I’m taking your hand very gently when I say this, especially cause I struggle with it too:
It is more important that you are in the pictures than how you look in them. Having pictures of something joyful and being in them helps you remember good times years ahead. The more time passes, the more nostalgic it gets, and the more you might regret not being in the pictures or having them. At some point, you will hopefully also look at yourself with kinder eyes, and notice the joy in the pictures themself and the joy the memories bring.
Your presence matters far more than your looks ever will. 🌸
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Whoever made you think you'd get teased for not drinking alcohol at parties was lying. You're their new supreme. You can go pick up more snacks. You can take care of the fallen. You can talk to the cops. If you have a car, you can drive people home.
In movies they always portray the sober person as a nerd but it's more like being a priest. Your lack of engagement in the carnal realities of the party makes you holy and powerful. You are a vital pillar of the community. A rock in a raging storm. Now go answer the door for the pizza man.
I talked with someone who works in book publishing, and they mentioned they get a lot of AI slop these days. I asked how they know what's human-written, and they said that there's one thing that will reveal AI slop without error, and that's the author not knowing their own creation.
A real author can talk about their story for hours. They love to elaborate every character, every twist, every detail. Because those existed in their head long before they ever made it to the paper. They were loved before they were written.
AI slop wasn't. It was just vomited into existence.
Someone who generates their story with AI will never bond with their story the way real writers do. That's why they may not know what to say when they're asked why did the character do this, or even remember the scene in the first place. It's something they read, not something they wrote. And to a writer, those are not the same.
There's a unique bond between the creator and the creation. If your writing doesn't come of you, you'll always lack that.
I keep hearing soon we won't be able to tell. And perhaps, in a superficial sense, that's true. But there is a difference. It's not em dashes or repeated words. It's whether the story was made by someone who loves it and cares about it.
If the writer's eyes light up when asked why did the character do that? and they start their very own Ted Talk about that specific scene...
I think we need to be careful about even this approach of determining what's written by a person vs AI, because plenty of authors have shit memories, and some authors are really prolific writers whose brains focus on their current work, not something from even as recently as a few months ago.
When you've written over 400k words across 180 fics in 6.5 months (hi, it's me, I've done that), it can be hard to recall why that character did that thing in that fic beyond "I dunno, it just felt right in the moment!"
Of course. Thanks for pointing that out. I meant this more like a positive thing; if someone is passionate about their story, they most likely wrote it themselves. And "it felt right in the moment" is a very valid answer, too! Because AI didn't feel anything anyway.
Btw, I will never accuse others of using AI. I think it's toxic behavior. If someone uses AI, it's their loss, not getting to feel the joy that comes from creating something of their own; it's not my place to judge, I just think it's sad.
What I think is beautiful about fanfic is that fanfic writers are usually very enthusiastic about their craft, which in itself, is strong evidence to me that it's human made.
Warnings: this chapter deals with a therapy session so there are a lot of emotions in this one, mentions of self harm scars, mental health, underage drinking, smoking. This whole chapter is a bit of an emotional roller-coaster but important to the storyline.
Word count: 12.1k
Summary: Luna has her therapy session which is heavy, when she comes home there is a member waiting for her who gives her the comfort she needs. During dinner Luna reveals a bit more of her life to the guys.
{banners by @cafekitsune}
The room is calm, serene even. Green plants potted around in what looked to be random places. A giant bookcase filled from top to bottom with books, making Luna wonder if they’ve all been actually read or if they are for display purposes only. Her eyes move to the suncatcher hanging in the window, it was her favourite thing in the whole room. The low afternoon sun hitting it, causing rainbows to sparkle over the wooden floor and her long brown flowing skirt. She loved this space but it hadn’t always been the case. The first time she was ever in it, her eyes were fixed on the windows for a different reason - looking for an escape. Wondering how high up they were and if she could fit through the small window opening.
“So how is your medication adjustment been going?” a voice pulls her from her thoughts, “We changed your dosage nearly 2 months ago now.”
Luna looks back at the woman sitting across from her in the big green armchair. A yellow notepad perched on her lap, pen resting between index and middle fingers, waiting to be used.
“Fine.” Luna nods
“Have the side effects calmed down?” she presses lightly
“They have.” Luna answers, “Haven’t had the tiredness in over a month.”
“That is good.” the woman replies, making a small note on her notepad, “And how was your work trip to LA?”
“It was….” Luna searches for the words, “full of work, I guess!” A silence falls in the room again as Luna pulls one of the purple cushions beside her on the sofa onto her lap. “Sorry Dr Han, I guess I am not in a chatty mood today.”
The woman uncrosses her legs and leans forwards, holding onto the notepad and pen. Luna liked her therapist Dr Han. She had been with her from the beginning of her bipolar disorder diagnosis last year, had helped her cope with it, found medication that worked, been there for the hard parts, the manic highs and the lows.
“That is okay Luna. You are probably still jet lagged and you said you came straight from a day of meetings at work too.” she smiles, “I’d be worried if you weren’t feeling this way!”
“Yeah! The jet lag isn’t great.” Luna laughs lightly, her fingers playing with the cushion, “I’d just gotten my body used to LA time when we were coming home again.”
“It is a lot for anyone's body to adjust to but taking care of yourself is key.” Dr Han says sitting back again
Luna nods in agreement, her fingers still fiddling with the cushion. “It’s been a whirlwind and truthfully, I wasn’t able to keep up with my usual morning jogs while away. I managed to go to the hotel gym with Yeosang on the first day but after that, it was impossible. Between the early morning starts and the late nights, I was too exhausted.”
Dr Han makes an encouraging sound, jotting down a few notes before looking back up at Luna with a warm smile. “It is important to be gentle with yourself during these times. Your job is a busy one, there may be days you can’t manage to go for a run or the gym and that is perfectly okay! Sleep is just as important too.”
“Between the demanding schedule and managing my bipolar and the anxiety, it’s been a challenge.” she sighs, glancing down at her hands, “And basically lying to the guys too.” she adds quietly
Dr Han's brow furrows slightly as she leans forward. "Lying?" Her voice is gentle but probing.
Luna feels a burning pain in her stomach. This is what she’s been dreading. She sits upright, her body now ridged compared to her previous relaxed posture. “I need to know that whatever I tell you here will never be repeated.”
“Luna, you know that anything said in these sessions is in strict confidence. No one will ever know.” Dr Han says
“I know that but you record these sessions on your voice recorder,” Luna motions to the recorder on the coffee table between them, “and you take notes, make digital files too. So there is always a record of what I say.”
“Okay, you need to tell me what is going on.” Dr Han says softly but firmly too
“I will, if you turn the recorder off for just a few minutes and not take any notes on this part.” Luna replies
Dr Han hesitates for a moment, her brows furrowed as she considers Luna's request. She glances at the voice recorder, then back to Luna's imploring eyes. With a small sigh, she reaches over and turns off the device, setting it aside along with her notepad and pen.
"There," she says, her voice tinged with concern. "The recorder is off, and I won't take any notes on what you're about to tell me. But Luna, please remember that anything said in here is confidential. Whatever it is, we'll figure it out together."
Luna takes a deep breath, her fingers twisting nervously in the fabric of the cushion. "Okay... here goes. As you know I am a language tutor and translator for a band. I'm also in a relationship with all eight of them." She rushes out the confession.
Dr Han's eyes widen in surprise, but she quickly masks her reaction with a neutral expression. "I see," she says calmly.
“The reason I asked for you to turn off the recorder and not write notes down for this is even though this is my therapy session, they are entitled to privacy and the thought of someone possibly stumbling across your recordings or notes and finding out… it terrifies me!” Luna says with a shudder
“I understand completely.” Dr Han nods. “However, you aren’t the first person I’ve treated who has been in a relationship with an idol. I’ve even worked with idols themselves too so I already have a strict privacy system in place. I will implement it for yourself straight away so you can talk without fear.”
“Really?” Luna gasps lightly, her eyes going wide, “How… how do you do that?”
“I redact names, omit them or use pseudo names. The voice recorder is for writing my notes later. When it comes to these delicate situations, I always personally destroy the voice recordings as soon as I’ve written the digital notes. I don’t even allow my assistant to deal with these files at all, I do it all myself. So I can assure you that anything you say about any of them, or about your relationship will be fully protected.” she answers, “Luna, I don’t want you to have to hide anymore than you already are. This is your safe place. A place for you to say what you want and need to without worry, you have worked so hard to get to where you are and I want that to continue for you.” A small silence fills the room. “Are you okay with me to start my recording again?”
“Sure.” Luna nods
“I will only put their initials in my written notes then use pseudo names for them in my typed notes, is that okay?” she continues switching the voice recorder back on and picking up her notepad once more
Luna simply nods in response, her arms tighten around the cushion, as if to provide protection around herself. “It… it isn’t like some seedy arrangement, Dr Han.”
“A lot of polyamory relationships aren’t.” Dr Han replies, “They are just as loving than a monogamous relationship.”
“It feels like a real relationship. Each of them is so caring. They look after me, in their own ways. I know dating 8 men can look bad from the outside but inside it is… surprisingly normal.” Luna says with a faint smile on her face, “I’ve gone on dates with some of them, we all have dinner together most nights depending on their individual schedules… Hongjoong is usually missing as he stays very late at the studio!” a small laugh escapes her “We have little morning routines too. I feel happy when I am with them. God, even just just being nearby them is enough to give me that feeling.”
Dr Han offers Luna a reassuring smile. "From what you’re telling me, it sounds like this relationship brings you a sense of comfort and security,” she observes.
Luna nods, the cushion still a refuge in her arms. "That’s the thing - it does. It’s wonderful, and I’m so incredibly happy, but I’m constantly worrying that something will slip, or someone will find out. I am also terrified one of them will see my scars, or see me taking my medication. Balancing it all feels like… I'm juggling glass balls, and I'm petrified of dropping one."
“They don’t know about your bipolar disorder?” Dr Han presses lightly
“Hongjoong, Seonghwa and Yunho do but not the others.” she answers
“Why those three?” Dr Han asks
Luna takes a deep breath and moves the cushion to one side, leaning forward to pick up the glass of water on the coffee table. She takes a long sip before placing it back again. “Hongjoong I told pretty early on and Yunho last week.”
“And Seonghwa?”
Lunas gaze moves to the window again, her eyes focusing on the suncatcher as it slowly spins from the slight breeze coming in the open window. Dr Han watches her closely, her foot starts to bounce on the floor, her fingers scratch at her arm over her jumper.
“How did Seonghwa find out?” she presses softly. Luna’s mouth opens as if she is about to speak but closes again. Her eyes still on the spinning suncatcher. “Luna?” Dr Han says, “If you need a minute, that is okay.”
Luna’s gaze moves down, fixed on the rainbows that dance across the floor. "He wasn't supposed to," she finally murmurs, her voice almost a whisper.
Dr Han watches as Luna draws inward, the cushion now tightly pressed against her chest once more and she sits cross legged on the white sofa. Her body language speaks volumes, and Dr Han leans forward, her tone gentle. "Luna, what happened?"
Luna bites her lip, the words sticking in her throat. "My mom," she says at last, her voice trembling slightly. "She let it slip to Seonghwa. About my diagnosis." Her eyes flit nervously to Dr Han before dropping to the rainbows on the floor again. "I wasn't ready for him to know."
Dr Han nods, her expression one of understanding. "That must have been difficult for you," she says softly.
"You know how well my mom knows me, and I can't really keep anything from her," she says with a soft laugh, as Dr. Han nods. "I figured she'd suspect something was up with at least one of them, so Seonghwa volunteered to pretend to be my boyfriend for them. My parents think I'm dating him. They're visiting right now, and wanted to meet him, so we went to their rental apartment for dinner. She assumed he knew about my bipolar disorder and asked if I was managing my medication properly with all the changes happening in my life and said my bipolar disorder was something to take seriously. Seonghwa just stared at me with those big round eyes of his... he looked confused. My dad tried to steer the conversation elsewhere, but when Seonghwa tried to hold my hand, I bolted to the bathroom and hid! Classic Luna!" she groans, recalling her actions.
“You didn’t hide, you removed yourself from a highly stressful situation. You protected yourself the best way you know how.” Dr Han says, “What happened after that?”
“Seonghwa came to the bathroom after like 10 minutes or something, and sat on the bathroom floor with me. He said all these lovely things and how it didn’t change anything.”
"And do you believe him?" Dr Han asks, her pen poised over her notepad.
Luna shifts uncomfortably, her fingers finding a loose thread on the cushion to worry at. "I think so? He's been... different since then. Not bad different, just more careful around me. Like he's watching for signs or something." She lets out a shaky breath. "This morning he asked if I was feeling okay, and I could see this look in his eyes - like he was afraid I’d suddenly fall apart."
"How did that make you feel?"
“Guilty,” Luna admits. “I don’t like making them worry about me. Their lives are already so hectic with dance practice, performances, interviews, photoshoots, schedules, recording and everything else that comes with being an idol. I want to help make life easier for them, not harder.”
“Why would your bipolar make life harder for them?” Dr Han asks
“By being a burden.” she answers running a hand through her hair, “I know I shouldn’t compare relationships, and really I am not but as an example - in my last one, my ex said my mood swings were exhausting, that dating me was like walking on eggshells constantly, he was just waiting for me to freak out all the time and being with me was hard work. I would never want the guys to feel this way around me.”
“Your ex was wrong for saying that, for making you feel that way. It’s understandable it has stuck with you and you are scared to be a burden to others.” Dr Han says, “How have Hongjoong, Seonghwa and Yunho been with you since they found out?”
A soft smile crosses Luna's face for the first time during the session. "They've been really good with me," she says, her voice growing warmer. "I can tell they worry - sometimes I catch them exchanging glances at one another when they think I'm not looking - but overall they've just... looked after me." She shifts on the sofa, the cushion loosening in her grip as her posture relaxes slightly. "Yunho has been so caring. He leaves snacks in my bedroom, with little drawings attached to them and he'll text me reminders about meals or funny things when they're at practice. When we are at home, he just find ways to let me know he is always there if I need him without it being obvious. Hongjoong, who's practically living at the studio these days, makes sure to send me sweet text messages during his long days. Random things like photos of his coffee or a cute plushie in his studio. It's like he wants me to know that although we are apart he is still thinking of me."
“And Seonghwa?”
Luna's cheeks flush slightly pink. "Seonghwa is... tender. Sometimes when we're alone together, he'll take my hand and just brush his lips over my wrists for a moment. He never draws attention to them, never makes me feel self-conscious about the scars there. It's like his way of saying he accepts all of me without saying it out loud."
Dr Han sets down her pen and leans forward slightly. "That sounds like a very healthy support system, Luna."
“On the walk home from my parents apartment, I told him about my… attempt. Well I gave him the watered down version anyway! How it was what led to my diagnosis.”
“Luna…” Dr Han’s tone is both gentle and concerned. “I know how hard you find it to talk about that night.”
"He listened and hugged me tightly. I think he might have been crying, but I couldn't be sure because I wasn't wearing my contacts and we were outside, so my vision was a bit blurry," she says with a soft laugh. "But I could feel his chest muscles tensing, like he was trying to hold back. He handled it all calmly, as if it was nothing significant. He kept reassuring me that nothing would change between us."
“It sounds like he was very supportive.”
"He was, and still is! All three of them are. I told Yunho before we left for LA."
“Was that your decision?” she asks
"Absolutely. Our relationship had progressed, and he noticed my anxiety. He even got me an amethyst crystal to help. After Seonghwa found out, I wanted Yunho to know too, so I told him. It was easier than telling Hongjoong and Seonghwa." Luna sighs.
“And how did Yunho react?”
"Just as I expected - strong and supportive." Luna smiles. "He didn't press for more details, just assured me he was there for whatever I needed."
"It sounds like you have a great support system with the three of them," Dr. Han comments.
“I do…” she says, her smile fades and arms tighten around the cushion once more. Dr Han notices the change in her.
“What happened?” she asks softly
“Last night the three of them wanted to talk to me. Hongjoong mentioned it in the morning before he left for work and I started overthinking. I was convinced they were breaking up with me and I took my frustrations out on Seonghwa!” she sighs deeply, closing her eyes, “All the man did was make me a cup of tea, offer to help me with the laundry and I snapped at him.”
“How did he react?”
“Literally pulled me into his arms, held me close and told me it was okay. He reassured me they weren’t breaking up with me and that they were actually wanting the opposite. When Hongjoong came home from the studio, the three of us went to my room to speak in private.” she reaches for the glass of water once more
Dr Han keeps silent, giving Luna the space and time to continue at her own pace.
“There was a small incident on the flight to LA… I didn’t take my anxiety medication.” she chews the inside of her lip, “I thought I would be fine during take off, having them with me. Stupid I know!”
“Not stupid!” Dr Han corrects gently
“It was stupid! Well you can imagine what happened. Full blown panic attack! I was sitting beside Yeosang who just looked so worried. Jongho, I think it was asked what I needed and the only word I could say was ‘Yunho’. Yeosang switched seats with him, he kept me focused on my breathing, held my hand the entire time. He is the only person to ever stop a panic attack like that going full force.”
“He definitely sounds like someone who is strong and supportive.”
“He is!” Luna nods, “The rest of the flight went better, I took the medication before landing. However, it seems the panic attack prompted them to have a discussion between themselves on the last night in LA.” she pauses, “I’m not mad at them. It is natural they’d talk about it. Jongho also saw me taking my medication that morning so when the discussion of my anxiety was brought up, he told them and he assumed it was anxiety medication. They now all think my anxiety is worse than I am telling them. Hongjoong, Seonghwa and Yunho suggested that I consider telling the others about my bipolar.”
“And how do you feel about that?”
“Fucking terrified!” she groans, “Sorry for swearing!” she quickly adds sheepishly
“You can use whatever language you feel like in this space Luna, you know that!” Dr Han says with a small smile on her face, “And it’s also perfectly normal to feel terrified of telling the others about your condition especially when your ex made such a issue of it.” Dr Han finished gently, not missing a beat. “But Luna, you’ve not gave them the opportunity to show you otherwise. These men, from what you’ve shared, seem to care about you deeply. They’ve seen your anxiety, your moods, and their instinct was to move closer, correct?”
Luna squirms on the sofa, heat creeping up her neck. “Sometimes I think… at least with anxiety, it’s… simpler? Like, they can coddle me and it’s no big deal. Bipolar is messier. Most days it’s just about getting from sunrise to sunset without a breakdown. I’m afraid they’ll think I lied to them, or that I’m hiding even more.”
Dr Han considered this, her gaze never wavering. “You are not your diagnosis, and you aren’t hiding. You’re protecting yourself, which is all any of us can do until we feel safe enough to let down our guard. You aren’t letting just one person into your life, you are letting 8 and that can be a lot for anyone!” She pressed her pen to the page, writing something quickly. “But Luna, if you trust these men, don’t they deserve to know all of you? The whole truth?”
A rainbow flickered across Luna’s knee as she pulled both feet to the sofa, hugging her legs. She wanted to say something clever, to sound like she was in control. Instead: “I know you’re right. I just… what if it’s too much? What if they leave? Or tell me to leave?” Her voice broke, a choked sob escaping, surprising even herself. “I’ve never had something this good and secure, Dr Han. I know it has only been a short time with them but I don’t think I’d survive losing them.”
For a long moment, the only sound was the gentle ticking of the office clock and the faint rumble of traffic from outside.
“Luna.” Dr Han’s voice was careful but unwavering. “You survived before, when you had less support and less love. Now, you’re not alone. I think you underestimate your own resilience - and theirs.” She puts her pen down again. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this field, it’s that people who really care for you don’t scare easy. They want a chance to walk with you through the hard parts too, not just the good ones.”
Luna stares at the suncatcher, following the slow arc of colour across the floor. “I want to believe that. I do.” It came out half-whisper, almost a prayer. “I don’t even know the right words for it. Do I just say ‘Hi, by the way I have a mental health condition that requires medication everyday to balance me out and even then there is still a chance that I’ll spiral out of control for no reason one day, please don’t see as defective or run away screaming’?”
“Luna, you are not defective. You’re living with something you didn’t choose and you are surviving. That takes strength, not weakness.” Dr Han lets the words sink in, then adds, “I can see how important these relationships are to you, you wouldn’t be so scared if they weren’t. However, if you want your relationship to grow, you need to let them in. At least a little bit.”
Luna laughs, soft and fragile. “Let them in and risk everything blowing up in my face?”
Dr Han smiles, the corners of her eyes crinkling. “Or let them in and find out you’re loved for exactly who you are, not just the part you perform for them. You can’t predict the outcome, but you can choose to be honest with the people you care about. That’s how relationships deepen, Luna. By showing up as yourself.”
Luna nods, silent, the weight of the words shifting in her chest. It’s not that she’s suddenly ready to bare her soul, but she feels a little less alone in her fear.
Dr Han glances at the clock. “We’re almost out of time. Before you go, I want to give you a homework assignment.”
“Oh god,” Luna groans, but can’t help the small grin tugging at her lips. “It is usually me assigning homework during my lessons!”
Dr Han leans back and laughs. “That’s true! But sometimes the teacher needs to become a student! So I want you to think of one thing you can do this week to be more honest with the guys who don’t know about your diagnosis. It doesn’t have to be a big reveal, just… a step closer to letting them into your world. And next week, tell me how it felt.” she caps her pen and turns off the recorder. “Deal?”
“Deal,” Luna echoes, voice barely above a whisper, but there’s a thread of determination in it.
Gathering her things, Luna stands, smoothing her long skirt and fixing her knitted cream jumper. She hesitates, then looks at Dr Han. “Thank you. For… not judging. For listening.”
“That’s what I’m here for,” Dr Han replies, her voice warm. “And Luna? You’re not a burden. Not to me, not to your family and I suspect not to them either. I will see you next week!”
Luna nods and exits the office. In the hallway, the air is cool, accompanied by the gentle hum of the AC above. She pauses by the window near the elevator, looking out at the city’s late afternoon hustle, observing people moving along and the distant river. Her mind grapples with the idea of sharing her thoughts with them. It's daunting, but she realises her life isn't solely hers to conceal anymore. The idea of opening up slightly this week, without disclosing everything, feels scary but also like a tiny bit of the burden would be lifted from her shoulders and it could be worth it.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽. :☆ﾟ. ───
Reaching the apartment, Luna pauses for a moment outside the door. Despite how well her therapy session went, it had brought up emotions she hadn’t even realised she was feeling and it was overwhelming her. It had also given her a deep sense of clarity about how to proceed. Afterwards she had gone for a walk along Han River with strawberry milk, something she did on the harder days and now all she craved was home. She puts in the door code and enters the apartment. It is quiet. She knew it would be, the guys had a full day of dance rehearsals for the upcoming tour so wouldn’t be home until late. Sliding her shoes off and hanging up her coat, she lets out a small sigh and pulls her phone from her bag before walking into the apartment.
As Luna pads softly down the hallway, scrolling absentmindedly through messages on her phone, a sudden figure emerges from the kitchen beside her.
“Hey Luna!”
She lets out an embarrassingly loud and startled scream that echoes off the apartments high ceilings, her phone nearly slipping from her grip.
"Holy shit!!" she gasps in English. "You scared the hell out of me Yunho!” she adds in Korean pressing a hand to her chest, willing her heart to slow down. “What are you doing here? I thought you had rehearsals all day."
“Sorry! I’m sorry!” he says, his own eyes wide, “I finished early as I wanted to be here for you getting home.”
“Well a little heads up would have been nice!” she replies, hand still on her chest.
“I really didn’t mean to scare you.” he says seeing how startled she is. She looks at him and can see the guilt all over his face. “God, I am so sorry!”
“Hey, I know you didn’t!” she smiles, putting her arms around him. “Maybe we need to look at getting a little bell on you though!” she adds lightly
“Well I am apparently a golden retriever so a little collar and bell would be fitting!” he chuckles kissing the top of her head
“Isn’t a collar a bit kinky?” Luna laughs
Yunho's cheeks flush slightly. "Only if you want it to be," he retorts, a playful glint in his eyes.
“I’ll keep that in mind for your birthday next year!” She grins up at him before her face softens and she puts her head back on his chest “I’m glad you are here.”
“How was therapy?” his voice is soft as he hands glide over her back
Luna nuzzles into the soft fabric of his sweater, breathing in his familiar scent. “It was… okay,” she says quietly. “Good. Just… tiring.” She lifts her head slightly to meet his concerned gaze. “A lot to unpack mentally, you know?”
He nods, his thumb stroking soothing circles on her back. “I know. Come on.” He gently takes her hand, leading her away from the hallway and into the living area. “Let’s get you comfortable on the sofa. I can make you some tea?”
Luna follows him, her hand feeling small and secure in his larger one. As he gestures towards the plush sofa, she stops. Instead of sitting, she gives his hand a firm tug, pulling him off balance. With a surprised yelp, Yunho stumbles forward as they both land on the sofa.
“No tea,” Luna whispers, wrapping her arms around his middle and burying her face against his side.
“Coffee then?” he asks as she shakes her head, “What would you like? Strawberry milk? Seonghwa stocked up this morning after you left for work.”
“Just you!” she smiles at him cuddling into him, “Exactly like this. This is all I need and want right now.”
Yunho settles into the sofa, moving his arms around her, his presence warm and steadying. "I guess it’s a good thing I came home early!" he says softly, resting his cheek against her head. She breathes him in, the comforting mix of clean laundry and something distinctly Yunho. He tightens his embrace slightly, a content exhale escaping his lips. "I've missed this," he murmurs into her hair. "Just… this. Being quiet together. It felt like we didn't stop for a second in LA."
Luna nods against his chest, the movement small but definite. "Hmm, I know. It's nice to be back home, isn't it? Where we can just… be quiet together." The pressure of constant schedules, interviews, and appearances seemed to melt away within the familiar walls of their apartment. Here, they could all shed their public personas and simply exist together.
Yunho shifts, propping himself up slightly on one elbow so he can look down at her. A playful smirk touches his lips. "Although," he begins, his voice dropping to a low, conspiratorial whisper, "not everything about LA was work, was it? I seem to recall one particular night where you and I definitely weren't being quiet."
A soft giggle escapes Luna, her cheeks warming slightly at the memory. She nudges him gently with her shoulder. "Yah! Don't remind me. I could barely do my usual treadmill run the next morning." The image of their tangled limbs in the oversized hotel bed, the things he did to her, made her feel, the dirty words he whispered into her ear, flashes through her mind, bringing a fresh wave of warmth. It had been intense, passionate, and utterly unforgettable. “I don’t know how either of us got through that day at KCon on 2 hours sleep! Especially you having to perform for nearly an hour!”
Yunho grins, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Hey, you were the one who kept pulling me back to bed for more every time I tried to get up for water." His fingers trace lazy patterns along her arm. "Not that I was complaining. The noises you were making, how tight were around me, even after I’d stretched you out multiple times…" He trails off, his voice growing husky at the memory.
Luna feels heat bloom across her cheeks and down her neck. "We're supposed to be having a quiet, innocent cuddle," she protests weakly, though she makes no move to pull away from his touch.
"There's nothing innocent about the way you're looking at me right now, little one." Yunho murmurs, leaning down to brush his lips against her temple.
Luna rolls her eyes but can't help the smile tugging at her lips. "God, you're impossible," she says, poking him in the chest. "We can’t even have a cuddle session without you trying to seduce me!”
"Seduce you?" Yunho pulls back, feigning offence with a dramatic hand over his heart. "I was innocently reminiscing about our trip! You're the one with your mind in the gutter."
"Oh please," Luna snorts, "You talk about the way I am looking at you when you should see your own face! I know that look. That's your 'let's see how quickly I can get Luna's clothes off' look."
Yunho laughs, the sound vibrating through his chest against her. "I have specific looks for that? Should I be concerned you've named my ‘looks’?"
"There is your 'I'm pretending to be mad but I'm actually thinking about food' look and the rare but sometimes seen 'I've forgotten the choreography but I'm trying to play it cool' look. That one is my favourite." She sits up slightly, mimicking an exaggerated panicked expression that makes Yunho burst into laughter.
"I do not look like that!"
“You definitely do… but I love it!” she smiles lying back down again
“At least someone does.” he replies, kissing the top of her head, “I do find it cute that you know these things about us though.”
“Well I am very observant and I spend a lot of time just watching you all when I am not giving you lessons.” she says, “And honestly… it makes me happy. I love watching you all rehearse and dance, and perform.”
“I know we are super busy all the time but I’m glad you are happy. We sometimes worry you feel neglected or alone.” He traces idle patterns on her arm, his touch sending pleasant shivers down her spine.
“I definitely don’t because all of you come home to me and I get moments like these.” she sighs happily. The exhaustion from her therapy session begins to fade, replaced by a deep sense of peace and belonging. “I didn’t realise how much I needed this.”
“Was it a tough session?” he asks softly, “At therapy?”
“It was a little more intense than usual,” she says intertwining her fingers with his, “But I feel… good.”
"That's great," Yunho replies, his expression softening. "I was worried when you didn't text after."
"Sorry about that. Needed some time to process. I usually go for a walk at Han River after a therapy session, especially when it is a heavily loaded one like today. It is like a mental reset button." she replies
“I can understand that, you don’t need to explain anything to me, little one.” he says “How you cope with your therapy session is your own business.”
“After some sessions all I crave is a giant ass bottle of soju to forget it all but I know that isn’t an appropriate coping technique, so a strawberry milk by the river is my go-to!” she giggles lightly
“Of course strawberries are involved.” he laughs kissing the top of her head.
She studies him for a moment. "So how did you manage to get out of practice early? Mingi said your choreographer was being a nightmare about perfecting that bridge sequence and it would be a late one for you all today."
Yunho winces. "Okay, so I may have pretended to pull something in my shoulder."
"You what?" Luna's eyes widen as she shifts her body slightly to look at him. "You're going to get your ass handed to you tomorrow."
“I won’t! And even if I did it would be worth it.” he shrugs, “Being here with you is more important to me today.”
“I don’t want you to do things that will get you into trouble though or distract you from work either. And I know how important the tour rehearsals are!”
“If I thought for a second that was the case I wouldn’t have done it. I just wanted to be here when you got home, or for at least someone to be here for you. I am not missing anything important. So do not worry about any of that stuff.”
A calm silence falls between them, the apartment is so quiet. Quieter than its been in a long time causing Luna to fully relax and place her head back on his chest again.
“Yuyu?” she says softly
A small smile comes to Yunhos face at her calling him ‘yuyu’, secretly he loved it. It was a common nickname atiny gave him but hearing her say it gives him a burst of warmth in his chest.
“Hmm?” he responds
“I want to tell you something but I’m worried you’ll be mad at me for it.” she says
“Luna, I don’t think I could ever be mad at you for anything!” he says bringing her hand to his lips to press a soft kiss against it
“You might be after this, but please let me explain fully first.”
“Whatever it is I promise you I will not be mad.” He squeezes her hand while his other hand glides down her back in a soothing manner
Luna takes a deep breath and explains that she told Dr Han about their relationship, that she spoke of her hesitation in telling the others of her bipolar and the level her anxiety is getting to due to all the hiding and the guilt of making Seonghwa, Hongjoong and Yunho keep her secret too. “Dr Han has assured me there will be no record of your names on my files though! I made sure of that before I spoke to her, even made me turn her voice recorder off. She told me that she has dealt with idols and partners of idols and names are changed and the voice recording of my sessions is destroyed personally by Dr Han.”
Yunho listens carefully, allowing her to explain in her own pace and keeps a firm hold of her body to his. “How did it make you feel being able to speak to her about us?”
“It felt awful at first… like I was betraying your trust by speaking about you all.” she swallows hard, her fingers twisting anxiously in his t-shirt. She exhales slowly, her grip on his shirt loosening. “But… after a while, it started to feel good. Like, actually good. Just to say things out loud, you know? Having someone to talk to - someone who isn’t in the middle of it was… relief. Like I wasn’t holding my breath anymore.” She glances up at him, tentative but hopeful.
Yunho’s face softens, and the worry lines on his brow ease. “I’m really glad you let yourself have that, Luna. You deserve it.” His thumb brushes her cheek, gentle and encouraging. “But you don’t have to protect us all the time. That’s not your job.”
She bites her lip and meets his gaze, her own eyes watery but unwavering. “That’s the thing. I don’t want to keep doing this, Yunho. I can’t do it anymore.”
Yunho feels his heart clench and sits upright, pulling her with him as his arms tighten instinctively around her. “Wait, what do you mean?” His voice is suddenly thinner, the playful warmth evaporating. “You… you can’t do it anymore? Luna, are you - are you saying you want to end this? With us? With me?” The words tumble out, each one more desperate than the last. His breath comes faster, panic flickering in his eyes. “Is it because of something I did? Or something we all haven’t done for you? Please, tell me what’s wrong. I don’t want to lose you.”
Luna blinks, startled by the surge of anxiety radiating from him, and quickly places both hands on his cheeks, forcing him to look at her as she moves to sit on his lap. “No, no, Yunho! Oh my god, no, that’s not what I meant.” She lets out a shaky laugh, her own nerves fraying at the edges, but her hands stay steady on his face. “I’m not going anywhere. I promise. I don’t want to leave. I just… I meant I don’t want to keep hiding who I am from the others anymore. My bipolar, my anxiety, even the scars - I don’t want anymore secrets.”
Yunho’s shoulders sag in relief, embarrassment creeping into his features. He covers his face with one large hand, letting out a long, shaky breath. “You scared me,” he admits, his voice muffled and sheepish. “I thought… I just… The way you said it, I thought maybe you were done - with us.”
Luna tugs the hand over his face gently away so she can see his eyes and presses a kiss to the back of it. “I’m sorry,” she says softly, her lips quirking up into a gentle, teasing smile. “I didn’t mean to sound so dramatic. For someone who’s entire life revolves around being good with language and communication, I sometimes fuck it up big time!” She leans in, brushing her lips over his in a soft, lingering kiss. “But it’s kind of sweet, you know? Knowing you don’t want me to go anywhere.”
He smiles, a little bashful, but his hand comes up to cup the back of her head, holding her close for another kiss. “You’re not allowed to go anywhere,” he murmurs against her lips. “Ever.”
She laughs, her forehead pressed to his. “Good. Because I wasn’t planning on it.” She lets her hands slide down to rest at his waist, her fingers idly playing with the fabric of his tshirt.
“Even if you tried I’d probably search all over Seoul for you and then follow you like a lost puppy until you came back.” he grins playfully
“I doubt I’d be hard to find anyway! Pretty sure you’d just find me at the nearest strawberry vendor.” she quips, scrunching her nose up as he laughs at how cute she is. “But seriously… I really do want to tell them. I don’t want to have secrets anymore. Hiding, keeping secrets and the guilt of making you, Hwa and Joongie keep things from the others… it is making things worse and I am at risk of having a relapse and I really do not want to go back to that dark time ever again!” her eyes lower to the scars hidden underneath her jumper sleeve as she takes a sharp inhale
Yunho holds her closer, making sure she can feel him around her, keeping her safe. “Hey, little one, look at me!” his voice is so soft and comforting causing her to look into his eyes, “We would never let that happen, I would do everything in my power for you to not feel that way ever again, we all would! So don’t ever be scared of that.”
She nods, comforted by the certainty in his words and the steady, grounding pressure of his arms. “I know. I really do. But… you don’t know how bad it was. My thoughts scared me every day and I buried myself in work to stop them until one night I couldn’t do it anymore and I just… gave in to it.”
“I wish I could have been there back then. I wish you were in our lives earlier so we could have helped you. I hate that you went through all that alone.” his forehead rests against hers
“I’m still terrified but I want them to see the whole me. Even the parts that are messy and… fucked up.” Her voice wavers, but she swallows and looks up at Yunho. “I have to trust that they’ll still want me, even after. I can’t spend all my energy hiding, not from people I care about. I just need a little more time. Not long, I promise you that Yunho!"”
Yunho brushes a stray curl from her forehead, the gesture achingly tender. “They will. You know they adore you, right? Even if they don’t say it all the time.” He says, searching her face as she nods, “And you take as much time as you need and however, and whenever you want to do this, I’ll be right there beside you. Seonghwa and Hongjoong too.”
“So… Dr Han has given me some homework for this week.” Luna says
“Oh the teacher has homework! Makes a nice change from you dishing it out to us!” Yunho teases lightly tickling her sides
“Stop!” she laughs loudly trying to squirm away from him but he holds her close
“So, what is your homework?” he asks moving his arms around her waist
“I’ve to think of one small thing to be more honest with the guys who don’t know, to let them in then tell her how it felt when I see her again next week.” she replies looking into Yunhos kind eyes, “Now I don’t know what that could be yet but I will think of it and do it.”
“That sounds like a good plan.” Yunho smiles. “I will be there every step of the way for everything.”
Relief washes over her. “Thank you, Yuyu. For not being mad. For listening. For understanding me. For even faking an injury and being here when I got home.”
He presses his lips to hers, lingering for a few seconds. “Always. You’re my favourite person in the world, Luna. Remember that.”
“Better make sure Mingi doesn’t hear you saying that. You’d be betraying his moral loyalty saying someone else is your favourite person!” she says, trying to lighten the mood and it works as he laughs heartily
“I will make sure Mingi never finds that out.” he whispers playfully into her ear as he pulls her to lie back down again together, her body on top of his. Both of them closing their eyes, relishing the moment and the quiet. That is until her phone notification rings out from where she had abandoned it on the coffee table earlier, but Luna doesn’t move, doesn’t open her eyes.
“Want me to get that for you?” Yunho asks.
“Nope,” she says, voice sleepy. “Just gonna pretend it’s not there until the guys come home and I have to be a functional adult again.”
“Being functional is overrated if you ask me.” he smiles
“When will they be home?” she asks stifling a yawn
“Not for a couple of hours.” he replies, “So go to sleep little one. I’ll wake you up.” he places a kiss atop her head
“Sleep sounds good!” she mumbles
Yunho tries to stay awake, wanting to be alert when she wakes up, but the warmth of her body against his, the peaceful quiet of the apartment and the sound of her gentle snores gradually lull him into drowsiness. His hand continues its gentle stroking motion along her back even as his own eyes grow heavy. Soon, his breathing matches with hers, and he drifts off with his cheek resting against the top of her head.
The apartment remains blissfully quiet for the next three hours, save for the distant hum of Seoul traffic and their synchronised breathing. Luna shifts occasionally in her sleep, nuzzling deeper into Yunho's sleeping embrace, while he instinctively tightens his hold on her. The silence is finally broken when the others arrive home.
"I swear if we have to run that routine one more time tomorrow, I'm going to collapse," San's loud voice carries into the living area.
"At least you didn't have to deal with Mingi stepping on your fee- " Wooyoung's complaint dies mid-sentence as he rounds the corner and spots the sleeping pair on the sofa. He immediately raises his hand, signalling the others to quiet down. The others follow his gaze to the sofa where Luna and Yunho are curled together, both fast asleep.
Hongjoong steps closer, his expression immediately shifting to one of concern as he takes in Luna's peaceful but slightly puffy face. "How long do you think they've been sleeping?"
"Yunho left around lunch time," Mingi whispers, dropping his dance bag quietly by the door. "And Luna had that lunch with her friend erm… Jieun I think it was, this afternoon, so probably at least an hour!”
Seonghwa and Hongjoong briefly exchange glances, as it was only them and Yunho who knew of her therapy session. She told the others she was meeting Jieun for lunch to explain why she wasn’t going to join them in the practice room after her work meetings for their tour rehearsals today. Seonghwas looks back over at them, his observant eyes noting the way Luna’s fingers are still twisted tightly in Yunhos shirt, even in sleep. There is something so vulnerable about the way she is clinging to him and how delicate she looks that makes his chest tighten with protective instinct.
"They look so peaceful," Yeosang whispers with a small smile on his face
Wooyoung disappears into Lunas bedroom, returning moments later with the new blanket Seonghwa bought her that had quickly turned into her favourite one. He approaches the sleeping pair with careful steps, gently draping the warm blanket over both of them. Luna stirs slightly at the movement, nuzzling deeper into Yunho's chest mumbling something incoherent, but doesn't wake.
Jongho feels a tug at his heart seeing them together. Luna looks so at ease with Yunho, sleeping so peacefully into his body and it reminds him of how she slept the same way against him in LA, her tiny body nestled perfectly into his. Then a sharper pain hits him as he remembers how he has been turning away from her since, noticing the sadness in her eyes each time, even though she always maintained a smile for him. ‘I need to do better for her.’ he thinks to himself as he swallows hard. "Should we wake them for dinner?" he asks out loud but he already knows the answer
Hongjoong shakes his head, his gaze lingering on Luna's face. Something about her expression, even in sleep, tells him today was significant. "Let them rest a little longer. We can reheat their food later. We should give them some space. Lets get changed and have dinner."
As everyone makes their way out the living room and go to the kitchen with the bags of food, Seonghwa catches Hongjoong's arm gently, nodding toward the balcony. They slip outside into the cool Seoul evening air, the city lights twinkling below them like scattered diamonds.
"Luna… she looks exhausted!" Seonghwa says quietly
Hongjoong nods, leaning his back against the railing as he glances back through the glass doors at Luna's sleeping form. "The way she's holding onto Yunho... it must have been intense."
Seonghwa runs a hand through his hair, the evening breeze ruffling the dark strands. "I hate this. Hate that she feels this way. That she hides herself like this.”
"She's not alone," Hongjoong reminds him gently. "She has us. And Yunho skipping practice to be here for her... that says something."
“You noticed that too huh?” Seonghwa smiles lightly
“He's not exactly subtle when it comes to her, is he? He was watching the clock and then suddenly felt his shoulder hurt right around the time she would be at her appointment.” he laughs softly,
“None of us are subtle with her though!” Seonghwa admits, “I am glad he did it though. She clearly needed him.”
Hongjoong nods silently, agreeing with Seonghwa. He would be lying if he said he hadn’t been distracted and worried during the day. There was no doubt in his mind when Wooyoung asked him if he was coming home tonight with everyone or staying at the studio a bit longer - he needed to see her, to know she was okay. “Lets get back inside.”
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽. :☆ﾟ. ───
Yunho woke first, blinking himself into consciousness and instantly tightening his grip on Luna. She murmurs, shifting slightly in his arms, then stretches with a soft yawn and a confused, sleepy blink. “Did we fall asleep?” she mumbles, her voice muffled in his chest.
“Like babies,” Yunho replies, running a hand through her hair to smooth it down. “The others are back.”
The apartment is full of movement now, quiet laughter and the sound of plates clinking from the kitchen and Mingi’s deep rumble rising above the rest. Wooyoung’s laugh cuts through, sharp and bright.
“Should we join them?” Yunho asks, voice low and intimate.
She nods, but didn’t yet move. “Just… one more minute.” Her eyes flutters shut again as she buries her face in his shirt.
He smiles and rubs gentle circles into her back, letting her have the moment before finally getting up and walking into the kitchen together. They are greeted with a barrage of affection. Yeosang wraps Luna in a hug without hesitation, lifting her slightly off her feet before setting her gently back down. Mingi ruffles her hair kissing her forehead. San presses a kiss to her cheek as Hongjoong gives her a kind smile. Wooyoung, with a dramatic flourish, presents her with a glass of strawberry milk.
“Welcome back to the land of the living,” he says. “You were out cold.”
“Sorry, I was tired.” she replies sitting at the table beside Yunho and Seonghwa
“Eat up!” Seonghwa says leaning over and placing a soft kiss on her lips, she quickly pecks him as he pulls back causing him to smile widely.
Dinner was chaotic, as always. Mingi somehow manages to spill half a cup of coke onto the floor, then makes a show of cleaning it with his sock and laughing while Seonghwa shrieks for him to stop as he gets the cleaning spray and cloths. Yeosang and Wooyoung bicker over the chicken wings as usual while Hongjoong looks like he is done with it all. Luna loved all of it.
Mingi, mouth full of noodles, asks, “So how was lunch with Jieun?”
Luna blinks. “huh?”
“Your friend?” Mingi prods. “You said you were meeting her after your meetings?”
She had completely forgot that was what she told them. She almost lied once more. The words were on her tongue - ‘it was great!’, but as she looks at the faces looking at her as they all ate, even Jongho she remembers her homework from Dr Han, the challenge to let them in, even just a little.
“I… I wasn’t at lunch with Jieun,” she says, voice small
Hongjoong, Seonghwa and Yunho exchange quick glances.
“Where were you?” Yeosang asks
A bubble of nerves builds inside of her stomach but instantly calms as Yunhos hand rests on her lower back for silent support.
“I was at my therapist appointment.” she answers
There was a beat of silence; even Wooyoung’s foot stops tapping against floor. San look up, a strip of kimchi dangling from his chopsticks, and Mingi’s eyes flick from Luna to Yunho and back again. She feels her face burn, but continues as Seonghwa places a hand on her thigh under the table. “Sorry, I told you all I was meeting Jieun because it was easier to say than the truth. I see her nearly every week, depending on my work schedule but I see her regularly and have done for a while.”
“For your anxiety?” San asks
“My anxiety is a part of it.” she swallows hard, looking back at her plate. “There are other reasons too that I don’t quite want to get into tonight as my session was pretty intense today.”
“Hey,” Wooyoung says gently, “You don’t need to tell us anything you aren’t comfortable talking about.”
Lunas eyes raise and she looks at him, surprised at his response. Seonghwa hand on her thigh squeezes reassuringly causing her to hold onto it suddenly. Dr Hans words ring even louder in her head.
“It’s… difficult to talk about and not tonight! she sighs lightly, “but I do want to let you all in so I’ll tell you something about my life that I haven’t told any of you.” her eyes look at Yunho, Seonghwa and Hongjoong as she says this
“You can tell us anything.” Mingi says, his voice is softer than shes ever heard it
“Yeosang…” she begins, her gaze shifts to him as he sits more upright, “do you remember I told you that when I was younger I went through a bad rebellious phase after I found out something? That I began acting out, doing things I shouldn’t have been doing and hanging around with people who were so bad for me?”
“I do.” he nods recalling the conversation they had when she was leaving to meet her parents
Luna can see the others looking intensely at her, especially Hongjoong, Seonghwa and Yunho, whos hand on her back starts stroking it delicately. “My dad isn’t my dad.”
A silence falls over the large kitchen, no one really knows what to say until Seonghwas soft voice cuts through it. “What do you mean?”
“Well he is my dad, just not biologically!” she says “My mom was in a relationship with someone for nearly a year, she found out she was pregnant and he admitted to her that he…” she shakes her head lightly, “was married, she didn’t know.”
As Luna's words hung in the air, the group sat in stunned silence. Hongjoong, Seonghwa, and Yunho exchange meaningful looks. Luna picks at her napkin with her free hand, twisting it tightly with her fingers, and the silence stretches in a way that should feel uncomfortable but it isn’t. No one says anything; not even Wooyoung, who is usually incapable of letting a pause exist for longer than a beat. They are giving her time to do this at her own pace and she appreciates it so she pushes forward, her voice trembling only slightly.
"He told my mom he was staying with his wife and he didn’t want a child." she continues, eyes fixed on the light pattern of marble in the table. "She was completely blindsided, in shock and… ashamed to have gotten pregnant by a married man. She was only twenty-one, in her final year of university, and everyone in that town was very…" Luna pauses, searching for the right word, "very into appearances. It would have been a complete scandal!"
Wooyoung’s brow furrows and he leans forward, elbows on the table as he listens. "So what happened?"
"Her best friend at the time - my dad, he offered to help," Luna says. She feels Yunho’s hand move from her lower back to her hip so he is half hugging her causing her to move a little closer to him. "He… he told her she didn’t have to do it alone, that they could tell everyone I was his, and no one would ever have to know the truth." Her voice breaks there, softening into a laugh that sounds like it’s trying not to be a sob.
“Does your grandparents on your dads side know?” San asks
“They do and at first they were reluctant to support his decision, not just because I wasn’t his but that they were both still so young and they felt it wasn’t his responsibility. However he told them if people wanted to gossip they could, but at least it would be about him and not my mom. They instantly understood him and to them I am their granddaughter - their first granddaughter and they loved me so much. That is why my dad and his sister don’t speak." she looks towards Seonghwa who nods as he remembers her telling him of her estranged Aunt, "To her, I'm not family, and never will be, so my dad severed ties with her. On the few occasions I've seen her at family things, she ignores me... she's never even greeted me once. Not even at my grandfathers funeral, wouldn’t let her children speak to me either - called me the ‘family shame’."
“How dare she!” Mingi says, his voice tinged with anger
“I don’t waste my thoughts on her.” Luna shakes her head and rolls her eyes, “She’s a crazy bitch anyway!” she adds as Wooyoung chuckles lightly
“So your parents got married?” Yeosang asks
“They got engaged at first and married 2 months before I was born. It may have started as a friend being there for his best friend but it turned into love. A real once in a life time love that has always fascinated me growing up. I always knew I wanted to find that type of love. They are literally so perfect for one another!” Luna answers, and for the first time her mouth curves into a real smile. “And he loved me so so much too.”
“When did you find out he wasn’t your biological dad?” Yunho asks softly
Luna sighs, a wry smile twisting her lips. "It was a week before my 15th birthday. I had come home from my violin lesson early and I overheard my parents talking, no they were arguing. It was something I rarely heard from them so curiosity got to me and I listened to them. They were talking about him, he’d tried to get in contact. My dad called him ‘Lunas sperm donor’ while my mom tried to tell him I had the right to know and... well, let's just say I didn't handle it gracefully." She laughs, but there's no humour in it. “I was so mad. I screamed at them for lying to me my whole life, for making me think I belonged when I was…” She searches for the least melodramatic word. “just a guest in my own family.”
“Luna,” Hongjoong says quietly, but she shakes her head, steamrolling forward.
“My mom tried to explain. She said it didn’t matter, that my dad was always going to be my dad, even if we didn’t share the same blood. But I couldn’t hear any of it, I was just filled with so much anger. My mom was pregnant with the twins at that point, and I started thinking they’d love them more. Maybe my dad would forget about me when he had ‘real’ kids and they would be happy with their ‘real family’ instead of me - the outcast.” She gives a half-laugh that is far more sadness than humour. “So I started acting out. Hanging around with the wrong people, smoking, drinking, skipping school, getting into fights over the stupidest shit, got suspended for punching a girl in the face.”
“She had been bullying me for months so she kind of deserved it! I don’t really feel guilty about that.” she shrugs as she leans back, picking at a loose thread on her sleeve. “But, my dad… I was so cruel to him. Told him I hated him, that he wasn’t my dad, and never would be. He never stopped telling me he loved me and nothing would ever change that but I wouldn’t listen. I am surprised he didn’t disown me because I was horrific towards him.” a small sniffle escapes her
“You were hurting.” Hongjoongs voice is gentle and emphatic
“That doesn’t excuse my actions towards him!” she shakes her head, “One night, I stayed out all night and got so drunk. My dad had been searching the streets all night for me, he found me lying on the doorstep of our house at 4 a.m. I expected him to yell or be furious - I would have deserved it but instead, he just sat next to me and started crying. They weren’t angry tears, just deep, broken sobs. He kept telling me how much he loved me, scared of how I was drinking and smoking, and pleading for a way to prove his love. That’s when I realised how stupid I was being and as much as I tried to push him away, he never stopped loving me.”
For a moment no one moves, as if afraid that any sudden shift would shatter the rawness in the air. Then, slowly, Mingi’s hand reaches out across the table and holds onto her shaky hands.
“Your dad sounds like a good man,” Mingi says, voice thick as if he’s holding back. “Like, the best kind!”
Luna nods, the pressure in her chest easing just enough for her take a deep shaky breath. “Oh he is! The best dad anyone could wish for and everyday since then I have been thankful he picked me to be his daughter.”
“Did you ever met your biological dad?” Wooyoung asks, “If you don’t mind me asking, that is!” he adds quickly realising this could a sensitive topic
“Once, when I was 16. I was… curious. Biggest mistake of my life!”
“What happened?” Jongho asks, the first question he’s asked her in what felt life forever to her.
“Nothing bad! His name was Jinyoung. He seemed somewhat okay I guess, he was incredibly apologetic for what he did to my mom, for leaving her pregnant. He was still married and had kids by this point.” Luna shakes her head slightly
“So you have half siblings?” San asks
“3 half brothers. I never met them, I didn’t want to. After an hour I knew I didn’t want any form of relationship with him and he understood, respected my decision but gave me his number in case I changed my mind and I haven’t heard from him since.” she answers “My dad… the man who raised me, sang me to sleep as a baby, took me to the hospital when I broke my arm jumping off the porch roof, who loved me even when I told him I hated him and dropped everything and flew across the world with just the clothes on his back when I… needed him the most - he is the only father I need or want.” she says as everyone nods silently, “I know he feels a lot of guilt, that he is the reason for my bipo… mental health but he isn’t.”
Yunhos hand moves from her hip to the back of her head and strokes her hair comfortingly causing her to lean into him fully while still holding onto Mingis hand tightly.
“We care for you, Luna so damn much.” Mingi says, and it is so simple and so true that she feels the tears coming back, but this time, they’re not from sadness or pain.
“Even if you punched someone in the face,” San adds, nodding with a grin on his face
Luna laughs loudly wiping her tears. “I don’t make a habit of punching people, I promise.”
"Speaking of punching people," Wooyoung says, leaning forward with an impish grin, "remember when Mingi tried to do that boxing workout and accidentally hit himself in the face?"
"That was one time!" Mingi protests, his free hand dramatically clutching his chest while the other still holds Luna's as everyone laughs.
Jongho snorts. "One time that we caught on camera and will never let you forget."
"The way you just dropped to the ground like," Yeosang adds, his usually calm face breaking into a smile. "Oscar-worthy performance."
“Be thankful they left it out of the logbook video we were filming at the time!” Yunho laughs
Luna feels the heaviness in her chest dissolving as the conversation shifts. She squeezes Mingi's hand gratefully as she wipes the last traces of tears from her cheeks with her free hand.
"At least I've never broken a phone with my ass!" Mingi retorts, looking pointedly at Wooyoung.
"That was because Hongjoong pushed me!" Wooyoung exclaims.
"I did not push you," Hongjoong says with exaggerated patience. "I moved slightly to the left and you dramatically collapsed like someone had shot you."
"The dramatics of this group, I swear," Seonghwa mutters, but his eyes are fond as he looks around the table.
"Says the man who screamed when he found a spider in the laundry room last week," San counters.
"It was the size of my hand!" Seonghwa defends himself.
"It was barely bigger than a coin," Luna laughs, remembering how she'd had to rescue him. "You were practically standing on the dryer when I came in to get it."
"For safety!" Seonghwa insists, his ears turning pink. "Those things are fast."
"Not as fast as Seonghwa running away from it," Jongho adds, and the table erupts in laughter.
“Oh like you don’t run when a bug flies near you!” Seonghwa retorts with a playful look on his face as Jongho begins to protest
Luna watches them bicker, the familiar rhythm of their teasing washing over her like a warm wave. She feels Yunho's hand slide from her hair to rest comfortably at the nape of her neck, his thumb making small, soothing circles on her skin.
"You good?" he whispers, leaning close enough that only she can hear.
She nods, a genuine smile spreading across her face. "Yeah," she whispers back. "I'm good."
“I’m so proud of you, little one. So fucking proud.” he kisses the side of her head
Yunho squeezes her hand gently, his eyes conveying a silent message of support and understanding. Luna meets his gaze and smiles appreciatively, knowing that she is truly surrounded by people who care for her deeply. When dinner is finished and she is chased out of the kitchen by Wooyoung when she tries to help clean up she goes to her bedroom.
After brushing her teeth and washing her face she changes into her favourite oversized t-shirt, sleep shorts and flops belly first onto her bed, phone in hand. She opens her messages, types ‘I love you daddy. Thank you for my life’, then deletes the last sentence, leaving just the first four words and a handful of hearts. The reply comes almost instantly: ‘Love you more, my little bunny’. Luna smiles widely at the old childhood nickname she hasn’t been called for a long time. She’s about to put her phone down when a shadow slides across the crack of her door, followed by a soft, hesitant knock.
“Yeah?” she calls, voice small.
Wooyoung pokes his head in, hair damp and wavy from his post-dinner shower and a mischievous look on his face, though his eyes are soft. “Hey,” he says, easing the door open and hovering in the doorway. “Can I come in or are you, like, decompressing from us?”
She grins and waves him in, shifting to sit cross-legged on the bed. “You’re welcome anytime, Youngie.”
He closes the door and crosses the room in three quick steps, lying on the bed beside her, his head resting on her knee. For once, there’s a nervous energy radiating from him, but he’s trying to tamp it down. Luna places a hand on his head, her fingers gently playing with his hair. “I’m proud of you.” his voice is soft
“I didn’t even do anything!” she shrugs
“Didn’t do anything?” Wooyoung looks up at her, “Jagiya, you told us something incredibly personal about yourself. That is not nothing.” he moves to sit up. “I know how hard it is for you to let people into your life, to allow people to care for you and I understand. In fact I understand it even more now but I don’t want you to think you aren’t wanted or cared for by us… by me!”
She reaches out, tucking a soft lock of his hair behind one ear. “I know, Wooyoungie. Today I just wanted… needed to show you my true self for a change.”
“You did,” he says, scooting closer until their knees are pressed together. “And just so you know, I like all the versions of you. Even the violent, scrappy one.” He makes a little mock punch at her arm, which she catches and squeezes.
“Fuck, I am never living that down am I?” she laughs loudly pulling him down to lie beside her
“Never!” he grins before letting the moment hang, then grows solemn. “Can I…?” he asks, and she knows what he means. She nods, and his hand comes up to gently cup her cheek, thumb tracing the line of her jaw. His lips meet hers, feather-soft, and for once, Luna doesn’t feel a need to perform. She just melts into it, letting him lead, their tongues slowly massaging together in a tender moment.
“Can I sleep here tonight?” he asks when they eventually pull apart, his voice suddenly small, almost childlike.
“I’d be kinda mad if you didn’t,” she replies. He grins, and without another word, he burrows under the blanket beside her and wraps himself around her back, his legs tangling with hers. He places a gentle kiss to her shoulder and sleep comes easier for her than it has in a while.
Warnings: talks of anxiety, bipolar disorder, mental health, medication, no explicit details but one mention of past suicide attempt and self harm scars, swearing, suggestive language, brief description of sex
Word Count: 13.7k
Summary: The 9 of them return from LA, and while they are all happy to be home, Luna is worried about her relationship with one of them, prompting another member to reveal his past to her. The following day, her anxiety increases when Hongjoong, Yunho, and Seonghwa want to talk to her.
{banners by @cafekitsune}
The apartment was a welcome sight as the 9 of them walked into it. The flight home had gone without issues, no panic attacks. Luna took her medication as promised, she sat beside Wooyoung who kept her distracted with games on his ipad, food and movies.
“I’m so hungry!” groans San making his way straight to the pantry to get a snack
“Me too,” Mingi agrees, flopping down onto the sofa. “I could eat an entire pizza by myself.”
“Pizza sounds amazing,” Luna says, dropping her bag onto the floor and face planting onto her now favourite corner on the sofa, the one that is closest to her bedroom door. “But it’s so late. Are places even still delivering?”
“Leave that to me,” Hongjoong says with a smirk, pulling out his phone. “I know a place that delivers 24/7. What do you guys want?”
Everyone starts shouting what they want as Hongjoong tries to write it down on his phone. Hongjoong nods as he types away, jotting down everyone's orders. "So we have 3 large pizzas, Kimchi stew, tteokbokki, japchae, pajeon, and fried chicken... anything else?" He glances around at the group.
Wooyoung rubs his stomach as it growls, "I think that should be enough for now. We can always make some ramyeon later if we're still hungry." He turns to Luna with a smile. "Anything else you want, jagiya?”
“No, just some pizza will do me.” she replies moving her head to the side so it was no longer buried in the plush cushion
“Okay, I’ll get this ordered. Everyone should go get changed and washed up before it arrives.” Hongjoong says walking into the kitchen
Everyone begins to make their way to their separate rooms but Yeosang lingers, though, his eyes never leaving Luna. She’s still on the sofa but she’s sitting upright now, her legs tucked under her as she scrolls through her phone. He walks over, sitting down beside her as she looks up at him with a fond smile. “Hey Sangie.”
“I missed you,” he says quietly, reaching out to brush some hair behind her ear. His touch is gentle, but there’s an undercurrent of something deeper, something he’s been holding onto.
Luna eyes are soft. “Missed you too,” she whispers back.
Before she can say anything else, Yeosang leans in, his lips meeting hers in a kiss that’s both tender and hungry. It’s been too long since they’ve had a moment like this, just the two of them, their last kiss being in the gym on their first morning in LA and he can’t help but pour everything he’s been feeling into it. Luna melts into the kiss, her fingers curling into his shirt as if to hold him closer.
Yeosang's lips press against Luna's, his kiss growing more intense as he grips her hips and draws her onto his lap. She feels the heat radiating from his body and the power of his hold, sending a shiver down her spine. It's been ages since they shared a moment like this, just the two of them, completely absorbed in one another. They kiss with a fervour as if they are each other's lifeline, filled with longing and urgency. Yeosang's lips travel along Luna's jaw to her ear, whispering sweet words in Korean.
"I missed this," he whispers, his voice filled with emotion. "I couldn't stop thinking about you."
Luna shivers as his warm breath caresses her skin. "I missed it too," she admits softly, her fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. "So much."
Yeosang pulls back slightly to look at Luna's face. Her cheeks are flushed a pretty pink, her lips swollen from their kisses. He tucks strands of now messy hair behind her ear tenderly.
"You look absolutely beautiful," he whispers with admiration before leaning in for a more gently kiss. Luna smiles into it, feeling a surge of happiness from his kind words. Despite being convinced she looks far from her best after the long flight, she appreciates the compliment nonetheless.
In the kitchen, Hongjoong is on the phone placing their large food order while San and Mingi help themselves to drinks from the fridge. They glance over at Yeosang and Luna softly kissing on the sofa but wisely choose not to interrupt their moment.
“They look cute together.” Mingi says
"They really do," San agrees with a smile, "though it's still strange to see Yeosang being so affectionate!" he adds.
"Not as strange as seeing Jongho kissing, though!" Mingi chimes in.
"Yeah…wait, what?" San asks his eyes widen, turning to Mingi, who just grins and makes a lock-and-key gesture with his lips and fingers.
Back on the sofa, Yeosang and Luna finally break their kiss, their foreheads resting against each other as they catch their breath. Luna looks into Yeosang's eyes, a soft smile playing on her lips.
"How did we get so lucky?" Yeosang murmurs, reaching up to cup her cheek. "To have you here with us, for you to pick us…"
Luna leans into his touch, nuzzling against his palm. "I'm the lucky one," she insists quietly smiling at him
Luna leans against Yeosang cuddling into him as she feels the warm of his body. He feels his heart skip a beat at being so close to her again after their trip.
Just then, Hongjoong shouts from the kitchen to everyone. "Ya, food's on the way!"
“We should get ourselves changed.” Yeosang whispers, his forehead pressed against the side of her head
“5 more minutes.” she replies with a slight pout
Yeosang's smile widens, unable to refuse her request. Her pouty face and big brown doe eyes were irresistible, but even without them, he found it impossible to deny anything she wished from him. The thought of spending just five more minutes cradling her in his arms felt like a slice of heaven to him, a moment he wanted to savour for a bit longer.
"You're way too cute when you pout like that," Yeosang murmurs, tucking some hair behind her ear. "It's actually unfair."
"You're not exactly innocent when it comes to getting your way either." Luna teases, poking his chest.
"Me?" Yeosang feigns offence, his hand clutching his chest dramatically. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Luna raises an eyebrow at him. "Oh really? Because I distinctly remember someone getting Yunho to cut dance practice short last week with nothing but a pout and puppy eyes."
Yeosang's dramatic face melts into a laugh as he remembers. "Okay, that was different."
"Different how?" Luna grins, shifting to face him better.
“We'd been practising for six hours straight and my legs felt like jelly.” he replies
"You literally went 'Hyuuuung' with those big eyes of yours and he caved in like two seconds flat."
"Hey, I earned that power. Do you know how many years it took to perfect that pout?" He runs his thumb along her jawline, still chuckling. "Besides, Yunho is always been weak for my big eyes."
"You're ridiculous," Luna says fondly, leaning into his touch.
"Says the one who just used her own big eyes for five more minutes with me," he teases, his lips ghost over hers
“I don’t see you putting up a fight.” she whispers
“As if I could, angel.” he replies before capturing her lips
They stay like this for a few more minutes before finally and very reluctantly leaving each others arms. Yeosang gives her a lingering hug before retreating from the lounge for his room as she walks to hers
As Luna walks into her room, she feels a wave of calm wash over her. The familiar surroundings are like a balm to her soul after the stresses of the trip. She takes a moment to just breathe in the peace and comfort of being back home.
Moving quickly, Luna changes into a pair of soft cotton shorts and a long sleeved night shirt. She uses makeup remover wipes to clean off the day's worth of makeup and travel from her face.
The flight home was smoother than the one to LA. She noticed the guys were subtly watching her, clearly having discussed their plans beforehand. When Hongjoong asked who she'd prefer to sit beside, it confirmed her suspicions. Their actions at the hotel and in the private lounge were too well-coordinated to be spontaneous. She wasn't annoyed; she appreciated their discreet care and felt relieved not to worry about anything.
Luna always struggled with letting others care for her, as she was used to looking after everyone else - her friends, previous boyfriends, and her old work colleagues. Yet, she enjoyed the change of not having to worry all the time. Her Grandma Park called her an 'old soul' for her nurturing nature.
On the flight home, she insisted on keeping the seats the same which meant her flight partner this time was Wooyoung and secretly she was over the moon with that. Not that she wouldn’t have liked any of the others sitting beside her but she had spent the least time with Wooyoung while in LA and had missed him a lot.
She took her anti anxiety medication an hour before boarding, she was calm as the flight took off.
Wrapped in a new kuromi blanket from Seonghwa, with Wooyoung's hand in hers under the blanket and the amethyst crystal in the other, she listened to a playlist Hongjoong made on new headphones Mingi had bought her after he overheard her mention to Hyunsik her current ones weren’t holding their charge for long and the bracelet from Jongho on her wrist.They were surrounding her in one way or another and it was providing more comfort to her.
The rest of the flight consisted of a movie with Wooyoung, which he fell asleep during, eating, playing games on his ipad, sleeping, and eating some more before it was time for landing.
Luna finishes washing her face, she grabs her spare glasses from the nightstand and ties her long hair up into a messy bun on top of her head before going back into the lounge. No one was there but she could see Yunho, Seonghwa, San and Mingi were in the kitchen.
As she enters, Yunho turns and immediately opens his arms, offering a warm hug. She all but runs into his arms, savouring being able to hug him without worry. "Hey, little one!” he smiles
Luna mirrors his smile, feeling the soothing comfort of his hug wrap around her like a cosy blanket. "It's so good to be home," she replies, her voice brimming with genuine happiness and relief.
“You feeling okay?” he inquires softly, his tone gentle and caring. “No side effects from your anxiety medication?” his voice lowering to a tender whisper, “Or your other meds?” he adds even more quietly, his concern evident.
“Just a bit tired, like everyone else,” she reassures him, gazing up into his eyes with a hint of fatigue but an undeniable spark of contentment. “But I am fine!”
Yunho bends down and lightly kisses her lips, causing her to relax into him further. He places his hand gently on the small of her back to steady her as she goes onto her tiptoes, her arms moving to his shoulder.
"Oi, get a room!" Wooyoung calls out teasingly as he walks into the kitchen.
“You are just jealous!” Yunho replies playfully
“I don’t need to be jealous because I had her all to myself for twelve glorious hours,” Wooyoung smirks
Luna laughs, pulling away from Yunho as she turns around in his arms so her back was now pressed against him, her hands holding onto his arms that are still wrapped around her. "Oh yeah, except for the 5 hours to fell asleep and drooled on my shoulder!"
"I did not drool!" Wooyoung protests
"Oh you absolutely did," San chimes in. "I have the evidence on my phone!"
"You delete that right now!" he shouts
Yunho presses a kiss to the side of her head as they laugh at Wooyoung chasing San around the kitchen for his phone. The others begin to filter into the kitchen while Seonghwa starts cleaning the kitchen island. Luna makes her rounds, giving each of them hugs and kisses. When she reaches Jongho, he abruptly turns his back to her and rushes to the other side of the kitchen.
She is somewhat surprised by his behaviour. She had anticipated that he wouldn't be overly affectionate once they returned home and were surrounded by others, but she wasn’t expecting to be completely ignored like that. Since he left his hotel room that morning to go to hair and make up, he hadn’t looked at or even spoken to her. Not even on the photoshoot. Initially she thought it was just him being professional but they were home now… in their safe place, the one place in the world they were free to be themselves but he just turned his back on her.
Suddenly, she feels arms encircle her, drawing her attention away from Jongho's back. Without even glancing up, she knew it was Mingi; his hugs had become very familiar to her.
“You okay princess?” he asks.
Mingi was always good at picking up on subtle emotions, so he easily noticed the slight drop in her expression when Jongho turned away. She rests her head against his chest and nods while the others move around them.
"Do you want to sleep in my room tonight?" he offers gently, his voice soothing to her.
"Can I?" she asks quietly, gripping the back of his black hoodie tightly.
"You never have to ask that, princess!" he responds, kissing the top of her head.
Luna finds herself looking at Jongho once more, feeling a bit rejected as he remains with his back turned to her. The sound of the doorbell jolts her from her thoughts.
"The food’s here!" Hongjoong exclaims, rushing to the door.
"Ya, make sure you have your wallet this time!" Seonghwa shouts after him. "I’m not paying for you again."
"That only happened once!" Hongjoong retorts, already fishing out money from his pocket.
“Three times actually!” Wooyoung counters as Hongjoong rolls his eyes
They gather around the kitchen island, perching on the bar stools around it with various food containers spread out across the surface. The smell of delicious food fills the apartment as everyone digs in, the exhaustion from the flight momentarily forgotten in favour of satisfying their hunger.
"Stop stealing my wings," Wooyoung whines, swatting at Yeosang's chopsticks.
"You've had like six already," Yeosang retorts, successfully nabbing another piece.
"I counted and it was four, you thief!"
Luna is squeezed between Seonghwa and Mingi, taking small bites of her pizza slice while attempting to avoid glancing at Jongho, who has seated himself at the opposite end of the island. He hasn't looked in her direction, silently consuming his meal. It felt as though he intentionally sat as far from her as possible, which made her heart ache.
"Here," Seonghwa says quietly, sliding some of his chicken onto her plate. He always knew she liked extra.
“You should have it!” she replies trying to give it back but he holds up his hand
“I am nearly full and put too much on my plate!” he says “Take it before Yeosang and Wooyoung start fighting over it.” he whispers with a playful tone
“Thanks Hwa.” she smiles at him and leans over to kiss him
“Yeosang!!” Wooyoung shouts leaning across and pulling the container of chicken wings away from him
“Stop!” Yeosang lunges across the counter, nearly knocking over Mingi’s drink in the process.
"Careful!" Seonghwa scolds, steadying the glass. "I just cleaned this counter."
"Again with the cleaning," Wooyoung rolls his eyes. "We literally just got home."
"Some of us prefer not to live in filth," Seonghwa retorts, eyeing the sauce dripping down Wooyoung's chin.
Luna watches the chaos unfold with a small giggle, feeling warmth spread through her chest despite Jongho's continued silence at the end of the counter. She leans into Mingi's side, taking another bite of her pizza as Wooyoung and Yeosang continue their wrestling match over the chicken wings.
As the meal comes to an end, empty containers are scattered across the counter while Seonghwa and Yunho begin tidying up, urging everyone to head to bed. Luna notices Jongho casting a brief look in her direction before he swiftly turns away and heads up the stairs. Mingi takes her hand, his fingers naturally weaving between hers.
"Lets go upstairs," Mingi says softly, tugging her hand as she follows him to his bedroom. As soon as they walk in, Mingi closes the door and they slip under the covers. It is warm and comfortable and Luna instantly feels calmer.
"C'mere," he murmurs, pulling her close. His lips find hers in the darkness, soft and reassuring. She melts into him, grateful for his warmth, his steadiness.
“God I’ve missed this!” she sighs as their lips part and they get cosy.
“Me too princess.” he replies
They fall into a comfortable silence, Mingi's hands still moving soothingly across her back. He can feel the tension slowly leaving her body, but there's still something there, something unsaid.
"I can literally hear your brain overthinking from here," Mingi murmurs against her hair, his hand still running up and down her back. “You were a little quiet during dinner too.”
Luna shifts against him. "That obvious, huh?"
"You're about as subtle as Wooyoung trying to steal food." He pokes her side gently as she giggles lightly. "What’s going on inside your pretty little head, princess?"
She sighs lightly, burying her face in his chest. "Just tired."
"Bullshit," he says fondly. "But I won't push you."
They lay in comfortable quietness for a few minutes before Luna speaks up again. "How the hell do you manage to be this warm? Are you actually part furnace?"
Mingi snorts. "It's a gift. Though San always claimed I was stealing all his body heat when we shared hotel rooms."
"Poor San," Luna laughs softly
“I swear he was just using it as an excuse to steal my hoodies!”
Luna hums against his chest. "Speaking of theft, did you see Wooyoung's face when Yeosang stole that last wing?"
"I thought he was going to flip the entire counter," Mingi chuckles. "Though I'm pretty sure Seonghwa would've murdered them both if they messed up his pristine kitchen."
"God forbid anyone leave a crumb out of place," Luna says before mimicking Seonghwa's stern voice. "Do you want ants? Because that's how you get ants!"
Mingi's chest rumbles with laughter. "That was frighteningly accurate. Have you been practising your Seonghwa impressions?"
"Maybe." She pokes his ribs. "Don't you dare tell him though."
"Your secret's safe with me, princess." He kisses her forehead. "Did Wooyoung really drool on you on the plane?"
"Oh yeah. He kept nodding off during the movie and his head would just..." Luna demonstrates by letting her head loll dramatically to the side. "At one point he mumbled something about jellybeans and was like trying to eat my shoulder."
Mingi bursts out laughing loudly. "Please tell me San got that on video."
"Pretty sure he got the whole thing. Wooyoung's going to die when he sees it."
"Oh we will play it at every possible opportunity," Mingi grins, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Company dinner? Christmas party? Maybe even his future wedding?"
“You’re evil!” she laughs
"Nah, just opportunistic. Besides, he's still holding onto that video of me walking into the glass door when we filmed that thing a couple of months ago.”
"Yeah he showed it to me! To be fair, it was pretty spectacular. You just..." Luna gestures vaguely with her hands. "Bounced."
"I did not bounce!" Mingi protests, though he's fighting back a smile. "I gracefully... rebounded."
“Well that is what will happen when you wear sunglasses indoors in a well lit place while trying to look cool on camera.” she laughs, “However, it was rather impressive!”
“I just hope they won’t add it to the final edit!” he groans playfully
“Oh you know they 100% will!” she lifts her head to look at him, her chin resting on his chest
“I know!” he simply replies looking at her
“I can’t wait to watch the show though when it gets aired. It sounded so fun to film. The games you played, you and Yunho sleeping overnight in a car!!” she giggles
“It really was!” he smiles, “But also weird to have done something so recently that you weren’t there for, before we even knew someone as special as you even existed in this world, never mind in the same city as us.” he places a kiss on her forehead, “It feels like you’ve always been here.”
“I feel the same with you guys.” she replies softly. She trusts them, all of them. “The reason I was quiet earlier was because I was a little caught off guard by J-Jongho.”
Mingi holds her tighter in his arms, her fingers play with the toggle on his hoodie as he allows her the time to continue when she is ready.
“I know that I shouldn’t be!” she says resting her head on his chest once more, “He doesn’t like skinship, especially infront of you and I know that but…” she trails off
“You thought after he was affectionate with you in LA that it would be the same at home?” Mingi finishes
“Stupid isn’t it?” she sighs
"Not stupid at all," Mingi says, his fingers absently playing with her hair. "Jongho's like... imagine being a 40-year-old man in a 22-year-old's body."
Luna laughs lightly against his chest. "That's oddly specific."
"Remember when he lectured San for like 10 minutes for putting his feet on the coffee table? He sounded exactly like my dad." Mingi chuckles, then his voice softens. "But you know what? I've never seen him smile the way he did in LA. When he was with you... it was like watching him finally act his age."
"Really?" Luna asks quietly, picking at a loose thread on Mingi's hoodie.
"Oh yeah. You should've seen how happy he looked after that kiss as we were going to hair and make up. Practically skipping, he was on cloud 9 from that kiss!"
Luna groans, burying her face in his chest. "Stop." but she can’t help smile at the memory of their kisses in LA and the way her stomach fluttered.
"I'm serious! He was practically floating. Even started whistling as the stylist did his make up - and let me tell you, that never happens! But hey," Mingi nudges her gently, "give him time. He's probably still processing the fact that someone managed to crack through his 'everything must be perfectly organised including my emotions' exterior. You basically turned his whole world upside down - in the best way possible."
Luna sighs. "I just... I don't want him to feel uncomfortable."
“You could never make anyone uncomfortable!” Mingi hugs her tighter, his fingers continuing to run through her hair soothingly. "Jongho may act tough, but he's a big softie deep down. He cares about you a lot, even if he struggles to show it sometimes."
Luna looks up at Mingi with a small smile. "You really think so?"
“Absolutely!” Mingi replies with confidence, "Hey... anything else on your mind, princess?"
"I'm good," she says softly. "Just tired from the flight and my tummy is really full from all the food I ate on the plane and tonight!” she adds rubbing her stomach
“A little food baby?” Mingi asks with a grin
“More like a big food baby!” she laughs, “Look at it!” she adds lifting her nightshirt enough to reveal her visibly bloated stomach “I look like I have a real baby in there!”
“Then lets get ready for bed.” he smiles, “Come on, teeth brushing time!”
“Nooo,” she groans, “I am too tired to go downstairs and get my toothbrush.” Her grip on Mingi under the covers tightens as if refusing to leave the bed
“Ah but princess,” he kisses her nose “…there is already a brand new toothbrush in the shared bathroom especially for you.”
“Really?” she looks at him
“Yunho got it for you before we left so you didn’t have to keep running downstairs for your own when you stay up here.” he gazes down at her, “It is pink and glittery!”
Luna's eyes light up. "Pink and glittery? Yunho knows me too well."
"Come on then princess," Mingi says, suddenly scooping her up bridal style. Luna lets out a surprised squeak.
"I can walk, you know!"
"Nope, you said you were tired. Can't have you falling down the hallway at..." he glances at the clock on his wall, "2 in the morning!"
"My hero," she deadpans, but wraps her arms around his neck anyway.
They pass San in the hallway, who raises an eyebrow at them. "Really?"
"She's tired," Mingi explains seriously.
"I can see that." he teases, “Goodnight sunshine!”
“Goodnight Sannie!” she smiles blowing him a kiss before he disappears into his bedroom.
Mingi nudges the bathroom door open with his foot. He sets Luna down, and she immediately spots the pink toothbrush in the holder with the other ones, giggling with a childlike enthusiasm. "It's so pretty!"
“You are seriously so adorable!” he grins at her as he hands it to her
They brush their teeth, Luna humming some random tune while Mingi makes faces at her in the mirror. When they're done, he picks her up again despite her protests.
"This is completely unnecessary," she says, even as she snuggles into his chest.
"Shh, I'm being romantic."
"You're being a dork." she smiles, “But I love it.”
Mingi gently places Luna on his bed before getting in beside her and pulling his plush covers over them. They share a soft, lingering kiss, Luna noting how minty fresh Mingi's breath is from the toothpaste and mouthwash but also savouring his comforting, familiar scent.
"You taste like mint," Luna mumbles sleepily against his lips.
"Well I would hope I taste like mint considering we just brushed our teeth," Mingi chuckles, “Lets get comfortable.”
Luna turns in his arms so her back was against his chest, she holds onto one of his hands around her waist as they get settled under the covers.
"Sweet dreams, princess," he murmurs into her hair as she lets out a long yawn.
“Good night my opp…” her words trail off as the exhaustion hits her and she falls asleep mid-sentence
Mingi looks down at her, feeling a flutter in his stomach as he watches her sleepy, pouty face resting on his extended arm. It seemed like she was about to call him 'oppa,' a term she never used for him, except for that one playful time on his birthday. In fact, she hadn't used it for any of the others either. The idea of her using such an affectionate term makes him smile.
“You’re so cute.” he whispers resting his head next to hers as sleeps take hold of himself too.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───
Luna wakes to the sound of rain pattering off the window, Mingi's soft snores and his arm draped protectively over her. She watches him for a moment before gently slipping away to avoid waking him. As she moves downstairs through the silent apartment, she notices the suitcases piled in the lounge, left there by a manager after she and Mingi had gone to bed. She retrieves her own suitcase and takes it in her room before going into her bathroom. She steps into her shower, the hot water washing away any drowsiness. Once she’s washed her body, her hair and brushed her teeth with her ‘boring non-pink and glittery toothbrush’ she thought, she dresses in comfortable clothes: black sweats, white cropped top, a dusty pink cardigan, and her favourite pink fluffy socks. Her plan for the day is to do laundry.
Before she had moved in, she hated laundry day. Detested it with a passion. Now - she loved it! Which surprised her but she came to realise it was the trip to the launderette she hated more. Having the luxury of a washer and dryer in her home, being able to do it without having to go outside, and in her sweats was a dream. She also liked that it was something she could do to help out around the house. Despite the guys all telling her they did not expect her to contribute around the apartment at all, she ignored them. Cooking and, at least helping out with laundry was the least she could do in such a large household!
As Luna leaves her bedroom, she can instantly smell the enticing aroma of coffee filling the apartment. She follows the smell and finds Hongjoong in the kitchen, already up and about despite the early hour. He is stirring a mug of coffee, clearly just instant coffee she notices as the coffee machine in the corner is untouched. He is dressed rather smartly, black jeans, white t-shirt and a black leather coat on top.
"Hey my love!" he greets her with a smile.
"Hey!" she replies, snuggling into him as he kisses her face. "Why are you up so early?"
"Going to the studio," he admits.
"Joongie!" she lightly scolds, "We just got back last night, and you're working already!"
He grins, "Guilty as charged, but I did resist for eight whole hours."
She rolls her eyes playfully, "Wow, a medal for you."
"Do you know how many song ideas I had on the flight? My brain is literally going to explode if I don't get them down." he explains
"Your brain's always going to explode with songs," she teases, stealing his coffee. "Yuck! Too sweet." she pulls a face
"It's mine," he says, trying to retrieve it but she spins around so he can’t get it back. "You're worse than Wooyoung with the coffee stealing,"
"That’s an alarming amount of sugar," she says taking another sip before handing it back as she sits on the counter.
"Keeps me going," he replies, sipping before putting it back on the counter
"You'll get diabetes," she pokes his chest as he positions himself between her legs. "Then who'll handle your song ideas?"
"I'll get Mingi to do it," he grins, holding her waist. “Then I can stay at home all day with you.” he adds his lips ghosting hers
“Yeah?” she grins. “And exactly what would we do all day Mr Kim?”
“I’d have you in my bed all day, drawing out those pretty moans you were making in my hotel room,” he replies, his eyes going dark, “Your pussy milking my cock..over and over again.” his voice low before capturing her lips in a searing kiss
Luna gasps at his words against his lips, her arms snaking around his neck as his hands slide inside her cardigan and touch the skin on her her lower back. A low, satisfied groan escapes from Hongjoong, relishing the closeness between them. The kiss intensifies, Luna's fingers tangling eagerly in his silky hair.
“If I wasn’t about to go out the door I would be fucking you right here on this counter.” he moans into her mouth, “filling you up as much you want me to.”
“Such a tease Joongie!” she grumbles
The sound of shuffling footsteps and a deep groan from the hallway causes them break the kiss but Hongjoong keeps a hold of her waist and see a zombie-like Seonghwa stumbling into the kitchen, his hair sticking up in about twelve different directions.
"Oh god, get a room," he mumbles, heading for the coffee maker.
"We have several," Hongjoong replies cheerfully. "This one just has coffee."
Luna snickers as Seonghwa just grunts in response, fumbling with the coffee filter.
"Someone's grumpy," she teases, watching him nearly spill coffee grounds.
"Someone kept me up tapping loudly on his laptop keyboard!" Seonghwa mutters, shooting a pointed look at Hongjoong, “And humming with his headphones on!”
Luna jumps off the counter to help. "Let me do it. You might make coffee with salt."
"Remember when you put sugar on your eggs?" Hongjoong laughs.
"That was once," Seonghwa protests, letting Luna take over. "Thank you," he adds, kissing her head before sitting at the kitchen island.
"Yeah, and Wooyoung still brings it up at least once a week," Hongjoong laughs, taking another sip of his coffee.
"Speaking of Wooyoung," Luna says, measuring out the coffee grounds, "how long until he smells the coffee and materialises in here like a summoned demon?"
As if on cue, there's a loud thud from upstairs followed by heavy and rapid footsteps on the stairs.
"You just had to say it," Seonghwa groans, dropping his head onto the counter. “God, why do I feel hungover when I haven’t drank any alcohol?”
“Jetlag.” both Hongjoong and Luna say at the same time
“Oh Luna, before Wooyoung comes down. Seonghwa, Yunho and I need to speak to you later in private.” Hongjoong says quietly as she switches on the coffee machine
"Why?! Is something wrong?" Luna asks, almost dropping the bag of coffee beans she was putting into the cupboard.
"No, darling. Everything's fine!" Seonghwa looks up, noticing her tone.
"Nothing bad, I assure you, my love!" Hongjoong says, placing a comforting hand on her back, though it does little to ease her anxiety. "I’ll be home soon, okay?"
As Wooyoung's footsteps approach, Luna forces a smile, knowing she doesn’t have time to ask any questions and not wanting Hongjoong to worry as he leaves. Hongjoong kisses her forehead, cups her cheek, and grabs his bag. An even more dishevelled looking Wooyoung stumbles into the kitchen, muttering "Coffee, coffee, coffee," as he reaches for a mug with shaky hands.
Seonghwa raises an eyebrow at him. "You sound like a broken record."
“I need caffeine to function.” he retorts irritably
Hongjoong, noticing Wooyoung's grumpiness, says, "Luna just made a fresh pot, so be nice."
“Oh sorry jagiya, I didn’t even see you there!” Wooyoung says looking in her direction, still half asleep but his grumpy face changes into a soft smile - a tired looking soft smile!
"It's okay," she replies, her heart still racing. "I'll start on the laundry. Seonghwa, could you let the others know to leave their clothes outside their bedroom doors for me to collect throughout the day or even in the lounge… somewhere i can get them throughout the day without bothering anyone."
Before anyone can say or do anything she makes a beeline for her bedroom leaving the 3 men alone in the kitchen, looking at one another.
Wooyoung asks, "Was I really that grumpy?" The worry clear on his face that he’s upset her.
"No, it wasn't you," Hongjoong responds with a light sigh, his gaze lingering on her now-closed bedroom door. "Seonghwa, can I have a word?" he adds softly as Wooyoung starts organising mugs.
Seonghwa follows Hongjoong into the hallway.
"I shouldn't have mentioned the talk before leaving" Hongjoong says as he puts on his shoes.
"Definitely not your brightest idea!" Seonghwa responds bluntly.
Hongjoong sighs, "Keep an eye on her today, okay?"
"I will," Seonghwa nods, "but we both know Luna's going to worry until you're back, no matter what I do or say so don’t be in that studio all fucking night okay!"
"Yeah, I know," he replies, running a hand through his hair knowing he fucked up. "I'll be as quick as possible. Eden wants to start the new song, and I still need to finish up the Japanese track before recording," Hongjoong explains, adjusting his bag strap. "Try to keep her occupied."
“From the sounds of it she’ll be keeping herself busy with laundry but I’ll help her with it, if she’ll allow me.” Seonghwa replies as Hongjoong heads for the door
"I'll return as soon as I can," Hongjoong says, and with that, he leaves while Seonghwa returns to the kitchen.
In Lunas room, she sits on the floor, clothes scattered as she empties her suitcase, Hongjoong's words echoing in her mind. The private conversation request leaves her uneasy, chest heavy and a burning feeling in her stomach and throat. "Focus on the laundry," she mutters to herself, scratching her arm. “Stop it!” she scolds herself, placing her hand on the floor. A light knock at her door interrupts her thoughts.
"Hey Luna," Seonghwa calls softly. "I've brought you some tea. Can I come in?"
“Sure.” she replies
Seonghwa enters and hands her tea in her Tangled mug. She smiles, takes a sip, and says, "Thanks."
“Is it okay?” he asks
"Yeah!" she smiles genuinely, "You're getting better at making tea now."
“It has only took me like 40 failed attempts!” he smiles
“And 40 wasted teabags.” she says, “The British would be throwing you in jail for that you know!” she adds with a grin
"Need any help with laundry? I could sort things into piles for you if you'd like." His voice is gentle and understanding, hoping to ease any fears or anxieties brewing in her mind. “Separate the colours and whites, folding... whatever you want.”
"Oh no, I'm okay!" she insists hurriedly. "I just want to get everything organised and washed today so you guys can rest." Her words sound unconvincing, even to herself.
Seonghwa's expression softens as he places his coffee on her desk and crouches by Luna's pile of clothes.
"You need rest too. You were working really hard in LA with all the translating and meetings," he says, beginning to sort through her clothes.
Luna's annoyance flares, and she sets her mug down on the hardwood floor with a heavy clink. “I said I've got it!" she snaps, yanking the clothes from him, then instantly regrets her tone as she sees Seonghwa's surprised expression. "I'm sorry!" she quickly apologises in English. "I didn't mean to..." She trails off, running her hands through her hair. "Fuck!" she mutters, closing her eyes, feeling the familiar tightness in her chest begin once more. “I.. can’t…”
Seonghwa's brows furrow in concern as Luna's words abruptly cut off, her hands threading anxiously through her tousled dark hair as she curls into herself. He can see her fear and anxiety bubbling beneath the surface.
“Hey,” Seonghwa says softly, settling on the floor, “Come here..” he gestures for her to sit in his lap
She immediately crawls over, wrapping herself fully around him as her head buries into his neck. “I’m sorry Hwa!” she sniffs trying to hold back tears “I’m so sorry…”
"Shh, don't apologise," Seonghwa murmurs, running his hand up and down her back. “It is okay darling…” His chest hurting at seeing her so upset.
Luna lets out a shaky breath against Seonghwa's neck. "Are you guys breaking up with me?" she whispers, speaking in Korean again, her voice barely audible.
"What?" Seonghwa shocked pulls back to look at her, his hands keeping a firm hold of her waist. "God no, Luna. Why would you think that?"
"Because you need to 'talk to me in private' and the way you all were at the airport and on the plane. It was like you were all too afraid of me… scared I would freak out again." she mumbles, focusing on a button on his pyjama top, afraid to meet his eyes. "M-maybe you all realised I'm too much work or how I acted on the flight to LA was-"
"Stop!!" Seonghwa interrupts, gently tilting her chin up. "First of all, if we were breaking up with you - which we're not - Hongjoong wouldn't be casually mentioning it before running off to the studio like he's talking about the weather." His hand moves to cup her cheek. "Secondly," he continues, "you've seen how clingy everyone is with you. Wooyoung literally whined for twenty minutes because you played a game with San in the airport lounge."
"He did not whine for twenty minutes," Luna protests weakly.
"You're right, it was closer to thirty," Seonghwa responds with a hint of sarcasm as she giggles quietly. "The thing is, we all care about you deeply. Breaking up isn't even in the realm of possibility."
"So why does Hon-" she begins
He cuts her off again. "I promise, my darling, it's nothing bad. Hongjoong's timing was just terrible, as always. He has a knack for it!"
Luna snorts as he delicately wipes at her eyes with the sleeve of his top. "You're not wrong."
"I'm never wrong," Seonghwa says smugly, leaning in to kiss her. Luna relaxes, tension easing.
Luna melts into the kiss, feeling the tension in her chest begin to thaw. "You really scared me," she admits softly.
Seonghwa pulls back, pressing his forehead to hers. "I know," he says gently, "and I'm so sorry for that. We didn't mean to be so vague and make you worry."
She breathes in his calming scent. "You promise it's nothing bad?"
"I promise," he reassures, wrapping his arms tighter around her. "Just please try not to stress about it too much, okay?"
"I just... I hate feeling like a burden. Especially to you all." she whispers, her voice trembling slightly.
Seonghwa sighs, brushing stray curls behind her ear. "Luna, you will never be a burden. Not to us, not ever. We want you with us."
He kisses her slowly, deeply, leaving her breathless. Luna clings to him, feeling the care and affection in his kiss. When they part, Seonghwa rests his forehead against hers, placing her hand on his chest to feel his racing heart.
"Do you feel that?" he whispers. "No one else has ever made my heart react like this from just a kiss. Even a simple look in my direction, my heart starts to race. The way we connect? It's as if we were meant for this, meant for each other."
Luna nods, unable to find her voice. Her heart swells with emotion, tears blurring her vision anew.
“I wouldn’t change a thing about our relationship and neither would anyone else. So please believe me when I say that this talk Hongjoong, Yunho and I want to have with you has nothing to do with breaking up with you, or pushing you away. We want to bring you closer.” Seonghwa runs his thumb along her cheekbone tenderly. “Please believe me, darling.”
"I do. I'll try not worry about it anymore," she says, hugging Seonghwa tightly.
"Thank god," he says softly, "because I was running out of arguments." This causes her to laugh. He feels a flutter in his stomach at hearing it, “Laundry can wait. Lets do something fun today instead.”
“Hwa..” she begins
"Unless you find laundry fun!" he adds with a smile.
“While I’m not worrying until Hongjoong returns, I will need something to occupy my mind, and laundry soothes me,” she explains, meeting his gaze as he nods. “But you can help by collecting and washing all the underwear as I am not touching that!! And not my underwear, before you say it!” she laughs.
Seonghwa's face scrunches up in mock offence. "Are you implying our underwear is somehow unclean?"
"I'm saying eight men's underwear after a weeks trip and 2 long haul flights isn't something I want to sort," Luna says, getting off his lap.
“Okay, okay, you have a point! I’ll handle the underwear and anything smelly because we are men!” he laughs. “We usually get laundry done while away, so it won’t be as bad each time.” he adds as she stands up to start her own washing.
“Good to know! I don’t mind doing laundry but massive piles of it after every trip sounds exhausting.” she replies as they make their way to the laundry room down the small corridor beside Lunas bedroom. “I don’t know how my mom managed when my dad returned from tours of duty!”
“Oh that must have been bad!” Seonghwa laughs opening the laundry room door
“It was the stuff of nightmares!” Luna shakes her head at the memories, “I used to dread that bag being opened as it smelled so bad! Dad found it so funny while Mom would yell ‘ya, didn’t you wash anything while away! you are disgusting!’” she mimics her moms voice making him laugh louder. After meeting her parents and seeing their playful dynamic with one another he can picture it in his head.
“Well, our stylists are good at keeping on top of that stuff. They make sure all the staff has their clothes washed too, not just ours. It helps everyone during those long trips especially on tours.” he says, “I guess I better go round up all the underwear, check Wooyoung hasn’t passed out on the kitchen island and then I will make us breakfast.” he adds kissing her cheek
While Luna and Seonghwa spend the day tackling the laundry, the rest of the group drifts downstairs, weary from the flight. They sip coffee, shower Luna with affection, and then go about their activities - Yeosang and San hit the gym, Yunho and Jongho play PC games, and Wooyoung gets more sleep. Mingi is the last to appear, joining Luna on the sofa in the late afternoon as she folds laundry on the sofa.
"Hey princess," he smiles, settling beside her. "How long have you been up?"
"I've been awake since 7, about 8 hours," she replies, kissing his cheek as he yawns loudly. "You were out cold, so I let you sleep."
"I can't believe I slept so long," he admits.
"You needed it," she remarks, folding a T-shirt of his.
"Have you been doing laundry?" he asks, yawning again and rubbing his head.
“Yep, this is the 3rd load. I’ve just put a 4th one on.” she replies
"You did all that by yourself?!" he asks, surprised at how much she’s done while he slept.
“No! Seonghwa helped me. He has gone out to pick up food for dinner with Wooyoung and Jongho.” she says, folding the last item of clothing and placing it into the laundry basket on the coffee table with the others before leaning against Mingi, putting her arms around him.
“How was Jongho this morning?” Mingi asks softly
“The same. Quiet and avoiding me. It is okay though.” she replies
As Luna rests her head on Mingi's shoulder, his familiar scent offers comfort amid her anxieties. Mingi wraps an arm around her waist, processing her words about Jongho.
"I'm sorry he's still giving you the cold shoulder," Mingi says softly, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on her hip.
Luna snuggles closer. "It's not really a cold shoulder," she sighs. "I just wish I knew how to make things better. What if he regrets it?"
“Regrets what, princess?”
“Me. Kissing me, taking me on a date, having me sleep in his hotel room.” her voice is quiet, “Maybe he’s realised he doesn’t like me as much as he thought he would.”
Mingi's heart aches as he listens to Luna's concerns. He knows the consuming power of regret. But Jongho? Regretting Luna? Impossible. Mingi has seen Jongho's unmistakable affectionate glances when he thinks no one is watching.
"No, princess," Mingi murmurs, his voice gentle yet firm. "Jongho could never regret anything involving you. He did not regret that date either."
Luna lifts her head, seeking reassurance. Mingi tenderly wipes a tear from her cheek. "I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but it might help you understand him better," Mingi continues.
“What is it?” Luna asks sitting upright, turning to face him.
"He was deeply hurt by someone he really liked," Mingi explains solemnly. "She was an idol too, but treated him terribly. In public, she ignored him, and in private, she was cold and dismissive, using him without genuine interest. She used him, showing no genuine interest in spending time with him or even speaking to him outside of what suited her needs."
Luna swallows hard, recalling Jonghos words from the night she spent with him - the ‘not-so-friend with benefits’.
"Jongho was always reserved, but she had a hold on him like I've never seen," he says, a flash of anger crossing his face. "He did whatever she asked, without question. Bought her expensive things she not-so-subtly dropped into the rare conversations she had with him.” Lunas fingers instantly touch the luxury brand bracelet he gave her in LA. “She made him feel guilty when he was busy with schedules or practice. She demanded his full attention when she wanted it but never once gave him any."
"What happened?" she asks, her voice tinged with curiosity and concern.
"She blocked him suddenly," he replies, exasperated. "Ignored him backstage, and her bandmates did the same. They ignored all of us actually. San tried to speak to their leader, to try and ease whatever was going on but she gave him a dirty look and walked away without a word.”
"Fucking bitches!" she grumbles in English, a flicker of anger igniting within her, causing her to clench her fists. Mingi lets out a soft chuckle at her fiery response.
“Exactly how we all felt,” he agrees. "We found out later that she had started a relationship… with a fellow idol, someone Jongho was close friends with and who knew how he felt about her… knew that Jongho had fallen in love with her.”
"Oh my god!" Luna whispers, feeling protective. The thought of Jongho's pain and betrayal by two people he trusted makes her blood boil. She can't fathom the depth of his hurt.
“He became even more reserved with showing his emotions...” Mingi continues, “Focused on work, but then, a year later, you appeared in our lives." A small, genuine smile spreads across his face. "And he slowly began to light up, truly smile, and laugh again."
“What if I am not enough for him though?” she asks, her voice tinged with insecurity. “Or I accidentally hurt him too?”
"You're more than enough, princess," Mingi reassures her, holding her hands gently. "And you could never hurt him! You're exactly what he needs now. Just your presence around him is helping him heal, something we could never do for him. You're the perfect person for him with your understanding, care, and patience." He touches her cheek, adding, "We all needed that."
Luna smiles at Mingi, warmth spreading through her chest as his words sink in. She hopes he's right, that she is enough for Jongho.. for all of them, and that she won't unintentionally cause him any more pain than he's already endured.
"I’ll try my best," she promises softly, determination in her eyes. "I don’t want to pressure him into anything he’s not ready for."
“He is ready… he just doesn’t know it yet.” Mingi says pulling her onto his lap, “Just keep being yourself with him.”
"Thank you for telling me though," Luna replies sincerely, “I promise that I won’t tell him you did.”
"I wouldn’t mind if you did tell him but I didn't want you worrying over something that was never your fault." he whispers
"I appreciate it," she says. "It’s helped me understand him better and what I need to do. I won't push him, but I won't hold back either. Normally, I'd give him space, but I think he needs reassurance. I won’t force my presence around him if he truly isn’t wanting it, but I’ll make sure he knows I’m here... when he’s ready."
Mingi smiles. "You’re all stuck with me for the foreseeable anyway!" she adds with a grin.
"Stuck with you?" he teases, eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh princess, you're stuck with us…" He leans in, pressing his lips to hers between each drawn-out word: "for… a… long… time!"
Luna giggles, wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders. Reflecting on her earlier breakup worries, she feels silly now, as they prove every single day how much she means to them.
"You must be hungry—should I cook something?" she asks.
“I think I’ll wait until dinner.” he hums in contentment, “I just want to stay here with you while it’s quiet.”
“You mean while Wooyoung is out.” she giggles resting her head on his shoulder and burying into him
“Am I that obvious?” he teases
“A little!” she replies as her phone notification chimes, piercing the quiet room and making her sit upright in surprise. She leans backwards, reaching awkwardly for her phone on the coffee table just behind her. Mingi reacts quickly, wrapping his arm around her waist to prevent her from tumbling off him, his hold steady.
"Oh, Hwa just texted," she reads, "They’ve got all the food for dinner, some drinks and snacks… oh and even picked up fried chicken from down the street!"
"Fuck yes," Mingi groans, throwing his head back. "I've been dreaming about proper Korean fried chicken since we landed in LA."
"What, the hotel chicken wings weren’t authentic enough?" Luna teases, recalling his complaints when they all had dinner in Hongjoongs hotel room on the first night.
"Those weren't wings—they were sad little nuggets with identity issues," Mingi protests.
Luna bursts out laughing. "The face you made when you bit into one! I thought you were going to throw it across the room."
"I considered it," Mingi admits, his hands sliding to her hips. "American food is so weird sometimes. Why is everything so sweet? Even their bread tastes like cake."
"Not everything in America is bad," Luna defends, though she can't help but agree with him about the bread.
"True," Mingi concedes, pressing a kiss to her neck. "You came from America after all."
Luna groans, gently hitting his shoulder. "That was so cheesy! I can't believe you said that with a straight face."
"What? It's true," he laughs, catching her hands playfully. “Anyway, what’s for dinner?”
“I’m not sure. Wooyoung and I are cooking it together though,” she replies.
“I love both your cooking, so it’ll be amazing!” Mingi grins.
“Hopefully! We’ve never cooked together like this so not sure how it will go” she replies sitting upright and stretching her arms over her head to loosen her stiff muscles as Mingis holds onto her
“Any idea what’s on the menu?” he asks
“Wooyoung is in charge tonight; I’m simply his sous chef,” she answers.
“I’m sure it’ll be delicious,” Mingi smiles.
They remain snuggled until the front door chime interrupts them. Mingi’s head jerks up. "Chicken?" he calls out in a hopeful tone
"Yes, with extra sauce," Seonghwa sighs from the hall.
Mingi looks at Luna with pure joy in his eyes. "I love that man."
"For his chicken-acquiring abilities?" Luna teases.
"Obviously. Why else?" Mingi replies, already lifting her off his lap and dropping her beside him on the sofa. "Sorry princess, but korean fried chicken calls."
Luna laughs as he bounds toward the kitchen. "Your priorities are showing, Mingi!"
"I’m sorry! I have no shame!" he calls back, disappearing around the corner.
She smiles warmly, trailing behind him at a relaxed pace. Her earlier anxiety around Jongho fades to a faint hum. In the kitchen, Mingi is unpacking chicken boxes, while Seonghwa, Wooyoung, and Jongho store ingredients. She hugs Wooyoung from behind.
“Ready to be my sous chef tonight?” he asks her with a massive smile
"Only if you promise not to make me chop onions," Luna replies, resting her chin on Wooyoung's shoulder. “They make me cry!”
"That's because you look like you're trying to murder the onion, not slice it," Wooyoung laughs, reaching back to pat her head. "So aggressive."
"I'm not aggressive, I'm efficient," Luna defends, releasing him to steal a piece of chicken from Mingi's plate.
"Hey!" Mingi protests, mouth already full. "Get your own!"
"Payback for abandoning me for chicken," she says, feeding some to Wooyoung, who nibbles her fingers playfully.
Jongho quietly empties the rest of the shopping bags, his movements careful and measured. Luna catches his eye for a brief moment and gives him a soft smile before he looks away. She is determined to let him know she isn’t going anywhere and she’ll be here when he’s ready to come back to her.
"So, what are we making tonight chef?" Luna asks Wooyoung, keeping Jongho in her view.
"Japchae," Wooyoung says, pulling out ingredients.
“Oh, its been a while since you made that!” Seonghwa says, his eyes going rounder or as Luna liked to think whenever they did that - full boba!
“I'll start the marinade, and you prep the vegetables. And don’t worry, I'll do the onions for you,” Wooyoung says, kissing Luna's cheek.
“Sounds good.” she replies turning her head to him and pressing her lips to his
As Luna goes to move, Wooyoung pulls her back for a passionate kiss. His hands cup her face gently, keeping her close as he deepens the kiss. Luna's surprised squeak quickly turns into a soft hum of contentment as she melts against him.
Jongho watches from his spot near the counter, his fingers tightening around the edge of the plate he's holding. He feels his heart sink a little at how easy the others can show affection for her, how naturally it comes to them. The way Wooyoung kisses her so confidently, without hesitation or second-guessing himself. Jongho quickly averts his eyes, focusing intently on arranging the utensils with unnecessary precision. Wooyoung finally breaks the kiss with a dramatic smack of his lips, looking thoroughly pleased with himself as he sees her flustered face.
"Luna, can you grab the sesame oil from the pantry? The good one, not the cheap stuff Yeosang keeps buying." he asks, turning back to the counter to organise his cooking ingredients.
Luna laughs, heading to the hallway. As she passes Jongho, she deliberately lets her fingers brush against his arm—a light touch, nothing demanding, just a gentle reminder of her presence. "Need anything from the pantry?" she asks him softly.
Jongho looks up, momentarily caught off guard by her proximity and the warmth in her eyes. "I'm... no, I'm good," he manages, his voice low enough that only she can hear.
Luna nods, giving him a small smile before continuing to the pantry. She doesn't push, doesn't linger, just leaves the door open for whenever he's ready to walk through it. Mingis words had resonated with her, she understood him now and she was glad he told her. Otherwise, she might have withdrawn, blaming herself for his distance. Luna knew now exactly what Jongho needed - reassurance but also time and she was determined to give him it.
When she returns with the sesame oil, Wooyoung has already laid out an array of vegetables on the cutting board along with a knife for her.
"Will Hongjoong be home for dinner?" Luna asks, trying to sound casual as she steals another piece of chicken from Mingi, who's too distracted licking sauce off his fingers to notice.
"He texted me as we were picking up the chicken," Seonghwa replies, his voice gentle. "He will be home in about an hour."
Luna nods, hoping her face doesn't betray the nervous flutter in her stomach. "Cool."
Jongho clears his throat quietly. "I'll, uh, go tell the others about dinner." He turns to leave, but Luna's voice stops him.
"Jjong, could you take the laundry basket from the lounge on your way upstairs for me?" she asks him as she washes her hands
He pauses, looking at her properly for the first time that day. "Of course," he says nodding softly.
"Thanks, just leave it in the hall on the first floor and I’ll sort it out later." she gives him a big smile, which he returns – just a slight upturn of his lips, but it's something and it makes her stomach flip.
As Jongho leaves, Wooyoung bumps his hip against Luna's. "Alright, sous chef. Lets do this!"
"Yes, sir!" Luna responds with a salute, reaching for the colander.
"Ooh, I could get used to hearing that!" he says with a grin.
"I'm not saying 'yes sir' to you in any other situation," Luna warns, playfully splashing water at Wooyoung as she rinses the vegetables.
"Oh, I'm pretty sure I can get you to say it elsewhere too!" he retorts with a mischievous look.
"Okay, that's enough," Seonghwa cuts in, pointing at Wooyoung. "We don't need to hear about your 'yes sir' fantasies or anything else."
"I don’t want to be put off this delicious chicken!" Mingi snorts, reaching for another piece only to have his hand swatted away by Seonghwa.
"Save some for the others, you bottomless pit," Seonghwa scolds, putting the lid back on the container. "And Wooyoung, stop saying things no one wants to hear!"
Luna laughs, placing all the washed vegetables and cutting board on the kitchen island so she can sit down as she preps the vegetables. "Woo, should I julienne these carrots or dice them?"
"uh… julienne should be good," he answers as he begins putting the ingredients for the marinade in the bowl, expertly eyeballing it instead of measuring it. “Do you know how to?”
"Did you really just ask Luna if she knows how to..." Mingi pauses, his expression turning puzzled, "something with those carrots?" He had no clue what Luna had just mentioned and wasn't about to try repeating it, knowing he'd botch it and Wooyoung would never let him live it down. "Luna is a far more skilled cook than you! She even makes pasta from scratch!"
"Ya!" Wooyoung exclaims, spinning around, "I'm a good cook too!"
“You are, sweetie.” Luna says in a baby voice as he pouts at her. “But Mingi has a point though, kinda bit of an insult to ask if I can julienne carrots!” she adds
"What does that even mean?" Mingi asks, his curiosity piqued.
"Julienne just means cut into thin strips," Luna explains, picking up a carrot. "Like this." she shows him
"Oh," Mingi says watching her closely, a small smile on his face as she takes the time to show him something.
Luna finishes the carrots and starts on the bell peppers. Meanwhile, Wooyoung mixes the marinade with the beef, covers it, and places it in the fridge. He then joins Luna to help with the remaining vegetables. As they sit together, they share lighthearted jokes and teasing looks until all the veggies are ready for cooking later.
When they are washing up the door chime goes off, indicating Hongjoong has arrived home. Luna feels a drop in her stomach. Instinctively, her eyes dart toward Seonghwa, who is diligently wiping down the counter tops. He pauses, meeting her gaze with a calm, reassuring nod, his expression as steady as the rhythm of his movements, offering her a silent promise of support.
“Wow, Mr. Workaholic is home before sunset!” Mingi teases as an exhausted Hongjoong enters the kitchen. Hongjoong shoots him a piercing look, and Mingi quickly falls silent, seeing instantly his leader is not in the mood for jokes. “I’m going to shower,” he mutters, kissing Luna’s head before leaving.
“Wooyoung, could you go get Yunho for me and give us some space to talk with Luna privately?” Hongjoong asks
“O-of course!” he replies looking between Hongjoong and Seonghwa, “We'll let the meat marinate in the fridge for an hour or two then we will do our chef-ing thing. I’ll come get you when it is time to start.” he adds to Luna, who smiles as Wooyoung brushes her cheek with a soft kiss before heading out.
Leaving the three of them alone, Hongjoong sits at the kitchen island while Luna watches him. His hair is slightly messy, his complexion paler than usual, and he looks exhausted and stressed. “Are you okay? You seem really tired,” she asks.
“I’m fine,” he replies, running a hand through his hair and offering a gentle smile.
"You should get some sleep. We can talk later when you're rested," she suggests, moving closer to place her hand on his forehead. "You're a little warm too!" she observes with a concerned frown. "Do you feel unwell?"
“Not at all, my love,” he assures her, taking her hand and kissing the back of it. “The studio was hot, and Hajoon drove me home with the heat on high!”
Seonghwa silently observes their interaction. Luna gazes at him with concern, and he returns her look with pure affection—something Seonghwa has never witnessed from Hongjoong. He's seen a whole range of emotions from Hongjoong over the years, but never with this expression. Luna's earlier words, "are you guys breaking up with me?" echo in his mind. He wonders how she fails to notice the profound affection in the way they all look at her.
"I’ll make some soup for you. With plenty of food stocked up, I can make ginger noodle or even chicken and rice soup - if you prefer. I don’t want you getting sick!" Luna offers as Yunho rounds the corner.
“Who’s sick?” Yunho inquires
“No one! I’m just warm from Hajoon driving,” Hongjoong explains hastily.
"Oh, that guy's like a walking snowman! He's always cold and insists on having the heater on," Yunho chuckles.
“See!” Hongjoong says, looking at Luna
“Alright,” Luna concedes, “but I’m still making soup for everyone—it’s always good to have some homemade soup in the fridge.”
“Lets have our talk first!” Seonghwa interjects
Hongjoong nods suggesting they go to the privacy of Lunas bedroom to have it, and they make their way to her room.
“Sorry about the mess!” she says quickly grabbing the clothes still on her floor and throwing them into the corner, “I haven’t had time to clean it today.”
“Hey, we’ve just got home. You should see the state of my room!” Yunho laughs trying to ease her worries and urges her to towards her bed
Luna sit down on it as Yunho joins her, encircling her shoulders with his arms. His warm and protective embrace soothes the nervousness stirring within her. Seonghwa positions himself at the foot of the bed, while Hongjoong drags her desk chair over to join them.
"Luna," Hongjoong begins, clearing his throat, "we need to discuss something important about Jongho and the others."
At Jongho's name, Luna tenses, fearing the worst. Yunho gives her a gentle squeeze and whispers softly, "It's okay, little one."
Hongjoong continues, "The night before we returned from LA, we had a meeting. It wasn't just a band meeting like we told you. I'm sorry for not being truthful about that, I made that decision, not the others."
"What was it about?" she asks, feeling tense. Yunho holds her closer to his body, trying to soothe her.
"I wanted to discuss helping with your anxiety for take off without making it a big deal," he explains, she had already guessed this had happened given how perfect they were with her and her needs on their flight home, never missing a beat. “However, your anxiety raised some concerns.”
Luna can feel her heart rate increasing, this has been one of her fears. And despite Seonghwa assuring her earlier that this wasn’t a bad conversation, that they weren’t breaking up with her, or pushing her away, she feels that tightness in her chest begin once again.
“I’m sorry!” she murmurs, her voice quiet and fragile
"Luna, you have nothing to be sorry for," Seonghwa reassures, placing a hand on her knee.
Yunho kisses her head as she begins to shake. "It's okay, little one. We're here," he whispers against her hair
Hongjoong leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "Jongho mentioned that he saw you taking medication and hiding it. They think it's for anxiety, and they're worried about you."
Luna's breath hitches. She knew he’d seen her, even if he hadn’t said anything.
"The only reason he mentioned it was because they were assessing your anxiety, and your medication during the flight came up. Jongho wasn't speaking negatively about you," Seonghwa clarifies. “I genuinely believe he wouldn’t have mentioned anything if it weren’t for our conversation!”
"He also mentioned you seemed uncomfortable about who knows about us," Yunho says slowly, "and I accidentally shared your fear of us judging you."
"Oh..." she replies softly.
“My love, I am sorry if we’ve made you feel that way.” Hongjoong quickly adds
“You haven’t.” she replies quietly shaking her head
"Yeosang said your therapist gave you the anxiety medication," Seonghwa says. “So they know you are seeing a therapist and they are very supportive of that.” he adds trying to show her it is positive and nothing to be worried about.
"Was it your bipolar medication in Jongho’s room?" Hongjoong asks carefully.
She nods, fingers twisting in Yunho's hoodie. "Yeah. I only took the anxiety meds for the flights. Before that, it was just after I moved in."
“Why did you need them when you moved in?” Yunho finds himself asking before thinking, “Sorry, you do not need to answer that!”
"Nothing happened," she says, chewing her lip. "I was just overwhelmed with the new job, moving house and us. It was only a few days I took them, I swear to you!" she adds quickly, eyes wide.
"You don't need to explain, my love." Hongjoong says, sitting beside her on the bed. The sight of her small frame curled up against Yunho, with her pale face and wide eyes, tugs at his heart. He longs to hold her, to assure her that there's nothing to worry about, but seeing how secure she seems in Yunho's arms, he opts to gently hold her head to offer some comfort.
Luna can feel the 3 of them, connected to her in some way and it makes her feel a little calmer but her heart is still racing fast in her chest. Yunhos arms around her, Seonghwa hand on her knee and Hongjoongs hand on her head.
“I've been really consistent with my bipolar medication, taking it every single day without missing a dose, even in LA! I’ve been very diligent with it!” she says “I’m seeing my therapist tomorrow, too. I didn't manage to go to the gym everyday because I was exhausted, but I'm definitely taking care of myself! I promise!"
"We know, darling," Seonghwa reassures her, squeezing her knee. "That's not what this is about."
"Then what?" she asks, voice barely above a whisper.
Yunho shifts beside her. "We think it might be time to tell the others now - about your bipolar."
"R-really?” she asks, her fingers clutching Yunhos hoodie tighter
"No one's making you do anything," Hongjoong interjects swiftly. "However, they're already worried, and soon they'll begin to ask questions or jump to conclusions."
"Like what? That I'm unstable?" Luna sighs. "I guess that's true though."
"No," Seonghwa responds firmly. "They’ll think you’re struggling with something on your own that they could actually help with."
"They're worried," Hongjoong say gently. "And they care about you."
"I know," she sighs, looking at them all. "But telling people is always such a fucking minefield. Most of the time, they either treat you as if you're fragile or they start blaming every basic human emotion on your condition." she runs a hand over her face "'Luna's happy today—must be hypo-mania!', 'Luna's sad—oh no, depression spiral!', ‘Luna is angry - must be off her meds!’"
Luna shakes her head doubtfully. “How can you be sure? This isn’t small. What if they can’t handle it?”
“They will,” Yunho reassures her softly. “You’re part of our family now.”
Luna glances at him, the phrase ‘part of our family’ stirring warmth in her heart, yet also a sinking feeling in her stomach. “Most people think that until they learn everything.” Luna's voice breaks. “I don’t want them to know about...”
"About what?" Seonghwa asks gently.
"About when I attempted to..." Luna exhales shakily. "When I tried to take my own life," she whispers, the words nearly suffocating her.
The words struck the room with the force of a punch. Luna had never been so direct before, always avoiding saying it outright. The harsh truth of those four words - 'take my own life' - seemed to drain all the air in the room.
"I don't want to discuss that with them. I can't bear to see their reactions when they find out what I've done to myself. I don't want their perception of me to change," she says.
"They won't…" Hongjoong starts, but Luna cuts him off.
"Everyone does, Joongie. Even if they try to hide it." Her eyes lock with his, filled with vulnerability. "You did too."
Hongjoong's expression wavers slightly, unable to refute her words. There had been a moment, just a fleeting one, when she first revealed it to him in his studio weeks ago. The instant she pulled back her sleeve and moved her bracelets to reveal her scars, he… paused, unsure.
"It's not your fault though so don’t be hard on yourself. All 3 of you reacted and it is normal." she says looking at him "I still can't bring myself to tell Yunho and Hongjoong exactly what happened, and I only told you the milder version, Hwa." She continues, struggling not to scratch her wrist through her cardigan, though Hongjoong notices her effort. "The reality of it was..." she trails off, closing her eyes and shaking her head as if trying to erase the memory, then buries her head into Yunho's chest. Hongjoong reaches out to take her hand.
"You could just tell them the basics - that you have bipolar disorder and that you're managing it." he says
Luna takes a shaky breath. "What if they ask questions I can't answer yet?"
"You aren't obliged to reveal everything immediately," Hongjoong says, holding her hand tightly. "They don't need to know about... your attempt, unless you want them to." The words are too difficult for him to speak, fearing he might crumble if he did. The mere idea of her absence from their lives, let alone from this world, sends a chill down his spine.
"When do you think..." she starts, then hesitates.
"Whenever you're ready," Yunho assures her, his arms tightening slightly around her waist. "No rush. Maybe after your therapy appointment tomorrow you can think about it better? You might feel more grounded to really think but there is no pressure to tell them if you truly aren’t ready.”
“If the others are worried though, they deserve to know.” she begins
"Then we'll tell them you have anxiety," Seonghwa suggests. "You're managing with therapy and medication as needed."
Luna relaxes at this compromise, feeling relieved. "That could work, at least for a few days," she agrees, interlacing her fingers with Hongjoongs.
"We just want what's best for you," Hongjoong says, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "You shouldn’t feel like you’re hiding from those who care. You deserve to be free to take your medication and dress comfortably in your own home without fearing your scars will be seen."
Luna nods. "I hate keeping secrets from them. But you're right. They deserve to know something, especially if they're already worried."
Seonghwa's expression softens. "Take your time, think about it after your therapy session tomorrow."
"Whatever you decide, we'll support you. The 3 of us will still be here for you even if you decide not to say anything yet." Hongjoong affirms. "Do what you feel is right."
Luna takes a deep breath, feeling the tension in her body begin to dissipate. The warmth of Yunho’s body, Seonghwa's reassuring presence, and Hongjoong's gentle gaze, she feels grounded. These men know her darkest secrets yet look at her with such tenderness and acceptance.
"Okay," she says, steadier now. "I'll start small, talk about the anxiety first."
"Good plan," Seonghwa nods.
"They care for you," Yunho adds, resting his chin on her head. “That will not change at all.”
Luna laughs shakily. "You're sure of that?"
"We know them," Hongjoong replies simply.
Grateful, she whispers, "Thank you for everything."
"Always," Seonghwa says, squeezing her knee before standing. "This has been a lot to process. You should rest before dinner."
Yunho loosens his arms around her. "Do you want some time alone?"
Luna hesitates, then looks at Hongjoong. Despite his obvious exhaustion, his eyes are filled with warmth for her and she is craving some time with him. "Actually... Joongie, can you stay a bit longer? I-I’ve missed you today.” her voice quiet
Hongjoong's face softens immediately at her request. "Of course, my love."
Yunho sighs dramatically, ruffling her hair. "Always picking the short ones."
"Just because you're freakishly tall doesn't mean the rest of us are short." Hongjoong retorts, already moving to take Yunho's place.
"I will end all of you," Hongjoong threatens without heat, his lips twitching as he fights a smile.
"What are you gonna do?" Seonghwa teases. "Climb up on a chair to reach us?"
Luna bursts into genuine laughter at that, the sound filling the room and lightening the previously heavy atmosphere. Hongjoong can't even pretend to be mad anymore, watching her laugh with such fondness that Yunho and Seonghwa exchange knowing glances.
"Alright, enough height jokes at my expense," Hongjoong says, waving them toward the door. "Go on, get out so I can cuddle my girlfriend in peace."
"Don't you mean so she can cuddle you?" Yunho asks innocently as he backs toward the door. "Since you're the perfect little spoon size—"
"OUT!" Hongjoong yells, grabbing a small pillow from Luna's bed and hurling it at Yunho, who dodges it easily
Seonghwa rolls his eyes as he heads toward the door. "Just don't fall asleep in here for hours. Wooyoung will have a meltdown if his sous chef doesn't show up for dinner duty."
"I won't sleep too long, just a little nap." Luna promises.
"Bold of you to assume sleeping is what's going to happen," Yunho mutters under his breath, earning an elbow in the ribs from Seonghwa.
"We can hear you, giraffe," Hongjoong calls out, already settling next to Luna on the bed.
Yunho just grins, completely unrepentant. "Be safe!"
"Get out!" Luna groans cuddling into Hongjoongs arms as Yunho runs out the room laughing loudly
Seonghwa lingers in the doorway for a moment. "You okay?" he asks Luna softly.
She nods, giving him a genuine smile. "I am now. Thank you."
Seonghwa returns her smile before shutting the door behind him with a soft click. Hongjoong feels the tension in his body leave, both of them shuffling under her covers. "God, I've missed you," he murmurs
"You saw me this morning," Luna points out, but she's already melting into his embrace.
"Doesn't matter. I always miss you when I'm not with you." He runs his fingers through her hair. "Even when I'm working, there's this... Luna-shaped hole in my chest."
Luna giggles, pulling back to look at him. "Is that the kind of lyric you're working on at the studio? Because if so, maybe you should let Mingi take over."
"You're so mean to me," Hongjoong pouts, but his eyes are dancing with amusement. "I pour my heart out and you mock me."
"I'm not mocking you," Luna says softly, “I miss you too”, she presses a kiss to the tip of his nose. When she pulls back, she notices the dark circles under his eyes, the slight strain around his mouth that appears when he's overworked. “You look tired.”
Hongjoong groans, burying his face in her neck. "I'm exhausted. Eden was being particularly picky today with the new song, and then the Japanese lyrics weren't flowing right, and all I could think about was how I'd fucked up this morning by mentioning the talk right before leaving."
"You didn’t fuck up," Luna says, running her fingers through his hair. "I mean, it wasn't your finest moment, but Seonghwa talked me down before I spiralled too far."
"I'm sorry," Hongjoong says, lifting his head to meet her eyes. She can see the stress in them but also the emotion. "I should have…"
Luna cuts him off with a kiss, soft and sweet. "It's fine, sweetie. We're okay now."
As they kiss, Luna can feel the heaviness in Hongjoong's movements, the way his lips press against hers with a tenderness that's tinged with exhaustion. When they part, she traces the dark circles under his eyes with her thumb.
"You need to sleep," she says softly.
"I'm okay," Hongjoong protests, unsuccessfully hiding a yawn that contradicts his words.
"You look like you're about to collapse onto my face." She softly eases him down onto the bed.
“I want to spend time with you!” he pouts as his head hits the pillow
“I am staying right here with you until Wooyoung comes to get me to cook dinner. I’ll have at least another hour with you.” she replies "So go to sleep. Captains orders."
"I'm the captain," he protests weakly, even as he allows her to tuck the blanket around him.
"Not when you're this tired, you're not. Temporary coup. I'm in charge now."
A sleepy smile tugs at Hongjoong's lips. "Mutiny on my own ship," he murmurs. "Betrayed by the prettiest pirate." he lets out a long yawn, his eyes closing. “You’d make a sexy pirate.”
"And on that bizarre note, now sleep." Luna leans down to kiss his forehead before cuddling into his chest. "Dream of sexy pirates or whatever."
"Hmm, just you, my sweet love." he mumbles, already half-asleep.
Luna smiles as she snuggles into him. For the first time in 48 hours she feels completely relaxed and tomorrow she can make a plan of when and how to finally tell the others of her condition.
Warnings: under clothes touching, talk of mental health, anxiety and a mention of scars (no exact details!), oral sex (m & f receiving), fingering
Word Count: 8.2k
Summary: Jongho sees something he shouldn't, the guys have a secret meeting to talk about Lunas anxiety and Luna spends her final night in LA.
((Banners: @cafekitsune))
Jongho begins to stir as he hears his alarm start to go off. He can feel a warm feeling on his side and opens his eyes to see Luna is curled fully into him. Still sleeping soundly, snores coming from her mouth. It isn’t too loud but they aren’t as soft as they were when she fell asleep the night before. Jongho can’t help but smile as he looks at her.
Never having experienced waking up with someone beside him that is not one of his members, this is new to him but he likes it. He closes his eyes for a moment, relishing the feeling of Luna's warmth against him. Her soft breath tickles his neck and cheek, and her arm across his waist feels like a gentle weight.
He doesn't want to disturb her peaceful slumber, but he knows he cannot stay in bed any longer. The band has a photoshoot scheduled for today, and he is the first on the list for hair and makeup after losing a game of rock, paper, scissors with his bandmates the other night. With great care, he disentangles himself from her embrace, trying not to wake her. Her body stirs slightly as he carefully slips out of bed and makes his way to the bathroom on bare feet. He shuts the door quietly behind him, not wanting to disturb her rest.
The cold, tiled floor startles him awake. He turns on the shower and steps in, feeling the hot water splash over his body before adjusting it to a more comfortable temperature. As steam fills the small bathroom, he leans against the smooth tiles and closes his eyes, taking a brief moment to relax. Two days ago, he couldn't have imagined himself in this situation - sharing a bed with Luna. It's a new experience, but it feels surprisingly comforting and familiar.
After he has washed his hair and body, he turns off the water and steps out, feeling rejuvenated. The mirror is fogged up, but he clears a small spot with his hand to catch a glimpse of himself. There's something different about him today—a lightness in his expression he hadn’t noticed before.
He continues with his morning routine of brushing his teeth, doing his skincare and gets changed before going back into the room. He sees Luna is sitting upright, she hasn’t seen him come in yet as she puts something into her mouth and drinks from a bottle of water. As she sees him walk in she quickly grabs a bottle of pills sitting beside her, stuffing it into the little bag she brought with her. Jongho notices but can see slight panic in her eyes as she moves the bag behind her back.
“Did I wake you up?” he asks as she replaces the cap on the bottle of water
“Not at all! My alarm went off like 5 minutes ago.” she says, shifting her body slightly to hide the bag
“Sorry I wasn’t there when you woke up. I had to get a shower as I am first on the list for hair and make up today.” he says rubbing a towel over his wet hair. “I lost the game of rock, paper, scissors the other day.” he adds with a small chuckle
“Oh you should have told me!” she says standing up, “I would have got up earlier and left to give you space to get sorted.”
“Absolutely not!” he says moving towards her, his arms instantly wrapping around her waist.
Luna looks up at him, her hands holding onto his upper arms. “I just know today will be busy for you all. I don’t want to get in the way of you getting ready for it.”
“You could never be in the way.” he smiles
“Sorry for falling asleep last night.” she says quietly as he gazes into her eyes
“Don’t apologise, you were clearly tired.” he replies leaning down to kiss her.
Luna melts into the kiss, her hands moving up to his shoulders. She can taste the mint from his toothpaste on his lips and the smell of his shampoo as she inhales deeply. Their moment is interrupted by the sound of Jongho's phone ringing from the nightstand. He gives Luna an apologetic look before answering it as she nods understandingly. After a brief conversation, he ends the call and turns back to Luna.
“Sorry, that was Hajoon.” Jongho explains, “Hair and make up is nearly set up.” he adds
“Okay, I’ll get my stuff to go back to my room then.” she says
“You don’t need to leave right now. Just take your time getting ready. Once I’ve gone you can stay here as long as you want to.” he says. “Plus I have 10 more minutes until I need to go.” he adds with a small smirk
His arms wrap around her waist once more and he steers her towards the bed. She giggles as they fall onto it with Jongho above her. “And what do you propose we do to fill those 10 minutes?” Her arms move around his shoulders, one of her hands playing with the back of his damp hair
He grins, that charming, mischievous grin that never fails to make her heart race. “I have a few ideas,” he teases, his breath warm against her cheek. He leans closer, the weight of him both comforting and exhilarating, as if the world outside has faded away.
Jongho captures Lunas lips in a tender yet passionate kiss. Time seems to stand still as they lose themselves in one another. In the heat of the moment, Luna inhales sharply as Jongho's hand slides under her tshirt. Sensing his hesitation, she takes charge and slips her own hand underneath the collar of his shirt, while wrapping her legs around his waist as a signal for him to keep going. His hand moves further up, holding onto her side until he reaches her bra.
“You can touch me if you want Jjong.” she mumbles against his lips feeling his hesitation once again
Jongho's hand freezes as he processes Luna's words. He pulls back slightly, a mix of desire and uncertainty in his eyes. "Are you sure? I mean, I want to, but..."
Luna can't help but giggle at his adorable nervousness. "Jjong, if I wasn't sure, I wouldn't have my legs wrapped around you like a panda on a bamboo tree."
His laughter is muffled as he snorts and buries his face in her neck. "You're comparing yourself to a panda now?"
"Hey, they're adorable and cuddly," she defends herself, running her fingers through his hair. "I love pandas!"
Jongho lifts his head, a playful glint in his eye. "So does that make me a tree?"
"Mm, a very handsome tree," Luna teases, pulling him closer for another kiss
They both moan softly into the kiss, their bodies responding to each other's touches. Jongho's hand gently cups Luna's breast over her bra, his thumb brushing against the sensitive nipple through the fabric as his lips move down to her neck. She arches into his touch, wanting more. Her other hand slips further under his shirt, tracing patterns on his upper back as she feels his warm skin. The sound of their breathing grows heavier, mirroring the quickening pace of their hearts. The feeling of him grinding his core against her causes her to dip her nails into his skin lightly.
“Fuck, I really wish I hadn’t lost that game the other day.” Jongho mumbles, “I want to stay here longer with you.”
Luna trails her hands down his back, feeling the muscles tense under her touch. "You know, I could get used to this side of you."
He grins against her skin, his lips leaving a trail of heat as he moves back up to capture her mouth in another searing kiss. "I could get used to it too," he murmurs between kisses, his hands exploring the curves of her body with eager fingers.
As things are heating up between them, a loud banging on the door startles them both.
"Yah! Jongho!" Mingi's voice booms through the door.
Jongho groans, dropping his forehead to Luna's shoulder. "Fuck sake, Mingi," he mutters.
Luna can't help but giggle. "Looks like our ten minutes are up, Romeo."
"Hajoon sent me! I will break down this door, if I have to!" Mingi threatens.
"Alright, alright! I'm coming!" Jongho yells back, running a hand through his damp hair.
Luna sits up, adjusting her t-shirt with an amused smirk. "Better not keep him waiting. He sounds serious about that door."
"He couldn't break down a paper bag." Jongho rolls his eyes playfully. “I wish I could stay with you longer, sweetheart.” He leans in for another kiss.
“I guess we got a bit carried away there.” she blushes
“A little but we have somewhere to pick up from next time.” he grins kissing her once more kiss as she pulls him closer. Their tongues tangled in a heated dance, exploring each other's mouths while their bodies pressed against one another.
“Come on Jongho! I am second in line and if you are late it means I will be too!” Mingi shouts knocking the door louder causing him to pull back from her sighing loudly
“Mingi, chill out!” Jongho says going to the door
As he opens it, Mingi's fist is raised, ready to knock again. "Finally! What were you doing in there, writing a novel?"
“None of your business.” Jongho grumbles turning back into the room to pick up his keycard and phone as Mingi follows him in
Mingi's eyes widen as he enters the room and sees Luna sitting on the bed, brushing her hair. He quickly apologises for not knowing she was inside.
“It’s cool.” she smiles at him as Jongho goes back over to her
“You can stay as long as you need to, order yourself room service.” he says quietly, “I’ll see you at the photoshoot right?”
"Absolutely," Luna nods and smiles at him widely
“See you later.” he returns the smile and leans down to kiss her
Mingi watches on, his eyebrows raised at witnessing his youngest member being so affectionate for the first time ever. As Jongho and Luna share a lingering kiss, he clears his throat awkwardly. "Uh, guys? I'm still here, you know."
Jongho breaks away from Luna, shooting Mingi an annoyed look. "Yeah, unfortunately."
Mingi raises his hands in defense. "I'm just the messenger," he says, trying to avoid any blame. "Hajoon will be on your case if you're late."
“Be nice to Mingi,” Luna giggles, her fingers hold onto Jonghos shirt, "He didn't do anything wrong and he has a point. We don't want to annoy Hajoon." She reaches up to cup his cheek, “I’ll see you later though so get your butt down to hair and make up.” she adds as she can see he is having difficulty in leaving.
Jongho rolls his eyes playfully and leans down for one last quick kiss. "I'll see you later, panda girl." he whispers as she giggles lightly
“Is that my new nickname?” she laughs
Jongho nods before finally turning to leave. Mingi puts his hands on Jonghos shoulder playfully steering him towards the door. “Bye princess.” he says towards Luna blowing her a kiss.
“See ya Mingi.” she smiles back at him pretending to catch his kiss and placing it on her cheek causing him to laugh
As the door closes behind them Luna looks around the room as she is left alone in Jonghos hotel room. She runs a hand through her semi-tangled hair.
Suddenly, her phone buzzes on the coffee table, breaking her reverie. She reaches for it, half-expecting to see a message from Jongho, but instead it’s a text from Jieun.
Luna smiles as she puts her phone back on the table. It had been a while since she saw her friends and it would be nice to hang out when she is back in Seoul.
She chuckles to herself, shaking her head fondly as she remembers the nickname "Lobster Lulu." It was given to her in college after she fell asleep on a sunbed and got a bit burnt. The name stuck throughout college and anytime someone mentioned sunburn or sunscreen, "Lobster Lulu" was sure to come up in conversation but it had been a while since anyone called her it.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───
Yunho walks down the corridor towards Hongjoong's room, his footsteps deliberate and purposeful. He was taken aback when Hongjoong requested everyone to gather in his room after a long and tiring day on the photoshoot. When San inquired about the meeting's purpose, the tension in Hongjoong's face did not escape Yunho's notice, especially when he insisted on keeping Luna in the dark.
As he reaches Hongjoong's door, he taps on it lightly, and within moments, Hongjoong swings it open, ushering him inside. The room is already filled with the rest of the group, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern, eager for the reason behind this impromptu gathering.
"Thank you all for coming, I know you must be busy preparing for tomorrows flight," Hongjoong begins, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
"What's this about?" Mingi cuts in with a direct question.
“And why couldn’t we tell Luna?” San asks. He feels guilty for keeping this from her especially as she asked him if he wanted to watch another episode of The Sound of Magic. After Hongjoong asking them not to mention the meeting to Luna, he had to lie to her. Telling her that Hongjoong usually calls a band meeting on the final night when they are away. When she asked if it was anything important, the guilt of lying further ate away at him, telling her it was nothing, just a leader talk.
"It involves Luna, and I was unsure how to bring it up to her," Hongjoong confesses, pacing nervously with his hands fidgeting with his shirt. The others notice it and it increases their worry. "We need to address how we'll handle... if Luna experiences another panic attack during tomorrow's flight."
A wave of unease washes over the group as they digest his words.
"I never want to witness that again," Yeosang whispers softly. "The last time was.. awful."
"I felt utterly helpless," Wooyoung chimes in, nodding in solidarity.
Yunho interjects gently, breaking the hush that settled over them. "Luna's wellbeing is crucial - so we must be prepared."
Mingi furrows his brow with a hint of concern in his tone. "Do we know what triggers her panic attacks precisely?"
"She told me that takeoff and landing are particularly triggering for her, she just doesn’t like that part at all." Seonghwa responds. “During the actual flight, she is fine.”
“So she doesn’t have an actual fear of flying then? Just taking off and landing?” Jongho asks, his gaze focused on Seonghwa who nods in reply.
“She has medication right? I saw her taking something during it.” San says
“Yeah, anxiety medication.” Yeosang confirms recalling how she couldn’t open the bottle
“Does Luna take anxiety medication regularly?” Wooyoung asks
“She told me her… erm,” Yeosang hesitates, unsure about disclosing more until the expectant gazes urge him on. “Her therapist prescribed them for whenever things get too much.”
“So it seems like it isn’t something she takes on a daily basis then,” San concludes logically.
Jongho swallows hard, memories of the morning replaying in his mind when he stumbled upon Luna discreetly taking medication. How she hastily concealed the bottle.
“I think she may be struggling with anxiety more than we realise,” he admits quietly.
“What makes you think that?” Yunho asks
Jongho hesitates before confessing, “She slept in my room last night.” He shifts uncomfortably, feeling the weight of their stares. “This morning, I saw her taking some medication, she quickly hid a pill bottle when I walked in from the bathroom. I pretended not to notice as she clearly didn’t want me to see and I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable.”
Hongjoong, Seonghwa, and Yunho share knowing looks, understanding the gravity of Jongho’s implication that the medication Luna was taking was likely for her bipolar disorder, not anxiety. They had been aware of her discreet morning routine of taking her medication when she believed no one was watching.
“So she was taking anxiety meds this morning,” San reflects with a furrowed brow, “Did something happen during the photo shoot?”
“I didn’t notice anything unusual,” Wooyoung interjects with a practical tone. “She was quiet like she always is at work but she was busier than usual with a lot of translating between us, the staff and photographer. Could the prospect of all the translating was weighing on her mind?”
“She never gets anxious about translating! We all know how much she loves it and shes been in her element the last few days here in LA.” Mingi adds thoughtfully and they all nod in agreement, “It must be something else. How was she the night before?” he turns to Jongho for insights.
Jongho can feel his cheeks and ears begin to flush. Although nothing happened between the two of them except a lot of kissing. He knew most of them were assuming they’d been intimate last night. “She was fine. We watched a movie, had dinner then she suddenly fell asleep as I was putting the dishes outside the room.”
“She tends to get sleepy after eating so much; that's normal for her,” Yunho reasons
“How did she sleep? Was she tossing or turning a lot? Or restless?” Hongjoong asks
“Actually she barely moved, woke up very briefly when I got into bed after my shower, moved a bit but she fell straight back to sleep again and when I woke up… she was in the same position she went to sleep in.” he answers
“Curled into you?” Seonghwa asks with a slight smile on his face, very familiar with Lunas sleeping habits now as Jongho simply nods, feeling all eyes on him
“What about this morning?” Wooyoung probes further.
“She was still sleeping when I woke up so I had a shower, but she was awake by the time I finished. That’s when I saw her taking her medication, but she seemed okay. In fact, she seemed quite content,” he replies, omitting the details of their passionate encounter before he left for hair and makeup.
“Yeah she did seem to be in good spirits when I came to get you.” Mingi nods, “And when she arrived on the set too.”
At the last minute, Luna and the guys had to take separate cars to the location. Initially, Hongjoong was displeased with the change in plans, but when he saw how stressed Myeonjin was with other issues going wrong, he didn’t push it any further. So Luna went ahead with Hyunsik and some other staff members to do some translating work, leaving no time for anyone to speak to her before the shoot began. When the guys car finally arrived at the location, she was in a good mood, chatting and joking with Hyunsik as the stylists quickly got to work perfecting the guys' outfits. No one spoke to her before or during the shoot, except for in a professional manner.
“There is something else.” Jongho says, capturing the attention of the group once more. “I don’t know if it is something to be concerned with or maybe, was just a passing thing in the moment but at the start of our date.. she seemed uneasy over who knew about us.”
Yunho’s heart quickens as he asks, “What happened?”
"Well," Jongho pauses, gathering his thoughts. "She asked me who knew about us and when I reassured her that it was okay and no one would judge us, she muttered under her breath 'maybe not you guys'." He hesitates again before continuing, "I didn't push for more information, but I think...she might be afraid of being judged by others for being with us."
Yunho exchanges a glance with Yeosang, they were the only two who knew of her feelings. “I thought I had reassured her about that,” he sighs, rubbing the back of his head.
Wooyoung's tone is sharp, cutting through the tension in the room. "You knew she was feeling that way?"
Wooyoung's piercing gaze drills into Yunho, causing him to stumble over his words. He takes a moment to carefully think of his response. "She was afraid that being intimate with more than one of us in the same day would alter our perception of her," Yunho admits
Hongjoong's brow furrows, his expression filled with concern. "She thinks we're judging her?" A pang of guilt hits him, knowing that their actions may have caused Luna to worry.
"No, not at all!" Yunho shakes his head in response. "She was just worried that we might judge her in the future, but she trusts us and promised to come talk to me if those feelings ever resurface."
“I'm starting to get concerned about her. It's worrying if she's keeping her medication a secret,” Mingi chimes in, his voice tinged with concern. Hongjoong, Seonghwa, and Yunho exchange glances once again. “You three keep sharing looks - is there something you know that we don't?” he adds, noticing their shared expressions.
Yunho gazes at Mingi, conflicted about keeping secrets from his closest friend. However, he knows that Luna is not prepared for the others to know just yet; this is something she needs to handle in her own time. "It's nothing really," Yunho reassures him. "We're just worried. As the three eldest, we feel a strong sense of responsibility towards her."
Mingi studies Yunho, his gaze perceptive and understanding. He chooses to trust his friend's words, nodding in acceptance, though a flicker of doubt lingers in his mind.
“We must tread carefully,” Yeosang remarks, “we don’t want her to feel ganged up on. Yet, her secrecy with medication worries me.”
San gets straight to the point. "I think we should talk to her about this. It's important for us to address our concerns, but we also need to maintain her trust," he states firmly. “If she knew we were talking about her like this, it might push her away.”
Seonghwa softly agrees, “And that is the last thing we want!”
“Let's focus on getting her ready for tomorrow's flight first,” Hongjoong suggests. “We can address other concerns once we are back in the safety of our home.”
“Yunho helped her last time, maybe we should make sure he sits beside her on the plane?” Wooyoung suggests
“I just helped her breathe, reminding her she was safe. I honestly didn’t do anything any one of us couldn’t do for her.” Yunho replies. “In-flight, she relaxed with Yeosang next to her and with him for landing too.”
“She took her medication an hour before we landed, she was a lot more calmer.” Yeosang says, “Why not ask her who she'd prefer beside her? It lets her choose without feeling controlled.”
“That is a good idea!” Seonghwa agrees as everyone nods. “She already told me that this time she’ll take her medication before the flight too.”
Lunas exact words to Seonghwa were ‘I won't repeat the same mistake and have another embarrassing fucking breakdown in the middle of a flight, so I'll take it no matter how I feel beforehand!’
“Okay, so lets just keep her as relaxed as possible before boarding, ask her who she wants to sit beside beforehand too. Like last time, she’ll board before us and when we arrive, we just make sure she is happy but above all chilled out!” Hongjoong says
"Got it, so Operation: Keep Luna Chill is a go?" Wooyoung jokes, trying to lighten the mood.
San rolls his eyes playfully. "Really? We're giving it a name now?"
"What? It's catchy!" Wooyoung defends, grinning.
Mingi snorts. "Yeah, about as catchy as that time you tried to nickname our dance practice 'Operation: Don't Fuck Up on Stage'."
"At least my names are memorable," Wooyoung huffs, crossing his arms.
"Yeah, memorably bad," Jongho quips, earning a collective snicker from the group.
Hongjoong pinches the bridge of his nose, fighting back a grin. "Can we please focus?"
"Sorry," Wooyoung mumbles, not looking sorry at all. "But admit it, you love my creative genius."
San leans over, patting Wooyoung's shoulder. "We love you despite it, not because of it."
The entire room erupts into laughter as Wooyoung just looks shocked.
"Ouch," Wooyoung clutches his chest dramatically. "Et tu, San?"
Hongjoong claps his hands, drawing everyone's attention. "Alright, enough teasing. Let's wrap this up so we can all get on with our packing."
“So, to sum up, our main goals are to keep Luna calm, let her choose who she sits next to, and ensure she takes her medication beforehand,” Yunho explains.
Hongjoong nods with satisfaction. “It sounds like we have a solid plan now. I'll leave you guys to go back to what you were doing. Speaking of Luna, does anyone know what she's doing tonight?”
"She's packing now," San replies, "I'm going to help her and then we are watching an episode of The Sound of Magic."
"That's good," Yunho smiles, "She won't be alone tonight."
“If she needs any help with packing again, give me a text.” Seonghwa says as the others begin to make their way to the door and they all exchange good nights.
The door clicks shut behind them, leaving Seonghwa, Yunho, and Hongjoong alone in tense silence as they share a weary look before Yunho breaks it with a frustrated sigh.
“What should we do now?” He exclaims, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “They suspect it's anxiety medication she was taking this morning, when it was probably her bipolar medication!”
Hongjoong leans against the wall with his arms crossed. “We promised to help her,” he says gently, reminding them of their commitment.
“I know and I will, but now they're worried about her,” Yunho says, “You both know that they won’t let this lie, especially Wooyoung and San.”
“We have to tell her what Jongho saw and what the others are thinking now.” Seonghwa sighs softly, “But I don’t want to put any pressure on her to do something she isn’t ready for.”
Yunho hesitates, struggling to find the right words. "I think she should disclose her bipolar disorder to them now."
"Yun, she's not ready for that," Seonghwa disagrees, shaking his head.
"But if we assure her that there's nothing to be afraid of..." Yunho suggests.
“She’s fucking terrified!” Seonghwa interjects. His tone and choice of words make both Yunho and Hongjoong turn to look at him. “She’s afraid we’ll think she’s not good enough, worried we’ll tell her to leave! The night I found out she..” his voice falters slightly “she said our relationship couldn’t work with the secrets.”
Hongjoong winces at the thought. “She really believes we’d push her away?”
“You didn’t witness how distraught she was at her parents when her mom let it slip - crying on the bathroom floor, her entire body shaking. Neither of you saw the fear in her face as she told me about her scars, the way she couldn’t even look me in the eyes as she spoke about what happened to her.” Seonghwa answers “She feels like she is living a lie around us, and it's eating her alive. But it's her decision when she decides to open up about this part of herself.”
“I completely understand that but what about the others?” Yunho says, concern etched into his brow. “They’ll feel betrayed if they find out we kept this from them.”
“They'll have to come to terms with it,” Seonghwa responds calmly. “Luna's story belongs to her and she gets to choose when and how she shares it.”
A contemplative silence follows before Hongjoong adds, “When Luna told you, Yunho, it was because she trusts you completely. That's why it was easier for her. She's not ready for everyone else to know yet, and we have to respect that.”
Yunho's shoulders sag slightly as he processes the two elders words. “I know you're right,” he admits. “I am just worried the others will be annoyed at us. We are a team and have always shared everything.”
Seonghwa places a reassuring hand on Yunho's shoulder. "We are still a team, Yunho. What matters most right now is Luna's trust in us. The others will come to understand that in due time, I have no doubt about that."
“You are right.” Yunho nods, “Looking after her is important.”
Hongjoong uncrosses his arms and steps closer to Yunho and Seonghwa. "We’ll be there for her, Yunho. We just need to respect her boundaries and allow her take the lead on when and how she shares her bipolar disorder."
"Let's focus on getting through tomorrow's flight first; then we can discuss with her what Jongho saw and our conversation tonight when we are home and settled." Seonghwa says calmly, despite the tension in the room.
Yunho inhales deeply, bracing himself for the difficult conversation ahead. "I hope she understands how much we care for her and only want what's best for her."
As they stand together in quiet determination, a sense of unity washes over them. They know the road ahead won't be easy, but they are resolved to walk it together, supporting Luna through whatever challenges may come their way.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───
With a book in her hand, Luna sits alone in her hotel room, eagerly awaiting San's arrival. It's the first night she has spent in her own room since they arrived in LA; the previous nights were spent in Yunhos, Hongjoongs for 2 nights in a row, and Jonghos' rooms respectively.
It had been a very long day on the photoshoot, lots of translations needed but overall Luna was impressed with how the members were communicating with the photographer and his team. She had been so nervous about this trip and now it was nearly over she didn’t know what she was even nervous for. She loved every second of it.
However she missed the guys a lot. Despite being with them every day, it was in a work environment and everything was kept professional. There hadn’t been much time to see them all together after work either as they either had solo schedules or it was late. She couldn't wait to return to the comfort and safety of their apartment
When Luna hears a knock at her hotel door she throws her book to one side, not even bookmarking the page to run to the door. She opens it to see San on the other side causing her to smile widely and let him in. As the door softly shuts, he draws her into a tender kiss, their lips melding together in sweet synchrony. Luna's arms envelop his sturdy frame, drawing him nearer as they lose themselves in each other's embrace, both smile blissfully into the kiss.
“I missed you,” he whispers as their lips part, “and your sweet kisses.” he adds, his hand running through her hair before cupping the back of her head and pecking her lips gently.
It had been days since they were last alone and able to show affection for one another like this. Back at home, San and Luna are very tactile with one another. Whenever they are near one another, they are usually touching each other in some way from a simple arm around a waist, a hand resting on a leg or back. They both longed for these simple yet meaningful connections that they shared.
“Me too!” she says with a contented sigh “How was the group meeting?”
“It was… dull.” San responds as they enter the room, “Hows the packing?” he asks, trying to change the subject.
“All finished!” Luna exclaims proudly, pointing to the neatly packed suitcase in the corner. “It's always easier to pack when you're going home than when you're leaving,” she adds with a small laugh.
"That's true!" San exclaims with a smile. "So, are you ready for the next episode of The Sound of Magic?"
Luna takes a step closer, lightly tracing her fingers along the edge of his waistband. "Actually, I had something else in mind,"
Curious, San asks, "And what might that be?" Luna's hands move to unbuckle his belt.
“I was thinking you deserve a special treat after all your hard work,” she whispers seductively in his ear before playfully nibbling on it.
“Luna!” he says softly wide-eyed as he catches on to what she wants
Luna swiftly guides San to the armchair, gently but firmly pushing him into its soft cushions. She then sinks down to her knees on the floor before him, surprising him with her unexpected move. San's bewildered look quickly turns to curiosity as he watches her intently. Luna grins at his stunned reaction and playfully asks, "Why so speechless?"
San swallows hard, his voice cracking slightly. "I, uh... wasn't expecting this kind of treat."
Luna chuckles softly at his reaction, locking eyes with him as she continues to unzip Sans jeans. "Well, expect the unexpected when you're with me," she quips playfully.
Luna's hand slips into San's underwear, her fingers wrapping around his throbbing shaft. Her touch is a perfect balance of softness and pressure, sending waves of pleasure through San's body. He can't contain a quiet moan as she releases him from the constraints of his boxers.
San's breath catches in his throat as Luna's touch sends tingles down his spine. "I... I'm not complaining though," he says, his voice thick with longing. "Just caught off guard."
He shifts his hips to remove his jeans, seeking more comfort. Luna helps by tossing his clothes aside before moving back in front of him. She keeps her eyes locked on his while she lowers her head. San can't help but gasp as she traces kisses along his shaft up to the tip. A smirk graces Luna's lips as she takes him into her mouth, expertly using her tongue to swirl around his head while her hands move in perfect rhythm, squeezing and stroking him the way she know he likes.
San's head falls back against the chair, a string of profanities escaping his lips as he groans deeply. His hips reflexively buck as she takes him deeper into her mouth, the warmth of her breath and the vibrations of her moans sending shivers down his spine.
Luna pulls away, releasing San with a soft pop. She looks up at him with a playful twinkle in her eye. "How are you liking your little treat?"
"Sunshine, you're going to make me lose my mind," he chuckles deeply.
With her hand still working its magic on San as she moves closer to his face, a mischievous grin spreading across her lips. "That's exactly what I want," She whispers in his ear, her warm breath tickling his skin. "I want you to forget about everything else and just focus on me and this moment."
San's throat constricts as he locks eyes with Luna, who takes him back into her mouth. He can feel himself nearing the edge. "Luna, I'm not going to hold on much longer," he cautions
She bobs her head, her nose brushing against his pubic bone as she takes him fully into her mouth. The warmth of her breath sends shivers down his spine and sets off a chain reaction of panting and moaning. As she focuses on regulating her breathing and relaxing her throat, his fingers become entangled in her long hair as his hips buck involuntarily.
“Fuck,” he groans, “You are taking me deeper than before.”
Luna can sense that San is nearing his peak, with each thrust of his hips and the firm grip on her hair. She meets his gaze, and the intensity of their eye contact pushes him over the edge to his climax.
He cries out her name as he reaches his peak, and she takes it all in as she swallows every drop. She maintains her grip on him, continuing to pleasure him until it's all over. With a gentle pop, she releases him and gazes up at him with a smile. "Was that good?"
Breathless and exhausted, San sinks into his chair with a satisfied grin on his face. "That was...unbelievable," he manages to say, his voice raspy with pleasure.
Luna pulls away from him, resting on her feet as she admires him in front of her. She delicately caresses his thighs with her hands, enjoying the view. As he starts to calm down, she stands up to relieve her now aching knees. San leans forward and brings Luna onto his lap, placing his hand on the side of her neck.
San's smile radiates warmth as he gazes at Luna. She feels a soft blush rise to her cheeks at his words. "You are truly amazing, my little sunshine," he says sincerely.
"Well, I do try my best." Luna responds playfully
San laughs softly and replies, "And you succeed beyond measure." He leans in and their lips meet in a passionate kiss.
His hands slide down her body and firmly grasp her ass. He abruptly stands, causing her to let out a surprised moan that is muffled by their ongoing kiss. She instinctively wraps her legs around his waist as he carries her over to the spacious bed. They continue to kiss intensely as he places her neatly in the centre of the plush mattress, her head sinking into the fluffy pillows.
San kisses her deeply, his hands roaming over her body. His fingers trace her spine, lingering at the small of her back before sliding around to cup her ass cheeks. As they break apart to catch their breath, he swiftly removes her t-shirt and his own, while she helps by sitting up and unhooking her bra before leaning back against the bed. He trails his lips down her neck, planting kisses and playful bites along the way until he reaches her supple breasts. Taking a moment to appreciate the sight before him, he takes one nipple into his mouth and gently sucks on it, causing her to arch her back with pleasure.
“Do you feel good?” he murmurs.
Luna nods, releasing a soft moan as San's mouth travels from one nipple to the other, teasing and tasting them with his tongue. He grasps the waistband of her sweatpants and slowly pulls them down, along with her underwear, revealing her hips before tossing their discarded clothing aside without a care.
The springs of the bed squeak as he settles between her legs. He gently spreads her thighs, asking for permission with a lustful tone. She nods eagerly, her breath catching in her throat. He takes his time, kissing every inch of her inner thigh before finally reaching his desired destination.
San's thumb brushes over her wet folds, his fingers finding her most sensitive spot. Luna moans softly, arching her back as he teases and pleases her. His fingers move skilfully, in a come hither motion that sends shivers down her spine as his mouth connects with her clit.
As San expertly continues to arouse Luna, she tightly grips onto the bed sheets with one hand while the other grasps at his hair. Luna's eyes gently close as San's skilled fingers drive her towards the brink of pleasure. She lets out soft moans, powerless against the intense sensations flooding her body.
She manages to gasp a "yes, yes," as he applies more pressure with his fingers, causing Luna to cry out in pleasure as she finally reaches the edge. "Oh my god, San!" she exclaims as waves of ecstasy wash over her.
San slows his fingers as Luna's body relaxes from its intense pleasure, gently caressing her sensitive folds.
"That was amazing," she says, looking up at him with a content and sleepy smile.
He smiles down at her tenderly."And so are you," he says softly before leaning down to kiss her. “Are you tired?”
She nods slowly, letting out a small yawn. "I'm sorry!" Her expression turns apologetic.
"Don't apologise," he reassures her with a smile. "I only asked because I could see how exhausted you are, and if you wanted to save the next episode of The Sound of Magic for another time."
“Oh, I thought you wanted to carry on.” she replies, her cheeks turning pink
"I wouldn't mind continuing," he grins and kisses her forehead, "but we both had a long day. You're tired and honestly, so am I. We’ve had a good night but now I just want to cuddle and fall asleep with you."
Her smile is gentle, and her eyes hold a glint of warmth as she speaks. "Cuddling sounds like just the thing," she murmurs, almost in a whisper. "I could really use some cuddles after today."
Sans' mind immediately goes to their earlier group conversation about Luna's anxiety, Jongho catching her taking medication, and her reluctance to share about it.
“Did.. did something happen today?” he asks softly
“No.” She snuggles closer to him and confesses, "I've just been feeling distant from everyone lately."
“In what way, sunshine?” he asks, his fingers gently stroking her sweat soaked hair
“Since we arrived in LA, our time together has been solely focused on work,” she explains. “Back in Seoul, we may all have busy schedules during the day and can’t openly show affection, but at least at the end of the day and we are all at home… I can hug each of you without fear of being caught or seen.” He pulls her closer and she continues, “But here, our time together is limited to hotel rooms and there are some of you that I haven’t even seen or spoken to outside of our scheduled events. It makes me feel guilty.”
Sans gently kisses the top of Luna's head, understanding her emotions. "I had no idea it was affecting you this deeply, Luna. I am so sorry."
"Don't apologise, it's not your fault," she replies, gazing into his eyes. "It's just been a bit challenging being away from the comfort and privacy of our home in Seoul. I miss all our little rituals."
San wraps his arms around Luna, holding her tightly as he murmurs sympathetically. He wonders if this is why Jongho saw her taking medication earlier in the day. "I miss our routines too," he says, "I miss finding you in the kitchen every morning with your tea in your Tangled mug, enjoying a bowl of cereal and a plate of strawberries. And coming home to you after a long day, finding that you've cooked dinner for us all, snuggling on the couch together, seeing you make the others just as happy as you make me." He kisses her head and she giggles softly. "Your presence brings so much joy into our lives." He leans down to kiss her tenderly, savouring the feeling of their lips pressed together. Her hand moves from his chest to gently hold the side of his neck as they share this moment, sending little shivers up his spine that only she can cause.
Luna's voice is barely audible as she whispers, her fingers tracing gentle patterns on San's cheek. "Those moments are my favourite too," she says softly. "I didn't fully appreciate them at the time; I didn't realise how much they meant to me."
San's warm smile shows he understands. "Luna, trust me. We'll adjust and find our flow while we're away. It might take a bit of time, but we'll figure out what works for everyone."
"Thank you, San, for being patient and understanding with me. I know I'm asking a lot from everyone." Luna responds gratefully.
“You’re not asking for too much. We’ve all struggled the past few days not seeing you in the safety of our home. So we were always going to have a discussion to come up with a better plan for the next trip away.” he kisses her again, “But for tonight, lets get a shower and go to sleep. We have a long flight ahead of us tomorrow so you need to have a good and peaceful sleep.”
Luna's mischievous smile widens as she chuckles softly. "A shower, huh? Are you implying I smell?"
San's eyes widen. "What? No! You always smell wonderful to me. I just thought... maybe to freshen up and... oh, you're teasing me, aren't you?"
"Maybe," Luna grins, poking his chest playfully. "But seriously, a shower sounds great. My hair probably looks like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards."
San runs his fingers through her untidy hair. "Nah, more like you've been ravished by a stunningly handsome man."
Luna laughs, her melodious voice filling the room. "Handsome, huh? Normally I wouldn't let an ego like that go unchecked, but even I have to admit you are!" She teases, leaning in to give him another kiss.
San chuckles, his hands sliding down to Luna's waist. "Oh, so you're admitting I'm stunningly handsome now? I'll have to mark this day on the calendar."
Luna playfully rolls her eyes, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Don't let it go to your head, Choi San. I've seen you with bedhead and morning breath."
"And yet, you still can't resist me," San teases, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively as he leans in closer to hover over Luna's now flushed face with his upper body
“Stop it!” she says with a giggle, giving him a playful hit on his shoulder. “So, are we still taking that shower or what? Because I am starting to feel gross and sweaty.”
“In a good way?” he grins back at her
"Wouldn't you like to know," Luna teases, sliding off the bed and stretching languidly as his eyes stay focused on her naked form. She catches San staring and smirks. "Like what you see?"
“When it is you, always!” he responds, getting off the bed and approaching Luna. He wraps his arms around her from behind, placing his chin on her shoulder. Taking in her familiar and soothing scent, he inhales deeply. "I could stand here forever," he whispers, gently kissing her neck.
Luna leans back into his embrace, relishing the feeling of his warm body against hers. "Believe me, I would love that too. But remember, we have a long flight ahead of us tomorrow," she reminds him with a sweet smile.
San chuckles softly, his breath tickling Luna's skin. "You're right about that!" He gives her a gentle kiss on the cheek before letting go of her. "Shall we get cleaned up now?"
They enter the bathroom, and San turns on the warm water, carefully adjusting the temperature to just the right level as Luna looks out towels for them. He then gestures for Luna to go in first, flashing her a charming smile. "After you, my lady."
Luna steps into the shower, savouring the sensation of warm water flowing over her skin. She glances back at San with a mischievous smile. "Don't keep me waiting," she teases.
San wastes no time and joins Luna in the shower. The steamy water envelops them, creating an intimate sanctuary where they can be together in private. Something they’ve both been craving for days.
As they stand under the spray of water, Luna reaches up to run her fingers through San's hair, causing droplets of water to cascade down his chiselled chest. She gazes up at him with a soft expression. "Thank you for always being there for me," she whispers.
San's expression softens as he gently cups her face in his hands. "I will always be here for you, Luna. Through all the ups and downs, and if you need anything, we're all here for you too. No matter what," he promises, sealing his words with a tender kiss.
A twinge of guilt bubbles up in Luna's stomach, the unpleasant kind. She can't help but feel guilty for keeping secrets from Jongho, especially after he saw her taking her bipolar medication this morning. He didn't mention it, trying to be polite and respectful, but it only made her feel even more guilty.
As they finish their shower and dry off with soft, fluffy towels, San pulls Luna into his arms again. "I want you to know that I meant what I said before. No matter what comes our way, I will always be by your side."
Luna senses a growing vulnerability within her as she looks up at San, her eyes with a hint of uncertainty. "I... I know I'm not the easiest person to deal with at times." she confesses, “I can be difficult and over dramatic.”
San's face softens even more. "You aren’t! We all have our battles and difficulties. You don't have to face them alone, Luna. You have us by your side now," he assures her.
"Thank you, San," Luna whispers, her voice barely above a whisper
Luna realised it was time to disclose her bipolar disorder to them, and she made a mental note to discuss it with Hongjoong, Seonghwa, and Yunho once they were all back home. But for now, all she wanted was to change into pjs and cuddle up in Sans' arms for some much-needed rest.
TWENTY-TWO: iced americanos and strawberry milkshakes
Warnings: brief mention of scars, slightly suggestive at one part if you squint a little, the usual odd swearing too but overall this chapter is mostly fluff.
Word Count: 9.9K
Summary: It is time for Jongho and Lunas date.
The sun blazes outside, its rays streaming in through the hotel window. Jongho glances out and can already tell it will be a scorching day; the temperature hasn't even reached its peak yet. It was the day of his date with Luna and he had initially planned to walk with Luna, his manager Hajoon, and their security guard to the cafe which was only 15 minutes away from their hotel. However, with the heat rising, he considers getting a car instead - it's too hot for Luna to be walking around in this weather.
He takes out his phone and sends a text to Hajoon, inquiring about the possibility of driving instead due to the scorching weather. Hajoon responds almost immediately, saying that he had already planned for a car option, anticipating that it was what Jongho would prefer.
Jongho smiles, realising that Hajoon knows him well and how he thinks. He thanks Hajoon for his thoughtfulness and gives him the go ahead to confirm it. Jongho knew that Luna's comfort was of utmost importance, especially on their special date.
He opens up Lunas contact information and realizes, as he stares at the empty message screen, that he has never reached out to her. Not even once. The only reason he has her number is because Hongjoong gave it to him. A wave of guilt washes over him as he takes a moment to think about his lack of communication with Luna. They've been together for more than a month now, yet he hasn't even sent her a simple text. The realisation hits him hard; he may have unintentionally neglected an important aspect of their relationship.
Feeling determined to rectify this oversight, Jongho quickly types out a message on his phone.
While waiting for their date, Jongho makes his final preparations for the date, fixing his hair and making sure he has everything he needs.
Meanwhile across the corridor and 3 rooms down Luna is making her own preparations. Jongho has already told her that she shouldn’t dress up, that it was to be, in his words ‘very casual and hopefully fun date’. So she had opted for wearing a pair of denim shorts, a loose white vest top with a thin pink plaid shirt over it. Her hair was tied back into a high ponytail to keep it off her neck (aka another place to sweat in this heat!) and kept her make up simple. Knowing how her eyes water easily with contacts in hot weather she decided to forego them and settled on wearing her eyeglasses.
Grabbing her small backpack from the bed, she goes through the contents to make sure she has everything she needs. Purse - check, perfume - check, lip balm - check, small mirror - check, chewing gum (because you never know!) - check and finally, epipen - check! After double-checking everything one last time - zipping it up securely - Luna takes a deep breath before heading into the bathroom to check her appearance.
“You have this Luna.” she whispers to herself as she fiddles with the loose parts of her hair framing her face. “It is just a date with Jongho!” she leans towards the mirror to check the spot that appeared on her forehead this morning was still covered with concealer. “Jongho who makes you insanely shy!” she groans lightly straightening up. Feeling satisfied with her appearance, Luna gives herself a final encouraging nod in the mirror before going back into the room.
A moment later, there is a soft knock at the door. Luna’s heart races as she opens it to see Jongho standing there, leaning casually against the frame with an easy smile on his face. He is wearing a simple white t-shirt with an open short sleeved black shirt and jeans, looking effortlessly cool she thinks, especially with his black horn-rimmed glasses on that Luna always likes him wearing.
“Wow, you look stunning!” he says, his mouth drops open slightly as he looks at her.
“Thank you.” she replies, trying to quell the butterflies in her tummy at the sight of him, “You too!”
“Are you ready?” he asks, his voice cracking slightly. Luna can see how nervous he is and resists the urge to hug him for reassurance that he doesn’t need to feel that way with her.
“I am.” she nods putting her backpack on and grabbing her room keycard.
“Hajoon is in the lobby downstairs and the car is outside so everything is ready for us.” he says as she steps out the room
They begin to walk down the corridor towards the elevator lobby. There is a small awkward silence as they walk, the corridor is so quiet you would be able to hear a pin drop. Luna glances at Jongho quickly and sees him looking cautiously at her, then quickly turns his head away. As they reach the lobby the elevator doors open and Seonghwa, who was coming back from the gym walks out.
“Oh hey, you two!” he smiles seeing them
“h-hey hyung".” Jongho says bowing lightly
Seonghwa finds himself taken aback at hearing Jongho speak this way. Not that he thought Jongho was disrespectful but it has been years since he heard or saw Jongho be so formal with him. As he casts his eyes over his youngest member he can see how nervous he looks, then remembers he is taking Luna on a date today and instantly he understands. He holds the lift door open for them to get in.
“Have a nice day on your date.” he says, “See you both tomorrow.”
“Thanks Hwa.” Luna replies smiling at him
As the doors close, leaving Jongho and Luna in an awkward silence once more. “So.. uh.. what type of food does this cafe have?” Luna asks to break the ice
"Right." Luna nods, trying to keep the conversation going.
But the silence lingers. Luna watches the floor numbers change on the elevator screen. It feels like an eternity as they descend to the main lobby, each passing second feeling painfully slow.
"This awkward silence is unbearable. I-I'm just...nervous about our date," he confesses
Luna finds herself putting her arms around him, thankful when he reciprocates. “I am too.” she says, “We can be nervous together.” she giggles lightly pulling away as the automated voice in the lift announces they are approaching the ground floor. “However, I know today is going to be amazing so lets try not to be so nervous with one another.”
“You are right.” he smiles at her as she takes a step back
The doors slide open, and Hajoon spots them immediately. He gestures for them to follow him and leads them down a side corridor. He explains that there is a small group of people gathered outside the entrance, so they will be using the back exit instead. Once inside the blacked-out SUV, Jongho takes Luna's hand and presses a gentle kiss against the back of it as the car pulls away.
The once tense silence has now shifted to a comfortable calm. Hajoon sits in the passenger seat, his eyes glued to his phone as the car weaves through the busy streets of LA. Jongho steals a glance at Luna, her gaze fixed on Hajoon with an anxious energy that causes her leg to bounce up and down restlessly.
“Is there something wrong?” Jongho's voice carries a calm reassurance as his fingers gently squeeze Luna's hand.
“Does Hajoon know… about us?” Luna's question is barely above a whisper, laced with an undercurrent of uncertainty. She had been expecting Myeonjin to be with them, like he usually is when she goes out with the guys.
“He does.” Jongho confirms with a soft voice
“All of us?” Luna’s eyes widen subtly but Jongho notices it.
“Like Myeonjin, he knows because it is part of his job.” he explains, “It is only a small handful of managers who know and they aren’t judging us.”
“Maybe not you guys.” Luna sighs to herself under her breath but Jongho hears it clearly. He feels a tug in his heart at the possibility she is being hard on herself for their relationship. “Who knows?” she asks him, her mind beginning to wonder if Hyunsik knows too
“Myeonjin, Hajoon, Sunghoon, Daejung and Youngjae.” he answers, “Sweetheart, you do not need to worry about anything.”
“I know.” Luna reciprocates by squeezing his hand back and leaning into his side for support. “Anyone else?” she probes further.
“The senior security guards know too but only because they will be with us when we go on dates.” he says, resting his head gently on hers
Luna nods in understanding. “Makes sense.”
A comfortable silence settles between them as Jongho’s hand gently squeezes hers. Luna inhales deeply, trying to calm her racing heart. She gazes down at their intertwined fingers and then back up at him, a soft smile gracing her lips.
“We will be there in couple of minutes.” Hajoon says from the front.
Luna fidgets with her glasses, pushing them up her nose as she sits upright again.
"You know," Jongho whispers, "you look really cute in your glasses."
Luna blushes slightly, "Thanks. My contact lenses irritate my eyes in hotter weather and I was worried I might look like a big dork on our a date but then I saw you had yours on too and I felt better."
“Nah, you look adorable in them. I always love when you wear them.” he smiles, “Although mine are mainly for aesthetic purposes.”
“No need to brag, Mr Perfect Vision man!” Luna teases, playfully pinching his knee.
Jongho chuckles, “Hey, I never said I had perfect vision.”
“Well answer me this - can you see without glasses or contact lenses?” she ask with a grin, “Like walk around and see things clearly, read and watch TV without having to squint?”
“Yeeeeeeah, I can.” he admits with a smile, “Things in the distance are a tiny bit blurry though but I can read without them.”
“Then you are Mr Near-Perfect Vision man then!” she says eliciting a loud laugh from him
The car comes to a stop outside a quaint little cafe, nestled in a busy side street of LA. The outside is painted with soft pastels with lots of plants and colourful flowers around the entrance. There is a beautiful outdoor seating area to the side with lots of people sitting around under the parasols with cold drinks and food. Couples and friends, enjoying time together.
The door opens and Hajoon holds out his hand for Luna to take as she climbs out the tall SUV while Jongho gets out the other side. He quickly makes his way around the car then Hajoon takes them into the cafe. Luna makes sure to keep a safe distance from Jongho, just in case anyone recognises him but no one seems to bat an eyelid as they walk in.
They are taken to a table near the back of the cafe, in a quiet and private corner and the waitress hands them menus. Hajoon and the security guard take a seat at a table across from them. Far enough away to give them privacy but near enough to keep them safe.
Luna takes a deep breath, inhaling the smell of the fresh coffee beans, the baked goods and the delicious smell of food.
“Can I take any drinks orders the now?” the waitress asks
“Could I have an iced americano and a bottle of water?” Jongho says
“And for you Miss?” she asks looking at Luna
“Can I get a strawberry milkshake with whipped cream and a bottle of water too?” she asks
“Of course. I’ll get your drinks sorted and come back for your food order.” she smiles before leaving them
“How did I guess you’d pick something strawberry related today?” Jongho chuckles as he looks over the menu
“Oh hush!” Luna playfully scolds, tapping his thigh as she giggles, “Like you aren’t the same with your Iced Americanos!”
"I'm not saying you have a problem," Jongho teases, raising an eyebrow. "But if there was a Strawberries Anonymous, you'd be first in line."
Luna bursts into laughter, quickly covering her mouth to muffle the sound. "Oh my god, you're such a dork."
"Says the girl who spent twenty minutes teaching San how to do the macarena in the practice room last week," Jongho counters, smirking.
“Now that was necessary… the man was doing it all wrong!” Luna defends herself, “Plus I was teaching him Spanish in the process, so technically I was working!”
“Since when is teaching Spanish to us working.” he laughs
“When I can speak it fluently and you cannot. My job title may be an English Tutor and Translator but my job is to teach all of you any and all languages that I know.” she grins
“And you know so many of them too!” he laughs
Their laughter is interrupted by the waitress returning with their drinks. Luna's eyes light up at the sight of her rather enormous milkshake, piled high with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Jongho watches as her eyes widen in excitement as the tall glass is placed in front of her. The waitress takes their food order before leaving them again.
“How’s the milkshake?” Jongho asks as she takes a long sip
“Mmm, perfection!” she sighs happily
Jongho watches her, a soft smile playing on his lips. "You've got a little..." he gestures to his own upper lip.
"Huh?" Luna blinks, then realises she's sporting a whipped cream mustache. "Ah, shit," she mumbles, quickly wiping it away with a napkin. "How embarrassing."
"Nah, it was cute," Jongho grins reaching out to get a little spot she missed from the corner of her mouth. "Very Santa Claus chic."
"Oh, shut up," Luna giggles, kicking him lightly under the table. “Like I said earlier, you are a dork!”
"Yeah, but I'm your dork," Jongho says softly, his warm smile lighting up his face as he reaches across the table to take her hand.
Luna feels her cheeks flush, but she doesn't pull away. Instead, she intertwines their fingers, savouring the warmth of his touch as she smiles at him. "Yeah," she murmurs. "You definitely are."
The moment between them feels warm and comfortable, the easy banter flowing effortlessly as they sit across from each other in the cozy cafe.
The rest of their afternoon unfolds with shared laughter, conversation and lots of food. As it nears its end, Jongho wishes it could last longer. He is cherishing every moment with Luna and senses that she feels the same.
“Would you like to go somewhere else?” he asks, “If you're free, of course,” he adds with consideration.
“My schedule today revolves around being by your side..” she smiles warmly. “So let’s explore another spot together. You know LA better than I do—any ideas?”
“Maybe something entertaining like an arcade? Unless strolling through a touristy spot is what you’d prefer.” he suggests, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. “There are plenty of museums and art galleries too. I recall you saying how much you enjoy going to those types of places.”
“I adore those places but an arcade sounds like so much more fun! I can save my museum visits for our next trip here,” Luna nods excitedly.
Jongho lets Hajoon know what their plans are and within minutes they are all back in the SUV and on their way to the arcade.
The moment they step through the door, the sounds of games and laughter surround them. Luna's eyes light up with excitement, feeling like a little kid in a candy store.
"Wow, this place is incredible!" she exclaims. "It's been ages since I've been to an arcade!"
“What do you want to try first?” Jongho asks
"Oh, I know exactly where we're headed!" Luna replies eagerly, leading him towards a claw machine with a stuffed toy trapped inside. "Back in college, this was my domain! I ruled the claw machine world in our dorm!"
Jongho observes as she nimbly manipulates the claw, aiming for the prize. After a few precise moves, she snags the toy and cheers as it tumbles down. "Yes! Nailed it!" she giggles as she dances around holding the toy tightly
“Wow…” Jongho gasps, “I’ve never seen anyone do that on the first go!”
“This is pretty much my one and only talent!” she laughs, “Here, this is for you. Something to remember our date.” she bites her lower lip shyly handing him the white teddy bear
A wide smile spreads across Jongho's face as he gratefully accepts the gift from Luna. It is a first for him - no girl has ever given him a present before. "Thank you, Luna." He wants to hug her tightly, but they are in such an open public place so he restrains himself from getting too close.
"Come on, let's see if you can beat me at something. How about... air hockey?" Luna says
They make their way to the air hockey table, Jongho cracking his knuckles dramatically. "Prepare to be amazed, Luna. I'm the air hockey champion of ATEEZ."
"Ooh, I'm shaking in my boots," Luna mocks, picking up her paddle. "Let's see what you've got, Mr. Champion."
The game starts, and it's clear that Jongho wasn't exaggerating about his skills. The puck whizzes back and forth, both of them getting increasingly competitive. But what Jongho wasn’t prepared for was how much work he was having to put into scoring as Luna skilfully blocks every shot and hits the puck back with just as much force as he was.
“Ha!” she cheers when she scores the first point
“That was a lucky shot.” Jongho grumbles, but his grin shows he is messing around. He puts the puck back on the board and hits it toward her.
“Oops, did I forget to mention I was the college dorm champion of air hockey?” Luna laughs blocking the shot again
“Oh, it’s on now!” Jongho declares, his eyes narrowing in concentration, “Are you ready?”
“Please Mr Choi, I spent my free time in arcades in college. I was born ready!” she banters back
The game continues, their banter and laughter ringing over the loud music playing over the speakers. It comes down to a draw, whoever scores is the winner. After a tense 4 minute battle as Hajoon, who was now holding Jonghos white teddy bear for him and their security guard watches on, both hooked in the game between the pair, the puck hits off the wall, onto Lunas paddle and backs into her goal.
"Yes!" he cheers, doing a little victory dance. "Air hockey champion of ATEEZ and now... champion of this date!"
Luna groans dramatically as she crouches down in defeat, but she's laughing. "Fine, you win. But I demand a rematch someday."
“Are you kidding? I am never playing you again, that was too close to hurting my pride!” he laughs moving around the table to her
“That was actually impressive Luna.” Hajoon laughs
They spend the next hour playing game after game - basketball shooting challenges, dancing games, video games and more.
“No fair, you are a professional dancer!” Luna pouts playfully when Jongho secures his third victory on the dance machine.
“Just be grateful you aren’t playing against one of the others on this thing!” Jongho laughs trying to catch his breath, “They kick my ass on these all the time!”
They snack on treats and have hotdogs as they continue to make their way around the arcade. Hajoon and the security keep a close yet respectful distance from them both. Hajoon can’t help but smile witnessing Jonghos sheer joy around Luna. Having known Jongho since he was a teenager, Hajoon has witnessed his struggles, and saw how lonely he could be at times despite his members always being there for him. He could tell that Jongho longed to have a connection with someone.
Even though those aware of the groups relationship with Luna have signed NDAs to maintain confidentiality outside work, they refrain from discussing it among themselves out of respect for their privacy and felt it wasn’t their business and as long as the relationship did not come between their work schedules there was not a problem. They did, however unanimously agree that ever since Luna joined them at work, the guys were a lot happier, and there is no judgement from anyone in management regarding their unconventional relationship.
After they had played nearly all the games in the arcade and ate until they were full, Jongho suggested going for a quick drink before heading back to the hotel to which Luna happily accepted. The bar they found was tranquil and secluded, providing them with the privacy to truly be themselves. Unlike at the arcade where they maintained a safe distance, now they could sit closer together and unwind, just the two of them.
Following a round of drinks, they made their way back to the hotel; however, Hajoon made a detour to a coffee shop to pick up some items for the other members and staff. Similar to when they left the hotel hours earlier, they were dropped off at the discreet back entrance. Myeonjin and Youngjae stood ready to assist Hajoon and the security guard with the hefty coffee purchase he had made. Hajoon instructed Jongho and Luna to go ahead while they sorted everything out as they had drank their coffees on the drive back.
"I have a small gift waiting for you in my room," Jongho says with a smile as they exit the elevator and stroll down the corridor towards their rooms, clutching his teddy bear in one arm. "I couldn't decide whether to give it to you before or after our date."
Luna chuckles and lightly nudges his arm with her shoulder. “Aw, you didn’t need to get me anything. Paying for everything on our date was more than enough!”
Jongho reaches for her hand, his expression warm. “Well, I will always pay for everything when we go out on dates.”
“Dates? So there will be more?” Luna teases, raising an eyebrow at him.
Jongho's eyes crinkle with amusement at Luna's banter. He give her hand a comforting squeeze. "Absolutely, many more dates," he affirms confidently. "I can't wait to share with you all my favourite spots around the world, especially those from back home."
Luna's eyes light up with excitement. "I'm looking forward to it," she replies, her voice filled with genuine happiness.
As they reach Jongho's room, he opens the door. “Are you comfortable enough to come in or would you rather wait here?”
"Jongho, you're my boyfriend..." Luna murmurs softly, even though the corridor was deserted, she still remains cautious. Jongho feels a flutter in his chest as she calls him her boyfriend. Though he had heard her call some of the other members by that title, he hadn't realised how much it would mean to hear her say it to him.“So, of course I am comfortable coming into your room. But I need you to be comfortable having me in there first, so we’ll go at your pace on this one.”
Jongho realises he must end this cautious dance between them. They both know they have strong feelings for each other, and their first date has been amazing. It had gone much longer than originally planned because they were enjoying each other's company so much. Jongho understands it's his turn to take the lead now and show Luna that he wants her to feel comfortable and open with him, just like she is with everyone else. So he gently takes her hand and leads her into his room, allowing the door to close softly behind them.
Luna's heart flutters at him taking the lead. She glances around and notices that his room is different from hers, Yunho's, or even Hongjoong's, who’s room she’d spent the previous 2 nights in. It is spacious, the bed is much larger and has a different layout. When she looks over at the window, she can't help but gasp at the stunning view of the Los Angeles skyline at night. Still holding onto his hand, she quickly walks over to admire the city lights, slightly dragging him behind her. He quickly places the teddy bear on the bed as they pass by it.
“What is it?” Jongho chuckles lightly at her sudden reaction
“It is so beautiful!” she says, her eyes wide and sparkly, “You've got a perfect view of the Hollywood sign from your room!”
“What view do you have?” he asks, Lunas room was across the corridor so faced the opposite side, he hadn’t given the view from that side of the hotel much thought.
“The hotel across the road, a car park and the dumpsters if you look down!” she laughs
“Shit… yeah, that sounds like a lousy sight.” he chuckles
Jongho's warm smile grew as he observed Luna's joy, moving closer to her while still holding her hand. "I'm glad you enjoy it here," he says sincerely, his voice gentle and caring. Turning to face her, he admires how the city lights reflect in her eyes, finding her more enchanting than the view outside.
Luna looks back to Jongho, still smiling from the breathtaking view. "I guess I'll have to come over to your room more often just to admire this view," she jokes playfully.
Jongho chuckles, delighted by her lightheartedness. "You're welcome here anytime, as long as you promise not to get distracted by the Hollywood sign and forget about me," he says with a wink before pulling her into his arms.
Luna leans into the hug, feeling his warmth against her body. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, inhaling his scent. The feeling of his strong arms around her makes her feel safe and protected, like nothing could harm her. She melts into him, enjoying the feeling of being in his arms.
"You have no idea how much I’ve wanted this," she whispers, her voice barely audible. While she had shared similar moments with the others, being held by Jongho felt profoundly intimate. His usual aversion to affection made this moment incredibly special to her especially as he initiated it this time.
Jongho presses his cheek against Luna's hair, savouring the closeness. He feels how much she needed this comfort and whispers back, "I'm here now. I'm not going anywhere." He never let his emotions show, not even with past partners. But with Luna, it is different—she had a way of unravelling his defences, breaking through the barriers he had placed around himself. He gently brushes his fingers through her hair and places a kiss on top of her head.
Slowly, they pull apart. Luna's eyes meet Jongho's, and she sees the unspoken question in them. She nods, giving him permission to proceed. He traces his thumb softly across her cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin under his fingertips. Time seems to stand still as their faces draw closer, closer still, until finally, their lips touch in a tender, lingering moment. There is no one to interrupt this time, no member is going to walk in and stop their kiss. A soft sigh escapes his lips. It's... it's everything he's ever wanted. Their lips move together softly, both of them sinking into the kiss.
After a few moments Jongho pulls back to check Luna is still okay but her hand wraps around the back of his head and pulls him back down to her. He presses his lips more firmly against hers, feeling her soft mouth open underneath his touch.
Jongho's hands slide down to her waist, pulling Luna closer still as a small moan escapes her. She wraps her arms around his neck, her fingers tangling in his hair, and she kisses him back with equal enthusiasm. His lips are soft and full against hers, and she can taste the faint hint of beer and iced americano on his tongue.
As the kiss deepens, Jongho's mind whirls with a mixture of exhilaration and nervous anticipation. His heart beats rapidly against his chest as he loses himself in the intoxicating sensation of Luna's lips against his own.
Jonghos hands travel down further cupping her ass and pulling her hips closer to his. The action surprises Luna causing another soft moan to escape her mouth. As their bodies meld together and more little moans come from Luna, a surge of desire ignites inside Jongho. His heart races against his chest like a wild animal trapped in a cage. The taste of her lips lingered on his tongue like a sweet addiction. He couldn't get enough. Her soft moans fed the flames of his hunger, driving him forward causing her to lose her balance slightly but he holds her steady in his arms.
Their lips move together perfectly, their tongues dancing as they explore each other's mouths. The heat between them was palpable. But as the need for air becomes more pressing, they reluctantly pull away. Their chests rise and fall rapidly, their breaths mingling one last time before they part.
"Wow," Jongho breathes, his voice filled with awe and wonder.
Luna's lips curl into a smile, her eyes sparkling with affection. "Yeah," she replies softly. "Wow."
"For a guy who claims he doesn't like skinship you sure know what you are doing," Luna teases, poking him in the chest.
Jongho scoffs, feigning offence. "Hey, I never claimed I don't like skinship. I just... selectively enjoy it."
"Oh, is that what we're calling it now?" Luna laughs, her eyes going into perfect little crescent moons. "Selective enjoyment?"
“Absolutely,” Jongho nods, his face is serious but his eyes sparkle with amusement, “Only for you.”
“As long as it's just me and no one else… well maybe Wooyoung too!” she giggles putting her arms around his shoulders
Jonghos eyebrows shoot up and his eyes go wide. “Wooyoung? He can keep his hands to himself around me!” he pouts, “The guys like a human octopus!”
Luna bursts out laughing, her head falling backwards as she lets out the heartiest laugh Jongho has ever heard her do causing his heart to skip a beat that he had managed it. “I’ll protect you from him then. If I see him coming for you I’ll jump in front and take the hit for you.”
Jongho chuckles, "Now that sounds like a noble sacrifice, but I know how much you love his hugs."
Luna beams at him, her eyes twinkling. "I love everyone's hugs, but especially yours because of how rare they are."
“You are so adorable.” he returns her smile, his hands move to her face, cupping gently as he places a tender kiss on her forehead. He gazes into Luna's eyes, his voice filled with emotion. "I never want to let you go," he whispers, his thumb caressing her cheek.
Luna's heart swells with warmth as she holds onto his shoulders, going up on her toes slightly. "Well, I am not going anywhere," she murmurs before giving him another kiss. “So, you are stuck with me.”
"Stuck with you, huh?" he teases, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I think I can live with that."
Luna chuckles softly, her fingers tracing gentle patterns on his chest. "Good, because I'm not planning on going anywhere anytime soon," she replies, her voice filled with warmth and cheekiness. “So you said you had a little gift for me?” she adds, tucking her lower lip between her teeth and looking up at him with a playful look.
Jongho lets out a soft laugh, displaying his gummy smile as he nods. He strokes Luna's cheek with his thumb before heading over to his case on the floor. "I do," he affirms.
As Jongho rummages through his bag, Luna takes the opportunity to admire him from behind. "You know," she says casually, "those jeans do wonders for your ass."
Jongho nearly drops the gift, his ears turning red. "Jesus, Luna," he sputters, turning to face her. “Where did that comment come from?”
Luna just shrugs, a innocent smile on her face. "What? I'm just stating facts."
Jongho laughs at how open she is being with him now and he really likes it.
“I did notice you checking it out when we were playing pool earlier.” He grins.
“Can you blame me!” she giggles, “It was so peachy looking and just there for me to look at!”
Jongho feels himself blush even further at her words, "Do you want your gift or talk about my ass longer?” he grins
“I want my gift.” she pouts playfully
With a playful glint in his eye, he presents her with the grey velvet box. As she reaches for it, he pulls it back just out of her grasp, causing her to pout even more. But then, with a mischievous smile, he relents and lets her take the box this time. With careful hands, she opens the box to reveal a shining silver bracelet adorned with delicate moon and star crystal charms, each one glimmering with its own unique sparkle. The light from the ceiling catches on the crystals, casting tiny rainbows onto her skin.
Luna gasps in surprise, her eyes widening as she admires the gift. "Oh, Jongho, it's beautiful," she breathes touching the charms gently. “This must have cost you a lot of money!” she adds when she notices the luxury brand name. “You shouldn’t be spending so much money on me!”
"I, um, I noticed how you always have bracelets on," Jongho stammers, his hand nervously moving to rub the back of his neck. "And I know you like moons and stars, and your name means moon too."
Luna meets his gaze, a fleeting thought crossing her mind that perhaps he had also noticed what lay hidden beneath those bracelets too. She wasn’t ready to talk about it with anyone else yet.
“I love it!” she whispers
“C-Can I help you put it on?” he offers tentatively.
Her heart skips a beat at the thought of possibly baring her scars to him, yet there is an unspoken desire for him to be the one placing the bracelet on her. Nodding silently, she passes it to him and offers her wrist, bunching up the sleeve of her pink plaid shirt.
Jongho's fingers fumble slightly with the latch of the bracelet, struggling to open it before carefully sliding it onto her wrist alongside the other bracelets. His lips form a slight pout and his brow furrows in concentration. Luna watches him intently, looking for any signs of a reaction to her scars hidden beneath but finds herself drawn to his adorable pout instead.
As Jongho delicately secures the bracelet around Luna's wrist, his touch lingers on her skin, and he gazes deeply into her eyes. "There," he murmurs affectionately. "Perfect."
Luna can't help but quip in her cheeky tone, "Just like your ass in those jeans."
Jongho groans, dropping his head onto her shoulder. "I'm never going to live that down, am I?"
"Nope," Luna says cheerfully in English, emphasising the 'p' with a pop and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "It's seared into my memory forever now. When I am an old lady in my rocking chair not knowing what decade it even is, I’ll smile fondly as I remember the great Choi Jongho’s butt in those jeans on our first date."
Jongho lifts his head, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, if we're playing that game, I'll have you know I've been admiring your legs most of the evening. Those shorts are rather... distracting. I could even see that tattoo on your thigh."
Luna's eyebrows shoot up. "Oh? And here I thought you were a perfect gentleman, Mr. Choi."
"I am a gentleman," Jongho defends with a gentle slide of his hands to her waist. "A gentleman with eyes."
Luna snorts, playfully swatting his chest. "Smooth talker."
"You're nothing but trouble," Jongho remarks softly as he leans closer.
"Yeah, but you like it," Luna whispers back, her breath ghosting over his lips.
Jongho smiles, closing the distance between them. "I really do."
As Luna and Jongho's lips meet in a soft kiss, she feels a rush of warmth spreading through her body. Jongho had never imagined how easy this would be with Luna once he had gotten past that barrier he had put up. As they pull back and look at one another, their eyes are filled with unspoken emotions.
“I really do love the bracelet. Thank you Jjong.” she says softly, nuzzling her head into his chest
Jongho smiles warmly at her reaction. “I’m glad you like it. I saw it the day after you moved in and it made me think of you so I bought it.”
“You’ve had this all that time?” Luna inquires, gazing up at him curiously.
“I have.” he nods, “I didn’t know when to give you it.”
“Well, I think now was the perfect time. After an amazing date day and a pretty damn perfect first kiss.” she smiles at him, “I will treasure it, and this day forever.”
Jongho's heart swells with joy at Luna’s words. Placing the box carefully on the desk beside the window, she wraps her arms around his waist and rests her head on his chest, finding solace in his embrace as they gaze out at the night skyline together.
“W-would you like to… stay h-here tonight?” Jongho stammers
Noticing the hint of nervousness in his voice, Luna grins playfully before replying, “As long as you promise not to hog all the covers, I like to wrap myself in them.”
"Deal," Jongho agrees with a grateful smile for her lightheartedness. "And I promise I don't snore too loudly."
“Oh, don’t worry about that. I am a snorer so I will take care of that!” Luna giggles, planting a teasing kiss on Jongho’s cheek.
“Hmm, is it too late to take back my invite?” Jongho retorts
“Oh how dare you!” Luna chuckles, pulling away from him dramatically. “I’ll just go back to my hotel room and sleep all alone, where I can snore as loudly as I want!”
“Ah, I don’t think so. I am not letting my little sweetheart go anywhere!” Jongho grins mischievously, pulling her back towards him and planting a tender kiss on her lips.
Luna smiles into the kiss as she returns it, loving how affectionate he is now they have broken past the barrier of that first kiss. “Well, you are going to have to let me go if you want a sleepover as I need to get some things from my room and have a shower.”
“Don’t leave me!” Jongho pouts, his voice tinged with longing.
“I promise I'll be back in 20 minutes,” Luna giggles, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “Just a speedy shower, change of clothes, and I'll be right back.”
“I can give you whatever you need. You can shower here, I have lots of spare clothes for you to change into and even a brand new spare toothbrush.” he replies with big round eyes
Luna looks at him and smiles, her fingers playing with the back of his hair. “Someone is very clingy,”
Jongho smiles shyly. "I can't help it. You make me want to keep you close all the time."
"Well, if you insist on keeping me close," she teases, "then I guess I have no choice but to stay right here with you." She gently guides his head down for another kiss.
After their brief moment, Luna looks up at him with a smile. "But I do need to dash to my room quickly for my blanket and plushie," she whispers, planting a gentle peck on his cheek before reluctantly untangling herself from him. “I sleep better with them.”
Watching her go, Jongho feels a pang of longing already. As the door closes behind her, he flops onto the bed with a sigh, gazing up at the ceiling. His mind wanders back to their kiss, his finger tips touching his lips, replaying it over and over again in his head. How perfect it was and magical it felt. He smiles to himself, feeling incredibly lucky to have found someone like Luna, someone who makes him feel this way.
He reflects on every moment of the day, savouring each memory like a sweet treat. The way her smile lit up as she ate her food at the cafe, their effortless conversation flowing like a gentle stream. He couldn't forget the excitement in her eyes when he suggested extending their date, or how carefree and playful she was at the arcade, eagerly willing to try any game he wanted.
As they sat at the dimly lit bar in a private booth in the back with full privacy, she leaned in close to him, her soft hand resting gently on his knee the entire time as they chatted and laughed over drinks. The way she giggled and held his hand in the car back to the hotel. It truly was a magical day that he would never forget.
A few minutes pass and he hears a soft knock at the door, his heart fluttering with excitement. He quickly races to open it, yearning to see her again. Instead of Luna's radiant smile, Wooyoung stands before him with a mischievous grin. Disappointment washes over him like a cold wave.
“Oh, its you.” Jongho sighs, his smile dropping from his face
“Well don’t be so excited to see me!” Wooyoung laughs as he comes into the room
“What do you want?” he asks
“Yeosang and I are heading down to the gym,” Wooyoung announced, plopping down on the bed. “And we thought you might like to join us.” He lowers his eyebrows as he picks up the white teddy bear, giving it a strange look. Jongho wasn’t known for having plushies or bears so this seems out of place to Wooyoung.
“I-uh, am going to have an early night since we have the photo-shoot tomorrow,” Jongho replies, not wanting to mention his plans with Luna to avoid Wooyoung's teasing.
“Ah, so someone needs their beauty sleep!” Wooyoung teases as Jongho laughs, “I’ll let you get right on that then!” he adds standing up again and placing the bear back down, “How was your date with Luna by the way? You guys have fun?”
“We went to that little cafe we always go to when we visit here, then to an arcade.” he shares
“ooh, arcade date sounds like fun!” Wooyoung grins as they walk back over to the door, “You guys are all making me have to up my game when it's time for me to take her on a date!”
“Yeah, gotta keep you on your toes!” Jongho laughs
Wooyoung swung open the door, revealing Luna about to knock. “Oh, you scared me!” Luna giggles, causing both of them to jump back.
“Same!” Wooyoung laughs as he sees her clutching her blanket, plushie and a little bag to her chest
“I’m not interrupting am I?” Luna asks tentatively, glancing between the two men.
“Not at all! I was just coming to see if this guy wanted to come to the gym with Yeosang and me, but he said he was busy,” Wooyoung explains before turning slyly towards Jongho. “Early night huh?” he whispers mischievously as Jongho blushes hard. As he faces Luna again, Wooyoung’s playful demeanour softens into a gentle smile for her. “I shall see you both bright and early tomorrow.”
Stepping out of the room, his heart skips a beat at her shy smile. After a moment's pause, he leans down and plants a kiss on her cheek. Remembering her words to him about showing affection even when she was with another member weeks ago echoed in his mind. “Good night cutie.” he whispers softly as one of her hands cups his cheek.
“Good night Woo.” she replies before going into Jonghos hotel room
Jongho can already imagine the teasing he will receive tomorrow at the photo-shoot from Wooyoung and San, possibly Yeosang too.
“Do you.. have everything you need?” Jongho asks, feeling shy again suddenly
“I do but I am taking you up on your offer of clothes though!” Luna smiles brightly. “I liked the thought of wearing your clothes too much to have brought my own.”
“That is not a problem at all.” Jongho laughs warmly, feeling his nerves begin to fade once more as she places her things on the bed. “If you want to, you can go for a shower now. I will order us some food and we could watch a movie.”
“Sounds like a good plan.” she replies, “Could I just have another kiss first?” she asks shyly
Jongho's cheeks flush as he nods, leaning in to give Luna a soft and tender kiss on her lips. The moment lingers for a minute or two, their lips moving slowly together before he pulls back, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
"Better?" he asks, his voice barely above a whisper as one of his hands squeezes her hip gently
Luna nods, her eyes sparkling with affection for him. "Much better," she replies, her hand reaching up to gently brush his cheek. "I really like your kisses."
Jongho feels his cheeks redden even more at her words. "I like your kisses too," he manages to say. "Anyway, I'll let you prepare for your shower while I find some clothes for you. Most of them might be too big since you're so petite."
“Hey, I'm not that small!” she playfully hits his chest and pulls away from him. “I'm like an optical illusion; I may look tiny, but I'm not, I have a quite the tummy under these clothes. And don't underestimate my strength either!”
“Think you could beat me in arm wrestling then?” Jongho teases as he opens the wardrobe door and begins to pull some things out of it.
“Definitely not!” Luna laughs going into the bathroom and switching on the shower “Maybe Hongjoong, but definitely not Mr Apple Breaker!” her voices echoes causing Jongho to laugh too
He gathers a tshirt and the smallest pair of sweats and shorts he owns hoping they’ll fit her. “I don’t know if you prefer sweatpants or shorts so I’ve picked on one of each for you.” he says as she walks back into the room.
“Thanks.” she smiles taking them from him
“Towels are already in the bathroom along with everything you should need. I have my skincare stuff you can borrow but it is a little stronger than the usual kind due to my tendency to have some spots.” he says
“That’s perfect actually. I have bad skin blemishes and so far haven’t found anything that really works for it. The things I’ve brought with me don’t really do much for my spots. Might give me an idea of something to try.” she smiles picking up the small bag she brought with her. It contained her skincare stuff and a change of underwear.
“You are free to borrow any of my stuff whenever you want then.” he replies, “what would you like me to order from room service?”
“Erm… if they have Chicken Alfredo or any kind of chicken pasta that would be good but if not, whatever you are having will be fine.” she replies holding his gaze
“I’ll make sure you get your Chicken Alfredo.” he says as she sways towards him a bit before leaning back. He can feel what she is wanting and decides to be the one to make that move this time and leans down to kiss her.
Luna smiles softly as they part, he places a tender kiss on her forehead before she goes for a shower. A sense of contentment washes over Jongho as he orders their meals and prepares the room for their movie night. He quickly gets changed into the sweats he was wearing that morning so he can be comfortable until it is his turn to go for a shower.
When Luna returns, dressed comfortably in Jongho's oversized shirt and sweatpants, a soft smile tugs at his lips. Her long hair still slightly damp from the shower but already starting to curl naturally. "You look good in my clothes," he compliments, earning a shy giggle from Luna. Jongho sits upright on the bed and looks beside him where there is an empty space for her. “Do they fit okay?”
"They fit perfect, did have to double knot the sweatpants though!" she says
“And you say you aren’t tiny!” he laughs
Luna climbs onto the bed beside him. "So, what movie are we watching tonight?"
Jongho scrolls through the options on netflix, considering their choices. "Well, we have plenty to choose from! Maybe a classic romance film?" he suggests, glancing over at Luna.
“hmm, what about a horror movie?” she proposes with a grin
“Won’t you be too scared?” he chuckles
“It takes a lot more than a scary movie to frighten me!” she laughs, “I’ve heard good things about #ALIVE.”
“If you are sure then horror movie it is!” he replies selecting the movie on the large TV screen mounted on the wall at the foot of the bed
Luna edges closer as he leans back against the headboard pillows. Uncertain how to navigate this newfound closeness on a bed, they fidget nervously until Jongho pulls her into his body. An arm wraps around her shoulders, while his other hand positions her legs across his lap as she settles against him.
“Oh sweetheart, you feel cold!” he says reaching over to grab her blanket “Here you go.” he drapes it over her, covering himself too, “The food shouldn’t be too long.” he adds planting a kiss on top of her head.
As they settle in to watch the movie, Luna nestles up even closer to Jongho, relishing his warmth under the fluffy blanket. She lets out a content sigh and rests her head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart, one of her hands resting on his shoulder.
Jongho gazes down at her, a faint smile dancing on his lips. "Comfortable?" he inquires, tucking some hair behind her ear.
Luna nods, locking eyes with him. "Very comfy. Thanks for letting me borrow your clothes," she murmurs softly. “They feel cozy.”
"I like you wearing them," Jongho admits, his fingers tracing gentle patterns on her arm. "I'm so glad you're here with me."
Their eyes lock as they smile at one another. “So am I.” she replies leaning upwards to kiss his lips. As she pulls back, he moves his hand to her head and gently pulls her back to his lips. The hand that had been resting on her knee moves to her thigh and up to her butt and gives it a small squeeze.
As they separate from the kiss, Luna grins cheekily at Jongho. "You know, for someone who usually seems shy and reserved, you're being quite touchy."
“I’m sorry.” he mumbles moving his hand away from her ass.
“No, I like it!” she replies moving it back
“I’ve just… never really been in a position like this before.” he says shyly
Luna clutches the remote control and pauses the movie before looking back at him, her hand cupping his face to look at her as his eyes lower. “What do you mean? What position?”
“Like a.. boyfriend/girlfriend type thing.. if that is what we are.” he replies, his eyes still not looking at her
"Of course I'm your girlfriend," she replies with a gentle smile. She carefully considers how to continue the conversation without causing any discomfort. "Jongho, there is no judgement here, but I have to ask... are you a...v-vir…?"
“Virgin?” he interrupts, his gaze locking onto hers. “No way, definitely not!”
“I am sorry, I didn’t mean to imply anything.” she quickly says
“I get why you thought that from what I just said.” he chuckles lightly “But no, I am not a virgin and I haven’t been for quite a while!” he adds his eyebrows wiggling playfully as Luna relaxes again. “I’ve never had a girlfriend. My previous encounters were mostly one time things and one not-so-friend with benefits, someone I hooked up with quite a few times but never did anything else with, we barely even spoke outside of hooking up to be honest. I know that makes me sound bad.” his eyes lower again as she shifts position to sit on his lap. She can see he feels ashamed but he has nothing to be ashamed for.
“Oh honey, no, it doesn’t! It makes you human.” Luna says kissing his cheek. As she strokes Jongho's neck gently, she looks into his eyes with understanding.
“I’ve never cuddled with someone in bed before, never watched a movie like this, or even had a date that has lasted an entire day. I’ve also never wanted to touch, hug or kiss someone as much as I do with you. I think that is why I am so touchy tonight.” he says, “I’ll stop if it is making you uncomfortable.”
“Well I certainly do not mind any of it, so don’t stop it. I think it is already obvious that I love all that stuff so don’t hold back from touching me if you don’t want to.” she says softly. “I know you won’t be this way around the others so lets just enjoy our time alone together and get as much cuddles and kisses in.”
"So you're telling me I have full permission to be as handsy as I desire with you? Be careful what you wish for, Miss Luna." Jongho smirks
"Mmm, I think I can handle whatever you throw at me, Jongho," she teases
"Oh really? You think you can handle me?" Jongho raises an eyebrow, his hands sliding down to her hips.
Luna lets out a surprised squeak as he suddenly flips them over, pinning her to the bed. "Fuck, I forgot how strong you are," she laughs breathlessly.
Jongho chuckles at Luna's reaction, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "You know, you're pretty cute when you swear," he remarks, leaning in closer to her.
“I am the daughter of a military man, I learned from the master.” she giggles as his lips ghost over hers.
Jongho chuckles softly before capturing her lips in a tender kiss. As their kiss deepens, Luna's hands find their way to Jongho's hair, tangling in the soft strands as she pulls him closer. Jongho's hands roam over her body, tracing gentle paths along her curves, eliciting soft sighs from Luna.
As his hand moves under the fabric of his tshirt and touches her skin, there is a sudden firm knock on the door followed by a voice calling out “room service” from the other side, causing them to break apart. “Saved by the bell Mr Choi!” Luna grins as Jongho pushes himself off of her, his ears bright red. She watches as he quickly adjusts his sweatpants to hide the noticeable bulge that had formed during their intimate moment.
He strides across the room to the door, where a waiter greets him with a trolley full of dishes concealed under metal covers. The waiter places it in the middle of the room and turns to face them. Jongho reaches into his bag for his wallet while Luna hands the man some cash. He thanks her and exits the room.
“Hey, why did you tip him? I was going to do that!” Jongho says
“Since I woke up this morning I haven’t spent any money because you wouldn’t let me. The least I can do is tip.” she replies, “To be honest I haven’t spent much money since we got together as you all keep throwing your cards around!” a light giggle escapes her mouth as she puts her purse back
Jongho shakes his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "You're impossible, you know that?"
“Should we move the table over to the end of the bed so we can eat while we watch the movie?” Luna says
“Sounds like a good plan.” Jongho nods
Jongho moves the table and Luna begins to move the plates from the trolley to the table. They sit on the bed and begin to remove the cloches to reveal the food.
“Yah, this Chicken Alfredo is amazing!” Luna gushes as she takes a bite. She holds up a fork for Jongho to try.
He accepts the offering and agrees. “You made a good choice!” he nods
They continue to enjoy their meals, taking bites from each other's plates as they watch the movie. After finishing, Jongho cleans up and leaves the trolley in the hallway for pick-up before heading to the bathroom to wash his hands. When he comes back into the room, he discovers Luna tucked under the covers on the bed.
"Looks like someone's made themselves at home," he comments, taking off his watch and placing it on the dressing table. There is no response. Jongho makes his way to the bed, a mischievous grin on his face. "Playing hard to get, are we?" He delicately pulls back the covers, revealing Luna fast asleep with her arms wrapped tightly around her plush toy. Her glasses are still on her face, slightly askew from the pillow. Jongho softly laughs and carefully removes them, placing them on the nightstand. "You're so cute," he murmurs, tucking her in even more snugly under the covers.
Reaching for the remote control, Jongho turns off the paused movie and places it on the sideboard. He takes the opportunity to go in for a shower. When he comes out the bathroom, he sees Luna has rolled over, covers moved down to her waist and her plush is lying on the floor. He picks it up and places it beside her before getting into bed, his eyes focus on Luna sleep peacefully. As he reaches out to brush some hair from her face, Luna stirs slightly.
“You’re so sweet Jjong.” she mumbles, her voice soft and dreamy-like
Jongho smiles, feeling a warmth in his chest. “Just making sure my sweetheart is comfortable.” he whispers laying down beside her
Without opening her eyes she moves towards him, her arm wraps around his waist, a leg resting on top of him and her head nuzzling into his chest.
“I’ve had a good day with you.” a sleepy sigh comes from her as she settles into the warmth of his body and the covers over them both.
“So did I sweetheart.” he replies putting his arms around her
In the peaceful stillness of the night, he gently places a kiss on top of her head, cherishing this quiet moment they are sharing. He reflects on the beautiful moments they shared throughout the day. She snuggles closer to him, murmuring happily, "You're my teddy bear."
As Luna's breathing evens out and small snore stirs from her throat, signalling she's fallen back asleep. Jongho finds himself staring down at her, a happy grin plastered on his face. It had been a perfect day, filled with laughter and good memories. And now, to end it with a blissfully snoring Luna in his arms is truly the best way.
Warnings: anxiety, oral sex (f receiving), fingering, unprotected sex, safe word set but not used, spanking, swearing
Word count: 11.3K
Summary: KCON day has arrived and Luna is there for a member who is struggling. While another member has planned a night for just the two of them under the stars in LA.
From the moment Jongho woke up in his hotel room in LA, he felt off. Something wasn’t right and he couldn’t figure out what. He presumed at first it was maybe the long flight the day before with a full day at kcon ahead of them. So he did his usual routine for when they were away for work of getting up early and going down to the gym. To his surprise, Luna and Yeosang were in there. Luna was running on the treadmill while Yeosang was doing weight lifting.
"Hey Jongho!" Luna greets with a smile, increasing her pace on the treadmill.
Jongho returns the smile, feeling a bit more awake now that he has seen her. "Morning, Luna." he replies, making his way over to the weights area where Yeosang was focused on his reps.
As Jongho began his workout, he found himself stealing glances at Luna's intense treadmill session. The rhythmic thumping of her strides against the machine echoed in the gym, providing a steady beat to their morning routine. After a while, Luna slows down, her breaths becoming more laboured.
"Oh my god, I am so done now!" she exclaimed, stopping the treadmill and wiping sweat from her face.
“You did well.” Yeosang replies placing the weights down
“That is a lie, but I’ll take the compliment anyway.” she laughs walking over to him
Jongho watches as she wipes some sweat from Yeosangs forehead with her towel before pulling him in for a kiss. As Yeosang wraps his arms around her waist and kisses her back Jongho quickly averts his gaze, feeling like he is intruding on a private moment between them. When they break apart Yeosang goes over to the water machine to refill his water bottle. Luna notices Jonghos quiet demeanor.
"Hey, Jongho, you're awfully quiet over there. Everything okay?" Luna asks softly
Jongho forces a smile. "Yeah, I'm good." he replies nonchalantly, not wanting to burden her with his concerns as he puts the weight he was lifting onto the floor and stretches his arms
"Jjong, you know you can talk to me, right? I’m here for you, if you need anything." she reassures him, her voice soft and comforting.
Feeling her genuine care and support for him, he considers telling her but he couldn’t pinpoint himself exactly why he was feeling this way. “Honestly, I’m just tired. From the flight yesterday and having a full day ahead of us at kcon.” he says, “I’ll be fine once I’ve had my workout and breakfast.” he adds
Luna looks at him, not quite believing him but not wanting to push him either. She reaches over and holds onto one of his hands. “Okay.” she nods, “Remember that I am always here though.”
Feeling the warmth of her hand in his, Jongho laces their fingers and gives her a small smile. “I know, thank you sweetheart.”
Yeosang comes back over to them, gulping down the cool water. He notices their entwined hands and smiles to himself at seeing Jongho allowing himself to be open with someone.
“Anyway, I better go get my stinky ass in the shower. I’ll see you guys later on when we get picked up.” she says giving Jonghos hand a tiny squeeze before kissing Yeosangs cheek and leaving
Jongho and Yeosang continued their workout in a comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The gym gradually filled up as the morning wore on, the quiet atmosphere replaced by the hum of activity. As they finished their workout, Jongho felt his energy levels have increased but the unease was still there.
“I wasn’t expecting to see you two so early.” Jongho says, “Thought I’d have the gym to myself at such an early hour.”
“Wasn’t planning to come down this early to be honest but I couldn’t really sleep so got up and I found Luna waiting for the elevator.” Yeosang replies, “Wasn’t expecting to see her either.”
“How was she this morning?” Jongho asks
As they all gathered in Hongjoong's room for dinner the night before, not a single one of them spoke of the panic attack that had occurred on the plane. It was an agreement the 8 of them made before Yunho arrived with her, that they would only speak about it if she brought it up first. While mostly everyone was asleep on the plane Luna had spoken to Seonghwa privately, telling him how embarrassed she was by what happened and although he had reassured her she had nothing to be embarrassed about, she said she still felt self-conscious about it. So not wanting to make her uncomfortable, they made the decision not to talk about it.
“Her usual happy and bright self. I think she got a good nights sleep.” Yeosang answers as Jongho nods. Little did they know she didn’t get as much sleep as the others did and neither did Yunho who’s room she’d spent the night in after the dinner.
After Jongho and Yeosang cleaned up they went back to their rooms but the feeling inside of Jongho was still there. He had hoped the workout would have settled it so he continued with his morning routine of having a shower and ordering breakfast to his room before going to the conference room that had been set up for hair and make up.
“Where is Luna?” San asks, scanning the room as he enters
“She’ll be coming down soon.” Hongjoong answers as Chaeyoung runs a brush through his hair
“I don’t get why Luna is always around!” Chaeyoung blurts out.
“Luna is our translator.” Hongjoong answers in a monotone voice, “She’ll always be with us, that’s her job.”
He had picked up on the looks Chaeyoung would give Luna when she was around and how Luna kept her distance from her. It didn’t surprise him though as most of the staff did the exact same because of Chaeyoungs attitude and her little mean girl gang. Hongjoong knew how outspoken Luna was too and had assumed she was keeping herself away so as not to say anything. Either way Hongjoong didn’t like Chaeyoung but he tolerated her because she excelled at her job and in order to keep her away from the other guys after the incident with Yunho, he volunteered himself.
“I get that, Joongie,” she sighs. “But does she really need to be in hair and makeup? Or hanging around when she isn’t needed?”
“Yes, because we’re about to attend a predominantly English-speaking event in 30 minutes. We need to be prepared,” he replies curtly. “And it’s Hongjoong to you,” he adds, feeling a hot sensation of irritation at hearing her use the nickname that made his heart flutter and a reason to smile when Luna said it. From Chaeyoung’s mouth, it made his stomach turn. He felt it to be incredibly unprofessional as well when they were coworkers only, they had no form of friendship outside of her styling his hair.
“I..I’m sorry…I’m..” she stammers, her eyes wide as she looks at him through the mirror
“Lets just focus on work.” he interrupts
She nods and continues styling his hair. At that moment, Luna enters the room and the others greet her politely. Hongjoong notices the eye roll from Chaeyoung through the mirror in front of him.
As Luna takes her seat in the corner of the room, Wooyoung glances over at her and asks, "How are you feeling today, Luna? Did you sleep well?"
Luna smiles warmly and replies, "I'm feeling great, thank you. I slept…. good.” she glances over at Yunho briefly who gives her a discreet smile in return,
“That’s good!” Wooyoung smiles, “Ready for a busy day ahead?”
“I am excited for the event and fully ready to help out however I can."
Hongjoong nods in approval before turning his attention back to Chaeyoung. Sensing a tense atmosphere with Chaeyoung staring at Luna through the mirror, he decides to break the silence by saying, "Let's make sure everything is perfect today. We need to show our best selves at this event."
Chaeyoung, still feeling uneasy after her slip-up earlier, chimes in nervously, "Yeah, of course. I'll make sure everything is ready for you guys. Sorry again for earlier."
“Lets just focus on our individual jobs and not what other people are doing.” he states firmly as she can only nod in response.
Nearly everyone is ready to leave now. The stylists with the outfits had already gone ahead to set up the changing room at the venue. Most of the hair and makeup was done, and cars were arranged for transport. Luna looks around the room, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves bubble inside her. This was her first English-speaking event with the team—a chance to prove herself to both the company and the guys as the right choice for the job.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───
So far the day has gone well, they have done a couple of interviews and handled the English perfectly. Luna hadn’t needed to help translate anything but was there to support them if they needed, and her constant presence nearby them bolstered their confidence.
As the concert's start near, Ateez prepare to open the show. Everyone is gathered in their designated changing area, stylists putting finishing touches to outfits, ensuring micpacks are secure and hidden, etc. Jongho sits in a corner, hands trembling as he mentally rehearses the choreography for the kcon signature song. Luna notices his tense demeanour and shaking hands. She has never seen him this nervous before and felt a pang of worry. Approaching him, she glances at the staff finalising outfits and hair for the others, making sure no one was watching her. "Hey, it's going to be okay," she says soothingly.
Jongho looks up at her with wide eyes, his bottom lip trembling. "But what if I mess up? What if I let everyone down?" he whispers, his voice cracking.
Luna takes another look around, she knows they aren’t due on stage for another 20 minutes. “Come with me.” she says
Jongho rises from his seat, following her into a cramped room attached to their preparation area. The space is cluttered with racks of outfits and boxes piled high, but they are alone. She closes the door behind them, shutting out the chatter and bustle of the main room. Turning to face him, she sees his clammy cheeks and her heart clenches. Stepping closer, she takes his hands in hers, offering a gesture of comfort in front of him.
“Talk to me.” she urges softly. Jongho remains silent, his gaze fixed on the ground, “It is just us two here. You can tell me anything you want to and I promise, it won’t leave this room.”
Jongho's eyes flicker nervously as they meet hers. Even though she stands a couple of feet away, he can feel the warmth radiating from her and it instantly calms his racing heart. He hates being vulnerable in front of others, always afraid of judgement or rejection. Throughout his life, he has never known how to respond when people tried to help him, often pushing them away instead.
But standing here with Luna, her small soft hands in his, he feels something shift inside him. As he looks down at her, her full attention solely on him, he feels his walls begin to crumble. It scares him and enthrals him all at once. He takes a deep breath, his bottom lip trembling as he finally voices his fears. "But what if I mess up? What if I let everyone down?" he whispers.
Luna smiles softly, one of her hands leaves his and touches his face, her fingers gently touch his cheek. "You won't mess up, and you will never let anyone down."
Jongho's chest rises and falls in rapid breaths as he struggles to control his emotions. Luna knows that words alone wouldn't be enough to ease his anxiety, so without hesitation, she did what she always does when someone she cares about needs comfort – enveloping him in a warm embrace.
She understands the risk of crossing this physical boundary with him, but she can’t see him this way and not try to provide him with a bit of solace. Her arms wrap around his sturdy frame, pulling him close to her, careful not to disturb his hair or make up. She could feel his tense muscles slowly relaxing against her, his head finding a comfortable spot on her shoulder. They stay like this for a few moments, breathing in sync. Jongho's self-doubt and nerves fade away as he holds onto her tightly.
"Thank you," Jongho mumbles into her shoulder, his voice muffled.
Luna pulls away slightly but still keeping him in her arms, looking at him with a soft smile. "Anytime, Jongho."
"I woke up this morning feeling off, and it only got worse as the day went on," he explains.
"I know that feeling," she responds, gazing into his eyes.
"Learning the choreography for the kcon song in just 6 hours and then rehearsing for the tour on top of that...it's all blending together," he continues. "I'm struggling with the new dances for the tour. Yunho is working hard to teach us, Mingi and Wooyoung has been helping him. I've been watching BBT's videos over and over again in my room at night." He sighs. "Normally, I don't have trouble with choreo but this time it's really getting to me and I don't understand why."
Luna nods and lets him express his emotions, hoping it will ease his stress. She understands the power of verbalising worries.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t be unloading to you like this.” he says looking away
"It's perfectly fine and you definitely should be," she replies, gently turning his gaze back to her with her hand on his cheek. "If talking helps you, always come to me. I'm a good listener." Her hand moves to his shoulder as she looks into his eyes. "Jjong, you are amazing. You have more talent in your pinkie finger than most of us have in our entire bodies. I know you'll get on that stage and blow everyone away, like you always do!"
Jongho looks down at her as their surroundings fade away, leaving just the two of them in the world. He smiles, enfolding her in another embrace, relief washing over him at her uplifting words of encouragement and support, and also that he has conquered the barrier of hugging Luna. Though she initiated it, and he's thankful she did.
As they gaze into each other's eyes, the world falls silent and time seems to stop. Jongho leans in, gently brushing his lips against Luna's cheek. When she responds favourably, nestling closer to his touch, he continues trailing soft kisses along her face until he reaches her lips. Looking into her eyes once more, he nods almost subtly as if seeking permission to finally do what they've both been longing for. She smiles her consent. Just as they are about to share their first kiss, the sound of the door opening shatters the moment.
“Oh, I’m sorry!” Sans voice says causing Jongho to pull his head back but he keeps a hold of her in his arms, “I didn’t mean to.. interrupt you both.”
“It is fine.” Jongho says looking over at him, Luna feels his hand subtly rub her back and it feels nice, “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, um...” Sans stumbles over his words, clearly flustered by catching them in a private moment. “Hongjoong was looking for you. We need to head to the stage area now.” He nervously scratches the back of his neck. “Sorry again!” With that, he closes the door and leaves them alone once more.
Jongho's gaze stays on the door through which San has just left, a hint of frustration crossing his features. "We never seem to get a moment alone," he murmurs, more to himself than to Luna.
Luna tightens her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. "We both know that always going to be hectic and chaotic, there will always be someone floating nearby but we'll find our moments together, where it is just us two." she reassures him.
Jongho turns to Luna, placing his forehead against hers. "I'm holding onto that hope," he whispers, his gaze softening as he takes comfort in her presence. “I really want to kiss you... but not like this. Not in a hurry and not when I have to leave for the stage without being able to see you again until much later tonight because we'll both be busy working all day. I'm not foolish enough to expect the perfect first kiss, but I also don't want it to be rushed."
"Jongho," Luna whispers, "our cafe date is just a couple of days away. I can't wait to have you all to myself, to share our first kiss and whenever that may be, it will be perfect because it will be ours." She smiles at him tenderly, her eyes conveying all the affection she feels for him. “Now lets get back before I get into trouble from Hongjoong for stealing you away!”
As Jongho wraps his arms around her waist, he feels a surge of happiness wash over him. “Our first kiss will be magical and perfect, just like you.” He whispers, pressing a tender kiss against her forehead. A rosy blush spreads across Luna's cheeks at Jongho's gesture, a wave of warmth coursing through her body. “And I’ll handle Hongjoong, I won’t let him scold my little sweetheart!” he adds
She gazes up at him with a sheepish smile, completely caught up in the moment and loving every second of it, she returns the gesture by kissing the back of his hand so as not to ruin his make up. As they lock eyes, their faces flush with an innocent charm reminiscent of besotted teenagers. Jongho smiles widely at her, his signature gummy smile on show and crescent moon eyes.
“Lets go.” she says finally pulling apart from him
She follows him over to the door, seeing that Jongho is carrying himself more confidently and he has gone from being closed off to open and she finds herself smiling as they walk back into the changing area.
“Luna, there you are!” Wooyoung calls out to her in English, walking towards her as Jongho heads over to a stylist to put on his jacket.
Luna is surprised by Wooyoung's sudden use of English, but also feels proud of him. “Hey, what's going on?” she responds in English.
“We want you to watch us from the side of the stage instead of staying back here.” he says quietly, switching back to Korean
“Are you sure? I don’t want to get in the way or distract anyone.” she asks
“Of course we’re sure. We love having you there when we perform and this is a special show for us. We’re opening the show, performing the signature song and it is also your home country.” he replies, “Plus, you know we always want you by our sides.”
Luna feels her heart swell with emotion as she looks at Wooyoung and the rest of the group making their final preparations.
“So will you come?” Wooyoung asks, his voice soft
"Do you even have to ask? I'll always be there for you guys," Luna responds with a light laugh. "I wouldn't miss it for anything."
“Let’s go!” Myeonjin shouts over the noise, signalling that it’s time to head out.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───
Their performance was an energetic and seamless display of talent and passion. The audience, already brimming with anticipation, were immediately swept up in the music as soon as the group stepped onto the stage. This only fuelled the band members to give their all, pouring their hearts into each note and dance move. Luna watched from the sidelines, her eyes sparkling with joy as her boyfriends performed. Unable to contain her excitement, she danced and sang along with the music, joined by Hyunshik. The two of them danced freely at the edge of the stage, not caring who could see them as they enjoyed each other's company.
During "Hala Hala," Hongjoong spotted them, his heart swelling at Luna's carefree happiness with her friend. Between songs, Luna watched intently, pride surging as they flawlessly delivered their rehearsed English speeches amidst their hectic schedules. As the music resumed, she and Hyunshik resumed their playful dancing.
After the final note faded, they hurried back to the waiting area to prepare for the meet-and-greet session and other events. Luna stood ready to assist with translations. Though their stage time was over until the grand finale, their day was far from done. The air buzzed with anticipation for what lay ahead.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───
After the show concluded, everyone retreated to the hotel. The guys had already arranged to do a live on YouTube while they ate dinner so Luna went back to her room where she immediately got changed into a pair of black sweatpants, a loose fitting cropped t-shirt and an oversized knitted cardigan, ordered her own dinner while she watched the live. Knowing most of the group would either go out to enjoy their rare free time in LA or head straight to bed, she prepared for a quiet night alone.
Once the live session ended and her food trays were placed outside her door, Luna settled on top of her bed with a book she had planned to read on the plane but hadn’t touched. She had spent that flight sleeping and watching a movie with Yeosang, their hands secretly intertwined under blankets.
Ten minutes later, her phone buzzed, pulling her from the pages. Seeing Hongjoong’s name on the screen made her heart flutter.
Luna feels a little bubble of excitement in her tummy as she puts her phone on the bed and jumps off it, quickly makes her way over to the bathroom to freshen up for him. Apart from their lunch in his studio a few weeks ago this was the first time he’s asked to do something with her that wasn’t at the company building. With the long hours Hongjoong works in his studio, they rarely see one another in the apartment either so opportunities to be alone have been slim to zero.
As she brushes her hair she hears a small knock at her hotel room door, she places the brush back on the dressing table and opens the door to see Hongjoong smiling at her. His heart flutters as he sees her; despite being together all day at work, he yearned for time alone with her in private. Away from work.
“Hey Joongie!” she smiles happily
“Are you ready?” he asks
“I just need to grab my phone and put my sneakers on.” she says, “Come in.”
He follows her inside, taking in her surroundings. Her suitcase lays open in a corner, clothes jumbled inside—clearly not planning to unpack. Her work laptop sat on the desk, screen dark. Her usual Kuromi comfort blanket draped over the bed caught his eye, along with an open book beside it.
"Nice book," he remarks, picking it up gently without losing her place. "Have you had much chance to read it?" He glanced at the cover: The Letters of Vincent Van Gogh.
Luna chuckles, finishing tying her shoelaces. "Only just started it. I got it for the plane ride but ended up sleeping most of it. Maybe I'll get to it on the flight home."
“Do you like to read?” he asks
“Oh yeah! My mom is an English teacher, so I grew up with books. If I wasn’t studying languages, I had my nose stuck in a book.” she answers
“And Van Gogh I see, you like reading art books?” he asks carefully putting it back in the exact position he found it
“I love all books! From trashy romance novels to art history.” she laughs standing up from the seat in the corner and fixing the waistband of her sweats. “In my old job at the hotel I didn’t have any time for reading but now I do, which I absolutely love!” she picks up her phone and slides it into her pocket "Shall we go?" she asks, flashing a bright smile.
"Of course," he says returning her smile, holding the door open for her. They leave the room together and instead of heading to the elevator lobby on their floor Hongjoong walks in the opposite direction with Luna following rather clueless.
"So, where are we headed?" Luna asks curiously as they arrive at the end of the corridor at a smaller looking elevator door.
He looks down at her with a playful glint in his eyes. "It's a surprise," he teases as he presses the button.
Entering the elevator Hongjoong presses the button for the top floor before putting a 4 digit code into the keypad. Luna looks at him with a look of intrigue in her eyes. “Well now I am even more curious!” she giggles
With a charming smile, Hongjoong puts an arm around her shoulders and pulls her towards him. Luna smiles as she cuddles into the side of his body, her head resting on his shoulder. As the lift carries them upwards to their destination, he holds her close, savouring the feeling of her warmth against the side of his body.
The doors open to reveal a breathtaking sight. As they step out onto the rooftop garden, Luna's breath catches in her throat. The sky is dark, but the stars were shining brightly, twinkling like diamonds in the sky. Her eyes widen, taking in the breathtaking sight before her. There are sun loungers dotted around the space. In the corner of the rooftop stands a cute gazebo adorned with beautiful flowers and delicate fairy lights spiralled around the flowers and pillars. There is also strings of lights hanging around the rooftop too and it makes her heart swell at how romantic it all feels. She wasn’t expecting this from him at all.
Hongjoong keeps his eyes fixed on her, a smile creeping onto his face as he looks at her looking around in complete awe. Her big brown eyes sparking under the fairy lights surrounding them.
“Joongie…” she gasps, “This is so beautiful.”
"I thought you might like it," Hongjoong says, smiling at her.
Luna turns to him, a questioning look in her eyes. "But why did you bring me up here?"
Gently taking her hand, Hongjoong pulls her close and wraps his arms around her waist as she snakes hers around his shoulders. "I wanted time alone, just us, away from work and the company. The hotel room didn't seem special enough and I didn’t want to take you out anywhere with other people around. But I remembered how incredible the rooftop was on our last trip here, with complete privacy and I knew it was perfect for us." He presses his lips to hers in a tender kiss. Luna's heart flutters at his gesture, and she couldn't help but feel a warmth in her chest.
As they sit on one of the double sun loungers, Hongjoong pulls a small bag that was hidden underneath it. He opens it to reveal some snacks and drinks. “Strawberries!” she giggles as she hands the container to her
“Not just strawberries.” he grins putting his hand back into the bag.
Luna's eyes widen in surprise as Hongjoong shows her the tub of cream. "Oh, you really went all out, didn't you?" she chuckles, playfully nudging him as he pulls out more snacks and drinks for them both.
"I wanted to make sure we have all the essentials for a perfect evening under the stars," he replies smoothly, scooping out a dollop of cream onto a strawberry and offering it to Luna.
She accepts the strawberry, her lips curling into a smile as she takes a bite. "Mmm, delicious," she remarks, enjoying the sweet combination of fruit and cream.
Beneath the glittering night sky, they share an impromptu picnic on the rooftop. All stress and responsibilities fade away as they sink into complete relaxation, alone together. Conversation flows effortlessly, touching on anything and everything, relishing this rare opportunity to connect without distractions.
"This is amazing, Joongie," she murmurs, looking at him with gratitude and affection in her eyes. "Thank you for this special evening."
Hongjoong's expression softens as he meets her gaze. "I'm just happy to see you smile," he says sincerely, reaching over to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Come here.”
He gathers their empty food containers and drink bottles, placing them back into the bag before pulling her to sit between his legs, her back against his chest. As she settles happily into his embrace, he pulls out a blanket, covering them both.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been around much for you.” he whispers in her ear
“You don’t need to apologise.” she replies, “I know you are busy with work.”
“But still, I should be making more time for you.” he adds
“Do I wish you were home more often? Of course I do. Do I hate when you sleep at the studio instead of in your own bed? You bet I do! But it’s because I want to see you taking an actual break and resting. Of course, I want to see you too, but I'm more concerned about your health and well-being.” Luna says
Hongjoong swallows hard, her concern piercing through his defenses. He reflects on the countless hours spent in the studio, unaware of how much she worried for him while he was locked away.
Tightening his hold around her, he presses a kiss to the top of her head. "I promise to make more time for us, to create moments like this—just you and me, no distractions or worries. And I promise to come home more too."
Luna turns her head to look up at Hongjoong. "I appreciate your promise, Joongie," she says softly, her voice filled with warmth. "But, I also understand your passion for music and how hard you work for it. I just want us all to find that balance where we can support each other fully."
Feeling the sincerity in her words, Hongjoong tightens his arms around her, a soft chuckle escaping him. "I'm grateful to have you by my side, Luna. Your understanding and support means everything to me, to all of us."
As they lay there under the vast expanse of stars, Luna felt blessed. She had found acceptance in the most unexpected place. These 8 men opening her eyes to a new world where intimacy wasn't confined to one person but could take many forms and still be beautiful.
Hongjoong looks down at her, his arms around her waist pulling her closer to him. Luna turns her head slightly and looks back at him. “Are you okay, my love?” he asks softly
Luna's eyes shimmer with emotion as she meets Hongjoong's gaze, feeling a rush of warmth at his term of endearment. "I'm more than okay, Joongie," she nods, reaching her hand back to touch his cheek, "I'm happy... truly happy." she adds leaning her head back against his chest.
“I’m glad.” he replies softly. He tenderly presses his lips against her hand, savouring the intimate moment they are experiencing. It's a rare luxury for them, with their busy schedules and the pressure to maintain a professional demeanour in public. Their physical displays of affection have been limited to quick stolen kisses and brief hugs. But now, he caresses her stomach with gentle strokes while she traces her fingers along his jawline, both basking in the warmth and comfort of one another. Luna leans back into him with a soft happy sigh.
Suddenly, a shooting star streaks across the night sky, drawing gasps from both Luna and Hongjoong. “oh my god, did you just see that?!” Luna asks excitedly looking back at him with big sparkling eyes
“I did!” Hongjoong grins, kissing her cheek before putting his lips to her ear whispering, “Make a wish, my love.”
A smile crosses her face as she closes her eyes tight and make a silent wish deep in her heart. When she opens them again she sees him looking at her with a look of adoration in his face.
“What did you wish for?” he asks softly
“I can’t tell you that,” she replies turning her head to kiss him, “It won’t come true if I do.”
Hongjoong chuckles softly, pulling her closer and placing a kiss on the side of her head. “That’s true.” he says resting his head against hers as they look back up the star strewn across night sky. Hongjoong knew he’d picked the right night to do this with Luna. The sky was clear, the air wasn’t too cold, it was a tranquil night for just the two of them after a hectic couple of weeks for them both.
“Joongie?” Luna’s voice is barely a whisper.
“Yes, my love?” he responds, his tone tender.
Luna’s stomach churns with nerves as she finally voices her fear. “Why... why do you guys want me? You’re idols; you could have anyone. Why me? I’m just... nobody.” Her voice tightens, revealing her anxiety.
Hongjoong can see the insecurity in her eyes and he moves to turn her around, sitting her on his lap so they are facing each other. He cups her cheek gently with his hand causing her to look into his eyes. "Luna," he begins, "you’re far from 'nobody' to us. From the moment we met you, we all felt a strong connection to you. There was something about you that we couldn't quite put into words, or even figure out fully what was drawing us all to you. As we got to know you, it became clear to all of us why." He leans in closer, his warm breath brushing against her skin as he continues, "You bring a light into our lives that we didn't even know was missing. Your kindness, strength, uniqueness - your entire being captivates us in ways we never thought possible. We don't want just anyone, Luna. We want you." His words hang in the air between them, heavy with sincerity and a depth of emotion that leaves Luna speechless.
Luna's big, doe-like brown eyes widen in surprise and a flurry of emotions. She searches his deep, warm gaze for any hint of deceit or insincerity, but all she finds is honesty and adoration reflecting back at her. The way his gaze holds hers makes her heart skip a beat, like they are the only two people in the world at that moment. A soft smile tugs at the corners of her mouth as she leans in placing a soft kiss on his lips.
“How are you doing with our situation?” he asks, looking into her eyes seriously
“It’s... good,” she smiles, her hands sliding up his arms to circle his shoulders. “It was strange at first. I second-guessed everything—what I said, did, even wore—wondering what you all thought about me being in a relationship with eight men.” She pauses, recalling moments of doubt and uncertainty.
Hongjoong reads the conflict on her face and gently squeezes her hips reassuringly.
“But then,” she continues “I realised that you guys were just as nervous and unsure about things as I was and it made me relax.” she smiles softly at him, her fingers play with the ends of his fluffy hair
“We definitely were!” he chuckles, his hands holding onto her hips, “A poly relationship is hard to navigate and I understand that it is harder for you than for us. 8 of us and 1 of you, many of us vying for your attention and wanting to spend time with you plus you need your alone time too.”
Luna nods in understanding, feeling gratitude wash over her. She leans closer, resting her head against his chest and taking a deep breath that brings calm.
“You’ve all been so patient with me,” she whispers softly, her voice muffled against his shirt. “And you look after me as well. More than you should have to with your own busy lives.”
Hongjoong wraps his arms around her tightly. “Of course, Luna. We care deeply about your comfort and happiness.”
She looks up at him, her eyes glistening with emotion. “I never imagined I could feel this way about multiple people at once.”
Hongjoong smiles tenderly, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face. “We’re all learning and growing together, Luna. Your presence in our lives has brought us closer and made us stronger as a unit too.” He leans forward and kisses her.
Luna gasps as Hongjoong’s lips meet hers in a passionate kiss, his hands gripping her hips firmly. Their bodies press together; she feels his arousal growing between them. Her breath hitches as she moans into the kiss, tasting the lingering sweetness of earlier snacks on his lips. His fingers trace slow circles on the bare skin of her lower back beneath her loose cardigan, igniting a fire within them both that has nothing to do with the balmy weather outside—a spark of heat that sends shivers up her spine.
She responds to his gentle ministrations by delicately tracing the contours of his face with her fingertips, each stroke igniting their shared skin with an intense need. Her fingers dance lightly over the faint hint of stubble on his chin, drawing a deep, rumbling groan from some hidden part of him that vibrates pleasantly against her own heated flesh.
Luna’s breath hitches as Hongjoong trails kisses down her neck, following the curve with a slow, languid pace. "Joongie," she moans lightly, dropping her head back as he pulls her hips over his, a spark of pleasure hitting her core as it rubs against his hard on. She clings onto him tighter, her nails digging into his back through the fabric of his shirt.
"God, Luna," he breaths against the hollow of her throat, "you're so fucking sexy on top of me like this." Suddenly he grabs her hips and rolls them over so she is lying on the sun-lounger and positions himself above her. His eyes darken with desire as he looks at her sprawled beneath him. He groans, taking her lips in a passionate and deep kiss, tongues dancing as their bodies move against each other. His hands roam her body, feeling every curve and soft places, before running down to cup her ass, pulling her closer to his hardening cock. She moans into the kiss, feeling the heat between them growing stronger as her fingers tug at his hair. Hongjoong can feel himself getting lost in the moment, his hand inching closer and closer to sliding into her sweatpants.
"Fuck, Luna..." he rasps against her mouth, "We...we should stop."
Luna quickly untangles her legs from around his waist and tries to move away. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to…”
"No, no," he pants, dragging her back against him, "I only meant we should retreat somewhere more private if we want to continue this." His hand glides down her taut stomach, toying with the waistband of her sweats. "It's a bit...exposed out here, even if we're alone." He bites his lower lip, voice husky with want.
“Oh shit!” she covers her mouth giggling, “I wasn’t even thinking straight.” Her eyes lock with his again. “So… your room or mine?”
“Mine is closer.” he replies briskly
“Someones a bit impatient.” she teases with a smirk
"Can you blame me?" With a smooth motion, he pushes himself off of her and helps her to stand. Without hesitation, he pulls her towards the elevator door and they move quickly, almost running. Time seems to slow down as they wait for the doors to open, every second feeling like an eternity. But once inside, Hongjoong becomes bold, pressing her firmly against the wall as his hands eagerly explore her body. They are caught up in a frenzy of desire, their lips crashing together in a hungry kiss as the doors close behind them, sealing them in their own private world. Lost in throes of desire, their bodies melt together, hands grasping and caressing.
"Joongie..." Luna mutters, placing her hands on his chest. He stills immediately.
"Am I moving too fast?" he asks, searching her eyes for any signs of hesitation.
"Oh no, not at all!" she giggles. "Just, the cameras..." She nods towards the device in the corner.
"Don't worry, this is a private elevator and our security controls the cameras here tonight, in here and on our floor." he assures her. "No one will ever see the footage. We have complete privacy."
"You really have thought of everything," she marvels.
"I wanted us to be able to be carefree tonight, like a regular couple" he says with a smile. “And no, I didn’t plan for this to be on the cards tonight before you say.” he adds kissing her softly
“I wasn’t going to.” she chuckles kissing him back, “But it is pretty damn perfect.” she adds with a playful grin causing him to blush lightly
The elevator doors glide open with a soft hiss, revealing their floor. Hongjoong reaches for Luna's hand, lacing their fingers as he quickly leads her down the plush carpeted hallway to his room. Giggling, she hurries to match his eager pace until they reach the door. Fingers fumbling in haste, he inserts the keycard and they tumble inside in a fit of playful laughter.
With a soft click, the door swings shut behind them, shutting out the world and leaving Luna and Hongjoong alone in the room. Luna wastes no time, quickly kicking off her sneakers as he does the same, desire in her eyes as she looks at him. His pulse races as she nimbly removes her cardigan, letting it slide down her arms and drop to the floor. Her cropped tee follows suit along with her sweatpants, the clothes falling away to reveal her smooth skin and delicate curves that steal his breath.
"Are you completely certain about this?" he asks softly.
Luna nods emphatically, moving closer until her body is a hairsbreadth from his. Her hands encircle his neck, pulling him into a passionate, spine-tingling kiss as their bodies melt together. A low groan rumbles in his chest and she pushes him against the wall, grinding her hips against his stiff arousal. Lunas hands move down to pull at his sweatpants as he kicks them off. His hands caress her silky skin, tracing her curvy waist before grasping her hips. She tastes of sweet strawberries, inflaming his passion. Scooping her into his arms, he carries her to the expansive bed, their lips still joined in fiery bliss.
Luna gasps as Hongjoong climbs on top of the bed and drops her onto the middle of it, his body hovering over hers. She gazes up at him, her large doe-like eyes full of longing and desire, her lower lip lightly biting into as she tries to contain her emotions. Hands moving to his t-shirt she pulls it over his head revealing his toned chest and abs. Her fingers delicately run over his chest, each touch leaving a lingering trail of fire that spreads throughout his body. Luna wraps her arms around his shoulder, pulling him closer as their lips meet in another passionate kiss.
Hongjoong can't get enough of her, his hands exploring her skin, feeling the softness beneath his touch. He can't get enough of her, can't get close enough. He needs to feel every inch of her, to make her his own for tonight. "You drive me fucking insane!" he moans, his breath hot against her neck. She gasps as he nips at her collarbone, his teeth grazing her sensitive flesh.
Hongjoong's lips continue a trail of fiery kisses down Luna's body, starting from her neck and making their way down to her stomach. With practised ease, he unclasps her bra and tosses it onto the floor. His feast upon the sight of her bare breasts, rising and falling with each ragged breath she takes. The intensity of his gaze and the way his eyes darken further, Luna suddenly feels shy. On instinct her hands cover herself causing Hongjoongs features to instantly soften and look at her. He sees the shyness in her face, her eyebrows lowered, the blush on her cheeks forming as she avoids his gaze.
With a gentle touch, Hongjoong caresses Luna's cheek. "You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, my love," he says softly, his other hand holding her waist gently. "I want to make you feel good," he continues, "but your comfort is more important to me. If anything feels wrong or you want me to slow down, say 'yellow' and I will stop immediately."
Hongjoong's words instantly soothes Luna's nerves as she slowly lowers her hands, allowing him to gaze upon her fully but his eyes stay fixed on hers.
“I just got shy for a second, but I am fine now.” she smiles threading her fingers in his hair
“Still… remember the word and say it if you need to.” he says, Luna nods in response, “Promise me!” he urges gently, wanting to hear her say the words
“I trust you and I promise,” she says pulling his head down to kiss him. Hongjoongs stomach flips at hearing her say she trusts him causing him to smile into the kiss. “Now, can you please continue what you were doing?” she adds with a mischievous grin on her face
As Hongjoong's lips meet her neck once more, Luna gasps, her body arching into his, the sensation of his kiss setting off a shiver down her spine. With a soft moan, Hongjoong takes one pert nipple into his mouth, delicately sucking on it before tracing his tongue in slow circles around it. Luna moans and arches her back, electricity coursing through her at the sensation. His other hand stroking along her side and hip until it reaches the elastic waistband of her underwear. With agonising slowness, he slides them down over her hips and thighs, revealing the delicate skin beneath.
Hongjoong watches, his breath hitching as he sees Luna spread her legs wide, revealing her pink, swollen folds. Groaning at how wet she is for him already, his cock twitches in anticipation, desperate to be inside her. He reaches up and trails kisses down her stomach, exploring the soft skin of her tummy before moving lower to tease her mound.
Without warning, his tongue plunges into her slick folds – eliciting a shocked gasp from Luna as a surge of pleasure courses through her body. Long, slow licks soon follow before Hongjoong's skilled tongue dances over her swollen clit – teasing and tormenting the sensitive bud until soft moans escape her lips. His strong hands clasp onto her hips and guide them downwards, greedily devouring her.
As he continues to lavish attention on Luna's quivering core, Hongjoong feels his own need grow more insistent with each feverish lick and nibble. Her intoxicating taste and aroma fill his senses, driving him to the brink of madness as he sinks deeper into her. Luna's fingers weave through his hair, tugging gently at the strands as his voracious tongue explores her depths – their connection only growing more powerful with each passing moment.
Eager to bring her to the edge of pleasure, Hongjoong delicately pushes 2 fingers into her entrance - curling them upwards in search of that elusive sweet spot. Luna lets out a loud groan, her legs almost clamping shut around his head as Hongjoong feels a soft spongy area inside of her and he knows instantly he’s found it. He pumps his fingers in and out of her, the wet squelching noises only adding to the eroticism of the moment.
"Joongie," she gasps, her fingers tightening in his hair. "Please."
"Please what?" he asks, his voice low and seductive. He knows exactly what she wants, but he wants to hear her say it.
“Please make me come,” Luna whines, her cheeks flushed with desire
Hongjoong smiles against her skin, relishing the feeling of her body responding to his touch. "Beg for it," he murmurs, his breath hot against her sensitive flesh.
Luna's eyes flutter open, and she looks at him with a mixture of desire and frustration. "Please, Hongjoong," she pleads. "I need to come. I need you."
Hongjoong groans at her words, his control slipping. He pumps his fingers into her harder and faster, his tongue continuing to dance over her clit.
"Yes, yes, yes!" Luna cries out, her body shaking as she reaches her peak. Hongjoong feels her muscles clenching around his fingers, and he knows he's brought her to the brink of pleasure. He continues to lavish attention on her quivering core, drawing out her orgasm until she’s limp and satisfied.
As the waves of pleasure subside, Luna opens her eyes to find Hongjoong watching her with an intense gaze. He slowly removes his fingers, sucking them clean before leaning down to capture her lips in a soft and loving kiss. A soft moan escapes Luna as she tastes herself on his lips.
After a moment of basking in the afterglow, Hongjoong pulls back and gently disentangles Luna's fingers that are still gripping onto his hair. He can tell she is still in a haze from her high so shifts his position, moving to lie next to her on the bed. Their bodies are still close, their bare skin touching in a comforting manner. His eyes never leave her face as he watches her slowly return from the euphoric state he had brought her to.
“Are you okay?” he asks softly as she turns her head to look at him
"Joongie," she whispers, letting out a breathy laugh. "That was amazing. You’re really, really good at that!”
Hongjoong smiles shyly at her reaction. "I loved hearing you moan my name like that," he admits, his voice low and filled with desire.
Luna's eyes soften as she gazes at him. "I want you," she whispers, her fingers trailing lightly over his chest. "I can't get enough of you."
A low, guttural sound escapes him as he leans in closer, brushing his lips against hers in a tender yet urgent kiss. "You have me, my love," he murmurs between kisses. "I've wanted you for so long."
Her hands roam over his chest, feeling the heat of his skin under her palms. "Show me, Joongie," she breathes out, barely audible. "Show me how much you want me."
“I will.” Hongjoong smirks against her lips
His heart races at knowing she wants him just as much as he wants her in this moment. Feeling her fingernails lightly dragging along his back, he pauses for a moment, breaking their kiss. He looks into her eyes, seeing the desire mirrored in his own. But before they go any further, there's something important he needs to address.
Remembering that she sat down with everyone a few nights ago to tell them that she’d had a sexual health check done, her tests had all came back clean. Mentioning to being on birth control as well and giving consent for them to take things further without condoms if they so desired. He couldn't help but admire her openness and trust in their relationship to do this. However he needed to hear her say the words before they go any further.
“Are you 100% sure you are fine without a condom?” he asks, his face going serious, “I have the latex free ones in my bag if you want to use them.”
“You sure you didn’t plan tonight to go this way?” she chuckles lightly, her hands running up his arms
“I swear I didn’t! I’ve just been very prepared,” he laughs back shyly. “For quite a while actually.”
“Well I do like a man who is prepared for any and all situations.” she replies pulling his head down to kiss him, “However, like I said the other day to all of you, I am on birth control. I have been since before I even met you guys to help with my periods and my tests are clean, so whatever you guys want to do is fine with me.”
“I just want to make sure you are definitely okay with it.” he replies
“I am…” she smiles back at him, “Now please Joongie, can you just have sex with me before I combust!”
He chuckles lowly against her skin, a rumble that sends a shiver down her spine before he pulls down the fabric of his black boxer shorts, freeing his painfully erect cock. Luna watches intently as it springs free, biting her lower lip feeling herself grow wetter with anticipation. Hongjoong grins at her reaction and positions himself between her legs. Her eyes move to his face as he licks his lips, a slow smirk spreading across his face. The same one he gets on stage when performing, the one that causes her to get weak in the knees and it hits harder now he is situated between her legs naked, the tip of his cock nudging against her core. "Are you ready for me, Luna?" His husky voice sends a jolt of desire straight through her
She nods eagerly, opening her legs wider for him as he leans down to place a soft kiss on her forehead.
"You are so beautiful, my love." he whispers as he slides into her in one smooth motion, groaning as how tight she feels around him. Luna's breath hitches as she feels him fill her up, her body stretching to accommodate him. She wraps her legs around his waist, pulling him closer as he begins to move inside of her.
“F-feels so good.” Luna whines, her walls tight around him
"You are so tight," he groans. Her hands run over his back and grip tightly onto him as he thrusts into her deeply causing her toes to curl and more loud moans spilling from her mouth. Feeling her body respond to his, Hongjoong quickens his pace, each thrust more powerful than the last.
"Joongie…" she shudders as his teeth gently nip at her skin.
“Yes, my love?” he murmurs
"Turn me over...please!" Luna begs with desperation in her eyes.
Hongjoong captures her lips in a long, deep kiss before nibbling playfully on her earlobe. "As you wish," he whispers against her ear.
In one fluid motion, Hongjoong withdraws and flips Luna onto her stomach, eliciting a sharp gasp. He props a pillow under her hips and positions himself between her legs, his eyes drinking in the sight before him. His hands glide over her backside before entering her again, a tentative slap landing on her ass.
"Oh god," Luna moans loudly as he begins a steady rhythm
“Do you like that?” he smirks, “Does my pretty baby like being spanked?”
Luna gasps, arching her back and burying her face into the bed sheets as he pounds into her from behind. His thrusts are deep and hard, each one sending waves of pleasure through her body. “Y-yes!” Her fingers claw at the sheets, her hips bucking up to meet his forceful strokes with matching urgency. The tight clench of her walls around him draws a growling groan from his throat. His hand collides with her ass again, harder this time, prompting another clench around him.
Hongjoong leans forward, kissing up her back until his lips reach her neck. "You feel so good, Luna," he pants into her ear. "I could stay inside you forever."
"Don't stop, please don't stop," she begs.
Hongjoong chuckles darkly. "Oh trust me, I won't stop until you're completely satisfied, my love."
“Oh fuck! Joongie!” Luna's cry echo around the room as she clutches onto the sheets tighter. "S-sorry, I can’t… hold on."
“Don’t hold back.” he grunts, nibbling at her earlobe while grinding his hips against hers. He feels her body tease with impending pleasure. “Let go, my love,” he whispers, his free hand reaching around to delicately hold her neck.
Luna’s back arches as she surrenders to the overwhelming sensations coursing through her body. She cries out his name as the orgasm washes over her, her inner walls clenching around his length in waves of pleasure.
Hongjoong groans in response, slowing his movements to prevent himself from coming. His hand around her neck squeezing gently while his other arm wraps around her waist, holding her close to him as she trembles uncontrollably, little whimpers coming out her mouth.
“It’s okay, my love.” he whispers softly into her ear, stopping his hips completely “I’ve got you.”
As her tremors subside, Hongjoong gently releases his hold on her neck, his hand now tracing soothing circles on her damp skin. He pulls his upper body back, allowing Luna the space to breathe, his own breaths coming out in ragged pants as he tries hard not to thrust back into her.
“Joongie…” she mumbles as she relaxes, “You didn’t come.” She glances back at him.
He leans down and places a soft kiss on her lips as he pulls out of her.
“Because I wanted to make you come first and then make you come again on my cock.” he smirks adjusting their position
“You better!” she grins back allowing him to pull her body up onto her knees, her back flush with his chest as he lines himself back up with her entrance again
“Is this okay?” he asks, his voice has switched to soft and caring as he rubs her hips, “This isn’t sore on your knees, is it?”
“It’s fine, Joongie,” she smiles, reaching back to hold his head before capturing his lips and playfully biting his lower lip. “Please, fuck me again!”
"Whatever my baby want, my baby gets," he whispers, pulling her closer against him and positioning her so they are both sitting up on their knees, her back flush with his chest
Hongjoong's lips tease the side of her neck with tiny kisses and gentle bites as he slowly thrusts into her rhythmically eliciting small moans from Lunas mouth. Luna's body quivers with each thrust that sends new ripples of pleasure through her. His strokes become erratic in response to her rapidly increasing moans; the force behind each thrust rattles the bed frame beneath them. A powerful wave builds within Luna again with each solid pound into her.
Hongjoong's hand slides from her hip to between her legs, fingers finding and circling her sensitive clit in rhythm with his thrusts. The combination sends Luna spiralling toward her third orgasm of the night. His deep voice rumbles in pleasure-laden tones next to her ear. "You like that, don't you, baby?" he moans.
"Yes, Joongie, yes," her voice is higher pitched than usual, “Please, don’t stop!”
Hongjoong's pace quickens, his movements becoming more intense and primal as he edges closer to release. The tension between them builds, and Luna trembles in his firm hold. Her knees and thighs ache, her balance swaying as she clings to his arms for support. Sensing her struggle, he places both arms around her waist, slows his movements and delicately leans forward with her so is lying on her stomach once more.
“Do you want to lie down properly on your back?” Hongjoong asks gently, kissing her cheek
"Yes, please," Luna replies breathlessly, grateful for his care. He pulls out and helps her turn over, positioning her legs on his shoulders. His eyes meet her flushed face as he leans down, kissing her deeply as he pushes back inside.
“Is this more comfortable for you?” he whispers against her lips
"Mhm," she moans, already lost in pleasure. Her fingers run through his sweat soaked hair. "You feel incredible, Joongie," she says, eyes fluttering shut.
Hongjoong responds by increasing his pace, his hips slapping against Luna’s thighs as he drives deeper inside her. “You’re so tight and warm,” he groans.
Luna gasps, eyes as he hits a particularly sensitive spot, her fingers tightening on his arms. "Oh God, Joongie, right there," she pleads.
"Like this?" He adjusts his angle, hitting it again and again.
"Yes, yes, just like that," Luna moans, nails digging into his arms
Hongjoong continues to thrust into her, their bodies moving together in a smooth rhythm. "Luna, I'm getting close," he warns, his voice strained.
"Me too," she whines
"God, you feel incredible," Hongjoong praises as he feels Luna tighten around him. “Can I come inside you?”
Luna's eyes widen at his request, a mix of surprise and desire swirling in them. She nods eagerly, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes, Joongie!"
Hongjoong's pulse races at her words and the way she is now looking at him. The intensity of their connection grows as he picks up the pace, each thrust bringing them closer to the edge. "Hold onto me," he commands softly, moving her legs from his shoulders to his waist.
Luna complies, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and pulling him closer to her. “Kiss me, please.”
Hongjoong smiles sweetly before leaning down to capture her lips in a passionate kiss, their tongues dancing together as they move in perfect rhythm. "You drive me crazy, Luna," he mumbles against her lips.
Luna gasps, her nails digging into Hongjoong's back. "Don't stop, Joongie. I'm almost there."
Hongjoong's moans grow deeper as he nears release. He thrusts harder and faster as control slips away. Luna's walls clench around him, urging him on. With a final, desperate groan, he releases inside of her. His cock throbs and pulses, filling her with his hot release. Her walls contract around him, her own climax crashing over her in waves. He relentlessly pounds into her, prolonging their ecstasy, until finally collapsing onto her in a satisfied haze.
Hongjoong feels Lunas heart racing against his chest, her breath hot and heavy against his neck. He delicately holds her head, keeping her close, as they both come down from the high, placing soft kisses on her shoulder. The room is filled with the sounds of their heavy breathing and the sweet scent of sweat and sex. Hongjoong's cock twitches inside of her, still hard and throbbing.
Despite being exhausted and sensitive he can’t help but subtly move his hips. Luna lets out a small moan, moving her legs around his waist again, pulling them higher, urging him to continue.
“Again?” he whispers, looking at her through hooded lids
“Please.” she replies softly
He slowly moves his hips, thrusting into her gently as their lips connect. The instant pleasure of the gentle movements contrasts sharply with their previous rough activity but feels more intimate. Luna moans softly against his lips as he intertwines their fingers, continuing with slow yet precise movements.
Their bodies move in a harmonious rhythm, each thrust more languid than the last but still providing an intense pleasure to them both. The room, once filled with their passionate cries and noisy groans, now echoes with soft whispers and quiet moans. Their connection deepens, transcending into an emotional bond that neither of them had anticipated. Hongjoong can already feel himself on the edge but is holding back with all his might. Too embarrassed to admit he is ready to come from this slow encounter.
“Joongie…” she lightly whines, her small fingers grip tightly onto his hand, their intertwined fingers forming a bond that signifies their unity in this moment. “I-i’m close.”
“I’m close too, my love,” he smiles, relieved she is on the edge as well.
Luna arches her back in ecstasy, surrendering herself completely to the pleasure he is giving, her 4th and final orgasm of the night washing over her. “oh god, oh god, oh god.” Her quiet moans become soft cries of pleasure, echoing throughout the room as their passion reaches its climax. Hongjoong empties himself into her again. Once more relishing the sensation and intimacy of having no barrier between them.
In that final moment of utter bliss, they hold onto each other tightly, as if afraid to let go of this intoxicating connection. Their heavy breathing slowly subsides as they come down from the euphoric highs they've reached together.
Hongjoong can feel Luna's body relaxing beneath him, her grip on his body finally loosening. He finally pulls out slowly, wincing at the sensitivity of it all. His eyes catch sight of his cum leaking out of her.
“Shit,” he mumbles, grabbing his discarded boxers from the floor to gently clean the fluid from her.
After cleaning her up he throws his boxers aside and lies back down next to Luna. She instantly curls her body into his as he puts an arm around her. The silence in the room is comfortable, their bodies intertwined. Hongjoong's fingers trace lazy circles on Luna's skin, his touch gentle and soothing. His eyes watch her as she takes a deep breath, starting to come around. Her fingers begin to move gently against his bare chest.
"Wow," Luna finally says, her voice filled with wonder and satisfaction. "That was fucking incredible." a breathy laugh escapes her mouth
Hongjoong smiles down at her. "You're incredible," he corrects her, brushing a sweat soaked lock of hair from her forehead placing an affectionate kiss on her lips, “Was.. it okay for me to come inside you like I did?” he asks nervously
Luna giggles softly, trailing her fingers gently down Hongjoong's damp chest. "It felt amazing, Joongie," she reassures him with twinkling eyes. “Both times!”
“I should have asked beforehand, not in the moment like that.” he says
“If I didn’t want you to I would have said. In the heat of the moment or not, I still know what I want and what I don’t.” she smiles at him “And I knew the second you asked that I wanted you to. I trust you completely Hongjoong.”
Hongjoong exhales a relieved sigh, his concern fading as he gazes into Luna's eyes. "I treasure your trust, Luna. I just want to make sure you're comfortable and happy."
Leaning closer, Luna brushes her lips against his cheek, leaving a trail of feather-light kisses. "I am so happy with you," she whispers sincerely. “And with the others too.”
“I am glad.” he replies kissing her forehead and feeling a joy in his chest he hadn’t felt for a long time.
After a few more moments of comfortable silence, Hongjoong breaks the quietude with a soft question. "Do you want me to order us some food from room service?"
“I’m not hungry, I ate way too much for dinner plus the snacks on the rooftop.” she answers, “But if you are, go ahead and order something!” she adds
"I'm not hungry either, just thought you might be." He pauses, then adds, "We'll cuddle for a bit longer, but then you're drinking some water. You need to hydrate after all that!"
“You take such good care of me!” Luna smiles nuzzling her head further into his chest.
"Then it's a shower before coming back to bed. We have another full day tomorrow with the fansign and other schedules, so we need a proper sleep together." he says
"You want me to stay the night?" she asks, slightly surprised.
“Of course I do!” Hongjoong says looking down at her, “Why wouldn’t I?”
“I don’t know. I guess I took you for a wanting to sleep alone kinda person.” she admits, feelings her cheeks warm
“You are always welcome in my bed anytime you want.” he smiles kissing her forehead
“For cuddling and sleeping… or other stuff?” she grins playfully
“For whatever you want, my love but if you want ‘other stuff’ then I’ll be kicking Seonghwa out!” he laughs “He can bunk with San!”
Luna laughs softly as she cuddles into him again, her heart overflowing with feelings for him, for all of them. She smiles at all the memories she is making and the cherished memories yet to come. But she knows the night she has just spent with Hongjoong, and how insanely intimate it became at the end and the newly formed bond they’ve created will forever be etched into her soul.
Warnings: brief mentions of scars, anxiety including medication, swearing
Word count: 13.5K
Summary: The group prepares for their first work trip and flight with Luna but she is finding things hard. The others are there to support her through it. Meanwhile new feelings are revealed by more than one person.
Luna looks around her room, sighing in frustration at the mess laying before her eyes. She was sitting on the floor of her bedroom, in the middle of a jumble of clothes, no organisation at all. She sighs once more and throws herself backwards. She had always hated packing, even as a child constantly uprooting to new towns. But this trip was different. It was not a vacation; it was a work obligation necessitating more than fun clothes and toiletries. She lets out another annoyed grumble.
“What is all this growling I keep hearing from in here?” Seonghwas calm voice comes from the doorway
A wide grin spreads across his face as he gazes down at her, lying on the floor in her comfortable pyjama shorts and a cropped t-shirt. He couldn't help but notice that she had been wearing more t-shirts lately around the safety of the apartment instead of her usual long sleeved tops. Still wearing bracelets but not as many as before too. It seemed to Seonghwa that she was feeling more comfortable at home.
"I hate this!" she grumbles, flinging her arms up dramatically before slapping them back down over her eyes.
“You look like you’re floating in a sea of clothes!” he laughs
“I hate packing.” she says, Seonghwa laying down beside her too
“I don’t want to pressure you but I can see lots of things everywhere, only 3 pairs of socks in your very large suitcase and we leave in 4 hours.” he says softly, rolling onto his side and placing a hand on her exposed stomach
Luna emits another elongated groan. "I hate it!"
He laughs again. "Okay darling, let me help you pack then!"
Seonghwa moves her arms off her face, his smile widening at her pouty expression. Unable to resist, he leans down pressing his lips to hers. Luna smiles against his kiss, comforted by his patience and willingness to help despite her surliness.
In the days since the others returned home, a hectic schedule prevented Luna from sitting down with Seonghwa and Yunho. But an easy happiness had settled over the apartment. The guys relentlessly rehearsed for their upcoming tour and performance at KCON LA, their impending destination.
While the others had packed expertly, Luna struggled to prepare for her first work trip with the band. She had no idea what to bring.
"Thanks, Hwa," she mumbles after they part, feeling some of the tension lift off her shoulders.
He chuckles softly. "We’re a team, right?"
She nods, feeling a warmth spread through her as he gently starts organising the clothes around them. "I just wish I was better at this stuff. I’ve always hated packing." she picks up a pair of jeans and begins to fold them. “Probably because we moved so much as a kid. And on short notice too.”
Luna haphazardly folds clothes into her open suitcase. Beside her, Seonghwa meticulously folds her clothes, his movements fluid and precise even as he steals glances at her.
“Excited about heading back to the States?” Seonghwa inquires, his tone thoughtful.
“I can't wait! It's been too long since my last visit,” Luna replies with a smile
“When was the last time you were there?” he asks
“3 years ago for my Grandma Parks funeral.” she replies
Seonghwa pauses folding the sweatshirt in his hands and gazes at Luna.
Though she hides it well, he can see the glint of sadness in her eyes behind her glasses.
"I'm sorry," he says sympathetically. "I didn't know. I wouldn't have asked if I did."
"It's okay," Luna reassures him, meeting his gaze.
"Come here," he beckons, opening his arms for her to come sit on his lap. She obliges, wrapping her legs around his waist as he embraces her.
She melts against him, comforted by the steady thrum of his heartbeat. His fingers trace slow circles on her back as she breathes deeply, composing herself.
“I miss her, but she was an incredible woman.” Luna's voice is wistful as she reminisces. “She used to call me her 'little bunny' because I was so short as a kid, and when I was happy, I couldn't stop hopping around.”
“You still do that sometimes!” Seonghwa chuckles.
“I know!” she laughs along with him as she pulls back to look at him, “I got the little bunny tattoo on my ankle for her. She laughed so much when I showed her it. I thought she was going to be mad at getting a tattoo but she loved it. She always encouraged me to be creative and express my true self.”
"I did wonder about that cute bunny one," Seonghwa grins. "All your tattoos are so unique and interesting. Each one seems to have a little story attached to it. Would you get more?”
“Oh 100%!” she nods, “I am going to get something to cover up my scars soon. I need to wait a little longer before I can get it done. Most days I am fine with them, like they are just a part of me but some days it hurts seeing them and a reminder of a dark period that I want to move on from.”
Seonghwa nods thoughtfully, his fingers gently tracing over her scars. She had been allowing him to touch them briefly and place kisses on them but he could sense her unease if he looked at them for too long. "I’ve heard covering up scars with tattoos can be empowering. It's like turning something painful into something beautiful."
Luna smiles appreciatively at his understanding of her feelings. “That is exactly what I want to do. My therapist says it can be a mentally healing process too. I thought she was going to tell me that covering them would be like an avoidance thing but she was all for it when I told her my plans a couple of months ago.”
“I am glad you have such a good therapist. Someone who understands you and your needs.” he says kissing her
Luna feels a warm rush inside her as he kisses her, his lips soft against hers. The scent of Luna's floral perfume lingers in Seonghwa's senses as he gently breaks the kiss. He smiles at her, his eyes soft and understanding.
“We should get back to packing.” she says sliding off his lap, sitting beside him so she can still be close
“Where is your favourite place in America?” he asks as they return to packing the case
Luna pauses, reminiscing. “Hmm, Chicago, for sure. My dad's parents were based there, and my Grandma Lee still lives there. I’m hoping to see her when we're on tour.” A wistful smile graces her lips.
"That's great, Luna. We'll ensure you get lots of time with her," Seonghwa promises. "Any other family there?"
"Not really." She shakes her head. "Dad has a sister, but they don't speak. I only met her once, at Grandpa Lee's funeral. She ignored us completely. As for my mom, her only sibling is Uncle Jihoon and he moved here at the same age I did."
Seonghwa considers probing deeper into her estranged aunt but hesitates, not wanting to reopen old wounds. "How was life in New York?" he asks instead, steering the conversation to safer waters.
"I wouldn't know! I only lived there for 3 days!" Luna replies before laughing heartily at seeing his puzzled expression, "I was born two weeks early while my parents were preparing to move to Nashville. But three days before our move, I decided to jazz things up a bit!"
She goes on to recount her dramatic entrance into the world, born into her father's arm in the back of his pickup truck at the side of the road just days before their move to Nashville. Seonghwa listened with rapt attention, laughing as she described her mother managing a cross-country move and newborn simultaneously.
“I’m amazed at how Mom managed – relocating with a newborn while recuperating,” Luna comments. “Wish she'd passed down her packing skills!” she remarks as she fits the last clothing piece into her suitcase. “Thank you for helping me with this Seonghwa. I got myself into a mess and couldn’t claw myself out of it.”
“No problem, darling. We're always here to help. We've become experts at packing due to our constant travels, so you can always rely on one of us to help you with it." he assures her, “Are you all packed now?”
“Just need to finish my carry-on,” she replies, closing her suitcase.
"I didn't come across any swimsuit or bikini," he says, eyes dancing playfully.
Luna scoffs, smacking his arm lightly. "As if I'll have time for that!"
Seonghwa tugs her onto his lap, his breath warm against her neck. "You will. We always visit the hotel pool at the end of the day. The company gets it closed off, complete privacy."
Luna shakes her head, "I can't swim anyway, so no point." a shy smile forms on her face, feeling a bit embarrassed about her lack of swimming skills.
"Then you'll just have to hold on tightly to one of us," Seonghwa murmurs, trailing kisses along her jawline.
As Seonghwa's playful suggestion lingers in the air, Luna blushes lightly at the thought of holding onto him in the pool. She liked the idea of them all having fun together, being able to play around and relax even if she just watched on from the poolside.
"What if I drag you down with me?" she asks softly, fingers playing with his hair.
Seonghwa chuckles softly, his gaze warm and reassuring. “Don't worry, Luna. I'll keep us afloat. Besides, we can teach you some basic swimming techniques. It'll be fun.”
Luna's smile widens at the idea of learning to swim with Seonghwa by her side. “Okay, that sounds like a plan. I trust you all to keep me safe in the water.” she kisses him softly, “I better get myself dressed for the airport, put a bit of make up on so I look less scary!” she adds looking at the clock on her desk
“You look beautiful as you are!” Seonghwa smiles holding her hips as she stands up “I will take your case out then so it is ready to be collected.”
“Oh , could you look out my epi-pens from the kitchen?” she asks, “I’ll need to put them in my carry on bag.”
“Of course I can darling. Need anything else?” he asks
She shakes her head, “I’ll be out in about 10 minutes or so.”
Seonghwa nods and leaves her bedroom pulling her suitcase beside him. In the lounge, he adds it to the others piled behind the sofa. Jongho and San are seated at the kitchen island when Seonghwa enters.
"Luna all packed up?" San asks.
“Yeah, she's sorted,” Seonghwa replies, relief seeping into his voice. “Thanks for tipping me off about her needing help.”
San had picked up on the growls and grumbles coming from her bedroom door earlier. Knowing Seonghwa was the most adept packer among them, he'd made the call to enlist his help. Seonghwa moves towards the coffee and tea containers, his hand reaching out to pick up the two epi-pens that have been sitting untouched since Luna moved in.
Jongho's brows furrow with concern. "Why are you taking those? Is she okay?"
"She's fine. Just needs them in her carry-on," Seonghwa reassures.
San shudders. "Those things freak me out. The thought of ever needing to use them on her... I don’t like it!"
Seonghwa nods grimly. "Let's hope not. But if so, she taught us how to use them so we know what to do."
The conversation falls silent as each of them contemplates this reality. The tension in the room is palpable but necessary - a reminder of their shared responsibility towards Luna and their unwavering commitment to her safety.
Just then, Luna breezes into the kitchen, bright-eyed and smiling. She has put some basic make up on, wearing light blue baggy ripped jeans, a white cropped t-shirt with a white hoodie loosely open on top. Her hair is loose around her face with her glasses on. “Hey guys, what are you all talking about?”
“We were just discussing how well-prepared you are for the trip,” Seonghwa says warmly.
“Now I know that is a lie!” she laughs as San pulls her into his body for a hug, “I am the least prepared person to ever walk this earth! If it wasn’t for Seonghwa then I would still be floating in the sea of jumbled clothes on my bedroom floor, telling you all to go on without me!”
San's eyes crinkles with amusement, his pearly white teeth flashing in a grin. "We'd never leave you behind!" he assures her, punctuating his words with a tender kiss.
“And don't worry about a thing,” Jongho adds. “We'll make sure you have everything you need on this trip.”
“Well we haven’t even left the apartment yet and I am already a damsel in distress as I cannot find my mac book charger!” she says, her face blushing slightly as she pulls away from San to sit beside Jongho at the kitchen island
“Ah that we can help with! We have a supply of spare chargers because our dear captain has a habit of losing his so we bought extras!” Seonghwa replies handing Luna the epi-pens. “I will go get you one.” he adds placing a kiss on her lips
“Thank you.” she whispers to him
As Seonghwa leaves to get her a spare charger, Luna gives the epi-pens checks to make sure they are in working order as Jongho and San eye her closely. Satisfied the devices are in good working condition, she puts them into her black backpack, unaware of the anxious eyes of the 2 men on either side of her.
“How was your dinner with your family last night?” San asks as she looks back at them with a smile
“Dad and Uncle Jihoon were manning the grills and trying to outdo one another with their cooking skills.” she laughs, “My cousins Seojun and Dongjae were just eating everything! It was nice chilling out with them all before this trip. When we come back my parents and the twins will be in Jeju then they go to Kyoto so I won’t see them again for another 2 weeks. You should've heard Hyejin trying to persuade me to smuggle her in my suitcase so she can tag along to LA.”
“That’s cute!” Jongho smiles
“She is excited to meet you all when they get back, they both are.” Luna replies
Since the guys found out that the twins were Atiny and had saw them in Wembley Arena earlier that year they were excited to meet the two little fans. They had given Luna their blessing to disclose who she works with to them as well and the second the girls found out they were asking to visit Luna at work.
"Who are their biases?" San asks, unable to contain his curiosity.
Jongho laughs and shakes his head. “You cannot just ask that!”
Just then, Seonghwa walks back into the kitchen, charger in hand. He plants a tender kiss on Luna's forehead before passing her the cord. "Can't ask what?"
“Who Lunas little sisters biases are!” Jongho answers
Luna's eyes glimmers with amusement. "If I tell you, do you promise not to get jealous?"
“We promise!” San exclaims, his face lit up with joy.
“Hyejin's bias is Wooyoung and her bias wrecker is Jongho.” Luna reveals as San pouts slightly, earning an evil chuckle from Jongho.
Luna turns to Jongho, surprise flashing across her face at the unexpected sound. Unable to resist, she joins in his laughter, her giggles spilling freely into the air. Without thinking, she lean against him, her head resting on his shoulder as her hand touches his bicep. Jongho's heart skips a beat at her touch.
“Soojin has 2 bias wreckers - Mingi and Hongjoong. She likes rappers.” Luna states
“And her main bias?” San asks eagerly, his expression hopeful as Luna sits up straight again
Luna allows the anticipation to build up as all three men wait in bated breath before announcing, “You, San!” The kitchen erupts into chaos as a jubilant San bounces around the kitchen island while the others burst into laughter.
“Now you just have to figure out which twin is Soojin when you meet them!” Jongho jokes
San's eyes widen. "I never thought of that! Maybe I'll just call out her name and she’ll come over."
“Oh my god, San! They aren't dogs!” Seonghwa scolds gently.
“No, that actually is how most people tell them apart! Just say their name and whoever answers it is 9 times out of 10 the right one.” Luna says
“And the other 1 time?” San asks
“They're probably pretending to be each other to confuse people who don’t know them well enough!” Luna laughs. “They love tricks like that.”
“Sounds like fun!” Seonghwa chuckles warmly.
“If they try it when you meet them, I'll give you a heads up,” Luna promises.
“Unless they play with Wooyoung! That would be fun to watch.” Jongho grins
“Oh you are evil….” Luna says turning to face him, “I like it!” she adds with an evil grin of her own
"Well, I should double check I have everything before we get picked up," San announces, leaning over to plant an affectionate kiss on Luna’s lips, his hand cupping her cheek softly
“I should probably do the same.” Seonghwa pitches in.
“Thanks again for your help.” she says to him
“It was my pleasure,” he smiles, giving her a peck on the cheek before leaving the kitchen.
A quietness falls in the kitchen as Jongho and Luna are left alone. A stark contrast to the laughter that rang out of it minutes before. As Luna rifles through her backpack, Jongho wracks his brain, trying to find something to talk to her about.
Luna's voice cuts through the stillness, making Jongho jump in surprise. “Jongho,” she says, her eyes locking onto his. “Bear witness as I place my passport…” She dramatically reveals the navy-covered document, “…into my bag's inner pocket.”
Jongho laughs lightly at her actions and nods. “I am your witness!” He observes as she carefully stows away her passport before sealing the main compartment of her bag. He notices the ‘United States of America’ emblazoned on the front cover, reminding him that despite being Korean, she is classed as an American citizen.
“I always need a witness that sees me put my passport in my bag! After the Japan incident I require it!” she giggles
“The Japan incident?” he asked curiously
Luna explains how she had left her passport in her dorm room before a trip to Japan with friends, only realising it at the check in desk. While they went on without her, she caught a flight the next day. "It's become an inside joke that my friends confirm I've packed my passport and cheer when I take it out at check-in. So I always get a witness now, more for my own peace of mind."
“I can be your passport witness from now on,” Jongho offers with a warm smile.
“You are now my official passport supervisor!” Luna giggles in response, playfully nudging him with her shoulder. “I hope you take this responsibility serious!”
"I swear to fulfil my duties as Official Passport Supervisor with utmost diligence!" Jongho proclaims, saluting jokingly.
“You are so silly!” she says, her nose scrunching cutely as she smiles at him, her hand cupping his cheek briefly
Their laughter fades into a comfortable silence. Jongho wants to spend more time with her one on one, to share more laughs like that and hear more of her stories. Gathering his courage, he clears his throat, drawing her attention back to him.
"Hey, uh, Luna?" he starts, rubbing the back of his neck. "Would you maybe want to get coffee or something when we're in LA?"
Luna's eyes widen slightly in surprise, but a soft smile forms on her lips. “Of course, I'd love that, Jongho!”
Jongho feels a rush of relief as Luna's response registers in his mind. He clears his throat once again, trying to sound casual. “C-cool, I know this fantastic little cafe not too far from where we'll be staying. We’ve been there a few times and it has really nice food.”
"Perfect," she says, excitement lacing her voice. "I was hoping we could spend more time together, just us." She adds softly.
Jongho blinks in surprise at her confession. “Really?”
“Absolutely,” Luna confirms with a light giggle. "I wanted to give you space, but honestly? I worried you thought I didn't care and I was scared that I'd chosen the wrong approach."
“I had no idea,” Jongho murmurs as he feels a slight flutter in his stomach at her words.
“I know being affectionate isn’t your thing and that is okay. We go at your pace. But…” Luna locks eyes with him as one of her hands reaches over to hold his. “…I do want you to know that I like you a lot and I care about you a great deal.”
Luna's words hang in the air, a sweet confession that leaves Jongho feeling lighter than he has in a while. His past experiences with women were fleeting and unfulfilling, as most of them only wanted to be with an idol for a night or two before moving on, leaving him feeling like he wasn’t good enough for anyone. With Luna he wants to openly express his feelings for her, maybe not as boldly as Wooyoung does, but without holding back from affectionate gestures like hugs, holding hands and kisses in private.
“I care about you too.” he confesses squeezing her hand.
As their eyes meet, Jongho feels a surge of confidence coursing through him. He leans forward, the warmth of her body drawing him in, and he can almost taste the sweetness of her lips. But a sudden sound of footsteps echoing down the hallway causes him to pull back, his heart sinking with disappointment. This is the second time he has mustered up the courage to kiss her in the kitchen, only to have it interrupted by someone else's presence. Jongho can’t help but feel disappointed and a little embarrassed too but Luna gives his hand a squeeze and whispers, “It is okay.” but leaning back in her seat.
“Hongjoong says Myeonjin and Ilsung are picking us up in 30 minutes but he wants to talk to all of us in the lounge before we leave for the company.” Yunho says walking into the kitchen
“Is something wrong?” Jongho asks
“No, he just wants to go through the airport process for Luna so everything goes smoothly.” he answers as Jongho stands up from his seat.
A flurry of butterflies erupt in her stomach as he places his hand onto the small of her back, guiding her up from her seat pulling the chair back as she stands up too and tucks it neatly under the table with precision.
“Thank you.” she smiles at him, he gives her a shy smile in return and a small nod before following Yunho into the lounge.
In the lounge, Yunho sits beside Luna, enveloping her in his arms. He kisses her tenderly, the back of his fingers grazing her cheek then nuzzles into her neck. Jongho watches, waiting for the usual pang of jealousy to hit him. But it doesn’t come, all he feels is a calm acceptance, knowing Luna shares the same feelings as him now and that whenever they get to have their first kiss, he knows it will be perfect.
Slowly the others start coming into the lounge and sit down on the sofa with Hongjoong being the last one to come in.
“Thanks for coming down before we left, I wanted to go over the airport procedure so Luna knows what will happen.” his voice in captain mode
Wooyoung nods in agreement. “That is actually a good idea.”
Hongjoong explains that they will be going to the company first so the stylists can get them ready for the airport walk. 2 of the other managers Sunghoon and Hajoon will be picking up all their suitcases from the apartment too. When it is time to leave for the airport Luna will be travelling in a separate car with Ilsung.
“You’ll be checking in ahead of us with Ilsung, he already has your flight paperwork so all you’ll need is your passport and bag.” he says
“I’ve already got it in my bag and Jongho saw me put it in!” she says as Jongho nods with a small laugh as he remembers the official passport supervisor conversation. “Also you should know, it sometimes takes me longer at check-in and security when we land. My passport causes issues when I travel. But I don't want to delay you guys or Ilsung, so maybe I am best checking in after you.”
“Absolutely not.” Hongjoong shakes his head firmly, “We won’t go in until we know you’re through safely.”
"Why does your passport cause problems?" Mingi's eyebrows draw together in confusion.
“It is a US passport.” she answers
“Ooh, right.” Mingi says, “Sorry, I keep forgetting you are an American citizen.” he adds rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, which makes Jongho feel better at forgetting too. From the looks on all their faces at this moment Luna guessed they all did.
"Don’t you qualify for a dual citizenship though?" San asks. "Since your parents are Korean?"
Luna shakes her head. "No. The only way I could get it is if my dad was a Korean citizen when I was born. Both my parents were born in America, so not even they can get it." She shrugs, nonchalance masking her frustration. "I've never been denied travel but they do inspect my documents more, like they're forged."
“Ilsung will stay with you the whole time.” Yunho reassures her, “We are arriving early so there is plenty of time if you get held up.”
“And we will be together again in the private lounge.” Yeosang smiles at her
“The lounge we go to is just for idols. Total privacy until boarding.” Wooyoung adds
"People follow us to the plane though. Filming and trying to get close." Jongho says. "Some are even on our flight."
"So you'll board ahead of us, to avoid the chaos." Hongjoong gives her a meaningful look.
“In business class, we won't have complete privacy with the managers present. However, they usually fall asleep within an hour of the flight so we can relax a bit while they rest.” Wooyoung explains
As far as Luna was aware only Myeonjin knew of their relationship. She had a feeling Ilsung was starting to figure it out, or at the very least thinks her and Wooyoung are involved as he had walked in on them play fighting in the practice room the other day. Wooyoung had Luna pinned to the sofa, playfully biting her cheeks as she laughed and tried to break free. They quickly separated when Ilsung walked in but everyone knew he had seen them.
“We don’t need to worry about anyone else in that section, it will be just us and the managers,” Mingi adds.
Luna nods, “Got it, no PDA on the flight!”
Yunho loops an arm around her waist. "Disembarking is coach first, then us. But you can stay with us through customs to the VIP area. Once you are cleared, Ilsung will take you to the cars ahead of us."
Luna focuses intently, absorbing every detail to avoid causing them any worry about her.
“What about the hotel situation?” she asks nervously, her teeth gently bites her lower lip.
“How do you mean?” Yeosang tilts his head
“Will I be separated from you all?” There is a soft uncertainty in her voice that Yunho notices immediately.
“Never,” he reassures her, kissing the side of her head. “Our rooms are always close, as will yours. You won’t be separated from us at all.”
"I don't like being alone anymore..." She says quietly, but they hear the slight quiver in her voice.
“You won’t have to, sunshine,” San promises from beside her, holding her hand. “You can stay with any of us, or we'll come to you. Whatever you want.”
Jongho briefly looks down, wondering if she'd want to come to him in LA. Admittedly he liked the thought of it, having her to himself for a few hours.
“It will be so strange being away from the safety and privacy of the apartment." she says looking around at them all, “I know we are all going to be so busy while in LA but I’ll miss our morning and evening routines.”
Mingi nods in agreement. “We will make sure that our precious time together isn’t lost.”
“I don’t want to disrupt your routines,” she protests gently.
Wooyoung quirks a smile at her. “You really think we won’t want to see you every morning or evening? We want you a part of everything.”
“We will make new routines for when we are away for work.” Seonghwa says
“Any other questions Luna?” Hongjoong asks
“No, you’ve covered everything I was wanting to know.” she replies
“Are you okay with the plans?” Yunho asks, his arm around her waist holding her a little closer to his side for reassurance. He can feel there is something she is holding back, the little telltale sign he has learned is her fingers twitch.
“Of course, I'm just worried of how to act around the managers. I don’t want to look overly familiar or unprofessional,” she says as she places her arms around Yunhos shoulders.
“They know we’re all friends now. Just be yourself.” San answers
“Just treat it like a long day at the company building.” Yeosang suggests, “Just be how you normally are with us at work, don’t try to overthink or worry about it.”
“And once we get to the hotel in LA, we can drop all pretences and be ourselves again – just like home,” Yunho adds, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek.
Luna smiles at them all, “Okay, I feel better now.”
"Good." Hongjoong checks his phone. "Cars will be here any minute. Final checks, everyone."
Within fifteen minutes, the group are en route to the company building, navigating the city's vibrant streets. The chaos that greets them upon arrival was characteristic of their industry—stylists and hairdressers darting everywhere with focused expressions. In the midst of this chaos, Luna keeps herself out the way by sitting on the sofa in the corner of the room, engrossed in texting her mom.
The sound of Chaeyoung's annoying laugh cuts through the air, drawing Luna's attention away from the screen. With an annoying grin, Chaeyoung playfully styles Hongjoongs hair, her touch lingering on his shoulder as they share a laugh together. Luna feels a surge of jealousy and frustration, the burning sensation intensifying as she bites her tongue to hold back her emotions.
"Chaeyoung is unbearable," Hyunsik mutters, dropping onto the sofa beside Luna. His blunt statement echoes her unspoken thoughts. "That inane cackling actually gives me a headache."
Luna simply hums, eyes narrowing on Chaeyoung. Her hands continue toying with Hongjoongs newly dyed brown hair, now drifting down to graze his nape then rest on his shoulders again.
"She thinks he's actually interested in her too," Hyunsik scoffs with an eye roll.
“She does?” Lunas head snaps towards him
"Yeah, no chance though. Hongjoong's just being nice." Hyunsik leans in, lowering his voice. "I heard Chaeyoung tried seducing Yunho once."
The news sparks fresh envy within Luna. Possessiveness over boyfriends was unfamiliar territory. "Is that true?" She asks, trying to keep her voice steady and unbothered
Hyunsik nods knowingly. “Yeah, Chaeyoung used to be his main hairstylist until Jiyeon took over. Rumour has it that she tried to kiss him, and he requested Jiyeon afterwards. Hajoon told me and he has been with the guys the second longest after Myeonjin so I trust his word on this.”
Resentment simmers as Luna pictures Chaeyoung's lips on Yunho’s. She glances his way, watching Jiyeon style his hair professionally. A stark contrast to Chaeyoungs giggling and touching.
Hyunsik's phone buzzes, jolting Luna from her thoughts. "Gotta go check on the cars," he says, rising from the sofa. "See you when we get to LA!"
As Hyunsik leaves, Myeonjin approaches her. “Hongjoong briefed you on the airport procedure, right?” Luna nods, “Any questions?”
Luna shakes her head. "I just want the guys to get through smoothly too."
He smiles reassuringly. “They will. We'll look after them.” Glancing around the room, he adds, “I better finalise passports and departure details.”
Luna smiles as he walks away. At least it wasn’t just her who had passports on the brain. Anxiety hits, prompting her to double-check for her own. She relaxes once more when she sees it still inside the inner pocket of her backpack. Glancing back up she catches Mingis gaze from across the room. He gives her a playful wink, the tip of his tongue sticking out the corner his smirk—the same look he had given her the night before in his room on his desk chair. One hand on her hips guiding her movements on top of him, the other wrapped around her hair. Heat rushes to her cheeks at the memory and she quickly looks away from him.
Myeonjin announces that the cars are ready and it was a 10 minute warning. The room erupts into a flurry of further activity than before as they prepared to leave. Luna feels her heart beat a little faster as she stands up and grabs her backpack. The stylists swarm around the guys, putting the finishing touches on their outfits and coiffures. Hongjoongs eyes are fixated on her as she looks around the room.
“Ready?" Ilsung appears at her side.
She nods, throat tight.
“We’re leaving first, so let’s head to the garage now.” He glanced around. “Best to avoid the stylists—they take their work seriously! I’ve had one too many elbows to the ribs.” His humour elicits a timid laugh from her
Luna puts her backpack over her shoulders, she gives the guys a final look as people surround them, each of them too busy with what is going around them to see her. She wishes she could speak to one of them or get a reassuring hug but there is too many people around and a moment alone is impossible right now.
Reluctantly she leaves the room but Hongjoongs eyes are still fixed on her. Noticing the worry etched on her face and the nervous rubbing of her arm through her hoodie sleeve, a heaviness settles in his chest.
"One minute," he tells the stylist fixing his shirt, ignoring her exasperated sigh as he hastily exits.
At the end of the hall, he spots Luna and Ilsung about to disappear through a door.
“Luna, hold on!” he calls out, jogging down the hallway.
“Everything okay?” Ilsung asks
“Yes, just need to have a quick chat with Luna,” Hongjoong replies, stopping in front of her. “It will only be a few moments, I promise!” he looks at Ilsung
“I’ll meet you downstairs, Luna” Ilsung says before walking away
Hongjoong quickly scans both ends of the hallway before wrapping his fingers around Luna's hand. He guides her into an empty vocal practice room, the door clicking shut behind them.
“Joongie…” Luna begins, but her words are silenced with a deep kiss. After the initial shock wanes, she melts into him, her arms finding their way around his shoulders. They lean into each other, cherishing this rare moment of intimacy and escape from the chaos happening in the other room.
"What was that for?" Luna asks, slightly breathless when they finally part.
“I needed to steal a moment with you before you left,” he admits with a gentle smile, hands on either side of her neck, his thumbs brush against her flushed cheeks. “How are you doing?” his voice is soft
"Nervous about the airport," she admits, eyes downcast.
“It’ll just be for a short while then we will all be together again.” he replies
“I just want you guys to get through it safely,” she murmurs. Her fingers fiddle with the front of his denim shirt, smoothing the material down in an attempt to distract herself too. Hongjoong can see the nerves in her face causing him to lean down and kiss her softly.
“We've done this countless times. We know the drill and how chaotic it can get. So don’t worry about us, just focus on yourself until we regroup in the lounge area.” he says, “Did you pack your bipolar medication for the flight?” he adds
“I did and I have my legal paperwork for it all too.” she confirms with a nod
“Good. I have set a reminder on my phone for your dosage during the flight.” He watches her closely, gauging her reaction. “I hope that's not overstepping.”
“Oh Joongie..” she breaks into a smile. She leans in close to him, planting a tender kiss on his lips before pulling away with a content sigh. "You are so incredibly thoughtful," she murmurs, her eyes shining with affection,
“I wasn’t sure if you need to take it at the same time every day so I wanted to be safe.” he says
“I can adjust the times I take them but it is really thoughtful of you to think of that. If I am asleep just wake me up and when we get to LA I’ll adjust the timing for the next dose.” she smiles up at him “We should go now – Ilsung's waiting for me and your stylist is probably seething.”
“Honestly? I couldn't care less if they're angry,” he grins at her. “A stolen kiss with you is always worth it.”
“Not if I mess up your make up for the airport photos!” she replies raising an eyebrow
“I am wearing a face mask anyway so who cares!” he replies making her laugh “I’ll see you at the lounge.” he adds running his fingers through her long black hair
Luna nods and lets go of him. She quickly removes traces of her tinted lip balm from his lips as he grins down at her. He opens the door and checks the hallway before opening it further to let her out.
"See you soon," she whispers. He squeezes her hand, brushing his lips against her cheek while the hallway was still empty
“You will.” he smiles at her before watching as she disappears from view. He takes a deep breath before walking back to the room to see everyone was ready. The stylist quickly pulls him to the side and goes to readjust his shirt.
“It is fine.” he says not wanting her to move it from how Luna fixed it
“Right, time to go now!” Myeonjin shouts over the noise.
“Was Luna okay?” Yunho asks Hongjoong quietly
“I think so, bit of anxiety but I think if we keep an eye on her she’ll be okay.” he replies as they make their way downstairs to the cars
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───
Luna's pulse quickens as the car nears the airport. As it slows to a stop she sees the swarm of cameras and fans gathered at the entrance, their sheer number knotting her stomach with anxiety. Glancing back, she spots the other cars trailing behind. How she wishes to be with them now, their presence is always like a soothing balm for her nerves.
"Ready?" Ilsung's calm voice draws her attention back.
She meets his steady gaze and nods, swallowing her nerves.
"It's intimidating, I know," he acknowledges, eyeing the crowd. "But they won’t bother us. Look, other people are walking right by."
Indeed, travellers stride past the spectacle unaffected, sparing barely a glance.
"I'll stay with you. Once we're checked in, it's security, then the lounge. The guys will join after." His gentle tone puts her at ease. "Don't worry." A smile creases his eyes.
The warmth of his words begins to loosen the nervous knot in her chest. "Let's go."
Ilsung opens the door and quickly runs around to open Lunas but she is already out of the car by the time he makes it. He closes the door for her and they make their way towards the crosswalk. As they stop for a bus passing Luna glances over at the 2 cars parked at the side of the road, hoping that they are okay but also that they aren’t worrying about her. She wants them to focus on their own safety through the crowds waiting for them.
Hongjoong watches Luna exit the car, tracking her every movement. His pulse jumps when she glances back. Though her expressions are obscured behind glasses and a face mask, tension radiates from her taut frame and wide eyes.
"She looks anxious," Seonghwa observes quietly.
"I know," Yunho agrees, his gaze also locked on Luna.
"We'll be with her soon enough," San says lightly, oblivious to their heightened concern.
“Shit.” Hongjoong grits his teeth as Luna rubs at her arm. It was taking everything inside of him to stay inside the car, and not jump out and go to her.
The bus rumbles past and they cross to the terminal. Weaving through the crowd with ease, they reach the check-in desk unnoticed. After handing over documents and receiving boarding passes, pleasantries are exchanged and they head onward.
"Next stop, security," Ilsung says, guiding Luna toward the queues. "You'll like the food in the lounge. I swear they have the biggest, tastiest burgers."
His casual banter lifts her mood and also the prospect of a hearty meal after only consuming some strawberries, a banana and a protein shake this morning. "I could definitely go for a massive burger right now!" she replies, tension melting away
Once they have both gone through the gate into the security area Luna hears screams in the distance and she knows that the guys are coming.
“This way.” Ilsung guides her through a separate business class security queue.
It only takes 5 minutes for them to go through and have their carry on bags checked. Luna keeps looking behind her waiting to see the guys but all she can hear is people shouting their names in the distance. Ilsung takes her to the private lounge. It is a medium sized room filled with plush sofas and armchairs, a large TV hanging on the wall that was playing some kdrama Luna didn’t recognise. There was a large window that faced onto the runway and she could see a plane thundering down it before launching into the air. There was a table against a wall that was filled with drinks and snacks.
"Make yourself comfortable. I'll grab the burgers," Ilsung says before slipping out.
Alone, Luna's excitement wars with anxiety. A lifelong nervous flyer and worry for the guys lingers too. She hopes they pass through security safely.
Ilsung returns with two towering burgers. At Luna's wide-eyed reaction, he chuckles.
“Wow!” Luna laughs as she sees them, “You really weren’t exaggerating about the size of them!”
“I know!” he replies chuckling and hands one plate to Luna, “The food lounge is next door so help yourself. The guys will be here really soon.”
“You aren’t staying in here?” she asks looking at him
“The managers and I like to give the guys complete privacy here, it is one of the rare places they can get it. If you need anything then we are just next door though but just relax and enjoy your food.” he smiles at her before leaving the room
Luna takes a bite of the burger and lets out a satisfying hum at how good it tastes. Another thing Ilsung did not exaggerate was how tasty it was. She savours each bite as she watches the planes outside take off and land while also looking over at the entrance to the lounge for the guys to arrive.
The lounge door finally swings open and a cacophony of familiar voices flood the room. Luna's heart leaps as she abandons her half-eaten burger on the coffee table and springs to her feet.
"There she is!" San's cheerful voice rings out above the chatter.
“Already eating food, that is what I like to see!” Yunho grins as Luna's mouth curves into a smile around the remnants of her latest bite. She chews hastily as she covers her mouth and swallows.
She doesn’t know who to go to first as she has the overwhelming urge to hug each of them but Hongjoong is the first one in front of her. Cradling her face, he searches her eyes. "Are you okay?"
Luna nods, holding his unsettled gaze. "I am."
“Are you sure?” he asks, his eyes filled with concern
"Joongie, I am fine!" she assures him, offering a small smile.
“Thank god.” he breathes, pulling her close.
His lips find hers in a kiss both tender and urgent, conveying all the things he cannot put into words. The others look on, surprised by this rare display of vulnerability from their composed leader. Apart from the hug Seonghwa witnessed the other night, none of them have seen him show any physical affection to Luna, or to any woman in the entire time they’ve known him.
In this unguarded moment, his usual stoic demeanour melts away, revealing a glimpse of the vulnerable person beneath. The guys exchange glances, unsure of how to react to this unexpected show of emotion from their typically reserved friend. But in that moment, they see him as he truly is – someone who cares deeply and fiercely but keeps it hidden behind a facade of strength and composure. As he pulls away from the kiss, he buries his head into her neck, his arms wrapping tightly around her body as she reciprocates.
“I’ll come get you guys when it is time to board.” Myeonjins voice quietly says from behind them
“Thanks.” Yeosang says before Myeonjin leaves.
Hongjoong holds Luna for a few more moments before releasing her, allowing the others to greet her as well. Their eagerness to reunite with Luna is palpable.
As Luna makes her way towards the group, each member takes turns embracing her in warm, heartfelt hugs. San engulfs her in a bear hug, his laughter resonating through the air. Wooyoung spins her around playfully, a mischievous grin on his face as she lets out the now signature laughing scream she does when he hugs her like this which is multiple times a day! Mingi ruffles her hair affectionately before kissing her forehead, his tall frame towering over her.
Seonghwa cradles her face in both hands, his thumbs tracing her cheeks. "I'm happy we're all back together," he murmurs, before claiming her lips in a lingering kiss.
“So am I.” she replies before Yunho steps forward and finally Yeosang. After she’s hugged them all, she shares a silent exchange at Jongho. Happy to see him as well but holding back from hugging him. Despite their little confessions and the near kiss in the kitchen earlier, she still wanted to make sure things were on his terms. His own arms were itching to hug her too and if they were alone he absolutely would be doing exactly that.
“Since we have a couple of hours before our flight, lets grab some food and relax.” Yunho suggests
San leans closer to Luna, sporting a kind smile. "Do you want another one?" He gestures towards her nearly finished burger, seeking her approval before getting more food.
Luna chuckles softly at San's offer and nods appreciatively. "I could definitely go for one more," she replies.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───
After they have all ate, they look at their seat numbers on their assigned boarding passes, Luna has a window seat with Yeosang sitting beside her. Hongjoong, Mingi and Wooyoung in the middle seats with San and Yunho on the other side of row. Seonghwa and Jongho were in the seats directly behind Luna and Yeosang.
“I can’t wait to sit beside you on the plane. Have some time with just you.” Yeosang smiles at her as they cuddle on one of the sofas, lost in a little bubble. The tip of his nose touching hers, as he gazes into her eyes affectionately. “I feel like I haven’t see you in so long.”
“Are you prepared for putting up with me for 11 hours though?” she giggles back, her fingers playing with the ends of his hair
“You say that like its a hardship.” he replies
“Wait until my snoring starts!” she grins back at him
“Hey, I’ve shared a room with the sleep talker since we were 17! Your snoring doesn’t bother me one bit!” he says, his lips brushing against hers, teasing her
Luna leans in to plant a firm kiss on his lips causing him to laugh and kiss her back. Yeosang brushes a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers tracing her jawline before resting gently on her cheek as he continues to kiss her softly.
At that moment Myeonjin comes in to say they will be boarding in a few minutes. They all get their things together and Luna leaves the private lounge first with Ilsung. Like they said, there were people waiting around the lounge areas, phones at the ready waiting for the guys to leave.
"If only they'd give them space," Luna grumbles, frowning at the spectacle.
"Unfortunately it's part of being an idol. We protect them as much as we can, but in public places like this, we can't control where people go," Ilsung explains as they reach the gate.
He hands over their boarding passes and passports. The attendant scrutinises Luna's documents, holding up her passport to compare the photo to her face. Eventually she passes them back over and lets them board.
As they walk onto the plane and into the business class lounge Luna cannot help but look around it with her mouth open. She had only ever travelled in economy and had been looking forward to this when they told her she was travelling with them. The space was more expansive than expected, with two rows of enormous, plush seats. It felt remarkably private.
She takes her seat and looking around it, pressing the multiple buttons as she waits for the others. They soon arrive, get settled down and it isn’t long before the plane door clunks heavily as it seals shut.
Luna's chest suddenly tightens, her breath coming in gasps as regret floods through her for not taking her anxiety meds earlier. Fumbling in her backpack, she searches frantically, pulse racing.
"You okay?" Yeosang's deep voice cuts through the noise.
Meeting his steady gaze, her heart racing and a cold sweat forming on her forehead. Luna shakes her head, words failing her.
Yeosang's eyes widen. "Wait, are you having a reaction?"
"What?" Hongjoong's concerned voice drifts over from the aisle seat across from Yeosang.
“Shit, we need her pen thing!” Wooyoung says sitting forward in his seat
"No… reaction...just anxiety!" Luna manages between shuddering breaths pulling out the medication bottle from her bag. “J-just.. need my… pills.”
“Oh thank god!” Hongjoong sighs in relief as Yeosangs body relaxes too
"Is it flying?" Yeosang asks gently.
Luna's trembling hands close around the pill bottle. "The actual flying is fine." She gulps. "Not… too good at the takeoff and landing part." She struggles to open the childproof cap, hating how weak she feels. “Fuck!” she mutters in English
"Let me." Yeosang takes the bottle from Luna's shaking hands and opens it effortlessly. "How many do you need?"
“T-two pills.” she says to him
In the row behind them, Seonghwa leans forward, alerted by the tremor in Luna's voice. Wordlessly, he passes a bottle of water to Yeosang over the seat. Luna gulps the pills down, the cool water soothing her parched throat. Closing her eyes, she leans back, trying to slow her frenzied thoughts as her feet taps rapidly on the floor.
Grasping her hand, Yeosang asks, "What can we do?"
Luna shakes her head helplessly, reaching for the amethyst crystal in her jean pocket, grasping it painfully in her palm.
“It is okay,” Hongjoong says trying to ease her distress.
Around them, the others are noticing something is wrong. From beside Seonghwa, Jongho's brows knit together in concern. "Luna, what do you need?"
“Yu-yun-ho,” Luna chokes, tears beginning to well up behind her eyes.
“Yunho, Luna needs….” Before Hongjoong can finish, Yunho has already unbuckled his seat belt and is clambering over the middle seats to get to her side.
“I’m here, little one.” Yunho says softly, crouching down in front of her seat and resting his hands on her knees. “What can I do?”
Luna shakes her head helplessly. She doesn’t even know what can help her. All she knows is she needs him.
“It's okay. You’re safe.” Yunho soothes, his voice low and reassuring.
Hongjoong speaks up from his seat nearby as he notices the flight attendants preparing for the safety briefing, “Yeosang, you take Yunho's seat and let him sit beside Luna during takeoff. We can rearrange seats once we're in the air.”
Yeosang reluctantly nods, casting a final worried glance at Luna before moving to take Yunho's seat.
“What’s going on? Is Luna okay?” San asks, concern etched on his face as Yeosang settles into his newly assigned seat.
“Panic attack, I think. She said she gets anxious during takeoff and landing,” Yeosang answers softly, his gaze flickering back to Luna with worry.
Amidst the chaos in Luna's mind, Yunho's soothing voice cuts through like a ray of light. "You're safe," Her watery eyes slowly open to meet his reassuring gaze. "You're not alone in this. We're all here for you."
Tears spill down Luna's cheeks, her emotions overwhelming her fragile body. "I know," she whispers, bowing her head to hide her tears from the others as they all exchange worried looks, feeling powerless to help her in her distress.
Gently, Yunho brushes away her tears. "Breathe with me, okay? In and out, slowly," he coaches.
As Luna's breathing begins to steady out, her death grip on the amethyst crystal loosens slightly. "Thank you," she whispers.
Yunho just smiles. "No thanks needed, little one."
A low rumble fills the cabin as the plane begins slowly backing up. Luna's head jerks up, eyes wide with renewed panic. Yunho squeezes her hand reassuringly. "Just the plane backing out."
“Sorry!” Luna sniffles, embarrassed by her sudden display of fear. "I'll be fine once we're in the air."
“You do not need to apologise for anything. I still get anxious sometimes too.” he smiles at her
The rumbling grows louder as the plane taxis into position. Luna grips Yunho’s hand tightly, the amethyst crystal cutting into her palm once again. She closes her eyes, focusing on his steady presence.
"In and out," Yunho reminds her softly. "You're doing great."
Luna nods as she follows Yunho's lead, copying his breathing. As the plane begins to accelerate down the runway the roar of the engines fills the cabin, making her tense up even more. She feels Yunhos hand tighten around hers, grounding her. She turns to face him. “You are doing so well.”
Luna nods, her fingers interlocking tightly with Yunho's. She repeats his earlier words in her mind, focusing on each syllable as the wheels leave the runway.
In and out. In and out.
The rush of adrenaline fills her veins as the plane ascends into the air. But Yunho's warm hand on hers steadies her nerves. She takes a deep breath, trying to relax into her seat.
Yunho leans closer to Luna, his voice barely above a whisper. "Look out the window, little one." he urges gently.
"Outside?" she questions, her gaze shifting to him. Her eyes wide.
He smiles reassuringly. "Trust me."
Luna follows his gaze and gasps at the breathtaking sight before her eyes. The sun is descending on the horizon, its departure marking the canvas of the sky with shades of orange and pink.
"Wow," Luna gasps, awestruck. “It’s beautiful!”
"So are you, Luna," Yunho responds.
Luna blushes at Yunho's compliment, feeling her cheeks warm. She turns her attention back to the sunset, captivated by its beauty. The colours blend across the sky, casting a warm glow over everything below creating a sense of calm within her. Yunho watches Luna with a tender smile, his eyes reflecting the awe mirrored in hers.
As the plane smoothly ascends to cruising height, Luna feels the heavy weight on her chest lift. The seatbelt sign turns off, and she takes a deep breath, finally feeling some relief.
"Feeling better?" Yunho inquires gently.
Luna nods, turning to look at him. She notices Hongjoong, Mingi, Wooyoung, San, and Yeosang all trying to appear busy, but she can tell they had been watching her closely during the flight. A wave of guilt washes over her for causing them worry. Yunho senses this and gives her hand a comforting squeeze but Luna withdraws abruptly, suddenly realising she had been clutching his hand the entire time.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to…" she stammers.
Yunho smiles, cutting her off. "It's fine." He tucks a stray strand of Luna's hair behind her ear before cupping her cheek.
"Yunho," she whispers, casting a wary glance towards their senior managers, Myeonjin, Ilsung, Hajoon and Sunghoon seated at the other side of the plane.
"Do you think they're my concern now?" His tone is resolute. "You are my priority."
“I just don’t want to get you into trouble.” she says quietly
“You won’t.” he replies gently
Luna sighs, knowing there is no point in trying to argue with him. “Thank you.” She reaches back into her pocket and pulls out the amethyst crystal. “You helped in more ways than one!”
Yunho chuckles lightly at the sight of the crystal. "So that's why you had your hand in your pocket."
“I don’t go anywhere without this in my pocket now.” she replies looking at it fondly
"I'm glad it helps." Yunho says quietly. He leans in closer and whispers, "If I could kiss you right now, I would."
"Yun!" She giggles and playfully shoves his shoulder as he settles back into his seat.
"There's the laugh I love!" Mingi chimes from his seat, causing them both to turn around. "Feeling better?"
"Yes, and I apologise for causing such a commotion," Luna replies looking behind her, ensuring Seonghwa and Jongho are included in the conversation.
"No need to apologise," Wooyoung interjects.
“How are you feeling now?” Hongjoong asks
“I am okay now. I have a bit of anxiety during take off and landing. I usually take some medication to help settle my nerves but I thought I would be okay this time so I didn’t take it.” she says, “And before anyone says it, I know that was stupid!”
“Hey, don’t be so hard on yourself, sunsh… Luna!” San catches himself before using her nickname. “Anxiety like that is pretty common but we will always be there to help you through it.”
"I'll take my medication before we land so this doesn't happen again, I promise." Luna assures them with a small smile forming on her pale face. "I'm sorry though."
Seonghwa standing up from his seat, offering a comforting smile. "Don't worry about it, Luna. We're just glad you're feeling better now."
Jongho's voice is gentle as he suggests, "They'll be serving dinner soon. You should eat and get some rest."
Luna nods, exhausted from the emotional outburst she just had. "That sounds like a good idea," she agrees, mustering a faint smile. “I am just going to head to the bathroom to sort my face!” she adds knowing that she must look awful right now
Yunho stands up to let Luna out of their row and watches her make her way to the bathroom. As she disappears from view, he sinks back into his seat with a heavy sigh.
"That was rough," Wooyoung comments, concern etched in his features.
Hongjoong reaches over the aisle and places a comforting hand on Yunho's shoulder. "You did a great job keeping her calm."
Yunho runs a hand through his hair, feeling drained. "I hope so."
San can't help but feel guilty. "I didn't even think to ask her how she was with flying."
“To be honest, I just assumed because of all the travelling she did as a child she was an expert at flying.” Mingi speaks up, sounding remorseful
"Well, we know now and we can support her better in the future," Hongjoong states with a heavy sigh.
“Lets not make a big deal of it when she comes back though.” Seonghwa says as they all nod in agreement
Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Luna splashes cool water on her puffy face and takes deep breaths. The panic has passed, but exhaustion weighs heavily on her shoulders now. She looks at her reflection in the mirror and whispers to herself, "You fucking idiot, Luna."
When she returns to her seat, she finds Yeosang is back beside her once more, with Yunho in his original seat at the other side of the row.
"We can switch if you'd prefer Yunho," Yeosang offers.
“Absolutely not!” she smiles as she sits back at her seat beside the window, “This is your assigned seat and remember what you said in the lounge, you have a whole flight of my snoring to look forward to.”
“I will let Yunho sit here for landing.” he replies
Luna shakes her head, "You don't have to do that. I only asked for Yunho's help because he knows about my anxiety and has helped me in the past. I didn't want it to turn into a full-blown panic attack in front of everyone." she explains, “However, you all saw it anyway. My therapist prescribed me anxiety medication for when things get too much.”
“I didn’t know you saw a therapist.” he says softly
“I get stressed a bit easily and have anxiety about things.” she replies, deciding to let him know about the basics for now.
He nods, his eyes filled with understanding. Luna notices how his gaze lingers on her for a moment longer, as if he wants to say something more but hesitates.
"I'm glad you're taking steps to take care of yourself," he finally says, his voice soft and sincere. "Anxiety can be tough to deal with, but it's great that you have support."
As the flight attendants begin serving dinner, Luna feels the full extent of her panic attack wash over her and the exhaustion hits her hard. She picks at her food, her appetite gone.
"You need to eat, angel." Yeosang says from beside her.
"I know. I'm just not hungry though." She pushes her tray away. "Eating two burgers plus a hot dog and ice cream at the airport wasn't wise." she adds poking her stomach
“How about I tell you a bad joke and if you laugh then you need to eat a couple of bites?” Yeosang says
Luna looks up at him and can't help but smile through her exhaustion. "Deal. Hit me with that bad joke."
Grinning mischievously, Yeosang asks, "Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field!"
“Oh my god!” Luna winces, “That is something my dad would say! However…. I will give you that one though!” she adds smiling widely. She picks up her chop sticks and eats a few bites of her grilled beef tenderloin.
"I've got plenty more if you need incentive," Yeosang replies with a wink.
"I'm sure you do. And I'm sure they'll work." She takes another bite. “I am a sucker for a bad joke!”
She eats a bit more of her food before admitting she really cannot fit anymore into her stomach. Yeosang takes her plates and neatly stacks them with his own as the flight attendants collect them. Luna lets out a long yawn and stretches her arms above her head.
“Your seat can flatten down a bit so its more like a bed.” he says, “If you want to go wash up and brush your teeth, I will set it up for you.”
“Thank you Sang-ie.” she smiles standing up, longing to give him a hug but keeps her hands to herself as she passes him by
As Luna heads towards the bathroom to freshen up, Yeosang gets to work on adjusting her seat into a more comfortable position.
“Did Luna eat enough?” Mingi asks him
As Yeosang finishes adjusting Luna's seat, he looks up and nods at Mingi's question. "She ate a decent amount, not as much as I’d have liked her to but I think she is tired and needs to sleep.”
“Anxiety is exhausting.” Mingi quietly nods, knowing himself how it can feel
“It's been a rough day for her," he replies softly placing the pillows and cover onto her seat
Just then, Luna returns from the bathroom looking refreshed. "Thank you so much, Yeosang. You didn't have to go through all this trouble for me," she says sincerely.
Yeosang shrugs off her thanks with a warm smile. "It's no trouble at all. I just want to make sure you're comfortable."
She settles down as Yeosang fixes his own seat, telling her if he is asleep and she needs to get past him, just wake him up or climb over him, which makes her laugh. Everyone around them has settled into their own makeshift beds, some watching movies through headphone, or reading books, or already asleep!
As the hum of the planes engines lulls them into a comfortable silence, Luna finds herself drifting off to sleep. Yeosang quietly covers her with another blanket and whispers, "Rest well, Luna. We're here if you need anything." In the dimly-lit cabin and with most people busy or sleeping, Yeosang take the opportunity to lean down and kiss her pouty lips.
The sudden touch of his lips on hers makes Luna's eyes flutter open slightly, surprised by the unexpected gesture. She gazes at Yeosang with a mix of confusion and affection.
Yeosang chuckles softly, "Sorry, couldn't resist. You just looked so peaceful and cute."
Blushing slightly, Luna smiles sleepily, reaching out to touch his face. "It's okay."
Yeosang leans back into his own seat as she closes her eyes again but he can’t take his eyes off her. Just as she starts to drift off again, Mingi's voice cuts through the quiet cabin, "Luna, if you need anything during the flight, don't hesitate to wake us up."
“I will.” she mumbles drowsily, as she succumbs to the sleep.
Yeosang continues to look at her, feeling a surge of protectiveness for her.
“You should sleep too Yeosang.” Hongjoong says quietly
“Do you think she’ll really be okay when its time to land?” he ask, turning to look at his leader
“I hope so.” he replies, “If she isn’t we will be there to support her though. It is all we can do.”
Just then, Luna stirs in her sleep, mumbling something unintelligible. Yeosang reaches out to adjust her blanket, tucking it more securely around her shoulders. Luna lets out a small whine, her brow furrowing as if troubled by a bad dream.
As the cabin lights dim further, Luna's troubled expressions fades away as she slips into a deep sleep, her breathing evens out replaced by her soft snores. Yeosang, reassured by her peaceful state, finally allows himself to close his eyes and rest.
The remainder of the flight went by without any issues. After everyone slept for a few hours, they had breakfast, Luna got a bit of work done on her laptop and then watched a movie with Yeosang. An hour before landing she took her medication and the process was easier than taking off. She closed her eyes and held onto the pillow from her seat.
Just as they said to her back in Korea there were some fans who were waiting for them at the leaving gate. Luna kept herself behind Yunho with Ilsung and one of the bodyguards on either side of her.
Like security at Incheon Airport, they got through customs very quickly and Luna was the first to leave. Ilsung escorted her to one of the cars waiting outside the airport. She didn’t know who would be getting inside it with her as it was dependant on who came out first and which car the managers sorted them in to.
10 minutes later she sees them coming. The car door opens with Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Mingi and Yeosang getting in and Yunho, San, Wooyoung and Jongho entering the car behind them.
“Everything go okay?” Seonghwa asks her
“Yeah, straight through with no issues.” she replies as the car begins to move
“Are you going for a nap when you get to your hotel room?” Yeosang asks
“No, I need to do some work.” she answers
Hongjoong frowns, worry creasing his forehead. "Seriously? You plan on diving into work right away?"
"I've got a conference meeting in like 2 hours," Luna says, pulling her phone from her pocket. "I got some work done on the flight but I need to finish it before the meeting."
"A meeting so soon after the flight?" Hongjoong's expression turns grave, his voice tinged with concern. "Who is it with?"
"Eden," Luna answers distractedly, focused on replying to a work email she had just received
Hongjoong's eyes widen in alarm. "No way, you're not working. Rest should be your priority after such a long flight!" He places a gentle but firm hand on her phone screen, lowering it from her face.
Luna's brows draw together in frustration and she pulls the phone back up. "But the album discussion for Japan can't be postponed!"
“No, I will call him.” Hongjoong fixes her with a serious look, “I'll make sure Eden understands that today is off-limits for work.” His voice leaves no room for argument.
“It is essential that it happens today.” Luna's determination remains unscathed. Her sharp tone echoes in the enclosed space.
A silence falls in the car as Hongjoong and Luna look at one another, neither one of them showing any signs of backing down. Mingi, Yeosang and Seonghwa look between themselves.
“Hongjoong has a point.” Seonghwa speaks softly, “You have just got off a very long flight. You need time to rest and adjust to the timezone.”
“I appreciate your concern, but this meeting can't be postponed,” Luna holds her ground.
Mingi chimes in softly, empathy dripping from his words, "We understand your dedication and work ethic, but princess, your health comes first. Let Hongjoong handle this."
Feeling the weight of their worries bearing down on her, Luna takes a deep breath before assertively saying, "I understand your concerns, but this meeting with Eden cannot wait any longer."
Hongjoong's frustration bubbles over at Luna's insistence on working despite everyone's advice, his voice rises slightly. "Luna, please listen to us. We only want what's best for you. Trust me to take care of this today. Your well-being surpasses any work obligation."
As Luna gazes at each of them, she senses their genuine care reflected in their expressions. Despite knowing the importance of the meeting, she was already feeling the fatigue from the past 18 hours catching up to her. "Fine, go ahead and reschedule it," she concedes, turning her head away from them to look out of the car window.
"Luna, I apologise if I seem forceful; my intention was only your well-being," Hongjoong says, feeling a little guilty at going into leader mode with Luna, something he never wanted to do with her.
"I know," Luna replies, meeting his apologetic gaze. "It's just, when it comes to work I take it very seriously."
"We know you work hard, sometimes too hard," Yeosang says.
“I don’t want to be a slacker or let anyone down.” Luna's words reflect her dedication and concern, “And I don’t want to piss off Eden either when I’ve been given such an important job.”
"No one could ever accuse you of being a slacker," Hongjoong reassures. "As for Eden, leave him to me. This was my decision, not yours. So if he wants to be angry at anyone, he can be angry at me."
Luna rubs her temples, feeling a headache begin. "I don't want him angry at anyone."
The car slows down and comes to a stop outside their hotel. The guys had told Luna earlier that another manager always goes ahead and checks in everyone so their room key cards were ready for them. No delays or waiting around, just straight to their rooms. It sounded like heaven to her, not having to deal with it all herself.
Exiting the car, Luna takes a deep breath, trying to shake off her exhaustion. She follows the guys into the hotel, her mind still on the postponed meeting. As they step into the brightly lit lobby, she sees the others are already here.
“How was the drive?” Wooyoung asks as she joins them
Luna sighs a little, “It was alright.”
“What’s wrong?” Yunho asks her
“We just had a little difference of opinion.” she says, running a hand through her hair. “I am sure it will be fine though.”
San furrows his brows, concern etching his face. “What happened?”
“I was supposed to be having a meeting with Eden in a couple of hours,” she replies, glancing over at Hongjoong who is talking on his phone, “Hongjoong made the decision that I wasn’t to do it so I could rest and I am worried Eden is going to be pissed off.”
Sans expression softens as he looks between Luna and Hongjoong. “You know how Eden gets about work but he’ll understand you’ve just had a 12 hour flight and need to adjust to the time zone. Hongjoong will handle it so don’t worry.”
As Hajoon distributes their keycards, relief washes over Luna. At least she didn't have to handle check-in after the long journey. The group shuffles toward the elevators, Luna trailing behind, muscles beginning to ache.
"We should all meet up for dinner later in my room," Hongjoong suggests as the doors slide shut. "It'll be more private."
“That sounds like a good idea.” San agrees
“What do you think Luna?” Mingi asks her
“Only if you guys don’t have any other plans.” she replies
"You are our plans," Wooyoung smiles, eliciting one from her too.
“What is your room number?” Yeosang asks her
"638," she answers, checking her card.
“Ooh, I am 636. Maybe you and I will have the adjoining door!” Mingi grins
“Unless I do, I am 640!” Yunho says
“That is not fair!” Wooyoung pouts. “I am 682!!”
Everyone begins to laugh as the lift doors slide open and they walk out.
“Luggage should be here in 2/3 hours.” Seonghwa says to Luna as they all walk down the corridor towards their assigned rooms, “If we are sleeping when they arrive the managers just put them in our rooms but we asked them not to do that for you, instead they will put it in one of our rooms for you. So you don’t need to worry about someone coming into your room.”
“Thanks, that sounds good. I’d probably freak out if that happened.” Luna laughs, “Here is my room!”
“Aww I am on the far away side.” Mingi says as he stands in front of his door
“At least you are nearby!” Wooyoung mumbles passing him, “I shall see you all from the other side!”
“My room in 4 hours!” Hongjoong says, “Everyone get a proper rest too!” he adds, more towards Luna than anyone else
After bidding everyone goodbye, Luna enters her room and collapses onto the plush, white bedspread. The room is quiet, a stark contrast to the jovial banter from moments ago. She closes her eyes, relishing in the silence and feeling the weariness settle into her bones. Suddenly, she hears a soft knock coming from the adjoining door, breaking the silence.
“Hey neighbour!” Yunho grins as Luna opens the door between their hotel rooms.
“Yun!” Luna giggles at his antics as he moves aside to let her into his room
“Is your room okay?” he inquires, closing the door behind her.
“Yeah, it's great!” she replies with a faint smile.
“Are you okay?” Yunho's concern is evident in his voice. His arms automatically envelop her into a hug
Luna sinks into his embrace with a sigh, her body melting against his. "Just a bit tired. I wish I had my suitcase so I could change into something comfy." Her words are muffled against his chest.
“I can give you something to change into until our luggage arrives.” Yunho's hand strokes her hair soothingly.
“What about you?” she asks
“I’ll be okay.” he replies kissing the top of her head, "We could take a nap together if you want."
Luna peers up at him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Just trying to get me in your bed, huh Mr. Jeong?"
Yunho's laugh rumbles through his chest. "You know I'd have you in my bed 24/7 if I could." He runs his hands down her back. "But we both need sleep, and it'll be a couple hours before our bags arrive." he adds placing a soft kiss to her forehead
As Luna leans back into Yunho, her body feels heavy and sleep calls to her. Jet lag seeps into her bones, urging her to rest as she nuzzles into the soft cotton of Yunho's sweatshirt, inhaling his scent. "Mm a nap does sound good right now," she murmurs through a yawn.
“Let me grab you something to change into.” he says gently, releasing her from his hold. “Next time, pack a spare set of clothes in your carry-on. It’s always handy after long flights, especially when we're stuck waiting for our bags.”
“I'll remember that for next time,” Luna promises as Yunho hands her an oversized t-shirt.
“I would offer you some sweats, but they’d swallow you whole,” Yunho chuckles.
“This is perfect, thanks,” Luna reassures him.
She lays the t-shirt on the bed and begins to slip off her hoodie and t-shirt. Noticing Yunho turning away, Luna questions, “Why are you looking away?” She unbuttons her jeans and pulls them off before putting Yunhos t-shirt over her head. The long length of it resembles a dress on her short frame compared to him.
"To give you privacy," he replies, the edges of his ears blushing into a shade of red.
“Yunho…” she says wrapping her arms around him from behind, “You’ve seen me naked and even pulled my underwear off with your teeth… do you think I care about you seeing me in my underwear right now?”
“It’s just… I want to respect you and your boundaries.” he says
Luna moves her arms to his waist and turns him around to face her. “With you I don’t have any.” she goes on her tiptoes to kiss his lips. “I am yours.” she whispers
Yunho nods, a small smile playing on his lips as he takes in her words. “I’m yours too.”
Luna, hearing a sudden vibration from her phone, lifts it from the desk she placed it on and winces at the battery notification.
“Shit! Can I charge up my phone in here?” Luna's voice is urgent, filled with a hint of panic. "I am on like 10%!"
“Of course. You can use my charger.” he replies pulling it out his bag and handing it to her.
As Luna plugs her phone in Yunho gets changed into a pair of sweats and takes his sweatshirt off, revealing a black tank top underneath.
Luna quickly texts her mom to let her know she’s arrived in LA and sees a new message from Hongjoong, apologising for going into leader mode over the Eden situation. She quickly replies, it is okay and thanking him for looking after her. As she sits on the edge of the bed and places the phone on the bedside table, Yunho pulls her towards him, causing her to giggle and fall onto the plush mattress with a soft thud. Her laughter echoes through the room, filling it with joy and warmth.
"Fuck, I love that laugh," Yunho grins, hovering over her as she lays back against the soft bedding. His hands move to her arms, pinning them down to the mattress and kisses her deeply. His fingers trace the scars on her wrists that he had only recently noticed. Intertwining their fingers, he feels her moan softly against his lips.
“Time to sleep, little one.” Yunho smiles as their lips part. “When you wake, our luggage will be here. We can shower, get changed and meet the others for dinner in Hongjoong’s room.”
“Can we shower together?” Luna asks sleepily, stifling a yawn.
“Whatever you want.” he whispers, tucking some of her hair behind her ear as he lays down beside her.
Yunho feels a flutter inside him as she cuddles into him and closes her eyes. He knew in this moment that his feelings towards her had shifted, he was beginning to fall for her and that it could complicate everything if he allows himself to fall completely.
Warnings: mentions of bipolar disorder, mental health and OCs fears around it, does not go into explicit details
Word count: 11.2k
Summary: It is the morning after the previous night's events, Seonghwa and Hongjoong have a conversation about Luna's condition. After some thought, Hongjoong decides to talk to her directly. Luna has a heart-to-heart with her mother before returning to the apartment, where everyone has come back from visiting their families.
(AN: this entire chapter is in 3rd person, I appreciate all the feedback on the different format and have decided to focus mainly on 3rd person now with Lunas 1st person POV during certain periods. Again any feedback on this is always appreciated! Thank you to everyone who has read, liked and reblogged so far!)
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“How was she this morning?” Hongjoong asks, a note of concern in his voice
“I don’t know. She left the apartment before 7am. I thought she was just on her regular morning run but when she still wasn’t back by 7.30am, I checked her room and her work things were gone.” Seonghwa replies. “I know she has a lot of work at the office today and maybe just wanted to get there as early as possible but it’s just worried me a little bit that she left so early.”
Seonghwa had messaged Hongjoong the night before to give him a brief rundown of what had happened. This morning he had got up early, planning to speak to Luna before she left for work. See how she was feeling after a nights sleep but she was already gone. It was now 9.30am and Hongjoong had called him after reading his messages when he woke up.
“When she told me about her bipolar, her main concern was that we would treat her differently. I wish I had been there last night so I could have reassured her.” Hongjoong sighs on the other end of the line
Seonghwa stiffens slightly at the implication, "Are you suggesting that I didn't do enough to reassure her?"
"No! That's not what I meant! You did your best. It's just...I feel so helpless!" Hongjoong exclaims, frustration evident in his tone. "I shouldn't have left Seoul. I should've stayed."
"You're our team captain, but even captains need rest. You couldn't have predicted this," Seonghwa says softly, trying to soothe his friend’s guilt. "Besides, Luna wouldn’t have let you stay even if you tried. Don't beat yourself up over this."
“You are right.” Hongjoong replies. “My dad is driving me back to Seoul in an hour or two so I will be home soon. Maybe I should get him to drop me off at the office instead so I can check up on her.”
“Do you think that is wise to do? Given how Luna hates being fussed over, she might feel cornered.” Seonghwa cautions
“I’m just worried.” comes Hongjoongs reply
"I understand your concern," Seonghwa reassures him. "Look, Luna's a fighter. She's been through so much, yet she remains resilient and strong. If you're set on seeing her before coming home, I won't stop you. Just tread carefully. We don’t want to push her away."
“I’m honestly unsure on what to do. As we get closer to Seoul I’ll see what my gut tells me. And you are right, she is an absolute fighter.” Hongjoong agrees “I am glad you were there for her last night. Do you think she’ll make things up with her mom?”
“Her dad assured me that this can be a common thing between them. Luna can’t suppress her feelings anymore and snaps, her mom gets more protective and Luna pulls away from her. He told me that they will patch things up either today or tomorrow but if it takes a bit longer, not to worry.” Seonghwa says as Hongjoong relaxes a little. He didn’t want a rift between mother and daughter when he knows how close they are and it is obvious how much her family, especially her mom means to her. “He also told me to reach out to him if we have any questions or looking for ways to support her without it being overbearing. He included the others in this.”
"That was considerate of him," Hongjoong remarks with a small smile, "Especially since they see you as her boyfriend and us as just coworkers."
“I don’t think he sees you all as ‘just coworkers’. He knows we all live together and I think Luna has been telling him little things about us all. He said he is thankful that we all look after her.” Seonghwa replies
“What are her parents like?” Hongjoong finds himself asking
“They are genuinely wonderful people. Her dad is really tall! A bit scary at first obviously but he is funny, down to earth and kind. He isn’t the scary old school military guy I had imagined in my head! Luna gets her caring nature from him.” Seonghwa answers with a small smile
“And her mom?” Hongjoong presses further
Seonghwa continues, “The same as her dad. Funny, laid back and really kind. She is tiny though, shorter than Luna but they look so alike. Obviously she can be pretty intense. She's fiercely protective of Luna, sometimes to a fault. But it all comes from a place of love. She wants the best for her daughter and can be a bit overbearing at times, but it's only because she cares so deeply.”
“It sounds like Luna is lucky to have such supportive parents.” Hongjoong reflects thoughtfully, “We just need to make sure she knows she can rely on the two of us, until she is ready to tell the others.”
“We will!” Seonghwa assures him, “We will be there for her as much as she will let us be.”
“Anyway, I should go make sure I have everything packed up. I’ll be back in Seoul soon,” Hongjoong sighs lightly
“I’ll see you when you get home and don’t worry about Luna.” Seonghwa replies before the pair say goodbye and hang up.
As Seonghwa gently places his phone on the sofa, his eyes shift towards her partially open bedroom door. Through the gap the early morning sunshine floods the room with warmth, casting a soft glow that extends into the little alcove between the lounge and her room. His heart sinks a bit, hoping that she is truly okay this morning.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───
Hongjoong instantly feels relaxed the second he opens the door to his studio. It was his safe place, his little sanctuary. Spending 4 days without work was hard for him but he was determined to keep his promise to Luna that he would spend his break resting, enjoying time with his parents and his older brother who was also visiting them at the same time. He actually found that he was coming back to Seoul with a clear head though, the time away from his studio and work laptop gave him some clarity regarding the music he was currently working on, and he was excited to get started on it again.
He places his suitcase in his studio before leaving the small room and walking to the door next to his. Inside he can see a light shining through the frosted glass of the little window, a small smile creeping onto his face as he knows Luna is in there.
As he raises his hand to knock, a familiar voice calls out from behind him. Turning around, he sees Maddox, a close friend and fellow musician, approaching with a steaming mug of coffee in hand.
“Looks like I surprised you.” Maddox teases him with a grin. “I wasn’t expecting to see you until tomorrow morning at the very least!”
“You know me!” he laughs shrugging his shoulders. “I can’t stay away from here!”
Maddox raises an eyebrow in playful curiosity. "Don't tell me you have an English lesson with Luna on the same day you came home?"
Hongjoong quickly improvises, thinking on his feet. He couldn't possibly reveal that his sole purpose for stopping by the office was to see Luna. "Nope, not today! I just wanted to drop by my studio for an hour. But when I saw the light on in Luna's office, I can’t resist saying hi."
Maddox takes a sip of his coffee, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Ah, I see." Something in the playful look in his friends eye made Hongjoong feel like Maddox was seeing through him.
“How was your break? Did you work nonstop like usual?” Maddox asks
Hongjoong shakes his head, a slight smile forming on his lips. "No, not this time. I even left my work laptop in my studio."
Maddox lets out a laugh. "Miracles do happen! So, you're here, probably itching to get some work done now that you're back."
“Caught red handed!” Hongjoong jokes, playfully holding up his hands
“Well I better go. I am doing a live in 10 minutes. I’ll see you next week as the team has the final meeting on the new bands album.” Maddox says
“Gosh, their debut date is so close now!” Hongjoong smiles, fondly remembering his own with Ateez. “See you next week!”
As Maddox walks down the corridor and disappears from sight, Hongjoong's attention returns to Luna's door. He quickly scans the area to ensure no one else is around before knocking gently. A moment passes without any response, so he knocks again, this time a little louder.
A loud groan comes from within the room, followed by some mumbled swearing in English. Hongjoong's stomach tightens with worry, fearing that he might have interrupted her from important work. Suddenly, the door swings open, revealing a frustrated looking Luna. But as soon as she sees him, her expression softens and she pulls him into her room by his hand, swiftly closing the door behind them. Luna wraps her arms around his shoulders tightly.
"Joongie!" she exclaims blissfully.
Hongjoong is momentarily taken aback by her sudden display of affection but quickly recovers, reciprocating by wrapping his arms around her waist and holding her just as tightly. Her head buries into his neck and he can feel her warm breath on his skin.
“I missed you so much, Joongie!” she mumbles
"I missed you too," he replies, a genuine smile tugging at the corners of his lips. The sound of her calling him by that nickname sends a flutter through his heart. He takes a deep breath, inhaling her familiar scent of vanilla and coconuts. “I didn’t interrupt you, did I? You sounded a little annoyed when I knocked a second time.”
Luna pulls back slightly, looking up at him with affectionate eyes. "Of course not. I had my earphones in, and the loud knock startled me. I jumped and accidentally hit my knee on the desk."A faint blush colours her cheeks at the fact he heard her swearing.
“Is your knee okay?” he asks concerned
“It is fine! My own clumsy fault.” she replies “Why are you here? I thought we were meeting back at the apartment tonight.”
Hongjoong smiles and caresses her face gently with one hand. "I kept my promise to you - no work while I was away. I had decided to leave my laptop in the office and I wanted to pick it up before heading home."
Luna feels her heart swell slightly at the fact he had went so far to keep his promise to her.
“Plus I wanted to see you too.” he adds.
"Check up on me, you mean?" she teases gently. "I know Seonghwa would have told you what happened last night."
"Yeah, he did," Hongjoong acknowledges, worry etching his features. His voice carries a plea for understanding as he says, "Please don't be mad at him."
Luna recognises the worry in his eyes, mirrored from last night when Seonghwa asked if she was okay and when he told her he agreed with her mother about the big changes in her life. It was worry with a hint of fear in the eyes. It isn’t the first time one of them has said the words ‘don’t be mad/upset’ to her either.
"Hongjoong, do I make you feel uncomfortable sometimes?" she asks, searching his eyes for the truth.
Confusion flickers across his face as he asks, "What do you mean?"
"I've noticed in the past few days that sometimes you all seem a bit on edge around me," Luna explains. "It's like you're afraid to tell me something or voice an opinion like I'll fly into a rage or get upset."
Hongjoong hesitates before answering, searching for the right words. In that moment, Luna knows that her fears are not unfounded.
“I don’t want any of you to feel that way!” she tells him earnestly “I know I can be moody and hard to be around but I don’t want you all to be scared to talk to me or ask me how I am.”
Hongjoong's voice is gentle as he responds, moving one hand from her waist to cup her cheek. "Hey, you aren't moody or hard to be around. You make each of us so happy just by allowing us into your life. We're not scared of you; we just worry a little about upsetting you."
“I realise that I made a big deal about not wanting to be fussed over. However I don’t want any of you to be afraid of how I’ll react if you do. I know my condition will make you and Seonghwa worry twice as much, but I promise I won't get upset if anyone fusses over me.” she says, “The reason I said I didn't want to be fussed over is because of my moms over-protectiveness. I know it is because she loves me but I have to hold back so often with her, bite my tongue a lot that when someone else fusses over me, I tend to snap easily. I just didn’t want to take my frustrations out on any of you.”
Hongjoong nods in understanding, his dark eyes soft and sympathetic. "I understand, Luna," he says softly. "And I can only imagine the added stress and strain you must feel by concealing your bipolar disorder from the others."
Luna takes a deep breath before continuing, her voice trembling slightly. "That's why I've decided it's time to stop hiding and be honest with everyone about my bipolar disorder. I'm tired of living in fear, constantly worrying my sleeve will ride up or hiding when my medication like a dirty little secret. It's exhausting." She meets Hongjoongs gaze.
“Are you truly ready to do or do you feel you have to?” He poses the question to her, his voice gentle but probing.
Luna looks away for a moment, gathering her thoughts, before leaning back into his embrace once again. His arms encircle her protectively, and he starts rubbing soothing circles on her back.
"No," she whispers vulnerably, "I am nowhere near ready." She takes a deep breath and continues, "But I wasn't prepared for Seonghwa to find out and today I feel a little lighter. I told him everything, more than I told you about the scars, and there was no judgement. Neither of you have judged me."
“Baby, I'm glad you feel that way, but it's important for you to be truly ready." he cautions. “I don’t want you to do it and then regret it because it was too soon for you. Seonghwa and I will support you completely until that time comes, so do not worry about that.”
"I honestly don't deserve you," Luna sighs, her voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you."
They linger in each other's embrace for a moment, relishing the rare moment of solitude.
“Oh I had a meeting today. Whether it is good outcome or not I’ll let you decide since it involves you!” Luna beams up at him
Hongjoong recognises the mischievous glint in her eyes, prompting a smile to spread across his face.
“I am sure it will be good!” he chuckles, tucking some of her hair behind her ear
“The CEO has asked me to work with you all for the Japanese track. It’s mainly to ensure the Japanese lyrics and vocals are on point.” she says “Not that he doesn’t trust your Japanese!” she quickly adds, realising how her words might have sounded to him
“Are you kidding me? I think this is amazing news Luna!” he grins, feeling his stomach bubble with excitement
“I was hoping you’d be okay with this, me being a part of that process.” she returns his level of excitement. “I don’t know anything about making or producing music, and lord knows I am a terrible singer so should not be involved in any of that stuff!” she laughs before continuing “However I am very fluent in Japanese as it was the second language I learned as a child alongside Korean and I am confident in my skills in that regard. Eden has already given me the songs that will have a Japanese version and I am working on translating them now.”
"We're all pretty basic when it comes to Japanese." Hongjoong admits with a smile. "We usually bring in someone new for these tracks, someone we've never met before but it will be amazing to have you there, something we fully trust."
"I just hope I can contribute and not hinder anything," Luna replies.
With a gentle smile, he reassures her, "You will be incredible. We usually do vocals individually in the recording studio, given our busy schedules. I'll make sure it's just us and whatever member is doing the vocals at that moment, one on one to make the process easier for you." He reaches over to caress her cheek, his touch warm and comforting. "I'm excited to have you in the studio with me. It will be a great experience," he adds with genuine enthusiasm. “And getting to spend some time alone with you will be an added bonus.” his voice takes on a low, husky tone that sends butterflies dancing in her stomach.
His eyes drop to her lips, Luna noticing and instinctively tucking her lower lip between her teeth as his fingers thread through her soft dark hair. Her usual wavy hair is poker straight today, her long bangs perfectly framing her delicate face. With a slight tilt of his head, Hongjoong leans in and their lips meet.
It was the first time they’d kissed since their first one in his studio weeks before but also the first time they had been alone. Both being busy with work and like ships passing in the night. In this moment of pure solitude, Hongjoong promises himself to make more time for her.
The kiss is slow and comforting to them both. The outside world around them fading away as they get lost in one another. After what seemed like an eternity, Hongjoong pulls back slightly, his dark eyes searching hers for any sign of hesitation or doubt. “I really missed you.” Hongjoong whispers softly.
Luna's feel a warmth spread through her chest at the way he is looking at her, his eyes filled with affection which she has never seen before from him. She brushes her fingertips against the side of his face. "I missed you too," she replies softly. She leans forwards to capture his lips once more but a firm knock at the door causes them to pull apart harshly. Hongjoong taking a few steps backwards and while Luna quickly fixes her tussled hair from his fingers before saying as calmly as possible, “Come in!”
Both Hongjoong and Luna look towards the door to see Hyunshik walk through the door. His usual mischievous grin on his face as he looks at Luna before spotting Hongjoong at the other side of the room looking at a textbook from Lunas desk in an attempt to look nonchalant.
“Oh hey Hongjoong! Didn’t know you were back at work!” he greets him
“I am not, I came to pick up my laptop then going home. Just wanted to say hi to Luna before I left.” Hongjoong explains
“Ah right.” Hyunshik nods. “Luna, reception called up, your mom has just arrived in the lobby. Ilsung is bringing her up as she has a lot of bags!”
“That will probably be food for everyone!” Luna chuckles. “Thanks for letting me know.”
“I have a meeting to go to so let me know if there is any leftover food!” he replies laughing too
“Oh you can bet on it! I’ll message you first!” she says
“That’s my bestie!” he grins holding his fist out for her to bump
“I got your back!” Luna replies with a smile reciprocating the fist bump
Hongjoong observes their interaction closely, his eyebrow arching slightly at the exchange. Hyunshik gives him a smile before leaving the room. Luna tilts her head, catching the subtle change in Hongjoong's expression. Sensing an unspoken question hanging in the air, she decides to address it directly.
"Is everything alright, Hongjoong?" Luna asks
Hongjoong's demeanour softens as he meets Luna's gaze. "Oh, everything's fine," he reassures her with a small smile. "Just observing the ‘besties’ in action."
Luna chuckles lightly, “Hyun is the only person I’ve made friends with in this place. He keeps bugging me to join the staff hangouts after work but it’s not really my scene.”
“Why not?” he asks
Luna ponders for a moment before responding. She doesn't particularly want to mention that there are certain colleagues like Chaeyoung and Iseul whom she can't stand. Although they don't attend these post-work gatherings, there are some who do that are friendly with them and she doesn’t fully trust them.
“I have enough friends. And with my relationship with you guys I don’t want more people involved in my life. I am a private person in general. With Hyun, we get along. He was the first member of staff to actually talk to me, we have the same sense of humour and I know I would have been friends with him if we’d met elsewhere.” Luna responds. “Does it bother you that we are friends?”
“No!” he answers instantly. “Not at all! I love that you’ve got a friend here! I just wasn’t aware you had been a close friend yet as you don’t really talk about your friendships with members of staff. It didn’t even cross my mind, which I know is bad and comes across like I don’t care.”
“Oh Joongie, I know you care, even when you are busy with work,” Luna reassures him, smiling warmly and reaching for his hand. “I notice the little things you do for me, like filling up my tub with fresh strawberries every day.”
“I didn’t think you knew it was me doing that.” Hongjoong replies, his cheeks blushing.
“I caught you doing it one night when you came home late. I was on my way to the pantry for a midnight snack and saw you in the kitchen.” Luna reveals affectionately.
Hongjoong goes to respond but they hear a noise outside her room door and he quickly lets go of her hand. Ilsung and her mom walk in. Hyunshik wasn’t kidding when he said she had a lot of bags! Ilsung has 6 giant bags of food while her mom is holding 3.
“Apples were my saving grace during my morning sickness with the twins.” her mom shares with Ilsung “I was lucky with Luna and didn’t have any of those symptoms but the twins were a very different story!”
“I’ll definitely pass that on to my wife. She’s tried everything, but the nausea really takes a toll on her at work, and I feel utterly helpless hearing how her day is being affected by it all.” Ilsung responds, a tinge of guilt clouding his tone.
“It is different for all women but giving the apples a shot won’t hurt.” she advises with a warm smile
“Thank you, I’ll grab some on my way back tonight,” Ilsung replies gratefully. “It was truly delightful meeting you, Eunbi.” He flashes a smile at her as Luna and Hongjoong observe quietly.
“You too, Ilsung. I wish you all the best for the future too!” she says “Make sure you take those bags to the others.”
Ilsung bows to her and nods towards Hongjoong before leaving. Luna looks at her mom and feels a bubble of nerves in her tummy. She knows they would talk and sort things out, like they always have done in the past but she was always nervous to have these talks.
“Oh he is such a lovely young man! His poor wife is suffering so badly from morning sickness, such a shame!” her mom says to Luna and Hongjoong
“Hi mom.” Luna says, rubbing at her arm
Hongjoong notices this from the corner of his eye. He longs to reach out and take her hand for reassurance but holds back due to her moms presence. His struggle between desire and restraint becomes apparent to himself as he grapples with his newfound feelings for Luna and his typically reserved demeanour that never allowed him to be openly affectionate – until now, that is. The days they spent apart made him realise how deeply he cares for her.
“Ah Hongjoong! It is lovely to finally meet you!” Lunas mom smiles at him
“You too.” he replies bowing to her
“I brought some food for you boys as well.” she says holding one bag to him “Nothing fancy, just some home cooking I did this morning.”
Luna can’t help but smile. She knew her mom would have been up at the crack of dawn cooking this. One thing she took great pride in was taking care of people and one way of doing that is through cooking. It was one of the many traits Luna got from her mom.
“They are still on holiday, Mom. Joongie was just picking up his laptop.” Luna explains
Her moms eyebrow raises, Luna instantly feels her heart skip a beat at the nickname slipping out. Hongjoong feels her body tense up from beside him and quickly takes the 2 bags from her moms hands.
"Thank you, Mrs. Lee. I'm sure the others will appreciate it," he says with a warm smile. “I am heading back to the apartment now so I’ll make sure the others eat and there will be leftovers for Luna when she returns home tonight too.”
“I’m delighted to see you have such a caring friend Luna! Someone who clearly cares for you.” she smiles as Luna nods trying to remain neutral and hide any hint of her true relationship with Hongjoong from her moms great detective skills. “And please call me Eunbi! My husband is Sam too! Make sure to tell the other boys as I am sure our paths may cross at some point and I hear enough of ‘Mrs Lee’ from my students and Sam hears plenty of ‘Major Lee’ at his job too!!” she adds with a light laugh to Hongjoong
“Of course Mrs L… Eunbi.” he says with a slight wince on his face as he bows again. Luna hides a smile as she knows Hongjoong will be hating calling her by her first name. Lunas mom also picks up on his face and gives Luna is playful wink. “It was lovely to meet you, but I should be going now. I’ll see you tonight Luna.” he adds moving towards the door
“Bye.” Luna says as he walks through it
Her moms voice echoes through the room, mischief lacing her tone. "Bye Joongie!" The door closes behind him just as quickly as her words had left her lips.
"Mom!" Luna protests, a soft laugh escaping her as she lightly nudges her moms shoulder. "That was mean!"
“I live with your dad! I need to get my kicks where I can!” she laughs opening the food containers as they sit down at Lunas desk.
As they settle down to eat, Luna feels another wave of nervous anticipation wash over her. The thought of discussing last night's events twists knots in her stomach.
“You and Hongjoong seem close.” Eunbi observes softly, breaking the silence
“Hongjoong’s been there for me. He has become a… very dear friend to me already.” Luna replies taking a sip from her water bottle.
She looks at her moms expression carefully, uncertain if she is hinting at something more than friendship or merely making an observation.
“He seems to care for you a lot and I like that he does.” Eunbi says with a fond smile “I know you have your core group of friends with Seojun, Nayeon, Jieun and Dasom, and they are wonderful kids but it is nice to see you letting more people into your life.”
After a pause, her mom looks at her with a serious expression. “Luna,” she begins, causing the knot in Lunas stomach returning. Has she saw through her facade of Hongjoong being a friend only? "I owe you an apology for my words last night. I should have approached you privately. I was under the impression that Seonghwa was aware.” she says
"I hadn't found the right moment to tell him yet," Luna admits, her eyes downcast as she focuses on the food in front of her. "I needed more time."
Her mother's voice softens with regret. "I'm truly sorry for forcing you into revealing something so personal before you were prepared."
“I should have told you beforehand not to mention it. But honestly, I didn’t think you would.” Luna says. “However, it was okay. Seonghwa wasn’t freaked out by it.”
“Why would he be?” Eunbi asks, her eyes full of concern as she looks at her daughter
"I’m not ashamed of my bipolar disorder… it just frightens me sometimes," Luna confesses, blinking back impending tears.
“Oh honey!” Her mother immediately sets down her utensils and rounds the table to envelop Luna in a comforting hug. Overwhelmed by emotional exhaustion, Luna sinks into the embrace, releasing all her pent-up emotions.
“It’s okay to be scared from time to time, but never forget how brave you are every day.” her mom says gently, brushing a strand of hair behind Luna's ear.
After taking a few moments to compose herself, she pulls back slightly and looks up at her mom with tear-filled eyes. The sight of her firstborn daughter in such emotional turmoil tore at Eunbi's heart. Like all mothers, the sight of her child in pain was unbearable. Yet, this was a pain she could not erase for Luna, no matter how much she wished she could.
“I don’t like people treating me differently,” Luna admits “and I don’t want to be defined by it.”
Eunbi smiles caringly, dabbing Luna tears away. "You are so much more than any label. Those who truly love and care for you you will understand that."
Luna sniffles, grateful for her moms reassuring words. "I know, Mom. I just... it's hard sometimes."
“I know honey, I know.” she replies stroking her head, “And I know I can make it harder for you, I am overbearing and smothering at times. I am so sorry for that.”
“I know why you are though.” Luna says looking at her mom, “You care a lot and just want the best for me but please just trust me. I understand that is hard given the hell I put you and dad through last year and you’ll probably always worry about me but I know how to look after myself now. I take my medication everyday at the same time, I see my therapist regularly, I practice mindfulness, I talk to my friends when things are tough and go for my morning head clearing runs. I am aware of things now and I am in such a happy place in my life with my job and with… Seonghwa.”
“I can see that. I know that he cares for you deeply, I could see that the second I saw him look at you last night. Hongjoong does as well.” Eunbi says, “Talk to them the way you do with your friends, let them in and allow them to help.”
“Hongjoong knows about my diagnosis but I don’t know how to tell the others. I’ve built up such a protective wall around myself regarding my diagnosis.” her voice falters slightly, “First thing I said to them when I moved in, was not to fuss over me with my allergies, don’t ask me how I am, or treat me different and speaking to Hongjoong this afternoon, I realised that I’ve made them all on edge with that. They are too worried to do those things now. I want to let them in, be closer to each of them but I don’t know how to without being guarded.”Another stray tear falls from Luna eye as her lip wobbles.
Eunbi looks carefully at her daughter, seeing the conflict in her face but also picking up on the way she is mentioning to the others. It is clear to her that Luna cares for more than just Seonghwa and Hongjoong.
“You have been little Miss Independent since you learned to walk! Wouldn’t let your father or I help you.” Eunbi smiles gently “Your health conditions have made you more guarded, which is understandable. However, don't let it prevent you from opening up to all of them and allow them to be there for you.”
Luna shifts in her seat, the hesitation evident in her voice as she takes a deep breath. “What if they see me differently? As a weak fragile person.”
“Oh my dear Younha,” Eunbi's words are filled with affection, speaking her birth name with a softness that catches Luna off guard but reassures her deeply, “opening up doesn’t make you weak. It takes strength to be vulnerable, to trust others with your heart and I know they will take care of you, all of them!”
Luna feels more tears welling up in her eyes as she looks at her mom, thankful for her. "I don't want to push them away," Luna admits, her voice barely above a whisper.
Eunbi smiles and replies, "Then don't. Let them in one step at a time, at your own pace, show them your true self - vulnerabilities and all. They care about you more than you realise, and together, you can all support each other through anything life throws your way."
A sense of peace washes over Luna's chest as she nods slowly, a glimmer of courage shining through. Luna knows her mom is beginning to understand the depth of her relationships. “Thank you mom!”
“I love you so so much honey.” Eunbi says kissing the top of Lunas head and hugging her once more.
“I love you too mom.” Luna replies
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───
Luna walks through the door and instantly can hear the buzz of activity in the apartment. Her face breaks into a smile; it's good to have everyone home. She takes off her coat and hangs it up before slipping off her sneakers. Suddenly a pair of strong arms wrap around her from behind, lifting her effortlessly off the ground. Surprised and delighted, a playful scream escapes Luna's mouth. She feels warm breath against her neck, accompanied by a tender kiss that ignites a spark within her. In that moment, she knows exactly who it is.
"Wooyoung!" she giggles, turning to face him with gleeful arms wrapped tightly around his shoulders. His cheeky grin mirrors her own excitement.
“Miss me?” he asks playfully
Luna smirks, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Not really," she teases, barely able to contain her amusement. "I barely noticed you were gone!"
“Oh wow, that hurts!” he says pretending to be upset “Maybe I won’t give you any kisses then!” he grins
“Ha! I’d like to see you try to go a night without trying to kiss me!” she laughs in reply
In truth she missed him and he had missed her too. They all had but playful banter and teasing were Luna and Wooyoungs first instincts with one another.
“Just you see me succeed with that!” he replies
“Okay Mr Jung! Lets see how long you last!” she says, pulling away from him “I wonder if San is home yet…”
“Oh hell no, he isn’t getting kisses before me!” he pouts, holding onto her arm and pulling her back into his body again. “Not when I’ve been waiting by the door for nearly an hour for you to come home!” his lips capture hers as she lets out a muffled giggle
She throws her arms around his shoulders once more and kisses him back, happy to have him close to her once again but also secretly enjoying that he didn’t even last 10 seconds. His hands slip down to her rear, gently squeezing it as he pulls her even closer.
“Did you miss me though?” he asks, pulling back. Luna can see his eyes are serious.
“Of course I did Woo.” she replies softly. “A lot!”
“Good!” he smiles, placing another kiss on her lips. “As much as I want to pick you up, take you to my room and keep you all to myself for the rest of the night, we should go see the others.”
As Wooyoung and Luna walk into the kitchen, Seonghwa and Yunho are in there. Seonghwa is cleaning the cooker while Yunho is sitting at the kitchen island. Luna goes straight to Yunho and hugs him causing him to smile and pull her onto his lap sideways. He places his lips on hers while leaning her backwards, holding onto her tightly so she doesn’t fall as she laughs lightly. Luna is pleased to see how confident he is being at showing affection for her in front of the others now and she knows their night together has definitely made them closer. He gently pulls her upright, pulling back from the kiss but still keeping her close to him.
“Someones in a good mood.” she teases playfully as her hands play with the fabric of his hoodie.
"Just happy to have you home," Yunho replies contentedly, savouring the soft kisses she plants on his cheek, a chuckle escaping his lips.
Luna settles comfortably into Yunho's lap, feeling his warm embrace around her. But as she leans against him, she senses a presence lingering nearby. Turning her head, she catches sight of Seonghwa standing a few feet away with a gentle smile on his lips as he looks on at them. Sensing Luna's silent acknowledgement, Yunho eases his hold on her, silently granting her permission to approach Seonghwa if she desires. Grateful that Yunho has picked up on this, Luna pecks his cheek before gliding over to Seonghwa, who meticulously removes his cleaning gloves.
“How was your day?” Seonghwa asks leaning down to hug her
"Surprisingly good," Luna replies happily looking up at him, a shadow of her previous night's weariness erased. Seonghwa notices the visible transformation in Luna, putting his earlier concerns to rest.
"That's what I like to hear, darling." A warm smile plays on his lips, reflecting his genuine relief. She goes on her tip toes to place a kiss on his lips before resting her head on his shoulder.
As Luna and Seonghwa share a moment, everyone can hear the loud footsteps of someone rushing down the stairs. Luna pulls away from Seonghwa, turning her head towards the sound. Her eyes light up as she recognises the familiar figure stepping into the room.
“Ah my princess is finally home!” Mingis deep voice booms through the kitchen as he enters. Seonghwa lets go of Luna so she can go to Mingi as he watches on fondly.
“Mingi!” she smiles widely. As Mingi lifts Luna into his arms, spinning her around, she giggles and murmurs into his ear, "I missed you today."
"Missed you too," he replies gently, setting her back down on the floor and planting a kiss on her forehead. "Brought me any treats today?"
Luna feigns indignation, rolling her eyes playfully. "What do you think?! Of course I did! I got you cookies today."
As Mingis eyes light up at the mention of the cookies, Wooyoung chimes in “Hey! What about me? Am I not getting any treats?” he pouts
“You just got kisses, isn’t that a treat?” she laughs poking his side
“I mean kisses are great but a man needs his snacks too you know!” he replies, grabbing her waist and tickling her gently
“Woo, don’t!” she shrieks with laughter trying to get away from him
Luna's heart races as she tries to escape Wooyoung, who chases her around the spacious kitchen. Their laughter echoes around the room as Seonghwa, Yunho and Mingi look at them with smiles on their faces at the playful scene. As she runs around the kitchen island her soft socks causes her to slip on the hardwood flooring. Wooyoung tries to grab her to stop her while Yunho who was second closest to her jumps from his seat on the bar stool to catch her. However their attempts are in vain as Luna hits the floor with a loud thud.
“Oh shit Luna, I am so sorry!” Wooyoung says the first to reach her
Lying flat on on her, Luna can’t help but laugh again as she looks up at the ceiling with the 4 men surrounding her on the floor. At this point Hongjoong enters the kitchen.
“What happened?” he asks, a smile on his face at hearing Lunas joyful laughter
“Luna fell over.” Yunho replies
“Oh god!” he says, his smile dropping. He rushes over, nudging Wooyoung out the way to get to her side.
“Are you okay?” Seonghwa asks Luna, concern in his voice
“I am fine!” she manages to reply, trying to suppress her laughter.
“Are you sure?” Mingi asks, his eyes big and round as he looks down at her
“You fell really hard, little one!” Yunho says reaching out to help her
“Really guys, I’m fine!” Despite her assurance, Wooyoung stands off to the side biting his lip nervously, guilt weighing heavily on him. Mingi and Yunho help her up while Hongjoong supports her arm. "I'm surprised it took me this long to fall in front of you all! I am super clumsy on my feet."
Out of the corner of her eye she notices Wooyoung lingering in the background, his face clouded with worry. Guilt hitting him that his actions could have really hurt her. Instantly her laughter stops and she moves from Yunhos hold to go to Wooyoung.
“Hey.” she whispers, cupping his cheek, “I am okay, I promise you!”
"I could've hurt you," he mumbles, not meeting her gaze.
"But you didn't. My clumsy self has fallen over countless times before, so I think my body has developed some kind of resistance to injury by now." She tries to lighten the mood with a joke.
A small smile tugs at Wooyoung's lips as he finally looks at her, relieved that she's alright. Luna can’t resist leaning forwards and hugging him, feeling relief when he hugs her back tightly.
"I fall over my own two feet, I have a habit of dropping things, and sometimes I possess the ability to break objects just by casting my gaze upon them.” She looks over at her other boyfriends. "I've been trying my best to contain it around you guys," she continues, "but I think it's safe to say that Clumsy Luna has finally made her appearance. Brace yourselves for what's to come!"
Yunho chuckles, his eyes crinkling in amusement. "So what you're saying is we need to baby proof the apartment?"
Luna's laughter mingles with theirs, a token of gratitude for their light-heartedness in the face of the situation. Wooyoung leans in, his lips brushing a soft kiss against her temple, sending her heart into a flutter. Turning to him, she finds a gentle smile meant only for her. Drawn to him, she meets his lips in a tender kiss.
"San, Yeosang, and Jongho have collected the food," announces Hongjoong, glancing at a message on his phone.
"We've almost finished setting up. Mingi and I need to grab some drinks from the store quickly," Seonghwa adds.
"I'll get changed," Luna replies, gently extricating herself from Wooyoung's hold. He places a parting kiss on her forehead before releasing her. "Hongjoong, Seonghwa, can we talk privately?" she adds quietly
“Of course. Lets go into the lounge.” Hongjoong replies
The trio retreats into the lounge as Yunho watches them leave. Curiosity tugs at him, but he respects Luna's need for privacy.
“I wanted to thank you both for being so understanding.” Luna begins as they sit on the sofa, Luna in the middle of them. “The last 24 hours have been a lot for you Seonghwa. Your support and non-judgement means a lot.”
“There is no need to thank us darling.” Seonghwa says
“How did things go with your mom this afternoon?” Hongjoong asks, showing concern
“We talked it out, things are back to normal again.” Luna answers, “I’ve decided not to tell the others yet. I know I said to you earlier that I would but honestly, last night was hard enough. Not ready to go through that again so soon with 6 other men.” she continues, "If your offer to support me until I'm ready still stands, I'd be grateful."
“Of course it is, baby!” Hongjoong reassures her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pressing a comforting kiss to her cheek.
Seonghwas eyes widen slightly at the sudden display of affection Hongjoong is showing. It isn’t something he has seen from his oldest friend and leader, nor has he ever seen him be affectionate with a woman ever! It was a running joke within the group that as soon as a female is in close proximity Hongjoong will be as far away as possible.
"We'll both be here for you, as much as you'll let us," Hongjoong promises.
"That's what I wanted to discuss too. I'm going to allow you all to fuss over me, for those who want to," Luna says, managing a smile.
"Really? We don't want to make you uncomfortable," Seonghwa cautions gently.
"There's a difference between showing concern and being overbearing. I think I was conflating the two. I want us all to have an open relationship—that includes letting you all care for me." Luna abruptly adds, "I want to tell Yunho about my bipolar."
"Are you sure?" Hongjoong asks, his hand cradling her cheek with care.
“The hiding has caused me gut-wrenching anxiety and Yunho’s noticed. I know he is worried about me.” she answers, “The other night we opened up to one another and I want him to know.”
She feels a small heat flash across her cheeks, wondering if Hongjoong and Seonghwa know what she truly means by that. Seonghwa had a sense their relationship had progressed to this stage, due to Yunhos recent displays of affection and now Lunas words only confirmed it for him and he is genuinely happy for them both.
“Do you want to do it now or leave it until later?” Seonghwa asks in a gentle tone
"It's better to do it now before everyone else returns. We won't have another quiet moment like this for a long time.” she says with determination
Hongjoong nods in agreement before slipping away to fetch Yunho from the kitchen. Luna seizes the moment to snuggle into Seonghwa, who warmly welcomes her embrace.
“How are you holding up?” he asks softly
“Good.” she smiles
Moments later Yunho and Hongjoong come back into the lounge, both sitting on the sofa beside Luna and Seonghwa.
“Is everything okay?” Yunho asks calmly, his voice reassuring.
“There is something we need to discuss before the others get home.” Hongjoong discloses as Yunho nods
Before Seonghwa opens his mouth to tell Yunho what is going on, Luna starts to speak. She knew it had to be her to say the words.
“Yunho, I have bipolar disorder. I was diagnosed at the beginning of last year during a very dark period of my life. My recent heightened anxiety has been caused due to the pressure I was putting on myself to keep it hidden from you all.” she says. Yunho nods and taking a moment to process the information. “Hongjoong has known for a while and Seonghwa found out last night from my mom. That is why we returned home earlier than expected.”
"Is that why you were so quiet last night too?" he asks gently, to which she responds with a nod. The way Seonghwa was looking at Luna, she was so quiet and subdued when they got home, not her usual bubbly self then falling asleep so suddenly - it all made sense to Yunho now.
“I am sorry for keeping it from you…” she begins
"No need to apologise. I'm just glad you trust me enough to share this with me," he reassures her, reaching for her hands which she gladly accepts.
“I feel bad dropping this on you out the blue and not being able to talk properly about it but I promise you we can talk more in depth tomorrow, or another day if you want. I will answer all of your questions,” she says, “yours too Seonghwa.” she adds looking back at him as he smiles in return.
“All I need to know tonight little one, is if you are okay.” Yunho says, his fingers tenderly squeezing her hand
"I truly am. Our talk the other night, Hongjoong and Seonghwa's reassurance today, and my talk with my mom this afternoon has lifted the crushing weight that has been on my chest for weeks.” Luna takes a small deep breath before a gentle smile lights up her face making Yunho heart skip a beat, “I feel like I can finally breathe."
Hongjoong observes Luna's change in demeanour with a smile. “I am glad.”
"Also Luna has now given us permission to fuss," Seonghwa interjects with a playful grin at Yunho.
“Finally!!” Yunho breaks into a smile, “Just wait until Wooyoung and San find out!”
The room fills with laughter as relief washes over them all.
"I should change out of these work clothes," Luna announces after the laughter subsides, still glowing with happiness. "Thank you all for everything! If only I could hug all three of you at once!"
"No need for wishes—group hug time!" Yunho declares, pulling everyone into an embrace despite Hongjoong's protests, causing Luna to laugh.
After the laughter subsides, Luna extricates herself from the group hug, her face still flushed with joy. “Alright, I really need to change now,” she says, her voice filled with warmth
With a quick smile she’s off, leaving the room with a sense of lightness that belies the pain beginning to creep into her side. Once safely inside her bedroom, she takes a deep breath and rubs her hip where a dull ache lingers. She's managed to hide her discomfort, not wanting to worry the others—especially Wooyoung. There was no need to let them know, she was only slightly sore, nothing major. She collects fresh clothes before retreating into her bathroom to wash away the remnants of the day and enjoy her night with her boyfriends.
In the kitchen Wooyoung and Hongjoong are sorting the plates and cutlery. Hongjoong can sense Wooyoung still feels bad about what happened. As worried as Hongjoong was when he found her on the floor and hearing she had fell over, he knew it was an accident and he wasn’t mad at Wooyoung.
“Luna’s tougher than she looks.” Hongjoong says casually, trying to ease his worries but not make a big deal about it.
“I know, but it is still my fault she fell over. I was playing around with her.” he sighs, remorse clear in his voice as he opens the cupboard door and begins to retrieve the glasses. “I am responsible for her fall.”
“She wasn’t injured though.” Hongjoong says
Wooyoung nods, knowing he is right but still feeling a sense of unease lingering within him. “I just want her to feel safe with me,” he admits quietly, “not frightened that I might harm her.”
Hongjoong feels his stomach drop a little at hearing this, he places a reassuring hand on Wooyoungs shoulder. “She won’t feel that way! Luna understands accidents happen and she has told us how clumsy she is. She is a tough little cookie, she can handle a tumble now and then.”
“Thanks Hongjoong. To be honest I was bracing myself for a scolding from you, I wasn’t expecting this.” Wooyoung says with a small smile of relief on his face as they move into the lounge
“Captain mode will be activated tomorrow!” Hongjoong laughs lightly, glad to see his friend is feeling less burdened.
As they continue to set up the coffee table Mingi and Seonghwa return from the store. They have bought extra snacks with the drinks. At the same time Luna emerges from her room dressed in a pair of cream sweats with a long lilac coloured sweatshirt. Seonghwa can’t help but notice how content and comfortable she looks tonight. Immediately she goes to Wooyoung and hugs him close, wanting to give him extra reassure for earlier. He relaxes into her embrace, his arms loosely wrapping around her waist.
“I’m truly sorry about earlier.” he whispers into her ear
“No more apologies.” she smiles softly pulling her head back from his neck to look at him, her fingers running through his soft black hair. “Now where are my Woo kisses?” she asks with a playful glint in her big brown eyes that cause him to melt a little
“I’ll give you all the kisses you want, lil cutie.” he smiles back at her before capturing her lips
The warmth of Wooyoung's lips against hers sends a shiver down Luna's spine. She melts into his embrace, her heart racing with joy. One of his hands slowly travels down her back, before sliding under the soft fabric of her sweatshirt to feel the warmth of her skin beneath it. Luna smiles softly into the kiss as she tastes the light minty flavour on his tongue from the gum he must have been chewing earlier. As their lips separate Wooyoung leaves a series of playful pecks along her jaw and into her neck as she giggles lightly.
From the doorway, Hongjoong observes the intimate scene with a satisfied smile. He feels a wave of relief seeing Luna's radiant happiness and the dissipation of Wooyoung's worries. His eyes meet Seonghwa's as he passes by en route to the kitchen.
“He is whipped for Luna.” he says lowly, nodding his head towards the pair causing Hongjoong to chuckle.
“Aren’t we all!” Hongjoong simply replies following him
The mellow chime signalling the arrival of San, Yeosang, and Jongho with food pulls Luna and Wooyoung from their bubble. With playful cheekiness, Wooyoung lightly pats Luna's rear and disentangles himself from her.
“You should go see San, I know the mans been eager to see you since he came home.” he smiles at her
“You sure?” she asks him as he nods, wanting to make sure he was okay with her going to San. “Okay, save a spot for me beside you!”
“I’ll make sure I get us one of the corners so we have more space then can go into the corner of the sofa when we are finished eating.” he replies, feeling a flutter in his stomach at Luna wanting to be beside him for the rest of the night.
“Could you go into my room and get my blanket for us to cuddle under?” she asks as San and Jongho come into the lounge with the pizza boxes and food containers. “It is on the chair at my desk.”
“Of course I will.” he replies, pecking her lips before letting her go
Luna makes her way over to San who quickly puts the boxes on the coffee table before grabbing her into his arms. It was clear to see by Wooyoung and Mingi who looked on that San had missed Luna a lot, as she had with him. Wooyoung goes into her bedroom to collect her blanket while the others start to come into the lounge.
“It feels like I haven’t seen you in forever, sunshine!” San smiles lifting her up into his arms
“We face timed this morning when I got to work!” she laughs
“Not the same as seeing you, face to face, being to cuddle you,” he hums “ and kiss you again.” he mumbles quietly looking into her eyes
A smile tugs at Luna's lips as she leans in to give him a tender kiss. "I missed you so much," he murmurs against her lips.
"Me too," she replies with a content sigh, happy to see him and that everyone is back home again.
San gives her another kiss, carefully putting her back on the ground, his hands moving to her waist to keep her body close to his, pressing his forehead against her with his eyes closed. Luna's delicate fingers glide through his blond hair, the golden strands starting to reveal darker roots underneath. Wooyoung returns with the blanket in hand, a soft smile playing on his lips as he watches the scene unfold.
“Is everyone ready to eat?” Jongho says coming back into the lounge, his eyes resting on the couple.
“Absolutely, I am starving!” Yeosang says coming in behind him
San and Luna pull away from one another, San letting go of her waist. Before making her way over to Yeosang she softly kisses Sans cheek. It seems kisses were on the cards for everyone at this point as Yeosang is next in line. Jongho can only watch on as he goes to sit on the floor, wanting to hug her too but feeling too awkward.
“It is so nice to have everyone back home again!” Seonghwa says sitting beside Jongho, his legs stretched out under the coffee table and his back resting against the sofa
“Oh I am so looking forward to this tonight!” Luna smiles as she sits on the floor beside Wooyoung. He instantly pulls her onto his lap, wrapping her blanket over them both and puts his arm around her. His nose nuzzles into her neck, kissing the skin making her smile more.
“Before we get fully settled into our night, I have some good news for you all.” Hongjoong says as he comes into the lounge
His announcement commands attention. The room falls silent as everyone turns to face him, curiosity piqued.
"Once we return from LA, we'll begin working on our new Japanese song and album," he reveals, "Luna will be joining us for the translations and pronunciation!"
The room erupts into loud excitement as Luna can only blush and hide her face into Wooyoungs chest.
Mingi grins broadly. "I was hoping you'd be part of it!"
San adds his own praise. "We couldn't ask for a better translator or pronunciation guide for this album."
Luna peeks out at the others from Wooyoungs chest. “Thanks guys. I honestly shouldn’t be anywhere near a recording studio or associated with it in anyway as I sound like a dying cat and I am completely tone deaf! However, languages and translations are my speciality so I will work extra hard for you all.”
“Just be yourself, don’t stress yourself out over it. You are amazing at what you do and we have complete faith in your skills.” Seonghwa says
“I spent most of today doing the song translations from Korean and Japanese and over the next week I’ll be working with Hongjoong and Mingi on their lyrics for the new song.”
Mingi gasps dramatically. "So you already know which songs are on the album?"
She nods, amused by his reaction. "Based on your surprise, I'm guessing you didn't?"
Jongho interjects eagerly. "Which songs?"
"Cyberpunk and New World," she reveals, then frowns slightly. "You guys really didn't know? Was I not supposed to tell you yet?"
"Don't worry, Luna. I'm sure Eden planned to tell us tomorrow." Hongjoong laughs easing her concern she had revealed something she shouldn’t have “We will all just act surprised when he does!”
“I am slightly nervous as I’ve never translated something so important before but I am also excited to see the whole process. See you all recording too.” she says
“We are thrilled to have you working with us on our music. But even if you weren’t involved in a professional level, we would still have wanted you there for it.” Jongho says from the opposite side of the sofa. His gaze holds hers, a genuine smile on his face that makes her heart flutter.
“Absolutely!” Yunho agrees, “Now lets dig into the food before it gets cold!”
The guys begin to open the pizza boxes as Luna feels Wooyoungs arm around her tighten, his fingers playing with the fabric of her sweatshirt. “It is going to be awesome, jagiya.” he whispers kissing her softly
“Dear god Wooyoung, let Luna breath! You’ve had your lips attached to hers since she got home!” Mingi teases with a chuckle
Grinning mischievously, Wooyoung fires back, "Oh please, Mingi. You're just jealous that she wants my lips tonight and not yours!" Laughter fills the room.
“I had lots of Luna kisses while you were away!” Mingi replies with a smirk
“Oh my god!” Luna groans dramatically, rolling her eyes but unable to conceal the smile tugging at her lips.
“Guys maybe we should take it down a notch,” Yunho interjects gently, mindful of Luna's comfort. After she confided in him about her insecurities, he was extra cautious not to escalate any teasing that might make her feel uneasy. Concerned that the route the conversation was going down could lead to that situation, he wanted to slow it down now.
“It is cool.” Luna says smiling over at Yunho, letting him know she was fine with the current level of banter. “Woo just needs extra attention tonight, isn’t that right little baby!” she adds playfully looking at Wooyoung as he pouts back at her causing her to peck his lips as the others continue to laugh
As everyone begins to start taking the food and pouring drinks, Jongho's gaze remains fixated on Luna and Wooyoung, who seem to be lost in a little bubble of their own. He observes as Wooyoung leans in close and whispers something into Luna's ear, earning a sweet giggle from her before she gently hits his arm playfully and places a tender kiss on his cheek, and Jongho can't help but envy the easy intimacy between them.
His chest feels heavy, aching to embrace her closely like Wooyoung is, to share whispered conversations that light up her face with joy, and to feel the warmth of her lips on his cheeks
He felt the same way when he saw San kissing her, Yeosang too. It wasn’t jealousy he felt towards the others, far from it. Just a sense of longing that fills his heart as he yearns for a connection like theirs – to hold Luna close, whisper into her ear, and make her laugh effortlessly. The accidental closeness they shared last night, when Luna fell asleep on his shoulder, only amplified these desires.
Just as Jongho contemplates his own desires for Luna to reciprocate his feelings, their eyes meet. His head screams to look away, fearing that she might see the intensity in his gaze and feel uncomfortable by it. However he finds himself incapable of turning away, captivated by Luna's radiant smile and the adorable scrunch of her nose as she winks at him. In that moment of a shared moment between just the two of them, the heavy weight on his chest evaporates into a comforting warmth that spreads throughout his entire body. Unable to resist, he returns her smile, recognising the unspoken connection they are having.
“Luna, we went to that vegetarian place you told me about the other day so we could get you the tteokbokki you love.” Yeosang says handing the food container to her
“Ooooh!” Hongjoong exclaims, his eyes widening at the sight of it. Memories flood back of Luna bringing him some tteokbokki on the day she visited his studio for lunch, and how delicious it was.
“You want some?” Luna asks him with a grin on her face
“N-no!” he stammers, “That is your food. The guys got it for only you.” but Luna catches his longing glance at the food
Luna rolls her eyes playfully and picks up an empty bowl, she tips some into it and leans over Wooyoung passing it to Hongjoong who is sitting beside him.
“Just take it or I will get annoyed with you!” she says with a hint of teasing in her voice as Hongjoong shakes his head at the offering
“Thank you Luna.” he smiles appreciatively at the sharing of her food
“What exactly does vegetarian tteokbokki taste like?” Wooyoung curiously asks
“According to my friend Nayeon, who hates anything vegetarian it is exactly like proper tteokbokki. Obviously I can’t confirm that since I’ve never had it with fish cakes or fish sauce.” Luna answers holding a rice cake up for him to eat
“Well I can confirm it does and it is amazing!” Hongjoong smiles passing it around the others to try
“Wah! It does!!” Wooyoung exclaims in surprise and enthusiasm after trying the dish.
The others all chime in, quickly polishing off the portion Luna has passed to Hongjoong.
"BBT sent us some clips of the choreo they’ve been working on for the tour," Yunho beams. "It looks really good!"
“I took a quick look at it earlier. It is definitely going to be challenging, but we will nail it with practice.” Mingi replies, nodding in agreement
"Cyberpunk is shaping up to be quite the spectacle from that sneak peek!" Yeosang grins. "I think it will leave a lasting impression!"
Luna’s ear prick up at this, wondering what he could mean by it. She chews slowly on the pizza in her mouth as she ponders it.
“Yeah, the surprise element in this choreography will for sure blow everyone away! I can’t wait to see the full routine tomorrow and get started on it.” Wooyoung exclaims eagerly
Luna couldn't contain her curiosity any longer and blurts out, "What kind of element?"
"Oh, you'll just have to wait and see, little one! I have a feeling you in particular will appreciate it!" Yunho teases with a sly grin, causing Mingi to chuckle and adding to Luna's intrigue.
"Make sure you swing by the practice room after lunchtime so you can witness it firsthand." Wooyoung joins in with the teasing pulling her closer
“Okay, I haven’t watched the clips yet but now I want to know what this is too!” Jongho interjects, his own curiosity setting in as the others laugh
The group continues to chat as they eat all the food until they were all full. Luna stayed on Wooyoungs lap the entire time, happy being close to him and not feeling awkward around the others either. Sharing her fears with Yunho, receiving reassurance from Yeosang the next day, the previous day's events, Seonghwa's supportive response and the heart-to-heart with her mom, Luna finally feels completely relaxed and unburdened. She knows that the day will come really soon where she needs to reveal her bipolar disorder to the rest of the guys but she is no longer scared for that moment now.
