Chapter Text
Yoon Jeonghan always thought he'd had it easy in life, he had a stress free childhood, his parents were happily married and now at the age of eighteen his high school life was very much just as normal as you could possibly get. He played sports with his friends, did his homework and practiced with his band three times a week. Jeonghan's life was just like him, hassle free, free of drama and that's just how he liked it.
"Aye! Yoon Jeonghan!" Choi Seungcheol shattered his peace -- that camel-looking bastard.
Seungcheol was the guitarist in their band and he was loud, very loud. If the guy wasn't strumming his guitar he'd be drumming on anything that had a flat surface. It drove Jeonghan insane but of course he didn't say anything because Mr. Choi Seungcheol was quite sensitive despite his macho man facade. If it weren't for their mothers being close friends Jeonghan would have never crossed paths with the rambunctious boy.
The two walked together through the school grounds with their instruments in tow and Jeonghan lowkey wanted to die. As much as he loved his bass guitar the bloody thing weighed a hefty amount and the fact that he had zero stamina didn't help his situation. Seungcheol's words of encouragement also just added to his annoyance as they walked.
"Come on, quicken your pace and feel the breeze mother nature has kindly offered," Seungcheol draped an arm over Jeonghan's shoulders.
"Mother nature can suck my toe," Jeonghan shrugged off the added weight of Seungcheol's arm.
They walked through the crowds of other students making their way home trying their best not to hit anyone with their instruments. Though in all honesty Jeonghan worried more about damaging his bass than the wellbeing of his fellow schoolmates. He'd broken his bass before in a tragic accident involving a bunch of freshmen and he'd been cautious ever since. Jeonghan cursed under his breath forgetting that they had to pass the sports oval in order to exit through the back gate -- the sports clubs were practicing, that meant the possibility of getting hit by a flying object multiplied.
"There he is, mom's favorite son," Jeonghan heard the annoyance in Seungcheol's voice.
Jeonghan followed Seungcheol's gaze over to the soccer field where a tall boy stood talking to one of the PE teachers. He was wearing their school's soccer uniform and he was handsome, very handsome. The boy sported a stylish cut and his bronzed skin indicated he spent a lot more time outdoors than Mr. Vampire-Seungcheol who got sunburnt the minute he arrived at the beach.
"Ah, your younger brother," Jeonghan said as he craned his neck to see the tall boy better.
Seungcheol had been complaining ever since his younger brother decided to move back in with him and his mother. Seungcheol's parents had gotten divorced when he was young and so his younger brother was under his father's custody. Now with his father getting remarried, his younger brother, Mingyu, decided to give the newlyweds their alone time. Seungcheol however hated the new addition to his household. Apparently his over achieving younger brother made his mother a lot more critical of him and his academic performance.
"I don't understand, what's so bad about him?" Jeonghan had yet to hear a proper reason for Seungcheol's dislike toward his brother.
"He's always making me look bad, the punk just loves sucking up to mom. He kisses up to her every chance he gets, what a joke," Seungcheol kicked the dirt at his feet.
"To be fair, you could put in some effort and snag something more than a passing grade now and again," Jeonghan said as they started walking again.
"That's easy for you to say, you still manage to get good grades even though you sleep through almost everything," Seungcheol slapped him on the shoulder.
"I'm quite amazing, aren't I?" Jeonghan shamelessly praised himself.
"Fuck you," Seungcheol said as he quickened his pace.
"Friendship is such a beautiful thing," Jeonghan teasingly said as he trailed after Seungcheol.
They walked to the bus stop taking the fifteen minute ride back to Seungcheol's house. Jeonghan groaned at the sight of the hill in front of them like he always did as they began climbing up the slope. They lived right next door to each other and everyday Jeonghan would curse his parents for choosing to move into a house that was at the top of a bloody hill. They walked slowly mainly because Jeonghan had zero stamina and also because their instruments weren't exactly ideal items to be carrying for an uphill trek.
"Think of this as mother nature's gym, we can get a whole leg workout getting home," Seungcheol exclaimed as he did lunges with every step.
"Mother nature is a whore," Jeonghan struggled with every breath, he hated that bitch.
Finally making it into the house he took his shoes off by the door and immediately headed for the kitchen where Seungcheol's mother stood in a pink apron. Her short brown hair was held back by a simple headband while her small hands busied themselves getting food prepared. The woman's face lit up when she noticed Jeonghan standing in the doorway.
"Jeonghan! It's good to see you sweetheart! How have you been?" Jeonghan was pulled into a tight embrace by Seungchol's mom.
"I'm great, I heard Mingyu's back," Jeonghan smiled down at the woman who he loved just as much as his own mother.
"Oh, yes! He's gotten so big, the last time you saw him was back when you and Seungcheol were still in middle school," Seungcheol's mother nodded.
"We'll be up in my room," Seungcheol shouted as he ushered his friend up the stairs.
"I'll call you down when the food is ready! Make sure to get Jeonghan a drink Choi Seungcheol!" She scolded her son.
"I know!" Seungcheol shouted back at his mother.
"Thank you for the hospitality Mrs. Choi!" Jeonghan said as they went.
"Okay, so Jihoon said he's free to practice tomorrow after school. He bought new drumsticks too so I think he'll be in a good enough mood to practice for more than an hour," Seungcheol said as they went into his room.
"New drumsticks again? What happened to his other ones?" Jeonghan asked.
"One of the basketball players on the school team talked shit about his height so Jihoon tried to skewer him with his drumsticks," Seungcheol answered.
"That sounds like Jihoon," Jeonghan acknowledged, not even surprised by the news.
"The scary thing is the principal didn't even give Jihoon a punishment for what he did," Seungcheol shook his head, a dumb smile playing on his lips.
"Would you want to piss off Satan?" Jeonghan raised a brow thinking of Jihoon.
"Remember when he stepped on my foot in primary school and told me to apologise?" Seungcheol asked.
"How could I forget? You ended up crying for half an hour," Jeonghan smiled.
They sat together on the floor practising on their guitars and looking over the music as well as the lyrics. Jihoon had thrown two copies down on their desks during first period and had told them to familiarize themselves with it before their next practice -- the guy didn't play around when it came to music. Jeonghan was determined to get Seungcheol to practice because the last time he'd forgotten the chords Jihoon had beaten Seungcheol with his own guitar. That was a memory he refused to relive.
"Where did Seungkwan say he was going today?" Seungcheol asked about their lead vocalist.
"He's out with the new kid Vernon from the United States, Seungkwan's convinced he's fluent after acing his English exam last week," Jeonghan answered with a yawn.
"Mom, I'm home!" A loud voice shouted from downstairs.
"Great, the golden child is home," Seungcheol rolled his eyes.
"I'm going to go say hi," Jeonghan stood from his spot on the floor.
"What?" Seungchol's betrayed expression watched him as he left the room.
Jeonghan ran a hand through his short blond locks walking down the stairs. He peeked his head into the kitchen where a tall boy stood beside Seungcheol's mother helping her chop up kimchi for the stew she was preparing. Jeonghan's presence didn't go unnoticed as Seungcheol's mother waved him over. Mingyu who was still cutting kimchi looked over his shoulder once meeting eyes with Jeonghan before looking back down at the cutting board.
"Mingyu, aren't you going to say hi to Jeonghan?" His mother smacked him softly on the shoulder.
"Um, hi Jeonghan-hyung," Mingyu said over his shoulder before he once again focused on the task in front of him.
"Why are you being so aloof? You used to be so close," his mother asked looking at her son.
"Mom," Mingyu whined, from where he stood Jeonghan could see the redness on the boy's cheeks even under his bronzed complexion.
"No, it's okay. It's been a long time, we haven't spoken in awhile so it's only natural that we're a little awkward around each other," Jeonghan said, he wasn't offended.
"That's true, the last time you saw Mingyu was when he was still shorter than you," Mrs. Choi acknowledged.
"He was really cute back then but it's nice to know he's grown to be so handsome," Jeonghan sat on one of the stools opposite the kitchen counter.
"He's actually quite the chef, just wait till your taste his kimchi stew," Mrs. Choi shamessly praised her son.
Mingyu who was busying himself with other tasks around the kitchen was looking in every direction but at Jeonghan. Jeonghan in return kept his eyes on Mingyu watching the tall boy waddle around like a lost puppy as he helped his mother make dinner -- he thought the younger boy's shyness was rather endearing. Mingyu's childhood habit of trailing his mother was still very much intact. Jeonghan felt his expression soften thinking about how Mingyu used to follow him and Seungcheol the very same way when they were younger -- Jeonghan truly missed it.
"What have you been up to Mingyu?" Jeonghan asked causing Mingyu to jump at the mention of his name.
"Um, not much, I play a lot of soccer. I joined your school's team today," Mingyu answered.
"I saw, I walked past the oval today with Seungcheol when we were heading home," Jeonghan nodded.
"Are you and Seungcheol practicing this week?" Mrs. Choi asked as she set the table.
"Yes we are, Jihoon composed a new song and he wants to make sure we all know it by the end of the week," Jeonghan said as he stood to help the older woman.
"When will you be performing?"
"Next week on Friday night, we're performing at the Thirteen Diamonds Bar again," Jeonghan answered.
"You boys are becoming regulars at that place," Mrs. Choi sounded rather excited about the idea of her son being recognised.
"It's our fourth time being called back to perform so I'd like to think we're doing a good job," Jeonghan smiled fondly as he brought over the cutlery.
"It's nice to know Seungcheol has you as a friend. That boy could have gotten into all sorts of trouble if he didn't have you around as his voice of reason," Mrs. Choi patted Jeonghan's shoulder.
"Mom, he literally threw a tantrum yesterday because we ran out of chocolate flavoured cereal. I don't think he's going to be a problem," Mingyu said as he brought over his pot of Kimchi stew.
Jeonghan felt a smile play on his lips as he got a full look at Mingyu for the first time since he'd entered the house. The younger boy was wearing his mother's pink apron which was much too small for his tall stature and his yellow house slippers were too narrow for his adult sized feet. The boy looked absolutely adorable. Even though he'd lost all traces of baby fat, the dark tapered eyes stayed the same.
"Pink looks good on you," Jeonghan smiled at Mingyu who immediately averted his eyes, ripping the apron off his chest and leaving it on the kitchen counter.
"Let's eat," Mingyu sat down at the table.
Jeonghan said nothing as he sat down at the table. Mingyu had never been able to take any form of teasing and seeing that the boy still acted the same after all these years made Jeonghan feel so nostalgic. It also made Jeonghan realise how much he'd missed having a younger brother around. Jeonghan was a single child so he'd always been jealous of those who had a sibling to interact with.
"Seungcheol! Dinner!" Mrs. Choi's tone sounding almost like that of a military Sargeant -- Jeonghan almost shat himself.
"Coming!" Seungcheol shouted before the sound of his booming footsteps made their way downstairs.
"Hey man, why didn't you come back up?" Seungcheol smacked Jeonghan on the shoulder.
"Because Mingyu and your mother are better company," Jeonghan answered as he handed his bowl over to Mrs. Choi who was scooping out rice.
"Get your elbows off the table," Mrs. Choi scolded her son while holding the rice scoop.
"How come you never yell at him?" Seungcheol looked across the table at his younger brother.
"Because he actually listens to me," Mrs. Choi stroked Mingyu's hair before scooping out a rather large portion of rice for her younger son.
"Don't have a favourite my ass," Seungcheol said under his breath as he began to eat.
"So Jeonghan, I heard you're getting rather popular with the ladies," Mrs. Choi giggled looking at Jeonghan.
"Popular? They follow him like sheep," Seungcheol scoffed.
"It still makes no sense to me that you refuse to get yourself a girlfriend. You're young, this is the time to enjoy the beauty that is young love," Mrs. Choi said.
"I think I'm good," Jeonghan answered before scooping a spoonful of rice in his mouth.
"Jeonghan isn't interested in dating mom, he'd rather be sleeping," Seungcheol teased as they ate.
"I have low blood pressure and zero stamina, Choi Seungcheol," Jeonghan reminded.
"You can't use that excuse for everything," Seungcheol rolled his eyes.
"If I'm dating someone, I need that person to be my lover as well as my caretaker. I'm doing everyone a favour by not condemning them to life as my personal assistant," Jeonghan pointed his chopsticks at Seungcheol.
"And yet they're still lining up to take that position," Seungcheol shook his head.
"Well you boys have fun, I'm heading out to the supermarket. I need to go get more cereal for Seungcheol or else he'll throw another tantrum tomorrow," Mrs. Choi finished her bowl and exited the room leaving the three boys to sit together.
"I need the chocolate cereal for my low blood sugar," Seunghceol defended.
"Oh please, you just like it because it makes your milk chocolate flavoured," Mingyu sneered as he scooped himself another serving of rice.
"Was I talking to you?" Seungcheol frowned at his younger brother.
"Okay, okay, relax," Jeonghan put up his hands very aware that tension was building between the boys.
"Why do you even bother with him? He's a complete moron, you're wasting your time," Mingyu said before standing up and retreating back into his room -- his bowl of rice left forgotten.
"Do you see why I can't stand him? He opens his mouth and the only things that come out are insults," Seungcheol slouched in his chair, his frustration clearly displayed.
"He may have quite a mouth on him but the kids sure knows how to cook," Jeonghan said as he polished off the rest of his food.
"He called me a moron," Seungcheol continued eating despite his anger.
"He's going through puberty, it's a sensitive time for him," Jeonghan shrugged.
"Why do I feel like you agree with him?" Seungcheol looked over at Jeonghan with lips pursed.
"Need I remind you of that time you stood waiting outside in my backyard when the glass door wasn't even closed or that time you got lost in the supermarket and I had to have them make an announcement over the loud speaker?" Jeonghan raised a brow looking at his friend.
"It's not like it happens often," Seungcheol defended.
"That happened yesterday Seungcheol," Jeonghan deadpanned.
"You really like to point out my flaws, don't you?" Seungcheol pouted.
"Well you go ahead and enjoy the rest of your meal, I'm going home. I need to shower and get my ass to bed," Jeonghan stretched before leaving the dining room.
"Wait, aren't you going to help me with the dishes?!" Seungcheol called after him.
"Nope, you're on your own," Jeonghan said with zero remorse as he slipped on his shoes.
Jeonghan walked one house over and was met with an empty household. His mother and father were always away on business so that left him alone by himself most days. In all honesty Jeonghan never really felt lonely or unloved, sure he missed his parents when they weren't home but he knew they had jobs to fulfil and they were doing it so that their family could live comfortably. He took off his shoes and flicked on the lights in the house before going upstairs. Similar to his personality, Jeonghan's room was minimalist containing only what he needed and nothing more. He had a desk facing a window, a double bed and a small coffee table where he spent most of his time practising his bass as well as reading before he climbed into bed. Jeonghan rewarded himself with a long shower everyday even when he was tired because the idea of bringing in grime and dirt onto his bed seemed sacriligious -- his bed was sacred and it did not deserve to be tarnished.
With a towel over his head and his skin still steaming from his shower Jeonghan decided to open the sliding door of his room and enjoy the cool breeze on his balcony. He stood with eyes closed as the wind dried his damp face, the droplets of water from his short locks feeling quite refreshing as it dripped down his neck. Jeonghan cocked his lead looking across the balcony at Seungcheol's house in curiosity seeing that the usual pitch black balcony opposite his had light shining from behind the blackout curtain. That was Mingyu's room if Jeonghan wasn't mistaken, he remembered having conversations with Seungcheol's younger brother through their makeshift telephone made from two paper cups and a string tied to each end. They'd sit on the balcony for hours talking about whatever that came to mind. Jeonghan smiled sadly to himself knowing that chapter of their life had ended. Just as he was about to retreat back into his room the balcony door on Seungcheol's house slid open. Mingyu dressed only in sweatpants came out, their eyes met but neither of them said a word -- the silence stretched out for quite a while.
"Hey stranger," Jeonghan finally broke the silence.
"Hey," Mingyu replied, arms crossing over a toned chest.
"It's been awhile since we've talked to each other like this," Jeonghan said.
"Four years," Mingyu clarified.
"I missed you when you were gone," Jeonghan found himself saying.
"You did?" Mingyu's eyes widened.
"Yeah, you were more like my younger brother than Seungcheol's, it was nice having you tag along with us," Jeonghan smiled at the memory of a young Mingyu joining them in their games of soccer and basketball.
"I'm sorry about earlier, I was being rude. I just...I just haven't adjusted to everything yet," Mingyu apologised.
"Are you busy right now?" Jeonghan cocked a brow.
"No, why?" Mingyu's brow furrowed.
"Come over, we can catch up and maybe play a game or two if you're up for it," Jeonghan suggested.
"Now?"
"Yeah," Jeonghan nodded.
"Give me five minutes," Mingyu disappeared back into his room.
As promised five minutes later Mingyu rung the doorbell on Jeonghan's door. Jeonghan let his friend's younger brother in, his face lighting up when he noticed Mingyu was wearing his yellow slippers from before. Jeonghan grabbed two cans of Coke from the fridge and an armful of snacks from the pantry before leading Mingyu up into his room. Mingyu stepped inside Jeonghan's room inspecting every corner of it as if he was genuinely fascinated by what he saw. Jeonghan allowed the younger boy to explore, admittedly he would've done the same thing if he was in an unfamiliar space.
"Your room's changed quite a bit over the years," Mingyu muttered looking at the bass guitar that sat in the corner.
"Yup, no more anime posters," Jeonghan laughed.
"When did you start playing in a band?" Mingyu asked as he came to sit next to Jeonghan on the floor.
"About a year and a half ago, our friend Jihoon needed people to help him out for a gig and before we knew it we were a fixed lineup," Jeonghan shrugged.
"Do you like it?"
"Quite a bit actually, the feeling you get when everyone in the band is joining together to make one cohesive sound is incredible," Jeonghan nodded.
"That sounds nice."
"What's been bothering you? You said you're having a hard time adjusting right?"
"It's just hard to feel included when everybody around you already has their own cliques and groups," Mingyu rubbed his face with his palm.
"Have you managed to make any friends yet?" Jeonghan handed a can of coke to the younger boy.
"No," Mingyu answered with a defeated sigh.
"Keep your chin up, people will warm up to you sooner than you expect," Jeonghan touched Mingyu's chin.
"Easy for you to say, people just gravitate towards you," Mingyu opened his can of coke, taking a long sip.
"Well maybe if you smiled more, people would see how handsome you'd look," Jeonghan poked a finger on each of Mingyu's cheeks pulling his face into a comical-looking smile.
"Hyung," Mingyu grabbed Jeonghan's wrists giving the older boy a warning look.
"You've gotten so handsome," Jeonghan smiled.
"Better looking than Seungcheol?" Mingyu's mouth pulling into a mischievous smile -- that was more like the Mingyu that Jeonghan remembered.
"You definitely have a lot more wit than Seungcheol."
"Seungcheol may be my brother but sometimes I feel like we aren't related at all, he's just so fucking annoying!" Mingyu exhaled with a sharp breath.
"Believe me, I know. You were lucky enough to be rid of him four years while I had to see him everyday," Jeonghan chuckled.
"Hey, hyung," Mingyu suddenly moved his face closer to Jeonghan's.
"Yes?" Jeonghan turned to face the younger boy.
"Remember that thing you always gave me?" Mingyu bit at his bottom lip looking down at his feet.
"What are you-" Jeonghan stopped mid sentence realising what the younger boy wanted.
Jeonghan was very much shameless when it came to showing his affection toward his dongsaengs. Mingyu being the closest thing he had to a younger brother had been the target of his affections. A kiss on the forehead was Jeonghan's way of showing his love and Mingyu was the lucky recipient. Originally Jeonghan had planned on stopping the act when Mingyu got a little older but the younger boy had thrown a fit when Jeonghan said he was ending their little tradition. Their forehead kisses continued until Mingyu moved away.
"Welcome back, Mingyu-yah," Jeonghan smiled as he held Mingyu's head in his hands and pressed his lips on the younger boy's forehead.
The two stared at each other, taking in each other's features gradually moving in closer and closer until their noses were touching. Jeonghan licked his lips causing Mingyu narrow his eyes before he closed the distance between their lips. The kiss was sweet, so very sweet. Mingyu's lips were soft and somewhat clumsy but Jeonghan didn't mind, he found that quite endearing. He savoured the moment until he was reminded of what it was that he was doing. He was kissing his friend's younger brother. No, no, no, no, no. He really shouldn't be doing that! Jeonghan pulled back from the kiss with wide eyes looking at Mingyu who wore the same expression.
"I have to go," Mingyu bolted up from his spot running a hand through his dark hair.
"Y-yeah, it's late," Jeonghan nodded not knowing what else to say.
Mingyu put on his slippers not noticing he wore them on the wrong feet as he exited Jeonghan's bedroom. Jeonghan sat still listening to the sound of Mingyu running down the stairs before a loud thud was audible.
"I'm okay!" Mingyu shouted from below before finally the sound of the front door opening and closing told Jeonghan that the younger boy was no longer in the house.
Jeonghan quickly jumped under the covers of his bed pulling the covers over his head. His face felt hot and his heart was racing. He'd just kissed Mingyu, Mingyu who was Seungcheol's younger brother -- and he'd liked it. If Seungcheol found out about this he would probably kill Jeonghan and wear his skin as a dress. Jeonghan didn't know what to do, what could he do? He was fucked.