Chapter Text
Today was The Day. The day where the materialistic tendencies of modern society are highlighted for the entire world to see. The day dreaded by countless individuals, making even the bravest tremble and cower in fear. It was a time where the masses, young and old alike, were driven to commit the most desperate of actions. It was chaos. It was anarchy. No one was safe from the horrible effects of The Day.
“Hyukkie would you calm down? There’s really no need to get worked up about-.”
“Kongie hyung, please shut up.”
Sanghyuk could hear Hongbin’s scoff from across the living room, immediately followed by Jaehwan’s manic cackle, but he was too busy staring down the calendar hanging on the fridge door. If looks could kill, the entire calendar (and the fridge it was attached to) would have burst into flames on the spot. And it was all because of one, tiny little date; one small square that was circled in red pen. Sanghyuk startled as Wonshik tossed an arm over his shoulder, interrupted his staring contest and pulling him away from the source of his offense and distinct un-amusement.
“Come on kiddo. Where’s that ‘go to’ attitude of yours? You’re usually all up for being into the spirit of a holiday.“
“This isn’t a holiday. This,” Sanghyuk hissed, violently gesturing towards the calendar. “This is torture in its purest sense. An entire day dedicated to the commercialized materialism of adoration and affection.”
Wonshik let out a deep sigh, dragging his hand down his face. “You’ve been hanging out with the media team again haven’t you?”
Sanghyuk flailed. “That isn’t the point. What matters is the fact that The Day is here and I for one, refuse to be part of any activity related to it.”
At that moment, the dorm’s front door burst open. Hakyeon happily sauntered in with a bag filled to the brim with goodies. He dropped it Jaehwan’s lap (who had jumped at the abrupt entrance, hand over his heart, and eyed the bag with intense suspicion) and practically threw himself at Sanghyuk and Wonshik. He happily hugged them into submission.
“Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Wonshik rolled his eyes, an amused smile on his face as he wrapped his free arm around the enthusiastic leader. “Happy Valentine’s to you too hyung.”
Sanghyuk huffed, but didn’t hesitate to hook his chin over Hakyeon’s shoulder in a loose hug. Just because he was annoyed with the mere existence of this cursed “holiday” didn’t mean he had to take it out on his leader.
Hakyeon pulled back and crossed his arms, pouting. “Hyukkie, it’s Valentine’s. You can do better than that.”
Sanghyuk responded with another annoyed mumble.
Hongbin and Jaehwan popped up in interest from the couch, languidly watching everything with twin smirks. "Just ignore him Hakyeon hyung," Hongbin said, watching the youngest's scowl deepen. "Sanghyuk's determined to be a downright Scrooge today."
"First of all, that's Christmas, genius," Sanghyuk grumbled crossing his arms with a huff. It made him look like a moody toddler. "Second of all, just let me wallow in my misery ok?"
Before anyone could reply the door to one of the bedrooms softly opened and a figure emerged from its depths. Taekwoon slowly made his way to the couch, eyes fixed on the bag in Jaehwan’s lap. He quickly opened it, shuffling through it for a few seconds before pulling out a couple small chocolate bars. He dropped onto the floor in front of Hongbin, dutifully opening a bar and contentedly nibbling at a corner. He noticed how the other members were staring at him.
"What?" he asked, candy bar still in his mouth.
"Nothing Taekwoon. Nothing at all." Hakyeon waved it off. “Honestly though, Sanghyuk. You’re making this into a bigger deal than it actually is.”
Sanghyuk scoffed, walking past the leader to drop down next to Taekwoon on the floor. “Valentine’s is silly.”
Jaehwan reached down and patted Sanghyuk’s head, making sure to ruffle his black locks. “Aww. Is our precious baby Sanghyukkie annoyed?”
Sanghyuk slapped his hand away, frantically trying to smooth down his hair. “Shut up.”
Wonshik leaned against the wall, arms crossed. His expression was a mixture of amusement and honest bafflement. “I don’t understand why this has got you so worked up. It’s just Valentine’s day.”
The chiming of the doorbell suddenly interrupted their conversation, ringing crisp and clear through the dorm.
"I got it," Hakyeon said. The other members made various sounds of acknowledgement.
"So as I was saying," Wonshik continued. "What have you got against Valentine's Day? I mean sure, it's commercialized as all hell, but the sentiment behind it is still sweet."
"Sweet my ass. Valentine's Day is just one big shitstorm made to sell overpriced flowers and tacky cards." He crossed his arms, leaning back onto Jaehwan's legs. "It's not sentimental. It's cheap and shallow and awful."
"I beg your pardon?" A voice rang through the room, not that of any VIXX member. It was distinctly female, its light sound hiding a burning terrifying anger.
Their guest was rather small (but then again, anyone looked small next to them. VIXX forest was their nickname for a reason), but it did nothing to soften the look of sheer rage that was being directed at the youngest.
Sanghyuk took a quick glance behind him. He could see that the rest of the members, staring at the young woman with wide-eyed panic. He swore he heard Jaehwan mutter a soft "oh fuck" under his breath.
"Oh, hi Youngji. What are you doing here?"
"Repeat what you just said," Kara's Youngji demanded, sagely crossing her arms.
"About what?"
Youngji drummed her fingers against her arm, frown deepening. "You heard me, repeat what you just said."
"Y-You mean," Sanghyuk stammered. "The thing about Valentine's?"
"The part where you said that Valentine's was 'cheap and shallow and awful.' That is what you said right?"
The others frantically gestured for him to stay quiet, but he just shot them a confused look before turning back to her.
“Uh, I-I guess? Maybe? Sort of.” A tense silence fell upon them all. Youngji stepped forward, fists clenched and face hard.
Sanghyuk gulped.
Hakyeon quickly placed a hand on her shoulder, fingers just barely curling into her hoodie. “I know you’re upset-- you have all the right to be, but I would appreciate you not killing my youngest.” His words, seemingly jovial, held a subtle note of warning.
“You know me better than that Hakyeon; I wouldn’t go that far," she said, rolling her eyes. Though her anger very visibly cooled. "That doesn’t mean that I won’t knock some sense into this boy for insulting my day.”
Sanghyuk looked confused, “Wait, what do you mean? How is Valentine’s your holiday?”
Hakyeon flinched. “Well. You see. She-“
“I’m a cupid you ignorant brat!”
Sanghyuk’s eyes widened as he scrambled to get up. “Oh. Oh shit, I’m so sorry.” He looked to the members behind him. “Why didn’t you guys tell me that cupids were a thing? Are you actively trying to get me murdered here?”
Jaehwan spluttered, looking offended at such an accusation. “If we had known you had such a vendetta against Valentine’s Day, we would have said something.”
“Hyung, it’s been four years! You had more than enough time to tell me.”
Hakyeon and Youngji watched as Sanghyuk began berating the other members, ranting about how they were all "on a secret mission to give him a heart attack why do they keep such information from him damn it?"
She gently nudged hid shoulder. He chuckled when she gestured at the scene with a look of shellshocked awe.
“Oh, yeah this happens often,” Hakyeon said mildly. “It’s been so long, sometimes we forget he's still new to this, you know?”
She scoffed, amazed. “He does have a point though, I’m mildly surprised this boy hasn’t been killed.” She watched the other members slightly cower as Sanghyuk's rant seemed to grow in intensity, hands erratically gesturing as he paced back and forth. She couldn’t hold back a giggle. “He’s a spunky one. Must be a handful.”
Hakyeon nodded. “He certainly is, but that's Sanghyuk for you. I wouldn't have it any other way.”
Youngji snickered, her face breaking out into a cunning smile. “So, would you be terribly offended if I taught him a thing or two about cupids?”
He shot her a mild glance. “Just don’t traumatize him.”
Youngji didn’t reply. Instead she rushed over to the rest of the group, standing just in front of the pacing Sanghyuk. He quickly stopped his frantic pacing and gave her a genuinely apologetic look.
“Youngji, I’m so sorry. Just because Valentine’s isn’t my thing doesn’t mean I should be a complete asshole about it. I didn’t mean to-“
“To be fair, you didn’t know I was here or that cupids apparently existed. So, as annoyed as I am, I can’t really fault you for it. Just don’t do it again, ok?” At his nod she practically jumped to attention. “Alright, let’s get this started!” She held out her hand, a small bubble of light forming within. It spread from her hand, forming the shape of a bow while a second streak of light flashed across her waist, revealing a leather quiver filled with arrows. A pair of delicate white wings emerged from her back and, although smaller then Hakyeon’s own, they were no less impressive. They flared out, before comfortably tucking behind her. Sanghyuk watched the entire change with awe. He could hear the others chuckling at his dumbstruck expression.
“Looks like it’s up to me to teach you about cupids,” she smirked. “And hey. If you behave, I promise not to shoot you with one of my arrows.”
Sanghyuk anxiously squeaked.
“Oh relax. They won’t kill you. You’ll just feel less of a need to keep those affectionate feelings of yours bottled up. I hope you’re up for some cuddling.”
“Oh, cuddly Hyukkie,” Jaehwan exclaimed. “I want to see this.” He wiggled from his spot on the couch, like a small child waiting impatiently for his favorite toy.
Hongbin whooped over Wonshik and Taekwoon's approving laughter. “Do it Youngji! It'll be the perfect blackmail!"
“I hate you all, I hope you know that,” Sanghyuk scowled.
Well, at least his Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be so bad. He’d learn something new, after all.
And hey, those candies Hakyeon brought weren’t going to eat themselves.