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For as long as he remembered, it was always Wonyoung and him against the world. They met when they were still in diapers, thanks to their mother being friends, and ever since they’ve been inseparable. From day one, they always hung out together at the kindergarten, the separation to their respective mother being more bearable (Sunghoon would always tease Wonyoung how she couldn’t stop crying on the first day of kindergarten and he didn’t). When they first began to lose their baby teeth, they told each other excitedly and made their wishes to the Tooth Fairy. They learned to tie their shoelaces together (and managed to tangle them together. It was Sunghoon’s fault, according to Wonyoung).
When Sunghoon entered 1st grade, he was quite sad his best friend couldn’t come with him. He managed to befriend some kids in his class, but it wasn’t the same. They still hung out after school or during the weekends. Even if he liked talking about what he learned at school, he wanted to experience them together with his best friend. (According to Wonyoung, Sunghoon missed her dearly. He couldn’t even argue about that point, especially when she told him she missed him back.)
When came his 2nd grade, Wonyoung and him were inseparable again, even if they weren’t in the same year. His excitement over being able to hang with Wonyoung made him unaware of the surprises that could be waiting for him. The surprise came into his life by a new face his best friend brought with her. The other kid, named Sunoo, with his chubby cheeks, fluffy hair and a smile that reminded Sunghoon of the sun, was Wonyoung’s new friend from her year. (If you asked Sunghoon, he had taken the news well. If you asked Wonyoung though, she would say that he threw the biggest jealousy tantrum. If you asked Sunoo, he would just laugh about it, siding with Wonyoung.) The girl became friends quickly with the other boy as their interests matched well after they met in their classroom. Sunghoon outgrew his “jealousy fit” (not his words) and that is how Sunoo inserted himself in their friendship. He was a bit anxious that their new addition would throw their dynamic upside down, but he didn’t and Sunghoon gained himself a new best friend.
“You’re staring.”
A voice interrupted his train of thoughts. Sunghoon’s gaze fell on the other boy at his table who talked.
“I wasn’t” he muttered.
“Tell that to yourself, Hoonie.” Jake chuckled. “Will you help me with the assignment now or will you continue to daydream about asking out Wonyoung-ah?”
Sunghoon looked over a few tables behind Jake where Wonyoung was talking quietly with Sunoo and two other classmates in the library. She addressed the latter and Sunoo nodded eagerly. Sunghoon smiled a bit to the sight.
“Hoon.”
“Sorry.” His focus went back on his laptop.
He met Jake through university. The other was from Australia, but decided to study abroad and, at the same time, spend some more time with his family that lived in South Korea. They clicked together almost instantly and Sunghoon decided to integrate him into his friend group. The two of them became closed friends in a small matter of time, as well for Jake and Jay.
Sunghoon met Jay through high school. He watched him pin over Wonyoung throughout their years together, no comment, only his eyebrow raised. After all, he couldn’t say anything as he was as worst as him. If Sunghoon was pining hopelessly over Wonyoung without saying anything, Jay was pining over Jungwon, Sunoo’s new best friend. (Wonyoung and Sunoo had said something about another jealousy tantrum, but Sunghoon was suddenly deaf, and, at his age, he was definitely past them.) It was incredible how Jay managed to have a crush on Jungwon after meeting him. He told his friend that he was cliché, falling in love at first sight (Jay retorted it wasn’t love yet ― “Ok then, Jay hyung, infatuation at first sight then.” “That doesn’t even make sense Hoon-”), but was Sunghoon any better? After all, wasn’t he the one stuck in the teenager movie romance trope of “childhood friends to lovers”?
No matter his cliché romance trope, Sunghoon was planning to confess to Wonyoung for real this time. He was going to grow some balls, find some courage to finally tell his feelings to his best friend. I am going to tell her. He thought confidently.
“You say that every week, Hoonie.”
He might have said that out loud. “I am for real this time. We are gonna hang out at the dorms after my skating practice. I am going to confess tonight. Sunoo couldn’t make it because he’s spending the night at Jungwon’s.”
Jake laughed a bit at him, as if he didn’t believe him.
Sunghoon was kind of bitter Sunoo couldn’t tag along with them because it was their thing. From his first time at ice skating as a toddler, Wonyoung always tagged along. Eventually, when Sunoo became part of the picture, his two best friends would assist his skating practice, come back to spend the evening at someone’s place and talk about everything and nothing. Instead of that, Sunoo was spending the night at Jungwon’s with the latter and Riki, Sunoo’s friend more than he was Sunghoon’s. He was from Japan and, like how Sunghoon was Jake’s emotional support after moving overseas, Sunoo fulfilled the same role for Riki. They had just met this year, because of the Japanese’s younger age. (Wonyoung told him that “One is a chance, twice is a coincidence, and third time’s a pattern.” If he was being honest to himself for once, he was still not over his jealousy of the two.)
“With Riki?”
“Yeah.”
Jake laughed. “I hope Wonie won’t be third wheeling Sunoo and Riki. They seem quite close nowadays.”
A small ache to the stomach suddenly appeared, as an ugly feeling settled. Sunghoon gulped before he answered “I’m sure Jungwonie will be fine. He knows how to join into their antics.” Unlike Sunghoon.
“Yeah, I guess so.”
Sunghoon looked over to Wonyoung and Sunoo’s table again. His eyes met Sunoo, then the latter waving a hand at him. He smiled at him and moved his gaze to Wonyoung who was smiling back at him. She broke their eye contact as the girl beside her tapped on her shoulder to get her attention. He looked back at Sunoo who was listening attentively to the conversation at their table. Sunghoon’s gaze lingered a bit before going back to his laptop.
His black hair was still wet from his shower he took coming back to his dorm after his skating practice when he arrived at Wonyoung’s dorm. The dorms were separated by gender, and technically there was a rule about no boys in the girls’ dorms and vice versa, but no one hardly cared.
They were currently sitting on Wonyoung’s bed, debating about which movie they should watch for the night. Usually, the debate would be soon over as Sunoo would most of the time take Wonyoung’s side, leaving Sunghoon losing the argument. He was feeling restless, thinking about how this was going to be just them. They were used to lay by each other’s side or even cuddle while watching a movie or a k-drama, but that was when there were three of them. Now, Sunoo wasn’t there. Sunghoon might have been bitter, but he was thanking him in his mind at the same time for giving him intimacy for his big confession.
Jay and Heeseung had texted him after his skating practice about it in their hyung group chat. Jake must have told them after they finished their schoolwork session. They were mostly teasing him, but they still wished him the best of luck. Sunghoon had smiled at their encouragements.
After deciding for which movie they would watch, the two best friends settled themselves on the bed, their shoulder pressed together. From that contact alone, Sunghoon thought he might melt. His shoulder was burning, and he was sure the heat was creeping up his face. He gulped as he didn’t know if he should do something more, put his hand over hers, put his arm around her shoulders or just not moving. He might attract a lot of girls since elementary school, but he never actually dated (due to him pinning over his best friend) so he wasn’t sure what one was supposed to do in this situation.
The movie went by, Wongyoung making some comments during the film and Sunghoon answered her absently. He couldn’t stop thinking, and if he was honest, he didn’t really remember the plot of the story. When the credits began to roll, his best friend stretched her arms after spending a long time in the same position. The movement seemed to snap Sunghoon to reality and decided that it was now or never.
“Wonie.”
“Mmh?”
“I have something to tell you.”
She looked at him, seriousness in her face. She straightened her back and turned so she could face him. She was looking at him expectantly and Sunghoon got the feeling she might like him back.
“What’s up Hoonie-oppa?” She smiled sweetly.
He took a deep breath and with a sudden burst of courage, he said “I like you.”
“Aw, I like you too, Sunghoonie-oppa.” She said as she went to hug him.
He grabbed her by the shoulders to stop her movement. She looked at him, uncertain and confused.
“I don’t want you to misinterpret, Wonie. I think I might love you.” The cat was out of the bag now.
“What?” She said after a short silence.
“It’s just that we’ve known each other for a long time. I don’t want to be selfish, because you’re my best friend, but you are sweet, kind, funny, pretty, and I think I love you. Since a while now.”
Sunghoon waited for her answer. Wonyoung seemed to register his words, then let out a sigh. “Sunghoonie-oppa… Oh, this is awkward… I’ll have to be honest with you.”
Oh no. She was going to tell him she was already in a relationship. She was going to tell him she was uncomfortable now and she didn’t want to talk to him anymore. He messed it up and she was not going to want to be his best friend anymore. She was going to make Sunoo choose between the two of them and of course Sunoo would pick Wonyoung-
“I genuinely thought you were in love with Sunoo-ya, not me.”
Wonyoung was gonna request the custody of Gaeul- Wait, what?
“… What.”
He could only look at her, mouth slightly agape. The word confusion was not enough to explain the state he was in. “Wonie, I don’t even think I’m gay.”
Don’t get him wrong, he has nothing against gay people. Jay was in love with Jungwon, he knows Sunoo had dated a few dudes here and there. He himself questioned about his own sexuality for more than just one night about it.
“You dumbass, you don’t have to be gay gay to like men, you know. You could be bisexual-”
“Wonie, I don’t even think I ever had a crush on a man.”
“Then you must be blind, because I do think that you like Sunoo-ya.”
“No, I’m pretty sure I like you. Since high school.”
They stared at each other for a while. Wonyoung’s face betrayed nothing, and she seemed so confident in what she just told Sunghoon. Meanwhile, the gears were turning in his head. Why would she think that? He just poured his heart out to his crush just to be told he’s wrong. He couldn’t comprehend it.
Her shoulders slumped as she sighed, “Ok, I’ll trust you, Hoonie-oppa. The thing is though, I’m only attracted to girls.”
Oh.
Wonyoung seemed to notice his reaction and then quickly proceeded to wrap her arms around him. “I swear I love you too, Sunghoon-oppa. But not like that.”
“It’s… It’s nothing.”
Well, fuck.
The day after, Sunghoon couldn’t help but replay the conversation in his head. He had left after they stopped talking, he didn’t think he could bear the embarrassment. Wonyoung seemed guilty to have broken his heart, but at least he knew she still wanted to be his best friend.
He didn’t even answer his friends’ messages when he returned at his dorm, nor did he when he woke up in the morning. He just wanted to hide away in his room for the rest of the week until the embarrassment faded away. If he was being honest, he expected tears, crying, a heart-wrenching, visceral feeling to settle deep into him, but none of that really came. He couldn’t say he was relieved too. He just felt… restless. When Jay sat beside him in their first class of the day, his friend seemed to pick up on Sunghoon’s mood, so he didn’t pray for details.
There was one thing he was still completely lost about. Maybe having an outside opinion would ease his mind.
“Jay-ah?” He asked as he was packing his books.
“Yes, Hoon?”
“I need your insight.”
“Go on.”
“So…” Sunghoon hesitated a bit. “Wonyoung rejected me, because she’s gay.”
“I’m sorry Hoon. Everything’s good between the two of you?” Jay patted his back.
“Yes, I just need a moment for myself. But that’s not what I wanted to talk about. The weird thing is, when I first confessed, she didn’t tell me that at first. She said she thought I was in love with Sunoo.” The hand on his back went rigid, as it stopped moving. “What could she mean by that?”
Jay slowly removed his hand. He scratched the back of his head, as if he was embarrassed. Sunghoon felt as if he held his breath waiting for his answer, unconsciously knowing in which direction it would go. They both exited the class as they head to the cafeteria.
“Well… it’s just that you care a lot about him.”
He raised his eyebrows, dreading the rest of his answer.
“You’re even a little bit possessive, even if you deny it.”
“Am I not like that with Wonyoung though?”
“It’s more, Hoon.” Jay stopped walking in the hall to look at him. He took a breath before he continued, “You don’t see your face when you look at Sunoo. Your face lights up whenever you see him. It never really lit up that way with Wonyoung. You seem to put him above everything else. Whenever you would talk about Wonyoung in high school, Sunoo would always find himself in the conversation for no particular reason. You use a lot of things to describe what you like about Wonyoung, but in my eyes they describe Sunoo the best.”
Sunghoon’s brain had short-circuited. He tried to follow what Jay was saying, but the other kept going.
“I do think both of them bring you a sense of familiarity, and I do think you had feelings for Wonyoung, but you never realized later that your feelings for her were only infatuation and innocent love. And that you outgrew them.”
“You thought I was in love with Sunoo too? From high school?” The connections in his brain were running, understanding why Jay would always stare at him weirdly when he would talk about his female best friend. Well, according to him, he talked about Sunoo too without him knowing.
“I can’t say it was love, but there is something more than just friendship.”
“I’m sorry Jay-ah, I just can’t comprehend that. I should know myself better for this kind of thing, no?”
“Wonyoung once called you an oblivious dumbass.”
“Of course, she would. Thanks a lot Jay, gosh.” He answered as they reached the table where Jake was waiting for them along with Heeseung.
“No luck for you Lover Boy?” Heeseung chimed in, unaware of the previous conversation Sunghoon had with Jay.
“I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”
Jake threw him a concerned look and Heeseung muttered an apology. They began to eat in silence, but eventually the three other boys started talking, leaving Sunghoon with his thoughts.
A few weeks after, Sunghoon found himself avoiding Wonyoung, still not at ease after the rejection. The thing was that he was not only avoiding his first best friend, but also his other best friend, Sunoo.
After all his rumination with him, himself and he, the smaller boy noticed the older being moody and, as the best of all the best friends, he made his job to comfort him. At first, Sunghoon couldn’t help but feel warm at the gesture, but there was something different this time. He couldn’t help but notice little details that would go unnoticed before, but after everything that happened, he now realized what Jay and Wonyoung were talking about.
He first noticed how his mind would somehow always wander around Sunoo. He noticed how adorable his best friend was when he would eat, and his cheeks would go all chubby that he wanted to pinch them affectionately. He noticed how angelic the latter’s voice was, especially when he laughed. He found endearing how his eyes would disappear in crescent while laughing. Those little things made him want to continue teasing him if that meant seeing and hearing the younger’s laugh. He realized how soft the younger’s pink hair was while petting it and couldn’t bring himself to stop (even if there was a voice weirdly similar to Wonyoung saying that it doesn’t make sense since Sunoo’s hair must as dry as the desert-). He realized also how his fair skin would almost shine in the sun, making him look like a fairy (ok, that may be because of the makeup’s job, but he never realized how good it fitted Sunoo so much to the point Sunghoon wanted to kiss those glossy lips-).
Sunghoon would get flustered then, blushing deeply, but Sunoo was usually in his own world, so he didn’t notice the struggles his hyung was going through. So, enter his current situation: avoiding Sunoo because he made him not function anymore while convincing himself that was what someone would think seeing their very pretty friend. That’s how homies act with each other, right? Weirdly, he was never able to fully convince himself.
That made him think back about high school, made him look through every interaction from a new angle, and realized how whipped he was, really. It was quite ridiculous. He wasn’t even mad at Wonyoung anymore (not that he ever could have stayed mad at her), but he was still mad at Jay. His friend took every opportunity possible to rub in his face to say that ‘I told you so.’ By now, Heeseung and Jake learned about the whole story, no thanks to Jay, and they, too, would notice the details that they didn’t see. That detail made him relieved, because at least he wasn’t the only one unaware of his feelings for his male best friend.
Now, the thing was that the more he tried to avoid Sunoo, the more the latter would hang out with Riki. That thought alone made his skin crawl. Not that he had any (rational) reason to hate him, but he couldn’t help it. He saw the way the Japanese boy would look at Sunoo, a similar look to the one Sunghoon had for his best friend based on what his friends told him. So, Sunghoon would glare at the other boy whenever he saw him, but Sunoo eventually caught on the tension between the two.
“What’s your problem with Riki, hyung?” The smaller confronted him after he asked to talk to him in private.
“Nothing, Sun.” He said too quickly for his liking. He couldn’t bear himself to look at the other in the eyes. They could hear their other friends being loud in the other room, playing some video game against each other.
In response, Sunoo frowned (and Sunghoon couldn’t help but notice how adorable his eyebrows knitted together, gosh, now was not the time-), “Are you lying to me, hyung? Riki said you’ve been glaring at him for no reason lately and he doesn’t know what he did wrong.”
“It’s nothing, Sun, it must be the midterms taking a toll on me.” It wasn’t really lie, but it was not the main reason.
“Oh, ok, Sunghoon-hyung. Please make sure to take care of yourself, okay?” The pink-haired boy replied, smiling sweetly, sending arrows straight to his heart. “And please, apologize to Riki, he’s hurt by your attitude towards him.”
“Y-Yeah, I will, thank you Sun.”
Sunoo left the room, returning with the others. Sunghoon released a sigh, shoulders slumping in relief. The younger didn’t seem to notice about his feelings. He followed soon after. He noticed his best friend sitting beside the Japanese boy, the latter leaning affectionately into him. Before the ugly feeling could creep up his spine, Sunoo turned around to look at him, expectant. He then noticed the pink-haired boy patting the place beside him. Sunghoon moved forward, joining Sunoo and Riki. As he passed them, Jake and Heeseung threw him a questioning look that he dismissed. Jay was too busy bickering with Jungwon to notice anything.
Sunghoon remembered the conversation he just had, took a breath, and moved his body toward Riki. “I’m sorry Riki for how I’ve been acting with you. Let hyung make it up for you.”
“Great, so you’re paying my lunch for me then?” Riki replied, his mischievous look on his face.
“Yea, sure.”
“Nice, I’ll tell you later what I want to eat.”
Sunghoon directed his focus on the screen in front of them, grabbing a remote. They played a few more games, bickering and laughing (he only could hear Sunoo’s adorable laugh if he was being honest), before they started heading out for lunch. As he was grabbing his stuff and putting his shoes on, someone pulled him apart from the group before he could leave. His head turned to see Riki holding his wrist.
“Hyung, you should stop playing around Sunoo.” He said, impassively. For some reason, Sunghoon got irritated.
“Why are you telling me this, Riki-ah?”
“We both know why, hyung.”
“No, why are you telling me this when we both know how you feel about Sunoo?” He retorted, mind flashing to all the moments he saw his best friend being around Riki.
The other looked taken aback, confused even, before letting a laugh. He patted his shoulder before heading out.
“Then, he told me ‘Then, you should do something before I make a move, right hyung?’ That means he does have feelings for Sun-ah.” Sunghoon continued.
“Let’s say he’s saying the truth, what is holding you back? You don’t even know if Sunoo likes him back.” Wonyoung replied.
He had found himself taking his embarrassment after his best friend’s rejection and locking it in a room while he needed to work out his current problem. He needed his best friend the most right now, and the boys wouldn’t be of use, especially because he didn’t want to create any tensions within their friend group.
“I don’t know, from what I’ve seen, they both seem extremely close. What if Sun does have feelings for him and rejects me also?” He managed to survive his embarrassment after his first confession attempt, he wasn’t sure although if he could survive this one.
“Come on, oppa, the first rejection was beyond your control: you couldn’t control the fact that I like girls. Also, I guess it is beyond your control to be oblivious-”
“Stop teasing me, Wonie. I’m being serious here.”
“I am too! You have to trust me and believe me. You should really try to tell Sunoo-ah your feelings before it’s too late. For this, it is within your control.”
Sunghoon groaned as he slumped on his chair, looking at the ceiling.
“… And what if I am already too late? What then? What happens then? I don’t want to risk and ruin our friendship just because of my stupid feelings.”
“Park Sunghoon oppa.” She said, serious. “You were willing to risk our friendship, but you are too much of a coward to do the same for Sunoo?”
“I don’t know. With you, it felt like I just needed to tell you, whatever the answer would be. But with Sunoo… I don’t know.”
She sighed as she rolled her eyes, “You’re a dumbass.”
“What did I do this time?”
“It feels different this time because you weren’t actually in love with me. I think you feel more anxious because you actually have feelings for Sunoo.” Wonyoung scoffed, lightly. “What would have happened if I agreed to date you?” She said quietly, as if she meant to talk to herself and not ask her best friend.
“That’s… That’s a good question.” Sunghoon thought he’d probably stayed in denial, but it would have brought only heartbreak if, later, he did realize his feelings for Sunoo. Thank God Wonyoung had the brains between the two of them (not that Sunghoon would ever tell her that out loud).
“Nevermind that.” Wonyoung said, stopping his track of thoughts. “And I am not joking, Park Sunghoon oppa. Do something before I force you myself.”
Turns out, Wonyoung wasn’t joking. After Sunghoon kept extending the time before he would have to talk to his male best friend, his other best friend took the matter into her own hands. This is how Sunghoon found himself cornered, as Sunoo found him after his late class on the Thursday.
“Let’s go eat, Sunghoon-hyung.”
He didn’t even have the time to answer him, Sunoo was already grabbing his wrist, dragging him away from his class doorframe.
“I’m really craving tteokbokki right now, so no, you don’t have a say of where we’ll eat.”
The way to Sunoo’s favourite tteokbokki place was awkward to say the least. Usually, the youngest of the two would go on about everything and nothing. Sunghoon would be satisfied and happy to listen to Sunoo talk and tease him whenever he could. This time, Sunoo was more focused on everything that wasn’t Sunghoon it seemed. He didn’t know what to say, so he settled on enjoying the silence.
When they arrived at the restaurant, they both ordered their food before settling at a table. Then, Sunoo began to talk to him about his day. Sunghoon felt himself untense a little, glad that the other didn’t give him the silent treatment anymore. They continued their casual talking until they got their food.
“So, hyung, Wonyoungie told me you had something to tell me.”
Oh, Wonyoung, you wouldn’t have dared-
“Oh, did she? That’s funny ahaha…” His laugh trailed off into silence as the younger stared at him, expectant.
“Well?” Sunoo asked. “What is it?”
“I-” He stopped himself as the words caught themselves stuck in his throat. Sunghoon cleared it, trying desperately to find the same courage he had with Wonyoung. Gosh, why was it harder now? “She must have mistaken.”
A beat passed between them. Sunoo was scanning his face, deep in thoughts. Behind his head, Sunghoon saw something getting agitated.
“So, it’s nothing?”
“Yea, it’s nothing-”
The rest of his sentence died as he finally gave in to the persistent presence behind Sunoo’s head. There, a few tables from theirs, is Wonyoung, glaring at him. She was with another girl, the same one who was sitting with his best friends a few weeks ago.
“Sunghoon-hyung?”
“Mhm?” He hummed as he put his attention back on Sunoo. The latter let out a sigh.
“When were you going to tell me that you confessed to Wonyoung?”
Sunghoon got flustered at the question. In the midst of growing panic, he found himself asking how he knew that. He thought back on how he never told Sunoo before, on how the subject never came up in their conversation, on how all thoughts about Wonyoung would evaporate when he would be with Sunoo.
“I had to learn from Jungwon, who got told by Jay-hyung. I’m a bit hurt, hyung, why didn’t you tell me?”
That was a good question.
“Like, I get it, Wonyoung and you are your own thing-”
Why didn’t Sunghoon tell him?
“But I’m your friend too, I deserve to know those things-”
Maybe it’s because I’m actually in love with you.
“What.”
“What?”
Sunghoon could see the raw surprise on Sunoo’s face, as well on Wonyoung’s, a few tables behind. “What do you mean, you’re in love with me?”
Realization dawned on his mind. “Did I say that out loud? I’m so sorry-”
“No! No, please explain.” The features of Sunoo’s face changed to something that Sunghoon couldn’t really understand, but the younger’s eyes shone with a certain glim.
Sunghoon began explaining how the confession went, and how his point of view shifted to reveal his true feelings. Sunoo was listening to him, face hard to read. It stressed out Sunghoon, who let out a small nervous laugh.
“How do you know what you feel for me is true? Maybe Wonyoungie, Jay-hyung and everyone convinced you otherwise-”
“Sunoo. Let me stop you there.” A sudden burst of courage settled in him. “You said earlier that Wonyoung and I were ‘our own thing.’ But you mean as much to me. Even more, I think. I realized that, in relation to those things, it’s always been you.”
The younger seemed taken aback by what he said. He looked as if he wanted to say something, but Sunghoon wasn’t finished.
“But I understand if you don’t feel the same, Sun. I’m not expecting anything from you. You’re my best friend too and I understand if you’re already with Riki-”
“Wait, hyung. Riki?”
“I just don’t want to lose you- what? Yes, Riki?”
“Like, Nishimura Riki? Our Riki?”
“Who else?”
“Well, there’s Takayama ‘Ta-ki’ Riki, also Hirota-”
“Ok, yes, I meant our Riki.”
A silence fell between the two of them before Sunoo started laughing, making Sunghoon very confused.
“Oh, that explains a lot about your behavior, hyung.” He continued laughing.
“Why are you laughing? I’m pretty sure Riki likes you.” The older retorted.
“I’m pretty sure he doesn’t.”
“The other guys think so too. Also, he confronted me about it the day I apologized to him.”
“Hyung, he was messing with you, because he already knew I like you.”
“What?” Sunghoon asked, suddenly flustered to have read wrong Riki. The rest of Sunoo’s sentence registered in his mind then, it went haywire. “What?”
“I like you too hyung. It’s been a while, although I guess I’m no better than you for thinking you could never like me back. I’ve been ranting to Riki and Jungwon since forever. On that day, I asked Riki what you two were talking about and he said you were a dumbass, and he couldn’t help teasing you. He didn’t tell me anything else, so I didn’t understand why, but now everything’s clear.” Sunoo laughed again as he saw Sunghoon frozen in place. He gently took his hand. “Hyung, I’m rambling, but the important is, I think I can say I love you too.”
Sunghoon’s mind was definitely burning. There was definitely a fire happening and all of his braincells evacuated, running wild and free in panic. The hand on his was warm and soft and everything that screamed Sunoo. Every braincells of his could only think of Sunoo, Sunoo, Sunoo, Sunoo, his heart beating in harmony. Speechless, the blush crept up to his face as he watched the latter laugh and ask him something. Sunghoon realized belatedly Sunoo was waiting for him to answer back.
“What did you say?” He asked as he watched Wonyoung face-palmed in the corner of his eye. Sunghoon glared at her, fortunately Sunoo didn’t notice.
“I asked if you were going to ask me out or?” The other stared at him right in the eyes, a glint of playfulness.
Sunghoon stumbled on his own words. God, why is he so cute? “Well, do you- do you want to go out with me?”
“Of course I do, Sunghoon hyung.” Sunoo smiled sweetly before he added “You are an adorable dumbass.”
“Everyone has to stop calling me that-”
(Sunghoon ended confronting Wonyoung and her friend who were acting as if they didn’t know the person walking towards them. In what was supposed to be an act of intimidation, it turned into Wonyoung making fun of him and teasing him. The greatest betrayal came in the form of Sunoo laughing at Sunghoon, as if he hadn’t been as oblivious as the oldest had. Their friends were elated at the news and didn’t miss the chance to join on the making-fun-off-Sunghoon train once Sunoo recounted with too much enthusiasm their date ― “It wasn’t even a date, Sunoo-ya.” “Let a man dream, hyung.”
Amidst the chaos of the congratulations and the laughters, Sunghoon’s eyes met Sunoo’s, chaos slowly fading. Sunoo smiled at him, and everything that mattered in the eldest’s world was the other.)