Archive of Our Own ^beta

How did it come to this? Xinlong is just as clueless as anyone. What was supposed to be a quiet night turned into chaos the moment Geonwoo casually suggested, “We haven’t had a group night in.” Within minutes, everyone jumped on board. Now, the dorm’s living room looks like a war zone, pillows and blankets scattered everywhere, snacks half-eaten on the coffee table, someone’s hoodie draped over the sofa arm. 

But Xinlong won’t deny it’s fun. They play games, throw out dry jokes, and of course, wrestle, that’s practically tradition at this point. The air rings with laughter and lighthearted teasing, and for the first time in weeks, none of them are thinking about practice or rehearsals.

It’s the weekend, which means no alarms and no schedules. Still, having an eomma in the group makes true rebellion impossible. Junseo, ever the responsible one, sets their official bedtime at 2 a.m. It’s still pretty early, but no one complains. They’re all wrecked from a week of nonstop dance practice anyway, their bodies ache, but their hearts feel full.

After washing his face, brushing his teeth, and finishing his skincare routine, Xinlong feels sleep tugging at him. From the hallway, he can still hear faint laughter drifting from the kitchen, Leo and Sanghyeon bickering over something ridiculous. The dorm has gone quiet in that sleepy, post-midnight way, shadows stretching across the floor. 

He pads into the living room, where the only light spills faintly from the doorway, just enough to catch shapes and outlines. He heads for his spot, the far left near the balcony’s sliding door and right next to Anxin. But when he gets there, his eyes catch a small figure nestled between Anxin and Jiahao.

He blinks. Maybe he’s tired, or maybe it’s just the way the moonlight falls but Lee Sangwon. Gosh. He looks almost unreal tonight. His hair is soft and fluffy, still freshly washed, his cheeks are pink from the chill of the AC, his lips glisten faintly with lip balm. Even the oversized sweater hangs loosely off his shoulders, revealing a glimpse of pale collarbone. Xinlong still can’t quite believe how someone could look this beautiful without even trying.

He shakes his head and quietly slips under his blanket, careful not to wake anyone. The hum of the air conditioner and the faint sound of someone snoring make the room feel cozy, almost magical. Just as his eyes start to close, he feels the blanket shift and then warmth spreads beside him.

He turns his head, and there he is.

“Hyung?” Xinlong whispers.

“Hi.” Sangwon replies softly, his voice small and sweet. He smiles, and the corners of his eyes crinkle in that way that always makes Xinlong’s chest tighten.

“Hi, hyung. What are you doing here?”

“Anxin wanted to sleep next to Jiahao. Basically, he kicked me out.”

Xinlong props himself up on one elbow, just enough to peek over. Sure enough, Anxin is wrapped tightly around Jiahao like a koala, mumbling something in his sleep.

Xinlong chuckles and flops back onto his pillow. “I’m sorry.”

Sangwon giggles. “Why are you apologizing, dummy? I’m fine. Actually… it’s better right next to you.”

That soft laugh does something to him. Xinlong would never admit it, not to anyone, not even himself, but his feelings for the older boy are complicated. Every touch, every smile, every teasing word from Sangwon leaves a trace in his chest that refuses to fade. He’s thought about it during practice, during meals, even on stage. And now, lying beside him in the dark, it’s almost too much.

“Hyung.”

“Hm?”

“Can I kiss you?”

“H-huh?” Sangwon squeaks, eyes wide but before he can react, Xinlong leans forward and presses a soft kiss to his forehead.

Sangwon’s cheeks flush at once. He blinks, lips parting slightly as his fingers rise to touch the spot where Xinlong’s lips had been.

“Pretty hyung,” Xinlong murmurs, a quiet chuckle slipping out when he catches Sangwon’s reaction. “You’re so cute.”

“Y-yah, at least give me a warning next time, Longlong!” Sangwon sputters, his ears turning a deep shade of red.

“I technically did, hyung,” Xinlong says with a teasing grin. “Come here.” He opens his arms invitingly.

“No. Meanie Longlong.”

Xinlong laughs quietly. How could someone be this adorable? He shifts closer anyway, wrapping an arm around Sangwon’s petite waist and pulling him into his space.

“Clingy,” Sangwon mutters, but there’s no real protest. He hugs back, snuggling comfortably against Xinlong’s chest.

The warmth between them is perfect. Soft breaths, steady heartbeats, and the faint baby powder scent of Sangwon’s shampoo. Xinlong presses another gentle kiss on top of Sangwon’s head. “Let’s sleep. It’s late. Goodnight, Wonie hyung. Dream of me.”

Sangwon rolls his eyes but smiles. “Goodnight, giant baby.” He tilts up slightly to place a feather-light kiss on Xinlong’s jawline before resting his head back down.

Xinlong freezes for a moment, heartbeat stuttering. “Ah, stop making me fall harder for you, hyung,” he mumbles, barely audible.

Sangwon snorts softly. “Shh. Sleep or I won’t dream of you.”

That shuts him up immediately. Xinlong grins into the darkness, trying not to move, afraid that if he does, the moment will break.

Minutes pass, or maybe hours– he’s not sure. The world grows quieter, softer. His face sinks into Sangwon’s hair, breathing in the faint softness. For the first time in weeks, his muscles finally relax.

Xinlong doesn’t know when sleep actually claims him, only that when he blinks his eyes open again, the room feels quieter than before. The air is still cool, the faint hum of the AC steady, but something is different. Warmer. He realizes. Sangwon. 

His arms are still wrapped around Sangwon’s small body. What made him so bold last night? 

He doesn’t dare to move. Not when Sangwon’s face is right there, only inches away. The faint streak of dawn light slipping through the curtains brushes gently across his features, revealing everything in delicate detail. His lashes rest against his cheeks, long and soft. His lips part slightly with each slow breath. His hair, messy from sleep, tousled in the cutest way. 

Xinlong’s arm should ache by now from the weight pressed against it, but it doesn’t. Maybe it’s because an angel is the one sleeping on it. Right then, the older boy shifts even closer, their legs tangled beneath the shared blanket, his small hand loosely clutching Xinlong’s shirt. With how close they are, Xinlong can feel the pulse of their heartbeats, a steady rhythm matching each other.

Careful not to wake him, Xinlong reaches out, brushing a few strands of hair that have fallen across Sangwon’s face. The silk of it slips between his fingers, soft and cool against his skin. He tucks it gently behind Sangwon’s ear, lingering for a moment as his heart swells at the sight. There’s something almost unreal about it, this quiet, beautiful moment no one else gets to see.

“So beautiful.” he whispers, almost to himself.

Sangwon stirs slightly, mumbling incoherently, his brows knitting before his body relaxes again. Cute. Xinlong grins softly to himself, closing his eyes once more.

If this is what peace feels like, he thinks, he could stay like this forever.

The next thing he knows, voices pierce through the haze of sleep.

“Oh, are they—?!”

“Shh! You’ll wake them!”

“Anxin, shut up! You’re loud as hell!”

“Yah! You too!”

Xinlong blinks blearily just as Sanghyeon tiptoes past with his phone out, whispering to Jiahao, “Aw, they’re so cute.”

Sangwon groans beside him, annoyed by the loud commotion. His voice is rough, whiny with sleep. “Hmm… what time is it…”

Junseo appears from the hallway, holding a cup of coffee and wearing that teasing smile, “Good morning, lovebirds~”

Sangwon instantly detangles himself from the warmth aka Xinlong and sits up, face flushing crimson. “I-It’s not what it looks like!”

Xinlong grins lazily, sits up and drapes an arm around Sangwon’s middle. “Morning, hyung. Sleep well?” His voice comes out deep and husky, the kind that makes Sangwon’s stomach twist.

Before Sangwon can even react, Xinlong leans in and nuzzles gently against his soft cheek. A fleeting brush that sends a startled squeak tumbling out of him. “X-Xinlong!” His hands come up in weak protest as he tries to push him away, cheeks blooming pink.

The dorm instantly bursts into laughter. Sanghyeon is doubled over, nearly dropping his phone as Anxin wheezes beside him, while Geonwoo groans and tosses a pillow in their direction for being too loud early in the morning.

“Looks like we’ve found the clingy one!” Leo calls out from the kitchen, still laughing.

Mortified, Sangwon buries his face in his hands, voice muffled. “I hate you guys!” he mutters.

Xinlong only laughs softly, his tone gentle now as he leans closer, his breath warm against Sangwon’s ear. “You don’t hate me, right?" he whispers.

Sangwon peeks up, sweater paws covering half of his face, eyes bright even as he tries to hide his smile. “...Maybe not,” he murmurs, the words shy but fond.

Junseo sighs from the hallway, shaking his head. “Hopeless. All of you”.

Xinlong chuckles, gaze lingering on Sangwon. His pretty lips pouting, cheeks still adoring soft pink hue and his cute nose scrunches when Anxin keeps on teasing him. In that small, glowing moment, Xinlong thinks, yeah.. I could get used to this.

end.