“Hyukjae and I have been together for a long time, I can tell him everything easily and openly.”

“Donghae gets lonely easily, I need to take care of him.”

Hyukjae always found it endearing. Those little things his best friend did for him. It would never fail to fill his chest with warm giddiness. Like right now as he adoringly gazed across the table, a fleeting glance really but as usual Donghae met that gaze and smiled that restrained smile which Hyukjae would protest against

Smile more silly, he would say, it’s a beautiful smile so don't be so self-conscious on variety shows, be confident.

Donghae would then proceed to hug Hyukjae like the koala hybrid he was -if off-cam, and if they had cameras trained at them, he would resort to half-assed attempts of whacking Hyukjae on the face and neck or pulling his ear.

Hyukjae felt another gentle squeeze on his hand  as the MC made another funny comment about his facial expressions while dancing, Hyukjae laughed along, keeping that bright smile, playing along with jokes on the variety show . He also did not forget to return those reassuring glances to Donghae whenever it was his turn to be made fun of, even if it was Hyukjae himself making fun of Donghae’s acting. Donghae knew, those laughing eyes of Hyukjae told him things no one else could read. Hyukjae would end up laying his arm gently over Donghae’s shoulder which would fill Donghae with a sense of security and confidence.

Later they would both grin like idiots when they would read fan accounts stating how instead of getting mad, Donghae lovingly smiled at Hyukjae . Those slaps that turned into caresses. Instead of being offended, laughing his of as if Hyukjae had told the world’s best joke, or even a talking Hyukjae could send Donghae into extreme fits of laughter, Hyukjae loved that. Their insults that sounded like flirting, the endless complimenting on shows and interviews. The discreet smiles during interviews.

“Donghae is very handsome and hardworking, when I look at him I feel energized."

“Hyukjae is not good looking only when dancing, but when singing and rapping too.”

Touching each other’s shoulders and thighs, smiling and touching some more. Their hearts were connected in such a manner, linked by heartwarming hugs, playful winks and whispers of "don't take it to heart" kept them going. They never feared it, they cherished it. Sure they were no angels and they didn't live in paradise. After loud arguments, stomping off in fury, shouting at each others backs to tearful apologies and long, heart felt hugs, they cherished it all. They loved what they had. Those little things that touched their hearts.

Defining what they had would be like setting conditions, while they loved unconditionally and sincerely, the kind of love that touched hearts of absolute strangers.

Those little things.