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"Why can't you just talk to his brother?!" Maki whines as Nicholas picks him up from school.
Nicholas sighs, gripping the steering wheel tightly as he tries to focus on the road. "I have a lot more shit to do than to deal with your crush's brother"
"But he's in your university!" Maki says. "You just need to find him and tell him to trust me with Harua"
Nicholas sighs. Maki had been pestering him since a month now, to talk to Harua's brother who was apparently in his university. His brother was a weirdly over protective guy, who wasn't allowing Maki to date Harua, and Maki was desperate now.
He doesn't understand how is he supposed to convince Harua's brother to let him date Maki. It's not like he can hold the guy on gun point and threaten him to let the kids date.
"Please Nico" Maki grabs his arm. "At least try, for once?"
Nicholas shakes his head, sighing once again. "What the fuck will i get if i do this for you"
"I will be your slave for a month" Maki claps his hands together. "I will give you 20% of my pocket money too"
"You're that desperate?" Nicholas raises his eyebrow.
"I really want Harua bro" Maki pouts. "I tried talking to his brother, but that guy didn't take me seriously at all. He simply said it to my face that 'I am sorry, but my brother will not be dating someone like you' like the audacity man? What did he even mean someone like me?"
"The guy sounds like an asshole" Nicholas mutters. "Why are you forcing me to meet him? Why makes you think i can convince him?"
"Maybe, try charming him if nothing else works" Maki says, looking out of the window.
Nicholas almost chokes on air. "Excuse me?"
"Just saying. As a last resort. But you really gotta convince him bro. Please" Maki begs him.
Nicholas sighs, nodding. He continues to drive them back home, now mentally planning out the interaction.
-
Maki sent him the instagram profile of Harua's brother so Nicholas could remember and recognise him in university.
"Byun Euijoo" Nicholas reads aloud, scrolling through his posts. "Oh this pretty face, i know this guy"
He would be lying if he said that the guy didn't make his heart skip beats. He was extremely attractive.
He scrolls more through his posts. Euijoo is an art major unlike himself who's a computer major. Most of the work on his profile are paintings but there's some selfies and photos of him too.
There's photos of Harua and him as well. He really seems like a protective brother. Nicholas sighs. How was he going to convince Euijoo exactly?
He stops scrolling, when a certain post comes up.
It was Euijoo's's photo at a beach, with his back exposed. Nicholas found himself staring for quite long until he snapped himself out of it. What the fuck.
He immediately turns his phone off. He couldn't get distracted by seeing his majestic bare shoulders and back-
He had to convince him to let Maki date Harua. Nothing else.
-
The next day, he nervously paced around the arts department, hoping to find Euijoo and then ask him for his precious time so he could have a conversation.
He's scrolling on his phone in boredom when he stumbles into someone, and the painting from the owners hand falls to the ground.
Nicholas immediately crouches down, to pick it up. "I am sorry-"
Nicholas pauses to stare at the person in front. It was none other than the Byun Euijoo, staring back at him with no expression on his face. He just takes the painting from his hand, and starts walking. Nicholas blinks before following after him.
"Hey wait!" He calls, catching up to him.
Euijoo stops and turns around to face him. "What?"
"I was waiting for you. I need to have a word with you" Nicholas says.
Euijoo stares at confusion. "You're Maki's brother if I am not mistaken, Why would you want to talk to me?"
"Can we sit somewhere?" Nicholas requests.
Both of them sat on a bench, away from the usual crowd of the university. Euijoo put all his painting material down on the ground, and then folds his arms to turn towards Nicholas.
"Go ahead, i am busy" Euijoo breaks the silence.
"Well, I am here for Maki, I mean to ask you to-" Nicholas introduces.
"Oh" Euijoo scoffs. "I know why you're here"
"Hey listen!" Nicholas protests. "At least hear me out"
"I know you Nicholas" Euijoo says. "And i know you very well. That's all the more reasons why I won't let your brother date my brother"
Nicholas frowns, in disbelief. "What does it have to do with me? And what exactly did you mean when you said you wouldn't let Harua date someone like Maki? What's wrong with my brother?"
"There's not just something wrong with him, but you as well" Euijoo says.
"Excuse me?"
"Both of you brothers" Euijoo scoffs. "Are the same"
Nicholas exhaled loudly. He was getting annoyed by now. Euijoo was insufferable. He can't believe he's tolerating this attitude for the sake of Maki.
"Clarify please" Nicholas demands.
"I have seen you a lot in campus actually. Even before I knew you were Maki's brother. I see you with a new girl or guy almost every week. It clearly shows that you're not the sincere type. Which means Maki is probably the same since y'all brothers. People like you get sick and tired of relationships really quick and I don't want Harua to-
"Hold up!" Nicholas interrupts. "Did you just make a huge ass assumption about me? And then project it on my brother too?"
Euijoo glares at him. "That's the truth. At least about you. I am assuming about Maki because he's your brother"
Nicholas scoffs. "So let me get this straight, you're not letting your brother date Maki, because of my attitude?"
"Well, you're putting it that way, not me. But I am just trying to look out for my brother. I don't want Harua to get attached and then cry when Maki leaves him for someone else-"
"Euijoo! My brother isn't like that!" Nicholas speaks up.
"But you're like that. And you're both brothers, which means there is a high tendency for that"
"Oh my god" Nicholas grabs his hair in frustration. "Even I am not dating anyone Euijoo!"
"But you hook up. You really can't stay with one person for longer than a week. You need a new fling every so often"
"Wow" Nicholas rolls his eyes. This was unbelievable. "So if I stop 'hanging around' other people, will you let my brother date yours?"
"That's not even possible" Euijoo replies. "You brothers aren't the loyal kind. And I really wish the best for Harua"
"What if I prove you wrong" Nicholas says. "What if I commit for really long"
"How would I know if you're being sincere or just putting up a show so our brothers can date" Euijoo rolls his eyes at his suggestion.
"Okay then, how about you go out with me?" Nicholas says out of nowhere.
Euijoo chokes on air, and starts coughing really hard till tears well up in eyes. "The fuck?"
"That way, you can know about my personal life. I will update you all the time, and you can see that I am 'not' someone who jumps relationships with people"
"Why are you going for such an extreme?" Euijoo asks. "Why are you so desperate to let Maki date Harua"
"He's crazy for him" Nicholas sighs. "Like actually crazy! He practically begged me to convince you, and the best I can do it whatever I have suggested. What do you say? Do you wanna try and test me?"
"No fucking way" Euijoo scoffs, rolling his eyes. "Why would I want to waste my time like that?"
"Then just fucking let them date! You're being childish" Nicholas says.
Euijoo sighs. "I am sorry, but I am really protective of Harua"
"Oh my god, you're so frustrating" Nicholas shakes his head before pulling out his phone. "Give me your number"
Euijoo blinks for a moment. "For what?"
"I will fucking prove to you, that I am not hooking up with people all the time! I will send you my everyday update to let you know that I don't crave a new fling every other day-"
"Nicholas this is so unnecessary, I simply do not care okay" Euijoo says before he stands up, picking up his stuff. "Maki will not be dating Harua, that's my final word"
Nicholas slaps a hand to his forehead in frustration. No man had ever pissed him off like Euijoo just did. He watched Euijoo grab his stuff and leave in the opposite direction.
-
"So did your brother try talking to Euijoo Hyung?" Harua asks Maki on the phone.
Maki rolls over on his bed. "He said he would talk today, let's hope he's successful in convincing him"
"I hope so too" Harua sighs.
"Rua, why do we have to get your brothers approval even? Why can't we just date like that?"
"Maki, I don't want to keep anything a secret from Hyung. And if he doesn't allow then he would not let you come to my place. And I really need his validation for everything"
Maki sighs, staring at the ceiling. "It's alright, just so you know, I can wait. I will wait for Euijoo hyung's approval"
"I love you Maki" Harua says, a faint blush across his cheeks as he held the phone up to his ear.
"I love you too-"
Just then Nicholas barges into his room. "What a fuckass-"
"I will call you later Rua" Maki immediately hangs up before Nicholas could swear more. Maki turns around, "What happened bro"
"His brother is insufferable" Nicholas exhales. "He didn't even want to listen! Plus he blamed everything on me!"
Maki frowns. "On you?”
"He said he isn't letting y'all date because he thinks I am a player which automatically makes you one too-"
"Hold on" Maki sits up, staring at Nicholas. “So you're telling me YOU are the reason why I can't get Harua?"
"Dude! I literally did nothing! I don't hook up with people every day! That guy is just accusing me of shit"
"Bro!" Maki facepalms. "Because of your ruined image I can't date Harua! This is unbelievable!"
Nicholas stares at him in disbelief. "Bro! You should be on my side! I am the victim here. That Euijoo is just blaming me for shit"
"Dude just redeem your image in front of him!" Maki sighs. "You're the reason I can't get Harua! I hate you!"
"Wow" Nicholas says. "You're so selfish Maki"
"Just because you're not in love bro, you don't get what I am feeling right now!" Maki says, frustrated. "I am genuinely serious about Harua! And your ass probably can't ever get serious for things like this. Maybe Euijoo is right. You really don't commit. And your shitty image is ruining mine too-"
"Stop it Maki" Nicholas stands up. "Behave yourself"
"I hate you" Maki mutters. "You're useless, and you ruin things for me"
"Just fuck off bro" Nicholas stands up and walks out of his room, shutting the door loudly.
He can't believe Maki is misbehaving with him like that because of Harua. What even was Nicholas's fault in all of this? Euijoo wasn't ready to listen to him, and neither was Maki.
-
"He's the fucking worst" Nicholas says to Ricky the next day when they're in university. They spotted Euijoo with his group of friends from afar. He was telling Ricky all the lore of Maki, Harua and the evil brother who wasn't letting them date.
"Man, why is he blaming it on you. Did you break his heart or something? Why does he hate you so much?" Ricky laughs.
"That's what I don't understand! Bro I don't hook up! I am just a social person so I hang around with different people! Doesn't mean I am fucking them all" Nicholas sighs loudly, shaking his head in disbelief.
Ricky laughs again, slapping his shoulder. "Imagine he thinks I am your boyfriend too. Cause we are standing pretty close and that Euijoo is surely glaring at you"
Nicholas moves his gaze towards Euijoo to indeed find him glaring at both him and Ricky. What was even wrong with this guy?
"He's seriously weird" Nicholas says. "But Maki is upset with me now"
"No way, why?"
"He says it's my fault that he and Harua can't date. I really don't know what to do to convince Euijoo to let them date" Nicholas shakes his head.
"Just say that you will be his boyfriend, maybe his petty and jealous ass will settle then" Ricky snorts.
"I did try that" Nicholas says.
"You what?!" Ricky shrieks.
"Should I formally propose this time? Do you think that can work?" Nicholas looks at him.
Ricky bursts out laughing. "Man, are you really going to an extreme for Maki?"
"What else should I do man? I feel guilty too that he can't get Harua because Euijoo hates me"
"This Euijoo seems really problematic for some reason, I wanna know more about him"
"Trust me you don't" Nicholas shakes his head.
"I really wanna know why he hates you, I am totally invested" Ricky snorts.
-
Nicholas was in the parking lot, trying to fish out his keys from his pocket when he feels a presence behind him. He slowly turns around to find the insufferable guy.
Euijoo.
He steps closer to Nicholas, with arms crossed. "Thought you were gonna prove me wrong?"
Nicholas blinks in confusion. "Sorry"
"That you don't have a new person around you everyday" Euijoo rolls his eyes.
Nicholas scoffs, mirroring his stance stepping forward too. "I thought you didn't care, but why are you interested"
"Was testing if any of the shit you were saying could be true. But then again, it's the Wang Nicholas we are talking about"
Nicholas rolls his eyes. "Why do you even hate me? I don't understand! What did I do to you!"
Euijoo glares at him, as if wanting to spill something which was weighing him down, but then decided against it. He exhales loudly. "I just don't like players"
"I am not a fucking player!" Nicholas almost yells.
"You had a new guy around you today" Euijoo says.
Nicholas shakes his head in disbelief. "That was my friend"
"Oh" Euijoo tilts his head. "So you don't even have boundaries with your friends? You're close just like that?"
"What is it to you?!" Nicholas scoffs again.
"It just makes me uncomfortable, I don't like people like you" Euijoo reasons.
"Okay" Nicholas says nodding. "Fine, whatever. But stop associating my brother with me! He isn't like that"
"How can I trust you even?" Euijoo says, forcing a laugh.
Nicholas sighs once again. "Just try trusting once at least!" He grabs both of Euijoo's wrists. "I am offering you once again, if not dating, then try being friends with me. You will see the kind of person I am! And stop with your judgment. I just want you to understand that neither me or Maki are what you think we are!"
Euijoo stays silent for a while, before looking down at his hands which were in Nicholas's. He feels his face heat up and immediately frees his hands, taking a step back.
"I am very protective of Harua, seriously" Euijoo says.
"Okay!" Nicholas replies. "You can be. But at least give a chance! Try getting to know me. We should at least become friends before our brothers start dating, which I am sure you will give into soon"
"Don't get too ahead of yourself" Euijoo rolls his eyes.
"Fine!" Nicholas sighs. "So can we try being friends? And behave in a civil manner?" Nichols then extends his hand forward for a hand shake.
Euijoo hesitates staring at his extended hand. He takes a deep breath in, before finally deciding to give in.
"I have every right to reject if you're not able to change my opinion of you" Euijoo says.
"Fine Euijoo" Nicholas says, as Euijoo shook his hand. "Thank you so very much!" He says with a bit of sarcasm.
He then hands over his phone to Euijoo so they could exchange numbers.
"Hope to see you around then" Nicholas waves, before unlocking his car. Euijoo faintly waves back, watching him leave first.
-
Nicholas:
I am waiting for you in the cafeteria
Let's eat together
Euijoo reads his text, sighing before he puts his phone back in his pocket. He can't believe he's doing this. He can't believe he's finally giving himself in, when he swore to himself a year back that he wouldnt settle for Nicholas, even if the other ever gave him a chance.
1 year ago
Euijoo was walking back to his class, when he bumps into someone. All his art supplies fell to the floor. He crouched down to pick up everything.
"I am so sorry" the guy who stumbled into him said, sitting down to help him pick up.
"It's alright" Euijoo answered.
"No, I am really sorry" the guy once again apologised. "I wasn't looking where I was headed, careless of me"
Euijoo passes a little smile, staring back at the guy. He seemed like such a gentleman. He helps Euijoo up, offering his hand.
"It's alright" Euijoo says shyly.
"Nicholas!" Someone calls him, and Nicholas spins around at the mention. He turns to Euijoo. "Well, I will be off then" he waves at him and runs off.
Euijoo watches him leave, the smile not leaving his lips. He thinks he might have a crush, and he doesn't know what to do about it.
He couldn't find ways to approach Nicholas, he was always with someone. Euijoo could never spot him alone. By now, Euijoo had done a proper research on him.
Nicholas was a computer science major, and also did sports and music on the side. He had one younger brother, who was actually the same age as Euijoo's own brother. He followed Nicholas's instagram with one of his secret accounts to stalk him regularly.
It had been months now that he was secretly crushing on Nicholas, but he didn't know how to approach him. He thinks, he should be straight forward and just tell him his real feelings rather than asking him to be friends.
Which is why, one day he gathers up the courage to go up to him, and confess.
He found Nicholas alone, and thought it was the perfect chance to go up to him, and let him know how crazy he is for him.
But just when he was about to approach him, a girl walks right into his arms. Nicholas also wraps his arms around her, pulling her towards himself. "Hey babe" The girl greets him.
Nicholas kissed her cheek, caressing her hair. "I missed you too"
Euijoo feels his heart drop at the sight. Nicholas was taken? This thought didn't cross his mind before.
All his plans, went down the drain. He couldn't stand a chance against that girl who was currently in Nicholas's arms. And of course, Euijoo was stupid to even assume that he could have a chance. Nicholas was too popular. And he was stupid to assume that just one interaction with him would make the other fall for him.
He lets it go, and tries getting over his crush. But then in the following days, he starts noticing a new girl/boy with Nicholas every week.
It makes him frown. Nicholas had a new date every single week? Euijoo mentally scoffed at the thought. He could accept it if Nicholas was actually committed to someone for long, but he was just a player. He clinged to a new person every few days, and the sight made Euijoo loose his sanity.
That's when he started hating Nicholas, his long time crush.
And one day, Harua breaks the news to him.
"Hyung.." Harua comes up to him. "I like someone"
Euijoo looks at him attentively. "Who is it?"
"It's someone from my school..well his name is Maki" Harua says fidgeting with his fingers. "And he is very serious about me”
Maki. The name rings in Euijoo's head. Is this the Maki he knows about?
"Can I have a look at him?" Euijoo demands. And to his horror, it is indeed the same Maki. The Maki who is Nicholas's brother.
There was no fucking way, Euijoo was gonna let Harua date that fuckers brother.
"I can't let you date someone like Maki" Euijoo says. "And don't argue with me on this, I won't approve of him"
"But Hyung!" Harua whines.
"No means no" Euijoo says. "I do not trust Maki at all"
"At least try meeting him!" Harua says.
"Okay! For your sake I will meet. But still don't expect me to give in. I do not like the boy"
Just seeing Maki, reminded Euijoo of Nicholas. And what a pathetic crush he has on Nicholas. He wonders if Maki is just like Nicholas, and changes crushes like clothes.
He really couldn't let his brother feel the heartbreak he felt. He had to protect Harua.
He cannot trust Maki, since he doesn't trust Nicholas.
-
Euijoo arrives in the cafeteria, to find Nicholas wave at him. This was all he ever wanted. Nicholas's attention for him.
But as much as he knows Nicholas, he knows he will be replaced soon after he allows their brothers to date.
Nicholas is only trying hard for his brother, not because he has any interest in Euijoo.
And that thought really breaks Euijoo's heart.
He settles down in front of him, to find that Nicholas had already gotten him food.
"I assumed you would get late, so I got you myself" Nicholas smiles.
Euijoo rolls his eyes. "You probably do this for all your dates and friends"
Nicholas sighs, shaking his head. "Would you believe me if I said I don't?"
"No" Euijoo answers, before
"You're a helpless case darling" Nicholas laughs.
Euijoo widens his eyes at the sudden nickname, blushing faintly. "We are not close, do not call me that"
"I am really trying my best to get close Byun Euijoo" Nicholas says. "But you're really pushing me away"
"I told you I don't like you" Euijoo says, not meeting his eyes.
Nicholas sighs, leaning back in his chair. "I wish you could try liking me a little bit. Trust me I could settle for life"
"Stop messing around" Euijoo's cheeks heat up.
"I am serious" Nicholas laughs. "I told you I could commit for really long"
"The extremes you're going for your brother are insane" Euijoo says.
"I am just really invested to know why you hate me so much. I find it..endearing" Nicholas comments.
"Oh" Euijoo scoffs. "No one probably hated your ass since everyone is in love with you. Must be a new feeling for you"
"Oh god" Nicholas sighs. "Man who do you think is in love with me? Do you notice everyone who's around me?"
"I don't" Euijoo defends. "But it's an obvious fact"
"Stop being jealous" Nicholas laughs. "I am giving you all my time and attention right now. Totally yours"
Euijoo's face burns hot. "Shut the fuck up. I am not jealous"
"Okay darling" Nicholas shrugs, in a teasing manner while Euijoo shoots him another glare.
Euijoo could feel his heart pounding again. He thinks he's gonna hurt himself again. Because Nicholas clearly doesn't like him, and being this close to him will only make things harder for him.
He cannot have him. Nicholas doesn't belong to him.
-
"Hyung" Harua comes up to Euijoo once again. "Why can't you approve of Maki?"
Euijoo sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Rua, you need to understand, I am just trying to look out for you"
"But there's nothing wrong with Maki!" Harua defends. "If you have some problem with his brother then that's on you"
"Rua, his brother is a player" Euijoo says.
"Does not mean Maki is too" Harua rolls his eyes. "Hyung if I wanted I could date him behind your back too. But I really don't wanna keep things from you. However, you're being unreasonable right now!"
"I just don't want you to suffer like me!" Euijoo shouts all of a sudden, which makes Harua pause and stare at him in confusion.
"Hyung.." Harua moves closer. "What's wrong?"
Euijoo takes a deep breath in. "Nothing Harua" he says, pushing him away. "You won't get it"
"No please, tell me. I tell you everything Hyung!"
"I cannot tell you everything Harua!" Euijoo yells.
"I don't understand! You make no sense! You hating Maki's brother does not make any sense for you to not approve of him-"
"I fucking like Nicholas okay!" Euijoo finally chokes out, and Harua sits there frozen, blinking.
"Wait what?" Harua asks, extremely confused.
"Fuck" Euijoo breathes, burying his face in his hands. Harua puts a hand on his shoulder.
"Is that why you're not approving of Maki?" Harua asks, softly.
Euijoo slowly nods before looking up. "I am afraid you will end up like me.."
"Hyung" Harua looks at him. "Did you even ever tell Nicholas that you like him?"
"Of course not!" Euijoo shakes his head.
Harua sighs, in disappointment. "Then why do you hate him? It's not like he rejected you or something? You never even told him hyung"
"He wouldn't like me Harua, plus he isn't the kind to settle for someone seriously. Even if I did confess to him, he would leave me after a week maximum. Whereas I genuinely like him"
"Oh my god hyung" Harua pulls Euijoo in a hug. "I feel so bad now"
"It's not that I hate Maki" Euijoo says. "But I am just afraid that something of this sort will happen to you. And I really don't want you to feel how I am feeling"
"Hyung, please trust Maki" Harua says. "And please trust Nicholas hyung too"
"I am hurt enough" Euijoo sighs.
"At least try confessing!" Harua says. "You cannot give up like this if you like him so much! Do you know Maki said he would wait forever till you finally approve of us! He really isn't giving up on me!"
Euijoo looks up at Harua, who was giving him an encouraging smile. "Maybe I really shouldn't have judged Maki too much"
"Hyung, forget about Maki. I am worried about you now" Harua says.
"No leave me. This problem of mine isn't new. I have felt this way since a year almost"
"A year?" Harua gasps. "Oh hyung"
"It's alright" Euijoo pats his arm. "Just..be happy with Maki"
Harua widens his eyes. "You're approving?!"
Euijoo slowly nods. Harua jumps on him, suffocating him in a hug. "I knew it, you would give in for my happiness"
"If Maki ever hurt you, I will not hesitate to murder him" Euijoo says, hugging him back.
"I will also not spare Nicholas Hyung if he rejects you!" Harua says, faintly laughing. Euijoo forces a laugh too, before his smile completely drops.
-
"Euijoo hyung!" Harua runs into his room. "Maki is here!"
Euijoo stands up from his desk. Harua had called Maki home after Euijoo gave in his approval for them to date. Euijoo smiles as Maki steps into the house, but what surprises him is
Nicholas following after him. He waves at Euijoo, with a smile. Euijoo waves back turning his attention back towards Maki.
"Thank you so much Euijoo hyung, for trusting me with your brother." Maki gets down on his knees, before grabbing both of Euijoo's hands. "I will keep him the happiest, and there won't be a day when he sees sorrow or sheds a single tear. I will be there for him in his sickness as well as happiness-"
"Cut it already" Nicholas kicks him, cutting him off. "Euijoo doesn't believe words but actions"
Maki turns to glare at him. "Shut the fuck up man, your anti romantic ass ruins everything"
Harua was giggling, hiding behind Euijoo hearing Maki's speech. He nudged Euijoo. "Hyung just give us your blessing already"
Euijoo sighs, before pulling Maki up. He pats his shoulder gently. "Alright Maki, you can date my brother"
"Holy shit? This is unbelievable. You're actually saying that out aloud" Maki gasps.
"Let's hope he doesn't take it back" Nicholas whispers to tease him, earning an elbow to his rib by Maki.
"Shut up, you better up your game too now brother" Maki rolls his eyes at him, before he steps forward to envelop Harua in a hug, snaking his arms around him and kisses his forehead.
"I told you I would wait for you" Maki says, gently tucking a hair strand behind his hair.
Harua looks down shyly before he tugs on Maki's sleeve, pulling him towards his room. Euijoo smiles at the two before they vanish from his sight. Nicholas clears his throat, to get Euijoo's attention.
"Well well well" Nicholas steps forward. "I can't believe you gave in that quick"
"I didn't give in because of you" Euijoo rolls his eyes.
"Come on" Nicholas groans. "Why is it so hard for you to admit that I am not as bad as you thought?"
"You're still as bad"
"But you let the kids date" Nicholas says. "That was something I never expected. Well guess I didn't have to try that hard after all"
Euijoo's smile falls completely. "Yeah. You didn't have to"
"So, you won't invite me inside?" Nicholas raises his eyebrow.
"I didn't even invite you here" Euijoo says. "You invited yourself"
"You agreed to be friends" Nicholas reminds. "Friends can hang out unannounced"
"I don't think so it's necessary for you to be around me now" Euijoo says. "You got what you wanted. I allowed Maki to date Harua. You can stop pretending to like me"
Nicholas pauses to blink at him. "I am not pretending, I genuinely want to be your friend"
"Nicholas you really don't have to" Euijoo sighs. "I won't associate Maki with your behaviour, I am giving him a chance"
"Then why can't you give me a chance too?" Nicholas asks, stepping forward.
Euijoo's heart skips a beat, as Nicholas stares right back into his eyes. "Nicholas, you're not the type to commit. We all know this, please spare me"
"Euijoo, what makes you think like this about me?" Nicholas asks, with hurt in his tone.
"I am not having this conversation Nicholas, please leave" Euijoo says, before he turns around to walk back into his room, but instead of leaving Nicholas trails behind him.
"Euijoo wait!"
-
Euijoo opens the door to his room, but before he could shut it, Nicholas walks inside.
"Why are you here!?" Euijoo asks.
"I need answers Euijoo!" Nicholas demands. "Why the fuck do you hate me so much? I want you to honestly tell me!"
"Nicholas" Euijoo sighs.
"The way you hate me, isn't casual hating!" Nicholas says, stepping forward making Euijoo step back. "I must have done something to you!"
"You didn't-"
"I must have! Let me recall" Nicholas tries thinking. "I remember I once bumped into you and dropped all your art supplies. I didn't know your name back then but I clearly remember your face. Are you perhaps mad because of that?"
Euijoo stares, frozen. Nicholas remembers him from their first encounter? No fucking way.
"You remember our first encounter?" Euijoo asks, still not believing.
"Of course I do. Your face really isn't one that can be forgotten" Nicholas says.
Euijoo faintly blushes at the comment. "I was not mad because of that"
"But then..why? I only ever saw you around in campus after that from very far away. We never even talked. So what made you hate me?"
Euijoo tries avoiding his eyes, but it was impossible to when Nicholas was staring at him so intensely right now. "I don't know, just the sight of you, with so many people around you makes me hate you"
Nicholas frowns. "That doesn't make sense to me Euijoo?!"
"Of course it wouldn't" Euijoo looks away.
Nicholas grabs his wrist, and pushes him back against the wall making Euijoo gasp.
"You hate other people around me?" Nicholas asks, his face extremely close to Euijoo's right now.
Euijoo gulps at their proximity, finding courage to stare back. "What if I did?"
Nicholas widens his eyes. "You do?!"
"So what" Euijoo says. "What will you do about it? What if I hate other people around you? What if I absolutely hate seeing you get close to someone else? What can you do-"
"Euijoo-"
"I hate it Nicholas!" Euijoo breathes. "You have no idea-"
Euijoo is cut off as Nicholas leans in, one hand cupping his chin and immediately locks his lips with Euijoo's. The sudden kiss makes Euijoo loose all the air in his lungs, as he gasps against Nicholas's mouth.
He separates from the kiss, hand still on Euijoo's cheek while staring at him, breathing hard. "Why couldn't you just tell me before?"
Euijoo pants hard, still trying to process whatever the fuck just happened right now. He blinks several times, trying to bring himself back.
"The fuck did you just do" is what Euijoo manages to say.
"Euijoo, if you like me just say so!" Nicholas says, now both of his hands on Euijoo's cheek.
Euijoo removes his hands from his face. "Nicholas, stop messing around with me"
Nicholas sighs for the 100th time. He yanks Euijoo close to him once again. "Why are you a fucking idiot? I am not messing around with you"
"You do that!" Euijoo shoots at him. "Do you know I came to confess to you months ago but then I caught you kissing someone in the campus! And it didn't happen just once, but several times!"
Nicholas freezes hearing that. "You came to confess? To me?"
"But I could not!" Euijoo exhales. "I realised you're not the type of person who takes relationships seriously, so I didn't want to hurt myself! Which is why I wasn't allowing Maki to date Harua because I didn't want my brother to suffer too!"
"Oh my god" Nicholas breathes. "Euijoo..."
He pulls Euijoo in a hug, his hands tightly wrapped around him. Euijoo lets himself melt in his embrace, not resisting any longer.
"You know..the reason why I had so many relationships" Nicholas starts. "It's because those people did not want to commit to me"
Euijoo separates from the hug to stare at him in confusion. "What do you mean"
"Those people only liked me for my looks, and like after a while didn't want me anymore. It's not me who ended things. I just wasn't desired much apart from my face"
"That's not true." Euijoo immediately speaks up to assure, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You have such a likeable personality, and you're a gentleman. That's what made me fall for you"
Nicholas blushes, hearing Euijoo say that about him. "Euijoo..oh my god. If I knew someone like you was interested in me, I wouldn't look at another person ever again"
Now it was Euijoo's turn to blush hearing that. He looks away shyly, as Nicholas grabs his hands, holding them in his own. "Are you still..interested in me?"
Euijoo slowly looks into his eyes, his heart bursting right now. He slowly nods, which makes Nicholas smile like an idiot.
"Then it's settled. We're dating from now onwards" Nicholas says.
"Just like that?!" Euijoo asks, in shock.
"Why? Do you want it to be more complicated than it already was?" Nicholas raises his eyebrow.
"I mean no..." Euijoo answers.
"Then let's not waste time right? We don't need an approval from our not so evil brothers" Nicholas laughs, as he pulls Euijoo towards himself, his hand placed firmly on his waist.
Euijoo blushes furiously, feeling butterflies erupt in his stomach. He looks up into Nicholas's eyes before initiating a kiss himself this time. He puts his hands on Nicholas neck, and leans in to place a soft kiss against his lips.
Nicholas pulls him against himself, not letting Euijoo disconnect their lips. He smiles, as his hands move all around Euijoo's waist, lips still against each other.
"Hyung-" Harua barges inside and immediately freezes, causing both Nicholas and Euijoo to separate immediately. "What the fuck hyung?!"
"Oh shit" Nicholas mumbles, trying to hide his face from Harua who was standing at the door. Euijoo was even more embarrassed.
Harua shakes his head sighing. "Happy for you hyung, thank god you stopped yourself from suffering any longer..but please for the sake of me, lock the damn door next time"
And with that Harua shuts the door loudly, leaving both Euijoo and Nicholas to stand there in silence before facing each other.
Nicholas breaks into a giggle first, his hands reaching to hold Euijoo's cheeks, caressing them softly.
"Well seems like brother in law Harua approves" Nicholas laughs softly.
"Brother in law Maki would too" Euijoo laughs along, Nicholas pulls him towards himself, his hands running through Euijoo's hair gently as he peppers more kisses across his face.
-
Couple days later, both the couples end up going on a double date. Maki and Harua side eyed each other, judging their brothers who were all over each other.
Euijoo was giggling like an idiot, as Nicholas fed him with his own hands, and then in between would kiss him as well. Maki at this point, felt like throwing up.
"Juju, there's sauce on your lips" Nicholas says before leaning forward to kiss it off. Euijoo blushes hard, hiding his face in his hands.
"Guys please stop" Maki slams his hand on the table, too embarrassed of their public display of affection. "Y'all are not alone"
Nicholas shoots a glare his way. "Remember you agreed to be my slave? You're in no position to be complaining"
"This is the worst" Maki groans, leaning his head against Harua's shoulder.
"I always thought Euijoo hyung is the non chalant one" Harua says to Maki. "But look at him blushing and folding in front of Nicholas Hyung"
"They're both so annoying. They're ruining our peaceful date" Maki rolls his eyes, glaring at the two love birds in front.
Harua laughs, before he pecks Maki's cheek making him go completely red in the face. "Leave them, poor guys finally got to be happy, specially Euijoo hyung"
Maki sighs, putting his arms around Harua. "Can't even fight this guy, he helped us get together"
"Well yes" Harua laughs.
Maki and Harua eat their food like civilised people, while their brothers in front put up a whole cringey romantic drama scene for them to watch, which they weren't willing too but, of course they got no choice but to tolerate. They didn't have their driving licences, leaving them no option but to depend on their driver brothers.
Surely a year later when they're eighteen, they wouldn't have to tolerate their annoying in love brothers.
-