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Minseok is annoyed.
This might not necessarily be a mark of the apocalypse being nigh, but he kind of wants to be on the warpath today. Usually, he reserves this sort of high-strung argument for when the two of them are alone, but – damn it, Minhyung just seems determined to get on his nerves today.
“I told you,” he says presently, in best, whiniest voice. “You can’t just disappear for hours on end without telling me where you are, and then come back with a smug smile and say you were just really focused on working out at the gym. We’ve talked about this before. Isn’t it like basic decency to tell your boyfriend where you’re going without him having to pester you for it?”
Minhyung looks genuinely apologetic. “I’m sorry,” he says with a frown, but there’s a smile playing on the corner of his lips that grates on Minseok’s nerves. “Look, I didn’t know you would miss me that badly.”
“I didn’t miss you,” Minseok lies stubbornly. “I was worried you got kidnapped by a rabid fan and sold for ransom on GMarket. Maybe next time I just shouldn’t care. Is that what you want?”
“Minseokie…”
“Don’t Minseokie me,” Minseok cuts in, averting his eyes away from the endearing puppy eyes. Minhyung always does devotion and penitence so well. “I’m mad at you.”
Sanghyeok usually pays absolutely no mind to their spats, knowing full well that their arguments are just part of the way Minseok likes to show his affection, and are harmless in the long run. But tonight, he frowns from his place on the sofa beside them, and puts his phone back into his jacket.
“Minseok has a point,” he says decidedly. “It’s a little inconsiderate of you to just leave him hanging.”
Minhyung stares at Sanghyeok with his eyebrows raised, surprised. “Wow,” he says, “If even Sanghyeok hyung says so, then I really must have committed a crime. How can I make this up to you, Minseokie?”
Minseok brightens, glad that he’d achieved his purpose, and promptly opens his mouth to list out his decree of requirements for Minhyung to earn his forgiveness. Before he can speak, however, Sanghyeok continues the conversation thoughtfully.
“No, really, I understand that we’re all extremely busy people,” he muses, sounding almost like he’s speaking more to himself than anything else. “And I know how little free time we get with all the scrims and the practices and streams we’re obligated to do. I understand that. It’s important to pursue your hobbies. But I do think it’s a little unfair to not even say a word to your boyfriend, and then pass out on the couch while watching an anime, and then leave your boyfriend worried and anxious for the rest of the night, wondering maybe whether something might have happened to you. That’s a little unfair, isn’t it? Something like that isn’t about control; it’s about showing the other person that you’re thinking of him. That’s what stops people from feeling neglected. Moreover…”
Sanghyeok trails off when he realizes that both Minseok and Minhyung are staring at him.
“No, no,” Minhyung says. “Do go on. We’re listening.”
“Uh, yeah,” Minseok stammers.
Sanghyeok clears his throat, flushing to the tips of his ears.
“I’ve been reading a book on this topic,” he explains with whatever is left of his dignity. Then, with a sigh, he picks his phone back out of his pocket and stands up from the couch. “Don’t stay up too late arguing, okay, guys? We have practice tomorrow.”
With that, he makes a quick escape from the living room. Minseok and Minhyung stare after him as he disappears into the hallway leading to his room, and then turn their shocked gazes back on each other. The argument they’d been having is completely forgotten.
“... Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Minseok asks slowly, still in disbelief.
Minhyung’s mouth twitches, holding back another smile. “Who do you think it is?”
“I dunno,” Minseok says determinedly. “But I’m going to find out.”
They sit in silence for a few seconds, and then Minhyung speaks up again. His voice is softer now.
“I really am sorry for earlier,” he says gently. “I should’ve told you where I was going.”
Minseok’s irritation from earlier has almost entirely eased by now, but he would have melted under that earnest gaze even if it hadn’t. He huffs, but the fight has already bled out of him, and when Minhyung opens his arms, Minseok finds himself leaning in without any resistance.
“Fine,” he mumbles into Minhyung’s shoulder, letting the familiar warmth settle over him. “But remember to text me next time, or I’ll actually call the police.”
Minhyung laughs quietly and presses a fond kiss to the top of his head. “Deal.”
Hyeonjun leans on the table, chin propped on one hand, watching his favorite hyung with the kind of focus usually reserved for analyzing enemy drafts.
“Hyuuuung,” he drawls, the whine under his voice obvious to anyone who knows him. “We need to talk about our Lillia draft for the game this week.”
“Just one second,” Sanghyeok says without looking up. His thumbs tap rapidly at his phone. His tone is patient and fond. “I’ll be with you in a moment, Hyeonjunie.”
That alone is enough to make Hyeonjun frown. Sanghyeok never puts off conversations about their games with him. Never. And certainly not in favor of something as un-Sanghyeok-hyung-esque as texting during a team dinner.
He watches in mounting suspicion as a small smile tugs at Sanghyeok’s lips while he types, gaze entirely locked on the screen. That’s ridiculous. He never smiles like that at any of them.
“Who are you texting?” Hyeonjun asks bluntly.
Sanghyeok’s head jerks up, cheeks faintly pink. “What? Uh – I’m not –” he clears his throat. “It’s nobody in particular. Just… discussing something with a friend. Anyway, what were you saying about Lulu?”
“ Lillia,” Hyeonjun corrects incredulously. “Hyung, you weren’t listening to me at all.”
“Ah, Hyeonjunie,” Sanghyeok says in the same fond, earnest tone – only to get immediately distracted by whatever is happening on his screen.
Hyeonjun stares in disbelief. Now that he’s actually studying Sanghyeok closely, it’s hard to miss how strange his usually composed expression is while he types away on his phone. He’s biting his lower lip softly, like he’s holding back a smile, and the faint redness on his face has spread to the tip of his ears. His eyes are as soft as a sunset.
Okay.
Hyeonjun isn’t blind. Nor is he stupid.
He knows exactly what that look means. He just never imagined, not in a million years, that he’d see that look on Sanghyeok’s face.
With a short laugh, he leans back in his chair and decides to let him be – just this once. But as he picks at his food, he makes a mental note: if this mysterious guy starts stealing his hyung’s attention on a regular basis, Hyeonjun is going to track him down. And then he’ll decide whether to shake his hand… or beat him to a pulp.
Hyunjoon is half-asleep on his bed late one night, aimlessly reading through a random forum post talking about the best ways to get attention from guys who are gym rats, when Sanghyeok lets himself into his room with a soft knock. His expression is a little cautious when he pokes his head through the door.
“Doranie,” he says quietly, like he’s trying to keep his voice down. “Are you busy?”
“No,” Hyunjoon says immediately, putting his phone away and sitting up. It’s always a little startling to him when Sanghyeok seeks him out, no matter how many times it has happened over the course of the past year since joining T1. He blinks the sleep away from his eyes immediately, and stifles a yawn. “No, come on in.”
Sanghyeok lets himself inside softly, and closes the door behind him. He’s dressed rather nicely considering it’s the middle of the night, in a cute t-shirt that looks nice on his frame and something that’s not jersey pants.
“I was going through my closet,” he sighs. “And I realized I have close to no jackets that don’t have some form of team merchandising on them. Since you’re the closest to my size, I was wondering if I could borrow one of yours. A nice one, perhaps? Something that would go along with what I’m wearing.”
Hyunjoon stares at him, because there are so many things glaringly wrong about that statement. First, Sanghyeok had been going through his closet looking for something to wear. Second, that he’s purposefully avoiding wearing something with the T1 logo on it. And third, that he’s trying to make sure whatever he’s wearing matches his outfit.
Is the world going to end tomorrow? Should Hyunjoon perhaps be preparing his will?
“Uh,” he says, staring at the other in shock. “Um. Uh, yeah. I think I should have some jackets lying around. Hold on.”
His mind is spinning in confusion and disbelief as he rises to his feet and heads over to his closet to open it. He rummages through the jackets hung neatly on the hangers in rows, and glances at Sanghyeok one more time curiously. Sanghyeok’s expression is entirely earnest, and his eyes are shining with what looks almost like excitement.
Weird.
What’s Sanghyeok getting dressed up for, in the middle of the night? In the many years Hyunjoon has known Sanghyeok, mostly from afar but from a lot closer these days, Sanghyeok has never been particularly interested in wearing anything that’s not team merchandise. A T1 man, through and through, he used to think.
“How about this one?” he suggests, pulling out a black jacket he thinks would look nice with the rest of the outfit.
Sanghyeok nods enthusiastically. “That looks great. Thanks, Doranie.”
“No problem,” Hyunjoon says, handing it over. Sanghyeok holds it out to inspect it once more, and then shrugs it on gratefully. It does look nice on him, and Hyunjoon can’t help but smile as Sanghyeok immediately pads over to look at his reflection in the mirror. He picks at his bangs, making sure they look straight.
“So, uh, where are you going?” he asks curiously.
Sanghyeok smoothens down the tufts in his hair. “Out.”
“Out?”
“Out,” he agrees happily. “I’ll see you later, Doranie. Thanks for your help.”
With that, he walks out the door quickly and disappears into the hallway. Hyunjoon stands there, still in disbelief, trying to put the puzzle pieces together in his head.
Sanghyeok hyung is heading out in the middle of the night, dressed very nicely, to an unknown location without telling any of them where he’s going, looking very happy and excited. He cared about his appearance for the night enough to come and ask Hyunjoon to borrow a jacket.
It doesn’t take a genius to connect the dots, although it takes Hyunjoon a whole other minute to even process the clues he has. That’s how disbelieving this whole thing is for him.
Eventually, it does click together.
“Ah,” he says in understanding.
Sanghyeok has been pacing the length of their waiting room at Lol Park for the past ten minutes, thumbs moving in a rapid blur over his phone. If Minseok hadn’t been paying closer attention lately, he might have assumed Sanghyeok was psyching himself up for their match against GENG later that day. But ever since his realization a few weeks ago, he’s been watching Sanghyeok carefully.
Sanghyeok isn’t thinking about the game right now. He’s texting his boyfriend again.
What surprises Minseok is that he’s not the only one watching Sanghyeok like a hawk. From their various spots in the room, the other three are also watching Sanghyeok’s every move quietly but intently. Sanghyeok doesn’t even realize that he has an audience; that’s how immersed he is in the conversation on his phone.
Eventually, he stops pacing dead center in the room. A gleam of satisfaction passes across his eyes, and his mouth curves into the smallest smile as he types one last message.
“I’ll be right back,” he says nonchalantly, already pocketing his phone as he slips out the door.
Hyeonjun is the first to break the silence, shaking his head. “You know,” he grumbles. “This mystery guy is really taking up a lot of his time lately. It’s starting to get on my nerves.”
“So you’ve noticed it too?” Hyunjoon pipes in. “Did you know he was in my room the other night fixing his hair in my mirror?”
Minseok leans forward conspiratorially. “Okay, but have you also noticed that he’s been smiling at his phone all the time lately? Like… really smiling. It’s kind of insane.”
“It’s also no coincidence that he keeps disappearing to places without telling us where he’s going,” Minhyung adds.
They all glance at each other in dawning agreement.
“Alright,” Hyeonjun says slowly, “so we’re all thinking the same thing here.”
“That Sanghyeok hyung is hiding someone from us?” Hyunjoon offers.
“That he’s dating someone,” Minseok corrects.
“Do you think it’s someone we know?” Minhyung asks thoughtfully.
“Who knows?” Hyeonjun huffs. “He’s being really secretive about this whole thing. I don’t think he’d tell us even if we asked.”
“We don’t need to ask,” Minseok points out. “Did you see the way he looked when he disappeared just now? I bet that guy is visiting him here at Lol Park today. I say, we follow him!”
Hyunjoon’s eyes glow with excitement. “Like a spy mission?”
“No, this is serious business,” Hyeonjun interjects. “We can’t just let any bum off the street date him, yeah? This is Sanghyeok hyung we’re talking about. If this weirdo isn’t up to our standards, we need to put a stop to this before it gets too serious.”
“I think we might be a little late for that,” Minhyung says amusedly. “But we could still find out who it is, right?”
Minseok stands up to go look at the emergency evacuation chart pasted on the far wall. It displays a good top-down view of the layout of Lol Park. “He can’t have gone far. There are some pretty private corners hidden away behind hallways here. Do we split up and search for them?” He points at a promising little nook not too far from their waiting room. “Look at this place. It’s so out of the way. I bet that’s where he’s gone.”
Hyunjoon jumps to his feet. “Let’s go check,” he says enthusiastically.
Minhyung rises as well, laughing, but Hyeonjun’s expression is completely serious. He cracks his knuckles, scowling.
“This guy better be someone phenomenal,” he announces. “Otherwise…”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Minseok interrupts. “You’re all talk, dude. Like you would even dare to do something that would make Sanghyeok hyung upset.”
“I would if it means we’re protecting him!”
Minseok rolls his eyes and grabs onto his teammate’s sleeve. “Just come on.”
The first match of the day is still going on, so the hallways outside the T1 waiting room are empty when the four of them slip out surreptitiously. If anyone were around to witness it, it might have been a comical sight to see them slinking from one hallway to the other, sticking to the shadows like they’re spies in an espionage movie.
The others are quiet as they follow Minseok through the hallways, but the tension in the air is palpable. Who, exactly, are they going to find engaged in a compromising position with Sanghyeok? They all can’t help but wonder.
At length, they arrive at their destination: a quiet hallway that winds around to a dead-end, glass-walled room that might have been used as a smoking area once upon a time. Minseok peeks around the corner to glance at their target.
Sanghyeok is alone for now, staring thoughtfully out the one open window in the room. His cheeks are flushed and his eyes are bright with excitement. Minseok whirls his head back around before Sanghyeok can notice him staring.
“Okay,” he whispers to the others. “He’s alone right now, but whoever it is should show up here sometime soon.”
“What are you guys doing here?” A loud voice interrupts the hushed quiet. Minseok nearly shrieks in shock, but he manages to stop himself in time. As it is, he does jump like he’s been prodded in the back. When he turns around towards the sound of the voice, he finds an extremely amused Jihoon standing in the hallway. His eyes shine with excitement.
“Are we carrying out a mission?” he asks.
Minseok shushes him vigorously, pulling him into their little huddle. “Quiet,” he says sternly. “We’re stalking Sanghyeok hyung.”
“Sanghyeok hyung?” Jihoon echoes in a whisper. “What for?”
“Look,” Minseok hisses. “What we’re about to tell you is extremely confidential, yeah? You understand what that means. No blabbering about it to your chattermouth teammates, okay?”
“Okay,” Jihoon agrees in mock solemnity. “I won’t tell a soul.”
“Yeah, well, just keep it under wraps.” Minseok leans in closer, and Jihoon bends down to his level so he can hear the whisper. “ Sanghyeok hyung is dating someone. We’re trying to figure out who it is.”
Jihoon’s eyes widen slightly, maybe in surprise. “Oh?” he mouths. “You don’t say.”
“It’s true,” Minseok insists. “He’s definitely in a relationship, but he’s being really secretive about who it is. Anyway, we think that guy is going to show up here right now, so we’re all here to keep an eye out.”
“Okay,” Jihoon nods. “I’ll be quiet, too.”
Minutes pass in tense silence as the five of them crouch together behind the corner. Every so often, Hyeonjun tries to peek, but Minseok shoves him back down. Minhyung starts humming under his breath like he’s losing patience, and Hyunjoon’s frown grows deeper and deeper.
“Where is this guy?” Minseok mutters, frustration creeping into his voice. “He should’ve shown up by now.”
“Maybe he got lost,” Minhyung suggests. “He won’t know his way around here if he’s not a player, right?”
“Man, I am going to beat this guy up,” Hyeonjun decides. “It’s rude to just leave Sanghyeok hyung hanging like that.”
Jihoon clears his throat delicately. “You know,” he says thoughtfully. “Maybe you guys should let me go talk to him.”
Four sets of eyes turn incredulously toward him.
“What makes you think he would tell you something he doesn't want to tell the rest of us?” Hyeonjun rolls his eyes.
Jihoon shrugs. “I think it’s worth a shot.”
Minseok narrows his eyes suspiciously. Jihoon is a rival, after all, even if he and Sanghyeok do get along better than anyone expects. Then again, Jihoon has a point. Sanghyeok might let something slip to someone outside of T1, someone he doesn’t feel the need to keep secrets from due to a false sense of responsibility.
“... Fine,” Minseok relents. “But make it quick. And try to needle something useful out of him.”
Jihoon’s smile softens at the edges. “Sure thing. But…” he hesitates, and then laughs under his breath. “I don’t know if I can keep a straight face if I know you guys are eavesdropping just around the corner. Can you give me a few minutes with him alone?”
Minseok frowns, studying him carefully. He doesn’t entirely like the idea. What if Sanghyeok’s boyfriend shows up and gets offended after seeing him consorting with another guy alone? But Jihoon is right. He probably can’t keep a straight face in circumstances like this, either. With a reluctant sigh, he waves a hand. “Alright. We’ll give you five minutes. Don’t waste them.”
Jihoon’s eyes glimmer. “Deal.”
He straightens, brushing imaginary dust off his jacket. He clears his throat melodramatically, and turns the corner with far too much ease for someone walking into an interrogation. Minseok sighs and pulls his teammates a bit further away down the hall, frowning.
“The nerve of that guy,” Hyeonjun mutters. “Sanghyeok hyung isn’t going to tell him anything .”
“We don’t know that,” Hyunjoon reasons. “They are good friends, right? Anyway, I doubt it would hurt our chances.”
The four of them wait together in increasingly tense silence. Minseok paces back and forth down the hallway with his hands behind his back. Minhyung’s eyes are stuck on the muted TV screen showing the HLE vs NS game on the other wall, watching the seconds tick by on the in-game clock displayed onscreen. Hyeonjun is muttering something under his breath to Hyunjoon, who’s so lost in thought that he doesn’t react to anything the other says.
Minseok jumps to attention when he hears footsteps echo down the hall, only to nearly choke in surprise when he sees who turns the corner.
Jihoon hasn’t returned alone. Sanghyeok is standing right beside him, regarding his teammates with a calm, faintly amused expression.
“What are you guys doing here?” he asks lightly.
“... Sanghyeok hyung!” Minseok blurts belatedly, straightening his posture. “We, uh – we were looking for you! Coach says he has something to discuss with you.”
“I see,” he says patiently. “And all four of you needed to come here as messengers?”
“We joined him to get some fresh air,” Hyunjoon stammers squeakily. His voice echoes loudly in the enclosed hallway where not a hint of fresh air exists.
Sanghyeok smiles fondly. “Alright, I’ll go see him,” he says, and then his gaze lifts briefly towards Jihoon. Jihoon’s eyes brighten as their gazes meet. “Jihoon… good luck for the game later today.”
“You too, hyung,” Jihoon replies cheerfully.
Sanghyeok turns and strides down the hallway. Hyeonjun and the other two immediately follow after him, buzzing around him like bees protecting their hive. Jihoon moves as if to follow as well, but Minseok plants a firm hand on his chest to stop him in his tracks.
“Well?” he demands.
“What?” Jihoon blinks, a little dazed like his brain hasn’t fully caught up. “Ah, yes. It’s done.”
“Huh?” Minseok says blankly. “Who is it, then?”
Jihoon shakes his head to get himself out of the haze, and then looks down at Minseok like he’s only just seeing him for the first time. “What? Oh. Yeah. The boyfriend. Uh,” he smiles nervously. “See, the thing is… I tried asking him, but he wouldn’t even acknowledge my efforts. He’s guarding this secret better than any of us thought.”
Minseok groans in exasperation. “I knew you would be useless.” He flicks his eyes towards the muted screen Minhyung had been watching earlier, and inspiration strikes. “I think we’re going to need reinforcements.”
“Reinforcements?” Jihoon parrots.
Minseok points at the screen in answer. “Look, their first game just ended. They’ve got a few minutes before the next one starts. We should be able to catch them if we go there quickly.” He squares his shoulders with a meaningful sigh. “It’s time to bring in the big guns.”
“Them?” Jihoon mutters, still confused. Minseok grabs his wrist and starts dragging him down the hallway.
“Just come on, dumbass.”
Minseok and Jihoon bump into their target just outside the HLE team waiting room. He’s clearly on his way back from the bathroom, if the way he’s clutching his stomach like he’s just finished a battle is any indication.
“I see you still haven’t grown out of your pressure poops between games,” Minseok teases.
Wooje scowls at him. “Shut up,” he groans. He then blinks a bit confusedly as he regards the odd pair in front of him. “Uh… did you guys need something?”
“Yes,” Minseok says, grabbing his hands urgently. “I know you’re in the middle of a game, so we’ll make this really quick. I need your help with something after the matches today.”
“Okay, yeah, sure,” Wooje says immediately. “What do you need?”
Minseok lowers his voice dramatically. “We think Sanghyeok hyung has a boyfriend. We’re trying to find out who it is.”
Wooje stares at him in shock for a few seconds, processing the sentence he’s just heard. And then, remarkably, his eyes widen in startled realization.
“Wait,” he whispers in horror. “I know who it is.”
“You do?” Minseok says, elated.
“You do?” Jihoon echoes in disbelief.
“Yeah,” Wooje says numbly. He glances around the hallway furtively, and then leans in to whisper, “It’s Wangho hyung.”
“What?!” Minseok shrieks. “No way!”
Jihoon stares at him in utter disbelief. “Wangho hyung?” he echoes, sounding faintly insulted for some reason. “What the hell makes you think that?”
Wooje shrugs helplessly. “They’ve been going out to eat together.”
“They always do that,” Minseok points out.
“No, I know,” Wooje agrees quickly. “But lately, it’s been way more than usual. I remember because Dohyeon hyung always asks whenever Wangho hyung is going out, and the answer has always been ‘to eat with Sanghyeok hyung’, lately.”
“Really?” Minseok is baffled. “I mean, they are close friends, but… really? Wangho hyung?”
“I really think so,” Wooje insists. “I mean, we could just ask him right now. We still have some time before the next game.”
Jihoon startles. “I don’t think that’s a really good idea,” he says nervously. “I mean, there’s probably a reason they’re keeping it under wraps, right? What if Wangho hyung gets offended if we corner him about it?”
Minseok rolls his eyes. “He’ll live. Come on, let’s just go ask.”
With that, Wooje lets them into the HLE team waiting room. Minseok follows after him enthusiastically, but Jihoon follows in with a heavy, resigned sigh. The other four members of the HLE team are seated in various spots in the room, and they all look up in unison at the sudden intrusion.
“Ah!” Hwanjoong says in mock horror. “Wooje, you’re letting spies infiltrate our base!”
“They’re here to talk to Wangho hyung,” Wooje explains.
“Me?” Wangho pipes up from his place on the couch. “What do you need me for?”
Minseok and Jihoon walk over to him. Maybe it’s just his imagination, but Jihoon has grown really tense. There’s a deep frown on his face as he regards Wangho. Huh, he thinks. He’s always thought those two to be on good terms with one another. Maybe there’s some ongoing drama going on that he’s not fully aware of.
“Wangho hyung,” Minseok asks brightly, in his best doting younger brother voice. “If I ask you something, will you answer it honestly?”
“Depends on what it is,” Wangho drawls in answer. His eyes grow suspicious as he flickers his gaze between Jihoon and Minseok. “Why? Is this an ambush?”
“Maybe,” Minseok says furtively. “Uh, well. So, the thing is…”
He looks to Wooje for help. Wooje clears his throat.
“Wangho hyung,” Wooje starts determinedly. “You’re dating Sanghyeok hyung, aren’t you?”
For a few seconds, Wangho just stares at the three of them in utter shock, jaw dropped. And then, inexplicably, he bursts out in uncontrollable laughter.
“Is that a yes?” Minseok hisses to Wooje, who shrugs.
“You think I’m dating Sanghyeok hyung, do you?” Wangho says through streams of laughter. He’s so amused by the idea that he actually wipes a tear from the corner of his eye. “What, even you, Jihoon?”
“No,” Jihoon says, a little sullen. “I tried to tell them this was stupid.”
“You did, now, did you?” Wangho teases. “Ah, well! What a fascinating situation this whole thing is!” He leans back against the couch cushions, smirking like a cat in a patch of sun. “I mean, if Sanghyeok hyung really were dating me, rest assured, I would make sure nobody would be going around questioning it.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jihoon demands.
“Nothing, nothing,” he says good-naturedly. “Well, uh, Minseokie, I’m really sorry to tell you that I am not in fact in a relationship with Sanghyeok hyung. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”
“But you’ve been going out to dinner with him so often lately,” Wooje protests.
“Yeah, and there’s a reason for that.” Wangho grins from ear to ear. “It’s because I’ve been setting him up with someone.”
“So you do know who it is!” Minseok declares triumphantly.
“I do,” Wangho agrees happily.
“Are you going to tell us?”
“Ah, well, about that,” Wangho says delicately. He flickers his eyes to Jihoon. “See, the thing is… I would love to let you know who the mystery man Sanghyeok hyung is dating is, but he’s made me promise not to tell anyone. I can’t break a promise so easily, can I? Right, Jihoon-ah?”
Jihoon stares at him. His face is unreadable. “Right,” he agrees in a strange voice.
“But we won’t tell anyone!” Minseok protests.
Wangho shakes his head determinedly. “No, no, that won’t do,” he says. “Minseok-ah, you’re going to find out some other way. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.”
Minseok deflates. “Well… yeah, okay. I suppose it’s not nice for you to tell us something he told you in confidence.”
“If it helps,” Wango says suddenly, eyes sharp. “I can tell you that you are way closer to the answer than you think.”
Minseok’s eyes flash with interest. “What? So it is someone we know, then?”
“Maybe,” Wangho says mysteriously. “Maybe not. Anyway! Wooje, we need to get back onstage in a minute, so it’s time for the two of you to scram. Good luck with finding out who it is!”
To Minseok’s increasing bewilderment, Wangho is still laughing to himself as he and Jihoon let themselves out of the HLE waiting room. He’s distracted by everything he’s just learnt, so he’s not really paying much attention to the way the tension in Jihoon’s shoulders immediately escapes, nor how he instantly emanates a relieved sigh.
“Someone closer than we think,” he echoes thoughtfully, and then turns to Jihoon. “What do you think, Jihoon hyung? Do you have any ideas?”
Jihoon shakes his head. “I have no clue,” he says.
Minseok sighs morosely. “Well, thanks for your help anyway,” he says. “We’re going to keep trying, though.”
“I’m sure you will,” Jihoon sighs, and then starts off on a walk down the hallway. “I should probably head back to the waiting room. My teammates will be wondering where I am. Good luck for later today.”
“Yeah, you too,” Minseok says distractedly, already formulating the next steps of his plan in his head.
As he is wont to do these days, Sanghyeok mysteriously disappears as soon as they return home after the match against GENG. Minseok decides that this is the perfect, opportune moment to figure out their next move as a unit, and calls for an impromptu team meeting in the sitting room of the dorms. Wooje is surreptitiously invited as well, and Minseok even calls Jihoon for help.
Jihoon, however, seems to be too busy to even answer his phone.
What’s going on? He texts. Why have you called me ten times?
Hey, come over. Minseok responds. We’re making a plan.
Ah, about that… I’m a little busy. Jihoon texts back. We have a team dinner, and after that I think there’s this big team meeting. Sorry! You guys have fun, though. Let me know how it goes.
Well, whatever. If Jihoon doesn’t understand how important this whole thing is, then that’s his loss.
“Is he coming?” Minhyung asks as Minseok stows away his phone.
“No, he said he’s busy,” Minseok explains. “Bummer. Anyway, we need to make a plan. Wangho hyung said that whoever is Sanghyeok hyung’s boyfriend is someone closer to us than we think. Do we have any ideas?”
“Maybe it’s Bengi hyung,” Hyunjoon suggests. “Or Euijin hyung?”
“No,” Minhyung shakes his head. “I’ve already asked Junsik hyung. It’s none of Sanghyeok hyung’s ex-teammates.”
“Maybe he just hasn’t told them either,” Wooje interjects.
“Maybe,” Minseok agrees, but then he frowns. “Somehow, I don’t think it’s any one of those guys, though.”
“Yeah, they’re all blabbermouths,” Hyeonjun says. “I’m sure none of them can keep a secret like this so diligently.”
“But then who is it?” Minseok muses, frustrated. “Is it really one of the other active players?”
An idea strikes him as the others in the group continue their conjecture-slash-argument.
“Hold on,” he mutters, and pulls out his phone again. “Let me check something real quick.”
He scrolls through his contacts and finds a number he hasn’t texted in more than a year.
Jaehyuk hyung? Minseok types.
It takes a while for Jaehyuk to respond, and it’s only belatedly that Minseok remembers Jaehyuk would also be busy with whatever team obligation Jihoon has going on tonight, as well. Just as he’s about to give up and return to the conversation at hand, though, Jaehyuk texts him back.
[Jaehyuk]: Oh, Minseok! It’s been a while.
Minseok smiles at the screen.
[Minseok]: I wanted to ask you something, but it can wait if you’re busy right now.
[Jaehyuk]: I’m not busy. I was taking a nap.
Minseok’s smile dissolves into a confused frown.
[Minseok]: What? But Jihoon hyung said you guys have some team thing going on tonight…
[Jaehyuk]: Why would he say that? He just walked out the door about fifteen minutes ago with the biggest smile on his face.
Minseok stares at the screen.
[Minseok]: Huh?
[Jaehyuk]: Yeah, no, he’s not home. Is that why you texted me? Are you looking for him or something?
Minseok doesn’t respond for several minutes. He stares at the phone screen in wide-eyed silence as slowly, very slowly, the pieces in his head start to simultaneously fit together and fall apart. A dawning sensation of numb horror fills his head like a buzzing in his ears.
Jihoon had been there, when they were stalking Sanghyeok. Jihoon had asked for five minutes of time alone with him. Jihoon looked nervous when they said they were going to ask Wangho. Wangho had been laughing about it the whole time, stealing glances at an unusually nervous Jihoon.
Minseok fights to keep his expression even.
[Minseok]: Did he tell you where he went?
[Jaehyuk]: Er, actually… I think I did overhear him telling Giin he was heading to the park nearby.
[Minseok]: Thank you for your help, Jaehyuk hyung. You will be gratefully rewarded for your contribution to this noble cause.
[Jaehyuk]: O…kay? Is everything alright?
But Minseok doesn’t answer. He puts his phone away in his pocket and wonders what he’s going to do with this information. Around him, the others continue to bicker and argue over who Sanghyeok’s boyfriend might be, and what the most effective way to find the answer might be, but Minseok hardly hears them. His pulse is thundering in his head.
“Guys,” Minseok says calmly after a while. “Would you accompany me on a walk?”
The others look at him in confusion as he rises from the couch, in complete peace like he’s achieved a state of nirvana.
“What?” Hyeonjun asks. “But I thought we were making a plan.”
“Oh, I know,” Minseok says serenely. “But we can do that after our walk. Just trust me.”
The others are bewildered, but nonetheless willing. Minseok’s head continues to buzz and swarm with a million thoughts as he ushers his group out through the door in complete silence. The more he walks, the more the calmness in his head dissolves… leaving behind in its place, a sense of betrayal and anger.
…
…
Oh, that asshole is so going to pay for his crimes.
Just as Minseok expects, there they are. They stand together in the shadows just out of reach of a lamppost’s light, holding hands with each other, lost in blissful conversation. Minseok is the one who sees them first, and when he comes to a stop, so does Minhyung. Minhyung glances at Minseok’s deadpan expression, confused, and then follows his gaze.
It takes him a moment to comprehend the scene. Then, a choked sound emanates from the back of his throat.
“Ah,” he says.
“What is it? What is it?” Wooje asks curiously, looking around. And then he spots the pair as well, and his expression falls ajar in shock. “Oh. Oh, I see.”
From beside him, Hyeonjun’s features are in a face of abject horror. Hyunjoon looks like he’s aging in real time as the weight of the information dawns on him.
There’s a moment of silence as all five of them comprehend the reveal in front of them in varying degrees of betrayal, horror and incandescent rage. And then, everything explodes in a cascade of fire and brimstone.
Minseok doesn’t really recall doing anything or thinking anything. He does, however, register the sensation of slamming like a torpedo into Jihoon’s body hard enough that he and Sanghyeok jolt apart in alarm.
“YOU TRAITOR!” He bellows. “I TRUSTED YOU! I THOUGHT YOU WERE ONE OF US!”
Jihoon straightens from his stumble, wearing a wide-eyed expression of panic. “... Oh. Uh, hi, Minseok.”
Minseok is angry enough to bite through wood. “DON’T HI ME, ASSHOLE!” He balls his hands into fists, and lunges forward again with the sole intention of socking Jihoon on the jaw, only to have both his arms restrained behind his back by Minhyung.
“Calm down, Minseokie,” he says amusedly. “You’re going to get in trouble if you hit him.”
“HE DESERVES TO BE HIT!”
He registers the sound of Wooje cackling like a maniac in the background as the rest of the group hastens to join their huddle.
“Oh, man,” he wheezes. “I can’t believe you had us fooled like that.”
“HE KNEW!” Minseok yells. “HE WAS A TRAITOR FROM THE START!”
“I know, I know,” Minhyung says placatingly. “We’re going to make sure he pays for his crimes.”
That wipes the self-satisfied smile off Jihoon’s face. “I am?” he asks.
Hyeonjun steps forward to grab him by the collar, an impressive feat considering Jihoon is taller than him. Jihoon’s eyes widen in alarm. He looks to Sanghyeok for help, but Hyeonjun is completely undeterred.
“Hyung,” he says, addressing Sanghyeok, though his eyes are trained mutinously on Jihoon’s face. “Please give me permission to beat this punk up.”
Sanghyeok has been watching the whole interaction with a mixture of amusement and concern. At this point, however, he steps forward and calmly pulls Hyeonjun’s hand free from Jihoon’s collar.
“Please calm down,” he says gently. “I know this must be a surprise. But please understand that Jihoon was only keeping it a secret on my behalf.”
“On your behalf?” Hyeonjun occurs, looking at him.
“Yes.” Sanghyeok’s face is rather red. “I wanted to – uh, that is, I felt that it would be extremely inappropriate to come out and tell you guys we were dating outright.”
Hyeonjun raises his eyebrows. “Why?”
Sanghyeok flushes a deeper crimson. His eyes, however, are completely wide with sincerity as he glances up at Jihoon in a display of complete adoration and devotion that makes Minseok want to throw up.
“Well,” he says, like it’s obvious. “The last thing I wanted to do was sound like I was gloating to you guys.”
“Let me get this straight,” Hyunjoon cuts in. “You didn’t tell us about your secret relationship because you were worried we might think you were… bragging about your boyfriend?”
Sanghyeok’s ears are burning. “Well, yes. He is quite the catch.”
Minseok looks at Jihoon’s smug face in despair. Jihoon catches his eye, and smiles widely as if to say, Oh, so sorry, Minseok! You know I can’t help being so dashing and irresistible that Sanghyeok hyung is completely smitten with me!
Or maybe he was just smiling. Minseok doesn’t know. All he registers is the haze of fury that rushes through his ears. He wrenches free from Minhyung’s grasp sharply and lunges toward Jihoon again.
Jihoon yelps and dodges behind Sanghyeok immediately.
“Hyung!” he complains. “You’re supposed to protect me from maniacs like that!”
Sanghyeok sighs. The fact that Jihoon has the audacity to use Sanghyeok as a human shield makes Minseok even angrier. He rolls up his sleeves.
“Hyung, please step aside,” he says calmly.
“Why?”
“I want to punch out Jihoon hyung’s teeth.”
“Hyung!” Jihoon protests, clinging harder to Sanghyeok’s shoulders for dear life. “Protect meeeee! He’s insane!”
“I am insane!” Minseok shrieks. He lunges again, only to be intercepted this time by Minhyung and Hyunjoon both. They grab his arms and bodily drag him back. His feet kick furiously against the paved path.
Wooje is doubled over, tears streaming down his face from laughter. “Oh my god,” he wheezes. “This is the best day of my life.”
“This is not funny! ” Minseok roars, thrashing like a caught fish. “He lied to us! He lied to our faces!”
“Minseok,” Hyunjoon says tiredly. “Please take a deep breath before you pop a blood vessel.”
Hyeonjun looks between Minseok and Sanghyeok, nose wrinkled in disappointment.
“Are you sure about this, hyung?” he asks seriously. “ This guy, really? He’s a little too sketchy for you, don’t you think?”
“Hey,” Jihoon says, offended.
Sanghyeok only laughs. He turns his head back to smile up at Jihoon, whose arms have somehow relaxed naturally to entwine around the other during the course of the conversation. Jihoon softens at once when Sanghyeok smiles at him, and the frown on his face immediately morphs into a smile.
Sickening, Minseok thinks.
“There’s nothing to be concerned about, Hyeonjunie,” Sanghyeok says softly, eyes trained on Jihoon’s face. “Jihoon-ah makes me happy, after all.”
Hyeonjun lets out a long sigh, shoulders sagging. “... Fine,” he mutters. “If he makes you happy, then I guess that’s all that matters.”
“NO, IT ISN’T!” Minseok interjects. “NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR ACCEPTANCE! THIS IS THE TIME FOR BLAME AND GUILT! BLAME AND GUILT!”
“Yeah, I mean,” Minhyung adds, like Minseok hadn’t spoken. “It’s not like we can stop you anyway. Congratulations, Jihoon hyung.”
Jihoon brightens immediately. “Thanks, guys. I knew you would come around!”
“ WE DID NOT COME AROUND!” Minseok shrieks, still writhing in Minhyung’s iron grip. “PUT ME DOWN! SOME BOYFRIEND YOU ARE! LET ME AT HIM! I’LL RIP HIM LIMB FROM LIMB!”
“Relax, Minseokie,” Minhyung says, laughing. “You’ll thank me later for saving you from an assault charge.”
“NEVER! THIS BETRAYAL MUST BE AVENGED!”
Jihoon tears his eyes away from Sanghyeok’s face viscerally, like it almost pains him to do so. He smiles placatingly at Minseok. “Aw, c’mon, Minseok. Don’t be so mad. We’re still friends, aren’t we?”
That only makes Minseok howl louder, practically foaming at the mouth as Minhyung drags him bodily down the path. He’s still shouting into the air as the group disappears into the distant darkness of the path, and the loudness of his angry protests carries all the way over to where Jihoon and Sanghyeok stand entwined together beneath the lamppost.
Sanghyeok is still nestled in the embrace of Jihoon's arms.
“Well,” Jihoon says cheerfully. “That went better than I thought.”
“I told you Hyeonjunie wouldn’t hit you if I asked,” Sanghyeok says, chuckling. “I didn’t even stop to consider that Minseok might get so angry, though.”
Jihoon thinks of all the things that have happened today, and of all the blatant lies he’s said to Minseok’s face just to make Sanghyeok happy. “Oh, he has his reasons,” he says grimly, and the horror on Jihoon’s face only makes Sanghyeok laugh even more.
They stand there for a moment, just out of reach from the illumination of the lamplight, the chaos of their friends’ shouting fading into the distance. It’s nice, even to just be able to stand here and appreciate Sanghyeok’s familiar warmth against his body. Jihoon shifts slightly, peering down at Sanghyeok with a more serious expression.
“Hey, hyung,” he says softly.
“Hm?” Sanghyeok looks up at him.
“Did you really mean it?” He smiles. “When you called me a catch?”
Sanghyeok frowns. “Of course I meant it.” He lifts his chin a fraction, as if daring Jihoon to tease him about it. “What? Don’t you think I’m a catch, too?”
Jihoon’s answering grin is immediate. He tightens his arms around Sanghyeok, and leans his head closer until there’s very little space between their faces. “Hyung,” he says amusedly. “You’re Faker. You’re the catch. I’m just the lucky bum who managed to capture your attention.”
Sanghyeok’s nose wrinkles like he’s embarrassed. “Now now,” he says lightly. “I wouldn’t call you a bum , you know?”
“I’m serious,” Jihoon laughs. He leans back to press a kiss to the crown of Sanghyeok’s head, holding him close. “And that’s why I’m never letting you go again, no matter how angry Minseok gets at me.”
Sanghyeok smiles in quiet satisfaction at that, tilting his head back. “Good,” he murmurs, and rises onto his tiptoes to press their lips together.
Jihoon bows his head to meet him halfway, smiling into the kiss as his arms tighten around Sanghyeok’s waist. His thoughts wander back to the chaos of the day, to the messiness and shouting from only a few minutes ago.
But it’s understandable – Sanghyeok inspires that kind of passion, after all.
Because Sanghyeok truly is one of a kind.
And Jihoon thinks, with a quiet surge of joy that warms his chest – that’s why he’s the luckiest guy in the world.
Fin