Work Text:
[HOUSEMATE WANTED]
$600/a month (utilities included) - near Exodus National University
Your own room and toilet!! Shared spaces include living area, the kitchen and the laundry room!!
Preferably Male, around 20-30s but we're not fussy!! I think.
My soon-to-be ex-housemate is ALSO SINGLE !!! READY TO MINGLE !!! so if you're into men, ;) ;) ;)
I dropped out of school LOL so my housemate needs a new housemate!! The apartment is nice I PROMISE
Contact me @ Baekhyun 06051992921 if interested!! We would need to interview you first :)))
"What the hell, Baek?!"
"What?"
"We're trying to look for a housemate, not a potential husband!"
"Well, I was just trying our luck, damn, ungrateful asshole."
Jongdae rolls his eyes as Minseok comes into the room.
"Honey! Save me from this ungrateful peasant!" Baekhyun opens his arms, but his boyfriend only walks past him into the kitchen.
"Even your boyfriend doesn't want you," Jongdae softly remarks, and Baekhyun smacks him with a pillow.
Minseok comes back into the living room to two grown men destroying the remaining 2 pillows they had on the sofa.
"Coming!" Jongdae fixes his hair as he opens the door to insistent knocking.
"Hi."
"Um, hi...? Do I... I've a delivery?" Jongdae rubs his eyes and looks at the wide-eyed man in front of him.
"What? No. I'm here because of the apartment space ad." He hikes up his glasses, "I'm... D.O."
"Oh! I'm Jongdae... Baek didn't mention a visit today..." Well, he hasn't seen his housemate for 2 days, and when Baekhyun's with his boyfriend... He's practically uncontactable.
"Is it a bad time?"
"No! No, come on in. It's a little messy, I'm sorry. We're just moving things around and Baek's moving out so..."
"No worries."
The potential housemate steps in and sees that the house wasn't so bad after all. He really expected another dirty, messy, awful dorm inhabited by male college boys, but it's decent... so far. Definitely the cleanest apartment he's seen thus far.
"Um..." Jongdae scratches the back of his hair, "Just give me a sec." He needs to have a talk with his best friend real quick.
"Ok."
Jongdae: DUDE???? YOU DIDN'T TELL ME SOMEONE WAS GOING TO COME TODAY????????
Jongdae: DAMN YOU BYUN BAEK
He walks out of the room to see D.O. (weird name) scanning through the kitchen, and checking whether the stove works.
"Um... I can show you your room? I mean... the one... the one that's not mine but could be yours if you decide - Yeah I'll shut up now."
"Sure. Lead the way," the other man replies coolly.
Jongdae clumsily gives a tour of the rest of the apartment, before they ended up in the kitchen again, and he finally gets a message back from his best friend.
Baekhyun: Oops.
Fuck you, Byun Baek.
D.O., now known as Kyungsoo, moves in about 3 weeks later, when the place is much cleaner, and Baekhyun has already interrogated interviewed him the day after he came.
Jongdae sees Baekhyun smirk at him from the side of his view, and he sighs, "What?"
"You know Kyungsoo... He's your type."
"Ok."
"Dae~" Baekhyun whines, and he traps the younger man by sitting on his lap. This would be a normal occurrence, even Minseok's used to it, but for a stranger, Kyungsoo, to walk in on them, it looks like they were both in a very compromising position.
"Oh, um sorry!" Kyungsoo tries to escape to his room quickly but...
"No worries, come sit with us!" Baekhyun nonchalantly pats the space beside them, and yes, he's still on Jongdae's lap.
"Baek-" Jongdae tries to push his friend off, but he knows it's pretty useless. Kyungsoo awkward sits beside them, but looks at the TV in front of them.
"So you're single, right?"
"BAEK! You've asked this already, stop it," Jongdae warns. Baekhyun groans and pats Kyungsoo's shoulder.
"You've been a great housemate thus far, but I heard your cooking is to die for."
Kyungsoo finally sounds, "And...?"
Now it was Jongdae's turn to groan, finally pushing his best friend away onto the floor, "He's trying to get free food even when he's not staying here anymore. Ignore him. I can cook for us, what do you want?"
"Fine! Minseok was going to bring me out for meat anyway!" He huffs, before lying down on the sofa to nurse his sore butt.
"I can cook, it's okay." Kyungsoo gets up and they both walked into the kitchen. Rummaging through what they have, they both decided to just cook some fried rice and spam, and made plans to go to the grocery store tomorrow.
"Aw, look at you both! So domestic already~" Baekhyun sings just as the door opens.
"Good, bring this brat away from us, he doesn't stay here anymore," Jongdae rolls his eyes as Minseok pulls his boyfriend up from the sofa.
"RUDE! I used to stay here," Baekhyun retorts.
"Keyword: used," Kyungsoo chimes in, making Jongdae chuckle.
"Yeah, now Soo lives here, so shoo!" Jongdae waves him away, but unknowingly misses the little colour of the other man's face at the cute nickname.
"Okay, okay! We will leave you two lovebirds be~ Bye losers!" Baekhyun gives his final farewell, and the door shuts behind them.
"He's annoying."
"Yup."
"This is really good." Jongdae may have moaned a little on that first bite, it's just that amazing. All the food cooked by Kyungsoo so far has been great, and the beef stew he cooked two nights ago was his favourite.
"Thank you."
"It's such a simple meal but the flavours... Wow. Baekhyun would be crying right now... I should take a picture!" Jongdae quickly snaps one and send it to his best friend, along with the tongue sticking out emoji. He gets the middle finger emoji as a reply. "Where did you learn to cook so well?'
"I grew up watching both my grandmother and mom cook, and eventually, I learnt to love it as well. Some recipes are theirs, some are mine."
"Do you prefer baking or cooking?"
"Cooking. Because baking is a little more difficult to master for me."
"I can't believe I got my own personal chef now~" Jongdae teases, "What an upgrade!!"
Once they've cleaned up, Jongdae had suggested a movie night. Sort of.
"I've been wanting to watch this show for ages, but Baek's always gallivanting with his boyfriend, and the series already ended."
"Do you like Brahms? I heard it's a good show."
"Me too, that's why I wanted to watch it."
"Sure. Let me just wash up first, meet here in 15?"
They spent the next 4 hours or so just binge-watching the entire series, and somehow, didn't really realise that they fell asleep on each other until Baekhyun (why is he always coming back?) came in the morning, took some pictures, before blasting the newest EXO song loudly.
"FUCK! I should change the locks," Jongdae mumbles to himself.
"Yes, definitely, I would even pay for it," Kyungsoo grumbles, glaring at the most problematic person in the room.
"You know that I don't need a key to get it right?"
"Let's just invest in an electronic door lock."
From that night on, it seems like a dam breaks, because Jongdae has been spending much more time with Kyungsoo, that Baekhyun even points it out and complains about it.
"You have your boyfriend. And Soo is really good company."
"Better than me?" Baekhyun pouts.
"Well... do you want the truth or should I lie?"
His best friend only sighs, dramatically adding, "I'm being replaced."
"You and him are both different. I'm less stressed and more relaxed with him. You? Not so much."
"I'm funner though!"
"Sure."
"I'm sorry you didn't get a boyfriend out of this deal."
Jongdae chokes at Kyungsoo's statement, "What?"
"I was just reminded by the ad that was put up by your friend."
"Oh that. He didn't even run that by me. I scolded him after, but I was never looking for a boyfriend, no."
"But are you... like interested in men?"
Jongdae gauges Kyungsoo's body language, before he nods, "Yes. All my past relationships have been with men."
"Oh... Me too."
"Wait... did you answer that ad in hopes you'll get a boyfr-"
"NO NO!" Kyungsoo widens his eyes and waves his hands in front of him in denial, "I really needed an apartment!" His panicked voice made Jongdae laugh so hard till his stomach hurts, even more so when he sees how red the younger man has become.
"I'm just teasing~" Jongdae giggles again, and Kyungsoo threatens to never cook for him again.
"I'm home!" Jongdae sings as he closes the door behind him.
"Good; I need you to try this for me."
It's been about 8 months since Kyungsoo moved in, and they're both now really, really close. Like Jongdae hugging him from the back and Kyungsoo feeding him in that position kinda close. Yes, Baekhyun had some competition.
But it seems like Kyungsoo's winning anyway so it doesn't really matter.
"Umm, it's good. As always." Jongdae sinks his face further into the crook of the younger's neck; something about Kyungsoo's mint apple scent that calms him, before pulling away. "What is it?"
"Lobster bisque."
"Whatever that is, sounds great. I'm going to wash up now, wanna join~?" Jongdae winks.
"Tempting offer, but unless you aren't eating dinner, you're going to have to bathe alone."
It's funny how someone like Kyungsoo would indulge in all of the older man's antics like this. One would think they both wouldn't be on the same wavelength, but truthfully, they are very comfortable around each other and balance out each other's humour and seriousness. Jongdae loves Baekhyun, but Kyungsoo was definitely a better fit for him as a housemate, now that he thinks about it. Also, he cooks way better than his best friend ever could, so really, Baekhyun leaving was a blessing in disguise. It's good for him too, with the way he brags about how much sex he has with his boyfriend now that they're staying together. Jongdae didn't need to know any of that, but he does anyway.
It was another movie night, this time in Kyungsoo's bed, which he recently upgraded to a bigger size.
'It's really more comfortable than mine' is Jongdae's ongoing excuse for always sleeping over in his room. Kyungsoo only hums in acknowledgement.
All was going well so far until...
"Well, well, well. Look what we have here!" Baekhyun jumps onto Kyungsoo's bed, waking up the two men on it (and one of them already planning some sort of murder to the intruder).
"Fuck, how did you even get in?"
Baekhyun only smirks and inserts himself between the two, "Get a better password next time, and not the date Kyungsoo moved into the house."
"I thought he would be too dumb to realise?" Kyungsoo mumbles.
"Sorry, he's usually not this smart," Jongdae answers back, and gets up, "What do you want?"
"I was bored. Minnie had to go off early to the airport and I'm lonely~" Baekhyun whines, "But I find you the both of you in your post-sex glow."
"We didn't have sex, idiot," Jongdae groans, and Kyungsoo smacks the oldest man with a pillow.
"Then why are you on the same bed?"
"It's comfy," Jongdae replies as Kyungsoo reluctantly gets up and announces he's making breakfast.
"Seems like you're getting that boyfriend after all."
"Get out."
"I'm serious! You were both cuddling. You only did that with me!"
"And we never dated, so it's not a big deal. Cuddling that is."
"That's because I was already dating someone else."
Jongdae groans; he really had planned to sleep in today.
"I know you might think, 'Hey Baek, people can be just friends too!' And while I would agree, I've seen the way you look at and act around him."
"I like him better than you."
"Okay, I didn't realise that today is 'Hurt Baekhyun's feelings' day. But really, I... haven't seen you like this around other people before. And we've been friends for years."
"Please elaborate how exactly?" Jongdae finally gets up and dresses himself appropriately... in Kyungsoo's room.
"You have your own drawer in this room?! You didn't even have one when I stayed here!"
"No. These are his clothes."
"And you're just taking them freely?!"
"Yeah?" Jongdae doesn't think it's weird at all... taking his own housemate's clothes when his room is right beside his.
"Exhibit one and two. You don't sleep in my room, and you never take my clothes when I stayed here."
"That's because you're a slob, and you sleep past 3am. We're both early sleepers."
"How about how you both already act like a married couple?"
"We're both just comfortable around each other."
"Remember when I said he's your type? Why don't you go for it?"
"Baek, it's 9 in the morning on a Sunday. I don't have time for your questions this early in the day! Ask me during working hours. I'm going to help Soo with breakfast."
"Soo? Have you eaten?" Jongdae places his ear against the younger man's door, and barely hears a mumbled, 'No.' That was completely an invitation for Jongdae to come in, one hand holding a bowl of macaroni and cheese, because that's one of the few dishes he could make on his own.
"Here~" Jongdae knows how Kyungsoo gets when he's practically glued to his school work, so instead of just leaving the bowl there, Jongdae feeds him (And Kyungsoo is a-okay with it somehow). The former goes out to get him a drink as well, with a straw, so the younger student didn't have to look away from his laptop to hydrate himself. After he's done with the meal, Jongdae washes up and goes back into the room, giving Kyungsoo a quick shoulder massage, before retreating to his bed. When Kyungsoo finally finishes his work, bathes and settles beside Jongdae, did he thank the older man for taking care of him, and they cuddle each other close to sleep.
When Kyungsoo first decided to move into the apartment, it's solely because he thought the other housemate would be a student too. They would keep to themselves, mind their own business, and really, it was a great location with good rent - Kyungsoo couldn't possibly give that up. What he thought would be a very independent-living situation, was quite frankly, and obviously, the opposite, and normally, he'd hate this arrangement since Kyungsoo really like his own personal space. But when Jongdae comes crashing into his life, with his bright, beautiful smile, and comforting personality, Kyungsoo finds that he likes it a little too much. Maybe this was a change he didn't know he desperately needed, since he does feel like life has gotten a lot better since then. Kyungsoo's always ever so thankful for Jongdae for taking care of him when he couldn't.
When the hell week comes to an end, Kyungsoo brings the older man out for a very nice dinner; one of his favourite restaurants for Chinese food, claiming that he'd pay and the older man could order anything. It's also in celebration for Jongdae completing one of the longest projects he's had for his career, so Kyungsoo was willing to splurge for someone who had managed to take care of him well so he didn't collapsed and burn out, while still working hard on his project.
They ordered every type of dimsum, and some fried rice to begin with, along with some beer, and even if Kyungsoo's wallet has got a huge hole at the end of the night, they were both satisfactorily full from the good food. They decided to walk along the river; it was a nice, cooling night, and Jongdae had wanted to get some ice cream.
"Can you believe it's been a little more than a year since I moved in?"
"Oh, oh yeah!" Jongdae's eyes brighten, "It feels like we've known each other forever though."
"Yeah? I feel that too. Hyung... thank you... I usually... have to go through like these rough few weeks alone but... you took care of me well. I can't thank you enough."
"Of course. I wouldn't want to find my housemate unconscious in my hands, right?" Jongdae jokes. "But yeah. I know how that feels like. Baekhyun and I always had each other, but even then, we get so caught up with our own things too, and either one, or both of us would burn out somehow. I wanted to help you."
"Be careful not to spoil me, or I'll never move out."
"You can stay for as long as you want, Soo. You're a great housemate, and even better friend. You know... as long as you pay me."
"Don't tempt me."
"Please, I know you would want to stay with me no matter what? Who else is going to entertain you better than I do? I'm practically your only friend."
Kyungsoo lowly chuckles, "Sad to admit how true that is..."
"You'll always be my friend, Soo-yah. Even when you're in Hollywood acting for the big movies."
"Nah, I think I will stay here. With you."
"Yeah?"
"Yes."
They both smiled at each other like they were the only ones in the world, and honestly, it really felt like they are.
"And who are you with today?"
"This is my friend, Jongdae." Jongdae waves to the reporter, who cheerily says hi, before going back to interviewing Kyungsoo.
Just like Jongdae predicted, his best friend has now made it to the big Hollywood screen. The perk? He gets invited to be the plus one everytime. So yes, Jongdae has met Ryan Reynolds, Brie Larson, Alicia Vikander... Gone to after-parties... Not really his scene, and it's not his best friend's either, so they usually escape early and get some late night food somewhere quiet.
It's been about 6 years since they met, and yes, they're both still housemates, in a much bigger, nicer apartment in Gangnam; all paid for by Kyungsoo's company. Except now, they both share the same large master bedroom, but they do still have their own spaces in the apartment. They both really like sleeping next to each other; somewhat comforting, somewhat very nice to come home to, and it's been that way since the beginning.
Of course, they are not exempted from the endless teasing of Baekhyun, who became single over the years; which naturally means he comes over way too often, even if he had moved back into his family home.
"I don't want to move in with you guys no. No one wants to feel like a third-wheeler after coming out from a long-term relationship."
"We didn't even ask you to move in with us," Kyungsoo says frankly, before walking into the room to change out of his clothes.
"Dae, give me your phone."
"No, Baek, I'm not letting you stalk Minseok-hyung from my account." Baekhyun lets out a small whine, like a small pup, before looking down. "You ended the relationship, Baek. Let him go."
"How did you and Kyungsoo survive this long staying together and not fighting? Maybe he and I should never have dated at all."
"Hey, don't say that. You were happy in the relationship, right?" Baekhyun nods. "Good things do have their endings too."
"But we didn't end well, Dae. We fought and I ran away."
Jongdae could only sigh; it's sometimes hard to get into Baekhyun's hard head sometimes, and he knew that all he can do right now is support his best friend emotionally now.
"I'm leaving. I'll be back home around 3. Want me to get some frozen yogurt on t-"
"Yes, yes. You don't even have to ask." Jongdae follows his housemate to the door, kisses his cheek before closing the door behind me. Baekhyun looks at him weird.
"You're sure you guys aren't dating?"
"Yes, I'm sure I'd at least know when I have a boyfriend."
"Okay... if you say so..." Baekhyun mumbles the last part mostly to himself, and the topic was dropped.
Weirdly enough, it only took 5 years for Jongdae to realise that neither of them have pursued any sort of romantic relationship with other people.
"I'm too busy to gallivant anywhere else outside of work," was Kyungsoo's excuse.
Jongdae? He just couldn't be bothered. He's content with Kyungsoo by his side. He doesn't know exactly how to explain it, but his life has already felt complete. He doesn't need or want anything more than this.
The door opens and in came Kyungsoo, at exactly 3pm.
"Hey, got your favourite." He puts the frozen yogurt on the table in the living room, "I want to take a quick shower."
"Kays, shower fast or I will finish all of this."
"I know you won't but okay."
As they cuddled close to each other later that night, one glued to a good book, and the other to the person right beside me, he figures, 'Hmm, this isn't so bad at all. I could live like this for the rest of my life,' and hopes Jongdae thinks the same.
Needless to say, they did end up growing old together; just this time, by the seaside. No busy roads, no noisy neighbours. Just the two of them, with one Persian cat named Billy, and a rabbit named Kella, in a nice house that they built far away from the city. Retired, and very comfortable. And yes, they do still sleep in the same bed.
Who knew just a simple Wanted advertisement could lead them to their soulmate?