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The dorm was quiet, the kind of quiet that only came when practice was finally over and the members scattered off to rest or do their own thing. A Disney movie flickered softly on the living room television, casting a gentle glow across the couch where Sunoo was curled beneath a blanket. He flipped through his book lazily, attention drifting between the page and the screen. The quiet, cozy atmosphere drew a sigh of relief from him after such a long, exhausting day.
He barely noticed the sound of the front door opening until it clicked shut. Looking up, he spotted Ni-Ki standing there looking defeated, his hoodie half-zipped, his shoulders slumped in defeat. His bag slid from his arm and hit the floor with a heavy thud.
âNi-Ki?â Sunoo asked softly, closing his book and turned all his attention to Ni-Ki, giving him a soft, inviting smile.
Ni-Ki didnât answer. His jaw tightened as he sank onto the edge of the couch, shoulders stiff. Finally, his voice came out, quiet and shaky. âI canât get it right, hyung. I practiced for hours⊠and itâs still not good enough.â frustration bubbling into sadness. âI donât want to let everyone down.â
Sunooâs heart clenched. Without another word, he opened his arms. âCome here, baby,â he said gently. Ni-Ki didnât even hesitate. He crawled into Sunooâs embrace, curling against his chest and clinging tightly. Sunoo wrapped him up, holding him close as he ran his hand softly through his hair, grounding him with the gesture
âShhh,â Sunoo whispered, rocking him lightly. âYouâre already amazing, Ni-Ki. Youâre such a good dancer. We all see how hard you work. You should hear how often the members talk about youâweâre so proud of you.â
Ni-Kiâs shoulders shook with a frustrated breath. âBut itâs not good enough.â
âIt is,â Sunoo said firmly. âEven when you think itâs not, youâre already doing better than you know. Youâre our maknae, our little treasure, and youâre loved more than you realize.â
Slowly, the tension in Ni-Kiâs body softened. His face pressed deeper into Sunooâs shirt, and his arms squeezed tighter as if he didnât want to let go, loving the sweet moment he shared with his hyung. Smiling, Sunoo tugged the blanket they both shared higher over Ni-Ki and his body. But as he did, his hand lightly brushed against the boyâs side.
Ni-Ki jolted with a tiny squeak.
Sunoo froze. Then his lips curved into a mischievous but soft smile. ââŠWait a second.â
âHyungâŠâ Ni-Ki groaned, already burying his face deeper into Sunooâs chest, hiding his blush.
âOhhh, donât tell me our little riki is ticklish?â Sunoo teased, brushing his fingers ever so lightly along Ni-Kiâs side again.
Ni-Ki twitched, letting out a muffled giggle.. âHyungânooo, not thatttâhehe!â
Sunooâs grin widened. âOh, was that a giggle? You canât hide them from me now.â
He let his fingertips flutter like feathers over Ni-Kiâs side, just enough to draw out soft, airy giggles.
âHeheheâstopppp, ahhâhyuuuung!â Ni-Ki squirmed, his giggles spilled out, muffled against Sunooâs shirt âStop? But you sound so cute,â Sunoo teased, fingers dancing in gentle circles âListen to youâalready giggling like the sweetest boy.â
Ni-Ki kicked his foot lightly against the couch, laughter spilling out despite his weak protests. âHyahahaha! It ticklesssâpleeeaseee, hyung, wahaha!â
âToo tired to fight back, hm?â Sunoo chuckled. âThatâs okay, Iâll just tickle you reeeally softly. Just tiny, gentle tickles to chase the stress away.â
âEhehehehe! Hyuuuungggg, stooop! I-I canâtâahhhhaha!â Ni-Ki laughed, his voice breaking into little squeaks as he clung tighter instead of pulling away.
âawwwwwww,â Sunoo cooed. âHear that? Small, quiet gigglesâthat is the sound of all your stress melting away. Doesnât that feel better?â
âMmmaybe!â Ni-Ki squealed, kicking again as helpless giggles poured out. âHyungggg, ahahaha, Iâm tiredddd!â
âI know, riki,â Sunoo said sweetly, slowing his fingers to a lazy tracing motion along his ribs. âThatâs why Iâm being soft. Just think of it as a little cheer-up tickling. Nothing rough, I promise.â
Ni-Kiâs giggles grew quieter, breathy and warm. He clung to Sunoo tighter, if that was even possible, and Sunoo adored every moment of itâjust holding his friend and little brother, reminding him that heâd never have to carry his burdens alone.
"Riki, look at me please," Sunoo said sweetly, taking Ni-Kiâs face in his hands. âYou deserve to laugh. You worked so hard today, you know that, right? You always work hard. And Iâm so, so proud of you, we all are. â
Ni-Kiâs eyes softened and he smiled sweetly as he looked up at Sunoo. The tightness in his chest eased just a little. âSometimes I forget⊠that Iâm doing well. That Iâm enough. But when itâs you guys saying it, I can finally believe it. Thank you, Sunoo⊠I really donât know what Iâd do without you.â
Sunoo smiled softly, giving him a gentle nudge that seemed to melt some of the tension away. His eyes softened, radiating that familiar warmth that always made everything feel lighter.
âHey, donât worry about it,â he murmured, a reassuring smile tugging at his lips. âIâve got you. Always.â
He lingered for a moment, then let his fingers tease lightly along Ni-Kiâs stomach, earning a small laugh.
âThereâs that smile,â Sunoo said gently. âBetter than any frown. Youâre such a talented dancer, such a good friend, and such a good little brother. We all love you so much.â
Ni-Ki squirmed under Sunooâs fingers, heat creeping up his cheeks as he tried to hide his smile again from Sunoo. âOh⊠hehe⊠you only like my smile because I canât stop smiling when you tickle me, hyung!â He glanced away, ears turning pink.
Sunoo laughed softly, pausing his fingers to watch Ni-Ki squirm. âYouâre adorable⊠and that smile? I could stare at it all day, and thereâs no way Iâm letting you hide it from us.â
Ni-Ki laughed. âYouâre so mean, hyungâŠâ
âMean?â Sunoo gasped in mock offense, wiggling his fingers a little rougher along Ni-Kiâs stomach. âIâm the nicest! Look at meâholding you, keeping you warm, making you laugh. Thatâs not mean at all.â
âYEHEHEHES IT ISSS!â Ni-Ki laughed loudly, kicking again as helpless laughter poured out.
Sunoo smirked, pretending to gasp in exaggerated horror. âHey!â he exclaimed. âStop kicking!â
âNOT A CHANCEâHEHEHE!!â Ni-Ki shouted, squirming fiercely. Laughter tore through him, unstoppable and bright, and Sunoo couldnât help but smile, happy to see his close friend finally smiling again
Ni-Ki squirmed, letting out a loud laugh as Sunooâs fingers tickled his stomach mercilessly. âSTOP! STOP!!â he protested loudly, trying and failing to wiggle away, but Sunoo was relentless.
âToo much?â Sunoo teased, shifting to his neck instead, tracing light little shapes across his skin. âBetter?â
Ni-Ki let out a breathy sleepy laugh, almost a sigh. âMmhmâŠâ
Sunoo kissed his hair, keeping his voice low and warm. âYou know, every time you doubt yourself, I wish you could see what we see. Youâre amazing Niki. Youâre our hardworking, funny, sweet maknae, and nothing you do could make us love you less.â His fingers trailed gently up and down Ni-Kiâs back, soft enough to keep the giggles flowing without overwhelming him.
Ni-Kiâs giggles softened again, settling into a tired, content sigh. He nuzzled into Sunooâs chest, voice muffled and sleepy. âThank you, hyungâŠ"
Sunoo whispered. âYou can rest now. Youâre safe and you are loved .â
Ni-Ki gave one last little hum, his breathing slowing until it evened out. Heâd fallen asleep smiling into Sunooâs shirt, still wrapped in his arms. Sunoo tucked the blanket snugly around him, making sure he was warm and comfortable for the night. âSweet dreams, riki ,â he murmured. âYou did so well todayânever forget that. You're perfect just the way you areâ