quiet feelings they had both carried for so long, seemed to come together in that single, perfect moment.

when they finally pulled away, they were both breathless, their foreheads resting against each other. yeonjun couldn't help but smile, the warmth of soobin's presence filling him with a sense of peace he had never known before.

"this is real, isn't it?" yeonjun asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.

soobin smiled softly, his hand gently brushing through yeonjun's hair. "yeah," he said, his voice full of quiet certainty. "it is."

as the seconds ticked by, the closeness between them seemed to only grow. yeonjun couldn't quite bring himself to pull away from soobin, and it wasn't just the lingering warmth of their kiss that kept him close. no, it was more than that. it was the pull he felt. the need to stay near him, to keep him close. he felt like he couldn't breathe properly if there was too much space between them.

soobin seemed to sense it too. after their kiss, he hadn't let go of yeonjun right away. he kept a gentle hand on yeonjun's waist, as though grounding him, as though reassuring him that nothing had changed, that they were still in this moment together.

yeonjun shifted, not ready to let go, and when he looked up at soobin, there was a softness in his eyes, a vulnerability that yeonjun hadn't seen before. it made his heart ache, in the best way possible.

"soobin," yeonjun whispered, his voice a little rougher than he intended. "can we stay like this for a little longer?" his fingers tightened around soobin's shirt, almost as if he were afraid the moment would slip away if he didn't hold on tight enough.

soobin, ever the calm presence, chuckled quietly, but it wasn't mocking. it was warm, understanding. "of course," he replied, his hand still resting on yeonjun's waist as he gently guided yeonjun to sit down on the floor next to him. "we don't have to go anywhere just yet."

yeonjun nodded eagerly, sinking down beside soobin. he curled his legs up slightly, positioning himself closer to soobin, almost as if he was seeking out a sense of security. he couldn't help it—he just wanted to stay close to him, to feel that warmth, the safety of soobin's presence.

soobin didn't seem to mind, though. in fact, he looked down at yeonjun with a fond smile, his fingers brushing lightly against yeonjun's hand. it was a small gesture, but it was enough to make yeonjun's heart flutter again. he laced his fingers with soobin's, holding on tightly, almost instinctively. the soft pressure of their hands against each other made yeonjun feel like everything was right in the world.

yeonjun leaned his head onto soobin's shoulder, a quiet sigh escaping his lips. he wasn't used to feeling this way. so safe, so at ease. usually, he was the one trying to keep everything together, trying to make sure no one saw how vulnerable he could be. but with soobin, it was different. he felt like he could let his guard down.

"i don't want to leave," yeonjun mumbled into soobin's shirt, his voice muffled but full of emotion. his hand stayed securely intertwined with soobin's, as if he feared that if he let go, the moment would vanish.

soobin's breath hitched slightly, though he kept his composure. his hand moved to yeonjun's hair, running his fingers through it in a slow, calming motion. "you don't have to go anywhere," he murmured, his voice soft, almost a whisper. "not yet."

the words, the reassurance, made yeonjun feel even more attached. there was something about soobin's presence that grounded him, that made him feel like he didn't need to rush through anything, like he could just exist in this space, in this time. and it wasn't just the physical closeness that mattered. it was the emotional bond that seemed to strengthen with each passing moment.

yeonjun's arms found their way around soobin's waist, his hold on him becoming a little tighter than before. it wasn't anything overwhelming, but the clinginess in his actions was undeniable. he wanted to stay there. he wanted to feel soobin's warmth, his calm energy, for as long as possible.

soobin didn't seem to mind the clinginess at all. in fact, he shifted so that he could wrap his arm around yeonjun's shoulders, pulling him in closer. "you're a little clingy," soobin teased gently, his voice light, but there was no mockery in it. only affection.

yeonjun's face flushed, but he didn't pull away. he was embarrassed, sure, but he couldn't help it. there was just something about soobin that made him feel like he couldn't be too much. with soobin, it didn't feel like he was ever overwhelming. it felt like he could just.. be. and that was something yeonjun hadn't realized he'd been craving.

"sorry," yeonjun muttered, his face still buried against soobin's shoulder. "i just don't want to go."

soobin chuckled softly, his hand still gently stroking yeonjun's hair. "you don't have to apologize for that," he said, voice low and soothing. "it's okay. i don't mind."

yeonjun finally pulled back slightly, looking up at soobin with wide, almost shy eyes. "really?" he asked, his voice small but hopeful.

soobin nodded, a reassuring smile on his face. "really. i'm glad you want to be here."

it was a simple thing, but hearing those words made yeonjun's chest feel full, like his heart was expanding with something warm and tender. he let out a breath, a little relieved, and let his head fall back onto soobin's shoulder. his fingers tightened once more around soobin's hand, as if to make sure this moment wasn't a dream.

they sat there for a while, the silence between them comfortable, the world outside of the practice room fading into nothing. yeonjun didn't need to say anything more. just being near soobin was enough for him.

soobin was the first to break the silence, his voice soft but steady. "i'm glad you're here too," he said, the words sincere.

yeonjun couldn't help but smile at that. he lifted his head and met soobin's gaze, his heart swelling with affection, with a feeling he didn't quite understand, but one he knew he never wanted to let go of.

"thank you, bin," yeonjun whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

soobin hummed softly, his fingers still idly stroking through yeonjun's hair, and yeonjun swore he could fall asleep like this. he felt warm, safe. like he didn't have to think about anything else except the steady rhythm of soobin's breathing.

but at the same time, he didn't want to sleep. he wanted to stay awake and memorize this moment, carve it into his mind so he could hold onto it forever.

soobin shifted slightly, and yeonjun instinctively tightened his grip around him, burying his face deeper into the fabric of soobin's hoodie. "don't move," yeonjun murmured, his voice muffled against soobin's chest.

soobin exhaled a soft breath, and yeonjun felt the vibrations of it against his cheek. "you're cute when you're like this," soobin said absentmindedly, like it was just a passing thought, like it wasn't something that made yeonjun's heart stutter in his chest.

yeonjun lifted his head slightly, his face dangerously close to soobin's now. "say that again."

soobin blinked, clearly caught off guard. "huh?"

"you called me cute," yeonjun said, his lips curling up into a slow grin. "i want to hear it again."

soobin rolled his eyes, but there was a pink tint creeping up his neck. "forget i said anything."

"nope." yeonjun tightened his arms around soobin, holding him even closer. "you think i'm cute."

soobin sighed, feigning exasperation, but he didn't push yeonjun away. if anything, he relaxed into his hold. "okay, fine. you're cute."

yeonjun's grin widened. "thought so."

soobin huffed out a laugh and flicked yeonjun's forehead lightly. "you're impossible."

yeonjun just smiled, letting his head rest back against soobin's shoulder. he knew he was being a little ridiculous, but he didn't care. soobin was letting him be close, wasn't pushing him away, wasn't telling him to stop. if anything, he was indulging him.

soobin's hand found its way back into yeonjun's hair, and the gentle motion made yeonjun shiver slightly. it was soothing, familiar.

they sat in silence for a moment, wrapped up in each other, the outside world feeling miles away.

then, softly, soobin spoke. "are you okay?"

yeonjun hesitated. he didn't know how to answer that. because the truth was, he didn't really know. all he knew was that right now, here, with soobin, he felt better. like he could let go of everything weighing on him, if only for a little while.

"..i am now," yeonjun admitted.

soobin hummed in understanding, his fingers still gently combing through yeonjun's hair. "good," he said quietly.

yeonjun closed his eyes, letting himself get lost in the warmth of soobin's presence.

he never wanted to let go.

yeonjun shifted slightly, his head still resting against soobin's shoulder, but his grip around soobin's waist only tightened. he didn't want to move. he didn't want to let go. there was something about being this close, feeling the warmth of soobin's body against his, that made him feel grounded, safe.

soobin hadn't let go either. his arm stayed draped over yeonjun's shoulder, fingers absentmindedly playing with the strands of yeonjun's hair. it was soothing, almost hypnotic, and yeonjun found himself melting further into the touch, his eyes slipping shut for a moment.

but even with the calm between them, something inside yeonjun was stirring. his heart was still racing, still caught up in the weight of what had happened between them. the kiss. the way soobin hadn't pulled away. the way he had leaned into yeonjun's touch. it all replayed in his mind, making his chest feel tight, making him crave more.

he tilted his head slightly, his nose brushing against the side of soobin's neck, barely noticeable. soobin stilled for just a second, his fingers halting in yeonjun's hair, but he didn't move away.

that was all the confirmation yeonjun needed.

slowly, carefully, he turned his head, his lips hovering just over the smooth skin of soobin's neck. he hesitated, waiting, listening to soobin's breathing. it was steady, but there was an unmistakable tension in his posture, like he was waiting for something.

so yeonjun gave it to him.

his lips pressed against soobin's jaw first, soft and deliberate. he felt soobin inhale sharply, the muscles in his neck tensing under the gentle touch. yeonjun lingered there for a moment, letting his lips rest against the sharp angle of soobin's jaw before moving lower, trailing slow, lingering kisses down the side of his neck.

soobin let out a shaky breath, his fingers curling slightly where they rested against yeonjun's shoulder. yeonjun could feel the warmth of his skin beneath his lips, the way soobin's pulse thrummed just under the surface. he pressed another kiss there, right against the spot where his heartbeat was strongest, and a small sound escaped soobin's throat—barely audible, but enough to make yeonjun's stomach flip.

he didn't stop. he couldn't.

yeonjun's arms tightened around soobin's waist as he continued his slow, deliberate path down his neck, his lips brushing over sensitive skin, lingering in the spaces where soobin's breath hitched the most. he felt drunk on the closeness, on the way soobin melted into him despite the tension that hung between them like a thread stretched too tight.

soobin's hand slid up to yeonjun's nape, his fingers threading through the hair at the back of his head, and yeonjun shuddered at the touch. it wasn't a push or a pull—it was just there, grounding, reassuring, like soobin wanted him to stay close.

"yeonjun," soobin murmured, his voice quiet but rough around the edges.

yeonjun hummed against his skin, lips still trailing lazy kisses along the curve of soobin's neck.

"what are we doing?" soobin asked, his fingers tightening ever so slightly in yeonjun's hair.

yeonjun finally pulled back just enough to look at him, his breath uneven, his heart pounding so hard he was sure soobin could hear it.

"i don't know," yeonjun admitted, voice barely above a whisper. his fingers curled into the fabric of soobin's shirt. "but i don't want to stop."

soobin exhaled slowly, his gaze flickering over yeonjun's face, searching for something. then, after what felt like an eternity, he nodded, just once.

"okay," soobin murmured.

and that was all yeonjun needed to hear.

his lips found soobin's neck again, pressing soft, lingering kisses into his skin. his hold on soobin remained firm, almost desperate, as if letting go would make this moment disappear. soobin let out a slow, shaky breath, tilting his head just slightly, giving yeonjun more access, and that small gesture sent something electric through yeonjun's body.

he wanted more. he needed more.

his kisses grew bolder, lips parting slightly as he trailed them lower, letting his teeth graze against soobin's skin ever so slightly. soobin shivered in his hold, his hand gripping at yeonjun's shoulder, and the reaction sent a rush of heat through yeonjun's veins.

"yeonjun," soobin breathed, and his name had never sounded more beautiful.

yeonjun pulled back again, just enough to see soobin's face. his eyes were slightly hooded, his lips parted, his cheeks flushed. he looked breathtaking.

yeonjun swallowed hard, his hand coming up to cup soobin's jaw, his thumb brushing over the smooth skin.

"you're beautiful (i love you.)," yeonjun whispered, his voice raw with honesty.

soobin let out a soft, almost embarrassed laugh, his hand covering yeonjun's for a moment before he turned his head, pressing a gentle kiss to yeonjun's palm.

"so are you (i love you too.)," soobin murmured.

yeonjun felt his heart stutter in his chest.

and with that, he leaned in again, pressing their foreheads together, breathing in soobin's warmth, his presence. he didn't know where they were supposed to go from here, didn't know what this meant for them.

but he knew one thing for sure.

he wasn't letting go anytime soon.