Chapter Text
Sunoo’s eyes moved across the screen of his mobile phone as he tried to focus on a comment he could read aloud. His eyes froze on one that left him mildly exasperated.
“Sunghoon’s favorite doll, Sunoo.”
He took a loud, exaggerated breath, lips pushing out in a pout as he spoke in a whiny, dramatic voice. “Right… it really feels like I’m his toy.”
He paused, letting his eyes roam the scrolling comments before continuing, still pouting. “No, everyone is like that.”
His hands nervously reached up to fix his bangs, tugging at a stray lock of hairr. His voice grew even more whiny, almost playful in the exasperation. “Even the close staff members are saying that it’s all because of his affection… towards me.”
Then, as if delivering a verdict, he straightened slightly, adopting a more matter-of-fact tone. “At first I was like, ‘It could be like that…’” He blinked slowly a couple times, shaking his head. “…I don’t think so.” His voice carried a faint edge of mock annoyance and disappointment before he moved on, scrolling through the rest of the comments with a small, resigned sigh.
…
Sunghoon sat back in bed in his dark hotel room, watching the live show on his own phone with a smirk. He let out a low, quiet laugh that bounced off the walls. “His doll?” he murmured to himself. Well… Sunoo was about to find out.
He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, eyes glinting with mischief. The way Sunoo had flustered himself on live was… irresistible. How did Sunoo not expect him to mess with him when he reacted like that? The little pout, the whiny voice. The cuteness made Sunghoon’s chest tighten in the best way.
“Just you wait,” he whispered under his breath, as a plan formed in his mind. “This is going to be fun.”
….
The next morning, the hotel hallway smelled faintly of coffee and cleaning products as Sunoo pulled on a hoodie and attempted to leave his hotel room to grab breakfast. He hadn’t expected Sunghoon to catch him in the hallway before he even made it to the lifts.
“Well, well, well…” Sunghoon drawled, leaning casually against the wall in front of the elevator with an infuriating smirk.
“I saw your little live last night.”
Sunoo froze, thinking if there was anything that would have prompted Sunghoon to bring up his livestream. Blinking, he said, “I… uh…”
“You were talking about me. A lot,” Sunghoon continued, still smug, still teasing. “I didn’t know you were such a big fan.”
Sunoo groaned in annoyance, and he was sure his cheeks now flared red because of Sunghoon’s comment and that annoyingly smug look on his face. He opened his mouth, closed it, and muttered, “It’s… not like that. I was answering a question.”
“Not like that?” Sunghoon’s brow lifted, mock incredulous. “Right. Sure, sure. You just happen to mention me constantly. You know… live.” He let his words hang and nudged Sunoo lightly on the shoulder.
Sunoo nearly jumped at the contact, lips parted in a small gasp. “I-I was just… reading comments! People asked”
“Mm. Ahhhhhhh, I see,” Sunghoon said, stepping closer, tone now lower. “Honestly, I just like it. Your reactions. They’re… amazing. Way better than anyone else’s.” He leaned in even closer, eyes glinting. “And what’s better. You’re… extra flustered because it’s me.”
Sunoo’s hoodie suddenly felt too hot. He opened his mouth again to reply, but only a stuttered, “I-It’s not-” came out.
Sunghoon chuckled low. Then, ever so lightly, he nudged Sunoo again, shoulder to shoulder, smirk widening. “See? Already red. Already flustered. And I haven’t done anything yet.”
Sunoo swallowed, heat climbing his neck, and he could only glare half-heartedly as Sunghoon stepped back, clearly enjoying his little victory.
Sunoo crossed his arms. “I’d react the same way if any of the other members teased me like that. And! If someone teased you like you do to me… you’d be flustered too.”
“Me? Flustered? By who?” Sunghoon scoffed, tilting his head down so they were level. “You? Kim Sunoo, teasing me?” His voice carried amused disbelief.
“Yes!” Sunoo snapped, a little louder than intended. “I’m saying, if the roles were reversed, you’d be just as flustered. Don’t act like you wouldn’t be.”
Sunghoon laughed, leaning against the wall with arms crossed. “Hm… Prove it then. I’ll play along. You think I’d get flustered that easily? ” He stepped closer, voice dropping again, more intimate. “But I know you. I know you’re extra flustered because it’s me, Sunoo. Because it’s me doing the teasing.”
Sunoo swallowed, trying to keep his face neutral but failing spectacularly. “That’s not fair,” he muttered, looking anywhere but Sunghoon.
“Not fair?” Sunghoon’s smirk widened. “Everything about this is fair. Except maybe your adorable little reactions. They’re just… too good to resist.” He nudged Sunoo lightly again, shoulder brushing, eyes glinting. “I think we should… test something. See who can fluster the other more.”
Sunoo was caught between horror and intrigue. “…What? Like a bet?”
“Exactly,” Sunghoon said, nodding. smug and clearly loving where this conversation was goin, soaking up the sudden tension like it was all his plan from the start. His smirk curved a little sharper as he leaned in, voice low but teasing. “And just so you know… I think I already have the upper hand.”
Sunoo groaned, burying his face in his hands. “…You’re impossible.”
Sunghoon only chuckled, watching him struggle, already savoring the game about to begin.
…
When the van pulled up to the venue Sunoo had almost forgotten about their little bet, especially after the hectic breakfast and all the running around to get things ready for the show. They still had a few hours before soundcheck when they arrived.
Sunoo hopped out first, his hoodie bouncing slightly as he landed, and fell into step beside Sunghoon. That’s when he remembered their bet, the thought flickering back like a spark, and he suddenly got a very good idea to be the first one .
“So, Sunghoon hyung…” Sunoo started, voice carrying a mischievous lilt as he shot him a sideways glance, “you really had time to sit there and watch my whole live last night? No wonder people keep saying I’m your doll. You’re seriously that obsessed, huh?” He wiggled his brows dramatically, half-teasing, half-daring.
Sunghoon didn’t even blink. “That’s your opening move? Really?” he deadpanned, a scoff escaping as he pushed open the backstage door. “Weak.”
Sunoo pouted, hurrying to keep up. Okay… maybe words weren’t going to cut it. He thought back to their bet, it wasn’t about teasing, it was about flustering. And if he wanted to win, he had to change tactics.
As they walked down the narrow backstage hallway, Sunoo glanced at Sunghoon’s face. Sunghoon had such long strides, he was struggling to match his pace. He glanced over at him, his hair had fallen over his eyes in soft strands, cast a shadow on his face. Without a second thought, he knew what he had to do. He quickly stepped closer and stopped Sunghoon in his tracks with a light hand on his arm.
Sunghoon stopped mid-stride, turning, confused for a second as they both stepped aside to let others pass. And that’s when Sunoo reached up. His fingers brushed gently against his Sunghoon's temple as he pushed the stray strands of hair back.
For just a second, Sunghoon stood frozen. His lips parted slightly, eyes flicking down to meet Sunoo’s in quiet disbelief. Sunoo never initiated anything like this. With anyone. The air between them had suddenly changed. Sunghoon felt it deep in his chest. No. This would not do. Sunoo had actually affected him.
Then, as if snapping out of it, Sunghoon tilted his head back with a scoff, masking the crack in his composure. “Cute trick.”
But too late. Sunoo had seen it. He had felt it.
Before Sunghoon could add another word, Sunoo skipped a step ahead, grin smug and satisfied. “Guess I’m winning this bet!” he tossed over his shoulder, voice sing-song.
Sunghoon followed at a slower pace, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as he shook his head. “…We’ll see about that.”