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The creak of the door startles Changbin from putting the last of his summer clothes into a box, making him look up to the culprit of said creak. Felix, who was leaning Changbin's back, doesn't even flinch as he continues on watching a video on his phone.
Seungmin peeked in, his head poofed out from being nearly dry with a towel around his neck and clad in a white shirt and some shorts. His cheeks are a bit flushed, and he looks just about ready to dive right into bed to have a good night's rest from a whole day full of schedule.
They meet eyes for a second, which turns into a few seconds until Changbin broke the comfortable silence.
"Seungmin? What's up?" Changbin asked gently, turning his body to Seungmin's direction which made Felix grunt at the awkward angle he was now leaning on him against before begrudgingly shifting away so he was on his side and facing the wall instead.
Seungmin shaked his head nonchalantly. "Nothing, hyung. 'M just tired, I'm gonna go to sleep." He eyed the two roommates, who were usually already in their rooms near midnight. Well, usually. Chan usually spends the night till dawn cooped up in the studios in their company and Changbin tags along sometimes, usually with Jisung added into the mix as well.
"Oh, okay. Goodnight, Seung." Changbin gives him a confused wave and Seungmin nods, whispering a small Sleep well hyung, and Felix before stepping back and closing their door with a gentle thud.
"What's up with Seungmin?" Changbin muttered before frowning confusedly and sliding the box away from the side of his bed. He didn't need to finish packing tonight, he still had about a month to get his entire wardrobe and gym equipment all ready to move to their new separate dorms. Chan had nagged him to start packing in advance though, knowing the way he procrastinated especially when it came to tidying up his stuff.
"Dunno, hyung. He's been doing that for a while now and I heard from Jisung that he entered their room, smiled really creepy and just walked out like that yesterday night without any other words." Changbin lets out a snort, already imagining the dramatic way Jisung would've reacted when that happened.
Now that their promotions for Noeasy were over, they were granted a few days of true break. The kids used that as an opportunity to finally spend some time with their family and catch up and properly rest from the irregular schedules and hours of practicing and working on music.
Changbin personally spent all of those few days at his parents' house, missing the home cooked meals his mother would make for him and his sister's endless teasing that he secretly enjoyed because of how reminiscent it was of his childhood. His childhood was cut a bit too short by the fact that he found his dreams a bit earlier than expected, chasing his dreams to be an idol making music and his sister moving out for college right before he started high school and had a life of her own that mostly didn't overlap with his because of their contrasting lifestyles.
Two days before the end of their break, Changbin had just been packing the kimchi and side dishes his mother ushered him to take with him to eat with the other kids when he went back when his phone started ringing.
Incoming Video Call from Seungmin.
Changbin's eyebrows shot right up. The kids call each other a lot, especially since sometimes it's easier than texting since some people (Name: Jisung) never check their group chat or texts and have their phone on Do Not Disturb. But they never Facetime, or in Changbin's case just Kakaotalk's video call because apparently he's a menace to society and refuses to ever use an Iphone despite it being easier for all of them since they all own an Iphone except Changbin. But that's just Hyunjin's words and not actually facts, Thank you very much. He's very happy with his Android phone, okay.
Come to think of it, Seungmin came home early exactly today if he remembers clearly from their group chat and he probably was at their dorm already.
Changbin put the last of dozen tupperwares of food into his suitcase before reaching for his phone on the table to answer the call.
His screen is slightly blurry at the beginning before the pixels start forming into Seungmin's cream sweater and his hair that was a bit lopsided, like he was sleeping on his side too much and tried to fix his hair with a brush and gave up halfway. Why was his hair always so poofy nowadays? It made him look way more like a puppy, as he's always called by the kids and their fans. Dare he say, it made him look way cuter than his usual prim looking self when he was all styled up. Softness matches him well.
Changbin could tell that Seungmin had put his phone to stand up against something on their dining table, because now the top half of his body was on full display and so is the plastic bag that presumably has takeout in it considering it's already nearing to lunchtime and Seungmin must've slept in and felt too lazy to cook a meal on their day off that he ordered food to eat instead.
Seungmin waved the plastic bag and Changbin exclaimed, "Oh? What's that?" He held his phone in his hand, facing the camera as he carried his suitcase with his other hand to drop off near their doorstep so he can just bring it along when he's ready to go out.
Seungmin responded by taking the plastic container out of the bag and opening it up to show Changbin. "I got Gukbap. Was too lazy to cook." Changbin plops onto his bed, leaning against his bed frame.
He groaned at the sight of food, his stomach starting to grumble. "God, that looks so good. I should eat lunch soon. Do you think I should get Samgyeopsal or good 'ol Tteokbokki for lunch?" Seungmin takes a big spoonful of Gukbap in with a teasing grin at Changbin't misfortune, taking his sweet time chewing before giving him an answer. It makes Changbin's eyes dart to his lips, that had formed into a pout around the stainless spoon and mindlessly admiring its color and how it complimented Seungmin's glowing complexion because of the sun coming in from their kitchen windows. You could also probably count Seungmin's eyelashes too, if Changbin weren't seeing him from the poor pixels that weren't even near to giving him what Changbin could've had if he were there instead of him being away and having to settle with what the screen was offering to him.
"Stop lying to yourself. You'd definitely get both solely just because you couldn't choose from both.” That snaps off Changbin's thoughts, wondering for a split second how his thoughts had just gone haywire. He brushed it away, his reasoning being that he has eyes and that he was just admiring how his fellow team member looked. Normal stuff.
Changbin lets out a displeased whine that resembles an Oh, Shut up! before following it up with, “Now I'm not getting any of those anymore out of spite. I'm just gonna go get Galbitang later instead.” Seungmin lets out his weird laugh that sounds like a laugh typed out but said out loud while covering his mouth with his free hand.
"Are any of the others home already?” Seungmin swallowed another spoonful of food and shaked his head. "No. So far I'm the only one home. It feels so weird to be alone in the dorms and eat a meal alone.” His voice gets smaller towards the end and it almost sounds wistful, if you read into it.
"What? You just miss us that much, huh?” Changbin teased, expecting to get a rise of Seungmin for his comment earlier but was met with Seungmin falling silent and his hand pausing mid stirring the food. Changbin's teasing smile turned into a softer one at the sight. That was an answer, alright.
"I heard Jisung and Minho's getting home a bit in the afternoon, though. So you'll have company soon.” Changbin reassures him, and Seungmin nods in response. Although Seungmin seemed to acknowledge that fact, the slightly tense taut of his forehead seemed to indicate that it wasn't quite the answer he was looking for so he added, “I'm going home tomorrow, after dinner time I think. I'm just spending more time with Noona.”
Changbin can't tell if Seungmin’s eyes were lighting up at the mention of his sister, or by the information that Changbin might be coming home sooner than he expected but he's glad that his expression has now turned back into its usual warm state.
"I like your sister, she keeps you in your place. Are you going to take another Vlog?” Seungmin is looking intently at the screen, eyes bright as he quickly starts putting all of the empty containers back into the plastic bag it came in to dispose for later. He looked like an attentive Golden Retriever like this, his eyes round and full of curiosity on Changbin while trying to feed himself.
Changbin nods. "Yeah, We're going to buy stuff for her new apartment and she's accompanying me to the gym after. It took me so much begging to convince her to hold a camera to me while I'm doing bench presses just for some content.” He's huffing by the end of that sentence and Seungmin's grin haf turned into a full blown teasing one. It also could be the trick of Changbin's eye, but he could also see that his ears were slightly turning pink.
“And she agreed? Wow, you must've begged real hard then. What got her to say yes?” Seungmin asks.
Changbin rolled his eyes, a lazy smirk on his face. "Oh, you know us. We'd do anything for free food, so I'm treating her to dinner." Seungmin lets out a hum of acknowledgement.
"I'm gonna go now and watch a movie with my friend who lives in Seoul.” Seungmin says, a smile still on his face. "Have fun with Noona, tell her I said hi."
Changbin hummed, mirroring his smile. “You too, Seung. I'll see you tomorrow.”
Seungmin waves at him slightly, before reaching for the phone and picking the phone up. All Changbin sees is a closeup of his forehead and eyes and him saying goodbye before hanging up.
Changbin sat for a while, scrolling through his phone for food places he could possibly get food from before he just realized that he never actually asked Seungmin why he called. It didn't really seem like he had something important to say, except maybe he needed some company while eating alone. It probably could've been anyone else. He chose to call you though, his brain (un)helpfully supplies for him before he shrugs the thoughts off yet again. It can't be that deep, Seungmin does a lot of questionable things without any reason.
He grabs his jacket to go get both Samgyeopsal and Tteokbokki with his mother.
Marking two weeks before their moving, Seungmin starts coming over at night more often.
Sometimes it's to annoy Jeongin and tease him, other times it's to come over to play some league with Felix now that their schedules only consisted of lessons and some photoshoots there and there and music video shooting rather than preparing for actual performances on music shows since they won't be promoting their new album that's coming soon for the holiday season.
They don't really talk much, since Seungmin usually keeps himself busy with the other younger ones and Changbin usually joins them later after a session at the studio with the rest of the 3racha members to tweak some details of their new songs. But his eyes always seem to light up at the sight of Changbin, usually arriving right before midnight or just a little bit after Jeongin starts being sleepy and more reluctant about dealing with a hyper Seungmin and an even more hyper Felix who is more likely hyper because of the fact that he keeps winning every league game they play, not knowing that Seungmin has been slightly going easy on him because the dude might be passionate about the game yet has mediocre skills going about it and Seungmin thinks it's cute to see how he starts yelling in delight at every win he gets.
Seungmin never fails to shoot a smile towards him and asking how the night went, getting sleepy suspicious stares from Jeongin himself and Changbin doesn't know why he's suddenly asking him that out of a sudden and even more at the way Jeongin kept staring at him with a shit eating grin always by the time Seungmin has already left their room. Felix seemed to have caught on too, letting out an amused huff before he adjusted his bed covers after the fourth time Seungmin had come over and sharing one look with Jeongin before switching the lights off that night.
"What?" Changbin whined out, and the younger members sighed and shaked both of their heads in response before looking away from his bed and facing the other way in unison.
"Nothing, hyung. You're just awfully dense. It's making my head hurt so I'm going to sleep instead. Night." Jeongin grumbled out and that was that, and light snores started to fill their room soon after. Changbin would've spent more time pondering about what he meant by that if he weren't so tired after spending the entire day arguing with Chan about a song arrangement but after some thinking and coming up with no solutions. He just gave in and closed his eyes instead, dreaming about a square smile, warm brown hair and gentle eyes.
After a few hectic days recording the remaining parts of their album and packing the unnecessary amount of stuff they've all bought these past few years, it was already the last night of them staying at the group dorms. They decided to have a movie night to end an era of rowdy nights. They've even convinced all of 3racha to wrap up their work the day before so they could relax and enjoy their last night together.
Felix and Seungmin were in charge of the popcorn, which was a surprise in itself since they've never failed to fail every kitchen endeavor they've had together but Felix insisted and Seungmin had offered to help and Changbin couldn't nag like he usually does when he saw the youngers get excited over what flavors they were going to make and popcorn couldn't possibly be that complicated, right? (They didn't burn the kitchen, so Changbin supposes it was good enough. They overdid the seasoning so it felt like his tongue was burning in a different kind of way but he loves them so he'll just tease them another day.)
Jisung and Hyunjin insisted on watching Home Alone, saying that they might not be able to spend the Holidays with each other now that they were going to be separated in two dorms and won't be able to hold movie nights as easily. Everyone else agreed quietly, even Minho who preferred to stay in his room more frequently due to his hectic schedule recently. They all brought their own blankets and pillows from their rooms to put them in their living room, pushing the couch to the wall so that they could all sit down in a pile on the floor instead of occupying the couch.
The kids usually teased each other nowadays instead of outwardly expressing their affection for each other. It came with living together for so long and spending so much time enough to feel like family to each other that telling each other verbally how much they meant to each other wasn't all needed because they all just knew.
However, tonight feels different as it felt like everyone had come to a silent agreement that they'd rather ditch extra spaces and teasing to huddle against each other while enjoying a movie and reminisce the past years they've spent of their youth running towards the same dream. It may not seem that big of a change, but he's come to get used to every kid's presence whenever he gets home.
Home. Since when has that word meant this much to him?
Without even noticing, that word had started changing its meaning. From his house that he grew up in that was bigger than most of his school friends' houses, to this place that wouldn't even come close to the big chandeliers his mother had decided to put up because of how nicely it lit the place up.
Seungmin catches his attention by elbowing him, smiling at him before looking pointedly at the spot beside Hyunjin who was too busy searching for the movie on Netflix to put up on the TV.
"Let's sit together, hyung." Changbin stares at him, a bit dazed but proceeds to plot down next to Seungmin.
Changbin thinks he now gets Seungmin, when he called him that time. It feels weird to know that they're finally parting ways with the place that he's considered his home for the past few years despite the fact that it may not be as extravagant like his home in Yongin. Or, the fact that it's not even in the best condition considering the fact that he's living with 7 other grown men in their early 20's. The curtain wasn't even properly put up until Chan finally took one for the team and fixed it for them just about before it was decided that they were gonna move. Whether it be when he was having a hard day as a trainee or when he had received a trophy from their first win, their dorm had stayed the same. Always there for all of them to come home to and something that's stayed constant over all the changes that has happend to them from being a determined trainee with everything to prove into an idol that slowly but surely have been dominating the scene.
The movie had already started and Changbin couldn't really focus on it as he was too busy smiling at everyone else's antics and sneaking glances at Seungmin who nibbled on his popcorn and looked far cuter than acceptable when watching the movie.
Surprisingly enough, he wasn't sad about leaving this place. Seungmin meets his eye for a second and Changbin feels it deep in his soul.
Home wasn't a place. It is an emotion, and he felt it in Seungmin.
The movie was over far sooner than he expected it to be and Minho had already started tidying up their living room as much as he could with some few people already fast asleep hugging each other tightly, Chan unquestioningly bringing another spare blanket to put over Hyunjin, Jisung and Jeongin's bodies that were tangled against each other to keep them warm so they won't complain about catching a cold the next morning.
Seungmin was still awake, sitting through the ending credits silently as Changbin grabbed the extra pillows that were scattered around the living room to put back into their rooms. Felix, who was barely awake, declared that he was just gonna sleep in the living room because he was too sleepy to get up before making his way next to Hyunjin and curling against the taller man. Changbin could see Chan smiling at the sight, before adjusting their blankets one last time before he headed back to his room.
"Seungmin, are you sleeping soon?"
When Seungmin met his eyes, he's met with the most unreadable expression Changbin's ever seen on him. His eyes are looking a bit bleary, and he's looking at Changbin like as he was gonna disappear any moment.
"Yeah, I think I am," Seungmin mutters out and Changbin startes to feel concerned of the solemn tone he's speaking. "I don't think I can sleep alone though." Seungmin continued with a small wistful smile, his eyes tracing the floor before looking back up to Changbin.
"D'you think I can accompany you in your room, hyung?" Changbin's head goes empty for a second before he realizes that Seungmin is waiting for a response, Seungmin's knees nervously bopping interrupting his peripheral vision.
"Oh. Right. Everyone else is already asleep already, huh. Okay." Changbin smiled and nodded, holding out a hand for him to hold onto so he could stand up.
He and Seungmin headed to their bathroom and wordlessly started brushing their teeth together, a comfortable silence enveloping both of them. There's something about seeing Seungmin in his mismatched pajamas and face bare of any makeup, any slight imperfection that makes him so, Seungmin. Changbin's heart is clenching in a way that makes him want to reach for him so badly that he goes through his routine as fastly as he can to avoid looking at Seungmin under the warm lighting of their bathroom. He might not be able to contain his heart anymore and do something crazy like take Seungmin into his arms.
Changbin tries to claim Felix' bed, saying that he probably won't mind and because Jeongin is more fussy about his personal belongings than Felix. Seungmin sat in his bed, anxiously biting his lip when Changbin turned around to ask if he heard him and to ask if he should turn another lamp on.
"I was thinking maybe we could share a bed together?" Seungmin squeaked out, taking Changbin by surprise. Usually it was Changbin annoying Seungmin, asking for a hug or to cuddle so this was very new territory for him. It was pretty impossible for everyone in the dorms to get through a single day without any sort of physical affection, however something felt very different judging how nervous Seungmin was acting. It insinuates a deeper meaning to his actions and it makes Changbin wonder if it were because of what he had been secretly hoping.
"Oh. Uh," Changbin stammered, slowly scrambling up from Felix' bed. "Okay. We can do that." He whispered out, half to Seungmin who visually calmed down at the approval and half to himself. He just agreed to sleep next to Seungmin, he was one second from losing his mind.
Seungmin shifted so that he was on the right side of his bed, nearly facing the wall so Changbin could get in the bed easier.
It was when Changbin was fully settled into Seungmin's bed when he fully realized how tiny his single bed was. He was reminded about why they even decided to finally move, everyone wanting a space of their own with bigger beds because it seemed like a miracle how the both of them fit into one bed, their bodies flush against each other.
Changbin could barely move, his body stiff as a log when Seungmin turned to face him to wrap an arm around his waist and slightly bury his face against Changbin's chest.
"Seungmin?" Changbin called out, voice thin and wobbly.
"I'm going to miss this so much." Seungmin's voice is slightly muffled against the fabric of Changbin's hoodie but he hears him clearly. His body gradually relaxed as he melted into Seungmin's touch, resting his left hand against the back of Seungmin's nape and slowly caressing it.
"I know, it feels like yesterday when we just moved into this place. We were so excited, all of us." Changbin responds, trying to keep his voice light as he hoped Seungmin couldn't hear how hard his heart was beating right now.
"I'm gonna miss you." Seungmin admitted.
Changbin's eyes widened, his hand that was caressing Seungmin's nape halting for a second when he processed what Seungmin had just said to him.
"Funny. It's not like I'm disappearing off the earth," Changbin retorted weakly and Seungmin shaked his head against his chest before looking up, looking straight at Changbin.
Changbin can count his eyelashes like this, they're long and just as beautiful as Changbin remembers. It's significantly better than staring at him through Seungmin's front camera.
"You're not." Seungmin confirmed, "But I won't get to see you around everyday anymore."
Changbin is confused, and he's about to ask Seungmin to elaborate on what he meant exactly until Seungmin beats him to it when he continues,
"I like to know that all the things and people I love are safe every single day. It's just easier when we're living in the same space."
Seungmin is now anxiously biting his lip, eyes alternating between staring at Changbin directly and looking to the side shyly almost as if he didn't mean to say that at this moment. But he looks sincere and Changbin is still frozen in shock.
"Seungmin. You mean..?" It seemed like Changbin's throat had gone dry because he struggles to even speak those few words out.
Seungmin half groaned and half whined, bumping his head gently against Changbin's chest and resting his head there while he muttered, "God, hyung. Wasn't that obvious enough for you? I knew Jeongin made fun of you for being dense but this is on another level."
Changbin gulped down, attempting on words again. "So, you mean. The people you love, being.. us?" Seungmin looked up to Changbin, looking both somewhat exasperated and amused at the same time.
"You're really something, hyung. Yes, you all mean everything to me but also.. don't you think there's a specific reason why I asked you to sleep on the same bed as me and saying these words to you?"
It finally clicked to Changbin. The reason why Seungmin would check on all of them occasionally before bed, making sure they were all well before he would go to sleep himself. The reason Seungmin decided to call Changbin out of all people to keep him company while he felt lonely eating lunch by himself.
"I need you to spell it out clearly for me, Seungmin." Changbin is shaking now, staring intently at Seungmin because he can tell that he feels it with how close they are to each other because he's smiling at Changbin, tightening his hold onto his waist.
"I love you, hyung. Been for a while, actually." Seungmin smiled and continued, "It took me a stupid dorm split to realize how much I missed seeing your stupid face around the dorm and how I've always wanted to know if you had a good or bad day, or hoping that I could at least see you at least once everyday."
It felt like a weight had been lifted off of Changbin's chest, all those times he chose to ignore the signs instead to avoid complicated situations of him getting rejected after expressing his feelings. Instead, here was Seungmin in his arms, debunking every single thought Changbin had about Seungmin never reciprocating his feelings.
"I love you too, Seungmin. God, I do. Always have." Changbin sounds like he still can't believe himself and it makes Seungmin giggle against his chest.
"I knew, but it still feels so good hearing it come out of your mouth." Seungmin grinned, taking his hand to run it through the part of Changbin's hair.
"You knew?" Changbin exclaimed, his voice rising startedly as Seungmin nodded intently and continued to run his hand through his hair down to his cheek and gently cupped the side of it.
"It's not really hard, you know? Your eyes are so expressive. It's one of the reasons why I love you." Seungmin whispered out, leaning inwards and Changbin closed his eyes, fully expecting a kiss to come but instead he felt a very soft pair of lips on his eyelids.
Changbin's heart stutters, eyes shooting open wildly as Seungmin yet again giggled at his reaction. He sounded so bubbly, like a sweet milk tea.
"Can.. Can I kiss you?" Changbin whispered out and Seungmin hummed gently in response. "I thought you would never ask. Yes, please."
Their lips meet, slotting against each other. It's soft and gentle, and it feels like a warm hug. He can feel Seungmin smiling against his lips and it makes him smile too, his cheeks feeling so warm that he almost feels drunk despite being completely sober.
"Does this mean that we're a thing?" Changbin asks when they separate, a nervous yet hopeful expression on his face.
"We can be whatever you want us to be." Seungmin hummed, nuzzling against Changbin's chest looking content.
"Then yes. I think I'd like that.. Boyfriends." Changbin smiled and Seungmin nodded.
"It would be a shame that I wouldn't be able to live in the same house as my boyfriend anymore, though." Seungmin pouted, leaning in to kiss Changbin's cheek.
Changbin chuckled, poking his index finger against Seungmin's lips to which Seungmin responded by pressing a cheeky kiss against it. "Silly, you could've told Chan when he asked who wanted to stay with 3racha. Hyunjin ended up volunteering instead because he sleeps late anyway."
"That's when I still didn't know I'd have this dilemma, okay!" Seungmin whined. "Besides, I'm glad it happened anyway. It helped me realize how much I'd miss you if you weren't around anymore. Ew, that sounded really gay." Seungmin scrunched his nose in distaste and Changbin snorted despite sporting the pinkest blush he's ever seen in mankind.
"It's fine, I promise you to drop by yours every day before going home from the company. We literally are about to live in the same neighborhood, but I must satisfy my cute little boyfriend." Changbin cooed.
Seungmin huffs, but smiles anyway. His cheeks are so pink and he looks beautiful with his hair splayed out, his eyes reflecting Changbin's bedlamp. He's glowing and it's all because of Changbin.
"It's okay. Happiness isn't far away, after all."