Chapter Text
- Yaaa! How many more times do I have to tell you? -
Suho was about to lose his patience: he had lost count of the situations in which Beomseok asked him out or, directly, to be his boyfriend and the answer was always the same: no, absolutely not. His hands went to his long-ish hair, putting it in a bit of a dishevelled way.
- Why, Suho-ya? What does it cost you to try? If you do and it doesn't work out, I'll stop, I promise! - Beomseok was on the drunk side, the third bottle of soju now empty near him, no food in his stomach to soften the effect of the alcohol on the body and mind. He really wasn't giving up on who he considered his best friend to be something more. But apparently this was a one-sided vision.
- I've told you already: I don't feel that way about you. Friends, sure, we can go out and have fun anytime! But if you want something more from me, I'm sorry. I can't give you that. - he explained it clearly once again but at the same time he asked himself if it was worth it, seen the state Beomseok was.
- But you haven't triiied! Just kiss me and tell me how you feel! - the insistence was becoming ridiculous, the one with glasses' tone was whiny and he grasped Suho's forearm, both to stop him from going away and to steady himself before leaning in and close the distance.
- Beomseok-ah, stop it! I can't! I… I'm already seeing someone. They're actually waiting for me outside!-
He knew that was a lie as big as a whole building but the other didn't know so he was safe.
Wrong.
- Huh?! That's a lie now, I'm sure! Prove it! -
- Why should I?! They're a pretty private person and doesn't want to be displayed in front of others!- Suho took away his own arm from his grasp and started stepping away.
- Where are you going now, huh?! - Beomseok slowly closing the distance but Suho turned and started running out of the pub: outside, the street was bustling with people and most of them were young ones in groups of three or more, chatting away and having fun but Suho was in a hurry. He scanned his surroundings and when he acquired his target, he went straight to it.
- Oh, here you are! I was looking for you everywhere! - he started nonchalantly, his left arm going around the person's waist to put them close to him. He checked behind to look at where Beomseok was.
The person he approached was alone and had a grey hoodie on so when they raised their head, Suho was stroked by the most beautiful pair of eyes he had ever seen: big, dark pearls that looked at him in absolute confusion as the two kept walking. He felt the need to explain and to look somewhere else because that gaze was incredibly scrutinizing.
He got close to the man's ear enough for him to hear him with the hoodie on.
- Please, bear with me for a while. I need your help to escape someone who's too insistent on having my attentions. And he's drunk. Please, pretend to be my boyfriend. Please…- that was a real plea, at that point, and Suho didn't know what expression he had on because when that man looked at him, he didn't say a word and Suho thought he was doomed: he thought he would have called the police for harassing him with what he knew very well sounded like a pitiful excuse, he was sure. And he couldn't have blamed him for that.
However, that night he was proven wrong a second time: the boy's right arm slowly went around his waist and he leaned onto his arm with the head while looking straight ahead and walking following the flow of other people in front of them.
- At least, tell me your name. - his voice was surprisingly calm, not at all panicked for a stranger asking something that unusual, and warm.
Suho took a while before answering, stunned by the fact the other seemed willing to help him without asking a million questions. How brave.
- Oh, yeah, right. I'm Ahn Suho. Thank you so much! - relief could be heard in his tone, a bright smile appearing on his lips. - What's yours? -
- Yeon Sieun. - Suho could feel the man's fingers adjusting better onto his hip: the touch was gentle, not at all heavy and, actually, quite controlled. He could feel it but it wasn't a clingy one and that was so new to him, used to a much more present feeling.
- Were you going somewhere specific? - since he had interrupted him, maybe they could still go where he was headed.
- I wanted some snacks. -
- What would you like? There's a convenience store nearby, we can go there!-
- Mh.-
Sieun went silent and just kept walking, his head still on Suho's arm, taking the heat that radiated: he felt a little cold. They got to the place and entered, the shorter one browsing the isles in search of what he wanted.
- Sieun-ssi, wait. - Suho was taller but didn't want to pressure him too much with his presence so he stayed a bit behind. At the same time, he knew Beomseok: he was the type to follow people and if they would've acted as total strangers, he wouldn't have believed at his lie and he needed that he did or there wouldn't have been an escape for him nor peace.
- Sieun-ah. - he corrected him, eyes still on the two ramen in his hands.
-Huh ?- Suho was confused.
- You wouldn't call your boyfriend like that, it's too formal. - he was right. That man sure was intelligent.
-You're not wrong. Then… let me help, Sieun-ah. - and he grabbed a snack from the highest shelf, where the other couldn't reach even when on his tiptoes.
Sieun raised his head to look at him in the eyes: he stared for a long time and Suho found it difficult to keep sustaining that intense gaze. Those eyes were truly big and genuine.
- Thanks. -
- Ask me anything: I'll gladly help you! - he really was grateful and when at the till, Suho payed for everything. Sieun protested a bit.
- Why?-
- I'm your boyfriend, no? I have to provide for you. - Suho put his wallet back into his jeans, his hand now into the leather jacket's pocket to grab his phone.
- I don't like it. I'll pay you back. -
- I won't let you. You're already helping me so that's my way to pay back. One of many. -
Suho didn't raise his eyes from the phone's screen but he could feel Sieun's gaze burning on his face: he wasn't pleased with his answer. Too bad: he didn't like debts.
- Come. - and he grabbed his hand: it was warm, soft to the touch except for the fingertips. Those weren't soft if compared to the fingers' skin, as if there were calluses.
- Where are we going? - he had to accelerate his pace since he was shorter than the other.
- A place couples usually go to be alone. If I know my friend enough, he's following us but when he'll see the destination, he would probably go back. If luck's in our side for once… - Suho's explained, his pace relaxed now that he had found someone who was willing to help him with his problem.
Sieun didn't answer and let the other guide him to wherever this place was. Anyone would have told him he was mad to follow a total strangers blindly but that young man looked like he really needed a hand and to Sieun he didn't look like someone dangerous. The whole rush to be away from where he picked him up and the literal plea in his tone when asking for help were enough for Sieun to at least decide to help him in the moment. Would he be willing to keep doing it even after? It depended on how things would have unfolded: maybe just that closeness was enough to solve the problem.
They kept walking and after some time they found themselves at the entrance of a park: it had lampposts inside but only on the main path. The rest was pretty dark due to the abundance of trees.
- Here we are. To make this more convincing, I'll take you to the romantic part of this place, just to be safe.- Suho was already going inside, his warm hand completely enveloping Sieun's smaller one.
- And what is it? - curiosity was starting to come out of Sieun, who had to put an effort to actually stay close to Suho.
- A panoramic terrace, where you can see the whole city. -
That sounded romantic enough, especially if lighting was subtle and soft. It wasn't that far but lights were almost completely absent: there was one from a dim lamppost that one could see among tree branches and another at the "entrance" of the terrace.
- Now I get why people come here to have some privacy…- Sieun murmured, looking around to let his eyes get used to the darkness they stepped in.
- If you come closer over here, you can actually see the view better. And it's stunning: the praises this place gets are more than deserved, in my opinion. - Suho was looking at the night sky right at the horizon and when he looked behind him to see where Sieun was, the dim light of the moon softly caressing the young man's side profile made him feel a certain way, his stomach feeling a bit weird at the vision but he disregarded it and put it aside: he didn't want to behave even more like a freak by going with the flow his body was suggesting him to follow. Was that place magical or what?
Sieun got closer and finally got at the edge of the terrace, the iron railing being his support for the arms and elbows.
- It really is beautiful.- he commented with a soft voice that could be heard perfectly, all the noises were distant so there was no need to talk loudly and, in a way, doing it felt more like a scream: unnecessary for the scene. Out of place. Wrong.
- I told you, it's a romantic spot for couple for a reason. - Suho got beside him, his back to the landscape, forearms on the railing and weight all on his arms: he could see the other that way and also check if someone else was coming in their direction. He wasn't that sure that Beomseok would've have stopped following them in there: he was drunk when he left the pub and it was hard to predict others' action when they weren't their usual selves.
- I can visualize artists painting this on their canvas under many different lighting. At sunset time this has to be just as stunning. - Sieun spoke in a murmur this time, Suho's attention on him since the first spoken word.
- I've never been here in that part of day but I could try once. - as Suho replied, a little cloud of condensation appeared from his mouth and he could now feel Sieun's eyes on him.
- I should have taken the other sweatshirt. - he commented absentminded, a light shiver on his spine as he went back to gaze at the starry night sky, elbows now on the railing while the forearms and the hands were hanging loose out in the void, following the gravity and let that iron bar to sustain the young man's weight. Sieun stayed silent, actually enjoying that unexpected detour, when he felt some air moving close to him and then… warmth all around his body. He looked at both his shoulders and the leather jacket Suho was wearing was now on his person, leaving the man with a blue shirt only.
- Why? - his eyes searching for the other's.
- You were trembling .- calm voice as he stood there next to him.
- I wasn't. -
- I could feel it on your arms. - they were touching while on the railing and Suho noticed: the other clearly went out with too light clothes on, maybe he was in a hurry or thinking about something else, and in the park it was colder than the rest of the streets due to the trees.
- Well, now you're the one trembling. - Sieun pointed out, noticing the slight shivers the man had.
- I'm not: I'm used to it. I go out for a run every evening with less clothes on than this. - he did run but he actually had appropriate sport's wear, like long joggers and a hoodie but the other didn't have to know that. After all, it was Suho's fault if he was cold.
- Mh. - Sieun wasn't that convinced but a noise and some words made the taller man immediately turn his head towards the terrace's entrance.
- Where the fuck did Suho go?!- it was muffled by distance and flora but to Suho it was clear enough.
Beomseok's voice.
- Shit. He's so drunk he followed us even in here. - Suho's words were said in between his teeth and he quickly turned to face Sieun. He whispered an apology to the boy in front of him.
- I'm sorry, Yeon Sieun-ssi. -
- What for?- he asked, puzzled, but he could say nothing more: Suho closed the short distance separating them and his warm hands went one on Sieun's face, the other on his waist to pull him closer, and in the blink of an eye the softest of lips were on Sieun's.
His first instinct was to pull back, his hands already on the taller's arms to push him away but Suho was stronger and kept him in place and close to his body a bit more, his warmth lingering and crawling onto his skin, making him feel a bit more at ease, the faint scent of mint reaching his nose.
The sensation was pleasant, actually, and just as Sieun first moved his hand to push the other away, he moved them again but to wrap his arms around Suho's neck and leaned in, kissing him back, slowly opening his mouth to take the other's bottom lip in between his own. The softness was incredible and Sieun kissed it once more, tilting his head a bit to have better access.
- Tze! Fucking Suho! - was the angry comment they could hear in the distance, the sounds of heavy steps going away from them right after lingering a bit in the air.
When he was sure they were alone again, Suho parted from Sieun's lips, his eyes going from his mouth to his dark pearls, still pretty close to the other. Did he actually kiss him back?
- I wasn't expecting it. - commented the shorter.
- I'm so sorry: I had to be convincing. - Suho apologized again, the sensation of butterflies intensified by the realization the other really kissed him back. Was it on a whim or did he want to?
- It was really pleasant, actually. I liked it. - was the honest and blunt comment the taller got from the other and it left Suho speechless. Wasn't he mad about it? His arms were now both on Sieun's hips while the shorter's arms were still around his neck. Suho noticed and, all embarrassed, he took his limbs away, as well as his gaze. He felt his cheeks warm and hoped nothing could be seen in that dim light.
- Sorry. I won't do it again. -
Sieun took his arms away all the same and touched his own lips with two fingers, slowly passing them on the part: the sensation of the other's mouth still lingering on them. It was weird but in a good way and surely it was something he wasn't used to at all. He suddenly thought he would've liked to keep on doing it but the rational side of his brain washed that away: it was clearly done out of fear for something else to happen not because the other really wanted to.
- It's okay, I understand. - he answered, his eyes now looking at Suho.
- I'm afraid I got him really mad. - he sighed, a hand on the back of his neck.
- Just because we kissed?- Sieun was genuinely puzzled: all that fuss for a kiss? Not even a true one but just a peck?
- I think my friend fancies me, like a lot. I've turned him down many times but he keeps on bringing this up, asking me to at least try but I don't feel it that way about him. - Suho explained a bit better the situation so the other could understand the weird request he was about to voice.
- I see. So, since even if you clearly say "no" he doesn't seem to get the concept, you wanted to show him. - Sieun summarized.
- Exactly. And I actually have to ask you to help me even further. If you want to, of course. And I can also pay you for the disturb! - he was that desperate to try and solve that problem.
- What is it?- Sieun tilted his head, hands now in the giant front pocket of his hoodie, to keep them warm. The whole situation was so surreal and the most unbelievable thing was that he seemed to be in it!
If he wanted to, of course.
- I need you to fake date me.- his request fell into absolute silence and he found himself adding a: - Please.- just to be sure he actually said something and didn't imagine it. His hands went into the pockets of his jeans, gaze fixed on the other's expression while his head was bent and he was looking at the other bottom up: Sieun seemed to be immersed in his mind and Suho thought a lot of time had passed before the other said a word.
- Okay. I'll do it. - those words took a few seconds before reaching Suho's brain so that he could actually comprehend them, his eyes widening in surprise.
- Y-You will?!- his hands now out of his pockets, not sure where to put them but not back inside.
- Yes. - clear, simple, direct: it couldn't be misinterpreted.
- Ah, thank you ever so much, Yeon Sieun-ssi!- the wide smile blooming on his face was also lightened by the moon, that was now shining again after some evil clouds dared to obscure its light.
- But I don't want to be paid. -
- Why not? Isn't it a nuisance for you?-
- Not really. - he didn't elaborate further but his life wasn't all that exciting nor filled with things to do other than studying to get good grades to enter a high-profile uni.
- Well, can I have your number, then? So we can chat and organise the fake dates.- he rushed to explain his purpose but the other didn't seem to mind at all because he only extended a hand and Suho immediately got the message. He took his phone and handed it to him: Sieun saved his own number, then made his mobile ring and saved Suho's number next.
- All done. - he handed the object over.
- I can't thank you enough. - Suho took his phone with a huge smile while looking at it and to Sieun he resembled a soft, sweet marshmallow, ready to be squeezed in between your fingers.
- Just bring me snacks and chocolate. We'll be even. -
- That's it? Are you sure?- Suho still couldn't believe it.
- Positive. - he needed energy to study so those were perfect.
- Well, I'm grateful, truly. Let me accompany you home. Or close to home: it's the least I could do. - Suho offered his company to the other and, again, he decided to accept, going against all the common sense and warning any parent would teach their kid.
- Okay. Let's go. -
They made the road back to where they first met, walking close to each other but without holding hands: it was now pretty late and Suho's friend should have long be gone home so they used that time to actually know each other a bit.
Sieun discovered Suho could talk and talk about anything he liked or not and the way he presented himself was quite bold and warm but genuine, just like sunshine. He could be gentle and soft spoken when he needed to while Sieun told Suho, much more briefly, he preferred to listen and being on his own most of the time. Quiet places were his go to when he wanted to relax and earphones were his best friend when he wanted to isolate in loud spaces: Suho had been lucky he was in such a rush, that night, that forgot to take them with him or his approach would have miserably failed.
- I have to thank someone up there, then. - Suho laughed as they turned into a side alley and Sieun stopped.
- This is where I stop. See you, I guess. - he let out, his eyes looking right at the other's.
- Of course. I'll text you when I'm home. And you, you text me too when you are. -
- But I've arrived. -
- Do it anyway. - he scolded him as an old grandpa would, his index pointing at him but he smiled softly right after.
- Okay. Goodnight. - let out Sieun, briefly waiving before turning and heading inside a building.
- Goodnight, Sieun-ah. - Suho replied, a faint smile still lingering on his face as he turned and went home as well. It would have took him a bit but it was worth it: it looked like he found a solution to his stubborn problem.
A ping from his phone made him stop to check it and when he read the notification, he unconsciously smiled:
Sieun-ah
"I'm home. Goodnight."
Straight forward, nothing to misunderstand: their partnership would have been awesome. He was about to put the phone away when another message arrived:
Sieun-ah
"I kept your jacket, I'm sorry. I'll give it back next time we see each other."
That's why he felt so cold! But he didn't regret it: he had given it to him because he wanted to and he completely forgot once the other agreed to help him, which was great news.
Suho
"You can keep it if you want. Goodnight, Sieun-ah. "
And with that, he finally put the phone away, looking forward to the next day. What would he have organised to have fun? He didn't know for sure yet but maybe he could have used the little conversations they had to decide.