Sherbet (5.5/6)
Title: Sherbet (5.5/6)
Character/Pairing: KhunHo (friendship), KhunYoung, ChanHo
Rating: PG
Genre: Fluff (current chpt: some angst)
Summary: Nichkhun's day is made up of smiles, tears, pain, memories, chills... You name it.
Part 2 of 2
- 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5.0 - 5.5 - 6 -
Nichkhun watched the falling rain from his temporary shelter: two concrete walls facing each other connected by the roof which covered the two picnic tables that sat underneath. He hadn’t been too far away from the spot when the black clouds came storming in but he was still partially wet, his hair damp and part of his clothes now uncomfortably sticking to skin. He pulled on the wet patches and flapped them a little in an effort to dry them off.
He leaned back against the wall from his seat on the table, taking care not to bang his head against the concrete. His face was wet, but he couldn’t differentiate the feeling between his tears and the rain. His anger had boiled down a little bit, distracted by the elements that had forced him to find shelter. Nichkhun looked at the clouds as rain spilt from their gray cores.
You read my mind.
“So Khun, you’re up for tonight right? My place, 9 o’clock.”
It was more of an order than a question, but Nichkhun begrudgingly nodded nonetheless. He knew the drill: they’d hit the bar, or the club, and depending on the crowd, either find their way near a group of prospective girls or they’d hang out near the entrance, making sure Nichkhun was in full view. Soon enough, they’d catch the eye of their female counterparts and Nichkhun would lead the conversation into his buddies and somehow, he’d usually ended up going home early by himself, often turning down his own date. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew he was hanging with the wrong people, the wrong crowd. He wasn’t even sure why he kept up with this crap, but then, he preferred it over how he spent his time with his female friends.
He knew it was his looks but with the girls, they’d get too close, too fast. And all in all, in the end, he had to turn them down before he found himself in a relationship he didn’t want. And he hated it. It had happened too many times for coincidence - he didn't like breakng their hearts, because most of them had given them to him before he had even registered that they were interested.
“Aren’t you guys too young to be meeting girls at the bar?”
Nichkhun was brought back from his reverie and looked up from where he had been staring down a pebble on the ground. The boy in front of him had small eyes and a clever mouth that was made for smiling, something he wasn’t doing at the moment. His name was Junho and Nichkhun had seen him around before, but they never really talked. They had both taken guitar class together at the conservatory of music a long while back, before he switched to piano and Junho to percussion. They’d known of each others existence for years, but that was about it.
“What’s it to you?” Nichkhun’s friend demanded sharply, eyeing the newcomer with interest.
Junho shrugged. “Just thought you should act more your age.”
“People our age are smoking joints and having sex, and you’re saying we shouldn’t be going to a bar.”
“Well if you’re gonna be picking up girls, shouldn’t you be doing it yourself?” Junho replied unkindly. “Get a backbone,” he added, before turning and for a split second, Nichkhun wasn’t sure who that last comment had been directed to.
“Asshole,” his friend muttered as Junho walked off.
Nichkhun didn’t say anything. Something inside of him agreed with Junho, but he was too afraid to admit it.
“Shit you’re right, he’s a fairy…”
“But the girls dig that…”
“More like they’re just attracted by the fact that he’s effin pretty…”
A chuckle. “If I was drunk enough, I’d tap that…”
Nichkhun ignored the quiet exchange of words to his left as he tried focusing on the other people around him. As usual, his friend had brought even more friends, most of them older, and more age appropriate to be “bringing girls home”.
A sweep of the room left him surprised when he caught Junho amongst the crowd, talking with another guy.
Hypocrite. Nichkhun narrowed his eyes. He’s got the nerve to tell people they shouldn’t go to the bar when he goes himself. And if I’m not mistaken, I’m pretty sure I’m older than him too, he added to himself as an after thought.
Someone called his name, and Nichkhun tore his eyes off the younger boy. His buddy swung an arm around his shoulders, a grin plastered on his face as if they were the best of friends.
“So Khun, this is…”
Nichkhun tuned them out with an empty smile. Once again, he was introduced to his friend’s friends; following ritual, they would chat a little, and then he’d charm some group of girls into talking with them. That was how it always went. Tonight wouldn't be much different.
“Well that was fun,” his friend commented when most of the guys in their group had parted ways to continue their solo conversations with someone of their interest. Nichkhun merely nodded as he turned to leave; his job was done. He was tired and he wanted to go home, but he stopped short when he saw one of the guys from earlier slip a pill in the drink he was handing over to another girl. Nichkhun must have been staring because his friend turned in the same direction before letting out an exasperated sigh.
“Shit. I told him not to- Just ignore it, Khun.”
His friend was trying to turn him away from the scene, but Nichkhun couldn’t look away. It was one thing for the girl to voluntarily go with a guy, but drugging them? Nichkhun pulled away from his friend’s grasp, his feet automatically taking him towards the older boy.
“I got you a drink,” the male was saying as he twirled the cup lightly, handing it over to the girl in question.
“Don’t drink that.” Nichkhun found himself saying before he actually process the thought.
“Huh? Why not?” the girl asked, turning to him and looking at him under heavy make-upped eyelids.
The older male was glaring at him, making Nichkhun hesitate momentarily. “I think someone spiked it,” he answered in a small voice.
He said someone right? He didn’t specify, so there was no need to point fingers.
“Oh!” She gasped, dropping the drink back on the counter. She immediately backed away, turning to her group of friends in frightened whispers.
“Little shit!”
Nichkhun was harshly pushed backwards, his back colliding with the counter as he let out a small groan. The young man had grabbed a fist full of his shirt, his other hand gesturing wildly in annoyance.
“Don’t bruise his face!” his friend hollered from somewhere to his right, caught behind the crowd that had started to form around them.
Nichkhun struggled a bit but the firm grip the older male had on him was unwavering, the other both bigger and stronger than he was. The young man sneered just as another voice suddenly spoke up, “Back off.”
The man in front of him blatantly ignored the speaker. “I’ll make it so that you won’t ever be able to use that pretty face of yours-”
Before he could raise his fist the young man was roughly pushed aside, knocking a few chairs over as he tried to regain his balance.
“I told you to back off.”
Nichkhun stared in surprise as Junho stood in between them, bristling with anger.
“Who the hell are you?”
“Does it really matter?” Junho asked coolly.
A scoff was the man's reply before struck Junho in the face. Junho moved as if the older male had only tapped him lightly, swiftly tackling him and sending them both into the table behind them. Nichkhun watched in shock as they exchanged blows, the crowd surging around them from the excitement of a fight. He panicked as soon as he noticed the security guards trying to make their way over through the crowd.
Junho planted a well aimed push in the man’s face, sending him reeling into another table. Nichkhun took the opportunity to grab the younger male, pulling him away from the fight and towards the back exit.
“Let me-”
Junho struggled but Nichkhun put more force into it, successfully pushing him out the back door as the security guards arrived at the scene. Junho pulled himself out of Nichkhun’s grasp, taking in the fresh air to calm himself down as they walked down the alley. Nichkhun looked the younger boy over. His lip was cut, and he sported the beginnings of a black eye.
“Hey, are you alright-”
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Junho demanded, ignoring Nichkhun’s concerned expression. “Why don’t you ever stand up for yourself?”
Junho sounded mad, and Nichkhun could only think that it was because he didn’t help him during the fighting.
“I swear Nichkhun, you’re either way too trusting or-”
“You know my name?” Nichkhun interrupted, surprise clear in his voice.
Junho glared at him. “We took guitar together-”
“But that was a long time ago…” Nichkhun cut in once more as he trailed off.
“And how could I not notice you. You’re pretty enough to make any girl jealous,” Junho continued with a sigh. “Seriously, maybe you just have problems saying no, but if that was so, you’d have a gazillion girlfriends and would be sleeping with them like no tomorrow…”
“Hey. There is nothing wrong with being nice. And who the hell are you to judge, you hypocrite,” Nichkhun replied sourly.
He wasn’t sure if he was truly offended or not, but he didn’t like being insulted by someone he barely knew. Contrary to what he was going for, Junho was smiling at his remark, the blood on his lip still glistening in the moonlight.
“It’s nice to know you have a backbone,” he joked as they reached the main street. They stopped, and Junho leaned his head back on his shoulder to stare up at the night sky.
“You need proper friends,” he stated, still looking up at the stars.
“You don’t think I know that?” Nichkhun muttered sarcastically.
Junho finally looked back down, extending his hand. “Gimmie your phone.”
“Huh?”
“Phone,” he insisted and Nichkhun reluctantly complied, a bit too shocked to think over his movements.
Junho punched the keypad, and handed it back. “I’m Junho-”
“I know.”
Junho smirked as he slowly shook his head and turned around. “I better see you at school tomorrow!” he called out as he walked off.
Nichkhun gazed at his phone. Junho had keyed in his number. Nichkhun looked back up. Junho was already a streetlight away and turning a corner. Nichkhun looked back down at his phone and hit the send msg button. A few minutes later he received a reply.
“You’re welcome.”
“Khun.”
Nichkhun opened his eyes to solid concrete walls and the sound of rain. He shifted his gaze to his left. And there he was, a couple meters away, standing in the rain. Junho looked like he had gone swimming with his clothes on. He was drenched from head to toe, his normally straightened hair a mess of wet curls, his light blue shirt darkened and sticking to his body. Water bounced off his body, droplets dripping from his hair and off his eyelashes, his nose, his lips, his chin.
Nichkhun glared at him, almost daring him to move towards the shelter. The younger male didn’t budge, as if he was waiting for Nichkhun’s approval before approaching.
Nichkhun turned away.
Good, he thought almost selfishly. He should suffer. If he thinks I won’t fight for Wooyoung, he’s wrong. If he thinks Wooyoung’s gonna fall for some Rain look-a-like, he’s utterly mistaken.
Nichkhun’s train of thought was interrupted by muffled sound. He reluctantly looked back at over. The boy was looking away and covering his mouth with his hand, but he failed to suppress the following sounds, this time coughing outright.
Nichkhun cursed his sympathetic nature. Making a quick decision, he dashed out and grabbed Junho’s wrist before pulling them back under the small roof. Dropping his arm, Nichkhun slowly returned to his spot on the table and looked the boy over. He hadn’t noticed it before, but Junho was shivering.
Idiot.
“Take your shirt off before you get sick, if you haven’t already,” he instructed hollowly. Junho slowly obeyed, and as soon as he pulled the wet piece of fabric over his head a hoodie collided with his face. He fumbled with the article of clothing which was swiftly followed by another order. “Put it on.” Junho glanced up to find Nichkhun in a long sleeved shirt, an annoyed expression on his face.
Junho held Nichkhun’s hoodie in front of him, but didn’t move. “I’m sorry.”
“Save it,” Nichkhun replied bitterly.
“But you need to know what I’m sorry for,” Junho continued, his eyes on the older boy.
“I don’t wanna hear it.”
“Khun will you-”
“Shuddup Junho. I told you I-”
“Goddamnit Nichkhun, will you just listen to me?” Junho demanded in frustration.
Nichkhun looked at him angrily and he saw the younger boy shut his eyes and exhale, water dripping from the ends of his wet locks. Goosebumps prickled up the boy’s arm, and Nichkhun bit his lower lip.
“Put it on.”
“What?” Obviously surprised by the turn in the conversation, Junho opened his eyes.
Nichkhun nodded at his hoodie still in Junho’s hands. “Put it on,” he repeated.
Junho paused but obliged, swinging it over his shoulders and zipping up to cover his bare chest. “Now will you listen?”
Nichkhun didn’t answer, which seemed to be a good enough answer for Junho.
“I’m sorry for what I said, but not for what I did. Cause I didn’t do anything.” Nichkhun’s response was a frosted glare, but Junho continued,“Wooyoung and I didn’t kiss. I fell off my chair, and he tripped over his bag.”
“And I’m supposed to believe that.”
“Yes.”
Nichkhun’s hand absently tapped the top of the table. “So explain why Wooyoung was so flushed right after?”
“He was- what?” Junho narrowed his eyes. “Why would he… Oh…” he trailed off, smirking as realization set in. “We were talking about you right before he left.”
Nichkhun clenched his teeth as the familiar feeling of warmth touched his cheeks. He directed his gaze elsewhere, slightly embarrassed at the answer. “You were with him before we all met up.” It was a blunt statement. Nichkhun turned in time to see Junho looking down at his feet. Caught you.
“I visited his work cause…” Junho hesitated. “I like Chansung,” he blurted out.
Nichkhun looked the younger boy over. Junho’s face was going red, counter acting the tint of blue that had been on his lips from the cold. Nichkhun exhaled loud enough for Junho to understand that he should continue. His friend got the hint.
“I wanted to run into him, and since he visits Wooyoung when he gets off work, I figured…” Junho shrugged his shoulders and Nichkhun thought he picked up a underlying wave of embarassment.
“You said it was complicated.”
“It was complicated. I didn’t know if I actually liked him or not...” An unexpected grin took over Junho’s face.
Nichkhun narrowed his eyes. “What?”
“You being so specific. At least it tells me you’re actually listening when I talk.”
Nichkhun opened his mouth in mock offence. “You think I don’t listen?” Junho pressed his lips together, but he was still smirking. “Psh, Unlike you, I’m a good friend,” Nichkhun said sarcastically.
Junho just laughed. “Yeah… Khunnie?” Nichkhun looked up at the rare mention of his name. “You’re really slow.”
Nichkhun made a face in response.
“Seriously. You both are. If I hadn’t seen it for myself, I wouldn’t have believed that anyone could match the amount of blushing you do in Wooyoung’s presence in one day, but he can. When Wooyoung makes a cute expression, or any expression for that matter, the corner of your lip always twitches upwards. Whenever Wooyoung thinks you’re not looking, or when you’re not actually looking, his eyes are on you. You both walk as close to each other as normal friend space will allow. Whenever you guys accidentally touch, you blush like mad. When we,” Here, Junho pointed rapidly between himself and Nichkhun. “…get too friendly, Wooyoung gets jealous. And I honestly have no idea why neither of you has made a move yet.”
This time, Nichkhun’s opened mouth was unintentional.
Junho crossed his arms across his chest and looked outside at the dwindling rain. “I like Wooyoung,” he commented offhandedly.
Nichkhun shot him a look, but the younger boy was still staring elsewhere.
“He’s cute. He’s friendly and witty. Not to mention he can really move to the music.” Junho finally looked over at his best friend, flashing Nichkhun his trademark eye-smile. “I approve.”
~
Nichkhun and Junho were walking side-by-side along paved pathway, the dark grey color of the asphalt from the recent downpour. The rain itself had stopped and the clouds had parted way to reveal the remnants of the setting sun. The evening air was getting chilly, but Nichkhun’s long sleeve shirt was good enough to keep him warm. He looked over at his best friend in slight concern. Junho’s coughing had definitely lessened, but it hadn’t disappeared.
“Khun,” the boy spoke up cheekily as he caught the older staring, “buy me a drink?”
“I already apologized, and I still feel bad. But that doesn’t mean I’m gonna do you any favors.”
Junho pushed his wet hair out of his eyes and gestured to his whole body. “I look like I decided to take a shower in my clothes. And no, just because I’m wearing your hoodie doesn’t change the fact that I’m still soaking wet.” They stopped by a convenience store and Junho looked over again, eyes bright. “Please?”
They were fully aware that they had stopped in front of Wooyoung’s workplace, but they both knew the latter didn’t have an evening shift.
“Fine,” the Thai conceded in amusement.
Nichkhun heard the chime as soon as he pushed the door open. A bleary-eyed employee looked up at him as he walked in before looking back down to continue reading his paper splayed out on the counter. Nichkhun passed him and headed to the back to search the fridge full of drinks before calling over to the older man.
“Do you have anymore Aloe drinks?”
The man looked up but before he could answer, a head popped out from behind the Employees Only door.
“Khun?”
“Wooyoung!”
A smile found his lips as he commented, “I thought I recognized your voice.” Wooyoung moved from behind the door and walked around the counter towards the older boy. “What are you doing here?”
Nichkhun hesitated at the thought; Junho. He couldn’t help but smile to himself before replying, “I was gonna get a drink-”
“Bubble tea not enough for you?”
Nichkhun felt heat rise in his cheeks just as his phone beeped in his pocket.
Going home. Will return your hoodie later =D
Nichkhun wasn’t even surprised. He pocketed his phone and looked up.
“You’re not working are you?” he asked almost on impulse.
Wooyoung shook his head. “Just here to check my schedule and a few other things. Do you need to be somewhere?” It was the Thai’s turn to shake his head. “Cool. Gimmie a sec? I’ll be out in a minute.”
Wooyoung gave him a quick smile before disappearing behind the door. Not long after, he emerged with a piece of paper in hand, folding it and shoving it in his back pocket as he made his way back over. As Wooyoung led him to the front door, he abruptly turned around and Nichkhun bumped into him in surprise.
“Oh sorry. Did you buy a drink? I completely forgot-”
Nichkhun chuckled quietly. “Don’t worry about it.”
They stepped outside and the cold air made the hairs on the back of Nichkhun’s neck stand on end. He shoved his hands in his pockets, silently blaming Junho for getting sick and taking his hoodie.
“Today was fun,” Wooyoung commented casually, breaking the silence.
Nichkhun recalled the roller coaster ride of events that had happened during his day. Depends how you define fun, he thought, but Nichkhun kept it to himself and chose to nod instead.
“It was fun. I didn’t know you liked chicken so much.”
“Chicken’s really good for you,” Wooyoung replied, mock serious.
Nichkhun laughed. “I believe you.”
Wooyoung responded with a bright smile.
God, that smile.
“Hey, I just realized you never really answered Junho’s question.”
Nichkhun blinked. “Huh?”
“What makes you blush? Khun, are you even listening?” Wooyoung inflated his cheeks in an attempt to attract the the Thai’s attention.
God, he’s cute.
“Khun, are you blushing? And you didn’t even answer the question.”
Nichkhun widened his eyes and quickly his head in to the side. He’d been flushing so much in Wooyoung’s presence that he hadn’t even noticed he was doing it at the moment until the younger boy had pointed it out.
“Khun. I saw that. What are you thinking about? Tell meeee…”
The lilt in his voice was unmistakeable as Wooyoung latched on playfully to Nichkhun’s arm, trying to get a good look at the older boy’s face. Nichkhun turned away and went along with the younger boy’s antics, but Nichkhun was honestly trying to avoid Wooyoung from seeing his face. His face was heating up so fast he was sure his cheeks had gone from pink to scarlet red.
“Geez, Wooyoung, why are you so persistent?” Nichkhun teased.
“Cause you haven’t answered the question!”
“But you already know the answer!”
“I do?”
Nichkhun looked over and nodded, hoping that the darkness of the night was enough to hide the color on his face. Wooyoung paused to think, and realization slowly set in as he pressed his lips together and looked at the ground.
Finally, I’m not the only one blushing.
After an awkward silence, Nichkhun’s eyes suddenly flew open as he looked around. “Where we going?”
“Huh? I dunno, I was following you,” came the prompt response.
“Oh.” Nichkhun let out a qiuet laugh. “Let’s find somewhere to sit then.”
They found a dry bench overlooking a large pond and sat down. Neither said a word as they listened to the peaceful sounds of moving water and the crickets that chirped the night away.
If Junho was here right now, he’d be telling me off for not making a move. Nichkhun swallowed. So make a move.
“Willyougooutwithme?” were the words that tumbled out of his mouth.
“Hm?”
Nichkhun saw Wooyoung turn to him from the corner of his eye, but Nichkhun wasn’t sure if the younger boy had heard him. The Thai took a deep breath, summoning his courage and tried again. “I have feelings for you.” Nichkhun was staring straight ahead, but he chanced a glance over at the younger boy beside him.
There was something in Wooyoung’s smile as he replied, “I like you too.”
Nichkhun wasn’t sure why, since all signs pointed in that direction. Junho had made it clear to him how obvious both parties were but Nichkhun had still been nervous. But hearing Wooyoung’s answer made his heart skip a beat; he was beaming as he bit back the urge to grab Wooyoung in an embrace and never let go. It’d ruin the moment. I’ll have a chance to do that later, right?
“So… um… Will you go on a date with me?” Nichkhun asked hesitantly.
“I thought we were already on one.”
Wooyoung grinned sheepishly as he scooted over so that the sides of their arms and thighs were pressed against each other. The breeze brought in a draft of cold air, and Wooyoung turned to him.
“Do you wanna go home? Aren’t you cold?”
Despite the fact that his long-sleeve shirt was thin, and the night chilly, Nichkhun was anything but cold. His face was hot from all the blushing from before and the muscle beating in his chest sent waves of warmth to the rest of his body, not to mention Wooyoung’s body heat that radiated from his right side spreading throughout his whole being.
The full moon was out, its silver light illuminating the night sky. The moon was reflected onto the pond surface in front of them, surrounded by an array of bright dots representing the stars scattered above. They both shifted to a more relaxed position, Wooyoung’s head settling down on Nichkhun’s shoulder. Nichkhun could feel the boy’s steady breathing from beside him, the sensation relaxing him as he fell into rhythm.
Nichkhun liked this. He liked it a lot.
*
So an apology for anyone who thought I was putting this half with the other entry. I tried, but it was too big =T. Anyway...
Finally finished this chpt. I was initially going to cut it after Junho/Khun made up, but I figured since I made you guys wait so long I'd add some Khunyoung tidbit.. hopefully it was sufficient.
Next chapter should be the final chapter. Promise it'll be filled with the two pairs. Although I warn you, the update might/probably will take longer than this one did, since exams are rolling in. Aish.
Thanks for reading!
Previous Chapter - Next Chapter
Character/Pairing: KhunHo (friendship), KhunYoung, ChanHo
Rating: PG
Genre: Fluff (current chpt: some angst)
Summary: Nichkhun's day is made up of smiles, tears, pain, memories, chills... You name it.
Part 2 of 2
- 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5.0 - 5.5 - 6 -
Nichkhun watched the falling rain from his temporary shelter: two concrete walls facing each other connected by the roof which covered the two picnic tables that sat underneath. He hadn’t been too far away from the spot when the black clouds came storming in but he was still partially wet, his hair damp and part of his clothes now uncomfortably sticking to skin. He pulled on the wet patches and flapped them a little in an effort to dry them off.
He leaned back against the wall from his seat on the table, taking care not to bang his head against the concrete. His face was wet, but he couldn’t differentiate the feeling between his tears and the rain. His anger had boiled down a little bit, distracted by the elements that had forced him to find shelter. Nichkhun looked at the clouds as rain spilt from their gray cores.
You read my mind.
“So Khun, you’re up for tonight right? My place, 9 o’clock.”
It was more of an order than a question, but Nichkhun begrudgingly nodded nonetheless. He knew the drill: they’d hit the bar, or the club, and depending on the crowd, either find their way near a group of prospective girls or they’d hang out near the entrance, making sure Nichkhun was in full view. Soon enough, they’d catch the eye of their female counterparts and Nichkhun would lead the conversation into his buddies and somehow, he’d usually ended up going home early by himself, often turning down his own date. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew he was hanging with the wrong people, the wrong crowd. He wasn’t even sure why he kept up with this crap, but then, he preferred it over how he spent his time with his female friends.
He knew it was his looks but with the girls, they’d get too close, too fast. And all in all, in the end, he had to turn them down before he found himself in a relationship he didn’t want. And he hated it. It had happened too many times for coincidence - he didn't like breakng their hearts, because most of them had given them to him before he had even registered that they were interested.
“Aren’t you guys too young to be meeting girls at the bar?”
Nichkhun was brought back from his reverie and looked up from where he had been staring down a pebble on the ground. The boy in front of him had small eyes and a clever mouth that was made for smiling, something he wasn’t doing at the moment. His name was Junho and Nichkhun had seen him around before, but they never really talked. They had both taken guitar class together at the conservatory of music a long while back, before he switched to piano and Junho to percussion. They’d known of each others existence for years, but that was about it.
“What’s it to you?” Nichkhun’s friend demanded sharply, eyeing the newcomer with interest.
Junho shrugged. “Just thought you should act more your age.”
“People our age are smoking joints and having sex, and you’re saying we shouldn’t be going to a bar.”
“Well if you’re gonna be picking up girls, shouldn’t you be doing it yourself?” Junho replied unkindly. “Get a backbone,” he added, before turning and for a split second, Nichkhun wasn’t sure who that last comment had been directed to.
“Asshole,” his friend muttered as Junho walked off.
Nichkhun didn’t say anything. Something inside of him agreed with Junho, but he was too afraid to admit it.
“Shit you’re right, he’s a fairy…”
“But the girls dig that…”
“More like they’re just attracted by the fact that he’s effin pretty…”
A chuckle. “If I was drunk enough, I’d tap that…”
Nichkhun ignored the quiet exchange of words to his left as he tried focusing on the other people around him. As usual, his friend had brought even more friends, most of them older, and more age appropriate to be “bringing girls home”.
A sweep of the room left him surprised when he caught Junho amongst the crowd, talking with another guy.
Hypocrite. Nichkhun narrowed his eyes. He’s got the nerve to tell people they shouldn’t go to the bar when he goes himself. And if I’m not mistaken, I’m pretty sure I’m older than him too, he added to himself as an after thought.
Someone called his name, and Nichkhun tore his eyes off the younger boy. His buddy swung an arm around his shoulders, a grin plastered on his face as if they were the best of friends.
“So Khun, this is…”
Nichkhun tuned them out with an empty smile. Once again, he was introduced to his friend’s friends; following ritual, they would chat a little, and then he’d charm some group of girls into talking with them. That was how it always went. Tonight wouldn't be much different.
“Well that was fun,” his friend commented when most of the guys in their group had parted ways to continue their solo conversations with someone of their interest. Nichkhun merely nodded as he turned to leave; his job was done. He was tired and he wanted to go home, but he stopped short when he saw one of the guys from earlier slip a pill in the drink he was handing over to another girl. Nichkhun must have been staring because his friend turned in the same direction before letting out an exasperated sigh.
“Shit. I told him not to- Just ignore it, Khun.”
His friend was trying to turn him away from the scene, but Nichkhun couldn’t look away. It was one thing for the girl to voluntarily go with a guy, but drugging them? Nichkhun pulled away from his friend’s grasp, his feet automatically taking him towards the older boy.
“I got you a drink,” the male was saying as he twirled the cup lightly, handing it over to the girl in question.
“Don’t drink that.” Nichkhun found himself saying before he actually process the thought.
“Huh? Why not?” the girl asked, turning to him and looking at him under heavy make-upped eyelids.
The older male was glaring at him, making Nichkhun hesitate momentarily. “I think someone spiked it,” he answered in a small voice.
He said someone right? He didn’t specify, so there was no need to point fingers.
“Oh!” She gasped, dropping the drink back on the counter. She immediately backed away, turning to her group of friends in frightened whispers.
“Little shit!”
Nichkhun was harshly pushed backwards, his back colliding with the counter as he let out a small groan. The young man had grabbed a fist full of his shirt, his other hand gesturing wildly in annoyance.
“Don’t bruise his face!” his friend hollered from somewhere to his right, caught behind the crowd that had started to form around them.
Nichkhun struggled a bit but the firm grip the older male had on him was unwavering, the other both bigger and stronger than he was. The young man sneered just as another voice suddenly spoke up, “Back off.”
The man in front of him blatantly ignored the speaker. “I’ll make it so that you won’t ever be able to use that pretty face of yours-”
Before he could raise his fist the young man was roughly pushed aside, knocking a few chairs over as he tried to regain his balance.
“I told you to back off.”
Nichkhun stared in surprise as Junho stood in between them, bristling with anger.
“Who the hell are you?”
“Does it really matter?” Junho asked coolly.
A scoff was the man's reply before struck Junho in the face. Junho moved as if the older male had only tapped him lightly, swiftly tackling him and sending them both into the table behind them. Nichkhun watched in shock as they exchanged blows, the crowd surging around them from the excitement of a fight. He panicked as soon as he noticed the security guards trying to make their way over through the crowd.
Junho planted a well aimed push in the man’s face, sending him reeling into another table. Nichkhun took the opportunity to grab the younger male, pulling him away from the fight and towards the back exit.
“Let me-”
Junho struggled but Nichkhun put more force into it, successfully pushing him out the back door as the security guards arrived at the scene. Junho pulled himself out of Nichkhun’s grasp, taking in the fresh air to calm himself down as they walked down the alley. Nichkhun looked the younger boy over. His lip was cut, and he sported the beginnings of a black eye.
“Hey, are you alright-”
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Junho demanded, ignoring Nichkhun’s concerned expression. “Why don’t you ever stand up for yourself?”
Junho sounded mad, and Nichkhun could only think that it was because he didn’t help him during the fighting.
“I swear Nichkhun, you’re either way too trusting or-”
“You know my name?” Nichkhun interrupted, surprise clear in his voice.
Junho glared at him. “We took guitar together-”
“But that was a long time ago…” Nichkhun cut in once more as he trailed off.
“And how could I not notice you. You’re pretty enough to make any girl jealous,” Junho continued with a sigh. “Seriously, maybe you just have problems saying no, but if that was so, you’d have a gazillion girlfriends and would be sleeping with them like no tomorrow…”
“Hey. There is nothing wrong with being nice. And who the hell are you to judge, you hypocrite,” Nichkhun replied sourly.
He wasn’t sure if he was truly offended or not, but he didn’t like being insulted by someone he barely knew. Contrary to what he was going for, Junho was smiling at his remark, the blood on his lip still glistening in the moonlight.
“It’s nice to know you have a backbone,” he joked as they reached the main street. They stopped, and Junho leaned his head back on his shoulder to stare up at the night sky.
“You need proper friends,” he stated, still looking up at the stars.
“You don’t think I know that?” Nichkhun muttered sarcastically.
Junho finally looked back down, extending his hand. “Gimmie your phone.”
“Huh?”
“Phone,” he insisted and Nichkhun reluctantly complied, a bit too shocked to think over his movements.
Junho punched the keypad, and handed it back. “I’m Junho-”
“I know.”
Junho smirked as he slowly shook his head and turned around. “I better see you at school tomorrow!” he called out as he walked off.
Nichkhun gazed at his phone. Junho had keyed in his number. Nichkhun looked back up. Junho was already a streetlight away and turning a corner. Nichkhun looked back down at his phone and hit the send msg button. A few minutes later he received a reply.
“You’re welcome.”
“Khun.”
Nichkhun opened his eyes to solid concrete walls and the sound of rain. He shifted his gaze to his left. And there he was, a couple meters away, standing in the rain. Junho looked like he had gone swimming with his clothes on. He was drenched from head to toe, his normally straightened hair a mess of wet curls, his light blue shirt darkened and sticking to his body. Water bounced off his body, droplets dripping from his hair and off his eyelashes, his nose, his lips, his chin.
Nichkhun glared at him, almost daring him to move towards the shelter. The younger male didn’t budge, as if he was waiting for Nichkhun’s approval before approaching.
Nichkhun turned away.
Good, he thought almost selfishly. He should suffer. If he thinks I won’t fight for Wooyoung, he’s wrong. If he thinks Wooyoung’s gonna fall for some Rain look-a-like, he’s utterly mistaken.
Nichkhun’s train of thought was interrupted by muffled sound. He reluctantly looked back at over. The boy was looking away and covering his mouth with his hand, but he failed to suppress the following sounds, this time coughing outright.
Nichkhun cursed his sympathetic nature. Making a quick decision, he dashed out and grabbed Junho’s wrist before pulling them back under the small roof. Dropping his arm, Nichkhun slowly returned to his spot on the table and looked the boy over. He hadn’t noticed it before, but Junho was shivering.
Idiot.
“Take your shirt off before you get sick, if you haven’t already,” he instructed hollowly. Junho slowly obeyed, and as soon as he pulled the wet piece of fabric over his head a hoodie collided with his face. He fumbled with the article of clothing which was swiftly followed by another order. “Put it on.” Junho glanced up to find Nichkhun in a long sleeved shirt, an annoyed expression on his face.
Junho held Nichkhun’s hoodie in front of him, but didn’t move. “I’m sorry.”
“Save it,” Nichkhun replied bitterly.
“But you need to know what I’m sorry for,” Junho continued, his eyes on the older boy.
“I don’t wanna hear it.”
“Khun will you-”
“Shuddup Junho. I told you I-”
“Goddamnit Nichkhun, will you just listen to me?” Junho demanded in frustration.
Nichkhun looked at him angrily and he saw the younger boy shut his eyes and exhale, water dripping from the ends of his wet locks. Goosebumps prickled up the boy’s arm, and Nichkhun bit his lower lip.
“Put it on.”
“What?” Obviously surprised by the turn in the conversation, Junho opened his eyes.
Nichkhun nodded at his hoodie still in Junho’s hands. “Put it on,” he repeated.
Junho paused but obliged, swinging it over his shoulders and zipping up to cover his bare chest. “Now will you listen?”
Nichkhun didn’t answer, which seemed to be a good enough answer for Junho.
“I’m sorry for what I said, but not for what I did. Cause I didn’t do anything.” Nichkhun’s response was a frosted glare, but Junho continued,“Wooyoung and I didn’t kiss. I fell off my chair, and he tripped over his bag.”
“And I’m supposed to believe that.”
“Yes.”
Nichkhun’s hand absently tapped the top of the table. “So explain why Wooyoung was so flushed right after?”
“He was- what?” Junho narrowed his eyes. “Why would he… Oh…” he trailed off, smirking as realization set in. “We were talking about you right before he left.”
Nichkhun clenched his teeth as the familiar feeling of warmth touched his cheeks. He directed his gaze elsewhere, slightly embarrassed at the answer. “You were with him before we all met up.” It was a blunt statement. Nichkhun turned in time to see Junho looking down at his feet. Caught you.
“I visited his work cause…” Junho hesitated. “I like Chansung,” he blurted out.
Nichkhun looked the younger boy over. Junho’s face was going red, counter acting the tint of blue that had been on his lips from the cold. Nichkhun exhaled loud enough for Junho to understand that he should continue. His friend got the hint.
“I wanted to run into him, and since he visits Wooyoung when he gets off work, I figured…” Junho shrugged his shoulders and Nichkhun thought he picked up a underlying wave of embarassment.
“You said it was complicated.”
“It was complicated. I didn’t know if I actually liked him or not...” An unexpected grin took over Junho’s face.
Nichkhun narrowed his eyes. “What?”
“You being so specific. At least it tells me you’re actually listening when I talk.”
Nichkhun opened his mouth in mock offence. “You think I don’t listen?” Junho pressed his lips together, but he was still smirking. “Psh, Unlike you, I’m a good friend,” Nichkhun said sarcastically.
Junho just laughed. “Yeah… Khunnie?” Nichkhun looked up at the rare mention of his name. “You’re really slow.”
Nichkhun made a face in response.
“Seriously. You both are. If I hadn’t seen it for myself, I wouldn’t have believed that anyone could match the amount of blushing you do in Wooyoung’s presence in one day, but he can. When Wooyoung makes a cute expression, or any expression for that matter, the corner of your lip always twitches upwards. Whenever Wooyoung thinks you’re not looking, or when you’re not actually looking, his eyes are on you. You both walk as close to each other as normal friend space will allow. Whenever you guys accidentally touch, you blush like mad. When we,” Here, Junho pointed rapidly between himself and Nichkhun. “…get too friendly, Wooyoung gets jealous. And I honestly have no idea why neither of you has made a move yet.”
This time, Nichkhun’s opened mouth was unintentional.
Junho crossed his arms across his chest and looked outside at the dwindling rain. “I like Wooyoung,” he commented offhandedly.
Nichkhun shot him a look, but the younger boy was still staring elsewhere.
“He’s cute. He’s friendly and witty. Not to mention he can really move to the music.” Junho finally looked over at his best friend, flashing Nichkhun his trademark eye-smile. “I approve.”
~
Nichkhun and Junho were walking side-by-side along paved pathway, the dark grey color of the asphalt from the recent downpour. The rain itself had stopped and the clouds had parted way to reveal the remnants of the setting sun. The evening air was getting chilly, but Nichkhun’s long sleeve shirt was good enough to keep him warm. He looked over at his best friend in slight concern. Junho’s coughing had definitely lessened, but it hadn’t disappeared.
“Khun,” the boy spoke up cheekily as he caught the older staring, “buy me a drink?”
“I already apologized, and I still feel bad. But that doesn’t mean I’m gonna do you any favors.”
Junho pushed his wet hair out of his eyes and gestured to his whole body. “I look like I decided to take a shower in my clothes. And no, just because I’m wearing your hoodie doesn’t change the fact that I’m still soaking wet.” They stopped by a convenience store and Junho looked over again, eyes bright. “Please?”
They were fully aware that they had stopped in front of Wooyoung’s workplace, but they both knew the latter didn’t have an evening shift.
“Fine,” the Thai conceded in amusement.
Nichkhun heard the chime as soon as he pushed the door open. A bleary-eyed employee looked up at him as he walked in before looking back down to continue reading his paper splayed out on the counter. Nichkhun passed him and headed to the back to search the fridge full of drinks before calling over to the older man.
“Do you have anymore Aloe drinks?”
The man looked up but before he could answer, a head popped out from behind the Employees Only door.
“Khun?”
“Wooyoung!”
A smile found his lips as he commented, “I thought I recognized your voice.” Wooyoung moved from behind the door and walked around the counter towards the older boy. “What are you doing here?”
Nichkhun hesitated at the thought; Junho. He couldn’t help but smile to himself before replying, “I was gonna get a drink-”
“Bubble tea not enough for you?”
Nichkhun felt heat rise in his cheeks just as his phone beeped in his pocket.
Going home. Will return your hoodie later =D
Nichkhun wasn’t even surprised. He pocketed his phone and looked up.
“You’re not working are you?” he asked almost on impulse.
Wooyoung shook his head. “Just here to check my schedule and a few other things. Do you need to be somewhere?” It was the Thai’s turn to shake his head. “Cool. Gimmie a sec? I’ll be out in a minute.”
Wooyoung gave him a quick smile before disappearing behind the door. Not long after, he emerged with a piece of paper in hand, folding it and shoving it in his back pocket as he made his way back over. As Wooyoung led him to the front door, he abruptly turned around and Nichkhun bumped into him in surprise.
“Oh sorry. Did you buy a drink? I completely forgot-”
Nichkhun chuckled quietly. “Don’t worry about it.”
They stepped outside and the cold air made the hairs on the back of Nichkhun’s neck stand on end. He shoved his hands in his pockets, silently blaming Junho for getting sick and taking his hoodie.
“Today was fun,” Wooyoung commented casually, breaking the silence.
Nichkhun recalled the roller coaster ride of events that had happened during his day. Depends how you define fun, he thought, but Nichkhun kept it to himself and chose to nod instead.
“It was fun. I didn’t know you liked chicken so much.”
“Chicken’s really good for you,” Wooyoung replied, mock serious.
Nichkhun laughed. “I believe you.”
Wooyoung responded with a bright smile.
God, that smile.
“Hey, I just realized you never really answered Junho’s question.”
Nichkhun blinked. “Huh?”
“What makes you blush? Khun, are you even listening?” Wooyoung inflated his cheeks in an attempt to attract the the Thai’s attention.
God, he’s cute.
“Khun, are you blushing? And you didn’t even answer the question.”
Nichkhun widened his eyes and quickly his head in to the side. He’d been flushing so much in Wooyoung’s presence that he hadn’t even noticed he was doing it at the moment until the younger boy had pointed it out.
“Khun. I saw that. What are you thinking about? Tell meeee…”
The lilt in his voice was unmistakeable as Wooyoung latched on playfully to Nichkhun’s arm, trying to get a good look at the older boy’s face. Nichkhun turned away and went along with the younger boy’s antics, but Nichkhun was honestly trying to avoid Wooyoung from seeing his face. His face was heating up so fast he was sure his cheeks had gone from pink to scarlet red.
“Geez, Wooyoung, why are you so persistent?” Nichkhun teased.
“Cause you haven’t answered the question!”
“But you already know the answer!”
“I do?”
Nichkhun looked over and nodded, hoping that the darkness of the night was enough to hide the color on his face. Wooyoung paused to think, and realization slowly set in as he pressed his lips together and looked at the ground.
Finally, I’m not the only one blushing.
After an awkward silence, Nichkhun’s eyes suddenly flew open as he looked around. “Where we going?”
“Huh? I dunno, I was following you,” came the prompt response.
“Oh.” Nichkhun let out a qiuet laugh. “Let’s find somewhere to sit then.”
They found a dry bench overlooking a large pond and sat down. Neither said a word as they listened to the peaceful sounds of moving water and the crickets that chirped the night away.
If Junho was here right now, he’d be telling me off for not making a move. Nichkhun swallowed. So make a move.
“Willyougooutwithme?” were the words that tumbled out of his mouth.
“Hm?”
Nichkhun saw Wooyoung turn to him from the corner of his eye, but Nichkhun wasn’t sure if the younger boy had heard him. The Thai took a deep breath, summoning his courage and tried again. “I have feelings for you.” Nichkhun was staring straight ahead, but he chanced a glance over at the younger boy beside him.
There was something in Wooyoung’s smile as he replied, “I like you too.”
Nichkhun wasn’t sure why, since all signs pointed in that direction. Junho had made it clear to him how obvious both parties were but Nichkhun had still been nervous. But hearing Wooyoung’s answer made his heart skip a beat; he was beaming as he bit back the urge to grab Wooyoung in an embrace and never let go. It’d ruin the moment. I’ll have a chance to do that later, right?
“So… um… Will you go on a date with me?” Nichkhun asked hesitantly.
“I thought we were already on one.”
Wooyoung grinned sheepishly as he scooted over so that the sides of their arms and thighs were pressed against each other. The breeze brought in a draft of cold air, and Wooyoung turned to him.
“Do you wanna go home? Aren’t you cold?”
Despite the fact that his long-sleeve shirt was thin, and the night chilly, Nichkhun was anything but cold. His face was hot from all the blushing from before and the muscle beating in his chest sent waves of warmth to the rest of his body, not to mention Wooyoung’s body heat that radiated from his right side spreading throughout his whole being.
The full moon was out, its silver light illuminating the night sky. The moon was reflected onto the pond surface in front of them, surrounded by an array of bright dots representing the stars scattered above. They both shifted to a more relaxed position, Wooyoung’s head settling down on Nichkhun’s shoulder. Nichkhun could feel the boy’s steady breathing from beside him, the sensation relaxing him as he fell into rhythm.
Nichkhun liked this. He liked it a lot.
*
So an apology for anyone who thought I was putting this half with the other entry. I tried, but it was too big =T. Anyway...
Finally finished this chpt. I was initially going to cut it after Junho/Khun made up, but I figured since I made you guys wait so long I'd add some Khunyoung tidbit.. hopefully it was sufficient.
Next chapter should be the final chapter. Promise it'll be filled with the two pairs. Although I warn you, the update might/probably will take longer than this one did, since exams are rolling in. Aish.
Thanks for reading!
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