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"Taerae, wait, I'll talk to you later—" beep. Zhang Hao flops back on his bed. This can't be happening again. After staring at the ceiling in silence for about a minute he almost believes he misheard it, but no, this time he clearly hears his little brothers plot something right outside his window. He stands up, moving closer to look through the glass, and soon enough he sees them, as usual under the big tree in their backyard, actively whispering to each other.
See, Zhang Hao knows it's normal for an older sibling to not quite understand his younger ones, especially if they're still in elementary school and he's about to enter college. Hell, it's also normal to be annoyed by them, he's heard enough of his classmates complain about their baby brothers and sisters. What isn't normal, he's sure, is have your brothers building weird stuff in your family backyard every other day. Don't get him wrong, at first he was more than happy to know his brothers busy themselves with various craft instead of distracting him from his studies, but it started to get out of hand since about last summer.
Last summer was one of the best Zhang Hao has ever had. It was the summer when he was offered the first chair violin position in an orchestra tour, so he spent most of his vacation travelling around the country. On the day he finally was coming back home, the last thing he expected to greet him was a damn huge ferris wheel, towering over their family house. Honestly, what the fuck, why and when did the mayor even decide to open an amusement park in their neighborhood? Logically, you wouldn't assume your eight and ten year old brothers to be behind it, right? So, he didn't either. And what a fatal mistake that was.
Back to now, Zhang Hao has learned long ago Gunwook and Yujin indeed do crazy experiments and build machines some of the top engineers would only dream of in their very own backyard. He doesn't need any more convincing of it. What he wants to, however, is for their mother to catch them in the act. You see, he doesn't want to be a party pooper for the boys, but he's sick of her not taking Hao seriously. He's also more than sure whatever they're doing is not safe for neither them nor their surroundings. They're yet to harm anyone, but wouldn't they need at least some supervision as a precaution? Strangely, every single time all their builds magically disappear like they never were there, greatly lowering his chances to bust them.
Zhang Hao has never given up on his mission to catch them red handed, but today he just might postpone it. He actually had plans to swing by Ludia Cafe and spend a couple of hours looking at the handsome barista, Hanbin, hoping he'll finally notice Hao's gaze full of yearning. Not even a couple of weird brothers is going to get between him and his potential love of his life. He's just going to make sure they're not planning to bulldoze their house down and build a five star hotel or something like that.
Sliding the window open, Zhang Hao sticks his head outside, calling their names out, "Gunwook! Yujin! What are you two up to today?"
The whispering stops, and two heads turn in his direction. Yujin just stares at him with his big brown eyes refusing to utter a single word and leaving all the speaking to his older brother Gunwook. "Nothing, Hao-hyung! We are not going to do anything today." Zhang Hao is more than sure this is bullshit.
"O-o-okay, I have some business to attend, so unfortunately, I have to leave the house to only the two of you," he pauses and squints his eyes at his brothers, hoping they get the message he's still highly suspicious of them, then continues, "but if you behave, I'll get you bingsu. Do we have a deal?"
At the mention of bingsu Yujin's eyes lit up and Zhang Hao would be a liar if he said that didn't melt his heart. He does find his brothers adorable just as much as they concern him. Gunwook visibly got happier too and actively nodded in Hao's direction. If only every day seemed as peaceful as today. Zhang Hao mentally notes to consider buying bingsu more often. He finally closes his window.
"Hey, Yujin, where's Terry?"
***
It takes only fifteen minutes for Zhang Hao to get to Ludia. The cafe was actually a new establishment, opening its doors just a year ago, but quickly became his favourite. Of course, at first it was all because of the food — the desserts Mrs. Han makes are just out of this world, and Hao fully stopped going to his previous favourite place since he tried her cakes. And he swears he didn't even know this absolute angel of a woman, who started to give him free coffee by the time she noticed Zhang Hao was a loyal regular, happens to be Sung Hanbin's mom. The very same boy he's been harbouring feelings for since his sophomore year.
The grand revelation happened at the start of this year's summer vacation, sadly Hao's last before he leaves for college, when he waltzed in the cafe to get a coffee and a glazed donut to go, but instead of the usual kind smile and eye wrinkles waiting for him, he was met with the same kind, but even more radiant smile and no wrinkles on a boy's face. There was a whisker dimple on his right cheek, though. It took about 10 seconds for Zhang Hao's eyes and brain to cooperate and process the view in front of him. The Sung Hanbin from his high school?!
"Uhh...."
"Oh, hello, Zhang Hao-ssi! How can i help you?" Fuck fuck fuck The Sung Hanbin is talking to him and is looking at him and oh god Hao is taking too long to answer he's going to think he's a total rude freak.
"I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that..?"
Double fuck. He just said 'freak' out loud. What happened to hello? Hao was actually hoping the ground will open up and swallow him whole.
"Ah, sorry I meant leak! Yes, your coffee machine is leaking," possibly the worst attempt at saving this situation, but Hanbin actually run to the machine to check if anything's wrong. There was obviously nothing, leaving the boy behind the counter confused, but the small distraction gave Hao a moment to recollect himself.
Hanbin gave the coffee machine another once over and turned back to Hao. "Must've been a trick of the light, Zhang Hao-ssi, it's not actually leaking," Hanbin assured him.
"Phew, that's good, really good, Hanbin-ssi!" Wait, he still hasn't greeted the boy in front of him, "I'm sorry I didn't get to properly greet you, I got a little surprised here. I'm not trying to be rude, but why are you here and where is Mrs. Han?"
Hanbin seemed to register this is Zhang Hao's first time seeing him here, "Oh! Mom's out of town today and I'm helping her part-time this sunmer!"
"Oh my god, I didn't know she's your mother! I've been coming here so often.." Upon closer inspection Zhang Hao felt almost stupid for not picking it up sooner, because Hanbin certainly looks like a carbon copy of Mrs. Han.
A voice from behind him got him out of his head, "Hey, are you two just going to chat or let people who actually have places to be order food." Right, they're in a cafe, and Zhang Hao actually came here to get his food as well.
"Right, sorry, let me just order quick," he turned to apologize to the people behind him.
So, the disaster of a meeting, as Zhang Hao refers to it, ended with him getting his coffee and a donut, and a newfound obsession with the place. He was not going to let an opportunity to finally bag the boy of his dreams slip away, so he started to spend even more time at Ludia than ever before.
Unfortunately for him, he quickly learned that Hanbin didn't have a schedule and only took over as a barista or a cashier when it was too much for Mrs. Han to handle, or when Hanbin himself had nothing better to do. Catching the boy on a shift started to feel like a game Hao was playing all by himself. Today luck was on his side.
Zhang Hao sits down at his favourite table by the window and takes his notes out. It may only look like he's here to lovingly gaze at the boy, but Hao actually does come here to be productive and have a little self-study session. The fact that he's blessed by Hanbin's presence is just a bonus and nothing more. Zhang Hao is not delusional and doesn't expect to ever get noticed. Hanbin is ridiculously popular at their school, girls and boys continuously asking him out and always getting politely rejected. Hao hates that even seeing the boy gently turn others down made him fall in love even more. Nobody knows why Hanbin is still single and doesn't entertain anyone approaching him, but the gossip says he already has his eyes on someone. Zhang Hao thinks they're a totall dumbass if they don't like Hanbin back then.
His crush might be doomed and he might never get with the love of his live, but his predicament is not that terrible. He's made progress!
One, Hao told Hanbin to call him hyung, which the younger was really happy about and later shared that he always wanted to be friends. Ouch, but he can live with that.
Two, they exchanged numbers. They're not close enough to regularly text, but Hanbin sent him a few cute reels with cats, puppies and hamsters, and he always lets Hao know if they have his favourite donuts in stock. Even on the days he's not working. Is this not a dream?
Three, Hanbin started to bring his orders to his table, which he really doesn't need to do as he's only working behind the counter, and he occasionally sits down with him to chat if there's no other customer.
"Hao-hyung!" Today was no different, and there he is, walking up to Zhang Hao's table holding a small tray. Hanbin puts it down and slides it a little closer to the boy at the table. "I already prepared your usual, but if you wanted to change it up today I'll go make it and you can have this on the house, if you'd like."
Zhang Hao is severely envious of whoever his sweet perfect Hanbin likes. If he does this for him, not even a close friend, his lover is going to be spoiled rotten.
"Thank you, Hanbin, but I did want to get my usual today. You know me well."
The boy in front of him smiles, eyes crinkling and his whisker dimple denting his cheek. The view never fails to make Zhang Hao's heart skip a beat.
"I'm... I'm very happy to hear that."
Hanbin is looking at Hao from under his ridiculously long and pretty lashes and Zhang Hao thinks fuck it. It's not going to hurt to just ask, right? "Hey, Hanbin, would you-" but Zhang Hao doesn't get to finish. Hanbin's phone loudly rings, startling both of them.
It keeps ringing for a whole minute, because Hanbin doesn't seem to remember which pocket he put it in, and his work apron keeps getting in the way, but he finally fishes it out and answers the call. Hao watches him practically jump out of his seat and hurriedly gather his belongings. He still hasn't said anything in the phone, but whoever is on the other line seems to be important to him, as he's attentively listening. Zhang Hao wonders if it's Hanbin's mysterious crush.
Lost in thought he almost misses Hanbin say, "-okay, Wookie." Wait, Wookie? It couldn't be Wookie, as in Gunwookie, as in Zhang Hao's younger brother Gunwook, could it?
Hanbin is next to his table again, "Hyung, I'm sorry, something urgent came up, I need to leave. Please, do enjoy your coffee! I'll see you later!" And then he leaves.
"Hanbin, wait! See me where?" But Hanbin didn't asnwer, as he was already exiting the cafe.
Zhang Hao is left sitting at his table, alone and confused, and still wondering why was his brother contacting Hanbin of all people.
Someone is not getting bingsu tonight.
***
Please pick up, please pick up.
"Mom!" he practically yells in the phone.
"Yes, honey?" answers the woman on the other side.
"I think they're doing something weird again, and this time they got Hanbin involved!" God, he's so nervous he can't stop tapping his foot.
"Hao-ya, is this about your belief that Gunwookie and Yujinnie are building rockets in the backyard? Because if it is, I'm hanging up, I'm meeting up with the girls and I'd love to be not disturbed. I'll be home in a few hours, love you!"
"But mom!" The call already ended.
So, he's just going to go and check for himself, and if something is happening in their backyard, he hopes it'll still be there by the time their mother comes back. He knows just one person that doesn't find him crazy yet, so he takes his phone out and sends a message.
[haobao 🐼]
taerae this is EMERGENCY
[raerae 👯]
what happened? did you embarrass yourself at the cafe
[haobao 🐼]
NO
trust me apparently it's not the worst that can happen to me!!
[raerae 👯]
im scared
[haobao 🐼]
this is going to sound crazy but i SWEAR my brother called hanbin and he left right after that call so i think he might be otw to my house rn
[raerae 👯]
what? how would gunwook or yujin even have his number
[haobao 🐼]
I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA AND IT'S LEAST OF MY CONCERNS RN
THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE HIM GET INTO ONE OF THEIR STUPID WEIRD DANGEROUS EXPERIMENTS AND HES GOING TO DIE!!!
[raerae 👯]
no one has died in your backyard like ever not counting your old pet hamster
[haobao 🐼]
do not bring up Mr. Whiskers right now im sensitive
back to the topic HANBIN COULD BE FIRST! THERE IS ALWAYS RISK
[raerae 👯]
could you stop yelling at me over the text thank you very much okay
your only option right now is to go and see
keep me updated if you want. or not
[haobao 🐼]
you're right i better hurry before they sent hanbin to mars or some shit
He didn't even notice that he was already close to their house by the time he was done texting Taerae. First thing he sees is that those brats definitely lied to him about not doing anything, because there's an unidentified building in their backyard right now. For starters he's glad it's not a rocket and Hanbin is going to stay on Earth.
Zhang Hao attempts to call his mother again.
"Honey, I already told you-"
"Can you please just listen to me, I'm not crazy!" He is very much close to losing it.
"Hao, I never said that, I just think-"
"Please, mom, there is a whole, wait, what is it," he finally figures out what this building might be, thanks to a brand new 'ZEROBASE restaurant' billboard he spots, "a whole fucking-"
"Language!"
"SORRY! a whole restaurant in the backyard! There are people walking all over our lawn! The mayor is here too, I'm, like, totally serious right now."
On the other end of the line his mother sighs, "Hao, baby, I'm not going home for another hour and I'm not calling you crazy, but I can't believe in something I can't see." One of these days I'm going to gift her an iPhone so I can facetime her at this point. "I'm going to turn my phone off now, but when I get home, you'll show me everything, okay?"
Deep breaths.
"Okay, mom." What did he expect, really.
[haobao 🐼]
i got to our house and they build a fucking restaurant
[raerae 👯]
i know
im already in line to get inside
man can you ask your bros to get me a vip :/ im like 127th im going to die
[haobao 🐼]
what
you're not serious
[raerae 👯]
it said it has 3 michelin stars it's not everyday we have a restaurant open here
this prestigious too
[haobao 🐼]
literally how could it get michelin stars already if they just built it!!! i dont get it!!
[raerae 👯]
just go ask your brothers they said you have vip entry im so jealous
I have VIP entry? Why, don't I always try to get them busted? It really was something new to Zhang Hao; his brothers never intentionally let him near their inventions.
"HAO HYUNG!" Speak of the devil.
"Gunwook. I was just looking for you, what in the world-" Looks like he won't stop getting interrupted today.
"Hyung, please go to your room and change your clothes," Gunwook is already tugging at his arm and leading him in the direction of their house before Hao can protest.
"Wookie, what are you doing, and why do I need to change, I'm not changing my clothes before you explain what-"
"Hao-hyung, you're here."
"-is going on here.. Hanbin?" So, he really was talking to Gunwook then. Just what did they plan this time?
"I am so glad you could make it," says Hanbin, not even noticing the state of Zhang Hao's confusion.
"I live here, Hanbin."
"Oh, right. I will be waiting for you inside, okay?" Inside where and why, Hao wants to ask, but Hanbin already vanished, and Gunwook pulled him in the direction of his room again. "Gunwook, can you please explain what are we doing?"
"Hao-hyung, I'm sorry, we really don't have time to talk about anything right now, everything is planned down to a minute. Change into the suit on your bed and try to get down to the restaurant in 10 minutes, okay?" His eleven year old brother gives him a very serious look, and for a moment Hao hesitates to even disagree with him.
"I am not doing that, kid."
"For Hanbin?" Sigh. Gunwook is too smart for his age.
"Okay. But I will need an explanation later and you two are in a BIG trouble when mom's back." That seems to satisfy Gunwook enough and he leaves Zhang Hao in his room alone.
The suit lying on his bed is pretty, he's not going to lie. He caught a glimpse of the one that Hanbin was wearing earlier and they look somewhat similar, except the one Zhang Hao got is pastel pink, contrasting Hanbin's pastel blue. Are we matching?
***
Despite being wary of the whole thing, Zhang Hao got ready and stood in front of the restaurant 10 minutes later on the dot.
"Hey, you need to get in line, you're not the only one trying to enter this place" called someone out from the seemingly never ending line of guests.
"He's a VIP guest," Zhang Hao hears a voice to his side, "Hi, Hao."
"Oh. Hi, Hanbin," pretty boys fluster him too much recently for his liking, "What are you doing here?"
Hanbin appears to be surpised by Hao's question, "Me? Taking you out to diner, of course."
"Hanbin-hyung! Hao-hyung!" Gunwook waves at them, "say cheese!" He hears the sound of a shutter. Zhang Hao can't believe it. His brother just documented evidence of their own construction. They are so getting busted tonight.
But he doesn't get to relinquish in his little victory for too long, Hanbin's hand on his waist feeling too warm to think about anything else. The boy leads him inside the restaurant, and Zhang Hao can't help but let curiousity win over him and take in their surroundings. He won't admit it out loud and definitely not in front of his brothers, but they did a good job decorating the hall. He thinks artistry might just come natural to everyone in the family.
Hanbin and Zhang Hao sit down to the table in the center of the hall. It's painfully awkward and other guests keep looking at them, expectant. Zhang Hao doesn't understand why are they so interested in their pair, for once in his life he's not enjoying the spotlight. They get their food served and they eat in silence, each passing minute confusing Hao further. There is still far too many unanswered questions and he hates how Hanbin makes him feel like he's interested in him like that.
"Hao-hyung, shall we dance?" Hanbin finally breaks the silence that settled at their table.
"Sure." Well, maybe Hanbin takes all his friends out to dinner and invites them for a dance, shouldn't be a big deal for him.
And so they keep swaying on the dancefloor. The songs change one after another, but Hanbin doesn't stop waltzing with Hao and great, now he's looking at him like he hung the stars in the sky. Zhang Hao is fed up with this.
"Why are you doing this to me if you already like someone." Hanbin doesn't answer him. "Hanbin. I'm serious, what is this all about? Tell me, please, I don't want to get the wrong idea."
"What idea are you getting, Hao-hyung?", asks Hanbin gently.
"That.. that you might like me?"
Hanbin's brows furrow, "And is it so bad if I do like you?"
Zhang Hao feels like an ice water bucker was poured onto him. There is no way Hanbin thinks Hao is offended by Hanbin liking him. Shouldn't it be the other way around? The gears are turning inside in his head so much it gives him a headache. Perhaps there was a missing puzzle piece all along he can only obtain if he knows Hanbin's side of their situation.
"Wait, wait wait," Zhang Hao stops their dancing. "You are going to tell me," a pause, "that you liked me this whole time?" He can't quite believe this sentence when it leaves his mouth.
Hanbin has the audacity to look annoyed. "Was it not obvious?"
"Literally no! How?"
"Maybe you just didn't pay enough attention to me," mutters Hanbin under his breath, but they're standing so close Zhang Hao can hear everything loud and clear, "I know I shouldn't have expected you to notice me, but.."
Zhang Hao is bewildered, "That's not what I mean! And what more attention do you want when I'm literally always at your family's cafe because I want to see you!"
Hanbin is looking at him like a kicked puppy before he dumbly asks, "You weren't coming for the donuts..?"
"Obviously they're amazing, please give your mom a kiss for me, but my sugar and caffeine intake has definitely increased ever since I found out you were part-timing there." He's running out of breath trying to get everything out in one piece, but he needs to get it over with. "I am in love with you, Hanbin" Is it too early to say that? "I mean, I mean I've liked you since my sophomore year."
"Oh."
"Oh, Hanbin."
"I guess that means we're both idiots."
"No it's only you, because I was the most obvious I could ever be."
"So was I! Do you think I personally serve everyone in the cafe? I don't have the whole day."
"Touché."
"Okay. I think we should save the rest of this talk for later, because there's still something I want to do." Zhang Hao doesn't miss Hanbin's gaze brushing his lips, "Can I kiss you, Hao?"
"Oh, please"
It's Zhang Hao who surges forward first. Their first kiss feels like an explosion. No, wait he hears an explosion, it's not the kiss. He pulls away from Hanbin not even two beats later.
"What's the- oh"
Of course, the restaurant is gone. He isn't sure what exactly just happened, but they're surrounded by bubbles and it looks so pretty Zhang Hao thinks he's dreaming. He sees Gunwook and Yujin standing nearby looking at them. Hao waves his hand, beckoning them closer.
"So, how about you two tell me what went down today, because I gathered so much that you and Hanbin both worked on this."
To his surprise Gunwook actually looks like he's going to let him on their secret. "Hanbin-hyung approached us not long ago asking to help him confess to you. We agreed on the date and planned out this event this morning. Sorry, we had to collapse the restaurant, because mom is on the way, but we hope you like the bubbles."
"And I hope you idiots finally confessed," adds Yujin.
"We did" says Hanbin, at the same time as Hao squeaks, "Yujin, you talk?!"
Hanbin turns to him, "Does he not?"
"No, I mean, yes, he does, but I haven't heard him in awhile."
Yujin shrugs. "I just didn't have anything important to add after Gunwook."
Later, after his brothers left to let them have their moment alone, Zhang Hao leans his head on Hanbin's shoulder and asks, "Hanbin, could you do me a favour?"
"Yes, love?"
"Make sure there's extra bingsu at the cafe tomorrow."
It's the least he can do to thank Gunwook and Yujin.
***
"So, Hao, where is that restaurant and all the random people in our backyard you so badly wanted to show me?" Asks their mother later that day.
"Oh, you know," Zhang Hao has never been so close to exposing his brothers (he has a picture! a whole picture with that restaurant visible!), but maybe just today he'll let them go. He'll always have another chance. "I think it was just a trick of the light. No fancy restaurant, no people. Just the boys playing with their friends, sorry for worrying you, mom." He winks at his brothers sitting on the sofa.
Woof!
"Oh!" exclaims Gunwook, "there you are Terry!"