Sweet and Sour, Socks and Flour
Title: Sweet and Sour, Socks and Flour
Pairing: Eunhae
Rating: PG
Genre: Fluff and other stuff
Summary: In a moment of pain, Donghae finds kindness in a boy with an unfamiliar face.
A/N: Inspired by the story of a peanut.
-
Soccer Club
Will meet at the field next to the park at three in the afternoon on Saturdays.
Come this Saturday to try out!
Donghae looks up at the field before he wads the flier into a ball and tosses it in a nearby trash can. After his high school had cut the soccer program due to a lack of funding, he and many others have been desperate to find a way to play. A few students had gotten together and decided to form their own club to keep from experiencing soccer withdrawals. Wanting nothing more than to play soccer during his last year in high school, Donghae is eager to join.
There are already a few boys stretching on the field and talking amongst themselves. Donghae recognizes some of them but doesn't remember seeing most. The friends Donghae had made on the soccer team during previous years have already graduated. Taking a deep breath, Donghae decides to join the boys on the field and hopefully find new friends in them. He introduces himself and can barely tell what name belongs to who when the boys introduce themselves. Deciding to put off friendship for the time being, he starts to stretch as well.
After a few more boys show up, they begin to pick teams. Donghae is chosen relatively early and happily takes his place on his team. Once the teams are chosen, a match begins. Donghae follows the ball as soon as it's kicked and, within only a matter of seconds, he finds himself flat on his back, looking up at the sky while his face throbs with pain.
“Are you okay?!” several concerned voices ask.
Donghae tries to respond that he's okay because he can't imagine why he wouldn't be but he realizes that he's not okay when his mouth doesn't even seem to work. He blinks a few times and then the pain really hits him. He's pretty sure his nose is on fire and when he reaches up to touch it, his fingers come away with blood on them.
After helping Donghae to the sidelines, the boys return to their game and ignore him entirely. Once Donghae regains his senses, he thinks that he should probably try to stop the blood that's still coming out of his nose. Afraid to wander back onto the field and ask if anyone has tissues, he grabs a leaf off of the ground and winces as he tries to wipe away blood with it. He wipes his fingers with another leaf and manages to send a text to his parents, asking to be picked up.
Just when he feels like he's about to pass out from pain, something is being dangled in his face. He looks up to discover that the something is a sock. The sock is attached to slim fingers on a hand that's attached to a muscular arm that's attached to a handsome and subtly concerned boy.
“For your nose,” the boy says, clearly offering the sock to Donghae.
“I don't want to ruin it,” Donghae replies.
“It's just a sock.” The boy pauses before sitting down next to Donghae. “I have lots of others. And this one isn't dirty, I promise.”
Donghae considers the sock before gently taking it from the boy and beginning to clean his face.
“Thank you,” he says quietly.
“No problem.” The boy smiles a little. “I'm Hyukjae, by the way.”
“Donghae,” Donghae says, glancing at Hyukjae's smile before quickly averting his eyes. “You... were you on the soccer team last year?”
“Nope.” Hyukjae shakes his head. “I just moved here this year. I was bummed to hear there was no soccer team, so... I came here.”
Donghae nods in understanding. “We've always had a soccer team until now. They cut it this year because of money issues.”
“That sucks,” Hyukjae responds. “Are you a senior?”
“Yeah.”
“Then it must really suck not being able to play during your last year.”
“Not really...” Donghae shrugs. “It was fun before because I had a lot of friends on the team. They've all graduated now.” Donghae looks to the boys still playing on the field. “None of these guys are my friends.”
“Clearly,” Hyukjae says, looking at the bloody sock still pressed to Donghae's nose.
Donghae smiles at that. He avoids looking at Hyukjae, embarrassed to know he's being looked at. He would gladly look back if it weren't for the bloody nose he's currently sporting.
“Donghae!”
Donghae looks up to see his father's car parked near the soccer field. Both his mother and father are inside and his younger brother is in the backseat, sticking his body out the window to wave at Donghae. Donghae stands and Hyukjae does as well.
“I've gotta go,” Donghae says. He awkwardly holds the bloody sock out to Hyukjae.
“You can keep it.” Hyukjae stifles a laugh.
“Right.” Donghae stifles an embarrassed wail. “Thanks for the sock.”
“No problem.”
Donghae quickly turns after that and runs to his father's car where he's greeted by concern and immediate discussion of directions to the hospital. Donghae sits in the backseat, ignoring his little brother's questions about his nose and his parents frantic talking. He only wonders if he might see Hyukjae again.
-
“It's not broken, just a little bruised,” Donghae informs his friend, Sungmin, over the phone.
“I bet it looks gross,” Sungmin responds. “Send me a picture.”
“You can see it at school on Monday.” The subject of school makes Donghae curious about something. “Hey, do you by any chance know a new kid named Hyukjae?”
“Hyukjae? He's in book club with me. Why?”
“Oh, I just... need to return something to him. Do you have his number?”
“I have his number and his address,” Sungmin says, “but I'm not giving them to you.”
“Why not?” Donghae whines.
“Because I'd be violating the book club's confidentiality. Plus you probably only want his number 'cause you think he's hot but you're too scared to ask him.”
“That's not true,” Donghae mumbles, “I really have something to return to him.”
“What is it?”
Donghae pauses. “A sock...” he says.
“Why do you have his sock?”
“Well... he... he gave it to me to stop my bloody nose.”
Sungmin goes silent to process this information before responding.
“You are not going to give him a bloody sock, do you hear me? You are going to go out and buy him a nice new pair.”
“I was planning to!” Donghae screeches. “I just... didn't want to tell you.”
“Because you thought that I would think that you like him?” There's an obvious smile in Sungmin's voice.
“Just give me the damn address.”
-
Other than his partially bruised nose, Donghae is perfectly confident in his appearance. Still, he approaches Hyukjae's house with anxiousness and a pair of socks. He knocks on the front door and takes a step back, listening nervously to the sound of footsteps approaching. Hyukjae answers the door looking completely surprised.
“What are you doing here?” Hyukjae asks.
Suddenly realizing that he might seem crazy, Donghae panics ever so slightly. “I um... wanted to thank you for yesterday. I was messed up and kind of had to run off since I was... well, bleeding from my nose and I didn't get to thank you properly.”
Hyukjae's reaction to Donghae's explanation is a blank stare. In the absence of words, Donghae holds the socks out to Hyukjae.
“I brought you socks.”
“I see that,” Hyukjae says. “So, um, are you... stalking me?”
“No!” Donghae protests immediately. “I just really wanted to repay you but I didn't even know who you were but then I managed to get your address from Sungmin and I should just leave, shouldn't I?”
Donghae starts to walk away without waiting for an answer.
“Wait!” Hyukjae shouts, jogging after Donghae. Donghae stops and turns to him. “If Sungmin gave you my address then... it's okay.”
“Really? Because he said something about violating confidentiality and it sounded kind of serious.”
“It's fine.” Hyukjae smiles but then tilts his head. “But Sungmin wouldn't do that without a really good reason. What did you tell him?”
“Just... that I needed to repay you,” Donghae responds, sending a nervous smile back.
Hyukjae looks at the socks in Donghae's hand and reaches for them. Donghae quickly lets them go. Hyukjae brushes his fingers over them and then looks back at Donghae.
“Do you want to come in?”
-
Although his initial fear has calmed, sitting in Hyukjae's kitchen while Hyukjae pours him a glass of pink lemonade is keeping Donghae's nerves on edge.
“My mom loves making all kinds of fruit and vegetable juices,” Hyukjae explains as he passes the glass to Donghae.
“That's pretty neat,” Donghae replies. “My mom never makes anything. My dad is the one who does all of the cooking and stuff.” He takes a drink of the sweet lemonade and smiles at Hyukjae in approval. Hyukjae smiles back.
While Donghae takes another drink, Hyukjae starts trying on his new socks. He opens the package and pulls one on, holding his leg out and wiggling his toes.
“They fit perfectly,” Hyukjae says. “But you know... you really didn't have to do this. It was just a sock.”
Donghae looks down at his drink to avoid Hyukjae's eyes. “It's more than just a sock. You helped me out while everyone else ignored me. I guess... I'm repaying you for your kindness more than your sock.”
Hyukjae doesn't say anything and Donghae is afraid to look up. When he finally does look up, Hyukjae is staring at him.
“Makes sense,” Hyukjae finally says with a smile.
Donghae returns a relieved smile this time. He hears the buzzing of a phone and watches Hyukjae reach into a pocket to pull out a phone. Hyukjae grins as he reads a text and Donghae looks at him curiously.
“My mom is on her way,” Hyukjae explains. “She says she's bringing me food.”
“She sounds cool,” Donghae says and Hyukjae nods. “I guess I should probably get going. I don't want to get in the way of you and your food.”
They both stand and Hyukjae walks Donghae to the door.
“Thanks for the socks,” Hyukjae says as Donghae stands just outside his door.
“Thanks for the kindness,” Donghae responds. They both grin before Donghae walks away and tries his hardest not to look back.
-
Donghae keeps an eye out for Hyukjae during school. He lingers in the hallways between classes, peering through crowds of peers to try and catch a glimpse. After the school day is over, Donghae admits defeat. He and Hyukjae don't cross paths at all during an average school day.
When Donghae arrives home, he calls Sungmin.
“Is Hyukjae in any of your classes?” Donghae asks.
“Why do you wanna know?” Sungmin questions back.
“Well, he's not in any of my classes so I was just kind of... wondering where he is during the day.”
“Why do you wanna know?” Sungmin repeats his question.
“I'm just curious!” Donghae sighs. “There's no particular reason, really.”
“You know, you could just ask him if you're really that curious.”
“How am I supposed to do that? I know where he lives but it would be creepy to show up at his door again. I don't have his number and we're not in any classes together... it's like I'll never see him again.”
“You are so dramatic. You'll see him again. Trust me.”
“But... how?”
“Just be patient, Donghae. I've gotta go.”
“But-”
The line goes dead. Donghae frowns at his phone and then heaves a sigh. He doesn't want to be patient, but he doesn't have any other choice.
-
Donghae is eating his lunch the next day, lost on his own thoughts, when he feels a tap on his shoulder. He turns his head and looks up to see Hyukjae smiling at him.
“Turns out we have the same lunch period,” Hyukjae says. “Is this seat taken?”
“Oh, um, no, it's not taken. You can have it.” Donghae scoots over just slightly to make room for Hyukjae at the lunch table.
“Thanks.” Hyukjae sits down, placing his lunch tray in front of him.
Donghae is too busy staring at Hyukjae to remember that there's lunch in front of him. When Hyukjae takes a bite of a sandwich, Donghae finally blinks.
“So... how come we've never crossed paths in here?” Donghae asks, taking a bite of his food as well.
“Big cafeteria, I guess.” Hyukjae shrugs.
Donghae nods. “I never really see you around the rest of the school... are you sure you go here?”
Hyukjae nearly chokes on his drink but manages to swallow it before speaking.
“Yes, I'm sure.” He narrows his eyes at Donghae. “You know, I haven't seen you around here either... are you sure you go to this school?”
“Hey, you're the new kid here,” Donghae says, “you don't get to ask questions.”
“Oh, I see how it is.” Hyukjae turns to his food but it's obvious that he's smiling. Donghae is, too.
They spend their lunch period figuring out that their classes all happen to be on opposite sides of the building and they never take paths that cross. They actually take some of the same courses at different times of the day. When the bell rings to signal the end of their lunch, they're still talking together, ignoring the crowd of kids around them.
“I'm assuming you're not gonna stick with soccer club,” Hyukjae says, staring straight at Donghae's nose.
“Good assumption,” Donghae mumbles back.
“Then maybe you can come over sometime and we can play soccer in my backyard. I promise I won't kick too high.”
Donghae grips the strap of his backpack and contains most of his smile. “That'd be fun,” he says. “Should we... exchange numbers? You know, so we can figure out a time to meet?”
“Sure,” Hyukjae responds eagerly.
They exchange phone numbers and quickly dart away to make it to their next classes. Donghae hardly realizes that he doesn't stop smiling for the rest of the day.
-
Donghae isn't as nervous during his second visit to Hyukjae's house as he was during the first. This time, he's not carrying socks and he's actually been invited. An afternoon spent playing soccer with Hyukjae is an ideal afternoon in Donghae's eyes, despite Hyukjae's teasing.
“I guess I should probably take it easy on you... since you're injured and all.”
“Go ahead,” Donghae replies, “you'll lose no matter what.”
“We'll see about that.”
Donghae really hopes that Hyukjae isn't taking it easy on him because he loses their first match. During the second match, determination drives him until he wins. After a full day of school, two matches are enough to tire them. They retreat to Hyukjae's kitchen where Hyukjae pours them each a glass of fruit juice. Donghae isn't sure what's in it but it's so delicious and refreshing that he downs the entire glass in an instant.
They discuss soccer and school and Hyukjae's previous place of residence. Hyukjae isn't sad about having to move. He still keeps in touch with his old friends and likes where he is now. Further into their discussion, Hyukjae's mother comes home and introduces herself to Donghae. She's cool, just as Donghae had thought.
When Donghae finally has to leave, he's reluctant. Still, he leaves happily, knowing that he'll see Hyukjae again soon.
-
“That was such a cheap shot!” Hyukjae shrieks.
“There's no such thing as a cheap shot!” Donghae retorts. “You're just bad at this game!”
After Donghae wins another round of the game they're playing, Hyukjae throws down his controller.
“Rage quitter.” Donghae coughs to mask his words.
“Shut up,” Hyukjae shoots back. “I'm still better at soccer than you.”
Donghae does shut up after that. After playing soccer together during every weekday, Donghae had suggested playing video games at his house for a change of pace. Although he doesn't always lose soccer matches against Hyukjae, winning constantly in video games makes him feel more equal.
“Donghae?” Donghae's mother peeks around the corner. “Oh, hi, Hyukjae. Have you two done your homework yet?”
“Mom,” Donghae whines, “we have plenty of time to finish it.”
“And if you do it now, you'll have plenty of time to play your video games later.”
“You just want the TV so you can watch that show you like,” Donghae accuses.
“And if you don't let me watch it, I'll double your chores for next weekend.”
It doesn't take long for Donghae to drag Hyukjae out of the living room and pull him to his bedroom. When he reaches the door, he suddenly feels nervous, wondering what Hyukjae will think of his room.
“Sorry about my mom,” he says, stepping inside and closing the door behind Hyukjae, “she watches some daily drama show.”
Hyukjae doesn't say anything and Donghae looks at him, noticing an enormous grin on his face.
“Your mom knew my name,” Hyukjae says. “She's never met me before.”
“So?” Donghae says, straightening his already neat desk.
“Sooo,” Hyukjae teases, plopping onto Donghae's bed, “do you talk about me a lot?”
“No!” Donghae immediately defends. He turns away and mumbles. “I told her a friend named Hyukjae would be coming over today. She must have remembered.”
“Oh,” Hyukjae says, still clearly amused. He lies down on Donghae's bed, crossing his arms behind his head. “My mistake.”
Donghae stays turned away, pretending to gather his homework when he's really waiting for the blush on his cheeks to fade. He does talk about Hyukjae a lot. He even shows his mother and father pictures of Hyukjae while he blabs on about how good he is at soccer and how nice he is.
He isn't sure if the blush is gone yet but if it's not, Hyukjae certainly doesn't say anything about it. While they sit together on Donghae's bed and try to finish their homework, Donghae is pretty sure the constant smile on Hyukjae's face is just a part of his imagination.
-
Monday comes again and another inevitable week of school begins. School isn't so bad for Donghae when he knows that he can see Hyukjae at lunch and hang out with him at the end of the day. However, during lunch on this particular Monday, Donghae feels something strange.
A drop of hot, melted cheese from Hyukjae's pizza drops onto Hyukjae's thigh. Knowing it will burn, Donghae instinctively grabs a napkin and wipes the cheese from Hyukjae's thigh.
“Thanks,” is Hyukjae's simple response before he continues eating.
Donghae feels like his hand is on fire. Hyukjae's thigh is firm but soft and suddenly Donghae remembers the time Hyukjae's soccer shorts had risen just enough to expose his thigh muscles. It's a moment that was previously insignificant but suddenly very clear in Donghae's mind.
“You okay?” Hyukjae asks, licking a bit of sauce from his hand before looking at Donghae.
“Y-yeah,” Donghae manages, trying to pretend he hadn't just stared at Hyukjae's tongue. “I'm good.”
It hits Donghae then, like a sweet bolt of lightning, that he is possibly very sexually attracted to Hyukjae. He struggles through the rest of the school day, telling himself that he must be mistaken. It takes several class periods but Donghae admits the truth to himself.
Donghae is attracted to Hyukjae; he's known that since the day they first met. It was Hyukjae's kindness that pulled him in. Hyukjae's cheery demeanor and charming looks only added to that. It was only a matter of time before Donghae's hormones kicked in and now they finally have. He admits to himself that he is attracted to Hyukjae, possibly in every way there is to be attracted to a person. But as he meets Hyukjae after school and they walk to Hyukjae's house together, he buries that attraction. He buries it in the same way he's been burying it since day one.
-
Tuesday is a rainy day. It's the first day that the boys decide to go to Donghae's house after a school day.
“We could still play soccer in the rain,” Hyukjae suggests although he looks quite comfy sitting on Donghae's kitchen counter.
“I'd rather not,” Donghae replies. He's making his way around the kitchen, looking for something to eat, when he finds a note from his father. “Great,” he grumbles after he reads it.
“What?” Hyukjae asks, hopping off the counter and snatching the note from Donghae's hands. “He needs you to bake muffins for your little brother's bake sale? What's so bad about that?”
Donghae takes the note back and tosses it in the trash. “It's not,” he says, already gathering ingredients and utensils.
“Then why are you acting like you hate it?” Hyukjae presses.
Donghae ignores the question while he lays all of the ingredients out and prepares the muffin tray. Then he glances at Hyukjae who is still waiting for an answer.
“It's just... embarrassing, I guess.” Donghae preheats the oven and starts to mix while Hyukjae takes a few steps closer.
“I don't mind it.”
Donghae smiles and keeps mixing. “It's not about you. It's mostly about... my dad.”
“What?” Hyukjae questions. “Does he want you to open a bakery or something?”
“No.” Donghae laughs. “He just... he wants me to cook because he thinks that's how I'll... meet the girl of my dreams. That's how he met my mom and... won her over, I guess. He wants me to know how to cook so that I can 'impress the ladies.'”
“Girl of your dreams, huh?” Hyukjae sounds distant and it makes Donghae want to cringe.
“Yeah,” Donghae responds, quickly mixing and depositing the batter into the muffin tray, “pretty crazy, right?”
“Not really,” Hyukjae says. “I mean, it could happen. It happened with your parents, right? It could happen again.”
Donghae doesn't say anything. He finishes filling the tray and puts it in the oven. When he finally looks at Hyukjae, Hyukjae isn't looking back at him.
“Do you wanna play a game or something while they bake?” Donghae asks.
Hyukjae stays quiet, staring off into space. Donghae is about to ask again but he gets a better idea. He dips the tip of his finger and flour and presses it against Hyukjae's cheek. Hyukjae blinks and rubs the flour off with his sleeve.
“Hey,” he whines, “what'd you do that for?”
“You were ignoring me,” Donghae replies.
“Sorry,” Hyukjae says sheepishly, “I didn't mean to.”
“It's okay,” Donghae assures. “Now, do you wanna play a game or not?”
Instead of answering, Hyukjae stares at Donghae instead. Donghae is about to reach for the flour again but Hyukjae speaks.
“Can I talk to you about something instead?”
Hyukjae sounds serious. Donghae swallows to try and ease his suddenly tight throat.
“Sure,” he says quietly.
Hyukjae stares again. Then he takes a step closer, lessening the distance between himself and Donghae and making Donghae's heart pound.
“I... think... you're cute.”
It's a shy, simple statement that makes Donghae's eyebrows furrow. He doesn't have time to question it, however, because Hyukjae follows it up with a peck to Donghae's lips. Donghae's heart pounds harder. His eyes widen and he stares at Hyukjae who takes a step back.
“You should... say something,” Hyukjae suggests, expression filled with worry.
“I don't know what to say,” Donghae quietly responds. The worry on Hyukjae's face grows. He takes another step back.
“I... I'm sorry, I shouldn't have... I'm sorry, Donghae.” Hyukjae turns and runs to the front door. Donghae hears it open and close but he stays rooted in place, not only void of words but of thought and actions as well.
When Donghae can finally function again, he runs to the window. Hyukjae is nowhere in sight. He reaches for his phone, debating whether he should call Hyukjae or not. He decides against it and calls Sungmin instead.
“Hello?”
“He kissed me.”
“He... wh- Donghae, what?!”
“He kissed me. And then he ran. And I... what do I do?!”
“I really don't understand what he sees in you. Um, I dunno, maybe run after him?!”
“But he... what if he didn't mean it?!”
“Didn't... mean to kiss you? Donghae, unless he fell on you and your lips accidentally touched, I'm pretty sure he meant it.”
“Then... why did he run away?”
“Well, did you kiss him back?”
“No...”
“Then he thought you rejected him!”
“What?! There's no way... he doesn't... he doesn't like me that way. It had to have been a mistake.”
“A mistake?!” Sungmin sounds exasperated. “Donghae, Hyukjae likes you. I know he does, okay? Now will you please run after him?”
“How do you know?” Donghae asks, still peering out into the rain. “Did he tell you?”
“No...” Sungmin sighs. “Look, Hyukjae didn't just happen to have the same lunch period as you. He switched his schedule around so that you guys would have lunch at the same time. He did it just so he could talk to you.”
Donghae's jaw drops. He hadn't even considered that. He'd never even considered the possibility that Hyukjae might be attracted to him. Donghae realizes that if what Sungmin is saying is true, Hyukjae could have felt the same way all along.
“I've gotta go.”
“Good boy.”
Donghae hangs up the phone. He runs to the oven and turns it off before sprinting out the door and into the rain. His house isn't far from Hyukjae's so he runs in its direction, grinning more with every splash his feet make against the sidewalk. By the time he reaches Hyukjae's door, he's entirely drenched but he doesn't care. He pounds on the door with his fist relentlessly, not caring if Hyukjae's parents are home.
It's Hyukjae that eventually answers the door, eyes wide with confusion and fear. Donghae plans to wash that fear away. He leans forward, tilting his head and quickly kissing Hyukjae. He pulls back to find that the fear is gone but the confusion is still there.
“I...” Donghae starts, “I'm sorry I didn't say anything. But... what I should have said was... I... I think you're cute, too. I thought you were cute from the first time I met you.”
Hyukjae slowly smiles. He steps forward and kisses Donghae again, this time leaving their lips a little more time to enjoy each other. Donghae smiles and pulls Hyukjae against his wet body, making Hyukjae shriek before laughing.
“You're soaking wet!” Hyukjae accuses, not making any move to push Donghae away.
“Worth it,” Donghae responds, nudging his nose against Hyukjae's. Hyukjae's responding smile is shy.
“I didn't think you liked me,” Hyukjae mumbles. “I thought I'd just ruined our friendship.”
“I think you just made our friendship way better.”
Hyukjae laughs and they eagerly kiss again. After a few more pecks and giggles, Donghae pulls Hyukjae away from the door just so they can kiss in the rain.
-
Donghae sloshes through his front door and closes it behind him.
“Donghae? Donghae, is that you?” Donghae's father shouts from the kitchen. “Donghae, these muffins are awful! They're not even baked!”
Donghae walks into the kitchen, still drenched and with a stupidly wide grin on his face. He looks at his father who stares back at him in bewilderment.
“That's because I had a boy to kiss.”
Not giving his father any context for that statement, Donghae walks upstairs. He'll happily explain everything to his father later but for now, he wants to bask in the fresh memories of his first kisses with his new boyfriend. As he takes off his wet clothes and listens to his father clattering around in the kitchen, he thinks that there might be a few recipes he'd like to learn - not for the girl of his dreams, but for the boy who stole his heart.
-
A/N: I know this fic isn't exactly deep and it's rather brief but... it has its moments, right? :3 This is just a short one shot I had to write but I have a long fic coming soon (hopefully)~!
Pairing: Eunhae
Rating: PG
Genre: Fluff and other stuff
Summary: In a moment of pain, Donghae finds kindness in a boy with an unfamiliar face.
A/N: Inspired by the story of a peanut.
-
Soccer Club
Will meet at the field next to the park at three in the afternoon on Saturdays.
Come this Saturday to try out!
Donghae looks up at the field before he wads the flier into a ball and tosses it in a nearby trash can. After his high school had cut the soccer program due to a lack of funding, he and many others have been desperate to find a way to play. A few students had gotten together and decided to form their own club to keep from experiencing soccer withdrawals. Wanting nothing more than to play soccer during his last year in high school, Donghae is eager to join.
There are already a few boys stretching on the field and talking amongst themselves. Donghae recognizes some of them but doesn't remember seeing most. The friends Donghae had made on the soccer team during previous years have already graduated. Taking a deep breath, Donghae decides to join the boys on the field and hopefully find new friends in them. He introduces himself and can barely tell what name belongs to who when the boys introduce themselves. Deciding to put off friendship for the time being, he starts to stretch as well.
After a few more boys show up, they begin to pick teams. Donghae is chosen relatively early and happily takes his place on his team. Once the teams are chosen, a match begins. Donghae follows the ball as soon as it's kicked and, within only a matter of seconds, he finds himself flat on his back, looking up at the sky while his face throbs with pain.
“Are you okay?!” several concerned voices ask.
Donghae tries to respond that he's okay because he can't imagine why he wouldn't be but he realizes that he's not okay when his mouth doesn't even seem to work. He blinks a few times and then the pain really hits him. He's pretty sure his nose is on fire and when he reaches up to touch it, his fingers come away with blood on them.
After helping Donghae to the sidelines, the boys return to their game and ignore him entirely. Once Donghae regains his senses, he thinks that he should probably try to stop the blood that's still coming out of his nose. Afraid to wander back onto the field and ask if anyone has tissues, he grabs a leaf off of the ground and winces as he tries to wipe away blood with it. He wipes his fingers with another leaf and manages to send a text to his parents, asking to be picked up.
Just when he feels like he's about to pass out from pain, something is being dangled in his face. He looks up to discover that the something is a sock. The sock is attached to slim fingers on a hand that's attached to a muscular arm that's attached to a handsome and subtly concerned boy.
“For your nose,” the boy says, clearly offering the sock to Donghae.
“I don't want to ruin it,” Donghae replies.
“It's just a sock.” The boy pauses before sitting down next to Donghae. “I have lots of others. And this one isn't dirty, I promise.”
Donghae considers the sock before gently taking it from the boy and beginning to clean his face.
“Thank you,” he says quietly.
“No problem.” The boy smiles a little. “I'm Hyukjae, by the way.”
“Donghae,” Donghae says, glancing at Hyukjae's smile before quickly averting his eyes. “You... were you on the soccer team last year?”
“Nope.” Hyukjae shakes his head. “I just moved here this year. I was bummed to hear there was no soccer team, so... I came here.”
Donghae nods in understanding. “We've always had a soccer team until now. They cut it this year because of money issues.”
“That sucks,” Hyukjae responds. “Are you a senior?”
“Yeah.”
“Then it must really suck not being able to play during your last year.”
“Not really...” Donghae shrugs. “It was fun before because I had a lot of friends on the team. They've all graduated now.” Donghae looks to the boys still playing on the field. “None of these guys are my friends.”
“Clearly,” Hyukjae says, looking at the bloody sock still pressed to Donghae's nose.
Donghae smiles at that. He avoids looking at Hyukjae, embarrassed to know he's being looked at. He would gladly look back if it weren't for the bloody nose he's currently sporting.
“Donghae!”
Donghae looks up to see his father's car parked near the soccer field. Both his mother and father are inside and his younger brother is in the backseat, sticking his body out the window to wave at Donghae. Donghae stands and Hyukjae does as well.
“I've gotta go,” Donghae says. He awkwardly holds the bloody sock out to Hyukjae.
“You can keep it.” Hyukjae stifles a laugh.
“Right.” Donghae stifles an embarrassed wail. “Thanks for the sock.”
“No problem.”
Donghae quickly turns after that and runs to his father's car where he's greeted by concern and immediate discussion of directions to the hospital. Donghae sits in the backseat, ignoring his little brother's questions about his nose and his parents frantic talking. He only wonders if he might see Hyukjae again.
-
“It's not broken, just a little bruised,” Donghae informs his friend, Sungmin, over the phone.
“I bet it looks gross,” Sungmin responds. “Send me a picture.”
“You can see it at school on Monday.” The subject of school makes Donghae curious about something. “Hey, do you by any chance know a new kid named Hyukjae?”
“Hyukjae? He's in book club with me. Why?”
“Oh, I just... need to return something to him. Do you have his number?”
“I have his number and his address,” Sungmin says, “but I'm not giving them to you.”
“Why not?” Donghae whines.
“Because I'd be violating the book club's confidentiality. Plus you probably only want his number 'cause you think he's hot but you're too scared to ask him.”
“That's not true,” Donghae mumbles, “I really have something to return to him.”
“What is it?”
Donghae pauses. “A sock...” he says.
“Why do you have his sock?”
“Well... he... he gave it to me to stop my bloody nose.”
Sungmin goes silent to process this information before responding.
“You are not going to give him a bloody sock, do you hear me? You are going to go out and buy him a nice new pair.”
“I was planning to!” Donghae screeches. “I just... didn't want to tell you.”
“Because you thought that I would think that you like him?” There's an obvious smile in Sungmin's voice.
“Just give me the damn address.”
-
Other than his partially bruised nose, Donghae is perfectly confident in his appearance. Still, he approaches Hyukjae's house with anxiousness and a pair of socks. He knocks on the front door and takes a step back, listening nervously to the sound of footsteps approaching. Hyukjae answers the door looking completely surprised.
“What are you doing here?” Hyukjae asks.
Suddenly realizing that he might seem crazy, Donghae panics ever so slightly. “I um... wanted to thank you for yesterday. I was messed up and kind of had to run off since I was... well, bleeding from my nose and I didn't get to thank you properly.”
Hyukjae's reaction to Donghae's explanation is a blank stare. In the absence of words, Donghae holds the socks out to Hyukjae.
“I brought you socks.”
“I see that,” Hyukjae says. “So, um, are you... stalking me?”
“No!” Donghae protests immediately. “I just really wanted to repay you but I didn't even know who you were but then I managed to get your address from Sungmin and I should just leave, shouldn't I?”
Donghae starts to walk away without waiting for an answer.
“Wait!” Hyukjae shouts, jogging after Donghae. Donghae stops and turns to him. “If Sungmin gave you my address then... it's okay.”
“Really? Because he said something about violating confidentiality and it sounded kind of serious.”
“It's fine.” Hyukjae smiles but then tilts his head. “But Sungmin wouldn't do that without a really good reason. What did you tell him?”
“Just... that I needed to repay you,” Donghae responds, sending a nervous smile back.
Hyukjae looks at the socks in Donghae's hand and reaches for them. Donghae quickly lets them go. Hyukjae brushes his fingers over them and then looks back at Donghae.
“Do you want to come in?”
-
Although his initial fear has calmed, sitting in Hyukjae's kitchen while Hyukjae pours him a glass of pink lemonade is keeping Donghae's nerves on edge.
“My mom loves making all kinds of fruit and vegetable juices,” Hyukjae explains as he passes the glass to Donghae.
“That's pretty neat,” Donghae replies. “My mom never makes anything. My dad is the one who does all of the cooking and stuff.” He takes a drink of the sweet lemonade and smiles at Hyukjae in approval. Hyukjae smiles back.
While Donghae takes another drink, Hyukjae starts trying on his new socks. He opens the package and pulls one on, holding his leg out and wiggling his toes.
“They fit perfectly,” Hyukjae says. “But you know... you really didn't have to do this. It was just a sock.”
Donghae looks down at his drink to avoid Hyukjae's eyes. “It's more than just a sock. You helped me out while everyone else ignored me. I guess... I'm repaying you for your kindness more than your sock.”
Hyukjae doesn't say anything and Donghae is afraid to look up. When he finally does look up, Hyukjae is staring at him.
“Makes sense,” Hyukjae finally says with a smile.
Donghae returns a relieved smile this time. He hears the buzzing of a phone and watches Hyukjae reach into a pocket to pull out a phone. Hyukjae grins as he reads a text and Donghae looks at him curiously.
“My mom is on her way,” Hyukjae explains. “She says she's bringing me food.”
“She sounds cool,” Donghae says and Hyukjae nods. “I guess I should probably get going. I don't want to get in the way of you and your food.”
They both stand and Hyukjae walks Donghae to the door.
“Thanks for the socks,” Hyukjae says as Donghae stands just outside his door.
“Thanks for the kindness,” Donghae responds. They both grin before Donghae walks away and tries his hardest not to look back.
-
Donghae keeps an eye out for Hyukjae during school. He lingers in the hallways between classes, peering through crowds of peers to try and catch a glimpse. After the school day is over, Donghae admits defeat. He and Hyukjae don't cross paths at all during an average school day.
When Donghae arrives home, he calls Sungmin.
“Is Hyukjae in any of your classes?” Donghae asks.
“Why do you wanna know?” Sungmin questions back.
“Well, he's not in any of my classes so I was just kind of... wondering where he is during the day.”
“Why do you wanna know?” Sungmin repeats his question.
“I'm just curious!” Donghae sighs. “There's no particular reason, really.”
“You know, you could just ask him if you're really that curious.”
“How am I supposed to do that? I know where he lives but it would be creepy to show up at his door again. I don't have his number and we're not in any classes together... it's like I'll never see him again.”
“You are so dramatic. You'll see him again. Trust me.”
“But... how?”
“Just be patient, Donghae. I've gotta go.”
“But-”
The line goes dead. Donghae frowns at his phone and then heaves a sigh. He doesn't want to be patient, but he doesn't have any other choice.
-
Donghae is eating his lunch the next day, lost on his own thoughts, when he feels a tap on his shoulder. He turns his head and looks up to see Hyukjae smiling at him.
“Turns out we have the same lunch period,” Hyukjae says. “Is this seat taken?”
“Oh, um, no, it's not taken. You can have it.” Donghae scoots over just slightly to make room for Hyukjae at the lunch table.
“Thanks.” Hyukjae sits down, placing his lunch tray in front of him.
Donghae is too busy staring at Hyukjae to remember that there's lunch in front of him. When Hyukjae takes a bite of a sandwich, Donghae finally blinks.
“So... how come we've never crossed paths in here?” Donghae asks, taking a bite of his food as well.
“Big cafeteria, I guess.” Hyukjae shrugs.
Donghae nods. “I never really see you around the rest of the school... are you sure you go here?”
Hyukjae nearly chokes on his drink but manages to swallow it before speaking.
“Yes, I'm sure.” He narrows his eyes at Donghae. “You know, I haven't seen you around here either... are you sure you go to this school?”
“Hey, you're the new kid here,” Donghae says, “you don't get to ask questions.”
“Oh, I see how it is.” Hyukjae turns to his food but it's obvious that he's smiling. Donghae is, too.
They spend their lunch period figuring out that their classes all happen to be on opposite sides of the building and they never take paths that cross. They actually take some of the same courses at different times of the day. When the bell rings to signal the end of their lunch, they're still talking together, ignoring the crowd of kids around them.
“I'm assuming you're not gonna stick with soccer club,” Hyukjae says, staring straight at Donghae's nose.
“Good assumption,” Donghae mumbles back.
“Then maybe you can come over sometime and we can play soccer in my backyard. I promise I won't kick too high.”
Donghae grips the strap of his backpack and contains most of his smile. “That'd be fun,” he says. “Should we... exchange numbers? You know, so we can figure out a time to meet?”
“Sure,” Hyukjae responds eagerly.
They exchange phone numbers and quickly dart away to make it to their next classes. Donghae hardly realizes that he doesn't stop smiling for the rest of the day.
-
Donghae isn't as nervous during his second visit to Hyukjae's house as he was during the first. This time, he's not carrying socks and he's actually been invited. An afternoon spent playing soccer with Hyukjae is an ideal afternoon in Donghae's eyes, despite Hyukjae's teasing.
“I guess I should probably take it easy on you... since you're injured and all.”
“Go ahead,” Donghae replies, “you'll lose no matter what.”
“We'll see about that.”
Donghae really hopes that Hyukjae isn't taking it easy on him because he loses their first match. During the second match, determination drives him until he wins. After a full day of school, two matches are enough to tire them. They retreat to Hyukjae's kitchen where Hyukjae pours them each a glass of fruit juice. Donghae isn't sure what's in it but it's so delicious and refreshing that he downs the entire glass in an instant.
They discuss soccer and school and Hyukjae's previous place of residence. Hyukjae isn't sad about having to move. He still keeps in touch with his old friends and likes where he is now. Further into their discussion, Hyukjae's mother comes home and introduces herself to Donghae. She's cool, just as Donghae had thought.
When Donghae finally has to leave, he's reluctant. Still, he leaves happily, knowing that he'll see Hyukjae again soon.
-
“That was such a cheap shot!” Hyukjae shrieks.
“There's no such thing as a cheap shot!” Donghae retorts. “You're just bad at this game!”
After Donghae wins another round of the game they're playing, Hyukjae throws down his controller.
“Rage quitter.” Donghae coughs to mask his words.
“Shut up,” Hyukjae shoots back. “I'm still better at soccer than you.”
Donghae does shut up after that. After playing soccer together during every weekday, Donghae had suggested playing video games at his house for a change of pace. Although he doesn't always lose soccer matches against Hyukjae, winning constantly in video games makes him feel more equal.
“Donghae?” Donghae's mother peeks around the corner. “Oh, hi, Hyukjae. Have you two done your homework yet?”
“Mom,” Donghae whines, “we have plenty of time to finish it.”
“And if you do it now, you'll have plenty of time to play your video games later.”
“You just want the TV so you can watch that show you like,” Donghae accuses.
“And if you don't let me watch it, I'll double your chores for next weekend.”
It doesn't take long for Donghae to drag Hyukjae out of the living room and pull him to his bedroom. When he reaches the door, he suddenly feels nervous, wondering what Hyukjae will think of his room.
“Sorry about my mom,” he says, stepping inside and closing the door behind Hyukjae, “she watches some daily drama show.”
Hyukjae doesn't say anything and Donghae looks at him, noticing an enormous grin on his face.
“Your mom knew my name,” Hyukjae says. “She's never met me before.”
“So?” Donghae says, straightening his already neat desk.
“Sooo,” Hyukjae teases, plopping onto Donghae's bed, “do you talk about me a lot?”
“No!” Donghae immediately defends. He turns away and mumbles. “I told her a friend named Hyukjae would be coming over today. She must have remembered.”
“Oh,” Hyukjae says, still clearly amused. He lies down on Donghae's bed, crossing his arms behind his head. “My mistake.”
Donghae stays turned away, pretending to gather his homework when he's really waiting for the blush on his cheeks to fade. He does talk about Hyukjae a lot. He even shows his mother and father pictures of Hyukjae while he blabs on about how good he is at soccer and how nice he is.
He isn't sure if the blush is gone yet but if it's not, Hyukjae certainly doesn't say anything about it. While they sit together on Donghae's bed and try to finish their homework, Donghae is pretty sure the constant smile on Hyukjae's face is just a part of his imagination.
-
Monday comes again and another inevitable week of school begins. School isn't so bad for Donghae when he knows that he can see Hyukjae at lunch and hang out with him at the end of the day. However, during lunch on this particular Monday, Donghae feels something strange.
A drop of hot, melted cheese from Hyukjae's pizza drops onto Hyukjae's thigh. Knowing it will burn, Donghae instinctively grabs a napkin and wipes the cheese from Hyukjae's thigh.
“Thanks,” is Hyukjae's simple response before he continues eating.
Donghae feels like his hand is on fire. Hyukjae's thigh is firm but soft and suddenly Donghae remembers the time Hyukjae's soccer shorts had risen just enough to expose his thigh muscles. It's a moment that was previously insignificant but suddenly very clear in Donghae's mind.
“You okay?” Hyukjae asks, licking a bit of sauce from his hand before looking at Donghae.
“Y-yeah,” Donghae manages, trying to pretend he hadn't just stared at Hyukjae's tongue. “I'm good.”
It hits Donghae then, like a sweet bolt of lightning, that he is possibly very sexually attracted to Hyukjae. He struggles through the rest of the school day, telling himself that he must be mistaken. It takes several class periods but Donghae admits the truth to himself.
Donghae is attracted to Hyukjae; he's known that since the day they first met. It was Hyukjae's kindness that pulled him in. Hyukjae's cheery demeanor and charming looks only added to that. It was only a matter of time before Donghae's hormones kicked in and now they finally have. He admits to himself that he is attracted to Hyukjae, possibly in every way there is to be attracted to a person. But as he meets Hyukjae after school and they walk to Hyukjae's house together, he buries that attraction. He buries it in the same way he's been burying it since day one.
-
Tuesday is a rainy day. It's the first day that the boys decide to go to Donghae's house after a school day.
“We could still play soccer in the rain,” Hyukjae suggests although he looks quite comfy sitting on Donghae's kitchen counter.
“I'd rather not,” Donghae replies. He's making his way around the kitchen, looking for something to eat, when he finds a note from his father. “Great,” he grumbles after he reads it.
“What?” Hyukjae asks, hopping off the counter and snatching the note from Donghae's hands. “He needs you to bake muffins for your little brother's bake sale? What's so bad about that?”
Donghae takes the note back and tosses it in the trash. “It's not,” he says, already gathering ingredients and utensils.
“Then why are you acting like you hate it?” Hyukjae presses.
Donghae ignores the question while he lays all of the ingredients out and prepares the muffin tray. Then he glances at Hyukjae who is still waiting for an answer.
“It's just... embarrassing, I guess.” Donghae preheats the oven and starts to mix while Hyukjae takes a few steps closer.
“I don't mind it.”
Donghae smiles and keeps mixing. “It's not about you. It's mostly about... my dad.”
“What?” Hyukjae questions. “Does he want you to open a bakery or something?”
“No.” Donghae laughs. “He just... he wants me to cook because he thinks that's how I'll... meet the girl of my dreams. That's how he met my mom and... won her over, I guess. He wants me to know how to cook so that I can 'impress the ladies.'”
“Girl of your dreams, huh?” Hyukjae sounds distant and it makes Donghae want to cringe.
“Yeah,” Donghae responds, quickly mixing and depositing the batter into the muffin tray, “pretty crazy, right?”
“Not really,” Hyukjae says. “I mean, it could happen. It happened with your parents, right? It could happen again.”
Donghae doesn't say anything. He finishes filling the tray and puts it in the oven. When he finally looks at Hyukjae, Hyukjae isn't looking back at him.
“Do you wanna play a game or something while they bake?” Donghae asks.
Hyukjae stays quiet, staring off into space. Donghae is about to ask again but he gets a better idea. He dips the tip of his finger and flour and presses it against Hyukjae's cheek. Hyukjae blinks and rubs the flour off with his sleeve.
“Hey,” he whines, “what'd you do that for?”
“You were ignoring me,” Donghae replies.
“Sorry,” Hyukjae says sheepishly, “I didn't mean to.”
“It's okay,” Donghae assures. “Now, do you wanna play a game or not?”
Instead of answering, Hyukjae stares at Donghae instead. Donghae is about to reach for the flour again but Hyukjae speaks.
“Can I talk to you about something instead?”
Hyukjae sounds serious. Donghae swallows to try and ease his suddenly tight throat.
“Sure,” he says quietly.
Hyukjae stares again. Then he takes a step closer, lessening the distance between himself and Donghae and making Donghae's heart pound.
“I... think... you're cute.”
It's a shy, simple statement that makes Donghae's eyebrows furrow. He doesn't have time to question it, however, because Hyukjae follows it up with a peck to Donghae's lips. Donghae's heart pounds harder. His eyes widen and he stares at Hyukjae who takes a step back.
“You should... say something,” Hyukjae suggests, expression filled with worry.
“I don't know what to say,” Donghae quietly responds. The worry on Hyukjae's face grows. He takes another step back.
“I... I'm sorry, I shouldn't have... I'm sorry, Donghae.” Hyukjae turns and runs to the front door. Donghae hears it open and close but he stays rooted in place, not only void of words but of thought and actions as well.
When Donghae can finally function again, he runs to the window. Hyukjae is nowhere in sight. He reaches for his phone, debating whether he should call Hyukjae or not. He decides against it and calls Sungmin instead.
“Hello?”
“He kissed me.”
“He... wh- Donghae, what?!”
“He kissed me. And then he ran. And I... what do I do?!”
“I really don't understand what he sees in you. Um, I dunno, maybe run after him?!”
“But he... what if he didn't mean it?!”
“Didn't... mean to kiss you? Donghae, unless he fell on you and your lips accidentally touched, I'm pretty sure he meant it.”
“Then... why did he run away?”
“Well, did you kiss him back?”
“No...”
“Then he thought you rejected him!”
“What?! There's no way... he doesn't... he doesn't like me that way. It had to have been a mistake.”
“A mistake?!” Sungmin sounds exasperated. “Donghae, Hyukjae likes you. I know he does, okay? Now will you please run after him?”
“How do you know?” Donghae asks, still peering out into the rain. “Did he tell you?”
“No...” Sungmin sighs. “Look, Hyukjae didn't just happen to have the same lunch period as you. He switched his schedule around so that you guys would have lunch at the same time. He did it just so he could talk to you.”
Donghae's jaw drops. He hadn't even considered that. He'd never even considered the possibility that Hyukjae might be attracted to him. Donghae realizes that if what Sungmin is saying is true, Hyukjae could have felt the same way all along.
“I've gotta go.”
“Good boy.”
Donghae hangs up the phone. He runs to the oven and turns it off before sprinting out the door and into the rain. His house isn't far from Hyukjae's so he runs in its direction, grinning more with every splash his feet make against the sidewalk. By the time he reaches Hyukjae's door, he's entirely drenched but he doesn't care. He pounds on the door with his fist relentlessly, not caring if Hyukjae's parents are home.
It's Hyukjae that eventually answers the door, eyes wide with confusion and fear. Donghae plans to wash that fear away. He leans forward, tilting his head and quickly kissing Hyukjae. He pulls back to find that the fear is gone but the confusion is still there.
“I...” Donghae starts, “I'm sorry I didn't say anything. But... what I should have said was... I... I think you're cute, too. I thought you were cute from the first time I met you.”
Hyukjae slowly smiles. He steps forward and kisses Donghae again, this time leaving their lips a little more time to enjoy each other. Donghae smiles and pulls Hyukjae against his wet body, making Hyukjae shriek before laughing.
“You're soaking wet!” Hyukjae accuses, not making any move to push Donghae away.
“Worth it,” Donghae responds, nudging his nose against Hyukjae's. Hyukjae's responding smile is shy.
“I didn't think you liked me,” Hyukjae mumbles. “I thought I'd just ruined our friendship.”
“I think you just made our friendship way better.”
Hyukjae laughs and they eagerly kiss again. After a few more pecks and giggles, Donghae pulls Hyukjae away from the door just so they can kiss in the rain.
-
Donghae sloshes through his front door and closes it behind him.
“Donghae? Donghae, is that you?” Donghae's father shouts from the kitchen. “Donghae, these muffins are awful! They're not even baked!”
Donghae walks into the kitchen, still drenched and with a stupidly wide grin on his face. He looks at his father who stares back at him in bewilderment.
“That's because I had a boy to kiss.”
Not giving his father any context for that statement, Donghae walks upstairs. He'll happily explain everything to his father later but for now, he wants to bask in the fresh memories of his first kisses with his new boyfriend. As he takes off his wet clothes and listens to his father clattering around in the kitchen, he thinks that there might be a few recipes he'd like to learn - not for the girl of his dreams, but for the boy who stole his heart.
-
A/N: I know this fic isn't exactly deep and it's rather brief but... it has its moments, right? :3 This is just a short one shot I had to write but I have a long fic coming soon (hopefully)~!