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Baku had been feeling weird lately.
Suho had woken up 6 months ago, and he was immediately pulled into the group, like a place for him had always been there. Maybe it had.
Sieun was much less...mopey(though he still was), and the group felt more complete.
Looking back on it one day, Baku realized how much Suho and Sieun's situation seemed like a reflection of what happened with him and Gotak in the past. Gotak had gently coaxed the guilt out of him over the years, though it was still there, just not soul-suckingly and in the forefront of his thoughts all the time. Now it was just in the corners of his brain when he was alone and his mind drifted too far. And now Suho was slowly doing just that for Sieun.
Suho was friendly with Baku and Juntae, of course. They were already all great friends, but of course there was his whole...thing with Sieun. Unlabeled but obvious.
Baku's problem was with how Suho treated Gotak. The two were alike in a lot of ways, except that Gotak was a bit softer, more emotional at times and Suho was a lot more laid-back, without Gotak's temper. The second Suho and Sieun were done professing their love for each other or whatever they were doing within the first few weeks after Suho was released from the hospital, still getting back on his feet, Suho had started getting to know the other three. Him and Gotak just clicked. Within three weeks, Suho was hanging at Gotak's house almost as much as Sieun's. Baku was one-sidedly competing to see whether Gotak's four little siblings liked him or Suho better. They didn't seem to have a preference, loving both of them but always Gotak the most(speaking of, Gotak was completely different around his siblings, all sweet and gentle, and it drove Baku crazy).
He couldn't help it. He knew Suho liked Sieun, and Gotak and him were just bonding platonically, but who could blame him when Suho slid over to Gotak during their hangouts and had private little conversations with him, or when he cooed and doted on Gotak after he made his cute little eye smiles. Baku was meant to do that. Not Suho.
Baku had been pointedly ignoring Suho, though Suho didn't seem to notice, lost in his own happy world.
Currently, everyone was hanging out at Juntae's house. Juntae had surprised everyone when they went over the first time and found out his house was giant. Not too extravagant, but something that screamed upper middle class. They were all huddled on his plush couch, playing Mario Kart very competitively. Gotak and Baku were both yelling, with bursts of maniacal laughter from Suho whenever he passed someone. Juntae's quiet chuckles went unheard because of the others' noisiness and Sieun was fighting a small smile.
Mid-round, Suho grabbed Gotak, who was standing in the way of the screen, and yanked him back to sit down next to him, Suho's arm subconciously wrapping around him before he continued playing. Gotak grumbled a bit, but didn't seem to actually care.
Baku fell behind a couple places as he glared at Suho's offending arm. He glanced at Sieun, hoping he wasn't the only one upset. Well...too bad. Sieun did not care one bit. And I mean, why would he? Baku constantly had his arm around someone and sometimes that happened to be Suho. Sieun never cared then. Why would he care now?
Baku felt conflicted. He knew it didn't matter, Suho would never intentionally upset Baku by flirting with Gotak and Gotak would never let him get away with it if he did, but he couldn't help the irritation bubbling up. The only people who ever made him feel like this were his basketball teammates, as they tended to get a bit handsy with Gotak.
Baku got up after the race and sat next to Gotak, pulling him into his side by the waist. Gotak melted into his warmth and pressed a kiss to his cheek. Baku immediately felt better. The arm Suho still had around Gotak didn't bother him anymore.
___
The five of them were all gathered at a table in their favorite restaurant, one that Suho had found of course.
Suho was feeding Sieun. Sieun kept slapping his hand away and grumbling at him, but Suho never stopped and eventually Sieun gave in. Gotak giggled at them and Suho set down the food he was feeding Sieun just to turn around and pinch his cheeks. "Oh, so cute!" He said in a grossly high-pitched voice. Gotak laughed harder, leaning against Suho. Juntae accidentally slammed his leg into a table leg while laughing along and Gotak checked if he was okay before going back to laughing. Sieun watched with a small smirk, fondness shining in his eyes.
Baku huffed, glaring at Suho and pouting. How dare he make his boyfriend laugh like that? No one ever made Gotak laugh that hard other than Baku.
Was Suho replacing Baku? Suho had never hurt Gotak and Baku had. The answer was obvious. At least to Baku.
Gotak tapped Baku's shoulder. "Hey. Where are you going?" He teased.
Baku smiled weakly and Gotak's smile slipped away.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"Just thinking."
Gotak glared at him.
"Hey. Stop it. Don't do that."
Baku looked up at him, confused.
"What did I do?"
Gotak huffs. "You know what you're doing. I can see the whole 'I'm not worth all this' or whatever in your eyes. You are. You deserve what you have, so stop pretending you're this evil person who deserves nothing. You're amazing and selfless and sweet and...well I could go on all night." Gotak presses a kiss to Baku's cheek and nuzzles him with his nose.
Baku flushes. Nevermind.
Gotak was much too sweet for him.
___
Juntae was currently yapping Gotak's ear off about some manga he was reading and Gotak was listening with a fond smile. This was a common occurence, so why was it only now getting on Baku's nerves. He felt like he was acting irrational, getting angry over nothing.
Gotak was just bonding with his friends and he was throwing a little baby fit about it. He didn't want to be one of those partners who isolated the other person.
Baku sighed, turning back towards Suho and Sieun. Suho chowed down on his food before stopping to mutter. "Why don't you just talk to him about it?"
Baku looked up at him, confused when he realized he was talking to him. Sieun looks up from his math book.
"What?"
Suho huffed a laugh.
"I can feel you staring daggers into me everytime I touch him. And now, you're pouting because your boyfriend isn't giving you the attention you want."
Baku scoffs.
"I am not pouting. But fine."
Sieun rolls his eyes and goes back to work.
___
Baku pushes harder than usual, devouring Gotak's mouth hungrily. They had made out a couple times before, but never like this.
Baku pushed him back until his back was against the counter and surged forward, tongue swirling deep in Gotak mouth.
Gotak gently pushed him back, panting slightly.
"Baku, what's up with you today?"
Gotak's eyes are a bit hazy from the kiss, but there's a glaze of concern underneath.
Baku paused, his gaze losing some of its desire and turning serious. Gotak chuckles nervously.
...
"Hey, idiot, don't just look at me. Tell me what's wrong." Gotak huffed, smacking the back of Baku's head.
Baku whines playfully before bracing himself.
"I just...feel kinda jealous lately. Especially of Suho. I know it's unreasonable but... I don't know."
Gotak blinks, surprised.
"Really? Wow, I didn't know you were the jealous type." Gotak chuckles. "Do you want me to do something different or...?" His face turns more serious.
Baku takes a deep breath.
"Umm...that's a good question. I guess just stay closer to me like...all the time. I don't mind whenever you are touchy and clingy with other people as long as you are near me."
Gotak tilts his head curiously.
"Okay, easy enough. But also, why Suho specifically?"
Baku looks at the floors for a second, embarrassed.
"I don't know, I mean...He just suits you better. You guys are so much alike and I know he has Sieun, but he's always around you, always touching you or talking to you. He always looks at you like you're holding the world whenever you laugh."
Gotak takes a second to process.
"I'm pretty sure he looks at everyone like that. Also, just because we are similar doesn't mean we're romantically compatible."
Baku shakes his head.
"No, he only looks like that at Sieun and you. And sometimes Juntae. And your cat...okay, maybe I'm looking into it too much."
Gotak chuckles. "It's ok, baby. I get it. I'll make sure to keep you close."
Baku groans. "Now I feel stupid."
"I mean, 99 IQ and all..."
Baku scoops Gotak up, Gotak yelping and clinging onto his arms as he gets carried to Baku's room.
Gotak squirms as Baku tickles him relentlessly, grappling a pillow and hitting Baku with it. Baku laughs and grabs another pillow.
After they're done, breathless and bubbling with leftover laughter, Gotak snuggles into Baku's side.
"Ah, if only Suho were here..." He teases.
Baku huffs and scoots away, being petty. Gotak chuckles and rolls onto Baku's chest. "Just kidding." He leans up and pecks Baku on the nose.
"I could never choose anyone else."