rustle | exo: dare you to move (5/5)

Minseok waves at the parking attendant and flashes him a smile. He can still remember Kyungsoo's instructions from half an hour ago, while they were still eating breakfast. "Tell him you're with the guy living at the penthouse. Maintain eye contact even after he swipes my card. Remember to smile, hyung; you can't look grumpy at this hour, especially not to him." Kyungsoo even made this weird smiling face that was cute enough to elicit light laughter from Minseok even before he's had coffee. Somehow, it was funny that Kyungsoo was the one reminding him not to wear a frown at an early hour, or even a look of nonchalance as he drives out of the parking lot. Between the two of them, Minseok knows that Kyungsoo's aware of how his own face moves, how he looks at eight in the morning. Minseok's not the one being called a bully by his friends; that's Kyungsoo.

hyung i might be early ISN'T THAT GREAT?? :D Jongdae says on KKT. Minseok only glances at the message, doesn't reply until he's driven off and is well outside the premises of Kyungsoo's neighborhood. There's a stoplight near the expressway to the other side of the river; he can answer Jongdae's message there. For now, he focuses on two things: his drive, and the fact that he's heading to Yeouido on a Sunday morning.

He beats Jongdae to the location by a good five minutes. "With parking," Minseok notes, but envelops Jongdae in a bone-crushing hug, anyway. Jongdae tries to wiggle free from his embrace, but if anything it only looks as if he's trying to find a more comfortable fit. Minseok can't blame Jongdae – his arms are slotted on either side of Jongdae's waist in an awkward position that makes hugging Jongdae such a chore. And then there's the cool winter breeze. Jongdae hates the cold. So he wraps his scarf around Jongdae's neck as soon as he pulls away, then pulls Jongdae closer by the scarf to ruffle his hair.

"I should never race with you, ever," Jongdae grumbles. He digs his hands into his pockets, then turns to Minseok with furrowed eyebrows. "Doesn't it take an hour to get here from Gangnam? I mean, you told me that you were leaving at 8:30–"

"It does. And I did," Minseok answers. He doesn't meet Jongdae's eyes, keeps his gaze fixed on the path ahead of them. It's not as if Jongdae won't know where he'd been the night before; Minseok just plans to make weeding out an answer from him harder for Jongdae.

"You came from somewhere closer," Jongdae says. There's a certain edginess to his voice that makes him sound as if he's accusing Minseok, albeit playfully. He hums for a while, then continues, "Ilsan?"

"Could've stayed somewhere in Hongdae, you know." Minseok wiggles his fingers in his pocket and a nail gets caught in the keychain of his car key. He grimaces. "Or Myeongdong. Or Insadong. Or–"

"In the streets, because you like living a simple life." Jongdae rolls his eyes but moves closer, falling into step with Minseok. He hooks an arm around Minseok's own and pulls him much closer, elbow digging into Minseok's side. "Come on, spill! This is me, hyung. It's just silly old me. Do you think I'll ever judge you for deciding to sleep in the subway station or something?"

Minseok snorts. That's the thing – Jongdae isn't just any other friend Minseok met back in middle school or high school, not some like-minded person he'd met in college and shared his passion for art with. Jongdae is Jongdae, and Jongdae has seen him fall from grace and rise back from the ashes. With a few hiccups, of course, but Jongdae accepted him just the same. Jongdae saw Minseok graduate from diapers to real underwear when they were still neighbors, and eventually to non-superhero printed boxers when they were living in the same house and it was Jongdae's family who was raising Minseok. Jongdae watched him grow, no matter how twisted it sounds, and Minseok has watched Jongdae turn into this fine young man he's become. They know each other like the back of their hands, know each other probably more than themselves. He knows that the lilt in Jongdae's voice means he's got everything figured out; he's just waiting for Minseok to tell him about whatever it is that needs to be said, waiting for Minseok to make a fool of himself.

He knows that the quirk of Jongdae's lips means You've kept me away from this aspect of your life for a long time already, hyung. You can't deny me this, now.

"Ilsan," Minseok confesses just before they take the stairs to the second floor. Jongdae makes this small sound of amusement. "I stayed the night at Kyungsoo's. He used me as a model for one of his paintings." He rubs the tip of his nose and wishes, wishes really hard, that Jongdae won't press on, but the silence makes Jongdae overeager, makes Jongdae grab him by the wrist and jerk him back to this moment. "We danced."

Jongdae's grin falls into an awkward frown and he pinches Minseok in the stomach. "Is that some new euphemism for 'we had sex'?"

Minseok coughs. He tries to free himself from Jongdae's grasp, but to no avail. Jongdae's hold is just as strong as his need for answers. "Maybe?"

"Hyung."

"What?" Minseok tears his eyes from Jongdae's own, breaking the contact. It's not completely a euphemism for 'hey, your hyung got laid!' He did dance with Kyungsoo, but Jongdae doesn't have to know that they had paint all over their bodies then, or that they'd helped each other wash the paint from their hair. Jongdae doesn't have to know that Kyungsoo looks so pretty when he's flustered and flushed with heat and his skin glows a bright shade of pink. Jongdae doesn't have to know that Minseok still has most of his dancing skills intact and that he dances pretty well in bed, as well. What he does have to know, though, is that he'll miss a step if he keeps shaking Minseok by the shoulders. "We danced!"

"Just that? Oh come on!" Jongdae slaps him on the arm this time, but they're harmless hits. At best, they sting just a little, hurt when Jongdae's nails catch on his skin. "You can't just spend the night at the flat of a guy with a really nice ass and not get laid!"

Minseok looks up, peeking through his bangs. He worries his bottom lip for a while. "What if we just like talking? A lot?"

"Talking with your hands and your dick. I get it, hyung. You can't say the S word."

"Oh, fuck you." Minseok kicks Jongdae in the ankle. Jongdae yowls in response, but quickly clasps a hand on his mouth. "Fine. We danced and touched and maybe did something that involves a lot of touching–"

"I'm never going to get a straight answer out of you."

"We had sex. In the shower. Rinsed paint off our hair. Washed paint off each other's bodies–"

The corners of Jongdae's lips pull up in a shit-eating grin one minute, and then they fall into a nasty scowl that spells disgust more than anything else the next. "Ew, hyung, I didn't have to know!"

Minseok rolls his eyes but doesn't miss the way Jongdae's eyes twinkle, the way Jongdae chuckles oh-so-faintly that he almost doesn't hear it. He takes a few steps forward, then reaches for Jongdae. Jongdae takes his hand without hesitation.

The weird thing about being in Lucky on a Sunday isn't the fact that they're here but the fact that they're walking along the corridors hand-in-hand. All too soon, Minseok is brought back to the past, those days when the mere thought of going to Lucky scared him shitless until Jongdae held his hand. They'd walked down this aisle too many times already, fingers intertwined, for Minseok to not know what will happen next: Jongdae won't pull away with an easy smile when they see Minyoung, but he will pull Minseok closer and whisper, "Together?"

"Can't believe I'm seeing you two here on a Sunday," comes a familiar voice from behind. Minseok feels Jongdae's fingers stiffen between his own, and he bites the inside of his cheek to keep himself from laughing. He does Jongdae a favor and pulls away even before Li Yin can notice. "Nice to see you after… texting you last night, Jongdae."

Jongdae looks over his shoulder, confident grin dissolving into a weird, awkward smile. The stretch at the corners makes Jongdae look like some love-struck high schooler, and maybe he is, Minseok muses. Li Yin has been a volunteer here since her third year in high school and Jongdae fell in love with her hair the first time he saw her. "It's the smile," he'd always say, but Minseok would always reiterate that he remembered everything. He can still remember the look on Jongdae's features when Li Yin brushed the stray strands of her hair away from her face, the look on his face when Li Yin tucker her hair behind her ears, gave him the most beautiful smile, and said, you're a really nice guy, Jongdae. Just… too young. Too young for me. But you're cute.

He can still remember the pained look on Jongdae's features when he said, trying hard to choke down regret, it's okay. Minseok also remembers all the money he'd spent buying Jongdae all sorts of sweets just so Jongdae would smile again. Joonmyun took over consoling duties after that, and at the end of the week they were both zapped and Jongdae was bouncing on the balls of his feet. It paid off – he got to see Jongdae smile again, and Joonmyun fell asleep with his head on Minseok's lap. The thought still makes his heart ache a bit, but for the most part it's nostalgia at work. Nostalgia always brings a certain brand of pain with it; Minseok hasn't found a way to salvage this painting completely just yet.

"Noona! Perfect timing. I just about to text–"

"You were able to send the message," Li Yin replies. She addresses Minseok with a curt nod, then turns back to Jongdae with a smile. "Minyoung's in the warmer chambers. Would you like me to call Sunyoung or do you want me to just bring you over?"

Minseok tries really hard not to cackle, but a hint of laughter slips from his lips just before he gulps down hard. "I think Jongdae would prefer the latter," he answers, grinning. Li Yin narrows her eyes at him, but she's still smiling. It isn't her polite smile, either; it's her you two are the silliest siblings I have ever seen smile. "Sorry for the bother, noona, and thanks in advance."

The walk to Minyoung's room isn't as animated as Minseok imagined it to be, but it is entertaining. He sends Kyungsoo a blow-by-blow account of Jongdae's attempts at making conversation and Li Yin's amused replies. Kyungsoo's responses are short and curt, and whatever he lacks in proper verbal expression, he makes up for in stickers. Kyungsoo sends him a flurry of characters laughing their asses off and he loses it, but only for a split-second – Jongdae looks over his shoulder with a half-smile, half-scowl thing going on with his lips and Minseok only holds up a peace sign in response.

"Sunyoung's on leave, Minseok. Sorry I didn't tell you sooner. Jongdae was really fun to watch," Li Yin tells him in confidence later, towards the end of their walk. She glances over her shoulder and giggles when Jongdae flashes the brightest smile at her. "You two have anything planned after this?"

Minseok hums for a while, until Li Yin pins him with a stare. He laughs a little. "Do you want us to have anything planned?"

"I'm just saying," Li Yin begins, "that if you ever have to leave Jongdae to have lunch with someone, you could tell him to stay with Minyoung a little longer or accompany me for lunch."

"You tell him that, noona," Minseok replies. He grins at Li Yin, then knocks on Minyoung's door thrice. The shuffle of feet makes his insides turn, but it's a good lurch. "I'm sure he'll be thrilled to know that you think you can cure his boredom."

"You are the worst hyung ever. The worst enabler."

"Thanks, noona," Minseok chimes. "I know I'm amazing."

Li Yin turns on her heel and approaches Jongdae. Minseok tears his gaze from the two at the sound of the door opening, and greets Minyoung with a hug.

If Minyoung is bright and upbeat on most days that Minseok visits, she's even more engaging with Jongdae around. She drops bits of memories – "Oppa braided my hair before, right? I can't remember much but… Ah, I know he didn't do so well…" She teases Jongdae at every opportunity, too, tries to make him hold a paint brush but only succeeds in smearing paint all over his fingers. Jongdae doesn't complain, though, not even when Minyoung reaches up to paint on his cheeks. He doesn't even ask, is this hypoallergenic? He keeps his eyes on Minyoung, indulges her in her stories and painting exploits and in painting on his skin.

And Minseok watches them from his seat at a corner of the room, fishes for his phone from his pocket and pulls up Kyungsoo's KKT window. He takes a snapshot of the scene and texts Kyungsoo, wish you were here, and Kyungsoo's response is a helpful, what if I already am?

Don't be silly, Minseok says. You said you were busy doing your syllabus thinggie for your art lessons tomorrow.

Three soft knocks on the door, then a message from Kyungsoo – what if I finished that last night and didn't go with you at first because I know you wanted to spend some time alone with your brother? :)

Shit, Minseok thinks. He hadn't bargained on Kyungsoo to be this perceptive. He didn't mean to give himself away.

Minyoung looks over her shoulder and grins when she sees Kyungsoo through the window. He meets Kyungsoo's gaze from a few feet a way and the corners of his mouths tug up on impulse. He knows Jongdae's watching him, watching how he reacts to Kyungsoo's every move and every shift of Kyungsoo's muscle when they finally see each other without the barrier of the door to keep them apart, but can't be bothered to give a fuck. All that matters right now is this – Kyungsoo appearing at Minyoung's doorstep unannounced, to surprise Minseok in more ways than one. An all-consuming feeling gripping Minseok's heart tight, making his breath hitch. The allure of Kyungsoo's smile easing the tension in his throat and making his lips twitch in response, as if Kyungsoo's smile is an invitation.

The warm press of Jongdae's palm on his shoulder as he says, "He really has a nice ass," and then adds, "I approve of him. He makes you smile. Nothing makes you smile anymore these days."

"I don't need your approval, kid," Minseok says in a last ditch effort to put up a fight. Jongdae humors him, narrows his eyes at him a little before sticking out his tongue. "But thanks. Glad to know."

Jongdae walks over to where Minyoung is and tickles her, effectively grabbing her attention. Over Minyoung's shoulder, he mouths, I'll take care of her.

Minseok sticks out his tongue in response because that's what mature people being reduced to love-sick teenagers do. He doesn't quite fit the role yet, but he's slowly easing himself into this being perfectly contented with everything business.

Kyungsoo plays with Minyoung for a while before resuming in his steps towards Minseok. "Hi," he says, voice so soft he can be whispering, and scoots just a bit closer until the tips of their toes touch. Minseok doesn't say anything, simply holds Kyungsoo's gaze and takes a deep breath when Kyungsoo inches closer. Their faces are a few good inches apart and there's enough space to breathe, but Kyungsoo's big presence makes the room feel so small. And maybe Minseok doesn't feeling trapped in this cramped room if he has Kyungsoo pressed so close to him – chest to chest, heart to heart. Maybe he doesn't mind sharing Kyungsoo's breath or Kyungsoo taking all of it away. Or maybe he does. A part of him still thinks that his whole life is a mess and that Kyungsoo has made a ruckus out of his organized chaos, but then Kyungsoo salvaged himself, right? Kyungsoo found a way to save face when he brought Minseok and Minyoung closer. He forced Minseok to dance again and then made Minseok realize what he'd been missing all this time. He forced Minseok to turn his back on all the bad memories south of the river and move forward, move north, and never look back.

And Kyungsoo's here now, done with his syllabi, one hand on Minseok's hips and the other on Minseok's shoulder.

"Hyung, say something," Kyungsoo whispers. He juts out his bottom lip. "I should've waited until lunch, yeah? I figured you probably didn't want Jongdae to see me but–"

"You're crazy," Minseok finishes. He grabs a fistful of Kyungsoo's shirt – black, so he can contain all the color inside his body and keep the magic there – and pulls him a few inches closer. "And he knows now. Told him earlier. He seemed… thrilled."

"Excited!" comes Jongdae's bright voice. It's probably a comment about Minyoung's new painting but it works for this one, too.

"Well, you have weird friends," Kyungsoo answers. He licks his bottom lip but pulls away, takes a step back. He has an index finger on Minseok's chest, though, like he means to say, Not now. Maybe later. Not here, but please know that I want you. "I like them."

Minseok chuckles. "And I like you."

"Oh," Kyungsoo says in reply, lips falling open in a tiny 'o'. The flush creeping up his neck narrowly misses his cheeks, burns bright in his ears and pulls up at the corners of his mouth. "I… like weird, too," Kyungsoo whispers, like he can't believe what he's saying or he isn't quite sure yet. Or that he is, just that he doesn't want to admit it yet. Either way, the crisp answer is written in the way the corners of his eyes crinkle as the smile on his lips blooms into something brighter, bigger, bolder. Minseok doesn't look away, waits for Kyungsoo to burst into light and into a lovely peal of laughter, and holds his breath as he marvels at the smile lighting up Kyungsoo's features.

"I like you, too," Kyungsoo confesses between gulps and a nip on his lip. He shakes his head, as if in an attempt to rewrite this moment, what he'd just said, and resurfaces with lips struggling to stay pressed in a tight smile. "I mean, I really like you. Not in the way that I like the smell of paint and shampoo and rough canvas and–"

"I know. I get it," Minseok says. He looks around for an audience and presses a finger on Kyungsoo's lips when he sees Jongdae busy with painting with Minyoung. He could kiss Kyungsoo here, out in the open, with Minyoung and Jongdae as witnesses, but he doesn't. He doesn't want to rush things, doesn't want to screw up. He doesn't want the magic to fade all too quickly when he's just figured out a trick of his own. So he presses a palm flat on Kyungsoo's finger on his chest, instead, then draws the lone digit close to his lips for a light kiss. Kyungsoo makes this weird, unintelligible sound at the back of his throat. He knows this, too – the makings of hiccuped laughter form Kyungsoo, the beginning of an even deeper blush on Kyungsoo's skin. He knows Kyungsoo like the veins on his palm, the back of his hand.

Kyungsoo flashes his teeth at Minseok, makes a faint hissing sound. It could mean, stop doing that, you're really weird. Alternatively, you've got to warn me for these things, hyung. You can't catch me off-guard all the time.

"Sure, I can," Minseok mumbles.

"Shut up," Kyungsoo says. He gulps, then amends his statement, saying, "Please shut up, hyung."

Minseok only shakes his head and snakes an arm around Kyungsoo's shoulder to pull him closer. Minseok thinks he's got Kyungsoo memorized by now, has all of his quirks and antics pinned down, but Kyungsoo surprises him again, slides an arm around his waist and tiptoes. He reaches up, then, ruffling Kyungsoo's hair in lieu of kissing his senseless, but Kyungsoo does the unimaginable again, exacts revenge by pressing his l`ips on the underside of Minseok's jaw. Minseok feels the shift of Kyungsoo's muscles in the press of their bodies. Kyungsoo places a light suck there and Minseok freezes, fingers numbing, chest constricting. And then another – Minseok gasps but is quick to swallow the sound, but not quick enough to push Kyungsoo away. None of it happens for more than a few seconds, but Minseok feels as if he's held his breath forever, hoping for Kyungsoo to knock back the wind in his lungs or take the last slivers of his breath away.

"Payback," Kyungsoo says, grinning. Minseok gets this one, too. He gets this whole push and pull and let's fall together and laugh our asses off at each other, hyung thing. And if he doesn't have everything figured out yet, he can always spend a lifetime studying Kyungsoo and all of his facets, the wicked contours of his body, until he gets everything right.

That's an entertaining thought, he muses. He tilts his head and presses a light kiss on Kyungsoo's forehead, then pulls away before Kyungsoo can react.

He likes it a lot.

☄

Jongdae orders more ice cream than Minseok had expected during lunch. "I was close, so close to taking her out on a date but she just had to cancel at the very last minute!" Jongdae whines before taking another spoonful off his cup. He twists his mouth, licks off the remaining ice cream on his lips, then dunks the spoon in the last untouched scoop in his cup. It's become routinary already, the entire process, but Minseok still can't help but since everytime Jongdae slots the spoon between scoops of ice cream, each repetition bearing more force than the previous. "I mean, who even remembers that she's taking an extra shift on a Sunday?"

"More ice cream?" Kyungsoo offers, pushing the menu in Jongdae's direction. There's a small smile at the corners of his lips. It looks out of place, with the light furrow of his eyebrows. Minseok almost chuckles but he manages to keep it together, biting the inside of his cheek to keep himself from making any noise. Kyungsoo hasn't quite gotten accustomed to Jongdae yet – his presence, his ways, despite Minseok's many tales about him – and it's Jongdae's first time sitting opposite Kyungsoo and actually talking to him. So the delay in response is expected. Kyungsoo's eagerness to sell Cork for Turtle's wasabi ice cream, as well. "Seriously, it's good. Best flavor I've ever tasted. Not that I have ice cream often but– You get what I mean."

"It's good," Minseok assures Jongdae. He turns to Kyungsoo, saying, "Better than the matcha one, right?"

Kyungsoo nods, vigorous and enthusiastic. "And it's the best way to counter the bitterness in your heart. I mean, it's like adding spice to your life," Kyungsoo says. His lips quiver when Jongdae lets out a small sound of confusion. Kyungsoo laughs, choked and awkward, then turns to the server to say, "Three orders, please? And please serve my con panna. Extra hot."

"Certainly, sir," says the server. She turns to the other two and gives them a curt nod. "Whipped cream to go with your ice cream?"

Minseok flashes two thumbs up – one for him and the other for Jongdae. Jongdae mumbles, "I'm so lost," in response.

Fifteen minutes and a few licks of wasabi ice cream after, Jongdae does start laughing again. He remembers, after careful prodding from Minseok, that Li Yin did promise to make it up to him and pencil-pushed an 'appointment' with him already. "You've got to teach me those art things, hyung. She wants to see an exhibit! There has to be an exhibit somewhere next week!" Jongdae pleads.

Out of the corner of his eye, Minseok catches Kyungsoo fishing for his phone and scrolling through a long body of text. He can't make out the details, but he can see boxes and color blocks and–

"Is she into performance art?" Kyungsoo asks. He shows his phone to Jongdae, then continues, "There's a show in Insadong on Thursday. She might be interested in that."

"She likes art and hot boys," Minseok answers.

Kyungsoo bites hard on his lower lip. "I don't think so, hyung."

Under the table, Minseok kicks Kyungsoo in the ankle. He rests a hand on Kyungsoo's thigh, though, and gives it a gentle squeeze. "Let's pretend, for a minute, that Jongdae falls under that category–"

"I think she is," Jongdae finally answers. He looks up at the two, bright-eyed and grinning. Minseok chuckles. Maybe Li Yin is into kids. Jongdae plays the part really well. "Yeah, I think she is. I'll go ask her, just in case. But thanks, Kyungsoo…ssi? What do you want me to call you?"

Kyungsoo hums, then offers a soft smile. "Just Kyungsoo is fine. And let me know if you plan to go. I can get you tickets, I think. I… know one of the people performing." He looks to his side, tilting his head, then says, "Remember the lost kid we saw in COEX? Kim Jongin? Called me up the other day to tell me about it. He says he wanted to contact you, but–"

"You scribbled your number on my card when you crossed out my mobile," Minseok finishes. He scowls, but it's mostly for show. "Sneaky."

"I prefer 'smart' and 'sly'," Kyungsoo says in reply. He shifts in his seat, facing Jongdae now, but he keeps his fingers hooked on Minseok's own. "I'll give your tickets to Minseok-hyung."

"Awesome!" Jongdae holds two thumbs up, then turns to Minseok. "By the way, hyung, Kibum said he got a break with SM. They're asking him to work on SHINee's choreography for the new music video then do stage direction for their new tour. So that means–"

That means Zitao will have to double up on Zumba classes, and that isn't healthy. That means Sehun might have to cut his rest short just so they can accommodate the volume of students Kibum has somehow amassed during his stay in the gym. And they can't risk both. It hasn't even been that long since Zitao started, and Sehun is only halfway through his therapy. Jongdae isn't as heartless as Zitao thinks he is – he won't let Sehun come back before his doctor has given him clearance to dance again.

The weekend part-timers will probably kill Jongdae if he asked them to do classes on weekdays. There's a reason they asked for the schedule, after all.

"That means we have to look for someone new. Or that I have to take some of his classes." Minseok worries his bottom lip, then looks up at Jongdae. "Or that you have to take Kibum's classes. Didn't you dream of being a dancer once?"

Jongdae blinks a few times but he hasn't moved yet, hasn't uttered a word. He has this weird, funny smile on his lips that makes him look like he's struggling to keep his amusement inside, or that he hasn't quite decided how to feel about Minseok's statement just yet. But his eyes are crinkling at the corners and Minseok knows, he just knows, that this is Jongdae trying to formulate some coherent sentence in his head to communicate whatever brand of happiness he's feeling at the moment. The slight parting of the lips, too, is a giveaway – the last time Minseok saw this was when Jondgae said, before wiggling his eyebrows, your savior has a really nice ass. Emphasis on 'savior', not ass. And maybe a bit of emphasis on the wiggle.

"Are you serious, hyung? I mean…" Jongdae chuckles, unable to hold it in now, and bites the back of his hand to keep himself from laughing. "Are you really volunteering to take over Kibum's classes? Not that I'm complaining because that's great, but–"

"If the price is right," Minseok teases. Jongdae kicks him under the table, square on the calf. He tries to grin despite the sharp pain shooting up his thigh. "Well, it wouldn't hurt to try. I mean, we're out of options. I guess I could… give it a shot."

"You should," Kyungsoo says. He takes a sip of his coffee with his free hand. Some of the cream catches on his top lip and he licks it off without taking his gaze off of Minseok. "I'm sure you'll do a great job, hyung."

An excellent job, he tells himself. He knows his limbs can still move the way they used to when dancing was like oxygen to him. He knows how to pop and lock and to gyrate his hips if he needs to. He knows exactly how to control his muscles and how to move to dance beats. So he knows he'll do well. What scares him is the probability of reaching the peak too fast, and then plummeting to the ground just as quick, and even harder.

"I'm your man, I guess," he tells Jongdae. Under the table, he squeezes Kyungsoo's hand. "I'll sit in in Kibum's class tomorrow, if you want. Or we can work things out with Kibum first before telling him that I'm willing to sub for him."

Jongdae chuckles just a little, but his eyebrows are still furrowed and there's still a tentative smile on his lips. "I said," he begins, then clears his throat before he continues, "Are serious?"

Don't fuck around with me, now, hyung, is what Jongdae probably means to say. Or maybe, I want you to be a hundred percent sure about what you're getting yourself into so please, please, tell me– "Are you 100% sure that you're not feeling… forced to do this or something? Because we can always look for someone else."

There's Jongin, Minseok muses, but it's different. Jongin dances like Minseok when he was still young, but Jongin doesn't care for the gym or Zumba as a craft the way that Sehun, Kibum, and Zitao do. And while Minseok doesn't have the same brand of appreciation that the three possess when it comes to Zumba, he's seen this gym flourish. He's seen Jongdae build this business from the ground up and has seen Jongdae grow with it. It's a personal thing, like seeing your youngest brother graduate from primary school, or your sister graduate from training wheels to freedom to bike around the subdivision.

It's like seeing Minyoung get better, get over things and transform from a girl who was once lost and recognized not a single face in the world, to a woman who knows who her brother is, remembers every single day they'd spent together as kids. With a few hiccups from time to time, yes, but progress is still progress.

"100% sure," Minseok answers now. He nods, assuring Jongdae, and adds, "But you'll have to give me a raise."

"I'll give you whatever you want, just take over Kibum's duties."

Minseok chuckles. "Then I'll say it again: I'm your man."

Jongdae's tiny, uncertain smile blooms into a grin, tugs so hard at the corners of his lips that Jongdae eventually gives into the allure of laughing. Kyungsoo laughs, too, tiny giggles soon blooming into full laughter that rings in Minseok's ears and makes this throat constrict. He could be signing himself up for a lifetime of regrets if he does slip again and fall on his ass, but right now he doesn't think about it too much. And Kyungsoo doesn't allow him to think, keeps pulling him back into this moment with his thundering pulse on Minseok's skin and his chuckles bright in Minseok's ears. So instead, Minseok harmonizes with the two, laughs with them, heart pounding against his chest with every hitch of the breath and their laughter growing louder. A victory dance to the tune of their happy voices too loud for a Sunday afternoon.

☄

Kibum's initial reaction to finding out about Minseok's offer is amusement; his second, shrill laughter.

Minseok doesn't take it against him. It has been a while since he last wore any of his bright dance outfits for a workout, after all, sticking to muted colors for his yoga classes. Kibum takes a liking to his neon green headband and asks, "Where did you buy this, hyung?" But before Minseok can even answer, Kibum's back to being reduced to a lump of giggles on the floor. Kibum's statement can mean two things: first, this is nice and I have to get one; and second, you look hilarious in neon green, hyung. Wear it again so I can laugh at you silly.

"It's not that bad," Minseok argues, then adjusts his hair band. He's always worn one back in middle school, during dance practice. It keeps sweat from getting in his eyes during tricky flips and difficult moves. "Hey, don't judge. You have neon orange arm bands and I'm not calling you out on those."

"Because people know that I wear these colors all the time. See, I have a vibrant personality." Kibum drawls 'vibrant'. Minseok tries not to cringe at the delivery, but fails hard at it and takes a jab to the arm in the process. "You, however, are cool, calm, and collected Minseok-hyung. Electric green isn't 'cool, calm, and collected'."

"People change," Minseok reasons. People change for the better, a voice in his head says. "And you have to grow out of your leopard prints phase. Makes your thighs look big."

Kibum leers at him, but there's still a smile on his lips. Minseok decides to focus on the latter, and reaches up to pinch Kibum's cheeks. Kibum moves his arms, motions to jab at Minseok again, but Kibum's too nice to actually resort to violence to get his message across. So instead, he retorts, "Whatever. I love my thighs the way they are." He slaps Minseok in the ass, then, and tells him to get into position. "I'll run you through the routine before the class gets here."

Minseok locks his arms behind his back, stretching. "Hey, you can teach me along with the rest of the class. I don't mind. I'm just sitting in, after all."

"Oh come on, hyung, don't be silly. You're way above their level. I don't have to slow down for you." Kibum grins at him, teeth glaring at him, then flashes a peace sign. "Do you want a slow, sexy salsa, or a really funky unsexy dance?"

"I want to learn," he says through gritted teeth.

"Boner killer," Kibum mumbles. He heads to where the stereo is and presses a few buttons. Looking over his shoulder, he says, "Enjoy!"

This song is different from the one Kibum uses for most of his classes. He remembers hearing this during one of those advanced Zumba classes that cross over to Kibum's street dance class. It starts out slow, then picks up pace just after the second line in the first verse. Kibum sways his hips like he's born to do this all his life, and Minseok finds himself following suit, mimicking Kibum's moves to the best of his ability. Kibum does a simple cha-cha, and then a cross-cha-cha, and soon he's combining common dance moves with kickboxing techniques. Kibum lacks the roughness of street dance, though, moves in a manner so fluid that Minseok doesn't even notice the transitions. The first three minutes turn into five, and then another five, and soon he and Kibum are marching in place, waiting for the closing notes of the song so they can end with a flourish.

Minseok allows himself a moment of spontaneity and twirls on one foot, landing on the same spot he'd started on to complete a pirouette. He has his eyes closed when the music stops, right foot pointed and arms stretched to his side, like he's a bird that has just come down from a long flight, except his wings are bony. He feels so light, though, like all the stress of the past two decades has dissolved into sweat and eventually into thin air. He feels like going for another run, and another, and then another. This feels like coming home.

"You haven't lost your touch," Kibum says. Minseok opens his eyes, and a bead of sweat sneaks into his right eye. He winces. "Great form as always, hyung. Beautiful form."

He offers a smile in response. "Thanks," he mumbles. "Feels good to be back."

Soon, the students flock the dance room and exchange fond greetings with Kibum. Kibum indulges them in a quick chat, and then introduces Minseok as a guest instructor for the day. "Drive them wild, hyung," Kibum whispers, giggling. Minseok socks him in his side, twists his elbow to make Kibum yelp just a little, but he begins to think of weird dance steps, anyway. What's a little mess in the routine, a bit of spice? Dancing is all about expression through movement, after all.

Kibum walks over to the stereo and goes through some tracks, then turns to look at Minseok once he's settled on one. He flashes a thumbs-up and Minseok takes this as his cue, turning on his heel to look at the students who have already taken their positions. There's a funny tingle in his toes, the tips of his fingers, bubbling in his throat. He begins to march in place as he calls out, "Ready, class?"

"Ready!"

Kibum rests a hand on his shoulder and gives it a squeeze. Minseok grins.

The song starts playing and he claps at the same time that Kibum does, matching the beat.

☄

"The class was a blast," Minseok says over dinner. He shifts in his seat just a little when he looks up and sees Kyungsoo's curious gaze. "Well, it was really good. Amazing, even."

Kyungsoo drums his fingers on the table for a while before reaching for a slice of tteok. They're staying in tonight instead of eating out, but they'd gotten takeout food on their way to Minseok's house. "Sore limbs," Minseok had reasoned out, and Kyungsoo hadn't even questioned him. Kyungsoo did bring some ginseng tea and added another serving of meat to their order, though. When Kyungsoo can't find his words, he finds food to communicate what he wants to say – ginseng for you need strength, meat for but good job, hyung. I'm proud of you. The second tteok he's just popped between his lips means, go on. I'm listening, and the yellow radish he starts to take tiny bites of means, say something before I say my piece.

Minseok pours both of them a shot of soju, then, and Kyungsoo shoots a sharp look at him. He takes a shot before Kyungsoo can even say a thing. "The students were happy and they said they want to see me again, during Kibum's next class."

Kyungsoo chokes on his food – the tteokbokki or the radish, Minseok can't tell – and widens his eyes. "They want to see you again?"

"Mhmm. It's an advanced class, though. The group we danced with earlier is a bit too enthusiastic about Zumba." Minseok chuckles. He takes some kimchi and pops it in his mouth, chewing as slowly as possible. "I guess I can join that one, too. It's an 8 o' clock class and my last yoga class ends at 6:30 so that won't be a problem."

Kyungsoo nods in appreciation, then places a slice of yellow radish on Minseok's plate. "Tao says you were moving so well during practice. Said he was a bit… envious."

Minseok snorts. "What. He's a good dancer. He shouldn't feel that way."

"He said he wanted to learn from you, even," Kyungsoo continues. He takes his glass of soju, turns to his side as he takes the shot. There's a faint flush creeping up his neck now, tainting the underside of his cheeks. "Just that he's too shy to approach you or something of that sort. I don't understand him sometimes."

"More like, you spend so much time trying to figure people out and complicating things," Minseok answers. He takes the yellow radish between his teeth and chews before continuing, "I think he was trying to tell you to talk to me about it."

"I knew that."

"Of course," Minseok teases. Kyungsoo grumbles. Minseok locks their ankles under the table in response. "Tell him I can make time for him. Better yet, he can join Kibum and I in our class this Wednesday. I'm sure that class would appreciate seeing the teacher with really nice legs."

"They call him that?"

Minseok nods, cackling. "They also call him cute Zumba teacher who'd also look good on a yoga mat," Minseok rushes. "Don't ask me what they mean by that. I don't want to think about it."

Kyungsoo doesn't say a thing, simply laughs to himself until the cackles grow too loud to contain. He pulls Minseok closer by the ankle, then, and pins Minseok with a gaze. It's not as if I intend to go elsewhere, Minseok wants to say when Kyungsoo starts dragging his big toe up Minseok's calf, his thigh, then just a few inches shy of his crotch. It's not as if he wants to miss this treat, either.

"You look happier," Kyungsoo comments, voice barely above a whisper. He reaches over the table, narrowly missing the bottle of soju, and tries to hold Minseok's hands, but he only manages to reach the tips of Minseok's fingers. Minseok laughs a little, then, a warm, bubbling sensation tickling his throat and teasing the corners of his lips. "And you sound happier. I'm sure… I'm sure Minyoung would appreciate it."

"It's high-time, really," Minseok says. He should've done the whole 'moving on' thing a long time ago, the same way that Minyoung stopped shunning treatment away and started appreciating the people in Lucky, started picking up a brush again to hone her artistic skills that she once thought she'd already lost. It's too late for all these regrets, though, so instead Minseok hands Kyungsoo the bottle of soju and urges him to pour them some. Kyungsoo pulls away with much reluctance and does as he is told, but nods in Minseok's direction as if urging him to go on.

"Maybe next year, when the doctors give clearance to pull Minyoung out of Lucky, she can spend her birthday here at home," Minseok continues. He drums his fingers on the table, suddenly missing Kyungsoo's warmth, then looks up when he feels something cold pressed against his skin. "Probably too late but at least she can start living a normal life again. If she wants to, at least. I wouldn't want to impose."

Kyungsoo chuckles, shaking his head, and holds up his shot glass. Minseok doesn't miss a beat and takes a shot first, then gestures for Kyungsoo to follow. He takes this as his opportunity to say something he'd otherwise regret blurting out. Without alcohol, he's not as courageous and his lips aren't as loose. Kyungsoo's hold on his hand is still pretty tight, though, despite all the soju he's already had.

"Then maybe I can introduce you to her as…" He laughs a little. The word is there, at the tip of his tongue, but somehow it feels like the letters are pulling Minseok's lips together, running amok in his mouth, keeping him from speaking. It shouldn't be hard to say this anymore – they are technically dating now and Kyungsoo had admitted to liking him back – but it still feels so strange to be thinking of walking up to Kyungsoo with this confession at all. "As… you know. As someone really special."

Kyungsoo cocks an eyebrow at him. His cheeks are just the right shade of red now. He's probably tipsy, but not drunk enough to let this pass. "You make me sound like a dog, hyung," he groans. "Someone special. Kibum's especially annoying. Zitao's especially nice and warm-hearted. You're especially weird and interesting."

"As… someone who is mine," Minseok says, then. He bites the inside of his cheek to keep himself from – laughing? Grinning? Cackling? He can't tell. All he knows right now is that there's a force so strong tugging at the corners of his mouth, pulling up his cheeks, pounding on his back to make him choke out tiny slivers of laughter. "Maybe I can tell her that her favorite art teacher is mine."

Kyungsoo sucks in his bottom lip, then tilts his head just so. There's a small smile, too, playing on his lips, an upward quirk so subtle that Minseok might miss it if he doesn't have Kyungsoo's features memorized, so he leans in, moves closer. Under the table, he accidentally jams his foot into Kyungsoo's own, but even that doesn't make Kyungsoo tear his gaze from Minseok. Kyungsoo remains focused, like he wants to get something from Minseok, wants to get something out of this.

"Yours, am I?" Kyungsoo hums. He drums his fingers on the table, then pours them both a shot, only glancing at the glasses from time to time.

Minseok takes his glass and downs the liquor in one gulp. "You have a problem with that?"

"Nope," comes Kyungsoo's quick reply. He shakes his head, but eventually he stops and stills the movement by pressing his palms on his head. "Just confirming. Might've heard it wrong. I don't… I don't trust my ears sometimes."

Then trust your heart, a voice at the back of Minseok's head says. He gestures for Kyungsoo to drink, then replies, "You're really cute."

Kyungsoo slams the shot glass down on the table, but it doesn't pack that much force for Minseok's body to jerk, or for him to be startled. Kyungsoo's lips are parted just a little, as if poised to speak, and he has an accusing finger pointed at Minseok, but he isn't speaking. There's no sound in the room, save for the little hiccuping noise Kyungsoo's makes that he swallows down as soon as he can.

"You will not call me cute," Kyungsoo finally says, then drops his hand to the table.

Minseok catches Kyungsoo's hand, draws it close to his lips, then sucks on the tip of Kyungsoo's index finger. The stretch is a bit uncomfortable, but the look of horror and amusement on Kyungsoo's face combined is almost worth the struggle. The faint blush creeping to his cheeks, too, that might be the work of alcohol, but Minseok doesn't care anymore. All he cares about right now, at this very moment, is this – the cold press of Kyungsoo's finger on his lips that sends a funny tingle down his spine, the way Kyungsoo's worrying his bottom lip like he'll lose it any moment, lose control, and walk over to Minseok's side of the table to avenge himself with a kiss. The way their legs slide against each other and the peculiar fit of their ankles under the table. The way Kyungsoo almost coos when Minseok leans in and presses a kiss to the back of his hand, and the light furrow of Kyungsoo's eyebrows when Kyungsoo realizes what has just happened and quickly retracts his hand.

The way Kyungsoo, slowly and tentatively, stands from his seat, and walks over to where Minseok is to straddle Minseok on his seat. The way Kyungsoo presses their foreheads together but doesn't quite meet Minseok's lips just yet, and the way Kyungsoo sets off explosions at the back of Minseok's eyelids when he kisses him, wet and warm.

"Cute," Minseok whispers when Kyungsoo pulls away, and laughs when Kyungsoo pinches him in the stomach.

Kyungsoo grumbles, "You're cuter," and leans back in to claim Minseok's lips in revenge.

☄

Minseok has appeared in Kibum's Zumba classes for more times than his fingers can count already. He'd started adding up the 'guest appearances' with his toes two days ago, but he decided to stop soon after. It's part of training, he reminds himself. If he wants to be a good Zumba instructor then he has to get acquainted with Kibum's dynamics with his class, as well. It isn't just about knowing the dance and finding the right song for the group; it's also about knowing how to bring the best out of people, making sure that they have fun while burning calories. Exercise and 'fun' are rarely in good terms with each other, after all.

He can't consider this a guest appearance anymore, though, not when he's becoming a 'series regular'. Soon, he'll be a mainstay and it might be difficult to pry himself from Zumba to focus on yoga again. It's both exciting and daunting, but for the most part it just feels like a dull ache in limbs. He cracks his neck, shakes his hands in his sides. Ten minutes 'til the next class starts. Ten minutes 'til Kibum starts dancing in this room for the last time in the next few months.

"So, this is it," Kibum says, voice dropping to a whisper before he loads the CD for his last Zumba class.

The dance room has been stripped of the flourish Kibum has brought with him, but Minseok hasn't taken down the motivational posters yet. He figures he'll need them sometime just as much as the students do, in the near future, when his knees begin to giveaway and he feels like he's slowly falling from grace again. He takes a few steps closer to Kibum, then, and rests a hand on Kibum's shoulder. On a normal day, Kibum would probably shrug him off, but today he sort of melts into the touch and snakes an arm around Minseok's waist. "I can't believe I got attached to this awful place and your awful boss," he says, voice still faint. Not even the sticky slide of their bodies deters Kibum from keeping Minseok close for comfort. "I can't believe I'm getting teary-eyed about this whole… shazam."

"It's okay, Kibum. I always thought you were capable of human emotions. Glad to know I'm not wrong," Minseok says in consolation. Kibum wails a little, hitting Minseok with his elbow in his side, but Minseok manages to block it with his free hand in time. "You're always welcome to come back, though. I'm sure the students would be glad to see you again, be taken under your wing and all. Zitao won't miss you, though. That kid turns everything into a competition."

Kibum cocks an eyebrow at him, grinning. "Bought him milk tea once. Never tried to compete with me after that."

"That's impossible."

"And he even made me coffee after I taught him one of my favorite dances." Kibum nods, slow and deliberate. "I win by a landslide, yeah? Aren't you proud of me?"

Minseok rolls his eyes but rests his head on Kibum's shoulder, anyway. "You make me want to throw up."

"Thanks, hyung," Kibum replies. He pulls away with an easy smile and does a curtsy. "I love you, too."

The conversation dissolves into thin air when the students start arriving, each of them with a small token for Kibum that ranges from strange wrist bands and hair bands to chocolate that can potentially put the health of Kibum's throat at risk. "What if I was leaving for a concert and I just didn't tell you all? What then? You want me to eat all of these and still sing tomorrow?" he says, voice cracking somewhere at the middle. He groans, fixes his hands on his waist, and turns on his heel, facing the mirror now. Minseok knows this well even before he catches sight of the small beads of tears at the corners of Kibum's eyes – Kibum's a tough marshmallow, as well, and this is his core on display now. The tough shell has come off completely.

He pokes Kibum in his side and offers a smile. "You look really ugly when you cry," he says.

Kibum raises a balled fist, motioning to jab on his arm, but he quickly drops it to his side and sticks out his tongue, instead. "Thanks. I'll make you cry someday, hyung, just you wait and see. Then I'll be able to tell you that you're the worst crier ever."

Minseok cackles but swallows the sound as soon as Kibum cocks an eyebrow at him. "Better start working on that endeavor!"

"I'm going to twist your nipples–" Kibum leans back. "No. I'll just kick you in your balls. Found out you have 'em, by the way. Kyungsoo told me. Congrats."

Minseok widens his eyes at Kibum. Half of him is certain that Kyungsoo isn't the type to kiss and tell, but half of him also knows that Kyungsoo is a bag of tricks. A splash of all the colors of the rainbow. Hip hop and jazz rolled into one, no matter how weird that sounds. "He would never–"

"Kidding!" Kibum smiles at him, teeth baring, and flashes a peace sign at him. There's still a hint of the beads of tears at the corners of his eyes, though, and the irises are still a bit glassy. "The look on your face was priceless, though. You should've seen yourself, hyung. You should've seen your ugly oh shit face."

Not willing to lose just yet, Minseok cocks his head in the direction of the class. "Your kids, they're waiting for you."

Kibum sticks up his ring finger which Minseok figures is the closest Kibum will get to expressing his twisted love for Minseok in public. He looks over his shoulder before playing the track. "I'll deal with you later."

All Kibum ends up doing is going for an extra thirty minutes because we can't end so soon! It's your last day here; c'mon, sonsaengnim, show us some of your moves! And Kibum is a performer. He loves working behind the scenes and taking control of the camera but, at the same time, he loves the sound of applause and the feeling of stage lights on his skin. So he dances – a hip hop beat this time, something his body is more attuned to. Kibum moves like he hasn't been dancing for the past hour, moves like he isn't in his thirties yet. It feels like college again, where Minseok spent most of his days watching Joonmyun and Kibum perform on stage instead of acting alongside them. There was still an ounce of dancing involved in stage plays, after all, and he was too chickenshit back then to swallow his bitterness and get a move on.

He's not afraid anymore. It took him two decades to get over a life-changing experience, sure, but it's never too late to teach an old dog new tricks, right? Minseok has been dancing for a while already, after all, just not in front of a crowd this big. All he has to do is to focus on Kibum's movement beside him, on the music, on the way his body responds to it. So when Kibum gestures at him and says, "C'mon, hyung! Join me!" he makes no move to decline.

He takes a step forward and bobs his head to the steady beating in the stereo. He takes his position beside Kibum and starts dancing. He keeps his eyes on their reflection on the mirror and nothing else.

He doesn't look back.

☄

Zumba doesn't offer the calm that Minseok has always loved about yoga, but it works as a stress reliever just fine. His once-free mornings see packed schedules after he takes on Kibum's load. Kibum doesn't forget to drop by from time to time, but he does make sure to avoid running into any of his students. "Just thinking about them makes me want to come back and ditch the concert preps altogether," Kibum says when he visits one time, munching on one of the bananas in the staff pantry. "You'd think sepanx won't hit as hard when you don't stay in a place for too long but nooo. It hits like a fucking truck everytime I hear dance music."

Minseok only chuckles because he knows exactly how it feels, that consuming pain that grips your heart tight and makes your chest constrict. He's too aware of it, but he's also aware of how it feels to be liberated from the feeling. So he offers, "Why don't you do weekend classes?"

"Are you crazy?"

"He seems pretty serious," Jongdae says. From the other side of the table, Zitao holds two thumbs up and keeps sipping the milktea Kibum brought with him. "See? Even Tao thinks Minseok-hyung's idea is good. Just one class." Jongdae's using that salesman voice of his that makes him two parts annoying and one part convincing. It makes Minseok snort. "Just one. I'm sure you'll need a slightly different activity as detox!"

Kibum worries his bottom lip, tilts his head just so, considering. "When is Sehun coming back?" he asks.

"Soon-ish." Zitao does one last noisy, sip, then throws the cup into the trashcan. "He won't be able to take on too many classes yet, though."

"You only miss me for the milktea," Kibum argues.

"Yes," Zitao answers, earnest. Minseok kicks him under the table and Zitao quickly amends, "And no. I miss your words of wisdom and your funny dance moves and–"

Minseok rolls his eyes as the conversation dissolves into Zitao showering Kibum with praises and trying to convince him to take just one Zumba class on weekends for the sake of his sanity. He fishes for his phone from his pocket when it buzzes, and chuckles when he see a text from Kyungsoo. Your good friend is making me go there because he misses me. Please tell him that my time is more precious than he is, it says.

Minseok paraphrases, saying, "Kyungsoo says he'll come over only if you promise to do one weekend class."

"Bribery!"

Minseok winks and hits the 'call' button. "He said yes. Come over. Dinner's on me."

Minseok has never been a big fan of spontaneity, but he figures he needs a breath of fresh air from time to time. Staying in his tiny, cramped room has given him the worst muscle pain, but at least that's over now. Kyungsoo pulled him out of the room and made him realize that he isn't made for small places like this. Or maybe Kyungsoo whispered in his ear, you can smash the walls, hyung. You're stronger than this, come on–

Somehow, that's how the best people he's ever met carve a niche in his life – barge their way through the gates of his defenses, call out his name and invite him to play outside where it's bright and sunny. If he declines, they'll try again. If he's turned them down too many times already, they'll trespass private property to pull Minseok out of his room and make him see the beauty of the sandpit outside.

"Right now?" Kyungsoo chuckles. "Don't you have a class in ten minutes?"

"Shit," Minseok mumbles. He turns to the group and stands from his seat, then whispers a goodbye to Kyungsoo on the other end of the line.

The trip from the staff pantry to the dance room takes no more than two minutes, but he only has five minutes until the session stars and he hasn't even prepared yet. So he stretches his arms behind his back, promising, "This'll be the best session yet." He says it every single time, and his instinct hasn't failed him yet. So he keeps saying it in his head like a mantra, a prayer, like a wish for more good things to come.

He opens the doors to the room and greets everyone with a smile. The class turns to him with a look of surprise, like they were expecting him to not show up, but soon they're marching in place and warming up. Minseok turns on the stereo, then, and puts his favorite dance track in the player.

He looks over his shoulder and asks, "Ready, everyone?"

The students start clapping in the air. He presses the play button and rushes to his position, facing the mirror.

"Okay, class! Let's dance Zumba!"

☄

"And that's it," Jongdae says, snapping the padlock in place. He looks put out, but there's still a light in his eyes that tells Minseok Jongdae's willing to take the stairs to the lobby. With people flocking the gym the past few weeks just before the peak of Christmas hits, they've been clocking in longer hours. Minseok doesn't mind, but occasionally he regrets the dull ache in his muscles and the back pains. Kyungsoo's good at easing the tension is his shoulders, though, massaging Minseok's muscles with his thumbs. It's one of the few things he looks forward to when the clock hits nine in the evening. The other things include a warm hug and an even warmer cup of coffee. Long black for Minseok and espresso con panna for Kyungsoo at Organic.

"You'll drive, right?" Minseok teases now. He steps to his side to avoid the jab Jongdae throws at him, but falls prey to Jongdae's kick. "Hey, don't kick your designated driver!"

"Also, the guy who'll drive us to the nearest pizza takeout place because his boyfriend can't be assed to buy food," Jongdae adds. Minseok almost giggles at the word 'boyfriend', but has enough sense to bite the inside of his cheek lest Jongdae tease him about it. "Seriously, can't Kyungsoo just buy something from Ilsan? Or can't you ask Tao to buy something edible?"

"I wouldn't trust Tao's taste buds," Minseok admits. He pushes the button to the basement and Jongdae sighs in relief. "I placed the orders earlier. We just have to pick them up."

Jongdae lets out a loud sigh and smiles at Minseok as he ends. "You are the best."

Christmas in Seoul is not as magical as Seollal is, but beautiful just the same. Streets bustling with activity, the scent of good food everywhere – Minseok will be damned if he doesn't say that it isn't one of his favorite holidays. On most Christmas eves, he'd be downing a bottle of wine and munching on whatever delivery food can reach him at eleven in the evening, all alone in his flat. This year it's different. For one, Joonmyun and Baekhyun are the ones bringing the booze (wine and whiskey included), and they're having takeout instead of delivery. It's the same banana, in essence, but the mere thought of having people to celebrate it with... It makes Minseok's heart swell with a different kind of warmth.

He gets inside his car and hands his iPod to Jongdae. For trips as short as this, he doesn't mind someone else taking reign over the music.

They wrap up food duties in thirty minutes, and find Zitao waiting at the doorstep when they arrive. Joonmyun and Baekhyun arrive soon after, saying that the other three won't be able to make it because they have some weirdass gig in Whereverland that's probably a euphemism for Starcraft during Christmas eve. "Make yourselves comfortable," is the only thing Minseok says, even as Joonmyun offers to help him with the food in the kitchen. "I said, make yourselves comfortable in the living room."

He catches Jongdae's careful gaze and the cock of his eyebrow out of the corner of his eye. He doesn't meet Jongdae's gaze, but he does take a step back from Joonmyun.

"I promise I won't blow anything up," Joonmyun says, smiling. Minseok knows this look well – Joonmyun's eyes are burning with so much light and his smile reaches the corners of his eyes and he's glowing. Joonmyun only uses this when he wants to get something, when he has to make the other person say 'yes', and Minseok's saying 'yes' to this, now.

There's nothing to lose and nothing to be gained. What could possibly happen that he'll regret in the future?

Minseok relents, shrugging as Joonmyun asks to be let inside the kitchen for the second time that night. "Perfect timing," Joonmyun says as he takes a step deeper into the kitchen when Kibum arrives with Sunyoung in tow. There's a bit of a ruckus in the living room, with Jongdae exclaiming, "No fair! Li Yin-noona said she has to stay at Lucky today to watch over the kids!" and Joonmyun only laughs in response.

"You'd think he'd already given up on noona, but no," Joonmyun comments at the same time that Kibum's voice soars above Jongdae and Zitao's noise. His mouth is twisted into a weird smile, though, like he means to say, Isn't it stupid to wait for someone for that long a time? If Joonmyun ever thinks of phrasing it that way, he doesn't. Instead, he drums his fingers on the table, then starts to tear the bag of chips open to transfer them to a plastic container.

"She asked him out, actually," Minseok replies. He runs the bottles of wine through running water, then places them inside the freezer. The whiskey can stay outside; he has ice cubes, anyway. He scribbles a note on his stickies to take out the bottles from the freezer in ten minutes, then, and peels one sheet off to tack it to his phone in his pocket. "She's just really busy. But I think she's also kinda... scared to commit at this age? And to someone younger than her?"

Joonmyun laughs a little, then steals a potato chip. "That was never a problem with you."

Minseok grins. "Yeah. I like young boys," he admits. Joonmyun cocks an eyebrow at him. "The ones who don't like being called 'cute'."

"Kyungsoo's a really great catch, you know?" Joonmyun says out of the blue. Joonmyun isn't doing anything anymore, simply looking around the kitchen for something to busy his hands with. He hums for a while, trying fill the white noise, then starts munching on chips when the standstill becomes too much to bear. "And I'm glad that you two met. It's like a match made in heaven."

"Nah, just at an exhibit," Minseok teases. Joonmyun throws a chip at him and Minseok groans when it hits him in the eye. "But hey, thanks. For bringing me to that exhibit. Wouldn't have met him if you didn't drag me there."

Joonmyun's halfway through throwing another piece at him when he stops in midair, right arm drawn back and lips pursed. He has that thinking face on – lightly furrowed eyebrows, a small smile at the curl of the lip, eyes squinted, zeroing in on Minseok. It's as if he's trying to find the best way to reach Minseok, to get him square on the face and maybe in the heart, but that dance is long over. It never even began. Maybe at one point they were dancing the same song, but they never had an agreement that Hey, you're dancing Superbass, too? Cool! Let's dance together! If there was ever an agreement, it was never spoken of like the rest of their tale. They're the smoke whose fire is invisible, an unfinished painting with only washes and nothing else.

"Pretty sure you would've met him, either way," Joonmyun answers. He pops the chip in his mouth, then leans back against the counter. "But for whatever it's worth, you're welcome."

Minseok nods in acknowledgment. Joonmyun closes the bag of chips once and for all and decides, "I should probably stop munching on these." He's one foot out of the kitchen now, but the rest of his body is facing Minseok. All Minseok has to do now is to give him a go signal, a green light.

"Yeah, probably," Minseok says. He hands the chips container to Joonmyun, then waves his hand about as he says, "Go, feed the kids. Sehun should be here any minute."

They're a bit more complete by the time the clock strikes half past eleven in the evening. Sehun arrives with a tub of mint chocolate ice cream, and Kyungsoo arrives with two different kinds of cake that have weird doodles on top. "Ah, abstract art," Baekhyun comments, and Kyungsoo cocks an eyebrow completely on reflex.

"There's nothing wrong with abstract art," Kyungsoo answers, tone so level and strained. Minseok knows that he has to grab Kyungsoo by the wrist now, make him sit on his lap or something just to keep him from hitting Baekhyun on the arm, because these two hardly know each other. They've technically just met even if Kyungsoo dragged Baekhyun's sorry ass from Insadong to Gangnam that one drunken afternoon. But seeing Kyungsoo lose control is always a sight to marvel at. On canvas, Kyungsoo maintains his calm but is a bit more rough with his strokes; in bed, Kyungsoo lets Minseok take control, but makes sure to tell Minseok how he wants it done.

"Yup. Nothing wrong with it. It was just a random comment–" Joonmyun clasps a hand over Baekhyun's mouth and pulls him to his side, making him sit beside him. He hands Baekhyun a pillow, then, but if Minseok knew better he'd say Joonmyun meant to hit Baekhyun in the face.

"Presents?" Joonmyun brings up, grinning from ear to ear, in an attempt to effectively shut Baekhyun up. He shakes the huge bag he'd brought with him earlier and makes this weird face that you only see mascots do in children's shows. Baekhyun seems to find it amusing, though, now distracted and laughing a little in his seat as Joonmyun keeps waving the bag of presents about. He pinches Joonmyun in the ass, but is quick to lean back in his seat when Joonmyun shoots him a stern look.

"We'll all be drunk as fuck come midnight, anyway," Joonmyun reasons out. "Come on! Presents, everyone!"

They take turns handing out gifts, some more generic than the others. Minseok tries hard not to laugh when he receives a sweater from Sehun for the third Christmas in a row, but at least it's of a different color. Jongdae doesn't seem too thrilled, though, requesting for something that isn't a sweater, geez, Sehun, and Sehun produces a self-help book on improving people management skills from the paper bag between his feet. Jongdae takes it with a big smile, hits Sehun on the head with it, but makes sure to kiss the bubu away. "This is an improvement from the sweater," Jongdae even adds. "Next year, though, I don't want to get the second volume of this book."

Sehun sneers. "Thanks for the great idea, hyung."

Jongdae groans. "Fuck you."

Behind Jongdae's back, Minseok exchanges high-fives with Sehun. Kyungsoo rolls his eyes beside Minseok and whispers, "Pretty sure he heard you two."

Minseok shrugs and whispers, lips pressed close to Kyungsoo's ear, "We do it out of love."

Kyungsoo hands out his presents last, apologizing for the lack of creativity because, "Someone thought it would be great to announce a party 48 hours before the actual thing." Minseok only blows a kiss his way, though, and while Kyungsoo leans back to avoid it, it doesn't miss his neck. His ears burn a bright red and oh, Minseok thinks, he can make Kyungsoo blush here if he wanted to. Alcohol will make it easier, so he files that thought for later, claps his hands when Joonmyun beams at the Frank Sinatra 45 that he receives from Kyungsoo.

A new set of head and wrist bands for Kibum, a juicer for Jongdae for variety, because smoothies are still loaded with sugar. Some philosophical book whose title Minseok can't seem to make out with Kyungsoo thrusting the book in Zitao's chest the first chance he gets. Sehun gets these cute cartoon socks that he starts using as puppets, and Zitao's momentarily distracted from sifting through the book to play with Sehun. Baekhyun joins in on them, too, before Kyungsoo hands him a scarf because, "Joonmyun-hyung keeps worrying about you getting cold."

Minseok laughs a little, scrunches his nose when the busts of laughter tickles his throat too much. Kyungsoo turns to him with a light cock of the eyebrow, then, and begins to walk over to where he is.

Kyungsoo's steps are slow and deliberate as he closes the short distance between them. There's a small smile at the corners of his lips, teasing and testing, and then Kyungsoo stops. Their knees bump, and Minseok shivers a little at the jolt of electricity coursing through his veins. "Are you sure you want me to give you your present now, hyung?" Kyungsoo asks, then. He worries his bottom lip, then continues, "Because I'm not sure how your friends feel about exhibitionism."

Minseok narrows his eyes at Kyungsoo but reaches up to pinch Kyungsoo's nose. "Who cares? They're in my house. My house, my rules."

Kyungsoo snorts. The smile on his lips softens into something more relaxed. "I like how you think."

He takes a step back, though, and fishes for a thin box wrapped in brown paper. He runs his hand along the edge of the box, and Minseok furrows his eyebrows in response. "I wanted to add more but it... felt right just having this in the gift," Kyungsoo begins. He then thrusts the present in Minseok's chest, finishing, "So here. I hope you like it."

Minseok isn't expecting the impact, and he almost chokes on the chips as he cushions the impact of the collision. He fastens his palms o, either side, then runs his fingers along the edges. It doesn't feel quite solid so it can't be a real box, he supposes, but it's not a board, either. Curious, he begins to tear the wrapper, each ripping sound sending a shiver down his spine.

The first strip comes off, revealing a gradient of brown to pastel yellow. It's a nice shade of yellow, soothing on the eyes, and he feels the furrow of his eyebrows ease. Another strip, and Minseok can make out a pair of legs now, one of the feet pointed out while the other lies flat on the ground. There's a hint of one other pair, though, so he peels off another strip. He draws the gift closer to him, studying the composition. His lips fall open into a small 'o' when he sees another pair of feet, both subjects wearing–

"Ballet shoes," Minseok whispers. He looks up at Kyungsoo, back down on the painting, and then up again. "Is this the–"

"Keep tearing the wrap, hyung," Kyungsoo urges. His lips quiver, torn between his teeth-baring smile and his tight-lipped one, but his eyes are wild and ablaze and reeking of excitement. "Go on."

Minseok peels off two trips at the same time. He can see the faces of the subjects now and they look… strangely alike. Not completely the same, but there are small similarities – same almond-shaped eyes, the same curl of the mouth. The same shape of the face and the quirk of the lips. And they're both small. The guy isn't much taller than the girl, but the girl is looking up at him, face tilted just so. He's carrying the girl by the waist and they're both smiling. Minseok knows that smile. He's seen it reflected in the water, on shiny black surfaces, on the mirror. He sees it every single day.

He lets out an exhale and whispers, "You… painted me and Minyoung?"

A light flush creeps up Kyungsoo's neck and paints his cheeks a soft shade of pink. Kyungsoo traps his bottom lip between his teeth and says, "Merry Christmas?"

Minseok looks at the painting again, holding it at an arm's length this time. He takes in the details – the light and heavy strokes, the wicked curves, the line of movement. The use of highlights and shadows to bright out the twinkle in Minyoung's eyes and the subtle dimples on her cheeks. The invisible win that makes some of Minseok's hair in this painting stick to his face. Minyoung looks younger in this painting, so filled with like, and Minseok looks… exactly like the man he is now. Kyungsoo's got every small detail down – the slicked back hair, the sharp angle of the jaw, the peculiar cock of the eyebrow. The small smile at the corners of Minseok's lips in this painting, and the way a hint of Minyoung's figure is reflected in his dark eyes.

Minseok moves his thumb closer, wanting to run his finger along the paint, but decides against it. He drops his hand to his side and tries to look away but it's hard when he's seeing his new life in front of his eyes, captured and framed in a painting.

"I... probably should've made you taller," Kyungsoo whispers. "I'm sorry, I should've–"

Minseok shakes his head, then stands from where he is. He rests the painting on the couch before turning to face Kyungsoo, still caught in a daze. "It's perfect," he says, voice barely above a whisper, so he pulls Kyungsoo close, into his arms until they're chest to chest, heart to heart. "It's perfect, he repeats, clearer this time. He wants to say something else, like you shouldn't have or you're the best or I can't believe it, but his throat feels so tight and dry and his chest feels so full that he might burst if he says anything more. So he kisses Kyungsoo – on the tip of his nose, his cheeks, his chin, sucks on his top lip and licks his way inside Kyungsoo mouth when Kyungsoo tilts his head back just a little, granting access. He keeps kissing Kyungsoo until he finds his words again, right on the tip of his tongue, leaving marks and painting lines on the caverns of Kyungsoo's mouth. And he twirls Kyungsoo around just in case he doesn't get it because he can never be too sure, and he wants Kyungsoo to know how much this means to him, and he wants Kyungsoo to feel it. So he resorts to movement because this is the language he knows by heart.

"Thank you," Minseok finally says once he's come down from it. He keeps his face buried in the crook of Kyungsoo's neck, though, and tilts his head only to press his lips on the back of Kyungsoo's ear. There's another word threatening to spill from his lips, but Kyungsoo doesn't wait long enough for him to say it, sways their bodies pressed so closer together until they develop an easy rhythm. And they dance, because everything he has to tell Kyungsoo is in their song.

Kyungsoo laughs, bold and bright, in Minseok's ears. They don't stop even when Jongdae whistles and Sehun says, "Okay, that's enough cheese for you two!"

Minseok pulls Kyungsoo closer, humming a song under his breath and relishing the way their bodies align.

They keep dancing.

「おまけ」

Kyungsoo isn't so averse to the idea of parties. He's okay with attending them, at least. Organizing them, however, is an entirely different matter altogether. Maybe working behind the scenes isn't so bad since he doesn't have to deal with people that much (and if he does, he has the leisure of threatening to hit them with a sharp object any time he wishes). Or creating invitations. He's a good artist and not a shabby designer. He can work on those. Coordinating and getting in touch with attendees? Something he can't stand. Still, he finds himself doing exactly that, beaming at people and telling them to please sign the guestbook! for two reasons: one, Kibum; and two, Minseok.

"You're the best friend and the boyfriend," Zitao reminds him. "You don't have a choice."

Kyungsoo frowns at him. "Thanks, friend. You're the best."

It's the opening of Kibum's exhibit for his new business, a fitness clothing line that's more of an excuse to be fashionable during a workout. In all honesty, Kyungsoo doesn't get the charm, but Kibum somehow conned him into creating some designs for him so might as well be here, right? He may not have faith in Kibum's fashion sense, but he does have enough faith in Kibum's charm and sheer number of connections to important people that he knows the fashion line will be a hit. Possibly the next trend, even. He won't openly admit that in front of Kibum, though, for fear of Kibum thinking that Kyungsoo adores him. He doesn't. He tolerates him.

"Soo," comes a familiar voice. Kyungsoo's breath hitches for a moment and shit, this is really silly. He looks over his shoulder, wearing the best grin he can muster, but he can feel the sting of his smile at the corners of his mouth. Minseok chuckles, biting his lower lip a little, and moves closer until the tips of their shoes touch. There's still a good distance between them, enough that Minseok can turn to his side at the first sign of a guest or an acquaintance, but enough to pin Kyungsoo in place, numb the tips of his fingers, make his knees go weak.

Minseok reaches out, tracing the length of Kyungsoo's face with his fingers. Kyungsoo takes a sharp intake of breath, air passing noisily through his nose. Minseok snorts, louder this time, the type that Kyungsoo knows means, You are so stumped, kid. I've got you. You're in too deep, but he doesn't say anything. Instead, Minseok inches closer until the tips of their noses touch.

"I thought we're past the eskimo kiss stage," Kyungsoo mumbles. He keeps his voice low, careful not to let Zitao hear. He catches Zitao's light laughter, though, before Zitao inches away from them.

"And I thought you were past the whole 'reacting like a teenager in love' stage," Minseok replies.

Kyungsoo jabs Minseok lightly in the stomach, but eventually grabs a fistful of Minseok's shirt. Minseok grumbles at first, putting up a fight. Kyungsoo knows he'll regret this later when Minseok walks up on stage with a polo crumpled in front and maybe at the back if he pushes Minseok against the wall right now, but he doesn't care. Minseok will take off the stupid polo later, anyway. Dance in Kibum's hideous fashionable workout attire that's so tight he'd be able to outline the dip of Minseok's back when Minseok dances.

Kyungsoo swallows and he feels his throat loosen. "I'll deal with you later, hyung," he whispers, then gives Minseok's upper lip a light nip. "In your skin-tight workout outfit."

Minseok chuckles. "Is that a new kink of yours?"

Kyungsoo shrugs. He isn't too fond of a lot of things, rarely goes out to try something new, but Minseok has made finding new favorites easier. He can tolerate popcorn now and not order nachos when they catch a movie. He can drink lime juice instead of orange when the restaurant they're eating at only has that to offer. He's been trying to go back to finger painting, but only when he gets to use Minseok's back as a canvas.

He can dance better now. He still needs a lot of practice in that department, but he's not in a rush. It's not as if he's running away from this whole 'arrangement' anytime soon, or ever. Minseok doesn't plan to book the first flight to wherever Joonmyun is, either.

"Could be," he replies. He shuts the guestbook and takes it with him. He allows Minseok to pull him inside the venue and doesn't shake off their linked arms.

The lights are closed all around them when the slip past the doors. Kyungsoo can hear the shuffle of feet, though, and Minseok's even breathing just beside him. "What's happening?" he asks, but soon he's answered by the spotlights, and then the stage lighting up in all the colors of the rainbow. It's a nice light painting against a wooden canvas and Kyungsoo would love to marvel at it, but Minseok's linking their hands now, pulling him closer, up the stage. There's a peculiar glint in Minseok's eyes, in the curve of the lip, and Kyungsoo can see himself dancing in Minseok's eyes.

Shit, he thinks, he is so going to kill Minseok after this.

Shit, he thinks as he allows Minseok to drag him up the stage, he doesn't mind surrendering to Minseok like this, their bodies, washed by light.

"Dance with me?" is the only thing Minseok says, and Kyungsoo doesn't even bother putting up a fight. He does mouth, I'll fuck you so hard, you'll regret this later, though, but Minseok only replies with a cheeky smile, eyes turning into half-moon crescents, hearty laughter. Soon, familiar Zumba music comes in, and Kyungsoo thinks, of course, because he should've seen it coming. Should've predicted that Minseok will con him into dancing with him in front of a huge crowd. Should've practiced the dance so that he won't make a fool of himself.

"Keep your eyes on me," Minseok whispers this time. He pulls Kyungsoo close, then says, "Hey. I said, focus."

Kyungsoo takes a deep breath and closes his eyes for a moment because that's what Minseok does when he wants to get lost in a song. The beats start filling his ears and he bobs his head to them, feeling every thump of the base at the backs of his knees and his elbows. "Ready?" he hears Minseok say, and he wants to say no, I don't want to do this, I want to get off the stage now, but he doesn't. instead, he opens his eyes and nods, meeting Minseok's gaze.

He sees himself reflected in Minseok's eyes, shining brighter than before. There's no turning back now.

He laughs and shakes his head as Minseok winks at him and holds up their intertwined hands, clapping to the beat of the song.

He never stood a chance.

one | two | three | four | five

1. The coffee shops and malls in this fic are real. Jongdae's gym, set in Gangnam, is actually the SM office.
2. 'Lucky' isn't a real place, but the hospital near it is. St. Mary's Hospital is part of The Catholic University of Korea in Yeouido.
3. Ilsan Lake Park is real and really big. The lake in the park is actually man-made. You can view a short tour of the park HERE.
4. Kyungsoo's paintings in the exhibit he had with Kibum are based on real paintings by the great JJ Zamoranos. The Becoming collection is the one that Kyungsoo "exhibited" in COEX. This is the Nightwalker, and this is the painting Kyungsoo said was inspired by Kibum.

* First of all, thank you so much to my fellow

kyungsooperior participants. What started out as a tiny project turned into... this! And what a great experience it has been. Congratulations to all of us for pulling through! :D Thank you, too, to tlist for putting up with my incessant wailing throughout the writing process. Special thanks to Lonio for being a pillar of strength in times of despair, to Selene and Chelsea for the endless support, and to Frances for holding my hand, brainstorming with me and making sense of my messy brain, and for being amazing all around. Wouldn't have been able to finish this fic without you. ♥ I had a lot of fun (and cried a lot) while writing this fic and it's been such a great experience. I hope you guys enjoy it! :)

** Here's a mixtape for the fic, if you're interested!

YOU'VE REACHED THE END OF THE FIC! Thank you so much for reading!
If you'd like to leave a comment but don't have a Dreamwidth account, fret not: anonymous commenting is on.
If you want to comment on the LJ mirror, you may do so HERE. Thanks! ♥

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

This is breathtaking. I can't believe I just read 90k of xiusoo when it's not even anywhere near the top of my otp list. This was absolutely beautiful and so well-written, I am giving you a standing ovation. I especially like that at the end you wrote a part in Kyungsoo's POV because all this time we've been reading and seeing only Minseok's side of the story and how Kyungsoo helped him and him falling in love with him, so it was nice to see how Miseok affected him and his feelings.

Ah, thank you so much! It really means a lot. It was such a challenge to write this fic, primarily because Minseok is such a hard character to grasp, so I'm really glad you enjoyed reading it. :) ♥

first and foremost i was going to read this once my exams are over but i just can't help it bc 90k xiusoo xiusoo i have a super soft spot for this pair. like when i saw this on sncj and I SAW THE WORD COUNT I NEARLY FLIPPED AND CRY BC MUST REFRAIN FROM READING

BUT I READ IT ANYWAY BC I CANT HELP IT. AND BOY IT WAS AN AMAZING JOURNEY.

it was breath-taking.

the part where kyungsoo and xiumin danced over the canvas tickles my heart and when they first kissed I WAS LIKE FINALLYY FINALLYYY I GOT EMOTIONAL ON THAT PART. oh and also that part when they first danced VICTORY DANCE i'm like sjjjjdjjdjjsjfjc AND WHEN THEY ARE AT THAT PARK AND THEY WERE JUST DANCING AND KYUNGSOO GIGGLING I AM DHJD T____T IT WAS BEAUTIFUL!!!

and that part when they were watching a performance together and kyungsoo was amazed with the dancer AND MINSEOK WAS ALL LIKE LOOK AT ME ONLY LOOK AT ME ONLY I HAD TO GO BACK TO THAT PART OVER AND OVER AGAIN BC ITBJUST TUGGED AT NY HEART THE RIGHT WAY.

I was really taken aback about junmyeon and baekhyun im like WHOA O.O WHEN I KNEW.

AND I LOVE KIBUM IN HERE

this fic is really really wonderful! thank you for writing this and sharing this with us <3

First and foremost, THANK YOU. Istg idk how this thing turned into a 90k monster, but discovering that you enjoyed reading makes the entire writing experience worth it. :) XiuSoo is such a rare pair and it was a huge challenge to write them. Minseok, in particular, was a really hard nut to crack! Aaah T__T But I'm really glad you liked it. :)

ACK that dancing scene was the very reason the fic came to be! It was the anchor, sort of, the one scene that kept me writing. When I got to that part, I just felt so... relieved and fulfilled? Yeah. So happy that you liked it. :D

(Possessive Minseok is the best Minseok t b h)

KIBUM KIBUM Kibum is such a fun addition! Glad you enjoyed the SHINee cameo!

I can't thank you enough for reading. :) THANK YOU ♥

I don't have a favourite pairing in this group, and I am normally a silent reader of anything, but this was absolutely breathtaking. I listened to the playlist (and ended up downloading a few songs from it) while reading and it made the reading experience more 'alive' for me. I think this could be one of my favourite stories from this year.

Your prose, diction, characterization- I am simply in awe. It was like reading a nice novel, the progression and timing was just right. I am also awed that you managed to write 90k. :o (*whispers* teach me your ways)

I can't wait to read what you come up with in the future. Thanks for sharing this beautiful piece. :)

Ah, thank you so much! That really means a lot T___T The playlist was instrumental in so many ways, I swear, so I'm really glad that you enjoyed it and it was able to breathe more life into the fic. :)

Aaaah, you are too nice T__T Thank you so much! (There is nothing to teach!! Other than to just... stay focused until you reach the end, I guess? And enjoy the plot? :) )

Thank you so much! I post more often at onyu @ Livejournal, but most of my longfic is here on Dreamwidth. :)

♥ ♥ ♥

THIS WAS SO BOMB HOLY SHITTER LIKE WOW I LOVE LONG FICS (AND AFTER LOOKING AT UR PAGE, IM GONNA GO READ ALL UR OTHERFICS O MG)
LIKE I LOVE IT I LOVE IT SO MUCH THE TENSION BETWEEN THEM, THE GRADUAL FALLIN FOR EACH OTHER. THE CHARACTERIZATION, THE TIME, THE REALITY ABOUT IT. THIS IS WHY I READ LONG FICS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH LIKE I AMSO HAPPY AND PLEASED RN IM ABT TO READ UR OHER FICS PLS KEEP WRITING U HAVE A GIFT A BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL GIFT

(Also do u know curledupkitten??? You guys are like 👌👌 at writing long fics)

THANK U SO MUCH BEAUTIFUL STORY

Aaah, thank you ;~~; I'm glad you enjoyed the fic! :D

(Mhmm! I'm friends with Kitten, haha. Thank you so much! I'm sure she's really happy that you find her fics fun and enjoyable :D )

This was so utterly perfect. It took me forever to read for some reason, but I guess that was almost for the better - I got to enjoy the fix for longer than a day or two. I love your attention to detail in your fics. It just makes them so immersive and it seems like it's those details almost as much as the story itself that really draw me in.

thank you so much! i've found that details are sort of... a sprinkle of magic or pixie dust to a fic. makes them a bit more memorable c:

again, thank you for reading! :D

exo: dare you to move (5/5)

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Wow.

Re: Wow.

o mY go f

Re: o mY go f

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