Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Euijoo knew that Nicholas liked him. He knew that Nicholas fell in love long before Euijoo himself fell harder for him. After almost seven years of knowing each other and four years of living together as roommates, since they were college freshmen to now seniors, Nicholas never failed to say “I like you” to Euijoo.

Nicholas always made Euijoo feel loved. Even if Euijoo sometimes felt like an asshole for how he never reciprocated it or felt the same as Nicholas, it was the reason why slowly but surely, Euijoo fell in love with Nicholas too. 

They were both sitting and watching a movie. Well, Euijoo was the only one watching as Nicholas was staring and sometimes smiling at his phone. Truthfully, Euijoo was a tad bit angry. With how busy they’ve been, it was hard to find time to hang out together, and now that they did, Nicholas wasn’t even paying attention to the movie (or to Euijoo). 

Euijoo scoffed at himself. Who was he to get mad at Nicholas not caring about him? He wasn’t even Nicholas’ boyfriend, well, in his defense, Nicholas liked him. So, he was allowed to get mad just a tiny bit, right?

Fuck it. Should I tell him right here and now? I mean, I have nothing to lose. As long as he does like me, right…?

Euijoo was tired of waiting around. He was rarely an impulsive person, always thinking about the consequences and never made any irrational decisions, but was love ever rational in the first place. It was either being stuck in this weird situationship until they were both old or Nicholas falling out of love. Was it narcissistic of Euijoo to think that the second option would never happen? Or was the possibility of it sounded like the worst nightmare he would ever have? 

Before his mind could scramble anywhere else, Euijoo strengthened his resolve while looking at Nicholas (who was now actually watching the movie). Nicholas must’ve caught Euijoo staring at him because he was now also looking at Euijoo. Nicholas smiled. That damn smug yet sweet smile that made Euijoo’s mind suddenly went blank and all of his resolve of wanting to confess to him gone like the wind. 

“What is it, Juju?” Nicholas said, his voice rough from exhaustion, yet gentle. Euijoo had found out that it was Nicholas’ way of telling Euijoo that he had all his attention on him.

“It’s… nothing.” Euijoo turned his head away, face warm and everything.

It’s truly unfair, like really unfair for Euijoo. Why was he the one blushing and everything? Meanwhile Nicholas got to look cool with his newly jet black short hair, which made him ten times more handsome and that Euijoo couldn’t look at him for more than five seconds.

Whatever. It’s whatever.

It’s not the right place and time to confess anyway, so Euijoo thought of a better idea: inviting Nicholas on a date tomorrow. He had already planned the date in his head and it was going to be perfectly romantic.

“Nichol, are you free tomorrow?” Nicholas looked at him again. “I was thinking we could go out?”

Euijoo smiled. He was already confident and sure that Nicholas was going to say yes. There’s no world where Nicholas wouldn’t want to spend time with Euijoo after all. Though nowadays, it felt like it was Euijoo who wanted to spend every second with him.

“Ah, sorry, Juju.” Nicholas looked at Euijoo apologetically. “I already have plans with someone.”

Euijoo blinked once, then twice. Did he hear that right?

“Plans?” Euijoo tried hard to not sound like he was upset or in disbelief, but he really couldn’t.

“Yeah, I’m going out with someone.”

“I-Is it a date?”

“I guess it will be just the two of us.”

Euijoo didn’t know what came into him for him to ask that question, but he was regretting it so hard. Nicholas just said that he was going on a date with someone, and no matter what Euijoo thought otherwise, it was what he heard. 

Euijoo laughed at himself. So, was he wrong all this time? Was all the “I like you” just a joke to him? But, what about all the things that Nicholas did? Waking him up in the morning even when he’s more of a heavy sleeper than Euijoo, cheering Euijoo up whenever he felt tired, or putting him to bed whenever he fell asleep on his desk. That’s not what only a "roommate" would do, wasn’t it? 

Did Euijoo get his hopes up? Or worse, did Nicholas like him just to give up because Euijoo never reciprocated it? And now, Nicholas finally found someone new who felt the same as him. It was truly a terrifying thought.

It must’ve shown on Euijoo’s face because now Nicholas was looking at him worriedly. 

“Juju, is something wrong?” Euijoo hated it. He hated that Nicholas could always see through him so well, as if Euijoo was as transparent as glass. “If you really want to, I could reschedule my plan for another da—”

“No! Don’t even think about it.” That came out louder and more embarrassing than Euijoo had expected. “I was planning to go with someone else if you can’t anyway.”

The lie tasted bitter on Euijoo’s tongue. Euijoo didn’t want to embarrass himself much further so he came up with an escape plan.

Euijoo yawned wide open before he said, “I think I’m going to sleep first.”

Euijoo awkwardly stood up and before he could go to his room, Nicholas spoke, “Sleep well, Juju.”

Euijoo didn’t say it back, which was very rude of him, but he really needed to go somewhere where Nicholas wasn’t present. Again, it wasn’t Nicholas’ fault, after all Nicholas was too much for him right now. Each step he took was heavy from shame.

After Euijoo lay down on his bed, he screamed at his pillow. “Nichol, you stupid!”

“Why did you get my hopes up if you ended up giving up on me!” Euijoo grumbled as he continuously hit the poor pillow.

Now Euijoo moved on to his phone, furiously typing insults at Nicholas to whoever was on Euijoo’s contact list. That poor kid ended up being Euijoo’s junior at the Music Department, which Euijoo wasn’t sure how his number ended up in Euijoo’s contact list. Euijoo knew it was wrong and embarrassing, but it was almost midnight so there was no chance that the kid would reply. He would also delete the message and pretend none of this ever happened anyway.

Euijoo was finished and was about to delete all of his messages until a reply came in:

Woojin (junior): i’m not sure if you need to hear this from me

Woojin (junior): but I’m sorry that happened to you

Euijoo almost threw his phone at the wall, but his remaining conscience said no.

You: I’M SO SORRY

You: please pretend none of this ever happened

Euijoo thought this was definitely going to go in the list of most embarrassing moments in his life.

Woojin (junior): it’s fine, sunbaenim

Woojin (junior): do you want to talk about it?

Woojin (junior): my friends said I’m a pretty good listener

What the hell, sure. Euijoo thought that he had already embarrassed himself in front of a junior he didn’t know very well, so he might as well trash-talk Nicholas while he’s at it. 

Woojin (junior): you seems to really like him, sunbae

You: just call me hyung

You: you’re not wrong, but he’s really infuriating

Woojin (junior): i get it

Woojin (junior): i have someone like that too

You: someone you find really annoying but can’t hate because they’re perfect and you like them really bad?

Woojin (junior): 🙂‍↕️

You: want to talk about it?

Woojin (junior): if you don’t mind

Woojin knew that he liked Liyu. He knew that he had fallen in love with Liyu since the first time they met. It was sort of cliche and unbelievable, but Woojin would call it love at first sight. People said that high school crush never stayed, but that was because they never chased after it. Woojin was the rare case.

Woojin rarely were invested in anything. The only thing he had invested all his time in was music. At first it was because of his parents, then he learned to love it, but then, it was only enough to keep its place on Woojin’s head. He never really had an exact purpose of pursuing it, that was until he met Liyu.

It was a random first meeting, which turned out to be the moment that changed Woojin’s life. Woojin was practicing guitar alone on the rooftop after school. He really liked it there; no one ever came there and the wind was nice. Though, Woojin couldn’t say the same about his practice. It was frustrating as much as it was mundane, Woojin even considered throwing the guitar off the roof.

But, Woojin insisted on practicing even if he knew the result would be stagnant. Why wasn’t he improving at all? He finished one run with an unsatisfied sigh, yet an applause could be heard. Someone he didn’t know clapped his hands amazedly, as if Woojin had just finished a concert. 

“That was so good!” The boy approached him.

“Thank you…” Woojin replied shyly.

Being complimented by a stranger was always something else. However, Woojin was sure he had seen this guy somewhere. His face was as pretty as a doll, so Woojin would definitely remember a face as remarkable as his. Woojin’s gaze pointed at the boy’s nametag.

Chuei Liyu.

It was a name that Woojin wasn’t familiar with, so he must be a senior. Though, the reason he’s here was unknown, it was quite nerve wracking to talk to a senior. Woojin also wasn’t the best at talking to someone he’s not close with, so he was already thinking up a way to escape from this unwanted situation.

Liyu suddenly sat beside him on the bench. “Can you teach me how to play?”

Woojin’s eyes widened. The request was so sudden that Woojin didn't know what to say. Without ignoring the fact that it was their first time meeting, Woojin also had never taught anyone other than himself. Woojin somehow felt threatened, not because Liyu was scary or anything, it was actually the opposite. Liyu was smiling so sweetly at him, as if already knowing that Woojin is not going to say no to him.

“Okay,” Woojin answered.

Liyu’s smile widened and Woojin thought that he looked like a bunny. Liyu also moved closer to him, so close that their shoulders touched. It felt suffocating, in a weirdly good way. Woojin wasn’t really the type to do physical contact with his friends or anyone really. That’s why the feeling felt so foreign to him.

“Oh, right, I forgot!” Adding to how close they are, their eyes also finally met. “My name is Liyu. You’re a first year, right? Then just call me hyung.”

“I’m Woojin.”

It’s not that Woojin wasn’t a talkative person or anything, his MBTI is E if that even mattered, but he really couldn’t get too many words out when talking to the older guy. He even sounded kind of rude, but Liyu didn’t seem to care about any of it. Liyu still smiled and looked at Woojin as if they had known each other a long time before this. And maybe, just maybe, that was the problem for Woojin. 

“Nice to meet you, Woojin-ah.”

Liyu was just saying his name, but why did it feel so pleasant? When did the sky get so clear and where did all these birds chirping coming from? And by the time Woojin started teaching Liyu, why did his heart beat louder than the melody coming out of the guitar?

What Woojin thought would be a one-time thing turned into a routine. 

It was always the same. Woojin sitting at the rooftop after school and Liyu coming after. Sometimes he brought snacks or interesting stories to tell Woojin, but he never brought anyone else with him. It was not an inconvenience for Woojin, but sometimes he dreaded meeting with Liyu. Again, he didn’t dread Liyu, but the unfamiliar feeling that came with his appearance.

Liyu has asked his best friend, Sanghyeon, but it wasn’t helpful at all.

“I mean, it’s obviously a crush right? You have a crush on him.”

In his defense back then, how could he have a crush on someone he had only met for weeks? He wasn’t saying that it’s impossible for him to have a crush on Liyu. Liyu was pretty, kind, and amazing. He also liked to sit really close to Woojin for some reason, and that’s when that feeling got the most intense, but wasn’t it just because Woojin was feeling nervous? Wouldn’t everyone else feel the same as him?

Woojin’s denial didn’t last long, that it was lowkey pathetic. He realized it after he started seeing Liyu everywhere, not only at their private practice session. It was hard for them to meet even if Woojin wanted to. The first year’s building and third year’s were separate, that's why. But in the rare case that they met, Woojin slowly but surely realized something.

The first time, they met at the cafeteria. Woojin was going with Sanghyeon when suddenly he saw Liyu. When Liyu saw him back, he came bouncing to him like an overly excited bunny. The three of them ended up eating together with Liyu shooing the friends that he came with. Woojin was glad that Liyu and Sanghyeon got along really quickly while he quietly watched them talk. 

“See you later, Woojin-ah!”

Liyu went ahead when the bell rang, leaving Woojin and Sanghyeon together again. Sanghyeon suddenly smiled suspiciously at him.

“You sure you don’t have a crush on him? You look at him as if he hung the stars in the sky.”

Like cliches in a romance movie, they started meeting much more than what Woojin thought was possible. At the library, the gym, before school started. And every time, the feeling started to become clearer than ever. It was embarrassing when he had to admit it to Sanghyeon, but at least he knew. What was funny was that nothing changed at all for Woojin. He still talked and looked at Liyu the same. He seriously did have a crush on Liyu all this time.

Spring turned to winter and days turned into months. Woojin didn’t want to address the terrifying elephant in the room, but it was nearing the third year’s graduation. Which also meant he had to address the possibility of him never seeing Liyu again. And he didn’t want that, not when Liyu had become the most important person in Woojin’s life.

Since winter started, they weren’t able to meet at the rooftop again, instead they hung out at Liyu’s club room. Liyu was the president of the photography club in their school, which Woojin had found out when he saw Liyu’s award-winning pictures on the school’s bulletin board. 

The two were sitting on the couch, close enough that they could feel each other’s heat in the winter cold. Something did change though, it was that Woojin was now the one who liked to initiate physical touch first, which definitely surprised Liyu. 

“Hyung.” Woojin put his head on Liyu’s shoulder. “Why do you like taking pictures?”

Woojin asked that question because Liyu was currently scrolling through his phone’s gallery. It was full of either scenery, himself, or sometimes, Woojin.

“Because I like keeping my memories close to me.” Liyu suddenly lifted his phone. “Like this.”

Liyu suddenly snapped a picture of them and immediately laughed. It was probably because Woojin was shocked and looked dumb in the picture.

“Delete that.” Woojin reached for the phone, but Liyu quickly avoided it.

“This is also a memory, Woojin-ah.” Woojin smiled, but the smile faltered as quickly. 

“Where do you want to go after you graduate?”

The question was sudden, just like back then with Liyu, but this time it sounded sad and worried. It was better to ask right now rather than Woojin finding it out through someone else.

“I want to go to uni and pursue photography.” Liyu didn’t smile, he probably heard the worry in Woojin's voice. “You also should do what you want.”

“Then, can I also go to the same uni as hyung?”

Liyu’s eyes widened and Woojin found it cute.

“Are you sure? What do you want to go for?”

“Music.” Because through music, I met you.

“Then go for it! I’ll be beside you, of course.”

Graduation came not soon after and Woojin cried like a baby. He cried more than Liyu’s parents or friends, but he didn’t find it embarrassing at all. Liyu must’ve found it adorable too, because he kept laughing, yet he comforted Woojin, saying that they could always hang out. Though, that would never be enough for Woojin, which was the main reason he worked so hard to come to this point.

Woojin was currently a freshman at the Music Department, and most importantly, in the same university that Liyu attended. Liyu was already in his third year at the Photography Department. Nothing really changed since they both went to college, except for the fact that Woojin became far clingier than he was in high school. He didn’t expect college to be this more intense than high school, but what he loathed the most was that he barely got any time to meet Liyu. Sure, they were both also from the same faculty, but their schedules were the absolute opposite. 

By the time they met, it was either good or the absolute worst. Good was when Woojin got to spend time being clingy to Liyu and Liyu never complained at all whenever Woojin brought them wherever he wanted. But, the absolute worst was the absolute worst. With new environment came also new people, or in this case, Liyu’s new friends. 

Woojin wasn’t jealous, or that was what he convinced himself, but he swore he’s not. It’s just that whenever he has time in his schedule, Liyu would often already have plans with his other friends. Liyu did ask if he wanted to join them, and Woojin would if he didn’t have a one-sided beef with them. There was one primary reason why Woojin didn’t want to hang around them.

They loved to call him “Liyu’s Little Brother”. Well, they were blind and wrong. 

Could they not see how gay and whipped Woojin was for Liyu? Who else would carry Liyu home whenever he’s drunk or wait after class just to talk to Liyu? That’s not what a little brother would do. What was worse was that the influence might’ve rubbed on Liyu, because nowadays, he treated Woojin more and more like a child. Woojin was glad that Liyu cared for him, but he was already a full-fledged college student.

This frustration was so overbearing that he ended up telling it to a random senior that he had never met or talked to before. Though it was also because he empathized with the older man.

Euijoo (senior): shit, that must be really frustrating

You: yeah

You: hyung also can’t see that i’m in love with him

Euijoo (senior): do you want to tell him?

You: i want to. but i’m scared he doesn’t feel the same

Euijoo (senior): i say you better tell him fast

Euijoo (senior): lest you end up like me

You: thanks hyung, imma tell him tomorrow

Euijoo (senior): at least he’s not going on a date tomorrow haha

Woojin felt really bad for Euijoo, but he was also kind of glad Liyu was introverted enough to not go on a random date with someone. Tomorrow was Sunday, which was usually spent with and at Liyu’s condo, doing whatever they felt like doing. It wasn’t exactly the best place or time to confess, but it was better late than never.

Another notification popped up. Woojin thought it was from Euijoo senior, but it was the sound he specially set for someone. Woojin didn’t want to sound too whipped, but he was always happy to read a message for Liyu. 

Liyu-hyung: woojinaaa, i don’t think i can do it tomorrow

Liyu-hyung: sorryyy, i’ll treat you to lunch next time we meet?

It was fine. It really wasn’t. He replied as fast as possible.

You: that’s fine ㅠㅠ

You: where are you going though?

Please, God, please anything but that. Woojin was practically kneeling on his bed right now.

Liyu-hyung: i have a date tomorrow hehe

Liyu-hyung: can you believe someone is asking hyung on a date?

Liyu-hyung: maybe i can finally say goodbye to my single era

Liyu froze on his bed. He swore he could hear the universe laughing at him. Chappel Roan wasn’t exactly helping either with her singing. Woojin would rather die than saying good luck to Liyu or whoever he was going to meet tomorrow. He did though open his chatroom with the senior who was as ill-fated as him.

You: i’m fucked

Euijoo (senior): ??? don’t tell me

You: hyung’s going on a date tomorrow 

Euijoo would rather not wake up at all than to face this day. Okay, maybe he was being a bit overboard, but it was honestly the worst day ever. It was worse because Nicholas still woke him up in the morning because stupid and dumb Euijoo lied that he also had plans today. It would be better if he slept through the whole day.

Euijoo downed his third cup of coffee that morning, ignoring the migraine that he got after sleeping late (and crying). It was either coffee or not functioning throughout the whole day and Euijoo, for better or for worse, chose the former. He was also sitting on the couch, taking in the morning sunlight, so it was at least one good thing.

“Juju, made you breakfast,” Nicholas called from the open kitchen.

Euijoo really needed for Nicholas to stop talking or he might sob pathetically on the floor. It was so unfair that Nicholas already look so fucking good and handsome in the morning with his styled hair and black polo shirt just for Euijoo to not be the one he’s spending time with. Euijoo thought that if he took another cup of coffee then he might just be able to kneel on the floor and beg Nicholas not to go, or he might die first thing in the morning from a caffeine overdose. Euijoo thought both options weren’t that much different anyway.

“Ju?” Euijoo didn’t even notice that Nicholas was standing close to him; Euijoo could even smell his cologne. “You heard me?”

“Oh, yeah, thanks.” Euijoo tried so hard not to sound like he was on his deathbed.

Nicholas smiled and was gone soon after. He came back soon after, fully ready to go out with their car key in hand. Yes, they had a car together.

“I’m going out,” Nicholas said as he put on his shoes. “Don’t miss me too much, okay?”

On a completely normal day and on a completely different occasion, Euijoo would scoff and ridicule him, but today was not that day.

“Nichol,” Euijoo called weakly, but Nicholas could still hear him.

“Yeah?”

“Have fun.”

“You too.”

And with that, Nicholas was gone, and so was Euijoo’s last remaining sanity. There was this little but loud part of Euijoo’s brain that told him to do something. Something reckless, stupid, and borderline creepy. 

It was to follow Nicholas. Euijoo thought the plan wasn’t too crazy, right? He was just curious about who Nicholas was going to meet. Yeah, sure, he was going to do it out of jealousy, he’s not going to disagree with that, but was Euijoo crazy enough to do this?

Well, apparently, Euijoo that day was a yes.

Euijoo quickly ate his breakfast (because no way he’s going to miss the breakfast that Nicholas had made just for him) and took a brisk shower. He was somehow prepared for this. He picked out his most indistinguishable clothes, which was just a hoodie, and wore a mask. When he looked at himself in the mirror, he did look terrible and exactly like a stalker, well, he chose this and no backing out. 

He went through his phone to find Nicholas’ live location. Euijoo swore in his life this was done with consent from Nicholas. They both shared each other’s live location since Nicholas got too drunk one time and Euijoo insisted that it was for their own good. Euijoo never used it unless something urgent came up, and he obviously never used it to stalk Nicholas. Love really made him do the craziest thing in his life.

Thankfully, Nicholas wasn’t far away. Euijoo took a cab, because Nicholas took their car, and told the driver to go to the location. The ride was awkward and quiet, maybe the driver was scared of Euijoo. Ten minutes later, Euijoo arrived at the city central park. It was a weekend morning, so obviously there was quite a crowd. Everyone else looked happy, normal, and with their partner or family, meanwhile Euijoo looked like something between a homeless man and a serial killer, and worst of all, alone.

He discreetly walked to the point on the map, avoiding any potential unwanted human interaction. He arrived somewhere along the park’s corner, where there were a lot of trees and benches, and it was tucked away enough that it felt like an intimate place. A place that was perfect for a date or something. Euijoo considered jumping into the lake until he saw a familiar patch of black hair.

Nicholas was sitting on a bench, alone, and seemingly waiting for someone. Summer was truly Nicholas’ season because he looked as if the sun birthed him herself. This was truly Euijoo’s fumble of the century.

Then, just left from where Euijoo was standing (and hiding) behind a tree, another patch of black hair popped up. The owner bounced excitedly toward Nicholas while carrying two cardboard coffee cups. Euijoo couldn’t see the guy very well, but even from seeing only his profile, Euijoo could guess that the guy is really pretty. 

“Nico-hyung!” the adorable guy called out to Nicholas.

Nicholas turned his head around and smiled, like, really smiled. A very, very adoring smile. The smile that only came out from Nicholas when he’s looking at particularly adorable things, which was either a puppy or a kitten (and without Euijoo’s knowledge, himself). Euijoo never saw that smile directed at another person because Nicholas really loved to play the tough slash cool guy act. 

Which meant that his person must be very special to Nicholas.

The boy sat really close beside Nicholas, shoulders touching and all. Euijoo could finally see the guy’s face, and yeah, he was really beautiful. His face was as small as the coffee cups he’s holding and his gummy smile reminded Euijoo of a bunny, truly adorable. Honestly, if Euijoo didn’t have a massive and fat crush on Nicholas, he would be very happy for the couple. But, the reality was that he wished that the one sitting beside Nicholas was him.

“Have you been waiting for long, hyung?” the bunny-like boy asked Nicholas, his head tilting adorably to one side.

Nicholas ruffled the boy’s head, “Nope. Hyung just arrived here too.”

“Hyung! I spent one hour styling my hair.” The boy puffed up his cheeks which made Nicholas laugh. “Here’s your strawberry milk.”

Okay, seriously, even Euijoo thought that they were really adorable. It reminded Euijoo of how Nicholas treated his junior, maybe he did have a spot for younger guys. Euijoo thought he was also younger than Nicholas for exactly two months, wouldn’t he also count?

“Have you eaten breakfast, Liyu?” Nicholas asked the bunny-like boy whose name was Liyu.

Even his name is adorable.

Liyu shook his head as Nicholas put his right arm around his shoulder. “Then, shall hyung treat you to breakfast?”

Euijoo closed his eyes and decided that it was enough. Nicholas looked really happy with Liyu and it was none of Euijoo’s business to intervene. When he looked again, the couple started to move to leave, and Euijoo thought that it was also his time to leave. 

As long as Nicholas was happy, Euijoo was fine. Even if it wasn’t with him by Nicholas’ side, Euijoo was fine. 

Euijoo turned away from the lovely sight and saw something. 

No, someone. 

Young, brunette, taller than him. The boy was still looking at the couple, but specifically at Liyu. His face was kind of hidden by the tree’s shadow, but Euijoo could see a familiar expression. Sad, gay, and yearning, exactly how his own face must’ve looked like right now. 

Then, their eyes met.

Kang Woojin?!

Woojin didn’t know what he was doing here. Surely there were better things to do than stalking his hyung, right? But, he was curious, that’s what he told himself, while in reality, he was drowned in jealousy. He was also young, dumb, and stupid, so no one but himself could stop him from doing this. 

How did it start? Well, somewhere this morning, Liyu suddenly sent a selfie of him to Woojin, with the caption saying that he’s headed to the central park. The photo was like a painkiller for Woojin’s migraine from lack of sleep, but the haunting fact that Liyu’s going on a date with someone else that’s not Woojin felt like he was hit by a truck. 

Obviously, Woojin, who had nothing else to do except for yearning and being gay, decided that it was fine to follow Liyu. Was it creepy? Yes. Was it crazy? Yes. Did it stop Woojin? No. Woojin ran on a mix of adrenaline and cortisol that morning.

That was how Woojin ended up hiding behind a tree and spying on his hyung. Liyu was so happy talking with this guy named Nicholas. Nicholas was really, really handsome. He was clearly older than both Liyu and him, which showed on his mature and sharp face. 

Was this Liyu’s type? Hot, sexy, mature, and clearly didn’t look like an overgrown baby. If Woojin were to put himself beside this Nicholas guy, they would definitely be a juxtaposition. 

Woojin sighed to himself, not out of hopelessness, just frustrated. Was being by Liyu’s side for four years still not enough? Maybe Liyu really did only see him as a younger brother. Woojin sighed one more time when the couple started to move to leave somewhere else; he wasn’t even trying to listen anymore. It would be better if he also left and tried, even if it’s probably impossible, to forget about his crush on Liyu.

When Woojin turned his head, a pair of eyes stared at him. It was of a man, orange hair peeking out from his hood, tall stature yet still shorter than Woojin. His face was hidden behind a mask, but Woojin swore he had seen those big round eyes somewhere. Though the guy was wearing something intimidating, he didn’t look dangerous at all. But, Woojin was asking the real question: what was this guy doing?

The two were like deers caught in headlights. The guy’s eyes widened and so did Woojin’s. Then, the red haired guy pulled down his mask. 

Euijoo-hyung?!

It was true that Woojin could’ve been mistaken because he had never met Euijoo in real life, but he obviously had seen Euijoo’s face in photos. Yeah, there was no way Woojin was wrong, the guy who’s currently staring at him was Euijoo. 

Wait. 

If Euijoo was here and he was allegedly spying too, then was Nicholas the guy he told yesterday in their messages? The roommate that he had a crush on just to end up going on a date with someone else.

And was that date Liyu? His Liyu?

Woojin couldn’t possibly get mad at Euijoo, but to that Nicholas guy? He might want a punch or two. Woojin thought to himself again, never mind, Nicholas looked really scary. But, an idea came to Woojin’s mind. He thought it was a smart idea, but no one ever knew one until it was realized. The only thing he needed was the cooperation of the senior who was still staring at him dumbfounded. 

Woojin wanted to talk first with Euijoo, but they had no time unless they wanted to lose track of the couple. So, Woojin ran to Euijoo and grabbed his arm. Euijoo surprisingly didn’t struggle or ask anything, though Woojin could hear him mumbling Nicholas’ name. Woojin thought he got it bad, but there was someone much worse than him in terms of gay yearning. 

Woojin pulled over a cab and sat both of them inside. Thankfully, the car that was probably Nicholas’ hadn’t gone too far away, so he told the cab driver to follow the car. Now, it was time for him to lay out his very optimistic plan to his college senior.

“Euijoo-hyung, are you okay? Sorry I dragged you so suddenly.” Woojin bowed because obviously Euijoo was still his senior.

“It’s fine Woojin.” Euijoo smiled gently; Woojin thought he was much kinder looking in person. “Though, you do owe me an explanation.”

“You really like Nicholas-ssi, right?” Euijoo nodded eagerly at the question. “And I love Liyu-hyung.”

“The two might be close and are going on a date right now, but none of them ever said they were officially boyfriends,” Woojin stated a fact that both of them might’ve missed because of their recklessness. “So, there is still a chance for us.”

“But how? I don’t think it’s polite to intervene on their date.”

“Hyung, we’re literally stalking them right now.”

“Well, I guess you’re right.”

Woojin smiled at his senior; he really was a one of a kind weird senior. “The point is, if we confess to them today, then we might have a chance to delay their relationship and if we’re lucky, then they might even like us back. I know it sounds stupid and overly optimistic, but—”

Suddenly, Euijoo grabbed both of Woojin’s hands. “Woojin, that’s a brilliant idea. Let’s do it!”

Woojin didn’t expect that it was all it took to get Euijoo to agree, but he’s not going to complain. They were both heartbroken boys who were currently not in their right mind anyway, so it took nothing for them to eventually become partner-in-crime.

“We’re like a couple of sunfish,” Euijoo suddenly spouted. 

“Because we’re cute?”

“No, Woojin, it’s because we’re stupid.”

Well, Woojin wasn’t going to argue with that.

“Euijoo-hyung, do you know why we are in Haidilao?”

They were all, the couple and the spies, currently at Haidilao. Yes, Haidilao, the famous Chinese hot pot restaurant. The two spies were sitting far away from where the couple were, but still close enough so that they could see what they were doing. 

“Didn’t they say they haven’t had breakfast?”

“I get it, but…”

There were a lot of reasons why Woojin was confused. First, who went to a Chinese hot pot restaurant for breakfast? Sure, Woojin was sure there were some, but here came the second question. Who would take their date here? It was so not romantic. He’s certain it was Nicholas’ idea.

“Hyung, I don’t want to offend you, but is Nicholas-ssi perhaps… bad at romance?”

Woojin expected Euijoo to get offended or mad, but he wasn’t. “Yes, he is.”

“Every time he took me to one of his “date”, he always picked out the worst place ever,” Euijoo fussed, but he was actually smiling. “One time he took me to a basketball court. Was he going to shoot his shot with me or just shoot some basketball?”

Woojin smiled at that; he thought that Euijoo and Nicholas were a match made in heaven in terms of their weirdness. Woojin also felt like he had a one up on Nicholas because he would totally take Liyu somewhere far more romantic and aesthetic for their date. 

0 points for Nicholas, +1 point for Woojin.

Woojin could see Nicholas’ pathetic attempt at flirting, but he knew that it wouldn’t work on Liyu (or that was what he wanted himself to think). It seemed that none of them could make a hotpot sauce too. Next thing was that Nicholas seemed to refuse to eat his vegetables.

“Wow, he doesn’t even eat his vegetables,” Woojin said as he ate his own piece of lettuce wrap. 

Yes, the two ended up eating too because they couldn’t possibly go there and not eat.

“Well, Nichol never eats his veggie unless I force him to,” Euijo said while munching.

“Is he a kid? Liyu-hyung also rarely eats unless I tell him to.”

“Guess they’re much more similar than we thought.”

“Well, that’s why they’re not going to grow as tall as us.” Woojin gestured to both of them. Giants whose height were 184 and 189. 0 points for Nicholas, +2 points for Woojin.

Euijoo almost choked on his water as he laughed. “Oh, Woojin, should I tell Nichol that later? Maybe he’ll appreciate your advice.”

“Eyy, hyung, I was just joking.” Woojin laughed dryly. “Please don’t tell Nicholas-ssi. I don’t want to die young.”

“He’s not as scary as he looks.” Euijoo smiled as he stared at Nicholas. “Well, on a good day that is.”

Woojin could only hope that Nicholas never learned of what he just said. There was a moment where Nicholas and Liyu spoke in Mandarin, and obviously, Woojin understood none of them. He really regretted not taking Liyu’s Mandarin class seriously now. Thankfully, Euijoo did understand some of them.

“Nichol was asking if Liyu-ssi missed Taiwan.” Euijoo translated for Woojin. “And Liyu-ssi said that he’s so busy that it never crosses his mind.”

Woojin wasn’t surprised at all because he knew how busy his hyung was. Since Liyu’s parents had to move back to Taiwan and Liyu decided to stay, he took all of his responsibilities by himself. From college to part time jobs, they were visibly tiring, yet Liyu never said he was tired even once. Woojin wished he could help, but Liyu never allowed him to.

“Oh.” Euijoo suddenly sounded.

“What is it hyung?”

Euijoo smiled as he looked at Woojin. “Liyu-ssi said that you helped him a lot by always being by his side.”

It was as if Liyu could hear his worry even from far away. Woojin didn’t think he helped much at all, but if Liyu thought like that, then the only thing Woojin was going to do was to continue to be by his side, no matter what.

After a long and extensive chat session with Euijoo, time passed by faster for all of them than Woojin had thought. When it was time to pay, Nicholas seemed to be the one to pay for their meal without any disagreement from Liyu. Though when it came for Woojin’s own meal… he forgot that he only had money left for groceries.

“Hyung, I swear I’ll pay it back later,” Woojin said as Euijoo handed out his card to the cashier.

“Don’t worry about it Woojin, it’s my treat.” 

Even when he was the one paying, Euijoo still smiled as if Woojin owed him nothing. Woojin thought that his senior was an angel sent from heaven. Sure, he might be weird and awkward at times, but Euijoo was probably the most patient and kindest person Woojin had ever met. He just hoped that Nicholas also saw it too with Euijoo.

+2 points for Nicholas, -1 point for Woojin.

Euijoo and Woojin followed the couple from behind and far away. Every time that either Nicholas or Liyu would look back or stop, they also stop to hide. It was a difficult mission because the two were visibly ginormous. Even if they tried their hardest to be inconspicuous, people looked at them as if they were a model walking on a runway. This was the rare time that the two cursed at their blessed height.

The duo arrived separately at an arcade. Woojin thought that the couple went there to play arcade games, but immediately after they arrived, Liyu dragged Nicholas to a photo booth. It was very typical of Liyu. Whenever Woojin and Liyu would hang out, Liyu would be the one to take pictures. And if they were a photo booth, Liyu never ever skipped one. That was how Woojin’s room ended up with a lot of photo strips of them two and how he loved to stare at them whenever he was about to go to sleep. 

Euijoo and Woojin sat outside as they waited for the couple. It was truly a shame that the couple were happily taking pictures while the spies were waiting miserably outside. As he waited, Woojin’s eyes kept gazing at one particular claw machine with Judy Hopps plushies, the bunny officer from Zootopia, as the prize. The plushies were gazing back at him with their big eyes that reminded him of Liyu.

“Do you want to play?” Euijoo asked. He must’ve realized what Woojin was staring at.

“No, don’t worry about it hyung.” Woojin turned away from the claw machine with pinkish ears; he couldn’t believe he was that obvious.

“You sure? I feel like they’re going to take a long time inside. Nichol doesn’t play when it comes to photos.”

“Liyu-hyung too. That’s why he’s in the Photography Department.”

“Wait, what did you say?” Euijoo looked straight at Woojin.

Woojin was confused but he repeated what he said. “Liyu-hyung is majoring in photography…?”

Euijoo was silent, then he laughed. 

“I guess that’s how the two met.” Woojin was staring at him as if he had no idea what Euijoo was talking about. “Nichol is also a Photography major. Liyu-ssi must be his junior.”

Woojin felt like he just found out the answer to the world’s greatest mysteries. He couldn’t believe that Nicholas was going after his own junior like that. It’s not wrong, but could he choose anyone else besides Liyu? 

From this new fact, Woojin felt more determined to win over Nicholas so he stood up. “Hyung, could you help me win that plushie so I could give it to Liyu-hyung?”

Euijoo smiled like a proud older brother and walked over to the cashier to exchange some coins. Seeing Euijoo from the back, he reminded Woojin of his own older brother at home. He really needed to visit them and bring Liyu and not as his friend, but as his boyfriend. He hoped that’s just not his wishful thinking.

When Euijoo came back, he came back with a bag full of coins. Like not a small bag, but a plastic bag that you usually get from a convenience store. 

“Hyung, isn’t that too much?” Woojin pointed at the bag with a stunned face.

“Is it? I just feel like this is the right amount if we’re going to use it on a claw machine. They tend to take a lot of tries.”

“You’re not wrong… but that’s a lot of money, isn’t it?”

Euijoo looked puzzled but he smiled after he realized what Woojin meant.

“Don’t worry about it, this is also my treat. Nichol and I made a lot this month.”

They both walked to the claw machine that Woojin wanted to win at. Honestly, Woojin liked Nick Wilde much more than Judy, but Judy, being a rabbit, just reminded him so much of his hyung. Liyu also really liked bunny characters so he knew that Liyu would be absolutely elated if Woojin got this from him. Now, he just needed to win.

Reality hit harder when Woojin realized he sucked at the claw machine. This was his tenth attempt and he got nowhere close to getting the plushie. It was also embarrassing because Euijoo was cheering on him the whole time and being patient with him. After trying one more time and failing, Woojin looked at Euijoo with a sulky look as if he had just upsetted the older man. Though, Euijoo just giggled at the adorable sight.

“Do you want hyung to try?” Euijoo asked with a teasing tone typical of an older brother.

Woojin just nodded, because at this point, he was just too ashamed to try again. At least if Euijoo also sucked, they could have a lot together. What was the possibility that Euijoo was good and won it on his first try, right?

The victory music chimed as the plushies fell to the hole. Euijoo got it on the first try.

“Hyung, how did you—” Woojin repeatedly laid his eyes between the claw machine and the plushie that was now on Euijoo’s hands.

“Guess I just got lucky?” Euijoo handed the flabbergasted Woojin the rabbit plushie.

Why did Woojin always have to be a loser in the presence of someone who’s older than him? It happened a lot with Liyu, though Liyu was equally clumsy to the point that they both balanced it out. But this? This was embarrassing. He now understood why Liyu saw him as a younger brother even for how much Woojin hated it.

As they waited, the duo unexpectedly did a lot of stuff at the arcade. They found a claw machine with Nick Wilde as the prize and Euijoo was also looking at it, which probably reminded him a lot of Nicholas. Woojin convinced him to get it and of course, Euijoo got it in the first try. Was Euijoo super lucky that day or was Woojin just that bad?

They also got ice cream. At first Euijoo was about to pay again, but Woojin insisted on paying because he felt that he owed so much to Euijoo. 

“Hyung, you shouldn’t spend too much money for someone you’re not that close to,” Woojin said as they both sat down on a nearby bench.

“Eh, you don’t think we’re close, Woojin? We’re basically partners in crime and heartbreak.”

“I-I don’t mean it like that, hyung.”

“See? You’re so comfortable calling me hyung too.”

Euijoo laughed at Woojin’s red boiled face. God, Woojin needed to stop embarrassing himself. Though Woojin was hesitant at first to think that he was close with Euijoo, he was glad that Euijoo felt the same as him even if they had only met each other today.

“But really don’t worry about it. This is not even a portion of how much Nichol usually spends in a day. That’s why I’m the one who manages our finances,” Euijoo explained but Woojin only focused on one word.

“You two have a shared account?” Woojin asked out of curiosity.

“Yeah, well, we lived together so we’re basically one household? Though it was also because Nichol thinks that just because he made so much from being a model and a photographer that he could spend as much money as he wanted.”  

It was a lot of information but it was also an interesting look at the roommates’ dynamics. Woojin thought Euijoo was finished but apparently he was not.

“He also said that he wanted the money to buy a house for us. Isn’t that just crazy? We haven’t even graduated and yet he’s already thinking of another stupid idea.” Euijoo stopped to show something on his finger. “He even bought matching rings for us, and when I checked the price, let’s just say that we ended up having our first big fight in a while.”

Woojin was overloaded with information. He had known that they were close, but not this close. Wasn’t this basically…

“Hyung, are you married to Nicholas-ssi?”

Euijoo spilled the ice cream all over his nose. “W-What do you mean?”

“Living together, the shared account, matching rings? You two are basically a married couple.”

“Isn’t that, like, normal? Don’t you do it too with Liyu-ssi?” Euijoo asked innocently.

“As much as I love Liyu-hyung, we’re both probably not ready for that level of commitment.”

It was Euijoo’s turn to be a boiled lobster. Woojin wanted to say that it was nothing to be embarrassed about, but he could only chuckle at how adorable he found Euijoo’ and Nicholas’ relationship was. It was surely a relationship goal that he aspired to have with Liyu one day.

“At least we don’t have to worry anymore about how much Nicholas-ssi loves you, hyung. He’s basically ready to get on one knee if you want it.”

As if Nicholas had heard it, he finally came out with Liyu from the photo booth. It really did take them half an hour just to get a photo. What a bunch of perfectionists. Though, it didn’t take them long after they took the photo strip to leave the arcade. It was time for them to move again and hopefully the last time.

“Hyung, are you coming or are you still reminiscing about your marriage with Nicholas-ssi?”

“I’m coming!”

The salty air greeted them like a splash of cold water. Euijoo should’ve seen it coming the moment he realized that Nicholas was the one who planned this date. The beach was one of his favorite places after all. From Hawaii to now this beach, Euijoo didn’t know how he kept ending up on these sandy shores with Nicholas one way or another. This time though, Euijoo could only hide behind a tree like an intruder. 

He knew that Nicholas loved him, it was so obvious the moment Woojin, an outsider that’d only known them now, could even point it out. But, seeing him smiling with another man that wasn’t him just made Euijoo feel all wrong inside.

Euijoo was never the jealous type, well, he thought that was the case. Because no one ever appeared and became a threat to his and Nicholas’ relationship, Euijoo felt as if everything was secure and set in stone, even if there was never a confirmation from Euijoo about what they were. But now that someone did appear, Euijoo felt scared that Nicholas was going to be taken away from him so easily. He wanted to ask what was Nicholas doing, but the question that kept popping up in his head was what he himself was doing all this time. 

It also didn’t make it easier that Nicholas looked the most boyfriend right now. The way he took a picture and the way he posed for one; Euijoo just wished he was the one to be by his side right now. Euijoo was too scared to say it out loud, but right now, the two really did look like a real couple. 

“Hyung, are you okay?”

Euijoo almost forgot until the younger boy whispered from his side. Woojin was also going through the same thing as him, so Euijoo, as the older one, felt like he had to stay strong for the both of them. But he felt like the facade that he had been building was about to crumble at any moment now. 

“I’m fine.” 

Woojin obviously knew that it was a lie, but he didn’t say anything about it. The two just kept staring pathetically at their respective crushes. Then, Nicholas pulled the trigger.

“Don’t I look like a real boyfriend right now?” Nicholas said to Liyu.

Honestly, Euijoo was about to come out and scream if it wasn’t for Woojin holding him back. Then, it was Liyu who pulled the trigger.

“Then, hyung, do you want to be my boyfriend—"

“No!” Woojin lunged as if he was on fire.

Suddenly, everything was laid out with nothing in between. Euijoo came out behind the tree to go after Woojin. Euijoo felt every emotion he could possibly feel right now. Shame, fear, or even anger. It was childish really, even from the very first time he’d agreed to the plan, he knew that the result would be anything but good. Now that the secret was out, it hit Euijoo like a truck.

Nicholas was staring at him with what Euijoo could only decipher as disappointment. There was no chance he could come back from this. But then—

Laughter. Nicholas and Liyu laughed as if something was funny. 

“It took me much shorter than that to come out to my parents,” Nicholas joked, yes, he just made a coming out joke.

Then, it all suddenly made sense to Euijoo.