Archive of Our Own

This is all Jung Wooyoung’s fault.

Yeosang is standing in front of his mirror, over analyzing his outfit for the fifth time in the span of five minutes because he has to make sure he looks appropriate.

He needs to look appropriate because apparently he’s going on a date. And not just any date, but a date with Choi San - star of their university’s soccer team, incredibly smart, dashingly handsome. Needless to say that Yeosang has had the world’s fattest crush on the man since the first time he smiled at him and showed his ridiculously adorable dimples.

That was almost three years ago now, right when they’d first started school. It seems like a lifetime ago, really. As San is incredibly close to Wooyoung - Yeosang’s childhood best friend - he’s seen his crush almost every day since then. So, despite how much he’s tried to, he’s never really been able to get over said crush.

Wooyoung, as perceptive as he is, figured him out very quickly, and has been mercilessly teasing him for it for years now. Which wouldn’t be so bad if the man didn’t also give him hope while teasing him. Hope that San could somehow like him back.

Because, while yes, Yeosang knows objectively that he’s not ugly, that he’s doing very well in school, and that he’s hopefully pleasant to be around… it doesn’t mean that someone like San would ever want to be with him.

Sure, San clings to him like he’s going to be stolen away if he lets go for too long. Sure, he smiles at Yeosang so, so brightly all the time. Sure he nags Yeosang to come with him and Wooyoung when they make plans. Sure, sometimes Yeosang catches San looking at him with a strange, loaded expression that he can’t really decipher. Sure, sometimes when they’re close, the atmosphere feels charged with tension and Yeosang has wild thoughts about leaning just a little closer and closing the gap between them.

But all of that is just because they’re friends. San is just a vibrant, loving person who gets close with all of his friends.

Except apparently now Yeosang has a date with him.

It had really kind of been out of the blue that San had asked. And he’d done it much more nonchalantly than Yeosang had always daydreamed about. He’d seemed a little nervous when asking Yeosang if he wanted to go to the new sushi restaurant that Yeosang had been longing to try, but it hadn’t been very dramatic.

At first Yeosang had thought it would be nothing, but then when he’d asked who else was coming, San had bashfully said he just wanted it to be the two of them. Which raised some flags because the atmosphere of the restaurant is said to be quite intimate if you weren’t coming with a group.

Then came the final clue. The single text that San had sent him yesterday that had read ’can’t wait for our date 2morrow. see u then. <3’

Yeosang had had no choice but to ask Wooyoung what it all meant and of course the man had squealed and cooed and wailed about how happy he was that the two of them had finally gotten their heads out of their asses and admitted their feelings.

Except Yeosang hadn’t admitted anything. And neither had San, really. Maybe he’s waiting to see if the date goes well? Maybe he doesn’t quite know how he feels just yet and wants to feel things out? Regardless, Yeosang is so nervous that he might vomit all over his outfit that he’s painstakingly put together, but he cannot go through it again, so he manages to keep himself under control.

By the time he gets fed up at looking at himself and heads to the living room, there’s still about an hour or so before he’s supposed to be at the restaurant, but he’s so restless that he figures he’ll leave early and drive himself crazy waiting in front of the building like he does for any appointment he has.

In his nervousness, he forgets that his roommate is home and walks right into the man lounging on the couch, reading a book.

Jongho looks up from his book with a raised eyebrow and he whistles low.

“Wow, Hyung,” he says, “You look hot.”

And well, Yeosang does look good. At least he thinks he does. It’s nothing wild, though, considering where they're going. Just simple fitted black slacks, a loose and slightly sheer patterned white blouse that he’s pretty sure he stole from the women’s section at the store, and black dress shoes.

His makeup is where he worked his hardest, though. It’s mostly neutrals with a pop of color on the eyes, matching his dangling red earrings. His hair is pulled back on one side with a beautiful clip sporting his name that Wooyoung had given him last year for his birthday.

He hopes the look says that he’s excited but not trying too hard. He feels good, though. Which he knows will help his nerves.

“Thank you, Jjong,” he tells the younger as he pulls out his phone, snapping a selfie to send to Wooyoung for approval. Said approval comes back instantaneously with a bunch of hearts and emojis and Yeosang knows he’s looking good.

“You got a date tonight or something?”

Yeosang pockets his phone and immediately begins to fiddle with his fingers. It had been kind of a last minute invite so he hadn’t gotten around to telling his roommate about it.

Also, he’s been too nervous to speak about it outside of telling Wooyoung (which was mandatory, obviously).

“Um, yeah,” he answers, glancing up at Jongho before looking back at his hands. “I do… have a date. Um… with Sanie, actually…”

He expects Jongho to scoff or say ‘there’s no way’, or at least be a little surprised. What he does instead is say, “Ah. Finally. The pining is over.”

Yeosang darts his gaze up to glare at his friend as he defensively says, “I haven’t been pining for him!”

Jongho seems unaffected by his outburst, merely raising an eyebrow as he replies, “Who said I was talking about you?”

He blinks for a moment as he lets the implications of that statement sink in.

Has San really been pining for him? That can’t be right. San is one of the coolest, most put together people Yeosang has ever met. There’s no way he’s been pining over the person he saw walk into a pole because he got lost in his head and forgot to look where he was going.

But Jongho seems so certain as he stares Yeosang down and he doesn’t quite know how to take that. So he chooses to ignore it.

“Anyway. We’re going to the new sushi place and I’m hoping if it all goes well…” he can’t help the dumb smile that makes its way onto his face at the thought. If everything goes well, he can finally confess. He can tell San how he’s been feeling for years. They can maybe even date. His stomach flutters at the thought.

“Ugh gross, you two are gonna be more insufferable than Wooyoung and Yunho.”

Yeosang huffs, ignoring the jab because he will never be anything like those weird, pda loving saps who can’t keep their hands off each other to save their lives.

“No one can be that bad.” He says, wrinkling his nose. “They’re in a class all their own.”

Jongho chuckles at this, “You’ve got a point. But considering how you two already are with each other…” he lets out a long suffering sigh. “It’s gonna be hard out here for the rest of us.”

Rolling his eyes, Yeosang moves to flop down on the couch, careful not to wrinkle his blouse. Maybe he can stay home and manage to leave at a decent time for once. Jongho is nice company, after all. It’s why they’d gotten an apartment together this year, after all.

They’re quiet for a moment as Jongho goes back to his reading. But the quiet gives Yeosang time to overthink - his strong suit if you ask him - so he finds himself going over possible disaster scenarios in his head. What if he says something stupid and San decides it was a huge mistake to want to go on a date with him? What if they meet someone else at the restaurant and San is immediately swept off his feet? What if Yeosang spills soy sauce all over San because he’s the clumsiest person alive and can’t even be trusted with regular dishware? What if-

“Wow, your brain is giving me a headache.”

Yeosang startles out of his mind, looking over to find Jongho’s disapproving gaze on him.

“What?”

“You’re doing that thing where you think so hard that I can hear it.”

“No, I’m not!”

Jongho sighs, closing his book.

“Don’t worry so much, Hyung. He already acts like you hung the moon. You won’t mess it up.”

Playing with the hem of his sleeve, Yeosang feels a little bit of hope begin to bloom that things will go well.

“Do you really think it’ll be okay?” He asks in a small voice. “What if we ruin our friendship?”

Jongho shakes his head a little, his face softening into something fond. “You won’t. You’re both too smart for that.”

He gives his friend a small, grateful smile. “Thanks, Jjong.”

Jongho opens his mouth to speak but Yeosang’s phone begins buzzing in his pocket so he turns away to pull it out, heart leaping into his throat when he sees that it’s San calling him.

Is Yeosang late? He’s not late right? He quadruple checked the time.

Hurriedly, he answers before having to make the man wait too long and think Yeosang is standing him up or something.

“Hello?”

”Hey, Sangie!” Yeosang can’t tell if there’s something a little off with San’s voice or if he’s projecting.

“Hey,” He replies lamely, wincing at himself for repeating his greeting.

San doesn’t seem to notice as he speaks once again.

“Hey, so, I know we’re supposed to hang out tonight,” Yeosang’s heart immediately drops. San is canceling on him. He hopes nothing is wrong. ”And I really want to hang out with you, but some of my high school friends have been yelling at me to ‘grace them with my company’ and they’ve kinda dragged me out to this bar against my will and they want me to stay.”

Yeosang blinks as he hears yelling in the background from who he supposes are San’s friends. It takes him a moment to fully process. San is cancelling their date… to hang out at a bar? That seems very unlike him.

“What?” He finds himself asking dumbly, not sure how else to respond.

“Please don’t be sad, Sangie. I know you really wanted to try this place. But we can reschedule, right? You know I’m always ready to hang out with you. Especially when there’s food.”

And his world screeches to a stop as he realizes that he made a very grave, very embarrassing mistake. This wasn’t a date at all. San just wanted to hang out with his friend and eat sushi. In fact it’s so not a date that it’s on the same level as hanging out with high school friends.

Oh, God he is so stupid. So, so stupid.

And he’s going to kill Wooyoung.

“Yeah,” he replies, clearing his throat when he hears his voice crack and hoping that San doesn’t notice. “It’s not like this was anything special. Just… hanging out.”

”Don’t say it like that, Sang-ah! I love hanging out with you!” San pouts, and ugh it’s so adorable that Yeosang can’t be upset with him. “You’re not too upset, right?”

Honestly, he has no clue how he’s feeling. Stupid. Ridiculous. Crushed. But he shoves all of that away as he hopes his voice doesn’t wobble as he replies.

“Yeah- I mean no. It’s okay. I understand. I-I’m… it’s nothing special.” I’m no one special. “Just sushi.”

San lets out a relieved sigh. “Thank you, Sangie! You really are the best! I’m gonna give you a big kiss on the cheek when I see you tomorrow and you can’t get away from it!”

Yeosang forces out a laugh, but luckily San’s friends are being too loud for him to notice how fake it is.

”Bye, Sangie! Love you!”

“Yeah… bye.”

The phone beeps to signal the end of the call and Yeosang lowers his hand, staring a hole in the carpet in front of him.

Why did he even think this was a date in the first place? San’s text had clearly been tongue in cheek. He’d never been to the restaurant either. He must not have realized how nice it is. And Yeosang has been reading into signals that aren’t there because he’s a lovesick loser who can’t get over his crush.

Wow, he’s really so stupid. It’s probably a good thing that San cancelled because if Yeosang had shown up looking like this, San would have probably laughed him out of the restaurant.

No. San is too nice for that. He would have kindly explained to Yeosang that they’re just friends and that’s all they’ll ever be and it was silly of him to think otherwise.

Something touches his shoulder and he startles, looking over to find Jongho has put down his book and is closer, looking at him with concern.

“Yeosang?” He asks softly, “What was that?”

Realizing just what has happened, Yeosang burns, his face most likely crimson as he jumps off of the couch and away from his roommate.

“Funny story,” he says with a forced laugh. It doesn’t sound very convincing, even to him. “I guess it wasn’t a date, after all.” He laughs again and ignores that it sounds borderline hysterical. “How silly of me to think so, right?”

“Hyung-“

“Anyway!” He tries for cheery, though his face is still burning. “Sanie had some other friends who wanted his time and it was just me, so,” he shrugs, trying very hard to ignore the pressure that’s building up in his chest.

“Wait, he cancelled on you?” Jongho sounds more upset than Yeosang thinks he should. Considering.

“Yeah, but it wasn’t a date, so it’s fine!” Why is his voice squeaking? Why are his eyes beginning to burn as badly as his face?

“Hyung, that’s-“

“I’m gonna go get undressed,” he speaks a little too loudly, jerkily turning away from his friend. “No reason to be all dressed up now.”

And with that he promptly power walks back to his room and shuts the door behind him, resting against it as he heaves a huge, shaky sigh.

It really was so stupid to think someone like him would be an option for someone like San. No, San needs someone just as radiant as he is. He needs someone full of life and love to give. He doesn’t need quiet, awkward Yeosang who struggles to express himself.

How ridiculous.

He really should kill Wooyoung. But the prospect of revealing to his best friend that he’d looked way too far into San’s offer only makes his face and eyes burn even more. His vision blurs and he knows he needs to take off his makeup before the job gets too messy.

So he takes a choppy breath and he heads to his bathroom.

——

Jung Wooyoung likes to think of himself as a pretty open-minded person. He likes giving people the benefit of the doubt. Especially people he cares for deeply. Maybe he gives them too much benefit sometimes, but he can’t help it. He wants to be happy and he wants those he loves to be happy, too.

But he can’t help but do a double take when he and his boyfriend walk into the pop up bar to find a small group of people already sitting huddled around one of the tables, multiple bottles of soju and plates of well-eaten chicken wings scattered on its surface.

This sight in itself isn’t out of the ordinary to see in a place like this, and honestly the person he stops to gawk at isn’t out of place here, either.

Except, well… said person is supposed to be in the late stages of a much overdue date night with Wooyoung’s best friend. Yet, here he is - red faced and giggling at some guy Wooyoung thinks he’s met once or twice but can’t remember his name. Which means he’s very much not on his date.

Wooyoung wants to give him the benefit of the doubt. He does. But the only reasons he would be here instead of there are not good.

So he grabs a slightly confused Yunho’s hand and he marches up to Choi San with intention in his posture.

“San-ah?” Yunho is the first one to speak, most likely also confused, as Wooyoung has spent the better part of their date night crying over how happy he is for his best friends.

San turns at his name being called and he lights up into a tipsy smile as he sees them.

“Hey!” He all but yells, and on any other day, it would be adorable, “What are you guys doing here?”

“What are we doing here?” Wooyoung parrots incredulously. “What are you doing here? Where is Yeosang?”

San’s eyebrows pull down into a frown as if it’s a strange question. “Why would Yeosang be here?”

“Because you’re on a date with him?!”

“Wait… what? A date?!”

If Wooyoung didn’t love San so much, he might threaten him with one of the empty soju bottles.

“Yes. The date you’ve been excited about for the past three days? At the sushi place? With Yeosang? Kang Yeosang?” San had only been giggling about going on his date every time he mentioned it. There’s absolutely no way he doesn’t know what Wooyoung is talking about!

San blinks at him, still seemingly behind.

“We were supposed to hang out, yeah.” He says slowly, “But these guys were pestering me, so I said we’d reschedule.”

It’s Wooyoung’s turn to blink at San.

“Hang out?” He asks, dumbfounded, “You specifically called it a date! Multiple times!”

“I was joking!” San sounds much more defensive now that he seems to be catching up. “Because it was gonna be just the two of us!”

“Yeah, because you wanted it to be the two of you! For a date!”

“It wasn’t a date!”

Actually. Yeah, Wooyoung is going to threaten him with one of the empty soju bottles.

Unfortunately, just as he reaches for one, Yunho grabs his arms, forcing them to his sides so he can't do just that. The guys at San’s table seem to be highly amused by whatever is going on in front of them as they fail to hide their snickering.

But Wooyoung is not laughing.

“Yeosang didn’t know that!”

San frowns even more at this, “What? Are you saying he thought it was a date?”

“Yes!”

“D-don’t be ridiculous,” the man stumbles over his words as he tries to sound confident, “He even said it was just sushi when I called him.”

Wooyoung has the urge to lunge at his idiot friend and choke him like its an episode of the Simpsons.

“San-ah,” Yunho speaks up again, much more quiet and level-headed than his boyfriend. “Are you sure he didn’t think it was a date?”

Wooyoung wrestles one of his arms free and shoves his hand in his pocket, pulling out his phone and bringing up the (very hot, very sexy) selfie that Yeosang had sent him earlier and he shoves it in San’s face.

“Does this look like a man who’s not going on a date?”

San goes a little cross eyed before reaching up to take the phone so he can look at it at a normal distance. He pales a little as he takes it in and Wooyoung thinks it’s finally starting to click that he had a date tonight.

One of the men at the table whistles low and says, “Damn, Sanie. You ditched a date with him for us? Yikes.”

San bristles, glaring at his friend, “You were the ones berating me to go out with you!”

“Yeah, but we didn’t know you were going on a date with an angel,” One of the others says.

“Yeah, well, neither did I!”

Wooyoung can’t believe this. Why is he surrounded by idiots? He loves his idiots, but still.

“Wait,” San stands from his seat, wavering a little as he does. “Yeosangie thought it was a date? And he wanted to go on that date? With me?”

“Yes,” Both Wooyoung and Yunho deadpan at the same time. The nameless friends cackle behind San. Wooyoung kind of really wants them to go away, but his priorities lie elsewhere so he ignores them.

“You saw him. He was looking hot! For you, you idiot!” Wooyoung is almost at his limit here as he snatches his phone back.

The reality must hit San all at once, because his face instantly drops and he looks devastated.

“Oh my god!” He cries, grabbing Wooyoung’s shirt, “Why didn’t you tell me?!”

“What?!” Wooyoung’s voice goes high in his offense, “I thought you knew! You’re the one who convinced Sangie that it was a date in the first place!”

“I did?!”

Dear Lord above save him.

“Wow. You’re lucky you’re so pretty, Sanie.”

The friends snicker again, but San ignores them.

“Fuck,” he curses to himself, looking much more sober than he had a moment ago. “Shit. I think I really messed up.”

Well, at least his dear friend does have some common sense after all.

“You don’t say.” Wooyoung rebutes, crossing his arms. “How are you going to fix it? If I know Sangie, and I do, I know he’s upset right now. And I don’t take kindly to people upsetting him.” He narrows his eyes, glaring at the man in front of him as dangerously as he can.

Of course, San knows him well enough to know that he wouldn’t actually do anything to him. As long as he fixes it. And never hurts Yeosang again.

But he’s also smart enough to know that an angry Wooyoung is not a fun Wooyoung to have around, so he looks rightfully worried as he shrinks a little on himself.

“He… he said it was okay, though.” He tries meekly to defend himself again, not sounding terribly convinced.

“Of course, he did!” Wooyoung huffs, “He wouldn’t want you to feel bad for canceling because that’s just how he is!”

San, looking quite distraught now, raises a hand to thread in his hair, pacing side to side.

“What do I do, Young-ah?” He asks, “He was gonna go on a date with me!”

Wooyoung sighs, feeling bad for both of his friends. After all, he knows they’ve both been pining for each other for multiple years at this point. Despite the fact that neither one of them would admit it to him, he’s not blind. All of their friends have seen it. There’s even a bet.

But the bet is not important right now. What’s important is making sure Wooyoung’s two best friends kiss.

It doesn’t mean he can’t give his friend a hard time, though.

“Well, if it was me, I’d be petty and refuse to give you another chance.” San deflates a little, “But lucky for you this is Yeosang and he’s pathetically gone for you so all you have to do is explain the confusion and let him know you’ve been in love with him since freshman year and you’re way overdue for asking him out so you’re asking him out for real now.”

“I haven’t been in love with him since freshman year!”

Wooyoung isn’t looking at his boyfriend but he knows they’re giving San the same deadpan look of disbelief. The man just huffs, putting his hands on his hips.

“Fine. I’ve been in love with him since freshman year. But that doesn’t mean I knew he’d feel the same!”

“Yes you did. I’ve literally told you!”

“Yeah, but you’re you! I can’t believe you in these things!”

“Hey!”

Yunho puts a calming hand on Wooyoung’s shoulder, probably wanting to keep the peace even though Wooyoung is still side eyeing the soju bottles.

“San-ah, we get it. But Yeosang definitely thought you were going on a date tonight and he was very excited for it. Perhaps you should go clear things up at least. I doubt he’s gone anywhere else. You know how he is.”

San pouts at this and Wooyoung has to will himself to not soften at how adorable it is.

“Yeah,” San sighs. “You’re right.” He pauses for only a moment before whining and hiding his face in his hands. “But this is so embarrassing! He’s gonna be mad at me!”

Good grief.

“He’s not gonna be mad at you, you big baby.” Wooyoung huffs, rolling his eyes. “Now take your cute butt and march it over to his apartment and get your man!”

This seems to get San to stop whining at least. He lowers his hands, straightens his back, and takes a deep breath.

“Right,” he says. “Time to go get… my man?”

His lack of confidence is unsurprising but Wooyoung quickly finds himself losing patience, anyway. Honestly, does he have to drag the man there himself?

“Maybe drink some water first,” Yunho says. “I’m pretty sure Jongho is home, too. You might want to be sober for that.”

San’s face pales again and Wooyoung smacks his well meaning but not the brightest boyfriend on the shoulder.

“Ah, why?”

“Don’t scare him! He’s gonna run away and go home instead of ending this nightmare of pining we’ve been forced to live with for almost three years!”

“No,” San says, and Wooyoung is happily surprised to see how confident he looks. “You’re right. I’ve been hiding. I shouldn’t ruin something because I’m afraid.” Another pause. “Right?”

Ah, Wooyoung can’t stay mad at him. It’s his friend’s superpower. Besides, he really does want him to be happy. So he steps forward and wraps his arms around San, hugging him tightly.

“Yes. It’ll be fine,” He reassures firmly. “It’s you and Sangie. Of course it will.”

San seems to relax a little in his hold, which he should honestly. Wooyoung is right. As he so often is. San and Yeosang are the two softest people he’s ever met. They’re practically made for each other. He knows it’ll work out between them. They all do.

“Okay,” San says after a moment, “Time to go get my man.”

“Finally.” Wooyoung teases, kissing him on the cheek. “You’ve got this.”

“I’ve got this.”

He’s totally got this.

——

The knock on his bedroom door brings him out of his most recent spiral, but Yeosang doesn’t move from where he has himself buried under the covers on his bed. He’s been here for an hour at least, and he has no intention of leaving any time soon. Or maybe ever.

Every time he thinks about how he’d just assumed San had asked him on a date, he feels a fresh wave of embarrassment that has him doubling over and hiding his already burning face. No one may be in here to see him, but he can’t help it. It’s so goddamned embarrassing that he thinks he might die.

How is he going to tell Wooyoung? His best friend is going to laugh so hard at him.

No. As annoying as Wooyoung is, he isn’t cruel. No, he won’t laugh at Yeosang. He’ll just pity him and coddle him because he thought he was good enough for someone like San to have any kind of feelings for.

Ugh, why is he the way that he is? And what if San figures out that he thought it was a date? Then Yeosang really would die. He’d never be able to show his face on campus again. He’d have to transfer schools in his senior year and probably move to Australia or something.

But embarrassment is the easy emotion to feel. So he clings to it instead of letting the other emotion climb up his throat. The worse emotion of the two: his awful disappointment. Because yeah, he’s disappointed that San doesn’t want to go on a date with him. And he’s disappointed in himself for getting his own hopes up when he shouldn’t have. He really has no one other than himself (and Wooyoung, obviously) to blame for this.

“Yeosang?” The voice from the other side of his door doesn’t get him to move like it usually would. Normally he would get up and answer the door just out of courtesy. But now he can’t bring himself to even answer.

“Come on, Hyung,” Jongo continues, “Let’s watch a movie.”

With a heavy sigh, Yeosang hopes his silence will be enough for his roommate to leave him alone.

Sadly, he’s not that lucky.

“Okay, I’m coming in.”

And without any more todo, Yeosang’s door opens and he curses himself for not thinking to lock it. Once Jongho gets a look at the lump in the middle of Yeosang’s bed, he lets out a low sigh.

“Come watch the movie with me, Hyung,” he says, “I can’t stand to see you moping like this.”

Yeosang feels himself stiffen, “I’m not moping,” he answers defensively, although it’s pretty weak. Because he very much is moping.

“Don’t make me drag you out of bed,” Jongho says, ignoring his protest, “You know how easy it is to pick you up.”

Ugh, dumb Jongho and his dumb muscles that are even bigger than his own. Yeosang knows he’ll do it, too, if he has to. He’s not going to let Yeosang sit here and wallow in his misery and it’s really very rude.

So, with a heaving sigh, Yeosang tosses the covers off of himself and he slowly sits up.

“Great!” Jongho offers him a smile. Yeosang is grateful though, that he’s not looking at him with pity. “I ordered fried chicken. It should be here any minute.”

Yeah, Yeosang really is grateful for his friend. Even if he is a brat.

“Okay,” Yeosang mutters as he slips out of bed “I’m eating all the drumsticks.”

Jongho chuckles, rolling his eyes. “I expect nothing less.”

So they make their way back out just in time for the food to come and they spend the next hour or so watching some action movie that Yeosang doesn’t pay much attention to, but he has to admit that it is nicer than laying in bed and cringing over himself.

About halfway through the movie their doorbell rings and the roommates look between each other curiously.

“Did you order something else?” Yeosang asks.

Jongho shakes his head as he pauses the movie, “No. I’ll tell whoever it is to get lost.”

Yeosang can’t help but snort, knowing that his friend is too polite for that. He doesn’t move from where he’s burritoed inside of his blanket, hoping whatever this is won’t wake long so he can go back to staring at the main character’s biceps in peace.

“Oh, it’s you,” Jongho’s voice drifts in from the foyer since their apartment is not very big. So he can’t help the eavesdropping. “Why are you here?

“Come on, don’t be mean to me,”

The newcomer’s voice makes Yeosang stiffen inside of his blanket burrito. Because he knows it well. In fact, he’d just heard it only a couple of hours ago on his phone.

“Aren’t you supposed to be ditching Yeosang-hyung for your friends?”

Oh no. Why is San here? What does he want? Did he figure out that Yeosang thought they were going on a date and then moped about it after? Yeosang definitely cannot handle being let down easy right now. He might actually cry.

“No, I didn’t-“ San huffs, “It was a misunderstanding. Can I please talk to Yeosang?”

Yeosang sinks down in his seat a little as he silently begs Jongho to say no and shoo their friend away. But he already knows that won’t happen.

“It depends. Are you gonna lead him on some more?”

“No!” San sounds offended but also surprised, like he’d never thought of that. Which, of course he hadn’t. San is too nice for that. “That wasn’t what I was doing! Just, please let me talk to him. I know he’s here.”

So, he does know. Well. Might as well get it over with. No sense in holding it off. San is going to give him ‘the talk’ and the sooner it’s over, the sooner Yeosang can start working on his new identity.

“It’s okay, Jjong,” Yeosang speaks up, loud enough so the men standing at the door can hear. “Just let him in.”

Jongho doesn’t argue further, but when he comes into view again, he doesn’t look very happy. It’s cute, though, Yeosang thinks. That his friend feels so upset for him. It reminds him how much he really cares for the younger.

San trails behind him looking sheepish, but he also looks incredibly attractive (like he always does) so Yeosang’s heart jumps into his throat at the sight. He seems awkward, though, shifting on his feet as he stands in front of Yeosang. Yeosang sits up, feeling just as awkward, and he plays with his fingers in his lap.

San doesn’t speak for a moment, studying him quietly. Jongho hovers just next to the couch, though Yeosang isn’t sure if he’s waiting for something or if he’s wondering if he should leave the room.

“Jongho-yah,” San finally speaks up, “Can you give us a few minutes, please?”

Yeosang slumps a little, knowing this can’t be good. His embarrassment comes back full force, causing his face to painfully heat. Maybe if he wishes hard enough he can disappear and never have to have this conversation at all.

“Sure,” Jongho answers a little hesitantly. “I’ll be in my room.”

With that, he leaves and Yeosang continues to stare down at his hands, unable to make eye contact as he waits to be told that he was stupid for thinking things could ever be more than platonic between he and San.

“You changed,” San suddenly speaks up after a quiet moment.

It surprises Yeosang enough to look up at him, where San seems to be shifting uncomfortably on his feet. “What?”

“Um… you changed… out of the outfit you were gonna wear… on our date.”

Yeosang immediately feels his face burn even more, which he didn’t know was physically possible, and he hides it in his hands with a pitiful noise. This is Jung Wooyoung’s fault. He just knows that it is. Why had Yeosang sent him that selfie? He should have known better.

“I… it was… I mean, you looked… really nice,” San stumbles through his compliment and Yeosang would very much like to be struck by lightning to end his suffering immediately.

“It’s okay, San-ah,” He says into his hands. It comes out slightly muffled, but he hopes it’s still intelligible. “Just… just hit me with it.”

“What do you mean?”

Ugh, is he really going to make Yeosang say it? It’s a little cruel of him, to be honest. This is so humiliating.

“I know you didn’t want to go on a date with me. I… I know you don’t feel that way and it was dumb of me to think… just reject me please and get it over with and we can pretend this never happened.”

San is quiet for a moment, but Yeosang refuses to leave his hiding spot behind his hands so he’s not exactly sure what’s happening as he hears him shifting around until there’s hands on his wrists, gently bringing his own away from his face.

Yeosang is sure that he looks like a deer in the headlights as he blinks owlishly at the man. Jesus, San is beautiful. Even as he kneels in front of Yeosang with uncertainty in his eyes. He’s just… breathtaking.

“You weren’t dumb… for thinking I wanted a date with you,” San manages, sounding like he doesn’t know exactly what he’s saying. It’s both endearing and horrible at the same time. “And I’m not… not here to reject you.”

Yeosang blinks at him again, not really comprehending what he means.

“I don’t understand,” he mumbles quietly, knowing better than to get his hopes up again.

San lets out a frustrated noise, letting go of Yeosang’s wrists, but immediately taking his hands instead. San’s hands are warm, and Yeosang wants to melt from the feeling of holding them. He’s always loved holding San’s hand. It makes him feel secure and safe. Even though right now, his heart is in his throat and he’s waiting to be told that thinking of his friend as anything more is ridiculous.

“I’m really, really, really sorry for… leading you on,” San winces at his own words. “I didn’t mean to do that. I didn’t know you thought… I mean I didn’t realize everyone was taking me seriously.”

Yeosang flinches, feeling even more stupid than he already did. After all, it isn’t really San’s fault that Yeosang let his own wants cloud what was clearly friendly intentions.

“It’s okay,” He says quickly, going against every survival instinct he has to raise his head and offer San a (very fake) smile, “Really. You don’t need to feel bad, San-ah. It was my mistake. I’m sorry for… misunderstanding you.”

Instead of being relieved like Yeosang hoped he would be, San frowns, almost seeming sad.

“You really are too nice, Yeo,” He says, shaking his head, “And you didn’t misunderstand me. I mean… not really. I didn’t… but…” he huffs again, taking a breath and looking determindly at Yeosang, “I do want to go on a date with you. I’ve wanted to for… a really long time.”

Yeosang stares at him, unsure if he heard him right. So… San hadn’t asked him on a date, but he does want to go on one? Is Yeosang in a romcom or something?

“And it’s perfectly okay if you don’t want to now. You have every right to be upset with me. But, I really, really want to go on a date with you. So, to make sure there’s no more confusion, Kang Yeosang, will you go on a date with me? A real date. Like, with romantic intention.”

Despite everything, Yeosang finds himself breathing out a laugh at San’s words. Partly because he was completely adorable with how specific he was, and partly because Yeosang can’t believe this is happening. Who else would end up mistaking a not date for a date with someone who actually did want to date and that Yeosang very much wants to date?

“Well, you kind of already know the answer, but for the sake of no more confusion,” Yeosang smiles a little and he finds his face heating for a different reason as San’s face is full of tentative hope. “Yes, Choi San, I would like to go on a date with you. Like, with romantic intention.”

San laughs, beaming at Yeosang like he said he was going to give him a new car or something. It’s so damn cute and endearing that Yeosang kind of wants to melt back into his burrito blanket and kick his feet like he’s in middle school and the school sweetheart said hi to him.

Oh no, he’s in danger. San is too cute and it’s going to ruin his life.

“Really?” San asks in the most adorable voice known to man.

Yeosang nods, causing San to let out a happy noise.

“Thank God, because I was really ready to beg and that would be embarrassing.”

Yeosang can’t help the giggle that bubbles out of him before he responds, “Not as embarrassing as thinking someone asked you on a date when they didn’t.”

San scoffs, but the effect is lessened by the fact that he hasn’t stopped smiling.

“It’s not embarrassing! You sensed my true intentions.”

Another laugh, “You’re ridiculous.”

“And you’re adorable.”

Yeosang scoffs, his face on fire once again. “I am not!”

“You are and I won’t hear anything else.”

Yeosang tries to pull away from him so he can hide in his blanket, but San is too strong (which is very hot) and he surges forward, placing a loud smacking kiss to Yeosang’s cheek. He reels back, trying to act offended, but he’s smiling too widely to make it convincing.

“What?” Yeosang asks, feeling a little more bold now, “You call that a kiss?”

This makes San stop, blinking at him with a mixture of hopefulness and want in his eyes. “Can I do that?” He asks, his voice suddenly quiet and low. It does something to Yeosang’s stomach, making it swoop in a not so innocent way.

Still, he can’t help being a little shit when the opportunity is presented to him.

“I don’t know. Can you?” He asks, playful and taunting.

San’s expression morphs, turning into something mischievous, and Yeosang doesn’t have the time to process what’s happening before there’s hands on his waist, lifting him up. He yelps as he’s all but tossed onto his back on the couch and San hovers over him, looking victorious.

Jesus Christ that was so hot. He wants San to throw him around like that again. Preferably onto a bed. With less clothing and no blankets in between them.

Despite his manhandling, San still takes the initiative to ask, “Is it okay if I kiss you?”

Yeosang isn’t sure what’s hotter, the casual tossing or the making sure there’s consent. Legitimately, how did he get so lucky as to catch this man’s attention?

“Yeah,” he answers, “It’s okay.”

San doesn’t need any more coaxing. He leans down, pressing their lips together, and Yeosang instantly melts into it. San’s lips are soft and inviting and a little hungry. It shoots pleasant zaps throughout Yeosang’s body as he clutches at San’s shirt, pulling him closer. San chuckles against his mouth as he almost falls completely on top of him from the force of Yeosang’s grip. But it doesn’t slow them down, and soon Yeosang is opening up for the tongue that licks at his lips. San tastes like peach soju and mint gum. It’s kind of addicting, and he knows he could lay here like this all night.

Unfortunately, their kiss comes to an abrupt stop when they hear another voice say, “Ugh, gross. In my own home? I can’t take this.”

San pulls away from him and Yeosang rolls his eyes.

“Jongho-yah,” San says, a little breathless, “You’re back.”

Jongho lets out a long suffering sigh, “I came back out here to tell you to get a room because I want to finish watching my movie.”

Yeosang looks over to see the movie they’d been watching still paused on the television. With a little laugh, he looks back to San and asks, “Do you want to have that date now?”

San gives him a half amused, half incredulous look, “In your living room with Jongho right next to us?”

Yeosang can’t help the grin that forms on his face, “Yeah. Sounds like a nice date to me.”

With a shake of his head, San chuckles, crawling back and helping Yeosang into a sitting position. “Sure,” he answers, “Why not?”

“Great!” Jongho cuts in, a little too loud. “I’ll go make some popcorn.”

“Next time,” San says, “I’m taking you to that sushi place.”

Yeosang snorts, leaning his head forward to rest on San’s shoulder. “Okay,” He says. “Maybe I’ll even dress up for you again.”

“Please do,” San says quickly, wrapping his arms around Yeosang’s waist. “One single photo was not enough for me. I need to see it in person.”

Yeosang smirks to himself as he says, “Maybe we’ll make sure it’s a night that Jongho isn’t home.”

He’s sure that San understands the meaning of his words when he feels him shiver underneath of him. Which is bad because Yeosang’s brain should not be going there right now, but after that kiss, he can’t really help it.

Still, he knows they have time for all of that later. For now, he’ll be happy to sit next to San with his roommate on the other end of the couch while they watch a movie that Yeosang doesn’t even remember the plot of. All that matters is that even though he severely embarrassed himself tonight, he also got an actual date out of it, along with the hope for something more in the future.

Maybe, for the first time - possibly ever - Jung Wooyoung was right about something.