Chapter Text
it has been two weeks since kai and taehyun’s kiss, they both acted normal and didn’t address it the next day.
“taehyun, do you still have notes during our science classes? beomgyu needs them.” soobin says, they met up in their campus coffee shop.
“soobin… i… i.”
“hmm?”
“i want to ask kai out on a date.”
soobin almost spit out his chocolate drink.
“what?!”
“i… want to ask him on a date. should i ask to get coffee? watch movies? netflix? restaurant? i don’t know!”
“calm down, i haven’t even gotten over the fact that you just actually admitted that you liked him!”
“is it really that surprising?”
“i was starting to think you had absolutely no interest in romance, actually. every valentines day, your locker would be filled with chocolates and gifts.”
“we were in high school and relationships usually don’t last that long, so why pay attention to it?”
“hmm, you’re right. that’s also why i didn’t entertain someone back then. do you want me to ask beomgyu? he’s close with kai.”
“are you and beomgyu official?”
“yes, we just made it official yesterday. i could ask him about kai. he actually likes you for him.”
“r..really? i didn’t think i set a good impression when we hung out.”
“apparently, kai talks about you all the time. he plans your meals while practicing basketball.”
“that’s so thoughtful of him.”
“you should watch his basketball training with me tomorrow. i always watch beomgyu.”
“huh? but kai said he was the only one who continued basketball in college.”
“you pay extra attention when it comes to kai, huh? that’s because beomgyu switched to volleyball, and yeonjun completely quit as he wanted to focus on his studies more.”
“hmm. i see. i’ll bring this up to him later.”
it was like fate planned their day, as when taehyun got home, kai just finished his shower, it was his routine after basketball practice.
“hey kai, can i watch you play basketball tomorrow?”
“oh! sure! is there any reason why?”
“i just want to watch you play.”
the next day, before taehyun went to their gymnasium, he went to the convenience store and bought bottled water for kai.
“hey! your lover boy is here!” beomgyu whispers to kai.
“shut up, he might hear you.”
“go kai!” taehyun cheered.
“this one's for you, taehyun!” kai says and shoots the ball.
“oh shit! 3 points baby!” he adds.
taehyun can’t help but to feel flustered, is this what crushing on someone feels like?
“kai’s the captain by the way.” soobin suddenly says.
“stop sneaking up on me! really? he never told me that.”
“he’s really humble, he doesn’t bring it up unless asked.” yeonjun adds.
“wait a minute… you know…?” taehyun is stunned.
“you’re not really subtle. plus, my friend is a catch. only a fool would not fall in love with him after spending so much time with him.” yeonjun says and giggles.
“hey guys! my practice is cut short, the girls volleyball team has to practice for their competition tomorrow. should we eat together as five?” kai asks.
“sure! soobin’s paying for me!” beomgyu boasts.
“whatever, lover boy!” yeonjun rolls his eyes.
taehyun can’t help but to smile, it seems like the world is fine with him liking kai, he fits in with his friend group despite being shy and introverted.
“did you enjoy watching me, taehyun?”
“of course, you’re very good with playing.”
“nice, but i don’t plan to play with your heart.” kai says and winks.
taehyun giggles and clings on kai, walking to the restaurant that beomgyu recommended.
“i really wanted beer and samgyupsal.” beomgyu says.
“beer at 10 in the morning?” yeonjun mocks.
“we’re adults! who’s gonna stop us? let’s go!” beomgyu says.
the samgyupsal place was homey, with a few older people dining and having fun.
“they say the best way to get to know someone is to drink with them.” soobin says as soon as they sit down.
“yeah, that’s probably why you and beomgyu drink together a lot.” taehyun says.
“you make us sound like we are alcoholics!” beomgyu defends.
“i have never met a psychology student who day drinks.” taehyun replies.
“well now you have. kai also drinks when he can.”
“well i’m not like you!” kai immediately defends himself.
the group continued to playfully bicker, while yeonjun ordered meat and soju for the whole group. minutes later, food and drinks arrived and everyone was silently enjoying their meal.
“have you ever drank alcohol, taehyun?”
“no…”
“it has a bitter aftertaste.”
“you’ll take care of me, i’m confident.”
the three chois looked at each other, they all knew it was just a matter of time before the two announce that they are officially dating.
kai couldn’t help but to blush, “you’re right. i’ll take care of you.”
the group enjoyed their food while playfully hinting that kai and taehyun had feelings for each other, and drinking alcohol was absolutely not helping.
“you know kai, you’re the most gorgeous human being i’ve ever met. i can’t believe you’re not taken.” taehyun says, obviously drunk at this time.
“maybe you guys should call it a day. we wouldn’t want to intrude.” soobin says and winks at kai; his alcohol tolerance is a bit higher, but he knew what soobin was implying.
taehyun clung on to kai while going back to their dorm room, feeling safe while holding his hand.
“you’re so cute, but i want to hear your true feelings when you’re sober.” kai says when he placed taehyun to his bed, kissing him on his forehead.
a few hours later, taehyun woke up feeling a bit dizzy. he opened his eyes to kai, cooking ramen. he went up to him and hugged him from the back.
“did the alcohol not faze you at all? why are you cooking?” taehyun says.
“i’ve already had my fair share of drinking when we were in high school, it’s going to take a lot more than that for me to get drunk.”
“that’s unfair.” taehyun pouts.
kai turns off the stove and faces taehyun, smiling at him, “you can build your alcohol tolerance with me.”
“and then what? you take care of me every time? i want to return the favor. let me take care of you, kai.”
kai plants a soft kiss on taehyun’s forehead, “you don’t need to, taehyun. i like you the way you are.”
“you like me?”
“isn’t that obvious by now? would i have kissed you if i didn’t?” kai says and kisses the tip of taehyun’s nose.
taehyun tip toes and surprises kai by kissing him on the lips, “i like you too. i like you a lot.”
“really?”
taehyun kisses him again, “really.”
“well… you can’t beat me. i’ve liked you for six years now.”
“what?!”
it was kai’s turn to kiss taehyun on the lips, “i’ve liked you ever since i first saw you. why do you think i’ve been single my whole life?”
“wow… i didn’t expect that….”
“well, i certainly didn’t expect you to like me back either.”
“i like you, and you’re stuck with me. i don’t make mistakes, i’ll be your one and only.”
“that’s good to hear, let’s eat?”
taehyun kisses kai again, but this time, with more passion, it was as if he was claiming kai as his, “i’m yours.”