Work Text:
"When did he grow up so much?"
That's what Jake wondered watching his favorite dongsaeng freestyling some sexy dance moves in front of him.
*
Night had already fallen, everybody in the company building was heading home at this hour. Jake just finished a weverse live in his studio and was about to call his manager to come pick him and get back to the dorm when he saw the lights still on in the dance room they were earlier.
"Must be Ni-ki, this kid never knows when to stop." He thought. He opened the door and was about to scold the maknae for overworking himself but got stopped by the scene.
The Japanese was dancing to some The Weeknd song (Party Monster), doing terribly sexy movements in such an intensity that had Jake's breathless. He felt his body heating while observing in silence Ni-ki's sensual choreography, and he frightened at the unusual thoughts he was having about the younger.
At one point, Ni-ki's eyes met his in the mirror. The maknae immediately stopped his dance to turn towards his hyung who froze.
"When did you get here?" He asked somewhat nonchalantly while stopping the music.
"What? Uh... just now.." Jake lied. "What are you still doing here at this hour? I thought Jungwon had forbidden you to do more late night practice." He said, trying to distract himself from staring at the other's sweating body.
"It was not practice, I was just having some fun by myself... and I was waiting for you to finish your life so we could go home together." The Japanese replied while wiping his face sweat with a towel.
Jake wondered when the younger's definition of fun became dancing in such a sexy way. He was kinda glad he was the only one who saw him like that.
"Mmh... Ni-ki, you should be careful to who see you do these kind of dances..." He said with a little worried frown.
"Why? You enjoyed the show so much that you don't want to share?" Ni-ki chuckled while getting closer to his hyung with a grin.
"Wha-? N-no!! It's just... I don't want people to have some inappropriate thoughts or gestures towards you..." Jake tried to justify but he was struggling and desperately avoiding looking at Ni-ki.
"Does that mean YOU are having inappropriate thoughts towards me and my dancing hyung?" The maknae said while leaning towards Jake's face to be at his level and forcing eye contact.
Jake eye's widened at the question, and he became speechless at the mischievous glare he was looking too. He quickly agitate his hands and shook his head, stuttering once more some "No, not at all" but he was well aware of the flushed face he had.
"It's okay hyung, I'm just teasing you. Don't panic..."
The maknae laughed lightly while he grabbed his things, but when he passed the door in front of Jake he added without looking at him "and I know I'm just a little brother to you anyway..." and Jake wondered if the sad tone he heard in the younger voice was just his imagination.
*
A few days pass as normal, apart from the fact that Jake was well more observant on the maknae. He couldn't help but observe how the boy could pass in just a second from the innocent, and playful kid he always knew to a mesmerizing man, with mature expression and acts but also calmer and serious speaking tone.
It kinda pissed off Jake because why the hell the boy was not doing a puberty phase like everyone? Instead of being weird, moody and annoying like any ado his age, the maknae was balancing between his childish behavior, demanding to being taking care of, to play with his hyung, craving from cute affections and warm cuddles and his new adult side, way more cold in some way, a bit distant too, enjoying more than before spending time by his own calmy.
Jake didn't have to think too much to understand that these kind of change in the Japanese was due to his young age working as kpop idol. He met Ni-ki, when he just had 14yo, just a kid in a such hard industry.
Despite his age, he always was extremely cautious and serious about work, Ni-ki was a hard-worker but his hyungs always made sure he could enjoy his childhood outside of work and with them.
But it was no surprise that growing up, he just jumped directly to a more mature version of him.
Jake was also worried because Ni-ki was still underage, he was just 17 but already faced a lot of disgusting sexualization from public and media. He and the members always did their best to protect him from that, but he was afraid that these were a big part of the boy recent change.
He wanted him to grow up in a sane and peaceful way, not because he was being forced for his idol image and people pleasure.
He was having all of these thoughts while zoning out in the dorm living room, watching absently Heesung and Ni-ki playing some video games together. They were loudly laughing and bickering until Heesung dramatic fall on the floor faking a desperate sight.
"The student wins over the teacher now, I'm over... my kid doesn't need me anymore!"
The comment made the maknae laughed out loud and jumped on top of his hyung, hugging him and telling in a cute tone.
"Nooo Heesung hyung will always have new things to learn me. I need you hyungie~"
Jake felt his heart clenched at the soft scene and the "old Ni-ki" acting in front of his eyes. But the maknae suddenly watched him, let go of Heesung and asked in a serious and concerned tone "Hyung are you ok?"
"Uh?" was the only things Jake could answer, leaving his zone out and watching the youngest getting closer with a worried frown.
"You were somewhere else for a while, do you have something bothering you hyung? You know you can talk to me." Ni-ki said while gently taking his hand, eyes deeply looking into his. Jake instantly flushed, not knowing what to say.
"Or are you feeling sick?? You're red and you feel a bit warm right now?" Ni-ki said while putting a hand on Jake's heated cheek
"Do you need some medicine?" He continued with a preoccupied but low voice.
"No no I-I'm okay...just sleepy, I guess I'm gonna head to bed... mmh... good night guys!" He said before jumping from the couch and practically running to his room.
Ni-ki was visibly still concerned, so Heesung reassured him saying he would be better after a good sleep, that it was probably nothing and then ordering him to go shower and go to sleep too.
*
Jake was lying on his bed but couldn't sleep. He once again witnessed the change of behavior in the maknae and the way he acted all worried and gently with him got him really confused. Why couldn't he control himself, his flush, his heart beating fast, his lose of words when he was interacting with Ni-ki these past few days...
He heard the door room opened suddenly, he supposed it was Jay but quickly remembered he was already asleep on his bed. But he didn't have the time to turn around to check because he felt a hand softly landing on his forehead, he immediately recognized it as Ni-ki's one. He turned around slowly to meet the younger face leaning above him.
"Oh sorry hyung, I didn't want to wake you up but I just wanted to check your temperature... you're still a little warm but it seems better. Do you need anything?" The man whispered in a calm way, Jake thought he could just fall asleep listening to his reassuring voice.
"I wasn't asleep and don't worry Ki, I promise I'm not sick." He replied back in a whisper too.
"Oh... but you couldn't sleep?" he asked once again worried and softly passing a hand through his hyung's hair.
Jake had to restrain himself to not sigh of satisfaction from the sweet gesture.
He couldn't think of a new excuse, so he just repeated "Don't worry." He paused a bit because he could clearly see he was not convincing.
"I'm fine, you should go to sleep baby." He bit his lips as the petname escaped his mouth.
Silence, Ni-ki didn't move for a few seconds and suddenly asked shyly.
"Can I sleep with you hyung?"
Jake was taken aback by the question, with the lack of response Ni-ki continued.
"Maybe it will help you to sleep better? But you don't have to say yes if you don't want to of course." He was starting to straight up making a step back to leave but Jake grabbed his wrist.
"NO!" He exclaimed a little too loud so he winced, looking towards his roommates who didn't seem to hear anything as the heavy sleeper he was. "I mean yes Riki you can sleep here I-I don't mind."
So the maknae climbed under the cover and lay down on his back while Jake repositioned himself on his side, facing the wall to avoid staring at Ni-ki. They didn't move for a few minutes, both could tell the others was still awake just by the way they were breathing in the silent room.
Suddenly, Jake heard the Japanese moved, and he holds his breath when he felt an arm sliding slowly and carefully around his waist.
"Try to let go of your thoughts hyung, you need to sleep..." Ni-ki murmured against his nape while carressing his hyung's tummy with his thumb. The feeling of the pressed warm body against his back, the gestures and words, all little but so soothing, made Jake inevitably let go a big sight while he melt in the embrace. He concentrated on those feelings and fall asleep way faster that he tought he would.
*
Jake woke up first in the morning, noticing the position they moved into during the night. He was now pressed to the youngest's front, their legs entangled, his face very close to the other's and Ni-ki's arms still holding him tightly around his waist but with his hands under his t-shirt, pressed against his bare back.
He was frozen, didn't dare to move because he didn't want to wake up Riki and caused him to let go of him. So he just stared at the pretty and peaceful sleepy face at just some centimetres.
He reminded himself of all the time he saw the maknae sleeping with one of the members, he always liked to sleep with one of them, especially with Sunoo. He witnessed many time their positions in the morning, Sunoo curled up, making himself tiny while Ni-ki was splaying arms and legs all over the bed taking all the places. He heard Sunoo's complaints about the hit he received because the maknae was agitated during his sleep, or how his koala hug was nothing gentle for him but more suffocating, Ni-ki just liking to throw himself around something or someone.
He had also slept near the maknae two or three times, but during filming content were all of the members had to sleep on the floor. But he realized it was the first time Ni-ki asked for sleeping in his bed, just the two of them. Knowing he had not experienced the usual sleeping habits of the younger made him wonder if he still had them or if he just had those special gentle gestures and hold with him.
Jake shook his head lightly, not wanting to give him some false hope. "Wait? But what false hope? Am I seriously into him?" He thought with a beginning of panic quickly cut off by Jungwon entering the room.
"Hyungs time to wake up! Oh... Ni-ki's here?"
Jake didn't have the time to answer because he felt the maknae moving under his chin and nuzzling onto his collarbone, whining "Noooo I don't want too. I'm sleeping so well with Jakey hyung, let me more time Wonie hyung."
Jake couldn't do anything except feeling his face becoming red. The leader just chuckled at the demands and got closer to Jay's bed who didn't move at all like every morning. He softly shook him, murmuring gently some magic words that Jungwon only seems to know to stir up the American from his deep sleep. He let him the time to stand up and finally guide him to leave the door, turning to say to the duo.
"I want you up in five minutes max or I'm kicking your asses out of bed." Jake knew he wasn't laughing but he felt Ni-ki chuckles against his skin, making him shivers.
"We-we should listen to him Ki, we have a long day." Jake said.
Ni-ki slowly put his face away to stare right in his hyung's eyes.
"Did you sleep well hyung? You fell asleep quite rapidly when I...was there." Ni-ki said with a soft gaze.
"Uh... yeah... I-I haven't slept so well in so long actually... thanks Ki, guess you were really what I needed to cure my insomnia." He said without really thinking about the implication of his words but witnessing the maknae being the one flustered for once.
It gave him some satisfaction, so maybe it was his morning dizziness that makes him bold but he leaned to kiss Ni-ki on his forehead, not letting him time to react before sitting up and pulling him by the arms to get up and prepared for the day.
*
Later that day, they were all in the practice room taking a break after 2 intense hours of work. Jake couldn't help his eyes to follow the maknae every move. How he teased Sunoo, how he laughed with Jungwon leaning a little too much into him, how he took Heesung bottle to drink in it.
It feels very odd to the Aussie, he wasn't an idiot he knew that feeling in his chest was jealousy... stupid jealousy.
What was even weirder was all the furtive eye contacts he got from the Japanese, like he was making sure his hyung still had his eye on him.
Random music was playing through the room while they were resting, but suddenly, the one Ni-ki was dancing when Jake caught him last time, played and he saw the latter stand up catching everyone's attention.
"Guys look at me, I choreographed some steps on this dance some times ago. Give me feedback!!" He said with the enthusiasm of a child before literally changing all his aura into something so seductive that Jake felt his heart missing some beats before going crazy.
He was mesmerized for a few seconds, gulping when Ni-ki watched in his direction with sensual eyes but feeling like he just received an ice bucket on his head when the maknae turned his gaze towards Sunghoon, a smirk appearing on his face while he winked at him.
He didn't even think for a second when he got up, walk towards the tablet that was controlling the music and pressed the shuffle button a few times before he stop on some New jeans song.
"Jake!!!! Why did you do that?? Ni-ki was showing us something!!!" he heard Jay shouted at him in his back. That's when he realized what an idiot move he did, shame growing quickly in him he didn't even look back at his members and run from the studio to hide in the nearest bathroom.
*
"Fuck fuck fuck!!!" Jake repeats, eyes close, facing the wall and hitting his head on it. "I'm such an idiot, I made a fool of myself in front of everyone and Riki is gonna be mad at me or worse think I do not like his dancing or that I don't care..." his thoughts, tears falling while he continued to hit his forehead on the cold wall.
But suddenly his head hit something softer, he stopped his movements trying to process.
"Don't do that hyung you're hurting yourself..." a deep voice said "Fuck" he thought again. He pulls back from the wall and turn his back to Ni-ki, going to the sink and avoiding to look at him. But the younger did not leave and got closer to him once again.
"Jake hyung... I'm not mad for the song ... but I'm sorry if I did something that upset you, please I don't want you to hurt yourself because of me..." The tall boy said almost whispering.
"I'm not! I'm not hurting myself Ki I promise. And you did nothing wrong I swear..." Jake said still head low.
"Then what it is? You act weird toward me lately!! If it's not me then what? Do you have something to tell me? I can handle it hyung, please tell me!!"
Jake couldn't think of anything, so he just sight and tell "Drop it Riki, I'm just tired lately maybe it makes me irritated i don't know but let it go." and he left the bathroom without giving one glance towards his favorite dongsaeng who was more speechless than ever.
*
It was now the night, they were all on the dorm and Jake was heading to the bathroom to take his shower as Jay said the spot was free. But when he opened the door he really didn't expect to stand right in front a shirtless Riki who turned to see his hyung checking him out with a red face before stuttering.
"So-sorry I- uh Jay told me the bathroom was free, uh ne-nevermind sorry!!" He turned to leave but Ni-ki moved faster.
He grabbed his wrist to pull him fully in the room, closed the door and pinned him against it, arms caging him at his head level. The shorter, gasped in surprise and slowly look up to meet the dark and intense stare of the younger towering him .
"Ri-riki..." He stuttered, gulping.
"Stop avoiding me hyung, stop being a coward and tell me what's really wrong." Riki said firmly.
"I... can't tell you." Jake said lowering his head.
"Why that? What are you afraid of hyung? Is it me? You're afraid of me or my reaction?"
"No! Well kinda, but I'm not afraid of you Riki... It's complicated. I...I'm afraid of me... of my feelings." He breathed out and closed his eyes hard afraid, he said too much.
He felt the pressure on his wrist soften and reopened his eyes to see that Ni-ki had stepped back a little. He felt tears growing in his eyes under the indescribable gaze of the maknae. There it is... He messed up.
"I'm sorry Niki... just forget everything that happened, forget my words, it's nothing, please don't mind me, act like usual and I'll deal with myself." Jake said lowing his head with a defeated voice.
"It's nothing? Is it really hyung?" Ni-ki asked with a firm tone and a frown.
"Uh?"
"So what? You had just an insignificant crush on me for a few days, act weird with me, confused the shit out of me and now you say you can get ride of this easily like it's nothing!" He was now crying and making Jake surprise as he was really not expecting that.
"No no Ki that's not it!! I- yes I have a crush on you but not insignificant!! I like you Riki but if I said that it's for the sake of our relationship! I don't want to loose the bond we have...I'm your hyung and that's my responsibilities to assure you grew up well without too much difficulties. I don't want you to feel bad by rejecting your hyung..."
"Why would us being together would be a difficultie? Jay hyung and Jungwon hyung are together and everything went well for work, the company protects them, they stay pro at work and enjoyed the time they pass in private. Why do you seem so afraid to do that with me if you like me?? " The maknae was practically shouting, crying in frustration because it was hard to comfront such feelings in that way.
"Ni-ki... you don't even like me like that... I don't want you to precipitate yourself just because you didn't have real opportunities to experiment things and you think it will be easier with one of us..." The older said, crying too.
"What the fuck Jake !! How can you speak for myself? You obviously know nothing about my feelings!!!" The taller shouted and even laughed of anger and exasperation.
"You know what you're right... I don't like you like that... I love you... I love you hyung, since our debut. But all that time I told myself to be patient, to grow up first because I knew I was just a kid for you and I didn't want you to feel guilty about rejecting me. But hyung!! I'm 17 now and I grew up pretty fast, I'm mature enough to speak for myself to know what I feel and what I want!! I want you hyung... I'll not hide it anymore, even more if you like me too..."
Jake had to take some times to process, he was eyes and mouth wide opene staring at Ni-ki who got closer to him once again.
"He love me, he love me, he love me ...and I love him too... don't be so scared Jake."
Then, he lifts his hands to grabbed Ni-ki's shoulders and bring him in a soft but urge kiss. He felt an exhale of satisfaction followed by Ni-ki 's smile against his lips and timidly opened them to deepen the kiss and caress the other's mouth with his tongue. Ni-ki whined and followed the lead, firmly holding Jake by his neck and his waist.
"I love you too Riki, I love you so much" Jake said against the taller lips and Ni-ki look at him with teary and shiny eyes.
"You do really? Not for pity?"
"No baby! I'll never do that, I love you for real and I want you as my boyfriend if you want too."
"Yes yes yes, I'll be your boyfriend hyung!! I'll prove it too you that I can be a perfect boyfriend despite my age." The maknae hurried to affirmed.
"Riki... You don't have anything to prove and you don't have to be perfect, you're human. And don't force yourself to act all adult every time. I still want you to grow up sanely at your own pace. " Jake explained bringing his hands to Niki's cheeks to caress them.
"Ok ok hyung got it... but what about..." Ni-ki started to ask but bite his lips, flushed cheeks Cleary shy about what he was about to ask.
"Oh! We'll not do anything you're uncomfortable with!! I can wait, I promise!!" Jake hurried to say.
"NO!!" Ni-ki almost shouted. "Ummh I mean no... It's not... I don't really want to wait, I kinda crave for it since some times now..." He said shyly before looking back to Jake who had a confused look. He sighed loudly and hide his face in his hyung's shoulder.
"I-... It's been month I touch myself thinking about you hyung..." He confessed suddenly.
"YOU WHAT!???"
"Well I'm at this age you know my hormones and all... Seeing the person I love everyday doing sexy dance moves, being all sweaty during practice or leaving the shower all fucking sexy." Ni-ki explained while looking back at Jake to try to prove his point.
"Language." Jake said out of reflex, but he was truly affected by the other's confession.
"I'm sorry but that's real hyung, you had me struggle a lot of times!! I imagine it's a lot of time... You and me, so close, touching each other..." Riki was saying not so shy anymore just getting closer and closer to Jake who could feel his knee getting weak.
"Well... We'll do anything you want babe but slowly, step by step and we have to promise to each others to always talk. Communication is the most important for sex but also for our relationship okay? Always tell the others the truth. " Jake said with his comforting tone while bringing their faces nose to nose, gently caressing them together.
" I promise hyung." Ni-ki said smiling, holding his hyung waist tighter.
"I promise too." Jake said and allowed Ni-ki to kiss him again, a lot of more heated than the precedent. At one point, Ni-ki get out his mouth to kiss along his neck making his hyungs shivers.
"Ki... we'll do nothing more today, I think we got our dose of emotions rights?" The Aussie said giggling softly and carressing his new boyfriends's hair.
"Yeah I know... It's just hard to let you go now that I got you in my arms... Can I hold you to sleep?"
Riki asked, pecking Jake all over his face.
"Of course you can love." The oldest answered while he grabbed Ni-ki's hand and leading them in his bed to cuddle while sleeping.
He felt very happy and relieved, he has no reasons to be afraid anymore. Ni-ki was his boyfriend, he would protect him against the world, help grow peacefully like he should, let him ask and do what he want with him and most of all, he will covering him with love everyday.