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Cheerful and childish theme song, wordless chants of happiness sung in the background, fills the air as a claw of cheap steel moves warily inside a see-through box below which countless animal plushies sit, waiting for their turn to get to the exit. One button press, the crane lowers itself, a futile attempt at grabbing a white-pink bunny, as it feebly scratches the body, before hanging on one of its ear for dear life. In the end, the picked stuffed oy barely leaves the ground.
BAAM!
The arcade machine suffers from a hard hit from a fist on its control panel. A wrathful one from a certain glasses-wearing college student, wavy brown hair with curtain bangs, dressed in his usual windbreaker attires. Only god knowsㅡand his small, scared boyfriend standing to his right as well, how many times he has tried and miserably failed every single time already.
"S-Seongje!" the boy next to him, Juntae, with contrasting style of glasses: nerdy, square frameless ones to those stylish half-framed of Seongje's, stutters, trying to tell his date not to pull negative attention towards them by trying to break the machine. He has been standing there nervously, watching Seongje's every single effort be in vain, his mood transitioning from his usual arrogant-ish demeanor, to solemn, to anger. It's a whole rollercoaster.
Seongje snickers, "This fuckass machine dares to play shit with me, huh?"
"C-Come on!" his boyfriend says for the nth time already, trying to pull him away from the machine. To his dismay, though, Seongje is a lot of magnitudes stronger than him, even with his very lean figure. It doesn't come as much surprise to him, though, because that was how they basically met: Seongje's display of strength.
It was a peaceful day where Juntae was just in the mood to get some popsicles nearby his dorm late in the night. It wasn't much. He went out, arrived at the convenience store, got his treat, and left. Until somehow, he got followed by a few suspicious thugs in dark clothes. Out of wary, he started to increase his walking speed, eventually running as the bad people seemed to pick up their paces too.
As his breath started to rag, he braked and abruptly took a turn to an alley, almost bumping somebody leaning on the wall, puffing a cigar. He turned around slightly to say a quick sorry as the brutes almost caught up with him, following him into the alley.
The difference was that Juntae was like very small, while it wasn't the case for the three gangsters following him. So as they made the turn, their shoulders brushed with the mysterious man's cigar and hand, the tobacco bar falling the the ground, length barely reduced.
The man without notice, with a reaction time of a deity, kicked one shin of the ruffians with his fist ready to launch a finishing blow right on his face when one of them was about to fall. Silence fills the air as one thug suddenly got knocked out, the other two had their eyes following the unconscious body to the ground.
"I don't care what you fuckasses are doing, you are ruining my moment."
Not even ten seconds, the man, who Juntae gauged was probably around his age, flapped his hands a twice, trickles of blood on his knuckles, as the whole gang dropped down to the ground, unresponsive. Juntae just stood there, completely frozen and terrified. "I-I-I-I-I'm s-s-sorry," he mutters, stuttering very badly, covering his face with both arms, terrible tremors apparent.
The mysterious guy exhaled deeply, as if in remorse. "Fuck my life, that was my last piece," he mumbled. He sighed once again as he realized he didn't have his wallet with him, no way of getting a new one. He side eyed a small figure in his proximity, still trembling in fear as if he would beat him up too. "Can you buy me a pack of cigarettes?"
"Huh?" Juntae responded in completely confusion. His shaking stopped as he realized the man probably had no intention of harming him.
The other guy eyed him up and down in the darkness, taking pity of how fragile he looked and that was some bold move going out this late in the nightㅡ2 am with no fighting ability whatsoever as he gauged. He sighed. "Never mind," he said, accepting his face that he most likely had to go back to his dorm to take his wallet for his longed package of cigarettes.
As he was about to leave, he scratched the top of his head, annoyed of himself as he stopped midway just because one small part of his heart whispered, 'You are leaving that tiny little helpless guy there? I thought you wanted to change for the better?'.
Again, and again, he exhaled, even deeper and longer now. "Yo, where do you live?"
"H-Huh?" again, that was all Juntae can muster.
One side of his lip rose as he chuckled. "You are not in anyway mute or something, right?" he retorted. "I asked where you live, silly."
Juntae started to lower his arms super slowly, making sure it was really safe. But as he saw the man let out a laughter with a light smile, he was sure it was indeed all secure. "G-Ganghak University dorm," he answered. "J-just a few blocks away from here..."
The savior of his night raised both of his eyebrows. "You are a student at Ganghak too?" he asked in surprise, not expecting it, because apparently this wasn't the closest convenience store closest to the dormㅡand yeah, Juntae didn't know that.
"U-uhm, yeah..."
The man jerked his chin toward the direction of the dorm. "Go ahead," he said. "I'll take you home, I need to get something too."
Juntae bowed, although still bedazzled at how the events turned. He walked past the unconscious bodies of brutes and excused himself in front of the fellow university student, whose name was Seongje as he asked later as their made their way home. It was quite interesting that he was even at the same block of the dorm, just one floor below him.
Just as they were about to part at the stairs, Seongje called Juntae as he made his way up the stairs. "Don't go out at this ungodly time again," he warned, to which Juntae gulped, "unless you ask me to go with you."
Juntae's eyes widened at the statement, internally unable to process the information. Seongje bad farewell and slowly disappeared into the dim lobby of the dorm, light flickering from low power.
And that moment on, somehow, they bumped with each other a little too often than they would expect. It was a funny combination though that both of their friend groups questioned how they got along just fine because there was literally no way. Long short story, friendship nurtured, and now, here they are, 3 months into the relationship, celebrated with an arcade date.
Except, it has been all a nice time until this damned claw machine and Seongje's hidden obsession to win at least one (1) doll for his cute boyfriend surfaces and now they have been here for 20 minutes gaining nothing. Juntae is currently all tangled up around Seongje's arms, hands grabbing and pulling, heads thrown back, teeth gritted, eyes closed, shoes helplessly kicking the ground in repetition with a glint of hope that maybe he can budge his super strong boyfriend even for just an inch. Well, just as miserable as how Seongje is failing the claw machine, Juntae suffers from the same fate trying to drag him away.
"What the fuck is wrong with this rigged machine?!" Seongje curses for the possibly 98th time as again, no dolls even remotely touch the winning hole.
"I-It's okay, Je! Please, don't be like this!" Juntae pleads, still trying to pull him away from the machine. Seongje may have disregarded all since the beginning, but it's inevitable for Juntae not to ignore the stares they are gettingㅡboth from hogging the machine and from the curses and violence. It might be about time one of the staffs go to them to maybe tell them to leave. "Let's just get something to eat! I-I'm hungry!"
The taller boy exhales in wrath, still filled with hatred towards the machine for not letting him gift his most treasured person in the world. "I just want to get you one," he says, taking a used lollipop stick from his mouth, a replacement for his usual cigar since it's a non-smoking area. "Gifting. Isn't that something a boyfriend should do, no?"
Juntae stops tugging on him. "U-Um... I mean, yeah, but you don't have to! Really!" he says. "You got me a lot already!"
Truth be told, Seongje is very well-versed in how Juntae is all excited at adorable plushies and he wants to witness that today too, and that is a must. Juntae is right, though, for this same specific reason too is why Seongje got him a lot of plushies already. "Fine," he finally says, eyes rolled back as he sighs, getting up to tend to his boyfriend's need for a meal.
As he passes by Juntae, the smaller boy stays still as he knows very well that Seongje is still pissed and all disappointed. "You're not coming?" Seongje's question brings him back from his deep thoughts as he flinches.
Juntae looks up with only his eyes, head slightly facing down, feeling a little guilty. "Um... You don't sound all good..." he answers. "I don't want to feel like I'm forcing you..."
The other sighs, but now not in anger anymore. He steps back closer to Juntae and gives him a few head pats, to which his boyfriend closed his eyes behind his nerdy glasses as the slender hand touches his hair. "You aren't forcing me," he says. Juntae still looks at the ground, and Seongje is aware of what he is feeling. "I just want to see you happy holding one of those plushies is all, baby."
"Huh?" Just like how they first met, Juntae responded in confusion. For one, he of course knows Seongje likes that sight, because why would he keeps getting him one almost every time they go out together, but hearing that directly from him feels a lot more affectionate it took him by surprise.
As silence commences, Seongje notices he might have just blurted something that aren't meant to be said out loud. He quickly spins on his heels. "Never mind, let's just go."
"W-Wait!" Juntae jumps forward a little to catch up with his boyfriend's long steps, grabbing his wrist. He gets a pair of raised eyebrows from the other. "W-Why didn't you tell me that from the beginning?" Seongje tilts his head, not sure where this is going. "Let's try again! Or at least, let me try too!"
"What?"
"I-Isn't that what boyfriends do? Giving each other happiness?" Slightly, just slightly, he stutters, scared that Seongje would find it very cringe.
Instead of a wordy response, Juntae received a slight chuckle in return. Not a sinister one with only a single edge of lip lifted, but both, a genuine smile of amusement. While it's rare even for Juntae to see Seongje in such expression, it's even more scarce of a chance for others to, heck, maybe never. That's a face and emotion only reserved for his boyfriend and only his boyfriend. "Fine, cutie," he answers, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. He then gestures for Juntae to take the seat, giving him a few remaining coins he still possesses.
Juntae can't lie that he is filled with thrill and fearㅡwell, he is just worried in the end he won't be able to retrieve any, nullifying his whole purpose of making each other happy. But judging from Seongje's earlier smile, maybe this is enough already. That being said, he immediately locks in, licking his dry lips a little before biting the lower one in focus, eyes latched on the last bunny his boyfriend failed to sag. Seongje would be a total liar if he were to say Juntae isn't that adorable concentrating. Usually when he gives him company cramming before exam, he is more adorned by anxiety rather than focus, occasionally almost dropping his head on the desk the later in the night it gets. Seongje, the nightowl he is, bears the task to wake him up if that happens because both of them doesn't want Juntae bombing his exam.
Then, the exact same events replay for both of them.
Joyful tunes humming in the background.
A button pressed and a crane descending.
But the difference is that Juntae's claw successfully grabbed the bunny he failed to fetch earlier.
The bulbs decorating along the perimeter of the machine light up alternatingly as if it's moving around, celebrating the victory Juntae just grabbed.
As Seongje's eyes widen and pupils dilate, staring at the machine, Juntae immediately turns his head and looks up at his petrified boyfriend, jaws dropped to the floor. Both of them are in absolute astonishment how Juntae just managed to succeed just in one try: Seongje in disbelief, Juntae in excitement.
"S-S-Seongje! I won! I won!" the smaller one shouts in excitement, leaving his seat to crouch down and take the prized plushie. "Wah, it's so cute and soft!" He hugs his new fluffy friend, rubbing his face and left cheek against the delicate furs.
If it isn't for the suppressed jealousy residing within him, Seongje would've smiled upon the sightㅡone he has been wishing to see the whole time he tried to win one. He clears his throat, trying to mask the inner bitterness he is fighting against internally, "Let me get you another one."
"Okay, okay! Fighting, Seongje!" he cheers, elation still brimming in him, with a wide smile.
Let's replay it one more time.
Happy melodies singing in the background.
Plastic-steel claw moving and descending as the button is pressed.
...
A yellow duck plushie fails to be picked up, claw looking as if too weak for the task.
Seongje fists curl just a few space away from the controller, nails digging deep into his own palms it'll surely leave marks. Veins of anger pop on his temples and neck as he suppresses his rage inside. He takes another silver coin Juntae left on the table and inserted one more, a familiar yet suffocating scene coming to play once again.
Melodious tone, meant to be happy but starts to sound grievous.
A feeble crane swinging along with Seongje's hand movements.
And it descends.
...
Click!
That's the sound of it clashing with its own nails instead of grabbing the duck.
"Oh, fuck this idiot machine!" he shouts, a little too loudly it startles Juntae. He spits out his chewed lollipop stick to the opposite side of his boyfriend in annoyance. But what perturbs Juntae more is the added slam at the control panel with his boyfriend's full power.
"S-S-S-Seongje! Come on, don't be like this a-again!" he reacts in panic, unconsciously wrapping the taller in a very tight hug from the side, eyes completely shut, limbs shaking in fear of the staffs ushering them out for jeopardy.
Seongje freezes still as he feels Juntae's embrace very close, arms around his slim waist, the plush held tight on the opposite side, cheek buried on his shoulder he can smell his fruity fragrant shampoo. It's as if the ringing annoying music stops in the background as he can feel the shivers from his terrified boyfriend. He closes his eyes, trying to regain his composure. Well, he might be violent, yes, but it's only reserved on beating up those who deserve itㅡin fact, he did change wherein high school he would fight and knock out people for fun. And for now, he is very well aware that the machine doesn't do anything to justify getting destroyed by his bare handsㅡor maybe kicks.
He pats and ruffles Juntae's soft baby hairs. "Okay," he says softly, "sorry."
Seongje isn't the type to say sorry, let's be honest here, but with Juntae that escapes his mouth always at appropriate time he knows he might upset his boyfriend beyond normal. "I just... I don't know, I wanna win too," he says, finally letting out his thoughts, still not disclosing that he is envious of Juntae snagging victory in just one try.
"But that doesn't give you the right to hit the machine!" Juntae scolds him, letting of the hug. He might be the only person to be able to reproach him at this point of time. Then it clicks in him: Seongje just doesn't want to see him all exhilarated with new plushies; he wants to win for himself too. For his pride. "What about we try again?" he offers jollily with a cheeky smile.
"No. I feel like this fuckass machine will crumble with one more punch."
Hands on his hips, eyebrows almost joined at the center, lips pouty, Juntae snaps. "I said no hitting!" He then swiftly steals a coin from the other side of the table, slipping it into the slot next to vertically aligned text that reads 'INSERT'. He then puts the plushy he is holding on the table, resting on the glass.
Seongje sighs. As much as he doesn't want to do this, the only thing he dislikes more is turning down his boyfriend's happy mood. So he lazily reaches out for the controllers again, right hand grabbing the navigation joy stick, the other getting ready on the grab button. What he didn't expect is that Juntae suddenly has his right hand on top of his, taking control of the navigation function.
He stares at Juntae who is focused at the claw inside the box. He seems to be saying something about how to move, blah blah blah, but he doesn't seem to be listening. Seongje knows his boyfriend is cuteㅡoh, heck, cute is an understatement, but looking from this angle, even that understatement becomes an understatement.
His soft, milky cheek. The fluttering eyelashes behind his glasses every time he blinks. His delicate hair strands covering his thin yet wide eyebrows.
"Grab it, Je!"
"O-Oh, yes?"
Juntae turns his head in shock as he heard Seongje's first stutter ever. He has always been someone with unfaltering confidence in all aspects. Caught off-guard is never in his dictionary. Thus he pauses, staring in astonishment at how foreign that sounds. Their eyes met and for a few seconds the world stills.
"P-Press the button!" Juntae finally says, breaking the silence.
Seongje immediately prompts as he is told, pressing down his fingers on the tiny green button. The claw cascades, fangs ready to bite the duck below. Instead of feebly grabbing the dolls like ever before, this time it grips very firmly, carrying it along on its pathway towards the goal, Seongje's widened eyes following its every movement.
It shouldn't feel enigmatic to him; he wins most of times in life already: countless fights, online games, Juntae's heartㅡthe list goes on. Is it because he kept losing earlier or is it because his repressed desire to gift his boyfriend something from the machine? He doesn't know, but it feels very satisfying even if he just sat there and let Juntae do all the work. He crouches down, taking the prize before bringing it next to Juntae's face.
"Looks perfectly like you," he says. Juntae's proud and happy smile turns into angry pout in a blink of eye, to which Seongje chuckles. "See? This is when you pout, that one is when you don't," he refers to the other plushy of a bunny sitting near the joystick. Seongje gets a light-hearted slap on his upper arm. Again, he laughs, his hand reaching for the other's hair, ruffling it. "You're cute."
The smaller gulps as his face starts to turn deep red. That was actually the first time Seongje addresses him as cute. He usually uses endearing or adorable. Blatantly using cute feels a lot different; it's more intimate, deeper, as if it's solely saying his face is cute. Seongje of course knows what he is doing. He indeed keeps the use of the word 'cute' very sacred, because, why, perhaps he thinks cute is leaning heavily towards appearance and he never compliments someone for their looks.
Shaking his head, Seongje stealthily takes another coin from near the bunny doll, inserting one more. After putting the duck next to the previous prize, he reaches out for his boyfriend's hand with his left hand, his right hand already securing its spot on the joystick. "Come on, let's get some more," he says, putting Juntae's palm on top of this on the joystick, exactly like before.
"H-Huh?"
He shrugs. "It's always that stupidly adorable 'huh'-s. We have a few coins left, better not let it waste."
Juntae blinks a few times rapidly, processing everything his boyfriend just utters, face still red. It was not until Seongje deliberately move the stick on its own that Juntae manages to snap out of his zoning out. He mutters a quiet sorry before guiding Seongje's hand, successfully grabbing another one, now a capybara, to triumph. Although confused as to how in the world Juntae keeps winning, Seongje keeps silent and let the master play, who jumps and shouts his name excitedly every time they win, as if it's a rare occurrence.
Soon, the machine almost runs out stock, and believe it or not, they end up getting ushered out by the staff otherwise they go bankrupt after trading pricy stuffed animals for mere arcade coins after anotherㅡcontrasting to their initial of possible property destruction. Juntae has a bastard amount of luck, they find out. That, or maybe Seongje exhausts all of his remaining luck for the year for getting Juntaeㅡno way someone as well-behaved as him would voluntarily date someone who is still in post-bully rehabilitation. As the perpetrator.
And so the date comes to and end as they make their way towards the parking lot, at which Seongje's car is parked; Juntae pushing a cart full of plushies, Seongje having his hands on the pockets of his windbreaker, occasionally patting and ruffling his boyfriend's hair.
The drive home would then be filled with them exchanging points of views of how the simple yet sweet arcade date went: how Seongje is still surprised Juntae can sing opera at the coin karaoke room, or how Seongje managed to kill the hardest difficulty in Pump It Up just after a few tries without breaking any sweat, and at last their memorable claw machine experience. It was yet another successful date both of them arranged as they slowly get closer to each other.
All is fun and games, until Juntae's stomach growls upon their arrival at the dorm.
"... I forgot I was hungry..."
Seongje mentally facepalms, also forgetting the fact that they were supposed to grab a meal first. "Wanna grab some ramyeon or something at my place?" he offers. "Dongha's out."
"R-R-Ramyeon?!" he sweats nervously, knowing a possible interpretation of the phrase.
With that, Seongje bursts out laughing.
"Uh... what is this?" his dormmate asks, eyes scanning the room full of stuffed animals.
"S-Sieun! I can explain..."