[fanfiction] 1+1=3; chapter 10
Title: 1+1=3
Group: U-Kiss
Pairing: Shin Soohyun/Shin Dongho
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Yet another high school AU.
Summary: Shin Soohyun thought working temporarily as a teacher in a high school would be a peaceful, relaxed experience. Clearly, he was oblivious to a number of possibilities.
N/A: I'M REACHING A TENTH CHAPTER. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE FIRST. I'M SO EXICTED. OMG, REALLY ♥ As usual, I'm sorry if it took an entire decade to come out, but let's just celebrate with me the fact that I reached my first tenth chapter, ok? ):
chapter one; chapter two; chapter three; chapter four; chapter five; chapter six; chapter seven; chapter eight; chapter nine;
Chapter ten
“You were right,” Sunghyo told Dongho when he was walking to his classroom. The corridors were crowded and loud and she knew that was the exact kind of situation in which it was perfect to talk about something you don’t want anyone to know - nobody’s ever listening.
Dongho jumped a little, eyeing her. She looked very stiff and her voice wasn’t as cheerful as he remembered it being. He didn’t know what to say. They kept walking and she remained silent, looking ahead firmly with a vague expression. “Noona?”
“Yes?” she blinked, still not directing her gaze at anything solid.
“Why are you telling me this?” he asked, feeling uncomfortable a somewhat guilty for having told her. But then again, he had never ordered Junghoon to go about cheating on her.
“Because I’d like you not to tell anyone about it,” she explained in a weak voice. “I don’t want anyone to know that we’re breaking up.”
A guy bumped against Dongho’s back when he suddenly stopped walking. The student apologized, but Dongho didn’t even look at him, and Sunghyo finally laid her eyes on him with an inquiring raise of brows.
“You don’t want anyone to know- What do you mean?” he widened his eyes a little, not quite able to believe those words. Sunghyo opened her mouth, a little dazed, and tried explaining, but he shushed her, pulling her to one of the side corridors. He was about to lead them into the male restroom when he remembered she was not a male, inconveniently enough. “Are you actually going to let them live their happy ever after while you get everyone’s pitiful looks?”
She frowned slowly, shaking her head, “but what could I possibly-?”
“Think about it,” Dongho interrupted, obviously more bothered than what he should be about the girl’s personal life. In other situation, he knew, that would make her suspicious, but she was too shaken to care about anyone that was not herself. “If you break up with Junghoon hyung secretly, he’ll start dating Eunmi noona, right?” She bit her lower lip, a sob urging up her chest and she bit harder in order to control herself. “When people notice it and start asking him about you two, he’ll just say he broke up with in order to be with her. He’d be the one over it all, leaving the relationship with a brand new girlfriend, and you’ll be the poor girl who lost her boyfriend.”
Her eyes stared at the wall behind Dongho’s head sadly. “I will?” she mumbled tiredly, shaking her head shortly and putting her hands over her eyes, rubbing her face softly in frustration. “Oh, Dongho ah, I really don’t know what to do. I wish they could all just disappear - Hoonie, Choi Eunmi, this entire school that’ll treat me like an idiot when everything’s over. I wish I could just disappear.”
Dongho’s face fell when seeing Sunghyo tearing up before him. He had always admired her a lot ever since his first day in school. She had been in the Welcome Team, which was a group organized by the school that consisted of seniors with the best reputation and the most active school history. They helped the newcomers, showed them around, let them in on the rules, making them feel less uneasy under the new environment. She was the one who encouraged him to try getting into the baseball team, even if all she ever said was “hey, you’re a fast runner. The baseball coach is looking for new players, maybe you should apply.” Back then, she didn’t even recognize his face among the other students, but Dongho thought it was fate because he had a minor, stupid crush on her.
So being partially the one to blame for her current sadness was hard for Dongho to deal with. Without thinking too much, he opened his arms and wrapped them around her, caressing her hair softly. After a second in which she stiffened up in surprise, she let herself relax in his embrace, accepting comfort from anyone, even if they were a dongsaeng she’d barely talked to.
“You can’t be that girl, noona. Sunghyo should never be someone people pity, it’d be wrong if you were,” he said in a soothing, persuasive tone he used a lot when he wanted a favor from someone. “You have to put Eunmi noona in her place, unmask her so everyone will know. Make people see the story as it really is, not as Junghoon hyung will tell them.”
A few strokes to her hair, a few more seconds of silence in which Dongho let the words sink into her head, make their magic. Sure he wasn’t doing all that just because he felt bad - there was always some personal profit you could get from every situation. Suddenly, Sunghyo rose her head and pulled away, putting her hands on Dongho’s shoulders to get his attention.
“The prom,” she whispered, eyes wide, and her voice went back to being full of life. “That’s it! Oh, my God,” she rolled her eyes at no one in particular, “how could I be such an idiot?”
Dongho pretended he didn’t understand why there was a smile creeping up her face. Yes, noona, the prom. You sure are very smart to have thought of that on your own, aren’t you? He smiled in a confused, cute way. “I’m sorry?”
Her grin grew larger and she pinched her cheeks. “You’re right. I’ll make them regret making a fool of me. That Choi Eunmi, pretending to be school’s little princess… And I actually liked her.”
“Well, now you know she’s no good,” he snapped bitterly. However, Sunghyo failed to notice anything weird about his hatred towards the girl.
“I have to go back to my classroom now, but, Dongho ah,” she smiled at him, wiping the reminiscent hints of tears from her eyes, “I really owe you one.” And she kissed his cheek before dashing off into the corridors.
Palming his cheek fondly, Dongho smirked to himself. She had no idea of how much she was helping him already.
*
“I’m so happy that you asked for my help!” Alexander beamed, squeezing Soohyun’s arm while they walked down one of Myeongdong’s streets. The younger male, though, had apparently regretted his idea, since Alexander was tiring him a little. He shrieked from time to time, gaping at the most expensive tuxedos and pointing at them, as if his willpower would be enough to buy Soohyun one of those. It was his second time in Myeondong, so Soohyun thought he should let him enjoy himself.
“Yeah, well, you’re fun to shop with,” he said, discreetly, pulling Alexander from a Ralph Lauren showcase and guiding them both to the cheapest area of the district. “And I’d be all awkward if I were to go into a store by myself to buy a tuxedo. Mainly because I can’t bargain.”
“Are you implying that I bargain?” the older boy narrowed his eyes, watching him attentively. Soohyun’s straight face dissolved into a smirk.
“I never said anything,” he said softly, avoiding eye contact with his hyung. He wasn’t one bit surprised when a hand slapped his arm forcefully - Alexander was always randomly aggressive, which amused him a little when it wasn’t potentially dangerous.
The day was very cold and yet the streets were as crowded as they always were, they weren’t having much of a pleasant walk with people pushing against them, bumping into them without as much as an apology. But Alexander made it better. It reminded him of their college days, which seemed like having taken place ages ago. Everything was much simpler back then - not as exciting, he had to admit, but simpler, indeed.
After debating on which store they should visit - Alexander defending that they should pick whichever and look around, Soohyun wanting to only go into one store and buy his tuxedo there at once, therefore demanding strategic thinking and listing of pros and cons - they agreed that the one with promising price offers stamped all over its widow would be the one.
“May I help you?” a smiling, young woman approached them after they spent some time familiarizing with the displayed clothes.
“Oh, hello,” Alexander grinned, waving his hand amiably. “Yes, in fact. We’re looking for a tuxedo for this fine gentleman over here,” he informed, putting his arm around a very flustered Soohyun, who just offered a weak, utterly embarrassed smile.
The woman laughed and nodded. “Are you looking for anything special?” she asked while guiding them to the appropriate section of the store, and they gaped appreciatively at the number of tuxedos to display.
“Not really,” Soohyun managed to say, slowly pacing around the place.
“Well, actually, it’d be nice if you could get us something that said ‘I didn’t want to care a lot and spend much money on this’ but also can make young girls shriek in delight at the sight of him,” the older boy said with a very serious expression. Soohyun’s chin fell slightly and he closed his eyes, resisting the need to put a hand over his face when the girl only giggled, directing an amused glance at him before going back to paying attention to Alexander. “Something casual and elegant - can you do this magic?”
“Why, I happen to make miracles happen when it comes to clothes,” she raised her eyebrows in a mischievous way that made Alexander smile back, and walked into a small room that was partially hidden by a rack of clothes. Right after she disappeared, Soohyun glared at Alexander, nudging his ribs with an urgent, menacing expression. Alexander snickered and raised his hands dismissively, you said you liked shopping with me, he mouthed through his silent laugh.
The salesclerk came back carrying a tuxedo only to pause and stare at the two of them, who were mock fighting each other. She couldn’t help the giggle. “You two are cute,” she commented, shaking her head a little. “Here it is,” she held the hanger up and turned the clothing around so they could take a proper look. “The basic color and fabric lend it a jovial, light-hearted feel, while the well defined cut and tailoring make any man look sophisticated when wearing it,” she smiled, nodding at Soohyun. “But, of course, that wouldn’t be hard for you!”
Alexander snickered again, nudging him this time. Soohyun ignored him, displaying a toothless smile to the girl. “What do you think?” he asked, observing the piece. It sure looked very nice, black had always been a great color for him. But maybe Alexander wouldn’t like it? He liked having his friend’s opinions on this sort of matter.
“I can’t tell, really. I’d like to see it on you to be sure,” he tilted his head to the side, a criticizing air all over his attitude. “Can he try it?”
The salesclerk nodded enthusiastically handing Soohyun the hanger carefully, opening one of the dressing stalls for him. “That one is one of our most appealingly priced tuxedos, in fact,” she commented so he could hear while changing.
The two of them chitchatted about various things until Soohyun opened the door and came out, the blazer unbuttoned and missing some buttons on the collar, without the bowtie. Alexander rolled his eyes and went to fix that for him, expression still unreadable, which made the younger man a little wary. After his work was done, he turned Soohyun around and made him face the mirror, observing over his shoulder quite seriously.
“Would you just say something, you’re making me nervous,” Soohyun blurted out, scratching his nape while staring at his friend through the mirror.
“I…” Alexander trailed off, fixing Soohyun’s back pockets and the stepping away. “I love it,” he finally concluded, folding his arms, pleased. “You even look decent,” he joked, earning a glare from his friend. “We’ll take it, ok?”
“Hey, wait,” Soohyun tried to protest, he hadn’t decided yet, but the girl seemed to have taken Alexander’s side - of course - and was already shoving him back into the dressing stall, announcing she’d be waiting until he was done by the cashier.
*
“I can’t believe I still hang out with you,” Soohyun made a face as they walked back into Alexander’s apartment. The other just laughed amusedly and shrugged, locking the door behind them. “Did you even consider that I might not have liked this tuxedo?”
“Oh, come on, you were smirking at your own reflection,” he put the bags on the small table carelessly, adding to the room’s general mayhem. “It was disgusting to watch.”
Soohyun pretended he didn’t know what he was talking about and dropped to the couch, noticing the apartment was too silent. “Silent” had never described that place during all the times in which he’d visited it. “Where’s everyone?”
The older boy shrugged yet again. “Out, I don’t know. Kevin and Eli have been fond of going out together lately,” he walked to the kitchen, offering him something to drink, which was politely declined. After a couple minutes, he came back with a pout, sipping on a glass of grape juice. “They exclude me. Is it because I’m old?”
“Maybe?” Soohyun sneered. “We have to deal with the fact we spend too much time with younger people, and that it’s not good for self-esteem,” he shook his head. “Sometimes I feel like I’m a century older than Dongho.”
Alexander sat beside him on the couch, pulling his legs up. “Ooh, do I sense tension in those words?” he raised an eyebrow with a sly smile, making Soohyun uncomfortable. “What happened to the indecent student and the prude teacher this time? I feel like I have a lot to catch up with on this show.”
Not even reprimanding Alexander for making fun of his personal life, Soohyun bit his lip and aimed an hesitant look at him, which only got him more curious. He shook his friend, as if the news would pour from him if he did so. “Well, there was a weird moment.”
“Yes?” Alexander watched him intently, eyes suddenly bright and interested. Soohyun asked himself if the boy’s life was actually so dull that he got so hung up on every detail of his relationship. Maybe he really was just feeling left out by his roommates.
“You know how we had a fight a time ago, I’m sure. So I went to confront him about it, mainly because he informed me that Kiseop was taking him to the prom-”
A glower left Alexander’s mouth as he scrunched his nose up at the mention of the name. “I’m really getting sick of Mr. Perfect,” he scowled. “He’s everywhere.”
“Well, then try to imagine how thrilled I am about him,” Soohyun confessed, disguising poorly his distaste. Alexander squeezed his arm sympathetically. “But what happened was that I confronted Dongho, said all those things you told me to say, or anything of the kind, I don’t remember properly. And…” he coughed moderately, shifting a little on the couch. “Um, we kissed.”
Alexander stared at him. “You kissed? That sounds as if from outer world. Did you use protection or anything?” he exclaimed mockingly, fixing Soohyun a disappointed glance.
“Shut up,” the man said, blushing a little. “We kissed and I… sort of pressed him against the door,” he now focused his attention on the floor, voice faltering. “And it was different. I tried to hold back and be cool, but I just couldn’t, all the time completely apart from him did me no good.” He eyed Alexander again, a hint of despair making itself evident on them. “What should I do?”
“What do you mean?” Alexander’s eyes widened at the question. “I don’t know!”
“But you’ve been helping me a lot, hyung.”
“Yes, and that was when it involved feelings and the poor boy’s broken heart. Now it’s all about you two wanting to… press each other against doors,” Alexander was starting to speak too fast, a shade of red spreading across his cheeks. “I’m not too good with that sort of thing.”
There was a beat. Soohyun observed his hyung carefully, almost literally not taking his eyes off of him, until something occurred to him.
“Hyung, you’re not a-?”
“Oh, hey, Soohyun hyung,” said a voice from the small corridor that led to the bedrooms and bathroom. Alexander actually jumped at the sight of Eli, choking some with the juice that got stuck on his throat and flailing his arms until Soohyun patted his back firmly so he could breathe again. “Bad timing?” Eli asked, worried about Alexander.
“No. In fact, it’s the perfect timing for you, Eli,” the older one said while walking into the kitchen to leave the glass there. “Soohyun has man’s issues.”
Eli turned to Soohyun, who dodged his inquiring arch of brows.
“Is this about sex or something?” he frowned at the way they were both blushing immaturely. Their silence only confirmed his question and he chuckled. “You two act as if it’s something embarrassing.” They remained quiet, not voicing their agreeing with the suggestion. “Oh, well, if you want advice, hyung-”
“No,” Soohyun was quick to cut him off, “I don’t need advice. I know what to do, thanks,” he said, not exactly thrilled about the idea of having he dongsaeng giving him sex tips. Suddenly, a smile played on his lips - someone still owed him revenge for the inappropriate behavior back at the store. “But I’m sure hyung could use some, since, you know,” he leaned forward in a secretive fashion, nodding back at Alexander’s direction, “he’s not experienced.”
He thought Eli’s chin was actually going to drop to the floor. “Wh-what?”
Alexander threw him a murderous look, but it didn’t have much impact considering that his entire face was bright pink while he babbled unintelligible things in his supposed defense. It was quite a funny scene to watch, Soohyun felt weirdly proud of having induced it.
*
Are you coming to my room to pick me up?
Dongho added a smiley face to the message and pressed send. It was Friday, the Friday. Since they didn’t have classes that day or on Saturday, he’d went to his apartment to get the tuxedo his neighbor had kindly ironed for him. He didn’t like navy blue that much, but, since it had been his mother who got it for him in one of her trips, he wasn’t complaining.
Biting on his fingernails, he turned on the bed and stared at the clothes, which were hanging on the wall. He was anxious to know what Sunghyo was going to do, what things would turn out like. It was only 3:36 PM and time was passing by way too slowly. His phone buzzed.
Do you want me to?
Rolling his eyes, Dongho typed a reply quickly.
Of course, hyung. Are we or are we not a couple?
He checked his watch again. Two minutes had gone by. That was a real change.
Technically, not really.
Dongho whimpered, that night could not be ruined and it was a very important thing that Kiseop came to pick him up. He wished the boy wasn’t such a tease sometimes. That was his job.
Kiseop hyung~
Plus angry face. That would do.
The reply took some more time to come.
I’ll knock at your door at 8:30-ish. Be ready.
Dongho smiled to his phone’s screen. That was better.
And his wrist watch informed him it was still 3:55 PM. He sighed and thrust his face into a pillow.
*
The steps of his shoes on the floor echoed through the corridor. There was a small group of girls before one of the doors and they gaped and giggled and whispered to each other when he walked past them and shyly wished them a good evening, answering back and waving with a very much obvious leer.
Soohyun reached the door that Eunmi had confirmed to be the one to her room. He took some breath and gathered courage enough to knock, fingers meeting the hard wood softly. There were some ruffling noises and exclamations before the door lock clicked and the knob turned.
The door swung open and there was Eunmi, all bright smiles and cheerful greetings at him. He’d have to admit she looked stunning - her long hair molded into cascades of curls that ran down her shoulders and back, the peach-colored dress simple, but striking, and her high heels made her seem a lot more grown up. But she was the first one to make a comment.
“Wow,” was all she said, blinking repeatedly at him. It made him feel self conscious, but very cheeky at the same time, and he failed at hiding his smile, what made him look a little too self-assured. “You’re looking really good, songsaeng!” she breathed out, managing to bite back the slang-filled speech she normally used.
“Ah, thank you,” he said, still flashing that smile, that smile that seemed easily gorgeous on him in Eunmi’s opinion. The more she stared, the more he looked like a prince to her. Certainly no ordinary schoolboy would look that way, would he? She couldn’t hold back the excited giggle that left her lips. “You’re very pretty too. Other girls will be jealous,” he said easily and paused to debate on whether that had been flirty or not. He ended up settling for not paying that sort of thing much attention - Dongho was also going to be all over Kiseop, after all, so he might as well have some fun, tease the boy for once.
As Soohyun took her arm like a true gentleman and guided her downstairs, she had to hide her face not to show how excited she was. Mainly when the girls stared, entirely appalled, at the two of them disappearing down the stairs.
While heading for the main building, where the prom was traditionally held, Soohyun caught a glimpse of Dongho clinging onto Kiseop’s arm as the both of them laughed, Kiseop, he didn’t fail to notice, acting too worked up by having Dongho all over him. He narrowed his eyes, noticing they hadn’t spotted him back, and just walked faster, gently lacing a hand around Eunmi’s waist to make her follow the pace.
He was going to make sure that Dongho would be just as jealous as he knew he’d be that night.
Group: U-Kiss
Pairing: Shin Soohyun/Shin Dongho
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Yet another high school AU.
Summary: Shin Soohyun thought working temporarily as a teacher in a high school would be a peaceful, relaxed experience. Clearly, he was oblivious to a number of possibilities.
N/A: I'M REACHING A TENTH CHAPTER. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE FIRST. I'M SO EXICTED. OMG, REALLY ♥ As usual, I'm sorry if it took an entire decade to come out, but let's just celebrate with me the fact that I reached my first tenth chapter, ok? ):
chapter one; chapter two; chapter three; chapter four; chapter five; chapter six; chapter seven; chapter eight; chapter nine;
Chapter ten
“You were right,” Sunghyo told Dongho when he was walking to his classroom. The corridors were crowded and loud and she knew that was the exact kind of situation in which it was perfect to talk about something you don’t want anyone to know - nobody’s ever listening.
Dongho jumped a little, eyeing her. She looked very stiff and her voice wasn’t as cheerful as he remembered it being. He didn’t know what to say. They kept walking and she remained silent, looking ahead firmly with a vague expression. “Noona?”
“Yes?” she blinked, still not directing her gaze at anything solid.
“Why are you telling me this?” he asked, feeling uncomfortable a somewhat guilty for having told her. But then again, he had never ordered Junghoon to go about cheating on her.
“Because I’d like you not to tell anyone about it,” she explained in a weak voice. “I don’t want anyone to know that we’re breaking up.”
A guy bumped against Dongho’s back when he suddenly stopped walking. The student apologized, but Dongho didn’t even look at him, and Sunghyo finally laid her eyes on him with an inquiring raise of brows.
“You don’t want anyone to know- What do you mean?” he widened his eyes a little, not quite able to believe those words. Sunghyo opened her mouth, a little dazed, and tried explaining, but he shushed her, pulling her to one of the side corridors. He was about to lead them into the male restroom when he remembered she was not a male, inconveniently enough. “Are you actually going to let them live their happy ever after while you get everyone’s pitiful looks?”
She frowned slowly, shaking her head, “but what could I possibly-?”
“Think about it,” Dongho interrupted, obviously more bothered than what he should be about the girl’s personal life. In other situation, he knew, that would make her suspicious, but she was too shaken to care about anyone that was not herself. “If you break up with Junghoon hyung secretly, he’ll start dating Eunmi noona, right?” She bit her lower lip, a sob urging up her chest and she bit harder in order to control herself. “When people notice it and start asking him about you two, he’ll just say he broke up with in order to be with her. He’d be the one over it all, leaving the relationship with a brand new girlfriend, and you’ll be the poor girl who lost her boyfriend.”
Her eyes stared at the wall behind Dongho’s head sadly. “I will?” she mumbled tiredly, shaking her head shortly and putting her hands over her eyes, rubbing her face softly in frustration. “Oh, Dongho ah, I really don’t know what to do. I wish they could all just disappear - Hoonie, Choi Eunmi, this entire school that’ll treat me like an idiot when everything’s over. I wish I could just disappear.”
Dongho’s face fell when seeing Sunghyo tearing up before him. He had always admired her a lot ever since his first day in school. She had been in the Welcome Team, which was a group organized by the school that consisted of seniors with the best reputation and the most active school history. They helped the newcomers, showed them around, let them in on the rules, making them feel less uneasy under the new environment. She was the one who encouraged him to try getting into the baseball team, even if all she ever said was “hey, you’re a fast runner. The baseball coach is looking for new players, maybe you should apply.” Back then, she didn’t even recognize his face among the other students, but Dongho thought it was fate because he had a minor, stupid crush on her.
So being partially the one to blame for her current sadness was hard for Dongho to deal with. Without thinking too much, he opened his arms and wrapped them around her, caressing her hair softly. After a second in which she stiffened up in surprise, she let herself relax in his embrace, accepting comfort from anyone, even if they were a dongsaeng she’d barely talked to.
“You can’t be that girl, noona. Sunghyo should never be someone people pity, it’d be wrong if you were,” he said in a soothing, persuasive tone he used a lot when he wanted a favor from someone. “You have to put Eunmi noona in her place, unmask her so everyone will know. Make people see the story as it really is, not as Junghoon hyung will tell them.”
A few strokes to her hair, a few more seconds of silence in which Dongho let the words sink into her head, make their magic. Sure he wasn’t doing all that just because he felt bad - there was always some personal profit you could get from every situation. Suddenly, Sunghyo rose her head and pulled away, putting her hands on Dongho’s shoulders to get his attention.
“The prom,” she whispered, eyes wide, and her voice went back to being full of life. “That’s it! Oh, my God,” she rolled her eyes at no one in particular, “how could I be such an idiot?”
Dongho pretended he didn’t understand why there was a smile creeping up her face. Yes, noona, the prom. You sure are very smart to have thought of that on your own, aren’t you? He smiled in a confused, cute way. “I’m sorry?”
Her grin grew larger and she pinched her cheeks. “You’re right. I’ll make them regret making a fool of me. That Choi Eunmi, pretending to be school’s little princess… And I actually liked her.”
“Well, now you know she’s no good,” he snapped bitterly. However, Sunghyo failed to notice anything weird about his hatred towards the girl.
“I have to go back to my classroom now, but, Dongho ah,” she smiled at him, wiping the reminiscent hints of tears from her eyes, “I really owe you one.” And she kissed his cheek before dashing off into the corridors.
Palming his cheek fondly, Dongho smirked to himself. She had no idea of how much she was helping him already.
*
“I’m so happy that you asked for my help!” Alexander beamed, squeezing Soohyun’s arm while they walked down one of Myeongdong’s streets. The younger male, though, had apparently regretted his idea, since Alexander was tiring him a little. He shrieked from time to time, gaping at the most expensive tuxedos and pointing at them, as if his willpower would be enough to buy Soohyun one of those. It was his second time in Myeondong, so Soohyun thought he should let him enjoy himself.
“Yeah, well, you’re fun to shop with,” he said, discreetly, pulling Alexander from a Ralph Lauren showcase and guiding them both to the cheapest area of the district. “And I’d be all awkward if I were to go into a store by myself to buy a tuxedo. Mainly because I can’t bargain.”
“Are you implying that I bargain?” the older boy narrowed his eyes, watching him attentively. Soohyun’s straight face dissolved into a smirk.
“I never said anything,” he said softly, avoiding eye contact with his hyung. He wasn’t one bit surprised when a hand slapped his arm forcefully - Alexander was always randomly aggressive, which amused him a little when it wasn’t potentially dangerous.
The day was very cold and yet the streets were as crowded as they always were, they weren’t having much of a pleasant walk with people pushing against them, bumping into them without as much as an apology. But Alexander made it better. It reminded him of their college days, which seemed like having taken place ages ago. Everything was much simpler back then - not as exciting, he had to admit, but simpler, indeed.
After debating on which store they should visit - Alexander defending that they should pick whichever and look around, Soohyun wanting to only go into one store and buy his tuxedo there at once, therefore demanding strategic thinking and listing of pros and cons - they agreed that the one with promising price offers stamped all over its widow would be the one.
“May I help you?” a smiling, young woman approached them after they spent some time familiarizing with the displayed clothes.
“Oh, hello,” Alexander grinned, waving his hand amiably. “Yes, in fact. We’re looking for a tuxedo for this fine gentleman over here,” he informed, putting his arm around a very flustered Soohyun, who just offered a weak, utterly embarrassed smile.
The woman laughed and nodded. “Are you looking for anything special?” she asked while guiding them to the appropriate section of the store, and they gaped appreciatively at the number of tuxedos to display.
“Not really,” Soohyun managed to say, slowly pacing around the place.
“Well, actually, it’d be nice if you could get us something that said ‘I didn’t want to care a lot and spend much money on this’ but also can make young girls shriek in delight at the sight of him,” the older boy said with a very serious expression. Soohyun’s chin fell slightly and he closed his eyes, resisting the need to put a hand over his face when the girl only giggled, directing an amused glance at him before going back to paying attention to Alexander. “Something casual and elegant - can you do this magic?”
“Why, I happen to make miracles happen when it comes to clothes,” she raised her eyebrows in a mischievous way that made Alexander smile back, and walked into a small room that was partially hidden by a rack of clothes. Right after she disappeared, Soohyun glared at Alexander, nudging his ribs with an urgent, menacing expression. Alexander snickered and raised his hands dismissively, you said you liked shopping with me, he mouthed through his silent laugh.
The salesclerk came back carrying a tuxedo only to pause and stare at the two of them, who were mock fighting each other. She couldn’t help the giggle. “You two are cute,” she commented, shaking her head a little. “Here it is,” she held the hanger up and turned the clothing around so they could take a proper look. “The basic color and fabric lend it a jovial, light-hearted feel, while the well defined cut and tailoring make any man look sophisticated when wearing it,” she smiled, nodding at Soohyun. “But, of course, that wouldn’t be hard for you!”
Alexander snickered again, nudging him this time. Soohyun ignored him, displaying a toothless smile to the girl. “What do you think?” he asked, observing the piece. It sure looked very nice, black had always been a great color for him. But maybe Alexander wouldn’t like it? He liked having his friend’s opinions on this sort of matter.
“I can’t tell, really. I’d like to see it on you to be sure,” he tilted his head to the side, a criticizing air all over his attitude. “Can he try it?”
The salesclerk nodded enthusiastically handing Soohyun the hanger carefully, opening one of the dressing stalls for him. “That one is one of our most appealingly priced tuxedos, in fact,” she commented so he could hear while changing.
The two of them chitchatted about various things until Soohyun opened the door and came out, the blazer unbuttoned and missing some buttons on the collar, without the bowtie. Alexander rolled his eyes and went to fix that for him, expression still unreadable, which made the younger man a little wary. After his work was done, he turned Soohyun around and made him face the mirror, observing over his shoulder quite seriously.
“Would you just say something, you’re making me nervous,” Soohyun blurted out, scratching his nape while staring at his friend through the mirror.
“I…” Alexander trailed off, fixing Soohyun’s back pockets and the stepping away. “I love it,” he finally concluded, folding his arms, pleased. “You even look decent,” he joked, earning a glare from his friend. “We’ll take it, ok?”
“Hey, wait,” Soohyun tried to protest, he hadn’t decided yet, but the girl seemed to have taken Alexander’s side - of course - and was already shoving him back into the dressing stall, announcing she’d be waiting until he was done by the cashier.
*
“I can’t believe I still hang out with you,” Soohyun made a face as they walked back into Alexander’s apartment. The other just laughed amusedly and shrugged, locking the door behind them. “Did you even consider that I might not have liked this tuxedo?”
“Oh, come on, you were smirking at your own reflection,” he put the bags on the small table carelessly, adding to the room’s general mayhem. “It was disgusting to watch.”
Soohyun pretended he didn’t know what he was talking about and dropped to the couch, noticing the apartment was too silent. “Silent” had never described that place during all the times in which he’d visited it. “Where’s everyone?”
The older boy shrugged yet again. “Out, I don’t know. Kevin and Eli have been fond of going out together lately,” he walked to the kitchen, offering him something to drink, which was politely declined. After a couple minutes, he came back with a pout, sipping on a glass of grape juice. “They exclude me. Is it because I’m old?”
“Maybe?” Soohyun sneered. “We have to deal with the fact we spend too much time with younger people, and that it’s not good for self-esteem,” he shook his head. “Sometimes I feel like I’m a century older than Dongho.”
Alexander sat beside him on the couch, pulling his legs up. “Ooh, do I sense tension in those words?” he raised an eyebrow with a sly smile, making Soohyun uncomfortable. “What happened to the indecent student and the prude teacher this time? I feel like I have a lot to catch up with on this show.”
Not even reprimanding Alexander for making fun of his personal life, Soohyun bit his lip and aimed an hesitant look at him, which only got him more curious. He shook his friend, as if the news would pour from him if he did so. “Well, there was a weird moment.”
“Yes?” Alexander watched him intently, eyes suddenly bright and interested. Soohyun asked himself if the boy’s life was actually so dull that he got so hung up on every detail of his relationship. Maybe he really was just feeling left out by his roommates.
“You know how we had a fight a time ago, I’m sure. So I went to confront him about it, mainly because he informed me that Kiseop was taking him to the prom-”
A glower left Alexander’s mouth as he scrunched his nose up at the mention of the name. “I’m really getting sick of Mr. Perfect,” he scowled. “He’s everywhere.”
“Well, then try to imagine how thrilled I am about him,” Soohyun confessed, disguising poorly his distaste. Alexander squeezed his arm sympathetically. “But what happened was that I confronted Dongho, said all those things you told me to say, or anything of the kind, I don’t remember properly. And…” he coughed moderately, shifting a little on the couch. “Um, we kissed.”
Alexander stared at him. “You kissed? That sounds as if from outer world. Did you use protection or anything?” he exclaimed mockingly, fixing Soohyun a disappointed glance.
“Shut up,” the man said, blushing a little. “We kissed and I… sort of pressed him against the door,” he now focused his attention on the floor, voice faltering. “And it was different. I tried to hold back and be cool, but I just couldn’t, all the time completely apart from him did me no good.” He eyed Alexander again, a hint of despair making itself evident on them. “What should I do?”
“What do you mean?” Alexander’s eyes widened at the question. “I don’t know!”
“But you’ve been helping me a lot, hyung.”
“Yes, and that was when it involved feelings and the poor boy’s broken heart. Now it’s all about you two wanting to… press each other against doors,” Alexander was starting to speak too fast, a shade of red spreading across his cheeks. “I’m not too good with that sort of thing.”
There was a beat. Soohyun observed his hyung carefully, almost literally not taking his eyes off of him, until something occurred to him.
“Hyung, you’re not a-?”
“Oh, hey, Soohyun hyung,” said a voice from the small corridor that led to the bedrooms and bathroom. Alexander actually jumped at the sight of Eli, choking some with the juice that got stuck on his throat and flailing his arms until Soohyun patted his back firmly so he could breathe again. “Bad timing?” Eli asked, worried about Alexander.
“No. In fact, it’s the perfect timing for you, Eli,” the older one said while walking into the kitchen to leave the glass there. “Soohyun has man’s issues.”
Eli turned to Soohyun, who dodged his inquiring arch of brows.
“Is this about sex or something?” he frowned at the way they were both blushing immaturely. Their silence only confirmed his question and he chuckled. “You two act as if it’s something embarrassing.” They remained quiet, not voicing their agreeing with the suggestion. “Oh, well, if you want advice, hyung-”
“No,” Soohyun was quick to cut him off, “I don’t need advice. I know what to do, thanks,” he said, not exactly thrilled about the idea of having he dongsaeng giving him sex tips. Suddenly, a smile played on his lips - someone still owed him revenge for the inappropriate behavior back at the store. “But I’m sure hyung could use some, since, you know,” he leaned forward in a secretive fashion, nodding back at Alexander’s direction, “he’s not experienced.”
He thought Eli’s chin was actually going to drop to the floor. “Wh-what?”
Alexander threw him a murderous look, but it didn’t have much impact considering that his entire face was bright pink while he babbled unintelligible things in his supposed defense. It was quite a funny scene to watch, Soohyun felt weirdly proud of having induced it.
*
Are you coming to my room to pick me up?
Dongho added a smiley face to the message and pressed send. It was Friday, the Friday. Since they didn’t have classes that day or on Saturday, he’d went to his apartment to get the tuxedo his neighbor had kindly ironed for him. He didn’t like navy blue that much, but, since it had been his mother who got it for him in one of her trips, he wasn’t complaining.
Biting on his fingernails, he turned on the bed and stared at the clothes, which were hanging on the wall. He was anxious to know what Sunghyo was going to do, what things would turn out like. It was only 3:36 PM and time was passing by way too slowly. His phone buzzed.
Do you want me to?
Rolling his eyes, Dongho typed a reply quickly.
Of course, hyung. Are we or are we not a couple?
He checked his watch again. Two minutes had gone by. That was a real change.
Technically, not really.
Dongho whimpered, that night could not be ruined and it was a very important thing that Kiseop came to pick him up. He wished the boy wasn’t such a tease sometimes. That was his job.
Kiseop hyung~
Plus angry face. That would do.
The reply took some more time to come.
I’ll knock at your door at 8:30-ish. Be ready.
Dongho smiled to his phone’s screen. That was better.
And his wrist watch informed him it was still 3:55 PM. He sighed and thrust his face into a pillow.
*
The steps of his shoes on the floor echoed through the corridor. There was a small group of girls before one of the doors and they gaped and giggled and whispered to each other when he walked past them and shyly wished them a good evening, answering back and waving with a very much obvious leer.
Soohyun reached the door that Eunmi had confirmed to be the one to her room. He took some breath and gathered courage enough to knock, fingers meeting the hard wood softly. There were some ruffling noises and exclamations before the door lock clicked and the knob turned.
The door swung open and there was Eunmi, all bright smiles and cheerful greetings at him. He’d have to admit she looked stunning - her long hair molded into cascades of curls that ran down her shoulders and back, the peach-colored dress simple, but striking, and her high heels made her seem a lot more grown up. But she was the first one to make a comment.
“Wow,” was all she said, blinking repeatedly at him. It made him feel self conscious, but very cheeky at the same time, and he failed at hiding his smile, what made him look a little too self-assured. “You’re looking really good, songsaeng!” she breathed out, managing to bite back the slang-filled speech she normally used.
“Ah, thank you,” he said, still flashing that smile, that smile that seemed easily gorgeous on him in Eunmi’s opinion. The more she stared, the more he looked like a prince to her. Certainly no ordinary schoolboy would look that way, would he? She couldn’t hold back the excited giggle that left her lips. “You’re very pretty too. Other girls will be jealous,” he said easily and paused to debate on whether that had been flirty or not. He ended up settling for not paying that sort of thing much attention - Dongho was also going to be all over Kiseop, after all, so he might as well have some fun, tease the boy for once.
As Soohyun took her arm like a true gentleman and guided her downstairs, she had to hide her face not to show how excited she was. Mainly when the girls stared, entirely appalled, at the two of them disappearing down the stairs.
While heading for the main building, where the prom was traditionally held, Soohyun caught a glimpse of Dongho clinging onto Kiseop’s arm as the both of them laughed, Kiseop, he didn’t fail to notice, acting too worked up by having Dongho all over him. He narrowed his eyes, noticing they hadn’t spotted him back, and just walked faster, gently lacing a hand around Eunmi’s waist to make her follow the pace.
He was going to make sure that Dongho would be just as jealous as he knew he’d be that night.