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Wai is in his best friend, Pran's, dorm room, not doing anything special. Just hanging out together, both on their receptive phones, sitting on the floor in front of the couch, backs leaning against it. Silence only interrupted whenever one of them showed the other a funny post they came across on the internet, or to refill their glass of water to take a sip.
It should be calm, really calm, and for an outsider it probably seemed like it was. But the thing is, Wai came here today with an important intention. The intention being not just spending some quality with his friend, but to talk to him about something really…groundbreaking? Maybe it would be. So he was really the furthest thing from calm imaginable.
He came here first and foremost to discuss this thing with Pran, or rather just confess it, but in the two hours he spent sitting on that floor, he wasn't able to get out a single word. He could practically feel the nervousness oozing off of his skin, and is honestly surprised that Pran hasn't noticed the tension yet.
He checks the clock on his phone and notices that he only has about one and a half hours left before he has to get to work, and since this isn't something he just wants to throw into the room and then leave, he has to hurry up. He figures, if Pran doesn't just kick him out of his dorm, he will have questions. Or arguments, Wai can’t really imagine Pran's reaction yet. However, whatever Pran wants to ask or discuss, Wai wants to be an open book about this topic, anything to ensure their friendship stays intact. So it's now or never.
Decidedly, he puts down his phone and turns around a bit, left arm resting on the couch seat now and knees almost touching Pran's thighs, as he takes a last deep breath to ready himself.
"Hey, uhm…can I talk to you? There is something I need to tell you," he starts. He notices Pran's curious look on him as he places his phone next to him on the ground as well and gives Wai his undivided attention.
"Of course, Wai, anything. What is it?" Pran asks, worry and curiosity in his voice.
Wai feels his panic rise again, as he starts to ramble defensively already, in spite of not having confessed anything at all yet.
"I know it will sound crazy and unbelievable and you will probably get angry. And I can't blame you, I would probably be quite irritated at the very least, too. But please listen to me and believe me, because I can't tell anyone else and I think I will explode soon if I keep this to myself any longer." Wai doesn't want to be so nervous, rationally he knows that he doesn't need to be so freaked out, because it's Pran he's talking to. But here he is now, feeling like all he wants to do is jump up and run out of Pran's room.
Because he is well aware that this could destroy his and Pran's relationship. It could, but Wai is still hopeful it won't. Because Pran is not a bad guy, and he cares a lot about his friends. Wai knows this, but still, considering their history with the other faculty, he is still worried that Pran will get angry.
"Okay okay, hold on. I'm sure it's not that bad. I won't get angry, I promise." Pran's words, accompanied by a little pat on Wai's shoulder, do little to reassure him, but he still has to get it out. He can't keep it a secret any longer, wants to scream it from the rooftops actually, but maybe telling Pran is enough for now. He's pretty sure it’s a risk worth taking.
"Alright, here goes nothing, I guess," Wai murmurs more to himself, and then louder, with all the courage he can muster up – which is apparently not enough to look Pran into the face.
"Korn and I are dating."
Wai feels like holding his breath after that confession. Still feels like standing up and running out of the room, only way worse than before. Scared of looking Pran in the face. Shit, maybe this was a stupid idea. Fuck. Why is his friend still so quiet?
Despite everything, he stays put.
The last thing he expected Pran's reaction to be was..well, basically no reaction at all. Wai figures he should look into Pran's face to see what the hell is up. As he does, he notices that the other's eyes are growing comically wide, which really would be hilarious if Wai wasn't so on edge. Is this a good or a bad sign? He doesn't look too angry at least, so maybe Wai doesn't have to flee, he hopes.
After about ten seconds and a journey through all kinds of facial expressions – mostly confusion, Wai figures – Pran answers in a very soft, almost whispered, "What?"
And what is Wai supposed to answer to that? He can only sheepishly scratch the back of his head, kind of at a loss for words.
"This reaction is not really what I was expecting," is what he finally settles on.
"Well, this confession wasn't what I was expecting either, to be honest."
If Wai isn’t completely mistaken, he can detect a slightly joking tone in Pran's words. Still, he needs verbal confirmation to keep himself from freaking out further. "Are you angry?"
"No no no, don't worry, I'm not angry," Prans is quick to lift his hands appeasingly. "Just…very confused. Wai, how did that even happen? I thought you hated him."
There is a soft expression taking over the confusion and surprise on Pran's face now, and no anger still, thank god. Wai deems this a safe space to honestly explain the situation to his friend, his initial nervousness subsiding a bit.
"I thought I hated him, too. But I think it wasn't him specifically, but more the guys from his faculty as a whole. You know how it is…we are supposed to despise each other."
"Of course I know, but Wai, Korn really said some mean stuff to you. You haven't forgotten what he did to you every time he came to your bar, right?"
Wai has to smile a bit at that. Pran is such a good friend, and he is so happy to have him. No judgement, just pure worry. It's kind of endearing.
"No, I haven't forgotten. But you have to admit that I wasn't the nicest, either. Or all of us, for that matter. And Korn and I both apologized and put it behind us. Everything's fine now, trust me."
***
Korn and Wai were in Wai's room together when they had their first really serious conversation. They had gotten used to hanging out together just for the sake of hanging out. And even though it still didn't happen quite often and most of the time they were accompanied by a bottle of cheap liquor, it was still a nice change.
Usually, when they talked, they still bickered and Wai often felt like that was all he knew, the only constant in their relationship. The only thing making this whole thing still feel familiar, no matter how much it had changed. What started as just sleeping with each other had changed to being something like friends, and the bickering and teasing always stayed with them.
But he knew that there were a few things on his mind that he wanted to discuss, things previously unspoken about and more or less ignored, but important enough to risk losing this familiarity of light conversation and instead be genuine with each other for a moment.
Tonight, Korn had showed up at his doorstep again, on a random night, a bottle of cheap rum in his hand and a smile on his face. "You interested?" He had asked while lifting the bottle up towards his face. And since Wai didn't have anything to do anyways, he quickly smothered the reasonable part of his brain that reminded him he had to get up early the next morning, and simply stepped aside and opened the door wider to let Korn in.
So now here they were, sitting in a comfortable silence, tipsy, enjoying each other's company. And Wai figured there was no better time than now.
"Isn't it funny how we ended up here? And how we used to hate each other so much?" He eased into the conversation and risked a glance to his right, where Korn was leaning against the bed frame only a few inches next to him.
"We really have come a long way," Korn agreed as his eyes met Wai's.
"Fighting was so pointless. We wasted so much time, we could have had this so much earlier," Wai sighed as he scooted down further and let his head hit the mattress, eyes on the ceiling now.
"Are you saying that you prefer this here over fighting? Wow, Wai, I never knew you were so soft-hearted", Korn teased him again.
Familiarity, safe territory.
Wai lifted his hand and without looking, lightly punched Korn against the shoulder. "Stop teasing me, idiot. You know I like this better. To be completely honest, I don't even remember why I felt the need to punch you in the face in the first place. It's usually not like me to just do something out of principle."
Korn seemingly got the memo that this wasn't the right time to joke around as he was quiet for a second before he spoke again. "Yeah, it's hard to imagine now, isn't it?" Wai only nodded his head in agreement before he was surprised by Korn's next words.
"Wai, I'm really sorry about how I treated you. In the bar especially. I know the faculty feud in general was stupid but attacking you like this at your workplace was exceptionally shitty." Wai felt Korn's look on himself, so he turned his head again and saw nothing but sincerity in Korn's eyes as he continued. "So I'm sorry, for every punch and every stupid comment. As you said, it was plain pointless and if I could, I would take it all back. In a heartbeat."
Somehow, these words touched Wai more than he would have expected. It wasn't that he hadn't kind of known these things before, but it was still really nice to actually hear them out loud. He had grown to care a lot about Korn and it was good to know that those feelings were reciprocated.
"It's okay, Korn, I forgive you. Thank you for apologizing, though," Wai replied.
He didn't know what moved him to do it, but it just felt right to take the other's hand into his own and intertwine their fingers. His eyes lingered on their interlocked hands for a moment, before he looked back into Korn's. "And for the record, I'm sorry, too. I was a dick to you, too, so I guess we are kind of even."
Korn smiled as he grabbed the bottle of Rum with his free hand, lifted it to his face and said, "Well, cheers to us then!"
***
Wai feels a small smile creep up on his lips as he remembers the talk. Korn was so genuine and selfless that the memory still makes Wai's heart flutter a bit.
That was a whole new side of the other, one he hadn't been used to at all, but one that he found he adored with all his heart.
"You really don't have to worry about me, Pran, I have it all under control. Korn really cares about me, he treats me right. I appreciate your concern, though. I know this probably doesn't seem reasonable to you." He laughs sheepishly.
"That's not it, I'm just really, really surprised, is all. And you can't blame me for worrying, you know you're my best friend. How could I not?” Pran accentuates this with a light shove against Wai's shoulder. He is smiling now and Wai is just so happy that Pran accepts him and Korn. He was so worried before and this is really more than he could have asked for. Pran really is the best best friend someone could wish for.
"Plus, you two really did look like you wanted to rip each other's heads off whenever you met!" Pran laughed, mischief glistening in his eyes.
"What?" Wai asked, "What do you want to say?"
"But I guess what you actually wanted to rip off were each other's clothes!" Pran finally spluttered.
Wai feels himself blush and tries to hide behind his hands. Still, he can't help but join in on the laughter.
"You know what, it's funny 'cause it’s true. Once we started sleeping together we couldn't really keep our hands off of each other. And Korn knows what he wants, I can tell you that much."
"Oh my god, Wai! Too much information, dude," Pran doubles over in laughter, a disbelieving look on his face that makes Wai burst out as well. When they finally calm down, Pran wipes a tear out of the corner of his eye.
"But really, I'm curious about how it happened. Please tell me! How the hell did you guys even start to get close? But please, keep it PG."
"I'll try," Wai responds, "But no promises!"
***
It was another one of those busy nights at the bar. And of course, as if Wai wasn't annoyed enough already, given that he'd had a really stressful week at uni and just wanted to go home and sleep, of course Korn stumbled into the bar again.
Amazing, Wai thought. Because he knew that a night of serving that asshole was a night full of annoying comments and being bothered. And at work, their stupid fighting always made him more furious, because he had no real chance of fighting back, afraid of losing his job if he ever did. All he could do was make some snark comments if an opportunity presented itself, but naturally those comments weren't as pleasing as landing a real punch on Korn's stupid face. So he just had to endure and hope and pray that his shift would go by as fast as possible.
That particular evening though, to Wai's satisfaction, an opportunity to at least get a little under Korn's skin should present itself, that would certainly knock his ego down a bunch.
Wai had noticed that Korn had tried chatting up a girl by the bar, and obviously was not being successful, considering she very quickly left him sitting there by himself, the expression on her face almost one of disgust.
No wonder, Wai thought, that prick probably only has the most uncomfortable and cringy pick-up lines.
He watched Korn throw back the rest of his drink and recognized that as the perfect opportunity to go over there and tease him about his failure.
"Well, Mr. Loverboy, that seemed to work perfectly. Can I bring you another drink so you can try to drown that bruised ego of yours?" A snicker accentuated his comment and the angry look on Korn's face was enough to turn it into a full on laugh.
"Jerk," Korn shook his head, "just wait until I punch that stupid grin off your face."
"Dude, chill. You don't have to resort to violence just because your flirting game is shit."
Wai was happy that they had the counter between them, because at this point Korn looked properly furious and in any other situation probably would have started a fight for real.
"What the fuck are you talking about? You don’t know shit!", Korn hissed angrily.
"She looked like you insulted everyone she loves. Explain to me how exactly that could have been good seducing skills." Absolutely ridiculous. But what is that smug look that's forming on Korn’s face now? This certainly couldn't mean anything good.
"Oh, you want me to show you how well I can flirt? You wouldn't stand a chance at resisting me, asshole."
At that, Wai let out another boisterous laugh. He couldn't believe his own ears. The confidence that that man had was simply astounding. As if there was ever a place or time where Wai would actually be tempted by that guy. He hated him, it was impossible and an overall ridiculous implication.
"You think you can seduce me? Are you hearing yourself?" Wai was still snickering and to his contentment, annoyance showed itself on Korn's face again. "Hah, you bringing me around...that, I want to see. There’s not a chance in hell, you prick."
Wai saw something mischievous glisten in Korn's eyes, his expression not so annoyed anymore, to his surprise.
Wait, Wai had the realization, he's not actually considering trying, is he?
He thought about it for a second and found that it would probably be hilarious to see his nemesis struggle and make a fool of himself. Because there was no way that he would ever succeed, so it should be easy laughing material for Wai.
"Oh, just you wait," Korn retorted, "I'll sweep you off your feet. You won't stand a chance." There was a cocky smile on Korn's lips, but playfulness in his eyes. Wai didn't think they had ever been as civil with each other before as in this moment. If he didn't know better, he would think this was just friendly banter. But he did, and he knew he just did this to have an opportunity to see Korn embarrass himself. It was an opportunity he couldn't miss.
"Challenge accepted." He held out his hand for Korn to shake on their weird bet and felt the handshake reciprocated just a second later. Only that Korn didn't let go after, instead pulling Wai a little closer across the counter and leaning in himself.
"It's on then," Korn agreed and – with a wink and a suggestive smirk – added, "babe."
***
"And that's how it started," Wai concludes the story of this one fateful evening. "He tried everything, at every chance he got. Because he knows he's attractive, and he really knew what to do with that attractiveness." Wai used to curse Korn for that, but now that he had admitted to himself that he likes it and that he knows he's allowed to, the thought of his attractive boyfriend simply makes him smile.
"What do you mean exactly? You have to paint me a real picture here, man, it's hard for me to imagine Korn as anything but a violent prick, to be honest," Pran chuckles. Wai almost feels offended, but he can't really blame Pran for thinking like that. After all, before he got involved with Korn he had the same impression of the guy.
"Well, he constantly ran around shirtless at rugby practice and showed up at my work multiple times a week, of course always wearing the most revealing and accentuating outfits. And he doesn’t have a bad body at all, I think even you can admit that. It was maddening, really."
Pran laughs in disbelief. "So that’s how he broke you, by being half naked all the time? Dude, Wai, I never knew you were such a simple man."
Wai lightly shoves Pran, a smile on his lips.
"That's not all, dude. Let me tell you, his flirting game really isn't as lousy as I thought. I don't know what he said to that poor girl back then, because he actually really knows how to hit on someone." If he is honest to himself, he really was doomed from the start, he just didn't realize it back then.
"So, let me continue. Most of the time he came to my work, he didn't even really drink. He just hung out at the bar and sweet-talked me. Seriously, whenever I tried picking a fight with him he just answered with sweet words. It was like all the energy he had previously used for fighting and throwing punches, he was now using for flirting. He didn't give me any breaks at all."
It was properly infuriating some nights, Wai remembers. Because even though he didn't dare admit back then that Korn managed to get under his skin with this, it bugged him that he was so damn persistent and took their bet this seriously.
"He tried making conversation with me and worst of all, calling me all corny nicknames known to man. And I used to get pissed off. I tried convincing myself that it was because it was simply annoying and weird, because I didn't know how to handle him when he's nice to me. But looking back, I realize that actually I was just conflicted and scared because I didn't actually hate it. On the contrary, I liked it more and more the longer it went on. But it was easier to just tell myself that I was angry because he clearly wanted to win and I wasn't having it. I was just so deeply in denial," Wai admitted.
In reality, Wai lost the second he agreed to the challenge, he knows that much now. But admitting to himself that Korn actually achieved "sweeping Wai off his feet" as Korn had put it, took some time.
Wai stops talking for a second and almost gets lost in remembering some of the advances Korn had made towards him, before Pran interrupts his train of thought.
"Yeah, I can imagine how confusing that must have been. I mean, that was a complete change of tone in your interactions. I'm surprised he was so straightforward with it, honestly," Pran agreed.
"Well, imagine how surprised I was, being on the receiving end of that! And I had to pretend it didn't bother me in any way. There were nights where all I wanted was to call it all off. Because imagine you're already in a bad mood, and then someone walks in, desperately trying to get a reaction out of you, and you have to stay calm and act unbothered…I'm still surprised by how well I controlled myself back then," he responds. Pran snorts a little before nudging Wai with his foot.
"Okay, but obviously you didn't succeed in acting unbothered in the end. There must have been a turning point, or a climax or something, right?"
Wai snickered, unable to suppress a joke. "Oh believe me, there were some climaxes, I can tell you that." Pran's eyes become big again as he understands the joke, and punches Wai lightly on the arm. "Wai, I swear to god…you are impossible."
"Okay okay, I'll stop," he snickers, his arms in the air defensively. "Alright, here’s how it happened. So, I was working again when he visited the bar..."
***
Wai had already had a shitty day. He was desperate for some free time, to be able to finally take a deep breath and go home to sleep for hopefully an eternity.
So Korn showing up was the icing on the cake, really. And his outfit the cherry on top. Wai took one look at the other, immediately noticing his bare arms in the sleeveless shirt that was just tight enough to hug his torso and give Wai a pretty good idea of Korn's stature. One look and he knew that this evening, he would have to deal with Korn's antics again, and he really wasn't looking forward to it tonight.
He just wanted to get this evening over with and go home, damn it, not be confronted with their studpid game again.
Because of course it affected him. Korn was attractive, he could admit that much. Wai had always seen it, even back when they were still fighting, because Wai was a lot of things, but he sure as hell wasn't blind. So he was used to Korn's physical attractiveness by now, even though he still had problems not getting too distracted from time to time.
What kept throwing him off guard, though, were the stupid nicknames. He tried to at least act like they didn't affect him, but his body kept betraying him. No matter how many times he heard the words "pretty boy" tumble out of Korn's mouth, he couldn't stop the blush creeping up on his cheeks.
And that damn smirk in Korn's face made everything that much more infuriating. Because it seemed like Korn knew exactly what his sweet words did to Wai and it only seemed to encourage him more.
This night would surely be no different, so Wai decided it was best to stay as far away from him as possible and get busy with work behind the counter. Cleaning glasses was really more appealing right now than suffering through any more flirting.
Only that tonight, the world was really out to get him. Just as he was immersed in his work, another customer sat down at the bar and – Wai really couldn't believe it – started hitting on him. He seemed to be quite drunk, his words slurred as he leaned way too far over the counter and tried to invade Wai's personal space. It took him a few minutes to finally make him understand that he wasn't interested, and no, he also didn't want to have a drink with him.
When the guy finally left, obviously offended and unhappy about his defeat, Wai let out a groan as he let his head hang low before going back to wiping the counter. One quiet night, was that really too much to ask for?
Instead, it just kept getting worse and worse. He checked the clock which disappointingly read 11:23, which means that he still had to endure more than two hours until his shift would end.
It was when he averted his eyes from the clock that he noticed Korn waving at him, a serious look on his face and eyes giving off a sense of urgency. Wai looked around the bar and saw his collegue occupied at another table, so he decided to go over to Korn's table himself, despite really not wanting to. He hoped that Korn just wanted another beer, but also mentally prepared himself for worse, considering the course of his evening.
As soon as Wai arrived, he noticed the shit-eating grin on Korn's face.
"What do you want? Another beer?", asked Wai in an attempt to keep this conversation strictly business, unfortunately to no avail. He felt Korn's hand sneak up on his forearm and tried with every fiber of his being — not as successfully as he wished — not to let his eyes wander from the other's hands to his upper arm, muscles out in the open for everyone to see. This damn sleeveless shirt, damn it.
He quickly closed his eyes, feigning annoyance, before he looked back into Korn's face, being met with him looking at him through his eyelashes.
"Did you tell him that you already have someone hitting on you, pretty boy?", Korn had the audacity to ask. Problem was, Wai didn't hate it as much as he wanted to and he thanked everything holy that it was too dark in the bar for the rosy color on his cheeks to be noticable.
He should be annoyed at Korn for being such a bold nuisance, instead he got mad at himself for actually liking the damn pet names. This was still his enemy, for god's sake, and Korn didn't even mean them like that. The last thing Wai wanted was to lose such a ridiculous bet. No, he wouldn't fall for Korn's cheap tricks.
"That certainly isn't any of your business."
"Oh, but I think it is. You know, I really don't like sharing what's mine. You understand that, don't you?" Korn had the audacity to wink at him and all Wai could do was scoff and cross his arms, freeing himself from Korn's touch to try to form a normal thought again. Because the truth was, as much as he wanted to hate it, this possessiveness didn't make him any less flustered. He must be out of his mind to think that being called "mine" by the other was probably the hottest thing he had heard ever since their bet had started. Damn it.
"You're actually insane to think I belong to you in any way, shape, or form, asshole," Wai argued, shaking his head to underline his feigned disbelief. To convince himself as much as Korn. "Now, can you please let me do my job and order something or let me leave?"
"I'll have another beer then. Just because you asked so nicely, babe."
"Great, coming right up," Wai replied, voice as mockingly nice as Korn's, with a smile plastered on his face that didn't reach his eyes.
He went back to work after that but to his dismay, the guy from earlier had not left the bar and was making his way over to Wai again. Wai halfway wished that he would try to get physical of some sort so that there was a proper reason to get him removed, excessive flirting not being a good enough one unfortunately.
He kept pestering Wai again when he ordered a new drink, repeatedly asking for Wai's personal information and social media, even though he did not get even one answer out of him. How could someone possibly be this intrusive and downright dense? It was beyond Wai.
After a few minutes of alternating between sheer ignorance and telling him that he wasn't interested – unfortunately he had to be nice, otherwise Wai's tone would have been much less friendly – another figure appeared at the counter. Korn.
The previously playful expression on his face was completely exchanged for a more serious one, any sign of a smile long gone as he turned the guy around by his shoulder.
"How many times does he have to reject you before you leave him alone, huh? Have you never learned the meaning of the word 'no'?"
Wai noticed proper anger in his eyes and as Korn grabbed the guy by his collar, Wai readied himself to jump across the counter, mentally prepared to break up a fight. The last thing he needed was to clean up Korn's mess. But to his surprise, Korn didn't throw a punch, instead opting for a threat, "Now do yourself a favor and fuck off, or I'll fucking make you, you dick."
Wai was honestly glad he wasn't at the receiving end of that threat. Sure, he was more or less used to fighting with Korn and God knows that there had been more than enough punches, but right now Korn looked furious. A kind of fury that Wai had never had to deal with and that made even him nervous, even though he was what Korn was trying to protect.
And that thought kind of snapped him out of his awe, because he didn't need protection, he could protect himself, thank you very much. The last thing he needed was getting in trouble with his boss because someone got beat up for him. Because there was no doubt that he would get associated with Korn — considering they interacted way more than waiter and customer normally would, so his boss must know that they knew each other somehow — and would have to carry the consequences for that idiot.
Meanwhile, the stranger backed off, hands in the air in a defensive gesture. Wai barely caught his next words, since they weren't directed at him and he was too busy being angry with Korn for causing trouble, anyways. Something along the lines of "calm down" and "didn't know he had someone already", which caught Wai's attention again, reminded of Korn's question from earlier.
Did you tell him that you already have someone hitting on you? Seems like now Korn himself had made it clear. Just great, Wai thought, feeling his blood start to boil again.
Korn let go of the guy's collar, gave him a final light shove and turned around to Wai who already anticipated it. There was a grin on Korn's face, he was probably proud that he had managed to fend off his competition successfully.
It was infuriating, the fact that Korn still thought he had any right or duty to defend Wai, even after he had already told him off earlier. Korn had no claims on Wai, but clearly he thought differently, considering he hadn't corrected the dude.
Maybe, the rational voice at the back of Wai's head argued, maybe Korn just didn't want to keep arguing with him. That was reasonable, but it somehow still bugged Wai.
He noticed Korn open his mouth to say something, but Wai quickly beat him to it. He needed to settle this once and for all, he wouldn't let Korn continue to step all over him.
"Come with me, Korn. Now," he growled and Korn opened his mouth again to argue, but one more piercing look from Wai and he shut it again.
Wai quickly checked whether his coworker had everything under control and signaled him that he would be taking a quick bathroom break. He started heading off towards the door that read "STAFF" in bold, red letters, making sure with a quick glance over his shoulder that Korn was still following him before he led him down the corridor.
He stopped just short of the storage room and leaned back against the grey brick wall. The bare lightbulb above them did little to brighten up the long, narrow space that was the hallway, atmosphere somewhere between eery and comforting.
Korn took his place opposite him, back against the wall as well, causing their toes to almost touch.
Wai took a small breath, the almost quiet darkness making him calm down slightly, which was probably best so that he wouldn't explode into Korn's face. Korn, who just looked at him curiously, one eyebrow raised in question. Wai pushed himself off of the wall, now a few centimeters taller than the other.
"Korn, you can't attack my customers like that," Wai warned, breaking the silence that had become increasingly more noticeable after hours of loud music and drunken shouting. Their eyes met and Wai couldn't really decipher the emotion that glistened in Korn's. Confusion? Frustration? He couldn't really tell.
"Why not? He was clearly making you uncomfortable! Don't pretend you wouldn't have punched him if you weren't working," Korn answered nonchalantly. Did he really not grasp the situation or did he simply not care about what Wai had to say?
"Korn, this is serious. I can't afford to lose my damn job and they know that I know you. It's also not the first time you caused trouble here and if you keep doing that, I won't be surprised if they actually fire me. So please do me a favor and control yourself and stop trying to pointlessly punch people. I had that guy under control, no need for you to butt in."
Korn scoffed, probably offended. "It didn't look like he would have left you alone anytime soon."
Wai felt himself get angry again. He's a grown man, he doesn't need protection, and certainly not from his rival. "What's it to you? You don't have to play knight in shining armor and look out for me. You don't need to defend me, I can very well do that myself! I've done it all my life, can you imagine? Just because we have this stupid bet right now doesn't mean you get to act like a jealous prick!"
And it was in that moment – one finger angrily raised towards Korn's face, on an angry rampage without thinking about what exactly he was saying – that Wai realised what had irked him so much about Korn's behaviour. Jealousy.
>em>Jealousy that had caused Korn to act out of line all evening. But why would he be jealous? It wasn't like he had any right to, after all.
Probably, Wai reasoned, it was only because Korn was scared that anyone else in the way would endanger his chances of winning. If there was anyone else in the picture, Wai might stop looking at Korn and he would ultimately lose the bet. He didn't seem to care about Wai at all, and realizing this was surprisingly the worst part about this whole evening.
Because even though he would never admit it, not if he was held at gunpoint, Wai had to admit to himself that he would actually prefer it if Korn genuinely cared about his well-being. He didn't want to be a trophy in this game. Because that's all he is for Korn right now, isn't he? The prize in a stupid game. The confirmation for Korn that he could get anyone he wanted. Wai had originally started this because he wanted to witness Korn making a fool out of himself, without understanding that at the end of the day, he himself would be the biggest idiot.
So there he was, in a dimly-lit hallway with his arch nemesis that didn't really live up to the title anymore. With the realization that he wanted nothing more than for exactly this guy to care about him heavy on his shoulders. He felt the air get knocked out of his lungs as he took a tiny step back, everything too much, too complicated and burdensome to have a place between the two brick walls right now.
All he wanted was to leave, to leave Korn and this whole damn night behind him, crawl under his covers and sleep the reality away. Allow himself to wallow in self-pity for just one night, because it seemed like not a single thing in his life went according to plan.
Wai's thoughts were suddenly interrupted when Korn took him by the shoulders and shook him lightly. Now, Wai could clearly identify the emotion in his face as frustration.
"Why are you so damn focused on this stupid bet right now? There was a dude bothering you and I wanted to help you, you idiot. Simple as that! Can't you just fucking thank me for once?"
Korn was too damn close to him like this. Seemingly looming over him despite them being the same height. Making him feel small, foolish, inferior in every way. "I didn’t ask for your charity," he tried biting back. With one shove Korn landed against the wall, Wai almost surprising himself with the fist he held in the air, his other hand holding Korn in place against the wall.
But he didn't truly want to punch Korn, not anymore. This was just pure instinct whenever he was involved with him and the emotions bubbled over. Wai paused, took a deep breath in a desperate attempt to get his composure back and slowly let his previously raised hand sink to his side.
And now that he was calmer, he couldn't help but notice the electricity in the air. The position they found themselves in was easy to misread for any outsider. Korn's piercing gaze and mocking smirk made Wai more flustered than he would have liked to admit and he attempted to take a step back from the other. But Korn caught him by the hand that Wai still had pressed against his chest, grip on his wrist making it impossible to pull away. Korn smiled even wider now and to Wai's dismay he had to realize that Korn was back to flirting, if the smirk was any indication.
"This wasn’t charity. Why can't you just accept that I like being your knight in shining armor, huh, princess?"
Wai had to push Korn even harder into the wall, using all his strength to prevent Korn from gaining the upper hand. The struggle that came with it — Korn was quite strong after all — did not go unnoticed by Korn. Not the way Wai had to lean against Korn's chest with his whole upper arm now, almost his full body weight against Korn, nor the way this naturally made them stand much closer to each other than ever before. Korn barked out a small laugh.
"Wow, if I didn't know better I would think you're just doing this to get a chance to be close to me, babe," Korn continued teasing. The thing was, Wai found that he didn’t mind the closeness. What infuriated him was that despite the position they were in, Korn somehow still had power over him, knowingly so. Had the power to make Wai flustered and blush, only with a few words and again, a damn pet name. His frustration grew.
He gripped Korn's jacket to lift him off the wall for a fraction of a second only to slam him against it again, anger seething under his skin. And yet he couldn't get a single word out of his mouth, opting for an attempted death-glare instead. But Korn never seemed to shut up, to stop teasing Wai, playing their little game.
"You know," Korn started as he lifted the hand that wasn't still gripping onto Wai's arm to let his index finger graze over the expanse of Wai’s chest, "If I didn't know you so well, I would think you're trying to make out with me. Leading me to a deserted, dark hallway, pressing yourself against me like that…"
No!
Yes?
Fuck—
"You asshole…you know damn well that's not what's happening right now!"
"Who are you calling an asshole? I'm not the one blushing right now." Korn let his finger wander onto his face, grabbing his chin and lightly turning his head from left to right to inspect his cheeks. And it was true, Wai could feel his cheeks burning, but he swore it was out of anger. Mostly. Due to their close proximity, not even the dim lighting could hide the tinge from his opponent, no possible excuse for it in sight.
"Shut the hell up!"
"You just want to kiss me so bad, huh?"
"I said shut up, Korn!" In answer, Korn’s shit-eating grin only grew wider and wider.
"Why don't you just do it? Come on, no one can see us here."
Wai pushed impossibly closer, pushing Korn harder against the bricks. "I swear to God, if you don't shut up —"
"You're gonna make me?", Korn interrupted. He laughed mockingly, raised his chin towards Wai's. Their noses almost touched and Wai could feel Korn's breath hit his lips. It was driving him insane. "Or don't you dare?"
And that was it, it was finally enough for Wai. In a split-second decision he darted forward and closed the little distance that had been left between them. Their lips clashed against each other and it became an instant mess of lips, tongues, teeth, and desperation. And fuck, did it feel good.
Wai was surprised that even though they constantly argued, kissing Korn was like an agreement, a mutual understanding. They slotted perfectly against each other, hands wandering over clothed skin, exploring, discovering. A constant push and pull but in the most satisfying way possible.
And for just these few moments, Wai willed the voice at the back of his mind to shut up. He could panic later. Later, he had enough time to question what the fuck was happening. Right now, he would allow himself to at least try to enjoy this, try to forget their history. Just two boys making out in the darkness of a hallway behind a bar. Just for a few minutes.
He couldn't help but notice that this was just right, how it should always have been. How it should always be, from now on.
They broke apart after a couple of minutes, not far enough to escape each other's breath yet, though. To Wai's surprise, he found them, aside from their hands, still in the same position — he wouldn't have been surprised if he just hadn't noticed them moving, too intoxicated by their touch — with him pressing Korn into the wall. They took a few breaths to calm down before Korn's next words broke the silence.
"Fucking finally," he panted and when Wai opened his eyes he came crashing back to reality.
Fuck.
He just made out with his rival, his nemesis, or whatever you wanted to call Korn. No matter how hard he tried, that was the truth and he couldn't tune it out anymore. This wasn't a scenario he ever thought he would find himself in, and now he was completely unsure of what to make of this situation, getting more overwhelmed by the second.
With a startle he pulled his hands away from around the other's head and stumbled a few steps backwards, this thankfully making it possible for him to form a coherent thought again.
He had just lost the challenge. He had lost and had kissed Korn and he had enjoyed it. Fuck. He realized suddenly why Korn had teased him so much, why he had provoked Wai with words to dare to kiss him. Because only like that would it mean that he won. That he had succeeded, had achieved to make Wai look like an idiot. An idiot who had actually fallen for Korn's fake niceness and teasing and had made the biggest fool out of himself tonight. Who actually kind of wished that Korn's flirting had been genuine and that he had kissed back only because he felt like it.
Wai didn't dare think about why exactly that hurt him so much. Why he wanted Korn to feel the same satisfaction at finally kissing Wai as he did about kissing Korn.
"Congratulations, you win," Wai sneered into the other's face, quickly turning around to get the hell out of there. He had to get back to work anyways, he had been gone way too long already. And maybe, he hoped, he could busy himself enough and occupy his mind with literally anything else other than thoughts about this interaction. He felt utterly humiliated and wanted nothing more than to flee the scene, flee the whole country to be completely honest.
But it didn't seem like Korn would grant him that, since he grabbed Wai's shoulder to turn him back around. Wai was surprised that the expression he found on Korn's face was not one of mockery, but of honesty, eyes almost pleading. "I don't care about the fucking bet right now, Wai. I don't care that I won."
A small pause. Korn’s hand wandering from Wai’s shoulder to his cheek, the other one gripping his waist. Firm, but gentle.
"I just want to keep doing this right now, and if I didn’t completely misread your reaction, you want the same thing." Another small pause, giving Wai the opportunity to respond. But Wai wouldn't give Korn that satisfaction, he had given into him enough tonight. Korn seemed to realize he wouldn't get any kind of acknowledgement, but that didn't seem to bother him, since he continued talking anyways. "I know we're supposed to hate each other, but I would honestly really, really like to keep kissing you right now."
And that…wow. Wai had not expected these words. He tried swallowing down the lump in his throat, to no avail, and took a deep breath. This was dangerous territory. The bet had already been way too risky, foolish. They could pretend not to be rivals all they wanted, but they couldn't escape the reality of the feud between faculties, it was impossible. If he said yes now, even if it was just for one night, he would risk losing not only his close friends, but also his whole faculty if this ever came out.
"I need to get back to work," Wai tried excusing himself.
"I know. When does your shift end? I'll wait for you," Korn answered in the sincerest way Wai had honestly ever heard him talk and it threw him off completely. He could kind of deal with cheekiness, with flirting, but this was new. This made Wai want to give in. To just forget all of reality and say yes to everything Korn asked of him. Accompanied with Korn's thumb lightly stroking his cheekbone and the pleading look in his eyes, Wai was putty in his arms. Fuck, he really wanted this. He had to admit it to himself.
He closed his eyes for a second, mustered up his courage, mumbled "Damn i", but more to himself and then louder, eyes open now, "My shift ends at three."
"Okay, I'll wait for you then."
Korn sounded so sure of it, it truly astounded Wai. He realized that this was probably his last chance to backpedal, to put a stop to all this before it was really too late. To tell Korn "no, just go home now, don't wait for me, I don't want you to”, but even if that would have been the truth, he feared it would be too late anyways. Too much had changed, shifted in their relationship for it to go back to how it was before the bet. He didn't hate Korn anymore, part of him even wondered whether he ever did.
Staring back into Korn's eyes to look for any signs of mockery or teasing and finding none, Wai simply answered, "Okay."
***
"Okay, wow. I feel like I need a second to process this," Pran laughs. And if he isn’t preaching to the choir here. "I just really can't believe this is Korn we are talking about!"
"I couldn't believe it at first either, believe me. When I woke up the next morning, next to him, I seriously questioned my sanity." Wai remembers it like it was yesterday. The disorientation, the heat, the realisation of where he was and why he was hot. The panic when he found himself unable to move and leave for there were strong arms embracing him. Korn's arms embracing him, keeping him close. All Wai could do was question what he had done and what he was supposed to do now, since quietly grabbing his clothes and leaving unnoticed didn't seem to be an option.
Before he can get lost in the memories of their first morning after, though, Pran clears his throat, surely noticing that Wai is thinking back to something.
"So you really went home with him that evening?"
"I did," Wai confirms. "And it kind of became a habit after that. He came to the bar almost every time I worked and afterwards we went to either his or my place. But that's not all. Sometimes, we just ate dinner together in my room and had a few drinks and talked. And that was really nice, too, you know? Getting to know each other." He has a smile on his face as he remembers these times. Remembers that he felt so at peace, so happy. With Korn, ever since that fateful night when they plunged into this new thing, this unknown territory, everything was easy. It had simply become a bit easier to breathe with their rivalry out of the way.
"Oh my god, Wai, you get all mushy when you talk about him like that! And look at you smiling! Who are you and what have you done to my best friend?"
"You keep asking all these questions! What am I supposed to do? Am I not allowed to get a bit sappy when I talk about my boyfriend?" Wai objected with his hands defensively in the air, even though it was all in a joking manner.
"Of course you are allowed. I'm happy for you, really. It's just…not anything I'm used to, is all," Pran justifies.
"Well, you better get used to it fast, because I don't plan on letting him go anytime soon! And you are the only person I can talk to about this now, anyways."
Wai honestly wishes it was different. Wishes he could just update his relationship status and start posting about his boyfriend. Because even though he isn't the type of person for corny couple pictures, it would be nice to at least be able to share some cute moments with the public. But he is happy enough for today to talk to Pran about this, and Korn and him won't be caught up in this faculty rivalry forever, anyways.
"Mh, dude," Pran interrupts his train of thought, "I just have one more question…do you think you liked him all along and that's why you gave in that night?"
Wai thinks about it for a second, how he can explain this to his friends when he still isn't really sure about his reasons back then.
"I wasn't thinking a lot, I guess, and I don't think that I liked him like that already. It was just that he was there, and I gravitated towards him. I was physically attracted to him for sure, even if I wasn't ready to admit it yet, at least not before that first night. I didn't want to think about the reasons, I just kind of went with the flow, you know? And he was hard to resist for me there in the hallway." He chuckles a little and takes a sip from his glass before he continues. Pran is still listening closely, eyes curiously watching him.
"I think when it hit me was when one night, I noticed a girl flirting with him and felt myself get really angry and scared. We were already sleeping with each other for, I don't know, like, six weeks maybe? Well, not just sleeping around, but you know what I mean. Spending time with each other. Anyways, I quickly understood that what I was feeling was jealousy and that I didn't want Korn to flirt with anyone else but me. I realized then that I liked him a lot and cared about him and wanted more than this weird friends with benefits thing we had going on."
"That seems like a lot to take in, honestly," Pran acknowledges, followed by yet another question. Not that Wai minds, it was really nice to talk so openly about his experiences. "So what then, did you tell him?"
"You know me," responds Wai, "I'm kind of impulsive, so I almost just went marching over there right that moment to tell him and make that girl leave. But he was there with his friends, so I really couldn't. And by the time we were alone again I didn't have the guts anymore, considering that I also really wasn't sure about whether he liked me back or not, and had managed to convince myself that there was just no way that he did."
Pran hummed in understanding. "So when did you catch him alone the next time?”
"Oh, that same night," Wai laughs sheepishly. "Yeah, probably should have mentioned that. He went home with me when I got off work."
"Okay hold up. You guys were practically dating already and then he went home with you even though he had a pretty girl hitting on him and you still had doubts about him liking you? Even though that's like the biggest confirmation there is? You are really unbelievable."
Wai notices Pran shaking his head in disbelief and honestly, he can't blame him. Looking back it was pretty clear that Korn and him were on the same page the whole time.
"I get into my head about these things. And it kind of seemed too good to be true. In those few hours when I had time to brood over it, I talked myself into believing that what we had was enough for me. I was happy enough with what we had and I didn't want to risk losing that and him. Because just imagining him rejecting me and never wanting to talk to me again hurt me enough for me to get scared to confess."
"Then how did you guys end up together? Did he confess or did you get your shit together eventually?" Wai just hits Pran with a glare. How dare he make fun of his struggle like that? He guesses that's what friends are for, though. And it's not like he was still struggling, so he can't really be mad at Pran.
He can't be mad at Pran in general, considering how well he took these news and seems to be genuinely interested, despite Korn still being more or less a rival to him.
"You really want to have more of me talking about Korn, even though you don't like him?" Wai couldn't help but ask.
Pran nudges his shoulder slightly, an honest look in his eyes. "Wai, I know Korn and I aren't on the best terms, but if you like him and you say he's alright, I'll try to put everything behind me and like him, too. Maybe you can reintroduce us and we'll start fresh, like a new beginning," Pran suggests with a reassuring smile on his face. "I see that he makes you happy, and I want you to be happy, so what kind of shitty friend would I be if I held on to old grudges. Besides, he never hurt me personally, or not more than I did him, I guess, so it should be fine."
Wai is so, so thankful for these words. He truly can't ask for a better friend than Pran.
"Thank you, Pran. Really. I was scared to tell you earlier, but I guess I shouldn't have been."
"Of course, Wai," Pran replies, holding up his glass of water for Wai to clink his against it, cheering on this wholesome moment. "Okay, but now I want the story, please. How did you get together, who confessed? Details, please, my friend."
"Alright, but don't complain about me being sappy again, you hear me?" Wai laughs and Pran answers immediately, "No promises!"
***
When Wai woke up this particular morning, he wasn't panicked or shocked or disorientated. He didn't feel the need to sneak away, not anymore. He had found himself in this position often enough now to feel comfortable in it. Because even though Korn and him were not an item, they usually spent the night together and also didn't feel the need to leave before the other had woken up. Sometimes, even though rarely, they even ordered breakfast and ate together.
It was an unspoken agreement that they didn't hate each other anymore, that they could spend some time with each other without feeling the need to get physical, one way or the other.
So when he woke up, he just entangled himself from Korn's embrace enough to turn around and grab his phone to check the time. 10:48. It was Saturday, so he figured he could rest his eyes for a second longer. Korn was still asleep anyways.
Just as he thought that, he felt the other move against him, arm tightening around his middle. Wai noticed the other blinking his eyes open — sleep still heavy on his lids — as their gazes met.
"Good morning," Korn murmured drowsily, "How late is it?"
"Almost eleven. Do you want breakfast?" Wai wondered. He didn't really feel like getting up just yet, but since he was technically still the host in this situation, he figured he should still ask.
"Not yet. Let's stay here a bit longer. I'm still half asleep," Korn replied to Wai's satisfaction. Wai felt Korn scoot closer into his side, burying his face into Wai's neck who in turn started lightly stroking the arm that rested across his stomach. They stayed like that for a while, just enjoying the calmness of a slow Saturday morning with having nowhere to be and nothing to do.
After a few minutes, Wai felt Korn stir, moving back a little to probably be able to look at Wai, since felt eyes watching him. He opened his own, curious to know what Korn wanted to say.
"You acted all jealous yesterday when that girl approached me," were the words Korn hit him with and in that moment, Wai willed himself back to sleep, desperately. He didn't want to talk about this, he felt like there was no chance for him to get out of that conversation with his dignity still intact or his heart unshattered. He opted for the reasonable thing: Denial.
"I wasn't jealous," he spluttered. He had been, but Korn didn't need to know that. But apparently, Korn wasn't willing to let it go this easily.
"Oh please, I could sense it rattling in your bones all the way from my table," Korn replied teasingly, a knowing grin on his lips and mischief in his eyes.
Wai figured he wouldn't get out of this one and accepted defeat. "Okay fine, maybe I was a little jealous," he admitted, trying to sound nonchalant, "You happy now?"
"Only if you tell me why you were jealous. Were you scared you'd have to share this super adorable version of me with someone else?"
"Oh my God, you are insufferable," Wai laughed. Korn wasn't, not really. Only in the way that Wai's heart sometimes couldn't take it anymore. "I take it all back, I wasn't jealous, you just imagined that."
"Ouch, you hurt me, Wai," Korn chuckled, before his tone grew a bit more serious again. "But seriously, please tell me why."
Wai rolled his eyes a little. He guessed he had maneuvered himself into a situation he couldn't get out of anymore. At least not when Korn looked at him with such pleading eyes. He was a weak man, after all.
"Fine, if you stop bothering me then…I like what we have, I didn't want her coming between it." It wasn't a complete lie, just not the whole truth. But he wasn't ready to confess that to Korn just yet.
"I'm happy to hear that. And for the record, I like this, too. I don't want anything coming between it either. That's why I refused her, I just wasn't interested. Had to listen to some annoying teasing from my friends for that, but I don't regret it."
Korn moved so that he was leaning on his elbows, looking down on Wai.
"So…," Korn started, a little bit of hesitation audible in his voice to Wai's surprise, as it wasn't something usual for the normally so confident man. "If you like this and like it and we both don't want anyone else coming between us, what do you say about really trying this?"
Wai didn't know if he could believe his ears. Surely they were betraying him. Or he just misunderstood what Korn meant? "What are you saying right now?" He just needed to be sure.
Korn looked shy all of a sudden, and a bit scared. Wai noticed his struggle of trying to be brave and not look away from Wai. "Well, it's okay if you don't want to, we can leave it like it is, really, but like…what I'm saying is that, if you want to, maybe we could really start dating?"
Wai couldn’t help the grin creeping up on his face. Seeing Korn so shy and sheepish wasn't something he was used to and he would be lying if he said that didn't make his heart skip a beat. "Well, look at us, it's not like we don't act like a couple already anyways," he joked, happy to see a smile appear on Korn's face in return.
"So, is that a yes then?"
Korn had the energy of a puppy all of a sudden, and it was truly adorable to see, Wai had to admit. And if that was what made Korn truly happy, Wai guessed he could give in. It wasn't like he could deny anything at this point anymore. Couldn't deny Korn anything either, to be completely honest.
"Yes, I'd like that," he confirmed, and only to drown any doubt Korn could have, and because he could, he added, "I'd really like that."
The full-faced smile — teeth showing and eyes small — was enough for Wai to know that he had made the right decision in being brave and being honest with Korn today.
"I'm so happy. You don't know how long I've wanted this already," Korn stated. Wai didn't know if he should be more surprised by that confession or the look of complete adoration he found in Korn's eyes.
"What do you mean? How long have you had your eyes on me already then?"
There was a faint blush forming on Korn's cheeks now, and Wai just couldn't not lift a hand to lightly caress the tinted skin while Korn started explaining himself. "Since before we made the bet, actually. I noticed that whenever we two fought, it felt different for me than when I fought with any of your friends. Of course it also helped that I always found you absolutely gorgeous. Didn't take me that long to figure out that I would much rather kiss you than punch you. But if I had told you that back then you probably would have just beat me up." Korn laughed and Wai couldn’t help but join in.
He felt giddy all of a sudden. Korn liked him. Liked him back. He found him gorgeous. He blushed.
"You might be right about that. Good thing you had an elaborate plan in place for me to change my mind." He lightly flipped Korn on the forehead with the hand previously cupping Korn's face, but his hand was captured by the other and brought back down onto his chest, hands clasped together.
"Mmh, good thing, right? Now I can just kiss you whenever, Mr. Boyfriend," Korn teased, even having the boldness to wink. As if his words weren't enough already to color the skin on Wai's chest a light pink. But two could play this game, Wai thought, and it wasn't like Korn was wrong or he had anything against that fact. And come to think of it, they hadn't kissed since last night and he really didn't have anything against changing that.
"Well, why are you still talking, then?" Wai asked cheekily as he used his unoccupied hand to grab Korn by the neck and pull his boyfriend's head closer to his own.
"Bring it on, babe."