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Kai didn’t know what he was doing. The night was already far behind him, and the day ahead wasn’t going to pity his little sleep. But instead of chasing the few hours of rest left in his path he was hiding his phone beneath the covers, and typing his name into the fanfiction site search bar.
It’s not like he didn’t already know what fanfiction and shipping were. The fans weren’t always subtle, and he was likely to see at least one shipping post every time he went online. Sometimes, the staff would encourage them to lean into it, though acting affectionately towards his members wasn’t something Kai ever had to fake. If the fans wanted to interpret the warmth in his eyes and his magnetism to the members as romantic, they could. Kai never doubted his feelings anyway.
But the posts he saw lingered in his mind. Besides that, he just really wanted to know what the fans were actually writing about. There would be no harm in looking up a few stories, he reasoned. He’d just click on the first one he saw, satiate his curiosity, and then go to sleep.
This one is about Soobin-hyung and I? he snorted. At least it didn't look too bad from the description. Better to find one where all they did was go on a movie date, like they’d done in person before.
Without a thought he clicked and began to read.
He should’ve looked at the tags. It didn’t take long to realise the soft opening was nothing more than a facade. Within just a few paragraphs fanfiction Kai’s feelings for fanfiction Soobin fell from adoration and longing into the deep pits of lust. The detailed desire was horrifying, and Kai was sure his face glowed like a flare in the dark.
But he couldn’t stop scrolling. It was eerie how well this writer knew him, aside from the sexual desire his fanfiction counterpart exhibited for Soobin. That was the only part of the story that didn’t feel stolen from his real life. Some of the details included he swore he’d never mentioned before; it was as if whoever had written this had trespassed into his head. It was insanely good writing. Kai was mesmerised, if not a little disturbed.
That disturbed feeling reached a crescendo as treacherous thoughts began to creep into his mind. The further he read the more he began wishing he was in fanfiction Kai’s place. He wanted to be pinned under Soobin’s strong arms, embraced by his hot and needy breaths, waiting with feverous anticipation to feel him inside-
He slammed his phone down. His heart thudded in perfect rhythm with his alarm, which muffled his groans of dismay. Somehow he’d spent the entire night entranced by that fanfiction, and now the sunlight was pulling his eyes back open with cruel glee.
Ignoring the sun and the alarm was easy, though. Ignoring Soobin as he peered round Kai’s door was not.
Suddenly Kai was wide awake. Never before had he noticed how cute Soobin looked in the morning. Sleep dust clung to Soobin’s eyes, and soft pillow marks dusted his cheeks. The strands of his hair reached out in various directions, and before Kai would’ve teased him for the mess. Now he felt shy.
He sank further under the covers.
“Are you getting up any time soon? This isn’t like you, Hyuka,” Soobin smirked. There was a smear of toothpaste stuck to his mouth, and all Kai could think about was kissing it away.
What is wrong with me?
“Mm, I will,” Kai mumbled, hoping the heat in his face didn’t burn through the covers. Everytime he looked at Soobin he was reminded of every passionate scene from the night before. Every detailed description. Every declaration of love confessed by fanfiction Soobin.
All he could do was pray the real Soobin would leave before the line between fiction and reality became too blurred.
“Okay…” Soobin raised an eyebrow, but he didn’t say more, leaving Kai to wallow in his guilt.
How could I have read that? What if Soobin-hyung finds out?
He shook his head. The lack of sleep was warping his mind. It was natural to feel a little warm reading anything like that, and it wasn’t like he actually saw Soobin that way. If Soobin found out, he could play it off as a joke.
If it was a joke, was there harm in continuing to read the story? It was too good to give up. Now it was like his soul was bound to it.
If he thought more about it, fanfiction Soobin was completely different to the Soobin he knew and loved. His Soobin could never be that cool and alluring.
He turned on the notifications for story updates.
For the next week, Kai’s nights were spent hiding under his blankets and eagerly awaiting the next update from HueningsJellyfishHair. The user made him laugh every time he saw it in his notifications, but he soon became serious as he delved into the newest update. Completely he was under the spell of this author’s words, desperate to know what would happen next. It was more addicting than any drama he’d ever watched.
Of course, it was difficult not to feel weird around Soobin at times. His body was now like a short fuse, and every slight touch from Soobin left his body fizzing with flustered sparks. Not only that, but he’d started to notice just how attractive his hyung was. Now he spent a little too much time watching Soobin when he would push his hair back, letting the strands fall messily through his fingers. Or when he’d dance, his muscles flexing as his body cleanly cut through the music, his eyes burning with focus and passion. Even more domestic looks made Kai stare; when Soobin wore glasses, drowning in a soft hoodie, or when he was basked in an early morning glow, always with toothpaste staining his mouth.
Clearly fanfiction Soobin was influencing his mind.
But if he sometimes really did find Soobin hot or cute, so what? Soobin called him those things all the time. It didn’t have to mean anything more than that, even if some of Kai’s thoughts began to breach a forbidden line.
Again, fanfiction influence.
If Soobin saw any change, he didn’t comment. In fact, he was also acting weird. The deep bags under his eyes began to match Kai’s own, and sometimes his gaze would linger long enough for Kai to catch it. But it didn’t feel like knowing, or judgemental. The only way Kai could describe it was to use the lovesick words he looked forward to reading every night.
He was getting a little too into this fanfiction stuff.
The others began to notice, however. One night Yeonjun joked about how they were always hiding in their rooms now, going so far as to mock interrogate Soobin on what he was doing. It was his usual teasing, and Soobin played into it with a wry grin.
“League, hyung, what else?”
“Cmon,” Yeonjun scoffed. “You’re seriously spending all night doing that? Do you even sleep?”
“Someone’s got to put Beomgyu in his place,” Soobin gloated. At the mention of his name Beomgyu fixed Soobin with a suspicious look.
“Really? ‘Cause last time I checked you’re almost down a rank, hyung,” he hummed. “I’m way ahead.”
“You liar!” Soobin stammered, but his panic was damning. The redness in his face was like a neon sign, garnering all attention. That was weird. Why did Soobin feel the need to lie about what he was doing?
“Kai’s been spending a lot of time in his room too,” Taehyun added.
Kai narrowed his eyes at Taehyun, who responded with a shrug. But as always, the nervous giggles began to escape before Kai could even think to catch them.
“I’m just watching anime,” he lied. “We’re so busy recently, it’s nice to just… relax…” he trailed off, already feeling the scrutiny of every eye in the room. None of them believed him.
“Oh, totally,” Beomgyu smirked, as Taehyun shuffled closer to Kai, leaning to whisper in his ear.
“It hasn’t got anything to do with how weird you’ve been with Soobin-hyung, has it?”
Kai squeaked. “What? No! I’m not even being weird with Soobin-hyung! He’s the weird one, obviously.”
“Uh huh.” Taehyun merely gave him a look, before moving to bother Yeonjun instead. Kai felt his heart seize with panic. There’s no way Taehyun knew, right? They didn’t share a browser history, as far as he was aware. But Taehyun was always good at reading people. Whilst he never overstepped, that fact didn’t calm Kai’s panic.
Because it was true. He was being weird with Soobin. As much as he wanted to tell himself it was just the fanfiction influence, his thoughts had long begun the journey down the path he’d tried to ignore.
He wasn’t just noticing Soobin more. When he slept he dreamt about Soobin, acting like he did in the fanfiction. He imagined Soobin throwing him down onto the bed, roughly straddling his legs before devouring him in a kiss, pushing their bodies together until the lines separating them merged into one. He wanted to feel Soobin’s hot tongue and to hear his desperate breaths in melody with Kai’s own pitiful whines. All he wanted was for Soobin to take him apart, piece by piece, to recreate every single scene he’d read with a pillow between his legs. He wanted it to be Soobin’s hands instead.
There really was no denying it. Somehow, that fanfiction had made him lust over Choi Soobin. Choi Soobin, who would lose his breath ranting about how good he was at League. Choi Soobin, who thought cereal was a soup.
Choi Soobin, who Kai now realised he might not just be attracted to, but actually be in love with. Above all else Kai wanted to go on dates with Soobin and hold his hand, or exchange kisses between giggles as they lay intertwined beneath sheets. He wanted to hear Soobin say I love you and mean it.
No one seemed to notice his jarring realisation. He slipped back into his room, feeling shaken.
“Curse you HueningsJellyfishHair,” he hissed. What started as simple curiosity had turned his whole life upside down. How was he meant to even look at Soobin now? Taehyun probably already knew, because of course he did. Sometimes Taehyun knew him better than he knew himself.
But Kai was the unluckiest person in the world, because the next night Yeonjun caught him before he could escape to his room.
“We’re going to have a cute family night!” Yeonjun declared. “No more hiding in your room like a teenager. Don’t you miss hanging out with hyung?”
“I do, but-“
“Good!” Yeonjun grinned, dragging Kai by his hood into the lounge. The others were already sitting around the table, watching as Yeonjun carried Kai in by the scruff of his neck.
Kai sighed. It was getting so exciting in the fanfiction, too. Fanfiction Soobin was just about to reveal a deep secret to fanfiction Kai. He’d been looking forward to it, despite the ailment the fanfiction caused him the night before.
Maybe a break was for the best. It could burst the lovesick feelings swelling in his stomach.
The night, however, was fun. Kai hadn’t realised how much he’d missed hanging out with his members like this. Their presence was a calm sea washing over the burning confusion in his mind. Being around Soobin didn’t cause the expected waves of panic, either. The realisation that he liked Soobin had left Kai with a strange sense of peace. Being in love with Soobin might not be so bad. They were always close and touchy, and the other members joked about them dating before. Perhaps things didn’t have to change as much.
Though Soobin did seem slightly on edge, as if he was waiting for something. The other members didn’t notice, but with his attention now always being drawn to Soobin, Kai did. It was clockwork, the way Soobin would move to check his phone, keeping it close to his heart. Sometimes he’d look excited, but after a few moments he’d deflate back into his seat.
Kai hated seeing Soobin so anxious. So he slid closer, hoping that maybe Soobin would open up to him. He missed when they were open with one another.
“What’s up, hyung?”
Soobin jumped, slamming his phone face down. “Huh? What? Nothing. Haha.”
When Kai pouted, his nervous jittering only heightened. “I actually need… the bathroom! Yep, gotta pee.”
Without waiting for a response Soobin dashed out of the room. The others turned to Kai, who could only shrug. “He said he needed to pee.”
“Must’ve been desperate, then,” Yeonjun laughed, before he turned back to the game he was playing with Beomgyu. But Taehyun’s gaze lingered.
He could probably sense Kai’s hurt. Soobin didn’t brush Kai off, not like that.
Kai just wanted things to go back to normal between them. He could handle his own feelings, but not if they were the reason Soobin was being so distant.
With a sigh he looked at the empty seat beside him.
Almost empty. Soobin had left his phone behind.
Kai knew he shouldn’t look. But it kept flashing with notifications that teased him. His curiosity led him down this path in the first place, and he guessed it just couldn’t be satiated. The next time the phone lit up he leaned closer, just for a moment. If there wasn’t anything there he wouldn’t look any longer.
There was no existing universe where he thought he’d ever see the username HueningsJellyfishHair on Soobin’s phone screen. Especially not one where it seemed Soobin was the infamous HueningsJellyfishHair, as the comment was addressing him by that name. Not only that, but the commenter was referencing scenes that Kai had only read in one particular fanfiction.
There was no way he could cage the half gasp, half hysterical laugh that escaped his mouth. The other members shot him a look, which Kai answered with his signature nervous giggle.
“I…also just got hit by the sudden urge to pee. Be right back.”
“You’re taking that whole gum thing a bit too seriously, Kai,” Beomgyu said, but he was barely heard as Kai bolted towards the bathroom.
Immediately his mind began feeding him with theories and possibilities. If Soobin was writing that kind of stuff about them, surely there would be some sort of reciprocation? At least Kai didn’t think he’d write sex scenes between himself and someone he only felt friendship towards. He probably wouldn’t write that stuff period, and if this worked out he’d never stop teasing Soobin for his coping methods. But it had to mean something.
When he reached the bathroom the door swung open, and a bedraggled Soobin stumbled out. His hair was a mess, a victim to anxious hands trying to find comfort, and he was in the process of calming his breathing. Upon seeing Kai that calm was abandoned, and his eyes grew wide. For a moment it was nothing but awkward silence and the shaking exhales of Soobin’s breath.
This was the moment, Kai thought. Whatever he said now would matter. He took a deep breath.
“You’re HueningsJellyfishHair?!”
It slipped out before he could even stop it, and inwardly Kai hoped for the world to swallow him. Soobin went so pale and still that Kai was sure he had just caused a heart attack.
Great job, Kai, he berated himself. You find out Soobin-hyung is actually the one writing explicit stories about you, which means he might like you back, and the first thing you do is kill him.
“I mean, um, you left your phone, so I came to return it to you, and you were taking a while, and I was just worried,” Kai rambled. Soobin still didn’t move. Kai was one more second away from administering some mouth to mouth.
Finally Soobin left his statue form, exhaling a deep sigh. Kai had never seen him look so remorseful.
“I’m really sorry, Kai. I never should’ve written… that.” Soobin looked away. “It was so wrong of me. I can understand if you’re uncomfortable, and don’t want to speak to me for a while, and if there is anything I can do to make it up to you, probably not, but-“
“Wait, I’m not uncomfortable,” Kai interrupted. Soobin glanced at him with a frown.
“You don’t have to be so nice, Kai. Who wouldn’t be uncomfortable?” He paused. “Unless you don’t know. Then, um, I should probably be honest with you. I’ve been writing some… things… about us-“
“I know about the fanfiction, and I’m not bothered,” Kai interrupted again. His heart beat like a persistent drum.
This time Soobin gave Kai his full attention, looking at him as if he’d just grown horns. With his sleeve he rubbed away the few tears that began to slip down his face. Kai wanted to do it for him.
“I’m so confused.” Soobin said.
Kai sighed. Fanfiction Soobin would’ve understood by now. Soobin had been a little too kind to himself when he described his fictional counterpart; another thing to tease him about later. For now, Kai wanted to lift the fear and guilt that dragged Soobin down.
When he imagined this situation, he thought he’d be awkward, stumbling through excuses. Now, he only felt secure.
“I mean, I’m only bothered that what happens in the fanfiction isn’t real.”
Soobin blinked. Kai groaned, pulling out his phone to show Soobin his fanfiction account. Surely Soobin couldn't misunderstand this.
The light turned on in Soobin’s head, and his expression morphed from one of overwhelming remorse to one of understanding, then smugness. He grinned, his teeth shy behind his lips as his eyes glittered like the ocean caught under sunlight. To anyone else it would’ve been an endearing expression. Though it still made Kai’s heart seize, he knew Soobin better than anyone; he was never going to escape the teasing ahead of him.
“I can’t believe you’re my faithful reader, Hueningie.”
“Ok, don’t call me that, it makes you sound big headed.”
“But that’s what you are!” Soobin exclaimed. He wouldn’t stop smiling. “You commented on every update!” He put his hand near his heart in mock dramatics, “Oh, author, the way you write Sookai is so real! I was shaking reading that confession scene! Soobin sounded so sexy!”
He imitated Kai’s voice in a strange, nasally tone that didn’t sound like him at all. Kai was nothing but enamoured. “I wasn’t the one writing it in the first place,” he fixed Soobin with a look, feeling bold. “Do you like me that much, hyung?”
Soobin flushed, swallowing hard. “I wasn’t the one enjoying reading it. You were enjoying it, right?”
Kai rolled his eyes. “Would I comment that much if I didn’t?”
Soobin huffed out a laugh, but neither of them moved. The tension was stifling, and Kai wanted nothing more than to break away from the suffocation.
Kai wondered how his fanfiction self had so much patience, waiting chapter after chapter for something to happen. He’d only been standing in the hall for five minutes, but he couldn’t stand it anymore.
Every step closer to Soobin was muffled under the fierce thundering of his heart. But he didn’t stop until there was no space left between them, and he could feel Soobin’s own heartbeat. It tremoured just like his own, dancing to the tune of nervousness and anticipation.
Then strong hands grabbed his face, and Soobin crashed their lips together. His vigour caused Kai to fall back against the bathroom door. Kai might’ve complained about the definite bruise that would leave if he wasn’t already addicted to the bliss of Soobin’s lips working against his own.
No fanfiction description amounted to the real thing. Caged to the door by Soobin’s body, he closed his eyes and let himself indulge. In his shock he’d found balance in gripping Soobin’s shoulders, but there was so much more he could now explore. He moved his hands around Soobin’s neck, as Soobin’s arms wrapped around Kai’s torso.
Kai didn’t know it was possible to be this close to someone. Soobin’s kisses were messy and open mouthed as he sighed into Kai’s mouth, a desperate whisper telling Kai to let him in further. Kai obeyed, and Soobin’s tongue trailed Kai’s lips before he deepened the kiss. The whines that escaped Kai were embarrassing, but they were melodious in tune with Soobin’s ragged breaths.
Then, Soobin left his lips with a soft nip, before moving to plant meadows of bruises along his neck. In response Kai frantically gripped at Soobin’s hair, pulling at the strands. When Soobin edged closer Kai could feel him hard against his thigh. When he giggled Soobin smiled against his neck, digging his knee into Kai’s own hard-on. His laugh shifted to a sharp inhale.
No words were being said, but they didn’t need to be. They were perfectly in tune with one another, performing a perfect choreography they didn’t even need to practise.
But it was awkward, pressed against the door, trying to remain as quiet as he could in fear the others might hear. Though he didn’t want it to, his mind wandered once again to the fanfiction. Fanfiction Soobin had been valiant, sweeping fanfiction Kai off his feet to the bedroom. Was the real Soobin an exhibitionist instead? Kai wasn’t going to complain, but he really didn’t want to have to face the other members later if they could hear him. Soobin might be shameless, but he wasn’t.
“Earth to Kai?” Soobin stared at him. His voice was rough, and Kai couldn’t help but be even more turned on.
“I’m here,” he whispered. Now, with Soobin no longer buried in his neck, Kai could see just how much of a wreck his hyung had become. His face was a fierce red, his lips an even deeper shade, sparkling with spit. Kai’s hands had done damage to his hair, and his shirt was crumpled in all directions.
“Do you want to, um,” Soobin averted his gaze, but Kai knew what he was talking about. He felt stiff in his jeans, and it was starting to become uncomfortable. He didn’t doubt Soobin felt the same. Kai grinned.
“Your room?”
The last pool of nervousness dried up in Soobin’s mind. His smile was unabashed as he took Kai’s hand with a tight squeeze, and practically ran to his room. It was no gentle bridal style carry, but Kai couldn’t feel more giddy.
Soobin pushed him onto the bed, his lips drawn to Kai’s once again. At the same time he slipped off his joggers before fiddling with the buttons of Kai’s jeans, until they were loose enough that Kai could wriggle out of them on his own.
Then, he abandoned Kai’s mouth in favour of exploring his thighs. Kai leaned back, sinking into the mattress as Soobin sucked on the sensitive skin, smiling at every soft moan he coaxed from Kai’s lips.
“You like this, right?” Soobin asked. He traced Kai’s skin delicately with his tongue as if Kai’s body was the canvas, and he was an artist painting a masterpiece. Kai hummed in response, but it turned to a whimper as Soobin began to palm at Kai’s erection, now throbbing in his boxer shorts. Kai tried to swallow the intense, needy requests in his throat as Soobin toyed with the hem of his waistband, nails scratching against his skin.
“Stop playing with me, hyung,” Kai groaned. Of course Soobin was a tease. The fanfiction was accurate there. It was fun to read, but not so much when he was completely on edge, every nerve in his body pleading for Soobin’s touch.
“Okay, spoilsport,” Soobin pouted, pulling Kai’s boxers over his legs. Even then he took his time, dedicated to feeling every expanse of Kai’s skin. Careless, he tossed the boxers to the side, before taking off his own. Kai took a moment to appreciate Soobin in a way he never could before. His t-shirt still hung loose around his chest, but his long, thick legs were on full display, and his cock was erect, proud and leaking. Kai knew Soobin was big, but seeing just how big caused the desire in his stomach to burn like a wildfire. Not that he’d ever admit that to Soobin; he didn’t need to give his hyung even more things to gloat about.
It was a little embarrassing, being completely exposed, but the way Soobin looked at him made him melt.
“You’re beautiful, Hueningie,” Soobin whispered, pressing warm, wet kisses along Kai’s length.
“You’re so corny,” Kai breathed out, but the blush that bloomed across his face betrayed how he really felt. Large hands began to stroke his cock, slow and gentle. Kai’s moans were swallowed as Soobin kissed him with sweet pecks that once again descended into deep kisses. Dizziness overwhelmed him as he tried to catch his breath whilst Soobin’s grip tightened, igniting pleasure in every cell of Kai’s body. He was sure he was making too much noise, but it was static. All of his focus was instead on the feeling of Soobin heavy against him, his cock leaking streaks of precum against Kai’s legs. Kai didn’t want to miss a single sound from Soobin, every guttural moan as beautiful as an orchestral performance. His legs quivered, and he was sure he’d collapse if it wasn’t for Soobin’s grounding hold.
“Soobin-hyung, please,” he breathed out. He was so close; the orgasm was settling deep in his stomach, desperate to let go. But Soobin remained slow and playful, igniting the low burn in his stomach.
“Please what?” Soobin teased. “I want to hear you say it.”
“You’re so…” Kai grumbled. His body was a traitor, though, yearning to feel Soobin even more. His hips leaned in closer to embrace any small amount of Soobin’s touch. “I need you…”
“What?” Soobin asked, light. Kai tried his best to glare, but with the state he was in, he didn’t think he came across as very intimidating.
“Please, I’m close, please,” he whined. “Let me come, please.”
Soobin hummed, sounding satisfied. Finally he sped up, hand stroking Kai’s cock at a quick, rhythmic pace. Kai knew he was being loud after that. For a moment he thought he might burst, but on the final stroke Soobin kissed him, and he came into Soobin’s hand with a shuddering cry. Soothing words were whispered against his lips as Soobin continued to languidly rub his skin, waiting until all the thrill had leaked from Kai’s body, and his breath was restored to his lungs.
Fatigued pleasure wound around his every muscle, but he could still feel Soobin’s stiff cock rubbing against him, reminding him that he wasn’t the only one pent up and needing care. He tried to push himself up, but Soobin shushed him, drawing soft circles into his back as he rested Kai into the mattress.
“Let me help you too, hyung,” Kai frowned, but Soobin only shook his head. As Soobin towered over him, Kai concluded there’d never be anyone as beautiful as him. Soobin’s eyes were shining with the evening's stars, bright and content. Stray hairs framed his red face, and his lips softened into a shy smile. Kai was entranced.
“I think you’re kind of exhausted, Kai,” Soobin said. “I can take care of myself this time. But you owe me.”
“Sure,” Kai murmured. As Soobin began to stroke himself, Kai fought hard against sleep, not wanting to miss the performance. Soobin, laid out in front of him, messily cupping his own cock between his hands. He focused on every movement, every grunt and moan, every pleasurable expression that flashed across Soobin’s face. Soobin’s cock pulsed in his hand, and when he came, Kai made a promise to never forget the breathy moan that escaped Soobin’s lips.
The bed dipped as Soobin collapsed beside him, wrapping his arms around Kai and pulling him closer. Close, he could smell Soobin’s fresh scent, like the early morning in spring. He was warm, and if Kai closed his eyes he could believe he was lazing in front of a crackling fire. It would’ve felt that comfortable, if it wasn’t for how sticky Soobin felt.
Kai voiced that thought. “You’re all sticky, ew.”
“Whose fault is that?” Soobin sighed.
Kai rolled his eyes. “Shouldn’t we clean up?”
“Probably,” Soobin replied, but the only movement he made was to trap Kai further, intertwining their legs like knotting a thread. Kai grumbled, but didn’t try to escape. It was Soobin’s sheets that would suffer.
At least fanfiction Soobin cleaned up after himself.
That reminded Kai of something he wanted to ask.
“Hyung, I still want to know what was going to happen,” Kai whispered. “In the fanfiction.”
Soobin raised his eyebrow. “Really? You’re still on about that? You really are my biggest fan.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Kai rolled his eyes. “So, what was Soobin’s secret?”
Soobin toyed with his lip, suddenly nervous. Kai was ready to tell him that he was only teasing, or move on to making fun of Soobin’s ridiculous username instead, when Soobin replied. “It was nothing big. He liked Kai too much, and he didn’t know what to do with all of those feelings. They were overwhelming.”
The words were enough to make his heart stop. “Does the real Soobin feel the same way?”
“God, Kai, that fanfiction was just my projection. Everything I wrote I wanted to happen.”
“You have a weird way of coping with things,” Kai giggled.
“Says the one who read it. What were you even doing on that site in the first place?”
Kai shrugged. He yawned as he replied, “Curiosity got the better of me, I guess.”
“I guess I have to thank your weirdly guided curiosity, then,” Soobin whispered. Kai could hear the smile lacing his words. He closed his eyes as Soobin pressed a chaste kiss onto his forehead. As Soobin played with his hair, Kai was guided closer to the edge of sleep. But he didn’t want to drift away yet. He wanted Soobin to know he felt the same. He wanted Soobin to know that he didn’t know what to do with this overwhelming feeling of love, either.
“You know I like you too, hyung,” Kai murmured. “So much. Too much.”
“I am a catch,” Soobin laughed, quiet and light. Kai rolled his eyes, but his smile wouldn’t fall. He never thought reading that fanfiction would lead to this, but he’d never complain. Nothing felt more right than being wrapped in Soobin’s embrace, his breath kissing Kai’s skin. Nothing felt more right than telling Soobin he liked him. It was like he was always meant to end up here, one way or the other, and if he had to thank Soobin’s strange fanfiction for guiding him to his happiest moment, then so be it. There were worse ways to fall in love, he was sure.
Content, he drifted off into sleep, dreaming of the moments written out that would now be his reality.
“I can’t believe it,” Beomgyu whispered in awe, after neither Soobin nor Kai had returned. “I can’t believe that worked.”
“What are you talking about?” Yeonjun asked. He curled away from Beomgyu, who was sprawled across the couch, poking him with his feet. Though he tried to reclaim some of the couch for himself, it was a futile effort. The glare he sent to Beomgyu was only received with laughter.
“Soobin-hyung was writing some weird story about him and Kai,” Beomgyu smirked. “I guess Kai was into it for some reason.”
Yeonjun raised an eyebrow. “A weird story…?”
“A romance,” Taehyun answered. Worry had lingered in his mind after Kai had left, but he guessed he was right not to follow. Stumbling upon a scene straight out of a fanfiction was not one of his life goals. He didn’t know if there would be enough bleach on the Earth to sanitise his mind if that happened.
“Am I the only one who didn’t know about this?” Yeonjun grumbled. For a moment Taehyun and Beomgyu stared at one another, having a silent conversation with their eyes.
“Do you wanna see it?” He grinned. Without waiting for an answer, he shoved his phone into Yeonjun’s face. At first Yeonjun was silent, but the more his eyes flicked across the screen, the wider they became. Beomgyu’s laugh echoed throughout the room as Yeonjun turned away with a grimace.
“I’m going to pretend I never read that. And I’m going to pretend you guys never read that, either.”
“Boooring,” Beomgyu pouted. “I bet you’ll go and read it as soon as you’re alone.”
“It happens to the best of us,” Taehyun admitted. Yeonjun looked between them both with disbelief.
“No way,” he sighed. “I think I’m going to go to bed. I need sleep to deal with this tomorrow.”
They both watched with a smirk as Yeonjun’s figure melted into the shadows of the hall. Once they heard the click of the door, Beomgyu turned to Taehyun.
“He’s so going to read it.”
“A hundred percent. Speaking of which, there’s been an update.”
“Don’t tell me he seriously updated it even now?” Beomgyu asked, sliding down to meet Taehyun on the floor with a loud thud. “He’s really dedicated.”
“He probably wants to please his favourite reader,” Taehyun smirked.
If Soobin was dedicated to one thing above all else, it was Kai.