one

before we begin:- everyone is aged in their 20s!- sunoo has black hair & sunghoon has blonde- no use of korean honorifics! - cursing is involved!!- strictly fanfiction and made up, i do not own enhypen or any of their music mentioned. i only own the storyline. thanks!!

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"i can't go with you," sunoo insists, refusing the offer he so desperately wants to accept.

"please, sunoo! i need someone to come with me and it's your favorite group, too! i can't believe you're saying no," ni-ki cries, vigorously shaking sunoo by the shoulders.

sunoo gives his best friend a look of guilt. it's not that he doesn't want to go to the concert with him, trust me, he does, but it was hard to accept those kinds of invitations from ni-ki when he knows he would never be able to repay him.

ni-ki releases his grip on sunoo, standing back with his arms crossed. his taller stature practically hovers over the latter. ni-ki clears his throat before saying, "okay, that's it. now, i'm telling you. no, demanding you. you're coming with me and that's final!"

there's no getting around him. that's just how nishimura riki is and how he's always been. sunoo should have known that once he'd signed up to be ni-ki's best friend. they'd met back in university and have been best friends ever since. sunoo doesn't know how he got so lucky to have someone like him in his life, but he did. if ni-ki hadn't been there the day his family disowned him, he doesn't know what he would've done.

despite all that, ni-ki and sunoo have always loved music, which is the reason they met at university in the first place, since they went to one for the arts. the only difference between them is that ni-ki has a career out of it and sunoo doesn't. and when ni-ki is able to so easily get tickets to a concert for one of their favorite groups, it pains sunoo to know he would never have the money to pay him back. sunoo doesn't even have the money to live alone, which is why ni-ki so willingly took his best friend who felt like an older brother in. the older doesn't want him to feel like he has to take care of him, but nothing sunoo says seems to ever change the younger's mind.

"you'd be a real idiot to think i wouldn't let you come to this concert with me, sun," ni-ki snorts, taking a seat on the sofa of the living room.

sunoo bites his tongue in hesitation, wanting to explain how ni-ki landed front row tickets, which were literally over ₩427,000 each, and that he doesn't have anything for him in return. but instead, sunoo gives in. "i-i guess so."

ni-ki flashes him a smile once the words escape sunoo's lips and he jumps up from his spot on the couch to engulf the shorter into a bone-crushing hug. "HELL YES! this is going to be so much fun! we're going to an enhypen concert!!!!!"

sunoo lets out a soft chuckle as he releases the hug, his grin never faltering. ni-ki perks up. "i know it's tomorrow, but i'm going to pick out my outfit now because i can't wait. want to help?"

as much as the older loves fashion with all his heart, he doesn't have it in him to help right now. he feels too tired. "i'm alright for now. i think i'm gonna clock out, if you don't mind."

ni-ki purses his lips for a moment, studying sunoo's expression, but he quickly shakes it off. "whatever you say, dude. later!"

"love you too," sunoo scoffs, watching as the younger slips off to his bedroom across the hall.

the black haired boy lets out a deep sigh as he begins to trudge over to his own room. opening the door to his bedroom, he takes a moment to absorb his surroundings. the white walls enlarge the space, highlighting his twin-sized bed and small wooden night table. aside from his closet and guitar, there isn't really much else in there. he never allows riki to spoil him when it comes to his bedroom, despite how much the younger begs to. a bedroom is only for sleeping, sunoo thinks. no need to waste his well earned money on him.

when sunoo is not in his bedroom, he's normally at work. he used to work at a bakery all of his teenage years, but for the past four months, he has been working at the local guitar shop near their home. as much as he's always loved to sing, he's never really played musical instruments. well, up until four months ago, that is.

ni-ki had won his first mnet asian music award for best male solo dancer this year, since he's a professional dancer and choreographer, and that's when he had heard from a friend in the industry about the boy group enhypen. they have only been a group for a a little less than a year, but are really starting to rise. ni-ki showed their songs to sunoo and he really loved them. especially the lyrics to their songs. despite it being more of a teenage female based audience, something about their music sticks out to him. it's fun to listen to, yes, but he feels like their lyrics have deeper meaning. and as a singer, sunoo loves nothing more than being able to connect to one's music.

one of the band members, jay park, plays guitar. ever since sunoo found out, he's sparked a sudden interest in learning. so, since then, he's practiced guitar, gotten a job at the shop, and has played ever since. sunoo would say he's pretty moderate at it. he loves his job and he loves learning more about the beautiful instrument each day, but sometimes he can't help letting his jealousy get the best of him.

ni-ki is living the dream sunoo's always desired. he gets to dance, choreograph, and perform for the world. he gets to share his talents and his passion with people who can relate and enjoy. as incredibly proud as he is of his best friend, sunoo sometimes wishes he had that life. had the opportunity to sing and perform the same way ni-ki does with dance. is that selfish?

ever since his family disowned him for coming out as gay, he gets worried he will never be accepted into an industry like like the kpop industry. he can't recall any artists he's listened to that are openly gay, and that scares him. maybe part of the reason he hasn't followed his dream is because he hasn't put himself out there? he tends to let his fears get the best of him.

sunoo's thoughts jumble up in his head, causing him to collapse onto his bed with a huff of exhaustion. it's only early evening, yet his body feels completely shut down. he takes it as a sign to curl up into bed and get an early sleep. getting into his pajamas, sunoo glances over at his guitar propped up against the wall. it was the first expensive thing he'd ever bought with his savings and it is the most special personal belonging of his. he smiles, reminiscing on the memory.

sunoo wraps himself up in his purple bedsheets – his favorite color – and begins to doze off, despite the fluttering of thoughts swirling around in his busy mind.

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"no way, i think 'go big or go home' is the catchiest one on the album," ni-ki exclaims, his eyes focused on the road ahead of them.

the day of the long awaited concert has arrived, and ni-ki being ni-ki, simply has to drive them out to shop for clothes. he has to look the best fucking dressed, obviously.

after practically pouring out the items of his closet onto his bedroom floor, he decided a brand new outfit for the concert would do the trick instead.

sunoo, personally, doesn't think he or riki needs one. yet, here they are on the afternoon of the concert, driving to a clothing store.

"i think 'just a little bit' is the best one. i mean, listen to the lyrics! they're so beautiful," sunoo explains, a small smile playing onto his lips. something about that song pulls him in, and he wished he could have written it.

without realizing it, he mindlessly begins humming the tune of the song, his attention focused on the view from outside the car window.

"even when you're humming, your voice is still as perfect as ever. ugh, i hate you," ni-ki remarks, causing sunoo to stop humming abruptly.

a blush creeps onto his cheeks as he lets out a scoff. "please. says you. last time i checked, you were the famous one with all those awards."

ni-ki chuckles as the car approaches a stop light. "you always have to find a way to dodge a compliment, don't you? why do i even bother."

as much as sunoo's heart wants to flutter out of his chest in gratitude, his pessimistic little mind has to step in the way. if he is so talented, why isn't he out there doing what he longs for? if he is so talented, why is he stuck working at a small guitar shop that barely pays his bills? if he is so talented, why is the first thing people think of when they hear his name is that he is nobody but "just the gay kid"? will it always be this hopeless for him?

"uh oh. you're making your overthinking face. what are you thinking? whatever it is, stop."

sunoo snaps out of his trance once the car comes to a final stop and he notices riki has turned the engine off, looking in his direction. sunoo guilty glances down at his hands that rest on his lap, twiddling his thumbs. "oh, uh, n-nothing really. just drifting off, i guess."

"well, look at me," he says, his sincere tone causing sunoo's head to turn and face him, "listen up, 'cause i'm only gonna say this once. you're the most talented, generous, kind-hearted person i know. i'm so lucky to have you as my best friend, do you know that? you can literally do anything you set your mind to, sun. you just need to find confidence in yourself. okay? okay. now, pretend i didn't just get all soft and corny like that, i got a reputation to uphold."

this time, sunoo doesn't fight against his flushed cheeks. he giggles at his best friend, who is now also a blushing mess. accepting compliments is a hard thing to do for sunoo, but when they're from ni-ki, someone who rarely likes to show verbal affection like that, sunoo knows they're real and genuine. it's difficult to not feel like the most loved person in the universe when ni-ki compliments you. sunoo sends him a warm smile that ni-ki instantly returns before he pokes his pointer finger into sunoo's squishy cheek.

"you're so weird," sunoo states, shoving ni-ki's hand away.

"your cheeks practically beg to be poked. anyways, come on, let's go shopping!" he cheers, unlocking the car doors.

sunoo wants to complain about not having enough money for the literal fucking balenciaga store ni-ki has driven them to, but knowing riki, he would simply tell sunoo to stop talking because he'd pay for both their clothes. sunoo swears one day soon he'll pay his best friend back.

"isn't this store a bit expensive for just a concert outfit?" sunoo asks him as they make their way into the entrance of balenciaga.

"didn't i say i wanted to be the best dressed?" he replies, dragging sunoo over to a shirt section.

"riki, i'm not wearing those pants to a concert." he snorts at the ridiculous thought, sneaking a glance at the price tag. gasping he shrieks, "₩1,424,910 for a pair of pants i could buy at the thrift store?!?"

ni-ki ignores him. "okay, but forget the concert for a second and look at this sick cargo jacket!" he exclaims, holding up a bright blue clothing item before sunoo's eyes. sunoo has to admit, the blue color is pretty similar to his favorite shade. "ugh, you have to try it on! you'd look so fucking hot. no homo, though."

"i told you to stop saying that, dumbass. you're literally bi."

ni-ki simply shrugs. sunoo then catches glance of a couple standing a few feet away, sending stares. he sheepishly rubs the back of his neck, unsure of if they're looking because they recognize ni-ki or if he is just being too loud. ni-ki can be a bit over-the-top at times. "i don't know about this..." sunoo mutters, focusing back on the jacket.

"well, i do! the answer is, get your ass into the dressing room and try this thing on! oh and these expensive pants you whined about to go with it!" riki insists, tossing him the items.

sunoo feels he doesn't have much of a choice but to comply. and he hates to admit it, but ni-ki is right. the jacket is perfect. he feels powerful wearing it. he hardly wants to move as he admires the outfit on him in the mirror, for he feels that one wrong move could damage it's perfection. he couldn't possibly wear something like this in real life, nevermind a concert! it's far too out of his price range, anyways. even if he looks extremely hot wearing it.

"yah!! let me see!"

the older hesitantly walks out of the dressing room to be met by ni-ki's wide eyes and dropped jaw. sunoo bites his lip, waiting for him to say something.

"i take it back, full homo. your ass looks great in those pants right now."

of course he'd say that. sunoo sighs in embarrassment as his best friend continues to squeal over the outfit. "dude! you have to buy them!"

"no way! i could never afford this and it isn't fit for a concert," he responds dismissively, already beginning to unbutton the jacket.

"don't be stupid, i'd buy it for you, my treat," ni-ki intrudes, placing a hand on sunoo's shoulder.

sunoo knows what he's doing, but he can't let him. he gives riki a look of sympathy, but his eyes hold a look of shame written all over them. "ni-ki, i love you, but i mean it this time. you do so much for me already and i can never pay you back."

riki's face falls a bit as he hears sunoo's words. the older never really declined his offers so upfront before and he hopes it didn't sound too harsh. "but i love spoiling you," ni-ki pouts.

sunoo softly chuckles at his expression before continuing. "i know you do, but here's what i'm thinking. i don't want you to buy this outfit because i'm going to buy it."

riki furrows his eyebrows in confusion. "but you just said-"

"i know, i know. i can't afford it right now. which is why i'm going to use this outfit as a gift for myself when i can afford it. the day i have enough of my own money to buy them, it will be the first thing i do!"

sunoo smiles brightly, quite content with his plan. before he can say anything else, ni-ki ruffles his hair with a coo. "ahh!! you're the most precious human ever, you stupid little squishy boy," ni-ki dramatically exclaims, now squishing the shorter's cheeks.

sunoo huffs, squirming his way out of riki's teasing affection. "yah!! i'm serious! i'll use this outfit as motivation for saving up to afford it!"

ni-ki wipes a fake tear before flashing sunoo a sarcastic smile. "that sounds like a lot more shifts at the guitar shop to me!"

sunoo shrugs. he's probably right. "eh, nothing i can't handle."

"YOOOO LOOK AT THAT BELT!" ni-ki suddenly shrieks, racing over to the opposite end of the store.

sunoo shakes his head with a chuckle before returning back inside the dressing room to change. he hopes it won't be the last time he sees this jacket.

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"yah! quit tripping over yourself, hee," park sunghoon exclaims towards his older group member, lee heeseung. "i know balancing on two feet without falling down isn't your thing, but at least try to put in some effort."

heeseung sends him a glare from the opposite end of the dressing room. "hey, i'm practicing as much as i can! the show is in less than an hour and i'm nervous, is all. what crawled up your ass?"

"can you guys quit bickering, over there? i can't hear myself think!" jay park shouts from the corner of the room. he places his hands over his ears and begins to mumble some words under his breath.

yang jungwon chuckles from the sofa in front of the black haired boy. "are you practicing the harmonies with your ears plugged?" he snorts.

"quit judging me, wonie. i had a dream that i messed up the words to 'upper side dreamin' last night, so i just want to make sure i have it all down," jay explains with a serious face.

jungwon nudges jay's side jokingly just as the dressing room door swings open harshly. a man dressed in black holds a clipboard tightly in his left hand, his other hand pressed against the ear piece in his ear. "twenty minutes before you're on," is all he says before closing the door with a thud.

the last member, jake sim, gasps. "wha-already?! i-i thought we had an hour!"

"wow, they're fast," sunghoon mutters to himself. "these crew people don't mess around."

jungwon stands up from his spot on the couch and claps his hands together. "well, are we about ready then, everyone?" he asks, putting his leader face on.

before any of them can answer, sunghoon slowly raises his hand.

"uh," jungwon croaks in confusion, "yes, sunghoon?"

"i have to take a piss, mr. yang, sir," he answers, earning a chuckle from jake.

"why are you raising your hand?" jungwon scoffs, rolling his eyes.

"because i'm polite," sunghoon retorts, crossing his arms.

jay lets out a sigh. "just hurry, up, dumbass. we don't have much time."

without giving it a second thought, sunghoon scurries towards the door and opens it in a rush. he quickly looks both ways, desperately trying to remember which direction the toilets are in. in the end, he decides to turn left and hope for the best.

"hmph." he reads the sign on a door labeled MEN, but he soon notices it's a public restroom and not his private one. knowing he has limited time, sunghoon rushes inside anyways and realises the room is quite deserted. not that it matters, for he doesn't want to run into anyone anyways. he would have gone to the private restroom, but he clearly can't remember where it is. he only hopes nobody would enter.

his hope is soon crushed once he hears a voice.

"just a little bit, just a little bit, singyeong sseuyeo neoran jonjaega."

what the fuck? sunghoon thinks to himself. he's literally taking a piss and suddenly a singing voice comes out of nowhere. sunghoon panics for a moment, thinking he had been alone. nobody else is at a urinal, but then again, there's a whole other side of the restroom he didn't think to check...

"just a little bit, just a little bit, nae segyereul muneotteuryeo."

the voice is quiet, clearly trying to sing lightly to themselves, but the echoes of the bathroom allow it's sound to bounce off the walls. as he zips up his fly, sunghoon can't help but think the voice is quite captivating, despite the awkward circumstances. the lightness and the higher pitch of the tone fits really well with the lyrics of the song.

without thinking, sunghoon says, "sounds good."

instantly, the room silences. sunghoon gulps as he trudges over to the sinks. why in fucks name did i just say that out loud? he mentally scolds himself.

"u-uh, thank you."

the unknown singing voice has the same sweet sound to it when it speaks and sunghoon can't help but find it just as intriguing as the singing. nobody in the group has a voice quite like that, especially him. he's always teased for having a hard time hitting higher notes and he has always been insecure about it as well. the other boys have adaptable voices, but sunghoon would kill to have a voice like the one he had just heard.

as he finishes washing his hands, the shadow of a shorter figure emerges into his peripheral view. sunghoon turns his head reluctantly and comes face-to-face with the prettiest set of eyes he has ever seen. "are you the singer?" he finds himself blurt out with a smirk.

the black-haired boy is about to respond, but his eyes suddenly widen and he finds himself at a loss for words. either his vision is clearly mistaken, or this boy is none other than park sunghoon of enhypen himself.

sunghoon snickers, raising his hands in a playful surrender. "alright, get your screams out now, you caught me. just don't get a crowd of people in here, i have to be on stage in ten."

the boy before him still doesn't speak a word. sunghoon takes note of the denim light washed jeans and loose pale pink tee that he's wearing. it definitely sticks out, but it isn't in a bad way.

clearing his throat and lowering his hands, sunghoon croaks out an "alright then..."

the boy in the pink shirt seems to catch himself, slightly shaking his head out of his trance.

"i'm sorry, but i have to go now," sunghoon says, passing the boy as he mumbles, "see you around, singer boy."

and with that, sunoo is left alone, still at a loss for stupid words.