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Sangwon brings it up like this was a completely normal thing.
They’re sprawled on the couch of their shared apartment, legs tangled, Geonwoo half-focused on a video playing on his laptop while Sangwon scrolls on his phone beside him. It’s comfortable in the way best friends get when they’ve stopped pretending they don’t live in each other’s space.
“I just had a thought.” Sangwon says. “Are you sure you thought of something?” Geonwoo’s response is annoyingly witty, Sangwon retaliating by grabbing the pillow next to him and sacking Geonwoo square in the face.
“Okay, fuck you, I was going to say that I think I’m bad at kissing.” Sangwon admits each word slowly, like it’s embarrassing to even think about. Geonwoo blinks once, and looks over at him with an expression that mirrors Sangwon’s own. “You’ve kissed, like. Plenty of people. What’s the sudden shift of energy?”
“Yeah, but-” Sangwon frowns, thinking. “I don’t think I’m good at it. Like technically.” Geonwoo snorts at this. “There’s quite literally no technique Sangwon, you’re thinking too much.” He mutters, his hands hovering over his laptop, fully intending to get back to his work instead of entertaining Sangwon’s newest discovery.
“No but there is,” Sangwon insists. “You’re just saying that because you’re good at everything! It’s annoying.” Now, that gets Geonwoo’s attention. He turns fully toward him now, one eyebrow raised as he answers, “I’m not good at everything.”
Sangwon tilts his head, studying him, his expression far too serious for the current conversation. “…You’re definitely good at kissing.” Geonwoo’s ears go red instantly. “How would you know?” And to that Sangwon shrugs. “I just feel like you would be.”
Silence stretches. Something strange settles in Geonwoo’s chest and he speaks before he can fully process his own idea. “…Do you want help?” he asks carefully. Sangwon lights up at this. “Really?”
“Yeah,” Geonwoo says, trying to sound casual and failing a little. “I mean. I can teach you. If you want.” Sangwon beams like he’s just been handed the best gift of his life. “You’re a godsend. Truly. This is why you’re my best friend.” Sangwon’s stupid teethy grin flashes at Geonwoo and oh, he feels like he’s just been shot.
They sit there for a second too long, both suddenly aware of how close they are. Geonwoo clears his throat, trying to clear the air that suddenly felt fifty times tenser. “This is just practice.” He states. “Obviously. I know that.” Sangwon agrees immediately.
Their first kiss is… awkward. Not bad. Just soft and unsure, their noses bumping, and Sangwon smiling into it like he’s trying not to laugh. Geonwoo pulls back after a moment, heart racing a little faster than he wanted to admit.
“See?” Sangwon says. “I’m terrible at this shit.” “You’re not,” Geonwoo says, before he can stop himself. “You’re just overthinking it. You gotta be easy, stop thinking so much.”
“Can we try again?” Sangwon asks him almost too quick, voice so quiet Geonwoo would’ve missed it had he not been so zeroed in on every single thing related to Sangwon. Geonwoo hesitates for exactly half a second. “Yeah.”
The second kiss is better. Slower. Sangwon leans in more confidently this time, hands curling into Geonwoo’s hoodie like it’s instinct, Geonwoo’s hands finding Sangwon’s waist in return. When they pull apart, Sangwon looks dazed. “Oh,” he says softly. “Oh, okay. I get it now.”
Geonwoo swallows. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Sangwon grins. “Thanks, teacher.”
(1.)
The next morning, Sangwon blearily rubs his eyes, and suddenly twists his head towards Geonwoo’s sleeping frame. He makes his moves quickly, pressing a soft kiss to Geonwoo’s forehead before he’s even fully awake.
Geonwoo barely has time to open his eyes before there’s a second warm press of lips, this time against his mouth, quick and sweet. Sangwon pulls back immediately. “Practice.” he says, his voice slew laced and soft, then disappears into the bathroom.
Geonwoo stares at the ceiling, stunned. “Good morning to me, I guess.”
Over breakfast, Sangwon does it again. He leans across the table, pecks Geonwoo’s lips, then sits back into his chair like nothing happened. “Still practicing,” he explains as he’s housing another bite of toast. “You’re going to be a professional by noon, fucking Christ.” Geonwoo mutters, trying very hard not to smile.
(2.)
Geonwoo has learned exactly two things in the last twenty minutes.
One: he cannot focus on his laptop.
Two: Sangwon knows this.
Geonwoo’s still sitting at the table, knees tucked under it, laptop balanced just right. He’s supposed to be answering emails. Important ones. Adult ones. He types out a sentence, pauses, deletes it, tries again.
He feels Sangwon’s before he sees him. A presence at his side. Warm and close. Actually, too close for someone who insists this is just practice. “What are you doing?” Geonwoo asks without looking up from his screen. Sangwon hums thoughtfully, as if he’s actually pondering a bullshit excuse. “Observing.” he states matter-of-factly.
“Observing what, exactly?” Geonwoo’s genuine confusion bubbles in his voice because truly, what could be so interesting about him typing away at a laptop? “How you concentrate. You look tense. Like you’re gonna explode in five seconds, to be honest.” Sangwon replies, opting to settle into the chair next to Geonwoo’s as opposed to the one across he sat in moments ago.
Geonwoo finally glances over at him. Sangwon’s leaning against the desk, chin propped on his hand, watching him with a soft, curious expression that feels wildly unfair. “Also, you really are not concentrating.” Sangwon adds. “I was,” Geonwoo retorts. “Before you started looming like my shadow.”
Sangwon smiles like he’s just been given a challenge. “Sorry. I’ll be quiet and calm, Mr. teacher.”
He is quiet for exactly ten seconds.
Then Geonwoo feels it. A quick, gentle press of lips against the side of his mouth. It was barely there, gone before he could get out a proper reaction. Geonwoo jerks in his chair, his hand flying up to brush against his lips as if he was checking to see if that really just happened. “Sangwon.”
“Practice.” Sangwon says before Geonwoo could question. “You can’t just-” Geonwoo gestures helplessly, his hands dramatically pointing at his laptop as he sighed. “I’m working.” And instead, Sangwon is practically relentless. In place of a proper response, an apology even, a kiss to the top of his cheekbone while Geonwoo’s still staring at him dazed. Another to his cheek when he finally looks back at his screen. Geonwoo shuts his laptop slowly, his face deadpanning back at Sangwon’s beaming grin.
Sangwon tilts his head, tongue poking out to lick his lip. “I thought repetition helps learning.” He sounded serious. “That doesn’t mean kissing me when I’m working-” Before Geonwoo could finish his sentence, Sangwon leans in again, this time brushing a kiss against Geonwoo’s lips, lingering just long enough to feel intentional.
Geonwoo closes his eyes and holds that expression for what feels like hours. “You’re doing this on purpose.” Sangwon grins back. “Maybe.” Geonwoo turns his chair toward him fully now, his body leaning into his on instinct. “You’re impossible.” And to that Sangwon’s smile grows impossibly wider. “You’re my favorite teacher.”
The kiss that follows is slow and sweet, unhurried, Sangwon’s hands resting lightly on Geonwoo’s shoulders like he’s afraid to overstep as if this whole situation wasn’t ludicrous from the start. When they pull apart, Sangwon looks pleased whereas Geonwoo looks wrecked.
“I’m not getting any work done today,” Geonwoo mutters.
Sangwon kisses his nose. “You’re welcome.”
(3.)
Sangwon suddenly decides he wants coffee after his relentless attack on Geonwoo. He doesn’t say anything, just slips on his shoes, grabs his hoodie, and slithers out of his seat, the comfortable silence of Geonwoo having fallen back into their work getting a little too boring for him.
The air outside is cool, the sun’s light soft, the kind of day that makes everything feel gentler. Sangwon walks with his hands in his sweatpants pockets, replaying the way Geonwoo smiled at him earlier, the way his ears turned red when Sangwon kept kissing him for “practice.”
He stops at the café on the corner and orders two drinks without thinking much of it, Geonwoo’s usual and his own. When the barista hands them over, Sangwon feels something warm bloom in his chest at how natural it feels. How natural it feels to do things that made it feel real.
He gets back to the apartment and nudges the door open with his shoulder. “I come bearing gifts!” he announces, door shutting with a thud as he kicked off his shoes and he made way into their shared space.
Geonwoo looks up from the table, having been unmoved since Sangwon went out. “You left. I didn't notice until like, five seconds ago. Jesus, I had a heart attack, I thought you disappeared.” Geonwoo clutches his chest like the thought of Sangwon disappearing could’ve killed him.
“Briefly.” Sangwon holds up the cups. “But I returned. And with coffee, so, yay?” Geonwoo smiles, soft and fond, and Sangwon feels like he’s winning. Not sure what he’s winning, but it sure is something. He hands him the coffee, then leans down and presses a quick kiss to Geonwoo’s lips.
“For energy, and as a thank you for being the best teacher ever.” Sangwon says. Geonwoo laughs, his smile reaching his eyes as he sets the coffee down next to him. “You’re spoiling me.” Sangwon shrugs, settling beside him once more. “I like taking care of you.”
They sip in comfortable silence for a bit. Sangwon watches Geonwoo over the rim of his own cup, memorizing the way his features soften when he’s relaxed. God, Sangwon realizes he’s absolutely fucked. “This is still practice.” he says suddenly. Geonwoo raises an eyebrow now, tilting his head just so. “Is it?” Sangwon leans in and kisses him again, slow and soft. “Very important practice.”
Geonwoo hums into the kiss. “You’re dedicated.”
(4.)
Sangwon suddenly decides to set a new rule.
This is important, apparently.
They’re in the living room again, afternoon light spilling across the floor, Geonwoo half-reclined on the couch with his phone while Sangwon paces in front of him like he’s about to give a presentation.
“Okay,” Sangwon says, hands on his hips as he finally stood still. “I think I’ve figured out why I still feel unsure.” Geonwoo looks up at him. “About… kissing?” “Yes,” Sangwon says seriously. “I need consistency.” Now Geonwoo squints, suspicion giving way through his expression as he repeats. “Consistency.”
“Like practice sessions,” Sangwon continues. “Scheduled and intentional. You can’t just learn something if you do it randomly, y’know? Pick a time and just… dedicate myself to it for that period.” Geonwoo laughs out loud now, his hands coming up to his face and making a poor attempt at collecting himself when he sees how serious Sangwon actually is. “You’re making this worse for yourself.”
“No, I’m making it efficient,” Sangwon corrects him bluntly. “So. I’m going to practice right now.” Before Geonwoo can respond, Sangwon steps between his knees and leans down, pressing a kiss to Geonwoo’s lips, his tongue swiping against the seam. It’s soft but confident, like he’s already learned more than he’s admitting. But Geonwoo’s breath catches anyway.
Sangwon pulls back immediately. “How was that?” “…Good,” Geonwoo says honestly. Holy shit, he swore Sangwon was not this confident five kisses ago. Sangwon nods. “Okay, see? Improvement.” Geonwoo reaches out, fingers brushing Sangwon’s wrist. “You’re already good at this. Almost too good. You have to be bullshitting now.” Sangwon shakes his head, adamant that there is still work to be done. “Nope. Still learning.” He leans in again, this time lingering just a second longer. When he pulls back, he’s smiling like he’s proud of himself.
“That one was better.” he says softly, his hand coming up to wipe Geonwoo’s lips. Geonwoo exhales, his own hands coming up to ruffle Sangwon’s hair. “You’re killing me.” Sangwon blinks slowly. “With my bad kissing?” “With your very good kissing, actually.” Geonwoo corrects. Sangwon pauses, processing this, then nods like that makes sense. “That’s probably because I have a good teacher.”
Geonwoo laughs, helpless. “You’re ridiculous.” Sangwon climbs onto the couch now, straddling Geonwoo’s lap without even realizing what he’s doing. He props his hands on Geonwoo’s shoulders, thoughtful again. “Okay,” he says. “So now one more. For retention.”
Geonwoo barely has time to nod before Sangwon kisses him again. It’s slow, deep, and unhurried. This one feels different. Less like practice. More like something he’s been wanting to do all day. When Sangwon finally pulls back, he’s flushed from the tips of his ears down to his neck, his eyes bright.
“…Did I do that right?” he mumbles, suddenly unable to look Geonwoo in his eyes. Geonwoo swallows. “Yeah. I think so.” Sangwon grins, relieved. He leans his forehead against Geonwoo’s. “Good. I was worried I was overdoing it.” Geonwoo lets out a soft laugh and wraps his arms loosely around Sangwon’s waist, more for balance than anything. “You’re definitely overdoing it now, genius.”
“But it’s helping,” Sangwon insists, shifting closer. “I feel more confident.” Geonwoo murmurs, “Oh, I bet that’s not the only thing you’re feeling.” Sangwon chooses to ignore that completely and kisses him again.
And again.
And again.
Each one is accompanied by a whispered justification. “Practice.” “Just checking.” “Repetition.” “This one’s for muscle memory.” By the time Sangwon finally lets up on his constant kissing, slumping forward and resting his head against Geonwoo’s chest, his smile is weak and his eyes are heavy, like he’s exhausted himself.
“Wow,” he sighs. “Learning is hard.” Geonwoo’s hand comes up automatically, fingers combing gently through Sangwon’s hair. “Yeah? You’re doing great though.” Sangwon hums, eyes already drifting closed. “Good. Because I want to pass.” Geonwoo smiles down at him, fond and completely undone. “You already have.”
(5.)
Geonwoo didn’t mean to fall asleep with him. Really. They’re just lying down for a minute. Just resting. Sangwon’s head is on Geonwoo’s chest, Geonwoo’s arm draped around his waist, the room warm and quiet. Sangwon traces idle shapes into Geonwoo’s hoodie, his small hands bored of resti idly. “You’re comfy.”
“Mm,” Geonwoo agrees. Sangwon shifts the slightest bit, pressing a soft kiss to Geonwoo’s collarbone. “Practice.” Geonwoo laughs quietly. “You’re supposed to be asleep by now, don’t you think?.” “Not yet,” Sangwon mumbles, kissing him again. “Still learning.”
The next thing Geonwoo knows, Sangwon’s breathing has evened out. He’s completely asleep, mouth slightly open, hand still fisted in Geonwoo’s hoodie like he’s afraid of losing him. And so Geonwoo doesn’t move. He just looks down at Sangwon, his chest aching in the gentlest way. He presses a careful kiss to Sangwon’s hair and whispers, “I love you so much.” even though Sangwon can’t hear it yet.
(+1)
“This feels like, so far from excessive now.” Geonwoo mutters against Sangwon’s forehead as he woke up. Sangwon hums, then kisses him again. “Repetition helps learning, though. I’ve said this already!” he insists, giggling. “You’re abusing the system.”Geonwoo’s reply is instant. Sangwon laughs, bright and fond, and Geonwoo feels doomed in the most in-love way possible.
That night, they’re lying in bed, lights off, shoulder to shoulder. It’s comforting. Familiar. Sangwon shifts impossibly closer to Geonwoo’s figure on his bed, suddenly looking up at him with doe eyes.
“Geonwoo?”
“Yeah?”
“…Can we practice one more time?”
Geonwoo turns toward him. In the dark, Sangwon’s eyes are shining.“Sure. Whatever you want.” he says softly. And with that, Sangwon moves in and presses his lips against his. The kiss is hotter now. Less playful. Sangwon doesn’t pull away right away this time, opting to tilt his head to the side and hike one of his hands up to his side, kissing Geonwoo with more fervor. When they finally part, Sangwon stays close, forehead resting against Geonwoo’s.
“I think,” Sangwon says quietly, “that I don’t actually need more practice. Didn’t in the first place, really.” Geonwoo’s breathing stutters. “Oh?” Sangwon’s voice trembles just a little as he continued. “I just wanted an excuse.” Sangwon sits upright, hoping it comes across as finding more confidence in his words even though his voice wobbles. “I keep finding excuses. Albeit really shitty ones. Like kissing practice- who was I fooling? But every time I kiss you, it doesn’t feel like practice. It feels like… home.”
Geonwoo swears Sangwon can see hearts forming in his eyes right now. Sangwon laughs quietly, suddenly a little too embarrassed. “That sounds stupid, doesn’t it?” “No,” Geonwoo says immediately. “It doesn’t. Not in the slightest, really.”
Sangwon swallows. His fingers curl into Geonwoo’s hoodie like they might disappear otherwise. “I think I was just scared to say it out loud. Because once I do, I can’t pretend anymore.” Geonwoo leans in closer, fixing the distance Sangwon put between them, their foreheads nearly touching once more. “You don’t have to pretend.”
Sangwon’s breath catches. “I know. I just wanted to be brave enough first.” There’s a long, almost tender pause, one where neither of them rushes, where everything important hangs delicately in the air. “I love you.” Sangwon says at last. Simple. Honest. Like he’s been carrying it around forever and finally set it down.
And God, Geonwoo feels it everywhere. In his ribs. In his hands. In the way his voice comes out warm and sure when he answers, “I’ve loved you for a long time.” Sangwon’s eyes widen just a little. “You have?”
Geonwoo nods, brushing his thumb gently along Sangwon’s jaw. “Yeah. I just didn’t want to ruin what we had. Turns out I was already ruined.” Sangwon laughs softly, blinking fast. “You’re such an idiot.” “Yeah,” Geonwoo agrees fondly. “But I’m your idiot.”
Geonwoo leans in first this time. The kiss is slow, deliberate, like he wants to remember every second of it. It’s unhurried, all warmth and relief and quiet happiness. Sangwon sighs into it, melting closer, like this is what he’s been searching for all day.
When they finally pull back, Sangwon rests his forehead against Geonwoo’s.
“So,” he murmurs. “This one’s not practice. Not in the slightest” Geonwoo smiles, brushing another kiss to his lips. “Nope.” “Good,” Sangwon says softly. “Because I want to keep doing it. Forever and ever until your lips are all red and sore.”
Geonwoo’s arm tightens around him, pulling him close, steady and safe. “You can. As much as you want. I wouldn’t stop it for the world.” Sangwon hums contently, like that answer just saved his life, and tucks himself into Geonwoo’s chest, like it’s the most natural place in the world.
They fall asleep that way, no longer as best friends pretending, not as teacher and student, but as two people who finally stopped making excuses to love each other.
Sangwon wakes up warm.
That’s the first thing he notices. Not the light creeping in through the curtains, not the quiet buzz of the radiator, but the steady heat wrapped around him. An arm around his waist. A chest at his back. A familiar heartbeat that feels… different now. Safer. He blinks a few times, then freezes.
Oh.
Oh.
He’s spooned against Geonwoo.
The realization makes his stomach flip in the sappiest way humanly possible. Sangwon stays perfectly still, listening to Geonwoo’s breathing behind him, slow and soft. His arm is draped over Sangwon like it’s always belonged there, hand resting warm and secure at his stomach. Sangwon smiles into the pillow like a highschool girl who’s just interacted with her crush.
He shifts just a little, just enough to test it. Geonwoo makes a soft sound behind him, half-asleep, and tightens his hold instinctively, pulling Sangwon closer without waking up. Sangwon’s heart melts even further than it already had. Now careful not to move too much, Sangwon twists his head just enough to press a tiny kiss to Geonwoo’s forearm. But nothing happens.
Now suddenly encouraged, Sangwon turns over more, slow and deliberate, until he’s facing Geonwoo. He studies him like it’s the first time he’s ever seen him. Dark lashes, relaxed mouth, red hair messy against the pillow. He reaches out and gently tucks a stray strand away from Geonwoo’s face.
At this, Geonwoo stirs. “Mmh,” he murmurs, eyes still closed. “Morning?” Sangwon‘s face breaks int the widest grin. “Morning.” Geonwoo blinks his eyes open, unfocused at first. Then they land on Sangwon’s face. For maybe half a second, he looks confused. Then his expression softens into something warm and stunned and so fond it makes Sangwon’s chest bloom with adoration.
“Oh,” Geonwoo breathes. “You’re real. Hello.” Sangwon laughs quietly. “Very real.” Geonwoo’s hand slides up Sangwon’s back, slow and careful, like he’s checking if this is allowed. Sangwon leans into the touch immediately, resting his forehead against Geonwoo’s. Sangwon moves his head up just so, looking Geonwoo in his eyes. “You’re cute.” Geonwoo snorts at this. “You’re biased.”
Sangwon shrugs and instead leans in, pressing a soft kiss to Geonwoo’s lips. It’s gentle, lingering, full of sleep and warmth and something steady underneath. When they pull apart, Geonwoo pecks him again, just as soft, just as sure.
They stay like that for a while, trading lazy kisses, foreheads touching, smiling for no reason other than the fact that they can. At some point, Sangwon tucks himself closer, and Geonwoo kisses the top of his head like it’s instinct.
“I like this,” Sangwon says sleepily. “Me too,” Geonwoo replies, pressing another chaste kiss to his temple. “A lot.” Sangwon’s eyes flutter closed again, perfectly content. This time, when he falls back asleep, he does it knowing exactly where he belongs.