;____________________;

***

The leader wrung his hands together, a gesture that would suggest that he was nervous. He could vaguely heard Eunhyuk throwing a question at him from beside, but he just hummed lightly in answer, and stared straight ahead at the open gate in front of him.

it's been so long. Long, is an understatement. But it wasn't like they had gone on 2 years of separation without any contact of some sort, because Kangin called him whenever then younger had the time to, and even he visited the dorm a couple of times to hang out with the other members too. Not to mention the numerous nights they had spent texting —with cute emoticons and sappy words, until one of them had fallen asleep smiling, heart still yearning for the other's touch.

hyung! I'm going home tomorrow~

of course I know~ I have Starking recording tomorrow, youngwoon-ah ㅠㅠ

you're not going to come see me?

He had wanted to surprise Kangin, to see those small eyes widen in shock, and then curled up in happiness. But as the fans erupted behind him, and a glimpse of army hat and half-moon smile, he realized he was the one getting the surprise.

Kangin took big strides towards his open arms, and when he was finally enveloped in that warmth again, it was getting harder to breathe.

A hand ran up and down his back. "Jungsu..." he whispered, Leeteuk had to bit his lip to not cry like a baby in front of Kangin and the members and hundreds of elfs. After what felt like eternity, the members came to join them and Kangin let go of the hug, although one hand stayed secure behind his back. Leeteuk could finally breathe easy.

"Hyung, welcome home." Donghae said.

---

"Starking my ass, I knew you'd come."

Kangin told him later, when they were having meals together with the managers too, cheeky grin in place. Never changed even after years. Leeteuk smiled back.

"Kangin-hyung, will you come to the dorm after this?" Ryeowook asked him after a bite of kimchi.

"Of course! But I gotta see my parents first."

There was a burst of excitement after that, Sungmin listing out all possible plans for all of them later, only to pout after Kyuhyun told him that they had schedules.

Leeteuk asked nervously, "Do you... want me to drive you to your relatives?" Kangin smiled and patted his head.

"You're busy."

Leeteuk refrained himself from pouting like Sungmin did earlier. Of course he knew he was busy, Kangin just had to point that out, didn't he? Couldn't he see that he just wanted some time for themselves? He mentally scowled and resumed eating, childishly ignoring little nudges from Kangin after that.

---

Leeteuk dropped his tired body onto the white sheet with barely contented sigh, not even bothering to change into his sleepwear. The filming had dragged on, it was now past midnight and he wondered where Donghae and the others got their energy from, because he still could hear loud laughter from the living room.

Leeteuk curled up on his side, staring at the white wall of his and Donghae's shared bedroom, and inevitably his thought floated back to Kangin. Even though his dongsaeng is back he couldn't shake the usual worry from his mind still, Where is he? Has he eaten? I hope he drives safely. —he refrained himself from calling Kangin’s cellphone, because he figured the younger needed some time with his family. Leeteuk felt strange, so many emotions welled up inside him from tired to giddy, worry to anger —angry at schedules and work and everything that always seemed to keep them apart.

Later on, the exhausted leader fell asleep with Kangin’s smile behind his closed eyelids.

---

Leeteuk woke up from his barely conscious state to a dip of his bed and a hand threaded into his hair, softly stroking. Opening his eyes, he met Kangin’s soft stare with his sleepy one, and they stayed like that for a moment, with the other’s fingers kneaded softly at his scalp.

When Kangin leaned in and Leeteuk fluttered his eyes closed, and when Kangin’s lips met his finally, the lump in his throat was back, and Leeteuk tasted salt.

They pulled back, and the older breathed in deeply. “I’ve missed you…”

“It’s cold at night.” Leeteuk continued meekly.

Kangin wiped the tears that were steadily running down his lover’s cheeks with his thumb. He leaned in once more, planting a soft kiss on the other’s forehead.

“I’m here now.”


***
end.