JUST BEFORE EXODUS ERA

Jongin wakes up and stretches out lazily on his bed. He’s glad they’re back in the dorm after being in Japan a lot lately for their concerts. They actually got to sleep in for once, but that’ll end soon with the need to get ready for the year end shows and their next album. He glances at Kyungsoo’s bed, already anticipating that he won’t be there. ‘Even on such a rare occasion on this, of course he’ll still be up early, already hard at work on something no doubt.’ Jongin smiles thinking about the object of his affection and feels that familiar sense of pride and respect mixing with all the other warm feelings he has toward the older. As he wanders out to the common room, he’s met with loud chattering and teasing laughter from several of the members. “What’s going on?” he inquires to no one in particular.

“Haven’t you heard? D.O’s apparently a noona killer,” Baekhyun flutters his eyelashes at Kyungsoo mockingly.

The dark-haired boy groans but still blushes at the teasing. “Shut up, Baek.” Jongin is less than pleased that this is the source of commotion and motions with his hands for Baekhyun hurry up and actually explain what he means.

“No way I’m shutting up today, not when a nice high profile dating scandal might be breaking in the group and thank God it’s not about me this time: The rumor of the day is that Kyungsoo’s dating Sojin from Girl’s Day. Look.” He tilts his laptop screen toward Jongin so he can see the news site with various pieces of evidence that the two are dating. “Hey, look with your eyes, not with your hands!” whines Baekhyun as Jongin wrenches the laptop out of his grasp and sits down with it to read more closely.

Couple shoes. Sojin saying her first love came from Gwangjin-gu, where their dorm is. Couple rings. Pics of them on a fishing trip together. Jongin’s silently stewing over this info while Jongdae’s excitedly yelling, “see, even Jongin thinks it might be true!” which is followed by roars of laughter from several other members. Chanyeol interrupts and starts talking about a new drama that just started airing, and the members move on to the new topic of conversation while Jongin’s still reading the article. Kyungsoo sidles over next to him on the couch.

“Hey, put it down,” Kyungsoo says softly in his ear as he places a hand gently on the younger’s. “You know this is ridiculous.”

“Is it?” Jongin replies with a tense jaw.

“Of course it is,” whispers the other. “Those shoes are from one of our sponsors – I kept mine because, let’s face it, they’re black and I pretty much only wear black. And since when do I fish? That picture is supposedly from this past month; between Cart promotions and our concerts, when have I had time to leave the city to fish?” Kyungsoo is raising one eyebrow and twisting his mouth into a bemused smile to express how ludicrous he thinks the whole thing is.

Jongin sets down Baek’s laptop and motions Kyungsoo to follow him. Once they’re both standing in the middle of their room with the door closed, he reaches out and holds Kyungsoo’s hands in his, interlacing their fingers. “Okay, you’re right. Sorry.” He rubs small, apologetic circles on the singer’s palms with his thumbs. “So when are the managers going to send out an official announcement that it’s not true?”

Kyungsoo looks at the dancer like he’s grown two heads. “Um, they’re not. Why would they even bother to address it when it’s so far-fetched?”

“But… but if they don’t say anything, then people will assume the rumors are correct!”

“No, the best way to deal with it is to not acknowledge it and let it die out. An official denial will only fan the flames that there’s something to the rumors and they’re important enough that SM felt they had to release a statement,” argues Kyungsoo.

Jongin growls in frustration. He knows what his hyung is saying makes sense, but he can’t help but feel put out by this. Selfishly, he doesn’t want people to associate Kyungsoo romantically with anyone else, even in rumors. His grip on their interlaced hands gets tighter as he subconsciously tugs the older boy closer as though this can help keep the pale-skinned treasure all to himself. Kyungsoo is smirking at him, watching his reaction carefully.

“And honestly, if Jaehyuk decides to ask me my opinion on it, which he probably won’t,” he prefaces, “I’d still tell him not to say anything.”

“WHY? If they give you a choice, why would you not take it to deny it?”

“Aside from what I already explained? I find it pretty hot when you get all possessive like this.” He bites the corner of his lower lip as he admits this to Jongin, looking at him with mischievous eyes.

Jongin moves his hands behind Kyungsoo’s back and roughly pulls his body close, pressing their foreheads together. “You’re enjoying riling me up?” he growls in a low voice.

“Just a little,” Kyungsoo obviously lies with a naughty grin. He remains still but pliable in the taller’s arms, letting Jongin decide his next moves. “Or maybe a lot.” Jongin starts to move them toward his bed but Kyungsoo resists. “Chanyeol’s out there and could come in at any moment,” he chastises gently. It’s obvious to the younger that Kyungsoo’s relishing the opportunity to further frustrate him. Jongin traps him against the door instead.

“There, now he’s not coming in without us knowing,” he declares right before crashing their lips together and into the other’s mouth, dragging his tongue along the back of his teeth. Kyungsoo’s fingers curl around his collar, tugging him even closer, and his responsive moans are playing havoc with Jongin’s sanity so much that he considers not releasing the man to catch some air even as they seem like they might pass out. Reluctantly, he finally pulls away a little.

Between gasps, Kyungsoo speaks reassuringly. “You know… I’m gay, Jongin… so you’re never going to read a rumor… about me dating some girl… that ever has any truth to it…”

Jongin lets out a chuckle as he’s catching his own breath. “Good to know.” He’s blushing and feeling a little embarrassed now at his jealous reaction. He can’t quite bring himself to look into Kyungsoo’s eyes, and the older boy senses it, brushing back Jongin’s fringe to encourage better eye contact.

“There’s only you,” Kyungsoo assures once their eyes meet. The words sound heavenly and echo in Jongin’s ears, sending courses of electricity through his body. He pulls the singer back in for a deep, languid kiss.

“Mmmm, say it again,” he begs shamelessly against the side of the older’s throat as he gentle lovebites down to his collarbone.

Kyungsoo’s too busy at the feel of Jongin’s breath on his neck and sinful tongue against his skin to comply right away. “There’s, umfh, there’s only you,” he gets out in such a rich, dulcet tone that Jongin thinks he might just from the sound of those words his ego.

They both startle upon hearing Chanyeol’s booming voice from the common room and slowly getting closer. “Alright, alright! I’ll go get it and show you guys. It’s in my room, hang on a minute, okay? Geez, you’re so impatient!”

Luckily, the giant’s monologue in the hallway gives the two enough time to break away and each busy themselves on opposite sides of the room. Jongin pretends to get something under his bed while Kyungsoo’s looking in the closet with an overly thoughtful expression, contemplating which black on black combination he’s going to wear for the day. Chanyeol noisily opens the door and walks straight to his desk drawer, rummaging through it. “Excuse me, just looking for a dvd,” he says without sparing a glance at the others. “Got it!” He races out of the room holding it triumphantly over his head and bangs the door behind him.

Jongin sighs in relief and glances at Kyungsoo.