Chapter Text
Changkyun is used to people staring at him. Regardless of whether he's drinking at the bar, lifting weights at the gym, or simply buying groceries at his local store, Changkyun can always feel the judgemental gazes of total strangers burning holes into his skin.
He'd like to imagine that the curious glances people throw at him are simply because they find him attractive, but unfortunately, Changkyun isn't narcissistic enough to put much faith into that theory. The most likely explanation for all of the attention that he's prone to receiving is the dark ink that stains his skin, bleeding out across his body like paint splattered across a blank canvas. Changkyun channels a part of himself through his tattoos, and the ink that permanently mars his skin is as much of a part of his body as the blood that flows through his veins.
Whilst it isn't always easy for him to act like the critical glares that he receives from people - simply because of the choices that he's made - don't phase him whenever he goes out in public with his arms uncovered, Changkyun has never once wanted to turn back the clocks and choose a different path.
Changkyun's always preferred to stand out from the crowd anyway.
• • • • • • •
From the very first moment that he'd picked up a marker pen and scrawled a wonky honeybee onto an unsuspecting classmates's arm at the ripe old age of five, Changkyun had known that he wanted to spend the rest of his life painting his designs onto people's skin. No amount of scolding from the teachers could dissuade him from his dream of becoming a tattoo artist, and eventually, the adults who had once opposed him became the greatest supporters of his endeavours. Changkyun possessed a creative mind, but he was also fortunate enough to be blessed with the raw talent necessary to navigate his way towards the career that he craved so badly.
By the time that he was eighteen, Changkyun was already covered in more tattoos than he was even able to count. He'd crafted every single one of the meaningful designs himself, as well as having tattooed the majority of them onto his own skin, allowing the few places that he couldn't successfully reach himself to be permanently inked by the person that he trusts most in the world - Lee Jooheon.
Whilst Changkyun had spent numerous years of his childhood abroad in both the United States and Israel, his allegiance to his best friend had never once faltered. Perhaps it was because of the peculiarity of their first interaction as kids that their friendship flourished as securely as it had (apparently scribbling a design that doesn't fade for almost two weeks onto another child's arm is the perfect way to secure a lifelong bond), but the two friends had even ended up attending the same university, with Changkyun majoring in art and Jooheon opting to pursue a degree in music. They were a constant, steady presence in the otherwise rotating cast of each other's lives, so on the night of their graduation, Changkyun had finally agreed to tattoo a refined rendition of the honeybee that had originally sparked their friendship onto Jooheon's forearm. He'd then proceeded to lock himself in the bathroom and sob uncontrollably for the next hour - though he'd tactfully chosen to keep that small detail to himself.
Fresh out of university, Changkyun was fortunate enough to land himself a job at one of the most popular tattoo studios in Seoul, owned by a young man named Son Hyunwoo. Changkyun had made the acquaintance of the impressive business owner - who also ran several other flourishing establishments around the city - at his prestigious nightclub one evening, and the two of them had quickly hit it off. Hyunwoo had greatly admired the ink that painted Changkyun's skin, and when he'd discovered that the younger man had ambitions to work in the tattooing industry, he'd immediately offered him the chance to apply for a job at his studio. Twenty-one year old Changkyun had jumped at the golden opportunity, and after sailing through his interviews with flying colours, he'd eagerly accepted the job; he'd never once regretted his decision.
Changkyun is both the newest and the youngest of the four tattoo artists that are currently employed at Fantasia. Lee Minhyuk and Yoo Kihyun have worked at the studio since the very beginning, having played an integral part in helping Hyunwoo to launch the business four years previously.
Minhyuk is the eldest - and also the loudest - of the studio's artists. His simplistic, yet sophisticated designs are often influenced by his passion for nature, and his technical skills are widely considered to be unequivocal. He's also the member of staff designated to handle the piercing services that the studio offers - a job that his nose stud and nipple rings suggest he suits immaculately. Changkyun had even allowed his colleague to pierce his eyebrow for him after he'd assured him that he'd hardly feel the pain (Minhyuk had been lying, but the incident had been so amusing that Changkyun couldn't find it in himself to be even the slightest bit mad at his friend). Minhyuk had immediately taken Changkyun under his wing when he began working at the studio, which he'd been more than happy to embrace. Whilst Minhyuk's platinum blonde hair and gorgeous smile certainly help to enhance his charm, it's his bubbly personality, overflowing charisma, and endless positive energy that make it virtually impossible for Changkyun not to agree to elder man's whims, including their infamous road trip to Busan - a spontaneous excursion that had very nearly gotten them both arrested.
Yoo Kihyun is - in Changkyun's humble opinion - the most talented artist at the studio. Unlike Minhyuk, Kihyun rarely makes an effort to interact with Changkyun, often disappearing whenever the younger man steps into the break room, and avoiding direct eye contact wherever possible - despite the fact that he oozes a friendly confidence when he's around the other artists. Changkyun had initially chalked it down to his colleague simply being shy and reserved around newcomers, but after an entire year had passed without any significant improvement in the situation, it's difficult for him to pretend that the indifference to his presence doesn't sting.
For a reason that Changkyun isn't privy to, Kihyun is the only member of staff without any tattoos littering his skin. He does, however, have a habit of dyeing his hair an array of captivating colours, with his current choice being a delicate pastel pink that somehow manages to both accentuate Kihyun's sharp features and soften his endearing cheeks simultaneously. He's indisputably, irrevocably beautiful, which does nothing to calm the butterflies that erupt inside Changkyun's stomach on the rare occasions that Kihyun happens to glance in his direction.
Chae Hyungwon had joined the team two years after Minhyuk and Kihyun, once business began to boom and the demand for the studio's reputable skills grew beyond what the two artists were capable of handling alone. With his jet-black hair, impressive height and stunning visuals, Hyungwon could easily have walked straight out of a fashion magazine - and the silver lip-ring he sports only serves to enhance his enviable beauty. Whilst Hyungwon and Changkyun hadn't exactly seen eye to eye when the younger man had begun working at the studio, the initial animosity between the pair quickly faded after they discovered that they'd both been born in Gwangju, and their bond quickly gained strength from then onwards.
For the most part, Changkyun couldn't ask for a better tattoo studio to be employed at. The pay is more than adequate for his needs, he has a positive relationship with the majority of his colleagues, and he's able to spend his time creating art - the thing that he loves doing more than anything else in the world. In fact, there's only one tiny, yet unfortunately insurmountable problem:
Changkyun's been a little bit in love with Yoo Kihyun since the very first time that they met - and he has absolutely no clue what to do about it.
• • • • • • •
~ 10th December ~
Despite the clock having only just struck ten o'clock in the morning, Changkyun already finds himself desperately craving the warm, comforting embrace of his cosy bed. He's halfway through tattooing what he likes to refer to as a 'nightmare client' - a young, platinum blonde-haired man who refuses to keep his ass planted in the chair, yet firmly insists on pressing forward with the inking process - and Changkyun is feeling very tempted to just abandon the whole endeavour and leave the tattoo half-finished. He's seriously starting to believe that risking being sued might be a better alternative then proceeding on with such a nightmarish task.
"Are you seriously incapable of sitting still for more than thirty seconds at a time?" Changkyun scolds the man, practically straddling his lap in an attempt to get him to hold still. "Unless you want this whale to look like it's suffering from a terrible allergic reaction to some bad seafood, stop fucking squirming!"
"You're the one who's literally stabbing me right now!" The man persists with his whining, trying to twist himself out of Changkyun's grip. "And if you disfigure my whale, I'm officially uninviting you from my birthday party."
"Your birthday was last month. Your goldfish memory won't remember this conversation in a year's time."
"A tattoo is for life, Kyun - and so are the grudges that I hold."
Changkyun raises his dark eyes pleadingly up to the sky, holding his hands up in despair. "What did I do in my past life to deserve this cruel fate?"
"Judging by the face you that were gifted this time around, it was clearly something despicable." The client chips in cheerfully, jumping at the chance to insult Changkyun.
"I fucking hate you." Changkyun sighs tiredly, sweeping his fringe out of eyes. He makes a mental note to visit the hair salon whenever he can next spare the time, since Jooheon keeps on threatening to chop off the offending hair himself the next time that Changkyun accidentally walks into a wall due to his lack of visibility. Maybe he'll even splash out for a dye job if he's feeling spontaneous, since he's been sporting his natural dark shade for a considerable amount of time. "I could've finished inking you by now if you'd stop trying to fight me off."
"It's not my fault that I don't like pain!" The man protests indignantly. Changkyun can't help but chuckle at the irony of the statement, since his current client is none other than Lee Minhyuk - the most experienced (and apparently also the wimpiest) tattoo artist at their studio. Whilst the man may get paid to willingly inflict pain on others, Minhyuk is notorious for being unable to stand feeling it himself.
"You're seriously one of the most difficult people I've ever had to tattoo - I don't know how Hyungwon holds himself back from punching you in the face every single time." Although that morning is the first time that Changkyun's ever tattooing his friend, he certainly isn't the first artist at the shop to undertake the arduous task.
"Wonnie also threatens me a lot." Minhyuk admits with a pleased grin. Changkyun isn't surprised by the news; Hyungwon's known for his... interesting approaches.
"I don't think I'll ever be able to understand why Hyunwoo chose to hire a tattoo artist who's terrified of getting a fucking tattoo." Changkyun grumbles, managing to get a firm enough hold on Minhyuk's arm to anchor him in place.
"My artistic talent probably helped a little bit, but I think most of his reasoning skills went down the drain the moment he saw my face." Minhyuk snickers, momentarily too distracted by reminiscing about the memory to attempt to escape. "Hyunwoo's always been a sucker for pretty boys, since he's smart enough to know that we bring in the customers."
"I'm not sure that 'smart' is the word I'd pick." Changkyun snorts, pointedly ignoring the sickening way that Minhyuk pouts up at him. "But I understand the reasoning. What psychopath wouldn't want to stare at your face for hours on end while you repeatedly stab them with a needle?"
"Erm... are you forgetting who inked that incredible wolf tattoo on your shoulder? That's right bitch, it was me. Guess that makes you the psychopath who enjoys staring at my beautiful face!" Minhyuk gleefully points out, reaching up to playfully pinch Changkyun's cheeks, much to the younger boy's dismay.
Before Changkyun has the chance to redirect his needle to somewhere much more painful than Minhyuk's bicep (like his groin, for example), a sharp knock at the door interrupts their bickering.
"Come in!" Minhyuk calls out chirpily, without waiting for Changkyun to give his own permission. The younger man can only roll his eyes, carefully laying his tattoo machine down out of harm's way, knowing that his current client will clutch onto any excuse to pause the inking process.
To Changkyun's surprise, when he next looks up, the door has swung open to reveal none other than Yoo Kihyun standing on the other side, looking as breathtakingly stunning as always in an oversized lilac t-shirt and faded blue skinny jeans. Kihyun's excellent decision to dye his hair pastel pink does nothing to help vanquish Changkyun's minuscule crush (he swears to himself that that's all it is) on his coworker.
"Am I interrupting something?" Kihyun questions dubiously, raising an eyebrow at the scene in front of him; it's only then that Changkyun realises that he's still perched in Minhyuk's lap.
"Nope, of course not. Just... doing my job." Changkyun splutters as he hurriedly clambers off of his friend's thighs, hoping that it doesn't sound like he's implying that he gives lap dances for a living. "What can I do for you?"
"I was wondering if I could borrow your watercolour paints? I was hoping to work on my sketches today, but I was in a bit of a rush this morning so I accidentally left my palette at home." Kihyun confesses, still eyeing his coworkers dubiously. "Hyungwon mentioned that you might be willing to lend me your set for the day - if you're not using them, of course."
"Oh, sure - you can borrow them." Changkyun tells him as he crosses the room to his desk, racking his brains in an attempt to remember where he'd left his palette the previous evening and cursing his tendency to haphazardly cram his possessions into drawers whenever he's in a hurry. "I'm fully booked for appointments today anyway, so there's no chance of me needing them."
"When are you not fully booked these days?" Kihyun teases airily, taking several reluctant steps forward into Changkyun's studio. "Hyunwoo's always telling me how popular your portfolio is with our clients."
"It's probably just because I charge the least, since I'm the newest to the job. I'm definitely no better than anyone else here." Changkyun mutters, silently praying that his cheeks aren't flushing bright red as he hands Kihyun his favourite set of watercolours. "Here you go. Some of the colours are running a little low because I've had the palette for a while, but I hope it'll still be sufficient."
"They'll be perfect, thanks. I'll return them first thing tomorrow." Kihyun promises, cradling the palette in his arms as if he's scared that one wrong move will provoke Changkyun to retract his offer.
"Oh, sure. There's no rush." Changkyun assures him, painfully aware of the fact that Kihyun could probably dropkick his watercolours and he'd barely even flinch. "Well... see you around, I guess."
"Thanks again, Changkyun." Kihyun hesitantly gives his colleague a tiny, awkward wave, before firmly closing the door behind himself and disappearing off towards his own studio.
When Changkyun returns to Minhyuk's side, his friend is grinning at him like the cat that got the cream. "You're a fucking dumbass, Im Changkyun. Such an adorable, innocent dumbass."
"Please - if there's one thing that I'm not, it's innocent." Changkyun picks up his tattoo machine once again, waving it threateningly in Minhyuk's direction. "And since you want to mock me, I guess it looks like we're going with the 'whale that got into a terrible accident with an iceberg' design for the rest of your tattoo."
Minhyuk's smug expression instantly morphs into one of horror when he realises what Changkyun's implying. "No, wait! I take it back! Don't you dare come near me with that needle!"
• • • • • • •
~ 11th December ~
For the most part, Changkyun detests his trips to the gym with a burning passion. Working out is something that he only does because he feels peer pressured by society into spending time surrounded by a bunch of sweaty individuals who care more about their appearances than the number of brain cells they possess (at least that's what Changkyun likes to tell himself in an attempt to feel better about his own noodle arms).
However, if there's one person that can convince Changkyun to spend his Friday nights suffering through two hours of physical torture, it's Lee Hoseok.
Changkyun's known the notorious ulzzang for as long as he can remember. They'd lived across the street from each other for nearly a decade, and had continued to keep in touch even when Changkyun's family had moved away. Whenever he would return to South Korea to visit his relatives during the periods of time that he was living abroad, Changkyun would always make time to catch up with Hoseok, who would happily drop everything at a moment's notice just to meet up with him. The two men know almost everything about each other, so Changkyun is more than comfortable with embarrassing himself in front of Hoseok whenever he fails to perform ten successive press-ups (which is something he'd never do).
By the time that Changkyun manages to haul his ass to the gym after finishing work - he may adore his friend, but that still isn't enough motivation to get him to show up to their sessions on time - Hoseok has already claimed their usual corner of the room and begun setting up a weights circuit that will probably make Changkyun regret having ever been born.
"This is your punishment for being late." Hoseok says in lieu of a greeting, carrying ten kilogram dumbbells around as easily as if they weighed nothing more than a feather.
"Well hello to you too!" Changkyun pouts, dumping his jacket and water bottle into a unceremonious heap on the floor.
Hoseok can't help but chuckle at his friend's childish attitude, instantly shattering his composed facade. "You're in a snippy mood this evening. Bad day?"
"Do you think it means anything if your colleague gifts you an adorable sketch of a wolf pup when he returns your art supplies?" Changkyun asks as calmly as possible, trying his best to sound nonchalant - or at the very least, considerably more calm and collected than he'd acted that morning when he'd arrived at the studio to find the captivating artwork sitting on his desk.
"I see that you're still hung up on Yoo Kihyun." Hoseok grins, handing Changkyun a dumbbell so heavy that he almost topples over under the unexpected weight.
Changkyun pouts grumpily, hating the way that his friend can seemingly read his mind. The wolf pup was so obviously sketched in Kihyun's signature style that Changkyun had been left with no doubt as to who was responsible for the artwork that he may or may not have pinned above his desk (Changkyun promises that he only has a small crush on his colleague). "How do you know that this is about Kihyun?"
"Because not only have I known you for long enough to be able to read you like a book, but I also get daily updates from Wonnie about everything that you guys get up to at the studio." Hoseok gloats, picking up his own dumbbells and beginning the first exercise of the circuit. Changkyun reluctantly follows his lead, ignoring the way that his arms scream out in protest.
"How would Hyungwon know? Isn't he always too busy napping to pay attention to the rest of us?"
When Changkyun had first begun working at the tattoo shop, he'd made the fatal mistake of inviting Hoseok on a night out with his colleagues, which had led to his childhood friend sleeping with - and consequently becoming smitten with - Chae Hyungwon. That one event had signalled the beginning of potentially the greatest 'will they, won't they' saga to ever exist - which primarily involved Hoseok pining over Hyungwon, while the tattoo artist remained hopelessly oblivious to the growing frustrations of everyone around him. After dancing around each other for almost six months, Hoseok had finally plucked up the courage to ask Hyungwon out on a date, and they'd been happily together ever since (much to the relief of their long-suffering friends).
"Wonnie says that watching you amuses him. You're like a tiny puppy - always stumbling over your own paws and bounding around with a dopey expression." Hoseok grins at the look of outrage that materialises on Changkyun's face upon hearing the description.
"Tiny? I'm above average height!" Changkyun vehemently insists, lifting his dumbbells with renewed ferocity. "And stop telling your boyfriend to spy on me!"
"I just don't understand how you've managed to only exchange all of five words with Kihyun when you've been working together for over a year - the studio isn't even that big." Unsurprisingly, Hoseok chooses to completely ignore Changkyun's complaints in favour of critiquing the younger boy's social skills. "Please tell me that you don't eat your lunch alone in the supply closet everyday just to avoid him?"
"My life isn't that depressing." Changkyun grumbles, although he can't deny that he has a tendency to avoid the break room as much as humanly possible whenever he's alone. "We're both just... quiet. I'm sure we could be friends if we wanted to, but it's clear that we're both perfectly content with being colleagues who respect each other's work."
"Funnily enough, I don't believe you." Hoseok quips, tucking a few stray strands of his silver hair back under his baseball cap. "You just choose to avoid Kihyun because you're crushing on him, and you think he's too far out of your league to ever notice you."
"I don't think that! I'm attractive!" Changkyun mutters indignantly, momentarily flexing his muscles to demonstrate the confidence he has in his physique, before swiftly letting his arms drop back to his sides when he remembers who he's standing beside. Stupid Hoseok - who gave him permission to possess the body of an adorable rabbit on steroids? "And I could be friends with Yoo Kihyun if I wanted to!"
"Oh really? Then what is stopping you?"
Even though he knows that Hoseok is attempting to bait him into agreeing to spend more time interacting with Kihyun, unfortunately, Changkyun has always been notoriously bad at backing down from a challenge. "Nothing's stopping me."
"Then talk to him." Hoseok shrugs innocently, as if he doesn't know what torture he's about to inflict upon Changkyun. "If you need some confidence, just delve deep inside of your subconscious and summon the part of yourself that managed to seduce Hyunwoo that time - back when you were only eighteen."
"I thought we agreed to never speak of that incident ever again!" Changkyun shrieks, attracting the attention of almost every person in the gym.
"Sorry, it's just too funny to not bring that story up every so often." Hoseok giggles, trying his hardest to smother his laughter to avoid being beaten to death by a fuming Changkyun. "On a serious note, I think you should just go for it, Kyun. After all, it's not like you're crushing on a celebrity who'll never even know you exist - it's just Kihyun."
Changkyun hums under his breath in response, wishing that things really were that simple - because in his eyes, Kihyun is a star; stunningly beautiful, and yet so, so far out of reach.
• • • • • • •
~ 16th December ~
Changkyun wouldn't usually describe himself as a violent person, but when he arrives at work on a chilly December morning to find that his chocolate advent calendar has been ravaged, he vows to take revenge on the mysterious perpetrator using any means possible.
"Why the fuck would someone eat the chocolate that's supposed to be for days that haven't even passed yet?" Changkyun asks, unable to fathom what sort of psychopath would do such a ludicrous thing. "I swear it's basically illegal to eat any of the chocolates in advance!"
"Nothing's a crime if you're hungry enough." Hyungwon mumbles under his breath, though his voice isn't quiet enough to prevent half the room from hearing him regardless.
"I'm pretty sure that the police would still arrest you if your only defence against eating another human was 'I just felt a bit peckish'." Minhyuk quips, already beginning to doodle a comedic interpretation of the scene in his sketchbook.
"Can we please stop talking about cannibalism when I'm trying to enjoy my breakfast?" Jooheon pleads, glaring down at his chocolate croissant with disdain. Whilst he might not work at the tattoo shop, Jooheon frequently abuses his position as Changkyun's best friend in order to wrangle himself a free breakfast several times a week, having memorised the days on which Minhyuk brings fresh pastries for his colleagues. There's an unspoken rule amongst the other artists that they never bring up the fact that Minhyuk always lets Jooheon have the first pick of the baked goods.
"Yeah, let's get back to the matter at hand - figuring out who I have to castrate for ruining my Christmas tradition." Changkyun agrees firmly.
"I didn't eat your chocolates, but I'll happily buy you a new calendar if that'll make you feel better?" Hyunwoo offers with his trademark fatherly smile. Although the owner doesn't check in on his artists as often as he previously used to - since he'd quickly felt comfortable in trusting his employees' abilities to manage their affairs without his constant input - Hyunwoo still likes to drop by on occasion just to spend some time with his friends.
"Whilst the offer is appreciated, dad," Changkyun blows a kiss in Hyunwoo's direction, who succeeds in remaining impressively composed, despite the mildly provocative gesture (a tranquility no doubt acquired through years of interacting with the youngest artist), "This isn't just about being able to eat a specific piece of candy everyday in the run up to Christmas - this is about getting justice for my poor Pororo advent calendar, tragically taken from us before its time - " Changkyun's passionate speech is abruptly cut off by the arrival of the final member of staff, who instantly freezes on the spot when he enters the break room to find nothing but chaos waiting for him.
"What's going on...?" Kihyun glances cautiously around the room, clearly bewildered by the scene he's just stumbled upon. "Are you having a staff meeting that I didn't get the memo about?"
"Someone ate the chocolate out of Kyun's advent calendar, so we all gathered around to observe him handling the situation like the mature adult that he is. It's top quality entertainment." Minhyuk smirks, shooting a barrage of obnoxious finger hearts across the room at Changkyun, who struggles against the urge to leap across the room and break his friend's stupid fingers.
"Oh, that was my fault." Kihyun explains apologetically, as he sheds his winter coat. "Sorry, Changkyun - I didn't realise that the calendar was yours."
"Huh?" Changkyun is too stunned by the unexpected revelation to muster up an intelligent response. He'd thought that everyone at the shop knew about his calendar, since he'd talked his friends' ears off about how the tradition reminds him of his years spent living in Boston. In retrospect, Kihyun had never been present during such conversations, so it's not outside the realms of possibility that he was simply oblivious to the entire situation.
"Some irresponsible mother brought her child along to her tattoo appointment, and the only way I could get the kid to sit still and not touch anything was by distracting him with the Pororo calendar." Kihyun explains, chewing guiltily on his bottom lip. "I didn't realise until afterwards that there was anything still in it."
"Looks like someone else doesn't know that the chocolate isn't supposed to be eaten all in one go." Hyungwon grins triumphantly, causing Minhyuk to snort inelegantly into his coffee.
Changkyun had lectured his colleagues on numerous occasions about the importance of eating the miniature chocolates on the correct day, since he claimed it boosted the Christmas spirit (for someone who radiates such an intimidating aura, Changkyun still possesses a childlike sense of wonder about the world). Personally, Hyungwon doesn't understand the point of effectively rationing the chocolate when he could just eat it all in one go. If he's craving something sweet, and the only thing separating him from the chocolate is a flimsy cardboard door, Hyungwon's sure as hell not going to ignore his stomach just because he's supposed to wait until the next day.
"I never had an advent calendar when I was younger." Kihyun says with a shrug, accepting the strong cup of coffee that Hyunwoo hands him. "I'm sorry about ruining yours, Changkyun. I'll buy you another one tomorrow."
"No, it's alright - don't bother." Changkyun rejects the offer quickly, feeling his cheeks instantly heat up with humiliation. If he'd have known that Kihyun was involved in the chocolate thievery, he'd never have made such a huge fuss.
Changkyun’s voice must have come out a lot more harshly than he intended it to, because Kihyun quickly looks away from him, his expression startled. "Oh, okay... if you're sure."
"Since Kihyun's the one responsible for the missing chocolate, does that mean that Changkyun's going to have to tear his balls off?" Jooheon jokes playfully, ignoring the very obvious death stare that his best friend shoots him.
Minhyuk immediately joins in with the teasing, apparently more than happy to dig Changkyun into an even deeper hole than the one he's already standing in. "It's either that, or he'll have to track down the poor kid who ate the candy."
"No one is touching anyone else's balls." Hyunwoo says with such innocuous innocence that everyone in the room bursts out into gleeful laughter; everyone except for Kihyun.
"I'm going to go and set up for my first appointment." Kihyun mumbles, snagging a pecan twist from the box of pastries with a quick nod of thanks in Minhyuk's direction. "I'll see you guys later." With that, he makes a hasty exit from the break room. Nobody has the heart to point out that the tips of Kihyun's ears have turned almost as pink as his hair.
• • • • • • •
~ 18th December ~
Like most workplaces, the employees of the tattoo parlour celebrate Christmas by spending an evening together outside of their usual working environment. Unlike most workplaces, however, the tattoo artists decide against eating a civilised meal at a fancy restaurant. Instead, the colleagues settle for their Christmas tradition of getting blackout drunk, with Hyunwoo agreeing to accommodate the group at his nightclub. Changkyun suspects that the boss is just keen to keep a watchful eye on his friends, though he also promises to supply them with free drinks, which is an offer that no one can resist.
It's almost eleven o'clock at night by the time that Changkyun, Minhyuk and Hyungwon arrive at the club, after having been temporarily sidetracked by a fried chicken restaurant on their walk to the venue (all three men agree that it's best not to drink on an empty stomach, after having been witness to Changkyun's antics the previous time they'd all been out together). Although there's an impressive line of hopeful youths waiting patiently for their turn to enter the club, the tattoo artists are able to saunter right up to the door and then stroll straight on in, thanks to the VIP wristbands - bless Hyunwoo's kind soul - that adorn their wrists.
The club is undoubtedly bustling, with people already packed together on the dance floor more tightly than sardines in a tin. Minhyuk leads them straight over to the bar where Hyunwoo - despite owning the establishment - is busy serving drinks and being fawned over by a group of giggling university students. Hyungwon doesn't hesitate to elbow his way through the crowd, tugging the others along with him until they're stood directly in front of their boss, who smiles fondly at them as he prepares three shots.
"I should really scold you for being rude to my patrons..." Hyunwoo tells the trio, pushing their glasses towards them.
"Hyungwon doesn't understand that he's being rude." Changkyun informs him, downing the shot in one go and wincing at the way it makes his throat burn like he's just swallowed a ball of hellfire. "Ever since him and Hoseok got together, whenever we go out, our precious beanpole is completely oblivious to anyone who so much as glances in his direction."
"I'm still annoyed that you wouldn't let me invite him tonight." Hyungwon pouts bitterly, before he too tips his head back and swallows the shot with ease.
"This is a night for colleagues only." Changkyun reminds him, ensuring that he maintains a firm grip on Minhyuk's arm, who keeps attempting to slip away into the crowd of women. Despite having a grand total of zero interest in sleeping with members of the female gender, Lee Minhyuk is a notorious flirt - which perhaps explains why he hasn't had a successful relationship ever since Changkyun's known him. "Why do I get the feeling that you guys only hang out with me because I'm friends with Hoseok and Jooheon?"
"Joohoney?" The familiar name instantly captures Minhyuk's attention, his head perking up excitedly.
Changkyun just sighs as Hyunwoo and Hyungwon immediately crack up at his expense. "I seriously hate you guys. I hope you all fall in a well." Somehow, the laughter gets even louder.
After throwing back two more shots each and successfully dragging Hyunwoo out from behind the bar, the four men head out onto the dance floor. Whilst Changkyun might not be a trained dancer like his three companions, he still has a few tricks up his sleeve to help him keep up with them, since he's never been one to settle for being outshined. Between the four of them, it's fairly easy to garner the attention of almost everyone in the club. Perhaps it's because they're so attuned to each other that their styles complement each other perfectly as they move to the rhythm, but whatever the reason is, Changkyun can't fight back his smile. When he eventually loses his friends in the crowd, after being momentarily sidetracked when his shoe decides to betray him by flying off his foot, he realises just how exhausted he really is.
It's a little after midnight when Changkyun heads back to the bar to grab himself another drink. The majority of the energetic club-goers have made their way onto the dance floor, so Changkyun is pleasantly surprised to find that he doesn't have to strain his voice above the noise of the crowd when he orders himself a beer. Whilst Changkyun is usually all for the high-energy atmosphere that clubs provide, he can also appreciate the tranquility in sitting back with a cold drink and watching the world pass him by for a while.
Unsurprisingly, it doesn't take long for the fragile peace to shatter. One minute he's alone, but when he looks to his left only a few moments later, Kihyun is leaning against the bar beside him, his eyes fixed directly on Changkyun.
"I didn't know that you'd arrived." Changkyun manages to stammer through his shock. Kihyun looks dazzlingly stunning in a simple white t-shirt tucked into dark skinny jeans and paired with a black blazer. His pastel-pink hair has been teased into gentle waves that make him look effortlessly sexy, and sends Changkyun's heart into overdrive.
"I've only been here for about twenty minutes." Kihyun shrugs, inching ever so slightly towards Changkyun. "You weren't with the others, so I came to find you."
"Oh." Changkyun doesn't quite know what to make of that - why would Kihyun come looking specifically for him? "Well, here I am, I guess."
Surprisingly, despite Changkyun's awkwardness, the corners of Kihyun's lips quirk upwards into an amused smile. "Can I buy you a drink? Y'know, to apologise for the chocolate incident?"
"I'd be more endeared by that if all of our drinks weren't already free." Changkyun chuckles, though the intent behind the offer still warms his heart. "And you already bought me another advent calendar to make up for the first one; your debt has been paid."
"I still feel guilty though..." Kihyun admits, despite having made an extra trip to the store specifically to buy Changkyun a replacement advent calendar (it was a Barbie design rather than Pororo, but Changkyun had been too surprised to complain). "It's pretty loud over here. Do you want to go somewhere a little quieter?"
Changkyun almost points out that they can hear each other perfectly well at the bar, before quickly realising that he's being given the perfect opportunity to spend some time alone with the person that he's had a (tiny) crush on for as long as he's known him. "I'd like that."
After Changkyun drains the last of his beer, Kihyun leads them around the edge of the dance floor until they reach an empty booth that overlooks the throng of dancing people. Changkyun tries not to squirm nervously as he sinks down amongst the plush leather cushions, hoping that he isn't radiating the nervous energy that's brewing inside of him. Kihyun slides into the booth next to him, perching on the edge of his seat in the effortlessly elegant manner that seems to come so naturally to him. Still, despite their glaringly obvious differences in social etiquette, talking to Kihyun is surprisingly easy.
Changkyun learns that Hyunwoo and Kihyun have been best friends since they were toddlers, and that Kihyun had never intended to become a tattoo artist, having instead majored in photography while at university. It was only after Hyunwoo had purchased the tattoo parlour that Kihyun decided to turn his lifelong love of drawing into something more than a hobby, finding a new passion in inking his sketches onto a different sort of canvas.
Changkyun tells Kihyun about his determination to become a tattoo artist, despite the fierce opposition he faced from practically every adult in his life. He'd been a top student growing up, and could easily have followed in his father's footsteps as a scientist if that had been the career that he'd wanted to pursue. Whilst Changkyun's parents had eventually decided to support his choice of career, they'd still insisted that he work a part-time job to contribute towards his university fees - something that Changkyun had been more than happy to do.
As Changkyun talks, Kihyun listens to him intently, his expressions changing to match the topic in such an adorably endearing way that the younger man struggles to maintain his focus at times. Changkyun's never spent enough time with his fellow tattoo artist in the past to pick up on the subtle way that he wets his lips with his tongue whenever he's flustered, but the discovery only serves to enhance Kihyun's attractiveness.
"I'd better get going." Kihyun announces eventually, pulling his sleek, expensive looking phone out of his back pocket to check the time.
"It's not even two o'clock yet..."
Kihyun sighs deeply, running a hand through his wavy hair. "I have to be up bright and early in the morning. Breakfast at my parents' house begins at eight o'clock sharp, and you don't get any of the best side dishes if you're late."
"You couldn't skip it just this once?" Changkyun pouts, knowing that he probably sounds like a whiny baby, though he's too tipsy to care.
"You wouldn't ask me that if you'd ever met my mother." Kihyun chuckles, reluctantly rising from his seat.
"I don't think that your mother would like me very much. Punctuality isn't exactly my best quality." For some reason, the thought makes Changkyun frown.
"Maybe not, but her opinion about you isn't important to me." Kihyun smiles, brushing his fingers against Changkyun's knee with such a featherlight touch that it's easy to imagine that it never happened at all. "Do you know what I realised the other day? Even though we've been working together for over a year, I don't have any way to contact you."
Changkyun can't hide the beaming smile that breaks out onto his lips. "Is that your smooth method of asking me to give you my number, Mr Yoo?"
"No, I was actually after your email address." Kihyun teases, sticking his tongue out cheekily. "So... are you going to give it to me or not?"
Changkyun traitorous brain immediately latches onto Kihyun's innocent words and twists them into thoughts that he desperately tries to banish for the sake of his sanity. He sincerely hopes that the blush that stains his cheeks is hidden by the club's dim lighting. "As long as you don't mind me sending you memes at three o'clock in the morning, you can have my number."
"Wow, are you sure that you and Minhyuk aren't the same person?" Kihyun chuckles, handing Changkyun his phone without a moment's hesitation.
"Of course not; I'm much hotter than him." Changkyun quips with a playful grin, swiftly entering his number into the phone and handing the device back to its owner.
Kihyun doesn't say anything for several moments, seemingly mulling over his words before he responds, "I can't argue with that." The seemingly sincere words make Changkyun's mouth fall open in surprise. "Don't drink too much tonight - Hyunwoo can't keep an eye on Hyungwon, Minhyuk and you. I'll see you at work." And with those parting words, Kihyun walks away, melting back into the crowd like he'd never even been there in the first place.
Now alone, Changkyun remains in the booth for a while, contemplating the events of that night. He'd actually managed to have a conversation with Kihyun without majorly embarrassing himself - an achievement that he'd previously thought impossible - and surprisingly, the conversation hadn't felt at all awkward or stilted. Changkyun had felt undeniably comfortable in Kihyun's company, and whilst that might not seem like a lot, it's progress - and really, that's all that he can dare to hope for.
• • • • • • •
~ 24th December ~
On Christmas Eve, the tattoo studio remains open until midday in order to accommodate a handful of last minute bookings. After Changkyun sends his last client of the morning on their way with an instruction leaflet that they probably won't abide by (the young lady seems like the type to spend her Christmas Eve drinking), he sets about tidying up his workspace in the hopes that he won't return to find mould growing on every surface in the new year. Changkyun turns up his old-school radio until it's blasting out the standard cheesy seasonal music, and then proceeds to holler out the lyrics at the top of his lungs with all the enthusiasm that he can muster. He's so wrapped up in his own little world that he nearly topples to the floor in a daze when somebody suddenly speaks from behind him.
"You have a great voice." Kihyun is leaning nonchalantly against the doorframe, a teasing grin plastered on his pretty face.
"How long have you been standing there?" Changkyun demands, clutching dramatically at his chest as he leans heavily against his desk to regain his composure. "Almost gave me a damn heart attack."
"I've been here for long enough." Kihyun grins in amusement, moving to perch on the edge of Changkyun's padded leather chair. "What's got you in such a good mood?"
"I had a burst of inspiration for a new tattoo piece while I was on my way to work this morning, so I'm looking forward to attempting to bring it to life on paper." Changkyun explains cheerily, immediately distracted from his shock as he gathers up his remaining art supplies and throws them haphazardly into his satchel.
Kihyun watches his actions with disapproval blazing in his dark eyes, though he chooses to hold his tongue. "So you'll be busy this afternoon?"
"Nah, it'll have to wait until I have the whole day to sit down and work on it." Changkyun sighs begrudgingly, knowing that the design will probably have to remain preserved in his rather finicky memory for several more days. "Have you got any plans for the rest of today?"
"Not until this evening." Kihyun shrugs, his expression briefly clouding over before he can recover his usual collected persona. "Since you're free now, do you want to grab lunch with me?"
Changkyun is understandably taken aback by the offer, since he's never been out to eat with Kihyun alone before, but he tries his best to play it cool, "Are you paying?" When Kihyun fixes him with a look, he hurries to elaborate, "I'm just curious - especially since you keep on insisting that you need to earn my forgiveness, which you most certainly don't."
Kihyun rolls his eyes, but Changkyun can see that he's biting back a smile. "Fine, I'll buy - but that means that I get to pick what we're eating."
"Sounds like a plan." Changkyun struggles into his coat and loops his satchel over his shoulders before turning to face Kihyun with an expectant expression. "Lead the way, Mr Yoo."
Twenty minutes later, Changkyun finds himself standing on the sidewalk outside of an ice cream parlour - so heavily decked out in dainty Christmas lights that it could easily have been pulled straight from a fairytale - with his hands shoved deep inside his pockets in an attempt to protect them from the bitterly cold winter air. "This is where you want to eat?"
"What's wrong with this place?" Kihyun pouts stubbornly, his woollen beanie slipping down adorably to cover his eyes. "You'd better not be shaming me for my ice cream cravings."
"It's literally negative degrees outside!" Changkyun points out, his warm breath clouding in the air around him as if to highlight his reasoning. "Besides, this sort of place doesn't match my image; I'm going to frighten all of the little kids!"
Kihyun bursts out laughing at the thought, imaging a group of children running away from someone as gentle as Changkyun just because of his intimidating appearance. "Please - even I know that underneath all of that ink, you're practically made out of rainbows and sprinkles."
"Don't forget the unicorns." Changkyun adds, unable to restrain himself. "And for your information, I was talking about my sparkling good looks. This chiselled jawline is sharp enough to be considered a weapon."
"You're impossible." Kihyun snickers, shoving playfully at Changkyun's shoulder. "Let's go inside before you cut someone with your deadly jawline and get us both arrested."
Kihyun holds the door open for Changkyun as he ushers the younger man into the building, whereupon they're instantly hit by a wall of warmth the moment they step inside. The interior of the ice cream parlour is decked out in even more Christmas themed decorations than the exterior, with neon snowflakes and dancing snowmen adding bursts of festive colour to every available surface. Unfortunately, Changkyun barely has time to further examine his surroundings before the lady behind the counter is enthusiastically beckoning them over, beaming sunnily as if her two long-lost sons have just returned home. Luckily for Changkyun, it seems as if most of her attention is focused on his companion, "Kiki! It's always so lovely to see you!"
"Kiki? That's possibly the cutest thing I've ever heard!" Changkyun splutters at the nickname, trying his hardest to hold back a flood of giggles as Kihyun's ears instantly flush bright red.
"If you breathe a word of this to Minhyuk or Hyungwon, I won't hesitate to end you." Kihyun hisses through gritted teeth, before turning to politely greet the cheery lady. "Hello, Ahjumma. I'm sorry that I haven't visited in a while; work has been keeping me busy. I promise that I'll drop by more often in the new year."
"Nonsense, child! We'll be happy to see you whenever you can spare the time." The middle-aged woman hushes him, before - rather worryingly - turning her attention to Changkyun, who's half-tempted to hide behind his colleague. "And who's this handsome young man that you've brought along with you?"
"This is my friend Im Changkyun; we work together at the tattoo parlour." Kihyun gently rests a reassuring hand on the small of Changkyun's back as he introduces him, smiling encouragingly as if he can sense the younger man's hesitation.
"It's nice to meet you." Changkyun bows deeply, feeling the need to make the best impression possible on this stranger.
"Tattoos are such a meaningful form of art. I'd have loved to have gotten one myself when I was younger, and my beauty was still intact." The lady sighs wistfully, as if she's fondly remembering the lost days of her youth. "Sadly, my looks have faded now, so the time for such things has passed for me."
"You're still very beautiful now, Ahjumma." Changkyun insists, flashing her his most dazzling smile.
"Well aren't you quite the charmer!" The woman claps her hands together happily, pleased by the compliment. "Both of you can choose whatever you'd like from the menu; it's on the house."
"Ahjumma, we can't - " Kihyun attempts to protest, but is immediately cut off by the stubborn lady before he has the chance to get his words out.
"No, I insist. You two handsome young men deserve it."
Whilst Kihyun still seems reluctant to accept the offer, he eventually gives in and orders himself two scoops of ice cream - one coffee, the other cookie dough. Changkyun opts for a slice of chocolate fudge cake with vanilla ice cream, which tastes like heaven on a plate.
The two men profusely thank the Ahjumma before settling down at an empty table in the corner of the parlour, away from the squabbling children and fussing mothers.
"So... we're friends now?" Changkyun dares to ask as he scoops a generous forkful of cake into his mouth, his tastebuds practically melting at the divine taste.
Kihyun appears momentarily stunned by the question, though he hides it quickly by shovelling a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth to mask his bewildered expression. "I think we are. I mean, going out to eat together is something that friends usually do, isn't it?"
"If you were my friend, you'd let me try a bite of your ice cream... Kiki." Changkyun teases, hoping that he isn't pushing his luck too far in his state of happiness.
"I'm beginning to think that you might be a little bit evil, Im Changkyun." Kihyun chuckles, though he doesn't hesitate to scoop some of his own dessert onto his spoon and into the younger man's waiting mouth. "I wish I had my camera with me right now - your face whenever you eat something delicious is just too funny."
"Do you only use your camera to take photos that you can use as blackmail?" Changkyun pouts, licking a stray dribble of ice cream from his lips, which only makes Kihyun laugh harder as he shakes his head. "Now I'm curious about what you do photograph."
So Kihyun tells him. He'd been gifted a camera by his parents the year he turned ten, and from then onwards he'd developed a passion for the art form. For Kihyun, photography is a way to preserve a tiny piece of the world - a method of sealing a perfect memory into a frame that can be reminisced about for years into the future. Whilst Changkyun isn't particularly one for taking photos himself, he understands Kihyun's mindset on the matter, since capturing significant moments is something he tries to focus on in his own art.
Eventually the pair start discussing their favourite art styles, during which Changkyun happens to make a passing comment about having never seen Kihyun's portfolio.
"If you want to see some of my work, I have my sketchbook with me?" Kihyun offers bashfully, as if thinks that he'll be turned down.
Changkyun immediately scoots around the booth to sit beside him, his interest piqued. Kihyun just chuckles at his eagerness as he hands his precious sketchbook over, knowing that it'll be safe in Changkyun's possession. Then he turns his attention back to the slushy puddle that the last of his ice cream has become, hesitant to watch the younger man leafing his way through Kihyun's most beloved work out of fear that he'll get the sort of reaction he always dreads receiving.
Fortunately, Changkyun is far from disappointed by Kihyun's work - he's captivated by the detailed sketches. Whilst Changkyun's always been entranced by the photos of his fellow artist's work that are on display around the tattoo parlour, nothing could have prepared him for Kihyun's portfolio.
"This is unreal, Kihyun." Changkyun breathes, his fingers gently tracing the delicate lines of the detailed sketches as he marvels at the skilful shading showcased in the drawings. "I knew you were talented, but I didn't know it was to this extent."
"Thank you, Changkyun." Kihyun manages to mumble, his cheeks flushing in embarrassment at the praise. "Since becoming a tattoo artist was never my intended career, I've worked as hard as I can to improve my skills."
"Well it's clearly paid off." When Changkyun flicks to the next page, he's so awestruck by what he sees that he almost sends the sketchbook clattering to the floor. "You... this is..."
The charcoal sketch is smudged in places, but that does little to hide that the subject of the image is none other than Changkyun himself, sitting alone at the bar with a drink in his hand, the bright lights of the club casting shadows across his face. Changkyun suddenly finds himself struggling to breath.
"It's you." Kihyun says softly, carefully prying the sketchbook out of Changkyun's hands and tucking it back safely into his bag. "I couldn't get that image out of my head, so I did the only thing I could think. I'm sorry if it makes you uncomfortable."
"You don't need to apologise." Changkyun assures him, his pulse racing. "It's beautiful, Kihyun."
"Changkyun, I..." Kihyun whispers, his eyes latching onto Changkyun's own with such intensity that it's hard for the younger man to not tear his gaze away. Then he begins to lean in achingly slowly, until their faces are so close together that Changkyun can feel Kihyun's warmth breath tickling his cheek, and for one breathless moment, Changkyun is sure that their lips are about to connect.
Suddenly, Kihyun jerks back like he's been slapped, his dark eyes wide with confusion and something else that Changkyun can't identify.
"I... I'm sorry - I need to go." Kihyun stammers, jumping out of his seat so quickly that he only just narrowly avoids whacking his knee against the table. "Have a great Christmas, Changkyun. I'll... I guess I'll see you in the new year."
Before Changkyun even has time to process those words, Kihyun has already bolted out of the ice cream parlour, leaving him alone to try and figure out what the hell just happened.
• • • • • • •
~ 31st December ~
Throughout the years that they've lived together, Changkyun has come to understand that sharing an apartment with Lee Jooheon has many benefits. For one, he's never short of entertainment. The nature of Jooheon's job as a producer necessitates the need for him to form strong connections with a wide array of individuals embroiled in the music scene. Consequently, Changkyun's best friend is constantly being handed invitations to some of the most elite social events that Seoul has to offer as if they're pieces of candy - events that Jooheon is insistent on Changkyun attending alongside him - so the younger man is rarely consumed by boredom.
However, living with Jooheon also comes with its downsides - the most prominent one being that his best friend has developed a jarringly accurate ability to decipher when Changkyun is lying.
"So you're telling me that you don't want to attend one of the best New Year's Eve parties in the city just because you'd rather stay home and watch reruns of some crappy drama?" Jooheon raises a sceptical eyebrow, fixing Changkyun with a withering look that the younger man does his best to ignore by burying himself in his mountain of plushies.
"I'm just really tired, Joo." Changkyun mumbles, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. It's almost two o'clock in the afternoon, but he wants nothing more than to spend the rest of the day lounging around in his dinosaur-themed boxers.
"You've been asleep for over ten hours, Changkyun." Jooheon informs the younger man, his forehead creased in concern. "Even if you don't want to party tonight, you still need to eat."
Changkyun tries desperately to avoid the inevitable scolding by burying himself under a mound of blankets. "I'm not hungry."
"Did something happen, Kyun?" Unfortunately, Jooheon can read his best friend like a book. "The only time I've seen you act like this before was after you broke up with your ex."
Jooheon's question isn't an easy one to answer. In what's probably an enormously stupid move for his sanity, Changkyun chose to keep his mouth firmly sealed shut about the details of his bewildering experience with Kihyun at the ice cream parlour - because truthfully, even he can't wrap his head around the intense moment that passed between them. Had Kihyun really been about to kiss him, or was Changkyun simply projecting his feelings onto a situation where there was truly nothing but innocent intent? Even after replaying the scene on repeat in his head during the long, sleepless nights following the incident, Changkyun is still no closer to solving the mystery. In any case, Kihyun hasn't bothered to text him even once over the holiday period, which only serves to heighten Changkyun's uncertainty, since complete radio silence is never a positive sign.
"Nothing happened, Joo." Changkyun lies, scratching his head absentmindedly as he tries to shake all thoughts of Kihyun from his mind. "I guess I'm just missing being at the studio. There's only so much sketching I can do before I start to lose my mind."
"Then maybe you should do something to distract you for a while?" The suggestion is offered with calculated caution - almost as if Changkyun is a wild animal that Jooheon's trying his best not to spook, lest he lash out at him. "I'm not going to force you to come out with us tonight, but I think it might take your mind off of... everything."
That immediately gains Changkyun's attention. "Wait... us?"
"Did I not mention that I invited our friends?" Jooheon frowns, trying to recall their previous conversations.
"Which friends?" Changkyun suddenly finds himself sitting bolt upright - as if his body is acting of its own volition in response to his mild panic.
"Hoseokie, as well as everyone from the tattoo studio except for Kihyun. Apparently he has a prior commitment that he can't get out of attending."
Changkyun's tension immediately melts away at the assurance that Kihyun will be absent from the party, since he simply isn't mentally prepared to run into his colleague after the way that their last encounter had ended. "Which one of your many friends is hosting this party?"
Jooheon's face immediately lights up, unable to hold back his trademark dimpled smile. "Jackson Wang. You remember him, right? He was pretty famous for his legendary parties when we were still at university."
"I remember." Changkyun can distinctly recall becoming very well acquainted with Jackson after a particularly wild party - though he'd never disclosed that encounter to Jooheon. "Okay then - I guess we're going out."
"Really?" Jooheon launches himself onto Changkyun's bed, nearly crushing the younger man in his excitement.
Changkyun nods, unwilling to let the confusing situation with Kihyun ruin his night. "Let's do it."
• • • • • • •
Everyone's eyes are on Changkyun the moment that he steps through the door, and this time, he knows that it's because he looks really fucking hot. Dressed in his tightest leather pants and a midnight-black shirt that's only half buttoned, Changkyun is well aware of how enticing his fashion choices make him look - especially when paired with his piercings and tattoos.
Hyungwon's first words to him that evening had been, "I can just tell that tonight you're either going to fuck someone, murder them, or both." Changkyun thinks it best not to mention that the reason for his dramatic outfit is his perplexity over their very own colleague.
In a turn of events that really shouldn't have been a surprise to Changkyun, within five minutes of arriving at the party, all three of his lovely companions have ditched him. It's not difficult to guess what sort of activity Hoseok and Hyungwon have ventured off to partake in when the ulzzang is dressed in scandalously ripped jeans and a tight body suit, but Jooheon's disappearance is surprisingly unexpected - especially considering that he'd been so keen to ensure that his best friend enjoyed his night. Minhyuk never even shows up to greet Changkyun, probably too preoccupied with throwing down on the dance floor to think about saying hello to his colleague. Still, Changkyun doesn't dwell on the betrayal for very long, choosing instead to drown his sorrows in liquor like the responsible adult that he is.
By the time that Hyunwoo finds him, Changkyun is already three and a half beers down, and the pleasant haze of drunkenness is beginning to cloud his mind.
"Thought I might find you here." Hyunwoo immediately sets about prying the bottle from Changkyun's hand and replacing it with a can of grape juice that he swipes off the counter instead. "I've been told to make sure that you don't drink so much that you blackout tonight, and I intend to keep my promise."
"You're not even going to get me a straw?" Changkyun pouts, his words coming out a little slurred.
"You're too cute for your own good." Hyunwoo chuckles, though he immediately begins searching through the kitchen cupboards in order to fulfil his friend's request. "Any particular reason why you're so eager to get drunk tonight?"
"Don't wanna talk about it." Changkyun mumbles, raking a hand through his tousled hair. "I heard that your best friend's too busy to be here tonight."
"Kihyun's spending the night with his family this year." Hyunwoo informs him with a grimace, as if he couldn't think of any worse way to spend the day.
"I heard that they like punctuality." Changkyun giggles to himself, recalling the conversation he'd previously had with Kihyun on the topic.
Hyunwoo shrugs, finally succeeding in his quest to find a straw. "Ki's parents are... uptight - and that's putting it mildly."
Changkyun can't hold back his amused snort. "I guess that shouldn't really surprise me, considering that their son isn't exactly the most relaxed individual in the world." He vividly remembers witnessing Kihyun relentlessly smacking a laughing Hyungwon over the head with his sketchbook during his first week working at the tattoo studio, after his friend had accidentally chipped the rim of his favourite coffee mug.
"I've known his parents for practically my entire life, and they still mildly terrify me." Hyunwoo confesses, proudly sliding the straw into Changkyun's drink, who immediately latches his lips around it and sucks happily. "Are you going to be alright by yourself for a while? I haven't seen Minhyuk since we first got here, which tends to mean that he's up to no good."
"I'm twenty-two years old, Hyunwoo - if I haven't managed to accidentally crack my head open yet, I'm sure that I can survive for one more night." Changkyun attempts to give his friend a solemn salute as a sign of his trustworthiness, but instead just ends up almost poking himself in the eye with his own fingers.
"Surprisingly, that's not very reassuring." Hyunwoo mutters, sighing deeply as he gives Changkyun's head a fond pat. "Make sure to call me if you need anything, okay?"
"Sure thing, Papa Bear." Changkyun chirps, earning himself one last incredulous look from Hyunwoo before his friend disappears into the bustling crowd, leaving Changkyun to slurp his way through another two cans of grape juice alone.
At two minutes to midnight, Changkyun's traitorous friends are still nowhere to be found. Whilst he's huffing grumpily under his breath about having been abandoned, Changkyun scrolls through his Instagram explore page in search of a dog photo that will cheer him up.
Nothing could have mentally prepared him for seeing the picture that lights up his phone screen, because instead of stumbling across an adorable puppy, Changkyun discovers a staggering photo of Kihyun posted earlier that evening by an account that he doesn't recognise.
Kihyun looks as breathtaking as always in a sleek black tuxedo, a neat bow tie the same colour as his gorgeous pastel pink hair adorning his slender neck. However, Changkyun's eyes don't linger on his friend's figure for very long. What captures his attention is the way that Kihyun's arm is looped around the waist of one of the most beautiful women that Changkyun has ever laid eyes upon. Everything about the mysterious stranger screams that she's a million times more sophisticated than Changkyun could ever dream of being. Her long, golden hair looks expensively styled, and her stunning ruby-red dress wouldn't look out of place on the cover of a high-end fashion magazine. In the photo, the woman's attention is focused solely on Kihyun as her face lights up in a joyful smile - as if in that moment, the universe only consists of the two of them.
Changkyun tries his best to suppress his turbulent emotions, though he quickly realises that his efforts are in vain when his brain comprehends the singular piece of jewellery that the woman is wearing. The implication of the diamond encrusted ring that adorns her delicate hand is unmistakable; Kihyun is engaged to be married.