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Park Wonbin and Jang Yonghoon weren’t just best friends. They were a pair. A perfectly mismatched set that fit together in a way no one else quite understood.
Yonghoon was the cool one. Tall, composed, a natural leader. He carried himself with a quiet confidence, the kind that made people listen when he spoke. There was an undeniable sharpness to him—strict when necessary, always pushing himself and those around him to be better. But beneath the cool exterior, he was warm. A steady presence. The kind of person who remembered little things, who stayed behind after practice to make sure no one was struggling alone, who always had a way of making people laugh just when they needed it.
Wonbin, on the other hand, was light itself. Soft-spoken but bright, gentle but full of energy. The kind of person who made a room feel warmer just by stepping inside. He was a people magnet—trainees naturally gravitated toward him, teasing him, doting on him, fighting for his attention like kids vying for their favorite toy. Sweet to everyone, comforting in a way that felt effortless. A fairy, they called him. Too kind for his own good. Too lovable to ignore.
And yet, despite the way everyone adored Wonbin, it was Yonghoon who understood him best. Who noticed when his smiles were just a little dimmer, when exhaustion lingered in his eyes. Who knew that sometimes, even the brightest people needed a place to rest.
Likewise, Wonbin saw through Yonghoon’s carefully built walls. Where others saw an untouchable leader, Wonbin saw the person who stayed up late rewatching practice videos, the one who took on too much responsibility without ever complaining. He saw the rare, softer moments—the playful side that Yonghoon rarely let anyone else see, the small habits that made him human.
They were each other’s balance.
And the other trainees knew it.
If one was missing from the cafeteria, the other wouldn’t eat until they showed up. If partners were needed for practice, there was no need to ask—they were already standing next to each other. If one was in a bad mood, the other knew exactly how to fix it.
It was obvious.
It was inevitable.
It was them.
The cafeteria was always busy, full of hungry trainees shoving food into their mouths between practice sessions. But no matter how crowded it got, one thing never changed—Wonbin and Yonghoon always sat together.
Seokjune tried to sit next to Wonbin, but before he could, Wonbin casually placed his chopsticks on the chair. "Seat's taken," he said, smiling.
Seokjune groaned. "Seriously?"
Wonbin just nodded, stirring his soup without a care in the world.
Right on cue, Yonghoon appeared with his tray, sliding into the saved seat like it was the most natural thing in the world. "You got my food again?"
Wonbin pushed the plate toward him. "You take too long deciding."
Yonghoon sighed but took a bite anyway. "You know I was behind you in line, right?"
Wonbin beamed. "I know."
Across the table, Semin watched them with a blank stare. "You guys are weird."
"They’re basically married," Seokjune muttered, stabbing at his rice.
Wonbin ignored them, pretending to focus on his food, but the pink on his ears gave him away. Yonghoon, on the other hand, just smirked and kept eating.
"You’re still practicing?" Wonbin mumbled, rolling onto his stomach.
"Mm." Yonghoon didn’t look away from the mirror.
"You’re so boring," Wonbin sighed dramatically.
"Then go back to the dorm."
"No."
A pause. Wonbin kicked his legs back and forth, staring at Yonghoon with a growing smirk. Then, without warning—
"You know," Wonbin hummed, "your serious face is kinda cute."
Yonghoon froze mid-step. His eyes flickered toward the mirror, catching Wonbin’s teasing grin.
"Shut up," he muttered, turning back.
"Aw, don’t be shy." Wonbin propped himself up on his elbows. "You get this little crease between your brows when you focus. Like this." He scrunched his face in an exaggerated frown.
Yonghoon huffed, refusing to react.
Encouraged, Wonbin continued. "And when you mess up, your ears turn red."
"They do not."
"They do."
"Wonbin—"
"Yonghoon—" Wonbin copied his tone perfectly, his grin widening.
Yonghoon turned, ready to scold him properly, but the moment he did, Wonbin’s eyes were sparkling with amusement, his smile way too smug for someone lying on the floor like a lazy kitten.
Yonghoon exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Do you ever run out of things to say?"
"Not when I’m with you," Wonbin shot back smoothly.
Yonghoon paused for half a second before scoffing. "Unbelievable."
Wonbin grinned. "That’s why you like me so much."
Yonghoon just shook his head, turning back to practice. But this time, he wasn’t as tense. And maybe his ears were a little red.
The sun had already set by the time practice ended, but the dorm hallways were still buzzing with trainees shuffling around—some showering, some half-asleep in the common area, and some desperately trying to cram in last-minute training before bed.
Wonbin, however, had other priorities.
He knocked on Yonghoon’s door twice before opening it without waiting for a response.
Inside, Yonghoon was sitting at his desk, scrolling through his phone. He barely looked up. "Do you ever knock like a normal person?"
"I did." Wonbin flopped onto Yonghoon’s bed, hugging a pillow. "But I knew you’d let me in anyway."
Yonghoon rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. Instead, he tossed his phone aside and leaned back in his chair, watching as Wonbin got comfortable—legs kicking, head buried in the pillow, like he was the one who lived here.
"You’re gonna fall asleep if you stay like that," Yonghoon pointed out.
"Mmm," Wonbin hummed, completely unbothered.
A few seconds passed in silence. Then—
"I can’t believe you’re still using this pillow," Wonbin mumbled. "It smells like detergent."
Yonghoon raised a brow. "What else is it supposed to smell like?"
"Like you," Wonbin said casually.
Yonghoon stared. "What does that even mean?"
Wonbin peeked up at him, grinning. "Like… you know, warm? Like fabric softener and soap. Kinda comforting."
Yonghoon blinked, not sure how to respond to that. Before he could come up with something, Wonbin rolled onto his back, stretching. "Anyway, I came to bother you before bed. Mission accomplished."
"You’re unbelievable," Yonghoon muttered, but his lips twitched slightly.
Wonbin beamed, proud of himself. Then, just as he was about to hop off the bed and leave, something caught his eye.
Yonghoon’s hoodie. Thick, oversized, casually thrown over his desk chair.
Wonbin pointed. "Are you gonna wear that?"
Yonghoon followed his gaze. "…Yeah, why?"
Wonbin’s eyes sparkled. "Can I have it?"
Yonghoon narrowed his eyes. "You literally stole my hoodie last week."
"I know, but that was last week," Wonbin said, voice sweet.
Yonghoon sighed like he was dealing with a child, but he still grabbed the hoodie and tossed it over. Wonbin caught it happily, slipping it on immediately. The sleeves were too long, nearly swallowing his hands, but he looked perfectly content.
"Perfect," Wonbin mumbled, hugging himself.
Yonghoon shook his head. "I don’t know what to do with you."
"But you love me," Wonbin said again, grinning.
Yonghoon didn’t answer this time—just rolled his eyes and reached over to ruffle Wonbin’s hair before standing up.
"Go to bed before you pass out here."
Wonbin laughed, nudging Yonghoon’s side as he left. "Goodnight, grumpy."
Yonghoon just huffed, watching him disappear down the hall, still drowning in his hoodie.
The dorm was quiet. Lights dimmed, doors shut, the only sound was the occasional rustling of blankets or a sleepy trainee shuffling to the bathroom.
Wonbin wasn’t asleep yet. He was curled up under his covers, scrolling through his phone, when he heard something outside his door. A soft shuffling. Careful footsteps.
Curious, he sat up and peeked through the small crack of his door.
There, in the hallway, was Yonghoon.
Hood up, mask on, dressed in the baggiest hoodie and jeans he owned, he was tiptoeing toward the exit like some kind of poorly disguised thief. He kept glancing around, checking for signs of life, his posture tense as if he were on a secret mission.
Wonbin's lips curled into a smile.
Slowly, he pushed his door open, stepping into the hallway as quietly as possible. Then, just as Yonghoon reached for the door handle—
"Where do you think you’re going?"
Yonghoon practically jumped out of his skin. He spun around so fast his hood nearly slipped off, eyes wide in shock.
"WONBIN—" he whisper-yelled, grabbing his chest. "Are you insane?! Why are you creeping around like that?!"
Wonbin bit back a laugh. "Me? You’re the one sneaking out like a burglar."
Yonghoon groaned, rubbing his temple. "Go back to bed."
Wonbin folded his arms. "Not until you tell me what you’re up to."
"It’s nothing."
Wonbin raised an eyebrow. "Then why do you look so suspicious?"
Yonghoon sighed, knowing there was no escaping this. "I’m just going to the convenience store."
Wonbin gasped softly, eyes sparkling. "Ooh, you’re sneaking out?"
"Keep your voice down!" Yonghoon hissed, glancing toward the dorm rooms.
Wonbin giggled, stepping closer. "Can I come?"
"No."
"Please?"
"Wonbin."
Wonbin clasped his hands together, rocking on his heels. "I won’t cause trouble, promise. I’ll be quiet as a mouse."
"You? Quiet?" Yonghoon scoffed.
Wonbin pouted. "Come on, you can’t just leave me behind."
Yonghoon sighed, already feeling himself losing this battle. Wonbin’s wide, pleading eyes were unfair. It was like trying to say no to a puppy.
"Fine," he muttered. "But if we get caught, I’m blaming you."
Wonbin grinned. "Deal."
Yonghoon exhaled heavily, muttering under his breath as he pulled his hood lower. Wonbin bounced slightly on his feet, clearly thrilled.
"Shh," Yonghoon warned as he cracked open the door. "No giggling, no talking, and stay close."
Wonbin mimed zipping his lips, but the way he was practically vibrating with excitement didn’t give Yonghoon much confidence.
Taking a deep breath, they stepped into the hallway and began their stealth mission.
The dorm hallway was eerily quiet as they crept toward the elevator. Every step felt ten times louder in the silence, and Yonghoon kept throwing nervous glances behind him, as if expecting someone to suddenly wake up and catch them.
Wonbin, on the other hand, was having the time of his life.
"This feels like a spy movie," he whispered excitedly, tiptoeing beside Yonghoon. "We should have codenames."
Yonghoon sighed. "No, we shouldn’t."
"Okay, I’ll be Fairy One," Wonbin continued, ignoring him. "You can be Grumpy Two."
"Wonbin."
"Shh!" Wonbin gasped dramatically, gripping Yonghoon’s arm. "Stay low, agent! We have a guard up ahead!"
Yonghoon froze. "What?!"
Wonbin pointed.
Sure enough, at the far end of the hall, slumped against a chair, was one of the security guards. His arms were crossed, head tilted downward, completely still.
Yonghoon exhaled. "He’s asleep."
"Or pretending to be," Wonbin whispered, eyes narrowed. "This could be a trap."
"It’s not a trap." Yonghoon stopped himself, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You know what? Fine. What’s your genius plan, Fairy One?"
Wonbin grinned. "Simple. We sneak past him like ninjas."
Yonghoon stared. "Like ninjas?"
Wonbin nodded solemnly. "Like ninjas."
Before Yonghoon could argue, Wonbin crouched slightly, pressing his back against the wall. Then, slowly, so slowly it was almost painful, he took a step forward. Another step. Then another.
Yonghoon wanted to die.
Still, he had no choice but to follow. With a deep breath, he mirrored Wonbin’s movements, creeping forward with careful, quiet steps.
Step. Step. Step.
They were halfway past the guard now. Wonbin turned to look at Yonghoon, eyes shining with adrenaline.
Yonghoon shot him a warning look. Don’t. Say. Anything.
Wonbin beamed.
And then, he tripped.
Yonghoon barely had time to react before Wonbin let out a tiny yelp, stumbling forward. Instinctively, Yonghoon grabbed his wrist, yanking him back before he could crash into the floor.
They froze.
For a second, neither of them moved. Not even a breath.
Yonghoon’s heart pounded. He snapped his head toward the guard, waiting, praying that he wouldn’t wake up.
The guard stirred slightly.
Wonbin clutched Yonghoon’s hoodie, eyes wide.
A deep breath from the guard… then nothing. He was still asleep.
Yonghoon exhaled shakily, dragging Wonbin forward. "Move. Now."
Wonbin nodded rapidly, gripping Yonghoon’s sleeve as they hurried past the guard and straight into the elevator.
The doors slid shut behind them.
Silence.
Then, Wonbin burst into quiet giggles, doubling over. "Oh my god, that was so intense!"
Yonghoon pressed a hand over his face. "I hate you."
"You love me," Wonbin teased, nudging him.
Yonghoon groaned, leaning back against the elevator wall. "Next time, I’m leaving you behind."
But he wasn’t. And they both knew it.
As the elevator descended, Wonbin grinned up at him, practically bouncing on his feet. "This is the best night ever."
Yonghoon sighed, but the corners of his lips twitched. "We haven’t even gotten to the store yet."
"Exactly!" Wonbin’s eyes sparkled. "Imagine how much more fun we’re about to have."
Yonghoon had a very strong feeling that his definition of fun and Wonbin’s were not the same.
Still, as the elevator doors opened and the night air greeted them, he found that, against his better judgment, he was starting to feel the excitement too.
The night air was crisp and cool as they stepped outside. The city lights flickered in the distance, and the quiet hum of traffic filled the streets. It felt different from their usual routine, no strict schedules, no trainers watching their every move, just the two of them walking freely under the dim glow of streetlights.
Wonbin stretched his arms above his head, inhaling deeply. "Ah, this feels nice."
Yonghoon glanced at him. "You act like we just escaped from prison."
"Didn’t we?" Wonbin grinned. "Dorm life is basically the same thing."
Yonghoon shook his head but didn’t argue.
They walked side by side, their steps falling into an easy rhythm. The convenience store wasn’t far, just a few blocks away, but Wonbin made it feel like an adventure. He hummed under his breath, swinging his arms slightly, turning his head every now and then to take in their surroundings like it was his first time seeing the outside world.
Yonghoon found himself watching him more than he should.
There was something about the way Wonbin smiled, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners as he looked around with pure excitement. He wasn’t doing anything special, just enjoying the night breeze, being his usual bright self, but right now, under the streetlights, wrapped in Yonghoon’s hoodie, laughing softly to himself as he kicked a stray pebble down the sidewalk, he looked unreal.
Yonghoon blinked, snapping himself out of it.
"You look way too happy right now," he muttered, forcing himself to look ahead.
Wonbin turned to him, eyes twinkling. "That’s because I am happy."
Yonghoon scoffed, keeping his gaze forward. "It’s just a convenience store."
"But it’s not about the store," Wonbin said easily. "It’s about the journey."
Yonghoon side-eyed him. "Are you trying to be deep right now?"
Wonbin just laughed.
A comfortable silence settled between them as they crossed the street, the neon glow of the convenience store coming into view.
Then, out of nowhere,
"Hey, Yonghoon," Wonbin said.
"Hm?"
"Carry me."
Yonghoon nearly tripped over his own feet. "What?"
"My legs are tired," Wonbin whined, dragging his steps dramatically. "And you’re tall. It’s your responsibility."
Yonghoon scoffed. "That’s not how height works."
Wonbin clasped his hands together, eyes wide. "Please?"
"No."
"Pretty please?"
"Absolutely not."
Wonbin pouted, then gasped softly. "I know. Give me a piggyback ride."
Yonghoon stared at him like he had lost his mind. "Wonbin, I swear."
"Come on," Wonbin interrupted, bouncing on his heels. "It’ll be fun."
"For you."
"Exactly."
Yonghoon sighed, rubbing his temple. "You’re unbelievable."
Wonbin grinned. "That means you’ll do it?"
"No."
"Ugh, you’re no fun," Wonbin huffed, lightly shoving Yonghoon’s arm.
Yonghoon smirked. "And yet, here you are, sneaking out with me."
Wonbin opened his mouth to argue, then paused. "Okay, fair point."
They finally reached the store, the automatic doors sliding open with a soft chime. The bright fluorescent lights made Wonbin squint as he stepped inside, but it didn’t take long for his energy to return.
"Ooooh, look at all the snacks," Wonbin whispered in awe, already making a beeline for the shelves.
Yonghoon exhaled, watching him go. "I’m never taking you anywhere again."
But as he followed behind, something in him knew that wasn’t true.
The convenience store was quiet, save for the hum of the refrigerators and the occasional rustling of plastic as Wonbin excitedly browsed the snack aisle. His eyes darted from shelf to shelf, sparkling like a kid in a candy store.
"Look at this," Wonbin whispered, holding up a pack of chocolate-covered biscuits. "Do you think this is good?"
Yonghoon, who had barely stepped two feet inside, sighed. "It’s just biscuits, Wonbin."
"But what if they taste different from the ones we have at the dorm?"
"They won’t."
Wonbin ignored him, tossing the pack into his basket before moving on to the next aisle. He picked up chips, gummies, a small cup of pudding, and then stopped in front of the instant noodles section with a dreamy sigh.
"This is heaven," he murmured.
Yonghoon finally walked over, peering at the basket in Wonbin’s hands. "Are you feeding an army?"
Wonbin hugged the basket protectively. "I need variety."
"You’re only going to eat the noodles anyway."
Wonbin gasped. "How dare you."
Yonghoon smirked, grabbing a cup of ramen for himself. "I’m right, though."
Wonbin huffed, but his pout didn’t last long. The moment he turned toward the refrigerated drinks, his excitement returned. He stood in front of the glass doors, scanning the rows of colorful bottles with deep concentration.
Yonghoon leaned against a shelf, watching him. "It’s just a drink."
"This is an important decision," Wonbin muttered. "It sets the mood for the meal."
"You sound ridiculous."
Wonbin finally grabbed a peach-flavored milk and held it up triumphantly. "Perfect."
Shaking his head, Yonghoon grabbed a water bottle and started toward the counter. But before he could take two steps, Wonbin suddenly tugged on his sleeve.
"Wait."
Yonghoon raised an eyebrow. "What now?"
Wonbin hesitated, looking at him with something unreadable in his expression. Then, slowly, he reached out and placed a small bottle of banana milk in Yonghoon’s basket.
Yonghoon stared at it. "What is this?"
"Your drink," Wonbin said simply.
Yonghoon narrowed his eyes. "I didn’t ask for this."
"I know, but you always drink this when you’re stressed, and you’ve been tense all day," Wonbin said matter-of-factly. "So, you should have it."
Yonghoon blinked, caught completely off guard.
He glanced at Wonbin, who was already turning away, pretending to examine the candy near the counter. His expression was casual, like it wasn’t a big deal, like he hadn’t just seen right through him.
Yonghoon sighed, picking up the banana milk.
He didn’t put it back.
After paying for their food, they sat down at one of the small tables near the window, the glow of the convenience store lights making the quiet night outside seem even darker.
Wonbin eagerly peeled the lid off his instant noodles, humming in satisfaction as the warm steam hit his face.
"This," he sighed happily, "is what freedom tastes like."
Yonghoon raised an eyebrow. "You’re way too dramatic."
Wonbin picked up his chopsticks, twirling his noodles. "You just don’t appreciate the little things in life, Yonghoon."
Yonghoon took a sip of his banana milk, watching as Wonbin happily slurped his noodles. He tried to ignore the way his heart squeezed at the sight.
Wonbin, still completely unaware, pushed his pudding toward him. "Here, you can have this. I know you like custard."
Yonghoon hesitated. "You bought this for yourself."
Wonbin shrugged. "I can get another one next time."
Yonghoon stared at the small cup of pudding before picking it up. "...Thanks."
Wonbin grinned, cheeks puffed slightly from his noodles. "See? You just have to let me take care of you sometimes."
Yonghoon rolled his eyes but didn’t deny it.
They ate in comfortable silence, the occasional clink of chopsticks against plastic containers filling the space between them. Every now and then, Wonbin would kick Yonghoon’s foot under the table, and Yonghoon would nudge him back.
When they finished, they brought their trays to the trash bin, and as they returned to the counter to grab their bags, the cashier, an older woman with kind eyes, smiled at them.
"You boys make a cute couple," she said warmly.
Wonbin froze. Yonghoon stiffened.
There was a long pause before Wonbin let out a nervous laugh. "Oh, we’re not—"
The woman chuckled, handing them their bags. "It’s alright, no need to be shy. The way you look at each other says everything."
Wonbin’s face turned bright red. He grabbed the bags and hurried toward the door. "Thank you! Have a good night!"
Yonghoon followed quickly, pressing his lips together to keep from laughing. The moment they stepped outside, Wonbin groaned dramatically.
"Oh my god."
Yonghoon finally let out a low chuckle. "You’re blushing."
"I am not."
"You are."
"Shut up."
Yonghoon smirked, sipping his banana milk. "The way we look at each other, huh?"
Wonbin shot him a glare. "We’re never coming back here."
Yonghoon laughed, stuffing his free hand into his pocket as they made their way back toward the dorms.
"You love it."
Wonbin grumbled, but the way he clutched his peach milk just a little tighter gave him away.
The walk back to the dorms felt peaceful at first. The streets were quiet, the air crisp, and the weight of their small adventure settled comfortably between them.
Wonbin swung the plastic bag in his hand, sipping his peach milk happily. "That was the best meal of my life."
"You say that about every meal," Yonghoon muttered.
"This time, I really mean it." Wonbin grinned. "Midnight food just tastes better."
Yonghoon hummed, watching him from the corner of his eye. Wonbin was still glowing with excitement, his energy never once dipping even after the long night. The way he smiled, the way his eyes flickered under the streetlights—it was hard to look away.
Yonghoon quickly shook off the thought.
They walked in silence for a while, the dorm building finally coming into view. Just as they reached the entrance, Wonbin stretched his arms above his head, letting out a satisfied sigh.
Then, something clicked in his head.
"Wait," Wonbin said slowly. "What time is it?"
Yonghoon lazily checked his phone. "Almost two."
Wonbin froze mid-step. His entire body stiffened. "Two in the morning?!"
Yonghoon looked at him, unimpressed. "Yeah, and?"
Wonbin whipped around, grabbing Yonghoon’s sleeve with both hands. "We have practice at five!"
Yonghoon blinked. "Oh."
"Oh?! That’s all you have to say?" Wonbin clutched his head. "We’re so dead."
"Relax," Yonghoon said, patting his back. "Let’s just get inside first."
Wonbin nodded frantically. "Right. Inside. Good plan."
Without a second thought, he stepped forward toward the entrance.
He didn’t notice the security guard standing right there.
Yonghoon did.
Heart lurching, Yonghoon grabbed Wonbin’s wrist and, in one swift motion, pulled him backward.
Wonbin let out a tiny noise of surprise as he stumbled, his body knocking into Yonghoon’s chest. Before he could react, Yonghoon’s arms wrapped around him, steadying him against his own body as he pressed them both into the shadows behind the building.
Then, as Wonbin opened his mouth to ask what was happening, Yonghoon instinctively raised a hand, covering Wonbin's lips.
Wonbin froze.
Yonghoon froze.
Their breaths mixed in the small space between them, Wonbin’s wide, startled eyes locked onto Yonghoon’s. His skin was warm against Yonghoon’s palm, soft, his lips barely parted beneath his touch.
Yonghoon swallowed, suddenly hyper-aware of everything. The way Wonbin fit perfectly against him, the scent of his peach milk lingering in the air, the delicate rise and fall of his chest as he breathed.
For some reason, his own heartbeat wouldn’t slow down.
Wonbin’s eyes flickered with realization. His lashes fluttered, his fingers tightening slightly around Yonghoon’s sleeve.
Yonghoon felt like he was going insane.
A few more seconds passed. Neither of them moved.
Then, slowly, Yonghoon pulled his hand away.
Wonbin licked his lips, blinking up at him. "The guard is still there?"
Yonghoon exhaled sharply. "Yeah."
They both turned to peek again. The guard was still standing, scanning the area.
Wonbin groaned quietly, leaning his head against Yonghoon’s shoulder. "This is bad."
"We just have to wait for him to move," Yonghoon murmured, keeping his grip on Wonbin’s wrist.
A minute passed. Then five. Then ten.
The guard didn’t move.
Wonbin shifted restlessly. "Yonghoon."
"Don’t," Yonghoon warned.
"But—"
"Wonbin, no."
"We have to go," Wonbin whispered urgently. "It’s late, and if we don’t sleep at all, I’ll actually pass out during practice."
Yonghoon sighed, rubbing his temple. "What do you want to do, then?"
Wonbin took a deep breath. "We run."
Yonghoon stared at him. "What?"
"We run for it," Wonbin said, eyes deadly serious. "Straight to the elevators."
"That’s the dumbest—"
"Got a better plan?"
Yonghoon opened his mouth, then shut it.
Wonbin grinned. "Thought so."
Yonghoon sighed. "Fine. But if we get caught, I’m blaming you. Again."
Wonbin held out his hand. "Deal."
Yonghoon hesitated, then grabbed it.
Wonbin squeezed his fingers. "One…"
"Two…"
"Three!"
Wonbin pulled Yonghoon forward, and they sprinted toward the entrance.
The guard turned at the sound of their footsteps. "Hey!"
Wonbin giggled breathlessly. "Run, run, run!"
Chaos erupted as the guard bolted after them. Yonghoon tightened his grip on Wonbin’s hand, dragging him faster as they slipped through the front doors and into the lobby.
The chase had begun.
The dorm lobby was dimly lit, the glow from the front desk casting long shadows across the tiled floor. The elevator was on the far side of the room—so close, yet impossibly far with the security guard charging in behind them.
"Faster!" Wonbin whispered urgently, gripping Yonghoon’s hand tighter.
Yonghoon barely had time to respond before Wonbin suddenly veered to the left, pulling him toward the stairwell instead of the elevator.
"What are you doing?!" Yonghoon hissed.
"The elevator takes too long!" Wonbin gasped between giggles. "We’ll get caught!"
Yonghoon wanted to argue, but the guard’s heavy footsteps echoed behind them, too close for comfort. With no other choice, he followed as Wonbin yanked open the stairwell door, dragging him inside.
The second the door shut behind them, they bolted up the steps, taking them two at a time.
"Why did we choose the stairs?" Yonghoon groaned, breathless.
"You were too slow!" Wonbin shot back, barely holding in his laughter.
"You were the one who tripped earlier!"
"Shhh!" Wonbin gasped dramatically, pressing a finger to his lips. "Stealth mode!"
Yonghoon shot him a glare. "We’re literally running for our lives."
Wonbin just grinned. "And we’re having fun, aren’t we?"
Yonghoon was about to deny it when he caught sight of Wonbin’s face.
Wonbin's cheeks flushed from exertion, his eyes crinkling as he smiled, looking more carefree than ever.
Yonghoon’s heartbeat stuttered.
He turned away quickly, focusing on climbing the endless stairs.
They reached the third floor when they heard the stairwell door slam open below them.
"Hey! Stop right there!"
Wonbin nearly shrieked. "Oh my god, he’s still chasing us!"
"Of course he is!" Yonghoon gritted his teeth, pulling Wonbin forward. "Run faster!"
They sprinted up another flight, Wonbin barely keeping up. His laughter mixed with his gasps for air, but he never let go of Yonghoon’s hand.
The fourth floor. Then the fifth.
Yonghoon’s legs burned, but he couldn’t stop now.
Finally, as they reached their dorm floor, he yanked open the stairwell door, dragging Wonbin through. They stumbled into the hallway, panting.
"Your room or mine?" Wonbin wheezed.
"Yours is closer," Yonghoon gasped.
They half-ran, half-limped down the hallway, barely making it inside Wonbin’s room before slamming the door shut behind them.
Silence.
Heavy breaths filled the air as they leaned against the door, exhausted.
Then, slowly, Wonbin started giggling.
Yonghoon turned to him, eyes narrowing. "What’s so funny?"
Wonbin wiped his eyes, still breathless. "That was—" he let out another laugh, "—the best night ever."
Yonghoon scoffed, shaking his head. "You’re insane."
Wonbin grinned. "Please, Yonghoon, stop acting like it wasn't fun"
Yonghoon sighed, rubbing a hand over his face, but he couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at his lips.
Maybe he did.
Wonbin stretched, his body finally relaxing. Then, he blinked sleepily, letting out a quiet yawn.
Yonghoon immediately frowned. "Don’t tell me you’re about to pass out."
"I am," Wonbin mumbled, stumbling toward his bed. He flopped onto the mattress, not even bothering to change. "Sleepy."
Yonghoon stared at him. "We just ran for our lives, and now you’re going to sleep like nothing happened?"
Wonbin hummed in response, already halfway gone.
Yonghoon sighed. He grabbed the blanket from the edge of the bed and draped it over Wonbin, shaking his head.
"Idiot," he muttered.
Wonbin smiled against his pillow. "Goodnight, Yonghoon."
Yonghoon exhaled. "Goodnight, troublemaker."
As he turned toward the door, he paused, glancing back at Wonbin’s sleeping face.
Soft breaths, peaceful expression, completely unaware of the chaos he had caused tonight.
Yonghoon pressed his lips together, his chest tightening with something unfamiliar.
Without thinking, he reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from Wonbin’s forehead.
Wonbin stirred slightly, but didn’t wake.
Yonghoon swallowed, forcing himself to step away.
With one last look, he slipped out of the room, closing the door softly behind him.
And for the first time that night, his heartbeat was louder than his footsteps.
The dorm buzzed with early morning energy. Trainees stood in neat lines, waiting for roll call before their brutal 5 AM practice. Some were barely awake, heads bobbing forward as they fought off exhaustion. Others murmured quietly, rubbing their eyes or stretching stiff limbs.
Wonbin yawned, blinking blearily as he stood in line. His body ached, his legs felt like jelly, and every muscle screamed at him for the reckless sprint last night.
He peeked to his right. Yonghoon stood three people away, arms crossed, posture perfectly straight like he wasn’t running through hallways at two in the morning.
Their eyes met.
Wonbin smiled sleepily.
Yonghoon, despite himself, felt his lips twitch.
Before either of them could say anything, a voice cut through the air.
"Attention, trainees!"
The room snapped into focus. The staff manager stood at the front, clipboard in hand, scanning the group with sharp eyes.
"As you all know, the dorm has strict curfew rules," she continued, her voice firm. "And yet, it seems two trainees thought it would be fun to sneak out last night."
Wonbin’s stomach dropped.
A murmur rippled through the group. Heads turned, eyes darting around in curiosity.
Yonghoon stiffened.
"The security footage clearly shows two individuals returning to the building at two in the morning," the manager went on. "Would Park Wonbin and Jang Yonghoon like to explain themselves?"
Silence.
A heavy, suffocating silence.
Wonbin’s face went pale. Slowly, he turned his head. Yonghoon did the same.
Their eyes locked.
Oh, no.
The trainees around them started whispering.
"Wonbin and Yonghoon?"
"No way."
"What were they even doing?"
Seokjune, standing next to Wonbin, smirked. "Well, well. You two had a fun night, huh?"
Semin leaned closer, grinning. "Sneaking out together? How romantic."
Junseo, unable to hold back his laughter, added, "Are we even surprised? They do everything together."
Wonbin buried his face in his hands.
Yonghoon exhaled through his nose, his patience hanging by a thread.
"You two," the manager called again. "Step forward."
As they hesitantly moved to the front, Wonbin leaned toward Yonghoon, whispering desperately. "This is your fault."
"My fault?" Yonghoon hissed back. "You were the one who begged to come."
"Yeah, but you agreed!"
"Because you wouldn’t stop pouting!"
"Shh!" The manager shot them a sharp look. "Care to explain why you were out past curfew?"
Wonbin opened his mouth. Then closed it. Then opened it again.
"...We were hungry?"
The room went dead silent.
Someone coughed.
The manager pinched the bridge of her nose. "Unbelievable."
More whispers. More snickers.
Wonbin could feel his soul leaving his body.
Yonghoon, beside him, let out the longest, most exhausted sigh of his life.
Just when Wonbin thought things couldn’t get worse, Seokjune called out from the back.
"At least tell us—was the date worth it?"
Laughter erupted.
Wonbin wanted the earth to swallow him whole.
Yonghoon rubbed his temple. "I’m never sneaking out with you again."
Wonbin groaned. "You love it."
Yonghoon refused to answer.
And so, under the weight of amused stares, teasing whispers, and their impending punishment, the best night of their lives officially came to an end.