It's Official, Hyunsik's Ridiculous
Title: It's Official, Hyunsik's Ridiculous
Author: leejaehwa7
Fandom: BTOB
Pairing: Ilhoon/Hyunsik
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Ilhoon tries to give Hyunsik a chance to get to know him but he finds he has trouble coping with his own emotions, much less Hyunsik's. All the while, Hyunsik's being patient and when Ilhoon needs someone the most, he there's to hold him together.
A/N: I just couldn't resist writing a sequel because I can't handle these two being all mushy in my mind any longer. This was so much longer than I planned and so much more mushy /shudders/.
This is a sequel to ( Swoon-Inducing Smiles )
( Part One )
It’s Thursday before Hyunsik makes it to the club. He’s been studying with Ilhoon after school and as fun as that is, he wants to spend some time with him in a place with a lighter mood than the school library offers.
It’s a busy night for a weekday, so he has to wait an hour before Ilhoon’s schedule opens up. He’s been booked for the night and Hyunsik’s only option is to spend time with Ilhoon on his lunch break. Hyunsik hangs out at the bar, sipping on a coke to pass the time. When Ilhoon takes his break, he slinks up to Hyunsik’s side, grinning mischievously. Tonight he’s wearing a different wig from his usual dark, short cut; it’s long, wavy, and light brown. His dress is a deep blue, thigh length, a-line. It has short, see-through sleeves and flares out around his hips. The added white bow around his waist and in his hair makes him look exceptionally young, innocent, and cute, much too irresistible for Hyunsik’s liking while Ilhoon’s at work.
The boy of his affections smiles innocently, hooking his arm through Hyunsik’s as they move through the club. “You look exceptionally cute tonight,” Hyunsik says, following along.
“I thought I would change it up. Do you like it?”
“I think I might be extremely jealous of everyone else who sees you tonight,” he replies honestly. “You should not look this cute in public.”
“So you like it a lot!” Ilhoon grins, skipping forward so he can face Hyunsik. He does a turn, letting his skirt flare up teasingly.
“Someone’s happy today.” Taking Ilhoon’s hands in his, Hyunsik draws him close. “Did something good happen?”
“My mom’s doing well and it’s been a great week for tips.” Jumping forward letting out a light giggle, Ilhoon wraps his arms around Hyunsik’s neck.
Wrapping his arms around Ilhoon’s waist, Hyunsik squeezes him close. “I’m glad. It’s nice to see you like this.”
“Are you referring to me being cute?”
“I’m referring to you being happy. I like it.”
The urge to kiss Hyunsik creeps up on Ilhoon, but he’s at work and he really doesn’t like kissing on the job, so he separates himself from Hyunsik. Smiling coyly and with a sudden boost of confidence, he presses two fingers to his lips before placing them against Hyunsik’s. Without pause, he turns and skips through the club to find an empty booth for them to share. It’s a breath of fresh air to see him with such regained confidence and light-heartedness. It lights up his face, makes him so incredibly beautiful that Hyunsik finds it hard to keep his hands to himself. He wants to kiss Ilhoon breathless, make him swoon and sigh until he’s light-headed. He wants to hold him close, have a conversation in whispers. There’s still so much he doesn’t know about Ilhoon, so much he wants to learn.
Ilhoon has him so entranced he doesn’t even realize how hard he’s fallen until the moments when they have to separate because in those moments Hyunsik feels like his heart is walking away, like he can’t breath without Ilhoon there. He feels like Ilhoon’s going to disappear when they’re not together, like Hyunsik’s going to wake up one day and find out that this has all just been some vivid scheme of his imagination because he was lonely and desperate to find someone that could fill this gap he has in his life that’s desperate for love and care. Ilhoon fills that emotional void like no one else can.
When it’s time for Ilhoon to get back to work, he leaves Hyunsik with a longing smile as if silently conveying his desire to stay by his side. It’s one of the few times that Ilhoon’s being honest about his emotions. In that moment, he’s revealing to Hyunsik that he really enjoys spending time with him, that he wants to be with him and this knowledge makes Hyunsik high with happiness sending him to the clouds.
Hyunsik knows Ilhoon will scold him if he lingers too long around the club and Ilhoon is supposed to be focusing on his other customers, so Hyunsik leaves like a good boy, handing a generous tip to his waitress, telling her to split it with Ilsoon. It may not be much, but Hyunsik wants to help and in Ilhoon’s life, every little bit counts. Maybe Hyunsik’s being a little self-indulgent, because he knows that Ilhoon would disapprove of this, but Hyunsik can’t help it because he wants to keep Ilhoon’s mood up, wants to keep him smiling and happy because it makes Hyunsik happy to see him this way.
Ilhoon’s happiness on Thursday night lingers into Friday at school. Hyunsik finds this out when Ilhoon openly greets him. It’s the first time Ilhoon’s actually approached him on school grounds and the whole scene plays in slow motion in Hyunsik’s mind because not only did Ilhoon say “Good morning” to him, he also gave him a hug. It wasn’t just a simple good-to-see-you kind of hug either. It was much more enthusiastic and Ilhoon actually knocked Hyunsik back a few steps back with the momentum of his hugging force. Of course, Hyunsik’s not complaining and when Ilhoon releases him, he gives that ridiculously bright eye-smile that makes Ilhoon go weak at the knees. It’s truly a scene to behold and those that witness it can’t stop talking about it. By lunchtime, the rumor around school is that the captain of the soccer team was seen sucking face with a nerdy underclassman that practically threw himself on aforementioned captain.
Ilhoon’s too happy to notice and Hyunsik’s too happy to care.
Hyunsik has extended soccer practice on Friday’s so he can’t study with Ilhoon after school like he usually does. Instead, he rushes to the locker room to dress out before the team gets there so he can conference with the coach to make sure they’re on the same page regarding where the team is ability wise and what the team needs to work on.
As much as Hyunsik loves soccer, he finds his mind straying during practice more than once. He wonders if Ilhoon’s studying went well, if he’s on his way home to make sure his mom eats dinner before he goes to work. He wonders if Ilhoon’s thinking about him too, if he wants to see Hyunsik as much as Hyunsik wishes he could see Ilhoon. As captain, he should be more focused than anyone on the field, but there’s more than one occasion when Hyunsik misses a pass or finds a high ball flying much too close to his face. His teammates tease him about being in love while his coach chastises him for not setting a better example. Even with his mind elsewhere, Hyunsik still manages to make three goals during the team’s scrimmage game at the end of their practice session.
When practice is over, Hyunsik takes a quick shower, debating on whether or not he should visit Ilhoon at the club. He was just there last night, but he really wants to see Ilhoon again and he doesn’t think he can wait until Monday morning. At the same time, he doesn’t want to irritate Ilhoon while he’s still in such a good mood. In the end, Hyunsik decides to cut his losses and head home.
It’s almost nine when Hyunsik gets home. His parents are still at work like always. The butler of the house informs him that they will be at the office for the night, which doesn’t surprise him because they’re always at the office. He’s probably seen them a total of two hours in the past week and that was during their occasional breakfasts together. The butler also tells him that dinner will be ready soon. Hyunsik just nods, going up to his room to throw his books down and flop on his bed with the hope that he can rest for a moment and pretend he’s not disappointed in his parents for never being at home.
He barely hits the mattress before he’s dozing off only to be awoken by the sound of his phone chiming with an incoming call. It’s a number he doesn’t recognize. He hesitates before answering.
“Can you come get me?” Ilhoon asks, voice shaking as he breathes heavily into the phone.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen?” Hyunsik sits up much too fast, blood rushing to his head to compensate for his change in posture.
“I’m scared,” Ilhoon shudders. Hyunsik can practically hear the tears leaking out of Ilhoon’s eyes.
“Where are you?” Hyunsik’s already out of his room heading for the front door to grab his coat and shoes while Ilhoon tells him his location. Hyunsik opts to take one of his parents’ cars instead of calling for a cab or waiting for a bus. His license is limited and he’s technically not supposed to be driving after dark, but he doesn’t care because Ilhoon sounds terrified and out of all the people he could call he called Hyunsik. It’s actually the first time that Ilhoon used the number since Hyunsik gave it to him weeks ago. He doesn’t have a cell or home phone, so he never really calls anyone. He’s technically never had the need to until tonight, which makes Ilhoon’s call seem even more urgent.
Hyunsik finds the corner store Ilhoon described. He’s sitting inside by the window, head resting in his arms as he curls into himself. His hair looks mussed and body rigid. Hyunsik parks on the side of road, rushing in to let Ilhoon knows he’s there. When he places a hand on the other’s shoulder, Ilhoon jumps, backing away before he realizes its Hyunsik standing in front of him. He says Hyunsik’s name, voice shaking just as badly as his body. In a moment, his face is pressed against Hyunsik’s chest as he wraps his arms around his waist, but not before Hyunsik sees his bloodshot eyes and particularly reddened cheek. He doesn’t say anything because Ilhoon’s too shaken up to speak clearly right now.
When Ilhoon stops shaking and feels he can walk without tripping over his own feet, Hyunsik guides him out of the store and to the comfort of the car. Hyunsik helps him buckle up before Ilhoon draws his knees up, hugging his legs as he buries his face in his knees. Putting the car in drive, Hyunsik pulls down the street before asking, “Where do you want to go?”
Ilhoon shakes his head.
“Do you want to go home?”
Another shake.
“Do you want to get something to drink or eat?”
Another shake.
“Okay,” Hyunsik says feeling just a tad bit exasperated. “You can come to my house if you want.”
Ilhoon peeks at him over his knee, thinking it over.
“Or we can go to a hotel or something.”
Ilhoon’s eyes widen, showing a hint of terror within them.
“I don’t plan on doing anything,” Hyunsik clarifies quickly. “I’m just trying to find a comfortable place for us to talk, or not talk, whichever you want. You don’t look like you want to be around anyone and sitting in the car all night isn’t very comfortable, but it’s up to you what we do. I’ll stay with you as long as you want.”
“We can go to your place,” Ilhoon mumbles, chin pressed against his leg.
Hyunsik nods, taking the route that will lead him home. In hopes of giving Ilhoon some comfort, Hyunsik places his hand on his arm, just a light touch to let him know that he’s there, that he’s not alone right now. Without looking up from his lap, Ilhoon grabs Hyunsik’s hand, lacing their fingers together and holding it securely against his knee.
“Thanks,” he murmurs almost too quiet for Hyunsik to hear.
They get back to Hyunsik’s home just before midnight. He tells the butler that meets them at the door to bring them something warm to drink, as he leads Ilhoon into his house and to the privacy of his room. Usually Ilhoon would have been curious about his surroundings, asking questions about where Hyunsik’s parents are or commenting on the fact that a butler met them at the front door, but tonight he’s too flustered to act normally, mind too far gone to be aware of his current surroundings.
When they make it to Hyunsik’s room, Ilhoon takes a seat on the edge of his bed as Hyunsik drapes the throw blanket from the end of the bed around Ilhoon’s shoulders. Remaining before him, Hyunsik tucks his fingers under Ilhoon’s chin to pull his bowed head up, inspecting his face and the blooming bruise across his left cheek. He barely brushes his fingers against the soft skin, dying to ask but choosing to wait for Ilhoon to explain when he’s ready.
They’re still in that position when the butler delivers a tray of hot chocolate, accompanied by a small bowl of mini marshmallows. “I felt you could use something comforting,” he says setting the tray on the nightstand beside the bed. “If you need anything, I’ll be in my room, sir.” He bows, exiting the room and closing the door to give them privacy.
Hyunsik offers a mug of steaming cocoa to Ilhoon who takes it to warm his hands, not really in the mood to drink, but he finds the smell comforting and homey. Hyunsik pops a mini marshmallow into his mouth before sitting beside Ilhoon.
“Thanks for coming.” Ilhoon stares into his mug.
“Anytime,” Hyunsik offers. “Do you feel like talking about it?”
Ilhoon sucks in a deep breath, shoulders rising then falling as he lets it out. “We have rules at the club that are meant to protect us,” he starts. “Things like never getting too close to a guest, always keeping a degree of distance, not leading the guests on. We’re supposed to entertain them, make sure they have a good time, but there’s a line. It’s there to make sure we don’t get hurt.” He finally looks up, meeting Hyunsik’s gaze. “I crossed the line with you but that was my choosing. I let myself do that. I chose to let you into my life.”
Tears pool at Ilhoon’s waterline, along with the smudged makeup he hasn’t removed from his work. “Tonight…” His voice breaks and he clutches onto his mug to steady himself, staring into the dark liquid because looking at Hyunsik breaks his nerve to continue his story. Taking a deep breath, he continues. “Tonight a guest crossed the line. He’s been coming to club more often lately, been asking for me a lot. I thought about refusing him tonight because I could tell, I could see that he was getting attached, but I decided to go with it because I rarely get VIP guests and the money from them almost doubles a day’s salary. You know I need the money, so I accompanied him.”
A shudder passes through him as he recalls the night’s events. “It was fine at first. We went to one of the VIP rooms and just talked. He kept offering me drinks, but you know I don’t drink so I would pretend to sip at them, but he just kept pushing. And then I noticed his hand linger a little too long on my leg and he kept trying to touch me under my dress and I kept shifting away. I didn’t want to offend him, but he was making me uncomfortable.” Ilhoon starts wringing his hands around the mug, body tensing as his nerves flare up and his speech quickens. “Before I realized what was happening, he pushed me down and tried to kiss me and he was really strong. I kept trying to push him away but he wouldn’t budge and his disgusting hand slid up my dress while he tried to kiss me. I brought my knee up hard between his legs and he elbowed me in the face before falling off the couch, then I kicked him before running out to let the guards handle him.”
Tears spill from his eyes as he finishes. Hyunsik relieves him of his mug before pulling him into a hug. “You’re okay,” he whispers. “You got out. You’re safe now.”
“I feel so dirty,” Ilhoon cries, hands clutching at the front of Hyunsik’s shirt. “I’ve never felt so helpless in my life. He just kept touching me with his nasty hands and lips and I wanted to claw my skin off because it felt so horrible.” He’s on the verge of being hysterical. “I can still feel him touching me and I hate it.”
Hyunsik pulls away, cradling Ilhoon’s face in his hands. “Look at me,” he urges, fingers caressing the other’s smooth skin, trailing them up and around his face, then down his neck. “I’m the one touching you now. He isn’t here. Just think about me.” He runs his warm hands down Ilhoon’s shoulders and arms, touching his fingers before bringing each hand up for a light kiss on each wrist. He smoothes his hands across Ilhoon’s back and down his sides to his waist. When his hands meet Ilhoon’s thighs, he leans in, lips a hair’s breadth away from Ilhoon’s ear. “It’s me. Just feel me and don’t think about anything else. Just listen to my voice and think about how you feel when I touch you.” Leaning back he slides his hands down Ilhoon’s thighs before bring them up to cup his face gently. “Can I kiss you?” he whispers.
“Please,” Ilhoon breathes, heart shuddering in his chest in response to the trails of heat Hyunsik’s palms left all over his body.
Their mouths meet in a soft press of lips, something light and breathy to capture Ilhoon’s mind and heart completely, to take his mind off of everything else except for what’s happening in this moment. Hyunsik kisses a tender trail across Ilhoon’s bruised cheek, soaking his skin with comfort and warmth. Ilhoon sighs, relaxing into Hyunsik as arms wrap around him holding him in a tight embrace.
Ilhoon finally feels safe. He cries himself to sleep like this, body completely exhausted from his traumatizing experience. Hyunsik pulls him up onto the bed, tucking him in snugly before lying himself onto of the covers next to him. He’s being cautious, doesn’t want Ilhoon to think he took advantage of the situation. He wants Ilhoon to know that he cares. He wants to make him feel safe and taken care of because that’s all Ilhoon ever does; he takes care of people and never receives anything in return. Hyunsik wants to change that because he thinks Ilhoon deserves so much more than he’s allowing himself to have. More than anything, Hyunsik wants to protect Ilhoon, regardless of whether Ilhoon wants it or not because he deserves to be taken care of for a change.
The next morning Ilhoon wakes up, much too warm under heavy blankets that aren’t his. When he opens his eyes, he’s met with Hyunsik’s sleeping face. He notices the distance between them and the way Hyunsik’s curled under his tiny throw cover lying atop of the blankets covering the bed. Tugging his arm from under the blanket, Ilhoon slowly reaches his hand over to gently touch Hyunsik’s face. As fingers trail down his cheek, his eyes flutter open and Ilhoon offers a sleepy smile to him as a morning greeting. The smile’s returned as Hyunsik takes Ilhoon’s hand in his.
“Did you sleep well?” he asks.
Ilhoon hums contentedly. He feels infinitely better after everything Hyunsik did for him. He hasn’t slept so peacefully in a long time. With Hyunsik he feels a sense of reassurance that if Hyunsik says it’s going to be okay then it will be. It’s strange relying on someone he hardly knows, but Hyunsik was the first person to come to his mind when that man touched him. When Ilhoon was struggling to make his way home and started breaking down, Hyunsik was the person he wanted to see most and when Hyunsik answered his call, Ilhoon can’t describe the relief that washed over him at hearing his voice. He knew Hyunsik was the one who would make him feel safe and secure, regardless of how close they are or how little they know about each other.
“Are you okay?”
Ilhoon gives him a thin smile. “Yeah, I’m okay. I don’t feel as gross as I did last night, but I’d like a shower though.”
“I think I can manage that. Anything else?”
“Maybe some more hot chocolate. I feel bad we wasted that last night and it smelled so yummy.”
“Hot chocolate?”
Ilhoon nods, pushing himself up on the copious amounts of pillows at the head of the bed while keeping his hand in Hyunsik’s. He’s more awake now that they’re talking. “You’re butler must be a mind reader. My mom would always make me hot chocolate to calm me down when I got upset about something. It really helped last night.”
“Looks like we have something in common.” Hyunsik smiles before rolling onto his back to stare up at the ceiling. “Mr. Jang’s taken care of me since I was a child. He always used to make me hot chocolate to cheer me up when I was lonely at night. He said coffees and teas were too strong to be comforting for a child. I guess the habit never changed.”
“He sounds nice.”
“He’s like a father to me,” Hyunsik says fondly.
“What about your parents?”
“They care too much about their jobs and their images to be real parents. They wanted an heir, someone to pass the family name to.” He shrugs. “They were matched up by their parents and pressured into having a child while they were still young. They weren’t ready to have a baby and when I came along, they probably felt like their duty to the family was done and focused on work instead of home.”
“That’s sounds a bit selfish and irresponsible.” Ilhoon says with a frown, unconsciously shifting closer to Hyunsik.
“You know, I always thought it was strange that they don’t push me into taking over the family business, always telling me to become a doctor instead. I think it’s they’re way of protecting me from family pressures while still hoping for the best. They still have high expectations, but I think they want me to have a life of my own as confusing as that seems.” Hyunsik tilts his head towards Ilhoon with a silly grin. “Did that even make sense?”
“I think so. You’re saying your parents care about you in their own way, even if they seem like it.” Ilhoon shakes Hyunsik’s hand playfully, pulling their fingers apart before tracing along the edges of Hyunsik’s palm. “You’re a good son. I can tell by the way you talk that you’re lonely, but you still care about your parents very much.”
“So I’m not just a spoiled little rich kid who wastes my parents hard earned money?”
The question catches Ilhoon off guard for a moment, but he laughs it off because he knows what Hyunsik’s getting at. “I guess I was a bit harsh the other day. You’re not as bad as I thought you were.”
Hyunsik rolls to his side in an attempt to get closer to Ilhoon. “That’s nice to hear. I’m glad you don’t find me completely repulsive.”
“No, you’re definitely not repulsive. Far from it actually.” Ilhoon blushes and Hyunsik can’t help thinking he looks cute with his disheveled bed head and hazy eyes.
“Then what am I?” Hyunsik asks, sliding even closer across the bed and into Ilhoon’s personal space.
Ilhoon’s eyes travel down, glancing at the other’s lips before snapping back up. “You’re very handsome.”
“And?” Hyunsik presses.
Ilhoon gulps. “And kind and smart.”
“What else?”
This time Ilhoon shifts forward, startling Hyunsik a bit with how close he gets. “You’re very…” he pauses, bringing his hand up to rest against the other’s cheek. “…very…” he draws it out.
“Very?” Hyunsik urges.
“Very…” Ilhoon grins mischievously, sliding his thumb across Hyunsik’s lip and back up to his cheek. “Ridiculous,” he finishes, giving his cheek a big pinch before ducking under the covers and into safety.
Hyunsik’s stunned but he’s glad to see Ilhoon’s playful side appear. Following along, Hyunsik retaliates by attacking Ilhoon through the blankets making him squirm and giggle. Hyunsik tries to pull them away to get to the boy beneath them, but Ilhoon has a tight grip on the edge of the blanket holding it down. “You can’t hide forever,” Hyunsik threatens, rolling over until he’s straddling Ilhoon, jabbing his fingers into the other’s sides.
Ilhoon laughs until he can’t breath in the heat beneath the heavy cloths. He coughs, slowly pulling the covers down to reveal his eyes. “I surrender,” he wheezes, raising his fingers along the hem of the blanket signifying he’s given up.
“Okay.” Hyunsik sits back, raising his hands to show that he’s not going to attack further.
Pulling the blanket down the rest of the way, Ilhoon takes a deep breath of cool air, lungs finally feeling relief. Hyunsik holds the blanket down, successfully trapping Ilhoon’s arms beneath. “I do think I deserve something in return for your actions.”
“Like what?” Ilhoon asks breathless.
“A kiss.”
Ilhoon grins before shaking his head and biting his lips together. “Morning breath,” he says, talking like a toothless old man.
“I don’t mind.” Hyunsik attempts to lean in but Ilhoon turns his head giving him his bruised cheek instead. “Fine,” he sighs, planting a soft kiss on the injured flesh. “I’ll get a real kiss later.”
Ilhoon side eyes him, before talking in his toothless manner. “I’d really like that shower now.”
“Okay, okay,” Hyunsik relents, sliding off the side off the bed and letting Ilhoon up. “While you’re showering, I’ll work on getting you that hot chocolate.”
Ilhoon nods, readjusting his askew clothes. “I shouldn’t stay too long. I need to get home and make sure mom gets her morning medicine along with breakfast.”
“I understand. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll drive you home.” Hyunsik gestures for Ilhoon to follow him.
As they make their way to the bathroom, Ilhoon says, “Thanks again for everything. You really saved me last night.”
They stop outside the bathroom door. “I’ll save you as many times as you need me to.”
“Oh god, you’re being greasy again.”
He steps close, hands grasping at Ilhoon’s. “I mean it. I like you Ilhoon. I never want anything like that to happen to you again. When you told me about last night, I really wanted to find that guy and beat the shit out of him because I was that angry. I hated seeing you like that and I’ll worry about this happening every time you go to work. I know you need the job and the pays good, but I worry and I get so jealous seeing you with other people.”
“Hey Hyunsik,” Ilhoon says shaking their joined hands. “You’re rambling.”
“I know. I just have a lot to say because I really, really care about you.” Hyunsik closes his eyes to gather himself. “Just promise me you’ll be more careful in the future.”
“I promise,” Ilhoon says without hesitation.
“And don’t take any more VIP guests. I know they pay more, but I don’t like it when you’re in a room alone with them.”
“I won’t,” Ilhoon promises, already having made the decision last night. He’s not stupid enough to put himself in that situation again.
“You’ll call me if anything happens, at any time and I’ll come.”
Ilhoon nods, smiling fondly at the boy before him. He pulls his hands away, cupping Hyunsik’s face affectionately. “I promise I’ll call.” He looks into Hyunsik’s eyes.
“And you won’t…”
“Hyunsik,” he interrupts him. “You’re very sweet and I know you’re just trying to help, but stop okay. I promise I’ll be more careful and if I think about doing something stupid, I’ll think about you and talk myself out of it.” He curls his arms around Hyunsik’s neck, pulling him in for a kiss to convey just how much he cares about this overly protective, greasy, ridiculous fool before him. “I really, really like you Hyunsik.” Feeling extremely embarrassed, Ilhoon pushes him away and escapes into the bathroom, locking the door behind him. “Now go work on that hot chocolate you promised me!”
“Wait!” Hyunsik calls through the door. “Does this mean I can call you my boyfriend now because I’d really like to tell everyone you’re mine?”
Covering his face in shame, Ilhoon leans against the door for support. “Why do you have to be so ridiculous all the time?”
“You like my ridiculous self,” Hyunsik teases.
“Will you go away so your boyfriend can take a shower in peace?”
Hyunsik grins, face scrunching up as he silently pumps his fist in the air to expel some of his jubilation. “Don’t take too long boyfriend? I’ll be waiting for you.”
Ilhoon cringes, wondering how long it would take for Hyunsik to find him if he attempted to drown himself in Hyunsik’s ridiculously large bathtub. He tells himself it wouldn’t be worth it because Hyunsik would probably break down the door and resuscitate him immediately, then chastise him for doing something stupid. Ilhoon laughs to himself wondering how he could be so lucky to get someone like Hyunsik.
As he finally steps into the shower, he wonders about all the time he gets to spend with Hyunsik in the coming week because his manager gave him the week off with pay so that he can “recover mentally” and come back to work refreshed, or at least that’s what his manager told him. Ilhoon can already see the look on Hyunsik’s face when he breaks the news to him. He can finally give Hyunsik that date he’s been hoping for and he can work on constructing that fourth category he’s trying to fit into his life’s diagram.
For now Ilhoon needs to focus on how he’s going to face Hyunsik when he gets out of the shower because they’re official. Hyunsik’s his boyfriend. He’s Hyunsik’s boyfriend. They’re officially a couple and oh god, drowning is starting to sound really good again because how could he make such a ridiculous confession like that.
He blames Hyunsik for infecting him with his ridiculousness.