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“I’m so excited Taehyun ah!” The man next to him skipped happily like an excited puppy, fluffy hair bouncing atop his head. Beomgyu’s happiness is infectious, and Taehyun finds himself grinning along, a little bounce in his step too. It’s not just Beomgyu, there is something about theme parks that instantly fills you with excitement the moment you step through its large gates.
“Where should we go first?” Taehyun inspects the map the park staff issued to him at the entrance, but one of his hands is immediately snatched by Beomgyu and he's pulled along in a random direction. His face heats up and his arm almost jerks back on instinct but the older only grabs his hand tighter and pulls them closer.
“Let's just go on every ride! We have all day don't we?” Beomgyu exclaims with a giggle, chirpier than ever. Taehyun tries to hide how flustered he is by busying himself with the map when he feels Beomgyu lace his fingers with his.
Straight off the bat, Beomgyu drags him off to a rollercoaster. The older is an adrenaline junkie, a rollercoaster addict, and he is literally vibrating with excitement as they skip the queue via the express pass lane. (The way Beomgyu had cooly agreed to add on an unlimited express pass upon the ticketing staff’s suggestion and paid for both of them with his credit card made Taehyun flush so hard he had to blame it on the summer heat. He insisted on paying for his ticket, but Beomgyu, that annoying man, had refused and even said, “I like spoiling you Taehyunnie, so don't worry your pretty head too much about it okay?” and Taehyun could only look away and not let his thoughts run too wild with that one.)
“I'm so excited Taehyun ah, I haven't been on a rollercoaster since three? Four? Years ago? I’m so excited I could puke.” Beomgyu shakes Taehyun’s arm excitedly and the younger couldn't help but grimace.
“I would prefer if you don't. These shoes are new.” He says, referring to his brand-new sneakers.
“Oh, yeah I noticed. You dressed really nicely today, a lot nicer than usual,” Beomgyu comments, giving him a once-over.
“Because this isn't a lecture theatre. We’re actually going out. I have to look presentable don't I.” Lies. He spent two hours agonising over what to wear and had to video call Yeonjun in the end. He even put on a little bit of makeup as per Yeonjun’s instructions and he's seriously hoping Beomgyu doesn't see it (another lie to himself this time). That would be embarrassing.
“Really…” Beomgyu sounds unconvinced, but they're both interrupted by the park staff that guide them to wait in position for the rollercoaster. Butterflies immediately erupt in his stomach as he trails after Beomgyu. Shit, they're going to be first.
“We're going to be first! Oh my god, this is going to be even better!” Beomgyu clearly doesn't share his sentiments and is instead bouncing excitedly in place. He notices how quiet Taehyun is being and wraps a hand around the younger’s hand, concerned, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, just a little nervous.” Nervous is an understatement he feels like he could puke. It's not like he's scared of rollercoasters but after at least six years of not being on one… maybe he is.
The rollercoaster arrives and they're being ushered on board. Taehyun knows he's fucked when the seatbelt comes down from above and his feet dangle in the air. He takes a deep breath, fingers picking nervously at his jeans.
A hand slip into his and grips it tightly. Beomgyu shoots him a reassuring smile and he tries to return it, gripping it back even tighter.
The floor descends and the rollercoaster begins moving, slowly climbing up. Being first in line means that he can see everything and he's also hanging off the edge when the rollercoaster comes to a pause. Very sadistic of the designer or whoever made this to be honest.
“Let's go Taehyun ah!” Beomgyu yells from beside him, swinging their linked hands excitedly. And then they drop.
Beomgyu screams, loud and shrill. Taehyun can't remember if he even screamed. It's exhilarating, the way his heart swooped when they dropped and the way wind gushed against his face. He swears he saw his drool flying out of his mouth when they flipped upside down and it was funny. As with all rollercoasters, it ends too soon. His heart is thundering in his chest when they stop, but in a good way, and he looks over at Beomgyu.
“Again?” The older suggests with a grin. Taehyun nods.
They ride the rollercoaster eight consecutive times until Beomgyu admits defeat, claiming that if he went one more time he might empty his stomach midair. Taehyun agrees readily—the floor is starting to spin. The older clutches onto his arm, mentioning how he “needs support or he might collapse”.
They take a stroll through the park, opting to take lots of photos at photo points and try a chill kiddy ride or two before they even attempt another rollercoaster again. They're both no longer dizzy by now, but Beomgyu’s hands are still wrapped around Taehyun’s. It feels awfully like a date, and Taehyun almost believes it when Beomgyu wraps an arm around his waist for a photo before his hand slips back casually into his as if this was normal.
But they're not together, and this isn't the first time Beomgyu has been like that around him. It's clear Beomgyu is just a touchy person who enjoys holding hands and clinging to people and this means absolutely nothing to him.
Lunch consists of overpriced pizza and a suspicious blue slushy that tastes like artificial flavouring and a fuck ton of sugar. Beomgyu paid for both of them again despite Taehyun’s protests and he can seriously feel his stress level rising at how much the older was spending on him today. He briefly hears two girls behind them whisper about how “that guy who paid is such a good boyfriend, I wish mine was like that,” and Taehyun wants to fucking scream.
Determined to pay Beomgyu back in some way, he tries to pay for ice cream, but Beomgyu beats him to it again. His opportunity comes when they pass by the game booth, and Beomgyu pauses in front of one of them.
“What is it?”
“Nothing,” Beomgyu shakes his head, ready to move off, but the way he eyed one of the plushies didn't go unnoticed by Taehyun, and he tugs them towards the booth. They don't accept cards, only cash, and Taehyun grins when Beomgyu flusters, unable to pay for the first time today. He pulls out his wallet triumphantly.
“This is why you should always bring some cash with you hyung.”
It's one of those carnival games designed to be impossible to win in order to suck you dry of your money but Taehyun is nothing but a stubborn man who’s also in love. The first attempt at tossing the rings is of course a fail, and he pays five bucks for another twenty tries. Taehyun keeps on failing, but he's determined to get Beomgyu that plushie he wants and before he knows it he's spent twenty-five bucks on this game.
He’s down to three rings in his bucket he needs to get this in.
“Let me try?” Beomgyu asks, and Taehyun shrugs. Why not. The older grabs a ring, eyes the bottles for a moment, tosses the ring and—bloody hell—Beomgyu did it.
He stares at the older, wide-eyed and feeling very betrayed as Beomgyu picks out a gigantic grey cat, hugging it close to his chest. He can't believe the older watched him struggle for so long and he did it in one try.
Feeling very embarrassed that his attempt to win the older a plushie failed, he stomps off, huffing when Beomgyu catches up to him, giggling stupidly. “Thank you for the plushie.”
“No, thank yourself,” Taehyun mumbles under his breath.
“Awww, don't be like that Taehyun ah! You tried winning it for me and that's all that matters.” Beomgyu bumps his shoulders. When Taehyun still refuses to look at him Beomgyu leans into Taehyun’s space, their faces awfully close, “you're so cute when sulky,” he says and boops their noses together.
What the fuck. Taehyun can't help the startled squeak he lets out, drawing back in a panic. He punches the older hard on his arm instinct, face and neck heating up rapidly while Beomgyu laughs at him.
“W-what’s wrong with you!” Taehyun cries. His face is definitely red, his heart is beating so loudly it almost drowns out the older’s laughter. He realises with a start that maybe Beomgyu knows. Is that why he's been doing all sorts of things to make him flustered all day?
There's an uncomfortable feeling in his chest. He feels vulnerable, exposed and seen and it also feels like he’s being played with.
The uncomfortable feeling doesn't go away, and as much as Taehyun tries to hide it, things have become slightly awkward between them. They still go on rides and take lots of photos (after finding a locker for Beomgyu’s ridiculously large plushie) but Taehyun made sure to keep some space between them. By seven he is ready to leave the park and he's not sure if he still wants to have dinner with Beomgyu anymore.
“Let's go home?” The older suggests. So Beomgyu knows.
“Let's go.”
The ride back is silent. Taehyun pretends to be tired from the day’s activities and closes his eyes, feigning sleep. A few minutes in he feels Beomgyu gently press at his temple with his fingers so that he can lay his head on Beomgyu’s shoulder and his heart clenches painfully. What exactly is Beomgyu trying to do?
The older walks him all the way to his doorstep as if this was an actual date, and by the time he reaches home, Taehyun is so emotionally exhausted he is ready to head into the shower and knock the fuck out. He steels himself for just five more minutes of pretending and turns to Beomgyu with a smile.
“Thanks for today hyung. Get home safe. Keep him safe.” Taehyun pokes the cat in Beomgyu’s arms.
“I will. I’m going to name him Tyun and keep him in my bedroom.”
Taehyun’s breath hitches when he hears the name. “Hyung…”
Beomgyu looks at him, “I wanted him because he looks exactly like you Taehyunnie.”
He's had enough. Clenching his fists, he glares at the older, who widens his eyes in shock. “What are you trying to get at hyung. You know don't you?”
“I—”
“You know that I have feelings for you. Is that why you did everything you did today? Bringing me on a date and doing things that you know will fluster me and give me hope. Was it funny? Did it inflate your ego?” Taehyun snapped at him, not giving the older a chance to butt in. Hot tears spills down his cheeks, surprising both of them. Taehyun wasn't much of a crier, but once the tears started it refused to stop.
Beomgyu reached out with a free hand to cup his cheeks and Taehyun smacks his hands away, annoyed. “Stop— stop doing shit like this, like— like you actually like me back. It gives me false hope and I hate it!”
“Why can't I like you back?”
Of course, Beomgyu would say something like this. Taehyun laughs bitterly. “Stop joking. I don't have enough energy left for this shit.” He turns to unlock his door, “goodnight.”
“Wait—” A hand on his arm tugs him back, and he's faced with Beomgyu who looks rather frantic, “I'm not joking, I mean it. I like you, a lot.”
“I like you so so much Taehyun ah,” Beomgyu continues when Taehyun doesn't reply, too stunned to even formulate a sentence, “J-just ask Soobin hyung. He will be able to tell you how much I pined over you and whined about how pretty you are, how hot you are every time we hit the gym together and just won’t shut up about you.”
“I’ve liked you for two years I swear I'm not lying…” Beomgyu trails off lamely, looking at Taehyun who won't stop staring at him with wide eyes. Tears are still pouring down his cheeks but for a different reason now.
“Don't cry Taehyun ah, please don't cry. It hurts when I see you cry I'm sorry I made you think I was playing with you. I didn't mean to.” Beomgyu has a pained look on his face, the cat in between his legs while he wipes at Taehyun’s face with his sleeve. They make a rather funny sight and Taehyun’s neighbours are giving them looks as they pass by.
“Come inside. Let’s not talk here.”
Taehyun fumbles with the key, hands shaking too much and only unlocks it with much difficulty. He kicks off his shoes, the door barely clicking shut behind Beomgyu before he grabs the older by the lapels of his jacket and smashes their lips together. The older makes a startled noise, but reciprocates almost immediately, one hand resting on his lower back and the other coming up to cup his cheek. It isn't a gentle kiss, it hurts and it bruises as Taehyun pours all his desperation and years of longing into it and Beomgyu kisses him back with just as much raw need if not more. His knuckles are nearly white with how hard he grips Beomgyu's jacket, too scared to let go. The hand on his lower back pulls him in, closer to Beomgyu and a small noise escapes his throat.
To his dismay, Beomgyu pulls away moments later. He swallows down a whine and lets go of Beomgyu's jacket. They're both out of breath, and the way Beomgyu's lips are bruised and shiny with spit makes him want to pounce on the older again.
“Let me take you out on a proper date, then I'll ask you to be my boyfriend,” Beomgyu whispers into the space between them. It will be so easy to lean in and give in to the temptation but Taehyun knows he shouldn't, not today.
“On one condition, you let me pay.”
“No way,” Beomgyu shakes his head, “you'll pay for the second one.”
“Okay.” They lean in for another kiss, this time much sweeter, innocent and unhurried.
“You know… I've been wanting to do that all day. Fuck— you put lipgloss on, didn't you. I couldn't stop looking at your lips.” So he did notice.
“Kiss me again then.” Taehyun tries to lean in but Beomgyu steps back, putting space in between them.
“I can't, I have to go.”
“No, stay,” Taehyun says, latching onto Beomgyu once more. It's extremely embarrassing, he hates feeling so needy it makes him behave uncharacteristically but his body burns with the urge to be close to Beomgyu, especially with the knowledge that the older likes him back.
“Not today Taehyun ah, not until after the second date.” Beomgyu placates him with a kiss on his forehead which nearly makes him melt, “because I don't know if I would be able to control myself around you if I stay over.”
“Damn, okay.” Taehyun doesn't know how to reply to that. “Get home safe then, text me when you're home.”
He waves the other goodbye at the door, embarrassment creeping up on him when he realises he didn't even let Beomgyu take off his shoes.
“Bye Taehyunnie,” Beomgyu waves, stupidly fat cat under his arm.
“Go.”
“Bye bye.”
“Go, Beomgyu hyung.”