The moment he could finally hear the older´s voice again was about one and a half years later, when Yesung finally returned from social service. As Yesung wanted to return the same way he went – without much attention, they had decided to just have a nice dinner at the dorms, even though some of the members had already moved out.

Ryeowook had spent every free minute over at the dorms, helping with the cleaning. He went as far as even taking the day off when it was time for Yesung to return, ones again spending the whole day in the kitchen, preparing innumerous dishes. Only this time Kyuhyun joined him in the kitchen, though the older always kept him in great distance to the pots. Instead Kyuhyun kept watching him and if Ryeowook was honest it made him feel uncomfortable. He was already nervous enough as it was. Not that he wasn´t happy about his best friend returning but it also worried him. What if things had changed between them? What if they were not only both living outside the dorm now, but if it causes them to drifted apart?

His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden sting in his wrist. Cursing silently he quickly pulled his hand away from the burning hot pot and placed it under cold running water. Seconds later Kyuhyun was standing behind him.

»Ryeonggu, are you ok? « The Maknae´s voice sounded seriously worried.

»I am fine « he held up his wrist demonstratively.

»I am not talking about your wrist, Ryeonggu! «

»I am fine. « The older was about to turn back to the stove but Kyuhyun´s raised eyebrow let him stop in his tracks. »Fine, I am nervous! What if things are different between us, Kyukyu? « The Eternal Maknae sounded almost desperate but the younger just let out a quiet laugh.

»Come on, you two have been talking at least ones a week. How can you think things between you two would change? «

»I don´t know. I am just so nervous. «Ryeowook muttered as he turned back to his cooking.

»Ryeonggu, you two are made for each other. Everybody knows that! «The Maknae sounded so honest and Ryeowook couldn´t help but blush a little.

»Stop joking! «

»I am not joking! Everyone can see you two have the hots for each other. « The younger´s voice was teasingly now but he turned serious again when Ryeowook sent him an angry stare. »Ryeonggu, why don´t you just confess already, see how it goes? «

»As if I could! I can´t risk everything, and you know that! And now I have to finish the food! « He turned his concentration back on the food and Kyuhyun seemed to get the wink as he left the kitchen in favor of annoying one of the other Hyungs.

Later that day he was ones again standing in front of his wardrobe, pulling out one piece of clothes after another in search for the perfect outfit. After trying what felt like a hundred different outfits and a teasing comment from Kyuhyun, he finally settled for a simple pair of jeans and a shirt, Yesung had gifted to him for x-mas a few years ago. When he was finally satisfied with his outfit and make-up he returned to the kitchen. The others had already prepared the table and were now spread out across the couch and chairs.

Finishing the last touches on the food he joined Kyuhyun on one of the armchairs, enrolling in a casual conversation with the other members, but the further time pasted by the more nervous he got. Their manager had already gone to pick up their oldest main vocal and it would only be minutes until they would be here.

When he finally heard the door open, he was the first one to jump up but the other members beat him on the way to the door. The moment Yesung stepped into the common area, a bright smile spread across Ryeowook´s face and he had to suppress the will to just launch forward and hug the other – he didn´t want to seem desperate. Instead he just watched as the others hugged their returned member tightly. It wasn´t like they didn´t see each other during Yesung´s social service but it still was something different to welcome a member back. He himself had seen his best friend just two weeks but seeing him now, knowing that he could see him every day from now on, was something else, and he would be lying if he said he wasn´t excited about it. His thoughts were interrupted by a soft laugh of the voice he loved so much.

»Hey Wookie, you’re not gonna welcome me back? «

»I…I…Of course not. I mean…« he could hear the other members laughing at his stuttering but he couldn´t bring himself to care as Yesung wrapped his arms around him the next moment. He hesitated for a moment but then he wrapped his arms around the older in return, pulling himself just a little closer. Taking a deep breath, he enjoyed the feeling of being hugged by the other, but when his heart was beating so wildly, that he worried Yesung might notice he quickly pulled back. For a moment it felt like the older didn´t want to let him go but then the other´s arms loosened around him and he was sure he was just imagining things.

The rest of the evening went by rather uneventful. They are and talked for hours but Ryeowook kept mostly in the back, watching as the others were being their usual dorky self. He knew it was egoistic, but he just wanted to spend some time alone with the older. Instead Yesung didn´t even seem to pay attention to him but just kept joking around with the other members.

When their oldest main vocal started touching the other´s member´s philtrum, he had enough and retreated into the kitchen to wash all the dishes. Different from the day Yesung had went, the older didn´t follow him this time. Instead he could hear him laughing loudly with the others and he felt his heart tighten painfully as he scrubbed the pot angrily. They were only friends and yet he was already feeling jealous of the older laughing with the other members. Suddenly the thought of what will happen if his best friend ever found a girlfriend crossed his mind but he quickly pushed it to the back of his mind as tears started to well up in his eyes. He quickly finished the dishes and stepped into the common area again but what he saw turned his mood even worse. Heechul was sitting beside Yesung and had his arm winded around his shoulders. Clenching his fists he tried his best to calm himself down. He knew he shouldn´t be jealous of his own members, after all they were all like brothers, but he just couldn´t help it. He had wished to finally be able to spend more time with his best friend, but so far they didn´t exchange any more words other than their greeting.

Not wanting to watch any more, he decided that it was time for him to go home. Clearing his throat he tried to get the other´s attention but they were too busy talking, to notice him. Settling for just telling their leader, he quickly made his way over into the hallway. He was about to grab his jacket and step out of the door, when he was stopped by the voice he loved to hear the most.

»Wookie, wait! I am coming with you. «

»But Hyung…« Ryeowook didn´t know how to react to this. It made him happy that the other obviously wanted to leave together with him but he didn´t want to ruin the evening for the others just because he couldn´t keep his feelings in bay.

»No, buts. It is late anyways. We should all go to sleep soon « Heechul intervened and the other members nodded in agreement.

»See « Yesung send him a bright smile before handing him his jacket. »Let´s go! «

After saying their good byes, they ended up in the elevator about 15 minutes later. Bobbing on his heels the Eternal Maknae tried to say anything to interrupt the awkward silence in the elevator but he was too scared his nervousness might cause him to stutter. They had never had problems to talk with each other but something felt different today. There was this strange tension in the air today, he just couldn´t explain.

»Hey Wookie, are you ok? « The other´s gentle voice and his warm hand on his shoulder brought Ryeowook back to reality and he quickly nodded so the older wouldn´t worry about him. Yet, the older didn´t seem convinced.

»Are you sure? « Yesung´s voice sounded worried seriously worried.

»I am fine. Just thinking. « He send the older the most convincing smile he could muster and the smile he received in return took his breath away.

»Wookie, I know it´s late, but would you like to come to my place to watch a movie? We haven´t done this since forever. «

»I don´t know. I still have my car here « Ryeowook´s heart just screamed for him to say “Yes!” but his mind was hesitant. Even though he was happy about the older wanting to spend some time alone with him but the thought about being alone with him in his home made him uncomfortable. Not that he didn´t want it but he was a little worried he might make any mistake that would reveal his real feelings. Yesung didn´t seem to want to give up yet.

»I don´t have my car here. So why don´t we take your car to my place and then you can go home from there. What do you think? « The older´s voice sounded so hopeful that the Eternal Maknae just couldn´t help but agree.

Not even an hour later they were both sitting on the couch in Yesung´s living room, popcorn and drinks in front of them and a historical drama running on TV. Yesung had been right. It had been a while since they had done this but now it was almost as if no time had passed since then. The feeling of comfort was there like always when the older was near him, and Ryeowook couldn´t help but want to scoot just a little closer, but he restrained himself.

Suddenly an arm was placed around his shoulder and a small hand rested itself on his shoulder. Before he could react to it he was carefully pulled into his best friend´s side. The Eternal Maknae stiffened for a moment as his heart ones again started to beat wildly, but as the hand on his shoulder started to softly up and down, he relaxed slowly. A small smile placed itself on his lips, as he decided to forget his worries about being found out and snuggled just a little closer into the older´s embrace, enjoying the feeling of being held.

»I am glad you agreed to come with me, Wookie. « The softness of the older´s voice send shivers down Ryeowook´s spine and his heart started to beat even harder.

»Me too. « The Eternal Maknae´s voice was nothing more than a whisper but it seemed the older heard him anyways if the way he was pulled just a little deeper into the other´s warmness, was anything to go by.

As they kept watching the movie in silence, Yesung´s arm around his shoulders, Ryeowook decided that as long as, ones in a while, he was able to spend his time with the older like this, he would be totally fine.