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Soonyoung and Wonwoo have been best friends for a long time.
In fact, Soonyoung doesn’t really remember a time before Wonwoo — and granted, that would’ve been when they were about 3 or 4, but the point still stands — so it would be safe to say that Soonyoung knows Wonwoo like the back of his hand.
Or so he thinks.
Because Soonyoung couldn’t understand for the life of him how they reached their senior year of high school without Wonwoo being kissed.
The realization comes to them on a hot, sunny afternoon in the middle of their senior year. The August heat permeates Wonwoo’s bedroom, and Soonyoung lays in a heap on Wonwoo’s bed with his shirt discarded somewhere on the floor. Even the normally cuddle Jeon Seollie, Wonwoo’s adorable canine friend, refuses to curl up against Soonyoung, opting for the cooler corner under Wonwoo’s desk where he sits in front of the fan on full blast.
Soonyoung is busy narrating the disgust he felt when he stumbled into the dance studio where Chan had Yeonjun pressed up against the wall. “Now, I don’t care that it’s them making out,” Soonyoung clarifies — because really, he doesn’t care, “but that they made out in the dance studio. That’s a sacred space, Wonu-yah!”
Wonwoo snorts, his head lolling back against his chair. “They’re not the first to do that there, Soon.”
“Well, they’re the first to get caught,” Soonyoung responds dramatically, rolling over to glare at Wonwoo. “Why couldn’t they do it at the park, like everyone else?”
Wonwoo’s nose scrunches the way it does when he’s confused. “Everyone else?”
“Yeah.” Soonyoung shrugs. “You know. The Kissing Tree by Lover’s Lake?”
Wonwoo’s face remains stoic, and Soonyoung narrows his eyes. “Wonu-yah. Don’t tell me you didn’t bring Mina to the Kissing Tree.”
“Mina?” Wonwoo’s brows furrow. “Why would I do that?”
Soonyoung stares blankly at Wonwoo. “Didn’t you two date, like, throughout sophomore year?”
Wonwoo sits up straighter in his chair. “What? No.” He frowns. “We were partners for a project, and we were in the student council together. When did we date?”
“How did I not know this?!” Soonyoung cries out, aghast.
“You never asked.” Wonwoo shrugs. “And you were busy with Soohyuk then.”
Soonyoung blanches at the mention of his ex, but he won’t be derailed. “Wait, so — if you never kissed Mina, then…” Soonyoung’s eyes widen. “Wait, Wonu-yah, you’ve never been kissed?!”
He’s not sure if Wonwoo’s cheeks are pink from the heat or from what he said. “I’m sure I’m not the only one, Soonyoung.”
“But — but you’re —” Soonyoung gestures vaguely and aggressively at Wonwoo, who looks annoyingly handsome in a white t-shirt, loose athletic shorts and glasses, with his messy hair looking somehow artistic. The same Wonwoo who receives love notes sometimes in his locker, and always gets valentines on the last day of school.
How can his best friend still have his first kiss?!
Soonyoung sits up, a determined look on his sweaty face. “Wonu-yah,” he says, thrusting his finger out, “as your best friend, I’m going to give you the best back-to-school present.”
“Please don’t,” Wonwoo groans.
“I’m going to find your first kiss!” Soonyoung grins triumphantly, barely dodging a pillow Wonwoo tries to smother on his face.
-
Soonyoung finds prospect number one in Wen Junhui, the sleepy-eyed transfer student from China who arrived last semester.
He sits diagonally from Wonwoo and Soonyoung in class, often gazing out the window with a glazed look on his face. He’s undeniably good-looking, although sometimes Soonyoung thinks he’s a bit odd when he cackles out of the blue. But, he’s generally kind, a little too clever for the teacher’s liking, and shared that dancing is one of his favorite pastimes in China — and Soonyoung has a ton of respect for dancers.
He leans over, his fingers brushing against the nape of Wonwoo’s neck as he gently tugs at the back of Wonwoo’s collar. “Wonu~,” he whispers excitedly.
He doesn’t notice the way Wonwoo’s shoulders tense when he leans back in his chair. “What?” Wonwoo grumbles.
“What do you think of Junhui?”
Wonwoo tilts his head imperceptibly towards Junhui, who seems to have fallen asleep with his eyes open. Soonyoung is almost distracted by the sheer strangeness of it until Wonwoo shrugs. “What about him?”
“Like,” Soonyoung prods Wonwoo’s shoulder, “ you know .”
“I don’t, actually.” Soonyoung would’ve believed him if he didn’t sound just the tiniest bit smug about it.
Soonyoung pokes Wonwoo harder. “As your Prince Charming.”
Wonwoo snorts under his breath. “Is that what we’re calling it?” He slumps in his seat.
Soonyoung rolls his eyes, tilting his chair forward to keep whispering in Wonwoo’s ear. “Come on. Really, what do you think?”
“I think you’re wasting your time –”
“Of Junhui , Wonwoo. Stay on topic.”
Wonwoo lets out a more audible sigh, although based on the classroom’s noise levels, only Soonyoung could hear it. “He’s fine.”
“Fine?” Soonyoung grimaces. “Okay. Okay, I could work with fine.”
“Or we could just not –”
“I said it’s fine! ”
-
Is it coincidence or fate that Wen Junhui auditions for the school’s dance crew?
Obviously the latter — Soonyoung will get Wonwoo his first kiss in no time.
-
hoshi1010: change of plans
wonuyaaaa🤓: ?
-
Wen Junhui’s boyfriend goes by the name of Joshua. He’s a year older and attends the university one stop away, and he’s a beautiful specimen of a human with an American accent that leaves Soonyoung a bit slack-jawed when he comes to pick Junhui up from his first rehearsal.
Soonyoung only feels mildly disappointed — he was a good prospect, after all — but the feeling immediately dissipates when he sees Joshua’s companion, who somehow seems even more ethereal than Junhui.
“Hi!” Soonyoung pipes up, sliding next to Junhui who blinks at Soonyoung’s eagerness.
“Hey,” Joshua greets with a small smile and a wave. “You must be Soonyoung? Junnie says you’re the best dancer here.”
If Soonyoung wasn’t on a mission, he’d be extra flattered. (It doesn’t stop him from grinning cheesily at the compliment, though.)
“We’re lucky to have Junhui-ssi join us.” Soonyoung pats Junhui’s back a bit awkwardly. He turns to beam at Joshua’s friend. “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.”
“Yoon Jeonghan.” Jeonghan bows his head slightly, and Soonyoung is almost giddy from how good Jeonghan looks when his hair falls into his eyes. Prince Charming, who ?
Junhui cocks his head at Soonyoung, and that’s when Soonyoung realizes he’s probably acting weird considering how strict he is during practice. “Uh, I’m hungry! We should all eat,” Soonyoung explains quickly, turning to Chan and Yeonjun who were packing up. “Come on, you two.”
Soonyoung is suddenly very grateful that Chan’s grandparents own a restaurant, and that Chan insists on taking them there after Soonyoung’s rare offer for the dance crew to have dinner together.
-
hoshi1010: WRU?????
wonuyaaaa🤓: on the bus. don’t make me turn around, kwon soonyoung.
hoshi1010: cool i jst miss u love u can’t wait to see u
wonuyaaaa🤓: turning around
hoshi1010: WONUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
-
Soonyoung barely contains his excitement when Wonwoo appears at the entrance of the restaurant, looking a bit more presentable than usual. His normally tousled hair is hidden under a beanie, and his slender form is accentuated by skinny jeans (good choice, Soonyoung thinks proudly) and a fit hoodie.
Yoon Jeonghan is going to be blown away , Soonyoung thinks proudly as he waves Wonwoo over.
“Look who just happened to be in the neighborhood!” he booms, getting up to sling an arm around his best friend. Wonwoo gives him a strange look with the tiniest narrow of his eyes, but luckily everyone else is unfazed – especially Junhui, who is excitedly peering over the Chinese menu. “Everyone, meet my best friend, Jeon Wonwoo.”
“Wonwoo-hyung!” Chan greets with a quick bow and a wave. “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s been a while, Channie,” Wonwoo replies, nodding and offering a small smile. It takes everything for Soonyoung to gently pivot Wonwoo towards the general direction of Joshua and Jeonghan.
“Wonu, this is Joshua-ssi, Junhui’s boyfriend,” Soonyoung interjects. Junhui’s ears turn a light shade of pink in the light when Joshua grins and waves. “And then this is Joshua-ssi’s friend, Yoon Jeonghan.”
Wonwoo gives them both a small bow. “Nice to meet you both.” He smiles politely. “Were you both at rehearsal and unfortunately got dragged by my friend here to dinner?”
Joshua’s eyes crinkle when he laughs, while Yoon Jeonghan’s eyes widen just a bit in interest. “It was no trouble at all,” Joshua answers with a wave of his hands. “We were all going to eat anyway.”
Wonwoo settles next to Soonyoung, who tries not to bounce out of his seat in glee. Finally , Wonwoo’s cooperating – he’ll get kissed by Yoon Jeonghan in no time.
The night goes by smoothly with no fanfare. Chan’s halmeoni serves a feast of Chinese food that Junhui devours and gives his stamp of approval, and Soonyoung’s ambition eases into something calmer when a one-liner from Wonwoo sends the whole table into a fit of laughter.
Soonyoung doesn’t understand why he was trying so hard. It’s evident that his best friend is a good human, one definitely worth kissing, and if nobody sees that, that’s really their loss.
-
When they leave the restaurant, Jeonghan excuses himself from the group to light up a cigarette. Soonyoung visibly deflates when they depart from the group, and Wonwoo laughs as he watches Soonyoung’s lips curl into a pout.
“He was so handsome , too,” Soonyoung whines, grabbing onto Wonwoo’s arm. Wonwoo snorts derisively and shakes his head, allowing Soonyoung to loop his arm through Wonwoo’s and complain about it on the walk home.
“You seem more broken up about it than me.”
“It’s true,” Soonyoung groans, nudging Wonwoo. “Didn’t you think he was cute?”
“I mean, I have eyes.” Wonwoo nudges Soonyoung back. “But Soon, did you ever think that maybe I want my first kiss to be with someone special? Not some random stranger you pick for me?”
Soonyoung hums thoughtfully. “Is – is that what you want?”
“It doesn’t have to be fireworks,” Wonwoo answers after some time. “But I don’t want it to be nothing, either. I want it to be – I don’t know. Safe. But not boring. Comforting. Real.”
It’s not that Soonyoung and Wonwoo haven’t had moments like these before – moments that take Soonyoung’s breath away when he realizes that Wonwoo’s being vulnerable, a rare showcase of emotion that shows Soonyoung how much Wonwoo trusts him. It leaves Soonyoung feeling all mushy and warm, so much so that he grabs Wonwoo’s hand and laces their fingers together.
And to his surprise, Wonwoo doesn’t pull away. Instead, he shakes his head and squeezes Soonyoung’s hand quickly, almost unnoticeably like the tiny upward curve on his lips.
-
At 12:01 AM, Soonyoung theatrically sits up in bed, eyes wide.
He didn’t know why he didn’t think of this before, but Soonyoung admits he’s always been on the slower side.
Luckily, his brain caught up quickly enough.
-
“Soon, are you half-asleep or something?” Wonwoo gripes from behind Soonyoung. “Why are we taking the long way to school?”
Soonyoung’s bouncing nervously, the walk to the park feeling longer and longer with each step. The trees cast a nice shade from the early morning sun, drawing shadows on the ground the way Wonwoo likes when he has his camera to take pictures. Maybe Soonyoung should’ve reminded him to take it, so this would feel more special –
“Soonyoung,” Wonwoo repeats, jogging up to catch up with him, “hey, what’s with you today? Do you need to talk to a teacher or something?”
Soonyoung thinks, Just a bit farther –
“Yah,” Wonwoo says, sounding a bit more annoyed, “don’t ignore me –”
Right. He should probably speak.
“We’re almost there!” Soonyoung says, overly cheerful as he looks over his shoulder. Wonwoo frowns.
“We are still so far away from school; why didn’t we take the bus?” he asks suspiciously, stopping a bit. “Soonyoung, stop.”
Soonyoung tenses, then turns around to look at Wonwoo. He grins sheepishly and gestures to the area around him. “Does this look kind of familiar to you?”
Wonwoo blinks, walking closer and inspecting the area around them. When he realizes it, he narrows his eyes at Soonyoung. “Is this –” he hesitates, “Soonyoung, is someone going to randomly pop out of a bush and kiss me? If so, we need to re-evaluate our friendship –”
“It’s me,” Soonyoung blurts out, stopping Wonwoo in his tracks.
Wonwoo gapes at Soonyoung, his frown dissipating into an expression representing bewilderment. “Sorry, what?”
“You – you said you wanted it to be special,” Soonyoung mumbles, tucking his hands suddenly into the pockets of his uniform slacks. “Not like fireworks, but not nothing. I’m not fireworks, but – but I’m not nothing either, right?”
“Why do you want this so badly for me?” Wonwoo asks, taking a step closer to Soonyoung. “I’m not going to die before we go to college or the military, you know.”
“I know.” Soonyoung shrugs, suddenly unable to look at Wonwoo. “But we’re not going to be assigned together, and who knows if we’ll end up at the same university – you were there for all of my big stuff, Wonu-yah. And it kinda kills me that I possibly won’t be there for yours. Especially stuff like this.”
“A first kiss?” Wonwoo asks dryly.
Soonyoung shrugs again, a bit more limply this time. “First kiss. First love. Whatever.”
Wonwoo holds Soonyoung by the shoulders. “Yah, Kwon Soonyoung. Look at me.”
Soonyoung chews on his lower lip, before letting out a sigh and meeting Wonwoo’s gaze. It hits Soonyoung that Wonwoo’s a couple centimeters taller than him, and he has to tilt his head a bit. For some reason, it makes his cheeks flush with – embarrassment? He isn’t sure.
“You’re always going to be my best friend,” Wonwoo says gently, a tiny smile on his face. “That’s never going to change.”
“I know,” Soonyoung says stubbornly, but he doesn’t deny that it slowly unwinds the knot in his gut. Wonwoo’s smile widens, and his knuckles brush against Soonyoung’s cheek.
“I’m going to miss you, too,” Wonwoo continues, his voice softer this time. Soonyoung’s stomach starts to swirl.
“How could you not,” Soonyoung grumbles, loud enough for Wonwoo to hear.
“And we’re probably going to grow old together, so you’re not going to miss out.” Wonwoo’s fingers move to cup the sides of Soonyoung’s neck. Soonyoung ignores the fact that his breath seems to come out in shallower bursts. “On anything .”
“Are you sure you haven’t kissed anyone before?” Soonyoung breathes, his heart quickening in his chest as Wonwoo’s nose brushes against his.
“You’ll be the first,” Wonwoo affirms.
The sun flickers through the leaves of the Kissing Tree, and it makes Soonyoung feel even warmer.