The Heroes

So Down

Jooyeon lounged on the couch, his eyes fixed on Sunghoon who sat on the floor, strumming his guitar with a sense of ease. Sunghoon, clad in nothing but his underwear, exuded an air of casual comfort that Jooyeon found oddly inspiring. As the melody flowed from Sunghoon's fingers, Jooyeon's creative instincts were ignited.

With a surge of excitement, Jooyeon reached for his notebook and a pen, ready to capture the fleeting thoughts and emotions that the music was evoking. He scribbled down a few lines, his lips moving as he hummed along to the tune that was forming in his mind. "I'm so down," he murmured to himself, his fingers tapping the rhythm against his thigh.

The gentle strumming continued in the background, and Jooyeon felt a sense of momentum building within him. He looked up at Sunghoon, his fingers stilling for a moment. "What are you writing?" Sunghoon's curious voice cut through the room.

Jooyeon's gaze shifted from his notebook to Sunghoon's eyes, a small smile playing on his lips. "A song about admiration and infatuation," he replied. "The opening lines will set the tone for the rest of the song. It's about not giving up, about wanting to move forward and pursue dreams despite challenges."

Sunghoon's lips curled into a smirk, his eyes dancing with mischief. "Is that us?" he asked playfully, a knowing glint in his gaze.

Jooyeon chuckled, leaning back against the couch. "Oh, and just how did you figure that out?" he teased, his voice laced with affection.

Sunghoon's smirk widened, a playful spark in his eyes. "Too bad we can't tell the world, isn't it?" he mused, his tone tinged with a hint of longing.

Jooyeon offered a nod, a wistful smile on his lips. "It's okay," he said softly, his gaze turning introspective. "All in due time."

Sunghoon's expression softened, his eyes reflecting a depth of understanding. "I know it's not easy," he said gently, his gaze never leaving Jooyeon's. "But your music is a powerful way to express what's in your heart."

Jooyeon met Sunghoon's gaze, his own eyes carrying a mix of uncertainty and determination. "I just don't know how fans will react," he admitted, his voice tinged with vulnerability.

Sunghoon's lips quirked into a reassuring smile. "Replace 'he' with 'she' in the lyrics," he suggested, his voice calm and reassuring. "And don't worry, I'll know it's about me."

Jooyeon chuckled, his worries momentarily eased by Sunghoon's presence. He playfully grabbed a nearby pillow and tossed it at Sunghoon, who caught it effortlessly. As the pillow fight ensued, their laughter filled the room, a testament to the camaraderie and deep connection they shared.

🥁

Ni-ki's room felt like a world of memories and lingering emotions. He sat on his bed, his fingers absently picking at the duvet, his thoughts consumed by the complex tangle of feelings that Jay had stirred within him. The controller from the previous nights lay untouched on the nightstand, a silent reminder of the moments they had shared. The plant on the window sill stood in silent vigil, a living testament to a connection that had become all too real.

His mind was a whirlwind of regrets, wishes, and a desperate longing for something he couldn't quite name. He stared at the screen of his phone, the group chat that held the fragments of his friendship. With a mixture of hesitation and yearning, he typed out a message. "Anyone got any distractions?" he asked, hoping for something, anything to pull him out of this emotional vortex.

Sunghoon's reply appeared quickly, and Ni-ki's heart lifted at the prospect of a reprieve. "Working on some material, come to Jooyeon's house," Sunghoon's message read. Ni-ki's lips twitched into a small smile, a glimmer of anticipation lighting up his eyes. But then, his curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn't resist another message. "And why are you at his house already?" he teased.