After the movie, in which Donghae cried and Hyukjae ended up repeatedly wiping his tears and rubbing his shoulders, they went to the kitchen together. Hyukjae got some water for both of them (yes he cried a bit too) and sat down on the table beside Donghae.

"You still cry a lot even if you've watched it many times?" Hyukjae teased lightly. 

"Sometimes not so much. But I'm kind of feeling emotional tonight, so yeah."

Hyukjae remembers Donghae's IG story and worries that maybe something serious actually happened that made him sad. 

"Did something happen? What's wrong?"

Donghae looked down at the glass he's holding. "Nothing. I…I don't know. I just feel sad for no reason. There's times like that, right?"

Doubting the evasive answer, Hyukjae didn't speak for a moment, but decided not to push the issue if Donghae didn't want to share. He nodded instead. 

"So…Were you lonely without Kyu so you went here?"

This reminded Hyukjae that Donghae was sulking earlier but has now apparently forgotten about it or moved past it. 

Chuckling, Hyukjae decided to just answer truthfully. "Actually, I thought you were mad. You suddenly didn't talk to me earlier and you didn't even message me or anything."

Donghae looked down again, then covered his mouth as he laughed bashfully.

Hyukjae raised his eyebrow at that. "Were you really?"

Donghae finally looked at him. "Ah, I'm embarrassed now. You caught me. I feel so petty."

Hyukjae grins at the confirmation. "So you were!"

"Yes, I was sulking because we didn't go home together. That’s why I’m sad."

"You're so clingy," Hyukjae said with a chuckle.

Donghae playfully stuck out his tongue. "Too bad for you." 

Good for me, actually.

Deciding to divert the topic because otherwise he'd be smiling so obviously, Hyukjae looked around. "Do you want a midnight snack? Maybe some ramen?" 

"Should I remind you that you have a photoshoot and recording tomorrow?" Donghae teased.

Hyukjae pouts. "But I'm hungry."

Donghae chuckled fondly and went to open the refrigerator. "Here, let's have some oranges instead."

Hyukjae automatically reached out to peel one and gave it to Donghae then peeled another one for himself.

“Actually though, even if you eat ramen tonight and look a bit puffy tomorrow morning for the photoshoot, you’d still look handsome anyway,” Donghae said as he munched on the orange.

He’s now used to Donghae randomly giving him compliments but still feels flattered anyway.

“You’re right though. I already ate ramen for dinner. Though I did all the countermeasures I could to make my face less puffy tomorrow, I shouldn’t add more ramen to my body tonight.” Hyukjae laughed.

“So even if you’re already 12 years in the industry, you’re still very careful about those things?”

“We all are. It’s part of being an idol. The many restrictions are etched on us now.”

Donghae purses his lips. “Restrictions like secretly dating?

Hyukjae gives a lopsided smile. “Especially that.”

“So….have you dated a lot?”

“In my early 20s, yes.”

“But not now? Why?”

“I guess I just matured? Got hurt a number of times too. And I’m now at that point in my life where I’m not interested in fleeting romances anymore, or risking everything I worked hard for for someone I’m not sure I’d be with for the rest of my life.”

Donghae nodded, thinking it through.

“How about you?” Hyukjae asked, trying to sound nonchalant when in fact he’s nervous to hear Donghae’s answer.

Donghae shook his head with a chuckle. “That’s a lot to unpack.”

“Well, I have time.”

Donghae raised his eyebrow as he looked at the digital clock in the living room, reflecting a little past midnight already.

“It’s okay, we’re still eating anyway,” Hyukjae insisted.

“If you say so.” Donghae gave in with a grin.

“So?”