Under the Same Sky

4. Moments of Truth

[Before you tackle Chapter 4, don’t forget to touch that star ⭐ button to vote! It’s not like I need validation or anything… but hey, I won’t say no to some starry love!]

The week following their karaoke night flew by, each day filled with rehearsals, group meetings, and the usual bustle of life as idols. Yet, Jeonghan found his thoughts often drifting back to S.Coups. Their shared moments felt like a sweet secret tucked away in the corners of his mind, growing more meaningful with each passing day.

One afternoon, during a break in their practice, the members gathered in the lounge area of their dorm. The air buzzed with laughter and chatter, but Jeonghan found himself increasingly distracted. He glanced over at S.Coups, who was animatedly discussing a new choreography with Mingyu and Wonwoo. The way his eyes sparkled with excitement made Jeonghan’s heart skip a beat.

“Hey, Jeonghan! Earth to Jeonghan!” Joshua’s voice broke through Jeonghan’s reverie, and he turned to see his friend waving a hand in front of his face.

“Sorry, I was just… thinking,” Jeonghan replied, a slight blush creeping up his cheeks as he realized how obvious his distraction had been.

“Thinking about what? Or should I say who?” Joshua teased, winking knowingly. “I see the way you look at him.”

Jeonghan laughed, trying to play it cool. “Come on, it’s not like that. We’re just friends.”

“Friends who sing karaoke together and share secret guilty pleasure songs?” Joshua pressed, a playful smirk on his face. “You’re falling for him, aren’t you?”

“Maybe,” Jeonghan admitted, the truth spilling out before he could stop himself. The weight of his feelings felt both exhilarating and terrifying.

“See? Just embrace it!” Joshua encouraged. “You deserve to be happy. And from what I can see, S.Coups seems to care about you too.”

As Joshua spoke, Jeonghan’s heart raced at the thought. Could it be true? Did S.Coups feel the same way? Just as he was about to respond, S.Coups approached them, his brow slightly furrowed in curiosity.

“What are you guys talking about?” he asked, glancing between Jeonghan and Joshua, a hint of mischief in his eyes.

“Just some gossip,” Joshua said, his tone teasing. “Nothing for you to worry about, right, Jeonghan?”

Jeonghan shot Joshua a warning look, but S.Coups’s curiosity was piqued. “Gossip, huh? Now I’m even more interested.”

Jeonghan felt his stomach knot with anxiety. “It’s nothing, really. Just, uh, wondering what we should do for our next group outing,” he said, attempting to redirect the conversation.

S.Coups’s expression softened, but there was still a hint of playfulness. “I was thinking maybe a beach trip? It’s been a while since we all had some time to relax together.”

“Sounds great!” Jeonghan agreed, relieved to change the topic. “We can have a barbecue and some games.”

“Perfect! I’ll handle the food!” S.Coups declared, his enthusiasm infectious. The conversation shifted as the members began discussing plans for the outing, and Jeonghan felt the warm glow of camaraderie surround him.

Later that evening, after practice had wrapped up, Jeonghan found himself alone in the living room, scrolling through his phone. He paused as he came across a video of their recent performance. As he watched, he was suddenly acutely aware of S.Coups walking in, a drink in hand.

“Hey, what are you watching?” S.Coups asked, plopping down beside Jeonghan on the couch.

“Just our stage performance. I think we did really well,” Jeonghan replied, trying to keep his tone casual despite the sudden rush of adrenaline at S.Coups being so close.

“Yeah, we did! Your part was amazing!” S.Coups leaned in, nudging Jeonghan with his shoulder. “You always know how to pull the audience in.”

Jeonghan’s heart raced at the compliment. “Thanks! That means a lot coming from you. You really know how to get the crowd hyped up.”

“Just trying to keep up with you,” S.Coups said, flashing his trademark smile that always made Jeonghan feel weak in the knees.

The atmosphere shifted slightly, the playful banter giving way to a more intimate silence. Jeonghan could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he turned to face S.Coups, a sudden urge to confess everything bubbling up inside him.

“S.Coups, can I ask you something?” Jeonghan ventured, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Of course,” S.Coups replied, his tone turning serious as he sensed the change in Jeonghan’s demeanor.

“Do you ever think about… what comes after all this? You know, once our idol careers wind down?” Jeonghan asked, surprised by the intensity of his own curiosity.

S.Coups considered the question, his brow furrowing slightly. “I think about it sometimes. It’s hard not to, especially when we’re always on the go. But honestly, I hope to have someone by my side. Someone to share life with beyond the stage.”

Jeonghan’s heart raced at S.Coups’s words. “Really? You want that too?”

“Yeah, I do. I want someone who understands this crazy life, but also someone who can make me feel normal,” S.Coups admitted, his gaze steady and sincere.

In that moment, Jeonghan felt a connection solidify between them—one that transcended the playful banter and friendship they had built. “I want that too,” Jeonghan said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “I want someone who sees me, not just as an idol but as a person.”

S.Coups’s expression softened, and for a heartbeat, the air between them felt electric. Jeonghan could see the flicker of understanding in S.Coups’s eyes, the unspoken acknowledgment of their shared desires.

“Maybe we should explore that possibility?” S.Coups suggested, a hopeful glimmer in his gaze.

Jeonghan felt his heart leap at the suggestion. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah, I am. I mean, we’ve already started to build something special, haven’t we?” S.Coups smiled, a genuine warmth radiating from him.

“I guess we have,” Jeonghan admitted, his cheeks flushing with both excitement and nervousness. “I’ve been thinking about it more than I’d like to admit.”

Just then, the moment was interrupted by the sound of laughter echoing from the kitchen, as the other members returned from their late-night snack run. The tension broke, and the warmth of their previous conversation lingered in the air like a promise yet to be fulfilled.

As the group gathered around, Jeonghan stole glances at S.Coups, his heart racing at the thought of what lay ahead. He could feel the energy between them, a silent agreement that they would explore this new territory together.

That night, as Jeonghan lay in bed, he couldn’t shake the feeling that everything was changing. The moments of truth they had shared felt like a turning point, one that could lead them down a path they had both been secretly yearning for. With a smile on his face, he drifted off to sleep, dreaming of what tomorrow might bring.

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