Archive of Our Own

"Estúpido, baka, mjinga, bèndàn-"

"What are you doing?" Jinu raised a brow at the babbling man at his side.

Baby, not bothering to look up from his phone, explained simply. "I'm looking up ways to say 'idiot' in other languages so I can berate the others later." He tapped his phone. "Ghabiun."

"What was that one?"

"Arabic."

"You probably butchered that pronunciation."

"I probably butchered half of these, but what matters is that the point gets across. Give me another language."

"I think you've got plenty." Jinu dismissed lightheartedly.

Ever since leaving the venue of their last performance, Baby had been at Jinu's heel complaining about whatever crossed his mind while Jinu worked out some loose ends. Be it social media drama, his aching body, or ol’ reliable (calling out whatever dumb thing the crew got up to today). He'd help when asked of course, but for the most part he was in his own, incredibly perturbed world.

Not that Jinu minded. He took pride in being a reliable worker even on his own, but sometimes getting caught up in work when everyone else was ready to call it a night was disheartening. Nothing personal, of course. Oh well, work first.

Right now, he was just double checking some menial stuff before calling it a night. All roadies accounted for? Check. All equipment loaded up? Check. Vehicle doors were locked and latched? Check. Nothing a roadie like him couldn't handle. He sent a text to his managers to make sure he wasn't forgetting anything. Better safe than sorry.

With nothing to do but wait for a response, he leaned against the front of the venue building. Its brick wall wasn't comfortable, but any alleviation off his joints was appreciated. He blinked up at the street lamp illuminating the dingy city around them. Post-clubbing streets were never the prettiest sight with all the trash and mysterious puddles. Not vibing with the scenery, he turned his attention to the activity around him. It was late, so few people were out. Most were home or at clubs that were open later than the one he leaned on. He'd spot the occasional fellow roadie making their way towards the hotel down the road. Jinu hummed.

A secondary reason he was keeping busy right now was to allow Abby, Romance, and Mystery all the time they needed for... their activities. He still couldn't believe that him asking them to look for lost items would lead to them and Zoey going to their hotel room for a voyeuristic ride. He didn't mind per say, his boys having fun was always a good thing, but a lingering sense of missing out gnawed at him. He didn't wish he was doing the same thing they were, far from it, but mild impatience filled him. He loved his crew, and he was dying to be with them all for the night. Being able to relax together after a hard day's work was always special.

Oh well, this moment was also special. Maybe more so.

Baby choosing to be near him instead of being on his own was rare. Baby was more of a recluse compared to the other boys. His space was beyond important to him. Jinu absently palmed at his neck as he recalled the ever-welcoming throat chop he received after accidentally spooking the shorter man when they were first getting to know each other.

So one could imagine Jinu's shock and excitement when Baby willingly held his hand earlier.

It only lasted a couple minutes. The connection was separated once they left the venue and potential prying eyes tugged Baby's hand away into his pocket. Jinu flexed his fingers once they were empty, yearning. It was so special.

Jinu couldn't help but wonder what he did to be so lucky. They've mainly just been working like normal, going through the motions. The grueling routine of roadie life didn't exactly leave room for romantic encounters, let alone any with Baby of all people. Maybe he helped him with something and couldn't remember? Maybe him being so busy gave Baby all the space in the world so he was returning the favor?

Hm, maybe he shouldn't be looking for reasons. People are complicated. They don't NEED reasons to do what they do, at least not obvious ones. But still, it was also natural for people to look for answers to mysteries. Even now, as Baby settled against the wall next to him, their shoes pressed side by side in a connection he definitely wouldn't do under normal circumstances, Jinu's mind attempted to decipher this enigmatic code.

He peaked at the shorter man. Yep, still engrossed in that phone. He loved scrolling, but this was excessive even for him. Another mystery. At least the cool glow of the screen illuminated his teal eyes beautifully. Jinu smiled and lulled his head back to stare at the sky. If only the city lights didn't obscure the stars.

Just when the silence was waning towards awkward over comforting, his phone vibrated in his hoodie pocket. He pulled it out and opened the text from the managers. Okay, made sense. With another objective in hand, he kicked off the wall and stretched. "Gotta check the bus for any stowaways then we're good."

Baby lifted off the wall. "Got it."

He didn't look up from his phone a single time during the walk to the lot where the buses were parked. Jinu didn't pry. Space and privacy above all else.

He dragged a hand over the patterned exterior of the bus as they approached the door. It's smooth texture distracted him from his codebreaking thoughts for a second. He dug a spare key out of his pocket, clicked the unlock button, and pried open the door in a fluid motion that showed how many times he'd done this before.

The men stepped up the stairs they'd traversed countless times. A preliminary peer around the corner showed no secret roadie parties. Not that he expected one. Everyone was accounted for earlier. Either way, technically someone could've snuck off in that time, so he shuffled deeper into the bunk hall and lifted up curtains to check the beds just to be safe. Baby, finally putting his phone away, did the same on the other side. Jinu huffed a grin of appreciation.

As they checked the beds, the sound of curtain hangers scraping metal rods filled the lingering silence. Jinu had to bite his tongue to keep himself from asking Baby questions. He swiftly peered at the teal haired man, whose expression was neutral yet obviously glazed over in thought. He returned his attention to the task. Usually he was a lot better at allowing Baby to keep to himself, but he was fighting hard internally to keep quiet. Space and privacy!

Thankfully, Baby spoke.

"I'm bored."

Not a lot to go off of.

"Same." Jinu said, annoyed he couldn't think of more to add.

The split second of silence almost broke him.

"God, those guys really are stupid. You got any texts yet? I've gotten nothing." Baby complained.

Jinu clicked his phone screen on, confirmed there were no notifications, and put his phone away. "No. Is that why you've been stuck on your phone?" Finally, an in.

Baby shrugged. "Sort of."

"Sort of?" Jinu paused his checking for a second. "Is something on your mind?"

Baby suddenly sped up his swiping of curtains. Once he knew no one was on his side, he preemptively went to Jinu's side and checked those too. Jinu snapped out of his confused haze and helped him finish up. Their hands brushed as they reached for the last curtain at the same time, and Baby recoiled his hand to his chest, holding it back as if it would move on its own. Jinu briefly checked the bunk, sensing that privacy was of the foremost importance, before slowly exhaling out of his nose and standing up straight.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. Fine." Baby said lowly, almost mumbling. There was an odd tone behind the words yet they seemed truthful.

Jinu considered for a moment, shuffling his weight between his feet. He dug his hands in his hoodie pocket. "Want to talk about something?"

Baby's eyes flitted over him so quickly Jinu almost didn't notice it before the teal haired man swiftly turned around on his heel. His hands fiddled around, unsure what to do. They balled into fists, gripped at his elbows, and played with his neckline before finally settling on picking his nails. He huffed as if psyching himself up to talk.

"How come you didn't want to go with them? Seems like something you'd be down for." He asked, still not looking at him.

Jinu's mouth twitched into a grin. Finally, some direction. "Got intimidated." He said simply. When Baby's head turned ever so slightly in his direction with interest, he elaborated. "It may not seem like it, but I'm new to the whole 'bisexual' thing. Women were beautiful to me since day one, and sure, me and Romance experimented since we were teenagers, but-" He paused suddenly, his throat closing prematurely. He ignored the little hiccup and continued. "I guess I thought he was the exception. It wasn't until maybe a couple years ago that I really figured myself out."

"You and Ro are pretty close, huh." Baby said suddenly, almost like he wasn't expecting the words to tumble out of his own mouth. Not like he was scared, more so morbidly curious.

Jinu hummed warmly. "About as close as two childhood best friends can be."

His smile fell when Baby just... froze. It wasn't the stillness of anxiety over the conversation topic like before, but... something else. Reflection? Fear? Realization? It was hard to tell when his face was still obscured by his angle.

Jinu let the stillness encompass the room for a second. It was agonizing. Painful. He had to break it.

He cleared his throat. "But yeah, I'm still getting used to this: to us. There isn't exactly a playbook for a relationship like ours. So, I didn't go. It's nothing personal towards Zoey or anything. I was just worried that with someone watching I'd feel the need to 'perform' my sexuality if that makes sense. How would I even do that? Could I? Should I? I'm not quite sure yet."

Baby's shoulders relaxed slightly, and, finally, Jinu could see those beautiful teal eyes again, tired with overwhelmed intrigue. "I didn't know you had reservations about that kind of stuff." He mumbled.

"Not as much as I used to, but yes." Jinu admitted. He lulled his head to the side. "Being with all of you has helped a lot, though. Mystery was actually the first one to really have me open up to that part of me."

Baby shifted his weight on his feet, nails thoroughly picked clean at this point. His brows twitched with irritation before he sighed, relenting. "Me too."

"I heard." Jinu added lightheartedly.

Baby's face went pink and his gaze fell to the floor. "You... haven't been waiting for 'your turn' or anything, have you?"

Jinu could sense how important that question was, and frankly, he was expecting it. The shorter man's hesitations when it came to sex was well known amongst the group. So, when Mystery told a story of Baby having his way with him for a whole night, it almost didn't sound real. If it was anyone other than Mystery claiming such, Jinu wouldn't have believed it. He struggled to imagine Baby having such a blunt, almost raunchy side to him. He had long grown used to viewing him as "one of his boys" and leaving it at that. Sex wasn't a necessity to be special to him, to any of them. Baby was living proof of that. It was a shame the teal roadie still couldn't see it. Being met with his insecurities again, more personally, had Jinu consider his words more than he had before.

Luckily, he felt being honest was best.

"No, not really. I've had a curious thought or two, naturally, but I'm not expecting anything. Not that I'm not interested."

They remained silent as Baby processed what he said. The slightest flicker of conflicting emotions over his cherubic face told him everything yet nothing at all. That probably summed up Baby's feelings pretty well.

Suddenly, slowly, Baby's feet shuffled forward on their own accord. He didn't stop it, though. If anything, he appeared relieved. He stopped barely a foot from the dark haired man. He hung his head, teal bangs covering his expression. His fingers flexed and he lifted his hand to gently graze up the taller man's front, stopping right below his neckline. Jinu's heart quickened, surely being felt under those lithe fingertips. Baby tilted his head.

"Would you... be interested now?"

Jinu felt his heart skip a beat.

Ah, so that was it.

Once the initial shock of the request subsided, a gentle expression played his face as he carefully brought a hand to Baby's face. When he wasn't met with a flinch, he caressed the younger's cheek. It was warm.

"As long as you are."

Baby tugged Jinu down by his neckline, meeting his lips. It wasn't soft and hesitant like his usual pecks, this was a deep, passionate kiss. The kind of kiss that sent a shiver down your spine and shut your brain off. It took Jinu a good five seconds to even register what had happened.

Baby leaned off yet held the taller man down to keep him close. As he panted, his brows twitched as he considered how he felt. Finally, with a bite of his lip, his eyes met Jinu's. The passion in his teal gaze lit a spark immediately.

Baby used all his weight to push Jinu against the wall and met the momentum with another, rougher kiss. When Jinu felt a tongue slide over his bottom lip, he opened his mouth without a second thought, groaning as Baby explored him as he pleased. He cupped Baby's face and tilted his head to deepen the connection. He relaxed against the wall, his senses fogging as arousal climbed.

He wasn’t expecting such a bold start, but wow was he ready for it. He thought he’d be more reserved when it came to their first time, if it ever came, yet this felt so natural. The man’s weight on his front and smothering kiss was intense yet comforting. Almost like he was relieved to finally let loose on HIS terms, and Jinu didn't want it any other way.

Baby drug his hands down Jinu's hoodie, fruitless trying to feel at the body hidden underneath. Once the thickness of the fabric got on his nerves enough, he teased his fingertips under the offending hoodie. Jinu, sensing some hesitation, gently ushered Baby off of him so he could pull his top over his head, discarding it on the floor knowing full well he'd regret that later (the dirt smudges…). He shivered as the shorter man closed the gap between them again, lidded eyes dancing over his now exposed torso.

He was that sweet spot between thin and built. He didn't work out often, but being an active man on the road would put a couple pounds of muscle on anyone. He would sometimes worry that his body would be “too much” or “not enough” upon reveal, wondering if he should commit to one body type or the other. He wouldn't go so far as to say he was insecure, more like curious as to what others reactions would be: for better or worse. Luckily, Baby seemed to be starstruck by him just the way he was. His boys’ love-filled expressions always put his petty worries at ease.

He shivered as soft hands felt up his sides and fingers dipped and dragged along the divots of his subtle abs. Once Baby reached his naval, he let his nails send tickles up the larger man as he moved to grope at his pecs. They weren't the most pronounced around, just barely protruding from his chest, but there was apparently enough there for Baby to satiate his need to grab something, anything.

Hands now preoccupied with kneading at his chest, Baby drug his lips along his jawline. A slow inhale elicited a low groan from him as the roadie’s musky scent filled his senses. “What I'd give to fuck you right now.” He hissed into his ear, sending a shiver down his spine.

Jinu hummed, the idea alone making his growing erection more apparent. “Mystery probably has a spare bottle of lube in his bunk. I'm sure he won't mind us borrowing.” He offered, desperate for the tease to become reality.

His hopes were dashed when Baby rolled his eyes. “Even so, we can't fit in a bunk and I'm not fucking you on the floor of this filth machine. That'd probably break your body even more than it already is, anyway.”

As sexy as the prospect of Baby “breaking” him was, the logic was sound, so he abandoned his longing dreams. He lifted his arms, made sure there were no flinches or ready-to-strike tensing, and held his lover close, sparing a kiss to his neck. “Then, what would you want to do instead?”

Baby's breath hitched at the direct question. His head rested on the taller man's shoulder. A hand wandered down Jinu's front, appreciating his sturdy body, before pausing just above his black jeans. “Can I touch you?” He mumbled.

This man teased about fucking him and then asks if he can touch him. Jinu fought not to point out the obscurity of that. “Of course.” He said, his hips jutting slightly to show his willingness.

A grunt escaped him when a hand slid over his tent. Even the slightest attention was enough to make him twitch in the younger's grasp. Baby began stroking at the imprint of his dick. It was slow and deliberate, like he was testing the field instead of necessarily trying to pleasure him. Nonetheless, Jinu could feel more soft groans bubbling up his throat.

Baby bit his lip, sucking on his snake bites briefly before deciding to satisfy his oral fixation with Jinu's body instead. He kissed and sucked along his neck and shoulder before dipping down towards his chest. He hummed as he felt the rise and fall of Jinu's breaths, which were deep and quick with lust. His knees pressed against the wall as he lowered to graze his lips along Jinu's stomach.

As sweat started to decorate the taller man's skin, Baby’s tongue explored more and more, lapping up Jinu's salty flavor. When his chin grazed the fabric of his jeans, Jinu instinctively entangled his fingers in those teal strands. He had barely enough wits left to keep him from pulling or shoving Baby closer to his erection; that’d surely earn him a few unsavory words at minimum.

Realizing his legs were gonna kill him if he didn't give them support soon, Baby dropped down onto his knees. He smothered his cheek to Jinu’s tent, his mischievous gaze sending a jolt of want through the dark haired man. When met with an unexpected thrust, Baby rolled his eyes and began undoing the fly. Jinu’s pants were pooled at his ankles in seconds.

Baby palmed the more obvious impression of Jinu’s dick through his underwear. It was similar to the first time when he was testing the waters, but there was a bit more confidence behind the strokes. Finally, he lowered the boxers to let them rejoin the pants on the floor.

“Damn...” He said on instinct as Jinu's erection stood mere inches from his face. He gripped the base of his length and pumped to truly feel it. Pink crept up his face.

“Fair warning, I haven’t done this before. If I suck, don’t mention it.”

Jinu couldn’t contain a random giggle. He tried to play it off, but Baby raised a brow.

“What?”

“Oh, you’re gonna suck alright.”

“For fuck’s sake- if I wanted jokes I’d be fucking Abby! Now shut it!”

“Sorry! Couldn’t resist.”

Despite his annoyed expression, the silly moment must have given Baby the confidence needed to start. He pumped a few times to reset the mood before experimentally licking the head and opening his mouth comically wide. Once a few inches were in, Jinu felt the slightest gag and Baby backed off. He took a deep breath through his nose and tried again. Another gag. Realizing his limits pretty quickly, Baby enclosed his lips and bobbed shallowly. While irritation at his gag reflex was apparent, a deep blush and low groan showed that he was enjoying himself.

Jinu moaned and gripped at teal hair as Baby worked up his cock. Soft lips encompassed him in moist warmth that made him hot with lust. As Baby grew used to the new sensations, he tentatively tilted his head to try new angles, even licking at the underside of Jinu’s dick to elicit more reactions from him. He was certainly successful, for Jinu leaned against the wall for support as his legs grew weak from stimulation.

He perked when Baby’s throat spasmed again. He thought it was an accident at first, but when it happened again, he chuckled. It was becoming clear that the teal roadie was stubbornly trying to take in more of his lover despite his body’s protests. Jinu petted his hair to silently tell him that he didn’t need to force anything, yet Baby only huffed in response before trying and failing again.

A particularly good attempt had Jinu accidentally buck into Baby’s throat, which stretched and pulsed around him. He gasped and pulled back, allowing the smaller man some time to breathe. “Sorry! Sorry.”

Baby panted, spit wetting his chin, as he pinched his brows together. Jinu, fully expecting an angry face, was taken aback by Baby looking up at him with intrigue.

“I didn’t gag.”

“Huh?”

“When you thrusted, I didn’t gag. Maybe it keeps me from overthinking?” He licked his lips. “Try it again.”

Jinu hesitated, but when met with Baby opening his mouth willingly, he carefully bucked again. Sure enough, Baby didn’t gag.

The smaller man took a moment to process, breath heavy. His eyes darkened and he gripped Jinu’s hips with need. “Fuck, I like that…” He muttered lewdly.

Jinu’s heart thudded against his chest. This man was going to kill him!

He smirked, twisting a piece of Baby’s hair around his finger. “Want me to fuck that slutty mouth of yours?” He cooed, daring to tease with some dirty talk.

Baby bit his lip and nodded.

Jinu slithered a hand to the back of Baby’s head, steadying him as he lined back up with his mouth. Baby opened up eagerly and moaned as Jinu’s cock was thrusted down his throat. Jinu started slow, really testing the willingness of the younger’s gag reflex. He slipped the head in, then eased in an inch, then another. Finally, when lips met the base, he was impressed by how effective this method was. Baby was utterly blissed out, seemingly satisfied with being able to take all of him.

Jinu pulled out enough for Baby to take a deep breath before he thrusted back in. He rocked his hips in a slow rhythm, savoring how tight Baby’s throat was. He slowly sped up as confidence grew. They quickly developed a pattern: a few seconds of ruthless thrusting, a pause for breath, then repeat. His hips practically moved on their own with need, his mind swimming in ecstasy. He gripped teal hair with desperation. Viewing Baby’s lidded eyes staring up at him as he fucked his mouth, saliva shining on his chin, was beyond sexy.

He had only ever wondered about how Baby would be in bed. He wouldn’t linger on such thoughts for long, knowing that setting expectations would be unhealthy. But now, seeing him in action, with all the blunt raunchiness he had only ever heard of on display, was so special. To be trusted so wholly, for Baby to relinquish his own privacy, space, control for even a moment, it was enough to fill Jinu’s heart with lustful love.

He would say he hoped Baby felt the same, but if those teal eyes were anything to go by, he already knew the answer.

Bassy moans vibrated up his shaft, suddenly spiking his arousal. “Baby, I’m gonna come!” He grunted, pitch rising.

He loosened his grip on the younger’s head, and Baby leaned off with his tongue lulled out. He resumed the swift rhythm with his hand, spit allowing him to glide easily around the erection.

Jinu gasped and shuddered a high moan as he finished into Baby’s mouth. Cum pooled on the younger’s tongue as ropes of release shot out. Once the last drops dribbled out, Baby swallowed. He shook his head as if he took a strong shot and groaned.

“That tastes fucking weird.”

Jinu, still recovering from his orgasm, laughed hollowly. “Yep, and you’ll never get used to it.”

“Great.”

With tiredness creeping up his body, Jinu awkwardly pulled his pants back up and shifted down onto his knees to meet his lover. When Baby snaked a hand around the back of his neck, he smiled and offered a quick kiss. He almost whined with loss as Baby stood up, planting a hand on top of his head to keep him from following. Baby put his free hand to his hip, angling his obvious bulge towards the man on his knees.

“Mind helping me out?” His heavy tone was unable to hide the genuine ask for permission in his expression.

Jinu smirked, adjusting himself to line up with Baby’s cock. “Whatever you want, Baby~.” He loved blurring the lines between nickname and pet name.

Baby eagerly lowered his pants and underwear, his hard dick popping out with precum already slicking the tip. Jinu almost felt hypnotized at seeing Baby’s passion for the first time, mouth suddenly feeling empty. He wrapped his fingers around him, the heat and weight of arousal fueling his need to pleasure. After a few strokes to ensure the teal man was comfortable, he led the member into his mouth. He took in as far as his gag reflex would allow before pulling back.

When thin fingers entangled in his black hair, he bobbed his head. The ensuing moans from the man above him coaxed him to pick up the pace, patience fleeing him. He closed his eyes and gripped at Baby’s thighs as he worked.

His body was moving all on its own. To have the honor of pleasuring his most aloof lover sparked a flame that felt impossible to extinguish. The rewards were instant: deep moans flooding his ears, shaky hands in his hair, a twitching member against his tongue, everything. He adored each and every tell from the smaller man, from frantic breaths to trembling knees. It was all so adorable, and it grew the fire in his heart. He tilted his head and sucked greedily. He needed more: more reactions, more sensations, more passion.

He could feel Baby trying to thrust into his throat, but the larger man held him still, much to the younger’s irritation. While that method worked wonders for Baby, he knew that it would NOT work for him. He had to set the pace on his own terms if they had any hope of making it through this. Luckily, his merciless rhythm was undoing the teal haired man more and more by the second.

“Uhn~ I’m gonna-”

“Let me.” Jinu insisted swiftly before continuing his bobs.

He was never the best when it came to the inevitable conclusion of oral. His mind flooded with several, wretch filled memories. But this time, he was determined to take ALL of his lover. No matter how much his body fought back.

Baby’s impatient hips thrusted his length down his throat, already prodding at Jinu’s gag reflex before he came with a quivering moan. Jinu screwed his eyes shut as cum flowed down his throat. He spasmed and sputtered, yet he managed to hold himself together longer than he ever had before. When Baby pulled out and promptly pulled his pants back up, Jinu’s hand flew to his mouth to suppress his urge to cough.

“You good?”

He peered up at Baby, who looked down at him with a mix of post-orgasm exhaustion and confused worry. He nodded as he forced a big swallow. “Yep. Perfect even.”

Baby raised a brow. “Certain?”

Jinu huffed a laugh, leaning his forehead against the younger’s hip. “Yes, promise! I just have a weak gag reflex.”

“Oh! Sorry! You didn’t have to-”

“I WANTED to, Baby! Don’t worry.”

Baby tisked with his signature attitude Jinu adored. “If you say so Mr. ‘I don’t want to perform my sexuality’ or whatever it was you said. Also, are you drooling?”

Jinu perked and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Sure enough, his mouth was salivating way more than usual to compensate for him not throwing up. When would his body learn that cum wasn’t some horrid poison that would kill him if ingested? With an embarrassed sigh, he stood up with wobbly knees.

He smiled when Baby leaned against his front immediately, arms lazily wrapping around him. The shorter man panted as he still recovered from his orgasm. After a few seconds of rest, his shoulders relaxed and his breaths evened out slowly, his blushed face mellowing.

“I'm tired.”

“That's shocking.”

“Shut up… I want to lay down. My legs feel like shit.”

“Me too, my stomach isn’t exactly happy with me. Um, think we could fit in a bunk?”

“No.”

Despite Baby's definitive answer, he stared at a bunk as if measuring its dimensions.

“I guess if we're just laying down. Maybe.” He muttered in a relenting tone.

Jinu carefully stepped his way towards his bed, which was closer, all while the shorter man refused to get off of him. The sideways shuffle would have been comedic if not for the look on Baby's sobering, annoyed face that told him that any peep would earn him a shove and a good dose of the silent treatment. Luckily, they made it to the bunk with relations intact.

Jinu opened up the curtain and Baby climbed inside. He was shocked to see him squishing against the wall as much as he could to allow the larger man room. He was fully prepared for Baby to change his mind and demand privacy. With a flattered grin, Jinu attempted to lay beside him with the space given. It wasn't quite enough: his leg dangled off the edge and had to prop his right side up to keep him from falling off. A warm chuckle escaped him as Baby scoffed and reluctantly shuffled to lay on top of him instead. A few seconds of maneuvering, cussing, and an accidental elbow jab later, they were both securely in the bunk.

Baby laid on his stomach, head to the taller's chest. Jinu gently petted his back, his knuckles brushing the top of the bunk showing just how little wiggle room they had left. He took a deep breath as his lover's weight and warmth put his senses at ease.

“You know I'm not touching you for years after this, right?” Baby muttered against his chest.

“Yep. Fully.” Jinu chuckled.

He had to savor this now. He'd be damned if he took this moment for granted.

“Don’t mention this to the others.” Baby piped up. “Or, at least not right away. Give it a week, then I won’t be mad. Maybe.”

“Alright, promise.”

“You had a good time, right?”

“A fantastic time. You?”

Baby sighed. “The best.”

They laid there for a while, simply absorbing the other’s presence.

If it weren’t for the vibration of Jinu’s phone in his discarded hoodie, they might have even dozed off there (at least Jinu would have; insomnia was a bitch).

With a huff, Baby slinked off and stood. As Jinu got out of the bunk, Baby went ahead and grabbed the hoodie, fished out the phone, and handed both to Jinu. Jinu lazily put his hoodie on before checking the notification. It was a text from Romance:

“Sorry, you can come back now, love!”

He shook his head. “Let’s go. They’re finally done with their little escapade.”

As they left the bus and locked it up for the night, Jinu suddenly flinched with realization. “Wait, when did WE become the stowaways?!”

“I’m so tired.”

“Same.”

Romance plopped onto the hotel bed and groaned as the cushions supported his aching limbs. He snuggled up to Jinu, who kissed the top of his pink head, earning a smile through the exhaustion.

They had just gotten done with yet another show. No matter how many times they did the same routine, their bodies insisted it was their first and demanded they rest for all eternity to make up for it. Too bad, work first.

At least they could relax now. Jinu and Romance went straight to the hotel while Abby, Mystery, and Baby went on a snack and Monster run. They silently hoped and prayed those three would return with no crazy story to tell.

“Hun, what time is it?”

While Jinu only intended to look at the time on his phone, he couldn’t help but notice the date too.

“Oh, it’s been a week. It's almost midnight.”

“Huh?”

“It’s almost midnight.”

“No, before that.”

“Uh,” Jinu shrugged, seeing no need to lie, “you remember the night you guys had with Zoey?”

“Yeah?” Romance sat up slightly with worry.

“It’s nothing bad.” Jinu assured him quickly. “Remember how me and Baby had to wait on you guys?”

“Unfortunately. Sorry about that, I tried to reel us in after round two, buuut-”

“Don't worry about it. Because, well, that extra time was well spent.”

Romance perked at Jinu's tone. “Wait.” He pointed a finger at Jinu, then at an imaginary Baby beside him, then back to Jinu. “No way. I must be wrong.”

The dark haired man smirked.

Romance gasped and clapped briefly. “That's so special! I'm happy for you two! Where on Earth did you do it?”

“Erm, on the bus.”

“THE BUS? How in the world did you convince Baby to do it in that filth machine?”

“I didn't! He convinced ME!”

Romance mouthed but no words came out. He tossed his hands up. “I give up. Good for you. That night was bonkers for all of us, I guess.”

He froze suddenly as he recalled something. A hand rested on his cheek. “You know, something special happened to me that night too. Can't believe I forgot to mention it.” When Jinu raised an eyebrow, Romance sighed dreamily. “I got to ride Mystery.”

“What?! Nope, I refuse to believe that.”

“Huh- I believed your ‘fucking Baby on the bus’ story, but my ‘Mystery topped’ story is too farfetched?”

“Yep, because Baby wanting to have sex isn’t unheard of. Mystery topping? That’s little more than legend.”

Jinu yelped as he was suddenly hit with a pillow.

Romance huffed lightheartedly. “You’re such a dork, Jinu. You know that, right?”