×Sunghoon's pov×

He's bold but has never kissed, or dated, or even liked anyone before. That's confusing.

He decided to brush it off quickly, and stood up, walking towards the kitchen, hoping he didn't burn the pancake.

"Just in time."

He whispered, placing it on the plate, noticing Heeseung standing up and walking next to him.

"Are you a better cook than Jay?"

"No way. No one is better than him."

Sunghoon chuckled, shaking his head, as Heeseung's lips twitched in amusement.

"He might be a better cook, but I'm pretty sure I'm a better kisser."

Sunghoon's eyes widened, a blush creeping up his neck. Heeseung's words were a bold declaration, a challenge that sent a thrill down his spine.

"You should probably prove it, then."

Sunghoon said, his voice a soft whisper. Heeseung grinned, his eyes shining with mischief. He took a step closer, but Sunghoon panicked.

Heeseung, despite his quiet nature, was bold, confident, and undeniably charming. He was everything Sunghoon wasn't, and yet, he was drawn to him.

Heeseung's hand reached out, hovering near Sunghoon's cheek, his fingers brushing against the smooth skin. Sunghoon flinched, his heart pounding like a drum solo. Heeseung chuckled, the sound light and carefree, but it did nothing to soothe Sunghoon's sudden anxiety.

He was so close, his breath warm against Sunghoon's skin, that he could practically feel the words vibrating against his cheek.

Sunghoon's breath hitched. He longed to lean in, to feel Heeseung's lips on his, to taste his sweet, intoxicating scent. But, he simply wasn't ready.

So instead of leaning in, he did the unthinkable. He placed his hand on Heeseung's bare chest, stopping him from stepping closer.

"Not now."

Heeseung froze, his smile fading, his eyes shimmering with a mixture of confusion and hurt as he looked down at Sunghoon's hand on his chest.

The air between them thickened, the silence heavy with unspoken emotions. Heeseung's hand fell away from Sunghoon's face, his fingers curling into a fist as he stared at him, his expression inscrutable.

Sunghoon felt a pang of guilt, a wave of regret washing over him. He could see the hurt in Heeseung's eyes, the spark of excitement dimming into a flicker of disappointment. He had stopped him, shut down the very thing that Heeseung was clearly craving.

Sunghoon couldn't bear to meet Heeseung's gaze, the disappointment shimmering in his eyes like a silent accusation. He threw himself back into the task of flipping pancakes, each movement jerky and uncoordinated, his mind overwhelmed by the knot of guilt twisting in his stomach.

Heeseung didn't speak, though Sunghoon could feel his gaze burning into his back.

The elder's presence was a siren song, calling to him with a force that both terrified and enticed him.

He knew he would eventually succumb, drawn in by the sheer strength of his feelings. But right now, he needed time.

He needed to understand what this new, exhilarating feeling meant, what it would mean for him and for Heeseung.

"Heeseung hyung?"

Sunghoon finally spoke, his voice strained and hesitant. He felt weird talking to him like that after what happened.

But Heeseung didn't seem as stressed and anxious as Sunghoon did. It was like he was used to stuff like that and didn't hurt him anymore.

"Are you... hungry?"

A soft chuckle broke the silence, a sound that was like a balm on Sunghoon's soul. Heeseung looked at him, his eyes shining with amusement.

"Yes, actually. These pancakes smell amazing."

Sunghoon's heart thrummed with relief. Heeseung's response was a lifeline, a reassurance that the connection between them remained, even though he had faltered.

"Great."

He mumbled, focusing on flipping the final pancake. He tried to ignore the way his hands trembled slightly, the lingering warmth of Heeseung's touch still vivid on his skin.

As Heeseung sat down at the table, the silence returned, but now it felt different. It was no longer heavy with unspoken desire, but with a shared understanding, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken emotions that danced between them.

Sunghoon placed the pancakes on the table, their golden-brown surfaces a stark contrast to the sudden darkness that seemed to have overtaken the room.

Heeseung was quiet, his eyes fixed on the pancakes, but Sunghoon could feel the weight of his gaze, a silent question hanging in the air.

"Do you want syrup or honey?"

Sunghoon asked, his voice barely a whisper, and Heeseung looked up, his eyes meeting Sunghoon's.

"It doesn't matter, really. As long as you made it."

Sunghoon felt a blush creep up his neck, a warmth spreading through his chest.

"I think I'm going to go with honey. "

Heeseung continued, his gaze lingering on Sunghoon. It was almost as if he was killing him with his eyes.

"It seems... more fitting."

Sunghoon couldn't decipher the meaning behind that comment, but the way Heeseung's eyes seemed to sparkle with something unreadable made his heart race.

He quickly poured honey on the pancakes, his hands clumsy, his mind filled with questions he couldn't voice.

The honey, the golden liquid dripping down the pancake, seemed to mirror the swirling emotions in Sunghoon's stomach. Heeseung, however, appeared unfazed, calmly taking a bite and savoring the flavor.

"That's just... Delicious. "

He finally said, his voice a soft murmur. Sunghoon, relieved that the awkward silence had been broken, nodded, taking a hesitant bite of his own pancake.

The rest of the meal was mostly silent, punctuated by the occasional clink of forks and the soft rustle of paper towels.

Sunghoon couldn't help but steal glances at Heeseung, fascinated by the way he ate, the way his lips pursed slightly as he concentrated on the taste.

Heeseung caught his eye once, a playful smirk playing on his lips, one that Sunghoon of course noticed.

"You're staring."

He teased, his voice softer than a whisper. Sunghoon's cheeks flushed scarlet. He looked down at his plate, unable to meet Heeseung's gaze.

"I'm sorry."

He mumbled, feeling foolish. Heeseung leaned back in his chair, his eyes filled with amusement.

"Don't apologize. I kinda like it."

Sunghoon stared at him, his mind reeling. He didn't understand the sudden shift in their dynamic, the way Heeseung seemed to be flirting with him, yet still holding back.

"You're different."

Heeseung said, breaking the silence. He leaned forward, his voice filled with a quiet intensity.

"I don't know what it is, but you make me feel things I've never felt before."

Sunghoon felt a tremor run through him. The raw honesty in Heeseung's voice, the vulnerability he dared to expose, was both exhilarating and terrifying.

"I..."

Sunghoon began, but his voice trailed off, his thoughts a jumbled mess. He was overwhelmed by the emotions swirling inside him, the uncertainty, the fear, the undeniable pull towards Heeseung.

Heeseung's hand reached across the table, his fingers gently brushing against Sunghoon's. The touch sent a jolt of electricity through him, a sensation he couldn't deny, no matter how much he tried to resist.

"You're the best person I could have in my life. I know we just met, but you already make me feel like I'm the better version of myself."

And as Sunghoon smiled slightly, he looked down at their hands, noticing a friendship bracelet on Heeseung's hand.

"Yin and Yang? Who has the other half? Your best friend?"