Work Text:
Joo Jaekyung's confession(?) three months ago was nothing special nor mind-blowing. It wasn't over-the-top-romantic nor life-changing. When he proposed his intentions to Kim Dan, he didn't even use the magical three words. He only said something along the lines of, as far as he could remember,
"Hey, Kim Dan. Let's start dating until the two matches are over. Since we're already living together, might as well do it with a reason."
Kim Dan, although confused, believed that it was part of his job to appease his athlete of a boss, so he agreed without a fuss and promised to do his best.
"I understand, Mr. Joo. If that's what you want."
As boyfriends, there isn't much of a difference, really. To be honest, their relationship is practically still the same, whether at home or at work. They talk about the usual things. They also do similar routines. It's as if nothing has changed.
Now Jaekyung wonders, is this how dating is supposed to be? Something just feels... missing. Not that he's an expert on this field anyway. Yes, he's the best when it comes to MMA, and the master when it comes to bed. But he admits he's a bit lacking in this area. He hates to say this, but he's never been in a romantic relationship to begin with.
After doing a bit of research (forcing himself to watch Heesung's drama), he learns that boyfriends, or couples in general, are supposed to have endearments for each other. Partners should call their loved ones honey or baby. It's also very common to say their names sweetly, and even address them accordingly if they're older or younger.
"Huh. So that was it. I've never really thought about that."
Jaekyung, with his new-found information, comes to a sudden realization that all this time, he's only been calling Dan by his full name. And in return, Dan has only been strictly addressing him formally, whether at work or at home.
As official boyfriends of three months, isn't it about time to change that?
"Hey, Kim Dan."
Dan is in the middle of organizing some files when he looks up at Jaekyung, his face serious.
"What is it?"
"How old are you again?"
"Uh, I'm thirty now... Why do you ask?"
Shit. I forgot he's older, Jaekyung mutters in his mind. He doesn't look thirty.
"No reason. I'm just asking."
"Okay..."
"Aren't you gonna ask how old I am?"
"Well. It says on your file here that you're three years younger than me."
"And you found out just now?"
"No, Mr. Joo. I already knew when you hired me."
"If that's the case, then why are you still speaking formally to me?"
The huge surprise is evident in Dan's face, as if he can't believe what he's hearing.
"E-excuse me? What are you..."
"Shouldn't you be dropping the honorifics by now and just call me by name?"
"W-what!? I-I-I can't do that!"
Jaekyung raises his pointy eyebrow, obviously disappointed. Did Dan forget that they're already dating?
"And why the hell not?"
"Oh, no. I-I can't lose my job. And it doesn't sound right..."
"From now on, stop calling me, Mr. Joo. That's an order."
"Then... Then what should I call you?"
"Just call me by name."
Dan's eyes go big. He's not sure if he heard that right.
"Y-your name?"
"What else, then? Do you want to call me Honey or something?"
Dan is speechless.
With his tattooed arms crossed, Jaekyung smirks, stands up from his chair, and towers over Dan while backing him up against the wall.
"Come on. Try it just this once. Jae-Kyung-ah."
Dan shakes his head, avoiding eye contact.
"No. I can't."
"What the...? Why not!? Just fucking say it."
"I'm sorry but-"
"Jaekyung~ Just like that! Are you even listening? What's so hard about that?"
"I said, I can't do it."
"JAE-KYUNG-AH. Damn it. Just say that! Come on!"
Dan sighs loudly.
"Mr. Joo. Will you please move out of the way? I still have some work to do."
Jaekyung is getting pissed, but he has to remind himself to be patient. He has to calm down.
"I'll let you go if you do what I want. Call me by my name. Now."
"But... But calling you Mr. Joo is fine. Let's keep it that way."
"Hey. Didn't you agree about dating me? You should be able to call me by my name, at least."
Hearing the word "dating" makes Dan blush.
"Ah. So it's about that."
"I mean, that's part of your job and all."
"Right. Dating..."
"Yeah. Baby works, too. Like on those... dramas... and shit..."
When it gets all quiet, Jaekyung realizes he got a bit too pushy and rude. Awkwardness fills the air. Dan is just staring at him blankly.
He just dismisses the topic and acts cool with it.
"You know, what? Nevermind, then. This is just a waste of time. Forget I said anything."
"Hey, you."
Jaekyung flinches.
Did he hear that right?
Did Dan just "Hey, you" him?
This is the first time he's hearing Dan say that.
"Did you just...?"
Jaekyung has no idea where Dan gained the confidence from, but why did the air suddenly change? This is weird.
"Since I'm the one older than the two of us, shouldn't you be calling me Hyung first?" Dan says, no stuttering. Plain and direct.
Jaekyung is silenced. He is shocked. What the fuck did he just hear right now?
"Hah! What? M-me? Calling you h-hyung?"
"Yeah."
"Are you fucking kidding me? And why would I do that?"
"Call me Dan hyung and I'll call you Jaekyung. Is that a deal, Mr. Joo?"
"What the...?"
After Dan leaves the room, Jaekyung is left dumbfounded, the tips of his cauliflower ears reddening.
"No way. Is he insane?"
Days pass and that odd interaction seems to have been forgotten. Because no one is yielding to call each other the names they dared, they're back to calling each other "Mr. Joo" and "Kim Dan."
After all, it's more comfortable that way.
"Tch. I've been calling him for ages... Why isn't he answering his phone? Kim Dan!"
Grumpy, Jaekyung is searching for Dan in the living room but he doesn't spot him anywhere. He only finds Dan's vibrating phone lying on the coffee table.
"Oh."
Jaekyung pauses, peeking at the screen of Dan's old Samsung Galaxy S8. It has the caller ID on it.
But instead of the old "Athlete Joo Jaekyung" as the display name, he reads something entirely different.
Jaekyung's lips curve into a smile.
"Oh! Sorry, I was in the kitchen. Were you calling, Mr. Joo?"
Dan, in his striped apron, bursts into the living room and grabs his ringing phone to turn it off. He notices Jaekyung just staring gently at him.
"W-what is it? Is something the matter?"
Jaekyung smirks.
"I saw my name on your phone with a heart beside it."
Embarrassed, Dan tries to explain himself but clearly, Jaekyung won't listen.
"T-that was! I didn't do it on purpose!"
"Heh. What's with that? Jaekyung❤️? How cringe."
"I will change it right away, don't worry."
"And who the hell says you can change it? Don't touch it."
"Please don't look at my phone without permission, Mr. Joo..."
"Why do I need your permission? This is my house. I can do whatever I want."
"...if you say so, then."
At dinner time, they eat together after swimming lessons, and settle on Dan's bed to sleep. But for a certain reason, Jaekyung falls asleep first before Dan. He must be tired from training, considering his next match is around the corner. He's even snoring.
That night, he dreams of calling Dan's name sweetly and lovingly, and since he's already dreaming anyway, might as well fuck Dan in his dreams to his heart's content, too.
Dan at three am is still wide-awake, blushing, can't move under the sheets, staring at the ceiling, and trapped inside Jaekyung's arms and legs, while listening to Jaekyung's non-stop whining and sleep-talking.
"You like that... Huh.. Dan... Hyung... Fuck..."
Dan won't probably make it every morning without replaying this in his head for the rest of his life.