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Clear skies.
A gentle breeze.
And just enough warmth from the sun above.
It's a bright sunny day—perfect for a perfect date.
Noah snickers, almost maniacally, by himself at the thought of the day going according to his plans. Nevermind the passersby giving him a weird look as he's seated on a random bench in the park. A man can laugh whenever and wherever he wants, can't he?
He's sitting there waiting for Yejun to arrive and kickstart the most perfect date he has ever planned. He's dressed all handsome and casual in his favorite button down shirt with his hair even neatly tied back to give everyone a good look of his prince-like face.
He takes a quick check on the reflection on his phone then once again snickers to himself, "Yejun could just kiss this face as soon as he sees it. You don't know who you're making a bet against, Yu Hamin."
Yes, he's laughing at the imagined look of utter defeat on Hamin's face when he wins their bet.
It was just the other day when Hamin randomly brought it up while hanging out at his studio. Who knows how their conversation started, but Hamin had the audacity to call him a "wimp" for not at all making any progress on his massive crush on Yejun.
Well, actually, Hamin is wrong. He isn't the one not making any progress—it's Yejun.
He remembers Hamin looking like he's so appalled by some bullshit he heard, but see—the reason why he hasn't made a move is because he's giving Yejun the chance to do it first.
As simple as that!
It's not him being a "wimp" as said by some rude kid. In fact, he's being considerate and not trying to trample on Yejun's plans for his confession.
But, of course , Hamin also had something to say to that:
"But hyung… what if he's not making a move because he doesn't like you in the first place…? Aren't you just being delusional?"
That brat.
Long story short, with Hamin pissing him off right there and then, he made a bet that Yejun would confess first while Hamin bets on "Noah hyung staying single for the rest of his life because he's a wimp."
So driven by his competitive spirit, he immediately called Yejun after that talk and smoothly asked him on a date on the weekend. Obviously, he didn't explicitly said it's a date—he called it a "hangout"—but who cares about technicalities?
He planned all week, feeling excited and a little nervous at the same time. Excited because it's been a while since he and Yejun hung out together, and nervous because… well, who knows what cheesy stuff Yejun would say to him when he confesses?
"Noah-ya!" A warm voice called out to him. It's the one he's so familiar with.
"Yejunie! It's been a while." He stands up, greeting Yejun who has just arrived.
Yejun is in his usual attire—a tshirt and a pair of loose pants. He effortlessly looks good as always.
"What's with your clothes though?" Yejun asks him.
Well, it is unusual for him to dress the way he currently is.
Yejun continues, "Why are you dressed up so nicely? Is there a special occasion today? Is that why you asked me to hang out…? I don't remember anything though."
Look at him getting worried about forgetting something important. He even furrows his eyebrows—cute as always.
"Of course, there's a special occasion! I mean—we haven't hung out in so long. Meeting up again is something to celebrate! It's normal to put in some effort if it's like that."
"Is that so? But it's just me."
It's because it's you , Noah thinks to himself.
"Yah you should've dressed up too. Aren't you glad to see me?"
Yejun snorts at Noah's reply. He takes a quick look at Noah and his own clothes then says, "Then should I buy some clothes? We can go to the stores nearby."
Noah didn't expect that. He's perfectly fine with the way Yejun is dressed and was just joking about it. "Oh, you'll really change your clothes?"
"Well, yeah—" Yejun gives him another once-over. "I should at least look decent enough to stand next to a handsome guy like yourself." And smiles at him like the sweet guy he is.
You're handsome too , Noah would like to say to him, but suppresses it along with the butterflies suddenly appearing in his stomach.
He coughs. "Well, what are you waiting for? Let's go."
-
Shopping for clothes was not a part of Noah's plans for a perfect date. But he can't really say it's an unwelcome inclusion when his eyes are in for a visual treat.
"So, what do you think?" Yejun appears before him wearing a neat white top tucked in a pair of fitted pants, perfectly showing off his model-like figure.
Personally, Noah doesn't care much about fashion. Honestly, with that face and body, he thinks Yejun looks good in anything. He does wear grandpa and worn out clothes on a regular basis, and that didn't stop Noah from staring at him like he's the most perfect man on earth.
"Looks good, handsome," Noah casually says as he smiles at him, still entranced at the beauty of the man before him.
Yejun is surprised to hear this but smiles back at him regardless. "Do we match now?"
We're always a match , Noah immediately thinks.
Now if Yejun would just confess to him already, he would kiss that silly smile off his face. But, alas, the grandpa is slow, so that would have to wait.
"Sure, we do. Just hurry up, I'm getting hungry," he says instead.
They have a long day ahead anyway—enough time for Yejun to make his move. Then they would have all the time in the world for hugs and kisses.
-
The date went by without a hitch. It's almost too good if you ask Noah.
They first ate lunch at Yejun's favorite restaurant. Yejun likes his vegetables and Noah ordered soybean paste stew. He prefers it served cold, but it's delicious regardless.
Then they went to the photo exhibition Yejun has been meaning to go to. It's the date's main event and where all his planning went.
Noah personally can't see the appeal in the art behind the photos displayed as someone who doesn't take many pictures himself, but it's different for Yejun. Photography is Yejun's hobby-turned-passion along with music. His eyes practically light up like Noah's own sparkles, except he thinks the vivid blue in Yejun's eyes are far more beautiful than the brightest galaxies there are.
Yejun hangs his mouth in awe at every photo displayed, and it's cute. Yejun is cute. He's been forming bubbles non stop at every turn—bubbles big and round like his bright eyes. It's then that Noah starts to understand photography a little, because he finds himself staring at Yejun instead of the photos, thinking just how much he wants to capture the way Yejun glows at the sight of the picture in front of them.
He thinks he may not understand the beauty in the photos surrounding them, but that's because the beauty of the man beside him could not compare to even the most beautiful things in this world.
And so they exit the exhibition with a very satisfied Yejun and an even more satisfied Noah. He may have taken some stolen shots of Yejun. And Yejun may have held his hand at some point to drag him around.
They may have not let go of each other for the rest of the time they had.
They then went to get their daily dose of caffeine in the cafe they frequent. There, Yejun shared all his thoughts about the exhibition. Noah can't relate but he's happy to listen. He's happy that Yejun is happy.
They went to window shops in the music stores in the area after sitting in the cafe for hours. And, when the sun was beginning to set, they decided to buy chicken and beer to eat by the river.
"Beer after coffee, guess I'll be taking trips to the bathroom later," Yejun says after finishing the bottle.
Noah snorts at him. "It's just one bottle. Your stomach's fine, trust me."
"We ate so much today though." Yejun lays on the grass after saying so. He's so full. They had already finished the chicken they ordered.
Noah lays next to him. "You talked a lot too."
"So did you."
"You were like 'Wah! Noah-ya look at this—this picture is crazy!' " He imitates Yejun's voice with exaggeration.
It doesn't bother Yejun though. He reminisces fondly like it happened years ago. "The exhibition was really so perfect."
Dramatic as always , Noah fondly thinks. "There you go again, 'Noah, you don't understand! It was the most perfect picture I've ever seen, it could be in a museum, I tell you!' "
Yejun laughs. "Was I like that?"
"Yeah, and 'Noah! We absolutely have to go to the next exhibition—you'll come with me again, right? We absolutely have to go!' "
He hears Yejun chuckling next to him. Then feels warmth as Yejun snuggled closer, head planting on his shoulder, and absentmindedly taking his hand.
"Then what?"
"And then…" Noah trails off. His thoughts put to a temporary stop as Yejun plays with his fingers.
And Noah laces them together as easily as it is being with Yejun.
"You had a lot of fun, didn't you? I'm good at planning, aren't I?"
"How about you? Did you have fun? You were barely interested in the photos."
"I don't see the appeal… but I did have fun." Because I'm with you.
Yejun chuckles again. "Then I'm glad."
If there's a word that would best describe what Noah feels in that moment, it's bliss. He's as happy as he could be laying on the ground with Yejun, gazing together at the now dark sky filled with stars.
A cool breeze passes by. They fall into a comfortable silence, only feeling each other's warmth.
It was a perfect date.
Except, Yejun hasn't confessed yet.
It's about time he does it, isn't it? Noah takes a peek at Yejun beside him.
He didn't expect to see Yejun already looking at him though. He's silent, but there's an undeniably fond look in his eyes and gentle smile. Noah could melt at that sight.
It's so obvious.
This guy likes me so much.
So… why doesn't he just say it already?
"Yejunie…" he starts.
"Yeah?"
"Don't you have something to say to me?"
That gets a puzzled look from Yejun. "I do?"
Noah sits up. "Yeah, like something you've been meaning to say but kept to yourself."
"Well…" Yejun sits up too and faces him. "I tell you everything, don't I?"
"You have something, I know you."
Yejun snorts. "Oh, do tell me what you mean by that?" He seems to find his insistence amusing.
"Yejun, we've been friends for a long time, haven't we? Nothing's gonna change between us no matter what you tell me—I mean some things could, but you know it'll be alright since it's us, don't you?"
"Something changing between us…?" Yejun repeats his words. "Ah, I think I know where this is going."
"So you'll tell me now?"
He thinks about it, then says, "Please elaborate on what you know."
Now, Noah is getting more impatient. This guy can't possibly be so dense, can't he? "Yejun, you've been so obvious about it. You aren't slick."
"Oh, was I?"
"Yes! Don't think I haven't noticed you staring at me or—" he blushes at the thought then continues, "Or when you hold my hand for no reason. And I know you've been giving me some special treatment. You've been giving me lots of compliments too—that's flirting!"
There's a smile growing on Yejun's face as he explains every detail in frustration.
"So you think you're special to me?" Yejun asks.
And he scoffs at his question, because why even ask? "I am special to you," he says so assuredly.
This got Yejun in a laughing fit.
"Ah, why are you so cute?" he says between breaths.
But as Noah watches him giggling uncontrollably, he thinks, You're the cute one though .
And, god , he would really like to shut him up with a kiss right about now. But instead, he reaches for Yejun's hand as soon as he calms down.
"Yejun, I know you can't hold it in anymore so just say it. Go on."
"Really? It's me who can't hold it anymore?"
"Yes, it's you . C'mon, it's just me so… I won't ever give you a bad reply, you know that."
Noah is so serious about this. Nevermind winning the bet against Hamin. He wants to hear Yejun say his feelings to him now more than ever.
For once, he stares at the beautiful wide eyes that he could never look at for so long when they're staring back at him. He's already mustering up this much courage like this, so the least Yejun could do is take the other step for them, right?
Then, finally, Yejun shyly starts.
"I don't know the right words to say though…"
So he says.
And yeah.
Noah has had it.
"Yah are you dumb??"
Yejun looks dumbfounded at the sudden insult but Noah doesn't care anymore.
He's done.
He's so done with him.
Love of his life or not, he'll insult any dumb ass that deserves it.
Yejun scoffs. "This crazy guy—"
"Dude," Noah interrupts. "Just ask me out already and tell me you like me!"
And Yejun blushes.
His words got stuck in his throat.
But they were supposed to be fighting so he struggled to suppress a smile. Noah thinks he looks ugly.
"Well…!" Yejun finally manages to say. "What about you??"
Ah really.
Does he even need to ask?
Noah has truly had it.
"Of course, I like you, stupid! I love you! I wouldn't be doing all this if I don't—"
And Yejun immediately leaps at him, forgetting their little banter and hugging him as tight as he could. They rolled a little from the force and before Noah could process anything, he feels a kiss on his cheek. Then sees Yejun hovering above him as he opens his eyes.
There Yejun was, positively beaming at him and looking so beautiful under the stars.
"Noah-ya, I love you too," he says.
Then swoops in for another kiss—this time capturing Noah's lips with his own.
Yejun's lips are soft just as Noah imagined. It tastes like beer though. But it's also sweet. So sweet that he wants more. He pulls Yejun in and they continue to kiss each other silly just like what he had always wanted.
They kissed till their kisses turned to pecks then soft giggles. And Noah thinks there could not be a more perfect way to end a perfect date.
"So… let's go out then?" Yejun finally asks him the question.
It took him long enough.
Noah really had to shit on him first before he could make a move. He even had to say—
He even had to say he likes him first…
"...No." He shoots up.
"No?"
"This isn't how it's supposed to go."
"It's not…?" Yejun sits up too, eyebrows furrowed in concern.
"Yejun, you should've been confessing to me first."
Yejun looks at him in disbelief. "That doesn't even matter—"
"But the bet with Hamin—"
"No one won so it's good," Yejun says as he pulls him for another hug.
"Wait, you knew??" Noah immediately breaks free from the embrace.
"Hamin may have told me a bit…"
"Ah, Ye-line are so annoying—"
"Yeah, but you're dating this annoying guy now, aren't you?" Yejun annoyingly interrupts as he cups Noah's cheeks to stop him from talking.
Annoying Yejun and his annoying smile.
Yet annoying as he is, Noah still finds himself almost cooing at the sight.
He could only roll his eyes as he thinks, why am I so in love with this guy?
"Shut up."
And he finally kisses that silly smile off his face.