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For what felt like an eternity, the shared bed Yu and Sogeon shared, had become more of a memory than a reality.
The demanding life of being NEXZ left little room for such simple comforts. Yu would often disappear into the studio until the early hours, his voice growing hoarse as he polished lyrics and melodies under the dim glow of computer screens.
Meanwhile, Sogeon would push through endless choreo practices, his body aching from repetition after repetition, only to collapse on the living room couch before he could even make it to the shower.
Their paths crossed in exhausted glances and quick goodnights, but never in the quiet intimacy of falling asleep side by side.
Tonight, though, the stars had finally aligned.
Their schedules wrapped up almost miraculously at the same time. Nothing held them back. No urgent calls from their manager, no sudden revisions to choreography or recordings that stretched into the night.
As they stepped back into the dorm together just before 11 p.m., a quiet sense of relief settled over both of them. The air felt lighter, the usual tension of their idol lives momentarily lifted.
Sogeon claimed the shower first, stepping under the warm spray with a deep, grateful sigh. The water cascaded over his tired muscles, easing the knots from hours of sharp movements and precise footwork.
He used their shared citrus body wash, the fresh, clean scent filling the small bathroom and wrapping around him like a gentle embrace. When he finally emerged, his skin was warm and slightly pink, hair still damp and tousled, dressed in an oversized sleep shirt that hung softly on his frame.
He padded quietly to their shared bed, slipping under the covers with a contented hum. The pillow smelled faintly of Yu, comforting, familiar, and Sogeon buried his face into it, listening to the distant sound of the shower running once more.
We’re both here, he thought, a small smile tugging at his lips. For once.
The mattress dipped softly behind him a little while later. Yu moved with the careful quietness of someone utterly drained, not wanting to disturb the peace.
But Sogeon felt his presence immediately. He felt the subtle shift of weight, the familiar warmth radiating from his body. Yu slid under the covers and, almost instinctively, gravitated toward Sogeon.
One arm slipped around his waist, gentle at first, then drawing him closer with a quiet sigh of contentment. Yu’s nose nestled into the crook of Sogeon’s neck, and he inhaled slowly, deeply, as if this scent was the only thing that could truly unwind the knots in his soul.
Sogeon let out a soft giggle, the sensation wonderfully ticklish against his freshly showered skin. “Yu-ya… that tickles,” he whispered, his voice light and playful as he swatted half-heartedly at the arm around him.
Yu only grumbled something sleepy and affectionate, holding on a little tighter. His breath was warm and steady against Sogeon’s neck. “Just a little longer,” he murmured, the words vibrating softly through his chest. “You always smell so good fresh out of the shower.”
This isn’t the first time he’s heard those words from him. But it was the honesty in Yu’s quiet words that sent a flutter through Sogeon’s heart. His cheeks warmed with a deep blush that he was endlessly grateful Yu couldn’t see in the dim light.
For months, Sogeon had carried these unspoken feelings, the way his gaze lingered on Yu during practices, the quiet ache when their schedules kept them apart, the comfort he found in Yu’s steady presence amid the chaos of comeback preparations.
It had always felt safer to push it down, to blame it on exhaustion or the pressures of their shared dreams. But here, wrapped in Yu’s arms, those feelings bloomed softly, warmly, like the first light of dawn after a long night.
He allowed himself to relax fully, melting back into the embrace. Yu’s body was solid and reassuring against his back, one leg gently draping over Sogeon’s as if to anchor them together.
Yu’s fingers traced lazy, unconscious patterns along Sogeon’s side through the thin fabric of his shirt, each touch sending little sparks of affection through him. The room was quiet, save for their breathing and the faint hum of the dorm’s air conditioning.
Sogeon closed his eyes, letting the steady rhythm of Yu’s heartbeat lull him toward sleep. It felt safe. It felt right. Like two puzzle pieces finally clicking into place after being kept apart for too long.
Sleep was just beginning to cradle him when Yu shifted ever so slightly. His chin tilted, and the ghost of soft lips brushed tenderly over the pulse point in Sogeon’s neck. Then Yu pressed a lingering kiss there.
Slow, deliberate, full of quiet longing.
Sogeon’s eyes fluttered open, a gentle jolt of surprise and warmth racing through him. He turned onto his back, to try and gaze at Yu. His hand found Yu’s bicep, fingers curling around it instinctively. Yu remained exactly where he was, nuzzled against his neck.
“Did you just… kiss my neck?” he whispered, voice a mix of curiosity and something softer, more vulnerable.
Yu didn’t pull away. Sogeon could feel the gentle curve of his smile against his skin. “Did you hate it?” The question was barely audible, laced with a tenderness that made Sogeon’s chest tighten. There was no pressure in it, only hope and affection.
Sogeon hesitated for a heartbeat, then shook his head slightly. Relief washed over Yu like a wave; Sogeon felt it in the way his body softened further.
Encouraged, Yu kissed his neck again. And again.
Each press of lips was sweeter, more lingering than the last. His mouth dragged gently upward along the column of Sogeon’s neck, warm and reverent, with the faintest hint of parted lips that sent delightful shivers dancing down Sogeon’s spine.
It wasn’t rushed or overwhelming or lustful. Just loving exploration, as if Yu wanted to memorize every inch of this moment.
“You smell so nice,” Yu breathed against his skin, voice husky with sleep and newfound emotion. “I kinda wish I could stay right here forever… maybe even eat you up, you’re so sweet.”
The light, playful nip at his pulse made Sogeon yelp softly, a burst of surprised laughter mixing with the warmth pooling in his chest. He tugged Yu back gently by the shoulder, their eyes meeting in the soft glow from the hallway nightlight. Yu’s gaze was warm, a little shy, but filled with so much fondness it made Sogeon’s heart ache beautifully.
“Yu-ya… what are you trying to do?” Sogeon asked, his voice breathy and fond. “Let’s just go to bed…” But the words faded as Yu leaned in again, this time capturing Sogeon’s lips in a kiss that felt like truly coming home.
The first contact was soft and tentative, a gentle press that sent sparks through both of them. Sogeon startled slightly, pulling back for a fraction of a second in wide-eyed surprise, before the months of quiet yearning overtook him.
He leaned back in eagerly, kissing Yu with all the sweetness and affection he’d been holding back. His hand came up to cup Yu’s jaw, thumb brushing tenderly over his cheek as their lips moved together in unhurried harmony.
Yu smiled against his mouth, a joyful, loving curve that made the kiss even warmer. One arm wrapped securely around Sogeon’s waist, drawing their bodies closer until there was no space left between them. Chest to chest now, hearts beating in sync, legs tangling naturally under the sheets.
It was their first kiss, and it felt perfect in its gentleness.
Slow and exploratory, full of whispered emotions rather than urgency. Yu’s fingers threaded lightly through Sogeon’s damp hair, while Sogeon’s hand rested over Yu’s heart, feeling its steady rhythm quicken just for him.
There was no fear, only a blooming sense of rightness, like flowers opening after rain.
When they finally parted, both were breathing softly, faces flushed with happiness and a touch of shy wonder. Sogeon’s cheeks were a deep, rosy pink, his eyes shining as he looked at Yu with newfound clarity.
They lingered in that gaze for a long moment, the air between them sweet with possibility.
Then, a loud, thoroughly exasperated groan broke the spell from across the room.
Yuki sat up in his bed, hair messy and eyes half-lidded with annoyance and reluctant amusement. “I’m really glad you two finally figured out this long game of gay chicken,” he drawled, voice thick with sleep, “but please, for the love of my sanity, don’t experiment while I’m right here trying to sleep. Take it to the couch or something next time.”
Sogeon let out a mortified squeak, immediately burying his burning face against Yu’s chest like he could disappear into it. “Shit, sorry,… that wasn’t planned- ” he mumbled, embarrassment mixing with giggles.
Yu chuckled warmly, the sound rumbling gently under Sogeon’s ear like the best kind of lullaby. Without missing a beat, he lay back down, pulling Sogeon firmly with him until the younger boy was tucked securely against his chest. Yu’s arms wrapped around him protectively, one hand stroking soothing circles along his back.
“Goodnight, Yuki,” Yu said lightly, clearly unbothered, almost amused.
Yuki grumbled something about “disgustingly cute assholes” and “no respect for roommates,” but there was a fond edge to it. He flopped back down with a dramatic huff, turning his back to them.
“Goodnight hyungs. Keep it sweet and quiet, yeah?”
The room fell into a peaceful hush once more, even as Sogeon’s face burned like a furnace. Yu pressed a feather-soft kiss to the crown of Sogeon’s head, lips lingering in his hair as he murmured, “We’ll talk in the morning, okay? Sleep, we have an early start tomorrow”
Sogeon closed his eyes, a bright, unstoppable smile curving his lips. Nestled against Yu’s steady heartbeat, surrounded by warmth and the quiet promise of something new and beautiful, he felt utterly safe and loved.
The exhaustion that had weighed on them both for so long finally gave way to contentment. This spontaneous, heartfelt moment in the dark wasn’t just a fluke, it was the gentle start of something bright, loving, and entirely theirs.
As sleep claimed him, Sogeon’s last thought was how perfectly they fit together, like they always had.