(for ransom_ransom) (cat)fishing for love
❊ for: ransom_ransom
❊ title: (cat)fishing for love
❊ pairings: kai/d.o
❊ rating: pg-13
❊ word count: 4,768
❊ summary: Kyungsoo likes Jongin, Jongin likes dogs, and everyone likes shrimp chips.
❊ a/n: thank you for the cute prompts! (apologies for the failed crack)
It's 12:03 in the morning when Jongin's phone beeps.
You have one message from Minjung
Across the room, Sehun looks up from his laptop, grinning. "I told you it'd work." He closes his laptop, practically leaping onto the couch next to Jongin.
"You got the timer?" He asks. "We can't seem too needy."
Jongin nods gravely, reaching in to his pocket to pull out a plastic hourglass with blue sand. "What?" He asks when Sehun smirks a bit at the dinky hourglass. "I'm low budget." He turns it over and sets it on the table, the two of them craning their necks forward to watch the sand fall.
After about three minutes and a bit of yawning from Sehun, Jongin slaps his hand on the table. "We're ready."
The two of them crowd over his phone. "This is the moment," Sehun says. "You ready?"
"Yes," Jongin says. The two wait with bated breath as Jongin selects the message.
Minjung: hey
Heaving a simultaneous sigh of relief, the two of them fall back on the couch, high-fiving.
"You done good," Sehun says, "you done good."
"I haven't even done anything."
Sehun yawns again in response.
"I don't even know this girl," Jongin says, squinting at his phone. He knits his brow. "Who the hell even..."
Sehun turns. "What's in her profile?"
Silently, Jongin hands him his phone. Sehun's eyes widen.
"Eighteen years old, senior at Jijok High," Sehun reads aloud, "enjoys cooking, pororo, and, um," his voice trails off a bit. "And anal." He looks at Jongin. "Well, at least she's straightforward, right? You gonna check this?"
"I don't know," Jongin says. "It kinda seems weird and I'm no-"
"No, man, I mean," Sehun hands the phone back, "are you gonna check this?"
Looking down at his phone, Jongin's eyes bulge from his head. "Woah. Is this her profile picture?" He asks. Sehun nods. "She looks like Hyoyeon."
That night, after some debate of course, Jongin replies:
hey
-
Kyungsoo's grin widens. "He responded."
Chanyeol rolls his eyes. "What are you calling yourself? Minji? Minho?" He asks. "You're fucking crazy for this, you know that? You can't catfish him for too long, he's gonna find out. And, trust me, there's no way he can be gay."
"Chanyeol, Chanyeol," Kyungsoo reaches up to pat his head. "I know gay when I see gay. You just watch me."
Chanyeol rolls his eyes for probably the sixtieth time that day. "Well, when it backfires and Jongin is outraged and comes to cut your dick off and use your intestines to flavor his grandmother's soup broth, don't come crying to me."
Kyungsoo smiles down at his phone. "I'd like that."
At this point, Chanyeol doesn't want to know what he's referring to.
-
Minjung: whats up
Jongin: nm u?
Minjung: lmao same
Sehun has walked away, saying that their conversation was "lame and sounded like twelve year olds talking." Jongin pretends to ignore him.
Minjung: you're one of the boys who goes to noeun high right
Jongin: yeah
Minjung: nice
Even Kyungsoo is feeling a bit frustrated with their dry conversation. He needs, needs, needs this to work. He's had this ridiculous crush on Jongin since freshman year. He remembers seeing Jongin walk into his Honors Chemistry class, dark eyes and full lips and dusky skin and-
Kyungsoo buries his face in his pillow. It's too much to even think about. Jongin was in the wrong class, of course, but that didn't matter. Behind him, Chanyeol sings a little song that goes something like, catfishing's illegal, Kyungsoo is a catfish. Kyungsoo throws his pillow at him.
Minjung: so what sort of stuff are you into
Jongin: well I really like dogs
Minjung: woah same ! do you have any dogs?
In less than three seconds, Jongin responds with pictures of three of the rattiest looking dogs Kyungsoo has ever seen. He almost chokes.
Minjung: omg so cute I love them
Jongin: ikr they're my babies and my favorite thing in the world
"This is too awkward," Kyungsoo calls out to Chanyeol who almost snorts rice up his nose. "I think he's sexually attracted to his dogs." His phone beeps again.
Jongin: so the one on the left is monggu and he listens really well but I need to bathe him every other week and the middle one is jjanggu who doesnt listen as well but he's rlly sweet and likes pumpkin bread and the small white one is my princess jjangah and she's an angel a cinnamon roll too sweet too pure for this world and sometimes she and jjanggu don't get along but they're siblings so it's okay right idk am I saying too much I just really love my dogs
Kyungsoo pinches the bridge of his nose. "What did I do to deserve this?" He asks Chanyeol. "I haven't even met these dogs and I hate them."
Minjung: wow no that's great
"This is going great," Jongin calls out to Sehun. "She loves my dogs."
-
Three days and many messages about how Monggu is feeling right now and what Jjangah thought of her food today later, Kyungsoo's door bangs open.
"There's gonna be a small party at Baekhyun's," Chanyeol says, "you coming?"
"No." Kyungsoo doesn't even spare him a glance from his phone.
"I don't know," Chanyeol says, "I think you'd really enjoy it."
Kyungsoo finishes off a text complimenting Jjanggu's new haircut before he responds. "Chanyeol, you know how I feel about socializing," he begins.
"You hate it."
"And you know how I feel about Baekhyun."
"You want him to burn in hellfire."
"So tell me, Chanyeol, how do you think I'd feel about this?" He rolls his eyes, looking back down to his phone where Jongin is probably still talking about dogs.
Chanyeol smiles. "I think you'd like it," he says again. Kyungsoo looks up, sarcastic remark on the tip of his tongue. "And the reason I think you'd like it," he continues, "is because I also know how you feel about Jongin."
Kyungsoo drops his phone. "When did you say this party was?"
-
Near the top of the list of Things Kyungsoo Hates About Baekhyun is the fact that his house smells very strongly of cheese balls. We're talking wow-is-this-a-house-or-a-cheetos-factory level cheese smell.
"I wonder if you can die from cheese ball fumes," he whispers to Chanyeol.
"Just think about Jongin," he replies, "just think about Jongin."
After enduring an appropriate amount of time with Baekhyun and crew, Kyungsoo settles on a leather couch in the living room, away from the group. Jongin isn't here yet and he's feeling a little drained being around Chanyeol's loud friends. He lies down for about half an hour, wobbling in and out of consciousness, until his phone buzzes. Three messages from Jongin, all about how Jjanggu did at the dog haircut salon. He ignores the messages, instead getting up to go into the kitchen.
"Hey Kyunggie." Chanyeol, already tipsy, staggers up to him with a beer in his hand. "Want one?"
Kyungsoo shakes his head, walking past where Baekhyun and Jongdae are making out on the counter. As he's heaping more shrimp chips onto his plate, the door opens.
"Sorry it took so long for us to get here," Sehun calls from the hall. "Jongin was too busy texting his girlfriend."
Chanyeol snorts at Kyungsoo as Jongin mutters, "she's not my girlfriend."
"Jongin!" Yixing hops down from the table. "Did you bring Jjanggu like I asked?"
"You bet!" Jongin beams. Kyungsoo is reevaluating his life choices right now. He's considering digging a hole and burning himself in it. He decides to go back into the living room before Jongin unleashes his monster dog. He's halfway through his shrimp chips when his phone vibrates again.
Jongin: what uppp~
Minjung: hanging with friends
The light that creaks through the living room doors is obstructed. It's Jongin. Kyungsoo tries not to think about the fact that Jongin looks stunning tonight, white button-up under a black leather jacket matching perfectly with his perfect-
"Um, is it okay if I sit here?" Jongin asks, looking down at where Kyungsoo has draped himself over the entire couch. "Everyone else is drunk and making out."
Kyungsoo smiles, hurrying to scoot over. "You like shrimp chips?"
"Ooh," Jongin sticks a handful in his mouth before he sits down. Kyungsoo's phone beeps.
Jongin: same everyone is drunk here I'm hella bored
Wide-eyed, Kyungsoo looks up to where Jongin is staring droopy-eyed at his phone. His heart beats a little faster. He could really fuck up with this one. Chanyeol told him not to screw around with this sort of stuff. He sighs, squeezing his eyes shut. He can hear Chanyeol hooting like an owl in the kitchen, and a shaky sort of confidence comes over Kyungsoo. Chanyeol sounds like an idiot, who the hell is he to tell Kyungsoo what to do? He looks warily down at his phone one last time.
Fuck it, he's going to respond.
Minjung: lol same
Minjung: who's there with you?
Jongin looks up. "Hey hyung, come here for a second?" Kyungsoo leans forward to where Jongin is holding his phone up. "Three, two, one." Jongin takes the picture and leans back, patting Kyungsoo's shoulder. "Thanks."
A few seconds later, Kyungsoo receives the picture. Does he really have that many shrimp chip crumbs on his face? Hastily, he dabs at his mouth.
Jongin: this is the only guy who isn't drunk here
Minjung: that's awfully decent of him. he seems nice
Jongin: yeah he's rlly shy though I mean it's almost cute but then also hella awkward u know?
Well, at least now he knows how Jongin feels about him. His phone pings and Jongin looks up at him.
Jongin: who are you with?
Shit.
Google Images Search: hyoyeon
Google Images Search: hyoyeon instagram
Google Images Search: hyoyeon with friends
Eventually he finds a photo that seems inconspicuous enough and sends it to Jongin, all the while wondering why he wasn't more thorough with who he chose to be.
Jongin: cute
Minjung: not as cute as you~
Jongin: ^_^
Kyungsoo's phone beeps as he receives the message, and Jongin looks up. "Who're you texting?"
"Um, just, um, my cousin."
Jongin nods, looking back down at his phone. Just then, there's a little tinkling noise and the scraping of paws against the wood floor. It's Jjanggu. Kyungsoo wants to scream, but Jongin smiles so widely that he has to swallow his pain and smile too.
"Oh yeah, Kyungsoo, this is Jjanggu." Jongin picks up the dog and holds him up to Kyungsoo's face. The little devil is panting into his ear and smells disgusting. The gleam in its eye is wicked.
"He's cute," he manages. Kyungsoo is fairly sure his smile looks more like a grimace.
"Isn't he?" Jongin taps the dog's nose, whispering guess who loves you I love you Jjanggu yes I do. Jjanggu looks at Kyungsoo smugly while Jongin is rubbing his stomach, mocking him. Kyungsoo glares back at the dog, thinking, this isn't over you mutt I'll have him one way or the oth-
"Why are you squinting at my dog?" Jongin asks.
"What? Oh, um, I was just admiring his haircut." Kyungsoo leans back again.
"Wow, how'd you know he got a haircut?" Jongin smiles. "You're good."
Kyungsoo hides his blush with a fistful of shrimp chips. He glares at Jjanggu a while longer before an idea pops into his head.
Minjung: what type of TV shows do you like to watch
Kyungsoo tries not to look at Jongin as he answers the message. When his phone buzzes again Jongin looks up at him.
"It's almost like every time I send a text you get one," he says, grinning.
"Yeah," Kyungsoo mumbles. "Weird." He's way too far into this mess now.
Jongin: well I don't really tell anybody this but
Jongin: I really like dance moms
Kyungsoo can't believe this is the guy he has a crush on. He reaches for the remote. When he finds Dance Moms, Jongin's eyes widen.
"You like this show?"
Kyungsoo smiles, trying to keep back a yawn. "Oh yeah, it's great."
"I know I just really love how passionate Abby is about her students, you know, she never gives up on them. I remember in the third season when she was trying to get the new girls into the group and Kaeli felt discouraged so she..."
Kyungsoo's conscious ebbs away to the sound of Jongin's voice, drifting and light.
-
"Kyungsoo. Wake up. Kyungsoo!"
Slowly, Kyungsoo opens his eyes. He's still in Baekhyun's house, stretched out on the leather couch. There's something warm rocking below him, but right now Kyungsoo is kind of preoccupied with the mess that is Park Chanyeol standing in front of him.
"Chanyeol," he asks, "what happened to your face?"
"The mustache? Sehun drew it on me when I was asleep."
Kyungsoo looks down distastefully. "And your clothes?"
"It was Yixing," he says. "I'm not sure why he had a pink onesie with Heechul's face on it and I'm not sure how he got it onto me while I was sleeping but long story short they hid my clothes and I really need you to drive me back right now because if they wake up and remember this I'll never live it down."
Kyungsoo nods. "I'll get up." Chanyeol heaves a sigh of relief. "But Chanyeol?" He asks. "Who died your hair blue?"
"Oh," he grins. "That was me. Do you like it?"
Kyungsoo rubs his eyes. "Must've been a wild night."
"My night? What about you and Jongin?" Chanyeol gestures at something below Kyungsoo.
"Me and Jongin what are you even- shit."
Hastily Kyungsoo tries to free himself from Jongin, whose arms are locked around his body and must've been that way all night. He's mortified. And maybe a little giddy. But mostly mortified. Chanyeol laughs as Kyungsoo squirms below Jongin's grip.
"Damn, if I knew you guys were gonna have a child I would've organized a baby shower," he chuckles. "Is it a boy or a girl?"
Kyungsoo, now extracted from his crush's claws, pushes past him and out of the room, only stopping briefly to awaken Baekhyun and tell him to take as many pictures as he can of Chanyeol.
-
Jongin: how was ur night babe?
Minjung: same old, you know. would've been more fun if u were there ;)
Jongin: we should meet up sometime
"Did she ever respond?" Sehun asks during study hall.
Jongin puts down his phone. "No."
"You know," Junmyeon looks up from his laptop, "something about this seems very fishy to me. Catfishy."
"What are you even talking about, Junmyeon?" Jongin grumbles.
"Well I mean, she looks exactly like an idol," Junmyeon says, going back to his paper, "and now when you ask her to meet up she doesn't-"
He looks back up just in time to see the door close. "You try, Junmyeon," he mutters to himself, "but nobody ever listens. I'll show them. I'll show them all."
-
Minjung: idk if we can meet up right now I've been so busy with exams and all...
"I'm not sure. Maybe Junmyeon was right."
Sehun and Jongin are bent over a box of takeout, munching on spring rolls. Jongin sighs, clicking the phone off.
"She hasn't made any moves on me or tried to get my money, maybe she's just busy."
Sehun lets out a short laugh. "You never know how patient sixty year old perverts can be, Jongin."
Jongin gets up and walks to the window. "Well, I probably should ask her," he says. "I'm just not sure how."
"Yeah," Sehun says, reaching for Jongin's phone.
"Do you think I should bring up the subject as a joke to see how she reacts? Or keep trying to find out more about her?"
"Well, you could do either of those, or," Sehun holds up Jongin's phone, "you could just say this."
"What did you-" Jongin rushes over from the window and snatches his phone back from a grinning Sehun.
Jongin: hey just wondering if you were a sixty year old pervert who's catfishing me lol
"Sehun you fucking- I hate you, you know that?" Jongin's words fall to deaf ears, as Sehun is currently rolling on the ground gasping for air. Jongin sighs, burying his face in his hands. It's going to be a long weekend.
-
Kyungsoo gasps.
"What is it?" Chanyeol looks up from his book.
"He asked me if I was a catfish," Kyungsoo whispers. "What do I do?"
Chanyeol chooses to take this very moment to revel in the fact that Kyungsoo's been caught by laughing at him. Loudly. Kyungsoo also chooses this same exact moment to give Chanyeol a particularly hard hit to the nose.
"Serves you right," Chanyeol grumbles, rubbing his nose. "Now just apologize and admit that you messed u-"
"I responded," Kyungsoo interrupts. Chanyeol shuffles over, still clutching his nose.
Minjung: lmao what
There are over two hundred thousand words in the Korean language, but none of them can be strung together to express how much Chanyeol wants to hit Kyungsoo with a chair.
-
"So, Jongin," Chanyeol calls over the noise of the cafeteria, "how's your girlfriend?" He shoots Kyungsoo a look of disgust, probably still bitter about the nose thing.
Kyungsoo watches Jongin lay his chopsticks down (so neat! Kyungsoo loves how neat and tidy Jongin is he'd be the perfect boyfriend wouldn't h-) before responding. "Well," he says, "I'm not sure about the validity of her existence but okay, I guess."
"You don't think someone would be," Chanyeol raises his eyebrows, "catfishing you?" Very calmly, Kyungsoo positions his shoe over Chanyeol's own before stomping down as hard as he can with his heel. Chanyeol yelps and Baekhyun gives him a weird look.
"I'm not sure," Jongin replies.
"Totally a catfish," Junmyeon calls out as he and Yifan pass by. "No doubt!" When he trips over one of the tables, arms flailing and kimchi flying, Jongdae snorts milk out of his nose.
The bell rings just as Junmyeon's finished cleaning himself off. "Hey hyung, we're going the same way, right?" Jongin asks Kyungsoo.
"I think so," Kyungsoo responds (they're not- trigonometry is on the other side of the school but of course Jongin doesn't need to know that). Chanyeol makes a sort of barking sound as he passes by.
"Will you go with me?" Jongin asks. Kyungsoo smiles.
They walk through the halls silently for a bit, people hurrying past them on either side. Kyungsoo tries not to look at Jongin. "Hyung?" Jongin asks eventually. "What do you think I should do? About the girl, I mean."
"I'm don't know," Kyungsoo says, "do you like her?"
Jongin twists his hands back and forth in his pockets (wow this boy is so cute Kyungsoo is going to explode) and shrugs. "That's the thing," he says, "I'm not sure I do."
All this for nothing. Chanyeol was right. What was Kyungsoo- "In fact," Jongin mumbles, "I'm not sure I like any girls."
Kyungsoo's mouth hangs open for so long, even Jongin has to laugh a bit. "I'm sorry, hyung, it's just, you're the only openly gay person in our friend group-"
"What are you talking about literally everyone is gay-"
"Well I mean I felt like-"
"It's fine, it's fine," Kyungsoo assures him. "Great, actually," he mutters below his breath.
"What?"
"Nothing," Kyungsoo spits out. "Why were you even on that dating app if you aren't attracted to girls?"
Jongin shrugs. "Sehun made the account for me because he says I desperately need to get laid, and I just went along with it, I guess."
"Okay," Kyungsoo says hesitantly.
Jongin smiles. "I knew you'd understand, hyung. Now what do you think I should do?"
Kyungsoo shakes his head. "What?"
"You know, how do I tell Minjung?"
Kyungsoo thinks for a second. "I think you should just be honest with her, you know? She might take it hard but-"
The second bell rings and Jongin bolts off to class, calling out his thanks to Kyungsoo before he turns in the door. Kyungsoo stands in the hall, staring dreamily at the spot Jongin stood in. There's a light feeling in his stomach, and he skips down the hall thinking that perhaps he might fly, or at the very least brag about how he knew it all along to Chanyeol.
-
"Really?" Chanyeol says, although it comes out as sputtered excitement and stray noodles. "Really?"
"Pick the fucking noodles up, please Chanyeol," Kyungsoo sighs. "I don't even know why you always seem to be at my house."
Chanyeol drops to the floor to clean his mess, mouth still full of noodles, murmuring Jongin and gay and how. Kyungsoo clenches his fists, twisting about like a child.
"But at the same time, I'm not sure how to feel," he says. "I mean, I was tricking- yes, okay, catfishing him and all, so I don't know-"
"Just admit-" Chanyeol starts as he stands up. Kyungsoo shoves more noodles into Chanyeol's open mouth.
-
A text comes from Jongin that night, to Kyungsoo's own number.
Jongin: heyy hyung I was wondering if you wanted to like meet me tomorrow to have some food in the park
Jongin: not like a date or anything!!1!
Jongin: I need ur help breaking up with Minjung
Kyungsoo has a little moment with his phone, holding it to his heart. Jongin needs his help. "He wants my help!" He calls out to Chanyeol who is still gorging himself in Kyungsoo's kitchen.
"What're you gonna do next, suck his dick?" Comes Chanyeol's response. Where Chanyeol can't see him, Kyungsoo nods, just the slightest bit. You've gotta keep your calm, Soo, keep your calm.
Kyungsoo: lol I'd b happy to!
Kyungsoo: what time?
They go for an hour and a half after school ends, mainly because Kyungsoo needs time to prepare himself for the event. Jongin makes him promise to bring shrimp chips.
-
Kyungsoo likes to make mental checklists to get himself through the day. He runs over today's in his mind as he brushes his teeth.
1. Pick Baekhyun and Jongdae up to drive to school (try to ignore their gross couple noises)
2. Yell at Baekhyun for bringing his fucking cheeseball bucket into his car
3. Turn in World Studies project
4. Ask choir teacher for details on the concert again
5. Remind Sehun not to have unprotected sex in front of Zitao to embarrass him
6. Get pens from Yixing
7. Help Jongin break up with "Minjung" (bring shrimp chips- don't bring phone!)
So not too difficult today. He brushes his teeth extra hard, smoothing his hair over in the mirror before running out to pick up Jongdae and his cheeseball monster boyfriend.
-
The day runs pretty smoothly, aside from the point where he saw Taemin walking in the halls with Jongin. That little- Kyungsoo sees Jongin make a face and walk away from Taemin towards him. That's more like it. Jongin shoots a grin at him as he passes by. Kyungsoo swoons.
-
Kyungsoo is already fifteen minutes late to his not-date with Jongin. He hadn't realized how long it'd take him to shower and gel his hair, but he guesses it's okay as long as he looks great. Giving his hair a final comb and stuffing his phone in his pocket, he hurries out the door.
The park is about a ten minute drive from his house, but if he steps really hard on the pedal and ignores all the stop signs, he can get there in six. Jongin stands up to greet him as he blazes into the parking lot.
"In a bit of a hurry, huh?" Jongin grins.
Kyungsoo nods, blushing a bit. "I'm sorry I was late."
"Don't worry about it, hyung," Jongin assures him as they walk to where he's been sitting below the sycamore tree. There's a picnic blanket spread out in the shade where Kyungsoo settles before they begin.. The two of them lean over Jongin's phone.
"How should I say it?" Jongin whispers. "Should I-"
"Just do it," Kyungsoo responds. "And stop whispering, we aren't breaking into a bank."
Jongin types something in. "How about this?"
"I like that. Now send it, I want food."
Jongin squeezes his eyes shut, mouthing a countdown from three before stabbing the send button.
Jongin: hey um not sure how to tell u this but I realized I was gay lol
Kyungsoo sighs right as his phone pings. Loudly. Jongin looks up from his phone. "Is this your cousin again? Lemme see that-"
Before Kyungsoo can react, Jongin snatches his phone out of his hand. Kyungsoo tries to retaliate, reaching to grab it back, but Jongin hops up and runs to the base of the sycamore tree, grinning victoriously. Kyungsoo watches as laughter turns to confusion as Jongin reads the text he's gotten.
"Is this- is this from me?" His voice carries to Kyungsoo. Jongin shakes his head. "But you can't have, this text was to Minjung you weren't- or were you?
Kyungsoo looks down, ashamedly. Jongin walks over from the tree silently and sits next to him. "Kyungsoo? Were you, um, catfishing me?" Kyungsoo feels like he wants to cry. "Kyungsoo?"
He feels Jongin's arm wrap around him and pull him against Jongin's torso. The breeze is light around them and they stay like that for a while, Jongin patting Kyungsoo's shoulder and Kyungsoo leaning against Jongin, shaking.
"I'm sorry," Kyungsoo whispers eventually. Jongin sighs slightly. "It's just," Kyungsoo starts, "I've liked you for a long time, and, well... I wanted to get to know you. Better than I did." When Jongin doesn't respond, Kyungsoo buries his face in his hands. "I shouldn't've fucked around, but you're just so cute and I couldn't resist."
And Jongin lets out a light chuckle, tilting Kyungsoo's chin up to face him. "You wanna hear a secret?" Jongin whispers. He leans in towards Kyungsoo's ear as Kyungsoo closes his eyes. He can feel Jongin's breath against his neck, but the secret doesn't come.
Kyungsoo springs back when he feels Jongin plant his lips at the base of his neck. Jongin stands up immediately and begins to walk away, calling back, "you forgot the shrimp chips, huh? Let's go buy some!"
"Wait, so you're not even mad?" Kyungsoo hurries after him, covering his face to hide the red that is spreading over his cheeks.
Jongin grins, blushing a bit too. "Well, hyung," he says, "it's not ideal, but I guess I can say I kind of- well-" he pauses, biting his lip. Kyungsoo hums as he waits for him to finish. "Come on," Jongin says. He grabs Kyungsoo's hand to tug him along. Kyungsoo is going to explode.
-
"So that was all he said?" Chanyeol asks.
Kyungsoo nods. "We got shrimp chips and some of that instant ramen and- well, that was it. He barely said a word."
Chanyeol smirks. "Serves you right."
Kyungsoo sighs. "I guess so." His phone buzzes just as Chanyeol launches into his talk about not deceiving people through the internet. Kyungsoo picks it up. It's Jongin.
Jongin: hey do u wanna hang out
"Like I was saying," Chanyeol begins, "just because you have anonymity on the internet doesn't mean it's okay to trick others."
Jongin: pls come hyung I want to give you these shrimp chips...
Kyungsoo stands up, rolling his eyes as Chanyeol continues, "with the internet comes a responsibility to behave and respect others..."
Jongin: ... And my heart
"And when you don't fol- wait Kyungsoo! Where are you going? Why are you walking away?"
Kyungsoo catches the last of it as the door closes, half-heartedly making to wave goodbye at Chanyeol. He sets off down the sidewalk, a skip in his step and smile on his face below the clear sky. He has a bus to catch, and some chips to eat. And maybe, just maybe, a heart to find.
❊ title: (cat)fishing for love
❊ pairings: kai/d.o
❊ rating: pg-13
❊ word count: 4,768
❊ summary: Kyungsoo likes Jongin, Jongin likes dogs, and everyone likes shrimp chips.
❊ a/n: thank you for the cute prompts! (apologies for the failed crack)
It's 12:03 in the morning when Jongin's phone beeps.
You have one message from Minjung
Across the room, Sehun looks up from his laptop, grinning. "I told you it'd work." He closes his laptop, practically leaping onto the couch next to Jongin.
"You got the timer?" He asks. "We can't seem too needy."
Jongin nods gravely, reaching in to his pocket to pull out a plastic hourglass with blue sand. "What?" He asks when Sehun smirks a bit at the dinky hourglass. "I'm low budget." He turns it over and sets it on the table, the two of them craning their necks forward to watch the sand fall.
After about three minutes and a bit of yawning from Sehun, Jongin slaps his hand on the table. "We're ready."
The two of them crowd over his phone. "This is the moment," Sehun says. "You ready?"
"Yes," Jongin says. The two wait with bated breath as Jongin selects the message.
Minjung: hey
Heaving a simultaneous sigh of relief, the two of them fall back on the couch, high-fiving.
"You done good," Sehun says, "you done good."
"I haven't even done anything."
Sehun yawns again in response.
"I don't even know this girl," Jongin says, squinting at his phone. He knits his brow. "Who the hell even..."
Sehun turns. "What's in her profile?"
Silently, Jongin hands him his phone. Sehun's eyes widen.
"Eighteen years old, senior at Jijok High," Sehun reads aloud, "enjoys cooking, pororo, and, um," his voice trails off a bit. "And anal." He looks at Jongin. "Well, at least she's straightforward, right? You gonna check this?"
"I don't know," Jongin says. "It kinda seems weird and I'm no-"
"No, man, I mean," Sehun hands the phone back, "are you gonna check this?"
Looking down at his phone, Jongin's eyes bulge from his head. "Woah. Is this her profile picture?" He asks. Sehun nods. "She looks like Hyoyeon."
That night, after some debate of course, Jongin replies:
hey
-
Kyungsoo's grin widens. "He responded."
Chanyeol rolls his eyes. "What are you calling yourself? Minji? Minho?" He asks. "You're fucking crazy for this, you know that? You can't catfish him for too long, he's gonna find out. And, trust me, there's no way he can be gay."
"Chanyeol, Chanyeol," Kyungsoo reaches up to pat his head. "I know gay when I see gay. You just watch me."
Chanyeol rolls his eyes for probably the sixtieth time that day. "Well, when it backfires and Jongin is outraged and comes to cut your dick off and use your intestines to flavor his grandmother's soup broth, don't come crying to me."
Kyungsoo smiles down at his phone. "I'd like that."
At this point, Chanyeol doesn't want to know what he's referring to.
-
Minjung: whats up
Jongin: nm u?
Minjung: lmao same
Sehun has walked away, saying that their conversation was "lame and sounded like twelve year olds talking." Jongin pretends to ignore him.
Minjung: you're one of the boys who goes to noeun high right
Jongin: yeah
Minjung: nice
Even Kyungsoo is feeling a bit frustrated with their dry conversation. He needs, needs, needs this to work. He's had this ridiculous crush on Jongin since freshman year. He remembers seeing Jongin walk into his Honors Chemistry class, dark eyes and full lips and dusky skin and-
Kyungsoo buries his face in his pillow. It's too much to even think about. Jongin was in the wrong class, of course, but that didn't matter. Behind him, Chanyeol sings a little song that goes something like, catfishing's illegal, Kyungsoo is a catfish. Kyungsoo throws his pillow at him.
Minjung: so what sort of stuff are you into
Jongin: well I really like dogs
Minjung: woah same ! do you have any dogs?
In less than three seconds, Jongin responds with pictures of three of the rattiest looking dogs Kyungsoo has ever seen. He almost chokes.
Minjung: omg so cute I love them
Jongin: ikr they're my babies and my favorite thing in the world
"This is too awkward," Kyungsoo calls out to Chanyeol who almost snorts rice up his nose. "I think he's sexually attracted to his dogs." His phone beeps again.
Jongin: so the one on the left is monggu and he listens really well but I need to bathe him every other week and the middle one is jjanggu who doesnt listen as well but he's rlly sweet and likes pumpkin bread and the small white one is my princess jjangah and she's an angel a cinnamon roll too sweet too pure for this world and sometimes she and jjanggu don't get along but they're siblings so it's okay right idk am I saying too much I just really love my dogs
Kyungsoo pinches the bridge of his nose. "What did I do to deserve this?" He asks Chanyeol. "I haven't even met these dogs and I hate them."
Minjung: wow no that's great
"This is going great," Jongin calls out to Sehun. "She loves my dogs."
-
Three days and many messages about how Monggu is feeling right now and what Jjangah thought of her food today later, Kyungsoo's door bangs open.
"There's gonna be a small party at Baekhyun's," Chanyeol says, "you coming?"
"No." Kyungsoo doesn't even spare him a glance from his phone.
"I don't know," Chanyeol says, "I think you'd really enjoy it."
Kyungsoo finishes off a text complimenting Jjanggu's new haircut before he responds. "Chanyeol, you know how I feel about socializing," he begins.
"You hate it."
"And you know how I feel about Baekhyun."
"You want him to burn in hellfire."
"So tell me, Chanyeol, how do you think I'd feel about this?" He rolls his eyes, looking back down to his phone where Jongin is probably still talking about dogs.
Chanyeol smiles. "I think you'd like it," he says again. Kyungsoo looks up, sarcastic remark on the tip of his tongue. "And the reason I think you'd like it," he continues, "is because I also know how you feel about Jongin."
Kyungsoo drops his phone. "When did you say this party was?"
-
Near the top of the list of Things Kyungsoo Hates About Baekhyun is the fact that his house smells very strongly of cheese balls. We're talking wow-is-this-a-house-or-a-cheetos-factory level cheese smell.
"I wonder if you can die from cheese ball fumes," he whispers to Chanyeol.
"Just think about Jongin," he replies, "just think about Jongin."
After enduring an appropriate amount of time with Baekhyun and crew, Kyungsoo settles on a leather couch in the living room, away from the group. Jongin isn't here yet and he's feeling a little drained being around Chanyeol's loud friends. He lies down for about half an hour, wobbling in and out of consciousness, until his phone buzzes. Three messages from Jongin, all about how Jjanggu did at the dog haircut salon. He ignores the messages, instead getting up to go into the kitchen.
"Hey Kyunggie." Chanyeol, already tipsy, staggers up to him with a beer in his hand. "Want one?"
Kyungsoo shakes his head, walking past where Baekhyun and Jongdae are making out on the counter. As he's heaping more shrimp chips onto his plate, the door opens.
"Sorry it took so long for us to get here," Sehun calls from the hall. "Jongin was too busy texting his girlfriend."
Chanyeol snorts at Kyungsoo as Jongin mutters, "she's not my girlfriend."
"Jongin!" Yixing hops down from the table. "Did you bring Jjanggu like I asked?"
"You bet!" Jongin beams. Kyungsoo is reevaluating his life choices right now. He's considering digging a hole and burning himself in it. He decides to go back into the living room before Jongin unleashes his monster dog. He's halfway through his shrimp chips when his phone vibrates again.
Jongin: what uppp~
Minjung: hanging with friends
The light that creaks through the living room doors is obstructed. It's Jongin. Kyungsoo tries not to think about the fact that Jongin looks stunning tonight, white button-up under a black leather jacket matching perfectly with his perfect-
"Um, is it okay if I sit here?" Jongin asks, looking down at where Kyungsoo has draped himself over the entire couch. "Everyone else is drunk and making out."
Kyungsoo smiles, hurrying to scoot over. "You like shrimp chips?"
"Ooh," Jongin sticks a handful in his mouth before he sits down. Kyungsoo's phone beeps.
Jongin: same everyone is drunk here I'm hella bored
Wide-eyed, Kyungsoo looks up to where Jongin is staring droopy-eyed at his phone. His heart beats a little faster. He could really fuck up with this one. Chanyeol told him not to screw around with this sort of stuff. He sighs, squeezing his eyes shut. He can hear Chanyeol hooting like an owl in the kitchen, and a shaky sort of confidence comes over Kyungsoo. Chanyeol sounds like an idiot, who the hell is he to tell Kyungsoo what to do? He looks warily down at his phone one last time.
Fuck it, he's going to respond.
Minjung: lol same
Minjung: who's there with you?
Jongin looks up. "Hey hyung, come here for a second?" Kyungsoo leans forward to where Jongin is holding his phone up. "Three, two, one." Jongin takes the picture and leans back, patting Kyungsoo's shoulder. "Thanks."
A few seconds later, Kyungsoo receives the picture. Does he really have that many shrimp chip crumbs on his face? Hastily, he dabs at his mouth.
Jongin: this is the only guy who isn't drunk here
Minjung: that's awfully decent of him. he seems nice
Jongin: yeah he's rlly shy though I mean it's almost cute but then also hella awkward u know?
Well, at least now he knows how Jongin feels about him. His phone pings and Jongin looks up at him.
Jongin: who are you with?
Shit.
Google Images Search: hyoyeon
Google Images Search: hyoyeon instagram
Google Images Search: hyoyeon with friends
Eventually he finds a photo that seems inconspicuous enough and sends it to Jongin, all the while wondering why he wasn't more thorough with who he chose to be.
Jongin: cute
Minjung: not as cute as you~
Jongin: ^_^
Kyungsoo's phone beeps as he receives the message, and Jongin looks up. "Who're you texting?"
"Um, just, um, my cousin."
Jongin nods, looking back down at his phone. Just then, there's a little tinkling noise and the scraping of paws against the wood floor. It's Jjanggu. Kyungsoo wants to scream, but Jongin smiles so widely that he has to swallow his pain and smile too.
"Oh yeah, Kyungsoo, this is Jjanggu." Jongin picks up the dog and holds him up to Kyungsoo's face. The little devil is panting into his ear and smells disgusting. The gleam in its eye is wicked.
"He's cute," he manages. Kyungsoo is fairly sure his smile looks more like a grimace.
"Isn't he?" Jongin taps the dog's nose, whispering guess who loves you I love you Jjanggu yes I do. Jjanggu looks at Kyungsoo smugly while Jongin is rubbing his stomach, mocking him. Kyungsoo glares back at the dog, thinking, this isn't over you mutt I'll have him one way or the oth-
"Why are you squinting at my dog?" Jongin asks.
"What? Oh, um, I was just admiring his haircut." Kyungsoo leans back again.
"Wow, how'd you know he got a haircut?" Jongin smiles. "You're good."
Kyungsoo hides his blush with a fistful of shrimp chips. He glares at Jjanggu a while longer before an idea pops into his head.
Minjung: what type of TV shows do you like to watch
Kyungsoo tries not to look at Jongin as he answers the message. When his phone buzzes again Jongin looks up at him.
"It's almost like every time I send a text you get one," he says, grinning.
"Yeah," Kyungsoo mumbles. "Weird." He's way too far into this mess now.
Jongin: well I don't really tell anybody this but
Jongin: I really like dance moms
Kyungsoo can't believe this is the guy he has a crush on. He reaches for the remote. When he finds Dance Moms, Jongin's eyes widen.
"You like this show?"
Kyungsoo smiles, trying to keep back a yawn. "Oh yeah, it's great."
"I know I just really love how passionate Abby is about her students, you know, she never gives up on them. I remember in the third season when she was trying to get the new girls into the group and Kaeli felt discouraged so she..."
Kyungsoo's conscious ebbs away to the sound of Jongin's voice, drifting and light.
-
"Kyungsoo. Wake up. Kyungsoo!"
Slowly, Kyungsoo opens his eyes. He's still in Baekhyun's house, stretched out on the leather couch. There's something warm rocking below him, but right now Kyungsoo is kind of preoccupied with the mess that is Park Chanyeol standing in front of him.
"Chanyeol," he asks, "what happened to your face?"
"The mustache? Sehun drew it on me when I was asleep."
Kyungsoo looks down distastefully. "And your clothes?"
"It was Yixing," he says. "I'm not sure why he had a pink onesie with Heechul's face on it and I'm not sure how he got it onto me while I was sleeping but long story short they hid my clothes and I really need you to drive me back right now because if they wake up and remember this I'll never live it down."
Kyungsoo nods. "I'll get up." Chanyeol heaves a sigh of relief. "But Chanyeol?" He asks. "Who died your hair blue?"
"Oh," he grins. "That was me. Do you like it?"
Kyungsoo rubs his eyes. "Must've been a wild night."
"My night? What about you and Jongin?" Chanyeol gestures at something below Kyungsoo.
"Me and Jongin what are you even- shit."
Hastily Kyungsoo tries to free himself from Jongin, whose arms are locked around his body and must've been that way all night. He's mortified. And maybe a little giddy. But mostly mortified. Chanyeol laughs as Kyungsoo squirms below Jongin's grip.
"Damn, if I knew you guys were gonna have a child I would've organized a baby shower," he chuckles. "Is it a boy or a girl?"
Kyungsoo, now extracted from his crush's claws, pushes past him and out of the room, only stopping briefly to awaken Baekhyun and tell him to take as many pictures as he can of Chanyeol.
-
Jongin: how was ur night babe?
Minjung: same old, you know. would've been more fun if u were there ;)
Jongin: we should meet up sometime
"Did she ever respond?" Sehun asks during study hall.
Jongin puts down his phone. "No."
"You know," Junmyeon looks up from his laptop, "something about this seems very fishy to me. Catfishy."
"What are you even talking about, Junmyeon?" Jongin grumbles.
"Well I mean, she looks exactly like an idol," Junmyeon says, going back to his paper, "and now when you ask her to meet up she doesn't-"
He looks back up just in time to see the door close. "You try, Junmyeon," he mutters to himself, "but nobody ever listens. I'll show them. I'll show them all."
-
Minjung: idk if we can meet up right now I've been so busy with exams and all...
"I'm not sure. Maybe Junmyeon was right."
Sehun and Jongin are bent over a box of takeout, munching on spring rolls. Jongin sighs, clicking the phone off.
"She hasn't made any moves on me or tried to get my money, maybe she's just busy."
Sehun lets out a short laugh. "You never know how patient sixty year old perverts can be, Jongin."
Jongin gets up and walks to the window. "Well, I probably should ask her," he says. "I'm just not sure how."
"Yeah," Sehun says, reaching for Jongin's phone.
"Do you think I should bring up the subject as a joke to see how she reacts? Or keep trying to find out more about her?"
"Well, you could do either of those, or," Sehun holds up Jongin's phone, "you could just say this."
"What did you-" Jongin rushes over from the window and snatches his phone back from a grinning Sehun.
Jongin: hey just wondering if you were a sixty year old pervert who's catfishing me lol
"Sehun you fucking- I hate you, you know that?" Jongin's words fall to deaf ears, as Sehun is currently rolling on the ground gasping for air. Jongin sighs, burying his face in his hands. It's going to be a long weekend.
-
Kyungsoo gasps.
"What is it?" Chanyeol looks up from his book.
"He asked me if I was a catfish," Kyungsoo whispers. "What do I do?"
Chanyeol chooses to take this very moment to revel in the fact that Kyungsoo's been caught by laughing at him. Loudly. Kyungsoo also chooses this same exact moment to give Chanyeol a particularly hard hit to the nose.
"Serves you right," Chanyeol grumbles, rubbing his nose. "Now just apologize and admit that you messed u-"
"I responded," Kyungsoo interrupts. Chanyeol shuffles over, still clutching his nose.
Minjung: lmao what
There are over two hundred thousand words in the Korean language, but none of them can be strung together to express how much Chanyeol wants to hit Kyungsoo with a chair.
-
"So, Jongin," Chanyeol calls over the noise of the cafeteria, "how's your girlfriend?" He shoots Kyungsoo a look of disgust, probably still bitter about the nose thing.
Kyungsoo watches Jongin lay his chopsticks down (so neat! Kyungsoo loves how neat and tidy Jongin is he'd be the perfect boyfriend wouldn't h-) before responding. "Well," he says, "I'm not sure about the validity of her existence but okay, I guess."
"You don't think someone would be," Chanyeol raises his eyebrows, "catfishing you?" Very calmly, Kyungsoo positions his shoe over Chanyeol's own before stomping down as hard as he can with his heel. Chanyeol yelps and Baekhyun gives him a weird look.
"I'm not sure," Jongin replies.
"Totally a catfish," Junmyeon calls out as he and Yifan pass by. "No doubt!" When he trips over one of the tables, arms flailing and kimchi flying, Jongdae snorts milk out of his nose.
The bell rings just as Junmyeon's finished cleaning himself off. "Hey hyung, we're going the same way, right?" Jongin asks Kyungsoo.
"I think so," Kyungsoo responds (they're not- trigonometry is on the other side of the school but of course Jongin doesn't need to know that). Chanyeol makes a sort of barking sound as he passes by.
"Will you go with me?" Jongin asks. Kyungsoo smiles.
They walk through the halls silently for a bit, people hurrying past them on either side. Kyungsoo tries not to look at Jongin. "Hyung?" Jongin asks eventually. "What do you think I should do? About the girl, I mean."
"I'm don't know," Kyungsoo says, "do you like her?"
Jongin twists his hands back and forth in his pockets (wow this boy is so cute Kyungsoo is going to explode) and shrugs. "That's the thing," he says, "I'm not sure I do."
All this for nothing. Chanyeol was right. What was Kyungsoo- "In fact," Jongin mumbles, "I'm not sure I like any girls."
Kyungsoo's mouth hangs open for so long, even Jongin has to laugh a bit. "I'm sorry, hyung, it's just, you're the only openly gay person in our friend group-"
"What are you talking about literally everyone is gay-"
"Well I mean I felt like-"
"It's fine, it's fine," Kyungsoo assures him. "Great, actually," he mutters below his breath.
"What?"
"Nothing," Kyungsoo spits out. "Why were you even on that dating app if you aren't attracted to girls?"
Jongin shrugs. "Sehun made the account for me because he says I desperately need to get laid, and I just went along with it, I guess."
"Okay," Kyungsoo says hesitantly.
Jongin smiles. "I knew you'd understand, hyung. Now what do you think I should do?"
Kyungsoo shakes his head. "What?"
"You know, how do I tell Minjung?"
Kyungsoo thinks for a second. "I think you should just be honest with her, you know? She might take it hard but-"
The second bell rings and Jongin bolts off to class, calling out his thanks to Kyungsoo before he turns in the door. Kyungsoo stands in the hall, staring dreamily at the spot Jongin stood in. There's a light feeling in his stomach, and he skips down the hall thinking that perhaps he might fly, or at the very least brag about how he knew it all along to Chanyeol.
-
"Really?" Chanyeol says, although it comes out as sputtered excitement and stray noodles. "Really?"
"Pick the fucking noodles up, please Chanyeol," Kyungsoo sighs. "I don't even know why you always seem to be at my house."
Chanyeol drops to the floor to clean his mess, mouth still full of noodles, murmuring Jongin and gay and how. Kyungsoo clenches his fists, twisting about like a child.
"But at the same time, I'm not sure how to feel," he says. "I mean, I was tricking- yes, okay, catfishing him and all, so I don't know-"
"Just admit-" Chanyeol starts as he stands up. Kyungsoo shoves more noodles into Chanyeol's open mouth.
-
A text comes from Jongin that night, to Kyungsoo's own number.
Jongin: heyy hyung I was wondering if you wanted to like meet me tomorrow to have some food in the park
Jongin: not like a date or anything!!1!
Jongin: I need ur help breaking up with Minjung
Kyungsoo has a little moment with his phone, holding it to his heart. Jongin needs his help. "He wants my help!" He calls out to Chanyeol who is still gorging himself in Kyungsoo's kitchen.
"What're you gonna do next, suck his dick?" Comes Chanyeol's response. Where Chanyeol can't see him, Kyungsoo nods, just the slightest bit. You've gotta keep your calm, Soo, keep your calm.
Kyungsoo: lol I'd b happy to!
Kyungsoo: what time?
They go for an hour and a half after school ends, mainly because Kyungsoo needs time to prepare himself for the event. Jongin makes him promise to bring shrimp chips.
-
Kyungsoo likes to make mental checklists to get himself through the day. He runs over today's in his mind as he brushes his teeth.
1. Pick Baekhyun and Jongdae up to drive to school (try to ignore their gross couple noises)
2. Yell at Baekhyun for bringing his fucking cheeseball bucket into his car
3. Turn in World Studies project
4. Ask choir teacher for details on the concert again
5. Remind Sehun not to have unprotected sex in front of Zitao to embarrass him
6. Get pens from Yixing
7. Help Jongin break up with "Minjung" (bring shrimp chips- don't bring phone!)
So not too difficult today. He brushes his teeth extra hard, smoothing his hair over in the mirror before running out to pick up Jongdae and his cheeseball monster boyfriend.
-
The day runs pretty smoothly, aside from the point where he saw Taemin walking in the halls with Jongin. That little- Kyungsoo sees Jongin make a face and walk away from Taemin towards him. That's more like it. Jongin shoots a grin at him as he passes by. Kyungsoo swoons.
-
Kyungsoo is already fifteen minutes late to his not-date with Jongin. He hadn't realized how long it'd take him to shower and gel his hair, but he guesses it's okay as long as he looks great. Giving his hair a final comb and stuffing his phone in his pocket, he hurries out the door.
The park is about a ten minute drive from his house, but if he steps really hard on the pedal and ignores all the stop signs, he can get there in six. Jongin stands up to greet him as he blazes into the parking lot.
"In a bit of a hurry, huh?" Jongin grins.
Kyungsoo nods, blushing a bit. "I'm sorry I was late."
"Don't worry about it, hyung," Jongin assures him as they walk to where he's been sitting below the sycamore tree. There's a picnic blanket spread out in the shade where Kyungsoo settles before they begin.. The two of them lean over Jongin's phone.
"How should I say it?" Jongin whispers. "Should I-"
"Just do it," Kyungsoo responds. "And stop whispering, we aren't breaking into a bank."
Jongin types something in. "How about this?"
"I like that. Now send it, I want food."
Jongin squeezes his eyes shut, mouthing a countdown from three before stabbing the send button.
Jongin: hey um not sure how to tell u this but I realized I was gay lol
Kyungsoo sighs right as his phone pings. Loudly. Jongin looks up from his phone. "Is this your cousin again? Lemme see that-"
Before Kyungsoo can react, Jongin snatches his phone out of his hand. Kyungsoo tries to retaliate, reaching to grab it back, but Jongin hops up and runs to the base of the sycamore tree, grinning victoriously. Kyungsoo watches as laughter turns to confusion as Jongin reads the text he's gotten.
"Is this- is this from me?" His voice carries to Kyungsoo. Jongin shakes his head. "But you can't have, this text was to Minjung you weren't- or were you?
Kyungsoo looks down, ashamedly. Jongin walks over from the tree silently and sits next to him. "Kyungsoo? Were you, um, catfishing me?" Kyungsoo feels like he wants to cry. "Kyungsoo?"
He feels Jongin's arm wrap around him and pull him against Jongin's torso. The breeze is light around them and they stay like that for a while, Jongin patting Kyungsoo's shoulder and Kyungsoo leaning against Jongin, shaking.
"I'm sorry," Kyungsoo whispers eventually. Jongin sighs slightly. "It's just," Kyungsoo starts, "I've liked you for a long time, and, well... I wanted to get to know you. Better than I did." When Jongin doesn't respond, Kyungsoo buries his face in his hands. "I shouldn't've fucked around, but you're just so cute and I couldn't resist."
And Jongin lets out a light chuckle, tilting Kyungsoo's chin up to face him. "You wanna hear a secret?" Jongin whispers. He leans in towards Kyungsoo's ear as Kyungsoo closes his eyes. He can feel Jongin's breath against his neck, but the secret doesn't come.
Kyungsoo springs back when he feels Jongin plant his lips at the base of his neck. Jongin stands up immediately and begins to walk away, calling back, "you forgot the shrimp chips, huh? Let's go buy some!"
"Wait, so you're not even mad?" Kyungsoo hurries after him, covering his face to hide the red that is spreading over his cheeks.
Jongin grins, blushing a bit too. "Well, hyung," he says, "it's not ideal, but I guess I can say I kind of- well-" he pauses, biting his lip. Kyungsoo hums as he waits for him to finish. "Come on," Jongin says. He grabs Kyungsoo's hand to tug him along. Kyungsoo is going to explode.
-
"So that was all he said?" Chanyeol asks.
Kyungsoo nods. "We got shrimp chips and some of that instant ramen and- well, that was it. He barely said a word."
Chanyeol smirks. "Serves you right."
Kyungsoo sighs. "I guess so." His phone buzzes just as Chanyeol launches into his talk about not deceiving people through the internet. Kyungsoo picks it up. It's Jongin.
Jongin: hey do u wanna hang out
"Like I was saying," Chanyeol begins, "just because you have anonymity on the internet doesn't mean it's okay to trick others."
Jongin: pls come hyung I want to give you these shrimp chips...
Kyungsoo stands up, rolling his eyes as Chanyeol continues, "with the internet comes a responsibility to behave and respect others..."
Jongin: ... And my heart
"And when you don't fol- wait Kyungsoo! Where are you going? Why are you walking away?"
Kyungsoo catches the last of it as the door closes, half-heartedly making to wave goodbye at Chanyeol. He sets off down the sidewalk, a skip in his step and smile on his face below the clear sky. He has a bus to catch, and some chips to eat. And maybe, just maybe, a heart to find.