Archive of Our Own

Kim Doyoung finds himself in the middle of a crowded room. 

There are men looking in his direction, all of them wearing black business suits. Their dark eyes scan at his silhouette vigorously as he is awkwardly heading towards one of the unoccupied chairs. He mentally scolds himself for choosing a rather baggy outfit today, feeling pretty much underdressed. 

He spots a familiar face among those men. Oh, it’s Johnny hyung, he thinks and automatically relaxes a bit. That would explain his absence from the practice. Doyoung decides to head over to his side. 

Johnny sits upright in the stiff chair, legs spread out in a cocky manner, arms casually resting along the armrests. Doyoung slowly moves closer to him, and he's feeling at least a little bit uncomfortable, being the centre of attention among so many people. 

He can’t help but wonder how Johnny manages to remain this calm in such a situation. He's been chosen too, after all. 

He was supposed to practice today; brush up on some choreographies with the rest of his members and call it a day. Now, he’s made to sit there, the hard and uncomfortable chair making his body ache. At least he’s here too, the thought giving Doyoung the much-needed comfort.

Johnny's glance quickly flickers toward the sound of approaching footsteps, his eyes immediately recognising the familiar figure moving through the room. A soft yet genuine smile tugs on Johnny's lips as their eyes meet, his gaze filled with a sense of warmth.

Doyoung's smile mirrors Johnny's own, and as he steps up to him, Johnny can't help but notice the subtle discomfort etched across his face. He knows that these situations can sometimes be a bit awkward for his friend.

“It’ll be over soon, don’t worry,” he whispers reassuringly, and Doyoung responds with a warm smile.

As they are all settled in their seats, one of the men turns the projector on, a presentation slowly appearing on the wall. There's writing in the middle; a title probably. Doyoung squints his eyes and tries to read it. 

Johnny only lets out a scoff as it fills the wall completely. His eyes quickly scan it, reading thoroughly. He then turns to Doyoung, a smirk playing on his lips once he notices his struggles. 

He leans in close so that only Doyoung can hear him and murmurs, his voice lower than normal, as he didn’t want to interrupt. 

“Call my name,” John whispers. He seems to find some sort of amusement in the title. He doesn’t know what to expect of it; the very thought of being a part of something like this sends shivers down his spine.

Doyoung stares at the screen blankly, his fingers silently cracking as they have found their way under the table. He proceeds to fidget with them for a while but stops as soon as their manager clears his throat in order to speak. 

Johnny only straightens up in his chair, his muscles relaxing as he turns his focus to the man. 

“Hello, everyone. Let me start by apologising for the sudden nature of this meeting. I know it must have been unexpected,” he glances briefly in Johnny and Doyoung's direction, offering a small nod before continuing. 

“However, I have the pleasure to inform you that something significant has come up. As some of you may already know, there’s a new project on the horizon,” he said, making a pause to drink some water. 

“SM Entertainment decided to further develop their business activity and expand their operations outside the idol industry. We also want to focus on acting, and by that, create the best possible impression for the fanbase all over the globe.” 

He quickly gestures to the presentation, a new slide popping up. Everyone, including Doyoung, glances at it and hums curiously while nodding their heads as another one of the men takes the floor. 

“Our first ever project will be a movie. The production team has specifically requested two of our idols for leading roles, and after careful consideration, we’ve chosen the two of you,” he says, pausing for the moment to look at him and Johnny.

Doyoung offers him a polite smile, then turns his head to look at his friend’s expression. He sees his eyebrows raising slightly but cannot decipher his thoughts. He wonders briefly what genre of movie he’s getting involved in. 

“We believe the two of you are the best fit for it. Johnny,” he turned his attention to the male. “Your visuals are quite immaculate, and we believe you’re going to make a huge impact on the overall atmosphere. We hope you can learn a lot and further evolve as an excellent actor.” 

“And Doyoung,” he gazed at him and smiled. “You have the most experience and the potential to provide us with satisfactory service. Let’s work hard together.” 

Both he and Johnny nod in acknowledgement, beaming at the compliments. Doyoung straightens up his back, his hands on his knees. “Now, let us discuss the main storyline.”

ᡣ𐭩

“Oh! Hyungs are finally back,” Jungwoo exclaims happily as Doyoung makes his way through the practice room’s door, Johnny following suit. Both of them are wearing unreadable face expressions; their steps are sloppy, almost washed out of energy.

Each pair of eyes is focused on them, curious about their absence. “Come on, tell us,” Taeyong steps in, his warm tone filling the silence. “Doie, what was this all about?”

Doyoung shrugs his shoulders and sighs deeply. He doesn’t reply to him. Instead, he slowly walks to the corner of the room and bends over for a bottle of water. He chugs about a half of it then hides his face in his palms and groans. He knows they’re all looking at him, expressions puzzled.

“Johnny?” Taeyong raises his eyebrow.

There’s a pause, almost fifteen seconds of awkward silence and anticipation. “We’re going to play in a movie together,” he says after an exhale, too calmly for Doyoung’s liking.

The practice room fills with cheers and laughter in an instant. Jaehyun approaches Doyoung so quickly he cannot even react properly and grabs his hand to drag him in the direction of other members. They pull both of them in a tight hug. No, no, no. They don’t understand. 

“Doyoung hyung, you had us stressing for a second! That’s amazing!” Jungwoo beams.

“We are so proud of you,” Yuta says softly, his voice muffled as his face is buried deep in the crook of Johnny’s neck.

Donghyuck chuckles, his mouth turning into a mischievous grin. “God, I can’t wait to see it and laugh at hyung… Last time it ended with ‘suka, suka’. She’s such an icon.” 

“It’s such great news! Why the long face, Doie?” Taeyong asks him suddenly, expectantly waiting for the answer. “Are you feeling alright?” He adds quietly, only for him to hear.

He looks at him, and Doyoung can see the worry painted in his eyes. He scolds himself once again, this time for troubling the leader with such trivial matters. 

“No, no. I’m okay, hyung. Don’t worry, I just overreacted,” he admits, Taeyong nodding hesitantly. “It’s just… the plot of it. It’s very different from what I’ve expected.” 

Taeyong, eyes squinting, only crosses his arms, silently telling him to elaborate. Other members’ excited screams blow over, now curious about his answer.

Oh god, this is so embarrassing. I can’t stand it; it’s a literal madness. “We are supposed to—” Doyoung begins, feeling his ears redden.

“Kiss. Several times actually,” Johnny ends the sentence for him, each of the members’ eyes widening and mouths agape. The weight of the sentence settles between them, not a single member daring to make a sound. They just stand here, blinking, and Doyoung hates it. 

Johnny glances around the room at the various reactions from the members, ranging from disbelief to pure shock. He can see the wheels spinning in their heads as they try to process the news.

Meanwhile, Doyoung stands there, his cheeks flushed. Johnny decides to grin and shrugs nonchalantly. "You heard that right. We'll be locking lips on-screen, folks."

Doyoung wants to bury himself at least six feet under the ground. Why did he have to put it like this?

It turns out the movie is a simple coming-of-age romance. 

There’s two main characters, both of them going to the same university. One night, they get drunk together and end up with more than just kissing. They try to overcome all the given obstacles while figuring out their feelings for each other. 

It simply describes the growth of the characters’ mentality as they’re both trying to discover their true selves. It’s beautiful, Doyoung thinks.

As the members process the plotline of the movie, a mix of oohs and ahhs fills the room. The story is indeed beautiful, but Doyoung can’t help but feel a knot forming in his stomach as he realises what it means for them.

Johnny, ever so relaxed, can feel the tension in the air and sense Doyoung’s discomfort. He decides to speak up, his tone light. “We can talk about it later, if you want.”

Doyoung nods sheepishly. 

“Wow. That’s unexpected,” Donghyuck whispers.

Taeyong sighs, then smiles softly, and one of his hands lands on Doyoung’s shoulder, the latter encouragingly squeezing Johnny’s. “I’m sure it’s going to turn out well; don’t worry about it too much.” 

“Yeah, you two can count on us when it comes to the support. The fans are surely going to love it too,” Jaehyun winks at Johnny while patting Doyoung’s head. All the other members nod in agreement.

Johnny grins widely, his spirits lifted by the supportive words of the other members. He glances at Doyoung, noticing the concern still etched on his face. He gently pats his back. 

Doyoung decides not to think about it too much. 

ᡣ𐭩

He can’t help thinking about it. 

He had played in a few series before, all of them including a kissing scene, mostly a few light pecks on the lips. He was praised by different directors that it came so naturally to him. It looked fresh, almost innocent, and most importantly, full of emotion.

It really shouldn’t be a big problem. It’s just another few kisses to his count, nothing serious, something he has done so many times. He doesn’t get why he is getting this nervous about it. 

This time, something feels different.

Doyoung can’t shake the knot forming in his stomach. His mind keeps circling back to the big stages, all the concerts and tours, to Johnny, standing just a few feet away, laughing with their other members like it’s any other day. 

Maybe for Johnny, it is okay. He’d always been so effortless, so comfortable in his own skin, that something like this wouldn’t even register as a problem.

But for Doyoung, it feels like an invisible weight pressing down on his chest.

He tries to convince himself it’s just nerves. After all, this is their first major film. A big opportunity. But that does not explain why every time he pictures the moment, he feels his breath catch. 

His heart isn’t supposed to pound at the thought of kissing his friend. It had never been like this with the others. His mind is not supposed to linger on how it would feel, how Johnny might react, or what his expression would be right after.

It makes no sense. They are friends, after all. He should feel relieved that this role is being played by him and not any other person. 

He knows Johnny too well. Knows his habits, his tells, and the way he can read Doyoung like an open book. It is the kind of closeness he is grateful for, but now it only makes things harder. Because what if Johnny notices? What if he sees him like this? What if he ruins the whole movie because of his unprofessional attitude? 

Doyoung takes a breath, running a hand through his hair and trying to calm the whirlwind in his head. It is going to be fine. Johnny is his friend. A good one. That should be a comfort.

He feels like he’s going to suffocate at any given moment.

ᡣ𐭩

The ride to the set is peaceful yet Doyoung feels nervous.

The company car moves smoothly along the road, the soft hum of the engine filling the silence. Doyoung sits in the passenger seat with one of his earphones in his ear, eyes fixed on the scenery outside, though his mind barely registers it. Johnny is scrolling through his phone, comfortably occupying the seat right next to him. 

He watches as the city gradually fades into the distance, the tall buildings and bustling streets replaced by quiet stretches of open fields and thick clusters of trees.

Autumn had just begun to touch the leaves, turning their edges a mix of warm reds and golds. He’d normally appreciate how beautiful it all looks, the way the world seemed to slow down out here, but today he barely can focus.

His thoughts are pulled elsewhere; back to the script, the scene, and – of course – Johnny.

He steals a glance at him from the corner of his eyes. He is sitting there, unmoving and casual as ever, one leg stretching out and sunglasses perched low on his nose.

Johnny looks completely at ease, like they are on the way to just another gig, just another day in their routine.

Doyoung wishes he could feel that calm.

Instead, his gaze shifts back to the window, watching as a gust of wind sends a flurry of leaves tumbling through the air. He follows their dance, his chest tightening with every turn they make. 

His nerves had been building since the morning, bubbling just beneath the surface. He thought he would feel better once they get in the car, once the day officially starts. But now that they are closer to the set, the anxiety only deepens.

The road ahead dips, revealing a long stretch of trees lining both sides. The light filtering through their branches casts a soft glow onto the asphalt, but Doyoung barely notices it. He can only think about what is waiting for them. The scene that have been haunting his mind for days.

Johnny’s voice suddenly breaks through the quiet. “Hey, you okay?”

Doyoung’s heart jumps a little, but he manages to force a smile, nodding quickly. “Yeah. Just… tired.”

Johnny raises an eyebrow, glancing at him for a moment before looking back at his phone. “You sure? You seem kinda off.”

Doyoung swallows, his gaze drifting back out the window. He isn’t sure what to say. How can he explain the mess in his head? He can’t just say that every time he thinks about kissing Johnny, his stomach twists itself into knots.

“It’s nothing,” he mumbles eventually, though he doubts that Johnny believes it.

The car rolls over a small hill, revealing the distant rooftops of the set below. They are almost there. The tension in Doyoung’s chest tightens further, and he clenches his fists slightly in his lap, hoping Johnny doesn’t notice.

As they are nearing the set, the trees become sparser, replaced by open fields and the occasional parked car. The sky above them is a pale blue, dotted with soft clouds. This kind of weather usually lifts his spirits, but it only feels like a backdrop to a scene he isn’t ready to face.

Doyoung bits the inside of his cheek, forcing himself to breathe, trying to focus on the calmness of the landscape. It should be grounding, a quiet space before a myriad of cameras and crew.

But still, no matter how hard he tries, all he can think about is Johnny. Sitting right next to him. So close, yet somehow it feels like an entirely different world.

How is he going to make it? 

ᡣ𐭩

The car pulls up outside a remote bar, its neon sign flickering in the dim light of the afternoon. Doyoung’s eyes flick over the building as he steps out, taking in the faux weathered brick and tinted windows.

The place is styled to look like an old pub; small tables, worn leather booths, dim lighting that casts a warm, almost hazy glow over everything. The place feels cosy, like time slowed down inside.

It is perfect for the scene they are about to shoot.

The crew is already there, transforming the space into something more cinematic. Cameras and equipment crowd the tight space, their lenses pointing toward the centre of the bar, where most of the action will take place.

The usual chaos of people moving, adjusting lights, checking sound levels, and preparing props surrounds him. Even in the middle of all that, he feels a certain stillness; he’s sure that something is bound to happen.

The bar itself is dressed up for the scene; half-empty glasses litter the tables, and bottles of liquor line the shelves behind the counter, their amber contents glinting under the soft glow of hanging lights. A haze machine sends a faint wisp of smoke through the room, adding to the atmosphere and making everything feel thick and heavy.

And this is where it is going to happen, their very first scene.

Doyoung feels a knot tighten in his stomach as he glances at the booth they’d be soon sitting in, imagining the weight of the cameras zooming in on him and Johnny. 

The scene is supposed to feel spontaneous; two friends, too many drinks, and a moment where things get messy. His heart thuds at the thought.

Johnny is already ahead of him, laughing with one of the makeup artists as they prepare him for the shoot. He looks as relaxed as ever, joking around as if the scene they are about to film is nothing more than another line in the script. 

For Doyoung, it feels like madness.

The low, cosy lighting, the closeness of the booth are meant to set the mood, to make everything feel intimate. Too intimate, he thinks. 

His mind keeps replaying the scripted scene; the drinks, the laughter, and then the moment where Johnny would lean in, the lines would slip away, and they’d have to kiss. Not just once, but again and again, until the director is satisfied.

The booth they will be using is tucked into the far corner of the room, half-shadowed from the rest of the set. It looks private, like a kind of spot people would pick for a heart-to-heart, or for a kiss no one was supposed to see.

He feels like it isn’t just acting anymore; Doyoung has to make it look like he wants to kiss Johnny, to make it look natural, like they are actually something more than just friends. 

And that terrifies him to the core.

He walks slowly through the set, weaving between cameras and cables, feeling like he is sinking deeper into the scene with every step. The smell of woody incense lingers in the air, adding the feeling of genuineness to it all. 

He watches as the crew places glasses filled with what would pass as alcohol on the table. It’s a little detail that would make the scene look authentic.

Doyoung swallows hard, his eyes drifting back to Johnny. His friend is now seated in the booth, casually drumming his fingers on the table, already getting into character. He looks so natural, so unbothered by the thought of what is actually coming. Doyoung envies him; it’s his first ever role after all. He should be feeling nervous.

He feels the tension tightening in his chest, his nerves wrapping tighter with every second.

It’s just a scene. Just a job. You’ve done this before.

But not like this. Not with your bandmate. Your best friend.

He glances at the dim lighting again, trying to distract himself with the aesthetics of the set. The way the light hits the glasses, the warmth of the colours, the intimacy of the space. 

The loud voice of the director snaps Doyoung out of his spiralling thoughts.

“Good morning, everyone,” the director calls out, his voice cutting through the hum of activity on set. “I hope you’ve memorised the lines well.” He smiles, clapping his hands together. “Let’s get to work. Sungwoo and Heejun, first position. Action!”

Sungwoo and Heejun are Doyoung and Johnny’s characters. Hearing the names settle something in Doyoung, a small reminder that they are playing roles. This isn’t real. It isn’t him who’s about to cross a line with a best friend. It’s Sungwoo and Heejun, two fictional characters caught up in their own story. 

He forces himself to breathe and takes his mark next to Johnny at the edge of the bar counter.

The lights dim slightly as the crew takes their positions behind the cameras, the warm glow of the bar creating an inviting atmosphere. The clinking of fake glasses, soft laughter, and distant music playing through hidden speakers. 

The moment they are in their places, Doyoung feels a familiar rush – it is the same feeling he always gets just before the cameras start – of strange mix of adrenaline and focus.

Johnny, or rather Heejun now, leans back casually against the counter, one hand resting on the glass in front of him, his posture loose and natural. Doyoung slips into character beside him, exchanging a few easy lines as they fall into the rhythm of the scene.

It feels like second nature; there’s the banter, the laughs between the two friends as they down drinks and talk about life, their voices loud enough to fill the quiet room but just soft enough to make it feel intimate.

For a while, everything flows seamlessly.

Johnny’s energy is infectious. Heejun’s carefree attitude seems to wrap itself around the scene, and Doyoung finds himself relaxing as he responds to Johnny’s improvised touches; an exaggerated laugh here, a playful shove there. 

The dialogue rolls off his tongue easily, his lines blending with the warmth of the set. They are in the zone, perfectly locked into their characters, and Doyoung can feel the tension inside him slowly unwinding. Maybe it won’t be as bad as he thought.

But then the moment comes.

The drinks start to take their toll on their characters, their laughter turns into lingering glances, words slurring slightly, the distance between them shrinking with every line. Heejun leans in closer, his eyes narrowing in on Sungwoo in a way that makes the air between them thick with unspoken tension. 

Doyoung can feel his pulse quicken, but he keeps going, trying to focus on the role, on the lines. Then the signal comes. The part in the script he’d been dreading.

Johnny, as Heejun, leans in with a quiet chuckle, his hand brushing Doyoung’s shoulder. Doyoung can feel Johnny’s breath, the warmth of his skin close enough to touch. Heejun tilts his head, a drunken smile on his face, and before Doyoung knows it, Johnny’s lips are hovering just inches away from his own.

Doyoung’s mind screams at him to stay in character. To push through. But the moment their lips touch, his body freezes.

It is barely noticeable at first. A slight hesitation in the way Doyoung kisses back, his muscles stiffening in the wrong places, his movements too mechanical. He tries to recover, to relax into the kiss, but it is already too late. The kiss feels wrong. His thoughts, previously focused and sharp, scatter like leaves caught in a gust of wind.

He can feel the tension creeping into his jaw, his shoulders. He isn’t Sungwoo anymore. He’s Doyoung, and he is kissing Johnny. It crashes down on him like an avalanche.

Johnny pulls back slightly, just enough for Doyoung to catch the shift in his expression. A flicker of confusion, maybe concern, flashes across his face. He sees him opening his mouth to say something. 

“Cut!” The director’s voice rings out, firm but not angry. “Hold on. Let’s take it from the top of that moment.”

The room falls silent as the crew steps in to reset, but Doyoung can’t shake the pounding in his chest. He avoids Johnny’s eyes as the director approaches, adjusting his glasses as he looks between them.

“Doyoung,” the director says, his voice calm but attentive, “try to loosen up a bit in that kiss. Remember, these two are drunk and a little careless, you know, it should feel more spontaneous.”

Doyoung nods, swallowing hard, his throat dry. “Got it.”

But deep down, he knows the issue isn’t the acting. It isn’t Sungwoo and Heejun. It’s him. He scolds himself yet again.

They try to record the same scene a few more times, each and every one of them being abruptly stopped by the director. Doyoung's head is spinning at this point. 

“Doyoung-ssi,” the director says sternly. He’s clearly annoyed by the amount of takes they had to shoot and Doyoung gulps, because he knows what’s coming. “I wanted you for this role because of your immaculate talent in acting, but this?” 

He looks at him, disappointed. “The beginning was flawless. I have zero complaints about it. The kissing scene, on the other hand… You’re too stiff and it looks fake. Please, go through it with Youngho-ssi and make it seem more natural because we cannot continue like this.”

He turned on his heel. “Alright everyone, thank you for your hard work! That’s all for today.”

Doyoung just stares into space.

ᡣ𐭩

The ride home is quiet, the tension from the set still hanging heavily in the air. As soon as they arrive at the house, Doyoung doesn’t say a word; he just slips out of the car and heads straight for his room, his expression unreadable.

The other members of the group, lounging in the living room, glance up in surprise as Doyoung rushes past without a greeting, his shoulders stiff, eyes fixed ahead. The atmosphere in the dorm shifts awkwardly, confusion written on their faces.

“What happened?” Yuta whispers, glancing at Johnny.

Johnny, though looking tired himself, offers a small, reassuring smile. “Bad start. I’ll talk to him,” he says softly, lifting a hand as if to calm their concerns. Without another word, he heads down the hallway, stopping outside Doyoung’s door.

He hesitates for a moment, gathering his thoughts, then knocks gently. “Doyo? Can I come in?”

At first, there isn’t any noise coming out behind the door, but after a few seconds of stillness, a weak voice calls Johnny in. Without hesitation, he decides to enter.

Inside, his gaze immediately falls on Doyoung, who is sitting on the edge of his bed, his head buried in his hands. Johnny approaches carefully and takes a seat next to him, his expression sympathetic.

"Hey," he says softly, "Are you okay?"

“Yes,” there’s a pause. “No.”

Johnny's expression softens even more as he hears the uncertainty in Doyoung's voice. He reaches out and gently places a supportive hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Doie. I know it was a tough day on the set."

“Hyung, I ruined everything.” He sounds almost broken, and it made him realise how much it really meant for Doyoung. “I’m sorry.. I think I cannot do it... It’s just— I just freeze at that moment and can’t do anything right. I feel like it’s going to ruin the whole movie.” 

Johnny gently squeezes Doyoung's shoulder, offering a reassuring presence. He can hear the frustration and disappointment in his voice, and it breaks his heart a little to see him so down on himself.

"Hey, Doie, look at me. Don't beat yourself up like that. It was just a rough day, that's all. You've done great work before, and I know you can get through this."

Doyoung smiles sadly at his words. He’s too kind, he thinks. 

Johnny sees the pain in Doyoung's smile almost instantly. They’ve been friends for too long for this to go unnoticed. “Listen, I've got an idea. Maybe if we practice together outside the set, it'll help you feel more comfortable and confident when it comes to those scenes. I’m sure that kissing may be a pain in the ass."

Doyoung raises his eyebrow. Practice together? This isn’t a bad idea. It’s brilliant, if he thinks about it now. He can practice with Johnny to make it easier and more natural on the set. Why didn’t he just think about it earlier? But wouldn’t that be weird? They’re not actually on the set, they’re just Doyoung and Johnny. They’re not acting. There’s no camera.

“Johnny, I— Is that really okay? I mean, it must be really uncomfortable for you, in a way.”

Johnny chuckles at Doyoung's reaction. He can see the wheels turning in his head as he considers the idea. “Hey, you don't need to worry about me. We're friends, right? And besides, it's all part of the job, maybe I’ll be able to improve as well. It's not that different from acting out for real,” he grins.

“Besides, I can’t stand to look at you when you’re looking like one beaten bunny. Seriously, it’s going to be okay, Doie.”

“Oh… okay. Very well, we can practice, if that’s not a problem.” When he says it, he definitely doesn’t expect Johnny to take a big step towards him, swiftly closing their distance. A shiver went down his spine.

It doesn’t go unnoticed by Johnny, and he chuckles softly at it. He can tell that he's still a little nervous, and it makes him want to comfort him even more. "Don’t worry, just relax. We'll take it slow, okay?"

Wait... We’re doing this now? Just at this exact moment? 

As Johnny says it, he gently cups his face with his palms, his touch warm and soothing against Doyoung's skin. Doyoung’s mind is processing thousands of words per second. Is it really happening? Oh my god, it is. It is happening. 

He leans into the kiss and soon becomes rigid again. 

Johnny senses Doyoung’s stiffness again and decides to try a different approach. He pulls back slightly and looks into his eyes, a reassuring smile on his face. "Doyoung, relax. Just follow my lead, okay? There's no need to be nervous."

He caresses Doyoung's cheek gently and leans in again, this time moving his lips slowly and tenderly against his. Doyoung’s head is spinning as he moves his hands to place them on Johnny’s chest. Johnny feels it and takes it as a cue that he's starting to relax more. 

His lips move slightly more urgently, gently capturing Doyoung's top lip between his. His hands slide down from his face and come to grip Doyoung's waist, pulling him closer and closer, their bodies pressed together. 

Eventually, they break apart to catch their breath, and Johnny takes his time to look at the sight in front of him. Doyoung’s cheeks are tinted with red.

They join their lips again, and again, and again, each time sending shivers down his spine. The kisses are wet and messy; his lips are swollen, breath uneven. 

His body feels trapped against Johnny’s bigger frame, but soon he realises it doesn’t feel restraining; it feels good, exhilarating even.

“You’re doing so good, Doie,” he whispers delicately and Doyoung cannot stand the stinging heat pooling all over his chest.

“Can we do one more?” Doyoung asks quietly, breathless. He averts his gaze. “I mean… I think I’m getting used to it.”

Johnny only chuckles at this. He’s glad to see that he's becoming more comfortable with each passing moment.

He leans in for another kiss, this one slightly deeper than before. His hands grip at Doyoung's waist again, his fingers slightly digging into his flesh.

Johnny feels Doyoung’s mouth slightly parting and gently slides his tongue inside, exploring it eagerly. He deepens the kiss even further, his tongue moving against Doyoung's in a slow, tantalising way. One of his hands moves from his hip to the small of his back, pulling him even closer, their bodies pressed against each other.

Johnny pulls back slightly, a small smirk on his lips as he watches Doyoung's dazed expression. He can tell that he's still a bit dizzy, and the sight makes his heart flutter.

"See? You're doing much better now. You just needed a little practice, that's all,” he grins and turns around to leave. Just like that. 

ᡣ𐭩

The second time the car pulls up outside the set, Doyoung feels better. Relieved even. 

There’s still a flutter of nerves in his chest, but it’s quieter now. Most importantly, it’s manageable. Johnny had been right, the kiss they’d shared in the privacy of his room last night had helped more than Doyoung wanted to admit.

It had felt natural, like something that wasn’t a big deal at all. They’d laughed about it afterwards, the tension easing slightly, but still, Doyoung couldn’t shake something off. Should any kiss feel this good? 

His mind wanders back to that moment, replaying the kiss in his head. It wasn’t like the others; the kisses he’d shared with previous co-stars, those felt hollow, like part of the routine. 

Even in real life, with his past partners, there was always a sense of detachment, as if he was just going through the motions. It was different with Johnny. The kiss had felt charged, like something more than acting, more than practice. 

It lingered in his mind making his chest tighten in a way that was unfamiliar and a little unsettling.

Should a kiss feel this real? Should it leave him this… restless?

Doyoung shifts in his seat, glancing at Johnny beside him, who seems as relaxed as ever. But inside, Doyoung can’t stop his thoughts from spinning, the odd sensation creeping back into his chest. He knows this is just work yet it feels like so much more.

Now, as they are walking onto the set, the familiar sights and sounds of the crew buzzing around him, Doyoung decides to leave it for now and focus on the role. They both make their way toward the booth where they are going to shoot the scene again.

“Ready?” Johnny asks quietly as they stand at their marks.

Doyoung takes a deep breath and nods. “Yeah. Let’s do this.”

The crew is already setting up, the cameras positioned to capture the intimacy of the moment. Doyoung watches as the director gives a few final notes to the team before stepping back, his eyes scanning the set one last time.

“Alright,” the director calls out, clapping his hands together. “Let’s take it from the top again. Sungwoo and Heejun, first position.”

Doyoung and Johnny slip into their roles easily this time, the opening dialogue flowing smoothly between them. The drinks, the laughter, the casual touches; it all feels natural now, like they are back in sync. 

Doyoung can feel the difference in himself, too. He isn’t overthinking each movement or worrying about the cameras. He is Sungwoo, a little tipsy and leaning into the playful energy of the scene.

They laugh, exchange banter, and gradually close the distance between them just as the script called for. As Heejun, Johnny’s smile softens, his voice dropping to a quieter, more intimate tone. 

Doyoung responds, letting his character mirror the same shift in energy, feeling the weight of the scene pull them closer together.

He sighs internally. Everything is going to be okay, he tells himself. Just like we practiced.

Johnny leans in, his hand finding Doyoung’s shoulder just as it had before, but this time, there is no hesitation. Doyoung leans in too, meeting Johnny halfway, and their lips press together in a kiss that feels both intimate and electric all at once. 

The air between them seems to hum with the weight of it. Doyoung doesn’t tense. He doesn’t freeze.

Instead, he kisses back, his body loosening into the moment, letting the scene take him. Is he proud of me?

The kiss is soft at first, like the tentative exploration between two people unsure of their next move, and then it deepens, becoming more urgent, more reckless. 

Doyoung can feel Johnny’s hand tighten on his arm, pulling him in closer, and for a second, it doesn’t feel like they are acting at all. It feels real.

“Cut!” the director’s voice rings out, but this time, there is no tension in the word.

Doyoung blinks, pulling back slightly as the moment between them dissipates, the warmth of the kiss still lingering on his lips. The room, once again, buzzes back to life as the crew starts moving, resetting equipment and preparing for the next shot. The director approaches with a smile, nodding at both of them.

“That was perfect,” he says, clearly satisfied with the outcome. “Exactly what we needed.”

Doyoung lets out a quiet breath of relief, feeling the tension in his body finally release. He glances at Johnny, who grins at him, that same easy confidence in his eyes.

“Told you we’d get it,” Johnny says, nudging his shoulder. 

Doyoung can’t help but smile back, the weight of his earlier anxiety now a distant memory. He feels… good. Confident. 

ᡣ𐭩

Days turned into weeks, and soon enough, four months had passed. The filming progresses smoothly, each scene flowing into the next without any of the earlier tension that had once haunted Doyoung. 

After that kiss in the bar, everything seems to fall into place. Scene after scene, they move through their roles with ease, becoming more and more in tune with their characters, with each other.

Doyoung finds himself settling into the routine of it, his feelings put aside. The nerves that had once gnawed at him every time he stepped onto the set are finally long gone, replaced with a quiet confidence that grows stronger each day. 

He isn’t overthinking the kisses or the close moments anymore; instead, they became just another part of the job, another step in the dance between Sungwoo and Heejun. Each touch, each glance, feels less like an obstacle and more like second nature.

Johnny is there, every step of the way, just like he’d promised. His presence is a constant reassurance, always quick with a joke or a comforting smile whenever Doyoung feels a flicker of uncertainty. 

They fell into a rhythm, not just in the movie but in their lives off-set, too. The long hours of shooting end with them heading home together, talking through their scenes or simply laughing about many things. 

It’s easy, like everything between them smoothed out naturally.

The rest of the band quickly notice the shift, too. At first, the tension in the dorms was unbearable; whispers exchanged behind closed doors, glances of concern shot in Doyoung’s direction. But after the talk Johnny gave to him, the other members began to relax.

“You seem… better,” Taeyong remarks to Doyoung one night after they all gather in the living room for a late dinner. 

“Yeah, I am,” Doyoung replies, his voice calm, and lips raised slightly in a warm smile. The others nod, clearly relieved.

“Johnny must’ve worked some magic,” Jungwoo jokes, earning a laugh from the group. Doyoung’s chest tightens, glancing at Johnny, who’s lounging on the couch next to him, pretending to be modest but clearly enjoying the praise.

“Of course I did,” Johnny teases, giving Doyoung a playful nudge. “I’m just that good.”

But in reality, Doyoung knows it isn’t just Johnny’s jokes or the way he handles the situation that helps him so much. It’s his presence, the way he never pushes too hard, never makes it awkward.

He lets Doyoung find his own pace, quietly supporting him without making it a big deal. He knows how to calm him down, to reassure he’s doing great. To say he's so good.

ᡣ𐭩

Back on set, the scenes continue to unfold effortlessly. The director praises them for their chemistry, noting how naturally the emotions seemed to flow between their characters.

The crew moves around them like clockwork, each day following a familiar pattern. The lines are memorized, the marks hit with precision, and as the days fly by, they begin to move toward the end of the filming schedule.

The past four months had flown by, and with only a few scenes left to shoot, the end of filming is almost in sight. 

But as much as Doyoung had grown comfortable with the process, with Johnny, and with the increasingly intimate scenes between their characters, he just can’t ignore the weight of the upcoming moment.

This isn’t just any scene. The final kiss between Sungwoo and Heejun is supposed to be the climax of their relationship. It isn’t a casual kiss, like the ones they had done before.

This one is meant to be deeper, more intense. It’s supposed to be like a physical manifestation of all the tension that had built up between their characters over the course of the film. 

It is the moment where they finally come to terms with their feelings for each other, a passionate, almost desperate kiss that lingers far longer than any they’d done before.

And as much as Doyoung wants to believe he is ready for it, a familiar knot of nerves starts to form in his stomach. 

All of the kisses from before feel like a joke in comparison to this… What should I do? He thinks about it over and over again as he is looking at the script. 

At first, he tries to brush it off. It’s just another scene. He managed to get through the first kiss, and everything came out fine. But this one is different, he knows it, and no matter how much he tells himself it would be okay, the unease refuses to leave.

He needs to talk to Johnny.

ᡣ𐭩

Doyoung stands at his doorstep, his form rigid. Why am I so nervous? He swallows before finally deciding to knock. He waits, until he hears the warmth of Johnny’s voice; a signal for him to enter. 

When he enters the room, Johnny is sitting on the floor leaning against his bed with a script in his hands. He looks up at him and grins widely.

“Hey, Doie, come in!” He cheers. “Do you need something?”

He pats the spot beside him, inviting Doyoung to sit next to him as he sets the script aside. He waits for his reply. 

“Oh.. I—“ He stumbles upon his words. “It’s about the scene we’ll be shooting tomorrow. I’ve been thinking about it for days and…” He trails off, too embarrassed to say it out loud.

Johnny furrows his eyebrows and moves a bit closer, tilting his head. “Yeah.. what about it? Did the director say something?”

Johnny notices Doyoung's nervousness and he immediately knows something is up, it's not like Doyoung to be this nervous in front of him. They knew each other for too long for this kind of stuff.

“No, no, no. Nothing like that,” he denies almost in an instant, vigorously shaking his hands. “I just wanted to practice with you. You know, the kissing scenes were manageable but this… I want it to look as natural as possible, but whenever I’m looking at the script… I don’t think I’ll be able to do it just like that.”

Doyoung exhales and makes a quick pause to collect his thoughts, then continues on. “But you don’t have to agree! It’s really okay! I’ll understand if you don’t want to do that.”

Johnny thinks for a moment and then smiles, he knows he and Doyoung are more than capable of pulling off a believable love scene on screen but it seems that Doyoung is still nervous about the idea of filming it regardless.

“Of course, Doie. We can practice whenever you want.” Johnny reaches out, placing a hand on Doyoung's knee and gives it a gentle squeeze.

“We don't want fans and the director calling us out for being bad kissers. Am I right?”

Doyoung laughs at the comment. He reaches for the script. “Okay, I think we can start from here.”

Johnny nods and adjusts his position so that he is sitting directly across from Doyoung, he then takes the script in his hands and reads the scene. “Mm.. okay, I got it. We're gonna start the scene in like a close-up shot right? I think we should just dive right into the kiss when it hits that part.”

Johnny glances up at Doyoung, looking for some confirmation. 

He can only avert his gaze, clearly embarrassed. He doesn’t expect this kind of a response. “Oh, okay… Let’s just get it done.”

Johnny notices Doyoung's embarrassment and can't help but find it endearing, he smirks and sets the script aside, now giving Doyoung his full attention. “No need to be shy, Sungwoo. It's not like it means anything.”

Johnny scoots a bit closer and looks at Doyoung's face, studying it before reaching out and cupping his jaw with one hand, his thumb brushing against Doyoung's cheek.

Doyoung feels a heavy pang in his chest. Of course it doesn’t mean anything. Why would it in the first place? They are friends.

“Yeah, right.” He whispers when Johnny leans even closer, until his lips are inches away from Doyoung's, their breaths mingling. He lets out a soft chuckle.

“Hey, what did I tell you about overthinking during practice?” He whispers, his grip on the side of Doyoung's jaw tightening just a bit. 

Johnny’s thumbs start to stroke both of his cheeks. One of them slides to his mouth, brushing his bottom lip only for him to part it slightly. His thumb makes its way into the warmth of Doyoung’s mouth. 

Before Doyoung could respond to it in any way, Johnny closes the distance and captures his lips with his own in a slow and tender kiss. 

Johnny deepens the kiss, shifting so that he's practically hovering above Doyoung, one hand still holding his jaw as the other moves to his waist, pulling him closer. Johnny gently nibs and sucks on Doyoung's bottom lip as the slow kiss starts to become more heated and demanding. 

Doyoung gasps, the pleasure he’s feeling right now indescribable. Johnny smirks against the kiss when he hears it and takes the opportunity to slip his tongue into his mouth, gently pushing and prodding as he explores the wet heat of it. 

He moves the hand on Doyoung's waist down to the small of his back, his fingers tracing a slow trail along the exposed skin. 

Soon, Johnny pulls away from the kiss, but only to give himself better access to Doyoung's neck. His lips and tongue move along the long expanse of smooth skin, nipping and sucking in areas he knows are sensitive. His hands trail over Doyoung's body, sliding under his shirt and feeling the warm, taut skin underneath. 

Doyoung’s breath hitch. This wasn’t on the script, he realises. But it feels so good, too good to say anything. 

Johnny smirks against Doyoung's neck, sensing his sharp intake of breath. He trails kisses and little bites down to his collarbone, the hand on his back now gently pushing Doyoung down on the floor, Johnny slowly hovers above him, their bodies pressed together.

“You’re really sensitive, you know that?” He whispers, his warm breath sending shivers down Doyoung's spine.

His hands move to the hemline of Doyoung's shirt, slowly tugging it up. “Open your mouth,” Johnny says, and Doyoung complies almost instantly, his shirt now out of the way, its hem in between his teeth. 

Johnny looks down at Doyoung's exposed upper body, taking in the sight before him. He glances up at the shirt in Doyoung's mouth and smirks in amusement before his gaze returns to Doyoung's face, his eyes dark with desire.

“God... look at you,” he murmurs, his hands roaming over the expanse of skin before him, his fingers tracing every dip and curve of Doyoung's chest and stomach.

Yeah, it definitely wasn’t on the script.

Doyoung practically whines when Johnny's touch reaches one of his nipples. He covers his face with both of his hands, when he realises what he just did. “I’m sorry… I—”

Johnny's eyes widen in surprise when he hears Doyoung's whine, a rush of heat going through him at the sound. He smirks and reaches up, gently grabbing both of Doyoung's wrists and pinning them above his head.

“Oh, no, don't cover up your pretty face.” He leans down, bringing his face up close to Doyoung's. “I want to hear everything that comes from your little mouth, Bunny.”

Doyoung’s eyes roll to the back of his head at the nickname. Johnny pulls him onto his lap with ease, his hands immediately going to his hips to steady him. His fingers dig into the skin just above Doyoung's sweatpants, his touch firm and possessive.

“There you go.” Johnny gazes up at Doyoung, admiring how perfectly he fits into his lap and how beautiful he looks with his shirt in his mouth.

“You look so good like this.”

“Hyung…” he whispers shakily, the shirt falling off of his mouth. He shivers, contemplating if it’s even possible for him to feel this good. 

Johnny hums approvingly, relishing in the sound of the title falling so perfectly from Doyoung's lips. His hands glide down from Doyoung's hips to the back of his thighs, pulling him flush against his chest.

“Hmm? Is something wrong?” Johnny smirks, tilting his head as he gazes up at Doyoung. His hands begin wandering up and down the length of his thighs, his touch seemingly innocent but intentionally provocative.

“I…” He’s not able to say another word. Johnny looks at him and suddenly, an idea crosses his mind.

“You look so pretty like this. I really wish you could see it for yourself,” Johnny whispers into his ear, adjusting his chin in the direction of the mirror. 

Doyoung's breath hitches at the words and his gaze immediately flickers over to the mirror. The sight of himself straddling Johnny's lap, his shirt in a messy disarray and Johnny's hands roaming all over his thighs was certainly not something he expected.

“...Oh.” He replies, a blush creeping up on his cheeks as he turns his gaze back to Johnny.

Johnny watches the beautiful shade of red that's painted across Doyoung's face and he can't help but smile, finding great pleasure in how flustered and adorable he looks. He hums thoughtfully, another plan already forming in his mind.

“You know, I think you look the prettiest like this. In my lap, all desperate for my attention.” He grips Doyoung's thighs possessively, his thumb slightly rubbing over a sensitive part. 

A whine escapes Doyoung’s lips. He feels so good it hurts; he wants to do something. Anything.

Johnny's smile only widens, the sound making his stomach flutter. He continues to rub small circles on the sensitive part of Doyoung's thigh, his touch teasing and barely enough. 

“Are you gonna be good for me, baby?” 

He nods.

Johnny smiles and gently cups Doyoung's cheek, his thumb brushing over his bottom lip. “That's a good Bunny. Such a good boy, aren't you?” He praises, keeping his tone soft. Johnny's other hand moves to Doyoung's hip, guiding him in a slow and steady rhythm in his lap. 

“Hyung, more.” Doyoung was completely gone in his pleasure. Johnny's heart skips a beat at the sound of Doyoung's desperate plea and he smirks at how quickly he's unraveling.

He continues to roll his hips, a low moan leaving his lips when Doyoung grinds down onto him. “That's it, bunny. Is this okay? More?”

He nods once again. 

Then, Johnny stops abruptly, his hand guiding Doyoung to look at the mirror. He can see his reflection, his dark eyes staring right into his soul as he speaks. “You have to use your words.”

Doyoung gasps softly, his gaze locked on his reflection. He looks wrecked already and Johnny isn't even halfway done with him. The sight of himself sitting on Johnny's lap, his body pressed close as Johnny's hands wander all over him is enough to make his head feel all fuzzy and light.

“Please... more.”

Johnny's heart skips a beat and he smiles at the whiny tone in Doyoung's voice. He rewards him by rocking his hips at a faster pace, his grasp on Doyoung's hip getting stronger.

“You're being so good for me,” he whispers, his voice dripping with praise. “And good bunnies deserve a reward, don’t they?”

“Johnny.”

He practically melts when he hears his name being called so desperately, a low moan leaves his lips and he buries his face in Doyoung's neck. He trails kisses all up and down the sensitive skin, his hands gripping tight into Doyoung's hips.

“Say it again,” he demands, his voice low and rough. 

“Johnny… Youngho.”

Johnny practically growls at the sound of his name leaving Doyoung's lips, the feeling of utter desperation in his voice is almost overpowering. He nips and sucks on his neck, leaving small red marks in his wake.

“That's right. Call my name... say it again, bunny.”

“Youngho… Youngho. Youngho—” He repeats, as if in a trance. He finds it too hard to breathe; it’s too much. He starts to tremble in pleasure. 

Johnny's heart skips another beat when Doyoung starts to chant his name over and over again. The sound of it coming from his mouth is like a drug and it's making his head spin. 

“That's it... Just like that…” Johnny whispers against his neck, his hands roaming all over Doyoung's body, his fingers tracing every dip and curve. “Such a good boy.... It sounds so pretty coming out of your mouth.”

“Youngho…” He gasps. “I need to—” He wants to cum so badly, his moans echoing through the room. He wants to feel the pleasure, he wants to feel Johnny. Now.

Johnny groans hearing the neediness in Doyoung's voice and he quickly moves a hand to cover his mouth in an attempt to muffle the sounds. He looks up and glances over at the door, knowing anyone could be woken up by how loud Doyoung's moans are.

“Shhh...I know, I got you. But you have to be a little bit more quiet, Bunny. As much as I love these sounds, we don't want anyone else to hear you, do we?” He chuckles in a teasing tone as he continues to roll his hips against Doyoung's. 

Doyoung’s trembling doesn’t stop. He’s nearing his limit, hovering at the edge dangerously. Johnny hums in satisfaction when he feels how much he’s shaking in his lap. 

His hand keeps covering his mouth, knowing that if he let him go for even a second, Doyoung would be moaning and whining so loud that the whole dorm would wake up. 

“Are you close, baby?” He whispers, his lips brushing against Doyoung's ear, his breath hot and heavy. 

He can only nod, due to Johnny’s hand muffling all of his sounds. His eyes look at him pleadingly. 

Johnny can feel how hard Doyoung is against his lap and with how much he's shaking and whining, he knows he's close.

“Hmm... I suppose we have to be quick then. We can't have you making such a mess now, can we, Bunny?”

His hands move to the front of Doyoung's sweatpants, tugging and pulling at the strings. 

Johnny unbuttons and unzips his jeans, shifting a bit to pull them down just enough so that he's free. He looks up and the sight of Doyoung in his lap, his head thrown back, eyes shut tight, chest heaving as he gasps for breath is enough to send another wave of heat straight to his stomach.

“God, you look so pretty like this, Bunny. You have no idea of the things you do to me.”

“Hyung… ah–” Doyoung shivers at the warm feeling of his hand pushing against his length. 

Johnny's heart hammers in his chest hearing the sounds falling from Doyoung's lips. He can feel his heat against his palm and the realization that he was the cause of the way he's feeling almost makes him dizzy. 

“You’re so wet for me…” He mutters huskily, his hand slowly moving up and down, letting the precum spread across both of their cocks.

Johnny lets out a low moan when Doyoung's head falls into the crook of his neck, his hot breath against his skin is making him dizzy. 

Johnny's breath hitches and he tries his best to focus as he quickens the pace of his hand, his other hand still covering Doyoung's mouth. The sound of Doyoung's breathing against his neck, the heat of his body and the way he's falling apart in his lap is almost too much to handle.

“Such a good boy…” He feels him trembling. “That’s right. Cum for me, baby.”

Doyoung doesn’t have to be told twice. He cums right onto Johnny’s hand, the latter following suit. He lets out a long, deep moan as he cums along with him, his hands squeezing his hips tightly enough to leave marks in an attempt to keep himself from moaning too loudly.

They both pant heavily, their breaths hot and ragged as they come down from their high. Johnny glances at the mirror again and sees how undone Doyoung looks sitting in his lap.

He can't help but find the sight completely mesmerizing and he gently cups his face, pulling his head from his shoulder and making him look at the mirror again. 

“Look at you. You did so well, baby.” 

Doyoung looks at his reflection in the mirror, his breath still coming out fast and heavy. He's still completely wrecked, his hair is a mess, his cheeks are flushed and his lips are red and kiss-swollen. 

He blushes at the nickname, feeling a rush of embarrassment wash over him. “...God, don’t look at me. I'm a mess,” he mutters.

Johnny only chuckles. He shifts a little and tries to reach for a tissue. He grabs it and begins cleaning them up while still keeping Doyoung in his lap. 

The silence surrounding them is calm, almost soothing. It settles between them like a gentle presence, easing the tension from Doyoung’s mind.

“Hyung?” He asks after a while, breaking the calming stillness. 

“Hmm? What is it, Bunny?”

He feels something warm pooling down his chest again, but decides this is not the moment for it. He still has to find out the answer to one question. 

“Do you really think it means nothing?” He says quietly, recalling Johnny’s words. The look on his face is screaming ‘devastated’. 

Johnny's heart sinks as soon as Doyoung asks that question, realizing that the words he said earlier are clearly stuck inside his mind. He quickly throws the dirty tissue away and looks back at Doyoung, his expression turning serious and sincere.

“Doie... look at me.” Johnny cradles his face gently between his hands and holds his gaze.

“I didn't mean what I said before... I was just... I don’t even know but it doesn’t justify what I told you. I'm so sorry.” His thumbs brush over the soft skin of Doyoung's cheeks, his eyes filled with remorse and regret. 

“None of this means nothing to me. The things I feel for you... they're so strong and so overwhelming that I don't know how to handle it sometimes.”

“I wanted to do that for so long, Doie.”

“What?” It is the only thing he’s able to say, without his voice cracking.  

Johnny lets out a shaky breath as the words come tumbling out of his mouth. “I've wanted to do that since I first met you. To touch you, kiss you, make you feel good and keep it to myself only. I tried to ignore it for so long, but I couldn't. I... I think I like you, Doie. I really, really like you.”

Doyoung is at a loss of words. Johnny likes him? As in like-likes him? In this moment of silence, he can swear Johnny can hear him overthink like he had never before.

Then, it clicks. How could he be this stupid? He was wondering why it felt so good whenever Johnny kissed him, whenever he praised or just simply touched him. Whenever he talked to him or looked in his direction. Whenever they just were here, together. Why was he feeling so happy only when he was around?

He scolds himself for being so dumb and not realising it earlier. 

Johnny sees the look of realisation on Doyoung's face and he can't help but chuckle, finding it slightly endearing how he was oblivious to his affection for him for so long. 

“You know, you're adorable when you're confused. But… I kind of want to hear an answer. No pressure, though.” As he says those words, he can’t help but feel the hope and anxiety well up in his chest, his heart beating fast as he waits for Doyoung’s response. 

“Dear God, I— Johnny, I was so dumb.” Doyoung starts to laugh out of a sudden, the quiet chuckles just like the music to his ears. “I like you… love you too.”

Johnny's heart skips a beat when Doyoung finally says those words and he can't help but smile as a wave of relief washes over him.

He chuckles softly and pulls him into a tight embrace, burying his face in Doyoung's neck. “You're such an idiot, you know that? I thought I was so obvious…”

“Yes, as obvious as a penguin in the jungle.” He rolls his eyes but still leans in to capture his lips in his.

ᡣ𐭩

The group of eight men is walking down the street, their pace slow and coordinated. All of them are wearing hoodies and masks, to avoid being recognized. 

Despite the masks, any human can tell they’re beaming. 

“Dude, I didn’t expect this movie to be this cool.” Mark acknowledges happily, a bucket of popcorn held tight in his arms.

“Yeah, it was amazing, really,” Yuta says, placing his arm on Johnny’s shoulder.

“Might have shed a tear or two, I’m not  even gonna lie.” Jungwoo smiles, his eyes still red.

“A tear or two? I thought the roof was leaking and it was you.” Jaehyun breaks in, laughing. 

“Youngho, Doie.” Taeyong said, catching their attention. “I told you everything would work out perfectly. It’s a big success. I’m so proud of you two.”

All of the members nod their heads in agreement and both Doyoung and Johnny smile warmly. 

“I just can’t shake off one thing. How did you manage to make it look so natural?” Donghyuck said, his eyebrow raised. 

Doyoung feels the warmth flowing through his skin. He is sure that his whole face changed its colour to the deepest shade of red. Dear God, if he says something stupid again—

Johnny chirps, a stupid grin plastered on his face. “Oh, it’s nothing. We just practiced. Besides, Doie here really took the title to his heart.”