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PLLI had always been vocal about their favorite bickering couple, Bamby and Eunho. Every interaction between them was analyzed to bits, and the media couldn't get enough of their dynamic. Fans love to capture every moment of their playful fights and soft interaction, making them a sensation. Their duo name, Yataz, became iconic after the release of a music video where Bamby rode Eunho's motorbike. The name stuck, and so did their chemistry.
To be honest, Bamby didn’t think much of it. To him, Eunho was just a really good friend, albeit an annoyingly teasing one. He understood the value of their dynamic for the media and fans, so he played along. On screen, he upped every antic for Eunho, showing just enough affection to keep the fans excited. Offscreen, he saw Eunho as a close friend, someone who had been there since childhood. He didn’t delve deeper into his feelings, content with the status quo.
Eunho, on the other hand, had a harder time. He had been in love with Bamby for as long as he could remember. The playful and sometimes contentious dynamic they maintained was a double-edged sword for him. Pretending to dislike Bamby was challenging because his true feelings were the exact opposite. Slipping up by mentioning Bamby too many times had become a frequent occurrence, further fueling fans' speculations about their relationship. But what was hardest for Eunho was pretending they were super close without revealing his deeper feelings. The teasing and bickering were his ways of keeping the relationship light and avoiding any awkwardness. It was a daily struggle to balance his real feelings with the act they put on for their fans. He knew Bamby didn't reciprocate his feelings, so he opted to act the fool rather than risk making Bamby uncomfortable.
One evening after a particularly rowdy live, Eunho leaned back in his chair, exhaustion evident in his eyes. "Man, these fans really love to see us fight, don't they?" he remarked, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Bamby smirked, leaning against the table. "Of course they do. It's like giving them a free drama show every time."
Eunho chuckled, shaking his head. "It's kind of exhausting, though. Keeping up with the act."
Bamby looked at him, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "You say that, but you seem to enjoy it more than you let on. Plus, it’s good for our image. Fans love it, and it brings in new ones."
Eunho nodded, knowing Bamby was right. "Yeah, but sometimes I wonder if it’s worth all the effort."
Before Bamby could respond, their manager entered the room, holding a tablet. "Guys, you won't believe this. You've been nominated for the best male idol chemistry."
Bamby's eyes widened. "Wait, what? Us?"
Eunho laughed, a bit disbelieving. "You’re kidding, right? There’s no way we’d win against the other famous duos."
Their manager shook his head, grinning. "No joke. The fans really love you two together. This could be huge for us. The winner would get to have their video shown on Megatron for almost a whole month."
The competitive spark in Bamby's eyes was unmistakable. Winning would mean a free promotion for their group and a testament to their superior chemistry. He couldn’t resist the challenge. Without notice, Bamby stood up and confronted Eunho with a determined gleam in his eyes. “Just you watch, Do Eunho!,” he proclaimed, pointing dramatically. Eunho was left speechless, but internally, he was melting. His hyung was so adorable, and his competitive spirit was infectious. He couldn’t help but feel a surge of admiration for Bamby’s drive.
In the following days, Bamby really did put in extra effort to prove their closeness. During a radio show, Eunho couldn’t help but mention Bamby. "You know, I always ask Bamby-hyung for advice, but I never really follow it, he’s just not convincing" he said, laughing.
Yejun, who was also on the show, teased, "Isn’t it because it's Bamby? "Maybe you just like talking to him, Eunho. Maybe you want to be rebellious because it's Bamby."
Later, Bamby saw a perfect opportunity to play along and posted on bubble, “Eunho, you’re talking nonsense again. It’s cute how he talks about me and likes me the most 😏. That’s exactly how he makes it obvious~”.
Fans were baffled. Who is this? they wondered. Bamby was never this forward. Social media was flooded with screenshots of the exchange, with hashtags like #Eunby and #CuteCouple trending. The sudden openness from Bamby, usually reserved, was a shock to everyone. And fans weren't the only ones left agape. Eunho himself was taken aback, staring at his phone in disbelief as he read Bamby's post.
When they finally met up, Eunho couldn't resist bringing it up. "You really surprised everyone, hyung. Even me."
Bamby shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. "Well, I thought it was time to play along a bit more. Besides, you make it too easy."
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In another instance, Bamby replied to Eunho's post, congratulating him and using a cute nickname albeit in a teasing way, Du Yunnyo—It was a rare and cherished term of endearment that Bamby hardly ever used. Eunho didn’t reply back. Instead he found himself hastily lacing up his running shoes.
Despite the late hour, nearing 1 AM, Eunho dashed out for a night run, needing to cool down his racing heart. The cool night air brushed against his face as he sprinted through familiar streets, his mind replaying Bamby's reply over and over. "Du Yunnyo," he whispered to himself, a smile spreading across his face. It was a nickname that held special meaning to him.
He ran for miles, grinning like an idiot. His beloved Chae Bonggu had called him Du Yunnyo. Maybe he’d go to the court later and change his name permanently to Du Yunnyo.
Their interactions continued to fuel fan speculations. During an advertisement shoot, they were chosen to model in a duo shot. Another perfect opportunity to showcase their chemistry. They laughed and held each other close, never leaving each other’s gaze.
Bamby and the others sat in the practice room, scrolling through social media. Fans were already buzzing about their latest advertisement shoot. They were calling it a pre-wedding photo session, speculating wildly about the nature of Bamby and Eunho’s relationship. Bamby felt a sense of satisfaction seeing the positive reactions. They might not be at the top of the popularity poll, but they were certainly making waves. But he needed more. Something that would solidify their lead in the competition. Despite their rising popularity, he felt they were still underdogs in the competition.
And as for Eunho, his feelings were a whirlwind. Pretending to be just close friends while harboring deep feelings was taking a toll on him. Every affectionate gesture from Bamby, no matter how calculated for the fans, tugged at his heartstrings. The line between reality and pretense was blurring, and Eunho found it increasingly difficult to keep his emotions in check.
Bamby turned to Eunho, a thoughtful expression on his face. "We need to do something more to keep our votes up," he said, his competitive edge showing through.
Eunho raised an eyebrow, curious. "Like what?"
Bamby smirked. "I don't know yet, but I'll figure something out. We can't let this chance slip away."
Eunho just nodded, watching Bamby walk away full of spirit. Despite all of it, Eunho couldn't help but admire Bamby's drive and spirit.
As Bamby walked away, his mind raced with ideas. He needed something big, something that would capture the fans' hearts even more. He was determined to rise up the votes and secure their win, no matter what it took. Eunho, caught in the middle of his unrequited love and the need to maintain their image, went along with it, hoping he could keep his true feelings hidden just a little longer.
Eunho was in his apartment, lost in thought, when Bamby burst in unexpectedly. Eunho’s heart skipped a beat. What kind of surprise attack would Bamby unleash this time?
“Eunho,” Bamby began seriously, “I need your help.”
Eunho blinked, caught off guard. “Sure, Hyung. What do you need?”
Bamby took a deep breath, his expression determined. “I need you to teach me how to flirt.”
Eunho couldn’t suppress a surprised chuckle. “Flirt? You want me to teach you how to flirt?”
“Yes,” Bamby replied, nodding. “You’re a natural at it. You always tease me. I want to try it too.”
Eunho found Bamby’s earnestness endearing. “Alright, let’s give it a shot.”
They spent the next hour in Eunho’s living room, with Bamby attempting to grasp the nuances of flirting. Bamby fumbled through a few awkward attempts, making Eunho laugh.
“Ah, this is hard,” Bamby sighed, pacing the room. “I can’t do it.”
Eunho grinned, finding Bamby’s efforts cute. He decided to lighten the mood. “You know what always gets me fired up again?”
Bamby looked puzzled. “What?”
Eunho stood up and started doing a weird dance move, flailing his arms and legs in an exaggerated manner. “This! It always works!”
Bamby watched, initially confused, trying to make sense of what Eunho was doing.
“Wait a minute…” Bamby muttered, squinting. “I think I recognize this…”
Eunho continued, putting his all into the awkward dance. Then it hit Bamby—it was a dance move from “Sheesh,” but so poorly executed that it was barely recognizable.
Bamby chuckled, unable to contain his amusement. “Is that supposed to be ‘Sheesh’?” he asked, laughing.
Eunho, still dancing, grinned. “Yep, gets the energy flowing every time!”
but then he burst out laughing. “What on earth are you doing? That’s so lame!”
Eunho laughed along with him. “I know, right? But it always cheers me up.”
Bamby raised his head, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “You’re ridiculous, Eunho. But I like that about you.”
Eunho froze, feeling his heart skip a beat. Bamby’s smile was disarmingly genuine. “How’s that?” Bamby added, his eyes gleaming with mischief. Oh. Eunho realized it was another of Bamby's attempts at flirting. Damn, he’s good.
Eunho, nervous and flustered, blurted out, “Oh, I think I left my toothbrush in the microwave.”
Bamby looked at him, confused. “What? Your toothbrush?”
“Yeah, I’ll go check,” Eunho said, heading to the kitchen.
Bamby followed him, bemused. “Eunho, there’s no toothbrush in the microwave.”
Eunho chuckled awkwardly. “Right….”
Bamby looked at Eunho’s flustered back and smiled, “This is fun.”
Eunho thought to himself that if Bamby got too good at flirting, it would be the end of him.
After nervously fumbling through the kitchen cabinet, Eunho suddenly had a bad idea. He knew he shouldn’t, but he couldn’t resist. Opportunities like this didn’t come twice. “How about we try something else, hyung?”
Bamby looked curious, raising an eyebrow. “What do you have in mind?”
Eunho hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest. This was risky, but he decided to go for it. Taking a deep breath, he said, “What if we practice hugging?”
“Hugging? Why?” Bamby asked, puzzled.
Eunho scrambled for an excuse. He couldn’t exactly tell Bamby the real reason. “Skinship is important for fanservice,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady. “You hug the other members a lot, but not me. It would look more natural if we did it too.”
Bamby thought about it for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, let’s give it a try.”
They stood awkwardly in the kitchen, unsure of how to start. Eunho felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. This was his chance to be close to Bamby in a way he’d always wanted, even if it was just for practice.
They started with a simple side hug, their arms draped around each other’s shoulders. It felt a bit stiff and unnatural, and Eunho knew they’d have to do better. “Let’s try a front hug,” he suggested.
Bamby agreed, stepping closer. As their bodies pressed together, Eunho felt a warmth spread through him. He wrapped his arms around Bamby, pulling him in tight. For a moment, he forgot about the pretense and just enjoyed the feeling of Bamby in his arms.
“How’s this?” Bamby asked, his voice slightly muffled against Eunho’s shoulder.
“It’s good,” Eunho replied, trying to keep his tone casual. “But maybe we should try different angles, like how we’d do it on stage.”
They spent the next few minutes experimenting with different types of hugs: quick, friendly embraces, lingering, more intimate ones, and playful hugs where they’d sway side to side. Each hug felt like a small victory for Eunho, a chance to savor the closeness he rarely got to experience.
At one point, Bamby laughed, his breath warm against Eunho’s neck. “This feels a bit silly, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah, but it’s important,” Eunho said, not wanting to admit how much he was enjoying it. “We need to make it look natural.”
Bamby nodded in agreement. “You’re right. Fans love it when we show our bond. It makes them feel closer to us.”
Eunho couldn’t help but smile. If only Bamby knew just how close he wanted to be. As they continued to practice, he felt his feelings for Bamby grow even stronger. Each hug was a reminder of how much he cared for him, and how much he wished these moments could be real.
Eventually, they settled into a comfortable rhythm, their hugs becoming more natural and effortless. For Eunho, it was like heaven. He reveled in every moment of closeness, cherishing the warmth and connection he felt with Bamby.
After a while, Bamby stepped back, looking satisfied. “I think we’ve got it down,” he said with a smile. “Thanks for suggesting this, Eunho-ya. I think it’ll really help with our fanservice.”
Eunho nodded, his heart still racing. “Yeah, no problem. It was fun.”
As Bamby walked away, Eunho watched him go, feeling a mix of happiness and longing. He knew that these practice sessions were just for show, but he couldn’t help but hope that one day, they might mean something more. For now, he’d take whatever moments of closeness he could get, and treasure them always.
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The next time they were seen together, there was a noticeable increase in their skinship, much to the delight of their fans. Bamby leaned more on Eunho’s arm during live broadcasts, subtly closing the distance between them. Meanwhile, Eunho seized every opportunity to wrap his arm around Bamby’s shoulders, a possessive yet affectionate gesture that didn’t go unnoticed.
During one particular live stream, Eunho casually draped his arm around Bamby’s shoulders, pulling him closer. Bamby glanced at him, initially wanting to swat him away like usual. His instinct was to maintain his usual aloof demeanor, to keep Eunho at a distance. But then he remembered his promise to improve their chemistry and stayed quiet, trying his best to suppress his usual reaction.
Instead of pushing Eunho away, Bamby relaxed into the embrace, leaning slightly into Eunho’s touch. It felt strange yet comforting. He was aware of the fans’ reactions, the chat filled with excited comments and heart emojis. The fans loved seeing them like this, and Bamby couldn’t deny the warmth he felt from Eunho’s presence.
Eunho, on the other hand, was reveling in the newfound closeness. He took every chance to initiate contact, whether it was a playful nudge, a lingering touch, or simply keeping his arm around Bamby. He could feel Bamby’s initial reluctance melting away, replaced by a tentative acceptance. It made his heart swell with pride.
It didn’t end there. After group practice sessions, they often stayed behind to practice their skinship further. It became a routine for both of them, a way to enhance their on-camera chemistry and bond more closely as friends. These extra moments together, away from the prying eyes of the other members, felt like their own little secret.
One evening, during a live broadcast, Eunho spontaneously hugged Bamby from behind. It was a friendly yet clingy hug, a gesture that fans adored and often squealed over in the comments. Bamby turned to face him, intending to playfully scold Eunho for being so touchy. However, as he did, his breath caught in his throat.
For a brief moment, Bamby was struck by how handsome Eunho actually looked up close. The dim studio lights highlighted Eunho’s sharp jawline, the curve of his lips, and the intensity of his eyes. His heart skipped a beat as he took in the sight of Eunho’s face, mere inches from his own. The usual playful glint in Eunho’s eyes seemed to soften, making Bamby’s stomach flutter unexpectedly.
Bamby quickly looked away, trying to hide the confusion and surprise on his face. He could feel his cheeks growing warm, and he silently cursed himself for reacting this way. What was happening? Why was he suddenly noticing these details about Eunho?
“Hyung, are you okay?” Eunho’s voice was gentle, laced with genuine concern.
“Y-yeah, I’m fine,” Bamby stammered, forcing a smile. “Just tired from practice, I guess.”
Eunho’s expression softened further, and he gave Bamby a reassuring squeeze before letting go. Bamby turned back to the camera, trying to shake off the strange feelings swirling inside him. He couldn’t afford to let his mind wander like this, especially not during a live broadcast.
As the evening went on, Bamby found himself stealing glances at Eunho, each time feeling a strange mix of admiration and confusion. The way Eunho moved, laughed, and interacted with fans seemed to captivate him in a way it never had before. He tried to focus on the broadcast, but his mind kept drifting back to that moment, replaying the way Eunho had looked at him, the warmth of his embrace.
After the broadcast ended and the cameras were turned off, Bamby felt a lingering sense of unease. He couldn’t understand why he was suddenly seeing Eunho in this new light. They had always been close, always shared a strong bond, but now it felt like something had shifted, and he didn’t know how to deal with it.
Bamby decided to push those thoughts aside, focusing instead on their shared goal: winning the award for best idol chemistry. Maybe this newfound awareness would help him play his part better, make their interactions even more believable. But deep down, a part of him wondered if he was just fooling himself, if these feelings were more than just an act.
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Their votes were stabilizing, and Bamby was satisfied with their progress. “I think we’re good now, Eunho. We might not need to practice skinship as much anymore.”
Eunho's heart sank at the thought of potentially losing these intimate moments. “You can’t be satisfied with just this, hyung. Come on, I thought you were more competitive than that.”
Bamby raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Eunho's persistence. "What do you have in mind, then?"
Eunho took a deep breath, feeling bold. “What if we try kissing?”
Bamby’s eyes widened in surprise. “Kissing? We can’t kiss on live broadcasts. What’s the point of practicing?”
eunho struggled to find a convincing argument, feeling the weight of his suggestion hang in the air. At a time like this, he wished he had the persuasive power of noslighting that Noah possessed. "By practicing kissing, even if we don't show it on TV, we can enhance our chemistry. It'll deepen our connection, and fans will pick up on the authenticity between us. It could make a huge impact.”
He watched Bamby closely, hoping his explanation would resonate. He fumbled over his thoughts, trying to piece together a coherent rationale while praying to whatever higher power might be listening that Bamby would understand. Each word felt like a gamble, unsure if he was making sense or merely blurting out nonsense in his nervousness.
Bamby looked skeptical. “Hmm, I’m not sure…”
Eunho pressed on, a hint of desperateness in his voice. “Don’t you want us to be number one? It’s not just about us; it’s for the fans and the group.” Those words spark something in Bamby.
Bamby sighed, then nodded reluctantly. “Fine. Come on, give it to me.” Bamby walked toward Eunho, closing his eyes and pouting slightly, ready to play along with Eunho’s plan.
Eunho couldn’t believe Bamby had agreed. He felt a pang of guilt for manipulating him, but he knew it was for the greater good. Gently holding Bamby, he leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the lips.
Silence fall for a brief second before Bamby, still with his eyes closed, responded unimpressed, “What? That’s it? I can barely feel anything.”
This hyung ….Eunho thought. Eunho found Bamby’s nonchalant response annoying. He was holding back. His restraint slipped. He couldn’t hold back any longer. He leaned in for a second kiss, deeper this time. His lips pressed firmly against Bamby's, his kisses becoming more fervent. He nibbled on Bamby’s lower lip, then gently parted his lips and teased with his tongue, catching Bamby off guard.
Bamby’s eyes fluttered open in surprise, taken aback by the sudden intensity of Eunho’s kiss. Eunho’s lips pressed fervently against his, pouring out a flood of emotions that had been building up for far too long. What started as a simple kiss deepened into something passionate and raw, fueled by Eunho’s pent-up longing.
Their breaths mingled in the charged air, every moment stretching out as Eunho explored the depths of Bamby’s mouth with an urgency that surprised them both. It was a messy and sloppy kiss.
Time seemed to blur as Eunho lost himself in the sensation, his hands gripping Bamby’s shoulders as if afraid to let go. The touch of their lips against each other’s was electric, igniting a fire within Eunho that he had struggled to contain. It only stopped when Bamby gave him a light, hurried pat, signaling the end.
Eunho reluctantly let go, leaving Bamby sitting on the ground, gasping for air, His knees weak from the kiss. His face was flushed, eyes hazy with a mix of confusion and desire.
Worried, Eunho moved to help him up, but Bamby held up a hand to stop Eunho from approaching, which startled Eunho. Is this the end of their relationship? He knew it was a stupid suggestion. What was he even thinking?
After catching his breath, Bamby finally spoke. “Okay, I get it now. The practice is allowed, but not now… I need a breather.”
He left the room, leaving Eunho standing there, heart racing. Despite the confusion and intensity of their meeting, Eunho couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. This had secured another opportunity to be close to Bamby.