Work Text:
If Matthew had a nickel for every time he got confessed to publicly in an amusement park during a school trip, he'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice.
If he didn't know any better, he'd think that those confessions were real. But, that couldn't be, right?
…right?
It must be a part of an elaborate prank. He should look for hidden cameras.
(Somewhere in the line queuing for the next ride, Taerae and Gunwook exchange an exasperated glance.
"Your crush is so dense, Gunwook-ah."
"Pot. Calling. The kettle. Black.")
It starts like this:
"Seok Matthew is mine~" A voice booms over the hustle and bustle of the crowds.
"Grade Two Class Three Seok Matthew, I like you!" Another voice follows suit not a second later.
"Who's Matthew?" People are whispering left and right, searching for the popular boy.
The target of the confession is resting on a bench, a piece of churro halfway to his mouth. He lets out a surprised laugh.
(It actually started much earlier, one muggy day in June, in front of a convenience store near their school.
Gunwook blurted out, "Hyung, do you also have a crush on Matthew?"
Taerae coughed, almost choking on his popsicle.
"How did you—Wait. Also!?"
"Was it not obvious? Gyuvin keeps teasing me about it."
Taerae squinted, "Is this a war declaration then, Park Gunwook?"
Gunwook leaned forward, folding his hands, "It's a collaboration proposal, hyung. Matthew-hyung has too many men. I think we should unionise."
Taerae considered his options. He nodded, "Sure, why not."
On that day, as Hao so eloquently put later, two bad bitches came together to maximise their joint slay so they wouldn't fumble their dream man.
After all, they realised who their real enemy was: Matthew himself.
His persistence in not recognising that he's living a K-drama plot, to be exact)
Let's return to our leading man's POV.
Matthew's been having a good time. He rode the roller coaster with Hanbin, happy to scream his heart out. The bumper car was also fun. Watching Taerae chase after everyone The Shining style made the experience even better. Gyuvin acted as their guide—though he was mostly just excited to show Ricky popular photo spots, calling it 'introducing Ricky to K-couple tradition'.
The best part was finding the souvenir shop. Nothing says enjoying your youth to the fullest like wearing matching headbands with your friends in amusement park.
After several rides though, he needs to recharge. So while waiting for the others, he sits with Jiwoong, Hao, and Ricky, munching on snacks and taking pictures of their friends' antics.
Gunwook comes down from the pirate ship ride with flushed cheeks, green headband slightly askew. Matthew instinctively reaches to fix its position while Gunwook steals a bite of his popcorn chicken.
"Did you get my confession?"
Matthew smiles bashfully. It was embarrassing, having his full government name and class shouted out at the top of their lungs in a crowded park, but he enjoyed the butterflies fluttering in his stomach.
"Yes, I did. You and Taerae, I received them well."
Gunwook's big, sparkly eyes gaze at him hopefully, "So?"
Matthew blinks, tilting his head, "…so?
"Your answer, hyung."
Ah, he wants a review.
"It's great! Thank you for letting me experience the ultimate Korean high schooler's tradition of field trip confession."
(If this was a reality TV, Gunwook would look at the camera like he's on The Office. Since this reality is very much his life, he only stares at his partner-in-crime grimly. Taerae's expression is pinched, lip curled like he just eats something sour. They both mouth at each other.
This is Kim Gyuvin's fault.
His weird flirting with Ricky has interfered with their plan)
They head to the flume ride next. Matthew stands in line with Taerae and Gunwook, and suggests that they do rock-scissors-paper to decide the seating arrangement.
As luck would have it, he ends up 'winning' the front seat. He doesn’t look forward to getting splashed.
(They naturally position themselves in the queue so they end up in one boat with Matthew. The plan is to corner Matthew and confess again during the ride, betting their success on Matthew not being able to escape.
Gunwook's about to open his mouth after the last big splash, when suddenly water pours down and drenches his face.
"Oops," comes Hao's voice from above, half-empty water bottle in hand. "Sorry?"
Matthew looks back and laughs.
The sheer mortification of being seen in such an embarrassing state causes the confession to die on his tongue.
Even Taerae has the gall to laugh and tease him—as if this doesn't concern him too!)
Matthew gets ambushed before the carousel ride.
Taerae puts his hands on his shoulder, while Gunwook takes his hand gently, their face unusually serious. Matthew stares at them in confusion.
"Matthew, listen, those confessions during the pirate ship ride—those were real. We like you."
"As if, we want to date you."
Something warm swells from Matthew's chest and plunges down his stomach, spreading through the rest of his body until his fingers tingle pleasantly.
"Oh."
("Yeah, oh. Finally.")
Matthew sits in the back seat of the bus, flanked by Taerae and Gunwook. Taerae's holding his hand, humming a familiar tune under his breath, while Gunwook leans on his shoulder, arm circling his waist, half-dead to the world after the eventful day.
He relaxes and leans back, nuzzling his face in Gunwook's soft hair, sharing a fond look with Taerae. He uses his free hand to poke Taerae's dimple. His surprised quack makes him and Gunwook giggle.
Matthew starts his day with no boyfriend and comes home from the school trip with two. So hey, great time! He should leave a dazzling review for Lotte World. Truly a great destination for experiencing romance.
("He should thank us. Not Lotte World," Taerae grumbles.
"Shh," Gunwook closes his eyes, content to snuggle to his boyfriends, "Just let it go, hyung.")