Work Text:
“Our campus is holding a festival?” His fingers flipped through his book mindlessly when his friend, Youngjae, took the time to even tell him that when the professor was way too close on throwing a fit during the lecture earlier that morning.
Youngjae nodded, although his attention too focused on his thesis statement for his essay that was apparently due the next week, to Dohoon deemed, was useless. He had contemplated a few times before reaching a conclusion—It was impossible to focus when everything he all he could do was fantasize about how he and Junghwan would have a cute little festival date on that day and—wait. Let's start from the top to when he told Choi Youngjae about his crush on Junghwan.
“Shin Junghwan—you mean Shinyu hyung?” He raised an eyebrow of confusion. Dohoon knew Junghwan since they were in middle school, he was the quiet yet popular guy who had eyes all over him everywhere and he was also in the same friend group as him too thanks to his other friend, Jihoon. “You like him?”
Dohoon hummed at his best friend’s question. A grumble left the other's throat in response. “Hey I am just saying you know. I never saw you guys talk before.”
He started being defensive, “Yah! obviously I had once or twice..in high school.” Youngjae rolled his eyes in response, clicking his tongue. "One on one conversation," He stared blankly at the brunette. "No? I knew it."
Kim Dohoon was basically known as the golden boy ever since birth. Every path he stepped on, people adored him, showering him with gifts or presents out of nowhere. Whatever obstacle life throws at him, always works out. Grades? No worries! He can ace his finals with a 99.9% mark with no issue.
He didn’t have to worry about money either. Perhaps having parents whose life involves the entertainment industry and business life made it easier for him. Inheriting the business would’ve been a piece of cake when your whole life basically involves around it considering the fact that he’s also been attending extra business curriculum during high school till now.
Same goes for the entertainment industry, his mother was a well known model internationally, her face plastered on walls of all sides in Korea. If Dohoon were to pick the same career as his mom, it would be a piece of cake when he's literally described as a “Greek god” with the words hanging him high—that is what girls would often describe him in one way or another of course.
Whatever the case is, Dohoon would definitely agree if someone says that he’s god’s gifted child. Although it may be true, bad encounters are inevitable throughout life either way.
Picture this—you are walking home when suddenly a girl jumps out of nowhere and calls out your name before confessing their dying love for you. Problem is? You don’t even know who they are.
Then they suddenly hit you with the “I have known you since forever.” with a full on paid cinematic cutscene where they stand in front of you awkwardly with a flustered expression. Your typical confession scene that clearly screams 'k-drama' with just a glance.
Unfortunately that encounter happened to Dohoon when he turned exactly 18. Apparently after observating about who that person was, he was then hit with the thought—oh. They're twice my age. Turns out the person who confessed to him was a neighbour ajumma, what a great ending for Kim Dohoon's high school days cause he ended up moving away from that neighbourhood afterwards.
Dohoon sighed with his hands stretching up high. "Youngjae-ah, I wanna ask him out." He asked, still deep in thought. Youngjae choked. Giving a raised eyebrow in return with a "Deadass?" expression. He nodded ominously and slow which was kind of weird.
"About Shinyu hyung?" He repeated himself, It was painfully obvious from the sight Dohoon's face. Rustling though his things, Youngjae took out a note as he handed it to Dohoon. "You better thank me for helping you out."
He lifted it up high and pinned it on his desk. Junghwan's phone number.
Dohoon instantly felt the need to hug Youngjae tight, squeezing him hard and thank him a million times over for such a huge favor. But if he did then the other would've took it back and ignore him all day—so obviously texting Junghwan was his first course of action. There's a reason why he abandoned his pride to begin with! He definitely has pride in him but whatever.
Dohoon doesn't know how to start conversations.
Texting random people everyday effortlessly with ease even if he wasn't close to them, easy! Junghwan in the other hand? No! He couldn't even decipher a singular working sentence, staring at his screen unreadable. Dohoon wasn't gonna back down easily though, it was his chance.
That's how Dohoon finds himself typing a whole ass pick up line for his first message to Junghwan after going through the web using the keywords, "Easiest way to bag a attractive guy." or, "How to convince your hot crush to go on a date with you". Hands down one of the most cringiest thing he had ever searched. According to Youngjae.
Dohoon
I don't do photography, but I can picture you and me together.
He hadn't realize it when Youngjae was behind him, snorting at the cringe first time message and letting out a small laugh. "You're so shameless." Dohoon rolled his eyes in defense, "It's called starting a conversation!" even though Youngjae was absolutely right. There's other approaches and he chose the boldest and stupidest one.
Dohoon blinked when his screen lit up, a message appeared.
Junghwan
Oh?
Junghwan's life has always been the same. Same faces, same friends, same admirers throughout his life. His grades were good so he obviously didn't struggle, everything was too picture perfect. That's why it's boring.
That was until he met Jihoon, a knack for making him annoyed most of the time but they were close friends, gradually he became friends with the rest. At first it was awkward, Youngjae didn't talk a lot, often staying quiet. Hanjin was shy and timid but he was really nice to everybody. Kyungmin? Absolutely adore from the bones since he was the youngest out of the whole group. And lastly Kim Dohoon, the second oldest of the group and when he think about it—he never really had a proper conversation with him outside of social cues.
Sure, they exchanged a few "hellos", "goodbyes" but then nothing literally happens. Dohoon speaks to everyone normally, but whenever Junghwan speaks to him he gets all quiet and shy. Although he does find it cute and endearing whenever the younger struggles to form lines when they talk, it still makes him feel a bit dejected sometimes.
So when he saw a random phone number dropping a pick up line out of nowhere amused him. Usually if someone got a hold of his number, they would text him shyly—often starting off with a simple "hi" or just straight up confess their feelings, that always get rejected right after.
It didn't take long for the other replier to respond back.
???
Oh hi!
I didn't expect for you to respond.
Junghwan
You texted me.. wouldn't it be rude to ignore
when someone tries to flirt with you?
???
Fair point.
Anyway
It's me Dohoon, Shinyu hyung!
Junghwan
Dohoon? How did you get my number
Dohoon
Youngjae, but there's a reason why I am texting you
So hear me out!!
Junghwan didn't know why Dohoon was texting him, really. But then again, he never gotten the younger's number despite being friends—more like friend's friend. Whatever the case was, at least he was finally talking to him after the years of struggling of trying so hard to initiate a talk. Yes he may or may have not developed a tiny little (not) crush on Dohoon the following years. Would he admit it? No. Does the others know? Perchance, maybe.
Junghwan
I am listening.
Dohoon
Okay so you know... the school festival...
Do you wanna go together perhapsss....!
He bit his nails nervously when he finish typing, running around the room and flopping on his bed face bare on the pillow, heat radiating from his cheeks in terror. There goes his sanity and his pride, washed away completely with just a simple text that seemed like an inquiry for a date. Too obvious and straight-foward even for the Kim Dohoon.
"You'll be fine Dohoon-ah—yah stop screaming my ears hurt!" Youngjae nagged when a sudden scream ripped his ears through his earplugs, completely unfocused on his work by now from all of Dohoon's stupid and nonstop distractions. A scream tore through the pillows again, "It's killing me. My free will did the impossible." Dohoon hugged the pillow tightly before turning around rapidly against the sheets of his bed.
Youngjae stood up in annoyance and made his way towards Dohoon's moving figure with his arms crossed. "Hey, just open your phone. Shinyu hyung texted back earlier."
"Wait, he did?" Dohoon gasped as he fixed his posture straight. "Yes. Go. Text. Him. Back." He warned, wandering back to the desk that Ms.Kim prepared for him while Dohoon continued to stare.
He picked up the phone with shaky hands, nervousness crept through his head. Dohoon peeked, enough to see Junghwan's name as expected but not enough to see what he wrote back. He thought about every possible scenario that could happen—what if he actually agrees, no scrap that. What if he doesn't wanna, the worse he could do is say no, right?
Whatever one way to find out.
Junghwan
Sure
He let out a shriek.
"Fucking hell, Kim Dohoon stop screaming!"
"Does this look good?"
"No it's shit." Dohoon grunted when he expected a honest answer from his best friend, "Joking! you look good in anything Dohoon-ah." Youngjae retreated his words while giving a quick thumbs up. As per agreement, they both decided to dress each other up just like every other times when they were little.
Youngjae looked at the mirror, "Dohoon-ah, can you cut my bangs? It grown longer." fishing his pockets for his phone in a hurry when he heard a notification appear. "Yeah sure, stay still."
They both sat in front of each other, face to face while Dohoon brought the scissors high towards Youngjae's head level. "Who was that anyway? You looked quite happy looking at the message." He teased even though he knew well who it was. The brunette scoffed at his best friend's riddance but told him who it was anyway.
"Of course it's Jihoon." Dohoon trimmed off a bit of the hair that was in the way of the other's view with ease. He recently found out that Jihoon confessed to Youngjae a few days ago, which everyone expected since they all know how they act around each other. Always walking hand in hand but brush it off when they realize people were watching, sneaking occasional glances to each other from time to time during class lectures that makes Dohoon roll his eyes at the obliviousness of those two idiots.
The two fell silent. "I'm glad it's Jihoon though. Don't nag him too much Youngjae-ah."
"Yeah." Youngjae responded, it wasn't awkward for the two of them. They've been friends since forever so this was nothing to them despite the silence. Dohoon hummed when he finally brushed his fingers in between the locks and making sure it looks as good as possible. He finally pulled his hand away from Youngjae's face while grabbing a hand mirror with his other hand and bringing it close for the other to see.
The younger cooed, "You're good at this. Thanks Dohoon-ah." still looking at his own reflection. Dohoon gave a winning smile in response to the praise, It's not often that you hear the Choi Youngjae praise someone.
"Of course I am!" He touched his hair, pausing before continuing his words. "So how about you do mine this time~?"
Today was the day of the festival—finally he's been waiting for this moment! Festivals had always been fun for Dohoon every year, but this year is extra exciting because he was gonna have his little festival date with the Shin Junghwan. Thinking about it makes him feel like the luckiest man alive.
He's definitely gonna make the most it of course. It's not a normal to have a full day with Junghwan, you know you scored if you do end up with him.
It doesn't take long for Dohoon to spot Junghwan in the crowd. Just a glance was all it took for the older to stare back. It's as if their world only co-existed with them that moment. Youngjae didn't fail to notice it as he walked away casually leaving the two to talk alone. "Have fun~"
"Soo.... hyung! What do you wanna do first?" Dohoon spoke up in a hurry as if he was trying to avoid breaking down into a nervous wreck immediately after his best friend left. Junghwan let out a breathy breath. "Anything you want."
Don't ask Junghwan how he ended up going through almost literally every stall in the festival in one go. He knew that Dohoon was social.. but not this social to the point that he's friends with everybody here. What started as a date ended up as a reunion instead for half of the day. Finally though, Dohoon did suggest playing the games around the area.
Games were basically his charm since he was really competitive about not losing his pride in front of people.
Dohoon didn't disappoint himself when he meant it—one of his strongest ways trying to win Junghwan's heart! By impressing him means he will definitely grown to like him more from then on. And after going through rounds and rounds of games, he hit the last dart on the balloon. "Wow, you're really good at this Dohoon." A fellow classmate said in awe when the results came up. Out of five of the darts thrown, all five landed on each of the balloons.
Perfect score.
"Dohoon, wow.. you're way too good at this." Dohoon felt giddy when Junghwan continued to compliment his skills. The rest goes on with (Dohoon) fishing out more compliments from the older by beating other games with excellence exceeding everybody. Call him a annoying or whatever cause having the older's attention solely on him feels so different from others that he craved it.
The festival wrapped up faster than Dohoon anticipated. He was initially thinking of confessing to Junghwan before leaving but whatever the reason was, he got dragged hand in hand to the indoor pool of the building by the older. The grip loosen as he spoke up,
"Why are we here instead of hanging outside at the festival though, why are we here exactl—"
Suddenly he felt droplets hit the base of his outfit wait, what?
Splash, Dohoon gasped when Junghwan suddenly pulled him into the pool with his lips pressed against his.
It lingered a second when he was brought to reality. Fuck, they had just kissed. Problem was that he wasn't the one who initiated it, Junghwan did. He lifted his gaze upon the other's, both of them feeling embarrassed to look into each other's eyes. "Shit, sorry I got carried away." Dohoon felt a pool of heat in his stomach that felt like it might combust if he doesn't do anything. They looked at each other awkwardly, still drenched from the water. "Let's forget I did that, and forget this and go back—"
Junghwan let go of Dohoon's wrist for a second before he was pulled back in shock as they locked lips again for another time.
This time it was Dohoon who initiated it. The kiss was messier than the first one, the taste of the strawberry chap stick made Junghwan go dizzy and intoxicated as the kiss went deeper and sloppier. Dohoon swug his arms around Junghwan and pushing him towards the edge without break, panting between the kiss frantically, driving him crazy when he felt a tongue interlocking his in a rushed manner. It went on for a few seconds before Dohoon quickly pulled away with flushed cheeks and taking a deep breath seeing the older, who was pinned to the walls of the pool having the same expression as his.
"S-so.. what now?" Dohoon said with his cheeks burning furiously when he remembered what he just did, pulling his arms away but Junghwan caught them just in time.
"I like you Kim Dohoon. For a long time now."
Dohoon gulped hard, he was suppose to confess today not him! But then again he was a scary cat that was scared of rejection from someone he likes so he would've disappeared on Earth if it did happen and he didn't know what to do.
Junghwan's expression didn't flatter, looking Dohoon in the eye with that same look he did when he first met him, eyes full of devotion. Yah why didn't he figure this out at first? The answer had been in front of him the whole time.
"Don't take that back," His breath hitched. "Because I will seriously be stuck with you for a long time." Dohoon finished his sentence in full seriousness compared to what he would usually say. Junghwan let out a small laugh.
"Then be with me forever, Kim Dohoon." He didn't have to wait for an answer, because his lips were then pressed again by the same strawberry flavored scent.
On the other end, Youngjae shut his eyes in protest. "These two.. Jihoon-ah close your eyes for hyung."
On the other hand, Jihoon didn't feel affected. "It's fine, we did it too—" suddenly he felt a pinch in the arm, letting out a whine.
"I guess Shinyu hyung really chose the perfect spot." Jihoon looked at Youngjae confused, "Why?"
"Because its a pool right? this is where it helped or aid them. And it kind of goes well with pool date, don't you think Jihoonie?"