Hello! I'm Josie (short for Josephine but only my mum calls me that!), a 33 year old Ateez enthusiast. My bias line is Yunho and Seonghwa but I love ot8 too. I have ADHD and am autistic too so my thoughts and writing schedule can sometimes be a bit all over the place! hehe (I do apologise for that!) I write mainly for Ateez. I do try my best to write as quickly as I can but since I seem to like to write very long chapters it does take a while! However I am soooo thankful for everyone who patiently waits for each chapter to be published! 🩷
⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ [masterlist] ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆
✨ utopia - ot8 poly!teez
✨ i can see you - yunho
✨ dazzling light - yunho & seonghwa (this will be updated at some point as I have been very slowly writing it again!)
Quick writing update: I’d originally planned to get the next chapters of Utopia and I Can See You out much sooner, but I’ve been a bit unwell over the past month and adjusting to new medication, which made it hard to concentrate.
I’m feeling a lot better now and getting back into writing. Utopia is nearly finished since most of it was done beforehand, and I Can See You is about halfway there. Hoping to have the next part up next week!
I thank you all for your patience. I know I am a slow writer at times as I try to get it as perfect as I can and it frustrate even me! 🤭
I had a question of will we ever see luna dealing with her period in the fic?
Oh yes indeed we do! And pretty soon too! I already have a chapter planned around it. Well not the full chapter but a big part of it. It’s an idea I had very early on as I noticed we never really see the fem!oc dealing with it and everything that comes with it! It’s just never talked about it even discussed in passing or implied even. (If it is I’ve not seen it anyway) So I always knew I wanted to incorporate it into the story when the time was right in the storyline because it’s a very normal thing for a woman to deal with. There won’t be great details on it and I will put a warning too but the chapter will deal with it and how each of the guys react to it too.
Warnings: a lot of smut ahead (aka jongho time!!) Fingering, oral sex (both m & f receiving), handjob, unprotected sex (no condom but on birth control), guiding through first time handjob and m oral sex, swearing, after sex bruises, scratches and bite marks, and lots of emotions in this one too. (Feat. a smug wooyoung at the end)
Word Count: 11.2K
Summary: Luna and Jongho finally have their time together, which brings up some emotions and some heart to hearts.
{gif banners by @cafekitsune}
Jonghos bedroom is the smallest one in the whole dorm but he’s utilised the small space well. He has a small double bed, a corner desk with a gaming pc on it, a guitar is in another corner resting on a small stand and a chest of drawers. The room doesn’t feel crowded to Luna. It is her first time being in his bedroom and honestly had no idea what to even expect it to be like anyway but it feels exactly like him!
Luna feels his grip on her hips—firm but tender. Each movement is deliberate, unhurried, as though he's memorising every sensation between them. At this moment, the world outside has disappeared. The other members, the gossiping stylists, the managers with their strategic blindness, the carefully crafted personas, the glare of performance—all gone. Only this remains: the raw truth of skin against skin.
When Jongho's mouth traces a path from her cheek down to her jawline, then her neck, pausing where Hongjoong's borrowed shirt hangs loose, she feels exposed in the best way. He stops, drawing back to search her face with that intense focus so uniquely his, his expression asking everything his voice doesn't and she only nods back at him, biting her lower lip.
“You sure?” he whispers, lower than before. There’s a tremble in his hands; a trembling she’s never caught in his voice, not even when he sings.
She tugs him low, hands curling at his nape. “You think I would be lying here on your bed if I didn’t want this?” she whispers into his ear
Luna's teeth graze his earlobe, making Jongho's breath catch in his throat. The playful nip draws a hungry grin from him before he tugs Hongjoong's designer shirt over her head, leaving it tossed on the floor. She lies before him in just a black lace bra and skirt as he rocks back on his heels to take her in. His eyes soak in the new view of her, details of her he never knew existed such as the tattoo of the moon and stars over her left rib cage, the appendix scar, a crescent-shaped birthmark below her right collarbone that seems cosmically aligned with the name she gave herself as a young child when she struggled to say her given name Younha. His palms spread flat against her skin, tracing all the marks of the others from bites to fingerprint bruises, even a faded bruise on her waist that looks like a palm print as his eyes meet hers, dark with unmistakable desire.
"You're staring." she says, breathless, feeling a flush spread across her chest under his gaze
Jongho's eyes flick up to meet hers, that smirk still playing on his lips. "I'm admiring."
"Admiring?" she echoes, arching an eyebrow "Is that what they call it these days?"
His laugh is soft, a low rumble she feels more than hears. "Would you prefer I use another word?" His thumb traces circles on her hip, almost absentmindedly. "Worshipping? Appreciating? Being absolutely fucking dumbstruck?"
"Such a poet." she teases, but her breath catches when his hand slides up her rib cage
"I've been spending too much time with Hongjoong-hyung." Jongho's eyes flicker to the discarded shirt. "Speaking of which..."
She follows his gaze. "What, jealous I'm wearing his clothes?"
"No," he says too quickly, then huffs when she grins. "Maybe a little. It's just…" His fingers play with the waistband of her skirt. "It's weird thinking about him while I'm trying to get you naked."
“Hey, you were the one who brought him up so stop thinking about him and just focus on me!” She grins, pulling him back down for a searing kiss that makes him groan "Though I'm pretty sure he'd be outraged at what you did to his precious shirt."
"He'd kill me." Jongho agrees, but doesn't sound particularly concerned. His fingers find the clasp of her bra. "Worth it, though." He has a wicked smile on his face as the straps fall down her shoulders. “Just so you know, now that we’ve seen you wear one persons clothes all of us will be fighting to have you wear our clothes.”
“Oh really?” she replies “Well I did love wearing your clothes in LA so I say bring it on!”
“Right now I don’t want you wearing anything.” he simply says
“Then what are you waiting for?” she quirks her eyebrows pulling her bra away from her body and throwing it across the room
"Do you know how long I’ve wanted to do this?" he asks, and the rasp in his voice makes her skin tingle. Before she could answer, he ducks down and nips at her the birthmark on her collarbone, kisses the dip of her throat, then works his way lower, until his mouth closes around her nipple and she almost bucks off the mattress.
“Fuck, Jongho…” she gasps in English, her nails digging crescents into his bare shoulders
He grins around her, then switches sides. "You’re so sensitive." he says, and the smugness in his tone almost does her in. "Is this too much?" His hand traces down her stomach, thumb flicking gently over the gem of her belly button piercing.
She shakes her head, words stuck behind the pounding in her chest.
"Use your words, noona." he murmurs "I need you to tell me if you want to stop."
She snorts, dizzy with need. "If you stop now I’ll kill you," she says, then tangles her fingers in his hair and pulls him back up. “And since when did you start calling me ‘noona’?”
“Because you are a noona to me.” he grins back at her
“By less than a year!” she gasps
“11 months to be exact but still older, noona.”
His mouth crashes onto hers, all heat and hunger, and she wraps both legs around his waist, feeling the hard line of his erection through his sweats. He grinds into her, not shy about showing her how much he wants her. One of his hands moves to her bare thigh and moves beneath the fabric of her skirt to her underwear. She feels him grin against her and pulls the material down swiftly, both of them adjusting their bodies so he could fully remove them without disconnecting their lips. She doesn’t even know where they go as he throws them over his shoulder and moves lower on her body. His mouth kissing her jaw, her neck, her chest, the space between her breast and down to her stomach.
“You’re so fucking pretty, sweetheart.” he whispers against her hip bone. She wants to tease him for the cliche, normally she would but the way he says it makes her believe she is the only beautiful woman on the planet in his eyes.
And to Jongho she is. He’s never felt this way about a woman, had feelings this fast or this intense. Compared to his previous experiences, she has been like a breath of fresh air for him. As he places soft kisses across her stomach, her fingers gently threading through his hair he begins to feel guilt—for the way he treated her after their date in LA. For pulling back from her, walking away, looking away, making her feel anything but cherished by him.
Luna can sense his change in his mind set and he moves one of her hands to cradle his cheek and tilt it to look at her. “Hey,” she says softly “It’s you and me, okay?”
His eyes search hers, filled with a mix of longing and regret. "I'm sorry, Luna." he breathes out, his voice laced with sincerity. "I messed up before… after LA, but I want to make it right. I want to show you how much you mean to me."
“You already are!” she smiles at him “Actions speak louder than words to me. And I know words aren’t easy for you, but since we began talking again after the practice room, you’ve spoken very loudly with your actions towards me, even holding my hand speaks loud. So don’t overthink this. Tonight is only you and I. The past is the past and no one else but us two exists.”
The moment hangs between them until a thunderous "ACHOO!" blasts through the floor from Mingis bedroom below them. Their eyes meet, and they dissolve into laughter, the tension breaking like a wave.
“Well inside these four walls anyway.” she adds
Jongho chuckles, the sound deep and rich as he rests his forehead against Luna's, their breaths mingling. "Looks like Mingi wants to make sure we're not having too much fun up here." he murmurs, a playful glint in his eyes
“That isn’t happening.” she kisses his cheek
He nods, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips before moving back slightly. "I want to make every moment count with you." he says sincerely, his gaze unwavering. "I don't want to waste any more time."
Luna smiles softly, feeling her heart swell with warmth. "I feel the same way." she admits, her voice filled with honesty. "Let's make tonight unforgettable."
Jongho’s lips find hers again but this time it is heartfelt and consuming, there is no doubt about his feelings towards her. When he finally breaks away, his eyes are dark with want, and she watches as he trails wet kisses down her body again. His mouth is everywhere as she arches into him, her fingers threading into his hair once more. He pauses at the scar from her appendix surgery and presses softer kisses over it then moves lower still.
Her breath hitches as his hand finds the side zipper of her skirt and he opens it slowly before sliding the material off her body and tossing it to the side with the rest of her discarded clothes scattered around the room. She’s now completely bare to him, vulnerable in a way that should terrify her but doesn’t. Not with him. Not with any of them. Especially when he looks at her the same way the others all have done in these moments, like shes the most precious thing he’s ever seen.
A flicker of doubt passes through Jongho’s mind. The memories of his previous experience, of her—the one who broke him, left him shattered—threatens to ruin this perfect moment. Her words and actions had left a long lasting impact on not only his self esteem and confidence in general but also his abilities in bed. He wants this to be good for Luna. He wants to be good for her.
He feels her fingers in his hair change from lightly gripping the strands to delicately massaging his scalp. He takes a breath and focuses on Luna's face, her eyes soft with desire and trust. Somehow, without grand gestures or promises, she had collected the fragments of his broken trust and reassembled them so carefully he hadn't noticed himself healing. And because of her, he feels whole again.
"No overthinking." Luna whispers, seeing the shadow pass over his face. "Just be here with me."
Jongho nods, pressing a kiss to the inside of her thigh. "You're right. I'm here." His eyes meet hers as his hands slide under her thighs. "And I'm about to make it very difficult for you to form coherent thoughts."
Luna laughs, the sound turning into a moan as his mouth finds her centre. Her back arches off the bed as one hand grips the sheets below her, the other tights in his hair again.
"Fuck!” she groans loudly, trying to keep her voice down, mindful of the other members somewhere in the dorm
Jongho looks up at her without stopping, his eyes dark with desire but also a hint of mischief. "You're going to have to be quieter than that." he murmurs against her. "Unless you want the others to know exactly what we're doing up here."
As if on cue, they hear Sans voice from downstairs, calling out to someone about his missing phone charger. Yunho replies where he last saw it and Seonghwa shouts something back that neither of them catch because another moan escapes her mouth.
Luna bites her lip, struggling to hold back another moan as Jongho's tongue works magic. "That's…" she gasps, "…easier said than done when you are this good... oh my god!"
His hands tighten on her thighs as he pulls back slightly. "I believe in you." he says with mock solemnity before diving back in with renewed focus
Luna tries to muffle her sounds against her arm, but Jongho is relentless, adding a finger alongside his tongue that makes her hips buck involuntarily. When he adds a second finger, curling them just right, and finding her spot instantly. She can't help the squeak that escapes.
"You're doing terribly at being quiet." he murmurs against her inner thigh, his breath hot against her sensitive skin
She bites down on her fist, trying to stifle the sounds he's drawing from her. "I'm trying…" she whispers desperately. "But you're making it… fuck, impossible."
Jongho looks up at her with dark eyes, his mouth glistening. "I like knowing I can make you fall apart." he says, his voice deeper than she's ever heard it. His fingers continue their rhythm as he watches her struggle to stay quiet. "I like that I'm the only one who gets to see you like this right now."
Luna's head falls back against the pillow as his thumb circles her clit, her hips rising to meet his touch. "Jongho…" she breathes, the word half-prayer, half-plea. "You're so fucking good at this."
His confidence visibly grows at her praise, his movements becoming more assured, more deliberate. He curls his fingers again, finding that spot that again makes her thighs tremble and focuses on it seeing how it is making her fall apart.
"Don't stop." she gasps in English, feeling herself getting closer as his mouth returns to her clit. "Oh god please, Jongho, don't stop."
He hums against her, the vibration sending shock waves through her body. His free hand slides up to palm her breast, thumb brushing over her nipple in time with the strokes of his tongue.
"You taste so fucking good, noona." he says against her, the words sending another wave of heat through her. "Could do this all night."
Luna's back arches as she feels herself approaching the edge. "Jjongie…" she moans, quieter now but no less intense. "I'm so close."
His eyes meet hers as he redoubles his efforts, and the intensity in his gaze is what finally pushes her over. Her thighs clamp around his head as pleasure crashes through her, her body shuddering with the force of it, hand clamped over her mouth to muffle the obscene sounds coming from it. He works her through it gently, easing her down until she's boneless against the sheets.
When he finally pulls away, there's an unmistakable look of pride in his face, a confidence she's never seen in him outside of performances. He crawls up her body, curling into her side and burying his head in the crook of her neck, kissing it softly before nuzzling into her. He can feel her heart racing through her chest as her breathing slowly begins to even out. He smiles as her fingers delicately run through his hair.
“W-was that okay?” he finally asks
Luna lets out a breathless laugh, her hand still carding through his hair. "Was that okay?" she echoes, incredulous. "Jongho, I think I nearly passed out!"
He lifts his head to meet her gaze, a small, vulnerable smile playing at his lips. "Really?"
"Really!" she affirms, tracing her thumb along his lower lip. "Where did you learn to do that?"
His eyes darken slightly as he shifts closer, pressing a soft kiss to her palm. "I was just paying attention." he says simply, voice low and intimate. "To what makes you feel good and doing it again."
Luna pulls him up for a gentle kiss, tasting herself on his lips. It's tender, unhurried, as if they have all the time in the world. When they break apart, she rests her forehead against his, their breaths mingling.
"I really like that about you." she whispers. "How attentive you are."
Jongho's hand traces lazy patterns on her bare hip. "Only with the things that matter." he murmurs, pressing another kiss to her jaw. "With people that matter."
A comfortable silence settles between them as Jongho shifts to lie beside her, pulling her close against his chest. She can feel his heart beating steadily beneath her palm.
"You're still overly dressed compared to me." she observes quietly, fingers playing with the waistband of his grey sweats
"Hmm." he hums, kissing the top of her head. "I was a bit preoccupied."
Luna smiles against his chest. "Can I...?" she asks playfully tugging at the drawstring.
“I want you too but you’ve had a long day at work, longer than we did.” he replies
“I had an easy day just sitting on my ass for most of it, not dancing around for hours and filming things like you have.” she answers “If you think that means I want to go to sleep and not carry on you are very mistaken Mr Choi!” she lightly bites his chest causing him to moan quietly “Now let me return the favour.”
She goes to move but he pulls her on top of him, making her laugh loudly before capturing her lips again, this kiss is deeper, more urgent than before. When they part, his eyes are dark with need, but there’s something else in them too. Something tender and unguarded.
“Luna…” he breathes against her lips, her name sounding so soft and cherished “I want you to have all of me. I don’t want to hold back anymore but only if you are sure you aren’t tired because we can easily pick this up another night.”
She smiles, heart full and aching in the best possible way. “That is not happening. Tonight is our night, and we will have many more like it too. I’m right here, not going anywhere.” she whispers back “Will you let me make you feel good now too?”
He can only nod, giving her permission to pull at his sweats. He lifts his hips to help her pull them down and then he kicks them off. "You really don’t have to…"
Her hair falls in his face as she kisses him again to stop him from talking. "Sshh." she mumbles "You want this and so do I."
Luna moves down his body, kissing his neck, his collarbone, the little constellation of moles on his chest she didn’t even know he had, down his stomach until she reaches his boxers. She can see how hard he is but also how big he looks underneath the tight black fabric. She mouths at him through his boxers, grinning when he gasps. When she frees him from the last layer she mumbles ‘fuck’ under her breath at the sheer size of him. He is thick, thicker than anything before, and he has a perfect curve to it. She takes him in her hand gently as he lets out a sharp moan and takes his head into her mouth.
“Wait!” he says urgently, so urgently it causes her to pull back instantly and let go of him completely
“What is it?” she asks
“I.. haven’t… no one has ever… touched me like that.” he says his face flushed a deep shade of red.
Luna freezes, pulling back further to stare at him with wide eyes. "Wait, seriously? No one ever…?"
Jongho covers his face with both hands, clearly embarrassed. “I have had sex but no one… ever did that or even touched me like that with their hands. Or used their mouth on me.”
Luna can only look at him, her heart clenching. She knew his ex was a cold heartless bitch, from everything Mingi had told her and what Seonghwa revealed today, Luna knew that for certain but knowing that she never gave him this. That not one person has given him this type of pleasure... it made me feel angry.
She quickly moves back up his body and gently removes his hands from his face. “Hey, it is okay.” she says softly, “I don’t need to do that if it makes you uncomfortable. We can do something else.”
“No…” Jongho’s voice cracks, raw with want. “I… I want it. I just didn’t want you to think I’m… bad at this.”
Luna’s heart folds in on itself; she hears the ghost of Seonghwa’s earlier words: ‘She chipped away at him until he apologised for breathing’. She wants nothing more than to gather him into her arms and tell him he did nothing wrong. She was the problem, never him. That she didn’t deserve him and she deserves a place in hell for making him feel this way. But that would mean having to admit Mingi told her and she doesn’t want to put that on him tonight. Instead she smooths the hair from his forehead, kisses the spot she’s bared. “Then let me be your first for this.” she whispers. “I’ll go really slow and you stop me if you don’t like it. We can use the colour system if you like?”
“Red means stop and green means keep going?” he asks looking at her with those big eyes of him she adores
“Perfect.” she smiles, “Lie back, baby bear.”
The pet name slips out without her even realising it but Jongho's eyes flare, half thrilled, half shy. He settles back against the pillow as Luna kisses down his chest. There is no rush, just slow and steady worship. As she reaches his stomach, her hand resting on thigh, she looks up at him to check in silently.
" Green." he whispers. Luna continues her trail of kisses across his stomach, circling his navel, then moving to his hip bone as her hand drifts towards him. She cups him gently at first—no pressure, just the warmth of her palm against him, allowing him to adjust to her touch. His hips rise slightly; a quiet moan escapes his lips.
“Still okay?” she checks
"Y-yes." he manages between breaths. "Green."
Luna begins with slow, experimental strokes from base to tip—feather light at first then gradually firmer as the tension in his body melts away. With each caress she watches every small response, noting what pressure makes his breath catch, what rhythm makes his fingers curl tighter in his sheets. When her thumb glides over his sensitive leaking tip, he makes a sound so vulnerable it sends warmth blooming through her chest. She memorises every reaction like vocabulary when shes learning a new language.
"Just... don't laugh if this ends quickly." he whispers
"I wouldn't dream of it." she assures him softly. "Still green?" She presses her lips to his inner thigh.
"Absolutely green." he groans as her thumb circles the slick tip, spreading the evidence of his arousal.
She can’t help but smile as his eyes roll back in his head. Gently, she guides one of his hands from where it clutches the sheets to rest against her hair—an invitation. When she takes him into her mouth, his entire body tenses in surprise at the warm sensation. “Fuck… sorry… I’m sorry.” he mumbles
“No apologies!” She softly says “Colour?”
“G-green. A very strong green!”
She lets out a small giggle then puts her mouth back on him again, taking in a little more of him. He is thick and curved perfectly so she relaxes her jaw and throat as best she can, slowly bobbing her head and stroking his base. Her free hand moves to hold his other one, their fingers intertwining.
Jongho's hand tightens in her hair, not pushing or pulling, just anchoring himself as if he might float away. His breath comes in ragged gasps that make her heart swell with tenderness.
"Luna." he manages, voice strangled "This is... I don't think I can last long."
She hums around him in acknowledgement, the vibration making him let out a choked sound. His fingers tighten in hers, squeezing in a rhythm that matches his quickening breaths.
When she pulls back to take a breath, she looks up at him. His head is thrown back, throat exposed, eyes squeezed shut. "You're doing so well," she whispers, pressing a kiss to his hip. "You don't have to hold back."
"I just…" he cuts himself off with a groan as she takes him in her mouth again. "God, that feels incredible."
His thighs are trembling, and she can tell he's trying so hard to keep himself together. She pulls back again, maintaining her steady rhythm with her hand.
"Look at me." she says softly, and when he does, his eyes are glossy with unshed tears of pleasure. "I want you to feel everything. Don't worry about anything else."
He nods, biting his lip. "I'm close." he warns, voice breaking.
"I'm right here." she reassures him, squeezing his hand. "I've got you. Do you want to come in my mouth?"
“C-can I try?” he asks
“Of course. If you don’t like finishing in my mouth then next time you don’t have to.” she smiles at him, his cock twitching at her words ‘next time’.
When she takes him in her mouth again, he lets out a soft, vulnerable sound that makes her chest ache with tenderness. His hips stutter slightly, and she feels his entire body tense.
"Luna, I'm…" he gasps as she look up to meet his eyes while he comes undone completely
Careful not to overstimulate him, she stops her motion with her mouth but doesn’t pull back as her hand slows down her movements, just gently coaxing him through his release. When he finishes, she slides up beside him and kisses his jaw, the taste of him still on her tongue. He looks adorable, and absolutely out of it. His heart thunders beneath her ear, gradually slowing as his breathing evens out.
"Was that okay?" she asks after a moment, echoing his earlier question with a gentle smile
He lets out a breathless laugh, pressing his lips to her forehead. "That was..." he trails off, seemingly at a loss for words. "I don't even know how to describe it."
"Good, then?" she teases gently, tracing patterns on his chest.
Jongho, cheeks a deep shade of red, grins at her. “You’re insane.” He blinks. “In the best possible way.”
She nuzzles into him, resting her head on his panting chest. “Congratulations for popping your blowjob cherry!”
Jongho doesn't answer right away. Instead, he lets out a laugh and wraps an arm around her shoulders, drawing her closer against his chest pulling a blanket over the two of them. When he finally speaks, his voice is quiet, almost reverent.
"It was... incredible." he smiles "I didn't know it could feel like that."
She tilts her face up to look at him, finding his eyes soft and unguarded in a way she rarely sees. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." he confirms, brushing some hair from her forehead. "Thank you for... being patient. For making it good."
Luna traces idle patterns on his chest, feeling the rise and fall of his breathing. "You deserve good things, Jjong."
He catches her hand in his, bringing it to his lips. "It means something that it was you," he says against her knuckles "That you were the first person to..." he trails off, a flush creeping up his neck.
"To suck your soul out through your dick?" she offers cheekily
That breaks the tension, he laughs, the sound rumbling through his chest and into hers. "I was going to say 'to care enough', but your version works too."
She nestles closer, feeling strangely protective. "I do care. A lot."
Jongho's adam's apple bobs as he swallows. The comfortable silence stretches between them until he breaks it. " Luna? Can I ask you something?"
She rests her chin on his chest, eyes wide and attentive. "Anything."
His gaze fixes on the ceiling, voice faltering. "If things were... different. If it wasn't all eight of us together... if it was just…"
Luna studies his profile, the unusual tremor in his voice catching her off guard. She's seen him shy, seen him flustered, but never quite this vulnerable. Her fingertips find his cheek, warm against his skin in an attempt to anchor him.
"Forget it." he murmurs, draping his forearm across his eyes "It's stupid."
"Hey," she says, voice gentle but firm "Whatever's on your mind, I want to hear it. Really."
Jongho inhales deeply, chest rising beneath her. "I'm happy with our arrangement. With everyone. I mean that."
Luna nods, waiting.
"But sometimes I wonder..." His eyes finally meet hers. "If it was just me... would you still choose this? Choose me?"
The blanket slips from Luna's shoulders as she sits up, not bothering to catch it. She grasps his arms, pulling him upright until they're face to face, her palms cradling his cheeks.
Luna meets his eyes, her voice firm but tender. " Jjong, listen to me. If it was just you and me in this world, I'd still be right here." She enunciates each word with deliberate care, watching his face for understanding.
His expression remains doubtful, eyes searching hers for reassurance he can't quite accept.
"Tell me." she whispers, shifting closer until their bare knees touch. "Why do you need to hear that so badly?"
Jongho's mouth twitches, almost forming a deflective smile before falling away. His gaze darts around the room before returning to her. "I just wonder sometimes…" he admits, voice barely audible, "if I'm enough on my own. Or if I'm just... convenient because I'm part of the group, part of a package deal. If you met just me, alone, you wouldn’t want me."
The pieces click together in Luna’s mind—everything Mingi and Seonghwa had confided about his ex. How she made him feel, like he wasn’t good enough. And then finding out tonight that she never even bothered to pleasure him. It seemed like she only wanted sex from him, for her own selfish needs, never touching him, only taking, and receiving expensive gifts. She sees it now: he thinks he's replaceable, disposable. The realisation aches in her chest like a fresh bruise. She wants to shake sense into him, make him see he is more than worthy, to kiss away years of pain and doubt that person caused him.
Without a word, she shifts forward, straddling his lap and letting the blanket fall away. His hands instinctively steady her hips as she settles against him, skin to skin.
“Look at me.” she takes his jawline in both hands, forcing his attention on her. “I want you, Jongho.” shes leans in, pressing her forehead to his. “Not as part of a set, or a way to be with the others.” she kisses one cheek “I want to kiss you every day…” she kisses his other cheek “I want to hug you every day…” she moves her lips to his forehead “I want to touch you everyday but tonight…” she lets her hand move between their bodies, curling around his now hardened cock. “I want you. And I want you to remember this every time you doubt yourself.”
Luna lifts her hips and guides him until the head of his cock is pressed against her. She is already soaking wet and ready for him, well maybe not fully ready but she can’t wait any longer for him to be inside her. She braces her hands on his shoulders as his own hold her steady, his eye contact intense. She lowers herself slowly and a sharp whine escapes her mouth. The stretch steals her breath, he is so thick it hurts slightly but the pleasure makes it worth it.
“Jesus, Jjong!” she gasps in English, half a laugh but also not at all. “You’re… fuck, you’re huge.” Her thighs tremble where they bracket his hips as a smile comes to her face and her nails dig into his bare shoulder.
“You okay?” he asks, voice barely above a whisper. “Is it too much?” The panic in his eyes nearly kills her; she could feel how desperate he was not to hurt her.
“I’m not made of glass Jongho. I’m not some delicate little flower. I can take it.” she replies before kissing him, “You feel incredible already and you are barely even halfway inside me. I’m really not going to last long when we start.”
“I don’t think I will either.” he chuckles lightly resting his forehead against her, groaning as she lowers more
Luna winces slightly as she adjusts, her breath catching. "Okay, maybe I was a little overconfident here." she admits with a small laugh, pushing her forehead against his more. "Give me a second."
Jongho's hands move to her waist, steadying her with a gentleness that contradicts his strength. "We don't have to rush." he murmurs, pressing soft kisses along her jawline. "We have all night."
“Very bold of you to assume I have that kind of patience right now!” she retorts, shifting slightly and gasping sharply at the sensation
Jongho's hands slide soothingly up and down her sides, his touch respectful. "We can stop." he murmurs, though the strain in his voice betrays how difficult that would be for him. "Or try something else."
"Don't you dare!" she warns, pressing her forehead harder against his. "I just need to…" She shifts again, sinking down another inch, her breath catching. "Fuck, okay, that's... that's good. That's really good."
His thumbs trace circles on her hipbones. "You're incredible." he whispers, eyes dark with a mixture of concern and desire. "Just breathe with me."
The tenderness in his gaze nearly undoes her. She leans in, capturing his lips in a kiss that's more gentle than passionate, a confirmation of something beyond the physical connection they're sharing.
When she pulls back, she rocks her hips again, taking him deeper still. "I think I'm…" she gasps as she finally settles fully in his lap, completely filled by him. "Oh my god, we did it. Achievement unlocked."
His laugh rumbles through both their bodies, the vibration sending a new wave of sensation through her. "You're ridiculous." he says fondly, pressing his lips to her collarbone.
"You really should come with a warning sign you know.” she teases, experimentally rolling her hips and making them both gasp.
"Not my fault you're tiny." he murmurs against her skin
Luna pulls back, eyebrows raised in mock offence. "Excuse me? I'm perfectly average-sized, thank you very much. You're the one who's... huge!"
His hands return to her hips, guiding her into a slow rhythm. "Are you complaining?"
"Not even a little bit." she admits, her breath catching as he hits a spot inside her that makes her vision blur at the edges. "Though I might tomorrow when I can't walk straight."
"Worth it?" he asks, and there's that vulnerability again, peeking through his newfound confidence.
Luna leans in, her lips brushing his ear. "So fucking worth it." she whispers “Just don’t let go of me.”
“I got you, sweetheart. I won’t let go.” The sincerity in his voice and his face damn near makes her melt into him.
She rocks her hips, tentative at first and his breath stutters out so violently it spikes her confidence. His hips meet her, slow and steady, like if he let himself go any faster he’d break her. Every drag and bump lights her up inside. She buries a hand into his hair and yanks his mouth to hers. It's messy and noisy but neither of them care.
“You can… oh fuck, you can go harder now.” she whines against his lips “I won’t break, I promise.”
She lets him take over, she trusts him completely. He rolls his hips up and into her, and she cries out, the sound so raw and full of pleasure. God, he was so good. They move together, ramping up until she is bouncing on his lap, sweat beading between her shoulder blades. He holds her so close she can barely breathe. At some point her head falls back, and he curves his mouth along her throat, kissing and sucking at her racing pulse.
His rhythm falters as control slips away. "Luna." he breathes against her skin, voice breaking, "I need you..."
"Take what you need." she whispers, eyes locked with his. "I'm completely yours."
In one fluid motion, he grips her thighs and lifts her, maintaining their connection as he repositions them both. She finds herself beneath him, head at the foot of his bed, looking up at his powerful frame. The new angle sends him impossibly deeper, striking a place inside that makes stars burst behind her eyelids.
A loud groan escapes her lips as pleasure spirals through her core. "Fuck," she breathes in English, "right there... don't stop!"
Jongho's hips snap forward with renewed purpose, the headboard knocking against the wall behind them with each thrust. Her legs wrap around his waist, urging him deeper as his pace becomes relentless. neither of them hear the volume increase of the tv in the bedroom beside them.
"God, you feel so fucking good!" he moans against her neck "So tight around me."
Luna's nails dig crescents into his back, her body arching as he hits that perfect spot again. "Don't stop!" she pleads, breathless and desperate. "Please, Jongho, don't fucking stop!"
He shifts his weight to one arm, using his free hand to grip her thigh, changing the angle slightly. The new position has her seeing stars again, a string of incoherent curses in both English and Korean falling from her lips… and maybe even Italian too Jongho thinks.
"That's it." he murmurs, watching her face contort with pleasure. "Let me see you fall apart."
Jongho reaches between them, his fingers finding her clit. “is this okay?”
"You're gonna make me come again." she gasps, her inner walls clenching around him.
His rhythm falters again for a moment, overwhelmed by the sensation of her tightening around him. “Fuck.” he grunts, fighting to maintain control “Luna, I can’t…”
"Don't hold back!" she urges, her voice breaking on a particularly deep thrust her eyes clamping shut "Come with me, Jongho. I need to feel you."
He growls, the noise half feral and he pistons his hips, nearly savage with the power of it. The bed frame shudders with his movements as she begins to drag her nails down his back. She hooks her ankles around his waist and feels herself being pressed into the mattress with every brutal yet beautiful thrust.
"Oh fuck!" she moans, voice breaking as he hits a spot that makes her vision blur. "There, right there…"
He adjusts his angle slightly, a smug half-smile playing at his lips when she muffles a particularly loud groan biting her lower lip. "Here?"
"Don't you dare stop." she pants, digging her nails into his shoulders again "I swear to god, Jjong…"
"Wasn't planning on it." His voice is wrecked but somehow still playful. He leans down, pressing his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling as her nails drag down his bare back. "You feel so fucking good, Luna."
She tries to respond, but her words dissolve into incoherent sounds when he snaps his hips just right. The pressure building low in her belly is almost unbearable.
“Please tell me you are close.” he groans. She can only nod as his rhythm falters for just a second. “Should I pull out?”
"I'm on birth control." she manages between gasps. "Just don't stop, please don't stop…"
His eyes darken, something possessive flashing across his face. "You sure?"
"Yes, fuck! I'm sure!" She reaches up to cup his face. "I want to feel you completely."
He groans, burying his face in her neck. "God, Luna, you can't just say shit like that."
Without warning, he hooks an arm under one of her knees, hitching it higher, and suddenly he's impossibly deeper than before.
"Look at me.” Jongho commands softly, and when her eyes flutter open to meet his, there's nothing but passion there. "I want to see you when you come."
The words alone nearly push her over the edge. “I’m so close now.”
"That's it, sweetheart." he encourages, his voice rough with his own impending release. "Come for me."
Her orgasm hits hard, harder than she’s ever felt before. Her back arches off the bed as pleasure crashes through her, wave after wave of sensation washing over her trembling body. His name falls from her lips like a prayer, breathless and reverent.
Watching her come undone beneath him and how tightly her walls grip onto him is too much for Jongho. With a final, deep thrust, he follows her over the edge, burying his face in her neck to muffle his groan as he empties himself inside her. She feels the warmth of him filling her, and it's so intimate it makes her dizzy. He collapses onto her, careful not to crush her but unable to fully control his body, the two of them tangled and sweaty and shaking in pure bliss. She can feel his heart racing against her chest as her fingers thread through his sweaty hair. He eventually pulls out of her with a hiss, then flops onto his side next to her. "Shit, I didn't use a condom."
“It is okay, I’m on birth control remember.” she turns to face him
“That was my first time having sex without a condom.” he says looking back at her too
“So tonight is a big night with firsts for you then!” she grins cheekily, rolling onto her side to face him
“I couldn’t imagine doing any of them with anyone other than you.” he smiles at her
A comfortable silence falls over them as they hold one another. The tv in the bedroom next door is loud, neither of them have noticed it yet as they are still in their little bubble. At some point Lunas muscles begin to ache and she stretches her legs, suddenly feeling a sharp pain in them.
“Ow!” she whines loudly
Jongho's expression immediately shifts to concern. "Are you okay? Did I hurt you?"
"In all the right ways." she assures him, pressing a lazy kiss to his chest. "I meant what I said earlier about not being able to walk straight tomorrow."
He tightens his arms around her, a mixture of concern yet pride crossing his features. “I’ll carry you all day, panda girl.”
She can’t help but smile at hearing the nickname he gave her back in LA after their date again.
“My hero!” she mumbles snuggling closer to his warmth “Although might raise some eyebrows at the company if you walk in with me in your arms like a clingy panda.”
“I don’t care what anyone thinks. I’ll take care of you.” he simply replies
They settle into another comfortable silence when Luna suddenly registers the volume of the tv next door. “Has that tv next door been that loud the whole time?”
“Yeosang is at a schedule tonight so it will be just Wooyoung and he has ears like a hawk.” Jongho groans, “So I am guessing yes.”
Luna buries her face in his chest, her shoulders shaking with silent laughter. "We weren't that loud!"
Jongho raises an eyebrow. "You literally screamed 'right there, don’t stop' in English. Twice."
"Well, you were very good at finding the right there." she mumbles against his skin.
He can't help the smug grin that spreads across his face. "I aim to please."
“Well you certainly achieved that!” she replies “If you could do anything in the world right now—anything, doesn’t matter how wild—what would you ask for?”
He turns his head, nuzzling into her temple. “I’d ask for you to stay the night here. Not because of anything dirty, just…” he trails off, almost bashful “I want to keep you as close as possible after all that.”
She lifts her head, kisses his jaw, then the tip of his nose. “Did you really think I was going to sleep somewhere else? It’s just you and me tonight.” her voice is soft as she leans in to kiss him “Future warnings though, every time we do this whether it is in my room or in here, or even on the sofa I will be like a clingy panda for the rest of the night, so you don’t get rid of me that easily!” she adds with a cheeky grin causing him to laugh
“My cute panda girlfriend!” he chuckles kissing her back “You are the only person on earth who I would let do that!”
“And it is an honour to be that person.” she smiles cuddling into his bare chest again as her hand rests on his abs
" Wait..." Jongho's eyebrows suddenly shoot up "The sofa? You've christened our common area already?"
Luna meets his gaze with wide, deliberately innocent eyes and gives a small shrug that reveals nothing. Her mind flashes to last Tuesday, the moonlight spilling through the window as she and Yunho return from their now weekly midnight ice cream ritual at Han River. The memory of strong hands gripping her hips from behind while she bit into a throw pillow to stay quiet remains her secret alone.
Jongho studies her face, then breaks into laughter. "You're a little minx!" he murmurs, pressing his lips to her forehead. She settles back against his chest with a contented sigh.
"Sing something for me?" she asks softly
“What do you want me to sing?” he ask, his fingers absentmindedly playing with her hair
“Whatever you want.” she answers “I just want to hear your beautiful voice.”
“Can I sing you a secret song?”
“Oh what secret song?” she asks perking her head up
“You can’t tell anyone, I mean you can tell the others as they know about it now but I mean no one else.” he says
“Pinky promise!” she replies holding up her pinky for him
“You and your pinky promises are adorable!” he smiles linking his with hers “I was recording a solo song today for an OST.”
He says it so offhand, so casual, it takes Lunas brain a few seconds to register his words. “A solo song? For an OST?” she plants both hands on his chest, which is still sweaty and warm, and sits upright. “This is, like amazing news!! Please tell me you aren’t messing with me!”
“No, it’s real.” he smiles widely, sitting up as well, pulling her onto his lap “They asked me last month but I had to keep it quiet until I recorded it. Only Hongjoong knew, I told the others tonight.”
“And exactly when were you planning on telling me, Mr Choi?” she grins at him moving her arms around his shoulders
“Well Miss Lee, I was planning to tell you when you got home but you distracted me a little bit!” he laughs “You were the first person I really wanted to tell when I found out but the CEO said it was only Hongjoong to know.”
The way Lunas face changes as she looks at him almost takes his breath away. He has never had any woman look at him the way she is. It’s as if he is her entire world, the only person to exist in this universe with her, with an affection in her slightly watery eyes that he is scared to move or even breathe and possibly disturb the moment. A tear slips down her cheek before she can stop it.
"Shit, sorry." She wipes at it quickly, embarrassed.
He catches her hand, holding it against his face. "Hey, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"
"Nothing's wrong." she says, shaking her head. "I'm just... really happy for you. You deserve this so much." Another tear escapes, and she laughs softly at herself. "God, I'm such a mess. I just… you work so hard, and your voice is incredible, and the world should hear it, you know?"
Jongho's thumb brushes away the wetness on her cheek. "You really think so?" There's something vulnerable in his voice, like he's not quite convinced.
"Are you kidding?" She cups his face between her palms. "Jjong, your voice breaks me open every time I hear it. The first time I ever heard you sing live in concert last year I was so glad we all had to wear face masks because my jaw was on the floor. When I got to hear you sing in person I literally had to leave the room because I started to cry."
He blinks, surprised. "You never told me that. I thought you left the rehearsal room that day for a meeting or something."
"Because I was embarrassed and didn’t want everyone to see me crying on my first day on the job." she admits with a small breathy laugh, resting her forehead against his. "But it's true. Your voice... it reaches places inside me I didn't even know existed." She takes a shaky breath. "And now everyone else will get to feel what I feel when I hear you."
Jongho has heard countless compliments about his voice over the years. From vocal coaches who marvelled at his range, company executives in sleek suits, fans who screamed when he hit high notes and industry veterans who nodded their approval to him. But Lunas words land differently. They bypass his ears and go directly to his chest where a heat blooms like when you take a sip of warm soup on a cold day. Her eyes still glistening lightly, hold no agenda—just raw admiration that makes his rib cage feel too small, like his heart is physically swelling in his chest. It’s a sweet ache, warm and unfamiliar. He has always known how lucky he is to have this woman in his life, in all of their lives but he suddenly feels it now and it makes him want to cry.
“What is the name of the song?” she asks
“Gravity. It is for a kdrama called Reborn Rich.”
“I can’t wait to hear it and I’ll be watching every episode too, waiting to hear your voice!” she smiles
Jongho's hands tighten on her waist, and there's a slight tremble in them. "Will you listen to it with me when it comes out? The OST?"
"Of course I will." She kisses him softly. "I'll probably cry again then too, so fair warning!"
"I'll bring tissues." he murmurs against her lips.
Luna pulls back just enough to meet his eyes. "Will you sing a little of it for me now? Just us?"
He hesitates, suddenly shy. "It's not perfect yet..."
"I don't need perfection." she says, running her fingers through his hair. "I just need you."
Jongho takes a deep breath, his chest expanding beneath her. When he begins to sing, his voice is barely above a whisper, as if the song is something sacred between them. The melody wraps around them like a blanket, his voice rising and falling with emotion that makes her heart ache.
By the time the last note fades into the quiet of the room, Luna can't hold back her tears. They slide silently down her cheeks as she stares at him in wonder.
"That was beautiful." she whispers, voice thick. "You're beautiful."
He pulls her closer, burying his face in the crook of her neck. "Only you," he says against her skin. "Only you get to hear it like this."
She holds him tight, feeling his heart beat against hers. "Thank you for trusting me with it."
Jongho delicately holds her as he lies them both down and pulls the covers over them. They stay like that, naked and vulnerable in every way, until Luna's tears dry and all that's left is the gentle rise and fall of their breathing together as they drift into sleep.
ִֶָ 𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆★⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ
It’s nearly 2am when Luna wakes up, a desperate need for the toilet hitting her. She looks over at Jongho, he is now lying on his front with an arm draped over her stomach, his face towards her but squished against his pillow causing his cheeks to look fuller than usual and his lips to pout. She smiles as she stares at him and delicately sits upright, moving his arm without disturbing him too much. It is now she sees the claw marks down his back from earlier.
“Ooops.” she whispers touching them gently
She carefully slips out of bed and grabs Hongjoongs shirt from the floor and manages to locate her underwear which had somehow landed on the lamp at his desk in the corner. She quickly puts them on and opens the bedroom door. Her bag is hanging on the door handle, clearly someone had picked it up from the floor where she dropped it in the hallway. If they somehow didn’t hear the noises they were making, then her bag being on the floor outside his room was a telltale sign where she was. She makes her way down to the second floor to the bathroom to use the toilet.
Afterwards she looks in the mirror as she washes her hands. There is a purple mark blooming on her collarbone, a reminder that their night together was very real.
She dries her hands with a towel before pressing fingertips to the bruise. It hurts, in a way that makes her smile. Luna grins despite herself. She’s never been the type to hide love bites from the others. Let them see, she thinks. Let them tease. At work it will be covered with accessories or concealer, they always are as each of them has given her their fair share of marks that she has perfected the art of hiding them but at home, in the safety of their apartment she doesn’t care. She is proud of them.
Spotting the pink glittery toothbrush that Yunho got her for this bathroom she grabs it and quickly brushes her teeth before taking what remained of her make up off with the packet of wipes that was sitting beside all their skincare products and using someones moisturiser, she doesn’t know who it belongs to but she likes how it feels on her skin.
Barefoot, she creeps down the hallway. The apartment is dark, save for the glow of a light from downstairs and the faint blue of San’s nightlight peeking from the cracked door. She moves slow, not wanting to startle anyone, clutching the hem of Hongjoong's shirt and pulling it down a bit more. It's oversized, sleeves swallowing her hands. It doesn’t smell like him anymore though, not after a day of wearing it. She almost makes it back to the top floor without being seen when Wooyoung suddenly appears in front of her giving her a fright.
“Why hello little Miss Luna!” he grins at her
She wants to die on the spot. His smirk says everything—he definitely heard them.
"Fancy meeting you here." Wooyoung continues, leaning against the wall with exaggerated casualness “So, how’s Jongho? Sleeping well after all that… exercise?”
"I swear to god, Woo…"
"What? I'm genuinely concerned about his well-being." He presses a hand to his chest in mock sincerity. "He was working very hard there. Very... vocal about it too."
Luna covers her face with her hands. "Please shut up."
"You know, I was lying in bed minding my own business, but someone kept shouting 'oh my god, Jjong' over and over…"
"I will actually murder you in your sleep." she hisses, but there's no real heat behind it. “How much did you hear?” she adds narrowing her eyes at him playfully
"Enough to know our Jjongie's quite the performer. And I don't mean his singing." he grins
She groans, leaning her forehead against the wall. "I hate you."
“No you don’t!” he says cheerfully “I am your birthday twin, you can never hate me!”
"Try me!" she challenges playfully, crossing her arms.
He studies her for a moment, then breaks into a softer smile. "For what it's worth, it's nice seeing him so happy lately.”
The sincerity catches her off guard. "Yeah?"
"Yeah. Though maybe next time invest in a gag for him or something. I heard way more of him than I ever thought I would!"
And just like that, the moment's gone. Luna rolls her eyes. "Goodnight, Wooyoung."
“Good night cutie!” He says kissing her cheek before moving towards the stairs “Sweet dreams!” he calls after her “Though I doubt you’ll be doing much sleeping!”
She flips him off over her shoulder without looking back, his laughter following him down the stairs as she slips back into Jongho’s room taking her bag off the door handle on the way in.
"Everything okay?" Jongho mumbles sleepily from the bed, lifting his head.
“Yeah, I just needed the toilet and to brush my teeth.” she says
Luna opens her bag and gets her phone out. She checks the notifications and see 3 from her mom to say they’d arrived back in Korea along with 2 photos of sisters fast asleep in their beds, and a text from her dad saying the same thing.
“What is making you smile so much?” he says as she gets under the covers with him
“My sisters.” she replies showing him the photos “They arrived back in Korea earlier tonight and clearly already conked out.”
“So cute!” he smiles as she places the phone on his bedside table and lies back down beside him
“I appear to have scratched your back up… sorry!” she says facing
“Really?” he grins “Take a photo! I want to see them!!”
Luna can’t help but laugh at his raw excitement as she grabs her phone again. She opens her camera app and gets his bare back in shot, she places her hand over the skin and takes a photo, smiling at it as she looks at the photo before showing him it.
Jongho squints at the photo, his lips curling into a proud grin. "Damn, you really went feral on me."
"I did not go feral!" Luna protests, but her cheeks flush as she zooms in on the photo "Okay, maybe a little feral."
"A little?" He turns his head to look at her over his shoulder. "It looks like I got into a fight with an angry cat and lost."
She swats at his arm. "You loved it and you know it."
"Never said I didn't." His voice drops lower as he takes the phone from her hand and placing it on his bedside table. "Might need you to do it again sometime."
"You've created a monster." He flips onto his side to face her properly, kissing her “I’ve never had sex claw marks before. Do I need to get used to them?”
“Oh absolutely!” she replies back with a grin of her own “You’ve gave me your own sex marks too.” she points to her collarbone
Jongho reaches out, gently tracing the purple mark with his fingertips. "Shit, I didn't even realise I was doing that. Does it hurt?"
"I'm not complaining." she says, shivering slightly at his touch. "I like having evidence."
"Evidence of what?" His voice is playful, but his eyes track her reaction carefully.
“Of you!” She gestures between them, then pokes his chest. "That you're real and not some weirdly specific fantasy I made up in my head."
He snorts. "Your fantasies involve me singing OSTs and giving you bite marks?"
"Don't forget the part where you actually lifted me up while still inside of me and put me on my back!" she says, wiggling her eyebrows. "That was definitely fantasy material."
"Oh god!" he groans, covering his face with one hand. "I can't believe I actually did that."
"No! It was incredibly hot being completely manhandled by you." She grins, then pauses. "Oh, by the way, I ran into Wooyoung in the hallway."
Jongho freezes. "How bad was it?"
"Let's just say he heard... everything!" Luna grimaces.
"Everything?" Jongho's voice cracks adorably
"Apparently you were working ‘very hard’ and vocal while I was shouting. I think it’s safe to say the others heard too."
"Kill me now!" Jongho mutters, dragging a pillow over his face “I can never show my face again.”
She pulls it away. "Noooo! You should be proud. It isn’t all men that can make a woman shout like that in bed." she grins
Jongho groans again, burying his face against her shoulder. "I'm going to have to leave the country. Change my name. Become a sheep farmer in New Zealand."
"A sheep farmer in New Zealand?" Luna pulls back to look at him, eyebrows raised "That's oddly specific."
"I saw a documentary once." he mumbles. "Seemed peaceful."
"Hmm, I can see it." she says, pretending to consider it seriously. "You in flannel, surrounded by fluffy animals. Though I think you'd miss singing."
"I could sing to the sheep."
"Oh my god!" she snorts, picturing it. "Imagine belting high notes across the hills while your little sheep audience just goes 'baaaa' in response."
He lifts his head, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. "Still better than Wooyoung's commentary tomorrow."
"Oh, he's absolutely going to be insufferable." she agrees. "I'd prepare for at least a week of suggestive eyebrow wiggling and badly disguised dick jokes."
"Fantastic." Jongho says flatly, then narrows his eyes. "Wait, how come you're so calm about this? Aren't you embarrassed?"
Luna shrugs, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I think my dignity left the building weeks ago. I fear I’ve been heard before. Besides," she adds, trailing a finger down his chest "I think I'm entitled to a little smugness tonight. Do you know how many people would kill to be where I am right now?"
"In a bed with scratchy sheets that desperately need washing now?"
She swats his arm. "No, you fool. With you."
The sincerity catches him off guard, and his teasing expression softens. "You're ridiculous."
"Maybe… but I'm your ridiculous." she says, then immediately grimaces. "God, that was cheesy even for me."
"Extremely." he agrees, but he's smiling as he pulls her closer. "But I like it. I like you."
"Even when I scratch your back to hell and make you the target of Wooyoung's jokes for the foreseeable future?"
“When am I not on the receiving end of Wooyoungs jokes?” he laughs “No one is immune to that… well maybe you.”
Luna giggles lightly before letting out a long and loud yawn. “Sorry!” she clamps a hand over her mouth
“Time for sleep, panda girl.”
He pulls her against him, her back to his chest, his arm wrapping securely around her waist. The warmth of his body envelops her, and she sighs contentedly, nestling deeper into his embrace.
"You're like a human furnace." she murmurs, already feeling sleep tugging at her consciousness. “I’m always so cold.”
“Perfect match.” he replies softly, pressing a kiss to the back of her neck
Luna threads her fingers through his where they rest against her stomach. "Hmm, I think we established that pretty thoroughly tonight."
Jongho chuckles, the sound vibrating through her. "I'm never going to live this down with the others, am I?"
"Not a chance." she whispers, squeezing his hand. "But it was worth it."
"More than worth it." he agrees, his voice growing heavy with sleep. "I'd face a thousand Wooyoungs for another night like this."
Luna smiles in the dim light. "Good thing you don't have to choose."
"Good thing." he echoes, his breathing starting to even out
She feels herself drifting, lulled by the steady rhythm of his heart against her back. Just before sleep claims her completely, she feels him press another gentle kiss to her hair.
“Sweet dreams, sweetheart.” he whispers
“You too, baby bear.” she manages, the words slurring slightly as she surrenders to exhaustion
The unexpected pet name has come out her mouth twice tonight and he isn’t going to lie, he loves it. As Luna’s breathing deepens and slows, Jongho lies awake, listening to her soft snores and it reminds him of the night she slept beside him in LA. He didn’t know at the time someone so small and cute looking could make such noises but it was also adorable to hear them. He tightens his arms around her waist, savouring the warmth of her against him. The memory of their evening together fresh in his mind—her laughter, her delicate touch, the way she was slow and careful with him being touched in that way the first time, the way she looked at him and words she whispered. It makes him smile with pure joy and happiness.
Then without warning, her face surfaces in his mind - Mi-sun. His stomach tightens. He’d sworn he wouldn’t do this, wouldn’t measure one against the other, yet he can’t help but notice the stark differences. Mi-suns touch was always cold compared to Lunas warmth. Mi-suns eyes never truly saw him while Luna's eyes always look like he has hung the moon as she looks at him.
Mi-sun was cold, dismissive, would not let him touch her after their encounters, not even a cuddle and if he ever tried to kiss her she’d swerve away from him. In hallways she would ignore him, look down her nose at him and his members while her own band members did the same to them all. When she did speak with him after performances there was always a criticism about it. The closest Luna has ever come to any form of criticism is when he mispronounced the word ‘knowledgeable’ and she simply and politely corrected it, sounding out the word slowly for him when she saw how he was struggling to say it, then clapped when he got it.
Mi-sun also never allowed him to stay the night with her. When they were finished having sex she told him to leave, sometimes even seconds afterwards. The way Luna clung to him, not wanting him to leave her, then cuddled into him was the opposite of what he was used to.
The comparisons feel unfair. Luna deserves better than to be measured against Mi-suns ghost, yet guilt gnaws away at him. He had pushed Luna away just as Mi-sun had done to him, creating the same cold distance he'd once resented. Leaning over now, he studies her sleeping face—lips slightly parted in a gentle pout, fingers still intertwined with his even in unconsciousness. She shifts in her sleep, as if sensing his gaze, nestling her back more firmly against his chest and drawing his hand to her lips, where she places a sleepy kiss against his knuckles.
Jongho watches Luna' s chest rise and fall with each breath, her eyelashes casting tiny shadows across her cheeks. Something inside him shifts, like a puzzle piece finally sliding into place. He'd spent so long building walls, expecting the worst, preparing for rejection. But Luna never tried to break them down; she simply existed beside him until he found himself opening the door by himself. He realises in this quiet moment that Luna is everything he had been searching for but never thought he deserved.
With a final whisper of “You’re all I need.” Jongho closes his eyes and allows himself to drift into a peaceful slumber, knowing he has found someone he would fight to the end of the earth to protect.
Warnings: Mentions of anxiety, bipolar disorder and medication, bullying and swearing.
Word count: 10.1k
Summary: Luna has been struggling a little and it doesn't help when she overhears a conversation that makes her begin to doubt everything until someone swoops in and reassures her. A staff meeting reveals Lunas job role is about to get bigger.
{banners by @cafekitsune}
Luna sits with her eyes closed, sitting cross-legged in the chair. Only the faintest sound from the hallway disturbs the stillness of her office. Her palms rest flat against her knees, steady despite everything inside her that isn't. Inhale through the nose: 1, 2, 3, 4. Hold: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Exhale through the mouth: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. She begins the cycle again.
Anxiety had been plaguing her all week. Despite how well the recording session with Hongjoong went and how he repeatedly praised her work on it, she didn’t feel as confident when it came to recording the other members parts. They all listened to her carefully, understood her and were hitting the pronunciations perfectly but it didn’t settle her nerves resulting in her needing to take her anxiety medication. Even when Hongjoong held her hand under the desk as the current member was in the recording booth. Thankfully the recording for the full album was now complete and she didn’t need to worry about it again… until the next Japanese release. If she is still working here, she keeps telling herself!
Though the recording wrapped up days ago, Luna's anxiety still clung to her like a shadow, pushing her to do the breathing techniques more and more. Just this morning, while the coffee maker gurgled and hissed, she stood in the empty kitchen counting her breaths, her hands gripping the edge of the counter when Yunho silently appeared at the doorway. Without hesitation, he stepped behind her, his warm palms finding her stomach, drawing her back against his chest. He matched her rhythm - in for 4, hold for 7, out for 8 - offering silent support. Neither spoke; they didn't need to. Only when the tightness in her chest dissolved, her tense shoulders dropped and the back of her head rested against his chest did he whisper ‘I’ve got you’ over and over again until the timer went off on the coffee maker and he got her anxiety medication for her.
In the quiet room right now though, more waves of anxiety had washed over her and she takes another breath in, counting when a loud laugh from the hallway causes her to choke on the hold and she starts coughing, her eyes flying open. Another annoying laugh is heard as she rolls her eyes - Chaeyoung.
“Did you see how sexy he looked in the new concept photos?!” she shrieks
“He definitely did!” Iseul replies
The pair of them have stopped directly outside her door and are making no attempt to stay quiet either. Luna looks around her office, the once calming atmosphere is now gone and her heart rate is back to racing again as she itches at her wrist.
“You did a good job with his styling too.” Chaeyoung says, “He really has no idea how fucking hot he is!”
‘Who are they even talking about?’ Luna sighs in her head as she picks up the amethyst crystal from her desk and rolls it around in her fingers. She got her answer seconds later.
“Hongjoong is easy to style though, he literally suits everything!” Iseul says
“He really does!” Chaeyoung says with a dreamy voice
Lunas face twists as she listens. Does Chaeyoung like Hongjoong now? Hyunsik had said she had a crush on Yunho and, much to Lunas disgust and maybe a smidgen of jealousy kissed him prompting Hongjoong to switch with him so Yunho didn’t need to work with her anymore.
"Jongho is a fucking nightmare though!" Iseul's voice carries clearly.
"Bitch," Luna whispers, clutching the amethyst crystal tighter.
"The same style over and over again!" Iseul continues.
"Tell me about it! The rare times I do his hair it is the same too. Same style. Same hair colour. Same boring tastes!" Chaeyoung's voice rises with dramatic flair. "At least my Joongie likes to experiment!"
My Joongie? Luna's teeth grind together at the nickname. The crystal digs into her palm as she bolts upright, sending her chair crashing into the wall. For one heated moment, she pictures herself throwing open the door and confronting them both. Then reality intervenes - her one-year contract. Any complaints about her "attitude" would mean no renewal, an expired visa. the prospect of being forced back to America. Everything she's built here—her career, her home, them—would disappear. No. She takes a deep breath. Two gossiping stylists with boundary issues weren't worth losing everything she cared about.
She pulls her chair back and flops into it again. The memory of her conversation with Hongjoong, her Joongie not Chaeyoungs, earlier that week echos in her mind, the overwhelming feeling she felt of wanting to stay here but also the way he looked at her when he said ‘I will hire the best lawyers I can to fight any issues. If you genuinely want to stay here then I’ll move heaven and earth to give that to you’. The words and his look have stuck in her head since he said them, and her desire to stay in Korea was stronger than before.
And how dare she say that about Jongho! So the man knows what he likes and what he doesn’t. God forbid someone have a preference, she rolls her eyes at the thought.
“Did you see how he looked at me this morning when I was doing his hair for that interview?” Chaeyoungs voice takes Luna out of her thoughts
“Girl, he was literally eyeing you up!” Iseul replies causing Luna to eye roll so hard
“I’m telling you, I felt sparks.” Chaeyoung gossips. “The sexual chemistry was off the charts!”
Luna mouths a silent ‘fuck you’ and gives a middle finger at the door, her breathing techniques completely abandoned now. Who the hell did Chaeyoung think she was? Luna had been in the room that morning as the interview was in English mainly so she was helping the guys with final prep for it but also there to do any off screen translating between them and the interviewer. Hongjoong was professional the whole time, he wasn’t eyeing Chaeyoung up and as for ‘sexual chemistry’ if you call his eyes glued to his phone and barely speaking to her as that then yes there was! Luna had never seen Hongjoong look at any stylist, manager or any member of staff with a look other than polite and respectful.
Luna grips the amethyst tighter. "Let her have her delusional fantasy." she whispers to herself, a small, satisfied smile forming despite her irritation. Reality belongs to her: when he presses his forehead against hers, calls her ‘my love’, kisses her like she’s the only person in the entire universe, the way he looks at her when they are having sex, he always has this look in his eyes of pure affection even when he is being rough with her, the way he kisses every tiny bruise on her body afterwards and brings her strawberries. These weren't fabricated moments during a hair styling session. These were real, raw, and entirely theirs, whether hidden in quiet corners or tangled in sheets.
“It’s obvious he wants to talk to me, but these stupid company rules won’t let him.” Chaeyoung keeps going
“Plus Luna is always around like a bad smell!” Iseul adds “Have you noticed how they look at her?”
Lunas heart jumps again. Did they pick up on the stolen glances and winks they would give her across rooms when no one was looking?
“Oh, they totally hate her!” Chaeyoung laughs
“What?” Luna murmurs under her breath
“Probably terrified she’ll give them work!” Iseul says. “I caught Wooyoung, Yeosang, and Mingi holed up in the fitting room doing her stupid English worksheets while I styled Seonghwa’s shirt.”
“I’ve noticed. When I was doing Hongjoongs hair in LA, he had a file open on his phone written in English and he was reading it over and over again.”
‘That was the speech he had written himself for Atiny at the fan sign.’ Luna thinks. She remembers how hard he worked to write completely by himself in English, only asking her to double check it was correct when he had finished it. Seonghwa had mentioned how proud he was of Hongjoong preparing that speech, spending hours tuning every word, recording it into his phone, then playing it on repeat until it sank so deep he could recite it on command without a prompt. Hongjoong wasn’t even nervous about the English, he was nervous about ‘sounding like a robot’ and losing the emotion behind the words he’d wrote by himself.
“They’re so miserable doing English with her, poor things.” Iseul says, voice tinged with sadness. “They all look like they want to cry whenever she calls them over.”
Chaeyoung snorts “I’d cry too if I had Lunas fake ass american accent in my ear all day. Her English isn’t even good!”
“To be fair, she’s very fluent!” Iseul says. The reply actually surprises Luna, a rare moment where she actually has complimented someone… and her of all people! Chaeyoung must have gave her one of her infamous death stares when someone says something that she doesn’t like, Luna couldn’t tell for certain without seeing their faces but the way Iseul quickly and urgently adds “But yeah, fake american accent is cringe!” said all Luna needed to hear as to what was going on on the other side of that door.
Luna's jaw clenches tighter as she hears their laughter echo through the door. Her hands tremble slightly, the amethyst digging into her palm again.
“I swear she’s from some tiny, unheard-of village down south.” Iseul continues, her tone dripping with belittlement. “She probably spent a week in America and decided she’s qualified to teach English!”
“I was fucking born in America!” Luna grumbles kicking out her feet under the desk, one foot whacking off the drawer at the side “Ow!”
“Yeah, right! Some stinky farming village like San’s. At least he’s learned to hide where he’s from. You wouldn’t be able to tell where he came from!” Chaeyoung laughs cruelly
Luna's teeth sink into her lower lip, trapping the shout building in her throat. These idiots know nothing about San. Just last night, he sat across from her on the living room floor as they had a midnight snack of ramyeon, eyes bright with nostalgia as he described a childhood summer in Namhae. His voice rose with excitement when he told her about exploring hidden coastal paths with friends, getting lost for hours and returning home tanned and slightly sunburnt and happy. Telling her how he cannot wait to take her one day and show her around. The same hometown he proudly mentions any chance he can in interviews, never once hiding where he comes from. ‘How can the two of them stand in the company hallway talking so openly and loudly this way?!’ she thinks
"Speaking of San, do you see how he practically runs away when she approaches?" Chaeyoung's voice drips with satisfaction. "He literally made an excuse about needing to call his mom yesterday when she came into the break room."
Luna's eyebrows shoot up. San had been rushing to actually call his mom because it was her birthday and he'd been stressing about the exact time to call her. He had shown Luna the gift he'd ordered online, wanting to speak to her the second it had arrived. They'd spent half the morning tracking the delivery, her taking over when he had to practice. When she’d went for a meeting San was on a break so could continue tracking it and when she’d returned San gave her a thumbs up to say it was just been delivered and ran out to call his mom in privacy. Later when they were alone he hugged her tightly and thanked her for helping him track it while he worked. She listened as these two repeatedly were only seeing what they wanted to see and creating their own narratives.
Anger flares through her as she hurls the amethyst onto her desk. It clatters over the surface and teeters at the edge but Luna doesn’t care if it falls. Beyond the door, the snickering goes on.
“Did you see Wooyoungs face the other day when she tried to explain that English idiom? He looked like he had fallen asleep with his eyes open!” Iseul laughs
Luna's head throbs with irritation, a dull pressure building behind her temples that threatens to bloom into a full migraine. They stand just outside, seemingly oblivious—or perhaps indifferent to the fact that the very subject of their mockery sits mere feet away, catching every poisoned word, every cruel laugh, every fabricated story designed to diminish her.
"And that outfit she’s wearing today?" Chaeyoung's voice seems to grow louder. "The oversized shirt with the skirt and those boots? She looks like she raided a reject bin."
"I know! And the shirt is clearly a fake designer too. I work with designer clothes everyday so I can spot one a mile off." Iseul cackles. "And she has the nerve to stand next to Hongjoong looking like that when he's out here serving looks so effortless every day."
Luna glances down at her outfit, her fingers anxiously pulling at the bottom of her black skirt. Hongjoong had actually picked her outfit today. The shirt was his - an actual designer shirt. She didn’t even want to wear it because of how expensive it was but he insisted it was perfect for her outfit. He meticulously styled every aspect of her this morning before they left for the company, his eyes dancing with excitement as she allowed him to go through her wardrobe. She remembers the way he commented on how she had amazing clothes and a unique style all her own when she apologised for how boring her outfits were. When she was fully dressed in the outfit and accessories he’d pick how he looked at her then kissed her with an intensity that took her breath away. The type of kiss that if they weren’t needing to leave for work would have resulted in him pushing her onto her bed.
Normally Luna would have laughed at Iseul's ridiculous fashion policing, the sheer audacity of declaring Hongjoong's authentic designer shirt a knockoff while boasting about her counterfeit-spotting superpowers. But Luna couldn't summon even a bitter chuckle now. Their words had transformed into physical sensations: her chest tightening as if someone was constricting it, a painful and burning lump in her throat, her fingertips tingling. She tries to focus on her breathing but her concentration is gone now.
“You just know he wondered if she got dressed in the dark this morning!” Chaeyoung scoffs
“Please, she looks like she dresses in the dark every morning!”
Luna leans forward and places her forehead on the edge of the desk, willing herself not to stand up or fling open the door and scream at them… or worse! The memory of the day she punched Stephanie, the bully from school in the face after months of verbal abuse flood back to her. She was picturing Chaeyoungs face on the receiving end this time.
“No. Don’t do it!” she whispers to herself
"She probably thinks she's special because she is around them so much." Chaeyoung continues "As if they have a choice in the matter."
"She thinks they're her friends." Iseul laughs "God, it's so pathetic watching her try to fit in."
Luna grabs a stress ball from her desk drawer and squeezes it until her knuckles turn white. The urge to fling open the door is almost overwhelming now.
"Did you see her at the company dinner the other night?" Chaeyoung's voice drops to a mock whisper that's still perfectly audible. "Sitting there like she belonged at their table?"
"The guys were just being polite," Iseul replies with certainty. "You know how they are… too nice to tell her to fuck off."
Luna's jaw clenches so tight her face begins to ache. That dinner had been one of her favourite nights since she joined the company and her first company dinner too. Hongjoong had subtly pulled out her chair, his fingers linking with hers under the table as Yeosang sat on the other side of her. Yunho kept making her laugh so hard she nearly choked on her drink. San had saved her the last piece of cake, sliding it onto her plate with a wink when no one was looking.
"Remember how Seonghwa kept checking his watch?" Chaeyoung continues. "He was clearly counting the minutes until he could escape her."
She lets out an involuntary snort at the absurdity of it. Seonghwa had been checking his watch because he’d ordered a surprise cake for Youngjae, one of the managers birthday. He’d done everything to keep it a surprise from most people at the dinner so no one would accidentally reveal it before it was brought out.
"I bet they have a group chat just to complain about her." Iseul says with conviction. "Like, 'Ugh, guess who we have to deal with today?'"
Luna's knuckles go white around the stress ball, her breathing shallow and uneven. The more they talk, the more a familiar darkness creeps in at the edges of her mind—the same darkness that medication, the jogging, breathing exercises and her therapy sessions are supposed to keep at bay.
"And the way she follows Hongjoong around like a lost puppy." Chaeyoung continues, her voice dripping with disgust. "It's embarrassing to watch."
"He's probably counting the days until her contract ends." Iseul replies with certainty.
Luna’s stomach drops. No. That can’t be right. Not after him saying he’d do everything in his power to keep her in Korea if that was what she wanted. Not after the way he cuddled her from behind as she brushed her teeth, placing kisses on her bare shoulder this morning. Hongjoong who is well known for his dislike of physical contact yet always holds her when he has the chance. The way he’d kissed her after he had styled her, his affection conveying his emotions to her without the need for words. Text her within minutes of arriving at work saying he missed her already with a sad face emoji.
But what if…
The thought worms its way in, unwelcoming but persistent. What if Hongjoong was just being kind? What if the guys were just tolerating her? The dark voice in her head, the one a year of therapy and the right medication had taught her to recognise but never fully silenced begins to whisper loudly.
She swallows hard, remembering yesterday both Mingi and Jongho asked if they could reschedule their English lessons with her, claiming they needed to work on choreography for the new Japanese song. She happily agreed, wanting them to focus on their work rather than learning silly English idioms she’d planned. But now…
“I almost feel sorry for her… then I remember she’s a fucking loser who fakes an american accent and tries too hard to look like she belongs.” Chaeyoungs cruel laughter rings out
Luna is suddenly back in high school, overhearing the popular girls talk about her in the bathroom as she hides behind a stall door, thinking they were alone. The same sick feeling floods her stomach and tears begin to prick at her eyes.
Iseuls scoffs. “Belong? Please! She doesn’t fit in here at all. It is like she’s from a different planet.”
"She'll be gone by Christmas." Chaeyoung says confidently
“Hongjoong will get rid of her before then.” Iseul replies, “He’s too nice to do it now but you can see it in his eyes when he looks at her. Pure tolerance only. I say she’ll be gone before Halloween!”
A tear escapes before Luna can stop it, sliding down her cheek and dropping onto her desk. She wipes it away furiously, angry at herself for letting their words affect her. The rational part of her brain knows they're full of shit, but bipolar and anxiety don't operate on rationality.
"We should probably get back before…"
"Before what? Before you two finish assassinating someones character in the hallway?" A new voice says in the distance
Luna freezes, her head snapping up at the familiar voice.
“Oh Seonghwa-ssi!” Chaeyoungs voice immediately shifts to honey-sweet. “We were just…”
“I heard exactly what you were ‘just’ doing.” Seonghwa cuts her off, his tone icy which is something Luna has never heard from him.
“We were only joking around.” Iseul attempts
“Funny. I didn’t hear anyone laughing except you two.” he says flatly, his voice closer now as he stops outside the door
There's a moment of awkward silence before Chaeyoung tries again. "We didn't mean anything by…"
“Save it.” he interrupts “I’m not interested in how you justify the things you are saying. I’m sure HR would be interested in how you speak about your colleagues.”
Luna holds her breath, hardly believing what she's hearing.
"That's not fair." Iseul protests weakly. "We were just…"
"What's not fair is how you're talking about someone who works twice as hard as both of you combined." Seonghwa says, his voice dropping lower. "Someone who stays late to help us with pronunciation even when she's exhausted. Someone who makes us better. Someone who will allow all of us, yourselves included to be able to travel to countries around the world and work in them easier because she knows the language of the country we are in."
The silence that follows is deafening.
“Chaeyoung, are you forgetting in LA when you lost your passport, Luna was the one who spoke to the hotel staff for you? She translated everything for you and even spoke to the embassy when you thought you were going to need an emergency passport to travel back to Korea. Even when you got upset about it, she stayed by your side until you had your passport safely back in your hands.” he continues “That same passport that was in your hotel room the entire time! She didn’t have to do any of that. She had half a day off in LA and she gave up her free time. She did that for you and I am almost positive you never uttered a thank you to her once.”
“I… I…” Chaeyoung stutters
“Next time something like that happens we’ll tell her to leave you to sort it yourself.” his words are like venom but controlled “And if I hear you talking about her this way again, or any of the band members I will report both of you to HR and the CEO myself and I know for a fact Hongjoong will be right by my side as I do it. I doubt he’d be impressed with the things you were saying about him either Chaeyoung.”
“That’s not… I mean…” Chaeyoung stutters
“Just remember what happened with Yunho when you overstepped a massive boundary with him. How close you were to losing your job.” He says
"We should get back to work." Iseul mutters
“Actually,” Seonghwa says “It is nearly 5pm, I think you both should think of finishing early today. Go home… before I tell Hongjoong exactly what you’ve been saying.”
"Of course, Seonghwa-ssi." Chaeyoung replies instantly, her tone sounds almost scared Luna thinks. "We were just leaving."
“Good, and when you come in tomorrow morning I hope there will be more professionalism in the workplace and a massive change in your attitudes!”
The sound of retreating footsteps echoes down the hallway, growing fainter until they disappear completely. Luna sits frozen in her chair, unsure if she should acknowledge what just happened or pretend she heard nothing.
A gentle knock on her door makes the decision for her.
"Luna? It's Seonghwa. May I come in?"
She quickly straightens in her chair, trying to compose herself as she dabs at her cheeks to remove any traces of the tears that fell earlier. "Come in." she calls, hoping her voice didn't betray her emotional state.
The door opens, and Seonghwa slips in, closing it firmly behind him. His usual bright face is set in hard lines, jaw clenching. The moment the door clicks shut, his face suddenly softens as he looks at her.
“Hi.” he smiles
“Hi.” she replies with a forced smile
Seonghwa leans against her door, his eyes scanning her face with an intensity that makes Luna fidget in her chair.
"You heard all that, didn't you?" he asks, not bothering with pretence
Luna's forced smile falters. "Heard what?"
"My sweet Luna..." His voice is gentle but firm as he steps further into the room. "You know, the majority of the time you have an amazing poker face but your eyes are the giveaway sometimes."
She looks away from him. “I don’t have a poker face!”
“You absolutely do! Like when you told Yunho you were fine with him eating the last piece of cheesecake.” Seonghwa leans against her desk beside her chair “Your face was smiling but your eyes were plotting murder.”
She laughs despite herself. "I was not plotting murder!"
“They were. Right now your eyes are more ‘contemplating where to hide bodies’ than just regular murder.”
Luna sighs, shoulders slumping. "Fine. I heard them." She leans over and picks up the amethyst that nearly fell off her desk earlier, turning it over in her palm. “How much did you hear?”
"Enough to hear them have their insane delusions over our captain, and say some pretty awful things about you." Seonghwa’s voice softens again. "Come here."
Luna hesitates. "I'm fine, really."
"You're not." he says simply. Without waiting for further protest, he takes her hand and gently pulls her to her feet. His arms wrap around her waist, steady and secure. "None of what they said is true. Not a single word of it."
"I know." Luna says, but her voice catches a little
Seonghwa’s eyes search hers. "We don't hate you. San wasn't running away from you. They just see what they want to see and the rest of it, they just make up.”
Luna swallows hard, a lump forming in her throat again. "They said my accent is fake."
"Your accent is fucking perfect and perfectly American because you are from America! Plus we all think it’s very very sexy!" Seonghwa says with such conviction
“Hwa!” she giggles lightly and blushes making him smile at hearing one of his favourite things in the entire world now
"And speaking of sexy… your outfit today?" He gestures at her clothes. "Hongjoong has been smiling all morning and most of the afternoon! Do you know how happy you made him this morning by letting him style you?”
Luna's throat tightens as she looks up at Seonghwa, his words breaking through the walls she's tried to build against the stylists venom.
“He was like a kid in a candy store this morning.” she admits softly, “I’ve never seen him so excited over clothes that weren’t his own.”
“That’s because he got to dress up his girlfriend!” Seonghwa replies, his eyes warm “You should’ve seen him in the practice room earlier. We overheard one of the nicer stylists compliment your outfit as she’d passed you in the hallway earlier and he was practically glowing!”
Luna bites her lip. “Really?”
“Really! You make all of us really happy. And as for what they said about us hating you, you know that’s bullshit right?” his hand moves to cradle her cheek as the other runs through her long hair
Luna takes a short deep breath in before lightly shaking her head.
“Darling…” he whispers so softly
“It’s the bipolar. It sometimes tells me things that I know deep down aren’t true.” she says quietly “It doesn’t help if I hear someone say it out loud either. It’s like it’s all the confirmation my stupid brain chemistry needs to…” her eyes look away from him, “make me go crazy again!” she adds with a sigh
“You are not crazy!” Seonghwa says firmly moving a hand to tilt her chin to look at him again. “Your brain just works differently. And those two out there?” he motions towards the door with his head “They’re the ones with the warped reality!”
Luna leans into his touch, grateful for the anchor. "I know that. Logically, I know that but..." she struggles to find the words to explain it
"But the logical part of your brain and the emotional part aren't always on speaking terms from time to time." Seonghwa finishes for her
She looks up at him, a small smile breaking through. "That is a rather scarily accurate way of describing how my brain works!"
"I spoke to my cousin. She’s a psychiatrist." he admits, a hint of shyness crossing his face. "After you explained your diagnosis to me, I wanted to understand better. To understand you, how your brain works and…” He pauses, his eyes serious. “what I could do to help you."
Luna feels warmth bloom in her chest. "You didn't have to do that."
“I wanted to! I told her it was about a friend who means the world to me and I want to understand her and help her when things are tough.” Seonghwa replies, “She told me a lot and emailed me a lot of things too.”
“Hwa!” she whispers, a lump forming in her throat
“If the worst happens and you begin to struggle I want to know how to help without you needing to tell us. I’m sorry if I overstepped by speaking to my cousin.” he says, his eyebrows lowering in worry “I just wanted to…”
Luna stops him by going on her tiptoes to kiss him. He lets out a surprised muffled sound at her sudden action but relaxes into it and kisses her back.
"You didn't overstep." Luna says quietly, her fingers absentmindedly playing with the collar of his shirt. "That's actually one of the most thoughtful things anyone has ever done for me."
Seonghwa's shoulders relax visibly and sighs softly. "Good."
Luna leans in to kiss him again. Now craving his lips on hers. Seonghwas hands settle on her jaw and the small of her back, drawing her in until her body is flush with his. She’s back on her tiptoes again as her own arms loop around his shoulders not letting him lean down to match his height with hers like he usually does. Instead savouring the height difference between them.
His mouth moves against hers slow, gentle and almost painfully careful, as if she is some delicate flower that might shatter from too much want. He lets outs a small content sigh as he pulls his lips away but presses his forehead against her. He looks at her as she keeps her eyes closed. She feels a little dizzy - from the kiss, from the contact, from his words and actions getting information to help her if the worst ever did happen. He moves like he’s going to let go, but she fists his shirt and shakes her head, her eyes flying open.
“No.” she whispers, surprising herself with the force behind the word. “Please… don’t leave me yet.”
“I’m not, not right now.” he assures her “I have at least 15 minutes before I need to go back to the rehearsal room and I’m not leaving you until it’s time.”
“Sorry.” Luna lets out a shaky breath, her fingers still twisted in his shirt. "I hate that they got to me. I know better."
“It is okay darling.” he soothes gently
He suddenly lifts her effortlessly, arms anchored beneath her knees and back. Luna’s surprised yelp dissolves into laughter, her arms looping around his shoulders. Seonghwa’s lips curve in a soft, conspiratorial smile as he carries her to the small two-seater sofa nestled in the corner. The room had once been clinical looking, boring like most other rooms in the building but since it became her office she had turned it into a cosy and warm space with little decorations, splashes of colour and her favourite decor of all - fairy lights! It was now a relaxing place for language lessons to be held and for quiet moments like this. Each of the members enjoyed being in the room as it instantly made them feel calmer the second they stepped in it.
“Hwa, can I ask you a question?” she asks quietly
“You can ask me whatever you want.”
“How bad was it with Jongho? With his ex, I mean.”
Seonghwa is a little taken aback by her sudden question but not surprised. After seeing her cry over Jongho the night she was drunk and Mingi saying he had told Luna enough of what happened for her to understand that Jonghos actions of pulling back aren’t about her.
Seonghwa's chest rises with a deep breath, and she feels him tense slightly beneath her touch. "Bad." he says, his voice dropping to almost a whisper. "Really bad."
Luna pulls back just enough to look up at his face. The softness that had been there minutes ago has vanished, replaced by something darker, a protective anger that makes his jaw tighten.
"She got inside his head." Seonghwa continues, his eyes fixed somewhere beyond Luna's shoulder. "Made him think he wasn't enough. That his voice wasn't special, that his strength was just a dumb party trick. That he was replaceable." His voice catches on the last word, and Luna feels her heart constrict. “She chipped away at his confidence, piece by piece until he doubted everything about himself.”
She doesn’t trust herself to open her mouth and speak. She knows she’d wish out loud the worst things possible on this unknown idol who did this to Jongho - confident, talented, steadfast Jongho. The man who can turn her into a giggling mess just with a simple smile aimed at her, or when he laughs so heartily at something someone has said or done. Or recently when he secretly holds her hand under her blanket on the sofa, and kisses her good night before she goes to bed.
"It didn't happen overnight." Seonghwa carries on, his hand moving to stroke Luna's hair absently. "It was gradual. Little comments here and there. Compliments that weren't really compliments. She'd praise him in ways that made him feel small. 'You did so well today, almost like a real vocalist.' That kind of thing."
Luna winces. "That's fucking cruel."
"She'd do it in front of us sometimes. We'd see his face fall for just a second before he'd cover it up with a smile. We could never say anything as she was a sunbaenim." Seonghwa's eyes finally meet Luna's, and there's a rawness there she rarely sees. Luna bites her tongue to ask who she is, who her band is. "By the end, he was apologising for everything. For talking too loud, for breathing wrong, for even existing. A bit like you sometimes. You’ve both been hurt by people who were supposed to care for you, to treat you the way you both deserved and to love you."
Luna's throat tightens. "I had no idea it was that bad for him."
"None of us did, not until it was almost too late." Seonghwa's voice drops even lower. "San found him one night, just sitting in the dark in the practice room. He'd been there for hours, just... staring at nothing. Wouldn't talk, wouldn't move. It was the day he found out she was seeing someone else."
“His friend?” Luna feels tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she asks and Seonghwa can only nod.
"It took months before he started believing in himself again." Seonghwa pulls back slightly, his eyes searching her face. “And then you came into our lives and he started to genuinely smile and laugh again. We even saw him opening up… but obviously he closed himself off again. I am so sorry we never noticed, that I didn’t notice and you were dealing with this alone.”
“Mingi helped a lot.” she replies, her voice soft
"That's why Jongho is... cautious. Why he keeps his distance sometimes. It's not you, Luna. It's the memory of what happened before."
“As soon as Mingi explained I understood. I’ve been there myself… someone belittling in a subtle yet still devastating way but a part of me was still a little bit hurt.” she replies “Please don’t tell Jongho that I know, I don’t want to put extra pressure on him to open up if he’s not ready.”
“I promise you darling, I won’t say a word. I don’t think he would mind if he did know. Things seem to be a little better though? I’ve seen the little looks between the pair of you the last couple of days.” he says with a soft smile on his face “I even spied a little goodnight kiss last night before you went up to Sans room to watch your magic kdrama.”
“They are. Slowly. But it is nice… I like it.” she smiles back, her cheeks heating at the thought of Seonghwa catching their sneaky kiss in the hallway before she went upstairs “I don’t want to rush him. Not after everything he’s been through with her!” She says the last word with a venom Seonghwas never heard from her
“Trust me, if Jongho is kissing you the way he did last night, he’s not feeling rushed. One thing about Jongho you may have noticed is that he won’t do anything he doesn’t want to do. He may have been hurt in the past but if he doesn’t want touched, or hugged or even kissed he wouldn’t allow it.” Seonghwa replies “He moves at his own pace. Always has and the fact he is this comfortable with you shows how much he trusts you. Even if he did momentarily pull back.”
Luna's fingers fidget with the hem of Hongjoong's shirt. "What if I mess it up with him?"
"Impossible. You are kind, understanding, and incredibly patient with us especially Yeosang and Jongho." Seonghwa tilts her chin up to look at him “And that is why what those two idiots said is so ridiculous and it made me so mad.”
"Thank you for defending me out there. You didn't have to." she says
"I absolutely had to." His voice drops to a near-whisper. "You're ours to protect, just as much as we're yours."
Luna's breath catches at his words. "Ours?"
"Yes, ours." Seonghwa's eyes hold something deep and unspoken. "All of us. You must know that by now."
The weight of his words settles between them, heavy with meaning. Luna's fingers find his, interlacing them slowly. Seonghwa can feel his heart racing, the way it always did when it was just the two of them and she looked back at him with her big round eyes. One of her hands rests on his chest and she can feel it - his heart.
“You should come to rehearsals with me.” he mumbles looking deeply into her eyes
“I would love to but I have a very long staff meeting about the upcoming tour at 6pm so I’ll probably be home after you guys tonight. The Europe dates are now officially confirmed and will be getting announced in the next couple of days.” she replies, her fingers gently rubbing his chest in an attempt to calm his heart rate
“Do you know what the cities are yet?” he asks tilting his head slightly
“I’ll find out for certain at the meeting and the dates but so far Hyunsik has told me Berlin, Madrid, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and I think Copenhagen.” she answers “Oh and London!” she adds with a massive smile
“Of course London! As if we’d miss that out.” he replies with an equally big smile “Hongjoong has already said that your parents and sisters will be given VIP passes for it.”
“Oh my god, really?” she gasps, her eyes lighting up in a way he’s never seen before “The twins are going to love it!! They loved the tour earlier this year at Wembley!”
“Our little VIP Atinys!” Seonghwa laughs happily
“Not sure how my parents will react to the Cyberpunk choreo though!” she smirks “Especially the chair part.”
“I never thought of that!” he groans burying his head in her neck
“The twins will lose their minds though. Since they found out I work with you they’ve apparently been asking my dad when they are going to visit my office. Hyejin keeps asking when she can meet ‘the princes’.” her voice softens
“Princes?” Seonghwa’s embarrassed face instantly melts away
“That is what she calls you. All of you. She says you aren’t pirates but actual royal princes instead.” Luna's fingers trace absent patterns on his shoulder
“We should get them little tiaras when they come to visit us.” Seonghwa smiles “Maybe set up the dance practice room into a ballroom for them with little thrones!”
“And let them believe you actually are princes?” she says raising a playful eyebrow
“Hey, if they say we are princes, then we are princes! And they deserve to be treated like little princesses.” he replies kissing her cheek “I’ll speak to Hongjoong about when they can come visit us. When are your parents and sisters back from Japan?”
“Tonight, their flight lands in a couple of hours. God I can’t wait to see them again. I’m having dinner at their apartment tomorrow. I’ve missed them all so much.” she answers “They leave go back to London next week so I probably won’t see them again until the tour.” she adds with a sigh
“I’m sorry.” Seonghwa whispers pulling her closer to him.
"You have nothing to be sorry for." Luna sighs, leaning her head against his shoulder. "It's not like you personally decide where they live."
"True, but if I had power, I'd have them stay longer. For you." His thumb traces small circles on her knee. "I'd also schedule all our future comeback preparations around your family visits."
"Now that would be abuse of power." she smiles against his neck. "But I appreciate the sentiment."
Seonghwa's fingers find their way into her hair, gently massaging her scalp in that way he knows makes her relax. "I would do anything that makes you happy.”
“You make me happy. Just being like this with you.” she looks at him
"You make me happy too." he whispers, leaning in to press his lips against hers
The kiss is gentle at first, tentative almost, like he's asking permission. Luna answers by pressing closer, her hand sliding up to cup his jaw. His skin is warm beneath her palm as she deepens the kiss, feeling him sigh against her mouth. When they part, Seonghwa rests his forehead against hers, eyes still closed. "You want to know what Hongjoong says about you when you're not around?"
She simply nods.
"He calls you 'our little moon'."
"Because of my name?"
"There's more to it than that." His fingertips drift across her leg, leaving goosebumps in their wake. "The way he explains it, you're like the actual moon—always there even when hidden from view. The way you've drawn us all in, like gravity." Seonghwa's voice softens. " You've brought light to our nights and a stability to our days we didn't know was missing."
Heat blooms across Luna's cheeks as his words sink in. "I... wow."
"Every word of it is true." he whispers into her hair.
Luna blinks rapidly, feeling a tightness in her throat. "Our little moon." she repeats softly, testing the phrase on her tongue. "I've never been anyone's moon before."
"Well, you are now." Seonghwa says, his fingers threading through her hair. He can feel the shift in her body language, the subtle change in her face. “Is it too much?”
"It's just..." Luna hesitates, searching for the right words. "Sometimes I worry that I'll wake up and this will all be gone. That I'll be back in my tiny apartment on the other side of the city, alone with my half dead plants because I kept forgetting to water them and still working in the hotel. Or I’ll be back in America.”
Seonghwa's hold tightens imperceptibly. "You're not going anywhere." he says, and there's a certainty in his voice that makes her heart ache. "Not if we have anything to say about it."
“I wish it were that simple, Hwa.” she replies “I know this is real and I’m not going anywhere right now. But up here…” she taps the side of her head “tells me the opposite sometimes. But being near you, it helps a lot.”
“Then next time your head tells you anything other than the truth, you come to one of us. Even if we are in rehearsals, just come to the practice room. Sit on the floor. Watch us. Just be around us.” he smiles and kisses her hand “Plus you know how Wooyoung is always wanting to show off his dancing for you.” he adds with a grin causing her to let out a laugh
“Talking of rehearsals, you should probably get going now!” she says glancing at the clock on a shelf above the sofa
Seonghwa’s hands trace soothing circles on Luna’s back as they nestle close on the little sofa, the fairy lights casting soft halos around them in the dim room.
“I still have 2 minutes left and I’m not leaving this sofa until you kiss me!” he smiles at her
Luna lifts her head, searching his eyes. Seonghwa brushes a stray curl away from her face, his thumb lingering gently at her cheek. He dips his head, pausing a breath away, his lips ghosting over hers—a silent question she answers by closing the tiny gap between them.
Luna’s fingers thread into the soft hair at the nape of his neck, anchoring herself to him. Seonghwa hums, the sound low and content, a smile breaking between kisses before he presses his lips to hers again, a little firmer this time. His other hand drifts to her waist, pulling her closer on his lap. Her body relaxes fully into his, her heart calm for the first time all day as she kisses him slowly, deeply, savouring the safety and affection that wraps around them both.
When Seonghwa finally pulls back just enough to look at her he whispers “You’re all we want, you know that right?”
Luna smiles, her breath warm against his lips. “I know. You’re all I want, too.”
Luna moves to let him stand up and he does but she is surprised when he gathers her into his arms once more. One last hug before he has to leave. “We are only yours. Our little moon.” and just like that he leaves the room.
The clock on the shelf catches her eye again - 15 minutes until the meeting. Luna settles back onto the sofa, cross-legged, closes her eyes and draws in a deep breath. In through her nose for 4, hold for 7, out through her mouth for 8. Seonghwas word, hugs and kisses had worked wonders on her anxiety and nerves but she needed to be completely centred, calm and focused before going into a long and important meeting.
ִֶָ 𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆★⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ
Luna steps into the conference room, scanning the faces until she spots Hyunsik. He catches her eye immediately, lifting his hand in a wave while gesturing to an empty chair beside him. As she weaves between the people toward him, he scoops his coat from the seat, clearing it for her arrival.
“Saved you the best seat in the room.” he grins as she sits down
“You’re the best!” she says smiling at him and putting her things on the table
He gives her a friendly up and down look. “You look happy.” he observes
She touches her bottom lip briefly, a ghost of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. The secret warmth of Seonghwa' s kiss still lingers there, a private joy in this room full of colleagues. " I am happy." she says softly.
“That’s what I like to see!” he replies looking down at his phone
They chit chat as some staff set up for the meeting. Someone switches on the large screen attached to the wall and the Ateez logo appears on it. More staff members come in and Luna can see how important this meeting is as it's mostly senior staff with all the managers too. Myeonjin is the last person to come in and he closes the door before taking his seat at the head of the table.
“Okay, we have a very long meeting ahead of us and I know most of us just want to get home as soon as we can so lets get started!” he announces as everyone goes quiet, laptops opened ready to start
And it was a long meeting, over the next couple of hours they went over every detail for the Europe tour, the dates, the venues, the hotels, the travel plans, the planned schedules so far and things they are still waiting on confirmation for. Everything was important but for Luna the most important was the translations part and the meeting soon turned to her.
“Now next part we are going to Luna for this.” Myeonjin says causing a wave of nerves to hit her chest.
“Translations?” she replies
“Yes.” Myeonjin nods. “Things have been going amazing with your English lessons, the guys are doing very well, have nothing but praise for your work and how easy they are finding them to be, as well as the translating you did in LA, not just for the band but for all the staff too at every event we attended. We know it was hard work for you and we truly appreciate how above and beyond you went on that trip. Especially when a member of staff who I don’t need to mention by name as we all know who, lost their passport.” he rolls his eyes at that last sentence “Also your work on the japanese album has not gone unnoticed. Even Eden was impressed and he is a very hard man to impress!”
“Absolutely!” Youngjae, one of the senior managers nods with a proud smile on his face
“Our international shows are notorious for going off-script. The boys do keep to the original scripts but, well… they do like to improvise. Normally we get a local translator in to do live translations when this happens and they speak in Korean but we would like for you to run the live translations from the wings, at as many shows as possible.” Myeonjin continues
“Wow!” she says, she feels honoured they have this much faith in her
“We know it is a big job so we understand if it's a lot for one person to do but we know you can do it.” Hajoon says
“You’ll have access to the full audio feed and an on screen monitor so you will hear and see everything going on on stage the entire time. If they go off script in Korean, you simply catch it, translate it either into English or the language of the country we are in, whichever is most comfortable for you through a mic.” Myeonjin explains “You will have full practice and training so don’t worry, we won’t throw you in the deep ends on the first night!”
“The guys already know when they speak in Korean to give time for the translator to do their part before speaking again but there are times they tend to forget and have conversations with one another. Hongjoong is good at getting them back on track though.” Youngjae adds
“We would also like you to do some shows in America too if you feel up to it.” Hajoon says
It takes a moment for it to sink in. “That’s…” she starts, voice small but gaining steam, “actually really exciting.” She’s grinning before she knows it. “Yes, I can absolutely do it in America too.”
“We’ve never doubted you.” Myeonjin says, then with a sly smile: “Though the real test will be keeping up with Wooyoung and San if they decide to start a whole comedy routine during the encore.”
“Luna can handle them!” Hyunsik laughs
She prays to god the heat in her face isn’t visible to everyone in the room. The rest of the meeting continues with more information and a food delivery courtesy of Myeonjin who could only apologise for how late the meeting was going on. By the time it wraps up it is now nearly 10pm. Luna already knows the guys will be back at the apartment and after the events of the day she just wants to go home. Myeonjin asks Luna to hang back as everyone leaves the room. Hyunsik gives her a high five and says he will speak to her tomorrow.
“Thank you for coming to the meeting tonight. I know the majority of it wasn’t related to your work but I wanted you here. I’ll drive you back to the apartment as soon as you are ready.” he says when they are alone
“I’ll be really quick.” she smiles “Just need to get my bag and coat from my office and I’ll be ready.”
“Okay, I’ll be doing the same so I’ll get you downstairs in the car park.” he replies back with his own smile
Luna walks back to her office as fast as her legs could carry her. Her boots echo off the empty hallway walls. When she gets into her office she grabs her bag, power bank and plugs in her phone which is now on 9%, she stuffs her notebooks and macbook into her bag, grabs the amethyst crystal and picks up her coat. Too much in a hurry to put it on so she just hooks it over her arm, leaving her office and locks the door before quickly making her way to the elevators. Within minutes she is sitting in the heated passenger seat of one of the many company cars as Myeonjin pulls out the private underground garage.
“I heard about Chaeyoung and Iseul.” Myeonjin says after a few minutes
“Oh.” she replies, not sure how to respond
“Seonghwa was a little mad when he got back to rehearsals so I asked him what happened.” he explains “I know it’s hard but don’t let them get to you. You‘re better than them, Luna.” his voice is so earnest “They aren’t worth a second of your thoughts.”
‘Easier said than done with my broken brain.’ she thinks, her fingers picking with the edge of her bag on her lap
“So the America tour is in just over a months time. Hongjoong said you have family in Chicago.” he continues, sensing she doesn’t want to talk about them
“Yeah, my Grandma Lee still lives there.” she nods
“The day before the concert we will ensure you have the day off so you can see her. And I’ve already arranged for family VIP tickets for her and anyone else you would like to have there. I can also give you the night off too so no translator duties for you.”
“Really?” she asks with a hopeful smile on her face as he glances at her
“Absolutely. Family is important to everyone and we always accommodate staff family members as much as we can. You’ll have tickets for the Seoul concerts too for family here.” he replies “I know Ateez probably isn’t the type of music your grandmother would listen to but..”
“Oh no, my grandma loves korean music!” Luna laughs as she remembers growing up listening to old korean bands, mostly trot music but she also listened to some modern songs too. “I think she’d enjoy it a lot. Thank you.”
“No thanks needed!” he smiles
The car soon pulls into the private car park of the apartment complex and he stops beside the elevator door. She thanks him for his faith in her abilities and bids him a good night. In the elevator she pushes the button for the top floor and watches the numbers climb. She thinks about the words Seonghwa had whispered to her in the privacy and safety of her office just hours earlier - ‘We are only yours. Our little moon.’ and swallows down the ache that rises in her chest. It isn’t a bad ache for once, one caused by realising how lucky she is to be so cared for by these 8 men and how much she cares for them too.
As she reaches the front door she puts the code in without thought as it is so ingrained into her now. As soon as she steps inside she’s hit with the now familiar aroma of coffee which always seems to be on the go in the dorm. Luna kicks off her boots quickly, not even bothering to undo the zips and she doesn’t even put her kuromi slippers on, she heads straight down the hallway towards the first staircase not even registering the voices coming from the kitchen and living room. There is only one person she needs to see right now and she knows exactly where he will be - his bedroom.
She quickly heads up the first set of stairs, her bag still on her shoulder falling off as she turns to go up the second set. She manages to grab it with her hand, her feet still moving quickly. When she reaches the top floor so goes to his bedroom door. Her hand hovers at the wood, fingers splayed, as if she could feel him on the other side. The urge to see him, to be wrapped up in the low, sturdy comfort of his presence, is so strong it borders on physical pain. She hesitates, battling with the voice in her head that says ‘you don't belong’, before knocking twice.
“One second!” the voice on the other side says loudly
She swallows hard, her fingers playing with the bag still in her hand. Downstairs she hears San and Mingi laugh loudly. She feels slight guilt at coming home and not saying hello to any of them but her brain could only think of one thing - getting to him. She can hear some rustling from behind the door and she feels her heart race as the door opens. He's in sweatpants and a faded black t-shirt, hair fluffy and slightly damp from a recent shower, face scrubbed clear of the day's work.
“Luna, you are home!” he smiles
“I… I…” she stutters
“What’s wrong?” his smile drops as he looks at her tense frame
Before she knows it she drops her bag on the hallway floor and surges forward. Instinctively he opens his arms for her and their lips crash together at the same time. They kiss as if it is their only source of oxygen. Without thinking Luna loops her arms around his neck and jumps up, their mouths still attached. Without hesitation his arms catch her as if they’ve been doing this forever, pulling her legs around his waist as he backs into the room and kicks the door shut, pushing her against the back of it.
One of his hands moves lower on her body, going to her bare leg sliding up and under her skirt, squeezing the flesh there. She moans into his mouth as her hands grab at the bottom of his t-shirt and begins to pull it up. They break apart so she can fully remove it and she takes in his topless frame for the first time.
"Jongho!" The name escapes her lips in a breathless whisper truly stunned by what she is seeing
Jongho can only smile shyly at her reaction before crashing his lips onto hers again, kissing her with a desperation and want he’s never felt before. He grabs her ass and hitches her higher up his body holding her so secure she knew he would never let anything hurt her before taking her over to his bed and dropping her into the middle of it. She refuses to let him go, keeping her legs wrapped around his waist as he hovers over her, careful not to put his full weight on her.
He pulls his head away from hers causing a little whine to escape her pouty lips. His gaze softens as she looks into her eyes, trying to control his breathing and himself.
“Is this okay?” he asks panting quietly “We can stop if you want.”
“I don’t want to stop…” she smiles at him “If you don’t that is!”
“I definitely don’t!” he replies, his wide smile transforming his face, eyes disappearing into those perfect half-moons she adores so much
She draws him back with a gentle hand against his cheek, and this time their kiss is unhurried, tender. The world beyond his bedroom door ceases to exist. Tonight belongs only to them.
So the slight perfectionist in me decided what I had wrote for chapter 28 of Utopia wasn’t good enough. I liked the ending but not the beginning or middle so I started again with keeping the original ending. However I did get a lot written today so there shouldn’t be too long until it’s published. Again sorry for the long wait, I dislike my adhd brain especially when my autism side kicks in too. 🤦🏼♀️
I've FINALLY finished it!! A sickness bug got me last week and I tried my hardest to get it completed but it wasn't happening. I am doing the final read through and edit tomorrow and I've already prepared the post in my drafts which is always a sign to me it will be published very very soon! This chapter has truly kicked my butt as I needed it to be perfect. It is another emotional one but I promise this is the last one for a while, we will be getting back to the good stuff for the next few chapters and warning, a lot of smut will be incoming!! 🤭
So the slight perfectionist in me decided what I had wrote for chapter 28 of Utopia wasn’t good enough. I liked the ending but not the beginning or middle so I started again with keeping the original ending. However I did get a lot written today so there shouldn’t be too long until it’s published. Again sorry for the long wait, I dislike my adhd brain especially when my autism side kicks in too. 🤦🏼♀️
Hey girly, loving Utopia the story is great <3. Are we going to get any smut scenes with the other members who have not had smut scenes soon?
Ooooh yes! There is a ton of smut incoming (especially for those who haven’t had any yet!) because it’s been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster lately! Bit of a spoiler here - the next chapter ends with a certain member and Luna sharing the beginning of an intimate moment for the first time. 🩷
hello, literally so random of a question but what type of hotel was Luna working at in the past? Was it a basic hotel or like a luxury hotel? Was rereading the chapter where it’s mentioned and i was curious. 🧐 ❤️
Happy new year as well
- 🪴
Not a random question at all! I love getting asked these types of things!! Luna will be talking a little more about her old job in an upcoming chapter but she worked in a luxury hotel. Mostly in reception but she had a lot more responsibilities.
I have been taking a break from writing as I was busy with life stuff and whenever I sat down to write I was feel overwhelmed because I couldn’t get all the words and ideas buzzing around my head written down so I decided to have a little break. I started again last night and felt good so I am hoping Chapter 28 of Utopia should be published in within a week or two as it’s pretty much nearly finished. I started on Chapter 5 of I Can See You as well. I also have plans to restart a very old one that got slightly forgotten about called Dazzling Light.
Warnings: mentions of past abusive relationship, swearing, suggestive language, oral sex (both f and m receiving), fingering, hand job.
Word count: 15.2k
Summary: Luna begins to deal with her hangover before everyone leaves for work. Hongjoong finds out about her ex-boyfriend. Luna and Jongho share a sweet moment together before she spends the night with Hongjoong in the recording studio with an impromptu riverside date afterwards. After a heavy discussion Hongjoong and Luna return to the dorm and let their desires take over.
{banners by @cafekitsune}
The morning after the night before in the apartment was quiet, everyone was tiptoeing around to ensure Luna's hangover was not worse than it needed to be. They all had a schedule for an interview before they had a day of tour rehearsals so Wooyoung woke up around 8am. Luna had moved during her sleep, she was now on her side, her back towards him as he was curled around her, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. Her hands were gripped onto him as if scared he would leave her. So it was with great reluctance he woke her up gently.
"Luna." Wooyoung brushes the hair from her face, his voice barely above a whisper.
She buries her face deeper into the pillow with a muffled "Hmm."
"Jagiya, I have to go to work." He presses his forehead against her hair, inhaling the faint scent of her shampoo from the night before.
"What time is it?" Her voice emerges from the pillow along with a pained groan.
"Just after eight. How's your head?"
Luna rolls onto her back, squinting up at him through bloodshot eyes. "If you weren't talking to me, I'd assume I was dead. What the hell did I drink last night?"
"Everything, according to your cousin." He chuckles softly, mindful of her fragile state.
“I don’t even remember coming home!” she mumbles, looking at him with slightly crossed eyes. They are trying so hard to focus on his face hovering above her as his fingers delicately run through her hair. “I didn’t do anything embarrassing did I?” she asks “Oh, please tell me I came home and went straight to bed!” she adds her eyes widening
Her vision may be blurry from the hangover and the old contact lenses she had slept in but she could clearly see the look on his face, he did not have a good poker face.
“Oh god!” she groans covering her face, “What did I do?”
“It wasn’t so much what you did but more what you said.” he replies slowly
Luna groans again, hiding under the blanket. “What?”
"It wasn't bad!" He tries to peel the blanket back, but she holds it firmly in place. "Really, it was cute. You were just... very chatty."
“Just tell me!”
“Don’t worry about it! But you did hail our Yunho as a sleepy prince and told him you love when he carries you on his back and lifts you up to reach the top shelves. Judging from the adorable little smile on his face when you told him that, I think he might do it a lot more often!” he answers
"Wooyoung!" Her voice emerges muffled but firm from beneath the covers. "I can hear you smirking. What else did I say?"
He gently tugs at the blanket again. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about…"
"Oh god, that means it's something to be mortified about." She peeks one eye out. "Please just tell me or I can’t show my face at the company later."
Wooyoung sighs, his lips twitching. "Well, you may have shared some things about the others… things they do."
Luna sits bolt upright, immediately regretting it as her head throbs violently. "Fuck!" she hisses, pressing her palms against her temples. "What exactly did I say?"
He tucks from hair behind her ear and tries to get her to lie down. “It was truly fine.” he says softly. “You didn’t say anything bad. In fact, everyone thought you were adorable.” he pauses with a small glint of mischief in his eyes. “Maybe a little more honest than usual, but that’s not a bad thing.”
Luna groans again, this time softer. She lets him coax her to lie down, curling up on her side so he could fit behind her. The weight of his arm around her middle is grounding. She lets out a long breath, the scent of him and the warmth of his skin soothing the static in her chest. He presses a soft kiss to the back of her neck, then another, travelling upward until she relents and rolls to face him.
"Just promise me I didn't piss anyone off?" she whispers, scrunching up her nose in a way that makes him want to melt
"I promise, cutie." he replies, lips brushing her forehead. "No one is mad. You can safely show your face at the company today."
She squints, unconvinced. "You're sure?"
“Positive!” another kiss, this time on her lips and she allows herself to melt into him, the ache in her head soothing slightly. When he pulls back she makes a face and pouts at him but he only smiles, brushing his thumb along her jaw. “Go back to sleep. I’ll see you at the office later.”
She nods and settles under the covers. He holds onto her for a few more minutes as she falls asleep again. He smiles at her before delicately getting out of bed so as not to disturb her. He leans over and gives her another kiss to the forehead before tiptoeing out of her bedroom and running upstairs to get himself ready for a busy day of interviews and dance rehearsal.
Downstairs, Seonghwa cracks eggs into a bowl, whisking them with more force than necessary. Every few seconds, his gaze drifts toward Luna's closed bedroom door. The image of her tear-streaked face from last night replays in his mind. Her sobs, how her tiny frame had shaken so much as she'd clung to Mingi like he was a lifeline, how her voice had cracked when she'd admitted how much Jongho's distance was hurting her and how she was scared she’d upset him. His hand stills mid-whisk.
How had he missed it? The way Jongho's smile would fade whenever she entered a room, how he'd find excuses to leave early when she stayed. Now that he thought of it, the signs were there clear as a bell and yet hadn’t seen it. None of them had, except for Mingi.
Seonghwa sighs as he pours the egg mixture into the hot pan and begins to stir it slowly. A knot forms in his stomach at the thought of it. Luna feeling so sad by his rejections but still smiling through it. He nearly burns his eggs thinking about marching upstairs to shake sense in Jongho but he stops himself. This tangle isn’t his to unravel.
Jongho's ex had left scars - that much was clear as they had all witnessed it and saw the way he closed himself off further. But now knowing what Luna had survived before them... she deserved to be given the world. Seonghwa slides the eggs onto a plate, hoping Jongho will see what's right in front of him before it's too late.
Everyone slowly began to trickle downstairs, grabbing foods from the fridge, making protein shakes or having coffee. After Seonghwa washes his dishes, he looks at Jongho. His back towards everyone as he looks out the window, a coffee in one hand and a banana in the other. For a second Seonghwa considers calling him out, telling him how much Luna had cried the night before over him, how he is hurting her every time he turns away from her, that she doesn’t deserve to be treated this way. He wants nothing more than to say all that and so much more but deep down he knows it won’t help. Seonghwa knew how much Jonghos previous experience has affected him and opening up to Luna hasn’t been easy for him.
Hongjoong shuffles into the kitchen last, dark circles under his eyes due his later than usual night at the studio. He makes a beeline for the coffee pot, his oversized sweater sleeves falling over his hands as he pours.
"Luna make it home okay?" he asks, voice still rough with sleep.
Seonghwa nods. "Her cousin brought her back. She was…"
"Absolutely hammered." Wooyoung cuts in with a grin.
Yunho shoots him a look. "She was fine. Just having fun."
"Until she started crying because she thought you'd be disappointed." San adds, scrolling through his phone.
Hongjoong's mug freezes halfway to his lips. "What? She was crying about me? That I was going to give her into trouble?"
“We told her you wouldn’t!” Wooyoung adds
Hongjoong frowns into his coffee. "I never want her thinking she can't just... be 23 years old!" he lets out a small sigh
"Her cousin seems cool though." Mingi offers, changing the subject.
“What’s he like?” he asks
“Picture a super tall, like REALLY tall male version of Luna!” Wooyoung says, “They have the same eyes, same smile, same nose even the same laugh!”
“He seems like a good guy, quite protective of Luna.” Seonghwa adds “They are obviously very close to one another.”
“I saw the photos she sent in our group chat.” Yeosang smiles, “It looks like she had a lot of fun.”
“Oh she definitely did!” Wooyoung laughs “She tried to sing and dance to The Real at the nightclub!”
"No way!" Yeosang laughs
From the window, Jongho's quiet voice carries across the room. "She deserved a night out."
Myeonjin’s message pings on Seonghwa’s phone causing them all to look at him - he’d be there in ten.
They all go into motion, scattering to bedrooms for last-minute wardrobe checks, hunting for chargers and water bottles. Hongjoong lingers, gaze flicking to Luna’s door. He sets his mug in the sink, wipes his hands on a towel, before grabbing 2 bottles of water from the fridge and a sheet of painkillers and quietly slips away.
He opens Luna’s door carefully knowing how it makes a noise at a certain angle. The blackout curtains keep her room in deep blue shadow, but he finds her by the lump on the bed, the tip of her nose and a mess of black hair poking out from under the covers.
He places the bottles and painkillers on her night stand then crouches by the side of the bed, resting his arms on the mattress just watching her. As if she knew he was there a hand wriggles out from the cocoon, fingers searching, and he catches it in his. “Joongie.” she whines
It amazes him how she knew it was him with her under the blanket as he gently climbs onto the bed beside her.
“Did you come to say goodbye before I die?” Her voice is a croak, but the attempt at humour isn’t lost on him as her head finally pokes out from under the covers.
Hongjoong smiles, the corners of his eyes pinching. “I brought you water and some painkillers. And…” he dug out a packet from his hoodie pocket, “chocolate, just for you. Captains orders!”
For a moment, they just lay together, quiet and heavy in the cool morning dark. Hongjoong looks around at the chaos of her room - the open textbooks on the desk, photo frames of her parents, her sisters, her friends dotted around, string lights tangled around the bed frame and up the wall, and he feels a sudden, dizzy fondness. The room feels exactly like her, like she’s lived here for years and not just months. It doesn’t feel like his old bedroom anymore, she has made it her own space and that fact makes him feel so happy.
“Do you want some coffee?” he asks. “Or do you want to just… be?”
She closes her eyes and nuzzles into his neck. “Be, please. For a minute. With you.”
A comfortable silence falls as he cuddles into her.
“According to Woo I was very chatty last night when I got home.” she says
“I wouldn’t know. I was at the studio.” he replies
“What a shocker!” she laughs then instantly regrets it when the throb in her head increases “Ow!”
Hongjoong chuckles lightly, kissing her head. “Careful, my love! Your head is delicate.”
“Apparently I called Yunho a sleepy prince, and said that I love when he lifts me.” she mumbles into his chest
“There were no lies there then!” he smiles
“Woo, wouldn’t tell me what else I said so it must have been bad.”
“There is nothing you could say that would make any of us see you differently… even something weird!” Hongjoong replies
“You say that now until I actually do say something weird!” she says
Hongjoong goes to reply but is stopped when a sharp knock comes from the door. “Oh shit, sorry!!” Seonghwas voice says before a much quieter and gentle knock follows. “Myeonjin is 2 minutes away, so we need to go.”
Hongjoong sighs, reluctantly untangling himself from her. "Duty calls." He looks down at her. “Get some rest, my love! I’ll see you later at the company, yeah?”
"Yeah," she says, already burrowing back under the covers. "Go be famous or whatever."
Hongjoong laughs softly as he heads for the door. "Your support is truly appreciated."
"I try," comes her muffled voice from the blanket cocoon. "Hey, Joongie?"
He pauses, hand on the doorknob. "Yeah?"
“Tell everyone I am sorry for coming home like a gross drunk person last night and for whatever I said!”
“I will.” he promises “But trust me, no one will have cared!”
Hongjoong quietly leaves the room to find only Seonghwa in the lounge. They share a look as Hongjoong nods and smiles, a silent communication that say ‘she’s good!’ before they pick up their things and head out the apartment.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽. :☆ﾟ. ───
It was only 3pm but the day already felt so long. The band had some interviews in the morning, they had to film some things then had to do a dance run through from the upcoming tour and it had been busy. Seonghwa and Yunho had already spoken to Yeosang about Lunas ex-boyfriend the night before and although he was initially upset, tears in his eyes that never fell he took the news well and promised not to make a deal of it with Luna. It was just Hongjoong to tell now, which they had both been dreading. Together they had decided to wait until a break during dance rehearsals before Luna arrived to work with Hongjoong in the studio.
As the break approaches Seonghwa nervously fiddles with the silver ring on his index finger. As if Yunho senses it he looks over at him and they have brief eye contact before Cyberpunk blasts through the speakers and they automatically get into position. The new dance moves were already starting to become like muscle memory after days and long hours of practice.
“Okay, lets take a 30 minute break, then do another hour rehearsal before calling it a day as I know Hongjoong as a studio session tonight and the others have schedules too.” Minsook, one of the BBT choreographers says
Everyone disperses, pulling out their phones, picking up their drinks from the desk at the back of the room, dropping down to the floor and just resting in general. Seonghwa catches Yunhos eye and tilts his head towards Hongjoong who is on the floor rolling out his shoulders and humming the bass line of the new song. Yunho nods and they slowly approach him.
“Can Yunho and I have a word with you? In private?” Seonghwa says clearing his throat
Hongjoong blinks up at them, pushing his bangs from his eyes and standing up, looking between the two like he was bracing himself for bad news. He follows them as they leave the dance hall and go down the corridor to a small private room.
“Is something up?” Hongjoong’s voice was higher than usual, a tiny crack at the end. Seonghwa hated this, how he was about to ruin the only quiet moment in Hongjoong’s entire day but it had to be done. Hongjoong needed to know.
“It’s about Luna.” Seonghwa says
“Is she okay?” Hongjoong asks his body stiffening slightly, “Did something happen on her night out?” his eyes dart between the two men and their faces are not settling his nerves at all.
“She is absolutely fine. Her night out was good, just like we told you this morning!” Yunho reassures “However, she told us something before she went out and it was a little concerning to say the least.”
Hongjoong bites his lower lip and folds his arms, waiting for them to continue.
“I wasn’t there when she spoke about it but the others told me last night.” Seonghwa says
Yunho’s voice is steady, always cool, calm and collected so Seonghwa knew he was the best person to tell Hongjoong this. “She revealed that her ex boyfriend was… abusive.”
Hongjoongs jaw snaps so tight Seonghwa could see the muscles tense, his teeth grinding together. He stared at the wall behind the two men as if he needed to focus on something. “She said that?” His voice is quiet but sharp, like a razor blade. Neither Seonghwa nor Yunho had ever heard him speak in this tone in all the years they’d know him.
“She didn’t use the word abusive but what she described definitely was.” Yunho says
“What exactly did she say?” Hongjoong says, his arms still folded but his hands moving into tight fists
“He was controlling, wanted to know her every move, made her text him constantly and if she didn’t he would call her until she answered, he told her what she could wear.” Yunho answers before taking a deep breath to say the next bit. “She also said that he would break things, shout a lot and would… push her.” Hongjoongs eyes snap to Yunho but he continues “She doesn’t seem to realise those actions are abusive because in her eyes he didn’t physically hit her.”
The next words out of Hongjoongs mouth cause a chill through both Seonghwa and Yunho. “What is his name and where is he?” It wasn’t even a question; it was a demand.
“We don’t know and we didn’t want to ask.” Yunho replies
Hongjoongs heart hammers against his chest, he didn’t realise he was holding his breath until his chest burned. The world inside the small vocal practice room seemed to shrink around him.
“Who else knows?” he asks
“Everyone, we told Yeosang earlier.” Seonghwa responds
Hongjoong runs a hand through his hair, messing it up completely. “Good, that’s good to know. We don’t want to trigger her.” He says, “How was she when she told you? When was she with this ex? How long were they together?” the questions begin to fly out his mouth
“She didn’t quite intend to tell us, it slipped out as an accident but she was open and honest about it all. She said it was when she first moved here, so around 5 years ago and they were together for a year.”
“5 years ago, that means she was what… 18 years old?” Hongjoong says as Yunho nods “Fuck, she was so young!” he sighs as he sinks into a chair. Seonghwa and Yunho following suit across from him. “How did it end? Did she say?”
Yunho tells him, his heart clenching the whole time especially when Yunho said he broke her phone and he needed to be dragged out the dorm after she accidentally scratched his face trying to get it back. “She said that her friends tried to tell her this wasn’t normal but she couldn’t see it until…” Yunho swallows hard, “Until that night. I suggested to the others that we don’t push this with her. She’s told us and that is good enough for me. If she wants to tell us more we will listen and be there.”
Hongjoong nods. “I’d have said the same. Was she upset when she talked about it?”
“Weirdly casual.” Yunho replies, “Like she was talking about the weather.”
"That's worse." Hongjoong says quietly. "That means she's normalised it." His phone alert goes off and he pulls his phone from his pocket. "It’s Luna, she’s just got off the train. She is a few minutes away from here. Said she wanted to come early to watch some of our dance rehearsal.” a small smile creeps on his face despite the news he was just given as he types out a response - ‘Can’t wait to see you, my love’.
“She does love watching us dance.” Seonghwa say softly with his own small smile.
“Should I say something? Let her know that we are here if she needs us?" Hongjoong asks
“Probably not the best idea right before her first session in the recording studio with you. She is already a little nervous about working on this album and making sure not to piss off Eden, or get in the way with your work.” Seonghwa answers
“Look,” Yunho says clearing his throat, “we are all pissed off she was treated this way. We all literally want to hunt this guy down but he’s in her past. She’s with us now and happy so I think we should just focus on making sure she knows she’s lov… cared for by us.”
Seonghwa notices the slip Yunho nearly made but decides not to say anything.
"Yeah," Hongjoong sighs, the anger momentarily giving way to sadness. "I just hate that she went through that alone."
"She's not alone now." Seonghwa reminds him gently.
"No, she's not." Hongjoong agrees, his jaw setting again with determination. "And she never will be again if I have anything to say about it."
“We should head back to the dance hall now. Luna will be here any minute.” Yunho says
“Is it bad that I want to hold her and never let her go?” he says softly
“Not at all!” Seonghwa laughs quietly, “We all do!”
“You know, I don’t think she’d fight a group hug if we suggested it!” Yunho grins playfully
“Jongho probably would though!” Seonghwa laughs
“For Luna he’d be convinced… hell even I would!” Hongjoong replies with a light laugh
Hongjoong shuffles back into the main hall behind the other two, still feeling his heart pounding in his chest. The bass from the wall speakers has been replaced by a softer playlist, probably Jongho’s doing, and it’s calming. Hongjoong appreciates the atmosphere after the news he’s just had. as they walk into the room.
And then he sees her.
Luna sits cross-legged, shoes discarded beside her to reveal the fluffy bear socks she’s wearing. Yeosang mirrors her position, their knees touching as their hands dart between them in some intricate game Hongjoong doesn't recognise. Their laughter rises above the soft music and a language only they seem to understand. Watching them, Hongjoong feels a warmth spread through his chest. The bond between Luna and the usually reserved Yeosang had blossomed so naturally, so effortlessly. She'd understood Yeosang's quietness from the beginning, never pushing, just accepting. Hongjoong's initial worries about how Yeosang would adjust to their unconventional relationship had evaporated quickly when he saw how Yeosang was beginning to open up to her.
“Sangie!!” Luna laughs loudly as Yeosang lets out a small cheer “That is cheating!”
Yeosang's laugh is a little wicked as he wiggles his fingers in her face. “I just have longer fingers than you, angel. It’s an advantage, not cheating!”
Luna pouts then quickly pounces back with a lightening-quick tap, using his gloating to her own advantage. “Ha ha!” she grins back
“You are getting better!” he replies
“I’m just competitive, I blame my dad for that trait!” she says as they both lock in again to their game
Watching them, Hongjoong feels the tension in his chest begin to lift. She’s happy, he tells himself.
“How’s the hangover, little one?” Yunho asks sitting beside them
“I’m still alive!” she replies as Yeosang makes his move and she dodges it “So that is something.”
Hongjoong is about to say something when the studio door opens and the smell of food wafts into the space as Wooyoung and San walk in. Wooyoung loudly announcing he comes bearing food! It doesn’t take long before they are all sitting on the floor in a circle and digging in. Luna is sitting between Hongjoong and Jongho as she quietly enjoys her fried chicken with honey mustard sauce.
As soon as Jongho sat down Luna immediately crawled over to him so she could sit beside him, giving him a silent smile. She may not have remembered her drunken meltdown over him to the others but she did remember how guilty she felt at pulling away from his kiss the night before so wanted to be beside him. He subtly shuffles a little closer to her, liking the fact she came to him.
"Yunho, are you trying to steal my chicken?" Luna narrows her eyes as Yunho's chopsticks hover dangerously close to her container.
"I would never!" Yunho says with mock offence, his hand dramatically placed over his heart. "I was just... admiring it from a closer perspective."
Luna smiles at him and pushes the container towards him so he can take some. Hongjoong keeps a close eye on her and despite the heaviness in his chest from what he'd learned earlier, seeing her like this - happy, comfortable, surrounded by people who care about her, settles something in him.
"I'm telling you, Minsook is trying to kill us." Wooyoung groans dramatically as he stretches his legs out in front of him. "My thighs are screaming."
"Your thighs are always screaming." San quips, mouth half-full of chicken.
Wooyoung throws a napkin at him. "You would know."
Seonghwa chokes on his water while Yunho just shakes his head, reaching over to steal one of Hongjoong's fries.
"Hey!" Hongjoong protests, slapping Yunho's hand away a second too late.
“Yunho is definitely in food stealing mode today!” Luna giggles
As the others continue their playful bickering, Jongho shifts slightly, creating a small bubble of privacy between himself and Luna. He watches as she meticulously dips her chicken in the honey mustard sauce, careful not to get any on her fingers.
"How's the sauce?" he asks quietly, his voice just for her.
“It is so good!!” Luna looks up at him through her lashes. "Want to try?" She holds up a piece of chicken to his lips.
Jongho hesitates for only a second before leaning forward and taking the bite from her fingers, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Verdict?" she whispers.
"Sweet," he says, then adds, "like you."
Luna rolls her eyes but can't hide her smile. "That was terrible."
"Yet you're blushing." he points out, his own cheeks warming.
"It's the hangover." she simply replies, “It’s still lingering in the background!”
Jongho snorts. "Sure, blame the alcohol."
Luna nudges him with her shoulder. "Don't be smug, it doesn't suit you."
"Everything suits me!" he retorts with mock confidence.
"God, your ego barely fits in this room." she teases, but there's no bite to her words.
There was so much he wanted to say - ‘sorry for pushing you away’, ‘sorry for ignoring you’, ‘ sorry for kissing you last night and making you uncomfortable’, 'sorry if i made you feel a fraction of how your ex made you feel' but he didn’t feel those words were enough and now wasn’t the right time either. She deserved to hear his apology for how he treated her in a quiet place where he could focus 100% on her but they were talking now at least, he thought. His eyes drift down to her bear socks and he smiles.
“I like your socks.” he grins nudging her foot lightly with his own
“I like my bear socks too!” she replies wiggling her toes before looking at him “They remind me of you! Soft and cute yet strong!”
Jongho's eyes widened slightly at her comment, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Soft and cute yet strong." he repeats quietly, looking down at his hands. "I like that."
Luna tucks some hair behind her ear, suddenly feeling shy. “I missed this.” she says so quietly
"Missed what?" he asks softly
"Just... talking to you." Her eyes meet his, vulnerable and honest.
Jongho swallows hard, the weight of her words settling in his chest. “I’ve missed talking to you too.”
They share a lingering look before going back to their food but Jonghos shuffles even closer to her, their bodies now touching. The others are deep in a debate about the new choreography and upcoming tour. The noise built and built, voices bouncing off every reflective surface of the studio, but inside their little bubble of two, it was softer.
“I’m so full now!” she mumbles picking up the last piece of chicken in her chopsticks and dipping it into the sauce then holds it up to Jonghos mouth
“Are you just trying to feed me now?” he chuckles before he accepts it
“Is that a bad thing?” she smirks before wiping a bit of sauce from the corner of his lips with her thumb
He feels his face flush, and he both hates and loves how easily she could do that to him. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you,” he says, trying for stern but completely failing
She only grins wider. “Maybe a little bit.”
He looks away but can’t stop the smile on his face. He wants to tell her what she means to him, but the words are too much all at once, so he settles for the little burst of warmth in his chest. Her hand lingers on his jaw for a moment causing him to look back at her before pressing a feather-light kiss to her palm.
Her eyes lock with his, the rest of the room fading away. A sudden impulse takes over, and she presses her lips against his - just a whisper of contact, gone in an instant. The strawberry milk she had been drinking lingering on his lips is the only proof for him that it really happened as she quickly places her head on his shoulder, her long hair fanning over him and tickling his neck.
Jongho feels another heat bloom in his chest as he places an arm around her, holding her against him, resting his own head on top of hers with a soft smile on his face. Finally, this - the simple freedom to hold her, to show his affection without hesitation or doubt, was exactly what he'd been longing for all along.
Mingi who had been watching their interaction silently from the other side of the room can only smile at them. The smile on Jongho's face, Lunas head resting on his shoulder as one of her hands moves to wrap around Jonghos bicep. He knew things were going back to normal for them, slowly but surely.
“5 minute warning!!” Minsooks booming voice from the door startles them all. “Bathroom, water, changing of shoes, whatever you need do it now! We start in 5 minutes sharp!” and just like this, his head disappears back out the door.
Groans and protests echo, but everyone starts getting up, reluctantly stretching and brushing crumbs from their shirts. Wooyoung immediately grabs a napkin and does a dramatic swipe across his cheeks like he is preparing for battle. Seonghwa, ever the neat one, already has Luna's chicken container and his own trash bundled together.
Jongho reluctantly lets go of her as she lifts her head off his shoulder. He helps her to stand up, holding onto her hands for a moment before taking her to the side as the others begin to move around them to get ready. “Thank you.” she whispers to him placing a kiss on his cheek
“I honestly don’t deserve any thanks from you. Not how I’ve treated you since we got home from LA.” he replies
Luna's fingers tighten around his, refusing to let go even as the others scatter around the room preparing for their next round of rehearsal. She tugs him toward the corner of the studio, away from the chaos of water bottles being refilled and dance shoes being laced.
"Hey," she says softly, "look at me."
Jongho reluctantly meets her eyes, his usual confident demeanour replaced with something more vulnerable.
"I get it, you know." she continues, her thumb tracing small circles on the back of his hand. "This whole... situation with the 9 of us. It's not exactly what they cover in relationship handbooks."
A small, reluctant smile tugs at his lips. "Is there a 'Polyamory for Dummies' I should've read?"
"If there is, none of us got that memo!" she laughs quietly. "And I know you don’t like being touched or hugged either so I’ll be more mindful of that stuff with you."
Jongho's eyes soften as he looks at her, really looks at her. His hand comes up to brush some hair behind her ear, lingering against her cheek.
His voice is low enough that only she can hear. "With you, I..." He pauses, struggling with words. "With you, I want it. All of it. The touching, the closeness. Everything."
Luna's breath catches. "Everything?"
"Everything." he confirms, and before she can respond, he's leaning down, capturing her lips with his.
This kiss is nothing like the brief peck from earlier. It's deliberate, deep, a declaration just for her. His hand slides to the back of her neck, holding her close as if afraid she might slip away. Luna responds immediately, her fingers gripping the sides of his red checked shirt, bunching the fabric between her knuckles. Jongho's other arm wraps around her waist, lifting her slightly so she's on her tiptoes.
When they finally separate, both breathless, Luna's eyes remain closed for a moment longer, as if savouring the sensation.
"Well," she finally says, a little dazed as she opens her eyes "that was definitely... something."
Jongho can't help the smug smile that spreads across his face. "Just something?"
"Don't push your luck, Choi Jongho." she warns, but she's smiling too, her fingers still twisted in his shirt.
“And when I said everything, I meant exactly that. I want all of you and I want you to have all of me... in every way.”
His words cause an instant flutter deep in her tummy and before she can respond Minsooks voice bellows once more as he comes into the room with the back up dancers in tow. “ONE MINUTE!”
"You should probably let go of my shirt before you stretch it beyond repair." Jongho teases, making no move to step away from her.
Luna glances down at her white-knuckled grip and sheepishly releases the fabric, attempting to smooth out the wrinkles. "Sorry about that. Got a bit carried away."
“I’m not complaining!” he murmurs before moving his mouth to her ear “Although it is making me wonder if you’ll grip onto me like that when we are doing other things… in private, like my bedroom.”
“Jongho!!” Luna gasps
Jongho's eyes widen at her reaction, his confident smirk growing even wider as a delightful blush spreads across Luna's cheeks.
"What?" he asks innocently, though the glint in his eyes is anything but. "I'm just saying, if your grip is that strong when we're just kissing then what would it be like if we were…"
"Finish that sentence and I swear I'll make you regret it." Luna hisses, glancing around to make sure no one overheard.
"Promises, promises!" Jongho murmurs, clearly enjoying her flustered state.
Luna recovers quickly. “You know I have wondered if you make those high notes in places other than on stage or in the recording studio.”
It's Jongho's turn to look stunned, his cocky expression faltering as he swallows hard. Before he can formulate a comeback, Wooyoung bounds over, completely oblivious to the tension between them.
"What are you two whispering about?" he asks, slinging an arm around Luna's shoulders.
"We were just discussing Jongho's vocal techniques and his high notes." Luna replies smoothly, making Jongho choke on nothing.
Wooyoung looks suspiciously between the pair, he doesn’t say anything but his smirk says it all.
“Luna!” Hongjoongs voice floats over the noise of all the people in the room now
The three of them look in the direction it came from and see Hongjoong beckoning her over. “That’s my cue.” she grins before walking away from them
She approaches Hongjoong with a light happy skip and a big smile on her face. It causes him to let out a high pitched giggle that even surprises himself.
“Hi, my love!” he says when she stops infront of him
“Joongie!” she replies happily
“This is a big rehearsal we are doing… so follow with me.” he says taking her hand
Hongjoong leads her over to the mirror in front of where they all face when they rehearse. He motions for her to sit down on the floor in the centre of it and squats down in front of her.
“Front row view for our VIP!” he smiles at her as he reaches into his pocket, pulling out a tiny slip of folded paper that he quickly wrote when she wasn’t looking. He presses it into her hand. “For you.” he says softly.
Luna's eyes widen as she unfolds it. Eight simple words, written in perfect English stare back: 'You're everything to us. Never doubt that. Ever.'
“Joongie!” Her voice catches, fingers trembling slightly as she presses the paper against her chest.
"Every word is true." He leans in, brushing his lips against hers in a kiss so light it's almost not there. When he pulls back, her nose crinkles with that little scrunch he finds so endearing, a soft giggle escaping her.
“They told you didn’t they?” she asks, her voice is so light he barely misses what she said “About my ex.” Hongjoong blinks rapidly, caught off-guard. Before he can formulate a response, her fingertips brush against his cheek, feather-light. “It is okay. Really. I’m glad you know. I wanted you to.”
"I wasn't sure if I should bring it up." he admits, his eyes searching hers. "I just worry."
Luna's smile reaches her eyes, crinkling the corners slightly. "I know, Joongie!" She takes a small deep breath and tilts her head as she looks at him. “That chapter of my life is closed now. The therapy helped me understand none of it was my fault." Her fingers find his, intertwining. “Being with all of you - this beautiful, unconventional thing we've all built together…” she softly sighs “Joongie, it's the healthiest relationship I've ever known.”
Relief softens Hongjoong's features. "You have no idea how much it means to hear that. I feel the same way!" He squeezes her hand. "We're all better with you in our lives."
"The feeling is very much mutual." she replies, her smile widening.
“Right let’s go!” Minsook says loudly
“Sorry!” Hongjoong reluctantly lets go of her hand. “I’ll have a quick shower after rehearsals, then studio time - just us.” he promises standing up “Feel free to take any videos or photos you want of us rehearsing, especially if any of them mess up!” he adds with a cheeky grin
Luna's smile lingers as Hongjoong joins the others. The eight men fall into their starting positions, exchanging quick instructions and adjustments. Her gaze drifts to Jongho, his head thrown back in laughter at something Yunho whispered to him. The tension that had been knotted between them has unravelled, leaving something lighter in its place. They still need to talk - really talk, and they will but for now, this newfound clarity between them feels like the dark cloud is gone.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽. :☆ﾟ. ───
The clock on the wall reads 12:07 AM when Hongjoong pulls off his headphones and runs a hand through his dark hair.
Luna stretches in the leather chair in front of the mixing board, her spine popping after hours of sitting. Hongjoong had gave her crash course on how to operate it, which buttons to hit to play the music for him in the recording booth, which ones would initiate the playback for him to hear, how to rewind parts and forward them, the intercom button. She was admittedly nervous at first being trusted with such an important job but Hongjoong insisted he had full faith in her abilities to work it. It was important for him that this recording session be just the two of them, he didn't want anyone else in the room with them. His reasons being he wanted to take pressure off Luna, he had already picked up how anxious she was about the Japanese album and the responsibility she was given for it but also how scared she was of disappointing Eden! He had noticed there was an increase of arm rubbing, fingers anxiously pulling at her sleeves whenever the album was mentioned. He wanted to make this as calm for her as possible, and also show her how fun recording sessions are.
The studio feels smaller now, more intimate in the late hour, with only the soft glow of equipment leds and the dimmed overhead lights. Compared to the harsh bright lights of the recording booth Hongjoong has stood in for hours it was a lot more relaxing here, Luna felt.
"That was perfect!" she says, scrolling through her notes on her laptop, closing her notebook. "Your pronunciation on the third verse has improved so much. The way you handled the particle shifts…"
"Luna." Hongjoong's voice is quieter than usual as he emerges from the recording booth causing her to stop talking and look at him. He leans against the door frame, his brown eyes studying her sitting cross-legged on the desk chair, wearing his sweatshirt as the studio was so cold when they’d arrived, a pencil sitting on her ear and her glasses halfway down her nose.
“Hmm?” she asks
"Thank you. Really. This has been... I don't know how we managed before you."
Heat creeps up her neck as she pushes her glasses up her nose. "You had other translators and pronunciation guides."
"Not like you." He moves closer, settling onto the edge of the desk in front of her chair. The scent of his cologne mixed with the coffee they'd been drinking all evening. "The others never understood what I was trying to convey. They just translated words. You translate meaning."
Luna closes her laptop, her fingers suddenly restless. "That's the difference between translation and interpretation, I guess."
"It's more than that." Hongjoong shifts, and his knee brushes against hers. Neither of them moved away. "You understand the music. The emotion behind it. It has made all this so much easier for me tonight."
The soundproof studio feels the quietest it has been all night. Luna looks up at him, at the way the blue light from the monitors caught the silver of his piercings, the tired but satisfied curve of his mouth.
"Joongie…"
He kisses her before she could finish, his hand cupping her jaw with a gentleness that makes her chest ache. They had shared some little kisses before the recording session started and when he would sit beside her when he wasn't in the booth, he'd give her small pecks but this kiss felt different. Urgent. Like something had been building between them during all those hours of working side by side, and it had finally reached critical mass.
Luna's hands find his shirt, pulling him closer as she rises from the chair to get closer to him. Hongjoong makes a soft sound against her mouth, his fingers threading through her hair. The kiss deepens, growing hungry as Hongjoong gently turns them around, and Luna feels her back press against the mixing board.
When they finally break apart, both breathing hard, Hongjoong's eyes are darker than she'd ever seen them.
"I've been wanting to do that all night." he admits, his thumb tracing her lower lip. “But I’ve had to be in work mode around you for hours and it was so hard when you have been right here all night, by my side.”
Luna's breath catches as his thumb traces her lip. "And I thought I was the only one having a hard time focusing." she says, her voice a touch unsteady. "I nearly accidentally hit buttons on the board because I was watching you in the booth instead of my notes."
Hongjoong grins, his hands settling on her waist. "Is that why you made me re-record the second verse four times?"
Luna laughs, pushing her hair out of her face. "I have no idea what you're talking about," she says, trying and failing to keep a straight face. "I was just being thorough."
"Thorough, huh?" Hongjoong raises an eyebrow, his hands still warm on her waist. "Is that also why you kept asking me to do that one high note again? The one that made me do this?" He tilts his head back dramatically, mimicking the strained facial expression he'd made in the booth.
"Oh my god, stop!" Luna giggles, covering her face with her hands. "That was legitimately for the recording. Though I will admit the face was... a bonus."
Hongjoong tugs her hands away from her face, intertwining their fingers. "I knew it. You're just using me for my vocal range and weird recording faces."
"Busted." Luna says, squeezing his hands. "Eden's going to be so proud when I tell him I got you to hit that note by exploiting your need to impress me."
"My need to…" Hongjoong sputters, his ears turning red
"You should see your face right now." Luna teases, enjoying the rare sight of him flustered. "The great Kim Hongjoong, captain of Ateez, at a loss for words."
He narrows his eyes playfully. "You are an evil little minx you know!"
“Oh I know!” she grins back running her fingers through his hair, feeling the softness between them.
The studio suddenly feels very warm, and Luna becomes acutely aware of the late hour, of how alone they are, of how Hongjoong is looking at her like she's the only person in the world.
“So I think we might finish work early tonight.” he says his hands holding onto her waist again
“Really?” she asks surprised as she was expected this to be a very long night especially as Hongjoong rarely came home from his studio before 3am
“Well we’ve already got more work done than I had planned to do because you are such an amazing teacher.” he replies placing kisses on her cheek, “I think I have all my vocals done and the guide finished so all we need is the others vocals which we can’t do because thankfully they are not here right now.” his mouth moves down to her jaw line and neck as she instinctively leans her head back while his hands lower to her ass. She manages to stifle a moan that wanted to escape her mouth as his teeth nip gently at the skin on her neck, her fingers tighten in his hair slightly.
"You know," Luna breathes against his ear as his lips continue their journey along her neck, "when I was asked to do this album with you, this wasn't in the job description."
Hongjoong pulls back just enough to look at her, his eyes dancing with amusement. "What, 'must be willing to be seduced in recording studios after midnight' wasn't in the fine print?"
"Definitely not." she laughs, her hands still tangled in his hair. "Though I suppose it falls under 'other duties as assigned'."
He snorts, pressing his forehead against hers. "Is that what we're calling this? A duty?"
Luna pretends to consider it, tilting her head. "Well, I am very dedicated to my work."
"Oh, I can tell," he murmurs, kissing her again, softer this time. "Very professional."
She breaks the kiss with a giggle. "Says the man who just admitted to being distracted by me all night."
"That's different." His hands squeeze her ass gently, pulling her closer against him. "I'm allowed to be unprofessional. I'm an artist."
"Is that how it works?" Luna asks, raising an eyebrow as she trails her fingers down the front of his shirt. "You get to be a mess and I have to keep it together?"
Hongjoong's laugh is low and warm against her skin. "You call this keeping it together?" He gestures vaguely between them, at her position sitting on the edge of the desk by the mixing board, her legs wrapped around his waist as his hands still firmly on her backside.
"I'm multitasking," she replies with mock seriousness. "Recording supervision and... whatever this is."
"Whatever this is," he repeats, kissing a spot just below her ear that makes her shiver. "Very eloquent for a language specialist."
Luna rolls her eyes, tugging at his hair just enough to make him look at her. "You know what I mean."
"I do," he says, his teasing expression softening into something more vulnerable. "I really do."
The playfulness between them settles into something quieter, deeper, as they look at each other in the dim blue light of the studio. Luna traces her thumb along his bottom lip, feeling a rush of affection as he kisses it gently.
"So," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "About finishing early tonight..."
His eyes darken again. "I'm thinking we should go home so I can show you exactly how much I appreciated your hard work tonight… multiple times."
“If anyone deserves to be appreciated multiple times tonight it is you.” she grins playfully at him, “You’ve been working since early this morning while I was hungover in bed until 1pm thinking I was on the cusp of dying.”
“You’ve put up with me in full on work mode and I know how difficult I can be so I think you deserve it more.” he replies
“Hmm,” she hums placing a kiss on his lips “Lets agree we both deserve it.”
“I like the sound of that.” he grins kissing her back
“Lets get tidied up Captain!” she says gently pushing him away from her
Hongjoong sighs theatrically but gives her a final squeeze as she wriggles off the mixing desk, and he immediately sets about his ritual of closing up the studio. She goes over to the sofa and puts her laptop, iPad and notebook inside her bag before taking a drink from her water bottle. She sits down on the desk chair she’d been sat in for hours and watches him as he saves the project files - three copies and tonight he made a point to save one to his own laptop as well. He winks at her as he names the file: “Midnight Genius FINAL (Luna Approved)” pecking her on the cheek before he clicks save as she giggles. He powers down the monitors, flipping each switch off in a practised order, like a pilot landing a plane.
When everything goes quiet - a real, heavy quiet, the kind that only exists after hours of music and machinery in a semi soundproof room, Hongjoong glances at her with a raised brow. “Are you ready?”
Luna stands up from the desk chair and puts her arms around his shoulders, nuzzling her nose against his. “I am so ready to go home with you.” she whispers
Hongjoong kisses her once more, a little deeper this time, before reluctantly pulling away. "Let me just grab my jacket."
Hongjoong shrugs on his jacket, patting his pockets to check for his phone and wallet before turning off the main studio lights. The room plunges into darkness except for the small emergency exit sign glowing red in the corner.
"Shit…" Luna stumbles slightly in the sudden darkness, her hand finding his arm.
"I've got you," he says, his fingers intertwining with hers. "I could navigate this place blindfolded at this point."
"Of course you can, you practically live here while I am just a visitor!" she says, making him snort as he guides them to the door.
The hallway outside is dimly lit with the night-mode lighting, casting long shadows across the polished floors. Their footsteps echo slightly as they make their way toward the elevator, still hand in hand. Luna glances nervously over her shoulder.
"What if someone's still here?" she asks, lowering her voice and instinctively loosening her grip on his hand. "The cleaning staff or security or…"
"At nearly 1 in the morning?" Hongjoong pulls her closer, swinging their hands playfully. "The only people crazy enough to be here this late are us."
Luna chews her lip. "But what if…"
"Luna," he stops, turning to face her. "The cleaners finish at eleven. Security does rounds on the half-hour, and they're currently on the third floor."
She blinks at him. "How do you know the security schedule?"
"Because I'm here late enough that they've started bringing me coffee and food on their rounds and I know all their names." he admits with a sheepish grin. "Minho's kid just started school."
Luna stares at him for a moment before bursting into laughter, quickly covering her mouth to muffle the sound. "Here I thought you were all alone on your studio nights while you’ve got secret security friends who bring you food and drinks!"
Hongjoong presses a finger to her lips, his eyes dancing with mock seriousness. "Shh, don't tell anyone. I have a reputation as a tortured artist to maintain."
"Oh my god," Luna whispers, still giggling as they reach the elevator. "So all those times you texted me at 3 AM saying you were surviving on nothing but inspiration and spite..."
"I was actually eating homemade kimbap that Minho's wife made." he admits, hitting the down button. "The spite part was still true, though."
Luna leans against the wall, shaking her head. "I can't believe you've been holding out on me. And here I was, worrying you were wasting away."
"I mean, I do skip meals sometimes," he defends himself as the elevator arrives with a soft ping. "Just... not as often as I let people think."
They step inside, and Hongjoong immediately crowds her against the back wall, his hands settling on her waist after he presses the button for the private underground garage.
"Besides," he murmurs, "it's cute when you worry about me."
“I liked the whole tortured artist thing.” she replies playfully. “It was very sexy. Now you’re just a guy who has security guard friends who brings him homemade meals.
He narrows his eyes. "I'll have you know I still only sleep four hours a night. That is still classed as a ‘tortured artist’."
Luna hums against his lips, smoothing down his collar with her fingertips. "I suppose four hours of sleep still qualifies you as tortured." She tilts her head, eyes sparkling with mischief. "But maybe I should be the one bringing you midnight snacks. Wouldn't want these security guards wives stealing your affection." She brushes her lips against his. "I've heard the way to a man's heart is through his stomach."
He wants to reply that she already has his heart but bites his tongue. The elevator dings as they reach the underground garage. Hongjoong keeps her pressed against the wall, his gaze travelling from her eyes to her mouth and back again.
"Trust me," he murmurs, voice low and warm, "nobody's cooking compares to yours, my love." He captures her lips just as the doors slide open to the empty garage.
They kiss for a few moments until the ding of the elevator door closing again makes them pull apart and smile shyly at one another. Hongjoong takes her hand once more and opens the door for them to walk out.
Luna braces herself for the usual routine: a manager materialising out of nowhere to usher them into the backseat of a company SUV, the professional silence as they pretend not to notice whispered words or fingers intertwining in the shadows. But tonight, Hongjoong leads her past the row of identical black vehicles toward something unexpected at the far end of the garage - a sleek sedan with windows tinted like midnight. The car chirps as he unlocks it, then he sweeps his arm toward the passenger door with a playful bow. "Your chariot awaits, Ms. Lee."
“Are we stealing a car?” she whispers, half-joking, half-expecting the answer to be yes. “Because if so, I am totally down for that. We can go on the run together!”
Hongjoong laughs loudly, the sound echoing through the empty garage. “Technically it isn’t mine, it’s a company car but I am legally allowed to drive it. Doesn’t mean Myeonjin is happy about it though!” he says as he opens the passenger door and holds out his hand for her. “But tonight I wanted to drive you home, just the two of us.”
She slides in and instantly feels how plush the leather seats are. He’s in the drivers seat a second later with their bags in the back seats, adjusting the mirrors with ease and turning the key in the ignition, bringing the engine to life. Luna watches him carefully with a small smile on her face and a flutter in her tummy at Hongjoong driving her. She can tell by the way his hands hover on the wheel that he’s excited too. It’s contagious - a private little rebellion, like skipping class or sneaking out after curfew.
The dashboard lights up soft blue and red as they put their seat belts on. Hongjoong looks over at her. “You have control over the music tonight. It is on Bluetooth.” he says switching from the radio to the music app.
“Are you seriously trusting me with the music selection?” she laughs pulling her phone out of her jeans pocket. “I am known for my strange taste in music.”
“Anything you want. It’s your night.” he replies smiling at her before pulling out of the parking spot
She opens her music app on her phone and scrolls until she finds a playlist she listens to regularly when she is wanting to relax. It is usually played during the night while working late or after a particularly anxious moment but tonight she wants to play it to provide a relaxing atmosphere for them both.
“Just don’t judge my night time taste in music okay!” she mumbles as she connects the Bluetooth and the first song begins to play through the speakers - It’s You by Henry.
As the car glides smoothly onto the main road, Luna settles into her seat, enjoying the familiar melody filling the space between them and feeling the warmth from the seat warmer as it heats up. She steals a glance at Hongjoong who looks incredibly relaxed driving. His right hand shifts from the steering wheel to rest on her thigh, causing her to relax further into the passenger seat.
"Nice choice." he remarks, breaking the comfortable silence between them. "I haven't heard this song in a while."
Luna smiles, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "It's one of my favourites. It’s cheesy I know but it makes me feel like I'm in a kdrama scene."
"Well, we've got the perfect soundtrack now for our little adventure tonight." Hongjoong chuckles softly. “Are you hungry, my love?” he asks after a few blocks, voice soft. “I know it’s late, but there’s a tteokbokki place open by the river. It has vegetarian options too, I checked last time I visited.”
“I thought you had plans to ‘appreciate’ me multiple times tonight.” Luna says, not bothering to hide her grin.
“Oh I do,” he replies, deadpan, but his mouth twitches at the corner. “But it’s been a while since we had dinner and you need something to eat. We can get it to go.”
“You know me… I am always up for food!” she giggles
Hongjoong continues to drive as Lunas midnight playlist continues to play. Small conversations being exchanged but mostly a comforting silence fills the car and after a long day of talking through pronunciations it was what both of them needed.
As they sit at a red light, Hongjoong turns to her, face lit by the glow of the console. “You okay?” he asks, and it’s not small talk; he’s really asking. She sees the way his brow furrows, the way he always looks for the cracks even when she’s sure she’s hiding them. But tonight she isn't. It has been a while since she felt this free and fully happy.
“I’m good.” she says, and means it. “I like this.”
“Me too,” he says “You’re really amazing, you know that?”
Before she can respond he leans over and kisses her cheek, quick and unapologetic before the light turns green and he puts the car into drive once more.
The tteokbokki place is a tiny kiosk perched on the riverbank, still open and blazing with fluorescent light in the early hours. There are only a few people around but Hongjoong still hides under a baseball hat and a black face mask as he orders for both of them, explaining to the older lady behind the counter that Luna can eat ‘absolutely no seafood, not even a little.’ He says it with the gravity of someone relaying critical medical information. The lady assures him his order doesn’t have any seafood or anything fish related in it and it is made completely separate from other foods so there is no cross contamination.
“Sorry, I know you don’t like that level of fuss.” he says quietly to her
“Never apologise for making sure my food won’t try to kill me!” she replies with a soft laugh, she looks around the area and notices a secluded area with benches and tables that overlook the river. “Hey how about we eat our food over there? It is quiet and provides enough cover.” she suggests before quickly adding “Unless it is too unsafe! You being out without a manager is already risky enough, maybe this is too far.”
Hongjoong quickly scans the area and nods. "No, it's fine. I think we're safe enough… and at this hour most people are either drunk or too tired to care." He gestures toward the secluded spot with his chin. "Everyone will just think I'm your weird boyfriend."
"So you're saying I look like the type who'd date a weirdo?" Luna teases.
"You literally are dating a weirdo!" he points out, eyes crinkling above his mask. “8 of them!” he adds quietly making her laugh
“That’s very very true!”
When their order is called, Hongjoong balances the containers carefully while Luna grabs their drinks. They make their way to the small table tucked under a tree, the river a dark ribbon beyond the railing. The spot is perfect - secluded enough that Hongjoong feels comfortable pulling his mask down to his chin, but with enough ambient light from distant streetlamps to see their food.
Luna takes a bite and immediately makes a small noise of pleasure. "Oh my god, this is so good. How did you find this place?"
"One of those security guard perks." Hongjoong admits, mixing some rice into the sauce. "Minho told me about it. Said he brings his wife here regularly because it reminds them of their first date."
"That's actually really sweet." Luna says, “I am starting to think those security guards are the real MVPs of your career!”
They both laugh, and Luna reaches across the table to wipe a bit of sauce from the corner of his mouth with her thumb. The gesture is casual, intimate in a way that still surprises her sometimes at how comfortable they make her feel.
“Sorry, I probably shouldn’t have done that in public.” she says quickly pulling her hand back but he grabs it and holds it softly
“Look around, there is literally no one here.” he says kissing it
"So," she says, her voice softer, "on a scale of one to 'the company will murder us both,' how bad is it that we're sitting by the river eating street food at 1 AM without a manager?"
“Probably a solid seven… maybe an 8 for the hand holding.” he grins, “But definitely a ‘they’ll kill me’ for this…” he begins before leaning over and kissing her
“Joongie!” she jumps back covering her mouth as he just laughs and leans back into his seat, putting another piece of rice cake in his mouth. “You are such a troublemaker!”
Hongjoong chuckles, his eyes crinkling underneath his hat. "Guilty as charged." he confesses, taking another bite of his food. "But hey, isn't it more fun this way?"
Luna shakes her head with a smile, unable to hide her fondness for him. "I can't argue with that." she concedes, leaning back in her seat and taking in the peaceful ambience of their surroundings. The gentle sound of the flowing river and the dim glow of the streetlamps create a serene atmosphere that envelops them both.
“So... should I be jealous of Minho’s wife?” she asks, licking her spoon clean. “She seems to be feeding you a lot lately.”
“She does,” Hongjoong agrees, “but she’s also fifty. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”
“Maybe you like older women.” she wiggles her eyebrows playfully “Especially ones who cook homemade meals for you.”
Hongjoong's eyes soften in the dim light. "The only woman I want is right here," he says quietly. "Just you." He reaches out to wipe a bit of sauce from the corner of her mouth
Luna feels her heart skip a beat as she bumps his shoulder with hers. “Promise?”
“I promise.” He mumbles happily “And anyway, I love your cooking the most. I love that you cook us the foods you know we like and make sure we all eat.”
They fall into comfortable silence for a moment, the distant sound of occasional traffic mixing with the gentle lapping of the river. Luna looks up at the night sky, barely visible through Seoul's light pollution.
"You know what's weird?" she says suddenly. "If anyone from the company saw us right now, they'd probably have a heart attack. But to everyone else, we're just... normal."
Hongjoong follows her gaze upward. "Sometimes I forget what that feels like."
"To be normal?" Luna asks.
"To be invisible." he clarifies, his voice a touch wistful. "Just a regular guy having a late-night food date with his beautiful girlfriend. I’ve never been able to do that before and I want so much to do it with you. Take you on dates, without being in dark corners with hats on and masks. Just be like a normal couple."
Luna slides her foot against his beneath the table. "Tonight we are," she whispers. "Just us, right here, right now."
He leans across the table and kisses her, his lips warm and spicy from the sauce. Luna closes her eyes and kisses him back, tasting the heat on his tongue. When they break apart, Hongjoong quickly glances around before settling back in his seat with a satisfied grin.
"You're playing with fire tonight," she whispers.
He pops another rice cake into his mouth, chewing with exaggerated innocence. "Worth getting burned for."
"God help me, but you're right." she admits with a quiet laugh.
After the last bite is finished, Luna gathers their empty containers while Hongjoong wipes down the table with a napkin. He takes their trash to the bin, tugging his mask back over his nose and adjusting his cap lower over his eyes. Their footsteps are quiet against the pavement as they walk hand in hand back to the car, the night air cool against Luna's cheeks. Soon they're driving through Seoul's empty streets, the melancholy notes of Soyou's "I Miss You" filling the comfortable silence between them.
“You really like your OSTs huh?” Hongjoong remarks softly
“It is my go-to late night playlist.” she smiles. “They are a bit of a comfort too. My mom and I used to watch kdramas together so when I listen to the older OSTs it reminds me of her and the time we spent together.”
Her eyes drift over to him as she watches him drive. One hand on the wheel, the other on her thigh again as his eyes carefully watch the road. It feels so incredibly domestic - two young lovers driving through Seoul in the early hours. Something that she never thought would be possible with any of them but once again Hongjoong shows her that anything is possible with them.
“Do you miss home?” he asks, voice soft over the music.
“You mean London?”
He nods. “Or America.” he says, wondering if that’s where she considers home since it was where she was born and is a US citizen after all.
“Kind of but I miss my parents and sisters more. It is always been hard to know where ‘home’ really was with all the moving we did. I lived in so many different states, different countries. Nowhere really felt like somewhere I could call home. But this…” she says looking at the buildings flashing by, the city that had become hers. “Korea is the only place that’s really felt anywhere close to what you’d call home to me. When we would visit when I was a child I felt so at peace here. I think I was always destined to live here for a few years.”
Hongjoong smiles at that. “I’m glad you did.”
He turns the next corner with a gentle confidence, the kind that made Luna feel like nothing bad could happen as long as she is next to him.
“Are you planning to stay in Korea permanently now?” he finds himself asking, surprised at the bubble of nerves erupting from his chest
“That's a tough one to answer! Initially, it was only for college. I always planned to move back to America after I graduated.”
“What made you stay?” he asks changing lanes so smoothly Luna barely felt the car shift
“My friends mostly and I felt happier here. So I decided to stay a little longer, got a job in the hotel and worked there for a couple of years. The time to move back was approaching though. Then I was offered this job, signed a one year contract and decided at the end of it it would be time to move back to America.” she replies placing a hand over his
Hongjoong feels a pain in his chest and it flutters down to the pit of his stomach from the simple words ‘time to move back to America’. 6 words he didn’t know would fill him with pure dread. I Love You Boy by Suzy begins to softly play now.
“You’re leaving?” It comes out more high pitched than he intended
“That was the plan.” she says “I’ve lived here for 5 years - that is the longest I’ve ever lived in one place.”
Hongjoong doesn’t answer right away. He drives on, eyes fixed straight ahead, jaw tight, and Luna’s brain conjures up two dozen worst-case scenarios to explain his silence before he even speaks. Maybe she’s just ruined the whole night. Maybe she’s said too much.
"‘Was the plan’." he finally says, his voice carefully neutral. "Past tense."
Luna's voice is quiet as she fiddles with a loose thread on her jeans. "I was originally going to leave last month."
Hongjoong's head snaps toward her. "What?"
"Eyes on the road!" she yelps, pointing forward.
“Sorry!” He jerks his attention back to driving. “What do you mean you were going to leave last month?”
“It was before I got this job! The hotel job was wearing me down, the hours were long and so lonely, plus dealing with my bipolar diagnosis - it was too much. So a week before I got the interview for this job I made the decision, I booked a flight to Chicago and gave my notice at work. The original flight was supposed to be last month. I cancelled it the second I signed the contracts for here.” she answers “I decided with a one year contract I would stay for the end of it and then move back after.”
Hongjoong sighs as he pulls up to a red light. "I wish you'd told me."
“I didn't know how.” Luna says, her voice softening
"So what now?" he asks, accelerating gently as the light turns green. “Are you still planning to leave at the end of the contract?”
Luna stares out the window, watching the familiar buildings of their neighbourhood come into view. "I don’t know what will happen. I have my visa and if I don’t have a job it will be harder for me to stay in the country."
“Did the company really only give you a one year contract?” he asks as he pulls into the private underground garage of their apartment complex.
Luna laughs, nodding her head as he reverses into one of the spots reserved for their company cars with practised ease as if he does it all the time. "Yeah. I think it was in case I didn’t work out so you guys weren’t tied down with me." She unbuckles her seat belt and takes his hand, feeling the tremor running through his fingers as he grips onto her. “Ask me if I want to move back to America.”
He looks at her. “Do you want to move back to America?”
“No. Not any time soon!” she answers, her voice steady and firm as she looks into his eyes. “In a few months I’ll need to deal with my contract ending and any visa issues but if I am given the choice and you all want me to and I allowed stay then… oh god I want to!”
Hongjoong squeezes her hand before speaking. “ You are the best translator and tutor we’ve had so I don't think your contract not being renewed will be an issue. And regarding any visa problems, I will hire the best lawyers I can to fight any issues. If you genuinely want to stay here then I’ll move heaven and earth to give that to you.” He takes a small deep breath. "However if you want to move back to America, we won't stop you." this sentence causes a dull ache in his chest
Luna didn’t trust herself to speak, afraid that if she did, her voice would come out sounding like a sob. Instead, she leans over the centre console and kisses him, soft and slow, like she was trying to memorise how his mouth felt against hers before she lost the chance.
He kisses her back, the insistent way he always does. Before she knew it he was pulling her over to sit in his lap. Her hands found his jaw and traced his cheeks with her fingers. She could feel like light stubble coming in. “Joongie.” she whispers between kisses causing him to shiver.
He feels himself getting hard as his head becomes clouded by her. He is acutely aware they are in a car, albeit at nearly 2am, no one around and with tinted windows but he knows how risky this is. However, for a second Hongjoong thinks of dragging her into the backseat and letting their desire for one another take them. He manages to think past the blood rushing to his lower half.
"Let's... let's go upstairs." he murmurs, reluctantly breaking the kiss.
She giggles before planting a quick peck on the tip of his nose, nodding agreement. As she shifts back toward the passenger seat, her elbow catches the horn. A sudden blare echoes through the concrete structure, making them both jump before dissolving into laughter.
“Oops!” she says covering her face with her hands as she continues to laugh
“That was kind of funny!” he replies “Just as well this place is deserted!”
“Apart from the security guard at the gate.” she looks at him, her face red with laughter as she calms down
“If anyone asks I’ll just say I was leaning into the back seat and my ass hit the horn.” he says
"With that peach of yours? Totally believable," she teases, setting off another round of shared laughter.
“You love it!” he grins
“I do!” she admits, knowing there is no way could deny it even if she wanted to.
They get out the car with Hongjoong grabbing their bags from the backseat before he locks the car and grabs her hand, pulling her towards the elevator door. It opens instantly and is thankfully empty at this early hour. Hongjoong traps Luna against the back wall, hands braced to either side of her waist as soon as the doors close. “You know what I’m going to do to you when we get upstairs, right?”
She tries for a deadpan but she literally cannot stop herself from smiling at him. “Put me to bed like a responsible boyfriend?”
He nips at her earlobe. “Not even close.” His body grinds against hers as he places kisses along her skin
“Somebody’s impatient.” Luna teases
“Watching you through that window all night, the way you bite your lower lip when you are concentrating, how you looked at me as I was recording… I’ve been wanting this all fucking night!” he mutters, grazing her jaw with his teeth. “I wanted so badly to pull you into the recording booth and fuck you against the wall, where no one could hear us.”
“Then why did you take me on a detour to eat tteokbokki at 1 AM?” she asks between kisses.
“You needed fuel.” he says, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “It’s going to be a long night.” His mouth crashes onto her, his kisses are hungry now. All the restraint he showed earlier is gone, leaving only want for her.
The elevator dings at their floor, and before the doors can slide open, Hongjoong releases her just enough to let her breathe, then grabs her hand and leads her at a near-run down the silent hallway, reminiscent of their first night together in LA as he lead her down the hallway to his hotel room. He’s not even pretending to be chill about this. He’s so desperate, it’s almost funny, except that Luna is equally desperate, and she’s trying and failing to keep her giggles muffled as they stumble past door after door.
By the time they reach the door, they're both flushed, hearts racing. Hongjoong tugs Luna against him, one arm circling her waist while his free hand fumbles with the keypad. His fingers miss the keys as she trails kisses along his neck, her hands tangling in his hair. The keypad beeps in rejection. He tries again, concentration fracturing as her teeth graze his skin. Another error tone.
"Fuck!" he breathes, abandoning the attempt to press her back against the door as his mouth claims hers in a desperate kiss.
“You need some help with the door?” she mumbles against his mouth
“I can do it!!” he protests as her lips move to his jaw line. He tries again but the error code beeps once more. “Have they fucking changed it or something?!”
“Does this door lock if you put the code in wrong too many times?” she teases
“I hope not!” he mumbles
“Let me.” she says turning in his arms, her back now pressed against his front. Her ass pressing into him, not helping how horny he is feeling. She puts the code in correctly first time and the door swings open. “Tada!!”
Hongjoong pushes her inside and closes the door with his feet. They quickly kick off their shoes and take their coats off. He lifts her up so her legs wrap around his waist. He carries her toward the bedroom, nearly tripping over a stray shoe in the dark hallway. "Fuck, who left their…"
"Probably Mingi." Luna says, clinging to his shoulders. "He kicks his shoes off wherever he stands."
"I'm going to kill him." Hongjoong mutters, regaining his balance.
"No, you're not." she laughs, kissing him. "You're going to take me to bed and appreciate me multiple times, remember?"
"Right," he says, pushing open her bedroom door. "Murder Mingi tomorrow. Sex now."
"That's the spirit!" Luna says as he lowers her onto the bed.
He crawls onto the bed, bracing himself over her, his hair falling into his eyes. “You’re so fucking pretty.” he says, not quite a whisper, not quite a groan.
“Stop.” she mutters, blushing all over, but she arches up to kiss him anyway.
He kisses her until they are both so lost in one another and then he is tugging her jeans down her thighs, slow like he wants to draw out the anticipation. Torturing them both. She puts her hands over his to hurry him but he catches her wrists and pins them to the mattress above her head.
“Be patient, my love.” he murmurs, shifting down so he could kiss along her jaw, her neck, her collarbone. “You’ve been looking at me all night like you wanted to eat me alive.”
Luna squirms, feeling the room tilt. “It’s not my fault you always look so fuckable.”
That made him laugh, low and rough as he pushes her sweatshirt up her stomach. “Is that so?” he grins, leaving wet kisses down her stomach as he continues to move down.
She wants to tell him to shut up and hurry the fuck up but the words die on her tongue as he hooks his fingers around her underwear and slides them down her legs. The air is cold and she almost shivers, but his mouth is everywhere now - her hipbones, her stomach, over the colourful dream-catcher tattoo on her thigh. He leaves a trail of wet, open-mouthed kisses, teeth scraping just enough to make her feel it.
She arches trying to get his mouth where she needs it, but he holds her down, spreading her legs with both hands. He locks eyes with her, his gaze so dark and steady it makes her forget to breathe.
“Are you going to make me beg?” she whispers
He grins, that same one he does on stage. “Only a little.”
“Joongie, please!!” she whines
He hums, clearly satisfied but also not wanting to tease her any longer so he ducks between her thighs. She instantly flops back onto the mattress as his tongue draws slow and lazy circles around her clit. He keeps it at this pace for a few minutes before moving to suck on it with just the right amount of pressure to have her legs shaking. He grips her thighs hard and pushes her legs further apart giving him more access.
"Fuck," she gasps, her hands flying to his hair, fingers tangling in the dark strands. "Oh my god, right there."
Hongjoong hums against her, the vibration making her thighs tremble as he works his tongue with practised precision. He pulls back just enough to murmur, "This is what I was thinking about all night in that booth." before diving back in with renewed enthusiasm.
Luna's back arches off the bed. "While you were recording? You're such a… ah!… pervert."
He lifts his head, chin glistening. "Says the woman who said I always look so fuckable!"
Her hips buck against his mouth as he slides two fingers inside her, curling them just right. He knows exactly how to touch her, the two nights they spent together in LA he had learned quickly what she liked, the right rhythm, the perfect pressure.
"Joongie, I'm gonna…" she starts, but he suddenly pulls back, making her whine in frustration. "What the hell?"
He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "Not yet."
"I swear to god, if you don't…"
"Patience, my love!" he interrupts, crawling back up her body to kiss her deeply, letting her taste herself on his tongue as his fingers slowly move in and out of her. "I'm appreciating you, remember? That is just the opening act."
“‘opening act’! I am not some concert you know!” she laughs
“Well technically I am opening you up!” he wiggles his eyebrows his fingers hitting her g-spot causing her to whine loudly
Before she can reply he moves back down and continues to suck on her clit as he fingers her with perfect precision. She covers her mouth with a hand to keep from moaning too loudly. No matter how much she is loving this, she doesn’t want to wake up the entire dorm especially San who’s bedroom is directly above hers. Hongjoong notices and doubles down, determined to make her fall apart.
She tries to tell him to slow down but she comes so sudden and so hard she nearly chokes on her voice, thighs clamping around his head but he doesn’t stop until she is shuddering and breathless. As he pulls away from her she instantly reaches out for him and he crawls up her body, kissing her raw and messy.
Luna could feel how hard he is against her thigh through his jeans. “My turn to appreciate you.” she whispers against his mouth, rolling them over so she is straddling his hips. She lifts his shirt over his head as he helps, neither of them bothering with the buttons. His eyes widen and he lets out a shaky laugh.
“Luna…”
Her lips press against his, cutting off whatever he was about to say. She traces a path with her mouth - jaw, throat, collarbone, chest, stomach, each kiss making his breathing more ragged. When she unfastens his jeans and slips her hand beneath the fabric, he tilts his head back, teeth catching his lower lip to trap his moan. He fumbles with his waistband, eager to help, and she withdraws her hand just long enough to tug everything down and off. Her sweatshirt and bra follow, leaving them both fully naked. She settles between his thighs, wrapping her fingers around him with deliberate, unhurried strokes.
She takes her time because she knows exactly how to torture him but also payback for torturing her. When she suddenly takes his head into her mouth, he nearly loses it, hands gripping at the covers as he writhes under her mouth. He never knew her mouth could feel so good.
“Shit… Luna, I’m… fuck…” he groans
She tries to take more of him into her mouth but he is thicker than she’s used to so tries her best to relax her mouth and throat but is struggling. Hongjoong's hips buck involuntarily but then he notices the way her brow furrows slightly, the subtle tension in her jaw as she tries to take him deeper, a small tear escaping her eye. He reaches down, gently threading his fingers through her hair.
"Hey." he murmurs, voice raspy with arousal but eyes suddenly focused on her. "You don't have to…if it's uncomfortable…"
She pulls back, a thin strand of saliva connecting them for a second before she breaks it with her thumb. "I want to." she says, her voice determined despite the slight hoarseness. "I just… you're a bit thicker than I'm used to and I… haven’t exactly got a lot of blow job experience."
"Luna," he says softly, cupping her cheek. "You don't have to prove anything."
She meets his eyes, a flash of vulnerability crossing her face before she kisses his hip bone. "I want this. Want you." She takes him in her hand again, stroking firmly. "Just might need to use my hands more than I thought."
He swallows hard, nodding. "Whatever feels good for you. I just want… fuck!…" His words cut off as she takes him into her mouth again, this time working with her hand in tandem as her mouth and tongue focuses on his head, finding a rhythm that doesn't strain her jaw.
His breathing grows ragged as she works him with her mouth and hand, occasionally pulling back to catch her breath before continuing. The sight of her between his legs, determined and focused on his pleasure despite the challenge, nearly undoes him completely.
"Fuck, that's…" he gasps when she swirls her tongue just right. "That's perfect. You're perfect."
She hums around him, sending vibrations that make his thighs tense. When she pulls back to catch her breath, she looks up at him with a mischievous glint in her eye.
"For someone with 'not a lot of blow job experience,' you're doing pretty fucking well," he manages, voice strained.
"I'm an excellent student." she quips, pressing a kiss to his inner thigh as she continues to stroke him slowly. "Plus, I pay attention to what makes you make that little choked sound."
"What little choked sound?" he asks, feigning ignorance.
She demonstrates by taking him back into her mouth and doing something with her tongue that makes him - yes, make exactly that strangled noise in the back of his throat.
"That one." she says with a smug grin when she pulls off again before continuing what she was doing earlier now her jaw was more relaxed.
"Luna, I'm close." he warns, his abdomen tightening. "You don't have to swall…"
She looks up at him through her lashes, a silent communication passing between them that it was okay for him to let go in her mouth. She doesn't stop, and the intensity in her eyes as she watches his reaction pushes him over the edge. His body tenses as he comes, a strangled groan escaping his throat as he tries desperately to keep quiet. She swallows quickly before she sits up but continues to stroke him lightly and slowly.
When he finally catches his breath, he tugs her down beside him, pulling her into a deep kiss despite the mess. "You're incredible." he murmurs against her lips. "But next time, don't push yourself so hard, okay?"
"I wanted to do it." she says, nestling against him. "I like making you feel good."
"And you did," he assures her, stroking her hair. "But I feel good with you no matter what we're doing." He kisses her forehead, then her nose, then captures her lips again. "Even when we're just eating tteokbokki by the river at one in the morning."
Luna smiles softly. "That was pretty perfect, wasn't it?"
"It was," he agrees, pulling her closer. "and I hope we can do it again one night."
Luna turns over, reaching for the bottle of water on her nightstand, taking a long sip before passing it to Hongjoong. After draining it, he tosses it aside and draws her back against his chest, draping the blanket over their naked bodies. The warmth of him makes her sigh blissfully.
"Calling it a night already?" she murmurs
Hongjoong grins lazily, pulling her closer. “That was only round one, my love. I made certain promises about tonight back at the studio and intend to keep them." His voice carries that leader's confidence he exudes most of the time.
She grins, twisting her head to look at him as she feels him hard again already and pressing against her entrance. “I’ve always admired your commitment to following through with your word.”
“I always will when it comes to you.” he kisses her before pushing into her from behind drawing a low moan from her
Dawn crept through the blinds when their bodies finally surrendered to sleep, limbs tangled and neither of the entirely convinced they’d kept quiet enough to not wake up the others. They'd spent hours just being together in every way possible and Hongjoong made she was was thoroughly ‘appreciated’. Luna's last conscious thought was how her life with the 8 men she has grown to care about felt like the home she'd never truly had before. As consciousness slipped away, a quiet fear whispered through her mind: how fragile this newfound home might be, balanced precariously on a possibility of her visa not being renewed and her work contract ending on the horizon.
Summary: Luna has been hired by KQ to be Ateez full-time English tutor and translator. It doesn’t take long before Luna is given a proposition to live with them and embark on a polyamorous relationship with the members. What happens when she agrees to the proposal?
Chapters: ☆ ONE ☆ TWO ☆ THREE ☆ FOUR ☆ FIVE ☆ SIX ☆ SEVEN ☆ EIGHT ☆ NINE ☆ TEN ☆ ELEVEN ☆ TWELVE ☆ THIRTEEN ☆ FOURTEEN ☆ FIFTEEN ☆ SIXTEEN ☆ SEVENTEEN ☆ EIGHTEEN ☆ NINETEEN ☆ TWENTY ☆ TWENTY-ONE ☆ TWENTY-TWO ☆ TWENTY-THREE ☆ TWENTY-FOUR ☆ TWENTY-FIVE ☆ TWENTY-SIX ☆ more to come…
Warnings: talk of a previous controlling/abusive relationship, implied past assault on minor character (but NO details at all), mild suggestive topics, a lot of alcohol has been consumed, drunk crying and a very drunken Luna who has no filter
Word count: 14.8K
Summary: A past relationship is accidentally revealed causing concern as Luna prepares for a night out with her friends. When she returns home she is a little worse for wear as they look after her and her bond with one member strengthens as she seeks comfort from only him.
{banners by @cafekitsune}
Luna studies her reflection in the full length mirror, making sure she looks presentable. It feels like forever since she last went out with her friends for a full night out and she's beyond excited. It was a simple dinner, drinks and possibly a karaoke room or nightclub night, like they usually did when they would meet up. Knowing that Dasom will inevitably take countless photos throughout the night as she always does and post them on her socials and Luna was fed up of looking like a mess in most of them with her usual baggy uncoordinated outfits.
After spending an hour pulling out clothes from her wardrobe and drawers, trying on what felt like a million outfits and hating every single thing she owned she settled for a short black pleated skirt, a plain black t-shirt that stops just above the waistline of her skirt creating a tiny gap, the gem of her belly button piercing sparkly through it, and a black cardigan on top. Black is classic after all… right?
For makeup, she decided to go for a more playful look than her usual simple style: black cat eye liner that took ages to match, lilac sparkle eye-shadow, and red lips. It isn’t often she wears such make up, usually preferring a more simple and subtle look but she figured it was a night out, the first in a very long time and it was nice to dress up too for a change. Her hair is hanging down and straightened to absolute perfection. Her long bangs, which needed a serious trim she noted, were framing her face perfectly.
She clicks her tongue with satisfaction, tossing her hairbrush onto the bed and grabbing her purse. Before she can psych herself out and start overthinking her outfit choices, Luna walks out of her bedroom, the feeling of cold air of the apartments AC on her exposed legs giving her a little jolt.
The lounge is lit with the glow of the TV. Yunho, San, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho are strewn across the large double sectional sofa, eyes glued to the TV. Yunho taking up one corner while Mingi stretches out over the other one. They are watching some kind of variety show, the type that always makes them dissolve into laughter at the slightest thing.
Yunho is the first one to notice her walk into the lounge. He blinks, sits up straighter and says nothing but swallows hard as his gaze runs the full length of her outfit. Sans mouth forms a perfect ‘o’ and he drops the chip he was about to eat. Wooyoung is about to tease him when he spots Luna and a deep “wow” escapes him causing Mingi and Jongho to look. They are all at a loss for words as they take in her frame.
“What?” she asks feeling awkward at the 5 pairs of eyes focused on her, their mouths open. “Do I have something on my face or…?” her hand comes up to cover it slightly
"Holy shit Luna!" San finally breaks the silence with a breathless voice, running a hand through his hair. "You look incredible."
The others nod in agreement, still staring at her with wide eyes.
"Like actually breathtaking." Mingi adds, sitting up straighter on the couch.
“Not that you don’t normally, it… it’s just…” Wooyoung trails off, his eyes fixed on the colourful dream catcher tattoo peeking from beneath the hem of her skirt. His Adam's apple bobs as he swallows hard, suddenly wondering what other secret tattoos might be hidden beneath her clothes.
“We’ve never seen you dressed up for a night out.” Yunho manages to say with a small smirk as he looks at her with dark eyes
Luna fidgets with the strap of her bag, feeling her cheeks heat up. "Stop! It's really nothing special..." her voice is small and shy as she fights a small smile coming to her face at seeing their reaction
"Nothing special?" Wooyoung remarks, getting up from his spot on the sofa. "Every guy is gonna be staring at you. And it is Hongdae you are going to!"
Luna can't help but laugh at his pouty expression. "Woo, you know you don't have to worry about that." She walks over and playfully ruffles his hair. "I only have eyes for you fools."
"She called us fools but I'm still feeling butterflies." Mingi whispers loudly to Jongho sitting beside him, making the others laugh
"Well this fool thinks you look beautiful, little one!" Yunho grins
"Seriously though…" Wooyoung continues, still looking concerned. "Maybe add a jacket? Or some pants? A nice warm sweater perhaps? It is getting a bit colder now after all!" His hands are pulling her cardigan around her body a little.
“I’ll be putting a coat on so don’t worry!” she giggles putting her arms around his shoulders, “Are you seriously jealous?”
“Not jealous, I just know how men think especially in Hongdae!” he replies
“Between Dasom, Nayeon, Jieun and Seojun, I will be fine.” she reassures him. “Dasom is like the ultimate male repellent once she starts staring them down! And Seojun is our giant 192cm muscle-y bodyguard when we go out. I mean he couldn’t fight his way out a wet paper bag but he doesn’t look it at least!”
"Still..." Wooyoung mumbles, his bottom lip jutting out slightly as his eyes fall to her thigh tattoo again before looking back at her face. Luna can't help but find his protective side endearing.
"For someone who's worried about other guys looking at Luna, you're sure staring a lot yourself." Yunho teases, throwing a small cushion at Wooyoung.
Wooyoung catches it with one hand, not breaking his concerned gaze. "I'm assessing the danger level! Someone has to!"
Luna giggles. “The danger level? What am I, some kind of a military operation? Are you guys forgetting I am the daughter of a long serving military man - I know how to handle myself! You think he didn’t show me how to protect myself?”
“Well you did punch someone!” Mingi grins
“Should never have told you guys that!” Luna laughs heartily while playfully rolling her eyes
“Lee Luna the deadliest fists in the world!” San remarks
“I wouldn’t say the world… but definitely in Fort Riley, Kansas on that one afternoon at least!” she replies with a slightly proud smirk
Wooyoung, usually quick to retort, pauses, the concern in his eyes shifting from play to something more tender. “I just…” he starts, but falters, looking at the floor.
Luna notices the shift in Wooyoung's expression and gently touches his arm. "Hey, what's on your mind?" she asks softly, searching his eyes for any clues.
Wooyoung looks up, a mixture of emotions flickering across his face before settling into a hesitant smile. "I just want you to be safe out there, you know? Hongdae can get wild, and I… we care about you."
Luna's heart swells at his words, grateful for his concern. "I know you do, Woo. And I appreciate you all more than you know." she replies sincerely, giving his arm a reassuring squeeze before looking at the others, “More than I let on and I should start telling each of you that more often!”
“We know.” Wooyoung whispers softly causing her to look back at him and smile before giving him a soft kiss on the lips, leaving a faint red stain that she wipes away with her thumb.
"Don't worry about Hongdae, I know how wild it can get. Seojun and man repellent Dasom are on sober duty tonight, and we always watch out for each other. How about I give you little updates throughout the night?" Luna offers tracing her fingers along Wooyoung's arm.
Wooyoung's hands settle at her waist, thumbs brushing the fabric of her skirt and slightly touching the exposed skin between the small gap of her skirt and t-shirt. "No. I don’t want to be that boyfriend who needs constant updates from his girlfriend while shes out with her friends. I trust you, I just worry is all."
“You are definitely not that type of boyfriend at all!” she replies, “Trust me I know from experience of having a boyfriend who actually was that way all the time!”
The TV suddenly seems louder in the silence that follows. San and Mingi exchange troubled glances while Yunho sits up straighter, his previous grin fading. Wooyoungs frame stiffens but his hands loosen around her waist.
"Wait, what?" Jongho asks, speaking up for the first time. His voice is deeper than she has ever heard it before. "What do you mean by that?"
Luna's smile falters as she realises what she just accidentally let slip. She waves a hand, too quick, too dismissive. "Ancient history. It is nothing!"
"Luna." San shakes his head, leaning forward on the sofa. "You can't just drop that bomb and then pretend it didn't happen."
"What happened?" Mingi's voice has dropped an octave, his usually playful expression hardened into something unreadable.
Luna shifts uncomfortably under the intense gaze of her boyfriends, feeling the weight of their curiosity pressing down on her. Taking a deep breath, she decides to address the situation head-on. Luna sighs, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“It was a long time ago,” Luna began “My first boyfriend after I moved here - really insecure and a bit possessive. He was an asshole, wanted me to message him every 30 minutes and would call repeatedly if I didn’t. He just wanted to know where I was. All the time, with whom, what I was wearing…” she stops herself when she notices their faces
"What the fuck?" Yunho's normally cheerful face darkens. "And you stayed with him?"
“For about a year.” Luna says with a shrug of her shoulders. “My friends were pretty vocal about him and I couldn’t see it at first.” She rubs her wrist anxiously, Wooyoung notices taking her hand into his own to give it a comforting squeeze. “Once I realised that this was not a normal part of a relationship, I ended it.”
“What happened to make you realise it?” Jongho asks causing her to look at him
“During college I worked part time in a cafe, I was running late after a class went on longer than scheduled so I had to literally run to work and I didn’t have time to message him.” she replies, “When I got back to my dorm I found him in my room. He was angry I hadn’t messaged him. He wouldn’t listen, said I was lying, accused me of cheating on him. He grabbed my bag, took my phone to check it. Something he had started doing a lot around that time.” she answers
"Wait, that fucker did what?" San's voice cuts through the silence, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
Mingi stands up abruptly, his usual gentle presence suddenly looking intimidating. "He broke into your dorm room? Luna, that's not just possessive, that's fucking psychotic."
"It wasn't breaking in exactly." Luna clarifies, feeling a knot form in her stomach at the memory. "He had... convinced me to give him the code at the start of our relationship. Said it was 'what couples do'." She makes air quotes with her fingers, embarrassed at how naive she'd been. “I had never been in a proper relationship before so I didn’t know any better. I thought it was what all Korean couples did.”
“What happened after he took your phone?” Wooyoung asks
“When he didn’t find any evidence of me cheating and even saw the message I had sent my boss to say class had overrun and I was on my way to the cafe, he was more angry. He said if I had time to message her then I had time to message him too but honestly, I was in a blind panic to get to work. I had literally run 2 miles instead of getting the train because it would be quicker to run. He broke my phone, said I didn’t deserve to have one if I was ‘too stupid to use it correctly’. I tried to stop him but I accidentally scratched his face and he looked so angry, I think he was going to…” she looks down at the floor, not wanting to finish that sentence “Thankfully one of my dorm roommates had just came home from his part time job, heard the yelling and came in. He grabbed him and took him out. I broke up with him the following day.”
Wooyoung’s concern deepens. “Did he ever hurt you?”
At the corner of her eyes she sees the other shift at this.
“No! Absolutely not!” she reassures him quickly cupping his face with one hand looking deeply into his eyes so he could see the truth before glancing at the others, “The worst he ever did was break things or shout at me but he never touched me like that. He would push me but never what you’d call as abusive.”
Wooyoung's eyes flash with sudden intensity. "Luna, if he puts his hands on you to push you away, that's still abuse." he says, voice dropping to a dangerous quiet. “You can still be abusive with words and actions.”
Luna shifts uncomfortably, suddenly feeling the weight of five intense stares. The lighthearted atmosphere from moments ago has completely evaporated and she knows it’s down to her.
"Look, it wasn't that bad." she says "Anyway, it's over. Ancient history, like I said."
Wooyoung hasn't let go of her hand, his thumb rubbing small circles on her skin. "Did you ever report him?"
"When I finally broke up with him Dasom and my Uncle Jihoon wanted me to, but I just wanted it over with." Luna sighs
"No one should ever make you feel like you have to report your every move to them or feel you can’t wear whatever you want to! And I 100% do not want you to feel like you have to do this with me or have to change your outfit because I said something! I’m so sorry I even said that to you! You can wear whatever you want!"
Luna can see him beginning to spiral, his hands shaking very subtly, his face has completely changed and his eyes are different as they dart around everywhere but at her. "Hey Youngie! Look at me!” she says and when he finally does, she continues “You are so not like that! Nowhere even close to it even! I don’t mind doing that with you guys because it is coming from a place of genuine caring, not control! And that is a massive difference."
“I know but…” he begins but she interrupts him putting a finger to his lips to silence him before cradling his face again
“Look, I appreciate that you guys care, but I’m about to go out and have a good time with my friends, and I don’t want to leave here thinking of that asshole. I want to leave happy, preferably with getting a lot of kisses and cuddles from the people I care about - my boyfriends who have never once made me feel even a fraction of the way he ever did on his very best day!!” she says looking between Wooyoung and the others “So please can we go back to being happy again.”
The guys exchange glances, a silent conversation passing between them. Wooyoung is the first to break, pulling her into a hug.
"You're right. I'm sorry." he murmurs into her hair, careful not to mess it up.
“Please don’t apologise.” she whispers so only he can hear as she presses a soft kiss to his cheek
"Just... promise me one thing?" San says
Luna looks over at him whilst her head rests on Wooyoung's shoulder. "Yeah?"
“If you go to the karaoke rooms tonight, someone will film your singing!” he answers immediately making Luna break into a wide smile, grateful for the change in topic he was making.
"Already told you, not happening. Not ever." she replies with a laugh
"We'll see about that when I take you on our karaoke date." San winks
San's quip about karaoke cuts through the heaviness like a knife, and suddenly everyone's shoulders drop an inch, smiles returning to faces that moments ago had been etched with concern.
“A karaoke date?" Luna arches an eyebrow. "Brave man wanting to subject your ears to my horrific singing!"
Mingi's eyes soften. "Princess, your singing voice is beautiful."
"How would you even know that?" Luna asks looking at him but keeps her head pressed against Wooyoung, finding comfort in his presence, his breathing, his scent and his gentle hands on her back.
Yunho wiggles his eyebrows. "You sing in the shower, little one. Personally I love your little shower concerts!"
"Oh my god!" Luna groans, mortified as she covers her face in Wooyoungs chest.
"It's cute! I love hearing you sing." Wooyoung reassures her warmly, his arms tightening around her
“You’ve all heard me?!” she asks, her eyes widening in disbelief as she looks up at Wooyoung.
San pouts dramatically. "I haven’t heard these shower concerts."
"Same here." Jongho adds
"Just be downstairs when she's in her bathroom. You’ll hear it." Wooyoung explains.
"Oh god, I'm never showering here again." Luna mutters, embarrassment evident as she buries her face into Wooyoung's chest again.
Yunho laughs. "But your Taylor Swift last week was impressive."
Jongho leans forward. "oooh, which song?"
"The getaway car one, with the motel and money bag." he answers
Mingi adds "And when you hit that high note in…"
"Nope, we're done here!" Luna cuts him off abruptly, attempting to wiggle out of Wooyoung's arms. "Because I'm going to be late, and Dasom will actually murder me if I am."
"I will text you throughout the night." Luna smiles kissing his lips before letting him go.
“You don’t have to!” he insists
“I want to!” she whispers with a genuine smile on her face, “Okay, let me get all of my kisses and hugs in with you all before I leave!” she adds to the others
They stand up from the sofa and make their way over to give her goodbye kisses and hugs. Yunho is first, he pulls her into a warm, enveloping hug, lifting her off her feet for a second like he always did when he hugged her this way. He places a soft kiss on her forehead. Mingi is next, his hug big and bear-like yet gentle with her as always. San places a kiss on the tip of her nose before giving her a delicate hug, his arms around her shoulders protectively as he whispers into her ear “just have fun tonight sunshine.”
Jongho hangs back as the others finish their goodbyes. Luna glances at him, expecting nothing having grown accustomed to his distance lately, when he suddenly steps forward and pulls her close. His lips meet hers in a gentle kiss that stops all conversation in the room. Luna freezes against him, then pulls back suddenly, blinking rapidly at him. Jongho's face flushes crimson as he stares at the floor.
"I… shit, I'm sorry.” he stammers, rubbing the back of his neck.
“O-okay.” she says stiffly taking a step back from him causing him to let go of her waist instantly
“I am sorry for the way I’ve been with you lately.” he whispers
"Okay." she repeats, turning toward the others and taking another step away from him. Her body language is guarded, her shoulders tense as she creates a clear space between them. The rejection stings, but Jongho accepts it. He deserves it after he pulled back from her without a word after their night in LA.
Luna's phone buzzes in her bag, interrupting the tense moment before the others could question it. She fumbles to get it out of her bag, grateful for the distraction. “Shit, that’s… erm Dasom. She and Nayeon are already at the train station. I really need to go.”
“Let me drive you.” Yunho says “I can take one of the cars in the garage and pick up Dasom and Nayeon too. Save you all standing around for a train.”
Luna shakes her head, lips quirking upward. "And subject myself to Dasom's interrogation techniques? No thanks. There's a reason she's flying up the police ranks! One of the reasons we are going out is to celebrate her recent promotion."
San's eyebrows shoot up. "Dasom's a cop?"
“Yeah, assistant inspector now, I think. The Korean police ranks confuse me so I may be wrong…” Luna says as she quickly sends a reply to Dasom ‘I’ve literally just left, be there in less than 10 minutes as I am wearing heels!’, “I do know she’s the youngest person in her current rank in her division! She’s a pretty big deal and she can extract confessions from rocks when she’s in police-mode. Which is why I don’t want her to question why an idol I work with is driving me around!” she looks up at them “Thank you though Yuyu but the station is five minutes away. I’ll be fine.”
"Text us once you arrive." Mingi reminds Luna as she rushes towards the door. "Just so we know you made it there safely!" he adds quickly realising how it came across
"I promise I will!" she calls back, quickly slipping on her shoes.
"And if any guys give you trouble…" Wooyoung begins to say.
"Then Dasom will destroy them with her death glare." Luna laughs, zipping up her ankle boots. "The same one is waiting for me if I don't hurry up!"
"Wait! Do you have your epipen?" Jongho asks urgently.
"I do! Okay, I'm heading out now. Don't wait up!" Luna answers before calling back with a cheerful "Byeeee!"
As Luna exits the apartment, the remaining five men hear the door close, followed by the familiar chime of the lock. The room falls quiet once again without her bubbly presence.
“So Dasom is in the police… and the youngest in her rank!” Wooyoung says, “Not sure whether to be impressed or scared!”
“Well from what Luna has told us about Dasom, I would say both but at least we know that on nights out everyone is safe.” Yunho replies
"So... are we just going to ignore what Luna said about her ex?" Mingi asks once they've settled back on the sofa, the mood shifting noticeably
San reaches for another chip, his movements slower now. "I wish I could have 5 minutes alone with him."
"I don't need five minutes." Jongho says quietly, his voice holding an edge that makes the others look at him. "I only need two."
Yunho shakes his head, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "Did any of you notice how she tried to downplay it? 'He would push me but never what you'd call as abusive.' Like there's some fucking threshold you have to cross."
"That's what abusers do," Mingi says, his voice uncharacteristically hard. "They make you think it's normal or not that bad. My cousin went through something similar. She thought it was all her fault."
“What happened to her? Your cousin?” San asks
“She married him and now my aunt is lucky if she sees her once a year. Last I heard they had a baby that none of the family has ever met because he won’t allow them to.”
A tense silence falls over the group at the thought of Luna still being trapped in a relationship like that. Each of them are grateful she got out and she is with them now - people who would never treat her that way.
Wooyoung's leg bounces anxiously. "Did you see how casually she mentioned it? Like it wasn't a big deal?"
"That's what worries me." Jongho murmurs, finally taking a seat. "And that she endured it for a year before she realised it wasn’t normal!"
“I don’t even like the thought of her being around someone like that for 5 seconds never mind in a full blown relationship!” Wooyoung's hands clench into fists. "God, I hate this. I hate that someone treated her like that."
Yunho, who's been quietly listening, finally speaks up. "Guys, I think we need to drop this."
“How can we just…” Wooyoung starts
“Because,” Yunho interrupts tightly, “Luna has clearly moved on. She’s happy now with us.”
“But…” San begins
“No.” Yunho shakes his head, “Think about it. Luna was incredibly guarded with us when she first arrived but she’s slowly allowed us to care for her, to fuss over her and last night she opened up to us all in a way I know none of us even imagined. She’s taking massive steps to let us in and we should respect that… not sit here trying to analyse a relationship she has already escaped.” he takes a deep breath, "That bastard hurt her, yes. But she got herself out of that toxic and abusive relationship on her own strength. She's learning to trust again and that is big.”
The room falls silent as his words sink in.
“I hate it but you are right.” Jongho nods “Do we let the others know?”
“Yes, I think they need to know. I’ll speak to them tomorrow.” Yunho gives a reassuring smile to the group, "Let's continue to show Luna that she can rely on us and that we've got her back no matter what."
Suddenly, a cheerful ping from Wooyoung's phone cuts through the quiet atmosphere. His face lights up as he reads the message. "It’s from Luna - ‘I am still alive! Dasom did not murder me with her death glare! Getting on the train now. I miss you all already!’ with 2 little hearts emojis at the end.” he smiles
The tension in the room immediately dissipates, replaced by fond smiles and soft chuckles.
"She's only been gone for what, fifteen minutes?" San laughs, shaking his head affectionately. “It’s cute how she misses us already!”
“I miss her already too…” Mingi pouts, “It is strange her not being home but I am happy she’s getting a night out with her friends. She deserves it.” he adds with a small smile as everyone nods in agreement
“Yunho?” San says making Yunho look at him, “Fancy a League of Legends game?”
“Absolutely!” Yunho grins before the two make their way to their bedrooms.
Silence falls in the room between Wooyoung, Mingi and Jongho as they look back at the TV. Wooyoung lets out a contented sigh as he leans back on the couch, glancing at the TV screen before turning to Mingi and Jongho. “You guys up for some late-night snacks? I’m feeling like some ice cream and chips would hit the spot right now.”
Mingi chuckles, “Count me in. Let’s raid the kitchen and see what we can find.”
Jongho nods enthusiastically, “Sounds like a plan. I’ll grab the ice cream from the freezer.”
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽. :☆ﾟ. ───
By the time 1 a.m approaches the apartment is quiet. Most of the guys have gone to bed, or still at the company in Hongjoongs case. Seonghwa and Yeosang had returned home from their schedules. Only Mingi, San, Wooyoung, and Seonghwa remain awake. Wooyoung and San are in the lounge playing a game on the switch while Mingi and Seonghwa are having a late night snack of ramen and kimchi in the kitchen.
None of them would admit it, but they all found reasons to stay up late, hoping to catch Luna when she returned. Throughout the evening, their phones lit up with her messages, mostly in the form of photos like a digital diary of her night out. First came the train selfie, with her, Dasom and Nayeon squeezed into the mirror's reflection. Then the restaurant group shot with everyone smiling, Seojun's arm draped casually around Luna's shoulder. Jongho pointed out how tall he was compared to Luna and the others. As the night progressed, so did the images: artfully arranged plates of food, Luna posing (courtesy of Wooyoung teaching her how to pose for a couple of weeks after complaining she always looked the awkward standing emoji in photos) against night street backdrops, a nightclub table covered with colourful drinks, another one with 5 sets of finger hearts included.
By midnight, the photos grew increasingly blurry, Luna pressing a soju bottle against her puckered lips, candid shots with her friends laughing, empty bottles lined up like trophies. The final image arrived just thirty minutes ago taken by one of her friends: she is standing beside their table at a nightclub, face flushed pink, eyes bright and sparkling with happiness as she gazed at something, or someone just beyond the frame - she looked happy, they thought. With each notification, the men exchanged knowing glances, grateful for this window into her world beyond their walls.
The dorm is quiet but that silence of the night is broken by a shrill laughter from outside the apartment door. Seonghwa and Mingi look at one another mid-bite. Next a thump against the door is heard causing Wooyoung to pause the game with San. Another laugh is heard, clearer this time - it was Luna's unique laugh, the one they all knew so well and loved but louder. The keypad chimes and the door suddenly flies open.
A deep yet gentle voice comes next, “Luna please, just five more steps! I swear I will leave you here on the floor if you keep this up! Right fine, I am lifting you… don’t pinch me like last time!” followed by a grunt, “Ow! What the fuck did I say?!”
The four men bolt from their positions and converge in the hallway, freezing at the sight before them. A tall stranger has Luna slung over his shoulder like a rag doll, her upper body dangling down his back. As he turns to shut the door behind him, Luna's face comes into view - soft waves have replaced her sleek hair, her cheeks bloom pink against her pale skin, and what remains of her eye makeup has smudged into dark circles. A stream of giggles bubbles from her lips, seemingly unstoppable.
“I swear to god, you are fucking heavy for someone so tiny!” the man grumbles
“You are just weak as fuck!” Luna replies in English swinging her legs and nearly kicking him in the groin
“Stop it!” he mumbles trying to hold her foot with his spare hand, “Oh hi!” he says as he notices the men, "Special delivery!" He announces with a tone of amusement in his voice. "Sorry. She ah…. drank a lot! Younha!!!” her foot successfully connected with him this time
“That was your fault for not… not…” she hiccups twice, “moving out the way!” she finishes, “And not Younha, I am Luna… right? Am I Luna?”
“Who the hell are you?” Mingi demands, stepping forward, straightening himself to look taller even though he was shorter than the man in front of him.
San flexes his hands at his sides, eyes narrows into slits as he examines every inch of the stranger’s frame. Wooyoung’s jaw set in a firm line. Even Seonghwa’s usual gentleness has been replaced by a tense calculation - how fast, how hard, how much damage necessary to protect Luna.
Luna, completely oblivious the testosterone showdown taking place manages to slide down from the man's shoulder, as he holds her steady and stumbles straight to Wooyoung.
“Woooooooooyoungie~” she sings lifting his arm up and twirling herself underneath it before falling into him and wrapping her arms around his body. “I missed you sooooo much!”
Wooyoung’s shoulders relaxes a fraction, but he keeps his eyes locked on the stranger infront of them all as he puts his arms around her protectively. “Luna, who is this?”
She turns in his arms, resting her back against him with one hand holding onto Wooyoungs arms to make sure he didn’t let go of her waist and looked at the man, who was now standing awkwardly under the intense glares of Seonghwa, San and Mingi. “Oh that is just my cousin!” she says nonchalantly, as if the answer should have been obvious to everyone.
“‘Just your cousin’… thanks Lulu!” he rolls his eyes
“Seojun. Seojunnie. Junnie. My most favourite cousin of all.” she giggles before her voice suddenly turns serious “Except he is a traitor, because he took my soju away and made me drink water!" she pouts leaning the back of her head against Wooyoung's chest, her head looking back at him at an awkward angle, “Then he drove me home early and carried me in like a sack of potatoes… how rude! And now I can’t feel my toes. It isn’t fair!”
The tension in the hallway dissipates at Luna's slurred explanation, though Wooyoung still maintains his suspicious glare at Seojun.
"Yeah, hi, I'm Seojun - the favourite yet traitorous cousin seemingly!" the man confirms with an awkward wave. "Also her designated babysitter!”
"You're not my babysitter!" Luna protests "I'm a grown-ass woman!"
"A grown-ass woman who climbed onto the nightclub table to sing… erm…" Seojun counters before looking awkwardly at the others “A song.” he finishes
“Oh what song?” San asks perking up
“I believe it was ‘The Real’ by… you guys.” he answers
“The people needed to hear me!” Luna says loudly, “You wouldn’t let them! It is a good song but very handsome men I’ll have you know!” she adds pointing a finger at Seojun as if he’d said otherwise
“It is a good choice, cutie!” Wooyoung whispers into her ear making her giggle and turn around in his arms again, “Also cool they are playing our songs in clubs!” he adds wiggling his eyebrows at San
"The people were trying to enjoy their drinks." Seojun sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Anyway, she's safely delivered. I should get going…"
"Wait!" Luna suddenly lurches forward, nearly toppling over as Wooyoung steadies her. "You need to meet everyone properly! This is Wooyoungie, and that's Sannie, and Mingi-ah, and oppa Seonghwa!"
"Nice to meet you all." Seojun says, bowing respectfully
“She called Seonghwa ‘oppa’.” San chuckles quietly to Mingi who stifles a laugh
"Thanks for bringing her home safely." Seonghwa says as Luna wraps herself around Wooyoung. She pulls his arms tight around herself as she smiles happily to herself.
"Yeah, we appreciate it." Wooyoung adds, though his gaze still sizes Seojun up.
"Of course." Seojun says, and for a second his smile is the exact same as Luna's - wide, a little lopsided, generous and unguarded. Seonghwa notices the similarities in them now. They both have the same eyes, nose and smile, even identical moles under their left eye. "I'd trust her with my life, just not when she’s had three bottles of soju. One time she climbed a vending machine, got stuck and I had to save her."
"Did not." Luna protests, but her eyes are closing, head lolling onto Wooyoung's chest.
"Did too!" Seojun insists. He reaches out and ruffles her hair affectionately, drawing a sleepy, indignant whine from her. "Get her some water, a place to lay down, and she should be fine. She does get a bit clingy when drunk as you can probably tell already!” he gestures to how she is with Wooyoung. “She may also get a bit emotional too but don’t worry if she starts crying. Usually a hug and a strawberry fixes her.”
“That is because hugs and strawberries rock!” she says loudly
“Yeah they do.” Wooyoung whispers into her ear
“Oh and some paracetamol first thing in the morning but not aspirin, she’s allergic.” Seojun adds to Seonghwa
“Yeah we are aware of that. Thanks.” Seonghwa nods appreciating him mentioning it anyway
“Anyway I should go. Dasom is in my car with a very drunk Jieun and for someone who is normally quiet and reserved, she becomes very loud when drinking!” Seojun laughs
“It was nice to meet you.” San says
“Sorry for being so… you know!” Mingi adds
“Protective? Hostile?” Seojun grins with a raised eyebrow as they all look apologetically, “Honestly, it is actually nice knowing she has 8 people looking out for her.” he smiles
"You're not staying, Junnie?" Luna mumbles, without opening her eyes.
"Not this time, Lulu.” Seojun smiles at her, “Remember our breakfast date next week?"
"I’m having pancakes." she says, slurring her words beautifully.
Seojun says his final goodbyes and leaves the apartment with Seonghwa closing the door softly behind him. They all turn to Luna and Wooyoung. She is still buried deep into him, her eyes half open now with a happy smile on her face.
“I’ll get Luna some water while you three get her to the sofa.” Seonghwa says, moving towards the kitchen
“Lets get your shoes off, sunshine.” San says smiling at her as Wooyoung adjusts her cardigan which was falling off one shoulder.
Luna's fingers twist lazily through the back of Wooyoung's hair while San and Mingi kneel before her, each working to remove one of her towering ankle boots. When they finally ease them off, she sinks five inches closer to the ground, suddenly small again.
“Come on, cutie.” Wooyoung says guiding her into the lounge and towards the sofa.
As he tries to get her to sit down, she grips onto him tighter causing him to fall onto the sofa with her, a small whine leaving her pouting lips. “Stay with me!”
“I’m not going anywhere.” he soothes adjusting his position on the sofa to hold onto her better as she places herself directly onto his lap.
Seonghwa returns with a bottle of water, condensation beading on its surface. He kneels beside the sofa where Luna is curled against Wooyoung.
“Here, Luna.” he says gently
Luna regards the bottle with a suspicious squint. “No!” she says firmly like a pouty child, “I’m not listening to you. You’re not the boss of me.”
A small chuckle escapes from Wooyoung at her cute defiance.
"Just a few sips," Seonghwa insists, "then you can rest."
She pouts, shaking her head, her hair shaking messily. “The only time you’re allowed to boss me is in bed.” she deadpans, before burying her face deep into Wooyoung’s chest as he splutters with laughter.
Seonghwa freezes, mouth open, while San and Mingi burst into synchronised fits of giggles.
"I always suspected Seonghwa-hyung was secretly a dom." Mingi wheezes.
"Have you seen his stage presence? It's hardly a revelation," Wooyoung quips, eyes dancing with mischief.
The tips of Seonghwa's ears burn crimson as he composes himself with a quiet exhale.
"Luna," he tries again, voice steadier now despite the others' amused glances. "This will help with tomorrow's headache."
"Fine." Luna sighs dramatically, reaching for the bottle with unsteady hands. "But only because you're so pretty." Luna takes a small sip, then makes a face like she's been forced to drink medicine. "Water is so boring. It doesn't make me feel sparkly inside!"
“Neither will the hangover tomorrow if you don’t drink more.” Seonghwa persists
“Bossy!” she grumbles drinking more as the others try not to laugh. some of it drips down her chin and onto Wooyoungs shirt.
“There you go!” San smiles as she drinks half the bottle
"You're all such... such... responsible adults." she says, the statement somehow comes across as the gravest insult. "Except Wooyoungie. He's on my side."
Wooyoung, still holding her waist so she doesn’t fall off his lap, raises his eyebrows. "Am I?"
"Mhm," she nods with absolute certainty, patting his cheek with a heavy hand. "You'd let me have more soju."
"Absolutely not!" he laughs, catching her hand and kissing her palm.
Luna gasps, looking betrayed. "Traitor! You're all traitors! First Seojun, now you." She giggles again, a noise so pure it makes all the tension in the room dissipate instantly. “You’re all so pretty. Even the ones who aren’t here! I have the prettiest boys in the world.”
Luna collapses against Wooyoung's chest, nearly spilling her water before San rescues the bottle. She nuzzles into the crook of Wooyoung's neck, eyelids fluttering closed.
“Rest now.” Wooyoung’s voice is soft, finger brushing her cheek.
Her eyes open again, glassy with alcohol as she looks up at him. “Are you mad at me?”
“Not at all!” he whispers, drawing her closer.
“Joongie will be!” she sniffs
“Why would Hongjoong be mad at you, sunshine?” San asks
“He’ll get all captain-y, do that thing with his eyes and put on his stern voice!” her voice begins to wobble, one of her hands going into a small fist and rubbing at her eyes
“Hey, he won’t!” Seonghwa says softly
“Yes he will!” she suddenly bursts into tears, “He is a scary little man when he goes into captain mode!”
"Shhh, he won't be mad!" Wooyoung soothes, pulling her closer as her tears wet his shirt. "You were just having fun with your friends."
"But I'm so…" she hiccups dramatically, "druuuuunk! And I tried to sing your song on a table!" Her voice rises in distress before dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I may have done some of the choreo too."
“Did you nail it?” Mingi asks with a small grin
“No I really didn’t…” she sighs matter of fact as her tears begin to subside. “but you guys should teach me it right now though!” her eyes go wide with excitement
“We can definitely do that another day when you aren’t so uncoordinated.” San laughs
“It is time to settle down and drink a bit more water.” Seonghwa says softly
“Meh, you are no fun!” she pouts but drinks anyway
“When you are finished that bottle we will get you settled into your bed and you can sleep.” Wooyoung says kissing the side of her head
She sips the water slowly, her eyes fluttering shut as she leans back into Wooyoung's embrace again. The room is filled with soft laughter and gentle teasing remarks about Seonghwa being bossy in bed, but Luna zones it all out. She's content in the warmth of her boyfriends, the comfort of their presence, Wooyoungs arms around her, his lips placed on the top of her head, Sans hand gently rubbing her back, Mingi moving hair off her face as Seonghwa just smiles at her. Suddenly, her eyes snap open, a thought striking her like a bolt of lightning.
Luna bolts upright, sloshing water over the rim of the bottle. "Jongho! Where is he? I have to… I have to talk to him right now."
"He's already in bed, cutie." Wooyoung explains gently. "It's late."
"No, you don't understand." Her words tumble faster, pitch climbing. "He needs to know I'm not mad at him!"
Mingi reaches for her hand. "Princess, trust me. Jongho already knows that."
"But his face when I…" Her chin quivers, tears welling fresh. "What if he's lying there thinking I hate him? I can't be another person who…" She chokes on a sob, arms stretching toward Mingi. “I can’t be like his ex!”
Wooyoung helps guide her across to Mingi's lap while San and Seonghwa exchange puzzled glances. She clings to Mingi's neck, face pressed against his collarbone.
“When he kissed me earlier I just pulled away from him but I didn’t mean to. I just wasn’t expecting him to kiss me like that when he’s been walking away from me all week and… and… and… he will think I am just like that bitch!” she continues, her voice catching between small sobs. “I don’t want him to be mad at me either!” more tears fall down her cheeks
“What’s going on?” Seonghwa asks softly
Mingi shakes his head slightly, mouthing back "Later." as he cradles Luna closer.
“Hey, princess! Now you listen to me - he does not think that and he never will!” Mingi says delicately yet firmly. “Jongho knows you care about him. And he knows you’re not like his ex.”
"You don't know…"
"I do know." His thumbs brush away her tears. "You're nothing like her."
Luna sniffles, looking up at Mingi with teary eyes. "Really?"
Mingi smiles warmly, wiping away a stray tear from her cheek. "Really. Jongho cares about you a lot, and he would never compare you to anyone else."
Luna's expression softens as she takes in his words. "I feel bad for pulling away earlier and not talking to him. I don’t want him to be upset!"
"It's okay, Luna." Wooyoung reassures her, rubbing her back soothingly as Seonghwa disappears from the lounge.
“He won’t be upset, I promise!” San chimes in “He is a good guy. Whatever has happened between you two, you can talk about it tomorrow and he’ll understand.”
“And if he doesn’t - just send him to Hongjoong.” Wooyoung says with a playful tone in his voice to lighten the mood.
Luna lets out a small sigh, feeling comforted by their words. She looks back at Wooyoung and reaches for him mumbling ‘I want you my Youngie’. Mingi gently lifts her back to him and she settles quickly into his lap again. Seonghwa appears back in the room with a small bowl of freshly sliced strawberries and hands it to San.
“Hey sunshine, look what Hwa brought you.” San says holding the bowl up
“Strawberries!” she smiles as Wooyoung wipes the tears from her cheeks
The strawberries disappear one by one as San feeds them to Luna with a small fork. Quiet settles over the room. Seonghwa watches her from his seat beside Mingi, relief washing over his features as her tears give way to contentment. His eyes meet Mingi's, a wordless exchange passing between them about her emotional state.
From the hallway comes a shuffling sound, followed by a deep yawn. Yunho appears, his stretched t-shirt hanging loose on one shoulder, sweatpants rumpled at the ankles. Sleep clings to his puffy face, hair spiralling in dark tufts.
"Thought I heard crying." he mumbles, knuckling his eye socket.
Seonghwa tilts his head toward Luna. "You did."
Yunho's posture transforms instantly. He crosses the room in three long strides, catching his toe on the rug's edge. "Luna? What happened? Are you alright?"
She looks up mid-chew, her smile lopsided. "Yuyu! My sleepy prince!" Her hand floats up to pat his head but connects with his ear instead.
Wooyoung and Mingi's soft laughter blends together as San offers another strawberry. "Just drunk and emotional." he explains while Luna opens her mouth like a little baby bird awaiting food.
"What upset her?" Yunho asks, settling into the space Mingi creates for him beside her.
“The first time was over Hongjoong being mad at her for getting drunk and the second time it was about Jongho being mad at her.” Wooyoung answers
“What, Jongho is mad at Luna?” Yunho asks confused
“No, he isn’t.” Mingi says, “She just thinks he is. I’ll explain everything tomorrow, we don’t want to upset her again.” he adds quietly
Luna suddenly perks up, dropping the strawberry in her mouth onto Wooyoung's lap. "Yuyu!" she exclaims, lunging forward to grab his face with both hands, squishing his cheeks together. "You have such a pretty face. Like a prince but better because you're real."
"Thanks, little one." Yunho chuckles through fish-lips as she continues to squish his cheeks together.
“And so tall! You are really taaall! I like when you carry me on your back, or lift me up to reach things on the top shelf.” she continues
“Eat!” Wooyoung says holding up the strawberry she dropped
"Did you know…" Luna says with the grave seriousness only drunk people can muster, "that Seonghwa is very bossy in bed?"
“What?” Yunho chokes on air laughing while Seonghwa groans, burying his face in his hands.
“Oh god.” Seonghwa mumbles through his fingers, feeling incredibly flustered.
“But it is okay because I like it!” she giggles eating the strawberry from Wooyoungs fingers
“What did I miss while I was asleep?” Yunho chuckles, clearly amused.
"That's what she said earlier." San interjects, struggling to contain his laughter. "Apparently he only gets to boss her around in…"
"That's enough!" Seonghwa interrupts sharply, his ears turning scarlet once again.
Luna whips around and points an accusatory finger at Seonghwa. "See? Bossy!"
Wooyoung lets out a snort, gently adjusting Luna on his lap to prevent her from slipping off. "Careful there, cutie. You're going to end up on the floor."
"I'm not going to fall!" Luna protests, attempting to sit up straighter but immediately tipping sideways.
San swiftly catches her with one arm. "You were saying?"
"Gravity is being extra today." she mutters petulantly, pouting as she regains her balance on Wooyoung's lap.
Yunho leans over, sweeping Luna's tangled bangs aside before cradling her flushed cheek. "How'd your night out go, little one? Fun before... whatever this turned into?"
"Amazing!" Luna's eyes sparkle through her drunken haze. "Just dancing forever and ever! They also played your songs in the club!"
"She attempted The Real choreography right in the middle of the club." Wooyoung says with a smirk.
“That’s my girl!” Yunho smiles affectionately rubbing her back
"On top of a table!" Luna whispers dramatically, then presses a finger to her lips "Don't tell Joongie though."
Wooyoung glances at the wall clock. "Speaking of our leader, when's he coming home tonight?"
“Not until at least 3am.” Seonghwa sighs lightly
“Last strawberry, sunshine.” San says softly redirecting her as the room becomes silent once more
After Luna finishes the last berry, San tenderly wipes a smudge from her lip corner before carrying the bowl back to the kitchen.
Luna suddenly bolts upright, swaying slightly, eyes comically wide. "Guys… I have to tell you something super secret." she half-whispers, voice carrying across the room.
“Better not to be something about me again!” Seonghwa mutters under his breath but there is no bite behind it
"What's up, cutie?" Wooyoung steadies her with a secure arm around her waist
She waves them closer with dramatic, uncoordinated gestures. When they humour her and huddle in, she declares: "Hongjoong cuddles in his sleep! Like, really cuddles! But it’s top secret!!"
A beat of silence breaks into collective laughter just as San returns. "Did I miss something?"
“It appears our captain likes to cuddle in his sleep… according to Little Miss Luna!” Wooyoung replies his hands rubbing her sides affectionately
"No way!" San chuckles, dropping back into his spot.
"Yes way!" Luna nods vigorously, nearly toppling herself off Wooyoung's lap in the process. "He's like a little koala. So warm and clingy."
Mingi snorts. "This is premium blackmail material."
"You wouldn't!" Luna gasps, horrified. "I pinky swore!" She stares at her own finger with sudden betrayal. "Oh no, I'm the worst pinky-promiser ever!"
"Don't worry, little one." Yunho assures her, his twitching lips betraying his amusement. "Your secret's safe with us."
"Is it though?" San raises an eyebrow. "Because I'm already planning how to use this information."
Luna attempts to look stern, which is entirely undermined by her smudged makeup and the way she's practically melting into Wooyoung's chest. "No fair! I’ll get into trouble! And then I’ll be sad!" Her pout dissolves into a sly smile. "But maybe… for some ice cream I wouldn’t be sad."
"Oh, so you can be bought with ice cream?" Mingi laughs. "That's good information to have."
"Mmm, not bought." Luna corrects, wagging a finger that doesn't quite point where she intends. "Rented. Temporarily leased. With premium flavours only."
"What qualifies as premium?" Yunho asks, genuinely curious.
“Cookie dough. Strawberry. Chocolate. Rainbow Sherbet but most of all mint chocolate!” she answers blinking slowly and letting out a small yawn as her fingers begin to play softly with the fabric of Wooyoungs t-shirt, something the others had all noticed she does before she falls asleep. Whether it is with her blanket, a plushie or one of them with their shirts or skin.
Wooyoung adjusts her in his arms, placing a kiss on the top of her head. "Maybe it's time we get you to bed, cutie."
“Noooo,” she whines tensing her body as if in protest. “Not yet. I’m having fun with my boyfriends!”
"Your boyfriends will still be here tomorrow." Seonghwa says gently. “You should get some sleep now. You have that recording session with Hongjoong tomorrow evening”
“I do?” Luna's face scrunches in confusion before lighting up with recognition as she sits bolt upright again. "Recording! Yes! With Joongie!" She claps her hands together with sudden enthusiasm. "He's so talented. And patient. And pretty. Did you know he's pretty even when he's concentrating really hard?"
"We're aware." San chuckles. "We've seen him work."
"No, but like, really pretty!" Luna insists "And he's a really great kisser too!"
"Oh god, no." Yunho groans dramatically, covering his ears. "I do not need to hear about our leader's kissing techniques!"
San shakes his head vigorously. "That's information I never needed to know."
"Agreed." Mingi adds quickly. "Some things should remain mysteries."
"What?" Luna blinks innocently, giggling at their reactions. "I'm just saying he's good at it! You all are!"
"LALALA I CAN'T HEAR YOU." Wooyoung says loudly, making Luna laugh harder as she falls against his chest.
"You guys are such babies." she hiccups, her eyes crinkling with amusement. "Fine, I won't talk about Joongie anymore."
"Thank god." Seonghwa laughs softly
Luna's expression suddenly shifts to something more mischievous as she points at Mingi. "But Mingi here... now he has a talented tongue." She pauses dramatically, wiggling her eyebrows. "If you know what I mean."
San inhales sharply, coughs violently as he chokes on his saliva, while Wooyoungs eyes bulge dramatically before beginning to laugh.
"Luna!" Mingi splutters, his entire face turning a shade of red that could rival a tomato.
"What?" Luna blinks innocently. "It's a compliment!”
Seonghwa, who had been taking a sip of water, nearly spit it out before breaking into laughter. "Not so funny when it's your bedroom skills being discussed, is it?" he manages between chuckles, nudging Mingi's shoulder.
Mingi opens his mouth, closes it, then opens it again, but no sound comes out. He just sits there, completely mortified as the others, minus Seonghwa trying to process this new information.
"I didn't need to know that either." San finally says, though the way his lips twitch suggests he's fighting back laughter.
"Well, now you do." Luna says simply, looking entirely too pleased with herself. "And you're welcome."
"I think that's enough secrets for one night." Yunho says, his voice strained as he tries not to laugh at Mingi's expression. "Maybe we should get you to bed before you reveal anyone else's... ‘talents’."
Inside they were all a bit concerned as to what other ‘talents’ she would reveal of them, except Wooyoung who was loving it all.
"Oh god." Mingi finally speaks, his voice barely above a whisper as he looks over at Seonghwa with pleading eyes "I'm never going to live this down, am I?"
Seonghwa just smirks. "If I can’t then neither will you!"
Luna nestles deeper into Wooyoung's chest. "I’m sorry!” she sniffs
"What are you sorry for, cutie?" Wooyoung asks, tilting her chin up gently.
Luna's eyes suddenly well up with tears again, her bottom lip trembling. "I'm telling everyone's secrets. I'm a bad girlfriend. I'm the worst!"
"Hey, hey!" Wooyoung soothes, brushing away a stray tear with his thumb. "You're not bad at all. We're just teasing."
"But those are private things." she hiccups, looking genuinely upset. "And I just blurted them out like... like..." she gestures vaguely with her hands as her drunken mind searches for the words, "a colossal blabbermouth!"
San moves closer, his expression softening. "Sunshine, we're all in a relationship together. It's okay if you share things."
"No, it's wrong." Luna insists, shaking her head vehemently and nearly toppling sideways again. "Those are supposed to be special moments between us in private!"
Mingi instantly reaches over to take her hand. "Princess, honestly, it's fine. We're not upset."
“Seonghwas mad at me and I made you upset!” she says, tears silently streaming down her face.
“Hey yeobo, I’m not mad. I promise you!” Seonghwa says moving to the floor to be closer to her and wipes her tears away. “I just wasn’t expecting everyone to know about my bedroom preferences tonight, that is all. But I am not mad!”
“Our relationship isn’t conventional but we are together in all of this. Our bedroom habits are going to be a big part of it, so of course these things are going to happen and it isn’t wrong at all to share anything with us.” Yunho says
Luna takes a big sniff looking at him through big watery eyes. “I’ll try to be better!”
“Just keep being yourself.” he smiles at her
"And on that note," Wooyoung says "I think it's definitely bedtime."
"Carry me?" Luna asks, looking up at him with exaggerated puppy eyes. "My legs don't work anymore. They’re just… noodles now.”
“Noodles?” San repeats with a small laugh
Wooyoung laughs, gathering her up in his arms as he stands. "Alright, noodle legs. Let's get you to bed."
"Wait! I need to say goodnight to everyone!" she says loudly, making grabby hands toward the others. “Goodnight kisses. It's the rules.”
They gather around her to bid her a goodnight. Seonghwa presses a kiss on her forehead, San on her cheek which she reciprocates with one to his, Mingi attempt to give her a cheek kiss too but she moves her head to place one on his lips while Yunho places a series of peeks around her face as she giggles lightly.
"Hey where's Yeosang? And Jongho?" she asks looking around for them
"They're already asleep." Wooyoung reminds her gently.
“And Joongie?!” she asks, her eyes going big and round
“Still at the studio.” Yunho says
"But they need goodnight kisses too." she pouts, her bottom lip jutting out dramatically.
"You can give them kisses tomorrow." Mingi suggests
“Fine!” she sighs resting her head on Wooyoungs shoulder. “But they get special ones especially Joongie and Sangie as they didn’t get extra kisses earlier either!”
Wooyoung snorts. "So they get extra kisses?"
"Exactly." Luna nods letting out a loud and long yawn
"Alright, bedtime for real now." Wooyoung says firmly "Say goodnight, Luna."
"Goodnight, Luna!" she echoes obediently, giggling at her own joke as if it's the funniest thing she's ever heard.
She's got her arms looped around his neck, legs wrapped tightly around his waist, face buried against his collarbone, mumbling something incoherent that makes him chuckle. The others watch with content smiles as he heads for her bedroom, the door closing as Luna kicks it deliberately with her foot as they pass by.
Silence falls in the lounge as the remaining 4 men look at one another.
"Well that was… interesting!" San sighs, collapsing back into the couch cushions. “Drunk Luna is not what I was expecting!” he adds with a slight chuckle
"I'm still processing the fact that she tried to dance to The Real on a table." Yunho says, running a hand through his messy hair. "I wish I could've seen that."
“And she called Seonghwa oppa!” Mingi comments with a grin
“She did?” Yunho laughs “Another thing I wish I’d seen!”
"I'm wondering how much of this she'll actually remember tomorrow." Mingi says, leaning back into the sofa.
San snorts. "Hopefully not the part where she revealed your 'talented tongue' to the entire room."
"Oh god, please stop." Mingi groans, covering his face with a throw pillow. "I'm never going to hear the end of this, am I?"
"Not a chance." Yunho grins, patting Mingi's shoulder sympathetically. "Though I'm more surprised about Hongjoong being a cuddly sleeper. That's... unexpected."
"And apparently a good kisser." San adds with a smirk. "Information I could have happily lived without."
Silence settles over the room until Seonghwa breaks it, his face turning serious as he turns to Mingi. "What did Luna mean about Jongho being mad at her?"
Mingi drags his fingers through his hair and exhales. "Ever since their date, he's been rather distant with her. He’s barely looked at her. Walks out when she walks in. Makes up reasons to be elsewhere. That kind of thing."
"But I thought the date went well?" San's forehead creases
"That's the problem." Mingi taps his fingers against his knee. "It went too well. I think that scared him. You know Jongho - vulnerability terrifies him after everything."
Seonghwa leans in, resting his elbows on his knees. "So when she mentioned his ex..."
"I told her the story." Mingi's shoulders drop slightly. "Figured she deserved to know why he keeps everyone at arm's length. I didn’t want her taking it personally, feeling like she’d done something wrong. She understood!"
"That's why she's afraid of being 'like that bitch'?" Seonghwa asks.
"Exactly." Mingi nods. "I think she's afraid pulling back from his kiss tonight made her seem like… well, like her."
“She’s the opposite of her!!” Seonghwa says, “You can tell from the way she looks at him when he’s doing something as simple as making coffee that she adores him.”
San traces the seam of the sofa cushion. "Maybe he kissed her earlier because of what she shared about her own ex. His version of an apology."
“The kiss clearly caught her off guard as I’ve never seen her pull away like that from any of us.” Yunho nods
“Wait a minute?” Seonghwa asks “Her ex? What the hell did I miss earlier?!”
“Sorry, I forgot you were on a schedule and weren’t here.” Yunho sighs lightly rubbing his head before continuing as Seonghwa looks at him with concern in his eyes. "Luna let it slip that her first boyfriend here was insanely controlling." Yunho explains carefully. "He made her text him every thirty minutes when she was out, and would call repeatedly if she didn't. He wanted to know where she was, who she was with, even what she was wearing."
"What the fuck?" Seonghwa's eyes widen, his usual calm composure cracking
"That was pretty much our reaction too." San nods, picking at a loose thread on the sofa cushion.
“She ended things when she found him in her dorm, furious because she’d been late for her part-time job after class and couldn’t text him.” Mingi says, jaw clenched. “He grabbed her phone, accused her of cheating, and broke it, saying she didn’t deserve to have one if she couldn’t text him.”
“Did he ever hurt her?” Seonghwa asks
"She insists he never physically hurt her." Yunho answers quietly. "However admitted that he would push her but she doesn’t seem to realise that is physically hurting someone”
“Or she doesn’t want to admit that to herself.” San adds
Seonghwa's entire demeanour shifts, his normally gentle expression hardening into something dangerous. His voice is deceptively quiet. "He put his hands on her?"
San watches Seonghwa carefully. "She tried to downplay it, but…"
“Downplay it?” Seonghwa’s eyes flash as he stands. “There’s no downplaying assault.”
Yunho reaches out to place a calming hand on Seonghwa's arm. "Hyung!"
“Don’t call me that now.” He paces, fists clenched. “What else?”
Mingi explains about how her ex broke her phone, when she tried to get it back she accidentally scratched him in the face. “I think he was going to hit her, at least that is what it sounded like she was going to say until she stopped herself. One of her dorm roommates thankfully came home at that moment and grabbed him before he could do anything. Mingi answers, his voice tight with controlled anger as his hands shake.
Seonghwa runs both hands through his hair, his face a thundercloud of emotion. "Jesus Christ."
"She broke up with him the day after." San adds quickly. "She recognised it wasn't normal."
"It shouldn't have taken that long." Seonghwa mutters, still pacing. "Someone should have…"
"Her friends were trying." Yunho interjects softly. "They were vocal about him, but she said she didn’t see it at first. People in those situations cannot see it though."
Seonghwa stops abruptly, turning to face them. "You know what this means, right? The way she is with us sometimes - checking in constantly, asking permission for things, checking it is okay for her to go out, looking surprised when we don't get upset over small mistakes. The other day she spilled some coffee beans and she apologised profusely like… like I was going to be angry at her!" the colour drains from his face
"She's been conditioned." Yunho says, the realisation hitting him like a physical blow. "Fuck."
"And yet she still trusted us," Seonghwa says, his voice dropping to almost a whisper. "Eight men. After what she went through, she still opened up to 8 men."
San lets out a breath. "Yeah."
Seonghwa sinks back into the sofa cushions with a long sigh. “We’re lucky she let anyone back into her life, let alone all of us.”
“After everything she’s been through - moving constantly as a child, finding out about her dad, the rebellious phase she went through afterwards, moving to Korea at just 18 years old to study for the job she wanted since she was young, only to end up with that prick… and yet she still manages to be Luna.” Mingi says
"Despite everything, she still sees the good in people." San says, finally breaking the heavy silence.
“She’s always shown everyone around her kindness, even if they don’t deserve it. She even helped that Chaeyoung with moving all her hair equipment when we were moved to the other room at that fan sign in LA, carried the heaviest box and didn’t even get so much as a thank you, or even an acknowledgement from her.” Seonghwa says
“I said earlier that we shouldn’t make a big deal over it with her. Yes it is fucked up, but shes clearly moved on and is happy with us so we should just let this go. If she wants to discuss it further we will be here but if not we don’t pressure her.”
“I agree. This is a very delicate situation.” Seonghwa nods, “However the others need to know. Hongjoong and Yeosang deserve to know. Purely so they are aware and don’t do anything that could possibly trigger her.” He rubs his temples, exhaling slowly. "I'll speak with Hongjoong when he gets home. He needs to know sooner rather than later."
“I don’t envy you.” Yunho mutters
"I'm honestly dreading telling him." Seonghwa admits after a moment, rubbing the back of his neck. "You know how Hongjoong gets when it comes to Luna."
Yunho lets out a low whistle. "He's going to lose his shit."
San runs a hand through his hair. "Fuck, I hate this. I hate knowing someone made her feel like she needed permission to just... exist."
"The worst part is she doesn't even realise she's doing it half the time," Seonghwa says. "It's just become her default."
"So what do we do?" San asks
"I think we just keep doing what we're doing. Creating a safe space where she knows she is an equal. Where her voice matters. And she knows she is deeply cared for." Seonghwa answers, “Let her know she can rely on us. For anything.”
They all fall silent for a moment, the weight of that statement hanging in the air. Yunho's stomach twists as he listens to the others talk about Luna. His feelings for her have deepened a lot over the past couple of weeks. It’s not love - he won’t allow himself cross that line, he can’t. But whatever this feeling is, it’s growing stronger each day, threatening the careful balance they’ve all worked hard on.
“Main thing is she is letting us in, she’s telling us about her life and her past. While yeah she technically didn’t mean to tell us about her ex but I am sort of glad she did. I wouldn’t want to do anything that could have triggered her.” San says
Mingi's shoulders finally relax, his voice softening. "Tomorrow, I'm giving her the biggest hug she's ever had."
"She'll be nursing the hangover from hell!" San points out with a slight smile. "Might want to hold off on the bear hugs."
"Then I'll hug her extra gently." Mingi says, determination in his eyes. "But I'm still hugging her. A lot!"
Seonghwa's lips curve into a fond smile. "We all are."
Lunas unique laugh with a muffled “Luna, stop!” from Wooyoung followed by his own laughter rings out from the other side of her bedroom door making them all look towards it.
"Doesn't sound like she's ready for sleep yet." Yunho laughs
"Well, we should be." Seonghwa stands, stretching. "Early schedules tomorrow." The others nod in agreement as they rise from the sofa, turning off the tv and lights, the conversation dissolving as they head upstairs to their respective rooms.
Meanwhile in her bedroom as the 4 men were discussing the events of the evening, Wooyoung carried her towards her bed after she kicked her door closed with her foot.
"You're so strong." Luna marvels, poking at his bicep. "Like a... like a very strong person."
"Your vocabulary when drunk is truly something else." Wooyoung teases, gently laying her down on the bed.
But as he tries to straighten up, Luna's arms remain firmly locked around his neck, pulling him down with surprising strength for someone so intoxicated.
"Don't go." she whines, clinging to him like a koala.
Wooyoung attempts to disentangle himself, but she only tightens her grip, locking her ankles around his waist for good measure.
"Luna, I'm just going to get you some water." he explains softly.
"Don't need water." she mumbles against his neck.
“What about taking your make up off and getting into some pjs?” he encourages “These clothes can’t be comfortable.”
"I just need you. Please stay."
Her voice has that particular vulnerable quality that makes it impossible for him to refuse. With a resigned sigh that doesn't quite hide his smile, Wooyoung carefully shifts his weight to lie down on the bed with her on top of him.
"Fine, you win but in 10 minutes I am getting some make up wipes for her face! You don’t even need to move, I’ll do it for you." He relents reaching up behind him to switch her fairy lights on.
"I always win." she says with sleepy satisfaction.
"That you do, cutie." he agrees, gently brushing hair away from her face. Her makeup is smudged, and somehow she still looks beautiful.
Luna immediately snuggles closer, her head finding the perfect spot in the crook of his neck. The room is quiet except for her occasional hiccup and the distant sounds of the others talking in the lounge. Wooyoung can hear Seonghwas slightly raised voice through the door - “What the fuck?”. He wonders if they are telling him about her ex before he looks down at her to see if she is aware of the atmosphere outside her bedroom but she isn’t.
"You're the cute one." she mumbles, pulling back just enough to stare at his face with exaggerated concentration. "Like, sooooo cute."
Her fingers reach up to pinch his cheeks, though she misses on the first attempt and gets his chin instead.
"What are you doing?" Wooyoung laughs, trying to dodge her uncoordinated hands.
"Checking if you're real." Luna explains very seriously, finally managing to grab both his cheeks and squeezing them together. "Because nobody should be allowed to be this pretty. It's... it's illegal in some countries."
"Which countries?" he asks through squished lips, making her burst into giggles.
"All the important ones." she declares, squeezing his cheeks harder until his lips pucker like a fish. "Look at your little face! So squishy!" she laughs loudly
"Luna, stop!" Wooyoung protests, but he's already laughing too hard to sound convincing.
“I love your face!” she says flopping back onto his chest. “You smell nice. Like laundry and… Wooyoungie!”
Her voice trails off as she nestles closer, her breathing starting to even out. Wooyoung wraps an arm around her, his laughter softening into a fond smile as he feels her relax against him. They lie in comfortable silence for a few minutes, Wooyoung absently stroking her hair while Luna traces random patterns on his shirt with her finger. He thinks she’s beginning to fall asleep when she tilts her head up to look at him, eyes wide and earnest despite their glassy state.
"I really, really like you, Wooyoungie." she announces, as if sharing a profound secret. "Like, really a lot."
Wooyoung feels a warmth spread through his chest that has nothing to do with her lying on top of him. "I really, really like you too, Luna."
"No, but like..." she props herself up slightly "I like you so much. And you're so hot. Like, unfairly hot."
"Is that so?" he asks with a slight grin
"Mhmm," she sighs dreamily, flopping back down onto his chest. "and I know when the time comes… you’ll be very ‘talented’ too!”
"Okay, that's enough of that conversation for tonight." Wooyoung says quickly, his face burning. "You're drunk, cutie."
"Being drunk doesn't make it less true." she argues, pouting up at him.
“We can discuss this another time, when you are sober!”
"Promise?" Luna asks, her eyelids growing heavy.
"Promise." Wooyoung assures her, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Did you have a fun night though?”
“I really did!” She mumbles happily, “I miss my friends so it was nice seeing them and us all acting like we don’t have full time jobs or responsibilities - like we did back in college. Being silly and having fun!”
Wooyoung smiles at the thought of her enjoying herself. “I’m glad lil cutie!”
“I know you weren’t too happy about what I was wearing…” she starts but he tries to stop her
“No jagiya…” He says but it’s no use, she continues without even a moments pause
“But I know it was in a concerned way. Not control. Hongdae can be fun but I know it’s real side. I’ve seen it first hand and it’s why Dasom is so vigilant on nights out now.” her voice suddenly sobers up, the playful tone is now gone, replaced with a solemn one.
“What happened?” Wooyoung finds himself asking, holding Luna’s limp frame closer
“I’ll tell you another time, I don’t want to talk about it.” she shakes her head, fingers twisting into his t-shirt tightly
“Did something happen to you?” he asks softly
“Not me, Nayeon. But it’s the reason Dasom is so protective and why we have a system on nights out. 2 people stay sober, nobody walks anywhere alone - not even to the toilet and we all get home safe.” she answers “We take turns. Tonight it was Dasom and Seojuns.” she pauses “Next time we go out, I’ll be one of the designated sober people… person… woman?” her drunk tone slightly back
“That’s a good system to have in place.” He murmurs
Wooyoung can feel how tense her body is against his now, the memory of whatever happened clearly overwhelming her even through the haze of alcohol. He pulls her closer if that was even possible at this point, one hand gently rubbing circles on her back while the other, delicately holds the back of her head, her fingers massaging her scalp comfortingly.
Her next words come muffled against his chest, her fingers absently tracing an invisible pattern on his shirt. "Those texts and photos I sent tonight… they weren’t just updates. They were like little threads of invisible string connecting me to all of you. Like you were all there with me." She pauses, swallowing hard. "Before, with... my ex, checking in was different. I’d message because I had to, because silence would set him off. I didn’t want to admit it at the time, or even after but… it scared me.” he feels his heart clench at her words, “I didn’t know what version of him I’d get from one moment to the next. But this, us… all of us, it feels safe. I have a choice. I can message and not hold my breath because I’m not afraid of the response. It is different. Healthy. Normal."
"I'm glad you know the difference." Wooyoung says softly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
Luna shifts slightly, looking up at him with suddenly clearer eyes. "I do. I really do." Then, just as quickly, her serious expression dissolves into a grin. "But next time, maybe don't suggest I wear a parka in a nightclub? I would've melted tonight."
Wooyoung chuckles, relieved to see her mood lightening. "Fine, no parka. How about one of those full-body snowsuits instead?"
"Oh my god, you're ridiculous!" Luna giggles, swatting at his chest. "I'd look like a marshmallow."
"A very cute marshmallow." he counters with a grin.
"You'd still find me attractive in a snowsuit?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.
"I'd find you attractive in literally anything." Wooyoung admits, then adds with a smirk, "But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love how you looked tonight. You looked really sexy.” He shakes his head slightly, a hint of colour rising to his cheeks. "Let's just say I wasn't the only one struggling to look away."
Luna gasps dramatically, pushing herself up to look at him properly, her knees on either side of her hips now. "Jung Wooyoung of Ateez! Are you flirting with a drunk woman? For shame!"
"You started it." he points out, laughing at her exaggerated expression of scandal.
"Did not." she sits upright on him, her hands using his chest to brace herself
"Did too. You called me 'unfairly hot,' remember?"
"That's just stating facts." Luna says with a dismissive wave that nearly makes her topple over. "Completely different from flirting."
"If you say so, cutie."
Luna collapses against his chest with a happy sigh. "Whatever. I'm basically a philosopher when I'm drunk. Like some kind of... intoxicated wis-wi-wisdom owl bird." she stutters
"Exactly." she confirms with an exaggerated nod. "Owls equal wisdom. Luna equals wisdom. I am wisdom. Add alcohol. Therefore..." she squints at nothing in particular, "intoxicated wisdom owl bird."
"Your reasoning is flawless."
"Obviously." Her matter-of-fact tone makes the corners of his mouth twitch upward.
“Time to clean your make up.” Wooyoung says
“No!!” Luna whines
“I’ll only be gone for less than a minute to grab some wipes from your bathroom!” he replies
“There are wipes in my bedside drawer, use those and don’t leave me!” she replies holding onto him together so he can’t move.
Wooyoung relents and reaches over to the drawer. He finds the wipes and pulls them out. He delicately sits up, holding Luna steady with one arm while reaching for the makeup wipes with his free hand. She's like a particularly affectionate octopus, limbs seemingly everywhere at once as she tries to maintain maximum contact.
"Hold still for just a second." he laughs, attempting to wipe the smudged mascara from under her eyes.
"I am." Luna protests, immediately contradicting herself by swaying dramatically to one side. "The room is the one that's moving."
"Of course, how silly of me." Wooyoung says, carefully wiping away the dark smudges under her eyes. "Blame it on the room."
Luna's arms snake around his shoulders as he works, her face scrunching up adorably as the cold wipe touches her skin. "That's cold!"
"Sorry, cutie. Almost done."
She starts peppering his cheek with tiny kisses, making the task nearly impossible. "Luna!" he laughs, trying to dodge her lips while keeping her upright. "I can't clean your face if you keep attacking me."
"Not attacking." she mumbles against his skin. "Appreciating. Very different. I love you…" she pauses and looks into the fairy lights behind her bed with a distant look in her eyes. His hand falls away from her face mid-wipe as he looks at her with wide eyes as he tries to process what she’s just said. Suddenly she lets out a tiny sneeze before looking back at him, “…r face! It’s so cute and kissable!” she finishes with an adorable smile. His body instantly relaxes realising she was talking about his face and not declaring her love - not that he would mind if she had!
He manages to get most of the makeup off her face, though it's a struggle with her constantly moving target of a face. When she nearly topples backwards, he tightens his arm around her waist.
"Whoa!" he says, pulling her back upright. "You're like trying to hold onto a noodle."
"A sexy noodle!" she corrects with absolute conviction.
"The sexiest noodle." he agrees, tossing the used makeup wipes onto the nightstand.
Luna's eyes light up as she looks at him, suddenly cupping his face with both hands. "You know what I want?"
"What's that?" Wooyoung asks, already knowing it's going to be something ridiculous.
"A goodnight kiss from my birthday twinnie." she declares, her eyes sparkling. "Because your kisses are the best. Like, scientifically proven. There were studies."
"Studies, huh?" Wooyoung can't help the laugh that bubbles up. "And who conducted these studies?"
"Me. I'm very qualified," Luna says seriously. "I have a PhD in Jung Wooyoung kisses. It's very prestigious."
"Is that so?" he smirks, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Mhmm," she nods emphatically. "And as a doctor, I'm prescribing myself with one kiss. Doctor's orders."
"Well, I wouldn't want to argue with a doctor." Wooyoung says, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to her lips.
Luna giggles into it, nearly knocking them both over in her enthusiasm. Wooyoung steadies her with a laugh, pulling back slightly.
"Easy there, Dr. Luna. I think that's enough medical treatment for tonight." he says looking into her eyes, which look a little less drunken now “Now lets get you into some pj’s.”
“Nooo!” she whines again, “That means moving and I refuse. My legs don’t work remember.”
"Luna, come on." Wooyoung tries again, nudging her gently. "You'll be way more comfortable in pj’s."
"Too much effort." she mumbles, suddenly going completely limp on top of him, her body weight pressing him into the mattress. "I am now one with you. If I can’t move then neither can you!"
Wooyoung snorts, knowing he could easily lift her but choosing not to force the issue. “At least take your cardigan off? It’s going to get twisted and uncomfortable through the night.”
Luna considers this for a moment, her face scrunched up in exaggerated concentration. "Fine. But only because you asked so nicely and you're pretty." She attempts to remove the cardigan herself but only succeeds in tangling one arm behind her back, getting stuck. “Help?” her voice comes out small and childlike.
He can only smile at her. “Hold still for a two seconds, cutie.”
“I am the stillest person who ever stilled!” She declares while doing anything but staying still
Wooyoung manages to free her stuck arm and remove her cardigan before moving it to one side. “Better?”
“Much!”
Wooyoung holds her to his body while pulling the blanket over both of them. Luna immediately burrows underneath it. “You’re warm.” she mumbles, her voice heavily with sleep “Like a sexy human furnace.”
"That's me. Jung Wooyoung: Idol, dancer, sexy human furnace."
She giggles softly, the sound trailing off as her eyelids begin to droop. "Don't forget an awesome birthday twin and really good kisser. 'S important."
"I wouldn't dare forget." he promises, pressing a light kiss to her forehead.
A peaceful quiet settles between them as Wooyoung traces lazy circles across her back. Just as her breathing starts to even out and he thinks she has fallen asleep, she stirs slightly. “Wooyoungie?”
“Hmm?”
“Thank you for taking care of me.” her words slur slightly but it’s more from tiredness now “I’m hap-happy you’re here with me. All of you.”
The unguarded honesty in her voice tugs at something in his chest. "We feel the same way about you."
"Even when I'm drunk and gross and yapping everyone's secrets?"
"Especially then," Wooyoung chuckles. "Even Seonghwa would agree, despite you telling us he is basically a dom in bed!"
"Poor Seongie-hwaie!" she giggles before a long and deep yawn overtakes her. "Don't tell him I told you, but he's really sweet afterwards too. All gentle and protective, he treats me like a delicate little flower and kisses all my bruises," she mumbles before adding quietly, “and the scars.”
"That's definitely TMI." Wooyoung says, though he can’t help thinking how characteristic that is of Seonghwa’s protective and attentive nature.
"My bad." Luna murmurs without a hint of regret. "You won't tell him I said that, right?"
"Never."
“Pinky promise?” she holds up her pinky finger
“Pinky promise!” he smiles linking his pinky with hers and kisses the back of her hand as they are still linked. “Ready to sleep now?”
Luna nods, nestling closer as another yawn escapes her.
"Sleep sounds perfect. Just please don’t leave me. I want..." a massive yawn interrupts her, "to see your face..." another yawn breaks through, "first thing tomorrow." Her final yawn seems to consume her entire being.
“I am not going anywhere." he assures her, “Don’t you worry, cutie.”
"I like you calling me that!”
“Yeah?” he asks with a small lopsided smile
“Goodnight, Wooyoungie." she murmurs, already half-asleep.
"Goodnight, intoxicated wisdom owl bird." he replies watching as she immediately drifts off.
Once her breathing settles into the deep rhythm of sleep, Wooyoung shifts carefully, easing the pressure on his lower back while keeping her secure against him. Her face relaxes in slumber, the worry lines between her eyebrows smoothing away. He can't help but study her - this woman who carries so much beneath her bright smiles. He knew there was more to her story, even before she said there were things she goes to therapy for that she wasn’t ready to discuss the night before.
Last night, as she'd slept in his arms, her sleeve had ridden up. The fairy lights had caught the raised lines of her scars on her wrists. Perhaps a year old, maybe a year and a half, he'd guess. They weren’t fresh but they were still in the healing process - faded pinky red and not the usual silver colour healed scars possessed. He never wanted to admit it before last night but he knew. The signs had been there all along for him - the collection of bracelets that jangled when she moved, the long sleeves she wore even during Seoul's brutal summer heat. The way she'd flinch subtly if someone reached too quickly for her hand or touched her arms.
Wooyoung had also seen glimpses before, like when her bracelets were sliding as she talked with her hands - the habit he found so endearing or her sleeves riding up briefly when she reached for something high. He'd always averted his eyes, respecting the boundary she'd clearly established between herself and the world regarding it. He’d even tried to convince himself it was just tricks of the light but deep down he knew. But the biggest sign was her habit of rubbing her wrists when she was anxious or stressed.
And then there was Hongjoong's reaction whenever she did it, that flash of concern in his eyes, the subtle way he'd drift closer to her side in those moment, place his hand on her lower back subtly as if in an attempt to ground her. Did Hongjoong know? But he already knew the answer to that question - he did. And Wooyoung felt a bit of relief in knowing that.
However, last night when she shifted briefly in his arms, her hand moving from his waist to his chest as her fingers curled around the fabric of his t-shirt, her sleeve slid up her arm and the glow from her fairy lights hit the skin so perfectly it appeared to accentuate the scars.
As much as his heart longed for her to trust them all with every part of herself, he understood why she couldn’t - not yet. Last night had been a big step for her - she opened up about therapy, her father and what she went through afterwards. On top of tonight’s revelation of her ex-boyfriend, it explained so much about why she had created careful boundaries, and he wouldn’t push for more. The scars on her wrist told a story she wasn’t ready to voice. Wooyoung traced a gentle circle on her shoulder, making a silent promise. She would have all the time in the world to feel safe enough to share the rest. He would wait.
Now, watching her chest rise and fall against his, her body completely surrendered to sleep and the effects of the alcohol, he felt the weight of her choice. She could have asked anyone to stay with her, but in her most defenceless and vulnerable state - drunk, exhausted and unguarded, she had chosen him. He places a kiss on the top of her head before closing his eyes and drifting off himself.
Pairing: non-idol yunho x fem!reader
Genre: +18, eventually smut, angst, romance, love story, slow-burn, tangled emotions, linger feelings, married couple AU, slice of life, melancholic romance, hurt-comfort, one-week-left trope, lovers-to-strangers, secret and lies, non-idol Ateez
Summary: They promised forever, but forever has come undone. Between shared memories and silent regrets, they stand at the edge of what once was, and what can never be again. With divorce papers on the table and hearts hanging by threads, Y/N makes one last request: "Let’s pretend you still love me… for just one more week." In a love story that comes to an end, we deserve to choose a quiet kind of goodbye.
Content & Trigger Warnings: Divorce & Marital breakdown, Emotional Suppression & Distress, Broken promises / Unfulfilled vows, Flashbacks of past intimacy, Alcohol use (brief mention), Quiet grief & Lingering love, Themes of quiet heartbreak, Broken promises, and Cheating
WC: 2,883
Marks: Yunho, Y/N, other character, 'silent thought(i)'
A/N: At last! the prologue is live! Chapter One will (hopefully!) be out this weekend, once I stop obsessing over the final edits. 😅 This chapter is short, but I hope it catches your interest and pulls you in. If you’ve ever loved quietly, let go painfully, or clung to a moment that’s already fading. This one's for you~ Let me know which part stayed with you. I’d love to hear your thoughts. 💬💔
next chapter
“Let’s get divorced,” he says, his voice calm. almost detached.
You knew this moment was coming, but the words still hit like a punch to the gut. Your hands tremble as you continue washing the dishes, your back still turned to him. You try to speak, but your mind goes blank—overwhelmed by the weight of everything. The only sounds in the kitchen are the running water and the soft clinking of dishes, a cruel reminder of the normalcy that is slipping away.
“Y/N,” he pauses, “Let’s get divorced.”
He repeats himself, and this time, you catch the pleading edge in his voice.
A chill snakes down your spine, and your fingers go numb as the realization sinks in. You stop breathing. With trembling fingers, you shut off the faucet and dry your hands on your apron. fighting back tears, clinging to the emotionless facade you’ve perfected.
When you finally turn, he’s standing across the kitchen counter, just inches away, yet it feels like he's miles away from you. His gaze is fixed on a single piece of paper on the counter. Your heart plummets as you realize what it is 'he’s already filed for it.’
Silence stretches, and all you can hear is the blood rushing in your ears. You swallow hard, trying to force down the bitter lump forming in your throat.
Finally, he meets your eyes, his expression as hollow as your own. But behind the emptiness, you sense the storm he's barely holding back. You nod slowly, blinking away the tears that threaten to spill, each movement a painful reminder of what you’re about to lose.
You step closer and pick up the paper. The words blur as your mind drifts. to when you first met him, not this unbearable emptiness ending.
━━━━⊱ FLASH BACK ⊰━━━━
The doorbell jingled, a soft chime carried in with the breeze as the café door swung open. You instinctively lifted your head, flashing your usual bright smile.
“Hi, welcome to The Coffee Love!”
Your hands were busy with the finishing touch on a mocha latte, swirling the last ribbon of whipped cream before sliding the cup across the counter with practiced ease. Turning toward the next customer in line, your smile stayed firmly in place until your gaze landed on him.
'his new'
He wasn’t familiar. Tall, broad-shouldered, with an air of hesitation clinging to him as he stepped inside. His curious, almost cautious expression gave him away instantly as someone new.
Most of your regulars were neighborhood residents or office workers from nearby buildings. You knew their faces, their orders, even their habits. But this man? Definitely not from around here.
“Good morning! What can I get started for you today?” you asked, letting your voice slip into its usual cheerful rhythm.
He lifted his gaze, meeting yours briefly. His eyes were surprisingly soft, almost gentle, before flicking upward toward the chalkboard menu above your head. He squinted slightly, brows furrowed in thought, and you found yourself smiling at the way his nose scrunched in concentration. 'Cute'
After a moment, he turned back to you. “What would you recommend?”
Your mind flipped quickly through the options, and you gestured toward the menu. “Well, if you’re into strong coffee, I’d suggest the Express Espresso. If you’d like something tea-based and caffeine-free, there’s the Flir-Tea. Or” your lips curved as you added “if you’re in the mood for something fruity, the I Love You Berrymuch is a popular choice.”
The corner of his mouth tugged upward, and then he chuckled low, warm, and unguarded. You felt heat creep into your cheeks before you could stop it. Customers laughed at your café’s overly cheesy drink names all the time, but his laugh felt different. Softer. Warmer.
“I’ll take the Express Espresso, then,” he said, still smiling.
‘Oh, a coffee person,’ you thought, tapping his order into the register.
“Will that be for here or to go?”
“For here.”
“Cold or hot?”
“Hot, please.”
Nodding, you noted his preference and began preparing the espresso. As your hands moved automatically through the motions, your training surfaced. always suggest a pastry.
“How about something from our pastry selection? We’ve got fresh options today.”
His gaze flicked toward the display case, then back to you. “French toast sounds good. Could you warm it up? I prefer it that way.”
“Of course.” You added it to his order and rang it up. “That’ll be 25,500 won.”
He handed over a sleek black card with effortless ease.
‘Whoa… a rich young man, huh?’ you mused silently as you glanced down at the embossed name. 'Jeong Yunho' Somehow, it suited him perfectly.
“Here’s your receipt,” you said, handing it back. “You can take a seat, and I’ll bring your order over shortly. Thank you.”
He gave you another smile, one that felt disarmingly warm. “Thank you, Y/N.”
You blinked, startled. 'How did he—'
Before you could ask, he lifted a finger and pointed at your nametag.
“Oh… right.” You laughed awkwardly, cheeks warming.
Turning quickly, you busied yourself behind the counter, hoping he hadn’t noticed your embarrassment. But the amused glint in his eyes as he walked away told you otherwise.
He chose a table by the window, sunlight spilling across the wood and onto his shoulders. It was the kind of spot perfect for people-watching or for letting the mind wander. Outside, the streets bustled with life, but in here the café felt calm, safe. He exhaled slowly, almost as if the weight he carried had lightened the moment he sat down.
You prepared his order, balancing the espresso and warm French toast on a tray before carrying it over. “Here you go,” you said softly as you set it down.
“Thank you.”
You pulled a small card from your apron pocket. “Would you like a stamp card? Each drink gets you a sticker. Collect ten, and you’ll win a mystery blind box with our exclusive café characters.”
It was routine, the same pitch you gave every customer, but somehow you found yourself stumbling over the words, your chest tight with nerves.
He studied you, gaze lingering a second longer than polite. Under the weight of it, your cheeks flushed hot. 'Why is he looking at me like that?'
Then, his lips curved. “Sure, I’ll take one.” He accepted the card with a nod. “This place smells amazing, by the way.”
He lifted his espresso for a sip, only to flinch back almost immediately. “Hot,” he muttered, wincing playfully.
You stifled a laugh, covering your smile with the back of your hand before offering him a tissue. When his fingers brushed against yours, the smallest spark ran up your arm, quick and startling. Your stomach fluttered, leaving you unsteady as you turned back toward the counter.
But even as you served the next customer, your thoughts drifted. Against your better judgment, you glanced over your shoulder and caught him watching you. Not idly, but with quiet intent. His gaze was steady, tender even, as though he were committing the moment to memory.
Curiosity flickered in his eyes, threaded with something softer. Captivation. You felt it like a weight in your chest, warm and strange.
To him, there was something about you. About the way you moved as though the café’s rhythm was your own, about the way your smile seemed to brighten the room, that made the unfamiliar space feel like home.
And for the first time in a long while, Yunho thought maybe he hadn’t come to this city just to move forward. Maybe fate had guided him here: to this café, this moment, and maybe even to you.
The thought settled quietly in his chest, fragile yet undeniable.
Maybe this is the beginning of a new chapter in his life.
━━━━⊱ END OF FLASHBACK ⊰━━━━
No matter how cliché your first meeting was, you never imagined the ending would feel this cruel. What began as something ordinary turned out to be the most extraordinary love, only to shatter at the most unexpected time.
You lower the divorce paper slowly, keeping your gaze fixed on the ink as if the words might fade if you stare long enough.
He sits still, bracing himself for whatever you’re about to say. no matter how sharp or gutting. Deep inside, he knows he deserves it. He knows this is on him.
You finally meet his eyes, and in them, you see it. The guilt, the fear, the sorrow he’s trying so desperately to hold back. Tears cling to his lashes.
You surprise him with a soft, genuine smile. It’s not forced. It’s not bitter. It’s the kind that makes him ache even more. He didn’t expect kindness.
“Let’s go through with it,” you say, your voice steady despite the war in your chest. “But I have one condition.”
You inhale sharply, clenching your jaw to hold yourself together as the sting builds behind your eyes.
He didn't expect you to agree so easily. Not without a fight. He thought you'd ask why or who? It would’ve been easier that way. The usual.
Questions scream in his head, but he forces himself to stay silent.
“Just one week,” you whisper, your voice breaking, “Let’s pretend you’re still in love with me. Accompany me wherever I want to go.”
You pause, swallowing down the pain clawing up your throat.
“After that,” you say with finality, “I’ll sign the papers.”
You know how foolish this request must sound. Pitiful, even. But you don’t care.
“Y/N…” His voice is low. Hesitant. “We don’t need to pretend to be in love again because nothing will change.”
He hesitates, then adds softly, “You’re not… trying to fix this, are you?”
He thought that you were doing this to reconcile the relationship.
His words hit you like a punch to the ribs. The finality of it carves a sharp ache in your chest.
He squeezes his eyes shut, struggling to keep the dam from breaking. Then, barely above a whisper—he begs.
“Y/N… I’m really sorry. I’m the one who messed everything up.” His voice cracks, splintering in the quiet.
Tears break loose, and his shoulders shake as he bows his head. He failed you. He knows. He’s been carrying it all this time.
You gasp quietly as your tears finally spill over. Your heart races, looking at the broken man before you. the same man you once considered home.
He runs trembling hands down his face, dragging the pain away before lifting his eyes to meet yours.
He breathes in sharply, chest rising with the effort to steady himself.
“I cheated on you.!” The words burst out like a confession on fire.
It comes out fast, raw, burning.
“I’m really sorry”
The moment he admits it, your world caves in. The confirmation cuts through you like glass. You had suspected… but hearing it aloud.. hearing it from him. it was different.
Sneaking to the bathroom to answer late-night calls in the bathroom, the constant ‘working late’ excuses, the faint trace of a perfume that wasn’t yours; it all makes sense now.
Your heart breaks in slow motion. The man who once made you feel safe, who knew the rhythm of your days, is now holding someone else, loving someone else, building new smiles that no longer include you. The man you love the most is falling for someone else.
Silence, thick and suffocating.
“I know it won’t change anything,” you continue. “And I don’t expect you to take me back. But… let’s end this with something soft and in good ter-(m)
He interrupts.
“But Y/N… I don’t want to hurt you more—”
“No buts.” You cut him off, firm but gentle.
“Also, our conjugal property, you will keep them. I don’t need those.”
You recall one clause in the divorce papers and let out a bitter chuckle under your breath.
“You bought most of it anyway. So, technically, it’s already yours.”
You confidently say it.
He stares at you like you’ve grown horns. Like he can’t understand how you’re being so selfless.
“No! That’s not right, Y/N!” he bursts out, voice rising.
His voice echoes louder than intended. He can’t understand why you’re being so gracious. It makes the guilt cut deeper. He wants to question your motive, but how could he, when he’s the one who destroyed everything?
“Please… don’t do this. I’m the one who ruined us. I don’t deserve your kindness... not when I’m the reason you’re hurting.”
He breaks down again. He sobs openly now, more than you’ve ever seen.
You move toward him instinctively and wrap your arms around him. Even now, even though your relationship is falling apart, you will not and you can’t stop caring for him. He buries his face into your neck and you both cry in each other's arms. You hold him, rubbing slow circles on his back.
After what feels like a lifetime, you pull apart..
You wipe his cheeks even as yours remain soaked.
“Yah! Jeong Yunho” you speak, trying to steady yourself.
you tried to get his attention urging him to meet your eyes but he keeps his eyes on the floor.
“Look at me,” you plead softly.
He finally lifts his eyes to you; puffy, red, broken. And if your heart weren’t shattering, you might’ve told him how cute his little pout, even like this.
“One week,” you say again. “Then we’ll divorce. Let’s not cause more pain than we already have. Let’s just… leave each other with dignity. I also have my fair share of why we reached this end of our story”
Your voice trembles, barely above a whisper. Your head throbs from crying, but you keep going.
“No.. no.. no.. Please don’t say that. This is my fault, Y/N. All of it.” He shakes his head, tears renewed.
He rambles through the sobs.
You take one final breath and wipe your tears away.
“Just a week, Yunho.”
“Pretend you still love me… just one last time.”
You’re done. There’s nothing left to say in this conversation.
You turn around and walk toward the bedroom. The one you once shared with him. You close the door quietly behind you and lock it.
You collapse onto the cold floor, and you cry your heart out, the cold wind chilling your skin. You cover your mouth with your left hand,a silent scream trapped beneath your palm while the other hand keeps pounding to your aching heart trying to claw the pain out. But it won’t leave.
After a while, you feel dizzy and your head hurts so much. And not that long that you feel your body goes numb, and before you can reach the bed, you black out. The cold floor cradles you like sorrow itself.
━━━━⊱ Meanwhile ⊰━━━━
As you walk away from him, Yunho remains frozen, trying to process everything. Thoughts begin to spiral in his mind like a storm.
“That’s it? That’s how it ends for us?”
He still can’t comprehend how calmly you handled everything so unlike what he had expected, unlike how most couples fall apart in rage or taunt each other.
He shakes his head, reminding himself not to question you, because he knows just how kind and considerate you are. How endlessly selfless you’ve always been.
The flashback from his proposal comes to his mind
━━━━⊱ FLASH BACK ⊰━━━━
“y/n, will you marry me?”
He’s on one knee beneath the glowing auroras of Alaska, asking you the most important question of his life
“Love…” You begin to cry, and so does he. both overcome by the rush of overwhelming joy.
You nod through your tears, breathless. “Of course, Yunho… yes! It’s a yes!”
With a shaky hand he slips the ring onto your finger and kisses you gently. The two of you embrace tightly, holding on to the moment.
“Love… if one day you ever fall out of love with me, please promise, you’ll tell me first. I deserve to be the one who knows.”
Out of nowhere, you spoke those words
He pulled back from the hug and looked at you, puzzled; as if he’d misheard.
“What did you just say?”
He asked to confirm.
“Are you getting cold feet now?” he chuckled, trying to lighten the mood, but your face stayed serious.
It’s not a secret to Yunho that you are from a broken family. You’d seen firsthand how loving someone too deeply could destroy them, especially if the other one stops loving the other.
Since then you always have the mindset that if you will love someone, you will make sure that both of you will not suffer or break one another no matter what the situation is.
“Stop. That will never happen. We’re never falling out of love. I promise you that, because you’re my last love. and I couldn’t live without you. he chuckled and continue I mean look, how am I supposed to live without you? That’s why I’m marrying you”
He gave you that best smile. The one that you always fall in love with .Then he hugged you from behind as the aurora borealis shimmered above, sealing his forever promise.
━━━━⊱ END FLASHBACK ⊰━━━━
Remembering that, Yunho realizes just how deeply he failed you. You're not just his wife but also his best friend. Now he betrayed you. His breath catches; the kitchen suddenly feels suffocating, like the walls are closing in.
The room shrinks around him. He grabs his coat and bolts out the door.
He drives aimlessly to his old condominium. The moment he opens the door, memories hit him like a tidal wave.
Memories of you.
And that night, Yunho cries harder than he has in years.
He falls asleep on the cold floor, a bottle of liquor clutched to his chest. guilt swallowing him whole.
