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“What do you mean you still haven’t drank yet?” The words come out accusatory, almost like Kai had personally offended Yeonjun with the prospect of sustaining from drinking. It had been two years since he had become an adult, spending the last couple of years focusing on his studies and the occasional travel plans with his family. It isn’t like he hasn’t had the chance to drink. He has been to plenty of restaurants and get-togethers where alcohol had been readily available, but just never bothered to give it a try. “Do you not want to?”
Kai was currently sitting on the floor in front of the older man’s couch, threading beads onto string for the friendship bracelets he was making for their friend group. He tilts his head backwards, the back of his head hitting Yeonjun’s chest where he was currently thrown across the entirety of the sofa. The incredulous expression on the other’s face morphs into a small smile when their eyes meet. “No, that’s not it.”
A hand lands on top of his head, fingers gently brushing through the messy strands. “It’s alright if you don’t want to though…I was mainly just surprised.” If Kai’s eyes hadn’t fallen shut from the gentle scratches he would have rolled them. Yeonjun always worried over him, and made sure he felt comfortable since they met. If it didn’t make him feel special for having that effect on the man everyone was in love with, he probably would complain. “Loads of people don’t drink.”
He forces his eyes open again, “who says I don’t want to?” Kai notices the change in Yeonjun’s expression, morphing from skeptical to one that seems to take the younger’s words as a challenge. “I just haven’t tried it before. I would be down to.”
Yeonjun pats at his shoulder, signaling for him to sit up. Kai is glad he listened when immediately after the older man threw himself into a sitting position, that would have probably thrown him back into the coffee table from the force. “Should we go out tonight then?”
“To a club?” His eyebrows furrow at the thought of the loud blaring music and strobe lights.
“Not your style, hmm?” Yeonjun teases, reaching over to scratch under the younger’s chin. “I was thinking about the bar down the street. It’s never too crowded and the music they play isn’t trash. Sound fun?”
“I don’t know-“ he starts, almost out of habit despite the fact he was already convinced the moment the older propositioned them doing something. When it came to Yeonjun he was easily persuaded into any affair.
“Come on, darling,” Yeonjun playfully flirts, a habit that had developed over the course of their friendship. They would try to one up each other, pulling out the cheesiest lines and nicknames they could think of. It was always in good fun, but recently Kai has felt heat rise to his face whenever Yeonjun called him a sweet name. “We can invite the others to hang out too.”
Kai lets out a groan, already giving in. “I’m not done with the bracelets yet.”
The grin that breaks out on the other’s face makes his decision to actually leave the confines of the house worth it. “Finish them while I get ready.” He leans down to press a gentle kiss to the top of Kai’s head. “I’ll call the others.”
~
An hour and a half later, Kai is sandwiched in a circular booth between Yeonjun and Taehyun, the duo explaining what each of the drinks was and if they think it would be suitable to his tastes. He doesn’t provide much feedback of his own, content to try whatever was put in front of him at this point.
The drinks are passed around the table, going down just as quickly as they were being placed onto the table in front of them. Kai scrunches his nose at the bitter taste of a shot of tequila that is slid in front of him, noting he preferred the taste of the pineapple flavored drink he had previously been drinking.
“Not a fan?” Yeonjun laughs fondly, his hand brushing down the hair on the back of Kai’s head.
“It was okay,” he lies, a hand sliding into the pocket of his hoodie to try to fish out his phone. His eyebrows furrow when he feels plastic before the realization of what the little bag is set in. He pulls it out, placing it onto the table.
Taehyun immediately slides closer to him, leaning in to get a better look. “What is it?”
“Bracelets,” his voice comes out bashful, just a little embarrassed to admit he spent the better part of the evening making each of them a gift. “I made one for each of us. They aren’t great, so you guys don’t have to wear them.”
“What are you talking about? We’ll wear them forever,” Beomgyu exclaims, his attention back on the group instead of whatever game he and Soobin were currently playing on their phones. He turns towards Soobin, almost accusingly, “Right?”
The older man rolls his eyes, “since you didn’t make them I will.”
“Someone’s still bitter they suck at games,” Beomgyu mumbles, a smirk on his face that said he was purposely taunting his boyfriend.
“Am not.”
Taehyun, as if sensing the oncoming argument that was going to ensue, takes the bag with the bracelets from Kai’s hands. He places the one with his name in front of him, quickly searching for Beomgyu and Soobin’s, then not so gently pelts them at the other two. “We’re in public. Can’t you two be normal and not play games for once.”
Soobin ducks behind Beomgyu, using him as a shield, as the bracelets collide with the smaller man’s body. “Sorry, Taehyun, Beomgyu doesn’t know how to be normal.” His words could have sparked a new bickering match between the two, but luckily for the rest of them his boyfriend was too distracted at examining the bracelets.
“These are so cute,” Beomgyu directs towards Kai with a bright smile, immediately putting his bracelet on.
Kai brings his hands up to press at his cheeks, thankful for the dim lighting above them, because he was sure that they were reddening slightly. He’s mumbling out a thanks, when there is a thump against his shoulder. He turns his head to see Yeonjun looking up at him from where he was currently resting against him. He freezes for a moment at the enamored look in the other’s eyes, his brain taking a moment to catch up to the words that leave the older man’s mouth. “Where is mine?”
“Oh yeah-“ his cheeks flush, scrambling to grab the last bracelet in the bag. He had carefully picked out the varying shade of purple beads, the older’s favorite color, that laced the string. As well as the two heart beads that caged in his name. “Here you go, hyung.”
Yeonjun holds his wrist up, shaking it towards him. “Put it on me.”
The corner of Kai’s mouth quirks up in confusion, stopping the swaying of the wrist in front of his face by gripping the older’s forearm. With his free hand he attempts to slide the bracelet onto his wrist, before the arm is yanked from his hold. “No, no, not that,” Yeonjun’s words slur- he was already tipsy- an unsteady finger tapping Kai’s lips. “Put those on it.”
A startled laugh sounds from the younger man, seemingly contagious because Yeonjun lets out a laugh of his own. “Alright, alright.” Kai satiates the request, pulling the hand up to press a few kisses to the back of. “Now put this on,” he stuffs the bracelet into his hand, making sure to close the older’s fingers around the jewelry.
When he moves to sit facing forwards again he catches Soobin’s eyes, trying to ignore the slight upwards movement of his eyebrow. The implications were obvious. ‘When are you going to get your shit together and confess to him?’ It’s something that he’s heard countless times on nights when he was feeling emotional over his little crush. He thought about challenging the look, twisting it around to his own situation, but the moment is crushed by a new round of drinks being placed on the table.
-
Beomgyu and Soobin were the first two to slow down, never having been able to hold their liquor as well as the other two. Soobin had slumped down in his seat, head pressed into the crook of his boyfriend’s neck. Kai was pretty sure if he were any closer he would be able to hear soft snores slipping from his lips.
Beomgyu was currently petting the older man’s head as if he were a puppy that clambered into his lap, his eyes hazed over and staring straight ahead towards the rest of the bar. He always got quieter when he drank, more introspective. He was more of the emotional type, they all knew if left alone he could fall into a self-made somber. When he was with them he seemed to be able to fight it off though.
Then there was Taehyun. He had stopped drinking half an hour ago, declaring he was the designated driver for the two boyfriends who were huddled together across from him. He held his liquor best out of the other four, Kai never really seeing him wasted. His best friend typically just got more sociable and friendly whenever he drank, interested in all of the questions that life had to offer. Tonight was different, or maybe he just wasn’t intoxicated, because he was just staring longingly at Beomgyu and Soobin.
It wasn’t a new discovery that his best friend had feelings for the couple, nor was he that surprised when he noticed that the couple seemed reciprocate. Beomgyu and Taehyun dated years ago, and when they reconnected they decided to remain as friends. Beomgyu was hopelessly in love with his roommate Soobin at the time, but the spark was still buried somewhere in the background for the younger two of the trio. Then there was Soobin, who Kai had learned to read over the years. The initial attraction that was laced in his gaze for Beomgyu before they were together was now being shot at Taehyun. It wouldn’t be long before he was quickly whipped for Kai’s best friend too.
Yeonjun and Kai had placed their bets on when and who would end up confessing first. Yeonjun assumed it would be Taehyun, assuming that the couple probably did not want to make him uncomfortable by coming onto him. Whereas, Kai assumes that Beomgyu will likely be the one who has to connect the bridges between the three of them. He already had an established connection with both parties anyways.
His friends’ relationship, or current lack of one, was besides the point. Taehyun’s yearning eyes had left him alone to compete with Yeonjun for who could drink the most. The competition was practically one sided though. When the eldest noticed that the drinks had little to no effect on Kai, besides making his cheeks and ears feel hot, he had taken it as a challenge to try to get him drunk.
The results were Kai’s body temperature rising and Yeonjun slowly but surely getting wasted. A few drinks ago the older man’s weight had slumped into his side and a few drinks before that his words began to slur to the point it was difficult to understand him. He couldn’t find it in himself to mind, the close proximity giving him a good view of how bright the other’s eyes glowed in his intoxicated state.
The words that stumbled out of his mouth were sweet, full of nostalgia and reminiscing of the times they had spent together as a group over the years. Yeonjun was always so full to the brim with love. Love for them, love for his family, love for the dog that he saw at the park, love for the leaves that grew back onto the trees in the spring. He could find something beautiful amongst anything he came across. It seemed he locked the majority of that love away on the daily, but once he had his liquid courage they all seemed to spew out like a dam caving in.
Kai listens attentively, making sure to give the older man little affirmative hums so he knew he was being listened to. It was after a brief moment of silence, that went on for a few seconds too long that he glanced down at his older friend. He had curled himself into a ball, hands holding himself close as if he was cold, tucked into the younger’s side. His eyes were closed, but his breathing wasn’t completely steady yet. He was not asleep but he would be soon.
He nudges Taehyun with his elbow, his best friend leaning in closer to hear him. “I should get him home,” he motions towards his side. “Will be much harder to get him up and moving if I wait any longer.”
It seems to take Taehyun’s brain a second to register what he was saying… Maybe he drank more than Kai thought he did. “Yeah, sounds good…” his gaze moved back to Beomgyu and Soobin, who looked ready to use the booth as a makeshift bed themselves. “Same with them. Can’t take these old men anywhere, can we?”
Kai lets out a small laugh at that, letting his head fall forwards to give Taehyun’s a gentle headbutt. “Honestly…we all should have just drank at Yeonjun’s. Would have made our lives easier.”
“Next time we know not to trust them.” Taehyun’s eyes crinkle, returning the small affectionate act once before sliding out of the booth. Kai pretends not to notice as he sways slightly on his landing, instead beginning to coax Yeonjun to open his eyes to go home. It ends up becoming a team mission, Taehyun having to help him get Yeonjun to his feet for long enough to be offered Kai’s back for the walk home.
Then they repeated the process with Beomgyu and Soobin, who were surprisingly easier to convince to get up and also not as unsteady on their feet. The break from drinking must have helped them begin to sober up. Still Kai did not really trust any of them to safely drive home, patting Taehyun’s shoulder. “You guys should request a ride. If you give me your keys I’ll pick your car up in the morning.”
For a moment Kai expected an argument, the telltale wrinkles beginning to develop on the other’s forehead before he seemingly gave in and took his keys out of his back pocket. He reaches out to hand them to the youngest, before realizing his hands were occupied from holding Yeonjun on his back. “Hyung,” he directs towards Yeonjun, clipping the keys onto the friendship bracelet that sometime through the night ended up on his wrist. “Protect those for me.”
Kai can feel the beginnings of a smile forming against his shoulder, “will with my life.” He assumes that is what the older man attempts to reply back, the words coming out in one long stretch.
“Thanks, you’re the best,” Taehyun is ruffling Yeonjun’s hair. “Go home and sleep well.”
“You’re leaving?” Yeonjun asks, as if the information is new to him and he had originally thought he was on Kai’s back for fun.
“It’s late.”
“Kiss then?”
“Who are you trying to kiss, Choi Yeonjun?” The voice is faux accusatory, the hint of a teasing giggle laced with the words.
“You too, Choi Beomgyu. Give your old man a kiss goodnight,” Yeonjun is able to grab the younger man by the strings of his hood, pulling him in closer to give him a few sloppy kisses to his cheeks. Beomgyu doesn’t seem to be opposed to the affection, standing slightly on his toes so he can be reached easier.
“I love you. You’re my favorite younger brother. Don’t tell Soobin or Taehyun though.” The words slur from his mouth, causing Kai to feel a mixture of jealousy from not being included and endearment at the confession. Yeonjun and Beomgyu bickered like their lives depended on it, but underneath it there was a genuine love and care between them. They all could admit that Yeonjun and Beomgyu’s friendship was nothing that any of them could provide the two.
“That’s so mean,” Soobin is tugging Beomgyu backwards, arms wrapping around the smaller man’s waist to hold him closer. The accusatory tone that follows contrasts his actions. “You let my hyung kiss you and trick him into saying you’re his favorite. You’re so cunning.”
“Soobin, my bunny,” Yeonjun’s attention switches quickly from the younger of the couple to the older, beginning to utter how much he adores the tallest of them.
“If we stay here for much longer he is going to begin confessing his love for the bartender,” Taehyun mumbles to Kai.
“Yeah, I think I should just start walking towards the exit.” Kai giggles, hoisting Yeonjun further up his back when he begins to slip down. “Do you mind covering the bill and texting me what we owe you?”
“No problem. You’re walking back to his apartment right?”
“It’s only like five minutes down the road.”
“I would usually worry more, but I think the drunk man on your back will be enough repellent for most crazies of the night.”
“One can hope,” Kai shifts his weight slightly, turning his head to see Yeonjun still listing off compliments to Soobin, the latter looking more than pleased to hear them riddled off. “Let’s go home, hyung. Say goodnight to everyone.”
“Goodnight, my babies,” the eldest sounds on the verge of tears at being forced to say his farewells, despite the fact they will most likely all see each other the following day.
An array of ‘goodbyes’, ‘get home safes’, ‘I love yous’, and ‘text me when you’re home’ are exchanged amongst the group, before Kai makes the executive decision to be the first to part. The cold air that hits his face upon leaving the bar is welcomed, the cozy atmosphere of the establishment making the younger man feel as if he was in a sauna.
“Yeonjun?” He asks after a few moments of silence, gently squeezing the older man’s leg to try to get his attention. It would be easier to get him inside if he was still awake. “You alive?”
“Of course,” the answer is spoken directly into his ear, goosebumps running down Kai’s spine at the warm breath against his skin. “I’ll always be here for you, my pretty boy.”
Kai bites down the smile that wants to form at the pet name, knowing that it had been reserved for him since they met. Soobin might get called bunny, and darlings and babes may be casually thrown around if you’re within Choi Yeonjun’s circle, but the man has only ever had one pretty boy. He wouldn’t be himself if he didn't offer a challenge for him though, “Beomgyu is your favorite younger brother though.”
“Are you annoyed at it?” Yeonjun giggles, fingers pressing into the younger’s cheeks to tease him further. “He is my favorite though. He’s so naughty but he listens so well. And he has the kindest little heart and tries his best.”
“Woah, looks like Taehyun has some competition.”
“Shh,” there is a finger quite aggressively pushed against his lips, one that would be very tempting to bite if it didn’t belong to an extremely drunk person. “I love you in your own ways. Beomgyu is my favorite younger brother. Taehyun always keeps me on my feet and offers me the challenges I need to move forward. Soobin is so reliable and dependable and probably my best friend. They are all my little brothers who I adore.”
“Am I not someone hyung adores?” He pretends to let go of the older, as if he would even take the risk of letting him get hurt. “Should I leave you to get home on your own then?”
“How can you even think that? You silly little baby.”
“You said Beomgyu was your favorite.”
“Favorite little brother.”
“What am I then?” He was being difficult, he was well aware. He was carrying the man because he was so impaired he could not walk on his own, but he was still attempting to argue with him because he felt slightly stilted.
“My everything.” Gosh. Kai blames the drinks on the bashful wave that rushes through him, aware that it's a line that has probably been used on many others before. Hell it might have even been muttered about the wind or a television remote. However, the older man was so earnest with his affection that even though he was well aware that he was probably not the only one who received it in this way, it didn’t seem to matter.
“You were so small and cute when we first met,” the fingers were back to squishing at his cheeks. “I wanted to protect you from all the evil that hid in the shadows, even when you began to grow and grow and grow you were still my baby. One day I woke up and realized you were all grown up though.”
“I watched you go from such a timid and shy little kid to this giant man. You’re so confident now and seem to be so content in your own skin these days. You are also so smart, I wish I could accomplish even half the things that I know you can and will. But you are still so kind and polite to everyone you meet. I feel so proud and honored to have you in my life” There is a kiss pressed into the side of his head.
There is a knot in Kai’s throat, he ignores it. “I will always be your baby until you’re sick of me.” He offers. Most people as they grew older wanted to drop such titles, but he has never minded his position within their circle. He knew where he resided and was able to offer support from that role.
“I will keep you forever,” the sloppy kisses are planted against the side of his head and then onto his cheeks. “You’re so special to me. I wake up and the first thing I want to do is text you. Then in the middle of the day I want to know how you’re doing. And then you’re the last person I talk to before I fall asleep. I still want to protect you, but lately I’ve been wanting to share you less with the world. Selfishly I want to keep parts of you just for me. So, please don’t be upset that you’re not my favorite younger brother. I don’t think the way I view you these days is very familial.”
Kai’s movements stutter. This was not a direct confession of feelings, but it also was…something. Something that validated the younger’s own less than platonic feelings towards the other. “You’re not drunk, are you?”
“I started sobering up when you began to pout.”
“Is that all it takes?”
“I told you I want to protect you from the world…including me.”
“So, do you think you will remember this chat tomorrow?”
“Absolutely not.” Another kiss is pressed against his cheek. “If you use tonight against me it’s cheating.”
Kai lets out a hum, holding onto him a little tighter as he begins to climb the stairs leading up to the apartment door. “Can you stand for a minute?” His voice is hush, careful not to disturb the quiet surrounding the outside of stranger’s lives.
“Can try.” So, Kai lets the older man slide down to his feet, keeping him in arm's reach in case he needs to catch him from falling. He doesn’t take the time to interrogate him on where he keeps his key, reaching into his shorts pocket to grab them. “Woah, already getting fresh?”
He pulls the keys out, dangling them in front of Yeonjun’s face for a moment. “Just trying to get these.” He struggles to get the key into the hole the correct way, finally getting the door open after a few moments pass.
Kai leads Yeonjun into the house, kicking his own shoes off before leading the older man into his bedroom. “Come on. Let’s sit down.” He pushes the other down, so he’s sitting on the edge of the bed. He bends down to pull the shoes off of his feet, setting them aside. “Want to sleep in your shirt?”
“Not really.”
He flicks the older man’s forehead, no force behind it. “Take it off then and lay down. I’m going to go get you some water and pills. You’re going to take them and sleep.” He doesn’t wait for the response, leaving the room to grab the items he promised he would.
When he gets back Yeonjun is in fact shirtless- a fact he pointedly ignores, slumped over where Kai left him. He strides in front of him, patting his thigh to get his attention. “Come on take this, hyung.” He’s met with a frustrated whine, but the older man is obedient, sitting up to take the tablets.
The younger man takes the glass of water back, setting it onto the nightstand by the bed. He pulls the covers back on the bed enough, so that when he hoists the older man up it is still easy to tuck him into bed. “Goodnight, Yeonjun. Sleep well.” He leans down to press a kiss to his forehead.
“Kai?” His voice is soft, fluttering off at the end as he falls asleep.
“Hmm?”
“The hearts you gave me... I’ll protect them until I earn yours.”