Chapter Text
It started like all of their arguments did: over something completely trivial, but somehow escalating into a full-blown philosophical debate.
Seungcheol was sprawled on the couch, half-eaten takeout in front of him, one hand absently twirling a chopstick. Jeonghan was perched on the armrest like a cat, legs crossed, a smug smile that spelled trouble plastered on his face.
“I still don’t get why you think Soonyoung and Jihoon are gay,” Seungcheol said for the fourth time that evening. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Soonyoung? Maybe a flirt. He’s playful, that’s all. And Jihoon—my cousin, for God’s sake—he’s straight. Absolutely straight.”
Jeonghan hummed, tilting his head, letting his long blonde hair fall over one eye. “You’re very confident for someone who has no proof,” he said casually, dragging out the word like it was delicious. “You’re basing your entire argument on… what, exactly?”
“My observations. Family intuition. Years of knowing Jihoon. I’ve seen him with girls.”
“And you’ve never seen him flirt with a guy,” Jeonghan replied softly, voice like velvet and venom all at once. “I see everything, Cheol. And I don’t just see it. I feel it.”
Seungcheol froze. “…You literally just said you feel their sexuality.”
Jeonghan smiled wider. “I said I feel it, yes. Like a sixth sense. A gift. You might call it… clairvoyance. But in your case, I think the word is luck.”
Seungcheol groaned, flopping back against the couch. “Why do I let you talk me into these things? You know I’m not going to take this bet seriously—”
“Oh, you will,” Jeonghan cut in, leaning closer, eyes sharp and glittering. “Because this isn’t just a bet, Cheol. This is a test of observation. A measure of your… perception of the people around you. And let’s be honest, you desperately need to admit when you’re wrong.”
Seungcheol squinted at him. “You’re insane.”
Jeonghan tilted his head, serene. “And you love it.”
Seungcheol pinched the bridge of his nose again, muttering, “I hate you so much.”
“You will thank me later.” Jeonghan crossed his arms, smugness radiating like heat. “Now, let’s get the terms straight. If I’m right…” He paused, letting the tension simmer. “…you buy me dinner. Anywhere I want. And if you’re right, I’ll—” He stopped, pretending to think. “…I’ll… buy you dinner. Anywhere you want. Equal terms. Fair.”
Seungcheol blinked. “…That’s not fair. You basically get to gloat regardless.”
“Exactly.” Jeonghan’s grin widened. “That’s the point. Also, don’t forget: I’m usually right.”
Seungcheol groaned, throwing a pillow at him. “You are insufferable. Absolutely insufferable.”
Jeonghan caught it effortlessly and smirked. “And yet, here you are. About to bet on my theories.”
Seungcheol hesitated, looking down at the floor. “…Fine. But I’m serious. Jihoon is straight. I would know if he wasn’t.”
Jeonghan leaned forward suddenly, eyes sparkling dangerously. “Would you, Cheol? Would you really know? Or are you just clinging to what you want to believe?”
Seungcheol felt heat rise to his ears. “I—I’m not clinging! I’m observant! I know people!”
Jeonghan hummed, resting his chin on his hand. “Sure. You know people. You also think I don’t notice how your face lights up whenever someone disagrees with you.”
Seungcheol groaned again. “Hannie…”
“Cheol,” Jeonghan said firmly, “mark my words. Soonyoung has been testing the waters for months. Subtle, playful, harmless… until he realizes he doesn’t have to hide anymore. And Jihoon? The second he steps into that realization… well, let’s just say your family intuition might get a rude awakening.”
Seungcheol froze mid-bite, chopsticks hovering. “…You’re insane.”
Jeonghan’s grin softened into something almost tender. “Maybe. Or maybe I just know things you refuse to see.”
The air between them stretched, tense and teasing, like static before a storm.
Seungcheol finally muttered, “…Fine. You win, Jeonghan. You probably win.”
Jeonghan’s eyes gleamed. “Not yet, Cheol. Not yet. The game hasn’t even started.”
And with that, he leaned back, smug, satisfied, already imagining the look on Seungcheol’s face when he proved him right.
Seungcheol groaned and buried his face in his hands. “I hate this. I hate you. But… I guess we’re doing this.”
Jeonghan hummed happily. “Oh, we’re doing it. And when I’m right… you’ll never hear the end of it.”
Seungcheol muttered into his hands, “…I already know.”
Jeonghan leaned back, crossing his arms, smugness radiating. “And I will win.”
∞
The party has settled into its comfortable middle.
Shoes are piled by the door, jackets draped over chairs that no one plans on sitting in again. The music hums low enough to talk over, and the room is filled with the easy chaos of close friends — people who know each other well enough to argue about playlists and steal drinks without asking.
Seungcheol leans against the kitchen counter, drink in hand, eyes drifting lazily across the room. Jihoon is laughing at something Seokmin said, head tipped back just slightly, and for a moment Seungcheol thinks nothing of it.
Jeonghan does.
“I’m telling you,” Jeonghan says, too casual, reaching for a chip. “Tonight is going to prove me right.”
Seungcheol sighs. “Hannie, can we not do this here?”
Jeonghan smiles, slow and smug. “Why not? Perfect conditions. Alcohol. Familiar environment. People letting their guard down.”
“You sound like you’re narrating a documentary.”
Jeonghan nudges his side. “Listen. Soonyoung? Bisexual. Always has been. But Jihoon—” He tilts his head, eyes tracking Jihoon without being obvious. “Jihoon is gay.”
Seungcheol snorts. “No. Absolutely not.”
“He dated girls,” Seungcheol continues firmly. “Plural. You know that.”
“And?” Jeonghan replies lightly. “So did I.”
Seungcheol freezes.
Jeonghan raises his eyebrows. “See? You walked right into that one.”
Seungcheol rubs his face. “You’re impossible.”
Jeonghan hums, satisfied. “You’ll see.”
That’s when Soonyoung slips toward the balcony.
It’s subtle — no announcement, no dramatic exit. Jihoon follows a minute later, like it’s instinctual.
Jeonghan’s eyes sharpen.
“Oh,” he murmurs. “There it is.”
Seungcheol frowns. “What?”
“Nothing,” Jeonghan says sweetly. “Just timing.”
—
The balcony is quieter, cooler.
Soonyoung leans against the railing, bouncing on his heels, restless energy buzzing under his skin. Jihoon steps beside him, hands tucked into his pockets, gaze soft and familiar.
“You okay?” Jihoon asks.
Soonyoung nods too fast. “Yeah. Just—thinking.”
Jihoon waits. He always does.
“So,” Soonyoung says, exhaling a laugh that sounds a little breathless. “It’s been two months.”
Jihoon smiles faintly. “I’m aware. I asked you out.”
“I know,” Soonyoung says quickly. “I just—”
He stops. Looks at Jihoon properly, like he’s been circling this moment for weeks.
“I love you.”
The words come out fast, but they land steady.
Jihoon doesn’t look surprised.
“I know,” he says gently.
Soonyoung blinks. “…You do?”
“You’re terrible at hiding it,” Jihoon replies fondly.
Soonyoung laughs, sharp and bright, and glances back at the windows.
No one’s looking.
He turns back, eyes a little wild, grin unhinged in the way only someone deeply in love can manage — and kisses Jihoon.
It’s easy. Familiar. Like something that’s been waiting.
Jihoon kisses him back without hesitation, hand curling into Soonyoung’s hoodie like it belongs there. They part only when Soonyoung laughs quietly, resting his forehead against Jihoon’s.
—
“Oh my God.”
Seungkwan nearly drops his phone.
Chan stares, mouth open. “They’re— they’re kissing.”
Hansol, leaning nearby, blinks once. “Yeah.”
Seungkwan whirls on him. “You’re not shocked?”
Hansol shrugs. “It tracks.”
Seungkwan grabs Chan’s arm. “We have to tell them.”
“WHO is them?” Chan whispers urgently as they sprint back inside.
Hansol follows at a normal pace.
—
“They’re the together,” Seungkwan blurts the moment they hit the living room.
Seungcheol turns. “Who?”
“Soonyoung and Jihoon,” Chan says at the same time. “We saw them kissing.”
The room goes quiet.
Jeonghan closes his eyes, smiling like a man at peace with the universe.
“And they’re gay,” he says softly. “I won.”
Seungcheol stares at him.
“…You are never allowed to bet on people again.”
Jeonghan just grins, victorious.
∞
The double date is Jeonghan’s idea.
It always is.
“We should all go out,” he says one morning, too casually, scrolling through his phone. “You know. Talk. Bond. Celebrate.”
Seungcheol squints at him. “Celebrate what, exactly.”
Jeonghan smiles without looking up. “My intuition.”
Seungcheol groans. “I hate you.”
Jeonghan finally glances over, eyes bright. “No, babe. You lost a bet. Different thing.”
They meet at a small restaurant — quiet enough to talk, dim enough to feel private. Soonyoung shows up buzzing with energy, practically vibrating in his seat, while Jihoon follows close behind, calmer but visibly more at ease than usual.
Seungcheol notices immediately.
The way Jihoon sits closer to Soonyoung than he ever does to anyone else. The way Soonyoung keeps glancing at him like he’s checking something precious is still there.
Seungcheol clears his throat.
“So,” he says, looking squarely at Jihoon. “Two months.”
Jihoon nods. “Yeah.”
“You didn’t think to mention it?” Seungcheol asks, not accusing — just… cousinly.
Soonyoung jumps in. “We wanted to be sure!”
Seungcheol’s gaze softens a little. “Are you happy?”
Jihoon doesn’t hesitate. “Very.”
Something in Seungcheol’s chest loosens.
“Good,” he says simply. “That’s what matters.”
Jeonghan, who has been waiting impatiently, leans forward, chin in his hands.
“Okay,” he says brightly. “Now that the emotional check-in is done—”
Seungcheol sighs. “Oh no.”
“How is it?” Jeonghan asks, eyes gleaming.
Soonyoung chokes on his drink. “HYUNG—”
Jihoon pinches the bridge of his nose. “Jeonghan.”
“What?” Jeonghan says innocently. “I’m asking about compatibility. Communication. Vibes.”
Seungcheol mutters, “You’re asking about their sex life.”
Jeonghan shrugs. “It’s an important part of a relationship.”
Soonyoung turns red immediately. Jihoon, however, looks… thoughtful.
“It’s good,” Jihoon says calmly.
Soonyoung’s head snaps toward him. “You weren’t supposed to answer!”
Jeonghan beams. “See? Healthy.”
Seungcheol points at him. “You are never allowed near my family again.”
Jeonghan grins. “You married me into it.”
Jihoon exhales a small laugh, shaking his head. “You warned me he was like this.”
“I did,” Soonyoung admits. “I said ‘unhinged but correct.’”
Jeonghan raises his glass. “High praise.”
The conversation drifts after that — teasing, stories, inside jokes. At some point, Seungcheol watches Jihoon lean into Soonyoung’s shoulder without thinking, and Soonyoung adjust instantly, like it’s second nature.
Seungcheol glances at Jeonghan.
Jeonghan catches the look and softens, just a little.
“See?” he murmurs. “I told you.”
Seungcheol sighs, smiling despite himself.
“…You were right,” he admits.
Jeonghan’s smile turns triumphant.