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It starts at a very loud, very disruptive halloween party. If this had been a kdrama, Sohee would've probably described the incident as an ill-fated relationship.
But Sohee has never been one for the dramatics. He is a Simple Guy™, which he thinks was what led to this... predicament in the first place.
Seunghan just had to suggest hosting the party at his house during genetic engineering three days ago to celebrate the holiday (dude, I dunno if you know this, but you don’t stay at a dorm and your place is gigantic. It'll be the perrfect place to have a banging halloween bash. Plus your mum's rarely home, so), and Sohee had agreed because in all honesty, he hadn't expected that many people crowding the vicinity in the first place. He should've known 'party' and 'bored uni students' created a deadlier combination than starving freshmen on Meatloaf Tuesdays.
And in all fairness, Seunghan just has to look at Sohee to get him to agree to do anything , but Sohee doesn't consider himself a hopeless romantic.
Like he said before, he's a Simple Guy, and simple guys definitely don't get all wistful or teary-eyed over guys they can't have. No way.
Now, back to this dreadful halloween party.
Sohee spares a look of disdain at the fuzzy concoction in his hand (why is it so blue ) but downs it anyway, and it burns down his throat, serving as an almost worthy distraction from what's happening in front of him.
Seunghan's arm is draped around Eunbin's waist in that easy, familiar way it can only be when you know someone better than they even know themselves. His eyes are crinkled, lined with kohl as dark as his effortlessly ruffled locks, and the top buttons of his white shirt are undone, revealing smooth and toned skin that Sohee realllyy should away from now before he gets caught staring again.
Eunbin laughs, bright and lively at something Seunghan whispers to her as they sway along to the music, her long black hair curled to perfection. Her dress is all gothic inspired, mirroring the character she's supposed to be nearly perfectly (Katherine Pierce), and Sohee grabs another cup of those radioactive looking drinks from the table two students dressed as Romeo and Juliet are making out at, gulping it down in seconds.
"Woah, isn't that like -- your fourth time drinking that stuff?" Seunghan asks, brows furrowed in worry. He has to raise his voice over the incessant chatter around them. He's always so concerned about everyone else, Sohee can't help but chuckle at the fact that he could not have chosen a worse character to portray for halloween.
"I think he's losing it," Eunbin speaks, a matching frown on her face. She steps up to Sohee, places a hand on his shoulder and holds up two fingers. "How many fingers am I holding up?"
"I'm fine, you guys," Sohee shrugs them off, but to be fair, all the alcohol(?) he's been chugging for the past hour has loosened him up for the time being. His chest feels warm -- the good kind of warm -- and seeing his best friends get all overprotective over him in their costumes just makes him want to fucking crack up for no reason.
"It's just -- the fact that you're supposed to be Damon Salvatore when you're like, the sweetest guy I've ever known is so abysmal, it's hilarious," Sohee continues, gesturing wildly to Seunghan, and he knows he's definitely rambling right now and he should probably shut the fuck up before he says something he regrets, but his lips have always been far too loose, especially when intoxication's involved.
And Sohee doesn't know how it happens (considering he's nothing short of cornered by Seunghan's and Eunbin's increasingly pensive stares) but over their shoulders right then, a pair of dark eyes lock with his, and it's like a frickin' horror movie how cold chills descend Sohee's spine right then.
" -- and you're Katherine. And you're wayyy too nice and loving to be her for halloween," Sohee finishes, glancing back at Eunbin whose brows are so knitted, they almost resemble a unibrow.
"You know these characters are fake, right? They aren't real. They're just for fun," Eunbin says, and Sohee nods, raking a hand through his spikey chestnut hair. He can't really concentrate on what she's saying because he feels as though he's just seconds away from getting slaughtered by the chainsaw man, because -- is that Park Wonbin over there looking at him?
Sohee glances at the third year who's huddled by the spiraling staircase with his too tall, too pretty jock friends, all donned in jerseys or cheerleading outfits far too revealing for a simple halloween party. And sure enough, Wonbin's holding a beer, clad in this fake maroon jersey with his extra HD abs on display, looking right at him .
Fuck.
Sohee almost drops the cup he's holding, which will probably result in the concoction melting through his loafers. And he cannot have that because his mum would get very mad 'cause she just bought them, and that's something he doesn't want to deal with right now, thank you very much.
Sohee figures Wonbin probably isn't looking at him in reality. Besides, there are a bunch of people at this party and the guy probably just got drunk or confused or something. There's no reason why Park Wonbin, their college's track star and resident pretty boy, would be eyeing Sohee up, their college's resident whatever .
"Sohee? You okay?" Seunghan asks, and Sohee guesses it must really be obvious he's freaking out due to how concerned Seunghan's being. And any other day, Sohee would welcome it with open arms. But right now, he just needs to take a breather.
"'M gonna go use the bathroom," Sohee exhales.
"Alright," Eunbin nods, and Sohee wants to gulp down another round of whatever's in those cups when she and Seunghan return to slowly moving along to the r&b track playing through the speakers.
Way to be a Stefan.
Sohee makes it to the bathroom in one piece, and hates how dramatic he's being as he splashes his face with tap water. This does not bode well with his Simple Guy principle.
"Get a grip, Sohee," he grits out, studying his features in the mirror. He's tired, no doubt, and his pupils are all glazed over, a picture-perfect image of inebriation. He bites his lower lip, hating how dry it is.
"Checking yourself out?"
The sound that leaves Sohee's mouth at that moment isn't one he needs to talk about in extra detail. Just know it's irredeemably embarrassing .
He gapes, wide-eyed at the silhouette now lingering outside the bathroom door. A silhouette with silky smooth hair and shredded abs. And, while the sight isn't something most will find particularly threatening, Sohee finds himself swallowing deeply.
Shit.
"Uhhh," he takes a step back, while Park Wonbin takes a step forward. "D'you wanna use the bathroom? I can leave if you wanna."
The lights are dim and mostly come from the corridor, but Sohee can still clearly spot how dazed Wonbin's pupils appear. The way he slightly staggers when he sways his way over to Sohee, fingers undoing his top buttons.
And Sohee...he doesn't really know what's happening. "Aren't you like, drunk?"
"Like you also aren't?" Wonbin slurs, and shit, Sohee kinda feels like he's gotten yanked into some freaky alternate universe; a fever dream, if you will. He's never heard Wonbin's voice so close before, never expected it to sound so soft and delicate either.
The lump in Sohee's throat exacerbates at Wonbin's cool fingers touching his flushed skin.
"Oookay," he holds the older's hand, gulps when Wonbin frowns down at him. "What -- what are you doing?"
At this point, there's less than a centimeter between them, and the chilly atmophere's turned into something heated and weird and charged. Sohee can feel the hard ridges of Wonbin's stomach pressed against his and he'd be damned if he said it didn't excite him a little.
What the fuck is happening?
Wonbin, instead of giving a worded answer, just plants his lips under Sohee's jaw, and oh , an all consuming heat pools at his stomach at the sensation.
What the fuck is happening?
It's when Sohee definitely feels Wonbin's thick thigh pressing between his legs that he snaps out of it -- just barely -- stumbling against the sink. His palms sting like a bitch at the contact, but that isn't the priority right now.
"What are you doing?" He asks once again, unable to help how breathless he sounds. It wasn't like they even did anything, yet here he is going crazy just 'cause Park Wonbin touched him. Whatever.
"Do you want to kiss me or not?" Wonbin crosses his arms, biceps bulging beneath his too tight jersey, and Sohee hates the way his eyes rake down his form, taking in the enigma that was the boy in front of him.
Park Wonbin's exceedingly popular and out of this world pretty, but Sohee's always seen him as something unreal that you could look at, but you could never touch. A trophy of sorts, even though that sounds kinda dickish. And regardless, Sohee had never been interested in the guy like that, despite his many admirers.
But now...
"Well?" Wonbin presses, arms still crossed, and Sohee really doesn't believe this is happening right now.
"Why does it sound like you're threatening me?" Sohee questions. His chest feels way too cold, and it's right then he notices Wonbin has unbuttoned like, half of his fake bloody dress shirt already.
The second year student rushes to cover himself, while Wonbin lazily rolls those large eyes of his.
"We don't have all day here," he tells Sohee. And... okay, Sohee is normally a very upright guy, alright? He doesn't vape or smoke or do any of that crazy stuff students often indulge in. He also barely drinks -- save for when he wants to not face reality for a bit -- and that is why his mum often leaves the house in his hands because she trusts that he'll be a good boy and not get it fucking trashed. So why oh why does Park freaking Wonbin just standing there, borderline glaring at him, drive him batshit insane?
Wonbin huffs and turns around to leave, and Sohee decides to blame his next actions on whatever alcoholic toxins he'd consumed because he dashes to grip the older's hand the next second, nearly slamming into him.
"Um," he stutters, unsure under Wonbin's dark brown eyes. Sohee isn't one to get anxious easily (it's mostly reserved for a certain Damon Salvator impersonator downstairs), but damn -- he keeps getting caught off-guard by how sparkly Wonbin's eyes are. They shine even more than all the gold glitter shimmering over his lids.
"Let's go to my room?" Sohee concludes, and dear god, he despises the way he freaking squeaks at the end. Like some chick, goddamn. Seunghan's suddenly in his head, the taller's arm tight around him as he ruffles up his hair the way he always does before he calls him ' chick ' over and over again.
Sohee shakes his head and wills away the memory. He can't afford to get distracted. Actually, he can afford to be distracted, and guessing by Wonbin's sudden, strange fixation on him too, the guy's also desperate for something different.
Sohee's hyperaware of Wonbin's unwavering presence behind him as he rummages his slacks for his keys. He almost feels like a cheating student hiding away from their eagle-eyed professor as he glances down at the students populating the low lit corridors. He guesses they must be more out of it than he'd thought because no one bats an eye at seeing him and Wonbin together (or maybe it's just the mind compulsion easing through his costume. Probably).
Sohee hasn't taken two steps into his bedroom before Wonbin's pouncing on him (yes, pouncing), cool hands fisting his hair, gripping his neck, slipping through his loose white shirt. Sohee's sure the thing won't make it through the night with how things are going.
His stomach flops over when Wonbin sucks hard on the dip of his collarbone, and his heart's pounding, so quick he doesn't hear his phone ring at first. Fuck.
His phone rings again, and a dissatisfied groan exits Wonbin's throat right then, all deep and breathy. Sohee dislikes how hot he finds it.
"Fuckin' switch it off or something," he breathes, fingers working to unbuckle Sohee's belt.
"I can't," Sohee breathes back. "They're my friends. I gotta answer."
"Fuck ..."
Sure enough, 'missed call from hani🐈⬛'s showcased on Sohee's phone when he finally manages to find it, and then he calls Seunghan back, pressing his finger to his lips.
"The fuck are you doing?" Wonbin asks in the dark, hands still scarily close to Sohee's frickin' crotch.
"Just keep quiet," Sohee pleads, and it's good timing because in the next second Seunghan picks up, his familiar honeyed voice warming Sohee's insides.
"Sohee, where are you?" He asks, the ruckus going on in the back muffling out his words.
"I'm -- " Sohee fakes a cough, which transforms into a real one when Wonbin's promptly pulling off his cropped jersey, rendering him completely shirtless. "I-I'm sleep."
"Sorry? I didn't hear you."
"Sleepy," Sohee corrects, stuck between ogling Wonbin's slender, toned self currently splayed on his bed and staring at the faded glow in the dark stars plastered to his ceiling. Shit -- it's harder than the most complicated calculus exam. "I'm tired, and -- and I need to sleep right now."
"Should we come up?"
"No!" Sohee yells. "I mean -- No, it's okay. I'm just...beat."
Wonbin's mean snicker can be heard. Sohee wants to smack it the fuck off -- with a kiss of course.
"Oh, okay. Uh, goodnight, Sohee. Talk to you later," Seunghan answers, and for once Sohee isn't paying rapt attention to what he's saying because the pale moonlight's easing in through the windows, capturing Wonbin's perfect quads and bum on display.
Sohee is deathly silent when the phone turns off. He places it on the dresser, then turns to Wonbin, as stiff as a board.
"Are you going to stand there like some sick Victorian boy or are you going to makeout with me?" Wonbin asks, flicking his long bangs to the side.
Sohee is all sorts of offended. "I am not a sick Victorian boy, I'm Stefan Salvato -- "
Wonbin snatches him by his already wretched dress shirt and drags him into the bed, mouth clashing with his. His lips are plush on top of Sohee's, soft, heated -- intense -- and crap, Sohee's only had a taste yet he doesn't think he will ever get enough of this.
He decides he'll blame it on the alcohol infiltrating his system when he flips Wonbin into the pillows, loving the way his hair immediately flies about his pretty features. He sinks in, sucking down the curve of the older's neck while his fingers palm over Wonbin's tight ass boxer briefs.
And yeah, while Sohee might give off that ' virgin that's never experienced the warm touch of a man' vibe, he's hooked up with a few guys here and there, alright. So he thinks he's doing a bit of a good job when Wonbin pants into his ear, hurried and high-pitched.
"Take your pants off now," the older commands, but it sounds more like a desperate whine.
"Thought we were just making out," Sohee says, locking Wonbin's lips in a hard long kiss that he's pretty sure is gonna bruise later. He didn't even know he was capable of it, but he guesses pining over your straight best friend tends to do a number on your emotional state.
Dang it. Sohee's supposed to be a Simple Guy.
"Making out involves all sorts of things. So please, take those fucking pants off," Wonbin exhales, and fuck, he sounds so needy it kinda throws Sohee into an ego boosting loop there. That might make him sound kinda like a dick, but --
"Sohee!" Wonbin grunts, and Sohee definitely did not expect Park Wonbin to know his name, much less scream it like that.
Sohee quickly nods, limbs working on autopilot as he shimmies out of his pants, leaving him in similarly contrictive briefs. It's sorta embarrassing how excited he's gotten, but with the way Wonbin's peering at him through those round, dark eyes of his, it's more of a turn on than something to be ashamed of.
God, what even is happening?
Wonbin keeps his eyes on Sohee the entire time as he climbs back on top of him, and then he's snaking those long fingers of his slowly into Sohee's briefs.
"M gonna suck you off," he says.
Sohee gulps, hardening instantly. "Is that a threat?"
Wonbin rolls his eyes. "Shut up. Just wanted to let you know."
Sohee feels all the oxygen leaving him when he mutters, "I'd like that very much."
In seconds he's the one being pinned down, but it doesn't matter when he's the one gripping Wonbin's hair as the older kisses down his stomach. He hates how he imagines someone else right then. Someone taller with shorter hair and sharper features, but he figures Wonbin's probably thinking of someone else too while he's doing this.
The irritating sunlight's the thing that wakes Sohee up from his deep slumber, and he blinks, rubbing his groggy eyes as he tries to take in his surroundings.
He's in his room, on his bed -- which is good -- but something's... different.
Sohee's heart stills at the cropped maroon jersey and discarded briefs he notices on the carpet, and just like that everything that happened the previous night comes rushing back to him. It doesn't help that his head starts pounding right then, a tell-tale sign that a hangover's starting.
He turns, slowly as if that would negate the possibility of what he's about to face, only to screech at the bare arm and tufts of dark hair peeking from under the sheets.
"What... the fuck," a voice mutters, one that sounds very much like Park Wonbin's.
Sohee falls off the bed, a loud enough sound that draws the guy out of the covers.
Sohee wastes no time in pulling on his boxers, glad his shirt's still on at least , and by the time he's regained more than half his composure, Wonbin's still on the bed. He stares at him with an expression that can only be described as grim.
"If you tell anyone about this I'll murder your cat," he states, running a hand through his hair which does little to fix how messy it is. It's such a weird sight to see considering how prim and proper Wonbin usually is on campus surrounded by all his buds.
"I don't...have a cat," Sohee replies.
"Then I'll murder your dog."
"I don't have a dog either."
"Just don't tell anyone, okay?" Wonbin warns, and although he's freaking threatening Sohee with murder at like, six in the morning, he looks gorgeous , skin all golden from the sunrise hitting the windows. "Or your family's toast."
Sohee shrugs. "Uh, sure, I guess."
"Great." Wonbin claps. "I can't leave your house in my outfit at this time 'cause people will know something's up, so you gotta lend me a hoodie."
Sohee blinks. "What?"
"I need to leave. Give me something I can hide in," Wonbin repeats slowly as if he's talking to a toddler.
Sohee kinda forgot how much of a dick the guy could be, but he realizes this is also for his own good. He can't have a naked guy inside his house when his mum can return at any moment, especially one of the likes of Park Wonbin.
So he heads for the closet and pulls out the first hoodie and sweatpants he sees. They're black and large and nondescript enough, and when Sohee spins on his heels his eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets at seeing Wonbin on his feet, his bare ass on display.
Wonbin notices, and one trimmed dark brow is raised in confusion. "What? It's nothing you haven't seen before."
Sohee sighs and tosses the guy the clothes. "Just put them on."
"You can't seriously expect me to put those on without showering first, now can you?"
Sohee chews his lip, tries to ignore the anxiety bubbling away at his insides. "Fine. Whatever. It's the door to your left."
He'd rather Wonbin leave as quickly as possible, but he's not a dick, so he waits for the guy to be done, pacing round and round his room while scrolling through the messages left by his friends.
Fortunately Wonbin's fast (absurdly so), and soon enough he's entering Sohee's room in his towel mind you, dark hair damp and sticking to his nape, and skin all dewy. It's also littered with hickeys.
Sohee can't help the way his eyes drop to the guy's abs right then, mind replaying the shit that went down last night.
Shit that was very, very real.
"Clothes," Wonbin commands, voice easing into the deepest trenches of Sohee's deranged thoughts and fuck , his ears redden like crazy.
Sohee hands them over, and then he's placing Wonbin's clothes into a separate plastic bag because he's a nice guy that just wants the older to get home in one piece, regardless of whatever 'relationship' they share.
"Is there someone you could call? Though I don't think I saw your phone anywhere," Sohee tells Wonbin once the older's all dressed up in his hoodie and sweatpants. They swallow him whole, making him appear almost cute , and Sohee shakes his head to rid himself of the thought.
Wonbin lets out this airy laugh that Sohee thinks kinda sounds patronizing. "Don't see how that's any of your business."
"It isn't, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't care," Sohee replies, and Wonbin's grin turns even more strained. Tense.
"I'm leaving, Sohee." He heads for the door with his things, pulls the hood over his head. "Remember what I said: tell anyone about this, or -- "
"My cat and dog are getting murdered, and my family's toast. Got it," Sohee concludes.
Wonbin just glares at him with this ' you think this is funny?' look, before vanishing out the door.
Then silence.
Sohee inhales. Exhales. What the fuck just happened? He decides he'll just ignore this morning's events for the sake of his sanity.
"Shit, is that a hickey?"
Sohee stops observing the insects before him through the microscope and freezes, slowly turning to face Seunghan's wide-eyed gaze next to him.
"Uh," Sohee scratches his nape, which he'd thought had been adequately covered by the zipped up turtleneck he'd chosen to wear. "It's a mosquito bite."
"That is not a mosquito bite," Seunghan accuses, inquisitive eyes still trained on the small purplish marks marring the shorter's skin.
"It is," Sohee presses and tugs his turtleneck upwards. He adjusts his jean jacket, fixes his snapback, but Seunghan is still watching, and it makes him want to scream.
"Did you hook up with a guy recently?" Seunghan questions with a lowered voice, because he's that ally friend that fully supports Sohee's gay ways, and that would be all fine and dandy if Sohee wasn't currently well, into him . "Wait -- was it at the halloween party yesterday? Is that why you disappeared off?"
Sohee hates how smart his friend is about these kinds of things when he's oh so oblivious to everything else . He rushes to defend himself, but with the way Seunghan's eyes light up in mirth as he slaps his back in that 'dude bro' way, Sohee knows it's a lost cause.
"Who was it?" Seunghan asks.
Sohee scribbles down his lab hypothesis into his notebook. "Can't say."
"Oh come on."
"I really can't. Plus it's weird anyway. Why would I wanna tell you who I had sex with?"
"Cause we're besties?" Seunghan grins, playfully nudging Sohee's side. Yeah, of course.
Sohee gulps down the hard lump in his throat. "Eunbin's our bestie too, yet she isn't all TMI about you guys' sexual escapades."
Shit, Sohee doesn't mean to make his words come off so bitter and rough, but they do regardless. He clears his throat and stares out the window. "Sorry."
Below them is the track field, a plethora of athletes jogging about. Sohee doesn't know if the both of them hooking up has made him develop some kind of super vision, but Sohee's eyes zoom in on Park Wonbin right then, clad in a sleeveless top and grey shorts. He's stretching at the side, the top half of his hair tied up.
"Yeah. Just realized how weird that is," Seunghan's saying, and Sohee doesn't know if their hook up developed his vision, because Wonbin looks up right that second, dark eyes instantly locking with his.
Sohee quickly ducks like a startled turtle, which in turn startles Seunghan.
"Dude, you okay?"
Sohee flicks his pen, something telling him to check that window again even when he knows it'll do him no good. It's like being on drugs but without all the nasty after-effects. "Yeah. I'm fine."
He figures he sounds convincing enough because Seunghan proceeds to look through the microscope, and that's when he takes the chance to stare out the window again.
Wonbin isn't looking his way (thank god), but he is talking to this obscenely tall brown haired guy. Jung Sungchan. He's another jock Wonbin's always around, boisterous and overbearing in his ways. Someone Sohee definitely avoids looking at whenever their paths cross.
Why are you even watching them? The voice in Sohee's head asks, and honestly, Sohee has no idea. He's being stupid, he knows this, so he isn't all that surprised when Wonbin catches him staring for the second time.
His gaze is hard -- intimidating, even -- but Sohee swears there's something fickle and erratic hidden under there too.
He's a hundred percent sure he's seeing things when Wonbin's thumb suddenly jerks to his left. Where the less used boys bathroom stalls are situated.
'Huh?' He mouths, and Wonbin, sure enough, does that motion again before facing his teammates once more, features betraying nothing.
So -- okay. Wonbin does want to do something to him, and the prospect has Sohee exhilarated. But he can't just skip class. And... what if it's just a fluke anyway? What if Wonbin wanted to beat him up for watching him the wrong way or something?
Sohee spins around in his chair only to see Seunghan texting Eunbin heart emojis beneath their desk. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
"Gotta use the bathroom," Sohee says to no one in particular before slipping out through the back.
He feels like a scheming criminal as he makes his way down the stairs and past another auditorium, hands shoved into his jean pockets. He can just envision his mother's look of utter disappointment; the way she crosses her arms, shakes her head and says ' Ah, Sohee...', but to be fair, he isn't skipping school -- just skipping like, ten minutes tops of a course he's already acing.
Goosebumps litter Sohee's arms as he regards the bathroom before him. It's an utterly disastrous sight, hidden towards the back of campus and shadowed by scraggly trees that could use a bit more sunlight than what they've been given. He just knows it'll be a horror scene in there, but he's willing to forgive anything if it keeps his mind off of Seunghan and Eunbin's (admittedly loving) relationship.
He steps in, surrounded by empty urinals and silence at first, until Wonbin appears from a stall like an apparition (horror movie, anyone?).
Sohee startles, nearly jumping from his skin. "Can you not -- do that?"
Wonbin saunters closer, smelling of this distinctive cologne and boy scent that has Sohee kinda weak in the knees, mind racing a mile a minute. It doesn't help that his hair's still in that freaking ponytail, which he looks unfairly good in by the way.
"Gonna suck me off?" Fuck, Sohee can't believe he just said that. Blame it on how ape-brained he gets around pretty boys called Park Wonbin.
"Fuck no. 'M not sucking you off in some dirty bathroom," Wonbin grimaces, but he's grabbing Sohee by his jacket and slamming him into the nearby stall, and hell, Sohee's heartbeat pulses wildly in his veins when Wonbin's lips lock fervently with his the next second.
While Sohee's no stranger to heated makeout sessions, he's never met a guy who kisses as passionately as Wonbin. He kisses like he wants to suck his soul from him and a bit more, and while that is a bit terrifying in some aspects, it's still undeniably hot as fuck.
Sohee lets himself get rammed into the wall, Wonbin's hands all over him as his lips ravage his now exposed Adam's apple, teeth scraping against where the old hickeys definitely are.
"No hickeys," he exhales, though he hardens at the way Wonbin grips his hips in a vice.
"Didn't seem to care all that much about leaving some all over me," Wonbin grits out, biting his earlobe.
Sohee hates how he groans right then, a guttural, obviously pleasured sound. "I have a class, Wonbin. We can't be doing that here -- "
Wonbin jumps to wrap his legs snug around Sohee's waist, and Sohee's remaining words dry up in his throat. Wonbin's hot -- way too hot -- strong thighs pressed against his sides and hands clutching the back of Sohee's hair. His eyes are so dark, pupils blown wide, and his cocky smirk shows he's fully aware of the effect he has on the younger.
Sohee hates it, but he's pretty sure he's also weak for it. One thing's for sure though: he really wants to wipe that smug smile off Wonbin's thick lips.
So he leans in and swiftly kisses the older, Wonbin's moan muffled at the contact. He grasps Wonbin's ass to steady him (the plight of a short guy), cautious with his movements, but it seems Wonbin's into it because he moans again, louder this time around.
It's so hot.
Fuck.
Wonbin doesn't keep his hands off him one second as Sohee continues planting kisses all over his skin. At some point they engage in this strange not-sex tango where Sohee has Wonbin pinned to the stall wall as they hurriedly grind on each other while Wonbin nibbles into his shoulder. It's so weird , but it doesn't matter when they both like it in the end.
Sohee makes it back to his bio course with like, two minutes to spare, so that's good.
Seunghan asks why his snapback looks a bit off. Sohee replies that maybe his hair has a mind of its own, which -- true.
Sohee feels a little guilty when Seunghan believes him, but he figures that maybe this could be a good thing. The less he focuses on his best friend's relationship, the better.
Days pass. Whenever Sohee sees Wonbin in the halls or after lectures he looks elsewhere, and doesn't really feel a type of way when the older does the same too.
It's almost easy to get back into the groove of things, to finally pretend those two... incidents that occurred between them was just a figment of his imagination until Sohee finishes off his organic chemistry lab late that Friday afternoon and walks out of campus only to feel like he's being watched.
It's worse since he's passing by the parking lot and there's like, no one else around.
Seriously, what is it with him ending up in these horror-like scenarios?
Sohee stiffens and adjusts his tote bag, contemplating whether he should dial Seunghan's number (though he's sure he and Eunbin are grabbing some bibimmyeon right about now) when a sudden horn blasts through the air.
Sohee jumps, and turns to see a certain pair of dark eyes peering at him through a sleek grey chevy. He gulps when the car screeches to a stop in front of him, Wonbin's stare sending chills down his spine.
"Get in," he says, tone stern and very unlike his pastel blue getup at the moment.
Sohee listens, plopping into the passenger seat while Wonbin checks the parking lot for prying eyes before rolling up the windows. Sohee then realizes he'd probably die first in a slasher movie, because what the fuck is he doing, entering a near stranger's car?
Sohee doesn't say a word the entire time Wonbin drives, and it's when the guy parks close to a botanical garden that he can't take it anymore.
"Why am I here?" He asks, because he really doesn't know.
Wonbin tugs at his bright blue beanie, large eyes suddenly seeming guarded out of nowhere. "I need a distraction."
"Oh." Sohee's brows jump.
"Isn't that why you also hooked up with me? Because you also needed a distraction?" Wonbin continues, unbuckling his seatbelt. He's breaking the distance between them before long, smelling of roses and all things nice, and Sohee's immediately on edge, holding up his tote bag to keep the guy in place.
Wonbin's brows furrow. "Um, what are you doing?"
Sohee zips open the bag and pulls out a notebook and pen. "We need to set some ground rules first, because you can't just call me to hookup and expect me to frickin' agree just like that."
"Yes I can. I just did and you entered the car," Wonbin answers.
Sohee rubs his nose. "I mean -- yeah, but -- "
"And you can't just write stuff like that down on your notebook. What if someone finds out about it? Did you not watch To All the Boys I've Loved Before?"
Sohee blinks, not expecting to be attacked like this this late afternoon. "Yes I have , Wonbin. I just want us to be structured about this -- "
"Then type it on your phone or something. It's the 21st century."
Sohee takes out his phone, sorta resisting the urge to bash Wonbin's pretty face with it. He pulls up the notes app.
"Alright," he starts, titling it 'Secret Meetup Contract'. "First off: we can't meet up all impulsively, alright? It raises the chances of us being seen together."
"We'll do it at your house at night, the bathrooms during lunch and my car after classes on Fridays," Wonbin states, and Sohee has to pause , because did the guy really think this much about their 'arrangement'?
"Uhh, okay. Sounds good to me." Sohee types everything in, keeping the details as vague as possible.
"We need a code word, so we should probably get each other's numbers and stuff..." he continues, voice trailing off at the end since he isn't sure the guy even wants remnants of his presence in his life, but shockingly Wonbin passes him his phone right then.
It's a modest thing, and with the way it looks it's kind of obvious the guy's used it for a while -- which is a surprise considering the rich snobs Wonbin surrounds himself with.
(Okay, Sohee might be shooting himself in the foot there by saying that.)
He saves himself as 'sohee :)' and hopes the guy doesn't block him for that.
"'Coming over' should be enough," Wonbin states, and with the way he's fully splayed across his seat, it's clear he wants this contract discussion to be so over with already.
Sohee would've agreed with him if they'd talked about the most important aspect of these hookups already, which they haven't. "You also can't like -- fall in love with me or something."
Wonbin's eyes widen -- which is a feat because his eyes are quite wide already, and then he's laughing out loud, a hearty sound that reverberates through the car as he wipes tears from his eyes.
"Why are you laughing?" Sohee questions, puzzled.
"Because you think I'd fall in love with you, Sohee," Wonbin answers, expression incredulous. "If anything you're the one who'd fall in love with me."
Now it's Sohee's turn to chuckle. "Trust me, I won't."
"Sure you won't."
Sohee knows he should probably feel offended by Wonbin clearly not believing him, but if there's one thing he likes it's shutting bratty guys up and proving them wrong.
Wonbin gasps when Sohee's lips mould with his, but it's easily overpowered by want as he sinks into his leather seat, allowing the shorter to settle on his lap.
"You know you're kind of a bitch, right?" Sohee breathes, planting rough kisses down the slope of Wonbin's neck. Then he bites down the older's lip and smiles, inwardly giddy at the way Wonbin shudders beneath his touch.
"I'm a jock. Comes with the territory."
Sohee grounds his hips against Wonbin's, loving how the guy groans into his mouth right then. "You act as if we're in some cliche high school novel."
"Shut up." Wonbin's sneaky hands manage to pull Sohee's sweatshirt over his head, and while he doesn't mind being shirtless a lot of the time, Wonbin's eyes raking over his chest and biceps have him shivering a bit with insecurity. He isn't the most muscular guy around.
Turns out Sohee's got nothing to worry about however, because Wonbin just leans in, mouth hot against his flushed skin.
Sohee grips Wonbin's jaw to look at him, liking how the guy obeys, and then he's pushing his fingers into his mouth, the older accepting the digits readily.
Sohee decides there and then that he really can get used to this.
Sohee spends all of Saturday playing video games with Seunghan and Eunbin, but he's busy thinking about Wonbin at the back of his mind, wondering if he'd receive his 'coming over' text.
He doesn't.
Sohee's mum returns from her business trip on Sunday, and, while he's normally excited about it as she already isn't home a lot and she's leaving again in a few days, right now all the guy can think about is Park Wonbin's stupidly round eyes and his terribly sultry smirks that he just aches to kiss off.
Fuck. Sohee's supposed to be a Simple Guy , jeez.
He spends the day watching crazy game shows with his mum, phone at his side as he's bombarded by cat memes (Eunbin) and copious amounts of emojis (Seunghan) from the group chat. Sohee wonders if they've even noticed he's barely responding. Sohee wonders if they even care .
"Pumpkin, what's wrong?" Sohee's mum, Heejin asks an hour in, passing her son some peeled tangerines. She's got this obsession with calling her loved ones fruits, her son the most targeted.
"I'm just a little tired," Sohee mumbles, nibbling on his tangerine.
"Do you wanna go to sleep? I'll keep the volume down."
Sohee hates how he's getting all moody because of some guy , moody enough that it's disrupting this treasured mother-son bonding time. He's already pined enough over one guy to last a lifetime, goddammit.
"Okay, you definitely need some rest," Heejin says before Sohee has the chance to cough up a response. "Those eye bags are rivaling mine. And I'm a working woman!"
"Okay -- I did not sign up to be roasted by my own mother," Sohee says, but he's more than relieved because if there's one thing sleep can solve, it's confusing, turbulent feelings concerning a certain cocky jock. Woah, too many adjectives there. He really needs sleep.
Heejin chuckles, patting down her son's hair. "Sleep tight, Sohee. Don't let the bed bugs bite."
"Again: feeling roasted right now."
Sohee texts a 'napping now' into the group chat so Seunghan and Eunbin won't get all worried when he suddenly vanishes off the face of the earth for a few hours, and then he collapses into his bed and tries his hardest to not think about Park Wonbin or anything remotely Park Wonbin related.
He fails.
Sohee guesses something out there must've heard his pleas (or got sick and tired of his internal whining, probably) because minutes after he washes his face later that night, his phone buzzes with a new message.
- unknown number
coming over
[sent 10:45 pm]
Sohee doesn't give a crap that he's dressed in a ratty tshirt and sweatpants (he's just hooking up with Park Wonbin), and shoves his feet into his slippers to make his way out the back door since it makes the least noise.
It's cold as hell outside, and Sohee immediately hates how impulsive he is. He really should've brought along a sweater.
- sohee :)
where the hell are you
my mum's home
- unknown number
came by car so im by th woods in font of ur house dumbas
Not only is Wonbin a bitch, he also can't spell apparently.
Regardless, Sohee races to the front of the house, avoiding the cameras entirely. In the distance lies Wonbin's chevy encroached in shadows, and Sohee would be a huge liar if he said he didn't anticipate what their meetup had in store for him.
He speed walks to the passenger side, hugging himself to fend off the cold. He hasn't even spent a second inside the car before Wonbin's bringing him in for a deep kiss, one that draws Sohee's breath right out of him.
Sohee kinda wishes his mum wasn't home, but at the same time he'd take Wonbin whichever way he can get him if it means he can get his mind off reality (i.e Seunghan).
The sight of Wonbin crawling on top of his lap helps a whole lot, and Sohee's very much into it when Wonbin tugs on the drawstrings of his sweatpants till he notices the glossy sheen of the older's cheeks.
He tenses up, taking Wonbin's palm off his crotch. "Um," he swallows, kinda awkward. "Were you... crying?"
Now it's Wonbin's turn to turn rigid, gaze trained below him. His hair hides his features, which Sohee's positive is purposeful. "I thought we agreed to no questions. Wasn't it in that contract or whatever?"
"Actually... we never put any of that in the contract," Sohee clarifies with a clear throat. He's never been the best at comforting others, preferring to keep emotions at arm's length instead until it all blew over. Sohee knows it's unhealthy, but it's worked a majority of the time, so.
"Then put it in," Wonbin says, face still downturned.
"Like, right now or..."
"Obviously not," Wonbin snaps, and oh god, Sohee definitely heard some sniffling. "We're here to makeout and shit. Not fuckin' talk about our feelings."
Well, he does have a point, and Sohee should just drop it, but it's sorta hard to maintain his hard on when Wonbin looks close to breaking apart at the seams. "You don't look okay, though."
Wonbin slinks off of him, falling into his seat. "Why do you care?"
"I'm just being a fucking decent human being?" Sohee shrugs. "Look, you're clearly not into this and it's obvious you've got some stuff going on. I know we just agreed to hookup or whatever, but if you wanna talk, we can... talk, I guess. Or I can just go. Your call."
Wonbin stares at him through his deep brown eyes, and Sohee feels something close to a breakthrough.
He gets kicked out.
Which is -- understandable.
Monday morning Sohee wakes up to messages from the person he least expects.
- pwonbin
it has to do w why i need a distraction.
nd false hope
[sent 4:11 am]
Sohee's never related to anything more. He never thought he'd find solidarity with a pretty boy jock of all people, but then again he's hooking up with said jock so clearly nothing's impossible in this life.
- hani🐈⬛
i think i forgot we had calc hmwrk from prof choi
care to send me the answers prtty pls?? :3
All except one thing.
- sohee 😎
suck my dickk
- hani🐈⬛
so thats a yes then haha
Sohee hates how well Seunghan can read him.
- sohee 😎
whatever
Then to Wonbin, he's hurriedly texting 'lunch?' which he then backspaces because he and the older student aren't close like that.
Lunch rolls around, and Sohee's shaking his legs under the table in the college’s cafeteria, sneaking glances at the jock tables. It isn't hard to find them. They're the loudest in the area, all clad in bright jerseys as the guys slap shoulders and throw fries at each other's faces, and the girls exchange burning gossip or renew their makeup for the nth time.
It's all so stereotypical, but that isn't what Sohee's paying rapt attention to. It's Park Wonbin, blank faced and arms crossed as Jung Sungchan says something next to him, before laughing at whatever swim team prodigy Lee Chanyoung says right then. Sohee kinda feels like he's looking through a freaking mirror as he sees the way Wonbin's shoulders droop right then, like he's curling to himself. And no one seems to notice. No one seems to be looking his way even.
Someone nudges Sohee's rib right then. It's Eunbin, her gaze highly curious. "Hey, you good?"
"Yep, I'm good." Sohee shoves the last bit of his strawberry yoghurt into his mouth. He takes out his phone, waits until Seunghan and Eunbin are looking elsewhere before pulling up his contacts.
- sohee :)
bathrooms?
coming over
It gets delivered.
Sohee hesitates, but then grabs a granola bar and shoves it into his red hoodie pockets before leaping to his feet.
"Bathroom break," Sohee tells his puzzled friends, and while he technically isn't lying , he can't look at their faces as he grabs his tray and makes his way to the exit.
Wonbin shows up at said bathrooms thirty seconds after Sohee, and Sohee's more than eager to let himself get shoved into a stall by the guy as those soft, gorgeous lips of his engorge him whole.
Sohee very much likes the way Wonbin, the older one of the two, gets all willing and submissive whenever they get involved with each other and wraps around him like a snake while he kisses him like his life depends on it.
And while Sohee isn't one to suck guys off (handjobs are more his thing), Wonbin's despondent expression at the cafeteria just won't leave his head and he's sorta determined to get the older's mind off Jung Sungchan or whoever the hell he's currently thinking of right now.
"I want to suck you off. Can I?" He asks Wonbin, because he cares about the guy's consent, thank you very much.
Wonbin halts, no doubt taken aback. His legs are still wrapped around Sohee's hips and yeah , his arms might be starting to ache a little but he's focused way more on what Wonbin's reply is gonna be at the moment. Plus this position is attractive as fuck.
"Um," Wonbin clears his throat, planting his feet on the ground. "Yeah, I guess."
Sohee's brows furrow. "Guys don't go down on you?"
Wonbin winces. "They don't like doing it."
Sohee figures he's going to make this one count, then. It might just be a hookup/elongated makeout sesh, but Sohee's nothing if not an overachiever.
Guessing by how hard Wonbin tries to stifle his moans as Sohee makes him writhe all over the following minutes, Sohee's absolutely positive he's got it in the bag.
Sohee waits outside till Wonbin's done washing his hands, and passes him the granola bar.
"Looks like you need it. You used quite a bit of energy inside there," Sohee says. While he knows how douchey that sounds, he's genuine in his intentions. His jaw's literally sore and he's still making the effort to talk to the older for crying out loud.
"Asshole," Wonbin glares at him, but he still rips open the packaging anyway, observing their surroundings as he takes a big bite.
"No 'thank you'?" Sohee asks, and can't stop himself from watching how the older chews the snack. Without intense lust clouding his judgement, he's able to see just how unassuming and normal Wonbin appears like this. How simple . He's still handsome as heck, but his looks are easier to appreciate when they aren't being put on some pedestal.
Wonbin's eyes meet Sohee's right then, questioning embedded in them. "What the fuck, bro?"
That appreciative aura shatters, and Sohee nods to himself. Yep, still a bitch . "We should probably head back."
"Yeah. But not together 'cause you walk weird."
"What's wrong with my walk?"
"Everything."
Sohee has no idea how he just sucked this guy's dick.
The week goes on, and it's the busiest one ever not because of classes or assignments (though those can go suck Sohee's dick), but because Wonbin texts him around lunch each freaking time, and Sohee can't help but obey like a lamb to the slaughter.
Of course, his frequent 'bathroom breaks' would've claimed Eunbin's and Seunghan's suspicions sooner or later, because on Thursday right after Sohee grabs his tray to leave, Seunghan grabs him by the arm to stop him.
"Don't tell us you're heading to the bathroom again," he starts before Sohee has the chance to say anything.
"Yeah," Eunbin adds, tugging at the drawstrings of her pearl white hoodie. It matches Seunghan's, and while most will say it was probably planned, Sohee knows they probably shared a telepathic link or something that allowed them to coordinate outfits like that. It was both incredibly cute and annoyingly irritating. "And you always bring snacks along with you, so we know you're not just going to the bathrooms. Right? Please tell me you're not eating them in there."
"I'm just saving them for later," Sohee lies, and can't help but feel anxious. Wonbin's most likely at the bathrooms by now, waiting for him, and it doesn't sit right with him to keep the guy in suspense.
"So... where do you go?" Seunghan asks.
I can't believe I'm seriously about to do this . Sohee clears his throat, fists clenched. "Mum's trying these new juice cleanses, and I also tried them out and -- yeah."
Instantly, Eunbin winces while Seunghan's brows knot in sympathy. Sohee wants to die , but, anything for a distraction, he guesses.
"Shit, man, I'm sorry," Seunghan says, but Sohee just waves him off, disliking how understanding his friend always is about everything .
How would he react if he ever found out about Sohee's feelings? Not that Sohee plans on letting them get discovered. He'd probably be super apologetic over it too.
Fuck.
"You're late," is the first thing Wonbin says when Sohee shows up at the abandoned boys bathroom.
Sohee's jaw locks as he grits out an, "I know."
"You're mad."
The words catch Sohee off-guard, and he pauses, blinking twice. "Know you probably don't even fucking care, but I had to make a fool outta myself to come today."
Wonbin's features are relaxed, pensive. But then his lips quirk into a wry smile. "Can't be any worse than me. Hooked up with him even when he said just minutes before that we were only friends. Again."
"Damn, I think you might be a masochist," Sohee exhales, clearly trying to make light of the situation. "...Mum's leaving this afternoon. You can come tonight -- if you wanna. We can talk about it then."
Sohee hopes the words don't come off as desperate as he feels, and feels his heart sing when Wonbin grins, a wide, gummy sight.
"I'd like that."
And then he's dragging Sohee into him, and it's different this time around. Less hurried. Sohee doesn't hate it, even when he's more used to Wonbin being passionate and rough with him -- and thought he preferred that side more, even.
But this...this might just shape up to be his new favourite.
They don't bother with a stall this time around, or a wall. Wonbin just holds Sohee's face as his lips move in tandem with his, while the shorter's arms find solace around his waist, and they keep kissing for as long as they're allowed to.
True to his word, Wonbin's car is parked in front of Sohee's house that night, and the older can not keep his hands off Sohee as they rush into his bedroom.
Sohee wonders how much of his excitement's real just as Wonbin pushes him into the bed, but doesn't allow himself the luxury of continuing that thought. This is only a distraction . A distraction that also benefits him because truthfully, he has spent less time thinking about Eunbin and Seunghan's relationship once he'd started hooking up with Wonbin.
Because that this is only meant to benefit him, not thrust him into another set of problems.
And, Sohee is a simple guy, and simple guys don't let silly, weird emotions get in the way of sexy times.
He shuts off the conflicting thoughts in his brain to focus on pleasuring the boy before him. It's kinda the best thing Sohee's witnessed in his entire life (dim lighting be damned), and he's seen Seunghan naked already.
Once they're done, they're both panting and sweating as though they've just embarked on the most arduous workout session of their lives.
Sohee most definitely feels like it as he collapses next to Wonbin, and the older's peering at the ceiling, not looking at him. Sohee can't blame him either; it's the first time they've actually had sex with each other, so it's a little awkward.
"This is a first," Wonbin suddenly says, voice nothing but a whisper.
"What is?" Sohee asks.
"S'the first time I've slept with a guy shorter than me," Wonbin clarifies, gaze still trained solely on the faintly glowing ceiling.
Sohee sorta hates how he keeps getting roasted out of nowhere. "Uh, you're welcome?"
Wonbin rolls his eyes, finally twisting to face him. Peering into them feels like glancing into a whole other universe when he pats Sohee's shoulder and says, "You were good, though."
"At what? Fucking you?" Sohee just hates his big mouth sometimes.
"Kinda regret saying anything now."
Sohee can't help the goofy ass grin that spreads across his features right then. "So you think I'm good in bed."
"If I didn't we wouldn't be hooking up right now, Lee Sohee," Wonbin replies, and he does have a point. All Sohee can think about however is how cute his full name sounds coming from his mouth.
"Didn't know you paid attention to me like that," Sohee says.
Wonbin scoffs, back to glancing at the ceiling. He rakes his fingers through his messy hair. "Don't flatter yourself. Everyone knows everyone around here."
Sohee knows Wonbin's lying out his ass, but he also knows fixating too much on it will only ruin the amicable vibe they've now got going on.
So he just slips off the bed, glad it's mostly dark as fuck in here. Despite this, Wonbin's gaze is heavier than ever on his body.
"I feel gross so I'm uh, gonna go take a shower," Sohee begins, tone betraying his nerves. "You're welcome to join if you wanna."
Sohee then heads for the bathroom, not really expecting Wonbin to take his words to heart or anything, only to have his heart nearly burst out his ribcage when the older appears at the doorway just as he's adjusting the water's temperature.
"Jesus, Wonbin -- " Sohee starts. "Can you not give me a heart attack nearly every time we hook up?"
Wonbin rolls his eyes (he does that a lot, Sohee realizes), and just steps into the shower, chest to chest with mere inches now separating them. "You asked for me to join, so here I am."
Sohee gulps. "That I did."
And honestly, Sohee would be lying if he said he hadn't imagined this exact scenario with someone much different, but he'd also be lying if he said he doesn't enjoy the way Wonbin looks when the warm water sprays over his bare body. And, it isn't really in the dirty minded way either. Sohee thinks he's kind of adorable with his hair all curled around his dainty features like that, sort of like a drenched bunny.
"The fuck are you laughing at?" Wonbin asks through the downpour, eyes especially round like this, and Sohee wants to fucking pinch his cheek but ultimately resists the urge.
Sohee just shakes his head and grabs the bottle of body wash and a loofah, then takes that chance to lather Wonbin's chest with it, his other hand pushing a wet strand of hair behind the older's face.
Wonbin's brows knot in confusion. "What are you doing?"
"Dude, we just had sex. I'm taking care of you," Sohee answers, his loose mouth taking control once more.
Those knots loosen, and for a second Sohee sees something new take root in Wonbin's large eyes. Vulnerability .
But it lasts as quickly as it came, because Wonbin frowns soon after, reaching for the bottle. "I can do it myself."
"Nuh uh, I already started, so I'm finishing it. Plus this body wash is new so like, I'm not letting you use it so easily."
"If you scrub me, then I scrub you," Wonbin answers, crossing his arms like a petulant toddler. There's a look of challenge on his features, and this isn't the time but Sohee finds it a major turn on regardless of what they're actually arguing for.
"Deal," Sohee smirks, and guessing by the way Wonbin's eyes widen slightly, he hadn't expected that. He takes advantage of this moment of weakness to playfully flick the older's forehead, giggling madly when the guy glares at him.
"What the hell, Sohee?" Wonbin lets out, but he's lost all the spunk from earlier. Now looks as threatening as a newborn kitten.
"Shh. Just go with the flow on this one," Sohee pats his cheek, then gets to work.
Wonbin looks extra cuddly underneath those bed covers, so maybe that's why Sohee obtains enough courage to rest an arm around his waist as sneakily as he can. It also helps that Wonbin's bare back is facing him, which means he doesn't have to see the look on the older's face as he attempts this.
Wonbin doesn't stir -- which has Sohee believing he's fallen asleep -- but then he's slipping further into the covers. Slipping further into Sohee's chest.
Sohee definitely isn't imagining the nonexistent distance between their bodies now, and... and he really likes it.
He finds himself dozing off like this, head buried into Wonbin's hair, and tells himself it's no big deal when he wakes up the next morning to Wonbin gone with his things.
It's Sunday, and Sohee's kinda anxious.
Wonbin said he couldn't make it on Friday 'cause he had some track practice thing he had to get to (plus they also decided lunch meetings were going to have to stop since they were raising suspicion on both sides). Which Sohee was totally fine with, considering he'd ended up spending the night at Seunghan's place instead.
Then Saturday rolled around with radio silence from Wonbin's side. Seunghan had dropped him off after breakfast, and Sohee had spent a pathetically insane amount of the day looking through his phone to check if there were any messages from Wonbin.
And now, today's shaping up to be the same thing.
Of course, Sohee knows he can just text the older himself like a normal person, but he isn't some desperate ex. He is just --
Actually, Sohee doesn't know what he is.
No silly thoughts. Do your fucking homework, the voice in his brain commands, and while Sohee doesn't actually have homework (he'd done it all already, dang it ), he grabs that opportunity to revise some notes on the bed, trying to ignore the phone beside him as much as possible.
Sohee drops his pen as soon as it buzzes with a new text notification a minute later, and his disappointment is palpable when he sees it's from Eunbin linking the new playlist she made, which is then followed by Seunghan over excitedly gushing about it.
They're so cute it makes Sohee want to frickin' shred his brain with a chainsaw (sorry not sorry if that was kinda graphic).
Sohee types in a 'will check it out later' and is about to hurl his phone at the wall when a new notification pops in. One from instagram this time around.
'pwnbinaa liked your photo'
Sohee stills, because... what? He's so confused, because this isn't who he thinks it is, right? And he hasn't updated his account in like, forever.
Nonetheless Sohee's clicking on the notification at the speed of light, heartbeat loud and erratic in his ears, and there it is in plain sight: that same account liking this particular post of his from January.
A year ago.
It's of him when he'd dabbled a bit in this theater after school thing before he decided just focusing on STEM was more up his alley (something Seunghan definitely would not agree with), grinning backstage with super tight spandex defining his limbs, and so much eye shadow and glitter he looked gayer than how he usually looked. The only reason Sohee had that photo in there was because Seunghan said he looked hot like that, and Sohee had been dumb enough then to believe it could've meant something more.
But now that there's a chance Wonbin possibly thinks he's attractive outside of their sexual encounters, Sohee feels his body spark with thrill.
Sohee clicks the account and it's Wonbin's face on the profile pic, clad in a vibrant blue hoodie and cap as he peers off to the side in that coy way he always does.
- sohee :)
stalking my insta i see
want me to follow??
- pwonbin
what tf are u talkin about
Sohee sends him the screenshot, along with a ' u think im hot, dont u ' and Wonbin legitimately doesn't reply for like, ten minutes. And Sohee spends aalll of those ten minutes biting into his pillow and laughing his ass off, because he's a menace and because he's genuinely enjoying himself. Because this just proves Wonbin's been thinking about him as much as he's been thinking about the taller.
Eventually, Wonbin responds.
- pwonbin
think whatever u want
- sohee :)
i will take that as a yes then
- pwonbin
fuck offf
Sohee chuckles into his pillow.
- sohee :)
can we meet up tonight??
coming over
pwonbin is typing...
Sohee bites his lip. Maybe he shouldn't have sent that, even though that was the reason they'd gotten each other's phone numbers in the first place.
- pwonbin
ok
That isn't suspicious in the slightest. Sohee figures that's just the older's temperament, and after all Wonbin did say not to question things. It was also in that contract thingy that Sohee... definitely hadn't forgotten about for a second there. Definitely.
The night ends in a heated haze. Wonbin keeps his promise and they kiss all the way to Sohee's bedroom, and while they don't sleep together their lips and hands get them where they need to be and beyond.
Wonbin lets Sohee embrace him after they're done, and the peaceful thrum of his heartbeat is what eventually lulls Sohee to sleep.
- pwonbin
ur bday's in two days right
Sohee frowns at the text on his phone while Seunghan and Eunbin argue about whether pineapple on pizza and mint choco ice cream really are atrocities to mankind.
Sohee stares at the jock area, only to notice Wonbin is nowhere to be seen. Which is weird because this is the first time the guy's ever been absent at lunch. But then he sees Jung Sungchan and Lee Chanyoung crowding over a phone as they laugh at whatever, and figures it's probably for the best.
"Sohee, we need your opinion. Does mint choco taste like toothpaste or no?" Seunghan asks. "'Cause I'm fine with the flavour."
"It tastes like colgate," Eunbin refutes.
"Mint choco's mid," Sohee states, which Eunbin loudly cheers at. His admission distracts his friends enough to text Wonbin a reply, and he chooses his words wisely.
- sohee :)
uhh yeah
how'd u know tho
Wonbin replies in seconds.
- pwonbin
insta
- sohee :)
ahhh
- pwonbin
why are u moanin in the chat
Sohee pauses, reading over Wonbin's reply a second time.
- sohee :)
was that supposed to be a joke??
- pwonbin
shut up
- sohee :)
5/10 for effort
- pwonbin
shut tf up
- sohee :)
ur mum didnt say that last night ;)
- pwonbin
that doesnt evn make sense
- sohee :)
yet youre still replyingg
"Okay -- Sohee's definitely seeing someone. Look how much he's smiling," Seunghan suddenly speaks, which startles Sohee enough that his phone nearly topples to the floor.
"He's got that 'deer in headlights' look too! Totally hiding someone special," Eunbin adds, wiggling her plucked brows at him.
"I'm not dating anyone," Sohee tells them, but it's clear they don't believe a single word he says.
"We won't pester you about it. Just know that we support you one hundred percent," Seunghan says, and fuck , this only confirms he really sees Sohee as nothing but a friend. But at the same time he isn't as heartbroken right now by the realization. Maybe it's the shock, or something.
Sohee just shrugs. Figures he'll deal with the repercussions later. He'll just keep it simple, as always.
Sohee barely gets time to breathe on his twentieth birthday.
He wakes up to very detailed texts from Seunghan and Eunbin wishing him a happy birthday, and he's ecstatic. He also knows they probably pooled money together from their part time jobs to get him those gundam models he'd been talking relentlessly about lately (even though they really didn't need to since they're expensive as fuck), but they've always gone above and beyond to ensure his happiness.
His mum calls him as well, tells him she's traveling back home tomorrow and how there's now a little something extra in his bank account. Sohee appreciates it 'cause he's always been a little materialistic.
He's more than glad his birthday falls on a Saturday and spends the first half of it playing video games with his friends at Eunbin's dorm, while gorging on the delicious seaweed soup and kimchi fried rice her mum had sent them.
They take a ton of pictures (Seunghan's idea because he's always been super sentimental), and then at six Seunghan drives them to town to go see a movie.
The cinema isn't that crowded -- which is just great for Sohee -- and he tugs down his beanie as he strolls behind Seunghan and Eunbin, trying not to let his eyes linger on their interlocked arms more than necessary.
His exhales come out in puffs of smoke as he shoves his hands into his jeans pockets, glad he'd opted to wear a coat that fended off the approaching winter cold. Though Sohee doesn't think the ice currently piercing his heart is one that'll melt off as easily.
Jeez, way to be dramatic.
Sohee kicks at nothing while Eunbin gets their tickets and Seunghan buys the food and drinks, and hates how he feels very much like a third wheel when this is just supposed to be friends hanging out.
A couple of guys saunter in from the left, freakishly tall and drawing attention due to how unfairly good looking they are.
Sohee's heart stutters when his eyes lock with Wonbin's at that moment. The guy's wearing a beanie as well, black ripped jeans and a leather jacket that Sohee isn't really sure is appropriate for this type of weather.
Flanked at his sides are Jung Sungchan and Lee Chanyoung, and although he's right in the middle of it all he seems to be in another world entirely. The same way Sohee is.
Sohee looks away first to not seem suspicious, and hopes Wonbin doesn't think of him as a dick when he walks right past him with Eunbin and Seunghan in tow to go see the thriller movie they wanna watch.
He can't concentrate at all on what's playing on the screen, even resorting to texting Wonbin 'hope ur ok' twenty minutes in. He switches off the phone before he can chicken out and delete everything, anxiously sipping his cola while Seunghan and Eunbin lowly discuss the plot beside him.
Unfortunately, Sohee's persistent soda drinking endeavors result in him having to use the bathroom almost an hour into the movie.
Sohee makes it there in one piece, and after he's done pissing, he washes his hands and douses his face in cold water. He then glares at his reflection. What the fuck is happening to you, Lee Sohee?
Faint purple rings line his eyes, and his normally youthful, boyish features appear utterly distraught and exhausted. Sohee chews his lower lip, hating how chapped it feels.
Footsteps march in, and Sohee turns, only to see none other than --
"Park Wonbin?"
Wonbin rolls his eyes, and Sohee's beginning to think the guy isn't even aware of when he does that. "That is my name, yes."
"What are you doing here?" Sohee asks, breathless for whatever reason.
"It's a public bathroom, moron," Wonbin replies, stepping even closer. Somehow his words don't sound as scathing right now, neither is his glare as lethal. In fact, his fingers are noticeably jittery as he fondles with the bag slung around his shoulder, even nearly dropping it once.
Sohee has no idea what's happening when Wonbin pulls out something wrapped up in a paper bag.
"Um, what's this?" Sohee asks when Wonbin just wordlessly hands it over to him.
"Don't open it here," Wonbin replies, large eyes totally dodging Sohee's.
"Shit," Sohee gapes. "Is this a gift? Did you just get me a gift?"
Wonbin's glare at that moment could have turned the entirety of hell to ice. "Keep your voice down."
"So it is a gift!" Sohee exclaims in disbelief. He certainly hadn't expected something like this tonight. Expected someone like Park Wonbin to do this for him even though it was also kind of confusing.
"If you keep talking we're over," Wonbin threatens, heading for the door. His neck is flushed with the slightest hint of pink.
Sohee grabs his hand to stop him in his tracks, and when Wonbin watches him, he's certainly caught off-guard by how open and vulnerable his features are. Shit.
"Thank you for the gift," Sohee whispers, truly meaning it. For whatever reason he still leaves his fingers entwined with Wonbin's, but the older doesn't seem to care too much about it judging by how he isn't really moving away either. "I really appreciate it. Whatever it is."
"Don't be cheesy. It doesn't suit you," Wonbin replies. He sounds relieved though. Very relieved .
"What does suit me then?" Sohee questions, raising a brow. He just wants to tease the guy a little bit, push his buttons under the guise of friendly banter, but with how Wonbin's eyes darken right then, his Adam's apple bobbing, Sohee realizes he's been missing him a bit too much it seems.
"Eleven sound good?" Sohee finds himself suggesting, and Wonbin's nodding along before he's even finished speaking. And he can't take it anymore; he grabs Wonbin by the collar and kisses him, long and hard until their lips get swollen and they both lose their breaths.
They fuck again that night, and Sohee isn't as quick this time around to broaden the distance between them. Wonbin doesn't seem to mind either, snug against Sohee's chest while the shorter plays with his fingers.
"Can't believe you bought me a beanie," Sohee says, transfixed with how nice and well-kept Wonbin's hands are despite his sporty activities. "With snowflake designs."
"You wear them a lot, so," Wonbin mumbles. "Plus, Christmas is coming."
Sohee's mouth splits into a wide grin. "Shit. You care about Christmas. That's so cute."
"Shut up."
"How'd you know I'd be at the movies to give me the beanie?" Sohee then asks.
"Your friend, Hong Seunghan I think, posted about it on his account."
"You really are stalking me, huh," Sohee says into Wonbin's hair. "But keep doing it, because I think I like it."
Wonbin scoffs. "Believe whatever you want to believe."
Sohee notes how he doesn't outwardly deny anything.
Two weeks pass, and Sohee spends most of the nights with Wonbin in his arms. Sometimes they just lie there on the bed making out for what seems like hours. Other times things get a little dirtier and much more fuelled by lust. But Wonbin stays a lot longer on those days, and it's then that they even get to talk about whatever.
Sohee finds himself treasuring those times, realizing he likes Wonbin's company a lot more than he'd originally thought. He also hasn't thought of Seunghan once during their hookups recently, so that's a major plus.
Sohee steps out of the bookstore that breezy Saturday afternoon after buying the last of the science fiction trilogy he'd been engrossed in lately (well, engrossed in apart from Park Wonbin), only to see a certain dark haired jock across the street with a bunch of grocery bags in hand.
He's strolling down the corner, clearly heading to his house or something, but the bags look a tad bit excessive crowding his arms like that, and Sohee's a simple guy, dammit.
He figures the freezing winter wind probably gave him hypothermia or some shit and clouded his brain, because right then he waits until the roads are free before jogging over to Wonbin's side, the older's eyes like saucers upon noticing him.
"Sohee?" Wonbin starts.
"Yeah. We keep running into each other -- which is so weird, but whatever," Sohee rambles. "Lemme help you with those."
Wonbin frowns. "I don't need your help."
"You may not need it, but I know you want it," Sohee replies, already taking the nearest grocery bag. It's heav-y, but Sohee will not go back on his word, alright? Plus, seeing Wonbin all wide-eyed and speechless amuses Sohee way too much.
(It's also adorable, but Sohee won't admit that out loud.)
He holds another bag under his arm as carefully as he can, then grins broadly. "After you."
Wonbin starts walking and eventually rounds a corner, and Sohee notices his glances from his periphery every now and then. He's worried about him.
And while Sohee normally hates being treated like he's fragile, Wonbin showcases his concern in a way that still makes Sohee feel like he can breathe.
The house that stands before Sohee before long is much smaller than he'd anticipated, with plain peach walls and a typical white picket fence. The front garden adds a vibrant splash of colour though, a myriad of red and white roses present.
"Don't judge," Wonbin says, appearing to almost deflate within his black hoodie.
Sohee quickly shakes his head. "I'm not! The roses are sick."
Thick silence ensues, and Sohee inhales sharply. "Should I uh, come in?"
Wonbin just shrugs before stepping past the fence, and Sohee tries not to make it so obvious he's freaking out on the inside. He's entering Wonbin's house for the first time goddammit, and the older's completely fine with it.
It's not a big deal, chill the fuck out, Sohee tells himself over and over. He follows the older into the building, and hell, he doesn't know what he'd been expecting but it certainly isn't this.
Wonbin's house looks even tinier on the inside, so much so that things can easily become cramped, but every nook and cranny has been etched out with its own personal touch that the space looks lived in. Like a home.
The walls are a rich brown which certainly adds to the cozy atmosphere, the couch and chairs woolen with funky colours as opposed to the expensive leather Sohee's more used to.
"Kitchen's that way," Wonbin gestures to his left, and Sohee trails behind him, unable to keep his eyes off the interesting interior design of the place.
Sohee's placing the stuffed grocery bags on the table when someone new steps in.
"Wonbin, you never said there'd be company."
Sohee startles so hard he almost drops the carton of eggs in his hands, which -- yikes.
Wonbin swiftly takes it from him, before facing the man now standing in front of them. He's rather short and dressed casually, with silvery white hair and wrinkles that allude to him being far older than Wonbin's father.
"He's just a friend, grandpa," Wonbin says, pulling out a bunch of other stuff from the grocery pile.
Sohee's chest constricts with something right then. Something far too familiar that doesn't feel all too nice. This time around it stings a little more because Wonbin's only doing what they'd agreed on and fulfilling his side of their deal. Plus they aren't exactly 'friends', anyway.
"And you, son," the man suddenly says at that moment, eyes meeting Sohee's. The resemblance between him and his grandson is uncanny. "What's your name?"
"He um, actually has somewhere to go to -- " Wonbin abruptly pipes up, and Sohee doesn't know if he's imagining it, but there's definitely some panic hidden there.
"I'm Lee Sohee, sir," Sohee says -- not because he's a dick or a menace or whatever -- but because he's simply curious about whatever the fuck's going on right now.
The man pauses, and then his face is lighting up. "The Lee Sohee?"
Sohee blinks. "What?"
"Please stop talking," Wonbin pleads from the side, glaring daggers at the elderly man, but his grin just widens, a cheeky gummy sight.
He steps in to pat Sohee on his back, easy chuckles leaving his lips. "Let's just say my dear grandson has a particular... fondness for a certain mister. Cannot stop talking about him."
Oh. Sohee's cheeks heat up.
"Oh my god, grandpa. Shut up!" Wonbin avoids every single one of Sohee's stares when the shorter turns to look at him. "Or I won't be making dinner."
"Are you staying for dinner?" Grandpa Park asks Sohee, which shocks him and definitely puts him on the spot.
"Uhh..." he adjusts his snapback, braves a glance Wonbin's way and feels his heart race when Wonbin's still looking away, longer hair shielding his face. "I don't... know actually. I don't wanna intrude and stuff."
"You're not intruding," Grandpa Park laughs. "I don't mind, and I know Wonbin definitely doesn't."
"I'm literally centimeters away from a knife right now, grandpa," Wonbin warns.
Grandpa Park mouths a 'gotta love him, am I right?' to Sohee, and shit, today's shaping up to be an incredibly crazy afternoon.
Wonbin flips open the faucet, and it's then Sohee can see the rosy hue of his cheeks. He's fucking blushing, and Sohee tries to convince himself it's out of embarrassment.
But... what if Wonbin actually likes him?
Sohee can't restrain his turbulent heartbeat when Wonbin finally looks at him -- only to stare at the cupboards the next second.
Sohee decides he's not gonna overthink it, for his own sanity.
The next day in the middle of rewatching The Nightmare Before Christmas, Heejin turns to face Sohee on the couch with an utterly morose look on her features.
Sohee is... quite freaked out to say the least, but keeps quiet as he waits for his mum to say whatever she wants to say.
"So, winter break's coming up very soon, which means you're gonna be spending a lot more time at the house," Heejin begins, placing a hand on his knee which is... even weirder.
"Where are you going with this, mum?" Sohee asks.
"Okay -- " Heejin exhales, folding her legs beneath her chin. "I decided to do your laundry like the diligent mother I am and saw some... things."
Sohee wants the ground to swallow him whole. "Fuck."
"It's okay," his mother says, rubbing his back in slow, comforting motions. "It's good that you're practicing safe sex. Great even. Getting a girl pregnant right now wouldn't be convenient."
Sohee doesn't know how he's gone this long without letting the woman know of his sexual orientation, but he figures it's time he rips off that coming out bandaid.
"I'm gay," he confesses, picking at his sweater sleeve.
Heejin grows quiet, which sorta makes Sohee panic, because if she's quiet like this, then that means --
"Crap, apple pie. I'm so sorry for just assuming," the woman interrupts, no trace of disgust or hatred clouding her tone. "I love you."
"Love you too, mum." Sohee's smile is one of utter relief as she pulls him into a warm hug before planting a kiss on his forehead. "And you always had a fruit nickname for me, so you weren't too far off, I guess."
Heejin laughs, and Sohee joins in, happy his coming out went smoothly. He knows part of that's because he has a cool mum, which he has an inkling Wonbin doesn't really have.
"Do we need to now talk about gay sex-ed though?" Heejin suddenly questions. "Because I have a lot of articles I can send you about the, um, y'know -- "
"Ew, mum. No."
Christmas morning is spent with pictures of food and gifts getting spammed into the group chat (and wayy too many emojis from Seunghan, as usual), and Sohee's heart is full in spite of his best friends having to spend the holidays with their families this time around.
He huddles on the couch with his mum as they watch feel-good Christmas movies and binge on gingerbread cookies all afternoon, and during the second film he texts a certain someone beneath the blankets, hoping he replies this time around.
- sohee :)
merry xmas wonbin :>
hope u have a good day today
Sohee focuses his attention back on the TV, and tries not to get too disappointed when Wonbin doesn't respond to this text either like the others he's sent the past few days.
He figures the older just needs some space or something, and sincerely hopes nothing bad has happened to him.
Sohee's listening to some Bruno Mars , snow flitting down the darkened windows of his bedroom when a notification pops across the screen.
- pwonbin
m here
Choosing to ignore the fact that Wonbin hadn't added a ' coming over ' to his message, Sohee shoves his feet into his bunny slippers, pulls on his sweatshirt and tiptoes down the stairs, hoping his mum suddenly doesn't jolt awake and catch him sneaking out to meet some guy.
Although at this point, Park Wonbin is well past being referred to as 'some guy'.
Sohee exits through the back, and surprisingly Wonbin's standing outside his chevy, a bag slung over his shoulder. Half his face's fanned in shadows as Sohee approaches, lips firm and jaw hard.
"Um, hey." Sohee clears his throat. "We can't hang out inside though. My mum's home."
Wonbin stares at the snowy ground. "We should stop."
Sohee pauses, and all he can hear at that moment is his heart pounding like crazy in his ears. "What?"
"I want us to stop, Sohee," Wonbin repeats, teeth gritted.
Sohee is speechless, but soon regains his momentum. "I -- I don't understand. Is it not working for you anymore? Am I not distracting you anymore?"
Wonbin looks angrier if anything, and oh shit, Sohee knows he just said something very wrong.
"Fuck, I'm sorry," he hurriedly apologizes. "Can you please tell me what's wrong? Why are you suddenly being like this?"
Wonbin zips open the bag and hands something folded to him. Clothes. Upon closer inspection, Sohee realizes they're the hoodie and sweatpants he gave Wonbin the morning after they first hooked up together.
Sohee gulps, the lump in his throat like a boulder. "Wonbin."
"Goodbye, Sohee," Wonbin says, taking a step back. Before he can leave however, Sohee grabs his arm.
"You... fell for me, didn't you?" Sohee starts. "And you're afraid that it's just gonna turn out like the others. That I'm just gonna turn out like the others. So -- so you want to let yourself go before you fall harder. Don't want to allow yourself to enjoy this one good thing."
Wonbin falters in his steps, but his expression's still hardened. "Don't flatter yourself."
It's as unconvincing as the way Wonbin's lips twitch as he tries to maintain this facade of nonchalance. And god , Sohee doesn't know how it took him this long to realize it fully.
"You love me, Wonbin," he whispers, almost to himself.
Wonbin yanks his arm free and speedwalks to his car, and Sohee snaps out of whatever daze he was in.
He sprints to the older, gripping his hand this time around. "Wonbin, please."
Wonbin attempts hiding his face away, but Sohee still spots his red-rimmed eyes. Still sees how his lips wobble. And fuck, he feels like a massive dick.
"Wonbin, look at me," he pleads, voice soft. If someone had said that this was going to be the outcome of them hooking up -- that Park Wonbin of all people was going to fall for him -- Sohee would've just straight up laughed in their face. But ultimately he'd learned the older was a real person with real feelings, and his heart ached at seeing him like this.
Wonbin doesn't stare at him, but he does tilt his head his way, and Sohee drags him into a tight hug.
It's the first time they're truly hugging, really, yet it's the last time they're probably going to see each other.
"I'm sorry," Sohee says into the dip of Wonbin's shoulder. I'm sorry. I think I like you too. In fact I think I might even feel the same way about you as you do for me.
All these words burn in Sohee's throat, begging to be let out, but as he pulls away, Wonbin's gaze meeting his, his mind draws a blank.
"Merry Christmas, Wonbin," he says.
Wonbin's jaw clenches, but he nods. "Merry Christmas, Sohee."
He then gets in his car and drives off, and a minute later Sohee's eyes well up with tears.
It's the morning of New Year's Eve, and Seunghan and Eunbin are currently helping Sohee and his mum with the decorations for the party tonight when Sohee suddenly lets go of the balloon in his hand and exhales loudly.
"I hooked up with Park Wonbin -- several times in fact -- and then we developed this weird sort of situationship that I thought was kind of okay. But we all know situationships never end okay -- because he ended up falling for me believe it or not, and I'm pretty sure I like him back but we ended things on Christmas and I feel like an imposter even listening to breakup songs because we were never even fucking together in the first place!"
By the time Sohee's done, he's a breathless mess, and Seunghan and Eunbin are both gaping at him, jaws on the floor.
"What the hell did I just hear?" Seunghan questions.
"You hooked up with Park Wonbin? The Park Wonbin from uni?" Eunbin asks at the same time.
Sohee rolls into the carpet, and his friends rush to join him, still utterly shocked. "Yep. Started at that halloween party, and we hid it all this time."
"So you were friends with benefits, but without the 'friends' part," Seunghan clarifies.
Sohee chews his lip. "We definitely weren't friends at first, but now..."
"Now you're in love with him," Eunbin concludes.
Sohee sits up, hating the heat that overwhelms his cheeks and ears at his friend's words. "It doesn't matter. We aren't talking anymore."
"Did you tell him you love him?" Seunghan asks, immensely invested in this. These words are ironic coming from him, but at this point Sohee doesn't think of his obliviousness as cruel any longer. He just wants to talk to Wonbin again.
Sohee shakes his head. "No. And I regret it. He blocked me."
"Then do what they do in those romcoms when they want to get their loves back. Run to his house or to the airport before he leaves the country," Eunbin tells him. "And I don't think Park Wonbin's traveling anywhere soon, is he?"
Sohee rakes his fingers through his hair, a newfound determination coursing through his veins. "You guys support this?"
"Why wouldn't we? You're our friend Sohee, and we trust your judgement," Seunghan answers, eyes crinkling when he grins. "Besides, if you're this smitten over this guy then that means he's pretty decent."
"Yeah. Whoever Sohee likes, we like," Eunbin adds, playfully nudging Sohee's arm.
Sohee can't help the way he grins right then. "Thank you, guys."
And he really means it.
By the time Sohee makes it to town, it's past four in the afternoon. The setting sun blazes in the sky, a vivid, eye catching orange, but Sohee doesn't have the time to stop in awe at the sight because he's got someone he needs to see.
He grabs another bus and gets off near that bookstore he frequently visits, and then he starts jogging down the streets, his erratic actions gaining the attention of several onlookers.
Sohee's so fucking glad he was mindful of the directions when he'd helped Wonbin with the groceries that Saturday, because the houses on this street look really alike and it's extremely easy for a first timer to get lost around here.
Finally... finally, Sohee stumbles across Wonbin's house.
Don't be nervous, don't be nervous, don't be nervous , echoes in his head, but that does next to nothing to ease the anxiety stiffening his limbs at that moment.
He pushes past the picket fence, the warm amber sunlight falling over his back as he presses on the doorbell.
Sohee waits, tugs anxiously at his black beanie -- the one with the snowflakes that Wonbin bought for him -- and when the door opens, he's face to face with a smiling Grandpa Park.
"Good day sir," Sohee greets. "Is Wonbin around?"
The man's smile fades. "Actually, he said he was going to your house. Did he not tell you?"
Shit.
Sohee can't communicate with Wonbin since the older still has him blocked, but he's on the bus ride home when he realizes he still has instagram dm's.
lee.sohee1
youre crazy
u know that right
i came to ur house just to find out u just left for mine
lee.sohee1
if only u didnt block me i wouldve told u how i felt already
but i dont wanna do it through text cuz that makes it feel less real yknow
lee.sohee1
fuck
i rlly want to kiss u rn
lee.sohee1
just stay in ur car when u get there cuz i know ur prob reading my texts atm
lee.sohee1
i'll murder ur cat & dog, & ur family's toast if you drive off park wonbin
When Sohee makes it back home, the sky's pitch black with a multitude of stars present.
Sohee had assured his friends and mother he's fine through calls earlier, and steers clear of the now brightly lit, populated house to search for a certain grey chevy.
He doesn't have to search long, because situated at the edge of the parking lot is the recognizable car, a certain black haired guy huddled inside of it.
Sohee walks up to the vehicle, gently knocks on the window. "Hey."
Wonbin's gaze is inscrutable when they watch each other, but Sohee doesn't let that dissuade him. The guy drove all the way here to meet him after all, and he'll be damned if he fucks things up again.
Sohee soon slips into the passenger seat, cheeks flushing at the way Wonbin's eyes linger on his beanie.
"What? You like it?" He asks, bracing himself for a snappy comeback from Wonbin's side.
But...the older just glances down at his palms, and nods. "Yeah."
Sohee swallows, the playful mood now somber as heck. "I'm sorry, Wonbin. For how I acted on Christmas, I mean. I'd been inconsiderate of your feelings and -- "
"You were right," Wonbin cuts in. "About what you said about me not allowing myself to enjoy what we had. I lashed out 'cause I was scared, since I never thought I'd develop feelings for you." He chews his lip, picking at his nails. "But you were always so kind to me -- always so sweet . And you're so fuckin' handsome, Sohee. So charming . Before I knew it I found myself crushing on you, and then it became more."
Sohee's speechless to say the least. Say something, dumbass, his mind chastises.
"I like you too," Sohee chokes out, and Wonbin watches him when he says this, surprise embedded on his irises. "In fact I probably even like you more than that. I mean -- I hooked up with you at first 'cause I wanted to forget about my hopeless crush on my straight best friend, and it helped that you were really hot too. God I'm rambling, sorry."
Sohee rubs his face in exasperation, and Wonbin chuckles, a gentle, soft sound. "What I meant to say is -- I like you, Park Wonbin. I think I might even love you. I enjoy your company and our conversations and I love how it's never boring when we're together. I think you're kinda adorable -- even when you threaten murder when you're mad. Your smile's beautiful. You also cook really well too, and I can tell you take good care of your grandpa. He's very lucky to have you."
"Way to one up me," Wonbin says with an eye roll, but those big eyes of his are glassy and Sohee is positive his words have struck a chord within him.
"I love you, Park Wonbin," Sohee confesses right then, right in the enclosed space of Wonbin's nicely scented chevy.
Wonbin blinks repeatedly, nose and cheeks pink. He smiles, and although it's watery and unsteady, it's real.
"I love you too, Lee Sohee," he answers.
Sohee wipes the tears off Wonbin's cheeks and kisses him, unhurried and tender, wanting to savour this moment. Then he breaks away to press their foreheads together, his stomach overridden with butterflies. Sparks burst through his chest like fireworks.
"Want to meet my mum?" Sohee asks a second later, the new emotions sprouting inside his body making him much braver. "She has a ton of really good champagne. And some amazing leftover gingerbread cookies."
Wonbin nods and grins, a terribly lovely sight. "I'd like that very much."
"I'd have to introduce you as my boyfriend though," Sohee smirks.
Wonbin's smile doesn't waver. It only grows, and then he's yanking Sohee in for another heated kiss that steals his heart, mind and soul right out of him. Just the way he likes it.
Sohee can't think of a better start to the new year.