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The campus Pride fair was an annual tradition at their university. Or at least, that’s what K hyung had told Maki when he asked him if he wanted to help with their booth.
With their kissing booth.
To be fair, it wasn’t the stereotypical kissing booth. K had explained that him and Fuma had started it up as freshmen to spread some much-needed love on campus. K was always on the kissing side, offering a forehead kiss for a dollar, a cheek kiss for three, and a peck on the lips for five. Fuma never did any of the kissing. Instead, he sold hugs and kind words. A dollar got one of his ‘dad hugs’ and three added on an affirmation like you’re doing well. The point according to K was to let LGBT people who needed a confidence boost get it in a low risk environment.
Granted there were always people who lined up just for the chance to kiss K or hug Fuma. They were both popular on campus, and handsome to boot. But since all the proceeds went to charity, those people were invited as well.
Maki had agreed almost immediately. He had always been an affectionate person, and the idea of kissing or hugging virtual strangers didn’t phase him. Their open gender policy didn’t matter either. He’d been out as bi for years.
It was a little uncomfortable to be co a ched by his hyungs on how to properly fulfill his tasks, but they’d worked it out in the end. He now knew how to smoothly tilt faces into a chaste kiss (usually up. He was quite tall after all.) and had been assigned ‘puppy hugs’ as his gimmick. Those came natural to him really. His job was to latch on and nuzzle in from the side. If paid to, he’d say one of a few prepared lines or something close. Things like you’re so cool and I hope you have the best day . All of his sayings were friendly and platonic.
Not like Yuma’s list.
He’d glanced at it out of curiosity and promptly choked. He couldn’t be happier not to say lines like you should look only at me and you’re mine, aren’t you? Yuma could have his ‘lovely hugs’ all he wanted. Sure he was kissing people, but again. They were more pop kisses than anything.
He was popular, but not as much as his hyungs. Him and Yuma were trading sides every hour or so, and half the time Yuma’s line moved with him. Other times, people were just in it for the bit of affection, like K hyung had said. One boy had almost broken down when Maki hugged him and said he looks so cool with dyed hair, I’m jealous! His quick explanation included an ex that had been both transphobic and all around hateful about his transition. Maki tacked on a genuine compliment on his spacey aesthetic and rode the high from his responding megawatt smile until it was time to switch again. All in all, he was having a great time.
Part of the way through his kiss shift, a familiar face ducked into the rickety curtains that made their booth a touch more private.
“Taki!” His friend waved with a grin. Maki motioned him forward. “Come here.” Taki stepped closer, hands buried in his hoodie pocket and body relaxed. For a moment Maki thought he was just there to visit, but then a hand emerged holding a dollar. Taki’s eyes crinkled with his smile.
“One forehead kiss please, good sir.” Maki rolled his eyes but couldn’t fight a smile of his own.
“You’re ridiculous.” Taki shrugged, still smiling. Maki took the dollar when he held it out again, before studying Taki. He shifted under the scrutiny.
“What? You’ve got your thinking face on.” Taki didn’t sound nervous, more confused. Which makes sense, he reminded himself. He’s your friend. And practically K’s brother. That thought cinched it, and he took the few steps to close the distance. He ignored how his heart beat a little faster, how he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up in a way they hadn’t all day. He’d been ignoring it for months, another few minutes wouldn’t hurt.
“I’m upgrading your purchase, fine customer,” he finally responded. He gave Taki a moment to process, his eyes widening, before he was gently grasping Taki’s chin and titling his head up into a kiss. Maki pressed his lips to Taki’s and closed his eyes, letting it linger but not deepening it. After an eternal moment he pulled back, opening his eyes to see that Taki’s had likely never shut.
There were several emotions in his eyes. Some shock, a healthy dose of shyness, and there. That’s what he was looking for. The flicker of realization that bled quickly into panic.
Before Taki could flee as he undoubtedly wanted to, Maki ducked back in to buss a kiss on Taki’s forehead. It had the desired effect of freezing Taki in place, eyes wide and mouth open.
“On the house.” His words seemed to shake him out of it and he cleared his throat. Maki let his hand fall from Taki’s face, but before it got far it was caught and held in Taki’s own. The flicker of hope he had been quietly ignoring flared a little brighter.
“Just to check,” Taki spoke slowly, eyes searching Maki’s face. “This isn’t a friend thing is it.” It wasn’t phrased like a question. Honestly Maki figured Taki knew the answer but communication is key as Fuma always said so. He took a deep breath and nodded.
“Not a friend thing.” In the few seconds pause, Maki was reminded of how emotionally intelligent his friend was. He could see the indecision in Taki’s eyes, and then how they narrowed in determination. Then he was moving.
It was the only warning Maki had before he found himself being kissed within and inch of his life.
Taki tugged his hand where he was still gripping it, pulling Maki back into his orbit. His other hand went up to tangle in the hair at Maki’s nape to pull him down. Taki lunged up into him, attacking his lips with fervor.
It was nothing like the first kiss. Taki was very much in control this time, guiding him to turn this way or that as their mouths moved in sync. Maki’s hands came up to grab Taki’s waist to ground himself in the onslaught. It earned him a muffled sound that spurred him to slide his hands down to Taki’s hips. When they finally broke for air the sight of his hands almost completely covering Taki’s hips had him suppressing a groan of his own. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against his friend’s – actually.
That deserved clarification.
“Go on a date with me?” He opened his eyes to stare into Taki’s own where they were pressed together, and as a result had a front row seat to the slow smile that broke across Taki’s face.
“Yes, but I’m paying. After all,” Taki nuzzled his nose into Maki’s cheek, not quite hiding the mischief that had entered his grin. “I owe you for these kisses.” Maki let out a loud laugh, head tilting back. Taki smirked and pecked his neck.
“Somehow I think you’ll pay me back.”