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The restaurant was a sea of bluish-pink shades, capped off by a bright pink ceiling. Hanging right in the center was a cute circular chandelier shaped suspiciously like Mickey Mouse ears. Below it sat rows of blue tables and chairs —matching exactly how lonely Beomgyu felt right now.
The black-haired boy with the mullet pouted deeply. He had been waiting at the table for twenty minutes, and the girl he was supposed to meet at noon was nowhere to be found.
"Come on, pick up," Beomgyu muttered to himself, his anxiety spiking as he dialed her number again. No answer, he couldn't tell if she was suddenly busy or just flat-out ignoring him.
"Unbelievable," He huffed, rubbing his thumb over his phone screen. "How dare you make me wait this long without a single text? Guess I have to find another date." Tapping his fingers anxiously on the table, he scrolled through his contacts and hit the dial on a new name, praying for a rescue.
“Yoo, Gyu? What’s up?” The line connected.
"Oh, Tae? Can you come over here?" Beomgyu blurted out.
“Huh? Don’t you have a date today?”
"Actually... she’s a no-show."
“Oh? Then what do you want to do after?”
"No clue yet. Just come over here first, please?"
“Alright, I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
The call ended. Beomgyu found himself waiting again, but the dread was gone. This time, he was waiting for Taehyun —his bandmate, roommate, and the first person he saw every single morning at the dorm.
Taehyun was the person he shared everything with, especially when he was in a bad mood. He was the only one who could instantly erase Beomgyu's worries and put a genuine smile on his face. Looking down at his phone gallery, Beomgyu clicked on a selfie they had taken together last week, immediately giggling like a schoolgirl.
But as he kept scrolling, his eyes landed on a photo he had secretly taken a few days ago at the gym. In it, Taehyun was working out, looking incredibly fit and handsome.
Beomgyu bit his lower lip, his cheeks instantly flushing red. Every time he looked at Taehyun's defined arms and broad shoulders, his imagination drifted. It felt like a guilty pleasure. In fact, deep down, Beomgyu knew the only reason he had even set up a date with a girl today was to deny his own feelings.
He wanted so badly to prove to himself that he was just a regular straight guy. But looking at the pictures of Taehyun, his heart told a completely different story.
“Yoo, Gyu.”
A sudden voice shattered his daydream. Beomgyu’s eyes widened as the very boy from his phone screen materialized right in front of him. Reality hit him like a lightning bolt. Could Taehyun ever possibly feel the same way about him?
“Umm…” Beomgyu swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. “Tae?”
“Yeah? What’s wrong?” Taehyun asked, sliding into the chair across from him. His brow furrowed with immediate concern. “You look pale, like you've seen a ghost.”
“Uh, nothing!” Beomgyu squeaked. Internally, he was screaming. He wished the pink floor would open up and swallow him whole so he wouldn't have to face his own embarrassing blush.
“Are you hungry? Let's order,” Taehyun said gently. “I’m sorry if I made you wait.”
“Yeah, let’s just eat! I know you’re hungry too.” Beomgyu changed the topic at lightning speed, desperate to hide his flustered state.
Taehyun smiled and flagged down the waitress with effortless, gentlemanly confidence. Beomgyu rested his chin on his hand, biting his lip again as he watched Taehyun politely place their order. He couldn't help but admire the broad set of his shoulders from across the table before he turned back to face him.
“So, what happened? With your date, I mean.”
Beomgyu dropped his hand, unconsciously leaning in, seeking a little comfort. “Umm… yeah. She totally ghosted me. I called her so many times and she didn't even bother to pick up.”
He pouted, his bottom lip sticking out so dramatically that Taehyun couldn't help but chuckle. Secretly, a wave of relief washed over Taehyun. In fact, he felt a little bit thrilled that the date had failed.
“Well, just forget about her,” Taehyun said softly, his eyes locked onto Beomgyu's beautiful face. “Maybe... it's just time to start a new date with someone else.” Taehyun’s heart did a nervous flutter, suddenly unsure if he was being too bold with his own feelings.
“Excuse me, here is your lunch,” The waitress interrupted, placing their plates on the table.
They both thanked her politely, and as she bowed and walked away, the cozy, intimate bubble between them settled right back into place.
Beomgyu cleared his throat, trying to sound casual. “So… what’s next?”
“What do you mean?” Taehyun asked, picking up his chopsticks.
“I mean… Do you think we just end things after lunch?” Beomgyu paused, suddenly worried he sounded too eager. The air between them grew thick with a sweet, awkward tension. “I mean! Don’t you still want to hang out with me today?”
Taehyun’s eyes lit up, a sudden burst of excitement rushing through him. “Oh, that? Yeah, definitely. Why not?”
Beomgyu beamed, his heart doing a joyful flip. “Well, it’s settled then.”
***
I scream
You scream
We all scream
For ice cream yeah
Melt away
Like a dream
Unhappy
Like ice cream yeah
Beomgyu and Taehyun belted out the chorus together, their voices echoing in the private karaoke room. After finishing lunch, they had taken a long, comfortable stroll through the city, eventually wandering into a coin karaoke venue. Time had flown by so fast that evening had already arrived, but they were enjoying themselves so much it felt like they were the only two people left in the world.
My bad wish
I'm going to pray,'Go to small evil'
Secretly secretly with your heart
I wish you misfortune yeah
Beomgyu took the second verse, singing his heart out as if he owned the track. In reality, he felt like the lyrics perfectly described his deepest secret feelings for Taehyun. A tiny, mischievous thought crossed his mind —he almost wished a bit of bad luck on Taehyun, just in case Taehyun didn't end up falling for him back.
Something weird (weird)
Did the wish come true (Is it?)
All locked up in their own rooms
This night I became alone (midnight)
Taehyun stepped in for the bridge, his eyes locked onto Beomgyu. He sang with an intensity that made it seem like his only wish in the world was to be locked in a room alone with Beomgyu right now —just like a couple on a real proper date.
No, no, please (please)
Can't I make a wish (Any)
In the end, the most unfortunate thing is like me again
You know what I'm saying, yeah
Taking his turn on the next lines, Beomgyu got so deep into the melody that his throat tightened. It felt all too real. He felt truly unfortunate, standing right next to his best friend and having absolutely no idea how to win his heart.
Bitter
Life goes on
Sweeter
Like ice cream yeah
Taehyun brought the song to a flawless finish. But as the music faded, a wave of bittersweet tension filled the room. Taehyun swallowed hard, his eyes dropping to Beomgyu's lips, wondering if he would ever get to taste something sweeter than the drinks on their table.
"Yoo, want some?" Beomgyu finished the last of his sweet green tea and held the empty cup out with a grin, snapping Taehyun right out of his trance.
"Oh? Thanks, but I have my own tea," Taehyun stammered, coughing slightly to regain his composure.
"Oh, really? I thought you wanted some since you've been staring at my mouth the entire time I was drinking," Beomgyu teased, flashing a playful smirk.
Taehyun choked on his own sip of tea. "What the heck?" He sputtered, his cheeks burning.
"Hey, what’s your deal today anyway?" Beomgyu laughed.
Taehyun rolled his eyes, trying to play it cool. "Aren't you the one with a deal here? Remember, you're the one who dragged me out here in the first place."
Beomgyu gasped, totally at a loss for words. "You—!"
"Here, take a chill pill." Taehyun smiled, sliding a beautiful wine glass filled with strawberry ice cream toward him —the treat they had ordered before their singing session.
"Tch, fine," Beomgyu grumbled, immediately slipping into his signature pout as he scooped up a bite of ice cream. Taehyun couldn't help but giggle at how adorable he looked. But a second later, his laughter stopped. A tiny dab of pink ice cream had caught on the corner of Beomgyu’s lower lip.
"Hold on..." Taehyun leaned across the small table. Reaching out gently, he wiped the stray ice cream away with his thumb. Then, without breaking eye contact, Taehyun casually licked his thumb clean. Beomgyu completely froze. His heart did a violent backflip at how effortlessly smooth and handsome Taehyun looked in that exact split second. "Why... Why did you do that? Did you do that on purpose?"
"I—" Beomgyu tried to play it off by stuffing another giant spoonful of ice cream into his mouth. "Shut up, Tae..."
"Then tell me. Why did you really ask me to come out today?" Taehyun leaned in closer, gently cupping Beomgyu’s cheek to keep him from looking away.
Startled by the sudden intimacy, Beomgyu dropped his spoon with a loud clatter. "Taehyun, stop! I’m not saying another word. If you don’t actually have feelings for me, then—"
"No, I’m not stopping until you tell me what’s going on in that head of yours." Without warning, Taehyun reached down and grabbed Beomgyu’s hand. "Don't we always share everything with each other?" He insisted, his grip tightening in his eagerness to hear the truth.
"Ahh, stop! Let go, that hurts..." Beomgyu gasped softly, his voice trembling in a way that sent a sudden shiver straight down Taehyun's spine.
Realizing he was being too intense, Taehyun immediately loosened his grip, a wave of guilt washing over him. But instead of letting go entirely, he softened his touch and laced his fingers securely through Beomgyu's. When Beomgyu didn't pull away —and instead squeezed his hand right back —Taehyun felt his defenses completely crumble. A beautiful realization began to dawn on him.
"I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to squeeze so hard," Taehyun murmured, his voice dropping to a gentle register as Beomgyu’s face flushed a brilliant shade of crimson. "But... tell me honestly. Do you think I’ll make good boyfriend material?"
"Why... Why are you asking me that?" Beomgyu panicked, his breath catching as Taehyun leaned even closer across the booth.
"Hyung, do you really not see what's happening here?" Taehyun lifted their intertwined hands, bringing Beomgyu’s knuckles right up to his own face as a clear sign of his confession. But Beomgyu just stared, completely wide-eyed and overwhelmed by the butterflies in his stomach.
"I don't want to just assume things," Beomgyu whispered, his heart hammering against his ribs. "So you need to tell me straight to the point."
"Choi Beomgyu..." Taehyun breathed. Slowly, deliberately, he pressed a soft lingering kiss right against the palm of Beomgyu's hand. The gesture felt so incredibly tender it made them both feel like they were floating. "I want you." Gently pulling Beomgyu’s wrist forward, Taehyun guided the older boy's hand up to rest around his own neck. "Can't you see that?"
Taehyun’s voice was barely a whisper. His sharp, dark eyes glittering with a galaxy of stars as they pierced straight into Beomgyu’s soul.
Completely spellbound by how close they were, Beomgyu looked at Taehyun's lips and realized this was his shot. He swallowed hard, gathering every ounce of courage he had left. "Kang Taehyun..." He managed to strengthen his voice, leaning in the final inch. "Be mine?"
Before Taehyun could even answer, Beomgyu closed the distance, pressing a sweet, breathless peck right against Taehyun’s lips.
A sudden burst of pure, electric joy rushed through Taehyun —a feeling warmer and brighter than anything he had ever experienced before. "I would never want to say no to that." Taehyun murmured against his skin.
Reaching up, Taehyun brought his hand to the back of Beomgyu’s neck, gently deepening the kiss. Their lips met fully this time, melting together in a sweet lingering promise that erased all the doubts and awkward pining of the afternoon.
From that moment on, they knew they didn't have to look for dates ever again. Together, they were the absolute perfect boyfriend material.
THE END