The humid summer night clung to the air like a damp blanket, even inside the practice room. Fluorescent lights, usually harsh, were softened by the late hour, casting long, wavering shadows as the last notes of “Future Perfect (Pass the MIC)” faded. Sweat-slicked hair, flushed cheeks, and laboured breathing were a testament to the gruelling hours they’d put in. I, S/N, was just as exhausted, having spent the day documenting their choreography tweaks, a process that felt more like decoding ancient runes than taking notes. My pen had practically fused to my hand.
Heeseung, ever the pragmatic leader, was the first to break the heavy silence, his voice a low rumble. "Alright, everyone. Good work. Let's wrap it up."
The others groaned in a mix of relief and lingering fatigue. Jake, still leaning against the mirrored wall, wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. "Seriously, I think my calves just filed for divorce from the rest of my legs."
Sunghoon, always more composed than the rest, offered a small, knowing smile. "Mine are considering it too, Jake."
I gathered my scattered papers, careful not to smudge the hastily scribbled notations. A new habit I’d picked up this past month was lining up my pens, caps all facing the same direction, before putting them away. It was a small, satisfying ritual in the chaos of their schedules. Tonight, the blue pen was slightly out of alignment, and I found myself nudging it into place with a fingertip.
"S/N, stay for a bit?" Jungwon’s voice was softer than usual, a little breathy from exertion. He was still standing center, posture perfect, but his eyes held a glint I couldn’t quite decipher.
My heart gave a familiar little jump. *Oh. Not just me?* I'd grown accustomed to late-night chats with them, reviewing content, planning social media, or just unwinding. But the collective gaze that settled on me now felt different. It was… intense.
"Sure," I managed, my own voice a bit hoarse. "Just need to finish packing my things."
As I tucked the last pen into its case, Jay stretched languidly, his eyes meeting mine in the mirror. He caught my gaze, and a slow, almost imperceptible smirk played on his lips. "You know, it's been a long day." His voice was low, a hint of something deeper beneath the surface.
I nodded, feeling a strange warmth creep up my neck. "I can tell. You all look like you wrestled a bear."
"More like a very enthusiastic choreographer," Sunoo piped up, then gave a soft, almost shy laugh. He always had a way of diffusing tension, even if he was often the cause of it. "But seriously, my legs are aching."
Niki, who had been quietly hydrating, looked up, his eyes wide and earnest. "S/N noona, could you... could you maybe sit down with us for a bit? Just for a few minutes?" He gestured vaguely to the floor, where some of them were already beginning to collapse.
It was an unusual request. We usually talked standing, or at the table. But the idea of just *sitting* felt appealing after a long day. I kicked off my sneakers and padded over, finding a spot next to Jake, who was already massaging his quads.
"Comfortable?" Heeseung asked, his voice unexpectedly soft. He was sitting cross-legged, observing me with an unreadable expression.
"As I can be after a day with you lot," I joked, trying to lighten the atmosphere that felt… thicker than usual. *What is this? Are they planning a surprise?* My mind, ever the strategist, began listing possibilities: prank, new project, late-night confession of a shared, deep philosophical insight.
Then Jungwon, from my other side, shifted slightly. "S/N," he began, his voice a low, almost hesitant murmur, "can you... sit on my lap for a bit?"
My breath hitched. The request was so sudden, so out of left field, it completely blindsided me. My internal monologue, usually a roaring waterfall, went completely silent. My heart did more than jump; it did a full backflip. I blinked, unsure if I’d heard him correctly.
Jake, beside me, cleared his throat. "Yeah, S/N," he echoed, his voice now a little rougher, "mine too. Just for a second. We're all really… tired. And you're comfortable."
Sunghoon nodded, a slight flush on his usually pale cheeks. Jay watched me, his smirk still in place, but his eyes were sharper, more focused. Even Niki was looking at me with an intensity that belied his usual playful innocence.
A wave of confusion, hot and perplexing, washed over me. *What in the world is happening? This isn’t a prank, is it? It feels too… sincere.* My brain, usually quick to identify social cues, was short-circuiting. They all looked… expectant. And a little desperate.
"My lap?" I repeated, my voice barely a whisper. My eyes scanned their faces, searching for an explanation, a tell, anything. Heeseung, still cross-legged, had his hands resting on his knees, knuckles white. Jay's gaze was fixed. Sunoo was looking down, a faint blush evident even in the dim light. And Jungwon, the one who initiated it, was looking at me with an almost pleading expression.
The air thrummed with a strange energy, an unspoken current passing between us. I felt a prickle of unease, but also… curiosity. This was so far beyond their usual behaviour that my brain couldn't compute it. What were they thinking? Why *this* request, all at once? My heart hammered a confused rhythm against my ribs.