Archive of Our Own

​The ride back from their final offline fansign was supposed to be a relief for all Alpha Drive One members. A week-long break to recharge before their packed comeback preparations was right before their eyes. However, for Sangwon, this journey home felt incredibly suffocating.

​Even with the week off, the China line—Anxin, Arno, and Xinlong—had to stay in South Korea. However, the agency allowed the members to go anywhere, like returning to their parents' homes or staying outside the dorm as long as they remained within the city. As for the upper dorm residents, Junseo rushed to his old group Wei's dorm, and Xinlong would not return to the dorm for a few days because all Boy Story members were in South Korea. Anxin himself planned a quiet week in the dorm, wanting to catch up on his lack of sleep and dive into his hobbies to drive away the stress.

​Meanwhile, Sangwon—who had planned to visit his parents' house days in advance—abruptly canceled everything. His mood was shattered right in the middle of the fansign earlier. It all started with a casual remark from a fan during the offline fansign earlier. Whether that fan realized it or not, the words instantly pierced through Sangwon, dragging him down. The day had started out so well, but in a split second, his mood turned entirely sour. To anyone else, Sangwon might have seemed dramatic or like he was making a mountain out of a molehill, but those words kept echoing in his head, twisting like a knife deep in his chest.

​As a professional idol, Sangwon managed to keep his composure and mask his emotions in front of that fan. He simply flashed a smile without saying a word, even though his heart was in absolute shambles. Once the fansign wrapped up, they had a few hours to rest before their flight back to Korea. Throughout that entire time, Sangwon maintained a stony silence. He was naturally a quiet person, but this particular silence felt heavy and suffocating—a stark contrast to his usual calm that the other members immediately picked up on. Whenever they asked what was wrong, Sangwon merely gave a curt shake of his head, refusing to speak. Eventually, they stopped prying, terrified of ruining his mood further and hoping he just needed some space to bounce back.

​The moment they arrived at the dorm, Sangwon rushed straight into the bathroom. He turned on the shower, letting the water run as hot as he could handle. For him, the thick steam and the hot water were the only ways to soothe his frayed nerves and try to "wash away" the memory of that fan's words, which kept playing on a loop in his head.

​After showering, with his hair still damp, Sangwon immediately threw himself onto his bed. He shut his eyes tight, trying to force himself to sleep so that the overthinking would just evaporate by the time he woke up.

​Sleep, however, didn't come that easily. Barely two minutes after closing his eyes, Sangwon jolted awake. He sat bolt upright, his breathing ragged. Far from bringing him peace, the dead silence of his room only made the voices in his head scream louder.

​While sitting on his mattress, his mind spiraled wildly, wondering where on earth it originated from for that fan to say that his relationship with Anxin looked like mom and son. Holding his breath, Sangwon grabbed his phone from the nightstand and started typing into the search bar.

​Deep down, he knew the fan probably hadn't meant any harm. To anyone else, the comment might have sounded ordinary or like a casual joke. But to Sangwon, it felt like a knife slicing right through his most sensitive vulnerability. The more he tried to ignore it, the more his ego flat-out refused to accept it. Anything involving Anxin was always a sensitive matter for him.

​As the search results appeared on the screen, Sangwon froze for a moment, his eyes scanning the rows of fan comments and posts. He truly didn't understand why a part of the fandom thought he and Anxin had a mom and son dynamic.

​He began to question himself. Had he really been acting that way toward Anxin all this time? But as far as Sangwon could remember, he had never once viewed or treated Anxin like his own son. He was completely baffled—if people wanted to use a family analogy, why did it have to be "mom"? Why not "dad"? Or why not just call them mom and daughter?

​Sangwon felt he had already given clear enough signals that Anxin was the only member he kissed the most and showered with affection in a way that was far from platonic. Was that still not clear enough?

​A wild thought crossed his mind. Should he just go public about his relationship with Anxin and tell the world they were officially dating? But Sangwon's logic instantly slapped him back to reality. Anxin would never agree to that. They were still rookies, and the group's image was everything. He knew exactly how massive the risks were.

​Although he knew many Allyz loved seeing their interactions, and Sangwon secretly read fanfictions about himself and Anxin during his free time, he knew this wasn't the right moment. Maybe later, when they were no longer rookies and things had stabilized. Even then, it would require the full consent of his favorite "cat," Anxin.

​But Sangwon's temper officially hit its boiling point when he accidentally stumbled upon a much nastier comment. The comment left him feeling utterly furious and insulted, making him question himself with bitter irritation whether he really looked like a pedophile.

​Sangwon felt deeply offended. The fandom was divided into two camps arguing in the comments. One side claimed that Sangwon and Anxin couldn't be paired up because of their age gap and the assumption that Anxin was still a minor. Sangwon couldn't help but wonder what kind of massive chaos would erupt if those fans ever found out the reality—that he and Anxin were, in fact, already dating.

​Was it wrong to date a boy born in 2006 if he himself was born in 2003? A three-year gap felt perfectly normal to him, and Anxin was already legal anyway. He still had morals and wouldn't be stupid enough to date Anxin if the boy was underage. He even patiently waited until Anxin was legal before taking things further.

​He wondered with deep frustration why some fans argued that their age gap was too big and banned other fans from shipping them. Did he really look that old, like a pedophile to Anxin, to the point where his presence beside his own boyfriend was considered inappropriate? The mixture of anger and resentment made Sangwon's mood completely plummet instead of improving.

​Sangwon kept scrolling down his screen, but what he found next only left him more confused and utterly speechless. He read comments where other fans happily shipped Anxin with Geonwoo instead. Geonwoo was the exact same age as him—even a month older than him—so why was the public reaction so much more hostile and judgmental when it was his name paired with Anxin's?

​Seriously, at this exact moment, Sangwon felt like he was going to explode. An impulsive urge washed over him to upload a photo of them kissing or even a photo from their very first time after sex to social media. He wanted to write a firm caption stating that they were officially together. He was extremely annoyed. The "mom and son" agenda was already driving him half to death, and now he had to face the reality that his age was being treated like a massive problem.

​As if hit by a triple kill, Sangwon's deep dive dragged him into a much broader debate. While many loved their interactions, quite a few left biting comments claiming his closeness with Anxin looked forced, fake, and as if they were just following an agency script.

​"Why is my interaction with Anxin always wrong in their eyes?" he muttered in frustration.

​Sangwon overthought even more. He began to feel unworthy of Anxin, especially if it brought a bad impact on him. Sangwon didn't want Anxin to be widely hated because of him.

​His chaotic mind made Sangwon's sleepiness completely vanish. His head began to throb from overthinking. He needed something to calm down—tea, milk, or warm coffee, whatever was available in the dorm kitchen. He also needed a snack to vent his frustration. He decided to spend the rest of the night reading a book with a hot drink, hoping to distract his messy thoughts. With sluggish steps and a heavy frown, Sangwon headed out of his room toward the kitchen.

​The moment he stepped into the kitchen, the sight at the dining table immediately caught his attention. There was Anxin, happily munching on some snacks he had brought home from the offline fansign. But Anxin wasn't alone. Sanghyeon was right there with him, clearly showing up just to freeload on food and gossip. Sanghyeon had even brought a massive stash of milkshakes and snacks for them to share.

​The two looked incredibly adorable in their pajamas—Anxin in his cat pajamas, and Sanghyeon in pig pajamas. Sangwon knew for a fact that Sanghyeon actually hated those pajamas. The only reason the maknae agreed to wear them was simply because it was a gift from Anxin.

​Watching their closeness made Sangwon feel even hotter and more irritated. In his eyes, Sanghyeon seemed to be openly showing his desire to steal Anxin away. Especially with Sanghyeon's claims that Anxin was his favorite Hyung, and that only Anxin had the exclusive right to call him "xiaozhu"—a nickname strictly forbidden for other members and Allyz. Plus, seeing many positive comments from fans shipping Anxin with Sanghyeon only added to Sangwon's growing jealousy.

​A powerful urge surged within him to tear them apart and kick Sanghyeon back to the lower dorm. But since his bad mood had already maxed out, Sangwon chose to ignore them. He walked past the pair with a blank expression, heading straight for the pantry to fix his warm drink and grab a snack.

​Sangwon's ice-cold presence, naturally, did not escape Anxin and Sanghyeon's notice. Both of them went quiet, tracking his movements with curious glances.

​"Hyung," Sanghyeon whispered softly to Anxin, "Sangwon-hyung is really weird today, isn't he? His face is scowling so hard it's scary. Do you know why?"

​Anxin shook his head with a bewildered face. "I don't know either, xiaozhu."

​"How can you not know? Sangwon-hyung is your boyfriend," Sanghyeon countered in disbelief, still whispering.

​Anxin sighed. "I genuinely don't know. Before the fansign, we snuck a quick kiss and his mood was great. He even said he couldn't wait to see Allyz," Anxin explained. He was baffled why, after the event, Sangwon suddenly became highly sensitive, practically radiating a "touch me and you die" aura, putting up a wall as if he didn't want to be bothered by anyone.

​Sanghyeon leaned against his chair while sipping his milk carton, his eyes still throwing calculating side-glances at Sangwon, who had his back turned to them. "Are you guys fighting or something? To the point where Sangwon-hyung's anger affects all of us. You should comfort him quickly so his mood gets better. When you guys fight like this, we all suffer because the vibe gets so suffocating."

​Anxin sighed, his head throbbing slightly at the thought of Sangwon's sudden shift. "We aren't fighting, Sanghyeon-ah. Like I just told you, before going on stage, his mood was great—we even kissed. That was the last time we were alone privately before the event. The moment it ended, he suddenly changed into this."

​"I already tried talking to him gently earlier," Anxin continued, "but it looks like he wants to be left alone right now. I'll talk to him later, once he's calmed down and the timing is right."

​Sanghyeon paused for a second, staring up at the kitchen ceiling as he thought hard. "Hmm... if it's not a fight, is it possible you made a mistake during the fansign without realizing it? Something that made him insanely jealous or offended?"

​Anxin immediately turned with an offended look. "Why are you accusing me like I'm the root of the problem? For all we know, it could be because of you, the other members, staff, or anyone else. Why are you so sure it's my fault?"

​Sanghyeon merely grinned, putting his hands together in an apologetic gesture, though he couldn't shake his gut feeling. "Sorry, Hyung. But my instincts tell me that if Sangwon-hyung is throwing a tantrum this bad, it definitely has something to do with you, Hyung. Whether it's about your relationship or something he saw about you."

​Anxin stole a quick glance at Sangwon, who now seemed to be spacing out in front of the sink. A huge part of him wanted to walk over, hug Sangwon from behind, and ask him to vent everything so the burden would lessen. However, Anxin held himself back. He knew all too well that Sangwon's current aura was still too cold, not at all ready to be talked to. Anxin chose to keep giving Sangwon space, at least for now.

​Sanghyeon still didn't give up on his analysis. Toying with the straw of his milk carton, he spun another theory.

​"Maybe during the fansign, you accidentally made Sangwon-hyung insanely jealous? But thinking about it, Geonwoo-hyung, who is usually Sangwon-hyung's biggest rival and enemy when it comes to getting close to you, is currently on hiatus. So who else could possibly make him that jealous?"

​Sanghyeon paused, pointing a finger at himself with a mockingly thoughtful expression. "Could it be me? But during the fansign, my position was far from you, Hyung, so we didn't interact much. Is he jealous of Xinlong-hyung or Leo-hyung?"

​Anxin shook his head in disagreement. "I don't think that's the root of the problem, xiaozhu. In past fansigns, Sangwon-hyung did get jealous whenever he saw me interacting with other members, but his jealousy never looked like this. His bad mood right now is different—it's much darker."

​Anxin let out a long sigh, trying to reassure himself. "Besides, Sangwon-hyung wouldn't get jealous that easily just from normal interactions. I've told him countless times that no matter how much fanservice I do with the other members, my heart will never stray. He's already won. So, it feels impossible for him to be this broken over blind jealousy."

​Feeling challenged, Sanghyeon let out a small smirk. "If that's the case, let's prove it. I have a great idea, but I need your cooperation, Hyung."

​Sanghyeon leaned forward and motioned for Anxin to come closer. He then whispered a mischievous plan right into Anxin's ear to bait a reaction from Sangwon and see if his guess was right.

​On the other side, Sangwon finally snapped out of his long trance in front of the sink. His head was starting to ache from overthinking that fan's words. He took a deep breath, trying to rationalize his thoughts. Maybe he was overreacting and should have just treated it like passing wind. He felt a bit pathetic for letting a single sentence ruin his entire day. Well, at least until he read those fan comments about their age and his dynamic with Anxin. He really shouldn't have looked into it, because it only made his mood worse. Today was supposed to be a great day since he could have a week off and could go home to his parents, and invite Anxin to come along with him.

​Determined to fix his mood, Sangwon refocused on making his drink. However, a sudden wave of hunger hit him, giving him an abrupt craving for noodles. He began rummaging through the kitchen cabinets, searching for instant cup noodles since it would be more practical to carry and enjoy in his room later while reading a book.

​The quiet atmosphere in the kitchen suddenly turned into a mini stage play for Sanghyeon. Casting a mischievous glance at Sangwon's back, who was busy over there, Sanghyeon intentionally raised his voice, making sure every word that came out of his mouth pierced through Sangwon's eardrums.

​"Hyung," Sanghyeon called out to Anxin in a fake, cheerful tone, "I'm genuinely so happy I got to debut with you. Honestly, I'm grateful we can be this close now. Remember back during the survival show? We rarely interacted and were still awkward."

​Anxin, catching onto his younger member's cue, chimed in with an equally sweet tone. "I'm really happy we're this close too, xiaozhu. Thank you for choosing me as your favorite Hyung. I'll always look out for you."

​Hearing "xiaozhu" and "favorite Hyung" thrown around so casually caused Sangwon's shoulders to tense even further. But Sanghyeon wasn't finished. He continued, this time throwing in a slightly melancholy tone to fish for sympathy.

​"Back then, I was so sad because my closest friends on the show didn't debut. On top of that, I read fan comments saying I didn't have any close friends in the group besides Geonwoo-hyung. It hurt so bad when people said I was just clinging to Geonwoo-hyung, and some even openly wished for me to leave this group," Sanghyeon said, letting out a heavy sigh. "But now I'm so happy. I've proven that I can get close to all the members, especially you, Anxin-hyung. I'm truly the most comfortable hanging out with you, Hyung. I like and love you more and more."

​Clang!

​The sound startled the entire kitchen. Sangwon had accidentally knocked a pot lid, sending it clattering down. His hand slipped entirely because his focus had completely shattered while listening to Sanghyeon's chatter, which sounded so intimate with Anxin.

​"Sangwon-hyung? Are you okay?" Anxin asked worriedly, his eyes staring at Sangwon's back with anxiety.

​Sangwon remained silent. He didn't answer, didn't turn around, and didn't offer any gesture. He immediately picked up the pot lid and put it back down roughly. Anxin instantly pouted, his chest tight from being ignored. This was the first time Sangwon had given him the silent treatment. Usually, Anxin was the one who pouted, and Sangwon would patiently coax him. Feeling the coldness of Sangwon's attitude made Anxin realize how painful it feels to be shut out by someone you love.

​Sangwon then grabbed his instant cup noodles which were now ready, intending to rush straight back to his room to avoid any drama at the dining table. However, his steps stopped when Sanghyeon's voice interrupted him again.

​"Hyung, don't take it to your room. Just eat here with us," Sanghyeon invited.

​Sangwon initially wanted to reject it, his head ready to shake no, but Anxin wouldn't let him. He locked his round, glassy cat-eyes onto Sangwon, putting on a pitiful, pleading face that he knew was Sangwon's ultimate weakness.

​"Hyung... just eat here, okay? Keep me company," Anxin cooed, his voice incredibly soft and sweet.

​Sangwon clenched his fist. Damn it. Anxin's sweet voice and pleading face drove him completely wild with affection. Behind his scowling, angry face, Sangwon fought hard against his instincts to not lunge at Anxin right then and there just to lick and bite his boyfriend's cheeks—especially Anxin's dimple, which looked incredibly tempting whenever he talked like that.

​Sangwon pulled a chair and sat right next to Anxin, his aura still cold and stiff. Without a word, he began eating his noodles with rapid movements, as if his only goal was to finish the food in seconds so he could immediately lock himself in his room. Sanghyeon continued his chatter to smoothly carry out the plan he had made with Anxin.

​"Do you know something, Hyung?" Sanghyeon said, propping his chin on his hand as he looked at his two older members alternately. "I'm actually your number one fan. Since the Boys Planet days, I really loved watching you two interact. I even wrote down how happy I was when the three of us were nominated for first place in my diary."

​Sanghyeon paused for a moment, glancing at Sangwon, who was still focused on his instant noodles. "Of course, I still like seeing your interactions even now, especially after knowing you're actually dating. I completely don't mind if fans call me the president of Mimyoz or the president of WonXin, or are even saying I'm the kid of you two. But..." Sanghyeon intentionally trailed off with a provocative tone. "Lately, I feel like I want to steal Anxin-hyung away from Sangwon-hyung."

​Sangwon's hand froze instantly. He slowly put down his chopsticks, then turned to the youngest member with a sharp glare that seemed to demand an explanation.

​"What do you mean?" Sangwon asked.

​Anxin, sitting right between them, secretly enjoyed the expression while continuing to chew his snack. He felt a certain satisfaction seeing Sangwon in this possessive mode.

​"Well, I don't know myself why I suddenly fall in love with Anxin-hyung," Sanghyeon continued fearlessly. "Because Anxin-hyung is the whole package. He can look very handsome, but at the same time he can be very pretty. His face is cute, sweet, adorable, and his sweetness multiplies because of his dimple and snaggletooth. His charm is really strong, so I can't help but want to have him."

​Sangwon scoffed cynically, his eyes focusing back on his food. "Just try it if you can," Sangwon challenged full of confidence.

​Sanghyeon chuckled, as if Sangwon's mockery was a green light for him. "Wow, Sangwon-hyung is so confident, huh? That certain that Anxin-hyung won't look at someone else?"

​Sanghyeon turned to Anxin for confirmation. Wanting to heat things up even more, Anxin replied playfully. "Hmm, for now I'll definitely stay with Sangwon-hyung, but who knows what might happen down the road."

​Sangwon immediately whipped his head around, locking Anxin into an incredibly intense gaze—a volatile mix of anger, disbelief, and peaking jealousy. Feeling the atmosphere around them instantly turn scorching hot, Anxin immediately panicked. He quickly deployed his ultimate weapon, flashing his absolute sweetest smile, flashing his deep dimple directly at Sangwon.

​"I'm just kidding, Hyung."

​That killer smile and sparkling gaze turned out to be very effective. Sangwon's anger, which almost exploded, instantly defused within seconds, though he still felt a bit annoyed. Without another word, he ate his instant noodles again, trying to ignore Sanghyeon's next teasings.

​Seeing Sangwon's wavering response, Sanghyeon became even more excited to pour gasoline onto the blazing fire of jealousy. With a light yet emphasized tone, he began to show off the support he got from fans.

​"A lot of fans like my interactions with Anxin-hyung, which makes my ambition to get Anxin-hyung burn even hotter right now," Sanghyeon stated confidently. "My chances are huge. Many fans say we look perfect together and find our interactions adorable."

​Sanghyeon sipped his milk before continuing. "Especially after our roommate content yesterday was uploaded, when we only wore hotel bathrobes. Do you know, Hyung? I loved reading the comments saying we looked like a couple on a honeymoon. I read them over and over because it instantly put me in a great mood."

​Sangwon remained silent, but his grip on the chopsticks tightened until his knuckles turned white.

​"Even at the fansign earlier, a fan said our visuals match perfectly together. Oh right, I also read a fan comment on social media earlier. They said they used to ship Sangwon-Anxin, but now they've jumped ship to Sanghyeon-Anxin. Someone also commented that Sangwon-hyung looks more like Anxin-hyung's parent, while with me, we look much more adorable, like a pair of teenagers in love."

​BANG!!!

​Without warning, Sangwon slammed the dining table very loudly. The sound of the impact echoed through the room, making Anxin and Sanghyeon jump in shock, almost leaping from their chairs. A few snack wrappers on the table even fell to the floor due to the heavy vibration.

​"Go back to your dorm right now, Sanghyeon!" Sangwon commanded in a low voice that trembled with emotion. His breath was heavy, and his eyes stared sharply at the maknae.

​"It's late, you should go rest. We just got back from a long trip. Use this week-long break to recharge well before we get busy again, instead of constantly talking about useless and brainless things!" Sangwon continued.

​Sanghyeon, though he shrunk a little from seeing Sangwon's outburst of anger, tried to defend himself with a feigned innocent face. "Hyung, I was just sharing stories with you guys about how fans view the relationships between members. It's just some opinions, and surely every fan has a different perspective. So, just think of it as a trivial matter, why do you have to be this mad?"

​Sangwon scoffed cynically, his eyes narrowing as he glared at Sanghyeon full of dislike. "You aren't really sharing stories, Sanghyeon-ah. You intentionally pick fan opinions that only support your ship agenda with Anxin, but when it comes to me, you instead share opposing comments that make it seem as if I'm not worthy of being paired with Anxin."

​"You don't need to share those kinds of opinions here. Stop discussing how fans view our relationship, especially about me being considered a bad match to be paired with Anxin. I don't like it at all. You should have just kept what you read to yourself instead of spouting negative things about our relationship right in front of me. Respect me as Anxin's boyfriend!" he continued with emphasis.

​Seeing Sangwon completely explode, Sanghyeon immediately wore a look of regret. He realized he had gone too far, when his initial plan was only to find out what caused Sangwon's bad mood—whether he was jealous of Anxin interacting with other members.

​"I'm sorry, Hyung. I was just too excited because many fans love my interactions with Anxin-hyung, even considering me your fierce rival to be his best partner."

​He then tilted his head, studying Sangwon with a searching look. "But you seem incredibly sensitive today, Hyung. Did a fan say something at the fansign earlier that hurt your feelings?"

​Sangwon didn't respond. Choosing to stay silent, he hurriedly finished his instant noodles with stiff movements, trying to suppress the anger still churning inside him.

​Anxin, who had been quiet just now, finally worked up the courage to gently brush Sangwon's arm. "Hyung, you've become way quieter than usual. Did we do something wrong to you at the fansign earlier? If there is, please tell us so we can fix it right away. Your mood was fine before the event started."

​"The two of you are only making me more annoyed with your words at this moment, so don't bring it up again," he replied without looking at Anxin.

​Feeling the atmosphere grow heavier, Sanghyeon tried to lighten the mood, but unfortunately, he ended up throwing a grenade instead. "Anyway, Hyung, from those fan comments, I think they just find your interactions cute, even saying you two are like mom and son..."

​Those sacred words slipped out just like that from Sanghyeon's mouth, and instantly, Sangwon stopped chewing. His anger hit the ceiling.

​"Don't you ever bring up that opinion again! You should just forget it and consider it just passing wind!" Sangwon snapped. "Are you intentionally agreeing with that opinion so you can get rid of me slowly? So I'll be labeled as Anxin's 'mom' while you're free to be paired with him as his boyfriend in the eyes of the fans?"

​Sanghyeon only gave an awkward smile while raising both hands. "I didn't say anything, Hyung. Like I said, I'm the number one fan of the WonXin ship. Well... even if I do occasionally want to steal Anxin-hyung from you."

​Seeing the debate heat up, Anxin finally spoke up to calm the situation. He looked at Sangwon softly, trying to convey calmness.

​"Hyung, just let it go, okay?" Anxin coaxed. "It's up to the fans what opinion they have. What matters is we aren't like that. The fact is, we are lovers right now. So just let them speculate whatever they want about our dynamic, we don't need to take it to heart."

​Sangwon shook his head firmly, his face still showing clear resistance. "I can't, Anxin-ie. This might sound trivial to you, but to me, it's not a minor issue that can be ignored just like that."

​Anxin let out a long sigh, trying a different approach.

​"Hyung," Anxin called out softly. "Back then, you and the other members also once told me to forget a minor issue, right? At that time, I was in a bad mood and sulking big time because of your jokes. You guys often teased me about being too cute for a group with 'alpha' in its name. I knew you all liked and united to tease me with those jokes for revenge because I often mocked you guys, so at first, I just took it lightly. I didn't mind that joke or your other jokes about me being the group's princess and perfectly suiting the color pink. I didn't mind because I just liked it. But then, I suddenly feared your jokes would become material for fans who didn't want me to debut in this group. They would look for flaws so that in the eyes of the public, I didn't deserve to debut, as if I didn't fit our group's concept and image."

​Anxin paused for a moment, recalling those difficult times. "And it actually happened. I accidentally read a comment saying I didn't deserve to debut in Alpha Drive One because my appearance, aura, and image didn't match our group's name. They said another trainee who failed to debut in that show deserved it more because overall, he perfectly matched the group's name."

​He reached out and took Sangwon's hand, trying to offer comfort. "After reading that comment, I wondered to myself if I really didn't deserve to debut. You guys noticed my mood shift and saw that I became quieter. You kept coaxing me to open up, saying that sometimes telling someone about your problems can make your mood feel better faster. So I told you, and you quickly comforted me, telling me to treat it like a passing breeze because fans' opinions aren't always right. You said my worthiness to debut shouldn't be judged by how well the group's name fits me, but by my talent and hard work, proven by the fan support that got me into the debut lineup. Thanks to you guys, I slowly started viewing those comments as meaningless dust. And after that incident, you never teased me about it again because you knew I was very sensitive about it."

​He then recounted the one incident that had left the deepest impression on him. "After that, I completely didn't care anymore about fans' comments driving an opinion I didn't like. Until during the MAMA event, when I accidentally crossed paths with a few senior groups. When they watched us perform 'Formula', they found me so adorable because I looked so cute and baby-like performing such a powerful and fierce song. It was the same at MMA. When I went to the restroom, a senior idol asked what group I was from, and I said Alpha Drive One. He was shocked for a few seconds, scanned me from head to toe, and said I was too cute and sweet for such a highly masculine name."

​Anxin paused briefly.

​"Their words made me curious—was it really that obvious? I kept rewatching our performances and comparing each member's individual fancam to myself. Everyone's stage aura was mesmerizing, especially yours, Sangwon-hyung. It made me envious. Even with a pretty face, Hyung's aura doesn't lie, especially on stage where you truly match the group's name. I wanted to be just like you. Since the 'Chains' era, I always tried my best to look sexy, but the trainees still called me too cute and said I was battling to perform such a highly sexy song."

​"It didn't stop there. When we were promoting on a music show, one of the members from a senior group asked what group I was from. When I answered, he looked shocked. Even though he didn't say anything, I could tell from his expression. I went back to the waiting room in a terribly bad mood. I started doubting myself, wondering why someone always broke my spirit. This time it wasn't from haters' comments, but from fellow idols. Although I knew their words weren't malicious, I was already so sensitive about this issue that I took it as a bad thing. You guys noticed my mood change and coaxed me to talk. At first, I said it was nothing and not a trivial matter, but you urged me to share and not bottle it up because you know I like to keep everything to myself. So I told you everything, from the MAMA incident to the latest one. After I shared, you tried to cheer me up so my mood would improve. Thanks to your words at that time, I could forget about it that very second. And also, our group's concept is energetic romantic, not as manly, fierce, and masculine as our name. So that is what made me get over it quickly, especially since our comeback song is so me."

​Anxin looked deep into Sangwon's eyes.

​"So, Sangwon-hyung should do the same thing as me," Anxin continued in a gentle, persuasive tone. "Forget that comment this very second so you don't overthink it any further. And just ignore it, treat it like a passing breeze. After all, we can never force everyone to have the same opinion we want them to. Let them say whatever they want—the important thing is you know you're my boyfriend."

​Sangwon was left completely speechless. The words that had just left Anxin's mouth pierced right through his chest. He felt incredibly foolish, feeling like the most dramatic, over-the-top, and ridiculous person in this room. Funnily enough, Sangwon hadn't even told anyone the real reason behind his bad mood yet. He hadn't shared what minor issue he had been obsessing over inside his own head. Anxin and Sanghyeon assumed he was upset because of the remarks or provocations Sanghyeon had intentionally thrown out at the dining table. But Anxin's comforting and soothing words had unknowingly hit the exact root of his actual problem. Those words were slowly easing the root of the problem that had caused him to overthink from the very beginning.

​Seeing Sangwon soften and silent, Anxin wanted to give another example so his boyfriend would truly understand.

​"It's not just you, Hyung. I also get offended when called the weakest member by the members or fans," Anxin continued. "It used to make me really insecure. But I choose to view it as a trivial thing because I don't want those thoughts to grow bigger and instead become a problem that ruins my mental health."

​Anxin exhaled, smiling slightly as he recalled his small achievement. "That's why I was so happy yesterday when I could prove my ability through the tug-of-war content against Xinlong. And I won. At least that victory might reduce the number of fans who view me as the weakest member in Alpha Drive One."

​​Hearing that, Sangwon, whose emotions were still unstable, immediately spoke up without thinking about Anxin's feelings.

​"That's because Xinlong was weak then, and the game wasn't balanced," Sangwon cut in flatly, as if without any burden. "You were on a four-member team, while Xinlong was on a three-member team. In the first round, it was nice for you to be able to rest and skip the tug-of-war, and then you only entered to play in the second round. Meanwhile, Xinlong? His energy was already drained from the initial round until finally you two were told to compete one-on-one to determine who was the weakest. Of course Xinlong had barely any energy left, so it can't be compared to yours, which was much more than his."

​Hearing Sangwon's cornering analysis, Anxin's defenses crumbled. His previously calm face instantly tensed, and his emotions flared up. Just seconds ago, he was perfectly fine and was sincerely soothing his Hyung.

​"Why would you talk like that, Sangwon-hyung?" Anxin asked, his voice trembling as anger rose to his head. "Your words truly offend me!"

​Sangwon looked Anxin dead in the eye, challenging his boyfriend's gaze. "I'm saying it because I want to see if you can forget being offended this second, just like you suggested to me earlier. If you can let it go, I'll also forget what's been putting me in a bad mood all day."

​Anxin shook his head, completely baffled by his boyfriend's train of thought. "But you shouldn't use this kind of method, Hyung! I was speaking nicely to you earlier so that your mood would improve, but why are you deliberately provoking my emotions to make my mood turn bad just like you?"

​Sangwon merely let out a soft scoff, turning his face away. "I just want to see if you can practice what you preach, or if it's all just empty theory."

​Sanghyeon bit his nail anxiously as the argument heated up. In his heart, he cursed himself. His original intention when provoking Sangwon was never to create a massive fight like this. Feeling responsible, Sanghyeon tried to mediate.

​"Come on, just forget it. No need to drag this out, don't fight because of this," Sanghyeon interrupted, trying to ease the tension.

​However, Sangwon, who was already emotional, stared at Sanghyeon cynically. "Can you really forget problems that quickly, Sanghyeon-ah? Can you really just forget the xiaozhu mockery and accept it just like that?"

​"I accept being called xiaozhu," Sanghyeon answered innocently.

​"Sure, you accept it, but only Anxin is allowed to call you that, right?" Sangwon sneered again.

​"Well, because Anxin-hyung was the first person to call me that. Besides, he is my favorite Hyung, so I don't mind at all," Sanghyeon explained, defending his point.

​Sangwon scoffed softly. "Tch, favoritism."

​Sanghyeon was growing frustrated by Sangwon's childish behavior. "Hyung, why are you being like this? Why are you blowing things out of proportion and dragging other things into this? Our goal here was purely to cheer you up!"

​"Cheer me up? It's completely useless," Sangwon retorted sharply.

​The next second, Sangwon redirected his sharp gaze back to Anxin. "Then, are you happy with the fans' praise acknowledging that you have an alpha side? Are you happy if I'm considered your mom by the fans? Are you happy when they say I'm too old to be paired with you?!"

​Anxin was momentarily confused by the direction of Sangwon's conversation, which had suddenly jumped far and drifted everywhere. However, he tried to take a deep breath and control his emotions to clear up this misunderstanding.

​"Of course I'm happy to be praised for having an alpha side, because it makes me feel recognized and worthy of being part of Alpha Drive One. But as for the fans viewing you as my mom, or the comments saying you're too old for me... of course I'm not happy!"

​Anxin looked at Sangwon with a pleading expression, begging him to understand. "If that's what has been putting you in a bad mood this whole time, you'd better follow my advice, Hyung. Forget it this very second. Get busy with something else so it stops running through your head."

​Instead of calming down, Sangwon threw a new blame. "If you didn't act all mature beside me or try to act more dominant, fans wouldn't leave comments like that."

​Hearing himself blamed, Anxin's temper instantly flared. He refused to accept such a one-sided accusation.

​"Why am I the one getting blamed now?!" Anxin exclaimed, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Why are you getting so easily triggered and sensitive over netizen comments, Sangwon-hyung? Weren't you the one who told me not to take unpleasant fan comments to heart? Why are your words and actions completely contradicting each other now?!"

​Before Sangwon could defend himself, Anxin, overcome by his emotions, pressed on with labored breaths.

​"If Hyung hadn't accidentally triggered my emotions just now, if Hyung had just agreed and tried to follow my advice, we wouldn't be fighting like this!" Anxin exclaimed, his eyes welling with tears of disappointment. "I never expected our relationship as lovers to be marred by a fight this ridiculous. If fan comments about our relationship always make you upset and stressed... then it's better that we end this relationship! That way, Sangwon-hyung doesn't need to overthink anymore!"

​After pouring out his frustration, Anxin stood up from his chair, strode out of the kitchen toward his room, and slammed the door quite hard.

​The dorm atmosphere instantly became tense. Watching the scene unfold, Sanghyeon let out a heavy sigh. "You shouldn't have blown things out of proportion like this, Hyung. Look at what happened. Now not only is your mood ruined, but Anxin-hyung's is too."

​Sangwon clenched his jaw, glaring sharply at Sanghyeon. "None of this would have happened if you hadn't baited me! You've been deliberately provoking my jealousy!" Sangwon snapped. He then stood up, grabbing his cup of instant noodles—which wasn't even finished—and threw it into the trash can in frustration. Sangwon returned to the pantry to finish making his delayed warm drink.

​"You'd better go back to the lower dorm and rest now. Instead of being here and making matters worse," Sangwon said sharply without looking back.

​Sanghyeon rubbed the back of his neck guiltily. "Yeah, I know I'm wrong, Hyung. But I only did that because I thought you were in a bad mood from being jealous seeing Anxin-hyung getting close to the other members during the offline fansign earlier. So to prove it, I intentionally riled you up."

​Sangwon let out a soft grunt, his hand holding the spoon slowly slowing down. "It's not because of that. If it were just about closeness at a fansign, I can already control my jealousy."

​"Then what exactly put you in a bad mood and this annoyed, Sangwon-hyung?" Sanghyeon asked out of curiosity and frustration. "If only you had been honest from the start, you and Anxin-hyung wouldn't have ended up fighting."

​Sangwon fell silent again. He chose to remain tight-lipped and focused on continuing to make his drink, as if reluctant to share his thoughts.

​"Hyung, tell me," Sanghyeon urged. "The two of us actually just wanted to comfort you when your mood was bad. Sometimes, that problem is not good if kept bottled up inside by yourself."

​Hearing the maknae's sincerity, Sangwon's walls finally crumbled. He let out a long, heavy sigh, turning slowly to face Sanghyeon. His face no longer showed anger, but a deep sense of exhaustion and sadness.

​"Do I... really look like a mom to Anxin?" Sangwon asked slowly, his voice fragile. "Am I too old to be paired with him? Have our interactions all this time looked forced and scripted? Is all our closeness just fanservice?"

​Sanghyeon froze for a moment to process every question Sangwon had just asked. After piecing all that information together, a huge understanding finally hit his mind.

​"So... did a fan actually describe your dynamic with Anxin-hyung like that?" Sanghyeon asked to confirm.

​Sangwon didn't answer with words. However, his facial expression was enough to give an answer to the younger boy. Seeing that shift, Sanghyeon asked gently again, "Did that fan's words really make Sangwon-hyung feel offended?"

​"Yes, deeply," Sangwon admitted honestly. "At the offline fansign earlier, I was just annoyed because a fan blatantly said my relationship with Anxin is like mom and son. Then, when I was in my room, I got curious about where that label came from. But I was stupid. That search instead made my mood even more ruined. I read comments indirectly calling me a pedophile if I'm paired with Anxin because of the underage issue. I also read the debate of fans attacking each other between those who agree and disagree with pairing me with him. And what makes me the most sick... are the comments saying our interactions look forced and scripted, just for fanservice."

​Hearing the whole venting session, Sanghyeon suddenly chuckled in amusement. Sangwon took offense to the response.

​"This is a serious matter to me, Sanghyeon-ah. Why does this sound funny to you? Didn't you claim to be the number one fan of my relationship with Anxin? You should be upset too!" Sangwon protested sharply.

​"Sorry, Hyung," Sanghyeon said quickly, stifling his laughter while putting his hands together. "I laughed reflexively because I find it endearing to see Sangwon-hyung get this overthinking just from thinking about how Hyung's relationship dynamic with Anxin-hyung looks to fans. But on one side, this proves that Hyung genuinely and sincerely loves Anxin-hyung and wants your relationship to look the way Hyung wants in the eyes of the public."

​Sanghyeon paused, looking at Sangwon more seriously. "You should have followed Anxin-hyung's advice, Hyung. You should've just forgotten it the exact second that fan said it, so it wouldn't keep replaying in your head. If you had just let it go right then, you wouldn't have gotten more upset and ended up reading comments about you being too old or your interactions being called scripted. Sometimes, it really is better not to know at all than to already know but find it hard to forget."

​Sangwon sighed, his shoulders slumping. His soaring ego vanished, replaced by a harsh wave of self-awareness. He knew he was wrong—his unstable emotions had made him lash out and hurt Anxin's feelings.

​"I know I'm wrong... I let my emotions get the best of me and spoke so harshly to Anxin," Sangwon murmured. "I just... really hate it when fans view our relationship like that."

​"I get it, Hyung. It's hard to make every fan see your interactions exactly how you want," Sanghyeon said wisely. "But if you want, you can debunk all those twisted narratives. From now on, start showing more blatant, definitive interactions with Anxin-hyung in front of them. Show your actual relationship the way you want it seen, so fans pick up on that. That way, there won't be any more of those off-base comments you hate. Bottom line, you need to clearly establish your dynamic in public."

​Sangwon nodded slowly, pondering the advice. "I'll try."

​Sanghyeon spoke up again, shaking his head in disbelief. "But honestly, I'm also confused why any fan would think you look like Anxin-hyung's mom. In my eyes, you two clearly look like a couple. You hug all the time, you kiss frequently, and you even stated openly yourself that Anxin-hyung is the only one you kiss often. My guess, it's definitely the work of haters who just don't like seeing your sweet interactions."

​Moving to his next point, Sanghyeon tried to calm his Hyung down. "Besides, your age gap isn't even that big. You aren't that old to be paired with Anxin-hyung. If they're making an issue out of age, Anxin-hyung is already a legal adult anyway, so what is there to debate? This is definitely just your ship's haters making malicious comments. The same goes for the accusations that your interactions are forced, scripted, or purely for fanservice. It's all just hater nonsense!"

​With complete confidence, Sanghyeon patted his own chest. "I am a living witness to the Mimyoz ship since the Boys Planet days all the way up to our debut. You two were always hugging and spending time together in corners even before you officially started dating. If you want, I can help expose this in public when the time and place are right. That way, no one can assume you're only close in front of the cameras."

​Hearing his younger member's passionate defense, a smile finally broke across Sangwon's face. The burden on his heart felt slightly lifted. "Thanks, Sanghyeon. Your words really helped calm my mind."

​"Like I said, I'm the number one Sangwon-Anxin shipper since Boys Planet," Sanghyeon said proudly. "So when people leave weird comments about your relationship, it bugs me too. That's why, from now on, just forget about it, Hyung. Don't think about it for too long, or it'll just stick in your head and become hard to shake off."

​Sanghyeon then used himself as an example to motivate Sangwon. "Take me, for instance. I've started enjoying and staying relaxed whenever people tease me with the xiaozhu nickname. But I still drew a firm line by making a rule that only Anxin-hyung is allowed to call me that. So, I suggest you take an equally firm stance."

​After that, Sanghyeon gave Sangwon an inquiring look. "Now let me ask you again, is there any other grievance that is keeping you overthinking, Hyung?"

​Sangwon shook his head slightly. However, Sanghyeon didn't believe him right away. "If there's more, just say it, Hyung. Pour it all out to me. Even though I'm younger, I'm trustworthy. I'll do my best to find a solution so you can stop overthinking."

​Sangwon sighed, realizing he couldn't lie to his younger member. "You really are good at guessing. It's true... there's still one more thing lingering on my mind."

​Sanghyeon's signature wide grin—the one often teased for looking like a Type-C charger port—instantly spread across his face. "Aha! Spill it, Hyung! I can't wait to give you some more entertainment and enlightenment."

​Sangwon cleared his throat quietly before starting, feeling a bit awkward. "The reason I acted so impulsively earlier, to the point of mocking him as if Xinlong purposely lost the tug-of-war match... was actually because something else had suddenly crossed my mind."

​"What crossed your mind, Hyung?" Sanghyeon asked curiously.

​"I... on one hand, I'm glad Anxin is getting recognition from fans for having an alpha side. But on the other hand, I'm also not thrilled about it," Sangwon confessed honestly.

​Sanghyeon knit his brows, his curiosity piqued even further. "Why aren't you thrilled? Isn't that great for his confidence?"

​"I don't mean to mock Anxin for trying to act like an alpha, but..." Sangwon trailed off, rubbing his face in frustration. "I don't know how to put it into words."

​"Let me help you put it into words," Sanghyeon cut in perceptively, knowing full well that his Hyung often struggled to express his emotions through sentences. "Let's make this simple. You're unhappy because, in order to prove his tough and dominant side to the fans, Anxin-hyung tends to make you the prime target of his dominant behavior, right? You didn't mind it at first, but you're annoyed now because certain fans assume he is the top in your dynamic, right?"

​Sangwon exhaled, validating his younger member's sharp analysis. "You really are a good guesser."

​"Of course, especially when it comes to the two of you," Sanghyeon smiled proudly.

​"But..." Sangwon groaned quietly, "Why do I have to be his easy target? Why can't it be any of the other members? I absolutely do not want to look like the bottom."

​Sanghyeon tapped his chin thoughtfully. "If you ask why it has to be you, it's better to ask Anxin-hyung directly. But if I had to guess, it's because Sangwon-hyung's face looks pretty and has a flower-boy vibe. That's why Anxin-hyung makes you his main target so he can be recognized as having a soul and image that matches our group's name. Think about it, Hyung. With the other members, he would struggle to show off his alpha side to the fans. Plus, you're often dubbed as an omega, so maybe that's why you became his easy target. But don't think too much about it, it's just my theory."

​Sanghyeon paused, casting a searching look at Sangwon. "Besides... why do you just willingly let yourself be treated like that, Hyung?"

​Sangwon averted his gaze, looking a bit self-conscious. "Actually, back during Boys Planet, I told Anxin I didn't mind if he wanted to act more active and dominant in our daily lives. Because to me, my aura and appearance alone are enough to show that I'm more dominant than him. The same goes for kissing and making love—I'm the one who takes control over him. And that has carried over to this day. I intentionally let him do whatever he wants so he won't overthink anymore about being considered too cute and baby-faced for a group with such a masculine name. That's why when Anxin tells me to do aegyo and show my cute side in front of the camera, I just obey without arguing."

​Sanghyeon immediately slapped his forehead. "Ah! If that's the case, then this is purely your fault, Hyung, not Anxin-hyung's! You started this yourself and allowed the 'Sangwon is under Anxin's control' narrative to form in the eyes of the fans!"

​Sangwon pouted defensively, his voice rising slightly. "Why am I the one getting blamed? I only had good intentions to help my boyfriend look like he has a tough aura and image fitting our group name! Besides, if our group name didn't have the word 'alpha' in it and were much better, Anxin wouldn't force himself to desperately show that side! He's even rejected being called cute several times."

​Sanghyeon emphasized his main point seriously, "Which is why you need to clarify the positions between you and Anxin-hyung, if you want fans to see your relationship the way you expect, Hyung."

​Sangwon sighed, leaning against the kitchen counter. "I'm just not the type to freely flaunt my dominant side or public displays of affection. But I've actually dropped hints quite often. I also once described our relationship as being like Jasper Hale and Alice Cullen from Twilight."

​Sanghyeon spontaneously chuckled. "Hints like that are too subtle, Hyung! How could fans possibly understand right away? Just follow my advice. You need to show it tangibly, more clearly, and firmly. Don't just take control during kisses and in bed, but across all your activities, because fans have no way of knowing you're the dominant one in that department. Even if your aura and appearance are naturally more dominant than Anxin-hyung's, you still need to make it clearer."

​Sangwon nodded obediently after being lectured by Sanghyeon. He realized it was entirely his own fault, not Anxin's. He was the one who started it and allowed Anxin to act mature and dominant, opening the way for fans to comment like that.

​Sanghyeon paused for a moment, weighing his next words as the topic felt a bit sensitive. "Actually... I'm dying to say this one thing. But I'm afraid it will make you angry again, Hyung."

​"Just say it," Sangwon replied quietly, bracing himself. "I'll try not to take it to heart."

​"So, it's like this..." Sanghyeon cleared his throat. "Some fans comment that when you two are paired, it looks like a... 'yuri couple'. That's why some people think you don't match."

​Seeing Sangwon's eyes sharpen, Sanghyeon quickly raised his hands to explain before getting blasted. "Wait, Hyung! Don't get mad yet! What they mean is, both you and Anxin-hyung have pretty faces. So it's natural that some fans get confused about who actually holds the reins between you two, or to put it bluntly... who is the top and who is the bottom."

​Sanghyeon observed his Hyung's posture before continuing, "Even though you have bigger biceps and a fuller body than him, and Anxin-hyung has a slender waist but has large hands, fans still often get confused. What you need to do now is exactly what I said before. You must clarify your relationship dynamic so fans see it the way you expect. But as for me, both as a member and the captain of your ship, don't worry. I always see the dynamic of you two exactly like what you want to show to the fans."

​Sangwon fell silent, absorbing his younger member's advice. His mind began mapping out a plan. "Do you think I should build my muscles again to look way bulkier?"

​"Uh, don't do that yet, Hyung! Take it slow, or Anxin-hyung might not handle it," Sanghyeon joked, flashing a playful wink.

​Sangwon finally nodded. "Okay. I'll find a way so fans stop treating me like his mom, erode the idea of scripted interactions, and make it clear who's actually the dominant one between me and him."

​Sanghyeon smiled with satisfaction seeing his Hyung's change of mood. He glanced at the kitchen wall clock, which already showed a very late hour. "If that's the case, I should go back to the lower dorm now, Hyung. It's late. Actually, I intended to stay over and sleep in Anxin-hyung's room tonight because Xinlong-hyung went to stay over with his old group. But since his mood is bad because you two fought, I'll cancel my plan to stay over tonight."

​Sanghyeon patted Sangwon's shoulder with a meaningful look. "I'm also deliberately giving you space so you can make up with Anxin-hyung quickly. Especially since it's just the two of you in the dorm right now."

​Sangwon nodded understandingly, his expression softening. "Yeah, I'll try to coax him and make amends."

​"You have to do it as soon as possible, Hyung! You two must patch things up tonight for the sake of my survival as your child," Sanghyeon urged passionately. "Sangwon-hyung must melt Anxin-hyung's heart. Because if Anxin-hyung really asks to break up, you'll have a lot of competition. Not just Geonwoo-hyung or our own group members, but you'll also have fierce rivals from other groups!"

​Hearing those final words, Sangwon's jaw tightened, and his possessiveness suddenly flared up again. "What do you mean?"

​"Anxin-hyung intentionally hid this from you, Hyung," Sanghyeon leaned in slightly, whispering as if sharing a state secret. "He only told me. Lately, many idols from other groups have tried to ask for Anxin-hyung's number and get close to him. That's why I really hope Sangwon-hyung won't just let your relationship end."

​Seeing Sangwon's jaw tighten again, Sanghyeon hurriedly added, "But don't worry, until this very second, Anxin-hyung hasn't given his number to anyone. He always rejects them to spare your feelings. I just want Sangwon-hyung to stay alert and on guard. Especially since the names Anxin-hyung mentioned... most of them have a very dominant aura."

​A wave of blind jealousy and indignation instantly scorched Sangwon's chest. His head throbbed, hit by a storm of overthinking more intense than ever. Seeing his Hyung's reaction, Sanghyeon beamed with satisfaction. He was glad to see Sangwon so worked up, as it would motivate him to fight for his relationship and never let Anxin go.

​​"In that case, I'll head out now, Hyung," Sanghyeon said, heading toward the door.

​Before leaving, he winked at Sangwon with a mischievous grin. "Since it's just the two of you in this dorm and you have a full week off... if you make up tonight, you can resume your 'activities' that have been put on hold due to our packed group schedule."

​Sangwon immediately caught the direction of his younger brother's dirty joke and could not help but let out a faint smirk.

​"We'll see. Honestly, I've been wanting to. Don't worry, dad and mom won't disappoint their kid."

​Sanghyeon laughed softly before stepping out and closing the door, leaving Sangwon in the silence of the quiet dorm.

​Sangwon turned back, focusing on his neglected warm drink. After the drink was ready, he took it and sat back down at the dining table—the place that had become the silent witness to his argument with Anxin just minutes before.

​He sat in silence, reflecting on Anxin's words and Sanghyeon's advice. They were right. He needed to forget those unpleasant comments immediately so they wouldn't stick in his memory. Besides, let the fans out there comment whatever they wanted. Whether it was purely their genuine perception, or just fabricated words intentionally created by a line of haters to steer a bad opinion so that group fans and shippers would take the bait and view his dynamic with Anxin exactly as those haters expected.

​Sangwon let out a long sigh. After all, he could never read or control the minds of their fans, Allyz.

​With one decisive gulp, Sangwon downed his drink to the last drop. He immediately scrapped his plan to enjoy a snack and read a book in his room. Right now, there was something far more important and urgent to do. He had to go coax his favorite cat who was sulking.

​Sangwon stood in the dorm corridor for a moment, taking a deep breath to calm his mind and heart before stepping toward Anxin's room. He was trying his best to practice the advice given by Anxin and Sanghyeon. From this second on, he was determined to treat all those unpleasant fan comments as nothing but a passing breeze. He tried not to take them to heart. After all, it was up to them how they wanted to view his dynamic with Anxin. The only thing that mattered was that he and Anxin were officially boyfriends.

​Once his emotions were steady, Sangwon finally gathered the resolve to head to Anxin's room. He wanted to coax his lover and earn his forgiveness.

​Arriving at the door, he knocked three times, but there was no response. Sangwon cleared his throat and called out, "Anxin-ie?"

​Still, there was no reply. Sangwon tried again, using his favorite name for him. "Angod... are you asleep?"

​Only the silence of the night answered him. Sangwon slowly reached for the doorknob, finding it unlocked. He pushed the door open inch by inch, whispering, "Can Hyung come in?"

​Still no answer, so Sangwon pushed the door wider and stepped inside. The room was dim and shadowed. On the bed, he could make out Anxin's silhouette, sitting quietly and facing the wall. Sensing his presence, Anxin slowly turned around and set his phone on the mattress.

​Sangwon studied his lover's face, trying to read the situation, but Anxin's expression was completely blank and unreadable. There was no trace of anger, annoyance, or sorrow. His lips weren't even pursed in a pout, which was his usual tell whenever he was sulky.

​In a flat voice, Anxin spoke, "Why are you here, Sangwon-hyung? Still want to argue? Or do you want us to break up?"

​"No! That's not it," Sangwon cut in quickly, panicked by the word 'breakup'. "I don't want to break up with you, Anxin-ie. I came here to apologize. I want to make things right so you won't be mad or sulky anymore."

​Anxin looked away. "I don't want to forgive you."

​"I know I was wrong. Please, just give me a chance to explain," Sangwon pleaded, stepping closer to the bed. "I won't be able to sleep knowing you haven't forgiven me."

​Anxin let out a short sigh and looked at Sangwon listlessly. "Fine, I forgive you. Now please go and get some sleep."

​Sangwon gave a bitter smile, knowing it was just a polite way to chase him away. "That's not what I want to hear, sweetheart. I don't want you to forgive me just as a formality, because I know it's not coming from your heart."

​Anxin rolled his eyes, feeling amused and defeated by Sangwon's persistence. "Fine, hurry up and tell me. I'll listen, but remember... it doesn't guarantee you'll be forgiven right after."

​A relieved smile broke across Sangwon's face. He was certain that if he could explain everything, Anxin's soft heart would melt.

​Sangwon sat on the bed right next to Anxin, looking into his eyes with genuine regret. "First of all, I'm so sorry—I never meant to hurt you. I know I was completely wrong for saying you were weak and only won that tug-of-war because Xinlong's energy was already drained from the first round."

​Sangwon reached out and held Anxin's hand gently. "I didn't mean to say it like that. I was just really annoyed and stressed about something else, which is why I was so blunt. You aren't weak, Anxin-ie. You won because you are genuinely much stronger than Xinlong."

​Anxin let out a soft huff, but he didn't pull his hand away. "I know I won because I'm strong. That's why, to verify what you said when you cornered me earlier, I messaged Xinlong right away."

​Anxin showed his phone to Sangwon for a second, flashing a chat screen that clearly showed Xinlong's messages. "Xinlong himself said you were wrong. He admitted he lost because I'm genuinely much stronger than him."

​Sangwon nodded quickly for the sake of his relationship. "Right, right, Xinlong is totally right."

​In his mind, Sangwon's tongue was itching terribly to comment that Xinlong had surely lied and thrown the match just to please Anxin. However, Sangwon chose not to say those words. Better to keep that thought to himself than to misspeak and make Anxin pout all over again.

​"Yeah, Angod... you're not weak at all,"

​Anxin huffed softly, still slightly not accepting it. "I'm not weak. It's just Sangwon-hyung and the other members who like calling me weak. You guys even get more excited about teasing me after knowing that Allyz also agrees and is on the same page with you."

​Sangwon nodded, understanding. Internally, however, he found it absolutely adorable hearing how Anxin pronounced the word "Allyz." The pronunciation was slightly off, but Sangwon chose not to correct him to avoid offending him. Besides, that tiny slip-up sounded incredibly endearing to his ears. Without realizing it, a single word slipped past Sangwon's lips, "Cute..."

​Anxin furrowed his brows. "What do you mean, suddenly calling me cute?"

​Sangwon smiled faintly, trying to deflect. "I just mean... your face looks cute, even when you're acting sharp and grumpy like this."

​Anxin sighed, looking quite annoyed. "Can you stop calling me cute? I want to be praised with other words besides that, you know."

​​"But I already often praise you as handsome, pretty, cute, sweet, adorable, and so attentive. So, what else is missing?" Sangwon countered softly.

​Anxin sighed, trying to clear up the misunderstanding about his physique. "I'm actually not weak, Hyung. It's just that my frame is the thinnest among all the members. Fine, I'll admit I'm the weakest member, but that doesn't mean I'm not strong. It's just that the others are much stronger than me. I'm not weak, I'm just at the bottom of the ladder when it comes to a strength match in Alpha Drive One. At the very least, I still meet the standard of a strong guy."

​Sangwon nodded along obediently again. "Yes, yes, I completely agree with you."

​"That's why I'm currently considering something," Anxin continued. "Should I start hitting the gym consistently to build some muscle? I want to have a body that's strong, tough, macho, and buff."

​Sangwon immediately shook his head in disagreement. "No! I forbid you from building muscle to that extent!"

​Anxin shot him a protesting glare. "But that way, my strength will increase rapidly. I can level up and won't be the weakest member anymore. My body will look more athletic, too. And my biggest wish to look cool will be much more visible."

​Sangwon shook his head fiercely once more.

​"Why don't you agree, Sangwon-hyung?" Anxin asked, starting to get irritated. "Do you enjoy seeing me thin and fragile like a paper doll?"

​"That's not what I mean, babe," Sangwon countered hurriedly, searching for the perfect argument to avoid suspicion. "You don't need to go to such extremes. It's better to focus on gaining weight so your frame fills out. You look so thin right now, which is why you seem fragile. If you eat more and put on weight, I'm sure your strength will increase automatically."

​Sangwon looked at Anxin intently, trying to convince him. "Instead of going through the trouble of building muscle, why not just gain some weight? You said it yourself—you're strong but look weak because you're the thinnest."

​Anxin fell silent, pondering. Slowly, he nodded. "That actually makes sense, Hyung. Honestly, trying to build a buff body just to look cool and manly sounds incredibly difficult."

​"Exactly, it's incredibly difficult," Sangwon agreed, relieved inside. "It's better to focus on gaining weight. Aside from increasing your strength, it's also great for your health so your body mass index reaches a normal range. As for building muscle to look manly, just leave that to me."

​Anxin stared at Sangwon with a raised eyebrow. "What is the benefit for me if you do it?"

​Sangwon smirked playfully, flexing his upper arm. "The benefit is so you'll get even more addicted to squeezing my arm. Isn't this your favorite part of me? If I build my arm muscles even more, you will cling to me all the time."

​Anxin's face turned bright red. He looked away, trying to hide his flustered state. "Whatever you say, Hyung. I'll just focus on gaining weight."

​"Yeah, just focus on that. It's really good for your health," Sangwon concluded with full support.

​However, behind that sweet smile, Sangwon secretly exhaled in relief. Deep down, he was grateful he had successfully crushed Anxin's ambition to get buff. No matter what, Sangwon had to remain the dominant one between them, especially regarding their aura and physical appearance.

​"Even though you're the physically weakest among the eight of us, you're the strongest mentally and emotionally. You rarely show your sadness and always display your cheerful side," Sangwon said, looking intently at Anxin. He continued, "You don't need to be so ambitious about looking like a tough, masculine guy, Angod. Our group concept isn't like that, and our songs don't demand an overly macho image. The only thing that sounds intensely masculine is our group name. And that name is what triggered this whole mess," Sangwon murmured, his voice laced with annoyance.

​"Honestly, I'm still kind of bitter about our group name. Because of it, you've been overthinking and forcing yourself to change to look cool, even refusing to be called cute or like a baby. So, you don't need to push yourself to act cool and alpha anymore. Just be yourself, and stop rejecting it when the members call you cute."

​Anxin looked at Sangwon and nodded slowly. "I know, Hyung. That's why I've started accepting it and stopped taking it so seriously. That's what allowed me to quickly move past it. But for people who don't know our group's concept or genre, they'll definitely find it contrasting, because they only judge by the name and assume our group's concept will be incredibly macho."

​"Yeah, I mean, why did our group name even have to be like this anyway?" Sangwon grumbled, still wanting to launch a protest against their assigned group name.

​Anxin let out a soft chuckle at Sangwon's annoyed face. "But personally, I actually like it because it has the word 'Drive' in it," Anxin said sweetly, moving his hands forward to mimic the motion of turning a steering wheel.

​Sangwon smiled at the adorable gesture. Whatever Anxin liked, he would readily agree with. However, he soon resumed his complaint. "Yeah, but why did there have to be the word 'Alpha'? Because of that one word, non-fans and other groups assume we're super manly, macho, and tough. In reality, our concept is more romantic and energetic. Regardless, Hyung just hopes you won't let it weigh on you anymore."

​"You don't need to worry about that, Hyung," Anxin replied soothingly. "I view it as a trivial matter. The same goes for your words at the dining table earlier. Don't worry, I forgot about it the moment it happened. That's why I messaged Xinlong to verify it, and once I knew the truth, I immediately let it go. That way, I won't overthink things that don't sit well in my heart. You should follow my lead, Sangwon-hyung. Find your own way to let go of what you don't like."

​Sangwon fell silent, staring intently into the pair of eyes in front of him. He nodded slowly, captivated by how wise and calm Anxin was when handling problems. At that exact moment, Sangwon felt like a foolish and dramatic person in front of Anxin. Even though he was older, he felt less wise than his boyfriend when facing an issue.

​"Hyung is a sensitive person, so it's easy to get offended even by the smallest things. You need to control your emotions better and not be so easily triggered. Though I pout the most, I always quickly find a way to keep those problems out of my heart," Anxin said softly, as if reading his Hyung mind.

​Sangwon's admiration for Anxin soared. He felt incredibly lucky and grateful to have someone as beautiful as Anxin as his own. "I'm truly lucky to have made you mine, Angod."

​Anxin smiled sweetly and shook his head. "No, I'm the one who's truly lucky to be yours, Sangwon-hyung."

​"That's not true, I'm definitely the luckiest," Sangwon countered, refusing to lose.

​"Listen to me first, Hyung," Anxin interrupted gently. "But in the eyes of many fans, you are absolutely perfect," he revealed honestly, looking at Sangwon with eyes full of admiration.

​"You know exactly how to captivate fans, especially on stage. Honestly, it makes me envious. You are so good at carrying the vibes of our group, so you truly fit the image of Alpha Drive One perfectly. Despite your pretty face, you don't even have to try to prove your alpha aura. That aura is already so strong and radiates naturally when you perform."

​Anxin let out a faint sigh. "That's the exact side I want to show fans too, but I can't do it like you, Hyung. That's why I used to handle it through my attitude and actions, rejecting being called cute or a baby. But don't worry, that was just my past self being sensitive. Now, I've made peace with it. I'm comfortable showing my cute side and won't protest anymore, because our group's concept isn't excessively manly anyway."

​Anxin's smile grew even wider as he brought up their new song. "And I'm so happy because our comeback song this time completely reflects my vibes! I honestly couldn't care less about insisting on looking tough and powerful anymore."

​Sangwon listened with a deep sense of relief, smiling happily. It turned out that without him needing to coax Anxin with sweet words, he had already resolved everything on his own.

​"That's why, as I said, Anxin-ie," Sangwon said, gently tidying Anxin's hair. "The only problem here is our group name. That is the reason why I still haven't fully accepted it. But I'm genuinely happy that you're showing your cute side again. That is the real you, and it syncs perfectly with your natural vibes."

​Sangwon looked at his favorite person warmly and continued, "You are so deeply loved and always treated like a baby by all the members because you are so fragile in our eyes. Since you are the weakest, those of us who are stronger automatically want to protect you like a princess who must be guarded. That's why we tease you about it—not to insult you, but as our way of showing that we want to look after you."

​Anxin nodded along, a sweet, faint smile gracing his lips, signaling that he understood the sincerity behind Sangwon's words.

​"Thanks to you and Sanghyeon, I've been trying really hard now to forget the issue that ruined my mood all day," Sangwon shared again. "Yeah, even though it can't vanish at lightning speed, I'm trying to work through it slowly. Right now, my feelings have started to relax and feel much lighter."

​Anxin smiled with relief. "That's good, Hyung. Just keep the things you like in your memory. You don't need to overthink the fans' comments. Just understand them because fans don't know what happens behind the scenes. They only form opinions based on what they see, so just treat all those skewed comments like a 'what if' story or a POV from their own perspective."

​Sangwon nodded again, once more left in awe by Anxin's wisdom. However, he kept it to himself that he wouldn't be this troubled if the issue didn't involve Anxin. He feared that if Anxin knew how unhinged he got worrying about fan perceptions of their relationship, Anxin might take the extreme step of asking for a breakup, just to save Sangwon's mental health from being burdened any further.

​Sangwon offered a genuine smile and clasped both of Anxin's hands. "I want to apologize... for making you and the other members worry due to my sudden bad mood earlier. I'm also sorry for refusing to talk when asked, because earlier I really just felt like I didn't want to be disturbed."

​"I understand, Hyung," Anxin replied softly. "That's why the other members and I deliberately gave you space and time to be alone. We waited until your emotions cooled down first, and only after that did we plan to ask again about what was making you down."

​"Thank you so much because you and the members understand me so well," Sangwon said sincerely. He paused for a beat before adding, "Actually... this wasn't about jealousy at all like Sanghyeon accused earlier, but rather a different issue."

​Anxin immediately cut off the sentence with a meaningful smile. "It's definitely an issue regarding our relationship, right? I already know everything, Hyung."

​Sangwon was instantly taken aback. "You know?"

​"I know everything, Hyung," Anxin continued calmly. "I heard your conversation perfectly earlier when you spilled all the problems troubling your mind to Sanghyeon."

​Sangwon's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "You heard it from inside the room? Were Sanghyeon and I talking that loudly?"

​Anxin shook his head slowly. "Not loudly at all."

​"Then how?" Sangwon asked, utterly bewildered.

​Anxin chuckled softly at Sangwon's confused expression. "That's because our dorm happens to be incredibly quiet tonight. Since there's no one else around, your voices whispering away in the kitchen could be heard very clearly all the way inside my room."

​"So, from now on, don't dwell on what that fan said at the fansign, Hyung," Anxin said with a reassuring look. "If you don't like it, cast those words away so they don't take root in your memory. Don't let those thoughts lead to overthinking and create new problems. Proof is, your overthinking just kept multiplying because you accidentally read comments you didn't like about how fans perceive our relationship."

​Anxin paused for a moment. "Besides, Hyung, that's just the reality of being public figures. If there are people who love seeing us paired up, there will definitely be people who don't. From my perspective, those who leave skewed comments are actually just desperate to find any flaw to make it seem like we aren't a good match, so they intentionally create that narrative to stop other fans from supporting our ship."

​Anxin snickered, recalling the points that made Sangwon pout. "You aren't that old for me, Hyung. You also don't look like a pedophile at all. You are so cute, how could anyone even say that? I really don't believe that the people writing such cruel comments are actual Allyz. And if they claim our interactions are forced, scripted, or purely for fanservice, let them think what they want. What matters is that the reality is not like that at all."

​Anxin paused and gave an understanding smile. "But I get why the 'mom and son' narrative deeply offends you, Hyung. Since you are the one who leads between us, it stabs at your pride and makes you angry. I truly understand, because they love calling you pretty and describing your gaze as innocent and sorrowful."

​Sangwon immediately chimed in, his tone dripping with resistance. "I have never treated you like my son, Anxin-ie. I never act like a mom to you. I do call you baby often, but that doesn't mean mom to son. Is there any mom who kisses and hugs her son the way I do to you? Is there any mom who has the heart to 'devour' her own son and finish him off in bed?"

​Anxin's face flushed crimson at Sangwon's blunt, suggestive remark. He cleared his throat to hide his embarrassment. "Of course there isn't, Hyung. That strange narrative only comes from haters who hate seeing us together. They're just looking for flaws, or perhaps they're spreading it to make their own ship look more real."

​Sangwon nodded slowly, his logic now fully accepting Anxin's explanation. "That might be true. Because when I read the fans' arguments in my room earlier, the atmosphere was indeed that heated. But still, why resort to such dirty tactics? Why tear down our relationship with a nonsensical narrative just to boost their own ship?"

​"Just drop it and forget about it, Hyung," Anxin coaxed softly. "There's no use thinking about it anymore. Now, we just need to slowly show them the truth of our relationship."

​"In that case... can you stop acting so dominant toward me in public?" Sangwon asked, finally voicing his biggest grievance.

​Anxin frowned in confusion. "Is a bottom not allowed to be dominant in public, Hyung?"

​"That's not what I mean," Sangwon sighed, trying to carefully construct his words so there wouldn't be a misunderstanding. "But in the eyes of some fans, the dominant party in a relationship is always perceived as the top."

​"But I do happen to love taking control," Anxin countered honestly.

​"Fine, before this you were allowed to take control and act dominant in our daily lives, while I took care of things in bed," Sangwon stated firmly, then added in a pleading tone, "But from now on, can you please let me be the one who looks dominant in every aspect of our relationship?"

​Anxin looked at him with a searching gaze. "Didn't you say before that you didn't mind if I were the one taking control of our daily activities? Back then, you said that just from your aura and physical appearance, you already look incredibly dominant and tough. You also said that from your looks alone, people would automatically know our positions."

​Sangwon pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling frustrated by his own words from the past. "That was a fatal mistake I ever said, Anxin-ie. Because of that leniency, now I'm the one seen as the bottom in our relationship."

​Realizing how deeply this bruised his Hyung's pride, he let out a soft sigh and affectionately stroked Sangwon's cheek. "I know Sangwon-hyung must be deeply offended because of this issue. So, don't worry. If that's what Hyung wants, I'll go along with your wishes."

​Sangwon smiled with immense relief upon hearing that.

​"That means you also have to initiate more skinship in public. Don't only be brave when we're off-camera, Hyung," Anxin teased, which instantly made Sangwon's face turn perfectly red.

​"It's embarrassing, baby..." Sangwon mumbled softly. Especially since he had previously said he didn't really like skinship, and if he suddenly started doing it often, he would definitely be teased.

​"I thought you wanted to be dominant in every aspect of our relationship? I love skinship, so you need to keep up. In fact, you have to be even more aggressive than me," Anxin demanded with a sweetly challenging tone.

​Sangwon could only nod stiffly.

​Anxin gave a faint smile. "Honestly, I also like it when Sangwon-hyung takes the lead in all our activities. And... Sanghyeon was right, Hyung. I intentionally made you an 'easy target.' Honestly, only with Sangwon-hyung do I have a real chance to appear like an alpha in the eyes of our fans."

​Anxin lowered his head, looking guilty. "I didn't expect my ambition to hurt you this deeply. I'm sorry, okay? I promise not to insist on proving myself worthy of our group name anymore. I'll do whatever you want."

​Hearing that sweet promise, a wave of relief and happiness flooded Sangwon's chest. His wish was granted. "I much prefer seeing you act cute, pampered like a baby, and look as fragile as a princess I always have to guard and protect."

​Anxin chuckled softly. "Honestly, I'm exhausted from trying to act tough. Plus, my body gets tired quickly when I force myself to hit the gym for massive muscles. Maybe that image just doesn't suit me right now."

​"It's enough for just Hyung to be muscular, and my Angod doesn't need to force himself to be macho. If you like being praised as cool and called 'oppa', I will do it often," Sangwon murmured, looking deeply into Anxin's eyes. "So... have you truly forgiven me from the bottom of your heart?"

​Anxin looked up at Sangwon with clear, bright eyes. "I was never actually angry at you, Hyung. I completely understand why you said those harsh things earlier. I know you didn't mean it because you were emotional. It was also my and Sanghyeon's fault for intentionally baiting you, even though we knew you were already in a terrible mood."

​Sangwon tenderly kissed Anxin's forehead. He felt incredibly lucky to have someone as understanding as Anxin, yet a pang of sadness crept into his heart. He realized that while Anxin could always perfectly understand his feelings, he still struggled to understand Anxin just as well.

​Sometimes, he felt there was a part of Anxin that was deliberately kept hidden, as if Anxin was intentionally constructing a secret boundary that he couldn't penetrate. It made Sangwon feel like he was failing to be the perfect anchor for Anxin to lean on.

​Noticing the shift in Sangwon's facial expression, Anxin immediately took Sangwon's hand and asked softly, "Hyung, what's wrong?"

​"I feel sad because you understand me so perfectly, yet I'm still not good enough at understanding you," Sangwon murmured softly.

​"Sangwon-hyung, don't think like that," Anxin interrupted gently. "My Sang-geup already understands me incredibly well. In fact, Hyung has understood me well since our Boys Planet days. You know I'm hyperactive. You're the type who hates being controlled by others, yet you don't mind at all when I'm the one taking a more active role in controlling our relationship."

​Anxin smiled sweetly to comfort him. "You always give in to whatever I want. You willingly do aegyo and act cute whenever I ask, just because you know I love seeing my partner act cute. You never get angry and are always obedient just to make me happy. Yes... even though I know the leniency you gave me backfired because it made you look like the bottom to some fans."

​Sangwon was once again captivated by how wise and understanding Anxin's way of thinking was. His disappointment instantly vanished. He leaned forward and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to Anxin's forehead. Once they parted, they simply stared at each other in a warm, comfortable silence.

​However, the tranquility didn't last long as Sangwon suddenly remembered something. "Angod... is it true that many members from other groups have been trying to get close to you and asking for your phone number?"

​Anxin froze instantly, eyes blinking in surprise. "Well, yes... but I haven't given my number to a single one of them. Wait, how did you find out, Sangwon-hyung? Did Sanghyeon tell you?"

​"Yeah, who else could it be but that kid," Sangwon replied.

​Anxin let out an annoyed huff and rolled his eyes. He hadn't been paying attention to the rest of the conversation between Sangwon and Sanghyeon outside earlier because he was too busy texting Xinlong from his room. "Oh my god, Sanghyeon really has such a big mouth."

​"Anyway, don't you dare give your number to anyone," Sangwon demanded, jealousy clearly etched on his face. "Remember, never give it out. I will never want to break up with you, even if you're the one who asks for it. In my eyes, you are mine forever."

​Anxin chuckled, amused by Sangwon's possessive side. "I was just joking about 'breaking up' earlier, Hyung. Besides, I don't want to break up with you either."

​"Still, don't you dare get tempted by the flirting of those guys from other groups," Sangwon countered, still unsatisfied. "If anyone has the nerve to ask for your number again, just tell them straight up that you already have a boyfriend."

​"Not right now, Hyung," Anxin checked him quickly.

​"Why not? Let them know, so no one else dares to flirt with or come near you," Sangwon protested.

​Anxin shook his head. "Let's wait until we pass our one-year debut anniversary, Hyung. I'll find a subtle way to reject them later without exposing our relationship. Just relax, Hyung, there's no need to worry, I won't be easily swayed by their smooth talk."

​"I trust you," Sangwon sighed. "But Sanghyeon said the idols approaching you have a very strong masculine aura. That's what makes me jealous. That's why I told him I want to hit the gym regularly again to build bigger, bulkier muscles, so you won't look at anyone else."

​Anxin immediately grabbed Sangwon's arm. "Don't get too muscular, Hyung. I really can't handle it."

​A playful smirk slowly curled on Sangwon's lips hearing that complaint. He leaned his face closer, whispering, "Can't handle it? What exactly do you mean by 'can't handle it', hmm?"

​Anxin's face suddenly turned bright red. "I just... I just won't be able to handle seeing Sangwon-hyung turn all bulky. It doesn't suit you. I still want to see your cute side. Because honestly, I prefer it if my partner also has a cute aura just like me. My type is someone with a touch of cuteness, not a fierce, tough macho man."

​Sangwon couldn't help but affectionately ruffle Anxin's hair. He scanned the dimly lit room before locking eyes with Anxin, his gaze darkening with longing. "Since we have a full week off, our fansign schedules are over, and we are the only two here in the dorm, isn't this the perfect time for our favorite activity? We've held back for so long because of our packed schedule, Angod."

​Anxin, understanding exactly where the conversation was heading, immediately averted his gaze, pretending to be oblivious to Sangwon's hints. "What activity? I don't know what you're talking about."

​"Don't refuse," Sangwon whispered, closing the distance until he could feel the warmth of Anxin's breath. "Hyung already granted your wish to 'abstain' for weeks. Since we have the perfect opportunity tonight, we should make the best use of it."

​Anxin realized he couldn't escape this time and sighed in resignation. "Fine, Hyung... but just one round, okay? I'm genuinely exhausted."

​Sangwon smirked, locking his gaze onto Anxin's eyes with intoxicating intensity. "Didn't you proudly say earlier that you're strong? If you want to prove it, let's see tonight... just how strong and long you can last when Hyung 'devours' you in bed."

​Without giving Anxin a chance to protest, Sangwon leaned in, locked eyes with him, and softly pressed his lips against Anxin's.

​The touch, which started out soft and slow, shifted completely within seconds. The moment Anxin parted his lips slightly, Sangwon immediately dominated the connection with a wild, demanding sweep. The jealousy, overthinking, and pent-up ego he had carried all day seemed to melt into a single surge of explosive energy, demanding an intense release on the bed.

​Sangwon cupped the back of Anxin's neck, deepening the kiss until the sound of their lips filled the quiet room. He explored Anxin's mouth greedily, his tongue tangling with his lover's, who struggled to keep up with the fierce pace. Anxin gripped Sangwon's shirt, gasping as his air began to run out.

​"Nghh... Sangwon-hyung..." Anxin whimpered between their heated kisses.

​Instead of slowing down, Sangwon only grew more relentless. He broke the kiss briefly to let Anxin catch his breath before trailing kisses down to his jaw. With worshipful intensity, he explored the sensitive area around Anxin's ear, blowing a warm breath that made his slender frame shudder violently.

​Sangwon's teeth began to work, delivering teasing, small bites to Anxin's earlobe, followed by a wet, sensual lick. Anxin tilted his head back in surrender, granting his Hyung full access to claim his neck.

​"Ah... slow down, Hyung..." Anxin whispered, his voice already raw and trembling.

​Sangwon moved to the rapid pulse point on Anxin's neck, pressing his lips there and sucking the smooth skin hard enough to leave a stark, dark red mark. He was intentionally marking his territory, making sure that this adorable "cat" belonged entirely to him and could never be stolen by anyone.

​While continuing to shower Anxin's neck with small bites and intoxicating licks, Sangwon's hand slipped purposefully beneath his lover's cat-patterned pajamas, caressing the warm skin of that slim waist with a demanding grip.

​In the middle of the wild connection, Sangwon suddenly broke off the kiss. He was panting heavily, staring down at Anxin with eyes completely darkened by raw lust. Grabbing both of Anxin's arms, he spoke in a low, raspy voice.

​"Move to my room, baby."

​Anxin, whose eyes were already glazed and face completely flushed, looked up in confusion, trying to gather his crumbling consciousness. "Why do we have to move, Hyung? Let's just do it here..."

​Sangwon smirked faintly, his thumb tracing Anxin's wet, slightly swollen lower lip from their fierce kiss. "I don't want to get your bed messy with our love fluids tonight. Let my room be the one that gets messy and ruined by us. It's going to be a long night, Angod."

​"Then... use protection, Hyung. So it won't be too messy," Anxin whispered, his voice trembling with an innocent tone.

​Sangwon instantly let out a low chuckle, a sound that was incredibly sexy yet deeply intimidating. He shook his head slowly, rejecting the request outright.

​"I don't want to, love. Protection doesn't feel good," Sangwon answered bluntly, kissing the tip of Anxin's nose. "Besides, since when do you like using that? Aren't you the one who usually complains because you hate the sensation? Why are you suddenly asking to use protection tonight, hmm?"

​Anxin fell silent, his face burning as he found himself cornered. Damn it, Sangwon knew all his weaknesses. It was true that he usually hated it too, but he just panicked knowing Sangwon was in "hungry" mode after weeks of abstinence due to their packed schedule.

​Without giving Anxin a chance to reply, Sangwon slid his arms under Anxin's knees and back, lifting his slim frame into a secure hold. Startled, Anxin instinctively wrapped his arms around Sangwon's neck, burying his blushing face into the crook of his Hyung's shoulder.

​Sangwon took wide strides out of Anxin's room, through the quiet dorm corridor, and straight into his own bedroom. As soon as the door clicked shut and locked, he gently laid Anxin on the bed. Sangwon immediately crawled over, pinning Anxin down under his absolute control.

​"Tonight, I'm going to eat my fill of you, Anxin-ie." Sangwon whispered right against Anxin's lips before crashing their mouths together in a much more demanding, scorching kiss.

​While pinning Anxin down with a greedy, deep kiss, Sangwon impatiently undid the buttons of Anxin's cat pajamas one by one. Once the pajamas parted to reveal Anxin's smooth, heaving chest from his ragged breaths, Sangwon's focus shifted instantly. He dragged his kisses from the lips to the jaw, down to the neck, and finally to the chest. His eyes flashed with longing as he stared at the two pink points on Anxin's chest, which looked incredibly inviting.

​Without wasting a second, Sangwon attacked Anxin's chest. He lowered his head, swirling his warm tongue against Anxin's sensitive nipple, delivering licks that made Anxin arch his back and let out a breathless moan.

​"Ah! Sangwon-hyung..."

​That submissive moan only fueled Sangwon. He began sucking the sensitive point deeply to soothe his hunger after weeks of restraint, while his free hand kneaded the other side of Anxin's chest, completely overwhelming his lover under the absolute dominance of a night that belonged entirely to them.

​Sangwon meticulously suckled both of Anxin's nipples alternately. He intentionally did it for a long time, savoring the taste of the younger boy's smooth skin until he felt satisfied listening to the short, broken gasps escaping Anxin's lips. He paused, pulling back to gaze at the beautiful sight pinned beneath him. His darkened eyes intently watched Anxin's helpless figure, chest heaving and face flushed with mounting pleasure.

​'Is there a mom who fucks her own son like this?'

​The thought served as a final, crushing answer to silence every doubt. The reality before him proved they were nothing more than two lovers who deeply craved each other.

​Refusing to let those toxic thoughts ruin the heat of the moment, Sangwon moved with efficient dominance. With a swift, dominant motion, he stripped off his shirt and tossed it carelessly onto the floor, then stripped off all his remaining clothes until he was completely exposed. It didn't take long for him to do the same to Anxin, removing the younger boy's remaining clothing until there was no fabric left to separate their skin.

​Sangwon slid down, positioning himself between Anxin's slim, parted thighs. Having done this many times before, Sangwon knew Anxin's body well. Skipping the lubricant, he chose a much more intimate method. He lowered his head, focusing his dark gaze on Anxin's entrance, and began to pleasure the sensitive area with his tongue.

​Without wasting a moment, Sangwon began. The tip of his warm tongue swiped against Anxin's sensitive rim, leaving a scorching, ticklish sensation that made the younger boy twitch. The soft touch quickly turned into deep, wet, demanding licks as Sangwon pushed inside, meticulously exploring the tight walls.

​"Nggghhh..."

​Anxin let out a muffled groan, gripping the sheets as the intense, intimate wetness took hold. He tossed his head, overwhelmed by the sudden surge of stimulation. The vulgar, wet sounds of Sangwon's mouth echoed through the quiet room, shattering the last of Anxin's composure.

​​Sangwon showed no mercy. Knowing his lover was already becoming overwhelmed, he only grew more relentless, pleasuring the area with constant, rhythmic suction. Anxin's natural slick began to flow, mixing with Sangwon's saliva drenching his crotch until it glistened, completely slick under the dim lamplight.

​Once he felt Anxin was sufficiently wet, relaxed, and ready, Sangwon pulled back. His ragged breath felt hot against Anxin's trembling inner thighs. Looking up at Anxin's glazed, pleasure-wrecked expression, Sangwon raised a hand and slowly slid his finger into the tight, warm channel, which immediately clamped down on him.

​"Nghhh...! Sang-ge... ahh!"

​Hearing "Sang-ge" slip from Anxin's lips only fueled his desire. He added three more fingers, moving in a steady, rhythmic penetration to gently massage Anxin's interior, preparing his lover to receive something much larger later.

​Sangwon paused his fingers for a moment to lean down and kiss the crook of Anxin's neck, listening intently to every sound from his throat. He had truly missed this voice—Anxin's signature whimpers that sounded thin, soft, and needy, just like a cat meowing for more attention.

​Seeing Anxin's warm entrance softening and twitching helplessly around his fingers, Sangwon could no longer suppress the fire burning within him. He pulled his wet fingers out and positioned his fully erect length right before Anxin's heavenly opening.

​Sangwon gripped Anxin's slim waist with both palms, bracing his thin frame so he wouldn't shift. Without hesitation or warning, he slammed his cock inside Anxin in one deep, frontal thrust.

​"Nghh-ahh!"

​Anxin shrieked softly, his eyes widening as tears leaked from his lids. The sudden sensation of something hot, thick, and large filling his core made his chest arch high. His walls clamped down tightly, trying to adapt to Sangwon's size. Even though that cock had been inside him many times before, his entrance still shuddered in shock.

​Sangwon left his cock buried deep for a few seconds, savoring the intense, intoxicating squeeze of Anxin's inner walls. He let out a low, sexy masculine growl.

​"Fuck, Anxin-ie... you're so tight. Your hole is milking my cock so greedily," Sangwon growled in a vulgar string of dirty talk, making absolutely no effort to hide his wild satisfaction. Sangwon began his movements. He pulled his body back until only the tip remained, before slamming back inside with fierce, powerful thrusts.

​The sound of skin slapping hard between their thighs echoed filthily in the quiet room. Sangwon had completely lost control, pumping into Anxin at a fast, rough, and relentless pace. Blind jealousy toward the guys from other groups trying to approach Anxin, combined with his ego demanding absolute dominance, made every one of Sangwon's thrusts tonight feel utterly punishing.

​"Angghh! Slow down, Hyung, too fast... oohh, Gege!" Anxin begged, his voice completely broken as his head thrashed from side to side against the pillow. His body shook violently from the relentless, rapid friction that was landing perfectly against his sensitive sweet spot inside.

​Every time Sangwon hit that deepest spot, Anxin let out a long whine, sounding like a cat tormented by extreme pleasure. Hearing those wild, submissive whimpers drove Sangwon further into madness. He leaned forward, greedily capturing Anxin's lips to muffle their loud moans, while his lower body worked with vicious intensity. They spent the first night of their week-long break in the filthiest, most desperate coupling.

​Sangwon braced both hands on either side of Anxin's head, pinning the younger boy down so his frame wouldn't shift every time his hips slammed forward with full force.

​The sound of friction and wet impacts between their hips grew more intense, echoing through the room. Anxin was left completely helpless, his pale skin marked with dark red bruises from Sangwon's harsh kisses and the rough grip of his hands on his waist and thighs.

​"Angghh! Ge... too deep... emmh!" Anxin whimpered in broken gasps, clawing at Sangwon's shoulders to steady himself as the intense friction made him feel like he was unraveling. Tears of pure pleasure leaked from his tightly shut eyes.

​Sangwon offered no mercy. Hearing those needy, whimpering gasps only made his movements more primal. He pulled his cock almost entirely out, letting Anxin's warm entrance twitch tightly around the head, before driving it back in with one brutal, crushing thrust.

​"Aaahh!" Anxin shrieked, his body arching upward and his stomach muscles seizing as he felt Sangwon penetrate his absolute deepest core.

​"Open your eyes, love. Look at me," Sangwon growled in a low, raspy tone, his hot breath panting right in front of Anxin's face.

​With great effort, Anxin forced his heavy, damp eyelids open, meeting Sangwon's dark, dominant gaze. He could see his Hyung's features strained with pleasure.

​"Tell me who owns you, Anxin-ie. Tell Hyung," Sangwon demanded, intentionally speeding up the pace of his thrusts into a short, rapid, and relentless rhythm.

​"You... Sangwon-ge... annghh! Only Hyung..." Anxin surrendered, babbling weakly under Sangwon's absolute control.

​The answer brought a deep satisfaction to Sangwon's chest. With one powerful movement, he hooked his arms under Anxin's thighs, folding his legs back toward his chest. This new angle made the penetration much tighter, making the squeeze inside feel incredibly snug.

​Seeing Anxin lying limp and trembling, Sangwon didn't let him rest. His pulsing desire completely burned away his restraint. Moving dominantly, Sangwon pulled out of Anxin's warm channel, a wet, filthy popping sound echoing in the quiet room.

​"anghh..." Anxin let out a soft groan, feeling a brief sense of emptiness mixed with relief for a few seconds.

​Sangwon immediately flipped Anxin into doggy style, forcing his lover's slim hips high up in front of him. Crawling up from behind, he wasted no time driving his hard, erect length right back into Anxin's helplessly twitching entrance.

​Anxin let out a weak shriek, his palms clawing tightly at the bedsheets as he felt the thrust from the new angle penetrate much deeper and thicker, striking his absolute most sensitive spot.

​​Without a moment of respite, Sangwon began pumping into Anxin with a wild intensity. Gripping Anxin's slim waist tightly, he delivered rapid, heavy thrusts. The relentless sound of clapping skin filled the room, blending with Anxin's broken whimpers like an overwhelmed cat.

​"Ah! Sang-ge... don't go so fast... ahh!"

​Too turned on and consumed by raw lust, Sangwon ignored the protest. He bent down, pressing his chest flat against Anxin's smooth back, and sensually bit the back of his neck while continuing to pump his lower body mercilessly.

​Finally, intense heat spread violently through their loins. The tight penetration and the incredible squeeze of Anxin's walls pushed them to the edge. Sangwon accelerated his thrusts to a frantic pace, driving deep a few final times until Anxin shook, and they reached their first release together.

​"Arrggh...!" Sangwon groaned in a raspy voice as his seed spilled heavily inside, filling Anxin's warmth with hot fluid. At the exact same time, Anxin released onto the bedsheets, instantly collapsing onto the mattress as he panted heavily, his chest heaving for air.

​Sangwon slowly collapsed beside Anxin, pulling his lover into a tight embrace, though his hand still moved sensually, stroking Anxin's inner thigh.

​Using the last of his strength, Anxin turned his head weakly, his eyes glazed and watery. "Hyung... that's enough, okay... I'm genuinely so tired..." he whispered pleadingly, hoping one round would be sufficient.

​Sangwon smirked faintly, his darkened gaze fixed on the submissive face in front of him. He pressed a brief kiss to Anxin's lips before whispering in a tone that brooked no argument.

​"No can do, love. Tonight, I want to devour you for much longer."

​Anxin's eyes widened, trying to protest, but Sangwon cut him off instantly. "Come on, love. Once we comeback, our schedule will be packed and we won't have time like this. Tonight, it's just the two of us in the dorm, a whole week off, and everything is completely safe."

​Sangwon crawled back up on top of Anxin's body, staring down with a possessive gaze full of desire. "Didn't you proudly tell me earlier that you're a strong guy? Well, now Hyung wants to see if my sweet Anxin really is that strong to endure and serve all of Hyung's filthy desires until morning."

​Without waiting for an answer from Anxin, who once again flushed bright red in sheer embarrassment, Sangwon immediately silenced those sweet lips with a new, equally scorching kiss, while his lower body, already hardening again, stood ready to begin the next, much longer round.

​In his heart, Anxin completely cursed himself for bragging about his strength during their earlier discussion about the tug-of-war match. Because of that careless comment, Sangwon used it as the ultimate excuse to keep testing his endurance, devouring him ruthlessly in various positions throughout the long night. Every time Anxin complained about being tired, Sangwon would simply silence him with a dirty kiss and pump into him with passionate lust, ending their weeks of fasting until dawn finally broke.

​As a result of the wild session that drained all their energy, the two of them only managed to fall asleep as the sun began to rise, completely skipping breakfast out of sheer exhaustion.

​When Sangwon slowly blinked his eyes open, he could still feel a lingering exhaustion in his body, yet he felt incredibly relaxed. He glanced at the wall clock, which showed it was already 1 PM. Beside him, Anxin was still fast asleep, curled up tightly in search of warmth. Sangwon lowered his gaze and smiled with deep satisfaction at how Anxin's smooth skin was now covered in red marks and bruises from his grip he had left overnight as absolute proof of his ownership.

​Seeing that beautiful sight, Sangwon's mood improved completely. The storm of bad mood that had taken over him yesterday evaporated without a trace. He had entirely forgotten about the opinions he hated. To him, the reality on this bed was far more real and absolute than any nonsense narrative out there.

​Moving slowly so as not to disturb his sleeping cat, Sangwon reached for his phone. He took a few photos of Anxin sleeping peacefully with an adorable, calm expression, then took a couple's selfie showing himself pressing a soft kiss to Anxin's closed temple. After that, he took a solo photo of himself looking refreshed, a bright post-release smile on his face.

​Sangwon uploaded the photo of himself, typing a short caption:

​"Spent the whole night doing my favorite activity and woke up with a bright face and a fantastic mood today! I hope all Allyz also have an incredibly amazing mood today. Fighting for today! ☀️✨"

​After hitting post, Sangwon placed his phone back on the nightstand. A genuine, wide smile spread across his face as he lay back down beside Anxin. He pulled the younger boy's slim frame into his warm embrace, wrapping his arm securely around Anxin's waist while waiting for his favorite 'cat' to wake up. Sangwon continued to shower his Angod's forehead, cheeks, and lips with soft, loving kisses, enjoying their week-long break in perfect happiness.