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It was a typical Saturday afternoon when they finally decided to drop the news. The gang was gathered for their usual lunch meet-up, a much-needed break from their hectic college schedules.
As usual, everyone had their roles. Kai, the designated snack master, showed up with a bucket of chicken, Taehyun brought the drinks, while Yeonjun and Soobin walked in together, proudly carrying dessert. Since the hangout was at Beomgyu's place, his contribution was... well, the plates and utensils. “My apartment is the closest! That’s totally fair!” he’d argue every time.
Their friendship had a simple beginning. Yeonjun and Soobin had been inseparable since high school, and remained close at college. You can say they've been friends the longest. Kai, Soobin’s childhood friend, reconnected with him once they realized they were at the same college. Beomgyu was Yeonjun’s classmate who got dragged into the mix, and Taehyun, Beomgyu’s roommate, somehow ended up in the group.
What started as casual study sessions and video game nights quickly evolved into an unbreakable bond. Now, they were practically family, with Soobin and Kai teaming up on the consoles, Yeonjun constantly raiding Beomgyu’s closet, and Taehyun being the group’s reluctant tutor when their grades are on the verge of failing.
But no matter how crazy their weeks got, they always made time for their sacred Saturday lunch gathering. Yeonjun and Soobin were proud to have been the catalyst for this close-knit group, sometimes feeling like the parents raising three mischievous kids. Taehyun had once joked about them being a couple during one of those early hangouts. Yeonjun had brushed it off with a blush and a giddy smile, and Taehyun had never given it a second thought.
Until today.
“Everyone, we have a huge announcement,” Yeonjun declared, standing up with an air of dramatic importance.
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to Yeonjun, who was holding Soobin’s hand. His eyes sparkled with excitement, as if he were about to reveal the secret of the universe. Soobin looked at him with a loving gaze before turning to the others.
“It’s been a while, so maybe you guys haven’t noticed, but... Soobin and I are dating!” Yeonjun announced with the biggest smile on his face.
Silence.
A solid 30 seconds of dead silence followed before the three members burst into laughter, looking at each other as if they’d just heard the punchline to the best joke ever.
“And I’m dating the refrigerator.” Beomgyu chuckled, rolling his eyes.
“Good one, hyungs!” Kai chimed in, popping a piece of chicken into his mouth.
Taehyun smiled, waiting for the inevitable “Just kidding!” that always followed one of Yeonjun’s dramatic declarations.
But it never came.
“No, really,” Yeonjun insisted, his voice tinged with frustration. “Soobin and I are actually dating.”
“But you guys aren’t even each other’s types!” Kai replied, his mouth half-full.
“So what if we’re opposites?” Soobin jumped in. “I love him despite our differences.”
“Alright, cut the crap. Is this some kind of bet? A prank? You can drop it now. You really had us going,” Beomgyu smirked, clearly unimpressed.
Yeonjun’s frustration began to show. “What? No, we’re serious! We confessed our feelings to each other. We’ve been pining for each other forever, and we've been catching hints that you know… we actually like each other… and we finally decided to do something about it.”
The three of them exchanged skeptical looks. Not one of them believed a word of it. This had to be some elaborate joke, right? So what if their hyungs have the longest friendship in their group? So what if they occasionally joked if they were a couple? So what if they entered the apartment together, holding hands, eyes staring at each other with all the stars in the universe? Friends definitely do that. Yeonjun and Soobin have been best friends since they knew them. Maybe this a bet between the two of them. But they weren’t falling for it.
“Say what you want, but I’m not buying it,” Beomgyu said, sticking out his tongue. “You two are just best friends, which, honestly, is exactly what you look like.”
Yeonjun sighed loudly, exasperated. Why weren’t they taking this seriously? Soobin, sensing his frustration, squeezed his hand reassuringly.
“It’s okay, babe,” Soobin said, before leaning in to plant a kiss on Yeonjun’s cheek. Yeonjun blushed, a smile creeping onto his face. “We’ll just have to prove to them that we’re really in love.”
They exchanged a long, loving gaze, completely lost in each other’s eyes, while the other three made exaggerated gagging sounds.
“Okay, okay, the act’s getting old now!” Beomgyu said, half-laughing, half-pleading for them to stop. The others nodded in agreement, expecting Yeonjun and Soobin to finally drop the charade.
The three of them weren’t strangers to the fake dating trope. They had read enough fics and books in the past to recognize the signs. A sudden announcement of dating when everything seemed normal just the day before? It barely made them flinch. It would take more than loving gazes and casual hand-holding to convince them that their hyungs were genuinely in a relationship.
In fact, with a mix of shared glances and silent telepathy, they were already plotting how this would end. They were certain that by the end of the week, their hyungs would admit it had all been an act. Beomgyu could already picture the scene in his mind—the triumphant moment where he’d point at their faces and declare, “Ha! I knew it.”
But the so-called ‘act’ didn’t end.
( ˶ˆᗜˆ˵ )
First Victim: Choi Beomgyu
Beomgyu shared classes with both Yeonjun and Soobin, but never at the same time. On Mondays, he had Economics with Yeonjun, and on Wednesdays, a coding class with Soobin. As the self-appointed glue, Beomgyu always sat next to them, forced them to be his project partner, and made sure they both exited the classroom together.
Mondays usually meant lunch with Yeonjun after class, where Beomgyu would unload every random thought on his mind. Wednesdays? That was for bickering with Soobin over which game they’d battle out on the console later, challenging that they could beat the other. Yet, despite all their time together, he had never bumped into either of them or the others waiting outside the classroom.
Beomgyu was mid-rant about the time he nearly set fire to his shared apartment with Taehyun, when he noticed Yeonjun suddenly freeze. His eyes widening and a blush forming on his cheeks. He had a smile slowly rising up too. Beomgyu was puzzled and looked at Yeonjun’s direction. There, Soobin is standing and staring at Yeonjun, as if he waited for him.
“Hey Soob! What are you doing here?” Beomgyu called out, waving at Soobin as he approached.
“I was waiting for Yeonjun!” Soobin replied cheerfully.
Beomgyu raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you wait for Yeonjun after class?”
“Since we started dating. Can’t I surprise my boyfriend ?” Soobin emphasized with a grin, pulling Yeonjun into a hug and settling his hands on his waist.
Beomgyu snorted. “Right. Dating. Got it. We’ve never run into each other like this before. You guys are really going all out with this joke, huh?”
Soobin just shrugged, still clinging to Yeonjun. “I know Yeonjun hyung’s schedule now. That means I can visit or wait for him whenever I like.”
“Like what a friend would do.” Beomgyu shot back, rolling his eyes.
Yeonjun opened his mouth to retort, but Beomgyu cut him off, diving back into his story about the apartment fire. As they walked away, Beomgyu muttered to himself, “They’re really taking this joke to the next level.”
But then Wednesday came around, and Beomgyu found himself staring at Yeonjun, who was waiting outside the coding classroom with a bouquet of roses in hand, looking like he’d just stepped out of a rom-com.
“Oh, come on, seriously? You’re still going with this?” Beomgyu groaned, rolling his eyes so hard he feared they might get stuck.
“Well, yes, Beomgyu. That’s because we’re actually dating,” Soobin said, taking the roses from Yeonjun with a sweet “Thanks, babe~” that nearly made Beomgyu choke.
“W-Well…” Beomgyu stammered, scrambling for a comeback. “Friends can give each other roses. That doesn’t mean anything. Ha!”
Yeonjun smirked, not missing a beat. “So, friends travel 30 minutes to the nearest flower shop, wait outside a classroom for ages, and give roses where everyone can see? That’s your story?”
“Shut up! That doesn’t prove anything. I still don’t believe you guys are dating.” What a weak comeback, and he knows it.
It seemed like the ‘couple’ took his disbelief as a personal challenge, because from that day on, Yeonjun and Soobin made a point of waiting for each other after every class. And Beomgyu, much to his growing annoyance, was always there to witness their overly affectionate reunions; like military wives welcoming their husbands back from war.
Soobin would bring lunch just because Yeonjun had missed it, and Yeonjun would wait with Soobin’s usual coffee in hand, saying, “My Soobie’s favorite; extra cream, no sugar.” Sometimes, Yeonjun would have Soobin’s favorite pastry ready, or Soobin would bring a sandwich from the cafeteria, knowing Yeonjun liked it. It was all getting infuriatingly annoying! Beomgyu would always deny each attempt. They weren’t a couple, so why were they acting like one?
The attempts lasted for a while, but something happened that made Beomgyu question if they were actually dating.
It’s a Friday night, and Beomgyu is at the library, cramming for an upcoming exam. He’s exhausted, surrounded by textbooks, and nursing his third cup of coffee when his phone buzzes with a notification. It was from Yeonjun.
Yeonjunie Hyung
can’t wait to see you later, babe! 😘
Beomgyu blinks at the screen, surprised. He’s used to seeing Yeonjun and Soobin messing around, but this? This feels… different. Before he can process it, another message pops up.
Yeonjunie Hyung
OOPS wrong chat!
ignore that!!
And no, Beomgyu can’t just ignore that! He quickly checks the time and notices it’s nearly midnight. What could Yeonjun be talking about?
Beomgyu
sure… sure 🧐
so who was that really meant for?
Yeonjunie Hyung
definitely not you, Beomgyu .
😛
Oh he’s now fully suspicious. He knows Soobin and Yeonjun’s schedules, and neither of them should be meeting this late. He quickly decides to play detective. Determined to figure out what’s going on, Beomgyu leaves the library, heading towards the dorm where Yeonjun and Soobin stay. As he nears the building, he spots a figure standing outside, looking around nervously. It’s Yeonjun, holding what looks like a box of chocolates.
Beomgyu ducks behind a bush, watching as Soobin suddenly appears, jogging up to Yeonjun with a big grin. They exchange a few words that Beomgyu can’t quite hear, but then… they hug. Not just a friendly hug, but the kind of hug that makes Beomgyu’s eyes widen in disbelief. Yeonjun’s hands traveled down to Soobin’s ass and grips it hard.
“Are they really…?” Beomgyu whispers to himself, leaning in closer to get a better look. Just then, Soobin spots him from the corner of his eye.
“Beomgyu, what are you doing here?” Soobin asks, still holding onto Yeonjun.
Beomgyu stumbles out of the bush, trying to play it cool. “Uh, nothing! Just, uh, heading back from the library. You know, late-night studying.”
Yeonjun chuckles, but there’s a glint in his eye. “You sure? You weren’t spying on us, were you?”
“W-what? No! Why would I do that?” Beomgyu stammers, feeling a sudden wave of awkwardness wash over him.
Soobin tilts his head, a small smile playing on his lips. “You look like you saw something surprising.”
Beomgyu opens his mouth to deny it, but the words catch in his throat. Instead, he just waves them off, muttering, “I’m going to bed. You two… have fun, or whatever.”
As he walks away, Beomgyu can’t shake the image of that hug from his mind. Maybe… just maybe… they’re not joking around this time. But then he hears Yeonjun and Soobin burst into laughter, and Beomgyu catches a glimpse of them playfully shoving each other. It hits him that their behavior seems too exaggerated, almost like they’re putting on a show.
Oh that’s it! Yeonjun planned this all along. Yeonjun sent the suspicious text on purpose, and knowing Beomgyu’s curious nature, he knew he would be nosy about it and investigate. Now that he thought of it, he did tell Soobin that he would be studying at the library at this hour. It was even more suspicious that he was caught in the act, as if they wanted him there! The box of chocolates could be a midnight snack too. Also, Yeonjun’s fascination with Soobin’s butt is a common fact, nothing new there. Beomgyu shakes his head with a chuckle, a wry smile on his face. “Seriously, guys? If you’re trying to convince me, you might want to take it down a notch.” he thinks.
He turns to leave, feeling a mix of frustration and amusement. The line between their prank and reality is getting thin, but for now, Beomgyu remains unconvinced.
(๑>•̀๑)
Second Victim: Huening Kai
When Soobin and Kai were young, they became close through video games. Since they were neighbors, it was convenient for them to visit each other's house and play with each other for hours. Now that they're in college with their dorms being one minute walk away, they're basically back in their old ways.
Game night was a sacred night between them. Sometimes Beomgyu would join them, but not as often. Yeonjun and Taehyun aren't gamers at any kind so they rarely came... It's a tradition for him and Soobin to play just to relieve stress from academics and spend time with each other.
So when Yeonjun suddenly came with Soobin, holding hands, Kai was puzzled.
“Hiii hyung! Did you leave something on my dorm or something?” Kai asked, surprised to see Yeonjun during game night.
“Oh no Hueningie that's not the case. I just want to spend time with Soobin, and he said he's playing with you tonight so I decided to come!” Yeonjun replied while slowly taking off his jacket and placing off the rack. He also waited for Soobin to take off his jacket and placed their jackets next to each other.
Kai raised an eyebrow. “I don't have a third console though…”
“It’s okay, he'll just watch beside me. I wanted to spend more time with him too, but I didn't wanna cancel our game night so I thought… why not bring him with us?” Soobin replied with a smile.
Kai nodded hesitantly. Yeonjun and electronics don't go well. This is a common fact. Sometimes the group would joke about Yeonjun's ‘old age’ (“Shut up, I am not that old!”) and his inability to understand electronic devices. He still remembered the time he handed Yeonjun a controller for Mario Kart, only to witness a spectacular display of incompetence that was both amusing and horrifying.
“I know you love gaming Soobin, I wanna know your hobby and share it with you.” Soobin cooed and planted a kiss on Yeonjun’s cheek. Kai made a gagging sound. Are they still acting like a couple?
The game night continued, but something was off. Soobin, usually a fierce competitor, kept on losing. Kai was absolutely thrashing him! That's because Yeonjun was sitting on Soobin’s lap the entire time, his arms casually draped around Soobin’s shoulders, distracting him every chance he got.
The first time Kai won, he teased Soobin about his sudden lack of skills. The second time, he called him a sore loser. And it just kept happening. Normally, Soobin would fight back, throwing sarcastic comments or challenging Kai to a rematch. But tonight, every time Kai teased him, Soobin just looked flustered, his cheeks turning pink. Seemingly more aware of the pretty boy on his lap than focusing on the game in front of him.
At one point, they started playing a horror game, which Kai found fun but wasn’t scared by. Yeonjun, on the other hand, was a complete scaredy cat. Every time there was a jump scare, Yeonjun would practically leap out of Soobin’s lap, clinging to him like his life depended on it. Soobin would soothe him, gently patting his back and whispering comforting words, all while Kai looked at them, thoroughly unimpressed.
“It’s okay baby. You can look at the screen now. See? It's not there anymore.” Soobin soothes him like a baby. Yeonjun slowly removes his head from Soobin’s shoulder to look at the screen again.
“Seriously, guys? Is this another attempt to convince me you’re dating?” Kai muttered under his breath, making another gagging noise as he watched Soobin comfort Yeonjun like a clingy couple.
After playing the horror game, they played Tekken. This particular game known to bring out their competitive sides with playful jabs, screams, and the occasional bickering. And that's what happened for the first few fights. It seems that Yeonjun crawled out of Soobin’s lap to eat sit on the couch and eat popcorn, contently watching them from the screen instead. With Yeonjun out of the picture, Soobin can finally focus and actually fight with Kai.
But after finishing a round and waiting for the countdown to start another round, Kai's stomach ached. It was nature's calling. He needed to go to the bathroom immediately!
“Yeonjun hyung, you have to play for me!” Kai thrust his controller into Yeonjun’s hands, panic evident in his voice. Yeonjun’s eyes widened, clearly flustered. He knew his gaming skills were, to put it mildly, trash.
“But-” Yeonjun began, but Kai was already halfway to the bathroom.
“Just don’t let him win! Avenge meeee…” Kai’s voice trailed off as he disappeared down the hallway.
Yeonjun looked at the controller, then at Soobin, who was grinning like a cat ready to pounce. He knew he was in trouble. Yeonjun was famously terrible at games, and everyone knew it… especially Soobin.
Oh man. Now he knows his character is about to lose. His stomach just had to grumble seconds before starting another round with Soobin. It must have been the popcorn and iced tea, he thinks. After what felt like an eternity, Kai emerged from the bathroom, expecting to see his character utterly decimated and was about to rejoin Yeonjun and Soobin at the sofa.
But instead, he found Yeonjun and Soobin completely engrossed in the game, their laughter echoing through the room. There, he sees Yeonjun and Soobin fighting but having the time of their lives. They are smiling, occasionally jabbing at each other, and actually fighting on the game. Yeonjun, who is bad at games, is shockingly good with Kai's chosen character. It seems that he's actually fighting with moves and not pushing buttons here and there. Soobin, on the other hand, isn't letting his guard down and fights back with his character. Occasionally making fighting sounds and screams when he's on the verge of losing.
In the end, like a miracle, Yeonjun won the game. Soobin shakes his head while groaning in a playful manner and making noises. “Nooo, I can’t believe I lost to you!”
Yeonjun grinned triumphantly. “Now, you must face your punishment,” he teased.
Without missing a beat, Soobin tackled Yeonjun, covering his cheeks with kisses and tickling him mercilessly. They both collapsed onto the couch, laughing and cuddling like they were in their own little world.
Kai observes them from afar, there was no need to kiss and act like a couple when Kai isn't around. Yeonjun was always the one to initiate affection. Whether it was a playful hug, a friendly kiss on the cheek, or a casual arm draped around someone’s shoulder. It was just part of who he was, and everyone in their group had grown used to it. But what was happening in front of Kai right now was different. This time, it was Soobin who was initiating the affectionate gestures, not the other way around.
And that… that shook Kai.
Seeing Soobin, the usually reserved one, lean in to plant a kiss on Yeonjun’s cheek, or subtly take Yeonjun’s hand in his own, left Kai questioning everything he thought he knew. Soobin was the one who blushed easily, who got flustered by even the smallest hint of affection. But here he was, confidently showing affection in a way that left Kai stunned.
But as the night went on and the two continued their affectionate behavior, Kai couldn’t shake the small seed of doubt growing in his mind. Could it be possible that Yeonjun’s elaborate attempt to learn Soobin’s favorite pastime was more than just a friendly gesture? The boundary between playful friendship and genuine romance seemed to blur more with each passing moment. They stopped their playful actions when Kai showed his presence again. Yeonjun handed him his controller so he and Soobin continued playing.
After one round of Tekken, Kai lost to Soobin due to the thoughts circulating on his head and distracted him throughout the game. He was stunned, and what’s even more surprising was Soobin’s words afterwards.
“Time for your punishment.” Soobin teases with a devilish grin.
That is strangely familiar, and Kai realizes that that’s what Yeonjun said earlier. Before Kai could react, Soobin jumped on him with the same enthusiasm, aiming to plant kisses on his cheeks just as he had done to Yeonjun. Kai scrambled to block Soobin’s advances, his hands flailing in a vain attempt to shield his face while Yeonjun’s laughter echoed in the background.
Kai's mind raced. Maybe Soobin is showing his affectionate side more? That’s definitely what’s happening! After years of friendship with Yeonjun, he probably picked up this behavior. It wasn’t entirely unthinkable. He could easily picture them, laughing and showing affection over a game, much like how he’d seen them do before.
For a fleeting moment, Kai found himself almost convinced that his hyungs were dating. But as the laughter died down and normalcy resumed, he pushed the thought aside with a self-deprecating chuckle. It seemed more likely that they were just really bad at keeping up a prank.
Phew! For a second there, he actually thought his hyungs are dating.
(๑ᵔ⤙ᵔ๑)
Third Victim: Taehyun
Taehyun prided himself on being the self-appointed tutor for the group, the one who could whip his friends into academic shape when their grades started to dip. Among all of them, he was known for his laser focus and unwavering dedication to their study sessions. Thanks to his strict rules on procrastination, avoidance of distractions, and knack for simplifying complex concepts, he’d saved each of them from failing grades more than once. Taehyun could conquer any academic challenge.
Except, for this one. Every protagonist has their final boss villain, and for Taehyun, it was the combination of Yeonjun and Soobin, who were sitting unusually close, their heads almost touching as they shared a single textbook.
Lucky for the both of them, they’re not cramming for a final examination. Taehyun tried to ignore their closeness at first, but their constant whispering and giggling started to get on his nerves. Every time Soobin struggled with a problem, Yeonjun would lean in with that signature smirk of his, whisper something that made Soobin blush and lightly elbow him in the ribs. Yeonjun was always the affectionate one between them, and Soobin is always on the receiving end. That has been their dynamic ever since Taehyun met them. They are best friends who are just affectionate with each other, Taehyun reasons with himself. Definitely nothing new from what he’s used to. Definitely not dating!
In their previous study sessions, Yeonjun and Soobin wouldn’t even sit next to each other or across each other. There is always someone between them or next to them, but this time it is obvious they did it on purpose just to continue on their ‘dating’ act. At least that’s what Taehyun thinks.
“Focus guys. You aren’t real lovebirds for you two to be cutesy and clingy in the middle of a day.” Taehyun says, trying to sound stern but not quite succeeding.
“Sorry, Taehyunie,” Yeonjun replies with a grin, though his hand stays on Soobin’s thigh, squeezing gently. “I will apologize for disturbing you, but I will never apologize for spending time with my boyfriend .”
Taehyun rolls his eyes and ignores them. As the session drags on, the both of them actually tried to focus on the books and notes in front of them. But Taehyun still notices the subtle touches, the shared glances, and the way Yeonjun seems to find any excuse to brush his hand against Soobin. It’s not exactly distracting, but it’s certainly unusual. He just brushes it off, at least they’re stuyding, he thinks. At some point, Taehyun’s ballpen fell on the floor. As he reached under the table, Taehyun froze. His eyes widened as he saw Yeonjun’s foot gently nudging Soobin’s under the table. This wasn’t just a casual or accidental tap… it was deliberate, almost playful. Yeonjun’s foot slid slowly across the floor until it found Soobin’s ankle, where it lingered for a moment before softly brushing up and down along Soobin’s leg. It was a subtle, almost teasing motion, like a secret message only they understood.
Soobin’s foot responded in kind, gently sliding back against Yeonjun’s in a way that could only be described as… affectionate. The two continued this hidden game, their feet occasionally brushing together, toes gently curling around each other’s ankles. It was a quiet, intimate interaction, completely at odds with the serious, academic setting above the table.
Are they seriously playing footsie???
Taehyun’s face instantly turned red. Were his hyungs really taking their "act" to this level? He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Embarrassed, he quickly snatched his pen off the floor, sitting back up with a blush creeping up his neck. He avoided making eye contact with either of them, suddenly hyper-aware of the tension under the table. Yeonjun and Soobin, oblivious to the fact that they’d been caught, continued their silent interaction, a small, knowing smile playing on both their lips.
Taehyun thinks they are still on the act, but he's starting to doubt now. It's one thing to act in front of someone, but whatever is going down there is definitely not an act anymore!
While Taehyun tries to forget the image of his hyungs doing footsie under the table, something unexpected happens. Yeonjun gets a little too comfortable. Leaning over to point something out in the textbook, he accidentally knocks over his coffee cup, sending a wave of lukewarm coffee directly onto Soobin’s lap.
Soobin jumps up with a yelp, the front of his pants drenched in coffee. “Yeonjun hyung!” he exclaims, his face turning bright red as he frantically tries to wipe off the liquid with his hands.
But in his haste to help, Yeonjun grabs a stack of papers instead of napkins and begins frantically patting down Soobin’s crotch area, spreading the coffee stain even more. Realizing his mistake, he switches to a handful of tissues, but it’s too late—the damage is done.
“Oh, that’s…” Taehyun tries to stop them, but it was too late. A group of students from a nearby table turns to see what all the commotion is about. Their eyes widen as they take in the sight of Yeonjun hunched over, furiously patting down Soobin’s pants while Soobin stands there, blushing furiously.
One of the students lets out a snort, and soon, the entire group is stifling laughter, trying not to draw more attention. Yeonjun, realizing how it must look, freezes, his face turning as red as a tomato.
“Uh, I can explain-” Yeonjun starts, but it’s too late.
Soobin, embarrassed beyond belief, quickly sits back down and pulls his hoodie over his lap to hide the stain. Yeonjun awkwardly slinks back to his seat, still holding the now-soggy tissues.
Taehyun, barely holding back laughter, shakes his head. “You know, if you wanted to prove you’re a couple, you didn’t have to do that.”
Yeonjun and Soobin exchanged mortified glances, and despite himself, Taehyun couldn’t help but crack a grin. From the footsie under the table to getting caught in an embarrassing situation, Taehyun found himself genuinely wondering for a split second if they might actually be dating. But just as quickly, he dismissed the thought. Maybe, he mused with a smirk, they’re just that bad at keeping up a prank.
( ｡ •̀ ᴖ •́ ｡)
After Yeonjun and Soobin’s “dating” announcement, the three of them set up a group chat to keep each other updated on their hyungs’ latest antics. For the past few days, they’d been exchanging messages about the increasingly elaborate efforts Yeonjun and Soobin were putting into their “relationship” act. Each update was met with laughter and disbelief from the group.
“And Soobin hyung sinked back to his seat. I forced them to stay for 30 more minutes just for the embarrassment.” Taehyun retold what happened to the other two as they headed back to the apartment.
“Stooop why can I actually imagine hyung’s mortified face.” Beomgyu said, laughing so hard he had to steady himself against a wall.
“They’re really going all out. I can’t believe these two.” Kai chimed in with a big smile on his face. “You know, for a moment, I was actually convinced they were dating.”
“Yeah, I just know one of them is losing the bet or something.” Taehyun fishes his keys from his bag. “If they really wanted to convince us, they could’ve just kissed in front of-”
Taehyun unlocked the door and swung it open, and that is when they froze.
The world stopped for a moment.
Beomgyu wished the world stopped for a moment. Kai’s eyes became so wide he could pass as an animated character. And Taehyun… Taehyun dropped his keys.
That alerted their hyungs sitting on the sofa. Well, it was Soobin sitting on the sofa, with his hands placed on Yeonjun’s waist. Yeonjun was straddling Soobin’s lap. Both of their hair messy and faces flushed. They were in the middle of a passionate make-out session.
There was a solid moment before Kai’s startled scream cut through the air.
“Oh shut up Kai. You guys are grown ass men. Don’t act like it’s not your first time seeing two men kiss.” Yeonjun said, pulling away from Soobin but still keeping his hands on Soobin’s shoulders. “Unless…”
“N-no hyung we are not homophobic, y-ou know t-that. I…It’s just that… Y-you know…” God help Taehyun. “You guys aren’t actually dating dating. R-right? S-so why would you…”
“Did you not hear us the first time? We are dating. We’re in love. We kiss and do other stuff.” Yeonjun said with an exasperated sigh, moving off Soobin’s lap and sitting beside him as if explaining something elementary.
“Beomgyu, please say something.” Soobin asks, his eyes full of concern.
Beomgyu stood there, as if frozen in place, his eyes wide with shock. He looked like someone had paused him mid-frame. Finally snapping out of his stance, he managed to stammer out a response.
“A…”
Yeonjun facepalmed, shaking his head.
૮ • ﻌ - ა
It was like déjà vu. It was a Saturday afternoon, all of them gathered around the table. Except this time, there was no food in front of them. Instead of a light and funny atmosphere, it was a heavy and tense atmosphere.
“Guys, if I had known that a kiss on the lips would convince you, I would have done it immediately,” Yeonjun said softly, his tone almost parental. “I honestly underestimated you all.”
Taehyun being the representative for the trio, as the other two is still on shock. “So you guys are actually dating? For real?”
“Yes we are very much in love.” Soobin replies this time.
“When did it start?”
“We started dating a week before we told you guys.” Soobin blushed before continuing. “But if you ask me, it started on our Halloween freshman party last year. I’ve already had the biggest crush on Yeonjun hyung since high school, but I couldn’t deny my feelings any longer…”
That night, Yeonjun, was dressed as a suave 1920s gangster, complete with a pinstripe suit, a fedora, and a sleek overcoat that gave him an air of mystery and sophistication. While Soobin was dressed as a dashing vampire with a sleek, sleeveless vest and a dramatic cape. It was Yeonjun who tagged him along as he knew Soobin isn’t fond of parties but wanted to get to know more people especially as a freshman. Unfortunately, Soobin hadn’t anticipated the chill in the Seoul air that night. As the night wore on, the temperature dropped, and Soobin began to shiver despite the warmth of the party. He tried to ignore it at first, but his discomfort became increasingly noticeable. Yeonjun, who had been chatting with friends and keeping an eye on Soobin, noticed his friend’s discomfort.
“Hey, Soobin, you look cold,” Yeonjun remarked, his brow furrowed with concern.
“It’s nothing,” Soobin replied, trying to brush it off. “I’m fine.”
Yeonjun wasn’t convinced. He glanced down at his own overcoat, which was a crucial part of his gangster costume, and made a decision. With a sigh, he slipped off his overcoat and draped it over Soobin’s shoulders.
“What are you doing?” Soobin asked, surprised.
“You look freezing,” Yeonjun said with a grin. “Besides, you need it more than I do. My costume will survive.”
Soobin felt a rush of warmth, not just from the coat but from Yeonjun’s selfless gesture. The overcoat was perfectly suited to Yeonjun’s costume and added to his character’s aura, and he knows Yeonjun is a fashionista who takes his clothes and outfits seriously, but he was willing to part with it for Soobin’s comfort. The thought made Soobin’s heart flutter. As Soobin settled into the overcoat, Yeonjun noticed Soobin’s drink, a large cup of punch, that he’s been holding the entire time.
“That looks like it’s been warmed up. Do you want me to get some ice on that?”
“Nah, this is Beomgyu’s. He gave it to me, said I need to hold it for him before he disappeared somewhere. It’s alright, I can hold it.”
Despite the coat on Soobin’s shoulders, it can be seen that he is still shaking from the cold. So what Yeonjun did next surprised Soobin. He removed the drink from his hold, and placed it on a nearby counter. Then, he wrapped his arms around Soobin in a comforting hug. He was keeping Soobin warm, and warm did Soobin felt inside his heart.
“Hyung…”
“Well, I can’t let my favorite vampire freeze to death, can I?”
Soobin felt a deep blush spreading across his cheeks, praying the dim lighting would hide it. It was that moment that the party music changed to Yeonjun’s favourite song.
“Hyung! It’s your favorite song. I know you want to dance. It’s okay I can just stay in here.”
Yeonjun contemplated it for a moment. After hearing his favorite song, Yeonjun also unwrapped his hands from Soobin. It was like an instinct to go to the dance floor, and he badly wanted to dance. He waited the whole night just for this song, and he was already feeling a bit tipsy drunk. He glanced at Soobin, then back to the dancefloor, then back to Soobin. He shrugged, and wrapped his warm arms around Soobin again.
“Nah. I’d rather stay with you.” Yeonjun snuggling his cheeks against Soobin’s chest. “Can you at least sway with me?”
They swayed together on that song, and the next couple of songs, throughout that cold night. Yeonjun is known for his love to socialize at parties, at dancing, at having fun with friends. He is the life of the party. But instead, he chose to stay with Soobin. With the warmth of the coat and his hug, Soobin felt a growing sense of affection towards Yeonjun. It wasn’t just about the physical comfort but the way Yeonjun’s actions spoke volumes about his feelings and how much he cared. Soobin realized that his admiration for Yeonjun had evolved into something much deeper. In that moment, amidst the Halloween festivities, Soobin understood that his feelings for Yeonjun were no longer just a simple crush; they had grown into something more profound and meaningful.
What he thinks he could leave back in high school has became strong. He knew now, more than ever, that his heart was undeniably drawn to Yeonjun.
“Hey, so that’s why my drink disappeared.” Beomgyu wondered out loud.
Ignoring Beomgyu, Yeonjun replied next. “Well, as for me… You already know this Soobinie but I had a crush on you since the day we met. It was your kindness, and your genuine, loving aura that made me drawn to you. I remember the first time we talked… I was struck by how effortlessly you made me feel comfortable. I find your lanky frame and that slightly disheveled haircut endearing. You have the dedication to love and help others, and I’m forever grateful I’m one of the people you approached one day to help me from failing algebra. What I didn’t expect is I would fail at not realizing my feelings grew even more as we spend more time together, and you grew up to be a handsome, confident, even taller man.”
Yeonjun’s smile widened, a blend of affection and vulnerability in his eyes. “Even though you’ve grown and changed, a part of me still holds on to the image of that boy with the uneven haircut and the lanky posture. That part of me is still smitten, and it always will be. I’ve always admired you, and now I’m so in love with you. I hope you can see that, despite how much we’ve grown and changed, my feelings have only become stronger and more genuine. Back then at Halloween night, I couldn’t leave you alone because I was afraid you might fall in love with someone else. You were my first love, first kiss, first everything. I’m glad I made the decision of staying close to you as we both enter college.”
Kai wiped a tear from his eye, Beomgyu was holding his heart, and Taehyun looked at them with an endearing smile.
“Okay Romeo and Juliet, we get it, you’re dating.” Taehyun rolls his eyes out of adoration.
It made sense to the three of them. Sometimes they would try to joke that they are the parents of the group, or a couple, and every time they would brush it off with a blush painted on their faces. Similar to what’s happening in front of them, they often have times where it was just them on their own world. It was just the others who didn’t picked up their romantic feelings for each other. Although, it had always been clear to the others that they shared something special. They were probably scared it might ruin their friendship, especially since they’re a tight group now. But they didn’t have to worry anymore.
“Thank you for telling us, hyungs. I’ll admit, I’ve always seen you guys as really close friends. So it might take me a while to get used to seeing you as a couple. But then again, you guys have always been close like that so it really shouldn’t be anything new.” Kai concluded
“I’m so glad for the both of you hyungs.” Beomgyu replied sincerely. “I only wished I believed sooner so we didn’t have to witness that corny shit.”
“To be fair, it was your fault hyung you didn’t believe them at first.” Kai accused with a grin.
“Me??? You were the one who said, ‘Good one, hyungs!’” Beomgyu shot back.
The two of them continued to bicker. with Beomgyu stubbornly refusing to back down and Kai on the verge of losing the argument, and Taehyun trying to stop them before they involve hands. Yeonjun and Soobin exchanged a glance, a warm smile playing on both their lips as they watched their friends. It was moments like these that reminded them of just how much they cherished this group—their makeshift family.
Yeonjun and Soobin looked at the three of them endearingly, like two parents. Whatever the future held, they would face it together. And in that moment, with the warmth of each other’s presence, they felt like they could take on anything. Because they weren’t just friends—they were a family. And that was something that would last forever.