Juntae may seem quiet to outsiders, but when he’s with Hyuntak and Baku, he turns chatty, opinions spilling out comfortably. Baku’s definitely the loudest in the group, Hyuntak a close second, while Sieun remains the quiet heart of their circle.

Suho hangs out with them too sometimes, but he’s always had his own other friends to float between. Then, Juntae turns the conversation. “So,” Juntae starts innocently, sipping his drink, “how are you and Suho?” Hyuntak chokes, nearly doubling over.

“What?” he says, still coughing, and Juntae’s got that look on his face. “I said, how are you and Suho? The group chat’s been suspiciously tame. You used to cuss him out almost daily.” Hyuntak clears his throat, playing with his straw. “We’re good,” he mutters.

Juntae hums, unconvinced. “Last thing you texted about him was how much you hated him.” Hyuntak’s eyes widen. “That wasn’t real hate! You know that, right?” “Of course. You always say the opposite of what you mean when it comes to him.”

“No, I don’t…” he starts, but even he doesn’t believe it. Maybe it’s time to tell Juntae. Sieun’s too busy, and Juntae’s outside the chaos of their household. A neutral party. Someone he trusts. “Juntae-yah…” “Yeah?” “I… I don’t dislike Suho anymore.”

Juntae doesn’t look surprised . “Oh. That’s good to hear. Honestly, it was always weird that Suho seemed closer to me and Baku than to you, considering you live together.” Hyuntak snorts. “Where do you even go when you hang out without me and Sieun?”

“Karaoke mostly. Suho loves to scream his lungs out, and Baku’s always finding random instruments to accompany him. Then we eat. A lot. They’re both bears.” Hyuntak blinks. He didn’t know that.

“But honestly, Tak-ah," Juntae says with a smile, "I always felt bad watching Suho try to be around you. You used to ignore him so hard whenever we were all together.” “Did I?” Hyuntak asks, half to himself.

He didn’t mean to. He just… didn’t care. At least, not back then. Maybe he missed the little ways Suho tried to reach out. Especially not when Sieun was in the room. "Yeah," Juntae replies casually, sipping his drink.

"It’s not like he tried super hard or anything, but he made these small efforts. Like during midterms, he bought your favorite brand of coffee a few times. Remember those cups I gave you?" Hyuntak blinks. "Wait. Weren’t those from Sieun?"

Juntae glares at him. "Do you have selective hearing? I said Suho. He bought them. Gave them to me so I could give them to you. He bought mine too, so it wouldn’t be obvious, probably.” Hyuntak drags both hands down his face. “Fucking hell. Why didn’t he say anything?”

“Maybe he just didn’t want to make it a big deal. Or maybe because he’s been trying to get close to you quietly,” Juntae says. “Honestly, it’s always felt weird to all of us how you and Suho barely acknowledged each other."

“You’re both basically Sieun’s boyfriends and you live under the same roof,” he continues. Hyuntak exhales, defeated. “My fault, honestly.” “So what changed?” Juntae asks. “When did it start feeling different?” Hyuntak's face warms a bit. He fidgets with his straw.

“Not much, really... I just realized he's not that bad.” Juntae smirks. “So what, you like him now?” Hyuntak nearly chokes on his drink, coughing slightly before biting his lip. He doesn’t respond right away, clearly struggling with the words building in his chest.

Then finally, with a little sigh, he says, “We kissed.” Juntae freezes, his eyebrows shooting up. He nearly drops his cup. “You what?” Hyuntak leans back down, voice a bit quieter. “We kissed.”

For a moment, Juntae says nothing, just stares. It makes Hyuntak uncomfortable for some reason. “When?” Juntae finally asks. “Last night,” Hyuntak says, swirling his drink like it’ll calm his nerves. “Ah,” Juntae nods, settling into his seat again.

“Well, I kinda figured it was only a matter of time.” Hyuntak narrows his eyes. “How?” Juntae grins. “Just a gut feeling. The tension’s been there for a while.” Hyuntak groans and buries his face into his arms on the table. Juntae chuckles, tapping a finger against his cup.

“Do you regret it?” Hyuntak lifts his head just enough to meet his eyes. “No.” Juntae nods with a satisfied look. “That’s good. Honestly, it’s stranger that you guys haven’t been dating. I mean, you’re in a poly relationship. You all care about each other. It just makes sense.”

Hyuntak sits up straighter. “We’re not dating.” “Wait. What? You kissed and you’re still not dating?” Hyuntak grimaces. “We haven’t really talked about it... or anything, really.” “You’re so dumb,” Juntae mutters, genuinely baffled.

Hyuntak scowls. “Yah. He hasn’t said anything either!” “Probably because he’s waiting for you to say something first. Knowing how closed off you were, he’s probably giving you space.” Hyuntak lets out a groan, dragging a hand through his hair.

“This is insane. I don’t even know where to start.” Juntae gasps, realization dawning. “Wait. Is that why you weren’t replying this morning?” Hyuntak nods, slightly bashful now. “We slept in his room.” “You guys fucked?”

Hyuntak chokes. “What the—! Where did that come from?! God, your mate’s foul mouth is totally corrupting you.” Juntae laughs heartily. “Okay okay, calm down. I’m just messing with you. So... you cuddled and kissed?” Hyuntak nods reluctantly, ears red.

“Isn’t that basically something already? How come you’re not talking about it?” Hyuntak sighs, gaze dropping to the table. “It’s only been ten days. Isn’t this too fast?” “Maybe. But it also makes sense. It was bound to happen. I’m pretty sure Suho likes you.”

“You think?” Hyuntak raises an eyebrow. “Yeah. I mean, not in the loud, heart eyes way he shows Sieun. But yeah. He used to sneak glances at you all the time.” “…He did?” “Mhm. Before, at least. I don’t know what changed lately.”

Hyuntak sits back, sighing. “A lot to unpack now.” “Do you think he likes you?” Hyuntak doesn’t answer right away. Then he exhales. “I mean... the way he’s been acting. Flirting, cooking. It’s either he likes me or he’s just an asshole who likes playing with people’s feelings.”

Juntae giggles at the blunt honesty. “So you do think he likes you.” Hyuntak groans. “I just… I don’t know what to do about it. I’ve stopped pushing him away, but I still don’t know what to expect.”

“What if it’s only an illusion and we’re only acting like this because Sieun’s not home? What if whatever shit this is, disappears when Sieun comes back?”

Juntae gently takes his hand. “Tak-ah, you letting him in already means something. I doubt Suho’s going to vanish the moment Sieun walks through that door. He’s not that type. He’ll stay.”

Hyuntak shuts his eyes, his other hand cradling the side of his head. “I think the problem might be me.” “…Have you fallen for him?”

Hyuntak knows the answer, but there’s something in his chest, in his gut, deep in his mind that holds him back from saying it out loud, or even letting himself fully think it.

Juntae squeezes his hand with both of his own. His expression softens. “I know you’re scared. You want to take your time and go through it at your own pace. That’s okay. Just don’t shut it out before it even begins. Let it happen. Let yourself feel it.”

Hyuntak squeezes one of Juntae’s fingers in return, nodding faintly. Juntae’s smile grows, warm and proud. “I’m just worried about how to tell Sieun...” “Oh, he’ll be thrilled,” Juntae says confidently. “Even Baku and I knew how much he wanted you both to get closer.”

Hyuntak snorts. “Probably not this close.” “Oh, no, no. He wants you two doing all kinds of stuff, trust me.” Hyuntak laughs despite himself. That much was true. Sieun has been teasing them both relentlessly ever since he left.

They talk a little longer, shifting to other topics, the kind that feel easy and familiar. Before long, the sky is starting to shift into evening. When they stand to leave, Juntae pulls Hyuntak into a tight hug. “Baku’s visiting in a few days, so clear your schedule.”

“Huminnie’s coming?” Juntae nods. “With his mate.” Hyuntak makes a face. “Alright.” Then he’s on the bus home, sipping on the same drink he barely touched. He hadn’t ordered much because he knew dinner would be waiting. Suho had promised to cook tonight.

The thought makes him... happy. The fact that Suho is waiting for him now. It’s warm in a way that’s hard to explain. He doesn’t bother hiding the smile spreading across his face. Nobody on this bus gives a shit if he’s smiling to himself anyway.

When Hyuntak finally reaches the house, the first thing he notices is the silence. He pushes the door open quietly, almost expecting the smell of something cooking or the sound of Suho moving around the kitchen. But nothing greets him. The apartment is dark. Strangely still.

Only a dim, ambient light from the kitchen spills across the floor, casting soft shadows along the hallway. The rest of the house is completely dark, no sizzling of oil in a pan. For a second, Hyuntak wonders if Suho stepped out.

His eyes trail to Suho’s bedroom, which is closer to the kitchen. The door isn’t completely shut. Not open either, just barely ajar. A thin sliver of darkness visible through the gap, like someone had forgotten to close it all the way. Is he asleep?

Hyuntak walks slowly, feet making almost no sound against the floor. Curiosity tugs at him before he even realizes what he’s doing. He stops by Suho’s door, hesitant, and then, very cautiously, leans in to listen. Then he hears it. A soft shuffling sound. Fabric moving.

Did this bastard really fall asleep without cooking? He’s just about to turn away when a low, guttural sound punches through the quiet. A moan. One that catches him completely off guard. Hyuntak goes completely still, breath hitching.

Another breathy moan escapes from inside the room. This one longer, more drawn out. Then— “…Sieun…” The name falls from Suho’s lips in a whispered groan, too intimate to mistake for anything else. And fuck, Hyuntak’s entire body tenses with realization. Is he.. masturbating?

Hyuntak's face heats violently. His ears burn. Okay, that’s normal. That’s fine. Totally human. People do that. He shouldn’t be this shocked. It’s not like he meant to overhear anything. He just happened to come home early. It’s a private moment and he should walk away right now

He shifts slightly on his feet, preparing to retreat— Then hears it, again. “Hyuntak..” His name. Said in a moan so wrecked, so broken it sounds like it was torn out of Suho’s chest. Rough and raw, half-swallowed by the rhythm of his breath.

Hyuntak's heart stutters so hard it almost hurts. His breath catches, body frozen on the spot, the echo of his name ricocheting inside his skull. It wasn’t just Sieun. It’s him. Suho said his name. Moaned it. Holy shit.

A low twist coils in Hyuntak’s gut. He stumbles back from the door quietly, panicked now, and slips into his own room in quick, quiet strides, carefully closing the door behind him without a sound. His chest is rising and falling too fast. His hands shake. Fuck fuck fuck.

Suho is masturbating—to him. To him and Sieun. The rasp of Suho’s voice, the way he breathed his name was burned into Hyuntak’s mind. It was too raw. And it sounded so desperate, so hot that he finds himself pressing his legs together to stifle the rising heat in his stomach.

He covers his face with his hands. What the fuck is he supposed to do with that?

Hyuntak decides to take a quick shower and stay holed up in his room for the next twenty minutes. He tells himself Suho probably needs time, at least, that’s what he assumes. He honestly has no fucking clue what Suho’s doing right now. Then comes a knock at his door.

His chest thuds loudly at the sound, and he paces his room for a heartbeat before swinging it open. Suho stands there, freshly showered too, hair still damp. “Why aren't you coming out?” Suho asks, a bit confused. “I almost thought you weren’t back yet.”

Hyuntak swallows, answering quickly, “I was just tired earlier.” He tries not to think of what he’s heard earlier. Forces it down his skull. Suho then hums, gives him a look that lingers just a little too long, then nods. “I’m prepping dinner. Wanna keep me company?”

Hyuntak nods, following him out of the room. After all that time pacing, at least he can act normal now. It helps that Suho doesn’t seem to suspect anything. Like the fact that Hyuntak had been standing outside his door earlier, practically eavesdropping. Thank God.

“Need help with anything?” Hyuntak mutters, feeling oddly like a kid trying to be useful. Suho glances over, a teasing grin already forming, only to falter when he catches the warning in Hyuntak’s eyes. “You can chop the tomatoes and other veggies,” he offers instead.

Hyuntak gets to it without protest. They fall into rhythm. But every now and then, Suho reaches across him to grab something off the counter, always managing to press just a little too close, his body flush against Hyuntak’s back, hand brushing beside him, face near his.

He does this repeatedly, and Hyuntak has to grip the knife harder each time, his face burning. He can’t tell if Suho’s teasing him or just naturally this much of a menace. He gives Suho the benefit of the doubt. Not because he secretly enjoys it or anything. Definitely not that.

Although, he is warm. When Hyuntak finishes chopping, he hangs around by the stove while Suho cooks. “How was your hangout?” Suho asks casually. (You. We mostly talked about you.) “It was fine,” Hyuntak replies.

“Ate lunch at Humin’s favorite place, watched Juntae’s favorite anime live adaptation, then chilled at a cafe.” “I miss Juntae,” Suho says, smiling while stirring. Hyuntak watches him. He has a solid build. Hyuntak never really noticed it before.

Though, he knows Suho does gym and boxing occasionally. Still, seeing him like this, sleeves rolled up, focused and domestic, there’s something... undeniably attractive about it. “We should do karaoke sometime,” Hyuntak blurts before he can think twice.

Suho turns his head slowly. “Out of nowhere?” Hyuntak clears his throat. “Juntae said you and Humin like doing that.” “Oh?” Suho smirks. “So you were talking about me?” “It came up randomly,” Hyuntak mutters, crossing his arms, clearly lying.

“Randomly, huh?” Suho grins, but drops it. For once, he doesn’t push the teasing. Hyuntak says nothing, but he doesn’t look away. It’s the first time he allows himself to really watch Suho while he moves around, doing his thing.

And weirdly, he finds himself liking this side of him. Even if he’s trying not to think about the sounds from earlier.

Strangely enough, Suho's quiet tonight. Still playful, still irritating in that specific way only he can be, but quieter, more subdued. He usually talks nonstop. Normally, he’d be taking every opportunity to poke fun at Hyuntak for staring.

They finally sit down to eat. “Have you been to karaoke with Sieun?” Hyuntak asks. Suho laughs. “Yeah.” “What does he usually do there?” “Judges us.” Hyuntak chuckles. “He likes watching me, though. Secretly. His eyes practically sparkle when I sing,” Suho says smugly.

Given Sieun, that probably checks out. “I’ll come next time,” Hyuntak says without thinking. Suho grins, chopsticks midair. “You wanna see me perform that badly?” “So I can help Sieun judge you,” Hyuntak deadpans. “Except I won’t have heart eyes.”

Suho snorts. “You’ll regret those words.” “You wish.” “You have no idea. Baku and I don’t play at karaoke.” “We’ll see,” Hyuntak says. Once they finish, Hyuntak starts doing the dishes. Suho leans against the counter, diagonal from him, in that same relaxed way he always does