Chapter Text
“I… have a favor to ask.”
Kihyun’s brow furrows, the tension in the younger’s voice causing him to pause. He sets down what’s likely the best fried chicken in the entire planet, despite how it tastes oddly of bribery now. He sits up, crossing his arms over his chest and studying the way Hyungwon won’t meet his eyes.
“If this is about your need for a housekeeper,” Kihyun begins, “don’t expect me to start doing a special side job for you. Your place needs a specialist, at this point.” Hyungwon’s big doe eyes widen just a bit, and his eyebrows wrinkle together in dismay.
“What?? No, asshole, I need you to be my date.”
Kihyun snorts, outright snorts in Hyungwon’s face, and he goes back to eating his chicken. He’s sure Hyungwon’s got to be joking, it’s the only logical explanation.
“I’m not joking,” Hyungwon defends, as if reading Kihyun’s mind. Kihyun hums, taking his time finishing off his chicken before sitting up again. He takes his napkin and wipes some condensation off his glass before wiping the tips of his fingers on it, using the moisture to grab at some of the grease lingering there.
“And that’s how you ask? By insulting me?” he prods, his voice lilting on bemused. He chooses to focus more on the teasing for now, the ways he can make Hyungwon suffer in the moment, than the request itself. It’d only get his hopes up, because obviously it doesn’t mean what he’d want it to.
He’s seen Hyungwon ask boys out that he actually has interest in, and this isn’t the way at all. This has got to be some twisted kind of joke.
Hyungwon pouts, pushing a breath out of his thick lips that ruffles his cherry blossom hair. Kihyun tries not to stare, but it’s a hard thing to do. After all, no one else in all the world would be able to compare to how beautiful Hyungwon looks with pink hair… except for maybe himself. Kihyun leans back in his seat, tilting his head to the side and pursing his lips. He can practically see the wheels in Hyungwon’s mind turning, choosing all the right words to coax Kihyun into doing this.
“My little brother is having a birthday party this weekend,” Hyungwon finally starts, his gaze seemingly glued to the table. Kihyun is almost grateful, because if there’s one thing he can never say no to, it’s Hyungwon’s eyes. He makes a small noise in his throat of understanding.
So, that’s it…
Hyungwon’s family has been bugging him about settling down with someone ever since they were both teenagers. However, Hyungwon isn’t the settling-down-type, as the younger has repeated time and again when venting to Kihyun about this very topic. It’s the single statement that’s always kept Kihyun from asking him out officially, that keeps Hyungwon forever in the friend category. As much as Hyungwon isn’t one to settle down, Kihyun is one to do exactly that.
“And you want to bring someone to keep your parents off your back,” Kihyun finishes, waving at Hyungwon to add more if necessary. But, he’s fairly certain he has the gist of it. However, he thinks not by the way Hyungwon’s head snaps up almost immediately, the gaze in his eyes almost defiant. A defiance that makes Kihyun’s heart grow just a little weaker.
“What? No,” Hyungwon assures him. “I can handle my parents. My little brother is the one that’s been hounding me more than usual lately, and I may or may not have lied to him about having a boyfriend… He wants me to bring him to his party Saturday.” Kihyun sucks in a breath through his pursed lips, already formulating the best way to say no. But, Hyungwon seems to sense that, and he lurches forward, encasing Kihyun’s small hands in his larger ones and grasping tight.
“Kihyunnie-hyung,” he almost whines, the light in his eyes switching to pleading in under a second, “ please come with me to the party… I’ll do anything in return, anything! I just need this party to be perfect for my brother, and I don’t want to disappoint him by not bringing someone.”
And, it’s in this moment, Kihyun knows he can’t say no. Not when Hyungwon is pouting and looking at him like that… It’s the look that had gotten them both in so much trouble together when they were younger. Hyungwon had always been a bad influence, getting Kihyun to skip classes with him and hide him in the utility closet for midday naps. Of course, Kihyun was the real bad influence, getting into fights and going to drinking parties when he was way underaged… But, we don’t talk about that.
Kihyun feels his own shoulders deflate, and he can only manage a small nod as he looks back down towards his chicken. He can hear the wide smile that comes to Hyungwon’s perfect face when he pulls his hands away, the relief flooding off the younger.
“Perfect!” Hyungwon chirps out, most likely hunching his shoulders forward and doing that cute little eye twinkle that he does when he’s happy. “I’ll come get you Saturday morning! I’ll drive.”
“You? Getting up in the morning?” Kihyun asks, choosing to go back to the teasing. It’s easier.
“I would do it for my brother, and no one else,” Hyungwon tells him, the return of his pout evident in his voice. Kihyun snorts again, though a bit softer and a bit more affectionate this time. Kihyun stares at the remainder of his chicken for a moment, though he isn’t all that hungry anymore.
“Well, thanks for lunch,” Kihyun says, standing and putting on his coat. “It was nice to get out of the apartment. Hyunwoo’s been driving me crazy lately with this new routine he’s working on.” Hyungwon chuckles knowingly, standing, as well, and making it look so effortlessly graceful Kihyun could outright lose it then and there.
“I know how you feel,” Hyungwon says, putting back on his own coat and following Kihyun out of the restaurant. “Heon and Min have been all over each other lately…”
“Isn’t their anniversary coming up soon?”
“That’s why.”
“Jesus,” Kihyun can’t help but chuckle, shaking his head in mock sympathy. “Well, good luck with that, Wonnie~” Hyungwon looks over to him, pouting a bit.
“That’s it? You stay with me long enough to ensure you get another date, and then you leave me to my doom? You’re so mean,” Hyungwon whines, causing Kihyun to look over and be attacked by the hard frown gracing his features. He coos mockingly, though only halfway so, and takes the opportunity to pull at his cheek.
“You’re the one who took me out as a bribe,” he points out, retracting his hand before it can linger too long. Hyungwon huffs out a long breath that comes out in a puff of smoke. Kihyun sort of lingers for a moment, expecting Hyungwon to say something more. But, when he doesn’t, he only turns to keep walking since they’re standing in the middle of the sidewalk. He’d rather not just stand around in people’s ways. Hyungwon, though, suddenly grabs the arm of his jacket, his thin fingers grasping hard at the fabric. Kihyun turns back to look at him, surprised for a moment to see the genuine gratitude in his eyes.
“Thank you, really,” Hyungwon mutters softly, just between them. “It means a lot to me… I’ll make it up to you, I promise.” Kihyun can’t help the way his heart does a little flip in his chest at how Hyungwon is speaking only for him in this moment, patting his hand a bit nervously.
“Don’t worry about it,” Kihyun assures him, also speaking softly in fear of ruining the moment. “I’m glad I can help.” Hyungwon hums, giving a small nod and letting go of his jacket. He lingers for a second more before turning towards his apartment and heading towards it, his hands mere fists in his pockets.
This is a dangerous game he’s about to play. He’ll have to make an even more conscious effort to keep his emotions in check than usual, which is bound to be tiring. And, he has to do so while putting up a front to Hyungwon’s parent and little brother. How old is the kid turning now…? Twenty-three? Twenty-five? He can’t remember. Hyungwon’s brother had always seemed like some far away, made-up person because he got to study abroad when they were all younger. He’s seen him—max—twice throughout all the years he’s known Hyungwon…
Kihyun curses under his breath, a thought coming to mind. He’ll have to figure out a last-minute gift, and with only three days until the party in question… He supposes it’s a hot night of internet snooping and overpriced overnight shipping costs for him tonight.