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They say university and your twenties are some of the wildest days of your life. Park Sunghoon doesn’t live anywhere close to that kind of life according to his friends; but he, himself, does not think he lives a boring life. He hasn’t gone out with his friends to meet people, but he’s in a lot of clubs and has significantly more friends since he’s started university. He’s a simple guy anyway and he’s not sure if he needs anything more than what he has now.
“Sunghoon, it’s university,” Jaeyoon lets out a deep sigh. Sunghoon puts his book down and looks at his best friend. “You’ve got to live a little.”
“And what does joining a dating app have anything to do with ‘living a little’,” Sunghoon lowers his hands from his air quotes. “Why can’t I just keep doing what I’m doing now? I can meet people just fine organically.”
Jaeyoon wants to shake Sunghoon silly, “It’s 2020! Everyone’s on a dating app these days. I’m pretty sure anyone you’re remotely interested in is on an app. I’m not saying you should be on it all the time, but you should at least try.”
“I’ll think about it,” Sunghoon packs up his things. “Maybe I can go on a blind date instead?”
Sunghoon admits to himself that winter was a lonely season for him last year. The novelty of Christmas definitely disappeared, and all his friends were busy spending Christmas with their significant others. He knows his friends just want the best for him. Is this the year I’m finally going to find someone to spend the holidays with? Maybe Jaeyooon was right, he does need to be a little bit wilder. It’s time to admit, even to himself, that he is interested in someone in one of his classes.
The class is filled with chatter when he walks in. The lecture hall is large in comparison to his class size, but Sunghoon still chooses to sit towards the back despite knowing that he would be sitting alone. He likes it that way, so he can stay focused, unnoticed and unbothered by his classmates. Today is different though. He notices two boys sitting in front of his normal seat. He doesn’t glance long enough to check if he knows them before pulling out his notes to review for class.
“How was your date,” one of the boys asks. Sunghoon recognizes the voice from one of his other classes as Jaebeom. His ears don’t mean to perk up, but he’s a little interested in the topic. “Did you like him? Did he seem nice? Where did he take you?”
“He was nice and he took me to a nice place, but I don’t think I’m going to see him again,” the other boy responds. “I just didn’t feel a spark, I guess. He’s definitely not as good looking as—”
Sunghoon really wants to know the rest of conversation, purely for research purposes, but he hears a gasp and a phone drop on the desk. He meets eyes with Sunoo, whom he knows through mutual friends and classes, who’s staring at him with a shocked face before quickly turning around. Jaebeom turns and greets him with a smile.
Everything happens so fast that Sunghoon barely has time to process the interactions. He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but he swears there was a slight blush on Sunoo’s face.
Sunghoon can’t keep his mind focused on his lecture, opting to think about the conversation he had with Jaeyoon before class. It really does seem like everyone’s on a dating and on a dating app these days, especially when he sees a flash of a very popular app on Sunoo’s phone as he’s walking out of class. So, the very, very secret object of Sunghoon’s affections must be on one too. It would be nice to meet someone, even if it’s not the person he’s intending to date. They can be friends if things don’t work out in a romantic way.
The weather is nice out today (too nice for Sunghoon to be spending in the library to study), so today is not the day to study and decides to hang out with his roommates instead. He thinks of Jaeyoon and Jongseong as his most helpful friends. Maybe not, but they’re always there to give him advice, good or bad, and he’s grateful for that. He thinks he’s going to need a lot of it in the near future.
“Hey, I think Kim Sunoo is here on a date,” Jongseong is squinting for better vision. “I didn’t know he was single.”
“Or looking,” Jaeyoon is squinting and reaching his head further. “He’s blushing! I need to tell Jungwon.”
For a moment, Sunghoon forgets that they’re all in the same friend group, sort of. His friends are all friends with everyone else but he’s had a harder time warming up to the younger ones. He looks in the direction the older boys are looking and sees the familiar boy with a gentle smile on his face. “I’ve decided that I’m going to go on a dating app.”
Jongseong almost spits his drink out at Sunghoon’s face, “You? Dating app? How did you get him to agree?”
Jaeyoon shrugs, “you just need to believe that I’m that good. So, are you going to start right now? Let me choose your photos for you.”
“You’re going to choose ugly ones,” Jongseong takes Sunghoon’s phone from the table. “I will choose for you. Just trust me.”
After two tiring hours of Jaeyoon and Jongseong fighting about which photos will make Sunghoon’s profile the best, they’re finally home and in their own rooms. He’s not sure what he should do with the dating app now. Should he open it and swipe? What parameters is he supposed to base his decision on? What if he sees someone that he knows? Is he supposed to keep going or swipe out of courtesy? This is his potential partner, potential mate, his potential future.
“Jongseong, I need help,” Sunghoon yells from his bed. He can hear Jongseong running to his room and bust his door open. “How do I know if I should swipe yes on someone?”
“I ran here just for that,” Jongseong fakes being out of breath. “You’re supposed to be having fun. You decide based on your feeling and what you like. Do you know what that is?”
It’s been a few days since Sunghoon had started swiping and he’s figured out the types of people he wants to swipe on and how this whole thing works. He’s matches and received messages, but he still hasn’t quite found that one person that made him decide to join this dating app. He’s not discouraged though, but he’s talked to people and made a date for later in the week since he doesn’t know when he’s going to find what he’s looking for. It may not even happen.
Swiping has become embedded into his nightly routine, wedged into the 15 minutes from when he gets into bed and falls asleep. He has a good feeling about tonight though. He feels his heart jump out of his chest when he unlocks his phone. The silver haired boy he’s been looking for this entire time is on his screen, smile so bright that Sunghoon can only stare. He quickly swipes to match and it’s like his dreams are coming true.
The sun is shining the next morning and the sound of Jaeyoon yelling wakes Sunghoon up. He doesn’t remember falling asleep, but he does remember finding the silver haired boy. He reminds himself to ask his roommates for advice today in case the boy matches him back. He picks up his phone and sees he has a few notifications, but more importantly, he’s going to be late for class if he doesn’t get up now.
“Sunghoon,” Jaebeom turns around as soon as he pulls out his seat, “I didn’t know you were trying to meet people.”
He and Sunoo are sitting in the same seat as last week, which is unusual since no one willingly sits by Sunghoon twice in a row. A flicker of the dating app Sunghoon has been using is on Sunoo’s phone before the younger boy puts it down.
“Do you need some tips? I know someone who’s a pro at online dating,” Jaebeom continues.
Before Sunghoon can answer, Sunoo is pulling Jaebeom to face him, “hey can you help me solve this?”
In his rush this morning, Sunghoon almost forgot that he had notifications and fishes his phone out of his pocket. He sees new matches and a few messages, but more importantly, the silver haired boy matched him back. He’s a little disappointed that there’s no message that came along, but that’s something that he can work on. Dating is a two-way street, he’s heard. This dating app is making him do things he doesn’t normally do, like want to talk to other people first. So, he takes the initiative and sends the silver haired boy a message.
It’s not until much, much later in the day that Sunghoon receives a message back.
So, are you a pro at online dating? I could use some help.
I’m no pro, but I can try to help you
What’s the best way to get a date?
Just talk to them and get to know them then everything will fall into place.
How about dinner tomorrow then?
Yeah, that’s a good way to get to know someone.
Do you want to get dinner with me tomorrow?
Like a practice date? I guess I can help with that.
Like a real date?
Sunghoon is cringing at his own words—physically and mentally. He wishes he could’ve asked for some advice before sending these, but what’s done is done. This isn’t something that he would normally say, especially not in real life and definitely not to someone he kind of knows. He stares his phone for a reply, and he feels dejected after five minutes of no response. People are busy and maybe this boy is just busy now, so he lifts up his spirits and waits.
There’s still no reply when Sunghoon wakes up the next morning, so he follows Jaeyoon’s advice and decides to take matters into his own hands—right here, right now. Ok, maybe not right here, and not right now, but that’s the idea. He doesn’t quite know how he’s going to do it, but he’s doing it somehow and hopefully without the help of his roommates.
Sunghoon finds his chance after his morning class when he sees the silver haired boy at the school library with an empty seat in front. He quietly sits down and pretends to be interested in his studies. The boy finally notices his presence after 10 minutes and when Sunghoon meets his eyes, Sunoo is gaping at him.
“Do you have notes for this,” Sunghoon whispers and points to his notebook.
Sunoo leans in, “how did you find me? Did Jaebeom tell you?”
Sunghoon shoots Sunoo a fake confused look, “I’m just here to study? This is my favorite seat. Best view in the library. Anyway, notes?”
“Sorry, I need to get to class,” Sunoo quickly packs up his things. “Maybe next time. Or ask someone else if you really need it.”
It’s almost as if fates wants them to be together. Sunghoon scans the cafeteria for an empty table when he sees Sunoo and Jaebeom, so he decides to make his way over. Sunoo chokes on his drink when Sunghoon starts waving at him. He takes the seat next to the younger and Jaebeom can’t hold back his laughter any longer. Sunoo kicks him under the table and the boy takes it as his cue to leave. This was definitely in the stars.
The two boys sit in silence eating their food after Jaebeom leaves. Maybe this isn’t according to the stars, but how can anyone explain Sunghoon coincidentally seeing the object of his very, very secret object of his affections two days in a row. It’s comfortable in an uncomfortable way, but it could be worse. They could be on a blind date and not know each other at all, but they were classmates and had mutual friends.
This wasn’t the way that Sunghoon wanted to express his interest to the younger boy if he didn’t take the change after listening to Jaeyoon, but he’s not unhappy about it. There has to be a better way, especially if he’s not sure if his feelings are going to be reciprocated.
“I didn’t know you eat here,” Sunoo speaks up. “I’ve never seen you here before.”
Sunghoon looks at him. He’s pushing his leftover rice around, “I try not to eat at school, but I had to meet someone for one of my classes today and didn’t have enough time to go home.
Sunoo nods in response.
“You didn’t reply to me,” the older puts his spoon down. “Did I put pressure on you? You don’t have to go out with me if you don’t want to.”
Sunoo turns to him wide-eyed, “It’s not that! I just—It was so sudden and I heard you were going on a date with someone later this week. I didn’t think you were actually interested.”
“Oh, you heard. I didn’t know how long it would take to find you and if you would actually match with me. If you don’t avoid me, you’ll see how interested I am,” Sunghoon shrugs. “I heard Heeseung hyung is having a game night. I wasn’t planning on going, but I’ll go if you do.”
There was so much sincerity behind Sunghoon’s words, but the silence that following was choking him. A wave of relief floods his body when Sunoo nods in response.
The third time fate brings Sunghoon and Sunoo together may not have been fate wanting them to be together. Sunghoon (and his date) are laughing as they walk into the dessert shop after dinner.
Just as he’s about to sit down, he makes eye contact with Sunoo, who shoots him a shy smile, less bright than he normally is. Though things with Sunoo, whatever they may be, were finally looking up, Sunghoon just didn’t have the heart to cancel the date he already made earlier that week. He hopes Sunoo understands.
Sunghoon turns back towards Sunoo when he (and his date) are leaving. Sunoo’s smile is so bright that Sunghoon can feel his heart strings tug more than just a little. He hopes that Sunoo will smile at him like that in the future.
As soon as Sunghoon comes home and plops onto his bed, Jaeyoon finds his way right onto his desk chair. Jongseong pops in and plops on his floor soon after.
“So how did your date go,” he giggles. “Was it all you hoped for or more?”
“It was fun,” Sunghoon shot up from his bed, “but I ran into Sunoo at the very end. Isn’t that so awkward?”
Jaeyoon jumps up from his seat and points at Sunghoon, “I always knew you had the hots for Kim Sunoo.”
“Yeah, that obvious, huh,” the accused scratches his head. “Thought I flew by under the radar. So, what should I do?”
Jongseong’s eyes bulge and chokes on his juice, “Sunghoon, you like Sunoo? Why didn’t I ever get that feeling?”
“Anyway, I think you need to make a move,” Jaeyoon sits back, ignoring Jongseong, preparing himself to give Sunghoon the best advice ever.
Jaeyoon wasn’t exactly Sunoo’s closest friend, but he was involved enough within their friend group to know the younger boy. Sunghoon thinks getting advice from Jaeyoon can’t be the worst thing to do.
Sunghoon feels his earphone getting slipping form his ear and hears a whisper in his ear, “Sunghoon hyung.”
“Oh, Sunoo,” Sunghoon turns towards the boy, faces mere inches away from each other. Sunoo is smiling and the older can see his dimples clearly. “Have a seat.”
“Did you have fun last night,” Sunoo sets his bookbag down and drapes his jacket on the back of his chair.
Sunghoon is taken aback and how casual the younger boy is, “yeah, I did. Did you?”
“I did,” Sunoo nods, “Taeyong said he wanted to get dessert, so I just had to go with him. He said he was going to treat me and I love desserts. And he said he wanted to go to my favorite place, so I couldn’t just not go, you know?”
Sunghoon rests his head in his hand and stares at Sunoo, body tilted towards the younger boy, ready to accept anything he wants to share. He’s not quite sure how or why this dynamic between them changed, but the messages that they’ve started to send to each other recently probably helped his case.
“Sometimes I forget how many mutual friends we have, but we’ve never really interacted like that,” Sunghoon chimes in.
“Yeah, I always wanted to get to know you more when our friends started to hang out. But I noticed you were close to Jaeyoon, so I didn’t really get to.”
“Jaeyoon’s cute,” Sunghoon instantly regrets saying that.
“I think I’m cuter,” Sunoo awkwardly laughs. “Sorry, my humor is a bit weird.”
“Jaeyoon is like a puppy. You’re cuter in a different way,” Sunghoon moves to sit up straight and more importantly, away from Sunoo. He can feel a blush creep onto his face and silence sets upon them.
The afternoon is comfortable this time as the two sit next to each other and study.
Sunoo is already sitting comfortably within their social circle when Sunghoon and his roommates walk into Heeseung’s house. Although Sunghoon knew Heesung was popular, he didn’t expect game night was a rager and not actually a regular game night. What he had imagined as sunshines, rainbows, and fireworks between Sunoo and himself was suddenly far from reality.
Sunghoon is finally able to make his way towards Sunoo, following Jongseong’s lead, drink in hand and butterflies in his stomach.
“You need to relax, man,” Jongseong pats his shoulder as he jumps over the couch with Jaeyoon, squishing Jungwon in the process.
The only seat left is the furthest possible point from Sunoo, but Sunghoon takes the seat knowing it’s a better spot than heading into the abyss of a party by himself.
Jongseong takes Jungwon’s cards from his hands, “loser takes a shot?”
“Hyung, Sunoo’s lost twice already,” Jungwon laughs. Sunghoon takes a peek and sees Sunoo pouting, wedged under who he remembers to be Riki’s arm. “I think he’s going to lose again.”
“Hyung,” Sunoo whines and sticks his index finger out, “let me win once. I can’t keep losing like this.”
Sunoo loses again. Niki drinks for him.
The night continues on. Friends coming and going with different games and different drinks. Sunghoon is able to in his way closer to his friends—closer to Sunoo. It’s the younger who hasn’t changed his seat, still nestled under Riki’s arm, not making any movement closer to Sunghoon, though he’s gone to get more drinks and greeted quite a few people. He looks comfortable in this setting like he’s been here and done this too many times to count. He’s always been a social butterfly though, the warmth in their group—the warmth in Sunghoon’s heart. Sunghoon has always been the opposite—introverted, cold.
Sunghoon is a little drunk now, a bit happier, a bit louder, and a bit bolder. When Sunoo loses again, he sees this as his chance to be the knight in shining armor. So, he does what he doesn’t do best.
Sunghoon takes the shot glass from between Riki’s fingers, “you’ve taken a lot already. I can take this one.”
Their crowd is cheering, including his roommates, who shoot him a knowing look as he downs the bitter liquid. He can feel the liquid warming up his core and his stomach. Maybe he’ll regret it tomorrow, but he definitely doesn’t regret it now.
Sunghoon turns around when he feels a hand on his shoulder. It’s his date from a few nights ago. The boy is smiling at him, “Sunghoon, hi. I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“Hey,” he exclaims over the music. He doesn’t know what’s possessed him to be livelier than usual. “Yeah, I came with my roommates and Heeseung is my friend. If you know who that is.”
“Seriously?! He’s one of my first friends here. I know you just drank, but you haven’t had a drink with me. Come on,” the boy pulls Sunghoon’s hand in the direction of the alcohol. “Just one and you can pick.”
Sunghoon obliges, “Jaeyoon, I’ll be right back. Don’t leave without me, okay?”
Jaeyoon waves him off. Just one turned into two drinks and a very long conversation. What Sunghoon thought was going to be 5 minutes turned into 50 minutes. Maybe this was what his roommates were saying all along about living a little—enjoying the world outside the comforts of his room and outside of his friend group.
“Sunghoon hyung,” Sunoo crashes into him, crinkly nose smile and pink faced. “Jongseong hyung is being mean to me. Can you save me?”
“Are you okay,” Sunghoon steadies the younger boy and pushes his hair out of his eyes. He turns to his company. “Sorry. I think I need to take care of this, but I’ll see you at school? Let’s go back, Sunoo. What did Jongseong do? Where did Riki go? Do you need water?”
Sunghoon guides the younger back to their friends, but Sunoo quickly turns around to put a finger on Sunghoon’s lips, “I keep losing to Jongseong hyung. But first, you haven’t even had a drink with me. I’m hurt. We’re supposed to be close now.”
“I think Jongseong brought something good. Let’s go back and then we can figure out how to take you up on this offer,” Sunghoon spins the boy back around and pushes him back to their friends.
Sunghoon is sitting in a café, studying (pretending maybe?). He made sure to arrive early to get a big enough table. It’s been a few days since the party and since he’s seen Sunoo. So he spent a little extra time getting ready when he asked Sunoo to hang out.
“Hyung,” Jungwon exclaims in excitement, “are you here by yourself? Can I sit with you?”
“Oh, Jungwon,” Sunghoon hesitates but starts to move his books, “yeah, um, yeah. Have a seat.”
“Are you waiting for someone,” Jungwon leans in. “Is there something going on with you and Sunoo hyung?”
“What do you mean,” Sunghoon raises his eyebrows.
Jungwon squins, “don’t think you can lie to me, hyung. First, you suddenly show up to a party. And then when your friend, um, that guy who held your hand and flirted with you took you away, Sunoo hyung suddenly got up to drink too. He disappears and the two of you come back together. Now you’re here with not one but two drinks! I can put two and two together.”
“Those were just coincidences,” Sunghoon laughs nervously.
He takes note of Jungwon’s statement about Sunoo. It’s supposed to mean something, right? He wants to double check with his roommates if those are facts before jumping to conclusions.
Sunghoon reaches for the drink, “I’m just really thirsty today.”
“I don’t know how to tell you this, but one of your drinks is mint chocolate,” Jungwon smiles. “Don’t you hate that stuff?”
Sunghoon is caught, but he’ll do whatever it takes to stick to his story of playing dumb. He does hate mint chocolate—the taste of toothpaste and chocolate together, yuck! He picks up a drink and takes a sip. He fights the urge to spit it out and swallows it for the sake of his story. Jungwon doesn’t buy it and gives him a raised brow.
Sunoo comes in and saves him from embarrassing himself more in front of Jungwon. The blond boy drops his books on the table and takes a deep breath and greets them both. He takes a seat and continues to narrate about his day and all his troubles to get his books. Jungwon presses his lips together and stares as Sunghoon inches the mint chocolate Frappuccino towards Sunoo. It doesn’t take long for the boy to pick it up and bring it up to his lips with a thanks before continuing with his story.
Jungwon picks up his backpack, eyes darting back and forth between the two older boys. Sunghoon staring, what Jungwon (or anyone) would consider are lovingly, at Sunoo. The latter’s eyes brighter than any other moment Jungwon has ever seen, staring right back.
“I need to get to class, but enjoy your date, Hyungs.”
Sunoo waves him goodbye, “thanks Jungwon, we will. Don’t fall asleep in class!”
Sunghoon rests his head in his hand as he stares at Sunoo. It’s been two hours since they’ve started studying. He couldn’t resist treasuring the younger boy’s beauty, especially from such a short distance. Some people may think that his feelings for Sunoo is based off of physical attraction, but he had always observed from afar—hearing his stories and watching his interactions pulling heartstrings slowly and never getting the courage to get any closer. Until now.
“What are you doing,” Sunoo looks up and smiles at him, gently. Sunghoon feels his heart melt. “Are you done studying?”
Sunghoon shakes his head, “just taking a break. Are you done? Should we get dinner?”
“We should take a break,” Sunoo starts to pack up his things. “Then we can study after? Our test is soon but I don’t think I even know half of the things we need to know!”
Sunghoon opens the door to his apartment, paper bag of ice cream and snacks in hand. Sunoo’s laugh follows him as they enter, startling Jongseong and Jaeyoon, who are hanging out in their living room. The two older boys pause momentarily before staring at each other. Sunghoon and Sunoo greet them and make their way towards Sunghoon’s room, so casual as if they’ve done this many times before.
Sunghoon’s confidence in making a move has increased significantly. He doesn’t know from where, but the reason falls somewhere between his improved closeness with Sunoo.
“Where are we going,” Jaeyoon questions Sunghoon’s tracks. “This is a different direction from class.”
“Just a quick detour. You can wait here,” Sunghoon walks into the depths of the library.
Sunghoon has two drinks in his hand. One to help him get through his day full of classes and one for Sunoo, whom he spots in the library in the middle of a crowd. He places the drink on the table, no words, and just speeds back to Jaeyoon’s side. He misses Sunoo’s blush and stare. He receives a thanks, hyung :> text when he reaches class.
This becomes Sunghoon’s (and Jaeyoon’s) routine when he’s busy with a full day of classes to let Sunoo know that although they can’t hang out or talk much that day, he’s still in his thoughts.
Exams are quickly approaching and heavy studying resumes, mostly in Sunghoon’s room or their regular café, which Sunghoon only thinks is their regular because Sunoo loves it the most.
Jake doesn’t know what compels him to open Sunghoon’s door as if it were any ordinary day outside of exam season expecting him to be alone.
“Bro, do you,” Jaeyoon can’t finish his sentence before he’s closing the door. “Sorry! I didn’t know. Hi Sunoo!”
“Hi hyung,” he receives a faint response from Sunoo through the door.
Jake is covering his mouth, wide-eyed from the other side of the closed door. Jay walks by and gives him a puzzled look. The latter shoves him into their kitchen.
“Did you know Sunoo is here? In there,” Jake points to Sunghoon’s room. “I just walked in there and they were cuddling. I thought he was studying by himself. I could’ve walked in on something much more dangerous than that!”
Jake didn’t walk into anything crazy—just Sunoo laying on Sunghoon’s arm in his best friend’s bed, both on their backs and on their phones. He had come in and left so quickly that the pair didn’t even have a chance to shift from their positions.
Studying in their apartments has its perks, like cuddling and a lot of it; but studying in public has its own perks too, like hand holding and shy gazes. The first time Sunghoon had the courage to hold the younger’s hand, Sunoo had his fingers grazing his hair. He wanted to know what it would feel like, so he reached over and held it. The younger smiled and laced their fingers together.
Sunghoon holds Sunoo’s hands any time it’s convenient and they’re alone, like when he walks Sunoo back to his apartment. He’s never bold enough to do it when they’re around others, to keep their—whatever this is, they are—private. It only takes one slip, or rather one sip, to reveal his secret habit.
It’s game night part two, just nestled between exams and end of term exams. Sunghoon promises Sunoo that he’d come, despite wanting to sleep early. He and his roommates arrive when the party is in full bloom, much like his first time.
“Loosen up, lover boy,” Jongseong teases him and hands them shots of alcohol. “We need to catch up.”
Jaeyoon puts his arm around Sunghoon and points in the direction of their friends, “looks like your man is in his element.”
Sunoo is laughing when Sunghoon looks over. He’s not sure if the warmth in his chest is from the alcohol or Sunoo. He really does feel happier when he sees the younger boy smile.
Jaeyoon and Jongseong squish Jungwon on the couch once again when they approach. This sight is all too familiar. This is definitely something usual for their friend group prior to Sunghoon coming to parties. Sunghoon takes his place in the seat furthest away from Sunoo, who is once again tucked away under Riki’s arm.
Sunoo waves to Sunghoon, “hyung, come sit next to me. Riki, scoot over.”
Riki scoots over, but doesn’t put his arm around Sunoo once the older boy sits with them. He takes it as his sign to put his arm around Sunoo. The younger boy leans into his reach.
“Did you lose a lot already,” Sunghoon leans in to whisper in Sunoo’s ear. “I know you like playing, so I can drink for you later too.”
Sunoo laughs, “but you have to drink with me later too, okay? You can’t skip out like last time.”
Sunghoon pulls Sunoo closer and places a kiss on the top of his head. He still can’t determine if this warmth in his chest is the alcohol or Sunoo’s smile.
Jungwon throws an empty plastic cup at them, “get a room.”
“Maybe later,” Sunoo throws the cup back.
When Sunoo and Sunghoon get up to get more drinks, they end up squished together in a little corner of the party. Their hands are interlaced and faces mere inches away from each other in their own little world filled with shy giggles and soft kisses. A few drinks and maybe thirty minutes later, they make their way back to their friends.
“Finally back, huh,” Jungwon laughs. “Took you long enough.”
“Shut up, brat. I hope you lose,” Sunoo glares.
“I think we’re going to go,” Sunghoon yells through the music. “Sunoo’s a little tired.”
“Okay, sure. Enjoy your night,” Jungwon wiggles his eyebrows.
Sunghoon instinctively takes Sunoo’s hand and leads him out of the party towards his own apartment. Sunoo spends the night. The beginning to one of many.
Sunoo’s (and Sunghoon’s) class is dismissed. Sunoo takes his time packing his bag and glances at Sunghoon from his seat. They’re sitting on opposite sides of the lecture hall this week.
“Ready,” Jaebeom asks Sunoo, bag still open and glancing at Sunghoon one more time.
The older boy finally takes notice when he starts to pack his own bag and smiles at Sunoo.
“You can go first Jaebeom,” Sunoo zips up his bag. “I’ll see you later.”
Jaebeom pats him on the shoulder and gives him a knowing look, “yeah, see you later.”
Sunghoon meets Sunoo at his seat and holds his hand, “I don’t know why we sit so far apart as if we don’t come here and leave together.”
Sunoo laughs. The warmth in Sunghoon’s chest is definitely from Sunoo’s smile.
They say university and your twenties are some of the wildest days of your life, but they didn’t say you couldn’t be boring too.