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“Yeonjun-hyung told me that you did really well at the shoot,” Hueningkai said, tossing another handful of jellies into his mouth. Soobin nearly choked on his water, wincing as he forced it down and looked over at Kai. “Is that all he said?” he asked, sounding completely guilty. Kai raised a brow, sitting up a little straighter and putting his jellies down. “Did something else happen?” the younger questioned. Soobin felt his cheeks heat up before he quickly stood up and went to the kitchen.
Kai gasped, twisting on the sofa and looking over the back of it as Soobin filled up his glass. “What happened?! Tell me!” Kai demanded, a gleeful expression on his face. Soobin side-eyed him, before shaking his head. “Nothing happened, don’t worry about it,” he said dismissively. Kai pouted but didn’t say anything, turning back around. Soobin relaxed a little as the quiet settled over them again.
Only then Soobin heard the tell-tale sound of the FaceTime ringer and his heart dropped into his ass. He gasped, abandoning his water and diving toward Kai. “What are you doing?!” he hissed, blood running cold when he saw Yeonjun’s contact name up at the top of the screen. How did he not know Kai was that good of friends with him?
Now that he thought about, Soobin didn’t know hardly anything about Kai’s life as an idol. It wasn’t for lack of curiosity or asking, it’s just that he learned early on that Kai used Soobin as a sort of escape from the pressures of the idol world. To Soobin, Kai was just his lifelong best friend.
“I’m just going to ask Yeonjun-hyung if anything happened! Corroborate your stories, you know?” he reasoned, giving Soobin a cheeky grin. Soobin whined, covering his face as he moved to the other side of the living room and curled up in the loveseat. He did not want Yeonjun to see him, and the fact that Kai could just turn the camera over to him was slightly terrifying.
He had just started to hope that maybe Yeonjun wouldn’t answer, and then the call connected. Kai’s face broke into a huge smile and he greeted Yeonjun. “Hi, hyung!” he shrieked. Soobin heard Yeonjun laugh, voice a bit crackly, and his heart twisted. He hadn’t spoken or seen Yeonjun since they kissed last week, and he had started to accept that it was just a heat of the moment thing, and nothing else was to come from it. They didn’t even exchange numbers.
“Did you need something, Hueningie?” Yeonjun asked. Soobin bit his lip, wrapping his arms tighter around his knees as he listened. Kai giggled, leaning back against the couch and holding the phone over his face. “I’m over at Soobin-hyung’s,” he remarked. Soobin’s eyes widened and he sat up, pretending to throw something at the younger. Kai looked at him, giggling even more and completely giving it away. Soobin sighed and slumped back in the loveseat, staring up at the ceiling.
In his fit of surprise, he missed Yeonjun’s response. So did Kai, apparently, because he asked Yeonjun to repeat himself as his laughing died down. When Yeonjun spoke, it sounded like there was a smile in his voice. “I asked if Soobin-ssi was there, but now I know that,” he explained, chuckling at the end. Soobin felt his cheeks burn again and he willed the blush to go away. Kai only grinned, before standing. “I actually need to go to the bathroom so,” he said, walking toward Soobin.
Soobin paled as he realised what Kai was doing. He shook his head violently, even leaning back as Kai mischievously approached him. “You hold the phone, hyung, I’ll be right back,” he said, mirth in his tone and his eyes. He then unceremoniously dropped his phone in Soobin’s lap and Soobin scrambled to grab it, quickly making sure the camera was facing the ceiling and not him. Kai left down the hallway then, leaving Soobin alone with a racing heart.
He chanced a quick glance down at the phone to make sure he was out of frame, and then he saw Yeonjun. His jaw dropped when he saw that his hair was bright pink, longer in the back than it had been when they met. It worked so well with his skin, reminding Soobin of a pixie. He was bare-faced but still so beautiful, the curious expression on his face making Soobin’s stomach do somersaults.
He really got to kiss him?
“Soobin-ssi? Are you there?”
Soobin startled, frame shaking as he flinched, which made Yeonjun giggle softly. “Why can’t I see you?” he asked, voice so sweet and gentle. He also sounded a bit disappointed, like he really wanted Soobin to show his face. Soobin chewed his lip as he tried to muster up the courage to lift the camera. He didn’t look that great today, just dressed in a hoodie and his hair messy. He ran a few fingers through it as he contemplated. He decided to at least answer, rather than ignoring the elder completely.
“I don’t look good right now,” he replied. Yeonjun instantly scoffed, waving his hand in front of his face. “That’s a lie,” he shot back, flashing Soobin a toothy smile. Soobin stared down at Yeonjun, heart beating even faster. He preferred it this way, where he could stare openly at the idol and not worry about him seeing. The silence draped over them, and then Yeonjun moved closer, features softening.
“Let me see you, baby,” he whispered.
Baby.
Baby.
Baby.
Soobin was dreaming. He had to be. Yeonjun did not just call him ‘baby’. Soobin hadn’t even dared to call him ‘hyung’ yet. But he had called him baby, and Soobin’s entire body reacted. His heart jumped into his throat and his face grew so warm he was afraid he’d start sweating. How could he deny a request that sweet?
He took a deep breath, and then slowly lifted the phone until his entire face was in frame. Yeonjun’s mouth split into a breathtaking smile and his eyes crinkled at the corners before softening. “Hello, Yeonjun-ssi,” Soobin managed, quiet. Yeonjun chuckled, resting his chin in his hand as he stared at Soobin through the screen. “You can call me hyung, Soobin-ah,” he permitted with a wink. Soobin blushed, looking away for a second before nodding. He had no idea what to say, his mind going blank every time he met Yeonjun’s eyes.
“What are you and Hyuka doing?” the elder asked, carrying the conversation. Soobin looked over his shoulder, suddenly reminded of his best friend who was taking a mysteriously long time in the bathroom. “Uh, just hanging out. We don’t really make plans anymore,” he answered. Yeonjun hummed, still smiling softly as he openly gazed at Soobin. It made Soobin want to put the phone back down but he resisted, trying to feel flattered instead of nervous.
Thankfully, Kai returned then, snatching the phone from Soobin’s hand without warning. Yeonjun let out a shout of protest, which warmed Soobin’s heart, and then Kai was sitting back down on the couch. “Sorry, hyung, I forgot why I called you,” he said, clearly lying. Soobin gaped at the younger, wondering what exactly he was plotting now.
“Yah, Kai-ah, you’re just trying to waste my time!” Yeonjun exclaimed, sounding rather adorably annoyed. Kai rushed to apologise, waving his hand in front of the screen. “I’m sorry! I’ll let you go do whatever it is you were doing,” he said. Yeonjun laughed, and suddenly Soobin felt a sharp stab of sadness at the thought of Yeonjun hanging up.
But he said nothing, and Kai hung up, and that was that. He still didn’t have the idol’s number, he still didn’t understand what was going on between them. Yeonjun had called him ‘baby’ and it made something new erupt in his body, an intense feeling of being wanted. It was unfamiliar to him, but he already craved more.
Kai only gave him a smug look and then went back to playing games on his phone as if nothing had happened. It felt like the entire thing had been an experiment and Soobin decided to just leave it. If this was Kai’s way of meddling in his love life, he wouldn’t try and stop him. Because lord knows, he needed someone to meddle or nothing was ever going to happen.
Soobin had acted as Kai’s plus one to several of his exclusive industry events. It was rather fun if he was being honest, getting all dressed up and drinking free alcohol with his best friend. Sure, it sometimes resulted in rumours that the two of them were dating, but Kai’s company was lenient and didn’t pay any mind to gossip or tabloids. Those who mattered knew the truth, and Soobin never fed into any of the attention. Eventually, the paparazzi and magazines accepted that he was just a friend.
This particular event was for the launch of some new subsidiary that Soobin didn’t bother to research. Kai had been complaining about it all week, sending Soobin all sorts of pouty texts and voice memos about how he had to learn how to network and talk to rich people in the hopes that they’d invest in his company.
“I’m an idol, I don’t know how to do all of this administrative stuff!” he cried as they rode in the car together. Soobin laughed, patting Kai’s knee comfortingly. “Just smile and be yourself, you’re charming!” he reassured. Kai only blinked at him, before suddenly wiggling his eyebrows. “Yeonjun-hyung is gonna be there,” he sang, smirking.
Soobin turned red, immediately looking out the window and pressing his lips together. He couldn’t deny that the information made his heart beat a little faster and his palms a little sweaty. It had been another week since the FaceTime call, making it two weeks since he had seen the idol in person. He wasn’t sure how he was going to react this time, especially being in such a public place, surrounded by people who were already going to be keeping a curious eye on him.
As far as he knew, Yeonjun had never been present at any of the past events, but then again, he hadn’t been looking. And Soobin just knew he was going to look good, striking even, and he wasn’t sure if he was going to be able to handle that. The last thing he wanted was to be reduced to a blubbering mess in front of some of South Korea’s elite, and yet that’s exactly where he was headed.
Kai giggled, relaxing back in his seat as they got closer to the venue.
Soobin was never quite prepared for the level of luxury he got to experience being a plus one. He was accustomed to his mediocre but satisfying life as a budding photographer about to turn in his final project. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to the grandeur of the wealthy class, the way everything almost seemed to glow it was that expensive. Even the people glowed.
As Kai walked in, bowing to a few people Soobin didn’t know, Soobin found himself gazing at the room they were in. It was a ballroom, and an extravagant one at that. There were chandeliers hanging from the ceilings, a string quartet played soft music from a small stage off to one side, and everyone was dressed in head-to-toe designer brands. Thankfully, Soobin owned one very nice suit so he didn’t look too out of place. Perhaps his awestruck gaze gave him away instead, but he didn’t mind.
Kai looped his arm through Soobin’s and started walking them into the thick of things. The younger was babbling about who he needed to talk to and how long it was going to take and how maybe they could get some ramyeon after and have a movie night. Soobin was trying to listen, but as they walked further into the throngs of people, he couldn’t help but search for a head of bright pink hair.
He had no idea if he even really wanted to see Yeonjun—that was a lie, he definitely did, but the idol was scary. He had no clue what he’d even say, or if he’d be able to act courteous. Yeonjun made him weak, made him forget his words or his manners.
Okay, yeah, it was definitely not a good idea to try and find him.
Soobin stood vigilantly by Kai’s side as he networked and spoke to various producers and executives, doing quite well in Soobin’s opinion. He always bowed politely when he was introduced, talked Kai up when he felt he should, and encouraged Kai in-between meetings.
Nearly an hour had passed and Soobin had almost forgotten that Yeonjun was supposedly in the same room as him. He was starting to get a little hungry, and was turning to ask Kai if he wanted to go find a snack when he suddenly found himself locking eyes with none other than Choi Yeonjun himself.
The idol was a couple meters away, several people separating them, but both of them were tall enough that they could see each other. Soobin instantly felt his cheeks heat up as Yeonjun sipped his champagne and gave him the same sweet smile he gave him from the FaceTime call. It sent a chill down Soobin’s spine, and he quickly turned away.
“Shit,” he whispered under his breath. Kai looked up from his phone, furrowing his brow. “Hyung, is something wrong?” he asked, genuinely concerned. Soobin glanced at him, before shaking his head, nervously smoothing out his suit jacket. “No, I’m fine,” he said. Kai stared at him, before looking over his shoulder and smiling mischievously. “Ohhh, now I understand,” he giggled, clapping his hands lightly.
Soobin shot him a glare, before Yeonjun was suddenly right next to him. And Soobin was going to die. He didn’t know how many more times he was going to survive seeing Yeonjun in the flesh. This might be it. There were never enough words to describe how Yeonjun looked or the way he made Soobin feel, but apparently they weren’t needed, because Yeonjun spoke before he could.
“If I had known you were going to be here I wouldn’t have dreaded coming as much,” the elder openly flirted, shamelessly looking Soobin up and down. Kai squealed, hitting Soobin’s arm before bowing to Yeonjun. “I told him you were going to be here, hyung!” he shrieked. Yeonjun looked at him for a moment, before smiling gently at Soobin. “It’s really nice to see you again,” he said.
Soobin blushed, before shyly returning the smile. “It’s nice to see you too, h-hyung,” he replied. Yeonjun’s entire face lit up when Soobin called him ‘hyung’, and he moved closer, looking directly at Soobin. Kai had the wherewithal to walk away, which only caused Soobin to mildly panic, looking around him for a moment.
Yeonjun stepped closer, tuning in to Soobin’s distress, and gently took his hand. Soobin immediately zeroed in on the contact, the feel of the elder’s palm against his incredibly soothing. “Do you think Kai will be okay without you for a few minutes?” he asked, voice soft. Soobin gulped, the implications of Yeonjun’s words reaching the most obscure parts of his mind. He nodded, and then let Yeonjun lead him away, their hands firmly locked together.
They wound through the crowd, a few heads turning to look but nobody too curious, and Soobin willed his cheeks to cool and his heart to slow as he followed Yeonjun to wherever it was he was taking them.
Turns out, he was taking them to a courtyard. It was quite beautiful, and Soobin felt a smile spread across his face. He really wished he had his camera with him, because the way the moonlight was filtering through the tree branches was rather ethereal. A tug on his hand reminded him that he wasn’t alone, and he flushed, a little embarrassed at being caught. But Yeonjun was only smiling admirably at him, face glowing under the light.
“I could barely breathe in there, it was so stuffy, don’t you think?” he asked. Soobin stared at him—were his eyes actually twinkling or was he just making that up?—before quickly agreeing, nodding his head. “Uh, yeah,” he replied. Yeonjun’s eyes crinkled as he giggled, reaching out and brushing his thumb over Soobin’s earlobe. “You’re so cute,” he cooed.
Nope. Soobin couldn’t do this. Yeonjun was too overwhelming and at this rate Soobin felt like he was either going to pass out or have a heart attack. It seemed that Yeonjun noticed though, because he grew serious, a little worried even. “Hey, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to freak you out,” he started to apologise, but Soobin quickly cut him off, shaking his head.
“No!” he cried out, blushing harder. He pushed through anyway. “No, I’m sorry, I’m just not…used to this.” He looked down in slight shame, gaze falling on his hand still in Yeonjun’s. The idol only took a small step closer, and Soobin forced himself to look him in the eye. The elder looked a bit confused, head tilted adorably. “Used to what? Someone flirting with you?” he asked, un-accusing.
Soobin bit his lip, before nodding. It was true. He had had a few flings in the past, but nothing like this. There had never been any ‘chase’ involved. He simply didn’t attract that kind of attention, until now.
“Well,” Yeonjun said, causing Soobin to look back at him. He had a small smile on his face, and he took another step closer. “I’ll be straightforward with you, then.”
Soobin swallowed, staying quiet. Yeonjun seemed to appreciate it, adjusting their locked hands so his fingers slipped between Soobin’s. “I like you. At first I thought it was just a physical attraction, but after that FaceTime call I realised that it was more.” He took a deep breath then, and Soobin couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“I’m not sure what could happen, but I want to find out,” Yeonjun continued, and Soobin saw a sliver of vulnerability for the first time. “I really want to find out.”
He looked at Soobin desperately then, and Soobin realised he was finished speaking. His mind was a whirlwind of possible replies, but his mouth could produce no words. He didn’t want Yeonjun to think he was about to reject him so he lifted a hand and shyly rested it on the elder’s cheek. Yeonjun’s lashes fluttered and a beautiful blush spread over his cheeks, and Soobin was a goner.
He hardly knew anything about this boy, didn’t even have his phone number, but he couldn’t deny that something was there. And he really wanted to find out, too.
“I’ve n-never had a proper boyfriend before,” he whispered. He wasn’t ashamed of it, but he thought it might be a good idea to let the boy know exactly what he was getting himself into. Yeonjun responded by smiling softly and leaning his cheek into Soobin’s hand, his other hand settling on Soobin’s waist. “Do you know how lucky that makes me feel?”
“Holy shit!” Soobin shrieked, nearly falling out of his chair. Yeonjun shot up from where he had been sleeping in Soobin’s bed, blinking rapidly. “What’s wrong?” he slurred, pushing his hair out of his face. Soobin quickly refreshed the page, making sure he had read the email right. As his eyes scanned the page, Yeonjun pushed the covers off his body and got up, moving to where Soobin sat. “What is it?” he asked, leaning over Soobin’s shoulder.
Soobin couldn’t stop smiling like an idiot as he pointed at the text on the screen. “My photographs got accepted! They got accepted, hyung!” he explained. Yeonjun gasped, leaning closer and using the mouse to read the entire email. Soobin was giddy, nearly bouncing in his seat like an overexcited child. Yeonjun’s grin only grew as he finished reading and then he was spinning Soobin around and climbing right into his lap.
“I’m so proud of you baby, holy fuck,” he said, wrapping his arms around Soobin’s neck. Soobin giggled, holding his boyfriend steady as he looked up at him. “This could open up so many doors, hyung,” he said, another rush of happiness coursing through him. Yeonjun buried one of his hands in Soobin’s hair, angling his head before he leaned down to kiss him. Soobin smiled into it but kissed back with as much force as he could muster. His hands slid up Yeonjun’s back and pulled him closer, the kiss deepening.
It was bliss kissing Yeonjun, every single time better than the last, and Soobin had spent the last month happier than he had ever been before. Yeonjun was perfect. Everything about him complimented everything about Soobin, and vice versa. It was working, and Soobin was in heaven.
When the elder pulled away, he pecked Soobin’s nose before climbing off of him and pulling him up. Soobin let himself be pulled, still jumpy. “I have to call Hyuka, and you should call Taehyunnie and Beomgyu! Should we celebrate? Or is that too pretentious?” he babbled, not even noticing that Yeonjun had them both on the bed and was proceeding to unbutton Soobin’s night shirt.
“We can call them, baby, but first I thought we could celebrate just the two of us,” he said, looking at Soobin. Soobin finally registered what his boyfriend was doing and blushed furiously, but nodded rapidly. “I’m okay with that,” he replied breathlessly. Yeonjun laughed, before pulling Soobin into his arms and kissing him again. Soobin kissed him back and let himself drown in everything that was Choi Yeonjun.