Chapter Text
Time flew by, and Sunghoon and Sunoo found themselves among the select few trainees participating in I-Land. Since their auditions, Sunoo and Sunghoon had never really gotten to know each other. Amid the rigorous schedule, they rarely had a chance to interact beyond the occasional greetings and polite smiles.
However, that all changed when they both entered I-Land.
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As soon as Sunghoon entered the room with Jay by his side, Sunoo could feel his heart racing. He couldn't help but stare at the former ice skater, who possessed truly godlike features.
Sunghoon's eyes landed directly on Sunoo, who was already looking at him. Sunghoon couldn't help but blush at the intensity of Sunoo's gaze. The older trainee returned the stare with a warm smile, and Sunoo effortlessly smiled back. Pretty.
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Even inside I-Land, Sunghoon and Sunoo never really got close. Perhaps it was due to the pressure and their busy schedules, or maybe they both didn't know how to approach each other. But enough with that, everything changed after one night.
To be frank, Sunoo did get a bit closer to Sunghoon while they were preparing to perform "Fake Love" by BTS. However, that closeness was limited to small talk between co-workers. Sunoo wanted more than that. He would even admit it himself - he had a crush on Sunghoon, It was no ordinary crush—it was a big one. In fact, it was a huge, massive crush, so intensely overwhelming that there were moments when Sunoo would see Sunghoon perform or practice, and he would melt right then and there. That's how deeply Sunghoon had captivated Sunoo's heart.
It was 2 AM in the morning, and technically everyone was asleep. Sunoo, being the sneaky punk he is, ventured into the kitchen to satisfy his hunger with some snacks. While pouring hot water into his cup noodles, he was suddenly startled by someone's presence, causing him to accidentally pour hot water on his hand.
"Ah shi-" Sunoo muttered before turning around to scold the person responsible, only to find himself face to face with Sunghoon, who was walking towards him and witnessing the accident.
Oh.my.god, Sunoo thought in English.
"Oh Sunoo, I'm so sorry. Are you okay? I didn't mean to scare you," Sunghoon said, clearly concerned, as he grabbed Sunoo's arm and guided him towards the faucet. Sunoo, the gay one, allowed himself to be led, his mind wandering off to fantasyland.
What kind of K-drama is this? Sunoo thought as he observed Sunghoon drenching his arm in cold running water. Sunghoon then looked up at Sunoo with a concerned expression.
"Sunoo?" Sunghoon called out once more, bringing Sunoo back to reality. He met Sunghoon's gaze with wide eyes, feeling the warmth building up in his cheeks as he realized that Sunghoon's hand was clenched with his.
"Haha..." Sunoo awkwardly replied before pulling away, although he didn't really want to.
"I'm fine. Thanks for worrying, though. The water wasn't too hot."
Sunghoon still appeared concerned, though not entirely convinced, but he let Sunoo off with a sigh.
"Really sorry about that. I was just going to get a glass of water, but I didn't realize someone would be here," Sunghoon explained, and Sunoo nodded in understanding. Although, Sunoo would have understood regardless of any explanation, hehe.
"Uhm, since you're here, do you want me to cook you some ramen as well?" Sunoo offered with a smile. Sunghoon raised an eyebrow and had a teasing expression on his face.
"Cook? You're just pouring hot water into a cup," Sunghoon said, technically making sense but obviously joking around. Sunoo looked offended and shot him a side-eye.
"Uhm, I'll have you know that this is technically cooking because I boiled the water and I opened the cup," Sunoo retorted, his tone filled with sass. Sunghoon chuckled and shrugged.
"Whatever you say, love." Oops, that one slipped out, and now both guys were blushing furiously.
"You—" Sunoo began, but his words were cut off by Sunghoon rushing to the ramen section of the kitchen.
"UH, SO ABOUT THAT RAMEN OFFER!" Sunghoon exclaimed enthusiastically, clearly feeling a bit embarrassed. Sunoo, who remained in his spot, was shocked but couldn't help but smile widely, looking like a tomato.
Sunghoon stared at the ramen cup, his face flushed intensely. He couldn't believe he had just embarrassed himself like that. Meanwhile, Sunoo walked over to Sunghoon with a cheeky smile, taking the ramen cup from him.
"You want ramen, love?" Sunoo teased, his hesitation evident but still persisting in teasing Sunghoon. Sunghoon looked up at Sunoo, shock clearly written all over his face. Sunoo couldn't help but giggle before heading off to fill the ramen cup with hot water. Sunghoon remained there, completely dumbfounded.
This was definitely the start of something new.
As Sunoo handed Sunghoon his cup of noodles, the two of them found themselves standing in the kitchen, unsure of what to say next. The silence hung in the air, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was a moment filled with anticipation and the possibility of something more.
Sunghoon took a breath and finally broke the silence, though Sunoo could tell he was nervous. "Uh, thanks Sunoo. I appreciate it."
Sunoo flashed him a cheeky smile. "No problem at all." He giggled before adding, "Just doing my duties as the 1 AM snack provider."
They both chuckled softly, the tension slowly dissipating. Sunghoon took a seat at the nearby dining table, gesturing for Sunoo to join him. Sunoo obliged, taking a seat opposite him.
They started eating their ramen, the sound of slurping noodles filling the room. It was a simple act, but it felt strangely intimate, as if they were sharing a secret moment together.
Sunoo, being the whipped one, couldn't help but steal glances at Sunghoon. He found himself mesmerized by Sunghoon's features, his smile, and the way his eyes sparkled. Sunoo's heart fluttered with each stolen glance, and he couldn't deny the growing affection he felt for Sunghoon.
Sunghoon, on the other hand, couldn't help but notice Sunoo's gaze. He could feel his cheeks heating up under the intensity of Sunoo's eyes. The silence between them felt charged, filled with unspoken words and unexplored possibilities.
After a few minutes of eating in silence, Sunghoon finally spoke up. "Sunoo, can I be honest with you?"
Sunoo's curiosity was piqued, and he nodded eagerly. "Of course, Sunghoon. You can always be honest with me."
Sunghoon took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts and feelings before he spoke. "I've noticed... I've noticed the way you look at me sometimes. And I can't deny that it has sparked something inside me too."
Sunoo's eyes widened in surprise, his heart pounding in his chest. "You... You mean...?"
Sunghoon nodded, a shy smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, I think I might have developed feelings for you too, Sunoo. It took me a while to realize it, but being here with you right now, it just feels right."
Sunoo couldn't believe what he was hearing. The person who had occupied his thoughts day and night, the one he had secretly admired, was confessing that he felt the same way. It felt like a dream come true.
"You're not joking, right?" Sunoo asked, his voice filled with hope.
Sunghoon shook his head, his smile growing wider. "No, Sunoo, I'm not joking. I really do have feelings for you."
A mixture of joy, excitement, and nervousness filled Sunoo's heart. He reached across the table, placing his hand on top of Sunghoon's, their fingers intertwining. A wave of warmth spread through both of them, a silent confirmation of their connection.
"I feel the same way, Sunghoon," Sunoo confessed, his voice filled with sincerity. "More than you could ever imagine."
In that moment, they sat there in silence, their hands intertwined, and their hearts racing with the newfound understanding of their feelings for each other. They continued eating their ramen, the quietude no longer filled with uncertainty but with the promise of a beautiful beginning.
From that night on, their journey together would unfold, filled with laughter, support, and shared dreams. Their connection grew stronger, and they cherished each moment they spent.