Jongin is so excited, he's bouncing around the dressing room like a New Year's firecracker.

"Someone tranquilize him. I'm getting a headache from his frenetic energy," Junmyeon complains, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"It's dot, the tour finale, the first performances of a bunch of new songs," Jongin counters, grinning widely as he goes through the choreography for Jekyll for the hundredth time. His cropped jacket is going to let everyone see the intricate movements of his waist, and he wants to get the body rolls and twists just right for tonight.

"Yeah, yeah, we all know why you're really hyped up," Baekhyun singsongs. "I'm excited he'll be here, too."

Kyungsoo had told them on his previous military leave that he'd put in the request to come for one of the dot concerts, but was still waiting to hear which day the army would clear him to go to. They got the notice just yesterday, and Jongin could hardly sleep for all the excitement.

It’s not just that Kyungsoo will be able to watch the show. It’s that Kyungsoo will get to be a proper part of the audience, to have a true Kai fan experience for the first time ever, and Jongin is hellbent on making it a memorable experience.

His face lights up as his phone pings with a message from Kyungsoo, telling him where his seat is in the arena. It’s too bad the company can’t put him closer, but it’s a good spot with easy escape routes in case a fan gets out of line. It ing they have to strategically plan for such scenarios, but alas: People are scary.

When the lights go up and he hits the stage, Jongin goes all out. He holds nothing back, in the new choreographies and old. His Confession and Spoiler stage is extra lewd and he knows it, hoping it pushes all the right buttons. (He secretly hopes a fan in the audience records Kyungsoo reaction so he can savor it later. He misses those big doe eyes blown wide with wonder as he’d rehearse just for Kyungsoo in the SM practice rooms. Jongin remembers the look he got the first night he tried out his last solo routine with the body chain: they ended up ing on the practice room floor to I See You on loop.)

He tries to favor Kyungsoo’s side of the stage as much as he can without getting out of position, smiling to himself about the time the two of them wound up in the same spot and argued over who was mistaken. The memory floods back to him and causes his smile to bloom with nostalgia. Gosh, he misses having Kyungsoo up here with him…

Before he knows it, the night is winding down, and they’re performing Angel. Jongin jogs toward his own angel, looking out into the crowd to lock eyes with him, and salutes him before pouring his heart into their special song. 

Even if it’s a small thing,
I want to protect you for always
So you won’t ever have to suffer, I’m eternally love

The show ends, and Jongin bounds backstage, eager to get toweled off and freshened up. He checks his phone and giggles excitedly as he sees Kyungsoo did a play-by-play of his live reactions via text.

Our opening VCR is usually so dramatic, what is this hokey videogame stuff XD

You’re a superhot drag racer. Don’t we have a fanfic like this? Time to reread.

Those glasses look great, hope you still have them

Cropped leather jacket: you have no respect for my sanity, I see

Ya, tell Baek to go easy on those rolling hills hips. I think a fangirl a few rows down legitimately fainted.

He tucks his phone away in his back pocket, satisfied to save the rest for later, because Kyungsoo should be backstage any minute now. Jongin paces by the door, rocking back and forth on his heels.

“I don’t know how you can stand after three hours of dancing and the heat of the stage lights,” Junmyeon mumbles at him from a chair, exhaustedly slouched against the upholstery. “Sit down already.”

Just then, the door opens and Kyungsoo walks in. Jongin immediately tackle-hugs him before the others can swarm him.

Kyungsoo grunts at the impact and lets out a soft chuckle, hugging Jongin around his middle. His nose presses against the side of Jongin’s neck, and Jongin can feel Kyungsoo’s lips curl into a smile against his skin as he murmurs, “good to see you too, babe.”

“No hogging him!!” Jongdae yells. “I didn’t even get to have lunch with him last time he had leave, you two just holed up in your apartment the whole time.”

Chanyeol and Jongdae crowd around, joining the hug while playfully mocking Jongin by cooing “we looove you, Kyungsoo.” Jongin feels someone tickle his armpits and drops his arms from around Kyungsoo in reflex. It’s Baekhyun, of course, ready to steal his spot and give annoying smoochy smooches to Kyungsoo’s forehead, imitating Jongin in overdramatic fashion.

“Oh Kyungsoo, oh how can I live without you, please desert your post and live in my pocket foreverrrr,” Baek wails.

“I’m not that bad,” Jongin pouts.

“Yes you are,” Sehun says flatly, pushing a towel into Jongin’s chest before addressing the beagle-line all crushing Kyungsoo. “Now move, I need a hug from my favorite hyung, too.”

“Hey!” Junmyeon scoffs from his chair, offended. He gets up and comes to rub Kyungsoo’s shaved head affectionately and elbow their bratty maknae until Sehun is