[Fic] More Than This - 14/16
Title: More Than This
Author: Coley Merrin
Pairings: Zhou Mi/Kyuhyun, Tablo/Eunhyuk
Other: various
Rating: R
Genre: AU, crime, romance
Warnings: violence, death (not of main characters), sexual situations
Summary: Zhou Mi’s focus is Heartstrings, a dating company where love is more than just a guarantee - it's in Zhou Mi’s blood. A matchmaking gift he’s used with gladness, until a series of murders has it shaping his nightmares.
Eunhyuk, his business partner, can’t let go of his tumultuous past. But finding a man he’s been looking for over half his life has repercussions not only for him, but for Zhou Mi and their future.
Chapter One * Chapter Two * Chapter Three * Chapter Four * Chapter Five * Chapter Six * Chapter Seven * Chapter Eight * Chapter Nine * Chapter Ten * Chapter Eleven * Chapter Twelve * Chapter Thirteen * Chapter Fourteen * Chapter Fifteen
***
Eunhyuk cried, tiny and broken. Alone in an unfamiliar place with other children. A boy, older than him, coming to him and holding his hand. Giving him a hug, taking him to eat. Telling him stories. Throwing balls for him, and letting the tears go. Daniel. Letting a child who had no one, cut adrift, find an anchor.
An anchor that was ripped from him. Alone again, but his father was there. Close comfort. A funeral. Everyone telling him that he would never see his mother again. The grave.
The grave.
The child Eunhyuk looked up at Zhou Mi with sorrow in his eyes.
“Help me.”
Zhou Mi woke, with tears on his cheeks, running down his nose, into the corner of his mouth. He scrubbed at his face and rolled over to stare at the clock. He’d heard from Eunhyuk the story several times. Zhou Mi knew he was one of the few people that Eunhyuk had told, still battered by times of anger and grief, especially around the anniversary of his mother’s death. Zhou Mi had been to the grave with Eunhyuk, holding his shoulder, or even hugging him as they stood there with it freshly cleaned. His mother’s name still stark after all the time that had passed.
The dream was unsettling to him, because he had never dreamed of Eunhyuk’s past, no matter how much sorrow he had felt on Eunhyuk’s behalf. Asking Zhou Mi to help him, as the other children had asked him. But Eunhyuk’s mother had been dead twenty years. Perhaps that was it, he thought. Perhaps it was the current killings that was making him think of what had happened in the past.
Just past nine at night, he saw. He rolled onto his feet, and needed.
He was nearly to the subway station when Kyuhyun answered his phone.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Are you busy? Can I drop by for a while?”
Kyuhyun babbled a couple of moments of nonsense before getting ahold of himself. “Yeah, sure. Now?”
“Fifteen minutes,” Zhou Mi promised.
And it took little more than that, jogging up the stairs to Kyuhyun’s floor, puffing a little as he knocked and heard Kyuhyun slide open the locks.
He’d barely gotten past a greeting, his shoes sliding off, before Kyuhyun was in his face.
“Were you crying? What’s wrong?”
Apparently he hadn’t hid it as well as he thought.
They sat together on the futon, and he squeezed one of Kyuhyun’s hands between both of his.
“It was a dream. Not a new murder. You know about Eunhyuk’s mother, what happened to her?”
Kyuhyun nodded. Not something that was easy to hide around the work place. Especially after Zhou Mi’s visions and dreams came to light. Eunhyuk had told Kyuhyun himself, especially as backstory to how it was that Eunhyuk ended up in an orphanage - the one where he had met Tablo. Eunhyuk’s father had been out of the country, and no one had been able to reach him for several days. No family had been able to take in a small boy. And even after Eunhyuk’s father returned, he had left Eunhyuk there, rather than try to plan a funeral and take care of a small child at the same time. Not all of that Kyuhyun knew, just the basics. The murder of Eunhyuk’s mother, the time in the orphanage. Why it was a sensitive topic to Eunhyuk, the killings, as well as hard on Zhou Mi to be seeing them.
Zhou Mi hissed, feeling a bit pained at relating to Kyuhyun the details of the dream. The plea for help, as Kyuhyun listened in silence.
Kyuhyun perked up slightly. “Do you think the person who killed Eunhyuk’s mother is killing women now? Would that be a connection?”
“No,” Zhou Mi said, shaking his head. “He died in prison, when we were in college. I know, because we got fall-down drunk that day. I almost wish it was him, because then there would be something we could tell the police. Give them a direction.”
That stumped them both, and he appreciated that Kyuhyun thought so hard. Trying to help Zhou Mi understand, as well as himself. It was a puzzle, a mystery, that had lives at stake. How many, they didn’t know.
“I wish these dreams would stop,” Kyuhyun said.
Zhou Mi traced lines along the backs of Kyuhyun’s fingers, drawing strength from his closeness And he leaned forward, speaking softly. “The worst part… There are so many worst parts. The murders. The blood. Knowing the women are dead. But the kids, looking at me. Asking me to help them. Help their mothers. When there’s nothing I can do to help.”
Kyuhyun sighed, resting his head on Zhou Mi’s shoulder and looking up at him. “Why don’t you stay over tonight?”
“Oh,” Zhou Mi said, grasping at the idea and pushing it away all at once. “Oh, I shouldn’t. I didn’t come over to interrupt your night like that.”
“Not interrupting. You sleep, I sleep.”
And Zhou Mi wouldn’t be alone. He could read behind the lines on that one. Sleeping beside Kyuhyun. Again, for the second time.
“I almost called instead of coming over,” Zhou Mi said.
“So you’d have been on your bed crying and talking to me?” Kyuhyun paused, as though thinking that over. “I’m glad you came over instead.”
It was a simple statement, almost seeming to be offhand. But there were volumes of meaning that could be read into it. So many of them were lovely, sweet, and kind. But that Kyuhyun would offer had his chest tight. Things he needed. Things he didn’t let himself remember that he needed. He couldn’t reject that offer, because he wanted it more than he could say.
“I’ll stay,” he said. “Thank you.”
“Be a waste to go home, anyway,” Kyuhyun said, and levered himself upright. “My bed’s not that big, but we can fit.”
“I’d take the futon if you’d prefer,” Zhou Mi said.
Kyuhyun waved that away. “Unless it’s what you want. Come on, I’ll find you something to sleep in.”
A reverse of the night at the beach, where it had been Zhou Mi finding clothes for Kyuhyun, and Kyuhyun crawling into Zhou Mi’s bed. He made use of Kyuhyun’s mouthwash, a substitute for a toothbrush, changing into soft shorts and t-shirt. Staring at his freshly scrubbed face and realizing they were staying over for the first time, as a couple. He’d been programed into thinking that “sleeping over” meant “having sex.” But there had been no innuendo in Kyuhyun’s invitation. It had been comfort, first and foremost. Maybe so Kyuhyun didn’t have to worry about Zhou Mi alone at home. Maybe because it was nice to be close.
Zhou Mi set his clothes down on a chair, sliding under the blankets opposite Kyuhyun, and almost holding his breath until the light went out.
“Let me know if you need anything. A drink,” Kyuhyun said, his voice already a little sleepy.
“I will. Thank you. I hope you sleep well.”
Kyuhyun chuckled, letting his head rest against Zhou Mi’s shoulder. “I should. I found another pillow.”
He couldn’t resist, twisting a little, to press his mouth to Kyuhyun’s.
A true kiss goodnight.
***
Zhou Mi woke with the bed rocking, mumbling a little until Kyuhyun patted his hand and he went from semi-conscious back to sleep. But the bed rocking again had him firmly awake, blinking as something was waggled in front of his eyes.
“I ran down and got you a toothbrush,” Kyuhyun said. “In case you want to feel human going out the door this morning.”
Zhou Mi laughed, trying to swallow around his dry tongue.
“Thank you. What time is it?”
“Later than you usually go into work,” Kyuhyun informed him rather cavalierly, hopping back off the bed and disappearing out into the outer room. But Zhou Mi saw that it was true, eyes widening at the clock. He must’ve been out of it if he’d missed Kyuhyun’s alarm going off. It took a little adjusting of his shorts, but he made it up, snagging his clothes and rumbling into the bathroom.
“I’m making tea,” Kyuhyun said. “And I have cereal.”
“Okay. I’ll be out in a minute,” Zhou Mi said. Or five. Washing his face and trying to appear human before he got into his clothes, and used the toothbrush that Kyuhyun had left for him. Thoughtful, Zhou Mi thought, rubbing his thumb over the ridges. He was all minty fresh when he went back out. “Where did you want the dirty clothes?”
“Hamper in the bedroom,” Kyuhyun said, appearing with two bowls to match the mugs on the table.
Dirty clothes discarded, hair in general order. He chose his cereal, eating it, and savoring his tea as he listened to Kyuhyun muse about the news that morning. Kyuhyun had his laptop at the table, reading, and probably checking his email. It felt normal. He’d have had his phone in hand if it hadn’t been across the room. But he knew he had time on the train to go home and change to check up on anything else. It was enough to watch Kyuhyun’s expressions as they talked, glancing at Zhou Mi, the computer, his food.
Kyuhyun had let him stay.
He carried his dishes into the kitchen behind Kyuhyun, and caught Kyuhyun before he could turn. Hugging him from behind and sighing into his shoulder.
“Thank you for last night. I know you said it wasn’t any problem, but I mean it. And so you know, you’re welcome at my place any time.”
Kyuhyun caught one of Zhou Mi’s hands, squeezing it, and turning.
“Any time, huh? Don’t worry, it’s not like you owe me. Except another date.”
That time, he got to watch Kyuhyun’s eyelashes sink. Watching as the smirk curving Kyuhyun’s lips softened. He loved to watch that mouth in motion, speaking, eating. And he loved to feel it against his own, full, firm. Warm. And the puffing moan against him, as his hands slid under Kyuhyun’s shirt, onto his bare back. Smooth warm skin, the curve of it. Kyuhyun’s hand fisting in his shirt, and lips parting against his.
You’re supposed to be getting ready for work, not kissing Kyuhyun breathless, some part of his mind seemed to be saying. But he couldn’t grasp that thought, and how could he, when Kyuhyun tasted of tea and sweet, close and pushing closer, Kyuhyun’s hips against the counter bracing his.
Until a vibration between them had them pushing back. Kyuhyun’s phone.
“That’s my “get your ass out the door soon” warning alarm,” Kyuhyun said, silencing it as Zhou Mi’s fingers traced circles on Kyuhyun’s back. And Kyuhyun grumbled, “Tease.”
“Does a tease intend to follow through?” Zhou Mi asked, smiling before looking down. Kyuhyun seemed caught between answers, and it made him wish they had hours to bicker. “I should go so you can finish getting ready. I’ll see you at work.”
Kyuhyun caught him in another kiss, his eyes so dark. That expression of happiness, and faint surprise, as though Kyuhyun wasn’t quite sure how to react. The expression that made Zhou Mi want to squish his face, kiss every inch of it, and watch Kyuhyun laugh and squirm.
And that thought led to many others. But he made it out the door before temptation could cause either of them to be late.
Though when he walked in the door only moments after Eunhyuk, he knew there would be no secrets.
“Did you get lost in the subway?” Eunhyuk asked, his voice mild.
“Hah,” Zhou Mi laughed, closing the hall door behind him and depositing himself in the chair beside Eunhyuk’s desk. “No, I didn’t get lost. I was at Kyuhyun’s apartment, so I had to detour.”
“That’s enough detail if I have to see him every day,” Eunhyuk said, holding his hand out to slap in a high-five. Zhou Mi met it, held it, and sidled closer, trying to let Eunhyuk know he was serious.
“That’s not why I was there, though. I had another dream. But it wasn’t like the others.” And Zhou Mi winced, hating to say it, hating to bring it up first thing in the morning on a work day. “It was about you. When you were young. When your mother died.”
Eunhyuk frowned, the denial immediate on his lips. “But what happened to her has nothing to do with these killings. Her killer is dead.”
“I know,” Zhou Mi told him. “And that was why I couldn’t figure out why I was dreaming it.”
“So you have a dream about me, and you- Were you already with Kyuhyun?”
“No, I went there after. I needed to puzzle it out. I needed to think it through before talking to you about it.”
Eunhyuk squeezed his hand. “It happened a long time ago. You don’t have to protect me from it. But the dream was like the others?”
“Mostly. You looked at me, asked me to help you. Which is so painful even though I knew even then that you aren’t six any more.”
“Maybe you had that dream, because the situations are similar,” Eunhyuk said, sighing. “But it doesn’t make any sense in the reverse. That you’re having some kind of visions about murders, just because you know what happened to my mom.”
“I know. I don’t want them to be connected, because I don’t want to drag it up for you. But I don’t even know what to think any more.”
“Did being near Kyuhyun help you sleep well at least?”
“Very well,” Zhou Mi teased.
“Lalalala, don’t want to hear about it,” Eunhyuk said, and would’ve covered his ears if Zhou Mi still wasn’t holding his hand. “Get to work, slacker.”
“You got it boss,” Zhou Mi said. He squeezed Eunhyuk’s hand, and they shared a nod. They were okay. That was all Zhou Mi wanted.
***
Zhou Mi texted him a few mornings later, when he was still at Tablo’s office. It had his eyebrows raising at Zhou Mi’s language, which amounted to cordially inviting him out for a drink.
“I would be honored, my lord,” Kyuhyun wrote back, and laughed when Zhou Mi sent back nothing but a smiley with its tongue out.
But he smirked and replied, “No making out during work time. But :P to you, too.”
He could imagine Zhou Mi’s laugh at that, and almost hoped he spit his tea or something equally funny, albeit less satisfying since Kyuhyun wasn’t going to be there to see it. But he did text back to ask if special clothes were required.
“Just you.”
And it was probably stupid how much that made him smile.
***
“You ready?” Kyuhyun asked.
Zhou Mi stared up at him with surprise, and then guilt. And then looked at the clock without actually moving his head. Almost an hour past closing. “You could’ve interrupted me half an hour ago.”
“I was finishing up stuff, too.”
“Okay. Just give me one second,” Zhou Mi muttered, and Kyuhyun just watched as Zhou Mi finished what was probably an email, sending it with a flourish and logging out of whatever he needed to on his computer. And Kyuhyun was almost quick enough looking away that Zhou Mi didn’t catch him looking, but not quite. He tried to keep a straight face as Zhou Mi grabbed his jacket and bag, keeping his place and blocking the door as Zhou Mi approached.
“You like watching me work?”
“Or something,” Kyuhyun teased.
But he met Zhou Mi’s kiss, and sighed as Zhou Mi stroked his hair. It half made him think they could just stay in. Hard not to remember the teasing kisses they’d been sharing, and the fact that Zhou Mi had caught him with one that afternoon when he’d brought in Zhou Mi’s mail. Nothing like going back out to work knowing Zhou Mi was all wet-lipped because they’d been kissing.
He nearly choked as Zhou Mi spun him right out the door.
“I’m going to buy you the best drink you ever had,” Zhou Mi said, and waited until Kyuhyun had his things together as well.
“Is that a guarantee?”
“It is,” Zhou Mi told him as they made their way down and then outside. “It’s my favorite place to go. Just a little place, but they always are busy with live music. I love to get a table and just sit and listen and dream when I have a chance. It’s my place to get away.”
And it was a place that Zhou Mi was sharing with him.
It wasn’t so much the drink that was better, but the atmosphere. Sipping wine, and eating appetizers after they had snagged a little booth. He saw several tables comprised of couples of just men, or just women. And he figured that was another reason Zhou Mi enjoyed going. The soothing singer, good music. The hazy blue moon on the wall, Zhou Mi playing with his fingers on his thigh.
“What’d I tell you?” Zhou Mi asked, pressing a kiss to Kyuhyun’s cheekbone.
“Very nice,” he agreed. “Thanks for sharing it with me.”
“Thanks for being here with me,” Zhou Mi countered. “Are you still hungry?”
Yeah, let Zhou Mi laugh as Kyuhyun glared at him, when he clearly knew what answer he was going to end up getting. But they did get more food, and traded favorite restaurant stories. Zhou Mi stopped him at one point so they could start compiling a list of places they wanted to go eat together.
“You like your men slightly squishy?” Kyuhyun teased as he watched Zhou Mi type into his phone.
“We could get out of here, and I could show you,” Zhou Mi offered.
That offer could mean any number of things. But Kyuhyun liked the sound of any one of them. They’d been sitting long enough, and fresh air started to sound pretty good. But Zhou Mi wouldn’t even let him reach for his wallet.
“I’ll get this,” Zhou Mi said. “My treat.”
Kyuhyun chuckled to himself, pleased as Zhou Mi paid. And Zhou Mi had barely gotten to Kyuhyun’s side, when he was stopped.
“Zhou Mi? Ah, it is you. It’s been too long.”
Kyuhyun stared at the man who had put a hand on Zhou Mi’s arm. Around Kyuhyun’s height, with his hair fairly short. A nice face, neither too pretty nor plain. He looked at Zhou Mi and the sight was totally different. Zhou Mi’s face was frozen, mouth moving as though to speak.
“It has been a while,” Zhou Mi said after a moment. “You got my email, right? That we both needed to move on.”
And then Kyuhyun’s stomach did a strange curve as he realized that it wasn’t some friend that Zhou Mi was speaking to. But his ex-boyfriend. The one that just a few weeks ago had been getting out of the military and had tilted the office into chaos for a few minutes as Zhou Mi melted down. That guy. The guy whose private parts Eunhyuk had threatened if he tried talking to Zhou Mi again.
The guy who’d hurt Zhou Mi.
Kyuhyun took a step closer, touching the back of Zhou Mi’s hand, and having his own grabbed tight. That connection made him feel better, as the man looked between them.
“You’re dating someone?”
“Yes,” Zhou Mi said.
“I just need to talk to you. Please. Five minutes, Zhou Mi.”
“Zhou Mi?” Kyuhyun asked. It was offer and concern both. If Zhou Mi needed to get away, Kyuhyun was there to help him out of it. Zhou Mi turned to Kyuhyun, meeting his eyes, and speaking so only Kyuhyun could hear.
“I know he’s struggling, and I know it’s not my job to fix him. But if I don’t say something now, I’ll regret it. I promise you, this isn’t about you and me. Give me two minutes.” And Zhou Mi wove their fingers together more firmly, squeezing them tight. “Just hold onto me.”
He was the one who stepped back, not Zhou Mi. But he nodded, and even that arm length of distance made some of Zhou Mi’s words start to be swallowed in the noise around them, and the music. He watched Zhou Mi’s mouth move, noting the serious expression. It was so earnest it nearly made him hurt inside. What he heard, he expected. Zhou Mi coaching another soul to reach out, grab life, be true to themselves. To get help when it was needed, and find people who would support him.
Zhou Mi couldn’t be that person any more. They couldn’t be friends.. He’d done all he could, and please look at the resources in the email Zhou Mi had sent. That they both had to look out for themselves.
He had the vicious, sneaky thought of what Zhou Mi would do if he just…let go. It was vicious and cruel, and would be an instant kick to Zhou Mi’s gut if he felt anywhere near what Kyuhyun did. He eased his hand tighter instead, not squeezing so that Zhou Mi thought he was rushing him. But letting Zhou Mi give his little “be yourself, be happy” pep talk.
“I wish you the best, really,” Zhou Mi said.
“But we might see each other?”
Zhou MI shook his head, turning half toward Kyuhyun. “No, I’m sorry. Goodbye.”
Zhou Mi hissed, and kept ahold of Kyuhyun’s hand, while leading them to the entrance and out onto the street.
“I hate that,” Zhou Mi said, voice full of frustration. “Someone who needs someone to understand, and give them direction.”
“Some people take a lot of direction, and just need to take the step themselves. You’ve given him that chance. You don’t have to hold his hand for it.”
“But if he doesn’t find someone else to help? If I was the only chance he had.”
Kyuhyun placed himself firmly in front of Zhou Mi, forcing Zhou Mi to meet his eyes. “That is why Eunhyuk told you it wouldn’t be good for you to talk to him. That he’d get you so twisted up, thinking you’d been the one to do something wrong. You’ve done more than any rational person would.”
Zhou Mi chuckle was dark, and not humorous. “So now I’m irrational?”
“A little?”
“And why would you go out with someone you think makes such bad choices?”
Word by word Zhou Mi’s posture got more defensive, as though they were fencing with swords instead of thoughts. And Zhou Mi didn’t even really understand why Kyuhyun was concerned.
“Because you just tried to help someone who had hurt you deeply, when any other person would have spit in his eye!”
Zhou Mi shook his head, not getting it at all. “Why do you say that like you admire it, when you’re admonishing me about it just before?”
“Because I like it more when it’s not something that gets you hurt. And I don’t want your feelings about us, mixed up with…those.” And it was hard to admit. “That scared me in there.”
Zhou Mi’s voice softened from how defensive it had been. “So you’re not angry?”
“No. Maybe a little at him. But not at you.”
Zhou Mi’s eyes closed, and he inhaled deeply for several moments. “Kyuhyun… You’re right, I know that. I’ve done all I can. So let’s let the rest of tonight be about us. Want to go back to my place?”
“Sounds good.”
And it felt good, to walk with Zhou Mi to the subway, and stand close with him in the train. Just to see the grin tilt Zhou Mi’s mouth as their shoulders bumped. That was what he wanted. Even if what they talked about was no deeper than about the advertisements they saw, or about what food they wanted to eat. And Zhou Mi kept his hand on Kyuhyun’s back the whole time they were walking toward his apartment. And just getting into the familiar space, letting his bag down and stepping out of his shoes, felt like he was casting off some of the stress of what had happened.
“Water?”
“Please,” he said, and followed Zhou Mi to the kitchen. The cool water was a balm as well, washing away the parched feeling.
“I took him there, too,” Zhou Mi said, answering a question that had been on Kyuhyun’s mind. “I like sharing the things that are important to me. But I had no idea he would go there to try and look for me. Maybe he didn’t. Maybe it was an accident. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’d like to go back with you. It’s a place that you love. It doesn’t have to be about him.”
He thought again of the man, standing in front of Zhou Mi with some desperation and fear. As though Zhou Mi were the only one who could help him. And in that moment he didn’t see what was sordid, when his brain had tried to conjure the man kissing Zhou Mi. Then he saw a man who had quite probably cared for Zhou Mi. But his own fears had kept him from doing what it was he wanted.
“I really understood today that he gave you up because of fear,” Kyuhyun said, stepping close. “So, I just- I won’t be afraid.”
If Zhou Mi had any doubts, they could put them to rest right there. Or try.
“Maybe he told you that, too,” Kyuhyun said.
“He tried,” Zhou Mi admitted. “But the difference was… I never believed him. Even when I hoped, I never believed him.”
He tried to read Zhou Mi’s expression. Whether Zhou Mi was saying that he believed Kyuhyun, or not.
***
Kyuhyun’s face was quiet as they considered each other, the dim noise of the kitchen around them. He was so sorry that their date, so lovely up to that point, had been interrupted. But in a way, he was glad. It took any lingering questions from his mind and planted him safely in reality. Kyuhyun was the man he was meant to be with. Kyuhyun, who worried for him, and ate with him, and laughed with him. Kyuhyun, who he adored, and was attracted to, and loved talking to.
He cupped Kyuhyun’s cheek and smiled. “I believe you. And I won’t be afraid either.”
Kyuhyun met his mouth, a kiss Zhou Mi had wanted since they had left the office. And it soothed him, as his arms wrapped tight around Kyuhyun. It felt right, he thought, pressing kisses along Kyuhyun’s jaw.
He inhaled.
And he lost himself.
Heartbeats.
The man in his bed, turning to him. Feeling loved, and close. Waiting for the face, the smile he knew was his.
The pulled up corner of Kyuhyun’s mouth, as though to ask what Zhou Mi was doing there, watching him sleep.
Kyuhyun’s smile, sleep-warm skin.
Reaching for him.
Kyuhyun.
He gasped and jerked out of the vision.
When he opened his eyes, he had a distinct feeling of vertigo as Kyuhyun staggered, trying to keep them both upright. It took a few moments getting his bearings, both keeping ahold of Kyuhyun and his own balance before they went crashing down.
“Are you okay?” Kyuhyun asked. “Did you pass out?”
Kyuhyun’s face was close, voice rough from worry. He’d waited so long for the completion of his dream, that it seemed almost unthinkable that what he was seeing was the truth. And yet, as Kyuhyun squinted at him to make sure he was okay, he almost couldn’t push down the laugh. And the awe, as he touched Kyuhyun’s face.
“It’s been you all along,” Zhou Mi breathed.
Kyuhyun didn’t seem to understand what he meant, and for good reason. That dream he hadn’t shared. But Kyuhyun stared at Zhou Mi, not in a subtle way. He wanted to know what had happened, and immediately. It should have been an embarrassing thing to admit. Even as his minimal words came out of his mouth, he couldn’t help the smile that spread because of them. Because he’d waited for that, and he wasn’t sure Kyuhyun knew how much that meant to him.
“I’ve been having dreams - nice dreams - about a man lying beside me whose face I couldn’t see. Sometimes even when I was awake. So, when we hugged, I saw it again.” Zhou Mi paused. “But I saw his face. Your face.”
Kyuhyun blinked at him. “Is that supposed to relieve me or weird me out? What is that supposed to mean?”
“Whatever we want it to mean,” Zhou Mi said. “We’re together, and I know how happy that makes me. I told you I wasn’t afraid, and I meant it. Perhaps I got to see your face in it, because I was ready.”
“You and me in bed, huh?” Kyuhyun asked, tugging Zhou Mi close by the front of his shirt.
“Yeah,” Zhou Mi said. “Your smile was so bright. And I could feel how much you…cared.”
How much Kyuhyun had loved him in the dream. How much that one day, he wanted that to be real.
“Stay tonight,” Zhou Mi offered, gripping Kyuhyun’s waist. “We can see whose bed we like better?”
And Kyuhyun smiled into the kiss.
***
Zhou Mi rose to consciousness abruptly, inhaling and feeling life come into his limbs. He smiled even before he got his eyes open, knowing that Kyuhyun was there, just from the sound. But the reality of it was better, seeing the back of Kyuhyun’s tousled head on his pillow. The beginning of his spine and shoulders where the sheet didn’t cover.
Something tickled in the back of his brain, and he lifted his arm, making the sheet slide down further. And while it was true that Kyuhyun’s back was beautiful, and he could have written sonnets about it, it was so close to the vision. So close that the two images began to blur over each other in his mind, as he reached out and rest his fingertips just below Kyuhyun’s shoulder blade.
Kyuhyun inhaled, waking himself only moments after, and Zhou Mi drew back his hand. But Kyuhyun turned, kind of flopping onto his back and turning his head toward Zhou Mi. Mouth cocked in a smirk that made the dimple above his chin wink. And he kept his eyes there, not on Kyuhyun’s chest.
“Morning,” Kyuhyun said, voice a little croaky. And it felt like his whole face trembled to hear that sound.
“Good morning,” Zhou Mi told him, and curved his fingers around Kyuhyun’s upper arm.
Kyuhyun turned once more, like a puppy struggling to roll, getting them nose to nose. Or almost. Zhou Mi wiggled a little closer on his own. And instead of just touching Kyuhyun’s arm, he slid his own around Kyuhyun’s back.
“Did you sleep okay?” he asked, rubbing at Kyuhyun’s skin.
“Yep. And you only kicked me once.”
“I…Did I??”
Kyuhyun cackled, the flat of his hand plopping onto the side of Zhou Mi’s face. “Maybe I just dreamed that.
It was better than the dream, really. The warmth of a man leaning into him, and the very real feeling that if neither of them moved or spoke, he’d just sink back into sleep. And he did fall into a half doze, seeing that Kyuhyun was mostly unconscious again. But Kyuhyun woke as Zhou Mi shifted.
“Did we have plans for today?” Kyuhyun asked.
“No. We could eat here. Or go out for breakfast.”
Food was something they shared a love of. And he figured if anything was going to get them, regrettably, out of bed, it would probably be that. Staying in bed had its own appeal, but also a few little dangers. They were both grown men. Lying with a half naked Kyuhyun felt very much like he was going to start being tempted. Kyuhyun’s flirting eyes as he rolled away made him think that they were very much on the same page.
Zhou Mi tipped onto his back and smiled at the ceiling. For the time being it felt pretty good just being wanted.
***
Zhou Mi had been right, Eunhyuk mused. The restaurant Kyuhyun’s friend worked at, where part of their open house catering had come from, was very nice. Not too high a level of din, comfortable chairs and attentive staff. He realized why Zhou Mi had been so eager for Eunhyuk to check it out, so they could use it in the future. And of course using it as a date was even more appealing, since it had Tablo in a tie, and looking like a rather randy corporate officer. In his head anyway.
Though the location itself had more sentiment behind it than just food, and the connection of Kyuhyun’s friend. That had something to do with Eunhyuk’s decision to take Tablo, and not just arrange to try it with Zhou Mi.
“This is the first place Zhou Mi and Kyuhyun ate together at,” Eunhyuk said. And it was proof of how far they’d come that he didn’t feel awkward saying that. Tablo knew how close he was with Zhou Mi, and it had become not overdone. But common enough.
“Seems to be a nice place for dates,” Tablo said, looking over the menu and glancing up at him. “So is this kind of like me being inducted into the family? Sharing dating spots?”
Eunhyuk hadn’t thought of that, though it kind of made his chest flush warm. “Well. Sort of, I guess. I was thinking sometime we could all go out together, the four of us. I know Zhou Mi would like to get to know you more, without me running off with you.”
“Yeah, of course. If Kyuhyun can stand to see me.”
They grinned at each other, and ordered their food when their waited came by.
“Ah, I do like this place,” Tablo said, nodding around them. “Kyuhyun has brought in little cakes occasionally from his friend.”
“To us, too,” Eunhyuk said.
Tablo chuckled. “And they’re okay?”
“Zhou Mi certainly seems happy. Kyuhyun plays it a little closer. But they keep their googoo eyes to a minimum.”
“Do you think we’d give each other those eyes, if we worked in the same office?”
“I-“ Eunhyuk paused. “That would be a bad idea, wouldn’t it?”
“Probably. I guess we’re good where we’re at. Just as long as your office stays nearby so I can keep stealing you for lunch.”
Highlight of his lunchtimes, though he wasn’t going to puff up Tablo’s head in the middle of the restaurant. He’d save that for when they were alone. And they were usually good. Barring the one time they’d had to put each other together again in Tablo’s office, before they’d even made it to going out for food. He’d had to snag the tie he was wearing from under Tablo’s desk, and then swallow the embarrassment as they’d left together not long after. But he let that thought flee away, as he dug into his appetizer.
“Let me go. Get your hands off of me!”
They both looked at the sound of the woman’s voice, growing more panicked as the words tumbled out.
A staff member intervened, pulling a protesting man away from the frightened woman. The man was shouting, as he was dragged away. Accusations that she was leading him on, and other things that had patrons around them wincing and whispering. But it meant that he was away from the woman who was still being soothed. Eunhyuk relaxed, glad for it, nearly turning to Tablo to say something before he glanced back over. He recognized that face.
“That’s one of our clients,” he said, and Tablo’s eyebrows rose.
“On a date from you guys?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I should see if she’s okay. I know her, a little.”
“Of course.”
Eunhyuk stood, edging around the waiter who was still trying to calm the woman. Miss Kwon, Eunhyuk remembered. Boa Kwon. Zhou Mi had met with her not long ago, but he wasn’t certain if the date she’d been on was from them or not. At the very least, he needed to know that, but it was more personal obligation that had him moving closer.
“Miss Kwon?”
Eyes that were slightly damp rose to his, widening as she recognized him. “Oh!”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes. Yes, of course. He was so nice, and then, he wouldn’t listen,” she said. “Oh, I interrupted your dinner. I’m so embarrassed.”
“No, he did,” Eunhyuk said. “Sit, you should have tea. Something to calm yourself.”
Eunhyuk signaled the hovering waiter and asked for just that. Tea, and something light for her. The waiter hurried off, and Eunhyuk decided that he would sit with her, at least until the tea came.
“You’re sure you’re okay?” he asked, sitting opposite her.
“Yes, of course. I’ll just gather myself and go home.”
“Was that a date that Zhou Mi set you up on?” Eunhyuk asked.
She hesitated, her expression a bit sad. “Yes.”
Eunhyuk nodded. “Okay. I’ll let Zhou Mi know myself, and I’m sure, if you’re willing, he’ll want to speak to you, too. That man won’t ever date with our company again.”
“That’s good to know. I couldn’t believe Zhou Mi would set up his clients with men like that on purpose. Your office is the most personable I’ve ever been to. Meeting your assistant and his nephew that day really impressed me. Making sure my future children always have two loving parents is all I want.”
What anyone wanted, he thought. Some achieved it better than others. He’d had that. At least for six years.
“Oh, your tea.”
The waiter set down a tea service, little desserts, and soup and a sandwich, which Eunhyuk appreciated. He shared a smile with the waiter, the same that was at his table. And knew he’d be putting in a good word for the man before he left.
“Do you have a friend you can call, or…?”
“No, no,” she said, waving a hand. “I’ll be fine. Thank you for waiting with me, but please, your food must be getting cold. I’m glad we got a chance to talk. I’ll call Zhou Mi tomorrow.”
“Absolutely. Enjoy the rest of your night,” Eunhyuk said, and stood.
The entrees were at the table when he went, but it didn’t look like they’d been there long. And his voice lowered, though they were far enough away to speak without being heard. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s fine,” Tablo said, reaching out to touch his fingers. “It’s nice you spent time with her. I like that about you. Was it a date, then…?”
“Mm,” Eunhyuk agreed. But he didn’t say much, as he tasted his food. It wasn’t like there was doctor-patient confidentiality, but he knew Tablo understood why he didn’t expound. First, being in public, and second, wanting to keep her privacy as much as he could. And he was pleased to find that his heated plate had kept his food just right, as pleased as he was at Tablo’s reaction. “But she’ll be okay. And I had to get back to my boyfriend.”
At least at that he got a grin from Tablo, and it started feeling like the date it had been meant to be.
“So, I was going to ask,” Tablo said after their dinner plates were taken. “Do you know how many times we’ve been out together?”
The question was nonchalant, almost forcibly so. And Eunhyuk couldn’t come up with an answer as he stared across the table.
“I have no idea. Not without using my fingers, and writing things down, and maybe consulting my calendar.”
“Exactly,” Tablo said, as though Eunhyuk had just proved a point. “So, I wanted to ask you if you’d go out with me.”
Eunhyuk blinked, wondering if Tablo was tired. “I…aren’t we already?”
Tablo smiled, the same smile that made him look as though he was holding all the secrets of the universe, and letting them out upon request.
“We are, have been. But when we started, it was kind of trying it out. I don’t think we ever talked about what happened if we just kept dating. But you introduced me to your father, and just called me your boyfriend. So belatedly, I’m asking you out.”
Eunhyuk wasn’t really sure what to think. On one hand it was kind of sweet, and on the other, he was pretty sure he was staring at Tablo with what had to be amused indulgence.
“Then I accept. Retroactively. Though this makes me wonder if you’re already planning something for our 100 day anniversary. Something special?”
Tablo’s voice was nothing but innocent as he leaned in, though his lips were twitching.
“Special? Could anything be more special than the day I got your clothes off?”
And Eunhyuk was glad he hadn’t taken a drink.
But Tablo grinned. “Don’t worry. I have plans.”
That, Eunhyuk didn’t doubt at all. They weren’t exactly to couple rings, yet. But he was considering changing Tablo’s name in his phone to something a lot more…permanent.
“Is it okay if I start keeping some clothes and things at your apartment?” he asked Tablo. “That way, I can stay without thinking or having to go home on a work night.”
“Playing mid-week?” Tablo asked, as though he were judging. But then he chuckled. “Yeah. I’ll bring a few things to keep at your place, too, if that’s okay. I won’t mess up your organization?”
That meant he had to admit something. And he cleared his throat. “I already have a place cleared for you.”
Not just for Tablo’s clothes, it seemed. And the surprise in Tablo’s widened eyes, already hard to read at the best of times, had him flushing. If they’d been alone, he could hear Tablo saying his name, that way that only Tablo did. They settled on battling with their fingers on whose were resting on whose, until their check came.
A couple he wasn’t familiar with was at the table Miss Kwon had been at when they left, and they went to Tablo’s apartment first. Eunhyuk played with the tassels on a wall hanging as Tablo packed a bag, before they made their way to Eunhyuk’s apartment. True to his word, he’d made space in a drawer, and there was room in the bathroom for Tablo to organize whatever he needed.
“I’ll try and keep it neat,” Tablo promised, lips trembling with poorly concealed amusement as Eunhyuk tried to observe on the sly.
“I’m not keeping you around for your organization,” Eunhyuk told him, winding his arms around Tablo’s neck. “As long as you don’t mind me straightening up.”
“Oh? What are you keeping me around for?” Tablo asked, and his eyes were fixed at Eunhyuk’s mouth.
“Way more,” he promised.
And he let Tablo kiss him as they backed toward the bed they’d be sharing. Way more than just a place for clothes. Like Tablo’s smile after they had brushed their teeth, and the way his fingers had lingered on Eunhyuk’s cheek as they had kissed and discussed how to organize the bathroom. And in bed, it wasn’t so much a cuddle as it was a full-body hug, like Tablo was welcoming him to his own bed.
Tablo slept, deep and quick, and Eunhyuk rested near him, mouth almost against Tablo’s shoulder as he watched Tablo breathe.
He’d become more than just a memory. And that was what he had wanted all along.
***
Eunhyuk had barely gotten himself set up on his computer, before Zhou Mi came to sit beside him, and the reason was obvious. On the way back to his apartment, he’d shot off a quick email to Zhou Mi about what had happened at the restaurant. The quicker Zhou Mi found out, the quicker they could do something about it.
“Thanks for the email last night,” Zhou Mi said. “I hate hearing that things like that happen. What all did you see?”
“He was trying to put his hands on her in a way she didn’t want,” Eunhyuk said, shaking his head. And Zhou Mi’s lips thinned with him, their opinion pretty equal on that account. Not the kind of men they wanted in their company, and possibly not on their planet. “I sat with her until they brought her something light to eat, and tea. The restaurant was pretty quick on that regard. Anything to minimize the fuss.”
“Of course. I’m glad you were there,” Zhou Mi said, and flipped his phone over as he thought. “I’ve scheduled some time in to contact her myself, if she doesn’t by this afternoon. I don’t want to leave it for too long. Just to emphasize that we know what happened was wrong, and that we don’t condone that.”
“That’s good. She seemed pretty steady after, but I didn’t really want to take a chance. But I did have a thought this morning, that while you’re putting together topics and articles for your dating advice column, maybe you should do a series on why it’s so important to be a gentleman. I know this was a bad egg, but unfortunately I think there are more guys who need to hear it.”
Zhou Mi nodded, immediately interested. “That’s a great idea. I think everyone can benefit from that. To men, how they should treat others. And everyone else, how they should be treated.”
That had both of them laughing. Everyone else, indeed.
“But I did like the restaurant. The staff was quick and on point, food was prompt and good. I definitely like it for an event. I’m glad Kyuhyun turned us on to it.”
“It is lovely, isn’t it?” Zhou Mi smiled, leaning back and stretching out his legs. “Kyuhyun was still a little unsure of me the first time we went there. Just really getting to know each other. I’ll have to take him back there. Relive our first non-date.”
“Tablo asked if that was going to become the “family” dating spot.”
That had Zhou Mi reaching for his hand, as he knew it would. “Family. That sounds lovely. You stayed with him last night?”
“He stayed with me. I cleared a drawer for him.”
“Oh. Eunhyuk.”
“Lose the dopey smile. It’s work hours.”
Eunhyuk tried not smile back but that was pretty much impossible, whether his smile was embarrassed or happy or both, at the way that Zhou Mi was cooing. He’d woken once in the middle of the night realizing he was going to be washing Tablo’s pajamas and underwear, and had nearly laughed aloud. Of all the ridiculous things to be happy about, that was probably it.
“Well, we can take what happened last night and try and make it into a positive for her. And us. And everyone else,” Zhou Mi said, and squeezed Eunhyuk’s hand.
Which was a very Zhou Mi thing to say.
And amidst everything that changed, it felt so nice and normal to insult each other as they got back to work.
***
Author: Coley Merrin
Pairings: Zhou Mi/Kyuhyun, Tablo/Eunhyuk
Other: various
Rating: R
Genre: AU, crime, romance
Warnings: violence, death (not of main characters), sexual situations
Summary: Zhou Mi’s focus is Heartstrings, a dating company where love is more than just a guarantee - it's in Zhou Mi’s blood. A matchmaking gift he’s used with gladness, until a series of murders has it shaping his nightmares.
Eunhyuk, his business partner, can’t let go of his tumultuous past. But finding a man he’s been looking for over half his life has repercussions not only for him, but for Zhou Mi and their future.
Chapter One * Chapter Two * Chapter Three * Chapter Four * Chapter Five * Chapter Six * Chapter Seven * Chapter Eight * Chapter Nine * Chapter Ten * Chapter Eleven * Chapter Twelve * Chapter Thirteen * Chapter Fourteen * Chapter Fifteen
***
Eunhyuk cried, tiny and broken. Alone in an unfamiliar place with other children. A boy, older than him, coming to him and holding his hand. Giving him a hug, taking him to eat. Telling him stories. Throwing balls for him, and letting the tears go. Daniel. Letting a child who had no one, cut adrift, find an anchor.
An anchor that was ripped from him. Alone again, but his father was there. Close comfort. A funeral. Everyone telling him that he would never see his mother again. The grave.
The grave.
The child Eunhyuk looked up at Zhou Mi with sorrow in his eyes.
“Help me.”
Zhou Mi woke, with tears on his cheeks, running down his nose, into the corner of his mouth. He scrubbed at his face and rolled over to stare at the clock. He’d heard from Eunhyuk the story several times. Zhou Mi knew he was one of the few people that Eunhyuk had told, still battered by times of anger and grief, especially around the anniversary of his mother’s death. Zhou Mi had been to the grave with Eunhyuk, holding his shoulder, or even hugging him as they stood there with it freshly cleaned. His mother’s name still stark after all the time that had passed.
The dream was unsettling to him, because he had never dreamed of Eunhyuk’s past, no matter how much sorrow he had felt on Eunhyuk’s behalf. Asking Zhou Mi to help him, as the other children had asked him. But Eunhyuk’s mother had been dead twenty years. Perhaps that was it, he thought. Perhaps it was the current killings that was making him think of what had happened in the past.
Just past nine at night, he saw. He rolled onto his feet, and needed.
He was nearly to the subway station when Kyuhyun answered his phone.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Are you busy? Can I drop by for a while?”
Kyuhyun babbled a couple of moments of nonsense before getting ahold of himself. “Yeah, sure. Now?”
“Fifteen minutes,” Zhou Mi promised.
And it took little more than that, jogging up the stairs to Kyuhyun’s floor, puffing a little as he knocked and heard Kyuhyun slide open the locks.
He’d barely gotten past a greeting, his shoes sliding off, before Kyuhyun was in his face.
“Were you crying? What’s wrong?”
Apparently he hadn’t hid it as well as he thought.
They sat together on the futon, and he squeezed one of Kyuhyun’s hands between both of his.
“It was a dream. Not a new murder. You know about Eunhyuk’s mother, what happened to her?”
Kyuhyun nodded. Not something that was easy to hide around the work place. Especially after Zhou Mi’s visions and dreams came to light. Eunhyuk had told Kyuhyun himself, especially as backstory to how it was that Eunhyuk ended up in an orphanage - the one where he had met Tablo. Eunhyuk’s father had been out of the country, and no one had been able to reach him for several days. No family had been able to take in a small boy. And even after Eunhyuk’s father returned, he had left Eunhyuk there, rather than try to plan a funeral and take care of a small child at the same time. Not all of that Kyuhyun knew, just the basics. The murder of Eunhyuk’s mother, the time in the orphanage. Why it was a sensitive topic to Eunhyuk, the killings, as well as hard on Zhou Mi to be seeing them.
Zhou Mi hissed, feeling a bit pained at relating to Kyuhyun the details of the dream. The plea for help, as Kyuhyun listened in silence.
Kyuhyun perked up slightly. “Do you think the person who killed Eunhyuk’s mother is killing women now? Would that be a connection?”
“No,” Zhou Mi said, shaking his head. “He died in prison, when we were in college. I know, because we got fall-down drunk that day. I almost wish it was him, because then there would be something we could tell the police. Give them a direction.”
That stumped them both, and he appreciated that Kyuhyun thought so hard. Trying to help Zhou Mi understand, as well as himself. It was a puzzle, a mystery, that had lives at stake. How many, they didn’t know.
“I wish these dreams would stop,” Kyuhyun said.
Zhou Mi traced lines along the backs of Kyuhyun’s fingers, drawing strength from his closeness And he leaned forward, speaking softly. “The worst part… There are so many worst parts. The murders. The blood. Knowing the women are dead. But the kids, looking at me. Asking me to help them. Help their mothers. When there’s nothing I can do to help.”
Kyuhyun sighed, resting his head on Zhou Mi’s shoulder and looking up at him. “Why don’t you stay over tonight?”
“Oh,” Zhou Mi said, grasping at the idea and pushing it away all at once. “Oh, I shouldn’t. I didn’t come over to interrupt your night like that.”
“Not interrupting. You sleep, I sleep.”
And Zhou Mi wouldn’t be alone. He could read behind the lines on that one. Sleeping beside Kyuhyun. Again, for the second time.
“I almost called instead of coming over,” Zhou Mi said.
“So you’d have been on your bed crying and talking to me?” Kyuhyun paused, as though thinking that over. “I’m glad you came over instead.”
It was a simple statement, almost seeming to be offhand. But there were volumes of meaning that could be read into it. So many of them were lovely, sweet, and kind. But that Kyuhyun would offer had his chest tight. Things he needed. Things he didn’t let himself remember that he needed. He couldn’t reject that offer, because he wanted it more than he could say.
“I’ll stay,” he said. “Thank you.”
“Be a waste to go home, anyway,” Kyuhyun said, and levered himself upright. “My bed’s not that big, but we can fit.”
“I’d take the futon if you’d prefer,” Zhou Mi said.
Kyuhyun waved that away. “Unless it’s what you want. Come on, I’ll find you something to sleep in.”
A reverse of the night at the beach, where it had been Zhou Mi finding clothes for Kyuhyun, and Kyuhyun crawling into Zhou Mi’s bed. He made use of Kyuhyun’s mouthwash, a substitute for a toothbrush, changing into soft shorts and t-shirt. Staring at his freshly scrubbed face and realizing they were staying over for the first time, as a couple. He’d been programed into thinking that “sleeping over” meant “having sex.” But there had been no innuendo in Kyuhyun’s invitation. It had been comfort, first and foremost. Maybe so Kyuhyun didn’t have to worry about Zhou Mi alone at home. Maybe because it was nice to be close.
Zhou Mi set his clothes down on a chair, sliding under the blankets opposite Kyuhyun, and almost holding his breath until the light went out.
“Let me know if you need anything. A drink,” Kyuhyun said, his voice already a little sleepy.
“I will. Thank you. I hope you sleep well.”
Kyuhyun chuckled, letting his head rest against Zhou Mi’s shoulder. “I should. I found another pillow.”
He couldn’t resist, twisting a little, to press his mouth to Kyuhyun’s.
A true kiss goodnight.
***
Zhou Mi woke with the bed rocking, mumbling a little until Kyuhyun patted his hand and he went from semi-conscious back to sleep. But the bed rocking again had him firmly awake, blinking as something was waggled in front of his eyes.
“I ran down and got you a toothbrush,” Kyuhyun said. “In case you want to feel human going out the door this morning.”
Zhou Mi laughed, trying to swallow around his dry tongue.
“Thank you. What time is it?”
“Later than you usually go into work,” Kyuhyun informed him rather cavalierly, hopping back off the bed and disappearing out into the outer room. But Zhou Mi saw that it was true, eyes widening at the clock. He must’ve been out of it if he’d missed Kyuhyun’s alarm going off. It took a little adjusting of his shorts, but he made it up, snagging his clothes and rumbling into the bathroom.
“I’m making tea,” Kyuhyun said. “And I have cereal.”
“Okay. I’ll be out in a minute,” Zhou Mi said. Or five. Washing his face and trying to appear human before he got into his clothes, and used the toothbrush that Kyuhyun had left for him. Thoughtful, Zhou Mi thought, rubbing his thumb over the ridges. He was all minty fresh when he went back out. “Where did you want the dirty clothes?”
“Hamper in the bedroom,” Kyuhyun said, appearing with two bowls to match the mugs on the table.
Dirty clothes discarded, hair in general order. He chose his cereal, eating it, and savoring his tea as he listened to Kyuhyun muse about the news that morning. Kyuhyun had his laptop at the table, reading, and probably checking his email. It felt normal. He’d have had his phone in hand if it hadn’t been across the room. But he knew he had time on the train to go home and change to check up on anything else. It was enough to watch Kyuhyun’s expressions as they talked, glancing at Zhou Mi, the computer, his food.
Kyuhyun had let him stay.
He carried his dishes into the kitchen behind Kyuhyun, and caught Kyuhyun before he could turn. Hugging him from behind and sighing into his shoulder.
“Thank you for last night. I know you said it wasn’t any problem, but I mean it. And so you know, you’re welcome at my place any time.”
Kyuhyun caught one of Zhou Mi’s hands, squeezing it, and turning.
“Any time, huh? Don’t worry, it’s not like you owe me. Except another date.”
That time, he got to watch Kyuhyun’s eyelashes sink. Watching as the smirk curving Kyuhyun’s lips softened. He loved to watch that mouth in motion, speaking, eating. And he loved to feel it against his own, full, firm. Warm. And the puffing moan against him, as his hands slid under Kyuhyun’s shirt, onto his bare back. Smooth warm skin, the curve of it. Kyuhyun’s hand fisting in his shirt, and lips parting against his.
You’re supposed to be getting ready for work, not kissing Kyuhyun breathless, some part of his mind seemed to be saying. But he couldn’t grasp that thought, and how could he, when Kyuhyun tasted of tea and sweet, close and pushing closer, Kyuhyun’s hips against the counter bracing his.
Until a vibration between them had them pushing back. Kyuhyun’s phone.
“That’s my “get your ass out the door soon” warning alarm,” Kyuhyun said, silencing it as Zhou Mi’s fingers traced circles on Kyuhyun’s back. And Kyuhyun grumbled, “Tease.”
“Does a tease intend to follow through?” Zhou Mi asked, smiling before looking down. Kyuhyun seemed caught between answers, and it made him wish they had hours to bicker. “I should go so you can finish getting ready. I’ll see you at work.”
Kyuhyun caught him in another kiss, his eyes so dark. That expression of happiness, and faint surprise, as though Kyuhyun wasn’t quite sure how to react. The expression that made Zhou Mi want to squish his face, kiss every inch of it, and watch Kyuhyun laugh and squirm.
And that thought led to many others. But he made it out the door before temptation could cause either of them to be late.
Though when he walked in the door only moments after Eunhyuk, he knew there would be no secrets.
“Did you get lost in the subway?” Eunhyuk asked, his voice mild.
“Hah,” Zhou Mi laughed, closing the hall door behind him and depositing himself in the chair beside Eunhyuk’s desk. “No, I didn’t get lost. I was at Kyuhyun’s apartment, so I had to detour.”
“That’s enough detail if I have to see him every day,” Eunhyuk said, holding his hand out to slap in a high-five. Zhou Mi met it, held it, and sidled closer, trying to let Eunhyuk know he was serious.
“That’s not why I was there, though. I had another dream. But it wasn’t like the others.” And Zhou Mi winced, hating to say it, hating to bring it up first thing in the morning on a work day. “It was about you. When you were young. When your mother died.”
Eunhyuk frowned, the denial immediate on his lips. “But what happened to her has nothing to do with these killings. Her killer is dead.”
“I know,” Zhou Mi told him. “And that was why I couldn’t figure out why I was dreaming it.”
“So you have a dream about me, and you- Were you already with Kyuhyun?”
“No, I went there after. I needed to puzzle it out. I needed to think it through before talking to you about it.”
Eunhyuk squeezed his hand. “It happened a long time ago. You don’t have to protect me from it. But the dream was like the others?”
“Mostly. You looked at me, asked me to help you. Which is so painful even though I knew even then that you aren’t six any more.”
“Maybe you had that dream, because the situations are similar,” Eunhyuk said, sighing. “But it doesn’t make any sense in the reverse. That you’re having some kind of visions about murders, just because you know what happened to my mom.”
“I know. I don’t want them to be connected, because I don’t want to drag it up for you. But I don’t even know what to think any more.”
“Did being near Kyuhyun help you sleep well at least?”
“Very well,” Zhou Mi teased.
“Lalalala, don’t want to hear about it,” Eunhyuk said, and would’ve covered his ears if Zhou Mi still wasn’t holding his hand. “Get to work, slacker.”
“You got it boss,” Zhou Mi said. He squeezed Eunhyuk’s hand, and they shared a nod. They were okay. That was all Zhou Mi wanted.
***
Zhou Mi texted him a few mornings later, when he was still at Tablo’s office. It had his eyebrows raising at Zhou Mi’s language, which amounted to cordially inviting him out for a drink.
“I would be honored, my lord,” Kyuhyun wrote back, and laughed when Zhou Mi sent back nothing but a smiley with its tongue out.
But he smirked and replied, “No making out during work time. But :P to you, too.”
He could imagine Zhou Mi’s laugh at that, and almost hoped he spit his tea or something equally funny, albeit less satisfying since Kyuhyun wasn’t going to be there to see it. But he did text back to ask if special clothes were required.
“Just you.”
And it was probably stupid how much that made him smile.
***
“You ready?” Kyuhyun asked.
Zhou Mi stared up at him with surprise, and then guilt. And then looked at the clock without actually moving his head. Almost an hour past closing. “You could’ve interrupted me half an hour ago.”
“I was finishing up stuff, too.”
“Okay. Just give me one second,” Zhou Mi muttered, and Kyuhyun just watched as Zhou Mi finished what was probably an email, sending it with a flourish and logging out of whatever he needed to on his computer. And Kyuhyun was almost quick enough looking away that Zhou Mi didn’t catch him looking, but not quite. He tried to keep a straight face as Zhou Mi grabbed his jacket and bag, keeping his place and blocking the door as Zhou Mi approached.
“You like watching me work?”
“Or something,” Kyuhyun teased.
But he met Zhou Mi’s kiss, and sighed as Zhou Mi stroked his hair. It half made him think they could just stay in. Hard not to remember the teasing kisses they’d been sharing, and the fact that Zhou Mi had caught him with one that afternoon when he’d brought in Zhou Mi’s mail. Nothing like going back out to work knowing Zhou Mi was all wet-lipped because they’d been kissing.
He nearly choked as Zhou Mi spun him right out the door.
“I’m going to buy you the best drink you ever had,” Zhou Mi said, and waited until Kyuhyun had his things together as well.
“Is that a guarantee?”
“It is,” Zhou Mi told him as they made their way down and then outside. “It’s my favorite place to go. Just a little place, but they always are busy with live music. I love to get a table and just sit and listen and dream when I have a chance. It’s my place to get away.”
And it was a place that Zhou Mi was sharing with him.
It wasn’t so much the drink that was better, but the atmosphere. Sipping wine, and eating appetizers after they had snagged a little booth. He saw several tables comprised of couples of just men, or just women. And he figured that was another reason Zhou Mi enjoyed going. The soothing singer, good music. The hazy blue moon on the wall, Zhou Mi playing with his fingers on his thigh.
“What’d I tell you?” Zhou Mi asked, pressing a kiss to Kyuhyun’s cheekbone.
“Very nice,” he agreed. “Thanks for sharing it with me.”
“Thanks for being here with me,” Zhou Mi countered. “Are you still hungry?”
Yeah, let Zhou Mi laugh as Kyuhyun glared at him, when he clearly knew what answer he was going to end up getting. But they did get more food, and traded favorite restaurant stories. Zhou Mi stopped him at one point so they could start compiling a list of places they wanted to go eat together.
“You like your men slightly squishy?” Kyuhyun teased as he watched Zhou Mi type into his phone.
“We could get out of here, and I could show you,” Zhou Mi offered.
That offer could mean any number of things. But Kyuhyun liked the sound of any one of them. They’d been sitting long enough, and fresh air started to sound pretty good. But Zhou Mi wouldn’t even let him reach for his wallet.
“I’ll get this,” Zhou Mi said. “My treat.”
Kyuhyun chuckled to himself, pleased as Zhou Mi paid. And Zhou Mi had barely gotten to Kyuhyun’s side, when he was stopped.
“Zhou Mi? Ah, it is you. It’s been too long.”
Kyuhyun stared at the man who had put a hand on Zhou Mi’s arm. Around Kyuhyun’s height, with his hair fairly short. A nice face, neither too pretty nor plain. He looked at Zhou Mi and the sight was totally different. Zhou Mi’s face was frozen, mouth moving as though to speak.
“It has been a while,” Zhou Mi said after a moment. “You got my email, right? That we both needed to move on.”
And then Kyuhyun’s stomach did a strange curve as he realized that it wasn’t some friend that Zhou Mi was speaking to. But his ex-boyfriend. The one that just a few weeks ago had been getting out of the military and had tilted the office into chaos for a few minutes as Zhou Mi melted down. That guy. The guy whose private parts Eunhyuk had threatened if he tried talking to Zhou Mi again.
The guy who’d hurt Zhou Mi.
Kyuhyun took a step closer, touching the back of Zhou Mi’s hand, and having his own grabbed tight. That connection made him feel better, as the man looked between them.
“You’re dating someone?”
“Yes,” Zhou Mi said.
“I just need to talk to you. Please. Five minutes, Zhou Mi.”
“Zhou Mi?” Kyuhyun asked. It was offer and concern both. If Zhou Mi needed to get away, Kyuhyun was there to help him out of it. Zhou Mi turned to Kyuhyun, meeting his eyes, and speaking so only Kyuhyun could hear.
“I know he’s struggling, and I know it’s not my job to fix him. But if I don’t say something now, I’ll regret it. I promise you, this isn’t about you and me. Give me two minutes.” And Zhou Mi wove their fingers together more firmly, squeezing them tight. “Just hold onto me.”
He was the one who stepped back, not Zhou Mi. But he nodded, and even that arm length of distance made some of Zhou Mi’s words start to be swallowed in the noise around them, and the music. He watched Zhou Mi’s mouth move, noting the serious expression. It was so earnest it nearly made him hurt inside. What he heard, he expected. Zhou Mi coaching another soul to reach out, grab life, be true to themselves. To get help when it was needed, and find people who would support him.
Zhou Mi couldn’t be that person any more. They couldn’t be friends.. He’d done all he could, and please look at the resources in the email Zhou Mi had sent. That they both had to look out for themselves.
He had the vicious, sneaky thought of what Zhou Mi would do if he just…let go. It was vicious and cruel, and would be an instant kick to Zhou Mi’s gut if he felt anywhere near what Kyuhyun did. He eased his hand tighter instead, not squeezing so that Zhou Mi thought he was rushing him. But letting Zhou Mi give his little “be yourself, be happy” pep talk.
“I wish you the best, really,” Zhou Mi said.
“But we might see each other?”
Zhou MI shook his head, turning half toward Kyuhyun. “No, I’m sorry. Goodbye.”
Zhou Mi hissed, and kept ahold of Kyuhyun’s hand, while leading them to the entrance and out onto the street.
“I hate that,” Zhou Mi said, voice full of frustration. “Someone who needs someone to understand, and give them direction.”
“Some people take a lot of direction, and just need to take the step themselves. You’ve given him that chance. You don’t have to hold his hand for it.”
“But if he doesn’t find someone else to help? If I was the only chance he had.”
Kyuhyun placed himself firmly in front of Zhou Mi, forcing Zhou Mi to meet his eyes. “That is why Eunhyuk told you it wouldn’t be good for you to talk to him. That he’d get you so twisted up, thinking you’d been the one to do something wrong. You’ve done more than any rational person would.”
Zhou Mi chuckle was dark, and not humorous. “So now I’m irrational?”
“A little?”
“And why would you go out with someone you think makes such bad choices?”
Word by word Zhou Mi’s posture got more defensive, as though they were fencing with swords instead of thoughts. And Zhou Mi didn’t even really understand why Kyuhyun was concerned.
“Because you just tried to help someone who had hurt you deeply, when any other person would have spit in his eye!”
Zhou Mi shook his head, not getting it at all. “Why do you say that like you admire it, when you’re admonishing me about it just before?”
“Because I like it more when it’s not something that gets you hurt. And I don’t want your feelings about us, mixed up with…those.” And it was hard to admit. “That scared me in there.”
Zhou Mi’s voice softened from how defensive it had been. “So you’re not angry?”
“No. Maybe a little at him. But not at you.”
Zhou Mi’s eyes closed, and he inhaled deeply for several moments. “Kyuhyun… You’re right, I know that. I’ve done all I can. So let’s let the rest of tonight be about us. Want to go back to my place?”
“Sounds good.”
And it felt good, to walk with Zhou Mi to the subway, and stand close with him in the train. Just to see the grin tilt Zhou Mi’s mouth as their shoulders bumped. That was what he wanted. Even if what they talked about was no deeper than about the advertisements they saw, or about what food they wanted to eat. And Zhou Mi kept his hand on Kyuhyun’s back the whole time they were walking toward his apartment. And just getting into the familiar space, letting his bag down and stepping out of his shoes, felt like he was casting off some of the stress of what had happened.
“Water?”
“Please,” he said, and followed Zhou Mi to the kitchen. The cool water was a balm as well, washing away the parched feeling.
“I took him there, too,” Zhou Mi said, answering a question that had been on Kyuhyun’s mind. “I like sharing the things that are important to me. But I had no idea he would go there to try and look for me. Maybe he didn’t. Maybe it was an accident. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’d like to go back with you. It’s a place that you love. It doesn’t have to be about him.”
He thought again of the man, standing in front of Zhou Mi with some desperation and fear. As though Zhou Mi were the only one who could help him. And in that moment he didn’t see what was sordid, when his brain had tried to conjure the man kissing Zhou Mi. Then he saw a man who had quite probably cared for Zhou Mi. But his own fears had kept him from doing what it was he wanted.
“I really understood today that he gave you up because of fear,” Kyuhyun said, stepping close. “So, I just- I won’t be afraid.”
If Zhou Mi had any doubts, they could put them to rest right there. Or try.
“Maybe he told you that, too,” Kyuhyun said.
“He tried,” Zhou Mi admitted. “But the difference was… I never believed him. Even when I hoped, I never believed him.”
He tried to read Zhou Mi’s expression. Whether Zhou Mi was saying that he believed Kyuhyun, or not.
***
Kyuhyun’s face was quiet as they considered each other, the dim noise of the kitchen around them. He was so sorry that their date, so lovely up to that point, had been interrupted. But in a way, he was glad. It took any lingering questions from his mind and planted him safely in reality. Kyuhyun was the man he was meant to be with. Kyuhyun, who worried for him, and ate with him, and laughed with him. Kyuhyun, who he adored, and was attracted to, and loved talking to.
He cupped Kyuhyun’s cheek and smiled. “I believe you. And I won’t be afraid either.”
Kyuhyun met his mouth, a kiss Zhou Mi had wanted since they had left the office. And it soothed him, as his arms wrapped tight around Kyuhyun. It felt right, he thought, pressing kisses along Kyuhyun’s jaw.
He inhaled.
And he lost himself.
Heartbeats.
The man in his bed, turning to him. Feeling loved, and close. Waiting for the face, the smile he knew was his.
The pulled up corner of Kyuhyun’s mouth, as though to ask what Zhou Mi was doing there, watching him sleep.
Kyuhyun’s smile, sleep-warm skin.
Reaching for him.
Kyuhyun.
He gasped and jerked out of the vision.
When he opened his eyes, he had a distinct feeling of vertigo as Kyuhyun staggered, trying to keep them both upright. It took a few moments getting his bearings, both keeping ahold of Kyuhyun and his own balance before they went crashing down.
“Are you okay?” Kyuhyun asked. “Did you pass out?”
Kyuhyun’s face was close, voice rough from worry. He’d waited so long for the completion of his dream, that it seemed almost unthinkable that what he was seeing was the truth. And yet, as Kyuhyun squinted at him to make sure he was okay, he almost couldn’t push down the laugh. And the awe, as he touched Kyuhyun’s face.
“It’s been you all along,” Zhou Mi breathed.
Kyuhyun didn’t seem to understand what he meant, and for good reason. That dream he hadn’t shared. But Kyuhyun stared at Zhou Mi, not in a subtle way. He wanted to know what had happened, and immediately. It should have been an embarrassing thing to admit. Even as his minimal words came out of his mouth, he couldn’t help the smile that spread because of them. Because he’d waited for that, and he wasn’t sure Kyuhyun knew how much that meant to him.
“I’ve been having dreams - nice dreams - about a man lying beside me whose face I couldn’t see. Sometimes even when I was awake. So, when we hugged, I saw it again.” Zhou Mi paused. “But I saw his face. Your face.”
Kyuhyun blinked at him. “Is that supposed to relieve me or weird me out? What is that supposed to mean?”
“Whatever we want it to mean,” Zhou Mi said. “We’re together, and I know how happy that makes me. I told you I wasn’t afraid, and I meant it. Perhaps I got to see your face in it, because I was ready.”
“You and me in bed, huh?” Kyuhyun asked, tugging Zhou Mi close by the front of his shirt.
“Yeah,” Zhou Mi said. “Your smile was so bright. And I could feel how much you…cared.”
How much Kyuhyun had loved him in the dream. How much that one day, he wanted that to be real.
“Stay tonight,” Zhou Mi offered, gripping Kyuhyun’s waist. “We can see whose bed we like better?”
And Kyuhyun smiled into the kiss.
***
Zhou Mi rose to consciousness abruptly, inhaling and feeling life come into his limbs. He smiled even before he got his eyes open, knowing that Kyuhyun was there, just from the sound. But the reality of it was better, seeing the back of Kyuhyun’s tousled head on his pillow. The beginning of his spine and shoulders where the sheet didn’t cover.
Something tickled in the back of his brain, and he lifted his arm, making the sheet slide down further. And while it was true that Kyuhyun’s back was beautiful, and he could have written sonnets about it, it was so close to the vision. So close that the two images began to blur over each other in his mind, as he reached out and rest his fingertips just below Kyuhyun’s shoulder blade.
Kyuhyun inhaled, waking himself only moments after, and Zhou Mi drew back his hand. But Kyuhyun turned, kind of flopping onto his back and turning his head toward Zhou Mi. Mouth cocked in a smirk that made the dimple above his chin wink. And he kept his eyes there, not on Kyuhyun’s chest.
“Morning,” Kyuhyun said, voice a little croaky. And it felt like his whole face trembled to hear that sound.
“Good morning,” Zhou Mi told him, and curved his fingers around Kyuhyun’s upper arm.
Kyuhyun turned once more, like a puppy struggling to roll, getting them nose to nose. Or almost. Zhou Mi wiggled a little closer on his own. And instead of just touching Kyuhyun’s arm, he slid his own around Kyuhyun’s back.
“Did you sleep okay?” he asked, rubbing at Kyuhyun’s skin.
“Yep. And you only kicked me once.”
“I…Did I??”
Kyuhyun cackled, the flat of his hand plopping onto the side of Zhou Mi’s face. “Maybe I just dreamed that.
It was better than the dream, really. The warmth of a man leaning into him, and the very real feeling that if neither of them moved or spoke, he’d just sink back into sleep. And he did fall into a half doze, seeing that Kyuhyun was mostly unconscious again. But Kyuhyun woke as Zhou Mi shifted.
“Did we have plans for today?” Kyuhyun asked.
“No. We could eat here. Or go out for breakfast.”
Food was something they shared a love of. And he figured if anything was going to get them, regrettably, out of bed, it would probably be that. Staying in bed had its own appeal, but also a few little dangers. They were both grown men. Lying with a half naked Kyuhyun felt very much like he was going to start being tempted. Kyuhyun’s flirting eyes as he rolled away made him think that they were very much on the same page.
Zhou Mi tipped onto his back and smiled at the ceiling. For the time being it felt pretty good just being wanted.
***
Zhou Mi had been right, Eunhyuk mused. The restaurant Kyuhyun’s friend worked at, where part of their open house catering had come from, was very nice. Not too high a level of din, comfortable chairs and attentive staff. He realized why Zhou Mi had been so eager for Eunhyuk to check it out, so they could use it in the future. And of course using it as a date was even more appealing, since it had Tablo in a tie, and looking like a rather randy corporate officer. In his head anyway.
Though the location itself had more sentiment behind it than just food, and the connection of Kyuhyun’s friend. That had something to do with Eunhyuk’s decision to take Tablo, and not just arrange to try it with Zhou Mi.
“This is the first place Zhou Mi and Kyuhyun ate together at,” Eunhyuk said. And it was proof of how far they’d come that he didn’t feel awkward saying that. Tablo knew how close he was with Zhou Mi, and it had become not overdone. But common enough.
“Seems to be a nice place for dates,” Tablo said, looking over the menu and glancing up at him. “So is this kind of like me being inducted into the family? Sharing dating spots?”
Eunhyuk hadn’t thought of that, though it kind of made his chest flush warm. “Well. Sort of, I guess. I was thinking sometime we could all go out together, the four of us. I know Zhou Mi would like to get to know you more, without me running off with you.”
“Yeah, of course. If Kyuhyun can stand to see me.”
They grinned at each other, and ordered their food when their waited came by.
“Ah, I do like this place,” Tablo said, nodding around them. “Kyuhyun has brought in little cakes occasionally from his friend.”
“To us, too,” Eunhyuk said.
Tablo chuckled. “And they’re okay?”
“Zhou Mi certainly seems happy. Kyuhyun plays it a little closer. But they keep their googoo eyes to a minimum.”
“Do you think we’d give each other those eyes, if we worked in the same office?”
“I-“ Eunhyuk paused. “That would be a bad idea, wouldn’t it?”
“Probably. I guess we’re good where we’re at. Just as long as your office stays nearby so I can keep stealing you for lunch.”
Highlight of his lunchtimes, though he wasn’t going to puff up Tablo’s head in the middle of the restaurant. He’d save that for when they were alone. And they were usually good. Barring the one time they’d had to put each other together again in Tablo’s office, before they’d even made it to going out for food. He’d had to snag the tie he was wearing from under Tablo’s desk, and then swallow the embarrassment as they’d left together not long after. But he let that thought flee away, as he dug into his appetizer.
“Let me go. Get your hands off of me!”
They both looked at the sound of the woman’s voice, growing more panicked as the words tumbled out.
A staff member intervened, pulling a protesting man away from the frightened woman. The man was shouting, as he was dragged away. Accusations that she was leading him on, and other things that had patrons around them wincing and whispering. But it meant that he was away from the woman who was still being soothed. Eunhyuk relaxed, glad for it, nearly turning to Tablo to say something before he glanced back over. He recognized that face.
“That’s one of our clients,” he said, and Tablo’s eyebrows rose.
“On a date from you guys?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I should see if she’s okay. I know her, a little.”
“Of course.”
Eunhyuk stood, edging around the waiter who was still trying to calm the woman. Miss Kwon, Eunhyuk remembered. Boa Kwon. Zhou Mi had met with her not long ago, but he wasn’t certain if the date she’d been on was from them or not. At the very least, he needed to know that, but it was more personal obligation that had him moving closer.
“Miss Kwon?”
Eyes that were slightly damp rose to his, widening as she recognized him. “Oh!”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes. Yes, of course. He was so nice, and then, he wouldn’t listen,” she said. “Oh, I interrupted your dinner. I’m so embarrassed.”
“No, he did,” Eunhyuk said. “Sit, you should have tea. Something to calm yourself.”
Eunhyuk signaled the hovering waiter and asked for just that. Tea, and something light for her. The waiter hurried off, and Eunhyuk decided that he would sit with her, at least until the tea came.
“You’re sure you’re okay?” he asked, sitting opposite her.
“Yes, of course. I’ll just gather myself and go home.”
“Was that a date that Zhou Mi set you up on?” Eunhyuk asked.
She hesitated, her expression a bit sad. “Yes.”
Eunhyuk nodded. “Okay. I’ll let Zhou Mi know myself, and I’m sure, if you’re willing, he’ll want to speak to you, too. That man won’t ever date with our company again.”
“That’s good to know. I couldn’t believe Zhou Mi would set up his clients with men like that on purpose. Your office is the most personable I’ve ever been to. Meeting your assistant and his nephew that day really impressed me. Making sure my future children always have two loving parents is all I want.”
What anyone wanted, he thought. Some achieved it better than others. He’d had that. At least for six years.
“Oh, your tea.”
The waiter set down a tea service, little desserts, and soup and a sandwich, which Eunhyuk appreciated. He shared a smile with the waiter, the same that was at his table. And knew he’d be putting in a good word for the man before he left.
“Do you have a friend you can call, or…?”
“No, no,” she said, waving a hand. “I’ll be fine. Thank you for waiting with me, but please, your food must be getting cold. I’m glad we got a chance to talk. I’ll call Zhou Mi tomorrow.”
“Absolutely. Enjoy the rest of your night,” Eunhyuk said, and stood.
The entrees were at the table when he went, but it didn’t look like they’d been there long. And his voice lowered, though they were far enough away to speak without being heard. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s fine,” Tablo said, reaching out to touch his fingers. “It’s nice you spent time with her. I like that about you. Was it a date, then…?”
“Mm,” Eunhyuk agreed. But he didn’t say much, as he tasted his food. It wasn’t like there was doctor-patient confidentiality, but he knew Tablo understood why he didn’t expound. First, being in public, and second, wanting to keep her privacy as much as he could. And he was pleased to find that his heated plate had kept his food just right, as pleased as he was at Tablo’s reaction. “But she’ll be okay. And I had to get back to my boyfriend.”
At least at that he got a grin from Tablo, and it started feeling like the date it had been meant to be.
“So, I was going to ask,” Tablo said after their dinner plates were taken. “Do you know how many times we’ve been out together?”
The question was nonchalant, almost forcibly so. And Eunhyuk couldn’t come up with an answer as he stared across the table.
“I have no idea. Not without using my fingers, and writing things down, and maybe consulting my calendar.”
“Exactly,” Tablo said, as though Eunhyuk had just proved a point. “So, I wanted to ask you if you’d go out with me.”
Eunhyuk blinked, wondering if Tablo was tired. “I…aren’t we already?”
Tablo smiled, the same smile that made him look as though he was holding all the secrets of the universe, and letting them out upon request.
“We are, have been. But when we started, it was kind of trying it out. I don’t think we ever talked about what happened if we just kept dating. But you introduced me to your father, and just called me your boyfriend. So belatedly, I’m asking you out.”
Eunhyuk wasn’t really sure what to think. On one hand it was kind of sweet, and on the other, he was pretty sure he was staring at Tablo with what had to be amused indulgence.
“Then I accept. Retroactively. Though this makes me wonder if you’re already planning something for our 100 day anniversary. Something special?”
Tablo’s voice was nothing but innocent as he leaned in, though his lips were twitching.
“Special? Could anything be more special than the day I got your clothes off?”
And Eunhyuk was glad he hadn’t taken a drink.
But Tablo grinned. “Don’t worry. I have plans.”
That, Eunhyuk didn’t doubt at all. They weren’t exactly to couple rings, yet. But he was considering changing Tablo’s name in his phone to something a lot more…permanent.
“Is it okay if I start keeping some clothes and things at your apartment?” he asked Tablo. “That way, I can stay without thinking or having to go home on a work night.”
“Playing mid-week?” Tablo asked, as though he were judging. But then he chuckled. “Yeah. I’ll bring a few things to keep at your place, too, if that’s okay. I won’t mess up your organization?”
That meant he had to admit something. And he cleared his throat. “I already have a place cleared for you.”
Not just for Tablo’s clothes, it seemed. And the surprise in Tablo’s widened eyes, already hard to read at the best of times, had him flushing. If they’d been alone, he could hear Tablo saying his name, that way that only Tablo did. They settled on battling with their fingers on whose were resting on whose, until their check came.
A couple he wasn’t familiar with was at the table Miss Kwon had been at when they left, and they went to Tablo’s apartment first. Eunhyuk played with the tassels on a wall hanging as Tablo packed a bag, before they made their way to Eunhyuk’s apartment. True to his word, he’d made space in a drawer, and there was room in the bathroom for Tablo to organize whatever he needed.
“I’ll try and keep it neat,” Tablo promised, lips trembling with poorly concealed amusement as Eunhyuk tried to observe on the sly.
“I’m not keeping you around for your organization,” Eunhyuk told him, winding his arms around Tablo’s neck. “As long as you don’t mind me straightening up.”
“Oh? What are you keeping me around for?” Tablo asked, and his eyes were fixed at Eunhyuk’s mouth.
“Way more,” he promised.
And he let Tablo kiss him as they backed toward the bed they’d be sharing. Way more than just a place for clothes. Like Tablo’s smile after they had brushed their teeth, and the way his fingers had lingered on Eunhyuk’s cheek as they had kissed and discussed how to organize the bathroom. And in bed, it wasn’t so much a cuddle as it was a full-body hug, like Tablo was welcoming him to his own bed.
Tablo slept, deep and quick, and Eunhyuk rested near him, mouth almost against Tablo’s shoulder as he watched Tablo breathe.
He’d become more than just a memory. And that was what he had wanted all along.
***
Eunhyuk had barely gotten himself set up on his computer, before Zhou Mi came to sit beside him, and the reason was obvious. On the way back to his apartment, he’d shot off a quick email to Zhou Mi about what had happened at the restaurant. The quicker Zhou Mi found out, the quicker they could do something about it.
“Thanks for the email last night,” Zhou Mi said. “I hate hearing that things like that happen. What all did you see?”
“He was trying to put his hands on her in a way she didn’t want,” Eunhyuk said, shaking his head. And Zhou Mi’s lips thinned with him, their opinion pretty equal on that account. Not the kind of men they wanted in their company, and possibly not on their planet. “I sat with her until they brought her something light to eat, and tea. The restaurant was pretty quick on that regard. Anything to minimize the fuss.”
“Of course. I’m glad you were there,” Zhou Mi said, and flipped his phone over as he thought. “I’ve scheduled some time in to contact her myself, if she doesn’t by this afternoon. I don’t want to leave it for too long. Just to emphasize that we know what happened was wrong, and that we don’t condone that.”
“That’s good. She seemed pretty steady after, but I didn’t really want to take a chance. But I did have a thought this morning, that while you’re putting together topics and articles for your dating advice column, maybe you should do a series on why it’s so important to be a gentleman. I know this was a bad egg, but unfortunately I think there are more guys who need to hear it.”
Zhou Mi nodded, immediately interested. “That’s a great idea. I think everyone can benefit from that. To men, how they should treat others. And everyone else, how they should be treated.”
That had both of them laughing. Everyone else, indeed.
“But I did like the restaurant. The staff was quick and on point, food was prompt and good. I definitely like it for an event. I’m glad Kyuhyun turned us on to it.”
“It is lovely, isn’t it?” Zhou Mi smiled, leaning back and stretching out his legs. “Kyuhyun was still a little unsure of me the first time we went there. Just really getting to know each other. I’ll have to take him back there. Relive our first non-date.”
“Tablo asked if that was going to become the “family” dating spot.”
That had Zhou Mi reaching for his hand, as he knew it would. “Family. That sounds lovely. You stayed with him last night?”
“He stayed with me. I cleared a drawer for him.”
“Oh. Eunhyuk.”
“Lose the dopey smile. It’s work hours.”
Eunhyuk tried not smile back but that was pretty much impossible, whether his smile was embarrassed or happy or both, at the way that Zhou Mi was cooing. He’d woken once in the middle of the night realizing he was going to be washing Tablo’s pajamas and underwear, and had nearly laughed aloud. Of all the ridiculous things to be happy about, that was probably it.
“Well, we can take what happened last night and try and make it into a positive for her. And us. And everyone else,” Zhou Mi said, and squeezed Eunhyuk’s hand.
Which was a very Zhou Mi thing to say.
And amidst everything that changed, it felt so nice and normal to insult each other as they got back to work.
***