The Couple Challenge

The studio lights were blinding, as always, but Doyoung had long since learned to keep his composure. He sat on the plush pink couch, arms crossed, trying to maintain an air of nonchalance despite the fact that the show's host, a bubbly woman named Sunmi, was grinning at him like a cat that had caught a canary.

"Today's challenge is our special Valentine's Day edition!" Sunmi announced, clapping her hands. "We've paired up the members randomly, and you'll have to complete a series of couple missions. The winning pair gets a romantic dinner for two—courtesy of the station—and, more importantly, bragging rights for the rest of the year."

Doyoung groaned internally. He hated these forced variety show antics. But then Sunmi pulled out the pairing board, and his heart nearly stopped.

"Kim Doyoung and Jeong Jaehyun!"

No. No, no, no. Anyone but Jaehyun.

Jaehyun, who was currently sitting two seats away, looking effortlessly handsome as always, turned to him with a slow, infuriating grin. "Looks like we're partners, hyung."

"Don't call me hyung. We're the same age," Doyoung snapped, but his voice came out weaker than intended.

The missions began innocently enough. First, they had to feed each other cake while blindfolded. Doyoung ended up with whipped cream on his nose, and Jaehyun somehow got chocolate smear on his cheek that made him look even more annoyingly adorable. The audience laughed. Doyoung fumed.

Next, they had to whisper sweet nothings into each other's ears for a full minute. Doyoung's ears turned bright red as Jaehyun leaned in, his breath warm against Doyoung's skin.

"You're really cute when you're angry," Jaehyun murmured.

Doyoung shoved him away. "That's not sweet! That's a provocation!"

The final mission was the worst: they had to slow dance to a romantic ballad while maintaining eye contact for the entire song. The lights dimmed, and the soft strains of "Only One" filled the studio.

Jaehyun extended his hand. "May I have this dance?"

Doyoung hesitated, but the PD was giving him a pointed look. He took Jaehyun's hand, and they fell into a simple sway. The world narrowed to Jaehyun's dark eyes, and Doyoung felt his carefully constructed walls begin to crumble.

"You're not that bad at this," Doyoung muttered.

"I've been practicing with you for years," Jaehyun replied softly, pulling him just a little closer.

The song ended, and they were declared the winners—mostly because the other pairs had tripped over each other's feet. Doyoung expected to feel relief, but instead, he felt a strange disappointment when Jaehyun let him go.

Later that evening, they found themselves at the promised romantic dinner—a cozy restaurant with candlelit tables. The other members had teased them mercilessly before heading off, leaving them alone.

"So," Jaehyun said, swirling his wine glass, "this is our prize."

"It's a joke," Doyoung said, but he was smiling. "I can't believe we actually won."

"I can," Jaehyun said, his voice lowering. "Because I wanted to spend time with you. Alone."

Doyoung choked on his water. "What?"

"I've been trying to tell you for months, hyung—sorry, Doyoung. But you always avoid me. So I figured the show was my best shot."

Doyoung stared at him, heart pounding. "You... rigged the pairing?"

Jaehyun shrugged, the picture of innocence. "Maybe I just bribed Sunmi with some of your homemade cookies."

"You little—" Doyoung started to laugh, shaking his head. "I can't believe you went through all this trouble."

"Was it worth it?"

Doyoung reached across the table and took Jaehyun's hand. "Maybe. But you still have to earn that second date."

Jaehyun's smile was blinding. "I accept the challenge."