Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Can you guys not?” Taehyun snapped one night during dinner.

It was a rare day where they all managed to have dinner together. Yeonjun was stuffing so much food into his mouth that his cheeks were looking nice and round. Beomgyu was laughing, using his chopsticks to pick a stray rice from the corner of the older man’s lips before reaching over to grab Yeonjun’s iced tea. Yeonjun leaned back to give him space, his free hand holding up Beomgyu’s sleeve to avoid it touching the soup. He pouted when Beomgyu drank a lot more than he should have.

They both turned to Taehyun confused by his sudden outburst. Soobin and Kai exchanged glances while they ate. Judging by the direction of his gaze, this was less likely to do with them than the couple next to them.

It had been a tiring day for all of them and Taehyun just wanted to eat and go to bed. He would have been more happy to skip this nauseating show in front of him.

“What?” Beomgyu asked, before turning to Soobin. “What’d you do?”

“What do you mean what did I do?” Soobin deadpanned. “He’s talking about you two.”

Beomgyu opened his mouth to protest, when Taehyun cut in sharply, “I’m talking about your excessive PDA.”

“We’re just eating,” Yeonjun said, spitting food as he did so. Beomgyu quickly passed him a tissue, and used another to wipe up the mess the older made.

“This,” Taehyun said, waving his chopsticks at them. “This is what I meant.”

“Did it get on you?” Yeonjun asked, checking on Beomgyu’s food before his eyes trailed down to the younger’s shirt and pants.

“No,” Beomgyu answered, clicking his tongue when he realised his boyfriend was still chewing even then. “I told you to eat slowly.”

“I’m too hungry,” Yeonjun replied, turning back to his food.

Taehyun groaned, before moving to clear his plate, “I’m going to bed.”

“Why are you upset?” Beomgyu called out to him, but the younger just waved him off, and headed to his room. Beomgyu turned to to the others - well Soobin and Kai, Yeonjun was too busy stuffing his face to care about what’s happening. “What’s wrong with him?”

“He’s just tired,” Soobin started.

At the same time, Kai said, “He just got dumped.”

That was enough to warrant a pause from Yeonjun’s chopsticks. Surprised Beomgyu asked, “He got dumped? Gaeul dumped him? I thought things were fine.”

Soobin sighed, choosing to ignore Kai’s pleading looks for help. The younger shouldn’t have brought it up, but Kai had never been good with secrets.

“When?” Yeonjun asked, through his full mouth.

“Aish hyung,” Soobin scolded, moving his glass away from the splash zone. Yeonjun shot him a sheepish smile.

“Just recently,” Kai said, vaguely. “But I think seeing you guys act all lovey dovey doesn’t help.”

“We’re not even doing anything,” Beomgyu protested, and Yeonjun nodded in agreement. “We’re just eating. We’re all eating.”

“Yeonjun hyung is eating. You’re just staring at him with heart eyes,” Soobin told him, as a matter of factly.

“I am not,” Beomgyu spluttered in protest. Next to him, Yeonjun just smirked as he fed himself another spoonful. He quickly noticed the very small portion on the younger’s place in comparison to his own.

“Just saying. Maybe tone it down for a bit,” Soobin said, grimacing when Yeonjun nudged a piece of chicken to Beomgyu’s lips until the younger opened up. “Or maybe tone it down a lot.”

The conversation was tucked away in the back of their minds, after Kai begged them to act like they didn’t know about the break up.

A few days later, Beomgyu was beating Yeonjun up in a game of Gang Beasts. He had the older by the ears and was dragging him to the edge of the blimp. He laughed victoriously when he managed to push the fox character off the edge. On screen the bear character had his hands up, waiting for the winning notification to pop up - but it didn’t.

“I’m not dead yet. I’m not dead yet,” Yeonjun taunted, pressing the buttons as quickly as he could, to try and pull himself up.

“You’re still alive?” Beomgyu exclaimed in surprise, moving his bear as close to the edge as he could without falling off himself. “But I don’t see you?”

Yeonjun cackled, when the tip of his fox ears popped back up on screen, “I’m not dead yet.”

“Not yet,” Beomgyu admitted, walking his bear around the blimp, trying to find a weak spot. But there’s only so much space on there. In the end, all he could do was let the fox struggle on his own. “Fighting Junnie! You can do it! All that time at the gym is for this very moment.”

“Agh, Gyu, I need you to help pull me up,” Yeonjun told him.

“I can’t,” Beomgyu replied, moving around carefully. “I can’t come any closer or I’ll fall.”

“You can,” Yeonjun insisted, glancing at the younger’s console. “Just come closer and pull me up.”

“I can’t.”

“You can.”

“No, I really can’t.”

“So you’re going to just let me die?” Yeonjun demanded.

“Yeah,” Beomgyu said, laughing when he saw the telltale signs of an oncoming pout. “Jun, I really can’t help you.”

Yeonjun glared at the scene, keeping one hand on his console and his other hand reaching for Beomgyu’s. “Give me that.”

Beomgyu immediately leaned away from his grabby hand, “Ah, this is mine!”

Yeonjun clicked his tongue, “Just pull me up!”

“I can’t pull. you. up,” Beomgyu said, mocking his tone. “Just die already.”

“No,” Yeonjun said, stubbornly.

He was glad the consoles were wireless, it made it so much easier for him to get up and climb over Beomgyu. The younger had taken to hanging off the end of the sofa, trying to get away from him. Yeonjun grabbed his hip, not wanting the younger to get away any farther.

Beomgyu rolled over on his side, trying his best to protect his precious console and bear at the same time. He could see the fox still alive behind the blimp even though Yeonjun had let go of his own console. It meant the fox might not be dangling but still standing at the very edge of the blimp. Beomgyu needed to try and push him off to win the game.

Yeonjun was fully on top of him when Beomgyu let out a wail, “Ah, you killed us!”

There on the screen were the words GAME OVER and both the fox and the bear had fallen off the blimp.

“I told you, you should have pulled me up,” Yeonjun said, clicking his tongue as Beomgyu threw his head back in frustration, the hand holding the console dangling off the couch.

Yeonjun could see a trail of red marks going down the side of Beomgyu’s neck and disappearing underneath his shirt collar. If he tugged the collar a bit lower, he could see where the marks actually lead to.

“You should have just died,” Beomgyu snapped back, oblivious to his boyfriend’s distracted thoughts.

“How could you tell your boyfriend to go die?” Yeonjun pouted, sitting up so he was now straddling the younger instead.

“You threw me into the fan earlier,” Beomgyu reminded him, adjusting himself into a more comfortable position. He looked up at Yeonjun still staring at him with that very familiar look. “What?”

“You’re not wearing concealer,” Yeonjun said, gently pressing his finger over a particularly large hickey half hidden by the collar. When they were messing around last night, Beomgyu had dared him to find a spot that could actually be hidden by only the shirt he wore - no makeup needed.

Clearly, he had to try harder next time.

“Well we’re not going out anyway,” Beomgyu grinned, tucking one arm under his head. He bared his neck to the older, showing off his marks. “You’re very bad at finding the right spot too, Jun. I only needed one try.”

Yeonjun rolled his eyes, crawling back onto the younger once more “I’m pretty sure going for my chest was cheating.”

“There wasn’t a rule against it. Just admit that you’re bad at it,” Beomgyu hit back, dropping the game console in favour of grabbing Yeonjun’s shirt, pulling him in closer.

He looked so infuriatingly smug that the only thing Yeonjun could do in that moment was kiss the look off his face. He nipped lightly at the younger’s bottom lip, swallowing the breathy laugh that followed. The hand fisting his shirt loosened to slide up around his neck as he tilted their heads for better access.

BANG!

The sudden sound startled the two apart, and they finally saw a very annoyed looking Taehyun entering the apartment. Yeonjun quickly climbed off of Beomgyu, with a sheepish smile, “Oh, Taehyun ah, you’re back. How was class?”

“Have you eaten?” Beomgyu asked, sitting up. “We’re playing Gang Beasts! You want to join us?”

“Please remember that we all use that sofa too,” Taehyun said, ignoring the invitation. With that, he headed straight to his room, slamming the door behind him.

“What the hell,” Yeonjun said, getting a little annoyed himself. He picked up his console, switching the TV screen back to the menu. “Is he going through puberty again?”

“He must really be upset about the break up,” Beomgyu said, looking at the closed door worriedly. “Maybe Soobin is right, maybe we should be more sensitive around him.”

“We didn’t even know he was coming back,” Yeonjun grumbled. “Doesn’t he usually come back in the evening?”

“Yeah, but usually he spends the gaps in between classes with his girlfriend,” Beomgyu told him. “Since they broke up, I guess he’d rather come back here than just wander around by himself.”

That made Yeonjun feel a little guilty. He knew Taehyun wasn’t the type to lash out as much as the type to brood until it all came spilling out on one drunken night. He also can’t imagine breaking up with Beomgyu and having to deal living with a happy couple either.

In fact, Yeonjun didn’t like imagining breaking up with Beomgyu at all. Instead, he leaned back into the sofa, turning to his boyfriend who had already put on a thoughtful face, “What are you thinking?”

“Well, the others always say we’re an obnoxious couple with all the PDA,” Beomgyu started. “Maybe we just, you know, be less…obnoxious.”

Yeonjun hummed, following his train of thoughts, “Okay but how? It’s not like we kiss in front of them. I feel like we do all the couple stuff when no one’s around.”

“Wait,” Beomgyu said, taking out his phone to search acts of PDA. “Physical acts of PDA; holding hands, kissing, hugging, cuddling, playing with hair or fingers, putting your arms around your partner. Oh, babe, it’s everything you do!”

“Everything we do, you mean,” Yeonjun corrected, wrapping an arm around Beomgyu’s waist and resting his chin on the younger’s shoulder to read the rest of the list. “Verbal acts of PDA: telling your partner you love them, complimenting your partner, whispering in your partner’s ear, gazing into your partner’s eyes, winking at your partner, blowing your partner a kiss. Wow, that’s…”

“Hard?” Beomgyu teased, patting the arm around him. “I know how clingy you are, but we have to do it for Taehyun.”

“You’re clingy too,” Yeonjun argued, burying his face in the crook of his boyfriend’s neck. “You’re the one who keeps winking at me and touching me in front of everyone.”

“But you keep staring at me,” Beomgyu retorted. “The only reason the others found out was because you couldn’t keep your eyes off me in public.”

“That’s on you,” Yeonjun pointed out, nosing along the younger’s collarbone. “Who asked you to be so damn hot?”

Beomgyu giggled, before his eyes widened in realisation and he started pushing the older off, “Ah, you’re doing it now. PDA! Flirting and kissing me.”

Yeonjun frowned, reluctantly letting his arm go lax and leaning back against the sofa, “Babe, there’s no one here but us.”

“But we’re in the living room which is a public space,” Beomgyu said, waving around the open area. “Anyone could walk in on us doing PDA.”

“Okay,” Yeonjun conceded, scratching his head. “So, you really want to do this? Avoid everything that was listed?”

Beomgyu pursed his lips, already disliking the idea. But he wasn’t just Yeonjun’s boyfriend, he was also Taehyun’s best friend. So, he nodded, “Yeah, just until Taehyun feels better.”

Yeonjun sighed, “Alright, since that’s what you want.”

Beomgyu smiled, a little touched that Yeonjun was willing to go through this just because he asked, “It’s okay, Jun. They only dated for a few months. He’ll probably get over it in a week. Besides, it’s not like we’re breaking up.”

“I know,” Yeonjun replied, sulkily. He pulled Beomgyu on his lap, smiling at the little giggle he got. “You do know I’m going to be a lot more obnoxious when it’s just us two, right? If we can’t even hold hands in front of the others, I’m going to expect a lot of cuddles in bed at night.”

“Just cuddles?”

“Well, we’ll figure something out,” Yeonjun said, tilting his head for a kiss. He was stopped by a hand on his mouth and Beomgyu climbing off of him.

“Not here. Public space, remember?” Beomgyu said, pulling him up by the hand. “Come on. Let’s go to my room.”

“Are we the first ones here?” Beomgyu asked, scanning the cafe for their friends.

Yeonjun was barely listening since his attention was already taken by the menu on display. The last thing he ate was kimchi pancake for breakfast this morning which was hours ago. He already burnt through it during his dance practice. Now, his stomach was growling at the smell of freshly baked pastries and hand drawn pasta dishes on the blackboards.

“What do you want, baby?” Yeonjun asked, tugging their connected hands so the younger would read the menu.

Beomgyu hummed, thoughtfully, “Carbonara?”

“Carbonara? Okay,” Yeonjun repeated. “Drink?”

“Peach soda.”

“Okay,” Yeonjun said, before heading to the counter. He ordered their food, adding on a waffle to share as well because they just looked so good. Beomgyu waited patiently until Yeonjun had to let his hand go in favor of taking out his wallet before saying, “Hyung, I’m going to get us a table.”

There was a table that could fit the five of them, where a group of students were just leaving. It was in the corner, and close to a couple of plug points, making it a favourite for many. The moment Beomgyu saw them packing up their things, he hurriedly walked over. They all shot him amused looks, which he met with a sheepish smile. Luckily, as fellow students, they all understood and helped take their trays with them when they left.

“Our food is coming~” Yeonjun sang, as he slid in next to Beomgyu a few moments later.

“What did you get?” Beomgyu asked.

“Kimchi fried rice and americano,” Yeonjun said, taking out his phone to check out the messages from the others. “I also got us waffles.”

“Waffle sounds nice,” Beomgyu said softly, as he leaned his head on the older’s shoulder.

“Yeah, I saw someone ordered it and it looked good. I think it’s new. I’ve never seen them sell waffles here,” Yeonjun told him. His arm automatically went around the younger’s shoulder to help him get more comfortable. “Did you sleep late again last night?”

“No,” Beomgyu replied a little too fast. He winced, aware of the scolding coming his way.

“What time did you sleep?”

Beomgyu hummed, lifting his head to turn to the cafe entrance. He was hoping that somehow, magically, Soobin or any one of the others would walk in and save him from this conversation.

“Beomgyu.”

Reluctantly, he turned back to Yeonjun who had put on his stern hyung look. With a guilty smile, Beomgyu admitted, “3.30.”

“You said you were going to sleep early,” Yeonjun said, eyebrows furrowed in disapproval.

“I was, but then Heeseung called and we ended up playing games,” Beomgyu said, defensively. “It’s actually his fault I stayed up late.”

Yeonjun looked very much unimpressed, “You kicked me out because you said you had to wake up early.”

“No, I said you had to wake up early,” Beomgyu corrected him. “Hyung, you told me you have early practice today that you just can’t miss.”

Yeonjun looked ready to argue when the waitress came with their food. She sat down the tray of drinks and carbonara, and said something about the fried rice being on its way. Yeonjun flashed her a charming smile and her neck immediately flushed red as she walked off.

“I thought you were going to sleep,” Yeonjun whined as soon as she left. He handed Beomgyu his food and drink. “I would have stayed if you still wanted to play some games.”

“Hyung, you were already sleepy by then,” Beomgyu reminded him. He sipped his soda, smiling fondly at his sulking boyfriend. “You wouldn’t be able to sleep while we played games - and you would be all cranky in the morning.”

“I’d still rather sleep with you,” Yeonjun muttered, sullenly. “Besides, I’ve been in your room before while you gamed with your friends.”

And they always ended up with Yeonjun either falling asleep on his bed or with them making out with his friends listening. Yeonjun had a habit of giving Beomgyu celebratory kisses every time he won and sympathy kisses every time he lost. Some would argue it was a bad habit, Beomgyu thought it was the best kind of motivation he could ever ask.

Seeing his pouty boyfriend now, Beomgyu was tempted to plant a big one on his lips right now. But instead, he patted his boyfriend’s leg and reminded him, “No PDA, remember?”

Yeonjun snorted, “Too late for that.”

Beomgyu was about to ask him what he meant, when he realised that he was basically plastered to Yeonjun’s side. His head had somehow found its way back on Yeonjun’s shoulder. His hand now dangerously high on Yeonjun’s thigh and his face was tilted upward towards his boyfriend like he was quietly asking for a kiss.

Yeonjun wasn’t even trying to stop him. His arm kept Beomgyu close to him, and judging by that grin he was spotting, he wasn’t planning on letting Beomgyu go anytime soon.

“Hmm,” Beomgyu hummed, pursing his lips thoughtfully.

“Hmm,” Yeonjun repeated, playfully pressing their foreheads together with his own lips puckered up.

Beomgyu bit the inside of his cheek before breathing out a laugh and leaned away. Yeonjun chuckled, his firm hold not letting the younger go far.

“Hyung, people are watching,” Beomgyu told him, quietly, with a smile still on his face.

“Let them watch.”

“Didn’t we agree on no PDA? For Taehyun?”

“We’re really doing that?”

“Yeah, but it probably won’t matter anyway,” Beomgyu told him, lightly. “Kai said he cheered up a bit when they were playing games last night.”

“That’s good.”

“He said Taehyun felt bad for snapping at us, but it still hurts to watch us,” the younger continued, absentmindedly playing with the hem of Yeonjun’s shirt. “I kind of get it. If you were to dump me-”

“I won’t,” Yeonjun cut in, firmly. He refused to let the idea linger in his boyfriend’s head for even a moment longer.

Beomgyu smiled at, soft and fond, “I just meant if we break up one day, it would suck having to live with someone whose boyfriend can’t keep his hands off them. Honestly, it sucks having to see couples at all when you just got dumped.”

Yeonjun searched his eyes for a moment, before sighing dramatically and letting him go. “Fine. I guess it has to be difficult for Taehyun to see you all over me all the time.”

Beomgyu scoffed at the remark. But he’d rather not start another argument on who the clingy boyfriend is - the correct answer is and always will be Yeonjun. Instead, he gestured to the opposite side of the table, “And hyung, you have to move. We can’t sit next to each other, or that will happen again.”

“Why do I have to move?” Yeonjun protested.

“Then, I’ll move,” Beomgyu said, getting up.

But an arm around his waist and a hand on his arm stopped him. Yeonjun whined, “Where are you going?”

“Hyung,” Beomgyu grinned, patting the older man’s head. He carefully disentangled his boyfriend’s hands around him and went to the other side. “I’m not even going far. I’m just sitting right here - in front of you.”

Yeonjun’s pouting didn’t ease up, “I can’t believe my boyfriend doesn’t want to sit with me.”

Beomgyu scoffed in disbelief, and mockingly replied, “I can’t believe my boyfriend is so clingy that he thinks sitting in front of me is not close enough.”

Yeonjun’s frown deepened, and he realised the other was probably more bothered by the plan than he initially let on. Beomgyu reached over to take Yeonjun’s hand, but the older immediately leaned back away from him.

“Hyung,” Beomgyu said, coaxingly. With so many people around them, there wasn’t much he could do without ruining the plan. “Hyung, come on, I’ll make it up to you later.”

“How?”

“We can watch that Loki show you talked about before,” Beomgyu said.

“What about the others?” Yeonjun asked, sulkily. “Aren’t you worried they’re going to walk in and see us together?”

“We can watch in your room. It won’t be PDA if it’s just us there,” Beomgyu told him. Since the point of the plan was to minimise their PDA in front of the others, they can be as lovey dovey as they want on their own. “I’ll bring the snacks later. I’ll get all of hyung’s favourites.”

This seemed to cheer the older up. It was a relief to see that playful smile of his again, even when Yeonjun said, “Fine. But only because I love you, and I know we won’t be watching a lot of Loki when you come over later.”

Beomgyu pursed his lips, hoping he wasn’t blushing. He hates how simple words from his boyfriend could make him red so easily. He lightly kicked Yeonjun’s leg under the table and snickered at the other’s look of disbelief.

Before Yeonjun could retaliate, the waitress was back with Yeonjun’s fried rice. She barely glanced Beomgyu’s way as she set the dish in front of him. He smiled at her gratefully, and Beomgyu watched as she ducked her head and batted her eyelashes at him.

Tucking her hair behind her ear, she shyly asked, “Do you want waffles now or later after you’re done eating?”

“Later.”

“Alright,” she said, her smile lingering a little longer on Yeonjun than it should. If Beomgyu was a lesser man, he would have tripped her as she walked off.

“What?” Yeonjun asked, amused. Of course, he would notice Beomgyu’s very well concealed annoyance - he knew the younger too well. Beomgyu just shook his head, and said nothing. There was nothing he could do when his boyfriend was Mr. Popular on campus.

Yeonjun was feeding Beomgyu a spoonful of his fried rice, when Soobin and Kai walked in with Taehyun between them. Kai had his arms linked with Taehyun’s while Soobin was saying something to the younger boy as they headed to the table. Beomgyu was waving them over when he noticed Taehyun’s red rimmed eyes.

“What happened?” Yeonjun asked, genuinely concerned.

“Gaeul asked to switch to partners for an assignment,” Kai told them.

“What the hell?” Beomgyu asked, shocked at the girl’s audacity. “How far along are you guys with the assignment?”

“We haven’t started,” Taehyun sniffed, taking the seat next to Yeonjun’s.

“We just got the assignment today, but we already knew about it at the beginning of the semester. It was already in the study plan,” Kai explained. “Today we were supposed to tell the professor who we partnered up with.”

“We planned to do the assignment together. We were supposed to study how movies utilise their soundtracks to highlight the characters’ emotions,” Taehyun told them, hollowly. “We wanted to focus on movies that used Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers. It was supposed to be romantic.”

“Who’s your partner now?” Yeonjun asked, carefully.

“Me,” Kai answered, smiling helplessly.

“That’s great,” Beomgyu said, trying to cheer him on. “Who’s a better partner than Kai?”

“Yeah,” Taehyun said, lifelessly.

“Have you guys ordered?” Yeonjun asked, changing the subject. “You have to order at the counter and they’ll send it to us.”

“Alright, I’ll go order for us,” Soobin said, getting back up. “What do you guys want?”

“I’m not hungry,” Taehyun said, laying his head on the table. He could care less about the germs on it when Gaeul had chosen to work with her friends rather than with him.

“A drink then,” Soobin said, firmly. “Kai?”

After making sure his best friend was fine, and accepting the reassuring nods that the other two would keep an eye on him, Kai got up as well, “I’ll come with you, Soobin hyung.”

“Hey, it’s going to be okay,” Yeonjun said, patting his back in hopes of comforting him.

“You don’t get it, hyung. It was going to be our song. I have to find a new song now,” Taehyun told them in a hollow voice. “Happy couples like you guys won’t understand the heartbreak I’m feeling.”

Yeonjun and Beomgyu exchanged wordless glances at one another before switching to protective mode over their heartbroken friend.

“Hey,” Yeonjun said, slipping into the younger’s room and settling next to Beomgyu on his bed. The younger was scrolling through his phone. “What are you wearing?”

Beomgyu looked up to see his boyfriend in his usual black singlet and sweatpants with his messy bed hair. He sat up and looked down at his own outfit, “Shirt and shorts. What are you wearing?”

“When we go out with the others tonight,” Yeonjun said, rolling his eyes. “What are you going to wear?”

“I don’t know,” the younger shrugged, as he began fixing Yeonjun’s hair. It’s adorable how Yeonjun lowered his head to make it easier for him. “Why? What are you wearing?”

“I was thinking white jacket and black pants,” Yeonjun told him. “I was going to ask you to wear your matching jacket but I don’t know if that would count as PDA.”

“Matching outfits are PDA?” Beomgyu asked, surprised. He quickly took out his phone. “Wait let me look it up.”

Yeonjun rested his head on the younger’s shoulder as Beomgyu read the result out loud, “No, wearing matching couple outfits is generally not considered a public display of affection in most social contexts.”

“Alright,” Yeonjun cheered, happily. “Do you want to wear the matching jackets today?”

“I don’t think I washed mine yet,” Beomgyu said, looking at his dirty hamper. The pile of clothes had grown in the past week.

“You should do your laundry,” Yeonjun scolded, lightly slapping the back of his neck.

“I can wear a white shirt,” Beomgyu suggested. He got up to search through his closet. Luckily, he’s been buying clothes in lighter colours, so he had a bunch of white shirts just waiting to be worn.

“You can wear my jacket,” Yeonjun said, leaping to his feet. “Let me go get it.”

Yeonjun returned not a moment later with a black jacket in hand. He told the younger happily, “You can wear a white shirt underneath this jacket. I’ll wear a black shirt underneath my white one.”

“Oh, we’ll still match without being obvious,” Beomgyu said, impressed. He tried on the jacket, which fitted him just nice. It was good to have a boyfriend who wore similar sizes in clothes. “You’re so smart, hyung.”

Yeonjun giggled, fondness leaking through his voice, “Cute.”

Beomgyu beamed at him through the mirror, “I’m going to wear black pants with this.”

“Yeah,” Yeonjun said, eyeing his boyfriend up and down. He quickly checked outside the room for the others before quietly locking the door.

“What is it?” Beomgyu asked, before noting the familiar mischievous look in the older man’s eyes.

Yeonjun immediately pulled him in his arms until they were chest to chest. In a low voice, he said, “You look good in my clothes.”

Beomgyu matched his grin and ran his hands up his boyfriend’s arms, “Yeah? You should see me in no clothes.”

Yeonjun snorted at the cheesy line, and decided he needs to kiss his boyfriend before the younger could say even more stupid lines. The kiss grew urgent to make up for time lost to their plan. Beomgyu’s hand found purchase in Yeonjun’s hair while Yeonjun’s found his way under the younger’s shirt.

Yeonjun’s jacket fell to the floor right before Beomgyu fell back on his bed. Yeonjun quickly crawled over him, picking up the kiss again. They broke apart breathless with Yeonjun trailing kisses along his jaw and down to his neck. Beomgyu hurriedly worked on his sweatpants, cursing his boyfriend for tying an impossible knot.

He barely had time to complain about it when someone knocked on his door. Soobin’s voice called out, “Beomgyu, we’re leaving in ten minutes.”

“Kay,” Beomgyu called back, growing frustrated at the knot. They don’t have time for this.

“Ten minutes is enough,” Yeonjun whispered into his skin as he pushed Beomgyu’s shirt up.

“Not with this stupid thing,” Beomgyu grumbled. Yeonjun chuckled, reaching down to help him even as he continued to mouth the other’s neck.

“Hyung,” Beomgyu gasped, when Yeonjun sucked on a particular spot. He almost missed the fact that the knot was untied.

“Yah, Beomgyu,” Soobin called, knocking on his door again. “Is Yeonjun hyung with you?”

“Tell him no,” Yeonjun whispered, helping Beomgyu out of his shirt.

“Why?” Beomgyu was feeling a little disoriented. Yeonjun was looking at him like the cat who got the cream. With dark eyes and a grin that sent shivers down his spine.

“Because then he’ll go out looking for me,” Yeonjun said, starting a new trail down his chest, taking a nipple in his mouth. Beomgyu clamped his mouth shut to swallow the moan. “More time.”

“Phone,” Beomgyu gasped, when his boyfriend started tugging with his teeth. “Hyung. Jun, he’s going to call.”

“Phone’s off. Charging,” Yeonjun told him, moving to give the other one the same attention.

“Beomgyu?” Soobin called again. “Is Yeonjun hyung with you?”

“Answer him, baby,” Yeonjun said, pulling back to see his boyfriend splayed out breathlessly underneath him.

“He's not,” Beomgyu called back, hoping his voice didn’t come out too strangled. He tugged his boyfriend back onto him, because how dare Yeonjun take those magical lips away from him even for a second.

Outside the room, Soobin frowned, glancing at the locked door sceptically. But neither of them noticed or even cared once their pants were off.

The key to getting over a break up is to get drunk. That is the truth held by many college students. So, Yeonjun took them to a bar he usually goes to with his dance team. As a regular there, Yeonjun easily found them a table before leaving to get their drinks.

“I thought this place would be louder,” Soobin mused, looking around. There was music playing not too loud that they had to yell at each other but just enough so other people couldn’t listen in on them.

“Like a club, right?” Kai readily agreed. “I thought it would be a bar with loud music pumping and everyone grinding on each other.”

“Yah, what kind of person do you think I am,” Yeonjun huffed, when he returned with their drinks. He slid in next to Kai, while the younger passed out the drinks.

“It’s not a club, but they usually have karaoke here at 10,” Beomgyu told them. “Maybe Soobin hyung can sing for us later.”

“It’s going to take a lot more than one beer to get me to sing,” Soobin sniffed, earning an obnoxiously loud laugh from Kai. He turned to the younger, offended, “Why are you laughing?”

“Nothing, I just think you’ll be the first one to sing tonight,” Kai grinned, knowingly. “The very first customer to sing tonight.”

“No, he’ll fall asleep before that happens,” Beomgyu cut in, before mimicking Soobin in his drunken stupor, hunched over in his seat and snoring like a cartoon. Kai laughed while Yeonjun snickered next to him.

Soobin pursed his lips but said nothing as he sipped his drink. He was more focused on Taehyun who was staring at his own beer, lost in his thoughts.

“You should drink, Taehyun,” Soobin said, gently. The younger dutifully took a sip and said nothing.

“I also ordered chicken and fries,” Yeonjun piped up, hoping that it would entice the younger.

In spite of their attempts, Taehyun barely said a word and just quietly sipped his beer. The conversation ended up shifting to their own works in progress. Yeonjun animatedly talked about the choreography he’s been working on. Beomgyu shyly told them about the new song he just started. Soobin talked about the upcoming play he was going to be in.

Kai did his best to include Taehyun in all of it, without mentioning any of their own assignments. He’s worried that any mention of their class work would lead to Taehyun breaking down again.

They were deep in conversation about what kind of musicals they could work on together when the waitress arrived with their fried chicken and large servings of fries. She beamed at the table, though her eyes seemed to linger on one specific person.

“I think she gave us extra fries, hyung,” Soobin said, craning his neck to count the number of chicken pieces they got. “I think she gave us extra chicken too.”

“Did she?” Beomgyu asked, with practiced nonchalance. It won’t be the first time they got free food thanks to his boyfriend.

“No, they always serve this much,” Yeonjun told them, passing out the plates. “Usually when we buy the ten piece set, we get an extra one or two.”

“Every time?” Kai grinned, wagging his eyebrows.

“Hyung, if they give extra, then it won’t be a ten piece set,” Soobin told him, amused. 

“That’s Yeonjun hyung,” Beomgyu said, lightly. Yeonjun glanced up at him. “So pretty that he gets free food wherever he goes.”

“Are you jealous, Beomgyu?” Soobin asked, teasingly.

“I’m not jealous,” Beomgyu scoffed.

“You sound jealous,” Soobin pointed out. Beomgyu refused to dignify him with an answer and simply gave Soobin the smallest piece of chicken he could find.

“Beomgyu hyung is already dating Yeonjun hyung,” Kai said, innocently. He put a piece of chicken breast on Taehyun’s plate, knowing it was the other’s favourite. “He has no reason to be jealous. Right, hyung?”

Yeonjun hummed, noncommittally. Beomgyu bit his lips, aware that if it wasn’t for the plan, Yeonjun would have said something cringy and sweet to cheer him up. He decided to settle for the next best thing and grabbed a handful of fries from Yeonjun’s plate and put it on his own. It earned him an unamused stare from his boyfriend and got a laugh out of Kai.

In another lifetime, Taehyun would be a very famous singer, Beomgyu thought as he watched the younger belt out a note he could only wish to reach. The more beer he drank, the more appealing karaoke seemed to Taehyun until he was on stage singing John Legend’s All of Me with Yeonjun. Soobin and Kai were singing along while waving their phones in the air with the flash on. Beomgyu was recording the whole performance for future purposes.

Their performance ended with a round of applause and drunken cheers from the other customers. Yeonjun jumped off the stage, almost stumbling in his excitement. Luckily, Taehyun managed to catch his arm before he could fall flat on his face in front of everyone. He carefully guided the dancer back to their table, letting Yeonjun cling to him.

“You’re so cute, Taehyun ah,” Yeonjun cooed. “So so cute. Gaeul is stupid for breaking up with you.”

Taehyun’s smile started to strain at the mention of her name.

“You’re so smart and you can sing,” Yeonjun continued, rubbing their heads together. “You can even do that hammer ball thing - and magic! You’re a wizard, Taehyun! Won’t that be great? Then, you can just wave your wand and poof - she’s gone!”

Taehyun dumped into the seat next to Beomgyu’s, before standing back up, “I’m going to get another drink.”

“I’ll go with you,” Kai said, immediately getting up as well. “We need more fries.”

“Food?” Yeonjun asked, perking up. He started to stand as well only to be pulled back down.

Once they were gone, Beomgyu turned to his drunk boyfriend with a disapproving, “Hyung.”

“Baby,” Yeonjun said, smiling lopsidedly. He got back up, tugging on Beomgyu’s hand, “Come dance with me, baby.”

“Hyung, no,” Beomgyu said, trying his best to sound firm. “You’re drunk.”

“Come on, baby,” Yeonjun said, dropping his voice low as he started swaying his hips clumsily to entice him. Beomgyu thinks he must be far too gone to even find that attractive.

Across the table, Soobin snorted at them while he continued to munch on the fries.

Beomgyu flushed when Yeonjun started popping his hips shamelessly at him. Maybe if he was a little tipsier, he would have joined his boyfriend. While sober, however, he tried to look elsewhere. To Soobin who was already filming the whole thing on his phone. To the staff who seemed used to the dancer’s antics, it made him wonder how many times Yeonjun had put on this drunken performance for them.

With half lidded eyes, Yeonjun pressed his fingers to his lips and pressed them to Beomgyu’s cheek. Beomgyu immediately grabbed his hand and pulled him back down on the chair.

“Hyung,” the younger hissed. “People are watching.”

Yeonjun stumbled onto the chair, confused for a moment. But then he moved their chairs closer together, so he could link their arms together and lay his head on his boyfriend’s shoulder.

“Hyung,” Beomgyu sighed, exasperatedly fond. He reached up and ran his hand through the dark locks, aware that Yeonjun was halfway to dream land by then.

“You woke up a few times after that, but only for a few seconds before nodding off again,” Beomgyu told him, recounting the rest of the night for his hungover boyfriend. “At one point, you decided to put three chairs together to make a bed. But you could only get two chairs, so you used my lap as my pillow.”

Yeonjun groaned, rubbing his face in his hands, wishing he could will his embarrassing self away. He had woken up with a massive headache, and his boyfriend next to him with aspirin and a glass of water waiting on his bedside table. He had swallowed the pill while Beomgyu told him what happened.

He peeked through his fingers when he heard Beomgyu chuckling softly. The younger man seemed more amused than anything.

“I ruined our plan, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, but it’s fine,” Beomgyu shrugged, the fond smile never leaving his face. “I didn’t have much hope once you mentioned we were going to a bar. You’re clingy when you’re drunk. It was cute.”

Yeonjun smiled back, relieved that his boyfriend wasn’t upset.

“You should apologise to Taehyun though,” Beomgyu continued, slowly. “You kept bringing up his girlfriend last night.”

Yeonjun grimaced. That was the worst thing to do when you’re trying to help someone get over a break up. “Please tell me Taehyun drank himself until he passed out and now he can’t remember anything.”

Beomgyu pursed his lips, “You know how well he holds his liquor.”

Yeonjun groaned, and in frustration, yelled out “Fuck!”

He was filled with instant regret, when the sound echoed painfully in his head. He muttered, quietly this time, “Fuck.”

Beomgyu laughed, rubbing circles in his back. Yeonjun easily fell into the younger’s arms, burying his face in the crook of Beomgyu’s neck. Beomgyu immediately wraps an arm around him,

“Drink more water, hyung,” Beomgyu said, handing him the glass of water again.

Taehyun started being at home a lot more after the break up. He spent most of his time in his shared room with Kai. It got to a point that Kai was the only one who saw him for a few days. Soobin was having none of it, and one day dragged him out of his room for some karaoke together. Yeonjun was eager to do it again, hoping it would overwrite his mistake last time.

Beomgyu had set everything up in the living room so they didn’t have to go back to the bar. Yeonjun went out and bought some beers but refused to drink some himself. He got himself soda instead.

Taehyun had refused to sing at first, so Soobin started things off for them with a cover of KARA’s Mister. Beomgyu had cheered him on and Yeonjun even joined in the dance. They all started taking turns picking songs to sing. Yeonjun and Kai covered Avril Lavigne’s Sk8er Boi while Beomgyu covered DAY6’s Afraid.

“Come on, just pick a song,” Yeonjun told Taehyun, who had just been sitting there nursing his beer. “We got some SHINee songs if you want, or TWICE even.”

“Do you have a song that could describe how badly I miss her right now?” Taehyun asked, glaring at his can. He wondered if she was thinking about him in that moment. Judging by the way she was laughing with her friends in class earlier, probably not.

“Uh, we have Taeyang’s Eyes, Nose, Lips,” Yeonjun offered, going through the playlist they got.

Now Taeyang was a genius who actually understood the pain Taehyun was going through, “Okay, I’ll sing that song.”

Yeonjun immediately set it up as the next song. Once Beomgyu was done, he turned to pass the mic to the waiting Soobin. But Yeonjun snatched it first, getting an indignant, “Hey!”

“Taehyun gets to sing next,” Yeonjun told the taller man, as he passed the mic to the younger.

Soobin scoffed but sat back to let Taehyun take centre stage. He picked up his nearly empty beer can, and wondered where it all went. The piano started playing and Taehyun easily picked up the first note. His soothing voice carried throughout their apartment.

Yeonjun found himself mouthing along to the words, hand dramatically reaching out to his boyfriend. Beomgyu grinned and was about to do the same, when he remembered the plan. He shook his head apologetically, and Yeonjun’s smile slipped for a second. Then, he whirled to face Soobin instead. But the taller man was busy looking for more beers. Kai was trying to help him.

Taehyun was his last hope, but he was too lost in his performance to notice his outstretched hand. Yeonjun dropped it dramatically as the song came to a close. When he raised his head, he could see Beomgyu watching him with that fond smile of his.

Meanwhile, Taehyun started loading up more ballads in the queue.

“I can’t sing anymore,” Soobin said, plopping down on the couch with a new can of beer. He touched a hand to his throat, “I need to take care of my throat for the play.”

Soobin’s club was putting on a play of Cinderella this weekend. It would be the first play of the semester and the first one where Soobin wasn’t another background character. In fact, he will be playing Prince Charming. He felt it was important that he took care of his throat and voice until then.

“You’re singing?” Kai asked, surprised. “It’s a musical?”

“No, Cinderella isn’t a musical,” the older man said, wondering how Kai could get such a silly idea. “You didn’t know that?”

“But you said you needed to take care of your throat,” Kai argued back.

“Are you saying only singers need to take care of their throat?” Soobin challenged. “Stage actors have to take care of it too! We have to project our voice to the audience with only a tiny microphone.”

“Okay, I’m sorry,” Kai relented, knowing how pointless it was to argue with Soobin, especially when he’s tipsy. His time was better spent singing EXO’s Miracles in December with Taehyun.

“You mean when you repeatedly say, No, wait! Don’t go,” Beomgyu chimed in, trying to mimic the actors he saw on TV.

“I have other lines too,” Soobin huffed. “There’s some dialogue during the ball. He has a lot of lines when they’re looking for Cinderella. It’s a very important role. That’s why I have to keep my throat healthy for the play.”

“But hyung, beer is bad for your throat. You should only drink water,” Beomgyu told Soobin. In response, Soobin slurped his beer extra loud.

“Cheers to Soobin and his acting debut as Prince Charming,” Yeonjun said, raising his soda. This prompted the others to follow suit, raising their beers as well.

Taehyun had to hurriedly find his own beer to join the toast, even though his mind was already racing for ways to get out of going this weekend.

Maybe it wouldn’t have been such a big deal if it was just a play this weekend. But then, the faculty decided to make a whole event around it. They hired vendors outside and got other clubs to open up their own booths for the day. They even organised the theme to be fairytales in honour of the play.

Taehyun was excited about it at first. He had even planned a date out of it. He remembered telling Soobin, “Gaeul is excited to see you act. She’s never seen any of the plays you guys did.”

“As long as you guys actually watch the play,” Soobin replied, side eyeing one of the people who did not pay attention to the last play they put on.

“We did watch the play,” Beomgyu insisted.

“You laughed when Juliet drank the poison,” Soobin deadpanned, remembering the time they put a play of Romeo & Juliet. “Lia thought she had messed up her part back then.”

“We weren’t laughing at her,” Beomgyu said, though he did feel guilty for what happened. Yeonjun had been whispering some stupid comment he can’t even remember now, but it made him laugh a little too loud. The timing was unfortunate but it wasn’t intentional.

They apologised to Lia later and assured her that she was a great Juliet.

“I can’t believe I’m going to be the fifth wheel,” Kai sighed, wondering when will he get out of the single life.

Taehyun had just grinned back then, blissfully unaware of the heartbreak that was awaiting him. Now, Taehyun wished he could spend his days at the gym and sweat it all out. He tried to sneak off early that morning, but Kai caught him and basically dragged him along to watch the play with them.

“This is very important for Soobin hyung,” Kai told him, firmly. “We promised we’d go and watch him. He’ll be upset if you don’t go.”

Taehyun couldn’t even argue if he wanted to. He knew Kai was right. Soobin never said it out loud, but he loved seeing them all there even when he was only a tree in the background. But sometimes Taehyun just wanted to be selfish and not go to something that was originally planned as a date.

Things got worse when they got there. The moment they arrived, they were immediately given an eyeful of people wearing fake crowns and jewellery, and colourful flowers hung at every corner. Couples giggling and pointing at the props and posters they sat up. Some booths even offered discounts for anyone willing to do their couple games. They found a poster with a glass slipper and the words Looking for the fair maiden missing this shoe underneath followed by details of the play.

In spite of Taehyun’s misery, Beomgyu found it all so enchanting. He had always been a little weak for fairytales growing up. The idea of being a prince and rescuing a damsel in distress was just so romantic. He glanced at the one guy who was his prince charming, even though Yeonjun usually acted more like the damsel in distress most times.

“Hey, let’s take a photo together,” Yeonjun said, excitedly leading them to one of the photobooths they had set up for the event. Most of them were filled with couples queuing to take a picture. This one, luckily, only had one.

While they waited for their turn, they started going through the props laid out on the nearby table. Going with the theme, there were a lot of crowns from cardboard cutouts to plastic ones for kids. There were wands, swords and knight masks for the ones who wanted to be something other than royalty. There were even a few capes to help complete the look.

Yeonjun grew excited just looking at them. He knew Beomgyu would look adorable in that tiara, from that time they babysat Soobin’s niece and she made Beomgyu wear all her plastic princess jewellery, from the tiara to the matching wand. Yeonjun spied a crown among the props that would match well with the tiara. He turned to Beomgyu, ready to tell the younger about his plan for their photos.

But Beomgyu was quietly telling Taehyun, “We can go get some drinks. I’m sure someone is selling boba somewhere.”

Taehyun nodded, quietly, trying not to scowl at the guy now sweeping his girlfriend in the air. The camera managed to capture the unabashed joy on their faces and the kiss he stole before putting his girlfriend back down. Taehyun was disgusted by the display. They were in public. Have some decency.

He was glad Beomgyu wanted no part of it and was willing to look for boba with him.

“You guys don’t want to take any pictures?” Yeonjun asked, watching the two of them leave the queue.

“It’s okay, you and Kai should take the pictures and come find us later,” Beomgyu told him, shooting an apologetic smile as he left. He knew this was something his boyfriend loved.

“Oh, okay,” Yeonjun said, going back to the props and trying not to show how upset he was. He wanted to see Beomgyu in a tiara.

“Hyung, do you still want to?” Kai asked, uncertainly. The couple had left, and it was their turn. As much as he wanted to be a knight, he didn’t want Yeonjun to feel like he had to.

“Yeah, come on,” Yeonjun said, trying to muster up some excitement for the younger. He can’t leave Kai hanging just because his boyfriend won’t take photos with him. There were plenty of props for two friends to use. “Do you want to be a prince, princess, knight or wizard?”

“Hyung, you can be the dragon!”

The pictures turned out great if Yeonjun had anything to say about it. He and Kai later found Beomgyu and Taehyun sipping on their boba near a churros stall. Kai immediately went to show them the photos while Yeonjun got himself some churros. They laughed at the picture of Yeonjun in the dragon mask being slayed by Kai wearing a crown. The following picture of king Kai being choked by dragon Yeonjun even had Taehyun cracking a smile.

“What’s happening over there?” Kai asked, curious at the sight of a crowd gathering at one particular booth. The crowd was even cheering and whistling for it.

“I don’t know,” Beomgyu said, his interest piqued too. “Let’s check it out.”

“Wait, I haven’t gotten my churros,” Yeonjun whined, when the others started walking away. Luckily, the seller just finished up his order. Yeonjun politely thanked him before hurrying after them.

After making their way through the crowd, they finally saw that the booth had set up a pepero game specially for couples. There was a banner hanging that promised gifts for couples that managed to get it under 1 cm, and an extra special gift for the couple that managed to get the shortest one - crumbs do not count.

The current couple was practically grabbing each other’s faces to keep the game going. The crowd cheered for them when they finally parted with heavy breathing and a small pepero stick in hand.

Taehyun made a disgusted noise before turning to leave. Beomgyu started following him. Yeonjun moved to do the same when someone grabbed his arm. He turned to see a vaguely familiar face beaming at him.

“Choi Yeonjun! What a coincidence!” the guy said into a mic. He must be the host of this mini game. He was wagging his eyebrows at Yeonjun, grip a little tight on his arm. “Are you and your boytoy here to play the game too? Show us all who the it couple on campus is, huh?”

“Uh, not really,” Yeonjun said, feeling a little shy when all eyes turned to him. He is suddenly very much aware of the churros crumb on his face. “We were just passing through. I should go actually-”

“Choi Yeonjun doesn’t have a partner for the pepero game?” the host said, purposely loud. He dragged Yeonjun to the centre, ignoring the other’s protest. “Everyone, everyone, Choi Yeonjun needs a partner. Any there any volunteers?”

A number of hands shot up, mixed in with giggles and hollers. More people started to join when they heard what the host said. Yeonjun laughed in embarrassment, eyes searching the crowd for the one guy he would actually love to do the game with. But Beomgyu had disappeared with Taehyun again.

“Ooh, we have a lot of volunteers here. You’re really Mr. Popular, aren’t you,” the host teased. “Why don’t you choose your partner, Yeonjun?”

Yeonjun tried to pull away, muttering excuses about his friends waiting. But the host was having none of it and neither were the crowd watching. He searched the crowd for a way out and found Kai who was watching nervously at the side. Yeonjun shot him a meaningful glance, which luckily got the younger to raise his own hand.

Immediately, Yeonjun said, “Kai! I choose Kai!”

There was some protest but the host simply ignored them and waved Kai to join them. Hesitantly, the younger did, and suddenly Yeonjun was holding a pepero stick in hand and Kai was waiting for him to take the lead.

“Ah, seriously,” Yeonjun groaned, biting one end of the pepero stick. The idea of almost kissing Kai was not making him feel good.

“Hyung, close your eyes,” Kai said, hoping to comfort him. He tried to figure out the best way to do this. “Don’t move. I’ll go in like a dentist.”

“If I close my eyes, I’m going to imagine it,” Yeonjun whined. He tried to get a grip on himself, and imagine it’s Beomgyu instead. Though, that was impossible since Kai was taller.

“Imagine I’m a dentist coming in close to check your mouth,” Kai told him, telling himself that the faster it ends, the better. “I’m going to come in and check your teeth. Show me your teeth, hyung.”

“This is a very strange roleplay,” the host remarked, and Yeonjun really wished he would shut up.

“Ready hyung? I’m going in,” Kai asked. When the older man nodded, Kai moved in, quickly and confidently, that Yeonjun instinctively raised his hand in defense.

He expected Kai to break the game immediately, but the younger kept moving in closer. When he felt Kai’s lip brushed his, Yeonjun immediately pushed him away, the tiny pepero stick falling between them.

The host picked up the fallen stick and immediately went to measure it, “1.7 cm! Such a pity. But you two didn’t win anything.”

Kai put on a show of being upset with the result and graciously left the crowd with a distracted Yeonjun in tow. The older man was still in a daze as he touched his lips, wondering, “Did I just cheat on Beomgyu?”

“Of course not, hyung,” Kai said, scandalised by the idea. But seeing the older man’s dazed look, he added, “It was just a game - that you were forced into by the way - I’m sure Beomgyu hyung would understand. We didn’t even kiss.”

“But our lips touched,” Yeonjun said, still in shock. Even that simple brush felt so wrong. He needed Beomgyu’s lips on his to wash away this feeling.

“Come on, let’s go find the others,” Kai said, not wanting to dwell on what just happened. “I think they already went to the theatre hall.”

Taehyun and Beomgyu were already at the theatre hall. They got some more snacks on the way, and took front row seats. They needed a close up of Soobin’s acting debut. Kai and Yeonjun found them from the picture Beomgyu sent. Yeonjun immediately went to sit next to Beomgyu. When the lights dimmed and the curtains raised, he grabbed Beomgyu’s hand in his.

Beomgyu glanced at him in surprise, but turned his hand over into a more comfortable position.

The play actually turned out pretty good, and Soobin was a decent if not slightly stilted actor. The scene where Cinderella’s dress transformed was so cleverly done that Beomgyu kept searching her dress and the stage for the trick. Soobin looked like an absolute prince during the ball, and the lovely piano music had Beomgyu leaning towards Yeonjun while he hummed along.

Their fingers now quietly intertwined in the dark, with Yeonjun rubbing circles with his thumb. Beomgyu was glad to see his boyfriend relaxing as the play went on.

When the play ended, Yeonjun was immediately on his feet, applauding the cast. Beomgyu laughed and followed suit, and so did Kai and Taehyun. Soon, everyone was standing and giving the group the standing ovation they deserved.

“Wow, someone got you guys flowers?” Kai asked, marveling at the massive bouquet on Soobin’s dressing table. The card attached addressed it to the whole cast and crew.

“Yeah, where’s my flowers, Kai?” Soobin asked while fixing his shirt. He was glad to be out of the costume. “How could you come see me without any flowers?”

“Sorry, I didn’t realise we had to bring flowers,” Kai said, playing along. He put his head in his open palms and in a sweet voice said, “But your favourite flower, Kai, is here!”

Soobin deadpanned at the sudden aegyo, “Since when are you a flower? Oh yeah, I saw you guys by the way.”

“Yeah?” Kai said, eyes bright. “You saw us in the front row? You were a lot better than we expected. I think Beomgyu hyung already uploaded your video on IG.”

“I meant you and Yeonjun hy- wait, what video? Beomgyu uploaded a video?”

Kai dutifully took out his phone to show Beomgyu’s latest story update. Pictures of Soobin on stage being Prince Charming. A clip of him declaring to the people that he was looking for his missing maiden. Soobin considered himself lucky that the younger knew all his best angles, even when he cringed at his own awkward acting.

Outside the hall, Beomgyu was smiling as he scrolled through his phone. He wasn’t the only one who had seen the play. Lots of students were talking about it, and even more were asking if there was a second showing they could go to.

“Baby.” Beomgyu whirled to see Yeonjun watching him with curious eyes. “What are you doing?”

“Just watching Soobin blow up online,” Beomgyu told him, showing the number of reels and posts that had been made about their best friend. “Soon, he’s going to be more popular than you, hyung.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, maybe we’ll even get to see him do a pepero game someday,” Beomgyu said, casually. He tried not to smile when he felt the older froze behind him.

“We didn’t kiss,” Yeonjun hurriedly told him. Beomgyu said nothing and simply stared at him with those big, round eyes. He took the younger’s hand in his. “It was simply a quick touch, and I pushed him away immediately. I didn’t even want to play the stupid game, but the host forced me. I swear, I never wanted to kiss Kai.”

“Promise?” Beomgyu asked quietly.

“I promise, you’re the only one I want to kiss,” Yeonjun told him, solemnly.

Beomgyu broke out into a fit of giggles, unable to keep a straight face anymore. He patted his boyfriend’s head, “You’re so dumb, hyung. I heard the guy call you when we were walking away. I know he made you do it.”

“Wait, you knew and you didn’t come back?” Yeonjun pouted.

“Taehyun was already upset with all the couple things, and I didn’t want to leave him alone,” Beomgyu explained. “I knew Kai would be with you so, I thought you’d be fine. I didn’t think you guys would kiss the moment I was gone.”

“It wasn’t a kiss,” Yeonjun insisted, pulling him in. “I would never kiss anyone but you ever again.”

Beomgyu smiled bashfully under his boyfriend’s gaze. He almost leaned in, when someone brushed by them, muttering something about damned prince charmings. Instantly, the couple broke apart, and Beomgyu had to remind himself aloud, “Right, public place.”

“Yeah,” Yeonjun said, a little regretful.

Beomgyu smiled, and took his boyfriend’s hand, leading him to another booth they found earlier. This one was closed and had a large board with an aerial view of a ballroom and Cinderella dancing with Prince Charming in the middle. There were a lot of coloured stickers pasted all over the board.

“We’re supposed to put the stickers on where we think we’d be if we were at Cinderella’s ball,” Beomgyu told him. He peeled off one of the coloured stickers on the table nearby. “Where do you think we would be, hyung?”

Yeonjun scanned the board. A number of people had opted to stick to the edges with some sticking close to the food table or the stairs. Yeonjun eyed it thoughtfully, “It depends.”

“On what?”

“On whether or not you would dance with me,” Yeonjun said, smiling now.

Beomgyu hummed, “Hmm, what about the plan?”

“The plan,” Yeonjun muttered, thinking it over. He peeled off one of the coloured stickers. “Well, it’s a masquerade ball, right? The plan doesn’t matter.”

“We would be wearing masks,” Beomgyu conceded.

“Yeah, and we would be dancing right here,” Yeonjun said, sticking the sticker right in the middle of the dance floor. “I would twirl you around the ballroom and kiss you when no one’s looking.”

“But we’d be in the middle of the ballroom where everyone’s looking,” Beomgyu pointed out. He put a sticker outside the ballroom, in the gardens. “I think we would be here away from everyone when you kiss me. Look, there’s even a fountain.”

“Hmm, the moon would look prettier with you there,” Yeonjun said, hooking a finger around the younger’s.

Yeonjun loved kissing Beomgyu. He’s addicted to it. Even a quick one is enough to make him smile. But he especially loved it when Beomgyu got on top of him and kissed him like it was a competition - one that he would never win. Yeonjun would let the younger take charge. He loved how eager Beomgyu grew at the given chance. Loved the way Beomgyu fisted his shirt with one hand while gently cupping Yeonjun’s face with the other.

Yeonjun let his tongue in. Let the younger explore his mouth, while his own hand slipped under Beomgyu’s shirt, touching the creamy skin underneath. His other hand slipped down to squeeze his cute ass. Beomgyu made a startled noise and nipped his lip in retaliation. Yeonjun just laughed into the kiss, his fingers lightly trailing the younger’s spine.

It’s been a week since they had time to themselves. Between the plan and their classes keeping them busy, Yeonjun really needed a heavy dose of Beomgyu.

“Hyung!”

The unwelcomed voice slowed down their busy mouths. The knocks that followed broke the two apart. Yeonjun frowned, he thought everyone else had plans tonight and were out. No one else was supposed to be home right now.

“Yeonjun hyung, are you in there?”

“Kai?” Yeonjun called back, distracted by the way Beomgyu's tongue darted out to lick his lips. 

“Hyung, can I talk to you?” Kai asked, trying the door. He was surprised to find it locked.

Beomgyu’s eyes widened in alert and he immediately sat up. The blanket half draped on them was now fully on the floor. He looked around the room frantically. There were the candles he set up. The Spotify playlist of all their favourite songs playing in the background - this one won’t be hard to hide. Their food containers.

“Um, I’m kind of busy,” Yeonjun called back, signaling to Beomgyu to calm down. This wasn’t a problem.

“Oh, alright,” Kai said, sad disappointment loud and clear through the door.

Beomgyu slapped Yeonjun’s chest, shooting him a meaningful look. They already have Taehyun moping around, they can’t have Kai getting upset too.

“Kai ya,” Yeonjun reluctantly called out again. “Is it important?”

Kai must not have moved since his answer was almost instantaneous, “Kind of.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll go to your room,” Yeonjun told the younger. Beomgyu climbed off of him and Yeonjun couldn’t help but stare mournfully at the setup Beomgyu had prepared. It was a surprise date night to make up for all the time lost. When Yeonjun got back from the studio earlier, he found a candlelit meal and Beomgyu on his bed looking very pretty in Yeonjun’s oversized shirt.

Yeonjun had planned to savour his surprise all night.

“Actually, I’d really like it if I could talk in your room,” Kai told him, unknowingly ruining it all. “It’s kind of private.”

“Hyung,” Beomgyu hissed, hurriedly blowing out all the candles. He grabbed his phone and switched off the music. He then looked around the room, trying to find somewhere he could squeeze in for a bit. He’s a small guy, it shouldn’t be hard.

“Give me a minute,” Yeonjun called out to Kai, before opening his closet. It was the only place he could think of that could fit a man in his twenties. But Yeonjun just did his laundry, and the closet was packed with his clothes. He considered letting Beomgyu hide under his bed, but he had stashed his Lego boxes under there.

“Hyung, don’t be mad,” Beomgyu whispered to him, before pulling out a bunch of his clothes from the closet.

Yeonjun grabbed his arm, hissing, “Yah, what are you doing?”

Beomgyu cupped his face and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips, promising, “I’ll help you clean it up, later.”

Then the younger climbed onto the now empty closet, gave him a wink, and closed the door. Yeonjun huffed and started picking up his clothes off the floor, wondering how someone so cute could be so infuriating at the same time.

“Hyung?” Kai called, starting to wonder if he should have just waited for another time.

Looking around, Yeonjun decided to just pile his clothes in one corner of the floor. He’ll just deal with it later. He can say he’s picking out clothes to go out or something - it won’t be the first time. He then went to unlock his door to let Kai in.

“What’s up, Kai?” Yeonjun said, hoping it came off more as casual rather than cringy.

Closing the door behind him, Kai carefully said, “I wanted to talk to you about Taehyun.”

“Why? Did something happen?” Yeonjun asked, worried. Taehyun seemed to have cheered up a bit, but anything could set the younger off down another spiral.

“No, I mean, I’m wondering how long it would take to get over a break up,” Kai said, slowly as he moved to Yeonjun’s bed. He doesn’t date much, so this is not his area of expertise. But he also didn’t like seeing his best friend sad for so long.

“Well, I guess, it depends on the person,” Yeonjun said, trying to think of his past experiences. “And depends on how the relationship was.”

“Oh really,” Kai said, quietly. Looking back at Taehyun’s relationship with Gaeul, he didn’t think it was anything serious. But they did spend a lot of time together in between classes and on weekends.

“Yeah, maybe it was more important for Taehyun than we thought,” Yeonjun told him. “We can just keep trying to be there for him. He’ll get over her soon. How is he, by the way?”

“Well, he stopped crying, but he hates everything romance and couple related again,” Kai said, looking around the room. His eyes landed on the pile of clothes, questioningly. “What were you doing, hyung?”

“Oh, that’s nothing,” Yeonjun said, moving to block his view. “I was actually looking for something when you knocked.”

“Really? What was it? Do you want me to help?”

“No, no, it’s fine,” Yeonjun said, hurriedly. “I’ll do it later.”

Kai hummed, before noting something in the air, “Was Beomgyu hyung here?”

“No, why would you say that?” Yeonjun said, trying not to sound defensive.

“It smells like his room in here,” Kai said, looking around until he finally spotted the source of the scent. “Aren’t those Beomgyu hyung’s candles?”

“No,” he answered, a little too quickly. At the sceptic look on Kai’s face, he reluctantly added, “Okay, I kind of borrowed them.”

“Did you tell Beomgyu hyung?”

“Yes, he knows I took them,” Yeonjun said, offended that the younger would think otherwise. Beomgyu was the one who made a habit of taking his things without telling him first.

Then, Kai spotted the open food box on the desk, “You got cake, hyung?”

“Yeah, I was craving something sweet after dinner.”

“What kind of cake did you get?” Kai asked, getting up for a closer look. He found two slices in the box. A chocolate cake and strawberry cream cake. “Oh, you got two!”

“Yeah, they both looked so good. Do you want some?” Yeonjun asked, recognising the wanting look in his eyes.

“Can I?” Kai said, already using the fork at the side to take a bit. He nearly moaned at the taste of chocolate goodness on his tongue. “This is really good. Where is it from?”

“I don’t know,” Yeonjun shrugged, joining him. But Kai was right, it was really good. He should ask Beomgyu about it later.

“You don’t know?” Kai asked, taking another bite. “Didn’t you buy the cake, hyung?”

Yeonjun mentally kicked himself for the slip up. “No, someone from the dance team got it for me.”

Kai nodded, turning the cake to the side. That’s when he noticed a partial writing on the cake, “Someone got you a cake with the words my love on it? Don't let Beomgyu hyung find out.”

Yeonjun chuckled awkwardly, “He already knows. Besides, it was a stupid joke. Anyway, you said Taehyun is angry at love now?”

“Yeah,” Kai sighed, stabbing a piece of cake. “He watched The Notebook earlier just to curse at the characters. He’s in our room right now, writing out reasons why the movie encourages toxic behaviour.”

“At least he’s not crying anymore,” Yeonjun tried to smile. “He’s moving on to the next stage of grief.”

“Yeah, how long did it take for you to get over a break up hyung?”

Yeonjun tried to think of his past relationships. There wasn’t a lot. He had more admirers than he had relationships. “I don’t know. A couple of weeks?”

“Really? I remember you dating a new person every week before you started dating Beomgyu hyung,” Kai said, remembering the string of people Yeonjun introduced them to at the time. “Were they all rebounds, hyung?”

“No, and it wasn’t every week,” Yeonjun said, a little embarrassed. He was never really proud of his past.

“I remember you telling Beomgyu hyung that ‘a relationship isn’t defined by how long it was, but how deep the feelings were’,” Kai asked, remembering the arguments the two had. As a romantic, Beomgyu hated how quickly Yeonjun changed partners. He kept telling Yeonjun to learn to appreciate his romantic partners more.

“Well, I was right,” Yeonjun huffed. He remembered being very annoyed and calling Beomgyu out on his unrealistic dating expectations. “It doesn’t matter how long we dated. Our feelings are what mattered most.”

“But even back then, your exes’ feelings didn’t matter to you as much as Beomgyu’s,” Kai grinned. They later found out almost all of his relationships ended because Yeonjun cared more about hanging out with Beomgyu than making time for their dates.

Yeonjun shrugged, trying not to smile. He didn’t know it back then. But he was whipped for Beomgyu before he even knew he liked him. “Shut up and eat the cake.”

Kai laughed, but dutifully took another bite. “I hope you two stay together forever. Don’t ever break up.”

“Not planning to,” Yeonjun told him. He then ruffled Kai’s hair, cooing at him. “Such a cute kid for worrying about his hyungs.”

Kai grinned, enjoying the cake. “Hyung, do you want to watch a show with me tonight? I think I need something happy after Taehyun’s scathing commentary.”

“Sorry, Kai, I’m a little beat. I still need to clean up my clothes, and then I’m planning to go to bed,” Yeonjun said, gesturing to the pile Beomgyu had thrown out.

“I’ll help you, hyung,” Kai offered again. He really was too sweet for his own good.

“No, no, it’s fine,” Yeonjun assured him, waving him off. “I have a system for my clothes. You’re just going to make it worse.”

“Okay, hyung,” Kai said, finally realising his hyung was kicking him out. He got up to leave, but not without saying, “I’m going to watch the new Haikyu!! movie. You should come join me once you're done.”

“Maybe, Kai,” Yeonjun said, smiling until the door closed. He quickly got up to lock it.

Beomgyu opened the closet door, poking his head out cautiously, “Is he gone?”

“Yeah, he’s gone. That was close. Too close,” Yeonjun said, sighing in relief. He helped Beomgyu out of the closet. “Did you hear everything?”

“You mean the part where you had feelings for me before we even started dating?” Beomgyu asked, teasingly.

“Says the guy who tried to sabotage every date I went on,” Yeonjun shot back.

“I didn’t sabotage your dates,” Beomgyu argued. “It’s not my fault you were just bad at dating back then.”

“You once called me while I was on a date, to come back and help catch a spider in your room,” Yeonjun reminded him.

Beomgyu tried not to smile at the memory, “Yeah, well, you came back anyway.”

“Yeah, because you called,” Yeonjun said. Because that was how it worked between them until now. As long as Beomgyu was the one who called him, he would answer.

Beomgyu tried not to blush even as he quickly looked away to hide his smile. He ignored Yeonjun laughing at how shy he was being and said, “Come on, I’ll help you clean up.”

At some point, Taehyun realised he missed his friends. It was odd since at least one of them would be with him anywhere he went after the break up. Kai, himself, had taken to sticking to him like glue during classes. But one evening he came back from class alone, and he wondered what the others were doing.

He knew Yeonjun was likely still working at the studio. But Beomgyu and Soobin should be back by now. He found them in Soobin’s room playing a game on his huge pc. The pair stopped their bickering when he walked in. For a moment, he felt like he was intruding.

But then Beomgyu had asked, kindly, “Taehyun ah, do you want to play with us?”

“Sure, what are you guys playing?” Taehyun replied, glad for the invitation. It felt like ages since he played games with them. He had forgotten how good Beomgyu was and how easy it was to rile Soobin up.

Although his playlist still alternated between songs like The Weeknd’s Call Out My Name and CeeLo’s Fuck You, it was nice to have it in the background while Kai talked about the day they had. Kai was going on about the assignment they had to do together, when suddenly he went quiet.

“What?” Taehyun asked, confused. Kai was just telling him about something another friend of theirs were doing, when he stopped.

Kai shook his head, clearly reluctant to go on. “No, I was just thinking they’re doing that. It’s good. The prof will like it- but it’s going to be hard to get it done in time.”

“They?” Taehyun asked, trying to pinpoint who the other was talking about. “Oh, you mean Gaeul’s group?”

Kai trailed off, uncertainly, “Yeah, her…”

Taehyun smiled, amused, “You can say her name, you know.”

Kai searched his face carefully, before breaking out into a careful smile, “I know. I’m just saying.”

Taehyun had laughed then, a little endeared by his friend’s concern. Kai had playfully punched him in embarrassment, and they had a tussle right there in their room.

It was one day on the weekend when Taehyun and Yeonjun went out shopping together that he decided it was long overdue. They were in a clothing store, and Yeonjun was talking about how some of the clothes would look on the others when Taehyun brought up the idea.

“Movie night?” Yeonjun repeated, still eyeing the jacket on the shelf. He pulled one out, trying to imagine how Beomgyu would look in it.

“Yeah, it’s been a while since all of us just hung out at the apartment,” Taehyun shrugged. It felt awkward to say it when they’ve been hanging out together a lot more lately. “We’re all free tonight, right? I thought it’d be nice.”

“Yeah, yeah, it will,” Yeonjun said, beaming at him. “We can get some popcorn to make together.”

Taehyun chuckled, relieved by his enthusiasm. Yeonjun patted his head, in understanding, and talked about texting the others about it and getting the food they should get.

They started talking about movies they could find online when Taehyun spotted a familiar figure outside the store. He squinted to make sure he was seeing the right person. But there was Gaeul walking by the store with a guy. From where he stood, Taehyun couldn’t tell if they were holding hands. But as he watched the pair walk away, he realised he was enjoying his time with Yeonjun too much to care.

“Taehyun ah, what do you think?” Yeonjun called out, holding up a pair of jeans against himself.

Taehyun tore his eyes away from the girl to look at Yeonjun. The pants were slightly baggy, but he knew Yeonjun would pull them off, just like he always does.

“Looks good, hyung.”

“Should I get it?” Yeonjun asked, turning this way and that. “I do need more pants. But I already have a lot in this colour.”

Taehyun watched his hyung put the pants back in its place. He watched as Yeonjun bobbed his head to the store music, browsing through the other clothes. He smiled to himself and asked, “Don’t they have any other colours?”

The pair of them continued to browse through clothes until Yeonjun insisted on getting Taehyun a pretty sweater he found. They spent the rest of the day walking around until Taehyun’s feet ached and his hands were holding as many bags as he could.

Sometimes Taehyun forgets how much Yeonjun can shop. But at least Yeonjun was generous enough to get him a drink to make up for it.

“Let’s watch the new Spiderman!” Yeonjun exclaimed excitedly. He missed their movie nights.

“Didn’t you already watch that, hyung?” Kai asked.

As soon as Yeonjun and Taehyun got back earlier, they announced to all of them that it was movie night and that Taehyun got a new fit just for it. In fact, he was already wearing the sweater Yeonjun picked out when they got back. It was clear that the shopping trip did him some good.

“But Beomgyu hasn’t,” the older replied, pointing to his boyfriend. He realised his mistake when the younger shot him a warning look, and smiled sheepishly.

“I think we should let Taehyun decide,” Beomgyu said, turning to the brunette in question. “What do you want to watch, Taehyun?”

“I don’t know,” Taehyun shrugged. “I don’t really care what we watch.”

“Did Beomgyu hyung already watch the last movie?” Kai asked. “He might get confused if he hasn’t.”

“Is it important?” Beomgyu asked back. “If it just refers a little bit to the last movies, then it won’t matter.”

“The last Marvel movie we- you watched was Endgame,” Yeonjun told him, hoping the others wouldn’t notice his slipup. He learned quickly that by physically distancing himself from his boyfriend, it reduced the chances of him reaching out for the younger. But he still slips up with the words he said. “There’s a little bit of spoiler since you haven’t watched the last Spiderman movie. We can just watch both of them back to back.”

“Save it for your movie dates,” Soobin told him. He slid in next to Taehyun, patting the younger’s head. “We should let Taehyun choose. We can watch Inception.”

“I don’t really care what we watch,” Taehyun tried to say. He’s flattered that they cared, but this wasn’t supposed to be just about him. Unfortunately, the others were no longer listening.

“I’ll set it up,” Beomgyu said, grabbing the remote. “Inception, right?”

“I’ll make popcorn,” Soobin announced.

The three words were enough to alarm Kai into jumping up and saying, “I’ll help you, hyung.”

“No, you go get the drinks,” Soobin told him, firmly. He was trying to find that one recipe he found online weeks ago while doom scrolling. “You’ll just bother me if you try to help.”

Kai just laughed, nervously. He didn’t want to be the one to remind the older about all his failed cooking attempts in the past. But he also didn’t want to be Soobin’s victim again. So, he decided to make his own batch of popcorn next to the older man. Who knows, maybe he could salvage something.

Beomgyu was leaning forward, flickering through the movie choices Netflix has, trying to find the classic they wanted. He felt the couch dip beside him, and a warm voice in his ear saying, “I don’t know if they have the Korean dub for Inception here.”

“It’s fine as long as they have the subtitles,” Beomgyu said, feeling fingers gently combing through his hair before sliding down to his lower back. He almost leaned into the touch, when he caught Taehyun’s eyes watching them. Immediately, Beomgyu straightened up and tried to shake the hand off, suggesting, “Uh hyung, maybe you should help Soobin hyung with the popcorn.”

“Hmm?” Yeonjun turned to him with a small confused smile, and Beomgyu would really like to kiss him. But they had a plan, and they needed to stick to it.

“Go help Soobin hyung with the popcorn,” he said, firmly this time.

Thankfully, understanding seemed to finally dawn on the older man, and Yeonjun immediately stood up and said, “Right. Right. Yah, Soobin ah, I hope you’re not ruining the popcorn.”

“I’m not ruining anything,” Soobin replied, wondering if he should add honey to the kernels. That’s a thing people do, right?

Beomgyu was glad he sent Yeonjun to check on Soobin. The taller male has strange ideas when it comes to food. After setting up the movie, Beomgyu turned to Taehyun, who was staring at the screen wordlessly.

Beomgyu quietly made his way next to the younger male and nudged his shoulder, “Are you okay?”

Taehyun shot him a pensive smile, “Yeah, I was just thinking. I think I saw Gaeul on a date earlier.”

“At the mall?” Beomgyu asked.

“Yeah…”

“Hey, it’s going to be okay,” Beomgyu said, pulling him into a one arm hug.

Taehyun smiled gratefully, “I know. It doesn’t hurt as much as before. But it still stings when I think about it.”

“These things take time,” Beomgyu said, comfortingly.

“You know, when she said she dumped me because I asked too many questions, I didn’t get it,” Taehyun admitted. It was still something he couldn’t quite wrap his head around. “I thought girls like attentive guys. I thought asking questions meant I was paying attention.”

“Yeah,” Beomgyu said, struggling to find the right words. The last time he tried to help make sense of it, it had sent Taehyun down another spiral. “Just forget her. Someday, you’ll find someone who will love all your questions. They’ll even have questions to ask you.”

“If we’re both asking questions, who has the answers?” Taehyun asked, with a small smile.

“I don’t know,” Beomgyu shrugged, bumping their shoulders together. “You’re smart, you’ll figure it out.”

Taehyun shot him a grateful smile.

It was then, their friends arrived with the food and drinks. Soobin, Yeonjun and Kai were each holding their own bowl of popcorn. Yeonjun’s and Kai’s smell nice and sweet. Soobin’s was looking a little burn but still smelt sweet - just a different kind of sweet.

“Who’s ready for the movie?” Kai said, carefully setting the bowl and glasses down.

“Why- Who-” Taehyun paused, frowning as he tried to rearrange his words. He breathed in deeply, and said, “All of you made popcorn.”

“Soobin hyung won’t let us help him, so me and Yeonjun hyung made our own popcorn,” Kai told them, sitting on Taehyun’s other side.

“This is going to taste great,” Soobin said, proudly. “I followed a recipe I found on YouTube.”

“Did you taste it first?” Beomgyu asked.

“No, you can’t taste popcorn before cooking it,” Soobin scoffed, settling onto the smaller couch. “But I know it tastes good, because it already smells good.”

Yeonjun scanned the room for a place to sit. He knew he could squeeze in next to Beomgyu. They could make it work even with that small space. And if not, Beomgyu could just sit on his lap, easy. But with the plan in motion, Yeonjun simply handed Beomgyu his bowl of popcorn and went to sit next to Soobin.

The taller male turned to him with a querying glance, to which Yeonjun just shrugged helplessly in return. With a mouthful of popcorn and a pitying smile, Soobin offered him the bowl, “Hyung, taste it, it’s really good.”

Seeing the eager look on the younger’s face, Yeonjun ate some of the popcorn. The burnt part wasn’t the issue. It was the odd sweet taste that was sticky at the same time. He couldn’t even quite describe it. It tasted nothing like the popcorn he loved. But he hummed as enthusiastically as he could for Soobin’s sake.

“Should be enough for the two of us,” Soobin told him, happily.

From the other sofa, Beomgyu shot Yeonjun a sympathetic smile. Without breaking eye contact, Beomgyu popped some of the popcorn in his mouth and hummed dramatically, emphasizing how tasty it was. Yeonjun grinned, happy that at least his boyfriend was being well fed.

“This is really good popcorn, Kai,” Beomgyu said, turning to the younger.

“It is, right? My sister taught me the recipe when we were kids,” Kai said, completely oblivious to Yeonjun’s gaze.

“The popcorn must taste good because you made it Kai, and not any of the hyungs,” Beomgyu said, cheekily. Yeonjun’s smile dropped at the comment. His eyes narrowed at the younger.

“We should start the movie,” Soobin said, grabbing the remote. He was determined not to fall for the younger’s bait tonight, even if Yeonjun seemed to think otherwise.

Yeonjun leaned back onto the couch, trying not to sulk at Beomgyu’s comment. Kai gave him an apologetic smile just as Leonardo DiCaprio came on screen, and he shook his head in assurance. He wasn’t the one who should apologise.

Yeonjun was working late again. As his boyfriend, Beomgyu was obligated to pick him up before he passed out from exhaustion. He was also planning to stop by the convenience store to get some snacks because he knew the dancer was likely starving himself again in the name of fitness.

Beomgyu had planned to sneak out while the others were busy in their room. But there in the living room was Taehyun watching TV. It was strange to see him outside his room alone, but Beomgyu was glad he stopped staying in his room all the time.

“Where are you going, hyung?” Taehyun asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.

“Oh, uh, just out for a bit,” Beomgyu said, wondering if this would count as PDA. If Taehyun was there, it probably will. “Needed a walk.”

“Can I come?” Beomgyu rushed to find ways to get out of this, but Taehyun was faster. The younger went to get his jacket and was ready to go in seconds, “I need to stretch out my legs too.”

“Oh?” Beomgyu said, dumbly. “I was thinking of picking up something I left in class. It’s pretty far.”

“That’s fine,” Taehyun told him. “I actually wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Oh really,” Beomgyu said, giving in. He knew there was no way of getting out of this when Taehyun already made up his mind. Maybe he could just make up some excuse to swing by to check on Yeonjun.

They left the apartment under the cool night. There was a convenience store just a street away that they stopped by on the way. They started talking about the show Taehyun was watching. Some magician show where he revealed all the magic secrets. They got to the convenience store and got the snacks. Beomgyu bought them both ice cream, which is said to be the best cure for a break up.

There was a comfortable silence as they both ate their ice cream when Taehyun decided to just ask, “Hyung, are you and Yeonjun hyung still dating?”

Beomgyu almost froze midstep. He turned to Taehyun, surprised, “Yeah. Why?”

“I don’t know,” the younger shrugged, enjoying his ice cream. “I thought you guys were fighting again, but Yeonjun hyung said you weren’t.”

“We’re not,” Beomgyu told him. “We’re fine.”

Taehyun nodded, relieved by the answer. “Good. I knew it.”

“What made you think we were fighting?”

“I don’t know. I guess, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you guys together,” Taehyun shrugged. “And there’s also the rumours.”

“What rumours?”

“Well, people are saying you two broke up,” Taehyun told him, recalling what he heard. “I think it started because Yeonjun hyung did the pepero game with Kai.”

Beomgyu scoffed, “Yah, one pepero game with Kai isn’t going to break us up.”

He was a little offended that people thought their relationship was so fragile that a stupid game could break it.

Also, Yeonjun made sure to play the game with Beomgyu later in the privacy of their room, especially after videos of him and Kai went viral. Beomgyu had to assure his boyfriend multiple times at first that it didn’t bother him. He was more shocked at how assertive Kai was during the game. Yeonjun didn’t like hearing that either and decided to show him how assertive he can be too.

“I know,” Taehyun readily agreed. “Just because you two haven’t posted on your lovestagram for a while, doesn’t mean you guys aren’t dating anymore.”

“Yeah,” Beomgyu said, trying not to smile. He had over a hundred photos of Yeonjun just waiting to be uploaded in his phone. It’s going to take forever to organise them. But seeing Taehyun now, he has a feeling everyone’s going to see them quite soon.

“And yeah, you haven’t dropped by Yeonjun’s studio in a while, but I know it’s because you’ve been taking care of me lately,” Taehyun continued, shooting him a grateful smile. “Thanks for that, by the way.”

“It’s fine,” Beomgyu replied, easily. “Break up sucks. You would have done the same for me.”

“I would punch Yeonjun hyung if he ever dumps you,” Taehyun declared.

“What if I dump him?” Beomgyu asked, partially curious. Taehyun has known Yeonjun much longer, but Beomgyu has gotten very fond of the younger over the years. He wondered if he could get to keep him if they break up.

He tried asking Yeonjun about it, but his boyfriend refused to entertain any scenario where they’re not together. Beomgyu had to kiss him silly that day just to make him stop sulking.

“Then, I’ll have to punch you,” Taehyun said in a way that Beomgyu knew he meant it. “But you’re not, are you?”

“No, I’m not dumping that idiot,” Beomgyu told him, smiling fondly at the thought of his boyfriend. “I’d tie him to me if he ever tries to leave.”

“I think Yeonjun hyung might like that,” the younger said, and he was probably right.

They got to the studio and found a handful of practice rooms where music was playing. Dance students are so passionate about their work. Beomgyu can’t imagine giving up his sleep for dancing - gaming on the other hand was a different story. They finally found Yeonjun in one of the practice rooms, dancing with a girl.

Beomgyu had seen her around before. But she had been too starry eyed for Yeonjun to talk to him properly, so he had chalked her up as another of his boyfriend’s fangirls.

Maybe he shouldn’t have underestimated her. Now, he has to walk into the practice room to see her trying to press herself against him. Yeonjun was trying to be a gentleman, and maintain some distance between them. But she kept pulling his hand to her hips, voice high and whiny about not getting the move right.

Beomgyu bit his lip, trying to keep his annoyance at bay.

“Hyung, we’re here,” Taehyun announced, breaking the two apart.

Yeonjun was glad for the interruption. But his heart dropped at the tight smile on Beomgyu’s face.

“What are you guys doing?” Beomgyu asked in an even tone. “Are you guys rehearsing for something?”

“Yeonjun oppa is helping me learn the new choreography,” the girl said, body leaning too close to Yeonjun for his liking. “I keep messing it up. It’s a good thing he’s willing to help.”

Yeonjun laughed, nervously, shuffling away from her. “It’s not really a big deal. I know the choreography is a little tricky.”

The girl looked up at him through her lashes, “But I’m still having trouble with my hip movements. Maybe if you show me how it’s supposed to be.”

“Taehyun ah, you’re feeling fine now, right? No more heartbreak?” Beomgyu asked, handing the younger the bag of snacks and his ice cream.

“Huh? I guess?” Taehyun answered, a little surprised and worried by the darkened look in his eyes.

“Good,” was all Beomgyu said, before marching over between his boyfriend and the girl. Without a word, he grabbed Yeonjun by the collar and pulled him down for a big fat kiss, swallowing the older’s surprised noise.

After a moment, Beomgyu pulled back just to give the girl a smug smile, but Yeonjun was already leaning in for another kiss. One hand around him to keep him close, and the other cupped his face, tenderly brushing his cheek. Beomgyu’s hands found their way around the older’s neck, giggling into the kiss.

When they broke apart, they were both smiling with their foreheads together, and everyone else forgotten.

“Guys,” Taehyun said, exasperatedly. The girl had already left the moment Yeonjun kissed back, recognising a lost cause when she saw one. Taehyun would love to do the same, but Beomgyu had the keys. “It’s late. We should go.”

“Right,” Yeonjun said, reluctantly letting his boyfriend go. His hand was itching to hold on to Beomgyu. “Sorry. I didn’t realise you guys were coming.”

“Beomgyu hyung said he left something in class,” Taehyun told him. “I didn’t realise he meant his boyfriend.”

“Oh right,” Beomgyu said, remembering his half assed excuse. He smiled sheepishly at the younger. “Right, sorry. I didn’t really leave anything in class.”

“I figured, since this is the dance building,” Taehyun said. “By the way, I’m sure that would be enough to end all the rumours now. The girl is probably texting her friends about it right now.”

“Rumours?” Yeonjun asked, still thinking of that kiss. They really need to get home so they could finish it.

“Our plan worked too well,” Beomgyu told him. “The no PDA thing made people think we broke up. Everyone thinks you’re single again.”

“Oh?” Yeonjun said, eyebrows furrowed. That made sense. The other dancers were being super friendly lately, and kept asking him to help them. He just thought they liked his choreography. He looked at Beomgyu, when he felt their fingers intertwined. He melted into a smile, finding his boyfriend adorable when he’s jealous.

“No PDA? How long did you think you could keep that up?” Taehyun asked, amused. “You guys can barely keep your hands off each other.”

The two of them exchanged glances, and Yeonjun can’t help but say, “Yeah, you’re right.”