SKYE’s comeback was successful. Physical sales were good and the public’s response to the music shows were great, despite not winning 1st place. For the past two weeks, Hyukjae has been busy with music shows and other promotional activities. Donghae has also been busy monitoring the results and people’s responses. Donghae went with them to the music show recordings so they’ve been seeing each other everyday still. And then sometimes they’d hang out if they have free time, either just lounging at the rooftop of the agency or at either of their homes.

Tonight is a Friday night and they’re holding a celebratory party for the successful comeback of SKYE. It marks the end of their comeback and the start of their concert season. Hyukjae and Donghae were sitting next to each other as usual. Actually, Donghae came late but the spot next to Hyukjae was left open until he arrived. At this point, everybody knows they’re joined at the hip and it’s already an automatic fact to leave two seats next to each other for them. After all, even if no one does it, they would still end up sitting next to each other - either Donghae worming his way next to Hyukjae (charming everyone to give him the seat) or Hyukjae just sitting next to him when whoever has the seat vacated it for a while (and sometimes unsubtly coerces the person to get up like asking for a favor to get something). 

They’re now laughing loudly together. Hyukjae was being silly again and Donghae took a video of it, and now they’re watching it, very much amused. In Donghae's excitement, he accidentally nudged his cup and the water poured on Hyukjae’s shirt. Donghae howled again in laughter at Hyukjae’s shocked face, but immediately got some tissues to help dry the older one. Hyukjae playfully knocked Donghae’s head in retaliation but still smiling with gums on full display. 

“I have a hoodie. Do you want to wear it instead of that wet shirt?” Donghae said, still chuckling.

“I think that’s best. You really got me soaked, you .”

Donghae rummaged through his bag and pulled out said hoodie and handed it to Hyukjae.

Hyukjae narrowed his eyes. “Is this clean? Please tell me it’s not what you wore earlier in the gym.” 

Donghae looked at him with those mirthful eyes. “I didn’t wear it at the gym, but it’s not really fresh from the laundry either. But don’t worry I haven’t sweated in it; I just wore it over my shirt for a while when I felt cold at the office earlier.”

Hyukjae said okay and went to the restroom to change. As he wore the sweater, he suddenly found himself smiling. He can smell Donghae’s perfume on the hoodie and it makes him feel giddy. He looked at the mirror and the hoodie looks good on him like it’s his own, despite their very different body types. It makes Hyukjae wonder how Donghae would look like in his clothes instead. Hyukjae shook his head with a smile.

By now he has given up on trying not to dream about sweet and romantic couple stuff with Donghae, especially with how close they are and how Donghae treats him. He figured that daydreaming would bring no harm anyway. He’s still not hoping for anything, but he’s given himself the leeway to imagine and fantasize when he’s alone at night, thinking about things like how Donghae fits in his embrace, how he would spoil the heck out of Donghae if he’s his boyfriend (not that he doesn’t), how he would kiss Donghae’s pouts away, how they’d dance romantically holding each other, how their hands would fit together, how Donghae would look at him with loving eyes after pulling a surprise, how Donghae would look wrecked and beautiful under him or breathless and hot above him…

Not now, Hyukjae.

Hyukjae pulled himself out of his daydream and walked out to the restroom back to the tables. He saw Donghae talking animatedly to the other staff and he smiled. As much as he loves spending time with Donghae, he doesn’t want to monopolize the younger one’s time. He knows that Donghae is like a sponge that absorbs good mood from people’s attention and company, and he’s glad whenever he sees Donghae being his sunshine self with other people as well. 

Though honestly, when he sees Donghae being touchy with other people, he gets the urge to grab him and take him away. But of course he doesn’t do that because he has no right to do so. (Though he childishly took Donghae’s attention back to him more than once or twice when this happened.)

He sat back down on his seat and turned to Kyuhyun instead. “Hey, I’m surprised you’re not drinking much tonight.” 

“Yeah, I’m pacing myself.”

“After abstaining for weeks for the live shows? Is this you, Kyu?” Hyukjae mocked.

“I’m going to accompany Ryeowook tomorrow