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1. The Time with the Coffee
Inho had seen the move work a dozen times in movies—lean in, casually brush hands, and offer the other person a taste of your drink. Foolproof.
“Gihun,” he said, setting down two cups of coffee on the table at their usual spot. “I got you a latte. But mine’s actually better—wanna try?”
Gihun, already halfway through stirring an unhealthy amount of sugar into his own cup, barely looked up. “Huh? No, I’m good. You know I don’t drink weird fancy stuff.”
“It’s literally a caramel macchiato.”
“Exactly.”
Inho exhaled through his nose. “It’s just a sip. Come on, live a little.”
Gihun gave him a look that clearly said why would I do that before slamming the lid back on his own coffee. “Nah, thanks though. Means a lot that you remembered my order, man.”
Inho watched in silent despair as Gihun chugged his basic latte like it was life-saving medicine.
---
2. The Time with the Jacket
It was chilly that evening, and Inho saw his chance. They were walking back from a late dinner, and Gihun, in his usual reckless way, had forgotten to bring a jacket.
“Cold?” Inho asked casually, already shrugging off his own coat.
Gihun shoved his hands into his pockets. “Yeah, a bit. Should’ve checked the weather.”
Inho draped the coat over Gihun’s shoulders smoothly. “Here. Keep it.”
Gihun blinked at him, then grinned. “Oh, nice! This thing is warm as hell.” Then, before Inho could say anything else, Gihun spread his arms wide and said, “I feel like a big ol’ burrito!”
Inho stared, processing. “…What.”
Gihun proceeded to freaking spin in the coat, humming the theme from some commercial Inho couldn’t even place.
“You’re ruining the moment,” Inho muttered, rubbing his temples.
“What moment?”
“Exactly.”
---
3. The Time with the Compliment
Inho figured, alright, maybe subtlety wasn’t the way to go. Time to go direct.
“You know, Gihun,” he started, giving his most charming smirk, “you have really nice eyes.”
Gihun blinked at him. “What? Me?”
“Yes, you.”
Gihun’s expression morphed into something oddly suspicious. “Are you messing with me?”
“What? No!”
Gihun leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. “This isn’t like the time you told Junho he should try modeling just to see if he’d fall for it, is it?”
“That was once, and it was funny.”
“He actually believed he had it in him and literally traumatised the poor scouting agents” Gihun said, clearly not getting where the funny part of the story was. “But, uh, just curious… why are you telling me this now? Do I have something in my eye?”
Inho gave up. “Never mind.”
---
4. The Time with the Gift
Something that cannot be misinterpreted: thoughtful gifts. So, Inho, being the genius that he was, bought Gihun a watch.
Not an expensive one—he knew Gihun would freak out—but a nice, sleek one he thought would suit him.
“Here,” Inho said, passing the box over. “Saw this and thought of you.”
Gihun unwrapped it, eyebrows raising. “Whoa, a watch? Damn, fancy. What’s the occasion?”
“No occasion. Just thought you’d like it.”
“Oh, man,” Gihun laughed, scratching the back of his head. “That’s sweet. You didn’t have to.”
“Yeah, well, I wanted to.”
Gihun’s face lit up. “Wow. You’re such a good friend.”
Inho clenched his fists. God give me strength for I'm afraid I'm moronsexual
---
5. The Time with the Almost Kiss
It was movie night. The lights were dim, the mood was perfect, and Inho had had it.
Gihun, completely oblivious as always, was rambling about the plot. “See, this is why he should’ve just told her about the letter instead of—”
“Gihun,” Inho interrupted, voice low.
“Yeah?”
“I’m going to kiss you.”
Gihun nodded. “Okay.”
A beat.
“…Okay?” Inho repeated, a little thrown off by the easy agreement.
“Yeah, sure.” Gihun turned back to the screen. “Wait, is this the part where—”
Inho groaned. “Oh my God”
---
+1. The Time He Didn’t Have To
Gihun was, apparently, not as oblivious as Inho thought.
One evening, while they were sitting on the couch, Gihun stretched, then leaned casually against Inho’s shoulder.
“You know,” he said, voice light, “if you wanted to date me, you could’ve just said so a long time ago. Would've sparred you some nerves and god knows you weren't blessed with much spare ones.”
Inho turned to stare at him, scandalized. “What?”
Gihun smirked, the little shit. “You’re cute when you’re frustrated.”
“…Unbelievable.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Gihun turned his face toward Inho, their noses almost touching. “So? Are you gonna kiss me now, or do you need to try and woo me one more time?”
Inho rolled his eyes. “Shut up.”
And then he kissed him.
(Finally)