The KPT team progressed to the next round without much issue after their outstanding performance, but they left the competition hall in near silence.
Normally, they would've been celebrating, screaming, shoving each other, riding that post-performance high with pure chaos.
But tonight, they had witnessed something else entirely.
Daniel wasn't just their hyung anymore; he had become untouchable. He was a storm dressed in rhythm, and it left the rest of them reeling.
Daniel, naturally, broke the silence first. He stretched like a cat, arms above his head as he groaned, "Okay, what's with the funeral vibes? I literally stole the show, guys. Where are the dramatic compliments and flower bouquets?"
Terrence snapped back first, "You're insufferable."
Daniel gasped like he'd been shot. "How could you say that, child?"
Kai snorted. "Nah, he's right. You're basically impossible to like right now."
Daniel turned to Sean, eyes narrowing. "Surely, my admirer has something nice to say?"
Sean blinked, still looking dazed. "You were… unbelievable."
Daniel preened. "Ah, music to my ears."
***
Though Daniel was ready to drag everyone out for an impromptu celebration, the rest of the team looked half-dead. It was late, their bodies ached, and they had nothing left in them but sore muscles and half-hearted grins. Much to Daniel's despair, the vote was unanimous: 'celebrate another day'.
"Traitors," Daniel muttered under his breath as he and Ben peeled off from the group, walking their usual route back to the dorms. "I give a godlike performance, and you all choose sleep over worship. Unbelievable!"
Ben didn't respond.
Daniel slowed a little, peeking sideways. "What happened to you?" he asked, nudging Ben with an elbow. "Are you jealous? I did look like a deity up there."
Ben gave a faint smile. "You always perform like a dream."
Daniel snorted. "Thanks, but you," He stopped walking, jabbing a finger at Ben's chest. "Your solo was insane. I actually got goosebumps. I didn't think you could express that much intensity. You hit something raw."
Ben's feet stalled. His stomach twisted. That dance was his way of expressing the side he wanted to hide. Daniel had seen it and…felt it…
He forced a shrug, muttering, "It was your idea. I was just trying to think like Bluebeard. Bring that out."
Daniel grinned and slung an arm over Ben's shoulder. "Well, mission accomplished. Appa is proud, watching his little prodigy blossom into a full-blown threat. My son is growing up."
Ben snorted, ducking his head. "That's true," he said quietly. "Without you, I wouldn't have had the guts to even audition for NDC."
That made Daniel pause.
He blinked at the sudden seriousness in Ben's tone, turning slightly to face him. "Okay, no joke, what's up? You seem… weirdly off."
Ben quickly looked away. "I'm fine. Just tired."
He didn't meet Daniel's eyes. Scared that they might show more than needed. But Daniel was having none of it. He grabbed Ben's hand and started pulling.
"Wha–what are you doing?" Ben protested, stumbling after him.
"Waking you up," Daniel called over his shoulder, mischief dancing in his grin.
"Huh?! What does that even mean?"
But Daniel didn't answer. He just kept running, dragging Ben along through side streets until they reached a narrow path flanked by fencing and dim lamplight. At the end was a small soccer stadium, its outer walls plastered with 'Renovation in Progress' signs.
Daniel darted toward the back and leapt up onto the gate like a street cat.
Ben stood there, baffled. "You're insane."
"Shhh! Just climb. Come before gyeongbi ajeossi sees us," Daniel whispered, already holding a hand out from the top. [Guard uncle]
Ben hesitated for half a second, but suddenly a strange recklessness took over him. He grabbed Daniel's hand and clambered up.
They ran into the stands, breathless and laughing, adrenaline buzzing in their legs. Daniel flopped onto one of the rusted metal benches and spread his arms like a king claiming his throne.
Ben followed with a disbelieving shake of his head. "Seriously, hyung, where even are we?"
Daniel grinned. "Mini stadium. I used to break in here during my first year."
Ben stared. "You what?"
"Yup, back when colleges played matches here, tickets cost too much. So we found alternate entry methods." Daniel said proudly with a wink.
"So, you're telling me this place is off-limits?"
Daniel shrugged, stretching his legs. "Under renovation. Still the best spot in the city to stargaze."
Ben chuckled. "I didn't peg you for an astronomy nerd."
Daniel wiggled his eyebrows. "I'm not, but I know my stars. Wanna go lie on the grass?"
Ben blinked. "You're serious?"
"Dead serious."
"We'll get caught."
Daniel was already hopping the stands. "And? What's life without a little risk?"
Ben sighed, but the smile tugging at his lips betrayed him. They crept down to the field, and the moment his shoes hit the dewy grass, Ben felt something uncoil in his chest.
Daniel threw himself onto the turf like he belonged there, limbs splayed. "Ahhh, bliss."
Daniel looked at Ben and patted the space beside him. Ben hesitated. The invitation was simple, but the proximity wasn't. He stood for a moment, caught between want and self-preservation.
Carefully, he lowered himself at a respectful gap. Close enough to seem casual but far enough to keep from burning.
The sky stretched endlessly above, a black-blue sea pierced with stars. It reminded Ben of lying on his roof as a kid, his father beside him, whispering constellations he could no longer remember. That version of himself felt like another person.
They remained lying there, staring at the sky in companionable silence.
"Do you know the brightest star in the sky?" Daniel asked, after a while.
Ben shook his head. "Not really my thing."
"Sirius," Daniel said with a grin. "From the Greek word for 'glowing.'"
Ben tilted his head. "You actually sound smart."
Daniel looked scandalized. "I am smart. I just also happen to be devastatingly handsome and artistically gifted."
Ben laughed, but slowly the grin wiped from his face. "You really love to dance, don't you?"
Daniel blinked. "Of course. It's everything."
Ben's voice was soft. "Sometimes I wonder if you love anything outside of dance."
Daniel turned to look at him, slight surprise in his gaze.
Ben continued, "I wonder, if we didn't dance together… would we even be friends?"
Daniel didn't speak for a moment. "I think… yeah. I would still want to know you even without dance."
Ben's chest ached. He wanted to believe that. But it felt like chasing light through water, beautiful, but impossible to hold.
"You should notice things more," Ben said, eyes on the sky. "You move so fast, hyung. I don't want you to look back and realize you missed something important."
Daniel remained quiet.
"I…" he started, struggling for words. "I don't really get what you mean."
Ben exhaled slowly.
Of course, he didn't.
He sat up. "We should go back."
Daniel hesitated for a moment, his eyes fixed on Ben as if searching for the words he hadn't spoken, before nodding. Ben pulled him up by the hand, and they slipped back the way they came, hopping the fence like teens out past curfew, laughter echoing as they dashed into the night.
As they walked back, Daniel nudged Ben's shoulder.
"Now you look more like yourself," Daniel said with a grin.
Ben's heart stuttered. He felt something twist sharply inside him. Daniel didn't ask for explanations. He didn't push. He just acted like he always does, mischievous yet caring, without even realizing it.
And that made it worse.
Because the more Daniel unknowingly reached for him, the harder it was for Ben to hold himself back.
He looked at Daniel with a sad smile. "I wish it wasn't true."
Daniel cocked his head. "What wasn't?"
Ben didn't answer.
He just gave a quiet, "Thanks," and walked off, quickening his pace.
Because if he stayed, he might say it.
And once it was said, there'd be no taking it back.