Everyone knows that Hyukjae is a breathtaking dancer. He dances all the way through his fingertips, he can move like a snake slithering gracefully towards his prey, but also through sharp, explosive movements that even professional dancers would be jealous of.

And everyone also kinda knows that Jongwoon is… not that. Jongwoon’s great at singing, he takes pride in that, state-of-the-art voice and what not, but dancing — it’s his achilles heel that he has been trying to not let it get to him since debut.

Jongwoon has always loved watching Hyukjae dance. It was the way everyone wouldn’t be able to look away when he was on stage, just simply in his element. Jongwoon especially liked it when Hyukjae would be able to troubleshoot any hiccups for the rest of the members easily, because he was just that attuned to how a movement should look and feel like, even when it’s not performed by his own body. The most annoying part for Jongwoon was that Hyukjae didn’t even need to try hard! It was as if dancing and Hyukjae were synonymous.

It’s not that he’s a terrible dancer, per se — he’s been an idol for more than a decade, alright. But maybe it’s his injured back, maybe he’s really getting old (even if he hates to admit it), but dancing just seems to take a toll on him more and more these few days. The frustration, coupled with the stress, has led to more difficulties falling asleep, less appetite, more mood swings, and he’s just becoming more and more miserable in general, which he hates to see himself become. He knew that the members could tell that something was wrong, but everyone was also busy, including him, so no one really spoke to him about it. Jongwoon didn’t know if he should be grateful for this or not.

So when Hyukjae asked him out for coffee one day, Jongwoon did not expect Hyukjae to look so worried and stressed, before asking him Is everything okay, hyung? You don’t look good, recently. I’m very worried, you know? Please tell me what’s wrong.

Jongwoon was hesitant to say anything. To say it out loud was to come to terms with his insecurity, and he didn’t expect to come to this cafe date(?) to be vulnerable, to open up to Hyukjae, who is such a beautiful dancer to him, but another look at Hyukjae’s bright, worried eyes made him cave.

“I— I think this sounds very stupid, Hyukjae-ah. It's been so hard for me to dance lately, I don’t know what’s wrong suddenly, but it’s just tougher and I’m so easily tired after our practices. I feel like I’m dragging everyone down, when everyone is already busy enough, but I really—”

“Is it your back? Does it hurt when you dance?”

“Maybe… just a little. But that’s not the point, Hyukkie. I’m still—”

“Hyung! Why didn’t you say this earlier? I would have spoken to our choreographers or something. I could tell that you were not feeling well, but I didn’t know that—”

Wow, there goes all his pride. “You could tell that I was struggling?!”

“Of course, hyung. I’m always looking at you, you just don’t know it.”

Besides a soft “A-ah”,  Jongwoon didn’t know what else to say to that. But before he could dwell on it further, Hyukjae continued.

“Can you let me help you, hyung? I don’t want you to feel so stressed out by yourself… Maybe we can stay back for more practice together? I’ll help you to keep a lookout for your back too. I still remember the massage routine for it.”

“That was years ago, Hyukjae, when I first showed you the video.”

—

When their first session came, Jongwoon realised that agreeing to a dance practice with Hyukjae alone was a terrible idea.

It wasn’t like they hadn’t practiced together before. But usually, it was always with members around, and it wouldn’t last for more than half an hour since it was just casual practices to run over some steps.

But this time, knowing that it was something purposeful, something planned, with just two of them in the same room for half a day, Jongwoon swallowed hard.

Even during the usual dance practices with the group, Hyukjae would always take charge. He would command the practices suavely and confidently, his sharp eyes always darting around at s’ movements to spot any mistakes. During these times, Jongwoon would always admire the younger quietly, his heart sometimes skipping a beat when their eyes meet in the studio’s mirrors.

Now, it was as if everything was amplified. It did not help that Hyukjae decided to start touching him so much to correct his postures and guide his movements.

“Arch your back more, hyung. Does it hurt? You're good? Okay, push your chest into my hand— mhm, that was great.”

“Yes, so good, Jongwoon hyung. I love the way you moved there.”

“Okay, you’re doing so well, hyung. Just help me to soften your arms— yeah, that’s right, that’s beautiful.”

Jongwoon swallowed hard again. Hyukjae was standing right behind him, their bodies inches apart, as the younger adjusted his limbs — a soft caress on the forearm, a quick tap on the outer thigh, a warm grip on his shoulder, a strong hold on his hips — all while Hyukjae's low voice uttered sweet praises beside Jongwoon’s ears and their eyes trained on each other’s in the mirror. Jongwoon hoped that Hyukjae wouldn’t be able to hear his racing heartbeat with their proximity. He also vaguely wondered if dancing actually was a form of flirting, because why was everything so heated? The older felt like he was just a pliable little doll being played with how Hyukjae was repositioning him, telling him what to do, and he could only comply dumbly. It didn’t help that Hyukjae was looking so good in a fitting, long sleeve navy shirt, tucked into his baggy pants that were cinched at the waist which accentuated his slim built.

“This posture looks so good on you, hyung. Remember it, okay? And now, we will do a half-spin—”

The nimble fingers that were on Jongwoon’s right bicep glided across his skin, leaving a teasing trail of hotness down his arm, and grabbed his palm instead, guiding Jongwoon to make a small twirl. He went along with the spin, and suddenly, he was face to face with Hyukjae.

“W-wow. Hi. You’re really close.” He didn’t really know why, but Jongwoon felt the need to be quiet, so he rasped out his words lowly. Hyukjae didn’t really seem bothered by their proximity. In fact, he seemed to lean even closer, his eyes transfixed on Jongwoon’s face and now both of his hands were holding onto Jongwoon’s.

“But you’re learning, right? I think you’re doing great, hyung. We should do this more often.” The younger murmured back, equally intimate.

“Oh, y-yes. We should.” Jongwoon cleared his throat softly. “Um… what’s the move after this spin?”

“Oh, after this? It’s really easy. We’ll just—”

Then, Hyukjae trailed his hands up the length of Jongwoon’s arms, left a squeeze at the shoulders, and continued to make their way down to finally rest on the older’s hips. Jongwoon felt like he couldn’t breathe.

“This is the next move?”

“Yeah. It feels right, doesn’t it?”

“Do I do the same to you?”

“Nope. But I think you would know the next move, hyung.”

“What do you—”

Hyukjae wrapped both arms around Jongwoon’s waist and pulled the older towards him, such that both of their bodies were lined up, pressed against each other hotly. Instinctively, Jongwoon reached up to hold onto Hyukjae’s shoulders, his forearms resting on the younger’s chest.

“See? I told you you’ll know it.”

Up close, Jongwoon could even see the faint blemishes on the other man’s cheeks. Jongwoon would have found that adorable, if he wasn't already so mesmerised by Hyukjae’s moving lips.

“H-Hyukjae… W-What are we doing?”

“We are dancing, are we not?”

“You dance with everyone like this?”

“Hmm… not really, just with the one I’m really into.”

It was one thing to dance around (hah!) the idea of them wanting something more from each other, and it was another to outrightly put it out there. To say it out loud was to come to terms with it, right? Hyukjae’s words and the silence that followed suit hung thickly in the air. Jongwoon couldn’t remember when was the last time he felt this nervous.

“Y-You’re into me?”

“Do you think I teach everyone how to dance by touching them everywhere and doing this?” At that, Hyukjae gently rolled his hips, grinding it against the other man, which wouldn’t have any effect on Jongwoon if only they weren’t plastered against each other. Jongwoon whimpered. Something flashed across Hyukjae’s eyes.

“So, hyung? Do you know what’s my answer to your question?”

“Y-Yes, Hyukjae.”

“And what is your answer to mine too?”

Jongwoon wasn’t sure what Hyukjae was asking for exactly, but it didn’t matter, because the answer was all the same. “Yes—Yes, Hyukjae. Please, I just—please, I want—”

He was silenced by the younger pulling his face closer for a deep kiss. After hours of teasing touches and suggestive flirting, the kiss felt like a welcomed finale to the suffocating that had wrapped around them since the start. Jongwoon didn’t know it was possible for his mind to be so at ease and also in such frenzy at the same time. He was overwhelmed with both happiness that this was actually happening after years of pining, and disbelief that oh my god, this was actually happening after years of pining. Even when Jongwoon tried to pull away, Hyukjae didn’t let up, and continued to kiss him till he was lightheaded. Jongwoon had to physically push himself away from the younger, to finally be able to catch his breath. Their hot breaths intertwined in between them, and they couldn’t seem to stop staring at each other’s face. The breathtaking kiss that made his mind cloudy aside, Hyukjae was also giddy from the high that he finally, finally got to taste his hyung's lips and have him in his arms like he always yearned to. 

When Hyukjae finally spoke again, his voice was all raspy even though it was a simple, “Yes?” The question asked for everything and nothing at the same time. 

Jongwoon leaned in to kiss the younger shakily. “Yes, Hyukjae. Yes.”

The most radiant and toothy smile lit up on Hyukjae’s face. He’s gorgeous, Jongwoon thought.

“I love dancing with you, hyung. We should do this more.”

“Okay, my boyfriend, we should.”