Chapter Text
He hates to admit that everything he's currently situated with is so familiar to him.
Loud music is blasting everywhere. The disgusting smell of sweats mixed with alcohol and cheap perfume surrounds the humid air. The fact that it's a Friday night makes it pretty obvious why the crowd is this huge.
Some of the people inside the club seems to be so glad about the weekends and tends to forget about how hangover will creep into them in the morning, but that's a problem to face for the next day and so they get wasted until their legs wobble making it impossible to even walk. While on the other hand, some people are just here to have a good time. Checking out everyone that seems to fit their ideal partner for the night, leave them in the morning and continue on their lives as if nothing happened, one-night-stands.
But Jeonghan is not here for that kind of stuff. He's here to be the responsible employee of his own boss and his own damn best friend, summoned into one hell of a person he's currently seated next to.
Jeonghan knows just how much his best friend gets so careless on nights like this. It's either he ends up taking home a random girl from the club or he stands over a man whimpering for his life with a broken nose.
Seungcheol isn't exactly the violent type. But drunk Seungcheol seems to be. Jeonghan doesn't even know how but Seungcheol always manages to get into club fights whenever he's drunk and didn't get to hook up a girl for the night. It's not that Jeonghan is concerned that Seungcheol might get beaten up. As a matter of fact, he's more concerned about the person Seungcheol might fight with because being a black belter in Taekwondo and years of training in boxing makes it almost impossible for his opponent to fight back.
Jeonghan is just always there so that no big deals will be made out of it. Not when Korea's richest and hottest bachelor's name is at stake.
And that's how Jeonghan ends up in the club with some cheap beer in his hands and a drunk Seungcheol mumbling flirty and sweet words into the girl right next to him. Jeonghan thanks all the gods above that he won't end up paying a guy with a bleeding organ tonight just to ensure his silence.
The girl sitting in front of the bar looks at his direction for the millionth time that night. He smirks at that. He's pretty sure she's checking him out. It's pretty obvious since he's the only male in this section of the bar and Seungcheol is completely occupied as of the moment.
The girl stands up and walks towards his direction. His grin grows wider. The girl finally had the courage, thanks to the alcohol she's been having all the while, Jeonghan thinks. The girl is not that bad herself. She's pretty. Long hair bunched up into a cute ponytail, heavy makeup, a choker on her neck, a pretty white blouse with long sleeves and a mini-skirt completing her outfit. Not bad, he thinks. But no, not tonight. If it's just another ordinary night, then he might have been on board with the girl's agenda for the night. But this isn't just ordinary night. He's fucking tired and he just wants to go home and sleep.
The girl gets closer and sits beside him not before smiling cutely.
"Having fun?" The girl whispers into his ear.
Jeonghan smiles at her and replies with a nod. He takes a swig of his beer and once again looks at the girl, smirking.
"Seems not. Your friend seems to be too occupied, I figured you'd want some company other than him." She gives him a wink while pointing at Seungcheol's back. Jeonghan chuckles at that.
"I'm doing great here, actually. Just watching over him." Jeonghan replies with a polite smile, obviously turning down the girl. He's so used to this. Turning down girls that approach him when they find him attractive. It's not because he can't flirt, he sure does know how. He knows exactly how to take someone home with him if he wants to. But tonight is clearly not that type of night.
But the girl seemed to be oblivious with his rejection. She insists, "Come on, don't you want to watch over me instead?" she tells this while sliding a hand over his thighs.
A frown is evident on the girl's face when Jeonghan slowly removes her hand from his thighs. Jeonghan sighs and tells the girl he isn't exactly interested. He expects for the girl to somehow insist a little more but he's quite surprised yet relieved that she just walks away with a shake of her head and completely disappears within the dancing crowd.
He turns towards his best friend. The elder's still flirting with the girl. It has been two hours already, "Why can't Seungcheol just take her to some motel or something so that I can go home now?!" Jeonghan thinks. But a sudden twist of events unfolds right in front of him. Seungcheol removes his hand from where it has been rested on the girl's waist throughout his conversation with the girl. She then stands up, bows, and smiles to him and leaves Seungcheol with a confused Jeonghan. Seungcheol then turns to him.
"Let's go. I'll take you home." Seungcheol seems to be more sober than Jeonghan thinks he is. He's drunk, yes. But not the fucked-up-drunk that the younger always ends up with when they go to the club.
"It's quite surprising that we are ending the night with you not taking home a girl or making someone bleed. I'm more than impressed." Jeonghan eyes Seungcheol with suspicion and the elder chuckles.
"I figured I should be more responsible now. I don't want you getting headaches because of me anymore." The elder explains and somehow between those words, Jeonghan beams a fond smile at him. But it's cut short when Jeonghan tilts his head and eyes him once again.
"No. That can't be the real reason. This is totally foreign to me. Tell me why you're suddenly going home sober than ever."
The elder laughs lightly and says, "Dad told me to be responsible."
Jeonghan isn't satisfied with his statement and so the he asks, "And?"
Seungcheol gives his best friend slash secretary a disbelieving look, "Hey! Can't I be responsible for once in a while?"
The younger poses as if he's thinking and answers, "No. And how the fuck did you manage to flirt for two straight hours and not kiss that damn girl or something? She even bowed. What the hell, man!" Jeonghan laughs at his own words.
Seungcheol answers with a smile, "Actually, she's an old friend and our parents are business partners. Remember Mr. Kim?" Jeonghan nods, "Yeah, she's Mr. Kim's only daughter. We just had a 'catch-up' talk and that's it."
"Well, that's better than dealing with a shit-faced-Cheol so I suppose I won't argue anymore." Jeonghan stands up and Seungcheol follows. He offers his arm to Jeonghan and Jeonghan nudges him with his elbow. They both laughed at their actions while making their way to the parking lot.
•
It's almost seven in the morning when Jeonghan wakes up. He turns to look at his window to only squint at the sunlight coming through it. He then manages to sit up and begins his morning rituals and routines. He goes downstairs to cook breakfast while stretching his arms out, still stiff from his sleeping position. He eats at peace, enjoying every moment that he has all alone. But a sudden ring of his phone made him jog across his condo unit from the kitchen to the living room. Looking at the name of the caller, he swears inside his head.
"It's a Saturday for fuck’s sake! What does he want?" He mutters before pushing the green button to answer the caller.
His frowning face then turns to a smiley one as if a switch is pressed too quickly when he hears the caller. Apparently, he can't fake enthusiasm when frowning.
"Hello Satan's spawn? What do you need this early in the morning?" Jeonghan's sarcasm is dripping from his own words.
The man on the other line gives a light chuckle, "You need to quit that nickname, I’m quite offended. And why? Can't I call my secretary this early?"
"It's Saturday, Seungcheol. I'm serious. What do you need?" The younger's statement is firm but Seungcheol just laughs lightly.
"You are such a bad employee, Hannie," Jeonghan swears he can see the grinning face of his best buddy even when he can only hear him. And with the use of his nickname exclusive for Seungcheol and his sister only, he's more convinced this man speaking to him needs something, "So straight to the point, I need you to accompany me to a lunch meeting later. I'm sorry if it's unexpected. I don't mean to barge in to your rest day. Dad told me I needed to be there just a while ago. He told me he already asked you about my schedules and upon seeing that I'm free today, he wants me to go to this meeting."
Jeonghan rolls his eyes. He remembers how Seungcheol's father unexpectedly went to him the other day. Rushing him to tell his' son's schedule and politely walking away while thanking him.
His free time is once again interrupted. He sighs, "You know I can't say no to your dumb ass."
"Thank you, Hannie! You really are the best!" Jeonghan chuckles at that.
"I know. Bye now, I have a breakfast to devour on." And with that, he ends the call and goes back to his unfinished business in the kitchen.
While eating, he lets his mind wander, thinking about nothing in particular. He thinks about how he might finish his paper works after the lunch meeting later so that he might have enough time to squeeze in some sleep. He also thinks about going home that same night to his parents and his sister. It has been two months since he last went home even though the ride from his condominium to his parent's house is just a four-hour ride. He figures maybe it's because of the busy schedule he's having nowadays.
He tries his hardest to do the most paper works that he can do. He doesn’t need the money, though. In fact, he has enough of those in his bank account to support him for at least a few years. He needs the money for his family. His sister is still studying and even with all the forcing of Seungcheol's parents that they would pay for his sister's college, he could not let them do that. He figures that they have been giving him and his family too much already to even accept that offer, even Jeonghan's parents are very much aware of this that they didn't bother to argue about Jeonghan not accepting the blinding offer.
He knows how much he owes Seungcheol's family. From giving him one of the highest position in the company (which is in fact an offer he's reluctant at first so Mr. Choi told him to pass the requirements so that it'll be like a normal hiring), letting him stay with Seungcheol in their dorms back in university because he can't afford to pay one, up to giving him and his family the chance to travel the world because summer vacations and also winter ones mean family vacations to the Choi's. And the Yoon's have always been a part of that family. He can't even imagine how they'd survive without the Choi's help.
Their family's friendship have rooted from his and Seungcheol's bullied-and-savior type of story way back when they were in nursery. Yes, Jeonghan was Seungcheol's savior. And Seungcheol being bullied lead to Mrs. Choi having her son be trained in taekwondo and later on, in boxing. She can't afford to have her Cheollie look so small in the hands of the bullies. The Yoon's and Choi's have been like a huge family ever since their children's teacher called them out about the bullying issue.
Years after years, when they were in high school, their story turned upside down. It's that time where Seungcheol was the one who protected Jeonghan from the bullies. People with judging eyes didn't understand or more so, didn't try to understand the concept of being bisexual. Apparently, even his long hair had been an issue which Jeonghan only shrugged and never brought out. And the night that Jeonghan was found bleeding from being beaten up by a group of seniors was the first and the last time anyone laid their fingers on the sweet boy. Seungcheol made sure of that because nobody dares to mess with the powerful child, physically or not.
His train of thoughts were suddenly interrupted with a buzz on his door. He looks at the digital clock on his wall and it reads quarter to nine. He's quite surprised at how fast the time passed by. He goes to the door and looks into the peephole to see who the unexpected visitor is. He opens the door and a smiley pretty face stops him on his tracks.
"Jisoo!" Jeonghan throws himself at the visitor and said man only laughs at his friend's antics. Jisoo is Jeonghan's best friend other than Cheol. Uni have made them close altogether even when Jisoo's art-related course is a very far one from the duo's business-related courses. They easily clicked when they were introduced to one another during a party.
"Han, I'm pretty sure I didn't do anything for you to murder me with a crushing and breathtaking hug." Jisoo chuckles as Jeonghan untangles himself from him.
Jeonghan invites him in and they settle into the sofa in the living room, catching up on things that happened between them these past few days. They've only been away from each other for two weeks and Jeonghan would be lying if he says he didn't miss this cat-eyed man in front of him.
"How's Hansol?" Jeonghan asks with some eyebrow movement that Jisoo is convinced is a way to tell how-is-your-sex-life-with-your-partner. Jisoo shrugs.
"He's doing fine, I guess. We're happy. Well at least he is happier." Jisoo tells him.
Jeonghan gasps. "Is he-- Is he.." Jisoo finishes his sentence for him. "Cheating? Well, not exactly but-"
"I fucking knew it!" Jeonghan shouts, his words echoing in his condo unit.
"Calm down you silly! He's not cheating. He's just being oblivious that I'm getting jealous over his new friends. I mean, he used to like girls, Han. I can't help but be insecure." Jisoo bows his head at that, looking at his hands as if it's something so interesting to look at.
Jeonghan frowns. This is why he spent all these years trying to push away these kind of stuff. He was never one to be good at dealing with feelings.
He comforts his friend and tries to do what he's best at: talking it out. He manages to get their conversation where he wants it to go. He wants Jisoo to let it all out until his burdens are almost feather-light by sharing his worries with Jeonghan. This is his forte, comforting people. Though, he can't comfort himself. At least he knows how to comfort the people that are important to him.
Jisoo suddenly breaks the comfortable silence they had built for about five minutes and startling Jeonghan in the process, "How about you, Han? Want to talk it all out?"
It has been years. He has spent years trying to push it down and down. He doesn't want it to come back creeping under his skin but somehow, it always finds its way out of his mind. And this time, its Jisoo who helped it get out.
"I'm fine, Jisoo-yah." He smiles and continues, "I'm happy and contented with this and my life."
Jisoo seemed to be thinking of something to say but chose not to let it out. Jeonghan thanks the gods once again for that. He doesn't like where it'll go if he continues this conversation.
Jisoo then says, "Fine. I'm happy that you're happy." They both shared a smile.
They stayed like that for another half an hour, talking about stuff and the likes of it. Until Jeonghan has to go and accompany his one hell of a boss to a lunch meeting.
"Don't be so hard on Cheol, Han." Jisoo chuckles as he puts on his shoes by the doorway, getting ready to leave.
"I am totally not. That spawn of satan is my best friend after all." He laughs at his own words and Jisoo shakes his head while smiling at him.
He bid Jeonghan good bye and left. And now, Jeonghan has to prepare for that lunch meeting he's supposed to go to.
•
"Why do you even need me there?" Jeonghan asks Seungcheol.
Seungcheol laughs at his secretary's whine for the nth time. They are now in Seungcheol's car on the way to the five-star restaurant Seungcheol's dad have set a reservation on.
"I've told you one too many times now, Hannie. I'm just needing a supportive someone there. And you kind of fit that description, don't you?" Seungcheol looks at him from head to toe before bursting out to laughter. He calms down from laughing after realizing that Jeonghan isn't in the mood to join in anyways.
"What kind of support do you even need?" Jeonghan asks, voice still filled with annoyance.
At this point, Seungcheol suddenly turns serious. His face is blank but Jeonghan knows better than that. He knows that his best friend is just trying to not give away any of his emotions. Seungcheol then sighs.
"The kind of support I know I can only get from you."
And with that, the younger turns silent. The car ride is nothing but silence. He does not even know how to react. He doesn't know if Seungcheol is just messing with him or maybe this is something really serious, like a big investor and the likes of it.
They reached the place just in time before the clock hits twelve noon. Seungcheol wakes Jeonghan up from his short nap. The elder gets off the car first followed by the still startled Jeonghan because he would be lying if he says he didn't forget about being on the way to this lunch meeting with his boss, that's how powerful his nap was. They make their way to the entrance and Seungcheol hands his car keys to the valet waiting for them.
Jeonghan would be in awe while seeing the place if only he hadn't been so used to these type of places already. Going to places like this had been a part of his job long ago. And so, walking inside and knowing how to act around the filthy-rich people is an oh-so-familiar thing to him.
They halt to a stop near the reservation booth and the man in suit and tie beams a smile at them.
"A pleasant day, Mr. Choi. Your family's reservation is in a private room and you will be guided by one of our waiters on the way there. Mr. and Mrs. Choi are already inside along with the Im's." The man tells them and introduces them to their waiter. The elder gives his words of gratitude and follows the waiter to the room reserved for them. Jeonghan follows him and goes to his left side and nudges him with his elbow.
The younger gains Seungcheol's attention and he whispers, "Hey. I thought this is some kind of an important business meeting. Why are your parents here?"
Seungcheol just shrugs and says, "It is an important business meeting, Hannie."
"But Cheol-" He stopped talking when Seungcheol shushed him. This isn't the first time he has seen his best buddy this serious, but he figures this is something else. He isn't the type to be this serious around his parents. And the last time that Seungcheol had this face on when meeting his parents, it's because he almost killed someone in a bar when he got into a fight. Well, it isn't his fault that guy is some kind of a weak shit.
As they enter the reserved room, they are welcomed with a huge dining setting filled with all sorts of food that got Jeonghan's appetite grow. But as he connects the dots, seeing the Im's with their daughter and the Choi's around the table, everything clicks into him, he loses all his will to eat and wants to run out of the place right then. But he's already here and he doesn't want to create some sort of drama or whatever might happen when he runs away and so he greets Mr. and Mrs. Choi and the Im's.
"Good day, Mr and Mrs. Im. This is my secretary and best buddy, Yoon Jeonghan. We just had some business meeting right before this and I figured he could join us here, if that's alright with you." Jeonghan bows down to the Im's and gives them his best smile. He looks at Seungcheol suspiciously, as to why would he lie about Jeonghan being in there. But he shrugs his thought when they were offered to sit to start eating and discussing.
The lunch was great with all the food but Jeonghan just can't find his lost appetite as he sits next to Seungcheol with the heir of the Im's in front of them. There's a feeling inside him he's pretty sure what but can't afford to let out and tell himself. So he convinces himself it's just the irritating feeling of being stuck in this place instead of getting some work done at home. And it doesn't really help that the way the two set of parents in front of him talks about their daughter and son are really adding up to his assumption as to why this lunch meeting is held.
"I suppose we should make the announcement now, shall we?" Mr. Im suddenly chimes in when they grew silent while almost finishing their food.
Mr. Choi smiles wide and tells them proudly, "Well, we and the Im's have been discussing about this for months now." The unsettling feeling begins to crawl the insides of Jeonghan's body. He wants to excuse himself just in time but it would be an unpolite act so he tries to relax himself in his seat.
The two mothers held their husbands arms as if supporting them to anything they were about to say. But Jeonghan didn't notice that. He was focused on how Seungcheol gripped on his thigh under the table as if his life depends on it. He's scared. They're both scared, but with different reasons. All the while their faces show otherwise. Their smiles are still visible on their faces, plastered like some kind of strong glue was used to stick it right there where their mouths are supposed to be.
"We figured that if our companies were to merge together, then might as well have some strong foundation between the companies and families." The grip tightens once more. Jeonghan has the strong urge to frown but now is definitely not the right time. "And we made the decision that maybe marriage is one of the bests resort to come up with." And with that, Seungcheol lets go of him. He then exhales the breathe he didn't know he was holding in and smiles at his best friend, congratulating him. The two families cheered together, not knowing that Jeonghan fakes his smile while celebrating with them. He eyes the girl and congratulated her too. The girl, he discovered was named Nayoung, bows down to him and gives him a smile so sweet too.
Nayoung is a sweet girl, Jeonghan can tell that with all the introduction given to them by her parents and even the way she interacts with them is so transparent. She's physically pretty but Jeonghan knows already that she's not just a pretty face. She's not so bad to be his best-friend-in-law. But he never wished to have one, though.
Everything after that was a blur. He soon finds himself inside Seungcheol's car heading to his flat. They were both silent. Only the sound of the radio can be heard inside the car until Jeonghan decides to break the silence.
"Congrats, man. That's quite a surprise but still..." There's the unsettling feeling again.
"I know. I'm sorry I didn't tell you beforehand." Seungcheol smiles at him.
He feels his chest tighten but he keeps his composure fixed. "So that's why you needed support, huh? Are my thighs reliable ones?"
"Trust me, I just want you to be there because that is something important to me. And people that are important to me needed to be there to hear it." Seungcheol then turns to him, giving him another blinding smile. He had always wanted to capture that smile and have it framed on his wall, if only the man himself doesn't casually go around his condominium unit unexpectedly on rest days. "How about you? Ever thought about those kind of stuff?" Jeonghan's mind goes blank.
"Marriage?" He clarifies the elder's question. He chuckles. "You know me Cheol, I'm too busy to even handle that."
"Yeah. I sometimes wonder if you even sleep on work days."
They both remained silent after that as Jeonghan tries to forget something that he must have left at the restaurant thinking that it's broke anyways, what else can he do with it?
After a few minutes, when they're nearing Jeonghan's, Seungcheol speaks again.
"Is our Lazy Sunday still up?" The younger breaks his gaze from the car window to look at the man beside him. He was confused at first but the creases on his forehead was soon gone when he realizes that he forgot about their usual Lazy Sunday (a label for the day that he surely remembers was given by Seungcheol) where they laze together in either his or Seungcheol's flat. He’s shocked too because this is the first time Seungcheol was unsure about asking. Well, to be fair, this is actually the first time that Seungcheol even asked if it's still up because most times he would just go inside Jeonghan's with his spare key and wake the younger up so that they can have their leisure time. Together. But Jeonghan just shrugs the thought. Just like how he shrugs eveything that has to do with Seungcheol and feelings.
"I'm actually planning to head home tonight. I mean, home with my parents. And spend the Sunday with them. It has been almost two months since I got to see them in person." Half of him still wants to go with his original plans but half of him wants to stay. To stay with Seungcheol.
"Oh, alright then. I guess I don't have to cancel my date for tomorrow." Seungcheol stops but continues when he realizes that the younger seemed to be a bit confused and he owes an explanation for that. "Well, you know, Dad wants me to know Nayoung better." Right. Seungcheol needs to get to know the girl he'll be tied up with forever.
"Good luck, man. Tell me how it goes."
No, I don't really want to hear about how she's so perfect and how she fits with you so well.
Now Jeonghan is alone again, finishing his few remaining paper works. He tries his best to focus on the papers facing him but his mind always betrays him and distractions are always being welcomed inside his head. He looks at the paper once again and sees his best friend's name on it. Once again, he's reminded about the lunch earlier. He can vividly remember how his heart was shattered in front of the Choi's and the Im's. He wishes he can't.
As he finished his work, he lets his mind wander once again. With a pen in hand, tapping the surface of his coffee table. He groans.
He stands up and makes his way to his room to get ready to set off and go home to his parents. He opens the door and shakes his head, erasing the thought that he just realized: Seungcheol was willing to sacrifice his date with his fiancé if only Jeonghan have said yes to their Lazy Sunday earlier.
No, not again.
•
"Here. Cookies from mom." He hands the tupperware to Seungcheol. "Oh and she told me to do this too," Jeonghan then moves forward and hugs him, leaving Seungcheol wide-eyed. "She misses you." These are the moments when Jeonghan thinks his mom loves Seungcheol more than she does with him, the real son. But then it's no different when it comes to him and Seungcheol's mom, anyways.
Jeonghan didn't miss the way his best friend's gummy smile showed when he pulled away from the embrace.
"I'll call her later to thank her for these."
Jeonghan sits down on the chair in front of Seungcheol's desk and gives out a small smile as the other man sits on his own swivel chair too.
"By the way Jeonghan, about the investors from Canada, any updates? When are they coming here?" Seungcheol asks him while setting the tupperware aside on his table. He then searches for a folder through his mini drawers as Jeonghan fidgets with a pen while his legs are crossed.
He then answers, "They called last Friday and told me that they are still interested but their arrival's postponed again. I told them next week should do and they agreed." He looks at Seungcheol who's thinking deeply.
"I'll tell dad about it. He told me to bring Nayoung with me." Oh, right. Business strategies.
"Wow. What a responsible son." Jeonghan teases the older as the latter rolls his eyes.
"I'm just tired of being scolded and maybe if I give Dad what he wants, he'll leave me alone by then." He shrugs and continues scanning the folder he just found.
Jeonghan was about to stand up and make his way to his own office when Seungcheol speaks up, blurting out what Jeonghan hates to hear.
"Hey, remember my date last night?"
Jeonghan hums, urging Seungcheol to continue whatever he's about to say.
"She's not that bad herself, I guess. I can keep up with her. Unless the facade she's putting on is a far cry from who she really is." Seungcheol smiles, the smile that Jeonghan had seen so many times before but he never gets tired to see once more.
"That's great, Cheol. Seems like she's making it easy for the both of you to settle down." He can feel a huge lump in his throat but didn't pay attention to it. Instead, he follows Seungcheol's gaze towards the glass window of the office and sees dark clouds in the sky. Even when he's already at one of the highest floors of the building, the sky seems to be so close yet so far, just like what he feels when Seungcheol is around.
"It's so dark outside. Looks like it'll be a rainy day ahead." Jeonghan tears his gaze from the window to nod at Seungcheol and comments, "Well, what can you expect from mid-September weather."
"I gotta go now. I've got a lot of work to do." Jeonghan finally stands up and just when he's about to open the huge wooden door of Seungcheol's office, he hears the man speak, calling his name. He lets go of the metal handle and faces him.
"Nayoung wants to know you too. And I suggested a lunch with you. Is it alright? I would love a companion as well." Seungcheol speaks nonchalantly.
"No problem, I'll be here by noon."
Right after he sets foot outside the office, the rain falls down, just like how his heart sunk at a feeling he never thought would come back again.