999<3 | ONESHOT [ ✔️ ]

[ c - soonhoon ] insomnia-zero REWRITE

TAG: soonhoon after hours

imagine that, i wrote this when the first inze was out... incredible we've come full circle
edit: there was one more before this 💀 apparently i just didn't finish the first one :/ this ones better tho

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"okay!" soonyoung turns to jihoon, "i'll be right back," and pats his hand with a smile. he goes off to touch up hair and make up before they shoot for their studio choom performance. meanwhile, jihoon gets interviewed with a few other members about their day. as soonyoung returns, jihoon turns just in time to see him do his signature tiger pose to the camera before he leaves.

"that's so annoying," the staff laugh along but soonyoung can't feel it in his face when he makes noise that vaguely matches their sound. still, he tries his best to be energetic and full of bright energy as he performs with the members. he feels even more exhausted after that day.

it's now quite a while after and it's secret comeback preparation. soonyoung has a fresh new red pop to his undercut and jihoon comes back exhausted one day with an ashy grey-brown mullet. soonyoung remembers feeling his face heat up when jihoon entered the dorm with it being new. he couldn't help himself but to touch and feel it. this jihoon feels unreal and he still is.

but soonyoung doesn't feel the same sentiment when jihoon pops in tonight. it's kind of late, and everyone has just come back from practice. jihoon only comes later because of more adjustments to the tracks as well as some meetings.

"hi soonie," jihoon closes the door softly. soonyoung doesn't say a word, still silently scrolling on his phone. jihoon can tell he's irked about something, but he doesn't know what. with a raised eyebrow, he slides onto the bed, staring questioningly at soonyoung.

"are you okay, soon?"

soonyoung can't help but notice the way jihoon's lips pout when he says his name. he's always found it cute... jihoon is so cute.

"yes. i'm fine."

jihoon doesn't buy it, "no, you're not. don't act like this, i know you." soonyoung pouts, "no you don't." it's soft enough that, if jihoon wasn't paying attention, he wouldn't hear it. but he does. "what do you mean?"

soonyoung can't hold back any longer. he tells jihoon through pouts and frowns and whines. he tells him about how he got really upset when he called him 'annoying' the other time. jihoon's a little shocked but he ends up laughing, "you're upset about that?" he shifts so they sit directly opposite each other. "oh, soonie. you're just being sensitive."

but jihoon regrets his words immediately. watching the light in soonyoung's eyes die out hurt. watching soonyoung deflate, his eyes filling with tears, watching him hold back a pout and the beginnings of a cry... jihoon regrets everything.

"y-you're not sensitive enough!" soonyoung bursts out, a single tear managing to escape. silence. jihoon doesn't know what to say. he knows sorry isn't enough.

"i just want to live, ji. why is that not something i can do? i know you and some other members think my whole tiger thing is stupid or whatever, but why should you stop me from thinking this way if i feel happy?" soonyoung lets his thoughts run out, not caring about the consequences or what jihoon thinks.

he ends with a heavy and exhausted sigh. his voice goes into a quiet squeak as his mind processes the words before they come out of his mouth, "don't you care for my happiness...?"

jihoon feels his lip wobble in response to what soonyoung just went through in front of him. he just feels it's right to launch himself into soonyoung's arms and hug him tight. he squeezes his eyes shut as he just feels the warmth that is his boyfriend.

"i care so much, baby..." a shaky breath escapes him. "i'm so sorry. i shouldn't have. i'm sorry, soonie, really. i care about you and your happiness a lot." soonyoung nods and sniffles. jihoon doesn't see his content (yet sad) smile in the loving and comforting arms of this someone he loves.

"please don't be upset anymore, i only want to make you happy," jihoon's voice is unstable. he grips onto soonyoung a little tighter, just to get closer and feel him. soonyoung presses a light kiss to jihoon's exposed neck and snuggles into the crook of it more. "you do, ji. always. but...-"

"no buts. i made you upset. so i apologise." jihoon held soonyoung an arms length away. "but please also tell me if i ever do something to upset you. you have to tell me so i know not to do it." soonyoung nods and reaches out to rake through the soft ashy brown hair yet again.

"why're you so obsessed with it?" jihoon now straddles soonyoung. the elder laughs, "you just look so sexy with it." jihoon blushes, bringing them closer to each other, "you stupid tiger, shut up." he kisses soonyoung. this time, it's he who gets to appreciate soonyoung's new red hair.