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The tradition of celebrating birthdays exclusively in a narrow circle of friends took root among them not so long ago, since Shotaro moved to Seoul and couldn’t constantly return to his homeland, and his Japanese friends, in particular Yuta and Shohei, were too old and always busy for their small company of interests. So today, at the end of November, there were seven of them again. Firstly, November 25th this year fell on a Saturday, and getting together in the afternoon at Shotaro’s rented apartment was easier than waiting for everyone to be free after everyday college classes and part-time work. It also meant that you could try all sorts of alcoholic cocktails without worrying about a hangover the next day. Secondly, Eunseok and Sungchan, as the eldest in their company after Shotaro, showed up to the birthday boy almost in the morning, jostling on the threshold with huge boxes. They had an unspoken agreement—to help with preparations at all friendly gatherings and holidays. This set them apart from the usual classmates and university fraternity, and Shotaro sometimes envied himself that he was lucky enough to have such friends in another country.
Sungchan was just finishing hanging up the garland and balloons (oh, the advantages of being tall and having long arms), which Shotaro was inflating, getting tangled up in the lights, when there was a knock on the door.
"Eunseok, could you open it if this doesn’t bother you?"
"Of course, I'm coming now."
One of Eunseok's hands was with an oven mitt; in the other, he was holding a jar of rice; and the assistant himself was wearing a funny apron with Pikachu. Wonbin saw him, a little embarrassed by such a meeting.
"Hello. And Shotaro?.."
"Hi, come in; he and Sungchan are stuck in the living room."
Wonbin smiled awkwardly, pursing his lips, and with difficulty squeezed between the wall and Eunseok, who was still holding onto the door handle, because he got caught in the oven mitt. Everything was fine in Shotaro's rented apartment, except for the narrow corridors. Wonbin’s scarf slowly slipped off his leather jacket, which was quite cool for late autumn, and Eunseok, who had already closed the door, hurried to pick it up, almost colliding nose to nose with Wonbin, who had already bent down to pick up the scarf.
Their eyes met—an awkward Wonbin and a surprised Eunseok, vaguely trying to remember how many times he had been so close to Wonbin, who always smells so delicious. None of Eunseok’s acquaintances have such a memorable cologne scent, and it is impossible to confuse Wonbin with anyone in the crowd. This was an odd observation for a guy who had always dated girls but had a knack for judging the qualities of other guys. And it was almost strange for their group, since several of them were openly bisexual, probably except for Seunghan and Sohee, who found each other in their first year and haven’t been separated since then. Shotaro counted the days until he met his girlfriend Giselle in Japan. Sungchan preferred to run away from his affection for Chanyoung, who didn’t focus on personal relationships at all, immersing himself in his studies and music. Wonbin's preferences remained a mystery to Eunseok, despite the fact that they communicated from the moment they met, but not as closely as Eunseok and Sungchan, being roommates, or Wonbin and Shotaro, united by dancing classes. Deciding that the pause was too long, Eunseok woke up from his thoughts and handed the scarf to Wonbin.
"Thank you."
Wonbin smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear, and hung the scarf and jacket in the closet. Eunseok returned to the kitchen, trying not to look back. He had strange feelings that he had never experienced before after communicating with Wonbin, and it was alarming. He listened to the noise and looked into the living room. Shotaro happily disentangled himself from the garland and hugged Wonbin tightly. Sungchan got off the couch and headed towards the kitchen, patting Eunseok on the shoulder along the way. Sungchan always understood everything without words.
"Maybe I can help with something too?" Wonbin crossed his arms behind his back after presenting his gift to Shotaro.
"Um, what about kimchi fried rice? I have long dreamed of trying the result of your tandem with Eunseok."
Somewhere in the depths of the kitchen, Sungchan choked on his soda. Eunseok froze on the threshold of the room, meeting Wonbin’s gaze. Shotaro smiled contentedly. The clock struck twice, along with a knock on the door.
"I will open!"
Shotaro fled into the corridor, leaving Wonbin and Eunseok alone.
"Well... Let's find you an apron with another Pokemon."
Eunseok, as always, tried to make a joke out of the awkward situation. Wonbin appreciated his efforts, giving him an embarrassed smile, and followed Eunseok.
The next guests were Seunghan and Sohee - they carried a large box of cake, which they decorated themselves in honor of the eldest hyung, and small bags. Sungchan took the cake box, while Shotaro took turns hugging Seunghan and Sohee. Now all that remained was to wait for Chanyoung, who was usually not late for any gatherings, but problems with topography and excessive pickiness in gift options always played against him.
Eunseok helped Wonbin tie the Bulbasaur apron and returned to cooking rice while Wonbin started to deal with kimchi.
"Do you mind if I turn on some music? Helps concentrate."
Eunseok nodded, sneaking a glance at Wonbin’s phone - he had a lot of playlists on Spotify, for every taste and occasion. Turning on random playback, Wonbin began slicing kimchi with a serious expression on his face. Eunseok realized that he had never been particularly interested in Wonbin’s musical preferences before but was pleasantly surprised by his choice. He knew that Wonbin could play the guitar and obviously should be interested in rock music, but the songs of The Beatles were something unexpected. “All my loving” sounded melodic, not even trying to drown out the noise coming from the living room. Seunghan and Sohee were apparently arguing with Sungchan while they were laying out the twister rug, and Shotaro was talking in Japanese on the phone. Eunseok was stirring the rice thoughtfully when Wonbin approached him with portions of kimchi.
"It’s done, we can fry."
Eunseok turned to Wonbin, who was looking at him with undisguised curiosity. Deep down, Wonbin knew that he was unlikely to be able to interest Eunseok, but he still wanted to get to know him better. Obviously, Wonbin must admit to himself that he likes Eunseok, not just as a friend, but he clearly doesn’t dare count on anything more, preferring to remain in the shadows alone with his crush. Eunseok dated girls, and it wasn't like that was a disadvantage. For Wonbin, Eunseok was still the epitome of virtue.
"Yeah, fine."
***
Chanyoung arrived when the table with appetizers was already set, and Sungchan was helping Shotaro pour the cocktails. After working with Eunseok in the kitchen, Wonbin hovered around Sohee while Seunghan placed candles on the cake. Eunseok sat next to Chanyoung, and across from them were Wonbin and Sungchan. Sungchan's heavy glances at Chanyoung and their silent clash of legs under the table didn’t strain the general situation at all, but Eunseok still felt as if he was sitting on a powder keg that was about to explode. Wonbin thought the same.
After another toast to the health and happiness in the personal life of the birthday boy, various wishes from Shotaro began to be gathered by everyone else, and Wonbin, without looking up, picked up the dessert on his plate. He was afraid that now someone would shake things up under the influence of alcohol, as happened a few days ago at Sohee’s birthday, and he would have to blush again. In fact, Wonbin's cheeks were already flushed after two glasses of cherry punch, and he thought he should stop there. But Sungchan was relentless when it came to showing off his bartender skills, and with his easy serve, a bottle of wine ended up in the glasses, which was later sentenced to spinning in the game. By that time, everyone was already sitting on the twister mat, having never used it for its intended purpose.
After several twists and an awkward kiss from Eunseok to Chanyoung, a very friendly, strong peck from Seunghan to Sungchan, and a playful kiss from Sohee to Shotaro, it was Wonbin’s turn to spin the bottle, and for the first time that evening, he openly panicked. The neck of the bottle slowly stopped in front of Eunseok, who was sitting next to Wonbin. For a moment, it became too quiet - all could hear was the clock ticking, striking seven times. Eunseok looked at the bottle that had stopped in front of him, trying to figure out who he would have to kiss now. This is not Sungchan, with whom Eunseok can freely sleep in an embrace in the same bed, and not Chanyoung, who generally doesn’t care who throws limbs over him in fits of universal love (perhaps except for Sungchan). And this is not Shotaro, who also has a girlfriend and his own principles. This is Wonbin—that same unopened book for Eunseok, an unassembled puzzle in the picture of their friendship.
Wonbin licks his lips before hesitantly moving closer to Eunseok and staring at him. Eunseok looks back. The tension between them heats up, and, as if in slow motion, Wonbin pulls his palm towards Eunseok’s face and softly brushes his lips against his. Eunseok forgets how to breathe when he feels Wonbin’s other hand on his hip, and pulls him closer to himself. The kiss deepens and lingers - Wonbin has never considered himself a master of kissing, but he is driven by a long-standing sympathy for Eunseok, enhanced by alcohol and the response. Eunseok bites Wonbin’s lower lip, letting him grab the collar of his t-shirt. Wonbin finally becomes bolder and, without looking up from such coveted lips, climbs onto Eunseok’s hips, who kisses him so desperately, as if his life depended on it.
Sungchan watches in shock as Eunseok selflessly almost sucks Wonbin to the very tonsils and thinks that these are all hallucinations from alcohol; otherwise, how to explain the fact that now Eunseok is, in fact, cheating on his girlfriend Minjeong, with whom he has, although not simple, relationships? Seunghan cheers along with Sohee clapping and reaches for his phone to capture the moment while Shotaro unsuccessfully tries to cover Chanyoung's eyes, who alone among them only drank half a glass of apple cider, declaring that he should stay sober. Sohee starts counting down: one, two, three, and reaches thirteen, when Wonbin finally pulls away from Eunseok, breathing heavily. Eunseok touches his swollen lips with his fingers and watches as Wonbin returns to his seat, straightening his tousled hair.
"Well, this is clearly a victory in the category "the hottest sudden kiss of the year." Eunseok, it's your turn to spin the bottle."
The balance of intoxication and sobriety didn’t allow Shotaro to joke that he has a guest room with a large bed for especially passionate couples, and the situation didn’t become even more tense. Eunseok hesitated, spinning the bottle. Suddenly he thought that if chance brought him together with Wonbin again, then this could be considered the end of his old life. Luckily (or not), Chanyoung is his kissing partner again, and Eunseok breathes a sigh of relief.
"Well, no, hyung, you smell like cherry punch a kilometer away; let’s give two kisses on the cheeks and go our separate ways."
"Was it possible?" Seunghan finished uploading the compromising video to Instagram and stared at Chanyoung.
"Basically..." Shotaro hesitated, scratching the back of his head. "Oh, okay, exceptions for the sober."
Chanyoung turned his cheeks to Eunseok’s weightless kisses and wrinkled his nose funny. All this time, Sungchan and Wonbin were watching them with glazed eyes, afraid to see how Eunseok would kiss someone else just as passionately. It seemed to Sungchan that the ground would collapse under him if Chanyoung agreed to play by the rules and allow Eunseok to stick his tongue in his mouth. The fears weren’t justified, and Eunseok hurried to get up, saying that he needed to "breathe," and disappeared onto the balcony with a pack of cigarettes. Wonbin watched him go and finished his glass of punch, burning his insides with sweetness. Meanwhile, after Chanyoung's spin, the bottle stopped in front of Sungchan, and it became a stalemate. Chanyoung looked at the remaining half of the glass of apple cider and, saying "to hell with it," drank it in one gulp, not daring to approach Sungchan sober. Wonbin didn’t watch the climax of this situation and also quit the game. Staggering, he reached the balcony, where Eunseok was puffing on a cigarette, and stood next to him.
"Will you share a cigarette?"
Eunseok almost choked on smoke when he saw Wonbin and turned to him.
"You don't smoke."
"And you’re not interested in guys, but I don’t blame you." Wonbin doesn’t voice his thoughts, shrugging his shoulders. His stretched sweater does little to protect him from the cold November wind, and he doesn’t understand how Eunseok stands here in only a t-shirt and doesn’t shiver from the cold.
"Sometimes I mess around."
Wonbin used to try smoking, but quit during his first year, sometimes returning in particularly stressful situations. Obviously, this is exactly what happened to him today. Wonbin has never had a nicotine or alcohol addiction; his only weakness is his unrequited affection for Eunseok, which intensified after their first drunken kiss.
"Okay."
Eunseok hands the cigarette to Wonbin and lights the tip, watching as the twinkle in the other’s eyes momentarily lights up. Wonbin nods gratefully and takes a drag, forgetting to breathe properly out of habit.
"Are you cold?"
"Not really... Alcohol makes it hot inside. Eunseok, I think we need to talk."
Wonbin smokes fast, as if trying to gain courage. Eunseok puts out his cigarette, looking at the evening city, and is afraid to hear from Wonbin that this kiss was a mistake and they shouldn’t have gotten so carried away because, after all, Eunseok has a girlfriend, and Wonbin has not decided on his preferences at all. But Wonbin remains silent, waiting for Eunseok to pass judgment first.
"I don’t know what to tell you without it sounding like the end of our friendship. I just know that at that moment I should have done it—I should have given in to your movements and responded in return, because you didn’t resist. I think this is what was supposed to happen. Sorry if I bit your lip too hard."
Wonbin chuckled, smiling. Eunseok tried to make conversation in a joking tone with all his inherent seriousness, thereby making Wonbin fall more and more in love with him.
"You know, I’ve never kissed a guy with such enthusiasm before, and, to be honest, it was the best kiss I’ve had in a long time."
"I'm glad you liked it. Do you want us to repeat it? Because I was pleased too. And I know you have a girlfriend, so..."
"Minjeong and I broke up." Eunseok took out the second cigarette from the pack. "Or rather, I think we just need to voice it out loud. Our last date was in early October, and we don't even text as often as we used to. It seems that we have too many different interests and workloads. So, perhaps tonight will change a lot in life."
Wonbin listened to Eunseok’s confession and bit the filter of his already dying cigarette. Would it be right to confess his crush now? Eunseok will decide that Wonbin is probably still drunk. Unable to think of anything better, Wonbin puts out his cigarette butt and moves closer to Eunseok.
"Can I kiss you?"
Eunseok doesn’t answer, exhaling smoke and reaching for Wonbin’s lips. This time the kiss is deliberate; adrenaline rushes through the veins along with goosebumps on the skin, and Wonbin hugs Eunseok’s broad shoulders. "I’ve liked you for a long time," he whispers during a short break, when Eunseok pulls away, throwing away the half-smoked cigarette, and presses his lips to his again. Perhaps Eunseok likes Wonbin too. Perhaps alcohol was just a catalyst, but kisses are sweeter than wine and tobacco.
"I like you too. Shall we go for a walk together?"
Wonbin smiled happily as he snuggled into Eunseok’s warm embrace. It seems that you can also receive gifts on other people's birthdays.