Chapter Text
The group were used to long days. Even before they officially debuted they wouldn’t get back to the dorms until after midnight most nights, waking up early the next morning for another practice. Today was no different. They’d been in the studio for hours, rehearsing the choreography for Gods Menu, getting ready to perform their new song for the first time.
It had been a productive session - the dance wasn’t perfect by any means, but it was getting there. They’d only stopped for the night once Felix declared his back was too painful to keep going right now, everyone only realizing how late it truly was when they finally stopped.
Jeongin sat against the wall, his water bottle nearly empty in his hand. He’d practically finished it in one go the moment he sat down, his whole body burning from how hard he’d worked the past few hours. The studio was quiet, but not silent - no room ever was when the group were together. Chan and Changbin sat together, debating something quietly on Chan’s laptop, presumably another new song, one that was probably being prepared for the next comeback already; Chan had a habit of doing that, making more songs than needed, taking his pick from what he’d already written when a new comeback happens. Seungmin and Felix had disappeared, presumably outside the studio to get some fresh air, to escape the stuffy air of the studio. Hyunjin, Lee Know and Jisung were sat the other side of the studio, Hyunjin lying on his stomach, Jisung lying with his head on Lee Knows lap, something that often happened between the two of them. The room filled with the light hum of tired chatter. Everyone wanted to go back to the dorms, but no one making the first move to leave. Jeongin was the only one sat alone, but he found he didn’t mind that. He liked the peace sometimes, liked being the one who could just observe everyone, allowing himself to get lost in his own thoughts. He could easily spend hours observing his group, watching how they all interact in certain ways with each other.
He didn’t quite know what he feels as he watches his group. He’ll often find himself lingering on certain members, his eyes would stray on Chan too long sometimes as he’d watch him work, he’d stare too hard at Lee Know as he goes through the choreography, his body flowing like water sometimes as he’d dance. Whenever he’d find himself lingering on his Hyungs, he’d often chalk it down to admiration, wanting to watch them simply because they were all so good at what they do, but deep down, he knew that wasn’t the only reason he’d watch - he just never wanted to admit it.
Jeongin knew that they would get a lot closer as the group got older, he just never knew how much that closeness would hurt.
‿̩͙⊱༒︎༻♱༺༒︎⊰‿̩͙
A few days later, the practice room was quieter than usual. Only Jeongin had stayed behind, running through the choreography once again - he’d lost count of how many times he’d done this dance now, just not being able to get it as clean as the others had. It wasn’t the hardest dance they’d ever had, he’d like to think that some of Double Knot was harder. Even with that fact, Jeongin just couldn’t get it right. He’d stumble, going forward on his left foot at times rather than his right. He’d go in the wrong direction sometimes - something he was incredibly embarrassed to still be doing this far into the practice sessions. Most of the time it was him just stumbling over himself, enough that he had to pause dancing sometimes before he kept going.
Jeongin always felt horrible when he was the reason choreography took longer to learn, especially now, so far into them being a debuted group. He felt horrible back when they were in the process of debuting, the cameras in the studio capturing the late night sessions he’d often have with Minho and Hyunjin, the two older boys helping him as much as they could so he wouldn’t be the one to get eliminated simply because his dance wasn’t as strong as the others. But now - when he knew the standards and expectations were high, getting higher with every new album they released - he felt nothing but an overwhelming sense of guilt. He knew the boys would always say they didn’t mind, that they’d be patient, but he saw it sometimes. The way Chan would clench his jaw slightly when Jeongin stumbled. How Hyunjin would sigh lightly before getting back to the starting position. When Felix would look up to the ceiling, his hands at his back, carefully trying to crack it to relieve some of the tension he’d be feeling. If Jeongin hated anything in the world, he hated disappointing the group, and right now, he felt like he was doing exactly that.
So he overworked himself. He knew it wasn’t healthy. He knew he should definitely be back at the dorms with everyone. But instead, he was here, hours after he should have been, not expecting any of the other members to have stayed.
Minho wasn’t going to stay. He told himself he needed to sleep more than anything right now. His body was exhausted and he was feeling it. However, as everyone else was piling into the cars to head back to the dorm, he realized who was missing. He gave Chan a small smile, “I’ll stay with him” he murmured gently before heading back into the studio, the bright lights of the hallway feeling so much brighter after walking out into the darkness of the night.
He hadn’t even made it back to the exact room before he could hear their track blaring through the halls. His steps slowed down as he got closer, eventually leaning against the doorframe as he watched Jeongin work, he was just out of view of the mirror, making sure he could watch without being seen.
Minho was the same as Jeongin in the way he loved to observe. Maybe not in the same way. But he still loved to observe none the less. He especially loved watching them all dance. As the only professional dancer of the group, he was often in charge of choreography and in teaching the members, correcting them gently, helping them when they stumbled. He’d noticed how much Jeongin was struggling with this dance, but he’d not had the opportunity to actually watch him with his full attention until now.
“You need to take a bigger step” Jeongin jumps at the voice, not expecting any one to have stayed late. He spins round to see Minho’s sharp eyes on him.
“Huh?” He asks, breathless, the track still playing at an alarming volume around him.
Minho gives a gentle smile, one often reserved for moments like these, in the privacy of the studio, no cameras, no staff. He walks over to the speaker, turning the music down a considerable volume, but not turning it off fully. His bag joins Jeongin’s on the floor once again as Minho moves to stand next to him, “You keep stumbling because you’re not taking a big enough step. Move your foot slightly more so when you turn you won’t trip” He explains gently, demonstrating it when he finishes speaking.
Jeongin nods lightly, watching Minho intently, trying to focus on what he’s being shown but inevitably getting distracted by how Minho looks when he dances. He blushes lightly as he realizes Minho’s stopped dancing and is watching him through the mirror, waiting to see him try the move one more time. He looks forwards again, catching Minho’s eye in the mirror, before he looks back at himself and tries the move again.
Yet once again, even with Minho there, he still stumbles. Not as much as before, but still noticeable. A big enough stumble that he takes a moment to go into the next move. Jeongin groans loudly, getting annoyed at this now.
“Don’t do that” Minho’s voice breaks through, a little harsh, knowing it’s what’s needed. “You’re getting in your head about it Innie” He turns to him, placing his hands on his shoulders to try and stabilize the younger man. “You’re tired Innie. Why not try tomorrow?” His tone goes back to being gentle, seeing how dejected Jeongin looks at not being able to dance as well as he wants.
Jeongin shakes his head quickly, wiping away the few frustrated tears that fall before Minho can notice them. Of course, since they’re so close, Minho notices immediately, he just gives Jeongin the benefit of not saying anything about it. “I wanna get it tonight” Jeongin insists.
Minho nods, stepping back from Jeongin slightly. The song has long finished by this point, leaving the room in a comfortable silence, but neither of them moved to turn it back on. Both of them knew the track like the back of their hands by now anyway. “Try it again” He steps back a little further, giving Jeongin the room he needs to dance.
Jeongin takes a breath before he tries it again, stopping right after he stumbles again, his hands running through his hair in frustration. In the rational part of his mind, he knows that Minho has a point, the fact he’s tired won’t be helping, but he just can’t - he refuses - to have the looks of disappointment from the others that he’d been dealing with all day.
Minho steps forward quickly, stopping Jeongin from being able to freak out again, his hands automatically go to his hips, pulling him into the right position, his foot coming out to kick at Jeongin’s lightly, moving it further apart. “You need to stand like that” he whispers, the room quiet enough that his voice still carried through the room. Minho moves to behind, his body close enough for Jeongin to feel his warmth. “Try it again” Minho whispers.
As Jeongin tries it again, not moving his arms as much as to not hit Minho in the face, his foot crosses over itself and lands perfectly. The first time he’d hit it the entire day. He can’t see it but the smile on Minho’s face is so warm and gentle as he sees him get it right. Only his eyes keeping that gentle look as Jeongin turns around to look at him, his face in a wide smile instead.
“I did it!” Jeongin laughs lightly, his voice breathless.
“You did it” Minho smiles, his arms crossed over his chest.
Jeongin doesn’t quite know why he does it, maybe it’s the gratitude he has towards Minho, thankful that he’s always there to help, that he always knows exactly what needs improving. Or maybe it comes from a deeper place, the part of him he tries to bury - tries to ignore. But he moves before he truly realizes it, pushing forwards so his lips touch Minho’s. He cringes inwardly as he hears the surprised noise come from Minho’s lips. The lips that are currently against his. He knows he should pull away, but it’s like his body won’t let him. It refuses. Instead, he moves his lips lightly, kissing Minho properly.
Minho finally snaps out of it, kissing Jeongin back lightly, his hand hovering over his waist, his touch feather-like, almost as if he’s afraid to touch him, afraid it will make Jeongin pull away.
Which is exactly what it does. When Jeongin feels Minho’s hand press a little harder into his waist he pulls back quickly, his eyes wide, afraid.
He doesn’t even manage to voice the apology stuck in his throat before he’s scrambling to grab his bag, almost running out the room, the door slamming behind him, leaving Minho to wonder what the hell just went wrong.
‿̩͙⊱༒︎༻♱༺༒︎⊰‿̩͙
Jeongin doesn’t mention the kiss with Minho to anyone. He buries it in the deepest part of his mind, doing anything to not think about it - about how much he didn’t actually mind kissing him. He doesn’t know if Minho told anyone about it either. But considering none of the guys have made any indication about knowing, he assumes it’s stayed between them.
It also doesn’t become awkward between the two of them. Jeongin walked into the studio the next day - the last one to get there. Even though they all lived together, he made sure he went to the studio alone this day - his nerves almost overwhelming, his hands buried in his hoodie to hide the shake in them. Minho glanced up at him as he walked into the room, quickly rummaging around for something in his bag when he sees him. It takes him a second to find it, but he holds out a granola bar in his direction. Like a peace offering almost. They smile gently at each other as Jeongin takes it from him. And just like that, the moment from the night before is ignored.