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Morning came quietly, slipping through the curtains in a soft wash of light. Gaon hadn't meant to wake, but the dull ache in his lower body tugged him out of sleep, slow and stubborn. His brows knit faintly as he shifted, a quiet breath leaving him before his eyes fluttered open. Heavy, unfocused, still caught between dreams and waking.
He didn't think much. Just moved on instinct and found Ode turned away from him. Gaon pressed in without hesitation, draping an arm over Ode's waist, then hooking a leg over his, fitting himself close. His face tucked against the space between Ode's shoulders, nose brushing the fabric of his shirt as he nuzzled in, seeking that familiar comfort.
The younger stirred faintly at the contact, not fully waking. A quiet exhale, a slight shift, then his hand found Gaon's arm where it rested across his waist. Fingers slid over it slowly, absentminded, soothing, like muscle memory. He'd shifted away earlier when the heat got too much, but Gaon always found his way back.
And Ode never stopped him.
His hand lingered there, warm and steady, even as his breathing evened out again.
A few moments later, Ode stirred again, a faint crease forming between his brows as the warmth pressed against his back. Gaon had fully latched onto him at some point, clinging close like he always did. Ode let out a quiet sigh, eyes slowly opening. It was always like this when Gaon slept beside him. Not that he minded.
Carefully, he reached toward the nightstand, fingers brushing around until they found his phone. The screen lit up: two minutes before his alarm. Ode stared at it for a second, then, without hesitation, turned the alarm off. The last thing he wanted was the sharp ringing cutting through the quiet and dragging Gaon awake too.
Today was Gaon's day off. He needed the rest.
Especially after last night.
'Damage control,' Gaon had called it, and Ode huffed a soft breath through his nose at the memory. His mind drifted briefly, fragments of Gaon from the night before, the way he'd been, every little thing that only Ode got to see. It lingered, fond and quiet.
Slowly, carefully, he reached down to ease Gaon's arm from around his waist, guiding it back onto the mattress. Then the leg hooked over his own, he shifted it gently, making sure not to jostle him too much. Gaon stirred at the movement, and Ode paused immediately.
He stayed still, watching, waiting.
After a few seconds, Gaon settled again, face softening back into sleep. When he was certain the older was fully relaxed again, Ode finally slipped out of bed, quiet as he could manage.
Ode moved quietly once he was out of bed. He grabbed a fresh towel on the way, undoing his sleepwear and tossing it into the laundry basket without much thought before he wrapped the towel around his waist. The bathroom light flickered on, a soft hum filling the otherwise still morning.
The shower didn't take as long, but he let the water run just enough to wake himself properly. Warm streams easing the last bits of sleep from his muscles. By the time he stepped out, the haze in his mind had cleared. He dried off, then moved through his routine without rush. Cleanser, toner, the familiar sequence of skincare steps done with quiet precision. It was simple, habitual.
He chose something easy first to wear before going out. There were still chores to take care of before practice, and he preferred getting them done early.
He picked up the laundry basket, stepped out and headed for the dorm's laundry area. The space was quiet, faintly smelling of detergent and fabric softener from previous loads. He set the basket down and sorted through it. The bedsheet he'd changed the night before was set aside first, folded loosely over the edge of the basket. The rest: his and Gaon's clothes went straight into the washing machine.
He measured out the detergent without thinking, poured it in, then closed the lid and started the cycle. The machine hummed to life, a low, steady sound filling the room. The sheet stayed where it was, still in the basket, waiting its turn.
With that done, he made his way to the kitchen. The dorm was starting to feel more awake now, though the early hour keeping things quiet.
Gunil was already there.
Ode gave him a soft, "Morning," as he stepped in, voice still a little rough from sleep. Gunil replied with the same tone, only glanced up once from his phone and went back to his cereal. There wasn't much more to it, just a comfortable and familiar energy they had long fell into.
Ode moved past him toward the fridge, pulling it open to take stock of what they had. His gaze scanned the shelves, already piecing together something simple in his head. Nothing too heavy, just enough for breakfast before the day properly began.
Gunil, spoon halfway to his mouth, watched as Ode move around the kitchen. The fridge door stayed open for a moment too long before he nudged it shut, already sorting through what he'd taken: leftover rice, a handful of vegetables, and frozen chicken he’d set aside to thaw.
"You making breakfast?" Gunil asked, crunching softly on his cereal.
Ode only hummed in response, turning on the tap to rinse the vegetables. Water ran over his hands, cool and steady, as he worked without looking up.
Gunil's gaze lingered, one brow lifting slightly. "That's a lot," he added, eyeing the amount Ode had pulled out.
"For Jiseok when he wakes later," he said simply. "For you too, if you want."
Gunil let out a short laugh, waving his spoon dismissively. "I'm heading out soon," he said, finishing another bite. Then, after a beat, "Maybe some for Hyeongjunie and Jooyeonie."
Ode huffed a soft laugh. "Yeah," he muttered, already moving to start chopping, "them too."
"What about me~?"
The voice came in half-sung, half-whiny. Jungsu shuffled into the kitchen, hair a mess, eyes barely open. He looked like he'd just rolled straight out of bed without a second thought.
Ode spared him a glance, quick and unimpressed, before going back to slicing the vegetables. "You?" A pause, then, "Come help." He said, then laughed at his own words, didn't really mean it.
Gunil snorted into his bowl.
Jungsu frowned, dragging his feet further into the kitchen. "I just woke up," he complained, voice still thick with sleep.
"Hands still work." Ode slided the chopped vegetables aside and reached for the chicken.
Gunil let out a quiet laugh, clearly entertained now, while Jungsu stood there for a second longer before groaning softly and rubbing his face. "What do I do?"
Ode didn't even look at him this time, just nudged a cutting board with the washed vegetables in his direction with the back of his hand. "Start with that."
Gunil pushed himself off the counter once he finished his cereal, bringing the empty bowl over to the sink. The tap ran softly as he rinsed it, before setting it neatly with the other clean dishes to dry. He lingered there for a bit, grabbing a glass and filling it with water. The quiet clink of glass against the counter filled the small pause as he took a sip, eyes drifting back toward the two in the kitchen.
Then he spoke, casual, almost offhand.
"You know, Seungmin.. you'd make a good husband."
The knife paused for just a fraction of a second in Ode's hand.
"Hey," Jungsu cut in immediately, pointing the knife he was holding without thinking, "he said he'd be the bride, remember?"
Gunil scoffed, unimpressed, taking another sip of his water. "Or a wife, then," he corrected easily, waving it off. "Either way—same thing. You'd be good at it." His gaze flicked back to Ode, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Lucky Jiseok."
Ode exhaled through his nose, more of a quiet huff than anything, and resumed cutting like nothing happened. But the tips of his ears had gone just a little red, barely noticeable unless you were looking for it.
Gunil only grinned to himself, finishing his water in silence.
Time slipped by without much notice.
Gunil had already left for practice, the dorm a little quieter in his absence. The food Ode made sat on the stove, kept warm, set aside for Gaon and Junhan who had later schedules than the rest. At some point earlier, Jooyeon had wandered into the kitchen too, still half-asleep, clearly only awake because he has schedule to catch. He ended up eating whatever Jungsu managed to put together for him.
Now, Ode stood by the laundry area, a basket at his feet, methodically hanging up the washed clothes. Each piece was shaken out, clipped, and spaced neatly. The faint hum of the machine behind him filled the background, the bedsheet still tumbling inside, not quite done yet.
He worked through the last of the garments, fingers smoothing out wrinkles here and there, making sure everything would dry properly. Once finished, he straightened up slightly, glancing back at the machine. Still spinning, four more minutes. He leaned lightly against the wall for a moment, arms folding loosely as he waited.
Later, he'd check on Gaon.
See if he was up, or at least still sleeping comfortably. Then he'd get ready himself, head out for practice, and let the rest of the day carry on as usual.
As he stood there, arms loosely crossed, waiting for the machine to finish, the words slipped back in, uninvited, unprompted.
'You'd make a good husband.'
He exhaled slowly through his nose, gaze dropping to the floor for a second before shifting away again, like he could shake it off just by not entertaining it. But it lingered. He clicked his tongue softly under his breath, pushing himself off the wall as the dryer showed a minute more until finish drying.
"A wife," he muttered faintly, recalling the follow-up, and huffed a quiet laugh. Yeah, he recalled saying he would be the bride in one of the Xdinary Lab episode when they were discussing about their mbti.
It wasn't like he hadn't heard things like that before. He knew how he looked from the outside; he cooks, he cleans, taking care of things without being asked. It came naturally to him, that was all. He likes being neat, keeping things in order.
Didn't mean anything.
Still...
His thoughts drifting without permission.
Gaon, still asleep in his bed. The fresh pajamas he put on him last night, on the new clean sheet he'd changed. The food waiting on the stove. Dirty clothes washed and hung to dry. Small, quiet things, stacked one after another.
Ode sighed, softer this time.
"..Lucky."
The machine beeped then, cutting through his thoughts.
Perfect timing.
He stepped forward to open it, letting the moment pass as he pulled the damp bedsheet out; giving himself something else to focus on.
After settling the laundry, Ode made his way back to the bedroom.
Gaon was already awake.
Still tucked under the blanket, though. Only his upper body visible, hair slightly messy against the pillow as he scrolled lazily on his phone. He didn't even look up at first.
"Morning, handsome." Ode's voice carried a light, playful lilt as he stepped closer.
Gaon only hummed in response, eyes still on the screen, clearly not in the mood to engage just yet. Ode didn't mind. If anything, his smile softened. He approached the bed and sat at the edge, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight.
"Looking at you like this makes me not wanna go anywhere," he said, voice quieter now, something warm threaded through it. His gaze lingered, soft, unguarded.
Gaon finally look up.
And immediately, he regretted it.
"Then don't look," Gaon muttered, already turning his face away again. His hand came up halfheartedly, pressing over the younger's eyes as if that alone would fix it.
Ode let out a quiet chuckle, easily catching Gaon's wrist before he could pull away, fingers wrapping gently around it. "Isn't it supposed to be 'then don't go'?"
"Don't tease me," Gaon shot back, eyes refused to meet the taller's. His lips jutting out just slightly in a small, stubborn pout.
Ode stilled for a second.
His eyes dropped, catching on the shape of Gaon's lips. Soft, a little fuller than usual, faintly swollen. The kind of detail most people would miss. Something in his expression shifted, just barely, the teasing quieting into something more subtle, more focused.
"You're sulking," he murmured, thumb brushing lightly over Gaon's wrist, like he hadn't noticed anything else at all. But quickly, he clicked his tongue under his breath and gave himself a light slap on the cheek, just enough to snap himself out of whatever thought had started to settle in.
No way he was skipping practice just because Gaon looked... like that.
He exhaled, steadying himself, then pushed up from the bed and walked over to the wardrobe.
"I made something," he said, voice back to its usual even tone. The wardrobe door slid open, he scanned through his clothes, fingers brushing past hangers as he picked something out for the day. "If you wanna eat now, I can heat it up before I go out."
Behind him, Gaon watched quietly.
He'd noticed the way Ode brushed himself off just now; the small, odd gesture that didn't quite match anything that had happened. It lingered in his mind for a second, but he didn’t say anything.
"Not hungry yet," Gaon replied simply, attention back to his phone.
The younger hummed in acknowledgment, already pulling on his clothes. A denim jacket went over his shirt, then he reached for a cap, adjusting it easily in the mirror without much thought. Routine. Normal. Like nothing had almost wavered just a moment ago.
After slipping on a few accessories, he finally made his way to the door. His hand rested on the handle, but he didn't open it right away. Instead, he paused and looked back.
Gaon was already looking at him.
"Get enough rest," Ode reminded, voice softer now.
Gaon gave a small nod, then lifted his hand, making a faint shooing motion like he was chasing him out. No words, just that.
Ode huffed lightly at that, a small smile appeared on his face, "Love you," he said.
It came easy. Natural. Like it always did.
Gaon didn't answer right away, just watched him for a brief moment longer, eyes softer than before, before finally murmuring, "Yeah. Go."
As if he couldn't help himself, Ode suddenly turned back. In a few quick steps, he was at the bed again. And Gaon barely had time to react before Ode leaned down and pressed a brief kiss to his lips. Soft, quick, but enough to catch him off guard completely. And he pulled away just as fast.
"I said I love you," he repeated, a little more pointed this time, eyes fixed on Gaon.
Gaon blinked, still processing, "You just—"
Ode didn't move. Just stood there, waiting.
The older frowned faintly, glancing away for a second like he was trying to shake off the sudden shift, but Ode's presence lingered. Expectant, stubbornly patient.
"You're annoying," Gaon muttered.
Ode only raised a brow.
Gaon exhaled, expression softer despite himself. "Love you too."
Only then did Ode's expression ease, something satisfied and warm settling in his eyes before he finally straightened up again. "Your last day at the radio station.." he started, fixing his jacket. "Should I go?"
Gaon looked up at him, face still slightly warm. "Why?"
"Just because." The younger replied simply. "Do you not want me to?"
"You really would?"
Ode only glanced at him with a smile, "I'll bring flowers." He said, then finally walked towards the door, disappeared behind it with a soft click when he shut it close.
Gaon meanwhile shook his head as he watched him go. "Crazy man." He murmured to himself before settling back under the blanket, he smiled despite everything.