Chapter Text
It all started with the maknae’s enjoying a late night yap session. Ever since they changed dorm the two friends enjoyed the roommate swap, often getting overexcited sharing their hobbies and staying up too late (Cheonghyeon’s influence) much to Kim Iwol’s chagrin.
When they weren't busy they enjoyed talking about anything and everything, but especially topics they would never feel comfortable talking about with their hyungs. The youth that they sacrificed for their dreams finally getting to blossom.
So inevitably, per Cheonghyeon's insistence and Kiyeon’s embarrassment, the topic of love came up.
“I mean obviously, we can’t pursue anything, BUT if you had to choose, what's your type?” Cheonghyeon leaned forward on the soft pillow in his lap, eyes sparkling with interest. He enjoyed Kiyeon's flustered expression as he insisted he didn't have a type, they're too young for romance anyway (Cheonghyeon laughed, calling Kiyeon a late bloomer), this was inappropriate for an idol to discuss.
But between Cheonghyeon's beaming interest (his face card at full blast) and reveling in bonding with his friend more and more recently Kiyeon relents.
He shifts uncomfortably on his bed, careful of the comics he had placed down when the conversation had started earlier. Feeling his face getting hotter and hotter he sinks into his shoulders as he looks away from Cheonghyeon's sparkling gaze. Forget stage fright, this was way more difficult than facing a camera. It was much more visceral and exposing. Kiyeon was a bit of a late bloomer but that was also because there was something he was avoiding desperately. He didn't feel entirely comfortable admitting the way his gaze had started to linger on the musculature of his peers at the dance school as puberty struck. The way he subtly averted his gaze in changing rooms as he argued with himself that it was because he was respecting others' privacy. He had never really had a crush, just the vague awareness of the deviance in his attraction.
So he really would have insisted he didn't have a type, taken the late bloomer title proudly and moved on. However, Kiyeon was bursting with a secret he had been struggling with since his fight with Kim Iwol. Something that he started feeling more and more like he needed advice on, and the person he would trust most despite his mischief was waiting expectantly for him to spill.
“...Promise you won't judge…” He ends up pushing out, and Cheonghyeon's expression softens a bit but his eyes glisten with increased interest. This wasn't just Kiyeon's proper attitude struggling with his embarrassment, this was a secret. Not only did Kiyeon have an interest in romance after all (which he half didn't expect despite all his insistence) but there was probably something juicy enough to fear judgement (not that he expected anything major considering his friends nature, half expecting him to say ‘someone nice’). Still despite his low expectations of the actual scandal of what he shouldn't be judging his heart pumped with excitement. He even felt his face getting redder in response to his friend's bashfulness.
Kiyeon brought his knees to his chest protectively, shielding himself from the outside world in an attempt to lessen the exposure. He took a steadying breath like Iwol had taught him and tried to force his hands from shaking. He was fairly positive that Cheonghyeon would be supportive which is the only reason he even considered confiding. In another life this is something Kiyeon would deny for years and would never feel comfortable enough to confide in his friend. But Iwol hyung had always encouraged clear communication, that fighting was better than not expressing what had upset him. No matter the result, Iwol's influence encouraged Kiyeon endlessly. Which felt increasingly ironic in this moment.
“S-someone like…”
Cheonghyeon's excited hit his peak, leaning forward dangerously close to fall off his own bed and face plant the floor. The fear of Iwol hyungs nagging to protect his face subconsciously made him clench his toes in the sheets to combat gravity's wrath.
“...Like Iwol hyung.”
And something like fireworks burst in Cheonghyeon's chest. Before he could even think his mouth opened.
“Me too!” He shouted as he almost stumbled off the bed and reached over to Kiyeon's to hold his hands. Sparks danced in his eyes as the absolute euphoria he felt of the similarity to his best friend. Of course! Who could it be other than Iwol hyung!
Kiyeon was thrown off balance as his knees hit Cheonghyeon's chest as his torso was thrown back and supported by the grip on his hands.
This was not in the realm of what he had expected from his confession. He hadn't even said it was their hyung, just that it was someone like him, but the mutual understanding flashed between their eyes. The excitement of being the same overwhelming until the sparks fizzled with the reality of their confession set in.
If Cheonghyeon liked Iwol hyung and Kiyeon liked Iwol hyung, wasn't there a clear conflict of interest?
“I'm! I'm sorry… I'll stop.. uh,” Kiyeon flusters, looking away and pushes his friend's hand away. His eyes feel hot. The joy washing off with a cold fear. Even in his worst expectations he didn't imagine this, how could he ever do something like liking the same person as his friend. Cheonghyeon is so wonderful and gets along way better with Iwol hyung than he does anyway. Even if a relationship would never happen Kiyeon feels guilty by the idea of betraying his friend or causing conflict.
Fingers tighten around his loose grasp “No! Absolutely don't stop!” Cheonghyeon panics and shakes his head.
“It's wonderful isn't it? Us sharing these feelings! I would never want to deny you over liking the same thing!” A flame burns between their palms.
“But…! Isn't it… Iwol hyung would deserve to be liked by you anyway!” Kiyeon keeps his exclamations just above a whisper, despite the quality of their dorm significantly improving and sound proofing being less of an issue, years of sharing a room keeps his voice down at home. “We don't even get along that well in the first place, hyung probably feels uncomfortable around me after last time anyway…” biting his lip “...you would be a much better match for him anyway.”
The grip tightens, “Stop! Self! Depreciating! No one wants you to do that! Especially not Iwol hyung of all people!” The pretty boy pouts at Kiyeon. “Iwol worked so hard to help you be kinder to yourself after all…”
“Ah… I'm sorry.”
“Hmph! I forgive you!”
Kiyeon giggles under his breath, ignoring the slight dampness in his eyes. Cheonghyeon was an expert at managing the mood.
But despite that, silence hits the room.
“But then… now what?”
-
So it continues when Kim Iwol is out of the dorm and everyone else has a rare day off.
Cheonghyeon calls for a secret meeting, and summons all his hyungs to the common area. Seongbin looks caught in-between being worried and pre-exasperated for the potential nonsense. He hopes it's not anything bad but also he doesn't want to add another patience mark to his journal.
Joowoo looks aloof with an undertone of anxiety. Meetings usually weren't called for without Kim Iwol around which means it's something that concerns him. Cheonghyeon doesn't look upset but Kiyeon is sitting brick straight at the dining table, looking down at his interlocked hands. He hopes there's not another conflict.
Jeho sprawls on the couch. He doesn't think much of the meeting, only absently noticing Iwol isn't there after a beat. His instincts and knowing his roomie of many years relieve potential tension.
“Alright!” Cheonghyeon claps his hands together, gathering energy and focus to the group. “Me and Kiyeon-ah have some news! And we're hoping to get some advice from our hyungs!” Cheonghyeon bows deeply, seemingly imitating Kim Iwol.
The color visibly drains from Kiyeon's face. How did he even agree to let Cheonghyeon start this meeting? He must have been insane. It's not too late to physically tackle his friend, right? Why did he ever think coming out to his group on top of bringing up their feelings was remotely a good idea? At best they'll probably get scolded by Seongbin for being inappropriate and at worst they risk making all the hyungs uncomfortable. This was a mistak–
“So me and Kiyeon-ah both like Iwol hyung!”
Ah… this is a nightmare isn't it?
Despite the bold declaration the faces of the group seem blank.
There's an audible beat of silence.
“...and?” Seongbin asks, trying to encourage Cheonghyeon to continue.
“Everyone likes Iwol” Jeho lets out a laugh, not seeing the point of this so far.
“...?” Joowoo looks confused
For a split second Kiyeon was in a bizarro world where all of Spark was causally in love with Kim Iwol.
“Oh!” Cheonghyeon laughs like bells, “I mean romantically!”
Ah, this is it. The other foot has dropped.
The surprise that blasts through the group is palpable. Jeho’s shoulders tense from his comfortable lounge. Joowoo’s eyes blow wide open. And Seongbin rapidly tries to put the pieces together and unslack his jaw.
Cheonghyeon has casually dropped a bomb that none of Spark would ever expect and Seongbin feels utterly unequipped to handle. He wishes Iwol was home right now because he knows he would be able to resolve this smoothly but he bites back the urge to rely on him. They all agreed to not rely on their oldest member as much and take care of things as much as they could without him. Also… this would be a very inappropriate moment for him to mediate.
Seongbin can hear the echo of Iwol nagging at the dangers of a relationship scandal.
He can also hear the echo of some deeply agitating self depreciation from him. He can see Kim Iwol using his low self esteem to discount the whole confession and invalidate their feelings.
Despite Seongbin’s racing thoughts Joowoo is the first to pop in.
“Like… both of you?”
Seongbin’s surprise doubles as he puts that puzzle piece together. Right! It wasn't just Cheonghyeon making a confession. His eyes darted to a very red and shaking Kiyeon. They both liked Iwol.
“Yep!”
“...”
Joowoo's verbosity echoes the sentiment of the entire room. Cheonghyeon is not being a mood maker so much as crashing and burning any sentient thought of the rest of the room.
“So,” Seongbin starts off carefully. He doesn't want to sound like he's not supportive. The reaction so far could read as them not approving of them and that's the last thing he would ever want them to feel (Kiyeon already looks like he's about to run out the door). The other bits were the baffling part. “Do you want us to mediate your…?”
Seongbin isn't exactly what he would be mediating exactly. Both of the boys liking the same guy could lead to some serious conflict in the group but despite that Cheonghyeon and Kiyeon don't seem to have any animosity between them. Cheonghyeon is bouncing with excitement and Kiyeon looks like he wants to die but that's all he can see.
Besides, how would he even navigate such an issue? He had no experience in romance and in general stayed away from the topic. During high school he had been confessed to a few times but he didn't even entertain the idea of creating any potential rumors. He was of one mind with Iwol's insistence against dating controversies. So how would he even advise the two other than to try and convince them to stop having these feelings.
Be Seongbin desperately didn't want to do that.
“Well, not necessarily mediate, me and Kiyeon-ah are good with sharing the same feelings after all!” He winked at his wilting friend who turned bright red. “We mostly wanted to… how would Iwol hyung say this… create a dialogue for communication so there isn't future issues?” For the first time since the meeting started Cheonghyeon looked a bit bashful.
“Are you asking if it's okay for you to date Iwol?” All tact is thrown out the window by Jeho’s question.
Kiyeon sits up out of his chair with wide eyes while Cheonghyeon replies, “Uhm, well no not exactly, haha.” He rubs the back of neck.
“It's mostly that me and Kiyeon understand we have the same feelings, which is completely okay,” he shoots a pointed look at Kiyeon who shrinks a little. “but we don't know much further from there.” Cheonghyeon sits down for the first time since this started.
And wow, this is a lot to take in. What advice could Seongbin even provide? What would they even do with a dialogue for communication? What could he even add to this? His chest tightens and feels increasingly incapable in this situation. He doesn't want to fail as a leader. He doesn't even want to write a patience character for Cheonghyeon for this. Because…
“...Me too…” Joowoo breaks the silence.
He's sitting on the couch, fingers interlaced seemingly delicately if you didn't notice how white his knuckles are.
Seongbin's chest goes cold. This couldn't possibly be happening?
Cheonghyeon’s eyes sparkle as he leans forward in his chair, “You mean?!”
Joowoo twists his head towards his shoulder, face reddening, “I have a crush on Iwol hyung too…” he whispers. His beautiful voice betrays Seongbin's already racing heart. A truth so gentle it feels criminal to deny.
Seongbin feels like crying. This is a disaster. This is the worst thing that could possibly happen. Seongbin loves idols. He would never want to do anything that would betray that love. Three of their group members being in love with the same man was overwhelming. Two of which were underage! He could never encourage this. He needed to shut this down, say they're all confused, mistaking admiration for romance. They're a bunch of hormonal boys isolated from even the notion of romance. Seongbin has heard of even worse things happening at all boy schools so it was reasonable it was happening here. Hysterically he wondered if other idol groups dealt with these problems. Maybe not all of them liking the same guy though. This problem felt especially unique to their situation. God at this point he wouldn't be surprised if,
“Is there anyone in this room who doesn't like Iwol hyung?” The hysteria is barely masked as he looks around.
“I mean yeah, who doesn't wanna fuck Iwol.”
“JEHO!”
“JEHO HYUNG!”
Seongbin and Kiyeon harmonize in their outrage.
Cheonghyeon seems to shine even more even though his jaw has definitely dropped at the vulgarity from their second oldest.
Joowoo looks amazed at his roommate, face impossibly redder than before, but almost sheer admiration dancing in his eyes.
This was crossing a line that Seongbin absolutely couldn't allow. Crushes could be acceptable, crushes were inevitable, cute even. Lust however?! Kiyeon and Cheonghyeon were still underage for gods sake! This was three patience characters alone. Before Seongbin can open his mouth though,
“Wait!” Cheonghyeon whips his head towards Seongbin. “‘Anyone who doesn't’?! So Seongbin hyung also?!” The smile as bright as the sun bursts from him as he runs up to Seongbin and grabs his sweaty hands.
Seongbin is a deer in the headlights. His entire body freezes and the dread he feels is dizzying. He pales at his Freudian slip. He wants to scream and deny the insinuation. The accusation! This was something he couldn't let happen!
The sparkling eyes of the other members and Jeho’s impassive yet somehow smug expression weaken his resolve. He lets out a weak denial that sounds fake even to him.
Kiyeon is overwhelmed. Never could he have expected his bashful confession would blow up into this.
Kiyeon knew Iwol hyung was special. How could he not, the way he made Spark dazzle. The way he diligently cared for them. The way he charged forward with a passion that seemed to rival the rest of the entire group. He never expected that the scary new trainee would become such a huge existence to not only him, but the entirety of Spark. Fit so perfectly into not only a person the group needed but also one so beloved. It felt so overwhelming.
“It's almost like destiny…” Joowoo whispers but the whole room feels it reverberate inside them. Somehow they felt closer than ever. Almost like this moment was always meant to be.
“Like fate!” Cheonghyeon chimes.
“That's not…” Seongbin mumbles.
Kiyeon has read a lot of comics, one about destiny and fate and romance, but he'd never read one like this. But it was difficult to deny how it all seemed to align like some puzzle piece they'd been missing their whole lives.
Spark was all in love with Kim Iwol.