Heeseung was surprised to see Soobin still waiting for him outside the CEO's office.
"How'd it go?" Soobin yawned, standing up.
"Good, I guess. Look." Heeseung pulled a USB out of his pocket and handed it to the older boy. "It's got the two songs on it."
Soobin carefully examined the item while walking. "Are they good?"
"I don't know. Haven't listened yet."
Soobin gave the USB back, and Heeseung carefully tucked it away.
They pushed through the heavy doubled doors, exiting the HYBE building. Heeseung welcomed a light breeze that drifted lazily through the streets. Despite the sun setting during his meeting with the CEO, the air outside was warm. The two chatted as they trekked through the city. Just before they split off, Heeseung touched Soobin's elbow.
"You shouldn't let the CEO treat you like that."
Soobin gazed at the night sky, taking in the view. "It's fine."
"It really isn't," Heeseung sighed.
Soobin gave him a sad smile. "You don't need to worry about me."
***
"Hey, you're back," Jay gargled, spitting his toothpaste in the sink.
Sunghoon stopped drying his hair with a towel to look up. Heeseung shut the bathroom door, ensuring none of their members could hear them before leaning against the wall and smiling.
"You can't tell the others; I don't want to get their hopes up. I think I convinced the CEO to let us bring back Daniel."
Jay and Sunghoon's jaws dropped in unison.
"What? How?" Jay exclaimed, eyes shining with excitement.
Heeseung shushed him before recapping his conversation with the CEO. He showed them the USB as he did with Soobin.
"I can't believe it." Jay wrapped his arms around a laughing Heeseung, squeezing him tightly.
"You're amazing," Sunghoon marveled. He tried to hug Heeseung too, but Jay wiggled between them, having decided it was a good time to finish brushing his teeth.
***
Most of his members were already asleep by the time Heeseung finished eating dinner and showering. He stored the USB safely in his desk drawer. The two youngest, Ni-ki and Jungwon, were on the couch in the living room, quietly playing card games. Heeseung reminded them to get some rest before entering the dark bedroom.
He blindly navigated his way through the piles of dirty clothes and half-packed bags that littered the floor. All seven boys shared a single room, so naturally, it was a bit of a mess. Their upcoming dorm switch was not helpful. He tried to climb into his bed but found it occupied by Ni-ki's suitcase. He rolled his eyes, using it as an excuse to crawl into Sunghoon's instead.
Careful not to disturb the sleeping boy, Heeseung laid as far from Sunghoon as possible, replaying the day's events in his head. His mind wandered to Daniel, and then I-Land. God, he missed his old friends.
A sudden wave of doubt crashed over him, and his chest tightened. Had he made the right choice bringing back Daniel over K, Geonu, Ta-ki, or Hanbin? He rubbed his forehead, trying to relieve the tension. Great. It was only day one as leader, and he was already losing it.
Sunghoon rolled over in his sleep, hanging an arm over Heeseung's chest. He tried to steady his breathing, afraid he would wake the boy. More and more thoughts flooded his head. How would they write songs for their comeback? None of them had any real producing experience. On top of that, choreographing a dance for seven people was hard enough, never mind thirteen.
The clock was too loud, each tick reminding him that precious time was slipping away. Sunghoon's arm began to feel suffocatingly heavy.
"Hoon," Heeseung finally said, voice cracking.
Sunghoon drowsily opened his eyes. Upon seeing Heeseung on the verge of a breakdown, he pulled the older boy into his chest.
Heeseung curled into a small ball and buried his face in Sunghoon's warm shirt, letting out a frustrated sigh, followed by quiet tears. Sunghoon lightly stroked his head.
"Do you think I made the right choice?" Heeseung mumbled. "I could've brought back K hyung. Or Geonu."
Sunghoon stayed silent, continuing to run his fingers through Heeseung's hair.
"I saw the videos of Hanbin hyung online. His part from the signal song performance at the finale. Everybody was so angry he got eliminated." Heeseung took a shaky breath. "And there's Ta-ki, too. I miss him. I miss them all so much."
"I know," Sunghoon whispered comfortingly. "I do too."
Heeseung adjusted himself so they could lie facing each other. He peered into the darkness, finding Sunghoon's eyes, and was surprised to see them brimming with tears. He cupped Sunghoon's cheek and pressed their foreheads together.
"It'll be okay," Sunghoon breathed.
The tips of their noses brushed against each other. Heeseung's chest filled with warmth. They had never been this close before.
"I like you."
He felt Sunghoon shiver.
"I like you t-" Sunghoon started.
"Wait, that wasn't me," Heeseung interrupted.
Sunghoon frowned, confused.
The floorboards creaked as Jungwon and Ni-ki entered the bedroom. Sunghoon and Heeseung froze, their eyes darting to the door. Heeseung held his breath, praying the younger pair wouldn't notice them.
"That's all you have to do," Jungwon whispered to Ni-ki as they fumbled around, trying to climb into their beds. "Go up to him and say it. 'I like you, Sunoo hyung.'"
Sunghoon and Heeseung stared at each other, shocked.
"I'll try tomorrow. But you have to come with me!" Ni-ki buried himself in his blanket. "Thanks for the advice. Night, hyung."
"Anytime," Jungwon responded. "G'night."
Sunghoon covered his mouth with his hand as he put together what had just occurred. Heeseung rolled, pulling Sunghoon so that the younger boy was lying face down on top of him. He felt Sunghoon's face redden as they wrapped their arms around each other, getting comfortable. Neither said anything until they heard light snores coming from the two youngest members.
"I-" Sunghoon stuttered, embarrassed he had accidentally confessed.
"I like you too," Heeseung murmured, eyes starting to droop.
Sunghoon's face flushed even more. He leaned in for a kiss but quickly stopped.
"You can kiss me," Heeseung assured the boy.
Sunghoon hesitated. "I... I want the first time to be special."
Heeseung laughed softly, half asleep.
"Wait, so are we going to talk about what just happened?" Sunghoon looked around cautiously, lowering his voice. "Ni-ki and Sunoo?"
"Let's talk in the morning," Heeseung yawned, rubbing the top of Sunghoon's head as if he hadn't cried into the boy's shirt just a minute ago. He closed his eyes, letting his body slip out of consciousness.
*******
"Heeseung?" Sunghoon whispered, wide awake. No answer. He sighed, tucking his head under the other's chin. There was still so much he wanted to say.
A grin spread across his face.
Heeseung liked him.
Heeseung wanted to kiss him.
Heeseung was his.
Staring off into the darkness, he rested a hand on Heeseung's shoulder, lightly rolling the fabric of the older boy's shirt between his fingers. Slowly but surely, the steady rise and fall of Heeseung's chest lulled him to sleep.
