Time | NCT

Open

-December 31st, 2018-

"Jaehyun, would you like some?" Jungwoo asked while holding up a glass of champagne. He smiled brightly at Jungwoo and accepted the bubbly drink, admiring the bunny-teethed boy in the process.

It was New Year's Eve, and everyone was excited to get the year over with finally. The 18 NCT members started to gather around in the studio, conversing among themselves and sipping either champagne or sparkling water.

"It's already going to be 2019, that's amazing," Jaehyun spoke against his glass. Jungwoo gave him a nervous glance, biting his lip oh so slightly. The two J's were anxious, but the real reason was hidden deep within their hearts.

"Should we do this?" Jungwoo whispered in his ear, lips phasing over it. Jaehyun shivered, but nodded and took his hand. Jaehyun took Jungwoo into the next room, which happened to be a smaller studio.

No one minded them leaving some didn't even notice until the others told them. Jungwoo looked at the intertwined hands and smiled to himself. He didn't care where he was going, but the reality of him being with Jaehyun was incredible.

"Look at me, Jungwoo." Jungwoo glanced up at his words, his free hand reaching up to cup his pale cheek. He didn't care if people could walk in at any second, he cared about this beautiful person in front of him.

"Why are we here?" Jaehyun didn't answer, he simply smiled and left a tiny peck on the younger's hand. "Did you not want others to see that?" Jungwoo kept asking small questions, but all Jaehyun did was kiss his hand and cheeks.

"I wanted us to be alone, you know, in a place that's not our dorm." Jungwoo laughed lightly and linked his arms around Jaehyun's neck. He looked at him with eyes full of endearment, thinking about how this all started.

When Jungwoo first debuted, Jaehyun was overjoyed at the fact the person he loved the most could join him in his journey. People thought that Jaehyun would go for Doyoung or Johnny when it was Jungwoo that he went after. If you told 2013 Jaehyun about Jungwoo, he would laugh at your face and shake it off.

"What do you think is going on with Yuta and Taeyong?" Jungwoo asked him, Jaehyun started laughing and buried his face in his neck. "Hey! I'm serious! Come on, Jaehyun, I know you know something." Jaehyun raised his hands up in defense before going back to Jungwoo's waist.

"I'm sorry, my love, but they're whipped for each other," Jaehyun muttered against his neck. "How about we put on some music and dance for a bit? Before everyone realizes we're gone." Jungwoo giggles and smiles before placing a small kiss on Jaehyun's lips. They stay there for a moment, wrapped in each other arms, lips moving against each other.

Jungwoo peels away from Jaehyun and goes to his phone to put on the song they first ever danced together to: Frank Sinatra's It had to be you. He bit his lips lightly, weakly attempting to stop the smile from rising too much. At last, it couldn't be helped, he looked at Jaehyun and adjusted himself back into the position they both were.

"You have good taste, baby." Jaehyun hummed the tune quietly, gently swaying Jungwoo side to side. It was a beautiful moment between the two, something that could never be ruined, even the knock on the door.

"Hey, you two in there? It's almost midnight, and Taeyong wants us all to be together!" The voice indicated a curious Johnny just right outside the door. Jaehyun sighed and shouted back to him, disappointed that their moment ended quicker than he wanted.

Before opening the door, Jungwoo placed a kiss on Jaehyun's cheek. "May we meet again, Yoonoh." Jaehyun stood there, feeling a bit confused, no less, he shook his head and followed suit.

"... Okay, gather around! I just wanted to say something before we turn on the countdown." Taeyong yelled at the large group of curious members. He gazed at the 17 boys, Johnny, Tail, Renjun, Jungwoo, Lucas, Kun, Mark, Jeno, Jaemin, Jaehyun, Sicheng, Chenle, Ten, Jisung, Doyoung, Donghyuck, and lastly, Yuta, the most beautiful person in the world, in his opinion.

"This year has been one of the hardest yet, and it's going to get more difficult as time goes on. You all have been unbelievably patient and magnificent; if it weren't for every single one of you, I don't know how I could have stayed sane. Thank you all for everything, and I hope we have another great year. To NCT!" Everyone cheered and chuckled at their exhausted leader. They knew he worked hard and it was nice seeing him let go for a while.

"Let's turn on the countdown, everyone!" Jaemin exclaimed Jisung strutted over to the t.v and turned the channel to the news. It was right on time; one minute left until 2018 was over. The members crowded together, drinks were out and replaced with each others' hands.

"...12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! Happy New Year's!" All of them cheered and jumped up and down, some EXO and Red Velvet members even came in to celebrate. They've all been through so much the past couple of months; it was truly insane.

Right then, all their worries flooded from their minds. All the heartbreak, exhaustion, injuries, were gone for that moment. What they wanted was right there, it was love and affection, it was hope and radiant smiles on their faces.

"Hey, Taeyong? Happy New Year's." Yuta said to him, voice mixed with those around him. Taeyong smiled and hugged the Japanese male, twirling him around slightly with a massive smile on his face. Jisung and Jeno laughed at their seniors and hoped it could stay like that for a while longer.

Across the room were Johnny and Ten close to each other, Mark finally letting Donghyuck give him affection, and Jaehyun and Jungwoo staring at one another fondly.

That night was magical compared to others; it was a vast space for people to enjoy themselves. Just that night alone brought unexpected pairings with each other. Not all can say that.

Taeyong thought about a quote he heard from Mark before and kept it in his mind since then. "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is a process; working together is a success," Taeyong whispered, not noticing that Mark was repeating the same words.