Work Text:
It started as a joke.
Gunwook had just been playing around with Gyuvin, jokes about kisses being thrown here and there despite knowing nothing would come from it. It was fun. Playful. Innocent.
When Taerae joined them, asking Gunwook if he'd kiss him if he paid 50000 won, Gunwook said yes ignoring Gyuvin encouraging him to kiss Taerae then and there, he wasn't thinking anything of it. They were all prone to jokes like this.
However, when he checked his phone a few days later he was extremely confused about receiving a payment from none other than one of his roommates.
transaction from taerae hyung🐥❤️
> received ₩50000 in payment for 💋
Gunwook blinked as he stared at the screen. "Huh?" he mumbled checking the notification multiple times. He was confused as he sent a few question marks back to Taerae, even if the older didn't answer immediately, Gunwook was definitely asking him later.
Not that he was really complaining, money is money after all and Taerae was definitely not getting it back even if he did send it as a joke.
What if he really wants you to kiss him? Gunwook thought before shaking his head, immediately shoving the idea away. Taerae had a weird way of making jokes sometimes, but there was no way he would actually pay for a kiss.
As everyone lounged around during their break, Gunwook attempted to casually get Taerae alone, which was oddly hard to do today of all days. It was like suddenly everyone had something to say to the other.
Gunwook huffed frustrated as he watched Gyuvin intervene and get to Taerae right before he could, he waited a few seconds watching as Matthew showed Taerae something on his phone. He could wait, they'd probably be done in a second.
After a minute or so of waiting he shifted impatiently, snapping when Jiwoong joined the two making the conversation go on longer. he groaned as he stomped up to the trio, giving a fake grin to the other two he immediately grabbed Taerae's wrist pulling him out of the lounge chair. "Hyung, I need to talk to you," Gunwook mumbled as Taerae just nodded, allowing himself to be pulled away.
"Are you trying to talk to me or kill me?" Taerae asked frowning as he looked around the empty, almost dark hallway in the abandoned school they were currently in.
Gunwook didn’t respond to that as he finally stopped and turned to the older. "Why did you send me money?" he asked, crossing his arms, getting straight to the point.
"Oh." Taerae said dumbly. "Didn't you see my emoji?" he asked.
"So you, what? you want me to kiss you?" Gunwook asked in disbelief.
"You were going to kiss Gyuvin.” Taerae said seriously unblinking.
"Hyung, that was clearly a joke." Gunwook said immediately, his heart rate picking up as he tried to read Taerae’sface. he would never admit it out loud but he was definitely one of the best at reading Taerae inside and out just like Taerae was towards him. It might’ve taken them a bit to get to the closeness they had now, but it went without saying Gunwook was good at reading others so he really didn’t understand why Taerae would even.... "You're not kidding." he mumbled.
"No, I'm not joking. the offer still stands," Taerae said shifting on his feet awkwardly. "I paid you, the rest is up to you." he explained.
"Hyung..."
"Hey! There you two are, breaks over everyone's waiting." Matthew called sticking his head around the corner waving his hands frantically.
"Coming," Taerae called back his eyes never leaving Gunwook’s, he licked his lips ducking his head so Matthew wouldn't overhear. "Just think about it?"
Think about it??????? Gunwook was absolutely NOT going to do that. Ever. He spluttered trying to refute the idea, groaning in frustration as Taerae turned jogging to catch up to Matthew leaving Gunwook no choice but to follow quickly or be left behind in a very sketchy hallway.
"What's up with you and Taerae hyung?" Yujin asked taking a seat next to Gunwook, stealing some of his blanket.
"Huh?" Gunwook said his eyes shifted as he glanced back to where Taerae was playing around with Gyuvin. "What do you mean?" he asked, turning his attention back to Yujin.
Yujin shrugged, his eyebrow raised like he wasn't buying Gunwook’s indifference. "I don't know, I mean you've been glaring at him all day. Did you two fight?" he asked, interested.
"I wish." Gunwook muttered confusing Yujin further, he sighed, shaking his head rolling his eyes playfully. "We’re just playing around, don’t worry." he huffed.
Yujin nodded slowly, clearly not convinced but not pushing the subject. "Oh, okay.."
"Yeah." Gunwook mumbled glancing back at Taerae, the older immediately glancing at him with raised eyebrows and suddenly Gunwook wished he wouldn't have come to work today. He huffed turning back to Yujin everything in him screaming to vent and ask the younger what he thought of Taerae’s ridiculous joke but knowing he shouldn't.
If... If Taerae paid his part of the deal than it should stay between him and Taerae right?
Not that he was going to kiss Taerae anyways, it was an absurd idea and Taerae was crazy for ever suggesting it.
"Hey," Taerae said, joining Gunwook next to the food table reaching for a plate offering an innocent grin, causing Gunwook to grip his own plate tighter. if Hanbin wasn't on the other side of him he would snap then and there about Taerae’s behavior.
"Excuse me," Taerae muttered reaching ahead of Gunwook to grab a strawberry, scanning it momentarily before putting half of it in his mouth, eyes never leaving Gunwook’s as he pulled a half bitten strawberry out of his mouth, the juices trailing onto his lips down to his chin. "Oh! The staff ordered the best ones." he said excitedly.
Gunwook licked his own lips as he cleared his throat glancing away from Taerae's lips. "Sure, Hyung," he said, his voice rough as he set his plate back down glancing around the room for the quickest escape. "Oh! Matthew, Hey!" he said, essentially running away from Taerae.
What the fuck was wrong with him? he groaned internally as he latched his arm onto Matthew’s. Obviously the image had still been slightly disgusting yet he still couldn't shake the uncomfortable burning churn he had in his stomach, his mind replaying the scene over and over the further he got.
Strawberries. Taerae’s lips. His lips. Yeah. No. Gunwook cleared his throat resisting the urge to smack his own head, if he didn't think the other’s would judge him he would.
"Are you okay?" Jiwoong asked worriedly as he watched Gunwook tap his leg nervously.
"Wonderful." Gunwook lied, grinning.
His next straw was watching as Matthew and Taerae joked around pretending to go to kiss the other. He huffed annoyed as he looked around, getting even more annoyed as he noticed not a single other person seemed to care. Other than Hao and Gyuvin who both looked like they found it amusing, no one was watching.
Was this just something Taerae did? Pretended to kiss everyone and secretly pay them to kiss him?
"Yujin says you and Taerae didn't fight, so what's up with all of... this?" Hanbin said, gesturing at Gunwook’s demeanor. “You're in a bad mood."
Gunwook pouted. "Why do you assume my bad mood would have to do with fighting with Taerae Hyung?"
Hanbin shrugged. "It's usually one of the top reasons any of us are moody. Yujin says it’s not that and Taerae seems fine, so it's either a one sided thing or something unrelated, what is it?" he asked, taking a seat next to Gunwook, his attention entirely on him.
Gunwook sighed. "I guess... it's kinda a one sided thing." he admitted reluctantly. Curse Sung Hanbin for always getting through to him. His natural comforting aura made it hard to keep everything to himself.
"Is there any more context to that?" Hanbin asked worriedly.
Gunwook sighed toying with the string on his jeans as he glanced at Taerae, the images of his serious look when he told Gunwook the offer still stands, him lowering his voice even if Matthew wouldn't have understood what they were talking about, not necessarily pulling away from Gunwook but not hovering him either. "I can't exactly say," Gunwook replied slowly. "Just... What do you do if there's something someone wants you to do but it could potentially change or maybe ruin things but it's all you can think about?" he asked, drumming his fingers on his thigh.
Hanbin hummed thoughtfully. "It would depend on what I'm doing," he answered finally. "Would it hurt me? Would it hurt someone else? But more importantly, do I want to? Even if it's something someone else wants me to do I'm not going to if it's not something I want, especially if it's not something I like or wouldn't make me happy." he shrugged. "Does that help any?" he added.
Gunwook sighed, chewing at his bottom lip as he nodded. "Yeah," he lied, grinning.
The truth is he doesn't know if he's against it or if he wants to. It's a mix of both. it's not like he can necessarily say if he'd like it or not, but while he assumed the thought would make him uncomfortable all he can do is look at Taerae and think about kissing him.
But that's the problem.. Taerae of all people was essentially asking for Gunwook to kiss him, to potentially alter or screw up their friendship as it is and Gunwook can't.. he won't... he doesn't think he would be able to handle losing Taerae or any of the others in any possible way.
Taerae is... he's safe, and constant. No matter what Gunwook needs at whatever time of day he knows that Taerae would offer up anything, knows that beneath all their banter and silly arguments, Taerae cares about him more than almost a lot of other people in Gunwook’s life. He's never felt as seen, protected and cared for as he does when he's around Kim Taerae.
Losing that would be like losing a part of himself.
He wouldn't be able to breathe properly if he was having a stressful day and couldn't turn to Taerae and know the older would be ready to offer a hug, pay for a meal or return a few jokes.
But then again... it's Kim Taerae.
One of the most attractive humans Gunwook has ever had the privilege of standing next to, his odd way of going about things Gunwook finds amusing more than he would ever admit to. He knows Gunwook better than almost anyone and Gunwook could confidently say it was mutual. He’s attentive even when you wouldn't expect him to be. He cares in such a deep way.
"Fuck it," Gunwook said breathlessly as he stared at the same notifications he's had his eyes on for days.
As Gunwook unlocked the front door to the dorm he let out a shaky breath, trying to force himself to not let his small ounce of confidence go.
If he was wrong, if he somehow took this too seriously and misread Taerae then he was about to mess up their friendship. Probably the entire group dynamic if they couldn't be professional afterwards.
He scanned the living room and kitchen frowning as no one seemed to be in, was Taerae even home? He wouldn't be surprised if he wasn’t. He approached the door of the older’s room, knocking once before letting himself in.
"Oh?" Taerae said turning around in his desk chair not hiding his taken aback reaction quick enough. "Sorry, I didn't hear you come in.” he said, reaching for his phone like he'd missed an important gathering.
"Is Yujin home?" Gunwook asked instead, shutting the bedroom door behind him awkwardly glancing around.
"No. He went out with the others for dinner.” Taerae shrugged. "Why?" he asked.
Gunwook sighed shakily, taking one glance at Taerae before his nerves spilled. "Because Hyung," he started, frustrated. "I have spent the better part of the last four days constantly thinking about kissing you and I can't take this." he rambled fiddling with his fingers awkwardly as he took another long breath stepping towards the bed. "So I need you to be honest with me," he began.
"Completely honest, okay?" Gunwook continued, his face dead serious. "Now isn't the time for jokes. So I need you to tell me whether or not you really wanted me to kiss you.” he said, voice low and calm.
Taerae cleared his throat, his ears immediately turning crimson red as he stood up, taking a seat next to Gunwook on his bed, angling his body towards the younger. "I've never been more serious about anything." he whispered quietly, his gaze openly falling to Gunwook’s lips causing Gunwook’s breath to hitch. "Only if you want to." he added.
"I... I think I do." Gunwook said, nodding, frowning as Taerae looked away scooting himself back. "Hey," Gunwook started in protest, his stomach plummeting.
“You're not sure," Taerae explained, gesturing vaguely.
Gunwook sighed, licking his lips as he scooted himself closer to Taerae. "No, I’m not." he said honestly, holding eye contact as he continued. "It's a lot to process in less than a week that I’ve wanted to kiss and touch you for longer than I've cared to admit but hyung you have to understand that if we kiss, we're risking everything." he mumbled softly, glancing down at his lap trying to hide the fear in his face.
"What if it's good?" Taerae asked hopeful. "What if we both want something more?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper as he laid his hand on Gunwook’s lap, pulling Gunwook’s own hand away from the stray string hanging. "I’m scared too. but I’ve never wanted anything more." he added.
Gunwook glanced back up eyes, scanning Taerae’s face. "Promise me that no matter what we’ll be the same?" he asked, his voice coming out weak as he held up his pinkie finger.
Taerae pouted, linking their pinkies using the opportunity to pull Gunwook closer, slightly resting their foreheads together. "It's almost offensive that you think I'd let you get rid of me that easily." he murmured.
"Hyung.." Gunwook murmured, his voice barely audible as his eyes flickered from Taerae’s eyes to his lips, his tongue darting out to lick his own lips.
"Yeah?" Taerae replied breathlessly, eyes never leaving Gunwook's lips waiting for the younger to make the first move even if it took everything in him to sit still.
"Taerae Hyung!" a voice huffed as he banged on the door causing the two to jerk apart, Gunwook immediately reaching for his phone nonchalantly as Yujin bursted in the room faltering at seeing Gunwook. "Oh hey? I didn't know you two had plans," he said confused before shaking his head and turning back to Taerae. "But anyways could you please tell Gyuvin that he promised to pay for our meal next and that this one should've counted even if you didn't attend! You gave me the all clear."
"Yeah, sure it was cleared." Taerae said shifting awkwardly as Gyuvin and Hanbin entered his room too, he risked a glance at Gunwook who hilariously had never looked more annoyed. "Just pay next time." he added shrugging.
"But that defeats the purpose," Yujin defended.
Gyuvin shook his head. "No it doesn't. You would've had me pay this time and next time!" he said defensively.
"Who cares?" Gunwook said monotonously. "You'll end up paying for whatever he asks for anyways, we all do." he shrugged irritatedly.
Oh.
He glanced at Taerae, the other smirking knowingly and yeah, Gunwook absolutely hated how he both wanted to smack and kiss the grin off of his face.
"Come on, I'll send you the money as a payback since you paid for mine too." Hanbin snorted, nodding at Taerae and Gunwook before heading back out of the room, a bickering Gyuvin and Yujin following slamming the door behind them.
"Problem?" Taerae asked, interrupting Gunwook’s session of glaring at the door.
Gunwook scoffed, turning back to Taerae. "Well there's no problem with hesitation now." He mumbled miserably.
"What do you mean?" Taerae replied.
Gunwook shrugged, letting out a big huff. "I adore Yujin more than anyone yet I've never felt so annoyed and wanted to shove all three of them out of the entire dorm." he groaned glancing back at Taerae. "I hate you." he said miserably.
"Oh yeah?" Taerae grinned, raising an eyebrow. "We could still..." he trailed off, pursing his lips.
Gunwook despite himself didn't even care to think about the risk factors, he knew the others were right on the other side of the wall, that more arguments could arise and they'd burst in Taerae’s room but shockingly, Gunwook didn't care. not right now at least.
He doesn't know the last time he's wanted something this much. He nodded as he turned his body back towards the older, shifting closer so that his thigh was overlapping Taerae’s.
"Fuck it." Gunwook repeated for the second time that week as he placed a hand on Taerae’s cheek, the want mirroring in both of their eyes as he leaned in slightly, stopping right before Taerae’s lips. "Promise me." he whispered, his breath fanning Taerae’s face.
Taerae hummed as he wrapped an arm around Gunwook’s waist, pulling him closer, nudging his nose slightly. "I promise. Now please kiss me." Taerae almost whined out causing Gunwook to giggle before nodding.
Gunwook closed his eyes slowly before inching forward, any hesitation gone as he pressed his lips into Taerae’s, waiting a millimeter of a second before he completely let go, tilting his head just slightly so their lips positioned better.
He felt Taerae pull him impossibly closer as their lips moved together, Taerae’s fingers digging into Gunwook’s waist as Gunwook’s hand slipped from his check to the small nape of area on the back of the older's neck.
He twisted the small strands as he felt Taerae pinch his waist, gasping his mouth faltering slightly as he felt Taerae’s tongue dart into his mouth and oh.
Okay. Yeah. Yes. His mind was fuzzy, a bunch of incoherent thoughts but the main thing was: he could definitely get used to this.
It wasn't his first kiss, far from it really but fuck, he never knew kissing could be this addictive, never knew that it could feel so thrilling.
He barely contained a small whine as Taerae pulled back enough to rest their foreheads together catching his breath. "Is this um.. okay?" Taerae asked his voice rough and Fuck.
"Please never not kiss me again." Gunwook mumbled dazed as he leaned back in reconnecting their lips, pinching at Taerae’s neck as the older just laughed into his mouth before getting serious, tugging and biting lightly at his bottom lip causing Gunwook to sigh contently as Taerae worked into his mouth again.
A loud crash from outside caused Gunwook to jerk away, shoving Taerae away just slightly wincingly embarrassed as he caught the slightly hurt look from Taerae. “Sorry.." Gunwook said immediately.
"Yeah no, it's fine. I get it." Taerae shrugged, glancing at his door before glancing back at Gunwook, his eyes darting to his lips. "We should probably stop or else it'll be obvious to a bunch of nosy boys what you were doing." He murmured, letting his thumb trail over Gunwook’s swollen bottom lip. "It didn't hurt, right? We're okay?" he asked, referring to him momentarily biting at Gunwook’s lip.
Gunwook hummed, surprising himself at how much all of this was definitely completely okay. He expected to feel some sort of regret, or more fear after giving into his wants but all he could do was hold back a sappy grin as he tried to keep from leaning back in.
Curse you Kim Taerae and your addictive nature.
"Better than okay." Gunwook confirmed. "Definitely feel free to do exactly all of that again." he hummed wincing as more laughter and music was heard from outside. "Preferably when everyone isn't here." he muttered regretfully.
Taerae nodded in agreement pausing as he shifted awkwardly glancing at the notification on the screen that showed a message of his friend asking when he would be on the game. Sighing, Taerae pushed himself to speak. "We should talk before you leave."
Gunwook paused, furrowing his eyebrows. "Sounds like you're ending something after two kisses." he said, crossing his arms confused, ignoring the spiking of his heart rate and the way his stomach plummeted. his mind screaming to figure out what he did wrong.
"No, no.. um not at all," Taerae clarified clearing his throat. "The opposite actually." he said seriously.
"Hm?"
Taerae sighed shifting so he was sitting up straighter, a sign he was being completely serious. "Best two kisses of my life," he started wincingly laughing at himself. "Okay bad start, I know how that sounds but listen, Gunwook I like you okay? so much, in fact entirely way too much, I know I promised that you wouldn't lose me and you won't but I... I don't think I could take it if you just kissed me a few times and went back to being my friend. I want..." he paused, licking his lips. "I want more with you." he added softly.
Gunwook’s breath hitched, his heart spiking for a different reason now. He let out a soft breath as he nodded. "I don't want to go back to being just friends." he admitted slowly swallowing harshly before clearing his throat. "I can't promise I’m ready to be all in, I can't even imagine telling the others yet but I want to try. I want more with you too."
Taerae nodded, his eyes sparkly as he gazed down warmly at Gunwook. "So, we go slow?" he suggested.
"Slow, at our own pace." Gunwook confirmed.
"I can do that." Taerae grinned, reaching down to place a soft kiss on the younger's forehead.
It ended up not being a joke at all, but Gunwook wasn't mad in the slightest. In fact, he's never been happier.
Which was odd if he remembers he owes credit to Kim Taerae of all people, but truly, it's also not that surprising that it's with him.
It's Yujin who notices first during a lazy day around the dorms.
After weeks of sneaking around having lazy make-outs in private, occasionally managing to make plans to go shopping or grab a bite to eat alone, they finally all gather in one dorm to catch up.
It's not odd for Taerae to eventually somehow seek out Gunwook’s company, even before they started anything it was pretty common for the two to end up together at some point these days. So when Taerae came back that evening, after spending a few hours out with his friends, he managed to successfully cling back to Gunwook’s side.
It was when Yujin and Gunwook got back from shopping when Taerae grinned excitedly stepping up next to them at the kitchen counter as Jiwoong began worked on making dinner, Taerae leaned his arm into Gunwook. "Hi." he greeted.
Gunwook’s eyes lit up with warmth as he glanced at Taerae, pressing his shoulder into Taerae’s he scrunched his nose up. He was glad the older was showing his naturally cuter side so openly lately. "Hi, you know, you're everywhere. we just met a Kim Taerae fan." he said.
As they all talk aimlessly going through topics Yujin turns to hand a cup to Gunwook, pausing in his step as if everything just lit up around him, he squinted his eyes as he scanned the way Gunwook and Taerae stood. shoulder to shoulder, their arms resting on the table not even an inch apart as their heads were ducked talking lowly to each other, like they were in their own world.
It was cute, Yujin first thought. The two had always been one of the more pairs who had the strongest change in closeness as time went by and were unanimously one of the best voted chemistry wise it was impossible not to catch them having their little own world moments.
However, Yujin gasped to himself as he watched Gunwook’s grin turn into a smirk, his eyes squinted happily as his index finger reached out to softly push at Taerae’s chest.
he's flirting?? Park Gunwook was flirting with Kim Taerae in their shared kitchen.
Obviously Taerae was flirting back, that part wasn't surprising to Taerae in the slightest. You could've asked him a few months and he'd say he genuinely seriously thought at some point that Taerae had a crush, but it never really occurred to him till now had desperately mutual it was.
As he waited for the shocked, surprised, maybe even betrayed at the secrecy to come he was actually surprised when it didn't.
After all, the two had always had a unique friendship and now the reasons for why Gunwook’s been so noticeably brighter and happier were finally clicking into place.
Gunwook was most definitely getting teased later without a doubt, but if the two weren't saying anything Yujin would at least turn his head and pretend he hadn't noticed.
But deep down, he's rooting for them.