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Chapter Text

Hyunsuk turned off the gas and removed the pan of ramyeon from the stove and poured it into his bowl. He grabbed a pair of chopsticks and headed straight for the couch. He had a splitting headache originating in his temples and just wanted to finish his dinner as soon as possible so that he could pass out on his bed.

He could have slept off as soon as he returned from home but his stomach wasn’t being compliant and he stank as well, so he took a quick shower and made himself the least time-consuming dinner possible.

Even though his main agenda was to slurp it all off at once, just eating dinner was boring so he switched on the television and started to skip over the channels until he found something watchable. He stopped at an episode of Amazing Saturday and decided that was the best there is to watch. 

“Why is there a whole show to just guess the lyrics of a song? Can’t people make out the words while listening to the verses?” he muttered as the guests guessed the lyrics wrong for the second time.

He was thoroughly exhausted after work today, that one asshole never tried to even understand what Hyunsuk was telling, much less listen to his advice.

“Huh, maybe I should quit,” he said, massaging his throbbing temple that had flared up even at the thought of that guy.

Thankfully, his bowl wasn’t full for long and he didn’t have to watch more incorrect lyrics. He quickly washed up his bowl and made a beeline to his bedroom and didn’t wait a second before falling face-first on his bed. He sighed heavily and could already feel his consciousness slipping away and the throb weakening when he heard a loud ping come from his phone, indicating a notification.

Hyunsuk was tempted to ignore it and to continue to fall asleep but then realized it could be his boss texting him something important. He scrambled for his phone with a groan to check what it was about.

What? He really had expected it to be his boss, not a random person asking an even more randomly vague question. He didn’t know who hoonie._.ji was, whether he followed him or Hyunsuk followed him or he just randomly decided to message him.

He wished his mind would let him ignore it and go back to sleep but curiosity won over and he clicked that notification. He didn’t even bother checking this unknown person’s profile before he texted him back,

10:20 PM

wow is this really you?

excuse me? who r u?

Are you srsly choi hyunsuk?

Okay, who is this guy? Hyunsuk thought as he squinted at his phone in the darkness of his room.

Yes I am?

Omg, its me, park jihoon? Do u remember me from

high school?

“Park Jihoon?” Hyunsuk thought out loud. He racked his mind for any such boys in school. To be honest, he didn’t particularly remember much of his school. It had probably been the most regretful years of his life. Hyunsuk was that popular kid in school who teased all “nerds” as such and he severely regretted his hormones then so he forced himself to forget all about his high school. He was still scanning continuously when he suddenly remembered a boy with huge glasses and braces who used to sit in that one lonely corner of the class.

Omg park jihoon, like lonely weirdo jihoonie?

Ow, but yeah, that jihoon. Hi :D

Hyunsuk never had thought he’d ever meet him after they graduated, much less over Instagram when he’s 25. He remembered a shy boy who rarely even talked to anyone in the class and just minded his own business. That obviously made him an easy target in the class and he probably had also been one such targeter.

Damn it.

He didn’t know how to respond at all and suddenly grew immensely awkward.

Oh hi jihoon, long time no see

Yep, how have u been? What have u been up to?

Ah fine, doing good i guess. 

Just work nothing much

Why is this conversation so awkward?

How did u find me by the way?

Ah, i was just stalking my ex and

going thru his posts on insta and

I found this picture with you and

I thought u looked familiar so i 

decided to find out haha

Ur ex?

Wow, what a way to find old classmates again.

Yeah lol, i think you guys are

colleagues cuz u all were wearing

formal clothes. Kim junkyu? U kno him?

Of all of his colleagues, his boss had to be his ex-classmate’s ex-boyfriend.

Yeah, he’s my boss

Oh wow, so ur another psychologist working under him

Counselor actually, but

yeah a psychologist

A counselor huh, nice. Love school

So much that cudnt leave it?

Now was the exact moment he wished he could scream to the world that school isn’t the only place hiring counselors. But, for reconnection purposes, he decided to hold back.

Not school, i am done with

school, i work at the prison

Prison??

Yeah, i provide therapy for

prisoners or ppl in 

correctional facilities. 

Ohh thats cool, never thought u’d do it haha

Yep, who knew dealing with 

psychopath murderers is fun

Yep dealing with psychopath

murderers is fun, especially if u get

to send them to jail :)

Ur a prosecutor?

Ding dong, correct guess!!

Hyunsuk couldn’t stop himself from smiling, Jihoon really changed over the years, just like he did. For the better or for the worse, who knew? Hyunsuk clicked his username to his profile. The picture was of him wearing sunglasses and a sunhat against a backdrop of, from what he could make out, a beach. Probably taken on one of his vacations. He scrolled down to see his posts and clicked on a random one.

It was him and his colleagues, dressed in suits, sitting in his office perhaps, with stacks of paper everywhere. Tired of working, someone help, was the caption.

He couldn’t stop himself from smiling again. He scrolled over a few more times to find a lot of prosecuting pictures, some from his vacations and oddly, a lot of panda-themed things adorned his pictures. He scrolled further down, not able to stop himself until he found a certain interesting picture. It was of Jihoon and his boss and Jihoon’s now ex, Junkyu. Jihoon had had his arm snaked around Junkyu’s waist and he was looking at Junkyu as if he was the only thing constant in this world. Junkyu was smiling widely at the camera. It was a cute picture, sure, but Hyunsuk cringed at it. He didn’t want to see his boss all lovey-dovey.

A few more pictures got him admitting that Jihoon did get the glow up of a god. Gone were his glasses with the bags under his eyes, gone were the braces and chapped lips, gone were the unfortunate acne. What remained was a gorgeous human being in the place of the gangly high schooler he knew. The pictures of Jihoon hitting the gym told him enough muscle stories.

Hyunsuk hated to say it but he probably still looked like his high school self. He was handsome in high school so he was thankful for that but nothing changed that much either. No bulkiness of adulthood, (Hyunsuk doesn’t have time for gym), and most unfortunately, not an inch grown since the last year of high school. He never in his life had thought he would feel even a hint of jealousy over none other than the infamous lonely weirdo Jihoonie.

There were a lot of pictures of him with Junkyu, maybe they did date for a long time, he wondered how they broke up.

Hey how did u guys

break up anyway?

Hmm, well I guess we came

to a mutual agreement that none

of us wanted to date each othr

anymore or we well, felt out of love, ig

It was a year ago or so

Yeah thanks for that, all his

employees had the greatest

times of their lives for a month

Haha ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

How is he doin anyway

He is fine now, already on dates with

some random people he meets online

Haha expected, wbu? Datin anyone?

Hyunsuk laughed out loud, his work was already hell, his boss a pain in the ass, his clients a bunch of freaks, and his free time a well enjoyed dream. He didn’t have time for the gym, love life was on a whole other level.

Haha i wish

Don’t tell me I just typed that? Why the fuck did I type that?

Obviously, before he could hit unsend, the very online Jihoon already saw it. Now the very long-lasting Seen haunted him.

Ofc u wish, love is the best

stress relief there is. Being single 

sucks af

Hyunsuk let out an audible sigh after narrowly escaping a possibly awkward situation.

Soon the conversation shifts uncontrollably and they start talking about the most random of things. He soon finds out why Jihoon loves pandas so much, (a panda plushie his cousin had gifted is his one true love), Hyunsuk later finds himself ranting about his height to Jihoon. Weird enough, they start gossiping about Junkyu a while later, and then he is too immersed in Jihoon to even know what they are talking about.

He knows he should sleep when his phone says 11:26 pm but he still can’t stop himself from testing Jihoon. It’s almost like he’s drunk and all he wants to do is talk but then he doesn’t know what it is he is drunk on.

hey remember when I teased u for being gay back in high school?

He really didn’t know why he was talking or how they had even started talking about their high school life and about something he deviously regretted about his life.

Yeah that wasnt cool bro

Sorry

how abt u do something for me to make up for it

hmm? what?

go out with me ^_^

…

Yeah that wasnt cool bro

Lol sorry

That sobered him straight up. Hyunsuk was still getting used to the fact that Jihoon isn’t completely shy anymore, in fact, the total opposite but flirting was a whole other level. Did he… actually mean that? I mean no, right? That was a joke. A lame joke.  

He was glad that he had replied coolly and did not become a flustered mess (He did.) and replied something that would definitely embarrass him. But still, he somehow found himself going back to that text and reading it over and over again.

go out with me ^_^ it said. He tried hard but failed to stop a smile creeping out at the ridiculous emoticon.

Another problem had arisen, how will he continue this conversation, things had got highly awkward now, (blame yourself, Hyunsuk, you started it.)

Hyunsuk saw only one, end it.

Oh wow, look at the time. I gotta call it a day

or else ur ex will fire me for being late

Wokay then, goodnight hyunsuk <3

...gn

What the fuck is with that heart, is he really drunk? Hyunsuk thought before forcing himself to sleep. What a reunion that was.

Chapter Text

Stubborn . Hyunsuk wrote down on his brand new client’s case file.

As fuck. He added for reassurance.

He was assigned a new criminal for therapy and his first interview wasn’t going as well as he’d hoped. He didn’t even know why he even hoped anymore, after all, they were prisoners, you can’t expect them to be well-mannered and polite.

“Well, that’s it for today, Mr….” Hyunsuk looked at the case file in his hands again, “Mr. Choi . We will meet again next week. I hope you will tell me more about the guy you murdered then.” Hyunsuk beamed and bowed, before heading for the door guarded by two bulky policemen.

“So not looking forward to that.” Mr. Choi grumbled behind him. Hyunsuk turned back and flashed another toothy smile.

“Oh come on, why? It’s fun,” he replied happily. Mr. Choi snorted. Hyunsuk dropped his smile with a sigh once outside and the door’s closed. It was a lot of energy and patience to push back annoyance and frustration to put on a smile. But he always followed his number one rule in working with his clients, Always add positivity and fun in every workspace. Throughout his experience, he had noticed that it was the only way the inmates got closer and opened up more with him. And without familiarity, no one liked listening to a random guy’s advice.

But it was fun, especially when he got to hear new stories with every new client. Some stories were straight-out scary, cold-blooded murders while some were… interesting, he had to admit. He had his daily crime drama in his work, who needed those lame ones coming on TV?

New ones were the better ones while the ones he had known the longest were the best, easier to deal with was the reason. But the ones he had known only for a month or so, were the worst. Stuck in the middle, they were neither pitiable like the new ones, nor easy to empathize with like the older ones. They were just plain annoying.

Thank fuck he didn’t have any of those mids to deal with that day, just a new client and then a bucket load of paperwork and case files to deal with. Hyunsuk walked through the empty yet heavily guarded corridor, towards the exit.

“Yo, 7chill!” a shout came from the cafeteria way. Hyunsuk smirked at the nickname before turning towards the source of the shout.

“Hello there, Bobby hyung.” Hyunsuk greeted back. Kim Jiwon, or Bobby as he preferred, was one of his oldest clients, probably the one he is closest to. It was a weird journey with him, he was getting better, probably soon to be out. He had repeated again and again that he preferred to be known as Bobby, to which Hyunsuk was surprised at first but on inquiring, Bobby had said, “Names are fake, something your parents had chosen. You live your life, you are responsible for your mistakes, so what’s with bearing a name someone else chose?” That day, he knew there was a lot of trauma Bobby had been through, and it would be an interesting ride indeed. 

Hyunsuk still remembered how he had replied, “Then the name my parents gave me was Choi Hyunsuk, so why don’t you give me a nickname, something I’d agree on.” And that was how 7chill was his nickname and his usernames everywhere.

“How are you feeling today?” Hyunsuk called back at the guy who used to lead a pretty… well murderous gang back outside.

“Like I wanna kill someone!” he shouted back with what would look like scary glee to anyone else, but Hyunsuk just laughed.

“Keep working on it!” he shouted, shaking his head. “Have your lunch, we are meeting the day after, and I want to see improvements!” Bobby gave him a thumbs-up, and a satisfied Hyunsuk made his way out.

___

“Aren’t you going to have lunch, Hyunsuk-ssi?” Suhyun, his colleague and fellow prison counselor asked him.

“I will, I will. Just have this last bunch of papers to go through.” Hyunsuk said, smiling to assure her. Suhyun sighed. Lee Suhyun was technically his senior even though she was slightly younger than him, but more or less, he was close with her.

“Hyunsuk-ssi, you need to stop overworking yourself. Relax, do something fun. Date someone, when was the last time you went on a date?” she questioned, arms crossed.

Hyunsuk actually thought, when was the last time he went on a date? “I think it was when you set me up on a blind date? But never mind about that, I am totally fine. I like working, you know.” he said.

“That date? That was ages ago. How are you not insane already, wow. Do you want me to set you up with someone else?” she asked.

“Oh, no, no. I am fine. I don’t have time or patience for it anyway. People nowadays are too needy.” he frowned. Suhyun just shrugged and made her way out. Hyunsuk sighed, love life was a topic to think about. But that was not the only fun thing to do, right? Maybe he could hang out with his friends, go to the noraebang maybe. But then the sad truth, the only friends he had were Yoshinori and Haruto, who had ditched him to go home, back in Japan.

He took a deep breath, ready to dive into his paper stack-

Ping!

Hyunsuk startled a bit, but then suppressed a smile. He didn’t want to admit it but that ping sort of lifted his spirits. (He would never ever admit that his heart tingled as well. Ever. He sincerely requests you to forget about that tiny little misinformation.) 

He reached for his phone and smiled at the notification. He clicked it straight away and tried to reply as quickly as possible. 

12:45 PM

Heyy, working rn?

Yea, wbu?

It wasn’t the first time today that Jihoon had texted him since last night, and Hyunsuk didn’t mind that at all. It was a small good morning when he was stuffing his eggroll into his mouth and then the remaining of the eggroll was forgotten as he dived into texting Jihoon. He was almost late if he hadn’t noticed the pieces of eggroll on his plate and realized what he was doing in the first place. Jihoon had gathered a hell load of charisma since high school to have mustered that kind of feat.

Now, Hyunsuk almost looked forward to that familiar ping even though it had been little over twelve hours since he had talked to Jihoon years later.

Just gonna have lunch soon,

Aren’t you going to eat?

Yep soon.

Hyunsuk didn’t even know how the conversation had turned from awkward reunion to totally casual in so little time. He completely blamed Jihoon and his charisma and smoothness. It was still awkward, probably because of how little they knew about each other, but he was working on it. He already knew a lot about him, enough to name the last five ex-boyfriends of Jihoon.

Hey, do u wanna meet? I want to

Like see u in personal, to make

This reunion legit, ya kno?

Hyunsuk didn’t know what to say at first. Sure he wanted to meet Jihoon, to see him in reality and not only through his moderate-quality photos. But he was nervous. One of the bad things about studying psychology is that there’s no hiding from emotions, and definitely no denying. But he was curious, to see how he is in real life, of course. Maybe Jihoon was still shy outside the screen, which would boost Hyunsuk’s confidence. Or if he is not, at least he’d want to know how the hell did he go through such a change. He could definitely use the tips on his clients.

Suree, so when do u say?

(He really tried not to sound too eager.)

Don’t u have lunch break now? So y 

dont we meet now?

Now? He was looking forward to it, but not so forward. He probably looked like hell now and he had worn his least favorite attire for work. After so many years, he would see Jihoon, he did not want to look like an old boring office worker. And that was not the least of his problems, he was nervous to say even yes a few seconds ago.

Now?

Yep, now. I mean, if

Thats alright with u

Although it was a little too forward, he didn’t want to disappoint him. And he was way too curious and undeniably excited to meet him. He tried to quieten the loud voice in the back of his mind which was cheering him on to agree. 

Ok, sure. So whr?

He let out a breath he was holding and waited for those three dots to disappear and be replaced with his reply.

Yayy, do u kno that new cafe

That opened in oksu? Is that

Near u? I mean, u still live

In seoul right?

Hyunsuk laughed, why would he agree if he lived anywhere else?

Yes u pabo, and yeah 

I know about it

Ok then, race u to there ;)

Hyunsuk scoffed, This guy has the mind of a teenager but still somehow makes it sound charismatic.

And then it occurred to him that Jihoon was already rushing over to Oksu and Hyunsuk scrambled to catch up. He quickly apologized to his unseen pile of paper before stuffing it into his desk and grabbed his coat which was draped on the backrest of his chair before rushing towards the door. He paused in front of the pane of glass before the door and stared at his reflection, trying to fix up anything he could and make himself look as presentable as possible. Once he was as satisfied as he could be, he ran out into the corridor towards the exit. On the way, he saw Suhyun returning to their shared office.

“Whoa, calm down. Where are you going, Hyunsuk-ssi? You do have only twenty minutes left in your break.” Suhyun asked. Hyunsuk halted and jogged on the spot before answering.

“Tell Chanhyuk sunbaenim that I’ll be late and I apologize for that. I am gonna have a little fun, you know,” he said with a twinkling smile and a wink. Suhyun laughed and nodded before leaving Hyunsuk with his fun.

___

Hyunsuk should have probably seen this coming but he didn’t and he felt a little inferior about his psychological skills.

Jihoon was unbelievably, late.

Hyunsuk had rushed over to the new cafe in Oksu in his car as soon as he got out of his office building, hoping that he wasn’t late and he didn’t want to keep him waiting. Even being late or early tells something about someone’s personality and it will be the first impression someone judges you on, and Hyunsuk always took great care about the impression he gave on someone.

Hyunsuk, however, is trying not to be mad about Jihoon’s tardiness.

He was outside of the cafe, gazing at the falling autumn leaves of the yellow ginkgo tree beside him. He looked at his watch for the eleventh time before sighing. 1:20 pm. He was obviously not going to go back in time but for once, he didn’t mind.

“Choi Hyunsuk!” a shout from his left. Hyunsuk turned towards the source of the voice and he was met with a wide smile and a rapidly waving hand. He looked exactly like his photos on Instagram, but clearer. Hyunsuk grinned at him and waved back, equally enthusiastic before he regretted it. I must have looked like a teenager. He thought ruefully.

The solid form of Park Jihoon jogged up to him in typical prosecutor office attire and stopped when he reached him, huffing slightly.

“Sorry, I know you must be mad and you have work and I am late, but my car had a flat tire on the way and I had to come here by train,” he said, looking guilty.

Hyunsuk laughed at his helplessness and shook his head, “Gwaenchanha, at least you turned up and did not leave me hanging here, only to embarrass yourself. By the way, you lost the race pretty badly.” he said with a smirk.

Jihoon reddened, “Wow, you still are a mean bully.” he said chuckling. Hyunsuk stuttered but passed it off as a joke.

“Don’t say that,” he added with a smile. “Wow, you have changed so much since school,” he said, actually sizing up the changes, eyeing him head to toe.

“And you haven’t changed at all,” Jihoon smirked. Hyunsuk pretended to be insulted before smiling. Hyunsuk had been smiling a lot lately. 

“Come on, let’s talk inside,” he said pointing at the cafe.

___

Hyunsuk was meeting Jihoon after so many years, it felt weird. He didn’t usually meet people he used to know so long ago, the only ones he knew were Yoshinori and Haruto, and them only because they were best friends or else even they would have been forgotten. Hyunsuk was not that kind of person.

He sipped his americano, looking at Jihoon who sat in the opposite, sipping his own caramel macchiato. This felt like a very awkward blind date and Hyunsuk definitely didn’t know how to break the ice.

Trust Jihoon and his newfound extroversion to start first, “So Hyunsuk, it feels weird to talk instead of texting, doesn't it? You are obviously feeling awkward, I shouldn’t have asked you to meet up so soon.” he said.

Also, trust him and his newfound extroversion to touch sensitive topics, “No, no. It’s okay, I was probably too curious to say no as well.” he laughed.

Jihoon chuckled, “I can totally feel your harsh psychologist eyes burning holes through me and judging me.” 

Hyunsuk smirked, He was always smart, at least that didn’t change. “I mean, it is my job. I like doing it, the reason why I decided to become a counselor.” he paused, before leaning forward. “So, I’ll get to the point, how the hell did the shy, silent, statue of a kid get replaced by this very extroverted piece of sunshine, huh? Are you a changeling? Where’s the real Jihoon, hmm?”

Jihoon smiled before shrugging, “I don’t know, actually. I think it was college? I don’t know, the environment was nice, and I sort of grew tired of being lonely, I guess.” he mused. “Besides my colleagues are really nice and cheerful, it’s hard not being the same around them.”

Hyunsuk nodded, almost reaching for his notepad to note down the developments before realizing what he was doing. He really needed to stop bringing his work everywhere. Signs of overworking. So it was the people and the environment. Then he suddenly felt guilty. What if Jihoon was lonely and antisocial only because we weren’t being nice to him? That made him plunge into the ocean of his overflowing regrets again.

Jihoon smirked, “Extroverted piece of sunshine, huh? Cute.” Hyunsuk didn’t get what he meant first, and then he realized he was quoting him and he had to blush at that. I did not just call him that.  

He tried to regain his composure and reply neutrally but obviously failed. “Oh, I, uh- It, it was a slip of the tongue, haha.” He nervously laughed.

Jihoon typically took advantage of it, “Don’t worry, I like it. Maybe I’ll put it in my bio. Park Jihoon, a cute little panda emoji, 25. Extroverted piece of sunshine. Cute.” he said again before giggling.

Hyunsuk rolled his eyes at Jihoon, but he sort of liked the idea too.

___

Hyunsuk felt oddly satisfied after dropping off Jihoon at his office, as he drove back to his home. It was already too late to go back and go through that abandoned pile of paper sitting in his drawer so he had already let Suhyun know about him taking the day off and also sent a personal apology to Chanhyuk hyung.

It was a meeting, filled with serotonin, to say the least, and Hyunsuk thankfully enjoyed it. He thought it would be awkward meeting Jihoon in real life and it was at first, but something about Jihoon put him at ease. Jihoon was a real smooth talker, but more than smooth, just a talker, and Hyunsuk was still getting used to the fact. He spoke about so many things and Hyunsuk found it fascinating to listen to. They talked about work, their school years, which was thankfully not too guilt-inducing thanks to Jihoon, they talked about annoying clients, annoying bosses, speaking of which, they had a nice juicy conversation about the one Kim Junkyu. 

Jihoon wasn’t the least bit uncomfortable making light of his ex, who, from the pictures Hyunsuk had seen, he had loved very much. Hyunsuk told him what he is like as a boss and Jihoon told him the vice versa and it was very interesting indeed. Who knew the merciless boss of his was the epitome of clumsy outside work and just loved eating junk more than anything in the world.

Jihoon’s flirtatious dialogues that were tossed in the between didn’t go unnoticed by Hyunsuk, he hoped he didn’t blush too vividly when he flirted. It was funny at first, how Jihoon called his random finger drumming habit cute. He couldn’t deny being flustered when Jihoon started to call everything he did cute. Was he really that cute? Or was Jihoon just teasing him, knowing that Hyunsuk flustered easily? Way to take revenge.

They did decide to meet again sometime, although not when, but Hyunsuk found himself looking forward to it. Was it the doses of serotonin? Or just the thirst of wanting to know the new Jihoon more? Or was it, was it actually the flirting? He really didn’t know, but he just wanted more.

Hmm, food for thought.

Nevertheless, he sighed with a smile as he neared his home, Suhyun was right. He really needed to have some fun, to get his head outside of his work, and just to unwind a bit. And Jihoon really did seem like a good idea.

___

Hyunsuk was drying his wet, after-shower hair while looking through his Instagram updates. He found himself going back to Jihoon’s feed when he stopped and laughed helplessly. The top of his feed now said:

Park Jihoon 

25

Extroverted piece of sunshine ;)

Chapter Text

“Hyung, you are always working, you won’t even speak to your friends who are in Japan, is it?” Haruto’s hoarse static voice came from Hyunsuk’s laptop.

“Yah, Ruto! I couldn’t complete the given normal paperwork last week, so I have to do it now. Who told you to call at this time?” Hyunsuk barked at him.

“But it’s Sunday…” drawled Haruto. 

Hyunsuk sighed, “Sunday for you, compensation day for me.” he said as he moved on to the next case file.

Hyunsuk was obviously scolded by Chanhyuk, albeit softly as Chanhyuk knew how much he needed the break. He promised him that he won’t tell Junkyu about it as long as he compensates for it. He had spent the rest of the week doing his daily work, assignments, and client meetings, while he pushed his incomplete work to his holiday. 

“Haruto, stop bothering him. Our hyung is working hard to support his imaginary family. He will go broke if he doesn’t work his ass off.” Yoshinori smirked, followed by Haruto’s shameless chortle.

“Aish…!” Hyunsuk fumed but couldn’t do anything due to the thousand-mile gap separating them. Of course, both of his best friends had chosen this exact moment to call him after ignoring him for two weeks. That exact moment when he was determined to leave that doomed paper stack completed. Now he was going through the papers in a painfully slow pace while making conversation through the video call.

“I really would have talked to you guys but I really must complete this task before tomorrow or Chanhyuk hyung will complain to Junkyu, and I’d be jobless and broke for real,” Hyunsuk said, setting the file aside.

“Why did you even skip doing it, it isn’t like you to leave a thing undone,” Yoshinori asked, sipping his tea.

Hyunsuk felt his cheeks warming, “Ah, I met someone.” Yoshinori almost spit his tea out and opened his mouth to question but the young and very loud Haruto beat him to it.

“Wow, you met someone? Who, who? Did you get a boyfriend? Or girlfriend-” Haruto began listing.

“Yah, yah, yah. Calm down, why are you guys getting so surprised? Why is it that I only have to meet some kind of love interest, huh? I could even meet my parents, my sister, or some random pedestrian.” Hyunsuk mumbled.

“Well, I wasn’t surprised about that. But, Choi Hyunsuk, leaving his dear work alone to meet someone? Who is this miraculous human being to have achieved that sort of a feat?” Yoshinori wondered, or particularly, prodded.

Hyunsuk’s cheeks warmed a bit more. Well, he must be a miraculous human being to have done that. “Omo, are you blushing, hyung?” Haruto squinted at his screen.

Hyunsuk obviously blushed more at that, “Yah, what do you mean blushing? It’s just the bad quality of my internet.” Hyunsuk mumbled, rubbing his cheeks as if it would stop the growing red. “Anyway, it’s a high school classmate of ours, do you remember Park Jihoon?”

“Park? Park Jihoon, who? The only Park I remember was Park Jeongwoo.” Haruto muttered.

“Jihoon? You mean that lonely weirdo Jihoonie?” Yoshinori asked. Hyunsuk cringed at the name but nodded.

“Wow, him? First of all, I can’t believe you are still in contact with him and moreover leave work to meet him?” Haruto asked.

Hyunsuk answered flustered, “I was not in contact with him all this while, he found my Instagram account and we started texting, like a lot. He has changed so much really, not the nerd guy we knew in high school. He is a complete extrovert now, talks a mile an hour. He is a prosecutor and his firm looked really great. He said he wanted to meet me, and I was like okay. So we did. Suhyun-ssi always tells me to have some fun, so I did.” he shrugged.

Yoshinori nodded, “So you went in to meet him with an agenda to understand his mental makeover, to use it on your clients.” he rolled his eyes.

Hyunsuk smiled, “You know me so well, Yoshi-ya.” Yoshinori laughed, shaking his head.

“So are we not gonna talk about the fact that hyung likes Jihoon?” Haruto poked.

Hyunsuk might as well have been a tomato, “Haruto! I-” he shouted but was interrupted by peals of laughter by Haruto and Yoshinori. ‘Yah, stop teasing me, you both.” but he knew it was of no use.

“But, you do. You will never come and talk to me even if I said I had an anxiety attack if that meant you had to leave your work undone.” Haruto said.

“Of course I would…” Hyunsuk trailed off.

“Wow, of all people, Park Jihoon was responsible to drag your single ass out of no-love hell. I really want to meet him now.” Yoshinori said, wiping a non-existent laughter tear.

“See, that’s the reason. I was curious as to how his new self is, so I met him.” Hyunsuk defended his pride.

“Yeah sure,” Yoshinori said.

“You mean how his new self could have charmed you,” Haruto added with a smirk.

“Arghh!” Hyunsuk screamed at the ceiling. “Yah, cut the call both of you and stop disturbing me. The eldest hyung has no respect in this friendship.” Hyunsuk muttered.

His two best friends snickered before ending the call and Hyunsuk left out a sigh. Stop turning my life upside down, Park Jihoon.

___

9:12 PM

Hyunsukkie hyung, help

What? What happened?

Hyunsuk was about to leave his car after parking it in its place when he heard the familiar ping. It had been ringing regularly for maybe over a week, Hyunsuk had lost count now. As soon as he saw the text, he didn’t panic but actually smiled at the word Hyunsukkie . No matter how much he’d deny, he was really really charmed by this person. Then he realized Jihoon was probably in trouble and let the nerves sink in.

I don’t know how to make

an omelette but I really want to eat

it :(

Hyunsuk let out a loud sigh. It was even beyond laughable now, he was well used to his cheesy and lame attempts in everything.

Go to a restaurant and eat

it then, smh

But thats a waste of money,

And i am too lazy :)

Haha, fine

https://www.incredibleegg.org /

recipes/basic-french-omelet/

Also who doesnt kno how to

Make an omelette?

Hey I dont, stop judging me :(

I really thought u wud tell me the

steps one by one in that sweet voice

of yours ;)

Hyunsuk was also (or so he believes) used to the constant flirting. 

Haha you wish,

have trust in The Incredible

Egg and cook delicious

omelettes.

Oh come on, I actually

wanted you to make me omelettes

but ig the incredible egg

is what I get :(

Haha u wanted me to

cook for you? Not gonna happen

anytime soon :)

Aw, why? Be a good

friend and invite your friend

over to a nice dinner

Srsly, i dont cook really

well, why did u think that

anyway?

Idk i just got the

feeling, like you wud be

good at any home stuff.

Perfect husband material <3

Hyunsuk was so startled by his comment that he jerked and accidentally pressed the car horn thrice and then cringed at the disturbance it might have caused to the neighborhood. Husband material? What the hell goes on in his mind?

Yah, dont say stuff

like that 

Wae? I mean it is

true, you give off those

vibes ;)

nO i DoNt

</3, dont reject me

hyunsukkie hyung

Hyunsuk rolled his eyes, he never had the intention to do that.

*reject*

Nooooooooo,

What am i gonna do now

Why shud i live anymore?

Rest in peace :’)

Hyunsuk realized he was creepily laughing at himself, alone in his car, so got out hurriedly. Flirting with Jihoon can wait, he thought as he grinned widely and closed the car door

___

Still in the mood, Hyunsuk decided to make omelettes for dinner anyway. Now everytime he picked up a kitchen tool, Jihoon’s husband material remark will pop up in his mind, a fresh image of that cute text. He then either laughs out loud, trying to deny access to his overthinking mind to overthink that sentence or he gives in and becomes a red-blushing mess.

He took a crumb of omelette still stuck to the pan and put it in his mouth and mused approvingly. Hmm, maybe I do cook really well, I should have just made Jihoon some, he thought smiling. He placed the omelette on his plate and decorated it neatly with whatever he had in his refrigerator. Hyunsuk grabbed his phone, clicked a quick photograph, and sent it to Jihoon with a smirk on his face.

[image]

Want some?

First, u reject my poor

heart and now tempt

me with heavenly food?

U r cruel :(

<3

Well i will enjoy

your food and ur heart

through this tiny

screen :’)

But ig incredible egg is

for me, thanku

Incredible egg for

my dinner

[image]

Hyunsuk gaped at the picture Jihoon had sent, it was definitely not what he was expecting. It was a really pretty and delicious-looking  omelette that only a really great cook could have, over that on his first try? His own omelette looked like bread against it. With skills like that, he thinks I am the better cook?

Omg, first of all

I really dint think

U will actually make

the omelette, i just

sent u the first link 

that came on google

searching

Secondly, wow i dont want

to eat my omelette anymore

lets turn this thing around

U make me an omelette

Mwahaha, my turn

to reject :)

*rEjEcT*

Noooooooo

Whatevr will i do now??

Hyunsuk’s cheeks hurt because of smiling too much. His omelette was growing cold and he knew it but he liked smiling better than eating.

But really, y do u want

to eat my meager omelette

when u can make that?

I really want to

taste ur food, to see

how its like

Ur in for a gr8

disappointment

I dont think so,

I’ll probably like

anything you make <3

Hyunsuk’s heart was beating really loud now and he knew it would be useless to name it as palpitations or heart disease. He knew exactly what was the reason behind it: Park Jihoon and Park Jihoon alone.

Haha, well my

omelette is turning to stone

so i better eat it

ttyl?

Always waiting :)

He stared at the message for 15 seconds before closing his phone to grab his plate. This time, it wasn’t even boring enough to watch lame TV shows. His mind was already very occupied with Park Jihoon and his growing heart tingles and undeniable feelings for him. Yep, he won’t even try to cover it up, he was beginning to be very, what do they call it? Whipped for the one Park Jihoon, Hyunsuk could feel it in his bones.

He looked at his omelette again, Ha, my omelette really sucks compared to his.

[extra]

Haruto cut the call that he was having with Hyunsuk and Yoshinori, only to immediately call Yoshinori back.

“Soooo…” Haruto began with a knowing smile as soon as Yoshinori’s face reappeared. “Hyung is whipped?”

“Yep, he is so predictable.” Yoshinori hummed with a similar smile on his face.

“You mean we know him so well,” Haruto remarked.

“That we do. But I am glad he likes someone, he has been single for way too long, he behaves like a middle-aged man, now. Married to his work.” Yoshinori said.

“Yes, but knowing Hyunsuk hyung, it will be ages before he actually starts dating. Should we interfere and make things easier? Break the ice?” Haruto said, gesturing what must be an action for breaking the ice but Yoshinori really did not know and did not want to find out.

“Let’s have trust in Park Jihoon’s new self. I am pretty sure he will make the first move.” Yoshinori said. Haruto nodded happily.

“Speaking of which, what about you? You are single as well, for a while now.” Yoshinori remarked.

“Hyung, why are we talking about me now?’ Haruto whined.

“Yes, we are talking about you, now who was that? Park Jeongwoo or was it Bang Yedam…”

Chapter Text

It was 11:33 PM, usually the time Hyunsuk said goodbye to his phone to get his dear sleep but he could make an exception today, could he not? If Jihoon was on the other side and was awake texting him, he should at least return the favor. And besides, tomorrow was a Sunday.

It’s not like it had been a long time since he spoke with Jihoon, his entire drive home from work was spent talking with Jihoon over the speaker. He did talk with Jihoon over call as well but he preferred texting as it gave him some time (and privacy) to get over certain flirtatious remarks casually passed off by Jihoon. Yes, he still couldn’t get over the tingles it sent through him. If he had been on the phone, Jihoon would have heard all those weird babbling noises and awkward silences. 

Hence, yet again he was up late, texting his new favorite person these days about bathwater.

How can u take a

steaming hot shower

even in the dead of

summer? Wont u

cook urself???

Idk, i cant do cold water

how can u let cold water

fall on ur head and drench

u completely?? Thats like

standing under a waterfall

I cud ask u the same

how can u let scalding hot

water pour over u?

Its soothing ok?

it helps my muscles relax

and i hate the shivering

that happens after

a cold shower

which i dont get how u 

can survive

Well i cant survive

having hot water

pour over me

for twenty minutes

and it never hurts

to be a little cooler

than u already are ;)

Hyunsuk rolled his eyes, hiding a smile behind his pillow. Sometimes he wonders if Jihoon is actually 25 or still a teenager, only Jihoon knows. Then he realized his position, flat on his stomach, resting his chin on his pillow, staring at his phone, up late at night texting a boy, just like a teenager.

Maybe none of us grew up, he smiled. Or we are just young for each other.

They debated about bath water temperature for a few more minutes, before they picked up another topic over another until they have lost track of all they have talked about. None of them seems to be sleepy enough to stop texting. Hyunsuk wondered if he was keeping Jihoon awake and maybe should call it a night, but whenever he tried to end it, Jihoon comes up with another thing to talk about and he is yet again swept away by the Jihoon tides.

It’s creepy murder stories from both their works, and then it’s Christmas presents, and then it’s bathwater again, followed by family and somehow omelettes again, their conversation knew no bounds. Hyunsuk had studied, you only talked so much where you couldn’t keep track of your conversation with people who you know very well. The fact that Hyunsuk had barely known him for the three years of his high school and had just started speaking with him for two weeks was bewildering to him. But he obviously didn’t mind.

Before he knew it, they were talking about those very three years of his high school. He was already too into it to escape it. Hyunsuk sighed, they couldn’t have ignored it forever, it was the reason they were texting right now.

Ah i still remember

a lot abt high school

being in a lonely

corner gave u a lot of

time to just observe

a lot, u kno

Ah, i dont remember

much, i honestly regret

so much abt high school

that i made myself

to forget about it

R u and ur trio

still in contact?

Yea, they r

still my best friends,

they both work Together 

as a Photographer and an editor

for a magazine, ryt here 

in seoul, altho now they

are in japan to spend time

with their family

Ohh, so u guys

are still pretty close, hmm?

Ofc, but we r definitely

not like how we were back

in school, more...idk happy

with our own stuff, lol

Yep, i’d kno, u are

nothing like how u

were back then,

u r so much more

nicer

Yea, i must hv

been a terrible bastard

back then, huh

I wont even sugarcoat 

it and say no :)

Hyunsuk knew he was treading dangerously close to his guilt pool, but he really wanted to know how Jihoon had felt on the other side.

How did u even manage

me and my horrible friends

back then? U must hv

been traumatized

I really dont remember

actually, but I tried not

to take the stuff u guys

said to the heart, maybe

me being silent made u think

I was being hurt, but

I was just trying to ignore

most of it

Oh i am glad u

were doing ok

Altho some stuff

u said were really

hurtful :(

Hyunsuk knew that the emoticon was enough to imply that it might be a sign of Jihoon messing with him. But he knew better, he was trained to find the hidden meaning of what people said and it was enough to push him into the pool of guilt.

Hey, y r u 

seen zoning me :’(

Ah sry, i was just

thinking something

Abt what? Is

it about me ;o

Yea, abt u

Really, is it about

how handsome i am?

No

Ouch, but what abt

me?

Ur seen zoning me

again :(

Hey, r u ok?

Yea, I’m fine

Yah, whats wrong

with u, y r u

suddenly so down?

Just thinking abt how

terrible i must hv been

to u back then

Srsly thats what

ur thinking abt?

Yeah

Wow, get ur pretty ass 

back to earth, ur 25,

it has been 6 years

Yeah, i just feel

really bad, i mean

I am a counselor now,

and i hv a record 

of bullying. I hv

heard a lot of victims

tell their point of view,

and to hv been a cause of

it, is sorta traumatic

and to hv done

that to u, i mean

u prolly didnt deserve all

those bad memories

Excuse me, choi

hyunsuk, news flash,

I am 25, so r u, and

neither of us remembers

much of it, so y r u

guilty ovr something

ur very hormonal self

did, grow up, i cant

believe i am telling

a counselor that

That makes it worse

like i moved on not

knowing how u must hv

felt and ur not the only

one. i wish i cud just take

back everything, i am so

sorry jihoon, like that’d make

u forget all that

Hyunsukkie, i hv already

forgotten abt all those stuff

y r u worrying so much

srsly, hyunsuk, stop

worrying abt it, u kno the

past two weeks makes

up for those three

years, ok? Cheer up :)

Really?

Yes, really, stop being

a baby and stop crying, ik

u r

Hyunsuk wiped the tear trickling down his cheek and smiled at Jihoon’s right assumption. He had to admit, the last two weeks have been enough to suffice all the good memories he hadn’t had with Jihoon, he would love to have more. And if Jihoon was fine, and in such a good state now, it is okay, right?

Altho just an

apology is not enough

it still hurts

Now, what? He consoles me only to make me cry again?

I knew it wasn’t enough,

I really dont kno how I can

make up for it, I wish I cud

go back time and kick my

past self’s ass

Oh no need, i hv

a better way

Go out with me ^_^

Hyunsuk saw that message, again, reappearing on his screen after two weeks. With the same reason behind its comeback. Hyunsuk stared at it for a good while. He had replied coolly the last time, but this time it was different. This time, it was fueled with emotions and two weeks' worth of interaction. And some hidden feelings in Hyunsuk. This time it didn’t feel like a joke.

Srsly?

He hoped he didn’t sound too joking.

Ofc, the offer

was always open ;)

Wow, uh, really?

do u really mean that

Yeah, i mean u r hot,

and ur a really great person

so why not, go on a date with me

at least to make up

for ur past behavior

and to just start

over new ;)

Hyunsuk now was just compelled to say yes if it was to make up for his past behavior. If it meant Jihoon will be happy, then it wouldn’t hurt for a tiny little date, right?

What makes u think i

already am not dating

anyone

You? And dating?

yeah u r dating someone,

u r dating ur work, 

now just say yes

Hyunsuk sighed frustratedly, Why does everyone think that I am married to my work? I just love my job, or maybe not, I don’t even know.

Besides, ur partner

wont be happy with u texting

a guy late in the night

everyday

Ha, ur right

Sooo, is that a yes?

If that makes u

happy, then ok

Really, is that the

only reason :o

Hyunsuk thought maybe he shouldn’t have agreed to go on a date with such a smart person who probably read him better than Hyunsuk would ever read anyone. Maybe they should swap jobs. Ha, I am not smart enough to solve mysteries.

So far it is,

maybe u can

change that

on the date ;)

I thought i liked

shy hyunsuk most

but flirting hyunsuk

does things to me <3

U dont kno

everything about me

And i am waiting

to find out <3

I’ll text u 

abt the date in the

morning, go get

ur sleep and look

pretty for me tomorrow

I shud be the one

asking u that

Oh i always look

pretty babe 

Maybe…

12:21 am :)

Hmm?

The moment u finally

accepted me, u kno

our future kids myt

ask about this time,

kids these days want to kno

about everything

Hyunsuk blushed but had to smile about the imagination. Jihoon really was something.

I am sure, u

will remember

everything

U bet i will,

on a date with hyunsuk,

my dreams are 

coming tru T-T

xD, ok good night

Good night <3

Hyunsuk laughed out loud. One second he was bawling and the next his heart could burst with happiness. Only Jihoon could have done that.

Hyunsuk pulled his comforter to his chin and snuggled in, going to sleep with a mind full of imaginations about his first date with Jihoon and of his future kids.

___

Hyunsuk was tingling with nerves and excitement as he and Jihoon walked towards the arcade. Jihoon had texted him in the morning asking when was the last time he had visited the arcade, to which Hyunsuk had replied high school and Jihoon had called him an old man. “Live a young life man, u r still 25, play some games, preserve ur childhood!” he had texted.

But it was another thing Jihoon had texted that made Hyunsuk look more forward to it, “Cmon then, lets relive the good high school lyf we nvr had :)”. Hyunsuk really wanted to close that book and start a new one, fresh and happy so hence they were here, walking side by side to the arcade. Hyunsuk had wanted to get the car but Jihoon had refused, (dont ruin the high school vibezz) and Hyunsuk was glad for it, the autumn colors and beauty just made everything better.

Jihoon was still chattering away and Hyunsuk was glad he was or else this would have been a very awkward first date.

“Do you even remember any games from the arcade, or have you forgotten about that as well?” Jihoon said with a smirk. “Maybe I should give you a tour first.”

“Yah, I do remember. I am not that far gone.” Hyunsuk scowled.

“Then what’s your favorite?” Jihoon asked, eyes twinkling.

Hyunsuk gave it a thought, he never used to go to the arcade to play a particular game, he just went there to pass time, playing whatever was available. But he did enjoy something, “I liked the photo booths.”

“Photobooths?” Jihoon asked, not expecting it.

“Yeah. I know it’s weird to like photo booths of all things in the arcade but I like taking polaroids. I still have a lot of pictures with Ruto and Yoshi, we used to take at least one every time we visited so I have an entire shoebox full of them.” Hyunsuk said with a smile, one of the good memories of my high school.

Jihoon smiled blindingly, “Then we are going to take another shoebox full today.” he said

“We don’t need to take so many today. Who said this is the only time we are coming here.” Hyunsuk asked, grinning.

“I definitely like the sound of that,” Jihoon said, smiling even wider.

___

Hyunsuk shuffled closer to Jihoon in the tiny space of the photo booth in the arcade, trying not to shiver at Jihoon’s presence.

They had played for hours, with Jihoon emerging as the winner in nearly every game they played with an excuse of practice but Hyunsuk didn’t mind. He was only waiting for this moment. The familiarity of the booth wafted through him like nostalgia and made him as comfortable as he could be.

“Do you want colored or black and white?” Jihoon asked.

“Both,” Hyunsuk said with a shy smile.

Jihoon smiled and entered the settings, “Smile!” he said before the camera flashed a few times.

Hyunsuk, immediately excited on seeing the photographs coming out, grabbed them and peered at them. They were beautiful and it was the reason why he loved photo booths more than anything and he couldn’t help smiling at the pictures. They were cute and happy, but beating every joy, he was happy that he could do this with Jihoon. He imagined him being a nice high schooler, bringing along Jihoon with him to the arcades, and just being nice. Jihoon was right, this had been a great idea.

“I see that you like them a lot.” Jihoon mused slowly, who was just staring at Hyunsuk all the while. Hyunsuk passed them onto him.

“Of course, they are wonderful. Don’t you?” he asked.

Jihoon didn’t look at them, “Of course I do.” he said, meeting eyes. Then he grabbed Hyunsuk’s waist and turned him towards the camera, “Now smile for more!”

Hyunsuk was laughing too much to even feel flustered.

___

They were walking back to Hyunsuk’s house, after taking a bunch of photos, now secured in Hyunsuk’s wallet. He couldn’t wait to stock them into a new shoebox.

Hyunsuk forgot about how dates usually went around with Jihoon, the last date he had gone on had been majorly conversation less and just some small little shy dialogues here and there and cafe food. No one had bothered calling anyone back.

But this felt nicer. It was a date, but much more fun. He had enjoyed himself in the arcade and the time in the booth was special, and now going back, holding hands just made it all better. Jihoon’s palm felt warm around his as he occasionally squeezed it and Hyunsuk loved it, although he tried not to show it too much.

Usually, people would walk silently, enjoying the time or just not knowing what to say and just let the mind do all the work but not with Jihoon. He was already talking about their next date.

“We should go to Lotte World, I am pretty sure you haven’t been there in ages,” Jihoon said.

“I have never been there at all,” Hyunsuk replied, too busy looking at the falling leaves.

“Wow, really? Do you even live in Seoul? Everyone who lives in Seoul has at least been to it once, or are you an Everland fan?” Jihoon asked, swinging their hands.

“Nah, just haven’t been to amusement parks. Now that I think about it, I have never even thought about going to an amusement park.” Hyunsuk admitted. It was true, whenever he had had free time, he was either chilling at home or with friends or colleagues. It never had occurred to him that amusement parks were also a mode of recreation.

“Well, lucky you. Your first visit to an amusement park will be with Park Jihoon, who will make sure it will be memorable.”

“I am sure it will be.” Hyunsuk beamed.

A few more minutes of pointless talks before they near Hyunsuk’s home. They stop a few steps away, “Come on in, maybe I can cook something.” Hyunsuk’s eyes twinkled.

“Now that’s tempting, but I have to go home, I have some stuff left to do,” Jihoon said sadly, letting go of Hyunsuk’s hand.

Hyunsuk immediately missed its warmth, “Well that was over fast. Are you sure you don’t wanna come in?” he asked again.

“I probably want to more than you want to invite me but I have stuff to do, my turn to be a workaholic, I guess.” he shrugged. Hyunsuk nodded.

“Text me when you get home,” he said to which Jihoon nodded. “Bye,” he waved.

Jihoon stared at him, with a small frown, “What?” Hyunsuk asked.

“Seriously? Bye?” Jihoon scowled, arms crossed.

“I thought you were the one who wanted to-'' he couldn’t complete his sentence before Jihoon leaned in, closing the distance between them with a soft kiss on Hyunsuk’s lips. Jihoon's arm snaked around Hyunsuk’s waist as he pressed against his lips. Hyunsuk was too startled to move but he relished the sensation and all the things it did to him. He would be lying if he said this was not on his mind ever since Jihoon asked him out, but he never thought it would actually happen, and that was more than enough to make him freeze all over.

Jihoon broke the kiss and smiled back a dazzling smile, “Now that’s the type of goodbyes I prefer.” he said, lips red and cheeks dusted pink and Hyunsuk thought he looked ethereal. Hyunsuk still couldn’t process what had happened when Jihoon turned away with a whistle and started on his way home.

Hyunsuk stared at the figure moving away, still frozen in shock when the figure stopped and turned back towards him, his face sported an annoyed frown as he huffed back to where Hyunsuk was standing.

He stopped when there was a footstep separating them and Jihoon scowled, “Hey, I thought you were going to stop me, you honestly don’t have any sense of romance, you old ma-” Hyunsuk grabbed Jihoon’s collar and pulled him to his lips before he could complete the sentence.

Jihoon smiled against his lips as Hyunsuk, annoyed at his antics, bit into them. He had realized what Jihoon had done and he had also realized how he had liked it and wanted to do it again, properly and Jihoon coming back to rant at him was more than enough. He sucked at Jihoon's full lips, with his arms around his neck, fingers pulling at his honey brown hair while Jihoon held him steady with his arms around his waist.

Hyunsuk broke the kiss, panting breathless and lips only an inch apart. “Now tell me that wasn’t romantic,” Hyunsuk smirked.

Jihoon gripped his waist tighter, “I completely approve.”

Chapter Text

It was raining for the last thirty minutes, the drops splashed against the plain windows of Hyunsuk and Suhyun’s shared office. Hyunsuk was staring at the way the drops flowed down the glass, leaving behind a trail of water, soon to leave a stain on the window if not wiped off.

It was the dead of fall, soon to become winter and Hyunsuk had no idea why it was raining, it was so untimely. 

If anyone asked Hyunsuk what his least favorite season was, he wouldn’t hesitate to say monsoon. It wasn’t exactly a season in Seoul, just a series of downpours in the summer of July. But he hated it. It was so wet everywhere and Seoul looked really ugly under all the polluted water falling over the pristine skyscrapers.

He was the happiest when July was over and fall was welcomed, he liked fall. A gateway to winter, the weather was cold and dry, and snow speaks for itself. But there was nothing more annoying than untimely rain when he least expected it.

“Ah, the entire autumn vibe is ruined! I hate you, go away rain!” Hyunsuk shouted into the void again.

“Hyunsuk-ssi, I have already heard that ten times now, what are you, a little kid? Rain, rain, go away, little Hyunsuk wants to play?” Suhyun said, not lifting her head from the book she was reading.

Hyunsuk crumpled a piece of paper and threw it at the window, where it clunked and fell into the bin under it, “Wow, was that always there?” Hyunsuk said proudly, admiring his fluke shot.

“Aren't you done with your work? What are you still doing here?” Suhyun asked him.

“The skies are playing a game with me. Morning, it was sunny so I didn’t bring my car to get a little exercise. Worst choice, now it’s fucking raining and I don’t even have an umbrella and I hate getting wet.” Hyunsuk bit out.

“Wow, daebak. You really hate rain, huh.”

“You have no idea,” Hyunsuk sighed. “What about you, why are you still here?”

Suhyun lifted her book, “Just reading this,” she said. “Trying to kill time while I wait for Chanhyuk oppa to finish his work, we came together in the car. Why don’t you come with us, we’ll drop you off. Maybe even grab a drink? You know soju goes best with rain.”

“Nothing goes well with rain,” he said. “But, yeah thanks. If the rain doesn’t stop, I am coming with you guys.” Hyunsuk stated.

A ping went off throughout the silent room, echoing and Hyunsuk scrambled to get to his phone. Suhyun smiled, “That keeps going off a lot of times these days,”

Hyunsuk smiled at her and opened his phone to see the text, but to his greatest disappointment, it was Haruto, “Ah,” he sighed disappointedly.

“Wow, that is probably the most disappointing sigh of the year, a great meme,” Suhyun assured him. “What happened? Your face lit up like a Christmas tree and all of sudden blanked like a blackout.”

“Today is all about disappointments,” Hyunsuk sighed, shaking his head.

6:23 PM

Yo, hyung

What do u want

Ouch, look who

woke up on the wrong

side of the bed

Srsly ruto

What do u want

Ah nothing hyung

just heard that its

raining in seoul so

wanted to check on

rain’s no.1 hater :o

If ur here to just

piss me off, ur really

are going to suffer

when u come back

to seoul

Fine fine lol sry

Ur honestly of

no help, if u were

in seoul, not only

cud i make u suffer

but at least get

u to come pick

me up, ur the

worst friend ever

Ah so u r stuck

without a car huh

Enjoy ;)

Fu

Hyunsuk dropped his phone on the table and continued to stare at the window, beyond which the rain didn’t look like it was going to stop soon. Hyunsuk sighed and threw another crumpled paper ball, this time missing the bin.

“I guess it was either an advertisement or an annoying friend, and not your beloved one,” Suhyun peppered.

Hyunsuk nodded slowly, not paying attention. Then on realizing what she said, “Huh? What?”

Suhyun smiled gleefully, “You are so bad, I thought we were great colleagues and you didn’t tell me about your boyfriend? Or is it a girlfriend?”

Hyunsuk blushed, “It hasn’t been that long…” he trailed.

“Oh, no. Your phone has been pinging like crazy for three weeks or has it been a month? Whatever, spill Choi Hyunsuk.” Suhyun stated, snapping her book shut.

Hyunsuk didn’t make eye contact, “Why are girls so interested in others’ love lives, huh?”

“It’s interesting, duh.” Suhyun passed it off, “Besides, I really want to know who is the one capable of luring Choi Hyunsuk into his trap.”

Hyunsuk rolled his eyes, “He isn’t that-”

“Ooohh, a he. ” Suhyun rubbed her palms together.

Hyunsuk had to roll his eyes again, “He’s just nobody special, okay? He was a classmate of mine. We just have gone on only two dates,” Hyunsuk confessed.

It was true, they had gone to Lotte World a few days after the arcade, and Jihoon was right, what had Hyunsuk been doing with his life, all this while? Amusement parks are the best. Hyunsuk had to smile at that memory.

“Wow, Hyunsuk-ssi, you are so in love. You are smiling at the thought of him.” Suhyun said, wiping a fake tear, “Ah, I wish I had what you have.”

Hyunsuk started, “Ah, I am not in love. I just like him, okay? I don’t even know what you are talking about.”

Suhyun clucked her tongue, “Yeah, sure.”

Hyunsuk squinted at her sarcasm. But he wasn’t lying, he really liked him, a lot. Enough to want to kiss him all the time, but love was still something Hyunsuk had to explore. He had never been in love with anyone before, so he couldn’t be too sure. But he wouldn’t mind if he did, if the person is Jihoon.

“What is his name? How did you meet?” Suhyun continued.

“It’s Park Jihoon. We actually went to the same high school but we weren’t,” Hyunsuk hesitated, “...close then. We recently started talking on Instagram and he asked me out.”

“Aww, an Instagram meet-cute.” Suhyun giggled, “But I must ask the burning question in my mind,” she wiggled her eyes suggestively.

Hyunsuk reddened with realization, “Yah, no we-”

“Is he hot?” they said at the same time, and Hyunsuk stopped midway between his possibly embarrassing confession. 

“Huh, what?” Hyunsuk asked.

“Is he hot? I mean he will be, but confirmation please.” Suhyun said.

Hyunsuk sighed with relief. “What were you saying?” Suhyun asked curiously.

“Ah-Uh, nothing,” Hyunsuk said. Then he began to think over Suhyun’s question. Of course, he is.

“Of course,” Hyunsuk said with a dreamy smile.

Suhyun squealed and Hyunsuk had to cover his ears, “Ah, this is so adorable. But seriously, I am happy for you. And Park Jihoon will get the slap of his life if he dumps you.” Suhyun said.

“Oh, don’t worry. I will give him the slap of his life if he drops a guy like me.” Hyunsuk said with a smile.

“Now that I think about it, why don’t you ask him to pick you up?” Suhyun suggested.

Hyunsuk thought it over, “No, he will have his work to do, I can’t ask him to do that.”

“Oh come on, what kind of boyfriend will be too busy for his boyfriend, hmm? Ask him besides, no matter how much you hate rain, romance is perfect in nice rainy weather.”

“I already told you nothing goes well with rain,” Hyunsuk pursed, “But I will give it a try,” he said slowly smiling.

“That’s more like it!” Suhyun clapped, “Now go text him.” she prompted.

“Okay,” he replied and reached for his phone.

6:49 PM

Yah park jihoon

He closed his phone and waited for the familiar ping to reverberate. It took only ten minutes for his favorite sound to come. Suhyun pumped her fist on the sound. Hyunsuk switched his phone on to see his reply.

6:59 PM

Yes baby

Hyunsuk smiled at the text, he knows exactly how to lift my mood up after a rainy day.

Wyd

Nothing, almost

done with my work

was about to go

home

Then come to my

firm when u leave

Wae? Can’t wait to

see me? :3

Maybe, but pick me

up, its raining :(

What happened to

ur car?

Came walking, but

it started to rain ugh

Does that mean

I get to stay over 

at your house ^_~

Maaayyybeee

depends on how

fast u get here

Omwwww

Hyunsuk laughed, “He’s coming!” he shouted triumphantly. Suhyun high-fived him happily.

“Now I get to see if he’s really that hot!” she said.

___

Hyunsuk was waiting outside the main doors of his building, for Jihoon to arrive with his car. He knew Jihoon was always late but he never gave up hope anyway.

To his fortune, the car came around the corner and stopped at the entrance. Jihoon, in his all prosecutor splendor stepped out of the car, making towards Hyunsuk.

“Wow, you really hit the jackpot, Hyunsuk-ssi,” Suhyun whispered into his ear.

“Believe me, I am more surprised that you will ever be,” he whispered back.

“You didn’t tell me he is a prosecutor?” Suhyun questioned, apparently that was very important.

“Oops?” he whispered back.

“Hi,” Jihoon greeted Hyunsuk.

Hyunsuk smiled back, “Hey,” to which Jihoon flashed his well-known dazzling smile. Then he noticed Suhyun standing next to Hyunsuk. 

Hyunsuk tried to introduce her, “Jihoon, this is-”

“Lee Suhyun, senior prison counselor, Hwang & Lim Psychological Firm.” Suhyun introduced herself professionally, extending her hand.

Jihoon found it amusing, “Park Jihoon, senior prosecutor, Na & Jeon Prosecution Office.” 

Hyunsuk watched this exchange, confused. He opened his mouth to ask before Suhyun interrupted him. “Park Jihoon-ssi, I am Hyunsuk-ssi’s senior so he works under me, and he’s one of my precious colleagues. Don’t you dare hurt him, do you understand,” she warned, glaring.

Jihoon looked really intimidated, “Yes, Lee Suhyun-ssi. I wouldn’t dare dream of it.” he replied.

“Suhyun-ssi, what are you saying? You are going to scare him.” Hyunsuk said.

“That’s the point of it,” Suhyun said, shrugging.

Jihoon laughed and stared at the building, “Wow, I can’t believe I am back here, after so long.” he said, his eyes twinkling. “Please tell me Junkyu is not around, I don’t want to see him today.”

“Junkyu? You mean sajangnim Kim Junkyu?” Suhyun questioned.

“Yeah, him. I really don’t want to see his face again.” Jihoon shuddered at the idea. “So awkward, and I am not prepared.”

“Ah,” Hyunsuk trailed, “I may have failed to mention that Junkyu sajangnim was his ex-boyfriend,” he said. “And don’t worry Jihoon-ah, he leaves early during Saturdays.”

“Ex-boyfriend? Now you hit the jackpots of all jackpots,” Suhyun smirked.

“Oh, he sure did,” Jihoon smirked before grabbing Hyunsuk’s hand. “Come on, let’s go. Bye, Suhyun-ssi, it was nice meeting you.” he bowed.

“Bye Suhyun-ssi!” Hyunsuk beamed, “See you later.”

“Bye, you two lovebirds.” Suhyun waved, before heading back in to finish the book.

___

“Soo,” Jihoon began as he started driving towards Hyunsuk’s house, the rain being a noise breaker between them. “She was nice,”

“Yes, she is the best person to be a subordinate under. She’s just so cheerful.” Hyunsuk replied.

“Is she younger than you?”

“Yeah but only by a few weeks, she is still my senior. Has a year or two more experience than me.” Hyunsuk said. “You had come here before? How haven’t I seen you then?”

“Hmm, I was just here to pick up and drop Junkyu, or if my prosecution office had some work here. The farthest I have been to is the lobby.” Jihoon said, not taking his eyes off the road.

“Uh, huh.” Hyunsuk mused, too distracted by the people walking on the streets.

“You know, “ Jihoon mused. “I did see an umbrella stand outside your building.”

“There was?” Hyunsuk murmured.

“And you knew about it,”

“Maybe,”

“Wow, you really are something, Choi Hyunsuk.” Jihoon shook his head, smiling.

Hyunsuk tried to hide a smile, “What? I hate it when the water splashes underneath the umbrella. I hate getting wet.” Hyunsuk stated. “And besides, don’t tell me you did not want to meet me,” Hyunsuk said, leaning forward and blinking.

“Yah, don’t do that, you’re going to distract me from the road,” Jihoon said, flustered.

Hyunsuk chuckled before leaning back.

___

Hyunsuk opened the door and peered in, sticking his head in before letting Jihoon in. He didn’t remember how he had left it in the morning rush but hoped it looked presentable.

Satisfied, he let Jihoon and locked it behind him. “So, welcome to my humble abode.”

Jihoon walked in and scrutinized each and every detail of the house, slowly taking it all in. Hyunsuk dropped his things on the table and ran to the kitchen to get himself a glass of water followed by some coffee.

“Do you want coffee?” Hyunsuk asked Jihoon, who was looking at the bookshelf near the television.

Jihoon smirked, “What? No omelettes?”

“No, coffee or nothing.”

“Aw, I thought at least today I’ll get some.” Jihoon pouted while walking towards Hyunsuk.

“Better idea, I make coffee, while you make omelettes, I want to eat yours’s,” Hyunsuk said, looking earnest.

Jihoon stopped in front of Hyunsuk, leaning in. “And what do I get instead?” he whispered in his ears.

Hyunsuk’s heart started to beat really loud, his voice quivered. “What do you mean? I told I’ll make coffee…” he trailed off when he felt Jihoon’s mouth at his jaw.

“But I don’t want coffee,” he whined.

Hyunsuk pulled away, “Then you get tea,” he beamed.

“No!” Jihoon pouted again.

Hyunsuk smiled playfully, “So? What does this baby want?” he said, trailing a finger down Jihoon’s face.

Instead of answering, he kissed him, fair and square. Hyunsuk grinned against Jihoon’s lips and kissed him back with equal passion. Jihoon circled his arms around Hyunsuk’s waist and Hyunsuk clutched his neck, drawing patterns on the ticklish part of Jihoon’s neck.

For once, Jihoon wasn’t feeling ticklish as he continued to kiss Hyunsuk, suckling his lips and playing with his tongue, enjoying his time. He picked up Hyunsuk by the waist and placed him on the kitchen counter, making it comfortable for both of them.

“Is that enough for an omelette?” Hyunsuk gasped, breathless.

Jihoon smiled, going back to attack his neck, “Nowhere close.”

Hyunsuk was happy to comply, exposing his neck to be devoured by Jihoon-

Ding Dong!

Jihoon was interrupted by the doorbell going off, Hyunsuk cursing the interrupter for ruining the mood.

“I’ll go check-”

“Yah, Choi Hyunsuk! Open up!”

“No…” Hyunsuk sighed before facepalming.

“Who is it?” asked a curious Jihoon.

Hyunsuk sighed ruefully, “You’ll see.”

Chapter Text

“We’re back!” Yoshinori and Haruto shouted outside the door, holding up a bunch of shopping bags with Japanese writing and shaking it at Hyunsuk’s annoyed face.

“Mwo-ya?” Haruto blurted, facing Hyunsuk’s really pissed-off mood. “You should be happy, your friends are back from Japan after a month. Forget about the rain for a minute and greet us with a nice smile.” Haruto said, flashing a smile for example.

“Hi, Hyunsuk hyung,” Yoshinori added in the back.

All month I have been waiting for them to come back and for once I didn’t want them around and they had to show up at that very moment. I hate my life.

“Seriously, you guys have the worst tim-”

“Hello-?” came Jihoon’s voice behind Hyunsuk causing him to cover his face. He should have planned this meeting in advance before he had opened the door, and the overeager Jihoon obviously couldn’t wait to see the racket outside.

Hyunsuk peered through his fingers to see both his friend’s jaws open, and eyes staring at the other man. Trying to break the silence, he began, “Haruto, Yoshi, this is-”

“Park Jihoon?” both Yoshinori and Haruto blurted. Hyunsuk huffed, Why doesn’t anyone let me complete his introduction?'

“Hi,” Jihoon smiled, waving. “Wow, it has been a while, Yoshinori,” he nodded at Yoshinori. “And Haruto,” nodding at Haruto.

Yoshinori was the first to gather his wits and close his mouth. He grabbed Haruto’s sleeve and pulled his ear closer. “See, I told you we didn’t need to interfere,” he whispered, grinning.

“You are always right, hyung,” Haruto whispered back.

Hyunsuk was watching all this unfold, knowing that he wouldn’t hear the end of their teasing for the next week. “Yoshi-ya, Ruto-ya-”

“Why are we still at the doorstep, let’s go in.” Haruto grabbed Yoshinori and invited themselves over. 

Hyunsuk sighed heavily, “Why doesn’t anyone allow me to complete my sent-”

“Hyunsukkie, come on.” Jihoon interrupted, and Hyunsuk glared at him before sighing again with frustration.

“Sorry, but calm down, I wanted to meet them anyway,” Jihoon said, rubbing circles on Hyunsuk’s back.

“Today’s just not my day, huh.”

___

“And we brought you your favorite ramen! The one you loved when we had gone to Osaka for vacation.” Yoshinori exclaimed, holding up the ramen packet from one of the shopping bags.

“Yah, now you are talking.” Hyunsuk smiled at them, taking the ramen from them.

“That’s not even the best part, we got you your favorite sake !” Haruto lifted his hand, and Hyunsuk high-fived it.

Jihoon was seated on the couch, scrolling through something in his phone, while Haruto and Yoshinori showed off what all they brought back from Japan for Hyunsuk. The meeting had turned out better than Hyunsuk had hoped for, and he felt at ease then, that nothing wrong had happened. Yoshinori and Haruto still couldn’t believe that this person was actually the same Park Jihoon they had known in high school, but overall they were happy for Hyunsuk. They were still well-behaved because Jihoon was around, but Hyunsuk knew, as soon as Jihoon stepped out of the house, he would have the time of his life.

“Wow, Jihoon, you succeeded in charming Hyunsuk. And you actually won over your greatest rival. All credits to you,” Haruto did a small salute.

Jihoon looked up from his phone and threw a questioning look at Hyunsuk and Haruto, “I had a rival?”

“Of course, the greatest rival of all, Hyunsuk’s dear job. You snatched him right out of its trap.” Haruto grinned.

Jihoon chuckled. “I am not addicted to my work,” Hyunsuk whined.

“You are,” the other three said in unison, and Hyunsuk sighed.

“Really Jihoon, if you weren’t around, instead of fucking you, he would be sitting and filling out another load of assignments when we came, a really depressing sight indeed.” Haruto nodded. 

Hyunsuk blushed heavily and whacked Haruto’s head, “Ow,” Haruto squealed and rubbed at the sore spot.

“Yah, we didn’t fuc-” Hyunsuk stopped midway and looked at Jihoon, who looked very amused, smiling and pretending that he was very invested in his phone. Hyunsuk threw a pillow at him, “Yah, why are you laughing?”

“What? Who’s laughing?” he said, not even trying to conceal his stupid grin on his face.

“Ahhh!!! Why does this day suck so much? I will just go to the prison and talk with people who at least try to listen to me.” Hyunsuk exclaimed.

“Are you saying that murderous, sinful prisoners won’t mock you more than us?” Yoshinori pepped.

“At least Bobby hyung won’t.”

“Ah right. Go love your Bobby hyung. We are not your friends right?” Haruto pouted.

Jihoon looked intrigued, “Who’s Bobby hyung?” he asked.

“Ohhh, jealous boyfriend huh.” Haruto wiggled his eyebrows.

“What jealous. Bobby hyung is just my oldest client.” Hyunsuk trailed.

“Yep. And he will be Hyunsuk’s therapist for a change. He will calm down our Hyunsuk hyung after he rants about his awesome friends to him.” Haruto grinned, and all three of them started to laugh.

“Who knew the three of you will be worse together, and here I was thinking you all will be awkward around each other.” Hyunsuk shook his head.

“Yeah, team ‘Let’s annoy the life out of Hyunsuk hyung’, let’s go!” Haruto held up his hands, to which Jihoon and Yoshinori high fived.

“Let’s go!” all three cheered. 

Hyunsuk rolled his eyes, “Someone get me out of this hell hole.”

___

10:43 PM

Jihoonahhhh

Hyunsukkkieee

Can u do me a favor

Why, u wanna try that

Idea ruto suggested

Ugh will u stop

Talking about that

It’s not a bad idea :P

If it was shameless flirting before they started dating, now it was shameless mentions of Haruto’s ingenious idea all the time. It had been a week since Jihoon had met his friends and somehow he is already one of them, frustrating (or flustering) Hyunsuk in every opportunity he gets. And this being one of them, Jihoon is enjoying his time.

Not that it was a bad idea…

Hyunsuk shook off stray thoughts and tried to concentrate on the point at hand.

Whatever, now abt

The favor??

Yeah sure what

Is it

Ok sooo

Ha i knew it was

That, i am in

Shut uppppp and

Listen to me

Ok ok sorry

So my firm is having

Its fifth anniversary

This saturday

And…

And i need a date

Ha, since when do

Company anniversaries

Need dates, r u feeling

Guilty that u cudnt

Ask me at prom?

No they do need

Dates, its some theme

For this year or

Whatever, but also 

It's gonna be pretty

Boring so i need 

Company and suhyun

Will be with her bro

Ik u myt hv work

And all sooo

Hmmmmmm

R u sure this isnt

A compensation

For a missed prom

So what if it is >_<

Ok ok i will come

U don't hv any work?

Nope, even if there is

I’ll tell jinhwan hyung to do it

Whos that

My senior =)

Ha now i get y

Everyone calls me

Workaholic, i wud hv

Nvr done that

He finally

understands ToT

Haha

But junkyu will

Be thr, is that fine

It will be dont worry,

This was meant to happen

We do need to invite

Him to our wedding

U and ur ambitions

Tire my soul

Someone has to

Think of the future!

But i think meeting

Him will be fun,

two years ago he had 

Invited me for the 3rd 

Anniversary but i cudnt 

come cuz my mom 

wasnt well, now i going 

To the fifth with 

his junior

Savage

But junkyu will

Prolly reduce

My pay :(

If he does that,

He will have to face

The wrath of park

Jihoon >:(

Whoa calm down

He wont lol

But i cant wait

To see his face

When he finds 

Out abt this

Uk he will be thr

With his new bf

Ohh him

Now its gonna

Be deliciously

Awkward 

Mwahaha

Remind me to nvr

Dump u, i do not want

Such a scary ex

No room for heartbreaks =D

Ok i hv to wake

Up early tomorrow

So i hv to crash

Ok byee <3

Byee

Hyunsuk threw his phone on the bed and as he said, crashed into the mattress. He really hoped nothing bad happened on the day, between Junkyu and Jihoon. The last time, he took Yoshinori and Haruto because he didn’t have anyone else and did not want to take his sister.

He had thought over this entire idea and made sure this wouldn't go wrong in any way, now he could only just hope everything will be fine.

Everything will be fine.

___

The car screeched to a halt in front of Hyunsuk’s firm entrance. A huge banner hung over, reading “HAPPY 5TH ANNIVERSARY, HWANG & LIM PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRM!”. It spread all over the entrance, overwhelming the visitors. Balloons and decor furled everywhere, and many people were gathered, talking in pairs and groups, making the celebration obvious.

“Come on,” Jihoon said, after parking his car where there was space left. “The party looks extravagant.”

“It is the fifth anniversary,” Hyunsuk shrugged. “Besides, we needed it to be extravagant. Rumors said that Park & Lee firm gave a party that was legendary. Let’s say Junkyu was intimidated.” he said, stepping out of the car.

“No one even remembers how old our firm is, no one celebrates any anniversaries,” Jihoon said.

“And there goes your chance to show off your amazing boyfriend,” Hyunsuk laughed.

“I know right,” Jihoon sounded genuinely sad. Hyunsuk laughed more at that.

They neared the party when Jihoon caught sight of a particular poster near the banner and burst into hoarse laughing, “Wow, what is wrong with him?”

Hyunsuk turned to look at what Jihoon was talking about to find a poster of Junkyu, smiling at the viewers baring his perfect teeth, with the writing ‘Thankyou Junkyu sajjangnim!!’

Hyunsuk laughed out loud, “Ah, he is like that. You should know,”

Jihoon wiped his eyes, “Ah, I should.” he sighed, shaking his head. “Come on, let’s go,”

They take a few steps more before being ambushed by Suhyun, “Jihoon-ssi! Hyunsuk-ssi! Welcome!” she chirped.

“Annyeong Suhyun-ssi.” both of them greeted.

“Annyeong! Oppa, come here!” Suhyun gestured at the solemn spectacled man standing a little further away. He noticed his sister calling and came over.

“Annyeonghaseyo Chanhyuk sunbae,” Hyunsuk greeted, bowing slightly.

“So he is the guy Suhyun keeps going on about,” Chanhyuk took Jihoon in.

“Oppa! That doesn’t sound right, I just told you that Hyunsuk-ssi has a boyfriend who is really nice.” Suhyun pushed at Chanhyuk.

“Yeah, yeah whatever,” said Chanhyuk. “I am Lee Chanhyuk,” he introduced himself, extending his hand. Jihoon took it and shook it.

“I am Park Jihoon,” he smiled, trying to charm him. Didn’t work.

“I heard you are sajjangnim’s ex?” Chanhyuk questioned, shaking his welcome drink.

Jihoon rolled his eyes, “I think people are more excited to meet Junkyu’s ex than Hyunsuk’s current boyfriend.”

Suhyun laughed, “Don’t mind us all, we just want to know how you survived being sajjangnim’s boyfriend.”

“It was an experience.” Jihoon shrugged it off while grabbing two glasses and passed one to Hyunsuk.

“Oh, there’s Hayi eonnie. Okay then, see you guys later,” Suhyun rushed off, while Chanhyuk solemnly followed her.

“After Suhyun hyped it, now I am really scared as to how this meeting is going to go.” Hyunsuk shuddered.

“Why are you scared, don’t worry, Jihoon is good at everything,” he said, sipping the mimosa he was holding.

“Oh shit, there he is. Don’t turn back.” Hyunsuk whispered as he saw Junkyu approaching him from a distance.

Junkyu happily waved at him, “Hyunsuk! You are not late this year!” he exclaimed.

Hyunsuk answered nervously, “Haha, it was my friends who ran me late last year, they didn’t come this year though.” he laughed awkwardly. He glared at Jihoon, whose back was still turned to Junkyu and was smiling ridiculously at Hyunsuk’s helplessness.

“Oh, then who did you come with? Is this your boyfriend?” Junkyu asked.

“Uh, this is-”

“Hi, Kim Junkyu,” Jihoon drawled, turning to face Junkyu with a shameless smile.

Junkyu’s eyes were so fast that if Hyunsuk wasn’t concentrating on his reaction, he would have definitely missed it. Junkyu’s eyes turned from smiling crescents to a curious look to an uncertain moment to wide windows, all in a matter of two seconds.

“Pa- Pa- Park Jihoon?” his jaw wobbled.

Jihoon nodded happily, “Long time no see, Junkyu-ya.”

Junkyu blinked a few times and looked between Hyunsuk and Jihoon a couple of times, to which Hyunsuk passed some more awkward smiles. This is going worse than I thought it would.  

“Hyunsuk-ah, are you dating him?” Junkyu muttered, snapping out of his stance.

“Uh, ha, yeah?” Hyunsuk mumbled.

Junkyu looked away to process the concept, before smiling awkwardly “Uh, hi Park Jihoon. I see you are doing well,” he said.

“And I see that you are the same,” Jihoon said with a smile still on his face.

Hyunsuk didn’t even know how to proceed anymore, so he shut up and let Jihoon do the work.

“Uh, so how did this,” he pointed between them. “happen?”

“Has been a few weeks now, hasn’t it?” Jihoon said, grabbing Hyunsuk’s waist, looking at him.

“Ah, right.” Hyunsuk said.

“We were classmates, and let’s just say we started talking again after years and somehow,” Jihoon moved his fingers, trying to indicate god knows what. “happened,” he said proudly.

“Ah,” Junkyu nodded. “Well, I am happy for you.” he slowly smiled.

“Even I am happy for myself.” Jihoon decided to butt in.

You know what, I am slowly starting to dislike this new Jihoon.

“Junkyu! Where did you go?” a voice came from behind Junkyu. Junkyu turned to see the source and then waved him over. He was a short boy with purple hair and a cute face. Very much Junkyu’s type.

“Ah, this is Mashiho, my boyfriend.” Junkyu introduced him, and Mashiho waved shyly.

“Mashiho, this is Choi Hyunsuk, a very promising prison counselor and this is-”

“Park Jihoon, I am Hyunsuk’s boyfriend.” Jihoon as always interrupted. Junkyu grumbled at being interrupted.

“Nice to meet you both!” Mashiho chirped. “You seem familiar though,” he squinted at Jihoon.

“Ah, I knew him before-” Junkyu began.

“I am his ex-boyfriend,” Jihoon said happily. Junkyu closed his eyes with annoyance and then glared at him. Hyunsuk thrusted his elbow at Jihoon’s waist, trying to calm him down.

Maybe he’s drunk on mimosas, how many did he have?

“Wow, the atmosphere is intense here,” Mashiho said, fanning himself.

“I know right? Come on Mashiho, let’s leave these two to bicker here, I will show you around.” Hyunsuk said, steering Mashiho away, happy to find an excuse to escape this awkward meeting. He turned back and stuck his tongue out to Jihoon who watched amusedly.

“So, I will see you around?” Junkyu said.

“Yep,” Jihoon answered waving, watching Junkyu walk away. Then he laughed, “That was fun.”

Chapter Text

“So, that was our amazing firm!” Hyunsuk clapped. “You should be really proud your boyfriend owns every inch of it,” he suggested to Mashiho.

“I am very much, this place is really nice.” Mashiho smiled.

“Did you guys also meet online?” Hyunsuk asked as they weaved through the mass of people.

“Yes, we did. It was cute in the beginning but we grew closer and closer. And it sort of clicked into place.” Mashiho said, with a faint pink on his cheek.

Now I get why Suhyun-ssi was so interested in my relationship with Jihoon.

“Oh, that’s really nice. I am happy for you both.” Hyunsuk patted Mashiho.

“Um, Hyunsuk?” Mashiho pepped softly.

“Yeah?” Hyunsuk asked curiously.

“Is your boyfriend really Junkyu’s ex?” he asked, clearly uncomfortable about it.

Hyunsuk sighed, “Sorry for his behavior earlier, but yeah he is.” Hyunsuk smiled faintly. “You don’t need to worry, Jihoon was not trying to hit on him, nor will he ever try.”

Mashiho laughed, “Oh no, I don’t think he would do that, he seems to be clearly in love with you. Although his attempts to annoy Junkyu were entertaining.”

Hyunsuk laughed with him, “He is a weird person, just don’t mind him.” In love with me? Hyunsuk decided to think about that tiny little phrase later.

“But I wanted to know why they broke up, did Junkyu dump him? From the way Jihoon was happily annoying him, it seemed like it.” Mashiho asked, with a frown.

So that’s what this is, insecurity complex. Hyunsuk’s psychoanalytic mind fired up. “Mashiho, I don’t think Junkyu dumped him. Jihoon just told me they fell out of love. And Jihoon is weird, don’t let his actions influence your relationship, okay? He just likes to annoy people. I am pretty sure he found the exchange more fun than satisfying.” he said assuringly.

“Oh,” Mashiho laughed, “He must be a fun man to have around then.”

“He sure is,” he smiled, happy to see the frown out of Mashiho’s face. “By the way, I couldn’t ask you, what do you do?”

“Oh, nothing that great, I am a professional dancer. I choreograph dances for renowned people,” he said bashfully.

“Oh, that is great! I always loved dancing as a kid, professional dancing was always one of my dream jobs, but I found out I study better than I danced.” Hyunsuk laughed.

“I already know you are a great counselor, don’t worry,” Mashiho assured him.

Hyunsuk was never so proud to be doing what he was doing.

___

7:47 PM

Hey hey hey

Whr r u

How cud u leave me

alone in this jungle

of smart people

who can read my

minds?

Calm down

I just went on my

own for two secs

and u r already

having an anxiety

attack

And i hv told u

a million times

psychologists cant

read minds >:(

Lol sorry

But srsly whr

are u, u better

show up or

I am going to

go bother junkyu

again

Noo dont do that

do u want me fired

Jihoon?

Tell me whr u are

I am coming

My savior is coming T_T

I am near that poster

of junkyu

Coming -_-

“What are you doing outside?” Hyunsuk panted as he ran and halted next to where Jihoon was standing.

“I hardly know anyone inside, and you ditched me.” Jihoon pouted.

“Do you know that you caused an inferiority and insecurity complex to Mashiho? And if I hadn’t interfered, that could have very well resulted in an anxiety attack or worse, cognitive dissonance!” Hyunsuk exclaimed, folding his hands against his chest.

Jihoon widened his eyes and then blanked. Hyunsuk drew his eyebrows, “You don’t need to pretend like a sinner, you don’t even know what those are.”

Jihoon sighed and smiled faintly, “Yeah I don’t, but I know those are bad.”

Hyunsuk sighed and rubbed Jihoon’s back, “You didn’t do anything wrong, it wasn’t your fault. You didn’t know that would happen.” he paused. “And you don’t need to worry, it’s fine now. Just don’t bother them anymore, okay?"

Jihoon nodded and looked up to the dark sky, “Now I think you are perfect for me, I wouldn’t ever have to deal with any mental problems.” he said, squeezing Hyunsuk’s hand in his.

Hyunsuk’s cheek turned pink but he smiled anyway, squeezing it back.

They look at the sky and the peeking sliver of the crescent moon for a while, “Hyunsuk-ah,” Jihoon started. Hyunsuk hummed softly, distracted by the cold breezes overlapping.

“Do you wanna get out of here?” Jihoon asked. Hyunsuk turned to him to see his eyes have a faint playful and childlike glint.

“What? I brought you here for a reason, you know?” Hyunsuk reprimanded.

Jihoon leaned in and bopped his nose with his finger, “Don’t tell me that reason wasn’t for me to convince you into leaving this party.”

Hyunsuk, flustered, rubbed his nose, “Noo!” he half-lied. No, quarter-lied.

“Really?” Jihoon leaned in closer.

Hyunsuk pushed him away slightly, “How far do you want me to go on Junkyu’s bad employee list?” he asked slowly.

“To the worst,” Jihoon smirked.

“Come on, I can’t leave the party, it’s the fifth anniversary! And it's just eight!” Hyunsuk tried to argue in an already lost argument.

“Then I will have to kidnap you,” Jihoon said, smirk unwiped with his arm slowly sneaking around Hyunsuk’s waist. Hyunsuk didn’t even try to do otherwise, “And you are going to let me,”

___

“Seriously? What kind of kidnapper lets the captive drive the car?” Hyunsuk was still laughing.

“Hey, stop hurting my ego, it’s already pretty injured,” Jihoon muttered from the seat next to him. “I drank too many mimosas and you didn’t so it had to be you.” he shrugged expressively. “I am a prosecutor, I can’t be breaking traffic rules.” he pouted cutely.

Hyunsuk laughed even more, “You really need to think your lines though, Mr. Smooth. Before you embarrass yourself. Now your very sexy concept is ruined due to drinking and driving fine.” Hyunsuk enjoyed teasing him.

“Haha, very funny. Now just drive to your house please.” Jihoon humphed.

“Uh-huh. Nope. The one behind the steering wheel decides.” Hyunsuk smiled evilly.

“You really don’t need to rub it in!” Jihoon protested. “But seriously, I wanna go home. I am in the mood to eat you.” Jihoon pouted.

Eat me? The fuck?! “Okay, thanks a lot for letting me drive. You are drunk as fuck.” Hyunsuk stated. “Who gets that drunk on mimosas?”

“Hey, I am not drunk telling that, I mean it.” Jihoon sat up and turned towards Hyunsuk, cheeks puffed.

“Yeah, yeah okay.” Hyunsuk rolled his eyes.

“Does that mean I can?” Jihoon asked. Hyunsuk rolled his eyes even more at that but couldn’t stop that burning feeling in his throat.

“W-we can talk about it later, now get out, we are here.” Hyunsuk managed to say before screeching the car to a halt.

“Hmph,” Jihoon sighed, annoyed and pushing himself out of his car. “The Han river? Seriously? You really didn’t get a better place?” Jihoon shouted on the tip of its banks, scanning the dark waters and the busy city of Seoul in its backdrop.

“Don’t say that, the river will feel bad.” Hyunsuk pushed him closer to the river.

“And what about your boyfriend, who feels bad that you didn’t take him to your house,” Jihoon asked.

“This is what you get for dragging me out of the party and getting me on the bad side of Junkyu.”

“Haha.” Jihoon laughed sarcastically. Hyunsuk shook his head and made him sit on the stone bench on the river’s banks. They watched the water as it lapped against the sandy shores, making faint sounds, hardly heard in the midst of the vehicles and the buzz of the city. The colorful lights shone against the water, filling them with artificial reflected color, making it mesmerizing.

“You know,” Jihoon began after a while. Hyunsuk smiled as he waited for him to admit that it was a nice idea to drop by. “Junkyu and I had found a raccoon here once,” he admitted slowly with a controlled giggle.

Hyunsuk’s mouth fell, “A raccoon?! RACOON?! First of all, there are raccoons in Seoul? And secondly, after a long, silent admiration of the peace of mind, this is what you want to share?” Hyunsuk demanded. “You are a hard person to understand, Park Jihoon.”

“Hey, I am drunk, don’t blame me!” he shoved at Hyunsuk.

Hyunsuk laughed at his antics before sighing and he placed his head on his shoulder. “Now tell me the truth, did you guys really fall out of love?”

Jihoon audibly sighed, “I should have been done dating mind readers.”

“Psychologists don’t-”

“I know, I know,” he said with a smile. “But yeah, we didn’t fall out of love, he dumped me. My first heartbreak, that man.”

Hyunsuk smiled knowingly, he knew it the moment Jihoon had said so. Jihoon was completely lost in Junkyu, in that photograph he had seen, there was no way he fell out of love.

“I just didn’t want to tell you then because I didn’t want you to assume the worst of me. I mean our meet was pretty weird as it is, I found you while stalking him.” Jihoon pointed out.

“So why did he dump this poor thing?” Hyunsuk said, getting up to ruffle Jihoon’s hair. Jihoon leaned into the comfort and placed his head on Hyunsuk’s shoulder.

“Well, I didn’t completely lie. He fell out of love with me. It was bad, very emotional, and very hazy that I don’t even remember much of it, but I know it was terrible. But I somehow got my shit together and got over him.”

“Enough to not stalk his social media?” Hyunsuk poked.

“I just wanted to know who was lovable enough when I wasn't. But I guess I am nothing like Mashiho,” he said.

“Yep, small and cutesy is his type. But smart and big is mine.” Hyunsuk said, kissing the hand he was holding.

Jihoon laughed slowly, “Maybe I wasn’t completely over him till today, after annoying the life out of him, I feel satisfied.”

“You are evil,” Hyunsuk laughed.

“I love you,” Jihoon said out of nowhere. Hyunsuk stopped laughing and tried to concentrate on what he said. “Because you feel right. Maybe Junkyu was too big to fill the empty space of love in me, but you feel just right, in place. And you don’t feel like you will fall out easily.”

Hyunsuk felt moved, no one had ever said that to him. He has helped a lot of people get over their depression, mental problems, and suicide instincts and all of them have been ever grateful to him, addressing him with love and gratitude that can make any human content with happiness. But these tiny words from a man drunk on mimosas by a fairly polluted river, late in the night, in the center of a noisy metropolis, made him feel complete like he could do anything in the world after listening to those words come out of Jihoon’s mouth.

“You should try writing poetry,” Hyunsuk said, his heart thundering in his chest.

“I always wanted to.” Jihoon shrugged slightly.

He held Jihoon’s hand tighter, “Thank you.” he said.

Jihoon stirred, “People usually say ‘I love you too’ to such a heartfelt confession.”

“I think thank you fits more. I feel like I should be grateful after hearing those words. But if that sounds better to you, I love you too.”

Jihoon got up from his shoulder and looked into his eyes, “You don’t have to say it for me.”

Hyunsuk shook his head and dipped in to seal their lips together for a few seconds, “I was about to say it anyway.” he murmured against his lips.

Jihoon laughed faintly before kissing him back, securing him in his arms, and as he had mentioned earlier, began to eat at his lips. Hyunsuk shivered in his arms as a cold draft blew over them.

They broke the kiss and Hyunsuk pressed his head against his chest, “Winter is coming soon, hmm?” Jihoon asked, drawing circles on his back.

“My favorite season, but I have a feeling I will like it better because it’s gonna be with you,” Hyunsuk said, not feeling shy at all to admit so.

Jihoon scrunched his nose, “Cringe alert.” he proclaimed.

Hyunsuk got up, annoyed, “Cringe alert? And me!? Who was the one saying that ‘you feel right in place’, ‘I love you’, blah blah?” he demanded.

Jihoon laughed at Hyunsuk’s cute imitation of him, then he lifted his chin with a finger, “Okay then, take me home my generous captive.” he smiled suggestively.

Hyunsuk pouted, “Cringe alert.” he spelled out but was already getting up and dragging Jihoon back into the car.

Chapter Text

Hyunsuk was grinning throughout the ride back home because he just couldn’t help himself. The past weeks have been so blissful and warm, it will put a smile on anyone’s face. But right now his cheeks were hurting because of constant strain but he didn’t mind one bit.

But right now, Jihoon was collapsed over the dashboard, with his hands stretched and touching the glass. He looked adorable, drawing patterns on the glass as Hyunsuk drove.

“Do you want to sleep? You can, I think I can carry you back in.” Hyunsuk suggested, he knew Jihoon was pretty drunk and drowsiness would soon catch on

Jihoon turned his head towards Hyunsuk and smiled, “Nope. I have something to do.”

Hyunsuk smiled wider, “What?”

“Patience, Hyunsuk-ssi, patience,” Jihoon whispered.

Hyunsuk’s throat burned, already getting the faint idea, “You look like you’re gonna pass out soon.”

“There’s no way I am missing this chance.” Jihoon whistled, his smile ever radiant.

Hyunsuk laughed softly and continued to drive. It was silent for a few minutes and Hyunsuk took this chance to process all the night’s happenings. He knew he should have kept count, but he really didn’t remember how many days it had been since they started to date but he never expected the love confession to be so soon.

Or maybe it’s not soon, has it really been that long?

He wished he had seen Jihoon’s facial expression when he had said those words but unfortunately, his head had been resting on Hyunsuk’s shoulder. He hoped Jihoon had looked as earnest as he had sounded. At that moment, maybe the words were too overwhelming to feel anything other than shocked and moved. But now, on reminiscing the scene, all the warmth seeped into Hyunsuk, heating his heart, making it beat faster. So this is love.

It felt wonderful. To feel such warmth and from someone like Jihoon and he hoped the fire would never go out. If only his teen self had seen the happenings on the Han riverbank, his teen self would have surely kicked his ass for being lovey-dovey with the lonely weirdo Jihoonie.

And Hyunsuk would have happily kicked his ass back.

He halted the car outside his house and looked at Jihoon after turning off the engine. He was fast asleep, breaths slow and soft. Hyunsuk smiled fondly and pushed back Jihoon’s bangs, already thinking of ways to get him out of the car.

“Did you think that I gave up and succumbed to sleep?” Jihoon said, opening one eye, smirking.

Hyunsuk sighed, “Heh, no. You are one stubborn man to give up.” 

Jihoon got up and whined, “Oh come on, I just fooled your smart eyes, admit it.”

Hyunsuk shrugged, smiling mischievously before unbuckling his seat belt and getting out. Jihoon followed him into his house and waited for Hyunsuk to unlock the door.

Hyunsuk bent down to remove his shoes after they got in when Jihoon snaked both his arms around Hyunsuk’s waist and pulled him up. Hyunsuk squeaked at the sudden action but was quickly silenced by the mouth that had come precariously close to the soft spot beneath his ear.

“I told you I had something to do,” he whispered, trying to sound as seductive as possible.

Hyunsuk laughed at his attempt (even though it was working its magic and his toes had begun to tremble), “Really? I thought you wanted to use the bathroom or you wanted to throw up-” he could barely finish his sentence when the mouth finally met skin and there was soft, wet suction. Hyunsuk inhaled sharply and Jihoon tightened his grip on Hyunsuk’s waist.

“Let me,” he closed his eyes, “remove my shoes first.” Hyunsuk managed. Jihoon stamped on the back of the shoe, helping Hyunsuk to ease out of them. Once he was out, Jihoon took control again, turning Hyunsuk to face him and he didn’t waste a second before diving for the lips. Hyunsuk gladly took them in, already weary of not having them kiss him.

They kissed, fueled with all the emotions that had rollercoastered throughout the evening. Hyunsuk moaned at the pleasure, mixed with the warmth that had been seeping in since the confession. Jihoon, not wanting to wait, wasted no time in letting his tongue and his hands roam free, exploring their way in and under.

Hyunsuk pulled back and placed a finger against Jihoon’s lips, “Your shoes, I don’t want sand from the river on my carpet.” he whispered, suddenly feeling the need to as he realized their situation and timing.

Jihoon pouted but he knew he couldn’t get away with it, “I wonder when I will get you to forget about every job and just think about me.” he said as he threw off his shoes.

“I have a feeling I will find out soon,” Hyunsuk said. Jihoon lifted Hyunsuk in his arms, bridal style, and began towards his bedroom, Hyunsuk already lost in thought and visions.

“Ugh, I forgot to make my bed this morning, and probably I threw my clothes on the bed before changing into this,” Hyunsuk said after they got in. “You should have told me before this was going to happen, how was I supposed to know?” he whined.

Jihoon sniffed and swiped the clothes off the bed with his leg, letting them fall to the floor. He then dropped Hyunsuk unceremoniously, causing him to bounce slightly on the mattress.

“Yup, you are right,” Jihoon said, bending down to slowly unbutton Hyunsuk’s shirt, smirking at a well-concealed gulp of Hyunsuk. “You will soon find out how I make you forget about everything in this world, other than me,” he said, and to seal the deal, he bent down and kissed Hyunsuk’s lips again, and Hyunsuk wished this feeling would last forever.

____

Are you alone?

We need to catch up right now

Let’s ask about each other

And talk about our complicated stories

However we do it

We need to connect right now

Who cares who goes first

We’ll fall asleep at the same time

are you still alone?

Hyunsuk woke up to a soothing voice singing out of the speaker blaring in the kitchen, the volume enough for him to make out the words in his bedroom.

He smiled at the lyrics, they sound heartwarmingly familiar.

He curled himself into a tight ball underneath the comforter when his eyes adjusted to the bright light flaring from the window. It was a wonderful Sunday morning with a painful headache. But a mind full of vivid memories of the night before, enough for him to ignore the ache. He smiled sheepishly, trying to control the growing blush. He searched for his shirt but his eyes caught on the glass of water by the nightstand and he had to bless Jihoon with a hundred years of life because his throat was sore as fuck.

He gulped it down in one go before grabbing a t-shirt and a pair of shorts from his wardrobe. He walked out slowly to find Jihoon fiddling with his kitchen, bright as sunshine.

Hyunsuk walked slowly, trying not to make noise so he could surprise him but who was he kidding, Jihoon was too smart for that. Jihoon turned to him at once, smiling at his failed attempt. Hyunsuk sighed, “What are you doing with my kitchen?” he demanded.

“What, you don’t want these? Okay.” he shrugged, after showing Hyunsuk a pan of cooking eggs.

“No, no. Continue the good work, ignore the fool. Omelettes.” Hyunsuk muttered excitedly. Jihoon smiled and shook his head.

The song after finishing, began again, louder since he was nearer.

Are nights here always dry?

It’s raining outside but I’m so thirsty

That light is making me feel so lonely

Though I didn’t always hate it

If it shines all night, I won’t be able to sleep

Jihoon flipped the omelette, “Doesn’t it remind you of us? It’s our song, we will play it at our wedding.” he said happily.

“Why are you so excited about the wedding? You know same-sex marriage is not even allowed in Korea.” Hyunsuk said.

“Is there some law against planning same-sex marriages?” Jihoon rebutted. Hyunsuk laughed and wrapped his arms around Jihoon’s neck and sniffed his neck from behind.

“Is everyone else falling asleep?

The whole city, besides us

I hope not but of course

It’s the same tomorrow just like today.”

Hyunsuk opened his eyes when Jihoon started to sing along to it, his sweet honey-like voice filled the room.

“Why does your voice sound like honey?” he didn't hesitate to say.

“Aw, do I really sing so well?”

“No, why does your voice sound like honey when it’s supposed to be hoarse as a horse, like mine. There was a lot of screaming last night.” Hyunsuk asked.

“Ah, haha,” Jihoon said, dumping out the omelette onto a plate.

Hyunsuk giggled and kissed his cheek, “You really do sing beautifully.”

Jihoon smiled and picked up a piece of the omelette and stuffed it into Hyunsuk’s mouth, “I love you so much.” Jihoon said as he did so.

“Mmm, I love this omelette.” Hyunsuk pressed on. “And I hate you for making me eat when I still haven’t brushed my teeth.”

“That is affection, that implies love, Park Jihoon. Don’t be disappointed.” Jihoon told himself. Hyunsuk laughed at his boyfriend and planted a small kiss on his lips, lasting only a second, but it immediately brought a well-deserving smile on Jihoon’s face.

___

11:56 PM

That song is so us

look at us,

Sleepless in seoul 

texting all night <3

Haha, ur ryt

do the ppl in

the song also have

failed at seducing thr 

partners as well?

:(

Haha I love u

Is it really that easy

to feel happy? :’)

Yep, u hv all of me

All of u <3

It was another episode of late night texting for Park Jihoon and Choi Hyunsuk. As always, no particular topic was discussed, but internet love passed to and fro. What was wrong with it, Hyunsuk enjoyed it. After a week of unabashed love declarations passed off casually, he is making efforts on loving Jihoon because he was afraid of when the tides might change.

how did this even happen? 

like how did we start?

Hyunsuk was again reminded of the fact that he didn’t remember how long it had been since everything, the 100th day anniversary is something else altogether. But he knew what Jihoon was talking about, when was that one spark, that one split second thought that made all this possible. He scrolled all the way up, even if it took great pain.

He stopped almost at the very start and stared at that one message that made him question it all.

Go out with me ^_^.

Hyunsuk laughed out loud and took a quick screenshot of it. Did it start from his bullying or Jihoon’s failed attempt at asking him out?

Nevertheless, that wasn't a conversation Hyunsuk had ever thought he'd have with that lonely weirdo Jihoonie back in high school whom he had (regretfully) bullied, years later through a weird Instagram reunion, unknowingly initiated by his boss, who was also happeningly Jihoon's ex.

This was also not how he'd imagined his favorite love story would spark. And he thanked all the stars for it.

who cares abt how it started

its all about how its going 

and how it ends

Heyy

Don’t talk about endings :(

:)

:(

:)

Y r u so cute

stop killing me

Jinhwan hyung is 

looking at me like I am

suddenly an octopus

Same suhyun prolly

thinks I am a squid

The famous love story of the

octopus and the squid <3

Forever remembered

Forever loved :)

Chapter Text

[Three years  later]

“Wow, I never thought I’d ever see him this… giddy.”

Hyunsuk turned to the voice coming behind him to see Suhyun nearly shouting into his ear. The music was so loud for the occasion that normal conversation was nearly impossible. But more than having his ear blown off, he was afraid of Suhyun’s weird contraption of a hairstyle, he called it the Orange Tulip Circus.

Where did she even get all this hair from?

Carefully inching away from a possible hair accident, “Oh I did, weddings sure make a person over-excited.” Hyunsuk smiled.

“Still it’s Kim Junkyu! If it was Jihoon I would understand. To think about it, he’s always giddy.” Suhyun said.

“Don’t even talk about Jihoon, he nearly had a mental meltdown of excitement on ours.” Hyunsuk dreaded remembering.

“Thought drain?” Suhyun asked.

“You bet,” Hyunsuk sighed.

“Yeah, he must not have had time to recharge.”

“More like he didn’t allow himself to,” Hyunsuk said, rolling his eyes.

“No,” Suhyun covered her mouth, “Mind scenario fixation?”

Hyunsuk nodded sadly, “It was terrible. I don’t ever want to get married to him ever again.”

Suhyun chuckled, “Good thing you were a counselor, I wonder what would have happened if you hadn’t got the smarts.”

“I don’t even want to imagine.” Hyunsuk sighed.

He turned to look back at Junkyu, who was smiling ear to ear and had been since yesterday, talking with his new husband, the same hamster-like purple-haired, Mashiho. Apparently, he stuck around enough for a wedding. Just like one other person.

Ever since South Korea allowed same-sex marriage, Hyunsuk had been attending a lot of weddings, including his own which was only a year ago and yes, it had everything Jihoon had planned. Jihoon couldn’t control himself throughout the days and Hyunsuk had grown tired of him but still admired his cuteness.

One year later, it was evident that they both would get invited to Junkyu’s wedding although with a special warning, (“If your husband does anything stupid, Mr. Choi. I will not hesitate to kick him out, literally.”)

So far Jihoon hadn’t done anything stupid but he had disappeared for the bathroom for a while now and Hyunsuk was getting antsy.

How much longer is he gonna take to pee?

He turned to complain about that to Suhyun but she had already disappeared too, on her way to gossip about something else with someone else. He could make out a tulip bobbing through its way in the crowds and he couldn’t help but smile.

He opened Instagram to text him, after all these years, and even after getting married, they text only through DMs, which is amusing. (“It’s iconic!” Jihoon had said one night when Hyunsuk asked why they don’t text through normal platforms like normal people.)

Before he could do so, a new post popped up and he had to beam at the picture. It was of Bobby, with his son. Once he was out of prison, Hyunsuk had asked what he wanted to do in life anymore.

“I don’t know. Hopefully not murdering. Maybe I should try dating, get married, have kids? Start a family?” Bobby had said, very uncertain.

But fortunately, what he said came true and he looked genuinely happy in the picture. Hyunsuk hit like and commented “You’re doing great ;)” before going back to his DMs.

12:34 PM

Did you forget me -_-

When r u coming back

Or did u run away

You r gonna miss

The cake :(

A small Seen popped in the bottom but no typing bubble appeared even after a few seconds. What is this idiot up to now?

Suddenly, a heavyweight settled on his shoulders so suddenly that he shrieked loudly, but a hand closed over his mouth, muffling the scream that would have surely gathered everyone’s attention.

“You should be used to this by now,” Jihoon said in his ear.

“No! I told you to stop scaring me!” Hyunsuk whisper shouted, turning back to look at his husband.

Jihoon had really cleaned up for the wedding, wearing a tailored black tux and his best depraved smile. The tux framed his athletic build, and the smile put a shot of adrenaline into Hyunsuk’s heartbeat. Jihoon saw him, too, his brown honey eyes warming with affection and desire. A flush of anticipation burned under Hyunsuk’s skin. 

Hyunsuk had been separated from him most of the day (he had somehow ended up becoming Mashiho’s best man. They had grown really close since they first met, probably because of their similar interests in everything.) And now he wanted Jihoon. Badly.

Jihoon came closer, grabbing a glass of wine on the way. His tuxedo jacket was slung over his shoulder, his hair curling rakishly from the humidity.

“This place is boring, do you wanna get out of here?” Jihoon asked. Hyunsuk knew where this was coming from and where this was going. Hinting a sense of deja vu, so old yet remembered like yesterday.

“This is my boss’s wedding and I am one of the groom’s best man!” Hyunsuk exclaimed but knew this wasn’t going anywhere.

“This is also my ex-boyfriend’s wedding.” Jihoon rebutted.

“Why, too jealous to bear it anymore?” Hyunsuk asked with a smirk.

“Yeah, jealous that he gets to be lovey-dovey with his husband but I can’t with mine.” he pouted. “Come on, love is in the air!” he said, taking in a deep breath.

“Where will you even take me? Do you even know any places here? Because I don’t. Why is this wedding in Jeju? None of them are from Jeju anyway.” Hyunsuk complained.

“There’s an inn just down the road. A barn behind those trees over there, if you aren’t feeling frisky,” he said, clearly giving no doubts as to the direction of his thoughts.

“Did you just say ‘frisky’?”

 Jihoon’s hands fell on Hyunsuk’s hips, pulling him close. “Yeah. Need a demonstration?” He kissed Hyunsuk once. Then again, drawing it out with a few inventive maneuvers of his tongue. “I love you.”

“Words I’ll never grow tired of hearing.”

He brushed Hyunsuk’s hair back off his face. “I never pictured my life so complete. I never thought I’d have everything I want. You’re everything to me, Sukkie.”

His words filled Hyunsuk’s heart to the brim. He loved him in a way he’d never be able to express in words. He was part of Hyunsuk. And Hyunsuk, a part of him.

Tethered together for the rest of eternity. Hyunsuk leaned in and kissed him. “Of course you were keeping your eyes peeled open for places to hook up. I just might take you up on your offer. A quaint countryside inn, you say?”

“The car which we came in is parked out front, or I’ve got a motorcycle I rented out back,” Jihoon whispered. “Traditional departure or escape?”

“I, personally, have had enough tradition for one day. Escape.” Hyunsuk said with glee.

Jihoon scooped Hyunsuk into his arms, and he shrieked with a startle as he carted him toward the back of this outdoor glade where the wedding was taking place. They swung onto his motorcycle and rocketed up the road, flying over the green hills toward the inn.

Once inside their cozy, private room, Hyunsuk reached up and tugged on Jihoon’s silk necktie, undoing the knot. “You dress to impress,” Hyunsuk said approvingly.

“No, babe.” Jihoon leaned in, his teeth softly grazing Hyunsuk’s ear. “I undress to impress.”

end.