Keeping a relationship in the shadows when their job subjects them under the spotlight has its challenges--they have to be creative in finding ways to inconspicuously show public affection to each other.

 

 

Take for instance in today's dance practice for their comeback title song, while it's just their members currently in the room, Jongin feels the need to be discreet in wanting to have a bit of an alone time with Kyungsoo even if the members are all aware of their relationship. It's just common courtesy, to not mix personal activities during work hours. However, Jongin can't help it as this is his first week of practice with Kyungsoo, who has just completed military service. He missed him dearly and he just wants to be alone with Kyungsoo now while they're currently having a 20-minute break, and the dance practice room is  one of the safest places where they can be together without a lens pointed at them, or curious eyes monitoring their every move.

 

 

So when Kyungsoo thanks him for teaching the parts of the dance that Kyungsoo was taking time to execute properly, Jongin feigns hurt and cradles his own wrist in his other hand. "Hyung, ah wait. My right wrist suddenly feels stiff, I can't move it."

 

 

"What? Let me see? No, wait. Don't move it further. I'll just call manager to take you to the doctor."  Kyungsoo is quick to reply, a bit panicky and already aiming to walk out the door and find said person.

 

 

But Jongin stops him with a gentle tug on his shirt. "No hyung, I just..." Jongin hesitates, "I don't think it's serious. Just, please. Massage it for me?" He continues, meaningfully looking at Kyungsoo and hopes he gets his real message across.

 

 

Kyungsoo does, as expected, and he sighs as he leads Jongin, who's currently hiding his giddiness, to settle on one of the cream-colored couches on the corner of the practice room. It is away from the members who are currently doing other things while they're on a short break from practicing their new dance, allowing Kyungsoo to whisper, "you're so cheeky, you just wanted to hold my hand, didn't you?

 

 

Jongin nods with a tiny giggle, heart warming at how Kyungsoo still indulges him by reaching for his right hand to give it a massage-- starting from his wrist up to the tips of his fingers. Kyungsoo is about to raise Jongin's hand to give each of his knuckles a kiss when their quiet moment is interrupted.

 

 

By none other than Baekhyun.

 

 

Their quiet moment is interrupted when Baekhyun calls out to them, camera in tow, "hey, you two. I'm gonna film an off-take shoot for the special MV of 'Just as Usual'. Stop holding hands for a bit."

 

 

Jongin lets out an audible sigh.

 

 

"Does it have to be now?" He stares straight at Baekhyun, catching Kyungsoo's hand and holding on to it when he feels him start to let go.

 

 

"It'll be quick, Jongin. Then I'll leave you to resume. I promise." Baekhyun replies with a level gaze, and Jongin's about to retort when Kyungsoo pats his hand and moves slightly further away to sit on the arm of the couch. Jongin doesn't let him sit too far away though as he scoots closer to him.

 

 

"Okay, look at the camera please!" Baekhyun chirps.

 

 

Both of them then wave at the camera.

 

 

"Thank you! Now that was quick, wasn't it, Jongin?" Baekhyun asks as he stops filming.

 

 

Jongin had enough and was again about to snap back when Sehun suddenly joins them in the couch.

 

 

"What's up?"

 

 

"Sehun! Come here let's film too." Baekhyun leads him to the other side of the couch and starts to record themselves. They make silly faces at the camera that don't make it to the final cut of the MV, but it's enough to make Kyungsoo laugh at the moment as he draws Jongin to an embrace.

 

 

Jongin gives him a confused look but snuggles up to his tummy anyway.

 

 

"It's alright Jongin. They probably have an idea why we went here." Kyungsoo giggles as he rubs Jongin's back.

 

 

"Yeah! And we can't have you both enjoying each other's company alone. 'Cause we are one!" Baekhyun teases, obviously listening to their conversation, and making Sehun snort.

 

 

Jongin wants to kick them both. Thanks to these two, alone time with Kyungsoo-hyung is semi-foiled.

 

 

And Kyungsoo, Kyungsoo's just laughing his deep soft laugh as he's just happy to be back.

 

 

Back to EXO, and back to Jongin.