the0-tdh

[the0-tdh]

A DAY JUST FOR YOU (JAY BIRTHDAY SPECIAL)

Jay didn’t expect much when he woke up on his birthday—just another quiet day, maybe a few texts from friends and family, a bit of teasing from the members, and a small cake celebration in the evening. He liked to keep things simple. But what he didn’t expect, not even in the slightest, was to be met with the warm, golden light of morning filtering through the curtains... and the sight of his boyfriend, M/N, sitting cross-legged at the foot of his bed, a wide grin on his face and a tray in his hands.

On the tray were pancakes—fluffy, golden-brown, and unmistakably shaped like hearts. One of them even had a tiny candle sticking out of it, flickering gently. There was also a small bowl of fruit, a dollop of whipped cream on the side, and a note folded neatly next to the cutlery with Jay’s name written in M/N’s handwriting.

“Happy birthday, sleepyhead,” M/N said, his voice bright with excitement. His hair was a bit of a mess, as if he’d rushed around the kitchen and forgot to fix it. There was a tiny smear of flour on his cheek, and the sleeves of his oversized hoodie were pushed up sloppily, revealing batter stains on his wrists. “Your birthday breakfast is officially served!”

Jay blinked, trying to process what he was seeing. His vision was still blurry from sleep, and his brain hadn’t quite caught up yet. He rubbed his eyes, his voice low and raspy as he murmured, “You woke up before me? That’s new.”

M/N’s face twisted into a dramatic pout. “Hey! I can wake up early when I want to. For special occasions. Like this one.”

Jay let out a soft, sleepy laugh and sat up slowly, pulling the covers with him as he adjusted to the new position. “You’re too sweet for me, you know that?” he said, glancing at the tray and then back at M/N, his expression softening.

“I know,” M/N replied smugly, puffing out his chest a little. “That’s why you love me.”

Jay rolled his eyes playfully, but the fond smile creeping across his face betrayed him. He reached forward, picking up the fork and taking a bite of one of the heart-shaped pancakes. He chewed thoughtfully, then raised his brows in genuine surprise. “These are actually good. Like, really good. Did you... sell your soul to the pancake gods or something?”

“Maybe,” M/N said with a wink, watching Jay’s reaction closely, his fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of his sleeve. “Or maybe I just wanted your birthday to start perfectly.”

Jay looked at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he set the fork down, leaned forward, and gently pulled M/N closer by the sleeve. He pressed a soft kiss to his boyfriend’s forehead and whispered, “It already did.”

M/N’s cheeks flushed a little at that, but he quickly recovered, hopping up from the bed with renewed energy. “Okay! Enough mushy stuff, eat up! We have a whole day planned.”

Jay raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “We do?”

M/N nodded enthusiastically. “Yep. Step one: breakfast in bed. Step two: surprise adventure. Step three: dinner with the boys. Step four: private time with me, but you don’t get to know what that includes yet.”

Jay chuckled. “Sounds like I don’t have a say in any of this.”

“Nope,” M/N said with a cheeky grin. “It’s your birthday, which means you get to relax and let me do all the work. Now finish your pancakes, birthday boy.”

And for once, Jay didn’t argue. He just smiled, picked up his fork again, and thought to himself that maybe—just maybe—birthdays weren’t so bad after all.

---

Jay finished the last bite of pancake, stretching his arms above his head with a satisfied sigh. “Okay, I’m fueled up. What now, Mr. Adventure Planner?”

M/N grinned, clearly trying (and failing) to contain his excitement. “Now… you shower, get dressed, and wear what I laid out for you. Don’t argue.”

Jay raised a brow. “You laid out clothes for me?”

“Yup. Trust the process. No peeking into plans, no questioning choices—just go with it.”

Jay chuckled as he slid out of bed. “You’re lucky I like you.”

“I’m lucky you love me,” M/N corrected with a wink.

After a quick shower and change, Jay emerged to find M/N waiting by the front door, backpack slung over one shoulder and sunglasses perched on his nose, trying to look cool but practically bouncing on his feet with anticipation.

“Ready?” M/N asked, offering his hand.

Jay took it. “Lead the way, mystery man.”

They took a short drive, Jay kept from looking at the GPS thanks to M/N’s dramatic “No peeking!” warnings. He tried to guess along the way—beach? Amusement park? Fancy brunch spot? But nothing seemed to match their route… until they pulled up in front of a cozy, tucked-away stable on the edge of the city, where tall trees swayed behind the fences and the soft sounds of hooves echoed in the distance.

“Horses?” Jay blinked, surprised.

M/N nodded. “You mentioned once—like, ages ago—that you’d never ridden one before but always wanted to try. So…” He gestured with open arms. “Happy birthday, cowboy.”

Jay stared for a beat, a smile slowly forming on his face. “You remembered that?”

“Of course I did,” M/N said softly. “I remember all the things you say when you think I’m not paying attention.”

Jay was quiet for a moment, his gaze softening as he looked at M/N, who was clearly proud of himself but trying not to show just how much this meant. “You’re seriously the best,” he murmured.

“I know,” M/N replied, bumping their shoulders together. “Now come on. Your noble steed awaits.”

They spent the next hour getting comfortable with the horses, guided by a patient instructor who showed them how to ride, steer, and even do a little trotting. M/N was a little clumsy, nearly falling off once, but Jay couldn’t stop laughing—and not at him, but because the whole thing felt so surreal and perfect.

The sun was high in the sky when they rode together along a quiet trail, the only sounds being rustling leaves, soft hoofbeats, and birdsong. Jay looked over at M/N, who had taken off his sunglasses and was smiling contentedly at the view ahead.

“You know,” Jay said, voice gentle, “I think this might be my favorite birthday ever.”

M/N turned toward him, eyes wide with genuine warmth. “We’re not even done yet.”

Jay laughed. “There’s more?”

“Oh, you have no idea.”

---

After the horseback ride and a couple of selfies with their new four-legged friends, M/N and Jay headed back to the car, still laughing about how M/N nearly fell off trying to "wave like a prince." Jay’s cheeks hurt from smiling so much—and the day wasn’t even over yet.

“So… now what?” Jay asked as he buckled his seatbelt, shooting M/N a curious look.

M/N smirked. “Now? We go home, freshen up, and head to the next stop.”

Jay narrowed his eyes. “Are we dressing up for this next part?”

“Hmm,” M/N said dramatically, tapping his chin. “Let’s just say… casual but cute.”

“Casual but cute? That’s so specific yet vague at the same time.”

“Exactly,” M/N said proudly.

Later that evening, after a quick rest and a change into comfortable yet nice outfits, M/N led Jay to a cozy, stylish restaurant nestled on a quiet rooftop in the city. The entrance was decorated with warm lights and vines, and soft acoustic music floated from inside. It was charming—romantic, even—but Jay wasn’t prepared for what happened next.

The moment the hostess opened the doors, a loud chorus of voices erupted: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAY!”

Jay blinked in surprise as he took in the sight: the ENHYPEN members standing around a big table, wearing party hats and holding balloons. A cake with sparklers stood in the center, and confetti was scattered everywhere. There was even a small “JAY DAY” banner hung crookedly on the wall, clearly homemade.

“Are we a little chaotic? Yes,” Heeseung said, adjusting his party hat. “But we love you, man.”

“You should’ve seen us fighting over who gets to blow the balloons,” Sunghoon added.

“I won,” Jake chimed in, proudly holding up a half-deflated balloon.

Jay looked between all of them, then turned to M/N, who was giving him a sheepish, hopeful smile. “You planned this too?”

M/N shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Well… you mean a lot to them too. I figured you should end your birthday surrounded by the people who care about you.”

Jay’s chest swelled with warmth. He looked at the boys—his chaotic, loving second family—and then at the person beside him who made everything feel so thoughtful and full of love.

“Okay,” Jay said, blinking quickly, “this day is officially the best.”

They spent the evening eating, laughing, and sharing stories. Sunoo made Jay do an impromptu dance to his own birthday song. Ni-ki recorded everything for future blackmail purposes. Jungwon kept sneaking pieces of cake before the actual slicing, and no one really stopped him.

Jay, at the center of it all, felt something rare—complete, overwhelming happiness. No performance, no pressure, no cameras. Just people. Just love.

And when the dinner wound down, when the boys began heading home or back to the dorms, M/N leaned in and whispered, “Ready for step four?”

Jay looked at him, grinning. “Private time with you?”

M/N nodded, eyes sparkling. “You’ve been spoiled all day… now it’s time for the real surprise.”

---

The city lights blurred into streaks outside the car window as Jay leaned his head against the glass, humming softly under his breath. His heart was still full—of laughter, of cake, of chaos, of love.

“Today was… really something,” he murmured.

M/N smiled as he drove, one hand on the wheel, the other reaching over to gently squeeze Jay’s fingers. “I’m glad. But we’re not done yet.”

Jay raised a brow. “Seriously? You’re going to ruin me with affection.”

“That’s the plan.”

Ten minutes later, they pulled into a small, quiet area—just outside the city limits. Jay looked around as he stepped out, the air a little cooler now that the sun had fully set. In front of him was a small cabin-like structure, cozy lights glowing from inside, surrounded by tall grass and the faint sound of crickets in the distance.

M/N held up a key and smiled shyly. “Rented it just for tonight. Figured we could use a little break from everything. Just you and me.”

Jay stared for a moment, his heart thudding in his chest—not from surprise, but from how full it suddenly felt. He walked up and wrapped his arms around M/N, pulling him into a warm, silent hug.

“You really outdid yourself,” he whispered into M/N’s hair.

Inside, the cabin was small but charming: soft fairy lights strung across the ceiling, blankets piled on the couch, a little speaker softly playing Jay’s favorite playlist. On the coffee table was a plate of snacks, a cozy candle flickering, and two mugs of hot cocoa—one with too many marshmallows, clearly M/N’s.

Jay sank onto the couch with a groan of contentment. “Okay, this is dangerously perfect.”

M/N settled beside him, tucking his legs up and leaning his head on Jay’s shoulder. “I just wanted today to feel special. You do so much for everyone—always. You deserve a day that’s all about you.”

Jay turned his head to look at him. “You gave me more than a special day. You gave me a memory I’ll never forget.”

M/N smiled, eyes reflecting the golden glow of the lights. “Good. Then my job here is done.”

They stayed like that for a while—curled up together, warmth shared in silence, no need for words. Just the gentle sound of their breathing, the soft music, the comfort of being held and holding.

Later, Jay looked up at the ceiling, voice soft. “You know what I wished for when I blew out the candle this morning?”

M/N looked over, curious. “What?”

Jay turned to him with the softest expression. “More days like this. With you.”

M/N felt his heart melt, and he reached out, cupping Jay’s cheek. “Then let’s make that wish come true. Over and over again.”

Jay leaned in and kissed him—slow, quiet, but full of everything he didn’t have the words for. Gratitude. Love. Peace.

They fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms, the birthday ending not with fireworks or fanfare, but with something better: the feeling of home.

[the0-tdh]

OPERATION CONFESSION (PART 2)

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

Just Another Day at School... Right? Jake Sim is finally ready to confess his feelings to M/N. From a locker note to a dramatic serenade—and even a surprise confetti pop—he's determined to make it unforgettable... even if nothing goes quite as planned.

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

WATTPAD

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

It had only been a few days since Jake's chaotic, confetti-covered confession, and somehow—somehow—M/N said yes.

And now? Jake Sim was a boyfriend.

A clingy, affectionate, heart-eyed, “I’d bark for you if you asked” kind of boyfriend.

“Do you have to carry my bag, Jake?” M/N asked with a tired smile, watching as Jake juggled his own backpack, M/N’s tote, and his strawberry Pocky—still unopened because, obviously, M/N had to take the first bite.

Jake grinned, walking backward just to keep looking at M/N’s face. “Yes. I do. I’m your boyfriend now. It’s my sacred duty. I carry burdens—emotional, academic, and physical.”

M/N snorted. “You sound like you just joined a cult.”

“I joined the cult of you,” Jake replied without missing a beat, eyes sparkling like an overexcited puppy.

Sunghoon, walking behind them, fake gagged. “If I see you make heart eyes one more time, I’m going to hurl my entire body into the fountain.”

But Jake was unbothered. “Jealousy doesn’t look good on you, Hoonie.”

Still, despite the teasing and tail-wagging energy, there was one thing Jake didn’t handle well: attention from other people. Specifically, attention directed at M/N.

It started small.

A student from class B leaned in a little too close to help M/N with a book he dropped.

Jake’s smile twitched.

Then another classmate—Minho, apparently—offered M/N a bite of his lunch “just to try,” chopsticks held out far too intimately.

Jake’s eyes narrowed.

And then—then—a junior called M/N “cute” in passing. Loudly. Within Jake’s earshot.

Golden retriever Jake? Gone.

Replaced by slightly growly, still-soft-but-very-possessive Jake.

“Hey, babe,” he said a little louder than necessary, looping his arm around M/N’s shoulders like it was second nature. “Need help with your notes again? I cleared my schedule. Just for you. My boyfriend. Who is taken. By me.”

M/N blinked. “Jake, we’re just waiting for our food—”

“Taken,” Jake repeated pointedly, glaring holes into Minho’s back as he walked away. “Like the movie.”

“Are you… quoting Liam Neeson right now?”

“I will find them. And I will make them back off.”

M/N sighed. “Jake, please. You don’t need to—”

Jake turned dramatically, dropping to his knees like a knight swearing fealty. “I will defend your honor with my life. No man, woman, or teacher’s assistant shall come between us.”

“Jake, get up.”

“But I love you.”

“You literally tripped over air this morning.”

“Exactly. I fall for you constantly.”

M/N stared.

Jake beamed, still on his knees. “Pun intended.”

M/N tried to stay serious, but his lips twitched into a smile anyway.

“You’re ridiculous,” he muttered, pulling Jake up by the wrist.

“Ridiculously in love with you,” Jake corrected, slinging an arm back over his shoulders like nothing ever happened.

Later that day, as M/N bent over to grab something from his locker, a passing senior ruffled his hair and called him adorable.

Jake didn’t even hesitate. He stepped in front of M/N like a human shield, arms outstretched like a mom stopping a car too fast at a stoplight.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, hands off the adorable. That’s premium content and it’s exclusive access only, buddy.”

The senior raised a brow, smirked, and walked away.

Jake turned to M/N, hand dramatically placed over his heart. “Do you see the dangers out here? I have to be on guard every minute!”

M/N gave him a flat look. “You’re lucky I like golden retrievers.”

Jake leaned closer, voice low. “So I’m your good boy now?”

M/N shoved him playfully. “Don’t push it.”

Jake barked. Once.

M/N walked faster.

Jake followed like a happy, tail-wagging puppy, grinning the whole way.

Even if he got a little over-the-top sometimes, M/N couldn’t deny the warmth in his chest every time Jake did it.

Because at the end of the day—confetti, jealousy, chaos and all—Jake Sim was his. And Jake made sure the whole world knew it.

The next day

It started as just another school day—Jake trailing after M/N like a shadow, making dumb jokes, carrying his books, and beaming like he won the lottery just for being M/N’s boyfriend.

But by lunch, that sunshine started to fade.

Because he showed up.

A college freshman doing volunteer work on campus. Tall. Confident. Way too smooth for Jake’s liking. And apparently very interested in M/N.

Jake had watched from across the cafeteria as the guy leaned over their table—way too close for comfort. His laugh was loud. His hand brushed M/N’s arm once. Twice.

Jake’s jaw clenched.

At first, he stayed in golden retriever mode. Tried to be cool. Chill. Unbothered.

But when the guy handed M/N a drink—“You looked thirsty, thought you might like this”—and gave a wink?

Jake stood. Hard.

“Hey,” he called out, voice just a little lower, calmer than usual. Too calm.

M/N blinked up. “Jake?”

Jake walked over, every step steady, eyes locked on the guy like a warning sign.

The guy raised an eyebrow. “Oh—sorry, are you his brother or something?”

Jake gave a tight smile. “No. I’m his boyfriend.”

The word dropped like a weight between them.

“Oh.” The guy gave a small, amused shrug. “Didn’t realize. Chill, man. Just being friendly.”

Jake’s tone stayed light, but his eyes weren’t. “Right. Friendly guys usually bring drinks and touch people’s arms and wink like they’re in a drama scene.”

The guy huffed. “You’re overreacting.”

“I don’t overreact,” Jake said evenly. “I react just enough when someone’s acting too familiar with my boyfriend.”

M/N quickly stepped between them, hand on Jake’s chest. “It’s okay. He’s leaving now.”

Jake didn’t say anything until the guy finally walked off—then let out a breath, the tension slowly leaving his shoulders.

“…Sorry,” he muttered to M/N, rubbing the back of his neck. “I didn’t mean to cause a scene.”

M/N tilted his head. “You okay?”

Jake nodded, then looked at M/N with quiet eyes, voice softer now. “I just… I get scared, you know? You’re amazing. Smart, funny, kind. Anyone would fall for you. And sometimes I feel like I have to fight the whole world to keep up.”

M/N reached for his hand under the table. “Jake. You don’t have to fight anyone.”

Jake looked down at their interlocked fingers, the hint of a smile returning. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” M/N said gently. “Because I chose you. Not them. Not anyone else.”

Jake’s ears went a little pink. “You did, huh?”

“I did,” M/N said with a smile. “And I’d pick you again. Even if you barked at the guy.”

Jake blinked. “Wait, did I bark?”

M/N just patted his cheek. “Emotionally? Yes.”

Jake groaned. “I was trying to be intimidating!”

“Sure, baby,” M/N teased, leaning in to peck his cheek. “My scary guard dog.”

Jake melted instantly, ears red, grinning like a fool.

Golden retriever mode: reactivated.

And this time? He tucked M/N’s hand into his hoodie pocket and didn’t let go the entire walk home.

[the0-tdh]

OPERATION CONFESSION (PART 1)

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

Just Another Day at School... Right? Jake Sim is finally ready to confess his feelings to M/N. From a locker note to a dramatic serenade—and even a surprise confetti pop—he's determined to make it unforgettable... even if nothing goes quite as planned.

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

WATTPAD / PART 2

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

It was a normal day at school—if you count Jake Sim pacing back and forth in the hallway, mumbling into a crumpled piece of paper like his life depended on it as “normal.” His brows were furrowed, lips moving in frantic silence as he rehearsed what must’ve been his fiftieth attempt at a love confession.

"Okay. Deep breath. M/N, I like you. No—no. M/N, I think you’re amazing. I’ve liked you for a while now—" Jake groaned, cutting himself off as he crumpled the paper even tighter and smacked it against his own forehead. “Why is this so hard?!”

A few lockers down, Park Sunghoon leaned against the cool metal with all the grace of someone who had clearly watched too many dramas and perfected the art of looking effortlessly cool. Juice box in hand, straw lazily tucked between his lips, he looked on like he was watching the season finale of his favorite K-drama.

His eyes followed Jake’s pacing with mild amusement, the corners of his lips curling into a smirk. “Just tell him already,” he drawled, straw still in his mouth. “You’ve been ‘about to confess’ for, what, two weeks now? At this point, M/N probably thinks you’re having a nervous breakdown.”

Jake froze mid-step and whipped around to face him, eyes wide and wild. “It’s gotta be perfect, Hoon. I’m not just gonna blurt it out in the middle of math class! This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment—I’m going to make this the best confession ever. It’ll be... cinematic. Epic. Unforgettable.”

Sunghoon raised a skeptical brow and took another sip. “You sound like you’re proposing marriage, not confessing a crush.”

Jake ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. “It’s not just a crush! This is M/N we’re talking about. He’s kind, smart, funny... and don’t even get me started on his smile. It’s like the sun decided to live on Earth just to light up his face.”

Sunghoon made a gagging noise. “Alright, Romeo. I get it. You’re whipped.”

Jake ignored him, a dreamy look creeping into his expression. “I want him to remember it forever. Maybe I could write him a song. Or rent a projector and make a mini movie—wait, what if I get the dance club involved? Flash mobs are still cool, right?”

Sunghoon groaned. “Jake. No. Please. For the love of all things non-cringe, don’t drag innocent people into this.”

Jake's eyes sparkled with determination. “You’ll see, Hoon. When M/N hears this confession, it’s gonna be straight out of a movie. He’ll laugh, cry, maybe even fall into my arms—”

Sunghoon snorted and turned away, waving over his shoulder. “It’ll be unforgettable, alright. Just not for the reasons you think.”

As he walked down the hall, Jake remained rooted in place, now staring dramatically into the distance as a dangerously bold idea began to form in his head. One that involved string lights, confetti cannons, and possibly a borrowed microphone from the AV club.

This was either going to be the most romantic confession in the school’s history...

Or the most chaotic disaster the hallways had ever seen.

And Jake Sim?

He was all in.

---

Attempt #1

Jake stood proudly in front of M/N’s locker like a spy on a mission, his heart pounding with anticipation. He glanced both ways down the hallway, checking to make sure no one was watching, then carefully slipped a neatly folded piece of paper through the slits of the locker. It slid in smoothly, landing with a soft flutter inside. Jake exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding and took a step back, eyes wide with nervous excitement. He grinned to himself and gave a small, victorious fist-pump into the air, completely convinced that this was it—the perfect, subtle confession. Not too dramatic, not too plain. Just enough mystery to spark curiosity. Smooth. Classy. Foolproof.

That pride, however, came crashing down in spectacular fashion at lunchtime.

“Hey, Jake!” M/N’s voice rang across the cafeteria, light and casual as he weaved through the crowd, holding something up between his fingers. Jake glanced up from his tray, already mid-chew—and nearly choked on his sandwich when he recognized what M/N was holding.

The note.

Jake’s eyes widened in panic. “Oh no.”

M/N grinned as he approached their table, the paper flapping slightly in his hand like a flag of doom. “Did you accidentally put your grocery list in my locker?”

Jake’s whole body tensed. “W-What?! No! That was supposed to be—wait. Grocery list?!”

M/N raised a brow, clearly entertained. He unfolded the paper with zero hesitation and, with absolutely no mercy, began reading it aloud in front of the entire table:

“Let’s see... Milk, eggs, strawberry Pocky, confess to M/N, toothpaste—”

He paused after reading that particular line, staring at Jake with a half-confused, half-amused expression. “...Did you seriously write ‘confess to M/N’ in between toothpaste and eggs?”

Jake’s face turned the color of a tomato. “I—I was in a hurry! I didn’t mean for that list to—It’s not what it looks like!”

But it was already too late. Across from him, Sunghoon let out a wheeze so loud it turned heads from the neighboring tables. He slapped his hand against the bench and nearly fell off of it, laughing uncontrollably.

Jake buried his face in his hands, groaning. “This can’t be happening…”

Sunghoon wiped a tear from his eye, barely managing to catch his breath. “Oh my god, Jake. A grocery list confession?! That’s gotta be a new record. I’m crying.”

Jake could only groan louder, praying for the earth to open up and swallow him whole.

---

Attempt #2

Classic, foolproof, romantic. That was Jake’s next idea: a musical confession. Bold. Memorable. Heartfelt. He’d seen it in every high school drama, and it always worked—how could it possibly go wrong?

Armed with a borrowed acoustic guitar, a slightly-too-small mic stand, and an overabundance of hope, Jake recruited two of his most trustworthy allies: Heeseung, who could actually sing and play guitar, and Ni-ki, who claimed he was “only in it for the chaos” but still showed up with backup vocals and sunglasses. The plan was simple: catch M/N during his afternoon class, get his attention through the window, and serenade him in front of everyone. Easy. Romantic. Foolproof.

Jake positioned himself dramatically outside the classroom window, heart hammering in his chest. The sun hit his hair just right. The breeze added a theatrical flair. He strummed the first chord with every ounce of passion in his being, eyes locked on M/N through the glass, who seemed distracted with notes and hadn’t noticed him yet.

He cleared his throat. This was it.

“M/N, this song’s for you...” he began, launching into the first verse.

Or, well, he tried to.

Because halfway through the opening line—literally halfway—the janitor rolled into the hallway with what had to be the loudest vacuum known to mankind. It sounded less like a cleaning tool and more like an industrial jet engine fueled by pure spite. The machine roared to life, echoing off the tile walls like a tornado chewing through a scrapyard full of megaphones.

Jake’s voice vanished under the mechanical chaos. His strumming became a whisper. Heeseung looked alarmed. Ni-ki tried to sing louder. It didn’t help.

Inside the classroom, only one person glanced toward the window—a student in the back row who squinted for a second, shrugged, and went back to doodling. M/N never even looked up.

By the time Jake finished the last note (and the janitor mercifully rolled around the corner), he was sweating. Not from nerves—but from defeat.

Later that day, as Jake sat at the table in the courtyard, face half-planted on his arm in quiet misery, M/N walked over, holding their lunch and looking vaguely curious.

“Oh my gosh, that was you earlier?” they asked, tilting their head. “I heard someone yelling outside, but it kind of sounded like a... dying goose?”

Jake let out a strangled noise and nearly slid under the table in shame, arms covering his face like he was trying to disappear. “I was singing,” he groaned. “That was a song. A confession.”

M/N blinked. “...Oh. That makes a lot more sense now.”

Across the table, Heeseung tried to be supportive despite the failure, placing a gentle hand on Jake’s shoulder. “To be fair,” he said with a small, guilty smile, “it did sound like a goose. But like… a determined one. Really fighting for its life. That part was admirable.”

Jake let out a long, dramatic sigh, muffled by his sleeve. “I’m never singing again.”

Ni-ki casually tossed a grape into his mouth and added, “Good. The goose population can rest easy now.”

---

Attempt #3

Jake’s next plan? Go big or go home. No more subtle notes or misunderstood serenades. This one would be bold. Dramatic. Dazzling. The kind of thing that would live rent-free in M/N’s mind forever.

A big surprise. An even bigger impact.

He positioned himself inside the supply closet near the math hallway, a narrow, dusty space that smelled faintly of whiteboard markers and cleaning spray. He crouched low between a mop bucket and a stack of unused paper rolls, holding a mini confetti popper in one hand and a trembling hope in the other. His palms were sweaty. His legs were starting to cramp. But it was all going to be worth it.

The plan was simple: wait for M/N to walk by on their usual route to the next class. Then—bam! He’d burst out of the closet, pop the confetti, and confess right there in a shower of glittering chaos. It’d be magical. A moment straight out of a movie. Glitter raining down like stardust. Gasps in the background. Maybe even applause.

Jake checked his phone for the time. Any second now.

He adjusted his grip on the confetti tube and readied himself.

Outside, footsteps echoed through the hallway. Muffled voices. Laughter.

This was it. Showtime.

But just as Jake tightened his muscles, ready to leap out in the most iconic confession of the year—click—the door creaked open.

Pop!

Reflex took over.

Without thinking, Jake jumped, yanked the string, and unleashed a burst of shimmering confetti directly into the face of—

Not M/N.

No.

Instead, it was Mr. Park. The strictest, most terrifying math teacher on campus. The man known for giving pop quizzes for fun and making students cry with a single raised eyebrow.

Jake froze, still halfway crouched, still holding the now-empty confetti tube like a toy weapon. His eyes widened in pure, unfiltered horror.

The hallway fell deathly silent.

Mr. Park didn’t move at first. He just blinked. Slowly. A piece of gold foil clung to his glasses. Another had nestled itself in his eyebrow. His face, usually stoic, now glittered with sparkles that made him look more like a cursed disco ball than a teacher.

Jake’s mouth opened. No words came out. Just air and panic.

“I... I was trying to confess,” he finally stammered, voice thin and defeated, like he was explaining a crime scene. “To—to someone else. Not you. Definitely not you.”

There was a long pause.

Mr. Park adjusted his glasses, still completely deadpan. “To who? Numbers?”

Jake could’ve sworn the ground tilted beneath him.

From down the hall, Sunoo slowly backed away, eyes wide in absolute horror at what he had just caused. He was the one who’d opened the door—wrong closet, wrong time, wrong everything. He mouthed sorry as he disappeared behind a locker corner.

Jake remained frozen, surrounded by falling glitter, his pride in tiny sparkling pieces on the floor.

An hour later, he sat alone in detention, chin in his hands, staring blankly at the clock as the sun dipped lower in the sky.

The room was silent, save for the ticking of the wall clock and the occasional sound of Mr. Park brushing glitter out of his sleeves somewhere in the building.

Jake groaned and slumped down on the desk. “The universe is out to get me.”

From the hallway, the janitor’s vacuum roared to life again.

He sighed. “Figures.”

---

By the time the final bell rang, the once-bustling school had settled into a tired quiet. The kind of stillness that only came after a long day of teenage chaos. Backpacks had been slung over shoulders, classroom lights dimmed, and laughter faded into the distance as students trickled out the gates. The orange hues of the setting sun cast long shadows across the hallway floor, stretching like lazy fingers across the tiles.

Jake sat slumped on a bench near the courtyard, surrounded by the golden wash of afternoon light. His hair was a tousled mess, his shirt half-untucked like it had been through war, and bits of confetti still clung to his sleeve like glittering remnants of guilt and humiliation.

He looked like a defeated protagonist in the last act of a romantic comedy gone horribly off-script.

His hands covered his face as he groaned, the sound muffled but full of misery. “I’m never gonna tell him,” he mumbled, half to himself, half to the breeze that ruffled his hair.

“Tell me what?”

Jake jolted like a live wire, nearly launching himself off the bench. “M-M/N?!” His voice cracked with panic. He scrambled to sit upright, wiping his face as discreetly as he could. “I—uh—how long were you standing there?!”

M/N stood just a few feet away, arms folded loosely across his chest, an amused yet unreadable glint in his eyes. “Long enough to witness your tragic romcom unravel in real time.”

Jake stared in horror. “Please don’t tell me you saw everything.”

“I missed the dying goose part,” M/N replied smoothly, lips twitching into a smile, “but Sunghoon was kind enough to send me the video. In HD. With slow motion.”

Jake groaned like the world was ending. He flopped back on the bench with a dramatic sigh, dragging his hands down his face. “I’m never showing my face in school again. I’ll transfer. I’ll change my name. Move to another country. Take up knitting.”

M/N laughed, the sound soft and warm. “You’re being ridiculous.”

Jake peeked through his fingers. “I just… wanted to confess in a cool way, you know? Like, make it special. Something memorable. But everything kept going wrong. Every single time I got close, it turned into a disaster. I didn’t want you to think I was just messing around or being immature. I didn’t want to ruin it by being… me.”

M/N’s teasing expression softened. He walked over and sat beside him, close enough for their shoulders to brush. “Jake… you could’ve just told me. You didn’t need the theatrics.”

Jake blinked, processing the words like his brain had short-circuited. “W-what?”

“You didn’t need all those big gestures,” M/N said with a chuckle, glancing down at the confetti still stuck to his sleeve. “I kinda… already like you too.”

Silence.

Then Jake sputtered. “Wait—you do?! Even after the goose-singing and the grocery list and the supply closet disaster?!”

“Especially after the confetti incident,” M/N grinned. “I’ve never seen Mr. Park look that confused in my life. I think he’s still picking glitter out of his eyebrows.”

Jake stared at him for a moment, mouth hanging open slightly. Then, like a flower finally deciding it’s safe to bloom, a grin spread across his face—wide, brilliant, and a little dazed. He laughed, rubbing the back of his neck like he couldn’t believe his luck.

“…Wanna go grab some strawberry Pocky?”

M/N bumped his shoulder gently. “Only if you promise not to explode another teacher.”

Jake stood up with mock seriousness, brushing imaginary dust off his pants before offering a hand with exaggerated gallantry. “No promises. But for you? I’ll try not to get us both expelled.”

M/N rolled his eyes but took his hand anyway.

They walked off together down the quiet courtyard path, the golden glow of the sun painting everything in warm hues—like a soft filter over the last scene of a feel-good movie. The air was cool and gentle, carrying the scent of grass and the fading buzz of the day.

Jake glanced sideways, fingers twitching nervously at his side.

“Hey…” he said, voice a little shy now, a little more honest. “Would you ever wanna hear the full song sometime? The one I was gonna sing? Properly this time.”

M/N looked up at him, a playful smirk tugging at their lips. “Only if you promise not to sound like a goose this time.”

Jake laughed, head tipping back with relief. His heart felt lighter than it had in weeks. The pressure, the worry, the endless failed plans—it all melted away in the warmth of M/N’s smile.

Maybe it hadn’t been the perfect confession.

But as M/N reached over to brush a stubborn piece of confetti off his shoulder, laughing again at the ridiculousness of it all, Jake realized—

It was perfectly them.

[the0-tdh]

Good morning, afternoon, evening—or whatever time it is for you right now!

I just wanted to take a moment to share some exciting news: my book "All of the Above" is now technically officially complete! It’s been such an emotional, challenging, and fulfilling journey writing this story, and I’m beyond grateful for everyone who has joined me along the way.

To add to the celebration, we’ve also hit 3,000 reads! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the love, support, and encouragement you've all given. Every read, comment, and reaction truly means the world to me.

Also—surprise! There’s a brand new book cover to mark this milestone, so make sure to check it out!

Thank you again for being part of this journey. I hope the story touched your heart in some way, and I can’t wait to share more with you soon.

Check it our here! -> ALL OF THE ABOVE - WATTPAD

With all my love,

Theo❤️

[the0-tdh]

HAUNTED THRILLS AND HEARTBEATS

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

The carnival buzzed with lights and laughter, but M/N barely noticed—his focus was on the haunted house looming ahead.

“Scared?” Ni-ki teased, squeezing his hand.

M/N scoffed. “Not a chance.”

A ghostly wail echoed from inside.

Ni-ki smirked. “We’ll see about that.”

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

MASTERLIST

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

The neon lights of the carnival flickered against the dark sky, painting the bustling crowd in shades of pink, blue, and gold. The scent of buttered popcorn and cotton candy filled the air as laughter and excited screams echoed through the fairgrounds. Amidst it all, Ni-ki clutched M/N’s hand tightly, swinging their intertwined fingers between them as they strolled through the lively scene.

“Are you sure you’re not scared?” Ni-ki teased, nudging M/N’s side with a grin. His dark eyes glimmered with mischief under the dim carnival lights.

M/N scoffed, feigning confidence. “Me? Scared? Please, I’ve seen scarier things in my sleep.”

Ni-ki chuckled, tugging him toward their destination—the carnival’s infamous haunted house. The rickety wooden sign above the entrance swayed slightly, its painted letters reading House of Horrors. Fake cobwebs clung to the corners, and eerie moans played from hidden speakers. A few people exited with nervous laughs, some shaking their heads as if to say, never again.

“I dunno,” M/N muttered, suddenly feeling the weight of the ominous atmosphere. “What if I—”

Before he could finish, Ni-ki had already pulled him inside.

The first room was dark, save for dim, flickering lanterns lining the path. The walls were old, cracked wood, and a musty scent filled the air. A sudden wail echoed, followed by a crash. M/N jumped, instinctively gripping Ni-ki’s arm.

Ni-ki laughed. “Oh? And here I thought you weren’t scared.”

M/N scowled. “I wasn’t! That was just... unexpected.”

“Sure, babe.” Ni-ki’s teasing smirk only grew wider.

They walked deeper into the haunted house, past animatronic ghouls and actors dressed as spirits, jumping out from hidden panels. One particularly aggressive jump scare had M/N yelping and practically throwing himself into Ni-ki’s arms.

Ni-ki let out a breathless laugh, wrapping an arm around his waist. “Wow, you really do scare easily.”

“Shut up,” M/N mumbled, burying his face against Ni-ki’s shoulder as another eerie groan filled the air.

With every step, M/N found himself clinging to Ni-ki more—his hands gripping his jacket, his body pressing closer for warmth and security. Ni-ki, ever the troublemaker, took full advantage of this, occasionally whispering “Boo” into his ear just to hear him yelp.

“Ni-ki, I swear to—”

Before M/N could finish his threat, a ghostly figure in tattered robes lunged from the shadows. A shriek tore from his throat, and in the heat of the moment, M/N instinctively grabbed Ni-ki’s hand and ran.

They burst through the final curtain and into the cool night air, M/N panting as Ni-ki doubled over in laughter. “Oh my god,” Ni-ki wheezed, wiping a tear from his eye. “That was the best thing I’ve ever seen.”

M/N shot him a glare, cheeks burning. “I hate you.”

“No, you don’t.” Ni-ki grinned, tugging M/N close. His laughter softened into something more affectionate as he leaned in, brushing his lips lightly against M/N’s forehead.

M/N huffed, but he couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at his lips. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

“I know,” Ni-ki teased, linking their fingers again. “Now, how about I buy you some churros as a peace offering?”

M/N pretended to think about it. “Hmm… make it two, and I might forgive you.”

Ni-ki laughed, pulling him along toward the food stalls. “Deal.”

[the0-tdh]

DRUNK ON YOU

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

Everyone knew Kim Sunoo as confident, sharp-witted, and effortlessly charming. But what they didn’t know was how hilariously clingy and dramatic he became when drunk.

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

MASTERLIST

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

It started with a simple dinner with friends. Sunoo had confidently declared he could "handle his alcohol just fine," but now, here M/N was, guiding his very intoxicated boyfriend through the door of their shared apartment.

"Okay, okay—let's take it slow," M/N muttered as Sunoo clung to him like a koala, his arms wrapped around his waist.

"M/N, you smell soooo good," Sunoo mumbled, nuzzling into his neck.

M/N sighed, a fond smile tugging at his lips. "Sunoo, you reek of soju."

"But you smell like home," Sunoo whined, tightening his grip.

M/N chuckled. Drunk Sunoo was extra clingy and dramatic—far from the usual confident and witty guy everyone knew.

"Alright, let's get you some water," M/N said, attempting to peel Sunoo off him.

"Noooo," Sunoo pouted, eyes wide and glassy. "You’re warm. Stay."

"Sunoo, you need to sober up—"

"If you love me, you’ll stay," Sunoo interrupted, dramatically throwing himself onto the couch. He blinked up at M/N with a wobbly pout, his cheeks flushed from both the alcohol and his exaggerated emotions.

M/N sighed in defeat, kneeling beside him. "Okay, okay. But at least drink some water."

Sunoo huffed but obediently took the glass M/N offered. He sipped at it, then made a face. "Water is boring."

"You're going to thank me in the morning."

Sunoo giggled suddenly. "You sound like a mom."

"And you’re acting like a baby," M/N countered, gently wiping away a stray drop of water from Sunoo’s lips.

Sunoo blinked at him, then beamed. "I love you."

M/N chuckled, brushing Sunoo’s hair back. "I love you too. Now let’s get you to bed before you pass out here."

Sunoo didn’t argue. He let M/N guide him to the bedroom, flopping onto the bed with a sigh. As M/N tucked him in, Sunoo reached out, gripping his wrist.

"Stay?" he murmured, eyes drooping.

M/N smiled softly. "Of course."

He slid under the covers, and immediately, Sunoo curled into him, his arms wrapping around M/N's waist. Within minutes, he was fast asleep, soft snores escaping his lips.

M/N chuckled to himself. Sunoo was going to have the worst hangover in the morning. But for now, he just held him close, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead.

"Goodnight, my cute little drunk."

---

M/N woke up to the sound of groaning. He cracked his eyes open to see Sunoo curled up beside him, his face buried in the pillow.

"My head," Sunoo whined, voice muffled.

M/N sighed, already expecting this. "Good morning to you too," he murmured, sitting up and stretching.

Sunoo peeked at him, squinting as if the dim morning light was personally attacking him. "Why is everything so loud?"

"You’re just hungover," M/N said, brushing Sunoo’s hair back. "I told you to drink more water last night."

Sunoo let out a dramatic sigh. "I regret everything."

M/N chuckled. "Come on, let’s get you some medicine."

Sunoo sat up slowly, but the moment he did, his face twisted in discomfort. "Wait—" He scrambled out of bed and bolted to the bathroom.

M/N followed quickly, just in time to hear Sunoo retching. Wincing, he knelt beside his boyfriend, rubbing soothing circles on his back as Sunoo clung to the toilet.

"This is the worst day of my life," Sunoo groaned in between gags.

"I warned you," M/N teased lightly, but his touch remained gentle.

Sunoo gave him a weak glare. "You're supposed to comfort me, not say ‘I told you so.’"

M/N chuckled. "I am comforting you." He grabbed a washcloth, dampened it with cool water, and pressed it to Sunoo’s forehead.

Sunoo sighed at the relief. "You're the best boyfriend ever," he mumbled, leaning against M/N.

M/N kissed the top of his head. "I know."

After another few minutes of Sunoo suffering through waves of nausea, M/N helped him clean up and guided him back to bed. He handed him a glass of water and a painkiller.

"Drink this. It'll help."

Sunoo took the pill without argument, then flopped back onto the pillows. "Never letting Heeseung convince me to drink again," he muttered.

M/N laughed. "I’ll believe it when I see it."

Sunoo pouted but didn’t argue. Instead, he tugged at M/N’s arm. "Stay with me. I need cuddles to heal."

M/N rolled his eyes but climbed back into bed, wrapping his arms around Sunoo. "Better?"

Sunoo nuzzled into his chest. "Much better."

M/N smiled, knowing Sunoo would be fine. Even if he was a dramatic mess, he was his dramatic mess.

---

End.

.

[the0-tdh]

SEVEN WAYS TO SAY "I LOVE YOU"

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

Valentine’s Day.

Some people loved it, some people hated it.

then there was M/N—who had seven boyfriends, all with different ways of expressing their love.

And today? He was about to experience all of them.

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

MASTERLIST

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

Jungwon – Thoughtfulness

M/N woke up to the soft buzz of his phone. A message from Jungwon.

[Jungwon: Good morning, love! Happy Valentine’s Day <3 I hope you slept well. I left something for you in the kitchen!]

Still groggy, M/N dragged himself out of bed and found a neatly packed lunch on the counter with a handwritten note: "I know you forget to eat sometimes, so here’s something to keep you full today. Can’t wait to see you later! - Jungwon"

M/N smiled. Jungwon always looked out for him in the smallest ways.

---

Heeseung – The Romantic

Later that morning, a knock came at the door.

M/N opened it to find Heeseung standing there, holding a single red rose and smiling like a scene straight out of a romance movie.

"Happy Valentine’s, babe," Heeseung said, pulling M/N into a slow, lingering kiss. "I wanted to be the first to give you a flower today."

M/N chuckled, twirling the rose in his fingers. "You’re so cheesy."

Heeseung grinned. "And you love it."

He wasn’t wrong.

---

Jay – The Classic Gentleman

When M/N arrived at their usual café to meet Jay, he was greeted by the sight of a beautifully wrapped gift sitting on the table.

"For you," Jay said casually, pushing it toward him.

M/N unwrapped it carefully and found a sleek leather bracelet with their initials engraved inside. His heart swelled.

"Jay, this is beautiful," he murmured.

Jay smirked. "Only the best for my boyfriend."

M/N reached across the table, squeezing his hand. "I love it. And I love you."

Jay’s ears turned slightly pink, but he squeezed back. "I love you more."

---

Jake – The Affectionate One

Jake had one love language—physical touch.

So it was no surprise that when M/N met up with him, Jake pulled him into the tightest hug, lifting him slightly off the ground.

"Happy Valentine’s, my love!" Jake beamed, peppering M/N’s face with soft kisses.

M/N laughed, feeling warmth spread through him. "I take it you missed me?"

Jake nuzzled against him. "Always."

And honestly? M/N never wanted to let go.

---

Sunghoon – The Shy but Sweet One

Sunghoon wasn’t big on words, but his actions always spoke louder.

That afternoon, M/N found him waiting outside his building, hands tucked into his pockets, looking almost nervous.

"Hey," M/N greeted. "Everything okay?"

Sunghoon hesitated, then pulled out a small, neatly folded piece of paper. "I, uh… wrote you something."

Curious, M/N opened it.

“I’m not great at expressing things, but I hope you know how much you mean to me. You make my days better just by being in them. Happy Valentine’s, M/N.”

M/N looked up, heart melting. Sunghoon avoided his gaze, cheeks burning.

"You’re adorable," M/N whispered before pulling him into a tight hug.

Sunghoon groaned. "Shut up."

But he hugged back just as tightly.

---

Sunoo – The Extra One

Sunoo went all out.

M/N stepped into his apartment that evening only to be met with a dramatic shower of heart-shaped confetti. Sunoo stood there with a smug grin.

"Ta-da!" he announced. "The ultimate Valentine’s experience!"

M/N blinked at the decorated room—balloons, fairy lights, even a pink-themed dessert table.

"You did all this?" M/N asked, touched.

Sunoo flipped his hair. "Of course. My boyfriend deserves the best."

M/N laughed, pulling him into a spin. "You’re amazing."

Sunoo winked. "I know."

---

Ni-ki – The Playful One

By the end of the day, M/N was exhausted—but in the best way.

That’s when Ni-ki pulled him onto the couch, tossing a blanket over both of them.

"No fancy plans from me," Ni-ki said. "Just video games and snacks. Sound good?"

M/N smiled, leaning against him. "Perfect."

They spent the rest of the night laughing, playing games, and stealing occasional kisses between rounds.

And honestly? This was all M/N ever wanted.

---

The Best Valentine’s Ever

As the night came to a close, M/N found himself surrounded by the people he loved most.

Seven different ways of showing love. Seven different ways of making him feel special.

And as he lay there, tangled up between them, he realized—

This was the best Valentine’s Day he could ever ask for.

---

Happy (Late) Valentine's! - Theo

[the0-tdh]

UNDER THE MASK

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

Jake had always been good at keeping secrets. Balancing his double life as a college student by day and the city's masked vigilante, Phantom, by night was second nature to him. And most importantly—his boyfriend, M/N, had no clue.

Or at least, that’s what Jake thought.

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

MASTERLIST

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

"You’re late."

M/N crossed his arms, standing at the entrance of their shared apartment, his gaze locked onto Jake, who had just stumbled in—hair messy, clothes slightly rumpled, and a faint bruise peeking out from his collar.

Jake froze for a second before flashing his usual sheepish smile. "Traffic was bad?"

M/N raised a brow. "You don’t even have a car."

"Uh… subway delays?" Jake tried, scratching the back of his head.

M/N narrowed his eyes. "Really? Because I checked, and the subway was running fine."

Jake mentally cursed. He had fought off an entire gang of high-tech robbers an hour ago, chased them across half the city, and barely made it back before M/N got too suspicious. He could deal with criminals, but M/N’s interrogation skills? That was a whole different kind of danger.

M/N sighed, stepping closer. "Jake… this isn’t the first time you’ve come home looking like this." His voice softened, concern replacing his frustration. "Are you in trouble? Because if you are, you know you can tell me, right?"

Jake’s heart clenched. He hated lying to M/N. But he couldn’t just say, “Oh yeah, babe, I’m actually a superhero fighting crime every night. That bruise? Totally from getting thrown into a wall by a guy with laser gloves.”

Instead, he cupped M/N’s face gently, forcing a reassuring smile. "I promise, it’s nothing bad. I just… help people sometimes."

M/N studied his face, searching for something—an answer, the truth, maybe even a lie that felt less suspicious. Finally, he sighed and leaned into Jake’s touch. "Just… be careful, okay?"

Jake kissed his forehead, guilt gnawing at him. "Always."

But deep down, he knew the truth wouldn’t stay hidden forever. And when that day came, he just hoped M/N would still look at him the same way.

---

Jake thought he had gotten away with it.

M/N had finally let it go—for now—and Jake told himself he’d be more careful. No more close calls. No more coming home looking like he got hit by a truck (even if, technically, that had happened once… but he healed fast).

But life had other plans.

It started with the news.

“The city’s masked vigilante strikes again! Witnesses report seeing the mysterious hero, known as ‘Phantom,’ stopping an armed robbery downtown before disappearing into the night.”

M/N had glanced at the screen, then at Jake, who had been sipping his coffee way too fast to be normal.

"That Phantom guy is all over the news lately," M/N mused. "Kinda cool, don’t you think?"

Jake had just nodded, trying not to choke on his drink. "Y-Yeah. Super cool."

M/N tilted his head. "You ever wonder who he is?"

Jake nearly dropped his mug. "Uh—what?"

M/N chuckled. "Come on, aren’t you curious? A random guy running around saving people, never getting caught? That’s gotta take serious skill."

Jake forced a casual shrug. "I guess."

M/N leaned in, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. "What if it was someone we knew?"

Jake’s heart stopped.

M/N was messing with him. He had to be. There was no way he knew.

So Jake did what any normal person would do in this situation.

He laughed. "Pfft, yeah right! Like who?"

M/N tapped his chin, pretending to think. "Hmm. Maybe someone who always shows up late, with bruises and really bad excuses?"

Jake’s soul left his body.

M/N stared at him, waiting. And then—

He laughed. "Relax, babe. I’m joking."

Jake let out the breath he didn’t realize he was holding. "Haha… yeah. Joking."

But as M/N turned back to the TV, Jake saw it—just for a second. That look.

Like he wasn’t completely joking.

Like he suspected something.

And that? That was dangerous.

Because if M/N kept looking too closely… he might just find out the truth.

And once that happened, there was no turning back.

---

Jake had been extra careful ever since M/N’s joke—that wasn’t really a joke.

No more close calls. No more last-minute arrivals with bruises he couldn’t explain. He even started taking taxis home just to sell the “traffic was bad” excuse better.

But fate had other plans. Again.

---

It was supposed to be a normal night. A quiet dinner at home, a movie, maybe falling asleep on the couch together.

But then Jake’s phone vibrated.

An alert from his secret comms.

[Armed robbery in progress—6th Avenue. Multiple hostages. Police can’t get in.]

Jake’s jaw tightened. He couldn’t ignore it.

But M/N was right there, sitting across from him, eating takeout and rambling about something that happened at work. He looked so happy. So peaceful.

Jake clenched his fists. He hated lying. But he had to go.

He forced a smile. "Hey, babe, I just remembered—I, uh, left my wallet at the café earlier. Gotta go grab it before they close."

M/N blinked. "Your wallet? That’s… weird. You never forget stuff like that."

"Yeah, well… first time for everything!" Jake stood up quickly, grabbing his jacket. "I’ll be back soon, okay?"

M/N narrowed his eyes. "Want me to come with you?"

"No!" Jake said, a little too fast. "I mean, it’s fine. You stay here, relax."

M/N didn’t look convinced. But he sighed and waved him off. "Fine, fine. Just don’t take forever."

Jake pressed a quick kiss to his forehead. "Promise."

And with that, he was gone.

---

An Hour Later…

M/N was starting to get annoyed.

Jake was still not back.

And then—

BREAKING NEWS: LIVE FOOTAGE OF PHANTOM TAKING DOWN ARMED ROBBERS ON 6TH AVENUE!

M/N turned to the TV just in time to see the masked vigilante flipping over a counter, dodging bullets with insane speed, taking out three men in seconds.

And the way he moved…

The way he fought…

M/N’s heart pounded.

Because that—

That looked exactly like Jake.

He stared at the screen, watching as Phantom took down the last guy with a spinning kick, then disappeared before the cops could catch him.

A minute later, his phone buzzed.

[Jake: Hey, babe. Just got my wallet. Heading back now. Love you <3]

M/N knew.

He knew.

And now, there was only one thing left to do.

---

When Jake walked through the door, M/N was sitting on the couch, arms crossed, eyes locked on him.

"You get your wallet?" M/N asked, voice eerily calm.

Jake hesitated. "...Yeah?"

M/N stood up, stepping closer. "Funny. Because I just watched Phantom take down an entire gang on the news."

Jake froze.

M/N tilted his head. "You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you, babe?"

Silence.

Then—

"...I can explain."

M/N smirked. "Oh, you better."

[the0-tdh]

MOONLIT WAVES

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

A luxury cruise, the endless ocean, and a night painted in silver moonlight—M/N never imagined he’d find himself here, let alone on a date with Jay Park. The cool sea breeze carried the distant melody of a ballroom song, but nothing felt more surreal than the warmth of Jay’s hand in his own.

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

MASTERLIST

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

The ocean stretched endlessly in all directions, reflecting the deep indigo of the night sky. Stars twinkled above, mirroring the soft golden lights lining the cruise ship’s deck. A gentle breeze carried the scent of salt and the distant hum of music from the ballroom below.

M/N leaned against the railing, fingers tracing the cool metal as he let out a contented sigh. This felt surreal—being on a luxury cruise, dressed in a sharp suit, and most of all, being here with Jay Park.

Jay, who was standing beside him, hands tucked into the pockets of his blazer, tilted his head slightly. “You’re quiet,” he mused, his voice barely above the sound of the waves. “Not enjoying the view?”

M/N chuckled. “No, it’s beautiful. Just… taking it all in.”

Jay hummed in approval, then shifted closer, his shoulder brushing against M/N’s. “I get it. This whole thing feels like something out of a movie, huh?”

M/N turned his gaze to Jay, watching the way the moonlight softened his usually sharp features. “Yeah. I never imagined myself on a fancy cruise ship, let alone on a date with you.”

Jay smirked, his usual confidence flickering in his eyes. “You make it sound like I’m some unattainable prince.”

“Well,” M/N teased, “aren’t you?”

Jay laughed, shaking his head. “You’re ridiculous.” But there was a softness in his expression, something tender that made M/N’s heart stutter.

A comfortable silence settled between them, the only sounds being the lapping waves and distant chatter from other passengers. Then, Jay reached for M/N’s hand, fingers lacing together naturally.

“Wanna dance?” Jay asked, nodding toward the deck where a few couples swayed to the music drifting from the ballroom.

M/N hesitated. “Here? Now?”

“Yeah,” Jay grinned. “What, scared someone will see?”

M/N scoffed. “No, just… I’m not great at dancing.”

Jay tugged him forward. “Good thing I am, then.”

Before M/N could protest further, Jay pulled him close, guiding him into a slow sway. The sound of the ocean faded, the warmth of Jay’s hand on his waist grounding him. They moved in sync, the moment feeling almost too perfect to be real.

“You know,” Jay murmured, “I like this.”

M/N tilted his head. “Like what?”

“This. Us. You.”

M/N felt warmth rise to his cheeks. “You’re being romantic,” he teased.

Jay chuckled, dipping his head slightly so their foreheads nearly touched. “Is that bad?”

M/N shook his head, his voice softer now. “Not at all.”

Jay’s hand squeezed his gently. “Good.”

As they continued to sway under the moonlight, with nothing but the sound of waves and their quiet breaths between them, M/N realized something.

Maybe, just maybe, this was a moment he’d want to last forever.

The song playing from the ballroom below faded into another soft melody, but neither M/N nor Jay moved to stop. The gentle sway of the ship made their movements feel even more effortless, like floating in a dream.

M/N had always thought Jay carried himself with an air of cool confidence, but in this moment—under the silver glow of the moon, with his hands resting on M/N’s waist—he looked at ease in a way that felt… different. Softer. More real.

"You know," Jay murmured, his breath warm against M/N’s temple, "if someone told me a few months ago that I'd be dancing with you on a cruise ship, I would’ve laughed."

M/N scoffed playfully. "Wow. And here I thought this was all part of your master plan."

Jay chuckled. "Oh, don’t get me wrong. I definitely planned on making you fall for me. I just didn’t expect to fall harder."

M/N’s breath hitched at the honesty in Jay’s voice. He pulled back slightly to look at him, their faces close enough that he could see every detail—the way Jay’s lips curved into a small smile, the way his dark eyes held an emotion that sent warmth blooming in M/N’s chest.

"You really mean that?" M/N asked, voice quieter than before.

Jay nodded, his fingers tracing absentminded circles on M/N’s back. "Yeah. I do."

M/N didn't know how to respond. His heart was hammering against his ribs, and for once, he wasn’t sure if it was the swaying ship or the way Jay was looking at him.

Before he could think too hard about it, Jay spoke again. "You’re overthinking," he teased. "Relax."

"Kind of hard to do when you’re saying things like that."

Jay smirked. "Then let me make it easier for you."

And before M/N could process what was happening, Jay closed the small distance between them, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of M/N’s lips—just enough to make his mind go completely blank.

M/N blinked, stunned, as Jay pulled back with an amused glint in his eyes. "See? Not so hard to just enjoy the moment, right?"

M/N swallowed, feeling his face heat up. "You’re impossible."

Jay grinned. "But you like that about me."

M/N rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at his lips. "Maybe."

Jay laughed, then, without warning, spun M/N in a playful twirl before pulling him back into his arms.

The world around them faded—just the waves, the music, and the warmth between them remained.

And for the first time in a long while, M/N didn’t feel like an outsider in a world he didn’t belong to. He felt wanted.

He felt at home.

[the0-tdh]

A NOT-SO-PERFECT SURPRISE

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

Jungwon’s birthday was supposed to be perfect.

With him stuck at the company all day, M/N had the apartment all to himself to prepare a surprise—a cozy celebration filled with homemade food, decorations, and heartfelt effort.

But reality had other plans.

The food? Burnt. The balloons? Kept popping. And the glitter? Exploded everywhere.

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

MASTERLIST

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

The apartment was a war zone.

Flour covered the kitchen counter, chocolate smudges decorated the cabinets, and glitter—oh god, the glitter—was everywhere. It shimmered on the floor, the table, and somehow, even in M/N’s hair.

He let out a groan, running a hand down his face. "This… is not going how I planned."

Everything had started fine. He wanted to surprise Jungwon, who had been stuck at the company all day preparing for future projects. It was his birthday, and M/N refused to let him come home to nothing.

So he planned a perfect celebration: homemade food, balloons, decorations, and a cozy night together.

But reality had other plans.

The pasta he tried to make? Burned.

The balloons he spent an hour filling? Kept popping.

And the glitter he thought would add a nice touch? Yeah, it exploded all over the apartment.

And then—

BZZT!

M/N’s phone vibrated.

[Jungwon: Heading home now! Can’t wait to see you <3]

M/N’s soul left his body.

"Oh no."

He had no time.

Panic surged through him as he frantically tried to clean up. He shoved the popped balloons under the couch, wiped flour off the counter (which only smeared it more), and made a desperate attempt to sweep the glitter away—only to realize it was sticking to the floor.

"Why is this stuff impossible to clean?!" he whined.

With no other choice, he kicked most of it under the couch and prayed Jungwon wouldn’t notice.

Then came the food.

Since his original plans failed spectacularly, he settled for making something simple—cupcakes and cake pops. No way he could mess that up, right?

Wrong.

As he mixed the batter with one hand and tried to clean with the other, the front door suddenly swung open.

M/N froze.

Jungwon stood there, blinking at the absolute disaster before him. The messy kitchen, the flour-covered floor, the faint smell of something burnt lingering in the air.

"...Uhhmmmm… h-happy birthday?" M/N said weakly, holding up a half-frosted cupcake as a peace offering.

For a second, Jungwon just stared. M/N braced himself for judgment, maybe even a little teasing.

But instead—

Jungwon laughed.

Not a small chuckle. Not a teasing smirk. A full, genuine laugh, his eyes crinkling in that adorable way M/N loved.

"You did all this… for me?" Jungwon asked, still grinning.

M/N’s face burned. "I tried to make everything perfect, but nothing went right." He groaned, rubbing his face. "I wanted this to be special for you, but I completely messed it up."

Jungwon stepped closer, taking M/N’s flour-dusted hands in his own. "Are you kidding? This is already special."

M/N looked at him, confused. "Huh?"

Jungwon smiled warmly. "You did all this just to make me happy. Even if it didn’t go as planned, the effort means more to me than anything."

M/N stared. "...You’re not just saying that because I set off the smoke alarm earlier, are you?"

Jungwon laughed again, shaking his head. "No, I promise."

Then, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, he glanced at the mess and rolled up his sleeves. "Come on, let’s clean this up together. Then we’ll finish the cupcakes properly."

M/N’s heart swelled. He squeezed Jungwon’s hand, smiling. "Deal."

And just like that, the two of them spent the rest of the night baking, cleaning (which mostly turned into a glitter war), and laughing more than ever.

When they finally sat down to eat their slightly misshapen but delicious cupcakes, Jungwon leaned against M/N with a content sigh.

"This," he murmured, "is the best birthday I’ve ever had."

M/N smiled, pressing a soft kiss to Jungwon’s temple. "Then that makes all the chaos worth it."

And in that messy, laughter-filled moment, they both knew—

Perfect or not, this was a birthday neither of them would ever forget.

---

End.

[the0-tdh]

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

In a world where power and privilege determine everything, I was nothing more than a passerby.

I wasn’t born into luxury. I didn’t have a last name that turned heads. I was just an ordinary guy, content with a simple life. But when I transferred to Hybe Academy, I quickly learned that being "ordinary" wasn’t an option.

At the top of the school’s social hierarchy sat seven untouchable figures—ENHYPEN. The rich, the powerful, the admired. To everyone else, they were legends. To me, they were nothing but strangers who existed in a world too far from my own.

Or at least, that’s what I thought.

A chance encounter. A mistake I didn’t know I made. A shift so small, I barely noticed it—until it was too late.

Suddenly, I wasn’t just another nameless student anymore. Suddenly, they were looking at me. Talking to me. Testing me. Dragging me into a world I never asked to be part of.

And the closer I got, the more I realized… something had changed.

Them. Me. Everything.

But in a place where bonds are fragile and emotions are dangerous, I can’t help but wonder—was this all just a game to them?

Or had I stumbled into something I was never meant to be part of?

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

Wattpad / Masterlist

[ The book is currently published in Wattpad and Wattpad only ]

New book incoming!!!

I've worked really hard on planning this for a while now, and I'm excited to announce my new book!

This is also a bit different from my original way of writing, but I still hope you guys will enjoy it!

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

[the0-tdh]

LOST AND FOUND

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

M/N and Heeseung go on a fun date at a carnival, enjoying rides and games. However, in the middle of the festivities, they get separated when a parade passes through. While M/N remains completely unaware and continues having the time of his life, Heeseung panics and searches the entire carnival for his short boyfriend.

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

MASTERLIST

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

The carnival was alive with excitement—twinkling lights, the chatter of excited visitors, and the irresistible aroma of sweet treats in the air. M/N was practically vibrating with energy, tugging at Heeseung’s hand like an impatient child.

“Hee, Hee! Let’s go on that ride!” M/N beamed, pointing at the spinning teacups.

Heeseung raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. “Didn’t you just inhale a large popcorn and a corn dog? You really wanna test your limits like that?”

“I have the heart of a warrior.” M/N puffed his chest.

“You also have the stomach of a five-year-old,” Heeseung snickered. “Fine, fine. But if you end up feeling sick, I get to pick the next ride.”

“Deal!” M/N grinned, dragging him toward the ride without a second thought.

The two hopped into a teacup, and the moment it started spinning, M/N burst into laughter, gripping the sides while Heeseung leaned back casually, watching his boyfriend’s joy with an adoring smile.

As soon as the ride stopped, M/N wobbled out, giggling but slightly dizzy. “Okay… maybe that was a mistake.”

“Told you,” Heeseung chuckled, steadying him with a hand on his waist. “You good?”

“Never better!” M/N declared, shaking off the dizziness. “Ooooh! Look at that shooting game! I have to win something!”

Heeseung groaned. “Babe, you say that at every game booth.”

“Yeah, and I always win!” M/N shot him a cocky grin before rushing ahead, leaving Heeseung to shake his head fondly.

True to his word, M/N dominated the shooting game, earning a large teddy bear. He twirled around triumphantly. “See? I am undefeated!”

Heeseung clapped, pretending to be impressed. “Wow. What an absolute king.”

“I know,” M/N smirked, hugging the plush toy. “What should we do next?”

Before Heeseung could answer, a wave of people suddenly surged between them—spectators cheering as a parade of stilt-walkers and dancers passed by.

Heeseung instinctively reached for M/N’s hand.

Except… it wasn’t there.

His heart dropped. He spun around, scanning the area.

“M/N?” He called, eyes darting between the crowd. “Babe?”

No answer.

Panic set in. M/N was short, making it even harder to spot him in the sea of people.

“Oh no. No, no, no,” Heeseung muttered under his breath.

He pushed through the crowd, his anxiety growing by the second. He checked near the game booths, by the snack stalls, even around the carousel.

He turned to a vendor. “Excuse me, have you seen a short guy—really cute, big eyes, probably holding a bunny plush and a huge teddy bear—”

The vendor shook his head apologetically.

Heeseung groaned, running a hand through his hair.

Meanwhile, M/N was absolutely thriving.

Unaware of his boyfriend’s distress, he happily wandered the carnival, stopping by different attractions. He played a ring toss game (and won, obviously), bought a candy apple, and even took a selfie with a clown.

“This is so fun,” he hummed to himself, licking the sticky sweetness off his fingers.

Heeseung, however, was on the verge of losing his mind.

After what felt like an eternity of searching, his eyes finally landed on a familiar figure—a small guy juggling an absurd amount of plushies while eating a candy apple like he had all the time in the world.

Heeseung stormed over, exasperation written all over his face. “M/N!”

M/N turned, blinking in surprise. “Oh! Hey, babe! Where’d you go?”

Heeseung stared at him. Where did I go?!

“You disappeared on me!” Heeseung scolded, placing his hands on his hips. “I was running around this whole place looking for you! Do you know how worried I was?!”

M/N tilted his head, chewing the last bit of his candy apple. “Oh… We got separated?”

Heeseung looked like he was about to combust. “YES!”

M/N scratched his head. “Oh. I guess I was just having too much fun.”

Heeseung groaned, rubbing his temples. “Unbelievable.”

M/N giggled. “Aw, did you miss me?”

“I nearly died from stress.”

M/N pouted. “I’m sorry, babe.” He stepped closer, nudging Heeseung’s arm. “But hey, I got you something!” He held out a small plush keychain—a tiny fox with big, adorable eyes.

Heeseung eyed it before sighing, taking it from him. “…You’re so lucky I love you.”

“I know,” M/N grinned. “Also, next time, maybe you should be the one holding my hand tighter.”

Heeseung shook his head with a chuckle before pulling M/N into a warm hug. “Next time, I’m tying you to me with a leash.”

M/N smirked. “Kinky.”

Heeseung groaned, lightly flicking M/N’s forehead. “You are insufferable.”

“And yet, you love me.”

“…Yeah, yeah.” Heeseung kissed the top of M/N’s head before intertwining their fingers. “Come on, let’s finish this date together this time.”

M/N squeezed his hand, beaming. “Deal.”

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

[the0-tdh]

MASTERLIST

OTHER PLATFORMS WHERE YOU CAN FIND ME:

WATTPAD

TIKTOK

BOOKS:

ENHYPEN:

• All of the Above

STORIES:

ENHYPEN

PARK SUNGHOON

• SICK BOYFRIEND (Part 1)

• SICK BOYFRIEND (Part 2)

• SEVEN WAYS TO SAY "I LOVE YOU"

LEE HEESEUNG

• LOST AND FOUND

• SEVEN WAYS TO SAY "I LOVE YOU"

YANG JUNGWON

• A NOT-SO-PERFECT SURPRISE

• SEVEN WAYS TO SAY "I LOVE YOU"

PARK JAY JONGSEONG

• MOONLIT WAVES

• SEVEN WAYS TO SAY "I LOVE YOU"

• A DAY JUST FOR YOU (JAY'S BIRTHDAY SPECIAL)

SIM JAEYUN (JAKE)

• UNDER THE MASK

• SEVEN WAYS TO SAY "I LOVE YOU"

• OPERATION CONFESSION (PART 1)

• OPERATION CONFESSION (PART 2)

KIM SUNOO

• SEVEN WAYS TO SAY "I LOVE YOU"

• DRUNK ON YOU

NISHIMURA RIKI (NI-KI)

• SEVEN WAYS TO SAY "I LOVE YOU"

• HAUNTED THRILLS AND HEARTBEATS

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/---

[the0-tdh]

SICK BOYFRIEND(p2)

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

After recovering from his fever, M/N wakes up to find that Sunghoon has caught the sickness from him. Now, it’s M/N’s turn to take care of his stubborn boyfriend, who is reluctant to accept help.

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

MASTERLIST / PART 1

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

The first thing M/N noticed when he woke up was that he felt… better. His fever had finally broken, and while he was still a little tired, the heaviness in his limbs was gone. Stretching lazily, he turned to wake Sunghoon—only to freeze at the sight of his boyfriend curled up beside him, face flushed and brows furrowed in discomfort.

M/N frowned. “Hoon?”

Sunghoon barely reacted, letting out a weak groan as he buried himself deeper into the blankets. M/N reached out, pressing the back of his hand against Sunghoon’s forehead, and immediately pulled away at the warmth radiating from his skin.

“You have a fever,” M/N muttered, realizing with horror what had happened.

Sunghoon cracked one eye open and gave him a half-hearted glare. “Gee, I wonder how that happened,” he rasped, voice hoarse.

Guilt settled in M/N’s chest. “You caught it from me…”

“No kidding.” Sunghoon let out a breathy sigh before closing his eyes again. “This is your fault.”

M/N pouted. “You were the one hovering over me the entire time. I told you to be careful.”

Sunghoon just grumbled something incoherent, too exhausted to argue. M/N sighed, shaking his head before gently brushing Sunghoon’s damp hair away from his forehead. “Alright, now it’s my turn to take care of you.”

Sunghoon cracked an eye open again. “You? Taking care of me?”

“Yes, me,” M/N said, rolling his eyes. “I can be responsible, you know.”

Sunghoon snorted, but the sound quickly turned into a cough. M/N’s concern doubled as he immediately helped Sunghoon sit up, rubbing his back just like Sunghoon had done for him. “Okay, first things first—you need medicine, food, and rest. I’ll get you some porridge.”

Sunghoon let himself be eased back into bed, too weak to protest. “Don’t burn the kitchen down…” he murmured before dozing off.

M/N huffed. “Rude.”

Still, he wasted no time getting to work, preparing porridge just like Sunghoon had done for him. When he returned, Sunghoon was half-awake, looking miserable but still managing to glare at the spoon M/N held up to his lips.

“I can feed myself,” Sunghoon mumbled.

M/N raised an eyebrow. “Oh? So when I was sick, it was fine for you to feed me, but now you’re acting all stubborn?”

Sunghoon groaned in defeat and reluctantly opened his mouth, letting M/N carefully feed him.

“There,” M/N said with a small smile. “Not so bad, right?”

Sunghoon huffed, looking away. “…Shut up.”

M/N only chuckled, pressing a soft kiss to his feverish forehead. “Just get better soon, okay? I don’t like seeing you like this…”

Sunghoon blinked at him in surprise before sighing, closing his eyes. “Fine. But don’t get used to this.”

M/N just smiled. “Too late.”

And just like that, Sunghoon drifted off to sleep, this time with M/N watching over him—just as he had done before.

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

[the0-tdh]

SICK BOYFRIEND(p1)

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------

M/N falls ill with a high fever, and his boyfriend, Sunghoon, takes care of him with extreme gentleness, treating him as if he were fragile like glass. Despite M/N’s reassurances that he’ll be fine, Sunghoon remains deeply worried, carefully feeding him porridge, checking his temperature, and making sure he’s comfortable.

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/---

MASTERLIST / PART 2

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/---

M/N had never seen Sunghoon this worried before. Sure, his boyfriend always fussed over him when he got sick, but this time, Sunghoon was acting as if he was on the verge of breaking.

“Don’t move.” Sunghoon’s voice was firm yet impossibly gentle as he carefully tucked the blanket around M/N’s body, as if the slightest shift would shatter him. “You need to stay warm.”

M/N let out a weak chuckle, only for it to turn into a fit of coughs. Sunghoon was by his side in an instant, his hands hovering hesitantly before he finally rubbed slow circles on M/N’s back.

“You’re so tense,” M/N croaked, looking up at him with tired eyes.

Sunghoon ignored the comment, instead reaching for the thermometer. “Here, open up,” he murmured, carefully slipping it under M/N’s tongue. His fingers brushed against M/N’s cheek—cold, delicate, and hesitant, as if he was afraid M/N would break beneath his touch.

The thermometer beeped, and Sunghoon’s brows furrowed at the numbers. “39°C…” he whispered, his voice barely above a breath. He placed a hand on M/N’s forehead again, as if double-checking, his fingers feather-light. “You’re burning up.”

“I’ll be fine, Hoon,” M/N mumbled. “It’s just a fever.”

Sunghoon shot him a sharp look. “Just a fever?” He stood up so quickly that the bed barely dipped under his weight. “You can’t even sit up without looking like you’re about to pass out.”

Before M/N could protest, Sunghoon was already moving, retrieving a damp towel and pressing it carefully against M/N’s forehead. His touch was unbearably gentle, as if he feared pressing too hard would hurt him.

“I made porridge,” Sunghoon said after a moment, his voice softer now. “But I’ll feed you, okay? You’re too weak to do it yourself.”

M/N blinked at him. “You don’t have to—”

“I want to,” Sunghoon interrupted. “Now sit up—slowly.” He slipped an arm around M/N’s back, supporting him like he was the most fragile thing in the world. M/N couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty at the worry etched into his boyfriend’s face.

Sunghoon scooped a spoonful of porridge and blew on it before carefully bringing it to M/N’s lips. “Eat,” he murmured.

M/N obeyed, watching the way Sunghoon’s eyes scanned his face, looking for any sign of discomfort. He chewed slowly, swallowing before speaking. “You’re treating me like glass.”

Sunghoon didn’t deny it. “Because you are glass to me,” he admitted quietly. “I hate seeing you like this. I just… I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

M/N’s heart ached—not from the fever, but from the tenderness in Sunghoon’s words. Reaching out weakly, he grasped Sunghoon’s sleeve. “I’ll be okay,” he reassured him.

Sunghoon sighed, shaking his head. “Just let me take care of you.” His voice was still laced with worry, but the way he gently squeezed M/N’s hand told him that Sunghoon wouldn’t be leaving his side anytime soon.

M/N felt warmth settle in his chest—not just from the porridge, but from the way Sunghoon was looking at him. It was a gaze filled with so much concern, as if the world would fall apart if anything happened to him.

Sunghoon carefully placed the bowl back on the tray before shifting closer, tucking the blanket snugly around M/N once more. “Do you need anything else? Water? Medicine? Another blanket?”

M/N shook his head weakly. “Just stay with me.”

Sunghoon hesitated for only a second before sighing. “Of course, dummy.” He adjusted the damp towel on M/N’s forehead, making sure it was just right before finally settling beside him. “You should sleep.”

M/N hummed, his eyes already fluttering shut, but a moment later, he felt Sunghoon shift beside him. His hand was hovering over M/N’s, fingers twitching as if he wanted to hold it but was afraid of hurting him.

With what little strength he had, M/N reached out first, sliding his fingers through Sunghoon’s. His boyfriend stiffened for a moment before letting out a shaky breath and intertwining their fingers properly, his grip light but firm.

“You’re really worried, huh?” M/N mumbled sleepily.

Sunghoon sighed. “Obviously.”

M/N smiled, barely conscious as he squeezed Sunghoon’s hand. “You’re cute when you worry.”

A scoff. “Sleep before I actually drop you.” But Sunghoon’s thumb was rubbing soft circles against the back of M/N’s hand, and his voice had lost all its bite.

As M/N drifted off to sleep, he felt Sunghoon’s presence beside him, grounding him. A soft whisper reached his ears, one he wasn’t sure he imagined.

“Just get better soon, okay? I don’t like seeing you like this…”

And with that, M/N let himself fall into the warmth of Sunghoon’s care, knowing he was in the safest hands.

---/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/------/•/----