DoD~

[sparklepox]

Title: Moonlight Thunder
Pairing: Luhan/Xiumin
Rating: NC-17
Length: 12,368
Summary: Lu Han hates his rival, Kim Minseok. Too bad merging his band with Minseok's may be the only way for Lu Han to keep performing.
Author's Note: Thanks to Difa and Kayleigh, and to Kendra for band naming advice. Thanks also to Lore for the great prompt! Originally posted here at deerofdawn.



Lu Han hates Kim Minseok.

Okay, that's a lie. Lu Han barely knows Kim Minseok except what he sees of him on stage. What he sees on stage is a cocky asshole who flirts with anyone and everyone, but Lu Han acts awfully similar on stage and that's decidedly not his real personality. For all he knows, Minseok off stage is shy and perfectly polite and spends his free time cuddling kittens. But it doesn't matter what Minseok is really like because he's Lu Han's rival and therefore Lu Han is obligated to hate him no matter how good a person he might be.

That's not so hard, because while Lu Han is generally a nice, easygoing guy who doesn't hate easily, he's also extremely competitive. Kim Minseok is his direct competition, the front man of a similar style rock band with the same number of members, appearing in all the same competitions. He's even the same age as Lu Han, apparently, but a little older. (Whatever, Lu Han is taller.)

So Lu Han hates Minseok, and has since he saw him for the first time at a band competition they were both participating in. Neither of their bands won, but they were both near the top, and they were both good, with a similar style. It was clear that, more than anyone, Brutal Moonlight, Minseok's band, was who they had to measure up to.

Minseok couldn't sing as well as Lu Han, but he wasn't bad, and when he screamed into the mic, no one seemed to care. More importantly, he had the charisma and attitude to get the audience going, smirking and blowing kisses and throwing in the occasional body roll that made his fangirls (and some fanboys, but definitely not Lu Han) weak in the knees. He knew how to work the crowd and work what he had, and he's only gotten better (worse) in the months since then.

The rivalry excuse stands, but if Lu Han were honest with himself, he might have to admit that he hates Minseok's stage persona less because he's a smug flirt than because when he struts around on stage like that, Lu Han can't look away. He has to watch to know his competition, of course, but he also wants to watch, not so much because of any musical talent Minseok and his band may or may not have as because of Minseok himself. There's just something about his face and his hips and his arms and his smile and his attitude that catch Lu Han's attention whether he likes it or not. (He doesn't.)

Luckily, Lu Han isn't honest with himself or anyone else when it comes to Minseok, so he carries on hating him, and also watching him and plotting ways to surpass him and Brutal Moonlight. That's what matters, making Lu Han's band, Galaxy Thunder, the best they can be, winning over as many fans as they can, and hopefully one day making a living as musicians (or at least having regular gigs while they work other jobs; Lu Han can be realistic). Their rivalry with Brutal Moonlight isn't important, and neither are Kim Minseok's hips.


~

Galaxy Thunder has been together for almost three years now. They lost their keyboard player to grad school after a year and never replaced him, but their line-up has held steady since then. Yixing plays guitar, sings back-up vocals, and writes all their original music and a lot of their lyrics. Yifan writes the rest of their lyrics and plays bass with his monster hands. Zitao rounds out the group on drums and fulfills their diva quota all on his own. They've had their clashes, over music and in general, over the years, but all in all, they have fun and make good music together.

Lu Han's happy with their group, with the music they make and the way they work together and with his friendships with all the members. He's secretly (he hopes) a little shy about performing in front of crowds, but with these guys behind him, he doesn't get scared. With this group, he thinks they could make it to the top, and have a lot of fun doing it.

That's why it's a shock when Yifan announces that he wants to quit. "I was never going to stay in this country forever," he says, like this isn't completely out of the blue.

"But what are we going to do without you?" Zitao whines.

"There are other bass players out there," Yifan says, unmoved. "You guys are talented. You don't need me."

He's probably right that they can manage without him, but Lu Han's still sad to see him go. Yifan has been with them since the beginning, so it's going to be a big change, and he's not convinced they'll be as good with someone else.

Two weeks later, before they've even started looking for a replacement for Yifan, Zitao says, "I'm thinking about quitting too."

Lu Han can't believe his ears. If Zitao leaves, that's half their group. What's he going to do, become an acoustic duo with Yixing? More than that, it hurts that his friends are giving up on what they've worked so hard to create together. They agreed from the beginning that it should be fun and it's not worth sticking with if it stops being fun, but Lu Han still thinks it is. Is he the only one? He doesn't say that—doesn't say much of anything, really—because it's not his place to hold his friends back if they don't want to be here, but he thinks it all the same.

That night, he and Yixing go out for drinks to discuss their future and drown their sorrows. It ends up being more of the second, and soon Lu Han's head is spinning pleasantly, but his mood is much less pleasant. "We're finished!" he groans. He's being melodramatic, but in his defense, he's had enough drinks to lose count and also the band he's dedicated three years of his life to has seen half of its members decide to quit in the space of a month.

"Don't say that," Yixing tells him. "We haven't even tried to recruit new members yet. It's too soon to give up. Don't let all our hard work go to waste."

Lu Han doesn't want to recruit new members. He doesn't want to start all over with strangers. He's not good with strangers, and he's skeptical that they'll work well together. He doesn't want to just give up, especially not when he still has Yixing, but he can't help doubting that it'll be worth it to persevere.

Yixing knows him well enough to guess what's going through his head, and he gives Lu Han a comforting pat on the back. "Don't worry, Lu-ge. We've still got each other, and I won't quit if you don't. We'll figure something out."


~

Yifan and Zitao agree to do one more competition before they go. Lu Han's still feeling down, but he's going to give it his all anyway. If this might be his last time standing on stage, not just with Galaxy Thunder but at all, he wants to go out on a high note, with a performance he can be proud of. That way, whether they manage to keep going or not, he hopes he can be satisfied.

It's not their best performance ever, and Lu Han can't quite let go of his feelings enough to throw himself into it, but it's good, and when he smiles at Yifan and Zitao at the end, his happiness is genuine. They've had a lot of fun together, and it sucks that it's over, but it doesn't take away from the past. Lu Han's adrenaline rush is overpowering his sadness as they leave the stage, and he's feeling good until he sees the members of Brutal Moonlight waiting for their turn on stage.

"You were great out there," says Junmyeon, the guitarist, who's just as competitive as the rest of them but too polite to show it.

"I heard it's your last performance," says Chanyeol, the drummer. "We'll miss seeing you guys out here."

"Who says we're not coming back?" Lu Han snaps, turning a glare on them. They don't need to be here rubbing in the fact that their band is still going strong. Minseok hasn't said a word, but Lu Han gives him a dirty look just on principle.

Yixing puts a hand on Lu Han's back to calm him down. "Don't count all of us out just yet," Yixing tells them, much more calmly. "Lu Han and I aren't done."

Surprise registers on the other group's faces. Lu Han wonders what the rumors that inevitably swirl around these competitions have been saying about them. Junmyeon only smiles his usual polite smile and says, "We'll look forward to it, in that case. Best of luck to all of you."

As they pack up backstage, reality starts to sink in, that this is the end of Galaxy Thunder, or at least of Galaxy Thunder as it is now. Lu Han doesn't want to believe it, but there's no avoiding it any longer. They'll stay until the awards, maybe go out together after, but then that will be it.

They end up placing third behind Brutal Moonlight and another group Lu Han's never seen before, which is adding insult to injury, but there's no use sulking about it. Zitao cries, and Lu Han focuses on teasing him so he doesn't have to think about how he feels like crying himself. That's good; by now, teasing Zitao comes as naturally as breathing.

And then it's over, the crowd starting to disperse as the winning groups walk offstage. Zitao is only crying harder and Lu Han is thinking about how he needs a drink or ten when suddenly Sehun, Brutal Moonlight's bass player comes jogging (well, walking in a vaguely hurried manner) over to them. They stop walking and he explains, looking disgruntled, "My hyungs want to talk to you. They didn't want to let you get away since we don't have your numbers."

Lu Han gives the younger (but annoyingly taller) boy a confused look. What would the members of Brutal Moonlight want with them? They already said their goodbyes. They're not friends, so they're not about to go out and celebrate (or mourn) together. Looking around, his bandmates seem to be having the same thoughts. "Is something wrong?" Yifan asks.

"No, they want to ask you about...something," Sehun says vaguely. Lu Han frowns at Sehun and then at his friends, wondering what this is about. Before any of them can speak up, Sehun, impatient, whines, "Just come, okay? It won't take long."

They find the remaining Brutal Moonlight members in one of the back rooms, gathering their bags and their instruments. When they come in, Junmyeon says, "Hey, I'm sorry to drag you over here. We need to get our stuff out ASAP, but we didn't want to miss you. Do you have a minute?"

Lu Han shrugs, and Yifan answers, "Sure."

"Actually, it's mainly Lu Han and Yixing we want to talk to," Junmyeon clarifies. "We were just talking and...you said you weren't done performing yet, so we were wondering what your plans are? Do you have new members lined up or are you still looking?"

"Why?" Lu Han asks warily. Junmyeon is the one talking to them, but Lu Han's eyes are on Minseok, who's standing off to the side and looking decidedly not hot in his stage makeup, black tank top and jeans so ripped they can hardly be considered pants. His eyes are on the ground, like he doesn't care enough to pay attention to rest of them, or like he thinks he's too good for them.

"The thing is..." Junmyeon continues. "I've been thinking about quitting too and since Yixing plays guitar, we thought maybe our groups could somehow merge."

"What?" Lu Han barks out. They can't seriously be trying to take Yixing away from him. Yixing is all he has left. Surely they can't be such assholes that they'd try to poach his guitarist right in front of him.

"No, no, we mean both of you," Chanyeol jumps in to clarify.

"But you already have a lead singer," Zitao points out, distracted enough by current events to stop crying.

"But Minseok-hyung and Lu Han-ssi have such different voices, so they could fit well together," Chanyeol explains. "Don't you think so?"

The question is directed at Lu Han, and no, he damn well doesn't think that he and Kim Minseok of all people should sing together. How the hell could anyone think that's a good idea?

And then Yixing, that traitor, says, "It could work. We do have a really similar style, so we could be good together." He turns to Lu Han, all earnest in that Yixing way. "What do you think? Wouldn't it be better to work with people we know who are used to working together instead of having to start all over with strangers?"

No, it's a terrible idea. It'll mean sharing the lead singer spot and getting stuck into a group of people who aren't much better than strangers to him, however many times they've met briefly. It'll feel like losing, his band falling apart and getting sucked into Brutal Moonlight. Lu Han doesn't want to quit making music, but this isn't what he wants either. But then, Yixing looks so hopeful, like he really thinks this is a good choice for them, and what if this is all they've got? What if it's join Brutal Moonlight or give up what he loves so much?

"I..." Lu Han's gaze flicks over to Minseok. He's still looking down, but then he lifts his head and catches Lu Han's eyes. He doesn't look happy, but his lips quirk into a crooked line that could almost be called a smile and he shrugs as if to say, 'Why not?' There are a million reasons why not, but Lu Han thinks about how much he loves to sing and how much he'd hate to give it up, and somehow he finds himself nodding.

Minseok doesn't smile, but Junmyeon does, and Chanyeol and Yixing and even Sehun, somewhat grudgingly. "Great!" Junmyeon chirps. "Let's exchange contact information and we can work out the details later."

Lu Han lets Yixing deal with that, watching as he enthusiastically chats with Chanyeol, and tries not to think about how this is the end of Galaxy Thunder, and no matter what comes of their new hybrid group, things are never going to be the same again.


~

They have their first joint rehearsal ("More of a planning meeting," according to Yixing) not quite two weeks later at Sehun's parents' house. (Sehun, Lu Han finds out, is actually four years younger than him despite looking like the oldest in his group, and he lives with his parents.) Yixing has only his acoustic guitar and Lu Han has nothing, nervously fidgeting with the straps of his backpack as they walk from the nearest subway station.

"Relax, Lu-ge," Yixing says without even needing to look at him. "They're nice guys. There's no reason to be scared of them."

"I'm not scared!" Lu Han snaps reflexively.

"Sure you're not." Yixing pats him on the back as they walk, and Lu Han glowers at the sidewalk.

The three remaining members of Brutal Moonlight are all there when they arrive. Chanyeol and Sehun are fooling around loudly, so it takes Lu Han a moment to notice Minseok sitting on a battered couch off to the side. Once he does notice, he has to stop and stare because Minseok looks so different. Lu Han's always seen him dressed up to perform, in dark and ragged clothes, his eyes lined in black, his hair spiked up. Now, dressed in shorts and a plain t-shirt, with his hair unstyled and his face bare, he looks like a completely different person, young and cute and innocent.

Lu Han's so busy trying to process the fact that this is the same Kim Minseok he's used to seeing strutting onstage that he doesn't hear the others talking until Yixing elbows him in the side. He does it hard enough that Lu Han jumps and yelps, getting embarrassed when the others laugh at him. He tears his gaze away from Minseok to glare at Yixing, but he can't hold onto his anger for more than a second; he did kind of deserve that.

They sit down and talk about when to practice and what songs they'll sing and how to arrange them for two singers. It's mostly Chanyeol and Yixing talking, but Lu Han listens and occasionally offers input, or helps Yixing when he stumbles over his Korean. Minseok is quiet too, and despite his lack of stage attitude, he looks vaguely disgruntled, like he doesn't want to be here. Lu Han is less than impressed; he's not thrilled about this merger either, but at least he's trying.

Once they have some solid plans about how to proceed, the conversation dies down and Sehun asks, "What about a name? Are we keeping ours?"

"Wait!" Lu Han protests. Brutal Moonlight is only contributing one more member to this joint group than Galaxy Thunder. It's not fair for them to keep their name.

"We should make a new one, shouldn't we?" Yixing, ever the peacemaker, suggests. "Maybe we can combine our names somehow."

"Galaxy Moonlight?" Chanyeol tries. "Brutal Thunder?"

"Moonlight Thunder." It's the first thing Minseok's said unprompted the whole meeting. All eyes turn to him and he squirms like he's embarrassed by the attention, which is strange to see and awfully cute.

"I like it!" Yixing declares. "What do you guys say?"

"It's a good one," Chanyeol agrees, and Sehun nods.

That leaves only Lu Han, and he doesn't want to approve, just on principle, but he's not stubborn enough for that. It is a good name, after all. "Okay," he says. "Moonlight Thunder it is."


~

It takes a lot of practice to merge their two groups. Their teamwork is lacking and no one is really stepping up to be in charge of the group. (Junmyeon, Chanyeol sheepishly admits, was always the leader for them, and Lu Han supposes that if anyone was the leader of Galaxy Thunder, it was Yifan.) Yixing tries to step up to the plate, but he's also busy trying to rearrange all their music, pushing Sehun and Chanyeol hard to play it just right (because Yixing is laidback in general, but not when it comes to his own music). They're a bit of a mess, to tell the truth.

The vocals are without a doubt the worst of it. It's partly the struggle of rearranging their songs for two lead singers, deciding who should sing where and when there should be additional harmonies added. It's also, Lu Han has to admit, partly his fault, and partly Minseok's. Sehun and Chanyeol bicker with Yixing when he comes down too hard on them, but Lu Han and Minseok can't seem to figure out how to work together at all. They barely talk, and on the rare occasions when they do, it's usually to snipe at each other. Like this, there's no way for them to cooperate.

After their fourth practice, Yixing corners Lu Han for a talk. "What do you have against Minseok?" he asks. "He's not a bad guy."

"Maybe he's nice to you," Lu Han says. "He's always got such a bad attitude around me."

"It's not like your attitude is much better," Yixing chides. "I think he's shy. A lot like someone else I know..."

"So? He still doesn't have to be a jerk to me," Lu Han grumbles.

"I'm just saying that maybe he doesn't know how to talk to you and work things out any more than you know how to talk to him. I'll play mediator if you want me to, but I think it's a lot better if you figure it out yourself."

It's embarrassing, Yixing offering to solve Lu Han's problems for him, and even more embarrassing that Lu Han is tempted to accept. "I'm fine," he snaps. "I can deal with this myself."

"I know you can," Yixing says, infuriatingly gentle. "But do it soon, would you? I'd really like this to work out, and we have a lot of work to do."


~

Lu Han tries. He really does. It's just that he doesn't know how to resolve the situation. He can't just walk up to Minseok and ask, "Do you hate me, and if so, what can I do to fix it?" Besides, he's spent so long hating Minseok. He can't be expected to stop and try to be his friend all of a sudden just because his stupid bandmates ditched him and ruined everything.

He doesn't manage to talk to Minseok, but he does at least attempt to be more civil, even going as far as smiling at him. Minseok doesn't smile back, but he doesn't snap at Lu Han either, so that's something. Their singing together is still all over the place, but Lu Han likes to think that it's better than when they started.

There's another competition coming up soon that they would both be going to if their groups were still whole. It's probably a bad idea to join now, when they're still so shaky working together, but Chanyeol suggests it and Yixing and Sehun agree. "It'll be a good chance to introduce Moonlight Thunder to the world!" Chanyeol says. "We can see how we play on stage. I know we're not all there yet, but haven't you ever gone out in front of an audience feeling unready and had everything come together?"

He has a point, but Lu Han finds the prospect of being in front of a crowd and singing with this group quite frankly terrifying. Can they really do this? He doesn't want to make a fool of himself.

"What do you say, Minseok-hyung?" Chanyeol prods.

Minseok hesitates for a moment, then turns a cool gaze on Lu Han. To Lu Han's surprise and horror, he says, "If you really want to, I'm up for it."

Lu Han hates him that much more for this, but he can't say no anymore. "All right," he agrees. "Let's do it."


~

They practice a lot in the time leading up to the competition, and things do start to come together better, but Lu Han still doesn't feel remotely ready. He and Minseok are getting the hang of their newly arranged parts, but their teamwork leaves much to be desired. Lu Han's really worried that they're going to embarrass themselves on stage.

When Lu Han and Yixing arrive for their last practice before the competition, Minseok approaches them and, without quite looking at Lu Han, says, "Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Me?" Lu Han asks.

"Yeah. Just you." Yixing gives Lu Han a pat on the back before moving away, and Minseok continues, "Look, I know we're not getting along too well, but I want this to work. I love this band and I love singing and I think you do too. I don't want to fuck up this performance. Can we just...try to make it work?"

Lu Han is annoyed, not so much at what Minseok's saying as at the fact that weeks after Yixing told Lu Han to try to patch things up, Minseok is the one finally succeeding in bringing up the topic. Why does he have to be better at this than Lu Han? It makes him want to say something mean, which isn't like him at all. He doesn't understand why Minseok always brings out this side of him. "Okay," he says gruffly. "I don't want to fuck it up either."

"Okay." Lu Han's not looking at Minseok, but he sounds unsure, more so than before. "Let's....practice hard then, right?"

"Right." Lu Han pushes past Minseok into the house where the others have already set up their instruments and determinedly doesn't feel guilty about being short with him.


~

On the day of the competition, Lu Han is positively bursting with nerves. Yixing sticks close to him, alternately trying to cheer Lu Han up and betraying his own nerves with fidgeting and talking too fast. They're not the only ones who are nervous, Chanyeol and Sehun talking endlessly in an attempt to distract themselves. Minseok is typically quiet, but his whole body is tense, his shoulders hunched.

After spending time with Minseok normally, it's strange to see him back in his stage look. They've really gone all out tonight, Minseok and Lu Han both sporting some fancy eye make-up that Chanyeol's friend did for them and matching all-black outfits. Minseok looks, in a word, hot, and Lu Han is tempted to distract himself from his nerves by appreciating that, but he doesn't want to admit, even to himself, that he finds Minseok so attractive.

Yixing gives a pep talk before they go out on stage, going on and on about how they've worked hard and it's time to show that they're a force to be reckoned with and blah blah blah until Lu Han puts a hand over his mouth to shut him up. The rest of them laugh and for a second, Lu Han's eyes meet Minseok's, sharing their amusement, but then the moment passes. Yixing removes Lu Han's hand from his mouth and finishes, "What I'm trying to say is let's do our best out there! Whatever happens, I'm glad to be working with all of you."

It's been a while since Lu Han's been on stage, and he squints against the bright lights before he catches himself. He takes a second to pull up the person he is on stage, rocker Lu Han who's always brimming with confidence, and smirks at the crowd. He hears screams, partly covered be the experimental chord Yixing strums behind him. That's familiar, but Minseok standing next to him is not. They've been practicing singing together, but Lu Han doesn't know how to share the spotlight like this.

Chanyeol's the one who introduces them, the newly merged Moonlight Thunder, emphasizing the name with a cymbal roll. "We're going to put on a great show for you, so everybody scream for us!" he yells into his mic, and the audience does.

Their opening song is one of Yixing's, rearranged to give a verse and the harmony that Yixing used to sing to Minseok. It's always been one of Galaxy Thunder's most popular songs and Lu Han enjoys performing it, but he can't quiet his nerves today. His voice wavers a little on the first line, but he gets himself under control, belting out the rest of the verse the way he always has.

The chorus sounds fine too, Minseok's voice blending well with Lu Han's, but then Lu Han automatically jumps into the second verse. He sings the entire first line before Minseok comes over and nudges him with his elbow to remind him and he abruptly breaks off. It's a playful gesture, or at least Minseok is trying to make it seem like one, but Lu Han bristles anyway. He's annoyed with himself for making the mistake, but it's easier to be annoyed with Minseok for calling him on it.

It only gets worse at the next chorus when Minseok comes over to him again. Now what? Lu Han thinks. He knows he's singing what he's supposed to be.

But what Minseok does is far worse than elbowing Lu Han. He catches the arm Lu Han isn't holding his mic with and pulls him (not hard, but showing some strength) toward him. Lu Han, startled, misses the next note and barely manages to get back on track. What is Minseok doing? It's not until he turns to glare at Minseok and Minseok flashes him a cool smirk that Lu Han realizes: this is fanservice. Minseok is fucking flirting with him on stage.

It shouldn't be such a big deal. Lu Han's all but made out with Yixing on stage before just to hear the fans scream. People love it, and he loves to wind them up. But pretending to flirt with Yixing, who is his friend, is one thing. Doing it with Minseok, who is...Lu Han doesn't know what, but not his friend—that's not okay. And for Minseok to do it out of the blue, without warning, is too much.

Lu Han yanks his arm out of Minseok's grip and turns away, blatantly ignoring him as he sings his next part. He doesn't look down at the crowd, not wanting to know what they made of this. Right now, he just wants to make it to the end.

Minseok doesn't try anything with him again, so there's that, but the rest of their set does not go well. It's not the disaster it could be, but it's a far cry from the performances their separate groups put on. It's also a lot less than what they're capable of, and Lu Han is thoroughly pissed off at Minseok for throwing him off his game when he really couldn't afford that.

They say their somewhat awkward goodbyes, and then Lu Han hurries offstage while the musicians pack things up. He storms off backstage, indulging in an uncharacteristic temper tantrum, and he doesn't realize Minseok has followed him until he feels a tap on his shoulder. He whirls around and immediately glares at Minseok. "What do you want?"

"What's your problem?" Minseok snaps, louder than Lu Han's ever heard him be offstage. "You said you'd try to make it work with me."

"What's your problem?" Lu Han shoots back. "Why'd you have to go and surprise me like that? Did you want me to fuck up on stage?"

"Of course not! I just—I thought—I know they like that, the fans. I wanted to make them like us together. And I've seen you do fanservice before so I didn't think you'd freak out. I wouldn't have done it otherwise." He's losing volume fast, and Lu Han realizes with a shock that Minseok isn't angry but upset, even hurt.

Lu Han wants to stay angry because that's a lot simpler, but the feeling drains out of him, replaced by guilt. "I'm sorry," he says meekly. "You just...caught me by surprise." And I don't want you to flirt with me and not mean it, he thinks, but promptly squashes that thought into oblivion.

"I'm sorry too," Minseok says. "I should've asked before."

They stand there looking at each other, the air still thick with tension, and two thoughts sneak into Lu Han's mind. The first is that Kim Minseok is not at all the person Lu Han thought he was. The second is that Minseok dressed up for the stage, with his eye makeup and his flushed cheeks and his skin shining with sweat is breathtaking up close. It's so unfair and Lu Han's not even sure he can find it in himself to hate Minseok for it anymore.

Minseok is the first to look away. "I'm sorry," he says again, eyes on the ground. "I asked you to make this work, but I haven't really been trying to get along."

"It's okay." Lu Han would say anything to make this awkwardness go away, but he finds he means it. "I haven't been doing a good job of that either."

"It's just..." Minseok hesitates, eyes flicking up to Lu Han's and then back down. "You're so much better than me."

"What?" Lu Han bursts out. He does think he's a better singer, but Minseok's a good performer too, probably better than Lu Han in some ways. More importantly, he didn't think that Minseok thought he was a better singer.

"You're a better singer and you're so...pretty and everyone loves you, so I thought, what's the point of me even trying with you around? I'll never measure up." He sounds so dejected and Lu Han wants to give him a hug, which is an awfully big change from wanting punch him earlier.

"But you're so cool on stage!" Lu Han protests (and what is wrong with him that he's admitting to Minseok that he thinks that?) "You know how to work the crowd so much better than I do, and people do love you, and...I like your singing." Lu Han wants to sink into the ground. It was so much better when he and Minseok didn't talk to each other at all; then he couldn't make a fool of himself like this.

Minseok looks embarrassed, but Lu Han thinks he's pleased at the compliments too. "I guess...I misjudged you. And maybe me too." Minseok wrinkles up his nose cutely and Lu Han wants to poke it and see him smile. What is wrong with him? "Can we just try to start over?"

"Yeah," Lu Han agrees. He's a little afraid of what will happen if he doesn't hate Minseok, but it's probably about time he let go of that. If they want to make this new band work, he has to. "Yeah, we can."


~

The problem with not hating Minseok anymore is that it's harder to avoid feeling other things for Minseok. Lu Han very quickly finds that he likes Minseok a lot, and it's almost embarrassing how badly he wants Minseok to like him back. He gets along well with Sehun and Chanyeol and that's great, but Minseok's friendship Lu Han really wants. (Why he wants Minseok to like him so much is a question Lu Han's not going to touch with a ten-foot pole.)

Those feelings are distracting, but Lu Han's dedicated to the band and he focuses and works hard in practice. They're doing a lot better now, meshing better in both music and singing, getting the hang of their new arrangements. They're getting along better too, laughing together and learning to talk to each other. For Lu Han, it's still a long way from the comfort he felt with Galaxy Thunder, both personally and musically, but he feels like they might get there someday.

Chanyeol finds them a gig at a club a month after their first performance. It's nowhere special, but they get exposure and free alcohol and a little money, and really, it's just exciting to have a chance to play in front of people. It's also a chance to erase the memory of their awkward first performance as Moonlight Thunder and prove, to themselves more than anyone else, that they have what it takes to succeed as a group.

Lu Han is unbearably nervous before the performance. It wasn't entirely his fault they were a mess last time, but he was the one who set the tone with his early mistakes and his attitude toward Minseok. He feels like he has a lot to make up for, and he doesn't want to let the others down. He can't sit still as they wait in their dressing room, bouncing on the balls of his feet, tapping his fingers, dancing to music in his head.

"Damn, you're hyper," Minseok mutters. Lu Han still has a little bit of that impulse to be irritated with Minseok left in him, but there's no heat to Minseok's words, so he reminds himself not to take offense.

Yixing puts down his guitar and comes over, trapping Lu Han in a back hug that's not so much affectionate as forcing him to hold still for a second. "Calm down," he says. "You'll be fine. We'll do great." Lu Han's skeptical, but he tries to fidget a tiny bit less once Yixing releases him.

Lu Han's heart threatens to pound out of his chest as they wait in the wings, but once they step onto the small stage, he feels a little calmer, and more so once the music starts. This is his element. He can do this. He glances to this side and finds Minseok looking at him, and they share a smile. They can do this, he amends.

And they do. They're still not perfect, but their mistakes are far less obvious this time, and their energy is good. Lu Han remembers his parts, and when Minseok comes over to sing back to back with him, he doesn't object. They agreed to give fanservice a try and see how it goes. It's clear their audience likes it, and with onstage adrenaline pumping through his veins, Lu Han is up for anything. They won't be almost making out on stage any time soon, but they're quickly starting to get the hang of putting on a show together.

The guests seem to appreciate their set, and sure, most of them are probably very drunk, but it feels good anyway. They finish with a flourish and take a few bows before making their way backstage again. "We were awesome!" Chanyeol crows, and Lu Han is inclined to agree with him.

The high after a good performance is like nothing else. They're all grinning as they put their things away and then make their way out into the club for celebratory drinks. Lu Han's thrumming with energy—the good kind now, not from nerves—wanting to sing more, or dance or just jump up and down. He could dance, since the music changed over to something more electronic after their set, but first he's going to take advantage of the bartender's offer of free shots.

Yixing agrees to go dance with Lu Han after they drink, and to his surprise, so does Minseok. It probably shouldn't surprise him given that he's seen how Minseok moves, but he would've thought Minseok too reserved to show off those moves offstage. Then again, there were a lot of free shots, and it's hard to stay reserved under the influence of that much alcohol.

At first, it's the three of them together. Yixing's a really good dancer, and although Lu Han doesn't think of him like that, he can see the appeal of Yixing's strong, sexy style. Minseok, though...Minseok is smoother than Yixing, more subtle at first, but once he really starts moving his hips, the sexiness is as in your face as Yixing's. Not, of course, that Lu Han finds Minseok sexy either—he'll leave that to their fans—but he can see the potential.

Yixing gets pulled away to dance with a girl in a very short dress, leaving Lu Han and Minseok alone. Minseok flashes Lu Han a smirk, a toned down version of his cocky stage posturing, and Lu Han determinedly doesn't care, not even when Minseok moves closer to him. He has to lean closer still to say, "I guess you're stuck with me," and wow, it must be hot in here because suddenly Lu Han's cheeks are on fire.

Lu Han has never quite mastered sexy dancing, at least not with another person, but he reflexively catches Minseok's hips when he moves even closer, and moves with him as Minseok rocks back and forth. His mind is reeling because Minseok is very close to him and is this flirting? Is this playing? He's sure as hell never danced with Yixing like this.

Minseok leans in again and Lu Han's heartbeat quickens as Minseok's lips brush the shell of his ear. "We have an audience," he says.

Lu Han ruins any attempt at subtlety by looking around, but then he understands. There are rather a lot of people looking at them, and a few seem scandalized, but mostly they seem to like what they see. Oh, so this is more fanservice, Lu Han thinks, refusing to acknowledge why he feels disappointed. It's working, after all, if what they want is attention and maybe hot women to take home tonight. Is that what Minseok's into?

He's waiting for Minseok to ditch him to dance with one of those hot women, but it doesn't happen. They just keep dancing and Lu Han must have had too many shots because his head is spinning. He doesn't know if he moved closer or Minseok did but they're touching now, hips fitted together as they sway in unison. It's not that kind of club and it's probably still fanservice, but Lu Han doesn't care anymore because Minseok fits so well against him.

It's like they're in their own world and time is suspended until suddenly, so softly that Lu Han thinks he might have imagined it, Minseok moans. Lu Han pulls away in shock once he registers what he heard, or tries to, but Minseok's arms around his neck won't let him move far. Still, he gets far enough away to let him see Minseok's flushed cheeks, his heaving chest and his parted lips. It could just be from dancing, but Minseok is staring at him and Lu Han realizes with a thrill that's equal parts desire, denial and terror that Minseok wants him.

Before Lu Han's alcohol-muddled brain can process that and move onto the question (which isn't really a question if he's honest) of whether he wants Minseok back, Minseok leans in and whispers huskily, "Dressing room." Then he pulls away and walks off the dance floor, leaving Lu Han cold and confused. That only lasts a moment until he realizes what Minseok means, and then his heart starts to pound.

Minseok just propositioned him. Kim fucking Minseok got turned on dancing with him and asked him backstage to do something about it. Lu Han doesn't know if this is a dream or a nightmare, but he knows it can't be real. Minseok can't want him, and Lu Han damn well can't want him back. He'd like to think that, anyway, but he's too drunk to hold onto his usual denial, and before he even realizes what he's doing, he's moving toward the door that leads to the dressing room.

He's half convinced that Minseok won't be there, or that all the guys will be there with him, ready to have a good laugh at his expense, but Lu Han finds only Minseok, who jumps at the sound of the door opening like he's nervous. If he is, it doesn't show in the way he strides across the room to slam Lu Han into the door and kiss him hard. Lu Han freezes for a second, still unable to believe that this is real, but then he kisses back for all he's worth.

They pull almost frantically at each other's clothes as they kiss, Lu Han's fingers getting caught in the fashionable rips in Minseok's shirt before he manages to tug it over his head. Minseok's muscles feel amazing under Lu Han's hands, his skin hot and slick with sweat, and he has to bend down to taste it, biting down on Minseok's collarbone when Minseok's hand presses against the front of his pants.

"Fuck," Minseok grinds out, and Lu Han kisses him again, messy and hungry and perfect.

They're both wearing too-tight pants, but Minseok manages to get Lu Han's open, yanking them down to his thighs before they get stuck. "Take them off," he demands, halfway between an order and a whine.

Lu Han hurries to comply, and while he's doing that, Minseok shimmies out of his own pants. A second later, Minseok has Lu Han backed into the arm of the dressing room's ratty, old sofa. They're both hard and Lu Han moans when Minseok presses between his legs, biting lightly at Lu Han's throat and then dipping down to drag his tongue over one of Lu Han's nipples.

"Hold this," Minseok murmurs, pressing something into Lu Han's hand.

Lu Han takes it automatically, not registering until a few seconds later that it's a condom. He's not so far gone that he's not a little shocked by that. "Wait, Minseok, can we—"

"I locked the door." Minseok's lips are on his chest and it's awfully hard to focus on anything else. "Chanyeol and Sehun always stay out for hours after a show, so unless you think Yixing is coming back here soon..."

It's crazy. Lu Han's hooked up after a show a couple of times, but never somewhere so public, and never with someone who played the show with him. He should at least drag Minseok home with him, but he wants this so badly now that they've started and he's afraid that Minseok might change his mind by the time they get somewhere more private. With Minseok right here, he can't say no.

Minseok gives him a few seconds to object and then he sinks down to his knees. Lu Han's eyes go wide because he's pretty sure he had a dream like this that he tried to forget, but Minseok's mouth doesn't go quite where he'd like it, instead biting Lu Han's thigh while he does something with his hands that Lu Han can't see but can guess at. Sure enough, soon after, he feels one of Minseok's fingers, cool and wet, between his legs.

"Okay?" Minseok's voice is rough and just the sound of it turns Lu Han on, makes him want Minseok that much more.

"Yeah." The word is barely out of his mouth before Minseok's finger presses into him, making Lu Han moan. Minseok stretches him quickly, enough so that it might hurt if he wasn't drunk, but as it is, it just feels good, especially when Minseok's other hand circles his cock and strokes it slowly. Lu Han covers his mouth with his fist, not knowing who's outside the door to hear them, but he can't make himself hold back.

When Lu Han's ready, Minseok gets to his feet and turns him around to lean over the arm of the couch. Lu Han might be insulted at being manhandled, and also at how Minseok just assumed he'd be willing to bottom, but he'd very effectively distracted by Minseok thrusting into him, sending a wave of mixed pain and pleasure through him. Then Minseok starts to move and any objections Lu Han might have had fly out of his head because fuck, Minseok can really move.

Minseok's thrusts are hard and fast and steady and all Lu Han can do is flop onto the smelly couch and moan, on and on and on. It's so good, and then Minseok touches him and it's even better, his whole body buzzing with it. He doesn't want it to stop, but he's getting close, so close. "Harder," he groans, barely aware of what he's saying. "Harder, harder, more, please."

He doesn't know if Minseok can understand him (is he even speaking Korean?) but he does thrust harder, his hand moving faster, and soon Lu Han is gone, stars exploding at the edges of his vision as his body sings with pleasure. Minseok bends down and bites Lu Han's shoulder as he comes himself, his last few thrusts making Lu Han tremble and cry out as his orgasm is dragged out just a little longer.

Minseok stays slumped against his back as they both come down, and Lu Han thinks, Fuck, what just happened? but he doesn't care enough to move. He's still drunk and he just had a very nice orgasm after a very nice performance and he's just going to let himself feel good for now.

"We should..." Minseok mumbles after a while, still sounding dazed. He doesn't finish his sentence, but he pulls away, leaving Lu Han feeling cold and empty. It takes him a little longer to move, and by the time he stands up, Minseok already has his pants on (not the tight ones he performed in, but the more comfortable ones he wore to the club).

Lu Han feels like he should say something, but Minseok isn't looking at him and he doesn't know the right thing to say anyway (as if he ever does). Instead, he picks up his discarded clothes and gets dressed slowly. Minseok waits until he's done, but then he says, "Let's go back out," and doesn't wait for Lu Han to answer before walking out the door.


~

If Lu Han thought things were awkward when he hated Minseok, they're a million times more awkward now, at least to him. It's not the fact that he and Minseok had sex that's a problem. It's the fact that he and Minseok had what Lu Han thought was damn good sex, but now Minseok will barely look him in the eye, let alone talk to him. Lu Han can't stop thinking about it, but he's afraid to ask why.

They manage to work together, at least, talking when they need to and interacting while they sing, but everything feels artificial to Lu Han and it's hard to enjoy singing the way he usually does when he's distracted by thoughts of whether or not Minseok hates him now. He doesn't understand why he would when Minseok was the one who initiated things, but it sure feels like that. If Minseok does hate him, Lu Han has no idea what to do about it at this point.

Yixing's responsible for their next gig a few weeks later. It's another club, a little sketchier than the last, but more popular too. It's a good opportunity, and Lu Han is determined to put on a good show regardless of any personal issues he and Minseok may or may not be having. They can go back to the awkwardness that seems to be their default state when they get offstage.

Minseok must be thinking the same because on stage, he's smooth and relaxed, grinning and flirting with both the audience and Lu Han. It's a struggle for Lu Han to react in a performance-appropriate way, which is to say neither blushing and otherwise embarrassing himself nor jumping Minseok. Minseok's just so hot like this and Lu Han remembers how it felt to have Minseok inside of him and it's not fair that Lu Han can't have him again.

Somehow, though, Lu Han keeps himself under control, and he thinks he does a good job hiding what he's feeling. His voice comes out steady and strong. He struts around on stage without stumbling. He smirks at people in the audience and makes them scream. He cozies up to Yixing and Sehun and Minseok in turn, upping the ante each time until he wraps his arm around Minseok mid-chorus, pulling him back against him.

He feels smug when Minseok's voice briefly wavers, but it doesn't last because Minseok gets him back, executing one of his hip rolls right up against Lu Han's body. They are way too fucking close for that because if Minseok was a tiny bit taller, his ass would be rubbing right on Lu Han's dick. Under other circumstances, Lu Han might appreciate that, but considering how many people are watching them, he deeply regrets his actions.

Minseok quickly twirls away, flashing Lu Han a smirk as if to say, I win. Lu Han can't even bring himself to mind because at least Minseok is smiling at him. That's embarrassing, that he likes Minseok that much, and also unfair, but it's probably a lost cause already.

They finish well, Chanyeol dragging out the final lead out with a seemingly endless drum roll before ending with a big cymbal crash. The reaction is good, so good that they go back out for an unplanned encore, and Lu Han is riding a euphoric high as they pile off the stage. They all are, grinning and laughing at nothing in particular. "That was great!" Chanyeol declares, and they all enthusiastically agree.

Minseok, without an instrument to weigh him down, is bouncing on his feet. His eyes are sparkling and his cheeks are flushed and Lu Han wants to kiss him or touch him or maybe just talk to Minseok and have him keep smiling like he is, right at Lu Han. Minseok's eyes catch his and he does keep smiling, warming Lu Han's heart, but then his smile dims, that awkwardness Lu Han has become depressingly accustomed to creeping into his eyes. Why? Lu Han thinks, frustrated.

They hurriedly drop their things backstage before venturing out for celebratory drinks. Lu Han feels like he could use a drink or ten so he can stop thinking about Minseok and just feel happy that they did so well tonight. They do a toast (Yixing tries to give a rousing speech, but Sehun preempts him by drinking after a few words, and Lu Han follows his lead), but before Lu Han can seek out any more alcohol, Minseok puts a hand on his arm.

Minseok is still smiling, but barely, looking, if anything, nervous. Lu Han can't hear what he says the first time, so Minseok leans dangerously close to speak into his ear. "Can I talk to you?"

No. One drink isn't nearly enough to make Lu Han not be nervous about talking to Minseok or not think about how much he wants to feel Minseok's body against his like earlier. Maybe Minseok's looking for a reprise of what happened after their last show, but they're still too sober for that, and besides, Lu Han doubts Minseok would look so nervous if that's all he wanted. He wasn't shy about it last time.

"Okay," Lu Han answers after a longer pause than he intended, because what else can he say? He follows Minseok back to the dressing room, ignoring Chanyeol and Sehun's noisy protests.

The dressing room here is tiny and cluttered and they'd be hard-pressed to find a place to have sex without running into anything even if they wanted to. Judging by Minseok's expression, even more nervous, that's not what he's looking for. Lu Han has no idea what to think.

"Sorry if you wanted to drink," Minseok says. "I didn't think talking would do us much good if we were already drunk."

Lu Han nods and doesn't say anything. He has no clue what Minseok wants from him, so it's safest to keep his mouth shut.

"Anyway," Minseok continues after a long silence. "I...I'm sorry. If I've been acting weird. Since...last time. I don't want you to think that I...or I guess that I don't..." He flounders, looking pleadingly at Lu Han, but Lu Han doesn't know how to help. He doesn't understand at all what Minseok is getting at.

"It's okay if it was a mis—a one time thing," Lu Han finally says.

"Do you want it to be?" Minseok blurts out almost immediately, then frowns like he regrets his words.

"Do...do you?" Lu Han is so confused. What does Minseok want from him? He's the one who's been avoiding Lu Han since they had sex, not the other way around.

A long, tense moment passes. Finally, hesitantly, Minseok says, "I didn't think you were interested."

"After last time?" It sounds like Minseok is interested—in what, Lu Han isn't sure, but more than a single drunken fuck—but he doesn't want to assume.

Minseok shrugs. He's so different like this, unsmiling, shoulders hunched just a little, almost protectively. Lu Han remembers Minseok being insecure about his ability as a performer compared to Lu Han, but he can't possibly be unsure about this. He should know how attractive he is, how hard it is for Lu Han to resist him now that he can't deny that he wants Minseok anymore.

"I...you..." Lu Han looks for the best way to express what he's thinking and finally comes out with, "You're hot."

Minseok laughs, a short, nervous burst. "You're hotter."

"Do you feel threatened again?" Lu Han says it as a joke, but Minseok doesn't laugh. "Don't. You...no way. Don't be. You're really hot."

Minseok makes a face, embarrassed, but then he smiles. "So that means you are interested?"

"Yes," Lu Han answers immediately. "But not..." He thinks about how much he likes Minseok's smile, especially when it's directed at him. This is more than just finding Minseok attractive; he likes him. "Not just sex."

"Yeah?" Minseok looks surprised, Lu Han thinks, but not displeased. "Okay."

"Okay?" It seems too easy, after everything.

"Are you objecting?" Minseok raises an eyebrow at him. He looks so much more relaxed now.

"No!" Lu Han winces at how loudly it comes out, and Minseok chuckles.

"Then okay." One, two seconds pass and then Minseok asks, "Do you want to get out of here?"

Lu Han blinks stupidly at him. "Now?"

"Why not? It'd be nice when we're not drunk. Unless you need to be drunk."

He's teasing, and that feels really good, Minseok being comfortable enough with Lu Han and with what they're doing to tease. "No," Lu Han says quickly, before Minseok can think better of it. "Let's go."


~

Minseok lives closer, but they go to Lu Han's because he has his own place. It's a longer trip than Lu Han likes with Minseok sitting next to him, just barely touching. They didn't bother changing before they left and Minseok looks so good in his slightly rumpled stage look. Lu Han doesn't want to have to wait to kiss him, to touch him all over. They hardly talk, but Minseok smiles at Lu Han, not a smirk, but soft. Lu Han doesn't know what Minseok is trying to say with that smile, if anything, but he likes it.

At Lu Han's apartment, they kick their shoes off and drop their bags and stumble to the bedroom with their tongues already down each other's throats. The one drink Lu Han had earlier didn't do much and the performance high has faded somewhat, but he feels drunk on Minseok, on the taste of his mouth and the feel of his body and just the fact that they're together like this, all previous awkwardness forgotten now.

"What do you want to do?" Minseok murmurs when they reach the bed.

Lu Han can think of about fifty things he'd like to do right now, but in particular, he remembers Minseok moving against him earlier, on stage. "You..." It's hard for Lu Han to formulate words, especially words Minseok will understand, with Minseok's mouth still on him, barely leaving him space to talk. "During the performance. When you..."

"What?" Minseok breathes, lips on the underside of Lu Han's jaw.

Rather than attempting further speech, Lu Han takes Minseok's shoulders and turns him around. Minseok lets him do it, and Lu Han pulls him in, spreading his legs to bring himself closer to Minseok's height. "I never realized how dangerous your hips rolls could be until you did one against me."

Minseok snickers. "Oh?"

"If you were just a little taller, it would have been bad."

"I don't know." Minseok leans his head back on Lu Han's shoulder. "The audience might have liked that." He rocks into Lu Han, not really a full hip roll, but enough to make his breath catch.

"You're evil." Lu Han slides both hands under Minseok's shirt, getting some degree of revenge by dragging them over Minseok's nipples. He continues all the way up, tugging Minseok's shirt off and revealing his nicely muscled shoulders. His skin is smooth and Lu Han immediately sets to work marking it up, putting his mouth at the juncture of Minseok's neck and shoulder.

Minseok proves Lu Han's point by doing as close to a full body roll as he can with Lu Han's mouth on him, pressing right against his cock in a way that has to be deliberate. A lot of Minseok's on-stage attitude may be bravado, but it's clear that he knows what he can do to people, even if he didn't realize until tonight that he was doing it to Lu Han. He's doing a lot now, making Lu Han get hard in his too-tight pants.

Lu Han puts one arm around Minseok and plants his other hand right on the front of Minseok's pants, pressing down and feeling Minseok's answering shudder. Minseok's pants are leather, smooth under Lu Han's fingers, tight over his hardening cock. Lu Han traces it with his fingers and Minseok lets out a low groan that could be either approval or protest.

"Lu Han." He never realized how much he liked the sound of his name from Minseok's mouth until now. "That all you want to do?"

He does like the idea of teasing Minseok, seeing how far he'll be able to take it, how much he can make Minseok moan, maybe even beg. On the other hand, he wants it too, and in their current position, he suspects he'd break before Minseok would. He tightens his arm around Minseok, moaning himself as Minseok squirms against him.

"I..." He remembers last time, how good it felt having Minseok fuck him, but Minseok has such a nice ass and it's pressed right there and he wonders how Minseok would feel about switching it up.

Before he can figure out how to ask, Minseok makes an impatient noise and pulls out of his hold. He turns around, hops onto the bed and shimmies out of his pants and underwear, tossing everything to the side before looking up at Lu Han. His eye makeup is smudged in a way that looks artful instead of messy, making his eyes look so dark and intense, and Lu Han can't help staring. Then Minseok smirks, slowly spreading across his face, and asks, "Got any lube?"

Lu Han's not sure what the question is implying, but he doesn't care either way. He scrambles to grab the tube, and a condom too, handing both to Minseok. He puts the condom aside but opens the lube, pouring some over his fingers. Lu Han keeps staring until Minseok leans back against the headboard and spreads his legs and Lu Han realizes what he has planned. Then he keeps staring because how can he not when Minseok's about to stretch himself with his own fingers.

He doesn't look away until Minseok stops with his hand just resting between his legs. "You're making me nervous with your staring. Take your clothes off already." Lu Han wants to watch, but he does as he's told, hurriedly stripping off his clothes as he listens to Minseok draw in a sharp breath and then let it out slowly. He can just make out the slick sound when Minseok's lubed finger starts moving, and his harsh, uneven breathing.

By the time Lu Han is naked, Minseok's up to two fingers and his eyes are closed, his cheeks turning a pretty pink to match his swollen lips. He opens his eyes again when Lu Han gets on the bed, and they look even darker now. "Want to help?" he asks, offering Lu Han the lube.

It's a stupid question if Lu Han ever heard one. He snatches the lube out of Minseok's hand and hurriedly wets his fingers. Minseok keeps moving his fingers slowly in and out, lifting his other hand to circle the base of his cock. When Lu Han is ready, he pulls his fingers out, spreads his legs wider, and waits.

For a second, Lu Han feels a rush of panicked insecurities: what if he can't satisfy Minseok? What if he makes a fool if himself? What if Minseok decides he doesn't want him anymore? But while Lu Han may not be the smoothest guy out there, he has confidence in this. Besides, it's clear Minseok wants him. He's not going to screw this up.

He slides a finger into Minseok, his cock twitching in anticipation at the tight heat of his body. It goes in easily enough, so he adds another, watching arousal flicker over Minseok's expression. Minseok gives his cock a stroke and his muscles clench briefly around Lu Han's fingers, making him gasp. Lu Han takes that as a hint and starts to move, pumping his fingers into Minseok and moving them around inside.

Minseok was in control last time, but he doesn't seem to mind this either, and neither does Lu Han. He experimentally picks up the pace and Minseok moans but doesn't object, his legs spreading wider still. (He's flexible, Lu Han absently notes, his mind going to all kinds of interesting places with that.) He moans louder when Lu Han crooks his fingers inside, eyes going wide. Lu Han jabs his fingers in harder and Minseok arches off the bed.

"Fuck, hurry up," he grunts, just this side of pleading. It would be fun to play with him more, but that'll have to wait for another time because Lu Han doesn't have the patience now. He quickly adds a third finger and starts to move faster. Minseok's cheeks are flushed a nice red, his lips parted, his chest heaving, and Lu Han is aching to feel him.

Minseok stays on his back, bending easily when Lu Han pushes his legs up high. Lu Han thrusts into him like that, loving the way Minseok's body takes him in. Lu Han likes the sound of Minseok's singing voice well enough, but the throaty sounds of his moans as Lu Han fucks him are so much better. He's letting go now, eyes squeezed shut so all Lu Han sees is the dark shadow on his lids, and Lu Han thinks that if Minseok could see himself now, he'd never doubt that anyone in the world would want him.

Lu Han moves steadily, reveling in the tight press of Minseok's muscles, the warmth of his body, the extra clench when Minseok touches himself. Lu Han's body is buzzing with it, mixing with the thrill of their earlier performance and the excitement of this fresh, new thing between him and Minseok. It's so good, all of it, and he greedily wants more, doesn't want it to ever stop.

It can't last, of course, and soon it comes to a head, Minseok's voice rising as Lu Han's thrusts get shorter and faster. He opens his eyes and catches Lu Han's and Lu Han struggles to hold back, wanting Minseok to come before he does. He just barely manages it, hearing Minseok cry out and feeling his body shudder before Lu Han comes too, burying himself deep as pleasure courses through his veins.

Minseok pulls away first. He disappears into the bathroom and Lu Han gets nervous, but he's smiling when he comes out, walking over to flop back onto the bed. "Can I stay over?" he asks.

"Of course!"

Minseok laughs at how loudly he says it, but it's not cruel. "Good. Then go get cleaned up. I won't cuddle with anyone in your condition."

Lu Han laughs, partly at the comment and partly because Minseok wants to cuddle with him!! and hurries to do as he's told.

When he comes back, Minseok is under the covers, and he pulls them back to let Lu Han join him. "You're warm," he murmurs, snuggling close without hesitation, and Lu Han does indeed feel very warm, and also very happy. He couldn't have imagined that tonight would end like this, but now that it has, he thinks it's perfect.

"You know," Lu Han comments after a while, when they've settled into a comfortable position and he's relaxed enough not to think better of it, "I used to hate you."

"You what?" Lu Han's relieved that Minseok sounds more amused than surprised.

"You were big competition," Lu Han explains. Then, after a moment's thought, he admits, "And also maybe I had a crush on you I didn't want to accept."

Minseok chuckles softly, right by Lu Han's ear. "I see."

"You're really hot on stage," Lu Han continues, even if he probably shouldn't. "Really cool."

"You mean I act like a cocky asshole," Minseok says dryly.

Now Lu Han laughs. "Yes. But it's hot."

"I hate to break it to you, but I'm not really a cocky asshole."

"That's okay." Lu Han turns his head for a kiss and catches Minseok's chin. "Now that I know you, I like you not on stage too."

"Yeah? Me too. I like you, I mean." Minseok finds Lu Han's lips for a proper kiss, then smiles at him, all afterglow soft, and oh, yes, Lu Han likes offstage Minseok very, very much.


~ ~

It's just a competition, not so different from the many others. The only difference is that, if the rumors are to be believed, there are scouts here today, looking for talented individuals and groups to sign. This competition could be someone's big break, could be Lu Han's big break, and that's a lot more pressure than your average show or competition.

Everyone is talking about the scouts, and if they're not, they're talking about the new group that went second today. They're a bit more punk, with two strong singers the same age as Chanyeol, and they put on a very attention-grabbing show. It's just what Moonlight Thunder and all the more established groups didn't need today of all days, some flashy newcomers coming in and stealing their thunder (no pun intended).

Lu Han can never stand still for long, but today he's extra fidgety backstage, trying to distract himself from his killer nerves. There's one group that just went on stage and then one more before it's their turn and he just wants to get it over with already. Waiting is no fun, and it's even worse knowing what's at stake here, what could happen if they make a good impression.

Minseok watches Lu Han squirm for a few minutes before he whines, "Stop. You’re making me even more nervous."

"I can't," Lu Han whines right back.

Minseok makes an exasperated noise. He glances at the group on deck and then around at the other Moonlight Thunder members. "We'll be back." He doesn't offer an explanation, just takes Lu Han's arm and pulls him away.

"Don't forget to come back!" Chanyeol calls after them.

"Don't have too much fun!" Sehun adds.

Minseok drags Lu Han to the bathroom and right into a stall, locking the door behind them. Minseok's anxious expression is in sharp contrast to his rough stage look, which Lu Han finds cute (but also hot). It becomes even hotter (despite the fact that he can't see Minseok's face anymore) when Minseok kisses him good and hard, pressing Lu Han against the bathroom wall.

When Minseok pulls away, grinning, Lu Han says, "You know what would really help me relax? A backstage quickie."

Minseok rolls his eyes. "I don't do pre-performance quickies. Maybe post-performance, if we're feeling good after."

Lu Han's not sure he really means it (clubs are one thing, but there's no privacy backstage at these busy competitions), but he likes the idea a lot. "I'll settle for kissing for now?"

"Kissing I can do." Minseok does just that, kissing Lu Han breathless. Lu Han forgets all about his nerves, and everything else too. He fists his hands in Minseok's hair, holding him close, and kisses until the only thing on his mind is Minseok.

They're both reluctant to break apart, but Minseok holds Lu Han back with a hand on his chest when he tries to follow. "We have a show to do, remember? I promise you there can be more kissing after, whether we're feeling good or not."

They fix themselves up in the bathroom mirror, and Minseok winces as he attempts to tame his hair from the mess Lu Han made of it. "I don't know how I feel about the my-boyfriend-can't-control-his-hands style."

Lu Han grins, thinking more about how he likes Minseok calling him his boyfriend than about Minseok's hair. "I like it," he says. "You look hot."

"You always say that," Minseok grumbles, but it doesn't sound like he minds. "Come on, we should get back."

Yixing and Sehun both give them knowing looks when they get back, and Chanyeol opens his mouth to tease them, but Minseok clamps a hand over his mouth, yanking Chanyeol down to his level as he does. "Don't say a word." He let's go almost immediately, but Chanyeol keeps his mouth shut. (Lu Han is impressed, and also he finds it hot.)

The group before them is on stage now, and as they launch into their first song, Yixing asks them all, "Are you ready?"

"If by 'ready' you mean 'so nervous I could die...'" Lu Han says it in Chinese so only Yixing can understand.

"I don't know. You look a lot more relaxed after Minseok took care of you," Yixing replies evenly, then waggles his eyebrows in case Lu Han missed the innuendo.

"I'm going to assume you were talking about how ready and absolutely pumped for this performance you are," Chanyeol says.

"And how great you think Minseok-hyung is going to do," Sehun adds. "I heard his name in there."

"Yes, exactly," Yixing says with an innocent smile.

"We'll all do great," Minseok says firmly. "Right?"

"Right," Lu Han agrees.

Once they're out on stage, Lu Han's heart starts to pound again, and he bounces on his feet, clutching his mic tightly. What if they screw this up? What if they don't screw it up and they find themselves signed to a label with all the pressure that comes with that? It's been his dream for a long time, but it's so big that it's hard to believe it's a possibility, especially with this group that he never thought would work out so well.

Minseok comes over to him as the musicians get ready. He doesn't say anything, just smiles, nervous but happy. When the others go quiet, they introduce themselves, and then it's time. Lu Han turns back, taking a moment to smile at Yixing and Chanyeol and Sehun in turn. He remembers being very skeptical when they first merged, but now he thinks that with these members, he just might be able to do something big.

Chanyeol starts to count out a beat and Lu Han turns his attention forward again. Minseok is still standing next to him and Lu Han puts an arm around his shoulders, his nerves melting away. "Let's do this," he says quietly, and then, much louder, facing the enthusiastic crowd, "Let's go, Moonlight Thunder!"



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