Woozi sat in his usual spot at the desk, headphones snug over his ears as he hunched over the mixing console in the small studio tucked into the corner of Seventeen's dorm. It was a familiar scene- him, the dim lighting, and the soft glow of his laptop as the rest of the world seemed to sleep around him. The faint sounds of the other members shifting here and there or the occasional creak of the building were the only noises, other than the melody he was crafting.
His back ached from sitting for so long, but he barely noticed. He was used to these late nights, long hours pouring over every beat, every note, making sure everything sounded perfect.
But tonight was different. Tonight, the door to his studio creaked open quietly, and in stepped Joshua, holding a tray with a steaming mug of tea and a small plate of snacks. Woozi looked up, his brow furrowing in surprise.
"You're up late again," Joshua said softly, offering a gentle smile as he walked over and placed the tray on a small table nearby.
Woozi couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips. "Yeah, just trying to finish this track."
Joshua nodded, as if he knew exactly what Woozi was going through. It wasn't the first time he had visited Woozi during these late hours, always bringing something to eat or drink, always staying to keep him company. It had become a small, unspoken tradition between them.
Joshua walked over and set the tray on the small side table next to Woozi's work area. "I noticed you didn't come to bed, so I thought I'd bring you something. Figured you could use a break."
Woozi's eyes flicked to the tray. Joshua had brought him his favorite late-night snack-rice crackers and hot tea. It was such a small gesture, but it made something warm stir in Woozi's chest.
"You didn't have to do that," Woozi muttered, though his words lacked any real resistance.
Joshua shrugged with a smile, his eyes kind. "I wanted to."
Joshua's presence always brought a calming energy into the room, a sense of peace that Woozi didn't realize he needed until he was there. He had always appreciated it, but tonight, as he watched Joshua sit down on the small couch across the room, something felt different. There was a quiet intimacy in the air, something that had been building between them for a while.
Joshua leaned back, crossing his arms loosely over his chest. His head tilted back against the couch, and within minutes, his eyes began to flutter shut. Woozi kept stealing glances at him, watching as Joshua slowly drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
For the next few minutes, Woozi tried to focus back on his work. He tried to get lost in the music again, but his attention kept being drawn back to Joshua. The soft rise and fall of his chest, the way his eyelashes brushed against his skin, and the serene expression on his face all of it distracted Woozi in a way he didn't expect.
Woozi set down his headphones, running a hand through his hair as he let out a small sigh. He had known for a long time that Joshua meant more to him than just another bandmate or friend. But seeing him like this, curled up in the studio they both shared so often, made everything suddenly crystal clear.
His heart pounded a little faster. He stood from his desk, taking slow, quiet steps toward Joshua. Kneeling down next to the couch, Woozi gently reached out, brushing a lock of hair from Joshua's forehead. His heart swelled with an unfamiliar emotion-one that had been simmering for so long but had never quite made it to the surface.
"Joshua hyung?" he whispered, his voice soft, almost hesitant.
Joshua stirred at the sound of his name, his eyelids fluttering open. He blinked a few times, looking up at Woozi with sleepy eyes, confused but calm.
